Agian Snails

Elochian

The radio introduces a new song, and my wings won’t stop trembling in anticipation of Quentin’s arrival. Why isn’t he here yet?

A raspy snicker jerks my head around. Silas stands behind me, which isn’t much of a surprise except for the fact he can do it so quietly. We have a tendency to share the same isolated corner of the room, watching affairs like this from a distance. I prefer to socialize in sprints, waiting to catch those who pass by my corner of the room so I don’t have to get into the thick of things.

“What are you laughing at?” I ask.

He shrugs. “You couldn’t be more obvious.”

I scoff. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right. That’s why I could eat your excess energy like cotton candy right now.”

“Is that … appropriate to tell someone?”

“The truth? I think so.”

“I—” Crimson flutters in the corner of my periphery, and all my thoughts clear the way for the dangerously beautiful vision that is Quentin Matsdotter.

He stands with Arlo and Felix, almost the same height as the Hedge Witch due to his heels. They’re absolutely deadly, pitch black and delicate like the rest of his outfit. His form fitting pants leave little to the imagination, and his coat falls in generous ruffles past his hips.

The coat is … it’s a masterpiece in its own right. Crushed red velvet that is absolutely haunting beneath the dim cafe lights. Black lace trims the piece, and the sleeves and high collar are done in a frilly and detailed fashion. His black hair is damp, smoothed against his head where it lightly curls at the back of his neck and teases layers of silver necklaces.

The worst part of it all is, he faces away from me.

“Like candy,” Silas whispers.

I glare at him. He mimes eating cotton candy.

I sigh, waiting for Quentin to leave Arlo’s side and come say hello. He and Arlo are fairly close, and I’m not sure if they’ve always been this way or if it’s new. While everyone is nice, I’m definitely the newest person in the group. They all have a way with each other, an ease that I will never understand. But I don’t mind standing on the shore, catching the remnants of waves as they pass.

The crowd is too dense, too far away from the door. Felix waves at Silas and me, gesturing for us to come over. “Time for cake!” He calls loud enough for us to hear, nearly having to shout.

Silas and I exchange an uneasy look, finding solidarity in the other for a moment.

“Did you make it?”

He hums. “Snowberry upside down cake? Yes.”

“Well, that’s worth all of the hassle. Let’s go, in and out.”

Silas grins. “In and out.”

People shift and laughter rises through the conversation. When we join the group, Quentin is no longer at Arlo’s side. What the fuck? Silas and Felix pair up, staying close to Arlo and me in the back of the group. Quentin stands on the other side of a large table with Lindsey and Kitt, but I can’t focus on him long because Arlo’s heavy gaze falls on me.

He says, “Loch, good to see you again.”

I lift a brow. “Really?”

Kitty and Quentin lead the room in song, and Lindsey squeals with happiness. 

Arlo rests a hand on my shoulder. “Really.”

I exhale, upper wings shuddering as our friends sing happy birthday to Lindsey. I turn my attention back to her, quietly singing along. Lindsey grins, then quickly kisses Kitty before blowing out her candles. We don’t clap or cheer for Silas’ sake, but spirits are high. For a moment, it feels like everything is alright.

I’m doing what normal people do. I’m hanging out with my friends. These people who don’t have to like me, but they do anyway.

Quentin’s ignoring me.

At first, I blame it on him being caught up with Lindsey. Everyone ate cake, and they laughed and told stories while I listened. Quentin mentioned his phone being dead to Gowan, and when I had said that wasn’t surprising, he only laughed and said, ‘you’re not wrong.’

Before I could wring more words out of him, he demanded that Lindsey dance with him. The sight of the two of them scampering off to an open section of floor on those ice thin heels was enough to give me a heart attack. So, I found refuge in my corner again, albeit at a table instead of the couch this time, and blessedly closer to the front door.

Which leads me to the next obstacle this evening.

Caspian.

He wheels up to my table, reaching out to push the chair opposite me out of the way. My body stiffens and I lean back in my own seat, one of the few in the cafe with low backs made for winged beings. I brace for brutal questions, but Caspian only asks, “How’s it been, Loch?”

Surprised, I say, “Oh. Fine. Busy, as always.”

