James’ eyes water; he sniffles a little at the onslaught of emotions.
As a way to ease James’ worry, Gabriel aims for a joke, “Besides, I feel like your mother can handle your father just fine. So I’m not too worried.” It makes James laugh, sending him into a fit of giggles. He pulls the other closer, circling his arms around him. “Like we said before, parents are pieces of work. I don’t need them to live my own life.”
They settle onto the bed. James disregards his e-reader and curls into Gabriel. The mellow jazz music that’s playing overhead provides a gentle soundtrack while they sink into their own thoughts.
All of a sudden, James snorts in laughter, hiding his face inGabriel’s chest. At Gabriel’s questioning noise, he answers, “I’m pretty sure my mom’s going to adopt you anyway. She was content with Paul, as long as I was happy. But she was awfully quick to turn against him at the first whiff of things taking a turn.” Gabriel smiles at the thought, happy that at least one of their parents was somewhat of a decent person. If that indeed was true, he’d just have to find out at some point. For now he joins in with the laughter and tightens his hold on the man.
Gabriel reaches for his tablet, intending to put on a movie but James stops him, a twinkle in his eyes. Gabriel’s eyes widen at the first sniff of mischief but can’t help but be endeared by the way James is getting more open and carefree around him.
“Maybe we could give Monopoly another shot?”
Gabriel winces, still sore about his loss the other day. It’s only because of the soft look and the warm press of James’ body against his that he’s persuaded in the end and he finds himself sitting at the end of the bed, the Monopoly board balancing on the duvet between them.
He groans, already seeing the catastrophe that is him trying to play this game. “There’s absolutely no way that you’re so good at this. You have to be cheating somehow.”
“You saying I don’t play fair?” quips James, joy dancing in his eyes. “Pay up, I’ve got the full street and mortgages topay.”
Gabriel’s pawn is indeed standing on one of James’ streets. Which isn’t unique in its right, since he seems to be owner of at least three full streets on the board. But several stints in jail and county tax cards have left Gabriel rather short on cash.
He leans forward slightly, putting on a soft smirk and drawls, “How about I pay off my debt in kisses?”
James squeaks, turning red almost instantly. He drops the dice onto the duvet, losing them in the loose bundle of fabric and stutters, “I-I-”
In the end, it’s all for naught. As Gabriel moves to sit on his knees to make it easier to lean across the board, the train starts moving for the night. The forward motion sends him off balance, his hands gliding over the board in an effort to catch himself. The pieces go flying and he lands with his head on James’ shoulder, James’ hands reach out to catch him.
They fall against each other, in the middle of the mess of board game pieces and empty snack wrappers, and descend into a happy pile of laughter and kisses.
39 [James] Ghent, Belgium
December 27th
“This is going to be one of the boring, cultured days, isn’t it?” Gabriel groans while he lets his head fall on his folded arms. They’re having breakfast onThe Adventurerbefore heading out to explore Ghent. James has been going over his itinerary for the day, highlighting wanting to visit the castle and cathedral in the medieval city.
James looks on fondly as Gabriel’s outburst attracts some looks from people sitting close by, something he would’ve worried about not even a month ago. “You know you don’t have to come.” It’s sweet to see that they’re mostly regarded with amused glances instead of judgment as the other patrons go back to their own breakfast.
“Oh no,” Gabriel replies, pushing himself up with an exaggerated huff of air. “I’m coming. If not so I can sketch a little, than for the Belgian waffles I know they have here.”
“In Belgium?” James smirks, teasing. “I’m sure they have those, yeah.”
“Shut up.” Gabriel huffs with a smile lingering on the corner of his lips. “It’s still early.”
James has to catch his bottom lip between his teeth to stop himself from smiling too much. It’s not that early, just after nine in fact. They were, however, woken up twice during the night from the train faltering on the tracks. Skidding for a few seconds each time, before resuming its usual steady rhythm.
While they finish their hearty breakfast of yoghurt, granola, fruits and eggs, James is once again reminded how different the days are now, compared to those at the start of the trip. Christmas has come and gone, meaning that the journey is winding down already.
For all his reluctance of actually starting the trip, he’s almost sad to see that they’ll be returning to the United Kingdom later in the week for their final few cities and New Year’s. If Christmas was anything to go on, he’s positive those celebrations will be special and something to remember.
“Come on, you grump. We’ve got a cathedral waiting for us.” James stands up, offering Gabriel his hand. It’s sweet how timid Gabriel gets when he slides his hand in James’ and they make their way out of the restaurant.
As usual they go on a detour to their cabin, get their coats and bags before stepping out on the platform. His notessuggest walking or taking a tram. And as soon as they step out of the station into the heavy downpour of rain, the choice is easily made.
Luckily the tram does give them the opportunity to see some of the city, take in bits and pieces of the landscape and the lingering holiday spirit that’s still trailing along the streets.
He likes how it’s one of the things that seems universal across Europe, if he’s to believe that the Christmas decorations and festivities tend to stay until after the changing of the year. It gives the city a bit of a magical touch, in these purgatory days between Christmas and New Year’s.
The Saint Bavo’s Cathedral greets them behind a sheet of raindrops and dark clouds. It doesn’t take away from the impressive build of the church, nor does it diminish James’ want to stand outside and look up at it for a while.
He’s gently prodded forward by his partner, who looks more like a drowned street cat than anything else at the moment. Gabriel’s tucked his bag underneath his coat, trying to shield it from the rain. When they hurry inside, his sneakers squelch on the marble flooring. James smiles at the sound, but grimaces at the feeling.
