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When the invitation came, Ororon didn’t even want to open it. In fact, he was tempted to throw it away. Was there any point in attending these events anymore? After years of failure, he was starting to think the one ‘meant for him’ simply didn’t exist. Perhaps his world would remain void of color for the rest of his life.
Those were the thoughts running through his mind as he stared at the familiar envelope in his hands. He’d seen it many times, but if you asked him what color it was, he couldn’t tell you. The world he saw had been black, white, and gray ever since he was born, and he wasn’t certain that would change.
Everyone in Teyvat was born colorblind, but everyone in Teyvat had a soulmate. Once one met their soulmate and shared a kiss, their world would be filled with color, and the pair would be together forever. At least, that was how it was meant to be, but he suspected it wasn’t the same for him. From the start, he’d been different. His soul was incomplete since the moment he was born, which led him to believe he didn’t even have a soulmate. When people met their soulmates, they often said, ‘Finding them felt like finding the other half of myself’ or ‘They complete me,’ but they didn’t mean that in the most literal sense. People weren’t just born with incomplete souls that fixed themselves upon meeting one’s soulmate. It’d be nice if that were the case, but reality was cruel.
Ororon was pretty sure being born with an incomplete soul screwed up his chance to have a soulmate, and that was just wonderful. He didn’t have a soulmate, which left him with a variety of issues caused by said incomplete soul. The only reason he could function properly was thanks to his wonderfully skilled Granny. If he hadn’t been taken in by her, he was almost certain he’d be dead by now. Aside from his soul, there was one more reason he believed he didn’t have a soulmate. It was because he couldn’t feel the connection they were supposedly meant to have. He remembered asking Ifa and his Granny about it previously.
———
What does having a soulmate feel like?” The question had come to mind during one of the many moments he began to doubt the existence of his soulmate. At the time, he’d been helping his Granny make woven scrolls on the couch, and Ifa happened to be over as well. He couldn’t make woven scrolls, so he was made to check each completed scroll and ensure it was lacking imperfections. They had to be perfect.
When Ororon asked that question, he didn’t mean it in the literal sense since neither of them had found their soulmate. He just knew others claimed to feel some sort of connection to their soulmate despite the fact that they hadn’t met.
“There’s no proper way to describe it, but if I had to put it into words, you just… know there’s someone out there for you,” Citlali answered.
Her relatively short answer and lack of probing questions let Ororon know she was too focused on her work to really take in why he’d asked such a question. That was good. He picked a good time to ask. He turned his attention to Ifa, who clearly hadn’t realized the question was posed towards them both.
“Uhm… I agree with what your Granny said, bro. You just know there’s someone out there for you.” Ifa paused for a moment, rubbing at the back of his neck before continuing on. “Like when you get down in the dumps and curl up at night in your bed instead of feeling alone, you feel, well, not alone. If you close your eyes and focus on your soul, it’s almost as if you can sense their presence,” he offered with a lopsided smile. That was the best way he could explain it. “You don’t feel that?”
———
No. No, he didn’t feel that. When he curled up alone in his bed, he didn’t sense some other presence with his soul. He felt nothing. While others were only alone in the physical sense, he was truly alone physically and spiritually speaking.
He carefully opened the envelope and removed the letter inside, reading over the familiar text. Each time an invitation came, the words were the same. Putting it simply, as someone who had yet to find their soulmate, he was invited to a ball for the chance of finding that special someone. The concept wasn’t bad. A large space filled to the brim with people that hadn’t found their soulmate? That sounded wonderful, and truly, it was. The first time he ever attended, he was surprised by the variety of people. He assumed the only attendees would be from Natlan, but there were people from every corner of Teyvat. Their mysterious host must be someone incredibly powerful if they were able to pull off something so grand. Initially, that filled him with hope. With so many different people around, he was bound to find his soulmate, but it hadn’t taken long for him to see the truth.
Now that he was almost certain he didn’t have a soulmate, was there even a point in attending the ball? Ifa and his Granny wouldn’t even be with him. They’d found their respective soulmates a few balls prior and hadn’t received an invitation since. He set the letter aside and pulled one more item out of the envelope—a necklace with a strange magical gem as the main attraction. He rubbed his thumb across the surface of the smooth gem, quietly pondering. Even if he didn’t have a soulmate, he could still use the event to make a friend or two. That’d been his secondary goal as he searched for his soulmate… and it hadn’t gone well either, but at least it was achievable. From now on, that would be his primary goal. Besides, attending meant free dinner, and the food offered during the balls was always wonderful. He could even bring some home for his Granny. Attending was definitely worth it.
Having made up his mind, he put on the necklace then spared a glance at the nearby clock. Seven pm. The balls always started at eight and ended at midnight, so he had about an hour of free time. He should pack a bag full of containers. The food at the ball seemed never-ending, so he should take as much as he could.
