"Go on, get lost," He undid the leash and watched as Morag sped off.
Ailein shifted under his newspapers and tried to get comfortable. He was facing toward the bench. His stomach was sore from lack of food and he felt wary. His face was paler then it had been at school, his cold having come on full blown. He coughed and snuggled into a deeper ball to get warm. He was so cold... His body, however, was boiling to the touch from his fever. His throat was sore from a combination of coughing and lack of anything to drink.
If only those animals you love so much could rescue you.
If they could they would...
Yea right. Keep dreaming.
The dog approached the bench where Ailein was lying on, recognizing the boy. It pounced onto the side of the bench and scrambled up on its short legs, then proceeded to nose at Ailein in search for food.
Ailein shifted to look at the dog. He managed a smile and fumbled to pet him. "Hey puppy..." He croaked before realizing who it was. "M-m-Morag...? S-s-sorry b-b-boy I don't...." He shivered and stroked the dog trying to coax him closer. "I d-don't have any fo-food..." He lifted his head in a weak attempt to search for Gabe.
Morag continued sniffing Ailein all around as if to ascertain the truth of his words. At the same time, Gabriel could be heard whistling for his pet. Morag's ears perked up as it turned to the direction of it's master. It's tail wagged, then with apparent disregard, it continued pawing at the boy.
Gabriel stood where he was impatiently for a long minute, before moving to look for his wayward dog. It was not unusual for Morag to not heed his calls sometimes, leaving him with the chore of running down his rebellious puppy. Maybe he should let it out for walks more often, so that it wouldn't be so desperate to escape him.
"Morag!" He called out, irritated. A few faint barks came vaguely from the direction of the bench he usually headed for in the mornings. With a sigh, he made his way toward it, then furrowed his brows as he made out a distinctly human figure on the seat.
Morag, are you bullying the tramps now?
Gabriel stepped forward and made a grab for Morag's collar before he looked down and recognized Ailein. He made a startled sound and released his dog's ruff.
Ailein turned to look at Gabe as he approached. The man, at first, even through calling the dog's name and the features he recognized couldn't be placed as Gabriel. He teetered in place for a few seconds before cracking a small smile. "Hi G-Gabe..." He whispered before falling back against the bench with a few coughs.
Ask for help! You're dying!
Gabe's here... isn't that nice?
Moron!
Gabriel shooed Morag off the boy and reached around to lift Ailein, trying to get him to sit up a little.
"Damn.. I.. I'm sorry Ailein." He noted the boy's flushed face, then pressed a palm to his forehead, detecting the fever there. "Come on, you'll be alright," he urged. "Can you stand?" His voice was soft with concern, and he held Ailein carefully, trying to help him to his feet. The local clinic was too far away for him to drag Ailein there without vehicular transport. He thought of asking the boy if there was anywhere he can drop him off to, or anyone he could call, before mentally kicking himself for his stupidity.
If there were anyone else, he would have gone there already...
Gabriel gave a half kick at Morag to stop it from dancing around his feet and tripping him up, then looked down at Ailein.
"I'm so sorry," he blurted again.
Ailein leaned against Gabe's body for support. He was warm... His arms automatically went around the man to steady himself. "I-I...c-can walk..." He got out, trying to stop the world from spinning. Once he finally got his footing he gave a half confused half 'I'm ready to pass out' look at him. "S-s-sorry for wh-what...?"
Gabriel breathed out, a ragged, nervous sound as he maneuvered Ailein so that he supported the boy's weight on his right side while keeping himself from falling over. "Never mind," he murmured. The boy seemed slightly delirious, not that Gabriel could blame him. His skin was hot and clammy to the touch, and he could barely keep himself steady. The youth hoped Ailein would be able to last long enough until they reached his apartment. "Careful now." They set off in a slow walk.
"O-o-okay G-Gabey..." He agreed half mindedly, following the rhythm of the other's steps. He shielded his face from any light that only made his head hurt worse by burying his face into Gabe's side when they passed. It was quiet but a distinct: "You smell good..." Escaped him after one of these maneuvers. He just wanted to sleep...
Gabey. Huh.
I'll never live this one down..
