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“We’re here.” Here being the very grand Azure Hotel; host of Akso Hospital’s charity ball. You can’t help but smile as Zayne holds a hand out for you despite there being a number of employees present to help ladies exit cars. Still, you take it and allow him to draw you towards him. The motion is accompanied by the soft rustle of fabric. “I still think you should’ve worn something warmer.” Zayne speaks after a cold breeze brushes past you two.
“We won’t be outside for very long,” you argue. Despite your shawl, goosebumps rise along your arms. But you liked your dress too much to miss out on the opportunity to wear it. The base layer is white with a blue outer layer patterned with snowflakes- perfect for a winter occasion such as the charity ball. And the glass slippers that accompany them leave you feeling like Cinderella. It even matches the blue embroidery on Zayne’s suit. “Don’t tell me this is your polite way of trying to say you don’t like the dress, Dr. Zayne.” Peering up at him through your lashes, you pout a little. Knowing he would, Zayne heaves a deep sigh.
“No,” his voice is soft. “I… like the dress very much.” Feeling victorious, you’re about to inform him that he also cleaned up neatly when he continues. “You look beautiful.” A rush of heat warms you right up.
“Thank you.” Unsure of what else to say, you’re grateful when people swarm Zayne upon your arrival. Listening, you keep an eye on her ‘date’.
Already,you can hear his words in your head. About how his time would be better spent researching than mingling here. But, as the deputy chief of surgery, his presence is expected at an event as large as this. It was formal enough that he’d been ‘encouraged’ to bring a date. Although you suspect most people just wanted to see if the infamously aloof doctor even had someone he could ask.
“And who’s this young lady?” A voice directed at you breaks your train of thoughts.
“A friend of mine,” the arm wrapped around your waist tightens. You shift slightly as the other man’s eyes light with interest.
“Oh? A childhood friend of Dr. Zayne?” Shaking your hand vigorously, he introduces himself as Dr. Greyson. It seems the man wants to say more, but stops himself. Feeling suspicious, you glance up at Zayne, but your partner’s face is as impassive as ever. The unmistakable sound of a mic being turned on cuts conversation short as guests make their way to the dining hall.
Once seated, the introductions began. A thought occurs to you and you nudge Zayne. Hazel eyes peer down at you and you nod towards where other doctors had gathered. “Shouldn’t you be up there with them?” Brows narrowing in a frown, he shakes his head.
“I told them they were lucky I came at all.” Stifling a giggle, you give him your best reproving look.
“Aren’t you the one who always talks about doing things you don’t like for greater benefits?” Zayne allows himself to scoff.
“That is in terms of taking care of one’s health,” keeping his voice low, he leans towards you. “This is nothing more than fanfare. The thanks any donor should need is seeing patient improvement.” Hearing the quiet disdain in his voice, you squeeze his hand gently.
In response, his hand opens. Slowly, deliberately you trace a pattern on his open palm. Once finished, you glance up in time to see his lips twitch. Shortly after, a snowflake appears in his hand with the same pattern you drew.
“You should have chosen something more complicated,” he murmurs as you pick it up and admire the details.
“But I didn’t want anything more complicated.” Running a thumb over the ice, you glance around. Everyone is intent on the stage that’d been set up. “Well, you’ve made your appearance.” Zayne’s eyebrows rise as you stand.
“What happened to doing things for greater benefits?” Smiling, you set the snowflake down at your table. As a place marker.
“We’ll benefit people more elsewhere.” When he doesn’t immediately respond, your smile falters. “Unless you’d rather stay here?” Seeming to come out of a daze, he shakes his head.
“Not in the slightest.”
Akso Hospital is quiet. Visitor hours are over and shifts are changing. You’re met in the pediatric ward with a not-super-pleased nurse. But after a bit of pleading, you’re permitted to continue with your plans. Stepping out of your slippers, you hurry along the hallway with a trail of ice behind you. Already, you hear the whispers of the kids and the rustle of sheets. Lights flicker on and voices carry words like ‘snow fairy’ and ‘winter greetings’ to your ears. Smiling, you make it to the common area and do a little twirl so your dress flares out around you. There are oohs and aahs from the gathered children. Behind them, nurses keep a careful watch.
“Hello, little ones.” Offering them a curtsy, you beam. “I’m-”
“Princess Yukio!” One of the girls squeals happily. The fairy princess is a common character in the stories you would read to them. One of the boys looks around.
“But where’s Sir Kiba?” You stare expectantly into the hallway and can practically hear Zayne’s sigh. Slowly, he enters the commonspace. At his side is a dagger of ice. All the boys take turns holding it while the girls run loving fingers over your soft dress. Snow falls and they spend time chasing snowflakes or making little snow figurines.
Music plays and your group dances happily before being led away one-by-one by their nurses. Some adults grumble about keeping the kids up past their bedtime, but others play along and even bow to you as they leave, encouraging the kids to do the same. Settling down in one of the chairs, you nudge Zayne with a foot.
“Come on, now. That was fun.” Zayne snorts.
“I’m not sure who ended up having more fun: you or the children.” Determined, you shake your head.
“No, I definitely saw a smile.” Without responding, he kneels and holds your leg out. “Zayne?” Startled, you try to pull away, but his grip is gentle yet firm.
“You’ll be lucky if your feet don’t fall off.” Zayne murmurs. You hide your embarrassment as he slides the slippers back on with a pert smile.
“They wouldn’t. Not when I have the best doctor here with me.” Chuckling, he raises an eyebrow at you.
“I’m a cardiac surgeon, not a podiatrist.”
“I have faith you’d figure something out.” Zayne’s ‘hm’ is particularly long. With both shoes on, he rises and holds a hand out to you.
“Shall we get you home, Your Highness?” You flush but accept. His hand is warm against your own.
“I never got the chance to tell you.” Feeling unusually bold, you pause and he gives you a questioning look. “You look very handsome, Sir Kiba.” In the low light, it’s difficult to tell Zayne’s expression, but his grip on your hand tightens.
“How about one more dance?” Tilting your head to one side, you glance around for the remote for the music. Before you can find it, you’re spinning. Coming to a stop, you’re pressed against Zayne’s firm chest. One of your hands is interlaced with his, the other on his shoulder. His hand rests on your waist. “I don’t think we need music for it.”
Enchanted by hazel depths, all you can do is follow.