bsumone | ❝ Nobody knows where you’re going ❞

"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."

"Good thing I don't have a TV, or read well..." The perks of being poor and a few steps above illiterate (in English). When would he have time to watch TV anyway? Dal shakes his head slightly. "I don't wanna know the trash they're gonna talk about us." Prostitutes. They'd probably frame it like that guy was doing society a favor, cleaning up the streets and all.

"I won't see you as much until after, huh?" It's not like he could just live in this hotel room with Gabriel until everything was over. It might look questionable if anyone found out.

"Probably not. But that doesn't mean I won't come when you call. Or text." Since he knew that Dal preferred texting. It was a good way to practice his English skills so he couldn't fault him for it really. So he just smiled at him then heard his phone.

"I'll be right back with the food, alright?" he said as he checked his phone and went to head down to the lobby.

While Gabriel went to get the food, Dal moved from the bed to the couch. It wouldn’t be as much of a problem if they lost some rice on the couch since, Dal decided, no one would be sleeping there. Then he hopped up again to own the door since Gabriel might have his hands full.

The scent of curry and fried rice filled the air. Dal inhaled deeply and wiggled in anticipation.

Coming back with the food, he smiled when he saw that Dal got the door. It made him happy that despite everything that he'd been through the younger man viewed him entirely as safety. Moving over to the table, he set out the food then got them some waters to drink before sitting down.

"I can see why you like it. This smells amazing."

"It's pretty convenient, too," he pointed out. One of the perks of living above it: he didn't have to go far if he wanted Chinese. He's definitely tried most of the menu over the years, but he liked the curry best.

Taking his seat, Dal starts opening the containers so they can eat. He digs a pair of chopsticks out of the bag and then blinks curiously at Gabriel. "You know how to use these?" The implication: I'll teach you if you don't.

Edited (typo) 2023-05-01 07:08 (UTC)

Gabriel paused for a second. The fact was that he did know how to use them. Lots of late night takeout had taught him a great deal, including how to use chopsticks. Along with that it wouldn't be appropriate to really be flirtatious like this. Yet...would it really hurt? Just right now?

He decided it wouldn't and he gave him the smallest of lies. Just to be playful with him. "Will you teach me?"

Dal doesn't even question it. If it's true or not doesn't matter. Gabriel's welcoming him, inviting him to show him something he knows. That's what matters.

He digs the other set of chopsticks from the bag and moves over to Gabriel's side of the table. "Like this." First, Dal shows Gabriel how he holds them. Then, he guides the chopsticks to the right places in Gabriel's fingers. Maybe, just maybe, he takes a little longer than absolutely necessary, letting his fingertips linger just a second or two.

And Dal's not even a little surprised that the contact makes his heart stutter. In spite of his job, he's a touch-starved creature. Even though they've already spent nights curled up together, it's this, skin-against-skin, that feels truly intimate.

"Show me." Dal's voice is softer now, even as he snaps the chopsticks in his hand to demonstrate what he wants Gabriel to do.

Gabriel feels the touch and he knows he's going to love when he has more freedom for these little moments. Just him being able to hold his hand or have an arm wrapped around him. It'll mean everything. He smiles a little more as he let's Dal guide him then lifts the chopsticks up so he can snap them like he's been shown.

"Like this?" A couple snaps and he lets out a soft laugh. "Very different from a fork."

Listen, Dal has legitimate fantasies about small public displays of affection, like holding hands! He's with you on knowing it's going to be wonderful when they can finally do those sorts of things. Ah, it's going to be great... If it actually happens. Not that Dal doubts Gabriel's sincerity. It's just that Dal's not the sort to look forward. Nor does he like looking back. He prefers to stay grounded in the present. But he can't help but let his mind wander a little farther into a potential future with this wonderful man.

"You're a natural," he teases. He has a feeling Gabriel really didn't need his help, after all. But it's fun to play.

"I had a good teacher." With that, he picked up some of his rice and offered a bite too Dal to try it first. It made it clear that he really had never needed help in the first place but he didn't mind. It gave them a chance to have that moment together and that mattered far more in his opinion.

"Here. Let me know what you think." He could have tried it first but he actually liked the idea of being able to feed Dal before himself.

Touching hands and now sharing the same eating utensils? What's next?

Dal laughs at Gabriel's jest and shakes his head as he returns to his seat. Ah, but it feels good, normal to be like this after everything... To be able to smile and laugh and just feel comfortable for a little while.

He leans in and takes the bite with an exaggerated chomp. By now he's tried just about everything on that restaurant's menu, so he had some idea what to expect. He hasn't had the opportunity to try a lot of places outside his neighborhood, but he liked their food well enough he didn't care if he had no point of comparison.

Dal hums quietly, nodding in approval at the flavor on his tongue. Fried rice always hits just right, no matter what he's in the mood for. Once he swallows the bite, he moves to scoop up a piece of the curry chicken -- complete with slice of carrot and a pea pod -- to offer in kind.

It was always nice seeing how much Dal enjoyed food. He hoped to introduce him to his mother's cooking one day. He knew that he'd love it as much as she'd love to feed him. And fatten him up given how thin he was. He smiled fondly thinking about it then leaned closer so he could accept the bite.

The curry was very well flavored and he hummed his approval of it as he enjoyed the bite of it. Very tasty. "I can see why you recommended that one," he said after swallowing. Then he tried a bite of his own food too and found it to be just as good.

"What is your favorite thing to eat, Dal?"

"Jjin mandu," he answers without any hesitation. "Uhh..." Translation in progress. Buffering. Buffering. "Steam... dumpling?" He thinks that's right. His expression is warm, maybe a little nostalgic. "The cook used to make them for me a lot." Another small breadcrumb about the life he had before coming to New York. His parents were always too busy with their work and charities to pay much attention to him, let alone cook for him.

Unfortunately, Dal never learned to cook for himself, so even if he could afford fresh ingredients, he wouldn't be able to cook the mandu for himself.

"Do you like Korean food?"

"I'm not sure if I've ever had it before. But I'd like to try it sometime. Especially the dumplings you like so much."

And maybe he could look up a recipe and figure out how to make it. The internet was a wonderful place after all. Besides, if he was really planning on dating Dal in the future he should learn to do special things for him. Like know how to make his favorite food.

"What are these dumplings like?"

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