Sam kept his eyes trained on the stage as he shook another fancy sounding cocktail for another rich and successful businessman, who maybe wasn't so successful in relationships. Even though he saw the performances on a day to day basis, there was always something slightly different about each act. He loved his job, because his favourite activity was people watching. So not only was he privy to the lives of the performers, but also to those of the clientele that came through the doors. After clearing his current order of drinks, Sam moved along the bar to give himself a better vantage point. He enjoyed watching the next number, because it involved both male and female dancers, a feat which was quite unseen in the business. But, unlike most of the clients, he wasn't watching it for the female dancers. He was watching the males. Well, one male in particular. Gabriel.

Sam did not identify as homosexual in any way, which is why it came as a shock to him when he found himself drawn to the golden eyed dancer. However, there was just something different about him that had Sam intrigued. Unlike the rest of the male dancers, Gabriel was different. When he performed, he seemed to stand out from the others, and Sam could hardly tear his eyes away. Gabriel almost seemed to know it, too, and would often send glances in the bartenders' direction whilst he was on stage. Sam blushed at the thought, scanning the length of the bar for any customers, before turning his attention back to the stage. The music had started and the dancers were in position, but Sam wasn't focused on those already on the stage. His eyes were trained on the left hand wing, where he knew that Gabriel would be waiting ready to come on. Though Sam knew that Gabriel's appearance was not until about a minute into the routine, he couldn't help but keep his eyes trained on the spot. He had to look away briefly in order to fill out an order for one of the customers, but his attention returned to the stage just in time to see Gabriel leap forth and gather one of the female dancers around the waist and spin her round. Sam couldn't help but smile at how effortless the male dancer made it seem. In his mind, Sam pictured Gabriel putting his strength to other uses, which made him shake his head in disbelief. Sam decided that he needed to go out more, and meet some new people. Preferably people of the opposite sex. Tearing his eyes away from the routine on the stage, Sam paced the length of the bar like a caged lion, keeping his eyes directed firmly away from Gabriel.

Gabriel could see Sam watching him from behind the bar, and he smirked slightly to himself. He knew that Sam didn't know that he knew about Sam's observations. It hadn't been Gabriel himself that noticed it, but rather Gabriel's dance partner. However, now that his attention had been drawn to the fact, Gabriel couldn't help but pick Sam out every time he went out onto the stage to perform. In fact, the tall, long-haired bartender was probably the easiest person for Gabriel to pick out from under the stage lights, because he would always stand in the same place for each of the numbers that Gabriel danced in. Gabriel relished the attention of the bartender, because he felt he always put on a better show when he knew that someone was watching him specifically. Most of the patrons came to the club for the girls, though there were a few who came for the males. However, they were a select few, and not the sort the Gabriel would naturally see himself pursuing. Sam, on the other hand was a different matter. Gabriel always performed better knowing that Sam was there. He used it as an incentive to impress. It had been a long time since Gabriel had had anyone to impress, and he loved the idea that he could possibly win the attention of the other man. Gabriel also knew something that Sam himself didn't know, though he would have to leave the bartender to figure it out for himself in order to not scare him off. Gabriel knew that Sam had deeper feelings for him than he would like to admit.

At the end of his number, Gabriel noticed that Sam was not standing in his normal vantage point at the end of the bar, but rather was pacing the length of it impatiently. It was unusual for Sam to be pacing, because - though he liked not to admit it - Gabriel knew Sam's routine as well as he knew his own. Gabriel frowned as he began to leave the stage, and made a mental note to pop out to the bar area after he had removed his costume and make-up to check on the bartender. Though Gabriel barely ever ventured out into the main part of the club, there was the odd occasion when he felt the need to get a little bit closer to Sam when he'd had a particularly hard night. He'd never approached the taller man though, but rather chose a stool at the other end of the bar. Funnily enough, the times that Gabriel sat at the bar, casually chatting to the other bartender, Castiel, Sam would keep his distance. This time, however, Gabriel would make a concerted effort to draw Sam into conversation. Not only was it something that Gabriel desired, he believed it would help Sam as well. Either that or it would stress him out so much that he would melt down. He was willing to take the risk though, so as soon as he was more appropriately dressed, he crossed the threshold of the dressing room and into the club, with his fingers crossed in his pocket for good luck.

Even as he approached the bar, Gabriel kept his eyes trained on the way Sam would serve somebody, and then resume his restless pacing. When the taller man stopped briefly, Gabriel sat down right in front of him.

"Whiskey, and double it," he said, with a slight smirk. "And get yourself something as well. You look as if you could do with a stiff one." Sam almost choked at the intended double meaning of Gabriel's words, though he swiftly recovered and pulled two tumblers from under the bar, and pouring a double into each glass. Gabriel took his from the bar and regarded it for a moment. Sam however downed his in one mouthful and went to move away.

"You know, Sam, normally when someone buys you a drink, it's common courtesy to stay for a bit of a chat." Sam placed his glass down carefully on the bar, and regarded the golden eyed man for a moment before speaking.

"It's a busy night," he said lamely, before noticing that there was literally nobody else wanting to order a drink. Gabriel smirked again.

