Work Text:
This was the first time Vanitas was no longer hiding behind a pile of armor. Normally, because of his duties and in the need to conceal his identity, he never removed his armor in front of others. Not even at balls, not even at festivals. But it was different. Now his relationship with the prince was very different. And that would have been all right, but Vanitas was completely uncomfortable in those silly colorful outfits. It was as if he were some dressed-up peacock rather than one of the main knights of the royal family. He would certainly have preferred to continue attending such events in armor, but his Light insisted otherwise.
"You're doing quite well for your first time." - A rather warm and unaccustomedly cheerful voice sounded nearby. Vanitas turned his head and saw the prince descending toward him. As he approached closer, he gave a soft smile and barely touched the stranger's hand, causing the knight himself to blush awkwardly.
"If I have no problem shredding your enemies, why should I have a problem with some ball." - Vanitas smirked back, still trying to maintain his serious and slightly irritated look, not wanting the blond to show the slightest bit of embarrassment.
"Oh, yeah, how could I forget that." - Ventus laughed softly. It was so unaccustomed to seeing him more open, hearing him laugh, getting all the smiles and gentle words and other affectionate things in front of everyone. Before, they had guarded their romance with such trepidation from everyone, but now... Now they don't have to hide their feelings. They can call each other lovers without a problem in public, even if they are still frowned upon. Suddenly the prince spoke again:
"Why don't you dance with me, then? That must be something for you to do, Sir Vanitas."
"Hmpf." - The dark-haired youth made only an amused sound, but he defiantly took his beloved by the hand and led him to the center of the hall, shoving everyone in his path.
The throne room, where balls were usually held, looked awful. There was nothing but ruin, an oppressive feeling of emptiness and loneliness, and darkness all around. The former grandeur of the magnificently decorated hall, which welcomed every person in comfort, was long ago and irrevocably lost. Even traces of the nightmare that had occurred there seemed to have vanished in time. Only the moonlight barely penetrated through the holes in the broken windows, walls, and ceiling, barely illuminating the room. It would have been too quiet if it hadn't been for the recurring sound of footsteps and the clatter of armor.
A knight in black armor was repeating the same dance, never stopping for a minute. It was as if he were not in the ruins of a former castle, but at a celebration, dancing to a gentle symphony for lovers. Here was the turn and now the "partner" for the dance was visible. It was a torso, with a head and arms, but no lower body at all. It was covered with so many cracks, and at times there was so much stardust and splintering from it that it seemed more like a huge porcelain doll than the remains of someone who was trying to be human. The snow-white cloths with gold and silver embroidery had long ago become soiled in all the dirt and dust, forever soaked up the drops of someone else's blood, hung irrevocably in tattered pieces on the dead body.
"I told you I'm a better dancer than every overprivileged bastard here!" - The knight said cheerfully, and then intercepted the body with one hand, lifting the lowered head with his free hand. He gazed lovingly, reverently at the face that would no longer smile or laugh or cry. He tried to discern the familiar warmth in the stranger's blue eyes, but only met again the emptiness and glassy gaze peculiar only to the dead.
"How you have grown cold toward me, sweet Ven." - There was hurt in the words, but soon the tone changed to one of gentle, loving, but somehow...not normal. Crazy. - "But don't worry, I'll find a way to get your feelings for me back. Just like before."
After these words Vanitas pressed his lips to the other person, which had been cold for a long time, and then he continued his dance again.
After all, this was their favorite song.