2025-03-19 - Nightmares, Birthdays, and Energy Transfers

Jett's patterns of sleeping depends on the activities he does leading up to it; if he's spent his energy working out or what have you, he'll fall asleep fairly quickly and tend not to shift around too much. The nights that he's restless he has to put on music, whether wearing earbuds or letting his phone croon out some moody melodious shit, or he has get up and tinker until he gets tired. He doesn't snore and if he makes sounds when he's sleeping it tends to be considered 'whimpering' and noises that might be associated with night terrors, sometimes talking. It's nonsense usually and an elbow nudge typically breaks him out of it since he doesn't sleep too deeply - the tiniest fucking external sounds will wake him up as if in some sort of survival state even still.

Tonight has been relatively safe. No whimpering or talking in his sleep - yet. He's curled toward Gabe's warmth whether limbs have been kicked off or otherwise, he's turned toward them. They've been asleep for at least a few hours, enough time to get into that REM state.

So it's a little shocking to everyone's system when out of the silence of the night Jett damn near throws himself out of the bed as he lurches suddenly as if trying to roll. The roll is united with the most harrowing fucking scream one could imagine coming from this man; it is like he was consumed with pain and fear at the same time, voice choked with desperation as the sounds of his screaming slices through the real world.

Gabe runs cold 24/7 so there's very little kicking off of limbs, if ever. They're the original Snugglebunny basically. So a normal night usually seems them with either an arm or a leg draped over Jett if they're not straight up cuddled, depending on Jett's preference, face tucked into his hair. They've grown quite attached to his feathers at this point. It's a thing.

Thankfully Gabriel's a deep sleeper as the only time their starlight fades off is when they're conked out. They also don't mind noise or music much so Jett has plenty of space to do whatever he needs to get sleepy. Assuming strenuous nighttime activities aren't at play of course. When those don't happen, Gabe usually sleeps in shortie shorts and a soft, loose-fitting tee than tends to drape over a shoulder.

Which is what they're wearing now when they're jolted awake by Jett's sudden lurch and bloodcurdling scream. Gabe's heart almost leaps out right the fuck out of their throat in fright. "What?! What?!"

Jett swears as he manages to just barely catch himself before he does actually roll the fuck off the bed, his arm slapping against one of the night stands and the heel of his one foot trying to catch the edge of the bed before his body makes a little bit of a hollow noise when he does let gravity take him all the way to the carpet, blankets strained to a severe tautness that helps to imprison him and possibly Gabe if it they aren't yanked completely free.

Somewhere from the floor bedside Jett can be heard exhaling a loud sigh of relief. "Not dead..." he reports up toward the top of the bed, while tangled in sheets and squeezed between nightstand and bed. It's pretty fucking comical how he's ended up but for those heart hammering seconds one could have sworn his scream woke up the fucking dead.

Gabe's in it to win it. Ride or die. Thelma and Louise. Even if maybe right NOW they didn't necessarily want to get yanked sideways into a tumble of sheets that leaves them in a makeshift hammock atop Jett on the side of the bed.

To be fair, the scream probably did wake up the dead along with the entire apartment complex.

For a whole breath, Gabe lies there tangled up and probably both kneeing and elbowing Jett in various tender spots. It's the shock of it all. Then their weight suddenly vanishes as their form fades into that half-opacity of Ghost Mode so they can phase right through him and onto the floor without further causing harm. They kneel alongside him, returning back to normal and offering both hands to help pull him out of the mess.

"Nightmare?"

Jett flares his hands up to protect his face after seeing the catastrophe of motion he's pulled on top of him, aka, Gabe. His legs also try to do their best to squeeze closed to protect the MOST vital of spots though it's likely he got clipped a little despite his attempts. He sucks in a breath as elbows nail into his stomach, winding him for those precious few WTF is going on moments.

The sudden weightlessness as Gabe vanishes leaves him to sort of relax his muscles and look up to see their Ghost Mode. His expression likely states he is thinking about the whole 'phase right through him' part. Jett looks over toward where Gabe is suddenly kneeling and offering a helping hand to his wedged in position between bed and night stand. His hands reach to accept the help as he gets out of the tangled mess.

"Yeah... But not really though," Jett leans up against the side of the bed, "It was another one of those ... shared dreams. And it ended in ... fire."

Gabe offers Jett an apologetic smile for smooshing all the vital bits on the way down, tugging him gently out of the tangle and into a seated position. They crawl up next to him, turning around to sit with their back against the bed as well, leg pressed alongside his. They softly drag their hand back and forth along his forearm in a reassuring gesture.

"Oh jesus," Gabriel grimaces. "I'm sorry, I know that shit isn't fun at all. You wanna talk about it?"

Jett leans his shoulder against them as Gabe comes to sit next to him, his fingers sliding to rest on their thigh and thankful for the reassurance, leaning over to kiss their shoulder before he grunts in that 'omg I'm so fucking tired' kind of recognition. "I probably woke up half the neighborhood..." he says by way of apology and flicks his brown eyes toward Gabe, "Sorry baby..."

And then he nods, "Better I talk about it then forget it. I think it might be important." His fingers squeeze at Gabe's thigh, "The ending sucked ass. I'm pretty sure I was burnt alive in the dream." Hence the scream. "But before that we were like in some other... time. The people with me said 1871.. I think? Chicago." Anyone who knows history (which wasn't Jett) would probably align that up well with what happened. "We were in some lecture hall and there was this drawing..." his hand picks up and he moves, "Do you have something I could sketch on?"

"You sure did," Gabe huffs out a gentle laugh. "I can still feel my heart in my throat." Though they're just as tired, they don't seem mad at all. These things tend to happen around this place. "It's okay, babe. You're safe now." Gabriel leans over and wiggles in a little closer to him, tipping their chin up to sneak a kiss to Jett's jaw.

They're quiet as they listen, starlit glow soft and diffused and acting like a nightlight. "Wow, holy shit." Getting burned alive definitely makes a frown tug their mouth downwards. Gabe knows slightly about history, like passing knowledge. Enough to wrinkle their brows together. "Like...the Great Chicago Fire? The famous one? God, that's fucking specific." Their eyes zip to where Jett's hand is trying to sketch something out. "Oh yeah, one sec." They push up onto their feet and rummage around in a drawer for a second before taking out a notepad and a pen. They have to flip a bit to get to an empty page, then they hand it over.