“That’s good.” He leans closer to me. “Listen, I wanted to say thank you.”

“Thank you?”

“Yes,” he says, equally confused. “For helping Bias. I’m not going to pretend to know what the hell it means to be you, or him for that matter, but I do know that he’s feeling better. Not just his body, but … he’s motivated. More assured. It’s like the old days before ….”

On the other side of the room, Arlo offers his hand to Tobias, bowing a little at the waist. Tobias laughs, then takes Arlo’s hand and is led into dance. Both their eyes glow with magick, the bright green and pink colors flicker onto the walls of the cafe as they dance. When Arlo spins Tobias, his wings unfurl.

Rose feathers sprout from his back in a great flutter that becomes part of the song itself, and those small eyes blink open as they’re awakened. Some of the feathers brush against Arlo’s cheek, and he laughs. Arlo’s laughing. My heart swells at the sight of it, and Tobias’ wings. But it’s not from jealousy over the fact he can command them at will. Not tonight.

It’s an exhalation of the soul.

With great difficulty, I tear my gaze away from my Other Half. I shift my attention to Caspian, who is for all intents and purposes dazed by his person. The admiration there is unmistakable, and I swallow guilt.

“I thought you’d hate me,” I whisper.

He shakes his head, trance broken. “What for?”

“It’s a big, dangerous life you’re about to have, one I feel like I’ve guilted him into.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think he’s always been meant for more.”

He glances at where Arlo and Tobias are still dancing, and joined by the others now too. Quentin twirls into Kitt, while Lindsey and Gowan dance in a way that reminds me of trees swaying in the wind, if the trees were on drugs. The pair of little shedim dance around Silas and Felix’s feet, Silas holds Marlena’s hands while Felix does the same with Zeke.

Caspian drops his voice to a whisper. “And I think Leon did too. I … I keep waiting for the bastard to come for him again. Arlo’s warded the house and he’s doing his best, but he can’t be everywhere at once. This shomer thing, how much longer will it be?”

I nod sagely. “Andromeda is finalizing the candidates, they should be ready for the Trials by next weekend.”

“Good. You’ll be there when he chooses, right? Not that I don’t trust his judgment, but.” He shrugs. “You know how this all works, we don’t.”

I blink. “Oh. I can. But I trust Andromeda, otherwise I would never turn over your family’s safety to her, and it will be good for Tobias to be with other angels.”

Caspian leans closer over the table. “Please, Loch. It would mean a lot to me.”

I bow my head, feeling oddly touched. “Of course.”

He grins, leaning back in his chair. “So, any good gossip from the bar lately?”

I blink at the rapid change in topic, but when I notice Tobias approaching, I catch on. “You’re worse than an old hen, quit projecting.”

“Of course he is,” Tobias says, bending down to kiss Caspian on the cheek. “That's why I love him so much.”

Caspian groans, cheeks flushed. When Tobias pulls away, laughing, Caspian reaches up and tugs the archangel back down so he can kiss him on the lips.

I look away, overwhelmed.

Only to see Lindsey coming our way, hair mussed and a drink in hand. She collapses on a nearby couch, then sets down her glass on the coffee table with a bit too much force. “Fuck, I haven’t danced liked that in years.” She kicks off her heels, then takes a long sip.

“Q’s quite the dancer, eh?” Cas remarks, smirking at her.

“That’s what years of ballet gets you,” Lindsey says offhandedly.

“He’s a ballet dancer?” I ask.

“Well, he used to be. You didn’t know that?” Lindsey asks, the accusation veiled, but there to my critical ears.

“No,” I say quietly.

“Well, he was.”

“Why doesn’t he still dance?”

Lindsey shrugs, her smile suddenly wicked. “Guess you’ll have to ask him yourself.”

“No. I mean, not right now, obviously. He’s dancing.”

“You could dance,” Cas says, playing devil’s advocate.

I glare at him. I stand, and run away from the fear rising in my gut.

Straight for Quentin.

Quentin

Arlo bows to me. “Thanks Q, that was fun.”

“You’re leaving me already?” I pout, rubbing at my collarbone.

