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All YOU HAVE TO DO IS DANCE

By Grrthesecond

"...Dude, she's yours; all you have to do is dance..."

***

Against a tree a slim black gryphon sat, guitar on his lap, playing along to his own voice.

Many people stopped by to listen to the male's music, but with summer's heat harsh on their feathers and the little shade the tree offered growing thinner by the minute, his crowd slowly depleted. He looked down, his tail swishes coming to an end.

"Not going to finish your song, Kraai?" a familiar voice asked.

Kraai raised his head to meet the eyes of a female and flinched back ever so slightly, nodding his head. "I-I didn't think anyone was listening anymore but... if you'd like..." He felt heat flush under his feathers, however, he began to play and sing once again. He watched as she sat in the emerald grass, listening to his music with a small smile across her beak, but his gaze flicked between his surroundings, hiding from hers.

It was not long until his paw brushed the strings a final time and he smiled nervously, slowly standing up.

"I hope you liked it." I probably didn't hit a single note right...

"It was wonderful," she purred in reply, flicking her cream coloured ears and stepping forward to throw a coin into his guitar case. "No Adalard on the drums today?"

He shook his head with a small sigh. "He's been with Nova all afternoon."

"Isn't he always? Anyways, I have to go; I am practising dancing with my sister for the dance off. It's so close! I'm just waiting for a special someone to ask me to it. So, see you later!"

So she hasn't been asked yet... He nodded his head as she turned away, waving his paw--then a stab of anxiety hit him. Special someone? She isn't expecting anyone, is she?

"You'll never get a girl like that; she's way out of your league, punk."

Kraai snorted through his nares, a match igniting in his chest. He threw himself around and growled. "Says a scruffy thing like you. You shut up and mind your own business," he snapped, looking to the amber eyes of the blue gryphon with a gaze of daggers.

The gryphon uncrossed his arms, stepping across the grass, shoving the male's chest with his paws. "Be careful who you insult, it may just make you pay one day," he hissed.

Kraai snarled softly but stood down. "What are you doing here? Nova told us you were on a hiking trip."

"And my sister is right. I am--or will be. I was picking up supplies. Now stay outta my way," the blue gryphon growled, clicking his beak and shoving the male one more time before walking away.

Kraai ground his beak, snarling softly before turning around, picking up his guitar and packing it up to head home. Stupid low life. What does Adalard see in their family? And he got in my way! He sighed, and dragging his tail, he headed home.

***

The walk home was long and boring and his heart begged for her attention. But, he knew there were no hopes of satisfying it today. So, Kraai continued forth as the sun's heat died down and the moon threatened to rise above.

Unlocking the door, Kraai walked inside and sat his stuff down on a stool that stood beside the kitchen bench. He grinned, turning his gaze to the couch. Two gryphons sat there, arms around each other, the females head rested under the males, purring. Darn, she's still here.

"How are you two lovebirds?" He asked, putting on a fake smirk, walking over and sitting down on the male's other side. "Your day off been good, Adalard?"

The male nodded his head happily. "It was wonderful, I spent every moment of it with this cutie," Adalard purred, rubbing his beak over the cheek feathers of his lover. "And Netfox. Nova and I binge watched the rest of The Two Hundred."

Kraai nodded his head, chuckling quietly. "Well, I finished writing our song while I was out."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Did it during my lunch break."

"At least one of us was productive. You can sing it to me after Nova leaves. She was gonna go soon anyway."

A little spot in the back of Kraai's mind throbbed. That's a little rude, he thought. At least she's going, another part of him said.

Nova shuffled back from Adalard, standing up and picking up her handbag. "You can sing it to him now," she hissed. "I was going anyways. Goodnight."

"Babe?" Adalard asked. His only reply was the front door slamming shut.

Kraai jumped at the sound, flattening his ears then reaching up after a few moments to stroke his raised feathers back down. "Adalard? That was kinda rude, bud..."

"I-I realise that now..."

Kraai nodded his head and shuffled forward, wrapping his arms around his friend and giving him a gentle hug. "How did you even get with her anyway? I-I'm curious." "Why? Want to find yourself a girl, eh?" Adalard snorted, shoving the black gryphon's side gently with his paw, however accepting the embrace. "Or do you have someone in mind?"

His face heated and he looked away, mumbling quietly. "M-maybe," he whispered, "But I don't know if she likes me the way I like her... and I don't know if I'm even good enough for her. Nova's brother said she's out of my league, but then again, what does he know?"

"Well don't give up on it! You just need to impress her. She's totally still in your league. Maybe write a song for her and you can sing it. We can dress you up in a suit, a bow tie and have you hold flowers as you sing."

Kraai shook his head. "She does like my singing but I can't. If I tried, I doubt I'd hit a single note... I sang to her and played my guitar earlier but I know I messed up. A lot."

"Well do something else for her... like uh... like... acting? Actors are cool."

"What? Then have her think my love confession was all just an act? A stupid story, aye? I don't think so. I'd be better off dancing." He snorted.

"Actually, dancing is a pretty good idea..." Adalard murmured.

"Dude, seriously? I can't dance to save my life! Don't you remember how many times I stood on your paws in our twelfth-grade dance? No one else would dance with me! I probably crushed, like, one hundred paws! And they would have all been yours!"

Adalard let out a laugh. "Yeah, my toes hurt for a week after that, but hey! We had fun, didn't we? Besides, with practice, maybe you'll become a better dancer than me! Never a better drummer though," he purred with amusement.

