bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

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."

Turning off the water, Gabriel paused and wondered how to help Dal feel better in this moment. Then he knew what he needed to do. Removing his own clothes, he got into the bath to slip in behind the smaller man, gently guiding him to lean back against him. Arms wrapped around him, he pressed a kiss to his hair as he just held him a moment.

"What was done to you was wrong. I'm sorry I cannot do anything to punish the ones responsible for hurting you. But I need you to know something."

Leaning back, he gently cupped Dal's chin to encourage him to look back at him. "I love you and I care about you. You don't have to face things like this alone anymore. You have me and I will always be there for you. I swear it."

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.

Letting Dal turn, he braced him to make sure he'd be alright. After all he still had all those drugs in him and so many bruises already. He didn't want him to get hurt more. But once he had him supported, he looked up at him then smiled as he felt those arms wrap around him.

Right away he gathered him close and ran his hand along his back to soothe and reassure him. He'd meant every word that he said. Gabriel had had these feelings for awhile now but almost losing Dal that one night weeks ago? That had been what really sealed everything in his mind. He loved this man that he held right now. Loved him with every fiber of his being and he was going to do everything in his power to always protect him and make him happy.

Gently, he kissed the side of his head as he encouraged him to sit on his lap so he wouldn't have to keep kneeling on the hard tub. "I have you. I have you now, Dal."

Dal indulged Gabriel's encouragement to make himself more comfortable. He's never been particularly uncomfortable with nudity, but somehow he suddenly feels a little self-conscious. Maybe because there are real and actual feelings involved? He draped his arms across Gabriel's shoulder -- they seem so much broader than when he's dressed! -- and trailed his fingers lightly along the nape of his neck.

This was the first time he's been in a bath since... No, no, it's okay because he's here with Gabriel.

"Will ya help me wash?"

"Yes. But first, let me know if you need to get out. I know baths are probably hard for you."

Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to his forehead before grabbing the soap and a scrubber. Applying the soap to it, he brought to his skin and gently started to get him clean, always taking extra care around any bruises. The steam was getting to his glasses though so he paused to take them off and set them aside before continuing.

"Do you want me to wash your hair too? I'll want to dry it after if that's the case. I don't want you to get sick."

“It’s okay ‘cause you’re here.” There’s a shyness to the words, to the way his eyes flick down then back again. He trusts Gabriel. Dal knows if he feels panic, Gabriel will be right there to help him out of the bathtub. Everything will be alright, even if he’s afraid, at least he knows he’s safe.

Dal’s eyes fall closed, a quiet sigh slipping from his lips. This is the closest thing he can remember to anyone laying hands on him with genuine care. The scrubber feels nice, too, every swipe of it seeming to chip away at the filthy feeling Dal feels clinging to his skin. Each gentle stroke made all the sweat and semen and memories of rough handling fade.

He opens his eyes when Gabriel pauses, watching him take his glasses off, eyes moving over his features. He doesn’t look very different without them and he wonders how bad Gabriel’s vision might be since he wore them all the time. But his wonderings slide to the back of his mind at the next question. An eager nod and a little smile are the initial answers.

“Please.”

Then something in Dal’s eyes shifts and curiosity comes over his face. His fingers unlace behind Gabriel’s neck so he can trace the man’s features; his cheek, his jaw, the curve of his lips. Dal licks his own and exhales a quiet sigh. He knows it’s not the best time because his mind isn’t clear but…

“Can I kiss you?”

Gabriel paused when he felt Dal move. Watching him, he saw some clarity in those eyes. Even without his glasses he could see it. Smiling, he set aside what he'd been using and brought his hands up to gently cup that beautiful face instead. With his thumbs he gently stroked his cheeks and nodded.

"Yes. Come here."

With that, he encouraged him to come closer, leaning forward so he could gently press his lips to Dal's for their first kiss. If it turned out that the other wouldn't remember this later then he'd just kiss him again. But for now he let the contact linger a bit before pulling back and smiling at him, pushing strands of hair back from his face.

"From now on, you are welcome to kiss me anytime you want to. It's safe for us to be together now."

It doesn’t have to be some heated, deep kiss to be meaningful, not to Dal. He loves the way Gabriel’s hands feel against his face, big and strong and warm and oh-so-gentle. Leaning in to meet him halfway, Dal sighs softly and shivers with delight when their lips meet. It feels like a strike of lightning, prickling his skin. Oh, he hopes to remember this. He hopes so much!

When they part, Dal lifts his eyes shyly, smiling despite a flush of color settling on his cheeks. Ah, just looking Gabriel makes butterflies dance in his chest. He’s so lucky to have this man. His precious, handsome, kind man. Dal’s hand lingers against Gabriel’s cheek and he lets out another contented sigh.

