Gabriel Michael Horthorn
⚠️ Content Warning
This article may contain mature themes, including homoerotic content, complex power dynamics, sexual encounters with vampires and anthropomorphic beings, as well as other adult material.
Reader discretion is advised.
The Honourable Gabriel Michael Horthorn
Gabriel Michael Horthorn is an 18-year-old Luminari Angelus, born into nobility as the youngest son of George Martin Horthorn, Viscount of Locksley, and Henrietta Elizabeth Horthorn, Viscountess of Locksley. Since the age of three, he has been raised not by his parents—who have been stationed in Constantinople on diplomatic assignment for over 15 years—but by his elder brother, Willoughby James, who is twenty years his senior.
Though officially still part of the Horthorn household, his parents have kept a polite yet unmistakable distance from their radiant son, citing discomfort and an almost superstitious fear of his presence. To Gabriel, they are little more than names and portraits; it is Willoughby who shaped him, taught him, and served as his moral compass. In truth, Gabriel sees his brother less as a sibling and more as a father figure—one he both admires and worries he might one day outshine.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Gabriel has a lean, boyish figure with a surprisingly defined musculature that hints at his Angelus heritage more than at any deliberate training regimen. Though not particularly athletic, he moves with a quiet grace, his agility more instinctual than practiced. He is generally healthy, with no known afflictions, though he is somewhat sensitive to cold and prone to faint spells when emotionally overwhelmed.
Body Features
Gabriel’s mortal form is already striking — smooth, flawless skin with a warm, sun-kissed tone that hints at Mediterranean lineage, and a body as if sculpted by a soft-spoken muse rather than a warrior god. He lacks any visible body hair apart from a neat patch of pubic hair (notably absent from his testes — a curiosity more than a quirk), giving him a youthful, otherworldly allure.
In his Angel form, his skin adopts a silvery glow, like moonlight on polished marble, rather than the traditional golden shimmer of his kind. His halo, too, takes on a cool silver-white gleam, and his wings are a stunning display of glossy, raven-like feathers that shimmer with an elusive blue undertone — as though dipped in midnight. This combination marks him as distinct among the Angelus: ethereal, mysterious, and not easily forgotten.
In his Archangel form, Gabriel’s body becomes more visibly masculine, his muscles more pronounced, almost statuesque — like a marble Adonis kissed by divine fire. The silvery hues of his Angel form are replaced by the radiant gold typical of his elevated station, making him look like a being born of both battle and beauty.
His armor manifests as a provocative ensemble of celestial-forged scales — a shimmering gold-and-obsidian chestpiece that barely covers his torso, paired with intricate thigh-guards, vambraces, and gleaming sandals strapped to his calves with silken golden ribbons. His midsection and legs remain largely exposed, not out of vanity, but because the armor knows that confidence is its own kind of defense.
As for his weapon — “Calemvir”, the Whisperblade — it’s a double-edged longsword that hums like a choir at rest, its blade thin, curved like a crescent moon, and forged of iridescent sky-metal. Light refracts along its edge like glass, but it can slice through both matter and magic. When wielded, it sings softly, whispering truths only Gabriel can understand.
Facial Features
Gabriel’s face in mortal form is the picture of boyish innocence — soft, symmetrical, and delicately carved, as if divinity was feeling sentimental that day. His full lips curve naturally into a contemplative pout, and his eyes — deep, dark brown — carry a quiet depth, equal parts longing and unreadable wisdom. His nose is straight but soft, and his features overall lean more towards the Mediterranean ideal than the rugged lines of British nobility. It's not a quirk of bloodline — it's Angelus heritage, and it glows through him like a distant memory of sunlight.
In Angelus form, the ethereal takes over. His features soften further, becoming so serene they almost seem sculpted from moonlight. His hair, jet-black in mortal form, develops the same subtle blue shimmer as his wings — a soft halo of shadow and mystery. His eyes shift from warm brown to a luminous amber, glowing faintly like candlelight through honeyed glass — the kind of gaze that sees too much but says too little.
In Archangel form, Gabriel’s face evolves with his body. The softness gives way to noble masculinity: cheekbones sharpen, his jawline becomes more pronounced, and the fullness of his lips takes on a more sensual, commanding quality. His eyes brighten into glowing gold, not harsh or blinding, but radiant — as if powered by the truth he was born to speak. He no longer looks untouched by the world — he looks ready to change it.
Physical quirks
Gabriel tends to lower his head slightly when speaking to someone he feels emotionally or physically drawn to, his lashes casting long shadows over flushed cheeks. From this demure angle, he’ll occasionally lift his gaze in shy, fleeting glances — just enough to make hearts skip and pulses race. It’s a subtle, instinctive gesture that makes him seem simultaneously vulnerable and enticing — a quiet contradiction of innocence and temptation that’s uniquely his.
