Chapter Text
Ginger and Miles sat on a park bench together, watching the ducks in the pond several yards away. It wasn’t their usual meeting place, and Ginger was both surprised and excited when Miles suggested it. Lately, Miles had been… well, odd, even for Miles. Over the past few months, they’d seen less and less of each other. Much of Miles’ time had been eaten by his on-and-off boyfriend, Antonie, leaving Ginger with only the crumbs. The length of their encounters had grown short as well – normally, they’d spend several hours together, but now, Ginger felt lucky to have a couple. Often, however, more than Ginger particularly enjoyed, Miles brought up the subject of dating. Apparently, the time Miles now spent with Antonie was also spent playing Cupid, as Miles was prepared with a photo and information regarding at least one woman, usually from Antonie’s theatre group, to share with Ginger during their own visits. Though, Miles’ Matchmaking Services hadn’t gained any business – Ginger stayed put in his bachelor lifestyle, and he was determined to keep it that way.
On the bench, Miles filled Ginger in on the gossip he’d heard from Antonie behind the scenes of their current production, Romeo and Juliet, bubbling and animated as usual. “...though, as it turns out, the men playing Romeo and Juliet’s fathers have been seeing each other for years, which makes the whole ordeal far more amusing. Anyway, the final performance is this Saturday, and I’m stopping by the box office for tickets this afternoon – would you like to see the show?”
As much as Ginger enjoyed going to the theatre with Miles, Saturday wasn’t the best day. He shook his head. “I’ve got plans.”
“Plans?” Miles raised his eyebrows. “A date?”
“Of sorts,” Ginger replied. “Just me and a bottle of whiskey I’ve been saving.”
“Really now, darling – whatever for?”
Ginger sighed. “My anniversary. Well, what would’ve been. Mine and Nina’s.” Though he was the one to leave Nina and not the other way around, his feelings on the subject were still… complicated, to say the least. His awaited “arrest” wasn’t exactly factual, but it gave him a way to escape a life he dreaded with less guilt knowing Adam would be there to pick things up. But the reasons he was unhappy with it… he had a hard time going down that path without a strong drink in his hand, but by morning it was usually forgotten. Regardless, he never went into detail about it with anyone else, not even Miles.
Miles’ face fell. “Oh, dear… I’m terribly sorry, I should have remembered…”
They sat in silence.
“You must miss her.”
“Some days, yes,” Ginger admitted, “but some days… I suppose it was for the best. I’m not sure I was cut out to be a husband, certainly not hers.”
“Don’t say that,” Miles said. “In fact, Antonie and I were just talking the other day about a woman called Elia–”
Ginger rolled his eyes. “Please don’t tell me you wish to set me up with another of Antonie’s friends.”
“Why not? Is there something wrong with them?” Miles asked. “Forgive me for my lack of experience with women, but are they not… your type?”
“Look, I’m sure they’re very nice, but I told you, I’m not ready. I don’t want to go frolicking with strange women, especially not… that day, of all days.”
“But you mustn’t keep yourself cooped up in your house all alone, that simply won’t do.”
“It won’t?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then why don’t you stay in with me?”
Miles looked at him. “Stay in… with you?”
“You know, dinner, talking for hours on end, listening to a record or the radio… that’s how I’d like to spend my anniversary. It’d be the perfect way to get my mind off of… everything. It’s been ages.”
Miles bit his lip. “I’m not sure I can, what with the play–”
“I thought you said you hadn’t gotten tickets yet?”
“Yes, but–”
“Please.” He looked into Miles’ eyes. “I know it sounds rather silly, but… I could really use a friend. And quite frankly… you’re the best I’ve got.”
Ginger hadn’t attracted many friends throughout his life, even in London. He was primarily invited to stuffy events run by friends of his parents, but rarely to the wild, glossy parties thrown by people his own age. He’d met plenty of people through his social class, Nina included, and others through her, but no one else stuck around. The sole reason she did, Ginger knew, was for his money, and she stayed with him under marital obligation. Their union only had mere glimpses of joy, and when a job at the factory arose, she practically leaped at the opportunity to get out of the house (and, presumably, away from him).
