forum Vienna Calling | oxo | closed

Started June 12, 2023 by @knightinadream group

tune

Will had barely ever left England, let alone travelled Europe. His dreams of travel had been taken when the Queen had practically enlisted him into her personal workforce and now he only ever went where she wanted him. There was the odd trip to Wales, even Scotland, where Her Majesty thought that his efforts and his brain would be needed in order to help, but for the most part, he stayed in London. It was his home, no matter that he worked there. Even if the streets of London were covered in smog and the streets were dirty, it was still home. The tiny apartment he had was home. Nothing would change that, unfortunately, and until there was something better for him in the world outside of London, he wasn't going to leave. And at this point, he didn't think that a better opportunity would be arising anytime soon.

"It's not embarrassing, it's quite sweet, actually." The detective couldn't help his soft smile. He wondered what Edvin's mother was like - or what she had been like. Whether or not her son was like her in the same respect of coming across as calm and stoic upon first meeting but was really a darling underneath. Did she love adventure as much as Will and his mother, did? There were many questions but he left them unspoken. As much as he wanted to get to know the man at his side, he didn't want to scare him away, otherwise, Will would be left to uncover this case on his own and he didn't think he was up for that.

Travelling here alone had been a task in itself. He didn't want to imagine what it might be like to go out into unknown territory with a serial killer, no less, on the loose and not have a clue where to go, who to turn to or what to do.

"I've never been to a ball," Will mused, chewing on his lower lip for a moment before he continued, "I used to dream of them, as a child as an… escape. How grand they seemed to be in stories and the papers spoke of Her Majesty's in ways that were breathtaking." Edvin was lucky, in his eyes, that he got to experience them.

Edvin laughed as he held his hands behind his back, "Please don't tell her I said that. She will pinch my cheeks and then kiss my forehead…Be warned for she would do the same to you too." It always worried him that sometimes people would think he is a mother's boy. He just has more fond memories with her compared to his father. After all, she was the one who was at his bedside all that time. Actually, he's never quite had a single fond memory with this father, but that train of thought would be for another time. He didn't want to waste any moment with Will only because his mind was off thinking about a scary grumpy old man in back Stockholm.

The idea of Will never being to a ball made him think of what it would be like to see the detective at one. It would be lovely for sure. "They truly are magical, Will," He sighed. Briefly he had thought back to the ones he had been to here in Schönbrunn. He made Gheorghe at one then they started to sneak out to go dance together…

"You should go to one. I will ask Frederick or even write to Her Majesty to have one for you." He gently nudged the detective in the shoulder. "Better yet, you should come to Stockholm. Kristoffer tends to have one every now and then."

The captain took his eyes off of Will. As he gazed around at different things, he kept on thinking about the ballroom and all the dances that would take place. "Do you know how to dance, Will?" He asked while slightly tilting his head. His eyes returned to staring at the detective.

Will couldn't help his chuckle, "She sounds like a lovely woman." He thought back to his own mother back home in England. His parents had moved out of London not long after Will himself had moved away from home. They now resided in the midlands, the country, on a large plot of land in a small town and kept to themselves. His father still travelled to London on cases occasionally, but not as often anymore, now that he and his wife were growing old and in retirement. He should make an effort to see her more often, Will missed his mother dearly.

Having the captain confirm that balls are magical only had him eager to go to one even more. He wondered if it truly was as amazing as Edvin said, but he had no doubt that it would be. With all the lovely dresses and suits, the glittering lights, the music and swaying around the dancefloor with someone who would lead him through a dance. It was something out of a dream.

He was quick to flush at the suggestion of Her Majesty holding one for him, "I am not deserving of a ball, Edvin. You're absurd." But his smile was shy and he tried to hide that, along with the rosey pick of his cheeks, "And I cannot dance, how can I attend a ball when I do not even know my left foot from my right?"

The detective looked back to Edvin from where he had been trying to avoid his gaze as he poised the question, raising a brow as he tried to ignore the heat in his face. He had never danced in his life. There was absolutely no way he would be good at a ball. Even though it was a dream, even though he longed to go to one, Will felt he would only make a fool of himself if he was to attend such an event.

Edvin wondered what Will's parents were like. The only thing he knew about about were that they too are well revered detectives. He was curious to see whom did the detective get his looks or mannerisms from or whether they were as lovely as their son. If the opportunity were to come up, he'd have to ask about them.

His eyes widened briefly as his brows rose up. Absurd or not, he believed that the detective was more than deserving of having a ball. Not that the way Will was blushing and smiling had anything to do with his opinion. Just by the smile alone did the man deserve one.

"Now what you have said is absurd," He chuckled as he pointed at the detective, "You are fine detective therefore I am sure that you can dance and deserve a ball. You deserve much more than a ball! I am sure that you can tell your left foot from your right." The correlation between Will being a fine detective and his ability to dance made no sense, but Edvin still had to make his point. Whether or not it translated well, it does not matter to him. Anyone can dance really. It is not that hard. As long as you want to dance and you have someone to dance with, then that is all you need.

