Morpheus didn't need to see the future to know what Julien would ask. He'd realized this difference between them ages ago.

"Then you never went to prom?"

"I never went to high school. The closest thing I had to teen years was studying dreamcasting in Greece. My most memorable event was Hyacinth's accident."

Julien seemed to study the sample accessories on the cutting table, but Morpheus was certain he must be thinking back to English or Art History classes to recall myths about Hyacinth.

"I don't like to talk about it. Maybe just tell me what yours was like."

Julien glanced up. A smile flickered so briefly he didn't even bare fangs until he spoke. "I went to Junior Prom, with Terry. Double date with Yara and Martha. We weren't all out back then."

"But you went to a different school the next year."

"Yeah. LaSalle. It was a long time ago." His tone made it clear Julien had his own time he didn't like to talk about. "Murph, would you like to go on a prom date with me?"

"We're not kids. We're not in school."

"I know." His voice was softer now. "But would you like to get dressed up and go on a date with me?"

Morpheus smiled. "I would love it."

---

The next night. Morpheus exited the palace near Runyon Canyon and found Julien waiting in the drive. He was like a movie character, leaning just so against an old white muscle car in a silver and black tux.

"I thought you might show up with a DeLorean."

"This is authentic." Julien opened the passenger door. Inside there was a pale pink boutonnière on the front bench seat; it matched the one on the dark lapel of his sparkly gray jacket.

"But not the suit?"

"Gawd no!" There was that remainder of a Long Island accent. "My first tux was gray on gray with a pink cummerbund. But I've got old school flavor." He kicked his left foot forward to show the pink hi-tops below slim, black trousers.

Morpheus looked down at the shoes he'd formed.

"You copied Duckie's outfit?"

"From Pretty in Pink. It's OK?"

"Perfect. You wear it better."

The jacket matched his hair.

---

They drove through the Hills, windows down, blasting retro synth music, and wearing sunglasses for no reason at all. Or because they were kids. Grown men and neither of them human, but prom dates for the night.

Julien parked the car on an overlook above LA and left it running with music on."C'mon." Julien reached for a bag in the back seat then exited on the driver's side.

Morpheus met him on the hood.

Julien gazed meaningfully over the bag.

Morpheus peered inside. "No laurel?"

"Just pick."

Morpheus lifted the silver paper crown.

Julien took a tiara. "I wanted this one."

"Looks good on you."

Julien stood and offered a hand. "Dance with me?"

Morpheus took Julien's hand and rose.

They climbed to the roof and danced.

And danced.

---

Above portion is just under 500 words excluding scene breaks, these and following notes and credits.

I, the author, am NOT a high school student and will NOT be attending any prom in 2019 and am thus NOT eligible to win the #DreamPromposal Grand Prize. I just wanted to write a cute prom-inspired story.

video media top: "Lovers" Timecop1983 (feat. SEAWAVES)

image media top: Story aesthetic. Does NOT used licensed images.