Dance Partner
Pairing: Jaemin x reader Word Count: 3.6k Genre: Fluff, Slow burn romance, crushes to lovers Warnings: Swearing, terrible dance terminology, make out session
You managed to secure a very sort after spot in a dance course that many back up dancers wanted to be a part of, you only wanted the experience but after meeting him maybe you want a lot more than just dancing skills.
You were not a hip hop dancer, back up dancer or street dancer, not like many of the other girls in the class, but you didn't care you only took this course as a way to expand your abilities and hopefully have some fun. Quite a few of the others had had work as back up dancers in either music videos, variety shows or on stage which was something you were not ashamed to admit that you did not but the way they behaved as though they were so much better than you stung especially since you were not actually that bad at it. Some were quite sweet and you would go and get coffee or a drink after your class, depending on the finish time, to celebrate a job well done. But the biggest perk of joining this class had been the very attractive guys that also happened to also be dancers, one of which made your heart race like a silly teenage girl every time he paused to tie his hair back. You were too old to be having crushes on men that would never want you, men like Jaemin who were far out of your league.
"Now we have finished the group module of the course we will be entering the partnered module, you are required to partner up with someone in the class and choreograph then perform an entire piece for your peers" Your instructor started looking around the room at you all "This will need to be done before Tuesday nights class as we will begin the choreography portion and rehearsals from then. I will give you an option of three songs to chose from at that time as well, good luck". You felt your nerves rise in your throat when you thought about it, there were five of you that had become friends which was not enough for you all to pair off and being as they were all hip hop dancers you felt they would probably move to pair up with each other since you were the least experienced and you couldn't blame them but you knew that come Tuesday you would to partner up with the one person who was left over whoever they were. Packing your stuff you joined your friends as you went to grab a late night snack hoping that they could give you some ideas even if they weren't actually your partner. "I bet half of them are still following the guys from class around, did you see that there was an update to the instructions that we need to let the instructor know who you have partnered up with so she can post the teams in advance?" Ji asked poking her tteokbokki with her chopstick. "They are probably all chasing down Jaemin" Sana laughed picking up her drink and putting on a fake whiny voice "Please Jaemin, I can't partner up with anyone else" "Probably" you agreed chuckling at her over dramatic rendition of the more ridiculous members of your class, although secretly agreeing with them he was one of the most attractive men you had ever seen. "I'm assuming you haven't asked anyone to partner with you yet then?" Momo asked raising her eyebrow at you. "No I haven't bothered I will just go with whoever is left over unless someone asks me first" you shrugged spearing another rice cake with a toothpick as she rolled her eyes at you.
"You know that it doesn't actually matter how well she does in this class it is purely for fun so it doesn't actually matter who she ends up with?" Ji added looking at Momo as if to remind her that you weren't going to use this on your CV. "Yeah that's right you never did mention how you got into such a sought after course without being a professional dancer" Sana blurted turning all attention back to you.
"I'm not a professional hip hop dancer or back up dancer I never said I wasn't a professional dancer in general" you sighed taking anther sip of your soju, although you had become friends you had never actually told them much about you it had been a friendship based on helping each other in class and laughing at the over dramatic girls. "Oh my god!" Momo almost shrieked before leaning in close to whisper to you "are you a stripper?". "No Momo, Jeez, it's nothing like that" you blinked bewilderingly "That is seriously the first type of dancing you thought of?" Sana and Ji roared with laughter as your phone began to vibrate in your pocket. "Sorry" Momo giggled looking slightly ashamed of herself. You read the message on your phone three times before even responding to her your mind going quite blank. Unknown Number: Hey, this is Jaemin from dance class, can you call me when you get the chance? "I'm a ballet dancer" you replied softly feeling too many things at once to fully comprehend "I dance with the Korean National".
"You are fucking kidding me you're a ballerina? Like a real ballerina? Why are you slumming it with us small time dancers?" Ji's shocked voice snapped you out of the thoughts in your head. "Yes I am an actual ballerina and I am not slumming it I'm trying to expand my abilities" you smiled looking at her fondly "Doing other genre's of dance and movement is actually quite helpful in developing your talent".
