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Why did I agree to this?
Naib stood at the back of the large hall, trying to stay as out of sight as possible. It’s a beautiful ballroom, with a high ceiling and a large chandelier in the middle. The lights are the kind that have fake crystals hanging off of them, making the whole place light up warmly like a fairy-tale. On the stage, the band is playing a beautiful piece that Naib recognises as Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers. Many of the attendees had long moved away from the tables of extravagant foods with names that Naib can’t pronounce and moved on to dance to the melody with lovers and strangers alike.
But the picturesque scene is ruined by the people within it.
All around him are members of the upper class, mostly from the same city as the theatre, but there are out-of-towners here and there that Naib recognises. Those not dancing are chatting around the tables of food and wine, putting on facades of interest in each other, sharing meaningless gossip, and generally talking about how rich they are.
Various voices reach his ears.
“Have you seen the façade of the new government building? It was designed by the company of yours truly.”
“Wow, really? Some marvellous work you’ve done!”
“Oh, you’re too kind.”
“I hear their maid was bedded by their eldest son!”
“What? You must jest.”
“Truly! I heard from a very reliable source!”
“I don’t think their business will last for much longer. He made too many risky investments and they’re not turning profit. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Such a shame. He’s a good man, but he’s too trusting.”
God, I hate this.
Naib turned his eyes towards those dancing and eyed the reason for his current predicament.
Ronald was dancing with a woman Naib recognises as the new lead actress of the theatre. He spins her around with a pleasant smile and Naib sees her laughing happily.
Though he knows they can’t see him, Naib glares and looks away.
Why did I even agree to come.
The theatre’s new production (the first under its new management) was to commence tomorrow night. But Naib cared little for theatre, as Ronald knew well. Which was why after Naib declined to come to the opening night, he’d proposed he attend the ball that was being held to commemorate the theatre’s grand reopening under his new ownership.
Not that he’d really wanted to come to this either.
(“I’m not interested in your attempt to suck up to the nobility, Ronald.”
“Come on, you don’t want to come support your old brother-in-arms?”
“Not particularly.”
“It’s in one of the finest dance halls this city has to offer.”
“And I would care why?”
“The most beautiful women of the city shall be there.”
“Not really looking for a one-night stand with someone whose parents could bankrupt me at the flip of a coin.”
Ronald sighed.
“There’s free food and drink.”
“…”)
So here he was.
Naib’s detective agency (which is also his current home), is in a city about four hours away by car. It’s not that long of a drive in the grand scale of things but it’s still time better spent researching his latest lead on that case.
Instead he’s here indulging someone who probably simply invited him on a whim and has hardly had the time to greet Naib between his dancing and general “boot-licking”.
Yes, the food was out of this world and the wine older than Naib’s great-great-great grandfather. But other than that, he regrets coming here with every fibre of his being.
His eyes move back to Ronald again.
He’d moved on and was now dancing with a beautiful girl Naib recognised. Her father has many hands controlling the real-estate market of several surrounding towns. The man put up a pleasant front, but Naib had only heard bad rumours about him from those in the know.
His daughter was by comparison a sweetheart, just of marrying age. Even from all the way over here, Naib thinks he can see the flush staining her countenance, and the sparkle in her eyes as she and Ronald weaved their way across the ballroom floor.
Naib scoffs.
That’s what this is about, isn’t it?
He walks towards one of the tables, loudly tapping his cane on the ground all the while and refills his glass with wine that’s probably worth more than the neighbourhood his detective agency sits on.
He downs the whole thing in one go, and the nobles standing next to him look at him like he’d just murdered their first born.
I need some air.
He places the glass on the table before turning around and walking out onto the nearby balcony.
***
“Mr. Campbell? Are you quite alright?”
Norton quickly turns his eyes away from Inference and back to the young woman he’s currently dancing with.
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
She looks down with a small frown on her face. She follows Norton as he slides his right foot out makes several steps in quick succession before releasing his left hand and spinning her around on the spot. As they finished the movement, Norton placed his hand on her back again and they continued their delicate steps across the ballroom floor. Finally, his partner looks up again.
“You seemed sad for a moment. I hope I have not come to bore you.”
Norton quickly shook his head and smiled at her sweetly.
“I apologise. I simply got lost in my thoughts for a second.”
“Oh no! I meant nothing by it! It’s quite alright!”
Norton looks out towards the detective one more time and watches him walk out onto the balcony.
Really, I try to give him an opportunity to loosen up and have a good time and he just mopes in the corner. Typical.
But unbidden, he feels a hole open up in his heart.
As he continues to dance, he thinks about Inference.
