Tension worked it's way into Jaxon as it did when there was a sudden shift in tone. Mason thought he was being funny. Most of the guys sitting around the fire didn't seem to agree, Gabriel least of all. He was quiet for a moment in a way that men got when they were gearing up for a fight. Mason didn't seem to notice but Jaxon was ready to react if violence were to erupt, so used to situations getting completely out of hand rather quickly.<br/><br/>Gabriel had chosen a different tactic though. His words were venomous; informative. He was not ashamed to admit who he was and that topic was settled. It was a different side of Gabriel he'd not seen. Slater had likely instilled fear into him over a longer period of time but Gabriel didn't fear Mason. He wasn't cowed and he made his opinion quite clearly known; reminded Mason of his sheer ignorance. Jaxon didn't know what it had been like to grow up gay. He was the picture perfect American man, growing up in the ideal sense. In that way, things had been easy for him. Hard for him to relate to Gabriel but he'd heard his words. The guys were quiet. They'd heard him as well.<br/><br/>“You pleased with yourself, Mase?” Jaxon asked, low. He could have said more but felt it might undermine Gabriel's efforts. He didn't need him to come to his defense even if Jaxon felt the behavior of his friend was wholly unacceptable. Daniel was the one to recover the quickest, addressing Gabriel like the few moments of thick tension hadn't just occurred.<br/><br/>“Ah, well, seems perfectly acceptable. Don't imagine I'm in the market for a ball and chain either,” David said, taking a sip of his beer and effectively deflecting some of the situation with his easy going nature. He didn't quite know what to say about all of what Gabriel had said but he remained the friendly man he'd been before his dirty laundry had been aired. Jaxon was thankful for him and many of them followed by example. Once the night had returned to normal Jaxon got up to call Mason a cab. His drinking had only increased after the situation and everyone knew he wasn't fit to drive. That resulted in an altercation when Jaxon had taken his keys away. Mason had already been humiliated, though he wouldn't admit it, and it seemed that Jaxon taking his keys away was another blow to his male ego in his drunken state. With the logic that only an intoxicated man could achieve, Mason decided to swing on the largest man in his proximity to regain possession of his keys (and maybe his dignity).<br/><br/>That went about as well as anyone expected it to. Out of sheer reflex Jaxon had laid Mason on his ass, making himself very clear. Two of the others helped coax Mason into the cab when it arrived. He was too furious, hollering lewd insinuations about Jaxon and Gabriel that no one had any business repeating. The rest of his company seemed to understand that, ignoring it as the ramblings of someone who had a bad night and far too much to drink. Most cleared out after Mason was sent home.<br/><br/>Jaxon was frowning, scrubbing a hand over his face. Kiv was barking incessantly, triggered by his owners shift in mood. He apologized to Gabriel over what had happened on behalf of Mason.<br/><br/>“Wasn't how I expected the night to go. Regardless, I'm happy that you came. Most of my friends seemed to like having you around. The food you brought, no doubt.” That was made obvious because nothing Gabriel had brought needed to be wrapped up. Jaxon sent leftovers home with a few. He was eating again as he cleaned up the backyard, endlessly hungry it would seem. Gabriel was nice enough to stay to help after most had gone home, taking rides with the more sober. Kiv calmed down after things had gotten quieter and Jaxon tossed him one of the unseasoned, raw steaks before wrapping the rest back in the butcher paper, insisting Gabriel take some leftovers as well.