Moonlight

If you ever dreamed of attending a lavish affair where beautiful women in gowns chatted with polite gentlemen in waistcoats while others danced under bright chandeliers across marble floors to instrumental music, this was the fall night event to do just that.

Garlands of blue and white flowers draped high above the crowds to vases of more blossoms in the corners decorated the ornate ballroom. Meanwhile, there were tables set up with a splendid feast in which the eighty or so guests help themselves to as well as drink.

Tonight was special for many reasons, for some personal, for others of the state. Politics and romance never slept as these two were just as much in the air if not more so during this heightened evening. Among the guests, many men and women alike wondered to themselves if they would have a chance to catch the eye of one from a certain handful who made them pale in comparison given their position, wealth, and looks.

For our first example, was a short, blonde teen who was always accompanied by a taller, stern young man. The two always hung around in reclusive places, well, as about as reclusive as one could be in a crowded room. Nevertheless, let us move on.

Second, a couple of gentlemen who were renowned for their charm were chatting on a long, plush lounge chair up against a wall of the ballroom with a couple of ladies. One was bolder in said charms than the other, but the two were good friends. Presently, the green-eyed man of the pair must have cracked a joke as his wingman raised a copper toned hand over his mouth to muffle a laugh as he held his wine with his other.

Third, a circle of co-ed individuals, who would be bothers and sisters if they could, were chatting the night away, catching the others up with their latest details. At one point the redhead of the group dared to guess that someday they all might be sibling-in-laws if their families were to even propose a union.

Fourth, near the buffet was a trio, a sister a brother and their mutual friend. The sister appeared annoyed as her brother refused any gentleman to approach her for much of anything.

At first, all of these groups of people do appear random and unrelated, but if you have done your due diligence in the social circles, you'd know otherwise. If you have done your due diligence, you, too, would find it hard to not throw your hat into the ring in hopes to grant their favor, token of appreciation, affection or more. Alas, each of those things most could only dream about, much like receiving the invitation for tonight was but a dream come true to most in the sense it gave them a chance to mingle with our influential acquaintances.

At this time, eight to be exact if you had counted the grandfatherly chimes, the intricate music which tirelessly filled the high-vaulted room switched out to a melodious aria perfect for a slow waltz. Several fluttering hand fans belonging to a line of ladies, who waited along the perimeter of the dance floor, were being waved back and forth in excited anticipation as the sons of the joint hosts for the evening went about to quickly choose their next dancing partners.

Two lucky, blushing ladies were chosen; the four of them carried themselves gracefully across the floor to join the other couples in a large, circulating circle of swirling skirts and shuffling feet.

The elegantly dressed sons were opposite in many respects, one lighter, one darker in appearance, but both were sworn to be angels to many. Too beautiful; too handsome at the same time.

Although both were conventionally tall, the darkly dressed son was shorter than the other while his eyes were a near ombré of chocolate-crimson which had left many a lady wanting to linger longer as the music faded.

Although both had flawless skin, the taller of the sons was paler, had colbalt eyes, and a heart-melting smile which had left many a man to question themselves.

"Thank you for the dance, Prince Yuri Katsuki," said a bubbly lady in green, who curtsied as the music faded.

"Thank you for the dance, Prince Vitya Nikiforov," said a refined lady in blue, who did the same.

In the brief time the two sons had to change out their partners, they stole glances of the other. In those moments the truth was there, but all the guests nearby had too many stars in their eyes to see the sons' hearts were not up for sale, to be bargained for, or be sought after like other bachelors with a title. No. Although both were expected to dance with ladies, both could, without words, tell the other would much rather dance with him.

After two hours of songs, Prince Vitya in particular, had enough of these brief glances and sought a nearby attendant to order he'd dismiss the awaiting ladies so he and Yuri could take a much needed break.

Through a pair of glass double doors which towered above them, the princes headed outside onto a balcony. To their luck they were alone, but had ordered a nearby pair of guards to prevent anyone else to come outside to fetch them unless it was an emergency or their parents.

"Dear Eternal, are we done yet?" Yuri leaned over the banister in a huff, skipping any preamble remark of how nice the weather actually was or how full the moon was tonight. "I'm starving, I'm thirsty, and I can't get either because someone just has to interrupt or talk!" He whined in agitation.

The taller prince chuckled as his long, silver hair blew around lightly. "Wo~w, is putting up a polite front that difficult?"

A black gloved hand ran over the top of matching, slicked back hair as Yuri rose back up to stand. "I just…I don't know…" he grumbled.

Vitya's purple gloved hands reached out towards Yuri. "The guests were invited because it would've been odd to have a birthday party without them considering our position. You know that as much as I do." Arms clad in a dark rose pink wrapped around the smaller frame from the front. "Besides, I think your irritableness is your hunger talking."

They brought their foreheads together.

"Can…Can we just go back to bed?" Yuri's shoulders sank. "For tonight of all nights, I'd like that the most right now."

"Aw~ and here I had your birthday present and everything."

Yuri pulled back his head and returned Vitya's embrace. "A surprise, huh? Wouldn't happen to be new bed with a free pass to take a twelve-hour nap would it?"

Nikiforov snorted. "You and sleep. No, it's something better, love."

