𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘 • 𝐁𝐋

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏

𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝘁.𝟐

As the music swirled around them and Y/N found himself lost in the enchanting rhythm of the waltz, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mind if I cut in?" Theo's eyes sparkled with adoration as he extended his hand towards Y/N.

Y/N hesitated, glancing uncertainly at Kalix, who had been his dance partner for the evening. It would seem rude to refuse Theo's request, but at the same time, he didn't want to upset Kalix, who had been nothing but gracious company thus far.

Kalix's expression tightened, a subtle flicker of annoyance crossing his features. He shot a pointed glare in Theo's direction, but ultimately, he relented.

"Of course," Kalix replied with forced politeness, stepping aside to allow Theo to take Y/N's hand. There was a tension in the air as Theo led Y/N away, and Kalix's gaze followed them with a watchful intensity.

Y/N couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he allowed himself to be swept away by Theo's interruption but still happy to get to dance with his childhood friend. He exchanged a quick, apologetic glance with Kalix before turning his attention back to Theo.

As Theo twirled Y/N around the dance floor, his eyes never strayed from his oblivious companion. Despite the facade of lighthearted dance, Theo's heart clenched with possessive longing, his gaze fixed solely on Y/N.

"So, Y/N, fancy meeting you here, dancing with another man already and here I though you would ask me to be your partner." Theo feigns hurt while guiding Y/N through the intricate steps of the dance with practiced ease.

Y/N chuckled, though confusion clouded his expression. "Huh!? You were the one who was all mushy with a girl last time, leaving your best friend alone in the dark," Y/N's inner voice screamed, though he managed to keep up the playful banter. "Well, I thought you already had a partner, ya know."

Pouting slightly at the memory of Theo's interaction with the girl, Y/N couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. Here he was, still navigating the complexities of romance at the academy, while Theo seemed to effortlessly attract attention from all sides.

"A partner? You know you'll always be my first choice in everything. I tried to find you to ask you to be my partner, but I haven't seen you," Theo explained, his words tinged with a hint of hurt that Y/N couldn't quite place.

"But I saw you talking to a girl last time," Y/N replied, his tone softening as he realized he might have misunderstood the situation.

Theo's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features before he quickly regained his composure. "Oh, her? Just a girl my parents are trying to betroth me to and unfortunately, I was forced to become her partner to this ball since I can't find you" he replied guardedly, his eyes avoiding Y/N's gaze. Count Montague had expressed his desire to betroth Alana to Theo, but Theo simply saw her as an annoying fly, and now his dear Y/n misunderstands something.

"Well, sorry about that, I thought you two were a thing—--Ah, she's girl who pulled you when we were young," Y/N recalled their parents discussing the betrothal arrangements of Theo.

"Yeah, but enough about her. Let's talk about you," Theo said, redirecting the conversation with a tinge of annoyance coloring his tone as he remembered the encounter with the persistent girl, though his eyes still held a hint of longing as they met Y/N's.

Y/N shrugged, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, there's really nothing special about my days, Theo," he replied, his gaze wandering over the crowded ballroom.

"I beg to differ, with flies always buzzing around you whenever I'm away," Theo muttered under his breath, his expression tightening slightly as he recalled the sight of Y/N dancing with another gentleman earlier in the evening, though his words went unheard by Y/N amidst the music and laughter.

"Huh? What was that?" Y/N asked, leaning closer to hear Theo over the din of the ballroom.Theo chuckled softly, masking his irritation with practiced ease. "Oh, nothing, just admiring the decor," he quipped, gesturing vaguely at the ornate chandeliers overhead.

Y/N raised an eyebrow skeptically but decided not to press further. "Right, because that's what one does at a ball," he remarked with a playful smirk.

Theo grinned, his gaze lingering on Y/N with a warmth that went unnoticed. "Well, one can't help but admire the finer things in life, especially when they're right in front of you," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sincerity.

Y/N laughed, a genuine smile brightening his features. "Smooth, Theo. You should consider a career in flattery," he teased, nudging Theo playfully with his elbow.

Theo's grin widened, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. "Flattery? Please, Y/N, I speak nothing but the truth," he replied, his tone light but his gaze unwavering.

Y/N rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Of course, how could I forget?" he said, his voice laced with amusement.

