kippurbird | Dancing: A Scene

This is how I imagine Jono and Alec's first sort of getting together which leads into their relationship as lovers. It's just a short little nothing scene. And will probably never actually be in any book. Just background, I suppose.

"Would you like to dance?" Jono asked, completely surprising Alec who had retreated from the noisy party to quiet of the gardens. He looked over at the other young man, the slight smile on his face, the lights from the house casting him into shadows. Alec couldn't actually believe that he asked him to dance. They had been friendly rivals since they were five. But nowhere near close enough to dance.

"Me? With you?"

"That's generally how it's done," he said leaning up against the marble railing next to Alec. "I ask you to dance, you say yes and we go and dance."

Alec stared out into the gardens, lit only by the yellowing light of the house. The moons weren't out tonight. "Why?"

"Because you aren't one of the people in there trying to pander to me and get my favor." He gave a disgusted snort. The party celebrated his nineteenth birthday, a grand affair for the young Oracle.

Dryly Alec said, "That's flattering."

Jono laughed. "Well? Dance with me?"

"All right."

Jono beamed at him, and gabbed his hand, pulling him back inside to dance the night away.