ON THE DANCE FLOOR || JERA
WHO: Vera Weston and James Hummel.
WHERE: A bar in Tybee.
WHEN: Saturday, July 26th, 2018. Evening.
WHAT: James and Vera bump into each other while out a bar and decide to dance.Ā
NOTES: Nothing this is pretty much just cute fluff.Ā
Vera was enjoying a rare night off, a few friends had mentioned going to a bar and she decided to tag along. Though, she knew she probably wouldn't spend much time with them as she preferred to be more social, she figured it would be a good excuse to get out of the house a bit. She'd dressed up, and was just finishing off her second drink, having a nice chat with an old friend she'd bumped into when she said her goodbyes to head to the bar for a refill. Vera smiled as she noticed another familiar face seated there, sliding in next to him she nudged him gently with her shoulder, "Of all the gin joints and all that, huh?" She smiled, as she met James' eyes, before motioning to the bartender to refill her drink.
James needed a night off. The past few weeks had been filled with meeting deadlines, which probably shouldn't have been such a surprise as it had been. It had been a good two hours since he had sent in his final version and what use had waiting around at home for a reply? A couple of years ago he probably would have never even thought of going to a bar on his own, but time had learned him that sometimes watching people was just the perfect way to relax. Plus, you never know who you run into. James had just ordered another beer when he was surprised by Vera suddenly standing next to him, laughing as she spoke. "We'll always have the bars of Tybee. It's no Paris, but on a day like this it'll do." He looked at the bartender, letting him know that he could add both drinks to his bill. "Here on your own?"
Vera grinned at his response, leaning against him slightly before standing up straight. Truthfully, Vera was a pretty touchy person in general, she always found herself touching the person she was talking to in some way, and that just intensified when she was drunk, so it wasn't much of a surprise that her hand rested on James' arm after just a few seconds. "Well, technically no, I have a few friends around here somewhere, but I'm kind of wanderer when it comes to going out, I always end up off on my own doing my own thing." She shrugged, thanking the bartender as he delivered their drinks. Vera picked hers up and took a long sip from it, as she sat herself on the bar stool next to him, her body facing his, she crossed her legs and let her foot rest against his leg, keeping the contact from earlier going. "What about you? Is this a social gathering or are you by yourself?"
James glanced down at his arm where Vera's hand was resting. Sure, when you calculate in time it hadn't even been that long since they met. But he knew her well enough to be used to that by now. "Good, then I won't feel guilty about stealing you for a few minutes." He spoke as he took his freshly tapped beer from the counter and nodded towards the bartender as a silent thank you, resting his other arm on the surface. "Nope, just me. I had to lock myself in for a few days because of some deadlines, so I felt like this was fitting." He looked down for a second, always a little surprised with how different she looked out of her gym clothes. "You look good, by the way. If this wasn't my go to place I'd be worried I was underdressed. "
Vera grinned at his comment, shaking her head, "Even if I was here with people, you'd have nothing to feel guilty about. I happen to like being stolen by you from time to time." She smirked, before taking another sip of her drink. She nodded along to his answer, a small smiling forming when he finished, "Well, I hope that you're not stressing yourself out too much, but I was wondering why I hadn't seen you at the gym the past couple of days. I thought I was just missing you." She admitted, though she wasn't one to play aloof, or pretend to not care, truthfully she had noticed him not being around and wondered where he was. Vera looked down at herself when he mentioned her looking nice, a small blush rising on her cheeks, "Thank you. I just like to use any chance I get to break out clothes that aren't made of lycra and spandex." She grinned, tilting her head to the side as she let her eyes wander to his body, "You look good, too. But I'm not sure there's much that could make you look bad."
James raised his eyebrows in fake surprise. But the smile he gave her was more than real. "When it comes to compliments, I'm fairly sure that's a good one to get. But you're great company, so it might happen from time to time." The thing with Vera was that she was without a doubt one of those women that is just naturally beautiful, but her personality made her ten times more attractive. James put down his his glass, resting the hand that was now free on his leg. "I'm not, I promise. Deadlines will just always be a thing. But I'll probably be back tomorrow so you don't have to miss me anymore." He could see the blush on Vera's face, but it might as well have been the alcohol. "To be fair, you get away with your gym clothes. But I think I get where you're coming from." Now it was his time to grin at her comment, looking down for a moment as if to check what he had decided to wear again that evening. "You clearly haven't seen me in a suit yet. I swear even a circus monkey would have pity on me for having to wear one."
