Free fallin' [Gabe] [M]

[Gabriel James]

Gabriel laughed, and took a swig of red wine directly from the bottle (since Kiara seemed to be drawn more to the white), even though it was clear that Kiara was joking. He sat back down on the couch, and put both the bottle of red wine and white wine on the table for them to drink from at their leisure. "I don't have many details, honestly. My brother and I don't get along much and he thinks I'm a bad influence on Ken. His wife likes me, so I give it a few days until she shoots me an email or something," Gabriel explained. His relationship with his family was complicated. Even he didn't understand it half the time. "All I know is that it's never really good when cancer comes back when they thought it was gone..."

"I'd love a hug though," Gabe said with a smile, trying to boost his mood again. "I think you could use one too." He leaned over, and embraced the blonde. He didn't know her for that long, but for Gabriel it didn't matter. He was the type of person who would accept hugs from total strangers without a second thought. He did it daily, when he serenaded old ladies in the park. He released the hug and smiled at Kiara for a few moments, not exactly sure what to say. "You know," he finally noted since it seemed to be a good time for another joke, "If calling me Gabe brings up too many sour memories you could just go with Gabriel. Or...Uncle Fathead or Uncle Hobo... trust me I've been answering to them for years," he said with a smile, making himself laugh with the nicknames his niece gave him. He liked to focus on the happy things at times like this.

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Kiara had been joking, yes… but at the same time it had only sounded like that because it might have been rude for her to sip from the bottle before the host did so himself. When Gabriel returned and plopped down on the couch, she had an excuse to place the glass on the small coffee table and to take the bottle instead. Her shoulder leaned into the back of the couch again, growing comfortable, and it also seemed to make the small buzz less obvious at that point. “I hope it works out…” She whispered quietly with an empathic tone to her voice. “If she were here, I would hug her… give her some of my luck.” Or, well, let her ability work it out. Kiara didn’t feel like a lucky girl. Part of her also hoped that these unhappy times could bring him and his family closer together again. He clearly cared a lot about his niece.

She made sure to pin the bottle of wine between her leg as it bend Indian style, more than happy to receive the embrace. While Ki had wanted one from her brother, she hadn’t been hugged for over a week now. It definitely did feel pleasant and a small exhale broke free as the girl seemed to relax to a certain extent. When it ended, a smile was gracing her lips. Then Kiara chuckled. “His full name is Gabriel as well. Nickname, Gabe.” She should have been more specific about that from the beginning. His offer, on the other hand, was nice. “Maybe I’ll stick to hobo for now, Hobo.” Features seemed to visibly lit up some.

After that, Kiara drank from the bottle and munched on a couple more fish crackers. “Are these Everett’s? Because I will eat them all on purpose if they are.” And she even had a purpose for the tiny rest that would stay behind in the bag. “And put the crumbles in his bed.” Good old times. Venting was good… but so was getting vengeance.

[Gabriel James]

"Yeah they are," Gabe said with a laugh, when Kiara asked about the fish. Gabriel hadn't even had the chance to go food shopping since moving in. He just gave Everett some money to go do so himself. And every now and then Gabe ordered the pizza. He wasn't much of a chef, but he could dial a phone like a champion. Even if they were Gabe's fish, he probably would have lied. Every now and then a sibling had to be a little vindictive. Gabriel wasn't about to ruin that. "Come on. I'm a street person. I can't afford snacks," Gabe joked, rubbing his face again, and only then realizing he had crumbs in his beard.

"How long have those been there?" he asked with a laugh. "And why didn't you tell me!? You jerk!" His eyes were bright with jest though, not actually angry about the crumbs. He was just happy to have somebody who understood how it was to be sad in that moment. They related purely on the fact that they needed a blood alcohol content level and some really stupid jokes to make them laugh. Gabe had told Kiara more about his week than anybody else, just because it was easy, and she understood what it felt like to want to just... do nothing.

"There's probably already crumbs in Ev's bed though," Gabe noted with a shrug. "I doubt he'd be able to tell the difference between your mess and his own." Gabe took another long sip of the wine, being sure to wipe his face with his sleeve, self conscious of what he beard may be collecting.