———
When the clock struck eight, Ororon was ready, seated on his bed with his eyes closed to avoid getting dizzy. Keeping his eyes open was a mistake he didn’t make anymore. He felt the world around him shift but kept his eyes shut until he heard the ring of a bell echo in his head three times, signaling it was safe to do so. He slowly opened his eyes, immediately realizing that he was sitting up in a tree. The locations he ended up teleported to were a bit strange, but this worked out for him. He could fly instead of working his way through the huge crowd of people below making their way to the nearby castle in the distance. It was a sight he’d grown very used to by now, along with the outfit change he was forced to go through. He glanced down at his body only to find his normal clothes replaced by something much fancier—attire fitting for a ball. He didn’t enjoy wearing constricting clothes, but he couldn’t complain because, strangely enough, he was never uncomfortable in the outfits he suddenly found himself in. He reached a hand up to his face, unsurprised when his fingers brushed against something. There was a mask set upon his face, which was also normal for these events. The balls were always masquerade balls.
The attire of each attendee was changed to suit the theme of the ball, and everyone was given a mask, although keeping it on wasn’t necessary. The mask was all part of the fun, and the majority of people played along, only removing their mask upon meeting their soulmate. He intended to do the same, except he’d remove his mask once he managed to make a friend instead. He papped his cheeks, mentally preparing himself before he finally hopped out of the tree and flew right for the entrance, skipping the traffic jam of people below.
———
The night started off well. The night always started off pretty well, but it never lasted. With such a large variety of people around, he didn’t have to worry about them perceiving the state of his soul. Only people of his tribe had such soul sensitivity, and they naturally stayed away from him because of it. Everyone else was at least willing to talk to him, which was wonderful. The only issue was… him, apparently. None of the conversations he started with others lasted more than ten minutes, and if they did, it was because he hadn’t gotten the chance to talk. He was more than happy to listen to the interests of others, but when it came time to talk about his own hobbies, that’s where things started to take a turn. Once he got to talking, it didn’t take long for them to find a way out of the conversation as soon as they found an opportunity to speak. Perhaps his hobbies were too strange for the average person, or maybe it was the way he talked about them that put others off. He didn't know.
He could forgo the discussion of his own hobbies and see if that resulted in someone holding a longer conversation with him, but he decided against it. There was no point in getting to know someone if he had to keep a part of himself under wraps. He wouldn’t make any real friends that way, so even though he’d had no luck, he’d continue trying. After all, he had a couple of friends already, so he knew it wasn’t impossible for him to connect with someone. He just needed to find the right person.
———
Unfortunately, it seemed luck wasn't on his side. At least another hour had passed, yet nothing had changed. All of the talking, although he hadn’t gotten to do much of it, was exhausting, so he decided to take a break. The table filled to the brim with food caught his eye, and that immediately became his first stop. How could he pass it up when there were so many delicacies and dishes from other nations? This was the perfect opportunity to try new foods without having to deal with the costs of travel. He made sure to fill every container he’d brought along before making a plate. Normally, he’d find a place to sit and eat, but the drinks nearby caught his eyes. He rarely drank, but they seemed so appealing tonight despite that. It couldn’t hurt to have a glass or two. After a moment of hesitation, he grabbed a random glass and then found a semi-out-of-the-way place to sit and eat within the ballroom.
As he settled down in his chair, his gaze naturally fell to the numerous people in the room. Whenever he decided to take a break, he also used that time to people watch. He would take note of anyone who caught his eye and find a moment to approach them afterwards. It typically lifted his spirits seeing that there were still so many people for him to speak with. One or two of them had to have an interest in getting to know him. That was the way he looked at it, but today it was only bringing his mood down. Instead of seeing potential friends, all he could manage to focus on was the number of people happily chatting along with one another. It was so easy for others to mingle and make friends, and he envied that. All he wanted was one or two more friends. Was that too much to ask for? Because it felt like it was.
He touched the necklace around his neck, fiddling with the strange gem at the end of it. Part of him was considering going home. Although everyone at the ball was sent home at midnight, anyone could leave early if they wished. All he had to do was hold the gem and say one word: home. Then, poof, he’d end up right back in his bed where he started. This night wasn’t going very well anyway. Maybe he should try again another time. He sighed inwardly and drank the last sip of his drink as he rolled the idea around in his head. If he was going to go, he should have one more glass before heading back. He didn’t know the name of the drink or how much alcohol was in it, but the drink tasted good. It was sweet and refreshing. One last drink wouldn’t hurt.
