gabe.

i'm just a dude who wants to tell the world how delicious froyo is.

[gabethegolden]

leslie-bowman​:

Her eyes narrowed at his answer and she had the sinking suspicion that he would rub the top of his head and pat his stomach until his hands went raw if she asked him to. People like that were interesting in a way. They were embarrassing in all the others.

“Purple cat,” she repeated, her tone taking a challenging tinge to it. She raised her eyebrows to drive it home. “Show me the froyo speakeasy, Spence.”

***

Momentarily, Gabriel forgot that he introduced himself as Spencer and pondered why he was being called the wrong name. Right, right, right.  His gaze averted around the room suspiciously, heartbeats quickening in pace. He was so thrown off that he stood frozen in place, dumbly staring into space. “Yeah!” He exclaimed a little too loudly after a beat, "It’s purple cat, yeah.” Way to score points, you idiot. He waved his hand dismissively toward a random spot in the shop. “I... I don’t show you. You find it yourself.”

[gabethegolden]

lucindaemmerson​:

“That sounds fair,” she smiled. For Lucy the party had begun a while ago, but in some ways it had only just begun. She was bouncing from person to person, hoping to find someone to make the night a little more exciting. “I plan to embarass my sister as much as possible,” she said, rather deviously, “and spend some time with some pretty people.” It wasn’t exactly a a hard thing to do, the place was crawling with attractive people. “What’s your favourite party game?” she asked.

***

“Brady, right?” Gabe responded with a curious head tilt, hoping that he got that right. “I like her a whole lot. She’s real cool, What’s it with y’all having such great smiles? I could...yeah. It wouldn’t be too weird to say I love watching you smile, right?” He nodded thoughtfully, trying to seem a little more inconspicuous about it. Momentarily, he pondered on the question. “I don’t really, like...drink or anything, and they’re not like, super party games, but I do love Clue and Twister. What about yourself?”

[gabethegolden]

estesalina​:

It was just like Gabe to try and remind someone of their worth even when he was upset with them. Este could only feel worse for hurting someone with a good heart like his. She was finding it more difficult to make eye contact, unsure how he would react to her reasons or understand where she was coming from at that time. Wondering if she had hurt him too much to potentially reconcile any aspect of their relationship. There was too many unknowns and it was terrifying; to finally have to confront this face-to-face.

Este took a deep breath to prepare herself, not wanting the words that escape her to sound like a cliché or lame excuse. Here goes.

“I have never cared about someone as much as I cared about you. And the way I cut things off was a half-ass way of showing it, but it was also why I had to ignore you.. because ending things was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

Este paused for a moment, her lips swirling to the side as she fought off their tremble. With a long exhale, she continued.

“I felt like I was not able to balance the time you deserved with the time I needed to dedicate to the company, and that scared me.” Este paused again, allowing Gabe to process the information. Thinking about it now, he probably would have understood and given her the time and space she needed, but Este one year ago was too overwhelmed to see that.

***

Gabriel wished he had the ability to speed (and slow time so he could soak in the good moments longer), because this was practically unbearable. Sitting here, having to wait. Because now fifteen minutes felt longer than that one year. Time was a weird concept.                                                                          

For the most part, Gabriel was confused. Beyond confused. He soaked in all of what she said, repeated it over and over again in his head because quite frankly, he was at a loss. Words kept dying on his mouth, only incoherent mumbles and croaks were coming out.

“Este, baby --...” 

He could hardly stop himself. No use in feeling shame, so he just skipped past it. But he did stop himself from reaching forward to stroke a strand of hair behind her ear, wanting to comfort her and take away the sadness she was currently feeling.

“You were destined for success,” Gabe said belatedly, unsure of what to feel. Unsure if this answer even satisfied his year long curse of not knowing. “If it wasn’t for, you know...” There was a long pause as he gulped heavily, letting silence fill the air. “You’d be on top of the friggin’ world right now. And I knew that. I wanted it for you, even though it meant you spending less time with me.”

