Author's Note: Just some more Dimidue fluff, because I love these two and I love writing fluff. Plus, who doesn't like taking advantage of the ball for some cute shipping stuff?

Dance Practice

Dedue sighed as he stepped outside, tugging at his collar as the cool air in the courtyard washed over him. He regretted wearing the evening wear he'd been given along with the rest of his academy clothes to the ball—a few students had worn their regular uniforms, even if most of them had dressed up. It was so warm that he could barely breathe in the crowded dance hall, and he could've worn something more comfortable.

"Dedue? What are you doing out here?"

He blinked—ah, Dimitri was standing nearby, blinking at him in turn. Of course; Dedue had seen him slip out earlier. Admittedly, that was the other reason he'd come outside himself; given that Dimitri hadn't returned yet, he'd wondered where the prince had wandered off to.

"I merely needed some air," Dedue replied with a shrug. "And…I noticed you'd left, Your Highness."

Dimitri laughed awkwardly. "I didn't mean to worry you, Dedue. I just wanted some fresh air as well."

Dedue accepted this with a nod, though he noted the way Dimitri's face shifted into something a bit more contemplative for a moment. Still, the expression faded quickly enough, and Dimitri proceeded to settle on one of the benches nearby. Glancing up, he gestured for Dedue to join him, and Dedue obliged.

"And, honestly, I'm worn out from all the dancing," Dimitri admitted. "I…wasn't expecting so many students to want to be my partner."

"You were hoping to be able to get out of it," Dedue observed. "I am sure you were far better than I was, though. I only had one dance with Mercedes, and I fear I was rather…unpleasant."

Dedue winced at the recollection. Mercedes had done most of the leading—despite being female and far shorter than he was—and he'd clumsily stepped on her feet or nearly tripped her too many times to count. She'd taken it all in stride, assuring Dedue that he'd done fine. Still, he couldn't help thinking that Mercedes had only asked him in the first place out of pity, never mind her remarks afterwards.

Dimitri laughed again, more genuinely this time. Dedue doubted the prince was truly laughing at him—he never would—but he shook his head nonetheless. It had been rather ridiculous, really.

"I doubt you could ever be an 'unpleasant' partner, Dedue. Certainly no worse than I am… I know most of the basics, though I'm no good at dancing in front of a crowd, even if they're not looking at me."

Dedue shrugged again. "You at least have far more experience than I do, Your Highness."

It was merely an observation; Dimitri had attended formal events in the capital before, after all. Even if a school dance was nothing as serious as that, it did mean Dimitri had needed to practice dancing before. Dedue, meanwhile, had always been on the sidelines at such events. Even after being taken into Dimitri's service, he…hadn't exactly been welcome at them.

Still, while there were a handful of students at the academy who seemed to be fine with him, Dedue had once again stood off to the side for most of the ball. Regardless of his or anyone else's feelings, it was true that Dedue simply lacked the experience to do well. He couldn't blame anyone for picking someone else over him either way.

"We could practice, if you'd like."

Dedue blinked again, taking a few seconds to register Dimitri's offer. It didn't sound like a joke—Dimitri rarely teased, after all—but it caught him by surprise. Where had the suggestion even come from?

"Surely it would look bad if anyone were to see us," Dedue said eventually.

Dimitri's lips tightened for a moment, though his expression relaxed as he shook his head.

"There's no one out here but us, Dedue. The professor was out here earlier, but she left already. No one will see us. Though I understand if you don't want to—"

"I…suppose I would not mind, but…" Dedue paused for a long while, carefully selecting his words. "I thought you were tired of dancing."

"Nonsense; I've had enough of a break. Besides, I don't mind one more dance if it's for your sake."

Dimitri was met with yet another blink. How was Dedue supposed to interpret that? Again, he knew Dimitri's suggestion had to come from a place of sincerity. Still, the concept of dancing with him was alien to Dedue. Regardless of whether it was a mere offer to help, or…something else, it didn't feel appropriate to him.

Dimitri had already stood up, though, and he was extending a hand towards him. His smile seemed genuine, though Dedue was still baffled. He would be lying if he said the idea of dancing with Dimitri was unappealing—far from it, actually. The offer was tempting, very tempting, but Dedue couldn't wrap his head around the fact that it was happening.

Surely Dimitri had only meant it as a friendly, helpful offer. It couldn't have been anything else. And that was what finally convinced Dedue to nod, stand up, and accept Dimitri's hand. No one could accuse them of doing anything inappropriate if Dimitri was merely teaching Dedue how to not embarrass himself.

