CHAPTER 4: The Gentleman
Still in the store, you were in the change room, putting the stunning dress back on. Seven had bought it for you, as promised. It made you rather giddy, because this was now the nicest thing you owned; and it was bought by your best friend. This had to be a good omen for the rest of the evening and event.
You stepped out, twirling to make the skirt of the dress fan out in a display of sparkles. Luciel smiled widely at this. You smiled back. He kept his expression as he offered you a hand to escort you out of the boutique. You took it with a flourish, the both of you now trying to exaggerate a Victorian couple's show of affection. Once back at the car, the same steps repeated just like the times before. The two of you were soon buckled in, with your stained dress sitting in the back.
Pulling out of the parking lot, Seven started up conversation again. "I still think it looks pretty damn rockin' on you, (y/n)! I can't wait to hopefully see you out on the dance floor in that, haha!" He chimed.
"My goodness, thank you! I can't, either. It would be fun to see the fabric flow to the waltz of foxtrot," You replied, watching the street lights go by through the dark, evening sky. You noticed that stars had begun to pop up here and there; that's quite the spectacle for in the city.
"Do you know those dances?" He asked.
"I know some of the basics for the waltz, but I have only watched others do the foxtrot. It seems cool!"
"Maybe I could teach you, one day."
"You know those dances?"
He chuckled, "Part of school for me, way back when. I forgot some parts, but they're still back there somewhere!"
"Sure, then. It wouldn't hurt, yeah?"
"How about during the party?" You flushed red at that.
"I'd rather not, with all the people there. … Including Jaehee. Plus, I still have to talk to Jumin, and get back to Jaehee sooner than later, hopefully."
"Hm… What if I was quick? Then you could… you could go and impress Jaehee!" He whined, sending you a hopeful side glance. The hall was quickly approaching.
"I don't know…" You hummed. He nudged you with his elbow, making you look back at him. He was pouting like the five year old he is. Sighing, you nodded. "Fine- But just the waltz, okay?" Seven hummed happily, raising his chin higher in a confident pose.
"Let me see if I can park closer to the door this time," he added in, as he pulled into the parkade once more. You waited patiently, keeping an eye out for an empty spot as he slowly drove around the levels. "A-ha!" He quickly turned into a vacant spot and parked the car. This time, you were quick enough to beat him to opening your door; you did so yourself. He pouted again.
"Hey, you've been quite the gentleman this evening. There is no need to keep being so very kind to me, Luciel." You said.
"Okay… But I won't stop until I have taught you the waltz!" He exclaimed, holding a hand over his heart. You shook your head with a grin, and walked with him up the stairs.
Back into the party, it had calmed down a bit. It was less crowded, but still had that nice energy to it. You took a deep breath, exhaling it out through your mouth. Time to try to impress Jaehee.
Luciel Once again offered you his hand. Instead of him leading you to the dance floor, he lead you to a side room to learn and practice. He showed you where your hands were supposed to rest, first. Your left hand was to rest on his right shoulder blade (ironically enough), while his right hand was to rest on your left waist. From there, he took your right hand in his left; your fingers went between his fingers and thumb.
He made sure you felt comfortable like this by asking, "Should I move my hand to your shoulder instead, or is okay here?" He spoke of his right hand.
"It's fine where it is, Seven." You said, feeling slightly intimidated by the proximity the closed position brought you to with him. "Just no stepping on my feet, yeah?" You joked.
"Same goes to you, (y/n)," He said with a laugh.
Now he had begun the steps. He showed you the follower's part first; step left, together, step left, step right, together, step right, and so on, in a square. For the leader, it was just mirrored; step right, together, step right, step left, together, step left. You repeated this with him for a good while, while he counted out a ¾ time signature for you to dance to. You definitely were the one that would be stepping on toes. Seven tired not to act like it hurt, for your own confidence.
xXxXx
During this practise, all Luciel could think about was how close you were to him; the smell of your light perfume, the stray strands of your hair that tickled both of your faces, the grazing of your newly bought dress against his legs. What also strongly caught his attention, was where your hand rested. It sat right on his tattoo.
He closed his eyes as he softened his voice. The ¾ time was now whispered behind his teeth, smooth and relaxing. You had to keep your eyes open to keep an eye out for your feet; Seven was well versed enough to not need to. You both glided along the carpeted floor. You were starting to feel confident about this.
As he picked up the speed of the waltz, you clung together a bit closer, a bit more stiffly. He opened his brightly coloured eyes again, locking eye contact with you. Seven felt the soothing brush of your breath on his collarbone. You could feel the slightly raced rhythm of his heart.
Something felt slightly warm underneath the palm of your left hand. You pulled your hand back towards yourself, staring down at it. "Luciel?" You both parted. He tried to look over his shoulder. His mind screamed at him that something bad was happening, while something else told him it was going to be something amazing. Seven pulled at his shirt, looking down at his tattoo while keeping it out of your sight. It seemed brighter, and felt warmer.