Heaviness settled into his chest in a way that felt almost suffocating. It wasn’t as bad as the break-up text -- but it was damn near close.

“More than anything in the world, I just... I wanted... I just wanted you to be happy.” A heavy sigh escaped him. “And now...”

[gabethegolden]

isaiahxcruz​:

Zay grinned wide, though he shot both his sisters a look. A look that read, don’t flirt with him. The guy had a great demeanor about him though, one that excited Zay. Did Isaiah know how to make frozen yogurt? Hell no. But the way Gabe was speaking, he wanted to start! It could be exciting, and he could learn a lot. Plus he’d have a new friend! “That sounds so cool!” he exclaimed, perhaps a bit too loudly. His brother punched him in the arm teasingly. 

“We’re always down for free dessert,” Zay laughed as his siblings nodded in agreement. “I, uh, I haven’t had anything other than pumpkin pie, but I like trying stuff!” His oldest sister, Andrea, was an avid fan of pumpkin spice coffee. Or lattes. Zay couldn’t remember, and frankly he didn’t know the difference. “You think you need any help makin’ it? I like to cook,” he offered.

***

“Everyone’s always down for free dessert. It’s free dessert,” Gabe grinned widely in response, happy to bring more people into his baking circle. He was in a constant flux of making something new for the shop every month, so he was always of taste testers to make sure they were good enough to be sold. What better people than this family? Two of them didn’t pretend to like it when they didn’t, so that was good. He always strived to do better. 

“Dude, homemade pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Nothing like it.” Gabe let out a dreamy sigh, complete with his head resting on his fist. Almost as if this was filming a scene for a movie. Practically drooling at the idea, he had to jerk himself away from his imagination. Baking with a new friend? Hell yeah, he was already leaping at the prospect. “We open at noon starting Sunday, so if you’re free and can come here, at like... ten, you can definitely help out. “

[gabethegolden]

emmcaddison​:

          Emma smiled at Gabe’s… positivity. She was hardly writing her best seller, she didn’t even know if it would take a year or 5 for this book to come out of hiding finally. “It’s more of a writing exercise, really, people say that it doesn’t matter where, but if inspiration hits, you should write. One time I spend a whole day in a bus wandering around town and writing on my notebook,” she felt her cheeks flush, her confession seemed less cool than she thought at first. To be fair, there wasn’t much that made Emma feel cool. “Oh oh oh, you don’t want business advise for me, but I mean, those who eat froyo while is cold outside is hardly worried about season flavors?” Emma attempted, not entirely sure how comfortable she was in actually saying those things. “You could test it out? I mean, keep it in for a few weeks, ask more people about it, I honestly see myself coming for this a lot, but also I love your pumpkin spice, so…”

“I once got so distracted writing down ideas for this friggin’ place that I missed my bus stop and had to walk five miles home,” Gabe replied with a breathy laugh, wanting to help her feel more at ease. Regardless of where he was, he liked making sure everyone was comfortable. “Thankfully it was super nice out so it was a great walk. And hey, when inspiration strikes, inspiration strikes,” he continued on, speaking softly. Nodding while she spoke, he took a spoonful from his sample cup. “True, true, true. I’ve been told people like seasonal, because it’s limited, so you gotta get it while it’s hot. Even though it’s not... hot at all. But yanno. Maybe half off or somethin’, I dunno. Definitely gonna try out a few new things and see how they do. Trial and error and all that, right?” He inquired with a curious spark in his eyes, “I’ve been working on a new recipe for pumpkin spice. Only, like, two weeks ‘til we start selling it again, but if you c’mere next week, you can be the first to try it out. What do you think?”

