A/N: Day 29, music. Because I promised a Rayllum dance...

Chapter Summary:The celebration of the war coming to an end of course had to spark one of the biggest and brightest festivals any of the nations had ever seen. Two nations, now joined in bonds, celebrate with a demonstration of shared culture and music. Bonds between borders. And a dance, for two.

Word Count: 1,867

Takes Two to Tango

Music. The entire town was echoing with music. When Callum told Rayla that they should hold off on returning to Xadia just for a few days, she was skeptical. She knew he wanted to celebrate, to relax and enjoy the atmosphere before they returned to Zym and his mother, but she was still anxious to go. Maybe it was because she still felt uneasy. Maybe it was because she still wasn't exactly comfortable in human kingdoms. Or maybe it was because she couldn't believe they ended a war.

She was still on edge. Callum could tell. She could tell he could tell. He had repeatedly tried to tell her that everything was fine, everything was okay. He told her that he was going to be by her side all the time. Regardless of the stares or how strange it would seem—she knew he would be by her side. So when they finally reached town, after taking a carriage ride from the castle—an experience Rayla had never gotten the luxury of—she was met with a town's full of music.

An elegant, whistling tune sung throughout the town as drums and horns sounded off as the base. Rayla smiled. Nerves be damned, this was amazing.

"Told you," Callum smugly smiled, nudging her with his elbow. He was wearing a dark blue coat, it was fitted around his form, buttoned up to his collarbone. He still wore his red scarf and gloves, but also had a pair of dark blue pants to match his look, with a pair of black boots. He looked beautiful. They had barely aged in their travels, but he had grown in many ways. "It's nice right?"

She smiled. "It is," she nodded. "Ya look amazing by the way. I know I forgot to say it back at the castle—"

"It's fine," he waved off. "And you, are… stunning," he smiled.

She felt her face flush at his words, causing her to glance down at her dress. It was a royal blue dress, with a violet highlighted frills that ended at her shins. The dress hugged her waist and exposed her backside, with her sleeves running down with a light violet coat, ending at her wrists, with her ring fingers caught in the hem of her sleeves. She did a small twirl, just to show off her design. It was amazing what the Katolis seamstresses were capable of. "Thank ya," she smiled, coming to a stop.

"Now," he held out his arm, "shall we?"

Rayla smiled at him as she looped her arm through his, "We shall."

The two began walking through town, taking in the scenery. It was amazing. Everywhere they looked, everyone was wearing warm colours and were illuminated by the bright lantern lights hung across the town. There were stares like they expected. None of real disgust, but rather shock and surprise. The prince of Katolis strolling through the Celebration Festival with not just an elf, but a Moonshadow Elf as his date? It was hilarious to see their faces. The bewilderment and shock simply elicited smiles out of the two.

"See? Not so bad," Callum told her.

"With ya? Nothin's too bad," she smiled.

They continued their walk, soaking up the scenery as they walked by. Soon enough, the music grew louder as lights blew up in colour. They were approaching on the town square. It was a heavily crowded. But not in a bad way. There was still enough room to walk about, to stop at the food stalls, and even a space in the dead centre for dancing. There was a stage, right near the statue of what Callum had informed her to be Sarai. She couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was beautiful.

"Care for a dance?" Callum offered, removing his arm from her hold to hold out his hand.

Rayla grinned. "I'd love to," she answered. Delicately placing her fingers in his grasp, he led her down the square, gently pushing through the crowd. Soon enough, people realized who he was and were gobsmacked to see him, here, in the town square, rather than the castle. Nonetheless, they all stepped aside and made way for the couple. Awes of wonder and curiosity echoed about as they complimented the two.

"What a lovely dress."

"What a dashing young man."

"She's beautiful."

"He looks so handsome."

"An amazing couple!"

"They're the ones who ended the war, right?"

The two laughed to themselves as they suddenly found the centre. Clearing his throat, Callum stepped back and took a bow, holding his hand out once more. Rayla giggled, she hadn't felt so ladylike in a long time. She did a courtesy, elegant and poised, and took his hand. Callum stepped forward as he placed his right hand on her back, and held her right with his left. Rayla smiled into his gaze, firmly placing her right hand on his shoulder, the two began to dance.

Two steps forward, Callum smiled at her as he led her through. They stepped to the side, matching the pacing of the elegant tune and freeing sounds. They were more relaxed about their movements, swaying their bodies as they cycled back into repetition. Callum was smiling at her like an idiot. A big dumb idiot.

She couldn't fight off her blush or her grin, and she didn't really care. Rayla noticed she was smiling a lot more now. Not that she wasn't before. But now? It was more easy. It was more refreshing. And it was because of Callum, that she could do it. She soaked in his gaze, mesmerized by his grassy green eyes and the way they burrowed into her heart. They sold the story without words. He loved being with her. He loved being in her presence. He loved her company. He loved her.

She giggled once again, smiling at how clearly smitten he was with her. "What's so funny?" he asked as they maneuvered themselves throughout the dance floor. The other dancers began making way for them, opening the floor for the onlookers to watch in awe. She knew he wanted to show off.

And she wasn't going to stop him.

"Nothin'," she shrugged, still smiling.

