Gabe's hand went up to Alex's head, lightly running his fingers through Alex's hair. A small part of Gabe's mind thought about how Alex was okay with Gabe touching him now, but he didn't say anything out loud. He just kept his arms around Alex, letting him cry. No talk of how he needed to man up, that crying was for women and children.
Alex was shuddering with his sobs, clinging to Gabe as he cried. It took him a long time to calm down again, to stop crying and sobbing into Gabe's shoulder. He took a deep breath.
"You feeling better now?" Gabe asked,fingers still gently going through Alex's hair. He had been pacient the entire time, just letting Alex get everything out in his own time.
Alex nodded a little. "Y-yeah." He whispered. He sniffled softly, slowly letting go of Gabe. "I'm sorry…"
"It's okay," Gabe said gently, his tired mind a little upset when Alex pulled away.
"you don't need to be sorry."
Alex peeked over at him, shaking just a little bit still. "Yes I do. I-I'm just going to cause trouble for you…"
"Is that what you think," Gabe said ponderously, looking over at him.
"Alex, it's okay.' he smiled gently. "I can handle trouble."
Alex bit his lip, looking at Gabe and shaking a little. "A-are you sure? I c-can leave if…if you want me to. I-I…"
"Alex." Gabe looked at him for a moment, hand going over to lightly touch Alex's. He was ready to pull away if Alex wasn't comfotable with this.
"I'm not going to ask you to leave. It's okay."
Alex looked up at him, swallowing hard. "Are you sure?" He asked softly. "I-I know that…that what I am is probably disgusting t-to you…"
(Gtg to bed soon most likely. Good night!)
(Night!)
Gabe scoffed lightly.
"Why would I find you disgusting? Because you're a sodomite? Alex, while I might not agree with it, I'm not going to condemn you for it."
Alex blinked, looking very small and very vulnerable, curled up near Gabe on the bed. He sniffled a little, rubbing his face with a hand. "Y-you won't?"
"I won't, " Gabe assured. He smiled softly, not taking his hand away.
Alex leaned into Gabe's hand a little, breathing still shaky. "Okay. Thank you…"
"You're welcome," Gabe softly said. He smoothed Alex's hair down, being very gentle.
Alex took a deep breath, leaning into Gabe's hand just a little bit, closing his eyes for a moment.
"You think you'll be able to sleep anymore?" Gabe asked, not taking his hand away.
Alex opened his eyes again, and shrugged slightly. "I… I don't know." He replied softly.
Gabe nodded, thinking for a moment.
"Well, I'll stay in here with you as long as you want me to." He smiled softly, moving a bit farther onto the bed. This action against caused him to move closer to Alex, though he didn't say anything about it.
Alex nodded. Without really thinking about what he was doing, he snuggled into Gabe's side, eyes flickering shut.
Gabe was a bit surprised when Alex snuggled into him, but he allowed it, putting his arm around Alex and running his fingers through Alex's hair. Reed flags and sirens were waiting in the back of his mind, but he was too tired to care.
Alex held still, leaning into Gabe and enjoying the feeling of fingers in his hair. Of gentle touches for the first time in a very, very long time.
Gabe continued to hold Alex gently, much better at this kind of comfort. Eventually, he began to hum softly, an old lullaby his mother sang to him.
Alex listened quietly, still cuddled close to Gabe's side. His eyelids dropped sleepily.
Gabe saw this, and gently moved both of them back. He pulled the blanket up with his free hand, keeping Alex close. Letting him know Gabe wanted to hold him like this, even though he was shifting a bit.