⠀★ ... ♯ 10

   he gave a little nod of his head for the guard to untie his mask,  quick to give him the opportunity to get rid of it now that they were alone together.  he too stayed comforted by their eye contact,  staring into jon's beautiful eyes as he led them both in their dance.  it felt so much less performative than the ones out there,  it felt special and honest and could say much more than any words.  he'd dreamed about this since they parted ways,  spending his nights thinking about his face and his hands and the way their faces were so close.  he smiled at the other man as they danced,  humming along to the music until he couldn't stand another second without flattering him.  "i could spend forever dancing with you.  you look perfect."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

For the moment where he had only reached out and held Jon's hand, the guard intertwined their fingers together... his free hand moving up and stopping at the ties of his mask— waiting for his permission to untie it. His eyes never leaving the prince's, not even when he was guided into position and he started leading them... and what an elegant dancer he is. Of course he hadn't forgotten it, but it truly hit different to be led this time around... it was so easy to follow him, so easy to fall for him... oh, there was really no return... not that the guard wished for it! No, he only wanted *him*, in every form he could have him, for as long as they could...
            
            
            // <333333

   he wouldn't have been very successful without the strength that jon provided,  so it was a much quicker job and thomas could spend more time admiring this man's smile.  stunning.  and,  moments later,  something even more addictive was the way jon gravitated towards him every time he moved away.  he had a similar desire to be close to him,  so he wouldn't make any more attempts to separate them,  and that decision,  joined with the subtle brush of their hands,  made him lose his breath.  "that would be my pleasure."  he answered,  taking jon's hand and putting them both into position,  leading them in their slow and familiar dance along with the music.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   me toooo  <3333 

   dear j,
            you humour me,  it's a bad habit.  one day we'll have a chance to run away,  i swear to you,  and we can take it.  not only will i live a different life,  but you will too.  without so much on your shoulders,  without roles of strength and invulnerability thrust upon you.  we could just be us,  someday,  in a world of people who don't know our names.  that's what i want someday,  if you want that too. 
             you are help enough.  you're stability,  to me.  things always change and nothing is forever,  frustratingly so,  but i need you to stay strong for me.  i can't imagine what i would do if you stopped writing,  if you were hurt,  if something worse were to happen to you.  i can't even think it.  
            you know i love a scandal,  love,  as i said so on our first meeting.  unless i said that part in my head,  because my thoughts were definitely running wild that evening.  i can't wait to see you in another mask,  on that dance floor,  where i can watch you from afar try to convince these people of your new story.  i would watch,  perhaps see you dance with others and be able to witness your face dim at these awful people,  and i'd be forced to swoop in.  save you from those women of the ballroom,  who no doubt want you in one way or another.  but it wouldn't be anywhere near as strong as my own feelings about you. 
            i've enclosed an invitation to the next masked dance.  i hope you'll be there,  as i'll be waiting for you.  if you need clothes and a mask,  let me know.  
            bring your scandal, 
            tom."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"Dear Tom,
            Je t'aime, mon ange {I love you, my angel}.
            France, you say? The idea of running away has never sounded so tempting to me before. If I knew no one could do you any harm if we went to another land, you bet I would take you as far as I possibly could. Perhaps then we would be finally free... to be who we really are. And do not feel like we're still forced to wear masks, like we're still in that masquerade ball, and to perform 'roles' imposed upon us.
            I do not want to take you away from your family— and country—, though, unless that's really what you wish for. Even more in what sounds like really complicated times. I'm sorry about your sister... I wish I could be of more help in that sense. I fight to defend the crown, yet there's nothing I can do against enemies that can't be punished with a sword... and that's always frustrating. Hopefully, everything will work itself out for the best and she'll recover... I send her my best wishes, even if it's not possible to transmit them to her.
            Darling, I'm pretty sure that it's not true. It'll be my pleasure to teach you how to paint— even if my knowledge is very limited and much more instinctive and self-taught than technical—, I'm certain you'll do great!
            Oh, angel... you flatter me way too much! Some of those 'private sessions' won't be so innocent if you keep it up... it may be quite scandalous for this society, in fact! I can't help but smile, thinking you would love to collect with me a little bit of secret scandals, wouldn't you?
            All yours, scandalous and flirty...
            J."

