“I never brought a date here until today,” Gabriel replied softly, and Joel's head snapped up. Gabriel's lips flitted into a brief and hopeful smile that quickly fell away. That feeling of happiness quickly unfurled inside of Joel, dangerously close to his heart. Joel returned Gabriel’s smile and decided to rest his head on Gabriel's shoulder after all.
Departing the tram once it reached the top of the hill, Gabriel reached for Joel's hand and Joel happily offered it. Gabriel pointed at the exhibition sign,Nature in Renaissance Manuscripts,and Joel couldn't do anything to contain the wide grin that spread across his face. This was better than a trip to Disneyland, as far as Joel was concerned.
“I know it’s not Bibles, but the Renaissance illuminations are so beautiful and I thought you might enjoy them just the same.” Gabriel was more reserved and cautious than Joel had ever seen him, and Joel bounced up onto his toes, pressing a kiss against Gabriel's cheek.
“I love it! This is going to be so awesome, thank you for thinking of this, Gabriel!”
They spent hours going through the exhibit, stopping at a café cart for lunch. Gabriel bought a bottle of wine, casting a wink in Joel's direction. They had lunch in the central garden, even though you weren’t supposed to take alcohol down there. Gabriel poured Joel a glass, and they drank it in conspiratorial silence. Sitting in the garden with Gabriel, Joel was more at peace with himself than he had been in years.
Joel sensed that even though Gabriel didn't know him well, he liked him for who he truly was. Not only who Joel was as a person now, but also who hecouldbe. Gabriel didn’t complain about Joel's torn-up shoes or wrinkled shirt, and he didn’t treat Joel like he was a lesser person, even though he was so much younger. Joel was comfortable with Gabriel, and more importantly, he felt safe. It was as if he could be a better version of himself when he was with Gabriel, and he couldn’t wait to find out whatthatJoel would be like.
The sun started to slip past the top of the sky as they headed back toward the photography collection.
“We should head back. I have to get to work soon and we don’t want to get stuck in any traffic. I’ll have to go grab my car first and get through Beverly Hills.” Joel looked down at his fingers twined through Gabriel's.
“I can take you to work, to save some time. I don’t mind.”
“But then you’d have to come back and get me when I’m done. I don't want to put you out any more than I already have.” Joel scrunched his nose doubtfully. He wanted the ride very much, but he was also concerned that if he asked too much, expected too much, he would wear out his welcome with Gabriel and never see him again. The idea of Gabriel tiring of him like that made Joel feel a little sick to his stomach.
“It’s fine. I’ll go into the office. I should, anyway. When are you off work?” Gabriel squeezed Joel's hand as they climbed the stairs to the main level.
“Nine.”
“Okay then, I’ll drop you off, and pick you up at nine.” Gabriel nodded, apparently deciding the matter was settled. The tight knot of worry in Joel's gut loosened.
Joel looked down at their joined hands and smiled. He was more okay with this than he’d thought he would be, maybe more okay with this than heshouldbe. Yes, he didn’t know Gabriel at all, but Joel knew the way he felt around Gabriel–safe, comfortable,and desired–and that had to count for something, if not everything. And as long as Gabriel wanted to be around him, too, why shouldn't Joel let himself enjoy it?
“Gabriel?” Joel spoke softly. Gabriel stopped walking and turned his head downward. Joel looked up, searching Gabriel's face for any hint of hesitation or doubt. He brought his hand up to Gabriel's face and traced his finger over the tiny crow’s feet at the edge of Gabriel's eye. Those were one of Joel’s favorite parts of Gabriel's face. He loved the way they shifted with his moods, crinkling when he smiled, and softening when his face went slack with satisfaction.
Gabriel smiled, and his pleasure showed, crisp and deep, in the brown of his eyes and the small lines around them. Gabriel was happy, and Joel was at least partially responsible for it. That thought filled Joel withwonder. He couldn't think of anyone he'd made that happy merely by existing. Not his mother, or grandmother, and certainly not his stepfather. Not even Athena.
“Thank you.” Joel scrunched his eyebrows together, thinking ‘thank you’ was a woefully inadequate thing to say.
“For?” Gabriel leaned his face into Joel's hand. He seemed to revel in Joel’s touch, just as Joel was beginning to crave Gabriel’s.
Joel searched his head and heart for the answer. He thought it was an easy answer, but it seemed complicated when he tried to put it into words. Joel wasn’t sure he could explain the changes inside himself over the last few days. He felt better, stronger. Joel wanted to be a better version of himself, because Gabriel deserved it. But had Gabriel even done anything besides offer some kind words and not turn down his advances? Or was Joel doing this for himself finally, and hoping and praying Gabriel would want to stay around for the end result? The answer seemed too convoluted to explain in the moment, and Gabriel's face crinkled into a smile at the concentration that had overtaken Joel's features. Joel watched Gabriel’s crow’s feet deepen with the movement, and Joel’s mind cleared and narrowed down to the truth of the answer.
“You.”
It was that easy, after all.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Gabriel Gets His Way
The sound of sheets rustling woke Gabriel and he reached his arm out to pull a tossing and turning Joel closer to his body. Joel almost immediately settled, sighing and relaxing into Gabriel's hold.
Gabriel had collected Joel from work at nine on the dot the previous evening, then ushered him home and back into bed where he had licked and teased his poor red-haired lover until he was reduced to a quivering mess of want and need. Gabriel had happily taken a mouthful of Joel's cum, groaning in delight as Joel had wiped the mess from his cheeks and chin and pushed his fingers onto Gabriel's tongue in a display of dominance Gabriel hadn’t anticipated, but thoroughly enjoyed.
Gabriel pressed a kiss to Joel's temple and smiled into his warm skin.
“Don’t kiss me,” Joel mumbled, light and teasing, pulling his face away from Gabriel's kisses, before immediately returning it.
“You didn’t mind this tongue when it was up your asshole last night.” Gabriel licked Joel's cheek.
“That’s exactly why I don’t want it on my face.” Joel chuckled, starting to rouse from sleep. “Feel free to put it backthereanytime.” He turned his body to face Gabriel, quirking his lips into a smile.
“You're such a demanding little thing, aren't you?” Gabriel’s hand brushed against Joel’s cock. “Maybe not so little.”