"If you insist," Dedue replied slowly. "But do be aware that I will probably—"

"It's all right, Dedue. Just watch what I do and follow my lead. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Dedue waited awkwardly while Dimitri got their hands and arms positioned properly. The whole situation still felt wrong—there was no way he should ever be this close to Dimitri, mere inches apart while they were touching each other so casually. But it had been Dimitri's own idea, so Dedue once again tried to convince himself that it was acceptable.

He kept his eyes locked on their feet as Dimitri carefully guided him through the appropriate steps. It was easier to concentrate that way; Dedue could make sure he was getting this right and not think as much about his specific partner. Dimitri's feet were different from Dimitri himself, or at least Dedue convinced himself that they were.

But the more they danced, the more comfortable Dedue felt with the whole thing. It was wrong to feel comfortable, he thought, but he was. He felt Dimitri's arm relax slightly around his waist, while his hand squeezed Dedue's lightly, and there was a brief fleeting moment where Dedue felt like he was supposed to be there with him.

It felt natural, too natural, and it made Dedue wish desperately for more.

Finally, they came to a halt, and Dimitri looked up at him with an oddly expectant look on his face. Dedue held his breath, wholly unsure of what he was supposed to say or do in response. They were still standing far too closely, arms still around each other, and Dimitri was making no motions of leaving any time soon.

"See, was that so bad? I told you that you'd be fine."

Dedue swallowed and glanced away, though he didn't move his head too much. "It was fine. I did better than I expected. I am…glad I did not step on your feet, Your Highness."

That was all true; Dedue had done far better than he'd thought. His movements had been slightly awkward, but they'd mostly been correct nonetheless. It felt too basic of a reply, though—too stiff. Dimitri didn't seem to care, though, instead just shaking his head with a vaguely amused look on his face.

"Good. Perhaps we could do this again sometime, then?"

"You…cannot possibly mean—"

"It does not have to be tonight, Dedue." Dimitri raised an eyebrow, looking oddly amused. "I don't expect you to dance in front of anyone before you're ready. Just that I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities later, if you wish to."

Dedue paused again, studying Dimitri's face and trying to determine what he meant. Did he mean dancing in general? Perhaps once Dimitri was king, it would be more acceptable for a Duscur man to be seen publically at formal events. Dimitri had always been adamant that repairing the damage to Dedue's homeland would be one of his biggest priorities once he ascended the throne, after all. (And Dedue had always, always believed he could make that happen, regardless of anything else.)

Or did Dimitri mean that he actually, truly wished to dance with Dedue specifically? If Dedue was going to keep being honest with himself, the idea of dancing with Dimitri again gave him an odd fluttering feeling. It was one he'd felt more and more often lately, one that he was sure would be inappropriate to voice or even try and name properly.

(He knew what it was. He'd always known what it was. But Dedue chose to swallow the thoughts; there was no way the feeling could ever be returned, at least not yet, and thus he could not voice it.)

"If you want to, I would not be opposed," he replied. "It would be preferable to dancing with anyone else."

"Come now, Dedue. You don't have to take it so seriously. But…that's nice to hear, anyway."

Dimitri smiled absently, and Dedue was once again struck by how close their faces were. He was suddenly aware of how blue Dimitri's eyes were, and how the moonlight illuminated his pale hair and skin, and the way Dimitri's hand slightly tightened around his again.

Dedue wondered if he imagined the way Dimitri seemed to lean up slightly. Surely the slight shift in his expression to something more…expectant was all in his imagination as well. Nonetheless, Dedue could not seem to look away from Dimitri's face, and he hoped Dimitri didn't catch the way his breath sped up slightly.

They were so close. Dedue feared their bodies would touch if Dimitri moved any closer. His arm unconsciously tightened around Dimitri's waist, and he swallowed again. He wanted to continue, but he was sure he would give away his nerves, and—

"Do you want to go back inside, Dedue?"

Dimitri's voice broke the moment, and Dedue awkwardly cleared his throat. His thoughts had gone much too far. Further than they ever deserved to go, and further than he ever knew he could have. He looked away, slowly letting go of Dimitri and letting his arms fall back to his sides.

"That…would probably be wise, yes."

Dimitri nodded and stepped away, and Dedue couldn't help watching him again as they walked. Something had…happened. What it was, he didn't know. Dedue knew what he wanted, what he probably always had wanted, but Dimitri couldn't possibly have thought the same thing.

And yet, the way Dimitri paused and looked at him when they reached the monastery's doors, with a hesitant and almost bashful expression on his face, briefly let Dedue dream that it would be possible someday.