   "dear j, 
            they are all so dull and official and it truly bores the life out of me.  you are something different entirely,  something beyond their world entirely.  there is so much to be enjoyed outside of these events,  and you are all the proof i need that i'm missing so much from being shielded inside these walls.  if you ever wanted to run away,  you know where to find me.  i hear france is okay.
              yes,  a locket!  that's a great idea,  i like that.  i'd try painting myself but i'd just be awful at it,  it's never been my sort of thing.  you have more talent in one hand than i do in my entire body!  hopefully you're willing to be my teacher in those aspects.  i'm quite good at sitting still for portraits,  though,  so i think that would be lovely.  perhaps at the next ball we could escape and find some time together.  
              there is far too much drama happening here in terms of succession and the throne of our country,  and i wouldn't bore you with the details.  my older sister is worried about her health and doesn't want her children on the throne at such a young age,  it's getting quite complicated.  i'm not even sure what any of it means!  they natter on at these big table meetings and i give plenty of advice on royal matters but,  still,  all i think about is you!  i dream of dancing with you again.  at the very least dancing.  
              any private sessions from you would be a blessing.  i would love to learn from the best in the country!  on any matter,  in fact! 
            with all my love,
            tom."  
            
             /   @-NEVERALONE 

   "it's very honest work."  he spoke teasingly through his silly smile,  endlessly amused by the situation and his pretty demon who sat so close to him and looked so sweet.  "so you'd better be on your best behaviour!  or i'll....  uhhh...  i don't know."  he gave up,  his voice drifting off,  and he laughed again.  why was it so easy to laugh now?  his face hurt with it all!  somehow!  "i'll work on that." 
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He let out a scandalous laugh at his words, trying to muffle some of the noise with his hand. "Working, of course. Totally. Wouldn't they be very proud of you for preventing all the evil deeds from this 'terrific' old demon? I'm sure they would!" he grinned, leaning into the angel's touch. The look in his eyes softening up, to the point that they *both* looked silly... but really, none of them cared! Besides, Tom looked super cute, so sue him for melting for him!

   "i will not accept the blame for that!"  he pretended to be scandalised by the insinuation,  even if he was rather flattered by the idea of it.  of being to blame for someone being so driven by their emotions.  it was new,  it was fun,  it was a little scary,  but it felt human and real!  "that's exactly what i was thinking.  i'm technically working,  really,  so they can't be upset with me.  this nefarious demon has big,  coin-related pranks to engage in and i must stop it!  for the sake of humanity!"  he brushed his fingers across jon's cheek gently after the kiss to his temple,  smiling to him with sentiment and he must've looked remarkably silly.  he didn't mind that part,  though! 
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   he tried to struggle out of jon's grasp,  but his movements were half-hearted at best as his hands settled in jon's hair with a wide grin.  "'course i'd kiss you.  you've got no idea."  his reply was definitely earnest,  but that's only because he was imagining himself scoring against liverpool and then going home to kiss his beautiful partner's pout right off his face.  he'd get some practice in immediately,  clearly,  with the way tom moved his hands to clutch onto jon's shirt and kiss him back happily.  "love you too.  s'pose i'll move back in with you." 
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   <3333  

He let out a scandalous laugh after that, clinging onto his boyfriend like a koala. "Sorry, babe! It was stronger than me!" he said, tightening his arms around his waist whilst trying to bring him back to him. "In the game, I might concede a few... but in real life, sweetheart, I'll make it very difficult for you... if you make it, though, you better kiss me as soon as you can to win me back over," he joked, playfully turning his head as if he was offended with the mere hypothetical, before kissing him enthusiastically. "Love you."
            
