Raymond
Despite the immediate, mutual assertion that Gabe and Mattias' relationship was mostly a working one, they'd been "Hanging out". Not nearly frequently enough to hit the point of suspicion or worse, internal crisis, and all their meetings had fallen under the umbrella of either exchanging small pieces of information (Matti had shown Gabe a video of a student picking small pieces of cilantro out of their meal by hand, which was *Clearly* Sociopathic behavior and not funny— Gabe— *Gabe it's not funny*) or 'socializing' them. Practicing talking to people. Understanding internet slang. The like. 

Still, it was moving Matti's feelings from 'tentative allyship' to 'half-fond toleration' at a slightly alarming rate.

They picked at loose threads on their messenger bag with no small amount of anxiety, as they waited outside of Gabe's dorm. Today, they were exploring and "Fixing that awful fucking fit", something they didn't understand but was clearly important to successful social interaction. So they had donned their cleanest, nicest shirt (a plain grey button up), a pair of jeans that only had one pen in the pocket, instead of the usual three to four, and brushed their hair so they could pretend it looked better. 

Matti knocked on Gabe's door for what was probably the second or third time. The first time, they'd been drowned out by one of Gabe's god-awful hallmates blasting music through an open door, the second they'd lost their nerve as someone walked past them. 

"Gabe?" They asked, trying to make their voice as clear as they could. "It's Mattias Gates."
Rosario
Mail. More *Mail.*

As Gabriel shuffled through the swaths of envelopes, his eyebrows pinched together in annoyance. He had figured it would be his father's responsibility to deal with these, considering the *Fancy mandatory boarding school/prison* Thing, but it seems they'd followed him across the Atlantic and into Sweden. 

Lovely. A bill from a familiar hospital peeked out from his hand, spurning a scowl. He was about to open it, when—

*Knock. Knock*. 

Shit. Matti was *Here*. Gabe hastily stuffed the letters under his notebook, the corner barely peeking out, before plastering on a smile and opening the door. He's dressed in an outfit fit for a night around town; which means no stuffy collars or preppy sweater vests. Instead, he wears a tight, short-sleeved white shirt, with an unbuttoned blue button-up layered over. Combined with light brown dress-pants, a leather belt, and a now-visible silver cross necklace, and the whole look *Screams* "I'm not trying too hard" While simultaneously looking cohesive and put-together.

"Matti, you're—" 

The door swings open, and Gabe *Cranes* His neck down — god, Matti was short — to see the other. The hair being brushed was a nice touch, and the actor made an approving tut at the button up. The look was... Well, a bit boring with the muted color scheme, but it was *Matti* Being talked about, so Gabe wasn't too surprised.

"...You don't look half-bad, actually." An approving half-smile, and Gabe holds the door open for the other. 

"Come in, will you? God knows you've probably been waiting here long enough."

Matti's first struck with the thought that the room is *Large*— a barren cot on the other side of the room confirms the suspicion that Gabe lives in a double yet currently lacks a roommate. 

It's surprisingly normal, too. *Too* Normal, considering how Gabe usually presents. There's no clothes on the floor, but the desk area is covered with homework (all perfect grades), formal looking letters, and stacks of face-down envelopes. It's a mess expected of a teen boy, oddly enough. 

A mini-fridge sits in the corner, and posters of places back home, comic book characters, and actors on the stage are taped onto the walls. A tote bag of makeup sits next to a slightly-messy vanity, alongside far, far, *Far* Too many bottles pertaining to skincare. 

"This is my place. 'S pretty nice, since they haven't found a roommate for me yet. It means I get this whole room to myself, for now. Pretty sweet, right?" Gabe gestures around, pulling up a chair and sitting down.
Raymond
Matti viciously squashed the victorious thrill that went through them at Gabe's compliment. *I did it right!* The feeling crowed from where it hid under their collarbone. *Friendship!* Except Matti and Gabe were *Not* Friends, they were business partners, executing a mutually beneficial transaction. If anything, they should be proud that they had learned enough to meet Gabe's impossibly high standards for— everything.

Gabe's room captured their interest for long enough to abandon their previous train of thought. 

