Chapter Text
Lilia’s and Malleus' magic removed the thick thorns of wild rose from the throne room. The throne room regained its former beauty. A warm light filled the hall. An invisible orchestra was playing, the sounds of many instruments echoed off the shining walls of the throne room.
"Come, humans. Fae. Dreams. Reality. Phantasms! Let us all dance together for a time, until the dawn arrives." Malleus' voice echoed in the room. Unlike his usual voice, his voice was soft and inviting. This was not a command, but a kind invitation. The orchestra began a waltz and Malleus invited his schoolmates to dance. He glided across the dance floor with graceful movements. A special atmosphere filled the pleasantly warm air of the throne room.
Trey leaned against a window sill and watched as the couples intertwined. As two hands touched and lost in each other's touch, accompanied by the sweet melody of the music. His gaze wandered throughout the room. He tried to take in all the wonders at once, tried to burn everything in his memories. A magical evening that only happens once. That's why he tried to lock everything in his memories. He has to remember this evening. Because they will never be the same or be in the same place again as this. The evening will end and each of them will go their own way. A bittersweet taste filled the mouth of the vice-housewarden of Heartslabyul. Then his eyes fell on something...someone. Jade Leech. He was standing at the far end of the room, right across from him. A lamplight was shining on him, as if it wanted to show Trey all of Jade's beauty. It sparkled playfully on the turquoise curls and the mismatched pair of eyes. Trey took a deep breath. The special atmosphere that was floating in the air entered his lungs like a pleasant scent, filling them with courage and determination. He unconsciously stepped towards Jade. One foot in front of the other. Rhythmic tapping on the floor until only a few steps separated him from his beloved.
"May I ask you this dance?" Trey held out his hand chivalrously.
"Oh my my. Of course Trey-san." Jade placed his hand in Trey's upturned palm.
The invisible orchestra was just starting a new song. Trey pulled his partner to the center of the dance floor. He wrapped one arm around Jade's waist, while he gracefully placed Jade's hand in the other. He pulled him close, just close enough that he could smell him. Jade had a strange scent. It had the scent of earth and sea salt at the same time. Trey was intoxicated. His amber eyes took in Jade's wholeness. From his slender figure, through his mischievous smile, to his two different colored eyes. Trey stepped forward and Jade followed. Then Trey spun Jade around. The crowd disappeared around them. They felt like the entire dance floor was theirs alone. They were lost in each other's gaze. The music accompanied their steps. But their thoughts wandered far from the Briar Valley throne room. Far, far away, to the uncertain future.
This is Trey's last year, what he spends entirely within the walls of the NRC. After the summer break, he will go to an internship and will not be on campus outside of exams. He will no longer have time to help with Jade's petty problems. Jade no longer will be able to wait for him in front of his classroom. He will no longer be able to drag him on random hikes to look for rare species of mushrooms. The familiar smell of baked-goods will no longer fill the Heartslabyul kitchen. Trey will no longer be waiting for him there with a huge smile and warm cookies. He will no longer sit next to him in the cafeteria, where Jade will excitedly tell him about his day. No longer will anyone wait for him in the greenhouse, where they can share hidden kisses. Trey will no longer hug him in front of their disgusted friends. He will no longer wake up in the clover-patterned bed covered with red curtains. He will miss all the moments spent together that he thought would last forever. He didn't even notice them when they happened. He took them for granted. However, their absence would be deeply felt and loneliness dug into his heart with cold claws. Even when Trey was still here by his side. He was still so close. But soon he would be so far away. And Jade was uncertain about the future. He was afraid that the future would change their relationship, and even themselves. He was afraid of separation. He didn't want to let Trey go yet. He wanted to be closer, so close to him.
Trey noticed that Jade's grip on his hand had tightened. He knew that something sad might be going on in his lover's mind. So he pulled him closer, hugged him even closer to him. Jade leaned his head on Trey’s shoulder and inhaled his scent deeply.
"I didn't know you could dance, Trey-san." Jade whispered.
"'I’m still full of surprises."
"That you are." Jade giggled and pulled his boyfriend even closer. He still smelled of warm cookies. Honey and icing. Jade wanted to stay in this embrace forever. He wished this night would never end. He wished they would stay here forever. Forever in this dreamlike night. But the night would be broken by dawn and this night would only remain in their memories.
"What's on your mind?" Trey tilted Jade's chin.
"Nothing."
"Jade..."
"Nothing. I was just thinking about how magical this evening is...
"Yes, it really is." Trey smiled.
"But it's going to end soon..." Jade finished his sentence. "I'm going to wake up from this dream and when I wake up, I'm afraid you won't be by my side anymore. You’re going on and you’ll leave me here. And I don't want to let you go yet. I want to stay here, close to you. So close." He didn't want to share all his uncertainty with his beloved, but the words escaped his lips unconsciously.
Trey silently watched the mismatched eyes for a minute. Then he said: "Jade, I'm not going anywhere."
"Of course you are! You won't be here next year! The internship will take up all your time and you won't have time for me. I'm afraid of the future! I don't know what to expect from it. You follow your own path and become a famous patissier, while I might have to go back to the Coral Sea and then we'll be separated forever. And I don't want that. I want to be with you forever, Trey. I want the happily-ever-after with you. I don't want to lose you." Jade's fierce words faded to a whisper. The music slowly reached its peak, the intensity of the instruments increasing in crescendo. As if it were a playing of fairies. Trey spun his beloved again. He led his partner into a waltz again. He pulled Jade close to him, not letting these hurtful thoughts come between them. Then as the music began to slow down, Trey's steps slowed down too.
"Trey?" Jade blinked at Trey in surprise.
"You won't lose me, Jade. I'm scared too, but together we can get through any obstacle. I won't let what we have be lost. Our story will last forever and have a happy ending." Trey spun his lover once more. Then he pulled him closer and closer. Closer, so close, until the inches that had separated them disappeared. They were intertwined in a magical kiss.
The song was coming to an end, as was the evening, but their story wasn't over yet. It would last forever and beyond.