"We did," he agreed. "And she really does like dancing... Look, I'll consider it, but you gotta help me, okay?"

"I will. I'll go sign you up for dancing lessons right now! I'll sign you up with everyone!" Adalard exclaimed, pulling away from Kraai and jumping up, running to his bedroom to find his phone.

"I said I'd consider it! Not dance with everyone in town! Besides, I need to sing you my song!" Kraai yelled.

"Too late! I'm already ringing up the first person on my list!" He shouted back.

"Not if I stop you!" he growled playfully, jumping to his paws with a grin. "I'm gonna get ya!"

***

Click.

Bright light harried his eyelids, Kraai gasped awake, sitting up, feathers messy, and his arms wrapped around his pillow, holding it to his chest. He groaned, "Ugh... Adalard, is that you?"

The brown gryphon stood, grinning by the doorframe and winked at him. "The one and only. Is that pillow nice and warm, dude? Soft as Azlin's feathers?" He teased.

"What are you--oh!" Kraai blushed, glancing at the object then throwing it to the other side of his bed in embarrassment. "Shut up," he laughed lightly. "What do you want with me?"

"It's almost time for your first dancing lesson so get up, jump in the shower and meet me in the living room. Wear something comfortable but not your PJs." He chuckled. "Don't dress up too much either. You're only dancing with me."

Kraai groaned, laying back down and throwing his blankets over himself. "Go away, it's Saturday. We have all day." He mumbled, closing his eyes and reaching out to snuggle his pillow again.

Adalard snorted, pulling out his phone and climbing onto the bed. He laid down beside his friend, wrapped his arms around him and pulling him into his chest he leaned forward, opening his beak and sliding his pink tongue across the back of his friend's head. He held in a laugh as he took a photo of them both.

"Adalard, get off me," he mumbled, nudging him in the ribs hard, but not enough to hurt him, much. "And keep your tongue to yourself, you weirdo."

The male snorted again and sat up, grinning as he opened Tweeter and leaned over him to shove his phone in his face. "Look at what I'm going to post if you don't get out of bed right now!"

Kraai half opened one eye drowsily, snorting out air through his nares. Both his eyes shot open as he saw the photo and he hissed, blushing slightly. "Delete that!"

Adalard grinned, shoving the raven-gryphon, getting up and he leapt from the bed. "Quick, I'm about to post it!"

"No, don't! I'm up, I'm up!" Scrambling out of sheets Kraai sat up and jumped from his bed, losing balance for a moment but regaining it. "Now delete it!"

Adalard shook his head. "Only if you're ready for dancing in ten minutes. But I am keeping it on my camera roll, handsome."

"Hey, no! Don't post it, or save it! Delete it!"

"Nine minutes. You should hurry up!" Adalard chuckled.

The feathers of his neck rose a little and he rushed to grab his clothes and towel while Adalard walked off to the living room.

If he posts that, I swear... Kraai thought.

***

Kraai leapt from the shower, snatching a towel from the bench and he dried himself furiously. When he finished he leapt into his clothes. Still doing the buttons up, he pulled open the door and ran into the lounge room. "I'm here!" he shouted, finishing the last button and his paws came to rest by his sides.

Adalard snorted in amusement, laying across the couch, legs hanging off the end and his phone in his outstretched arms above him. "Lucky," he chuckled, "you had thirty seconds left."

"Oh, thank the King," he said in relief. "So uh, what type of dancing? It's not some hip-hop thing is it?" Kraai nodded to his friend's shirtless chest. "Or is it you being half-naked as usual?"

"The second option. Nova likes it this way and I do too," he chuckled. "Anyways, see those numbered paws? I sat them on the ground for you to follow. Remember twelfth grade?"

"You're kidding me. You want to slow dance with me. Don't make me do this, dude."

"I would have gotten you slow dancing lessons with someone else but then I remembered my steel-cap boots," he said, chuckling. "So to save everyone's paws, you're dancing with me." The male took a step forward onto one of the numbers and reached out, grabbing Kraai's paw in his own and resting his other paw on his shoulder. The other male copied him.

"Alright, I'm going to lead you, for now," Adalard said. "The reason we messed up in sixth grade is because we both tried to take the lead. Now let's do this!"

Kraai nodded slowly, slight anxiety tugging at him as Adalard raised their paws and began to dance along the numbers. At first, Kraai stood on his paw--as expected--but as the dance continued and he got used to his friend's paws pulling and tugging at his shoulder, he stopped stepping on him. Grinning with slight confidence, he put more enthusiasm into his dancing.

"You're doing well," Adalard said softly. "Are you ready to take the lead like a real man? Take the dominant role?"

Kraai nodded slowly, feathers prickling as he received control. Slowly he led his friend around in a circle one way, and then the other, grinning. After a while of just having fun with it, he stopped. "Was I okay?" "Great for a first attempt. However, you didn't finish right--which is a good thing since you're dancing with me. When you dance with Azlin I want you to pull her close"--He pulled the male into his chest--"Like that and then I want you to lean over until your beak touches hers," he tapped the top of his beak with his own for a moment and chuckled softly. "Tilt your head, and then kiss her."

"K-kiss her?" His cheeks warmed at the thought. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. As long as you don't ask me for kissing lessons too," he purred with a laugh. "Now it's time for your second dancing lesson. It's not with me so don't worry," he laughed. "However, you'll be dancing with me again in no time! Maybe you won't step on any paws at all!"