Leaving for France required him to start over, to begin a new life where no one knew him, who his parents were, or where or how he got his money. Much like England, he hadn’t made any good friends – that is, until he bumped into Miles. That night changed everything. Miles brought Ginger out of his comfort zone but also didn’t object to a quiet night in. Ginger even shaved off his moustache upon Miles’ suggestion, revealing the wine-stained birthmark on his upper lip to the world. He felt self-conscious under Nina’s sheepish gaze with or without it, but Miles only showed him admiration and gave him enough confidence to keep it off.
Ginger never had a friend like Miles before, and with Miles’ sudden withdrawal lately, he wasn’t prepared to lose him.
“What do you say?” Ginger asked.
Miles smiled. “I’ll catch the show the night before. What time would you like me over?”
~*~*~
Saturday arrived too soon yet not soon enough, in Ginger’s eyes. While he dreaded the date imprinted in his timeline and what it represented, he was looking forward to spending it with Miles and, perhaps, making it more meaningful. Their plans had changed, however – Miles called the day before, his voice gushing with excitement, as he declared he had a splendid idea.
“The most splendid idea!” he practically sang on the other line. “I know you wanted a quiet night, but you know me just as well – when the gears start turning, they simply can’t stop. I’ve got the whole evening planned out for us!”
“What sort of plan did you have in mind?” Ginger asked.
“That’s the best part, darling – it’s a surprise! I’ll be there to pick you up at 6 o’clock.”
“Miles–”
“I don’t want to hear another word! Mother will take care of everything. And do put on that charming blue suit of yours. Remember, 6 o’clock sharp!”
As Ginger straightened his jacket in the mirror, he heard a key turning through the front door lock. He looked at his watch. 6 o’clock on the dot, just as he promised.
“I do hope you don’t mind me letting myself in,” Miles announced from the door.
Ginger chuckled. “At this point, I should just give you the spare key under the mat, shouldn’t I?”
Miles followed Ginger’s voice to his room. He wore a green velvet jacket with a bow tie and a ruffled white shirt underneath, along with dark pants and stylish boots that brought him slightly closer to Ginger’s height. On one lapel, he wore the brooch he’d given him for his birthday, the one that reminded Miles of his grandmother. Ginger had searched far and low for it, and he was pleased over how often Miles chose to wear it.
He frowned upon entering. “Darling, where’s your blue suit?”
“What’s wrong with this one?” Ginger asked, looking at his choice of brown.
“Nothing, dear, but your blue suit – the deep blue with the pinstripes – just trust me, Ginger, trust me.”
Ginger rolled his eyes and begrudgingly changed into the other suit. He had more faith in Miles’ sense of style than his own anyway.
When he stepped out of his room to reveal the change, Miles lit up. “Now that’s much better,” he beamed, moving closer to get a good look. “Blue brings out those gorgeous brown eyes of yours.”
Ginger’s cheeks flushed. Though, funnily enough, he thought, the pop of blue from the lapis lazuli brooch had the same effect on Miles.
“Oh, you’ve got a stray eyelash on your cheek, would you mind terribly–” Miles gently brushed his polished index finger and thumb, matching his jacket, on Ginger’s face without even finishing the question. Ginger watched his face, painted perfectly as usual, as he concentrated on the task at hand. Once Miles plucked the lash from Ginger’s cheek, he examined it before holding it closer to Ginger again with a smile. “Care to make a wish?”
Ginger let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He cleared his throat. “Very well, I wish–”
“No, my dear, you mustn’t say it out loud – it’s bad luck, it won’t come true.”
He nodded and took another breath. An unforgettable night, he thought as he blew away the lash from Miles’ finger. “Now, where are we going?”
“Ah ah ah,” Miles tutted, “it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now would it?”
“I suppose not,” he replied, and he followed Miles out the door and into the evening ahead. Whatever it was he had planned, Ginger hoped he’d be just as excited as Miles when all was revealed.