"Pretty sure mine restarted when I fell over the side of the bed," Jett amuses as he reconciles the fact that he flung them both out of bed over a mad dream. "Yeah, I am..." he says with a heartfelt fondness that promotes his internal belief and his affection for Gabe, eyes half closing at the kiss to his jaw.

"I think so... Like it was fast..." Jett frowns over the memory of it, "There was so much smoke and people were screaming, running every where..." He nods at how specific it was, "Right? It's like we time travelled or something." And when Gabe gets up he tries to fix his hair a little, then shifts to get slightly more comfortable in retelling the story. Once he has the paper and pen in hand, with a quick 'thanks' he begins to draw out the image. "This," he taps on, " Dr. Alexander Weaver was lecturing about." There is a drawing sketched by Jett now seems to illustrate two spheres and a somewhat conical shape between them, with lines drawn from one sphere into the large opening of the funnel and then coming out the smaller end into the other sphere. There are a number of symbols on the board but what they mean are unclear. "He called it the Looking Glass. He believed that these weak spots could like I don't know provide an open connection between worlds, to allow a one-way study... what did he say," he squints to recall, "To give unprecedented insight into the potential of multiple realities..." Jett looks over to Gabe, "This is important. He thinks they left a breech open. He thinks they've been able to successfully broadcast into another reality. He doesn't think it was closed."

"And then, the fire hit before I could really ask anymore questions or tell him that we were from another dimension..." Jett shakes his head, "The man had his daughter there and they fled out one direction. I followed them. I think everyone else in that shared dream went another way. I followed him until they got to their townhouse. There was a really creepy dollhouse there with like ... real miniature people in it? Anyway, that's kind of all that happened before everything turned red..."

"Yeah fires are...fucking terrifying." Gabe sinks back down onto the floor once Jett starts telling the story and drawing along with it. They lean sideways against the bed, turned to face him and watching the pen make shapes in the dim light. "Dr. Alexander Weaver...I wonder if he's a real person?" They lean in to study the drawing closely. "What the heck is that?" Gabriel makes a face at the symbols, then glances up at Jett. "Looking Glass? That's an old ass term for a mirror, isn't it?" But it's the multiple realities bit that gets a whoosh of a sigh. "Heavy."

They tip their head to the side, sifting fingers through blonde locks that look positively white in this lighting. "Did you recognize other people in the dream? Do you think like...it's not REALLY a dream and it's whatever this looking glass thing is...people seeing another reality when their eyes are closed?"

"That one was for sure..." Jett furrows his brows and shakes his head, as he continues to draw to the best of his ability what he had been drawing in the dream. "I don't know, maybe we can look him up to see?" Jett glances over to Gabe, "It might lead us to some idea about this whole... blue light thing we saw at New Years Eve." And then he looks back at the drawing and shakes his head, "You think so? Maybe. Mirror. Yeah, that could make sense..." His brows pitch up on his forehead, "Shit, maybe we should talk to people who can mirror walk? About like.. what they feel like when they go through mirrors?" He shrugs then nods at the heaviness of it.

"I only really recognized the one guy," but he doesn't provide a name because it's likely they hadn't gotten that far. "I absolutely think that we are going into another reality, yeah... It makes sense for how functional they seem to be. Like we're occupying space in those dreams. We're not there as some twisted version of ourselves; we show up how we look here.. just in whatever time period clothes the dream makes us take on." He considers the notepad, "It's something to think about I guess."

"Oh I mean I don't know about literal mirrors? I figured it was just like...you know how old timey people call every reflective surface a looking glass or what have you." Gabriel squints down at the drawing again, mild confusion apparent on their face. "I remember you all talking about dreams and devices and things at New Year's and I just kind of...couldn't handle it. I don't know that I'm any better now but...yeah talk to whoever else knows about this dream shit? Trace can shape dreams. Maybe you should chat with him?"

Gabe's less of a junior detective than most. "This is fucking nuts," they huff out a laugh. "Be careful, okay? I know it's all theoretical right now but magic is fucking real here and the last thing you need is to get sucked into a different reality and leave me alone with our two kids." They flash him a sly grin at that, clearly talking about the bunnies.

"Yeah maybe not literal mirrors," he scoffs with some tired humor and grabs their hand as he starts to push up off the floor, setting the notepad and pen on the night stand, "Come on, let's get back in bed..." He's already pulling them with him as he slides back onto the bed. "Yeah I can maybe talk with Trace," he leaves it at that, non committal about the whole thing right now.

"With our two kids..." Jett's own humor has him mirthful at that, "They're totally your kids." He wraps his arms around them, "But about getting sucked into a different reality..." His eyebrows make a very comical eyebrow waggle at Gabe, full on innuendo, "since we're up anyway... how about it?" He totally deserves what he gets for that.

"Metaphors. Y'know?" Gabe's filling in the blanks here. Doing their best. This whole dream thing is definitely out of their comfort zone, especially when it means Jett's waking up screaming in the dead ass night. They get tugged along, slinking into the bed and pulling up the blanket into some semblance of order.

Jett's correction of your two kids gets a loud scoff with them trying to wriggle free of his grasp. "How DARE you pretend you're not the father!" Gabe's going all in on this joke. It's that loopy 3am kind of humor. "I'm gonna wring every last cent of child support out of you for that. My kids. I hope they didn't hear that or they'll need therapy before Middle School."

And then of course his crass brow waggling and Gabe all but shoves a hand into his face while cackling. "Go the fuck to sleep."

Jett has put his arm behind Gabe when walking through the aisles of games. He nods to a few of his fellow game associates but mostly wanting Gabe to check out the stuffed animal collections. It's turning into spring with Easter around the bend so there's a lot more 'pastel' colored stuffies hanging up in the various booths. "If you see something you like, let me know and I'll win it for you-" he says with undeterred confidence and a little boyfriend pride that he definitely senses from his own customers time and time again. There's any sort of animal, real or mythical, that one can possibly want. So many games! So many choices of winged, whiskered, or wild animal.

Age sensitivities are an understatement. On this, the 23rd day of the month of March, Gabe wakes up and stares at the ceiling for a good half hour before making any movement. It sort of sets the tone for the day. They're lowkey grumpy at least and not outwardly snapping at Jett or anything. Just a general malaise. Ennui. The sands falling through the hourglass while your boyfriend has -teen tacked onto the end of his age.

IT'S FINE THOUGH. They turned down the offer to dance with the girlies, opting instead to haunt Jett's side like his listless shadow. It takes them both to the midway, which brings a smile to their face.