Vera laughed at his compliment, nodding her head, āAre you trying to butter me up?ā Vera nodded at his words, āI hope thatās true, because you are totally one of my favorite clients, just donāt tell the others.ā She grinned. Maybe it was inappropriate to be a gym owner and flirt with, and sleep with, someone who frequented her gym, but she liked James, he was someone she was happy to be around, and he made her feel good, with the way he spoke to her, and physically. She was pulled from her thoughts when he spoke again, āIf weāre being honest, I look good in everything. And also in nothing.ā She winked, taking another sip of her drink, it had definitely started to take affect, making her even more forward than usual, but she hoped James wouldnāt mind. She let her eyes wander down again, āNo, Iāll have to see it to believe it because Iām picturing you in a suit and what Iām picturing looks great.ā She grinned, looking across the bar, āDo you want to dance or something?ā She smirked, āBecause physical activity is one of the best ways to unwind after stress.ā She said, her smirk growing a bit wider.
James put his hand on his heart, playing hurt. "Me? I would never." What followed was just an honest, audible laugh. Not even because of the compliments going around, but just their general vibe. As much as she was joking about the physical base of their friendship, she was just a good person to be around. And maybe, subconsciously, the alcohol had something to do with it. "I mean, I can confirm both of those statements. You could probably wear a garbage bag and still look good." He was smirking as well by now, taking another sip of his beer. "I'm afraid I left my monkey suit at home, but I'm sure you'll get your chance to laugh some time." Vera's words had just left her mouth or James was already standing up, his hand inviting her to do the same. James wasn't a dancer, he swayed a little at the most. But there was one thing he did know: if somebody asks you to dance, you should never say no.
Vera grinned as she saw him stand, taking it as she downed the rest of her drink. Vera loved dancing, when she was adopted her parents insisted on embracing her Mexican culture and put her in Spanish lessons, Spanish cooking classes, dance classes, anything that would teach her about her heritage. But dancing was definitely the one she liked the most. Vera lead James to the dance floor, her hips already starting to sway to the music as they approached it. She found an open spot, and easily slid herself against him, her back pressed against his chest, as she began to move with the music. She was still holding his hand, and reached for his other, wrapping them around her. Vera leaned her head back to look up at him, āwhatās your favorite kind of music?ā She asked over the sound from the speakers.
James should not have been as surprised by Vera's moves as he probably was. But before he knew it she was pressed against him, his arms around her. He would never come out for it, but he didn't mind her taking the lead a little. Even if it was was just to mask his own dance moves. As long as he could follow her, he was fine. "You know, I'm not against any kind of music." he said as he brought his lips next to her ears to not have to talk over the music and the people around them too loudly. "But I'm more of a rock guy myself. Maybe a little punk here and there." He could smell her perfume as she moved her hair. "How about yourself? I feel like the music at the gym might be a bit misleading. What's your go-to song?"
Vera smiled as he pressed his face up against her so he could speak into her ear, causing her to push herself into him just a tad closer. She shrugged at his question, letting out a small laugh, "I should have expected that you'd ask me back, but I don't have a very good answer. I like a little bit of everything. It depends on my mood, and the day, and what I'm doing. If I'm cleaning, I want something that I can dance to while I'm cleaning, and if I'm in a bad mood, I want something a little bit angrier that I can run to, and if I'm on a long car ride I want something that I can sing along to obnoxiously. And I like pop, and country, and rock, and old school 90's Alt. I guess if I had to pick one song right now as my go-to song at this very moment, it would be Girl in a Country Song, because it's funny but it's still good to sing and dance to." She shrugged a shoulder, "But I've also been in a really big Third Eye Blind mood lately. What about you?" She asked, turning around so she was facing him now, her arms wrapping around the back of his neck, her hips still swaying to the music, "What's your go-to song?"