"Yes, yes.." he murmured soothingly to whatever Ailein rambled about as they made their snail's pace way down the street, thankful that his home wasn't that far away. He nearly shied away when Ailein pressed his face against his side, unused to such contact. Morag was trotting behind them sedately, obedient for once. Gabriel wasn't sure if he could handle both leash and boy at the same time.
"Just a few more minutes.." He paused to get a proper grip on Ailein's arm that he had slung over his shoulder, then continued.
Thank god the boy's not heavy.
Ailein stumbled a few times but kept up with Gabe's slow walk. "I'm sl-sl-sleepy..." He mumbled into the other male's shirt. His blue-black hair was tickling his face but he didn't mind so much. It was almost like it was trying to comfort him too. He blinked as the apartment came into view. "G-G-Gabe... y-yo-your home?" He asked dully, not really caring either way.
My home?
He thought for a moment of the manor house he only got to see on his visits to Laila and occasionally, his mother, then replied firmly, "Yes."
It took awhile, and he got some stares but no offers to help -probably because of Morag's infamously 'sweet' nature-, they reached his unit. He fumbled awkwardly for his keys while holding on to Ailein as best as he could, unlocked the door, and dragged the boy inside, and to his room.
Gabriel carefully laid the him on his bed, tugging off his boots before lifting his legs onto it. He arranged Ailein's limbs properly on it, smoothed the hair back from the pale face, then stood back as he wondered what to do next.
Call a doctor?
Morag made to jump onto bed and boy and Gabriel reached down and caught the dog just in time, carrying it out of the room by the collar despite its protesting yelps.
Ailein found the bed soft and kind. It also smelled familiar and of a smell he liked. The dog's whining, the sounds of the house, they all met deaf ears. He nuzzled at the blanket under him and allowed himself to fall asleep. He was still cold, still clammy, still sick but he was safe. He could eat another time...
Gabriel came back to the room to find Ailein already asleep. He paused, considering for a moment, then went to the bathroom and got a cloth. Dipping it into a basin of water, he wrung it out then went back to the bed. Carefully, he lifted Ailein's hands away and wiped gently at his face, neck and hands. It took a few trips back and forth and he was ever wary of waking the boy although he seemed, to all appearances, dead to the world. Task done, he tugged the blanket over the boy, flung the cloth at the side of the basin and left to make a call for a doctor.
Unfortunately, it seemed that the clinic had decided it was already late and that the doctor could not make house calls until tomorrow afternoon. Gabriel sighed, went back to his room to check on Ailein one last time before collecting a spare blanket from his wardrobe. Then he shut the door softly and went to the living room sofa to spend the night. Morag nosed at him at intervals, seemingly for revenge for his earlier eviction, before it settled on his middle and decided it would make a good bed. Gabriel didn't bother to chase it away, and closed his eyes. It had been a long day.
Ailein awoke in the morning to find himself in a strange place, on a stranger's bed, and feeling better then he had the last few days. He blinked heavily before stepping onto the floor and observing his surroundings. He picked up his glasses and crept into the living room. Someone was on the couch... He snuck around to peek and put his hands over his mouth to keep a gasp from escaping. Gabriel?
When had? He remembered the dog... but the rest was a slight blur. He frowned then fix the blanket over the sleeping man and his dog. He stroked Morag a few times then moved Gabe's long strands out of his face. He'd have to thank the man properly... Not wanting to wake him, he went back to the bed and pulled Elaine, his angel out of his pocket. He laid back down, zoning in and out, playing with her for a while.
Gabriel woke when the sun hit his face. Blinking for awhile in sleepy confusion, he eyed the warm weight on his middle somewhat grumpily.
"Move, silly.."
Morag made a small snuffling noise and continued to snooze as Gabriel carefully pushed it off him onto the couch. He ruffled the dog's ears a bit, then stood up.
From the clock on his wall, it was well past nine. His classes would begin in the afternoon today, for that Gabriel was grateful. He tugged at the ribbon that held his hair, raked a hand through, before retying it. Then he moved to his room.
He was a bit disconcerted to see Ailein already awake, although he didn't show it. He offered a curt "Good morning", then dug in his wardrobe for fresh clothing.
"The doctor will be coming to see you at round noon," Gabriel announced, as he closed the cupboard door. "I'll get you some breakfast later." He headed for the bathroom for a much-needed shower.
