Chapter Text
Tiny hands gripped desperately onto the now-much-dingier jacket, the small boy pressing his grimy shirt against the sleeve in attempts to feel just a bit safer… and just a bit more loved.
“Where are we going?” Gabriel asked, his muddy hair sticking against his forehead. His body trembled a bit with the chill, but the blanket he brought out was helping him warm up. Not that it wasn’t a fight to let him “get it dirty.”
The kid cared about the strangest things sometimes.
“We’re gonna go get some food. And I’m gonna have a friend check up on you. You’ll be okay. You’ll like her.”
Gabriel grew hesitant at the mention of a new person, his little heart scared that he’d be rejected of another meal… and another human’s affection.
“She won’t like me,” A small, scratchy voice replied, and the words sniped Michael’s unsuspecting heart.
“And why won’t she like you?” Michael crouched down. He wanted to just carry the kid. He seemed to lag behind and he was cold and he was heartbreaking.
“Because I’m gross, Michael,” The kid said, utter sadness crashing in tumultuous waves within his oceanic eyes.
Michael met them steadily, gently cupping one of his cheeks with a calloused hand. “I don’t think you’re gross. And she’ll help you get cleaned up- we’ll help you get cleaned up.”
Gabriel teared up. “I’ll just get dirty again!” He wailed, his little mind overwhelmed with the idea of being a waste of effort.
“That’s okay, Gabriel,” Michael attempted to soothe, keeping his voice low and smooth. “Even I get dirty again. It’s okay,” He began to wipe those tiny drops of tears, kissing his forehead with love.
Gabriel sniffled. “I’ll waste it- I’ll waste your time and effort and soap!” He wailed at the soap, more upset because in this moment, in his world, that felt hardest to make up.
“No, dear, you won’t. It’ll be nice to have a presentable young lad running around here, tell you what? Why don’t I give you a piggyback ride?” Michael tried to sound enthusiastic about the ride, trying to lift the small boy’s spirits, but sometimes Gabriel’s words had the capability to tear his heart to shreds.
Gabriel whimpered. “I’ll just get you dirty,” He said, his voice tense and wavering with hidden emotions.
“That’s okay. Maybe we can get clean together then. Get dirty and clean, huh? Like-like a game? And you can see what the world looks like when you grow up too.”
Gabriel thought about it, a pout of a frown tugging at his lips as he tried to decide if he was worthy enough to play along with this game. Eventually, he met Michael’s eyes, seeing nothing but hurt love and compassion. His arms were open to Gabriel, and Gabriel’s heart yearned for the support that represented- Hell, the home that represented.
“Come on, Gabriel,” Michael encouraged, his voice soft, hoping to persuade Gabriel’s raging mind to give in and feel safe.
Gabriel took a shaky breath, tears springing to his eyes. He stepped forward, his body beginning to tremble with fear more than the cold, but he stepped forth again, hugging Michael around his neck.
Gabriel’s eyes leaked tears as Michael held him. He didn’t need to sob, no, he just needed to cry for a while in silence as big, strong arms kept him secure and protected. It had been a long time since he’d felt special- longer since he’d felt worthy, especially at a moment as nice as this. It had been years since he felt this safe.
After a generous amount of minutes, Michael picked up Gabriel, ignoring the tense wavering in his gut as he felt how light and thin the poor kid was. Fuck… eating out of garbage cans. He hoisted him onto his shoulders, letting the kid lean forward and hug around his neck. He moved slowly, and Michael could only guess the poor thing was tired… maybe from not being numb for awhile. He kept that in mind as he walked, being careful to keep Gabriel safe and supported. His heart warmed when the kid dozed off.
Eventually, Michael reached his mafia’s doctor’s house. He knocked, and the old woman appeared shortly.
“This is the kid I was tellin’ you about,” Michael greeted.
She looked for a few moments, nodding. “You two may want to clean up first. Warm water only for the kid, dry him off quickly, and don’t have him in there over 15 minutes for now.”
Michael nodded, slipping off his shoes, and then taking off Gabriel’s. Once that was finished, he headed to the bathroom. He’d showered blood off himself here before.
Gabriel began to stir at the sound of the water Michael was preparing the temperature of. He mumbled gibberish, wiping at an eye.
Michael let him slowly awaken, keeping him on his shoulders for now. It would be easier if he were awake.
