Hearing the sigh followed by his full name, Gabe averted his eyes as he felt heat blossom across his cheeks. It was uncomfortable, as though he were being chastised by a teacher or, oh god, a parent, and he wasn't entirely sure how to feel. Ashamed, yes, but also a little defensive. He hadn't lied maliciously. He just..."Didn't want you to worry," he said, shifting his position in order to hide his face in the pillow. His voice muffled, he continued. "Everyone has them, it's no big deal. Mine just look worse because I'm a human."
With a small sigh, Gabe peeked out from behind the cushion and looked up from under his lashes at Eric. "I'm fine," he said, bringing a hand up and setting it against Eric's bruise-free chest. "I'm not going to break if you touch me." As if to prove a point, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around Eric's wrist, guiding his hand to press against his own chest, just below his heart. "I want you to touch me."