Ailein watched him with interest and listened intently. A doctor? He'd called a doctor? He nodded and continued to play with his doll. His voice was gone and he didn't bother to try and use it. He glanced up and spotted Lyla then glanced at his own angel.
Gabe had an Angel? He looked at the bathroom door then approached her, bringing his own angel with him. He touched her face then jerked his fingers back, once again eyeing the bathroom. Once he was sure it was safe he examined her. She was so pretty... He turned her over in his hands and smiled. He put up his own angel and gave them a small introduction, small since he didn't know Gabe's angel's name.
He sat down in the chair at the desk and put Lyla back in place, opting to stare at her. As if she would give some clues to Gabe's personality.
Gabriel emerged from the showers, dressed and rubbing at his hair with a towel. He saw Ailein staring at Lyla with a rather besotted look on his face, and looked puzzled himself. The boy seemed to be better than he was yesterday. Maybe the fever had effected him more strongly than he'd imagine.
"You can shower, if you want to," he called out, then went to the kitchen to make himself a sandwich and oatmeal for Ailein. Gabriel personally detested the stuff, but Laila occasionally dropped by to visit, bringing groceries with her, which occasionally included what she liked to call 'healthy and nutritious food'. Not that he had ever touched them.
He poured both of them a glass of orange juice, then dug around in the lower cupboards for dog food as Morag came sniffing hopefully in the kitchen.
Ailein seemed to silently agreed and set the angel's side by side. He riffled for a moment where he'd seen Gabriel go and removed a shirt. Gabe's clothes would be too big but he surmised it'd be like pajamas. He took hold of his own ribbon that kept his hair up and released it. While his hair wasn't as long as Gabe's it did go down to his shoulder blades. He left it that way after he was clean and walked into the kitchen, adorned in the large shirt and his old pants.
Gabriel looked up from where he was fending off Morag at the table, and gestured at the plate of oatmeal and glass of juice. "Eat up."
The boy sat down and without a word consumed the meal and drank the juice. He looked up at Gabriel, his face still flushed from the fever but having some of its color back. "T-th-thank you... G-G-Gabriel...f-f-for sa-saving m-m-me... a-a-again..." He smiled, his voice still hoarse. He eyed Gabe's hair which he thought was pretty. "C-C-can I bru-bru-brush it f-f-for y-yo-you?"
Gabriel narrowly missed choking on his drink at the unusual request. "I don't think so," he answered dryly. There was only so much he would do to humour the sick.
"I-i-its so-s-soothing." He persisted then settled down in the seat. "I o-o-owe you t-t-twice n-n-now..." He mused sitting up and looking to the taller male. Ailein rested his head on the table's cool surface and smiled lazily. "I-I-I th-thought I wa-was su-su-supposed to b-b-be yo-your f-fr-friend..."
"I'll consider the two favours repaid if you will stop insisting on playing with my hair," Gabriel deadpanned.
And being my friend doesn't' mean you get to do whatever funny thing that crosses your mind with me.
He gave an inward shudder and continued drinking.
"I d-d-don't w-want to pl-play wit-with your hair.... ok-okay ma-maybe a li-li-little but its pr-p-pretty." He admitted this with a small giggle then stood up. "I d-d-do o-o-owe yo-you th-though." He stumbled slightly and took hold of the sink. "I-I-I can cl-clean f-for you o-or t-take care of M-M-Morag... an-anything yo-you wa-want. I'll d-d-do it."
Gabriel looked faintly exasperated. "Just go back to bed and rest, and try not to fall over while you're at it. Leave the cleaning and the dog to someone who can stand without swaying over." He gathered the plates and glasses and went to the sink as well, dumping everything in it. Then he gave Ailein a gentle push on his back, indicating he should go to the bedroom.
"You'll let the doctor in when he calls, I'll be at school," he added.
Ailein nodded and turned, giving Gabe a hug. He meant it. He wanted to thank the man who seemed to have the abilty to keep on saving him. It was just hard to do when actions spoke louder then words.
Gabriel tolerated the contact for a few seconds, then carefully pried Ailein off him. "That's it, bed," he muttered. He would have to prepare lunch later, as there would be no afternoon breaks today.
Ailein nodded and took his angel off the desk, then hesitated. "W-what's her n-name and ca-can I pl-play with h-her?" He understood if he couldn't. He was very nervous about anyone touching Elaine.
