“Natasha, you promised that there would be handsome men here and there aren't.”  I pout. “Did you lie just to get me to come?”

“Now why would I do that?” She smirks at me.

“Well it wouldn't be the first time you…” I trail off, noticing someone new walking into the ballroom, looking rather lost and more than a little overwhelmed. “Who is he?”

“Who is who?” She asks.

“That gorgeous blond over there who just came in.” I answer, pointing him out to the best of my ability.

“I don't know, but if you don't go speak to him, I'll have to do it myself, and I know you don't want that.”

“Alright, I'm going. I'm going!” I say, grinning at her before making my way through the crowd.

It takes a while for me to find him, but I manage. I tap him on the shoulder to get his attention and end up startling him instead. He jumps and whips around to see who had touched him.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” I chuckle, shielding my mouth with my hand.

“You didn't,” He says quietly. His gaze lingers on my face for a moment before his eyes widen in surprise. “Your majesty.” He blurts out, bowing awkwardly.

“Please there's no need to be so formal,...?”

“Oh! Steve. My name is Steve.” He rushes to say, realizing I was asking for his name.

“It's lovely to meet you, Steve.” I smile and dip my head to him.

“Likewise, your majesty.” He bows again, though not as deeply this time.

“Really, the formalities are unnecessary.” I say, gently touching him on the arm.

“Are you sure?” He asks, raising his eyebrows at me in surprise.   

“Of course.” I nod. “And, please, call me (Y/N).”

“A-alright, yo- er, (Y/N).” He smiles softly at me.

“Thank you,” I smile back at him. “Would you care to dance?”

He looks shocked for a moment before smiling softly and dipping his head to me. “It would be an honor.”

He holds my hand gently in his and I allow him to lead me to the middle of the dance floor. A gentle waltz begins to play and Steve quickly gets into position, taking my waist with his free hand. As we begin to dance I notice that his movements are stiff and on the verge of uncoordinated.

“Relax,” I give his hand a gentle squeeze.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t really know if I can.” He whispers back.

“Just focus on me.” He meets my eyes and I nod to him. His shoulder start to visibly relax and his eyes stop flitting around the room anxiously. “There,” I try to keep my tone as soothing as possible.

“Thank you,” He breathes. His movements are still a little stiff, like he hasn’t had much experience with dancing.

“Do you want to get some fresh air?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow at him. “These events can be more than a little suffocating.”

“That sounds amazing.” His shoulders sag in relief as I lead him from the dance floor and out onto the balcony. Once we’re outside Steve takes several deep breaths, like he had been holding his breath the entire time he was in the ballroom.

“Are you alright?” I ask softly, placing a gentle hand on his bicep.

He smiles at me, a bit embarrassed. “Large crowds make me a little anxious.” He admits.

“Why did you come then?”

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.” He says quietly, leaning on the railing and gazing out across the city. “I wasn’t about to miss out because I was a little scared.”

“Well the view is fantastic from up here, I must admit.” I comment, placing my hands on the railing beside him.

“Does it ever get old?”

“What?”

“Seeing this every day.” He clarifies, making a sweeping gesture to the city.

“No,” I grin at him. “I grew up seeing this every single day and I still can’t get over how gorgeous it is.”

“I have to say, I'm quite jealous.” He says wistfully.

“Why?”

“I'd kill for a view like this.” He laughs. “The view from where I live is… well, it's far less impressive than this.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I live on the outskirts of town on the river.” He explains. “Never really get to see the city lights from there. If I'm lucky, I can sometimes see fireworks displays from festivals and stuff, but only if the occasion is grand enough.”

“I've always been curious about the outskirts.” I muse. “My father never allows me to even visit the edge of the market.” I snort.

“Why? The market isn't dangerous.” Steve's brows knit together.

“Try telling him that.” I scowl out at the glowing city. “What is your home like?”

Steve raises his eyebrows and sighs softly. “Well it's modest by most standards. My parents passed away when I was younger and I've been living with my best friend and his family, but I try to stay out of their way as best as possible.”

“Why would you try to stay out of their way? If they’re willing to let you live with them they clearly love you.”

Steve shrugs. “They’ve done enough for me.” He shakes his head. “Until I’m able to repay them… I don’t deserve more than what they’ve given me.”

“You’re very humble, Steve.” I comment.

“Princess (Y/N)?” Someone calls for me in the corridor a little ways off from the balcony.

“Well this is lovely.” I mutter.

“It sounds like someone needs you.” Steve says softly. I can almost hear a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Well, this is my night off. They can’t possibly need me that badly.” I offer him my hand.

He looks at it skeptically before meeting my eyes. “What?”

“Do you want to see something really cool?”

“Is it going to get you in trouble?”

“That really isn’t something you have to concern yourself with, Steve.”  I grin at him. “Now, are you coming or not?”

He glances over his shoulder at the doorway before taking my hand and smiling faintly at me. My grin widens and I grip his hand tightly before bunching up the skirts of my dress in my other hand and pulling him up the stairs to another doorway.

“Where are we going?” Asks Steve.

“We’re going to the best look out in the palace.” I answer, not bothering to stop. “You’re going to see the fireworks close up tonight.”

“Aren’t they supposed to start at midnight?” He asks. He almost sounds worried.

“Yeah, why?” I pause on the stairs and turn to look at him.

“I...” He trails off, looking down at the stairs for a moment before looking back to me. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Alright, are you sure?”

He smiles at me and nods before gesturing for me to lead the way. I nod once and squeeze his hand before turning back to the staircase and proceeding forward.

