bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

This time he slept more restfully. With a full belly, warm blankets (that he's sure smelled vaguely like the agent who's putting him up -- who's asked nothing in return for it), and a feeling of security, it was much easier to get a good rest. When he woke a few hours later, he felt like his head was less fuzzy with the shock of losing a friend. Yes, it was sad, horrifying even... but Dal was still alive and had to work to keep himself that way.

Gabriel looked like he was busy, so Dal cleared his throat so the agent would realize he's awake again. A little wave and a smile. "I'm gonna be in the bathroom for a few minutes. You need it first?" He needed to fix his hair, brush his teeth, wipe off his face. There was little he could do about his face with his makeup locked up, but he thought he looked okay without it. Besides, it's not typically his face these guys are interested in. Oh, and he changed back into his clothes in there, too.

Once he was done, he grabbed his phone to check for any messages. There were a few, so he started texting back right away to make sure he had at least a few dates for the night. Most nights, he had a few pre-planned meet-ups, but most of the time it was whoever happened to drive by.

"I'm headin' out. Can I still get a ride back if I need?"

Gabriel smiled when he heard him wake up then let him know that he didn't need the bathroom. Some semblance of a plan in mind, he made a note to talk to his superiors about trying to get this set up. He'd have to contact the police too. Unfortunately. He wasn't looking forward to that but he had to go through the proper channels. Stretching, he turned just in time to see Dal come out.

"Of course. Just let me know and I'll be there. I'll be in the area anyway since I'm going to be looking into something."

After a lot of phone calls he really wasn't looking forward to. "Take care out there, Dal."

It really moved him that Gabriel was so invested. A good person and good at his job. It made Dal glad that Gabriel's the agent who landed this case. He was working harder than any of the local cops had.

Without another word, he waved and vanished out the door and into the night.

It was still wet, but just a drizzle. A far cry better than the downpour in the wee hours the other day. Oddly enough, business was good on rainy nights. Maybe the johns felt more obscured by the rain or something; who knew? Dal was just grateful for the little awning over the window that he could duck under to stay dry.

Around 4am, Dal decided to call it a night. The visitors to his block were tapering off -- though in another hour or so they'd start picking up again with the 'quickie before work' crowd. He could make some decent money if stuck around for that, but the truth was that he was tired and he didn't feel like working for the inevitable few hours the morning rush would date. So, he made the trek away from the meat market to check on the building he stayed in: still locked. So he shot of a quick text to Gabriel to let him know the status.

still locked out
busy?

The phone calls hadn't gone great. Well, that was only partially true. His superiors loved him. The police department? Not so much. They weren't eager to let him take the lead on his idea but they knew they didn't have a choice in the matter either. He was the one in charge here. It had been a bit of a mess but Gabriel had managed to sort it out and had even gone out to investigate some things.

It was four in the morning but he was still out when he got the text. Seeing it was from Dal, he found himself smiling as he opened it up to read. Always the text messages. Sweet really.

I'm not busy. Where are you?

This time when Dal texts the address, it's a few blocks south of where Gabriel picked him up last night. A certain Chinese restaurant with a closed gate over the entryway. It was a short, two-story building with a window or two on the upper level. It was probably designed to be storage, but the owners were renting some of the space out. Specifically to Dal. It's one of the only places that would take him with ID and a hefty deposit.

When Gabriel arrives, he'll find Dal leaning back against the brick facade with his hoodie up to keep the intermittent drizzle off him.

Edited (wrong formatting) 2023-03-24 01:57 (UTC)

When he got there, Gabriel realized quickly how much trust Dal had just placed in him. With his background he knew where this was immediately. Eyes widening for a moment, he quickly schooled his face and offered the other a smile as he pulled up to him so he could get in the car before the weather was too bad. Of course he didn't comment on the location, instead just making sure that Dal had the heaters on him to be able to warm up.

"Hungry?" he asked instead as he kept his eyes on the road."

"Always," he quipped with an easy grin. Once he was buckled in, he rubbed his hands together and held them up in front of the heat vent. It wasn't that bad, but the rain always made him feel colder.

"You got here fast. Were you close?" Gabriel was literally putting boots on the ground for this case, so Dal wouldn't be surprised if he was in the neighborhood even at this time of day.

"I was but luckily I was done so it was good timing. What are you in the mood to eat? We can grab something to take back."

There were definitely hole in the wall places still open. You just had to know the city well enough to know where to get takeout at this time of night. A good thing he happened to be quite the expert given how often he was out and about working.

"Will you hate me if I say Taco Bell?" He didn't actually want Taco Bell and his expression and the small laugh that followed the suggestion made that much clear. He may crave hot food like it's air, but he's never been a big fan of the fat food joints. Maybe because they were typically too far away for him to get to on the regular. He much preferred the little local diners that stayed on late enough in his neighborhood.

"I'm not picky," he added quickly. "Anyplace with breakfast food is fine."

