May I have this dance?

Technically, Tomoki thinks that he’s had too many drinks because all of a sudden, he has guts. Alcohol truly is liquid courage and he simply has no fucks left in him to care about what others will think of him. A part of him wonders if this is how Parker lives, free of worrying about what others think. It’s honestly not that bad as he finds himself somehow at the tables with various others. 

While he’s already had one dance with Hoshi, run into Parker (Tomoki prays for his friend’s luck with the flirting), has probably drunk more alcohol than ever before– 

He’s not satisfied, at least not yet. How does the saying go? He still has spoons, Tomoki supposes that the alcohol gives him more guts than he usually has which can be a bad thing. But currently, it’s a good thing, actually given that he finds himself actually attempting the dance for once more. 

What he doesn’t mean to do, however, is to pause in front of another black bun. It almost feels like running into a reflection of himself, but if he were to replace his reds with blues. Burrowgatory is a strange place, he thinks. 

Then: 

“Would you be interested in a dance?” he says with the words tumbling out of his mouth. 

Tomoki is met with Ezra, who'd much rather be at home. His purple pupils widen as he stares back after the male in front of him. “Oh.. I- ah.” His eyes trail down for a moment, toying with his blue tie.

He was dressed in an all dark navy suit, gray button up, and that beautiful center-piece tie. The bun finally gave a quiet sigh, leaning into the options of either ‘yes or no’. “I suppose one dance won't kill me, yeah?” The low laugh rumbled into his chest as he reached out a shy hand for him to take.

His tail swayed behind him as even his spirit motes gave looks of shock and awe, funnily enough. Almost like mocking him. 

Apparently, Tomoki thinks, he has good odds today. Now isn’t that funny and not something that Parker won’t laugh at him over later. Maybe in this case, he’ll deserve it but he’ll take what he can get as he drags the other bun onto the dance floor. 

There’s always enough place for anyone in this damn Masquerade and part of Tomoki finds himself wondering how in the world this whole place will be cleaned up afterwards. It’s not his problem but he does find himself worrying about it. 

All the same, the next words more or less die in his throat. Apparently, alcohol does not give him the will to speak when he actually wants to. Tomoki’s lucky like that. 

Ezra doesn't put up much of a fuss as he's dragged onto the dance floor. His face does flush a little though, a pink hue going across his nose and cheeks. He couldn't help but take glances up at his dance partner, seeing him look lost for a moment.

He decided he could get things started, he wouldn't mind right? Ezra pulled Tomoki close suddenly, a playful glint in his eyes. If he was going to dance with him, he wanted a good one. Ezra's hand slowly trailed up and rested on his shoulder, as the other wrapped around his waist. He leaned his head up close to the buns ear, whispering “are we ready, or are you nervous now?” He purred into him. 

Ezra could be teasing sometimes, but the blush on his face showed that definitely took a lot of courage. He was pleased with himself though, he was already having fun. 

“I can dance,” Tomoki finds himself replying instead. There’s always something about him saying something and then completely missing the point that the other bun is saying. 

It’s a habit at this point and those habits tend to die considerably hard and quickly. 

“Though not well,” he finds himself clarifying. “Watch your step so I don’t accidentally step on you.” 

What he doesn’t tell the other bun is that he isn’t one for dancing in the first place, given that he’s really doing it for research purposes. At least that’s his excuse anyways. It’s not a good one but Tomoki’s rolling with it for now. He has a feeling that revealing his cards early won’t do him any sort of good. 

Rather, revealing his cards has never done him any good, or at least not this early. He’s gotten lucky with Hoshi, that’s all. This is different because he doesn’t even know this other bun. Now he’d call that playing with fire – or at least rather metaphorically. 

Regardless, to save face, he finds himself speaking again. Because apparently he enjoys digging his hole even deeper as they dance. 

