A/N: I love you guys. Thanks for the responses and votes on the last chapter.

Here's another without a need for a trigger warning, just more of Gabe being sweet and Henry being Henry, but what's that? Coming over the mountain...?

Gabriel felt guilty by the time Henry returned, late in the afternoon, with takeout from Gabriel's favorite Thai restaurant. He might be having all these new thoughts, that he knew made him a weirdo, whatever Sawyer had said, but it was completely unfair to expect Henry to change everything between them just to appease him.

Sawyer had messaged once or twice, but Gabriel was determined to ignore him – to make it up to Henry. He'd practiced for three hours in the morning, and then spent hours making sure the entire apartment was spotless, before picking his cello back up and practicing more. He'd forgotten to eat lunch, but he'd prepared a stew for dinner, which would luckily taste even better tomorrow now that Henry had unexpectedly brought food.

Gabriel didn't want to think too hard about what had happened. His bruises weren't fading yet – getting worse even, as they darkened into blackened shapes – but he couldn't think about what they represented. Not when Henry made it so clear – words and actions – that he wasn't going to suddenly decide he was into it; if anything, he was repulsed by it, and the confliction that created in Gabriel was enough to make him nauseous.

"Have some green curry," Henry offered, holding the container out.

Gabriel reluctantly took it. It was his favorite, and Henry might ask questions if he refused, but his stomach was in knots.

"Did you buy some more arnica? I can put it on you after we've eaten."

"Oh, no. Sorry. I stayed in today."

Gabriel had stayed in – just like he'd been told to – but Henry frowned at hearing he hadn't replaced the cream.

"How was your day?" he asked, to change the subject, but Henry's scowl got deeper.

"Fine. Nothing special."

"Oh? I thought you were tutoring."

"Well, yes. Mr. Brubaker asked me to give extra help to a student who has promise, but he's had a rocky start so needs some extra help."

That sort of made Gabriel think of his own circumstances, when he was younger, and his stomach clenched.

"Oh? Is that Tommy?"

"Yes." Henry took a large bite, and was unable to say anything for several moments, though Gabriel just waited, wanting Henry to tell him something. He needed to know why Henry had made this sudden change. Mr. Brubaker had asked him to personally tutor students before, and he'd always said no. So why was he willing to give this guy his time, just when he seemed unwilling to give time to Gabriel?

But Henry didn't say anything, taking another bite straight away – eating faster than he usually would. Gabriel needed more though.

"So...where's Tommy from?"

"Um, Iowa, I think. Single mother, little sister. He's a nice kid."

"How old is he?"

"I don't know. I guess eighteen or nineteen, probably."

Henry was answering, but his tone was dismissive. It didn't take a genius to see that he didn't want to be responding.

"Do you have a picture? I wonder if I know him?"

"I don't think you do. He's a freshman. Anyway, when you've cleared the table and washed up, come and sit with me and we'll watch the news."

It was a clear dismissal, as Henry left the table, and Gabriel hung his head for a moment, equal parts frustrated and confused.

When Gabriel had cleared up, he joined Henry on the creaking couch, laying his head on his lap, so Henry could run his fingers through his hair.

"You need a haircut. It's getting long."

"Mmhmm." Gabriel didn't want conversation if it wasn't going to answer questions. He just wanted to feel safe and cared for, like Henry had always done, for as long as he could remember. Even before what they had turned into something proper, and grown up, Henry had always been someone he could rely on to make him feel special.

He settled in, pressing his head lightly into Henry's hand, happy for a moment, despite the horrors from the world flashing across the television screen. He didn't have to worry about that, not when he had Henry to look after him.

He didn't sleep, but he'd definitely zoned out by the time Henry gently shook him.

"Come on, darling, bedtime."

Gabriel was sleepy, on wobbly legs, and Henry helped him to swap out his clothes for pajamas, standing behind him to provide support while he brushed his teeth, guiding him to the bed and tucking the sheet over him.

"I saw Mr. Brubaker today," Henry said, as he ran his fingers gently along Gabriel's hairline. "Apparently the message will come tomorrow, from the orchestra. So get a good night's sleep."

"What if I don't get it?"

"You will. We've worked hard at this. You are the best."

Gabriel didn't want to think about what Henry's refusal to acknowledge his concerns might mean. Henry wasn't going to walk out if he didn't get the position – he wouldn't do that, Gabriel was sure, even if he didn't seem inclined to come out and explicitly ease Gabriel's worries. They'd been through too much – he'd been there for Gabriel over far more tumultuous times.

But it didn't change the fact that sleep eluded him now, now that the bright bathroom light and act of brushing his teeth had woken him. Not helped by Henry giving him one last pat on the head and disappearing back into the living room, clutching his phone.

* * * * *

Henry was tired in the morning, but he still managed to slip out of bed and get ready without waking Gabriel. He left a brief note before heading to the Conservatory, wondering whether he was really in any position to be offering tutoring with how tired he felt. Or anything else.

But Tommy would be tired too, so it would be a good opportunity to see how he reacted to the pressure of being expected to perform through it. He was always so sweet and amenable. He reminded Henry of Gabriel when he'd been younger – all eager to please and in awe at his vast knowledge about music.

Henry shook the thought away, walking a little faster in the hope the exercise would clear his head a little. He wasn't sure what to do about the situation he found himself in. He truly was certain that Gabriel was skilled enough to secure the position with the London Philharmonic. And he was equally sure it was down to his teaching over all these years. He'd molded Gabriel into something truly impressive.

But he didn't know if he wanted to drop everything to go to London with him. There was the pleasant thought that if they started fresh out there, there wouldn't need to be the miserable subterfuge they'd always lived under. Gabriel was a man now – unequivocally and in the eyes of anyone who looked at him. He might still look a little young, but not so much that there would be scandal.

And then there was the guilty idea, that he could barely admit to himself, that Henry wasn't sure he wanted that.

It wasn't time to focus on conflict, though. There was Tommy, trotting up the stairs that led toward the practice rooms, a bright smile revealing white teeth, a sweet giggle when he waved at someone he knew. So pure, and so ready to be guided, and molded, into something great.

* * * * *

Gabriel woke late, which was to be expected when it had been the early hours before he'd finally drifted off to sleep. The early hours, and Henry still hadn't been to bed. And he wasn't there now, though the ruffled bedsheets on his side suggested he'd at least been there.

Gabriel found the note that said Henry had gone to the Conservatory for tutoring – again – and that Gabriel should stay in and wait for a message from the orchestra. He didn't want to be alone for it, but he was going to be, and he turned his head into the pillow, allowing himself a strained sob before he pulled himself together.

When he'd showered, he realized he had nothing to do. The apartment was spotless. He'd practice, but that could wait. He tried to read, but couldn't get his head into the fantasy story he'd chosen, and put it to one side after only a few pages.

He leapt for his phone when it chimed, hoping Henry was asking him to meet for lunch. But it wasn't Henry – it was Sawyer.

> Are you busy Gabriel? Can I take you out for lunch?

Gabriel barely thought about it, and had typed his yes before he could change his mind.