Cage starts to swing again. "I don't think she's having a great day." He whispers, just so Kissa can't hear. "I think you're pretty."
Gabriel purses his lips. "I can-" He pauses mid-sentence to look back over to Kissa for moment. "I can get you some."
"Aw." Miki gave him a quick smile, wrinkling up her nose. "Thanks, kid." She reached over and ruffled his hair. "I don't know if Kissa ever has a good day. I usually feel sorry for her, actually. She never seems happy."
Silver beamed at him. "Really? I know Vi kept some in the hall closet but they're long gone." She paused, watching her hand as she played with his hair. "Wait. Not if they're your blankets. You can't give me yours."
Gabriel stares past Silver, a guilty look crossing his face.
I took all the blankets.
He swallows. "You can have some. I have… a lot."
Cage nods. "Hmmn. Me too." He keeps swinging. "Hey! I bet you girls would like Robby!"
Silver paused her petting and squinted at him. "Wait. What was that look?" She leaned forward to get a better look at him. "Why do you have so many? You never sleep in your bed anyway."
Miki cocked her head. "Who is Robby?"
He gulps.
"They're not… on my bed." He whispers, his voice scratchy and quiet as usual.
"Ah, we've known her for a while. Before, umnh, the whole scientist fiasco. She's my girlfriend, though Ben doesn't let her come to the house. He said maybe later sometime and I'm kinda scared to ask." Cage rambles.
Silver slowly slipped off the table and sat beside him, keenly watching his face and fighting to keep a smile off her own. "Then… where are they, Gabriel?"
Miki kicked her feet the wrong direction and almost fell off her swing. "You have a GIRLFRIEND???"
Gabriel goes to speak, but presses his eyes and mouth closed. "I'm sorry." He whispers. "I didn't know you- you wanted them."
Cage puts his arm out, his eyes wide. "Geez! Don't hurt yourself! Yes, I do. Is that weird? Should I not?? You guys will love her."
"No, no, it's okay." Silver said, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. "Miki keeps me warm. I just like to nest with them." She propped her chin on her hand. "But… where are they? I've never seen you sleep with blankets."
"No, it's fine! I just didn't know you had a girlfriend. You've never mentioned her before. She knew you before all of that stuff? Wow. Does she know about your powers? Man, I'm gonna tell Ben to let her come over cuz I want to meet her."
He puts his face in his hands and rests his elbows on his knees.
Agh.
Why did I take them all.
I'm so rude.
I thought nobody wanted them???
He inhales sharply. "I'm sorry. I just-" He slowly peeks over his fingers, then hides his face again. "They're… out my… window." He mumbles the last word so quietly it's basically impossible to understand.
Cage giggles. "Yeah, she's pretty awesome! She does know about us but we probably shouldn't… talk about that out here." He giggles. "Ben's okay with her but she doesn't come over cause he says the house is already too full."
"Hey, hey." Silver said, scooting closer and putting her arms around him. "Babe, it's okay. They were in the closet which means they were for anyone to use." She swallowed, her face hurting from trying not to smile too much. "Why did you put them out your window?" she asked gently, laying her cheek on his shoulder.
Miki laughed. "Well, the house is pretty full, but coming over for a visit wouldn't be too bad! You know Gabriel and Kissa would be nowhere to be found, so it wouldn't be too crowded. We could always go down in the basement so we wouldn't bother Ben too much."
He inhales again, trying to find breath for his voice. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He shakily exhales.
What if everybody’s been cold??? Because I took them? They just didn’t say anything!
Cage smiles, “yessss. We should definitely talk to Ben about it. I bet Vi could get him to let her come over.”
Silver pulled him closer and started rocking him back and forth, running her fingers through her hair. After a moment a snort slipped out and she gasped for breath, her chest shaking with silent laughter.
"Oh definitely. I'll ask Violet about it later. OH MY GOODNESS CAGE we can feed her our weird ice cream flavors once we make them!"
Cage jumps off the swing. “OMG THAT IS LITERALLY THE BEST IDEA. Yes! She’ll love them!!”
Gabriel feels silver start to shake and shiver with laughter, and he creases his brow.
is she crying?
Is she that cold?!?
He turns, embracing her and pulling her close, even though he’s no warmer than the October breeze.
Miki dragged her sneakers on the ground again to make her swing stop. "UGH I hope Violet finishes soon so we can go shopping."
Silver rested her head on his shoulder and her laughter rang out until her belly hurt and tears streamed down her red face.
Cage goes to agree, but looks over to Gabriel and Silver, clearly confused. He looks back to Miki. “They’re weird.”
Gabriel lets Silver go and scoots back a little.
?????
Miki followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow, seeing her sister laughing herself into tears and Gabriel looking confused.
Although Gabe usually looked confused.
"Definitely." she said to Cage. "That's why they like each other."
Silver wiped her face, her peals of laughter slowly calming down. "Oh my word, Gabe." she choked out. "You are so funny. You'd think I'd be used to it by now but I'm not. You make me laugh every time."
He blinks.
what?
Cage giggles. “I guess. Oh hey, look. Vi’s out of the house!” He waves to violet who waves back.
"YES." Miki yelled, racing over to the van. "Come on, Sil! Violet's back!"
Silver staggered to her feet and ruffled his hair. "Come on, my weird vampire bat." she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Let's go."
Gabriel stands, waving for Kissa to come down and trying to forget about the confusing moment. Kissa slowly climbs down, irritated.
Cage bounces over to the car, climbing in shot gun. “YES I GOT FRONT SEEAT.”
Silver folded herself up beside Miki, still smiling. Miki elbowed her side. "Hey, what was that all about?"
Silver shook her head. "Nothing. Just… Gabe. Being Gabe."
Miki laughed a little. "Well, I'm glad you like him. He's a weird one."
Gabriel slides in with Kissa beside him. She leans on his shoulder.
“I hate these people.”
He puts his arm around her and leans his cheek on her hair.
Its okay.
Violet starts up the car. “To the grocery store, right?”
Cage nods. “Yesyesyes.”
"Yes!" Miki cried. "We need to get ice cream stuff and bacon. What others flavors did we want to get?
"Trail mix. For Gabriel." Silver said.
"Fish! Sushi!!" Cage chimes in. "I love sushi, he states, smiling."
Violet chuckles, shaking her head. "Alright, okay. We'll head that way."
He tugs on her sleeve gently, pulling out his phone with his other hands and texting. "Hey, Vi. Do you think you could convince Ben to let Robby come over tomorrow night for dinner? She'll be in town and The girls would just love her."
"I-" She sighs. "You know what? I'll try. But no promises."
He smiles. "I love you so much thank you."
Silver rolled her eyes. "I've never even had normal sushi."
Miki scribbled on her list. "Yes sushi ice cream would be awesome. VI yes please get Ben to say Robby can come! I want to meet her!"
Silver frowned. "Who's Robby?"
Cage, not even looking up from his phone, answers Sil. "My girlfriend. You'd love her."
Kissa snorts. "What? you have a girlfriend?" She start to laugh and Cage giggles, turning around and shoving her shoulder.
"Shut upppp."