"Why do I recall...a certain someone roasting Chad's for trying to win things for their dates?" Because Jett 100% did that. Their smile turns into a wicked smirk as they lean into his side. Spring's around the corner but Gabe's still wearing one of their loudly patterned sweaters. This one has almost every color of the rainbow and a large wide-eyed art deco cat on it. "Alright lets see. What do I want?"

What do they want?

There's so much to choose from. And maybe because they're just being difficult today, the day of their birth, they lift a slender hand and point to a HUGE teal kraken. It's the absolute top prize of the game. Looking over at Jett, Gabriel smiles sweetly. "No problem, right?"

The fact that Jett has teen stuck on the end of his age is a matter of self consciousness too for him! It'll be fine - by November that will be taken care of it and it won't be a thing! On Gabe's birthday though, it is a thing, even if a lowkey thing. For Jett it had never been an issue but he is sensitive to Gabriel's great malaise and does not provoke them!

Jett side eyes Gabriel for the Chad comment since it was a great reminder of what he DID say. His retort? That epic side eye and a deadpan, "Do I look like a Chad? I am not a Chad..." The words are cut with a 'how dare you tone' which is all playful and no serious amount of ire behind it. His hand goes a little tighter on Gabe's hip and might even pull them in by a belt loop if they had one.

The Huge Teal Kraken.

The game paired with the Huge Teal Kraken is probably legit one of the hardest mother fucking games out there! The dreaded BOTTLE STAND. Literally you get a fishing rod like contraption that dangles a red ring, just big enough to catch around the neck of the bottle. The whole point is to get the bottle up and standing without sliding off the TILTED platform. The ring also has to stay on the bottle after standing the bottle up. Difficulty MAX.

Jett considers the prize, the game, the worker behind the game, then back to Gabe, "No problem!"

He steers them toward the game and fishes out some money to slide over to the game associate. The associate smirks, "Hey Jett. Enjoying your night off?" Jett does a fist bump to them and nods, "Yeah. Going to get us that Teal Kraken." The associate laughs, "Good luck man. That thing has been collecting dust. This one is hard. But you know," the associate looks over to Gabe, then back to Jett, brows twitching with unspoken questions, "since you're spending your money here today, I could risk it. Pay for three rounds and if you get the bottle up in three rounds, it's yours." Three rounds is like over twenty bucks but otherwise it looks like a trade up game, with less trade ups than the others. "Deal!" Jett slides the money over and gets the fishing pole! The associate gives Jett room and up nods to Gabe, "Nice night isn't it?" Jett groans over at his fellow associate, "Shut up! Let me focus." That causes a laugh and hands going up, "Touche. At your leisure."

"Ohhhhhhh I see! So it's okay when you do it, but not a Chad?" This light pokepokepoke of teasing seems to be brightening Gabriel's mood considerably. They love Jett with their whole heart. They also love being obnoxious at Jett with their whole heart. Even in the face of Legendary Goth Side Eye. While they don't usually ever wear a belt, there are indeed belt loops on their black skinny jeans. As they get tugged closer, their gaze drops to Jett's lip ring, considering it.

But it's just a consideration, no action. For now they've a hankering for an abominably gigantic plushie that will take up Jett's whole side of the bed. That it's paired with the toughest game in the park is a whoopsie-daisy accident.

No problem.

"My hero." Gabe bites back a smile as they veer off towards the game. There's a nod in greeting at the associate, then they step aside to give Jett all the room he might need to kick this game's ass. "Yes," they quip when the associate looks over at them. "It's for me. I've got a birthday and he's got an ego so..." A laugh as they lightly bump the side of their hip against Jett's. Then of course Jett's asking for focus and Gabe raises their hands too. "Alright! No distractions."

"Exactly because I have style," Jett says against the poking noting, "Chad's are boring and predictable... and you know me baby, I'm hardly predictable..." At least he is trying to dust off the Chad labeling or even the comparison of being a CHAD. He happens to give a little huff to Gabe as well, shaking his head as if Gabe's humor was inexcusable! It was, but, there is a mock huffiness about Jett with his lips thinning and brows twitching low. A mirror of Gabe's earlier grumpiness!

"I am," Jett acknowledges Gabe's my hero without at all taking it as a potential slight. He side glances at them and gives them a good little squeeze on the ass before his hand drifts away to make the negotiation for the Teal Kraken. Their remark about his ego has him chuff a bark of laughter, "I am the KING of the games..." he drawls and flairs out his arm, "Watch how it's done!" The bottle game is ... difficult. He gets the ring on the bottle as per usual and immediately the bottle starts to roll and twist and ... falls off the platform! "That was the practice round!" He stands back, puts the pole on the edge of the booth, twists his hair back into a knot and ties it in a half bun, rolls up his sleeves, rubs his hands together and then waggles out his shoulders. The associate simply sets it up again with a knowing look on his face and a simple, "Happy birthday. I'm sure he'll win it for you." Jett scowls and then lightly swats the booth buddy out of the way.

Gabe just sorta continues to stare at Jett, letting him pop off on Chad's all he wants without interrupting or giving him more reason to puff up his proverbial feathers. The huff of course only makes them smile more, delighting in his faux attitude over public displays of masculinity.

The squeeze to their ass draws a little laugh out of them and earns Jett a hard swat to his shoulder. Of course he's the KING of games. Gabe rolls their eyes playfully at his bravado. It'll be really funny if he whiffs it after all this. And GO FIGURE. KARMA IS A BI-- "Wowwww, babe. Yeah?" Gabe cuts Jett an arrogant look when he fails that first round. But allegedly it's a practice session, which gets a dry laugh and a wave to get on with it.

But alas. POSTURING. Gabriel's ready to let loose some biting sass when their eyes linger on that half-bun, the rolled up sleeves showing off toned forearms in their slate gray hue. They've....lost the plot? Jett's entirely too hot right now.

Thankfully the associate reminds them! A smirk appears on Gabe's face quickly. "Oh after all this, he fucking better." Casual as always with their arms cross over their chest. Waiting.

Jett makes an exaggerated flinch at the shoulder swat which is paired with a timely whined 'oowww' and a little playful pout. That doesn't last long however because he has BIDNESS to get done here. Even if he whiffs it his first attempt and earns a sardonic response from Gabe, Jett is still throwing everything into this Kraken getting.

Which includes the posturing. THE PRIMING. The PRIMPING. The infamous meme worthy sleeve rolling. Jett was even wearing flannel under which the forearms do now show. He is totally oblivious though to any profound plot forgetting points that earns him, so focused on actually achieving what he set out to do.

