It had been a long night of tiptoeing around the room, stealing glances, not even daring to put his name on her dance card. Zi longed to feel his hand in hers, to feel his warmth against her, but she knew they were treading dangerous waters and she couldn't even let her gaze linger for too long, let alone get her hands on him. It was hard to enjoy herself fully, to pretend like everything was okay when her whole world was across the dance floor in the arms of another woman, but Ziya had to keep her head held high and muddle through. She'd excused herself for a moment to the ladies rooms, thinking about feigning a headache to go home early when she'd been suddenly pulled from the hall, into an alcove by a set of all-too-familiar arms.

Ziya could almost tell herself that the moments like this, lost in one another, could keep her satiated. Wishing they could abscond with duty and expectations and just live could only carry her so far. It was a hallowing experience though, to try and sustain her hope when they got so little time like this.

She took the time to just breathe him in, trying to memorize a new detail on his face and the smell of his cologne, anything to keep with her in his absence. The last thing she expected was for him to put to words her deepest desire, and the whispered request sent goosebumps erupting along her flushed skin. "Truly?" She leaned back to look at him better, eyes searching his desperately.