Special abilities
Gabriel possesses several unique Angelic powers, each expressing a different facet of his divine essence:
Lux Arcanum
Lux Arcanum is the manipulation of light in various forms: searing rays, gentle orbs, protective walls, or dazzling flashes. He can also subtly alter ambient light to influence mood and emotion.
Verba Divina
With Verba Divina an Agelus can use his celestial voice to calm, compel honesty, or ignite inspiration. When awakened, his spoken words may manifest physically, striking with spiritual force.
Vitae Caress
A gentle touch Vitae Caress can heal minor wounds, soothe pain, or rebalance emotional turmoil. In dire cases, Gabriel can attempt resurrection—at the cost of his own vitality.
Lux Oculi
With his divine sight of Lux Oculi, Gabriel can pierce illusions, sense lies, and perceive emotional or spiritual states. Sometimes, he glimpses the hidden truths of a soul’s deepest longing or guilt.
Apparel & Accessories
Gabriel dresses with the understated elegance of someone who knows they’re beautiful, but doesn’t need to flaunt it — too much. His daily wear tends toward refined, form-fitting garments in dark velvet or silk, often in deep blues, greys, or muted golds, tailored to enhance his lean, boyish frame. Cravat pins and cufflinks are often gifts from his brother Willoughby, tastefully ornate but never gaudy. He tends to avoid heavy jewellery, save for a small silver ring on a chain under his shirt — a childhood relic of unknown significance even to him.
Mental characteristics
Gender Identity
Gabriel identifies as male and experiences his gender as a natural and integral part of his being. He has never questioned this aspect of himself. While he has not encountered any openly transgender individuals in his immediate environment—due in part to the conservative and class-conscious circles he was raised in—he is empathetic by nature and would likely grasp and accept the concept of gender identity beyond the binary if presented with it. His worldview is shaped by a deep sense of personal dignity and respect for the individuality of others, even when that individuality challenges traditional norms.
Sexuality
Gabriel is a sodomite. He became aware of his attraction to other boys around the age of ten, though it took him some time to fully understand what it meant. Living in a society where such desires are criminalised and heavily stigmatised, Gabriel learned early on to tread carefully. Despite his caution, he often struggled to hide his affection for certain young men—feelings that were frequently dismissed or misread as admiration stemming from his nature as an Angelus. This misinterpretation has provided him with some unintended protection, but it has also left him feeling isolated and misunderstood. Deep down, Gabriel longs for honesty and intimacy, even if he has little hope of finding either without consequence.
Education
Until the age of ten, Gabriel received a private education under the supervision of well-paid tutors, carefully selected by his brother Willoughby. These early years gave him a strong academic foundation in languages, history, literature, and classical philosophy. At ten, he was sent to Grimthorne Hall, an old and prestigious boarding school in Northumberland, attended by both his brother and their father before him. There, Gabriel received not only a rigorous mental education from the esteemed teaching staff, but also a rather hands-on physical education from certain fellow students—though few would dare admit it aloud.
At seventeen, he earned a place at the Royal Academy of Arts, where he now studies painting and architecture. He is known for his exceptional eye for form and symmetry, though his professors occasionally question his fascination with the male figure in motion.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Gabriel Michael Horthorn is the first student in the storied history of Grimthorne Hall to receive distinction marks in every final examination across all disciplines—a feat that earned him the reluctant admiration of the faculty and the somewhat sour disbelief of his peers.
While his closest companions praise his brilliance, others whisper that such excellence should hardly set a precedent, given that an Angelus could hardly be expected to play by mortal standards.
Nonetheless, his academic record remains unmatched, and even the headmaster begrudgingly refers to him as “our golden boy.”
At the Royal Academy of Arts, Gabriel's talent for painting was quickly noticed. His first major piece, "Adoration of the Unseen," a large-scale oil painting blending neoclassical composition with unearthly luminosity, caused quite the stir at the mid-year exhibition. The painting now hangs in the private gallery of Lord Marchand, one of the Academy’s wealthiest patrons.
He was also awarded the St. Elmo Distinction for Emerging Visionaries, making him one of the youngest recipients in Academy history. His professors suspect that greatness awaits him—though whether on canvas or in scandal remains to be seen.
Intellectual Characteristics
Gabriel is an innately intelligent and thoughtful young man, with a quiet, introspective nature that belies the sharpness of his mind. He learns quickly, often silently absorbing information and reflecting on it long after others have moved on. His strengths lie in observation, deep contemplation, and the ability to perceive patterns—both in academic subjects and in the subtleties of human behaviour.
He has a natural affinity for the arts, especially painting and architecture, where his intellect and intuition meet in quiet harmony. Though he rarely asserts his knowledge openly, his insights often surprise those around him with their depth and precision. Gabriel is especially gifted at interpreting symbolism and metaphor, traits enhanced by his Luminari heritage and the strange, flickering echoes of forgotten wisdom that sometimes surface in his thoughts.
