bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

There's nothing unusual happening in the background: cars driving by, snippets of conversations as people pass by. It's not so late that the streets are empty, less busy than peak working hours, but there are still people around.

Dal leans back against the window behind him and closes his eyes, sighing heavily. Gabriel's talking, wants him to keep talking. It's difficult when he feels so tired. It's like everything feels heavy, even thoughts.

"Flowers," he finally answers. A few apartments on his block have flower boxes and now that spring's arrived, their plants have bloomed. "Neighbors have flowers." Wait, was that English? No, probably not so he repeated himself just in case.

"Flowers are beautiful. What colors are the flowers?" He kept his tone calm, even as he encouraged Dal to keep talking with him. It likely wasn't easy but this was something they needed to do in order to ensure that they'd get him to safety. That Gabriel could ensure this.

What colors? He would show Gabriel at some point. If they go back to his apartment, Dal's sketchbook is there and he can show him. They're so beautiful, bright pop of color against the dull bricks.

"Yellow, pink, uh," He furrows his brow a little. "Blue but not blue." Purple is the word he's looking for. "So pretty."

Blue but not blue... "Are they purple, Dal?"

Anything to keep him talking as he kept rushing. He was getting closer and closer, disobeying all traffic laws in the process and grateful that there were fewer people out this late at night. New York City might be the place that never sleeps but that didn't mean everyone was out all the time.

"Would you like to grow flowers at the house with me?"

He snaps his free hand and nods even though Gabriel can't see it. "Yeah, yeah, that's it -- purple!"

Dal smiles to himself, but it's probably audible in his voice. Listening to Gabriel helps him relax despite the people milling about and being in an unfamiliar place.

"Very much," he drawled happily. He's never so much as had a plant before, so he's not sure he'd be any good at it, but he could learn, right? Plenty of people grow plants. And he's already imagined a flower garden in Gabriel's yard... which he's never even laid eyes on.

"We'll turn the front of the house into a beautiful flower garden. How does that sound?"

Probably the backyard too. And make sure to have enclosures and play areas for sugar gliders if it was safe for that outside. He'd do the research to be absolutely sure, of course. "Do you have a favorite flower?"

Dal sighed on his end of the call, already having hazy visions of a house he's never seen with a garden in the front yard. "Wonderful," he breathed out, already so happy for this thing that hasn't even happened yet.

Favorite flower? There's only a brief pause before he spits out his answer gleefully. "Pityunia." And thankfully that sounds similar enough to its English equivalent petunia to be recognizable. "'specially the not-blue blue ones. Do you?"

"I don't know much about flowers. But I'm fond of roses because they're my mother's favorite."

Alright, he was in the right part of town now thanks to speeding. He looked around and slowed the car so he could make sure that he wasn't driving past him at a time when Dal really needed him the most. "I'm getting close now. Stay with me, alright? You can have a good nap once I get you in the car."

Oh, a nap sounded so nice! Yes, he'll probably nod off due to the steady motion of the car. But right now he's focused on flowers.

"Does she grow roses?" He would love to grow roses with her. That would be... just so nice! 'So nice' is apparently the furthest his mind can go right now.

"Are ya close? I miss seein' ya."

"She has roses she grows at her place. She'd love to show you how to grow them."

Adjusting his glasses, he kept looking around until he spotted the familiar things that Dal had mentioned to him. And that was when he saw a figure sitting against a wall. Gasping, he pulled the car over and Gabriel was out of the car immediately.

"Dal. Dal, I'm here." Pulling his coat off, he put it around him before gathering him into his arms to carry him to the car. "I have you. You're safe now..."

Those dark eyes blinked as Gabriel approached. They were bleary when they peered up at him, so much so that passersby might have thought he was drunk. But there's also a moment of confusion that shows on his features as he looks from Gabriel to his phone then back to Gabriel.

It's easy for the agent to gather him up from where he was sitting. Dal's borderline boneless and certainly lacking any strength or even will to resist. What Gabriel might notice that Dal hasn't is the angry bruising around his wrists that's easy to see when Dal reaches out for him.

"You're not in my phone anymore."

He noticed the bruises but decided to reserve being angry at whoever hurt him and drugged him later. For now he just got him into his car and buckled in. Smiling at him, he fixed his hair then pressed a kiss to his hair. "That's right. I'm here. Get some sleep and I'll take you home."

Not to Dal's place though. No, to his real home. Closing the door he made his way over to the driver's side and got himself buckled in to start the drive back. Now that the emergency had passed, he was able to actually obey the laws this time. Partially so he could hopefully let the other sleep off the drug a bit.

