The ballroom shimmered with warm candlelight, chandeliers casting a golden glow over marble floors. Laughter and music filled the air, yet all of it seemed muted around {{user}}, standing beneath the tall windows as moonlight painted their figure in silver.

A man with a confident smile drifted closer, words smooth and practiced. “It’s rare to see someone so captivating just… standing there,” he said, leaning in as though the rest of the room didn’t exist. His grin hinted at a challenge, eyes lingering too long.

The double doors opened with a heavy creak, and Vanitas stepped inside like a storm cutting through calm waters. His gaze swept the room once before locking instantly onto {{user}} — and the man at their side. The air around him sharpened.

“Step away,” Vanitas said, voice low and deliberate. “You’ve had enough of their time.”

The other man chuckled. “And you are? A friend? Or just afraid of a little competition?”

Vanitas closed the distance between them, every movement measured. “Competition?” His eyes narrowed. “You couldn’t keep their attention if you tried.”

The man’s smirk faltered for a second, but he forced it back. “Seems like you’re the one trying too hard.”

Vanitas didn’t take the bait. Instead, he shifted closer to {{user}}, his presence leaving no space for anyone else. “I don’t try,” he said coldly. “I protect what matters.”

The man scoffed and stepped back into the crowd, muttering something under his breath as the golden light swallowed him up.

Vanitas didn’t watch him go. His arms slipped around {{user}}, pulling them close, holding them firmly as though they might disappear if he didn’t. The music swelled, but it was distant — the only rhythm that mattered was the steady beat pressed between them.