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The Farspace Fleet was hosting a dinner gala and Caleb had asked you to accompany him.
The hall was decorated like a dream. Warm light came from the chandeliers above, casting a soft glow over silk dresses and polished boots. The orchestra played something delicate in the back. The clink of glasses and people talking amongst themselves mixed in with the calming music.
You smooth down the fabric of your dress, reminding yourself to breathe. This wasn't your usual scene, too polished, too political, too fake. But you couldn't bring yourself to turn down Caleb's invitation. It had been a few days since you had seen each other in person. So you would take any opportunity that presented itself to see him.
He found you the moment you stepped through the door. No matter the time, place or amount of people his eyes always landed on you quickly.
Caleb’s tall frame was leaning against a column near the entrance, arms folded, expression unreadable until he finally saw that you arrived. He never tried to hide how quick his mood shifted once you were in his vicinity.
You smile at him when your eyes connect. He makes his way towards you quickly and in an instant he’s standing in front of you.
“You made it.” he says.
Arching your brow you say “Well I told you I was coming. Did you think I’d seriously blow you off or something?”
You’re making the little pout that drives him wild, and tests every ounce of self control he has.
His mouth curves upwards slightly “Not necessarily but I know how much you hate snobby social events. Plus you’ve been working extra hard. I wouldn’t blame you if you canceled.”
You laugh under your breath, shaking your head “I’m fine, I wasn’t going to let you suffer alone. And now you have just won yourself one flick to the forehead, later.”
“Have I now? Well I’ll take it. And to show you how grateful I am for your sacrifice, I offer you an all expense paid trip to the mall…or arcade. Your pick, pipsqueak” He proposes, extending his arm to you.
When you loop your arm with his you squeeze him, letting him know you accept.
As the evening stretches in a haze of superficial conversations, forced pleasantries and smiles, more people come up to Caleb wanting to know the Fleet's new Colonel.
Caleb was never far from you too long. Only drifting away when he was called to another conversation. But his eyes didn’t leave your form, the moment he saw you shift uncomfortably or he saw someone leaning a bit too close he’d excuse himself from conversation and be by your side in seconds.
When your glass was low on champagne he plucked it from your hand.
“I’ll go and refill it for you.”
“Caleb, I didn’t ask–”
“When have you ever had to specifically ask me for anything?” His tone makes it sound like he’s almost offended. There’s nothing you can say back because it’s the truth. Caleb always knows what you need and want without you having to voice it.
You sigh, watching how the crowd parts to make way for him. When he comes back he places the glass in your hand, his fingers brushing against yours for a second too long.
“You know, you don’t have to babysit me. It’s okay if you want to talk to other people. I’ll be right here.” you tell him as you take a sip from your glass.
Caleb tilts his head, amusement in his eyes. “Oh? Do you want me to leave you alone and ignore you?”
“Yes” you say flatly. Earning a soft chuckle from him.
Just as he’s about to respond, he’s called over by other officers. You shoo him off, and tell him you’ll wait for him on a table not far away from his line of sight. He reluctantly leaves your side saying he’ll be back quick.
Not even five minutes later, someone sits on the empty chair beside you. A young officer with a dazzling smile tries to strike up a conversation with you.
“How’s the night treating you so far?”
Wanting to be polite you decide to engage in quick conversation. “It’s been fine so far, how about yours?”
You feel something shift, and when you look up, you see Caleb. He’s already staring at you. Shoulders tense, nodding along to whatever the older men like he’s still listening to the conversation. But you know better, you know him too well and recognize that he’s annoyed.
What happened over there that he’s all riled up, you think to yourself.
The officer beside you has been speaking and you hadn’t noticed that you stopped paying attention. But he starts chuckling and to save face you do the same.
“So, why is a pretty girl like you all alone?”
“Oh, I’m not alone. My date is just caught in a conversation right now, he’ll be back in a bit.”
He leans a bit too close for your comfort, before you have the chance to tell him to back off Caleb is back at your side.
A hand resting on your shoulder “I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”
The man who was sitting beside you quickly stood up with a quick “Sir.” Sensing the territorial undertone he quickly says “I was about to excuse myself, sir.”
Heat crept up your neck and you just nod to him.
Turning your attention towards Caleb now you tell him “I think you scared the poor guy.”
Caleb looks completely unbothered “Good”
“What do you mean ‘good?’,Caleb”
He took a sip from his own glass, his gaze on you “If you want somebody hovering over you, I know someone who has been doing it for a long time…and is better at it.”
