𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒅𝒆.

INTRO / PINTEREST / PLAYLIST.

     GABRIEL DOESN’T, but he’ll try to save the opportunity for another day. it’s not like this is a new attitude for lilya anyways. “that’s what rude people say,” he scoffs, though it’s not like gabriel is at all a warm and fuzzy person anyways. lilya’s just more blunt than he is. he doesn’t know how she’s going to react to his story, and he just hopes it’s not pity. he’s gotten enough of that to last a lifetime unfortunately. he can’t read her expression, so he wonders what’s actually going on in the woman’s mind. the question isn’t shocking to him, lilya always seems to just want the facts of it all. “my mother thought of a few potential leads, but i don’t even know where to start.” even with his family apparently being a founding family, his mother had been so distant from them, it feels weird to ask them for help. 

     GABRIEL DOESN’T WANT TO JINX IT, but he’s thinking their date is going pretty well. maybe the chemistry they had texting transferred over, and it’s not something he’s mad about. he nods, taking a small sip of his own drink. gabriel had to endure his coworkers teasing him about trying to find a nice place for a dinner date, but at least after the laughter died down, his coworker told him they knew someone that worked here that could see what they could do. gabriel listens as they speak, enjoying hearing more about them. “what’d you study over there?” he asks, and he doesn’t really want to tell her that he didn’t go to college or anything. not that theo seems judgemental, but it’s always something in the bak of his head. he rubs his chin with a hand before laughing. “it’s that obvious, huh? i grew up in santa ana before moving here with my brother. we have family in queens from my mom’s side, so we figured it wouldn’t be too much of a culture shock.” it certainly was, and sometimes he’s still surprised he’s stayed in town.

     HE LETS OUT AN EXASPERATED SIGH, and he knows he deserves every ounce of resentment that simone harbors for him. but it doesn’t make this conversation any less difficult. he glares at her before shaking his head. “alright, then.” gabriel doesn’t want to leave, but after that comment, he also doesn’t want to stay either. “i’ll see you around, simone.” it doesn’t take him long before beginning to pass by her.

     HE’S STILL NERVOUS, but the nerves start to go away seeing their smile. “it’s nice to meet you too, theo.” it’s not like this is completely a blind date, and now that he knows he wasn’t being catfished, he’s glad that the two of them finally do get to meet. a laugh escapes, and he nods his head. “yeah, i kinda underestimated how busy this place was going to be.” but at least he had gotten them a reservation as soon as they finalized plans earlier in the week. the question surprises gabriel slightly, only because he had no idea where to go from that. it’s becoming obvious theo’s going to be the one to carry the conversations, which he doesn’t mind at all. it had been like that while they were texting anyways. “five years or so,” he answers before taking a sip of his drink. “so not incredibly new, but i am finally starting to go out more.” he’s a little embarrassed to admit it, and he’s glad the restaurant he chose doesn’t have bright lights. “how long have you lived here?”

     HER REACTION ISN’T UNJUSTIFIED, but even if he knows that, it’s still annoying him. gabriel lets out a sigh, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “it’s pretty obvious he’s a dog, simone,” gabriel says with a roll of his eyes. unless new york has shapeshifters, and if that’s the case, gabriel’s just going to move as soon as he can. he knows he should walk away, but it’s hard for him to, even if he thinks she’s being ridiculous.

     “MAYBE I JUST HAVE ONE OF THOSE FACES,” gabriel suggests with a shrug of his shoulders, and he’s not even convinced himself. he’s just feeling uneasy about this. plus, he doesn’t think he does have one of those faces. “maybe so,” he says with a weak smile. “it’s nice to meet you.” he adds as a second thought, though the jury’s still out on that one in his head. he just doesn’t want to be rude enough to where she goes to another shop, not that she can get very far. “i have to finish up another one, but then i’ll be able to check yours out. depending on what needs to be done, maybe an hour or two.” he’s overestimating it, but he’d rather do that than underestimate and her get frustrated. “there’s a shopping center a few blocks down if you want to spend your time there.”

     HE SMILES AT THE REASSURANCE, not knowing that he necessarily needed it until now. granted, raising a kid and a dog are two different things, but he thinks that they must have some similarities. “dash,” he says, his smile widening as dash seems to like the attention to be on him. “he likes all the attention he gets now.” 

