bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

"I like all of those. Have you tried artichoke hearts?" He did like those and he even added some chicken to the pizza along with the spicy sausage. And, because he knew that Dal didn't like plain sandwich crust and might not like pizza crust, he selected the option for a stuffed one instead to make it more like a cheesy breadstick.

His eyes went wide at the mention of artichoke hearts. Shaking his head, he answered with a quiet "Uh-uh. Let's get 'em. If I don't like it, I can pick it off."

He didn't see what Gabriel selected for the crust, but he'll be happy when it arrives. He bounced a little on the balls of his feet. He wasn't terribly picky about food and trying new things didn't scare him.

"This is gonna be so good!" Dal even clasped his hands together in front of him in his excitement.

Adding that last bit, he put in the order. "It'll be here in about a half an hour then I'll run down to the lobby to get it. I take it you're staying in tonight?"

Setting his phone to the side, he finally turned his chair so he'd be able to fully face Dal. And he saw that robe slipping just a little so he just...reached and fixed it. No need for either of them to be distracted by that when they were waiting until the case was done. Nope.

"Did you sleep well?"

Those dark eyes followed Gabriel's hand and he didn't realize he was holding his breath. Once he realized what the agent was doing, he quickly moved to help, pulling the collar of the robe a little tighter.

"Uh, yes to both."

Dal glanced over to where his clothes hung and offered a shy little smile. "I'm gonna... get dressed though."

That way they could both be a little more comfortable. No danger of slips or too much distraction in shirt and pants. Dal padded off to the bathroom and returned a moment later. Instead of the full outfit, he just wore the long-sleeved t-shirt and his pants (belt hidden by his shirt).

"That's better," he declared with a silly little spin.

"I'm sure you'll be glad when you can access your home again to change clothes. If you want I'll drive you to the area tomorrow so you can check to see if it's unlocked yet." Since it wasn't so convenient to do it that night given how they were staying in. The least he could do was give him a ride the next day. With any luck he'd be able to get in to change finally.

Getting to his feet, he decided he was too tired to keep staring at the files. He had ideas for where the kill area was but it was better if he gave himself a break.

"So are you okay with me using the couch now that you've had a chance to see how comfortable it is?" he teased gently.

"Thanks." Dal just smiled and gave a little shrug about the clothes. It's not like he had more than four outfits, anyway. He usually slept in whatever he was wearing and made each outfit last a couple days. He didn't have easy access to a laundry.

A grin pulled at his lips and shook his head. "Nope. It's mine now. I refuse to give it up."

That made the man laugh. Not actually the response he was expecting and yet he loved how playful it was. The more he got to know Dal the more he realized how big his heart was. How playful he was. It was endearing and only served to make him more attractive honestly.

"I can't convince you?"

Ah, that laugh was such a nice sound. He wondered if Gabriel got to laugh often due to his work. Maybe with his mother? It's a nice thought.

Dal pursed his lips as if he was deep in thought. He rocked a little from side to side, looking back to the couch, then back to Gabriel.

"Mmmmm. I don't think so. You're just gonna have to take the bed."

"Oh no. The horror."

He patted the spot next to him on the couch. "Well until it's time to sleep we can share. There's plenty of room for that."

Especially when they were only going to talk and watch the TV.

He grinned and skipped over to flop on the couch. As much as he wanted to snuggle right up against Gabriel, he didn't. He made sure there was a respectable distance between them. Once the pizza arrives, he'd scoot over more so they could put the box between them.

"You stayin' in tonight, too?"

"Yes. There's nothing else I can do other than stare at files and try to have an idea come to me. I'm better off taking a break as well."

Sometimes inspiration could hit if he just stopped working for a moment. Maybe that would happen this time. He had no idea but it was worth trying at the very lease. He smiled as he relaxed back into the couch. "Can't always keep staring at something if your eyes are tired."

A single brow lifts and Dal's expression is mothering. "Might help if ya turn the lights on." Oh, he knew Gabriel's been keeping the room dim for his benefit, but he really needn't.

"I could see well enough. It's just hours of reading the same thing I've already read hundreds of times before." Such things would tire anyone's eyes out in the end. Especially if they felt like they were reaching a dead end because of it.

"That's fine, then," he said, as if he could actually stop Gabriel from reading in the dark. Or reading too much. Dal didn't know what that was like, but he has spent too much time pouring over his sketch pad in the past, so he got the idea of eye strain.

His expression softened, going thoughtful as he just... stared at Gabriel. It wasn't gazing or anything, it was flat-out staring.

"How old are you?"