Gabriel shrugged. "Lyla. Just be careful not to break it." He had no emotional attachment to the doll, unlike most of the other dei. He was only doing this for Laila.
He nodded enthusiastically and took the doll into his hands like it was a jewel. He sat down on the bed and once again, reintroduced the angels. He gazed up at Gabe and settled under the covers. "H-H-Have a g-g-good-d-day, o-o-okay?" He was content now that he had food and one semi decent sleep. For a second he found himself thinking Gabe looked very regal and handsome but attributed it to the fever that was still lingering.
Gabriel gave Ailein another odd look as he played with the dolls, then shrugged it off. "I'll leave lunch in the fridge," he added, before leaving the room.
Ailein investigated the house, not messing anything up, but exploring to see if it held any information about his mysterious friend. At noon, as Gabe had predicted, the doctor came over. He checked the boy out, gave him some foul tasting medicine and wrote a note for Gabe. Ailein was really getting tired of people herding him to bed. Apparently his fever had gotten high enough to warrant attention again and the doctor was pushing him to the bed.
"Now that medicine will make you drowsy." He muttered, placing a bottle on the nightstand. He left the note next to it and slipped a bill underneath. "Take that twice a day. Once in the morning, once at night." He put down another bottle of medicine and pointed to it. "Take that once a day. If you get worse have Mr. Murray call me."
"Mr. Murray..." He agreed, holding the two dolls close to him.
"You're half starved, exhausted, and your fever so high I'm surprised you weren't asking if I was Elvis. Its lucky that Mr. Murray found you, you would have been dead within the week. You should be thankful." The doctor hoisted the blankets over him. He noted the half plate of food on the nightstand and decided it was good that he ate. "Goodbye Ailein. Feel better." With that he he left, for he'd just gotten another call.
"N-n-night... ni-night..." He tugged the blank it all the way over his head and closed his eyes. Stupid doctor and his stupid--and he was out again for the rest of the time Gabe was at school.
It was nearly seven by the time Gabriel got home. Tiredly dropping his bag onto a table nearby, he looked around the living room and did not see Ailein. A quick check in the bedroom confirmed the boy was asleep, and... cuddling the two dolls. Which was vaguely disturbing in a way..
He checked the note the doctor left for him, which held the medical prescriptions and when to take it, and folded the bill away in his pocket. The youth then took a quick shower before dressing and then leaning over Ailein at the bed. He shook the boy's shoulder gently. "Ailein? Wake up."
The boy muttered and tried to hide away then blinked. He looked up at Gabe and hesitantly smiled. "H-hi G-G-Ga-Gabe." He whispered then giggled. "H-How was sc-schoool."
"School's fine. I'll be preparing dinner, so try to stay awake long enough for that." Gabriel looked at the boy appraisingly. "You'll be taking your medicine too. I suggest you shower in the meantime. Just leave the laundry in the basket by the side." He straightened up and left the room again.
Cooking wasn't his forte, but he knew enough not to burn the kitchen. He'd mostly survived on micro waved meals and sandwiches. Still, Gabriel had simply decided to order a takeaway for himself on his way home and plain porridge for Ailein, as he had no idea what else he could feed to sick people.
Ailein showered and came out of the room, this time he'd opted just to wear the long shirt since his pants were too dirty at this point. He sat down at the table and stared at Gabe for a while. "I-I-I kn-know how to c-cook..." He said vaguely then looked down. "C-C-Can I st-stay h-h-here?"
Regardless, you will be eating this eating this. I do not fancy the idea of fishing your head from the basin if you faint.
"Never mind, just eat."
At Ailein's hesitating question, Gabriel paused from where he had been laying out the plates.
God, you don't mean permanently, do you?
Still, Gabriel was half worried that any answer other than a 'yes' might send Ailein running out to the streets again. "We'll see," he replied evasively. "Just concentrate on getting well now."
Then he glanced at Ailein's bare legs. "I'll get you something for that," he muttered and went to his bedroom to rummage through the wardrobe.
The boy proceeded to eat his food. Once he was finished, he sat and waited for Gabe to return. He found a napkin and took it. Once he found a pen he began to sketch Gabe lightly on the pad.
