"Come and dance!" ~~ For Sinny-Clair :3
The night had started out fine. Just another Royal Ball, a mingling of the Black and White Courts meant to solidarity and the shaky truce between Kingdoms. Sinclair had been granted the night off, though such a gesture meant little to him, even coming from the Black King himself. Whether officially on duty or not, he was going to be watching the King’s back, just as he had since they were young.
But the King wasn’t the only one he’d been watching that night; Alice, too, held a spot on the Captain’s list of those who needed his protection, even though the two had not been so friendly of late.
There had been an argument about his dealings with a certain mad man, and the condition said lunatic had been left in when the Captain had finished with him. She claimed he’d been tortured within an inch of his life. Sinclair preferred to call it interrogation, which, in partial truth, it was.
It was only recently that she had found out about it, and needless to say she hadn’t taken kindly to the news. Worst of all, she’d turned to Oliver for comfort, and had all stopped speaking to Sinclair of late. They barely even made eye-contact anymore.
To see her dancing with him, laughing with him, being happy with anyone but himself- honestly, it was tearing him apart.
But Sinclair wasn’t known for being the most honest of people, even with himself.
So naturally he’d made his way to the balcony to sulk about it alone, having decided the King would be well enough protected without him for a few minutes. He just needed some air.
At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
He was in such a mood that he didn’t even bother turning to see whose fee the approaching footsteps belonged to. It wasn’t until he heard the bright lilt of Leigh’s voice that he turned to face her, offering her a small but genuine smile as she approached.
"Dance? You really want to dance, with me?” He all but scoffed, shaking his head as if it were the silliest notion he’d ever heard.
"I-" Just then, in a flash of white and gold, the young Prince and Alice came twirling into view, only for a moment before being swallowed back into the crowd. His emerald hues darkened, but he caught himself before his expression could follow suit.
Instead he smiled, forcing his eyes to brighten as he settled them on the Oyster before him. She looked absolutely gorgeous dressed up in a new gown, her own green hues sparkling with mirth.
"Ah, sure. I'll dance with you, Leigh." He finally managed, though he left out the hypothetical 'why not?' that still managed to work it’s way into his tone. After all, she’d been through a lot, recently- they both had- and she deserved a good time.
And, of all the blokes in the Kingdom, she had decided to ask him to dance. Who was he to deny her then? The smile spread into a smirk and he nodded, taking her hand in his. He would see to it that they both had a good time, even if she was the only one that really deserved it.
"But only if you let me lead."