***

The sun rose over the horizon and orange tinted light broke through the darkness of the night and through the window frame, shining upon the gryphon's face. Blinking through the sun's rays he sat up, pushing his blankets down with his hind paws. He stretched.

Today was the day. Kraai was sure. With dancing lessons going grand and the annual dance right around the corner, he knew that he had to ask her out today. But how would he? Anxiety would claw his heart and red would glow from his face if he even got close with such a question in mind.What if I'm not good enough for her? What if I mess up? He put those thoughts aside, pushed himself to his paws, and made his way downstairs for breakfast.

Adalard was there, laying across the couch munching away on his sardine toast, a squeezed lemon and a pepper shaker sitting on the coffee table in front of him.

"Hey, Angel-voice, how's the dancing coming along? What you gonna do for your free day?"

"Angel-voice?" he snorted at the new name and tilted his head slightly. "Shut up, Addy. Dancing is going really well, pretty much everyone can dance better than you can. And, uh... I was going to pay Azlin a visit." He pulled out a plate and sat it on the bench before heading over to the toaster with two slices of bread.

"Oooh. Lover-boy's going to see Pretty-girl today, aye? Are you going to ask her out? You sure you're ready? I can smell you from here; you reek. And I'm a good dancer, thank you very much," he laughed.

Kraai gave a small smile, chuckling softly. "Shush, I am ready--or will be after I finish my morning routine. And for your information, I can smell you too Fish-face."

Adalard snorted. "Fish-face? That's the best you can come up with, Vulture-mug?"

"That's Mr Vulture-mug to you, now hush and eat your sardines."

"Yes, sir!" he laughed.

Kraai chuckled softly and smiled.

***

After munching on his own breakfast and completing the morning chores, he hit the birdbath then dressed pretty for the day. Walking over to the cupboard, he flipped it open to look himself in the mirror. Leaning dominantly on one leg he crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side a little, pleased.

This is the best I've looked in ages. But will she like it? Better question, is she even interested in me? What will happen if she isn't? Would all his effort be for nothing? Or what if the warm buzzing in his heart stopped? What would happen if he suddenly didn't love her? Or worst of all, what if she said yes but her parents didn't approve?

Kraai shook away his thoughts and closed the cupboard. It was time. Time to see her!

Waving good-bye to Adalard, he pulled open the front door, squinting against the morning's light. Correcting his tie, he headed off, tail swaying behind him.

***

As he came into Cliffshallow, he let a pleased grin splay across his beak as he looked around. Few walked the streets on a Sunday morning, most stayed home for it was their only day of rest--at least for the Wingless. The Winged, nobles and royals gathered around the big church in the centre of town for the service. Sometimes he found himself wishing to be Winged, but other times he didn't as he knew it came at a great cost of freedom; they were always guarded, watched round-the-clock by big muscular gryphons armed with guns, tasers and who knows what else? Even if they were here to protect and help the innocent, he did his best to avoid them after a scare a year back. His eyebrows lowered into a small frown and he snorted from his nares. Turn the music down, they said, move your band somewhere else, they said. As if they had been doing any harm.

Kraai shook his head, wiping the faded memories away to focus on the task in paw; impressing Azlin. Heading to the flower shop, he purchased the most beautiful flowers he could find--even if his wallet disapproved. The next thing was no less expensive; those chocolates were like a fist to the side. But his heart wanted--no, needed the best for the best.

As he got closer to the home of the albino gryphon, he smiled at the thought of her fluffy snow leopard tail curling around his own and his heart skipped a beat. He pranced a few steps as he approached the gates to her home, he was almost there. He made sure the chocolates were in place firmly under his arm then swerved his paw to hide the flowers behind his back. He was almost there.

Kraai got to the gates of the female's house, grinning and just as he was about to pull the gate's pin his gaze brushed over the window and he saw two figures. A young blue male with his arms wrapped around Azlin, holding her to his side. His gaze found the male's, and as the gryphon in the window smiled he turned away, feeling his eyes begin to well with tears. He jerked the chocolates out from under his arm and threw them to the ground, roses following.

Of course, someone was there, as soon as he had built up the courage, formed a plan, he was too late. What did I expect anyway? I don't deserve someone like her... throwing his ears to the side of his face he headed home, rivers dripping from his eyes.

***

Earbuds in ears, head down and tail dragging along the ground behind him Kraai slowly pushed open the door, walking into the sanctuary of home. He slammed the door behind him and hissed quietly as he headed for his room.

"Angel-voice? That you?" Tail swishing, Adalard walked from the kitchen towards him. Stopping just in front of him he hesitantly reached out, sitting his paw on his friend's shoulder. "Kraai? Bud, you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" Kraai snarled, shrugging his paw off and pushing past him. He cursed. "Leave me alone. You can talk to me when I finish blasting Sleeping With Slugs and Pierce The Vulture, but until then, stay the hell away, I don't wanna talk to anyone right now."

Adalard stepped away, muttering to himself, "Guess he didn't get the girl."

The feathers along his neck prickled and the black gryphon growled, spinning around, fists clenched and he moved right into his face. "Shut your beak! Don't make me shut it for you! You don't always have to have the last word. Now shut up and dance over there or do whatever the heck you want!"

"Just one small question, and it isn't related to your bad day or anything."

Kraai snarled softly but nodded his head as he turned away from the male. "Yes?"

"Why do you like those bands? Their voices are so similar to yours. And our music is starting to sound a lot like theirs."

