Antidote

Blooming

           

Davey was preparing himself backstage with Jade when he heard his partner's phone going off. Jade glanced down and smiled brightly. Davey chuckled and shook his head. "Would it be safe to assume that Marissa will be arriving shortly?" Jade nodded his head before speaking. "Yeah. She's on her way."

If only it had actually been Marissa, but Jade was just as happy when he saw the unfamiliar number with a message pop up on his phone. It had instead been from Salaria and read:

Hi Jade. This is Salaria. Please, don't tell Davey. This is my new phone, and Amelia's currently bringing me to see the both of you!

As soon as preparation was complete, they were out and on stage.

-----

Davey was strongly performing and enticing the crowd as usual when he caught a glimpse of a beautiful lavender dress and long violet hair. He almost stumbled over the lyrics coming out of his mouth, but caught himself quickly. He had to take a few more breath-taking stares before he truly believed that his eyes did not deceive him. Oh yes, Salaria looked even more beautiful than she had. She was radiant.

Within the few weeks that he had been separated from her, she had gained a much healthier glow and smile. Some part of him still could not believe that she was standing right in front of him. Yet, there she really was. Davey cast a knowing glance at Jade before he continued. Meanwhile, he kept the woman in his mind. He had to get to her after the show concluded.

-----

Sal was starting to get tired when the show finally came to a close. Amelia was still by her side, and remained there until everyone had left the club. Davey and Jade finally emerged from backstage then. "Sal." Davey's voice chimed. Sal could not resist the smile that bloomed across her face. How she had longed to see him.

Amelia coughed awkwardly and carefully tipped her head at Jade. "I'm going to go get myself a water. Would you like one too?" Jade smirked softly and nodded. "Yeah, I'll join you." They were left alone. "Davey...I just really had to see you. Amelia thought I was mopping too much."

"My dear, it's of the utmost pleasure that you came out tonight. Especially looking as elegant as you do." Sal could immediately feel her cheeks heating. Since when had she begun to feel this way? She dismissed it as probably being because he was the first man who had truly shown her kindness without a hard hand. "Thank you. I'm really glad that despite being who you are and what you do for a living, you are such an amazing person."

-----

They had eventually carried the conversation outside, enjoying the night air and city lights. For the first time, in a long time, Davey was finally beginning to feel again. "Davey...I..." Sal choked. What was she going to tell him? Davey looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She seemed to be acting nervously. A deep, slow panic consumed him. Had Andrew dared to harm her again?

Sal gathered herself quickly. She couldn't dare tell him this. "So...the show was really nice. I'm really ecstatic I got to come."

"Oh..." Davey replied softly. For a second, his heart had nearly risen to his throat.

"I'm really glad you decided to come. You seem so radiant. I'm pleased that you got away from Andrew." He turned to face her, face completely straight and unreadable. Sal finally met his dark eyes. "Thank yo-"

"Davey, we got to go! We won't make it to the next city in time if you stay any longer!" Jade yelled from the night liner. "I'm sorry we have to cut this short, darling. There's something I wish to communicate when I get back. See you soon." Like that, he had moved away from her and was getting onto the bus. "Bu-but! There was something I wanted to tell you..." Sal sighed. He had not heard her.

Sal chewed her lip and retreated to Amelia's car to go back to he-No, it was Davey's home. She sighed sorrowfully and leaned her head against the window, causing Amelia to worry. "What has you so down now? You were so happy earlier." Salaria began to tear up greatly. "I really wanted to tell him something important..."