First Dance #3
Aquilan looked and saw that at the base of the stage by where Vex leaned back and practically made love to the electric guitar and saw that there were a dozen women and men looking up at him adoringly.
He came closer to the edge of the stage and there were squeals of delight as he kneeled down during a guitar solo.
“He loves attention so I’m not surprised he’s relishing life on the stage,” Declan replied dryly.
“He’s got a gift! Do you play?” Rohannan asked.
Declan shook his head. “No, definitely not.”
“I’ve heard you’re quite the singer, Aquilan,” Rohannan said. “Do you think you might like to sing for us some time?”
“I have some small ability, but this is…” He gestured towards the band, “so wonderful that I couldn’t compete.”
“This is great, but your voice is heavenly,” Declan said firmly.
Aquilan blushed. “Well… thank you. I will definitely sing, Rohannan, but another night. This is so wonderful. I just want to be in the audience.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Aquilan,” Rohannan chuckled.
Aquilan looked over at Declan. “Do you… do you like to dance?”
Declan shook his head. “No, I’m awkward.”
“I cannot believe that after seeing you fight! After all, what is dancing if not fighting without weapons,” Aquilan pointed out.
“It’s just… people looking and…” Declan shrugged and sank down in his seat. But then he looked alarmed at Aquilan. “Do you… you want to dance?”
Realizing just how uncomfortable his Shadow was with the idea, Aquilan quickly said, “No, no, I was just curious.”
Declan’s forehead furrowed. “Well, if you’re sure–”
“King Aquilan, I’ve got some lovely ladies here. Would you like to go out on the dance floor with me?” Rohannan asked.
The Separatist leader was up from his seat and there were two women standing behind him, smiling, though clearly a little nervous. Aquilan realized that rejecting these women would be impolite. But he didn’t want to leave his Shadow.
“I… I’m still so full from dinner,” Aquilan began.
“Go on. Go dance,” Declan suddenly said. “I can see you really want to. I don’t want to hold you back.”
“You’re not–”
Declan’s hand was on his shoulder. “Go on. I’ll watch. From here.”
Aquilan studied his face for long moments. Then he smiled and nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
He gracefully got up from his seat and took the nearest woman’s hand. She had short brown hair with a splash of freckles over her nose. He bowed.
“Madam, would you do me the honor of a dance?” he asked
Giggling and blushing, she nodded. “Oh, yes, King Aquilan. My name is Minnie.”
“Minnie! What a lovely name,” he said.
He glanced back at Declan. His Shadow still had his arms almost protectively curled around his chest. Just the thought of being on display clearly had him unnerved.
Aquilan’s heart hurt for that. Staying in the shadows, staying out of sight, staying unnoticed.
Declan had been doing that for a long time.
Too long.
He would have his dance with his Shadow.
When they were alone. When it was just the two of them under the moon and stars.
He spoke lightly to Minnie until they reached the dance floor and the music was much too loud to converse.
He let Minnie lead him through the steps that everyone else seemed to be doing.
Soon he was spinning Minnie around. She was laughing and he was too.
He and Rohannan exchanged dance partners for the next song.
It didn’t take long before he was in the middle of a group of humans who were gyrating around him.
The music rose and fell. The beat grew then slowed.
A thin sheen of sweat covered his face and he was loving every minute of it.
The only thing that would have been better was if–
A hand gently landed on his shoulder. He turned. Declan stood there. The humans had parted to form a space around him. No matter where Declan went, he was set apart. Even though the distance was respectful here, there was still distance. Declan offered him his hand. Aquilan took it.
But not between us.
They began to dance. The song became slow and romantic. Cynda crooned into the microphone. Vex’s guitar sang to the high heavens. Declan’s hands slid around his waist while his were around Declan’s neck. Their bodies were pressed together.
“I thought you did not like to dance,” Aquilan said.
He was not going to mention that people were also watching them. Many people. But Declan kept his eyes on Aquilan alone. Aquilan could whisper a spell so that they wouldn’t notice. But he was not ashamed of what he felt for Declan. He wanted people to know that they were together.
Declan let out a dry chuckle. “Oh, I find myself wanting to do things I never thought I would before you. Besides,” and here Declan looked at him from under his lashes, “I found I couldn’t stay away.”
“You never need to.”
Aquilan found himself leaning in towards Declan. Declan leaned in to him. Their lips were so close to meeting. The music ended. But they were still holding one another.
Cynda’s voice rose up, “The next song is really special. Our new lead guitarist Xel wrote it. And trust me when I say this… it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard.”