Gabriel nodded. He patted Elijah's shoulder and kept his hand there just a little too long. "I wish you could find happiness, Elijah." he said.

Elijah smiled weakly at him and didn't bring any attention to his hand, he was happy it was there. "I hope you can find happiness, the closest you can for your job. You deserve it too."

"Living close to God is the greatest joy of all." Then why did he feel so empty?

Elijah tilted his head. "But you admit you sometimes feel lonely. Just because God comes first, I do not think it should be so wrong there is something that comes in second."

Gabriel nodded. He withdrew his hand. "It's... complicated in my case."

Elijah tilted his head. "You can try to explain it if you like. I might not have answers, but again, I am always happy to listen and let you unload."

"I just mean... friendships are complicated when you're a priest..."

Elijah smiled softly. "I suppose people would be afraid of you judging them for any mistake. But I have been completely open about all of my misdeeds and problems.'

The priest shook his head. "That's not it," he said quietly. "Or not the main reason. We're not in an equal relationship. If I'm people's priest, I will always know too much about them, and they will always see me as the priest." That and the fact that some parishioners were just too handsome.

"Well you could always tell me some of your secrets, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to do that." Elijah smiled. "I am certainly willing to be your friend as much as you'd allow as close as you can handle me."