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Whatever had been on the tip of the girl’s tongue, she ended up forgetting it the second Gabriel detected the crumbs in his beard. Kiara could have lied and said that she didn’t know how long they had been there, but because he did not seem to be genuinely angry, she opted to tell the truth instead. “Give or take five minutes?” A grin spread her lips and more fish crackers got stuffed into her mouth. “You really have to shave. Or trim. Or whatever it is called. Maybe that will make you feel better as well?” And it would definitely make him look better. “It kind of doesn’t suit you, Mr. I-am-proud-to-look-like-a-hobo.” There, now they both had an awesome nickname like that.

As for the crumbs in Ev’s bed… well, that was disappointing. Kiara shrugged it off though, figuring Gabe was right. Everett had always been messy compared to hers. “What’s it like to live together with him anyway?” Kiara did miss it sometimes, but it had not been pleasant anymore. Fingers tapped against the bottle of wine. It was not the most pleasant taste around, but she was slowly starting to get used to it, making it easier to gulp down. Another question popped up in her mind, figuring it was okay to ask. “Wouldn’t it have made you feel better if you had gone out as well? To forget about everything for a second?”

[Gabriel James]

"Living with Everett is..." Gabriel started trying to think of how to describe it, "Just like living with high school Everett except I'm paying rent." He laughed, thinking that it was the only way to describe it. "Honestly though, I love the guy. He's like... the brother I wish I my brothers would have been for me. He may be a bit of an air head, but I think that's a blonde thing." He winked at Kiara, covering his ass for the clear insult to any and all blondes. Kiara already seemed much more intelligent than Everett. She was probably smarter than Gabe too.

"And he begged me to go out, but..." Gabe started, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm just... exhausted I guess. I don't really want to go anywhere until I manage to get a good night's sleep. It also explains the ferret on my face. I've slept through my alarm like... four times this week." It was understandable, as far as Gabriel was concerned. He'd shave soon. Maybe.

"And I'm not the type of guy to forget about things," Gabriel added. "When something is bothering me, it consumes me. Completely and totally. It's a sickness, really. And sometimes I hate it. But it's given me some good songs in the past at least. Once I get my feelings out through music I'm usually ok. But I really don't think I can turn this one into a song right now." He took a swig from the bottle of wine.

[Deleted]

Kiara smirked, playfully rolling her eyes. “I’m no airhead!” She finally retorted with a sad tone of voice and a pout. It was still said in a non-serious manner. After that, the blonde’s features softened and a little empathic smile curled her lips. It also made Ki feel a bit guilty though. Her being there would not help him to get a good night’s sleep. “I could go home if you want… Keeping you awake won’t really solve anything, huh?” Still, she opted to add another statement. “But, I won’t leave until you have shaved. Otherwise you are going to keep putting it off.” The girl arched an eyebrow to indicate she was serious.

After that, she nodded. The way he voiced his emotions… Kiara knew exactly what Gabe was talking about. It almost sounded like he were summing up her life. “Give it some time, or talk about it more. Follow the advice that you gave me.” She smiled gently, reaching out a hand to squeeze one of his knees. Soon Ki followed his example again and took another sip. Like usual she didn’t feel it while seated, but the consequences would possibly strike the second she rose. After that that feeling wouldn’t go away anymore. A smile also seemed to remain on her face, so that was a sign as well.

“How can I distract you…” Kiara was more musing at herself now, wondering out loud.

[Gabriel James]

"I'm not going to sleep either way," Gabriel promised, "Please stay. I'm enjoying your company. I can't really believe we never spent time together before." Gabriel laughed a bit. Even though his time in Hammel overlapped with Kiara's by a few years, they still didn't know each other. Probably because in high school Ki was just Everett's dumb little sister. By now both parties have matured, and they could drink wine and bitch about life without really focusing on that fact.

"And you are not my mother! You can't make me shave!" Thought the look Kiara gave him was making him think that he wasn't going to have much of a choice in the matter. "I like my scruff!" Gabriel added with a pout. Even if it was a little beyond scruff at this point...

"I think you need to be distracted too," Gabe added, "before you bring a razor at my face." He smile, and reached back behind the arm chair which was not too far from his spot on the couch. "And it may not be my own song, but singing is always the way I deal with stuff, and you should join me," Gabe offered with a soft smile. He plucked at a couple of strings, before starting his song.

(((song!)))

As he sang, he looked into Kiara's eyes - always feeling the need to connect with his audience. The high alcohol of his content didn't help, of course. He was beginning to forget about the fact that he really just met her. And the fact that she was Everett's sister. And pretty much everything else that would have kept him from serenading the blonde had he been sober.