"I'm grateful for your support, baby," Jett deadpans back toward Gabe and the inflection of using 'baby' does give the booth buddy the confirmation over what this was if all the touching interpersonal space mannerisms didn't. The associate is wise enough not to say anything as Jett grabs the pole, leans over, and starts to fish the bottle, catching it by the slender neck easily enough. This time it looks like he has some traction... he has the bottle pitching upward and then... it slips out of the ring and spills off the platform.

That's two tries. One left to go.

Jett takes a moment to shake off the failure as the bottle is reset. Then he looks to Gabe, "I know what I'm missing." He looks impishly toward Gabe, "A kiss for good luck!" Implied by the tap of a finger to his cheek.

MORE eyerolling now. It's pretty much Gabe's love language at this point as Jett pouts and owws.

That deadpan comment about their support gets a teeny tiny little snickering laugh, teeth pressing down onto their bottom lip. "That's what I'm here for, babe." A lack of support apparently. They don't seem bothered at all by the associate knowing something's up, as it's painfully obvious whenever these two are in public together. It was even obvious before they officially got together, truth be told. That headlock was 100% weaponized. Gabe quits the sass to watch as Jett ALMOST gets the bottle this time, eyes widening before a look of disappointment has them scrunching up their nose. "Close."

They glance over at Jett when he says he knows what he's missing. A kiss for luck. "Ah, of course." With a gentle snort, they smile to themself and walk on over to plant a kiss on his cheek. They linger though, tipping their mouth towards his ear to whisper something extra.

"Good luck, Coco Pebbles."

Eyerolling belongs to both of their love language. Right now he allows Gabe to trade in that sentiment.

"I love you for it too, baby," he sing songs back in a totally sardonic melody. This is their kind of flirting apparently! It's a language they both know how to respond to and understand. The mockery back and forth is playful even if to outsiders it can sound harsh. Although when the bottle spins away after his most serious attempt yet he clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth and glances over to Gabe, "It's okay. I still have another try." He paid for three and that was the deal. The associate doesn't look as confident anymore of the 'great king of games' succeeding here. Bottle Stand is a nightmarish game! Many people opt to walk right on by it rather than risking it.

Jett smirks winningly after he gets a kiss. "Victory is all but secured now," he assures them both. The additional whisper has him snort right back, amusement glinting in the golden flecks of his eyes as he rolls his eyes skyward after a fond little moment of embracing the extra nickname.

"We're all in now," Jett sets the stage for the last attempt. He either wins it here or loses everything. As the ring is dipped down he pulls up the neck, it looks good, until for a hair raising moment it seems ready to spin off the platform again. Jett steadies it and narrows his eyes in concentration. The bottle wibbles and wobbles. A few seconds in Jett has the bottle stable enough that he pushes the fishing rod forward and hooks the bottle upward, slowly pitching it up until it stands on the base - incredibly with the ring in place. "And you doubted me..." he stage whispers as the associate whoops and claps! It's the associate's job to make a big spectacle of someone winning especially at the bottle game...

The associate gets on their mic and announces that the big kraken is finding a new home and all that crap that they gotta do to promote the game booth. Finally as the big Kraken comes down and is handed over not to Jett but toward Gabe, the associate grins, saying in a muffled manner, "Thanks Jett." Jett nods in understanding. With the win and the showmanship that Jett gave, there's a little crowd around and likely a few other gullible clients waiting in the wings to play. Jett made it look easy... Jett has also practiced this game and every other game in the midway at least a hundred times! Jett winks at the associate and then hands back the rod turning to Gabe and their giant kraken prize.

Gabe makes a kissy face right back at Jett's declaration of love. Yeah this probably looks incredibly weird and strange to third parties-- the amount of mocking and sass and oddly timed affectionate moments. They've both managed to create a language between them in a very short amount of time.

One new nickname down. Maybe Gabriel's on a mission to collect them all? They give Jett a crooked little smirk, then settle back a few feet away to WATCH.

This time...they're invested. The Giant Fucking Kraken had been a wicked tease at first but now? Now they want it. Where will it fit? Who cares. Jett can sleep on the floor. But that kraken must be theirs. They press the back of their hand over their mouth as they watch breathlessly, not wanting to distract him at all. It's so close. Gabe's on the edge of their seat. There's a flinch as the bottle wobbles and for a split second, they think he's lost.

But NOPE. Jett actually manages to come in clutch at the very goddamn end. "Oh my godddddddd," they drawl out in shock. "Are you serious." In the background the associate is whooping and clapping while Gabe just shakes their head, impressed as all hell. An extremely fond look goes Jett's way now. "Okay...fine. That was pretty good." Might as well be a GLOWING review from Gabriel.

They don't exactly know the nuance between the two game wardens over here but they can see it's some kind of teamwork thing. Whatever the specifics, they're lost the minute Gabe gets their paws on the kraken. Blue eyes widen in manic delight as a smile twists up their face. This is their version of it's so fluffy I'm gonna die.

Jett actually looks to ruffle his god damned feathers - a few of them seem to look FLUFFIER between his stringy drippy hair when Gabe seems to be in shock over the win and impressed by his show. Their glowing review has him laugh with an egotistical cute, "I know" thrown in for good measure. Turning away from the associate with an arm moving to loop over Gabe's shoulder while they squish the giant kraken into themselves.

The unspoken arrangement leaves the associate a few eager Chad's ready to try. If some bird looking punk like him can win, certainly they can too!

Jett starts to lead them away from the game booth, "It's totally going to be replacing me isn't it?" He wonders with a grin on his face at their delighted manic response to having the fluffy kraken. "Come on, there's one other thing I wanted to do with you before we head to dinner," because there was a dinner reservation booked at like whatever the expensive place was at the theme park.

It's not too far from the midway games that they come across some of the rides and Jett steers them right to the Ferris Wheel line up. The ride operators look like they are expecting him and wave them both toward another 'entrance' to the ride. A few more fist bumps are made along the route up the stairs to the loading dock. There is no fucking waiting in line! This is a VIP midway associate treatment okay?! Jett absolutely arranged for this. It's cheesy and it's cute.

The ride associates wing open the next available gondola despite some of the looks the people in line might give them, none of the operators seems to care. This sort of VIP thing happens frequently enough that those poor normies just gotta wait their turn or pay extra money for the fast pass lane next time. Jett will offer his hand to Gabe to help them up into the seat, taking the stuffie until Gabe is situated and then giving it back. They are also not sharing the gondola with anyone else - also a VIP treatment. Jett will take the seat next to Gabe as the door is closed and the ride is set in motion. Jett will resume the arm across their shoulder and tug them close.