“I don’t think I got your name,” he finds himself admitting. Now, how many times has that happened? Old habits. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” 

Ezra raised a brow as he began to dance and sway with Tomoki, adjusting to the buns steps, at least sort of.. “My name?” A slow smile spread on his face, this bun was quite peculiar. “Ezra, my name is Ezra.” he said softly. His arm wrapped snugly around his waist , humming to the music, his purple eyes trailing around the room. It was weird seeing everyone so close to each other but also in their own space, entrapped with the person they were dancing with. Is this how people bond with partners? Friends? A blush began going across his face, shaking his head side to side. He was never this close to anyone, usually. 

“Ah, also, I don't dance too well either. All I can do is sway and spin.” He smirked up at him, giving a small giggle. Ezra was trapped in thought though, wondering why this man in particular wanted to dance with him. Was it a lack of a partner, or on a whim? Maybe he fancied Ezra, he may never know. 

Chances are, they might not see each other again after this, so maybe he just wanted to dance. Ezra was thinking way too far into this. His tail began to sway behind him, even accidentally tripping up once, stumbling close to Tomoki. “Ah- apologies.. I suppose I should be focusing on this and maybe not be in my head, mmm?” He inquired, mostly to himself. He straightened himself back up, taking a more focused approach this time. His eyes focused into Tomoki's no matter how flustered his cheeks got, and began dancing once more. This time with better ease. . 

It’s not to say that Tomoki doesn’t have other people to dance with, it’s the sheer fact that he’d rather not run into them for the time being, thank you very much. At least dancing with Ezra means that he’ll look busy. And if anything, it’ll burn time for both of them more than anything. 

“Look,” he finds himself saying – perhaps his words are always a bit blunt. Rather, they’ve always been curt. “As long as you don’t end up contemplating your own existence, we’ll be just fine.” 

Though there is a degree of kinmanship between the two of them. Call it the similarities in overthinking, though Tomoki likes to think that he’s mildly getting over his problems over time. 

(That doesn’t mean the overthinking stops though, that just means that it gets worse.)

“Though if you do feel like contemplating your existence over a drink,” Tomoki offers. “Feel free to ring me up after this whole dance and masquerade. Provided that I’m not kicking myself for not being able to sprout prose from nowhere.” 

Though the thing is, Tomoki isn’t sure if either of them has paper, or if there are pens to write down an address or phone number with. Part of him kicks himself because he snuck in here and there are consequences for his actions – namely the fact that he forgot that he could possibly be staying longer. Or for finding good company. 

“I can’t say I have any paper though, maybe after this,” he continues, a bit sheepish because when is he not concerned with coming off as too much? “Only if you’re interested.” 

It’s nice, Tomoki thinks, to have something like this because they could get to know each other better. He’s not against having someone to chill with him on some days. If anything, it could be good for both of them. 

Ezra seemed to smirk at Tomoki's rambles, nodding and listening to him with each word. “You know what.. Yeah. I'd like that a lot.. Hold on.” He slowly pulled away just a little, giving a small giggle as pulled a pen from his jacket pocket. He pressed close to Tomoki, gently pulling up his sleeve and writing his number down on his arm. 

“Coming from one overthinker to another, this is better because you can't lose this.” He winked up at him, there was even a little heart at the end of his name. “If you'd ever want to hang out, or just chat, text me. I'm available.” 

He laughed as the dance ended, pulling back from Tomoki. “By the way, you got so caught up talking you didn't share your name.. What is it?” He laughed softly, tilting his head to the side. 

Tomoki finds himself grinning at that. How long has it been since he’s found another overthinker? They sure do need to stay together against the world that clearly does not enjoy dealing with them. 

“I’ll have you know that I may pester some others to join us,” Tomoki jests. “Others that I know or ones that we can annoy.” 

Rather, they can annoy anyone and everyone that Tomoki knows. Really, he could do with a bigger group of companions to bother. It would be good for so many of them even if he finds some of the company mildly annoying to deal with. But at the same time, he wouldn’t have bothered talking with others had Parker not barrelled into his life. 

