The night was flawless, sparkling ─ the sky an inky wilderness of stars and the glass ceiling shimmering like the subject of a dream. Chatter and the din of debauchery wafted through the air, accented by the clinking of crystalline flutes of champagne in the wake of a dozen toasts. The night was flawless, if you could ignore the expression on Jason Todd's face.

He watched, fingers tugging restlessly at the tie that lay rumpled against his chest, as his friend danced with a man that he had never had the displeasure of knowing. You looked enchanting under the dim yellow candlelight that illuminated the vast room, while the boy with his hands around your waist looked like he could have used a haircut and a nicer tuxedo.

His gaze followed your trail, his grip tightening absentmindedly on the black fabric. Your dress reached your heels. Your smile reached your eyes. Your hands reached for his, and he turned away. He looked down, swallowing drily as he let go of his tie ─ he didn't know why he was acting like this. You'd danced your first tonight with him, bidding a quick apology as this perverse-eyed man asked you for your second. It was only fair. He couldn't have expected you to spend the entirety of the fundraiser by his side. You were only friends.

His mind ran rampant, trying to sort his thoughts from truth and denial from fact. He had never been very good with either. He concluded that the fact was you were his friend and nothing more. He liked you as a friend, and nothing more. He'd never been very good with facts.

The dance must have come to an end because you were tapping his shoulder again. He looked back, trying to keep his lips from curling in distaste as his eyes fell on your companion. His eyes flickered between the two of you, gaze hardening. "Well, you'll have to introduce me."