Niles arms close around Gabe without hesitation, holding him tight. A tension he hadn't been aware of seemed to ease from around his chest, allowing him to breathe just a little easier. He rests his cheek against Gabe, just slowly breathing him in. Familiar. Comfortable. Amanda could give him things that Gabe could not, but she'd never be that. She'd never have that familiarity. Like a piece of a home that doesn't exist anymore.

"I promise," he says softly. His hand comes up to wipe a tear from Gabe's cheek, looking him in the face. "I would never dream of letting you go. You know that." He pulled the other close again, so he could bury his face against the young man's hair. Trying to prove that he would never force Gabe away.