"Only if you tell me it's real Mexican food." He was joking though as he laughed a bit then turned so he could head somewhere that he knew sold late night breakfast burritos. Also not Mexican but definitely breakfast. It could hold over for Dal to eat the next day if he didn't finish too.

Pulling his car up to the stand, he waved for Dal to get out with him. "Get whatever you want on it. The breakfast ones are good."

He was going to get one with chorizo in it, that was for sure.

"I'm not even sure it's real food." That's probably why fast food was so cheap. It couldn't be anything of quality, or so Dal thought. Not like eats much that's quality.

Curiosity came over his features, but he followed Gabriel up to the stand. Ah, menus. He takes a moment to look it over, recognizing most of the breakfast words. And he knows what a breakfast burrito is, so that helped.

In the end, he ordered the breakfast burrito with the sausage. Hopefully, it would be big enough to be breakfast and lunch!

"Thanks."

Gabriel stayed close in case Dal needed his help but when he didn't seem to he just ordered after him and then paid for it. The burritos that they got were enormous. Easily multiple meals. Gabriel let Dal hold them while they were in the car so it would be easier for him to get them back to the hotel.

"That place is pretty good. Especially if you want something that is going to last more than one meal."

Just as a heads up to him for the future since it wasn't that far a walk from where he worked and lived.

Dal held them gently, one in each hand, savoring the heat he could feel under the foil wrapping. "These are huge!" And he was absolutely delighted! Getting multiple meals out of something was great for a guy like him. Before they pulled away, he made note of the surroundings and cross-streets since it wasn't outside of walking distance. It didn't seem expensive either.

"I think the microwave in my room is older than me." He didn't have a full kitchen, just a hot plate, microwave, and minifridge. It's not like he did a lot of cooking, anyway, so it suited him fine. "But it still works," he added, imagining reheating half a burrito sometime in the future.

"They're not bad cold in case you don't have a microwave." He'd found that out too in the past. Adjusting his glasses, he got them through the streets back to parking before bringing them upstairs to his room again. Setting his things aside, he sighed as he went to turn the TV on for an old movie again before getting them water to drink while they ate.

"Let's eat. I know I'm hungry too."

The only things Dal did once they were inside was take of his shoes, coat, and the hoodie. They weren't really needed indoors and the hood of his hoodie was damp and needed to be hung up to dry for next time. Beneath it was just a long-sleeved t-shirt. Since it hadn't been pouring, he wasn't terribly wet and didn't have to shed all his clothes in an effort to stay warm. It was clear his jeans were too big and it was by the grace of belt alone that they stayed up (spoiler: kind of a perk with as often as he pulls them down).

Sitting down on the couch beside Gabriel, he began unwrapping the burrito carefully so he could re-wrap the part he knew he wouldn't eat immediately. He was only a few bites in when his eyes drifted to Gabriel, watching him closely.

"Is it hard doin' what you do?" Chasing killers and such. Dal wasn't sure he'd have the stomach for that sort of work. Just seeing the very worst of humanity day after day... it sounds exhausting.

"It is. But then I meet people like you. People who find hope because of what I do and that gets me through. I can't save everyone but I can try to save even a few."

Gabriel smiled a little. There was a touch of sadness to the look due to how he carried a lot of guilt over those he couldn't save. Like Tommy. And so many others that he'd never forget the names of. He closed his eyes a moment and took his glasses off so he could rub them a moment before he continued to eat.

"I'm not perfect. But I can always do my best for all of you."

He hesitated, just for a second because his brain is rushing through all the possible ways it could be misinterpreted, then reaches over and laid a hand on Gabriel's knee. Very solidly his knee, not his thigh. Touch was a better form of communication for Dal. It told him things words didn't, couldn't. And so it was something he was, generally, very careful with outside of dates.

"No one's perfect." God, didn't Dal know that. "Not everyone tries to help others out, either. It's appreciated."

As much as that touch made his heart speed up a little (he was a gay man being touched by a beautiful gay man, after all), he kept himself in check and just smiled. Gently, he rested a hand on that one on his knee for a moment to give it a squeeze before letting go. As long as he was on this case? He couldn't even dream of seeking anything. Not to mention that Dal had his own life to live when all this was done.

So complicated.

But the gesture was what mattered and he put his glasses back on after. "It's nice to be appreciated. Even if that isn't why I do this."

"There aren't a lotta people I'm grateful for," he explained. "It's important to me that you know I am."

He had to keep talking so his mind didn't hyperfocus on the momentary warmth of Gabriel's hand on his or how it made him aware of the warmth seeping through his pants beneath Dal's hand. He really couldn't explain why his heart rate quickened at that touch. Real life wasn't like some fairy story where he'd have some kind of happily ever after with a guy like this.

After a moment, Dal brought his hand back into his own space to finish eating his burrito.

"Thank you."

He smiled at him then let the TV fill the silence in the air. He got about halfway through his food before he wrapped it up to put it away, coming back to just rest. Eventually he'd have to get changed but it was nice to have a moment to sit. And honestly he was grateful for the company too. In a way, it was a shame this wasn't a date. But he knew better.

