And I said, "Oh my, what a marvelous tune"
It was the best night, never would forget how we moved.
The whole place was dressed to the nines,
And we were dancing, dancing
Like we're made of starlight, starlight
Like we're made of starlight, starlight
He said, "Look at you, worrying so much about things you can't change
You'll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way"
He was trying to skip rocks on the ocean, saying to me,
"Don't you see the starlight, starlight?
Don't you dream impossible things?"
Ooh ooh he's talking crazy
Ooh ooh dancing with me
Ooh ooh we could get married
Have ten kids and teach them how to dream
---
Darwin was always a gorgeous little city; and you always loved being invited out here by Emmett. Only, this particular trip you’d told him you couldn’t be in town.
“What-!? Why?!”
“Baby, I have work to do… You know…”
“Well. Why not bring your friends..? Your friends have partners stationed here too… do they not?”
“You think that’s the reason I won’t come? I’m not employed by my friends Emmett… You will simply have to wait for a more convenient time…”
Of course, any time was convenient. And so was this; but, for once you wanted to surprise him.
The reason he had asked you here was the party being held. He wanted you to dance with him. To introduce you to people… A different kind of class. At least, they acted like it up there in Darwin. Here where you lived was so different, but it was also a small town, not a big city. You guessed that was supposed to give them some kind of excuse to act the way they did. There was something about a close-knit community here that kept class together, not separate.
That was beside the point. You had arrived and stayed with friends. But, tonight was the party. And they all wanted to help you get ready.
“Are you sure he has no clue?!”
“Well, you work down at the communications center, you’d know! Unless you’ve been telling him anything?”
“Me?!”
You eyed her; “Well?”
“No!” she laughed “I would never! Him being surprised would be one thing. But the Captain seeing you in that dress!?”
You looked down at yourself “Oh, well. That is the point.”
They fared you well and you walked yourself across to the city hall building. Of course you likely weren’t meant to be doing this alone, but you didn’t care. Let them talk - let this be a scandal; for five minutes. You’d be in his arms soon enough.
It was probably the dress, people certainly wouldn’t miss it; bright red, buttons and ribbons detailing the bodices left hand side, the skirt was voluminous – and that was before you started on the fact the back was cut deep and it was strapless. However, it made you feel like a princess, and all you needed was your prince.
“Ms…Miss…” The administrator himself was speechless “…Does… Does the Captain know you are here-!? He proclaimed that he would be here alone!”
“Administrator…” You gave a gentle smile, “Emmett would think that he was here alone… He is not even aware I am Darwin.”
“This is a well executed plan.”
“Oh! Only if it works…” You turned to the party, half nervous half excited to see him, and bit your painted lips together; “Is he… here?”
“He is… my dear… I shall escort you to him myself!”
You held your hand up to politely decline, with a laugh; “No, No… You must see to your other guests… That will be unnecessary… but… I thank you.”
He looked a little disappointed, but, you were sure that would draw further attention you didn’t need.
You continued to walk through the house slowly in your attempts to find your partner, and found yourself outside on the back lawns by the time you were accosted by someone else.
“Ah-! Stanley!”
“Hold on. He left you alone looking like this!?!” He placed his hand to his head and frantically looked around for Captain Dutton.
“Not exactly!” You giggled. He was tall, over 6ft, dark hair, blue eyes, cool Australian tan, brilliant smile.
“He has no idea does he?”
“Yet none of you seem to think it at all surprising that I’m here.”
“You think I think you would miss this?” He smiled and held out his arm for you to help you down the steps;
“Now do you know me better than he, or does he not expect surprises?”
“Sorry, you have met the man you’re courting, yes?” somehow that explained everything.
“A little too serious for his own good?”
“Ah. You have! I was worried!” There was a grin on his face at your remark as he looked up to the party. Now, as expected all looking at you, and all of them talking.
Apart from Emmett; frozen in place. You followed Stanley’s eyes but only caught his. You weren’t sure he’d ever looked at you like that. Not even when he’d first met you.
Though it wasn’t easy for him to make his way through the crowd to you. Stan let your arm go as you continued to walk forward.
“Enjoy your evening!” You turned back to him, with a raised eyebrow;
“And you…”
Then he called out to his friend “Take care of her, Captain! I leave her in your more than capable hands!” It was a little too loud on purpose, and Emmett shook his head after Stan as the other officer departed.
