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Eddie had never been a dancer, but attending the Renaissance Ball was a fantastic idea. Ana absolutely loved it. She dolled up her hair, bought an old-fashioned ballgown, and got the prettiest heels to match. Eddie didn’t even argue when she picked out a blue suit for him, with bright white swirls dancing around the fabric.
They were all smiles as they danced. As everyone lifted their partners, he picked Ana up. Both were laughing as he brought her back down. It almost made him forget about—
Buck. The man he and Chris found on a castle billboard, knocking on the fake door like someone would answer. Originally, he thought the guy was off the rails. No one sane believed they came out of a fairytale.
He didn’t believe Buck until the princess he was waiting for actually showed up. Her name was Ali, and she was everything Buck described. He really did come from somewhere a plane couldn’t travel to.
Her appearance should’ve made him happy, but it made something tug at his heart. They hadn’t known each other for long, but Buck was changing Eddie’s life. In ways that were unimaginable to him.
As the music began to end, Ana bowed. Eddie watched her until a familiar figure showed at the top of the stairs. The sight took his breath away. He could feel his mouth drop slightly in awe.
Buck and Ali came into view. He was wearing a beautiful purple suit, accented with silver spirals like his own. As Ali removed Buck’s jacket for him, their eyes found each other’s.
Buck smiled at him like Eddie was the sun. Eddie smiled like Buck was the stars.
The whole room began clapping. It took Eddie a moment to realize he was there with Ana. He clapped as he turned to her, keeping his grin as he hugged her. He silently reminded himself he loved her. He loved her.
Hand in hand, Buck and Ali walked down the giant staircase together. Ana’s face did a funny thing. She clearly wasn’t expecting to see them, but neither was Eddie.
“What is she doing here?” Ana questioned, her stance deflating slightly.
Eddie, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his elation. “I have no idea.” He really didn’t, but he was thankful. He didn’t know if he’d ever see Buck again. They were supposed to be heading home.
When the two couples finally met, Eddie shook his head. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
Buck smiled warmly, shrugging a bit. “I’m surprised—You said you couldn’t dance.”
Eddie was quick to object. “I said I didn’t. I never said I couldn’t.”
The two stared, trying to read each other’s faces. They didn’t stop until Ali cleared her throat.
“Oh— This is Ali. She’s my…” Buck trailed off, clearly unsure of what word to use. A look of confusion hit his features, and Eddie had to pretend it wasn’t the most endearing thing he’d ever seen. “—She’s my princess.”
Princess. Whatever. “And this is Ana.” Eddie looked back at her, then returned his gaze to Buck. “She’s my— Well, we—”
“We’re together,” Ana cut in. She laughed to break the tension, and Eddie followed suit. God, why was this conversation so awkward? He and Buck were friends. Buck was with the girl he was always supposed to be with. It shouldn’t have been so hard.
Buck didn’t need an introduction, but Ali clearly didn’t know that. “And this handsome man is Evan, the love of my life. My heart’s true desire.” She clearly didn’t know Buck preferred his nickname over his real one. It almost made Eddie’s eye twitch.
Through that entire mini speech, Buck’s eyes were still on Eddie. As if looking away meant Eddie would disappear. Eddie decided he didn’t mind.
“Wow,” Ana added. Another small smile graced her features.
Ali’s head cocked to the side. “Is something wrong?” Her hand ran down Buck’s back, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“Oh, no.” Ana quickly shook her head. “Just— The way you said that. So straightforward. Not a hint of irony. It’s very… romantic.” Her smile widened at the end of the sentence. Eddie briefly wondered if she was into that genre of admiration. He didn’t know.
Ali perked up with a grin. “Well, thank you.”
Everyone turned their head as the announcer asked each gentleman to invite one lady he didn’t bring to dance for the King and Queen’s Waltz. As the violins began their first lines, the four exchanged awkward looks. None of them knew anyone else at the dance. They were suggesting men to be matched up with women, but—
Ali happily held out her hand to Ana. “May I have this pleasure?”
Ana was taken by surprise, but she lit up. She clearly didn’t mind being asked. “Please.” After giving Eddie a silly grin, she followed Ali out to the dance floor.
For the first time that night, it was just Buck and Eddie. Buck watched them walk off together as Eddie moved beside him, only having one thought on his mind. It was a risky move when his fiancée was a few feet away, but he couldn’t help himself.
When Buck turned his way, Eddie’s heart soared. He held out his hand. “Shall we?”
With a somewhat dazed expression on his face, Buck watched their hands as they connected. Eddie reminded himself to breathe. The vocalist started as they walked onto the floor.
