AU where Gabe is happy.
Lights up on the apartment at 85 Water Street.
Gabriel Callaghan Conall sits on the couch, wearing a headset and jamming on controller buttons, blissfully unaware of the phone pinging beside him with endless notifications- the way they always do when a new photoshoot of the young model drops.
Beside him on the table, a jar of pickles and a bag of jalapeño flavored chips.
It's the loud whoosh, and swirl of color from just outside of the window that snaps him out of the zone. He takes off the headset, just in time to see Rúne Hákonson climbing in from the fire escape.
"Hey!" Gabriel instantly rises to his feet to greet him, grabbing his hand to help him into the apartment. "Holy shit, what's up? I thought you weren't coming until Friday."
"Surprise."
The Midgardian beamed up at his boyfriend, and just as he rises up on tiptoes he hears keys in the front door. "That's probably-"
In steps Josh with his arm thrown around Mercedes. "Hey kids."
The live studio audience applauds.
"Yo, where were you guys?" Gabe asks, the two of them look like they've been through a tornado. Is that blood spattered against Mercy's smiling face?
"If we told you, we'd have to kill you." Josh winks at the audience, to a chorus of laughter. "Darcy's on the way, she got caught up with stars."
To this, Gabe nods with understanding. "Stars."
Something in the kitchen smells great, and with Chicken and Ferg at his heels- Gabe goes to check it out, only to be stopped by JJ and Magni. "I just wanna see what's-"
"It's a surprise, Gabriel. Go and wait at the table." Magni tutted.
The apartment is full and loud, but it doesn't feel crowded. Friends and family on either side, his hand rests comfortably in Rue's without a care for whether or not they were seen.
The lights dim, and out of the kitchen comes a cake lit with twenty-one sparkling candles. The dark haired woman carrying it sets it down at the center of the table, illuminating the faces of loved ones.
"Happy birthday, Gabe." "Thanks, Mom."
The boy's arms reach up and wrap around Mary's shoulders in a long, tight hug.
The live studio audience lets out a long and wistful 'aw.'
"Go ahead, make your wish." He hears Moira tell him.
Gabe looks down at the candles in front of him, just sitting in the glow for a moment with not a thought in his head. What could he possibly wish for? What would he ever change?
He feels a tug on his sleeve, and helps Nora up beside him. "Help me out?" He whispers to the little cousin, who nods seriously.
One.. Two.. Three.