So Kiss Me Goodbye - Chapter 3
Title: So Kiss Me Goodbye
Chapter: 3/?
Rating: PG
Pairing: Gabilliam, onesided!Brendon/Gabe
Summary: Gabe and William lived in a world where men weren't supposed to fall in love with each other, and where sorcery was banned. Gabe's talent with potions and his love for the noble born William Beckett leads to their demise. But with the help of dark magic and reincarnation, Gabe still hopes to find his love once more and get the happily ever after he believes he deserves.
Disclaimer: This is fictional.
Author Note: Yup, I left it off there. I apologize.
Gabe wasn't an incredibly social being, not anymore. The need to engage in cheerful small talk and share stories had long been quelled within him, and he'd learned to simply tolerate it in others. It wasn't that he hated people, he wouldn't take it that far, but he was old and he was tired. The thrill of beating death, a goal so many naïve scientists strived to reach, had died off and left him feeling hollow. It was a terrifying feeling, possessing a void that even he wasn't sure he could fill. The aching feeling left by the death of his lover had never quite dissipated despite the time passed. Decade to decade he found a new form of self medication, something new and fun and interesting to make sure he could stand the day to day life he had consigned himself to before he even understood the meaning behind it all. It seemed pathetic and it was, but it kept him going. Lately it had been drinking, something common and benign, it warmed his insides and made his head fuzzy which was a feeling he no longer wanted to do without. Sure, from the outside it looked like he led a good life. He did, and he didn't want to be ungrateful but it was difficult when no one understood. He kept his few friends for as long as he could before necessity pushed him out of the rut he usually found himself inhabiting, and then he'd move on. It was a repetitive pattern that he'd grown used to, and since life could be worse Gabe tried to keep a smile on his face.
"Gabe," the person sitting next to him called, pulling him out of his thoughts, "Gabe, you just missed the turn, you were supposed to go right on Clark."
A screech of tires accompanied Gabe's sheepish "Oops," as he turned the steering wheel to make a sharp turn and get them back on track. He had been to Pete's place once before, but sometimes Gabe's memory wasn't to be counted on for accurate directions.
Brendon settled back into his seat, grateful that he always heeded his mother's advice to him as a child and had secured his seatbelt when he first got in the car. Gabe had given him a few rides home in the past, only on days where the weather was too awful to walk the five or six blocks himself, but the limited experience he had was enough that he knew Gabe's driving style didn't typically mean strictly adhering to the state's rules of the road. It was bad enough that if he were able then he would've driven himself, but even with the paychecks he received from working in the shop he wasn't able to afford a car of his own. He had rent and utilities to worry about, he couldn't even think about adding insurance and a down payment on any sort of automobile on top of that. "Try real hard not to get us killed, yeah?"
"You’ve got nothing to worry about," Gabe replied, "I've been driving since before you were born."
Brendon laughed, not understanding that for once Gabe was speaking the absolute truth. Gabe had been around since before cars were the preferred method of transportation, one of the reasons he often found himself thinking he was above the law. There were no squad cars looking to catch speeders on the highway when Gabe first found himself behind the wheel.
"And we're here," Gabe announced, pressing his lead foot to the brake and coming to a stop right up against the curb on the street next to the apartment complex Pete called his home. Brendon only dared to unbuckle his seatbelt after Gabe had removed the keys from the ignition, keeping in mind the time that Gabe had decided after Brendon was already halfway out the vehicle that he really should pull up a few more feet. The jostle of the car moving tossed Brendon out into the street, and then Gabe almost ran over his foot. Brendon wasn't sure when Gabe first attended driver's ed, but he was damn certain that his boss needed a touch up on his education. It was for the best of the both of them that Brendon never posed the question, because Gabe would've been compelled to answer that he hadn't been in possession of a valid license in many years.
