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Gabriel's P.O.V.

Gabriel balanced his books on one arm as he strode into the halls of the cafeteria. His professors, being the hell born demons that they were, insisted on an early deadline on a ridiculously large amount of workload. He would have time to grab maybe only a sandwich before rushing off to the library before all the seats were taken. He didn't fancy sitting by the staircase to complete his assignments. Being near exam period for most of his seniors, there was a general rush for studying space these days. Gabriel paused to give the long queue at the food stalls an unappreciative scowl.

"Hey Gabriel."

Gabriel turned, startled at the soft call, and found himself staring at a distressingly familiar face. "Ailein?"

Oh, no, I really don't have time for this.

Turns out the kid wasn't lying... what is he, a prodigy or something?

He gave a perfunctory nod and a polite "Hello." before turning back to scan the crowds. "Excuse me," he murmured, stepping toward the end of a superbly long queue. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ailein gaze at the line, then back at Gabriel.

"Here... "

Gabriel stared at the proffered sandwich. "Ah.. thank you." He accepted it awkwardly. " I... have to go to the library," he added, hoping the kid would take a hint and leave.

"M-m-m-m-mind if I-I-I j-j-join? T-th-the s-s-seats a-a-are all ta-taken." Ailein stuttered out.

Gabriel shrugged, feeling more discomfited then ever.

Doesn't he have any friends to tag around with?

At least he's not in a dress.

"The library doesn't allow food to be taken inside," he reminded Ailein gently. He had meant to just finish his sandwich quickly before hurrying off again. He paused, then, "We could sit outside, if you like."

Being nice?

Just thanking him for the bread.

Gabriel grimaced, wishing Ailein could just shove his horribly awkward presence at someone else. Ailein blinked, surprise clearly on his face. "S-S-sure, ye-yeah..." He smiled brighter then ever and walked outside, setting down his tray and sitting farthest from the entrance.

Gabriel followed, resigned. He placed his books on the table and dropped the sandwich on it before taking his seat. He unwrapped the bread before it occurred to him that Ailein had just given him his lunch.

Eh.

Gabriel glanced back up at Ailein's tray.

Ailein was already eating from his fruit cup, rapidly yet politely. He had two drinks, a milk he did not touch, and juice. He passed along the milk to Gabriel, seemingly without thought. The only other thing on the boy's tray was a cookie but he seemed quite content with his meal.

"You should have it back."

Gabriel inclined his head at the lone biscuit on Ailein's tray and held out the half-wrapped sandwich, all the while mentally kicking himself for accepting it without thinking first. He had been too distracted and mildly depressed by the heavy press of bodies in the rush for food. He also pushed the milk back and made to gather his books up again, reconciled to going without lunch for today in favour of finishing his homework as soon as possible.

"N-n-no t-t-thanks. I-I-I'll e-e-eat m-m-m-more later." Ailein smiled and pushed the sandwich back toward Gabriel, shaking his head. As if to prove his point, he took his cookie and shoved it into his pocket.

Gabriel eyed Ailein's actions, unconvinced.

So he'll have fruit, juice, and a cookie he's saving for later.

Not one to press issues however, he took back the sandwich and accepted the milk without comment.

The boy finished his 'meal' quickly and leaned back in his chair. He pulled out his sketch book and began to sketch again. Gabriel devoutly hoped he wasn't the subject being transferred to paper. "A-A-Are you go-go-going to the l-l-library for h-homewo-work or r-r-reading ma-ma-material?"

Gabriel paused to chew and swallow, before he answered. "Assignment." He flipped open one of his books, studying a passage as he continued to eat.

"N-N-need an-any h-h-help?" Ailein persisted, edging forward to look at the book.

"No, thank you."

You're not even in my class or year. Jeez.

Gabriel was a little unnerved at Ailein's interest in his reading material and stopped reading to focus on finishing his sandwich so that he could leave sooner. The boy blinked rapidly.

"Wh-whats your la-la-last n-name?"

Why? You're not going to check my name in the log books to find out where I go for classes, are you?

Stalker alert. Help help.

"Murray." Gabriel swallowed his last bite and reached for the milk.

"M-m-mine is H-H-Herne." He started sketching again, then looked over to toward the doors. He sighed and transfered his gaze back to his paper. "G-G-G-Gabriel?"

Gabriel carefully unscrewed the cap and tilted his head slightly to take a swallow. Milk wasn't exactly what he'd choose to wash down his lunch with, but heck, he can't choose this time. He licked his lips.

"Yes?"

What now?