[gabethegolden]

icandiceriley​:

☾

Candice grinned and rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I forgot that I no longer exist after giving birth.” Ayden squealed as Gabriel played with his feet and got down on his level. Ayden always loved his time in the frozen yogurt shop and his time with Gabriel even more. “Of course you do. He’s a very important person to the survival of this business.” she chuckled kissing the top of her son’s head. She took another spoonful of the frozen yogurt letting it stay in her mouth awhile before answering. “I believe it was vodka. I don’t know, Gabe. Someone else was making the drinks. All I cared about was how good it tasted and how drunk it got me.” she chuckled. She had a partying past and she partied with the best of them, but that was all behind her now. She had responsibilities.

She was brought out of her thoughts with Gabe’s gasp and immediately looked down at Ayden who was simply pushing her hand away not wanting more of the yogurt. She laughed softly as Gabe seemed butt hurt about his reaction. “Don’t be offended by him. He has a very limited taste palette. He only started eating solid foods about two months ago. Other than that, it’s been baby food and breastmilk. I’m not sure if he’s ready to be a food critic just yet.” she chuckled before wiping Ayden’s mouth where some of the yogurt had made it to his face. “He’s ten months…almost eleven. A few more days.” she said realizing the date and sighing as it brought her son on day closer to his first year on this planet. She was still working out some things for the party, but it was going to happen. “I’m planning his birthday party for when he turns one next month. Mickey Mouse themed by the way. You think I should ask the manager or owner about how much it would cost to get some frozen yogurt there? I don’t have much money, but I could ask, right?” she said looking around the place. Maybe they’ll take mercy on her being a single mother. “He likes apples, bananas, sweet potatoes. He does have a bit of a sweet tooth that he gets from me. He might enjoy a yogurt that’s a bit more sweet.” she suggested with an unsure shrug. “So how has it been in here? Lots of business I hope.”

***

“You have seen this ‘lil dude, right? Look at him, he’s so cute,” Gabe replied easily, knowing the ridiculousness of his words. She was his mother, after all, glued to his side 24/7.  “But you’re also pretty great.” He continued on lightly tickling the baby’s feet, just as amused as he was. Finding joy in the little things, laughing along with him. He loved moments like these, forgetting about his surroundings. “I don’t... really drink,” he admitted with a half-shrug, almost sheepish about it. “I’ll go for like, a cider, because that’s nice and light and delicious, but that’s ‘bout it.”

Letting out a tsk tsk like he was disappointed in a baby, Gabe turned toward Candice and listened to her talk about the birthday party. It had him thinking about semantics about bringing froyo there. “Of friggin’ course,” he replied with an exaggerated scoff, “I’ll bring it up to him and see what he thinks. I got a real good feeling that he’ll be down.” She didn’t need to know that it was actually him. “We can, like... package it up into pint cups or something. I just gotta talk it over with him, figure some things out, but we can definitely make it happen. I’ll let you know.” Gaze averting around the shop, he shrugged once again. “It’s a ‘lil slower because, yanno... it’s a lil cooler, but that’s alright. It means spending time with my favorite peeps.”

[gabethegolden]

freddiebowman​:

🍦

“Really?” She smiled brightly, pleased that he found her suggestion to not be completely off the wall. It sounded good enough when she’d thought it up in her head. “People tend to like things simply because they’re limited edition or considered special in some way.” That was true. She’d lost count of the amount of times during school that trends started because kids wanted things simply because they were hard to get. 

“Hmm,” She tapped a finger to her cheek, thinking the question through. “Marshmellow, chocolate…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to remember her favorite ice cream flavors. Ice cream wasn’t her favorite snack, so she didn’t eat it all that often, and she ate frozen yogurt even less so. “These are necessarily my there was this ice cream in the stores that kids were going wild for. Something along the lines of cotton candy and pop rocks.”

***

Listening was key. Valuing their opinion was also key. To get them coming back for more -- he followed that mantra. Adding a personal touch also mattered. He treated everyone that came into his job like a friend. Granted -- that had always been the Gabe way but he knew it helped to a degree. He also knew he had a lot to learn. So he listened. And well it was no secret people liked being listened to. “That is so...” Pause. “So friggin’ true. So maybe, do like... a monthly flavor thing, get it while you can before the month’s over?” He inquired, tapping his chin with his finger. Bouncing ideas back and forth was a treat and a half. 

