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[thewarningafter]

@beyonce

You've reached Dr. Stephen Strange. Leave a message and my secretary will get back to you.

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[thewarningafter]

[It kind of does matter, Gabriel; Stephen is a neurosurgeon and Rhys is...very much not. He doesn't say it out loud, but the look on Stephen's face no doubt speaks volumes.

His expression unfolds into something like disbelief. A flash of jealousy, maybe, before it finally shifts into understanding.]

You never told me.

[termineur]

[ Gabriel narrows his eyes slightly, but doesn't comment on the look Stephen's giving him. He'd rather not have that sort of thing out. It's not worth it.

He instead gives Stephen some time to react to all of that, and then stares down at his hands. ]

I never told anyone. I'm still not sure what there is to tell. He's not fully human, not usually. And I was helping him understand that, and he was helping me figure my own self out. But I-

[ Tears start to gloss over his eyes. He doesn't let them fall. ]

I don't know when it happened, but it's more than that now. Too late to really analyze it, honestly. I just- don't want either of you to have to be alone, right now.

[thewarningafter]

We won't be.

[However he feels about Rhys--however confused his feelings about Rhys at this point--he can do this for Gabriel. Let him die, let them all die knowing that at least they weren't alone.]

I'll...look after him.

[Whatever that means. However welcome or unwelcome it is.]

[termineur]

Thank you.

[ It doesn't feel like enough, to say that, but it's what he's got. Ever since Hiro had him do that favor and compensated him by informing him he dies alone, unmourned, it's been stuck in his mind. He hadn't believed it at first- now, he's just happy he might beat the prophecy.

Especially now that he can't stand thinking about the same thing happening to his friends. ]

...I should get back in there, bang my head against some doors, see if there's anything we missed. But I... [ It almost feels like a last goodbye, leaving it at this. ] If you could use the distraction, we could talk while you walk. I always love hearing about your world's magic.

[thewarningafter]

I always love talking about it.

[Himself. He likes talking about himself. And maybe now there'll be someone to remember him.]

I'll call you again when we're on the move. I can even let Rhys listen in.

[termineur]

Yeah.

[ His smile is genuine, even if he looks about halfway to crying. It's better than he'd been at the start of the call. The emotions are still here, at least. ]

I'd like that. I'll talk to you later, Stephen. Safe travels.

[ And with that, he reluctantly hangs up. ]