Waltzing in a Library
i believe in BBRae dancing supremacy. that is all.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Well… there she was.
Gar wasn’t sure whether to be amused or irritated. Here he had spent the last hour searching the dance floor for her, when she had been up here. all along. Of course she was. It didn’t matter if they were at a prestigious ball thrown in their honor. She couldn’t resist if her life depended on it. It was so obvious. They were in a victorian castle after all. Of course Raven was in the library.
Classical music wafted softly up from the ballroom below. Everyone was having a wonderful time. He knew he shouldn’t stray too long but he couldn’t help watching her from the vast doorway.
Raven leaned against one of the many sky scraping bookcases. Enthralled in a large brown book, she didn’t even notice him enter the spacious library. Gar took the chance to gaze upon her small form. Her hair was pulled back into an intricate bun (a style starfire had found on pinterest no doubt), two strands hanging free to frame her petite face. There were those long (now curled) lashes that transfixed him regularly. It was then that he noticed the dress. It was a strapless,floor-length velvet gown, trimmed with black lace encircling her bare shoulder blades. Surprisingly, Raven had strayed from her traditional black, going for an uncanny maroon. Though vibrant, the color complemented her chakra excellently. She looked like a dream.
When he’d seen her in it earlier that night, he was sure she could hear his heart beating as if it were pulsing in the front pocket of his tux. Unable to take his eyes off her, he had felt his throat tighten. She was just so…
Even now he was doomed.
Gar exhaled in awe. It was now he who couldn’t help himself.
“wow…” he whispered so incredibly gently.
Not gently enough.
Suddenly Raven jerked, dropping her book to the floor with a thud. She squeaked in surprise.
Immediately, Gar’s eyes fell to the ground, his ears growing hot.
Nice, now she thinks you’re a creep. The hell is wrong with you!
“Gar?” Raven questioned.
Flustered by her use of his real name, He smiled nervously.
“Heyyy… sorry I just. um—we’re—Dick…I was just wondering where you went off too.”
He silently cursed himself for stuttering over his words.
“Oh… well don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared the wits out of me.”
Gar slowly lifted his eyes to meet hers. She didn’t look angry or even irritated.
A silent electric moment passed as they held each other’s gaze with equal intensity. Something ebbed just beneath the surface, that the pair had yet to address. Raven was the first to break the trance, as she noticed her fallen book.
“Ugh I’m such a klutz.”
She began to bend down to grab the work. Promptly remembering he had feet, Gar started towards it as well.
“Let me get it.”
“that’s ridiculous, i’m right here-“
“you’re in a dress-“
“Garfield.I’m perfectly capable… of…”
In their scramble for the book, they unintentionally bumped hands leading too more awkward eye contact. it was over almost as soon as it had happened, both blushing uncontrollably.
Doomed. Doomed. Doomed.
Raven inhaled. “I got it.” She pulled the book to her chest as she stood up straight.
Gar stood to his feet.
“So… here you are… reading the party away.” He chuckled.
Guiltily, she bit back a tiny smile. “They have a really nice collection.”
“Oh I’m sure… If I had to place a bet, I’d say you haven’t even had one dance yet.” He raised an eyebrow.
Raven turned to set her book on a wooden desk a few steps away. “You’d get your money’s worth, I’m afraid. There’s far more interesting things to do in here.”
Gar smiled. He loved when she openly conversed with him. He didn’t want it to end.
“Whatcha reading?”
“Oh it’s nothing. Just some romance novel.”
He waggled an eyebrow. “Oh a romance novel, huh?”
She pushed him playfully. “Oh shut up, I was just reading a bit of everything in here is all.”
“I don’t know Rae, you looked pretty into it when I came in.” He spoke slyly.
Raven raised her eyebrows. “Oh you mean when you were stalking me?”
Gar struck a hand to his heart, acting wounded. “Who me? I would never.” He gasped.
“Mhm. I’m sure.” She deadpanned, but her eyes were sparkling.
In the quiet moment that followed, Raven tuned in on the soft classic violin flowing from the party downstairs .
“I love this song…” She breathed.
Gar’s eyes widened. He thought for a moment before taking her hand in his.
“What are you-“
“Dance with me.”
Raven blinked. “What?”
“Dance with me.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous… I can’t—“
“I’ll teach you.” He pulled her in by her waist. They were so close.
“C’mon, you said you love this song. Just one dance. It’ll be fun.” He said, breath tickling her neck.
Raven looked up into his emerald eyes. “Okay… just one song, though…”
And just like that, one dance became two , and then five, and then seven, before she completely lost track. It felt like hours passed as they glided around the library. Raven found herself amazed at Gar’s technique. Eventually though, dancing morphed to swaying. Now both of Gar’s arms found her waist and Raven’s head, his chest. That something that had ebbed just below the surface not so long ago was now bobbing to the top. Neither felt they could deny it anymore.
So when hushed words turned to heavy lidded gazing, neither was strong enough to pull away.
And when his lips grazed against hers, and she still did not pull away, Gar knew.
He was doomed.
And then they were both doomed.