“I don’t know if you’ve met them but uh,” he then finds himself admitting in a conspiratory tone. “One of them snuck in as well. Through the open window.” 

It’s amazing what someone like Parker can do when you throw a goal at him. Or rather, something to focus on against all else. If there’s anyone with guts that Tomoki will never be able to compete with, it’s Parker. 

A soft snicker left Ezra's lips as he quirked a brow. “That is amazing..” A big smile made its way to his lips “I technically snuck in as well, I just went in through the front door when there was a big crowd of people coming in at once, just right in the middle. They can't check everyone.”

He then sighed softly, a smirk on his face. “Well then Tomoki, I can't wait to see what shenanigans we get into in the near future.. “ he purred out happily, gently grabbing his hand and shaking it “Until next time, mm? Give me a ring! Don't forget about it!!” Ezra didn't want to leave, but it was getting quite late and he had to get home to take care of Dusk, his little pet Lunell at home. With one final wave, he ran off into the crowd of people. 

“I’ll be sure to do so,” he replies back without missing much of a beat. Really, it's good socialization for the two of them. 

Tomoki stares at the number in his hand and wonders for a moment how he’s really going to go about fulfilling that promise to Ezra. Rather, he forgot to mention the sheer fact that he’s awake all the time and a stupidly late sleeper. This isn’t any different and part of Tomoki prays that Ezra doesn’t mind being rung up at two in the morning because Tomoki is haunted by an idea. 

Now, now it just means that he has someone new to pester about potential plot ideas and maybe he can take something from his time at the masquerade into something viable. Though the issue comes in when he bothers the other buns that he knows. 

It sure isn’t the first time that he’s pestered Parker about a similar issue. Though that did lead to him going out for drinks with him later on and was able to get so much gossip in hindsight. There are some things that Tomoki has no idea how Parker gets himself into but then there’s also his own thing with Primrose which is its own layer of bullshit. 

At least having another relationship with someone more on the same page will mean that he won’t have to stress over things alone. In a way, meeting Ezra is the best thing to come out this whole night. How surprising though whatever happens next will be harder to control. After all, Tomoki knows that he’s not exactly one for living in the most healthy way. His sleep schedule says enough about his issues. 

Then of course, he finds himself looking around at the rest of the masquerade and thinks for a moment. On one hand, going for food would be an easy way out but he could also do with a nap and worry about the masquerade later. Tomoki sure knows that he’s been here for too long. Way too long for his own good. 

But at the same time, there really isn’t the feeling that he should leave immediately. Still, he finds himself thinking about later. Perhaps the actual solution he should have come in here in the first place with is to get some of the food and drink then bail. Tomoki pauses for a moment and thinks of his next steps. 

Regardless of what happens next, well, Tomoki supposes that he has all the time in the world to figure out what comes next. 

Ezra's thoughts kept going to their little dance and interaction. He couldn't believe how easy he had danced and talked with Tomoki. He couldn't help the creeping blush that came across his nose and cheeks once more, shaking his head side to side. He had fun, the most fun he'd had in a while! 

Not only that, but Tomoki seemed sweet and interested in him. Not many people actually listened to Ezra speak more than a few sentences. But Tomoki actively listened to him.

 It was different, that's for sure. He felt the smile slip onto his lips as he slowly walked home. His eyes trailed along the street lights, even looking up at the stars. Anything he could. Soon, he was walking up his stairs to his door, and walking inside. 

His little Lunell, Dusk, chirped up at him as he smiled “hi baby.” He greeted and leaned down to pick them up, giving them a few kisses before walking to their food bowl and filling it with food. “There! All better.” He let her back down and finally went to his bedroom. It was time for him collapse for the night. 

With how many drinks he had, and how many interactions he had with people, he was ready to be cuddled up back in bed for the night. Soon, sleep took over and his eyes fluttered closed, he was out.