A/N- I wrote this after becoming completely pissed off with people who can't stick with one tense in their fics, especially the Kel/Dom's!!
~~~~~~~~~~
The hall is crowded, filled with laughter, dancing, and music. He has danced so many times, looking for her in the throng of so many other faces. She is special, someone he might one day call his own. He finishes this dance with a polite bow, murmuring thanks, and kisses his partner's fingertips before separating and wandering off.
He scans the crowd again, looking for her, worried that she chose not to attend. Her avoidance of such gatherings is almost as infamous as Sir Raoul of Goldenlake's. Finally he spots her. She is standing amongst a group of her friends with her back to the room. He takes long deliberate strides, only pausing when bidden by one of the dancers but never letting his eyes stray from her for more than a few moments.
As he draws closer he notes her clothing. A rippling green material drapes over her shoulders and dips smoothly down her back, and the material catches the light, leaving him with colored flecks behind closed lids. Her hair has been done according to court fashion and only a few tendrils of curl remain free from the constraint of a low bun.
He takes a breath, inhaling her delicate scent, and smiles before tapping her to attain her attention. She spins gracefully and seems delighted by his appearance. Her cheeks are red, either from drinking, dancing, or laughing with her friends; he guesses the last two. She has allowed her face to have a light covering of powder and paint applied. Though slightly uncomfortable, she seems to forget her troubles in his smile. The front of the dress is just as beautiful as the back and he realizes, by way of the low neckline, that she does not mind being recognized as a woman every now and then.
Astonished, he offers a hand and asks her to dance. She accepts immediately and he sweeps her across the floor as the tune wafts through the air. He wraps his arms around her waist and hers clasp around his neck.
She begins to smile and talk, relaxing in his hold. He answers questions dutifully but concentrates on her body wrapped in his arms. He pulls her closer as the tempo slows; she braces herself against his chest and stares into his eyes. He is then rewarded by her close vicinity as she rests her head on his shoulder. He loses himself as well, mind numbing and forgetting the music as they drift across the floor.
Couples clapping bring their attention back to the present and she is blushing. He nudges her, grinning slightly, and they both bow and curtsey in unison to the people. They swiftly integrate into the gathering, hand in hand, and he leads her to a secluded corner.
There have not been many words, but all communication seems irrelevant and stops completely now. Knowing glances and sweet smiles tell all; he pulls her closer once again as he did when they were dancing. This time, though, he pulls her all the way in and lets one hand trace a curl of her light brown hair. He lets this go on for seconds longer, then he leans his mouth down to kiss her slowly. They both unconsciously tighten their grip on each other, letting the kiss control their movements. This time, Kel and Dom are oblivious to the mass' ovation as they stand in their loving embrace.