The more he had thought about it the more he wanted to see Will at a ball. His lips curled back as he was thinking. He smiled while staring back at the detective. "Well, I can teach you how to dance if that is something you would like." The captain was not sure whether or not he would be a good teacher. Although, Edvin can certainly do his best for Will. Whether it be tonight or later on when they turn in for the night after investigating, he is more than eager to teach Will how to dance.

With his past and the deep-rooted insecurities that the detective held inside of him that he refused to let bubble to the surface around the Captain, he couldn't help but flush at the idea, deny it to Hell and back. He didn't deserve a ball. A ball was for royalty, people of nobility, power. People who had done something incredible to deserve themselves honoured and known by people. Will didn't deserve that. He helped people but he wasn't amazing. There were others out there far more deserving. His parents, for example, were a fine example of this. They deserved the world. They deserved a ball. Will, however, believed that he did not.

He was nothing special in his eyes. He was simply a man with a knack for seeing patterns with his abnormal eyes and used that skill to help others. He was nothing more than a brain, a servant to help for the sake of other's happiness. Will wasn't special like his brothers or his parents, like Edvin. Maybe it was just his insecurity talking– it probably was– but he could not see how he deserved anything, let alone something so grand.

Argument wasn't exactly what he was looking for, and every time he looked at Edvin the thoughts of arguing simply drifted away in the wind when he saw how happy the man looked at the prospect of throwing him a ball, or having him attend one. Pale cheeks were practically bright, rosy red at that point. How could they not be when presented with a handsome man saying of what he deserved, offering to teach him to dance of all things? Anyone would be just as flustered, surely. Everyone's heart would be beating so loud that he was sure that Edvin would be able to hear it.

Will looked back to Edvin and was met with that charming smile once more and his heart practically melted in his chest at the sight of it, "If you were to try and teach me how to dance I would surely step on your feet," He said, trying to suppress a growing smile of his own, "As long as you're willing to potentially lose a few toes than I would love for you to teach me how to dance."

Edvin was sure that he would lose his balance. The more he stared at Will, the more wobbly his legs became. If the man were to do something as simple as blink or breathe in his direction, Edvin would fall. His strolls were already at a slow pace. Staring at the floor didn't do much because then he would be missing out on staring at Will.

"Oh do not underestimate such a fine man as yourself, Will. You can do it! Besides, I am more than willing to take on that risk." In the vast divided world they were living in, Edvin believed that there were a few things that united humanity with dancing being one of them. It is a natural thing to do. One doesn't need the lessons that the captain and all of his siblings were forced to take. Eventually his children would do the same yet he could tell they were all fine dancers.

The captain spun around on his left heel then began to walk backwards. His hands lightly swayed at his sides. That is until he lifted his right hand up and pointed at Will. "I know you can dance and I will prove it. All you need is some instruction and the right partner, that is all."

When they return, who knows what may happen? Frederick could throw a ball for the two of them. Perhaps Her Majesty would for Will, then the detective would have to know how to dance. Anything is possible.

He hated thinking about what life would be like after they'd finished the case. He hated how his mind somehow drifted that far off. Edvin returned to the detective's side. Right now, he was walking besides and talking to a handsome man. It was just the two of them, and he loved every second of it.

God, Edvin was going to be the death of him.

From the way he so effortlessly made his heart race, his cheeks heat and blush, he wondered how he didn't have women hanging off his arm all the time. He was sure that back home he would have been surrounded by them- or men- or just anyone. He was charming and deathly handsome and flirted- if that was what Will could call this- so easily.

The detective held back a giggle, though couldn't stop the soft, faint sound that came out before he was able to snuff it out completely. He could only shake his head in disbelief, blond strands falling in front of his face as he did so and looked at Edvin from under his lashes without knowing, "You're ridiculous, Edvin," He said, pushing the captain's pointed arm out of his face as he did so.

"And you do you suggest will be the right partner, Captain?" He asked slyly, bumping Edvin gently once he was back at his side, "Know anyone willing to take up becoming a dancing teacher to a detective with two left feet? If I am to attend a ball of all things, I will have to learn soon, I do not even know where the ballroom is, let alone dancing."

The teasing and the flirting, whatever it may be, was probably a bad idea. It was digging himself into a hole that, if not careful, would only collapse and bury him completely. Either he would be buried with the awfulness that would be a rejection from the captain and having to continue working with him, or buried from the fact that maybe Edvin was going to return the compliments and the teasing and that might even be worse. At least worse for his heart. It was already beating so incredibly fast he didn't know what to make of himself of what to do.

Why was it so hard to hold back? Edvin should not be doing this. From the moment he got up and laid next to Will, he should have stopped. This was wrong. All the teasing, flirting, laughing and long gazes need to cease immediately. He really should not be doing any of this. It would go nowhere. They are here together to help the emperor and hundreds of thousands of people by investigating these string of deaths. Then when they are done, if they ever find out who or what's behind it, then they would never see each other again.

