Birthday Dinner

The pair laughed together, their footsteps echoing lightly along the quiet streets. Ethan couldn't help noticing how effortlessly Gabe moved, silently admiring him from the corner of his eye, his heart fluttering beneath his calm exterior. Even though Gabe seemed blissfully unaware, Ethan secretly hoped the playful teasing would continue, savoring each shared laugh and quiet moment between them.

As they made their way back to Ethan's apartment, the neon lights of the city illuminated their path, casting an inviting glow in shades of blue and pink against the twilight sky. Ethan sighed softly, relieved to return to the familiarity of home.

Once inside, Ethan eagerly jumped into the shower, savoring the hot water for a little too long. When he finally emerged, refreshed and relaxed, he called out to Gabe, "Okay, shower's all yours. There's a fresh towel on the back of the door."

Gabe nodded appreciatively, disappearing into the bathroom. Ethan settled at his desk, activating the apartment's technology. "System on," he murmured, and screens and holographic projectors sprang to life, bathing the room in comforting hues of blue and green.

Several minutes later, Gabe stepped out of the bathroom with an exaggerated look of playful annoyance. "Seriously, Ethan? Did you have to use all the hot water? The shower felt like a polar plunge!"

Ethan laughed, feeling his cheeks flush slightly. "Sorry about that. Guess I lost track of time."

Gabe smirked good-naturedly, shaking his head as he adjusted his clothes. "No worries. Let's get going—we shouldn't keep Steph waiting."

Ethan and Gabe met Steph at their usual spot—a lively restaurant nestled in the heart of the entertainment district. The vibrant atmosphere, with colorful lights and upbeat music, provided a stark contrast to the seriousness of recent events. The enticing aroma of freshly cooked meals filled the air, and cheerful conversations from nearby tables blended into a pleasant background hum.

Stephanie, true to her nature, was a whirlwind of energy, her enthusiasm infectious. She animatedly regaled them with stories about her recent visit to her father's house, the new friends she'd made, and her ambitious plans for the future, including goals for their upcoming enlistment in EarthCorp. "I swear," she declared excitedly, leaning across the table, "if we play our cards right, we'll be running that place within a year."

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "Steph, you make it sound so easy. You know EarthCorp isn't exactly a playground."

Stephanie waved dismissively. "That's exactly why they need someone like me. And with Gabe here looking like he stepped straight out of a magazine, I think our popularity's already guaranteed."

Gabriel chuckled softly, shaking his head with gentle amusement. "I appreciate your vote of confidence, Steph, but I think Ethan and I might have different ideas about our roles there."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow playfully. "Oh? Already planning secret missions without me?"

"Something like that," Ethan said with a smirk, exchanging a knowing glance with Gabriel. He felt a flutter of nervous excitement, acutely aware their "secret missions" held more truth than Stephanie could ever suspect.

Throughout dinner, Ethan repeatedly stole subtle glances at Gabriel, noting how the soft, candlelit glow accentuated the angelic contours of his friend's features. Each time, Ethan quickly looked away, trying not to linger too long, yet he couldn't deny the warmth he felt whenever Gabe smiled or laughed. Gabriel, seemingly oblivious to Ethan's subtle observations, remained effortlessly charismatic and engaged, responding easily to Stephanie's endless stream of chatter.

As they indulged in delicious food and lively conversation, Ethan felt a comforting sense of normalcy return—a welcome respite from the extraordinary events of the past few days. Still, amidst the laughter and merriment, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that his life had irrevocably changed. Glancing once more at Gabriel, whose celestial eyes shone with a hint of mischief, Ethan knew their journey had only just begun.

The trio lingered, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the city until around 2100 hours. Eventually deciding to head home, their laughter echoed pleasantly through the bustling streets. Stephanie walked alongside Ethan and Gabe, chatting excitedly about their evening. The bright neon lights illuminated their faces as they strolled comfortably toward their shared housing complex, savoring the warmth of friendship.

Stephanie walked closely beside Gabe, her laughter ringing clearly through the cool evening air. Ethan, strolling beside them, quietly reveled in the peaceful moment, though an undercurrent of uncertainty lingered beneath his calm exterior. He glanced at Gabe, smiling softly at their playful banter, heart warmed by how seamlessly Gabe fit into his once-isolated life.

