wolcred week | 3. 'need / want.'
Never in his five years of being had he seen Norvrandt's commonfolk in such high spirits.
How that woman still had energy for merry-making after everything they've been through, he couldn't know.
She was a fascinating spectacle: one moment she was showing off her footwork he recognized as distinctively Lominsan, and then she was floating across the floor, tangled tightly in a foxtrot with a Eulmoran come to join in the festivities.
Ryne couldn't seem to take her eyes off them, hands clapping along to the rhythm of the jaunty tune being played across the way. If he didn't know any better, he'd say she was eager to join in-- a better time for a girl her age than to be clinging to his side, no doubt.
She cheered along with the gathering crowd as Tsuna and her partner finished their round, and it was only moments until the next number started up.
He supposed she danced to console her heart.
If she stopped dancing-- stopped moving-- even if for a second, the despair would seep its way in through the cracks. She would exhaust herself until there was nothing left. She needed this.
"It's so wonderful to see everyone so spirited," Ryne giggled with a joy that did not cease to swell his heart. "I never knew she could dance like that... did you?"
He had been silent for far too long, he realized with a rueful smile-- too focused on not watching the feast in front of him, try as he may to dodge the furtive glances Tsuna would throw over her shoulder.
He hummed, looking into his tankard, thoughtful.
"Not quite like this," he snorted. "At this rate we'll have to carry her home."
He looked up at the opportune time as Tsuna began a daring pirouette. For a moment they met eyes, and in the next motion her arm extended to the two of them-- her fingers beckoning.
He chuffed a laugh, looking away again.
An unsteady click of heels from his periphery meant that the object of his affections would not be denied.
Tsuna came to them, out of breath and sweating a fine sheen. She fell into his arms, thoroughly drunk on mirth and spirits.
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were ignoring me," she teased. She was right. "Dance with me."
Ryne's mouth fell open, silently enthused with the idea.
He cast her a pointed look, the corner of his mouth twitching with a touch of frustration as he had to peel her from his chest. "Now there's a Hell I would not suffer," he huffed a laugh, and Tsuna fell into a girlish pout that did not suit her. "I believe there's enough biting at the bit to have your hand already."
Her lips quirked in an impish smile as she reeled herself back in. The look she gave beneath her thick lashes was meant to entice. "At least buy me a drink?"
He was much too sober for this-- and in the company of Ryne, no less.
His brow raised. "I think you've had quite enough," he said, firm.
Tsuna held his gaze a moment too long before sighing dramatically.
Drink motivated her to suddenly pull Ryne in by the shoulders, hugging her possessively, despite the girl's embarrassment. "Then I shall have no choice but to steal. Your. Date." She declared. "He's so boorish, isn't he? No fun at all."
"I-- Well, I suppose a bit--" Ryne stammered, looking torn between loyalties, and obvious want.
He wasn't sure whether to be irritated or amused, but resettled himself against the bar all the same. Had Ryne seemed more opposed to the idea, he may have felt the need to step in, however...
"Just..." He held his breath, and exhaled with a sudden, deep sense of regret. "Go easy on her, won't you?"
Tsuna burst into a fit of laughter, hugging the girl until she squeaked-- her horns nearly poking something vital in her fervour. Clearly, she would not be heeding his warning. "Come on, the next one is about to start--"
And then the girl was dragged off.
And then he was alone.
He looked at his empty tankard and frowned. He had thought to sworn it off. It was used far one-too-many times as a crutch, but perhaps he would drink-- for old time's sake-- to join in the merriment. Just a singular ale to start, he figured.
That was, until Urianger curled his lanky-self around and reminded him-- in excruciating detail-- of where a flagon so often led him in the past. Out spilled a veritable list of his drunken conquests-- a familiar name only barely escaped the roster before he loudly begged mercy.
It would be water for the night, then. Water.
41 notes
·
View notes