Blake also took time to work on what was needed for his art center idea to come to fruition. All the extra paperwork was expected but he filled it out gladly. Though he much more enjoyed the hands-on aspects which he voluntarily decided to participate in.

A suitable building needed to be acquired and staff assigned. While some of it needed to be delegated to more qualified palace staff, he still made a point to supervise the in-person visits when his schedule allowed.

That is how he finally was able to meet with the dancer, Dew, again. Finally, he thought, he could put his lessons to use.

"Hello." He motioned.

Dew gave a shy smile, bright as his flaxen hair. Blake caught the general meaning of most of his gestured reply... Something about how Dew had heard he had been learning. What seemed to be a compliment about how he took such effort to better interact with his subjects.

Blake hadn't realized how happy being able to understand Dew would make him. He didn't have the knowledge to express what he wanted to say in the gestures. "I just wanted the ability to converse without making you feel unheard."

Dew starts to give a deep bow but the prince reached out a hand to stop him. "I've wanted to talk with you since I first saw you dancing. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a light meal and conversation?"

The simple reply was a slow "yes" gesture.

Blake hadn't ever felt so light as they eventually sat down and 'spoke' over food and drink. The conversation went on for over an hour but it still felt too short. At the end, he extended an invitation for Dew to join him once again soon.

For an entire month, the two met at least once every other day.

They talked about all sort of things, from policies to more personal topics. The prince felt a sense of pride that the active use of what he'd learned was improving his skills. One time, after discovering the Dew also knew how to write (a skill the prince regretted only 2/3rds of his subject had), he even asked the dancer if it was okay to ask for help with words he didn't know... Both ones he wanted to use and ones Dew used that he didn't know the meaning of.

He was embarrassed to admit that he'd been staring that first day so he spread out asking about gestures he'd only seen on his birthday. There were so many others he asked about that surely they would be lost in the volume and Dew wouldn't think twice about him asking... 

That mostly worked until he asked about a particular gesture he remembered from during the dinner. Dew turned red faced (a shade Blake didn't particularly dislike on him) and wide eyed. He seemed hesitant to give the prince the meaning but eventually relented. He embarrassedly scribbled on a scrap of paper which he handed over, folded, before turning away as if unable to look at the prince while he read the answer.

That gesture is a crude way to ask someone if they find another attractive. Oh... no wonder Dew had been shy to answer. Wait, Blake remembered Dew's complex yet rapid response to that gesture had included a motion of affirmation. So that meant he had someone he was attracted to? Who could it be?

Blake wanted to ask but that would mean admitting where he'd seen that gesture in addition to knowing how Dew had answered it.

And Dew was making gestures again while avoiding looking him in the eye. "Please forgive my troupe for having such a disrespectful conversation, especially at your own table."

Well, that means he'd figured out when Blake had seen it... No point hiding that anymore. He verbally spoke both because he didn't know if he had the gestures to say things clearly and he wasn't sure if Dew would catch everything while looking away. "If there is someone you like, perhaps I could lend a hand... I would like to think we have grown close during this time so it is the least I could do for my friend." 

That caused Dew to look directly at him in shock. No gestures were needed for Blake to see the swirl of questions in his eyes. His expression was draped in bewilderment. 

"I will not if that is what you want, but I would enjoy knowing who could ever catch the eye of such a radiant creature as yourself."

This time, he got a response. "You don't already know?"

"No. I happened to miss the identifying gestures that accompanied the motions."

Blake couldn't tell if the dancer looked disappointed or relieved. It was like an odd mix of both. "Doesn't matter. They surely couldn't feel the same about someone like me." 

Not able to stand Dew speaking about himself so badly, Blake gently takes those slender hands before they can convey more self deprecation. "Nonsense. Anyone would feel honored to have your attention... I know I quite enjoy your company. I mean, I practically started learning another language just to have it."

This caused Dew to blush deeply again. He seemed to subconsciously lean into the touch, unable to say anything. It takes Blake a few moments to realize why he didn't give any response. "Oh... Sorry..." He slips his hands off the other man's own slowly as if not wanting to lose the contact.

