Submission (#116) Approved

Silas had found his way into the Ball that was held, lone wing twitching slightly at the ambient and rich nature of the music and clothes around, hearing the soft chattering of other Opexos around; luckily none of them appeared to be talking about him.

The Opexo could imagine the questions in their heads as he approached the Ball, how did he manage to get up here? The muscles that rolled underneath was a possibile explanation.

He had dressed for the occasion too, of course, making sure that he looked his best, which he usually always did when he bothered with things like these. He knew how to appear in public and hold attention when he so desired, but just as easily disappearing without a trace. His clothes formfitting and making his lone wing more of a bold choice instead of a glaring disability.

The solemn Opexo wouldn’t stand for anything else, but for all purposes and intents, he was solely focused on one other Opexo; colored black just as he was for the most part, but whereas his color was focused on his hair; silver like the starlight that shone down from above, the others was on the horns he adorned, blue like the deepest oceans.

It had been like fortune itself had smiled down upon the pair, to have them meet when they did. The first shy glances and the not quite taboo of flirting and then making their intent know of wanting to date.

Although it had been more Silas who had pursued; Hades remaining clueless until the former had not quite literally spelled it out what his intents were.

It had ended in boundaries being bespoken, which both could easily agree too, considering both their pasts, getting to know each other on a surface level to see if they could be a match. Soon proven to be sustainable and then the next step was to make it official and make their intentions clear to each other and everyone else.

This moment was now though. His tail peered around, seemed to brighten up when it spotted the other Opexo as well and actually wriggled in what appeared to be excitement, the only outward show of emotions he allowed himself to have.

Hades spotted him in turn, and smiled softly, raising his hands to sign a greeting that Silas easily returned; hands more expressive and emotive than his facial features. It helped that he’d learned early on, although their ‘accents’ had taken a while to be learned by the other until they could ‘speak’ fluently with each other.

Silas suddenly deviated from his path though, entering a partial crouch as he stalked closer in a slow circle. Hades following him with his gaze; nervous and excited at the same time as the former’s gaze roamed over his entire body, observing and taking in everything as approval brightened his gaze at what he saw.

The silver haired Opexo stopped before Hades then, standing still and then offered out his hand for the other to take.

A held breath and then a hand hovered over Silas’ and remained there, not touching, and together they moved, having only eyes for each other, moving to their own rhythm and treating the music only as a suggestion that they sometimes followed. It was a strange cadence but their lack of care made it fit as they did so.

Hades followed Silas’ steps easily as he was led from one side to another, making their way effortlessly around the others who tried to take their own chances to find a partner in a beautiful night that was clearly made for romance.

The song faded and came, ready to be replaced by another as the last note died, it felt like minutes but must be hours as they kept moving and ignoring the strain of muscles as they tired, each trying to impress the other dancer as they moved among each other as well in a mock up of prey and predator as the entire performance between the pair had been.

Finally, a hand landed heavily into Silas’, a silent acceptance for the question that had been asked a while ago. He looked down into Sapphires and a slight gesture of a hand had them both walking outside as Hades led them outside, and Silas allowed himself to be towed.

A quiet spot was found and they seated themselves, soon finding dinner ready to be eaten and Hades’ hands danced in excitement once more as he talked about how much he’d enjoyed it. Silas’ own hands were more subdued but not less excited as he replied in kind and with the enjoyment of good food, dared to touch heavier subjects.

Their dreams and wants and what they hoped for the future; among a repeat of boundaries that had shifted as they started to know each other better.

An alcoholic beverage, or a few, and the heavenly food helped immensely to get them to relax and speak more than what they would’ve done with another, giving price wounds and scars that they wouldn’t have otherwise and taking comfort in the other’s presence and knowing that they wouldn’t knowingly hurt each other.

Eventually, it was time to make it official, and Silas stood up and sapphire eyes followed his form as he walked around the small table and knelt. He cleared his throat and then held out his hand in a gesture that was replied in kind and fingers gently curved around Hades’.

“It seems not long ago that we met,” he spoke, more for the sake of the other Opexos if they wanted to listen in and make sure that no one could doubt his intentions, “but I have made up my mind as I hope you have done yours.”

A slight pause, “I hope that this dance proved my intentions towards you, that I am seeking to date you for as long as you will allow me to do so.”

He didn’t manage to finish his sentence and the rest of his speaks, staring at the shaking shoulders of his future partner and a fond ‘of course I will.’ and making him feel stupid for having doubted that the other would refuse. Their fingers gliding against each other until they clasped hands and Silas only could raise it to his muzzle and place a soft kiss upon the other’s knuckles in gratitude.