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Kiara, of course, had a flawless explanation for why they had never spent time together before. “We probably didn’t interact because Everett could use some friends. It’s obvious that they would have liked me way better, so I just kept a distance to not steal them away from him.” She added a nod to confirm her own conclusion, positive it made so much sense. In a playful manner, but still. As for not being her mother… “Scruff? That’s so not a scruff! That’s almost longer than my hair.” Exaggerating probably wouldn’t make a difference though.

Gabriel was right though; if no distraction would take place, she was going to search for a razor in the bathroom and take the situation in her own hands. Luckily for him… his attempt was successful. Not only because Ki loved the sound of a guitar, but also thanks to Gabe’s voice. It pulled her into the song which did sound faintly familiar. The first lyrics, however, went by rather unnoticed. Blue eyes had drifted up to settle on his darker pair, and without a warning she felt herself swooning.

What girl, after a bad breakup, would be immune to a handsome guy singing like this to her? Even if there might be one out there, it definitely was not Kiara. The rising alcohol level in her blood didn’t help either. After another swig, the blonde finally opened her mouth to sing along. Her voice slightly rose during the refrain for she was certain of those words. All along eye contact remained. It lured her in even more.

As the song came to an end, the girl seemed to be shuffling a bit on her spot. While normally she would have looked away by now, she hadn’t yet. Instead Ki was torn between two options: gaze down or lean far enough forward to react to the tension that was starting to build. She was clearly more fond of the latter as optics slowly drifted to his lips and then back up to his, hidden behind the glasses.

[Gabriel James]

Now, Gabe wasn't the absolute best at romance. In fact, he was usually one of the most awkward human beings alive. However that was when he was sober. Then, Gabe overthinks every little move he makes and every little word he utters. Tonight, though, he hadn't a care in the world. He didn't have feelings for Kiara. Not really. But he knew that look in her eyes. And if there was a ever a sign that a girl wanted to be kissed, it was when they looked at a guys lips, and then back at his eyes. It was like an open invitation. And Gabriel James was about to RSVP.

Without tearing his eyes away from Ki, Gabe put the guitar down on the ground. He took his glasses off as well, setting them on the coffee table. Though everything became a little blurrier, they weren't in the way. And the little bit of charm he let out of his system was sure to make Kiara even more willing than she was before. He reached his hand to the blondes cheek, stroking it gently. Then he closed the space between them, and planted his lips on hers. In reality, it was a little sloppy and awkward, but with the help of 3 beers, two shots of scotch, and almost a full bottle of wine, to Gabe it was perfect.

[Deleted]

While already anticipating a kiss, Kiara more than cherished the hand settling on her cheek. That sign of affection completely made her melt, and the little bit of charm added in the mix also contributed in Gabriel’s advantage. When he leaned in, the blonde shuffled forward, and the second their lips met, she shifted to sit on her knees which helped to eliminate the remaining space between them. Within seconds she deepened the kiss, and an arm snuck around the man’s neck while her other hand got a grip on his shirt. Soon it trailed down his chest to slightly tug the fabric upwards, hinting to get more out of this than the kiss.

Part of her did tell Ki that it was wrong, but at the same time… It completely distracted her, plus this was way more effective than a simple hug for her to feel better, if only for that moment. Once more moving, the blonde regained her previous position without letting go of Gabe. Timidly she lowered herself for her back to meet the couch, careful with her legs, while having him move with her. This also made it easier to fully tug the shirt over his head, breaking the kiss for a second, only to reestablish it the moment the fabric hit the floor.

[Gabriel James]

Gabriel used the moment they parted to catch his breath, but sooner than fabric hit the floor, their lips met again. Gabe held himself up over Ki, just enough so he didn't feel he was crushing her. Close enough that he could feel every move she made beneath him. He found himself slipping his hand up her shirt as well. It had been quite a while since he'd been with anyone, and the warmth and softness of Kiara's skin only blinded him to his actions even more. He began to pull her shirt up her torso, the same way she had before. When his hands reached the fabric of her bra, though, he stopped for a split second.

In a brief moment of realization, Gabriel broke the kiss, and pushed himself a little further away from Kiara, despite her hands around his neck, attempting to keep him close. "Wait," he whispered, briefly considering the consequences of what they were doing. The consideration was gone though, the moment Kiara looked into his eyes again. His mouth hung open for a moment, like he forgot exactly what he was going to say - which frankly, he did. The alcohol took over again in no time at all. "Come on," he whispered - like somebody might hear. He pushed himself off of the couch, and grabbed Ki's hands, pulling her up with him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her hard again, beginning to take a step back toward his bedroom.

