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“You can not be serious?”
“Please, Vassago.” Stolas’ hands were interlocked before him in a pleading gesture; his eyes were wide and round. “He has been following me around all night.”
“Let me see if I get this straight. You want me to somehow distract Andrealphus enough so that you can sneak off to meet up with some imp?” Vassago threw his hands in the air.
“He is not just some imp. He could be the man of my dreams. I have not seen him since we were children, but I have always carried him in my heart.” Stolas stepped forward, placing a hand on Vassago’s arm. “I need to meet with him. Before I condemn myself to a loveless marriage, I need to know if there is anything between Blitz and myself.”
He then sighed in frustration. “But I think Andrealphus suspects something because he has been following me around all night. Please Vassago. You know I would do the same for you. I just need time to get to the dinner and have a chance to talk with—”
“Ah, there you are, Stolas! I have been looking for you everywhere.”
Stolas shot Vassago another pleading look. Vassago returned the look with one of annoyance that then faded to resignation. He gave a small nod to Stolas before turning his brightest smile onto the peacock behind them.
“Andrealphus, mi amigo. ¿Cómo está? I have not seen you in a very long time.” He placed his hand on Andrealphus’ elbow. “You simply must catch me up on what you have been up to.”
Andrealphus looked down, startled at the touch to his elbow and then at Vassago. “What is the meaning of this?”
In his confusion, Stolas slipped away into the crowd. Frustration became evident on Andrealphus’ face when he suddenly could not instantly spot Stolas in the crowd.
“Meaning?” Vassago asked, faking innocence. “I told you. I wish to catch up. Come, have a drink with me.”
He steered the ice bird in the direction of the bar. Though Andrealphus allowed himself to be guided, he was obviously searching the crowd, trying to locate his soon-to-be brother-in-law. It was obvious to Vassago that Andrealphus was not sure about what was going on, but he knew that Stolas was planning something.
Vassago probably knew exactly what was going on, Andrealphus thought to himself. Then he slowly turned as the thought truly sank in. Vassago really did know.
All he had to do was get a few drinks into the parrot, get him talking, and he could probably figure out the plan. And Vassago was definitely more tolerable to be around than Stolas. Easier on the eyes as well.
“Yes,” Andrealphus said, “Let us get a drink or two, and catch up.” And he followed Vassago to the bar.
—
Andrealphus had not realized just how much alcohol the blasted parrot could hold and still seem unaffected. He was starting to feel a bit light-headed and simply couldn’t understand how Vassago seemed completely sober.
“I need a bit of fresh air,” he hiccuped out, slow to stand up from the bar stool, momentarily losing his balance.
Vassago reached out instinctively, trying to prevent Andrealphus from falling over. The peacock was obviously inebriated—and it was actually quite cute. But he didn’t trust that this wasn’t Andrealphus trying to break away to find Stolas.
“I’ll come with,” he quickly announced and stood to follow Andrealphus.
“I do not need supervision," the peacock protested.
“I never said you did. I simply wish to accompany you.” Vassago had already placed a gentle hand on Andrealphus’ lower back to try and help steady him.
Heat radiated from the hand on the small of Andrealphus’ back. He fought down a blush that he couldn’t quite explain. It must have been the alcohol. He really did need the fresh air, and arguing with Vassago seemed to be a waste of time at the moment.
So he simply headed into the direction of the doors leading to the garden.
“Sorry….. My apologies…. Do not mind us,” Vassago was apologizing to the dancing couples that Andrealphus seemed completely unaware of. He had to suppress a smile at the thought of how completely self-absorbed the ice bird could be, especially with a few drinks in him.
Keeping him talking had been extremely easy. He talked about how his time at University had been, how he was planning on taking over his father's legions one day; he even talked about his sister's upcoming nuptials and how involved he was in planning the whole thing. Nearly two hours had passed before Andrealphus declared he needed air.
Now they were out in the garden; the night sky was lit by the pale reflection of a full moon. “Let us walk. The garden is so peaceful at night.” Vassago spoke quietly.
Andrealphus shot him a suspicious look. Vassago had to be up to something, did he not? He had never wanted to spend time with him alone. He was still trying to wrap his mind around what was really going on as he started walking beside Vassago.
Vassago smelled of coconut and rum. The smell was quite intoxicating, and Andrealphus found he wanted to get a better whiff of it. He found himself slightly leaning into Vassago before sobering enough to force himself to straighten.
He found he had truly enjoyed talking with Vassago. He enjoyed the cadence of the parrot's speech. Andrealphus was fascinated by the stories of his travels; Vassago had traveled all seven rings and even the mortal realm. It was extremely rare to find anyone in the Goetia who could make that claim. And here was Vassago, retelling his tales as if they were nothing special.
They had stopped by the miniature fountain hidden in a small corner of the garden. Andrealphus watched the reflection of the moon in the water. Stolas probably would have gotten quite a thrill from this, what with his obsession with the moon and such.
Stolas.
How could he have let himself get so distracted? He was meant to discover what Stolas had planned! “I really need to go.”
Vassago wasn’t sure if Stolas had made it back to the ball yet, but he truly wanted to give his friend as much time as possible. “You should stay here a while longer. It is such a beautiful night.”
Andrealphus turned, his eyes narrowing. “You are trying to distract me? It won’t work, Vassago.”
“What?” Vassago hoped he sounded genuinely shocked.
“This whole time! You have been trying to just keep me from following Stolas. You bastard.” Andrealphus turned sharply, intending to storm back inside.
Vassago panicked. Not knowing what else to do, he grabbed Andrealphus’ arm and spun him around. “Stay,” he simply said.
“I am sure you would like that!” Andrealphus spat back. Just as he went to turn again, Vassago grabbed his fur collar.
Vassago had no actual plan. His body was acting on its own. He had reached out and grabbed Andrealphus’ collar, pulling him close and letting their beaks collide.
The kiss was unexpected, even though he was the one who initiated it. It started as a clumsy bumping together of beaks, and then melted into a passionate exchange.
He pulled Andrealphus closer, releasing his tight grip on the collar, and instead letting one hand rest on Andrealphus' back, holding him close. The other came up to Andrealphus’ cheek, gently caressing it.
Andrealphus had gone rigid at first. The action had completely shocked him.
However, he could not deny the way the kiss made his stomach flip, thrills traveling up his spine. He melted into the touch.
The pressure of the hand on his back, holding him in place, paired with the gentle caress of his cheek—it was almost too much. Andrealphus had never felt anything like this before. He was not sure what to do with it, but he wasn’t about to end it, either.
He allowed his arms to wrap around the parrot's back, coming up to rest on either shoulder. How could this feel so right? This was not supposed to happen.
Especially not with flamboyantly loud, bigger-than-life Vassago! The parrot was completely wrong for Andrealphus. Yet somehow, he discovered he never wanted anything more than this.
The kiss slowed, and they pulled apart, looking into each other's eyes. “That was…” Vassago started quietly.
“Unexpected.” Andrealphus finished in a soft whisper.
Their hands were still on each other when a cough startled them both, and they quickly stepped away from each other. Andrealphus instantly missed the touch.
“Am I… interrupting?” Stolas asked, looking extremely confused from one bird to the other.
“What? No, of course not. This is not what it looks like.” Andrealphus started to stammer. “I—I have to go. If you will, please excuse me.” He shoved past Stolas, making a hasty retreat back inside.
Stolas watched him go before whipping his head back around to lock eyes on his friend.
“I said to distract him, not make out with him!”
“It worked, did it not?” Vassago shrugged.
“Are you interested in Andrealphus?” Stolas had lowered his voice as if someone might overhear this private conversation.
“No, of course not.” Vassago waved him off. He then looked in the direction that Andrealphus had stormed off in. “But would it be really that absurd if I were?”
“Oh Vassago, my dear friend.” Stolas came up and placed his hand on his shoulder. “It wouldn’t. But I feel you deserve better, my friend.”
Vassago’s gaze lingered in the direction of the manor before wandering back to Stolas. “I think I deserve happiness, just like you do.” He then returned his gaze to the mansion. “Sometimes, happiness is found in the last place one would expect. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pursue it.”
Stolas leaned his head over to rest on Vassago’s shoulder. “You are absolutely right, my friend. And even if I do not understand it, I would never stand in your way.” He then whispered in Vassago’s ear. “Go get your ice queen, my friend.”
Vassago smiled at his friend before rushing off to do just that.