"I'm driving the way back," Brendon answered, getting out of the car and closing the door behind him. He looked up at the building in front of him. It was obvious from the structure of the place that Pete was well to do. He had only met the guy once or twice before, and they had gotten along easily during their short conversations, but Brendon didn't know much about him. It shouldn't have surprised him that Pete was holed up somewhere expensive, but it did make him worry silently that he wasn't dressed up enough for the occasion. Parties had never been Brendon's forte, more due to lack of experience than anything else. He loved meeting people and tried to branch out, but in high school that had been a difficult task. Struggles with his family and finances had kept him at odds, and so he was never considered one of the popular kids among his peers. He graduated and failed to hold onto any of his own age acquaintances, and so it wasn't as if he was often extended an invitation to any sort of party.
"I'm an excellent driver," Gabe complained, locking the doors and walking around the car to reach Brendon's side.
"You'll be drinking."
Gabe had no response for that, it was undeniably true, and so instead he brushed past Brendon and headed inside. It was easy enough to find Pete's loft, just follow the sound of noise and festivities which echoed down the stairwells. Brendon kept close at Gabe's feet, excitement growing as they climbed the staircase. "Probably shouldn't accept any drinks from strangers," Gabe warned, but his voice kept a playful tone which incited a half glare from his employee. He knew Brendon could take care of himself, but he was much younger and so Gabe found himself taking an almost father like role before he could help himself.
The party had spilled out into the hallway, a fact that didn't particularly surprise Gabe. He had been to one of Pete's parties before, and it was the most packed he had ever seen a club since after the roaring 20's. It was, at least, mildly impressive, although even with Gabe's quick memory he was unable to keep up with all the introductions. It was amazing that Pete managed to retain the names of all the strangers, but it was part of what made Pete the man he was.
Gabe's hand found its way to the small of Brendon's back as the slipped past the crowd and into the loft. It was a light touch, meant only to guide the younger boy from being lost or getting separated from Gabe, but it still made Brendon perk up too happily. Distracted, Gabe didn't notice as he led Brendon towards where he recalled the kitchen to be.
"Saporta!"
Reaching over and grabbing a shot glass, Gabe let the voice calling out his name drift closer, bracing himself as arms slung around his neck and another body slammed against his.
"Couldn't wait for me to get a few drinks in before moving in for the kill?" Gabe joked, glancing over his shoulder at the grinning face of Pete Wentz who had taken the opportunity to help himself to a piggyback ride. He wasn't bothered by the other's actions, it was the way Pete always was, and most everyone found themselves on the receiving end of Pete's sexual harassment at one time or another.
"Travie told me you were coming," Pete answered, slowly releasing his grip on Gabe, "But I didn't believe him. You owe me fifty bucks, jackass."
Shaking his head, Gabe poured clear liquor into the glass without even checking to see what it was. The type and brand wasn't a concern when the main goal was to cloud his vision. "Not my fault you play bad bets."
"You suck. And not in the good way."
Gabe knew better than to take Pete's anger seriously. "Don't you have a boyfriend to harass?" He wasn't sure what was going on in Pete's dating life. He was in love one second and heartbroken the next, it happened too often to keep track of.
"I could. And I guess you're forgiven." Pete turned his attention towards Brendon who was eying the liquor but quickly stood up straighter when he noticed he was being dragged into the conversation, "You did bring Brendon after all!"
The fact that Pete liked Brendon wasn't subtle. They had at some point bonded over a brief conversation regarding music, and though Brendon might not have known it Pete had declared them best friends for life. The best friends part meant little since Pete Wentz had claimed numerous people for that position, but the for life bit was no joke. Pete was genuine when it came to that. Still, Gabe saw nothing overtly sexual with the way Pete looked at Brendon --a difficult thing to determine with the way Wentz approached everyone with the intention to grope, and how he had made several unsavory comments about Brendon's ass when the younger boy was out of earshot-- with warm eyes and a huge smile, and so Gabe felt comfortable leaving the two of them alone.