"Still you are probably more qualified than anyone in the room and you just let those bitches treat you like that?" Sana questioned still surprised.
"To be honest I don't care what that chick who once danced on stage with fifty other people as a back up dance for Stray Kids says" you shrugged again "but what I do care about is getting back home, I have show rehearsals tomorrow so I need my sleep".
You waved as you left knowing that you would call the person alleging to be Jaemin as soon as you got back to your apartment to see if it was really him or a joke being played on you. You hoped it was the former but didn't get your hopes up too high, slipping off your shoes you padded towards your lounge area and sat down taking a few deep breaths before pulling your phone from your pocket and dialing the number.
"Hello?" his sweet voice answered softly.
"Hi Jaemin?" you asked nervously.
"Yeah it is, hi, I didn't want to rush you to call but I got your number from your friend Hana" he explained seeming a little bit nervous himself.
"That's fine Jaemin I don't mind you having my number" you replied feeling your face heat up at your admission.
"Great, I wanted to speak to you about this partnered module" he started his voice seeming to relax as he continued "If you haven't already paired up with anyone I was wondering would you like to partner with me?"
"Of course Jaemin, I would really like that, I haven't found a partner yet I haven't even asked anyone yet to be truthful" you grinned.
"Really? no one has asked you at all yet?" his voice sounded surprised but you ignored it, it was probably your imagination he was just pleased you agreed that was all. "Did you want to meet up for coffee tomorrow to talk about any ideas we have and that sort of thing?"
"Yes, but it needs to be after 2pm I have work until then" you almost stumbled over your words as your heart sped up thinking you would really be alone with Jaemin on a coffee date, no not date, coffee meeting.
"That's completely fine, did you want to text me when you're finished and we can decide where to go then?" He asked sweetly.
"Sounds good Jaemin" you smiled "see you then" he hung up leaving you feeling like you were going to burst with excitement. Jaemin the most beautiful man you had ever seen and an incredibly talented dancer wanted to partner with you, who was just you.
You had butterflies the whole next morning in the lead up to seeing Jaemin, so much so you had been scolded possibly a dozen times by either you director, peers or stage manager for not being focused enough but you didn't let it bother you. As you were getting ready to leave you bowed an apology and swore that you would never be as distracted again before scurrying away to text him you had finished.
"Hey Jaemin, I have finished for the day where would you like to meet?"
You sat and waited on a bench in the sun hoping he would get back to you still wanting to meet up and not tell you it had all been a joke, which you really didn't think he would do but you had so much more self doubt about men than you did about anything else, after 10 minutes your phone rang pulling you from the musings in your head.
"Hey, I'm sorry to keep you waiting" he apologizes before you can even fully answer "I'm near the dance studio is that close to where you are?"
"Yeah I'm probably a 15 minute walk from there I'm near the SAC currently" you explain collecting your things to start the journey to the studio.
"Oh I'm that side of the dance studio too how about we just meet up at the Starbucks near the station there?" He suggested sweetly as you smiled in excitement.
"I will meet you there then Jaemin".
When you walked into Starbucks you couldn't contain your smile, or your relief, when you saw Jaemin looking at his phone, his earbuds in and tapping his foot on the floor. Although you didn't think Jaemin would have been cruel enough to ever set you up to have your heart broken it was still a relief that he was actually here and actually waiting for you. He looked up at that moment meeting your eyes and smiling back waving you over to the table he was at.
"I ordered you an ice latte, I know you often have those" He smiled as you sat down.
"Oh thank you" you chirped feeling a little breathless now you were just one on one with him "Can I ask why you wanted to partner with me?" you asked suddenly making him look slightly surprised and confused.
"Because you're an amazing dancer, I know this isn't your style per say but I can tell that you have had training and years of it" he replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh, I didn't think anyone in the course thought I was particularly good" you mumbled slightly embarrassed.
"You mean those girls who just talk shit the whole time? They aren't that good themselves" he rolled his eyes laughing musically. "I'll let our instructor know we have paired up".
