angelic_gabe (angelic_gabe) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2017-10-15 00:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | caspian finn, gabriel allen, keira adams |
Who: Gabriel, Caspian, Keira
What: Gabriel's back in town and goes to his mer-friends seeking comfort
Where: Cas's place
When: 13 October, 1888 [Slight backdate]
Rating: PG Polyamory Ahoy
Gabriel was exhausted, and raw about the edges, and he was running on instinct and fumes.
His hostess and his hostess’s staff had been quite attentive, and the accommodations lush, and he had spent a significant portion of it all unconscious (albeit drugged), so one would think he’d feel a touch more rested. But once he’d touched foot on familiar ground, the full force of the last four days had caught up with a vengeance, and the truly massive energy he’d spent trying his best to first survive a fire, and then to negotiate for his own neck (followed by rather intense business negotiations that were significantly lower-stakes, but still required he keep his wits and his charm at full force) left him practically weak-kneed with fatigue. Oh, he’d ended things pleasantly enough with Biddie, and was no longer actively afraid for his life, but it still left a mark.
While in Constantinople (of all places), he’d sent off a few telegrams -- to Leah and Keira in case the rings had made them worry, and Lydia (whom he knew would be utterly beside herself after report of the fire), and when he’d disembarked and made his way home, he’d been met with a flurry of rather exhausting questions and frantic hugs and kisses (and a few tears) from Leah, and had managed to comfort her, and assure her that while he had been in a rather tight spot that he was still planning on sticking around for a good while yet, thank you, and was quite resilient, really.
She’d had to go to work at Miss Lydia’s that evening, and he knew that if he came by, Lydia would look at him and deduce, as she always did, and he couldn’t face her knowing every inch of his ordeal and re-living it himself in the process, he just couldn’t. The thought of staying around the house or prowling by the Thames likewise held no appeal -- he was both too exhausted and too rattled to sleep or get anything of substance done, so he found himself standing at Caspian’s door instead, swaying a little.
He raised his hand and then lowered it, before screwing up his resolve and knocking.
He wasn’t sure the Mer was in -- if he wasn’t, Gabriel was very nearly at the point where he’d take advantage of Caspian’s offer and dig about for the spare key so he might sleep in his bed for an hour or two. There were things about Cas that Gabriel knew were immutable -- his friend didn’t care to be tied down and preferred to keep things simple and uncomplicated -- and if he had a head for it (which he honestly didn’t, not at the moment), he’d worry about bringing this complication to Cas’s door. As it was, he just wanted, needed, and that inexorable pull that drew him to his friend’s orbit was just too strong to resist.
The Mer was in as fortune would have it that evening. He had no rehearsal that evening nor did he feel up to gallivanting around with Katherine chasing Jack the Ripper for fun. A quiet evening at home was always a nice treat.
Expectations of company were void even on an occasion like this one. When he wanted to entertain, he did, and the company that he entertained at home was slight - only those handful of friends he trusted completely had ever been to his flat. Gabriel, Keira, and maybe another or two.
That sound of a knock was curious.
The door swung open and instantly Caspian was reaching out and drawing the other man across the threshold. “Gabriel! Are you alright?” He inquired, so very glad to see him, finally seeing the exhaustion in his friend’s features.
Seeing his friend was a relief, and Gabriel exhaled a breath he hadn’t quite been aware he was holding. Once the door was safely shut behind them, he reached for Cas, pulling him into his arms.
“Far better now,” he said, wincing a little, as his throat was still a touch sore. He inhaled Cas’s familiar, dear scent -- a clean smell of soap and the faintest whiff of saltwater as he buried his face in the crook of his neck. “I’m sorry,” he said, quietly, muffled a little, “I’ll be alright. I’ve just… I just needed… mercy, I’ve had a time of it.”
“No, you needn’t be sorry,” he whispered as the door closed behind his friend, sealing them away from the world. Caspian pulled away from Gabriel only long enough to rid the man of his coat and hat, trying to see to it that his friend was more comfortable.
“Come in here, sit and rest. Would you care for some tea?” My, Gabriel sounded as if he were in rough shape. The Mer led his friend into the sitting room, settling his friend down in the most comfortable of spaces.
“Please,” he replied, a little raspily, looking up at his friend. “That would be wonderful, thank you.” He reached for Cas’s hand. “Tea and you,” he added, with a small smile, before giving his friend’s hand a squeeze and then releasing it.
