James and Harry- Keeping Well

[palace-orlando.livejournal.com]

Harry took a sip of his beer, setting it well out of the way and turning the page of his book, determined to keep from getting sauce from the chicken wings on the pages this time.

James wandered back to his table, a large glass in hand. Sliding into his seat, he looked up and spotted Harry a few seats away. Smirking into his beer, he muttered under his breath and took a small sip from the glass.

Harry licked the sauce off his fingers, turning the next page and trying to decide whether he should have another plate, or whether Orlando would kill him for it later if he wasn't hungry at dinner time.

James shook his head and pressed a finger to a small scar just above his right temple. Chuckling to himself, he tilted his head to the side and let his eyes wander around the rest of the mostly empty room.

Turning his head as he heard the sound, Harry looked surprised, narrowing his eyes in recognition. Well isn't that interesting, he thought, taking another sip and looking at James.

James raised his head and smiled, nodding his head at Harry and taking another swig of his beer.

Bloody strange, that one, Harry thought, considering letting Orlando know he was there, then deciding not to bother. "Afternoon," he said, voice clearly audible in the quiet room.

James smiled wider. "Afte'noon."

"Look like you're in a good mood," Harry observed.

"Oh, I'm alright. Yourself?"

"Can't complain," Harry fought the urge to frown, the whole conversation feeling off. "Keeping busy?"

"I am." James smirked. "New job. Not much, but then, can't complain."

"You're not with Wentworth anymore?" Harry was surprised.

"Nah. Got a new job elsewhere. Manager of a middle sized business, y'know. I'm considerin' affilitating the store with them, but it's a ton of paperwork."

"Huh. Well, good for you. Change can be good sometimes," Harry smiled. And sometimes it turns out that what you had was what was right for you all the time.

"True. How're you keepin'?" James asked, looking up from his beer.

"Really good. Excellent even. We're in the lull before things pick up again, retrieval wise."

James nodded. "And 'Lando?"

Harry stiffened a little, but shook it off quickly. "He's amazing," he said, unable to keep from smiling. "Busy. He's got Sean and another libertine to arrange public appearances for as Sean eases back."

James nodded again. "So he's busy as well then. "

"Yep. But he's always busy. Not that different for him." Harry answered, the whole conversation unnerving him.

James smiled. "You'll tell him I said hello, right?"

"Sure, if you like. You've not seen him yourself?" Harry frowned.

"Not for a while."

Good "Okay. I'll tell him you've got a new job. And the hello."

James smiled and finished his glass. "Well, I'm off, got a lot of work to do. Nice seein' you."

"You too," Harry said automatically, watching as James walked out of the pub.

Except really not.