He chuckled as he rolled his eyes. "You were thinking about something cheesy, weren't you?"

She laughed. "Shut up and spin me, I know ya're dyin' to," she teased.

He obliged with ease. Dropping his right hand down to her hip, he lifted his left hand, guiding her into a twirl. She followed through, spinning under his hand and unravelling herself outward, letting her dress' frills twirl like a flower pattern. She smiled at the starstruck gazes fallen upon them, and eased herself back into Callum's arms. Her back against his chest, Callum's hands found hers as they casually swayed about, his breath breathing down her cheek. She smiled at him, finding his eyes over her shoulder, they continued to sway. It was a hilarious sight. Considering how she practically taller than him even without the horns, having him hold her in his arms probably looked amusing to everyone else.

But it must've been the spectacle of the sight that made them bite back their laughter. Callum knew how to dance. That much was certain. Rayla had learned before, but having a partner like him really made things feel more natural. It felt smooth, flawless and clean, the way they moved. Like every step and sway was rhythmically matched to the music's tune. It was perfect.

"Ya never told me ya could dance," Rayla teased.

"I'm a prince, ballroom dancing was practically something I learned after table manners," he joked. "But you on the other hand?" he inquired, lifted up his left hand again and twirled her around, two rotations this time, just to show off a little bit more. "Since when?" he asked as she returned, her left hand back on his shoulder whilst her right fell into its soft grasp.

She grinned. "Runaan."

His brow went up.

"I caught him and his boyfriend dancing once and my curious lil' self wanted to know how do it." She shrugged. "My village's had festivals before… but I never went…"

Callum's curiosity persisted. "No one to go with or… too busy?"

Rayla shrugged once more as they swayed around; two steps back, two steps to her right. "Too busy… and really, not interested." She laughed. "It looked fun when Runaan was doing it, the music and the movement, the synchornization between two partners? It felt… right. Like fighting, but more choreographed, and relax." He looked at her, eyes still curious and ears still open. He always looked so passionate and attentive whenever she talked about herself. "But when I tried it I…" she made an unsure frown as she thoughtfully looked up, "thought it was kinda… meh." Her grin returned as she met Callum's eyes. "But now? I'm thinking it's just cause I never had the right partner."

Callum's smile grew at that. Yeah, she knew she was boosting his ego but she loved doing it. He always got so giddy and excited about things when his confidence was through the roof. Who knew dancing would be on that list? She should've figured, in all honesty. "Well, I'm glad you enjoy this dance then."

She giggled for what felt like the billionth time that night. He made her feel so free, so comforted. "I'd enjoy anythin' as long as it's with ya."

Callum beamed at her words. "Good to hear. Because after this, it sounds like we've got a lot of business to do."

"Aye, wars over, but the peace's gotta be maintained," Rayla pointed out.

"Together though."

She nodded. "Of course. Together."

Her right hand slowly slid out his grasp, trickling down his arm and onto his shoulder. She held his shoulders with firm but soft embrace, resting her head into his chest as she did so. She could feel Callum smile against her hair, relaxing his arms down to her hips as he held her close. He hummed along with the music, bringing them to a near halt. They stood there, dancing softly and slowly. It was nice.

A nice moment after all the pain and hardship they'd overcome in the past year. It was a nice feeling to have after all the sorrowful scars that plagued their bodies as time went on. It was a nice breath of fresh air after all the near death experiences. After all the dead silence and nature filled background, with only themselves and baby Dragon to talk to, hearing and feeling an entire town's presence was amazing.

Rayla sighed in content, closing her eyes and letting herself succumb to the soft spoken elegance of the subtle flute playing in the background. The violins that chirped around the square, carefully and meticulously strung around through her highly trained ears. And the soft beating of the drums, bold and boisterous but fitting. It was hardly a song for ballroom dancing. Hardly a song for two people to cosy up with.

But they didn't care.

Not for the stares.

Not for the world.

Not for the moment.

But only for each other.

A/N: I know, I used tango in the title when they really did more of a waltz, but whatever! It was sweet, and cute, and I'm satisfied! I thought the music prompt would work best with dancing, so that's why I made ball into something goofy. Because dancing's all about connection to the music and feeling the flow. Ballroom dancing's sorta the same thing, more formal, but also about feeling your partner. Right now, these two feel and understand each other the most, so of course they'd dance in synch.

Also, gotta say, this is insane. 40 chapters. 40 oneshots. 40 stories? That's a lot. I gotta say thanks to all of you guys, your help and support's the only thing that makes me write! That and because I love writing. Well, your comments, reviews, and appreciation (yes I know those are all technically the same thing shush) are what remind me the reason why I love writing. Telling stories, fascinating readers, it's an amazing feeling. So as much as you guys love and appreciate me, give some love for yourself and each other. Nothing I wrote would be as great as you make it out to be if it weren't for you guys. Thanks!

Review Responses:

Prophet21: Glad you found it funny! I had a blast writing the dialogue!

Griff-FanFic1933: Those two will realize it the day I die. And of course everyone else around them sees it before them.

Tomorrow's prompt is romantic flight! again, no twisties!

Until next time,

- Bleh