Laurent clattered down the stairs at the second ring of the bell. He'd ignored the first, until he remembered Leeanna did the grocery shopping today and Allie had swapped his days off to spend time with a friend who'd come to town.

He was dressed, barely, as he was fresh out of the shower, and he'd left Gabe dozing adorably, snuffling into the pillow.

He rubbed a small towel over his still-damp hair as he swung the door open.

"Hello?"

The skinny middle-aged man in a smart, pale gray suit stared back at him, nonplussed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I was expecting Monsieur Girard."

"I am Monsieur Girard," he responded, trying to keep the laugh from his voice.

The man looked bemused, furrowing his brow, until Laurent took pity on him.

"I'm Laurent Girard, François' brother. Can I help?"

"I was actually hoping to see Gabriel. I've been told he's staying here."

Laurent looked at him for a long moment, warring emotions running through him – partially fear as to what conflict this stranger might cause for his boy.

"May I ask your name?"

"Oh, apologies. Yes, I'm Quentin Brubaker, the Director of the New York Conservatory."

That was where Gabe had gone to school, though he doubted the man would be here himself for unpaid fees or the like. Brubaker seemed to recognize his uncertainty.

"I have good news, if that helps?"

"Please, come in. I'll see if he's receiving visitors."

Something about the staid countenance of the man seemed to suit old-fashioned language. Brubaker certainly didn't seem like a threat, but Laurent wouldn't be forcing Gabe to see him, regardless.

He left the man in the living room and went to find Gabe, who was just drying off after his own shower.

"I wondered where you'd gone." He spoke casually, but Laurent could hear the tremor in his voice that belied his true feelings.

"I wouldn't have gone out without letting you know," he said, simply. It was true. Though he didn't yet know the full impact of Gabe's trauma, he knew enough to understand the boy needed someone reliable who treated him as valuable. "There was someone at the door. A Mr Brubaker."

"Oh! I wonder what he wants."

Gabe didn't seem fazed, so Laurent left him to dress and went back down to offer Brubaker a drink. When he came back in with coffees for all of them, Gabe was there, apparently happy to talk. When he told Brubaker he was considering taking a job playing in a club – he judiciously made no mention of the type of club – the man tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"I'm glad you've continued your practice. Actually, that's what I'm here for. Of course, when you didn't respond to the Philharmonic's offer, they had to offer it to their second choice."

Gabe opened his mouth, closing it with a slam, as if realizing he didn't want to justify his decision. Laurent took his hand, squeezing it lightly, and received a sweet smile in return.

"The young lady they hired is taking some time away because she's had a baby. They're looking for a temporary replacement for the twelve months she's chosen to take. Gabriel, they've specifically asked to see you again, before they go through the full recruitment process. If you're interested?"

"Twelve months?"

"Yes, they have much longer leave allowances in London. They are rather eager to see if they can resolve it quickly, if you'll see them. You were their first choice then, and they still want you."

"Um, well, yes. I-" He turned to Laurent, eyes wide.

Laurent didn't know how it would turn out, but he did know Gabe was an amazing cellist. In the time before they'd become more, he'd spent hours quietly sitting on the stair outside the music room, listening to him practice. But it was clear he was doubting the decision, and he wondered if he'd doubted it the first time, too, and Sawyer had encouraged him to – or made him – walk away from the opportunity.

"It sounds perfect, Gabe," he told him.

"You think I should go to London," Gabe asked, almost in a whisper, and Laurent saw the rejection in his face – the thought he was being pushed away, which couldn't be further from the truth.

"If you want to, yes. You know, I've always wanted to go there."

"You'd come too?"

"If you'd want me with you."

"I do." He turned back to Brubaker with a fresh smile. "Yes, I'll do it."

When they'd got rid of Brubaker after arranging that he'd contact Gabe with the details of the meeting, Laurent swept Gabe into his arms, peppering his cheeks and jaw with kisses.

"You're amazing," he said, when Gabe was breathless with laughter.

"Not really."

"Yes. You think everyone becomes first choice for a philharmonic orchestra?"

"You know a lot about them?"

"Absolutely nothing. But I have sense."

"Maybe. I should go practice though."

"Later. Right now, we should celebrate."

Laurent chased Gabe up the stairs, both of them laughing. When they got to his room, Laurent let his eyes get darker.

"Take your clothes off, Bambi. I want to play with you, if you're willing?"

"Yes, green," Gabe responded with an excited laugh, pulling his Henley over his head.

When he was naked, on the bed looking up at him, resting on his elbows, Laurent let a knowing smile bleed onto his features.

"When I say I want to play, Bambi, I really mean it. Do you think you're ready?"

"I want to try. Please."

"Okay. Remember you always have your words."

"I'll remember."

Laurent straightened, becoming stern after one final wink at Gabe.

"Show me how you touch when you're on your own."

"Wha-?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. Hungry little- hungry sub. Wanting me to tell you what to do. Well, you're going to what I tell you now. Play. Show me how you touch yourself."

Laurent tossed a bottle of lube onto the bed with insouciance, stepping back and crossing his arms as Gabe shakily clicked it open, pushing himself back on the bed to be leaning against the headboard. He looked wide eyed and nervous despite his straining cock. Laurent wouldn't take his erection as proof he was okay – physical reactions weren't always linked to mental reactions, after all. But he was taking the consistent movement as a good sign. Gabe might be on edge, but he was willing.

He slicked himself up, slowly running his palm over himself with a light grip, teasing and building. Laurent let him toy with himself, biting his own lip at the desire to jump on the bed and take over. He'd be patient, and get everything he wanted, he was sure. Gabe's movements began to speed up, developing a strong rhythm, flicking his thumb over the head every few strokes. The wet slick of the lube was obscene in the quiet room and Laurent licked his lips.

"You don't play with your hole, Bambi?" Laurent asked with a smirk after a few minutes.

"Oh!" Gabe squeaked out, his already flushed cheeks becoming darker pink. "I kind of forgot."

"It's okay. You're putting on a show for me. You like that, don't you? Showing off. I can imagine you doing this for a crowd. They'd want you so much."

Gabe's hand stilled. "Ye- Um."

Laurent leaned back. "What is it? Do you want to stop?"

"No, no I don't. It's just, not that. Not other people."

Laurent nodded in understanding. "Okay Bambi. Just for me." Gabe nodded, letting out a relieved breath as his hand began moving again. "Just putting on a show for me. Making sure I want you. And I do. You're beautiful like this, laying there giving yourself pleasure because I told you to. I want you to go harder. Make yourself come, for me."

Laurent leaned forward so he didn't miss a single one of the sweet sounds Gabe had started to let out uncontrollably as he got closer. He reached a hand to run over Gabe's chest, kissing his neck until he could feel Gabe was about to fall.

"Come for me," he instructed, twisting a nipple roughly, and Gabe came with a low moan, arching against his hand before he sank back bonelessly.

"Was that okay?" he whispered breathlessly as Laurent kissed his shoulder.

"Completely perfect. It's good for me to know humiliation is off the table."

"Maybe not completely. Just, I don't know which things will bother me. I don't like the idea of other people watching me."

"I'm happy to work with you to find out what works for you," Laurent admitted. Hell, he wanted to be the one to help Gabe discover what worked for him.

After Laurent had cleaned him up, he leaned in to Gabe again.

"Don't get sleepy, Bambi. I'm not done with you yet."

A/N: I'm pretty sure the philharmonic planning to give the job to Gabe without seeing anyone else is fully illegal, but we aren't here for employment law, so...

I wonder what will happen next?