His clothes had been cleaned and pressed while Biddie’d kept him -- a small blessing that they didn’t reek of smoke -- but he’d taken away enough reminders of his ordeal; a blooming bruise about his neck and ribs, a raw throat, and a few memories he had a feeling would keep him up the next few nights. Oh, he’d left things cordially enough, but he had a feeling it was still going to be a while before he could eat a medium rare steak without shuddering.
Before he could rush off to fix tea Caspian felt Gabriel grasp his hand. He leaned inward, pressing their mouths together for the briefest, loveliest moments. And then he was off to get tea started.
Once the kettle was on and going he came back to Gabriel. Easily he began to part Gabe’s clothing. “I do not like to see you in such a state.”
Gabriel leaned his head against Caspian’s shoulder as Caspian unbuttoned his shirt, finally (finally) starting to relax a little, and the release of tension left him hollow and bone tired.
“There was a fire at a warehouse I was touring, of all things,” he said, low and soft. “It was a close call. I saw…” he exhaled. “Two men died right in front of me, Cas, and I nearly joined them.” He huffed a little into Cas’s shoulder as he felt the Mer’s hands on his chest, his own hand reaching for Cas’s neck.
It was more complicated than that, of course it was, but he didn't want to launch into a lengthy tale that'd be more worrisome, and that managed to capture the main of it -- the fear, the horror, the brush with death that’d brought him here. It was funny, how a run-in with one’s own mortality had a way of bringing things into sharper focus.
Caspian worked the buttons on Gabriel’s shirt even after the neck, pulling apart the fabric. He ran his fingers very gently over Gabriel’s chest and neck, studying his friend’s condition.
Instantly his own arms lifted and curled around Gabriel. He closed his eyes, tears stung those deep blue pools, “I couldn’t bear to lose you.” He meant it. Existence without Gabriel wasn’t worth it. He’d rejoin the sea if that happened.
His heart raced and it was then the Mer realized how deep his feelings for his friend went. He said nothing, of course, and pulled back to peer at Gabriel. “You rest. Whatever you need to help you relax and recover you just tell me.”
“Oh, Cas,” Gabriel replied, seeing his friend’s eyes look particularly bright and feeling an answering prick of tears in his own. “I’m quite glad I’m still around too, believe me, and God willing, will be for a good long while yet. I’m just…”
He leaned over to kiss Caspian softly, and then rested his forehead against the Mer’s. “Thank you. You’re a dear friend,” he said, a little thickly, “and I do love you, you know. Quite a bit. And I’d hate to leave that unsaid.” He kissed the other man’s cheek quickly, and a flash of a smile flitted across his face. “Forgive my sentimentality, would you? Tea, and being here for an hour or two would do me a world of good. You’ve no idea how much.”
He didn’t want Cas to feel obligated to return the sentiment, or feel undue pressure -- that somehow, his declaration came with unwanted strings -- so he said the last part lightly enough, but he couldn’t help but be honest. He’d had a few heart stopping moments during his ordeal to reflect on the those souls he’d miss the most; his children, his dear and loyal Lydia, his closest friends and lovers… and among that treasured company, his two Mer friends each held a special place in his heart, and he had to admit to loving them both perhaps more than he ought.
Love wasn’t something Caspian truly understood -- not to the extent that others did, but he did know that whatever he felt for Gabriel could probably be called that. It was a deep feeling, something that swelled when Gabriel was around and something that felt empty when the man wasn't around.
“I love you too,” he replied without any hesitation. Whatever gravity it brought he’d take it. He knew Gabriel’s obligations and the words changed nothing as far as their arrangement previously went. It wasn’t like they could be together anyway, society wouldn’t have it.
He pulled back from his friend after pressing a chaste, sweet kiss upon Gabriel’s lips and then went off to tend to the kettle. It wasn’t but a few moments more that Caspian returned with a cup settled on a saucer with tea. He brought a tray with a few other things: the sugar, the milk, biscuits if Gabriel needed something light.
Gabriel hadn’t been expecting an answer in kind, and he knew Caspian dealt in certainty -- the Mer spoke truthfully as a matter of course, and didn’t censor himself or tell others a comforting fiction for the sake of politeness -- it was one of the things Gabriel admired in his friend. So when he replied in his usual, straightforward simplicity, Gabriel felt a weight settle pleasantly in his chest. Despite the trial he’d been through to get here, and the fact that he still felt exhausted and battered, the world seemed as if it made a little more sense. He was glad his first instincts had sent him here, too tired to watch his tongue, and too close to having lost everything to care about the consequences.