"Surprisingly normal," They commented. "It seems your penchant for dishonesty doesn't apply to your dorm." They smiled. That was a joke, right? Yes. Probably. "I don't have a roommate. I didn't want one." Plus, it'd be a hassle to *Add* Anyone into their room, what with things stashed in corners (hidden, which ironically made them easier to find when Matti lost something) and surfaces covered in. Conspiracy papers wasn't the right term. *Perfectly sane analytical notes of current subversive issues.*

Matti wavered slightly, lingering by the door. "What are today's plans?" Fuck— small talk. "And the weather," They tacked on hurriedly. *Fuck.* Now they just sounded stupid. The words that normally felt *Right*— sure and rhythmic, were clumsy. Foolish. Their face seemed to be indecisive, stuck between flushed with embarrassment and carefully passive.
Rosario
"The fuck would a *Dishonest dorm* Even look like? What, were you expecting a funhouse mirror, or a fake wall?" Gabe shakes his head, more to dismiss his... Acquaintance's weird social mannerisms than in actual offense. 

God, Matti was hopeless. 

"Eh, I figured having a roommate might be an interesting. Worried about what it'll be like when I take someone back to my place for the night, but besides that... It doesn't seem like it matters, what with the fact they're not *Here* Yet." He wasn't *Grumbling*, totally. Just... A little peeved about the lack of ability for this school to properly match him with a roommate. Wasn't this place supposed to be *Competent?*

"Today's plans? What, it's not like we have an itinerary. The only goal *Really* Is to fuck around and have fun, and that's sorely dependent on what you want to do." Sometimes, Gabe forgot he was talking to a total social recluse— until the painfully awkward way Matti conceptualized 'hanging out' reared that truth directly into the limelight.

Gabe's heart *Squeezed* At the revelation. God... Why'd he have to feel *Bad* About the other being so painfully lonely?

"Although... I am a bit curious about what you've been up to. You said you've been busy recently- with what?" The question is spoken into the air, as Gabe pulls out his bag of various makeup. 

"You like makeup? I've been rusty, and while I don't particularly *Like* The look of eyeshadow on myself, I have plenty of testimony from my sister and her friends that I'm kind of a makeup guru." He waggles an eyebrow up and down, the bravado and overconfidence of his bragging accompanied with a grin.
Raymond
Matti held back a wince as the joke fell flat, but their tenseness soothed as they immersed themself in analyzing Gabe's words. He seemed annoyed about the lack of roommate— something Matti couldn't and hopefully *Would never have to* Relate to. Thankfully, whatever discontent stemmed from *That* Made Gabe overlook their. Less than tactful questioning. 

At the confirmation that there wasn't a set plan, they felt a brief flash of panic. Matti had never been one to go on outings or interactions without a plan. A. One singular. And that plan was stuck to at all costs. If it failed, a new plan was constructed. Gabe's disorganization in mind, they resolved themself to just following his lead. As soon as their heart calmed, sated at the vague construction, it panicked again. Could they tell Gabe what they'd been investigating? *Should* They? Gabe had told them, their very first meeting, that he had things waiting for him back home. Getting him involved with the Angels— with something confirmed to be deadly— was that ethical in any way? They couldn't exactly lie. 

"I've been investigating some stuff related to the curfew," They said, "I... Don't know how much you want to know. It could mess up your chances of getting out for 'behavior'. Getting mixed up with it." Even if they couldn't tell Gabe everything outright, that didn't mean they wanted him uninformed. He could make his own choices. He was entitled to that, if not knowledge.

As the conversation briefly turned to lighter subjects, Matti shrugged. "I know the basic concept, but I can't say I've ever tried anything with makeup. It's needlessly expensive and even more so if you don't know what to do with it. Not very beginner friendly." Sister. *Right.* Gabe had a sister. Briefly Mattias wondered what she was like, then promptly brushed the curiosity away. It was a useless line of inquiry. They'd never meet. Matti tugged through their bag and bit down on a mint in an effort to arrange their scattered thoughts.
Rosario
*Oho? Gossip?*

A perfectly manicured eyebrow raised, and Gabe did his best to stifle a grin. Now this was something he wanted to *Hear about*, despite whatever reservations the other had about 'ruining chances of getting out for behavior'. 

No, Gabe was not like Matti. He did not blab secrets to the rest of the world without a care, believing that the 'truth' was an inherent force for good. Whatever Matti was about to say, he would make sure to tuck deep in his heart and not tell a soul... Well, maybe Blanche, but *She doesn't count, she's six.*

"I have no intentions to get involved, or tell anyone else here. And I mean it, 'cause you'd know if I didn't, right?" His southern accent comes out in full force as he digs through his bag, sorting between eyeshadow pallets and nail polish. 

