bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

"No. I fell asleep already so I might as well get more rest too."

He smiled at him, still not able to see clearly without his glasses but not minding. Instead, he just shifted to gather Dal into his arms. With minimal effort he moved him over a bit then climbed into bed with him. Tucking him close, he relaxed in the bed. It had been awhile since he last dated so it felt good to have someone in his arms in bed again. Of course they weren't actually dating yet but that hardly changed the feeling of it.

"I'll be right here."

Dal's never really dated. He also isn't the type who spends nights with people. Sleeping, actually sleeping next to a stranger puts him in an unsafe position. So he avoids it, and, thankfully, very few of his clients ever want it. Dal just isn't that sort of whore. But lying next to Gabriel? Being wrapped up in his strong arms? Laying his head on the agent's shoulder and draping an arm over his middle? All those things felt nice. They made him feel warm and safe and melts all the ugliness of the world away for a time.

He could get used to this. He wants to get used to this.

But Dal's exhausted from his fitful sleep and nightmares, so it's not surprising that he drfits off quickly. It's well into the night when he wakes against. It's with a start, but he's not screaming nor is he paralyzed with terror. In the fraction of a second it takes his mind to remember where he is, who he's with, all fear subsides. He shifts in the bed, propping himself up on one elbow to better make out Gabriel's features in the dark.

Dal wonders if he finds Gabriel handsome because he's kind. No, he remembers thinking the agent handsome from the start. Being kind just makes him more attractive in Dal's eyes. He's not sure how much time he spent just gazing at the other man. This man who makes him think of a future, maybe one they could have together. Ah, his heart beats faster and warmth fills his chest. Even if it isn't with him. Dal hopes Gabriel has so much happiness in his future.

And if the man stirs while Dal's contemplating him? He'll just smile in the dark and ask if Gabriel's hungry.

Dal moving made the man stir in his sleep. Like he knew something was wrong. Opening blurry and sleepy eyes, he found Dal watching him. So he was awake. Letting out a yawn, he shifted a little and was about to ask if the other was alright when he comprehended that he'd been asked a question.

"Hm? Oh. A little. Are you?" Because if he was then he could get up now and make sure to get them both food. It was good for Dal to eat anyway. Especially after everything that he'd been through not so long ago.

"Yeah," he answered quietly, as if he was still worried about waking Gabriel up. "Wanna order in or go get somethin'?" He understood if Gabriel didn't want to be seen spending too much time with him. People might get the wrong impression and it could affect the case.

"Order in. I look a mess." Because he was pretty sleep deprived. But he didn't mind that. It had all been worth it to get this case solved and to save someone who had become so precious to him in the process. He gave him a little smile then finally groaned as he went to sit up finally.

A soft smile curls his lips and he reaches out to brush his fingers over Gabriel's hair, smoothing it out a little. His own hair stuck up every which way, but he didn't mind. He had a toque buried deep in a coat pocket, so he could tuck his hair under if it need be. Besides, Gabriel's already seen him half-dead and ugly crying. What's a little sticky-up hair going to do to put him off?

In that same quiet voice, he adds, "You look wonderful to me."

Gabriel let out a soft laugh and rubbed his face. "Thanks. I'll believe you."

Looking around, he remembered his glasses were by the couch instead and gave up on getting them for now. Until he remembered his phone was over there too. Letting out a sigh, he went to turn on the light and go over there so he could grab both of them. He had to blink a little to adjust his vision but soon he was back with everything he needed including the glasses on his face.

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Do you like Chinese? The place I live over is good." It has a Chinese name which Dal probably brutalized when he gives it to Gabriel to punch into his phone. "They make a real good yellow curry." His mouth waters just thinking about it.

Luckily for them both, Gabriel had seen the sign when they'd been there the day before. So he was able to get it down even with the butchered language. Smiling, he nodded and got it all down then got the menu out. "I can order you that yellow curry then. There's a meat option here. What would you like?"

"Chicken, please~" Dal basically sang his answer and kicks his feet a little. "Watcha gonna get?"

"I'm not that interesting and usually just get fried rice," he admitted with a soft laugh. "But if you recommend the curry maybe I'll get that as well. Unless you have other recommendations for me to try."

"Get the fried rice. I'll share with ya." Dal flashes him a smile and a wink. He can never eat the whole dish anyway, so sharing's a great idea. Gabriel's probably noticed that by now. "We can do it family style."

