When you're dancing her dance
You don't stand a chance
Her grip of romance
Makes you fall
-
The bright streaks of sunlight painted stripes across the recreation room's floor, falling in from the broad windows. The carpet was just beginning to warm, as it always does around nine or so in the morning. And since most of the other Apostles slept until noon, only two were out and about at this hour, Kyoko and Charden.
They sat across from each other, on the couch. Kyoko took up one end, propped up against the plush arm of the sofa. She viciously attacked the buttons of her game with her thumbs, face squinched up in concentration. Charden sat in a more normal manner, very stiff and formal, both hands in his lap, cradling an open book. Something Lovecraftian by the look of the tome, a favorite, judging from the loving wear on the cover. He read with the air of someone conversing with an old friend, relaxed and slow, no need to rush over the things he should enjoy.
This had become a habit, Charden and Kyoko spending time together, unintentionally, of course. One would already be occupying the couch, the other would walk in, taking up the other end sooner or later, seemingly absorbed in -depending on who it was- the new game or novel, too absorbed to acknowledge the other's presence past noticing them enough to sit on the opposite side. Or so they wished to appear. Both stole secret glances, blessedly never being caught.
When he heard her voice, it almost terrified him until he noticed her attention was still on the tiny plastic box in her hands. "Charden-chan, do you know how to dance?" she asked flatly, frowning at the pixellated protagonist of her game.
That certainly came out of the blue. "I can. Waltzes and that sort of thing, at least, not the modern kind. Why?" he returned his attention to the book as he spoke, casually turning a page.
"Kyoko's gonna learn how to dance so she can sweep Kuro-sama off his feet when they meet by chance at the town's ball!"She blabbered, clasping her hands together in front of her chest, snapping the game shut. When she noticed the system was turning off, she quickly flipped it back and began playing again.
A quick, sharp stab tore into Charden's center, but he shook it off and spoke again,"I could teach you, if you wish. Just the basics, at least. You'll have to seduce him on your own time." He fought to keep a certain distance in his voice, some tone that said, oh, no, I don't care if you're tearing me to tiny bits everytime you swoon over him and not me, over someone that is so far from being me, it's absolutely hilarious. Moving a thin ribbon to his place in the book, the man closed it with a soft thump.
Kyoko smiled,"Great! Now even Kuro-sama will be able to resist Kyoko's charms and talent! Thank you, Charden-chan!"She hopped up, flipping the game shut and dropping it onto the couch. The game bounced once, before sinking towards the space between the cushions. Ignoring the half-baked (he could never do something like that to her, he adored her too much) thoughts of sabatoging her in some way, he rose as well, placing the book carefully on the coffee table.
"Over here should be fine," he said, walking over to a space in the middle of the room. The girl followed happily, bouncing with every step.
"Give me your hand," he requested, facing her and extending an arm. Kyoko slipped her hand into his, and they both fought to contain the pleasurable chill that ran both spines. Gently, Charden took her other hand and placed it on his shoulder, before resting his hand on her hip. "Now, I'll step forward with this foot," he did so, brushing against her just slightly,"You take a step back with the foot on that side... and then the other... and together, just like that," he smiled at her, "Not too terribly difficult, but that's always how things start out."
A faint blush grew on her face as they continued, reversing the step and then again, slowly. She kept her eyes on their feet, and he watched her, a warm hum fluttering about his being. "Now that you have that part, then let's try it without the training wheels," his hand left hers for a moment, tipping up her chin. "Look up at me, okay, and let's see how far you can get without stomping on me."
She counted out quietly, under her breath, while they stepped, but kept her eyes on his. She'd never gotten to look at him, really look at him until now. Close up, she could see his eyes through the dark lenses. Wow, blue. They were pretty, too. Not like a girl's, but... Ack! She tripped over his foot, falling backwards. Another blush reddened her face when he caught her before she could fall any further, pressing her into his chest for a moment. She regained her balance, slowly, trying to relish the contact. In that instant, she could hear his heart beating, breathe in the way he smelled (lavendar? interesting. Kyoko made a mental note to investigate that later), and feel the warmth radiating from him. To cut off any awkwardness, she made an effort to stand quicker than either would've liked (but neither would admit.)
"Guess Kyoko needs more practice, huh? Or maybe she should just give up on ever getting a man, no one would want a girl as clumsy as Kyoko is," she pouted, brushing hair behind her ears as she stared at the floor.
Charden smiled gently and lifted her face up again,"I know someone who does."
"Really? Charden-chan, who is it?! Is it Kuro-sama? I bet it's Kuro-sama, right?"
--
AN: sorry for the long wait for another chapter. ; I'm trying to work on the next chapter of Refuge, and then the next of Left, but everything's been so bleh lately. I'm getting back in the groove, though, I promise. Reviews would probably make me go faster, yes? XD And more KyokoxCharden fanfic. LOTS MORE. :hearts:
(cough go visit my livejournal community, too, community dot livejournal dot com forwardslash sanguinespark, too, it has art cough cough.)