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Easthies has never been one for parties, or celebrations of any kind now that he thinks about it. So he’s not really sure as to why he’s here, in this crowded ballroom of all places. It’s not like the Knights were needed for security or anything, and all he knows is that it’s a celebration of the anniversary of the Day of Conspiracy. A celebration of another year of peace and another year of keeping the fragile balance that exists between Witches and the Unknowing.
Which means that at least he's doing his job right.
He supposes that it doesn’t exactly matter as to why he’s here, Easthies can’t exactly leave either way. Lulucy would probably stop him before that could happen (she didn’t get Easthies all dressed up for nothing after all). And even he has to admit the dedication that has gone into this party is somewhat impressive.
The Great Hall looks nothing like it usually does — grand chandeliers adorning the ceiling, a marble staircase near the entrance that he swears didn’t exist until today, and an abundance of other decorations that Easthies can’t seem to remember the names of. It’s all quite beautiful now that he thinks about it, a nice contrast from the very boring everyday.
Easthies gets so distracted that it takes him a while to notice Utowin coming up to him, a glass of champagne in his hand. He looks slightly different than Easthies remembers — He looks happier, younger almost. The faint light of the ballroom painting him in an almost golden hue. His suit is a simple one (a complete contrast to some of the outfits he’s seen so far — too many sparkles and vibrant colours for his liking.) but despite the simplicity of the outfit, Utowin pulls it off well, the indigo-blue complimenting his eyes in a way that honestly surprises Easthies (Utowin’s not exactly known for his fashion sense after all). He looks nicer than usual though, Easthies can at least admit that — even if it’s slightly hard to believe.
He moves slightly closer to Utowin, who’s not really doing anything besides absentmindedly playing with his glass of champagne, he’s a lot calmer than he usually is. Which makes Easthies wonder if he’s planning anything. It wouldn’t be the first time that Utowin has done something stupid at a party.
“Are you just going to stand there or do you have something you want to say?” He comments after a few more moments of silence. It’s unlike Utowin to be this quiet, especially with the amount of champagne he’s consumed already. It’s new, but not in a bad way — even so, Easthies should probably figure out what it is exactly that Utowin wants.
It takes Utowin a few minutes to respond, probably due to the alcohol. Easthies will never understand the appeal of drinking, but that’s mostly because he’s a lightweight (that and the fact he hasn’t drunk since he was eighteen)
“Can I have a dance? Because you love me.” He asks the question with a faint smile, there’s a soft glint of mischief present in his eyes, and it looks like he’s been wanting to ask Easthies all night, but only having the courage to do so now. (It’s amazing what a little bit of alcohol can do to a person). He laughs quietly, offering his hand out, waiting for Easthies to take it.
“I don’t remember saying that, but sure.” Easthies laughs in response, there’s worse things he could have been asked for after all, but he’s never been one for dancing. Nor has he ever been any good at it,
“One dance, that’s it.”
“Come on Eas, give me a chance to sweep you off your feet.”
“You’re two inches taller than me Utowin..” Easthies mutters quietly, in an attempt to be snarky. He’s fully aware that Utowin is trying to charm him, but he can’t help but want to at least pretend to act like he’s disinterested — just for the fun of it.
“That’s besides the point, give me a chance.”
“I’ll rescind my offer if you don’t shut up.”
Utowin stops after that, immediately going quiet. He’s taking Easthies seriously for once, and he has to admit that Utowin looks a lot cuter when he’s not loud and all over the place. That’s not to say that Easthies doesn’t like that. But it’s a side of the other that Easthies doesn’t get to see that often. A side of him that’s really only reserved for him now that he thinks about it.
“See, you’re a lot prettier when you’re not talking.” Easthies comments after a few moments, turning to face Utowin, before tapping him on the chest lightly. He decides to ignore the blush that blossoms on his face. Easthies takes his hand and places it over Utowin’s “I’ll have that dance now.”
It takes them a few minutes to start — mostly because neither of them have danced formally in years, but they’re able to get into a steady rhythm. Dancing is actually a lot easier than Easthies remembers, maybe it’s because he’s dancing with someone familiar to him. He looks up slightly, just to be eye-level with Utowin (who’s currently leading the dance — it’s a lot easier to follow than to lead after all.) Red eyes meet green ones and Easthies can’t help being mesmerised.
Utowin looks calm, almost ethereal in nature, like he's finally in control of something in his life. It’s a look that makes Easthies heart stop in a way that he hasn’t experienced in years. Like someone’s set off fireworks in his chest. He’s known Utowin for so long and yet he still finds ways to surprise him. He still finds ways to make Easthies smile or laugh, even on the most difficult of days, even when Easthies feels like it’s too much. It’s an incredible ability, something that he admires more than anything else.
In the chaos that is Easthies’ life, Utowin is a constant presence. An anchor of sorts, stopping Easthies from drowning from the weight of his own fears.
Utowin on the other hand isn’t aware of that, but he’s never seen Easthies as happy as he’s seen him right now. The dark red of his dress contrasting the golden light of the ballroom, making him seem a thousand times more beautiful than usual (and that’s an impressive feat within himself). Easthies’ smile is small but radiant, almost like the sun, like if he gets too close he’ll be burned by it — not that Utowin would mind. He's been in love with Easthies for as long as he can remember. But even then, he never has seen Easthies like this.
