The Ball. And Doom.

[amicably_absent]

For some reason, while Cain was stolen by Ahamo, Jeb and Tutor to get ready for the ball, while Glitch found himself hurried off by Raw, DG and Azkadellia.

The girls had clearly been scheming for a while, because there was beauticians ready, girls with steam things and hot things and clothes and al kinds of things that Glitch was sure he hadn't to go through to get ready for balls before.

Raw was stripped out of his furs and washed, doing a remarkable impersonation of a cat getting a bath with the yowling and complaining and eventual compliance with pouting. He cheered up when they got to blow drying and brushing through, his wild fur and hair neatened and brushed out and settled. Glitch insisted they weave ribbons through it, bows that Azkadellia clearly didn't entirely approve of and made DG pull that face that said she was laughing inside but wouldn't hurt feelings by saying it. Glitch thought it was cute, especially was Kalm was given the same treatment.

Then the mirrors were taken away and he was set upon by the ravenous hoards. Combs and brushes pulled at his hair past yells from DG telling them to mind the zipper. His face was scrubbed with some sweet smelling, rough stuff while his nails were buffed and filed and cleaned. Steam blasted over his scalp and oil that smelt like satusma was carefully worked through it to 'give it definition', whatever that meant.

The girls were being done at the same time. Azkadellia was quiet and elegant. DG complained and yelped as her hair was curled and pinned up, her make up up expertly applied. Glitch stopped questioning after a while when they descended on him with brushes until he was whisked away by a team of dressers, away from the girls and into a side area to be put in a suit.

He didn't mind the tight fitting, long sleeved under shirt. He dealt with the formal pants and thin piping on them and the polished black shoes. He didn't even grumble at the shirt that was done up att the way, professional and proper and not at all how he usually wore them.

The coat caused a stink. It was heavy, with small hooks instead of buttons and a deep wide swing and beautiful trim like he thought his old coat might have had before his head casing. It was a rich colour and lined with rich silk.

And it had medals. And that was the problem. He had no idea what they were for, but he was assured they were his and he had to wear them because Her Majesty had asked him to.

Which is why he's dressed up so fine, with shining medals and just enough make up to accentuate his features and his hair in disarray, with loose curls and gleaming zip, because he's used his fingers to undo the neat work the hairdressers did hiding his zipper with Ambrose's old side part.

And he was dragged in there to be there with the Royal family. So naturally, he's lurking near the corner of the Royal Dais, exchanging looks with DG and hoping Cain turns up soon so he has someone to talk to against his wall.

Comments

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Yes. And you love it." He turns them, still apparently leading and dips himself again with a grin.

The orchestra winds up the song and Glitch decides it's time to go and find... oh dear. "I think the tiny cute Viewer just pounced your son. From Raw's shoulders."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

Judging by the laughter coming from that direction, too loudly in the short break between songs, Jeb wasn't expecting it. Wyatt turns to look, heart warming further at the sight of Kalm wrapping himself around Jeb's shoulders like a cat. He's laughing helplessly, and Raw's bared his teeth in that strange little smile of his, and Kalm is busy swatting at Jeb's medals.

Every inch the proud father, Wyatt wraps his arm around Glitch's waist. "You want a drink?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Glitch slides his hand into the pocket of Wyatt's coat and leans in against him. "Love one. Don't they look adorable together?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He isn't sure yet if he likes the coat or not. It's so much heavier than he's used to, and stiffer. But Glitch's hand just kind of breaks away the formality of it, and if he likes it, then that's enough. "They certainly do."

But maybe they should leave the boys to their fun. He glances at the table packed to the brim and more of refreshments, and gives Glitch a small nudge in that direction. "Shall we?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Glitch like the weight, it makes him feel safe and secure, wrapped in the cloth and feeling the swing of it. It's familiar and comforting for him. For Ambrose.

"Mm, good idea." He wanders that way, staying close to Wyatt. "I could go the Nebbiolo from the Southern region."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"I didn't take you for a connoisseur." He smirks, amused. "Memories coming back, are they?" They make their way across the dance floor, Wyatt always half a step behind, always keeping his hand on Glitch's back to keep him steady.

Meanwhile, Kalm has coerced Jeb into dancing, because dancing is how you spell FUN, obviously. So, balancing on Jeb's feet and holding on to his hands, they do like kids and their loved ones have for times immemorial.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"No... just something I really, really want right now." He throws a glance at the boy dancing, smiling widely and nearly tripping over his feet but for Wyatt's hand holding him steady.

"And then we can lurk by the wall and watch."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

Wyatt nods, thinking he quite gets the picture now, but if it's what Glitch needs to unwind, he won't object. "You saying you don't want an encore? I mean, sure we can hang back for a while and watch everyone else enjoying themselves, but I figured I should make good use of the time I have before the entire royal family descends on us, with the exception of Ahamo," he hopes. "-wanting to dance. And there's something else, too."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"I do want an encore... I want to have my drink first." He steals a glass for each of them and offers one to Wyatt. "They'll be a while yet. Her Majesty and Ahamo won't be dancing for a while and I fancy the girls will bee line onto Jeb for first dances."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"They'll have to fight Kalm for him, I reckon." Only now noticing the two of them dancing at the edge of the dance floor, far, far away. It's Jeb's head of unruly hair he spots first, then the tiny little hands holding on to his arms. It's a sweet sight. He suspects one day Jeb will be a great father.

He sips his drink, pleasantly cool and just bubbly enough not to be too much, sweet, but not. "About that other thing. This is going to sound really strange, but I've been thinking." A beat, and his smile turns wry. "Okay, that isn't the strange part, I do tend to think."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"I think they will." Glitch moves towards the wall, out of the way and slightly more private. "He's really good with the poor kid."

He looked to Wyatt. "Thinking about what in particular then?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He is, and it goes to show just what sort of person he is, to have a Viewer so immediately attached to him. Especially a Viewer like Kalm, who's spent most of his life in captivity, if not all of it.

But that's nowhere near what he was going to talk about, and it's far too depressing a line of thought for tonight, when celebration is in the air. He steps up close, right by Glitch's side, and looks him in the eye.

Then he tilts his head, and leans in for a kiss.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Glitch cocks his head and then he's being kissed, and he forgets whatever it was Cain was saying in favour of wrapping his arms around his lover and kissing him back.

DG wolf whistles. Glitch glances at her but doesn't break the kiss, though he is smiling into it now.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

As it just so happens, a wolf whistle like that, from one of the princesses, nonetheless, is more than enough incentive for people who weren't already looking, to see just what it's all about.

A happy little murmur starts somewhere in the vast room, and then a smattering of polite applause.

That's enough for Wyatt to break the kiss, but he doesn't move away. If people want to look, let them. "What was I saying, again?" He grins, then snaps his fingers. "Right, got it! I've been thinking about something you've told me about several times. About these memories you have, dancing in the garden outside the ball room. They're not just your memories, and-- And this is the strange-sounding part. If Ambrose would like to dance some time during the night, I would be honored to be his partner."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Glitch snuggles in, looking every bit like the cat who got the cream as he looks back at the gathering. He slides a hand into Cain's pocket, looking back to his lover and people turn away from them again.

And he beams and hugs Wyatt again. "You're too sweet. Thank you! He'd love it, I'm sure. If he'll even come out. Which I'm not sure he will. Too many people."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He hugs him back, his free hand pressing close against soft fabric that feels incredible to the touch. "We could sneak out to the garden later, see if he's more comfortable there." He smiles, turning his head so he can breathe deep of Glitch's soft hair that smells just like it should. Citrusy and spicy and fresh and Glitch through and through. It strikes him again just how lucky he is, and how absolutely stunned he is to be here, sharing this moment tucked away from the real world.

"He's part of you, you know, and you're part of him, and it's confusing and fitting and it just feels wrong that he should miss out on this." He looks out over the masses, glances at the royal family. "This is his home too. Even a prolific scientist like Ambrose should get to have some fun every now and then, right?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Glitch stay in close, chest to chest and feeling the dig of medals against his skin and not caring at all because they're together and comfortable. This is their stolen moment together before life demands them back.

"It is... but he's shy. You know that. If he does come out, he'll be sitting on the edge of the dais, half out of sight. I always sat there." He steals another peck of a kiss.

"One more dance? Her Majesty and Ahamo are out there now."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"I know he is, but I'm not. I can be daring enough for both of us." He winks, and decides to drop it the moment Glitch kisses him again.

"The offer's standing, but I won't push it. And yes, please, I'd love another dance with you. But first, a toast." He raises his glass, no longer forgotten.

"To us."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Toast? Oh!" He lifts the glass he had been precariously close to spilling. "To us."

He sips and sets his glass aside. "Come and dance with me, Wyatt, before someone demands a dance from you."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He sips, and sets it aside with a grin. "You think whoever that someone is would be terribly offended if I just say I'm spoken for?"

Back onto the dance floor they go, hand in hand, and soon to be cheek to cheek. "You feel like leading, handsome?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"DG might be." He smiles as the slower music starts. "That sounds wonderful, Wyatt. Thank you."

He lays a hand on Wyatt's waist.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Just give me a moment to switch gears, I'll be fine." He smiles, places his hands where they should be now the roles are reversed, one on Glitch's shoulder, the other rest comfortable in his hand.

"Now you keep your hands where they ought to be, Mister, or I'm walking."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Spoilsport," Glitch smirks. "Not even a little grope in front of everyone?" He starts them dancing, as perfectly in control and graceful as ever when it's dancing, just that hint playful.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He can be graceful enough for both of them, because Wyatt is not used to thinking and doing this backwards and reversed and, okay, he'll be okay as long as Glitch keeps him from bumping into people.

"Maybe a little one, but only if you treat me right."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Glitch giggles and swings Cain around, pulling him in close again. "Your butt is very grope-able," he whispers in his ear. "When you were getting that box of yours, I couldn't stop staring at your butt."