But when Gabriel woke up more to the scene, tears sprang to his eyes because as he saw it, this was an end to the comfort- or at least comfortable sleep. He let out a broken sob as his mind taunted that it might be the end to that for a long time.
Michael gently helped him down, his hands wet, but he didn’t care. He met those tearful eyes again, but Gabriel quickly looked away, being ashamed and constrained by his own mind.
Michael gently held him. “Hey, Gabriel,” He said, his voice half a song to try to vie for his attention.
The little boy looked down, sniffling, before he sobbed again, hiccuping in pain. He wanted to be comfortably asleep! He wanted to be comfortable! He began to wail.
Michael rubbed his back. He must be tired. He wiped at the eye nearest to him. “Hey, it’s okay, hon… We’ll just take a quick shower, and if you want you can sleep after that. There are some nice comfy beds here,” He tempted.
Gabriel whimpered, looking at him as he shyly wiped at his eyes. He stumbled and stammered over his words for a minute, before he finally got out, “I… I can sleep after this again? It’s okay?” He sniffled, looking at Michael with distrusting hope.
Michael nodded. “Of course, hon. There’s a nice bed. Let’s just get ourselves clean first and I promise you can go right back to sleep.”
Gabriel nodded, tears still streaming down his cheeks. He wasn’t sure if it was a lie or not, but Michael seemed sure. The air was beginning to get warm with the water, and it was comforting.
Michael helped them both get out of their clothes, and then into the shower. Gabriel wasn’t entirely sure how it all worked, so Michael helped him clean himself. He hated how weak Gabriel looked.
And once they were done, Michael hoisted Gabriel up, taking him out of the shower and beginning to dry him off. He always kept at least one extra towel wrapped around him as he did so, and as he had Gabriel dry his hair, he dried himself off.
And then Gabriel went to grab those ratty, dirty clothes. Michael stopped him, gently grabbing his arm. “Why don't you wear my shirt while we get these cleaned up?” Michael suggested, not wanting Gabriel to get dirty again so soon. What Michael really needed to do was get him clothes that weren’t tatters.
Gabriel stared at them, before looking at Michael skeptically. “That’s okay? These are my only clothes,” He said, a tad protectively.
“Well, we can get you some new ones later. For now, let’s keep ya clean, kiddo.” He passed him his shirt, knowing it would fit like a dress. He got himself dressed with his remaining clothes, and lead Gabriel to the “sick bay” although it was empty. The beds weren’t bare or thin, though, and so Michael helped Gabriel onto a bed, fluffing the pillow before tucking him in.
Gabriel yawned, mostly out of it as he did, but as Michael pulled the blanket over him he assumed that hurt expression of a child who wasn’t sure he was worth this- or wasn’t sure he belonged so comfortably and safely tucked in.
“This is okay?” His voice was slurred as he spoke, his tiny arms hugging the warm covers against him
“Of course, Gabriel, you just rest. I’ll get your clothes washed and we can have lunch after. You just sleep here for now. I’ll figure this out.”
Gabriel sniffled, his tired mind upset that he wouldn’t get this kindness again. And so all the happiness and love he should have felt distorted itself into sadness and pain, and his heart became embittered to know how fleeing kindness was. He couldn’t let himself be happy knowing that in a matter of days or weeks he would be fending for himself. He couldn’t let himself be soft if he wanted to try to make it. But his head was hurting and the bed was soft and now Michael’s big, warm hand was petting his hair and he was humming a tune and everything was fuzzy and comfortable and delirious and then it was gone. And he was safe for now, for today.
Michael sighed, letting himself be silent after Gabriel’s body untensed and he could tell the kid was dreaming once more. His doctor appeared in the doorway.
“So, who is he?” She asked, gently approaching the bedside. She began checking his temperature with a forehead thermometer, being gentle to attempt not to wake him. He stirred and groaned, but couldn’t fight the comfort to break consciousness.
“He… I found him tryna eat out of a dumpster, and… well- I don’t think he’s got parents. I mean, I think he’s just running around, and he’s a sweet kid- I just- I can’t just- y’know?”
The woman paused. “Well… who do you want him to become with you, Michael?”
Michael rubbed at his legs. “I want him to be safe and happy. I want him to be able to act like a kid. I want to know he’s happy…. I- I think I want to see him- and help him get there.”
