Last Dance

Last Dance
An Adventures of Tintin One-Shot by SouthernImagineer
~ For the marvelous HylianGirlYami

~

Last dance,
Last chance for love.

The air is hot with perfume and the scent of the food table nearby. In the ballroom below you, modern people dressed in archaic ball gowns and dress suits waltz across the marble floor, laughing and dancing along to the music. Their smiles only mirror the excitement and happiness you feel as you stand on the balcony in your dress, peering down at the party.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Hastily, you spin around at the sound of the voice behind you. It's Tintin, donning an old-fashioned suit and tie, with a flower in his lapel that matches the color of your dress perfectly.

"I believe it is time for me to escort you downstairs, milady." Bowing minutely and trying to keep a straight face, Tintin takes a step in your direction and offers his arm to you. "May I?"

Giggling, you grab the top of your skirt with both hands to keep it from dragging and approach the redheaded man. Before taking his arm in yours, you kiss him straight on the lips.

"Why of course you may," you say, and he escorts you to the marble staircase. "You look very handsome, monsieur Tintin."

When you reach the top of the stairs, Tintin leans over and nudges your cheek with his nose. His breath is warm on your skin. "And you, milady, are glorious," he murmurs softly, causing butterflies to take flight in your stomach. "How can there exist such a fine maiden like yourself? How can you be real? I thought only fairy tales told of your existence?"

You're blushing beyond belief at his words, and he chuckles at this. "There is no need to turn red, milady," he goes on, smiling. "I love you."

"I l-love you t-too, Tintin," you stammer. "More than anything. Thank you for asking me to accompany you to this dance."

Lightly, his shoulder bumps into yours. "I had no other woman in mind when I selected my dancing partner for tonight. You have always been at the front of the line." His gaze slides to view the dancing guests twirling beyond the staircase. "Now, shall we join them? I believe the captain has been forced to dance with Signora Castafiore, and I would really love to see how he's holding up."

You nod, and the two of you descend the stairs to merge within the whirling crowd. Once you find a clear spot of floor, you face each other. Tintin takes one of your hands in his and places the other on your waist, while your free hand comes to rest on his shoulder. Soon, you are capering about the ballroom, matching the elegant motions of those around you, grinning all the way. At one point, you manage to locate the captain and the Milanese Nightingale, but the sturdy woman and her whirlwind conversation has Haddock busy (busy tuning her out), and he doesn't notice your calling out to him.

The night rushes faster than you can remember. Slow dances and fast dances, solo dances and choreographed together dances, all blend into one spectacular night that you know you will never forget.

The last dance is, as usual, a romantic one. Both of you are dead on your feet, but Tintin is nice enough to let you lay your head on his shoulder as you step with him. He cradles your body close to his, humming the song as it plays. At some points, he murmurs poetry that he's memorized to you, and his words make you weak in the knees.

"Milady?" The song is coming to an end, and Tintin kisses your forehead. "It is about time for us to go."

You grumble in response and curl tighter to him. "Don't go."

"I'm not leaving your side, my dear." His thumbs massage your waist. "I will stay with you while the captain retrieves the car."

"I don't want this night to end," you confess quietly, and he peers down at you. "I want to stay like this forever. I love you."

You feel one of his hands leave your waist and find your chin, tilting it upward so that you are eye to eye. When this is so, he kisses you firmly.

"And I love you, as well," he murmurs into the kiss. "Thank you for a splendid night."

You kiss him back just as strongly. "Thank you. I had a wonderful time."

He chuckles and runs a hand through your hair.

"I'm glad. Now, let's go home."