[Deleted]

The scruff wasn’t exactly the most pleasant feeling in the world as it rubbed against the skin of her face, but Kiara managed to lose herself enough in the kiss to actually accept this. The feeling of a roaming hand caused goose bumps to appear and it simply spiked the lust even more. When Gabriel created a gap between their bodies, the blonde’s head sunk back into a pillow, slightly out of breath, but clearly confused as to where the hesitation came from. This was like the worst timing ever. A little huff could be heard and then a pout tugged at her bottom lip because, come on, this was not fair. At all.

When the guy rose, she prodded herself on elbows, close to objecting for she had no idea what he wanted from her, but then Gabe had her get on both feet as well and the entire moment of sadness faded like snow in the sun. Features lit up again, yet it was doubtful he got to detect this for soon they engaged in another kiss. Arms snaked around his neck again, once more fueling passion into it. Kiara more than eagerly moved along with him, and surely he could feel how she also tried to guide him to make it easier on both of them. When they reached his bedroom (Ki remember from when Everett had given her the little tour), one hand blindly searched for the handle and then the door got pushed open. Backwards she stepped inside, slowly unwrapping arms, yet not the kiss, to work on his pants.

[Gabriel James]

They clumsily found the way to Gabe's bedroom. He was glad that he had cleaned it up in the past week. There weren't any boxes to trip over anymore, and it hadn't been long enough for him to start leaving trash and clothes all over his room. (A week isn't long enough to make that much of a mess).Gabe kicked the door shut as Kiara started working on his pants. He managed to pull her shirt off, needing to break the kiss in the process. But his lips returned, this time to her neck. Every moment he became more detached from the world and what was actually happening. He became consumed with lust and blind passion.

It was weird how quickly it had escalated to this, but Gabe wasn't thinking about that. He wasn't thinking about his niece. Or Everett. Or his parents. Or anything else that had been bugging him before. All he could think about was getting the next piece of clothing off, and doing everything he could to keep contact with Ki.

[Deleted]

Kiara’s head dipped to the side to grant him better access to her neck. Eyes had closed and a soft happy purr escaped from slightly parted lips. In the meanwhile hands did not fail to work off the rest of his clothes. The alcohol made it feel as if this happened smoothly, but in reality it actually took her longer than it should have. When both appeared to be even on the level of nakedness, the blonde backed away until legs met the bed. One hand tugged the covers back, and then she managed to locate herself on the mattress on her knees. Slowly she shuffled more to the middle of it, making sure Gabe was moving along at the same pace. Once he caught up, Ki sunk onto her back with a hand on his shoulder guiding him to hover once more.

After that, the girl completely lost herself in passion and in Gabriel the second their lips met again. She cherished the affection, the warmth and the chance to completely forget about all her misery. The alcohol probably effected emotions more than it should, but Kiara ended up dozing off with a soft smile upon her lips while snuggled into Gabe’s side with an arm loosely draped over his chest. Distracting each other? Mission accomplished.

[Gabriel James]

It seemed like in a blink of the eye the two were in just their underwear and crawling under Gabriel's sheets. In reality the process was slow and clumsy, but to Gabriel it was possibly the most natural progression of things he had ever experienced. Once again, he was hovering over Kiara again, only just enough to keep his weight off of her. Their bodies still held contact in every place possible.

Had you told Gabriel that this would have happened tonight, he would have called you crazy. But it wasn't long before both Kiara and Gabriel had exhausted each other, completely naked under Gabe's sheets. He kept one arm around Kiara as he drifted to sleep. Had he been in a better state of mind, it probably wouldn't have happened. At best, he would have realized that Kiara should probably head home after, since Everett was going to come back eventually. Unfortunately, Gabe was too drunk and too satisfied to think about any of that. Until an alarm went off at 8 in the morning.

Gabe cursed himself as the clock buzzed, and he reached over, slamming on the snooze button. He wasn't even sure why it was still set. Usually he turned off the thing on the weekends since he could sleep in until like... 11 at least. Especially since he usually drank enough on the weekends to wake to a slight pounding in his head. Today was no different... actually it was a bit worse than he usually had. He sat up in bed, and stretched, stopping only when he realized how cold he was coming out of the covers. He was naked... Why was he naked? He turned his head just slightly and saw the mess of curly blonde hair beside him. Then he remembered. "Oh fuck..."