Circles

Part 6 - The Last Dance

This is the second chapter I've written for this story, based on a bit of fanart by my friend Cha0s. <3 

Morgrave University had just received the letter - their students were to be sent to the war front. And there was nothing they could do about it.

A day before the guard was meant to search for recruits, posters for a dance ended up plastered on the walls of the university. Milo disregarded as many of these as he could, but they were impossible to ignore. Each one reminded him of the war, his expected duties, what they were headed towards. It didn't take much time for everyone to start talking about the event and asking each other to the dance. He looked down and went to his room, closing the door behind him to get lost in his work.

Throughout the day, both Micheal and Reyna stopped by his room to convince him to join the dance. While their arguments made it tempting, the implications of the dance terrified him. He was not ready to say goodbye.

About half an hour before the dance was meant to start, he heard a soft knock on the door, followed by the sound of paper on the floor. He sighed and stood up to get the sheet, expecting a last attempt by one of his friends.

Instead, he smiled at a scrawled note: "I'll save a dance for you. - C"

... well, maybe he could join for a short time.

Milo still took the time to finish solving an equation before going to the event (nerd), and, as soon as he arrived, he realized he was the only one who didn't dress for the occasion.

Reyna and Micheal quickly found him, offered him some champagne and the three of them chatted for some time. It was surprisingly easy to forget the looming war.

After some time, the party music changed to something more akin to a waltz. Milo felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Corym there, bowing, a hand extended.

"Time to redeem my note?" He asked with a smile.

Milo took his hand.

And they danced.

Some people stared, others smiled. While people knew of them, they rarely displayed affection publicly. But this time, neither of them cared to be subtle.

While Corym led most of the dance, Milo took over just to try it out for a moment. He was clumsy but tried his best and, in a surge of rare bravery, he tipped Corym.

In the distance, the sound of a war-borne explosion.

They were both taken aback, and their eyes locked (is that even a thing idek). Their laughs dimmed as reality settled in around them. Worry settled into their eyes.

"I would have waited longer before saying this, Milo, but-" started Corym

"Don't-". Interjected Milo.

"- I love you"

"Just don't go- what?" He drew Corym back up.

"Its true. It's as true as the stars, this place, the wind, the war. It's certain as my fate tomorrow-"

"I- I do too. I love you."

The two stared at each other, smiling slightly through the threat of tears.

Milo drew Corym close. He knew there was no convincing him not to fight, or to go into hiding with him. He knew he was a warrior at heart, and understood he would regret hiding from conscription forever.

"I understand, Corym."

"Took you long enough, Mi"

Disregarding onlookers, they shared a sort, soft kiss and stayed in a comfortable, safe embrace for as long as they needed.

Once their tears had dried, the pair joined Reyna and Micheal, and the four of them found a quiet balcony to sit on, and enjoyed champagne and laughs together until dawn.

Milo woke up later that morning, still on the balcony, with Corym in his arms, from a rare, dreamless sleep.