[NSFW Content Warning]

Since the weather's nice, Brahms and I decide to wait for our ride outside. After realizing how creepy it might look when the taxi driver pulls up to our house with both of us in doll masks, I decide to tuck mine away in my purse for now.

While waiting, we watch the sun set. With the beauty of the night starting to appear, the air feels cooler and the glow of the glimmering moonlight casts shadows around us. We hear the chirps of crickets mix with the sounds of crunching gravel as the taxi approaches us. When it comes to a stop, I am the first to enter. As I await for Brahms to get inside, he doesn't move. Instead, his attention is turned towards the house. He stares at it for quite some time.

" Brahms," I call.

His shoulders raise up slightly at the sound of my voice — snapping him out of whatever thoughts were trailing through his mind.

As Brahms directs his attention to me, I motion for him to get inside.

Before entering, he takes one last glance back. To Brahms, home was a sacred place. It was a sanctuary, a shelter... The place he felt the most safe.

I flash him a gentle smile to reassure him that everything will be okay and moments later, he finally enters the vehicle. As soon as Brahms gets seated — he's already visibly nervous. From the way he looks down at his lap, to the finger-tapping onto his thighs, and the bouncing of his knees. I found the way he was moving his fingers quite strange at first. They were tapping in a rhythmic pattern of some sort, as if he were playing a piano. I suppose that's Brahms' own little way of keeping his mind occupied.

" What are you playing?" I ask, curiously.

" Bach..." He murmurs, still pressing down onto the invisible keys that is his lap, " Ave Maria."

My eyes shoot open in surprise, " Hey, I actually know that one!" I say.

Suddenly, the engine of the outdated vehicle roars loudly as it starts up.

" Where to?" The driver speaks, looking at us through the rear view mirror.

" Royal Chapel," I reply.

" Let me guess..." He pauses, " Costume party?"

I take a glance at Brahms, " I wonder what gave it away?" I respond jokingly.

The man gives a small chuckle and proceeds to drive off.

We make it past the front gates and onto the main road. A few minutes into the trip and Brahms' knee have not stopped bouncing. He hasn't even looked up once yet either. I decide to lay a hand over his thigh, rubbing my thumb over the soft fabric of his pants to try and calm his nerves. When we make it out of the woodsy parts and approach the more scenic areas, I reach over Brahms to roll down the window on his side. A rush of wind flows into the car, bringing the scent of the summer fragranced air to our senses. It blows through Brahms' hair, ruffing up his styled curls as it gets tossed whichever way the wind takes it. This gets Brahms to finally lift his head up. He eyes me, mildly piqued at his now ruined hair.

" I'll fix it later," I say, " I just want you to take a look outside."

Brahms turns his head towards the window, as soon as his eyes meet with the bright lights of the bustling city, he adjusts himself up in his seat. This kind of atmosphere is not what he's used to.

Brahms' new found curiosity for the outside world has him leaning closer to the open window. He tilts his head out slightly, causing the lights from the street lamps to illuminate off his mask.

For the rest of the ride, I stay silent to allow Brahms to basque in the environment around him. I find myself doing the same — admiring every kind of beauty there. From ancient to modern, natural to human made — these buildings are structurally stunning. Driving by so many different shops and restaurants, I make a mental note of each one that I'd want to visit with Brahms someday.

When we finally arrive at the venue, I scour through my purse to fetch my wallet to pay for the fare. Brahms stops me, shaking his head while digging through the inside pocket of his blazer. He whips out a bundle of cash, giving half to the driver and stashing the rest away.

The man didn't even get to mention the price for the ride yet but, judging by the look of his face — I think the amount Brahms gave him covers it.

He grins happily and wishes us a good night.

Brahms and I then exit the taxi. I put on my mask and turn to Brahms, " How do I look?"

" Like a princess," he states, caressing my cheek.

I smile, " Are you ready to go inside?" I ask while threading my fingers through his hair, brushing away the stray locks that were covering his eyes.

After a long, deep breath — he nods. Taking his hand, we walk along the red carpet laid out in front of us. When we approach closer to the main doors, I can hear the sounds of people's voices and music getting progressively louder. Upon entering, my eyes scan across the room to get a good view of the atmosphere. It was lively with clowns, pirates, vampires, and witches all around. Purple, blue, and green hues reflect off of the ginormous crystal chandelier that hung in the middle of the room.

We scoot our way through the crowds of people in search of an empty table. Luckily, I find one that's close to the dance floor. As we get seated, a woman in a dress suit approaches our table. Balancing a platter with one hand, she offers us some hors d'oeuvres.

On the tray, portions of food that were plated like pieces of art. There were a few that looked appetizing but, knowing that Brahms wouldn't be able to eat it with me, I decline.

When the woman walks away to another table, Brahms tells me I could've taken one if I wanted to.

