The small tin dropped from Abaddon’s hands, but he made no attempt to recover the mints and instead squeezed his hands together, once again hiding behind his mane as it fell around his face. “I won’t let that happen. There must be information on them in Father John’s office.”
Gabriel swallowed. “As well as my documents… I need them before I leave,” he uttered, wondering if he shouldn’t try to get away now, before shit hit the fan. If he made that choice, time and attention wouldn’t need to be wasted on protecting him, but he also wanted to support Abaddon in his cause, no matter the cost.
Abaddon nodded, crushing the mints between his teeth. “Yes. We’ll find them, and then I’ll make sure they never touch you again.”
“Would you…” Gabriel swallowed, fighting back tears that rose inside him like a rogue wave. “Would you make love to me? In case I die along the way? I don’t want to part without that. And when Martinez almost abducted me, I realized anything could happen.”
Abaddon froze before kneeling in front of Gabriel and grabbing both his hands. “You're not going to die.”
“We don’t know God’s will,” Gabriel whispered through the sadness firming up in his throat. He would be fine with dying if it meant Abaddon got to finish his task.
Maybe then, they’d get to enter heaven together, and he wouldn’t be forced to endure the years of loneliness ahead?
Abaddon’s face was a canvas of many emotions as he rose and cupped Gabriel’s face with both hands. “No, but I will do everything in my power to protect you. I’d rather be cast down into the inferno than see you hurt,” he declared in a choked voice. His eyes burned like a storm that had somehow caught fire, but none of the anger reflecting in them was directed at Gabriel.
Kissing his mint-tasting lips felt like second nature by now. “I never feel safer than when I’m around you.”
Abaddon pulled him close and pressed his lips to the top of Gabriel’s head, bringing Gabriel’s face to the cross on his neck. His heart beat in a fast yet reassuring rhythm that had Gabriel melt against him with an ever lighter heart. This was what perfection felt like.
“I… your question…” Was Abaddon flustered? “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Despite the dire circumstances, Gabriel couldn’t help a smile against Abaddon’s chest. “Yes. I want to lose myself in you. I want to know what it’s like before it’s too late.”
The precious heart sped up, and Abaddon’s arms tightened around Gabriel with gentleness only he could offer. “You mean… the thing we haven’t done yet?”
“Yes.” Gabriel looked up with his own face burning. “Unless you feel it’s not… something you want?” He curled his toes, embarrassed that he might have made wrong assumptions, but Abaddon leaned in and kissed his lips again.
“No… lamb, I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone. I just don’t want you to regret it.”
“The only thing I’d regret would be not being with you when I had the chance.” As ill-timed as his proposition seemed, this might be the last peaceful moment they shared, and Gabriel wanted to feel each intense second, sharing his body and soul with the man he loved.
Abaddon inhaled, stroking Gabriel’s face.
“Guide me?” Gabriel whispered.
“Here?”
Gabriel pressed his palms to Abaddon’s chest, nodding. “I have this feeling that anything can happen once we leave. Let me have this.”
The angel swallowed, but the thoughtful expression on his face turned into the sweetest smile. “Just tell me if anything’s wrong. Some people just don’t like it, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” he said before pulling Gabriel away from the car.
Gabriel had no idea how being penetrated would feel now that he was an adult and had a lover who cared for him, yet he had enough experience to know he was putty in Abaddon’s hands, that he loved yielding to every lick and touch, and offering his lover any pleasure he might crave. His heart raced with a mix of fear and anticipation, but the need to have Abaddon close was stronger than any doubts. Just for a while longer, this gift from God would be Gabriel’s only in the bright moonlight.
The woodland came alive with the buzzing of insects and the wind whispering in the treetops above. Abaddon took a deep breath and looked around, but who would wander the vast woodland belonging to the orphanage so late in the night? They were perfectly safe from prying eyes, and by the time Abaddon let go of Gabriel and dove back into the car, a sense of peace settled on Gabriel, keeping him as warm as Abaddon’s arms had.
Moments later, his angel emerged with a large blanket, which he smelled. “Recently washed.”
Gabriel snorted, disarmed by this mundane declaration. “I’d make love to you in the mud if need be,” he said with a smile, but was nevertheless glad he wouldn’t have to.