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“One and, two and, three and…”
The deep violet of her dress kissed the marble floors and as Mona twirled, she felt as if she was floating across the skies. One that came crashing down not even a second later as the tip of her black heels slammed into the leather-toed shoes with enough force to pull a hiss from between pursed lips.
“Ack! Sorry, Albedo.” The blonde pirate shook his head as he shook off the stab of pain that lanced from his pinky-toe to the tip of his head. For someone so light, the dark-haired which was surprisingly strong.
“You’re much worse than I assumed you are, at this, Mona.”
“W-well try having fins for most of your life! You’ll be horrible at this…dancing thing too. Why do you humans engage in such odd situations?” The way her voice hitched, only made the grin on Albedo’s face grow. It was moments like these, that reminded him of how unique she was. Of how different they were, and yet…how perfect they could be. The blonde pirate shrugged. He remembered the times he had asked his mother these questions once before but now, as he held Mona’s petite fingers within his own, he could not find the ire that usually came with such mundane noble pleasantries.
Chores he had found disagreeable, were made easier within her presence. Perhaps he was a fool, to be this utterly smitten. Perhaps he was bewitched, by the notion of them. Or perhaps this was what it was like to finally find a place to belong. Even if the place, was within the vicinity of their soul. He was thankful, that the fates she seemed so fond of, had brought them into each other’s lives.
“If I recall, it was to establish social connections and facilitate friendships. It was at one point, a pastime.” Though there were also… “And of course, to romance.” Albedo’s chuckle was warm as he pulled Mona up and straightened the sleeves of the dress she wore.
“As I am bold to say, I do hope I am doing a proper part on the latter.” The teasing only made the mermaid laugh. Her cheeks glowed a fetching shade of peach as she pouted at the man before her. Her feet ached; the hours of persistent practice only made it worse. But it would all be worth it. At least that was what Mona repeatedly told herself as she stepped on Albedo’s toes once more as she missed her third beat in the waltz. Her legs continued to refuse to cooperate with her. The silks of her dress, while stunning visually, were nothing but cumbersome now that it was on her svelte form. No matter how airy Lisa claimed it to be, no matter how soft it is, all it did was get in the way of her already wobbly knees.
“Oh, such a dashing prince, I am swooning.” Mona huffed; her lips were pressed together as she suppressed her laugh. “I, on the other hand, must be utterly failing at the art of seduction. I fear, if I step on your toes one more time, you’ll run away in fear instead.”
His feet throbbed as a reminder. Her practice heels had stubbed him for what he could only assume was the twenty-third time. The pain was manageable in the light of the closeness they shared as he taught her the movement of the waltz. “Quite contrary, Mona, I believe that would impede my ability to run away.” He quipped back; seafoam-hued eyes glittered with mirth. “If you wanted me to stay by your side so desperately, all you must do is ask.”
“Y-you!” Her cheeks hue put roses to shame in this vividness. Albedo’s laugh was far too low and husky to be appropriate. But none of this was as he pulled her closer. Pulled her hard enough that she had to stand on the tip of her toes and make out the fineness of his long eyelashes. He was enchanting and charming, like the shimmers of gold whenever she gazed upon gilded-sand beaches. He was her shore, and every grain upon it was just another reason for her to cherish him. If she was the ocean, he was the sunlight scattered across its surface. The beams which pierced the surface and lit up the ocean in deep blues and aquamarine. Alluring in his existence and a guide to this strange new world she found herself in. Mona cleared her throat, looked staunchly at her feet before gripping his hands once more. “One more time. I promise I won’t ruin your feet.”
“You said that last time too…” he could not help, but poke at her one more time.
“No, I told you I would try. This time, I won’t miss the beat.”
“Well then…” He bent low enough that he could tug at her ankle. Mona swayed. Her hands pressed against his shoulder as he tugged her feet onto his propped knee. Her heels clattered carelessly towards the side of the hall as he tossed it away. He stood, looking far to smug as he soaked in her confused expression. “Stand on my feet.”
“What kind of odd human trad—” the dark-haired woman’s words were cut short as she was lifted. The tip of her toes met lukewarm leather as she was placed on top of him. She swayed, like a branch in the breeze at the suddenness of it all. The warmth upon her back, and the way her fingers laced once more with his, righted her back to the moment. “Just trust me, please?” Albedo’s request was soft. It took a single look, a split second before Mona nodded her head. The cascade of ink that was her hair, fluttered as he took a step. And then another, and another, and another, until they found a rhythm equal to the one that flowed from Albedo’s lips.
