Silk ✔

Twelve

Despite Marcus' slightly predatory gaze that wouldn't leave David for more than a blink and Avery's futile attempts to get every dirty secret out of them, Gabriel could tell that they were all enjoying themselves.

Marcus had excused himself for a post-dinner cigarette and Jasper of course had followed him out onto the balcony. Gabriel gave them ten minutes to finish with their quickie before he left David and Sage to their business talk and stepped out onto the balcony himself. The air was frigid and he couldn't fathom how horny one had to be to get it on outside.

Wordlessly Marcus handed him his cigarette and Gabriel inhaled the smoke slowly. He held it in his lungs for a few seconds and finally let it escape.

"Pretty serious, hmm?" Marcus commented on an exhale, his words accompanied by a cloud of smoke.

Gabriel leaned against the railing next to him and gazed at the millions of lights that seemed to never end. A sea of bright and twinkling lights.

"None of your business," he mumbled and Marcus threw him a hard look.

"Watch your mouth, boy," he scolded, voice cold as ice. "I won't hesitate to spank that attitude out of you."

Gabriel squirmed uncomfortably - Marcus no doubt would go through with his threat if he deemed it necessary - while Jasper giggled softly from his perch on one of the chairs.

"Sorry," Gabriel grumbled finally, feeling like a scolded child. Luckily Marcus accepted his apology with a curt nod and went back to his cigarette.

Gabriel blew out a breath, the air cold enough to turn it into a misty cloud.

"Your parents reacted as expected," Marcus said after a few seconds and glanced over at Gabriel.

"Yes." Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle, not sure what was so amusing. "They fulfilled all the cliches."

"Will they bother you?"

"Perhaps my father."

"That asshole," Jasper chimed in and glared at the ground. Marcus reached over to comfortingly grasp his neck and Jasper relaxed into the touch.

"You don't need to bother with them. They don't deserve being considered family," Marcus pointed out calmly.

Gabriel nodded slowly and accepted the offered cigarette with a faint smile, dragging the smoke deep into his lungs. He knew that Marcus was right but part of him hadn't gotten used to the idea of getting rid of all ties to his mother and father yet.

He handed the nearly burnt down cigarette back to Marcus who took a final inhale and then stubbed it out.

"Does he treat you right?" Marcus inquired with a glance back at the brightly lit living room.

Gabriel nudged his shoulder. "Yes, stop murdering him with your eyes."

Marcus gave him a flat look but stopped staring at David.

"You act more fatherly than my actual father," Gabriel said without much thought and grimaced once he realised how stupid that sounded. Still, it was the truth. Even when Gabriel had fought tooth and nail to keep Marcus away from Jasper the brooding bear of a man had been more respectful and fair than his biological father had ever been.

"We are family, Gabriel," Marcus said and something soft flitted over his features which Gabriel had thought was reserved solely for Jasper.

He averted his eyes and watched a cat sneak along the sidewalk below their feet. He'd always felt the need to protect Jasper like a big brother - blaming it on the fact that he simply was a rather dominant man and would care for every being that needed his help - and once Marcus and he overcame their intense dislike for each other they kind of bonded as well in a rather weird way of silently sharing cigarettes now and then and pampering Jasper. But family?