Word: Dance

Dakavendish slash, Italics are lyrics

2.5k words

"Can you believe it?"

Cavendish chuckled as Dakota pulled back another sheet from over some items in the small storage unit. "Yes, dear, I can. We bought it not too long ago, after all. What do you have over there?"

Dakota nodded. "I know, but it still feels a bit surreal to me. And we managed to negotiate a really good price for it too! Uhm, I think there's some really old timey stuff over here- probably yours."

The Italian heard a scoff- a sound he was sure was made up, until he actually heard Cavendish make it- and turned to watch the Brit as he neared. "We got pretty lucky on it, yes. And just because it's old timey doesn't mean it's mi-Oh, hey, it is my stuff."

Vinnie burst out laughing at that, Cavendish joining in after a few seconds of pouting. "Alright, alright, Dakota! You'll break something if you laugh that hard!"

Despite the words, the Italian could see the clear grin on the Brit's face, just as entertained as he was. "Sorry, sorry! That was too funny, ha! Ohh boy- Wanna keep any of this stuff for the new house?"

Kneeling beside Dakota, Cavendish pawed through the plastic box. Dakota leaned against his partner as he worked, watching the little trinkets he set aside, some that he recognized, some that were completely foreign to him. Occasionally, he'd point and ask what something was, and Cavendish entertained him with a description and short story of where it came from, and how he got it. It made him smile.

"Do you want to keep any of this, love?"

Dakota shook his head, unaware as he pressed closer to the male. "Nah, not if you don't want to. I mean, it's cool and all, but we should fill up our new house with new stuff ya know? New memories or what they say."

Our new house.

God, that made him giddy. He was already beyond emotions when Cav admitted he felt the same way as him (though, admittedly, it didn't go as he dreamed. Too many angry words and tears before confessions. What, were they in some sort of romantic one shot?). When they agreed to live together- well, to live in a better house since their ratty office wasn't any good- saying that Dakota was ecstatic was an understatement, and a big one at that. He'd felt like he was walking on cotton candy clouds.

And now, going through old memories that they'd long forgotten, to see if anything could fit in their new place? Dakota felt peaceful in a way he hadn't in a long time. They were allowed back into the future for a bit, to paw through what they had in storage there, since Block didn't give them much time to pack before they were banned. They'll have to throw the rest out or something. He doubted they'd be allowed back again.

"That sounded unlike you."

The gentle laugh brought Dakota back from his thoughts. He glanced up from where he was still leaning against Cav's side, only now noticing that his partner pulled him closer with an arm on his waist, Dakota unconsciously interlacing their fingers together. It felt amazing to do it without forcing himself to stop now.

"What sounded unlike me?"

Balthazar turned to look at him, the movement causing Dakota to fall a little bit, against his boyfriend's chest. He looked up, blinking, as Cavendish smiled down at him, "Hi."

"Pfft- hello, Vinnie. You look comfortable."

Dakota grinned, shifting a little bit. "I am, thanks. What were you saying before?"

Rolling his eyes, Cavendish slinked an arm around Dakota yet again, pulling him ever closer. Dakota couldn't believe how far his partner had gotten in terms of space. It felt wonderful like this. "I was saying that you saying cheesy phrases like 'filling the house with new memories, not old ones' seems quite unlike you."

"You're rubbin' off on me." Dakota pouted.

"I'd say it's a good thing."

"Naah, I don't want to be a stick in the mud too."

"Vinnie!"

Cavendish gave him a withering look, but it didn't last long because-

"Vinnie-

"Vinnie, stop-!"

"Sorry, Cav, I won't stop tickling till ya smile!"

"Vinnie!" It took everything Cavendish had not to laugh as Dakota pestered him, poking him all about, tickling to no end.

It took everything he had, and it still wasn't enough.

Cavendish burst into laughter, trying to swat Dakota's demonic hands away. "Okay, okay! Stop, stop, I yield! I laughed, stoooop!"

Beaming with pride, Vinnie leaned back, huffing in laughter. "Knew I could make you laugh!"

Grinning, the Brit replied, "Anyone can tickle anyone and make them laugh! Wait, no DON'T-"

Quickly, Cavendish grabbed Dakota's reaching ready-to-tickle hand before it could do any harm. Well, before it could do it's intended harm. As he did, Cavendish wobbled a little, before falling back onto empty cardboard boxes- and taking Dakota with him.

Letting out a small "oomf!", Vinnie fell atop of Cavendish's chest, trying not to accidently hit the male. As the dust cleared, Dakota giggled, looking up to peer at his partner through heterochromatic eyes, his glasses slipping slightly in the fall.

