The Jade Dragon, chapter 6

Destabilised
31st July 2008
Series: The Jade Dragon
Summary: Bad Vane, too-quiet Miguel, and Leonora in Miguel’s way.
Warnings: Indecision. Not mine, the character’s.1

--2

Vane couldn’t help it. When he trotted down the steps to meet up with everyone outside the apartment building, he was well on his way to working himself up into a knotted up ball of anxiety. 3

He’d delayed leaving his room as long as possible, nervously eyeing the door at any passing noise from out in the hall. But Miguel hadn’t stopped by his room to see if they should walk down together, not that he would have opened the door anyway with the memory if Miguel’s touch still fresh across his skin. He’d showered and scrubbed and tried to ignore it but it was still there, a memory of the way it felt.4

Aside from that, he didn’t know if it was too early to start checking Leonora’s neckline, see if she’d donned the necklace yet. Though really, it was to be expected, he was excited and wanted to know… He gave himself a mental shake, pulling his silver cigarette case from his pocket and selecting a stick from the pocket. Growling to himself, he lit up.5

And when he lifted his head, there Miguel was. 6

He leaned casually on the banister on his floor, the level below Vane’s. He had that black leather bomber jacket of his on that Vane thought look particularly nice, smiling warmly, hands shoved into his pockets, dark wavy hair falling over his brow.7

“Your hair’s grown,” Vane murmured without thinking. He smiled a little to cover his nervousness, annoyed at himself because Miguel hadn’t done anything to warrant such a reaction; he’d always managed the guy well in the past and there didn’t seem to be anything different now.8

Well, maybe with the exception of that look in Miguel’s eye, “I was thinking of growing it out. Do you think it’d look good on me?”9

Truthfully? “Yes. It would.”10

“Hm. I’ll see how long I can tolerate it being, then.” They turned to continue down the steps together.11

The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them, and this would just be another one of those times he had no control over his tongue, “Were you waiting long?”12

“No.” Miguel nudged him with an elbow, “And even if I had to wait for you, I wouldn’t mind.” Vane felt his throat tighten at the familiar words, tensing with Miguel moved closer to murmur quietly almost into his ear, “Just not too long, okay?”13

Vane shoved his cigarette into his mouth to shut himself up, quickened his steps and moved ahead, pushing open the ground floor main entrance door a little harder than necessary in his bid to escape. The warm chuckle behind him did nothing to help his rapidly colouring cheeks. 14

The sight of Katie in Jordan’s arms greeted him first; the familiar stab to his heart of envious longing expected and no less despised as all the other times before.15

He wanted that. Wanted the relationship they had where they fit together and made sense. Pulling his gaze from them, he nodded to Imrad then turned to Leonora as he approached. He hid his cigarette a ways behind his back to keep the smoke from her, knowing how she didn’t like the smell.16

“Hi.” He smiled, “How you doing?”17

“Fine,” her voice pitched lower as she spoke, attention entirely on him and different from anyway she had regarded him before. “How was the game?”18

Vane noticed Imrad raising a brow at the exchange and manner of them both but he ignore it, his own voice lulled softer by her example, “I’d have thought Jordan had crowed his and Miguel’s victory to the skies by now.” With a grin, “Imrad and I had our asses handed to us, of course.”19

“He did mention,” Leonora smiled sympathetically but amusement shone in her eyes, “I just wanted to hear how you’d put it.”20

Rolling his eyes he laid a hand over his chest and dramatically groaned, “Oh you hurt me, making me re-live my humiliation!” 21

When she laughed at his silliness, a hand landing on his arm, Vane suddenly realised how closely they stood together. It was different now than any other time before, more personal. And in a breath he felt his earlier tension slip away, enjoying this strange new closeness. But when he turned back to look over the group, Imrad involved in a smaller conversation with Jordan and Kate, he noticed the way Miguel was looking at him. 22

All humour had fled from Miguel’s eyes replaced by a touch of confusion and uncertainty, his brows had furrowed and his mouth had tensed. Vane felt an urge to reach out and nudge him, ask his friend what was wrong… but he already knew, didn’t he?23

It wasn’t his fault! He ignored the roil of guilt in his stomach and resolutely turned away only to catch Leonora watching Miguel watch him. Shit.24

“Imz,” he called, moving as casually as he could manage between their line of sight. “Where’s Marcus?”25

“Right here!” came a call from the apartment doorway.26

“Hey you,” Vane smiled. He moved toward Marcus as the guy approached. “What’s shakin’?”27

Marcus slung an arm familiarly around Vane’s back and leaned in to complain, “Mother wants everyone to get together for Winter Solstice.” He flopped his head over on Vane’s shoulder and groaned, “Everyone. As in like a family reunion. Nightmare.”28

“It will be,” Vane grimly agreed, taking a pull off his cigarette.29

“You going home this weekend?” Marcus squinted at him.30

“Yep,” replied Vane. “You too, right?”31

“Right,” came the gloomy reply. “No Imrad for the weekend. Yech.”32

“Right!” Jordan exclaimed, drawing their attention. “Now we’re all here, do we know where we’re lunching?”33

“Witherspoon’s on Throwley Street,” Marcus cast his vote, sticking his hand up in the air. “I want ribs.”34

“I second Witherspoons’s!” Vane voted, also putting his hand up. He grinned, “Chicken wings, here I come!”35

