Gabriel
''Hey dude, uh... are you busy?'' I asked, placing the phone up to my ear as I clenched Luke's bags tighter in my left hand. Luke was walking close next to me, taking his time as he walked on his crutches towards my car.
''Yeah, my homie. I've been puttin' the party together bro! It's about to get wild!'' He said with a drunken laugh. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words, his slurred words ringing in my ears as Luke and I approached the car.
''Put Faith on the phone for me, Kyle.'' I muttered to him, walking over to the passenger's seat and opening the car door for Luke without another word. I took Luke's crutches in my right hand as he lowered himself down into the car with a soft smile lingering on his lips, thanking me softly before I closed the car door.
''Aw... dude, why don't you wanna talk to me? Is it a twin thing bro? Bro, I'm much cooler than Faith.''
''Kyle, put my sister on the phone.'' I said in almost a whisper, walking over to the driver's side with Luke's bags still clenched tightly around my fingers. I thankfully stopped him from buying a lot of revealing clothes- especially women's clothes. I knew that he wanted them at the moment, but I knew the second he would try to wear them he would get self-conscious. Not only because of his bruises... but he was taught not to be feminine. I know he isn't really showing that stored toxic masculinity, but I know it's in there somewhere. When he's comfortable with himself and the bruises have somewhat faded... maybe he could get tank tops and shorter shorts.
''Hey Gabe, what's up?'' Faith said to me on the other side of the phone. I pulled the carton of cigarettes out from my back pocket as I gazed at Luke through the window, Faith's raspy voice ringing in my ears.
''I need to ask you a favor, alright?'' I said to her. I watched as Luke slowly brought his arm up to the window, placing his elbow on the small amount of space as he winced in pain. His light pink lips slowly turned into a frown.
''No alcohol or drugs... or anything at the party, please?'' I said in almost a whisper. I brought a cigarette to my lips with a free hand, reaching my hand in my pocket afterward for a lighter.
''Yeah, I could work something out... It may be hard to get Kyle's stoner hands off of the weed, but I could put it away.'' She reassured me with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
''Thanks-''
''Can I ask why, Gabe?''
I gazed over at Luke again. He was resting his head against the window with his hands pressed across his chest, his cold gaze wandering off somewhere I couldn't quite pinpoint. His father? His mother? His friends... maybe me?
''I'm bringing blondie with me tonight... alright? I'm already kind of worried about bringing him after everything that happened. I can't make him uncomfortable, you know? I get it's what we usually do but he's not used to that-''
She began letting out a soft laugh. I felt the heat come to my face as she laughed...
''Look at the big Gabriel Lancaster beginning to become a softie. The Gabriel Lancaster who spits on the doorstep of the Ivy's Church? Taking in Luke Ivy himself? It sounds like a love story, don't you agree?'' She muttered to me.
''You would do the same thing, Faith. He has nobody... he needs me.'' I said in almost a whisper. She didn't reply at my words for a few moments, all I could hear was her soft laughter.
''I think you need him too, Gabe.'' She finally said. I shook my head at her words, feeling the blush on my cheeks getting worse. I don't need anybody. I'm perfectly fine on my own. I don't have feelings for this kid... and If I did, I shouldn't. I'm just helping him get back on his feet after all that has happened.
''There won't be any non-christian things at the party, little brother. We could have pizza and play board games.'' She said to me. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
''You're older by what, one minute?''
''Two minutes. See you later, Gabriel.'' She said, hanging up the phone without another word.
I finished my cigarette before climbing in the car with Luke. He flashed me a soft smile as I sat down next to him, his light dimples popping out with every moment he made.
''Ready to go?'' He asked me. His voice lingered with uncertainty in his voice, his icy blue eyes seeming distant.
''Are you okay?'' I asked him. His eyes widened at my words, avoiding my gaze. I knew he wasn't okay, he's far from it. He hasn't actually expressed his genuine feelings to me yet... I don't blame him. He's been taught that men can't feel. He's been taught to hide how he truly feels and that all the pain that came towards him... he deserved it. And that's not true.
