The Lake | BxB

-29- Plates

The house hung heavy with the weight of what had happened the previous day, meals had been silent. Nearly everything had been silent, the absence of the chirpy family dog was as clear as day. Romeo hated seeing his boyfriend like this, knowing there wasn't much he could do.

"Gabe" Romeo began hesitantly, he'd remembered what Gabriel had told him the other day about going on walks helping him when he was sad, but walks might also be a sore subject now that Bubbles was no longer with them.

Gabriel just hummed in response through the sniffles. His cheeks were still tear stained and his eyes were puffy and red, a contrast to the usual blue perfection Romeo was so used to getting lost in.

"Want to get out the house for a bit? Maybe go for a walk or something?" Romeo suggested gently running his hand through Gabriel's soft locks.

"Don't know" Gabriel answered shortly, his eyes remaining glued to the ceiling.

"Let's give it a try? We can always turn back if you're not feeling good" Romeo insisted. Gabriel needed to get out of the house he'd decided, just like Romeo had needed a distraction after first getting here. It was Gabriel's turn now.

"Okay" Gabriel said in resignation with a small sigh as he stood up. The pair headed down the stairs putting their shoes on then stepping out the door in silence. In contrast to the previous few days today was rather dreary. The sky was dark and foreboding. The wind was icy. It didn't feel much like a summer day.

"Anywhere you want to go in particular?" Romeo prompted as their hands intertwined warmly.

"Y-yeah, the park" Gabriel responded quietly. Romeo nodded allowing Gabriel to direct them through the quiet streets, they didn't speak much on the way there. Only a few words exchanged back and forth. Once they reached the park they both took seats on a set of swings.

The park itself was deserted. As if on cue rain began to pour from the sky drizzling down upon the boys as they sat there. It was as if the sky itself was crying for their loss. Grieving the loved dog just as much as they were.

"Put your hood up love" Romeo whispered quietly noticing Gabriel was just staring at the floor lightly swinging back and forth.

Gabriel nodded flicking his hood up to shelter his head from the onslaught of raindrops falling down around them.

"I used to come here- here a lot as a kid. M-me and Laila and her friends used- used to play hide and seek, I- I was always the seeker" Gabriel commented wistfully his gaze sweeping around the tarmac floors and metal structures.

Romeo smiled slightly at this. "There used to be a park near my old house too, it was where I went as a kid as well. Only when I got older I realised the teenagers hanging around inside the playhouses and bushes weren't playing. They were high" Romeo explained making Gabriel giggle a small, soft laugh. The first he'd heard since Bubbles had passed.

"It was- was nice coming here, having nothing to- to worry about, nothing to fear at all" Gabriel said nodding his head.

"Yeah" Romeo answered shortly.

"S-sorry I've been so- so- so- yeah, sorry" Gabriel apologised referring to his grief.

"You know I hate apologies" Romeo reminded him softly, amusement pricking at his words. "Besides, you've been doing well" he added gently. Gabriel needed this right now, Romeo needed to push aside his normal prickly attitude for a bit to help his boyfriend come to terms with such a heavy loss.

"What about you? How have you- you been, with your... your... you know" Gabriel asked shyly, his eyes briefly meeting with Romeo's before darting away.

Romeo instantly knew what he was referring to. "I've been clean since I got here" He replied matter of factly.

"Well done- I- I'm proud of you" Gabriel murmured back.

Romeo rolled his eyes slightly but offered Romeo a genuine smile. "Shall we find somewhere less wet?" He suggested as the rain began to get heavier, bouncing off of the metal slide beside them loudly.

"Y-yeah" Gabriel agreed standing up. The couple linked hands once more strolling out of the park and down a road. The street was lined with different shops and indoor activities, however one building caught Romeo's eye. He led Gabriel inside pulling his hood down in relief. They were back into the warmth now.

Standing in front of the sign Romeo read it quickly. It listed Escape Rooms, Axe Throwing, Rage Rooms, Cafés, Kids Play Areas, Shops and A Museum. It was basically a mall but for fun.

"Wanna try one of these? Get your mind off of things" Romeo questioned calmly.

Gabriel shook his head hesitantly. "I don't think I could focus" He answered honestly, scratching the back of his neck ashamed.

"The Rage Room might be helpful, you could get your feelings out?" Romeo prompted.

"What's a- a Rage Room?" Gabriel questioned quietly, clearly not fond of the idea.

"Like plate smashing, or sometimes other objects, but normally plates. You just throw them at walls. Get all your anger, or bottled up emotions out" Romeo explained.

"I don't know... I- I'm not really an- an angry person" Gabriel protested.

"I know, it might help let it all out though, everything" Romeo told him.

Gabriel hesitated for a second but then gave in, allowing Romeo to lead him to the counter. There was luckily a slot available for that hour so the boys followed an employee into a small, long booth. There were multiple piles of plates, some goggles and a big brick wall on the opposite end.

"You look so dorky" Romeo laughed as Gabriel put his goggles on. Gabriel immediately flushed bright red.

"Safety first Ro" he giggled back shyly.

Romeo started off picking up one of the shiny white plates and hurtling it at the wall, it spun through the air hitting the wall with a sharp crack sending pieces flying in the air.

Gabriel jumped slightly but laughed as he picked one up. "What if I miss?" He asked.

"It'll still smash, just on the floor" Romeo answered with a shrug.

Gabriel hesitated for a moment longer then threw the plate, it flew through the air before also hitting the wall splintering into a million pieces. "That felt so good!" Gabriel whispered in awe picking up another plate without hesitation and throwing it. Romeo smiled at him also throwing another plate.

"Think of things you hate then throw it" Romeo suggested, he then picked up a plate and pelted it forwards. "FUCK MY PARENTS!" He yelled as it hit the wall shattering onto the floor.

Gabriel smiled picking up his next plate.

"Errr, fuck.. fuck death!" He said quieter than Romeo before hurtling his plate forward, it landed just shy of the wall but still sent an ear piercing crack through the air the pieces flying in every direction as Gabriel giggled.

After they'd finished all their plates the pair sat down inside their booth out of breath.

"T-thank you Romeo that- that felt so good" Gabriel whispered gratefully, gazing up into Romeo's eyes.

Romeo smiled back leaning down and kissing Gabriel softly. Gabriel kissed back tenderly as Romeo put an arm around his skinny waist. As they learnt back Gabriel spoke again.

"I've made up my mind, let's- let's go back to the lake. Just the two of us for the weekend" He requested meekly.

"I like the sound of that" Romeo responded leaning back in for another kiss.