If he were to speak truthfully, the main reason he’d invited the man was to see a friendly, familiar face in the crowd. He might have encouraged D.M to host this party, but he was still very apprehensive about it.
Having Inference there helped calm his heart. Each time he got annoyed at the nobles who spoke over him or went on for too long without letting him get a word in edgewise, Norton would look in his direction and feel some of his tension instantly melt.
He stood out from the nobility. While they all wore tuxedos and gowns that were probably tailored just for this event, he wore his usual tweed coat and black dress pants that Norton is starting to think might be the only clothes he owns. He’s even still got his deerstalker cap on.
Ever the simple guy… he’s probably going to leave soon…
He and his partner end up dancing away from the balcony to an angle where he could no longer see Inference.
Sudden longing fills Norton’s chest.
Inference…
He starts to lead himself and his dance partner towards the edge of the dancefloor.
The two of them separate, and Norton offers her a deep bow.
“I hate to be rude, but I’m afraid I have some urgent business to attend to. I must thank you for the dance, madame.”
She offered a bow back.
“N-no… thank you, my good sir…” He watched her worry her lower lip between her teeth. “May I ask… a-are you…”
Norton straightens and looks at her sadly.
“You came to me on behalf of your father, yes? Do tell him that I am not looking for a wife as of this moment.”
She looked up at him, startled.
“I-”
“Oh?” Norton saw another young woman in a beautiful, flowing red gown approach. Her glare across the ballroom floor was deadly. “I do believe your uh… companion is here to see you.”
His former dance partner blushed a very interesting shade of red.
“I shall take my leave now. Enjoy the rest of the ball.”
He left her before the woman in the red gown could reach them and made his way towards the balcony.
***
Naib takes a deep inhale of his pipe, before leaning further into the railing and raising his head to the sky.
A full moon, huh…
The ball was held on the third floor of a four-story building on the outskirts of the city. The balcony Naib stood on faced a river, a silver glow reflecting off it as the moon hit its surface. On the opposite bank, sprawling woods stretched out as far as he could see.
Naib blew the smoke out.
I should get back…
The image of Ronald dancing with the woman clings to Naib.
If I leave now I could probably go to the bar back home before it closes…
A sudden clap on Naib’s back breaks him out of his thoughts.
“Ever the anti-social one I see. I was truly hoping you’d let yourself go and have a little fun, detective.”
Turning quickly, Naib finds the object of his ire right behind him.
Some traitorous part of his heart was happy.
He glares at Ronald.
“I told you I have little interest in dancing.”
“That’s a shame, I saw quite a few charming ladies eyeing you up this evening. Seems like a wasted opportunity.”
For reasons Naib couldn’t quite explain (or didn’t want to explain), he felt a prickle of frustration in his heart. He turned to look back at the moon, hoping Ronald doesn’t notice.
“Not interested.”
He heard footsteps approaching and soon enough Ronald was looking out towards the river with him.
“Ah, it’s a full moon tonight is it?”
“I suppose so.”
He sensed Ronald staring at the side of his face. He didn’t look like he was planning to go back in any time soon.
“Not going back to dance with that businessman’s girl? You two seemed to be… getting along well.”
Ronald didn’t answer for a moment.
“I can see what you’re implying, my old friend, but I danced simply to make merry. Though she was a good partner, I am not sure our paths would cross for any other… endeavour.”
“Oh… I see.”
Naib couldn’t help but feel slightly foolish.
“Still, I believe it’s simply bad manners not to at least have one dance on such a fine evening. You’ve got to let loose a little bit, detective.”
Naib scoffed.
“Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it? Dance with me yourself?”
He regretted the words almost as soon as they were out of his mouth, but not for the reasons he should have.
The image of Ronald holding the young woman from earlier entered his mind.
But in her place he imagined himself.
An impossible image.
Could I just throw myself into the river right now?
“Hmm… is that right.”
He heard Ronald shuffle next to him.
Turning his head slightly, he saw him put his left hand behind his back before proceeding to bow slightly and extend his right hand to Naib.
“Then may I have this dance, detective?”
Naib gave the hand presented to him a disbelieving look.
“You’re not serious.”
Ronald’s smile widened.
“Deadly.”
This bastard.
There was a mischievous glow in his eyes. Naib curses that it’s hardly changed a bit in the years they’ve been apart.
“Well? We’re not getting any younger, Inference.”
Naib almost pushed his hand away.
Almost.
But Naib... Naib’s heart ached.
Ronald was obviously offering this dance in jest. He doesn’t expect Naib to accept his offer in the slightest and just wanted to rile him up.
But what if…
Naib steeled himself.
He smiled at Ronald.
“Fine.”
He placed his cane against the railing.
