Gabriel often wonders if James’ anxious nature is something he’s developed or something he’s always had. It can’t be easy having to manage your routine and thoughts in that way. He hopes he’s able to at least offer some assistance and relief during this trip.
If there’s someone that deserves it, it’s James. Especially after the way last holiday season turned out. Gabriel might not have all the pieces yet. But the way James clammed up at the sight of both Paul and Riley, he guesses it’s got something to do with that they’re already engaged.
He takes a seat in ‘his’ armchair, his sketchpad opened to the very last few pages and begins to carefully outline James’ silhouette against the soft light of the cabin. He’s extra vigilant of the way James’ chest rises and falls with his breathing. Every drawing that’s found its way into this side of his notebook feels sacred and like a secret he needs to keepguarded. He can’t let James find out about this, not under any circumstances.
As the clock strikes eight, when the sun has officially fully set and the darkness of the cabin is proving to be too saturated to draw comfortably, he closes the notebook.
The sudden craving of tea and some biscuits strikes and compels him to head to the restaurant. On his way to the door he shakes James awake gently, who stirs but doesn’t do much else. Gabriel will take the gamble to try and find his way back before James notices he’s gone, and slips out of the room.
Only to walk into the one person he really doesn’t want to deal with. “Sharing a room already, are you?” The weird grin on Paul’s face rubs Gabriel the wrong way. Who does he think he is, casting judgment without knowing the full story? Gabriel crosses his arms, and smugly replies, “Nothing new really. Already share a house and everything, back home.”
“Home?” Paul quirks his eyebrow, a hint of surprise filling his eyes.
“In London, Soho.” Gabriel can’t help but let a little pride seep into his voice. It’s a small, two-bedroom apartment, that much is true, but it’s still a place in central London, something a lot of people their age only dream of at this point. Paul, obviously, doesn’t need to know that they are sharing the place to save on rent and utilities. Gabriel figures this is another little detail to corroborate their so-called romance.
There’s a spike of thrilled satisfaction shooting down his spine at the sour look that crosses Paul’s face. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve got someone waiting on a cup of tea.” It’s with those words that he leaves Paul in the hallway, stealthily hanging back to make sure that he goes to his own cabin and doesn’t think to disturb James.
Just like after their dinner earlier in the week, he makes sure to grab a little plate with bits and pieces of the different desserts from the buffet tables. The tray he took from their room and tucked underneath his armpit comes in handy to carry the mugs and plate back.
When he slides the door open, he’s greeted by a soft smile and sleepy brown eyes. It takes a lot of self-restraint not to openly coo at James, who’s now dressed in his pajamas and wearing another pair of fuzzy socks.
“I got us some tea. Thought you might like something to snack on,” Gabriel says as he puts down the tray on the little table between their chairs. While he goes to take a seat, he longingly glances out the window into the darkness. How he wishes that some part of the journey would happen during the daylight. The landscape must be breathtaking, especially with the freshness of the winter cold and the frostbite in the air.
From where he’s taken a seat across from him, James nibbles on a biscuit and quietly says, “I think we’ll betravelling more during the day in Scandinavia. I can’t wait for the view.” Gabriel smiles at him, taking a small sip of his still piping hot drink, and he parrots, “I can’t wait.”
The silence they fall into feels reminiscent of the very first night onThe Adventurer. Which really was just last week, but feels a lifetime ago. The train falters a bit as the wheels try and find their bearing. It’s only minutes later that they find themselves leaving behind the beautiful city of Zurich on their way to their next stop.
11 [James] Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
December 8th
As the train glides into Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s station during the night of December 8th, James stirs awake for just a moment. The lights in the corridor are off, but the small bedside table on Gabriel’s side is on. The soft glow of it illuminates the otherwise dark room. Blurrily, he notes the empty side of the bed, before there’s a flush of a toilet and the sound of water hitting porcelain. Soft creaking of the door breaks the silence a moment later, while a brief flash of light falls over the room. As Gabriel pulls the door shut behind him, the silent darkness returns.
“Gabriel?” James whispers to the vague shadowed outline he can see moving around the room. “Are you okay?” He’s met by a soft squeak and the dull sound of what he assumes are Gabriel’s toes hitting the hardwood frame of the bed.
The groan that follows soon after confirms the suspicion.
“James? What are you doing up?” Gabriel asks, stepping into the light of the lamp. He sits down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to rub his toes.
James sits up a little, leaning back on his elbows. “The stopping of the train woke me. Are you okay? What time is it?”
“Just a little after three. And I’m fine, just had to use the bathroom.” Both men fall silent as the vehicle around them settles in its unmoving state. “We should probably get some more sleep, busy days ahead.” He flicks the light off when he turns on his side.
“Yeah,” James mumbles distractedly, “you’re right.” He can’t help but feel like there’s something off with his friend.
*
The second time he wakes up the light is coming from outside. Where the light gray of the December morning sky brings in shadows of its own creation and promise of a new day. It’s, however, not the light that woke him, but the echo of retching sounds and, once again, a flushing toilet. The rest feels like a repetition of earlier in the night. He waits on the opening of the door, for Gabriel to appear in the doorway and sleepily make his way to bed. It doesn’t happen like that.
For a second time there’s the sound of someone being sick, accompanied by groans of discomfort and a toilet flushing. Moments later the sounds cease and the sink turnson.
This time, the door does open and Gabriel does appear in the doorway. James sits up fully, wide awake now, when he spots the slight sheen of sweat on Gabriel’s forehead and the glazed look to his eyes. He swings his legs over the edge of the bed, intent on offering Gabriel a helping hand. He doesn’t get the chance as Gabriel shuffles over and lets himself fall back on it gently. “Gabriel?”
“I’m fine, James,” the sick man says from where he’s curled back up underneath his blanket now. “Just need to let my stomach settle. We’ll go for breakfast in a bit.”
“What? No! You’re sick. I’ll get some tea and you can rest.”
Gabriel groans. This time it doesn’t sound pained, but frustrated. “I’m fine. Just go take your shower, yeah? Breakfast after.” The conviction in Gabriel’s eyes is the thing that convinces James to do as he’s told. Before he goes, he does grab a glass of water and the – hurriedly emptied – bathroom bin.