James hummed softly, probably not even hearable in their position, as he listened to Vera. He could pretend that he knew what songs she was talking about, but the truth was he didn't in the slightest. His choice for a playlist for every situation over the radio was probably to blame. "I have to admit I haven't heard those yet, but I will do my best to keep a mental note to do so." He laughed. Mental notes were probably not invented for evenings where alcohol was involved. "Also, I'm totally imagining those long car rides of yours now." He bought himself some to come up with his go-to song as she turned around, his hands instinctively finding herself on her lower back. His hips in rhythm with hers to the best of his abilities. "Anything by the mountain goats, really. I'm not really a folk fan but they always find their way to my playlist." He shrugged, giving her a smile. "You know, you're probably the first person to get me dancing in the past two years maybe? I forgot dance floors were a things."
Vera laughed when he spoke, shrugging a shoulder, "That's okay, it would be crazy to think you'd heard every song in the world. I could make you a playlist if you wanted. I love making people playlists." She smiled, and then laughed again, "Well if you ever find yourself with some time off, and you want to go for a long car ride, I'm your girl." She bit her lip when he started talking about his own taste in music and grinned, "I'm not sure I've ever even heard of the mountain goats, but I'll totally listen to them now if they're good enough to always end up on your playlists." Her movements slowed for a few seconds when he mentioned not dancing, before her arms pulled him in closer, "See, and I was going to suggest that we stop dancing and get out of here, but now that I know it might be another two years before you do this again, maybe we should stay longer." Though she'd be happy to keep dancing, to leave with him, to leave without him even, she was having fun, and she didn't really want her time with him to be over just yet.
James gave an instant smile as she told him she would make him a playlist. "Honestly, I love them. I have a playlist for pretty much any mood. So there's a 100 percent chance of me listening to it if you give me one. And 200 percent if it was made for me." He looked at her for a few seconds, shamelessly and a little distracted. Their height difference was definitely less prominent now that she was wearing heels. Not that he minded, ever. It was just an observation. "Is this the moment where I regret opening my mouth for the rest of the evening? Because you know, I will never be stupid enough to say no to dancing with a pretty lady like you." Yet he didn't let go yet. It might have been years since had last done this, but he was actually enjoying himself. It was like they were playing a game that neither of them could lose.
Vera laughed at his words, nodding her head, āOkay, then you can expect an extra special playlist just for you soon.ā She noticed him staring at her, but she certainly didnāt mind as a small blush crept up on her cheeks. She laughed again, resting her forehead against his chest for a few seconds, before looking back up at him, shaking her head in response, āNo, you shouldnāt regret anything when it comes to me, Iām very flexible. If you want to keep dancing, we can keep dancing, and if you want to take the party somewhere else, we can do that, too.ā
James actually laughed as she did, the little huff probably able to be felt on his chest. "See, you probably came here to dance whether you were running into me or not. So the least I could do is give you that." Their hips still kept to the same rhythm of the music, all thought about it thrown overboard and going on automatic pilot instead. His mind was way to preoccupied by her little smiles and her pulling him closer every now and then for that. "So I'll do my best to be a gentleman." For a second he smiled, his words sounding just as lame in his head as they probably had sounded coming out of his mouth. "But one doesn't have to exclude the other. It's not that late yet."
Vera could feel her smile grow as he mentioned being a gentleman, something she always felt he was even when he had her in the most compromising positions. Her smile turned into half a grin, and half an excited gasp, āWhy James, are you trying to spoil me tonight?ā She grinned, pushing herself up on her tip toes to place a kiss on his cheek. āBut I just came to feel like itās been appreciated how good I look in this dress, and from the looks youāve been giving me, Iād say mission accomplished.ā She grinned, her hands resting against the muscles of his chest now, āBut I like dancing. So as long as weāre not leaving, you should tell me something else about you that I donāt know.ā
James raised his eyebrows as he listened to her in a joking manner. "I'd like to think that I do so every time. But yeah... I guess you could call it that." His hands fell to her hips as she stood on her toes, the reason bringing a smile to his face. Maybe they were bad at this whole friendly conversation thing, but it sure made it more fun. "And here I thought I was being subtle. In my defense though, I'm definitely not the only one and this dress..." James paused for a second, finding her eyes with his own, "sure makes you look good. Though you don't really need that dress for that." Two could play this game. A humming sound escaped him again as he thought of a good answer for her question. "I used to have an unhealthy obsession with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when it first came out. I think I had a few months where I just refused to get out of my costume. I even have a picture with Santa to prove it." He laughed, unsure why that was the first piece of information to come to mind. "How about yourself. Any important facts that I should know?"
