Paul returned the kisses, soft and slow, regathering the parts of himself that had been scattered while Gabriel did much the same.  They had kissed more in this one night than Gabriel ever remembered, but this was a special occassion.  This was something beyond, and he would savor it all without question.<br/><br/>Paul held him and called him by his favorite petname, and even though Gabriel knew himself to be nothing like an angel, he still loved to hear the term applied to him.  His heart was black and ugly as sin, but Paul had found something to appreciate among the rot, had found the tiny part of him that was untouched and still whole.  Gabriel was damaged, badly; there was no denying that.  But Paul made him feel as near to normal as he could ever be.  As loved as he could ever be loved.<br/><br/>Gabriel did not believe he deserved it, in fact he knew he didn't: he deserved to still be on the streets, or dead in an alley, or wasting away in the hell of his family home.  He deserved to have Joseph Isetti alive and ruling over him again, but somehow he'd been given a miracle.  The miracle of Paul.  It made his heart hurt, made him so full of joy he could hardly stand it, beyond containment.<br/><br/>Thoughts swirled in his head, calmed his nerves, and slowly Gabriel pulled back enough to look his Sir in the eyes, delighting in their darkness, the unending depths.  He brought a hand up, fingers trailing over Paul's skin before slipping through his hair to brush some stray strands away from his lovely face-- a rhythmic, soothing caress.  His green glassy stare was intent and serene, two undisturbed pools, and he smiled again.<br/><br/>"Not such a bad day after all."