I know. Ooooh how that takes Gabe's smitten look from a 5 to a 10 in an instant. That cocky playful flirting is exactly their speed and while they try to keep the PDA to a minimum, there's a quick little sneaky grab to Jett's ass as they pass by the oncoming storm of Chad + Co's. "Let them try," Gabe murmurs, "None of them are as good as you."

Just a little ego stroking before the final blow of-- "Oh totally." The kraken will 100% be playing the role of Jericho Onaway in tonight's performance. And for the foreseeable future. Look at it. It's PRECIOUS. "There's more?" Gabe brows bounce up in mild surprise. "Babe what..."

And it's all revealed soon enough. Look at those normies having to wait. Look at how Jett knows everyone over here. Like the fucking mafia midway boss's son. Gabe actually blushes just a teeny tiny bit, their glow ratcheting up a notch.

"Oh shit. You got front of line privileges? My baby's got the hook up? Daaaayuum. Okay I see what's going on here, you're trying to show off." Gabe looks off to the side coyly and then immediately drags their gaze right back to him. "It's working. Fuck." They let a genuine grin stretch across their face, in public no less, just for him. Hidden from the world behind the giant kraken's shadow.

They take his hand and surrender the massive plushie to slide into the gondola with a barely stifled giggle. Then they take it back and sort of wedge it between their knees and the front of the seat so it doesn't completely block the view. Once Jett's seated, they snuggle up next to him, glancing out at the line of onlookers and smirking. Sucks to suck, y'all. Gabe waits a moment until they're well on their way upwards before turning to look at Jett, expression softening. "So this might be the best birthday I've ever had?" And it's not even over yet.

Jett's response to the sneaky ass grab? A much anticipated giddy laughter that bubbles up briefly in an almost hyena fashion but so much cuter. "Oh Baby Baby..." he wags his brows at them, sing songing to Britney Spears of all people, with a little chorus mix up, "Grab me baby one more time!" Of course he is totally goofing off and the snickers continue over their taunt about the Chad's not being as good as him, "Obvs, I don't share my crown." Go off king!

Gabe's confession of the kraken taking over his spot has him chuckle, "I never knew you were into tentacles baby..." He teases with a little lean in, "There's a whole anime section dedicated to that you know. Have you ever seen any?" BUT that wasn't the 'what's next part' really, it just happened to be something he could counter when he's being replaced by a stuffed kraken.

"Only the best for my baby," Jett responds easily to the front of line privileges. His smile cuts DEEP. It's like one fucking proud assed smile that he's gotten them glowing and blushing! Their assessment that he's trying to show off is simply given more teeth with his smile. He's still got rolled up sleeves and that half man-bun knot behind his head. He laughs again when they admit it's working. "Good," he seems satisfied with the very nature of his plan tonight! Their smile, that genuine stretch, was worth every fucking dime, every favor, and whatever the hell else he had to do to arrange this. WORTH IT.

Sucks to suck, for sure! Jett doesn't even give the onlookers any time and zero attention. All his attention is on Gabe. "Really?" Jett seems surprised but then he shouldn't be; he was the first to bridal carry this person and that is all but criminal! "Well, just wait until we get to the top..." The ride does it slow unload and load slow gain of height. Everything seems normal right? When their gondola gets to the very top the Ferris Wheel seems to lurch to a full stop. If anyone were to look down there's a bit of a commotion down on the landing but that's way far down, perhaps too far to see clearly from their position. Jett checks his phone and he up nods, "Right on time." He slides extends his phone out and murmurs, "Selfie really quick!" Not that he's into that but to capture this moment and time? SURE. Then he leans back, "Enjoy baby." Enjoy what?!

Fireworks start popping off. Right. On. Time.

They've got the best view in the entire park. Jett simply watches Gabe's reaction as the firework show begins and the Ferris Wheel seems... stuck. Got to love the Ferris Wheel malfunctions, am I rite?! They always happen. It's part of the charm of such rides. Only Jett looks entirely too smug for it to be a coincidence.

"Seriously, the amount of Britney you know for being a goth...kindaaaaaa suspicious," Gabriel teases with a little click of their teeth.

Then Jett has to go and get crass. "BABE," they snap a warning at him when he starts talking about tentacles. There's a playful roll of their eyes again but, no, they don't answer. That's a whole conversation for when kids aren't present. And not in front of the poor kraken who's likely to get offended.

Plus there's so much else to focus on right now, like Jett's smile that yanks hard at Gabe's heartstrings. His smile is absolutely killer under normal circumstances but at this moment it's making them melt extra. He can have this moment, and every one after. He just won the day.

"Yeah really. I've never actually...been in a happy relationship on my birthday? And usually they were all the kind of ones where you just drink and drink and don't remember much a day later. This is...this is really nice." The inflection there means it's way more than just NICE but Gabe doesn't quite have the words for this new feeling. Of being spoiled and celebrated. There's an upwards bounce of their brows when he mentions getting to the top? "For real? Babe..." They might be on the verge of saying he didn't have to, but the sentiment dies in their lungs when he asks for a selfie. Is he into that?

Gabe's honestly shook for a sec but laughs it off to lean closer. "You're being wei-- oh my god." Yep. The fireworks. How. What. Blue eyes go wide as they look up at the bursts of light that drench them in blues and reds and golds, mouth slowly falling open. It takes a WHOLE moment before they realize they're gaping at the sight. "You did this?" they ask him quietly, stunned. "For me?"

"I think you'd have to be dead not to know Britney," Jett responds to the suspicion with a matter of fact tone, regardless if it WAS sus. Sometimes the pop music makes it onto his play list.

Jett cackles at Gabe's response to the tentacles. That was enough to respond to the conversation and knowing not to push those boundaries, here and now. They can be pushed at another time if it ever comes up again.

The admission of Gabe never being in a happy relationship on their birthday causes Jett to look a little sad for them, even though the other side of the coin was that he could show Gabe what they've been missing out on. Drinking and getting shit faced drug is a decent option for any birthday celebration but there are other ways to celebrate too! Like a selfie in a gondola with one's boyfriend. Into a selfie or not it happens. CLICK. Captured forever.

Their reaction to the fireworks keeps his own bright expression in place, with deep affection showing for them and their response to it. "I mean, the fireworks are kind of out of my control..." Jett admits, "The timing though? This? Yeah." He extends out a little blue velvet box that has a silver ribbon on it, "Happy birthday Baby." It's a ring box. TOTALLY A RING BOX. Nothing else could be in there but a RING...

