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It took a moment for Malleus to realize that Vil was trying to get his attention. His eyes lowered from the lights above and looked down at his boyfriend. The blonde had leaned across the table to look Malleus in the eye.
“You seem to be distracted, dear.” Vil said softly as the fae regained focus on him. “Is something on your mind?
“I’m sorry.” Malleus glanced away, a little ashamed and somewhat intimidated by his lover’s serious look. “I’m merely not used to…” He motioned above them, to a row of LED lights that lined the dim restaurant.
“You’re not used to nonmagical lighting?” Vil asked curiously. “I suppose it makes sense. Your home is mostly lit by magical flame, as was Diasomnia.” He nodded in thought at his investigation.
“Not quite, though you are close.” Malleus looked back up at the string of lights that surrounded the restaurant. “The green flames we are so used to, visually it’s very… Cold. I’m not used to somewhere so dim yet so warm at the same time.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Places like this do it for intimacy. It’s more romantic.” Vil explained as he pulled back. “Though getting distracted on our anniversary… Tsk tsk…” He smiled as he clicked his tongue, teasing his lover.
“I apologize. I won’t let any more distractions get between us.” Malleus smiled back and reached across the table to take Vil’s hand.
“Good. I wouldn’t want any more distractions–”
“Vil!” The voice was a harsh whisper from a neighboring table.”Vil! Viiiiiiil!”
At the sound of the voice, Vil and Malleus both looked over and found themselves looking at the table across the aisle, where Cater Diamond was looking right at them, hand cupping his mouth conspiratorially.
“Viiiiiii–”
“Diamond? What are you doing here?” Vil asked, his voice genuinely soft spoken with practiced tonal control compared to the stage whisper of Cater.
“We wanted to go out to a fancy dinner since we were both in town together instead of back in the palace.” Cater pointed with a thumb across the table to Leona Kingscholar.
“I was gonna keep quiet, but… If I get t’ ruin your anniversary I think I’ll take the win.” Leona said, his usual smug grin on his face even if he didn’t look up from the menu. Malleus merely responded with a sharp exhale through his nose.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going on Celebrity Dance Off?” Cater asked, not caring about his husband’s comments.
“It’s not revolutionary or anything.” Vil shrugged. “It’s not like I am inviting you to a wedding. I’ll put my all into it but I didn’t realize I needed to make a personal announcement to you.”
“But we’re friends! And this is such a popular show–” Cater started before Leona actually looked up from his menu to actually enter the conversation.
“Actually, why are you on Celebrity Dance Off?” Leona asked as he looked at Vil. “Isn’t that show for the nobodies? They get the D-List to come on that show and… I can’t believe I’m saying this, you’re actually a halfway decent actor. You deserve your spot on the A-List.”
“Well, I’ll have you know this is a special for the A-Listers.” Vil put down his own menu to focus on the conversation. “It’s a special for charity. It’s like that one game show that they do over in the Kingdom of Heroes where they have comedians do funny tasks, except for the New Years Special.”
“Okay, that makes more sense.” Leona nodded and went back to the menu. “Anyway, hun, I was thinking the lobster–”
“It does seem like cheating, since you’re a trained dancer actually.” Cater laughed, trying to keep it soft in order to not interrupt the romantic ambiance.
“Which is why I’ll be dancing with Malleus instead. I’m technically the professional this time.” Vil motioned across the table.
Malleus, who had gone back to focusing on his own wine, suddenly perked up at the mention of him as a dancer for this show.
“I’m happy to do this, but I wish you would have told me earlier…” Malleus said in surprise, his frown confused but still gentle.
“...I did tell you.” Vil looked back at him, just as confused again. “Why do you think we’ve been practicing a dance routine for the last few weeks?”
“I thought that was just a thing we did to be romantic.” Malleus looked at Vil, then at the two at the other table. “Just to do something together, like a date.”
“We did a few dance lessons before, when Leona was near the studio for a few weeks.” Cater looked over at Leona, who nodded as well.
“There’s a lot more group dances and ceremonial dances in the Savana. A few years back Cater and I had to do that actually.” Leona smiled, that brief flicker of pure love for his husband in his eyes as he looked across. “That was nice, but it's also nice to do something for fun.”
“What are you doing for the show?” Cater leaned over into the aisle, pulled back as a waiter came by, and leaned in again. “If you don’t mind spoiling.”
“We’re dancing to a song from one of my first performances actually.” Vil’s smile grew wider. “Back when I only did stage at first. Though Malleus would never get cast as my twin if this was a real show.” He laughed and looked across the table again, where Malleus blushed.
