How Did We Get Into This Mess - KOTLC Oneshots

The Crystal Dance Oneshot

Biana had worked her magic once again. Sophie didn't usually like dresses. Or dressing up at all. But the Foxfire Crystal Dance was a masquerade ball, and Biana repeatedly reassured Sophie nobody would recognize her. Sophie wasn't sure if that was an insult or a compliment.

Biana was an embodiment of perfection, pale pink rose quartz while Sophie was a dark Lapis Lazuli. The dance started when dusk had risen and Biana rushed into Foxfire, hundreds clamoring for her dance card. Sophie had opted out to stay in the garden. Sophie could never dance and she would only make a fool of herself.

She slipped off her Lapis Lazuli dance shoes and sat on a swing fashioned out of a wooden board and some rope. Sophie gave herself a small push, her toes curling in the grass. She was swaying back and forth until someone gently took her waist and pushed her higher. They continued for what felt like hours when Sophie jumped off and fell into the elf's arms.

She stared up at the mystery boy, noting his emerald-green attire. Tousled blond hair peeked out from his mask and the boy promptly dipped and they twirled through the night, levitating higher and higher, dancing with the unmapped stars. 

There was nothing to trip on in the sky, nothing for Sophie's dress to catch on. In the dark, the boy's eyes were a sky blue ad Sophie could only wonder what color they were in the light. The Foxfire bells chimed a sequence signaling midnight, time for the unmasking. The pair fell, stopping an inch from the ground.

Sophie lifted her hand to take off her mask but the boy reached out and stopped her.

"I'll always know who you are Sophie." The boy gave her a broken smile, knowing she hadn't recognized him. He handed his mask to her.

"Keefe?" He nodded, with an odd half-smile. Sophie should have known. From the way he moved to the way he held her, like a fragile, precious thing he would do anything to keep safe.

Sophie flipped over the mask, skimming her fingers over the inset emeralds. "Did you do this yourself?" He nodded again and they sat down on the swing, Sophie in his lap, with Keefe wrapping one arm around her to keep Sophie from falling. They swayed softly and Sophie toyed with the ribbon of Keefe's mask.

"Why would you ditch the party for me?"

"Because you're worth it." Sophie undid her royal blue mask and it fluttered to the ground. She shifted so she was turned toward Keefe. Sophie looked at the reflection of herself in Keefe's eyes and saw her eyes flash with a realization and awareness.

She moved forward and connected her lips to his. The chaste kiss had a subtle love to it and Keefe put his arms around her so Sophie wouldn't fall as he deepened the embrace. They broke apart, and Keefe breathlessly said:

"So you noticed."

"It took a while."

(A/N YAY, find the pun/reference. First one to comment gets the dedication. VOTE, COMMENT AND REQUEST! I'm going w Grady 4 the mystery person.)