“You’re so wonderful,” he gushes quietly. “’m sure I love you.”

Gabriel chuckled softly and gave him another little kiss. Just a brief one to let Dal know that he would always be getting these little affections as long as he wanted them. Then he cupped his face before reaching to grab a cup that was nearby.

"I love you too. Now close your eyes for me and I'll wash your hair. When we get out I'll dry it for you before we go to bed."

That way he could be absolutely sure that Dal wouldn't get sick on top of having been drugged.

The first time Dal showered after nearly being drowned was tough. Water in his face freaked him out. Getting too much water in his mouth still sends a jolt of panic through him. He has to face away from the shower spray now. So this makes him a little nervous. It shows in the way his shoulders stiffen and how, even though he nods, his fingers twitch and reach out to rest against one of Gabriel's shoulders.

Dark eyes fall closed and Dal sucks in a deep breath.

"Ready."

Gently, he tilted his head back then used his hand to make sure not a drop of water got onto his face. Only his hair was wet. Satisfied, he set the cup aside then got the shampoo so he could massage it in, keeping all his movements obvious and even murmuring what he was doing next so that way Dal would always be aware of what was happening to him.

After rinsing and conditioning, he rinsed one more time then gathered him close to embrace him. "You did so well. Good job, Dal. You're all done and we can get out when you're ready."

It was so relaxing. Dal’s lucky he didn’t fall asleep right then and there. With Gabriel’s hands in his hair, his soothing voice, and, of course, the drugs in his system, it was nothing short of miraculous that Dal was still conscious at all!

A quiet sigh slipped from his lips when Gabriel pulled him close. And Dal simply folded into him. He rested his head against the man’s shoulder, lifting a hand to lay on his chest, just above where his heart beat. Was this the first time they’ve been skin-to-skin? Dal’s pretty sure it was. It was comfortable and made him anxious at the same time. This wasn’t someone paying for him… This was someone who actually cared about him and that alone made Dal uncertain how he should behave.

“I’m ready,” he murmured, voice thick with sleep. But then Dal pulled back, peering at Gabriel through tired, half-lidded eyes. “You’re gonna stay with me, right? You’ll sleep next to me?”

He gave Dal the kindest of smiles and nodded before taking his head between his hands to pull him forward to kiss his forehead. "I'll be with you the whole night. I promise."

With that, he gathered him up so he could get them out of the bath, letting it drain behind them. Drying them both off with a towel, he brought Dal to the other room with a hair dryer then sat behind him so he could get his hair dried properly. He knew that the other was tired and needed sleep but he refused to let him get sick from having wet hair in bed.

Once the hair was dry he got himself dressed before helping Dal do the same and then tucked him into bed before getting in with him. Pulling him in close, he kissed the top of his head.

"Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

Those smiles were so nice. The way Gabriel looked at him was always so nice. Even in a state like this, Dal appreciated those things. The warmth, the kindness that just seemed to ooze out Gabriel’s every pore reached to the very heart of him. Even back in Seoul, he’d never known this kind of affection. Not from friends or family or even that boy he liked. He never imagined being this happy.

He nearly fell asleep where he sat while Gabriel dried his hair. He was already so tired and the warm air only enhanced that. He teetered a couple of times, flashing a sheepish grin when he started from the wobble. Even Gabriel’s clothes felt nice against his skin. Softer and a little bigger than Dal’s street clothes… which was all he owned. Pajamas haven’t been a necessary part of his life since he arrived in the US. He nestled into them, and Gabriel’s arms, sighing in content. Such a bad night turned into something so magical thanks to this man.

It wasn’t long before Dal was fast asleep. Almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, his breathing went deep and steady. Instinctively, he curled closer to Gabriel, attracted to his warmth even in unconsciousness. And thus he stayed for most of the night: still and dead to the world. Every now and then, he’d turn in Gabriel’s arms and let out some small sound.

When he did wake, it was late in the morning, almost close to noon. Sleep clung desperately to him and his body felt heavier than usual. And sore in ways it wasn’t used to. Dal blinked a few times, giving his eyes a moment or two to focus before he realized he didn’t know where he was. Not only that, his memory of the previous night was minimal, at best.

Dal bolted upright, panic lancing through him. He was wide-eyed as he looked around. No, nothing was familiar. He couldn’t even hear the familiar ambient noise of the restaurant below him or the city’s sounds outside. Looking down, even these clothes weren’t his. Where was he?

Edited (HTML fail) 2023-06-16 15:14 (UTC)

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