TACENDA // Technoblade X Reader

7

The ballroom was aglow - the chandeliers that you were so used to seeing empty, full of light and sparkling in the glow. The night sky outside the windows made the room feel smaller, or maybe it was that it was packed with people, when you were used to being the only one in the vicinity. The orchestra was playing a jaunty tune that floated down from their balcony like snow - fluffy and light. You spun around, laughing as you danced with Deirdre and Tarquin. 

Catching Tarquin's hand you spun him around so that he could grab onto Deirdre's hand. Forming a small circle, your danced around, spinning and crossing your steps in rhythm with the music. It was a dance you had done with the twins before, many times jut for fun, but it was different when you were all dressed in glimmering silks and the court members dancing around you kept throwing you curious glances. 

The song came to an end, and you stumbled into Deirdre, laughing as she caught you. The orchestra took a moment to regather and then started a slow waltz.

You regained your footing with a smile. "I'm going to get a drink." You said as the crowd of dancers around you shifted into pairs. 

"I guess that leaves you and I, brother dearest." Deirdre said, sweeping her brother up into a waltzing position. Tarquin laughed, and then they were off, moving in unison with the rest of the dancefloor. 

You made your way to the side of the room, where drinks sat out on empty tables. You grabbed a glass for yourself - downing all the champagne in one go. It was incredible how dancing could work up a thirst, but the champagne was sweet and pure, and reminded you exactly why there was dancing in the ballroom tonight. 

Your eyes wandered around the room. The twins, moving as one on the dancefloor. You watched them twirl, drawing every eye in the room. Watching them dance was like an optical illusion with the alcohol in your system. 

Your gaze moved again to find your brother, with the daughter of some noble on his arm. He looked bored as he waltzed her around, his eyes darting anywhere but the girl he danced with. You felt a little bad - but he had brought it upon himself really. If he didn't want to dance, he shouldn't have been flirting with her at the beginning of the night. 

A flash of pink caught your vision, as you spotted Lord Technoblade in the corner of the room, his eyes following the dancers from behind his mask. There was a stiffness in his stance that suggested he wasn't having a good time - and that would just not do. This celebration was because of the embassy after all. 

You set your empty glass aside and wandered over to him, bowing low once you reached him. 

"Lord Technoblade." You greeted, righting yourself. 

He nodded respectfully. "Just Technoblade is fine." He said. "Um, Y/N, right?"

You nodded, leaning against the wall next to him. "Are you enjoying the festivities?" You asked. 

"Well enough." Technoblade said. 

"Well, then would you care to join me on the dance floor?" You asked. 

His eyes darted away from yours, and a hand came up to push a strand of hair away from his mask. "I'm not much of a dancer-"

"Nonsense." You said, taking both of his hands and leading him out of the corner, towards the group of people in the center of the room. "I'm sure you can manage a simple waltz."

He followed along reluctantly, stopping with you at the edge of the dancers. You turned to him, placing one of his hands on your hip, and letting yours drape on his shoulder. The other was kept firmly clasped with yours, and you stepped into the fray, letting the crowd and the music sweep you along.

Technoblade's steps didn't falter once. 

"See?" You said, smiling up at him. "I told you, you could handle it."

"It wasn't a question of whether or not I could handle it." He said. 

You rolled your eyes lightly. "You have to dance at least one song. It's a celebration for you, it would be a waste if you didn't." Your eyes latched onto Lord Ilbertus as you passed him in the dance. He and the girl he was dancing with both looked mildly disgusted. "See, even Ilbertus is dancing."

Technoblade followed your gaze, and for a moment you could see a small smile peek out from underneath his mask. "He looks like he wants to die."

You laughed, spinning to the music. "You're not secretly thinking the same, are you?"

Technoblade moved his hand from your hip to the small of your back, pulling you a bit closer so that you could squeeze between two couples as you traveled the floor. "I guess it's not that bad." He said. 

"So you're enjoying it." You said smugly. 

"That's not what I said." Technoblade said. 

"You didn't have to." You replied. 

Technoblade huffed out a laugh, and you could see a peek of a smile again as he shook his head. 

You waltzed with him for a few more minutes, enjoying the gentle sway of the music and the talent of a partner who knew the steps to the dance. It was when the orchestra finished up the song that you found yourself on the edge of the dancefloor again, Technoblade letting you go and nodding politely. 

"Thank you for the dance." He said. "If you'll excuse me-"

"Can I have this dance as well?" You asked, grabbing his hand before he could slip away back into his corner. 

Technoblade hesitated, his eyes darting between you and the back of the room. 

"If you really would rather not, that's fine." You said. "But you dance well, and I had a nice time dancing with you."

Technoblade sighed. "I suppose... one more dance couldn't hurt."

You grinned and took his hands in your again, leading him to the dancefloor. 

At the end of the night, one more dance had lasted for six dances.