As Y/N continued dancing with Theo, the weariness of the evening began to seep into his bones. Despite the vibrant energy of the ballroom, each step felt heavier than the last. His eyes drifted toward Kalix, engrossed in conversation with a noble across the room. When Kalix caught his glance, Y/N subtly gestured toward the quieter area where Damien oversaw the proceedings.

Theo's gaze followed Y/N's gesture, his features softening with understanding, though a subtle tension lingered in his frame, especially as his eyes narrowed at the sight of Damien. "Feeling a bit worn out, are we?" he teased gently, offering Y/N a supportive arm as they made their way towards the designated seating area.

Y/N chuckled softly, grateful for Theo's understanding. "My feet are killing me from all the dancing," he confessed with a wry smile.

Theo's eyes flickered with a hint of possessiveness as he noticed Damien approaching. "Tired, Y/N?" he inquired, offering a hand to help Y/N settle into one of the plush chairs. His gaze flickered briefly to Theo, a subtle challenge in his eyes.

Suppressing a surge of irritation at Damien's audacity, Theo maintained a polite façade. "Just taking a moment to catch our breath," he replied.

Y/N offered Damien a polite nod, though his attention remained fixed on Theo. Despite the weariness weighing him down, there was a certain comfort in Theo's presence, a familiarity that eased the ache of fatigue.

Damien lingered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Y/N with a intensity that did not go unnoticed by Theo. Sensing the tension, Theo cleared his throat, subtly drawing Damien's attention away. "I believe Y/N could use a drink, he is very exhausted" he interjected smoothly, his tone polite but tinged with a subtle warning.

Damien's lips twitched in a wry smile, though his eyes flashed with something unreadable before he acquiesced, disappearing into the crowd with a murmured promise to return. As he melted into the sea of students, Theo turned his attention back to Y/N, a protective edge in his gaze that went unnoticed by the oblivious young man beside him.

Y/N offered Theo a grateful smile as he settled into the chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over him. "Thanks, Theo. I appreciate you looking out for me," he said sincerely, his tone laced with genuine gratitude.

Theo waved off the gratitude with a casual flick of his hand. "Of course, anything for you," he replied, his tone warm with genuine affection.

As they sat together, Y/N's mind began to wander, and he found himself curious about Theo's own circumstances. "So, Theo, where's your partner? Don't you want us to be properly introduced?" he asked, gesturing subtly towards the dance floor.

Theo's expression darkened slightly at the question, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features before he masked it with a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, she's around," he replied vaguely. "Just busy with some other guests, I suppose. And believe me, you wouldn't want to be introduced to her, she's very annoying."

"More annoying than me?" Y/N asked with mock offense, a playful glint in his eyes.

Theo chuckled warmly, shaking his head. "Impossible," he replied with a grin. "You're one of a kind, Y/N."

Y/N laughed, the sound genuine as he felt a surge of affection for his friend. "That's what I like to hear," he said, playfully nudging Theo's arm. "You always know how to boost my ego."

Theo's smile widened, his eyes softening with fondness. "Someone's got to keep you in check," he teased, his tone light but filled with genuine warmth.

As they shared a laugh, Y/N's expression turned thoughtful. "You know, it sucks that Uncle and Auntie betrothed you to someone you didn't like," he said, a hint of sympathy in his voice. "But I guess that's just the way of the nobles, always trying to build more connections."

Theo's smile faltered slightly at the mention of his betrothal, a shadow passing over his features before he quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug. "Yeah, well, it is what it is," he replied, though his tone belied the underlying frustration he felt.

"What about you?" Theo continued, changing the subject. "Did your parents mention anything about potential betrothals for you?"

Y/N's expression grew somber at the mention of his parents, a flicker of sadness crossing his features before he masked it with a forced smile. "No, not really," he replied, his tone carefully neutral. "My parents always said they wanted me to marry someone I loved, but... well, who knows what the future holds."

Theo's gaze softened with sympathy as he listened to Y/N's response, but beneath the facade of concern lurked a darker emotion. A surge of possessiveness tightened his chest at the mere thought of Y/N being betrothed to someone else, someone who wasn't him. He pushed the unsettling feeling aside, masking it with a reassuring smile.