Work Text:
The hall was empty, the moonlight shining through the high windows, the rest drenched in shadow.
It was empty, except for the two of them.
They had the entire place to themselves, as it was past midnight, past curfew, but they cared not.
No music, but no matter.
For now, they would dance.
"Well, Rosemary, shall we?"
"I'd be delighted, Maryrose."
Maryrose had her arms to either side of Rosemary, their hands intertwined. Rosemary lingered for just a moment, looking down before lifting her head to meet Maryrose's gaze. She nodded, shifting forward, and they both stepped together, their forms moving forward in unison. They were in perfect harmony, they practiced their dance many times, and they performed alongside everyone at the Debut.
Maryrose always held a flair for the dramatic, as she moved Rosemary and herself to and fro, their steps clear and precise. They would practice such dances from dawn to dusk, and they were to be in perfect sync; Rosemary was Maryrose's mirror, after all, her Living Doll and her face. She moved forward, side, together, and then back, side, and together. Not one slipup, not one overstep, and not a single moment of hesitation, she kept herself in perfect form, with Maryrose taking the lead.
"You're getting good at this, Rosemary." Maryrose spoke, as they kept moving forward, and then they spun in a circle, their hands entwined together.
"Thank you, I had a lot of practice." Rosemary replied, nodding and smiling, just as they ceased the spin in their routine.
They stopped in their tracks, their feet on the ground, the technique executed with acute precision, and just like that, the dance ended.
Just as soon as it began, their dance ended, the phantom warmth lifting.
Rosemary had to catch her breath, with Maryrose holding her hands. It all felt bitter, so bitter, with all that was happening, and they wanted to keep dancing.
Maryrose gently pulled Rosemary close, with a quiet space between them. They knew what they had to do, after their waltz, and as the curtain began to fall.
They could continue their routine all they wanted, hell, all night if they so desired to. If only they had the stamina, and if only they had all the time in the world.
But when Rosemary lifted her eyes up to Maryrose, she knew they could not.
"That is enough dancing for tonight," Maryrose said, clear and precise. "You know that. You and I know what we have to do, what we must do."
Rosemary felt a bitterness in her heart, but she nodded. "I know."
Maryrose gently pulled away, but her hands held onto Rosemary's.
They stepped back, moving apart, their hands still entangled.
They didn't want to, they had to, as they walked out of the hall.
Their footsteps echoed as they walked out the door, and then soon faded away.