Chapter 10 From Zurich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Gabriel smiles as he checks his watch while he lets James go onto the train first. A little over ninety minutes until departure. Of course James made sure they would have time to spare. And plenty of it, at that.
The cabin is warm as he drops his jacket at the end of the bed, kicking off his shoes. James flops backward onto his side. He grins to himself at the realization that this is going to be one of the cozy nights inside of their little space. This is why he went on the trip in the first place.
Space to enjoy his own things, to indulge in his reading and his sketching without the heaviness that he feels in London.
There are no expectations here, no need to rush to work or make sure to meet his friends as often as possible.
Here he can’t do anything other than enjoy the quiet, James’ company and a certain tranquility he’s not sure he’s ever experienced before.
A quick shower doesn’t sound all that bad, especially after soaking in the water of the thermal baths earlier.
The train’s set for departure just after nine, so they’ll be arriving in Germany early in the morning.
He’s sure that it’ll be another day James speeds off and spends the day ticking off the things from his little list. When Gabriel returns from his shower, James managed to doze off and is snoring softly from where he’s tucked his hands underneath his head.
Gabriel often wonders if James’ anxious nature is something he’s developed or something he’s always had. It can’t be easy having to manage your routine and thoughts in that way. He hopes he’s able to at least offer some assistance and relief during this trip.
If there’s someone that deserves it, it’s James. Especially after the way last holiday season turned out. Gabriel might not have all the pieces yet. But the way James clammed up at the sight of both Paul and Riley, he guesses it’s got something to do with that they’re already engaged.
He takes a seat in ‘his’ armchair, his sketchpad opened to the very last few pages and begins to carefully outline James’ silhouette against the soft light of the cabin.
He’s extra vigilant of the way James’ chest rises and falls with his breathing.
Every drawing that’s found its way into this side of his notebook feels sacred and like a secret he needs to keep guarded.
He can’t let James find out about this, not under any circumstances.
As the clock strikes eight, when the sun has officially fully set and the darkness of the cabin is proving to be too saturated to draw comfortably, he closes the notebook.
The sudden craving of tea and some biscuits strikes and compels him to head to the restaurant.
On his way to the door he shakes James awake gently, who stirs but doesn’t do much else.
Gabriel will take the gamble to try and find his way back before James notices he’s gone, and slips out of the room.
Only to walk into the one person he really doesn’t want to deal with.
“Sharing a room already, are you?” The weird grin on Paul’s face rubs Gabriel the wrong way.
Who does he think he is, casting judgment without knowing the full story?
Gabriel crosses his arms, and smugly replies, “Nothing new really. Already share a house and everything, back home.”
“Home?” Paul quirks his eyebrow, a hint of surprise filling his eyes.
“In London, Soho.” Gabriel can’t help but let a little pride seep into his voice.
It’s a small, two-bedroom apartment, that much is true, but it’s still a place in central London, something a lot of people their age only dream of at this point.
Paul, obviously, doesn’t need to know that they are sharing the place to save on rent and utilities.
Gabriel figures this is another little detail to corroborate their so-called romance.
There’s a spike of thrilled satisfaction shooting down his spine at the sour look that crosses Paul’s face.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve got someone waiting on a cup of tea.
” It’s with those words that he leaves Paul in the hallway, stealthily hanging back to make sure that he goes to his own cabin and doesn’t think to disturb James.
Just like after their dinner earlier in the week, he makes sure to grab a little plate with bits and pieces of the different desserts from the buffet tables. The tray he took from their room and tucked underneath his armpit comes in handy to carry the mugs and plate back.
When he slides the door open, he’s greeted by a soft smile and sleepy brown eyes. It takes a lot of self-restraint not to openly coo at James, who’s now dressed in his pajamas and wearing another pair of fuzzy socks.
“I got us some tea. Thought you might like something to snack on,” Gabriel says as he puts down the tray on the little table between their chairs.
While he goes to take a seat, he longingly glances out the window into the darkness.
How he wishes that some part of the journey would happen during the daylight.
The landscape must be breathtaking, especially with the freshness of the winter cold and the frostbite in the air.
From where he’s taken a seat across from him, James nibbles on a biscuit and quietly says, “I think we’ll be travelling more during the day in Scandinavia. I can’t wait for the view.” Gabriel smiles at him, taking a small sip of his still piping hot drink, and he parrots, “I can’t wait.”
The silence they fall into feels reminiscent of the very first night on The Adventurer.
Which really was just last week, but feels a lifetime ago.
The train falters a bit as the wheels try and find their bearing.
It’s only minutes later that they find themselves leaving behind the beautiful city of Zurich on their way to their next stop.