Family Gatherings.

“What did you just say?”

“You heard me."

John huffed in that infuriating manner he loved to use, “I need to make sure that I didn’t go temporarily insane.”

A sigh escaped Foster's lips, “Well, I just wanted to tell you that Gabriel has stolen my heart and he's coming over for the family dinner tonight at our mother’s insistence.”

Silence reigned over Foster's apartment for a moment, before his brother let out a weak chuckle, “Very funny Foster, but I’m not going to be fooled by such a silly prank.”

“But John, it’s true!”

He nearly let out a frustrated growl as he gave him a condescending look that always managed to annoy Foster, “Really, you should stop while you’re ahead. Try to think of something better next year, Foster. I’ll see you tonight.”

With that, he walked out of Foster's apartment without another word. Foster grumbled something about annoying older brothers under his breath, stopping only when a hand landed on his shoulder.

“I’m going to enjoy the look on his face tonight,” I grinned, spinning Foster around so we were face to face.

He smiled when he saw my delighted expression, “You’re impossible. Why didn’t you just come out of the bedroom and prove him wrong?”

“If I show up at your mother’s house instead, there’ll be more people around to see his reaction. Think of it as a little present from me to your family,” I pointed out, as if it was obvious all along.

Foster leant into the loose embrace I had around his waist. He knew that no amount of begging would get me to change my mind about shocking his older brother, so he didn't bother to argue the point, “I just don’t understand why he didn’t believe me.”

I rolled my eyes, “It’s simple. Your little confession sounded like something out of those cheesy romance novels. ’Stolen my heart’, I thought better of you.”

“But it’s true!”

“You're such a romantic," I said, as if it was an insult, "I’d rather steal some kisses.”

A lecherous gleam appeared in Foster's eyes, “Then why don’t you?”

So I proceeded to do just that.



Gabriel.

The look on John's face...priceless.