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The party was in full-swing. Laios mingled for a bit to keep appearances, but something, or rather somebody else was on his mind.
Being king came with all sorts of privileges, and all his invited guests made that very clear tonight. Laios, on the other hand, was playing a game of cat and mouse. He hoped the people that came up to him in their fancy get-ups would take the hint, but like all the others here, they wanted a chance to bask in their king’s presence. He had to smile. He had to be polite. His eyes scanned the crowd of moving bodies, some donning masks, Laios’ heart skipping a beat when he saw a dash of black, only to realize he was mistaken for another person.
“Excuse me,” he said curtly to one of his esteemed guests, entering the throng of the masquerade. He found himself weaving through heaps of people, then that very second, as if his prayers were answered—there he was.
It was only a mere glimpse, one was all it took for Laios to dart forward and follow it until he caught it again. He was led into the center of the dancing crowd, twirling around, coming closer then spreading out.
Laios surveyed his surroundings. No one. At least, that was what he thought. As the guests move in perfect sync, someone snuck their way behind him, running their hand from his shoulder, along the fur of his cape down to his arm.
Laios didn’t even have to look to know who it was.
“I didn’t think you’d come…” He spoke quietly, so that only Kuroko could hear. Kuroko walked past Laios’ left side, out of vision, shifting in front of him. With every encounter he had with the ninja it never ceased to make his heart race with anticipation. What would happen this time? Would they find a secluded corner to succumb to their hidden desires once more? Will they just have a chat instead? Either way, Laios was needed by the people, and Kuroko was a mere shadow of the night.
You only got one glimpse, gone before you could admire a second more.
“Your highness,” not a single wandering eye noticed Kuroko take Laios’ hand into his, lowering his head to leave a gentle kiss on his knuckle, invoking a whole-body shiver down Laios’ spine.
His eyes are as captivating as ever when he lifted them, meeting Laios’ entranced gaze. “Would you care to have this dance with me?”
All other objectives were irrelevant. Kuroko knew that, and so did Laios, kept on edge since the start of this ball. And yet, Laios didn’t question his tardiness. He took Kuroko’s hand, and together they dance — blending in with the guests, spinning about the glorious halls without a single care in the world. This was their paradise, and for Laios, he was far more intrigued by the masked man whisking him around than everyone else there.
Kuroko was well-rehearsed, not faltering in his step for a single second. Laios was impressed, as he wasn’t sure which one of them was taking the lead on the dance floor. Like usual, not many words were spoken. It was different, because it wasn’t a swift moment in a back alley to relieve their stress, it felt more than that. Like their time now, was running out.
Kuroko spun back on his feet with grace, putting distance between him and Laios with their hands still joined. Laios pulled him close again, unable to get enough — as if he couldn’t handle to be apart from Kuroko a second longer.
“Did you just come here for a mere dance before vanishing into the night again?” He asked hopelessly, breaking the ice. Guilt flashed in the masked man’s eyes, their bodies pressed closer together. And still, not enough. Laios wanted more. More. More.
“La—your highness—“ Kuroko started, keeping his gaze downward. The pounding drums intensified in Laios’ ears, much like his beating heart in his rib cage. “There is something I must tell you.”
In the heart of the circle of dancing guests, just the two of them exist. Laios dreaded this very moment.
“What is it?”
“I cannot see you anymore.”
A dagger impaling him in the chest was less painful than hearing those very words.
“Is it that you don’t enjoy the time you’ve spent with me any longer?” Laios asked, pleading, rather.
“You barely know who I am, someone you take for a night of guilty pleasure,” Kuroko explained, keeping up with Laios’ rhythm with little issue. “Perhaps, you should consider the people who are nearer to you.”
Laios blinked, their hands remained connected, and Kuroko finally met his hurt gaze.
“Like who?” Who compares to you? In this sea of masked strangers and all the like? Have I gone mad that I cannot think of a single person other than you?
Kuroko rested his hand on Laios’ chest, staring deep into his eyes.
“You’re looking past the person who has been wanting your undivided attention all along. I think it’s time the both of us put an end to these games.”
Before Laios could ask what that meant, in a flash, Kuroko was gone—his warmth along with him. Laios was left alone in the dancing crowd. He placed his hand on his chest, the place where Kuroko last touched.
The most eerie discovery of tonight was realizing Kuroko’s hand was on the bell Toshiro had given him ions ago in the dungeons was hidden there for safe keeping.