The Twin Dragons - Page 2

The Twin Dragons
by Montréal Merman (Part 2)

Liam was a strong silent type when put next to his brother. Finn was still getting to know the adorable dork, but he was wicked smart and studying at McGill to become a doctor… maybe? Now that Finn was thinking about it, that didn’t sound quite right.

“So, is this where the guys go after work?”

“It is now.” Liam plastered on a grin.

“Now?” Finn wondered out loud.

Leon cleared his throat in response which signaled to Liam to hold his breath as he was about to speak. The two shared a very quick exchange of glances, and even Ian seemed to pick up on some secret signal as he made his way to close a different table. Finn made a note to ask the Geminis about super twin powers another time.

“Well, there was—is a different joint we all used to go to. But since the break-up, there was a need for space.” Liam explained, looking at Finn. Finn gave a confused expression and Liam didn’t seem at all compelled to explain further as he took his first gulp of his margarita. And then it was like Liam just remembered something. “Shit, wasn’t Alek working tonight?”

“Yup.” Leon smacked his lips together and then nodded towards Finn. “And I haven’t told this one yet.”

“I see.” Liam stated. Finn hid his puzzled expression behind his glass as he tipped the first gulp down his throat. Damn, Ian’s a good bartender. After a second or two of Leon just smiling politely at his brother, Liam finally turned to Finn with a sigh.

“Alek and I used to date. He dumped me about five months ago.”

Finn instinctively bit his lower lip. It was tough hearing those words, not because he knew Liam that well, but because of Finn’s own break-up. He was brought back to when that bomb first dropped. Fuck that hurt, and to be honest it still did—but before Finn got to thinking about it too much Ian popped by again with his own heavy sigh.

“Slow night tonight.” He blew a raspberry through pursed lips and leaned against one of the booth’s pillars, just next to and behind Leon.

“Yea, you can stand and talk with us if you like. We’re just catching Finn up on the goss at work.” Liam offered.

“Always more exciting than the drama happening here, I promise you that.” Ian smiled. “Finn knows about you and the God of Thunder?” Liam shook his head slowly and Ian let out a small hum.

“I’m sorry to hear—uh… oh wait! So it really wasn’t me tonight!” It took Finn awhile to connect the dots, but then he beamed as the relief washed over him.

Liam looked to Leon to catch him up, and Leon jumped into recapping the night at the cabaret. Hearing Leon talk about it was really enlightening, it was exactly how Finn had experienced it. With Alek being so distant between shows, not being talkative and even bolting without a proper goodbye once they were closed. When Liam was caught up, he gave Finn a sympathy grin and patted him on the shoulder. “Was big red afraid the Viking didn’t like him?”

“No!” Finn lied, before looking at all the knowing smirks around him and then backtracked. “Ok yea, but it wasn’t like that. I’m—” He shrugged his shoulders, exasperated, “—the new guy, guys, it’s important to me that I do well at Bara. It’s my brother’s baby and it’s my… well it’s just something I want to do good at.”

“A distraction from your own break-up maybe?” Leon was leaning on the table, having just put down his empty glass and he stuck the knuckle of his thumb between his teeth. He wagged his eyebrows in response to Finn’s flushed face. He spotted Ian taking a step closer to him, consoling him with a slow pat on his shoulder.

“You can always just tell them to stop if they’re being too mean to you, Finn.” Ian said as if offering a “Get out of Jail free” card.

“No, it’s fine. But, how did you—?” Finn blinked his eyes a few times. Remembering again that Leon was the assistant manager. “Sean told you.”

Leon’s face winced as if he was actually sorry he knew too much about Finn’s personal life. “Yea, when he mentioned you were coming to work with us I asked, ‘Why now all of sudden?’”

“Oh…That—that makes sense I guess.” Finn shuffled in his seat a bit.

“Shit, did I just spoil the mood?” Leon asked, and Ian walked off to yet another table to settle their tab.

“Nah, it’s just…” Finn stretched his neck one way and then the next. “…can we talk about something else?”

“Amen!” Said Liam, but Finn wasn’t sure if it was meant to express agreement or celebration as Ian returned with the new set of drinks.

“Anyway,” Liam started up again. “Alek and are in a no-contact phase for right now. Something I asked for and he protested, but ultimately respects. It’s not easy for him, worse I’m sure because my brother is his boss in a way. So, that might be why it was super awkward tonight. I’m sure he likes you just fine, don’t worry about that. I’m sorry if you suffered.” Finn felt a gentle touch on his knee.

“Thanks Leon. Just knowing what was going on is enough. I feel a lot better.” Better now that I got another yummy drink, Finn put the glass to his lips quickly.

“Good.” Leon said, smacking the table.