A small group of children slipped between the two, drowning out Norah's words with their laughs and yells. Gabriele quickly side-stepped, avoiding getting barreled into and rolled his eyes. "Get back home, you lot! It's late!" He called after them, the kids turning to wave at him.

He turned to Norah a moment later, a puzzled look crossing his face, "what were you saying? I'm sorry."

A sigh of relief left her lips as the kids ran by, distracting Gabriele and effectively changing the subject. She was glad for this. "Nothing, it wasn't important." She said, giving him a warm smile.

He shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets as they walked, the gentle brisk breeze rushing past them, rustling loose leaves and sending them dancing into the night sky. Norah pulled his jacket tight, the comfort washing over her as she breathed in his scent, relaxing in the warm smokey embers. Their silence wasn't an uncomfortable one, in fact, it was quite comfortable as the two had spent all day together, chattering and laughing away like the world around them didn't exist anymore. They were the only two left in it.

They were slowly making their way back to La Stella D'oro, their footsteps quiet as they walked along the path, the locals busy inside their homes and businesses, the smell of food wafting into the air as dinner time fell upon them. Gabriele looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath of the air into his lungs and holding it for a moment before he released it slowly through his nose, his gaze falling back to Earth.

Norah's gaze followed his, looking up at the sky with a sort of wonder and awe. Even with the lack of stars, the

sky was a beautiful thing. She had never seen the stars, or the sky, or even the world in this way before, with a sense of freedom, with a sense of love. The world around her had been terrifying for as long as she could remember, and now it just looked beautiful. So full of passion.

Their steps eventually led them back to La Stella D'oro and Gabriele stopped, turning to Norah, a soft grin plastered across his face. Did he ever not have that grin? "Alright, the car's out back in the alley," he said, pointing with his thumb behind him before he started to make his way around to it.

Norah followed him, quite happily, her thoughts now happy and peaceful, almost blissful. It was a nice change from the dark, gloomy ones that had plagued her earlier before. As they rounded the corner, a light came on above them, lighting the alley up brightly. In front of them was a posh, black car, clearly well taken care of. Gabriele had walked to the passenger side, holding the door open for her, his charming grin wide across his face. That grin followed him everywhere.

She slipped into the comfortable, sleek seat, sinking into it slightly. A moment later and Gabriele was sliding into his seat and she couldn't help the grin that graced her lips. "You know, I wasn't expecting you entirely as the super posh kinda car guy." She teased, running her hand over the dash.

He rolled his eyes, "I come from a rich family, it is actually expected from me, contrary to your beliefs." He shrugged, starting the car.

"Rich, huh? Explains the pub."

He chuckled again, shaking his head as he pulled out of the alley and began the drive into the bustling city. "I come from a well-known family. My father is a very well-respected man." He said, keeping his eyes on the road, though he could feel Norah watching him.

"He's a businessman, or rather, used to be one. He's retired now." He said, the hurt coming back for a moment, his hands gripping the steering wheel all too tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Anyways, what do you feel like eating?"

A frown crossed her lips and she bit the inside of her cheek at Gabriele's abrupt change of subject. She figured his father was a sore spot and something she shouldn't be poking right now. She sighed quietly as she thought, "Chinese sounds amazing right now, what about you?"

"Chinese sounds perfect." His voice had it's usual chipper tune to it once more, a small smile crossing his lips. "I'm sorry if I got a bit gloomy." He glanced over at her for a moment.

"Nah, it's fine. Everyone has their sore spots." She said, giving him a warm smile before she looked down at her hands, picking at her fingers. She knew sore spots all too well.

She was curious about the story between Gabriele and his father. There seemed to be something more than just a simple retirement going on behind the scenes. She didn't peg him for the type of man who had a bad relationship with his father. If anything it seemed like he was taking after the man in a way or two.

Gabriele was a kind, gentle, thoughtful man. Even in the short amount of time that Norah had known him, she had never seen anything but this happy, cheerful man who was living life to it's fullest. Of course, everyone had their own secrets and skeletons in their closet as thoughts of that strange man who had visited him returned and she pursed her lips at the thought of it.

Gabriele snorted a little, "I don't know if I would call it a sore spot." His words brought her out of her thoughts as she turned to look at him, a small, tired smile pressed across his lips as he glanced over.

