They were bonded, not machines to the will of each other. They could fight and bicker like any other pair of people, but they always found common ground again. On some level, he thought he always understand Gabriel, even when they were arguing, even if it might not make sense at the time when tempers flared or hurt set in.

He closed his eyes, savouring the contact and returning his arm around the small of Gabe's back. His hand stroked up and down, mindful of the older man's wounds under those clothes. "Do you need me to take a try at the bike? Might be slower than you, but I can if you want a break."