Gabriel’s eyes followed Caspian as the Mer moved efficiently through the comforting ritual of tea with a practiced air, and he found himself lingering on Cas’s hands -- steady and sure. When the Mer finally came back with a laden tray, he liberally doctored his cuppa with enough milk and sugar so that it resembled a posset he’d drunk often as a child, and leaned against Caspian, reaching for the Mer’s hand to hold in his, wincing a little at the first sip, the warm liquid soothing against his sore throat.
“You really are a marvel, you know,” he said, quietly. “Tell me,” he added, clearing his throat a little, “what have you planned for the review this week? I’ll most likely be attending on Sunday.”
As they settled into the ritualistic tea Caspian began to feel more comfortable. Gabriel was in rough shape, there was no doubt about that, but the Mer would tend to his friend to ensure he was feeling better when he did go back out into the world.
He held onto Gabriel’s hand. Caspian squeezed his friend’s fingers gently and smiled warmly. “I cannot sit by and let you feel any less than yourself.” It was the truth and anyone that knew Gabriel would probably do the same.
At mention of the Review, Caspian nodded. “Something light, an act to lighten any dark mood.”
“You are quite good at that,” Gabriel replied with a sigh, turning to kiss Cas’s temple. “Humor, then? Nostalgia? Or something… effervescent and joyous? Like champagne and strawberries?” He settled against Caspian’s side, comforted by his warmth and solidity, the way their bodies fit so comfortably together.
“I am not quite sure yet, but probably leaning more toward the effervescent and joyous. Something to combat the darkness and horror the townsfolk are feeling. We have to be the beacon in these dark times or we shall sink into the depths.”
He was passionate for the Review. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else, being involved with anything else.
“You should come and see the rehearsal on Friday evening if you’re able. The cast would adore a visit.”
“Yes, please,” Gabriel replied back. “I’d like that. Very much.” He thought of getting the cast bottles of champagne and baskets of strawberries at rehearsal as a treat, and the notion made him smile as he rested his head on Caspian’s shoulder. “I can think of no-one better than you to take that on,” he added. “Truly. You and your company make it seem so effortless, but I know how much care you put into it.”
He raised their linked fingers and kissed the back of Caspian’s hand before melting a little against the Mer. This felt normal, it felt right, and after having spent his last few days utterly upended and off-kilter, it was a much needed re-centering.
Radiant, the Mer nodded, “I shall tell them you will be by to see them.” Caspian valued Gabriel’s input. Often he took some of Gabriel’s suggestions and was able to mould them into artwork. And any time Gabriel visited the cast and crew it was a real treat - the man always came bearing gifts.
An arm wound around his friend. He had no shame in holding the other man close, gently, considering the exhaustion and injuries.
The kiss at his hand left him breathless. He knew he’d made the right choice of words in baring himself to Gabriel. “You should get some rest. Don’t let me distract you.”
Gabriel sighed. “Just for an hour or two,” he said, quietly. “I’ll want to be back when Leah’s done for the evening. I just couldn’t…” he set down the teacup, and his hand gently gripped the fabric of Caspian’s shirt as he curled further into the Mer’s side. “I needed to pull myself together a touch.”
He closed his eyes. “I wish I could stay for longer,” he added, a little muzzily. “I’ll most likely want to steal you away for another trip to the country soon,” he added, his mouth curling up a little at the corner at the thought. “Have you all to myself… kiss you silly as often as I please…”
“I can send a telegram to Lydia,” Caspian offered. Gabriel would be no good to anyone if he was exhausted. Whatever his friend wanted would happen, Caspian would’ve given his very life for Gabriel had the man simply asked.
He held onto Gabriel unwilling to let go just yet. “That would be lovely. I do adore our trips to the country.”
“Already sent word,” Gabriel replied, leaning over to kiss Cas’s cheek. “Thank you. Endlessly.”
He was already half asleep, and he drifted away shortly after in the comfortable quiet, Caspian’s arm wrapped around him, but when he drifted back into consciousness again, it was with a moment of pure panic -- reminiscent of when he'd woken two nights previous in a strange bed, wearing a set of pajamas that weren’t his, with no notion of how he’d gotten there and nowhere to run to, nothing to do but talk Biddie out of killing him right then and there, and there was a brief moment where he thought oh, Christ, my going to Cas’s was just a dream -- she’s knocked me out again and I never left, I’m still there, I never left, and he awoke with a gasp of blind fear as a man drowning (which didn’t do his throat any favors), his heart rabbiting in his chest, his eyes searching wildly, but it was Caspian’s rooms after all, Caspian’s familiar couch, and Caspian there, next to him, looking sweetly concerned, and he very nearly cried with the relief of it.
