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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Jul 11, 2016 20:58:08 GMT -5
Gabriel felt embarrassed, somehow, that this had happened. As if it was his fault. Before he'd transitioned, before he started passing as male, he'd felt terrified walking down the streets. Lately he'd been able to let go of that fear a bit, and look what it had got him.
Amelio continued to hold Gabriel tighter. "How dare he drag you into this..." he muttered in between his consoling murmurs.
"I... I don't think it was his fault," Gabriel said into Amelio's shoulder. "It just kind of happened."
"But..." Amelio started, and then finished with an ineloquent "..still.."
"It's not his fault," Gabriel said more firmly.
Amelio squeezed Gabriel's shoulder, changing the subject to one more pertinent. "Do you need anything? How can I help?"
"I don't know," Gabriel answered. "Just... cuddle a bit?"
Amelio nodded, pulling Gabriel closer. "I'm so glad you're safe."
"And in the morning, I can... describe her to you, and stuff."
"It's... fine," Amelio murmured. "Don't push yourself too hard."
Gabriel crawled into bed without changing out of his clothes. Soon after, the two of them fell asleep.
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2017 16:54:37 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Noah stood awkwardly in front of Gabriel and Amelio's house, hand halfway to knocking. They had suggested meeting in order to repair relations, after their unfortunate run-in before.. but Noah wasn't sure what to expect. It concerned him.
He had asked Cate to watch the children that night, but nevertheless checked his phone, and sent a quick text to the kids. He hoped they didn't mind.
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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Apr 15, 2017 16:57:23 GMT -5
Gabriel answered the door, feeling a bit awkward. "Hey, come in," he said, and pulled it open wide.
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2017 17:03:42 GMT -5
"Hi.. Thanks," Noah answered as he shuffled through the door. "Hi, Amelio," he greeted the other as he stood to the side. "Hey," Amelio said.
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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Apr 15, 2017 19:58:52 GMT -5
Gabriel put a gentle hand on Noah's shoulder. "What happened wasn't your fault," he said.
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2017 20:28:19 GMT -5
Noah wholeheartedly did not agree, but still he said, "Thank you for saying so."
"We've gotten a sketch from Gabriel, but I want you to report about her too," Amelio told him. He was setting the table because his life is put together.
Noah became slightly tense, and asked --harsher than he intended-- "And about Chimera?"
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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Apr 15, 2017 21:06:41 GMT -5
"Give him a chance," cinnamon roll Gabriel said to Amelio.
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2017 21:12:25 GMT -5
Surprisingly, Amelio looked more sheepish than annoyed. "Not.. not about that. We.. left that out of the report. And you can too."
Noah just looked baffled, honestly.
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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Apr 15, 2017 22:35:45 GMT -5
Gabriel laid a hand on his husband's shoulder. "Thank you, Amelio," he said.
(Executive decision, they're now married, yay!)
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2017 22:57:44 GMT -5
Amelio automatically reached for Gabriel's hand, and fumbled, "So.. the force doesn't know. I just.. want to find her so that she doesn't hurt anyone else."
Noah could say he honestly hadn't expected this. Not from Collins, at least. Jaide must have done a number on him, or maybe it had been Gabriel. Noah glanced at Gabriel, realizing how useful it was to have friends in high places. "I.. Appreciate that. I-I mean, I've been trying --really, really trying to put it all past me and this.. well, thank you. I'll go in and give my report tomorrow, after the kids are at school."
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Post by Paroxysm on Jul 2, 2017 19:43:22 GMT -5
"Thanks," Gabriel said, to Noah this time. "Now why don't you come in and get a drink? May as well enjoy your evening off from parenting." Noah gave a short huff of a laugh, and stepped forward a bit. "Yeah, that sounds great." Gabriel went to the kitchen and came back with a bottle of wine, some glasses, and a plate of cheese and crackers. He set it all down on the coffee table and took a seat. And the other two joined him~ Collins, with a deep sigh of relief dropped onto the couch next to his husband, and began to pour the wine. "So how have things been, Noah?" Gabriel asked. "Oh?" Gabriel said. "What for? Is she doing alright in school?" "Yeah, yeah, she's doing fine." Noah assured them. "It's for French. The school laid off the last teacher, and, I dunno, I guess they haven't been bothered to replace them, apparently." Gabriel made a sympathetic noise. "Languages in addition to arts, huh?" Noah scoffed. "Clearly unimportant." "See the number of languages that come through the precinct every day and they won't think so," Amelio murmured. Gabriel snorted. "Well, at any rate, I'm glad you found someone." "I'm glad too," Noah said, with another look at his phone. "She seems to get along with the tutor, also." "She's a pretty good student, right?" Gabriel asked. "Yes, she is," Noah answered with a small smile. "That's good! And how's Marvin doing?" Gabriel asked. "He's doing well also," Noah said. "He gets along with the others at school, from what I've heard." "I think one of my nieces goes to the same school as him," Collins mentioned. Gabriel looked at Collins curiously. "Oh?" Noah prodded. Amelio shrugged. "It's a big place, though. Just remembered it is all." "Which niece?" Gabriel asked, wondering what age they were. "Luzma," Amelio answered. "She's the one who was asking you all those questions about your job at the last reunion."
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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Jul 2, 2017 19:44:44 GMT -5
"Oh, gotcha," Gabriel said. "Hopefully she's found replacement classes for all the cuts too," Noah said. Amelio nodded. "The budget cuts probably came about when Jaide needed to fund her ninja army," Gabriel murmured. "I don't doubt it," Noah agreed. Amelio, looking like he was trying to hide his discomfort at the topic, put in, "She definitely used a lot of resources, but a lot of them showed up out of the blue along with her." He looked at his glass of wine and frowned. "They didn't seem to worry about payment either. THey just followed her command like robots. And the mercenaries in the force..." Gabriel sighed. "Well, I'm certainly glad she didn't stumble onto your past, Noah." He glanced over at Noah, watching his face. He was incredibly curious but also felt guilty for prying. After a moment the latter instinct won out and he stood up. "Dinner's about ready, but I have to heat a few things up." He went off to the kitchen. Noah's face grew serious, cold, and unreadable at the same time. "So am I..." he murmured. "I tried to stay very quiet during that time, just in case." Amelio's voice was strained. "That was probably wise... The mercenaries working with the ninjas were being paid with their lives." After bustling around in the kitchen for a bit, Gabriel appeared with a Thanksgiving-style meal: stuffing, potatoes, and a lovely roasted turkey. He set the large tray of food on the already set table. The other two eagerly joined Gabriel at the table and they enjoyed a delicious meal.
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2018 16:53:07 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More dinner!
This time for dinner, Noah arrived with a friend in tow. Figuring that it might be uncomfortable for Cate if she arrived at Gabriel and Amelio's house before Noah, the two met up at Noah's house before coming here. So, they walked up and here they are at the door?
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Post by |0+u$ f@ɳԍ on Apr 15, 2018 18:24:57 GMT -5
As Cate walked with Noah, she reflected on her week. It had been a very exciting one: she had helped Anne steal a famous sculpture from a Gotham museum. The heist had been fun to plan and even more fun to pull off. They were currently in the process of auctioning it off on the black market, with plans to use the money for several generous donations to charity.
Thus, as she walked up to the door, she was in a good mood.
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Post by Paroxysm on Apr 15, 2018 18:33:52 GMT -5
Amelio opened the door for the two with a smile. "Hey there, I'm Amelio," he said in greeting to Cate.
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