Gabriel (Rewritten Version) - LGBT, manXman

14

"So, who was he?" Bailey asked conversationally as he and Gabe set the table for dinner.

"What?" Gabe glanced up from pulling cutlery out of the drawer.

"That guy you were with last night. The blonde one."

Gabe stiffened for a moment, before stuffing the cutlery into Bailey's hand and turning to check on the fish pie.

"No one. Just a friend."

"A close friend?"

"No. I've only know him a little while."

"Oh... Okay."

They set the table in silence, and Gabe called the kids in for dinner.

"You looked close. For 'just friends'," Bailey pressed as Gabe carried the pie to the table and handed Jordan the serving spoon.

"Drop it, Bailey," Gabe murmured. "We'll talk about it later." He didn't miss the nasty look Jordan shot Bailey when his mouth opened again.

"But-"

"He said drop it," Jordan snarled suddenly, making Phoebe and the twins stare.

Bailey and Jordan glared at each other for a long moment, before Bailey shrugged and helped himself to carrots.

They ate in silence for a moment, before Phoebe started talking to Jordan about the football game she had played with him and his friends that afternoon after school.

Gabriel shot her a grateful look, and ducked his head down before Bailey could catch his eye.

Almost as soon as he'd finished eating, Jordan's strong hand gripped the top of his arm painfully tightly, and dragged him out of his chair and into the hallway.

"Jord, what're-?"

Jordan pushed him into the living room and closed the door.

"Don't let him push you around," Jordan growled.

"What?"

"Don't let him control you. He can't talk to you like that."

"Jordan..." Gabe sighed, and pulled Jordan down onto the sofa. "Listen to me. Bailey doesn't push me around, OK? He's upset about something, yes, but I'm going to talk to him about that. He's just misunderstood something, that's all."

Jordan scowled.

"I don't like him. He's..."

"Jordan, if I told you I didn't like Florence, would you stop dating her?"

"No. Why? Don't you like her?"

"I didn't say that," Gabriel said. "But... I like Bailey, Jordan. I really like him. If you don't like it, that's okay, but please try to keep the fact you don't like him to yourself, okay?"

"It's not just that I don't like him," Jordan said.

"Then what is it?" Gabe asked, frustrated.

"I..." Jordan sighed. "It's nothing particular, Gabe. I just don't like him, alright?"

"Fine... just, please, try to hide it... For me."

"Fine." Jordan muttered.

"Thank you." Gabriel leant across and hugged Jordan. "Come on. We made an apple crumble for dessert. Your favourite," he wheedled gently.

Jordan rolled his eyes, but followed Gabe back into the kitchen.

Gabe saw Jordan frowning slightly at Bailey several times whilst they ate dessert, and kicked his brother under the table until he stopped.