she hadn’t heard much, except that league forces had returned from an excursion. councilman gabriel black had been injured. specifically, he’d lost an arm. it had taken her some time, but the news had been the nudge to finally sent her on her way to the black family residence. 

’my door is always open.’

when he invited her in, she was quiet shutting the door behind herself, as though not wanting to disturb the severe silence that permeated through the rest of household. her voice was small.

”hi gabe.”

her eyes, now two-toned since the attack, found his and didn't wander. the air of uncertainty that she’d had during their last job remained. still, she gave a small smile.

”i got the pizza.”

GABRIEL BLACK

her eyes fell to his sleeve as he had his back turned, and then to the floor. gabe had, in many ways, filled the void that whoever the man who had claimed to be her father had left. to see him like this, having been wounded in some unknown way, while she’d been off playing gangster, going against his advice... she felt in the wrong, somehow, or at least there was a similar was the sensation in her heart.

but unlike her, gabriel had many other people. he had his own family, and the entirety of hoenn to look after. surely, he wouldn’t worry enough about one who wasn’t his own. not enough to warrant the guilt that she felt.

”i heard you were injured. i was worried.” she felt her eyes water. ”i wanted to see that you were okay.”

GABRIEL BLACK

she noticed the stubble. in different circumstances, she might’ve offered to help him shave it. alas, she was sure that she was not be a person with whom he would share his vulnerability, if he was allowing himself any. she was on the wrong side of things, now. perhaps even to be kept at a distance, despite his assurance that his door was open to her.

regardless of what his true feelings were, she wouldn’t ask him to lower his guard for an enemy.

the hesitation in his voice was heart-breaking. she’d never quite known what was going on in his head, but she had been around him enough to know what it looked like when the wheels were turning. begun to learn the delicate nuances of his expressions within the wrinkles and scars of his face. she knew him, somehow better than she knew most people, even without knowing so much as his favorite color.

”you could say that, i guess.”

after a moment, she bit her lip lightly and looked around the room. attempting to distract herself momentarily, to clear her eyes.

”it’s a nice office.”

GABRIEL BLACK

she felt her stomach growl at the mention of food, realizing no, she hadn’t eaten. her appetite had not really been with her today, as she’d built herself up to be here.

turning back to look at him, she admitted, ”no.”

having a meal with him sounded nice. it had started to feel vaguely like family before, of some kind. comfort, kindness, security. good company, though he’d never been particularly easy to talk to. now he just seemed... even less so.

she would cherish the moment, and take what she was offered, and pretend, if only briefly, that she had traveled back in time.

GABRIEL BLACK

she’d never felt entirely comfortable in this house, especially not now, but she followed after him anyways.

”okay.”

through the doorway, and into the kitchen, she found herself recalling him in an apron, both hands kneading dough with such ease as she’d struggled to match his work. it was saddening.

she cleared her throat.

”um... i don’t know. whatever is fine.”

GABRIEL BLACK

the suggestion brought a small smile to her face. homemade pizza. breakfast for dinner. these were family meals. it was warm, cozy. comforting.

”that sounds great.”

she moved inward, her steps more at ease towards the counter and out of the threshold.

”can i help?” then, to assure she wasn’t implying that he couldn’t do it himself: ”like last time?” when he’d had two arms. whether this would serve as a good save or a sour memory was unknown.

GABRIEL BLACK

her voice lilted in a momentary hum of thought, ”mm...” waffles and pancakes in the same meal? toast was even a stretch at that point, wasn’t it? gabe a big man, though. ”waffles... and omelettes.” she smiled happily for the first time since she’d arrived.

glancing down at his shirt briefly, she remembered a sight she could not have soon forgotten: gabriel black in an apron.

”be right back.”

she went to fetch two like last time, slipping hers over her neck and tying it messily. when she went back to him, her smile went meek as she held it up towards his neck. if he allowed, she would go around to tie it at his back.

GABRIEL BLACK