     IF HE’S ONLY GOING TO GET SNIDE COMMENTS FROM HER, gabriel knows that he probably should just continue walking. but as much as he likes to deny it, he’d rather have simone hating him right in front of him instead of not at all. he just shrugs it off, a surprisingly neutral expression across his features. “well, he’s been an open book so far, so i don’t really have anything to complain about.” it’s weak, and despite his facial expression, he feels a knot in his chest thinking about the reason they don’t talk anymore. 

     GABRIEL LISTENS AS THE OTHER EXPLAINS, and he lets out a sigh. “yeah, i’m lucky i got to miss all of that.” even if a smaller puppy would have been cute too. even gabriel can’t deny how puppies are adorable. they’re just too much work for him. “he’s two. so luckily not a baby, but i’m a little nervous about him being in his terrible two’s. it’s been awhile since i’ve had a dog of any sort.”

     GABRIEL WAITS A MOMENT, trying to see if he should continue on his way and leave this incredibly awkward conversation. and her question makes it seem like he definitely should have walked away. he knows he’s not important enough for people to know him, so he can only imagine how she knows his name. “i am,” he says, a little slowly as his brows furrow. “and you’re...” he trails off, waiting for her to fill in the blank. 

     HIS HEAD TILTS TO THE SIDE, and gabriel shrugs his shoulders. “i don’t know about that. i’m still working on all that.” it’s been a slow process considering gabriel’s been scheduled to work most days, but it doesn’t mean gabriel doesn’t spend his entire evening with him. because what else is he supposed to do? gabriel lets out a laugh, shaking his head. “it’s alright. i won’t tell anyone. i’m sure some people would agree with you.” it’s not like gabriel can really agree, but he can see the similarities. 

     GABRIEL’S NOT ONE TO OPEN UP TO PEOPLE, and it hasn’t always been like this. or at least, never as bad. as the big brother, he had been used to be the one that people would go to. now he isn’t sure exactly what to do. he sighs, setting the towel to the side as he looks over to hana. “i just have a hard time around this time of year,” he begins, and he runs a hand through his hair, tousling it as he did so. “it’s about to be three years, and i still just... i don’t know.” he stops himself, shaking his head. it’s difficult for him to express himself, especially about this. 

     GABRIEL NODS HIS HEAD, and he’s already had to dodge other dogs who got excited seeing dash. it just reminds him that he’ll have to find a dog park near his apartment to socialize him. “he’ll get the hang of it. he’s new to all this anyway.” he doesn’t know the background of his dog, but it’s evident he’s never been on a leash before. “it’ll just take some practice,” gabriel muses, watching as dash seems to like the other. “he certainly likes all the attention he’s getting now.”

     THE COMMENT MAKES HIM LAUGH, and it’s more than just the polite laugh that gabriel’s been able to master. “not really. think i’ve just gotta accept it at this point.” he hasn’t had his dog for awhile, but he doesn’t mind dash’s temperament so far. “his name is dash. you can pet him, if you’d like.” just in case she wants to. 

     GABRIEL SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS, though he doesn’t have much room to talk considering his resting expression looks like a scowl. “i’ve been here for five years now, and it seems like everyone here is in a sour attitude all the time.” gabriel isn’t surprised at the statement, thinking that most people would. “i’ve gotten a few of those because of this one,” he says, looking down at his dog. “but he’s gotten better within the hour or so since we’ve been on a walk.”

     “WELL, WHAT IF I TOLD YOU YOU’RE WRONG?” he won’t, but gabriel has to be annoying just for a little bit longer. a part of him knows lilya wouldn’t judge or fault him for what’s been on his mind, but it’s the act of verbally expressing his thoughts and feelings that’s making him feel nauseous. he rolls his eyes as he mutters, “well, that’s a backhanded compliment if i’ve ever gotten one.” of course, he’s trying to just prolong expressing himself. “no,” he shakes his head. frankly, gabriel couldn’t care less about a dead vampire he’s never met before. “it’s just making me think a little bit more about my brother. and how i don’t even know what happened.” he isn’t expecting to feel lighter after admitting it to her, but he feels like it’s slightly easier to breathe talking to someone about it.