Work Text:
James sighed, never wanting to leave his bed until...
"Dongsaeng, do you know that our dear Lloyd's having a ball thrown for him in three days?”
"Shining sun of the Roan Empire, the light that can even ignite the universe with just a glance—no, this lowly being, that is I, have not heard."
Alberu's lip twitched, "you little punk..." he cleared his throat, "as yours and his Hyung, I suggest you come to support him—remember to not do anything that'll cause any problems.”
"Me? Hyung, must you have little trust in me? Everything I do is for mine and Lloyd's slacker life.”
The young crown prince sighed—must his dongsaengs be so complicated? "Whatever you say, James." As Alberu walked away, James immediately got ready—he'd been waiting to do this for years! He grinned, making Raon tease him about his scammer smile.
***
"I- I'm appalled, flabbergasted and shocked all at the same time."
"Papa Lloyd, that all means the same thing," Ohn whispered.
"I know, my dear Ohn, but your father is... a lot..." He sighed, staring at the shoes, dress and wig that James had brought for him laying on the table, "Is this revenge for that one time I blabbered to you about the bet I had with Javier and he had to wear a dress and wig on our way to the estate?"
“Nope."
“Do I have a choice?"
"Not really." James gave a smile and slid over the jewellery, "Uncle, Hyung, Choi Han and the rest of the Thames will shortly join the party and requested you to be in such attire."
Lloyd sighed, weighing his options before two spirits decided to help him.
"Try it, Lloyd." Hyun grinned, "it'll be so funny."
"At least give it a go." Said Suho, admiring the jewellery that would've caused fortunes for his past lower-class self, "or James' efforts will go to waste, you wouldn't want that, right?"
Lloyd hummed before agreeing, "Let's do it, I'd love to see the look into their faces— got a veil?"
"I always do, love, always do." James grinned and helped Lloyd slip into the navy blue gown with a train. Raon helped put Lloyd's shaggy brown hair and the wig, which was a few shades lighter, into a beautiful braid with flowers while Ohn and Hong helped him put on the jewellery and footwear. Hyun picked out which perfume to use since James brought a diverse amount for Lloyd and Suho applied Lloyd's makeup that highlighted details they found beautiful about the Frontera, "you look... divine." He laughed, staring at the mirror.
"Wow, you all outdid yourselves." Lloyd smiled, ruffling their hair and petting Raon's head before kissing their cheeks, "You're all so talented." The kids preened at the praise while James and the spirits smiled. Then, the rest started getting ready— Lloyd helped Ohn get dressed while Hong was assisted by James. Raon, they didn't know what to do about him...
"Raon, can you turn into a human form?" Suho asked, observing the dragon with Hyun in intense curiosity.
"Of course! The great and mighty Raon can indeed turn into a human." Purple sparks manifested around the six-year-old dragon and a small human with pale skin and pitch-dark hair with blue eyes appeared in his place before falling in Lloyd's arms, "Thank you, papa Lloyd!"
"No problem, Raon—maybe do the transformation while you're on the ground, please?"
The little dragon nodded and slipped down to James, who smiled, "Thanks Grey and good job, Raon." He rummaged through the clothes that were prepared in his luggage for his kids and found one in Raon's size. Finally, they were ready for the event.
***
"Pull the veil down, Lloyd," James instructed as he pulled his masquerade mask down over his eyes—both Hyun and Suho were sitting in their minds, looking through their vessel's memories. Lloyd did as he was told, pulling the translucent black veil. The two stepped out to the carriage, arm in arm. Roan, Hong and Ohn trailed behind in the same elegance. The Emperor, Alberu and Choi Han smiled at James and the kids before grinning when they saw a dolled-up Lloyd.
"Lydie." Alberu managed to say, holding out his hand for the Frontera.
Lloyd bowed slightly as he shook the royal's hand, "Crown prince, the gleaming glow of my favourite empire."
"Hah! I see you haven't changed one bit."
"Nope. Still a trash as always, my darling Hyung-nim." Lloyd smiled, "Welcome to the Magentano Empire, my dear emperor uncle.”
"I'm honoured to be at the empire that my nephew helped develop."
"James-nim, Lloyd-nim..." Choi Han whispered, beaming at the two, "You're finally here, Lloyd-nim."
"I never said I wouldn't come, Choi Han." He smiled, greeting the rest of the Thames and then taking James to the middle of the dance floor where everyone could see them. Lloyd smiled, pulling the veil off—making all the attendees gasp and gawk at Lloyd, who actually looked... beautiful for once?— as he extended his hand, "May I have this dance?"
