Tales Untold

Dance Lessons

Kai's legs bounced up and down under the desk as he waited for the clock hand to strike noon. He had been waiting for this day for weeks, and the time could not have dragged any slower.

Cinder had agreed to come down to the Commonwealth for the annual peace ball, and was coming a few days early so that he could give her dance lessons. She had sounded less than ecstatic when she had agreed, but Kai was overjoyed.

It wasn't as though the two hadn't talked at all since Kai had left Luna, quite the opposite. They had commed every single day, ranting about how dumb the other political leaders were and how they were glad that Levana was gone, but now Kai was actually going to see her in person.

In a matter of minutes, Kai would be able to hug Cinder, to kiss her and smell her scent again. He felt like an overexcited puppy as he checked the clock every two seconds, until Torin came into his office to tell him to come out and welcome their guests.

Kai tried to keep his composure as he half walked, half jogged down the hallway, and out to the landing pad at the back entrance of the palace. He was slightly disappointed to not see Cinder's ship once he got outside, but nearly squealed from excitement when he saw the shiny iridescent metal of a lunar ship glide onto the landing pad.

For a few minutes Kai waited in quiet anticipation, until the gate to the ship opened, and the love of Kai's life stepped out. Kai didn't even hesitate as he ran forward, and threw his arms around Cinder in the warmest embrace.

Cinder laughed as Kai hugged her, and squeezed the life out of him. They stood there for a long time, just holding each other, breathing each other in, feeling the physical presence of one another. It was one of the greatest moments of Kai's life.

***

"Okay, just step forward with your right foot now," Kai said patiently, and Cinder, looking down at her feet stepped forward with her left foot. "Other right" Kai laughed, earning a scowl from Cinder. They had been practicing for two hours already, and had made hardly any progress. Cinder was not a dancer, but Kai couldn't care less. He loved spending time with her, even if she was swearing at him half of the time.

They were doing a simple waltz. A box step, that Kai thought nobody could mess up. He was wrong. Cinder had said she could look up the steps on her internal computer, but it was clearly not helping, and Kai could tell that Cinder was getting frustrated.

"Maybe we should take a break?" Kai asked, a shy smile on his face. Cinder turned her agitated expression towards him, and broke into a relieved smile and nodded. Kai wrapped his arm around her waist and led her out of the ballroom, making a cheesy joke as they left, earning a laugh and sarcastic comment from Cinder.

The couple walked down the maze of hallways, and down to the kitchen. The palace was bright, and smelled of blossoms, even though it was the end of summer. Kai loved his palace, but being with Cinder made it all the better. He would go anywhere, just as long as he was with her.

"Kai?" Cinder asked, as they sat down at a table, where some of Kai's favorite snacks were layed out.

"Yeah?" Kai asked, grabbing a pudding package.

Cinder bit her lip and looked at the floor. "Do you think it's a good idea for me to go to the ball?" Cinder asked, her eyes worried. "I mean, I would love to go with you, but I'm just so clumsy, and after last year..."

Kai set down his pudding and grabbed Cinder's hand. "Hey," Kai said with a soft smile, "I think it's a great idea, you going to the ball. You are the Queen of Luna for all the stars, and my girlfriend?" Kai asked the last part, looking down, lost for words. Cinder laughed.

"Yeah, Kai, you can call me your girlfriend. If that's what we are." Cinder said, and Kai blushed.

"Whatever we are, it doesn't matter what other people think or want. I want you there, and I will give you as many dance lessons as it takes to get you there." Kai said, and Cinder groaned at the last part.

Kai stood up from his chair, and came over to stand next to Cinder. He bowed down and extended his hand. "May I have this dance?" he asked, as Cinder slid her hand into his. She rolled her eyes, but there was a smile playing at her lips that told him she wasn't actually annoyed with him.

Cinder put one hand on his shoulder and Kai put his on her waist. They danced around the dining area, and Cinder stepped on Kai's feet multiple times, but he didn't care. The small gasp that came from Cinder the first time he twirled her, and the laughs after his jokes made him more happy than he could ever express in words.

They danced around for an hour, completely forgetting the time, and sometimes singing songs while they danced, though that was mostly Kai. Eventually he turned on real music from off his port, and a slow song came on.

The two came close together, with Kai's arms around Cinder's waist, and Cinder's arms around Kai's neck. She layed her head down on his chest and closed her eyes as they swayed. Kai rested his face in Cinder's hair, and breathed in her scent, wishing he could freeze this perfect moment forever.

"Cinder?" Kai said, after the song had finished. They stayed wrapped in each other's arms, both not wanting to move.

"Hmm?" Cinder hummed into his chest. Kai wanted to laugh, she was nearly asleep while standing upright.

"I love you," Kai said, earning a shy smile from Cinder.

"I love you too." Cinder said sleepily. Kai felt his face blush, though he was not embarrassed. He stopped their swaying, and Cinder tilted her face up to look at him. He was only a few inches taller than her, but she she still had to look up. Kai leaned down and brushed his lips softly against hers, and felt hers moved against his.

The two kissed for a few seconds, before breaking apart. The duo smiled at each other like kids in love, and they were. They were just two teenagers who happened to rule two countries. Not the most typical circumstances, but the two still loved each other, and in the end, that's all that mattered.