"Dancing is the Poetry of the Foot." – John Dryden
Many thanks to JohnsArmylady for looking this over for me. :-)
This chapter takes place a few weeks after Baskerville.
He'd agreed to it and wasn't a quitter, that's what John kept telling himself. It was either that or he would soon throw his hands up in the air and give up.
A month had passed since Sherlock had caught John dancing while dusting the flat. Most of their free time was spent working their way through John's large music collection. One evening the two men were striking ridiculous poses while The Bee Gees played in the background. Another had them trying their hand at the moonwalk while Michael Jackson blasted through the wireless speakers Sherlock had insisted on buying. From the start, the dancing had allowed them to be silly if they chose and was fun.
Until today.
John had arrived home to find Sherlock listening to a waltz while lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling. After putting away the few groceries, he'd bought at Tesco's, John turned to ask if tea would be a good idea when he found himself face to chest with his flatmate. Before he could say a word, Sherlock grabbed his hand and began to tug him in the direction of the living room.
"What are you doing?" he asked, trying to get free.
"We're going to dance," Sherlock said.
Deciding he was fine with the idea, John waited for the music to change. He was surprised when Sherlock moved closer, put one hand on John's shoulder and clasped the other within his own. John backed away.
"I don't know how to waltz!"
"Of course, you don't. It's not something your parents thought important. However, it is a dance everyone should know and since I was taught, I can teach you."
Deciding Sherlock was going to be stubborn John nodded and gave in. Now, half an hour later, all he wanted to do was have a cup of tea and forget the guilt he felt each time he stepped in the wrong direction and on Sherlock's toes. To be fair though, he hadn't heard a single complaint. Suddenly, Sherlock stepped away and towards his phone. John smiled certain freedom was close.
"I'm going to take this song off of repeat and play it once more. Up until now, you've been too worried about where your feet are to enjoy yourself. Because of this, you're looking down when you should be looking at your partner."
Yes, John knew this was true. Sherlock had told him at least a dozen times to look up. The music started again and before he could possibly look at his feet, John found Sherlock's face directly front of his.
"Look at me," Sherlock whispered.
John couldn't help but obey. For the first few minutes of the song, he had to fight the urge to break eye contact but soon realized he hadn't stumbled once. After this, he was able to relax and soon the two men were smiling at one another as they waltzed.
The song finished and silence surrounded them yet neither of them moved. It felt nice having Sherlock's arms around him, John decided. He felt content where he was and judging by the look on Sherlock's face, he felt the same.
Oh! Both men thought.
The song the boys dance to is, The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II.