Chapter 2-1
598 Words
Chapter 2
Aitor
“Why did you say that guy was a bigot?” Aitor blurted, He wasn’t all that interested in the drink; he’d just wanted to rile up Gabriel a little, especially after the bastard had unapologetically stolen his parking spot. But then, he’d seen how Gabriel had genuinely enjoyed gaming, not just playing to win. If he’d been any different after the bet, Aitor would have told him to forget about the drink and gone his own way. Aitor hated to even think it, but he seemed nice, and had surprised him with that comment about playing with bigots.
“He clearly was. Did you see the way he sneered at me when he saw my shirt?”
Ah, yes. Aitor had also noticed the shirt. It was a bit strange, seeing someone wearing a Trans Rights Are Human Rights shirt at one of these events. And Gabriel had completed the outfit with a rainbow flag pin attached to his nametag. He studied the way the trans flag distorted a bit over Gabriel’s belly. He was curious, but he didn’t know if he should ask, or if the answer would be something that would make him feel worse.
Fuck it, he didn’t have to see this guy again if he didn’t want to.
“I’m curious. Why the shirt? Why wear it here, of all places?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I have a trans niece. My sister-in-law got this for me when my niece came out, and I’ve worn it to these kinds of events ever since.” He chuckled. “You should have seen me before. I wore the ugliest rainbow flag shirt you can imagine. I still think Clara got this one for me so I would get rid of that one.”
Aitor nodded. He’d been expecting something like that, and Gabriel’s reasoning seemed thoughtful and sincere. He found himself liking him a bit, to his chagrin.
Before he could say anything, the bartender forced them to change the topic.
“You didn’t tell me what you want to drink,” Gabriel said.
“I’ll have a beer.”
Gabriel ordered two beers, then raised his eyebrows. “Are you even old enough to drink? Are you even old enough to drive, for that matter?”
He knew he was being teased, but Aitor huffed. “I’ll have you know I’m twenty-seven.”
“You don’t look a day past twenty.”
Aitor thought of what he’d just learned from Gabriel, then looked around. They were still in the hall, surrounded by a lot of people, but right then they were the only ones at the bar, and no one could overhear their conversation with all the background noise the gamers provided. And what the hell, if Gabriel turned out to be nasty, Aitor could disappear into the crowd.
“Well, trans men do tend to look young.”
He smirked when he saw the look of realization on Gabriel’s face.
Just then, the bartender brought their drinks. Gabriel passed Aitor his beer and tipped his glass towards him. “Do you know what you’re playing next? I’m probably going to follow you around and flirt some more, see how many innuendos I can make out of one game. Unless you’re playing Zombicide, in which case you’re on your own.”
Aitor laughed, but he didn’t think Gabriel was lying. “I have no idea. I signed up to try some of the tabletop roleplaying tonight, but I don’t know what I’ll be doing until then.” He took a long drink of his beer. “Probably join any table you’re at so I can kick your ass.”
“Ha! You wish.”
“Not a wish, but a reality. Or do I need to remind you why you’re paying for the drinks?”
Gabriel shook his head. “Yeah, but I won the first round, so we’re one to one right now.” He looked pensive for a few seconds. “I have an idea.”
“Sounds ominous.”
“Shut up, you.” He smiled. “How about a rematch? You choose a game, I choose another, and we’ll see who wins the most games.”
Aitor finished his beer. “You’re on.”
- Writer