“One and, two and, three and…” In the empty mess hall of the Knight’s ship, Albedo spun Mona. Eased her into the steps that she had so much trouble with earlier. He watched as her brows creased and clicked his tongue softly against the roof of his mouth to draw her attention away from her thoughts. “Don’t think too much, just trust me and follow my lead.” He dipped her gently and thanked the stars that she could not feel the way his heart rushed. “Feel what I’m doing.” He stepped forward, only for her to follow back, each draw and pass across the dance floor, brought her deeper into the flow. As the frustration transformed into glee, starlight took refuge in her eyes. The way they seemed to twinkle with her elation charmed him. Further cemented, the affections he harbored for her in his heart.
He loved her so much. In ways that were not simple for what is true love, without effort. Nonetheless, it was worthwhile. For falling in love and being in love with Mona, felt like he was always running. Or perhaps, to be more accurate, akin to swimming. Loving her, was like swimming in an ocean. It was analogous to chasing waves and floating amongst the currents she made. Of feeling like he could go everywhere, anywhere, buoyed by her. Flotsam, meant to drift across the endless expanse of waters, before sinking deeper into its embrace.
But just as much as the ocean gave it took. Every smile, to every kiss, it stole a piece of him to drown in the depths. He knew it was possible for him to dream of the deep if it was in her hold.
The strength of his ardor should imbue him with fear. If he was a lesser man, perhaps he would have quivered with the sentiments he held within. But then he was in love and in trust, with a soul he knew could level ships and summon storms but would not harm him. An ethereal presence that loves him as much as he loves her. If this was a spell cast or an illusion he had fallen for, then it was the sweetest yet.
The mess hall felt simultaneously too large, yet too small as he cradled her close. Their breath mingled with the increased paces. The loose strands of her hair tickled his neck when he twirled her and when he lifted her off the floor, just long enough to spin her in silly circles across the wood, her laughter made his heart speed faster than the pacing of their feet.
The world spun on its axis as they both came to a still. With a gentle creak, the ship crested a wave just hard enough, to send the two unbalanced lovers tumbling. Nestled against Albedo, shock easily morphed into amusement, and then into the bubbling of joy as giggles filled the air. Propping himself up on his elbows as he watched her laugh, Albedo was glad that he barred the rest of the crew from entering the room. The look he wore, he knew would be enough to earn him at least a few weeks of good-hearted ribbing. One experience of that was enough for him. The pirate soaked in his lover’s laughter. A sound so sweet, it made a few chuckles of his own slip pass. Basked in the way it flooded his chest with warmth, of a fire that burned steady and bright. He caught the small pearl that beaded from the corner of her eyes. Held them between his fingers as he marveled at their sheen. The opalescent coating seemed to glow, even beneath the paltry cafeteria lights.
“Oh,” there was awe to Mona’s single utter. “I’m…these are tears of joy.” She had heard tales of this, been told it since she was young. Though to see it come to life, was magic of its own. It was just a tiny bit, squeezed out between her euphoria at the silliness of it all, but it was there. Visible proof of her contentment with him.
Her fingers curled against his, closing it upon the opalescent treasure. “Keep it, it was because of you after all.” Her smile was breathtaking so he stole hers in exchange for a kiss. A languid one embodied the affection he felt but never had enough words to vocalize. Happiness made him dazed, as he pulled away, the pearl was tucked safely into his breast pocket. “I’ll keep it safe.”
She knew it was a promise without it being stated as such. He never did do anything by halves. He wiped away the remnants of tears and kissed the cheek. When she clapped her hands together. Pursed her lips in thought, he felt endeared. There was still so much he wanted to learn about her, but for now, the moment was all he needed.
“So as promised, I did not mess up!” Albedo rolled his eyes.
“We fell.”
“Nope, you fell, I was just standing on your feet. So you made me fall. So, did I do well?” She already knew the answer to that.
“Well…” Albedo hummed.
“Soooooo….?” He bit back the urge to tease her more when she looked at him with imploring round eyes.
“You did beautifully, enchantingly so,” he sung his praises and savored in the way she pinkened when he kissed her forehead, “my dearest siren. So much that I fell for you, remember?”
“You’re incorrigible.” Mona huffed. The corners of her mouth twitched once more. As sugary as his words were, she could hear the echoes of truth within them. It made it even more embarrassing.
“You wound me, dearest.” He held her hand. He had missed the warmth they held for the short moment they were apart.
“You, Sir Albedo, are quite the suave talker.”
“Of course, despite my current occupation, I am a prince.” Bright, untouchable, and refined. When he smiled, the only word the mermaid could associate with it was wolfish. Even a year after they had met, she could never quite know how to react to the gap he had between the prince, and the pirate. She shivered as he brushed his lips against her knuckles.
“But the sea, she has my heart.”