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This was going to be Barrett’s third date with Mock, the very pretty and delightfully witty skeleton he’d met via some strange body-swapping shenanigans. Date one had gone fabulously, Mock sufficiently impressed by the expensive restaurant and telling Barrett about some interests. Date two, tailored to those interests, had been just as much of a success. That one was a movie out, a rather well-rated gothic style movie that Mock very much liked and Barrett found interesting enough to not be bored.
So here they were on a Saturday evening, at Barrett’s studio. It was just a little get-together, the other teachers at his studio also bringing dates, and a few of his graduated students were coming around as well. A small, private little party. Mock had expressed a bit of nervousness, but Barrett had every confidence it would go well. Besides, he’d made sure to brush up on waltzing in preparation.
When Barrett picked Mock up for this little get-together, he’d been suitably stunned by his date’s chosen outfit. A stunning black dress just barely down to the floor (because dancing) with a corset top and some lace, plus matching dark shoes and gloves. It was very gothic in style, but the elegant kind of gothic, like Morticia from the Addam’s Family. Barrett, with a navy blue dress shirt and pants, could show off his bright orange ecto on his arms and still look very spiffy and well-color-matched. A color pop next to Mock, but a good one.
“...THAT’S VEX, HE ALSO TEACHES BALLET.” Barrett pointed to another tall skeleton - though not as tall as Barrett - chatting with a lady on his arm, also looking elegant. “HE’S PRETTY GREAT, HE PLAYS VIOLIN TOO, GORGEOUSLY.”
“IMPRESSIVE,” Mock agreed.
“AND OVER THERE IS ADONIS, HE TEACHES SWING. HE’S VERY CHEERY. SOMETIMES HIS BROTHER MAKES AN APPEARANCE TO DO A LITTLE HIP HOP, BUT NOT OFTEN.”
“WHY IS THAT?”
“I’VE NO IDEA! I THINK HE’S SHY.”
“UNDERSTANDABLE.”
“YOU’RE DOING QUITE WELL!” Barrett assured. “JUST… YOU KNOW. DON’T HUM!”
Mock grimaced. “I AM DOING MY BEST ON THAT FRONT. IT HELPS TO HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO…”
“OH, YOU MEAN LIKE KISSING?” Barrett asked without batting an eye. Mock blushed.
“...THAT CAN WORK, Y-”
Barrett kissed him, pressing into it with enthusiasm but not daring to make it deep or inappropriate with an audience. Mock made a startled little sound, but then melted into it, which was a victory in Barrett’s book. They’d only had a few deep kisses so far. Mock was more the type to take things slow, and Barrett would be damned if he got pushy.
Once they pulled apart, both a little flushed, Barrett led him over to a food area. They chatted with a few people, had some hors d'oeuvres, but then wandered to the open area for dancing.
“...IT’LL GO FINE,” Mock muttered to himself. “I WON’T MESS UP OR HUM…”
“I’M SURE YOU WON’T!” Barrett agreed, and Mock blushed more.
“OH. I SAID THAT OUT LOUD, DIDN’T I.”
“YES, BUT THAT’S OKAY! AND, EVEN IF YOU DO STEP ON MY TOES, IT WILL STILL BE FINE, BECAUSE I AM USED TO IT AND ALSO YOU ARE VERY CUTE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING HARD.”
Mock made a high-pitched little noise.
“NO HUMMING.”
“RIGHT YES.” He shook his head and let out his breath all at once. “NO HUMMING, JUST DANCING.”
“JUST DANCING~”
Barrett turned to face Mock properly, reaching out in a proper waltz position, and waited patiently for Mock to follow suit. Once they were both ready, and the rhythm of the current song thrummed in Barrett’s chest, he gently guided his date through the steps.
Mock's worries seemed to be for naught, thankfully. He smoothly followed suit, his gorgeous dress sweeping along. Barrett's so very clever date had been smart, with the length. Long, pretty, but not so long that it would tangle his feet. The gloves were such a nice velvet, Barrett liked touching them.
The danseur couldn't keep the wide smile off of his face as they glided along slowly. The English waltz was so slow and sweet, and like this, with all the atmosphere, it was doing a fantastic job of getting his soul going almost as much as ballet did.
"YOU'RE DOING WONDERFULLY, MORTICIA~"
Mock snorted softly, but he looked pleased. "ARE YOU SAYING YOU'RE GOMEZ?"
"I FIND MYSELF TEMPTED TO SAY AS PASSIONATE THINGS AS HIM, AT LEAST! THOUGH I CONFESS, I AM NOT AS ENTHUSED TO THROW KNIVES OR SMOKE GIANT CIGARS."
"THAT'S ALRIGHT. TO MIX OUR REFERENCES, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A RAUL INSTEAD OF AN ERIK."
"A FAIR POINT! YOU'LL SING FOR ME EITHER WAY, WON'T YOU?"
Mock was blushing again. "WHEN I CAN DO IT WITHOUT KNOCKING YOU OUT, YES. I WILL."
"GOOD~"
They turned slowly with the music, Barrett utterly delighted just to have this gentle moment lavishing Mock with attention and compliments. He couldn't help but lean in again when the song faded, once more pressing their teeth together. Even as his feet halted, his hands didn't let go.
Mock seemed more than happy about it, relaxing into it and gently drawing him closer. There was just a hint of tongue, Mock's delightful cinnamon sugar taste contrasting Barrett's mango. Just for a moment, and then they parted again.
Barrett was barely holding himself back from more. His soul was fluttering and his mind was whirling through all the possibilities of the night. And yet, he contained himself, slowly moving again with a new song. He had plenty of time tonight. He could go at Mock's pace.
Mock followed suit, an almost dreamy little smile on his face that told Barrett he was feeling pretty damn good about this date too.
"WILL YOU TEACH ME MORE?" Mock asked as their feet moved in confident sync.
"I WOULD BE HONORED TO. WE CAN START RIGHT NOW. LET'S DO A FEW SPINS~"
"ALRIGHT."
He was eager, now. Barrett was delighted to lead him through more gentle dancing for the rest of the little party.
Soon. Soon he'd move on to ballet. When Mock was ready. For now, even this was everything he could ever dream of, his soul finding another that finally, finally matched his rhythm.