Most of this episode is super cute and innocent and stuff, but the last scene gets a little serious with some family issues, so um-
Yeah, be warned-

~~~~~~~~~Third Person POV~~~~~~~~~

A small groan escaped Gabriel's lips, waking up again after several more hours. The sun was already setting outside, and everyone around him was in a deep slumber.

Well, almost everyone.

There was an empty spot on the couch, and one person was missing from the bunch. Lara was nowhere in sight.

He felt better, though his limbs still ached, he could now stand. It wasn't a good thing to just stay lying down for hours without end, muscles are meant to be moved, especially when injured.

After taking a small cup of water, he made his way upstairs, to the one place where he'd always go whenever life seemed touch.

But it was only to see someone had already beat him to it.

Lara was sitting on the small ledge of the roof, her arms hugging her legs which were pressed against her chest, her chin resting on her knees. Her hair flowed with the winter winds, gripping the sleeves of her jacket as she stared at the forest that stood across.

"I see you're a awake."

She jumped a little, her ears peeking up as she looked back, seeing Gabe climbing up to the roof and walking over to her. "O-oh, hey.."

"I'm surprised you haven't left yet.."

"W-was I suppose to..? I'm sorry, I can..-"

"I never said that.."

He sat beside her, and she stared at him for a few seconds before looking back at the first. "I.. w-wanted to make sure you were all okay.."

"Are you okay..? You had it worse than any of us.."

"I feel fine.. A little tired, but most of the pain has died down by now.."

"Well, it's better than something.."

"What about you..?"

He thought for a little while, moving his arms a bit. "Well, my joints still hurt a bit.. I think Wes might've broken a few bones, but Mom already healed them.."

"That's good.."

Silence filled the air after that, both of them staring at whatever was in front of them, until a question popped into his mind.

"So.. last night, when we were fighting.. Why did you help me..?"

"Huh..?"

"When I was about to get stabbed, you forced me down, and then you stayed with me when I did.. Why..?"

She didn't reply immediately, biting her lip as she let her mind search for the right words. "... well, I just... I feel like I owe you so much... I mean, you forgave me after all I did to you, you stood up for me yesterday, you've given me another chance to be nice... It might not be much to you..."

With a warm smile, she turned to face him once again. "But it means a lot to me..."

There was that warmth in his chest again, and a heat across his cheeks as he looked down at her. His stomach felt as if it was tide in a knot, and there was a peculiar nervousness that fluttered in his chest.

But it wasn't a nervousness of fear, he had felt that before, this was far more different.

This wasn't.. bad..

"Well, you haven't done anything wrong since then.. And I understand why you did all those things in the first place.."

"It was still wrong of me..."

"And you realize it, and are trying to do better."

"True.."

"Also, why'd you come up here?" He tilted his head a little, curious to know the answer.

She grew a bit pink, her ears flattening back a bit. "Well, I didn't want to be a bother, but I didn't want to leave without knowing you guys were okay.. Besides, this place is pretty nice.."

"It is.. I always come up here whenever I'm sad or lost.."

"Are you feeling that way now..?"

"... a little.." He pressed his legs against his chest, resting his head on his knees. "It's just.. all so confusing.."

"Well, I'm sure you of all people can figure it out.." She gently nudged his arm with a smile, making him let out a chuckle as a soft pink crossed his cheeks.

"I'll definitely try to.."

Lara then looked at the sun, which was almost completely gone. "I should be going, it's almost completely dark.."

"Alright.."

She nibbled on her lip a bit before leaving over to him, placing a soft kiss on his cheeks. Gabe's eyes widened a little, his face different shades of pink as his shoulders tensed up, and then she pulled away.

"I'll see you around, Gabriel.."

"... y-yeah, you too, Lara.."

With one last smile, she turned to her snake form and slithered up a tree, disappearing into the woods. Gabe sat there for a while, frozen in place, his hand pressed against the cheek she kissed.

His heart was beating quickly, unsure of why he had reacted in such manner, and unsure why she would do such a thing in the first place.

But as a small smile grew onto his face, he climbed back down to the warmth of his home, a strange feeling of joy lingering in his chest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hidden along the small houses of the town, Wes lied down on his bed staring at his hands as electricity crackled between his fingers, a wide smirk on his face.

"Enjoying them, I see?" He turned his head, seeing Courtney sitting on the windowsill, her usual innocent smile on her face.

Sitting up, he smiled at her. "Heck yeah!! I'm so much stronger than I could've ever imagined!! I bet Gabriel won't ever want to mess with me again!!"

"But is that really enough?"

"Huh?"

Before the conversation could continue, there was a loud bang against the door, followed by the yells of a man. "Wes, why haven't you made food already?!?"

"I'm busy right now, get your new slut to make it for you!!!" He yelled back, his hands bawling into fists.

The man continued to knock on his door. "Wesley Holland, if you don't get your damn ass out here and make some food, I'll bash your fucking skull open!!!"

A growl escaped the boy's lips, when he then looked down at the energy that surrounded each of his fingers.

"I'd like to see you try.."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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