"Where's Travis? Gabe broke into the conversation, interrupting whatever it was that Brendon and Pete were going on about.
"He was around here somewhere," Pete answered, and Gabe wondered if he could be any less helpful.
"I've gotta go let Travie know I'm here," Gabe said, mostly for Brendon's sake. He didn't want to outright ditch the kid, but he was in good hands with Pete around. "And tell him that he can go collect the fifty from Wentz." With a wink in Pete's direction, Gabe downed his shot before setting the glass back on the counter and slipping out of the kitchen.
The good thing about being tall was the ability to see over crowds. It worked even better when looking for someone equally as tall, and so even though the loft was fairly crowded Travis McCoy stood out like a sore thumb. He was standing next to someone, a boy who Gabe was not familiar with. The younger man had a scarf folded and tied around his head, though his brown hair still managed to find ways to curl around the fabric. Another patterned scarf hung loosely around his neck, more of a fashion statement than a way to keep warm. Matched with a vest and pinstriped pair of pants, the boy reminded Gabe of an old fashioned gentleman. Gabe chuckled at the thought of how well he would fit into the world Gabe had been born into.
"You were just going to leave me to fend off Pete myself?"
Gabe turned to see Brendon standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at Gabe although he wasn't all that upset.
"You escaped! See, I had it planned all along."
"Your plan was to run off before Pete started going off about Patrick Stump," Brendon corrected, and he was again speaking the truth so Gabe couldn't argue, "Which makes you good at planning, but an awful friend."
"Good thing I'm your boss then," Gabe smirked, although he would agree that they managed to be friends as well. With only the two of them in the shop, and with Gabe being so lenient it seemed that they were more along the lines of co-workers. It was better than being burdened with the awkward power struggle.
"Did you even manage to find Travis? Or were you lying about even trying to look?"
Gabe placed a hand on each of Brendon's shoulders, turning him in the direction where Travis was standing. "I do not lie. There's no point in lying." Travis' boy was laughing at something the other was saying, they seemed genuinely happy together. Gabe was glad to see it. Travis was a good guy, Gabe truly believed that, and he thought that Travis deserved the happily ever after that managed to evade most everyone else. People like Travis were too nice not to get that in their lives. It was unfortunate but through experience Gabe knew too well that bad things happened to good people. "I see what Travis meant by girly looking," Gabe continued when Brendon remained silent. His eyes travelled over Travis' friend, taking note of the way his clothes complemented the boy's slight frame. Although the boy was clearly male, the way he held himself was rather feminine. "He's pretty hot though."
Not saying anything, Brendon pulled away from Gabe, turning away from the direction in which Travis and his friend were standing. He cleared his throat, furrowing his brows and looking up at Gabe before quickly looking back down, "I, uh, think I'll go get a drink. Catch up with you later, right?" He stumbled over words in a way that Gabe hadn't heard in a long while. The Brendon he had gotten to know was self assured and sometimes annoying, but always smiling. Gabe liked it that way.
"Brendon!" Gabe called after as Brendon disappeared into the crowd, purposely twisting and turning in an effort to get lost as soon as possible. Pushing through the masses, Gabe wondered what he had said to upset the boy.
Pete's voice stood out among the others, and Gabe headed towards it, hoping that Pete had seen where Brendon had gone off to. Even when Pete was busy entertaining dozens of others he was damn good at keeping an eye on the ones he cared for.
"Pete," Gabe moved towards his acquaintance turned good friend who was flirting up a storm. Gabe could tell by Pete's voice alone, he never did manage to gain the virtue of subtlety, "Have you seen…" His voice trailed off, much to Pete's amusement, but it wasn't Pete and his amateur insults that Gabe cared about, no, his attention was solely on the other man, Pete's latest prey. Leaned up against the wall, a small smile --the kind that Gabe dreamed of-- was offered to him by someone who to all the world was nothing more than a stranger.
