Closed An Acre Before Us

[Lars van Houten]

He really should have tried on his suit before today, Lars reflected as he tugged on the too-short sleeves on his way to the great hall. He had been sure the one he had worn last year would have been fine for tonight, but he should have realized his too tall body hadn't stopped growing yet. It was fine, doable, but it definitely was getting short around the wrists and ankles. A part of Lars vaguely wondered if some sort of slow stretching jinx had been cast on him at some point. That felt like the sort of thing that would happen to him. The Ravenclaw stopped in his tracks once he entered the great hall. He wasn't usually one for these events, and he realized he'd only ever attended the yule ball before. This dance was... well, very pink. But Lars could appreciate the petals floating down from the ceiling. A part of him wished he had taken his sketchbook, it was something he would have liked to draw. Lars wandered through the hall, then jumped as people around him started to dance. He quickly retreated to the edge of the room where he lingered near one of the punch fountains and watched the couples on the dance floor. He hoped to chat with Nell or one of his other friends tonight, but they would probably be busy with their dates.

 

[Blake van Houten]

Blake knew coming here had been... a bad idea. He hadn't bothered going to school dances he didn't have a date for in a long time. It felt almost like defeat, showing up without a girl on his arm. The Yule Ball with Thyonia had felt just as bad though, and the truth was starting to settle in Blake's heart that he just... wasn't going to feel right. He had been fine with how hollow it felt to date girls until he had kissed Tyler, and realised how... real that felt. That was how he was supposed to feel, and pretending just didn't work anymore. He hadn't even bothered trying to find a girl who would go to the Valentines dance with him, but now that he was here, he was starting to think he just shouldn't have come at all.

Curiosity had driven him on, though. Blake had been filled with terror ever since penning the rose he had sent to Lars, and he needed to see the Ravenclaw. Even if just to get a sense of whether Lars had figured out the rose was from him or not. He hadn't signed his name, of course, but he was still terrified Lars would see right through him, to the truth. So he had pulled on his suit from Christmas again and joined his peers in the Great Hall, trying to look like he wasn't looking for anyone as he sought Lars out. Once he spotted the Ravenclaw he paused, lingering a good distance away and hoping Lars wouldn't spot him staring. Blake had never really seen him at a dance before, but Lars looked good in a suit, and Blake's heart sank further as he tried to collect his thoughts and pick up his nerves, and not gawk.

 

[Lars van Houten]

Lars poured himself a drink, wondering why he was here the longer he just stood here on his own. He felt awkward, tall and gangly and impossible to miss. Everyone in his year probably had someone. He even saw Tyler with a girl, and a part of him wanted to warn her he was awful. But he looked away instead. Maybe she was just as bad, he didn't know. As he looked away, his gaze snagged on a figure at a distance, someone who was clearly looking at him. Lars froze with the cup of punch halfway to his lips as he realized who it was. Blake. He stared back at the boy in surprise, his heart speeding up a bit. It was good to see him outside of the hospital wing, but that brought back memories of his awkward visit. He'd been thinking of the Slytherin more and more recently, and seeing him here, staring at him... it was a lot. He felt himself blush, and he put the cup down a little shakily before taking a step in the direction of Blake. Maybe he wanted to talk?

 

[Blake van Houten]

Blake knew it was stupid, but he couldn't quite bring himself to tear his eyes away from Lars even when the Ravenclaw noticed him staring. He studied the surprise on Lars' face, heart sinking. The note. He had figured it out. Every muscle in Blake's body tensed as Lars lowered his cup and he took a slow step backwards. This had been a mistake. He had to get out of here. Hands clenched tightly into fists he kept his eyes on Lars as he backed away at first, turning and running away and out of the dance after a moment. This was all a mistake. Lars had figured him out, he was going to tell everyone, and Blake's life would come crashing down around him.

((Thread continues here))

 

[Lars van Houten]

Lars was only able to take a few steps before he realized Blake was upset. Was he angry? He couldn't tell what it was, but it wasn't good. He watched the boy back away from him, then turn and run off. Lars frowned, then decided to follow him. He pushed through the crowd towards the entrance, wondering what was wrong.