Italy x Reader: Masquerade

   
    You stepped into the dimly lit halls of the palace with a small shimmer in your eyes.
    Your dress cascading down your body like an ocean tide, churning and moving with every step you took.
    Hiding your features sat a pure white mask, sparkling with any light it caught from the candles along the walls.

    People surrounded you, each with their own brightly colored mask. You self-consciously adjusted your own, feeling the gazes of others cross your path.

    Quickening your step, you entered the hall without saying a word. An orchestra seemed to create a melody that filled the entire ballroom.
    A waltz began to play, and you watched as many couples began to dance with each other.

    You stayed towards the walls, attempting to avoid others, when you found yourself face to face with a man.
    His curly auburn locks framed his slightly pale face. His lips were curled in a small smile, and his honey tinted eyes were half-closed, as if he was amused with himself. The rest of his features were hidden by a dark black mask, contrasting your own.
    He reached his hand out, and spoke softly with a think Italian accent, "May I have this dance?"

    You hesitated for a moment before gingerly taking his hand.
    He led you to the dance floor, holding your hand at shoulder height.
    The deep cello began to play as the two of you moved with each other. At first you both were somewhat stiff, but began to feel more comfortable as the song continued.

    You smiled gently, and dared to move closer to the Italian.
    You looked into his shining eyes, and spoke quietly, "May I have the honors of knowing whom I am dancing with?"
    His eyes squeezed shut as he chuckled to himself, "Of course. My name's Feliciano Vargas. And yours?"
    You told him your name, causing him to give a small sigh, "Ah, what a wonderful name! It holds all the beauty of the night sky in it."

    You looked away with a small blush on your cheeks, "It's nothing special, really." you insisted politely.
    "On the contrary. It is the name of a beautiful girl who have a heart as pure as the shining stars."
    "You've never even met me before."
    "I've found that the most important people in life are the one's you haven't met. That is, until now."
    He moved his hand towards your mask. You pulled away instinctively, but then almost immediately rose your own hand to his mask. Both of you lifted the other's mask.

    Your eyes fluttered as he leaned forward to place a small kiss on the bridge of your nose.
    "I knew you were beautiful." He said softly, barely lifting his lips from you.
    You looked down in embarrassment, "I can't say I concur."
   
    Feliciano picked your chin up with his thumb, lifting your face to look at his. A slight reddish tinge danced across his cheeks and he closed his eyes and smiled, "You are beautiful. On the inside and outside."

    You stepped away. You couldn't listen to this. You ran away from the ballroom. You made your way through the hundreds of people all drinking and dancing.
    You had let someone pull at your heartstrings again.

    You looked up to realize that you had run outside onto the courtyard. There were high bushes all around you, each with white roses that sparkled in the moonlight.
    You heard footsteps behind you. You turned to see Feliciano panting as he ran to you.

    "Please, please don't think I'm not serious." he begged in between ragged, "I've never said any of these things to anyone, I swear. I just...." he trailed off, gazing upward, "...I just saw you standing there. It was odd, really...When I looked at you, the rest of the room disappeared and time moved more slowly. I...I can't explain it. I just knew you were special before I even spoke with you."

    You listened quietly, trying to keep yourself from looking at him. With his last words his voice cracked, forcing you to look up. His eyes were wet with tears and his bottom lip trembled while he continued to take ragged breaths.
    
    You sighed, and shook your head, "I-I'm sorry. I just...I felt like you were lying to me. I didn't think anyone could think of me as beautiful the way you said you did..."
    
    Your chin was lifted gently once again, and Feliciano looked deep into your eyes, "I promise that I'd never lie to you."

    The music from the ballroom wafted into the courtyard. A soft melody could be heard, as if meant to be a lullaby for a child.
    The Italian took your hands gently, as if at any moment you could break within his grasp. He slowly began to dance with you as he had before. The movements were slow. Careful. Deliberate.

    He was afraid you weren't real.
    You felt a tear run down your cheek as you laid your head on his shoulder, and closed your eyes.

    You let the music of the masquerade guide you.