Once opened it is confirmed to be a ring. OFC it was! It could have been earrings though but in this moment it was a ring. Hand made. Jett's mark on the inside of it. The ring was a feathered design and looks like it took forever to carve in all those intricate details to make up a feather. He notes softly, "I figured you liked my feathers..." It's said with apprehension because when crafting gifts for other people there's always that insecurity it won't be liked. It wasn't blingy or bougie so he wasn't quite sure. He smiles and waits for them to find the singular word inside the band (not his makers mark but the word) inscribed: Mine.

Jett might look a little sad for them but Gabe absolutely does not. They'd spend a hundred mid birthdays with worse people just for this one tonight. Go figure that it's also a milestone. As for this selfie, they will definitely be asking for it later once they stop staring at fireworks like it's the first time they've ever seen them.

In a way, it kind of is? They haven't been in the ferris wheel yet. And last time they watched fireworks together it was New Year's and that night took a turn. This is way, way better. But sure, yeah the fireworks are out of his control, it's just the timing of it all. "You put effort into this exact moment, I mean. It's like...pretty fucking perfect?" And they're still in shock somewhat. That's even before their eyes lower to the ring box. Ring box. RING BOX.

Blame the corporate zeitgeist for triggering every human when they see a ring box. Gabe's heart leaps into their throat as they take it delicately between their fingers and thumb the lid open. Jett's Flotsom mark immediately catches their eyes and their smile bursts supernova knowing what that means. "You made this," they murmur, plucking out the ring and bringing it up close to their face to study the intricate little notches on the feathers as they reflect back green and purple light from the fireworks. "No," they're quick to correct when Jett says they like his feathers, "I love them." And it's true. There's a whole feather mobile collection thing happening on their dresser and not a single one ever gets thrown away. They're precious to Gabe and they always will be.

The inscription: Mine. Brows furrow as a little wave of emotion hits, making their mouth twist up into a wobbly smile. They slide the ring over their pointer finger, sighing softly to themself. "It's beautiful. Like seriously." But they don't seem satisfied yet? Like it looks okay on that finger but maybe...they pull it off and slowly switch it to their ring finger. On their left hand. That makes them smile twice as big. "Thank you..." they mumble, turning to face him. "I love it. I love you." And under the ever-changing sparkle of the fireworks, they lean in to kiss him properly.

If Jett had gotten into Trace's ear a little bit there might be more special fireworks included in the regular program, but, timing is what mattered here, ultimately. And the operators below are doing their job to perfection! He has a certain amount of time before they'll have to start the ride up again to avoid proper attention from the park supervisors. He might have ten minutes or less, but the timing was fucking perfect.

His arm was snug around their shoulder as he dug out the ring box with his other hand. He heard their compliment to his timing and the effort that was put into the moment. That gives him confidence to even produce the ring box, though he does watch their facial reactions with growing curiosity. He's never given anyone a ring before. Once they take the ring his hand slips back into his pocket and he fumbles around with the second ring he has in there - couple rings for the win! He doesn't quite pull his hand out yet though. He's totally zeroed in on watching Gabe go through the whole moment.

"Yeah," Jett answers softly at the rhetorical question, confirming that he did actually make the ring for them. It looked like one feather wrapped around itself and the metal did give a sheen to it, a little blacker and onyx looking in the grooves with a bit more shine and flare otherwise. He laughs softly at their correction that they love his feathers and makes a little pleased 'mmm' like sound, a sort of vibration of satisfaction over here, his little purring.

He watches their emotions and looks down at their fingers when they decide to try it on. He looks a little confused at why they'd put it on the pointer - he measured the ring finger and the furrowing of his brows was because he knew it wouldn't be a perfect fit on the pointer. So he's relieved when they move it from there. But the hand choice has him looking toward their face then back to the finger in question. He pulls out his hand and in the palm of his hand is the second ring. It looks fairly similar to the first but on the inside it says: Yours. He tilts his head and wordlessly draws back his arm that was across their shoulder just enough to slide it on his ring finger too. Left hand. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN. Reddit told him exactly what it means... but does it need to be vocalized in any other way than a quick Adam's apple bobbing gulp? Evidently not. Their eyes lift to him and he sighs softly, "I love you more. Happy birthday boo." Probably because Gabe is like half ghost anyway. It doesn't matter because they're kissing, on a Ferris Wheel, with fucking fireworks popping off into the sky.

Surprise of surprises, it's a matching set. Gabe hadn't been expecting that at all and it's another little shock in a confluence of shocks. Jett looks from their face to their hand and similarly, they look from his face to his palm cradling the second ring. Their breath catches as they watch him put it on. Left hand. No words. Just that. Same fucking page. Always.

The new nickname gets a huffy amused breath just before their lips meet. It's soft and gentle yet full of massive amounts of affection, a little wave of heat curling around it even. Gabe's left hand reaches for Jett's, landing atop it and allowing their rings to meet again from where they won't likely be removed...ever again.

The only acknowledgement of what just silently transpired is a slight curve of Gabe's mouth against Jett's-- a smile. Genuine and secretive and only for him.

---

“Actually, know what? I’m not so sure. This place definitely looks like a second location where people get taken to right before they’re killed.” Gabe’s doing a stellar Jett-Side-Eye at this block of concrete that has apparently been chosen as the practice spot. They’re not completely without having prepared at least. They’ve brought along a backpack with some orange juice, smelling salts (okay it’s actually eucalyptus bath salts but who can tell the difference??), some chocolate, and an energy drink. What they SHOULD have packed was a blanket.

Gripes aside, Gabriel’s here for Jett. “Let’s just make sure I’m already sitting down. Hate to crack open my skull and ruin my hair dye.” Now they toss a cheeky little grin Jett’s way before nudging his arm with an elbow. Knowing that it’s Practice Day, they’ve left the expensive sweaters at home and are comfortable in a cropped black t-shirt with green Matrix code down the front and high waisted black jeans. It means they’re showing a little bit of skin along their stomach but it’s a tasteful amount. Their Velcro high-top sneakers make little scuffing sounds along the concrete until they stop at the middle and shrug off the backpack.

Jett cants his head down so he's looking out from underneath a brow and with some saucy attitude popping through the strands of stringy hair; he has a killer bombastic side eye but this was no side eye, this was straight on exasperated stare. "I didn't think ghosts were afraid to die," he pulls his hands out of his hoodie pocket, taking a look around the actual set up of the place he picked, noting with a sudden snicker, "I guess I get to keep all your clothes. I always thought the dress would look better on me," he teases with a considerate glance toward the backpack.

