May I Have This Dance?

Wolfsbane laughed at a joke another bun had told, tail flicking happily. He was a bit nervous to come to the Fairy Masquerade by himself, but he’d had a few glasses of champagne and was starting to get into the groove. Of course, Wolfsbane would’ve been happier at his own manor, with more of his close friends in attendance, but this would have to do. He lifted his glass to take another sip before realizing that it was already empty. 

“If you’ll excuse me,” Wolf removed himself smoothly from the conversation and headed towards the refreshments table.

Valon huffed, annoyed at the bimbo hanging off his arm. He continuously tried to shrug them off but they were being persistent, no doubt trying to butter Valon up because of his vast wealth. Finally having enough, Valon ripped his arm from the other, ready to chew them out, when he saw a familiar form; he immediately forgot about the person next to him and made his way toward the refreshment table, an air of cockiness surrounding him.

Valon draped his arms around Wolf, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

“Well, well, look who I found,” came the sultry chuckle.

Wolf’s wings spasmed in surprise and he nearly dropped his brand new glass of champagne as he felt the weight of another doll draping themselves over him. He already had his fangs half bared before he recognized the voice, and laughed. 

“Oh, Angora just lets anybody into her galas now?” Wolfsbane teased his friend, looking up at the taller Greed. 

“Ha! It wouldn't be a party without me here!” Valon laughed.

He clicked his champagne glass against Wolf’s with a grin.

“So what brings you here?” Valon asked. “Come with anyone?”

Valon loosely wrapped an arm around Wolf's waist, hoping to discourage anyone who might have been debating approaching one or both of the lords.

“I brought Vedant with me so you might see him around.”

“I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about,” Wolfsbane said light-heartedly. “I didn’t end up being able to go to Angora’s gala last year, so it was nice getting invited again.” He noticed Valon’s casual hold on his waist and leaned into the other Greed, spotting a bun simmering with jealousy off in the distance. 

“I came alone. I’m happy to see you; I was starting to get lonely.” Wolf’s tone was still light and teasing, but he was genuinely glad to see his littermate. His crimson eyes flickered over the crowd in a quick search for Valon’s butler, but didn’t see the green Lust anywhere. “Nice of you to bring Vedant; not worried he’ll find somebody easier to babysit?” 

“Easier? Probably. Someone that can fuck him better than me? Never in a million years,” Valon cackled.

He glanced around looking for the familiar red spirits that followed Vedant but only saw people he didn't care about. Surely his butler would pop up again soon, Vedant had a low threshold for how long he could socialize so he was bound to be back at Valon's side sooner rather than later.

“He deserves some time to have fun too and a break from my bullshit.”

Wolfsbane gasped dramatically. “What’s this? Our great Lord Valon has finally admitted that he can be too much to handle??” Wolf chuckled softly, then decided to stop teasing his friend. He took a long sip of his champagne, then gestured vaguely out at the rest of the ballroom. 

“What have you been doing since you got here? Just chatting? Or did you drag some poor soul out onto the dance floor already?” 

Okay, maybe he wasn’t quite done teasing.

“At least I'm self-aware,” Valon snickered.

His eyes drifted over the room full of people, briefly lingering on the dance area, before turning back to Wolf.

“I might have danced with a couple of pretty faces already.”

Valon finished off his champagne in a couple of large gulps.

“What about you? Anyone begging to dance with you yet?”

“Mm, not yet.” Wolfsbane hummed, partially distracted as he looked over to the dance floor, watching buns and dolls of all shapes and sizes dance in pairs or alone. “I’ve been fine chatting for the most part…” He turned back to Valon. “Who knows, maybe I’m not pretty enough.” 

Wolf took another sip of his champagne, chuckling softly as he noticed Valon’s now empty glass. “Or maybe I’m too pretty, and they’re intimidated.” 

“Too pretty, huh,” Valon teased.

He glanced around then took Wolf’s hand.

“May I have this dance?”

Valon bowed lightly, taking Wolf’s hand in his own and placing a kiss with a mischievous grin.