But Will is so perfect. Even if Edvin would never see him again, at least he can try to tell the detective that he truly is amazing. And goddammit has it been difficult for him to hold anything back. So far every word that fallen from his mouth came without resistance. Being around the detective was more than easy. The captain felt that he could be himself. Surely the two of them can work together, that he was confident in. They were walking around casually talking to each other. Maybe he is being ridiculous.

The bottoms of his earlobes grew warm. A faint hesitant burst of laughter rose after Will gently bumped into him. "I think I know of one," He mused, "There's this handsome gentleman from Stockholm who loves to dance. He's quite the dancer and I am sure he would love nothing more than to teach you how to dance. I think he'd be delighted to have a dance or two with you."

Edvin stopped for a second. His brows raised as his eyes scanned his surroundings. "I can show you the ballroom," He whispered, "We should go…now." The captain swiftly grabbed Will by the wrist then started to run down the hallway. No thoughts were in his mind; he let his feet do the job till he reached two tall grand red and gold doors.

"Here…" The captain panted, "Ballroom." His right hand rested on his knee as he tried to catch his breath. In the corner of his eye, Edvin noticed he was still holding onto Will's wrist. His heart was pounding into his eardrums. Letting go of the detective's wrist, he was able to catch his breath. "So, Will, would you like to see the ballroom?"

Will had come to Vienna to investigate one of the most hideous and heinous crimes someone could ever commit. Murder wasn't something to be taken lightly, it never was in his mind. Each case was taken as seriously as the next, and each victim was treated with the same respect in death as they should have been granted in person. This case would be nothing dissimilar, only this time William had a captain next to his side that he had never expected to have.

When he had arrived that morning he hadn't known what exactly he had been expecting when it came to working the case. Whether he was to be working alone or with someone else. Usually, it was the former, rarely did he ever work with a stranger of all people. At least back home in London, he knew who the police were, they knew who he was, too, and it meant working with them was easy. Working with someone unknown was completely different.

But this time, working with a stranger was seeming to be the easiest thing in the whole world. Something about Edvin made it easy for the detective to just let go, for a little bit, at least. Edvin made it so simple. The fact that after this case he would never have the opportunity to see the man again was heartbreaking, almost, but he didn't want to think about that. Right now all he wanted to think about was how he was able to explore the palace with a man he was growing to enjoy the company of far too much.

Before Will even had a chance to reply to Edvin about seeing the ballroom - they had dinner to attend to, after all - his wrist was grabbed and he was running. The detective couldn't help the laugh that escaped as he tried to keep up with the other. He didn't have a choice with the way the man was running. All of that left his mind when they arrived at the ballroom, though.

The gold, the intricacies, the size. Will couldn't stop the way his eyes went wide, multicoloured glistening with excitement and happiness that he couldn't contain. He was practically bouncing as he took everything in before he turned his eyes to Edvin and took a moment to catch his breath before he practically squealed, "Goodness Edvin it's-" He took in a deep breath, turning back to the room as he struggled to find words, "I-I cannot find the right words but God."

The ballroom really was a sight to see. From the golden scones to the chandeliers to the ceiling covered in a canvas of blues skies, clouds and angels. Only one chandelier and few lights on the walls were lit. Even with dimly lit the whole room was mesmerizing. According to Edvin's mother, magical things tend to happen in the ballroom. After all, it is where she met her first lover then a few years later, met the captain's father. His eldest brother met his wife and his one sister met her husband there too.

But Edvin was not looking around the ballroom. His eyes were staring at Will. Watching the detective being mesmerized left him on the verge of fainting. On the other hand, he could not because then he would not be able to stare at such a beauty. There was nothing more brighter in that room than Will. The way the dim light reflected off of his skin, blond hair, eyes, and lips, the captain just could not get enough. Did Will know how breathtaking he truly is? The ballroom was nowhere near as gorgeous as he is.

When Will looked back at him, he immediately began to pretend to look around. Edvin cleared his throat before glancing back. His hand reached out, sitting on Will's shoulder before patting him on the back. "You do not have to say anything, Will," He laughed, "Your eyes have already spoken for you." Yes his eyes. Those heterochromatic one blue one brown eyes that seemed to glisten even when they are not under any light for they are lights themselves.

All of the sudden Edvin found himself staring at the floor. The whole ballroom was quiet minus for his breathing and heartbeat. He wondered if Will could hear how loud his heart was. It practically was beating into his ears. He was sure that it was going to explode any minute now and yet he said that he would teach the detective how to dance. Christ he was going die.

He strolled around behind Will before stopping in front of him. "Well, you are in a ballroom and you have someone who can teach you, be your dance partner and all…I think it is only wise to dance in such a place like this." Edvin extended his hand out to Will before asking, "May I have this dance, Detective Erbosol?"

It was something out of a dream. A story, one that his mother would have told Will when he was a child. Dreams and stories of grand palaces that glittered with gold and jewels and marble stairwells. Walls covered in art that would be worth far more than anything the detective would ever own, God, even his parent's own house wouldn't be worth as much as a singular painting in that room itself. Nothing, nothing would ever compare to such a grand space in his eyes. It was like stepping into a painting itself, or into the pages of a fictional story filled with tales of princes and princesses.

