God, he is in so much deeper than he ever intended. How did this boy end up so attached to him? More importantly, how the hell did he find himself so attached in return? Gabriel looks at him with real worry that they will never see each other again, and Anthony wants nothing more than to soothe that worry.

It’s utterly ridiculous.

Anthony gathers up his clothes from the floor and puts on his shirt and trousers. Then he catches Gabriel’s hand and tugs him close. “I won’t give you a reason to do anything stupid,” he says wryly. It’s not quite I promise not to disappear, but it’s close.