Now that struck a nerve. Never before had Gabriel reacted this way to Paul, almost flinching, struggling not to recoil in horror. He's taken whips and cannings and beatings with enthusiastic glee, to the point of bleeding, and has never shied away from Paul's hands, but the moment he murmured a soft, tender 'sweetheart', Gabriel was terrified.<br/><br/>Some of that knife like quality shone through in Paul's placid smile, his plastic eyes sparking with a hint of triumph and deranged hunger, little more than a flash of a shark fin in dark water.<br/><br/>Why didnt he think to do this before? Why hadnt he discovered this weakness until now? True he was not prone to softness, but if it brought these delicious looks of panic he'd turn himself into a goddamn care bear. Just as long as Gabriel kept on looking like that.<br/><br/>He was so gorgeous when he was afraid, his face the most emotive Paul has ever seen.<br/><br/>"Shh shh," Paul hushed as his hands gently cupped Gabriel's face. He scooted over so that he sat directly in front of the boy, his legs splayed wide so Gabriel stood between his knees. He petted the boy's skin, making loving, comforting noises in his throat as if he were soothing a startled animal.<br/><br/>Paul never soothed. He liked to hear Gabriel cry, he liked to listen to his Angel's distress. He never comforted Gabriel, not like this.<br/><br/>"Do you want me to leave?" Paul asked, tone gentle in ways that Gabriel had never heard before. His fingers strayed up to Gabriel's hair, and he petted the white strands without any intention of gripping or pulling.<br/><br/>"If you're uncomfortable,<i>darling</i>, I will leave and come back another time when you're feeling more yourself," Paul said, his voice disturbingly warm with understanding and empathy, "but if you wish me to stay, we're going to do this a certain way to ensure that this lesson sticks with you. You know how I do not like to repeat myself."<br/><br/>Some of the real Paul came through at the end, his soft tone laced with the hard edge that Gabriel knew and wanted.