He was as giddy as a child receiving its first sweet. Insane, really, considering it was just a ballroom and there would most likely be places in the palace far more grand and breathtaking than that room itself, but William didn't care, nor did he want to look for them when it was as if his dreams had been made simply be stepping foot into the space. He would have been more than content to leave and head to dinner right then and there, with seeing the ballroom enough to subdue his childish joy over something like that.

Yet his heart did yearn for a dance, just one dance. Will wondered what it would have been like had the ballroom been filled with people. If there was a grand orchestra playing Beethoven or another classical composure. How many people would be there, dressed in finery, gold and glitter and dresses that swayed and spun with the ladies as they danced around the marble floors. God, he could only dream what it would be like to be surrounded by such beautiful, chaotic madness. Edvin had probably been to many in his lifetime, and he couldn't help but be a little envious of the thought.

And as he looked at the man beside him before back to the grand space before him, Will couldn't help but turn his head shyly to one side as the man patted him on the back and laughed, feeling the ever-present heat creep up his neck again. The detective silently cursed Edvin out for having such an effect on him so easily. It was unfair. Especially when commenting on one of the parts of his body he was most self-conscious about. He knew his eyes would be a dead giveaway, and he tried to keep them averted as much as he could.

But as Edvin moved around him it was almost impossible not to look at the man as he outstretched his hand and asked for a dance. Truly it was something out of a romance novel and Will felt as if he were a servant boy being courted by a handsome prince. The thought only made his blush deepen, but he didn't stop himself from gently slipped a soft hand into the one that has been presented to him, "Yes you may, Captain Ragnvaldsson."

Once he felt Will's hand on top of his, Edvin placed his other hand on Will's back. He pulled the man in towards him. "We may not have Mozart or Franz Liszt to play for us, but we will not being needing music," He grinned, "I believe we can dance to our own beat."

The captain had to remember the instructions he was given long ago. It was so complicated. He could dance like his life was depended upon it. For him, it was as easy as breathing air. Although, he struggled to think when he was so close to Will. They already were physically close to begin with. Despite that only being moments ago, his mind often drifted back to it.

Looking up from the floor, he swiftly spun them around once. Edvin made sure to be slow and steady with each step. The rules for the waltz was simple but slightly different depending on who is the leader and follower. However it was not complicated; at least this is what the captain thought.

"Regardless of who is leading, there must be eye contact. Try not to look down so often. It will do you more harm than good," He explained. "And the dance requires us to count in three-fourths so one…two…three…four…five…six… Like so." Edvin could only ever count in Swedish in his mind. Counting in any other language he spoke required more time and much more thinking. His mind only had so much room. If only most of it was not occupied by the detective.

"What you do is basically the opposite of what I am doing. So if I step forward with my left, you step back with your right. If I step to the side with my right, then you do so with your left. Alright?"

Will had never been good when it came to coordination. He could barely tell his left foot from his own right sometimes and now he was going to be dancing with the captain who had been doing this for his whole life. It was entirely unfair that he was going to be doing so, especially when the captain caused his heart to flutter and stomach to twist in ways that no one else had been able to cause before.

He didn't know if he would be able to make eye contact, but he didn't want to disappoint Edvin. If there was one thing he didn't want it was that. He wanted to show Edvin that he could do this, and maybe he didn't want to avoid looking at his handsome face in favour of the floor. So, he lifted his gaze, looking up at Edvin through his lashes until their eyes connected. God. It was tempting to look away. It was so tempting when his cheeks were heating under the man's gaze as he followed every instruction that he was given and did his best not to step on the other's feet.

"It might take me more than once dance to grasp the hang of all this." And maybe it was an excuse to spend more time with the captain.

Not that they wouldn't be spending time together. They were working on the case as partners, which required them to be around one another as much as possible. The only times they would only be separated would be during the evenings, the intimate moments on their own. Even then on the road, there would be little room for time apart, unless they were staying in an inn somewhere along the trip to visit those villages that had been impacted by the murders. There would be little time for them to dance together like this, though, and so the hopes of a second dance would probably remain just a dream. At least they had this one dance together.

They were sharing air, now. Sharing the space that had been left between them despite how close they had been before, now there was none. Pressed against each other, Edvin leading him in a dance that was usually seen only by couples. It was something out of a dream.

Never once had he danced with a man before. Anytime he gotten this close to one…neither of them were on their feet for long. There was little to no space between him and Will, again. From hair brushing to dancing, he wondered what was next for them. Good God it was miracle his heart had yet to die from exhaustion but it was not solely the close proximity.

Will is perfect. It was a wonder how he had only met the detective now and yet he was grateful. Case partner or not, Edvin thanked God for breathing the same air as this man. And to teach him how to dance nonetheless. The detective was a good dancer. He was the perfect partner. So far the captain hasn't had his foot stepped on, but his opinion wouldn't sway another way.

"Sounds like you owe me a dance, Will." Edvin smiled at his partner. "Only to help you learn…of course…but you still owe me a dance."