That left all his attention turned back on you, and he fixed you with that same look; “Y/N…” He stopped himself short, you could see it. Everything he wanted to say that would simply be inappropriate in public;
“Captain…”
It was his turn to hold out his arm for you to take; “I was not aware that we were expecting such company tonight…”
“Well. I would be nothing, if not for surprises…” You wrapped yourself around him, unable to resist your smile.
“Nothing?!” He raised an eyebrow as you took his arm; “…Now who put that idea in your head, my darling?”
As he walked you through the crowd you could already see the women staring at your dress; low cut, nearly backless, strapless, bright red... not completely figure hugging - especially from the waist down due to the flowing nature of the skirt but still... you realised it was enough of a stir. And almost smirked at the way some of the older generation gasped and whispered behind their hands to each other.
Either Emmett didn’t notice or pretended he didn’t. To him you looked gorgeous. And the dress had you and your personality written all over it. He clearly wouldn’t have that any other way. Still, he was very proper and versed in etiquette and you felt the need to point out the behaviour of his social class;
“They are all talking...”
“About you?” You noticed the subtle way he pulled you closer to him
“Yes.”
“Does it bother you..? I believe you like the phrase let them talk...”
“I do. It’s you I’m worried about.”
“Oh believe me, the women aren’t the only ones talking, it plays to my advantage also...” oh, you supposed women also wouldn’t like men’s eyes - specifically their own men’s eyes - all over you either. But that gave Emmett a little something of his own to smile about, apparently.
You looked across to him “maybe I should have worn something more fitting of your status, Captain?”
He shook his head, looking back to you with a gentle smile; “Don’t you dare. I would not have you any other way. Perish the thought I would...” *
He'd purposefully placed you on the edge of the dancefloor for a reason. You knew that, and it was made more obvious by the way he watched those couples already embracing each other to the romantic music that filled the night air. You waited for him to voice the question that’d he probably thought he wouldn’t even get to ask of anyone this evening. And eventually he looked to you and took a nervous deep breath;
“Do I get the pleasure of dancing with you?”
You tipped your head, wondering if he would think you’d reject him – and decided you wouldn’t even tease him with the prospect; “What do you think I came here for?”
He chuckled, touching the palm of his hand to yours; “You never want to dance with me...”
You gave a delicate shrug, and looked away from him, blushing “...I’m wearing this dress... aren’t I...?”
Keeping one hand in yours he freed his other gently from under your arm and caressed your face, tilting your chin with his fingertips so that you looked at him; “Is that the only reason you wore a dress like that...?” There was a smile there, like he knew but would say nothing more on it.
You bashfully tucked your hair behind your ear; “No... but I figured if they were going to talk I would give them something to talk about...”
“Why would they talk? Darling?” He meant besides the obvious – considering they had been talking all night.
Your eyebrow raised “Because you are who you are... and I know the kind of people who frequent events like this.”
“Mmm... as do I, and we shall pay them no mind...” his eyes flicked to the dancefloor and then back to you “My lady, I would be so honoured if you could join me for this dance?”
You giggled “...I would love to...”
He pulled you with him, gently, allowing you to position yourself as you thought wise; and he worked around you.
“Would you like to lead?”
“Oh-! No; I am in your hands Captain!”
Now you had turned the smile on his face into one of simple embarrassment and admiration; “...If she does so insist...”
You gave a wink “Oh believe me, she does...”
Now playing the leader on the dancefloor there wasn’t much difference to captaining his troupe. Only they were a group of men, and you were a one-woman army from just out of county. No less fierce, but matched with a sweetness and purity that let you hold your own with the people here AND those in your home town. Sophistication and street smarts - he liked that. You and Sarah had that in common which is also why he liked her so much.
And you liked him leading you, that confidence in his hands and his embrace - because he knew exactly what he was doing - but that gentleness you expected from your captain. And he swept you across that dancefloor like you were the only two on it (...well, you were the only two people were talking about).
It was good to be back in his arms; with him far enough away the majority of the time now the only time you could hold him this close (and got to be held this close) was in memories and dreams.
And that was good, it was fine, but sometimes all you wanted was to revel in the sensation of human touch.