Kraai sighed, shrugging. "Their music help me tame my emotions when I'm down. I want our music to do that too somehow... look, we can fix our music later. Now isn't the time." Without another word he made his way to his room, pushed open the door and walked inside, anger fading as other emotions took control. He locked the door, plugged in his electric guitar and his phone into speakers and began to play and sing along to one of his favourite songs.

Adalard watched him go, ears drooping to the side of his head but instead of letting Kraai get him down he began to get some food ready and played some Walk The Moooo and Kygoat quietly.

***

It was late in the afternoon when the music finally went down. Kraai sat at the end of his bed, food his friend had left by the door sat on his bedside table, hardly touched.

There was a gentle knock at the door before Adalard walked into the room with a plateful of fish, smoked eel and a glass of water.

"Hey, Angel-voice, feeling any better? I brought you some more food--even if you didn't eat what I gave you before."

Kraai shrugged his shoulders, his gaze brushing across the food before he threw himself down onto his pillow. "A little bit... but I saw Azlin, she was hanging out in her house with a guy. I-I'm assuming the worst..."

Adalard sat the food down by Kraai's side table, next to the other dish and nodded his head, climbing up onto the bed and sitting down at the head of it beside his friend, pillows against his back. "I know it hurts but I promise everything will be okay."

The black gryphon nodded his head. "It's just, I've liked her for so, so long, ever since the final grade of high school she's been on my mind constantly and now that school's finished for good I never see her and when I do, I shy out of asking her out... and all this dancing I've been doing, it's for her."

Adalard nodded and they continued to talk. Soon the clock told them it was late and Kraai gobbled down his meal and gave the empty plate and the extra dish for his friend to clean up.

"Thank you..."

"No problem. Goodnight, sleep well."

"You too," he smiled and as the male flicked the light off he shuffled in his bed to get comfortable and let sleep snatch him into dreams.

***

Kraai and Adalard walked side by side down the street, both wearing matching, unbuttoned Hawaiian shirts. Every time Kraai spotted someone glancing his way he felt his cheeks flush with warmth and pulled his shirt to cover himself a little. Why am I even doing this?

When one turned their attention to Adalard he smiled, winked but shook his head every time, pushing his sunglasses back onto his beak and gesturing to Kraai, further increasing his friend's embarrassment.

"Dude, are you sure this'll help? I think it's making it worse..." he said, letting out a soft sigh, ears going back and gaze dropping to look to the concrete beneath their paws.

"I'm positive! You'll find someone new to lust after and you'll forget all about her. I mean, that's how Nova and I met and we've barely parted since." Adalard shrugged, glancing back at the male then to his phone to make a tweet.

"I'm not looking for someone to lust after. I'm looking for someone to love, to hold when the going gets tough. Someone who cares about me. Someone like Azlin... and I know Azlin actually cares; we've been friends for years. Heck, I even knew her before I knew you."

"Come on dude, she's your friend, yes, but look around, there are so many other girls to dance with, to sing with, and to love. I mean, sure, pursue her if you please but if things don't work out you know what to do; look around the community."

Kraai sighed. "Look, I'm going to go browse the instrument shop and see if I can get some new strings for my guitar. You can come with me if you want or you can go visit Nova, your choice but expect me to playin' some metal when we get home," he said and turned away from his friend.

"I'll just head straight home," Adalard said simply, reaching out to pat Kraai's shoulder before heading on the path towards home.

Alone once more, Kraai buttoned up his shirt, checked his pockets for his phone and wallet and headed in the direction of the music store.

He doesn't understand what it means to love someone--to truly love someone, from the heart. Adalard's interest was the body. Kraai's was embedded deep within one's chest, a passion flowing through his veins and his soul. That's what love was to him.

Kraai reached out to grasp the handle of the shop--but a voice from behind stopped him.

"Kraai, wait! I've been looking for you! You didn't answer your phone."

The feathers along his back rose, his cheeks flushed slightly, but a knife stabbing his heart with anger and dread stopped any smile from forming across his beak. He spun around to meet the girl that had tugged his heart for so long. "S-sorry my phone's been off," he said quietly, glancing into the soft greens of her eyes, then away to the floor. But she was with him. "Why would you want to see me? Why not hang out with that guy? The guy that was at your house the other day."

Azlin's gaze softened and her own feathers rose a little, yet she reached out, playing her talon across the mandible of his beak and pulling his face up to meet eyes with him once again. "I saw the flowers and the chocolates at my gate. We saw a feather of yours with them. So I came to find you today."

"Today, not the day that it happened. He saw me, your boyfriend," Kraai snarled, pulling away from her and taking a step back into the door of the music store, his eyes tearing up. "Why do you come here to mock, to tease me?" his voice cracked and he looked away. "Are we not friends?"

"We are friends! I do not come to cause strife. You assumed Kraai and assumed wrongly. That guy you saw is my brother, okay? Please calm down." She wanted to reach forward, calm him, and hug him; however, she knew that wouldn't help right now so she stood in her spot, empathy for the male melting her heart.

"You mean I've been feeling like this for nothing? It was all just a big misunderstanding?" he lifted his paw to wipe his eyes on the back of it and finally let his eyes rest in line with her's and saw her nod. "What did you think of the flowers? A-and the chocolates," he asked quietly.

"They were beautiful, and the chocolates were amazing. But why me? Why give them to me if you were not to say something important? Why get so fussed over a guy?" She was sure she knew the answer, but would the male admit it? Would he take the chance that as so obviously gifted to him, or let fear cage him?

