unknownballad | ❝ Snowflakes swirl down gently ❞

"I will. It will be my good luck charm." He lifted it up to look at it in the light, admiring it and the work that went into it. "Did you make this?"

There's isn't that much work that went into it. Just the little tag, the shiny heart Dal cut out, some glitter inside to make it prettier. The vial and cork he bought. Still, in spite of that, he's so warmed by Gabriel's thoughts on it. That he wants to keep it with him always is so sweet. Dal presses a hand to his own chest and nods.

"I saw somethin' like it online."

"Really? You saw something and replicated it? That's amazing."

He certainly could never do that. Artsy things were always going to be something he could admire but never successfully do. Anytime Dal ever did something it amazed him. Smiling more, he reached up to pull his boyfriend down for a kiss.

"I love it very much. I'll keep your heart safe always."

That sort of thing's always come easy to Dal. It's why he has so little problem drawing photo-realistic people and places. Little crafts, things that don't require a great deal of specialized fabrication are simple for him. He could probably learn to knit easily if he tried.

They've been together for a bit of time now and the open affection still surprises Dal a little. Kissing especially. It's not something a lot of people liked to do in his, uh, previous profession. He can't help the way his cheeks color just a little, but he doesn't shrink away from it. Not at all, not ever with Gabriel's affection.

"I believe it."

"Come here."

Reaching up, he pulled him onto his lap so he could better hug him and hold him. He was strong enough that he could have forced that to happen but he never did that with Dal. As far as he was concerned, Dal deserved to always feel and know that he had the option to pull away if he wanted to do so.

"I am so happy that I get to spend my Christmas with you now. You really make my world wonderful and I'm so grateful to have you."

That's something Dal's come to appreciate. There's a lot Gabriel could do. But he doesn't. He suggests and let's Dal decide. A little tug is all it took for Dal to snuggle close. Almost always, he welcomes affection from Gabriel. It's everything he ever wanted: someone kind and loving. It's hard to imagine Dal as being touch starved, be he was. There was never anything meaningful before Gabriel.

Gabriel couldn't possibly know what he means to Dal. The brightest star in his sky, really. Everything Dal stopped dreaming about his first night on the streets in New York. Unfortunately, he's not really able to articulate that in English. Gabriel's been there for him at his worst, seen him damn near at his lowest and still wanted to stay by his side. In turn, Gabriel wanted to help him be a better version of himself, wanted to love and support him. And he made Dal think that's something that's within his reach.

He reaches up to cup Gabriel's face in both hands, staring at him with such fondness. "Happy, grateful, all that an' more."

"Good. I love hearing that."

He gave him another kiss as if to say that he really meant the words. Unnecessary since he always made it clear he meant everything he ever said but Gabriel liked giving the gesture. Smiling happily up at him, he tucked a soft blue strand behind one of Dal's ears.

"You know, I picked up a workbook yesterday from the bookstore. I probably won't be very good at it right away but I'm going to teach myself Korean so you can talk in a language you know well with someone."

Ah, every little thing Gabriel does just makes Dal feel... important. Special. It's honestly the best feeling he's ever had. He snatches up the little plushie and hugs it close with one arm, smiling so happily.

"I'll help! And... when I get better readin' English, will ya help me learn some Spanish, to?"

He shifted his grip on Dal to make sure he wouldn't fall as he got the plushie. Holding him close again, he grinned and nodded. Not only at getting help but at being able to give help too.

"I would love to do that. Wherever you are ready. We can learn things together."

Dal was a hard-working student when he was still in school. Admittedly, he got a lot of personal attention because he had private teachers and tutors, but he still worked hard. He'll put that same effort into learning Spanish. It only seems right since it's a language that's important to the people who are important to him. Unfortunately, his first priority right now is learning to read English better. That alone will open up a lot of doors for him. And he's so grateful for Gabriel's help with that.

"It'll be fun!"

"It will."

He kissed his chin and then his nose playfully. A wide smile was on his lips as he gazed up at his boyfriend. He really was so beautiful. There were so many times when Gabriel really didn't know how he'd gotten lucky enough to not only meet Dal but to be able to date him like this too. But he loved every second of it. Getting to be with him was somehow like getting to have a new adventure each day.

"I'll apologize in advance for how bad my accent will be but I'll work on it."

"Can't be worse than mine." All these years in the US, listening to and communicating with people who are far more fluent in English than he is, and Dal still struggles to differentiate R and L sounds. His vocabulary isn't great, and, well his accent is still pretty thick. But he's learning more now with Gabriel's help.

A whole new life is in reach, all because he met Gabriel. Because Gabriel became his friend. Because Gabriel saved his life (more than once, he's sure). Because Gabriel brought him here to his house and his family. Because Gabriel understood him. Because Gabriel chose him time and time again. Because, in spite of every obstacle, Dal's sure Gabriel loves him.

He nestles closer, still holding that adorable plushie in one arm. The other he drapes over Gabriel's shoulder, letting his fingers play at the nape of his boyfriend's neck. In spite of the gesture, a shyness comes over him.

"Ya know... I was thinkin' maybe... If ya wanted..."

"Your accent is beautiful."

Relaxing at the feel of those fingers, he settled his arms around him with a smile. It was good to see Dal relaxing more with physical affection. Especially with him because it meant his boyfriend felt that he was safe, something he wanted to be for him. Always.

That shy comment though...

Gabriel tilted his head, wanting to be absolutely sure they were on the same page.

"If I wanted?"

Any hesitance Dal's shown in giving physical affection stems from his own insecurities about his past. He doesn't ever want Gabriel to think anything they share is him going through the motions. And, well, there's a not so small part of Dal that's scared. He's scared that nothing will be different once Gabriel and he get intimate.

But it has to be different, right? Because they have real feelings for each other.