"And besides, what's an outing *Without* Sharing a couple of secrets? It's *Gossip.*" A wink, and Gabe pulls out three eyeshadow palettes, and an assortment of every color of nail polish. 

"You can't use my concealer unless you suddenly become a *Lot* Darker, so... Eyeshadow, nail polish, both, or neither?" 

Maybe a blush would look nice on Matti, too... Gabe squints, actually *Looking* At the other's face with thoughtful, analytical eyes. It would, he decided, the pink potentially adding some life into the other's pale face. Ah, but Gabe would pitch that later, when Matti had already warmed up to the idea of getting dolled up.
Raymond
Matti shrugged. Honestly whatever Gabe wanted to do was fine— they'd already subjected themself to the mortifying ordeal of being known in *Coming* Here, in interacting with people despite their chronic inability to make eye contact and the nights they'd spent drinking hot water and whispering, voice hoarse and strained from its brief reprieve of disuse. Besides, they didn't know what looked good and what didn't— they didn't even know what half of the things Gabe referenced *Were*. They told him as much, before pulling out their handbook and flipping to the newly added sections. The familiar action didn't necessarily calm them, but it did fan the spark a little, the excitement that came with discovery and uncovering secrets. 

"Well, first of all, Uriel isn't a demon or a horrifying person, like I'd thought," They started. "Actually, they're a kind person. I met them— they went into my mind when I was having a nightm- a dream. That's their ability, I think. Though they're proficient at reading people. *You* Might dislike them, for that." It wasn't intended to be a dig; Matti had seen Gabe's discomfort, sometimes, when whatever mask he had chosen to wear slipped, when Matti made a comment on the things he was hiding. Uriel, while kind, wasn't likely company that appealed to him. 

"Secondly—" They inhaled, stalling for processing time with deep breaths. "The reason for the curfew is a group called the Angels. Ma- my partner in investigating called them a cult, and she has much better knowledge of them than I do. What I know for now is that they presumbably kidnap young girls and brainwash them using the leader's ability. They're also dangerous." Their eyes flickered around Gabe's room, to the *Normalcy* Of it. The safety. Nothing at all like frantic scribblings and locks and more locks and hidden stashes of supplies. "The lethal kind. I recommend avoiding them, and maybe me, if you want to stay out of all that." 

.

They pulled a stray strand of hair, slightly, fixating on it as a sudden rush of anxiety filled them. Was being around them... Dangerous? Maybe not at first, but now, with Margo and Valio and Annika and Frida, hell, they'd already been *Seen* In conjunction with at *Least* One angel's appearance, if the campus staff or god-forbid the *Angels* Saw them talking to Gabe— would *He* Be in danger? They thanked their past paranoia for choosing quiet, somewhat isolated places to meet. But they couldn't ensure they'd *Never* Been seen talking, or that they wouldn't in the future. If Gabe kept "Hanging out" With them. Which he might not. 

It would be good self-preservation instinct. A good choice, objectively. Every reason they interacted could, in theory, be communicated over the phone or strategically placed notes. It would be more efficient, even. It made Matti sick to their stomach. Regardless of how it started, they were willing to concede (only to themself) that they *Enjoyed* Spending time with Gabe. It was fun. No matter how fake it was, or for whatever reason, they felt more at ease in his presence than the other general, faceless, lying masses. But if stepping back, if being alone again, even slightly, was what would protect him— if it was what Gabe asked. Would they be able to do it? Probably. Without regrets? A clean break? Likely not. 

"The Angels think one of their runaway members are here. I've been looking into it. But they're dangerous, and have made attempts to get inside the complex in the past. At night, normally. You can recognize them by the halo and wings. I'd be careful. Run if you see them. This— it might be difficult for you—" They laughed, something strained that faded quickly. Forced down. "—but I recommend not drawing attention to yourself. If you even *Think* That they're watching you."
Rosario
"Hmm..." 

Gabe shivered as Matti described their encounter with the so-called *Red King*. The words *They went into my mind* Made a decidedly unpleasant feeling run down the back of Gabe's spine, and he inwardly winced. He couldn't help but laugh at Matti's remark about disliking them; of course he'd dislike the company of someone who could *Go inside your head.* Who would willingly *Want* To hang out with someone like that?