Gabe let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding, "William."
Chapter: 3/?
Rating: PG
Pairing: Gabilliam, onesided!Brendon/Gabe
Summary: Gabe and William lived in a world where men weren't supposed to fall in love with each other, and where sorcery was banned. Gabe's talent with potions and his love for the noble born William Beckett leads to their demise. But with the help of dark magic and reincarnation, Gabe still hopes to find his love once more and get the happily ever after he believes he deserves.
Disclaimer: This is fictional.
Author Note: Yup, I left it off there. I apologize.
Gabe wasn't an incredibly social being, not anymore. The need to engage in cheerful small talk and share stories had long been quelled within him, and he'd learned to simply tolerate it in others. It wasn't that he hated people, he wouldn't take it that far, but he was old and he was tired. The thrill of beating death, a goal so many naïve scientists strived to reach, had died off and left him feeling hollow. It was a terrifying feeling, possessing a void that even he wasn't sure he could fill. The aching feeling left by the death of his lover had never quite dissipated despite the time passed. Decade to decade he found a new form of self medication, something new and fun and interesting to make sure he could stand the day to day life he had consigned himself to before he even understood the meaning behind it all. It seemed pathetic and it was, but it kept him going. Lately it had been drinking, something common and benign, it warmed his insides and made his head fuzzy which was a feeling he no longer wanted to do without. Sure, from the outside it looked like he led a good life. He did, and he didn't want to be ungrateful but it was difficult when no one understood. He kept his few friends for as long as he could before necessity pushed him out of the rut he usually found himself inhabiting, and then he'd move on. It was a repetitive pattern that he'd grown used to, and since life could be worse Gabe tried to keep a smile on his face.
"Gabe," the person sitting next to him called, pulling him out of his thoughts, "Gabe, you just missed the turn, you were supposed to go right on Clark."
A screech of tires accompanied Gabe's sheepish "Oops," as he turned the steering wheel to make a sharp turn and get them back on track. He had been to Pete's place once before, but sometimes Gabe's memory wasn't to be counted on for accurate directions.
Brendon settled back into his seat, grateful that he always heeded his mother's advice to him as a child and had secured his seatbelt when he first got in the car. Gabe had given him a few rides home in the past, only on days where the weather was too awful to walk the five or six blocks himself, but the limited experience he had was enough that he knew Gabe's driving style didn't typically mean strictly adhering to the state's rules of the road. It was bad enough that if he were able then he would've driven himself, but even with the paychecks he received from working in the shop he wasn't able to afford a car of his own. He had rent and utilities to worry about, he couldn't even think about adding insurance and a down payment on any sort of automobile on top of that. "Try real hard not to get us killed, yeah?"
"You’ve got nothing to worry about," Gabe replied, "I've been driving since before you were born."
Brendon laughed, not understanding that for once Gabe was speaking the absolute truth. Gabe had been around since before cars were the preferred method of transportation, one of the reasons he often found himself thinking he was above the law. There were no squad cars looking to catch speeders on the highway when Gabe first found himself behind the wheel.
"And we're here," Gabe announced, pressing his lead foot to the brake and coming to a stop right up against the curb on the street next to the apartment complex Pete called his home. Brendon only dared to unbuckle his seatbelt after Gabe had removed the keys from the ignition, keeping in mind the time that Gabe had decided after Brendon was already halfway out the vehicle that he really should pull up a few more feet. The jostle of the car moving tossed Brendon out into the street, and then Gabe almost ran over his foot. Brendon wasn't sure when Gabe first attended driver's ed, but he was damn certain that his boss needed a touch up on his education. It was for the best of the both of them that Brendon never posed the question, because Gabe would've been compelled to answer that he hadn't been in possession of a valid license in many years.