"If you're serious about it, then yeah, sit your ass down!" He says in a half serious tone, that mercurial tone of his that one minute could be happy and the next could be grumpy and Eeyore sounding. "I thought you were a natural..." he scowls a little, "You dye it?" Mock hurt face. Then in the next moment he's wandering over toward where Gabe is going to sit? Standing. His hands extend out to Gabe, "In case I kill you by mistake and you come back as a real ghost, I think we should kiss first."

Gabriel's brows tick upwards as a smirk curves the edges of their lips. No, they're not an actual ghost but Jett knows that. So they huff out a laugh and glance back at the concrete. "You'll have to rip that dress out of my cold dead fingers." This. Their love language, through and through. But now Jett's being bossy and telling them to sit their ass down. "Sheesh, alright. You don't have to be nervous, okay? Like, it's fine. Mind over matter and all that Yoda shit."

They sink down onto the hard floor (foundation? whatever this is?) and cross their legs, tugging the backpack close enough to rest against a thigh. "Babe," Gabe grins, shaking their head a little. "You think bleach is natural? Like, don't get me wrong, I am blonde. But nothing short of Jesus coming down here and touching my split ends would make it this blonde. I'll take the compliment though." They push a hand through their messy hair, flopping it artfully over one side of their head to give it proper volume. Blue eyes drop to Jett's outstretched hands. "Oh my god, you're not gonna kill me!" But still, right, like just in case, they snag both of his hands in theirs and tug him closer to plant a kiss on his lips.

"Now. Sit the fuck down," they murmur sweetly.

"Maybe then this was all a ploy then, over your dress, the perfect motive..." he says with an air of eerie mystery, like he was trying to narrate one of the damn rides in the park. And of course Jett knows that Gabe isn't a real ghost but that doesn't mean he can't taunt Gabe for their magic powers anyway. The 'sheesh' makes him smirk though because it is their love language and it is how they communicate when both are in couple in public mode, well hell, even out of public. "Yoda shit? Really?" Jett rolls his eyes, "This is the way." Okay not Yoda but same universe, it counts right?

It totally could pass for a foundation of a ride or stadium. Jett doesn't quest it; he found the space and is not complaining. It's away from all the prying eyes. The 'babe' has his gaze flickering back to their face, scowling at their correction to him understanding hair dye. OK maybe he didn't dye his hair and didn't really understand the whole process; orphan kid probably never thought to change his hair. "Do you think I would look good with blonde hair?" Question is posed. But the answer doesn't seem to matter one way or the other as his attention falls to the artful volume of hair. He's so still done in by them. "Your hair flop is perfect," he admires with a need to go grab their hands and of course get tugged in closer for a smooch. "I won't try to but I can't promise this won't hurt a little bit." Hug, kiss. SQUEEZE.

Then he sits down with them, shaking his head ruefully at the sweetness of that demand. He sits, anyway.

"Okay? Ready?" He takes their hands in his and shuts his eyes closed, then peeks through a squinted eye, "On the count of three?"

Gabriel lets Jett get all out his jokes knowing well enough that it's probably the nerves talking. They merely roll their eyes a bit at his eerie mystery voice and his Mando Quote. It totally counts, though. "Yeah, really."

They're invested in helping him hone his magic so they'll patiently wait out all his antics until that hug. This is treated with more reverence of course. They squeeze him right back, understanding the fear between the lines and reassuring him with touch. "You'd look good in anything." At least that's not a tease. They've said it before.

Here they go. Jett closes his eyes. Gabe doesn't. They can't help but smile. "Fucking dooooooo itttttttt," they singsong cheekily.

"You say that, but I don't know if I could pull off bleached hair... Would that even work? Mine is so dark,." Hair is not really something he should be focusing on, and yet it was a distraction to keep delaying the inevitable - that he would have to reach out and hurt Gabe.

The cheeky 'fucking do it' has him at least pumped up for a split second. "Okay! 3 - 2 - 1...!!!" Leeching! His hand goes KA-ZAM, then nothing. He flicks his wrist. KA-POW! Nope it doesn't work. He squints his eye and whirls a finger and pokes at Gabriel.

Still nothing.

It's like all that wind up and not even a puff of hot air. "Shit..." he looks at his hands and then looks back at Gabe, before he thrusts his hand forward and make a little clawing hand. NOPE. It doesn't work. He scrunches his nose and furrows his brows at his hand, then closes his eyes and nearly does the macarena with his hands. Then an exhale. EXASPERATED DISAPPOINTMENT. "Okay so I literally only did it like... twice? Maybe three times. And it was all against like well, not a human. Plants. Ornaments." He then gulps, "Okay once against a human and well he was all up in my face when I tried to tell him no. So he got a little zapped." He twists his lips, "I wonder if like I have to be in a defensive state."

Great idea hits him.

"Punch me!"

Hair talk will be saved for later, if Jett actually wants to dye it and isn't just stalling. Because this requires concentration and Gabriel doesn't want to make it worse.

Alas. Gabe giggles when poked. They probably shouldn't but they're ticklish and also all this gesticulating like Spider-Man trying to figure out his powers is extremely entertaining. There's no sass or quippy remarks, they just sit there watching Jett patiently. "Maybe you're overthinking it?" they hazard a guess when Jett exhales all exasperated like that. "Relax? Breeeeeathe."

Their brows shoot up when Jett seems to latch onto an idea and then immediately lower into a stern line above narrowed eyes.

"Ouch," Gabe says firmly. The safe word. Absolutely fucking not.

Baby steps with Baby Jett's natural hair! There would be hair talk later; likely he could be inspired to change up his hair to something NEW and trendy if the drippy black hair was getting a little long and tired looking! It worked with the feathers but a little change from time to time could be beneficial!

Jett smirks at their giggling, "Staaap..." he says with a muffled snicker as if Gabriel being ticklish is in fact getting in the way of Spider-Man gesturing his way into his powers. Jett scowls at Gabriel's insightful remark about overthinking it, brow with eyebrow ring arched. Told to relax and breathe?! Jett notes with some deadpan, "If I wasn't breathing I'd be dead."

The safe word is dropped.