“Oh,” he croaked, “Oh, thank God,” he added, running his hand over his face and reaching for the Mer. “Thank God I’m really here, with you,” he mumbled, pulling Caspian close. He shuddered a little, wrapping his arms around him.
Concern touched Caspian’s features.
He took his teacup lest it fall and set it upon the coffee table.
When Gabriel’s arms wound around him Caspian exhaled and he held onto the other man. “You’re here, do not fret. Please.”
His lips pressed tenderly to Gabriel’s, “Allow me to put you to bed, my love.”
Gabriel returned the kiss, and then kissed the Mer yet again at the endearment, lingering as his heart slowly returned back to a steadier pace.
It was an exercise in futility to imagine dragging himself into work -- and his earlier panic made him dread the thought of going back to sleep alone in his quarters.
He sighed, burying his head in Cas’s shoulder. “You’re right,” he said, quietly. “Yes, please.” He kissed the Mer’s cheek. “I’ll be quite careful when I take my leave,” he said, his voice low and worn thin.
“You don’t have to be careful,” Caspian promised. The teacup was set aside and gently he aided his friend in rising.
“This way.” He helped Gabriel toward the bedroom, eager to let the man sleep as long as he wished. Even if his friend insisted on an alarm Caspian wouldn’t set one, Gabriel needed to sleep as much as possible.
He helped his friend lay down, working the man out of his clothes.
Gabriel chuckled a little, a low, quiet sound as Caspian capably slipped off his shoes, socks, and garters. His shirt was already mostly off, so it didn’t take much effort to shrug out of it, and he managed to undo his belt and trousers before Cas slid them off, leaving him in his briefs. He was used to being undressed under vastly different circumstances -- a flurry of heated glances, passionate exclamations, furious kissing, desperate fingers, but this was gentler -- simpler -- the touch of Caspian’s beautifully steady hands didn’t spark desire, or hunger, but rather a warm feeling of being cradled and cared for.
“I adore your hands,” he rumbled in a low rasp as his trousers were unceremoniously dumped on the floor with the rest of his clothing. He reached for Caspian’s fingers once more. “You are so dear to me,” he said, quietly, “I know… I know it’s damned inconvenient at times, to have to be so hidden, so quiet, and I know we each have our share of obligations, but you make me ridiculously happy.”
Caspian worked diligently for things he cared a great deal about and while he didn’t think he possessed human tenderness or really much love or adoration it was present in his actions not only at the Review but also in matters that concerned his friend.
The Mer smiled proudly as Gabriel took his fingers. “You make me happy as well, Gabriel. I cannot honestly say that there is any other I've come across in my lifetime quite like you. You stir feelings in me that I do not understand and am a little confused by but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Hiding or not, Gabriel was worth every moment spent.
Leaning over, Caspian pressed a chaste but adoring kiss to Gabriel’s mouth. “You should rest. We can speak more of this when your mind is able to fully process things.” He knew the toils of exhaustion.
Gabriel looked up at Caspian as they kissed, and he nodded, his free hand reaching up to brush through Caspian’s hair. “You’re right,” he said, his voice low. “We’ve got time. And thank God for that.”
“Indeed, it is very short supply these days,” the Mer replied in agreement. Time was often not on their sides, lucky for them they had managed to capture a sliver of it for themselves though time was a fleeting thing.
When minds were clearer, more free from the burden of distraction they could visit this again.
“Rest, dear, before the day takes you again.”
Gabriel’s hand brushed against Caspian’s cheek. “Thank you,” he said. “You might… might you send word to Keira that I’m here for the next little while?” He knew she was a busy little creature, and he’d sent her a telegram telling her he was alright, but he knew hearing it from Caspian too would help settle her; that, and she knew when he was expected -- he didn’t want her showing up to the empty house and fretting.
“I shall send word,” he said quietly. He would’ve done anything Gabriel asked of him. He was aware of how Keira had been regarding the situation with Gabriel and once his friend was settled he’d be off to send the message.
Keira had been on pins and needles. She’d gone through an emotional upheaval that had nearly made her sick, giving her a headache that had not left her until she had received word that Gabriel was safe. The telegram had given her a slight reprieve from the tension and worry and she’d gone about her business as usual and waited to hear that he was home and safe.
