Gabriel wasn't having a good time.
He had caught a nasty cold after attending the convention, as usual. It always seemed to happen when he was around large crowds. His body ached, his energy was drained, and getting up to even make food felt impossible. Worse, the doorbell rang just as he was starting to drift into a feverish haze. He had ordered takeout, but now he could barely muster the strength to answer the door.
"Just leave it in front of the door," he called weakly, hoping the delivery person would leave without further hassle. The ringing stopped, and Gabriel sighed in relief. But just a few moments later, a knock echoed through his apartment.
Gabriel groaned. Who could it be? It was Sunday, and he wasn't expecting anyone.
"Are you okay in there?" a voice called from outside. "I called the landlord. We're worried you might've had an accident."
Gabriel tried to clear his throat but could only manage a soft, hoarse squeak in response.
"We're opening the door now."
Before he could protest, the door creaked open, and in walked his landlord, Miss Samantha, followed by a man with short brown hair and sharp green eyes. He had entered cautiously, scanning the room as if he were a guest at a crime scene. "Sorry for intruding," he said, looking a little uncomfortable.
"It's okay," Gabriel whispered, barely able to speak. Samantha entered with a glass of water and some medicine. She was used to Gabriel being sick; it wasn't the first time. "Thanks, Miss Samantha, and..." Gabriel trailed off, glancing at the stranger.
"Uh, Ryden," the man offered with a small smile.
Gabriel nodded weakly. His modeling and cosplay gigs typically drained him, and by Sunday, he'd often crash in his apartment to recover. Today, it seemed, was no different.
"You can leave everything on the table," he managed, coughing again.
Ryden hesitated. "Are you sure?" His voice was soft but filled with genuine concern.
"Yes." Gabriel sat up slowly, gesturing to the sparse room around him. "I'm used to this." His apartment, though neat, was devoid of personal touches—just the bare essentials. Most of his things were at his sister's house. He had rented this place to create some distance between his real self, Gabriel, and his public persona, Angel. Being Angel had its perks—his sister had suggested he start modeling as a woman, and he didn't hate it. In fact, he enjoyed the cosplay and the paycheck that came with it. But it also meant hiding his real identity from the world.
After a brief pause, Ryden and Samantha left, leaving Gabriel to rest. His apartment was mostly silent, aside from the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional cough escaping his lips. He took the medicine, ate his takeout, and sank back into his bed. This was his life—sick, isolated, and craving simplicity. He just wanted to scroll through his phone, play video games, and eat takeout without worrying about his appearance. But his job required him to stay fit, and that nagging pressure was always there.
Two days later, Gabriel felt better. It was early morning, and for the first time in days, he felt energized enough to leave his apartment. He grabbed his keys, phone, and wallet and headed out the door, ready for some fresh air and a proper breakfast at the nearby coffee shop.
As he walked in, his eyes landed on a familiar face sitting by the window. Brown hair, a black suit, and a red tie—it was Ryden. Gabriel remembered him from Sunday. Ryden had helped him out, along with Miss Samantha.
"Hey, man, remember me?" Gabriel asked, smiling as he approached.
Ryden looked up from his book, blinking in surprise. "Huh? Oh, you're one of my neighbors, right? I didn't catch your name, though."
"Gabriel. Nice to meet you properly this time," Gabriel replied, offering him an extra pain au chocolat he had bought. "Here, take this as my thanks."
"Thanks." Ryden took the pastry, still looking a little surprised. "I have to leave for work soon." He finished the pastry in a few quick bites, wiping his mouth with a tissue. "Sorry, I've got to run. But I hope we can talk again sometime?"
Gabriel stood up, his mind racing. He was taller than Ryden by a few inches, and the realization felt oddly comforting. "Of course," he said, his voice warm. "I'm not gonna repay you with just a pastry."
They waved each other off, and Gabriel sat back down to finish his breakfast. The exchange left him feeling lighter than he had in days. Gabriel was bubbly, in stark contrast to the quiet and withdrawn character he portrayed as Angel.
But he wanted to repay Ryden properly. A pastry wasn't enough. The problem was, he didn't know much about Ryden. The only clue he had was the romance novel he'd been reading. Gifting a book felt tricky, though. What if it wasn't the right one?
An idea popped into his head. He pulled out his phone and called his sister. "Hey, sis. Do you know any shops that sell fancy ties?"
She groaned on the other end. "Isn't it too early for this? And why do you need a tie?"
Gabriel quickly explained the situation, and his sister laughed. "Ah, I get it now. There's a shop in the city center that specializes in menswear. It's only a few bus stops away."
Perfect. Gabriel could kill two birds with one stone—get Ryden a gift and grab lunch for himself. He planned to go around noon, hoping that Ryden would appreciate the gesture. It had been a while since he made a new friend outside of the internet, and he wasn't sure how to navigate this new territory. But he hoped that Ryden wouldn't think he was being too forward.