Johnny startles a little as Gabe brings the memory back in living color, tastes and smells all. This hadn't been what he'd meant, it's more, it's so unbelievably generous, to have as much of a second shot at that moment as he could possibly get. He feels shaky when Gabe takes his hands and tells him again, properly.

He feels like he could just fall apart. It's still overwhelming and terrifying and more than he thinks he deserves, but it's his. He fought tooth and nail through his piece of shit life and came out with this, and he's going to cling to it, goddammit, it's his and he's going to treat it well. He hesitates for a lingering moment, staring intently into Gabriel's eyes even as the illusory suit and the flavors of alcohol fade away, and then he presses forward, throwing his arms around Gabe's shoulders and hugging him tightly.

"I love you, too," he whispers, like he was supposed to.

"Hey, uh..."

Johnny doesn't let go of Gabe even as he looks sharply at Digby, who's just poked his head out the door.

"Sorry," says Digby, vaguely sheepish. "Listen, I can come back tomorrow if-"

"No!" Johnny clears his throat and steps back from Gabe. "No. I'm good. Let's do the thing. Sorry. I just had to... get that off my chest." He glances at Gabe, taking one of his hands and squeezing it gently before following Digby back into his apartment.

"S'all good," says Digby as he ambles back over to his seat. "Y'all are fuckin' adorable."