BATMAN

SHALL WE DANCE?

Chapter Two: Bruce's Eight

To the Reader

General timeline for this multi-chapter fic is after the events depicted in the Batman and Nightwing series and before the DC 52 Reboot (except for Batgirl 2011—Volumes 1 to 3). Specific timeline for this fic is immediately after the events of Batgirl 2011, Volume 3. This fic also takes the position that events in Batgirl 1 to 3 and the entire "Mirror Arc" happen before the events of Nightwing 2011 #1.

This fic is also set BEFORE the events chronicled in the Grayson comic series...

This fic takes the position that everything that happened thus far in the DC universe will remain as true and that the reboot series (if applicable) are the characters' continuing adventures.

Disclaimer

Bruce Wayne / Batman, Dick Grayson / Nightwing, Alfred Pennyworth, Selina Kyle / Catwoman, and other DC characters appearing in this fic… I do not own these lovable DC / Vertigo characters.

Havana by Chris Heyman is owned by those who hold the copyright to the song.

However, I do own this fic, Have fun reading!

Best regards,

PJ Zatken

After making a few business calls, the 15-minute break was over and Bruce returned to the huge hall where he was practicing with Alfred while Dick watched. He saw the two chatting.

Alfred and Dick stopped and got themselves ready once Bruce reached the middle of the hall.

Dick gazed at Bruce, shifting a bit seeing that the three of them were about to start working again. "Alfie and I have been talking, and one of the problems that I can point out is your body."

Bruce quipped, "People only get one body. You're making it sound that I need a new one."

Bruce quieted down once he saw Alfred throw him a death glare that he remembered oh, so well when he was a child. Lately, since he had been learning how to do Latin ballroom dances particularly the Argentine tango, he became far more reacquainted with the uncomfortable feelings associated with that glare. He reduced his desire to react or quip through his customary scowl.

"No, Mister Wise-Ass. At this rate, you need a major overhaul." Dick then let out a long, frustrated sigh. To relieve the tension and ongoing stress that his body and mind were undergoing, he absentmindedly raked his fingers through his hair and then explained to Bruce, "Latin dance is different from Standard ballroom dance style. The fluid movements in Latin dances such as the rumba, cha-cha, salsa, paso doble, the tango, and other Latin-based dances are expressed differently. Movement is more pronounced in the Argentine tango. For now, let's start with teaching you fluid movements through the rumba which is slow and easy. Once you get the hang of it, we'll apply that to the Argentine tango."

Bruce looked not just stewing angry, but clueless…making Dick and Alfred exchange glances.

Dick mulled over his thoughts, trying to find the right words to convey to Bruce what he was doing his best to say. "In those dances, the man must be able to express this haughty, pseudo-narcissistic, oozing sensuality from head to toe. Confident, romantic, sexual… It's like through that dance, you're enticing and promising your partner a night to remember. As to what it means, leave your partner guessing as to what that 'night to remember' would entail by using your body to communicate that. And what I'm saying goes way beyond that billionaire playboy persona you've been playing up all these years."

Alfred nodded his head with a smile akin to what a proud father would give to a son who accomplished a job well done. He loved Dick's descriptions, especially since he could see what the latter was describing vividly. "I couldn't have said it better myself, Master Richard."

Bruce had a grumble laced in his tone as he said, "The waltz is romantic. Why can't I stick with that?"

This time, it was Dick's turn to raise an eyebrow from Bruce's comment. "Would you just quit it with the waltz, already? I love the waltz in sweeping someone off her feet, but there are more ballroom dance styles other than the waltz. It's time for you to grow up in the ballroom arena and stop moving on the dance floor like a constipated Bugsy Malone. You dance as if you're about to mangle someone."

Alfred smirked, took in a deep breath, and pursed his lips…his efforts in holding back his laughter.

"You two are having so much fun at my expense, aren't you?"

With a smug smile, Dick responded to Bruce, "Well, consider this payback from all the moments you've beaten the crap out of all of us Robins during training. So what is more important – your pride, or Selina?"

Bruce quieted down with a death glare of his own, although he knew that it was not fazing either Alfred or Dick.