He chuckles. “I can’t keep up with you. Besides, I think someone else wants a turn.”

“Wh—” I turn, and am immediately arrested by Elochian’s sudden proximity. He looks just as surprised as I am, but determination creases his brow.

“Quentin, could I have this dance?” He asks in a rush, hands opening and closing at his sides. His shaking wings frame his figure, catching the dim lights of the cafe.

“Oh, yes.” We stare at each other for a moment, and I find myself unable to move first. “Do you … know how to dance?”

Elochian laughs softly, and tension leaves his shoulders. Slowly, he reaches for my hand, and I oblige him. I remember to breathe, surprised when he makes me the lead. He swallows, wings trembling so intensely they sound like dead leaves in the wind. Quietly, he says, “Part of my rigorous education. I didn’t know that you danced, let alone so beautifully.”

I stumble, but Elochian holds me up.

“You think so?”

“... Yes, I do.”

We part, and I spin Elochian.

One of his lower right wings brushes against my neck. The scales are softer than I imagined and I shiver, every nerve on high alert. When he returns to me, our bodies are closer than before. He whispers, “I care about you too, you know. I know I’m not the best at saying so, and I haven’t exactly told you what your friendship means to me, but … well, you scare me, Quentin.”

“Me? I scare you?”

“Yes,” he hisses, exasperated. His hand tightens around mine, and the fingers on my shoulder have slid up, fidgeting with the hair at the nape of my neck. He looks away from me, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. No fangs today, and his birthmark doesn't glow in my presence. Part of me whispers his soulmark could be somewhere else, sometimes a birthmark really is just a birthmark.

I swallow. “I’m the least scary person there is.”

He scowls at me then, and the full force of it temporarily erases everything. My thoughts, my worries. Suddenly, I realize just how much I’ve missed him.

“Not to me,” he whispers.

“Why?”

He looks around. We’re the only ones dancing now. Arlo and Dusan stand together near the coffee machines. Gowan and Iris sit with Lindsey and Kitt near the western hearth. Felix sits with Caspian and Tobias, and Silas isn't far away from them.

Loch tugs on my hair particularly hard as he twirls it around his finger, but I know he doesn’t mean it. He stares at my chest, unable to meet my eyes when he says, “I’m scared of you because of how much I care about you. The last time ….”

When I’m sure he won’t pick the sentence up again, I ask, “Do you know what scares me?”

“What?” He asks, blinking those lovely dark eyes at me.

I fight the urge to admit, ‘losing you.’

Instead, I say, “Snails.”

Elochian makes a face, nearly stumbling. “Snails?”

“Hey. Don’t judge until you’ve been to Agia. They’re slimy and sneaky there. Did you know it takes Agian snails ten minutes to cross a foot, but only thirty seconds to eat one?”

Elochian laughs. Pure laughter that overcomes him too quickly to be restrained. His fingers tighten, making every point of contact alight anew. “That’s an odd thing to be afraid of.”

I shrug. “Maybe to you. Will you think less of me now?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then why would I think less of you?”

“I see what you’re doing. I think that’s an awful big leap.”

“Well, I think it's odd you’re convinced the past is going to repeat itself, even though I’m not him. Them? But I’m glad you told me, and now I know. Just like you know never to bring me around snails.”

“Him,” he says quietly, and I feel like I’ve mined a chunk of gold from Elochian’s heart.

The music finally ends, tapering off for the first time today. We begin to separate, but our eyes never leave the other. I lift his hand and kiss his knuckles before finally releasing him. “Thank you for telling me. And the dance. I’m not going anywhere, Lochian, and I’m … I'm glad we’re friends.”

If he wanted to correct me, now would be the time. Elochian’s lips part, then close, and the moment passes. Kitt calls us over for gifts, giving us the opportunity to leave the awkward situation behind. Elochian stays close to my side, but we don’t say anything to each other. Lindsey opens my gift first, which is a new pair of solar goggles for the spring, and next is Elochian’s.

When she opens the small silver box, Lindsey busts out laughing. Kitt looks over her shoulder, then she starts laughing too. Elochian is just confused, and when I peer over at what Lindsey’s got, I laugh too.

