Song Of The Guardians

Taking The Leap

After another two weeks, the tension between Andy and David was noticeable to everyone. Andy was keeping all physical contact with David as brief as he could. He kissed David, but it was always quick and restrained. He avoided lingering embraces. Even the way he spoke to David was oddly tempered, carefully avoiding direct conversation about their relationship or feelings for each other.

David had felt very hurt and confused at first. Had he done something to repel Andy? He soon assured himself that Andy's feelings hadn't changed; He could see it in Andy's eyes. It didn't take him long to realize that Andy was trying to allow him time to adjust. David could sense Andy's fear, but he wasn't sure how to reassure him. As far as he knew, Andy could be confused and uncertain about the whole situation too. So now, instead of feeling hurt, David was frustrated.

When they were all together, the other Harbingers would exchange uncomfortable looks. It was awkward, to say the least. As much as they wanted to help, they knew that the two men would need to settle this on their own. Hermione glanced between the pair with a look that was a mixture of exasperation and amusement. They were both so intelligent, but they were currently being depressingly dense.

One afternoon, the Sirens had had enough of the tension in the manor. They decided to spend part of the evening at Arcanus again, and were pleased when David quickly agreed to go. Neville, George, Ginny, Hermione and Luna went as well. Reassured that some of the Guardians would be going as well, Severus felt comfortable in allowing his wife to go without any fuss. Draco, Ron and Harry stayed behind as well, deciding to help Severus with an uncharacteristically irritable Andy.

Minerva and Narcissa were keeping James entertained, so Lucius served the men some Firewhiskey. This had apparently been a good decision because, after a while, the alcohol loosened Andy's tongue a bit.

"I have no interest in watching him grind against some tarted up woman with obscenely large breasts," Andy was grumbling.

The bitterness in his tone caught the attention of his friends immediately. "You're jealous," Draco observed, with raised eyebrows.

Harry seemed to agree, but he looked baffled. "But, why?" he asked. "You have no reason to think he's... doing anything like that."

"That doesn't even sound like David," Ron added with an amused snort.

Andy glared at him before turning his gaze back to the tumbler in his hand. "He's not gay," Andy said sullenly. "He's always loved women. And women love him. I have no claim to him, so why wouldn't he indulge if a pretty girl offers to make his night more interesting?"

Severus rolled his eyes. So much for a relaxing evening in. "Let's go then," he said firmly, setting his tumbler on the table and standing up. The other men looked at him in question, making him sigh irritably. "I'm not in the mood to listen to pointless whining. We're going to Arcanus."

Andy tried to refuse, but Severus wasn't having it. After explaining the situation to Minerva and Narcissa, Severus had all but shoved Andy through the floo. The other men followed hastily, feeling certain that the evening was about to become more interesting.

Harry hurried away to speak to Hermione, casting a devious smirk at Severus over his shoulder. Andy was looking around at the large crowd dancing to the loud thumping music. After a few moments, Hermione hurried over to them, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She whispered to Severus before dashing away again.

If Andy noticed, he was too busy brooding to comment. He had spotted David standing near the bar talking to three women. They were quite pretty and David was full of charm, making the women laugh easily.

Before he could bolt, Andy was being steered by Severus to a table near the stage area. Draco and Lucius brought drinks to the table, glancing at Andy and then at each other with barely concealed amusement. Andy huffed irritably, but didn't complain as he took a sip of his drink. He wondered briefly how many drinks he'd need to stop caring about the way the busty blonde at the bar kept touching David. She was only resting her hand on his arm, but it made Andy want to hex her. In David's defense, he casually brushed her hand away each time. Obviously she wasn't bright enough to take a hint. Andy sighed in relief when David walked away from the women, the blonde looking a bit put out.