Kraai opened his beak, shuffling from paw to paw. His anger faded and a soft red ignited like a match under his facial feathers. He hesitated, and choking out the words over the lump in his throat spoke, "I-I came to-to... ask you on a date, to go and dance with me at the summer dance... so... do you want to go with me?"

Azlin began to smile softly and reached out, grabbing him by his shirt and gently tugged him forward to rub her beak softly against his cheek. "I do," she whispered.

Before Kraai could even register, she had pulled away and was walking off, waving her talon to him. He just stood there, dazed, watching her leave, head starting to spin. He walked to the nearest seat he could find and sat down to process what had happened. He could hardly believe it; he was going on a date with Azlin!

***

While Kraai had an amazing day after seeing Azlin, Adalard's world was all about to break apart.

Adalard pushed open the front door with a smile, tail swaying. He sat his stuff on one of the wooden stools that sat beside the kitchen bench and walked inside.

Nova sat on the couch, phone in one paw while her other rested on her lap.

With the close of the door, she turned to meet his eyes. He offered a smile but she refused it, snarling softly as he walked over.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Adalard asked, sitting down beside her, reaching his arm over her. She pushed it away, pushing out her paws to press them to his chest.

"Save it. I saw you, twice; you danced with that stupid black gryphon. You touched beaks, kissed, then all day today you ignored me and went into town, showing off your chest. Now you come home and wonder why I'm mad at you," the female growled standing and stepping away from him. "My friends snapped me photos of you and him."

Adalard's eyes widened, he stood once again, jaw-dropping and eyebrows raising. "No, no. Nova, let me explain that's not how things happened. I never kissed him. And I was showing Kraai off, maybe I did have my chest showing, maybe I was a little in the wrong, but I wasn't chatting up other girls, I swear."

"What's that I hear? Kissed him? Showing off? Other girls? Knew it! Cheat!"

"I-I didn't cheat! I didn't kiss anyone!" he growled, anger spiking his veins.

"Shut up Adalard, I don't care. We're done. Go look at all the other girls--or guys if you prefer--that you want."

Adalard watched her walk to the door and as she reached for the handle, Adalard felt his heart crack, deflate and shrivel. He let himself fall to the ground, ears flying to rest against his cheeks and his head collapsing into his lap. He took deep breaths. I didn't cheat. Maybe I was in the wrong ever so slightly, but I never cheated, nor did I kiss Kraai.(And he knew he never would). He drew in a shaky breath, closing his eyes tight and let the first tear drip from his eye, roll down his cheek and onto the fur of his arm and he began to cry. Why did I even help Kraai dance? Why did I let him dance with me? Why did I go to town with him to help him get over Azlin? It was his fault he'd been neglecting her, all his problems had been caused by the other male! I'll show him a piece of my mind!

***

The door unlocked and Kraai pushed it open, walking inside. Adalard sat slumped on the floor earbuds lying beside him. When Kraai entered, he raised his head to look up at him, snarling softly. "You should have been here."

Kraai looked at the slightly bigger male and tilted his head a little, furrowing his eyebrows. "What do you mean? It's only six O' clock? I just go back after talking to Azlin and visiting the music store. I got new guitar strings and ordered a bass guitar for you! You said you always wanted to learn. Oh, and--"

"Shut the hell up and let me get a word in! I don't care what time it is, if you've talked to that gryphoness, or got a bass guitar. You should have been here. You could have explained everything or even apologised. It's all your fault!" The male stood up, hissing softly, looking directly at his friend.

Kraai took a step back, heart skipping a beat and feathers prickling. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Calm down."

Adalard cursed. "Should have been here. Nova left me and it was all your fault!"

"My fault?" he asked, anger whispering into his ear. "Dude, how is that my fault? Just calm down and let's talk about it. You know I wouldn't ruin your relationship--at least on purpose."

Adalard snarled again, taking a step towards him but Kraai barley flinched.

"You've always hated her."

"Dude, please. I would never do anything to hurt you. Remember who opened up their home to you when yours was no longer safe? Who supported you through your father's rage episodes and offered you his shoulder when your mother died? I did! And things haven't and won't ever change. You know I'm here for you and you know I'm your best friend. So calm down and talk to me."

Adalard leapt forward, but instead of attacking he pressed himself to him, head on shoulder and arms wrapping around him. "I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry too..."

***

Compared to the events of last night, the morning was bliss. Soft acoustic guitar flowed from the stereo system and breakfast was fish on toast--the perfect thing to boost your morning by gryphon standards.

Flank to flank, paper on lap and pen in paw Kraai and Adalard sat, staring down at the sheet in front of them.

"And then she disappeared like a shadow without sun, a wilted flower, it was wilted love."

"Kraai, no, those are terrible song lyrics. Stop trying to add a slither of romance in everything."

"Why not? We're writing about broken hearts anyways," Kraai snorted, pulling the pen away as Adalard reached for it. "Hey! Touch this and I'll punch you!"

"Like a wilted flower?" he snickered.

"No, like a hammer," he chuckled, shoving the male with his paw. "Now shut up Fish-face,"

"Just give me the pen! I have a really good idea!"

Kraai opened his beak to speak but before he could, the doorbell rang. The male pushed himself from his friend's side and skipped towards the door.

"Who would visit at this time of morning," he mumbled, unlocking the door and swinging it open, coming face-to-face with Nova.

"Nova! W-what are you doing here? Adalard is--"

"Shut up, gorgeous, I couldn't care less about Adalard, I'm here for you."

"W-wait what? Why?" Under his shirt, he felt his feathers prickle and the stumps where his wings would have grown twitched, telling him to fly away as he felt the sleeve of Adalard's shirt brush his side. He looked back into the males questioning gaze with one of confusion and anxiety.

Nova reached out, grabbing Kraai by the paw and before he could protest, she yanked him out the door, her tail brushing over his. "You're coming with me today so I can show off how cute you are to my friends."

He attempted to speak again but she brushed it off, wrapping her paws over the end of his beak, holding it shut. The gryphon looked back to Adalard for help, but all he saw was the pain and hurt reflecting straight from the depths of his heart and the green fire of jealousy setting his feathers alight.

Adalard attempted to follow them as Nova lead them down the bleak dirt footpath.

This part of town was like an outline of a novel, yet to be filled with glorious details. It stood with few buildings, only a small neighbourhood of a few houses. One thing this part of town didn't lack was plant-life. Mother Nature had blessed the valley with beautiful waterfalls and rich soil that grew even richer fruit and vegetables.

Adalard looked out to the river that curved towards them, trying not to focus on his friend and his ex and their interactions. He looked firstly for fish, then beyond to the four mountains surrounding the land. He tried to imagine, picture what foreigners would look like, and imagine an animal without a beak and feathers. Distraction became slightly easier as the chatter of townsfolk waved to his eardrums. But he knew he would soon be used to it and the temporary effect would fade into the shadows.

"My friends are just over there. See the group of pretty girls? That's them," Nova said, leaning over until the end of her beak brushed the inner fur of Kraai's ear. Adalard could have sworn he saw her glance at him, he was sure the smirk of her beak flashed his way. But any fantasy or romanticisation his heart made his brain stabbed and burned with the flaming daggers of the words that echoed his head from the beak of Nova.

Kraai shuffled nervously from paw-pad to paw-pad, heart-beating anxiety through his veins as Nova introduced him to each of her friends. He didn't listen to their names, only stood there stiff, waving or nodding his head whenever necessary. He tried to look back to Adalard, check if the male was okay, but the arm across his shoulders held him to the prison of Nova's side, preventing him from the right to move. But even without seeing the other male he could feel the anger flowing from him.

"Look at his shiny black feathers, they're so soft and clean unlike... what's his name again?" Nova snorted a soft giggle and again Adalard swore her gaze brushed over him.

"And he's so adorable!" one gryphon said.

While the praises did send slithers of pride to his heart he knew that something was up, he knew she was glancing back at his friend, waiting for the summoning of some sort of reaction. Then it hit him.

So that's her game. She's trying to make him upset!

He gently attempted to pull from her arm but instead, she directed him into the middle of the group of females and Kraai's ears lowered a little. I need an excuse... "Excuse me; can I quickly go to the bathroom?"

Surprised with nods of heads, they released him and Kraai walked off in the direction of the public toilets. He could hear footsteps behind him and once they were out of sight of the others and just out the front of the bathroom, he turned to greet Adalard only to feel paws against his chest and his back against bricks as the male slammed him to the wall. "What the hell do you think you're doing? What is wrong with you? She just left me a-and now you're already trying to steal her. I thought you hated her!"

Kraai's ears shot to the back of his head and his beak stretched agape. He looked for words to explain but simply the shock of his friend's dangerous gaze on his wiped the slate of his mind clean.

He found the looks of others landing on him, people stopping from the events of their days to whip out their phones and gather around. He even saw Nova and her group of friends among them, standing slightly closer than the rest. Adalard didn't seem to notice.

After several long moments, Kraai grasped the sand of his courage. He spoke softly, only to Adalard, breath shaking.

"I wouldn't steal her from you, I don't like her. Haven't you seen me resisting her embrace? She's trying to make you upset, man, her and her friends and she's trying to use me to do it. Let's just go home, ignore her and calm down."

Adalard snarled softly, clicking his beak in irritation and shaking his head. "You're lying; you just want her for yourself. Maybe Azlin too! You're just like my father!" he cursed. "Give me one good reason not to beat your head in!"

Among the crowd, Kraai saw another face, the soft white face of someone he knew. Azlin. She was there. His eyes found hers; he read the expression of worry across her face, one matching his own. His heart fluttered at the thought of embracing her and for a moment, he almost forgot about the strong arms holding him captive against the wall.

Adalard's feathers shivered as he felt gentle paws slide across the fur of his back and into his feathers, they tamed him and her body pressed slightly to his. Nova walked around him into view. He watched as her paws spread across his forearms and ever so gently, she pulled them from Kraai's chest before releasing them. Before either male could speak, she shushed them both, smirking and leaned over to whisper into Adalard's ear. "You should have trusted your friend, and you never should have trusted, or loved me. I took and took from you but now I grow tired of your sheets. I need someone new," she said softly and slowly turned to look at Kraai as Adalard stared blankly into space. Arm invisible to those watching by Adalard's body in the way she grasped Kraai by his shirt and pulled him forward until the end of their beaks were merely inches apart. "While I would have loved to have another fist-fight to post online, I think another broken heart would be better." She glanced to Azlin standing in the crowd and he immediately knew what she meant. Before he could protest, she tugged his shirt again, tilting her own beak to his and parting it. She kissed him deeply and held him in place. It only lasted a moment or two before she pulled away and began to walk away.

Kraai moved to look past Adalard but all he saw was Azlin's fading figure, crying as she ran from the crowd.

Kraai's heart sank and he felt tears welling up in his eyes. The dance was a day away. Would she even come?

***

The dance was tomorrow. Kraai had just finished his final dancing lesson. They all said he was ready. He had danced with a dozen people and they prepared him with as many different dance styles you could think of--but would he remember them all? What if he messed up? What if Azlin didn't even show up? Was she mad about yesterday? At least he had made amends with Adalard; he had his best friend back.

Kraai looked both ways before crossing the road, sighing softly as he looked around. The streets were once again lonely, not a person besides him walked and no cars drove by. But, that was one of the side effects of a small town; loneliness.

Adalard laid across a blue fold-able chair just outside the house, bare hind-paws resting on a small stool and a book in his face shielding his eyes from the sun that rained light down upon them.

His ears perked when Kraai approached and he lowered his book, smirked softly. "How's the dancing going, Angel-voice?" he asked, half sitting up and lowering the book to rest it against his shorts.

The black gryphon snorted with amusement. "Good," he said simply, walking around his friend and reaching for the doorknob.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the male cooed from behind him.

Kraai glanced back to the brown male and flicked an ear. "Why not, Fish-face?"

"Close your eyes Angel-voice and don't say a thing. I'll show you why not."

"I can't see then. How are you going to show me if I have my eyes closed? I thought you had at least a little logic." Kraai sighed softly, closing his eyes anyway as Adalard walked over to him. He felt the male's arm settle over his beak, blocking his sight even if he were to open his eyes. He listened as Adalard twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door. He guided him inside, holding him close to prevent movement.

What is he up to?

He smiled a little as they came to a stop. He judged they were practically in the middle of the lounge room and he purred softly at the scent of cooked fish in his nares.

"Addy? What are you up to? Did you cook dinner again? Is that all?"

The weight across his beak lifted, his body released and his tail slowly began to sway back and forth.

"I know yesterday was hard for you--seeing Azlin run off like that. It was a hard day for both of us. You have the dance tomorrow, and we all know you've been feeling nervous," Adalard said.

All know?

"So open your eyes Kraai and look around."

The black gryphon drew in a breath and slowly blinked open his eyes. There in his small lounge room, all squashed up together were his friends, his family and dance teachers; the community. They were all there, banner in paws. He recognised each of their signatures and the drawings done by the fledges of the town all over it and a huge message in the middle that read; 'Good luck Kraai'.

Eyes watering a little, the male turned around to look at Adalard and he reached forward to embrace him. Adalard returned the hug, wrapping an arm around his friend.

"I wanted to thank you and wish you good luck for tomorrow so a brought everyone here, just for this short five minutes. I saw how well your dancing was going and I guess I organised this thing for you. It was rather rushed but... I'm hoping you'll like it. Hoping it will remind you of all the hard work you put in just for this one girl. If she doesn't show up tomorrow she's a fool."

Kraai buried his head into the golden mane that flowed from under his chin to Adalard's middle and began to cry quietly. "I love you..."

"Love you too handsome," he purred with a grin, gently rubbing the top of his friend's head with his chin while everyone watched.

"Hey, don't call me that," Kraai mumbled, reaching up with his tail to rub the top of his head, flattening the lion-hawk gryphon's spiked feather mohawk.

"You called me Addy though, Angel-voice," he chuckled, "So hush or I'll make you sing a song without my sick drum beats."

"Shut up and enjoy the hug," he mumbled, "Before I pull away."

He laughed, nodding his head. "But one more thing, remember, stay out of your head at the dance, and don't speak. Then, dude, she's yours; all you have to do is dance."

***

It was the evening of the dance. Kraai's heartbeat pumped fast with anticipation as well as fear. Would she even be there? He sighed. He wished Adalard was here walking with him. But he would meet him at the dance. His friend hopped to arrive early to find himself a dance partner. He wished him luck.

Every step he took across the dirt path was one-step closer to the hall in which the dance was located. One part of him wished he was already there, ready to dance, but another part of him wished the path would magically grow so he would never reach the dance. Maybe he could _accidentally_miss a turn and take a detour towards one of the four ancient castles that surrounded the village. He didn't want to have to walk up that mountain. What if he fell from the cliffs surrounding the hall? And the wobbly bridge, surely that was unsafe. Why didn't they build the town hall in the middle of town like a normal village? For once he wished he was Winged so he wouldn't fall to his death. Maybe that would make him more attractive too. Big black wings popping out from his back and his body bathed in beautiful gowns. One of the huge downsides though is they would take away the freedom of music and put him in the choir. He couldn't yell in that. He liked singing, especially rock so he could scream out his lyrics. But, the choir wouldn't be all that bad, since he didn't mind acoustic stuff too much.

He drew in a deep breath and took the turnoff towards the hall. He was going to do this even if it was the last thing he'd ever do. All you have to do is dance, Adalard's voice whispered into his head and he repeated them under his breath. All the effort (and his paychecks) he'd put into dancing, and the community who had taught him would be wasted if he backed down now. He decided to push through to the end, even if he didn't get Azlin. He had to try at least.

The dark pine building was close now; he'd crossed the shaky bridge and saw the great line up ahead. Women, children men and couples all stood, begging for entrance like a seagull for a potato chip. He saw that they'd already let few in--including Adalard presumably. He scanned the crowd for the albino colours of Azlin's coat but he did not find her. Is she even coming?

Kraai's heart skipped a beat and he took a few deep breaths to calm himself. If she doesn't come she doesn't deserve me--even if what she saw the other day shook her to the bone.