Dick gazed at Bruce, letting out a quiet sigh and allowing his sympathy towards Bruce and the situation to seep out…and so he said in a kind tone to make Bruce understand, "Look… In dance, the waltz is like a romantic courtship. The gentleman woos the woman sweetly, every movement done as if it's a request from the gentleman to the woman…the woman treated like the princess that she is. Emphasis on the word gentleman…"

Beginning to relent, Bruce asked, "And Latin dances?"

Dick fell quiet for a moment, and then tried reminisced the feelings that courses through him whenever he danced for as long as he could remember. He recalled the joy and the exhilaration filling him, and so he allowed those thoughts to spill out from him as he explained, "In Latin dances, there's more sensuality because the man and the woman are lovers on the dance floor. There's intimate teasing hinted in the movements. Sensuality, flirtation, and romance… If waltz is courtship, the Latin dance is the bold, in-your-face yet sensual invitation to foreplay and the bedroom…and you leave no room for your partner to say no. It's supposed to be an erotic and possessive expression of love between a man and a woman…like a slow burn leading to the bedroom and all night long…"

Bruce grumbled and shook his head. "Fine… So how am I supposed to train my body for this movement?"

"Well, first of all you do the count in your head. When you do the count, don't use English…use Spanish… Otherwise, the rhythm will be completely off and it's awkward for the body to adapt to the fluid movements. Once that happens, your timing, movements, and steps will be off. And since you're the man and the lead, your partner will be dancing off-rhythm, too."

Alfred turned on the music. Havana by Chris Heyman played and echoed throughout the hall, with Alfred setting it to perpetual loop for now until Dick instructed otherwise.

Dick began swaying his body to the rumba music, explaining to his student, "From head to toe, use your body to communicate that oozing sensuality without being overt. You make eye contact. Your eyes communicate all that needs to be said to your partner. You never remove your gaze from your partner from start to finish. You move your arms fluidly. You move your torso. You sway your hips. Just like your eyes, your body always has that connection with your partner. You dance to the rhythm and let the music carry you away. It's full expression of emotions on the dance floor. You do that in standard forms to begin with. In Latin dances, full expression is the spice and the lifeblood of the dance coming to life. It's like you're being one with your partner that way. In the Argentine tango, there's this push-and-pull relationship between the two. So you add sexual tension to the mix."

Bruce and Alfred observed Dick, who closed his eyes for a second as he let the music dictate his movements and dancing with such grace and ease. Bruce began to slowly but surely see the differences that Dick was referring to, the two walking here and there to watch Dick…with each part of his body moving so fluidly.

Once the song was done, Bruce and Alfred applauded Dick…with Dick taking a graceful bow and smiling warmly.

Bruce then inquired in passing, "Alfred, did you send anyone to dancing school? How come I missed out on all of this?"

"Yes, Master Bruce. But Master Richard learned beyond what was taught to him all the years that he had a dance tutor. All the boys went through a dance tutor, but they were for the standard forms of ballroom dancing."

Bruce then turned to Dick, wondering out loud, "Why are you such an avid advocate of Latin dances? Who taught you?"

With a small smile escaping from his lips, Dick replied, "I picked it up over the years. My parents danced a lot when I was little, and so did I. Then there were women that I've dated. Then there's the undercover work we do. I mean there's every given opportunity. If I'm going to do it, I'll do my best not to look like a wooden idiot."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, holding back a growl. "Are you trying to insult me?"

"Hey, don't look at me. You're reading too much between the lines. Focus on your learning. If there's anyone's who's insulting you, that's you. " Dick then stood up and walked towards the middle of the wide space. "So stand facing me, and make space between us. Alfie, you're our spotter. Bruce needs to learn how to move like I do."

