Chapter 22

Gabriel woke up the next morning earlier then usual-11:00 am- which was probably due to the odd posture he had fallen asleep in. like he was spooning, but there wasn't anyone else there. he blinked in realization that there WAS someone else there.

groggily, he looked down at his hand, which had been protectively cradled next to his abdomen. he pulled it away to reveal a tiny Liam cuddled up in his nightshirt. it took every bit of Gabriel's willpower to not absolutely melt into a swooning puddle.

so he just lay there completely stiff and flustered beyond compare as he waited for the tiny boy to wake up.

Gabriel's thoughts drifted to Isaac. on one hand, he was really worried about his friend, since it had been months since Oliver's disappearance. on the other, he wasn't sure how either Liam or Isaac would react to meeting each other.

Liam might be too scared to meet another human, even if that human had been special to his brother. and Isaac well, Gabriel wasn't exactly sure how his best friend would react to meeting another borrower, especially if that borrower was directly related to Oliver.

he supposed that he would simply have to get Liam's opinion on the whole matter. speaking of the borrower, Gabriel was snapped out of his thoughts when Liam started to tussle, clearly waking up.

Gabriel watched as the tiny boy sat up quickly and surveyed his surroundings in a panicked manner. then, locking eyes with Gabriel, his breaths started to quicken.

Gabe spoke in a soft voice, so as to not startle the borrower "hey, hey, its okay your safe" he used his index finger to stroke the little's back gently.

"w-what....why am i here? what happened last night" Liam blinked and rubbed his eyes. yawning tiredly which just about made Gabriel swoon.

"well, you sir fell asleep in my hand last night and wouldn't move, so i just let you sleep with me" he smiled sweetly, and gently booped the confused borrower on the head, rustling the brunette's soft hair.

Liam wasn't quite sure how to react to the sign of affections that Gabriel was throwing at him, but he didn't hate the soothing way with which the giant spoke.

"o-oh, sorry, i didn't realize" he touched the finger petting him with his tiny hand. Gabriel's eyes darted when he felt the tiny fingers brush his

"its fine. hey, uhm wanna get something to eat?" Gabriel shifted

liam nodded hesitantly and the bigger of the two scooped the smaller up with his hand and carried him out of bed.

they made their way to the kitchen, liam yawning from his curled up position in gabriel's hand. the human set the borrower onto the counter and rested his face on his arms.

"so what do you fell like?" gabriel asked softly, so as to not startle the borrower.

"uhm..." liam thought looking up into the flustered humans golden strawberry eyes. "what...is there?" he asked hesitantly.

"well there's waffles, eggs, toast with avocado, cereal,  and more" gabriel listed off the opptions.

liam didnt know what an 'ava-cadio' was, but it didnt sound all that great to him. "m-maybe just cereal?" he said uncertainly.

gabriel nodded and stood up, walking over to the cupboard, he picked up a bottle cap and a bowl, placing them on the counter near liam. he grabbed the milk and cereal placing them likewise.

As the bluenette borrower sat and started chowing down, Gabriel thought it as good a time as any to decide their corse of action.

"So, Liam-" the borrower looked up interested as the human spoke "I was thinking, since it's been a long time since you last saw your brother, and I don't know him all that well, we should ask my friend Isaac where he might have gone, or disappeared to"

Liam swallowed his bite of cereal and hummed thoughtfully. He certainly wasn't keen on meeting another human, but he did agree that someone who was in regular contact with his brother would have a better idea as to his whereabouts.

"I suppose...b-but maybe...well could you keep me a secret until I'm comfortable to come out? I just met you and that was....less than ideal-no offense" he said picking at the crispy texture of the cereal as he spoke nervously.

Gabriel nodded understandingly chuckling lightly "none taken. I agree with you about not wanting to just jump in and go talking to more people then your comfortable with. He is my best friend, and I trust him, but your feelings are important. Would you be comfortable with coming with me, just so you can see what he is like?"

Liam hesitantly nodded "if your sure he's safe. And-and also maybe you could let me hide somewhere so I don't get seen accidentally"

Gabriel remembered how he had met Oliver for the first time, Isaac had been talking to the borrower in broad daylight and panicked when the borrower was seen by his friend.

The strawberry blonde smiled "it's a date then." He jested, smiling fondly at the borrower.

Liam paused hesitantly slightly confused by the sudden remark "uhm..." he bit his lip "I have a girlfriend" he said bluntly.

Gabriel blushed and suddenly got flustered "y-yeah it's-dont worry it's just a human expression-I-i didnt actually mean-" Gabriel fumbled nervously, but inside he felt his heart twinge with sadness, slightly disappointed...

"Oh" Liam said as the awkward air returned to the room. He already was bad when it came to social queues but human mannerisms were a whole other challenge he would need to learn to overcome. "So-so when would we go over to this I-Isaac guy?" He said biting his lip tensely.

Gabriel seemed to have calmed from his fumbling mess and continued the plan "well he has classes till 3 this afternoon, but after that he should be in his dorm. I know he's been...different since Oliver's disappearance, but I think maybe you could help restore his hope." The light eues boy smiled softly his dark skin creasing at his eyes when he smiled.

Liam nodded "I don't have a whole lot I need to prepare, my leg is still sore from the other day but I assume I uh-" he gulped nervously looking over at the strawberry blondes hand "-won't be needing to walk much...."

"Right'o then we will leave at 3" Gabriel said oblivious to the ashen skinned borrower's tense stance.