The captain may have used this potential dance as an excuse. To be this close to Will was a dream. They had each other. In order for the dance to be good, they had to work together as one. This was perfect preparation for the case. May not have been Edvin's true intention behind this dance practice, but he could use it as an excuse.

Now the real reason? He could never tell a soul. Or maybe he could tell those blue and honey brown eyes. The delicate hand that was in his. Maybe even that dirty blond hair. Perhaps Edvin could tell that God-forsakened smile, the one that had taken his breath away. When else would he be able to be this close, this intimate with the detective?

Edvin lowered his head, bringing his lips to Will's ear. "You are very good on your feet. You are quite the dancer," He whispered, "Maybe next time you can lead." Looking back at Will, he gave his partner a slight smile before taking another step back.

There might not have been another time for the two of them to dance again, at least not anytime soon, and William was only a little reluctant considering he wasn't a good dancer, but didn't stop himself from smiling bashfully at the comment from the captain, "It might take more than one other dance."

Yet another excuse to be this close to the man.

Becoming so enraptured by the captain so quickly was dangerous. God, he felt like a schoolboy with a crush for the first time and didn't know how to act around him. Edvin was his opposite in every way and yet they seemed to fit together as if they were the other side of the same coin. Like a missing piece that had been filled when the other came into his space. It was terrible. Terrible but brilliant at the same time. William wanted nothing more than to get to know and understand the man in front of him better than anyone had ever done so before and that thought scared and excited him at the same time.

And the moment the devil of a man brought his lips close to his ear, Will's mind practically stopped working. He didn't know what to think or say or do, but he knew that his cheeks went bright red and his lips parted in a very soft, almost inaudible gasp at the proximity and the feel of the other's breath on his neck. Dangerous. So very dangerous to let whatever it was that they had going on right then and there continue but he couldn't stop himself from enjoying or liking it, for that matter.

"I-I'm not great at leading," He said, voice barely above a whisper himself. Will looked up at the man from beneath his lashes, "In certain… situations, I like being told what to do. Guided."

Edvin took a step back and the movement shouldn't have caught him off guard considering what they were doing, but with his flustered mind, the detective lost his footing just a tad. He stumbled a step until the arm that was holding onto Edvin's shoulder was wrapped around his neck to stabilise himself, while his body pressed against Edvin's until they were flush with one another. No longer was there any space between them, and the world seemed to disappear as he looked at the captain from where he now stood.

"I shall dance with you a million times if you ask," Edvin smiled before quickly adding, "So you can become a good dancer, of course." There was more delightful than seeing Will and his smile. It was clear how dangerous it was for him to think this way. Becoming so mesmerized by the detective can put so much in jeopardy for the both of them. What made it worse was how easy it was for him to captivated. He wanted to be.

Even a whisper had the same impact as shouting. A simple glance was enough for him to almost lose his balance. He shook his head, "But Will, dancing is not about the guiding and being guided. It is about-" Edvin was not sure what happened in those next few moments. Once he opened his eyes, he found Will pressed against him.

No matter the distance, they just could not be far apart from each other. The closer the proximity, the more his heart stopped. The entire world had come to a grinding halt. Although this moment had to be his own fault, it felt like God had orchestrated it for a purpose the captain did not know.

Caught between both sides of a channel, he did not know what to do. An Englishman who bewitched him had his body pressed against his. Past fleeting moments lingered in his mind, leaving him in a buzz. In this moment they were one. The rest of the world was irrelevant to him for the wonders of the universe stood before him.

Edvin stared back at Will while holding himself from looking any lower than those eyes. The hand that remained against the detective's back was now combing through that blond hair again. He loved the way it glowed under the dim light. The soft glow made Will look more magnificent than all the paintings in the palace.

Softly, his hand grabbed the detective's chin. While gently lifting it up, Edvin glanced down at Will's lips. "I hope there are other things I can teach you," He muttered in German. He let go, but only so he could whisper in Will's ear again. As much as he wanted to hold himself back from temptation, he whispered in English, "You owe me more than just a second dance."

The captain looked away while clearing his throat. "Perhaps we should…we should…we should… go to supper. We can continue our dance some other time."

It was the one time in his life that Will didn't curse himself for being so clumsy. Had he been light on his feet and as easy a dancer as the captain, he wouldn't have stumbled and fallen into the other man who was now holding him closer than anyone else had ever done. It was both a blessing and a curse when he was already yearning for the other man.

The whole situation was entirely unfair. On one hand, he was working with a man that was treating him better than anyone before him. A man who was kind, multifaceted and a man that the detective was desperate to get to know more. Something about the captain called to Will, and the realisation was terrifying.

Because getting too close to him now was dangerous. They would only have a small amount of time together if things went well with the case, and after that, it would be unlikely he would ever see the man again. It was a damning and terrible knowledge, and one Will didn't want to think about but couldn't bring his mind to let go of. The moment he was alone again, if he were not focusing on the case he knew he would be thinking about Edvin and the moments that would be stolen from them in the future. Like a second dance.

