(Repurposed old fic, more to come)

A flutter of books, and a mumbled apology.

Gabriel looks up and smiles to himself as he makes out the familiar curls, and casual hoody. He is back. The man who had stopped into the library a week ago. Who had gone shelf to shelf searching for something. His long fingers had trailed over book spine after book spine, and Gabriel had found himself unable to turn his gaze away from this stranger.

“I’m so sorry,” the stranger mutters in his exquisite English accent, which contains hints of his rich Indian heritage.

“It’s nothing,” murmurs the girl before him, accepting the book that is handed to her by slender graceful hands. He smiles, and Gabriel swallows back the arousal and awe at seeing such a beautiful and genuine look on that dark and gorgeous face.

Gabriel watches him glance past the girl, spot Gabriel, and grin shyly.

The girl then hurries away, pausing to glance back; dark curls and exquisite features clearly holding her fleeting attention.

Then the stranger approaches Gabriel, running fingers through his hair nervously, and glancing after the retreating girl in embarrassment.

“I gave her quite a scare, I think,” he chuckles.

“She’ll live,” Gabriel says, a reassuring grin on his face.

“You were here last week, weren’t you?” the stranger asks.

“Yep. I’m here every weeknight,” Gabriel explains, “I’ve never missed a day. I’m quite the night owl.”

“Well, that would make two of us. I was wondering if you could check my account,” he says, “I can’t remember how many books I can check out.”

“Can I get your name?” Gabriel asks, feeling a thrill at having a valid reason to ask for this detail, to learn more about this man.

“Ravi Patel. P-a-t-e-l,” he says.

“Ravi. That’s a nice name,” Gabriel says, typing it into the computer. “You have one book checked out. Evolutionary Imperatives and the New Paths of Existence.”

Ravi taps his fingers nervously on the counter.

Gabriel notices the author’s name, raising an eyebrow, and glancing up at Ravi.

“That book is written by another Patel. What a coincidence,” Gabriel says.

“Well, there are a great number of Patels in the world, but in this case, not a coincidence,” Ravi mutters, “it’s my father’s book. I lost my copy, and had to check it out…for my research.”

“Are you a geneticist?” Gabriel asks, noting the subject tags of the book. 

“Yes. Like father, like son,” Ravi says, scoffing gently.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“No, not bad. Just not what I imagined doing with my life,” Ravi explains, “and sometimes my father’s theories frighten me. Who in their right mind would believe that people can evolve to the point of having superpowers? Spontaneous cellular regeneration…and flying?”

“You’d be surprised,” Gabriel grins.

Ravi chuckles.

“So, does this mean I have nine books left to check out?” he asks.

“Yes, it does,” Gabriel nods, “hope that’s enough for your research.”

“I’ll make do. After all, the library is open all night, which should leave me plenty of time,” Ravi points out.

Ravi nods vaguely, tapping the counter once before turning away and heading toward the bookshelves. Gabriel watches him leave; watches the way his fingers trail up to scratch absently at his long smooth neck.

Exquisite features. Timeless. Perfect.