Cinderella

Kiss and Run

"Didn't like the party?" The emo jumped and stood, whipping around to face the voice. "Prince Roman!" Virgil exclaimed, kneeling against the damp grass. 'Oh please, you don't have to kneel," Roman said, waving him off. He wore a white shirt with golden shoulder pads and various gold stripes here and there. Black boots graced his feet among white pants. A deep, bright red sash ran along his torso. "What I would like to know, though," the prince drawled, walking in front of the bench next to Virgil, "is why you aren't in the castle at the party." The emo's eyes widened slightly. "O-Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to be out here-" he began, but was soon cut off by Roman, "No, you're fine out here, I'm just curious why you're out here versus in there."

"Uh, well, I couldn't find my friends and they weren't answering their texts so I figured I would just wait it out here,' Virgil explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "Also... I just don't like crowds." Roman nodded.

"As the naturally curious (and handsome) prince that I am, I must ask why you're in more casual attire," Roman inquired, sitting down on the bench. He patted the spot next to him and Virgil followed suit. "I'm just more comfortable. Fancy clothes aren't really my thing normally, plus my friends forced me to come. I didn't feel like wearing fancy things to a party I didn't really want to come to." Virgil shrugged. "I'm not a party person."

Roman gasped dramatically. "How could you not be a party person?! Parties are amazing!" he exclaimed. "You have music, dancing, singing, laughing, and you meet new friends or sometimes even suitors." He shimmied his shoulders and shook jazz hands at the word 'suitors', to which Virgil laughed. "Meeting new people is precisely why I don't go to parties," he argued. "I don't really do the whole socializing thing." Now it was Roman's turn to laugh.

"Yes, I suppose sometimes it can be awkward or exhausting. I know exactly how it feels, I have to meet new people every day, being a prince and all."

"Oh yeah, you're a prince," Virgil said, grinning. "Almost forgot." The two laughed and Roman looked down at Virgil. He noticed how the moonlight bathed his pale face, highlighting his features. The water lilies floating in the pond reflected purple and blue colors onto him. Roman admired how his nose crinkled up when he laughed, and how his brown eyes shone in the moonlight. How his bangs brushed across his eyebrows, positioned perfectly so that his pupils peeked out.

"Would you like to dance?" Roman asked. Virgil's expression turned confused, then twisted to slight worry. "In there?" he asked, gesturing behind him to the ballroom. Roman shook his head. "We can hear the music out here, can't we?" Virgil nodded, then looked to the side. "What's wrong?" Virgil swallowed. "I don't know how to dance," Roman perked up. "Then I'll teach you!" "Really?" "Yes."

Roman stood and held out his hand, which the emo took. His gloved hand was warm as Roman led him to a less visible, paved part of the garden. They could still hear the music clearly through one of the windows high in the wall. "Okay, put your hand here," Roman instructed, lifting Virgil's hand to the prince's shoulder. Roman set his hand on the other's waist and took his free hand. "Ready?" he asked. Virgil nodded and they began to dance slowly, Roman talking him through the foot movements. Soon he got the hang of it and they danced across the garden, Virgil giggling occasionally.

Much to their dismay, it soon ended, but it was soon replaced by a slower song. Virgil shifted so both his hands were wound around Roman's neck and Roman's were around Virgil's waist, pulling them both close together. "So now I know how to dance," Virgil said up to him, smiling. "I guess you do, hot topic." "Aw, you think I'm hot." They giggled and continued talking, Roman subtly flirting with Virgil.

"...and that's why we had the party," Roman finished explaining. "Wow, you're really lucky to have parents that care so much about taking care of their son," Virgil breathed, smiling lightly. "Yeah, but that's their job- that, and to rule an entire kingdom." "Right," Virgil answered, looking to the side. Roman's eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?' Virgil shook his head. "It's nothing." Suddenly a hand cupped Virgil's cheek. "It's something," Roman insisted, peering into the emo's eyes. Virgil noticed how his eyes glinted in the moonlight, how it highlighted his perfect face. He sighed.

"Well, I just... my parents died when I was little. My friends, that I mentioned before? Well, they took me in, let me live with them." Roman's eyes softened. "Oh, I'm so sorry." Virgil shrugged. "It's been a really long time since then, though. I have a job at a local tech store, life is pretty good now."

Roman nodded, eyes flicking to Virgil's lips. His hand was still holding his cheek, so he ran his thumb along Virgil's bottom lip. "My life is actually great, now. You know why?" Roman whispered, face now dangerously close to Virgil's. "Why?" Virgil said, even quieter. He could feel Roman's breath on his lips. "You're in it." Lips gently came in contact with Virgil's. They tasted like mint and moved slowly against his. Woah. And- wait, was he kissing Roman back? The two moved their lips in harmony, relishing the feeling of warmth that ran through their hearts.

Finally they pulled back, breathing deeply. Both had their hands on the other's cheeks and the amount of space between them was infinitesimal. For a moment nothing happened, but then Virgil realized what had happened entirely.

I just kissed... Prince Roman. His eyes flickered open. What... Oh my god oh my god. He sank away a bit more, hands falling to Romans arms. He kissed me too. Oh my god, what's going to happen? Will he want to date me? What if his parents don't like me? What if they wanted him to be with a prince, not some measly peasant with no mom or dad? What if someone sees us and I get in trouble for kissing him?

Thoughts raced through Virgil's mind, making him shrink away begin to hyperventilate. "You alright?" Roman asked, concern lacing his voice. Then he realized he didn't know the other's name. That will have to wait, for now, I have to figure out what's happening. "Hey, my fair sir, are you okay?" Virgil's eyes finally met his. "I have to go," the emo said quickly, pulling away fully. "Wait-!" Roman grabbed his gloved hand. The fabric slid right off, allowing Virgil to escape Roman's grasp and run towards the door. He stopped for a moment, looking at his hand then turning back to Roman and his other glove with a panicked expression. He has my glove, but I gotta get out of here. Internally, Virgil argued with himself before making a decision.

He ran.