Yuri tilted his head to the side. "Oh?"

Blue eyes crinkled. "Mmhmm. I talked it over with our fathers earlier this week. We are in accord and now I just need an answer from you."

Yuri took a step back. "You…You got our fathers to agree on something?"

Vitya rolled his eyes. "Yuri, come on..."

Katsuki shook his head and gave a dry laugh. "Yeah, yeah…still can't help it."

Vitya shook his head and smiled that heart-stealing smile and took a step back.

'That smile…and it's for me…' Yuri admired to himself, always content to see such was for him and for him alone.

"You know," Nikiforov started, "they say your heart should be pounding when it comes to such things…."

Yuri cocked an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I guess I could pass it off and say I'm little confident when it comes to you." Vitya winked and pushed back some of his hair over his ear.

"Here in your home you're more like the embodiment, but go on." Yuri replied, smiling, barely able to contain his teasing. He already knew what was about to happen, but wanted to see the proud son he and his family were visiting to go through with it.

Vitya brought out a box he'd been anticipating to show Yuri all evening. "Under these clouds," he lifted the lid, "I consider you, Yuri, mine, and the safest among the shadows."

Inside the box was a golden ring nestled in red velvet.

Though he knew, Yuri felt his chest swell anyway and looked up to reply; thus complete the tradition. "Under these countless stars, I consider you, Vitya, mine, and the brightest one. I accept."

With protection and a direction, a promise of a future, the weight of their family names felt even heavier on their shoulders despite their happiness. However, if they could choose whom to love and worry about an heir later, they'd accept whatever consequence.

"The ring looks good on you."

Yuri pulled off his left glove and put both in his pocket while lifted his right hand to look at his ring finger. Screw the dress code, he wanted to let that band gleam under the moonlight he'd never been happier. "I can't believe it actually fits."

"Yes, well, you can thank Chris and Phichit for that."

Katsuki lowered his hand. "Ah."

"Speaking of which, they've been flirts all evening." Vitya shook his head as he deadpanned. "A~nd don't be too surprised if your right hand man spilled the beans and the girls start gushing later."

Yuri dropped his head forward as he knew Phichit most likely had. "Can we really be surprised anymore?"

Nikiforov placed his hands on his hips. "Nah, I guess not. So." He opened up his arms. "Are you going to hug me now or do I need to throw you down on the balcony?"

Yuri gave an exaggerated gasp. "And before my wedding night?"

Vitya pulled Yuri into his arms. "Oh please. You're hardly innocent."

Yuri returned Vitya's embrace. "Are you tarnishing my honor, sir?" He mocked hurt, nearly threatening to tickle his new fiancé's sides.

"Be silent and kiss me."

Yuri lifted his chin and let Vitya meet his lips for a kiss.

When they pulled back, Katsuki rested his head on Victor's chest. "If we go back in there we are going to have to dance again," he whispered sadly. "I want to dance with you first."

"Well, I'd be hap-"

A sudden rumble of muffled screams and shouting could be heard past the glass doors. A distant clock tower chimed eight-thirty. Both princes looked towards the doors with a start.

But then relaxed.

Vitya rose a hand to his mouth. "Oh my!" He glanced down at Yuri with a sideways glance. "Looks like our families have started without us." He grinned.

Yuri sniffed, his eyes went wide, and his throat became taught before he stepped forward.

Vitya held Yuri back. "Relax, love, no rush," he whispered. "You know our families will save some for us."

Yuri sniffed the air again and his whole body shuddered. "I told you I was famished earlier."

Vitya held back a groan as his own body trembled in anticipation as well. 'Sweet paradise, Yuri, this time I want to eat not throw you down on a mattress.'

Yuri's shaking frame calmed steadily as he dragged his tongue across his top front teeth under closed lips.

"That's it, love…now let me see…" Nikiforov whispered.

Yuri opened his eyes and looked up. "H-Huh?" He asked in a daze.

The taller of the two stepped and leaned forward to capture those lips in a brief kiss before pulling back to frame his Yuri's face with his hands. "I said let me see…"

The two parted their lips to reveal their fangs within tender smiles under the moonlight. An intimate gesture among their kindred, one of acknowledgement and trust to bare such.

The rumbling and screaming within the ballroom had grown louder; the blue dancing partner from before had reached the double doors only to be stopped by the guards who went on to feed themselves.

"Good grief, it's called the front door," Yuri huffed, becoming more drugged on the scent of blood wafting their way.

A Cheshire-like smile fell across the silver-haired prince. "Like I said, the guests were invited because it would've been odd to have a birthday party without them…considering our position."

'More like our nature.' Yuri corrected inwardly before he pulled Victor's collar down with his left hand to bring his fiancé's lips close, inches from his.

A golden glint had taken over the rich brown eyes while a sultry expression fell across Katsuki's features. "Do you know how much I love you?"

Vitya lifted Yuri's right hand to kiss the ring. "Happy two-hundred-fourth Birthday, Yuri." He then gestured towards the door with his right pointer while he still had Yuri's hand in his and smirked. "Consider this my toast."

Yuri caressed Vitya's cheek with is left, keeping those blue eyes on him he grinned while stepping forward with a gentle sway of his hips. "Sounds delicious."


Thank you for reading!