Prom: Lil and Peter Lakatos

[x-diamondlil.livejournal.com]

Leaving her date to his own devices, Lil wanders to the punch bowl and finds the visiting Hungarian once again.


Shaking her head, Lil slipped across the dance floor away from her handsome date and his adorable tempter. They made a cute pair, certainly, but the blonde giantess wasn't quite in the mood to sit by and watch whatever antics they would surely become involved in. Not after the last week or so she'd had and definitely not without large quantities of alcohol, at least. However, when she reached the punch bowl, she found it sadly un-spiked.

"Goodie-good kids." Lil gave an amused snort as she ladled herself a drink then turned to watch the pairs of students and non-students alike enjoying themselves. Colorful bursts where everywhere - gowns, flowers, balloons - and Lil found herself wishing momentarily she'd picked something brighter than the black-and-green tube dress she'd selected.

Lifting the cup to her lips, her eyes landed on an unfamiliar silhouette in the doorway, posed just as she was watching the dance floor. Thoughts of danger and protection died as quickly as they were formed however when he stepped forward out of the shadow. "Peter," she greeted the Hungarian with a genuinely delighted smile. "I really wasn't expecting you to come."

The burly Hungarian gave a slight shrug and a smile back, eyes moving appreciatively over Lil (and Lil's dress) before refocusing on her face. "Sitting in the charmingly appointed guest suite stewing about what's going on back in Budapest didn't seem like a good option. This seemed better."

She nodded her agreement, sending the loose curls bouncing over her shoulders and down her back. "I'm glad. Something to drink? I'm afraid the pickings are slim but tasty," Lil laughed, gesturing to the punch bowl.

Lakatos poured himself a glass, his eyes flickering back to Lil and a smile tugging at his lips again. "That is a very impressive dress. I'm surprised you don't have teenaged boys over here drooling."

Lil's nose wrinkled as she laughed and her smile beamed again. "Thanks, I think. Don't know if I wanna be called out for corrupting the anklebiters but floor length gowns are hard to find when you're my height. Plus, not my prom." A little sip of her drink and the giantess' eyes returned the favor of giving him a once over. "Shame no one told you to bring a tux."

"I actually do own one," Lakatos said, his eyes dancing. "The Prime Minister is constantly at official functions, so his head of security has to dress appropriately."

"But you didn't bring it with you, did you?" Lil asked, her brow quirked in amusement. Peter in a tuxedo would be a pleasant sight indeed.

"No. Wrong type of work trip, sadly." Lakatos sipped at his punch, watching the youngsters dance. "They seem very happy," he volunteered.

She managed to pull her eyes from the handsome Hungarian long enough to study the students again. "Yeah, they do. Good way to end the school year; fun and friends - and knock on wood, no major drama or explosions," Lil added, beating her fist softly against the table in a quick tattoo before finishing off her drink and tossing away the cup. "Music isn't bad, either even if it isn't really my taste."

"I'm all for fewer explosions." He looked back at her, his dark eyes thoughtful and a little curious. "Will you miss it here, when your training is done and you go home? It's always seemed to me like a unique place."

One bare shoulder rose and fell casually. "Don't know, really. Only been here a coupla months. I'll miss some of the people, certainly, but if I ever get lonely for the kiddies, I can always go sit in on some Gamma or Beta training." Not that Lil ever saw that in her future but the option was there. "Plus, I can visit. Plane ride's pretty short... though, you tell anyone I said that and I'll hunt you down and make you pay. I've got a reputation to uphold here," the blonde added, her eyes sparking again as she poked him in the chest playfully.

"They'll never get a word out of me," Lakatos promised, his lips twitching. "There's a soft heart beneath the tough exterior, then, is there?"

"Depends on who you ask," she chuckled in return. "Tough exterior's only thing a lotta people see most times. And I'm gonna be leaving soon, so why let to many people in? Not invulnerable to pain, after all." Or heartbreak. It was much easier to build the walls higher and higher than to risk that again.

Lakatos shrugged a little. "Distance can be... less important than you think," he said. "To friendships, at least..."

"No, but it does tend to put strain on things." To the point where husbands couldn't find a minute to ask after their wives' well being. Lil's jaw clenched tightly for a moment before she gave a little toss of her head. "Sorry. I haven't seen my father in months and no matter how much I can talk to him on the phone or through the computer, it's not the same."

Peter's gaze had softened. "I'm sorry," he said. "Didn't mean to hit a sore spot. There were years when I wasn't able to see my sister regularly - when I was in the military, and then later, when I started working in counterterrorism. I've been spoiled this last year or so, living in Budapest where I can see her whenever I want."

"Don't worry about it. It's a choice I made," she assured him, smiling again. "You have no reason to apologize." She was about to add more when the music changed from the faster, younger music to a softer, slower tune, causing the students - and other assorted guests - to pair off. Green eyes quickly skirted to where Johnny and Doreen danced and the giantess' face filled with delight. "Looks like the lessons paid off."

Lakatos was smiling at the young couples, as well, but his eyes strayed sideways to Lil after a moment. Finally, he cleared his throat, holding out a hand. "I may remember how to do this myself," he said.

The blonde woman bit her lower lip for a moment before giving him a coy nod of her head. "You're lucky that my date's otherwise occupied. And that the one who taught the kid how to dance taught me, too," Lil said as she laid her palm against his.