“And here I am, thinking this is already wild,” Gabe said while enjoying a spoonful of froyo, crossing one leg over the other and looking as relaxed as he could possibly be while sitting on a wooden chair. “That’s another excellent idea right there. I love it. I love you. I love it. Gosh, I have so much to add to the shopping list now.” Realizing he was referring to himself a lot, he cleared his throat. “It’ll just, uh, need the owner’s approval but... he’s pretty easy to please, I have no doubt he’ll say yes. Because why wouldn’t he?”

[gabethegolden]

lucindaemmerson​:

She grinned as he seemed as happy to see her as she was him. She fist bumped him back, laughing lightly as she suddenly felt like a teenager who was trying to be cool. “I’m so glad you made it through,” she replied, “he deserves all the awards for his life saving work.” She grinned as he complimented her, never tiring of hearing people compliment her. Lucy loved it, she lived for compliments. “As always,” she quipped, never one to shy away from a moment of self assuredness. “Not too bad, I always enjoy an Emmerson party,” she smiled. “How about you? Any big plans for the evening?”

***

“I’m paying him in free froyo for the rest of his beautiful awesome life,” Gabe replied, going with the flow. He thrived in settings like this, bouncing from one person to the nest. So many awesome people to see, so little time. He could only hope he managed to give everyone a little slice of himself before the night was over. Freely giving out compliments? Easy peasy. Taking them, despite his profession? Another thing entirely. Sometimes it wasn’t even words but the way women like her looked at him like he was dessert. Not that he minded much. “I figured I’d just hang with my peeps, enjoy a party game or two. How ‘bout yourself?”

[gabethegolden]

angel-emmerson​:

“What? What time are you done today? We’ll hop in the truck, put the windows down and enjoy the sunshine as soon as you are. It’d be a shame for you to miss that goddness,” he told him with a shrug, reaching for a napkin to wipe at his mouth. “Yeah def has that lemonade taste, no powder shit. I can already tell this is a winner.” He raised an eyebrow at the mention of banana. It wasn’t his favorite flavor but he had a lot of it in his shakes so he figured froyo couldn’t be so bad. He knew banana had a bad rep, probably because it was the one runts and laffy taffy flavor no one ever wanted. “Really? I’m not big on banana flavor, it’s fucking overpowering you know what I mean but this..” he reached for his spoon and took a hefty scoop again, nodding as he tasted it. “Okay, okay, not as good as the lemonade but still fucking good. It’s balanced, not as overwhelming as I though tid’ be so I’m digging it. Hey I support it, sometimes you gotta get away from just plain vanilla. I trust your vision, G.”

Gabriel had opportunities to make his life easier and hire someone to work nights so he could have more time to spend with his friends. It wasn’t as if he desperately needed the money (that he hardly ever spent), moreso he couldn’t bear to be away from his own creation. “I’m off at seven,” Gabe replied easily, “We close at six, but I gotta give myself, like, a hour to clean and all that good stuff.” Now that nights were getting cooler, hours were shortening as a result. “But I can probably make that, like... six thirty,” he nodded, beaming at the opportunity to spend time with the other man. “Heck yeah, that’s exactly what I was going for. I’m like... beyond glad to see it worked out beautifully.” Holding his breath in anticipation as the man of the hour tried the banana bread flavor, he let out a big sigh of relief. “Sweeeeeet. Thanks, dude! Appreciate you being my lil taste tester guy. You the best.” Compliments for Gabe were as easy as breathing. “So you gonna hang ‘round here til closing, or should I meet you somewhere? I’m cool with whatever.”

[gabethegolden]

leslie-bowman​:

She drummed her fingers on the bar with a pleased expression when he obliged to her request, before she went to another topping to spoon it on her yogurt. The gummy bears fell from the spoon one by one and she wrinkled her nose before plucking a green one from the bowl to toss in the trash. She glanced up at him at his question.