“What?” He asks me in a frantic whisper.

I lower my lips to his ear, and his lower wings tremble in response. “Did you know they were nipple rings when you got them?”

“No!” He hisses, cheeks flushed.

A nearby Dusan chuckles at the same time Arlo asks, “Is that a box of mine?”

“Mhm. They do come in handy when you’re not sure what the person needs. Apparently, she needed some new jewelry,” Dusan says, bemused. Elochian caves into quiet laughter, shaking his head.

“You’re a real swell pal, Loch,” Lindsey calls, smiling wide. She looks at me standing beside him, and winks.

After she begins tearing into something else, Dusan quietly addresses Arlo, Elochian, and myself. “It’s time for me to get going.”

Arlo nods. “Tomorrow, then.”

“What’s tomorrow?”  I ask, wracking my brain for tomorrow’s plans. Saturday. Not a damn thing.

Dusan gives me a wink, then slips away.

Elochian rolls his eyes. “Are all dragons so mysterious?”

Arlo laughs. “Probably so. The only other dragon I know is Josse, and he’s as mysterious as they get. Anyways, she has a guest in town apparently, and they want to meet me.”

“And you said yes?” Surprise colors my tone, but I can’t help it. Arlo hates strangers.

Lochian chuckles at my surprise, but says nothing.

Arlo raises a brow. “I dare you to tell her no.”

I shrug. “Fair enough.”

“I have to get going too,” Elochian says, and my heart cringes.

“Oh, alright. Be safe, okay?”

The corner of his lips twitch. “Always am. Bye, Arlo.”

Arlo nods. “Loch. See you Wednesday?”

“Yes.” He waves, then turns away and leaves. Simple as that. The bells chime and a gust of cold air rushes in the cafe, signaling his departure. I don’t know why I was expecting more, but it felt like we had a moment, and now it’s ….

Arlo whispers, “I think this is the moment you go after him.”

I look up to Arlo, considering his words. I want to. Gods, do I want to.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to chase after the guy who just friend-zoned you.” I whisper back.

Arlo shakes his head. “If you think all you are to him is a friend, then you’re sorely mistaken. Go.”

I move.

I don’t think about it. I cross the room and take hold of the cold doorknob, then expose myself to the elements. It’s not currently snowing, but it did recently and the sidewalk is covered in a thin layer. Loch’s already made it to the street, headed towards a parked car where I’m sure Michael waits. The intense wind cuts through my thin shirt, and I pull my jacket tighter around myself like that’ll do anything.

“Lochian!” I call out.

He stops, turning on his heel. At first he looks bewildered, then furious. I walk towards him anyway, and he nearly sprints to me. I take a few steps back when he reaches me, because the wild look in his eyes is new. I don’t know what it means, is he really angry with me?

I lose my footing, and my right knee buckles. I cry out and Elochian grabs my upper arms, wings stretching wide to keep him steady as he pulls me upright. They silhouette his figure, flooded by light from the half-full moons. Soft moonlight refracts through his wings and onto the snow in a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. Some of the intricate, detailed lines tattooed onto his wings glow to life, no longer just black, but gold too.

His hands are tight on my coat sleeves, and my own have a good hold of his elbows. For once he has me in a tight, relentless grip, like he won’t ever let me go, and I can’t say I mind. Our bodies are pressed together, and my disbelief escapes in a singular plume of warm air which clouds in the cold between our faces.

Worry creases his brows as he berates me. “Quentin! What are you doing out here in those things?”

Things? Oh. The heels.

“I … uh…”

Words. I need words.

Or maybe, I don’t.

I kiss the right corner of his mouth. The pale skin there is soft and cold against my dry lips. Elochian’s chest hitches, and I linger for one more moment before pulling away. I look up at him through my lashes. There’s no more anger on his face, but something equally dangerous.

That’s something new, too.

“I wanted to say goodnight. Properly.”

I step out of Elochian’s hold, and he’s so stunned that his hands fall to his sides. I give him a smile, then turn away and walk back to the cafe. Everyone’s faces are pressed to the main window like fish in a barrel, and they scatter upon seeing me turn back. I shake my head and rub at my chest, laughing quietly to myself.