He made his way back to the drink table, grabbing another glass before setting his sights on the ballroom again, except this time he wasn’t people watching. He wanted to spend the rest of the time out on one of the balconies. He just had to find the closest one. Some fresh air would be nice. He sipped his drink, pausing in his search for the balcony when spotted someone interesting. There was a man not too far away, leaning against a wall with a drink in hand. Many things drew his attention to the man, such as his height and the fact that he, similarly to himself, was also alone in such a crowded room, but what stood out the most was his mask. Everyone had masks that covered half of their face, but this man’s mask covered everything, only leaving his eyes exposed. How curious. He wondered how he ended up with a mask like that… If it were any other day, he would’ve asked, but he wasn’t feeling up to it. He’d exhausted the energy he had for making friends. Besides, even if he did go over, the chances of the man sticking around were already low, but they’d be even lower now with the mood he was in. If the man didn’t find his soulmate today, there was a high chance of seeing him at the next ball. When the next one rolled around, he could approach the man at that time. It’d be better that way since he wouldn’t be all down in th—
That line of thought died the moment eyes met his own, making him flinch. Ah, he’d been staring. How long had he been standing around doing that? Apparently long enough for the man to notice, which wasn’t good. How embarrassing. He quickly grabbed his drink and headed for the nearest balcony as fast as his legs would carry him. Maybe he wouldn't be speaking with him at the next ball. The guy probably thought he was strange already.
A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he stepped out onto the balcony. It was empty, quiet, and the air cooled his burning face. Perfect. He hopped up onto the rail of the balcony, turning until his legs dangled dangerously over the edge. He sipped his drink slowly, gaze focused on the view beneath him. There was a garden full of flowers beneath him. Although he was unable to see what colors they were, the shades of grey and black went from lightest to darkest, so the flowers were still pretty to look at. He assumed the person in charge of the garden intentionally planted the flowers in such a way. It was a good choice. He took another sip of his drink, enjoying the newfound peace until he picked up the sound of footsteps growing closer, which made him frown. Someone was coming. He could only hope that they decided to leave once they realized the balcony was occupied. If that didn’t happen, then the next best outcome was them settling down on the other side of the balcony quietly so they could both enjoy the silence. It only took a few more seconds for the door to creak open. He swirled around the liquid in his glass, waiting for something to happen.
“You know, you shouldn’t sit in such a precarious place.” A voice spoke, seemingly concerned.
Ororon blinked in surprise, his hand stilling. He hadn’t expected to be spoken to. It wasn’t often that people started a conversation with him. He was usually the one beginning the conversation. That aside, he wasn’t expecting them to be concerned for him or their voice to be so… deep and soothing. It made him curious about their appearance, but he refused to turn around. Even if they began to talk, he would lose interest just like the rest of them, so he shouldn’t even get his hopes up. He gazed into his glass and let out a sigh as he stared at his reflection.
“It’s alright. That’s why I have these.” He spread his wings to their fullest extent to show them off. Thankfully, his outfit had holes for his wings to come through, so when he wasn’t using them, they were folded comfortably behind his back. If he were to fall, he could easily catch himself.
There were more footsteps, and a moment later the man was right beside him, only leaning on the railing rather than sitting on top of it. “Be that as it may, you’re flushed. I fear you wouldn’t be able to react quickly enough whilst tipsy,” he argued lightly.
With the man being so close, Ororon couldn’t resist his curiosity and turned his head to get a quick look at the stranger beside him. The moment he did, he felt his heart stop in his chest. It was the man from earlier, the one he’d accidentally stared at less than five minutes ago. He bit the inside of his cheek, grasping his glass tighter. For some reason, he felt incredibly nervous. Whenever he approached someone to chat, he always felt a little nervous, but not quite like this. This was a different kind of nervousness he couldn’t explain. All he knew was that he didn’t want to mess this up. He didn’t want to talk before but all of a sudden he did now. “…You’re probably right. I’ll get down.” He shifted, turning his body sideways so he could work his way down, but he was stopped.
“Allow me.”
The man had phrased it as a statement, but Ororon could tell it was meant to be a question. He didn’t need help getting down. He’d gotten on the railing just fine, and he could get down just as easily, but he saw no real reason to turn the offer down. “Mm,” he agreed, giving his head a nod as well, but he was truly unprepared for what was next. He assumed the man would offer his hand and help him down that way, but he was sorely mistaken. Instead, he found an arm placed behind his back and another under his legs. Before he had the chance to process what was happening, he was being lifted bridal style then gently set on the ground, all within the span of five seconds. It left him absolutely starstruck.
He stared at the man for a few seconds in pure shock before staring down at his drink as blush took over his face. “T-Thanks…” He whispered, only receiving a hum in response from the taller. What was that? There were plenty of other ways he could’ve been helped down, yet he decided to pick him up. His heart thumped in his chest rapidly. Was he being flirted with…? He couldn’t tell. No one had ever flirted with him before, so he wasn’t sure if he was mistaking the man’s kindness for something else. He shouldn’t get ahead of himself.
