What a fool he was. And thank god for that. Only now it means plans were made, and he doesn’t know how James will feel about it.
They’ll be spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Amsterdam. It’s the only city on the whole trip that Gabriel’s already been to. He’s got some friends living just outside ofthe city, who invited him over for Christmas dinner. And, because there hadn’t been any talk about any sort of plans, he agreed to join them for the evening on the twenty-fifth. He meant to ask James to join them, so he wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. The whole thing honestly slipped his mind.
Opening up the chat with Connor he opens his camera roll, strolls through the few pictures the two of them have managed to take together and selects his favorite. An early snapshot of their days in Venice, when the gondolier had insisted on a photo next to a beautifully decorated bridge.
Of course, we’re still on. Just left Cologne. Got room for one more?He hits send on both the photo and the message.
Almost immediately the speech bubbles pop up and there’s another incoming message.You finally got your head out of your ass, huh? We’ll see you both tomorrow.
Now all he needs to do is convince James that he’s welcome during the dinner. He knows his boyfriend will see it as intruding, when it’s nowhere near true. If there’s one thing he’s sure of, it’s that he won’t be having James spending the holiday alone again.
36 [James] Amsterdam, The Netherlands
December 25th
His watch beeps, just once, but it’s enough to wake him. Must be the anticipation of the holidays. The thought of it makes him smile. People often say it’s something you grow out of as a child, but the sense of nostalgia that accompanies Christmas feels rooted in his bones. His mind’s already turning at full speed, compiling a list of things to do today.
The brochures warned about almost everything being closed on Christmas Day in Amsterdam, but that there are plenty of opportunities to walk around and see the sights of the city. He reserved a table in the restaurant ofThe Adventurerwhen he first booked the trip, and asked them kindly if it was at all possible to add another chair as soon as Gabriel announced he was going as well. Just to be sure,obviously. No matter what they were when they left London, he didn’t want Gabriel to spend Christmas alone.
The man slumbering next to him stirs a little at the next beep from James’ alarm. James watches, fondly intrigued, how Gabriel manages to fold himself into the duvet and wiggle his way closer to James’ side. He must find what he’s looking for because he settles down and falls silent once more.
James tugs his hands underneath his head and takes a moment to look at the man next to him. His mind wanders to how things have changed. Not just over the course of the year, but in the last weeks as well. How they’ve gone from roommates and reluctant friends to dating seems nearly impossible.
The memories of the last few days tell a different story. And for the first time in a long time he wants to reach out to his mum, to tell her that things are looking up and to ask if his father could find it in himself to be proud. Of how James got his life together, but also for finding the right partner for himself. And not proud of who Gabriel is, but for who he is to James.
His phone buzzes from where he tucked it under his pillow. The screen flashes with an incoming call. He smiles when he sees his mother’s contact details. He really needs to find the time to visit her more, especially now that he’s finally found a way to let go of the past. He twists around to lay on his back before he answers the call.
“Hello, mum,” he whispers into the silence of the room. Next to him Gabriel lets out a little noise. When James flicks his gaze toward him he’s scrunching up his nose in his sleep. James fights the urge to coo.
“Good morning, darling. Happy Christmas.” His mother sounds happy, albeit a bit tired. She’s also whispering. It makes him smile.
“Happy Christmas,” wishes James.
“Why are we whispering?” It’s said in a joking manner, putting him right at ease. He didn’t realize how long it’s been without actually talking to her until now. He’s sure the smile is audible in his voice when he answers. “Gabriel’s asleep next to me. These rooms aren’t all that big, you know?”
“Gabriel, huh?” And there it is, the reason he knows she’s calling. He figured word would travel fast, but not this fast. He snorts at the innocent tone she’s trying to maintain. He knows she’s calling for confirmation, but he’s not sure if he’s so willing to give it already. The last thing he wants is for his father to blow up his phone. “Yeah, mum. Gabriel. My roommate, I told you about him.”
Said man’s waking up now, his arm coming up around James’ waist to mirror their position from last night. Every time Gabriel’s touch comes this easily it sends a tingle down his spine. When their eyes meet he sends Gabriel an apologetic look. His boyfriend just shrugs a little and settlesdown again.
“….just happy that this Christmas is better than last year. You deserve a nice holiday.” He’d tuned out some of her ramblings, happy to be stuck in Gabriel’s gaze. He can feel his mood darken a little at the mention of last Christmas. His brows furrow. Gabriel’s eyes sharpen in alarm.
“Let’s not, alright? What are your plans for today?” James asks. She informs him about the plans with the family, and even though they might not be in the best place right now, James knows she’s spending the holidays with his father. “Lisa is coming over as well. Maybe,” she hesitates, “…maybe we could meet up for lunch in the new year? I know things haven’t been easy and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be what you deserve, but I would like to see you again.”
“Mum-”
“I’ll come down to London, you won’t have to come up. Just lunch, think about it, alright?”
He smiles a little, fingers still in Gabriel’s hair as Gabriel starts to hum softly. “That sounds nice, mum. We’ll do lunch. I’ll be back in the city after the 5th.”
His mother makes a happy sound, and says she’ll take care of a reservation somewhere. “Oh, and don’t forget to bring Gabriel. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Mum!” He groans in protest. He’s greeted by a laugh and a dial tone. Gabriel’s eyes have taken on a joyful gleam. Jamestosses the phone somewhere between the covers, done with the outside world for the time being. He burrows himself further against Gabriel, who tugs one of his legs across his front in an effort to warm up even more. “Looks like we’ll be having lunch with my mother soon.”
“She sounds fun. Will she-”
“She’ll like you. Because you care,notbecause of who you are,” James says with conviction. His voice darkens a little when he adds, “My dad on the other hand will be gloating as soon as he figures it out.”
Gabriel’s brows furrow. “I’m not that person anymore though.”