Despite his brilliance, he tends to understate his abilities. He is more likely to doubt himself than to dominate a conversation, and he often hesitates before speaking, carefully weighing his words. This reserved nature can be mistaken for aloofness, but in truth, Gabriel simply finds the inner world of thought more comfortable than the unpredictability of social interaction.
Morality & Philosophy
Gabriel possesses a deeply ingrained sense of right and wrong, shaped by both his Luminari nature and the quiet strength instilled in him by his older brother. His moral compass leans toward empathy, kindness, and fairness, though he often struggles with the realities of a world that doesn't reflect those values.
Raised in privilege but marked by emotional distance and quiet judgment from his parents, Gabriel developed a personal philosophy rooted in understanding and connection rather than authority or tradition. He believes in the value of individuals and is quietly but unwaveringly opposed to cruelty, especially when masked by law or custom. This makes him sympathetic to outcasts and those who, like him, do not fit into society's rigid structures.
Though Gabriel is not rebellious by nature, he instinctively questions hierarchies and institutions that perpetuate harm. He does so not through defiance, but through gentle but persistent noncompliance. He prefers thoughtful silence to loud protest—but his silence is never empty. When he does speak, it is often with unexpected clarity and disarming moral insight.
His faith in something greater—perhaps not a god, but a luminous thread of rightness that runs through the world—guides him. Organized religion, however, with its dogmas and judgment, unsettles him. He respects belief, but recoils from institutions that claim ownership of truth.
Taboos
Despite his gentle nature, there are unspoken boundaries Gabriel will not allow himself—or others—to cross. Chief among them is emotional dishonesty: he finds deliberate cruelty masked by politeness or false affection profoundly disturbing. Having grown up surrounded by social facades, he abhors manipulation, especially when wielded by those in positions of power.
He is also deeply uncomfortable with the idea of sex as transaction or domination. Though still discovering the depth of his own desires, Gabriel instinctively recoils from any intimacy that feels impersonal, forced, or performative. He associates physical affection with trust and emotional safety, and struggles to understand casual encounters devoid of connection.
While not prudish, he holds a quiet reverence for the sacredness of the body and self-expression. Any attempt to own, define, or control another’s identity—especially their gender, orientation, or personal freedom—is a boundary he will defend with surprising fierceness.
Despite being seen by many as angelic, Gabriel also finds the idealisation of Angelus unsettling. He resents being put on a pedestal, and considers the dehumanisation of any being—no matter how “divine”—a moral wrong.
Personality Characteristics
Personality Quirks
Gabriel has a refined, almost ceremonial approach to physical intimacy. While he deeply enjoys sexual encounters, he finds crude or vulgar vocabulary distasteful and instead uses elegant, emotionally charged phrases. He would never say “I had sex,” but rather “I shared an intimate encounter.” Expressions like “Please fuck me!” are replaced with “Please, I need to feel you inside me.” His desire to perform oral pleasure becomes “I want to taste you,” not “I want to suck you off.” This linguistic quirk reflects both his innate sensuality and his cultivated sense of propriety.
Social
Family Ties
Gabriel's relationship with his family is a complex tapestry of absence, devotion, and quiet rebellion. His parents, the Viscount and Viscountess of Locksley, have been stationed in Constantinople for diplomatic duties since Gabriel was three years old—and have shown little desire to return. Their distance is not only physical but emotional: they feel uneasy in Gabriel’s presence, not out of dislike, but out of discomfort with his otherworldly nature. Angelus children have a way of reflecting truth back at those around them, and his parents have never been particularly fond of honest mirrors.
His true familial bond lies with his much older brother, Willoughby James Horthorn, who essentially raised him. Willoughby has been guardian, teacher, and protector, often more of a father figure than a sibling. When Gabriel, at the age of fourteen, finally found the courage to tell him about his feelings for other boys, Willoughby didn’t flinch. He already knew—and what’s more, he cared far more about Gabriel’s safety and happiness than any potential stain on the family name. He has quietly shielded Gabriel from gossip, steered his education toward open-minded environments, and ensured he would never feel truly alone.
Though Gabriel may carry the Horthorn name, it is his bond with Willoughby that defines his concept of family: not one of blood or title, but of loyalty, love, and unconditional support.
Religious Views
Gabriel was raised in the traditional Anglican faith, with rituals, hymns, and the distant presence of a God who rarely spoke. But as a Luminari Angelus—an apparent being of divine light—his relationship to faith is... complicated. He knows the divine exists. He feels it in his veins. And yet, the Church's rigid doctrines and the persecution of those like him—queer, radiant, different—have left him wary of organized religion. Gabriel believes in higher powers, in beauty, in purpose, and in love as a sacred force. But cathedrals make him nervous, sermons bore him, and priests often look at him with either awe or suspicion.