I shake my head, " I'd feel bad," I reply honestly.

He shakes his head, " Don't worry about me. If you're hungry, eat."

" I'll grab a bite later."

" Later?" He asks, " Why not now?"

" I want to dance first."

" ...Dance?" Brahms repeats.

" We can't just sit here the whole time," I respond, getting up from my seat.

" Sure we can," He says, looking up at me.

" C'mon Brahms," I frown, " Don't make me go up there by myself."

" Y/n..." He mutters, " I don't... dance."

" Fine," I groan, not wanting to force him, " Watch me from the table then?"

Brahms nods and I proceed to the dance floor, squeezing myself into the crowd. I don't stray too far so that I'm still in Brahms' view.

To the upbeat song — I swirl, twirl, and bounce around in my dress. When the slower paced, more sensual songs came on, people on the dance floor was cut in half as people who were dancing alone or in groups had left. Surrounding me now, were couples. I was just about to sit back down until I was stopped by a man. He wore a black suit with a plain black mask covering his face.

He steps in front of me, blocking my view of Brahms, " Excuse me," he says.

" Can I help you?" I ask.

" I was actually hoping to help you... I've been waiting for the right opportunity to come and talk to you," he responds, shoulders tensed, " I've been watching you for quite awhile."

" I'm sorry?" I say with a furrowed brow, " Who are you?"

" Can we talk somewhere private? I don't want him to—," the man looks behind him, in the same direction of where me and Brahms' table was located, " Fuck," he curses under his breath and then hurries off the dance floor, bumping into a few people along the way.

I squint in confusion as to why he left so abruptly and then notice Brahms approaching me.

" Are you okay?" He asks worriedly, " Did he do anything to you?"

" No..." I shake my head, " He was just acting really strange. Then, I think he saw you coming and that scared him off."

Brahms starts rubbing the back of his neck, " I knew we shouldn't have come," he says, " Let's go home."

He tries to reach for my hand but I quickly move it away, " No, Brahms..." I shake my head at him, " I want to stay."

" Even after... What ever that was?"

I nod, " It's your first night out... Our first night out... Together. I don't want to have it ruined by some creep."

" Y/n..."

" Please, Brahms. Let's just stay for a few minutes longer."

" Okay, but if that man comes up to you again..."

" — He won't," I cut him off.

" Yeah, I'll make sure he doesn't," Brahms says as he places his hands on my waist.

" What are you doing?" I ask.

" You said you wanted me to dance with you, right? Then, let's dance," Brahms says, pulling me in closer.

With a big smile under my mask, I lift my arms up to have them wrapped around his neck while we move to the music.

" I don't know what it is that he wanted with you," Brahms explains, " But, while you were up there dancing — I noticed there were other men who had their eyes on you... And fuck, did it make my blood boil."

" ... It made you jealous?" I ask.

" Of course it did," He answers, " You're mine," he whispers, " I'll make sure everyone here knows that."

I then feel his hands slide down from my waist and onto my hips. He pushes up against me until our bodies are touching. In this moment, it feels as though we're the only ones on the dance floor. As I look into his eyes, everyone and everything around us becomes a blur. All I see is him.

Brahms leans his forehead against mine and using his hands, he moves my hips for me — swaying them on his thighs.

" People are really starting to stare at us now," he says, " Let's put on a show for them, shall we?"

Brahms then turns my body around and I feel the heat of his crotch as he presses my ass down onto him, " Start grinding," he orders.

I do as he says and our hips start moving together. He lets me take the lead, staying in sync as he mirrors the same movements as me.

" Look at the crowd of people watching us," Brahms says, "... I bet you like it, don't you?"

The way his voice becomes so deep and dark sends chills down my spine.

When our dancing starts getting more intense, I pull away from Brahms.

" What's wrong?" he asks.

I don't say a word and let my eyes speak for me.

The moment he realizes it, he laughs, " Are you horny?"

I give him a shy nod and without another word, he takes me by my hand to lead us away from the venue. We catch a taxi and when entering the backseat, I thought I'd be safe from Brahms' antics... But, I was wrong.

We were just minutes into the ride when I feel his hand suddenly caress my thigh from beneath my dress. I give him the side-eye, looking back and forth at Brahms and the taxi driver. I shake my head as I didn't want to take the chances of us getting caught. Brahms, who couldn't care less, now has his hand inside my panties. Of course, while this is happening, the taxi driver decides to strike up a conversation.

" You're outfits look amazing," the man compliments, " Where'd you get them from?"

I open my mouth to speak but, nothing comes out.

" —I made it myself," Brahms replies, drawing circles on my clit.

" I'm impressed," says the driver, " That kind of craftsmanship takes a lot of skill."

" What can I say?" Brahms turns to look at me, " I'm good with my hands," he winks.

In exchange for his cockiness, I give him the middle finger. This is gonna be a long ride home...