[hotel verse]

[duke_of_illusions]

The masquerade ball has taken over the second floor of the hotel. People move about, beautiful and glittering and masked.

Barma watches Al quietly, from afar.

Comments

[al_truism]

So long as Rufus leads, at least.

The music washes over them again, drawing them in.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

He dances this song in silence, holding Al rather closer than one might during a strictly proper waltz.

[al_truism]

After the first few seconds he relaxes into it utterly, without worrying so much about doing it right and instead just allowing himself to enjoy it.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Perfect."

He tells him, pulling him into a spin.

[al_truism]

Al makes a soft yelping sound, but then relaxes into it just in time to prevent losing his balance entirely. It ends up with minimal flailing.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

Barma pulls him back in and catches him close, as the song ends.

"There's a hedge maze, you know."

[al_truism]

"A hedge maze?"

Breathless and smiling. It's not something he's ever been in.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"A big one. With a centre where no one could sign us."

Smiling.

[al_truism]

"Show me?"

He slips his hand in his, squeezing softly and leaning into him, pressing his cheek against his momentarily.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"This way."

Taking his hand and pulling him off at a run.

[al_truism]

He's never seen Rufus run before. With a hand over his mouth he follows with equal speed, putting a hand around his back as they duck under a trellis and around a corner.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

Around the first corner, Barma pulls Al in and into a deep kiss, gathering him up. They nearly stumble.

[al_truism]

"Mmmnph-" gasping, but he fumbles and then throws his arms around his shoulders, pressing eagerly against him.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Want you-"

Pulling his mask up and off, still walking him in deeper.

[al_truism]

Hurried and sudden and needy isn't usually how it goes, but Al obliges by reaching up to loosen his cravat with his fingers, nearly ripping it before he fastens his teeth against his neck, biting sharply.

"Is there a place?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Deeper."

He smiles, untangling himself for a moment to lead him on.

[al_truism]

Al keeps up, keeping watch as they move through corridors.

"Do you have this memorized?"

It wouldn't surprise him.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Partially."

He admits, nodding.

"It isn't far."

[al_truism]

Someone comes around the corner and Al quickly backs into the shadows, pulling Rufus with him.

Reflex more than anything.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

He smiles, and wraps an arm around Al protectively, holding him against himself in the darkness.

"Scared of being caught?"

He whispers.

[al_truism]

"Your reputation," he reminds him, sputtering softly.

"Someone could follow."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Dodo will hide us."

He promises.

"If we remain quiet, no one will ever know we're here."

[al_truism]

"Dodo?" he asks. Another name that's familiar, from that book. Though Break wasn't interested, he's suddenly wondering in Rufus would want to read it.

Slowly, he nods, the smile growing. "I'll try to be quiet."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"My chain, the maker of my illusions."

Explaining.

[al_truism]

Al slides his hand over his chest, over the seal.

"That's something I want to ask you about, later."