Oneshot collection

A waltz on the balcony

Music played through the night, its sweet melodies filling the entire hall. Couples danced across the main floor, dresses swaying in unison as the female partners dance, and footsteps barely making a sound as they moved in sync. Light chatter filled the evening, a pleasant hum in the air accompanying the music. Those who were not dancing were in their groups, making small talks and enjoying drinks.

All save one.

A lone woman stood by the balcony, leaning against the railing as she stared out at the scenery before her. Every detail did not escape her deep blue eyes and sharp ears, the stars twinkling in the inky sky, the shining reflection of the full moon against the rippling waves of the sea, the glimmering lights of the city sparkling below, as well as the sounds of chatter and music from the hall behind her and the honking of cars in the streets below. She closed eyes, feeling the breeze as it swept by her, sending her backless dress of deep violet fluttering with it along with her raven hair. A barely noticeable smile could be seen across her lips.

But it soon faded when she caught the sound of footsteps from behind her.

"Date ditched you?"

She didn't jump in surprise when a familiar voice spoke from behind her. And she didn't even have to look behind to see the smirk accompanying that statement. Opening her eyes once more, she turned around to see her partner standing few feet from her. Like her, he was dressed in a formal attire, though with a few exceptions of a few top buttons of his dress shirt unbutton and his hands in his pockets in a very casual manner. Just like her assumption, there was a small smirk on his face.

"Whoever it is must have one hell of an excuse," he commented, walking towards where she stood to lean against the railing a few inches from her. She turned to gaze back to landscape.

"He better be," She muttered after a moment, not looking at him, "seeing as he's standing right next to me after disappearing for an hour." she directed her eyes towards him as she said this.

He let a nervous chuckle escaped him, an apologetic gleam in his grey eyes. "Sorry. I got lost trying to come back here from the restroom." There was a twinkle in his eyes as he said this, one she knew all too well of the meaning behind it. But she nodded to keep up her charade.

Things were silent for the moment, save for the sounds of the hall behind them. And to be honest she preferred it that way. She continued to gaze into the far out sea, the dark sky perfectly blending into the sea, like black ink bleeding into the clear waters.

"You look beautiful by the way,"

This time she was really surprised, not expecting him to say anything, much less a statement such as that. A part of her figured that it was just his charade speaking, but when she turned to look at him, she found him staring at her intently, a gentle look in his eyes and a soft smile on his face. He was speaking the truth, no charade involved.

And it made her blush slightly.

"T-Thank you," she said softly, mentally smacking herself for stuttering and losing her charade as she brought the translucent shawl closer to her almost shyly. "You don't look too bad yourself." She complemented in return.

He said nothing to that.

Suddenly unable to look at him in the eye, she turned back to look at the view, trying to direct her eyes at anywhere but him. She tried to change the subject, "How long will it be until the main performance?"

Her partner took a glance at the watch hidden under his sleeve. "Not much longer. Just one more song."

She nodded.

A minute later, the music that still drifted out to them then changed. It was a waltz. A beautiful and almost sorrowful one. The song lulled her into a trance-like state and she could not help but sway with the tune, almost closing her eyes as she listened to the music. Her partner watched her from the corner of his eyes and could not help but smile again.

He grasped one of her hands gently, forcing her to a stop and she opened her eyes to look at him in surprise and confusion. Gently pulling her away from the edge, he led her to the center of the balcony before getting down on one knee before her. Sapphire blue eyes widen further.

Her hand still in his, he kissed the back of it softly, "May I have this dance?" he gently squeezed her hand as he said this.

She was speechless for a moment. Nothing could prepare her for this. A part of her wondered once more if it was his charade speaking, but when she saw the gentle look in his eyes, with a hint of nervousness, the soft smile on his face once more, she knew that once again, this was not an act.

She decided then, just for this moment, to strip off her charade and her eyes softened.

She gave him a warm smile. "It would be my pleasure," she responded, light squeezing his hand in return. His molten silver eyes softened even further and his smile widened a bit before standing up to his full height and bringing her closer to him.

They began to sway to the quiet waltz, shifting left and right and he twirled her around before pulling her back close to him. They did this back and forth, never pulling away from each other and they kept their gazes locked onto each other the whole time they dance. Even though it was only the two of them on the balcony, it felt like they were the only ones in the world, dancing beneath the night sky. They soon found themselves changing positions, letting him hold her closer and her hands resting against his chest. They just swayed to the music, not doing any more than that.

She rested her head against his shoulder, detecting a faint scent of cologne on him which gave her a calming sensation and she let out a contented sigh, relaxing against her partner. He, in turn, tightened his arms around her and rest his head on top of hers. He let out a sigh as well, feeling for the first time, at peace. Holding her close, he wished for this moment to never end.

She lifted her head, causing him to do the same and he turned to look at her. Molten silver meeting sapphire blue, they could not help but be captivated by that one gaze. They found themselves leaning in, the female slowly closing her eyes as he leaned in painstakingly slow...

But then the music soon faded to an end, and with that the alarm in his watch began beeping, snapping the two out of whatever trance they were in and they pulled away completely, both feeling disappointment and confusion.

He cleared his throat, "Looks like it's time," he started looking back at the watch. Putting his charade back on, he turned back to her, "You ready?" He asked the softness in his eyes no longer seen.

Pushing away the strange sinking feeling in her chest, she quickly got a grip on her senses as she too, pulled herself together. The coldness entering her once warm blue eyes once more, she gave him a sharp nod.

"Let's go."