"Here, wear this." Gabriel passed a loose pair of pants to Ailein, then two pills, one while and one blue. He filled a glass of water in the kitchen, then came back and handed it to Ailein.
The boy took the pills and smiled at Gabe. He accepted the water then leaned his head back, taking both of the pills. Once he was finished he took the pants and slid them on, not bothering to leave or turn around. They were both boys. He looked up at his friend to see if he had further directions. "E-Elaine, show yo-you-your be-beauty f-f-for the an-angel and I." He stated with a nod.
"M-My en-entry phra-phrase."
Gabriel gave Ailein an odd look, and make a mental note to put Lyla away someplace less conspicuous. Then he blinked, got up, and went to where he had dropped his bag earlier. Rummaging through it, he pulled out a small package, seemingly a kit.
"Here," he pressed it at Ailein. It was a small pack with a toothbrush, toothpaste and a small towel in it, similar to those found in pharmaceutical stores.
The boy took it but didn't move. "Y-y-you ca-ca-can ha-have yo-your b-b-bed t-t-tonight." He moved off, walking to the bathroom and brushing his teeth. Once he returned he shook himself, oddly. He felt heavy. Stupid pills. He walked to the window and stared out at the night. He touched the cool glass with his finger tips and frowned. Did the animals in the park miss him?
He didn't even bother to argue. When Ailein came back out from the bathroom and stood by the window, Gabriel went over, gripped the boy's shoulders and steered him back to the bedroom wordlessly.
Ailein closed his eyes and allowed himself to be lead. He automatically took off his glasses as they entered. He placed them on the night stand then sighed. "I-I-I ju-ju-just g-got u-u-up..." He complained lightly but he knew he'd be asleep soon enough.
"Shush," Gabriel reprimanded him absently. "Sleep." He nudged Ailein to the bed. The room was already dark, as he didn't bother to turn on the lights.
Ailein shook his head, holding his ground. "I-I-Its y-your b-b-bed... y-you ca-can ha-have it..."
Gabriel carefully applied pressure one one shoulder to get Ailein on the bed, "Stop arguing."
Ailein gave up and let himself drop down onto the bed. "Yo-you're im-im-impossible." His muffled words answered. He rolled himself over and stared up at Gabe. He'd wake up really early and have a surprise ready for him. He'd make sure of it. "...w-w-what ti-time d-d-do you ha-have sch-school to-tomorrow."
Gabriel looked down at Ailein suspiciously. "Ten. Why?"
"Ju-just as-asking..." He answered then yawned. He tried to shake the sleep away but it didn't work. He was sideways on the bed and smiling lazily. His eyes slowly drifted shut the smile fading into peace as he was over taken with sleep.
***
Ailein pulled himself out of bed and looked at the clock. Bingo. It was seven which meant with any luck Gabe wouldn't be awake. He scampered off into the shower then snuck into the kitchen. He found a small radio and turned it on, keeping the volume to a whisper.
Now to start. He searched the fridge and pulled out the eggs and other various things and started to cook breakfast for his host.
Gabriel woke up to the smell of food, and was startled for a brief moment. Had Laila let herself in again? Then he squinted at the kitchen and saw Ailein.
"What are you doing?" he asked, confused, and rubbing at his eyes a bit.
The boy smiled warmly as he finished putting the plates on the table. "C-c-cooking b-breakfast s-s-silly. Wh-what e-else?" He bent over Marog's bowl and put a few eggs in it. "Here y-you g-g-go b-boy!"
Silly? Silly?!
Gabriel eyed Morag's food bowl and decided to let it pass. "You didn't have to do that," he frowned. "Have you taken your medicine?" He pulled himself up from the sofa and stretched briefly to work out the kinks in his body.
"I-I-I do-don't m-mind!" He chripped, pouring juice into two glasses. "Y-Yah..." He had ribboned his hair back up and was dressed in the clothes he'd arrived in which were now clean.
Gabriel sighed, and decided it was best to just let things be for the moment.
***
Ailein pulled his backpack tighter on his shoulder as he ran from school toward Gabe's house. He had gone to his house and stuffed it full of the stuff he wanted to keep. He ran up the complex and knocked at Gabe's door.
Gabriel looked up at the sound of a knock on his door. Pushing away at the papers he had been studying for homework, he went to open it. "Ailein?"