Your heart stutters and you roll your eyes “You’re unbelievable"
“Nothing I haven’t heard before.” He says dryly.
Leaning closer to him “What was that look on your face earlier? You looked annoyed talking to those old men.” you ask curiously.
“Those weren’t just some old men, y’know.” He teases you.
“Don’t ignore my question, you know what I mean!”
“I’m not sure I know. What is it that you say a lot” he asks, sounding confused, then he takes a pause. “Oh yeah, Caleb you big dummy.”
“You know, I can just stand up and leave you alone here to suffer from boredom." You say in a hushed voice only for his ears to hear.
Across from you two there’s two officers lingering around the buffet. Watching the way Caleb and you lean close to one another. Tilting your heads instinctively to not miss whispered words.
“They’re just friends” one murmured.
“Do they know that?” the other replied with a grin on their face.
The comment drifted just far enough to reach your ears. You freeze, glass half raised, your pulse spiking. Caleb’s jaw ticked like he heard it too.
You swallowed hard “Ignore them.”
His eyes lingered on you for a few seconds. Then he nods once “Let’s go outside for some fresh air.”
When you stand up his hand goes to your lower back, guiding you to the balcony. The nighttime air was cool against your exposed skin. The city lights down below look like spilled jewels. You lean against the railing admiring the view and grateful for the quiet. Caleb stands behind you, arms crossed against his chest watching you instead of the view.
“You let comments like those get under your skin too easily” he says, breaking the silence.
You laugh at his words, and he moves to stand beside you, his back resting against the railing. “It did not get under my skin, it just…caught me off guard.”
“Mmm” his hum is skeptical, heavy with words unsaid.
You turn to face him “And what about you? You looked like you wanted to strangle the poor guy from earlier.”
His mouth twitches “He was wasting your time”
“By existing near me?” you ask confused.
“By thinking he could.” he says matter of factly.
The words hang heavy in the air. There has always been this pull between you, that everyone seemed to see, except you two.
Looking away from him, you decide to focus on the lights again. Muttering “For someone who insists we’re just friends you sure don’t act like it.”
Without missing a beat he answers “And you don’t stop me.”
Your breath caught in your throat and your heart felt like it wanted to escape your chest. For a long moment neither of you spoke. The sounds of the party continue faintly in the back. Doors opening and closing, people laughing, clinking glasses, muffled music. But out here, it was just the two of you, two hearts beating in sync.
Caleb exhales, shaking his head with a boyish smile you hadn’t seen in a long while. “You’re trouble, always have been.”
You smirk “Excuse you, takes one to know one.”
He laughed genuinely and for a fleeting second you saw something unguarded in his eyes. Like he wanted to say something more but stopped himself. But then he straightened his posture, mask slipping back on.
“Come on, before people start talking again.”
You wanted to stay outside with him for a while longer. But you decide to not say anything and just follow him inside. Hands brushing together, but neither pulling away.
“Wait for me here while I get us something to drink” Caleb tells you.
The orchestra is playing something lilting, couples have begun drifting to the floor. You’d barely had time to consider the idea of asking Caleb to dance when he got back, when someone approached you.
Bowing slightly “Would you like to dance?” the stranger asked, hand extended.
You blink not expecting an offer, but when you’re about to answer you feel someone slip their hand in yours before you can reach for anyone else’s. Caleb steps forward, “They’re taken” he says smoothly “for this dance” he adds a second later.
The stranger hesitates, eyes flickering between you two. “Of course.” is all he says before disappearing.
You turned sharply “What was that?” you hiss.
“A rescue mission” Caleb replies, already guiding you to the dance floor. His palm is warm against your waist, his other hand firm around yours.
“I didn’t need saving. I could have handled it.” you muttered trying not to trip over your two feet and you found your rhythm.
“Maybe. But I wasn’t about to watch you dance with someone else.” he says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
You scoff at him “jealous much?”
His eyes meet yours, steady and unflinching “maybe.”
The word came out so quiet you nearly missed it over the music. You laughed, letting yourself relax into the rhythm. Caleb guided you through a few steps, light on his feet, his grip firm but gentle. Every glance he gave you carried an unspoken message, you were his. Not just tonight, but always. The dance ended too soon, leaving your hands still entwined and hearts racing, You lingered a moment, unwilling to let go before he finally released your hand. Only after a gentle almost protective brush of his thumb.
The night wound down, music fading to softer melodies. You two left the dance floor but stayed close, the rest of the party a blur behind you. Every laugh, every glance shared in passing felt like you two were in your own world.