The theater was a grand display, its lavish and glittering chandeliers as well as the plush crimson seats with their gleaming wood trim catching the eye. Gideon watched Harry look around at everything, his eyes not settling for long on anything before something else caught his attention.
Gently squeezing Harry's hand to recall his attention to walking, Gideon tugged Harry a little closer as he led him up the stairs. Finally reaching one of the secluded private boxes overlooking the stage.
Harry's eyes widened even further when he realized the box seats were cozy and set up for two people alone. The velvet curtain closed behind them without a sound. Leaving them in their own private cocoon.
"Wow," Harry breathed, eyes wide in wonderment as he took in their private balcony. He rushed to the ledge overlooking the stage, his gaze filled with awe at the sheer size of the theater below them.
Gideon chuckled lightly behind him, watching with fond eyes as Harry leaned farther over the edge, trying to see how many other private boxes there were. He couldn't see inside them, due to privacy charms, but he could tell they appeared to have the same size balconies.
"Don't lean too far over," Gideon cautioned as he crossed the short distance to Harry's side.
Harry quickly straightened up at his words, a sheepish grin playing on his lips. He turned to look at Gideon, the chandeliers casting a warm glow on his face, lighting up his green eyes. "This is amazing, Gideon," he said. His voice was hushed, as if to keep from bothering those around them.
Gideon's lips curled up in a smile. He reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Harry's ear, his touch gentle and affectionate. "I'm glad you like it," he replied, his voice low and soft in the quiet.
A hush suddenly descended upon the theatre, and then all the lights dimmed except for those on the stage. The audience quietened down as if by command, holding their breaths in anticipation of what was about to unfold.
Gideon guided Harry to sit down, and they both focused on the stage. The curtain rose, and the orchestra hummed softly as the first actors appeared.
The atmosphere in the theater was electric, tension weaved into the very fabric of the air as the actors took their places on stage. Gideon's eyes were trained on the performance, but his mind was focused on the Demon beside him, whose attention was riveted to the unfolding drama down below.
Harry's breath hitched as the lovers in the play declared their undying love for each other under a sparkling moonlit sky. Gideon found himself watching the play of expressions on Harry's face. So fully focused on the actors below them, Harry didn't even notice he was being watched.
The way Harry's eyes sparkled with each plot twist and his hushed gasps at the perfectly timed heroic entrance of the lead actor held a different kind of spell over the Shadow Demon Warrior. And the echo of each emotion Harry felt watching the play was loud in the back of his mind.
As the lead actress, resplendent in her flowing gown adorned in silver, emerged from the wings, Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His gaze was fixated on the stage, the awestruck expression on his face visible even in the dimmed lights of the box.
As the lights rose, signaling intermission, Harry turned to Gideon with a wide smile.
"That was amazing," he breathed, his eyes shimmering with excitement. "The costumes, the acting...it's all so much better than I'd ever imagined."
"I'm glad you're enjoying it," he replied, laying his hand lightly over Harry's where it rested on the arm of his chair.
Harry nodded, leaning slightly towards Gideon with a sigh. "I can't wait to see what happens next."
Gideon chuckled, leaning back in his seat and watching fondly as Harry's eyes danced with anticipation. "I can guarantee that it's going to get much more interesting," he teased, earning him an eager grin from Harry.
Harry leaned across the armrests and partially into Gideon's space, looking up at the Warrior curiously. "Have you seen this play before?"
Gideon nodded, his gaze soft as he looked at the man before him. "Yes, but it's been quite some time," he confessed, his fingers mindlessly tracing patterns on Harry's hand. "It was an old favorite of mine."
"Really? You didn't strike me as the theatrical type," he admitted with a laugh.
"I have my unpredictable moments," Gideon replied dryly, his grey eyes twinkling with amusement. "And of course, my Uncle loves the theatre and took me as often as he could."
Harry grinned, "I can see why he loves it so much. There's just... something about it." He gestured towards the stage, struggling for words.
Gideon nodded in understanding. "Yes, there really is," he agreed softly, his gaze lingering on Harry's awestruck expression.
As their eyes met again, the soft murmuring of the crowd below seemed to fade away.
"Gideon..." Harry whispered, his lips parting slightly.