He cleared his throat. “So… what brings you out here?” he asked hesitantly, not knowing what else to say. The man hadn’t said anything else. That could’ve meant he wanted to enjoy the view, but he ruled that out because the man was staring at him. Didn’t that mean he wanted to talk to him?
The man tapped his fingers on the edge of the balcony. “Well, I noticed a certain little bat with their eyes on me, so I decided to look into it.”
Ororon couldn’t see the man’s mouth thanks to his mask, but the tone in his voice led him to believe there was a smile on his face. He almost sounded like he was teasing him. “Oh.” He breathed, feeling even more embarrassed. He fidgeted with his glass, tracing the rim of it with a finger. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. I just—I was wondering..”
The man gave no verbal response but tipped his head in his direction, and Ororon took that as a sign to continue. He took a few sips of his drink, hoping the alcohol would get rid of the anxiety in his system. “…What’s your name?” He finally decided to ask, causing the man to laugh. “Surely that wasn’t what you were wondering.”
He shook his head. “Well… no, but I need something to call you, don’t I?” He argued. He couldn’t keep referring to him as ‘the man’ in his head.
“I suppose you do. Very well then. You can call me Capitano. That’s the name everyone uses.”
Capitano? The way Capitano phrased it made it seem like it wasn’t his real name, but so what if it wasn’t? It was still something to call him. Besides, if this lasted—whatever this was—he could learn his real name later.
“And what should I call you, little bat?”
‘Little bat.’ This was the second time Capitano called him that, and he felt heat rush to his face because of it. He was glad his mask covered some of it. “My name is Ororon. It’s nice to meet you.” He extended his hand for a handshake, smiling when his hand was actually taken for a quick shake. This was going very well so far.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Ororon,” Capitano responded in kind. “There was something you wished to ask me, wasn’t there?”
That made Ororon’s face scrunch up. Ah. He wasn’t going to let that go, was he? He sighed in defeat and sank down to the floor to sit, setting his drink aside. Thankfully, Capitano joined him on the ground so he didn’t have to strain his neck by looking up at him. “It’s your mask. Everyone at the ball only has half a mask.” He pulled off his own mask, fidgeting with it. Wearing it wasn’t very important to him in the first place, so showing his face wasn’t a huge deal. “But your mask covers your entire face. It just caught my attention, that’s all,” he explained, tracing the intricate design of his mask with a finger until the silence began to stretch on for too long.
He glanced up in confusion, quickly looking back down when he realized Capitano was just staring at him. Suddenly, he felt very self-conscious. Did he say something wrong? “You—you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. I probably shouldn’t have said anything; sorry,” he murmured. He’d definitely messed up.
At least, he thought he did until he felt a hand cup his cheek and guide his face upwards. “Don’t be. I apologize; I couldn’t help being distracted once I saw you,” Capitano admitted, rubbing his thumb across his cheek.
”Oh…” Was the only thing Ororon managed to force out as a blush overtook his face. He wasn’t sure how to respond to such blatant flirting. His heart felt all wobbly-wobbly in his chest. In the back of his mind he could hear his Granny nagging him. Whenever he brought up finding his soulmate, she always warned him to be careful of seemingly nice men and women that approached him and showered him with compliments because they could want something from him. He hadn’t forgotten her words, but he wasn’t concerned in the slightest. One of the things he prided himself on was his ability to read souls, and he could tell Capitano had a good one. Although he wasn’t sure why Capitano seemed interested in him, he had nothing to worry about. That aside, for some strange reason he just felt like Capitano wouldn’t do anything to harm him.
Ororon held onto Capitano’s wrist lightly and nuzzled his face into his hand. Besides, feeling wanted wasn’t so bad. “Then…?”
Capitano clicked his tongue. “Ah, yes. Many find my appearance to be unsightly. For that reason, my face remains covered the majority of the time. I’m certain our mysterious host provided me with a full mask for that reason.”
The explanation was simpler than Ororon had been thinking, but it made sense. Their host was unknown but clearly very powerful. It wasn’t strange for their host to know some personal information about each guest and be able to compensate for it… but he found it hard to believe that Capitano’s face was so unsightly he had to keep it covered regularly. He frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. “Could I see?” Even if Capitano’s face was unsightly, he wanted to see it. He wouldn’t be bothered by the sight. It must be uncomfortable for Capitano to keep his face covered all the time. “If—if you don’t mind,” he quickly added, not wanting to overstep.
For a moment, there was silence, which was slightly worrying to him, but then finally came Capitano’s reply. “If you’re certain the sight won’t bother you.” With a wave of Capitano’s hand, the door to the balcony frosted over in an instant, obscuring the view.