“Oh for the love of the Gods,” Imrad muttered with a roll of his eyes and folding his arms.36

“Harvester’s is better,” Leonora offered. “Actually, Kate and I made reservations just in case.”37

“Harvester’s is good,” Vane put his hand back down. He popped his cigarette into his mouth and grinned around it.38

“Traitor,” Marcus grumbled, taking his arm off Vane’s shoulder and deserting him to hug Imrad, accepting the sympathetic patting his boyfriend offered. “Miguel?”39

“Anywhere is fine,” he replied in a subdued tone.40

“Bike, anyone?” Vane asked as he backed away toward his bike, looking hopefully at Leonora. She was already following, smiling at his puppy-dog face.41

Behind her, he caught Miguel watching them go. And he resolutely ignored the stab of guilt the expression on Miguel’s face induced and stomped his cigarette out.42

--43

Miguel wasn’t giving up without a fight, Vane noticed, watching the Spaniard take the seat to his other side… after he’d taken a seat next to Leonora.44

He glared at Miguel but the pointedly determined look he got in return threatened to send colour to his face so he looked away and glared at Imrad instead. The scowl he got from that direction only served to darken his mood. He carefully turned his thoughts away from Miguel, ignoring the way Marcus grinned at him across the table, those pale hazel eyes bouncing back and forth between him and the source of his irritation with a knowing sort of amusement in them.45

With effort, he managed to not think about the possibilities of Imrad and Miguel comparing notes or plotting together since the two shared a few classes and, in fact, were friends before he had met Imrad. Actually, it had been Imrad who had introduced him to Miguel.46

Think happy thoughts, he ordered himself.47

The spicy chicken wings placated him somewhat and Leonora’s smiles made up the rest of the difference, pulling him from his mood. But perhaps not quickly enough;48

“You’ve been really down for a guy who’s going on to the semi-finals,” Katie commented. “Today’s been the first time I’ve seen you look alright in weeks.” She frowned, “And not even totally okay, either. Something up?”49

“Nah,” he denied. “Just nervous, I guess. It’s a big game.”50

She didn’t look convinced but nodded anyway, “Sure. And it’s just next weekend too.” She grinned, sticking a fist in the air, “I’ll be there! Moral support, yea?”51

“Me too!” Jordan grinned, “When’s your next practice?”52

“Tomorrow,” Vane replied. “Then again on Wednesday and Thursday.” He rolled his eyes, “Same schedule next week so it’s an intense schedule. I’ll be busy.”53

“School rink?” Miguel prodded.54

Not wanting to be rude, Vane turned to him and nodded. “Yep.”55

“Same times?” The question was asked low and carefully, demanded an answer.56

“Yes.” Crap. This probably meant Miguel would come by, and he bit his lip to keep from asking when. Worse, Miguel’s eyes lowered to the bite and he had to turn away. 57

Marcus snickered and Vane glared at him for it.58

“Too bad you’ll be missing tomorrow,” Imrad said. “I wanted to plan today to see a movie tomorrow.”59

Vane perked up, “What d’you wanna see?”60

“That new movie about Queen Elizabeth.”61

“Oh!” Katie exclaimed. “I’ve heard about that one. The Golden-something.”62

“The Golden Age,” Leonora supplied. “I want to see that too. Supposed to be rather controversial. Has anyone heard about what the Royal family has to say on it?”63

“Supposedly not much,” Miguel put in, leaning forward. “The first movie held true to historical accounts so I don’t think they should protest much about this sequel.”64

Vane tuned out the rest of the conversation, bothered by the fact that when Miguel leaned forward, his hand had come to rest on Vane’s leg. He resisted the urge to move a hand down and shove it off; what was the idiot thinking making moves on him here of all places?!65

“Are you going?” someone asked, amidst other chatter around the table.66

Vane felt a hand tap his. “Huh?”67

Leonora was looking at him funny, “I said are you going? To see the movie.”68

“Um, if you guys go to see it late enough, sure.”69

“Quarter past eight?” Leonora glanced at Imrad, “He checked the times and that’s the opening show. Otherwise we’ll have to wait a few more days until it’s part of the regular schedule, you know how it works.”70

“Then no,” Vane shook his head. “Practice will be until eight so I’ll be missing the movie.”71

“Speaking of missing,” Katie piped up from across the table, brows furrowing at Vane’s collar. Oh no. “Your necklace is missing.”72

Unable to help it, Vane searched out Leonora’s neckline but she wasn’t wearing it. Beside him, Miguel tensed.73

“Oi,” Marcus teased. “Watch where you’re looking!” Jordan, Imrad and he snickered when both Vane and Leonora flushed.74

“Ahh,” Imrad breathed knowingly, eyes sparkling wickedly as he raised a brow at Leonora. “I’m guessing you’re responsible for the missing necklace?”75

She shifted in her seat but, half-smile in place, challengingly retorted, “I’m not wearing it, am I?”76

“Maybe not,” Marcus nodded knowingly. “But do you have it?”77

“Butt out,” Vane snapped at him, not the least bit amused.78

“But if Leonora has it then that would mean…” Katie trailed off, looking confused. Jordan leaned to whisper something in her ear and she glanced at Miguel briefly before smiling at Vane with forced brightness, “Never mind!”79

Vane felt Miguel retract his hand, the lingering warm imprint suddenly going cold.80

TBC.