“He’d have to be to put up with me,” Gabriel continued. “We’ll have to host you both for dinner sometime. You and your boyfriend. You’re my first grad student, but I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to get to know you.”
Matt’s eyes widened again. “So you’ll take me on?” he asked.
Gabriel nodded.
He’d already been ninety percent sure he was going to, but Matt’s reaction to Reid had sealed the deal.
They had to stick together. No one else was going to look out for them.
If that was all Gabriel managed to accomplish from now on, he was happy.
“Thank you so much,” Matt gushed, holding out his hand for Gabriel.
Gabriel chuckled as he shook it, the joy he’d felt when he saw Reid resurfacing at Matt’s enthusiasm. “You’re welcome. I’ll fill out the paperwork for you, and then we’ll get to work. It was great to meet you in person.”
Matt nodded eagerly, standing and gathering his things. “I, uh… you don’t need anything else from me, right?”
Gabriel laughed again. “No. Go tell your boyfriend,” he said, knowing that was exactly what he’d want to do in Matt’s place. Gabriel only had a year or two on him, so he understood where Matt was in his life.
“Thank you so much,” Matt repeated. “You won’t regret this. I’m gonna workso hard.”
Gabriel didn’t doubt that for a second. Matt reminded him of himself a lot.
Hopefully, he’d get to do amazing things, too. And unlike Gabriel, he’d have someone to share it with.
Well. Gabriel had someonenow, and he was never, ever giving that up. Not for anything.
“So you were serious about giving back, huh?” Reid asked once Matt was out of earshot.
Gabriel nodded, sipping his coffee. “I have all this knowledge and all these connections. It’s time I started sharing that. He seems like a good starting point.”
“You seem happy,” Reid said. “Which is really hot, by the way.”
“I am happy,” Gabriel responded, snuggling closer to Reid.
“Hey, uh… thanks for not disowning me,” Reid murmured. “I… I mean, I would’ve understood if you had, but it means a lot that you’re willing to be out for me.”
“It’s not just for you,” Gabriel said automatically. “It’s for me, too. And for people like Matt. Did you see how his whole personality changed when he realized I was gay? That felt amazing.”
“You’reamazing,” Reid said, leaning close to peck Gabriel’s cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you, too,” Gabriel said. “Always.”