"Sounds good to me." He added an order of that to their food and got them both some teas as well. With that done, he set his phone aside and gave a stretch before relaxing again to give Dal a smile. "It looks like you're feeling better. I'm glad."

Nodding, Dal also flops back against the pillows, then wiggles a little closer until his shoulder bumps Gabriel's. He is feeling better after a more restful sleep. And knowing he doesn't have to face the world just yet? That helps his spirits, too.

"I slept good."

"Good. Sleep will help with the nerves."

He reached up and gave his hair a little ruffle. As always he was gentle about it, aware that hair like this could be more fragile. Especially since Dal likely hadn't had access to the products needed to take care of it properly. "If you need me to sleep here with you later just let me know. I don't mind."

Listen, he probably uses a two-in-one shampoo and that's the best he can do right now. But the offer earned an almost sky sort of smile from Dal. "Ya know, I'm not actually used to sleepin' with people." He's not the sort of whore people keep overnight. "I kinda like it when it's with you."

"That's nice to hear." Because he'd really come to care deeply about Dal. He couldn't really do anything about that yet but he was content knowing that he'd be able to offer this at least. It felt so much better than nothing at all at this point. Smiling at him, he made himself comfortable while they waited for their food. It'd be a little longer since it was further away but he didn't mind.

"I enjoy you being at my side too."

Dal made a small, happy little sound and attached himself to Gabriel's side. He knew they couldn't pursue whatever this was that they felt for a while, but it was still nice to enjoy a little shared affection. Goodness knows Dal was starved for it before Gabriel came along. Now? He soaked it up like a sponge.

Leaning his head against Gabriel's shoulder, his pleased expression gradually tempered into something a little more distant and a little more serious. Silence settles comfortably between them for a moment before Dal asked, "Do you believe in God?"

Shifting, he wrapped an arm around Dal to just hold him. The question was a little surprising and he took a moment before answering. "I'd say my relationship with God and the church is a little complicated. I want to believe in him and I even regularly attend services. But it's difficult to trust a belief that activity says I was born wrong. Or that my mother should go to Hell."

Gabriel hummed softly then continued. "So I want to believe there is a greater power out there who doesn't believe that any sin at all means Hell or that you can be born wrong. But I'm not sure who that power is yet."

He's answered with a contemplative silence. Dal's never been a terribly religious person. His family wasn't, so it made sense he wasn't either. But he wanted to believe in something.

"I used to think... somethin' like that. But now?" When his head was under the water and his vision grew dark? He was sure there's nothing. Or if there is some higher power, it doesn't give a shit about any of them. "I think this is all we got."

"I can see why you would feel that way. Though, maybe you didn't see that light that people talk about because whoever it is out there knew I was going to save you. Or maybe led me to you with your phone to make sure I would."

Gabriel wasn't challenging him though. Dal was always going to be free to believe anything he wanted to. He'd never tell him to do otherwise. "If no one is though then I'll watch over you instead."

Oh, Dal didn't take his comments as a challenge. That didn't seem like something Gabriel would do. Nor was he trying to challenge Gabriel's beliefs. He was just... curious. And trying to share something about what he'd experienced. How cold and empty everything felt in those last seconds before he was pulled out.

He nestled a smidge closer and heaved out a sigh in an effort to clear dark things from his mind. Canting his head to see Gabriel's face, he lifted his brows, curious. "Do ya think they'll need me, uh..." He pressed his lips together, struggling with plucking the right word. "Do you think they'll want me to say what happened to the judge?"

"No. We have your statement and there were quite a few police officers and FBI agents who were witness to the crime taking place. You don't have to be there at all unless you really want to be." And he honestly completely understood why Dal likely would not want to be there. Especially after what he'd just been through. Gabriel also planned to work with the attorney to keep Dal off the stand. Though he had a feeling that wouldn't be a challenge.

He slumps in relief. The mere thought of having to recount it in front of a courtroom full of strangers, full of people hanging on his inarticulate words, judging his life and his choices and deciding if those somehow make him less credible. It would be so easy to confuse Dal with technical jargon and rhetoric.

"I don't wanna know anythin' about it 'til it's done."

"It'll be in the news for certain. You can check for updates there if you ever want to know anything." Because he wouldn't be able to say anything himself. It would be too high a risk of compromising the case to share his knowledge.

"While that's going on focus on taking care of yourself and healing. You have my number and I'll come to you when you need me if we're not together like this. I promise."

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