''I will be eventually.'' He finally responded to me. I felt a smile lingering on my lips at his words. He usually tells me that he's okay... even though we both know he's not. He's progressing.
''I know, blondie. We could work through this. One step at a time.'' I reassured him, reaching over and patting him gently on the thigh. He smiled gently down at my tattooed hand, his eyes returning to his distant stance.
I pulled my hand away without another word, placing his bags down in his lap gently before placing the key into the ignition.
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Luke
''Do I look okay?'' I asked Gabriel, grasping onto my crutches as I walked out of the bedroom. He broke his gaze from his book as he looked up at me, a faint smile lingering on his lips as he met my eyes.
''You look great, blondie. I think bright colors are your thing.'' He stated. I looked down at my outfit with a soft smile spreading on my lips. I decided to wear a pair of white skinny jeans and a yellow sweater. It wasn't anything too exciting, but it was definitely different from the regular school outfit I wear.
...And Gabriel's clothes. All he has is black and dark clothes... I get that is what he likes to wear, but it isn't my thing. He has a lot of scary band tee-shirts too. That's not my thing.
''Is that what you're wearing?'' I suddenly asked him. He raised an eyebrow at my words, placing the book down on his lap as I approached him.
''What's wrong with what I'm wearing, Luke?'' He asked with a hint of humor in his voice. I sat down on the couch opposite him before I spoke.
''You always wear black or... dark red or something. And scary tee-shirts...'' I mumbled, motioning towards the shirt he was wearing. I didn't know what band or singer it was- I couldn't make out the writing on it.
''Mmh, are you saying I look bad, Luke?'' He asked me with a smirk lingering on his pierced lips. I felt a blush spread across my face at his words as he crossed his arms across his chest in anticipation for my response.
''N-No, that's not what I meant! You look good, actually really good-'' I went on, feeling the blush get worse on my face. I didn't mean it like that...
''Really good, huh? Thanks, blondie.'' He said to me. I couldn't help but shake my head as I buried my face in my hands, the laughter of Gabriel filling my ears. I sounded like I was flirting with him or something... I don't want him to think I'm gay. That won't be good... that will make him uncomfortable.
He does look good though.
''Alright, Luke. We need to head out now, okay?'' He finally said to me. I pulled my face out of my hands, my eyes were met with Gabriel. His playful smirk wasn't present on his face anymore- his face was twisted in a serious expression.
''Are you sure you want to go? Just tell me if you aren't feeling up for it.'' He asked me. I slowly nodded my head, gazing up at him with a faint smile.
''I know that what happened was pretty bad. It's something that I'll remember for the rest of my life... but what I learned myself over the years is that I shouldn't dwell in the past. If I dwell in the past, hide behind closed doors and be grouchy the rest of my life... I won't ever be happy. Yeah, I need some time to heal... but it doesn't mean I should do it alone. I think this will be good for me.'' I said to him. His eyes widened once I finished my speech, gazing over at me with a big smile on his pierced lips.
''I'm proud of you, Luke. I don't know if anyone has ever told you that... but I'm really proud of you. You're one of the strongest people I know.'' He mumbled to me.
...He's proud of me?
He slowly brought himself up off of the couch, making his way over to me without another word.
He suddenly wrapped his arms around me without another word as he sat down. He pulled me against his chest, his chin resting on top of my head. I quickly wrapped my arms around him, clinging onto him instinctively as he hugged me.
''...I don't usually like giving hugs, but I think you needed it.'' He said in almost a whisper. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I slowly nodded my head, hugging him tighter without a word.
I was always taught that hugging other guys is... wrong. That guys shouldn't show vulnerability, they shouldn't show affection towards one another. That it was a Sin... it's wrong.
...But I really like his hugs, I hate to say it.
I know it's wrong, but... he's really warm. I can't help but like it.
''I'm proud of you.'' He repeated himself.
''...Thank you.''