"Me?" That was an unexpected question so he ended up asking as if there was another person in the room it could possibly be. When he recovered, he laughed softly at his own silly question. "I'm thirty-two."

"I've been wonderin'," he said as if to explain the sudden question. He didn't know what kind of training an FBI agent went through, but he figured he had to be at least 30 since he talked about working his way up. The difference didn't bother Dal in the least. And if it didn't bother Gabriel, all the better.

"Did you always wanna be a cop?"

"I did. I wanted to be someone who would have the influence to do good. And after I saw so many in law enforcement use their position to abuse their power I knew I wanted to be someone who didn't."

To give people some kind of hope that there was still good in the world. There was already so much pain and strife that it was the least he could do. After all, he'd seen the worst of life himself and knew how bad it could be.

If only he knew he’s achieved that in Dal’s eyes. And the local cops here? Dal knew a couple of them, uh, professionally. They weren’t his happiest relationships, to say the least.

“That prolly why the cops here don’t like ya. You’re actually tryin’ help.”

"They wouldn't like me to begin with just because they feel I'm invading their territory." It was ridiculous really. But, that was how it always went. Anytime the FBI had to step in for any reason it suddenly meant that the NYPD was pissed off for the entire investigation. Making things difficult when they didn't have to just to try and get some of the credit when that shouldn't be the focus.

"But, it's not my job to care if they like me. It's my job to put an end to the crimes of this killer so that's what I'll do."

"You're pretty close, huh?" Gabriel was so dedicated. Not for any fame or glory he may get, but to legitimately protect people who were complete strangers to him. Maybe if the local cops were less interested in their optics, they could actually do some real work, some real good. But they'd rather turn a blinded eye to someone out there murdering hookers. No humans involved, as they say.

Maybe Dal was just hopeful that things could go back to normal. Well, maybe not so normal for him. If things could actually work out with him and Gabriel... He'd welcome a different kind of life with this man.

"Very. I know I'm only a step away from ending all of this. I just need the permission to move forward." Which was the worst part about this job. Waiting on the paperwork and the permission to proceed. Especially when he had to work with departments that weren't part of the bureau. That was always the worst. "As soon as I have that I can press on. Unless some major comes up and then I'd be able to rush ahead faster. But I truly hope that doesn't happen."

He opened his mouth to say something when his phone buzzed again. Of course, it took him a moment to parse what the text said, but whatever it was made him frown. He shot back a quick reply, then actually shut the phone off. Dal definitely didn't want to deal with turning down dates intermittently throughout the night. He didn't even want to think about work or johns or sex or any of that tonight.

Turning his attention back to Gabriel, he offered an apologetic smile and a sigh. "You prolly don't wanna sit here and talk about work. 'm not really sure what to talk about, though. People don't usually spend time with me for my thrillin' conversation."

Gabriel knew what had happened before Dal looked back at him. Cellphones hadn't really been a thing back in Mexico but landlines had. And he'd always known that look on his mother's face. She didn't want to turn down money but she also wanted to spend time with him. He smiled at Dal in understanding then shook his head.

"It's alright, Dal. Honestly I'm glad I get to talk with you. I've been enjoying getting to know you and you get to know me too."

Ah, that made his chest feel tight and warm at the same time. Barely anyone's bothered to try getting to know him in the last eight years. Admittedly, he hasn't made much of an effort, either. Johns were... well, johns. Trying to get to know them on some personal level wasn't an option. Memorizing a little about their tastes? That was fine. The others on his block? Well, they'd talk, but all of them were reticent to get too close to someone who could be seen as a competitor.

Dal leaned on the arm of the couch, curiosity filling his eyes as he gazed at Gabriel. If he had to guess, he'd say Gabriel was a reader, definitely family-oriented. He could imagine him in house with a nice little lawn and a fence. Maybe even in a garden with his mom. Gabriel could probably cook, too.

All these ideas floated through Dal's mind, bringing a fond smile to his lips.

"Whaddya do when you're not workin'?"

"Let's see..."

The TV was still going on in the background but he wasn't paying it any mind at this point. It was just noise. Instead, he thought about his hobbies a bit. Things he liked to do when he was just relaxing. When he wasn't buried deep in a case.

"I like to read. Usually fantasy books actually. Something so out of my reality I can escape for awhile. I also like to go for runs right when it's sunrise or sunset and all the colors are up in the sky. Sometimes I take my mother to museums to show her things or I go find somewhere in the city I've never been before and just walk around."

Gabriel had a feeling that he wasn't really that exciting a person in reality outside his job but he truly didn't mind that. "I'm a big fan of the classic jigsaw puzzle," he said with a bit of a grin.

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