His lead was gentle, and gave the illusion that maybe he wasn’t leading at all; he was asking you where you wanted to go, rather than pulling you there. Emmett was always so sweet and gentle; sometimes you wondered how he ended up where he was. The army wasn’t known for that after all, but, you supposed that didn’t stop them all from being gentleman... in fact, from the insight you had into the world, you had yet to meet a man who wasn’t.
You let him have two or three dances before you decided you would be allowed to lead him off the floor.
“What?”
“I can only take so much staring before even I need a break!”
You laughed “I promise, Captain, that’s not the end...”
“I would hope not, the way you look tonight, it is an honour to hold you...”
You shook your head gently, taking his other hand in yours - as he’d not let your hand go yet; “Baby, the honour is all mine...”
There was another sensational buzz through the crowd - not unlike the one you were apparently causing, and you both turned to see what the commotion was about.
And probably broke into a smile at the same time.
Sarah and Drover.
You turned to him, with a slight smirk; “Did you know they were coming?”
He chuckled and nudged you; “I didn’t expect you to come from a few towns away... why would I think they were coming from Faraway Downs?”
“I would think they would radio!!”
“Ah! You got me there!” Emmett raised his hand to greet them, and upon spotting you both they approached you. Ah, the four of you were clearly content to create quite the Stir then.
As soon as you’d all embraced in greeting, you were quick to point out this fact;
“Ah-! I’m sure they’re lovin’ the dress!!” Drover winked “Coulda done without being dragged here, but we can be the two misfits, right?”
You nearly snorted; “Speak for yourself!!!”
Drover looked from Sarah to Emmett and back; “What, with these two?”
“I s’pose you’re right!” You accented yourself a little more to better make his point.
“Hush! Both of you...” Sarah clearly wouldn’t hear a word of it. Which made you feel slightly guilty by the look on Emmett’s face - your dress not your stature. So, you’d maybe worn it to get people to talk. You gave him an apologetic look, which only made him shake his head and pull you closer.
Drover noticed this movement, and decided it was best to get the conversation back on a different track; “Anyone for drinks?! Let’s make this a party!”
You thought that was a good call, it would help you unwind a little... Emmett offered to come with him but Drover waved away his help.
“I got this, and I’m not about to drag the Captain away from his lady..” he gave you a wink, “besiddddes, I know you two get to see each other way less than we do... enjoy it!” He clapped Emmett on the back and off he went.
**
“So how are you doing, out in the middle of nowhere?!”
You took your drink from Drover gratefully and laughed; “That best be sarcasm! Me in the middle of nowhere?!”
“Oh come on, no one knows anything about where you live-! Isn’t it like a two-street town?! Everyone’s at least heard of Faraway Downs!”
Emmett came in to defend you; “Only since it was put back on the map!”
“You gonna take credit for signing the contract? You ought to be promoting your girls’ town and all Emmett!”
Your Captain laughed; “No, fairs fair... Sarah and yourself and everyone else involved drove those cattle to Darwin on your own terms. And I don’t need to promote it - the army is well aware of it considering how many women live there that are waiting on men like myself.”
“So it’s an army town?” Drover squinted at you
“It’s pretty quiet with the majority stationed up here, yeah.”
“I see - you train down there?”
“Mmm.” Emmett gave a nod; “Personally I didn’t start there but I did end up there.”
“And no doubt found reason to stay!” Sarah gave you a smile
“Ay to that!” Drover too tipped his beer, making you blush.
To which Sarah laughed and put an arm around you. Sarah was sweet, you liked her a lot. Emmett had alleged more than once that the two of you could be sisters. Which made sense, she had that sweet but feisty nature that often came out in you. But, he had a point on the sister thing too; any time you wanted advice or needed someone to talk to whilst you were here, or indeed when you weren’t but had access to a radio with enough signal - you called her. You liked that she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, you could have trouble with that on occasion - especially if you didn’t know people, so you were in awe of her spirit. And you learned a lot from her.
“Now stop, leave the poor girl alone!”
Drover gaped at her “You started it!!!”
***
“You know what, I’m sick of all this talking with people staring! Why don’t we give them something to stare at?!” Drover put his empty bottle down.
“I second that..!” Well if there was one thing you knew by the way Emmett took your hand in agreement, it was that he still wanted to show you off in the dance floor.
Sarah shook her head at her other half, turning from her conversation with you – you liked knowing how they were getting on, although the adoption wasn’t official it was like they were all little family of their own. They surely seemed to get up to so many adventures together too, you liked hearing them – you liked thinking that maybe one day you’d want something similar for yourself. She pushed Drover gently; “Do you even remember how to dance?”