"I h-ha-have a pro-pro-prop... a d-d-deal..." Ailein answered in a thoughtful manner. He gathered his things into his bag and stood up. "B-b-but w-w-we'd b-b-better g-g-get into the li-library."

Gabriel gave the boy a blank look for a moment before he silently collected his books.

A deal, huh? Weird...

It was the last thing he would have expected Ailein to say.

As they walked to the library, Ailein turned to his companion. "I-I-I g-g-get to l-lunch e-e-early. H-H-here's the d-d-deal," He kept his voice low as he walked, his eyes trained on the floor. When other students walked by he seemed to shrink back away from them. "I-I-I'll g-g-get you lu-lunch so y-you c-can get to the l-l-library fa-faster... a-all I a-ask is th-that y-you si-sit with m-m-me o-o-outside... for a li-little bit."

Gabriel's inner voice gave vent to a few choice oaths that would not have been proper if presented in a written manner. The most coherent and recurring thought, however, was Hell no. He was furiously indignant.

"What?" His tone was sharper than he had intended. "This is.." His lips took on a more bitter twist. Then he delved into his pocket for his wallet and pulled out a few notes. "This should cover what you... gave me," he said shortly, pressing them at Ailein before striding off.

"W-Wait! Ga-Ga-Gabriel!" The boy called, chasing after the other. "I-I-I d-don't w-w-want the mo-money!" He reached out and made a grab for Gabriel's shirt in an attempt to stop him.

Gabriel stopped at the pull on his shirt, and turned to face Ailein. His voice was low and frostily polite.

"I think we have just exhausted the possibilities of a conversation. Excuse me, I am busy," he added, plucking his shirt from the boy's fingers.

Tears started to flow from Ailein's eyes as he looked up at Gabriel. "What d-did I do? I-I-I ju-just me-meant on Tuesdays..." His hand slipped off and back to his side. "Y-You could have said no!"

Gabriel looked at the crying boy, his expression stony.

"What on Tuesdays?" his voice carried thinly concealed impatience, his whole countenance unreadable. There was no sign of any other emotion visible, not anger, disgust or even the smallest sign of displeasure. Gabriel had effectively walled everything up. It was something he'd learned to do fairly early, courtesy of Bella.

"E-E-Eat lu-lunch w-with m-me..." He voiced softly reaching up and taking off his over-sized glasses. He ran his free hand across his eyes to rid himself of the tears.

"What about your friends?"

Sympathy was something Gabriel could effectively avoid feeling. As it was, the sight of the boy crying because of him had little to no effect on him, although his initial ire had passed, now replaced with something slightly less vehement. "And why, may I ask, do you persist on trailing on me so often?" It was more than unnerving now, stepping into aggravating.

"M-Mika do-doesn't go to th-this sch-school..."

Gabriel dismissed the mentioned of 'Mika' as inconsequential

The boy's eyes went to the floor. "... I-I-I w-w-want to b-b-be yo-you-your fr-fr-friend."

"Why?" Gabriel asked flatly. Heaven knows he wasn't the easiest person to get along with.

The other chanced a glance up at the taller man then fiddled with his shirt. "I... don't... have ex-explain myself... to y-you..." He said slowly and finally. He put his glasses back on and started to walk past Gabriel. "... b-b-but... I th-think...y-y-you sh-should ha-have f-f-friends t-too."

Gabriel's feelings had been slowly uncoiling from the tight anger he held earlier. Now it fell back to something deeper and more stinging at Ailein's reply. He retaliated.

"Well, maybe I do, but it damn well won't be you," he snapped. Then he felt he could have bitten his tongue off. That had been harsh, even for him.

What did I just say..?

Ailein turned to look over his shoulder, pure hurt etched into his face. He turned back and started to run, head down.

"Wait, Ailein!" Cursing himself for an idiot for hurting the other's feelings, Gabriel raced after the boy. Not an easy feat, since he was still carrying his books with him and it was a chore to keep them from spilling over as well. It was also embarrassing as hell, but he guessed he deserved it for what he'd just said.

"Ailein!" He managed to grab the boy's arm in a not too gentle grip, and dropped his books.

Ah, s**t. My books...

Close the deal here first. Idiot.

"Look, I'm sorry I said that. That was... You didn't deserve that," he pushed out through gritted teeth, panting slightly from the run.

Ailein grimaced at the pain in his arm as he was wrenched around to face Gabriel. "I... I-I-I'll l-le-leave y-you al-alone..." he tried to amend in a whisper, his voice cracking slightly from his crying. He tugged his arm slightly this time visibly wincing from the grip.

"G-G-Gabriel... Yo-you're hu-hurting me..."