Dal smiled, and though it was so very tired, it was also so very happy. He really was glad to see Gabriel. So much so that he didn't tear his eyes away while Gabriel settled him in the car. They followed him through the windshield as he walked to the driver's side and got himself buckled in. Only once Gabriel was pulling back onto the road did Dal let out a little sigh and let his head roll back against the headrest.

A bunch of things floated through his mind at the mention of home, which he, of course, thought of as his little room above the Chinese restaurant. That's where his things were. Ah, but the thought of curling up in his own bed seemed divine. A shower, too, in that tiny shower stall. Maybe he'll be lucky enough to have enough hot water for the sort of shower that steams up the whole apartment! But sleep first. He was too tired to stand up and wash.

"Mmkay. Wake me up when we're there."

"I will."

But first he stopped by Dal's apartment so he could go inside and gather up his things. He had to fish around Dal's clothes carefully to get his keys but soon he had all the items in the back of his car. Clothes, makeup, toiletries, sketchbook... Basically everything that looked like it didn't belong there.

Then he made his way back to his place, glancing over and smiling at Dal sometimes. It was good to see him sleeping peacefully like this. He'd have to take care of those bruises and any others he found but that was an issue for when they got there.

Some time later, he pulled into his driveway and first got all of Dal's things out of his car and into the spare room. Tonight he'd have him sleep in his bed so he could keep an eye on him. But first he went down to gather him into his arms, trying to be careful to not wake him while carrying him into the house. Gabriel kept him tucked in close all the while though, ready to head up the stairs to the bedrooms. But he did pause to see if Dal was still asleep first.

All of his belongings fit perfectly in the duffle bag Gabriel would find there. Four or five changes of clothes, no pajamas, no underwear, a plethora of socks ranging from brand new to terribly worn, no extra shoes. And, of course, his makeup, toiletries, and his sketchbook. There's nothing in the minifridge worth keeping, just a box with some leftovers in it that Dal's honestly forgotten about. There isn't much to gather at all.

Dal doesn't rouse when the car finally stops again. But when he's jostled to be picked up, he makes a soft sound that indicates he may be waking up. He's cognizant enough of what's happening to wrap his arms around Gabriel's shoulders. Notably, he doesn't smell the lingering scent of Chinese food, which prompts him to pry one eye open.

This... definitely isn't anywhere near his apartment. For a second, his heart starts to race and panic edges in around his mind. But, then he remembers he's with Gabriel. That means he's safe. Is this Gabriel's home?

"... where?"

"Home."

He smiled down at him then brought him up the stairs into his room. Gently he set him down on the bed before kneeling before him to help get his clothes off. Dal would need an entirely new wardrobe but they could figure that out later. Right now he just wanted to get him out of these so he could better see the bruises.

"You're safe here. I got all of your things too, I promise."

Home. Gabriel's home, for sure. This was far too nice to be anywhere near where Dal lived. He sat on the bed, wobbled a little, and then took a look around to see what kind of place Gabriel called home.

Oh, but he's getting undressed. Dal helps how he can, sitting up a little off the mattress, lifting his arms over his head. He's a waif of a thing under his clothes. Thin, skinny even, just shy of looking malnourished. The sharp collar bones and faintly visible lines of his ribs only add to that look. There are more bruises to be found, too: wrists, shoulders, something that looks suspiciously like finger impressions around the base of his neck, like someone held down with their weight behind it.

And in his current state of mind, being undressed like that's definitely got him thinking one thing. Even like this, his instinct is to turn it on, going all half-lidded smiles and being oh-so-solicitous in the way Dal drapes his arms over Gabriel's shoulders. The smile on his lips is different than the sort he normally gives to Gabriel, his eyes are distant in a way that has nothing to do with whatever he's been drugged with. It's like the light in them suddenly dimmed.

Gabriel was just setting something aside when he realized something was off. Turning back, he found Dal offering himself to him. That was... That was not at all what he'd meant by this so he took his wrists and gently guided him back so he could put those hands in Dal's lap. Then he gave him a kind smile.

"Not tonight. I want you to tell me when you're ready. When you aren't drugged." Then he went to help him out of his pants too. All of the bruises... He wished he had a way to track down who did this but he knew he didn't.

"Dal, stay here a moment, alright? I'm going to go get a cream for the bruises and something for you to eat," he informed him as he grabbed a blanket to drape over him so Dal wouldn't get too cold while he was waiting for him.

