can I get uhhhhhh,,, gabe reacting to jays branding? uwu
“Gabe, can I talk to you about something?” His voice is small. It wants to run away from him and hide in a corner and that’s how I know that whatever he’s about to say is important- at least to him.
Jay looks to the ground. he’s wearing a blanket around his shoulders and he’s not wearing a shirt. I wonder what he’s planning to do.
“Um… I- I want to show you something. but please don’t freak out. Okay? Promise me you won’t freak out.”
I nod, searching his eyes. “I promise.”
He takes a breath and he turns around. “Can you promise me one more time?”
I nod again. “I promise, Jay.”
He walks to the edge of my bed and sits down. He tightens the blanket around his shoulders for a moment, second-guessing his actions before he lets it fall and bunches it up in front of him, covering his chest.
I take in a breath and get up from my desk, taking off my reading glasses. I do what I can to slow my breathing as I step towards him. I study the lines with my eyes and notice the slight tremble of Jay’s body.
“Rico.” His voice is pinched. He doesn’t want to hear himself say the name.
I get angry. I want to scream and shout and throw something but I hold it in. I set my jaw and kept my mouth shut because that isn’t what Jay needs. It’s not what I promised him.
“Initiation into Blu Roze. He thought I was ready, but nobody else did. Everyone knew how I felt about the initiation process and tried to tell him but he didn’t listen and then he got angry that I didn’t want to and he took me into this room and it was so dark and all I could hear was his voice and when he-” I take him in my arms and he cuts himself off with a sob. “I thought I would be able to talk about this but I’m still-”
“Don’t. Don’t say what you’re going to say because it’s not true.” He nods and holds my arms, letting out his remaining sobs. “I am so proud of you, Jay. I know how much it took to even think about coming to me. I am so proud of you. Don’t forget that. I’m proud of you.”
Jay continues to cry as I hold him. Soon all he can do is shake as I rest my head against his spine. “Do you think I can sleep in your room tonight? I… don’t think I can-”
“Thank you, Gabe,” he murmurs and we adjust. He lays down and I lay the blanket over him. I shrug out of my coat and hang it next to the door, turning off the light and laying down next to him.