“To get frozen yogurt,” she replied flatly, blinking a few times at the question. “Is there something else here? Is there a secret code to get in to a bar in the back?” Her lips spread into a smile and she leaned forward. “Is this a fucking speakeasy? I knew a new frozen yogurt place was fucking weird – that fad died, like, ten years ago. Give me the password. I want the password.”

***

Quite honestly, Gabe wasn’t sure what he was witnessing. He had expectations of what she was like, figuring he’d be dealing with... well, whatever this was, he wasn’t sure. He was thoroughly confused -- with her, he tended to be, but he was more than happy to go with the flow. “Awh shucks, rest in peace, lil green dude. You will be dearly missed,” he said in a lower pitched tone to indicate sadness but he wasn’t exactly good at feigning emotions if he wasn’t feeling them.

His gaze quickly averted toward the colorful murals that adorned the purple walls, landing on the central piece which featured a cat. “Uuhhhh, the password is... purple cat. Yeah, purple cat.” He was coming off as socially inept and the world’s worst liar but -- honestly he wanted to see what Leslie would even do. She was certainly keeping him on his toes, that was for damn sure.

[gabethegolden]

bradyemmerson​:

“You’re not wrong at all. It’s a hundred percent polarizing, but anyone who says it’s gross is totally wrong,” Brady agreed. There were some flavors she felt had to be universally liked and banana bread felt like one of them. Gabe’s energy had Brady bouncing in her seat as she snacked on the sample she was trying, her smile growing the longer that she sat there with him. Even having come in there with a bit of a down attitude, just being there with Gabe had turned it around and she was laughing and smiling like she would any other day. “Well, see, that’s just crazy talk. I’m pretty sure that you don’t need to stop at the store on the way home because instead we have to go to the store together, get all the ingredients for some s’mores, and go make some over a fire on the beach or something,” Brady suggested instead, tossing her hands up. “I mean, it’s only fair that I get to have some too. And if we’re gonna do it, we have to do it up right. The flavor of the fire is like half the fun of it.”

***

“Anyone who disagrees with my mama’s opinion is wrong,” Gabe said as if that was final. Granted he’d be a lot nicer than her about the whole shebang than she would’ve been. There was no one else’s word he trusted more than his mother’s. It was that plain and simple. “What?! That’s crazy talk, why would I not stop at the --...” Gabe’s eyes bulged as he realized what she was about to say, internally chasisting himself for not realizing and practically interrupting her. Naturally, he was immediately sold, already imagining the possibilities. “Of course we’re friggin’ doing it. And, like... duh, that’s the best way of doing it. Microwaved s’mores? Pfft.” Granted it was still pretty danged good. He was easy to please. “If we hurry, I think we can even make it in time for sunset. S’mores at sunset, dude. Ain’t nothing better.” There was a quick pause as he bought out his phone to check for when it was happening “And it’s even better than better ‘cuz I get to do it with you.”

[gabethegolden]

samaramin​:

“Kinda trying to figure out if that’s a good or a bad thing though,” Sam teased, a broad grin on his lips. Granted, it was good to know that Gabriel had his back but uncouth was definitely a word he could identify himself with for the most part. “It should also be kinda concerning that I’m the kinda guy you choose to describe as the light of your life but hey – I’ll take it,” he continued to tease, snorting before he busied himself with doing what he’d been asked to. He couldn’t help the rather strong reaction. He was genuinely into the flavor and the fact that his friend came up with them, only made it that much better. As silly and irresponsible as Sam could be, he cherished people like Gabe more than anything else in his life and he lived to hype them up whenever and as much as he could. “And I love you, froyo magic man!” Sam joked, the excited beam on his features not faltering at all. “It’s so fucking good. If you’re not gonna make that a regular, I’m gonna fucking sue,” he warned playfully before his expression faltered and he pulled a slight face. “Oh man, I…,” he trailed off. “That’s a big hit or miss for sure. It’s either gonna be fucking magical, too or bad. Like – real bad. No offense, obviously. It’s a preference kinda thing,” Sam clarified, leaning against the counter slightly, letting out a deep breath as if he was preparing himself. “I’m good – I’m gonna do it. I like banana bread if it’s made well. I trust you,” he said, leaving a bit of his strawberry lemonade froyo in the cup, just in case he needed a palate cleanser.