"I'm sure," he said with a chuckle. "What's eating you, anyway? You've paced the length of this bar so many times; I'm surprised you haven't worn a hole in the lino." Sam watched Gabriel take a mouthful of his drink before responding.

"Just life getting to me," he replied, looking away from the dancer and self consciously smoothing his hair down. Gabriel watched the motion with fascination.

"I can see that," Gabriel muttered, resigning himself to the fact that Sam was not going to open up at all to him. "Can I get you another?" He motioned the empty glass that Sam was fiddling with. Sam looked up and smiled briefly.

"Oh why not?" Sam poured another two doubles, and chinked his glass against Gabriel's. "Cheers."

At the end of the night as Sam was leaving the club, he noticed that Gabriel was frantically searching his pockets by the side of his car. Before he could even think through what he was doing, he approached the shorter man.

"Having trouble?" he asked, finding slight amusement when the dancer jumped about a mile in the air as he was addressed. Gabriel looked up at Sam through a dishevelled fringe.

"I think I've left my damn keys inside the dressing room, which means that I can't get into my car OR my flat." Sam smiled sympathetically. He knew that now the club was locked, there would be no way for Gabriel to get back inside until the next evening. The manager didn't like having to wait around for anybody who had to go back into the building, and he certainly hated having to come back and unlock it for any of his forgetful employees. Luckily, though, most of them had someone they could catch a ride with in the eventuality that keys were left inside. Sam was torn between offering Gabriel a ride and a place to crash, and leaving him in the car park waiting for a cab. But Sam knew that if the situation was reversed, Gabriel would offer him a ride without hesitation.

"I can give you a ride," he said hesitantly, gauging the smaller man's reaction carefully.

"I'm sure you could," Gabriel smirked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. Sam blushed slightly and turned away.

"Th-that's not what I meant," he stammered, eyes dropping to inspect the tarmac around Gabriel's feet.

"I know, Sammy," Gabriel replied, placing a hand onto the taller man's bicep. "I appreciate the offer though, except I haven't got anywhere to stay." Though Sam was sure Gabriel wasn't aware of it, there seemed to almost be a hint of desperation in the dancer's words, almost as if he was waiting for Sam to offer him a place to crash. And that's exactly what Sam did.

"I've got a fold out couch," Sam mumbled, looking at Gabriel from the corner of his eye. "I couldn't leave you out here all night. There's talk of rain." Gabriel opened his mouth as if to protest, but upon seeing the way Sam was becoming slightly embarrassed; he closed it again, nodding.

"Thank you, Sam. Just know that if the situation was reversed, I'd do the same for you."

"I'm sure you would."

When Sam pulled up in front of his house, Gabriel let out a low whistle of appreciation. Sam blushed slightly, getting out of the car to avoid any more awkwardness. The journey hadn't been silent thanks to the quiet music coming from the radio, but the two men hardly exchanged a word; and Sam could just feel the tension building in the car. Gabriel followed suit, and came round the car to follow Sam up the paved pathway. The front garden was slightly overgrown, but Sam never had the energy or motivation to deal with it. Gabriel, on the other hand, thought that the garden gave the house more character, though he did not voice his thoughts to the other man. While Sam unlocked the front door, Gabriel hung back and glanced around nervously. It wasn't usually in his nature to be nervous, but something about Sam and the whole situation made him recoil inside himself a little.

"Come on in," Sam said, when he had unlocked the door. Stepping aside to let Gabriel past, Sam felt his eyes follow the smaller man, despite him making no effort to watch him. He shut and bolted the door, before observing Gabriel hovering awkwardly in the doorway to the living room. Sam gestured him through, and followed a little way behind.

"I'm impressed, Sam," Gabriel said, surveying the room, eyes taking in every detail. Sam mumbled thanks, watching the smaller man nervously as he walked over to the mantelpiece to examine the pictures there.

"The bathroom is the second door along the hall upstairs, if you want to wash up, or anything," Sam mumbled slightly. "I'll get you some blankets, and something to sleep in." Leaving Gabriel in the room, Sam hurried up the stairs to the cupboard where he kept all the spare blankets. He could hear Gabriel following a little way behind, and Sam buried his head in the cupboard so as to avoid any more conversation. Only when he heard the lock on the bathroom door click, did he retreat from the cupboard and head into his bedroom to grab an old pair of tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt, before going back downstairs.

Sam had just finished making up the bed when Gabriel appeared back in the doorway, his shirt unbuttoned to the waist, hanging open enough to give Sam a slight view of his abs. Sam almost stumbled over the end of the bed, mostly because he couldn't tear his eyes away from the sliver of skin on show. He mentally chastised himself for being completely ridiculous, and offered the small pile of clothes to Gabriel.

"They might be a bit big," he began. "But they'll be more comfortable than a shirt and those trousers." Gabriel took the clothes from Sam, before shrugging the shirt off his shoulders. He pulled on Sam's shirt, before he reached to undo the button on his trousers. Sam didn't know whether to turn away or leave the room, so he floundered for a minute, before looking away. Gabriel chuckled.

"I've nothing to hide, Sam," he said. "I dance on stage every night in fewer clothes than this, and I've seen you watching the stage." Sam blushed furiously and mumbled an excuse before leaving the room to the sound of Gabriel's laughter.