"Ah, sorry.." He dropped Ailein's arm quickly. "I.. "

Well, you did want him to leave you alone...

So, what now?

I owe him.. this much, at least.

Gabriel looked away. "Look, can we talk?" He paused, then pressed on, as if to make the best of a bad job. "Somewhere else in private. Please?"

Ailein nodded then dove down, collecting the books Gabe had dropped and returning them to a neat and orderly fashion. He stood back up and offered them to him. "W-where...? The l-l-library?"

"No, the library will be crowded by now."

No thanks to you. I'm toast with my homework now.

Resigned, Gabriel motioned to leave the library, and led the way to another building which housed the lecture halls. They moved to the back of the halls, outside, where no one was likely to walk in on them. Ailein nodded and followed silently.

Gabriel made for the staircase and deposited his books on a step before turning to look at Ailein.

"I'll be frank," he warned.

Ailein idly gazed back at him and nodded solemnly. "I-I-I wouldn't e-e-expect an-anything l-l-less..."

"Well, then..." Gabriel looked away again, not entirely comfortable with the situation. "You mentioned before, that you wouldn't want people to pretend to be friends with you." He paused to shove his hands into his pockets and glanced briefly at Ailein. "What makes you think that I would not pretend, if I say that yes, I will be your friend, just because you seem to want it.. so badly? Would you want that?"

Gabriel broke off again and scowled at the ground. "Just so you'd understand. I hardly know you, and what little I've known so far.. well, I'm sure you'll agree with me that our meetings have not been.. conductive to a healthy relationship. I'm not your friend, and I don't know why you would pick me, of all people. And please don't misunderstand. It's not you, it's.. me. I owe you this much, being honest with you now."

Do you still want me now?

Ailein's golden eyes were calm and somber. He tugged his pink hoodie closer to his body and stood there, staring at Gabriel while he spoke. Once Gabe had finished, Ailein shifted and tried to relax.

"I... d-d-don't th-think yo-you'd pre-pretend... if w-w-we b-b-became f-friends b-b-because I tru-trust y-you. Th-Th-the only w-way to re-really k-know s-so-someone is to f-f-find out m-more ab-about them thr-through ta-talking or m-meeting." He pointed out slowly.

"I-if I ha-hadn't me-met you in the pa-park, I wo-wouldn't ha-have kn-known your na-name. Or you m-mine. I al-also wo-wouldn't have k-known yo-you like pe-peccan i-i-icecream."

"I-I-I d-didn't p-p-pick you." He ended.

Gabriel's lips tightened, a sure sign of impatience or displeasure. "You still don't know me very well then," he replied, facing Ailein fully now. Didn't the other understand? He'd practically spent his whole life pretending to be someone else's friend. But they'd never be his friend. Yes, he will act his part accordingly, and accept the responsibilities of friendship as well. Helping out, listening to problems, and generally not treating the person as a complete stranger. But Gabriel never took his problems to any of these 'friends', he never asked them to listen, and he generally avoided talking about himself as well. He was their friend. They weren't his. That's the way it's always been.

And he wouldn't let a non-friend find out more any more about him that what was strictly necessary.

He'd just confessed that all to Ailein. Because he felt guilty for his earlier words. And because Ailein had said he did not want false friends. Although it seems his words may have been wasted after all.

I wouldn't trust me if I were you.

"Fine, you didn't pick me. There's nothing else to it, then."

"Co-could... you let me t-try to b-b-be your f-f-friend?" Ailein asked softly.

Gabriel looked at him, considering.

Why? And yet you wouldn't tell me.

How do you expect me trust you?

He glanced away, then back again. Still, Ailein seemed.. earnest. He could.. try. After all, no one's been this determined to gain his attention before. It wouldn't hurt him if he found out that this relationship would turn out to be same as the others. Ailein would just be one more person he pretended to accept. No one would know the difference, and it wouldn't matter to Gabriel. Not much, anyway.

"Alright," he muttered.

Ailein , for one alarming moment, looked ready to hug him, but settled for a smile instead. "Y-You wo-won't be dis-disappointed I pr-promise!" He frowned when the bell rang and sighed. "I-I-I go-gotta get to cl-class. S-see y-ya, Gabe!"

With that he was off, nothing less then pure joy on his once tearful face.

And that was it.

Gabriel frowned as he bent to pick up his books before taking the same stairs up to his next lecture. He hoped he wouldn't come to regret his decision. It all seemed like an elaborate joke, somehow.

Shrugging it off, he entered the hall with all the other students filing in, took a seat, and prepared himself for an unpleasant moment later when it was time to hand in their projects.