We traipse up the large spiral staircase to the top of the tower, hand in hand. When we reach the top, I drag Steve over to the window and I hear his breath catch when he reaches the ledge.

Outside the window, the entire city lays sprawling out across the countryside. The lights from the streets below are slowly going out in order to allow the townspeople to see the fireworks better.

“Wow.” Steve breathes. He stares out across the cityscape, unable to tear his eyes away from the view.

I smile at his reaction and lean on windowsill. “I used to come up here when I was little to run away from my responsibilities.”

“I had no idea being royal was stressful.” Steve comments.

“It probably isn’t, but I hated etiquette classes when I was younger. They seemed useless and were deadly boring.”

“And now?”

“Now I just come up here to think.” I tilt my head to the side so I can look at him. “I still get stressed, what with diplomatic meetings and things, and everything gets so loud in my head that I need somewhere I can go where nothing can get to me.”

“So you run away to the tallest tower and just think?” He asks, perplexed.

“Yeah,” I smile, my gaze distant, and look out across the city. “Looking out at everything out there… I don’t know. It just makes me feel smaller and it’s comforting.”

Steve chuckles softly. “That almost makes sense.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm.” He hums.

“I’m glad you think so, Steve.” Steve turns and looks at me, studying my face like he’s trying to memorize it. “What?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.” The corner of his mouth quirks up in a half smile. “I’m just glad I was able to make it tonight. It doesn’t matter how the night turns out, I’m glad I came.”

“That sounds rather ominous, Steve.” I comment, raising my eyebrows.

He laughs and scratches the back of his neck. “It does, I’m sorry.”

A loud explosion reverberates through the tower and is soon followed by a flash of gold. Steve and I look up to the sky to find that the fireworks display has started.

I reach over and take his hand in mine. He squeezes my hand and turns to me, eyes flitting over my face. I feel myself flush slightly, but I take his other hand and smile softly at him. He smiles back before gently sliding his hands up my arms and neck before cupping my face and leaning in slightly.

“Steve...” I breathe,

“Yes?” He asks, gently bumping our noses together.

I shake my head and place my hands on his forearms. “Nothing. Please, continue.”

He chuckles throatily before gently brushing his lips over mine. When he doesn’t receive any protest from me, he presses his lips more firmly to mine. There's nothing forceful about the way Steve kisses. His lips moves languidly and smoothly against mine, like he's taking his time, trying to commit this moment to memory.

As the bells from the clocktower ring, marking the hour of midnight, Steve pulls away abruptly. He stumbles backwards, bracing himself on the wall. I take a tentative step forward, hand outstretched, only for Steve to abruptly straighten, his head thrown back. A soft glow surrounds his body, which proceeds to lift off the floor and float several inches above the stone.The glowing grows brighter until it envelopes Steve.

Then, as soon as the glowing started, it dissipates, leaving Steve to fall to the stone floor on his hands and knees. I drop down beside him on my knees, placing a gentle hand on his back, unsure of what else I’m supposed to do.

“What was that?”

Steve sits up, staring at his hands. “Has… has anything changed about me?”

“What?”

“Am I shorter, or skinnier, or anything.”

“What? No, you look exactly the same.” My brow furrows. “What’s going on?”

“I… I don’t always look like this.” He says, gesturing to his body. “Before I came here tonight I was ninety pounds soaking wet and five inches shorter.”

“How is that even possible?”

“You’re going to think I’m insane, but I spoke to a sorcerer before I decided to attend the ball.” He says, hanging his head, ashamed. “I only asked for something to help me be a little more confident, but he told me I just needed to be myself. When I insisted that I couldn’t do that and that I needed something, he gave me a potion and told me to pay him if it worked.”

“Wait, you went to the sorcerer in the heart of the market?” He nods, refusing to look at me. “Steve, he’s a trickster. What he gave you was a revealing serum. Whatever is truly inside of you will be reflected on the outside.”

“What?”

“He told you that you only had to be yourself, and he was right. The potion just brings out a physical manifestation of what your soul contains. Judging by your transformation, I would wager that you’re really quite strong, regardless of how big you are.”

“I… the potion was supposed to wear off at midnight though. I don’t understand what happened.”

“Most of those sorts of things will wear off at midnight, unless...” I trail off, eyes widening in realization.

“What? Unless what?”

“Unless you share a kiss of true love with someone. I swear I’m going to have that man run out of the market.” I fold my arms over my chest protectively.

“Tr-true love?” Steve chokes on his words. “We’ve just met!”

“One hell of a way to find out, eh?”

“I’m so sorry, (Y/N). I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

I wave my hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it.” He sits there staring at me, brow furrowed. Offering him my hand, I stand up. “Come on. Let’s watch the fireworks. That’s why you came tonight, isn’t it?”

“I-yeah, I guess so.” He shakes his head and takes my hand.

I help haul him to his feet and lead him back over to the window.

Lacing our fingers together, I press my arm against his and lay my head on his shoulder.

“I’m glad I met you, Steve.” I say softly.

“Really?”

“Mhmm. How else could I have snuck out of my own event and met my soul mate?” He laughs loudly and squeezes my hand gently in response. “I’m serious. I don’t regret a second, and I don’t think I will the rest of my life.”

“You sure?”

“I think it’ll take while for my father to believe what happened, but as long as you’ve got photo evidence of what you looked like before all this, I think you’ll be okay.” He laughs again before carefully wrapping his arm around my waist. “Yeah, I’m sure. Are you okay with this?”

“I’m still trying to figure out if this is a dream.” He confesses. “Even if it is, I think I’d be fine with it.”

“We’ll figure it out together. Deal?”

“Deal.”