Easthies is usually tired, overwhelmed and overworked. Like he’s about to snap at any moment, nothing like the person that Utowin sees in front of him, it’s nice to see this side of Easthies, the side of Easthies that is bright and youthful, that doesn’t care about what other people think, who is loud and exuberant, who enjoys himself to the fullest. Utowin wishes that he got to see this version of Easthies more. However rare that might be.
Their eyes meet again, and Utowin can’t help but laugh. This situation is a lot more intimate than what he’s used to. He’s always been a coward when it’s come to Easthies, and he figures that won’t change anytime soon — even in moments like these, which feel like they’re too good to be true.
“Is my dancing that bad?”
“No, not at all. The opposite actually.”
Easthies chuckles softly at that, he’s not fully sure as to why he thinks that’s funny — although laughter has a habit of being contagious. He takes a few steps back, knowing that Utowin will follow. Attempting to keep in time with the beat of the music (he’s not doing an amazing job but that’s not the point). He hasn’t enjoyed himself this much in years, there’s usually too much going on in his life for that to be the case.
They dance in relative silence. The only thing that can be heard is the soft tone of the classical music that’s playing in the background, everyone else in the ballroom is irrelevant in this moment. It’s only the two of them, and while that might sound ridiculous and sappy — Easthies can’t deny that its anything but the truth.
He wishes he could stay like this forever.
Utowin moves slightly closer towards Easthies, tightening his grip on the other’s hand. His fingers are rough and calloused and Utowin can’t help but admire them — they’re a product of the time and dedication Easthies has put into his work, time that Easthies has dedicated to helping others and to upholding his own convictions, which are so strong that not even the roughest of tides can break them.
Utowin loves everything about Easthies, even the things that Easthies finds embarrassing, the things that Easthies doesn’t show other people, the things that only Utowin knows about. But above all, Utowin loves how kind Easthies is, how loving and dedicated he is, how he is nothing like Utowin and still finds enjoyment in his company. He’s been in love with Easthies for as long as he can remember, and has been a coward about it for even longer.
Maybe it’s time he stopped being a coward.
“Easthies, can I say something?”
“What.”
“I just wanted to say that I’m in love with you.”
“That’s a bold statement.”
“Well it’s the truth.”
“Are you sure that’s not the alcohol talking?” Easthies is slightly skeptical of Utowin’s sudden confession — that’s not to say that he doesn’t believe it, it’s just that it’s so sudden. Unplanned and unpredictable. Which now that Easthies thinks about it, is exactly like Utowin. Utowin’s always been the type of person to act before he thinks, to take caution to the wind and let his impulses guide him. Of course his confession of love would be exactly like that, completely random and unfiltered.
Intimate.
There’s only the two of them in this moment, everybody else doesn’t matter. It would be so easy for Easthies to just accept it, to close the space between them and to tell Utowin that he feels the same — he’s scared. It’s been a long time since he’s done anything like this. Love when you’re thirty is very different to love when you’re fifteen.
“I promise it’s not the alcohol. I haven’t even drunk that much.”
“Are you sure?”
“About the confession or the alcohol?”
“Both.”
Easthies steps slightly forward, adjusting his arms slightly, one around Utowin’s waist and the other on his shoulder. “Love is a strong word.”
“It is. But that’s how I feel.”
Easthies can’t help but laugh, it’s a light laugh — one filled with warmth but also a hint of jealousy. Only Utowin could say something like that, only he would be able to say something so raw and so honest and mean it completely and wholeheartedly.
His love is so bright that it outshines all of the stars in the sky.
Easthies wishes it were that easy for him, to tell Utowin the truth, to expose the feelings he has hidden for so long. The feelings he’s denied himself from expressing for years on end — too worried about the consequences to ever have the courage to say something. Maybe that’s the problem, he’s terrified of expressing his feelings through words. So what if he doesn’t say anything, instead letting his actions do the talking for once. It’s worth a shot.
“Well I could tell you how I feel, but I feel like showing you might be easier.”
And with that Easthies finally bridges the gap between them, kissing Utowin gently on the lips, It’s a simple kiss, soft and warm — an answer to a question more than anything else. Even so, Easthies can’t help but think that it’s perfect.
This is his declaration of love, and to Easthies it says a lot more than words ever will. This is his way of saying ‘I love you’, his way of accepting Utowin’s confession and accepting that he’s finally ready to accept the love that has been given to him so freely.
Easthies is scared, but he’s not alone anymore. That's what matters.
When Easthies eventually pulls away from the kiss, Utowin waits for a few seconds before kissing him again. Utowin has loved Easthies for so long, yet in a million years would he have thought that Easthies felt the same way — it doesn’t feel real, it shouldn’t be real but it is. It’s real. Easthies’ tastes like cinnamon and citrus, of warmth and comfort — the taste of which will linger with him for as long as he lives. Utowin wraps his arms tighter around Easthies, wanting to preserve the moment forever.
The music stops, and Easthies pulls away for a second time, cheeks red and heart racing. carefully releasing his hold on Utowin before dusting himself off — who knew that one dance could feel like eternity. Waiting a few seconds before taking Utowin’s left hand and kissing it (like they do in fairytales, this whole night has felt like one after all.) Easthies gives Utowin a light smile, a silent thank you of sorts.
“I’m glad we had this dance.”
“I am too.”
Utowin takes Easthies’ hands into his and smiles — a smile that could rival the brightest stars in the sky, calm and youthful and a promise of things to come. And for now that is all Easthies could ask for.