(no subject)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

Jack is perched anxiously on a chair, rocking it back on two legs, one hand holding the edge of the table, the other fiddling awkwardly in spare fabric.

And also watching the door.

Comments

[blueeyedjohnny.livejournal.com]

"What's up with you?"

Johnny flops onto a nearby chair, stuffing a sandwich down his throat as fast as possible. He doesn't look like he's eaten much for a while; the weight he gained at first when he entered the bar has been shed again. His hair looks thinner, his clothes ragged and mucky.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Nothing, I'm fine, it's alright. Are you alright?"

He pus his chair legs down, and leans in.

"Gracious, sit down."

[blueeyedjohnny.livejournal.com]

Raised eyebrow as he sits, waving a hand.

"Fine, nothing I can't handle. You, on the other hand, look like you need a smoke and a beer."

He passes over the cigarettes.

"I'd offer both, but can't, sorry."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"This is more than enough," says Jack, rather relieved, fishing one out.

"I am sorry about the... thing. Last time."

Bad. He's stopped being embarassed but it wasn't fair.

[blueeyedjohnny.livejournal.com]

"I have no recollection of a Thing." Johnny replies gruffly. "So you don't need to apologise any more, all right?"

He coughs chestily, then takes another drag of his cigarette. He really wants a beer.

"By Nuggan I've missed these."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Well, I do, and yes. And it's been a bad couple of days. But you, you look like you've survived a battle."

Johnny did not need to overhear that.

"Would you like something to drink or eat?"

[blueeyedjohnny.livejournal.com]

A shrug. "I've been in and out of battle since I was fourteen. It doesn't qualify me for special treatment. I either survive it or I die."

A very hungry look, no matter how he tries to hide it.

"Yes, please. Some food and a cold beer would go down very well, thank you."

Look how hungry he is, he's remembered the existance of manners.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Order whatever you like. Because I am not used to the idea of battle and you went through one and that's desperately terrible and I need to cheer up a little please."

And Jack has a very lonely look, that's creeping out at the edges, much the same way.

"Sit for a bit."

[blueeyedjohnny.livejournal.com]

Johnny orders a beer and a hamburger, lighting another cigarette.

"All right, usual rule about minding my own business out the window. What's going on Jack? Do you need help beating someone up?"

[scion-of-amber.livejournal.com]

This, more likely then not, isn't the person he is looking for. But the shortest Amberite princess still walks through the door, sand on her bare feet and fire-coloured curls blown out of her thick braid.

Still, she can feel someone looking, and so her eyes flick to Jack almost curiously.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Hello," says Jack, like 'please talk to me.'

"You look warm."

[scion-of-amber.livejournal.com]

A faint smile.

"I live near the beach," she explains.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"You look like my sister."

Jack's just talking at her.

"You're probably better than she is."

[scion-of-amber.livejournal.com]

Quietly, she takes a seat and tucks a red-and-gold curl behind one ear.

"Maybe." Her voice is gentle.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"She's Fire."

He ducks his head, sets his chin on his hands so he's looking up at her.

[scion-of-amber.livejournal.com]

Softly,

"I had wondered."

It's hard to tell if she looks older or younger then Fire, plainer or not. She is a small woman, dainty as a bird. Pretty, maybe. Attractive, closer, with a face that could be kind or could be cruelly blank. And if Fiona is a fire, she's buried it underneath layers of politness.

And he...he has her attention, oh yes he does.

"If she is Fire, then you are...?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Jack Frost."

He shrugs a little.

"You're probably better. She tried to put my eyes out."

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

It's Fire, slipping through her own door, a lily tucked into her hair.

"You look anxious about something."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Fire."

He reaches out a hand for her, with a little sigh. Please.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

There's a raised eyebrow at that, but she wanders over, pulls up a seat to face him.

"What's wrong?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Nothing. Come sit with me? Tell me where you got the lilly?"

It's good to see her.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

She moves the chair up closer, and watches him with something approaching concern.

"From a garden. Has something happened?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"No, it's fine."

He smiles at her.

"How did it go with Andrei?"

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Amazingly."

A satisfied smile, "I shan't need my own apartment now."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Oh."

He smiles, looking rather proud.

"Be kind to him."