When Tuesday night rolled around and everyone was asked to get into their pairs to select a song and begin work shopping your ideas for what you would be doing, the look of shock and anger that made its was through half the class was astounding to watch. Everything started out like normal people chatting quietly as they tried to figure out who the partners were going to be but that turned quickly when Jaemin walked you your side waiting for your instructor to give out the song choices.
"Why would he pick her?" hissed one nastily.
"What did she pay him?" another whispered venomously making you feel sick but Jaemin didn't waiver, just guiding you further from them with his hand softly resting on your lower back.
"Ignore them they are just jealous of you" he whispered into your ear.
"Yeah of me being beside you nothing else" you muttered bitterly to soft for him to hear.
Your instructor sharply silenced everyone by giving you your final instructions, she had decided on the tracks leaving you turning to Jaemin for him to decide he was the stronger dance so it made sense to you that he would chose the song and you would go with the flow.
"I'm thinking we go with BTBT, it's a little bit more what I want for the vibe of our choreography." he smiled leaning closer so you could hear him over the others in the class.
"Sure, I am happy to go with whatever you think would work best" you grinned back watching his eyes light up as you let him take the lead in this project "Where did you want to start?"
"I had an idea that if you want we can do practice later at night, I am part of a company and I already cleared it with them that we can use one of the rooms there" he explained seriously "I know this class isn't as important to you but I really need the best possible recommendation so they said we can use it one many two nights a week".
"That's great Jaemin, but I could probably get us a practice as long as you weren't fussed about a little bit of travel and we could use it as often as we need" you smiled hopeful at the idea that you were not only helping him but also going to be spending time with him.
"That would be even better, but how far is a little bit of travel?" he tilted his head looking at you excitedly.
"The SAC complex, it's where I work so I have access to the dance studios and facilities there" you swallowed nervously hoping he wouldn't dislike the idea too much.
"You work at the Seoul Arts Center? yeah then we can definitely practice there" he beamed looking both excited and awed by the whole idea. "Gives us more time to practice which gives us more time to perfect it".
By Friday night you had cleared with your ballet director and your instructors that you would be using the soloists practice rooms at night for the course work that you were doing with Jaemin, all had been supportive of the idea that you expand you dance knowledge and abilities provided there was no true risk of injury to you, so you waited for Jaemin in the lobby of the center so you could show him where things were before you started.
"Hi" you waved as he walked into the lobby looking slightly lost.
"Hey" he nodded "I wasn't expecting like security and stuff at the door".
"I told them you were coming they should have just let you straight in?" you frowned slightly not wanting to cause him trouble.
"Oh they did it was just odd, like coming to see someone like a celebrity or someone truly important" he mumbled but you chose to pretend you didn't hear him in favor of leading him further into the building.
"I'll give you the tour so you are at least a little bit familiar with the place" you walked on with him following closely behind "So we are to the left of the lobby and down two flights of stairs there is a lift which I'll show you on the way out that is easier to leave from" you opened the stairwell door and lead him down to the studio levels.
"Wow how many studios are down here?" he whistled looking a the hallway of doors.
"There are ten in total one supersized one, four large, three medium studios and two what we call soloist studios which are just a small studio. We are working in one of them since there are only two of us". you explained "at the end of the hall is the bathrooms and change rooms so you can shower afterwards if you want to and there are vending machines around the floors but it would be better if you bought your own snacks, they are pretty expensive". You listed everything off on your fingers before letting him into the studio you had booked revealing at standard wood floor, wall of mirrors, a few chairs and a large ballet bar the took up the back wall.
"This is perfect" he nodded wide eyes before turning back to you "should we get started?"
You had simply gone over ideas that first practice, some steps he wanted to use that you picked up quickly and after you had finished and showed him where the dancers elevators were that would lead you almost straight to the car park he had driven you home so you were safe since it was close to midnight. You arranged to meet him each night until you needed to perform for your peers, as long as it was after hours of work for both of you it would be fine. Jaemin had mentioned he was a trainee, he wanted to be an idol so this class was important to him which you understood and were willing to go above and beyond so he could get the best recommendation from the instructor.
