this had a great start - I had this idea about "Prom night/dancing AU" for tsukiyama (like I always do, cause I love my dancing AUs, shut up, they are so dear to me)
It stopped being fun, when I realized I once again deleted the main file...... and then I had to work with the Jpg.-version, cause I liked the right part that was actually finished, quite a lot, and had to work arooound it somehow. And the idea and concept of *weird gesturing around* right side -> 3rd years + left side -> college years...merged together in one illustration... it all "looked" better in my head honestly... I struggled a lot from there...
BUT.
We value the art. Fuck perfection. If anything this is lessons learned.
and horrible rendering/colouring
Oh - the dancing AU? I'm glad you ask.
I just thought it might be funny if Tadashi figures he is a quite neat dancer in their 3rd year, when school is giving them basic training for their prom (i dunno if Japanese schools do actually have prom nights..).
And since the volleyball team is quite popular at this point, the school wants a representative graduate to join the opening dance. With Tsukki being 1.) a regular and quite popular player on court, 2.) an A-Student, plus 3.) to adults a decent human being with manners.... principal's choice was more than obvious, even if Tsukki was very.... very displeased with it.
Well we all know how Kei feels about new things...and attention....and physical contact with someone else who is not his preferred someone... His dancing partner is probably an equally successful girl of one of the other sports clubs of Karasuno, who is thrilled to partner up with the most silent, unpleasant classmate she's ever had. yay.
Well, long story short, while Tadashi is actually even having some fun, learning basic dancing (he is also partnering with Yachi, so he is not *super* nervous about it), Kei is having serious trouble about this whole thing..
well it's important to have great friends, to jump in and teach you how to dance, isn't it?! ໒( ̿･ ᴥ ̿･ )ʋ Tadashi to the rescue!! Careful, may cause accidental romantic incidents. That make realize you fell in love. And learn dancing so you can do a proper 1st dance at your own wedding, years later. *cough* Approach with caution.
Introducing Max's dance partner, Marshall! This is the first day of practice when the instructor told everyone to find someone to dance with. Max, still reluctant to make friends, stays near the sidelines and waits until somebody approaches him. Marshall, the most charismatic, swagger™ person in the room has been eyeing Max since he walked in and takes his hand without a word. They hit it off instantly, able to find each other's rhythm and flow naturally. They talk after practice, exchange numbers, and for the first time, Max looks forward to tomorrow.
John stepped into the dance studio already annoyed that he even needed to be there in the first place. The military ball was a couple of months away, and had been told that he would be the one to perform the first dance of the night. He had done just about everything to get out of that, but after the tenth time Laswell had put her foot down.
Not only did he need to know how to dance, but he also had to find a date to this thing. John was avoiding the ladder as much as he could so learning to dance was what he was focusing on. Which led him to the nearest dance studio he could find.
The building was small but looked very well maintained. Checking the time once more making sure that he was right on time for his private lesson before entering.
He didn't see anyone upon stepping inside, but he could hear the faint sound of music coming from behind the door right next to the reception desk.
Following the music he came to stand in front of the door window; looking in he saw a woman spinning and dancing to the music. John feels as if he is hypnotized watching you. Silently he opens the door and steps inside.
Your eyes are closed as you elegantly move around the room like a ballerina. John couldn't help but admire you as you confidently and freely take your steps. You clearly seem to be in your element right now.
It wasn't until you gave your final pose and he saw your eyes widen upon finally seeing him did John think that not giving a hint that he was here was a bad idea. “Sorry about that dove; didn’t mean to startle you.”
“No no I'm sorry I should have been paying attention!" You tell him your name along with a handshake, "Do you have an appointment?"
"Yeah 3 o'clock for John Price."
"Looks like you're right on time then John. I'm ready to get started when you are!" You give John a grin and turn towards the music player. "How much experience would you say you have with dancing by the way?"
He looks sheepish for a second, thinking about how you're going to think of him at the end of the appointment after he stepped on your feet a hundred times. “I can’t remember the last time I had to dance, not sure if I ever have honestly.”
You laugh and it’s like music to his ears. He feels his heart start to beat faster and faster as he listens to you.
"I'm going to put on music for a quick waltz; I want to see where you are exactly. Strengths and weaknesses and all that. Who knows you may have some natural talent!"
The song that plays is a soft and gentle tune. You step in front of him and place one of your hands on his shoulder and the other grabs his hand. John places the other on your waist; taking the chance to step even closer to you.
“I'm very skilled in many things, but dancing isn’t one of them.” John whispers in your ear. He delights when he sees that your checks turn flush.
With your checks still red you meet his eyes, “Do you want me to lead then; show you how it’s supposed to be done.”
“I’ve been told I’m good at following orders.”
“Let’s see if that’s true then.”
It genuinely catches John off guard when you then yank the two of you into a spin. It leaves John stumbling to keep up with your sudden movements.