He cracked the door open wider to let the boy in.
Ailein grinned and launched himself onto Gabe an excited hug. "G-Ga-briel!" This was the first time since he hadn't been sick that he actually touched Gabe but he couldn't help it! The prospect of having his things and staying with Gabe made him happy.
Gabriel tensed reflexively at the sudden exuberant contact. He had tolerated, to some extent, Ailein's love for chatter and inexplicable shows of dubious affection when the latter was ill, but now the indemnity was pretty much over. The boy still stayed at his place, Gabriel being polite enough to refrain from dropping 'it's-about-time-you-remove-your-presence' hints.
He carefully pried Ailein from him and stepped back pointedly.
"So-sorry G-G-Gabe..." He apologized picking up the bag that had fallen during his random glomp. "I-I-I w-w-wanted t-t-to ta-talk t-t-to y-y-you a-a-about s-s-so... darn it... so-something." He bounced over to the couch and set his bag down, digging through it.
Gabriel seated himself on the sofa and watched Ailein patiently. The boy had recovered from his fever not that long ago, to his secret relief. He would never be able to forgive himself if Ailein had come to harm because Gabriel had avoided offering help in earnest simply on the sole reason of him not knowing how to deal with the boy. Still, it had been much more pleasant when Ailein could hardly talk from his sore throat.
"What is it?"
The boy pulled out a stuffed deer and put it down before stopping to consider. He dove deeper into the bag and before removing what he was after. There it was... He turned to Gabe and walked to him, his hands cupping something gently. "W-well... fi-fi-first o-off th-this is f-f-for yo-you..." He opened his hand to reveal a glass figurine of a wolf, gold for its darker markings and tiny emeralds for its eyes. It was poised in a snarl, ready to take on whatever challenged it.
"I-I... w-w-was wo-wondering if... I-I-I co-could st-stay... with you... " He spoke quickly now, "I could b-b-be you-your ma-maid o-o-or d-do wo-work aro-around the ho-house. Ta-take ca-care of Mor-Morog..." He flinched slightly under the other's gaze but held his ground. "I-I-I a-ap-applied fo-for a jo-job to-today so I ca-can pa-pay the re-rent to-too."
The headache hit fast and hard, and it was all Gabriel could do to not retreat to his room to quietly gather his sanity back together.
He barely noticed the delicate object Ailein held out to him in cupped hands. "What about your home?" he asked numbly.
My maid? My MAID?!
The urge to hit something was strong. So was the urge to curl up quietly in a corner and die.
Ailein looked to the side. "M-m-my fa-father do-doesn't wa-want me ba-back..." He answered slowly and tugging at the side of his sleeve. He'd changed clothes since he left Gabe's house. From a t-shirt to a long sleeved sweater. Someone had hit something. "I'll b-b-be go-good... yo-you wo-won't e-even not-notice I"m h-h-here..."
Gabriel shook his head slightly, as if trying to emerge from a daze. "You say you got a job.." he said slowly. "Do you mean that you'll be staying here till you can.. rent someplace else more convenient for yourself?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically. "R-right! I-I-I'm go-going to wo-work at the ca-cafe!" Ailein held up the small figurine and offered it to Gabe. "Th-this is f-for you..."
Gabriel glanced at the small figurine, not really seeing it, and plucked it from Ailein's hands with an absent "Thank you. And you don't have to pay the rent."
Save up, get a room, get out.
Then he turned and headed to his room for some much needed peace, and stopped at the door as he remembered that this was where Ailein had been sleeping. With an irritated jerk of his head, he placed the small wolf on his desk, caught up his coat and left abruptly with a terse "I need to get something."
I need to think.
Ailein sensed that Gabe wasn't happy with him and sighed. Sometimes he was nice other times he was just... Gabe. He laid down on the couch and sighed. He wouldn't be the same if he wasn't cold at least some of the time. Or at least that's what he was starting to learn. When he was sick Gabe was almost like a parent. Shooing him to bed, making sure he took his medicine, and making dinner. Ailein wanted to return the favor but it was hard. Gabe didn't want or need anyone or anything.
So what do you do for the man that hates you? Stick around and keep annoying him? Leave and never venture into his life again? Or try your damnedest to make him smile? It was hard... but he'd find a way. After all, they were friends.