He prays in silence, not in pews. His religion is wonder. His altar, a lover’s body lit by moonlight. His hymns, whispered confessions and breathless moans.
To him, God is not judgment, but light. And perhaps, in his softest moments, he suspects he was never meant to worship divinity—but to be a fragment of it.
Social Aptitude
Gabriel possesses a quiet, radiant charisma that draws others to him without effort—like moths to a soft, warm flame. He is not loud, not boastful, and certainly not the life of the party. Instead, he moves through social situations with the graceful awkwardness of someone who doesn’t quite realize how captivating he is.
He speaks with poise and care, his etiquette immaculate thanks to years of aristocratic tutoring. Yet behind the polished manners and boyish smiles lies a deeply shy soul, uncertain of his place in the hearts of others. Compliments make him blush. Prolonged attention makes him squirm. And flirting—oh, flirting—is a battlefield he wanders into with all the naïveté of a virgin sacrifice... and just as much allure.
He’s respectful to a fault, rarely interrupts, and listens more than he talks—unless the conversation turns to art, beauty, or philosophy, where his passion sometimes spills over. Despite his noble lineage, his ego is minimal, his empathy deep, and his pride hidden beneath layers of gentleness and longing.
In short: Gabriel is the kind of person who could silence a ballroom simply by entering it… and then apologize for causing a scene.
Relationships
Nicknames & Petnames
Used by Willoughby (for Gabriel):
- Little one – used only in private, typically when Gabriel is distressed, or in quiet, affectionate moments.
- My heart – never spoken aloud; appears once in a private letter Gabriel was never meant to read.
- Cherub – half-teasing, half-genuine, reserved for moments when Gabriel does something endearingly foolish or idealistic.
Used by Gabriel (for Willoughby):
- Will – rarely, usually when he’s trying to provoke a reaction.
- Big Brother – more playful or exasperated in tone than truly affectionate.
- His Grace of Eternal Disapproval – used behind his back, but with a loving eye-roll.
Relationship Reasoning
Gabriel and Willoughby are brothers not only by blood but by bond.
Despite their wildly different temperaments—Gabriel's romanticism and emotional openness clashing with Willoughby’s cool pragmatism—their relationship is built on deep-rooted loyalty and a shared history of early loss and familial expectation. Willoughby, raised with the weight of responsibility, took on a parental role when their parents left for Constantinople, shaping much of Gabriel’s upbringing. Although their ways often differ, Willoughby has always protected Gabriel fiercely, while Gabriel—though often frustrated by his brother’s emotional reserve—admires him more than he lets on. Their relationship is not without tension, but it is marked by enduring trust and a love neither of them easily speaks aloud.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
While their personalities differ, Gabriel and Willoughby share a love for riding—one of the few activities that allow them to connect without words.
Willoughby’s passion lies in the discipline and thrill of fox hunting, while Gabriel prefers quiet, scenic rides through the countryside. Nevertheless, both appreciate the grace, control, and freedom horseback riding provides. They also share an understated fondness for tradition, cultivated manners, and—perhaps most importantly—a deep if quiet appreciation for each other's strengths.
Shared Secrets
When Gabriel came out as gay at the age of fourteen, Willoughby was the first person he told.
Though Willoughby had long suspected his brother’s orientation, he let Gabriel choose the moment. He never spoke a word of it to their parents, nor treated his brother with anything but respect. That moment of shared vulnerability became an unspoken pact between them—a private truth kept safe from the pressures of society. It remains a secret not because of shame, but because Willoughby knew instinctively: it was not yet the world’s to know.
Wealth & Financial state
Gabriel Michael Horthorn belongs to the British upper class by birth. As the younger son of a Viscount and a member of the prestigious Horthorn family, he has access to substantial family wealth, even if it is administrated strictly by his elder brother Willoughby. Gabriel receives a generous allowance that covers tuition, travel, a modest staff, and a certain lifestyle expected of a gentleman and Angelus in society. However, he has no direct control over major family assets or estates.
He owns a small flat in London, gifted to him by Willoughby, but spends most of his days and nights at Locksley House with his brother. He receives occasional funds for art supplies, social engagements, and clothes. Gabriel is not particularly interested in investment or finances and tends to spend lavishly on books, tailored clothing, and beautiful things—especially if they catch his artistic eye.
He has no debts, but his income is conditional upon maintaining the family's reputation (a fact that Willoughby, with a raised brow and thinly veiled sarcasm, likes to remind him of). His true wealth, however, lies in his status as a Luminari Angelus—an asset that opens doors no coin ever could.
English (native), Latin (fluent), Ancient Angelic (reading comprehension), French (conversational)
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