Jett scrunches up his lips, but he doesn't press it. He looks aside and then turns back toward Gabriel. Another idea is flickering behind his eyes. This time he leans forward with a suddenness as if caught up in inspiration and clamps both of his hands on either side of Gabriel's cheeks and pulls them toward him for a smooch. It certainly screams more comic relief than passion at the moment but one kiss does lead to the other. Then he lets go with a solid pop of his lips and looks at them dead in those hauntingly oceanic eyes; "Fuck I love looking into your eyes."

And something happens.

It's not exactly visible like his other magic; Gabe will feel something come over them that feels restorative, not at all painful, but healing. Buzzing sound in one's ear? Eyes a little blurry? Bruised knee? Muscle that's been twisted in a knot too long that it's just become a regular pain in the body? Those things seem to be reduced, eliminated, and ultimately fixed.

Then he does slump forward as if something poked him in the back; he is suddenly winded. His tattoo would totally be changed up; skulls each one faced in a different jaunty angle.

Gabe doesn't staaaap since it's quite impossible to, though they do shoot Jett a Look for that deadpan while they're just trying to help him. It gets a pass. He's nervous. It's okay.

Though who even knows if anything's going to happen what with that line of reasoning immediately squashed. They don't have much time to help him pivot to a new idea since it seems to happen anyway. There's an indignant sort of noise at their face being squished so suddenly and drawn forward. Comic relief is not their forte, after all. But a kiss is a kiss, no matter how squished, and they allow Jett to work through whatever the fuck is happening without cursing him out. That's love right there. Said ocean eyes blink open when he pulls back, softening at the sentiment.

Okay maybe he's being cute after all.

But then something does happen-- the knot just left of their nape, a place where stress tends to build and solidify, melts into nothingness. It has Gabe letting out a surprised gasp. They roll their head to one side, then the other, testing it. Sweet sweet relief! "Holy shit," they manage to murmur right before Jett slumps forward. Both arms shoot out to wrap around him.

"What just happened? Did it backfire? Are you okay?"

The fact that Jett can just routinely break into Gabriel's personal space and smoosh face kiss him is definitely going to be one of those rent free images; especially since it did look that Gabe was being a tiny bit more patient with him than on a normal day. He might even spare a chuckle over the memory of that noise later on when he gets a chance; yes, if Jett breaks into a random giggle in the middle of the night he is totally thinking about their indignant noise when they got squish-faced.

He did try to manifest his power and call it on. Yet looking into their eyes it was beyond him that he could actually hurt Gabe; still he fucking did focus and felt them. He felt his energy and their own; this close it would be impossible not to feel it even if he didn't have magic to help him. It was like a faint thing, a shadow of a memory. He had willed it out by anger before and it worked hand in hand with his intentions behind that anger. But here, he had no anger; only one fucking feeling and that was undeniable fucking love for his person. Whatever love they had found in each other, it was a sort of journey neither had had before and it wasn't always smooth. Still, he found himself paying particular attention to a knot in that energy. A knot in the universe?! A knot. A knot. PLUCK. Jett would totally pick at things; he did after all want to pluck out his own feathers when he had them first grow in. Well maybe it was better if he just smoothed out the knot, rather than pick at it. So he poked at it, metaphorically speaking, with all the cosmic magic energy, before he smooths it and waits to make sure it is in fact gone. No more knot in the Universe.

Their surprise gasp sort of landed in time with a punch in the gut from the cosmos, or rather his magic. He picks up his body shortly there after slumping forward and being caught.

All those questions. He tilts his head back and forth, "Yeah. I'm ok. Like, I feel.." he considers the description, "Backfire, yeah that's a good way to put it. I smoothed out energy instead of picking and pulling at it. Insane I know, but I guess I can describe it as shadow? Or a layer of aura? Or whatever. But then I got a bit pulled out of me instead." He tilts his head back and gives a deep sigh, "Glad we brought juice." He looks at Gabe, "Did you feel anything?"

"Aw, babe," Gabe considers the man in their arms. Jett, this half-bird half-demon creature that stole their heart without even really trying. Concern is rampant on their face, worried probably like how Jett was that anyone would get hurt. "I think I know what you mean." They let Jett sit up, though without getting too far. Their hands stay on his shoulders, clutching him tightly in case he feels woozy or something. "I've had this...knot in my neck for like eternity and damn...I feel so good right now? I feel..." their eyes shift to the side as they try to put words to this strange form of magic. "Fucking fantastic."

A lopsided smile curves up one side of their face, then they slowly let go of his shoulders to pull out and open the little bottle of orange juice. "Here," they hand it over. "I'll be honest, I had no idea you could...um...give energy like that? Kinda makes you a superhero, doesn't it?" Gabe bites back a smile, then brushes some of those raven feathers back.

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

Half-bird half-demon creature that Jett is, he's still not tapped into the full potential of all his magics or the one that has yet to reveal itself. Though he would love to hear he made it to level of half-bird demon at this point. Their concern for him is sweet and his lips turn up in a goofy 'dawh' like smile. He didn't get woozy. It wasn't a lot of his power that he used but enough to get a little kick back from the effort. "You.. did?" He wonders over the mention of a knot and blinks over at Gabe, "Wait. A knot? Really?" He seems confused at his 'evil bad guy magic' that totally wasn't completely bad guy shaped! "I didn't hurt you...?" he sounds relieved truly but at the same time mystified. Their fucking fantastic has him break into a toothy grin though and give that sharp little giggle that throws his head back a little, "You're so cute." Finger poke into their cheek, pinching a little.

He does look grateful for the orange juice and chugs down a few good gulps after it's handed over. LIFE force. Orange is life. His brow lifts up at the idea that he could give energy. But more so it was the thought that he was a superhero that makes him scoff and wrinkle his nose. "Ew."

"They'll never believe you anyway..."

"Yes really. You did the literal opposite of hurting me, babe." Gabriel huffs out a little laugh as they reach back to rub at the formerly sore spot. "Like you healed me? Wild. I don't know if that's just because you were so scared to hurt me that you managed it? I'm not complaining though." Jett's toothy grin has Gabe's gaze dropping to his mouth instinctively. He still has the best smile for miles around and they can't help staring at it. Especially not when he giggles like that. "Yeah and so are you," they murmur just as Jett pokes at their cheek. They're quick to laugh and swat at his hand.

That laugh only gets louder when Jett casually drops an ew. "You're the one healing people, not me! Deal with it." But they're OLD and sitting on hard concrete isn't anyone's idea of a good time. Gabe gets up to their feet and holds out a hand to help Jett if he needs it. "Come on, I'll buy you some pie."

For some reason, they still haven't been able to get pie out of their head even after all this time.