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Gabriel wasn't stupid, contrary to what he knew was popular belief. It never bothered him that the others never saw his potential. If anything, he savored what peace it gave him. He got to slip away into Granny's apartment to play with her cats, he often was allowed to enjoy activities in solitude where the others might argue, and he seldom was the target of Waru's pranks.
Waru thought Gabriel didn't understand when he was being pranked. Gabriel understood and accepted that fact. He was content to sit on the sidelines and watch as Waru set up his schemes, thinking up all manner of questions to ask: Why green? Why choose someone over another? Why did he decide on this plot? Why, why, why?
Some of his questions were answered the night they'd gotten their revenge on Waru. Gabriel really had no reason to join in on their quest for vengeance, but Waru had disturbed the peace on several occasions, and if he really was going to ruin their game board before he could see who won, why shouldn't he assist? Being the only one not stacked into the "ghost" that appeared before Waru, he got a scenic view of their resident prankster being dethroned. At that moment, Gabriel understood and accepted another fact. It left a bittersweet taste on his tongue.
And honestly? Gabriel liked it.
Now seemed as good a time as any to have the rest of his questions answered, and to taste that bittersweetness once again. He dropped down from the top of Fëdor's bookshelf, where he'd been watching Waru piece together his latest prank. Waru jumped back, almost dropping a key component and ruining it. Gabriel replied to Waru's shocked expression with a smile of his own.
"Hi… Gabriel…" Waru stammered, "How, uh… How long have you been watching me?"
"How long have you been working on this?"
Waru seemed to understand, expression growing grim. "Are you going to tell anyone?"
"Do I have a reason to?"
"Then what are you doing here?"
Gabriel took a couple steps closer, scanning the objects chosen for Waru's prank in rapture. "Why?"
Waru gulped. "What do you mean?"
Gabriel gestured to Waru and his various odd possessions. "Why?"
Waru stared at Gabriel with his brow knit. After a long pause, he heaved a sigh. "Fine. I'm planning on trying a net trap."
"Why?"
"Because I never tried it before, and it's a classic trap. It's in every cartoon."
"Why?"
"Well, it's pretty difficult to set up," Waru admitted.
"Why?"
"Because it's got this whole pulley system you have to set up, and you have to weave the net together right," Waru explained, "Kuromaku's not going to help me, and websites where they just write and write and write don't help me, either. I think I watched an entire day of videos."
"Why?"
Waru stammered, his face turning red. "You know why!"
"Why?"
"Knock it off!" Waru snapped at him, "I just want to get this set up on the couch."
"Why?"
"To trap the next sorry loser who wants to watch tv," Waru huffed. He added under his breath, "Hopefully, Felix."
"Why?"
"He's annoying, and he's always mad at me," Waru growled, wrinkling his nose.
"Why?"
"Because he's a jerk!"
"Why?"
"I don't know why!" Waru pouted, "Ask him!"
"Why?"
"I'm not a Felix expert, that's why!"
A small smile appeared on Gabriel's face. "Why?"
"Stop!"
"Why?" His smile grew wider.
"Stop it! Shut up!"
"Why?" And wider.
"The real question is: why are you doing this to me?" Waru exclaimed.
What Gabriel wore now couldn't be described as a grin, but it was his equivalent. A still-small smile, playful and victorious, displayed itself proudly, as wide as it ever stretched. He cocked his head to the side, and the twinkle in his eyes could only be described as mischievous. "Why?"
Waru opened his mouth to scream, furious, but stopped short of jabbing Gabriel with an accusatory finger. Realization dawned on his face. His eyebrows both rose as his eyes widened behind his glasses. Whatever he was going to say was lost, replaced with a quiet, "Oh my God."
Gabriel giggled. Despite it being a quiet sound that could've easily been lost in the room, Gabriel squished both of his hands against his lips.
Waru stared at him. His jaw dropped in disbelief. After a few seconds, during which Gabriel could feel his eyes scanning him up and down, his loud expression settled into something quieter. It wasn't acceptance, but it wasn't denial either. Waru adjusted his glasses, as if that might change what he'd seen. He poked at his ears, as if that might change what he'd heard.
When it was still Gabriel in front of him, with mischief in his eyes and a flurry of giggles overflowing from his mouth in spite of his best efforts to keep them inside, Waru could only repeat in a whisper, "Oh my God."
With his potential revealed, Gabriel could finally will himself to stop laughing. He was an accomplice, rival, and confidant all at once, each waiting to be chosen. Of course, Waru could keep him as simply Gabriel, and that would be fine too. It was just another silent question to be answered, understood, and accepted. Gabriel didn't mind, as long as the bittersweet taste remained on his tongue.
"Wanna know a secret?" Gabriel asked.
Waru nodded. Gabriel knew that Waru didn't need to be told. He already knew.