bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

His gaze softened as he heard those words. He could reject them for the sake of the case but the fact was that he wanted to be with Dal when this was done. For that reason, he moved around the table to go sit on the floor with him. Taking his hands in his, he smiled warmly at him.

"What do you want to know?"

Oh, they're doing this right now? Dal wasn't prepared!

"Um... How old? Birthday? Blood type?"

That made him chuckle a little. But, he made himself comfortable so that way he could sit there to answer him.

"I'm thirty-two. My birthday is September 25th. My blood type is AB."

“Pets? Favorite color? Kinda music ya like? Um…” Dal looked off to the middle distance as he thought. “Somewhere you wanna go?”

Gabriel smiled more but kept going. "None yet. Blue. I tend to like instrumental things the most for music. And, I'd like to take you to Mexico sometime," he finished off with a grin.

That made Dal’s lips bow slightly. His eyes dropped and his voice was more subdued. “I can’t. No passport.”

Gabriel shook his head then. "Yet. No passport yet. I'll help you fix that in the future."

His eyes go wide once again. It’s still so surprising to hear that Gabriel wants to help him with those things. At length, he squeezed Gabriel’s hands and nodded. Yes, he would accept his help and, someday, they would go to Mexico together.

“Gabriel… do ya mind, I mean, when we’re together…. Will ya be upset if I don’t wanna sleep together right away?”

The question was one he understood and he smiled at him. No hesitation came before he shook his head. "No. You let me know when you're ready. I'll wait as long as you want me to. You are worth that, Dal."

Gabriel probably understood better than most that Dal didn’t exactly enjoy his personal experiences with sex. Has he learned a lot about it in the last eight year? Absolutely. He’s never actually slept with someone out of affection, not once. And maybe he was a little scared that it wouldn’t be any different if… when he finally did.

Dal went quiet a moment, then flashed Gabriel a smile. “Twenty-three. November 26th. Type B. Favorite color also blue. No pets. I wanna see the Louvre one day.”

"So we have two trips to take after we get your paperwork in order. Mexico and the Louvre."

Gabriel smiled brightly at him and then laughed a bit. He liked that he could envision a future with him. Already he was sure that his mother would love him but that was a matter for after the trial was done. Right now it was just nice to sit here and talk like this. To not have to try to be anything other than who they were.

"Have you ever wanted to have pets?"

Dal pressed his lips together to keep his smile in check. At Gabriel's question, he bobbed his head in a few little nods. "I wasn't allowed. My parents didn't want 'em." But Dal always dreamed of having some small pet, some kind of mammal that would be warm and cuddly.

He sat there a moment before holding up his hand to gesture for Gabriel to wait. He got up and skittered over to his things for his notebook. When he came back, he flopped down beside Gabriel and started flipping through the pages. Face after face moved by, some drawings of that diner he spends his time in and the people who work there, too. Then he found what he was looking for: a drawing of a sugar glider. He didn't know what they were called in English.

"This."

Gabriel watched Dal go to the notebook. Scooting closer so he could look, he watched all the faces go by and knew for sure he had to get this young man out in the art world. He belonged there. He could see all of that in every detail that flashed by. But then the drawings stopped moving and he was able to see the right one. And he smiled.

"These are called sugar gliders. And I think that would be a wonderful pet for you to have." And Dal would be able to have them since they were legal outside the five boroughs in New York.

"Sugar gliders," he repeats, carefully sounding out the words. It's not terribly far from how to say it Korean, but he still struggles with getting the R and L sounds correct in English. Flipping to the next page, the little animals covered it in different poses and postures.

"I wanna get two so they don't get lonely."

"It isn't legal to have them here but if you were to come live with me then it would be there."

Since he lived outside of the boroughs it would be easy for him to make sure that Dal got to have this. And so much more as time went on too. They would really be able to help him live his every dream if Gabriel had any say in it. Which he knew that he'd like to just to see Dal be happy.

"Also I think two is a wonderful idea."

Oh. Dal looked up from the page, blinking. Did he just offer...?

