This one-shot was based of the song 'So Close', part of the OST of Disney's Enchanted. I loved how the song was filled with wistfulness and longing for the one they love. The song was heartbreakingly beautiful. I highly recommend you listen to it as you read. 

Song!

It was somewhat inspired by Cinderella (hence their meeting at a ball, among other things) and a film that my friends had to make for school. I'd post the link here, but they wouldn't allow me, so...

Anyway, on to the story. I hope you enjoy!

I meet her at the ball.

She’s beautiful – sparkling eyes, light blush on her cheeks, a dazzling smile. We bump into each other at the foot of a rather large staircase.

“I’m sorry.” I apologize, and she smiles that heart stopping smile of hers. But I had to keep a little formal around her – she was the princess.

She bows a little, and so do I. “It’s alright – no harm done.” her eyes crinkle a little at the sides as her eyes form into little crescents. “How about inviting me to dance, though? Seems like the only thing we can do at parties such as these. A little boring for my taste, but it will have to do.” her tone of voice is teasing, and I smile widely along with her.

I hold my hand out as the current song begins to come to an end. “Well,” I exaggerate a bow. “would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

She curtsies a little lower than was normal. “Why, certainly – what’s your name, kind sir?”

“Dongwoo,” I offer as she takes my hand. I feel a spark, and I’m certain that she did too, judging by the startled look in her eyes.  “and you are?”

She looks me in the eyes, and I see mischief dancing about, along with the depth and beauty of her brown pupils. “Well, you can just call me princess.” and I would’ve pushed her to tell me her real name if she hadn’t pulled me to the center of the ballroom, where other people – couples and acquaintances alike were dancing to the music.

You’re in my arms and all the world is calm

I pull her close, and she doesn’t mind. The music playing is a slow waltz.

The music playing on for only two

That moment was beautiful, and I feel my heart thumping erratically in my chest. Could she hear it? Was her heart pounding as mine was?

We move in perfect sync with each other. She just looks so beautiful. What was this feeling? It couldn’t be; we just met.

So close together, and when I’m with you, so close to feeling alive

I pull her even closer to me, but she pulls back slightly. “Dongwoo, I can’t.” she distances herself slightly, and I sigh.

“Why not?” I ask, and I spin her around. She seems to be putting words together in her mind, thinking over her words carefully before speaking.

“I’m engaged, Dongwoo.” she says in a small voice. “I’m getting married tomorrow.”

I could swear that my heart stopped. What?

“I’m so sorry.” she apologizes. “I couldn’t help but ask you to dance – I’ve seen you at other events. I wanted to get to know you. Something was pulling me to you.” as she speaks, I knew that I couldn’t blame this on her; not one bit. I felt the exact same way. It was out of pure luck that she was the one I bumped into earlier, out of all the people in the room. It was meant to happen.

I hold back a deep sigh. Why were we feeling this way? It’s barely been an hour since we met – what wrong have we done to have fate pull us close, but not together?

“You don’t want to be.” I mutter angrily.

“I don’t,” she agrees. “but I have to, Dongwoo.” she sighs. “The kingdom is getting poorer, and we are suffering. My parents have tried everything, but have come up with nothing.” the pain in her eyes in unmistakable. “Going through with this marriage will save everyone.”

The song ends, and I lead her outside, to the pavilion in the castle gardens. A pond surrounds the place, and she walks ahead and leans against the ivory railing, looking down at the water.

So close was waiting, waiting here with you

“I’d give anything to be a normal being. To choose what I’ll do in life, to do things my way, to make friends with anyone, to choose whom I marry...” she trails off and I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.

“Then let us have tonight.” I plead. “Forget everything – who we are, and all the rules. Tonight, there’s just us.”

And I see the need in her eyes, and I knew that she couldn’t say no.

And now, forever, I know all that I wanted to hold you so close

She pushes herself off the rail and comes into my arms as we embrace. I push all my thoughts about how we would regret this, but I just knew this was supposed to happen. I wasn’t going to fight it. My heart tells me not to.

We’re so close to reaching that famous happy end

“I’m never going to forget tonight.” she says quietly. “but I wish it didn’t have to be like this. It would’ve been better if we didn’t meet.” her eyes close, and I bring my hand up to her cheek.

It was difficult to think that I met her only half an hour earlier; it felt like eternity.

“One night is better than nothing. At least we know that, even for a moment, we belonged to each other.” I say, but I couldn’t help but wish the same. I adjust our positions to hold her as I did only minutes before.  

Almost believing this was not pretend

“Dongwoo,” she whispers longingly. “I’m going to miss you so much after tonight. It hasn’t been long since we met, but now, because of you, I believe in love at first sight.”

We’re silent for a few heartbeats, until I speak.

“Our time together will be brief. It’s going to hurt.” I say. “But I won’t regret it. This is as much as we’re going to get – it wouldn’t have been given to us if it wasn’t enough.” I know that she can’t find it in herself to reply.

“I first fell in love with your eyes,” she tells me. “and your smile. You have a lovely smile.” she looks so lost in thought. “Promise me that after tonight, you’ll keep smiling. Being so silent this way doesn’t seem like you – not that I know you well.”

I squeeze her waist slightly. “I promise. For you.”

I’ve lost count of how many songs have played since we arrived in the Pavilion, but I silently hoped that time would stop, so that we could remain in this moment forever. With her in my arms, I feel complete.

Let’s go on dreaming for we know we are

We sway slowly to the faint music from the ballroom. She rests her head on my chest, and I let out a sigh. “I can no longer stay.” she looks at me regretfully, pain evident as the moon reflects in her beautiful eyes. The hurt reflects in my own eyes as I close them. I lean in and press our foreheads together.

“I know it’s only been a night,” I murmur as I lace our fingers together. It feels so right; but we both knew that it was not to be. “but I love you.”

“Oh, Dongwoo,” her voice shakes, wrapping an arm around me - her other hand still holding one of mine - and pulling me close. “I love you, too.” she whispers. “but I have to go.”

So close,

Her grip loosens, and she backs up a little, looking into my eyes. The clock lets out a warning, and I glance briefly at the time. Quarter to midnight. We look down at our entwined fingers. A tear falls from her eyes, and she looks away. I long to wipe her tears away, but I hold back. For the both of us.

So close…

She lets go. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the warmth from her hand disappears.

“My heart belongs to you now. I’ll never feel this way for another man; not as long as we both live.” she tiptoes to plant a kiss on my lips. I wrap my arms around her to prolong it. I suddenly feel whole, as though everything was right with the world. I know it isn’t. Our lips part and I pull her in once more to give her a light kiss on the forehead.

She backs up again, and I know it’s for good. I swear I could almost hear her heart breaking – or was it my own?

“Goodbye, Dongwoo.”

And still…

She walks away.

So far

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed~