Chapter Twenty Three

I waited nervously in the foyer. I wasn't sure about what I was wearing - what did people wear to dates?- or how to fake expertise in the kitchen.

I pulled at my shirt, which was dark blue and quiet plain in case I got dirty, and touched my blond hair that was pulled back into a messy bun.

It was the day after the attack in the Garage, and Carlo had told all of us to get to his house for a meeting. We discussed what had happened, and Ducky may or may not have suffocated me in a hug. We agreed that some trusted elders or senior witches of the town would keep an eye out for all of us, sometimes without telling them why. And, we also agreed (much to Scarlett's distaste) that there would be a curfew for us, and that we would all be in our houses safe at sundown.

Gabriel and I also told everyone that we were dating, with mixed reactions. Harlow congratulated me as if I was getting married, Scarlett squealed and squashed Gabriel in a hug, which was the most out of character thing ever. Ducky got on his chair and screamed 'ship it!'', whilst Lee pondered a ship name. They decided on Aid-riel. I mean it could be worse.

Gabriel's parents were out and Gabe had just told me he had gone to the bathroom, but it was taking him a while, and it wasn't calming my anxiety.

Just as I was going to wander off to find him, I heard the echo of his feet and he turned the corner back to me. He was wearing a loose, translucent white shirt that didn't hide the tone of his stomach, and a pair of black jeans. His hair was as messy as ever, but it seemed shinier, like he had put gel in it.

My heart warmed when I saw him and he had a quiet smile on his face. He then rubbed his hands together. "You ready to eat?"

"Eat? Yes. Cook? We'll see how that goes." I tried to hide my jitters with a smile, but I think he knew.

He slung his arm around me and I leaned into him slightly, breathing in his cologne. Thank god it wasn't Axe Body Spray.

"The kitchen is this way." He pointed past me down another corridor. "Let's go cook!"

I shook my head at his fake enthusiasm but said nothing. We walked to the back of the dining hall, that may I say, resembled a ballroom, and Gabriel immediately shot out his hand for me to hold as we travelled down the side steps I presumed lead to the kitchen.

"What do you want to cook?" He asked. I wondered if my face should my nerves. I really thought we would just take something out of the cookery books.

"I'm kind of up for what ever." I replied hedgily. Gabriel frowned.

"You'll be fine. Besides, I'm an excellent chef so I'm pretty sure we won't burn the house down."

He led me to a low ceilinged room that was almost all made of metal, and held the delicious smell of fresh bread in the air.

"Okay. Let's go see what's in the fridge." Gabe said cheerfully, and started towards one of several large refrigerators along the wall. I looked at the organised contents - parchment wrapped meats, the four different types of milk, various sauces in different tubs- and I knew I was way out of my league.

Gabriel grabbed some butter. "You always need butter. Can't go wrong with it." He assured me.

I nodded. "Good to know."

He placed the butter on the counter. "Hey." He put his hands on my shoulders. "Just relax, okay. It's just you and me."

I nodded and breathed out loosely, shaking out my arms. I then turned back to the fridge. "How about chicken?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

"So, What's step one?" I asked.

"I cook a lot, but we need a recipe at least. I bet those books would help." He picked up one of many thick looking recipe books and smiled. As he flipped through the book, I found a cupboards filled with jars of herbs. It reminded me of a scientist's lab, only with food. I opened one, inhaling the scent.

"Smell this." Gabriel chuckled as I shoved it into his face. "What is it?"

He took the jar from me, and tossed his hair, adoration gleaming in his eyes.

"Saffron. Delicious- isn't it?" He smiled and went straight to the back of the book he was reading. I snatched back the jar of saffron and held it as if it were my own personal achievement. "Aha! Saffron chicken! Want to give it a try?"

"Why not." I pecked his cheek lovingly, then blushed. I wasn't sure if Gabriel was good with a lot of affection. I was surprised and happy to see him smile and lean into me, moulding his face into my neck and leaving soft little kisses. Eventually, he pulled back.

"Alright, Saffron Chicken... let's preheat the oven." He turned to the oven full of buttons and dials. We looked at it as though it might come to life and talk to us.

"Should I get more butter?" I mumbled.

"Shut up, Aidan." He smirked.

***

It turned out pretty well. The chicken was a little black and crispy, but as I grew in confidence, I assured Gabe it would only add to the taste. Gabriel had had the whole date planned out. With our chicken and a big packet of Cheetos, we headed to his room, that turned out that Gabriel had made a little den out of before hand. He was too cute. I couldn't handle it.

He had spun his couch around so the back was facing the TV, plus he had brought two chairs with tall backs that I recognised from the dining hall to support the blanket that was draped over the couch from both sides to hold it up. A mass amount of blankets and cushions lay underneath the couch and chairs like a nest.

I immediately dived for it and snuggled into the blankets. Gabe chuckled and sat down next to me. He balanced the chicken on his lap whilst pulling out a remote to put on the TV.

"What do you want to watch?" He asked, the big white and red Netflix sign flashing on the wide screen.

"I'm up for anything." I piped, wrestling with the Cheetos bag to to pull it open.

He flicked through movies, then paused at one that seemed to catch his interest. I giggled and raised my eyebrows. "Devil Wears Prada? I didn't know you were into Rom-Coms, Gabe."

He shrugged and dived into my newly opened packet of crisps. "What can I say? I'm a sucka for a happy ending. Also I love Meryl Streep, so can you blame me?" Couldn't argue with that logic.

I chuckled and shook my head softly, muttering something about him being crazy. I then pulled the chicken towards us, my mouth watering at the pleasant taste wafting towards my nose. I went to grab the knife and forks we had bring, but Gabriel caught my hand.

"We need to check it's cooked, first. Don't want to die, now do we?" He cut it downthe middle and was satisfied by its fluffy texture. He played the movie and I leaned on his shoulder. This was so nice. There was no drama or worry. To be honest, I don't know what I was anxious about.

And the chicken tasted delicious, if you were wondering.

A/N: I lied. But look how cute they are! Do you ship Aidriel?

Votes, comments and shares would be great! Thank you!