A Dance for Two

It was on impulse that Azul decided to grab his hand.

Maybe it was due to the fact that it was well past closing time and the two were busy doing their respective cleaning routines, the twins having long since gone off to do their own things as much of the work has already been done. Maybe it was the fact that the lights overhead were dimmer than usual, casting a nice glow that gave off a sense of serenity. Maybe it was the fact that James was faintly humming a simple tune. If he was aware of it, Azul didn’t know. It wasn’t a melody Azul knew but nevertheless it was one he found himself quietly listening to as he knew if he asked James would stop just as quickly.

Maybe it was the fact they worked around each other in perfect rhythm; Azul carefully stepped out of the way as he swept and James would easily move as Azul looked over table placement. Maybe it was the fact that sometimes when they passed, their fingers brushed every so gently.

Maybe it was the fact that Azul’s hands itched to intertwine them together in those split seconds. Maybe it was because he wanted to see if James would let him. The thought led him to feeling brave, just a little, and Azul found himself grabbing a hold of James’ hand when he passed by him again before his confidence withered away.

If James was surprised by this, he didn’t necessarily show it as his expression was one of bemusement as he looked down at Azul’s grip. It was loose enough to wear James could pull away if he wanted but he didn’t, and Azul considered that a small victory. “What’s this Azul?”

What was this? Azul wondered quietly as he didn’t prepare an explanation for himself. “…I was wondering if I could have a dance.”

“A dance?” The male peered at him questionably. “And why do you want that all of a sudden? Aren’t we in the middle of closing?”

“The mood is nice and you were humming a nice tune.”

James’ face scrunched up into something he couldn’t read, most likely at the humming comment, but his eyes were filled with amusement. “Oh really? And so you want to sweep me off my feet now huh?”

Azul met his joking tone with ease. “If you allow me then yes, I would like to.” His grip on his hand tightened slightly.

James seemed to contemplate something as he looked down at their joined hands before letting on a half-hearted sigh. Forgoing the broom he was using, James instead rested his hand on Azul’s shoulder. “Were you always such a romantic?”

Azul’s hand comfortably rested on the small of his back and brought him closer. “Only when it comes to you James.”

Maybe it was the quiet tone he spoke in or maybe it was the affection laced in his words but James quickly looked away from his content stare, red staining his skin. “…we can’t dance without music, you know.”

Azul couldn’t help but smile at his deflection. “I was hoping you could continue humming that tune from earlier. It was very lovely.”

“You heard that?”

“Of course, my hearing is pretty good, James. Plus it’s rather quiet.”

If he had to describe the expression on James face at this given moment, he would label it as perturbed. “You don’t need to have any reservations about this, we’re the only one here James. And besides…” Azul began swaying slightly, moving his feet in a way that caused James to follow his motion. “…we can’t dance without any music. Isn’t that what you said?”

James scowled at his words being used against him and the momentary silence made Azul wonder if he took his teasing too far when James began to hum that simple tune of his. It was a slow melody, with its slow drawls and low drops that had Azul somewhat entranced until James gave him a tug.

They move slowly after that, comfortably. With Azul leading and James allowing himself to be led, the pairs dips and slow turns were in time to the rise and fall of James’ impromptu melody. At the instances where their eyes met Azul offered a smile and James hesitantly offered his own in response. It didn’t dissuade Azul however as he took into account the way his eyes were crinkled at the corners. It was a nice look in him, a subtle sense of happiness.

James’ tune was slowly coming to an end, Azul could tell by the way it started to pitter off. It was strange, Azul thought to himself as he surged them forward with a gentle spin that got James to crack a smile, he wasn’t ready to let him go just yet and grip seemed to tighten ever so slightly at the thought. Just a little longer Azul would like to keep James against him, comfortably in his hold almost as if he was made to be there.

So he decided to indulge himself, just a little. It never hurts to do so after all.

“James..” He began and once their eyes met Azul pulled him closer, close enough to where their noses brushed together. James seemed to catch his breath in response to this with eyes searching his face as if he could find answers to the questions burning on his tongue before he continued humming the ending to their little tune. Azul smiled fondly at this as he tilted his head to bury his face in the crook of his neck. “…I just want you to know that I really like you.”

With that, he released him with a final outward spin. James went with the motion as Azul was left with his arm outstretched and their fingers lightly gliding against each other as James’ hand remained lax in his hold. A silence followed as James’ tune came to an end and the two simply looked at each other before James pulled his hand away.

A frown was seen on his features as he opened his mouth to speak before closing it, opting to cough in his fist instead. He was red to the tip of his ears and like everything about James, Azul thought it was pretty cute. “Well James, thank you for the dance and the song. It was lovely but I-”

“I know.”

“What?”

He scowled at him in response to that comment but it quickly morphed to something more akin to barely concealed embarrassment. “…you said you really like me. I know.”

And then James mumbled something so low before turning to leave that Azul had to strain in order to hear and even then he doubted his ears. “What did you say?”

“You tell me!” He threw back in a light tone as he looked over his shoulder with a silver of a smile. “I’ve been told you have a pretty good sense of hearing.”

With that James was gone and Azul couldn’t help but laugh, a hearty and genuine sound that wasn’t like his usual ones, as he once again found himself enamored by James being James. Of course he heard it and he knew James left to save himself from his embarrassment. Ah his love for James is growing dangerously.

‘And I like you too.’