A/N: HI GUYS! I'm back (hopefully for a little longer this time)! Sorry for my long hiatus. I had no time or motivation to write fanfic for a really long time, but I finally finished a new part! I know I write WAY too many ball/gala/fancy dance parts, but what can I say? I'm a sucker for this cliché. I know this is probably trash, but I hope you enjoy it! Happy reading!

The whole kingdom had been holding its breath for almost a month. Everything was leading up to tonight: the night of the masquerade ball. Asgard was buzzing with excitement and all anyone could talk about the thrill and mystery behind the ball. All anyone could talk about was what they'd be wearing and who they'd be going with. You, however, were a little more reserved.

You didn't have anyone to go with so all the conversation about who would be attending was stressing you out. You had a lovely dress and mask picked out for yourself, but you didn't have anyone to share it with. The whole thing was just serving as a reminder of your loneliness and, while it was exciting, you kind of tired of hearing about the dance. Luckily, you wouldn't have to soon, as you were on your way to the palace now and kept telling yourself it would all be over soon.

You were running a little late and were one of the last guests to filter in. You lingered at the doors to the ballroom for a moment, wondering if you should even go in. Something inside you pushed you to open the doors.

The sight of the golden ballroom left you breathless. All of Asgard in one room in gorgeous gowns and suits, all in masks just as elaborate as their clothing. You couldn't believe it. Many of them looked toward you and your elegant dress and velvet mask. The attention was a bit nerve wracking and you quickly moved to the dance floor where you were approached by a tall and handsome man. He had raven hair with a grand gold and green ensemble. A gold and black mask enclosed around his emerald eyes. You could feel his mysteriously familiar gaze on you as he approached you from across the dance floor. EVeryone else watched with deep interest to see how this interaction between the gorgeous girl and mystifying man would play out.

"Good evening, darling," the man said to you as he reached and placed a gentle kiss on your hand. You blushed and curtsied to him. "Good evening, sir," you replied timidly. The man held his open hand out to you. "May I have this dance?" You nodded and music flooded in as he began to whisk you across the floor.

Everyone's eyes followed you as you spun and waltzed around the room, but the world fell away as you stared into this intriguing man's eyes. Your heart raced as you danced like you never had before. You felt oddly light and never wanted this moment to end. However, the music came to an end all too soon. When it did, you were so close to the handsome stranger that you could feel his breath and warmth. The crowd erupted in applause and you did another small curtsy, still reeling from all the adrenaline that had just rushed through your veins.

You looked at the man and smiled. He smiled back and motioned for you to follow him. You cautiously did as you were asked and he led you to a back door of the ballroom which then opened to reveal a small but absolutely beautiful garden. He then turned back towards you and clasped your hands in his. "Well I've never seen someone dance so beautifully," he whispered. "Please tell me who you are. I have to know. If not I'll surely spend the rest of my life wondering," he pleaded with urgency. You hesitated. Anonymity was a privilege you weren't often given. What if he didn't like who you really were? You knew you were overthinking, but you couldn't help it.

You knew you wouldn't get anywhere by being scared, so you decided to risk it and show yourself. With shaking hands, you reached to untie your mask. It fell into your hands and you hesitantly looked up. The man looked at you in awe. He appeared to be at a loss for words, so he returned your sacrifice with his own, untying his mask just as you did.

You gasped as you immediately realized it was prince Loki. His delicate features were clearly seen in the moonlight. You couldn't believe what you were seeing and were convinced you were mistaken.

"Your highness..."

"You may know my name, but I have yet to know yours," he said, urging you along. "Oh... sorry. My name is y/n." Loki smiled at you. "Well, y/n, thank you for showing me the best time I've had in a very long time," he said as he reached for your hand again. You smiled at him and looked up at the stars, savoring this small paradise.