He wanted nothing more than to give Edvin another, or three, or five of Hell, as many as he wanted. At that point Will was ready to attend whatever ball the captain invited him to, whether it be in his name or otherwise, just so he could experience the rush of both the situation and dancing with the captain once more. He'd take up lessons if he had to in order to prevent embarrassing himself in front of people.

God, he was a dead man. His heart burned and he had only known the man less than a day. Was this how all crushes felt? Will was half glad he had missed out on most of those feelings during his childhood.

And his heart practically stilled when Edvin leaned in, lifting his chin. Will made no protest, his eyes hooded as his breathing hitched a tad. He could have screamed at himself for the fact that he didn't know German otherwise he would have known what the man said and it would eat him alive for the rest of the night wondering about those words. Though he could make a pretty solid deduction from how Edvin looked at his lips, and Will could have begged for it if he wasn't so nervous, "That's a debt I'll make sure to repay." His hands tightened his grip just a little, eyes flashing to the captain's lips and back to his eyes.

The suggestion of supper brought him out of his thoughts and they stilled to a halt in the middle of the ballroom, but Will didn't pull away just yet, "I suppose we should go to supper, yes. Dancing is one way to work up an appetite."

Edvin did not move a muscle. If he did not know any better, he would have said he was unsure why. The problem was is that he knew exactly why he did not leave from Will's grasp. Moving just a little but meant that he would not be in it again for a while. And it was not like they would staying in the same rooms together, but he wished they did. Since meeting Will only hours ago, all he has been doing was wishing they could be together, closer just for a little longer. It got worse the more he stared into Will's eyes or those rosy lips.

Part of him was sure that the detective gazed at his own lips. Whether or not he imagined it was out of the question. He was sure that it happened although the captain was sure that his heart was doing more thinking than his mind.

This was unfair. They just met. Not during a ball, not in a courtyard or garden late at night. Chances are they would have never met if it were not for the mysterious deaths of people happening hundreds of miles away. And even though they have met, if anything happened, it would not last long. His heart already went through the pain of distance, so why was it beating so quickly again?

He could not move. There was no where for him to go except into the detective's gaze. Supper could wait a little longer. Edvin could not. His heart could not wait any longer for it would explode if he moved away and out of the ballroom.

"Well sure….dancing is one way to work up an appetite." Still he did not move away from Will. There was an appetite that he needed to address. The question is if the man against him has the same. Edvin felt that he owed Will yet was unsure if he could ever repay him.

The captain pressed his forehead against the detective's. "This may be abrupt but I must confess to you something," He whispered, still staring down at Will's lips. "I believe I am a selfish prideful man who is not perfect by any means, but more importantly, I do not want to leave this ballroom yet because then I will not be this close to you."

Gently, his thumb pulled down on Will's lower lip. Edvin sighed, "Yet I worry about what I truly want to say…or…or…what I truly want to do with you right now at this very moment."

Was fate real? Truly, the detective wondered if it was, or perhaps this was all a dream that he didn’t want to wake from. If he did, that would mean he had to leave Edvin’s arms, leave this moment of the ballroom, with him, and leave that bubble of happiness the two had created together. It wasn’t fair. How could a perfect man come into his life in such a horrible situation? Let alone one that would leave once they had cracked the case.

It was a stupid idea. Stupid and selfish. Will shouldn’t. They shouldn’t. It would change things immediately. God, this wasn’t supposed to be how it went. This was work. This was serious. But here he was in a ballroom of the most magnificent place in the world with a devilishly handsome man holding him. Unfair. It was all unfair.

Will couldn’t think, he couldn’t breathe. He didn’t want to move a muscle but his hands found their way until they were wrapped around Edvin’s neck and pushing almost impossibly closer to the man if that was at all possible. He didn’t know if it was considering he was already pressed against him flush, but if he could, he did. There wasn’t an inch of space, and it only closed more when Edvin rested his forehead against his own.

He swore he stopped breathing as the captain spoke, worried that even a breath would burst their bubble. Will couldn’t help but question whether or not Edvin truly wanted this, wanted him, wanted what he was implying he did. The man was a captain, royal- but Will? He was nothing but a detective from London. All he had was his brain. It seemed unreasonable for the other to want him.

Will wasn’t going to say no, though. Because if it was a dream this would be his only chance. He couldn’t stop flicking his gaze from the man’s eyes to his lips.

He could have sworn his heart leapt into his throat as his lips were touched, “Don’t think, Captain,” He whispered, “Just do. Whatever it is.” His hands tangled in the locks on the nape of Edvin’s neck, giving them a small tug.

The moment Will wrapped his hands around Edvin's neck, the captain could have sworn there were butterflies in his stomach. His knees felt wobbly. Thank God he had not fallen over yet. It was miracle that he was standing. By now he was sure his cheeks were as red as his hair.

Who could blame him? Standing before him is a handsome Englishman with the eyes of Alexander the Great and soft hair who happens to be the greatest detective in all of Europe. Better yet, the man is kind. All Edvin had is a title. They only had spent so much time together, but Edvin got to be himself around Will. The worst thing is was that he did not know much about the mesmerizing detective. After all, there had to be reasons why he is the best detective ever.