            
            // HAAHHAAH
            tragiccc <\333

   "maybe i'd be the one distracting  *you*.  who can say?"  he suggested with a raised brow,  accepting the nudge with a smitten look.  which definitely twisted into outrage at the next comment.  "you ruined the moment.  that's it.  i don't want to live with you anymore."  he joked,  pretending to shift away from jon even if he didn't have the nerve to do it entirely.  "one day i'll do it.  in the game  *and*  in real life.  multiple times." 
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   EXACTLY!!  people have been laughing at us for ages it's liverpool's turn now!!  HAHAHA  <333

   tom puts up with him because he adores him so much,  and the way he held up the spoon made him laugh in thay silly way that he always did when it came to his boyfriend.  "if you insist."  he took the spoon and got himself a bit of ice cream,   smiling through it as he tried to balance the spoon on jon's nose.  to no avail.  he had to pick it back up for him.  "i picked a great ice cream flavour,  if i do say so myself." 
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He watched the way the spoon was stuck in there like it was the legendary King Arthur's sword in the stone and laughed, pulling it out and raising it as if it was a big feat! ...He swears he doesn't know how his boyfriend puts up with him, but he's very lucky that he does! And then leaned against Tom, pressing him a kiss to the cheek. "Are you gonna have some with me?" he inquired, offering out the spoon for him to go first.

   "of course."  they always ended up talking over them,  paying attention every now and then and,  when they actually did watch things,  tom had a guilty habit of falling asleep somewhere along the way.  he returned to his partner and handed him a bowl of ice cream with the spoon comically stabbed upright in the middle of it,  sitting beside him and draping an arm over his boyfriend's shoulder.  "bon appetit."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"If we accidentally end up imploding both Heaven and Hell, as long as *YOU* stay safe, I swear it'll still be worth it! The universe would be probably better off without both, anyways... don't you think? };p
            Ooohh, your smartest clothes! Now I'm intrigued, how do they look like? I'll be wearing a posh suit, just to look charming for you, and I'll be waiting at the very same spot where we met for the first time...
            Be safe, you too, darling. Counting the hours, now. I can't believe time has finally came! I'm so happy!
            Love you,
            Jon. xxxx."

   "maybe i'll get over myself and be able to say these sorts of things to your face,  because that is the sort of thing i'd like to see up close.
            i couldn't possibly get bored by you,  don't you worry about that.  i'm intrigued endlessly by you,  you silly thing.  we'll do all those plans you mentioned and more!  i'm excited!
            we will be on our best behaviour together,  i assure you,  even if our meeting will surely implode both heaven and hell in the meantime.  it's quite strange,  that such emotions would fall upon me of all angels,  you know?  what are the chances!!  
            i will wear my smartest clothes for you!  and hopefully the wait after that won't be anywhere near as long as this one has been.  you've been ever so patient,  i'll see you soon. 
            be safe,  see you tomorrow,  i'll be thinking of you until we meet and then some. 
            thomas. xxx." 
            
            /    @-NEVERALONE 

"You make me sigh with your words like I'm in a romance film and you're my prince charming, you know that?
            Of course I can tell you more about these things... about everything you'd like to know, really, but at our *next* meeting. I've been waiting for you for TWO WHOLE WEEKS, and I want you to enjoy yourself and have fun! We'll go for walks on the park, watch the sunset together... maybe watch a film, if we have the time! And I'd love to hear more of your stories with my little human hero! ...The last thing I'd want is to bore you with definitions of our classes within our species!
            It's you who inspire it on me! I gotta set a bin on fire and write bad words on a wall to make up for it! Ha! Jokes aside... you're the kindest being I know— and it's due that kindness of yours that you see kindness in everything and everyone. Your sensibility... just one of the many things that I admire about you!
            Me too, darling, me too. I feel the very same about you. Please... don't apologize, though. You have nothing to apologize for!
            Ha! Challenge accepted, sweet angel! ;)
            And just for you to know... I feel it, too. And if I'm holding your letter against my chest while writing you my own, daydreaming about you and the moment I get to see you TOMORROW— I'm not gonna confirm nor deny anything! <3
            Jon. xxxx."

