Finally, Gabe stood up. He pulled the blanket up around Alex more, tucking him in.
"I'll be back soon," he said gently, hand brushing through Alex's hair one more time before finally, finally stepping away. He'd just find something to eat, and then he'd be right back.
Alex was nearly fast asleep. He shifted a little at the final touch and the tucking in, but didn't wake up. Curled up on the bed, he looked far younger and even more vulnerable.
Gabe sighed, pulling a jacket on and making his way out. Unlike most days, he kept the socializing to a minimum, hurrying it and getting more food. He didn't like leaving Alex alone this long, in case something happened. He hurried back with the food in his arms.
Alex had slept the entire time Gabe was gone, cuddled up in the blankets happily.
Gabe came back, setting the food down and going into the bedroom to check on Alex. He sighed in relief when he saw Alex looking so happy, kneeling down next to the bed with a smile.
"Hey," he said gently, "You should eat something."
Alex cracked open one eye, peering sleepily at Gabe. "Tired." he mumbled.
"I can tell," have said with a gentle smile. He reached up, lightly resting his hand on Alex's head.
"You can go back to sleep afterwards, okay?"
Alex wrinkled his nose, but sat up. He wrapped the blankets around his body tiredly, looking up at Gabe. "Okay." He yawned softly.
Gabe smiled, standing up. He held his hand out to Alex, an invitation to come with him or to the kitchen.
Alex hesitated, then took Gabe's hand and stood up. He shook his head a little bit, and left the blankets on the bed.
Gabe smiled brightly, leading Alex out to the kitchen. He grabbed the food and handed some to Alex.
Alex took it. His brown hair was loose, hanging down around his face. He ate a little bit, watching Gabe with his green eyes.
Gabe smiled, eating some how own food.
"You feeling better after last night?" He asked gently, referring to the nightmare.
Alex nodded a little. "Yeah." He replied softly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Gabe said, grinning softly.
"I'm glad you got some more sleep."
Alex took a bite of food. "Yeah." He said softly.
Gabe sat down on the counter again, legs hanging down. He patted the space besides him, an invitation.
Alex hesitated for a moment, then hopped up on the counter beside Gabe, quiet. He looked at the food in his hand for a long moment.
Gabe smiled softly, seeing his hand down by Alex's leg.
"You're doing really good," he said gently. Many weren't even steering enough to leave the bed the first day here, not after an asylum. Especially the one Alex came from.
Alex shrugged a little bit. "Not… really." He replied softly. He rubbed his eyes with a hand. He wanted to go back to sleep.
Gabe let out a little breath, lightly moving his hand to on top of Alex's leg.
"You got up to eat, didn't you? Even if you go back to bed, you still did it."
Alex twitched at the hand, blinking slowly. The look in his eyes was obvious. He was trying to figure out what Gabe wanted.
What Gabe really wanted was to snuggle with Alex, though he would never admit it.
"Alex," he said instead, "I'm just happy you're better than I thought."
Alex's mouth twitched a little bit, and he nodded slightly. "If…if you say so." he replied softly.
Gabe sighed, taking his hand off of Alex and continuing to eat.