Death Do Us Part

XXIII

As the orchestra plucks the first strings of a slow waltz, Oraios breathes to calm her husband. 

"Breathe with me," she says. "It'll help you relax and improve our performance."

Luffy follows her breaths as they calm down together. He even brought Lovely to mind and imagined what she was wearing and where she could be in the ballroom. Would she be watching them with glee or with bittersweet longing? He looks back down at Oraios. 

I'm here with Oraios again after two years, he thought. It's fair I should dance with her before Lovely.

A violin sings a soft, romantic melody as the strings of a cello and a harp are plucked in the background. 

Oraios turns her back to Luffy, extending her arms to connect his hands with hers. Oraios breathed as she moved two steps to the left and another two to the right. Luffy carefully follows, ensuring not to catch a swatch of maroon fabric under a boot or two. Oraios gasps when she feels Luffy's fingers unconsciously intertwine with hers. 

He releases a hand from hers and twirls her around gently to meet his face. They return to their original position, taking box steps around the ballroom.

Oraios studies her husband's face. His eyes weren't looking around for Lovely. His eyes were connected to hers with curiosity. He wanted to uncover the mystery behind that mask and see her face again. When he reaches a hand to the side of her mask, she turns her back to him again, gripping his hands. His arms are wrapped around her over her bodice. She sways from side to side, following the other couples with their partners.

"Oraios, why won't you let me see your face?" Luffy asks.

"Revealing my face would ruin the purpose of a masquerade, would it not?" Oraios asks, looking up at him over her shoulder. "I'll bring attention to myself as a bright candle does to a dark room. I prefer to stay in the mystery of the darkness around us for now. But, in due time, I will reveal myself."

Luffy slowly turns her to face him. Oraios wraps an arm around his shoulder like a vine. Her hand rests on his back, feeling the thick material of his coat. She bends her wrist, slowly gliding her hand up and down. Luffy breathes softly. His gaze locked on hers. What felt like a supernatural force pulled his head closer to hers. Oraios looked up at him with a light blush on her cheeks. Their foreheads touched, and their masks brushed against each other at the bridges of their noses. Their eyes become half-lidded as each small breath puffed against the other's lips.

Before their lips could meet, Oraios spun out of his grasp. Luffy catches her hand and squeezes it gently, prompting her to look at him. Oraios slowly walks back to him. His other hand finds her waist. She picked up a part of her skirt as they traveled around the ballroom in a gliding fashion. Oraios's breath grew heavy with every step, every twirl, and every grasp that kept her from falling away through Luffy's fingers like dust. 

The old lovers were drawn together like moths to a burning flame. A flame they once shared in the chill of winter, the heat of summer, the blooms of spring, and the gales of autumn. They would give anything to rekindle that flame.

If only he could try again. . .

Usopp and Kaya watch the couple over their shoulders as they dance, exchanging a knowing glance. 

"They're dancing," Kaya whispers with a smile.

Usopp looks at her with a worried look. "I just hope he won't react badly to the deception once it's been revealed."

Kaya places a hand on his cheek to reassure him. Usopp nestles into her touch, blushing warmly. Kaya smiles and giggles softly at the sight. 

"He won't," she says. "His shock will subside. Just like Oraios's."