IT WAS AN UNEVENTFUL NIGHT for judith and she was quite pleased because of it. spending a little extra time at the station she SNEAKED away to her home later than she expected too. she didn’t mind, however her body ached to REUNITE with her bed and maybe earn a well-rested sleep to prepare for the following day. as unusual as it was for someone like jude to fall into a ROUTINE it proved to be good for her. the normalcy she adapted to helped her earn control over her ptsd as well as CLEANSE her descent into alcoholism. trading in a glass of wine for a glass of water before bed she petted the behind the ears of a STRAY cat she found on her way home. prepared to retire for the night she walked to her room with a glass of water in her hand. the ring of her phone almost CAUSED her to drop it. she didn’t expect anyone to call her so late and she knew it’d only be TROUBLE if she answered. however, her instinct almost forced her pick up the phone. when she realized it was gabe calling, she could only blame it on FATE. she could barely understand him as he spoke but she was more than willing to keep her door open for him — that’s what friends did, right ?? she waited patiently for him to ARRIVE now regretting that she didn’t OFFER to pick him up instead. the knock on the door startled her but she was quick to open it — already knowing who was behind it. she looked at gabriel and it was EVERYTHING she wished it wouldn’t be. a small sigh left her lips as her brows knitted together. they stood in silence and jude was afraid to break it. she could only watch as he greeted her already KNOWING he was lying when he tried to convince her that he was fine. ❝ gabe !! ❞ she shouted as he fell into her arms. she watched as he eased into her touch so easily. her fingers tangled into his dark brunette locks; she helped him GAIN strength on his feet as he spoke. she responded with small ‘hm’s’ — more concerned about his INJURES than his wit. she sat him down on the couch and fell to her knees in front of him. she brushed tears away from his cheeks with the edge of her thumb. almost instinctively she kissed his cheek, his forehead, his chin, and the tip of his nose. it felt INTRUSIVE but it felt —- right. she took his hands into hers. and pressed her lips against the bruised knuckles. ❝ of course i remember, i remember every boy you tried to scare off. ❞ she wanted to laugh but it was interrupted by his next set of words. ❝ of course it was you’re favorite night — grape. ❞ she smiled weakly at him. before letting go of his hand and standing on her feet. she winced at his injuries — funny how she could look at herself in the MIRROR all beaten and bruised but felt HURT when he was the one injured. jude worked quickly to retrieve the first aid kit in her kitchen. she returned to him on her knees and opened the kit. noticing specks of blood on the collar of his shirt she sighed, ❝ you’re gonna have to take of your shirt. ❞ it sounded like more of a demand than a suggestion. ❝ i’ll put in the wash while i patch you up . do you want anything — a cup of hot chocolate ?? ❞
even with his disoriented state, gabriel still found himself FULLY aware of jude’s touch. it felt like it was all he could focus on, her small hands dragging him by the arm, and her fingers, soft on his face as she wiped away at his tears. almost like a lighthouse in his currently foggy mind. it was comforting — grounding. eyes closed, having given into his body’s protests only moments ago, gabe let out a faint exhale as he suddenly felt the light brush of her LIPS, starting on his cheeks and then more small pecks everywhere on his face. he certainly didn’t expect that, but he let himself savour and enjoy the moment. it sent shivers down his spine and a stupid fluttering warmth in his stomach. breathing in the familiar scent of her and her shampoo, gabriel’s lids slowly rose into a half-open state and his eyes roamed her features. not looking for anything in PARTICULAR, just looking — admiring. “ none of them deserved you, ” he whispered, lips parting only slightly and his voice croaky as if he hadn’t spoken in YEARS. in gabe’s eyes, no one would ever be good enough for judith, HIS judith. not even close. okay, maybe steve came close but he had.. complicated feelings about that one. mostly conflicting ones between ENVY and guilt , but he could barely even admit that to himself. just thinking about it gave him a headache and he was already dealing with at least three at the moment so stubbornly, gabe IGNORED those thoughts, hiding them away until the time came to appropriately face them. instead, he focused on allowing a small SMILE to cross his face as jude mentioned his childhood nickname. a nickname that was only ever used by her because she was the only one he ever let get away with it. something all of his friends, mostly jeremy, pointed out many times. why had he been so naive with denial ? anyone else he heard refer to him as GRAPE would’ve been met with a steely, warning glare, something he had managed to perfect at the age of thirteen, thanks to his father. head leaned back against the couch and eyes once again closed, gabriel hummed distractedly in response to her words, the demand BARELY registering in his thoughts. but fingers trailed down to the edge of where his shirt tucked into his pants anyways, feeble tugs eventually pulling his stained dress shirt FREE. “ only if you promise to make it the same way aunt vanessa does, ” gabriel murmured with an almost PLAYFUL smile as he slipped off his already loosened neck-tie. he fumbled for a moment with his buttons ( this was usually easier in the daytime ) and a soft, frustrated huff flew past his lips as he was met with the same struggle on the second button.
