Gabriel was grateful that Eddy understood, that he didn't take things personally, and he simply nodded as the man spoke.  There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do except part, and hopefully Eddy would consider Gabe's advice, hopefully it would be true.<br/><br/>He watched Eddy pay up and then leave, then spent his time idling on the couch, pretending to be interested in his drink and watching the undulating patterns of the crowd.  Waiting.  Waiting, waiting, waiting...<br/><br/>Gabriel was like a statue, carved out of marble and set in place as part of an instillation.  The only parts of him that moved were his eyes, missing nothing in their calm stare, and the faintest anticipating tap of his fingertip against the glass in his hand.  He lived for Paul's presence, though he would never say so, and certainly not in front of the man he was unfailingly enamored with.  Paul wouldn't like the sentimentality, the weakness...  So Gabriel kept everything bottled tightly, hidden deep in the pools and caverns in his soul, and bided his time.<br/><br/>Gabriel didn't need to see Paul approach-- he simply<i>knew</i>, like he could sense the man was near.  He turned his glassy gaze away from the action, sliding unresponsively over faces that meant nothing to him, until his eyes landed on Paul.  Only then did they grow alive, imperceptively widening and filling with a brilliancy they never showed anyone else, not even Eddy.<br/><br/>It did not matter how many times Gabriel saw Paul; the image always made something in his heart sing, a mindless, joyful tune that nothing else could cause.  The constant half-smile grew slowly, the petals of a lily in bloom, and Gabriel set down his glass on the table.  The waitress would get it later.<br/><br/>Neither spoke a word as Gabe stood and led the way, an unrushed walk down one of the side halls, away from the noise and bustle, stopping at the end at a locked door.  Every room was broadly equipped with whatever items might be desired, whatever may be wished for, but this one... This one was Gabriel's specifically, and only Paul stepped past the threshold.<br/><br/>He slipped the key out of his pocket, and the lock clicked open softly.  The door was solid and sound-proofed, the walls concrete; once the door shut behind them both, the last muffled beats of music and chatter disappeared, leaving them in their shared silence.  Gabriel let out a quiet breath, just a whispery sigh, and he looked up at Paul with that velvety smile, so pleased to see him.<br/><br/>"It's been a while."  Not an admonishment in the least, just an observance, and Gabriel lightly brushed his fingers over the lapel of Paul's impeccable suit.  "Rough day...?"  The conversation was unnecessary, almost just flirting rather than actual back-and-forth.  They didn't need to talk to say what they meant.