As they rounded the final corner toward their apartment building, the atmosphere shifted sharply. Ethan's stomach clenched instinctively as he recognized a familiar silhouette blocking their path—Mark stood before them, arms folded arrogantly across his broad chest, flanked by his usual crew.

"Well, well, well," Mark drawled menacingly, stepping forward into the dim, flickering streetlight, his expression twisted into a malevolent sneer. "If it isn't little Ethan and his pretty new boyfriend. What's this, a date? And look, he brought his hag too!"

His gang snickered behind him, jeers punctuating the tension-filled air. Ethan felt heat rush to his face, anger simmering beneath his usually composed demeanor. Steph instinctively stepped closer to Gabe, sensing trouble, her hand gripping Gabe's sleeve tightly.

"We don't want any trouble," Gabe said calmly, stepping forward protectively. His voice was steady, radiating quiet confidence that Ethan envied. "Let's just move on and avoid a fight tonight."

Mark smirked, stepping closer, malice gleaming in his eyes. "Funny you mention trouble because we're looking for exactly that," he said darkly. "Hand over your TapCoins, pretty boys—and quickly. Otherwise, you'll be leaving on stretchers."

Ethan's jaw tightened, his protective instincts igniting. Without thinking, he stepped directly in front of Gabe and Steph, squaring off defiantly against Mark. "Leave them alone, Mark," Ethan warned, his voice firm despite the adrenaline racing through his veins.

Mark laughed harshly, dismissing Ethan's bravado with a mocking wave. "Oh, look at you, Blade, finally growing a backbone after all these years?"

"He's serious, Mark," Gabe warned, his voice suddenly ice-cold, his usually friendly emerald eyes now hard and threatening. "Walk away while you still can."

Mark snarled, his face contorting with anger. Without warning, he lunged forward, aiming a violent punch toward Ethan's face. Ethan reacted instinctively, adrenaline sharpening his reflexes as he swiftly ducked under Mark's punch. Mark stumbled slightly, thrown off-balance by Ethan's unexpected dodge.

Immediately, a clear and urgent chime resonated in Ethan's mind:

System Notification: Assignment Activated:

Protect yourself from harm: Reward: 5 XP Protect another being from harm: Reward: 5 XP Maintain human cover in public: Reward: 5 XP

Ethan's eyes widened momentarily at the notification, his heart racing with renewed determination. The clear, structured goals provided him a sudden boost of confidence, empowering him to seize the opportunity. Heart fiercely pounding, he swiftly jabbed his fist into Mark's abdomen, doubling him over with a groan. Gabe immediately moved forward to protect Ethan as Mark's cronies charged aggressively, fists raised and eyes blazing.

Nearby, Stephanie stood frozen in shock, eyes wide with fear, her hands trembling as the chaotic scene unfolded. She watched helplessly as Ethan and Gabe moved with unexpected agility, expertly dodging and striking with precision she'd never imagined possible. Her heart hammered in her chest, torn between admiration and anxiety for her friends.

Ethan ducked another attack, landing a clean punch on one of the attackers' jaws, earning another painful cry. Gabe twisted gracefully, tripping another assailant with an expert sweep of his leg, sending him sprawling onto the sidewalk.

The scuffle became more chaotic, punches thrown wildly, echoes of grunts and thuds reverberating off surrounding buildings. Ethan narrowly avoided another blow aimed at his head, countering with instinctive efficiency born from that day's training with Gabe.

"Stop it!" Steph cried desperately, her voice shaking with fear, but her plea went unnoticed amidst the chaos.

Realizing they were losing, Mark finally barked out an order in frustration, "Enough! Let's get out of here!"

The attackers scrambled away, fleeing quickly into the shadows, defeated and humiliated. Ethan stood trembling, adrenaline leaving him dizzy. Gabe steadied him, breathing heavily, his gaze shifting protectively toward Steph, who was visibly shaken.

"Are you okay?" Gabe asked softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Steph nodded weakly, her voice shaking, "I'm fine, but are you two okay?"

Ethan wiped sweat from his forehead, managing a tired smile. "Yeah, thanks to Gabe."

Gabe chuckled softly, the tension dissipating slightly. "You held your own pretty well there, Ethan."

