Lets Talk about Life

Gabe blinked in surprise. Alma had an aura? He hadn't noticed anything different when he had spoken to her alone upstairs. He couldn't think of anything that was different. Was it a trust thing? He did show her his teeth first, after all. Maybe it relaxed people into letting their walls down or something. "What sort of aura does Alma have? I didn't seem to notice any difference talking to her."

"And good. I believe you can do it, Angelo. You're very smart and I trust you more than I trust most people. So I can't wait to hear of your success when you finish it." He tried to think of something else to say or do to reassure Angelo, but settled on just giving his date a small grin and resting his hand on the table.

...That made a lot of sense. It explained quite a lot, actually.

"It's so obvious now! When I was talking to her upstairs, I showed her my teeth! Like, willingly showed her them. I'm usually so wary about it but she made it seem so easy to do." Gabe seemed shocked at the aura revelation, leaning back in his seat and letting out a long sigh. At least he didn't have to wonder about Alma's aura now next time the two met. But it was also sweet that Angelo needed the confidence boost to ask her out. But... he didn't need it for Gabe. He just went and did it. Confidence was key, apparently.

Gabe quickly ate the last few meatballs that had been sitting in his sandwich before wiping his mouth and hands with a napkin. "You ready to walk around a bit more before we call it a night? I need to stretch my legs but..." He blushed again, barely muttering out, "I want to spend some more time with you too."

Gabe flushed at the 'walk you home' comment. Of course Angelo would be all gentlemanly about their first sort-of date. Could he been any nicer? Probably wouldn't want to find out or his head might explode from the embarrassment. He slid out from his seat and stood ready to offer a hand to Angelo if needed it. Or wanted to hold his hand. He had no idea how long term dating worked so just wing it till it worked.

"I wouldn't mind being taken home by you. I would say get some kind of rest, but I honestly can't say I'll be getting much sleep tonight anyway. My brain is in rapid fire mode at the moment." He laughed weakly, still flustered but smiling widely all the same. This had been the nicest surprise he'd had in a long time.

Gabe couldn't hear much of anything else around him; his heart was beating so loudly that all he could hear was the thumping against his chest. Did Angelo not think about what he said before he said it? The flirting game was too much for him, and he gently squeezed the blonde's hand as he stood still for a few moments.

"Please stop for a minute. I... I'm not used to this. This attention. The flirtations. With how much I've been blushing tonight, I'm honestly surprised that I haven't passed out yet." He let out a sigh, breathing deeply for a few moments to calm himself. His voice went quiet as he slowly pulled Angelo towards the door. "But... in a way, yes. I don't think I'm going to sleep for a while tonight because tonight is just going to replay in my head for hours. So... thank you for the insomnia."

"I thought you were kind of kidding. But if you wouldn't mind, I would like it if you walked me home."

Gabe grinned, softly rubbing his index finger and thumb together in a hope of keeping his hands distracted. If this was like one of those old romance novels he had read, this would be the scene in the book where the two would return to his apartment building, Angelo would wave goodnight, and Gabe would give him a peck on the cheek, or if he was extra bold, on the lips, before heading inside and leaving the blond teen red in the face.

But this was reality, and just the thought of that scenario playing out left Gabe red in the cheeks. The teen would lead the pair towards the Halcyonite apartment building that the island had prepared for the refugees, and he would wish Angelo a wonderful night and ask for a text so he knew that his date had gotten home safely as well before going inside and crashing onto his bed.

Would Gabriel actually get sleep after the events of tonight, lost in a dream world of bliss and wonderment with this latest development of his romantic life?

No. No he would not.

But that was perfectly fine with that.