"I'm driving the way back," Brendon answered, getting out of the car and closing the door behind him. He looked up at the building in front of him. It was obvious from the structure of the place that Pete was well to do. He had only met the guy once or twice before, and they had gotten along easily during their short conversations, but Brendon didn't know much about him. It shouldn't have surprised him that Pete was holed up somewhere expensive, but it did make him worry silently that he wasn't dressed up enough for the occasion. Parties had never been Brendon's forte, more due to lack of experience than anything else. He loved meeting people and tried to branch out, but in high school that had been a difficult task. Struggles with his family and finances had kept him at odds, and so he was never considered one of the popular kids among his peers. He graduated and failed to hold onto any of his own age acquaintances, and so it wasn't as if he was often extended an invitation to any sort of party.
"I'm an excellent driver," Gabe complained, locking the doors and walking around the car to reach Brendon's side.
"You'll be drinking."
Gabe had no response for that, it was undeniably true, and so instead he brushed past Brendon and headed inside. It was easy enough to find Pete's loft, just follow the sound of noise and festivities which echoed down the stairwells. Brendon kept close at Gabe's feet, excitement growing as they climbed the staircase. "Probably shouldn't accept any drinks from strangers," Gabe warned, but his voice kept a playful tone which incited a half glare from his employee. He knew Brendon could take care of himself, but he was much younger and so Gabe found himself taking an almost father like role before he could help himself.
The party had spilled out into the hallway, a fact that didn't particularly surprise Gabe. He had been to one of Pete's parties before, and it was the most packed he had ever seen a club since after the roaring 20's. It was, at least, mildly impressive, although even with Gabe's quick memory he was unable to keep up with all the introductions. It was amazing that Pete managed to retain the names of all the strangers, but it was part of what made Pete the man he was.
Gabe's hand found its way to the small of Brendon's back as the slipped past the crowd and into the loft. It was a light touch, meant only to guide the younger boy from being lost or getting separated from Gabe, but it still made Brendon perk up too happily. Distracted, Gabe didn't notice as he led Brendon towards where he recalled the kitchen to be.
"Saporta!"
Reaching over and grabbing a shot glass, Gabe let the voice calling out his name drift closer, bracing himself as arms slung around his neck and another body slammed against his.
"Couldn't wait for me to get a few drinks in before moving in for the kill?" Gabe joked, glancing over his shoulder at the grinning face of Pete Wentz who had taken the opportunity to help himself to a piggyback ride. He wasn't bothered by the other's actions, it was the way Pete always was, and most everyone found themselves on the receiving end of Pete's sexual harassment at one time or another.
"Travie told me you were coming," Pete answered, slowly releasing his grip on Gabe, "But I didn't believe him. You owe me fifty bucks, jackass."
Shaking his head, Gabe poured clear liquor into the glass without even checking to see what it was. The type and brand wasn't a concern when the main goal was to cloud his vision. "Not my fault you play bad bets."
"You suck. And not in the good way."
Gabe knew better than to take Pete's anger seriously. "Don't you have a boyfriend to harass?" He wasn't sure what was going on in Pete's dating life. He was in love one second and heartbroken the next, it happened too often to keep track of.
"I could. And I guess you're forgiven." Pete turned his attention towards Brendon who was eying the liquor but quickly stood up straighter when he noticed he was being dragged into the conversation, "You did bring Brendon after all!"
The fact that Pete liked Brendon wasn't subtle. They had at some point bonded over a brief conversation regarding music, and though Brendon might not have known it Pete had declared them best friends for life. The best friends part meant little since Pete Wentz had claimed numerous people for that position, but the for life bit was no joke. Pete was genuine when it came to that. Still, Gabe saw nothing overtly sexual with the way Pete looked at Brendon --a difficult thing to determine with the way Wentz approached everyone with the intention to grope, and how he had made several unsavory comments about Brendon's ass when the younger boy was out of earshot-- with warm eyes and a huge smile, and so Gabe felt comfortable leaving the two of them alone.