Ororon breathed a sigh of relief and scooted closer to Capitano until they were side by side with their legs touching. “It won’t.” He waited with expectant eyes, but to his surprise he found Capitano’s hands covering his own and guiding them to his face. “Are you sure?” He whispered, fingers lingering on the edges of Capitano’s mask. He didn’t expect to be given so much control of the situation, but the only response he received was a single nod, so there was only one thing to do.
He slowly removed Capitano’s mask and placed it on the ground next to his own. The face he was met with couldn’t be considered unsightly at all. The majority of Capitano’s face was covered (or perhaps the right word was consumed?) with what he could only assume were scars… It was odd, the way the scars took over Capitano’s face, if they could even be called that. They definitely weren’t formed from an injury that had healed, which only gave him more questions, but those could wait. He flashed a smile at Capitano. “I don’t think your face is unsightly at all…” The scars may draw some attention, but putting those aside, Capitano was objectively an attractive man. No amount of scars could cover that up. He raised a hand, fingers lingering before his face. “Could I…?”
As expected, the response he received was a nonverbal one—just a single nod, but it was enough. He rested his hand on Capitano’s cheek, gasping and pulling his hand back seconds later. “You’re cold,” he breathed, feeling slightly concerned. Now knowing what he was getting into, Ororon cupped both of Capitano’s cheeks with more conviction. The cold made him shiver, but his hands remained in place as he tried to warm the cool flesh beneath. “Doesn’t it bother you?”
Capitano nuzzled his face into the hands on his cheeks, eyes never once leaving the other. “Mm. It does. It’s so cold. I can hardly stand it. Would you mind warning me further?” He asked, almost sounding pitiful, and Ororon couldn’t help but blush. Capitano didn’t seem cold in the slightest. In fact, he looked entirely unphased, yet there he was, burying his face into his hands and claiming he could ‘hardly stand’ the cold and asking for help. “I… ah, how…?” he sputtered. It felt as if his heart were going to beat out of his chest. He was happy to help Capitano in any way he could; he just didn’t know what he had in store for him. How was he meant to warm Capitano any further than this?
“Allow me.” That was the only thing Capitano said, offering no further explanation. Again, it was phrased as a statement, but he could tell Capitano was waiting for his approval. Approval for what? Ororon wasn’t sure, but thinking back to what happened last time made the blush on his face grow a shade darker. Last time Capitano had picked him up. What was he going to do this time? Although he was unsure of what came after, he gave his head a nod. He trusted Capitano.
Next thing Ororon knew, an arm hooked around his waist, then he was quickly and easily pulled sideways into Capitano’s lap. He felt as if he were burning from the inside out. Never had he been so flustered in his entire life. He wondered how Capitano could just do these things without batting an eye. He let his hands drop to his side and buried his face into the crook of Capitano’s neck, hiding away there. He couldn’t bear to meet his eyes, especially when Capitano’s gaze never seemed to leave him. At least Capitano’s cool skin brought down his own temperature. “…Better?” He whispered, voice muffled but still audible.
Capitano wrapped his arms around Ororon’s waist, holding him securely. Now content, he leaned against the bars of the balcony and closed his eyes. “Much better. Thank you.”
It was clear to Ororon that Capitano wasn’t cold and that this was simply an excuse to hold him, but he couldn’t say he hated it. It was… nice to feel wanted in this way. He shivered when he felt Capitano's arms snake around his waist and let out a shaky breath as he closed his eyes, relaxing in his hold. He didn’t mind staying like this. It was quiet out on the balcony even with some muted sound from the ballroom coming through; Capitano’s lap was comfortable, and he felt safe with his large arms wrapped around his waist. But although he was quite happy and comfortable, he wanted to talk more—to get to know Capitano more. It wasn’t often that someone took an interest in him, let alone this kind of interest. He wasn’t sure if any of this would last, but even if it was just a one-night fling, he wanted to enjoy it. He only hoped Capitano wouldn’t mind him breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen between them.
He shifted in Capitano’s lap and pulled back just enough to get a look at his face. Capitano’s eyes were still closed, and Ororon thought he looked incredibly peaceful. He was even more hesitant to break the silence, but Capitano must’ve figured something was off because his eyes fluttered open a moment later. “What’s on your mind?”
The question made him feel relieved. The silence was broken, so he didn’t have to worry about any of that now. He cupped Capitano's cheek with one hand and rubbed his thumb across the scar that took over his skin. In addition to the odd way they took over Capitano’s face, he was now realizing how much rougher his skin was in that spot. When he rubbed his thumb across his normal skin and then back to the scarred spot, there was a noticeable difference. “I wanted to know how you ended up with these scars. But—but you don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable.” He wasn’t sure if the topic was a sensitive one for Capitano. He didn’t want to pry.
