The bar had emptied out in waves, still buzzing with the afterglow of what had become one of the most talked-about moments on the East Coast. The Dave Larson Band packed up quietly, grins lingering on every face. Gabriel stood near the back exit now, cradling the bass he had played with his father — fingers still idly tracing the strings.
Thane watched from the shadows of the hallway near the bathrooms, arms folded, tail barely flicking. Not jealous. Not bitter. Just… proud. And aching, silently.
He didn’t need the spotlight.
He had Gabriel. That was enough.
Jim came out from the back room, guitar case slung over one shoulder, still flushed from the crowd’s love. He found Gabriel near the stage and put a hand on his shoulder.
“You always were better than me, kid,” he said, with a soft chuckle.
“Just glad I got to see it. Glad you never forgot where you came from.”
Gabriel turned and pulled him into a tight hug. His voice cracked.
“I never will, Dad. You gave me everything.”
Jim nodded, clearing his throat roughly.
“You’re out there doing it right. The music… it’s not just notes. It’s yours. That band of yours… they’re something else.”
He glanced toward the hallway and locked eyes briefly with Thane.
It lasted half a second. A neutral expression. No warmth. No sneer. Just unreadable.
Then he looked back at his son.
“You’re doing good, Gabriel. Real good. I’m proud of you.”
He clapped his son’s back again and gave a lopsided grin.
“And if you ever bring that band back through here, I expect another duet. We’ll show these clamsuckers how it’s done.”
Gabriel laughed and nodded, blinking fast.
“You got it.”
Jim nodded to Thane again on his way out. Still neutral. No words.
Once the door clicked behind him, Gabriel just stood there.
Then he slowly turned to Thane.
The smile he gave him was fragile — eyes glassy, mouth trembling with all the emotion he couldn’t say aloud with his father nearby.
Thane stepped forward, wordless, and gently pulled him into a hug — arms firm around Gabriel’s shoulders, his muzzle resting against the top of Gabriel’s head.
Gabriel buried his face into Thane’s chest, claws lightly digging into the back of his shirt, body shaking with silent, joyful tears.
“He saw me,” Gabriel whispered, voice muffled.
“He really saw me tonight.”
“I know,” Thane said, quiet as moonlight.
“And so did the rest of the world.”
Gabriel looked up, eyes shining.
“I wish I could tell him about us. About everything. About how you saved me.”
Thane nuzzled his cheek, careful, protective.
“You don’t have to tell him. He saw the best parts of you… and I’m one of the lucky few who gets the rest.”
That earned a soft laugh. Gabriel leaned against him, their foreheads touching.
“He’s gonna go home and tell everyone how I brought the house down with him.”
“You did,” Thane said simply. “He was the hero. And you made sure he knew it.”
They stood in the quiet bar for a long moment, just holding each other under the dusty string lights. Not hiding — not from each other.
Just… silent. Solid. Real.