@RED-EMPTION // HAAHHAHAHA he would have to create an anonymous account just to comment on Tom's pics and say how beautiful he is <333333

@-NEVERALONE   /  tysmmm <33  this is the real reason jon isnt allowed social media.  too much power  

@RED-EMPTION // it's BEAUTIFUUUL !!! feels angelic, Jon would def comment thatttt haahhaha

   he was glad for that constant contact,  and he didn't let go of that hand as they ate.  he would periodically brush his thumb over the skin of his hand as they spoke,  loving the warmth that radiated from the love of his life.  his beautiful partner.  the light of not only his life but of everyone else's too.  "baby.  you'd have to find someone that can actually act for that movie to get off the ground.  i'd hate to bring down your passion project."  he knew jon was certainly capable of bringing an idea like that to life,  but tom admitted he'd have to cheer from the sidelines.  unless there was a fun ass fight scene.  "but i would totally watch that.  as long as you let your charisma really shine,  it'd immediately be my favourite film."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE    I KNOW THAT ONE!!!!!  CROSSOVER 

He chuckled, reluctantly moving *one* of his hands away so he could grab a slice of pizza— but his other one remained with his fingers interlocked with his, not really wanting to let go just yet unless it was needed or if he tried to move it away first! He took a bite of his pizza and hummed his approval, paying full attention to the question that followed. "Shite, that one's hard— I have plenty. But, there's one I like better than the others: I would love to star in a historical romance. I'd love to play a guard that falls in love with the prince— forbidden love, super dramatic! However, I wanted you to play the prince, no one else fits the role. Maybe one day I get to write, direct and star in it, like those famous directors, you know who they are! And I wouldn't let you hide your beauty on the 'backstage' anymore— you would be my protagonist, my prince charming."
            
            
            // references— REFERENCES EVERYWHERE !!! HAHAHA <333333

   "you're such a flirt."  he felt like a broken record with how often he was faced with his boyfriend's endless attack of flattery,  but he loved every moment of it.  this relationship was so fun and so exciting.  "it's my pleasure."  he said honestly,  looking away from jon's eyes for the first time in ages just to try and control his adoration.  it turned out that there was no way to control it,  even as their pizza finally came and thomas took a slice with a grin to his best friend turned partner.  "okay,  pretend we haven't had this conversation a million and one times.  what's your dream role in a movie?  like...  the one kind of film you've always wanted to star in."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He laughed at the tease and melted at the wink, all within seconds! Goodness, "You're perfect," he said, voicing out his thoughts, as he sat down beside the other— as quickly as he could, without dropping their sandwiches! Jon handed Tom's plate over and, as soon as one of his hands were no longer busy, he held his boyfriend's free one and kissed it. Then pressed a kiss to his temple. "You're forgiven," he smirked, pressing more playful kisses over his gorgeous face.

   "aww,  i'm sorry.."  he said lightheartedly,  a shameless laugh following his attempt at an apology.  "yess,  perfect as ever.  and the sandwiches don't look so bad either."  he winked,  holding out his hands as if to rush jon and get him to sit down.  'cause he was starving but,  also,  he was more concerned with his beautiful partner sitting back with him.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He grimaced slightly, putting a hand over his heart dramatically, like he had just been stabbed. "I knowww— but ouch! That was uncalled for," he joked *again*, laughing at himself. Because he truly found himself hilarious sometimes! "Oh, wonderful news!" he playfully jogged back to him, carrying two plates with their sandwiches. "'Cause here are theeey!"

   it meant a lot to  *say*  those three words,  just as much as it did to  *hear*  them—  because it was never just about receiving love.  it was about being able to give it back,  about being able to feel those feelings in their fullest as they sat beside each other like that.  "who would i tell?!"  thomas grinned,  as if he was trying to think about who he would tell just to tease his partner.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"Right?!" he joked along with him, laughing a little. A smile continued stuck on his face, only seeming to grow wider after the kiss pressed to his lips— melting at the words he heard in return. He loved it, the way they said it to each other, with so much meaning, every time.
            "Ha! Ssshh. It's our secret. You gotta keep it, love."

  "a lot less of the hassle."  he replied jokingly,  only just able to stop himself from laughing again at the thought of them cutting out the middle man and just eating the sweets themselves.  "i love you,  too."  tom turned his head towards his partner to peck his lips after the silly teeth were gone,  smiling at him and his beautiful face.  "i had no idea vampires were so affectionate."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE