Gilbert's chest heaved up and down, trying to catch his breath after the last song. He grinned like a maniac at the chaotic response of the crowd. Avalanche had really been a hit.
"Ah, Blue's so dreamy!" I heard a girl beside me squeal.
"Yes, but did you get a look at Yellow? His smile...," Another one chimed in.
I leaned back against the table, nursing my punch in one hand while propping myself up with the other. I had been hanging out by the refreshments table, keeping an eye out for anyone that looked a bit off from the typical student. Ludwig and I were committed at this point, both determined to not let anything slip under our noses. If we're not careful, bad things could happen.
The masquerade was in full swing. All around me were dancing, laughing, smiling students that only felt the beat of the music and each other. It was hard not to get caught up in it, the freedom we all felt, as this was our night. My feet itched to take to the dance floor, so maybe, I could just get a taste of what it's like.
But I stayed put, watching the other students and continuing to scan the cafeteria for unfamiliar faces. I kept fiddling with my beaked mask, a part of my plague doctor costume. In addition to the mask, I had a lacey, black bustier top with sheer sleeves and a short, ruffled skirt. I had borrowed thigh-highs and garters from Eliza (I didn't ask why she had them in the first place) and simple flats. I kept adjusting the miniature hat that was precariously balanced on my done-up hair so it wouldn't fall.
In hindsight, the obstructing view of all the masks was not the best for trying to spot intruders. Not only was mine difficult to look through, but I could hardly tell one student from the other. I kept trying to keep track of faces, but everyone seemed to swirl about, never staying put for two long. Soon enough, everyone just became a blur together. It was no use.
My eyes trailed to the other side of the room near the doors, where Ludwig was stationed. He had opted to dress as a werewolf, and the costume looked hastily done, as he kept adjusting the torn rags of clothes and baggy pants. He kept looking towards the doors, then at the students, and then at his watch. Dutifully keeping track of everything, as I knew he would.
I was truly lucky to have him on my side, even if it wasn't what I had originally planned, I thought.
I took another swig from my punch.
"Ah, (Name), fancy meeting you here," said a sultry, droopy voice next to my hear.
I nearly choked on my drink. "Good evening to you, too, Francis."
He chuckled before lifting up his mask to give me a wink. "The one and only, but you found me out too quickly! I thought I might startle you."
"Don't worry, you did," I said. "You seem to have an affinity for getting close to my face."
"Guilty as charged."
I looked him up and down, surprised to see him only dressed in a simple black suit. Knowing him, I was expecting something fancier that stuck out in the crowd.
He tilted his head. "Like what you see?"
"You wish," I playfully scoffed.
"Of course I do, how could I not?" He sighed, sidling up even closer to me. "(Name), I have been meaning to ask you..."
"Yes?"
"...Why don't you have a date?"
I groaned. "Please, not this again."
"No, no, I'm serious," he pressed. "I know you're yearning to go out and dance, and I have no doubt that you'd catch every eye in the room. But instead, I see you here, sipping punch and watching everyone else have the time of their lives. Why does a girl as lovely as you look so lonely on a night like this?"
I was silent, hesitant to admit that he was terribly right.
"I can't," I said. "I... I'm supposed to help supervise. I don't have time for dancing or dates. It'd be irresponsible."
"No one asked you to be their date, did they?"
I choked and sputtered for words. Francis looked horrified. "What, you're serious? I was just joking, but.... No one asked you to the dance? Really?"
I gulped and stared down at the floor, not daring to meet his gaze. "Well, I'm technically going with a friend..."
"That doesn't count!" He huffed. "I'm sorry, (Name), but you're one of the most beautiful, sweet, lovable girls in the school. I truly can't believe that..."
"It's okay. It doesn't really matter that much, anyway." I shrugged. "Like I said, I don't have time for dancing."
"That simply won't do!" He said, standing up straight and fixing his tie. He offered a hand to me. "My dear (Name), care to dance?"
I laughed, swatting away his hands. "Francis, you're so dramatic."
"What? I'm offended. I was being completely serious."
My laughter died down as I looked at his earnest, hopeful face, his hand delicately reaching out and grabbing mine. He tentatively took my hand in his, glove-laden fingers honest and gentle as they cupped my palm. I felt a pull to go with him, just once, and be tugged into the dancing fray, to forget all my worries for a moment.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ludwig again, still stationed like a guard, ready for anything to happen.
I pulled away, shaking my head. "Francis, I'd love to, but really, I can't."
He deflated a bit, watching me curiously. After a moment of consideration, he shuffled back to my side, looking all across the room. His gaze seemed far off.
"It's Ludwig, isn't it?"
My breath caught in my throat. "What do you mean?"
Francis turned to look at me with a soft smile. "(Name), I know a crush when I see one. You aren't here with anyone because you're here with him, and that's why you're not dancing. It's because of Ludwig."
I was quiet for a moment, watching tiny bubbles swirl around in my murky punch. "...He's not my date."
"Ah, but you want him to be."
I didn't answer. All the glances I had been stealing from him, how committed he was to keeping an eye out for intruders, all the little moments in which I saw him in such a serene state were all playing through my mind like a cinema.
"So, I was right," Francis said. "You should go talk to him. If my senses are correct—and usually, they are—he might be interested, as well."
I snapped out of my shock. "What? No, I can't do that. We need to focus on findi—uh, on watching over the dance. You know, making sure nothing goes wrong."
He shrugged. "Suit yourself. Although the night is still young, my dear, it won't last forever. You might not get a chance like this again."
He strutted off, going to talk to some other girls. I mulled over what he said, every so often stealing a curious glance across the room.
He didn't really mean that Ludwig could hold feelings for me... Could he?
The night wore on, and I hardly moved, only to refill my cup from the perpetually-full punch bowl and use the bathroom. I was determined to do my job, and do it right. A couple times I even walked around the border of the cafeteria, trying to see something that maybe I had missed before.
Either time slowed or the Modern Vandals had a longer concert than I had anticipated, but soon enough, I heard Gilbert speaking into the microphone.
"You've been great, Sekai, you really have. We've got one more song for you, and then we'll join you out there!" The crowd erupted into cheers.
The strain of Gilbert's guitar started up once more, Matthias starting on the drums a moment later. They all had the biggest smiles I'd ever seen.
Check yes, Juliet, are you with me?
Rain is falling down on the sidewalk
I won't go until you come outside.
I had stood still for too long, and I was practically spilling over the brim with energy. I looked to Ludwig across the room, and if it was possible, he seemed even more serious than before. My mind was abuzz, and I suddenly felt powerful, ready to do something bold and reckless.
Francis' words came back to me. "You should go talk to him. If my senses are correct—and usually, they are—he might be interested, as well."
I gulped. I might as well...
I felt a surge of confidence, eager to do something daring. I found myself walking across to Ludwig, the faces of the dancing students around me blurring and hardly mattering. He looked surprised at my sudden appearance.
"(Name), you haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, have you?" He asked, anxiously darting his eyes around the room.
I shook my head, heart hammering in my chest. I shifted my weight. "Nothin' at all. You?"
He sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "I was afraid of that... No, I haven't seen anything, either."
"We've been watching nonstop. They couldn't have gotten in."
"That's what worries me," he said. "They could either not be here, or have such incredible disguises that they slipped in right under our noses. Or, even worse, have gotten into the school beforehand."
"Ludwig," I said softly. "Take a deep breath. You're stressing yourself out too much."
He sighed. "...You're not wrong."
I reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, and he jumped at the sudden contact. Color rushed to his cheeks
"Maybe we should take a break, hm?" I said, leaning further into him. "You're too wound up, Luddy."
He looked away. "(Name), there would be no one to watch over. The intruders.... what if-"
In a rush of confidence, I pressed my finger to his lips to shush him. They were warm.
"It'll be fine. They haven't made an appearance yet, have they? Besides, we'll have better focus if we go out and clear our heads."
Check yes, Juliet, I'll be waiting
Wishing, wanting, yours for the taking
Just sneak out and don't tell a soul goodbye.
He shook his head, clearing up his muddled thoughts. "Ja. Sure. Just a few minutes, though."
That was all it took for me to grab his hand and rush out the door, nearly tripping myself in the process. We opened the doors to the courtyard, the party's music fading until it was completely muffled.
Ludwig closed his eyes, taking a deep breath of the crisp night air. He really needed this, I thought to myself.
And as he took a few moments to bask in the freshening breath of nighttime, I looked at him. Like, really looked at him. His skin glowed under the soft, full moon, his shirt partially unbuttoned and torn up to expose even more of the pale, marble-like surface of his chest and neck. His body was still tense, but his shoulders seemed to relax a bit. His eyes were closed peacefully, dark splotches of poorly-done makeup lining his lids. Somehow, it worked for him. I studied the way his chin tilted up, lips parted ever so slightly, as if waiting for a kiss from the sky.
I blinked rapidly, turning away, willing myself to unsee the ethereal beauty that my mind had made up. This is Ludwig Beilschmidt, for Christ's sake, I thought. Your close friend and Student Council president. The worst thing you could do at this moment would be fall in-
I could practically hear Francis' smirk from earlier. "I know a crush when I see one."
I shook my head again. Stupid, stupid (Name).
I turned towards him again, giving him a lopsided grin. "Let's go to the gazebo."
He nodded hesitantly, and I could still see the worry etched into his features.
What if...
"Race you there," I teased.
His eyes widened, and the one corner of his mouth twitched upwards ever so slightly. "Do you really want to start this up again, (Name)?"
I stretched my arms and legs mockingly. "I don't know, are you scared, Luddy?"
"Of course not," he snorted. "And why do you keep calling me 'Luddy'?"
I shrugged, muffling a giggle and leaning over to touch my toes. "It's cute, don't you think? Like you."
I hadn't meant for that last part to slip out (even though that was definitely what I was thinking) and I was glad that he didn't comment on it. My cheeks burned.
I bounced back up on the balls of my feet. "So, ready to race?"
Run, baby, run,
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart if you give them the chance.
He rose a brow. "Um, sure...?"
And before waiting for him to start counting, I took off, dashing up the sidewalk to the center of the courtyard where the gazebo sat.
"Really? You do that every time," I heard Ludwig grumble behind me, easily catching up.
My legs felt kind of wobbly from my sudden takeoff, and I felt myself leaning too far into my stride. If I'm not careful, I might-
Just as the thought crossed my mind, one of my feet hooked under the other and I felt myself tipping forward. I braced and twisted myself to the side just as Ludwig tried to reach out for me, snatching my wrist in his hand. We were moving too fast, though, and we both tumbled into the grass.
At least it wasn't the sidewalk, I thought as I tried to shift over, my side throbbing from the fall and grass tickling my nose. The ground smelled wet and earthy. Ludwig groaned against me, trying to push up and out of the tangled mess we were in, but his hand slipped on the damp ground and he simply collapsed on top of me again.
"Mein Gott, I'm sorry, (Name). Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
I barked a laugh into the soft, wet grass. "Just my ego."
"Scheisse.... Hold on, let me get up." He cursed under his breath again, trying to twist himself over.
I turned to look over my shoulder, grinning like an idiot as he struggled. After he got himself up, he offered me his hand and pulled me from the ground, my grip lingering a bit longer than I should have.
He looked away awkwardly. "Um, let's just walk the rest of the way."
I couldn't force my smile down. "Whatever you say, Luddy."
We settled down into the gazebo, and the cold wood pressing into my bare thighs as I sat down made me shiver. I slipped off my mask, setting it down on my other side. I reached over to take of Ludwig's mask as well.
He stiffened at my touch. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"Taking your mask off," I replied innocently with a cheeky smirk. "You can't tell me it hasn't been troublesome."
He hesitated, then relaxed and let me slip the material off his face, setting it down next to mine. I could see him fully now, and it made my heartbeat quicken as he stared at me, unblinking.
It was like time froze for a moment. We were so close, and the air was silent except for our breathing. My fingers brushed against his face, so warm despite the rather chilly air. His icy blue gaze pierced me, and I couldn't make myself look away.
It was him who pulled away first, coughing into his fist and trying to situate himself comfortably on the wooden bench. I sat back reluctantly, my heart not slowing down.
"Heyyyyy Ludwig," I drawled lazily after a second. "Remember the last time we were here?"
He arched a brow. "Well, let me think... Um, I can't seem to remember off the top of my head."
"You told me you had never had a friend before."
His eyes sparked. "Oh, yes. We began talking about our dogs, as well. And that was when..."
"We first decided to become friends," I finished. Ludwig gulped.
"Yes, I do remember," he said.
We were quiet for a moment, taking in the serene surroundings, and feeling each other's presence.
"Ludwig," I started. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Always."
I fiddled with the edge of my skirt. "Why don't you have a date?"
He stiffened. "Well, I was so busy with preparations, and with the possibility of intruders... It would be too much."
"But you still could've asked someone," I pressed. "There are ways around that."
He bit his lip, seeming to scramble to come up with an answer, before sighing and looking down. "Well, to be honest, I don't think anyone would be interested."
"Really?" I hummed and leaned in ever-so-slightly. "But you're so cool and tall and smart and handsome. Who wouldn't want you?"
He chuckled, a flash of a smile showing that made my chest buzz. "You have too positive a view of everyone."
"No, I just think that about you," I retorted. He blushed, and his fingers tapped nervously against his thigh.
Our knees and shoulders were touching, as we had somehow gotten even closer during our talking. I couldn't figure out if it was me or him that leaned closer, but I could feel wisps of his breath brushing against my cheeks.
"Ludwig," I started. "Remember, on that day, when you asked if we had to kiss?"
His eyes widened. "Um, yes."
My gaze darted down to his lips. "Is it too late to change my answer?"
Instead of replying, he looked at me as if unsure of what to do, before leaning in experimentally.
Don't sell your heart, don't say
We're not meant to be
Run, baby, run
Forever we'll be
You and me.
I cupped his face and tilted my head, pressing his parted mouth to mine. His shaky hands wrapped around my waist and I snaked my arms around his neck.
His lips were warm and wet, and he sighed into the kiss. I tugged at his bottom lip and he pulled me closer until I was practically on top of him. It was messy, both of us out of practice and just going with what we felt was right.
"Oh, mein Gott, (Name)...," he groaned against me as I trailed kisses along his jaw, before ending up back at his lips where he greeted me, open-mouthed and eager.
I felt hot all over, and my heart gave a lurch as his tongue slipped into my mouth. It felt easy, natural, like we were just built to touch and feel each other like this. I balled my fist in his hair, messing it up even further, when he suddenly pulled away.
"(Name)," he gasped. "This isn't right."
I paused, processing, and tried to lean forward once more, but he looked away. The gesture sent a pang through my stomach. "What do you mean?"
He cursed under his breath, and extracted himself from our intimate embrace. "How couldn't I have noticed before? The signs were all there...," he muttered to himself.
"Ludwig, I–I don't understand. Do you not..?"
"(Name), you're drunk," he stated.
I reeled back, confused and hurt by his accusation. "No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are." He stood up, running his hands through his hair and pacing about the gazebo. "You're tipsy enough. I had my suspicions earlier at the way you behaved, but now... Trust me, I know what alcohol tastes like."
As if on cue, my vision began to swim, and I felt unsteady even where I sat. "I don't understand."
"This shouldn't have... We shouldn't have..." He growled in frustration. "I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that. How can I be so stupid?"
I suddenly felt naked and exposed in the cold night air, and wrapped my arms around myself. "Ludwig, I have feelings for you. You probably already knew that by now, but..."
For a second, he looked hopeful, like he wanted to believe me, but then scowled and turned away. "You're drunk. You don't know what you're saying."
Tears sprung to my eyes. "Yes, I do!"
"(Name), don't you know what this means?" He said, whipping around to face me. "One of the reformatory students must have snuck in and spiked the drinks. None of our classmates have access to alcohol, and even if they did, they wouldn't do something like this. The intruder could still be here...!"
He rushed to grab his mask and leave, but I took hold of his hand. "Ludwig...," my voice broke.
Emotions flashed across his face as he paused, and I caught a glimpse of the tenderness from the feelings we had both shared just seconds before. For a moment, it almost seemed that he wouldn't leave me here. But he set his mouth in a straight line.
"You're drunk," he said with surprising softness. "Stay here; I'll send someone out to get you. I need to take care of the situation."
He tore away from me and back to the school, and I heard his footsteps fade and reach the door. I shivered, leaning back against the gazebo, vision blurry and unfocused.
I curled in on myself like a fist protesting love. I didn't hear the soft trodding of Vladimir approaching until he had stepped up to the gazebo.
"(Name)...?" He asked, gently sitting next to me. "Ludwig sent me out here for you. What happened?"
I felt sick to my stomach, and my vision swam. "I.... I think I messed up."
Vlad's eyebrows knit together. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I kissed him. I just felt it would be right, that he'd feel... I don't even know anymore."
"(Name)..."
"I guess I read him wrong." My words sent me into a fit of giggles, and soon those giggles turned into hiccups that drowned into sobbing.
Vladimir sounded panicked. "Oh no, don't cry, um... Just—just come here for a second."
He gently pulled me towards him, and I curled up with his arm around me and my face buried into his shoulder.
"That's right, deep breaths...," he gently murmured to me as I cried. Slowly, my sobs became light hiccups, and then I was releasing breath after trembling breath.
"Better, right?"
"....I think I got makeup on your shirt..."
He hummed. "It'll wash off later."
I sighed and pulled away from him, rubbing my face. "I just wish we could just forget that anything happened. That this could all just... go back to normal."
Vladimir arched a brow and his eyes sparked. "Forget? Well, I might have something that could help you out..."
I glanced at him curiously as he rummaged around in his pockets, before producing a small flask. He offered it to me.
"Here. Drink this, and it'll help you forget. I promise."
I was hesitant, but as I looked at his earnest face, I remembered that this was Vladimir. The friend that told me to find him if anything went wrong. The friend that let me cry my makeup off into his shirt. A friend that I could trust.
Before I could change my mind, I snatched the flask and downed a rather large gulp.
"Ah, don't drink all of it, I'm going to give some to Ludwig later..."
The liquid was sweet and velvety, easily sliding down my throat. My head suddenly felt full, and my eyelids drooped downward.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot... sleepiness is a side effect... how much did you...."
His voice and face became fuzzy, distant memories, as I was lulled into the comforting darkness the velvet liquid offered.
The girl slumped into his arms, and Vladimir let out a soft oof as he caught her. He shook his head. "Oh, my (Name), you're ever the wild card, aren't you?"
He towed her over to her bed (at least, he hoped it was hers) and let her collapse into the mattress. Tugging the blanket out from underneath her, he gently tucked her in, feeling a warm fondness grow in his chest.
Before he could stop himself, he leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry, prinţesă," he whispered. "I fear I might not have a chance, so I must make do with what I can."
Quiet as a fox, he slipped back through the doorway, and into the arms of the night.
A/N: Hey hey hey, Sekai!
It's ya girl, Osa, back with another chapter! After six months!
Okay, yeah, if you're reading this, then I did say that I was gonna release all 6 choice chapters at one time, and obviously didn't hold true to that.
I don't want you guys to feel like you've pressured me at all- really, I'd have loved to wait till they were all done, but if I'm being honest, I'm kind of stuck. I had debated this in my head and talked to my therapist about it, and eventually, we decided that the best thing I could do to get me out of this funk would be to publish what I've written.
I'm not used to having so many people depend on me to write, nor taking on so much writing in one sitting. It's... a lot. But my main drive for actually getting things done is the happiness of opening my inbox to see so many new comments regarding my new chapter, and reactions of all the funny things that happened, and theories as to what's going to happen next. It makes me feel like I'm really doing something pretty cool, you know?
SO to quench your thirst for these beautiful boys, I offer you 3 chapters out of 6. I know that 2020's been rough on just about everyone, myself included, and so I'd like to give at least this to help you get through it.
I have an inkling that (hopefully) after I get these out, and that rush of endorphins that come along with it, I'll get the motivation I need to finish these next chapters. To get a picture for how stuck I am on this; I've started planning out the next 3 chapters that are going to happen after the school dance arc. I've even started writing some of them.
A few updates on my life as of today in 2020 (be prepared for oversharing):
-My dad spontaneously brought a puppy home in early March. She's a pomeranian-husky mix (I kid you not) and her name is Dakota and I love her with all my heart.
- I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety!! Yay!!
-According to a doctor (and the careful analysis of all of our friends/relatives), we're almost certain that COVID-19 passed through each member of our family in its early stages in my state. Myself included.
-I've had a few romantic relationships go up and down, and have gotten significantly gayer.
-I almost went to a national Shakespeare competition in NYC (I got second place in the round before that, but I made friends with all of my competitors while I was there, so I'm really not that upset)
-Just last month marked 8 years since my mom died, which was wild.
-I've gotten into Haikyuu a lot more??
-I've also kind of fallen out of being super-interested in drawing and visual art, and my focuses have now started to shift more towards writing.
SPEAKING OF SUCH, I am currently in the process of making another book on Wattpad. This is going to be a miscellaneous collection of various short stories and poems I've written all throughout the year. Most of them are fiction, and really just for the sole purpose of putting more of myself and my writing out there.
It's going to be called Lovingly, I Write, so if you really like my writing style, please go check it out!! After I get it published, of course.
You also may have noticed that I have a new cover for this story. I've been meaning to change it for a while, but wanted to hold off until I published a new chapter.
A few questions I have for you guys:
How are you fairing emotionally and mentally with all the craziness going on?
Any big changes that you've had to deal with?
And if you could be anywhere else in the world right now, where would you be?
I think that's all I have to write for now, and I hope you enjoyed the spicy kissing scenes that I oh-so generously spoiled you with.
Ciao per adesso!
-Osa
P.S: this A/N is the same for the other two chapters.