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Julien smiles politely at his audience as he watches Whisper slip from the room. If Whisper wanted to sneak out unseen he could have, so Julien can only assume he wants to be followed.
He excuses himself from the conversation and lets instinct lead him down the side hall and out into the courtyard.
Whisper's standing by the fountain, framed by the warm glow from the lanterns. The greenery seems to reach for him—mimicking Julien's own desires.
Whisper's smile is bright and soft, his eyes sparkling. He holds out his right hand.
"Can I have this dance, Your Highness?"
Julien's breath catches, a slight breeze ripples around them. Nodding, he takes Whisper's offered hand, settling his other palm against Whisper's back.
They already danced inside—Julien specifically planned this party small enough to indulge his inclination to show Whisper off. Whisper had been tense as they took to the dancefloor, still unused to the attention.
But out here in the privacy of the courtyard, he's gratifyingly pliant in Julien's arms.
Julien leads him through the simple steps on instinct, unable to spare even a sliver of focus for anything but Whisper's eyes; locked on his own with equal attention.
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Whisper might have been the one to ask for the dance, and he knows the steps by now, but it's instinctual to let Julien lead.
Besides, he's not sure he would actually remember the steps with Julien's eyes so intent on his face. He's slowly getting used to other people watching him, but he's not sure he'll ever get used to the way Julien sees him.
The scene is intimately familiar—from the heat of Julien's body, to the moon watching them, to the soft music spilling out into the night. Right down the the way Julien licks his lips.
Whisper's breath catches—the yearning rising in him is familiar too. He can give in to it tonight. He tilts his face up, silently asking for what he needs.
Julien brings them to a stop, dropping Whisper's hand so he can rest his palm against Whisper's cheek. He smiles; soft and a little wistful.
"I wanted to do this last time."
Whisper's heart aches with truths he has yet to tell Julien. His fingers tangle in the fabric of Julien's jacket.
"I was so afraid you would," he admits.
"Oh, kitten," Julien murmurs, before he kisses Whisper with devastating tenderness.