Navigating the tram is relatively easy compared to the Metro system in Paris. The instructions he wrote down for himself are obviously a huge help, but the whole transportation system is easy to manage and navigate on its own. He’s thankful that he’s able to figure it out and finds himself outside of the central station within half an hour.
It absolutely doesn’t come as a surprise that he finds Gabriel on a heated terrasse outside of the station. Who for once doesn’t seem to be focused on a sketch but is stuck withhis nose in a book.
“Gabriel,” James says as he comes to a stop next to the table, “didn’t feel like going into the city?”
Gabriel’s head shoots up from where he looked rather engrossed in his reading. James gives him an apologetic smile.
“Ah, James.” Gabriel smiles. “No, not really. Got bored of the train, so thought I would sit here for a bit.”
James makes an undignified sound. “You can’t spend the whole trip on the train, though. Isn’t the whole thing about exploring the cities?”
“Maybe for you it is. I’m just happy to be away from London.” He shrugs.
James cocks his head a little, assessing. Gabriel seems happy enough, he supposes. There’s an empty plate and coffee cup on the table and he can see a sketchpad sticking out of the bag at Gabriel’s feet. To each their own really. He just hopes Gabriel doesn’t get bored.
“I’ll leave you to it then.” James steps away, feeling like he’s already invaded into Gabriel’s time enough.
“No, no. Don’t worry. Maybe it’s good to stretch my legs for a bit,” Gabriel says as he shuts his book and waves over a waiter to pay for his items.
James interjects, “I didn’t mean that you have to leave.” Gabriel waves away the words as he pays and thanks the worker for their service. “It’s fine. Now, I heard somethingabout Switzerland and sausages.”
James smiles. That’s just the thing he intends to find at one of the stalls inside.
9 [James] Zurich, Switzerland
December 7th
“Is it me, or do all these old cities look the same?” Gabriel’s words make James lower his camera. For a moment he can’t do much else but blink at his companion. Gabriel has been in a mood all morning, resulting in a later start to their day than James had wanted and now they’re somewhat rushing through the rest of the morning to make sure that they will still make their reservation at the thermal baths and be back atThe Evergreenin time for departure.
“How could you say that? All of these places-” James bites his tongue, halting in his retort, when he spots the badly concealed smirk on Gabriel’s lips.
They’re standing on the bridge in Old Town, facing the church clock with water running underneath their feet and people pushing past them every so often. James figures that Gabriel’s general body language is keeping them frombumping into James as he takes the time to take some pictures and indulge in the true magic of the season that he finds in this city.
Paris carried a modern feeling with it, all sleek designs and tasteful lighting. Venice had been foggy afternoons and romantic gloomy walks along the canals. But here, in Zurich, he’s finding more of the traditional Christmas feeling he longed for. The handmade ornaments he selected at the market the day before feel nostalgic, reminiscent of a time long gone.
The smell of the fresh pine trees, the colder air billowing over the city with the promise of snow and cozy days inside. It’s what he’s imagined his Christmases to have looked like by now - with a family of his own, creating holiday traditions and reliving those of his childhood. At nearly thirty-five, he’s imagined a lot of things.
Holidays in the Alps, in a cozy cottage surrounded by snow and a warm fire burning somewhere. Summers in the English countryside, with picnics and little feet running around causing ruckus and bringing childlike laughter.
Never did he imagine having to start over again. Find his footing after not only disconnecting from his family, but from his long-term partner and so-called friends as well. It seems that his career is the only steady element in his life nowadays.
That, and Gabriel. The realization might be new, of whatexactly Gabriel might mean to him, but the feelings aren’t. When he needed it the most, Gabriel – a complete stranger at the time – stepped up and lent a helping hand.
And now they’re here. Standing in the middle of this ancient city, surrounded by the flickering lights of the holiday season, the sound of the river underneath their feet and with a ruse playing out to make sure that James isn’t bothered by his ex.
Had he known this is how the trip would’ve played out, he’s not sure he would’ve gotten on the train in London in the first place. As he looks up at the church bells, gleaming up high underneath the dwindling winter sun, he lets out a small, huff like laugh. Wasn’t that exactly why Gabriel decided to come on the trip as well? To make sure that James finally took the plunge and did this for himself?
“Why don’t they do these trips during the summer? I’m freezing here,” Gabriel whines from his place behind him. James almost hates to admit that it suits him. It makes him feel more real, more like a person with their own personality, and not like the standoffish person he’s known over the year.
James clicks his camera off, shoving it into his jacket pocket. “Sorry, sorry. It’s just a fifteen-minute walk from here.”
Gabriel blows out a breath through his nose. “What did we say about you apologizing for unnecessary things?”
“What?” James side-eyes him for a moment before he shrugs his shoulders. He starts making his way into town, in the direction of the old brewery. “I didn’t mean to keep you waiting, I’m sorry.”
There’s a hand on his arm stopping him from stepping further away. “You didn’t keep me waiting.”
James cringes. “But you said-”