***

Samar’s excitement for life almost matched Gabe’s own and he likened the pull between them as magnetic in nature. How could they not be friends? It made perfect sense, though a few people had raised an eyebrow. Something about bad influences; he hardly paid attention to their words. He was that kind of puppy who kept jumping onto the couch and falling until he finally succeeded after the millionth time, never thinking of them as failures. So even if Samar hadn’t reciprocated in kind, he would’ve just -- kept butting himself into his life, one way or another. Gabe furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, pushing his lower lip upward. “Why would it be concerning?” He inquired, flummoxed by the idea that there was anything to be concerned about. Maybe he was blind to people’s faults on occasion. Maybe. Nonetheless he pushed that absurd thought to the wayside. His face was practically beaming as if his world had been made, almost looking as if he was about to jump off furniture in excitement Tom Cruise style. “Dude, I’ll add it to the menu starting, like, right now,” he exclaimed with a full fledged grin. patting his friend’s shoulder. “Thank you.” Nodding empathically as he listened intently, he gave himself a second to let the words soak in so he could gather his thoughts. “I feel you on that, my dude. This has been like, a month of a whole lot of experimenting because I wanted it to taste like the real friggin’ thing. I even got my mama to make sure it was good ‘cuz I trust her opinion above, like... everything, and it got her seal of approval. So if my mama likes it, I’m just saying...” Slowly pushing the cup of light yellow froyo toward his friend, Gabe rested his chin onto his hand. His gaze was curious, but... intense to say the least.

[gabethegolden]

7. How do you say “I love you” without really saying it?

Physical touch.

That much is evident in the way he’s in everyone’s personal space when he hangs out with them. Hugs, cheek kisses, playing with your hair, fist bumps, shoulder massages, etc. He’s an affectionate man who’s comfortable in himself, so certain touches people view romantically he does so platonically like it’s no big deal. Because it isn’t.

[gabethegolden]

Ask me things.

[gabethegolden]

lucindaemmerson​:

Who: @gabethegolden​

Where: Maeve’s House

Event: Maeve’s Birthday

The party was just beginning to get underway but Lucy already had itchy feet. With a beer in one hand she wandered around house, looking for someone to catch her interest. Then she spotted Gabe and a smile spread across her features. She made her way towards him, a twinkle in her eye. “Oh, so you can get out from behind that counter,” she joked, “I was starting to think that you were surgically attached to it,” she grinned. Her eyes raked up and down his body with absolutely no shame, “surprisingly you are actually cuter in full size.” Their past interactions had all taken place at his fro-yo shop, Lucy attempting to make innuendos based on different flavours.

***

Not much of a drinker, Gabriel used parties as excuses to fill his social quota. Besides it certainly helped to keep an eye on things, make sure his acquaintances and friends had rides home if needed be. Even strangers on occasion. At the sight of Lucy, he raised his hand out to fist bump her in greeting. “Heeyyyy, girl,” Gabe exclaimed with a lopsided grin, turning on his hip to face her. Compliments were aplenty in his world -- afterall, he worked as a model.  And yet his cheeks got hot every time. “The doctors had to surgically detach me from the counter. It was touch and go for a while, but here I am! And of course, you look...” A pause, as he let out a long exhale. “Beautiful. So, how’re things?”

[gabethegolden]

estesalina​:

“Okay.”

It was all Este could muster up to say. Looking around, she found an empty table to sit and wait. And so she did - for what felt like hours each time the minute hand on the clock moved. Completely forgetting the reason she had entered the shop in the first place. Sorry, mom. It wouldn’t be the first time she disappointed her.

