It's quiet up town

[asoncalledgabriel]

Gabriel lets them into his apartment, immediately flicking on the lights. "Ah, just settle in, yeah? What kind of food do you like?" He nudges the door shut again after Neil's inside and takes his phone out, already opening the app someone showed him. It's still strange to think that he can use his phone for just about everything, but it's also rather convenient.

With help from Steve, he's managed to get the place somewhat decorated. At least so that it looks like someone lives here now. There's a throw blanket and some pillows on the couch; he has real curtains. It's small, but it's something.

Comments

[shadows_have_offended]

The touch is understanding, sympathetic. Neil leans into it a little bit. It makes it easier to breathe for a second.

There was a knock on the door. Neil jumps. He laughs a little. "I think the pizza's here."

[asoncalledgabriel]

Gabriel smiles and he longs to touch more, to offer that comfort. But he's always been told that's not what men do. Even if Neil hasn't pushed him away. He squeezes Neil's shoulder before he gets up to answer the door. He's already paid for it so he thanks the person delivering it and takes the box before nudging the door shut again.

"You care if we just eat out of the box?" He supposes he could get plates but... what's the point?

[shadows_have_offended]

"No, box is fine," Neil says softly. His shoulders are hot from the last lingering touch, the sort of touch he's only gotten a couple times, in secret, quiet moments like this. His cheeks felt a little warm too, but he pushes it aside.

"Is there a lot of pizza in Ireland?"

[asoncalledgabriel]

"Not where I'm from. I'd only had it a handful of times before I came here." He settles down next to Neil again, sitting close, close enough that their legs touched as he leans over to set the box down and flip it open.

[shadows_have_offended]

"We'd have pizza nights," Neil says with a little smile. "They'd organize it once a month for a specific grade level. So, really, we'd only get it once a year."

He opens the box and pulls out one of the slices, careful of the hot cheese and sauce. Before he takes a bite, he smiles at Gabriel. "Thank you. For...for helping me. And for this."

[asoncalledgabriel]

"Least I can do," he says as he takes his own slice. He considers a moment. "Or, maybe all I can do. I'd change it if I could, but we're both stuck here. So if feeding you and giving some comfort's all I've got, then I'll do that."

Gabriel smiles a bit shyly and looks down at his foot so he doesn't make a mess when he goes to take a bite.

[shadows_have_offended]

"No, no," Neil says, soft, gentle. He leans over a touch and nudges Gabriel's shoulder with his because his hands are full, and he wants to let Gabriel know that he appreciates all this.

"I mean it. You've done a lot."

[asoncalledgabriel]

Gabriel bumps Neil back, grateful for the easy touch. Too often he's been told that men, boys, don't do this sort of thing after a certain age. That they're meant to be stoic, staid.

"I know it may not feel like it... but I think it's going to be alright. Eventually."