Another reminder that Gabe did, in fact, not belong here. He had abilities, yes, but they were... Harmless, and the one time he tried to do something nefarious was very quickly deemed a failure. The gulf between him and everyone else was terrifying; even Matti, who was so... *Matti*, had awe-inspiring abilities. There were people with fantastical abilities ripped straight from a storybook, and Gabe was an actor who used his abilities for discount Adderall. 

God. He *Really* Had to get out of here. 

"Close your eyes." Gabe ordered, sitting next to the lie-detector. As Matti does so, he holds the other's chin, tilting their jaw up and looking down to properly apply the shade onto the other's eyelids. It was a nice color— a reddish brown, something that worked with Matti's fair complexion *And* Was bold enough to draw some much-needed eyes to Matti.

"You know, I have attention *Misdirection* Abilities, not just drawing attention. I can be sneaky if I need to— besides, it's not like they can read minds. They're not able to magically deduce I know the drama unfolding. You're worrying too much." He muttered, waving off the concern with the same hand currently holding the eyeshadow brush. 

"Although... I'm a bit insulted. A halo? *Wings*? It's a mockery of religion. Even if they weren't dangerous, I'd hate them for the half-baked cosplay alone." Gabe snorts at his own joke, and the contact of his cross necklace against his shirt momentarily floats to the top of his head.
Raymond
Matti saw Gabe mentally decide to stay away from Uriel, and a little part of them was satisfied. As much as they appreciated Gabe's company, Uriel was likely a literal godsend. They worried about the conflict that would arise were they to meet— worried for *Both* Of them. They'd to their part to prevent it from happening too, of course. Nothing major. Just... Keeping their paths from colliding.

As their rant— report— about the Angels and their danger, and why Gabe should stay away from them, at all costs, closed, they barely noticed the ominous feeling of Gabe approaching with an assortment of black boxes and paintbrushes. What they *Did* Notice was his order for them to close their eyes, and subsequent light hand on their face. *Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck*. *A liar,* They reminded themself, even if it didn't really carry the same weight anymore. *And likes women.* As many things as Mattias *Did* Identify as— courtesy of their long stretches of free time and a few rare days of home internet access— a woman they were not. They tamped down any anxiety they felt (okay. Gabe was objectively attractive but they had no intention of actually getting attached to him) and focused on his frankly ridiculous attempts to prove he wouldn't get *Assassinated* By a *Literal murderous cult*. These people were *Dangerous* And Gabe didn't understand they were a *Serious threat*.



What sobered them, though, was the throwaway comment— *A mockery of religion*. That had been one thing they'd kept out— not deliberately, but it was important. Even in a broader sense, past the Angels. Once they felt Gabe stop applying whatever product he was using to their eyes (which remained, they thought, admirably still given the foreign sensation), they spoke.

"The Angels *Make* People into parahumans. Normal people. It's—" *Blasphemous*, they wanted to say. So they did. "A perversion of divine gift. Abominable."
Rosario
"Divine gift? So, you think God granted you your powers?" 

Gabe momentarily pauses in their eyeshadow application, flipping the brush with a sharp rotation to apply the pigment with a different, more angled brush. 

Huh. It was... An optimistic reason for their powers, one that made warmth flutter in the deepest echelons of Gabriel's chest. A gift? For *Gabe*? 

"I... Never thought of it like that. That's... It's a nice thing to think about. A gift..." His voice was uncharacteristically low and soft, tone turning thoughtful as he explored that possibility in his mind.

Gabe was not stupid, unfortunately. The link between when he received his powers and the... Other events occurring in his life made the connection of *Why* Fairly obvious in his head. They were a tool, something to help them with the burdens of daily life... Maybe even a coping mechanism born from necessity. 

But a gift... Did God see Gabe struggling, and bless him with abilities to help him overcome his obstacles? The thought made Gabe still, and before the pleasant feeling fully enveloped him—

*A gift from God, and look what you did with it.*

— It stops. Whatever warm sensation that came with the love from a higher being grows hot, boiling hot, molting its prior sweet feathers and turning into bright-hot shame. Gabe takes a deep breath, the hand currently holding his brush shaking slightly. *Not in front of Matti,* He thinks to himself. *I'm better than this.*

"Interesting thought. You might be right about that." The loud sound of the actor clearing his throat cuts through his own internal monologue, and he shakes his head. *No more,* And Gabe picks up a bottle of nail polish. 