He shrugged with a grumble that had you all laughing again; “I’m sure it won’t take too long to get back into it…”
Now the four of you were on the dancefloor and the music had softened you wrapped your arms around Emmett’s shoulders and let him sway you, with the perfect gentleness to the turns. Still graceful, but much slower and he could really appreciate how beautiful you were - and you appreciate how handsome he looked in dress uniform, when you could stand in one place.
“...I’ve been thinking...” It was as much out of the blue as it was quiet... And you tilted your head, to match the inquisitiveness in your eyes beholding his.
“About what...?”
“Sarah and Drover... adopting Nullah...”
Your smile was playful, “What of it?”
“Well... maybe we could get married...”
You laughed, half in disbelief “That better not have been your proposal, Captain...”
He shook his head “...No... but what if we didn’t adopt... what if we did... But what if we had children of our own? One day?”
There was a few seconds pause as you tried to understand what he was really saying in the middle of a dancefloor in Darwin; he’s talking crazy, he’s too caught up in this moments and loving me and he’s talking crazy, but the more you looked into his eyes the more you realise how serious he was.
“Is that what you want?”
“Do you not...?” There wasn’t any disappointment there, even if you thought he’d be disappointed if the answer was no. He’s not talking crazy, he’s talking about a future he sees... a future he sees with me, no less...
“Maybe I’ve just never thought about it...” you looked away from him for a moment, he needed more than that – he deserved more than that. Your eyes caught in his, waiting patiently for you; “I like it as a future with you... I see it... just not...”
“Now...?” He shook his head, and pulled you closer to him “No...” his arms wound respectfully around your waist and he watched Sarah and Drover dance together over your shoulder “...But... maybe not in the too distant future either...”
You pulled his eyes back to you, like something had come over you just thinking on this. About what you were doing here. What he was saying… “Kiss me...”
“What?”
“Right here, on the dance floor, kiss me...”
He was hesitant, and his eyes flicked around at the other couples. Here you went again; Emmett was fighting with his nature. That the proper way to do this was without public displays of affection, but you felt that you’d already broken nearly every other etiquette rule in this societies very long and boring book. So you wanted this one.
“Why would you want that...?”
He made you giggle at what appeared to be genuine confusion “...Look at you, why wouldn’t I?”
Now that was an awkward blush, and also incredibly cute. “Oh, you really want to give them something to talk about.”
You gave a shrug “Emmett, they’re already talking...”
He thought you had a good point, so he slowed you down, still in time to the music - to a gentle swaying turn. And then he leant in.
**
The first drop of rain made you pull slightly away from him. Like you weren’t sure exactly what had fallen, but before long it was joined by another, then another, then another and soon people were scrambling from the dancefloor (and in fact any part of the outside party) and up into the house. Because 5 drops became a downpour in seconds. You and Emmett parted, but only to watch them all run, because the grip you had on each other’s hands was firm. What is a bit of rain? Except the musicians had also scattered and there would no longer be music.
He laughed, watching them and turned back to you; “What do you suppose the big rush is?”
By now your hair was soaked and your dress was going the same way but you didn’t care. Turning to answer him your voice, and then your laugh was drowned out by a clap of thunder overhead, you didn’t flinch - though thunder always made you uneasy, so you tried again;
“Shall we dance? Captain?”
He too laughed - looking relieved “I thought you’d never ask!!”
With you both soaked and it hardly mattering now, Emmett could pull you closer than he had all evening. And with you wrapping him in your arms and laying your head on his chest that contented hum reverberated through you and into him.
That only made him smile more as he wrapped himself in such a way to shield as much as you from the rain as possible. You couldn’t help but try to then hide your giggles as you stared up towards the house; everyone that could stand in the door or at a window staring at you both like you were insane;
“Darling, we have an audience...”
He just gave a gentle shrug and kissed your head; “Well, they don’t know what they are missing...” Eventually you realised this was both dangerous and getting a little out of hand. The rain was turning from warm to cold fairly rapidly and you weren’t sure there was a part of you that was dry at this point. That didn’t stop him from shrugging himself out of his jacket and holding it over you when you decided to head from the party.
“Will that help?”
“At least it makes me feel like I am...”
