A Love Story for Steemit

Disney relationships do come true. 

But, honestly, I never thought I'd find prince charming. 

As a five-year-old girl, who grew up a mile from Disneyland, I believed in princesses, and dragons, and the power of love conquering evil; I believed that there were Prince Charmings out there and that my "Happily Ever After" could come true.

As a teenager, I wanted more than Prince Charming. I wanted the Beast; a bad-boy that would transform into a Prince Charming after meeting the woman who melted his heart (me!).

I wanted this, because it was special. It would make me feel unique, better than all the others. I had a kind of... Fairest-of-them-all Complex. 

But I was naive. 

The real world gives you more heartbreak than dreams-come-true. I had to accept that men aren't always charming, or courageous, or interesting.  I had to accept that I'd need to depend on myself, rather than waiting for someone to depend on.

By the time I was twenty-three, I had more realistic expectations, and I wasn't looking for a serious relationship or a fairy tale ending. 

At this point in my life, I was modeling for a graphic novel called "Time of the Faeries." 

The photographer invited me to a Masquerade ball called: The Labyrinth of Jareth.

The costume ball is (obviously) inspired by the film "The Labyrinth." Costumes are mandatory, and you can dance the night away with devilish creatures, after drinking tea and eating cakes with Goblins.

I am obsessed with both this film and costumes, so when my photographer asked that I appear at the ball in character - I accepted. That's where he introduced me to @decimus. 

He had on a silly gold mask, but the rest of his outfit was... normal. I asked him what fantasy race he was portraying, and he said "Human."

I  laughed. "You're at a fantasy ball. You could be anything you want. Why are you dressed as a human?"

"Because," Decimus smiled. "In every Fantasy story, we're always the deciding factor. For better or worse, everything revolves around us."

I thought this was funny. He convinced me that, despite his costume, he was more unique than anyone else in the room. He went on to explain his frustration with gods and elves by explaining, "immortal creatures are the worst, everything for them must be dull and meaningless. How could they value a moment spent with another person if they live out side of time? When time's a factor, every moment is important; life's shortness, makes it romantic."

I was intrigued. I'd met a lot of nerds, who had opinions on just about everything fantasy and sci-fi, but this was a pretty unique point of view and, from my perspective, a conversation worth continuing.

We walked outside to the courtyard where men were cooking pizza inside the belly of a mechanical dragon. Pixies and imps were singing softly and blew on sweet-sounding flutes, as blue devils danced hypnotically to the rhythm.

Decimus sat me down next to a wall of glittering lights and we talked. He was smart, and fascinated me with all his stories. After a short while, he asked me to dance.

David Bowie's song As The World Falls Down was playing in one of the magnificent ballrooms. Decimus led me past the throng of dancing bodies and pulled me toward an empty stage.

"They're not using it," he said. "We probably should." 

And he stepped onto the stage; pulled me up with him.

We were suddenly the center of attention, all eyes were on us - I think. At least, that's how it felt. I was envied by princesses and noble elven ladies alike. 

"Want to do something amazing?"

"Yes," I said. 

He lifted me off the ground, pinned me against a pillar, and kissed me.

I melted.

It was hot and full of passion, thrillingly embarrassing, and absolutely the best kiss I had ever been part of.

Midnight struck, and I went home with him. The sex was fantastic. He treated me like a Goddess; I never experienced anything like it. 

But the next morning, while he took his shower, I left.

No goodbye.

No note or number to call.

Just a night of memories left between us. 

I didn't want to ruin the fantasy. If he wanted to see me again, then he'd have to find me at the ball later that evening. And if he didn't, then I was walking away with an amazing experience. 

The second night I arrived at the ball, I came with a group of friends. We dressed up as pirate versions of DC characters.

I went as Poison Ivy.

As I stood in line to get in, before I could even reach the doors, Decimus burst out of the entrance, ran down the stairs and landed directly in front of me.

My heart was hammering. He recognized me even in the red wig and mask. We stared at each other for a long moment. He only said three words: "You left me." 

I smiled, embarrassed.

"I wasn't ready to say goodbye," I said.

Then he grabbed me by my waist and crushed me with another kiss. He wouldn't let me out of his sight after that, and it felt wonderful. 

Decimus is not without his flaws, but he's my Prince Charming; always working to better the relationship. He's kept every promise he's ever made to me. He creates adventures for us to enjoy, and we've traveled the world together. 

He recognizes my flaws, and challenges me to overcome them. He sees my idiosyncrasies as quirks and loves me more for them. When the going gets tough, he says, "we are a team" and I love him for that.

He continues to be a man that I can respect and count on. His creativity and his way with words excite me. His nerdiness makes me smile, and the way he paints his Pathfinder models blow me away.

We return to the Labyrinth every year to celebrate our Love for each other, and I often look back on the first night we met. 

I realize now that we shared a very Disney moment together: Like Cinderella, I went to a ball where my entire courting period consisted of a single dance sequence and one magical kiss. I tried to run from him and was pursued down a flight of stairs and eventually I ended up with the man of my fairy-tale dreams. 

I'm living a 'Happily Ever After' with someone who wakes me up with kisses every morning and tells me how much he's in love with me. I'm a very lucky woman to have such a romantic man in my life who values and respects me, and is willing to make our relationship the best it could possibly be.