Written for the OTP competition. Prompt: Masquerade Ball
Show Yourself
He saw her from afar – the way her hair bounced on top of her head, and how she moved as awkwardly on the dance floor as he did.
He watched, wanting to talk to her, but never finding the courage.
He got angry when others wouldn't take no for an answer when she told them she didn't want to dance.
It turned him off approaching her. He didn't want to be one of them, too.
But she was stunning in her pale blue dress that fell just on top of her knees. Her hair was braided at the back, falling into a curl around the front.
The only thing he wished he could see was her face. It was covered by a mask of red and gold. The bridge of the nose had ruby red sequins over it, while the rest were shaped in peculiar patterns of swirls and wavy lines.
He watched her, wanting more than anything to identify himself, but something stopped him. She'd turn away from him like she had turned away from the others.
So he swayed on the spot instead. His mind was blank apart from the sight of her. She was all he could think about, all he could focus on.
And then, to his surprise, she turned. From across the room he saw her brown eyes looking deeply into his, studying him. Had she known he was watching her?
It was even more of a surprise when she smiled at him; an inviting smile that he read as 'come on over'.
He did.
She stopped dancing.
"Hello," she said when he was close enough.
"Hello," he replied.
That was as far as it went. It was like a match made in heaven. They were as awkward and as uncomfortable as the other in talking to somebody of the opposite sex.
He saw that her cheeks had tinged pink as she asked what seemed to be a very difficult question. "Would you like to dance?"
He smiled. "Of course."
The moved onto the floor, swaying from side to side in an attempt to look good, but failing miserably.
They both laughed.
"We're terrible," she said lightly.
He smiled at her. "Horrible."
"Do you care for a drink?"
"Do you care to tell me your name?"
She bit back a smile. "What's the point of a masquerade ball then?"
He grinned. "I don't know."
He followed her to the punch table, watching her as she walked. He wasn't sure why he'd wanted to come tonight, but upon seeing her, he knew why.
All he wished was that he was able to see her face.
I obviously wrote this with Ron and Hermione in mind as it's for OTP comp, but really, you can imagine any two people you'd like.
I still have some vacant spots on my profile for me to write you a fic. Please send me a PM with a list (3 or more) pairings/characters and a list (3 or more) prompts. I'll add you to the next available month unless you have a special request. I enjoy writing for others, so please don't hesitate to send me a PM.