“You like it?” Her hopeful smile.
“Sure… it’s very pretty. Thank you.”
“It’s Gabe’s turn. Come on.”
He looked at Gabe, who had stepped close with a larger package. No words were needed, so he just took it and tore the paper open, a bit puzzled at that soft object poking through. He pulled it out and almost had to sit, facing that grey, plush pig, almost lifelike. His eyes went to Gabe, but he could barely see through that veil of tears.
Gabe shrugged with a small smile. “I figured it might ease the pain…” He could not continue, crashed against Damian’s chest. Gabe just laced his arms around him, feeling him breathe against his tears.
Cassie’s voice cut through the haze. “The candles! They are melting! Quick, blow them.”
They disentangled their arms, and Damian blew the candles, making a small wish, a bit moved that they had thought about this long forgotten birthday at all. His eyes a bit wide at the number written in dark chocolate on that white coating. 45.Fuck…He had to sit, that number knocking his breath out a bit, even if he knew. Letting Gabe serve him whilst Cassie pulled the candles out. Hugging that plush pig, his fingers grazing that soft plush. A small scratch behind that leather ear.
They ate, chatting, when Damian put his plate down and leant back, his fingers grazing the pig in his lap. “So… I sold the firm today.”
A stunned silence followed as Gabe’s and Cassie’s eyes went wide.
She recovered first. “What?”
“Yeah… I sold it. Signed and all. I mean, there’s more paperwork to be signed, but it’s done, basically…” He watched them, Cassie a bit pale, and Gabe, just looking at him, silent.
She had to stand, trying to tame all those feelings bubbling up. Fixing her eyes on the sky, remembering all those days and nights when she had wished he’d be home, and when he had been home, she had wished he had gone away. And now, he had sold the very thing that had kept him away. Feeling him step close, but he didn’t talk. Her heart had already forgiven, thrilled a bit at what the future could bring, but she let him suffer a bit.Just a bit. Enough to make you feel a bit like crap.
She turned to him, to his eyes filled with tears. “It’s ok, Dad… I just needed a moment.” Hugging him, holding that heaving chest tight. “It’s ok…” Closing her eyes to his tears, those manly sobs rocking his body.
Cassie left later and Damian just stood by the window, the night dark outside with that orange sky. Watching Gabe’s reflection in the glass as he stepped close.
“What now?” Putting his hand on his shoulder.
“Now… we’re free.” Damian turned to him, lacing his arms around him. “Fucking free.”
“And your work?”
“I’ll find something else. Not that I need it… we’re rich.”
“You’re rich.”
“We are. Even if your socialist brain rebels against it.”
Gabe’s eyebrows shot up, amused. “Socialist? That’s new.”
Damian pushed him towards the sofa, kissing him between words, on the neck. “Socialist… glorified waiter… eco-ass warrior…” He pressed Gabe against the sofa, his voice heavy. “Little fuck…”
Gabe’s eyes flashed, his hand meeting that tie, so he picked it up and handed it to Damian.
His lips curled up. “Ah… the tie… that’s right. How handy that it was here… close…” He turned Gabe around and took his hands, tying the tie around his wrists, making sure it wasn’t too tight, one of those knots he knew by heart which could be opened with a pull. Tilting his head back on his shoulder. “Comfy? Sure you want this?”
“Yes.” Gabe’s eyes, wide, those hazel eyes almost dark gold.
“Alright…” Kissing him, his hands kneading his ass. He shoved him gently forward, that sofa putting Gabe at the right height and angle. “Mhm… nice…” Peeling his jeans off, his boxers, pushing his own pants and boxers off. He leant on Gabe, tilting his head to him. “Like this?”
“Yes…” Panting, closing his eyes.
“What’s the word?”
“Coconut…”
“And if your pretty mouth is shut?”