Capitano curled his finger around a few strands of Ororon’s hair and pressed a kiss to it. “You’re a curious one, aren’t you?” He could practically see all of the questions brimming behind his eyes.
Ororon blushed in embarrassment and laughed a little, rubbing at the back of his neck awkwardly. “Is it that obvious?” He knew he was a bit of an open book, but he didn’t realize it was that noticeable.
“Yes, although that’s not a bad thing.” Capitano assured Ororon and leaned into the touch on his cheek. “My scars are from my time as a knight.”
“A knight…” Ororon repeated. He could see Capitano being a knight. It seemed like an incredibly fitting position. Still, that answer left him with more questions. The scars Capitano had weren’t normal, and he had a feeling he had more on other parts of his body. Even if they were a result of scars that healed, that didn’t explain their odd state and the way they seemed to take over his skin. He could tell that Capitano was being truthful, but there were things he was keeping to himself. Looking into Capitano’s eyes told him he wouldn’t get any more answers, and that was okay. He wouldn’t pry. “Then what do you do now?”
“I’m a diplomat. What about you?”
The lack of details and the counter question didn’t go unnoticed by Ororon. Again, he wouldn’t pry, but aside from that, he didn’t think the information was all that important. This may not last more than tonight, and on the off chance that it did, he could learn more about Capitano as time went on. He beamed. “I’m a gardener!” He paused for a moment. “Well, I have my work for my tribe as well, but I’m primarily a gardener.” At least, he considered his main job to be tending to his garden.
Capitano raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What kind of flowers do you grow?”
“Ah…” Right. Most people would assume one grew flowers when they said they were a gardener. “I don’t grow flowers. I grow vegetables. I have a vegetable garden,” he clarified.
Capitano clicked his tongue in understanding. “Then, what kind of vegetables do you grow?”
“Oh… you know. Just this and that. A little bit of everything, really,” Ororon murmured and looked down at his hands, fidgeting with his fingers.
“You don’t wish to say more?” Capitano was asking because he could tell something was off. When Ororon mentioned he was a gardener, he looked so happy, yet he’d done a complete one-eighty within a matter of seconds.
Ororon flashed Capitano a weak smile. He was good at reading people, but it seemed like Capitano also had such a skill. That, or he was simply that easy to read. It could honestly be either or. He knew he wasn’t the best at masking his emotions. He sighed and rested his head on Capitano’s shoulder, slumping into him. “I, uhm, I tend to ramble from time to time, and I wouldn’t want to bore you.” When he actually managed to talk to someone at these balls, they typically lost interest the moment he began to go on and on about his vegetables. He didn’t want to scare Capitano away either, even if that meant being a hypocrite. So much for being unapologetically himself.
Capitano shook his head and began to rub circles on Ororon’s back, making sure to be careful and avoid his wings. “Go on. You won’t bore me.”
The rubbing felt very nice, and the way Capitano was avoiding his wings made his heart feel warm. He snuggled further into Capitano, feeling a little less worried now. “Do you have an interest in gardening?”
“No.”
That made Ororon furrow his brows. “Then…?” If Capitano had no interest in gardening, surely he didn’t want to sit here and listen to his ramblings.
Capitano couldn't help chuckling a little. He thought the question was amusing. “I may not have an interest in gardening, but I have an interest in you. It’s clear you’re passionate about your work. It shows on your face. I’d like to hear you talk about it.”
Ororon was quick to bury his face into Capitano’s neck before a blush could completely take over his face. Although he had his suspicions, that was the first time Capitano had come out and said it. So he was interested in him. Naturally, the next question on his mind was ‘why,’ but he didn’t dare to ask. He was afraid of the answer he’d receive. Was this a temporary interest or something lasting? Even if it were the latter, it could never be permanent. He didn’t have a soulmate, but Capitano did. He had someone out there made for him, so this could never be… but he chose not to think about that. He didn’t want to think about it. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the moment.
“As long as you’re sure… but feel free to stop me any time, okay?” He had to leave that option on the table. Even though Capitano said he wouldn’t get bored, he may feel differently once he gets into it. Capitano only hummed, which Ororon took as his sign to continue. “As I said earlier, I do grow a little bit of everything, but if you want me to be specific, then I grow carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage—oh!” He quickly sat up, leaning back to look at Capitano. “Cabbage is my favorite vegetable. Did you know…”
It didn’t take very long for Ororon to fall into talking despite being nervous in the beginning. Anytime he did snap out of his state of rambling and grew anxious, it was quickly washed away by taking one look at Capitano and seeing the look in his eyes. There was no annoyance, boredom, or disinterest—nothing like that. Capitano always met his gaze with a gentle smile and patient, engaged eyes. Capitano would even make comments and throw questions his way from time to time. That was how he could tell he wasn’t just tuning him out until he finished speaking. True to his word, Capitano wasn’t getting bored, and that only encouraged him to go on.
