soulmate AU where since birth, everyone wears a masquerade mask and the only person someone sees without a mask is their soulmate. to everyone else, people who have found their soulmates has a mask identical to their significant other.
i ended up changing a few things, but it still falls under the same category as this au!

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Dice was close to giving up on this whole love ordeal. He'd had this purple masquerade mask on since he was born, and not once in his life had he come into contact with someone who's mask wasn't present. The loss of having someone by his side to share some odd story with of how they met, or how it was some form of love at first sight- It slowly dragged him down, like a weight, that grew heavier each day. 

In his mind, when he was alone at night, he frequently imagined what his soul mate would be like. In a world where he couldn't even see his own face in all of its naturality, he had the nerve to wonder what someone else's looked like. There were often couples that came to the casino, ones who sometimes allowed their masks to rest above their heads, the same identical mask the two would share, walking about to find their favorite spot to gamble, hand in hand the whole time.

If anyone could see the look on his face, one could tell that jealousy and irritation were at its peak. Dice was a sweet talking, handsome, dreamboat of a man. If it weren't for the dumb masks that got in the way of him wooing some lovely creature, he would have already had someone to call his own already. Though, most would have declined anyway, since they believed in the fate that the masks were destined to withhold.

With such an unexpectant mindset, the large party being held within the casino seemed to drag on forever. There weren't too many people to tease nowadays. Most had found their significant other at this point and were overly excited to spend the time at the casino's widespread party with the one they were to spend the rest of their life with. The few who had their masks drawn over their eyes all had bright and extravagant colors- None as grim and dark as his.

A mirage smile from the King looked down upon the sea of guests he passed, monitoring things, making sure nobody was up to no good. To his dismay, things were... oddly calm. He had nothing to do. For once in his life, he'd not a soul to tease or fluster, no one to annoy. Even the Devil himself was off with some others, most likely making a bet of some kind.

His mind was in the wrong place. Dice's usually disreputable aura was present no longer and was potentially replaced by one of defeat. The sleazy manager stepped outside of the casino, a grumpy sigh allowing him to release a few of his pent-up frustrations. 

All he wanted was to meet his lover. Nothing more. Maybe then he could get out of this slump he'd been in for the past few years.

The flick of his lighter to the cigar between his lips provided the only bit of light between the cave and the outside of the third Inkwell isle. 

To anyone else, he may have looked like a bum who'd hijacked some guy for a fancy purple suit. 

"Excuse me, sir?" An almost distant voice rang quietly throughout his ears. Dice looked up, the cigar in his mouth hanging low, symbolizing how much he cared to aid this person. Not too much. The smaller being stopped in front of him, looking around with a worried expression on their face. Dice looked them up and down, oblivious to the question they were frantically expecting an answer for. He had spaced out completely, the cigarette in his mouth falling to the floor as he observed you in awe.

Your pleas for directions had fallen upon deaf ears. All this guy was doing was checking you out- Except his focus was on your facial features. You cocked your head to the side, confusion adding to the look of concern that had already made itself known. 

King Dice was close to hollering with joy, yet he somehow held back. Your mask was gorgeous. As elegant as it was, he had known that mask anywhere. In his very own private mirror, where he saw the exact same cover-up on his own face. His hand was trembling softly as he reached out to take hold of the precious mask that disguised them in all of their beauty.

What he viewed beneath that glorious mask was a face completely unexpected. One that was.. bashful, yet confident, and intimidated but intrigued. There was a constant mix of emotions that the King was incapable of reading... As much as it confused him, it allowed him to be kept on his toes. Then he remembered! He could finally take off his very own mask, the one that replicated his supposed soul mate. Shaky hands removed the disguise of his own, and he placed it on top of his forehead.

Your eyes sparkled with newfound hope, and a group of acrobats seemed to do just their job within your abdomen. It was almost confusing. But hey, you weren't going to complain. Warm smiles danced onto your lips, and one of sweet, sweet desire played on his. The two of you knew exactly what this meant, and though it wasn't verbalized, you and King Dice expressed your excitement for finally having found your soulmate throughout the night at the party.

On the dance floor, the Devil above you observed with delight watching as his trusty servant slow danced with his newfound lover, as King Dice whispered sultry compliments in your ear and left you to be giggly and embarrassed. The both of you were having the night of your life now that you had found each other. A new door with an endless amount of adoration and devotion to each other had opened. It made the couple grow warm, and King Dice to regain that familiar cockiness he had from a while ago.

A smirk tugged at his lips as the Devil watched over the pair. The next move would surely spark something more between the lovers beneath him. Snap! His fingers had triggered an unknown spotlight to glisten down onto King Dice and the person who'd gained his utmost interest. It had shocked almost everyone in the room, including the two that the light was on. Yet... the urge to continue dancing together had not dimmed at all. 

His gloved fingers threaded their way within your own, and the opposite hand slithered down to your waist, threatening to move even lower. The way you bit your lip spoke louder than any sentence you could have mustered up at that moment, for he could tell you were enjoying every second of being in his arms, and just his presence in general. 

The supposed King of the floor held you flush against his own body, but what he meant by it was nothing of his cocky nature, no. He'd much rather have this action display a form of endearment, one that all who watched were capable of seeing. The way he held you made you feel as though this was his final dance, and he wanted every aspect of this to express how much he treasured you. His eyes lovingly looked into your own light-filled ones, as you two swayed to the rhythm of the slow song in the background. His forehead rested against yours softly, and soon enough, your eyes fluttered closed as well.

You two were stuck appreciating the moment. Right here and right now was the most immense moment of passion either of you had ever endured in... And it showed. All those who commented on the lovely pair were tuned out as they danced together, as though they were the last two on the face of the Earth.

King Dice, as sleazy as he is, had a heart. And now that he had his one and only, the man had no intention of letting that horrid trait get the best of him. 

The song soon came to an end. The applause of the other party members snapped the two of you from your state of connection, and you both looked each other in the eyes, smiling like the lovesick fools you were. It felt like they had been in each other's arms for forever. Neither of you wanted the embrace to end. It was what the two of you had been longing for since you'd understood the meaning of those dumb masks.

When Dice pulled away from you slightly, a mischievous grin had found its way onto your face, one that normally he would be harboring. He quirked a brow, until he felt you slowly lowering the mask onto his face. He retaliated your smirk and leaned in close after placing the masquerade mask back over your face. Your breathing hitched. Was he gonna..?

No, he didn't kiss you. But he did lean over your shoulder, linking his arms around your torso softly. You two stood there. And then...

"I love you."

You physically tensed, your body's weird reaction to his passionate choice of words. But then you tapped his shoulder, to which he momentarily pulled back-

Only to have you meet his lips in a gentle but longing kiss. Your hands cupped his face as he held onto you, and your heart wracked loudly against your chest. He kissed back wholeheartedly, smiling into the kiss as he held you close.

All you had done was sealed the deal for his happy ever after, the entirety of the night ending off as if it were a fairytale.