The moment she received word that he was at Caspian’s she dropped everything and hurried straight to her friends home. Taking a moment to compose herself, she started to lift her hand to knock on the door and hesitated. She didn’t want to impose on Caspian’s time with Gabriel, but then she thought that Caspian had sent word and had to know that if he did she would come straight away. Setting her resolve, she lifted her hand once more and knocked thrice before lowering her hand and waiting to be let in.
Those soft, yet hurried knocks at his door had his attention. Caspian glanced over a shoulder, studying the situation, before turning back to Gabriel, who’d stirred upon hearing it. “Shh. My friend, please excuse me and let me find out who is at the door before making any noise.” For his protection. He’d almost lost Gabriel once, he didn’t want to go through that again.
Rising, Caspian left Gabriel to rest and went to the door. He opened the front door and peered through the small crack. The vision beyond the door prompted Caspian to pull the door open wider. “Keira,” he breathed, motioning the other Mer inside. “He’s resting, in the bedroom.” He wouldn’t stop her from going to their friend, not at all.
When the door opened, Keira looked helplessly at Caspian. “I’m so sorry,” she said in a hushed tone as she stepped inside. “I tried not to come, but I needed to see him for myself,” she explained. She didn’t want to impose. She would see Gabriel and then she would be on her way to let the two have their moments alone.
Gabriel rubbed at his eyes as Caspian left the room, and when he saw Keira in the doorway to the bedroom, her face drawn, he pulled himself up in the bed and reached for her, a quiet sound of dismay escaping him.
“Oh, my dear,” he said, “I’m quite alright. I’m so very sorry to have worried you so.”
When she reached the doorway of the bedroom, she stood quietly and felt the familiar ache in her heart pull as relief settled completely around her. Still, she was worried. He looked worse for wear, and if he were resting then he had definitely been through an ordeal. When Gabriel realized she was there and reached for her, she let out her own sound of dismay breach her lips and went directly to him.
She settled on the bed beside him and gently wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I don’t know whether to be angry or happy right now,” she said as she drew back from him. “You gave us all quite a fright. You’re alright? All in one piece and all?”
The door only widened for the mermaid, Caspian had invited her into his space and he wasn’t going to take that offer back now. Once Keira was safely inside he closed the door and followed after her.
Gabriel was important to many, not just the Mer, and Caspian was not of the heart to turn anyone away. What right did he have?
Slowly he swept back into the bedroom and sat down next to Keira, letting the two have their moment, glad for it.
Gabriel looked up at Keira, one arm wrapping around her waist, and then over at Cas sitting next to her. “I’m here,” he said, quietly. “I’m here and living, and while it was a close thing, far closer than I’d like, and I’m beyond tired, I’ll be alright.” He smiled a little, swiftly, his voice suddenly thick in his throat as he reached across Keira to grasp Caspian’s hand in his. “How could I not be, with such good friends?” He said, quietly.
“You’ve no idea how much good it’s doing my heart just now, to be here with you both.”
He kissed Keira’s cheek, and raised Cas’s hand to kiss at his knuckles before lacing his fingers with Caspian’s and giving Keira a squeeze. “Truly,” he said, resting his head against her shoulder, “it’s a comfort very nearly beyond measure.”
Keira looked to Caspian as he sat next to her and she reached over to him and placed her hand on his knee. She heard Gabriel’s words and smiled gently. She hated to hear that it was such a close call, that they had nearly lost him, but she tried not to dwell on that. He was here, he was alive, that was all that mattered.
“Cas and I kept each other from falling apart while you were gone,” she mentioned, her eyes shifting to her mer-friend. “You two are my family,” she said, which might be weird since both were sleeping with Gabriel, but she didn’t know how else to explain it. “I would not take it very well if I lost either of you, so let’s try to keep the close calls to a minimum,” she said with a small chuckle to lighten her words. “And of course we would both be here. How could we not?”
She closed her eyes and relished in the moment that her two favorite men were here with her and both were doing well, but she was sure she needed to leave to give them their privacy. “It’s good to my heart that you are doing alright, Gabriel,” she murmured. “So thank you for letting me come, but I can go now and give the two of you some privacy,” she moved a hand to rake fingers through Gabriel’s hair and let fingers draw gently across his cheek. “I’m sure Cas will take great care of you.”
Caspian radiated at the touch of Gabriel’s lips at his fingers. He twined their digits together, holding on to the man as if for dear life. His other hand lifted to settle upon Keira’s at his knee. He found comfort in the pair of them in a way he never could with anyone else.
