Chapter 2
The shower’s already running when his alarm goes off on their second day in Paris.
Between them, Gabriel tends to be the early riser with a need for caffeine and something to eat in the morning.
James likes to sleep in as late as his anxious mind allows him, before rushing through his morning routine and usually dashing out the door just in time to avoid being late for work.
His notebook reminds him of the check-in deadline for The Evergreen at noon. There’s an outfit waiting for him on the armchair next to the window, folded and ready to take with him into the bathroom.
Somehow, they have taken their daily routine with them. Days are spent separately, just like their jobs keep them busy in their normal lives. He likes that they still spend the evenings together having dinner.
Even if he knows Gabriel would enjoy at least some of the items James scribbled down into his notebook, he stopped suggesting doing them together after Gabriel turned everything into a joke as soon as he brought it up.
“Oh,” Gabriel says from the doorway, startled. He’s leaning sideways, drying his hair with a smaller towel. “You’re awake.”
James smiles at him, as much as his sleep addled brain lets him at the early hour. “I made reservations at Notre Dame for noon so I wanted to check in at The Adventurer early.”
Gabriel finishes drying his hair. The unruly black curls that appear from underneath the white fabric make him look younger. “Right, we’ll do that first.”
“No rush. You can check out whenever you feel like it. Make use of the included breakfast.”
He’s pulling on his socks and shoes as he answers, “It’s fine. I’m not tied to any plans.” The implication is clear: that James is.
The last thing James wants is for Gabriel to feel inconvenienced because of his insistent need to plan and prepare. “Right.” He clears his throat, suddenly acutely aware of the burden his obsessiveness might be. “I’ll go shower then.”
There are droplets of condensation on the mirror when he steps into the small en suite bathroom. The lingering heat from Gabriel’s shower engulfs him. Before he shuts the door, he says, “You could always pop down for some coffee, if you want. I’ll just be half an hour.”
*
The check-in line at The Evergreen is longer than he anticipated. Especially since check-in is open until noon. Seeing the amount of people already waiting in line makes him sweat. It’s just past ten, and he’s supposed to be at the cathedral for his reservation in ninety minutes.
“I’ll check us in. If we somehow don’t make it to the front before eleven…
” Gabriel grumbles with both of his duffle bags flung over his shoulders.
It looks like he would rather be anywhere else.
It’s only because James has known him longer that he can see the irritation for what it really is: a manifestation of Gabriel’s own social anxiety.
Gabriel is the most social person he knows.
He’s also the most introverted person James has ever met.
Gabriel enjoys being around people, on his own terms and when he feels like it.
The crowdedness of the station contradicts this.
James smiles to himself at the thought of Gabriel offering to suffer through the hecticness for his benefit.
It, however, is not enough to stop him from protesting. “But-”
“We both know how you feel when plans change.” Gabriel side-eyes him with a sigh. The mirth in his eyes lessens the harsh tone of the words enough for James to relax a little.
James flushes. “I can do without it though.”
“Can you?” The rise of Gabriel’s eyebrows is a challenge, but it doesn’t seem condescending. It almost feels like teasing. James sighs, knowing he is right. “Alright, fine.”
There’s a little smirk on Gabriel’s pink lips when their eyes meet. James can’t help but get a little lost in the endless green. His face flushes in embarrassment as he looks away. It would do well for him to remember that Gabriel sees him as nothing but a roommate, or a friend at best.
*
An hour and ten minutes later James hurriedly drops his bags into their shared cabin and dashes off with a hasty goodbye. Gabriel’s reply gets lost in the crowd still making their way onto The Evergreen.
As he dashes across the platform toward the Metro there are blurs of dark greens, burgundy red and gold flashing in the corner of his eye. Every compartment is decorated to the nines. From what he’s seen there are wreaths over every door and baubles strung along the windowsills.
The Evergreen is beautiful in its old-fashioned Christmas decorations, and the thought of exploring the full extent of what the train has to offer fills him with anticipation. It’s, however, not something he can let himself enjoy if he misses his reservation for Notre-Dame.
Twenty minutes later he lets out a deep, heaving breath as he comes to a stop in front of the recently renovated church. There are throngs of tourists mingling about, taking photos and marveling at the beauty of the cathedral.
With a happy sigh he steps into the intended queue to wait for his turn to go inside. The smell of crêpes in the air reminds him that it’s nearly lunchtime. He reminds himself to stop for something to eat as soon as he’s had his fill of the history of the church.
The inside of the cathedral is every bit as marvelous in its beauty as the videos and photos made it out to be.
Stained glass and the incredible high ceiling loom over him as he takes in the rainbow-colored sunlight that reflects through the windows.
It might be winter, but even the weaker sun isn’t a match for the multi-colored displays.
History, culture and spirituality blend together. In this ancient monument where people from all over the world gather, light a candle and learn about the differences - and similarities - between religions and cultures.
Time ticks away as he walks around, taking in the paintings, statues and reading the descriptions.
His grumbling stomach disrupts him when he nears the exit.
It reminds him that while he skipped breakfast, he didn’t have lunch yet either.
With the thought of the crêpes he fantasized about earlier, he leaves the cathedral behind.
“James!” The shout of his name echoes across the square, startling him.
Figuring it’s a different James he keeps walking, trying to find his way across the street to the small bookshop he read about.
A hand on his elbow stops him as he goes to take the step across the crosswalk.
He pulls his arm back sharply, not appreciating being handled like that. “Hey, let go of me.”
There’s rough laughter coming from behind him. “You really do walk like you’re being chased.”
James’ shoulders lose their tension, his face falling back into something softer than the frown it settled in. He huffs in laughter and crosses his arms when he turns toward Gabriel. “Are you stalking me?”
Gabriel sputters, affronted. “What? No. I came to sketch the cathedral. I figured you would’ve finished hours ago. It’s after three.”
And would you look at that? It really is three o’clock. His watch beeps at him in warning of dinner in two hours. “Huh, so that’s why I’m starving,” he mumbles to himself.
Gabriel’s eyes darken a little. “You haven’t eaten yet? You didn’t have breakfast either.”
James shrugs. “Hey! I’m fine. I was just on my way to get something.”
“Alright, let’s go.” Gabriel nudges him as the light flickers green. “I walked past a crêperie earlier.” To James’ amazement Gabriel walks with him to the restaurant, orders something as well and joins him in sitting next to the Seine while they enjoy their respective snacks.
“Have you been here long?” James asks, gesturing toward Notre-Dame. Gabriel shakes his head, swallowing before he tells James he’s only been there for thirty minutes. “Walked around Montmartre earlier and sat down to read for a while.”
If James wasn’t such a plan and conquer type of person, he would’ve liked having such a whimsical day as well.
To be able to sit down in a city such as this and just soak it all up for a moment.
The fear of not being able to see everything prevents him from doing so.
He doesn’t see it happening that he will be returning to Paris any time soon, so everything he can do, he wants to experience.
His watch beeps again, a ninety-minute warning. Crumpling up his napkin, he stands up and turns to Gabriel. “Want to join me? We can go to the restaurant together after.”
Gabriel heaves himself up from the bench as well, his satchel falling across his shoulders. He smiles, his own version of a soft expression, and agrees.
Walking along the Seine, the two of them make their way toward a little hidden bookstore - something James is sure that Gabriel will enjoy as well.
If not for the crowd, then for the atmosphere and vast collection of books they carry.
Every video James watched of this little shop made it look like something plucked straight from a romcom.
The wooden panels and green awning greeting them confirm this. The way Gabriel’s eyes fill with intrigue makes it even better.