bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

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.

Hearing the movement, he squinted then saw that it looked like Dal was awake. Speaking a little more normally then, he chuckled softly. Sometimes it was clear who he was talking to when he said 'mama' but what they were saying was a mystery unless one knew Spanish. Which he honestly doubted Dal did. Saying goodbye to her, he hung up the phone and went to stand up finally so he could go use the bathroom quickly.

When he came back out, he offered an apologetic look. "Sorry, I hope I didn't wake you. You were up later than I was."

He wasn't accusing him of anything though. It was just an observation. After all, they weren't a couple and he knew that. They couldn't be with the conflict of interest.

No, Gabriel wasn't accusing him of anything, yet Dal felt guilty about it anyway. A little frown bowed his lips and he looked down at his bare feet. At least he could use making the coffee as excuse to keep his eyes elsewhere for a few minutes. Since Gabriel heard him coming back in last night, he's sure the man can parse out what he was doing outside of the confines of this room.

When the little in-room pot was full, Dal poured a cup for each of them, and went over to hand one to Gabriel.

"I went downstairs for a soda." Not entirely a lie. That was part of the initial reason he went to the lobby. "I didn't wanna wake you or get anythin' charged to your room."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Dal. It's your life. As long as you're safe that's what matters most."

Besides, why would a prostitute want to date someone from the FBI? Especially someone who seemed to be here illegally on top of the illegal prostitution. But he wasn't going to get into that. No, it wasn't appropriate to think that way at all. So he just took the coffee and had a sip of it with a sigh.

"You made it back safely. So I'm happy."

Finally, he grabbed his glasses to put them on to actually be able to see properly.

Those dark eyes widened a fraction and Dal's lips parted. Somehow those words took him by surprised.

"... You are?"

Blinking a few times to adjust to being able to see through all the failed sleep he'd been getting, he took another sip of the co... Well almost. The surprise he could see on Dal's face made him pause with the cup partway to his lips. Lowering it again, he nodded.

"Yes. I was very happy you made it back safely. I hope I didn't wake you bringing the water over. You deserved some good rest."

Dal sucked his lower lip and he felt his hands starting to shake with the coffee cup in his grip. His eyes dropped to the dark drink and in a small voice said, "I really like you..."

As soon as the thought was given voice, Dal's eyes went wide as saucers. Barely a heartbeat and he was turning to set the coffee down so he could get changed and go. This... Staying here like this wasn't going to work now.

Gabriel had the cup down and he was standing right away. Catching Dal's hand, he stepped closer. Had he said what he thought he said? And it hadn't sounded like just the sort of liking one might mean for a friend. Was Dal...falling for him?

"Dal, wait..." This was definitely something that they needed to talk about.

Feeling that warm hand snatch his made Dal gasp. But it stopped him from heading further toward the bathroom. He didn’t turn around, though. How could he look Gabriel in the eye knowing he’d be rejected? After all, what kind of person would want someone like him?

"Dal, tell me what you meant. Please."

Because he wanted to be absolutely sure that they were on the same page. He was already fairly sure that they were but it was important that he know. There shouldn't be any miscommunication here. Not this time.

He still doesn't turn around. Dal sighed and let his head, hell, his whole body, droop. "I... I got feelings for you, okay? It's stupid, I know. You're just here to work then you'll be gone and... that'll be that."

It was exactly what he'd thought it was. Gabriel watched him a moment then moved around in front of him. Moving his hands to his shoulders, he hesitated just a moment. But only because he was gathering his thoughts. "It's not stupid. I don't think that at all. So will you look at me? For just a moment?"

Look at him? Just to get his heart broken? Well, wasn't it already since this was all just some fantasy that could never be anyway? All because Dal was weak to... what? People who were nice to him? That's entirely true. The people at the shelter have always been nice to him. The lady at the diner who saved food that would otherwise be thrown away was nice to him. Was it because Gabriel bothered to get to know him? That he paid attention to the things Dal said and did and remembered them? Because he was gay and therefore a possibility, however improbable? Some combination of it all?

It took a few seconds and, oh is he trembling with Gabriel's hands on his shoulders like that, but he finally lifts his eyes first, then his head.

He waited patiently for Dal to look at him before speaking. Very patiently. "I need you to listen to every word that I say before you react, alright?"

Because while this was going to sound like a rejection? It truly wasn't. But they had to get this out of the way. "While I am on this case? I cannot be with you that way. It would compromise everything we've worked for and even when I catch this bastard the case would get thrown out and there would be a killer targeting you and your friends all over again."

And he couldn't have that. He couldn't. "I have been attracted to you from the start. So I want to make this compromise. If you can wait for me until after the case is done then we can go somewhere to figure this out. Just you and I talking. But please wait until the case is done first so I can be sure that I can save you all. That is all I ask for."

And it was the best he could offer. For both of them.

Dal nodded. Yes, he'd listen. He'd keep his mouth shut and hear Gabriel out.

Another nod. Yes, Dal understood any relationship, romantic, sexual, whatever, could compromise Gabriel's case. That was something he didn't want to risk either. Catching a lunatic who was murdering his friends was the important thing here. Yes, he understood that.

The next part is what earned Dal's eyes getting impossibly wide. I have been attracted to you from the start. That was not something Dal expected to hear. Not at all. That was... that was just something he'd been daydreaming about. The emotions played out on his face as clear as the sky: uncertainty, confusion, hope.

Finally, he nodded again. Yes, he could wait. He could make that compromise. But then... "Can I... can I have one thing first? One small thing?"

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casually dismissing the reality of alcohol service laws in NY

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Phone tag bc my laptop is a POS

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