Vera grinned at his words, nodding her head, āYou definitely spoil me every time. I have zero complaints.ā She felt a gentle chill go up her spine as his hands found her hips. She blushed as he complimented her, Vera had always been rather confident but for some reason when other people complimented her she had a hard time knowing how to react. āThank you,ā She said softly, her eyes moving away from his as she looked down, forcing her blush to go away before looking back up at him when he mentioned not needing the dress to look good, āWell, youāll have to take it off later to confirm.ā She smirked. It struck her as odd that sheād never considered a younger version of James. She found herself thinking about his childhood for the first time and let out a small laugh trying to picture what he must have looked like at that age. āBut which ninja turtle were you?ā She asked, before thinking for a few seconds, trying to find a fun fact to give him in return. āUh, well I lived in Chicago for three years when I was little,ā she offered, though she wasnāt really sure why that was the fact she chose to share, as those three years werenāt a pleasant time, but that was what had come out all the same.
James could not help but smile as she spoke about having no complaints. Not that he ever heard of any, but no man ever felt bad about hearing those words out of a woman's mouth. Seeing her blush, even though it was barely visible in the dim lights of the bar and Vera doing her best to hide it, was a little bit newer though. Looking down probably would have worked had she not been wearing those heels today. But the good part of him decided to not react to it, instead replying with a whispered "It's like you were reading my mind" against her ear. James wasn't entirely sure how their topics changed so easily between ripping someone's clothes off and their childhood, but it's not like he was going to complain. Getting details about her life was never a bad thing. "Oh, I was Leonardo. Though I think that was mostly because he had two swords." He shrugged, the details of it all so unimportant but yet quite fun to think about. "How little is little?" He asked in response to her talking about Chicago, not entirely sure what to imagine with those words. "It definitely sounds a lot more exciting than Tybee."
Vera felt a chill run down her spine when he whispered in her ear, her eyes showed her grin as she looked back up at him, her body pressing into his just a tad closer. āI mean two swords is hard to compete with so I think you made the best decision.ā She grinned, and then sighed at his question, shrugging a shoulder. She really didnāt know why she brought it up. āWell, my dad moved us there when I was six, and then the Westonās adopted me at 9 and moved be back here.ā She answered, wondering if sheād given to much information and should have simply given him the answer of how old she was. āIt was different. I canāt say I experienced the excitement of the city, but itās certainly much calmer here in Tybee.ā She agreed.
James felt her leaning in closer. Not that there was much more space to do so at this point. It was probably a good thing that he was not the kind of person that actually cared much about what the people around them were thinking, as they were standing in the middle of the dance floor. "It just proves how simple a kid's mind works." James noticed a slight change in the mood. Her story that was, as far as he could figure, behind that change reminded him of just how little they knew of each other. Not like that was a big surprise as they literally hadn't known each other before he had walked into her gym. He decided not to pry too much at this moment. "Tybee might be little, but at least we have some good places like this one. So I'd say we can't really complain."
Vera nodded at his response, her eyes leaving his to travel around the room for a few seconds before landing on him again. āIf it was big we may have never met.ā She added, nudging him gently with her hand. She sighed, not really knowing what else to say, and really just wanting more contact. āWhat do you say we just get out of here?ā She asked, biting her lip, āwe could go back to my house, maybe use the hot tub, drink some wine...ā she trailed off, hoping sheād peak his interest.
James hummed a soft yes, getting completely behind her reasoning. "I'll have to say you're right on that one. Maybe small places aren't so bad." He couldn't do anything but smile as she spoke about going back to her place. Not that he didn't enjoy their moment right now, but he'd be a dumb man not looking forward to what more there could be to come. "I'd say that's a genius idea. Let's get out of here." The last was whispered in her ear, close, right before pulling back with a smile instead taking her hand and leading them off the dance floor