“ sure , why not ? are you saying you don’t want to dance with me ? ” impish smile grows on her face , takes his hand in her own —- it’s warmthpleases her .
“ I think vlad is looking for lily —- besides . after so many lessons , you aren’t as terrible . ”
“No ——” He utters too quickly, taking a breath for PAUSE as his smile only widens. “I’m just saying that I don’t really want to dance at all, or at least rather SHOULDN’T.”No one is safe from his ill timed feet.
Instantly he’s nervous, russet eyes wide as he tries to listen to her && the ( what seems to be ever changing ) beat of the music. Finally, he begins to ‘sway’ lips almost parting with each attempt at counting that’s going on in his head. However, he does manage a chuckle. “You sure about that ?? If you look at the others Anya, they’re actually M O V I N G .”
cheeks grow scarlet at his words . “ I —- ” and okay , maybe she does want to kiss him . maybe the feeling is returned —- knows that’s what he wanted to say , she isn’t stupid .ignores the statement , looks away ( * LOOK AWAY ! ) because this is not the time for such things . even if she wants to , because she wants to be with her family above all .
“ you’re right —- of course you are . so , ask me more question : I’m sure I can answer them !” still , can’t help but think about what he’s said before —- focus ! “ you really think so ? ” smile grows again , impossibly wider . “ you know , with all these compliments , maybe you are a kiss - up . ”
Heart shatters as blue gaze parts from his ——— a FOOL he is. ( she had to think little of him, there could be no other thoughts in her mind right ??) His father always warned him of his m o u t h; one day he’d say the wrong thing && be killed. This however, almost seemed worse. Lips curl into a thin line, calloused hand running through auburn locks as he FORCES himself to back away ( but only slightly, he can’t ever seem to stray too far anymore ).
“You sure huh ?? Y’know, I think you might be getting too COCKY, perhaps we really are a bad influence on you.” A light quip ( oh so thankful for the change in topic, at least now he can SHOW OFF all he knows, his knowledge ). Digits tap along chin, eyes unmistakably falling to her lips. NO. A deep breath, a shake of the head, he forces out a light chuckle, eyes moving to stare out in front of him. “Who knows, maybe I am. I guess you are a bad influence on me too.” That damned crooked smirk‘pon his lips, there it is again. “Anyways ——” Flustered, brows knit deeply, a wrinkle appearing along his forehead. “—— How does the grand duchess like her tea ??”
“What ?? Now you’re not even gonna L O O K at me, is that it ??” Eyes squint, jaw jutting forward in stubborn determination. A part of him wants to play her game / masters of the cold shoulder, their only utterances quick remarks with a sneaky b u r n . But not tonight, a need too strong ( heart too full —— the thought of isolation, solitude running COLD ).
A full pouting lip, he knows she knows —— even if those ice blue eyes refuse to give him that satisfaction. A scoot, arm curling behind her along the couch / not quite close enough to touch, but warmth radiating nonetheless.
Slightly crooked nose, one once broken, brushes along shoulder. Lips peck the base of her neck, before a trail of l i n g e r i n g kisses follow the curve to her jaw. “Not even now ??” His smile presses‘gainst her skin, eyes WIDE. Asking forgiveness, the man can’t ever seem to do it outright ( but he does so in his own way, like now) —— “You can still KISS me y’know —— If you close your eyes, technically you wouldn’t be looking … so you win??”
“A dance ?? Even after what happened last time ??” His foot still hurt from that probably deservedSTOMP. A shake of his head, a i r y chuckle — he stands STRAIGHT, calloused hand held out for her own. “Vlad would be a much better partner you know.” @whosmiled //sc.
“ I don’t think I could forget you . ” or , at least —- hopes she won’t forget him . laughs at his words , hides any true thoughts she may be feeling . still , notices his arm going around the back of the seat , finds herself subconsciously lean towards him . “ well , that’s the difference —- you aren’t being a kiss up . ”
glances up at him , smiles when she feels his hand squeeze her shoulder —- it’s comforting , some how . “ I don’t think it’s about lines anymore : I’m sure she very well knows her own family history , dmitry . do you —- do you think I could actually be her ? ”
Her words SHOULDN’Twarm him like they do ; but Dmitry can’t help the soft grin, his s h y questioning gaze. “I think you’d be surprised how quickly you could.” Can he ever let anything go ?? No, the answer is no. Light hair brushes his arm, he PAUSES / so soft, delicate almost. “A kiss up, definitely not. But there’s PLENTY that I’d like to k—” He cuts himself off, brows furrowed as he even surprises himself. A jest so quick to roll off the tongue, words he SHOULD NEVER say … it was complicated enough already.
“Yes, but once you know the history, hopefully the stories come soon after.”Even if they’re all fake. This however, he can help with. For even this Russian Rat has at least one TRUE story with the late Grand Duchess Anastasia. “There’s no proof to say that you’re not, right ??” He’s hesitant, but locutions truthful ; “Out of all who have tried, I think you’re the most like her. You’re the woman I’d have hoped she would have become.”
“ I’ll just treasure it forever , then . ” teasing smile is apparent on her face , as she nudges him . but then he smirks at her , and her eyes cast down to his lips for half a second before —- NO , no . this isn’t what she’s supposed to do , she absolutely is not fond of him . looks away , pointedly at her feet —- and still , lightest smile is apparent on her face , fades quickly at his question .
“ I —- I don’t know . all I can do is hope she does . if she doesn’t …. ” then she will have nothing .
“Forever is a l o n g time you know. You really think once you become the GRAND DUCHESS that you’ll remember me, let alone ONE compliment??” A quip, though one that alters his smile, tugs down at the corners in a dawning moment of truth. Why would she ?? Not when there was so much else to focus on, a REAL LIFE to live. Dmitry quickly recovers, a nonchalant shrug as arm weaves behind her, across the back of the seat. “You won’t, trust me. Not when people are kissing your you know what every day.”
Rough hand squeeze her shoulder —— “She will.” Again, a promise he could hardly keep. “We’’ll keep going over your lines ; then you’ll have NOTHING to worry about.”
