Pulse

[Princess]

The Princess's lips curved at his question. "Possibly," she said, the words light with soft, breathless laughter. Her fingers held tight to his lapels, steadying her as she looked into the Phantom's eyes. I love you, she wanted to say, but could not seem to find the nerve, could not risk the unbridled happiness of the night to satisfy herself that she had said them.

[Phantom]

The Phantom smiled softly, looking into her eyes. He could feel that she wanted to say it, and, as much as he wanted to hear it, he couldn't handle it. He couldn't say it back to her, wouldn't be able to make himself say it. "Please don't," he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear. He could see it in her eyes, in the way she moved, could feel it in her kiss. He didn't need to hear it, not when he wouldn't be able to return it.

[Princess]

The Princess's brows creased ever slightly at his plea. He knew, and she was right to hold back. "They are only words," she whispered, though the statement could have been for either of them. They were powerful words, she realized, far more powerful than even her fairy tales, with all their talk of true love's kiss, could impress.

[Phantom]

The Phantom shook his head, "No, they're not." He put his arms around her instead of letting his hands rest on her waist. "They're so much more," he murmured, his voice still barely loud enough to be heard over the music. He hoped that she would leave it at that, he didn't want to dwell on it, it had been brought too far into the light already.

[Princess]

The Princess wanted to argue, but she knew her Phantom too well not to sense his thinly-held control. She understood his fear, or perhaps she didn't after all. She had faced hers, but it was still far too much for him. The Princess's lip found its way between her teeth, and she pressed herself against him, closed her eyes as she laid her head against his chest and took comfort from the sound of his heartbeat. For him, she let the words go, having only just admitted them to herself.

[Phantom]

The Phantom lay his bare cheek on the top of her head, breathing in her scent and starting to move slowly, merely swaying with the music. "Thank you," he said softly, possibly not even loud enough for the Princess to hear. He knew in his heart that he felt it, but he just couldn't bring himself to admit it, even to himself.

[Princess]

The Princess gave no sign that she had heard the Phantom other than a light, soothing stroke of her palm against his chest. She moved wordlessly with him, letting herself concentrate on the solid feel of him, the scent of him and the slight motion of their bodies as they swayed with the music. She let herself recall the beauty of the night, their joining in the moonlight, their murmured confessions, and holding those three words seemed like such a small request in comparison that she could not possibly be upset. The Princess relaxed in her Phantom's arms, content again to enjoy herself.

[Phantom]

The Phantom held her close to him, wondering at how fate had put them together. That bet, then the game of making her choose him over a friend, her story, that revealing conversation by the lake that had led them to privacy and intimacy. She had stayed beside of him even when she saw his anger, during his fights, through the betrayals and the interview. His arms tightened around her, and now they were gently swaying in the middle of a dance floor, full of emotions that he refused to put to words.

[Princess]

With her mind once more at ease, the Princess allowed herself to melt into the Phantom's arms, even as her feet kept the motion he had set. She knew, and he knew, and it was more than she'd hoped for, more than she'd dreamed. The Princess raised her head and set her lips to the Phantom's, wordlessly assuring him that the moment had passed, that all was well.

[Phantom]

The Phantom returned her kiss gratefully, a welcome distraction from his thoughts. When he pulled away he put his forehead to hers again, looking into her eyes. "Are you still going to come with me?" he asked. She had said before that she would come see him, and he figured she still would, but maybe she didn't want to risk it.

[Princess]

The Princess's lip found its way between her teeth as she looked up at the Phantom. She had already made her decision. "I am," she said. If the Headmistress noted her absence, she would face the consequences then. "I have all night for you, my Phantom." Her heart beat quickly with the thought of an entire night spent in his arms, in his bed.

[Phantom]

The Phantom's lips curved up in a broad smile that made his eyes sparkle in excitement, "It will be amazing," he said. It truly would, he would thoroughly enjoy his night with his Princess. He wondered faintly how many other couples would be sneaking off to abandoned classrooms, who would be lucky enough to get the Room of Requirement, it was near impossible to think that they would be the only ones sharing their bed that night.

[Princess]

The Princess's eyes glittered in anticipation. They had only ever had an afternoon, a few heated hours here or there. She could only begin to imagine what he might do with an entire night, and her mind boggled at the logistics. Certainly they would tire at some time, and seek sleep, though at the moment, sleep was the last thing she wanted. "When?" the Princess asked, then reminded him, "the gates close at midnight."

[Phantom]

"Whenever you want to leave," he said, eyes shining. The Phantom was willing to leave that moment, he was looking forward to having her the whole night, to do whatever they wanted. The only problem being her having to go back to the school the next morning. He hoped she wouldn't get in trouble, but hopefully the authority figures wouldn't be paying as much attention as usual.

[Princess]

"One more dance," the Princess said, though she felt the Phantom's eagerness as well as her own. "It will be too long before the next ball." She had only danced with him this one night, and she wanted to extend the fantasy. The Princess's eyes glittered with expectation as she slid her arms from around the Phantom's neck to rest one hand on his shoulder, then offer him the other. One more dance, she reminded herself.