Edge of Thorns - Pt 22

Part 22
I don't want to get the kid's hopes up, but he should at least be comfortable here for the month I have him. If I can, I'll let him stay, and if not... well, maybe I can make better arrangements for him than hiding in his friend's basement.

"Avery," Nathan said, unable to look at him. "After Alton cures you (or whatever), and you don't have to worry about Micah trying to cut off your head, if I've gotten a job and can afford it, you're welcome to stay for the winter." He cringed a little, worried this was going to come back to bite him as he turned to face the teen. "I can't make any promises though."

Avery shrugged again, but nodded. "I understand. I know what it's like, after all. Not being able to afford stuff, I mean."

"Yeah..."

The conversation had become very awkward very fast, and the writing kick Nathan had been on came to an abrupt halt. He sighed, saving his work and folding his laptop closed. There had to be something he could say to get past the uncomfortable silence...

The problem was solved by the clattering of dishes in the kitchen. Curious (and a little worried), Nathan stood and went to investigate, Avery close behind. Freezing in the doorway between the two rooms, he was torn between cringing in horror and laughing hysterically when he saw just what had happened, but the teen was already trying desperately to restrain his snickers. "Did we interrupt something?"

Alton's face turned a deep shade of red as Nathan finally joined Avery in laughing, the absolute absurdity of the situation winning out over the dread he'd felt at seeing Gabriel in his apartment again. The other angel turned slightly to give them both an oddly child-like smile, drastically different from the sultry one he'd been giving Alton a second ago. He still had Alton pressed up against the counter and didn't seem inclined to move, even as the bookseller pushed him back and hastily straightened out his clothing and glasses. "Dinner's almost ready," he said quickly, picking up the dishes he had bumped into and shoving them into Gabriel's hands. "Set the table."

Gabriel chuckled softly but went to his task without teasing him, leaving Alton to turn to the other two and explain. "We're old friends."

Nathan snorted. "I can see that. Is he the one who sent you the roses?"

Alton's face lit up again and he ignored his question in favor of tending to the skillet dish he was cooking. Gabriel answered for him instead. "Those were from Michael," he told them. "I guess they were supposed to be some sort of preemptive apology for being so cruel to him." He gave Alton a quick glance. "You really are too good for him, Lumiel."

"He needs me," Alton said softly, but didn't go into detail as he took a deep breath and turned to them, smiling, trying to change the subject. "Skillet-cooked chicken potpie. I hope you're all hungry."

"Famished," Avery confirmed without hesitation, sitting down at the breakfast bar that served as the only dining space in the apartment. Gabriel sat across from him while Alton served the plates and Nathan went into the fridge to get them all something to drink. Moments later, they were all sitting down to a wonderful meal, enjoying themselves, talking about normal things. No one brought up what Gabriel and Alton had been doing in the kitchen, or that Avery was possessed by the Sin of Avarice, or that he could turn things to gold, or that Micah had tried to kill him with a sword earlier...

Perhaps they were trying too hard to have casual conversation, because it could only last so long.

"You're taking all this a lot better now," Nathan eventually said to Avery as he watched him put away his second helping of food (and worried how he was going to afford to feed him). "I'm surprised you didn't faint again at Gabriel's sudden appearance."

The teen shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm starting to get used to this. For some reason, he..." He pointed at Gabriel with his fork. "... doesn't make me feel uncomfortable, despite his, eh, unique appearance."

"People who have met me before find my presence less frightening," Gabriel said simply, taking a bite of his food. Avery's eyes widened in confusion, and he waited for an explanation. When none came, he turned to Nathan with his questioning gaze.

I think I know what Gabriel's referring to: Avery said his parents died... but what does that have to do with him meeting him before? Does that mean Avery witnessed his parents' deaths? He seems to realize that Gabriel is not quite human, but not exactly who he is...

Should I tell Avery that Gabriel is Death?