(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

After receiving Simon's wave, Gabriel had immediately arranged with Mark to not only reschedule the previously-planned dinner engagement but also to clear the last meeting of the day from his calendar.

As a result, he's able to arrive at Milliways early.

(He's not worried. Not exactly. Still, requests like this from Simon are rare enough to make him wonder.)

Gabriel takes a seat in the armchair by the fireplace and requests a cup of coffee while he waits.

Comments

[gabriel_tam]

Silence descends between them with an almost tangible beat for each second that passes.

One moment. Two.

Finally, still holding Simon's gaze, Gabriel nods.

"I give you my word."

[simon_doctor]

The tension slowly goes out of him, hands visibly relaxing, shoulders loosening.

Quiet, and heartfelt: "Xiexie ni, Dad."

[gabriel_tam]

"You're welcome, Simon."

Just as quietly.

He'll need to talk to Vincent, of course, and he suspects he'll have some plans to revise, but it doesn't matter.

He's made a promise to his son.