"Well, it's a good thing we already went through those bo- hey, what's that?"

Balthazar smiled as Dakota's short attention span presented itself, but he looked to where his partner was pointing, still holding his wrist.

"Oh! Wow, I forgot I had that. It's, hum, what is it called? A turntable? A record player, I believe." Dakota scrambled off of his partner, eyes glued to the item. It was disguised as a dark oak wooden box that was open. The needle was ebony black, and pointed towards the middle, as if inviting a song and dance.

A song and dance…

"What's wrong, dear?"

Vinnie turned. "Nothin's wrong. But can we take it back with us?"

A smile, which always seemed to send his heart fluttering. "Of course. You seem to like it a lot."

It took another hour and a half before the duo got through the entire combined storage unit. Most of the things they left behind. Just a few treasured memories that they didn't want to get lost in the future, and some things to temporarily spice up their new house, came with.

They gave a final wave to Savannah and Brick, who were kind enough (though more likely forced by Block) to help them time travel back and forth for their stuff. In just a flash of blue light, their new time vehicle was gone yet again.

"M'kay. Everything in?" Dakota looked to his partner, who was scanning their old-new haul on the barren ground with interest.

"Yes. Also, we should really get a table. We can't just have everything on the floor the entire time!"

"We will, love." Dakota walked up behind the Brit, hugging him loosely. For a quick second, the taller male stiffened, before relaxing at the close contact. "But for now, I hafta go, okay? I have an idea for a surprise!"

Their fingers intertwined. "What? Honestly, Vinnie, you need to stop with these surprises. You know I don't like too many of them!"

He turned so that they faced one another. "I know, I know. I promise it'll be the last one for a while. Please?"

He heard the other's heartbeat as he leaned into his chest. "Well...if you promise."

He gave a chaste kiss to his cheek. "I do. I'll be back in a little bit, okay? Just don't move anything till I come back!"

Cavendish sighed. "Alright, fine. Be careful!"

"That's ironic."

"Dakota!"

He laughed. "Bye, love you, be back soon!"

"I love you too, Vin."

The words played, over and over in his mind, a sweet symphony as he drove. It became a saccharine melody in his head as he entered a specific store, the decor long outdated and tacky, but reassuring nonetheless. It turned into the masterpieces Cavendish would occasionally play for him when they found a public piano, lost art from his dreaming time of becoming a composer, as he found the perfect item he was looking for.

It turned into what he imagined they'd be like in a few minutes' time, unspoken but felt as they listened and moved.

"Bal! 'M back!"

From the front door, Dakota could see his partner's head pop up from the corner leading into their new kitchen. "Finally! I assumed you'd gotten lost."

He kicked off his shoes, then moved to put them aside neatly as Cavendish frowned at him. "Aww, I'm not that bad with directions, am I?"

Balthazar stepped out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel, apparently in the middle of making food. Dakota's first instinct was to rush into the kitchen, to spot any possible hints of electrocution or knife cutting or some other way that fate could use to tempt him to time travel back.

But he stopped himself. He was getting better at that.

After all, it seemed Cavendish was more careful once he knew about the island. Thank god for that too. Without the time vehicle, Dakota wasn't sure what he'd do if something happened.

"Well, you're certainly not the best with them. What do you have there?"

Smiling softly, forcing himself to forget his thoughts, Dakota hid the bag containing his surprise behind his back. "You'll see! But first…" He stepped over to his partner, looking up with puppy dog eyes. "Close your eyes?"

Rolling them instead of closing them, Cavendish shook his head. Still, he covered his eyes with his hands anyways. "Thanks! Okay, keep them close till I tell you to open-" He pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, before turning to the record player they'd brought back to their time.

"Dakota! That's not fair! I can't return it if I can't see you!"

He opened the dark oak box, setting the ebony needle to the side- they'd forgotten to secure it on the ride over. Thankfully, it didn't get damaged. "Sorry, Bal- you'll get to kiss me later. Now, keep your eyes closed, please~" He made sure to add extra sweetness to his voice.

"Vin, I can practically taste your tone of voice in the air," Cavendish deadpanned.

Setting the newly bought record onto the player, Dakota burst into laughter. "I'm sorry-! It was worth it though." He played with the needle and volume for a second.

"Yes, yes, very lovely. What are you- oh?

"...Vinnie, what is that?"

