Paul’s eyes flitter between them and, against his better judgment, apparently feels the need to say, “Didn’t know you could still afford to eat at a place like this. Figured you’d have spent it all on your kept man.”
“I-” Gabriel starts, before he gets interrupted by the hostess calling out, “Reservation for Patterson.” To James’ surprise Gabriel steps forward, guiding him along with a hand on his back. He shoots Gabriel a confused look but they don’t get far before he hears Riley squeak and say, “From the Stratford Pattersons?”
James snorts from his place at Gabriel’s side. Imagine, Gabriel being part of one of the most influential families in all of England. Gabriel, who he regularly finds drinking from his paint water mug, instead of his coffee cup. Who he’s never even seen wear a pair of fancy shoes, let alone a complete suit for any occasion.
He expects Gabriel to laugh alongside him, make fun of the misconception that there couldn’t be more people fromEngland with the same last name. Instead he finds a smirk, more devilishly handsome than it has any right to be, and a look flashing in Gabriel’s eyes that he hasn’t seen before. It’s almost like a challenge when he shrugs and confirms, “That’s right.” Theand what is it to you?is left unsaid, but easily found in his body language. James thinks the mulled wine must have gone to his head.
“Gentlemen,” the woman behind them says, pulling them all from the trance they’ve found themselves in, “if you’d just follow me.” They leave Paul and Riley at the front of the restaurant. James shares their shock, but not the undercurrent of envy and fear he spots just before he walks away.
The walk to their table, secluded in the corner and hidden away from most of the patrons, is done in silence but not without the quiet comfort of Gabriel by his side. It shocks James how at ease he is with this new bit of information about Gabriel.
“Didn’t expect that, did you?” Gabriel smirks as he pulls out James’ chair and guides him into it. He rounds the table and takes a seat at the other end. “Stupid mistake, really. Didn’t mean to use that name.”
James cocks his head. “You didn’t?”
“It’s not mine anymore.” Gabriel shrugs. “Hasn’t been for almost two years. It’s Pierce now.”
“Oh?” James can’t help but wonder. He’s heard of thePattersons, it was hard not to if you ran in their circles, but he never heard of them having a son that left the family. Before they can continue their conversation the maître d’ joins their table to offer them the wine menu.
In answer to Gabriel’s wondering gaze he shrugs, happy with whatever he chooses. As long as they’re both sober enough to enjoy the philharmonic later. Before long they’re alone again and Gabriel settles back into his chair. “Long story short, my mother tried to marry me off when I came out. Set up a contract and everything.”
James opens his mouth, closes it and opens it again. He lets Gabriel’s words linger for a moment, sinking in. “That’s…not what I expected.”
Gabriel laughs, humorless but there’s no bitterness in his features at all. “Breaking away from them has always been the goal. It just gave me the final push.”
“You didn’t want to join the business?”
“Nah,” Gabriel says, “I’ve always wanted to create, be my own person.”
James nods, understanding where he’s coming from. He stiffens slightly when Paul’s voice can be heard, echoing across the restaurant. James winces as he admits, “Everyone will know before we’ll be getting our main course.”
“I don’t really care. If it gets him off your back I should’ve done it sooner.” At James’ arched brow, Gabriel continues, “He’s afraid of your status, even now. I saw it yesterday. If he wasn’t he would’ve taken a swing at me.” Another shrug, followed by a casual sip of water. “You’ve still got more influence in your circles, from what I can tell. Hurting your partner? That would’ve been a no go.”
James eases back into his seat, intrigued to hear where this is going.
“Heard him make the reservation for this place late last night. He hasn’t heard of being considerate at all, has he? Talking that loudly in the hallway.” Gabriel tsks.
Now James smiles, everything falling into place. “So the name dropping wasn’t a coincidence after all.”
“Not exactly how I wanted to tell you, but I figured it was the only way to get him to stop,” Gabriel admits. “No matter if my parents accept it or not, if you’re known as my partner, Paul and Riley won’t touch you. Your family might have money, mine has the influence. Paul is far too afraid of damaging his reputation to even bother to check if it’s true or not. Or that I’m still part of that circle.”
“Oh,” James sighs out, feeling overwhelmed at the protectiveness. Gabriel’s small, shy grin is a welcome look. He blinks back grateful tears.
*
Two hours later, sitting inside the beautiful hall of the Staatenhaus am Rhein, he’s still feeling the warmth ofGabriel’s affection. It’s seeping into his body, leaving him aching in all the best ways. While the singers perform several beautifully arranged Christmas carols and the building echoes with the melodies, James tears up thinking about how things can change within the space of a year.
34 [James] Cologne, Germany
December 24th
The twenty-fourth starts slowly, with a tray of different breads and a pot of perfectly brewed coffee on the table and a warm body pressed against James’. It’s one of the only days where he didn’t put anything down in his notebook, figuring that the frenzy of the holidays would be present during the trip as well and he needs as much time to recoup as he can get.
In his mind’s eye he knows that he also did it because of the significance of the day. And the uncertainty of not knowing how he’d feel. Judging by the way that Gabriel’s shuffled back into bed after fetching them breakfast, he gathers it’s going to be a slower morning in bed.
He can’t say he minds all that much. Especially since they were able to see quite a lot of Cologne the day before. It’s only that thought that convinces him to close his eyes again, to doze for just a few moments longer.
The second time he wakes it’s because of gentle fingers caressing his scalp, the delicate touch weaving between his curls. Gabriel’s face is sleep addled with soft, half lidded eyes. His focus, on the contrary, is sharp and focused and completely on James.