“Unless I’m not pretty enough for you,” he sighed, dramatically.

Wolf blinked in surprise then laughed softly. With the hand that wasn't being held, he lifted Valon's chin slightly, turning his face back and forth while peering closely at him. After a few moments Wolf nodded and let go, nodding with a false seriousness to his expression.

"I've decided you're pretty enough to be seen at my side, Lord Valon." Wolf put his champagne flute to his lips and threw his head back, effortlessly swallowing the rest of what was in his glass. "Let's go dance, my friend."

“I know my beauty can't help but be admired,” Valon sighed as Wolf held his face.

Valon grabbed Wolf's hand leading him to the dance floor.

“You should be grateful to be seen dancing with me, it'll bolster your image,” Valon teased with a grin.

Placing a hand on Wolf's waist and holding hands with the other, Valon pulled Wolf close to himself.

“Ready for a dance you'll never forget, my dear?”

Wolf laughed at Valon’s comment, letting the other Greed doll pull him onto the dance floor. “‘Bolster my image’, huh?” 

Placing his free hand on his littermate’s shoulder, Wolfsbane grinned. “They say you never forget your first.” Waiting for the cue from the music, Wolf began stepping to the beat set by the waltz. He smiled up at Valon. “Let’s show them how it’s done, right Valon?” 

“I'll be so good you'll be disappointed with anyone else,” Valon teased with a grin.

Valon began moving with Wolf to the music, exaggerating his movement in a dramatic fashion, no doubt wanting to outdo any other dancers who got too close to them.

“The whole room will be in awe of us,” he grinned, showing off his fangs.

He made to hold his posture upright to show off his height; Valon didn't slouch but usually stood in a relaxed way that didn't quite show his full height.

Wolfsbane laughed out loud, used to his littermate’s theatrics. He had to stand taller as well; considering Valon was already several inches taller than him, even when he wasn’t posturing. Matching Valon’s energy, Wolf spread all four of his wings just slightly, taking up a little more space than was wholly necessary. His Hellfire Motes shone a little brighter, enhancing the crimson in both dolls’ eyes.

“It’s what we deserve, isn’t it?” Wolf added smugly, tail curling in amusement.

“Oh absolutely,” Valon laughed. “Only the best for us.”

Valon continued along to the rhythm and tempo of the music, throwing in a few flourishes now and then.

“Oh my, so many people staring at us,” he said, glancing around; Valon loved the attention.

“I can see why Vedant ran off,” Wolf teased. “Poor thing; dancing with you would’ve put him at the center of so many buns’ attention.”

Valon had always been the more dramatic of the two. Even in looks alone, with his bold red colouring compared to the soft grey that adorned Wolf’s body. Knowing that he couldn’t compare with Valon’s flourishes, Wolfsbane embraced his own dancing style; much more elegant and smooth, but a sight to see none the less. 

“Oh he'll be back,” Valon laughed. “Vedant can't help it, he always finds himself in my bed at the end of the day.”

Valon glanced around looking for his ever faithful butler but unfortunately did not see him.

“He deserves a good time,” Valon said quietly in a rare moment of sincerity. “I hope he's enjoying himself.”

He turned his attention back to Wolf, still gracefully dancing to the music.

The teasing glint in Wolf’s eyes faded, replaced with soft affection for his littermate. “When Vedant started working for you, I never could have predicted your relationship becoming what it is now.” 

It was nice. Valon didn’t care for many buns, but those he did got to see a different side to him. 

“Maybe we go find him soon, hmm? Make sure he’s doing alright?” 

“Hmm, I wouldn’t have expected it either,” Valon agreed with a fond smile.

Hiring a butler had mainly been Valon’s husband’s idea, and Valon hadn’t cared either way but Vedant had quickly found his way to both Valon and his husband’s hearts; they couldn’t imagine their lives without Vedant.

“Let's find my pretty Vedant,” he said, looping his arm with Wolfs. “Need to make sure everyone knows who he belongs to.”