Este felt herself fidgeting a lot as the minutes suddenly started to race full speed ahead. She wasn’t ready, no idea what she was going to say or how it was going to come out. Don’t people usually have time to rehearse and practice these things? She was thrown into this situation and hated being out of control. It was a simple answer and she knew it would make sense, but it didn’t make it any easier. After all this time, it felt like a cop-out. But in the moment, it was what she needed.

And that minute hand finally reached the 12 and there was no turning back now. “..Do you want to sit?” She asked, gesturing to the other chair at her table as Gabe finished closing up, seeing disappointed customers read the CLOSED sign as they passed.

There was a silence as the gears started turning in Este’s mind, running through possible scenarios of how the conversation would go and where to start. “I’m sorry.” That was good right? Okay, keep going Este. “I shouldn’t have ignored you without giving you an explanation. I’m a shitty person.”

***

Gabe almost had half a mind to tell everyone to leave right now. But he was not that kind of man and could never bring himself to be. Fifteen stinking minutes after waiting a year for answers. That, he could manage, though it seemed impossibly hard now. He found himself cleaning the counter multiple times, trying to distract himself from looking at the clock that he swore was moving at a snail’s pace. Not only that, but he fiddled with the toppings to make them more... aesthetically pleasing, somehow, not that it mattered to anyone, but him.

Pace yourself, pace yourself, pace yourself.

Sitting down on the chair opposite Este, he put one leg on top of the other, then repeated the action several times as he kept switching gears. His ex-girlfriend, a label that he struggled with, but it kept repeating itself over and over again. Not once did he ever imagine this kind of situation, having painted their story as one for the stars, like a fairy tale to live out. And it had been until the end.

“Don’t,” Gabe said with a sense of conviction in his tone. “Don’t tell me you’re a shitty person. Remember what I said, Este? We don’t pity ourselves in this house. You’re so much better than that. I know you are.”

If only he followed that advice after the fact. 

Biting his lower lip, he kept trying to think of the why but came up blank. There wasn’t anything that seemed to fit. He truly had no idea what to expect, taking in a deep breath. “Okay, uh. I’m ready. I think.”

[gabethegolden]

isaiahxcruz​:

“Banana bread batter,” Zay repeated, looking over the faces of his siblings. Banana was a hit or miss flavor- it worked well in yogurts but was absolutely abhorrent in Laffy Taffy. Sometimes it was subtle and other times it was much too strong, so strong that it took hours to get the taste out of his mouth. “Huwag gumawa ng eksena kung masama ito,” he instructed his siblings. The last thing he wanted was for this guy to feel bad. 

Each Cruz sibling once again took a spoonful and glanced at each other. It wasn’t…terrible. Surprisingly enough, it was actually delicious. Zay nodded and the three soon followed, digging their spoons in for more. “I think this is great,” he looked back at Gabe with a big grin. “Honestly, I thought it would suck. Banana is a wild flavor,” he chuckled. The other siblings agreed, finishing up the sample cup. “You make this all? By hand?”

***

Gabe had to resist from leaping off the seat in excitement. If he was a dog, he’d have been wagging his tail hard enough to break it. Simple, little things bought joy to his life. People liking the flavor was one of them. “Yeeesssss,” he breathed out with a half-cocked grin, balling his hand into a fist so he could give all of the children fist bumps if they so desired. “I love each and every single one of you. You’re amazing, you’re amazing, you’re amazing, and you’re amazing,” he exclaimed to all of them.

Turning his attention toward the man of the hour, Gabe nodded in agreement. “Oh yeah, definitely. I’ve been experimenting with it for, like, a month now. I like having fun with the wilder flavors, vanilla and chocolate is hard to uh, muck up, so I buy ‘em directly, but the wild stuff? Lots of shopping, lots of experimenting, lots of messy kitchens, my friends still love me despite it all.” Realizing he had been speaking fast, he took a moment to breathe. “For October, I’m thinking pumpkin spice so I’m about to start figuring that out soon...ish. Would y’all want to try that when the time comes?”