“You’re adopting him, then?” She asked.
“I don’t want to be a parent. I want to be a brother to him. A brother that makes his world better- what he deserves.”
“It’s a big deal to adopt a kid,” She warned.
“I know that, but- something inside me won’t let this g. I know it’s what needs to happen, I just do. And… I have people to help me, I’m not alone. I mean, look at him, he deserves the world. And… I think he’s smart. If he chooses to, when he’s older, I think he’ll be useful.”
She nearly groaned. “Michael, you can’t just sign up a child into a life of the mafia. It’s not right.” She said firmly.
“I’m not going to force him to, but c’mon, this is better than what he’s got- and he doesn’t need to know my job until he’s older. And I can take care of him. I have the money.”
“Well, if you’re doing this, you need his records. But if he’s been wandering around on the street…”
“You think they exist?”
“I think if they did he’d be in a school and an adoption center.”
“Right…. Well, then… then he’s mine. He’s my brother.” Michael said, his eyes determined.
“Okay, well I’m going to be keeping an eye on this,” She said, her motherly heart worried by a mafia boss seeing a child as an asset.
“Good, I may need your help,” Michael said, self-assured in this decision as he was in all of his. He was a natural leader, and it was a gift. She had seen it save lives.
She gave a wary nod. “Yes… he’ll probably need shots. But I don’t have children’s vaccines, and I don't know what he’s had. He’s also probably going to come down with a cold. So rest will be good.”
“Do you know about how old he is?”
“I’d guess between 7 to 10, but he seems mature- at least for his age,” She said. “Honestly, he could do with a proper check-up- with his vaccines.”
Michael nodded grimly. “Poor kid… I need to get his clothes washed. He can help me pick out his new ones.”
The woman nodded, a slight smile on her lips. “Well, be careful. He might take a while to warm up, be scared, slow to trust, emotional. He might not handle things the same as a regular kid his age. Be patient, and keep me updated. If you have questions, ask. But if you’re doing this, you have to be patient with him.”
“I understand,” Michael said, gently petting the small boy’s hair. “He deserves kindness, Marla, and if he needs patience to get that, it’s what he needs. I’m not adopting a kid off the street expecting perfection.”
“Who’s going to watch him?” She asked, meeting Michael’s eyes.
“I’ll… I’ll find some guys. I have some men I think I could trust. Besides, I think it goes without saying that if you fuck with my kid I’ll ruin you and your family’s lives, so I think it’ll be okay. I’ll watch them for a bit, I’m sure he’ll need to acclimate.”
“You’re not keeping him in the mob house?”
“No, God no, he’ll stay at my house. They’ll go there.” Which, in theory, was great, but that kind of diminished when one kept in mind Michael's house was actually secretly connected via a few secret walls/tunnels, and actually it was more of a 2- house condominium with multiple connections.
She wasn’t thrilled, but it was his house. She couldn’t ask him to buy a whole new house. But… “If he needs to, he can stay here with me,” She offered.
“I’ll do that. Especially near Christmas, but… He can’t see all the blood and guts, Marla,” Michael implored, not wanting to scar him so young.
“He can stay with my family. They’re good people. They don’t know about me, though. So only you may visit, and not with blood on you. My family is not getting sucked into this with me.” Her voice was entirely sure as she met his eyes steadily.
Michael nodded quickly. “Of course, of course…. But he’ll be safer,” Michael softened.
She blinked, nodding. “Yes,” She looked to the boy. “I’ll be checking on you both, too…”
Michael looked over, raising an eyebrow.
“This is a child, Michael, and I am a mother. This is serious. I’m going to be checking up for his safety. It’s the right thing to do.”
He nodded awkwardly. “Then I guess I’ll have to try not to let you down.”
“You’ll have to try to do good by him. If you do that, I’ll be content with this.”
Michael took a deep breath, nodding. “Yes… And you’re right, he’s the important part of all this. But I’ve never taken care of a kid before. I never even had a brother before, so…. Try to understand.”
“Michael, I’ve been a parent for the first time. I understand not knowing what to do, or if you’re messing him up It’s okay. I just want what’s best for him. I won’t ear him away at your first mistake. That wouldn’t be what’s best for him either.
He nodded solemnly. “Then… I look forward to having your support and guidance. I’ll need it. Because he deserves the best.”
Gabriel slept awhile longer.