Halloween Kidnapping [zukaang]

Part three

What? I almost said it out loud. I was going to say it out loud.

Then I noticed all the people staring at us. The band hadn't stopped, but other than that no one was talking. Time to put on my big girl panties. I tried to just focus on Zuko. The smile that came to my face was easy. I curtsey like I saw some of the other girls do and took his hand. "I'd be honored." trying not to snort at how ironic that was. Zuko stood up, for once an actual smile was on his face. A small one, but I noticed. And I could tell other people could too. They started murmuring, behind hands and glancing excitedly at one another. 

Zuko took me to the dance floor by the elbow, and bowed politely to which I curtseyed. I hesitantly put my arms around his neck, and he put his arms around my waist. We started moving in time with the music. Left, right, back, back, left, forward, forward, left, right, back, back, left- you get the idea. I usually didn't put thought into how I danced. Just went with the music, like a leaf in the wind. This however was not like usual. I was dressed up as a vampire in a ball gown, dancing with the man who tried to capture me for months, in the ballroom of my sworn enemy. 

Not the usual Halloween. 

I wasn't paying attention to that now though. I paid attention to the man holding me, guiding me gently. I paid attention to not tripping in my heels. And I paid attention to the soft ballroom music. As the tempo sped up so did we. As it slowed down, we followed suit. Soon most everyone was dancing. It became crowded. I heard some women laughing for real, at something their husband said. The music became more care free. 
Zuko's hold around my waist tightened, and we moved more freely. One with the mob of people surrounding us. All dancing in pairs. Not paying attention to the music's proper dance movements. As Zuko weaved us expertly through the crowd, spinning me off every few seconds. Always catching me off guard. And laughing as I almost fell into his arms. He chuckled softly, and helped set me right again. We spun and his golden eyes twinkled. The scar that always seemed jarring and off putting, now seemed to make him look handsome. His raven hair, the bangs neatly tucked behind his ear. Even if he was painted grey, had fake fangs on, and was very much a boy. That didn't really matter right now. All that I knew was that I wanted to kiss him, badly. And that he would get mad if I did. So I enjoyed the moment. 

Almost falling, when he spun me because of my outrageous heels. 

Laughing as we almost bumped into another couple having fun. 

The original dance movements, forgotten as we let the music sway us. 

Yes he would be mad if I kissed him. But that rare smile on his face. The soft twinkle in his eye. The way he gently spun me out and always made sure to catch me if I wobbled. Made me think that he wouldn't mind if I did it. Then again, I look like a girl. I'm acting like a girl. I'm painted so he can't see my real face. I'm wearing a wig covering my bald head. I'm  talking in a high pitched voice. I'm wearing heels. I'm wearing A GOSH DARN BALL GOWN. When I take all of this off later, I doubt he'd like me to kiss him. I still wanted to. I didn't though. 

I only let myself get literally swept off my feet, as we danced. 

💀🖤💀

Gosh, all I want to do is wipe all that makeup off and kiss him.

He twirled elegantly out and back, me spinning him. I was careful to watch for any wobbles. He didn't wobble. He was finally getting better at dancing in those heels. Shame he has to wear heels at all. Yes he looked absolutely stunning in his Vampire princess getup. And yes if he liked the clothes who was I to say anything? But the boy behind all the glamour was hidden pretty well. Mai and Ty Lee did an excellent job. I have to remember the point of this ball is not to enjoy it, but gain information. Not to sweep the Avatar off his feet. Not to kiss him.