"Soon enough, Scar stops counting. He stops giving tips and corrections, moving off the floor to re-engage with some conversation with Grian. Jimmy can’t hear it, and to be fair, it’s the last thing on his mind. He focuses on trying not to lead. Because of course Tango is leading, which feels awkward in Jimmy’s feet. It’s annoying how Tango hasn’t changed facial expressions once. It’s annoying that he’s so weirdly level-headed and great at this. Jimmy can’t win. "
There is still.. hostility. There is still frustration. That wasn’t going to disperse, but maybe he could indulge it. Jimmy could take part in that casual tension, for now. He deserves it, he thinks. He was about to be forced into a life of this, after all. He could be immature, just this once."
if i remember correctly, i believe this was a scene i'd written wayyy back before i even thought about posting this fic. and 100%, i just wanted a dance scene where they were really snarky and playful with each other.
(it has the energy of a scene from a rom-com called "The Wedding Date" where they're dancing but stomping each other's feet and quietly bickering the whole time. i'd say that's probably a direct inspiration for this scene, now that i think about it.)
also worth noting, i believe, this is the first time they've been this close in the fic. like, physical proximity-wise? do with that what you will.
i also LOVE that you mention Jimmy in this chapter, because i.. i had such a good time. there are, in blatant honesty, only a few moments where I think i actually nailed a very huffy version that falls into proper characterization and this is one of those times.
specifically "He could be immature, just this once" is a HUGELY AU-based characterization, i will say, because jimmy is like. the good prince who does what he's told and had to force his way into the light and thus that means being mature and proper and whatnot. but i just DIG this lovely little moment of the tables turning, just allowing himself to be like the more rabble rouse-y and childish type. this is also proven further in, too, because he goes with the prank idea!
also, jimmy getting partially knocked off that same 'proper' pedestal by not being able to lead the dance, by the way. he's always been taught to lead, because of course he is the prince and he has to lead but in this case, he doesn't have to. and tango won't let him. and that is VERY annoying, haha. i like to think, if this were from tango's perspective, he'd be just. very amused by how frustrated jimmy gets.
yeah, i just am very tickled by all of that, now that i'm looking back at this scene. as a whole, this chapter is just jimmy indulging his own urges to be a little chaotic shit purely out of a "might as well, who's gonna say something?" mindset. <3 and i love that for him.
i think that's kinda all i have to say about it! thank you for sending in a scene <3 i really love this part and it was fun to revisit, honestly.
