(Open - Finn's Pub)

[freefromsin]

Caleb hadn't known what to expect when he came to Siren Cove. At the very least, he just wanted to know that Gabe was still alive. He is, and he's doing well for himself. He has a support system and a job, and it makes Caleb's heart happy to know it. But those are two things more than Caleb can say for himself. He's running out of the measly amount of money he's been trying really hard not to touch and to save for an emergency, he hasn't had a proper shower in days, not to mention a meal or a real place to sleep. He finally got Leo's brother on the phone, and there's still a spot open for him in Portland. He needs to get going.

After washing up in a public restroom, Caleb makes his way Finn's Pub to hopefully catch Gabe at the end of his shift.


[ooc: even though Caleb is looking for Gabe, feel free to tag him if you want, lurking outside of Finn's Pub]

Comments

[overdrawing]

Gabe hasn't been watching the door, exactly, but it's felt like there's a certain frisson in the air ever since Caleb came in the other day. It's the first time his old and new lives have met and it's oddly...okay. The lack of implosion has given him a tiny bit of hope.

"You came," he says, smiling a tiny bit.

[freefromsin]

Caleb meets Gabe's smile with one of his own when finally comes out.

He gently taps the knuckle of his index finger to Gabe's forehead. "Well, I didn't come to Siren Cove for the ocean views."

[bachjones]

It's that Bach knows that this place doesn't have homeless people, and that this guy's song is full of nerves and discomfort. Else he would have dodged him, he's got enough problems of his own.

"You're allowed to go in, you know." Alfred balanced on his shoulder like he was a ginger parrot instead of a cat. "Stay out of it, curious cat."

[freefromsin]

Caleb is too busy staring at the cat on this guy's shoulder to reply at first.

"...Huh?" he says eventually. "Oh, I know. I'm waiting for my friend's shift to end."

But, more importantly...

"How do you get your cat to stay on your shoulder."

[bachjones]

"Are you not twenty one yet?"

The question makes him laugh. "Alfred is too dumb to remember how he got on and how to get off. I think his paws are magnetic as well, but maybe that's just a cat thing."

[freefromsin]

"Of course I am," Caleb scoffed. It was a lie, but he had a fake ID that said otherwise.

He raises an eyebrow and smiles. "I've never seen a cat ride on someone like that, it's pretty funny."

[overdrawing]

Even with friends from Before, Gabe is still uncomfortable with casual touch. He doesn't flinch so much as pause, unaware that his expression is not dissimilar to a dog hit with a spray bottle.

"You'd be pretty amazed at the ocean though," he says.

[freefromsin]

"...I wasn't gonna hit you," Caleb says with a small frown at Gabe's reaction.

He shrugs, dismissive about the ocean. "I walked by it yesterday. It was okay. Sunny."

[overdrawing]

"I know," he says, a little embarrassed. "I'm not used to anyone touching me, still." Caleb will understand, growing up in a house that was equally sparing with physical affection and generous with physical discipline.

"I like going at night. It helps me think."

[freefromsin]

Caleb knows, but he was more or less thrust into a world of casual affection, and he's acclimated. Gladly.

He pats Gabe on the back, and then, giving him ample time to realize what he's about to do, touches him briefly and gently on the cheek. "You'll get used to it, if you let people in."

"Want to take a walk? I brought you something."

[overdrawing]

Gabe goes still, but doesn't look afraid. In that touch, he can't help remembering that night, how safe and wanted he had felt. If only the conflicted feelings hadn't followed after.

"I'm not very good at letting people in," he admits. "But let's go, yeah."

[freefromsin]

"Really? I hadn't noticed," Caleb says, lightly teasing. As he walks alongside Gabe, wherever he's taking them, he pulls his backpack around and unzips it. He digs around a moment before he produces a slightly tattered paperback book.

He offers it over. Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin. "This is for you. A going away present."

[overdrawing]

"Like the Christmas hymn," Gabe says, taking the book in hand. Just knowing what he does of Caleb's life now, Gabe doubts that anything in this book is about Christian comfort. It feels as forbidden as the deck of tarot cards in his backpack but he's not as frightened as he was before.