"You shall." the Marquis grinned and cleared his throat for the song, "I can't believe we're finally alone
I can't believe I almost went home
What are the chances? Everyone's dancing
And he's not with you?"
Alberu and Choi Han shone the lights on the two men—making them the main focus while the emperor and the rest Thames plus the kids played the instrumentals.
The Magentano Empire stared at Lloyd and his partner— a male. Now they understood why he refused to date a girl. At the time, they all had thought of it to be a phase of sorts that all boys went through. Everyone made notes to have their sons be wed to the Frontera instead of their daughters as a replacement for Lloyd's despicable betrothed.
“The universe must have divined this
What am I gonna do? Not grab your wrist?"
The two of them closed the distance between them— their noses almost touching before they stepped back. James spun Lloyd around. After years of practice, Lloyd managed to not stumble or step on James' toes as they kept a genuine smile on their faces.
"I could be a better escort than him
I could do the shit that he never did
Up all night, I won't quit
Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him
I could be such a gentleman
Plus all my clothes would fit."
The lyrics were clearly directed to Javier, who was fuming as he stared at Master Lloyd dancing with his horrid beloved. How could he look so comfortable to be near such a person? Someone who the people of the magentano Empire had a distaste for? And to wear their clothes?
"I could be a better escort."
James smirked, staring at Javier almost as if saying, 'Yeah, I stole him away from you, and I'd do it again.'
Obviously, James didn't think of that at the time, he only observed Javier before looking back at Lloyd.
"I don't need to tell you twice
All the ways he can't suffice
If I could give you some advice
I would leave with me tonight."
Choi Han smiled, staring at his two saviours dancing to their heart's content, closing the distance between them before adding more to it. The Isekaied Korean boy could never repay the debt he owed the two—his family, and his home. He wondered if he could also be Lloyd's knight, but that would mean either of them had to move across to be with the other. He grumbled, maybe he'll just stick with being with James and soon Lloyd'll follow at a later date.
"The universe must have divined this, mmm, mmm
Ladies first, baby, I insist."
The Frontera's and the Empire frowned, was this song supposed to mock Javier and Lloyd? Was that why the Enginner's supposed beloved put him in that dress? Was Lloyd merely a doll to his betrothed? What did these two do that would have Lloyd in a dress?
"I could be a better escort than him
I could do the shit that he never did
Up all night, I won't quit
Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him
I could be such a gentleman
Plus all my clothes would fit."
Lloyd let out a soft laugh as they took long, elegant strides around the floor, the spotlight following their every move.
"I could be a better escort than him..."
Deruth and Violan's eyes twitched— how did their dear son get this bold? Although he used to be such a 'trashy lout' in his youth, he never had time for romance but to flaunt his debatable and vaguely close relationship with Lloyd, which itself would spark controversy and it did.
"I could be a better escort..."
Alberu quickly moved his light around and Choi Han did the same a second later, he was thankful that the two were dancing slow enough pace that he and instructor-nim could follow their movement. When the two separated for a moment, one of them was kept on James while the other trailed after Lloyd. That's my chance! Javier thought as he slipped through the shadows and ran towards his young master.
"I never would have left you alone
Here on your own glued to the food
Never would have left you alone
For someone else to take you home."
Lloyd stood by the buffet, holding a plate as he picked up certain pastries. Javier tried to run towards his young lord but James beat him to it. The Marquis offered Lloyd his hand, letting the Baron's son put down the plate as they spun each other back to the centre, both at the same pace as they stepped. Javier gritted his teeth as the two only had a smile on their faces; no discomfort or reluctance whatsoever.
"I could be a better escort than him
I could do the shit that he never did
Up all night, I won't quit
I'm gonna steal you from him
I could be such a gentleman
Plus you know my clothes would fit."
Lloyd and James could feel the other's breath as they danced—there was barely any distance between them anymore. Javier's eye was caught by Lloyd's angelic face. That expression never wavered as he and his lover danced; swinging, twirling and swirling around as if no one else existed.
"I could be a better escort than him
I could do the shit that he never did
Up all night, I won't quit
Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him
I could be such a gentleman
Plus all my clothes would fit!"
James ended the song by pulling Lloyd into his arms and kissing him. Lloyd gasped, his face turning red before smiling as he returned the kiss on the noble’s forehead before both ran over to the buffet table to finally eat some food.
Javier saw red—he gripped his sword, about to pull it out but Siluria Namuran stopped him.
"Did you have to kiss me on the lips, Red?" Lloyd asked as he placed some more food on his plate, placing a piece of chocolate in James' mouth.
"Yes, very much, Grey." The red-haired grinned, swallowing the chocolate that he was fed.