“Chivalry will get you everywhere Captain...”
He chuckled “That’s just the man I am...”
“I know...” you leant up to kiss his cheek; “and I must always thank you for it!”
***
When you eventually stepped inside of the room he was renting, you felt like your dress was holding at least a clouds worth of rain. And still the sky didn’t let up. You stood at the open double doors for a minute and your breath caught as you watched the spectacular lighting strikes fill the sky.
Emmett wandered over and wrapped his arms back around you. You noticed every heating appliance had been turned on. “I could walk you home... or you could stay...”
You ran you hand behind you, to caress his cheek “...I don’t want you getting wet again...”
He kissed your palm gently; “Then stay... at least I know I can keep you warm, and dry and safe... that sky looks angry...”
You nodded, you weren’t that big on thunder, but you had to at least admit out loud; “It’s breathtaking...”
He smiled; nuzzling you - “...True... forces of nature always are beautiful...”
You turned to him, in agreement, but your words got lost as the next flash of lightning illuminated his face and reflected stunningly in his blue eyes. At how alive they looked.
So instead you pulled him into you, with a kiss. A kiss that was sweet, but an attempt to lead into so much more.
“Alright...” He whispered against your lips, “...Alright...” with one arm still around you he kissed you once more, pulling one of the doors to and latching it in place as your hands ran from his neck to his tie; unravelling the neat sturdy knot that only an army officer could perfect (and only the partner of one could expertly undo!).
You moved on to his shirt buttons, more tentative than you felt. This would be slow; he always loved you slow and delicate. Rushing this would get you nowhere.
You pulled his shirt as you worked your way down it, so that it untucked itself with little effort, your lips still on his. Emmett kept one hand where it was, respectfully, but his other trickled up your exposed spine. His touch was enough to send delightful trembles over your skin. Now you were done with his shirt buttons you could press kisses into his own; across his collarbone as you slid his shirt down his arms.
His kisses were gentle, like his sigh, as he touched them to your forehead, and the shell of your ear. Emmett liked that, the way you whispered promises into his skin for only you to ever know…
He succeeded in making you giggle into his skin and you nudged him playfully, gathering your hands to the middle of his chest you held his gaze for a moment.
“I love you…”
The lightning flashed outside again, and he smiled; like you knew only he could – and only at you – Emmett placed his hands on yours, and kept you there over his heart for just a moment longer; “I love you too…”
He let you claim his lips again and allowed you to slide your hands from his, down his body. You revelled in the warmth of him under your fingertips, how you could feel all those muscle groups he spent his most formative years work on, and still did needs must…
Until you hit his belt buckle and stilled, half in hesitation. As if in answer to the question you weren’t even asking, his hands moved to fastenings on your dress. Still slow, at a rate that only he’d be happy with. You reciprocated that, and the notches in his belt passed through your fingers at exactly the same pace.
Until he realised he had no more to undo, and you still weren’t finished with his. But Emmett was nothing if not patient; and his hands slid gently to your bare back again – letting your dress fall in a neat red puddle at your feet.
You broke the kiss to let his pants join the other items of clothing. You bit your lips together to try and stop the blush rising across his cheeks happening to yours. Possibly to no avail. He pulled you from your dress and into him, arms around you he tipped your body to kiss you again. You wound your arms around him, feeling safe in his embrace as you ran your fingers into his hair. You would say to mess it up, with how neat he usually kept it, but the rain had already done most of your work for you.
The crash of thunder, louder this time, was enough to make you both break from the kiss and turn back to the window. You pressed yourself a little further into him. Yes, you were safe here…
“This might continue for a while…” His voice was soft, and he turned to the flickering lights “…Hmm…”
Emmett rested his head gently on yours; wrapping you further in his arms. “…It’s a nice atmosphere…”
That almost made you raise an eyebrow, were you not feeling the same thing – watching it roll across the horizon; bright white-blue flashes against the midnight black sky.
“Well…” Your voice was quiet, but edged teasing “If it’s going to last a while… we may as well make the most of it…”
His eyes flicked back towards the bed and to the lightning, then he laced his hands with yours to pull you back; “No doubt, I can keep you safe here…”
---
@wrenx02 😘😘😘😘 He took me a little while, but Emmett is now yours!
@dennismitchell @happyskywhale @wltz-bby
#MendoTagSquad.
