For a fleeting moment, she feels like Gold’s gaze cuts right through her, making her feel exposed and vulnerable. The worst part? She feels it most acutely when that glare of sharp amber fades into something far gentler than she believes she deserves. A strange, bittersweet sensation washes over her — fluttery and exhilarating, intertwined with a deep longing.
Gold doesn’t just seem captivated; he’s gazing at her as if she is the center of his universe—no, that can’t be right. When had anybody ever looked at her like that?
Not real, not real, not real… The words spin inside her head like a mantra. Maybe if she thinks it enough, she can convince herself.
Wearing this sheer, stunning dress had been a deliberate choice, and she had grown accustomed to the stares. He observes her appearance in a way that feels intimate, however. She fights the urge to wrap her arms around herself, a futile attempt to feel less exposed and reminiscent of her actions that one night in Kalos. We know how that turned out…
As he finally shatters the stillness of the moment, the unexpected stammer in his voice catches her completely off guard. When did Gold Haato ever struggle to find his words?
“Thank you. So do you,” she replies politely, trying to ignore the growing warmth in her face and the flip-flops in her stomach. Compliments have never fazed her, and she knows that Gold finds her attractive; he made that quite clear months ago. Yet, as is often the case when he enters the picture, the situation spirals into complexity.
She had her reasons for navigating their entire time in Galar with such careful precision, always sidestepping any moments potentially spent alone with him. The tension between them has been simmering beneath the surface, and every time they’re close, she can feel the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.
Has he noticed she’s been running from him?
Her eyes frantically scan the crowd for Rosa, conveying a silent plea for help. She hopes for a graceful out while the conversation is in a lull, but her protégé is too busy clinging onto Nate’s arm to notice.
And then, as if blocking her attempts to run away yet again, Gold disses her former captor (so maybe she's not the only one who found her previous dance partner insufferable...) and asks her to dance. She should be amused, yet the ache in her heart is far more distracting, resonating deeply within her and screaming that she is not ready for this. She knows she has already fucked up. Her first mistake was allowing anyone to get close enough to have the chance to hurt her, and Gold…
Gold has the power to shatter her completely, and she only has herself to blame.
She now finds herself backed into a corner, and some of the other guests are watching their interactions with interest. How nosy…
It feels awkward for them to simply stand in the middle of the dance floor doing nothing, so she bites the bullet and extends her hand for him to take if he’s truly serious. Only a keen eye will perceive the subtle tremble in her hand as she anticipates his touch.
Nothing good can come from this.
“I had no idea you danced.” She tries her best not to sound surprised. Even now, she is still discovering new facets of Gold’s personality. Spending time with him has taught her that people are often more complex than they appear; Gods know she’s underestimated him far too much in the past. “I trust you won’t make me look bad?”
She will give him only one dance. After that, she can run excuse herself to continue her host duties.