Moonlight Nocturne

Nick's fingers twitch as Gabriel speaks, cutting off his response to Elena. "...........okay. I. Can I get ten more minutes."

 

"... can I watch?"

 

Gabe's face twitches as Elena speaks the first time, but he completely ignores her second comment. "Yeah, go on ahead. I need to make some rounds around the school, otherwise I'd take her."

 

Nick nods, sharply, then glances at Elena. "I..."

He wants to tell her she smells like blood, that it's not helping, that it makes everything worse, but...

He focuses on breathing. "..yeah, if you want. It's cool, Elena."

 

Gabe thinks about it "Actually, lets get you cleaned up a bit Elena, I ain't a doctor, but I still know how to clean a cut and put on a band aid."

 

"Oh. Um. Okay," she says, letting Nick's hand go. "I'm okay, really..." she mumbles, rubbing the knuckles of her other hand.

 

Nick heads over to the punching bags.

There's an impact, and then sand is pouring over the floor. "I'm sorry-"

 

Elena squeaks. "Um. Do you want me to go?"

She's not scared, not really. Just guilty, because she upset Nick really bad, and she knowsshe shouldn't really have gotten in a fistfight at school. Or drawn a knife.

 

"...no, no, I'm. I'm fine. Just. Forgot. Sorry. Sorry, I'm. I'll clean it up, Gabe-"

 

"... We can go kill something later?" she offers. "And stab it a lot?"

 

Gabriel sighs " I'll clean her up, you do what you need to calm down. I need you cool when you're at the doctor, or I can't do my job, alright?" He tugs Elena towards the bathrooms.

 

"I know, Gabe," Nick stares at the floor. "I'm. I'm trying."

 

She whimpers softly when he touches her hand, trying to pull away. "Ow..."

 

Gabriel shifts his grip, putting a hand on her shoulder. " better?"

He looks at Nick and nods " Do what you gotta."

 

She nods and goes to follow him, sticking close by his side. "... I hurt my hand a little. Sorry."

She raises it demonstratively. The pinky finger is crooked, crossed under the ring finger, and her hand is starting to swell up.

It's probably not reassuring that she calls that a little hurt.

 

Gabriel makes a "hrumph" sound. He noticed it earlier, but it's not looking any better, and he's too unkolwedgable to trust himself to try and fix it.

He gets a medkit instead and activates the chemical ice pack " hold that against your knuckles sweetie" he tells her, tearing open the alcohol wipes.

 

She nods and obeys, holding it gingerly to her hand as she braces for the sting of alcohol.

 

Gabriel is no doctor, nor any nurse. But he knows how to wrap up a cut, how to bandage a scrape, how to disinfect a wound and how to clean blood off your clothes. He does all he can for Elena, and leave the rest to the professionals. One thing he's gotta give the girl: she's tough as nails.

 

She still whimpers softly at the touch of alcohol, but she holds stock still, obeying orders. "... thank you, Mister Wilkins," she says softly, as he finishes up. "... Sorry for getting in trouble and everything."

 

" Sorry" he says when she whimpers. " It ain't your fault, they were looking for a fight, and I'm make sure they know it."