The car fell silent as he returned his gaze to the lit street ahead of them, people weaving between the cars at stop lights. His hands loosened their grip upon the wheel slightly as his shoulders dropped, his thoughts lingering on his father. It was a complicated, nasty mess.

He rounded the corner, driving for a few more moments in silence before he pulled into a parking lot on the corner of the street. New York was in a constant state of business, people going to and from work, people just trying to make ends meet. The sidewalks were crowded with an assortment of people from all different walks of life, just trying to do the best they could like anyone else. He shut the car down and opened the door, soon going over to Norah's and opening it for her as well.

The silence seemed different from normal to Norah, it wasn't awkward or comfortable like it had been. It was odd to see Gabriele like this, almost vulnerable, worried. He had this tough guy act that he always showed like he knew how to take care of any and all problems presented to him. And he probably did. He was a family man, someone you could rely on and find comfort in. It didn't take much for Norah herself to turn to this man who she had only known for a short, short while. He was dependable.

Norah was brought from her thoughts as the loud clunk of the car door was pulled open, and soon a hand was lowered down, followed by Gabriele's soft, gentle face. He was a master at hiding his emotions, that grin plastered across his lips, that laugh of his always booming from his chest. Warmth embraced her as she looked up into those big, comforting, brown eyes of his.

She couldn't help the smile on her face, "you're such a gentleman," she said, half in a tease as her hand slipped into his. It was rough, calloused, but also warm and comforting. The flutter in her chest only grew as Gabriele helped her out of the car.

Gabriele rolled his eyes, "I wasn't raised in a barn, you know."

"Hm, sure about that?" She joked, a grin crossing her lips as she patted him on the shoulder, her hand slipping from his.

He sighed, hanging his head for a moment before looking up at her again, cocking an eyebrow. "I don't know what I agreed to put up with you."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, but I'm glad you do." She half-sang, her grin growing into a wide smile as she began her walk down the sidewalk. "So, where are you taking me?"

He chuckled again, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he followed Norah, "to the best Chinese place I know in this blasted city." He joked, weaving his way through the sea of people and finding his place beside her.

The city around them came to life, people getting on with their lives, the bright neon lights above them illuminating the space around. Was it ever truly night here? Music played from somewhere, or from multiple somewheres, some loud, some gentle. All different in their own ways. The smell of food filled the air, the many different cultures and places around swirling and mixing with each other and Gabriele took a lung full of that air into his lungs, holding it for a moment before releasing it slowly. His stomach growled loudly and he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him as Norah gave him a sideward glance.

"Can you blame me?" He teased, nudging her in the side with his elbow gently.

She laughed, shaking her head, those wild black curls of hers falling into her face as she brushed them back. Before she had time to respond, her own stomach betrayed her and growled loudly, causing the two to laugh even harder. "I guess I have no excuses now." She said a grin spread across her lips.

Gabriele couldn't help the smile that seemed to have permanently planted itself upon his face. He couldn't remember the last time he had just let himself be... well, himself. He very rarely took the time to just have fun and relax. If he wasn't working on one thing, it was another and he felt constantly rushed and under pressure. He was used to this life though, it was one he enjoyed even if it was tiring. He was happy for the little moments he got with Norah and felt comfortable around her, almost like he didn't have to hide who he was, or how he acted. He just hoped that Norah felt the same about him. It was crazy to think that they had only known each other since the other day.

It was all hard to explain, a confusing whirl of emotions and feelings.

As they walked, Gabriele bean to recognize the area they were in and quietly cursed to himself as he muttered under his breath. He was thankful for the noisy surroundings keeping Norah distracted as his steps grew slower, heavier. How had he ended up here without thinking? If he had been thinking, he would have remembered to take the other route to China Town, to avoid this particular area like it was the plague. But it was too late now, and he may as well face his demons.

Norah took a glance to Gabriele, noticing he wasn't beside her anymore and turned to look for him. He wasn't hard to spot in the dying out crowd, he was tall and his bright colored clothes gave him away easily. The crowd had been thinning out now that they were more out on the outskirts of town, the neon lights dying out and the loud music that once played now sounded more like a time much forgotten, reminding her of Little Italia.

"Gabe?"