Dal blinks when Gabriel begins to undress to join in the bath. It's not something he expects at all. Please forgive him when his wide eyes linger a little to long, drinking in the sight of him. Oh, sure, he saw Gabriel shirtless that one time before... But completely naked?

For a second his heart races. This is someone Dal wants to see this way. This is someone whose body he enjoys feeling pressed tight against his own. Every night the curled up together to sleep couldn't prepare Dal for the barrage of feelings washing over him now as Gabriel pulls him into those strong arms. Oh, Gabriel's held him before, but it's never been like this. And Dal isn't one to think twice about nudity, but something about being skin-to-skin with Gabriel just feels... good. Right.

Dal turns his head when Gabriel encourages it, meeting his eyes again. What he says stuns Dal. It takes a moment for them to sink in. All he's ever wanted, deep down inside, was for someone to love him. To really love him. His vision wobbles and it takes Dal a second to realize tears are welling in his eyes. Suddenly he squirms in Gabriel's embrace, moving until he's sitting on his knees facing the man and throwing his arms around his shoulders.