Don't think. He chuckled. The captain wished he could. Anytime he looked at Will that was all he was doing. He thought about everything and nothing all at the same time. The fact that he was standing in the ballroom with someone as angelic as Will was mind boggling to him. What was even more mind boggling was how he wanted to kiss this man whom he only met hours ago. Crazy how he would do nothing but think if he did not.

Edvin tilted his head to the left, leaning in to brush his lips against Will's. From the moment their lips were pressed against one another, he could feel warmth from his chest spreading out all over him. He could not tell if the pounding in his ears was from his heart or if there was someone pounding a drum.

Though the kiss only lasted for a few seconds, to him it felt like an eternity had passed. The captain deeply sighed. His eyes flickered open, looking down at the detective. "You are as heavenly as I thought you were. Well I am sure you always have been," Edvin sighed, "I would kiss you again if such a thing would be permissible…but I understand if you would prefer to go to supper and pretend like nothing happened…"

Enough already happened. Still if Will wanted him to pretend like nothing happened, he would. Edvin bit down on his bottom lip. When he looked away, he still looked at Will's lips from the corner of his eye.

The kiss was… Will didn’t have words to describe the kiss, just that God had blessed him with pairing him up with Edvin on this case. If it had been anyone else he highly doubted he would be in the situation that he was in now but he was damned lucky to be in that moment with the captain.

In the middle of a ballroom after a waltz, no matter if there was no music playing, no crowd or royalty to watch them sway in one another’s arms. Just them. And the whole world faded away into nothing as he was kissed as if he were something precious.

No one had kissed him in such a way before, Will hadn’t thought it possible. His heart burned in his chest and his stomach was alight with a fire he didn’t think was possible, raging war through his blood as their lips connected and he tasted Edvin’s sweet lips against his own. His eyes fluttered shut and his hold on the man tightened just a tad. He never wanted the moment to end. He didn’t want to leave their bubble of safety and sweetness that they had accidentally created now they were there. Leaving meant pretending, surely, that it wouldn’t have happened but he didn’t want to forget.

The second their lips parted and Will opened his eyes again, he loosed a shaky breath. Then Edvin was talking about how he wanted to kiss him again and he could have died and gone to heaven in that moment.

Will wasn’t the type to swear without good reason, and usually it was he who couldn’t stop talking when nervous. But for once he wasn’t, and instead he brought one hand round from Edvin’s neck to rest his hand against his cheek and turn his head in his direction, “Just shut the fuck up and kiss me Edvin.” He breathed, before pushing himself up onto his toes to press their lips together in a kiss that was more passionate than the last.

Because he didn’t know if they would ever have this opportunity again and he was going to make the most of it before supper. Before they had to stop and forget any of this happened. But Will prayed to whatever God was watching that he wouldn’t have to forget. That maybe Edvin wouldn’t want to forget and they would do this again. The captain was sweet in words and sweet on the mouth and he was already addicted by the first taste. Being unable to have that again would be a worse fate than death.

Part of him was worried that he overstepped a boundary he was not meant to. Like his heart, and more importantly his lips, acted before his mind could think. He wondered if he was being greedy by wanting another kiss. Not just one but a million. His mind paced around, incessantly thinking of a million things at once. Most of them pertaining the detective.

"We do not have to, I understand. It is just that your lips are sweet like a delicacy just like the rest of you…Not that I mean you are…but I do not mean…" Whatever was going on in his mind was a mystery he could solve himself. Every word that fallen out of his mouth guaranteed that two more would follow. This was unusual. Typically he never spoken that much especially in a language that was not his native tongue.

Never in a million years had he expected someone to act so directly towards him. His eyes widened as they were directed back to Will. The man's hand held his cheek so delicately yet with a touch of firmness. Fuck. He had never heard anyone say that word to him in English. And fuck, did it make Will even more attractive if such a thing were possible. The detective was already a man that appeared from his dreams. He was amazed. Beyond amazed. Edvin could not get a word out. His jaw would have dropped if it weren't for those lips that passionately pressed against his.

The firmness. The boldness. The shock. He was so stunned yet his lips were moving along with Will's. They were addicting. Each light brush made his heart flutter. The back of his neck was covered in goosebumps as shivers were sent down his spine. All the nerves faded away. His hands were pressed into the man's shoulders. The whole time his heart was yearning for more and more. He never wanted to stop.

God he hoped this would happen again. Just the two of them alone in a space where no one would both them. Their bodies and lips entwined. Surely they would do this again and again and again. In Vienna again to the Carpathian Mountains and back. Edvin already could not stand the fact that they may not always be together alone. Thinking they may never be able to kiss would be terrible. Edvin would never stop thinking about this moment till the day he dies. Even when he does, he still would be thinking about Will and the two of them together like this.

Will's heart was beating as fast as lightning in his chest, as loud as thunder and ringing in his ears. The world faded away until it was just the two of them. If he had been able to go back in time and tell himself before he left England that he would be standing in a ballroom with a man far more handsome than anyone he had ever seen before, kissing said man and being kissed back, he would have laughed in his own face.

