<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">“Ahh,” Jaxon nodded, coming to understand why Slater had such a hold on Gabriel. They had a history that went back to when he was in high school.<br/>
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“Even if you are...” <i>Gay</i>. Jaxon didn't say it outloud. “You deserve better.” No one deserved to be treated like that, without the option of even saying 'no'. Regardless of the dynamics, Jaxon had no tolerance for people like Slater Conway. He was a predator, and had apparently been preying on Gabriel for a while now.<br/>
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“I got a good look of the layout while I was there,” Jaxon told him, and details like that were not something easily forgotten for a soldier. “I might run through to check on things occasionally.” After all, someone exiting an abusive relationship needed some sort of support system. More than just family. With how Slater had reacted to Jaxon, he doubted that he allowed Gabriel much in way of lasting friendships. That was how a lot of abusers maintained control.<br/>
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Jaxon smiled at the compliment, but it was a little uncomfortable. He wasn't proud of loosing control of himself and beating the snot out of Slater, even if he fully deserved it. Everyone seemed to be overlooking his loss of control, but Jaxon wasn't sure if there would be ramifications for his actions.<br/>
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“There's worry that Slater might try to use that against me, saying that I went too far.” And really, Jaxon didn't doubt that he had. He knew how he got when something triggered him. He was glad that he hadn't done worse, and there had been distractions enough to stop him. The doors opened, and with it the music was heard more easily, leading way to different topics of conversation.<br/>
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“Overseas, I listened to a lot of heavier music. It was easier to get into a different mindset. Here, I listen to things a little more low key. Ambient and instrumental.” His therapist had pushed the ambient music, and he found it agreed with him. Heavy metal set him off, returning him to that mindset he needed to get away from, so as a rule he didn't listen to anything like that anymore.<br/>
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“I'm not familiar with this style of music,” Jaxon admitted with a smile, knowing it was probably fairly obvious. “When I was younger, I remember liking any sort of club music I could dance to. I don't know if I've grown out of that or not.” More so, he hadn't tested what he could tolerate going out to any of the clubs he used to visit. Their food was laid out in front of him, a lot of it. Jaxon thanked the waiter and tried to decide where to start first.<br/>
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“I'm sure I can manage,” Jaxon spoke, agreeing to the dessert at least. He was used to eating big meals, and maintaining the bulk of his muscle. Even after exiting the military, he stayed on top of his routine training. “It does look good. I didn't realize how hungry I was until seeing and smelling all of it.” Kiv didn't pester them while they ate, and Jaxon didn't pick anything apart of worry over mixing things. He simply ate it as it was presented to it. He didn't know what some things were, but it was all good, so he didn't worry over it. At Gabriel's request, Jaxon tried a bite of the sliced steak, taking it with his fingers as it was offered.<br/>
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“That's good too. Goes beyond my comprehension for seasoning. All I have in the cabinet is salt, pepper, and garlic.”<br/>
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“If you're not working, maybe bring something from the restaurant to the barbecue? I'm sure you'll gain some new customers if you do,” Jaxon suggested. “People usually show up with some sort of side dish. I doubt they'll have anything like something served here. Open a few country boys eyes. Mine definitely have been.” He smiled again, not slowing down in the slightest as he worked his way through his big meal.</span></span>