The Chairman eventually got the lights to come back on, with the excuse that the power outage must have been a short fuse. Diantha and Steven both commend Leon's dancing skills with some banter about the lucky break with the power outage. Leon stood taller with his chest puffed up with pride as he laughed along with Steven and Diantha. I stand by Raihan and Sonia who talk over their dance, Raihan complaining about how such a dominant woman Diantha is while Sonia gushes and twirls her hair over how much of a dreamboat Steven is.

After the first dance, the other guests are free to use the floor, but I decided I needed a bit of a break after such an intense Champion Waltz. I watch the other gym leaders amuse themselves with a dance or two, until a voice clears from beside me. Kabu stands stiff like a soldier but a pleasant smile etched across his face, "Could I possibly amuse the Queen with a dance?" He chuckles holding out his hand. I sent the older man a smile and set my hand in his, he decided to be formal and kiss my knuckles before escorting me to the floor. Kabu dances stiffly but he's right on step, the older man surprisingly enough makes a few jokes about how the younger generation lacks mannerisms for events like these, I laugh and go along with him. At the end of the dance Kabu bows before escorting me back off the floor.

As soon as Kabu leaves, Raihan stands in front of me with a cheeky smile. "May I have this dance?" He grins, fangs bared and hand held out, "Can you behave?" I question placing my hand in his. Raihan kisses my knuckles, "For you I'll try." He grins. Raihan and I take to the floor, I listen to him make cheeky comments and brag about how much of a better dancer I am compared to Diantha. Not gonna lie he stroked my ego a bit there but he doesn't need to know that.

After my dance with Raihan I dance with Piers, who tells me his sister would kill him if she found out he didn't dance with me at least once. After Piers, Allister offers to dance with me next, the boy attempting to kiss my hand only for him to forget that he's wearing a mask. After Allister I danced with Milo who was a bit fumbly, but fun to dance with once we gave up trying to follow normal steps. Gordie was dragged along by Melony, who I came to find out is his mother, and she pressured him into dancing with me. The man blushed as he kissed my hand, but eventually loosened up when I made a few jokes as we danced.

The last to ask me to dance was none other than Steven Stone, the hall seemed to pause and watch as we danced, but there was nothing there but practice being put to work. I no longer felt that flood of warmth I use to feel when I danced with him, and he seemed to notice too. At the end of the dance he bowed and kissed my knuckles one last time before escorting us off, our one final goodbye. Leon approaches me once Steven is out of sight, "What did you say to him?" he questions softly, "Nothing, but he knew what it meant. The silence." I whisper, staring out watching as Raihan humors Opal with a dance.

"Do you want to get some air?" He questions, "Yes please." I exhale softly. Leon holds his arm to me and discreetly escorts me out of the hall, he leads us to the back of the hotel where a small garden is. The fountain water being the only thing to make noise, my dress slightly glowing in the darkness of the night. "Remember when I asked you to be my date?" He mumbles, "How could I not?" I muse in return looking up at the sky. "Well, do remember the part where I told you I was scared to say how I feel?" He continues to question, "Mmhm," I hum turning to look at him.

Leon's champion gold eyes soft and molten, his signature hat off his head and being fiddle with in his hands. "I think I want to try now." He breathes out, I send him a warm smile and ease my way over to him. I gently take his snapback into my hands and tuck it under my arms before taking his hands in mine. "I don't think I'm falling in love with you." He breathes out, my heart plummets but I hold myself together for his sake.

"This isn't what I'd call falling. This—This desperation I feel for you." he whispers tightly, "It's unlike anything I've ever known, and it scares me (y/n). When I saw Steven Stone here I felt my heart had been ripped out of my chest, I saw the way he looked at you, how soft his eyes got when you and Diantha would bicker, and how he smiled when you smiled back." He rambles using one hand to grab the fabric over his chest. "My mom always used to say when you see something beautiful in someone speak it, because you never know when it'll disappear. And tonight I felt like you'd disappear if I didn't speak of you, hold onto you, or hell even let my eyes wander away from you." he rasps.

"Lee," I whisper softly, my hands drawing up to cup the sides of his face, his hat falling to the ground. The hairs of his beard prick at my palms but I can't find myself to care, Leon's gold eyes pooling and swirling with emotion as he stares down at me. "Kiss me," I whisper, Leon didn't need to be told twice before crashing his lips down on mine. His lips smooth and warm as I snake one of my hands up to curl around his neck, I feel one of Leon's hands curl around my waist as the other gently reaches up and cups the back of my neck.

I'm the first to pull away but I press my forehead to his, "I can't tell you how often I've thought of doing that." He whispers, he doesn't let me answer before he's pressing his lips back to mine. I giggle into the kiss, but Leon lets out a playful whine, "Stop and let me kiss you." He grumbles. I hum and press my lips to his gently, Leon brushing his lips against mine. I jump when I feel his teeth nip at my lower lip before his tongue eases past my lips, I let out a gasp at the sensation, Leon grasping the opportunity to rake his tongue against mine. "Lee," I heave out, Leon's arm pulls me flush against him. "Hmm?" He hums, pecking my lips, "We need to get back." I whisper, brushing my fingers against his cheek and beard. The man groans like it brings him literal pain to even think of doing so. "I promise there will be other opportunities to kiss me." I laugh, "Promise?" He grumbles, "Promise," I assure.

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