However, he did doze off a bit as he sat there, his chin ending up on his chest and his glasses down his nose. He'd been working practically non-stop for over a week on this case. It only made sense that he was exhausted really.

Dal was slow to eat his food, as usual. By the time he wrapped up what he'd have later, Gabriel was nodding off. After getting up, very carefully so as not to disturb Gabriel, to put their leftovers in the minifridge, Dal gave the agent a gentle nudge. He could've just draped the blanket over him, but that didn't look like a very comfortable way to sleep.

"Hey," he prodded gently. "Go to bed. In the bed." Dal still wanted a shower and to brush his teeth. And he could crash on the couch. That would be fine. It looks pretty comfortable and Dal's used to not always being comfortable when he sleeps.

Gabriel started awake, not having realized he'd even fallen asleep. Taking his glasses off, he looked around for his food to put away but... Had Dal done that? He groaned softly as he sat up more and put his glasses on the table before turning the TV off. "It's okay. I don't mind..." He gave a yawn before continuing. "...the couch."

Getting up, he went to start getting ready for bed, brushing his teeth and changing. Which meant that at one point he did end up giving Dal a shot of what he looked like shirtless. As much as he looked like a harmless school teacher, he was actually quite muscular.

It shouldn't be awkward. It really shouldn't. Dal's seen plenty of guys with nice bodies in less clothing than that. But none of those people were people who looked out for him, who tried to protect him, who looked at him like a person instead of something like a toy to be used and discarded. It didn't help knowing Gabriel was gay, too, which made the fantasy growing in the back of Dal's mind an iota more probable.

After that glimpse, he busied himself laying out the blanket on the couch and getting one of the many pillows from the bed to place it there for Gabriel to use. If he insisted on sleeping there, the least Dal could do was make as comfortable as possible for him. And when he finished in the bathroom, Dal ducked in to brush his teeth and shower. When he came out, he was still in his clothes instead of the robe. He checked to see that Gabriel was sleeping and... grabbed the room key so he could head to the lobby to clear his head.

Dal knew was being stupid. Gabriel would solve the case soon and go home, never to be heard from again. And he'd probably forget all about Dal so even pretending there might be a chance for something was ridiculously stupid. It's like breaking the first rule of being a hooker to begin with: don't fall for someone. Don't even think about falling for someone. Honestly, this was the first time since he'd started in this line of work that he's felt himself wanting something more.

He'd long since grown numb to it. The rough sex, the uncomfortable contortions in strangers' cars, the way he had to do all the work if he wanted to get off at all. Not that his johns gave a shit about his pleasure. His orgasm was just a sign of their prowess, after all. That's just how it was and how it would be.

He was sitting at the bar sipping a soda, of all things, when a gaggle of drunk businessmen tumbled in the door, probably fresh from last call at some strip club or other. Apparently, they wanted to keep the party going. The bartender explained that they can't serve alcohol after 4am, but they could order up to the room. One of the group spent enough time making eye contact with Dal that he got the hint. He wasn't about to go up to a hotel room with a group of drunk guys -- he's not that stupid, even when he's feeling weird.

Needless to say he found himself getting railed by one of them in a stall in the lobby men's room. Dal knew how to be quiet so the semi-public hook-up wasn't a big deal for him. And when he went back up to Gabriel's room, he was a hundred dollars richer than before. Dal tried to be quiet when he slipped back in, padding quickly to the bathroom to change out of his clothes, slip on the bathrobe, and slide into bed.

Edited 2023-03-24 05:50 (UTC)

Gabriel noticed that Dal had set up the couch for him and he smiled as he went to make himself comfortable. He was grateful for this. It was kind. Though he did worry when he heard Dal slip out, saw the light of the hallway light up the room. But he didn't stop him, wondering what had him distressed enough to...

It was best not to think about it. So he focused on sleeping until he heard the door again. Opening his eyes, he watched Dal go to the bathroom and then go to bed. Getting up, he grabbed a bottle of water and brought it to the bed to put beside Dal before he went back to the couch to get some more sleep. Whatever had happened out there? It didn't have to be his business. But he could make sure that the man was taken care of.

With that, he slept until a call woke him after noon. Groaning softly, he sat up and saw that it was his mom. Being as quiet as possible, he answered it, talking quietly to her in Spanish in the hopes of not waking his guest.

At some point before noon, Dal woke up and noticed the bottle of water. Gabriel must've put it there after he got back. It sent a pang through him. He actually felt... bad about what happened downstairs. And he promised himself it wouldn't happen again. He could tell himself it wasn't because of feelings, but some kind of abuse of Gabriel's hospitality.

When he heard Gabriel speaking softly, he stretched in the bed and yawned loudly so the man would realize he's awake and didn't need to be quiet on account of him. When Dal finally unwrapped himself from the covers, he padded out to start some coffee for them. Even though he didn't understand what was being said, Dal hummed to himself quietly so it didn't seem like he was eavesdropping.

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casually dismissing the reality of alcohol service laws in NY

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