For the next weeks worth of nights it was simply business, you met up went over ideas and put the choreography together bit by bit until you had pretty much half the song done, Jaemin had obviously put a lot of thought into what he wanted and anything you thought you could add to that you did. But the Friday that marked the first whole week you had been working together felt different to you both of you had talked about your lives as dancers and trainees, you had spoken briefly about family, your career dreams but nothing too personal. You had managed to get past the butterflies and breathlessness of your crush as you got to know him, just happy to spend time with him. Stopping the music for a moment Jaemin called break time so you could both grab some water and cool down after a hard couple of runs through what you had come up with so far.
"I was thinking after that last crunch you could spin to the left then I'll crouch slightly and you jump into my arms, I'll swing you so you can throw your head back towards the floor and do a 1, 2, set of kicks before I lower you back down" Jaemin explained showing how he would be standing and the direction he would swing using your momentum.
"We can try that" you nodded thinking things over before you put your water bottle down "I was thinking at another point you could hold my hands above my head while behind me and I could slide into the splits".
"That sounds incredible, jump first then learn the splints move since I assume you can already do the splits" He grinned eyes sparkling.
"Sure can we do a few slow attempts so I can get the placement right for you, I don't wanting your straining anything" you smiled trying hard not to look too pleased that he also liked your idea.
Moving to the center of the room Jaemin stood with his legs fairly wide apart and his legs slightly bent and you slowly walked to him blocking out the spin move you would make then turning to him you got his ok before doing the most graceful jump you could into his arms aiming for you to land just off center of his hips, he caught you easily swinging your torso slightly up so you could swing your head down to elongate your neck.
"Ok so here kick your right and then left leg in a fast 1, 2, then I'll swing you over my leg so you are sitting on my thigh" He continued as you looked at how you were positioned in his arms before he continued and turned you to sit facing the other way on his thigh.
You tried the move another 10 times slowly making it work to the beat of the track and the vibe of the already completed choreography deciding to go over everything once more you took your starting positions and went through the whole song until you ended sitting on Jaemin's thigh breathing hard.
"That was perfect" he grinned turning his head toward you.
"You sure?" you asked turning you head towards him not realizing how close you were going to be to his face, his breath skimming over your cheeks as your eyes widened going to move but stopping when Jaemin's lips ghosted across yours. You blinked owlishly at him standing up and turning towards him as he ran his hand through his messy damp hair.
"Shit" he whispered "I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that, forgive me" he frowned looking to you with apologetic eyes.
"It's alright Jaemin it was an accident" you mumble feeling both shy and disappointed.
"Expect it wasn't an accident, I...I wanted to kiss you and I'm sorry that I probably fucked up this whole thing now because you will probably be uncomfortable with me" He explained quietly looking at the floor by your feet the whole time.
"You wanted to kiss me?" you blurted before you could stop yourself "Me?"
"Yes you, I have liked you ever the first time I met you" he admitted licking his lips nervously. "But we can forget this ever happened if that will stop any awkwardness if that is easier for you, you are an amazing dancer and I really want this to work out and..." he continued babbling while you processed everything he said.
"I like you too" you smiled stopping him mid sentence.
"Can I kiss you again then?" he stepped towards you cupping your cheek in his hand.
"Yes please" you whispered looking between his eyes and his lips. He smiled his usual dazzling smile before gently tipping your head towards his and pressing his soft lips to yours as you let your arms travel up his chest to clasp behind his neck your fingers toying with his hair.
"You have to let me take you on a date, want you to be my girlfriend" He murmured as you broke for air before pulling you tightly against him and kissing you again his tongue running along the seam of your lips seeking entrance which you gave his, moaning quietly as it slid against your own.
"Please" you murmured against his slightly pink kiss swollen lips making him grin again.
a/n: Thank you for reading as usual any likes, comments and reblogs are cherished, I will be taking a break from any more Xeed fictions for the time being. Thanks again xx
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