Fall Back {A Sabriel Fanfic}

Chapter 22

Two weeks.

To a regular person, it's not that long..but for these two particular college students, its been unbearable.

Gabriel hasn't showed up for English class those days but when he heard that Sam wasn't there much either, he figured he should get caught up.

He heads for his regular seat, halting when he sees longish brown hair facing him. Should I sit there? Should I seem like it all means nothing? Maybe he won't see right through me.

"Gabriel!" Molly waves him over from the other side of class, Sam's head whipping around to confirm the name being called out. Gabe senses the hole Sam is burning in the back of his head but he pretends that he doesn't, making his way around people and giving his friend a hug.

"Alright, settle down everyone. And welcome back Mr. Novak," Mr. Kiesgan starts, "So, thoughts on Romeo and Juliet."

Everyone starts throwing out their opinion about the star crossed lovers, how sad the story was. Gabriel listens with constant eye rolling, then everyone starts to quiet down. "So you all agree that it was a tragic love story?"

"I think it's a whole load of crap. They knew each other for what..four days? It wasn't love, it was infatuation. Knowing one another for a whopping twenty-four hours, they said 'I love you'," Gabe scoffs, "They died for nothing. The story has no meaning besides kids obviously don't know what love is." The class is dead silent, all eyes on him. "And you do?" The teacher finally asks. "What?"

"You know the definition of love?"

Even with his hardest attempt not to, he glances at Sam, "I do..I think. I don't know, maybe not," he gulps, just now realizing that everyone is staring at him.  "Well have you ever been in love?" Kiesgan presses. Sam shakes his head at the teacher in an annoyed way, he wants to get up and comfort the poor male, make a loud noise to distract everyone, something. "I–I..I have to go." On reflex, Sam pushes to his feet, thinking to go after him but the fear of making things worse causes him to frown and sit back down.

//Two Weeks Later//

Things started to get easier, they were by no means over each other, but they managed to avoid one other. Sam had learned Gabes work schedule so his ex isn't forced to speak with him and the older man switched English professors.

"Yes, that is fine. Can you call me back tomorrow with a final answer?"

"Yeah, no problem." The business man thanks him for his time and says a 'hope to hear from you tomorrow.'

"Problem. Problem. Very big problem," Gabriel grumbles after hanging up the phone, running a hand down his face.

"You can do this. Its no big deal. No big deal. Not even a little. It's fine, just gotta be cool," the golden haired man whispers to himself, pacing in his apartment.

~

He lets out a slow shaky breath, raising his fist to knock three time. Calm down, its just Sam. You dated him for like three months and this is one little stupid question. Calm the fuck down!

"Kevin," he breathes in relief, "Is Sam here?"

"Kevin! Who's at the door?"

Gabriel sucks in a breath hearing the teens voice, his body igniting with an overwhelming sense of insincerity for some reason. "Dude, who's at th—G–Gabe?" Sam chokes, swallowing hard.

"I'm just gonna," Kevin points behind him but neither of the other men are paying attention, "Yeah.." he nods and steps from in between them. Gabe gulps, figuring he should end the silence considering he's the one who showed up at Sams dorm. "Hi."

"H-Hey. Is everything okay?" The Winchester questions, stepping into the hallway and shutting the door behind him. "Yeah, um..I actually have to ask you about something."

"Oh, okay. Do you..wanna get coffee or something?" He asks unsure. "Um, yeah..coffee sounds good."

"Good," Sam nods, awkwardly moving is arms from his side them putting them back.

The walk there is nothing but lingering tension, which neither of them know how to fix. Instead of sitting down in the boxed-in shop, they walk around campus.

"So..you wanted to ask me about something?"

They both sip their coffee and the Novak nods his head 'yes'. "I showed my art work to this guy who runs an art gallery."

"Really?" He responds, shocked that he voluntarily showed someone his work. "Yeah..and he wants to display one of my pieces."

"Gabe, that's great!" Sam laughs, pulling the shorter man into a hug. Gabriel feels a breathy chuckle slip, not remembering Sam's hugs being this good. "And they're paying you for it, right?" Sam asks after pulling away, still gripping both his shoulders firmly.

"If I agree..yeah."

"If? This is an amazing opportunity, don't tell me you're thinking about passing it up."

"It's the paining I made for you.." Gabriel responds softly, gaze glued to the ground. "O–oh.."

"Yeah." He lets it sink in before continuing, "That's what I was going to ask."

"I think it's great," Sam bites his lip, "I wouldn't want you to miss out on something just because of me, especially something like this. Gabe," he shakes his head, "You shouldn't even have to ask me."

"I know but it felt wrong not to."

"Thank you."

"For what?" He finally looks up.

"Everything."