"The person being asked about isn't someone which such uncivilized gestures should be used for... I apologize for my peer's disrespect." Dew made a motion Blake could tell was respectful but he didn't know the exact meaning of.

The prince couldn't be certain but he got the feeling the apology had less to do with the conversation happening in his presence and more to do with who the subject of the conversation was. If the apology was directed at him, that meant it was likely someone close to him whom he would feel insulted being talked about in that manner. But there weren't many in his life Dew had reason to believe he would feel that way about. Unless... Oh. That thought shot straight through him and reddened his face.

"Would..." Blake clears his throat of the non-existent blockage. "Would you perhaps continue joining me for longer today?" The nerves were still in his voice. 

The dancer agreed and Blake smiled warmly. He wasn't quite ready yet to confess but at least he felt hope that Dew's feelings might be similar to his own.

Before he realized, the day came when the official opening of the performing center took place. To celebrate, Dew's troupe was scheduled to entertain the public in a massive show. The prince obviously also attended as the main supporter of the building.

He knew he was most excited to watch Dew's dancing again. And honestly, it was as majestic as he remembered. Perhaps because of the size of the audience, multiple performers were entertaining at the same time which resulted in individual performers' acts being longer with less breaks between to avoid there not being anyone to watch.

Perhaps it was because he had come to be closer to the dancer but Blake started to notice how Dew's smile became more and more strained. It worried him.

He made his way closer to where the resting troupe members prepared to perform again. The instant he was done with the current dance, Dew found somewhere to sit down and his peers made room immediately so he didn't have to stay standing a second more than necessary.

Blake approached carefully. "Are you okay?" He gestured to the dancer.

"Just a bit tired." Dew tried to brush off. 

One of the fire breathers that had missed the interaction came up to them with parental disappointment. "You know you shouldn't be pushing yourself so much, Dew." She verbally berated. "Think about how useless you're going to be when you can't walk at all tomorrow." Blake only then realized he rarely saw Dew standing for long at a time, tending to sit every chance he got.

He looked ashamed to have Blake witnessing the reprimand and be caught in his lie. "It's fine... Really..."

The fire breather turned to Blake. "Maybe you can convince him, your highness... It took us a whole month before he admitted to us the level of pain he suffers through for his craft because he loves to dance so much. But if he pushes himself too far, one of these days he may be unable to dance ever again."

Blake sat down carefully in front of Dew, looking up at his eyes. "Are you in pain?" He gestured gently. Dew tried to deny it but the prince could tell. "Where?"

Dew looked like he was about to cry as he embarrassingly pointed to his feet. Blake quickly did something that shocked everyone who witnessed it. He knelt on the ground and carefully pulled Dew's shoes off before he gently started massaging them. Hands preoccupied, he spoke softly. "Seeing you in pain hurts but knowing you'd hide it from me feels even worse... Imagine how you would feel if the roles were reversed, Dear."

Most of the troupe present pretended not to see anything as Dew sputtered and flushed crimson.

He seemed confused about what was happening. Blake looked up at him with a look of adoration and let out a chuckle at the expression the dancer was making. "Would you like me to explain in a way you might understand better?" He stops rubbing Dew's feet to use his hands to talk. Blake motions to himself, the gesture he'd asked about the other day and then towards Dew. "That make things clearer?"

"Yes.... No..." Dew seems to give up and just covers his face with both hands.

"I'm sorry I'm springing this on you suddenly... I would rather have confessed in a more romantic setting, but I don't think any moment will feel good enough compared to how I feel about you."

Dew reached out a hesitant hand as if he expected Blake to pull away or dissolve like foam, revealing it all to be an illusion. When his hand touched a real person, it jerked slightly as if in surprise before caressing Blake's cheek softly. He only pulls it away after a moment to give a response. "Plenty romantic enough." And a gesture Blake reasoned was intended to be a sort of name or title for the love struck prince.

"Then you will allow yourself to rest for the remainder of the show...?" One look and it was clear Dew couldn't argue. He nods.

Blake grinned wide and suddenly stood up, scooping Dew into his arms as he did. "Good. Then that means you can join me in my special seating area." He turned to one of the other nearby troupe members with an almost wicked smirk as he made to leave. "I'm taking your main dancer for the time being. I'll try to return him before your next show."