For him it’s not even about making Paul jealous. That chapter of his life had been written and put to rest. It’s the fact that once again someone in his life thought he wasn’t cut out to do something like this, simply because his brain workeda little differently.
Gabriel never makes him feel that way. He never looks at him like he’s being weird or looking for attention. Not once has Gabriel made fun of the fact that he might need a bit more structure to his daily life, or that new situations make him a little uncertain.
James lets out a suffering sigh, once more eyeing the boat rather critically and uncertain. Gabriel’s tugging on his jacket sleeve has brought him closer to the edge of the little dock. The water around the boat looks calm. Even in the cold, windy weather. It settles his nerves a little.
“James, come on. I promise it’s safe,” Gabriel states softly. “I won’t let you fall in.”
With lingering reluctance, James tears his eyes away from the boat and into Gabriel’s waiting, open gaze. He’s never seen that look on Gabriel’s face before. There’s the patience that’s always been there whenever he speaks to James, but there’s something else lingering underneath it. Something soft, something that James recognizes might be in his own body language toward Gabriel as well.
He thinks it’s best to ignore that for now. Who knows if it’s only there now that they’re pretending to be a couple for Paul’s sake. James twists his arm, tugging his sleeve from between Gabriel’s fingers and puts his hand in his outstretched palm instead. With a heaving breath he lowershis foot into the boat and lets momentum guide him fully into it.
Gabriel steps back, making space for James to settle in next to him. They take a seat on the narrow bench and before James knows what’s happening the gondolier pushes off from the shore and guides them onto the water.
The warmth radiating from Gabriel as they settle into a steady glide along the canal provides an easy distraction from the fact that they’re rocking with the motion of the water and all that could go wrong along the way. With how close they’re sitting, hands still clasped together, it’s easy to forget the cold of the winter air.
James has never felt this warm before.
“You know they have electronic boats now as well?” Gabriel’s gruff voice pipes up from beside him.
James nods, eyes on the beautiful canals and lights shining overhead. “I know, yeah. Saw them yesterday.”
“Then why, pray tell, are we in one of these contraptions?” The question is accompanied by one of Gabriel’s signature eyebrow raises.
“Never said you had to go on it, did I?” James retaliates.
Gabriel huffs, fighting a smile. “Touché. But I figured you wouldn’t go on your own.”
It’s an echo of Paul’s words last night. And on any other day it might have been different, hearing it from Gabriel. Buttoday it feels like a confirmation, even if James knows he doesn’t mean it that way. He feels his mood darken a little. Which is a shame, now that they’re gliding through the foggy canals of Venice, surrounded by twinkling lights and the smells of Christmas. “I don’t need you doing things that you don’t want to, just because of me.”
Gabriel doesn’t rise to the bait. “Never said I didn’t want to do it, did I?”
“No, but-”
“I was just teasing, you know that,” Gabriel says, giving James’ hand a squeeze. “I just think it’s very you to pick something like this over the modernized version of it.”
It makes him laugh. Deep down he’s pleased that Gabriel seems to know him well enough already that he knows his preference regarding certain things. “Even if I have an e-reader?”
“Yes, even though you somehow turned your back on normal books.”
It’s an ancient subject for lighthearted teasing, going back to their first month of living together when James remarked if it wouldn’t be easier for Gabriel to carry an e-reader instead of the two paperbacks that were a staple in his daily bag. Gabriel’s affronted and frankly judgmental look still makes James chuckle when he thinks back to it.
7 [Gabriel] From Venice to Zurich
December 5th & December 6th
“How about dinner onThe Adventurertonight?” Gabriel suggests when they’ve passed the last market stall. If he squints he can see the train sitting idle, warm light emanating from the windows. James has let out two yawns in the last five minutes alone and even Gabriel can admit that he’s feeling the strain of spending this long outside in the frigid temperature.
He knows for a fact that tonight is an a-la-carte night in the dining carriage. It’s also something that Gabriel knows is part of the experience that James doesn’t want to miss out on.
“That sounds nice,” James mutters from behind his scarf. He looks like one of those cartoon characters that are bundled up to the max for comedic effect. Gabriel has to look away to make sure that he doesn’t make a fool of himself by smiling too wide, or doing something as unpredictable as leaning inand kissing James. From the corner of his eyes Gabriel sees James fumble for his jacket pocket, where he knows the trusted notepad is nestled. “Let me see if-”
“It’s not one of the buffet nights. They’re doing an Italian menu, I believe.” It’s hard, trying to not sound too eager in convincing James. He’ll loathe to admit to the fact of learning the roster of the restaurant to make sure that he would respect James’ preferences. It’s also something he saw noted down in James’ Venice notes when he got a quick look into them when they were packing for the trip. It wasn’t hard to figure out that whenever the train sits idle at a station during dinner time, the restaurant carriage serves an a-la-carte menu instead of the buffet.
“Great. I’d like that.” James stops fiddling inside his pockets. “I haven’t been inside of the restaurant yet.” It’s easy to gather up their belongings and make their way to the station after that. And if Gabriel keeps his arm around James’ waist with the excuse of spotting Paul and Riley at the market, it’s no-one’s business but his own. Even if there’s an inkling of wrongdoing to take advantage of the situation like that.
James seems happy enough with the touch, which does soothe some of Gabriel’s nerves. The whole way back James doesn’t step out of reach once, even if Gabriel figures he knows that Paul can’t be close by anymore. With a smile he lets James step onto the train first. Even if it’s just pretend,it’s nice to know that James is at least somewhat enjoying his company.
Not even fifteen minutes later, they find themselves stepping into the warm dining carriage. The carpet underneath their feet is the same deep maroon color as the rest of the train. The velvet high-back chairs look lush and awfully comfortable. As he lowers himself into the seat the hostess assigned them, Gabriel figures he could spend hours in this very same spot.
