Chapter Text
“Are you…certain they will understand?”
“Elderane, it’s…it’s the guys! They will, I’m sure…”
“A-alright then…”
Gabriel and Elderane were in Gabriel’s bedroom, the duo nervously pondering what to say to the others. They had to know about them. Gabriel knew they would support him, but…there was always doubt. Elderane was even more nervous.
“They will find out eventually, Elderane…” Gabriel muttered, pausing his pacing before the elf. Elderane just looked away.
“B-but what if they do not think it right…or…or what if…”
“Elderane…” Gabriel said calmly, stepping closer to the elf. “They are family. I trust them.” He said, taking Elderane’s hand in his own. The elf just looked at Gabriel’s reassuring eyes and sighed.
“V-very well…then I trust you…” He said with a nod. Gabriel smiled and took in a nervous breath, leading the duo to the door.
~
Scarecrow walked down the stairs and into the living room, pausing when he saw Aaron in the kitchen. He took in a nervous breath and walked forward, keeping his head low. He had been avoiding Aaron as much as possible the past few days, as his guilt of the situation and his actions still lingered.
Scarecrow sauntered ahead nervously, sliding into the kitchen. Aaron turned away from the coffee machine with a warm smile when he saw his friend.
“Scarecrow! Good morning! You alright?” He asked brightly, pouring the coffee into a mug. Scarecrow just sat at the table quietly, avoiding his gaze.
“Fine, Aaron…I’m fine…” He muttered. Scarecrow jumped slightly when Aaron appeared beside him and set the coffee mug before Scarecrow on the table. “Why…”
“You’re being hard on yourself, Crow…” Aaron said, sitting at the table beside Scarecrow. “I’m really not mad. No one is. Please…” He said, placing his hand over Scarecrow’s still slightly scarred hand. “Give yourself a break…you need it…” He said, sliding the coffee closer to Scarecrow who just looked up at him sadly.
“You…really aren’t mad?” Scarecrow asked nervously. Aaron just shook his head with a smile.
“The past is the past, Crow. Now come on, you look like you need the energy. Enty wanted to do a game night tonight, and I want you there…” He said, leaning back in his chair with a sly smile. “I am not losing to the elf again.”
Scarecrow just let out a laugh and smiled, pulling the hot mug closer. He took in a long breath and released it, finally easing his lasting worries. He took a drink from the coffee when Enty slid down the stairs and entered the kitchen, grabbing himself the cereal and bowl.
“Enty, you still down for tonight?” Aaron said. Enty just sat down beside him at the table and nodded enthusiastically.
“Sure am!”
“Maybe we should invite Jim one of these days…” Scarecrow said smugly, pondering the thought. Aaron just glared at him.
“He’d arrest you twenty minutes in. He already thinks we’re weird, I don’t want to scare him away for good…” Aaron said with a laugh.
“That’s his problem, not mine.” Scarecrow said, taking a drink from his coffee. The group looked up when they heard footsteps approach. Aaron watched in curiosity when Gabriel and Elderane slid into the kitchen, both obviously nervous.
“Hey guys, everything alright?” Aaron said, noticing their odd mannerisms. Gabriel just looked up and took in a breath.
“We…we have something to tell you all.” He said, looking away. Scarecrow just raised his eyebrow as he drank his coffee.
“Well…go ahead, then.” Aaron said, confused as he motioned for them to continue. He saw Gabriel and Elderane lock eyes and nod. Gabriel took in a slow breath.
“Elderane and I…love each other.” He said quickly, looking down. The table was silent a moment, causing Gabriel to look up. “Uhh…”
“We know.” All three at the table said at once, with Scarecrow not even looking up from his coffee. Elderane’s eyes widened as his mind reeled. He turned around and hid his face as Gabriel sputtered a moment.
“WH-WHAT? I-I don’t, h-how did you-”
“It’s pretty damn obvious, Gabe.” Scarecrow said flatly. “Like…painfully obvious.”
“Agreed.” Aaron said with a nod, leaning back.
“B-but, but how?!”
“You have a special love!” Enty said brightly. “We could tell ever since we saw you together for the first time at Christmas.”
Gabriel’s mind was reeling as he felt hit face get hot. Elderane was still turned away, not daring face the others.
“B-but, I…we…we didn’t…” Gabriel stuttered, not sure what to say or think. He just stared in shock when he saw Scarecrow laughing as he drank his coffee.
“You don’t hide it well.” Aaron said flatly. “You hold hands like…everywhere.”
“Gabe, I hate to break it to yah but you two literally have shared a bed every time he visits.” Scarecrow said, causing Gabriel’s heart to skip.
“C-Crow! W-we…I-I…” Gabriel muttered. Elderane was still shaking slightly behind him.
“I-I’m…I can’t…” Elderane rushed as he made for the door. Gabriel was still frozen as his mind reeled.
“Ah, Elderane, wait! We didn’t mean to offend you!” Aaron called, causing the now quite red Elderane to stop in the doorway.
“Yeah! We thought you knew you had the special love…” Enty said quietly, feeling a little guilty of their direct reaction.
“We support you guys, you know…” Scarecrow said quietly. Elderane turned slowly back around.
“R-really?” He said, his voice small. The table nodded.
“Of course! We always have!” Aaron said, easing some of Elderane’s worries. Gabriel was still flustered as he stood staring at the table.
“Y-you really…don’t mind?” Gabriel said, collecting his composure. Scarecrow shook his head.
“No, you idiots, y-you two would make a great couple…” He muttered softly as he pulled his mug up to his face. “…lucky bastards…”
“Wh-what?”
“Nothing! Nothing…” Scarecrow yelled, slamming his mug down. Gabriel just remained staring as Elderane stood by his side. Aaron let out a sigh and rose to his feet, walking over to the two.
“Gabe, sorry about the response, we thought you all knew ages ago…” He said quietly, a sympathetic look in his eyes. Gabriel just looked over and exchanged a glance with the still flustered Elderane.
“Y-yeah…ages…ago…” Gabriel muttered, edging closer to Elderane.
“Gabe…” Aaron said with a smile as he put his hands on their shoulders. “We support you guys, alright? We couldn’t be happier for you.” He finished proudly. Gabriel and Elderane looked over and saw Enty and Scarecrow nod as well with a smile.
“Th-thanks guys…” Gabriel said, some tears forming in his eyes. Aaron just smiled and motioned to the table.
“Come on, join us. We’re discussing game night.”
“Ah! I love game night!” Elderane said happily, sitting beside Gabriel at the table.
“We know you do, pointy. You win at like…everything.”
“You make it so easy, Crow.” Elderane said slyly, meeting Scarecrow’s annoyed gaze.
“That a challenge, princey?” Scarecrow said, sliding is coffee away. Elderane just laughed.
“Crow, there is no challenge here.” He said, leaning back. Scarecrow just stared at him as anger built up in his chest.
“Alright, that’s it! You’re going down tonight, pretty-boy…” Scarecrow sneered, leaning over the table.
“That’s what you said the last few game nights, Crow…” Elderane laughed.
Gabriel just sat in silence as his friends bickered. He saw Enty happily eating his breakfast while Aaron worked on cleaning the kitchen. This was just how their life was. Chaotic but…it was home.
It was home. And they were a family.
Through anything.