"What color? I have everything in the goddamn rainbow, so don't be shy. And I'm vetoing anything *Boring*, like black."
Raymond
"Divine gift?"

Matti stilled. They knew the things they knew— *Believed* Left a vile taste in their mouth— weren't exactly normal. It was rare to acknowledge higher beings, especially in the way that Mattias had. The unsure, yet completely devoted way. Blind faith, without rules. To be fair, whatever entity gave them their powers likely didn't care too much for human lives. It was like a chess game. A television show. At best, a way to sponsor a lucky inferior life form and give them a true Purpose (the word made them think of Frida, now, and it unsettled them). It was good Gabe didn't sound *Too* Repulsed by the idea. They weren't sure they could handle this kind of rejection. 

They heard the uncertainty in his voice, though. Considering. The pause. Then when his words continued, the self-depreciation lying hidden. Wrapping around their friend's throat. *Deceitful viper.* Mattias cursed it in their head. *Foul fucking snake. Get you the hell out.*

"Well I'm glad you're fulfilling your purpose, at least." They spoke plainly. "With your gift, I mean. It took me a while to get it, at first. But there's no way you can really do the *Wrong* Thing. That's good, I think. It's like giving an ant a sugarcube. You do it because you want to, and the ant is small, and interesting, and just because you can change things. Or maybe because the ant is... Struggling somehow. And you think 'I might as well help'." They shrugged, careful not to jostle the various products piled near them. "But even if the ant uses the cube to become the Ant King, or sculpts it, or shares it among all its people. I guess even if it pushes the sugarcube over and uses it to get revenge on the ant that killed its ant family, or something. You just think 'huh, cool'. Everything's so much bigger than your- our- actions. The only way god will be mad, at least to my knowledge, is if you try to never use your gift at all."

.

They weren't good at reassurance. But they spoke the truth, and maybe that was what Gabe needed. Right now. Even so, when they shut their mouth it was with the slight flush of embarrassment. They'd never talked about this— about their god, and powers, and purpose before. They let all thoughts of deities and cosmic motivations sink into the mud of their unconsciousness, where they usually lay. 

"Oh. And maybe blue?" It was a more neutral color. Closest to black (which Matti was definitely *Not* Planning to pick, before Gabe vetoed it).
Rosario
"You're... You know, you have a point there." 

Gabe takes Matti's hand in his left and applies the bright-blue shade with his other. The precise, delicate strokes of paint are somewhat rhythmic and soothing, and Gabe can't help but hum to himself as each of the other's slender nails are coated in a baby blue. 

"Still, don't you think that's a little... I dunno, sad? Don't you want to believe God does these things because He loves you? Like a parent loves their child, I mean. Or maybe like a friend?" The idle musing about religion was... Surprisingly genuine, and Gabe couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish after the fact. 

Gabe tilts his head, moving Matti's side to side to properly inspect his handiwork. The eyeshadow made their eyes look larger, the brownish-red wing making Matti look... Fierce, confident almost. It was good work, he thinks to himself, a self-satisfied smile blossoming on his face. 

"One more thing— you want blush?" 

Gabe scoots behind Matti and takes the other's hair in his hands, running through the brown strands multiple times to smooth it out. It was dry, and a bit coarse— it didn't seem Matti had the same 6-step hair care routine Gabe had. How unfortunate, truly; but that was for another day. 

He takes a hair tie off of his wrist, and ties Mattias' hair into a high ponytail before scurrying back to the front. Truthfully, Gabe had wanted to bring Matti out of his shell. It... Well, he didn't want to admit *Made him sad*, so his internal monologue replaced that word with *Disappointed* Instead. It was partially why the look was so... Unlike Matti, with the ponytail taking the hair away from the other's face and pulled back to accentuate the cheekbones. Dark (but not whorish, looking for attention dark, a line Gabe was *Acutely* Aware of) eyeshadow made the other look... Almost feminine? 

He hummed in approval.

"Dude, you look *Great*. Let me put some lipstick on you, and you'll pick up all the dudes in town." Gabe gave Matti a playful jab in the ribs and a *Go, get 'em tiger* Smile and wink.
Raymond
"Maybe." They shrugged, feeling almost... Naked without their signature hat and glasses. As much as they used both accessories to manage their ability, they were also a shield. Something for Matti to hide behind. "I guess it would be— not impossible, but something close to it. Not to love someone you choose like that. Like watching a character in a storybook. You give them power, by watching them. Seeing them. You can't do that without starting to love them, at least a little."