"It's a-okay! No worries, haha~!" He chimed, putting on a confident smile. You believed him. "Do you think.. You're ready to show off to Jaehee?" He added, waggling his eyebrows. You nodded, being reminded of the intentions of this practise. He felt his high spirits dwindle; the tattoo started to cool. As the design cooled, so did his heart; he didn't see the tattoo fade once more.
xXxXx
Your gentleman of the evening had run off to get the right music set and ready for your performance. It was also much easier to find Jaehee if he was to take hold of the mic, to call her to the dance floor. You had found a nice little spot that was less crowded than the rest of the area, near the stage, to wait at. You leaned against the wall. You fidgeted. You took deep breaths. You waited.
"May I have your a-tten-ti-on~ everybody?" You heard Seven say into the microphone. "I need to see fellow R.F.A member, Jaehee Kang, asap, please! Jaehee, please come meet me beside the stage." You felt your calming tactics fail to work for any longer. Your heart rate increased at the thought of the coming events.
After a minute or two, she appeared from the crowd. Jaehee wandered over to where Seven was, starting up a conversation while the music was on stand by. You saw him walk-and-talk her onto the dance floor. He rubbed the back of his neck at something, and excused himself. At the gesture, a slow waltz piece began to fill the room; Secret Garden, Dreamcatcher. She looked around in wonder, while you speed walked up to her.
Just as your best friend had, you offered her your hand. Jaehee blushed a fair shade of red. She took the offer as you lead her further into the crowd. She got herself into the follower's position. You mirror her actions, and set your right hand on her waist, your left taking her hand in yours. You both smiled a sheepish smile.
"Did… did you plan this out?" She questioned.
"Ah, kind of… It was very much so a last minute thing with Seven doing most of the work." You easily replied. She made a sound of understanding, looking down at her feet as you began to lead.
You fumbled over your feet a few times, as did Jaehee, but you both slowly got used to each other's movement. The song made the atmosphere remarkably perfect for the two of you. Once there was even more confidence between you two, your eyes locked with each other. You stared into her golden caramel eyes, herself peering into your radiantly (e/c) eyes. Her glasses added a shine to her gaze. Her delicate, light brown hair swayed as the two of you swayed. Your own (h/c) hair followed suit. Jaehee's hands occasionally brushed against your shoulder as her hold started to alleviate in comfort. It sent a shiver down your spine.
The situation resembled that of with Seven; soon, you closed in to each other more, being able to feel the beating of your hearts. You both could feel the small puffs of air that was your breath, fall upon one another. The familiar scent of dark roasted coffee and flora made you light headed. You tried out some twirls as you went along the floor.
Sadly, the song soon dulled down to a quiet melody, leaving Jaehee and you in an embrace.
"That was... That was very pleasant, (y/n)," She whispered in a soothing voice. "By the way, I think that dress looks stunning on you. Did you go home to change, or…?" Jaehee added, taking a small step back to separate the two of you to get a view of the dress.
"I'm glad. And thank you, my gosh, thank you- Me and Seven went out to quickly buy a new one. He insisted, and even paid for it." You replied with a lopsided grin. You twirled for her. She chuckled.
"Well, I'm pleased that he did that for you." She added, still admiring your dress.
"I feel I should do something in return to thank him… I'm just not sure what I could do." You said with a sigh. You turned around to look at Seven on the stage, watching the two of you. He smiled and waved with all kinds of enthusiasm.
"I can ask him later, so he is not suspicious of any motives." Jaehee suggested. You nodded. "We have forty-five minutes left of festivities, now. Anything else you would like to do, (y/n)?"
"I still have to talk to Jumin, yet. I…" You paused, "I still don't know who it is. But we will see, huh?" You laughed nervously.
"I really wish I could spend the remaining moments of the party with you, but you are busy, and I get to see you afterwards, anyways. Please, take care. Good luck." She explained, taking your hand in hers; she softly brushed her thumb over the top of your hand before blending in with the crowd once more.
Guilt filled you as you realized that you had barely spent half of your time at the party with her. She seemed to be warming up to you, quicker and quicker as the night went on. You weren't even sure anymore if she still only thought of you as a good friend. Yet, maybe with that good omen from earlier, things will only go for the better, here on out.
I can't believe that I actually got another chapter in today... Haha. I'm sick again; I got sick on the 2nd, recovered, then on the 9th, recovered kinda, and then yesterday, the 16th. If I don't post anything next weekend, chances are I am dead :P And MM keeps crashing on me again and I a bc I am missing so many chats rnnnnn
Anyone hell bent on me updating sunday, as well? I finished my homework again, so- eheh^^* But my cold... yiKEs
Thank you so so so much, reviewers~! You all are too kind~ Deji Kabu, thank you for your caring words! Carnivalcat, I'm very glad that you are enjoying my fanfic~ Ah, Seven's is kinda more self-explanatory, but did I miss word something-? Her's didn't vanish! ^^* And Awkwardbeing, ahhh yes, Emma! She keeps communicating you to me through her haha. I tried to make it my gayest ^^ I saw next to no Jaehee fanfics, let alone full stories! So I took it into my own hands~
See you soon, lovely readers~!