Page 78 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Gabriel sighs, looking dejected and sad and nothing like the man who just a minute ago was kissing Ellis like it was their last night on earth.

“You’re not seeing things.” He gnaws his bottom lip, which is already slightly swollen, and his face sets with determination. He stands up, holding out a hand. “Walk with me?”

“What about…” Ellis gestures at the set-up.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pack up later.”

“Okay.” He hopes no one will steal the cinnamon rolls.

Taking the offered hand, Ellis lets himself be pulled to his feet. It’s the most natural thing to intertwine their fingers—they fit together perfectly. Gabriel’s hand is warm and almost the same size as his, only a little calloused, which is a strange feeling but kind of awesome. His grip is strong in just the right way. Out of nowhere, Ellis gets the visual of Gabriel kneading the dough for pastries, and his body warms. Why does such an innocent thing suddenly feels all kinds of dirty?

Clearly, holding hands is such a groundbreaking moment that Ellis has completely forgotten what they wanted to talk about.

“So, you’ve probably noticed there’s something weird about me?” Gabriel starts as they walk along the beach.

“You’ll have to be more specific than that,” Ellis replies, trying to sound as deadpan as possible.

Gabriel gives him the stink eye, bumping their hips together. “Rude.”

“I like it,” Ellis feels compelled to reassure him. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

Giving Ellis’ hand a squeeze, Gabriel takes a deep breath. “I’m not a mind-reader, to answer your question. I…feelthings.”

“What things?” Ellis asks when Gabriel doesn’t elaborate.

“Emotions. Feelings.” He glances at Ellis. “Other people’s.”

“You’re an empath,” Ellis says, earning a curious look. “I figured. I’ve met people who’re more sensitive.” Although the people he’s met were mostly quiet and withdrawn, not energetic hamsters.

“Yeah, that’s…” Gabriel gives a nervous laugh. “It’s a little like that, but more. Way more.” His palm is a little damp now. “I feel other people’s emotions as if they were my own. On a visceral level. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between which are mine and which aren’t.”

“That sounds rough. I can barely handle my own emotions.” It’s meant as a joke, except it’s the truth.

“I’ve gotten used to it. But it also works the other way around.” Gabriel brings them to a stop and turns to face Ellis,never letting go of his hand. “This is where it gets weird. Um…metaphysically speaking, my energy is quite…potent. It affects other people as well, when they’re close by. Some of it, I can control. If I really put my mind to it, I can change someone’s mood with a touch. I can take pain away. For a short while, at least. I don’t do it often. Consent issues and all that. Also, I always feel dizzy afterwards.”

Oh-kay, that’s…that’s a little over the top. Ellis can get behind the idea of someone being an empath and getting influenced by other people’s moods, but manipulating their emotions? Making them feel a specific way? That sounds like some magical bullshit.

Except…

Isn’t that what’s been happening to Ellis ever since he stepped into the café for the first time? He remembers the day vividly. How upset and fed up he was with everything. How every little thing threatened to snap the last thread on his patience. How hedidsnap and rained all his shit on Gabriel. And how instead of fighting back, Gabriel just…took it. He stood there and looked at Ellis like he was seeing something no one else could, and instead of trying to get rid of Ellis as fast as possible, he was…kind. Understanding when any other person would’ve—should’ve—told him to go to hell.

He remembers leaving the café confused as fuck, practically shaking with it. He remembers taking the first sip of the coffee Gabriel had made and almost crying with the relief that had overtaken his whole body. He remembers being unable to explain away what had happened.

And it didn’t stop there.

“Have you ever done it to me?”

Gabriel winces. “Somewhat? When you first came to the café—”

“I was a dick.”

“You were angry and irritated,” Gabriel corrects, his voice brooking no argument. “One didn’t need to be an empath to see that. But that was only superficial. Underneath it all, you were tired and lonely. Felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.” His thumb strokes the back of Ellis’ hand. “I wanted to make it better.”

“You did,” Ellis croaks out. He wouldn’t know where to start if he wanted to name all the ways Gabriel has made him feel better. With a raspy chuckle, he adds, “The coffee was really good.”

“I may have added something special to it,” Gabriel admits quietly. “You know how I said I can influence people’s emotions by focusing hard enough? I can do that to inanimate objects too.”

“You spiked my coffee?”