Chapter 14 #3
“That’s his favorite. But all sorts of things.
Weapons, engineering, aeronautics…anything he can find a documentary on.
” Blake swallowed dryly. “Everything except people. Which worked out, because my mother is a master manipulator. Not in a bad way. She’s just charming.
She can walk all over you and you’d end up thanking her. ”
He swiped at his eyes quickly, like he didn’t want Gabriel to see the shine in them. Blake turned away from Gabriel, hiding his face in the darkness.
“Were you close?”
Blake shrugged. “I don’t know. Yes? We love each other, but we didn’t understand each other.
They didn’t know what to do with me, so they just didn’t.
Let me raise myself. Or at least, that’s what I thought, but…
” he trailed off, his voice hitching. “It’s so stupid, but I always thought that one day we’d figure it out, you know?
Have this big conversation about everything, and I would look back on my childhood and realize they were just imperfect people doing their best. And that they loved me.
We’d apologize, and it would be cathartic, and now it’s just…
” his voice cracked, and he didn’t continue, his shoulders crawling up to his ears.
Gabriel didn’t think; he just slid over and wrapped an arm around Blake. He came easily when Gabriel pulled him close, shoving his head into his shoulder to hide his wet lashes. Blake clung to him, fingers wrapping around his plate carrier as he fought back tears.
There were a million things Gabriel knew he should say, all straight from the placating playbook. But they were meaningless. They’d fall from his lips like coins into a fountain, well meaning but ultimately nothing more than a wish.
“Where are they?”
Blake sniffled. “Florida.”
“Not a lot of military bases in Florida,” Gabriel said, keeping his voice neutral.
After a minute Blake nodded, recognizing what it was Gabriel wasn’t saying. He clung to Gabriel for a long moment before sitting up a little, swiping at his eyes, and resting his temple on Gabriel’s wet shoulder.
“Maybe they’re holed up in Disney World.”
“Oh god,” Gabriel chuckled. “Can you imagine being stuck in one of the rides? Waking up to those lifeless animatronics just staring you down?”
Gabriel couldn’t see Blake smile, but he felt it.
They got quiet then, but it wasn’t bad. Gabriel took the time to just enjoy the feel of Blake leaning on him.
He was warm and solid. Present. His hair tickled Gabriel’s cheek, and if he closed his eyes, he could pretend they were anywhere else.
Two people just getting to know each other, nourishing the tender flicker of a relationship, or whatever it may be.
In that quiet hallway, with the outside world far away, it was just a moment.
It was the kind of thing Gabriel used to chase at the bottom of a bottle. A single moment of peace. Of quiet. Of contentment and acceptance. Of something that can't be manufactured, but he’d unexpectedly found it in a dark, warm hallway.
A moment he would lose come morning, when the sun found all the cracks in their safe little space. He knew the coming dawn light would be an ugly reminder that time doesn’t stand still. Blake would be going out into that fight without him. And he had to let him, it was the only way.
He could feel his handgun digging into his leg and he shifted, pulling it free from the holster. “Do you know how to use this?”
Blake looked over at the gun. “Blasty end toward the bad guys, right?”
He huffed, sliding his arm from over Blake’s shoulders so he could use two hands. His thumb flicked at a small switch on the side. “This ejects the magazine,” he said as the gun ejected the fully loaded magazine. He showed it to Blake before setting it aside.
“Then hit the safety. Here.” Blake leaned forward to see the small button. “Pull back the slide. That loads the first bullet into the chamber. All the way back and then release. Once it’s in the forward position, you’re good to go.”
Blake took the gun from him, fingers closing around the grip a little hesitantly. “Heavier than I thought it would be.”
Gabriel hummed, his hands sliding over Blake’s to lift the gun. Sighting down the barrel, he pointed down the hallway. “Aim for center mass. Don’t get fancy.”
He moved Blake’s fingers where they needed to be, showing him how to hold the gun. “Prepare for the recoil, but don’t brace your elbows. Support your right hand with your left.”
Blake’s fingers were loose under his touch, letting him move him into position.
It was a bit awkward with them sitting, but Gabriel didn’t want to give up touching him.
He brought Blake’s back to his chest. In front of him, Blake was tense.
The tips of his ears were red, and when Gabriel’s hands lingered on his wrists, he didn’t move or complain.
This close, it would be so easy to lean down and kiss Blake’s neck. To taste him. Just for a second. But one kiss would lead to another, and another. And that was an addiction he couldn’t risk. Not when he needed to focus.
“Don’t forget to breathe.” Gabriel’s voice was low. Blake shivered. His thumb rubbed circles on the exposed skin of Blake’s wrist. “Keep your eyes open.”
Blake swallowed.
“Now pull the trigger.”
The gun clicked, and Blake jumped, nearly dropping the gun.
He stared at it in his hands like he couldn’t believe he did it.
Turning so quickly, his nose brushed along Gabriel’s jaw.
They stared at each other for a long moment, a flush creeping up Blake’s cheeks.
He licked his full lips, and when Gabriel’s eyes dropped to watch, he inhaled sharply.
Reaching between them, Gabriel picked up the magazine. He guided the gun closer, slapping the magazine in with a satisfying click.
“Like I said,” Blake said, voice shaky as he looked down at their joined hands over the cold metal of the gun. “Blasty end toward the bad guy.”