Work Text:
Varian really wished the chandelier would fall. He wasn’t sure why his father always forced him to attend the lavish parties he threw.
Varian truly believed if he had to shake one more stuck up royales hand he would throw himself off the nearest balcony. He was tired of warding off the duchesses trying to set him up with their daughters; he feared he would snap if one more lady called over her 16 year old daughter and attempted to set her up with him.
Varian was standing off to the side watching the party goers, he nursed a glass of wine praying his father wouldn’t notice his absence. His father, despite wishing the best for varian could be a pain, the rules and regulations varian was forced to follow alone were enough to make him want to run away.
A man caught his eye through the crowd, now it wasn’t uncommon for varian to find a stranger in the crowd and watch them but something about this man was different. He walked through the crowd like a fox quick on his feet and agile. The man’s eyes flitted around the ballroom as if he was also waiting for the chandelier to drop. The man noticed Varian watching him and turned to face the prince with a smile on his pale face. Varian turned his head away from the stranger taking a long sip of his wine. Varian heard the soft footsteps that he knew could only be from the stranger he had made eye contact with moments before.
“Hello prince Varian, what are you doing all alone?” The stranger asked Varian who turned to face him watching as a smile graced over the man’s lips.
“It’s none of your concern.” Varian replied, careful to keep his tone light. The stranger only laughed leaning against the wall next to the prince. His laugh reminded varian of a waterfall, it was pretty and musical.
“It is my concern when I see you watching me.” The man smirked, plucking the wine glass from varians hand and taking a sip before scowling and setting it on the nearby table. “I can never understand how you royales drink that stuff.”
“It’s for a certain palette, you're not on the guest list I presume.” Varian raised his eyebrow at the man.
“Ah, a smart prince, eh? Pretty. Smart.” The stranger smirked. Varian would tell anyone he didn’t blush the warmth on his face was because the room was hot not because a pretty stranger complimented him.
“What’s your name?” Varian asked, finally making eye contact with the man. He had bright green eyes freckles along his nose and a smirk on his lips.
“Hugo.” Hugo smiled, reaching out and taking Varian’s hand in his own, pressing a delicate kiss to the back of it.
“Nice to meet you.” Varian stuttered watching Hugo closely.
“You won’t turn me in will you?” Hugo asked.
“I don’t want to deal with the paperwork.” Varian shrugged watching as Hugo’s shoulder shook when he laughed again.
“Care to dance?” Hugo asked Varian, his smirk melting into a real smile. Varian nodded and let the man lead him into the crowd.
Hugo turned to face Varian letting his hand cup the prince's waist, Varian watched him closely.
“What’s wrong sweetcheeks?” Hugo tightened his grip on varians waist, knocking him out of the daze he had fallen into.
“Nothing, don't worry your pretty little head.” Varian replied. The tips of Hugo’s ears were red.
Hugo led Varian in a slow waltz, a woman walked over to them her brown hair tied neatly into a bun on top of her head.
“Hello prince varian, may I have a dance.” She smiled. Varian frowned to himself. He really didn’t want to stop dancing with Hugo. It was nice not having to lead a dance for once. Varian felt Hugo’s arm slink around his waist tugging him into his side.
“He has a partner currently.” Hugo narrowed his eyes at the girl waiting for her to say a snarky comeback. She said nothing glaring at Hugo before turning on her heel and walking away.
“You need to be more assertive sweetheart.” Hugo hummed spinning varian back into their complicated dance.
“My father has said that before, however if I was more assertive we wouldn’t be dancing right now.” Varian replied, running his hand against Hugo’s waist.
“You need to have more faith in me.” Hugo smiled at Varian leading him into the center of the crowd.
Varian scoffed, rolling his eyes at Hugo’s antics. “I have faith in you.”
“Well thank you.” Hugo replied, Varian watched as Hugo’s eyes narrowed as if he was watching someone over varians shoulder. Varian turned his head slightly, eyes scanning over the crowd for anything suspicious.
“Hugo?” Varian questioned. Hugo blinked before turning his attention back to varian.
“I’m fine just thought I saw something.” Hugo led Varian over to the side, the crowd was less dense then the center of the dance floor.
Hugo leaned closer to Varian cupping his face in his hand, he ran his thumb along the prince's jaw. Varian felt his breath hitch. Hugo leaned forward pressing a soft kiss onto the side of varians mouth.
“I must be going, I’ll see you soon.” Hugo smiled at Varian one last time before disappearing into the sea of the rich. Varian stood dumbfounded, the people waltzing around him.
Varian truly wished the chandelier would fall.
Varian walked back over to where he had spent the entire night before Hugo whisked him away. His glass of wine was still sitting on the table where Hugo had left it. He picked it up smelling it to make sure no one had tampered with it before taking a rather long sip. Varian set the glass down watching as people entered and exited the party, he was tired and wanted to go to sleep yet he knew if he left now his father would find out.
There was a loud thud that echoed through the ballroom, Varian watched as the girl who asked to dance with him earlier ran towards the exit, her skirt gripped in her hands. After the thud was silence then all hell broke loose.
Varian watched as smoke filled the air a green fog that could only be created using alchemy. Varian had dabbled in alchemy, his father discouraging him saying it wasn't prince-like but nevertheless he didn’t listen.
A guard rushed towards Varian, grabbing his arm and dragging him towards the exit.
From the smoke varian saw him, Hugo held a bag, his eyes scanning over the crowd before landing on varian.
Varian turned from Hugo following the guard to safety. He shouldn’t feel hurt after all he had only met this man today yet something about him playing with his feelings to distract him while his group robbed them blind hurt more than he thought it would.