Never Let You Go

Fifteen

Sam was nervous about all of this. Gabriel seemed so confident, and that should've helped Sam, but sometimes it just made him feel more awkward. But he loved Gabriel, and that was what mattered.

"So what do you want to do today, Gabe?" Sam asked one morning, almost a week after they got together.

"I'm sorry, I don't see any 'Gabe' here," Gabriel said. Sam sighed.

"I'm not doing it," he said.

"I'm sorry, who are you talking to?" Gabriel asked with mock innocence. They stared at each other for a minute before Sam finally broke. He sighed again.

"Fine. What do you want to do... short stack?" He asked again. Gabriel grinned.

"Let's just go for a walk. We can think of something," he said. Sam grabbed a jacket and put it on over his plaid shirt and Gabriel clicked his tongue.

"So many layers, Sam. That's just more work for me, I guess," Gabe said.

"What? That- oh..." Sam said. His face began turning red and Gabriel smiled smugly.

"Too easy, Sam. At least, that's the hope," he said. Sam blushed harder.

"Let's just go," he said.

***

Sam was enjoying walking with Gabriel, holding hands and talking.

"Hey, what's going on up there? There's a big crowd," Gabe said.

"It's just a guy talking. Probably preaching something," Sam said as they paused at the back of the crowd.

"You can see? I want to see!" Gabe complained.

"Well you're welcome to try and fight your way to the front," Sam said.

"Sam! How can you say that? Your boyfriend is in need, and you refuse to help!" Gabriel said.

"I'm not picking you up, Gabe," Sam said.

"And I would never suggest such a thing! I want to sit on your shoulders instead," Gabe said.

"What? No way," Sam said. Gabriel gave Sam his best sad face.

"Oh... okay. I guess I'll just suffer here on the ground," he said, turning to walk away slowly. Sam sighed.

"Fine. But you owe me," he said, crouching down.

"Yes!" Gabe exclaimed. Gabriel climbed up Sam's back and perched on his shoulders. Sam straightened up.

"Oh my god I can see everything!" Gabe said.

"Enjoying it up there?" Sam asked.

"I am never getting down," Gabe said. Sam chuckled and started walking again.

"You are insane," Sam said.

"It's part of my charm," Gabe said.

"It really is. I love you," Sam said. Gabriel didn't respond for a second. "Gabriel? Is something wrong?" Do you not love me back anymore?

"I still love it when you say that to me," Gabe said, crouching over awkwardly and kissing the top of Sam's head. "I love you too."