It answered the question so many people seemed to ask— about why. Why give powers? Love was fickle. Nobody did things because they loved you. Nobody did things on your behalf unless they wanted to, at least a little. What did gods get out of watching humans? Entertainment, in a callous word. Fulfillment, in a kinder one. They didn't say any of that, though. They'd noticed the crosses Gabe wore, well, *Religiously*, and their opinion seemed to be stepping into the realm of "Trauma dumping" And "Religious controversy". Instead, they busied themself by eyeing the blush in Gabe's hand skeptically, and nodding. 

Without their hair in their eyes, they could see *Everything* In their normal range of vision. The sensation was jarring, and somehow stable. 

"I wouldn't limit myself to guys," They grumbled good-naturedly, feeling lighter, freer (in a way they would absolutely *Not* Examine in painstaking detail later), and a little more willing to push social boundaries. "*I'm* Open to everyone. It's not my fault I'm surrounded by lesbians, gods, and straight men." They almost told Gabe he didn't *Need* To use blush, with all Matti was sure they were flushed from the compliment. But it was a warm kind of embarrassment. Though Gabe was attractive they didn't consider him a romantic prospect; that wasn't what this was about. It was just. Nice. To hear someone compliment their appearance. "It's all your work anyway. Stop being narcissistic." They bit down a smile. They were, god forbid, having fun.
Rosario
"Ah, so you're an anything-goes type of guy. Honestly, I kind of envy that. Seems easier, not having to limit yourself to people of your preferred sex. Then you could sleep with *Anyone* Who finds you hot, you know?" Gabe sighed, the prospect of missing out on reciprocating the affection of adoring fans clearly disappointing. 

He takes Matti's face once again, adding the blush on the apples of the other's cheeks. The other didn't really *Need* Anything more— certainly not contour or highlight— but Gabe applies a coat of mascara and lipstick (not without a "Come on, it won't give you *Cooties.*") anyway. 

 "Lesbians, straight men... Wait, *Gods?* Here?" Gabe spluttered, a bit taken off guard by the word.

The lesbian was easy enough to figure out, given his... Unfortunate run in with Margo on the intranet, and "Straight man" Was very obviously yours truly. But... Gods? Even a lowercase-g god?

"Man, who the hell did you *Talk to* While I was gone?" Gabe offhandedly muttered to himself, incredulous. Matti had *Already involved himself in a conspiracy, and met a lowercase-g god.* He, on the other hand, found out where the gym was, and barely finished unpacking. 

"It *Is* My work. That's why I'm going to compliment it as much as I can, and *You* Will too, because that's the fee I've decided you're paying with." 

Gabe clears his throat, voice raising into a perfect falsetto. It... Actually sounded convincingly feminine, the years of voice training evident and on display. High, but not overly so, almost seeming natural. 

"Oh, *Gaaaabe,* You did *Such* A good job dolling up my face, you're so *Cool* And *Have I mentioned totally ripped, too?*" He puts a hand to his forehead in mock fluster, adding an obnoxious bat of eyelashes to ham up the performance.

"You know, something like that." A wink and a smug grin come with the return of Gabe's normal voice.
Raymond
Matti hummed, the pleasant feeling of contentness wrapping around their bones. They closed their eyes and leaned back into the chair. They could picture themself falling asleep like this, maybe, with comfortable conversation with a closed door and no corners for killing-things to lurk in. Instead, they simply let themself relax. Gabe's furniture was much better than theirs, or maybe it just felt different in a room warm and bright and full of life.

"Went out in the woods. An eldritch creature, maybe a person as well, tried to kidnap me. It had too many eyes and gnashing teeth and black shadowy mass for my tastes, and then got mad at me for looking at it. So I stabbed it with a pen and then—" Their eyes flew open, revulsion skittering down their spine. "I. A wild animal tried to attack and it protected me. So I killed it- the dog, I mean, and went back home." The memory of gore encased the back of their eyelids, painting each blink with horrid shades of red, and *Red*, and more shades of red. The discomfort faded faster than it normally did, held in the arms of the chair as they took deeper breaths. "Oh, and Uriel I suppose." They gave a small, slightly shaky grin, before laughing. 