Standing on his tippy toes, Vinnie gently pulled the other male's hands away from his eyes, holding them gingerly. He stepped back one step, Cavendish looking shocked, but following suit.

"We can do the tango just for two." Dakota sung along with the lyrics, pulling Cavendish closer. "What do you think?"

Finally, Cavendish broke out of his stupor. He shook his head, eyes twinkling. "Is this why you wanted to bring the record player?"

Vinnie grinned, stepping closer, allowing Cav to step back. "Maybe. Do you like it?"

Be your Valentino just for you

"I do. What is the song called?" Cavendish took the lead this time, pulling Dakota flush against him, guiding his hand up to his shoulder, and slipping his own to Vinnie's hip.

"Woah! Wow, I didn't know you knew how to dance." He wiggled his eyebrows, earning an exasperated yet amused, "Vinnie, please." He followed Cavendish's lead, whispering along with the "Oo, lover boy~" for a second before replying, "It's called 'Good Old Fashioned Loverboy' by Queen!"

Cavendish laughed, moving them around the empty soon-to-be living room. "Oh, always such a romantic, aren't you?"

Laughing, Dakota stuck his tongue out to show, yes, he was very romantic indeed. "What's so bad about that?"

Chuckling, Cavendish raised their connecting arms, forcing Dakota onto his tippy toes. Before he could say anything, Cavendish leaned towards him and moved his arm to his back, forcing him to dip a quarter of the way. "Not at all, love. Why would you say that?"

Breathless, Vinnie could only stare as Cavendish rightened them, smiling softly. Finally finding his voice, he pressed his forehead into his lover's chest. "You dip me, and you say that I'm the romantic?"

Oo, let me feel your heartbeat.

Laughing gently, Cavendish untangled their fingers, cupping Vinnie's cheek to make him look at him. Vinnie noted how warm his hand was. And how happy he looked. "I say that, yes."

Simply to prove Cav's point, Vinnie smiled, singing along, "I'd like for you and I, to go romancing.

"Say the word, your wish is my command."

They laughed as they spun around the empty room, socks slipping slightly on the polished wooden floor. "See, dear? I told you, you're a romantic!"

"You make me one, I swear." Vinnie huffed in laughter, taking back over the lead, tugging Cavendish to the right. He distanced a little as the song slowed, and Cavendish took the opportunity to spin him.

When I'm not with you, think of me always

Love you, love you!

"Hey, boy, where'd you get it from?" Vinnie sang, posing it as a question to his partner.

"Hey, boy, where did you go?" Cavendish continued. It was enough to make Dakota gasp, pausing their dance.

"You know this song?!"

Tugging him lightly to continue, Balthazar smiled. "No, but I remember you sang it in the car once."

Vinnie stepped back, prompting Cav to follow. "Oh, thank god, I wanted to surprise you with this song. You know, this timeline is really lucky. Queen is amazing- we didn't have anyone like him from...from my timeline."

For a second, dark memories swamped him. Just as quickly, Cavendish put a finger under Dakota's chin, urging him to look at his partner. "I know, love. Don't think about it, you're here now, with me. And Queen." And it was just enough to shake away tragic memories and promises of haunting- and simply make him smile.

He was so lucky.

"Thanks Bal."

Dining at the Ritz, we'll meet at nine precisely.

"Of course, Vinnie. I love you." Cavendish spun him around as he said it, before expertly dipping him low.

"Woah!" Dakota felt the quickest second of panic, but when he realized that he wasn't going to fall, he laughed breathlessly. "I love you too, Bal."

They shared a gentle kiss, before Cavendish pulled him out from the dip, and Dakota pressed himself into Balthazar's chest, the wooden floor now tinted a gentle orange as the sun set through the large windows, the record needle on its final rounds around the record.

He's my good old fashioned loverboy. Ooo, loverboy.

Dakota would be downright crazy if he said he didn't love Cavendish with his whole heart, body and soul. He'd be crazy if he said he didn't adore the possibility of what was to come in their new house. He'd have to check into a mental asylum if he said that Balthazar Cavendish wasn't who he wanted to be with for the rest of his life.

Hell, he broke every time traveling law and normal law just to keep him from dying!

They made small steps around the room, which was now splashed with orange and purple dying sunlight, staying as close to one another as possible, listening to familiar heartbeats and breaths and laughs and possibilities.

"I love you Balthazar."

"I love you too Vinnie."

Whoops, this was a bit longer than anticipated lol. And a lot fluffier than intended XD

Thanks for reading, reviews are appreciated! Have a good morning/afternoon/evening/night and take care!