Gabriel gave him a warm smile and used his fingers to gently push the tears away. However, he didn't ask him to stop crying. No, Dal needed these tears and he needed to know that it was alright to cry. It was safe with him. There was no need to hide from him. Emotionally or physically. Because Gabriel refused to ever cross the line with Dal on any level.

"Would you like me to move to the bed so you can try sleeping again? It might be easier if I'm closer."

It would necessarily chase the nightmares away entirely but it would create a safer environment for Dal which mattered more until those nightmares could go away.