Linked AU One-Shots

34. Moonlight Dance (Joyful June 22)

Prompt: Moonlight

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

When Wars grabbed Hyrule's hand and forced him to his feet, he felt his stomach drop. It was around midnight, and the full moon shone its light so that the world seemed to have a mystical glow to it. When it came to late nights like this one, guards were lowered. Some things would be said that wouldn't normally be said. 

And right now, Hyrule had regretted ever mentioned how the moonlight reminded him of the ballroom dances at the castle. The ones that he'd hide by the refreshment area, hiding behind the lie that he was tired from dancing and beyond thirsty to dance with Zelda or the other Zelda, or any fair maiden who wished to dance with the Hero. 

Why did he ever have to admit he didn't have a clue as to how to dance?

Wars claimed Roolie's free hand as well, moving it so that it rested on Wars' side. "Once you learn the basics, it won't be so bad. You'll see. Just follow my lead, okay?" The Captain asked as he rested his own hand on the other's shoulder.

Nervousness rose in Roolie's throat, but he swallowed and nodded. "Alright." he agreed. Wars started, slowly at first. Hyrule tried to copy him, following his long strides as their joined hands extended. Hyrule found that he kept tripping over his feet, but Wars kept his eyes locked on him with a gentle smile. 

"You're doing great." He assured as he led the both of them in a circle. His motions were so smooth though, and Hyrule's so clumsy.

"But--"

"It's your first time. You're going to make mistakes." Wars assured. "Did you think I was born knowing how to dance?"

Hyrule's lip quirked into a sort of grin. "er-- yes?" he asked half jokingly. It was enough to make both of them laugh. 

"You know, the first time I danced, it was with Artemis the night before my very first ball. I admitted that I didn't know how to dance, so she offered to help me practice. And do you know what happened?" Wars asked him, keeping his eyes on the Traveller still. 

The moonlight caught his eyes, making them shine in a way that accentuated his fair skin and handsomeness. Yes, he looked exactly like someone who would be at a ball, unlike Hyrule in his plain clothes, freckles on his cheeks and messy hair. Hyrule shook his head, trying to toss the thought aside. "No." He replied.

"I stepped on my scarf, tripped and sent us both to the floor." Wars replied. They both burst out laughing at that. 

"And you did that with the princess?!" 

"Four times, in fact!" Wars exclaimed, and they both laughed all the more. Hyrule felt himself ease as a result, and the steps were beginning to fall into place without as much effort as before. He had to take his hand away from Wars' side to wipe away a stray tear before he himself could calm down. When he opened his eyes, he found that Wars had stopped laughing before he had, his eyes still holding that gentleness from before. "That being said though, you're doing great for your first time. And we can practice every night until you can dance in your sleep."

Hyrule felt as his lips tugged at a smile of his own. "I... Thank you Wars. Really." He replied.

"Of course." The Captain assured. "Now, how about you try to spin me around?"

The two of them would dance to the sound of crickets until the moonlight faded, until they could hardly make out each others' faces in the darkness. And when they returned to the fire and climbed in their bedrolls, Hyrule dreamt of dances. Not ones where he hid in plain sight, but ones where he danced with every person on the dancefloor as though he belonged there. No, he did belong there. And, it was fun.

He couldn't wait until he attended his next dance.