“Dinner’s in just a few hours. They said the reservation was taken care of, thanks to you.” He rinses both of their mugs, pouring them both a strong cup of tea. James takes his with a grateful nod. “What did you want to do now?”
“Dunno. Don’t feel like anything.”
Gabriel ponders for a bit, tentatively taking a sip of the steaming liquid. Underneath them the train stutters slightly, but eventually settles back down into the steady rhythm they’ve gotten used to. “How about any of the games you packed?”
James cocks his head. “What about them?”
“Could do one of those. It’s been a while since I played a board game.”
“Oh no, you don’t have to.” James is quick to interject. “You can go back to your sketching.”
He sets down his mug, flipping his notepad closed. “No, come on. We’ll give them a go.”
James’ mouth ticks up slightly. “Only brought Monopoly.And a pack of cards.”
Gabriel winces, exaggerating the movement for comedic effect. “I’m not allowed to play Monopoly. I get all competitive.” It’s got the desired result, since James lets out a loud laugh, which dissolves into giggles.
With a twinkle in his eye, James shrugs. “Could always play cards then.”
“No, no. This might be my last chance to play Monopoly, let’s do it.”
Whoever said Monopoly is the game that lasts hours, Gabriel would like to curse them, but also thank them. Because it proves to be exactly what James needs, something to focus on other than the fact that he’s essentially losing a ‘productive’ day. Whenever he bests Gabriel, the teasing smirk on his face is youthful and full of mirth. It’s a complete turnaround from earlier in the afternoon, and for that Gabriel is grateful. Even if he essentially gets obliterated during the game and somehow ends up with a debt and three stints in jail.
When they step into the dining carriage, James’ smile comes easily and his shoulders have lost their tension.
20 [James] Helsinki, Finland
December 14th
The train rolls into Helsinki while they are having dinner. As soon as it comes to a standstill at the station, they’ll be free to go, butThe Evergreendoes resume its journey again tomorrow night. So essentially, they’ll only have tomorrow to go into the city.
“How do you feel about stretching our legs a little?” Gabriel sits back in his chair.
James likes the content look on his face. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”
He pushes the chair back a little and gets up. Gabriel follows the movements and gets up after him. The soft, melodic sounds of the jazz music follow them out of the restaurant.
As they shuffle along the tastefully decorated hallway, feet softly thudding over the carpet, the smell of pine trees fillsJames’ nose. Artificial or not, it’s a smell that’s so Christmassy that he can’t help but smile a little. The angsty feeling that’s been brewing in his chest all day lessens with every step they take toward their carriage, knowing that he’ll at least see some of the city today.
Even in the dim light of the train it’s easy to spot the flurry of snowflakes fluttering down outside the window. This must be one of the stations where a part of the train isn’t stationed in the building, but rather outside of it. James can’t be mad about it, thinking about falling asleep tonight to the sight of fresh falling snow and the soft snoring of the man he’s sharing the room with.
From beside him, Gabriel shudders at the sight of the snow. “Already cold just thinking about going out into that,” he says, flicking his hand out toward the window. James comes to a halt next to the glass. “You know you don’t have to.”
Gabriel turns to him. He’s standing so close, it’s easy for James to see the laugh lines next to his eyes. It makes him look older than he is, but it gives him a soft edge that James likes. For a beat, they’re both silent. Then, Gabriel shrugs, “The fresh air might be good. Besides, we both know how steady you are on your feet.” Gabriel laughs at his own joke, but probably also at the affronted look that James knows passes over his face.
Gabriel steps out of reach before James is able to swat him on the shoulder. He laughs again, walking backward to where the compartment they’re currently in meets theirs. “Hey! I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own,” James insists.
It would, however, have been more convincing had he not tripped over his own feet in his haste to get to Gabriel. The joyful giggles flowing out of Gabriel lessen the embarrassment, since James knows he’s not making fun of him. Gabriel’s still leaning sideways from the force of his laughter while he slides open the door to the compartment.
They both straighten up at the sound of a door further down the hall opening. James panics a little, not feeling like getting into a confrontation with Paul at the moment. Gabriel must feel the same urgency, since he’s quick to slide the key into the lock and slide their cabin door open. James lets out a relieved breath as soon as the door closes behind them.
Gabriel steps into the bathroom and James makes quick work of his surprise. Gabriel hadn’t been quiet about his disdain toward the cold and how it was one of the things he was hesitant about when he first suggested the idea of joining James onThe Evergreen Adventurer.
It got James thinking, and within a few weeks he found the perfect gift for Gabriel. While it’s still early to consider it a Christmas gift – and it really isn’t, but if Gabriel will complain about receiving a gift, James will tell him it’s an earlyChristmas present – James knows that it will make the upcoming week easier for Gabriel.
Trying to be stealthy, he retrieves the items from one of his drawers and places them on the chair Gabriel discarded his coat on yesterday. He busies himself by kicking off his shoes, switching his normal socks for extra thick thermal ones. His sneakers fit a little oddly when he reties his shoes, but there’s nothing worse than cold feet, so he’ll take the slightly uncomfortable feeling for now.
His own gloves, hat and scarf are tucked away in the sleeves of his winter coat, easily manageable and not so easily lost. James is finishing up tying his scarf when Gabriel steps into the room again. From the looks of it he’s tried to fit his sweatpants underneath his jeans. He’s been somewhat successful, but it makes for a comical sight. James can’t stop the little snort-like laughter from escaping.