"Where's Travis? Gabe broke into the conversation, interrupting whatever it was that Brendon and Pete were going on about.
"He was around here somewhere," Pete answered, and Gabe wondered if he could be any less helpful.
"I've gotta go let Travie know I'm here," Gabe said, mostly for Brendon's sake. He didn't want to outright ditch the kid, but he was in good hands with Pete around. "And tell him that he can go collect the fifty from Wentz." With a wink in Pete's direction, Gabe downed his shot before setting the glass back on the counter and slipping out of the kitchen.
The good thing about being tall was the ability to see over crowds. It worked even better when looking for someone equally as tall, and so even though the loft was fairly crowded Travis McCoy stood out like a sore thumb. He was standing next to someone, a boy who Gabe was not familiar with. The younger man had a scarf folded and tied around his head, though his brown hair still managed to find ways to curl around the fabric. Another patterned scarf hung loosely around his neck, more of a fashion statement than a way to keep warm. Matched with a vest and pinstriped pair of pants, the boy reminded Gabe of an old fashioned gentleman. Gabe chuckled at the thought of how well he would fit into the world Gabe had been born into.
"You were just going to leave me to fend off Pete myself?"
Gabe turned to see Brendon standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at Gabe although he wasn't all that upset.
"You escaped! See, I had it planned all along."
"Your plan was to run off before Pete started going off about Patrick Stump," Brendon corrected, and he was again speaking the truth so Gabe couldn't argue, "Which makes you good at planning, but an awful friend."
"Good thing I'm your boss then," Gabe smirked, although he would agree that they managed to be friends as well. With only the two of them in the shop, and with Gabe being so lenient it seemed that they were more along the lines of co-workers. It was better than being burdened with the awkward power struggle.
"Did you even manage to find Travis? Or were you lying about even trying to look?"
Gabe placed a hand on each of Brendon's shoulders, turning him in the direction where Travis was standing. "I do not lie. There's no point in lying." Travis' boy was laughing at something the other was saying, they seemed genuinely happy together. Gabe was glad to see it. Travis was a good guy, Gabe truly believed that, and he thought that Travis deserved the happily ever after that managed to evade most everyone else. People like Travis were too nice not to get that in their lives. It was unfortunate but through experience Gabe knew too well that bad things happened to good people. "I see what Travis meant by girly looking," Gabe continued when Brendon remained silent. His eyes travelled over Travis' friend, taking note of the way his clothes complemented the boy's slight frame. Although the boy was clearly male, the way he held himself was rather feminine. "He's pretty hot though."
Not saying anything, Brendon pulled away from Gabe, turning away from the direction in which Travis and his friend were standing. He cleared his throat, furrowing his brows and looking up at Gabe before quickly looking back down, "I, uh, think I'll go get a drink. Catch up with you later, right?" He stumbled over words in a way that Gabe hadn't heard in a long while. The Brendon he had gotten to know was self assured and sometimes annoying, but always smiling. Gabe liked it that way.
"Brendon!" Gabe called after as Brendon disappeared into the crowd, purposely twisting and turning in an effort to get lost as soon as possible. Pushing through the masses, Gabe wondered what he had said to upset the boy.
Pete's voice stood out among the others, and Gabe headed towards it, hoping that Pete had seen where Brendon had gone off to. Even when Pete was busy entertaining dozens of others he was damn good at keeping an eye on the ones he cared for.
"Pete," Gabe moved towards his acquaintance turned good friend who was flirting up a storm. Gabe could tell by Pete's voice alone, he never did manage to gain the virtue of subtlety, "Have you seen…" His voice trailed off, much to Pete's amusement, but it wasn't Pete and his amateur insults that Gabe cared about, no, his attention was solely on the other man, Pete's latest prey. Leaned up against the wall, a small smile --the kind that Gabe dreamed of-- was offered to him by someone who to all the world was nothing more than a stranger.
Gabe let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding, "William."