Work Text:
Moira was absent today.
Gabriel had punched in the numbers to her laboratory to find it empty. He checked his phone; there were no notifications. Which was concerning because her work has always been her top priority. She would have let him know if she wasn’t able to make it.
He contemplated sending a text, overthinking what he should type before settling on something simple.
“Hey, everything good?”
Maybe she was just running behind, so he left it at that and returned to his office.
A few hours passed by, and Gabriel had heard nothing from Moira. He wasn’t sure what reason she would have to not reply, but he couldn’t help but feel worried. She wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, and from the time they’d spent together, she had little else she did outside of her work.
Gabriel took out his phone, his thumb hovering over the call button. She’d given him her number after they became better acquainted, in case he had any questions or developments about his condition. Their texts mostly consisted of work, then gradually shifted to a more friendly dynamic. They’d met up for lunch a few times, but he rarely called her unless it was an emergency.
Perhaps now was an emergency, considering he hadn’t heard from her since yesterday afternoon. He wasn’t sure if she had anyone else who would check in on her. He finally gave in and pressed the dial button, hoping she would answer.
Beep…
Beep…
Beep…
The sound of Moira’s voice finally came across the speakers.
“Hello?” She sounded drowsy.
“Moira? I’ve been trying to contact you. Is everything alright?”
“I’ve come down with a cold. I didn’t feel well this morning. It slipped my mind to let you know. My apologies.” Despite keeping her usual formality, she sounded weak.
“No worries. Do you need me to come over? You don’t sound very good.”
“I’m fine.” A faint cough was heard before she cleared her throat. “Really, don’t worry about me.”
“There’s not much to do around here. It’s been a slow day, nothing but paperwork. I’d be happy to come and check on you. Only if you’re comfortable, of course.”
There was silence on the other end for a few long moments before she finally replied. “Well, if you really want to, I certainly wouldn’t mind some company.”
“Sure. Anything you need me to get you?” Gabriel asked.
“Nothing that I can think of, but thank you.”
“Alright. I’ll be there soon.”
Gabriel said his goodbyes and hung up. He quickly straightened the things on his desk before going outside to his vehicle and heading to her apartment. He’d visited her a few times before. Twice to pick her up when they went out to have lunch together, and a few times when they needed to discuss some documents. These scenarios were less… personal than this. He wasn’t quite sure why he offered to drop by. He knew Moira was capable of taking care of herself. But maybe that was it; she always seemed to avoid relying on others. A part of him just wanted to show her that she did have someone she could lean on if she wanted to.
Gabriel arrived at her home, a nice apartment in a quaint neighborhood not too far from their workplace. He hopped out and made his way up to the entrance, knocking on the door gently. A few moments later, Moira greeted him at the doorway. She looked even paler than usual.
“Hello, Gabriel. I apologize for the mess. I usually would’ve cleaned the place before having visitors, but I don’t feel well enough for that.” She moved to sit back down on the couch.
Gabriel closed the door behind him and sat down a few feet away from her. “Don’t worry about it. How are you feeling?”
“Absolutely terrible, to be honest. My body aches, and I keep swapping between being on fire and cold as ice.”
Moira curled up against the pillow and snuggled into the blankets she had draped across her. It was an odd sight; Gabriel was used to seeing her so tall and proud. Yet now, she looked so vulnerable. He considered himself lucky she trusted him enough to show this side of her.
“Have you had anything to eat today?” Gabriel decided that was the easiest first question to ask.
Moira looked sheepish, and her words came out a bit quiet, “No, I have… not eaten anything. I didn’t feel well enough to get out of bed, much less make anything for myself. I decided I would just sleep it off.”
Gabriel couldn’t help but look a bit surprised, “But if you don’t eat, you won’t have the strength to recover.”
Moira sighed, “I know. I would’ve figured it out. I’ve done it before.”
“Well, you allowed me to come over, and I insist on getting you something to eat.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I can’t ask you to stay and do more for me. What if you catch what I’ve got?”
He knew she was concerned, but he wouldn’t let that stop him after coming all this way. “Moira, I was in the SEP. I’ve got a tough immune system. I haven’t been sick in a long time, except for, well, you know. I’ll be fine.”
She exhaled, amusement present upon her face, before being replaced with a smile, “Alright, then.”
Gabriel stood up, but before leaving, he spoke, “May I use your kitchen? I promise I’ll be neat. You already know I enjoy cooking.”
“You may.“ She nodded her head.
He made his way past the small dining room and into the kitchen. Moira had cooked dinner for the both of them a few times when he’d visited before, and he always offered to assist her, so he knew where most of the utensils were located. She enjoyed cooking, just like him, though he remembered her mentioning she preferred baking. There were plenty of fresh ingredients in the fridge and cupboard, and he brainstormed for something she would like.
Gabriel settled on a simple soup that would be easy to stomach. Within the hour, he finished preparing it, filled a bowl, and set it on the dining room table. He called for Moira, and she sat down, gazing at the meal.
“This looks delicious. I appreciate it, Gabriel. Thank you.”
He smiled in response, sitting down opposite her.
“Are you going to eat any?” She took her spoon, lightly stirring the bowl.
“I had lunch, I’m fine. You go ahead.”
The two of them chatted as Moira finished her soup. The topics varied, ranging from work to the most mundane things. The atmosphere was pleasant, and soon they had tidied up the kitchen and returned to the living room.
Moira sat back down on the couch where she was previously, and Gabriel chose the middle, which was near her. She settled comfortably into her blankets and sighed softly.
“You feel like watching something?” He questioned.
She looked thoughtful before nodding. He handed her the remote, and she scrolled through various pages of entertainment. They finally settled on something she’d seen before but Gabriel hadn’t, insisting it was a great movie and he would like it.
They engaged in periodic conversation throughout the movie, with Moira explaining a few scenes and Gabriel making comments. By the halfway mark, Moira had shifted closer to him. She was clutching her pillow close, looking a bit drowsy.
As an uneventful scene played, she spoke quietly. “Gabriel.”
He turned to gaze at her as she leaned against him.
“Thank you for coming over.”
Gabriel smiled and gently squeezed her hand, his heart fluttering in his chest. “Anytime.”