#enchanted tea

He was the only one of his siblings currently not be in a relationship, with Darling and Holly having been together for nearly a year now and Daring recently discovering that Rosabella was his princess to be. So Dexter thought that he would start his New Year's resolution early and finally ask out the girl he had been crushing on since school started in September. Raven had been pretty excited when he'd invited her to the party. Less so when she realised that the guests would almost exclusively be royals. So she had asked if Maddie could join them. Dexter was a bit bummed that their date wouldn't have been as alone he had originally hoped. But as long as Raven felt comfortable, then he didn't mind. On the night of the party, Dexter was glad that he'd agreed for the wonderlandian to come along. Raven seemed much more at ease with her best friend here. The pair were dressed up to the nines and giggling the whole carriage ride. Thanks to Maddie's unconventional understanding of time, it was late by the time they finally arrived. Their journey guided by the constellations ahead. The tall, ivy covered walls of the Beauty Family castle, were an imposing site. Not helped by the thundering base of the music inside, audible even as they crossed the drawbridge. Still Dexter, held his nerve as he tipped the driver and helped Raven out of the carriage who in turn helped Maddie. He had already decided that if tonight's date went well, afterwards he would formally ask Raven to be his girlfriend. When they entered the castle here, there were the few expected glares directed towards Raven. She stumbled under their glares, taking a step back, but Dexter gently caught her arms. "Hey, don't worry. If anyone tries anything they'll have to deal with me." Raven patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks Dex. You're the best." Dexter preened. Sure it wasn't a kiss, but the night wasn't over yet. They headed deeper into the castle to where the music could be heard blaring from. There were a few more glares, but the most part everyone was too busy partying to pay them much notice. Eventually, they arrived at the living room turned club, as the furniture had been pushed aside and disco lights flashed from every corner. Bodies crowded in time to the music on the make shift dance floor. This time, Dexter was the one to hesitate. No amount of dance classes that his parents had forced him to go to since he was three had instilled any amount of control of his flailing limbs. But before he could voice any protests, Maddie had grabbed both his and Raven's hand and pulled them to the dance floor. Dexter's favourite song was playing so he decided to screw it. According to Daring, being able to dance was mostly down to confidence always. Thankfully Raven didn't seem to mind his unconventional dance moves. Copying his moves and laughing with him instead of at him like he was used to people doing. Even if the she spent more time dancing with Maddie than with him. Dexter had no idea how long they'd been there before Maddie started to ramble on about something to do with tea.   "Yeah I could use a drink too." Raven replied, translating for the wonderlandian. "I'll go get you some!" Dexter offered, jumping at the opportunity. "Are you sure you'll be okay fighting through those crowds?" Raven motioned to the packed surge of bodies sounding them, kicking their legs and swinging their hips. Dexter fixed his glasses, rolled up his sleeves and puffed out his chest. "Don't worry, I've trained for this." "Our hero!" Raven laughed, patting him on the shoulder once more. Dexter fought his way through the crowds with only minor injuries, to the drinks table. Not trusting someone to not have spiked the open punch, he grabbed some unopened cans of pop instead. He turned to head back to the dance floor when a voice suddenly appeared besides him. "Watch out!" They cried. Dexter dropped his drinks to catch the small force that had barrelled into him. He glanced down too see two instantly recognisable green eyes blinking up at him admit a sea of dark freckles. "Augustine!" Dexter cried, gently helping her to her feet. Being best friend's with Briar's older brother, he should have expected that she would be here. Being in the grade above, he hadn't had seen much of her since the school year had started. Despite being a year older, she was much shorter than he was, nearly as small as Maddie. With her petite frame, it didn't take long for her wavy auburn hair to reach her back. Despite currently supporting her weight, he felt lighter seeing her. "Dexter! I was hoping to run into you! Just you know, not quite like this!" She giggled. Dexter couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. Augustine had always found a way to make light of their shared clumsiness. "It's so good to see you too! We need to catch up!" "Hopefully not as literally though!" Augustine teased as she steadied herself on her feet. Dexter was surprised when he missed the contact of her arms when she let go. "What are you even doing here? I distinctly remember helping you fake an illness to get out of your own birthday party." "Actually I'm here on a date." "Oh wow! I'm so happy for you!" Augustine said, her words genuine although, Dexter could have sworn an odd look flashed accords her eyes, but it was gone in an instant, that teasing smile back on her face. "So, who's the lucky girl?" "Its erm... Raven Queen." He confessed. This time a different look crossed Augustine's face. "Look I know she's a Rebel-" "It's not that." She assured him. "It's just... maybe you should.. here" Augustine cupped his cheek, turning it so that he looked out across the floor. It didn't take long for him to spot Raven and Maddie, their arms wrapped around each other's waist so their bodies were pressed close together as they swayed to the old love song playing over the speakers. "Oh." Dexter sighed, mentally kicking himself for not having noticed all the earlier signs. They looked so happy together he couldn't even find it within himself to be mad at them. Himself though, he had no problems being mad with. Of course he was too stupid to realise they'd been a couple. Of course Raven didn't want to date him. Why would someone as amazing ad her want to be with such a clumsy, useless- Augustine pinched his cheek, making him stare back at her. "Hey! You are the smartest, kindest and most handsome boy I know. Any girl would be lucky to have you." Forced to look into her emerald eyes, Dexter couldn't help but notice how their honesty sparkled in the flashing lights. He was surprised how easy it was for her words to take away the pain. Distracted, he almost didn't hear the commotion outside until Augustine turned her head towards it. Through the grand arched windows, Dexter could see a gang of teenagers gather around the largest bonfire he had ever seen. For the first time the music played at a semi-normal volume as people started to count down to the new year. "TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN!" Around them, hormone fuelled teenagers paired off to complete the age of tradition of sharing a kiss on the stroke of midnight. "SIX! FIVE! FOUR!" Dexter spun his head back to Augustine, suddenly realising how they looked to everyone surrounding them. Her emerald eyes were wide and her cheeks flushed the same shade as her hair. And Dexter realised how her constellation of freckles, that he knew so well that he could trace them with his eyes closed, were as wonderful as the stars in the sky. Augustine flinched her hand away, as though suddenly remembering it was there. But Dexter caught it, holding it to his cheek, brining his other hand came up to cup her own when she didn't try to pull away. In fact all she did was lean closer and closer until Dexter could could feel her breath against his lips. "THREE! TWO! ONE!" The fireworks outside were nothing compared to one's instead his heart as Dexter kissed the girl he never knew he'd spent his whole life falling in love with.