Gideon reached up, gently cradling Harry's face with one hand. "Yes?" he murmured, his grey eyes darkening slightly as they locked onto Harry's green ones. He felt curiosity and anticipation in the back of his mind, but wasn't sure if it was still the play causing those emotions for Harry. He hoped it wasn't just the play.
"I..." Harry began, a blush creeping into his cheeks as his gaze flickered to Gideon's lips. His voice was barely above a whisper, but in the quiet of the box, it was loud enough for Gideon to hear.
Without waiting for Harry to find his words, Gideon leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Hoping he wasn't about to mess everything up. The kiss was soft and gentle, mirroring the hesitation and anticipation coursing through both of them. Harry's eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into the kiss, tentatively moving his lips against Gideon's. It was their first kiss after all.
After a moment that felt like eternity, Gideon pulled back ever so slightly. He kept his hand cradling Harry's cheek, his thumb tracing soft circles under his eye. His voice was nothing more than a whisper when he spoke again. "Harry…?" He asked softly, his expression searching Harry's face for any hint he may have overstepped.
Harry's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Gideon's with a mixture of surprise and delight twinkling in them. His cheeks were flushed a warm pink, his lips slightly parted as he tried to catch his breath.
"Yes?" he managed to breathe out, his voice barely above a whisper and a little shaky. He looked up into the Warrior's grey eyes, which held such warmth and tenderness that a shiver ran down his spine.
Gideon's lips curved into a gentle smile at Harry's response, his thumb still stroking the soft skin beneath Harry's eye. "I hope... I mean, was that okay?" he asked hesitantly, not wanting to assume anything.
A slow smile spread across his face as he nodded, "Yes. I wasn't really expecting it, but it was more than okay."
Relief swept through Gideon at his words. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked deep into Harry's eyes. "Good," he murmured softly, and pulled Harry's smaller body closer to him. The armrests between their seats had vanished sometime during their kiss. And the chairs had flowed together to form a small couch. Wrapping a wing lightly but a bit possessively around Harry's back and shoulders, completely covering Harry's own wings, he guided him to lean against his side as the lights dimmed and the second act started.
Yet, even as the theatre plunged back into anticipatory darkness, Harry watched Gideon. A pleasant warmth spreading through him that Gideon could feel through the Courtship bonds. Harry snuggled deeper into Gideon's side, listening to the steady rhythm of the warrior's heart.
As the play reached its climax, Harry felt a lump forming in his throat. He watched, amazed and entranced, as the lovers on stage battled against insurmountable odds, their love for each other serving as their only weapon and salvation.
The orchestra swelled as the intensity of the drama escalated. The lovers were reunited with a passionate kiss that seemed to light up the entire stage and breathe life into every corner of the theatre. Harry let out a relieved sigh and glanced up at Gideon as the lights rose once more.
"Did you enjoy the ending?" Gideon asked, acutely aware of how close they were, of the warmth radiating from Harry's body where it pressed against his own.
Harry took a moment, his eyes reflecting the residual emotions from the play, before he finally nodded. "It was... incredibly moving," he confessed softly.
"That is the power of a well-told story..." Gideon said quietly, raising their entwined hands to press a kiss to Harry's fingers.
Harry blushed and shifted to sit up, feeling Gideon's wing fall away from his body as it's owner folded it back along his own body again.
"Thank you for bringing me here."
"It was my pleasure Harry." Gideon leaned down and kissed the tip of Harry's nose. "Thank you for your adorable company."
Harry flushed at the compliment, his gaze dropping to their still entwined hands. "I... I think I'd like to come again sometime," he admitted softly, still shy about voicing his own desires.
Gideon's smile deepened, the affection in his gaze making Harry's heart flutter within his chest. "We can come as often as you want," he said, giving Harry's hand a reassuring squeeze.
The rest of their evening passed in warm contentment. They lingered even after the last of the audience had shuffled out, leaving them nearly alone in the grand theater. Gideon guided Harry out slowly, taking long, unhurried steps that matched Harry's own slow pace.
Bringing Harry back to Laric's house, Gideon leaned down and brushed his lips lightly against Harry's once more. "Good night. And sweet dreams."