[attr="class","littlejay"]

They sweep along the dance floor, and despite all the dances shared that evening, there is no hesitation in Jayden's heart in knowing that this is the easiest of them. The most comfortable of them.

[break][break] "You're not difficult," he says, confusion rising in his eyes. Then, as understanding dawns on him, his gaze softens a bit. "You're you."

[break][break] "I wouldn't have it any other way."

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉

[attr="class","littlejay"]

Words don't quite express the affection that he feels, looking down at fern delaney. Though Jayden doesn't consider himself a person terrible with words, he knows that his strengths rely much more in his actions.

[break][break] He is glad to know that Fern is the same.

[break][break] A bit of surprise flickers in his gaze as the other pulls him in for a sudden and emotional kiss; normally Jayden would have pushed them away, not one for public displays of affection. But it is Fern, and he has never been able to say no to them.

[break][break] He presses back with equal-parts passion and adoration, accepting them for all that they'll give him.

[break]

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉

[attr="class","littlejay"]

He is a bit breathless when they part; perhaps if not for their masqueraded faces, he would have felt more self-conscious about such an open display of affection.

[break][break] As it was, however, he allows it.

[break][break] It's easy to fall into the brightness of Fern's expression, as they sway slowly on the dance floor. The other couples crowd them too, making them easily hidden from the keen and curious gaze of anyone who would be interested in the private habits of Wyndon Pharmaceutical's CEO.

[break][break] A hand slides up to their face, thumbing their bottom lip.

[break][break] "Are you saying you can't hold back when it comes to me?"

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉

[attr="class","littlejay"]

It blossoms something wholly affectionate — hearing the confirmation back at him. No matter how many times he hears it, he can't help the warm feelings that flutter up in his chest whenever Fern confirms their feelings back at him.

[break][break] "You're too good to me," he murmurs, mostly to himself, just as the song increases in tandem. Jayden follows in perfect step, leading them across the dance floor with smooth, practiced steps.

[break][break] It's almost easy to miss, beneath the depth of his mask, the slight glow of pink.

[break][break] Even so, he dips them forward. He follows, their eyes locked.

[break][break] "What will you do about it?" he asks, voice hushed.

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉

[attr="class","littlejay"]

Wrong. They were wrong.

[break][break] Jayden did not deserve good things, least of all things that were as good as Fern and whatever it was that the two of them shared. But in that moment, the Admin is so full of affection for his partner as he leads them across the dance floor that he doesn't voice it.

[break][break] His steps are steady and sure, almost like he should be used to this kind of thing. Almost as if he isn't an assassin, and hasn't shed blood easily across a similar stained-glass floor.

[break][break] He dips Fern and then brings them back up again, something that should make his partner's stomach lurch with the surprise of it all, but instead it's Fern who surprises Jayden with their words.

[break][break] Fingers clasp tight, steps stilling slowly.

[break][break] "You want to?" he says, voice lowered. "We could."

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉

[attr="class","littlejay"]

It's tempting.

[break][break] The thought of going home. In fact, if Jayden had it his way, they would not have come to the gala in the first place. He much rathered evenings spent with fern delaney at his side, then playing the part of a stranger at some fancy gala.

[break][break] But obligations had tied him to this night, and had nearly ruined it.

[break][break] One hand reaches out to their cheeks, knuckles pressed lightly against skin.

[break][break] "It's a little bit early to leave," he says after a moment of thought. "But maybe there's something else we can do."

[break][break] He still felt bad that he hadn't been given enough time with Fern, but it was in improper display to leave the gala so early, especially when both were such front-facing figures.

[break][break] Idly, he says:

[break][break] "I think some of the exhibits have some privacy."

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉

[attr="class","littlejay"]

Jayden feels sheepish and maybe even a little bit guilty for suggesting it at all, but the way that fern delaney's face lights up makes it all worth it.

[break][break] The sly-tilt of their smile makes some hot coil in his stomach, a feeling that he promptly ignores.

[break][break] Instead he slides their hand in his as he leads them off towards the dance floor and towards the exhibits, where half the party's guests have already departed to. He thinks he sees the familiar broad shoulders of one Felix Gallagher and a much more petite girl out of the corner of his eye, but when he blinks, they're gone. He must have imagined it.

[break][break] "There are a few exhibits. There's the Primal Crystal exhibit." The one loaned by his childhood friend illeana reyes. "The Meteno exhibit." Which housed all the teracrystals, a hauntingly beautiful reminder of how they all nearly lost everything. "And then the galarian crown." Which was donated to by their very own Remiel Calcifet.

[break][break] "Which would you like to go to?"

[attr="class","ooc"]

fern delaney

☉