Imitating the women he’d seen in the ballroom, he placed his right hand gently in Ronald’s own. Then, he held a bit of his cloak up and close his eyes as he bowed.
After his little curtsy, he opened his eyes again and he smiled wickedly at Ronald’s now stunned expression.
“I gladly accept your invitation, my good sir.”
***
Norton stopped breathing.
No way.
But it was true.
When he squeezed his right hand, he felt Inference’s there through the fabric of his gloves.
He wondered what they’d feel like without them now. Would they still be as rough and calloused as back then, or would they be softer now from his years of mostly deskwork?
He shook his head.
Get a hold of yourself.
He managed a smile at Inference that he hoped looked mischievous.
“Oh? So the lady accepts.”
Not wanting to be one-upped, Norton pushes the man towards himself.
Inference let out an indignant yelp.
“Hey-“
He barely managed to stop himself from face-planting into Norton’s chest by grabbing onto his upper arm. Contrarily, Norton finds himself wishing he had.
He shakes his head slightly again.
God, what is wrong with me?
Desperately trying to hang on to his bravado, Norton extends their joined hands slightly outwards and places his left hand on Inference’s back.
He breathes in the scent of Inference’s cologne.
Goosebumps raise along his arms.
Fuck... I should ask him where he buys it from before he leaves again.
Trying to gather himself, he takes on what he hopes is a light and teasing tone.
“You ready, dear? The next song is about to start.”
Inference glares at him.
“You...!”
Then, as if thinking better of it, his face morphs into a menacing smile. He grips Ronald’s upper arm painfully, as if hoping to rip it off.
“Ready when you are, dear.”
Norton’s about to retort back when the song ends.
There’s a moment of silence.
It feels like neither him nor Inference are breathing.
As the band prepare for the next song and a singer takes centre stage, Inference’s smile falls into a look of... apprehension? The grip on his upper arm lightens.
“Ronald.”
“Hm?”
“I don’t know how to dance.”
Norton lets out a startled snort.
“H-hey! Y-you’re the one who-!”
Norton tips his head slightly to whisper right into Inference’s ear.
“It’s alright.”
He feels Inference shiver against him.
Norton swallows and hopes Inference doesn’t feel it.
“Just follow my lead, old friend. And try not to step on my feet.”
Then, the sound of music drifts softly on to the balcony.
Moon river.
Norton starts moving them slowly.
Wider than a mile.
He sways backwards and forwards with Inference, feeling the warmth from his body all around him.
I’m crossing you in style,
Someday.
He sees Inference look around them with apprehension.
Impulsively, he lifts his hand off Inference’s back and cups his cheek, gently tugging him to look up at him.
He whispers lowly.
“Don’t worry… they can’t see us from there.”
And it’s true. No one is paying attention to them, and anyone who is facing their direction would not be able to see much due to the limited light hitting the balcony.
Norton found his thumb drifting to Inference’s lips.
He blushed. And quickly put his hand back on Inference’s back.
Oh dream maker,
You heart breaker.
“…I’m not worried.”
His face seemed conflicted but he didn’t look back again.
Norton continued leading them in a circle around the balcony, guiding the detective slowly with him.
Wherever you're goin',
I'm goin' your way.
As he feels Inference start to relax into him, memories of their time in the army rise to the forefront of Norton’s mind.
The two hadn’t ever truly been friends, but after a few too many drinks after a week of absolute hell on the battlefield, the two of them ended up, against all odds, in each other’s embrace.
Norton hadn’t ever even thought about being with a man before Inference, but slightly intoxicated and feeling more than ever the exhaustion and sheer hopelessness from the war, the two of them fell towards each other.
Out of sight from all others.
Seeking comfort in each other.
But that’s all it was ever supposed to be. Comfort.
Norton had tried for years to forget about the feeling of Inference’s embrace, but it never truly left him.
He’d bedded many since then, both men and women, but he could never forget his brother-in-arms, and the feeling of his body next to his.
Norton tightened his hold on the man in front of him and finally let the last of his reservations leave him. He put his forehead on Inference’s shoulder as they continued to sway back and forth.
“H-hey… Ronald? What’s wrong?”
Two drifters, off to see the world.
He breathed in the comforting cologne deeply. He hopes he can still smell it on his clothes later, when Inference is long gone.
“I really missed you… Naib.”
There's such a lot of world to see.
***
Fuck… you can’t tell me that…
Naib could feel Ronald’s breath along his neck. He shivered as he brought the man closer to himself.
That’s unfair… that’s so unfair…
“Ronald…”
They continued to dance slowly, Ronald still leading them despite his sudden melancholy.
He lifted his head from Naib’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.
Naib’s gaze caught on the scar on his face.
Ronald spoke quietly.