"Gabe, I think you're incredibly skilled and a good person. Your ability to interact with people is admirable, as is your passion." Matti too raised their voice, to the more feminine side of androgyny, but it held none of the mocking Gabe's words had. They didn't lie. Especially not about something like this, especially not when Gabe's eyes had flashed something dark and strangling when he'd heard about the Gift. With another small smirk, they allowed amusement to briefly color their voice. "As for your handiwork..."

.

They took the opportunity to look at themself in the mirror. Normally they avoided it. Mirrors were unsettling. Looking at themself even more so— like some creature had crawled into their skin and taken their place. Something looked better, now. More right. They weren't a woman, and they'd never be, but something in the balance of them shifted, if only to suit what they felt in the moment. 

"It's nice. *Really* Nice. I appreciate it."
Rosario
"You... You killed a dog that tried to attack you?" 

Gabe blinked in surprise. Truthfully... He didn't believe the other had it in them, to actually fight and attack instead of cowering like a little bitch. Matti seemed to defy expectations, in a pleasant way— they were more capable than Gabe gave them credit for, even if their social inability made it hard to realize. 

"Good. Good on you. You protected yourself, and that... Creature-thing. Don't feel guilty— you didn't have a choice, and it attacked you first. It's a dog-eat-dog world, after all. I'm proud of you for defending what you needed to protect." 

*Dog-eat-dog world.* It was a literal sentiment this time, but Gabe remembers being told that fact for the first time, his father gripping his tiny boy self by his shoulders, already drunk despite having come home from his second job barely shy of an hour ago. 

*It's a dog-eat-dog world, Gabe. Y—*Hic*— You gotta do what you gotta do to survive. The rest of the time you spend trying to cope with it.* He said, waving the bottle in his hand around, the sudden movement making Gabe's gaze dance around the interior of the small, cozy traditional New-Orleans style living room. 

It was a moment of weakness unlike his usually-sober father, and his startled younger self could only nod at his father's words. 

*Dog-eat-dog world. It was ok, because they'd eat you, if they had the chance.*

A small pat on the shoulder, heavy enough to jostle the smaller person but not enough to be painful.

.

"You're going off script, Velma Dinkley. You're supposed to roll your eyes and call me a self-absorbed nincompoop in whatever formal language you types like using." Gabe gives the other a flick on the forehead, no actual malice behind his endearing insult. 

It was... Nice, surprisingly so— Gabe allows himself to express the calmest smile, the true extent of the effect Matti's words had in his mood tucked into the deepest part of his brain. 

The best— no, the worst— part was that Matti *Meant it,* The other's stubborn refusal to tell a lie meaning that every word that came from their mouth was truth. It was... Unsettling, deeply so. 

*Gabe, I think you're a good person.* Matti had said, and Gabe had to choke down a laugh. He wasn't— he'd made peace with that fact long ago, resolving to sacrifice whatever parts of himself hesitated or gave sympathy to those who stood in his way. It was a fact he lived with, albeit uncomfortably. 

It was a dog-eat-dog world, after all. Someone had to kill the dog, didn't they?

"Also, please, do me a favor and..." 

Gabe unbuttons the top two buttons on Matti's shirt, exposing the neck and collarbone. 

"There. You look like less of a square, now. The chicks'll— or men, or *Gods, apparently*— dig you."
Raymond
*Don't feel guilty. You didn't have a choice. It attacked you first. I'm proud of you for defending what you needed to protect.*

It should have been comforting to hear the words from Gabe. After all, they were similar to the ones they'd told themself, on that dark walk home through the woods, in the hours lit by bathroom lights and bile afterwards. *You did what you had to. It was you or it.* It *Should* Have felt comforting. Instead, it felt poisonous. Like a worm chewing through the cyanide heart of an apple. *That's not normal!* Buzzed in a discordant growl, bubbling up from their memory. Because they had protected themself. Protected the creature. But— *Their grip on the flashlight slipped from the slick slide of **Red**. They beat the body into the background, making it one with the landscape. Splitting it open*— it wasn't right. It wasn't. It was suddenly *Important* That Gabe knew— 

"It wasn't good. It wasn't fast. I fucked it up. I fucked up. You probably know already, how I am sometimes." They moved their eyes away from their reflection in the mirror, and away from Gabe's gaze. "With our first encounter and all. I *Ripped it apart*. Even after it was dead. The creature— the fucking eldritch creature— said *I* Needed help." 