———
By the time Ororon finished talking, he wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but he felt incredibly happy. He’d gotten the chance to ramble on about his interests for so long he'd gotten everything out of his system. That rarely happened. “Thank you,” he said softly and wrapped his arms around Capitano, hugging him tightly. There was no way he couldn’t thank Capitano. It’d been a long time since someone other than his Granny or Ifa was willing to listen to him go on about his vegetables and aphids. He felt seen by someone new for the first time in a long time.
Capitano shook his head and held Ororon close, running his fingers through his dark locks. “You don’t need to thank me for something so small. I’m more than happy to listen to you anytime.”
Ororon had to pinch his arm to make sure he wasn’t dreaming because he was having a hard time believing that someone so sweet was actually into him. But the pain was there and left his forearm throbbing. This was real, yet part of him still couldn’t believe it. “I know, but I want to. So thank you again. It means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome.” Capitano hummed out, carding his fingers through Ororon’s hair a few more times. “Do you want to dance?”
Ororon turned to look at the frosted-over balcony door in mild shock. He was surprised that Capitano could even hear the music that began to play. Sound from the ballroom was already muted thanks to the doors being shut, but they only became more muted when Capitano frosted them over using his vision. He smiled at Capitano. “If you’ll have me. I only know the basic ballroom dance,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. It wasn’t often he got to dance. The only times he danced were at these balls, but that was with his Granny or Ifa as his partner. He’d never been asked to dance, and he was always turned down when he asked someone else to dance.
“That is just fine. I will lead.” Before Ororon had a chance to get up, he was already being picked up as if he were a bride, lifted, and placed on his feet. That was now the second time Capitano had lifted him in such a way, and he was no less embarrassed than the first time. He let out a flustered huff, looking at the ground in an attempt to hide his face. “I—I get up on my own, you know…”
Capitano placed two fingers underneath Ororon’s chin, tapping lightly until he raised his head to meet his eyes. He smiled, reveling in the look on Ororon’s face. “I’m aware, but I prefer to carry you.”
Ororon’s heart beat quickly in his chest, finding it hard to hold Capitano’s gaze. “Aren’t I heavy?”
“Heavy?” Capitano laughed as if he’d just heard the most ridiculous question ever. “Nonsense. You’re as light as a feather, little bat. I could carry you with one arm.”
The more Capitano laughed, the more embarrassed he got. He knew he wasn’t fat, but it wasn’t as if he were weightless. He sputtered softly, at a loss for words. Thankfully, Capitano spared him more embarrassment and offered his hand, which he quickly took. He’d rather dance than continue that line of conversation. He rested his left hand on Capitano’s upper arm, naturally taking up the position of the woman given their height difference. He had experience dancing both parts. When he was with his Granny, he took on the man’s role, but when he danced with Ifa, he took on the woman’s role.
He shivered as Capitano’s right hand rested on his waist and nibbled on his bottom lip while glancing down. For some reason, he was just now realizing how big their size difference was. Capitano’s hands would definitely reach in the middle if he were to put both hands on his waist. His eyes flicked over to where their hands were connected. And Capitano’s hand almost covered his own. The more he thought about it, the more his mind wandered to less than innocent places. He shook his head and stuffed those thoughts into the deepest corner of his mind. Now wasn’t the time to think about such things. He should focus on Capitano instead.
True to his word, Capitano led, and Ororon followed his lead, which wasn’t very hard to do since it was a standard dance with hardly any steps. Even still, he counted in his head, making sure he kept them on their one-two-three, one-two-three pace. He didn’t want to mess up, let alone step on Capitano’s feet, although he could imagine him saying he didn’t feel a thing.
Despite repeating the same few steps, neither of them grew bored, and a comfortable silence lingered between them, the only sounds being the muted music coming from the ballroom and the sounds of their feet as they took each step. It was a silence that Ororon enjoyed greatly. There was no need to force a conversation. They could just… *be* and enjoy each other’s presence. Eventually, they stopped dancing altogether. Instead, Ororon wrapped both arms around Capitano and rested his head on his chest, closing his eyes. Capitano responded in kind by resting his head on top of Ororon’s and wrapping both of his arms around his waist. Then, they simply swayed side to side to the beat of the faint music. Ororon was so comfortable he began to doze off, his grip on Capitano slightly loosening as a result. The sound of Capitano’s heartbeat only made it worse. Oddly enough, his heart beat at a much slower pace than what was considered normal, but he was too tired to think much about it. The slow, steady beat of his heart was incredibly soothing.