"I don't know why you have to leave," he says, aware of his plaintive he sounds. "The beach?"

[freefromsin]

"It's a good book. I hope you like it," he says with a small smile.

Caleb nods at Gabe's suggestion of the beach, feeling the back of his neck go warm at the sound of Gabe's voice. Like he doesn't want Caleb to leave. And...honestly, he doesn't want to leave Gabe.

"I'm broke," he says quietly. "I have nowhere to stay. If that job goes well, I can make good money. I'll save it, and...I don't know. You could come stay with me, when I get a place. If you want."

[overdrawing]

Gabe feels a little torn at that. It's nice, being wanted, but suddenly the thought of leaving Siren Cove seems impossible. "I don't know. This is the first place that's ever really felt like home and..."

He sighs, walking them down the road to the nearest stretch of beach. The moon is heavy in the sky, but not full yet. Connected as he is to water and the tide, he's become more sensitive to the phases of the moon.

"There's something I need to show you."

[freefromsin]

Caleb's eyebrows go up, surprised to hear this place feels like home for Gabe. He didn't realize he was so attached. Nowhere's ever felt like home to Caleb. He pushes his own disappointment aside, having hoped, however feeble, that maybe he wouldn't have to be alone.

"Oh?" he asks, looking over.

[overdrawing]

"Yeah it's...part of the reason that I don't want to leave this place yet," he admits. The pavement ends, leading into a staircase down to a section of beach. This late in summer, it's very cold and he offers Caleb his sweatshirt instead.

"Do you think magic is real?"

[freefromsin]

"Thanks," Caleb says softly, honestly touched by the offer. He pulls the sweatshirt over his head, making his hair go a bit fuzzy, and the goosebumps on his arms disappear.

"Magic? Like...the rabbit in the hat thing? Isn't it just slight of hand?"

[overdrawing]

Gabe shakes his head, unaffected by the cool air as he taps nervously into his own siren powers. Wren has helped him learn, but he still doesn't always trust himself.

"Like...sirens and witches. Shapeshifters."

[freefromsin]

"I've...never really thought about it before, because I guess, no, I don't think those things are real..."

Caleb's voice fades, the but hanging in the air. Is that what Gabe wants to show him? A witch? He glances around, checking the clouds for a girl on a broom.

[overdrawing]

"I wouldn't have believed it either. Except for this town," Gabe says. He takes in a shaky, nervous breath, "It's called Siren Cove for a reason."

Stepping closer to the water, he lets himself give into its call and closes his eyes.

[freefromsin]

Caleb almost asks if Gabe is kidding, but...it's Gabe. He doesn't really joke, at least not something like this, and he also wouldn't trick anyone. A chill runs down Caleb's back and he balls the long ends of the sweatshirt's sleeves around his hands, hugging his arms loosely around himself. He watches the water, waiting for a sign of...something.

[overdrawing]

It takes a second before he breathes out and lets the siren come out. Truthfully, his transformation is not very impressive. He can't grow wings or come over in rainbow scales, but he can point his ears and his nose goes a bit flat while his teeth point. It's his hands that are most changed, clawed and webbed with sleek fur along his forearms.

"I'm...I'm one of them."

[bachjones]

"Okay, dude, relax. I'm not the pub police here, just saying that inside it's more exciting."

Alfred seems to cherish the attention, making for Bach's head with already one paw up. "Alfred, don't you dare. You're a stupid cat, not an acrobat. He discovered it's easier to keep up with me like this than walk behind me and get distracted by everything", he added to the kid. "Now it's a challenge to leave the house."

[freefromsin]

Caleb looks away from the ocean waves at Gabe's voice, and he almost falls over. He was standing completely still, yet he still manages to almost fall on his ass. His mouth drops open as he tries to process what he's seeing.

It's...Gabe. With...furry arms. And paws. And a black button nose and weird little ears, and he looks like he's part...rat dog? But...cute somehow.

"How?" is all Caleb manages to get out, still thinking in ellipses.