They tried to shake off the sudden grave turn they'd taken the conversation. Raising a hand to pick distractedly at the now-freed section of their collar. "Anyway, uh." 

Mattias rarely stumbled over their words— well. That wasn't correct. But they rarely used fillers, hating resorting to "Um"S and "Uh"S to give them time to stall. But in this moment, it was all they could say. Empty words that filled space but didn't make conversation. They fell silent. What had once been pretty and perfect, comforting, now filled with foreboding.
Rosario
"How you are sometimes...?"

Gabe thought to himself, eyebrows furrowing upon looking back at Matti's behavior. 

"I mean, I guess, but it's in the past now. You can't change what you did, but adrenaline is a hell of a drug, man. You can't really fault yourself for acting erratic in a life-or-death scenario, you know?" 

The tone shift surprised Gabe. The other's anguish at sudden flood of bad memories made something... Overly familial stir within him, a desire to *Make the bad go away, no matter the cost.* 

*Anyway, uh...* 

Matti was hurting— what did he do when his sister was feeling down? Of course, the same thing he always did. A charming mask of bravado and confidence, one so bright it couldn't help but cheer up even the most troubled, hurt six year old... Or, well, a teenager, in this case. It was easy. He could *Do this.* 

An easy-going smile grows on Gabe's features, and he slings a muscular, dark arm around the other's shoulder. 

"Hey Matti, you know of something called 'boba tea?' It's pretty popular with the kids, apparently— m'sis talks 'bout it all the time, says it's a cool new drink from Asia or sumthin'. Heard there's a place that serves it in Isakstad, and nothing like a nice day to explore the city." 

With the familiar task of cheering up a younger kid comes a familiar, natural accent — words are shortened, slang is thrown around. The deeper, Southern twang is less clipped and... Conventionally appealing than Gabriel's usual trans-atlantic accent. It's messy and imperfect, and *Normal.* 

"Plus, maybe you'll make some more friends with the new get-up— although you already seem pretty popular, from what you've told me." 

A small bit of pride shone through those words, pride directed towards *Matti,* For once. Gabriel *Was* Proud of Matti, despite the setback of the dog attack. It was a lot for the former, stunted child, and they were handling it remarkably well considering the odd circumstances.

.

"Oh, oh, and we have to take some photos, too! And post them in intra to show off the great time we're having. It'll make us seem all *Spontaneous* And *Fun*. Besides, what's dressing up with a friend without a bit of strutting, am I right?"

A playful wink, one that radiated *Don't take this— or me— too seriously, all right?*
Raymond
Matti knew somewhat that this was a mask. That Gabe was slipping into one of his many different selves, switching out his skin while holding his soul close. But this one felt... Thinner. Closer, somehow, to reality. And even though it hummed with the slight feeling of *Hidingconcealingfindthetruth*, it was quiet. Background noise. And it was effective. They breathed, and let the image of gore stained forest clearings fade. Let themself get caught up in the distraction. 

"I haven't tried it. But it sounds fun." A little part of them recoiled at the idea of galivanting around— they might have been fine sans glasses and hat in front of Gabe, but in front of *Other* People? The thought was enough to send rats running down their spine. But the rest of them looked forward to it. It would be, maybe, *Fun*. 

"I've met three people, Gabe, that's hardly a party," They were confident enough to quip back. "Though I suppose being your friend will kick that number up quite a bit in the future."

Friend. *Friend*. They acknowledged it. Gabe was their *Friend*.



They were friends. Friends who protected each other. Friends who cheered each other up. 

They let their relaxation show in their body language— calmed the stiffness in their shoulders and let a small smile loose onto their face. "I can't exactly say I've been on an outing before. I'll trust the wisdom of your sister; let us taste the sanctity of 'boba tea'." At the end of their sentence, their voice rang faintly in a mockery of a monk or fantasy story. In less overt tones, they gave Gabe an inaudible message. *I trust **You.** Lead the way.*
Rosario
"Of course. Don't lag behind too much, yeah? Or I'll have to pick you up and run away." 

Gabe laughs and opens the door, gesturing Matti through with a mock bow before the dorm is once again left empty, the prior sweet sound of laughter between friends making the silence even more jarring. 

—-