AN: Ep. 49 first aired April 8th, 2007 (which, amusingly, was Easter. Best present ever.) Leading up to the 10 year anniversary of my favorite episode, I give you a week of Buguese/Aqune mini fics that I've had saved and never posted on this site. They are all unrelated to each other. The first is a re-post from tumblr, so some might have seen it. The rest will be completely new.

The pair had completely opposite mindsets. Without words, they could both tell what the other was thinking. She was glad that her sister invited her to the annual Arachnan ball for the first time. He felt uncomfortable that he was actually allowed in without a second thought, rather than being the cause of an immediate battle. But seeing how ecstatic Aqune was to be there (not to speak of the elegant, low-cut purple gown she'd purchased for the evening) was enough to temper Buguese's unease. Likewise, Aqune had no intention of pushing Buguese's boundaries. She didn't leave him alone to go dance with anyone else. She stood at his side beneath a tree, mostly watching what unfolded on the dance floor. It was satisfying enough just to be there, to be wanted. All the sights were new and refreshing.

As the sky grew darker, the hours growing, something unexpected happened.

"Aqune…" Buguese was purposely looking away from her, his voice was low.

"Yes?" She turned her head to him.

"That is… wouldn't you rather be dancing?" he asked.

"Well… it looks like it would be fun," Aqune replied. "But… I don't mind just watching."

Buguese turned to her, lightly taking hold of her shoulders. Now, he looked into her eyes.

"Are you certain?"

Aqune couldn't answer immediately. Her face was red.

"I… well… I did want to," she admitted.

"I would not mind," Buguese replied. "If it were with you."

"Huh?" Aqune blinked up at him. It was far from what she expected to hear. "Are you asking me to dance with you?"

"Yes," Buguese said, doing his best to keep a serious face. "I thought you would be pleased."

Immediately, her face lit up.

"I am! Yes, let's dance!" She took his hand, and rushed to the floor, pulling the surprised Insector along.

A romantic ballad was playing, the floor filled with couples. If not for the fact that one was a human and one an Insector, Buguese and Aqune didn't look at all out of place. Rather, the composed way they presented themselves, the two actually did fit in. Aqune was amused to notice Buguese was actually smiling.