“You are our family as well, Keira.” He had no hard feelings against her considering their situation amongst the three of them. He never would, though both of them had claimed a piece of his heart he bore no claim to either of them regarding their decisions.
A soft laugh escaped him, “You know that the three of us are quite prone to finding trouble, even when we aren’t searching for it.”
Gabriel’s chuckle in reply to Cas was a raspy one, but the fact that he was capable of it was quite a good sign, all told, and he slid his fingers against the Merman’s as he nuzzled against Keira’s neck. It smelled as it always did -- vanilla and cinnamon mixed with the slightest hint of salt -- and he could feel the set of his shoulders relaxing.
“I will try my best,” he said to Keira, “and I thank God I have you both to make life infinitely worth living.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek once more. “And the same goes for you, dearest, I might add. You keep safe, now. You’ve got people who want you to stick around for a good long while. A family.”
His eyes locked with Caspian’s briefly at that, a quiet look of gratitude passing over his face for the Mer’s acceptance of who he was, of including Keira effortlessly without judgement or jealousy, the simple use of ‘our’ and ‘both’ and ‘the three of us’ floating in the air speaking volumes, and at that moment, oddly enough, he felt extraordinarily at peace.
“I just need some rest,” he added, quietly, looking up at Keira, smiling as her fingers danced through his hair and across his face, his expression fond, “a few hours sleep will do me a world of good, and I’ll be by later for some of that marvelous tea. J’adore, my dearest.”
Keira turned her hand over once Caspian’s touched her, automatically linking their fingers and giving his hand a squeeze. She smiled at him to hear her call her a part of their family as well and thought she felt more at home now than she ever had before and that was a great feeling. “And here I thought I was the only trouble maker,” she gave a light chuckle. “I’ll do my best to keep safe, sometimes I have no control over the circumstances, but you know I’m well enough protected and I have the ring.” She didn’t tell him how much of a heart attack she had had when the ring she wore started and then stopped. How she had cried and worried and had gone searching for him at home and Lydia’s or how she had shown up at Caspian’s door. She didn’t want him to feel guilt, because if anything there had been some good to come of it and he was here now safe and sound. That was what matter most; he was safe.
“Get your rest,” she said and moved to give Gabriel a kiss on the cheek. “I know I’ll see you soon enough. Then, without thinking twice about it, she leaned over and kissed Caspian on the cheek as well. “And you take care of him, and of yourself. I’ll see you soon enough as well.” She stood to her feet after untangling herself from both and looked down at them. “I’ll send some snacks from the shop,” she said after a moment and then turned to leave, giving both gentleman a simple wave over her shoulder as she exited the room.
It warmed Caspian, the amount of love shared between all of them. He felt no jealousy, not really. There was nothing to be jealous of. Keira was just as deserving of a soft heart and a warm bed as anyone else, and Gabriel could give her those things. For all the things he didn’t know about Love he was discovering that the feeling was vast. Like the ocean. He could relate to that.
He beamed visibly as Keira’s lips touched his cheek and his heart swelled even more. “Please be safe, my lady. I shall keep this rascal out of harm as much as I can.”
Caspian would tend to Gabriel for as long as necessary and when Gabriel was ready to once more challenge the night Caspian would let him go.
As Keira took her leave, Gabriel curled up against Caspian. “Rascal, hm?” he said, with a low amusement. “Thank you for that, love,” he added, quietly, nestling against the Mer. “For everything.”
It was a blessed relief to not have to think, to watch every word, to bury his instincts deep, and there was something fundamental about feeling safe enough to fall apart a little, knowing he wouldn’t be judged for it.
Caspian took Gabriel into his arms, very gently, and held onto the man. The man he loved. “You are welcome, my love. Things cannot be any other way for it to work as perfectly as it does. You shall never have to worry about me, my heart will never change toward you, Keira, or anyone else.”
This. He needed this more than anything and there was no sacrifice he wouldn’t make to maintain it.
“You’ve had an eventful day, Gabriel. Please rest. Gather your strength for your next adventure.”
Caspian was always a remarkably straightforward creature -- he said what he meant, without embellishment, and Gabriel knew his friend meant every word. However unconventional it was, Keira was right -- they’d managed to cobble together something precious.
On the airship, he’d barely managed to snatch a few hours of fitful, light sleep (he didn’t particularly count the time he’d spent unconscious as ‘sleep’), but with Caspian’s arms around him, he felt secure, and safe, and loved, and that was enough.