There was a rush of gasps and frightened yells as a large shadow blocked the light of the full moon. The gust of wind that accompanied its swoop downwards mussed the hair of several villains and nearly knocked others off their feet. A multitude of yellow eyes opened and gave off a soft glow. Then the shadow’s vast wings folded in with a WOOSH and it bared its toxic green fangs.
“OKAY LET ME DOWN NOW!” The villains, who had been so captivated by the new arrival were startled from their reverie by this voice. There was a heavy sigh from the shadowy creature as it stepped forward into the light. There, it was obvious that a pair or shiny arms were wrapped around its neck.
Eldritch leaned forward until his sharp claws scraped the ground so that Dr. Gyro could get down from his perch between the monster’s shoulder blades. The other’s gathered, waiting to get into the ball, watched this spectacle with mild curiosity. Most knew the creature Eldritch- he was a powerful villain and a feared adversary- but this smaller man with metal arms and a bag over his head was new. The doctor stumbled and fell forward before Eldritch caught him with a hand around his waist.
“Please Doctor, I have a reputation,” Eldritch grumbled into Gyro’s ear. Then he straightened back to his full intimidating height. At this point the villain’s had returned their attention to the entrance to Camille and Ventus’s mansion, but a few kept darting wary eyes towards the odd pair.
Dr. Gyro was trying to keep his breathing steady. At his sides he was involuntarily flexing his fingers with the nervous feeling settling into his chest. He was really here wasn’t he? Really at this ball with Eldritch, dressed up in suit and bow-tie, and hoping he wasn’t going to sweat through his mask. His eyes flickered across the architecture to avoid the crowd of people in front of him.
It was almost insane to see villains making such bold moves with their homes; having a place that stands out in the city usually meant being a target for heroes to come smash you're door in. But if any of the rumors Gyro had heard about Ventus and Camille were true they were probably safe.
Marble snakes curled around pillars leading up to the roof. The neatly trimmed hedges around the walkways were laced with orange fairy lights. The line into the mansion was short enough that Gyro could see through the double doors to a beautiful red carpet leading into a pale yellow dance floor. Soft orchestral music floated out into the night air as the doctor took a deep breath.
“Go on,” Eldritch whispered and gave Gyro a small nudge to his middle back. He was sliding his invitation into a box near the door as his employee entered the hall. Now it was Eldritch’s turn to shake his nerves. He closed his many eyes and cracked his knuckles.
“So, sir, how are-” Gyro began to speak before a loud “schlorping” sound occurred just behind him.
The doctor raised an eyebrow and turned around to see what his boss was up to.
The gasp that was punched out of his body nearly made him forget he needed to breath.
Eldritch was standing there with a smirk on his face, yet it wasn’t Eldritch. He was stunning, radiant, more handsome than anyone Gyro had laid eyes on. Now it wasn’t that Eldritch wasn’t a beautiful creature when he was in his usually form, it was just... this was new. Eldritch hadn’t been in this form in front of the doctor ever.
He was still towering above the other, his eyes on his hat calmly reading the doctor’s face. The red and gold coat he wore had been a shift he had been perfecting for the past few days. It didn’t show, but he swallowed nervously as he grinned and reached out a hand to lay on Gyro’s shoulder. “Come, lets go and greet out hosts. “
They stepped out into the main chamber side by side. A set of curved staircases led up onto a landing where two figures stood looking out over the ball.
“ELDRITTCHHHH!!!!” The screech of a feminene voice cut violently through the lovely music. There was a great clatter of heels on the stairs as one of the two figures came rushing down. Camille barreled into the Eldritch at full speed, and he was never more grateful that he could take that kind of force easily.
“You made it!” Eldritch smiled and was about to respond when a second voice cut in,
“Unlike last time.” Ventus had taken their time joining them, the long train on their suit coat not being something one wanted to trip on. The charming joy on Eldritch’s face turned to sheepishness as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I apologize for that, I simply wasn’t feeling social that year...”
“Bullshit!” Ventus laughed and shook their head. “You just didn't want to bring along your sweetheart.” At this, Camille lit up and her attention turned to Gyro. The doctor flushed bright red beneath his bag when she gripped his shoulders.
“Aw! They’re so cute too!” He was going to die from embarrassment. He tried to speak up,
“Wait! He’s not my-” But he was interrupted by Eldritch.
“Doctor Gyro is not my partner, and I think he would like you to let go of him Camille.” The red haired woman released him a moment later, but she looked confused. Her golden eyes darted to meet her spouses grey ones and they shared a nod.
“Darling, can we speak to you alone for a moment? Your friend will be fine by himself a spell, yes?” It was too late for either of the boys to respond before the taller was being escorted off into a corner. Eldritch was about to complain when Camille’s fingers wrapped tightly around his forearm. She looked ready to stab him.
“Eldritch you are head over heels for that ‘doctor’ boy and he feels the same, so you are going to ask him to dance once we are done here.” She hissed. Eldritch looked at her in offense and immediately snapped back,
“You read his AND my emotions without permission!” Camille was a well trained empath as well as being incredibly strong and smart.
“Absolutely not! You know that’s one of my rules with friends, but YOU TWO are the ones absolutely overflowing with nerves and love for each other right now, so much that it’s seeping out of your skin!” This caused Eldritch’s cheeks to darken.
“We don't want excuses, hun,” Ventus butted in. Their black lips were turned down in sharp disapproval. “We want you to be happy and then we want to catch up with you later.”
“But why don’t we catch up right-”
“Because we love you even though you haven’t contacted us in forever so go get your man and THEN we can talk.” This was all so sudden and slightly overwhelming. Eldritch glanced over to where Gyro was standing by the base of the stairs lost in thought. Then he looked to his friends and saw the determination on their faces. Another deep breath and Eldritch was striding back across the floor.
“He’s such a dork,” Ventus whispered to their wife. Camille giggled and rested her head on Ventus’s shoulder.
“He really is, isn’t he...”
Gyro came out of his daze as the clack of thick heeled boots approached. He looked up to see Eldritch’s face within a foot of his own and he nearly jumped out of his skin. The taller cleared his throat and then said,
“Would you care to dance?” Gyro’s heart stopped for a moment.
He doesn’t remember saying yes, or reaching to put his hand on Eldritch’s shoulder, but next thing Gyro knew he was being swept out onto the floor. His heart was hammering in his throat, his head was spinning, and the feeling of Eldritch’s claws on his hip burned. He was spun and twirled and lifted to the chords of the song being played. He stared at the strong line of Eldritch’s jaw to focus on anything but the rush of blood to his cheeks.
Then cool air his hit back, and the doctor realized they had danced out onto the balcony. The full moon glinted off his mechanics and glittered on the gold of Eldritch’s suit. As the soft waves of violin were fading into the end of number, Gyro met his dance partners gaze. The intensity of emotions he saw there- reverence, dedication, and something he didn't want to name for fear of it being a lie- it all crashed into him as he let go of their entwined hands to rip the bag from his head.
He took a breath of cold night air as he felt his body being dipped down. The hand on his hip slipped under his thigh as the free one gripped his waist. Then Gyro pulled Eldritch to him and-
Gyro had never felt so alive.
