Something twists in his gut at that; he hesitates, though he doesn't pull away. He accepts the kiss and keeps his hands in Gabriel's hair, but tips his head down a little when their lips part, resting his forehead against Gabriel's.

"Partner," he says, his voice wavering in spite of his best efforts to scoff. "Where'd you get that from?"

It's familiar, somehow, makes him ache in a way that feels like sense memory, like this is something he's heard and felt before and not Gabriel talking crazy out of nowhere.

He does pull away, setting his hands at Gabriel's shoulders, eyes flicking searchingly over his face.

"How could I possibly look out for you?" he says, half a genuine question, and half a playful challenge.