“I’m truly glad I got see you again.”
Naib’s heart shattered.
Before the incident with Madame Bella, it had been years since Naib had last seen Ronald. And that was mostly by design.
Naib had been afraid to see him again.
He’d always told himself he’d seek out Ronald when he had the time. With his investigative skills, there was no reason he should have waited this long to find his old brother-in-arms again.
But he was afraid of his feelings for the man.
They never should have been involved with each other to begin with, but they had been.
Naib had needed Ronald’s embrace badly. There were so many nights where they would become so lost in each other that nothing else had mattered. In the end, that probably saved Naib more times than he could count back then.
And he was sure it was the same for Ronald.
But then the incident that had forced his retirement occurred.
Naib lifted his hand off Ronald’s shoulder.
He placed his fingers gently on his cheek, just below the scarring on the man’s face.
We're after the same rainbow's end.
His fingers trembled.
“Can I…?”
At his words, Naib noted Ronald’s face had a look of… desperation? Loneliness?
Longing?
Ronald continued to lead them in slow movements around the balcony.
“You can.”
At that, Naib let his fingers touch the edge of the scar.
Ronald shivered against him and brought Naib closer, the distance between their bodies growing ever smaller.
Naib let his fingers smooth the area under his eye.
Waitin' 'round the bend.
(“Naib…! It hurts so much…! It hurts so much…!”
Norton’s sobs sounded so painful. They sounded like absolute agony. Yet Naib could do nothing except inhale deeply and try to suppress his own tears.
“Please Norton… just hang on a little longer, okay? It’s gonna be fine… you’re gonna be fine.”
“Naib… please…”
He knows it’s a bad idea, but Naib prayed that Norton would just pass out.
He prayed that he’d just stop hurting.
But god is cruel.
“Naib… please…it hurts…!”)
“It’s okay, Naib…”
Ronald’s voice startles him out of his thoughts.
“It doesn’t hurt that much anymore.”
But Naib can’t look at him.
He put his arm back on Ronald’s upper arm and this time, it’s his turn to drop his face onto his shoulder.
He’s thankful he manages to keep his voice even when he speaks.
“I missed you too, Norton.”
Even now, after all this time, he still feels too much for the man in front of him.
And it terrifies him.
***
Norton can feel Inference shaking against him.
Fuck.
He wants to pull the man closer to him.
He wants to kiss the silent tears he can feel falling from his face.
He wants to trace all the scars along his body, compare the ones he knows to the ones he doesn’t.
He wants to tell him to stay with him, that he never wants him to leave again.
But he can’t.
And it hurts.
Inference has a job to do and a life far from Norton.
And Norton is not the same as before. He wants Naib, desperately, but there’s something he must do no matter what it takes.
Something Naib might even hate him for.
So all he can do is savour this dance, here under the moonlight.
Savour it like it could be the last time the two of them ever see each other.
He pulls the detective closer to him.
My huckleberry friend.
And lets the music take them away.
Moon river.
They spin together in a slow circle on the balcony, swaying to the song’s gentle rhythm.
And me.
***
“I tell you, Inference, that man doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. I’m surprised that wife of his can stand him at all.”
Naib sighs. “Were you really always this insufferable?”
“According to what you used to tell me, yes.”
Naib heaves another long sigh as they finally make it to his car.
The look Ronald gives him as he leans on his cane and unlocks the car door is… complicated.
“So… I assume it will be a while before we meet again.”
Naib nods.
“This job turned out to be much more convoluted than I first thought. I have some leads to follow up on that are leading me halfway across the country, and I’m not even sure how legitimate they are.”
Ronald snorts.
“You must be getting paid handsomely to go to this much trouble.”
“Won’t lie, it’s pretty decent.”
Naib opens the door.
Ronald is still giving him that look, and a part of Naib just wants to run up to him and kiss him silly to wipe it off his face.
He takes a deep breath.
“As soon as I get the chance, I’ll come see you again.”
Ronald makes a startled expression.
“So… don’t miss me too much this time, alright?”
Ronald gives him a smile. A small but genuine smile.
“And same to you… my dear friend.”
Naib nods at him. He opens the door to his car, and after placing his cane in the backseat he starts up the car engine.
He rolls down the window and looks at his friend, still standing on the sidewalk.
“Goodbye… Norton.”
Ronald lifts his hand.
“Until next time, Naib.”
Naib nods once more before pulling away from the sidewalk.
He keeps an eye on his rear-view mirror until he can see Ronald no longer.
With a heavy heart, he steps harder on the gas and starts the long drive home.
***
Norton breathes in the scent still clinging to his suit as he stands watching the car disappear into the distance.
Ah… what a shame. I forgot to ask for his cologne.