You’re in my arms
And all the world is gone
The music is playing on
For only two
So close together
And when I’m with you
When they got to a space just big enough for them, they let go of each other’s hands. The room was beyond crowded, but for the moment, the only person that mattered was Buck.
Buck, with his soft blue eyes and unforgettable smile. Buck, with his certainty of true love and happily ever afters. Buck, who encouraged him to be so much more. Who assured him he could be more.
And when I’m with you
So close to feeling alive
Eddie raised his hand, letting Buck slip them together. Their faces were both broadcasting their awe as Eddie’s free hand rested on Buck’s waist. Buck’s went up to Eddie’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Under the chandeliers of candle lights, Buck looked like a fairytale come to life. He described Ali the way Eddie would describe him. He realized he would do anything to brush through those messy curls of his.
A life goes by
Romantic dreams must die
Eddie led them in a classic ballroom dance. He used to dance in high school. It wasn’t something he could forget. He never thought he would need those skills again, but they were everything to him now.
So, I bid mine goodbye
And never knew
So close was waiting
Waiting here with you
And now forever I know
As the song seemed to sparkle, Eddie lifted their arms. He swore Buck’s eyes were wet as he gently twirled him around. Eddie wondered if his were to. With this dance, he thought maybe they were both losing something.
He twirled Buck until his back was against Eddie’s. Their left hands connected, and it was like nothing else existed. Just Buck, Eddie, and the place their bodies met.
All that I want is
To hold you
Eddie watched him as they stepped back. Buck’s sadness was becoming more obvious, but he didn’t stop their dance. It was all they had now.
So close
So close to reaching
That famous happy ending
They were too intertwined with each other to notice Ana and Ali nearby. After watching Buck and Eddie fly by, they shared their own looks of grief. They felt like they were losing something too.
Almost believing
This one’s not pretend
He twirled Buck again but let him go this time. He went further down the floor. Eddie followed him, his gaze scanning over him. He couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so breathtaking.
They faced each other again, their hands taking their original positions. A few moons ago, Eddie insisted he didn’t sing. Buck thought he was being ridiculous, but he kept his stance… until he didn’t.
“And now you’re beside me,” he sang quietly, just barely moving closer. “And look at how far we’ve come.” He didn’t miss Buck’s gaze briefly catching his lips.
Eddie’s voice was barely above a whisper. “So far—” He leaned in, his cheek just grazing Buck’s curls. His eyes closed as he breathed him in. “We are so close.”
He sighed under his breath as Buck squeezed him, his head tucking into Eddie’s shoulder. A part of Eddie never wanted to pull away.
As the song broke into a strings interlude, they returned to dancing around the ballroom floor. So many people were around them, but it felt like the room was theirs. They smiled as sparkles fell from the ceiling, coating their suits and hair. It was a dream Eddie never wanted to wake up from.
Their sadness fell away as they moved, bright smiles taking over their faces. He twirled Buck around like the prince he was and held onto him with all the care in the world.
Picking him up was different than lifting Ana. He spun him in the air, and everything clicked into place. Eddie loved Buck. Eddie loved him in a way he was sure he never loved anyone. It was so strong and alive, to the point he wanted to break all his stupid boundaries if it meant making him smile.
As they stilled, his eyes settled on Buck’s lips. He almost moved closer when a hand brought him back to reality. He turned, coming face-to-face with the person he came with. Ana looked completely unamused, unsaid anger flickering in her eyes.
“Mind if I cut in?” Her voice was somewhat dry as she looked them over. Guilt had to be written over Eddie and Buck. Their supposed loves were standing across from them, waiting for their hands. Neither of them knew how long they’d been waiting.
Buck took a second before speaking. “No, of course.” He gestured his hand out to Eddie, signaling him to return to Ana. A look of defeat remained on Buck as he took Ali’s hand, heading back to the dance floor.
Oh, how could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
Even with Ana’s hand back in his, Eddie watched Buck walk away. Dancing with Ana felt like a lie. His hand didn’t feel safe in hers. He didn’t know if it ever did.
We’re so close
To reaching that famous happy ending
Almost believing this one’s not pretend
Let’s go on dreaming, though we know we are
It was the end of the dance. Nothing was right. Eddie’s heart was up the stairs, in the hands of someone he couldn’t have. His mind was miles away as he leaned in, pressing a kiss he didn’t mean to Ana’s lips.
So close, so close, and still so far
If he looked up, he would’ve seen Buck watching him from the top of the stairs. He would’ve seen the small pool of tears collecting in his eyes, but he didn’t move. Not even after he and Ana stared each other, a piece of each of them knowing they didn’t feel the way they were supposed to.