Gabriel leaned over Carl. It was later that evening, and Gabriel had demanded Jinette to let him have sole responsibility of nursing Carl back to health. So, Gabriel was in Carl's room, watching the friar sleep, and also taking in a good view of Carl's quarters.
It was a small, square room. The walls were painted white, the floor was old wooden planks. The friar's bed took up most of the space, an old wooden affair with a thin, damp matress and a large pile of thick white blankets under which the little man was currently huddled. A small dresser stood beside the bed, and a quick look through them told Van Helsing that they were filled with various items of clothing, a few bottles of various chemicals, and a small black notebook that might have been a diary. Piles of paper and a lot of books littered the top of the unit. A small wooden cross was nailed to the wall above the unit, and rosary beads had been hung over it. A large, old window looked out upon the cold grey evening. A small, rickety chair was opposite the bed.
This was where Gabriel was sitting, leaned forward over Carl, dressed in a soft black tunic, trousers, and no shoes. He watched the other man sleep. Carl had a thoughtful expression on his face, his lips appearing to be in a small pout. Gabriel had changed him into a nightshirt. He looked so angelic. Gabriel was very tempted to grab his face and kiss him.
"I love you," he whispered to the sleeping man.
"I love you too," came a small, sleepy reply.
Gabriel felt his insides squirm pleasurably at Carl. "I thought you were asleep."
"Hmm. Maybe I am. It's like a dream," Carl replied softly, opening his eyes and stretching.
Gabriel felt his cheeks get hot, and felt colour rushing to them. He narrowed his eyes at Carl's cocky grin.
"Don't grin at me," Gabriel replied, trying to sound stern. "You little twerp. Tricking me into thinking you were asleep."
"I just like having you looking after me," Carl replied.
"How are you?" Gabriel asked, reaching out to catch Carl's hand and hold it tightly.
"My back sort of hurts, and I'm rather sleepy," replied Carl.
"You were very brave."
"I was very stupid. I gave you cocoa beans again."
Gabriel smiled. "Lovesickness. I can forgive you."
"I am not lovesick!" Carl said.
"Really?" Gabriel asked, leaning close to him.
Carl sat up and moved slightly forward. Their lips met in a short, sweet kiss.
"Maybe a little," he whispered, making the hairs on the back of Gabriel's neck prickle.
Carl slipped his hand around the back of Gabriel's head, and pulled him forward into a slightly more passionate kiss. Gabriel drew back, gasping for breath, and they embraced tightly, Gabriel resting his head in Carl's hair and closing his eyes in bliss.
SMASH.
Gabriel suddenly felt very cold. Carl tensed up, and Gabriel heard him give a whimper of fear.
"Well, well, well isn't this sweet?" a cold, Transylvanian voice said from beside the smashed window. "Hello, Gabriel. Hello, Carl."