Aiden Jacobs, Benjamin Blue, and Gabriel Clark

Thanksgiving for Aiden Jacobs has always meant Gabriel Clark’s house. This year, Aiden Jacobs brought his college friend, Benjamin Blue, into the familiar warmth. He watched as Benjamin Blue was welcomed, and saw the look that passed between Benjamin and Gabriel Clark. It was a quiet understanding.

Later, upstairs, the air was thick. Aiden Jacobs watched Gabriel Clark discover what he already knew: that Benjamin Blue had a talented mouth. Gabriel Clark groaned, his head falling back, while Aiden Jacobs moved in behind Benjamin. Aiden Jacobs felt the shift as Gabriel’s eyes locked with his over Benjamin’s shoulder. It was a shared greed. The holiday was about gratitude, and soon, Aiden Jacobs was the one receiving their thanks, his skin marked with the proof.