"All right..." said Alfred, straightening up and preparing for his task

Dick then stood in a straight posture and demonstrated to Bruce what he was instructing the latter to do. "So, feet a bit apart… Your spine is supposed to be straight at all times, yet every part of your body particularly the arms, torso, and most especially the hips are moving. The movement is called an eight-roll."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, unable to picture himself doing the fluid, graceful, and sensual movements that Dick just made. He never felt that way when he watched other people do these movements. In fact, he had seen it numerous times. However, seeing it so close to home by having his eldest son demonstrate it so that he could do it himself…it was just too much for him to take…

While giving Bruce a look chastising for open-mindedness, Dick continued explaining as he pointed at parts of his body to coincide with his explanation, "Picture making a figure-eight or an infinity sign on every movement while your spine remains straight while following the rhythmic count. Let's start with the torso and the hips first. Once you get that, we'll add the arms."

Dick gracefully moved, and Bruce not so gracefully.

And it was so painful for Alfred to watch Bruce, with each minute becoming more unbearable.

Having seen enough, Dick yelled, "Stop!"

Bruce stopped.

It was Dick's turn to scowl along with Alfred, with Dick asking, "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"What were you just doing?"

Holding back on his annoyance, Bruce said through nearly-gritted teeth, "I was dancing. What else did you think I was doing?"

"You call what you just did dancing? Are you serious?" Dick sighed, and approached Bruce. "First of all, your movements are hesitant. Second, you're still too wooden."

Trying to think of the best way to teach Bruce and letting out a sigh to ease the tension, Dick then got an idea. "Don't move. So focus on what I'm going to say. I'm going to touch you so that you can get this through your head. Twist my arm, and we'll have a problem."

Bruce nodded as he pushed down his irritation. He watched Dick as the latter lifted a pointed right index finger.

Dick then said as he had his index finger draw an imaginary vertical line in the middle – from Bruce's throat down to the belly button. "That's your center and your spine if we're pointing at the back."

The second thing that Dick did was to draw another imaginary diagonal line over Bruce's upper chest. "This s the first and second quadrant…."

The third thing that Dick proceeded to do was to use his pointed index finger to draw another imaginary diagonal line a few inches above the belly button… He then pointed to parts of Bruce's abs and said, "This is the third and fourth quadrant…"

The fourth thing that Dick do was to draw one more imaginary line, doing the same motions as earlier and saying as he pointed to the lower part of Bruce's abs, "This is the fifth and sixth quadrant...the area that lies in-between the last two lines I drew. Now below that line and your belly button…your left and right hip…is where the seventh and eighth quadrant lie…" You need to be able to move each of those eight quadrants with fluid and flair while keeping your core…your spine…poised and straight. Picture having lines drawn from your shoulder to your wrist, both left and right side. Picture figure eights from each part, which means that each part where a figure eight rests is an area for the body to have fluid movement… If you can master that, your waltz would even be better because you'd be able to learn how to express yourself better through the dance."

Then another thought came in Dick's head, and Alfred could tell as to how the Wayne eldest son lit up for a moment…hearing Dick say, "Oh, and one more thing, Bruce…."

Bruce exclaimed with irritation, "There's more?"

Dick said in a light-hearted manner while having that boyish, carefree smile that he was so well-known for, "Latin dances are easier to learn and do when you're letting go and having fun. Let it fill your entire being. So first of all, smile…"

Bruce smiled…

"Geez... You just look like you're about to pummel and then drag me to Arkham. I told you to smile – not scare people into making them think you're insane," murmured Dick as he shook his head, his mind recalling how Selina ranted to him nearly all night long about Bruce's antics. He remembered how much he defended Bruce while doing his best to appease her good graces so that the two could reconcile. But then again, seeing that scowl-warped smile of Bruce's just now made him shake his head.

"That was my smile… I was smiling."

Dick shook his head more pronouncedly, unable to wrap his head over how difficult it could be to teach a well-bred, cultured gentleman how to dance or even be pleasantly human. "Sorry, that was dumb of me to ask you to smile. I forgot I'm dealing with here…. I'm seconding Alfie here – you are an oaf, and an arrogant one, too! You're not smiling for those shallow, backstabbing socialites. You're not smiling to be the scourge of the underworld on a good night. You're smiling for Selina!"

Dick and Alfred respectively shudder while Bruce scowled, with the two teachers thinking their own versions of, "We still have a long way to go…and I mean very long…"

End of Chapter Two