Ryden found himself unable to shake off the conversation he had with Gabriel about relationships. It had been a subject he hadn’t considered in quite some time, especially since he had grown accustomed to the peace and solitude of being on his own. The idea of pursuing someone or being pursued was rare in his life, and it wasn't something he sought out. He was content with his routine, his space, and his quiet existence.

Yet, ever since that exchange with Gabriel, Ryden couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him. For just a brief moment during their conversation, he had seen a different side of Gabriel—softer, almost vulnerable in a way that was unexpectedly endearing. It caught Ryden off guard, and despite himself, he couldn’t deny that it was... cute.

He quickly shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. No, he thought to himself, this isn’t the time to be thinking about Gabriel. He had other things to focus on. Work, responsibilities, things that needed his attention at the moment. Yet, as he went about his day, the image of Gabriel, looking so unguarded, lingered at the back of his mind, refusing to fade.

After a long, grueling day of struggling to stay focused at work, Ryden felt utterly drained. His mind was exhausted, and the weight of his thoughts made it nearly impossible to think clearly. What’s worse, he had no energy or motivation to cook, as his thoughts kept drifting to Gabriel. The constant mental distraction left him unable to decide what to make for dinner, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing he could prepare would be satisfying enough. Frustrated and fatigued, he decided the best course of action would be to stop by a nearby convenience store for a quick meal. It wasn’t ideal, but it was easier than trying to summon the will to cook something at home.

As Ryden walked into the convenience store, he felt a flicker of relief. At least this part of his evening would be easy. But, as if by some twist of fate, there was Gabriel, standing in the aisle just a few steps away. He was browsing through the prepackaged food section, likely searching for his own quick dinner. Gabriel had a basket in hand, filled with a mix of items: a Monster energy drink, a Snickers bar, and a bag of Lays chips. The assortment seemed as carefree as he looked, and Ryden couldn’t help but smile at the casual, spontaneous vibe Gabriel always seemed to exude.

He looked good tonight—better than usual, even. Gabriel was wearing a black shirt under a red flannel, paired with dark wash, ripped jeans that gave him a rugged yet effortless charm. His hair was neatly combed, a bit more polished than the usual tousled look Ryden was used to. For a moment, Ryden just stood there, observing him, appreciating how effortlessly Gabriel seemed to draw attention.

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Ryden was going to call out to him, but then he noticed the wired earphones nestled in Gabriel’s ears. The thought crossed his mind that Gabriel might not even hear him.

Suddenly, the idea of tapping him on the shoulder seemed like a much better plan. But before he could even move, a rush of self-doubt flooded in. The conversation they had the last time they spoke flashed through his mind, and the distractions that had weighed on him at work reared their head again.

Just as Ryden was about to make up his mind, Gabriel, seemingly sensing his presence, turned around. Their eyes met, and Ryden’s nerves shot up, but a small smile tugged at Gabriel’s lips as he recognized him. It seemed as though the universe had already made the first move for him

"Whoa, I didn’t expect to see you here," Gabriel exclaimed, his voice full of surprise. He quickly pulled out his earphones, making sure to give Ryden his full attention.

Ryden chuckled, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "I just couldn't bring myself to cook tonight," he admitted, shrugging slightly as if it was no big deal.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow, lifting the basket of food he was holding. "Tell me about it," he said with a playful laugh, then added, "How about we eat here together?"

Ryden felt the familiar urge to change into something more comfortable, eager to ditch the stiff suit he was wearing, but the offer from Gabriel lingered, and it was hard to say no. Gabriel’s invites were always more tempting than they seemed on the surface.

Ryden picked out his dinner and made his way to the table, where Gabriel had already saved a seat for him. It felt strangely familiar, like they had done this a thousand times before, even though this was only their second dinner together. He couldn't help but think back to their arcade hangout not too long ago. The memory brought a warmth to his chest, a quiet comfort that he wasn’t used to feeling so easily. Gabriel had only been in his life for a few days, yet his presence felt significant, like he was already leaving a mark—similar to how Angel had done in the past.

“I’m excited to come to the convention with you,” Ryden said, breaking the brief silence between them as he took his seat.

Gabriel flashed him a grin, nodding in agreement. “Me too,” he replied before taking a long sip of his Monster energy drink, the can making a quiet hiss as he set it down.

As Ryden dug into his meal, he couldn’t shake the thought that moments like these were ones he wished could last forever. Just being around Gabriel, sharing simple moments of quiet conversation, it made everything feel easier. He didn’t have to put on a front, didn’t have to pretend to be someone he wasn’t. With Gabriel, everything felt natural—comfortable. Not everyone had that effect on him. Ryden realized, in that fleeting moment, just how special Gabriel had become to him. It wasn’t something he could easily explain, but the connection was there, undeniable and growing stronger with each passing day.