Ororon wasn’t sure how long they stood there swaying from side to side, but he wished this night didn’t have to end—that he could stay wrapped in Capitano’s arms forever, but all good things ended eventually. The sound of a bell ringing reminded him of that. He frowned and slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the position of the moon in the sky. He knew what the bell meant. There were clocks inside of the ballroom, but for anyone who wasn’t near one, there was another way to tell the time. Each hour a bell would ring ten times. When the bell struck for the tenth time, it meant an hour had passed. This bell was the same except for the way it rang. This ring was louder than all of the others and much more distinctive. This was the final bell. When it rang for the tenth time, it meant midnight had come and everyone at the ball would be teleported back to where they were before. They were almost out of time. He had to hurry.
He rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes and looked up at Capitano. “Are you attending the next ball?”
Capitano countered with a question of his own. “I’m not sure. Are you?” Ororon nodded immediately. “I am!” Of course he was. He attended every ball, but even if he hadn’t, Capitano would’ve been his sole reason for attending the next one. “Then, I will attend.”
Ororon let out a sigh, feeling relieved but only for a moment. “Okay… This balcony can be our meeting spot so you can find me.” Even if other people took the balcony before them, it was okay. The balcony wasn’t important. Finding each other mattered more.
Capitano chuckled, shaking his head slowly. “I will find you no matter where you are, little bat.” Those words made Ororon’s face heat up—the look in Capitano’s eyes telling him he truly meant that. However, there was no time to be flustered. He’d kept an ear open, and the bell had already struck seven times. There was only one thing left to say and do. “Then, I’ll see you next time. If… you’re still interested,” he whispered and leaned in, pressing their lips together for a few seconds before pulling away. He flashed Capitano a half-smile, feeling his heart twist in his chest as he backed up. “Goodbye, Capitano.”
RING
The final bell struck for the last time that night, and Ororon was quick to close his eyes just in time to feel the world around him shift. It only took a moment for him to feel the carpet in his bedroom beneath his feet. He sank down to the ground and buried his face into his knees, feeling devastated. As much as he had enjoyed that night, he knew it was over. He had sealed his fate with that kiss. The moment Capitano got back, he would realize that they weren’t soulmates, and any interest he had in him would fade. It was rare for one to pursue someone outside of their soulmate because what was the point? The relationship would never last when there was another out there they were meant to be with. He was almost certain Capitano would feel the same way. He wouldn’t see him again. When the next ball rolled around, he was sure to be left alone on that balcony the entire night.
He took a deep breath, doing his best not to let this bring him down. He knew from the start that they could never have anything other than a fling. It was okay. Even though the ending was bittersweet, he would cherish the memories. He should fix his face and go let his Granny know he was back… but as he lifted his head and opened his eyes, that monochrome world he’d grown so used to was suddenly bursting with color. He exhaled shakily, his breath catching in his throat as he looked around his room in shock. He could see colors. Colors he knew the names of but couldn’t identify just by looking at them for the first time in his life. This… was he dreaming? He pinched his wrist as hard as he could, hissing in displeasure as pain started at his wrist and traveled up his arm. No, no, he wasn’t dreaming. Then… hallucinating?
He squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing at them roughly for ten seconds before slowly opening them once more. Again, he was greeted with a burst of color. It was almost overwhelming. He stumbled to his feet, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. This was *real*. Not a hallucination, not a dream, but reality. In an instant many thoughts flooded his mind. Capitano was his soulmate, but how was he meant to find him? They planned to meet at the next ball, but now that he’d found his soulmate, he wouldn’t receive another invitation. That was an issue. He didn’t know much about Capitano. Only his ‘name,’ profession, and appearance. Would that be enough to find him? Or… Or maybe he didn’t need to find Capitano. Maybe Capitano would come to him. He said he’d find him no matter where he was, didn’t he? He could only hope that was true.
He plopped down on his bed and let out a shaky sigh, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. Soulmate. He had a soulmate, but how? He was certain he didn’t have one, especially once he confirmed he had no connection to his supposed soulmate, like everyone else did…
No connection?
If you close your eyes and focus on your soul, it’s almost as if you can sense their presence.
Ororon remembered the words Ifa had said to him in the past. He felt nothing before… but what about now? He specialized in matters pertaining to souls. If something had changed, he should definitely be able to feel it. He quickly laid down in his bed and shuffled under the covers, curling up into a small ball. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath of air, holding it for five seconds before letting it all out while relaxing his body. He blocked out all sounds around him and focused only on himself and his heart, but that wasn’t enough. He pushed even deeper, past his heart and right to the empty space inside his body where his soul resided. He could feel it—his soul lingering in that space, but something had changed. That space, which normally only held his soul, didn’t seem so empty anymore. There was something—no, someone there. He couldn’t ‘see’ another soul there with his own, but he could feel it. Another soul there in that empty space connected to his own. He snapped his eyes open and grasped at his chest, tears welling in his eyes as he panted.
Ah… for the first time, he wasn’t alone.