The detective's insecurities, his fears that haunted him from his childhood right through to adulthood, along with the fact that he was different from the rest of the men his age, made it difficult to find someone to fit with. There had been no one in his life that he had ever truly connected with.

Sure, there had been the occasional fling when he was an adult that would have certainly gotten him in trouble with his family and the police back in London, and that was probably the reason why he didn't ever take a real lover, but something about Edvin was different. The captain, in such a short amount of time, had taken his expectations and turned them right on their heads within a few minutes. Ever since they had laid on that bed together Will could sense something was different about him.

No one else would have ever done such a thing. In fact, as much as Will found himself frequently in interesting positions to gather his thoughts, he had never though Edvin would have joined him. Yet he had, and that had been indication enough that the man was different. Kind. Handsome, terribly so, and even though he knew little of the man, he was eager, no, desperate to know more. If this was to be their only time together– working on the case, that was – and if they were to never see each other again, Will was going to make the most of it while he could. If he was allowed, and if Edvin wished the same.

Will broke the kiss just enough to catch his breath, lowering himself from his toes to regain some balance as he feared he would fall if he stayed where he was. There faces were still inches apart, less than that, and very slowly, he opened his eyes to gaze upon the face of the man he had just kissed. Dinner was waiting. They should leave the ballroom less it get cold, but he didn't want to. He really didn't want to ever leave those strong arms and never wanted their lips to part.

Thank God for pairing him with Will. There was level of understanding that he had only achieved with a few people. Most of them were gone. Him and Gheorghe had ended their affair a while ago. Not to mention Gheorghe had suddenly stopped writing back a few months ago. It was like the man had vanished. Then there was his wife, Beatrice whom he was still grieving for.

There was something about Will that was different. The two of them were, in some ways, completely different. Until now they were hundreds and hundreds of miles apart, living two completely different lives. For Christ's sake, he is in line for the Swedish crown but was part of the Austrian one as well! It was a miracle their fates had crossed. It was a miracle that he was kissing this man.

When the kiss was broken, his breath was shakey. Edvin kept his eyes closed for a second or two before opening them. His left foot moved slightly back to help keep him balanced. Then his arm slid down to Will's waist. All he was able to hear were his slow deep breathing and rapid heartbeat. As he stared into Will's eyes, his heartbeat grew fainter and fainter, but he knew it was still quick. The fact it had yet to grow exhausted was a wonder to him.

Oh there were many wonders. Just like the freckles on the detective. Each one reminded him of a star in the sky. The captain would kiss each one if he could. If only, but then they would be in the ballroom forever. Although that did not seem bad to him, they still had to go.

Eventually they would have to leave the ballroom. One way or another, they would have to go then move on to the next moment. Something inside Edvin assured him that this would not be the last time they would be together like this. Still, it made him just a tad bit melancholic that they would have to leave. He didn't ever want to leave those slender arms or lose such a perfect view of those angelic eyes.

"You can lead." Edvin laughed softly before placing a kiss on the detective's forehead. His eyes glimpsed down at those breathtaking lips. "And you move so well." The captain smirked before giving Will a quick peck. His heart was tugged at the brief kiss.

In the corner of his eye, he saw rays coming from the sunset. Hues of pink and orange shining through the windows on the other side of the ballroom. "We should go," He sighed, "How else would we be able to stroll in the gardens, have supper, and possibly kiss underneath the moonlight?"

Being in those strong arms only reminded Will of how small he seemed to be, not just physically, but in all aspects.

Compared to Edvin, Will was simply no one. He didn’t have a crown or a fancy title to his name. He had no palace to reside in. Hell, this ballroom was far bigger than his own apartment back in London. Christ, his chambers here were larger than the little London flat. He had been deemed the ‘greatest detective’ in the world and yet that name, that title, didn’t feel fitting. His brothers were surely better detectives. They were older, more experienced. They might not have been working for the Queen but their minds were far more talented than his own. At least, that was what Will thought.

After being compared to them all his life it was hard to shake the feeling. His insecurities would never dull nor leave him and he would forever be feeling the weight of their shadow, no matter how far he traveled away from them.

Yet Edvin was here, kissing him, wanting to kiss him. The man was royalty. This was the life he lived on the daily. No matter how badly he seemed to crave Edvin, those lips, those hands on his body in places far more private than those around his waist right then and there, there was that fear in the back of his mind that perhaps Edvin was simply doing this to get his guard down on this case, for some reason or another. He didn’t know why and it didn’t make sense, really, but it had been so long since he had ever been in such a situation that he couldn’t help be worried. Especially when back home, he had been singled out for who he loved.

Will blushed a deep red at the quick pecks and Edvin’s words, despite his inner turmoil, “Just because I can doesn’t mean I want to,” He replied softly, biting at his lower lip for a moment, “I quite prefer following.”

His blush only deepened at the mention of kissing under the moonlight, and to hide it he rolled his eyes and lightly slapped Edvin on the chest, “Who would have picked you for a romantic.”