"If ya wanted to, maybe we could..." He shifts just a little in Gabriel's lap. "Make tonight real special."

So Dal was talking about what he thought he was. And he understood why he was hesitating about it too. He smiled softly and nodded. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to his lips then sat back so he could properly look at him.

"If you're sure and feel ready, then I would love to make tonight more special with you."

He shifted how he was holding him. "Are there any limits you have? Things you want me to avoid?"

He opens his mouth, ready to rattle off his list, but clamps it shut just as quickly. This isn't some stranger who picked him up off the street. He doesn't have to worry about Gabriel taking advantage of the situation. He's never seen him drink or do drugs, no need to warn against there. But they haven't really ever talked about what Gabriel likes in bed so, "Um... I don't like gettin' tied up or bein' choked..." IT feels weird saying something like that Gabriel, like he's telling on himself and some of his past experiences.

"No tying you up. No choking you. Got it. I will never do either of those, you have my word."

Gabriel gave him a warm look, letting him know that he truly meant it. If those were hard limits? They would never be crossed. "May I carry you to our room?"

His eyes lower for a second, but the warmest smile spreads over his face before he looks back up. Very gently, he sets the plushie down beside them (it certainly doesn't need to see what's going to happen!) then wraps his arms securely around Gabriel's shoulders. There's a subtle shift in his body language, a bit of his shyness slipping away now that he's venturing into somewhat familiar territory.

"You don't gotta ask for that."

"I do. This is your body."

He gave him a quick kiss then shifted how he held him so he could get up. It was a little tricky but he pulled it off, standing with his love in his arms. Carrying him upstairs to their room was much easier and Gabriel set him down on the bed gently. Removing his glasses, he set those aside then moved in to kiss his boyfriend again. This time with more meaning and intent.

Gabriel's never been anything but respectful. In the most basic of ways, but also with a keen awareness that Dal hasn't always had the most autonomy. Yet it's never framed in a way to make it obvious. It's just... a very decent and basic kind of respect for Dal that includes his life experience.

Once he's on the bed, Dal scoots further on it, eyes fixed on Gabriel. Expectant, curious, more than a little eager, and just a tiny bit nervous. He leans in to meet the kiss, lifting a hand cup Gabriel's jaw. Those little affectionate gestures are important to him, to show that he's an eager participant.

Rather than have Dal be so exposed first when he was nervous about their first time together, Gabriel took that leap. Unbuttoning his shirt, he shrugged out of it and let it fall away. Between the lack of his glasses and now his shirt? He was definitely voluntarily putting himself in a more vulnerable position but Dal was well worth that in his eyes.

When the kiss broke this time, he smiled at him and reached to make sure that his boyfriend would have a pillow to rest against. Only then did he start to press kisses along his jaw and neck, fingers playing with the skin under that shirt but currently taking his time. There was no need to rush their first time together like this.

They've seen each other in various states of undress before. They've even been completely naked together (though Dal's memory of that is unclear). This feels different than any of that. There's an intent between them now that wasn't there in any of those previous experiences.

And Dal understands what Gabriel's doing. In the past, it's always been Dal who strips his clothes off for someone else, putting himself in the vulnerable position. It's always been Dal who initiates things with clients. So being able to allow Gabriel to take that role, it's a relief. It already feels less like what he used to do for a living.

Because he's frequently cold, even indoors, Dal's got a sweater on with a t-shirt underneath it. Layers always serve him well and, on the off chance that he gets warm, he can always peel one off and still be comfortable. It's also harder to be too cold when he's got Gabriel to snuggle up to. It always feels so wonderful, whether he's leaning against Gabriel or wrapped up in his arms.

Or now, with Gabriel's lips against his skin. Dal's eyes fall closed and he tips his head back to invite more of those kiss that leave his skin tingling. For his part, Dal presses his hands against Gabriel's sides, running them up from his hips, then down again. He's always so surprised how fit Gabriel is (even if it makes sense since he's an FBI agent). It doesn't show easily through his clothes.

Gabriel kissed under his chin as his fingers stroked the skin go of Dal's sides. Soft touches that were there to entice as much as they were to relax. He wasn't going to push his boyfriend faster than he was ready to go. And given the fact that it was their first time? It didn't need to be fast either.

Taking the edges of that sweater, he lifted it up but left the shirt on for the time being. He did take a moment to admire the slim frame though, smiling before giving Dal another soft kiss to his lips.

"Let me know if you get cold. We can always move under the covers together."

Fast is the last thing Dal wants. This is truly the first time he's having sex with someone because he wants to, because he's attracted to them, because he has feelings for them that he wants to deepen. That is a first for Dal. It's a first he wants to savor. He doesn't want to rush through it.

Dal stretches his arms up to aid in getting the sweater off. He doesn't even bother trying to fix his hair after the sweater tussled it. Instead, he nods. "I will," he assures. Somehow, he has a feeling he won't get too cold.

Those slim arms drape around Gabriel's neck, fingers playing at the nape. They loosen soon enough so Dal can run his hands over the back of Gabriel's shoulders, along the planes of his back. It's really a delightful surprise to feel that toned muscle just beneath his warm skin.

He sighed as he felt those hands play over the skin of the back of his neck, brushing the short hairs that were there. Gabriel loved the attention as much as he loved that Dal was having an equal part in this. It felt good on a number of levels. He never wanted Dal to feel like things were being done to him ever again, after all. They were partners through and through.

Without taking that shirt off, he lifted it up so he could start to press kisses along the skin beneath, taking his time to explore it. Loving every last inch that he came across. This body had been through so much but he would make sure that it was well loved and admired from now on. In every way that he possibly could.

And when Gabriel got to his chest, he flicked his tongue over a nipple, hands trailing along Dal's sides as he did.

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