"Hey..." Gabriel said, startled for a moment by the sudden embrace--but only for a moment. It was still sometimes surreal to think they could do this whenever they wanted, that this was their new normal as opposed to all the pretending of the past, and he was still so used to being the initiator that these bursts of affection still caught him unprepared. But a second later, and he melted into the embrace, arms going around Roman's waist to hold him close and face tucked into the junction of his neck and shoulder.
"Hey, it's okay," he said, and kissed his neck, one hand moving to stroke his back in a slow, lazy circle. He knew this wasn't easy for him. Knew what going home meant, and tried to be there with him when he could, to keep him distracted and keep it light and maybe keep his mind off of the listlessness a little.
He pulled back then and pressed his forehead to Roman's, meeting his eyes and brushing some hair back from his forehead. "I love you, alright?"