"... live with you?" He heard that correctly, right? Oh, he hoped he did because Dal couldn't stop the grin spreading over his face. Those dark eyes lit up and he nodded eagerly as if he was being asked, not having it gently suggested.

"I wanna."

Gabriel gave him the warmest look when he saw Dal realize what he'd said. He nodded and smiled a little wider. "Yes. Live with me. If you really want to then you would be welcome to. I have another bedroom we can make yours until you feel comfortable enough for us to spend nights together."

Technically they already had but that wasn't the point in this moment.

Ah, what a nice thought! If Gabriel lived outside of the city, he probably has a house... with a yard! Dal's never had that, not even in Korea. His parents lived in a highrise condo in the city. But a yard should have flowers, for sure! Maybe he could learn to garden.

He felt his cheeks grow warmer and Dal pressed his lips together, looking down. "I like sleepin' next to you."

Gabriel knew in that moment he couldn't resist this bit of affection. Reaching out, he cupped Dal's chin gently to encourage him to look at him. Leaning forward just a little bit, he smiled at him and nodded.

"Then you are always welcome in my room until you are ready for it to be ours. I promise."

Looking up, he met Gabriel's eyes with such warmth. For the first time in a long time dal felt like... Well, like there was something to look forward to. Something to work toward and hope for. The dream of a life better than merely existing, one where he can be safe and happy and at Gabriel's side.

"Thank you." For not wanting to rush. For offering Dal everything he once dreamed of. For just being himself.

"You don't have to thank me. When I see you smile? That is thank you enough for me."

Gabriel then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Dal's forehead. The most he could afford to risk at the moment. For both their sakes and the sake of the case. Then he sat back to smile at him again.

"When I have a chance I'll get everything ready so you'll be able to have a warm and safe home to go to."

He dips his head slightly when Gabriel moves in close. He knows what's coming and he takes those fleeting seconds to savor the press of Gabriel's lips against his skin. His eyes fall closed and a soft little hum escapes him. Would he like a proper kiss? Oh, for sure. Is he going to press for it now? Absolutely not.

"I'll work hard til then." Because it doesn't sit right with him to expect Gabriel to support him completely. If he can manage to save up some money, maybe he could find a more legal-ish job outside of the city. Or he can work around Gabriel's house to earn his keep. The thought that Gabriel would want to take care of him like that never crosses his mind.

"Just take care of yourself until then. It will make me very happy to take care of you."

He brushed a thumb over his cheek and then finally sat back to lower his hands. Dal was really such a beautiful man. He felt lucky that Dal would want him at all. Gently, he stroked tucked a strand of that silvery blue hair back then nodded to the food. "Let's finish eating."

Gabriel might already realize it, but Dal feels much the same about him. He really is exactly the sort of man Dal used to dream of before the thought of a partner became unrealistic. Kind, warm, caring, and handsome on top of all that! It makes him wonder how Gabriel's able to endure the horrible things he must see and hear about every day in the course of his job. Dal couldn't do it, even knowing he's ultimately helping. That only makes him admire Gabriel more.

Closing his sketchbook, Dal sets it aside so they can return to the table and finish their meal before it gets too much colder. Once they were done, Dal helped to box up what was left and stow it in the minifridge in case either of them got hungry later. That's when he finally asks, "How long can I stay?" With Gabriel, he means.

"As long as you want to."

The days that followed were long and tiring with the defense trying so hard to prove their client innocent while knowing they stood no chance. After all, law enforcement had caught him in the act. Not only the police but the FBI as well. Getting him off the hook for this one? It was going to take a miracle that was never coming.

When the sentencing came about, Gabriel made sure that Dal knew about it. He had a right to. And then he met up with him after and swore he'd go get the house ready for him. That he wouldn't keep him waiting long.

What he didn't expect was a late night call from Dal. Before he even answered the phone he was already grabbing his keys and glasses as well as stepping into his shoes as he headed for his car. "Dal? Dal, what's wrong?"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject