Harry/Ron drabble: Crossed Signals, PG-13

[icarus]

This was written for tinderblast who had an an alternate reason for Harry's dating habits in Helen's Close Enough:


Crossed Signals
by Icarus


Harry cringes, unsure what else to say. Ron's hand is warm and slightly sweaty as it slides off his back and leaves behind cold air; the short distance between them suddenly seems like miles. Harry looks up to find that stung expression on his best friend's face.

He tries to explain, "Sorry, um... you're a great friend. But - but I don't - I can't think of you that way."

"Oh."

Ron scuffs his shoe as they stand in the yard behind the Burrow, quiet a long moment.

"Just so you know, I'm not like that."

"Right."

"Just keep that in mind." Ron wags his finger.

"Okay."

There's another long silence that neither of them have the heart to break. Starlings chatter in the trees above them, then scatter across the sunset. Ron squints up at the sky.

"Your mom's making dinner --" -- "I think it's dinner time," they both say at the same time, and then laugh, embarrassed.

They turn to head inside, the warm glow of the Weasley kitchen beckoning gold against the twilight blue. Fred and George are upstairs, arguing happily as they throw things at each other. It seems like another distant world from the outside. Pebbles crunch underfoot.

"I don't suppose you've heard of The Centaur Club," Harry begins, shyly looking at the ground. "Because, um, Saturday they're having a special..."

Ron turns to him with a shocked laugh. "You said you didn't like bars!"

"I didn't think you'd like someplace like The Centaur," Harry shrugs.

"Huh." Ron stares off into space a moment. Then he nods. "Sure. Saturday's good."

Then he chuckles, nudging Harry's shoulder playfully. "So... Charlie, eh?"

Comments

[webbapettigrew.livejournal.com]

Aw...poor Ron. Hard enough to try and tell Harry how he feels, but it's even worse when you lost to your brother...

[satinvalkyrie.livejournal.com]

That was very sweet and awkward and reminded me uncomfortably and uncannily of my own adolescence. What a lovely little bit.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Ohhh. That really rang true.

[jaig.livejournal.com]

*pokes them both*

[boniblithe.livejournal.com]

All right!!!!!!!!!!! Go Charlie! *whistles*

(sorry ron)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The worst part is that Harry knows that Charlie is completely disinterested in men. But, well, one heartbreak per story, right? It doesn't make Harry any more available for Ron.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Whoa.

And -- whoops. But at least he and Harry have a new avenue for their friendship. Though it's going to be awkward for a few days now.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

reminded me uncomfortably and uncannily of my own adolescence.

Oooh. Wonderful, what a compliment. That's exactly what it's supposed to be: very real.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I have to thank tinderblasst for this. It was really her idea. As was Far Too Personal (http://www.percyfest.muse-wanted.com/icarus_fiction/stories/fartoopersonal.html) and...

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*They squirm and giggle like poppin' fresh dough.*

Icarus (who has seen too many commercials...)

[satinvalkyrie.livejournal.com]

It was. It was extremely real. The way it was written required virtually no suspension of disbelief. It felt almost like watching a moment from my own life as an out of body experience. It rather shook me.

:)

~SV

[jaig.livejournal.com]

Pillsbury?

*pokes again*

[maelwaedd.livejournal.com]

Ee! That's so adorably cute. :) You rock.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*g* Thank you. Oddly, the people on ff.net didn't get it.

Icarus