Suddenly, Ethan felt a familiar, warm vibration emanating from the halo system, signaling silently within his mind:

System Notification: User: Ethan Blade Current Status: Human-Angel Hybrid System Status: Training Mode Current Mission: Shed Your Humanity Total XP Earned: 70 of 100 Assignments Completed: 7

Protect a being from harm (5 XP) Protect yourself from harm (5 XP) Protect your secret in public (5 XP)

Ethan blinked in surprise at the notifications, feeling a wave of relief and pride wash over him. His heart calmed slightly as he processed the recognition of his accomplishments, encouraged by the tangible progress.

Steph approached carefully, relief evident despite her lingering anxiety. "Remind me never to walk alone again. You two are officially my bodyguards."

They shared a gentle laugh, the tension finally breaking, though the weight of what had just transpired still lingered heavily in the air.

"Let's get home," Gabe said softly, leading the way as the trio continued silently toward Ethan and Steph's building.

Upon reaching their complex, Steph offered a quiet wave goodnight and disappeared into her apartment, her face still pale but relieved. Ethan and Gabe continued toward Ethan's apartment, their footsteps echoing softly down the hallway, fatigue clearly etched onto their features.

Inside the apartment, they both sank onto the couch with heavy sighs, releasing the tension they'd been holding since the confrontation. After a few moments, Gabe broke the silence, pushing himself up reluctantly. "I'm going to grab a quick shower. I feel like I've earned it."

Ethan nodded, his body sore yet exhilarated from the adrenaline rush. "Good idea," he said, standing to prepare fresh towels and clothing for both of them.

After they each took a turn showering, washing away the grime and stress of the evening, they returned to the living room, clean and refreshed. They settled back onto the couch, the quiet comfort of their friendship easing the lingering tension.

Glancing sideways, Ethan studied Gabriel quietly, curiosity bubbling to the surface. "Gabe, I just realized something—I have no idea how old you actually are," he remarked casually, breaking the gentle silence.

Gabe smirked, his emerald eyes sparkling mischievously under the soft, ambient glow of the apartment's lights. "According to your hacking skills, I turned eighteen a few months ago, remember?"

"Come on, seriously," Ethan persisted, nudging Gabriel playfully. "I know you're older than that."

Gabe sighed dramatically, surrendering with a good-natured laugh. "Alright," he conceded, leaning back and stretching casually. "It's complicated. Right now, physically, I'm about eighteen or nineteen. But in terms of how long I've existed… many thousands of Earth years, at least."

"Thousands?" Ethan echoed, his tone incredulous yet intrigued. He shook his head slowly, an amused smile spreading across his face. "You don't look a day over two thousand."

Gabe chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling warmly at the corners. "Thanks," he said with playful solemnity, running a hand through his still-damp hair. "I moisturize."

The two laughed warmly, the camaraderie between them comforting and effortless. Ethan marveled silently at the depth of the friendship they had developed in such a short time, feeling deeply grateful for Gabe's reassuring presence and support.

They chatted easily for a while, laughter fading into comfortable silence as exhaustion gradually took hold. Gabe finally stretched and stood, yawning softly. "Alright, Ethan, I think I'm going to call it a night. Today's been eventful enough."

Ethan nodded, smiling gently. "Yeah, me too. Goodnight, Gabe."

"Goodnight," Gabe replied warmly, climbing to the top bunk.

Ethan climbed into his bunk, the day's events replaying vividly in his mind—the intense confrontation with Mark, the exhilarating rush of adrenaline, and the unexpected pride he'd felt standing his ground. Yet beneath the surface, another emotion quietly stirred—his growing feelings for Gabe. Ethan sighed softly, staring at the dimly lit ceiling. He'd never felt this way before, the attraction complicated yet undeniable. The warmth of Gabe's presence lingered, both comforting and confusing. Ethan rolled onto his side, thoughts swirling as he drifted slowly toward sleep.

Above, Gabe lay awake, hands clasped behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling. He also reflected on the day's chaos, impressed by Ethan's courage and growth. A faint smile formed as his thoughts shifted briefly to Stephanie. Her undeniable beauty and bold personality intrigued him; she was undoubtedly a handful, but he admired her spirit and strength. "Maybe Ethan's right," he mused quietly to himself, "She is a bit much—but definitely interesting." With a quiet chuckle, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off, feeling more human in that moment than he ever had before.