Yao adjusted the rings around his fingers. He’d put in too much effort for a detail, any detail, to be off.
Stealing the design for Ivan’s clothes wasn’t the hard part. Nor was it asking the (frightened) dressers to make him this matching gown. No, the hardest part was keeping the surprise a secret amidst growing jealousy.
There was a ball. Nothing wrong with that. Yao loved balls. But the invited guests were… problematic. About half of them were potential mates for Ivan. That was… one half too much. And considering that Yao had already been scolded for sitting on Ivan all evening or setting dance partners on fire… it was time for a different approach.
Yao took a deep breath and made his entrance, his cape flowing behind him. Many people turned their heads. They always did. A demon is hard to get used to, after all. But this time their eyes darted between him and Ivan, registering the similarities in their outfits. As they should.
Yao fluttered over to Ivan, snatching a glass of wine from a tray. “Good evening, my King.”
Ivan took him in with a bemused smile. “Interesting design.”
“You’re wearing the other half.” It would be hard for the guests to have a go at Ivan if he so obviously belonged to Yao already.
“Is this because you can’t sit on me anymore?”
“I have to protect you from those hags lurking at you.”
“Those hags are guests. Very important ones.”
Yao brought his lips to Ivan’s ear. “If you don’t like my clothes, then I suggest we go to your room and—”
Yao’s first impulse was to set fire to whoever dared interrupt him. But, for the sake of not getting permanently banned from balls, he took a deep breath and turned around with a smile on his face. Until he saw who it was.
“Could I steal you for a dance?” Alfred asked.
Yao looked around, but Alfred was really talking to him. “Me?”
“Alfred?” Ivan questioned.
“For the sake of our kingdoms bonding, I would like to get more acquainted with your… assistant.” He smiled sweetly.
Yao downed his glass and shoved it in Ivan’s hand. “I’ll be right back, my King.” He held his hand up and Alfred took it, leading him to the dance floor.
“Your dressing choices are most interesting,” Alfred said, taking the lead. “One would almost believe you’re trying to get into the King’s bed. Where, let’s be honest, you’re already familiar.”
Yao scoffed. “How insolent. I don’t see why Ivan still talks to you.”
“King Ivan for you. You are not his friend.”
“I’ll always be closer to him than you are. I know what you did.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve done nothing wrong.” He twirled Yao around.
“Ivan may trust those pretty blue eyes of yours, but I don’t.”
“And you may fool Ivan with those pretty clothes, but underneath all that you’re nothing more than a hideous beast.”
Yao dipped low and saw Ivan talking with some woman. But he wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were trained on Yao and Alfred. Yao winked at him and let himself be pulled upright again. “I’d rather be a hideous beast than a fake friend.”
“I will find out what you’re up to.”
“And I will find out what you’re up to.”
Alfred let go of Yao and straightened his clothes. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve had enough filth on my hands for tonight.”
Yao crossed his arms as he watched Alfred strut away.
“Don’t scowl, dear. My brother finds scowling highly unattractive.”
Yao looked around to Natalia. “I’m not scowling.”
“If you say so. I just wanted to warn you that Ivan is talking to a lady, in case you need to take a deep breath before turning around. I don’t feel like healing burn wounds tonight.”
“I’ve seen the hag. She’s no competition.”
“If you say so. Just behave.” Natalia raised her glass at him before letting someone else distract her.
Yao fixed himself up a little before drifting over to Ivan. He approached him from behind, curling his fingers around the broad shoulders. The lady Ivan was talking to noticed Yao and stumbled over her words a little. “I-I should check in with my sister…”
“No need to be nervous,” Ivan said. “Yao doesn’t mean any harm. Right?”
“Not at all,” Yao said, wrapping his arms around Ivan’s torso.
The lady kept talking, eyes darting over to Yao every few seconds. Yao stared at her over Ivan’s shoulder. He made sure not to blink even once. Ivan nodded as he listened to her, his fingers playing with the fur at the end of Yao’s tail. Yao smirked. It was a habit Ivan had developed, and which mostly popped up when cuddling together.
“T-Thank you for your time, Y-Your Majesty.” The lady curtsied. Yao had to stifle a snicker; she looked like she might faint.
“It was my pleasure. Be sure to come around again sometime.”
“Bye, bye,” Yao said as the lady escaped.
“I won’t answer that.” Ivan let go of his tail.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
Yao pouted and buried his face in Ivan’s fur coat.
“I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.”
His tail wagged restlessly.
“We’ll dance afterwards.”
Ivan sighed. “Fine. One dance.”
Yao perked up and tugged at Ivan’s arm, pulling him along to the dancefloor. Ivan gave him a small smile and took the lead. Yao snuggled up against his chest, his tail wrapping itself around Ivan. Ivan smiled down at him and leaned in closer to whisper in his ear. “How about we retire early tonight?”
“I can go ahead and light the fire and get us some drinks.”
Ivan threw caution to the wind for a moment and placed a barely visible kiss to Yao’s cheek. “What an excellent ideas you have. Go ahead, I’ll escape in a bit.”
Yao purred and fluttered away, his tail wagging excitedly. He made eye contact with Alfred, who was looking on from a distance, eyes filled with fire. He’d seen everything. Yao should do something about that. But not tonight.
(Happy birthday @the-miman @kinganddemon!)
