Page 14 of Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay

“Still not funny.”

“It’s very funny actually, you’re just in no mood to laugh.” There was a sigh. Gabriel thought of Arthur moving away from Camelot and felt faintly sick. “She still hasn’t written, I assume?”

“Oh, she has actually. She sent six pages explaining exactly why she’s gone quiet, along with effusive declarations of love and a promise to never abandon me again. I just thought I’d wait an hour before telling you. For fun.”

“I have to say, Ilovehow jaded and bitter you are, because I’d hate to see you thriving and need to drag you down to my level. It’s bad enough watching Sidney and Agnes bint about the place like they invented love.”

“Well, someone should be happy.”

“That’s where we disagree. I believe everyone should be miserable.” There was a quick, abortive sound like something had been half-heartedly kicked. “Oh, for God’s sake. I can’t join his round table. Why’d you have to put my name forward? If you want to see me depressed, you know full well that I can do it here, no travel necessary.”

Ouch. So he didn’t want to come. Gabriel should have expected as much. Arthur seemed happier now that he’d moved on; Gabriel was the one still floundering.

“Because he can’t do it without me, and I can’t do it without you,” Gwen said eventually, neatly and painfully true. “Bridget will say yes, I think, but she’ll probably tell me she’s done with me the second she arrives, and what a happy little tragedy we’ll be. Heartbreak, on tour.”

“Honestly, it’s like you and Oakley designed this to be terrible. Iron maiden of a social situation.”

Gabriel swallowed. Of course it would be torturous for Arthur to be trapped with him; they could hardly make it through a brief conversation without agony. Gabriel was the one still watching hopefully from his window, thinking that a few months on the road together might benice. Idiot.

“It’s a good idea,” Gwen said, not sounding entirely sure. “For the kingdom.”

“Screw the kingdom. What about the Arthurdom? Nobody ever seems to think of that.”

There was a trill from somewhere at Gabriel’s feet, and he jumped almost a foot in the air. Merlin Lucifer was busy wrapping himself around Gabriel’s boots; he meowed loudly, seeking instant and lavish attention.

“Is that ML?” Arthur called out, his tone changing instantly, soft as butter. “Merly? Luuucy? Come to Daddy, my sweet nightmare prince.”

“Good Lord,” said Gwen, as Gabriel tried to back toward the door without making any noise at all, Merlin Lucifer thwarting his every step. “You’re a sop for that cat.”

“Leave him alone, he’s a child of divorce. Merlin Lucifer, you come here at once, young man!”

It was too late. Arthur appeared, with the sort of open, easy smile on his face Gabriel hadn’t seen for quite some time; he missed it instantly when it disappeared.

“Oh,” said Arthur. “Hello. I was looking for… the cat.”

“Yes,” said Gabriel. “Sorry, I just… I just came in, I didn’t know you were here.”

In the whirlwind of their first attempt at romance last year, there had been a terrifying spark in Arthur’s eyes that hinted that he might always be on the verge of setting something aflame. Gabriel had been both enamored with and deeply frightened of that light. Lately it had cooled to burning embers, still there but transformed into something warmer and steadier. It made Arthur feel both utterly familiar and entirely new.

“You’re allowed,” he said, studying Gabriel for a moment before he looked to the cat. “Come on, kitty cat. Let’s go moat-ward and bully the fish.” He picked Merlin Lucifer up like an infant or a sack of vegetables and slung him over one shoulder as he walked. “Bye, Gweneth.”

Gwen emerged with her hair neatly braided and a men’s jacket over her shoulders. It was one of Arthur’s, deep maroon with gold brocade feathers down the arms.

“Good morning,” she said, once Arthur was gone. “Spying? You have people for that.”

“I was just going for a walk,” Gabriel said miserably.

“Right, right. At the same time Arthur always goes for a walk. Fortuitous.”

She took his arm and propelled him out of the garden, brushing past a rose bush that shed petals like confetti at their feet.

“Was that… Were you two talking about…”

“We hardly discussed you at all,” said Gwen. “It’s not always about you. Honestly, it’s like you think you’re the most important man in England or something.” She saw Gabriel’s expression and softened. “He is, unfortunately, one of my closest friends. I think perhaps he tricked me into it. And we talk abouteverything, and… Look, misery loves company.”

“I’m miserable too,” offered Gabriel.

“Yes, and I do so enjoy our little mopes together, but me and Arthur are strapped in side by side upon the rack of life.”