Dal wasn't expecting to be turned down. It was clear by the almost confused look that came over his face. It didn't feel like rejection, though. Tomorrow, when his head's clear, he'll actually be grateful that Gabriel acted as he did. And maybe a little embarrassed of how he himself behaved.

"Oh. Okay." He's not disappointed, just a little surprised. Again, tomorrow, he'd remind himself that sex wasn't what Gabriel wanted from him. Maybe eventually, but it wasn't his primary motivation for being with Dal. Something Dal treasured so deeply. Gabriel's the first person in a very long time who's looked at him like a whole and complete person. Without pity or derision or some strange amalgam of both.

He stood up a moment so Gabriel could finish getting him undressed, a task that revealed a few more tell-tale hand prints on Dal's hips and thighs. Whatever happened, Dal's going to be feeling it for a few days, at least. As Gabriel moved to turn away, Dal reached out to grab hold of his sleeve.

"Can I have a bath?" He wasn't sure he could stand long enough for a shower but... Somewhere in his mind he knew he was filthy and he didn't want to sleep like that. He especially didn't want to sleep next to Gabriel covered in sweat and dried cun and the scent of other men. "Please?"

Gabriel gave him a soft smile and took that hand to bring it up to his lips. Gently, he pressed a kiss there before putting it back in his lap. "Let me go get the other things and then I'll give you a bath. I promise. Will you stay right here for me please?"

He refused to take long at all. Just needed to get his first aid kit and some crackers and water.

Ah, how sweet. A soft smile settles on his face and, after those warm lips press to the back of his hand, Dal holds it close to his chest. He bobs his head in a series of little nods. "I'll stay." He wouldn't go anywhere until Gabriel came back, that's his promise. However long it would take.

He watches Gabriel retreat from the room to get whatever needed getting. It gave him a chance to look around once more. This must be Gabriel's room, which means they're in Gabriel's house. So they were out of the city. How long was he asleep in the car for them to drive this far? Is there a clock? A digital one? If not he could probably dig his phone out of his pocket to check the time.

But all that fades to the background when Gabriel returns. Dal bounces a little in where he sits until he winces. The aches are already starting to set in. That doesn't stop him from beaming at Gabriel when he comes back to the room.

Gabriel was quick to gather every thing he needed. Then he took up all of it and set it on the bedside table for later before smiling at Dal again. Gently pulling the blanket away, he gathered him carefully up into his arms to bring him to the bathroom. Here he had to set him down on the counter while he got the bath started, making sure that the water was warm without being too hot.

As it filled, he went to gather Dal up again to bring him over to settle him into the bath. "There. I'll get you nice and clean before we go to bed. Would you like me to wash your hair too?"

Dal did his best to do his part in getting from the bedroom to the bathroom. That meant wrapping his arms around Gabriel's shoulders and tucking in close against him. He giggled a little when the cool countertop touched his bare bottom and entertained himself by kicking his feet gently. Gabriel was so good to him, from the very start! He sighed a little, looking up at him as he settled into the bathtub. Dal never thought of himself as a lucky person. But maybe he was. He had to be for a man like this to care about him, right? Well, he certainly felt lucky!

"Please." Dal wanted all the sweat gone.

Noting some of the bruises finally, Dal frowned and ran his fingers along the ones darkening on his thighs. It's going to hurt tomorrow, that much he was sure of. Unfortunately, his memory was only hazy, not obliterated.

"They broke the rules," he muttered, more to himself than to Gabriel.

Taking that hand that was touching the bruises, he brought it up to his lips to press a kiss to knuckles again. He couldn't take away the pain but he could give him good care to dull it. They would start with that after the bath. For now he could just distract him and get him all cleaned up. Let him have all the gentle kindness he'd always deserved.

"No one will ever break the rules again. You're safe here with me," he promised him.

With his free hand, Dal counted off his four cardinal rules to himself: no unprotected sex, no drugs, no choking, no bondage. Those were it. At least three were violated, possibly all four. He didn't know for sure, which brought him deep concern. He'll have to deal with that when his head's clear.

After that, if felt harder to look at Gabriel. His sweet, loving man. Yes, his. That's how Dal thought of him. It wasn't that he thought Gabriel wouldn't want him anymore, that's just silly when he's proven time and time again that he didn't take issue with what Dal did for a living. It was more than Dal actually felt dirty after this one. All these marks could take days, weeks to disappear. A persistent reminder that he'd screwed up. WAs he too complacent? How did this even happen?

"I know," he answered, his voice quiet but with unwavering certainty. No one could stop bad things from happening, but a person who cared could always be there to see one through to the other side of it.

"I can't really remember clearly... it's all fuzzy like tryna remember a dream."

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