You only give him a moment to readjust himself before you start moving again in a much slower way. “Alright, when leading you need to always know your next move, and guide your partner in that direction.”
The two of you start small with a simple box step routine.
Step forward, step to the side, step back, and step to the side; repeat.
John had looked more at his feet the first few walk throughs. It wasn’t until you removed your hand from his shoulder, and guided his face to look up at your face did he start to feel more comfortable with the movements. He was surprised that he had only managed to step on your feet twice as well.
“Think you’re ready to take control?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be I suppose.”
You give him a reassuring smile, “It’s all about confidence! You don’t need to be perfect as long as you look like you know what you’re doing. No one will question you if you do!”
“I’ll take your word for it doll.” John squeezes your waist and pulls you closer to him. His leading is a bit slow in the beginning, but it wasn’t long before the two of you were dancing all around the room together.
You had told him to act confident, and John was going to take full advantage of that. Pressing you against his chest, pulling you along with him, and even dipping you. That had caused a loud laugh from you. John hadn’t had this much fun in a long time. He didn’t think he was even capable of it.
You brought a feeling out of him that he hadn’t experienced with anyone else in just a short amount of time of knowing each other. John wasn’t sure if he could let you go after this.
By the end of his appointment John feels like he actually has a grip on how to dance. He’s not sure if that’s because he’s dancing with you or if you’re just that good at teaching that even a guy like him can learn.
“You keep this up John and you’ll have no problem properly waltzing the night away. I’m almost jealous of everyone who you’re going to be dancing with.”
"Love…I actually need a date for this dance. Would you want to accompany me? I promise you’ll be the only one I dance with." John has always considered himself a man of action, and he wasn't about to leave here without at least asking you to join him. You’re the only one that he wants on his arm for the night.
“I’d…I’d love to; I need to make sure my student remembers what I taught him after all.” That smile you flash at him is all a man like him needs.
He’ll have to remember to send a gift basket to Laswell for forcing him to do this. He can’t wait for the military ball now, he’d do anything to spend more time with you. Even going to that damn dance.
Notes:
I loved writing this! I had a lot of fun writing Price, and googling dance things lol.
This is just an idea for an AU I have is a dancing AU.
Mainly Rise Donnie and Mikey becoming professional dancers. Raph and Leo would probably make an appearance in this AU. But there is no promises. This would be mainly be a lot of one shots. Or small multi chapters. Mainly me self-projecting my dance experience onto these turtles.
(I wanted to do a cauldron emoji because I was myself a cauldron of potions to my daughter's witch this year, but alas, none available)
Oh my god you went as a CAULDRON! That's too cool! Here's a treat just for you. Unfortunately we ran out of cauldrons in the AU making too.
Step... up
It’s a series of steps, meticulously calculated to a rhythm: somehow meant to look graceful and effortless when it’s anything but. Step, twirl. Step, jump. Stiffen in his arms, force yourself to un-wind, to loosen up: step, step, stop.
He’s panting, but he’s grinning, and he’s looking at you. “Better, Potter.” Coming closer. “That was at least a passable attempt.”
How does he make it seem so—you feel your own cheeks grow warm and telling. It’s like he was made with this in mind, the elegant curve of his legs and the jut of his hip, the way he walks is half-dance. His smile is something else, is like music, distant and alarming, makes your blood boil. Makes your heart jump. Twirl. You think you’d be able to memorise the steps a lot better if he weren’t so—ugh.
“Come on, we’ll run it again.” His hand is right under your nose. How does even his sweat smell good? You might be losing your mind. “Potter? Still with us?”
Unclear. You clear your throat and the answer’s still not there. “I’ll get it eventually,” you spit, a promise and a plea. A threat. You think. But Malfoy’s still smiling.
“Of course you will,” and you don’t even think he’s being an arse. “I never bet on a losing horse.”
That’s what you are to him, you remind yourself, and harden around it. A horse, a bet. You bet he does smile at horses just like that, before he uses them. Rides—you think you wouldn’t much mind to be used. You think, stop it, and also, ugh, just, enough. If only he weren’t so bloody beautiful.
“Come,” with a hint in his voice you can’t decipher, a touch of maybe uncertainty. “You do want this, don’t you? I’m not wasting my time?”
You don’t have to think about it. “Of course I do.” The whole thing, the lights and the focus, the trophy and the prize money you need too badly. Want… that smile on Malfoy’s face that you think might be coming more and more often, that you think might be a secret. A treasure, something too valuable for the old centre with the foggy mirrors, with the stained mats and the bad lighting.
“Good,” he grins. “If you want it, come and get it.”
It’s always the challenge that draws you to him. This dance, this routine, this—excuse—this whole thing is between you two right now. A series of steps, and a future you can almost-see, so clearly it’s nearly touchable, sharp on the tip of your tongue. Step, twirl, step, jump. You finish the set, and Malfoy’s smiling.
