Paul arches an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “I see no other reason why you’d want to be with him otherwise.” He smirks. “But I can see why you’d try, at least.” Paul’s eyes follow the line of Gabriel’s body, clearly lingering on the ratty sweatpants and old Uni sweater he’s wearing. Internally, it’s Gabriel who smirks this time. Paul’s clearly under the impression that he’s after James’ money and status, just like he himself had been.
“Well,” Gabriel drawls, “I guess you’re right. Should I say thank you? For being an asshole and breaking it off with him?” In his head he’s cheering at the dark look that crosses over Paul’s face. It seems he’s struck a chord.
“I didn’t break it off. He left.”
“After he found you with another man, I believe. Or is it too long ago already?” Gabriel knows that he’s toeing the line,knows that he’s only aggravating the other but he can’t help it. He’s just so mad on James’ behalf. No one should be treated like that.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Paul huffs. “But if you want him, feel free. Sooner or later you’ll get tired of all his…peculiar habits. I know I did.”
It’s not even that bad. But it does prove how on edge,how angry,Gabriel is when he hears the degrading tone Paul uses when he talks about James, that he pulls his hand back and swings. He’s talking about his relationship with James as if they’ve not had a partnership for over ten years.
For just a brief moment he basks in the relief he feels when the flat of his palm connects with Paul’s cheek. It’s quickly overshadowed by the dread of grief and the throbbing of pain blooming across his hand. Paul cries out in surprise, although Gabriel knows that he didn’t hit him as hard as he wanted to, and side steps.
“You-” Paul’s eyes are blazing when they lock with Gabriel’s. He looks about ready to deliver a punch of his own when a door slides open behind Gabriel.
“What’s going on here?” It’s James, leaning out of the door frame with furrowed eyebrows. The sweater paws his soft jade green sweater creates are holding onto the doorpost. Gabriel smiles at him, hoping to clear away the fear that’s bubbling up in James’ eyes. “Nothing, just having a little chat.I’ll be right back with the drinks.”
James doesn’t look convinced, not in the slightest, but hesitantly leans back into the cabin and Gabriel turns back to the other man in the hallway. Now that he’s thinking a little more clearly, it’s easy to see that the anger and challenge that shone in Paul’s eyes earlier has vanished.
Instead there’s an inkling of fear lingering on the edges of his face. It only dawns on Gabriel then, that Paul’s afraid of James. Not in the physical sense, but socially. He’s afraid of the pull James might still have, however small that could be, and the consequence of what will happen if James uses whatever happened against him.
Gabriel knows for a fact that Paul’s already managed to get James alone at least once. It’s not hard to see when something like that happens, James doesn’t handle it well. So he knows Paul’s not afraid of telling James exactly what he thinks of him.
But Paul knows James, just as Gabriel knows James, and they’re both aware how protective he is of the people dear to him. If James gets word of Paul hurting Gabriel, he’s done for. No matter if James isn’t on the best terms with his family, he’s still got pull in higher circles. Gabriel smirks at the irony of it all.
Paul makes quick work of walking further down the hallway toward his own cabin, leaving Gabriel behind with asharp pain in his fingers and a heavy sense of relief in his heart that none of the crew encountered the incident.
Not ten minutes later he steps back into the corridor. A tray with two hot chocolates, some left-over desserts from the restaurant and a couple of bottles of water clutched between his hands. It’s a lost cause hiding the redness ghosting over the palm of his right hand, and he’s also quite sure that he doesn’t want to lie about what happened to James.
Turns out he couldn’t have, even if he wanted to, since James is on him as soon as he steps foot into the room. Flittering hands place lingering touches as far as he can reach, eyes searching Gabriel’s face for any sign of discomfort. All he can do is smile fondly.
“He did something, didn’t he? I don’t trust him.”
Gabriel places the tray on the table, tugging James with him to sit on the edge of the bed. “He didn’t, actually. I did though, and I’m sorry.” James falls silent, looking at him. Gabriel continues, “I let him get the better of me. I slapped him.”
James is silent for a beat longer, and then he snorts. “He most definitely deserved it. But please don’t do it again, he isn’t worth your pain.”
Gabriel shrugs. “Eh, doesn’t hurt all that bad.” He flexes his fingers and rotates his wrist, which have cooled down a bit and start to tug a little with discomfort.
James jumps up at the sight of it. “You are hurt though. Let me get something cold,” he says, darting into the bathroom. He comes back with a damp washcloth and a roll of bandage. Gabriel quirks his brow when he spots it. James shrugs, “Humor me. Might be sprained.” Gabriel doesn’t have it in him to argue back, knowing that it won’t even leave a bruise, not on him or on Paul for that matter. It did, however, get the message across so Gabriel isn’t too worried.
While James dotes on him, making sure his hand is significantly iced and eventually bandaged, the train starts to move underneath them. Starting the overnight journey to their next stop.
He might not be a violent person, but as James presses soft, gentle kisses to his wrapped hand and a couple more lingering ones to his lips, he could get used to this type of care.
33 [James] Cologne, Germany
December 23rd
“Will you let me take you to dinner tonight?” Gabriel’s back is turned from where he’s using the window as a mirror to button up his shirt, but the reflection in the glass shows the shy, timid smile he’s wearing. James wishes he could see it better.
“Will Iletyou?” James parrots back, confused.
Gabriel nods. “Yes, let me. I’m not sure if you had something booked for dinner or not.”
James ponders it for a bit. He does have something planned, but the idea of Gabriel going out of his way to plan an evening for them has enough appeal to change those plans. And contacting the restaurant to cancel their reservation shouldn’t be too big an issue. Especially not after Gabriel asked so sweetly.
“No, not for tonight,” he fibs. A little white lie never hurtanyone. “Just figured we would fill up on snacks in the city.”