“Are the characters we’re playing supposed to be twins?” Malleus looked confused, “I actually never saw the original play, or the movie.”
“Technically it was a movie first.” Vil explained, “We can watch it before the performance, since this song was actually sung by the leads.”
“I love all this vague talk…” Leona growled and rolled his eyes. “I ain’t as cultured as you three so–”
Vil shot a glare at Leona, and for a moment the lion’s brain replayed their relationship and the unfortunate dates they had gone on.
“Oh. Twins, right.” Leona nodded at the revelation, before he spoke again. “Does anyone find it weird that the villains of that movie were literally twins who performed as leads in shows? Like there’s no way they didn’t have to kiss on stage at least once.”
“I… Never thought about that…” Cater stopped to stare and contemplate the thought.
“Oh please, I’ve been in theater for years and it’s not like anyone actually kisses on stage.” Vil clicked his tongue at Leona. “Still, it should be a good show. I hope you two watch and vote for us.”
“Of course!” Cater smiled wide, “We’ll definitely support you.”
Even as the conversation happened, Malleus was back in his own head, worried he was about to disappoint his lover.
The lights in the studio faded, a deep red that made the shadows grow on the set. For Malleus and Vil, the design was simple: A red curtain lined the back of the dance floor like at a normal theater. The crowd grew silent as they waited for the announcement of the next dance.
Dancing the Foxtrot, Vil Schoenheit, and his partner Malleus Draconia
There was a brief round of applause as a spotlight turned on, revealing Vil Schoenheit standing near the curtain, clad in a beautiful red dress. Glittering, long but slit near the legs for easy dancing, he shone like a crimson beacon on the dancefloor.
The music began to play, soft piano as Malleus steps out from behind the curtain. Uncharacteristically he seems underdressed, wearing a t-shirt and a red letterman style jacket, though he was wearing slacks.
He walks closer to Vil and puts a hand on the blonde’s hip. Vil looks back up at him, and turns to face him.
We’re soarin’, flyin’
There’s not a star in heaven that we can’t reach
If we’re tryin’
So we’re breaking free.
Vil and Malleus move into the proper dancing position, the two holding one pair of hands with their arms out, and Vil putting his hand up on Malleus’ shoulder. They glided along the floor, slowly turning to the beat as the music continued.
You know the world can see us
In a way that’s different than who we are
Creating space between us
‘Til we’re separate hearts
Their gliding stopped as Malleus raised his arm, and Vil raised his as well, spinning underneath him. Smoothly, Vil’s arms moved up to hold onto Malleus’ shoulder as the fae dipped him.
But your faith
It gives me strength
Strength to believe
Suddenly the curtain was pulled up, revealing a cityscape painted set with shimmering stars and a smiling crescent moon. The lights changed to blue tones, and as the beat dropped Malleus lifted Vil up, the human’s feet just above the ground as they spun around.
We’re breaking free
We’re soarin’, flyin’
There’s not a star in heaven that we can’t reach
If we’re tryin’
Yeah we’re breakin’ free
As the beat picked up, the crowd cheered. Vil’s feet hit the ground, and after a brief return to proper form Malleus raised his arm again and spun Vil a few more times, before Vil spun out on his own and Malleus reached an arm out after him.
Can you feel it building
Like a wave the ocean just can’t control
Connected by a feelin’
Oooh, to our very soul, very soul.
Vil stopped his spinning and struck a pose, as he looked back at Malleus, smiling, eyes glittering with joy at the dance performance.
Rising til it lifts us up
So everyone can see
Vil ran back into Malleus arms, where the fae lifted him over his head, earning gasps and cheers from the crowd.
We’re breakin’ free
We’re soarin’, flyin’
There’s not a star in heaven that we can’t reach
If we’re tryin’
So we’re breakin’ free
Despite the actual song going on longer, the shortened version for the dance competition cut to the fade out at the end instead of the next verse. Malleus slowly lowered Vil down to stand in front of him, the two bracing themselves on each other.
You know the world can see us
In a way that’s different than who we are
The lights rose to their full brightness, lighting the room and showing the crowd as they started to cheer.
Malleus and Vil clung to each other as they breathed, eyes locked. Malleus leaned in and pressed a simple kiss to Vil’s forehead as they hugged tight.
“Do you think we did well, love?” Malleus said, his whisper almost drowned out by the crowd.
“At this point I’m just happy to dance with you.” Vil laughed into his chest. “Though if we don’t win this thing is rigged.”