Finally finding the end of the line, he took his place and waited. The line was still for a long time but when the clock struck six-thirty, the doors ahead of him swung open and the crew let the dancers in one by one.

Once inside, Kraai looked around for anyone he knew. Both Adalard and Azlin were nowhere to be seen, a needle in a haystack. He sighed a little, throat tightening as he moved through the waves of the crowd. The music would start any minute--or apparently three seconds. First, they were playing music for the fledges and the younger ones. But as the night went on the music would morph into something the older gryphons could dance to. He would have to wait.

***

It was nine o'clock, most of the fledges had left and more than half the crowd had gone. It was after finding and talking with Adalard that he found Azlin.

Kraai watched as Azlin walked into the building, her body adorned in a beautiful light rose dress and he watched her search the crowd. She was looking for him. She wore no makeup other than soft pink highlights to match her dress.

The black gryphon looked down at his own body, tidied his red tie, and shuffled the rose in his shirt pocket to make it sit better. She looks amazing... if only I had a better suit. Then maybe I'd look presentable compared to her.

His cheeks flushed a soft red under his black feathers as her gaze met his and he watched her walking towards him. She stopped just in front of him. Kraai reached out, gently taking her paw in his own, and raising it to his beak where he gave it a gentle nuzzle before returning it to its owner. All you have to do is dance.

"I-I didn't think you were coming," Kraai murmured softly but his eyes didn't leave the diamonds of hers.

"Of course, I came, even, even if--"

"Please, don't mention that. Just dance with me, please," he whispered, looking down and fiddling with the golden ring on his left ear.

"I really think--"

Before she could finish her sentence, he reached forward, gently pulling her body into his own and moving onto the dance floor. "Trust me, please. Forget what happened. I don't want to talk about it... let's just have some fun. I'll explain later."

For the moment, she listened, letting him hold her as they danced. He avoided her feet, one-step after the other in a little circle. Her eyes never left his own but the sparkle that was once there had gone. Anxiety prickled his feathers, he stumbled upon one of her paws and she yelped. He quickly apologised but she pulled away. "Kraai we really need to talk," she whispered.

He avoided her gaze, eyes widening in fear and he shook his head. "I-I can't. Please. Just enjoy the dance." When he lifted his head, he saw the tears in her eyes, his own anxiety reflecting from her. She turned away.

Kraai's heart skipped a beat. Had he lost her? Had all this been for nothing? He watched her leave the building and just stood there, a tear rolling down his cheek. Not one gryphon had stopped to look at him, as if he was invisible, blank ink on dark paper.

A paw came down on his shoulder and Adalard's voice from behind spoke softly and gently.

"Go talk to her. Show her your emotions share your tears and explain to her and then, maybe she'll dance with you again." No, of course, he was not alone. Adalard would always be there for him, and in return, he would always be there for him.

"All you have to do is dance..." Kraai said softly and snorted. "That's what you said."

"That's all you have to do. Just cheer her up first," he chuckled, "Then stay out of your head."

***

"Hey."

Azlin's ears perked slightly and she sighed softly, wiping away her tears as the male sat down beside her.

Kraai drew in a breath and reached out to rest his paw on hers. "I'm really sorry... I just wanted us to enjoy the moment and for you to trust me. But I'm ready to talk about it now. I'm ready to tell you the whole story."

She slowly turned to face him and her eyes widened as she saw the tear marks on his face matching her own. "Y-you've been crying."

He nodded slowly. "So have you. I just thought to give you a bit of time to yourself, so I talked to Adalard and got some water. After a little while, I came here to see you."

"So," she began, "Why did you kiss her? You saw me, yet you still kissed her. You have no idea how much I cried that day."

"You have no idea home much I cried too. It was Nova, Adalard's ex. She... she was trying to use me to hurt Adalard. Then she spotted you and thought to ruin both our hearts..." Kraai began to tell the whole story to her, from seeing her in school, all the way until the current point in time. He left no detail out, from tears to the flutters of his heart. Over time, she relaxed and finally understood everything he had gone through just for a moment with his paws on her body and hers on his, the slow and steady rhythm singing bliss to their ears.

The two of them stood once the story was finished and slowly Kraai's fantasy unfolded. He rested his paw upon her shoulder and his other took her paw and held it in his own between them. Keeping his eyes aligned with hers, he slowly began to guide her around in a small circle. His heart bubbled and his eyes clouded with emotion. Out here, the quiet music from the hall gently caressed their ears. On a warm summer night like this, the two of them didn't even have to worry about the cold. Every step he took with her, every rotation they completed was another shout of glee, of bliss to their hearts. He didn't stumble over her paws but matched the rhythm perfectly. Then they stopped as the song finished. Everything around him blurred but her. Her beak inched closer to his. Cheeks flustered, he inched his own closer to hers and tilted his head ever so slightly, the opposite way of hers. She leaned in, he did too, their beaks bushed and they slid into a kiss.

A shock of electricity zapped his heart and he watched her melt into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her to hold her up despite his own knees shaking. A kiss of a gryphon was not a thing to often see, they were usually reserved, reserved for moments like this, not breaking your best friend's heart. After what could have been an eternity of sharing his heart with hers, they sank to the floor, resting beside the cliff on a small mound of dirt. Kraai laid on his back, her head on his chest and his arm around her body. They cuddled, watching the sky, the moon and the shining stars. She was finally his, and he was finally hers. She would be his girl and he would be her boy. They both knew it, and not a word had to be spoken about it. They loved each other, and that was that.