A/N: This chapter contains three dance scenes, which are all fairly long and I'm not confident about them, but I tried X3
The hallway was dimly lit as the sounds of shouts and talking echoed against its walls. Blue lights lined the walls, surprisingly well kept for the section of Tron Tower it was in. Tron stood before a particular open cell equipped with a firewall to keep its contents in. His arms were crossed.
On the other side of the firewall stood a Program with yellow and white lines, a cyan one here and there. He had short blue hair and blue eyes. A growl left his lips as he snarled at the figure in white. "I'll never tell you!" He ground out.
Tron sighed and dropped his arms. "It would be a lot easier. Your Users mean to harm other Programs. Don't you think that's reason enough to tell me what they're planning?" His voice was calm, but not a hint of pleading touched it.
The Program scoffed. "Infinitas aims to take everything from this System! That's all you're ever going to know!" He crossed his arms and flung himself onto the seat that lined the back of the cell he was in, crossing one leg widely over the other.
Tron shook his head, closing his eyes. This had been a long cycle, and interrogation session. Opening his eyes once more, he spoke. "You really hold a grudge against us. Why?"
The Program leaned forward, moving his hand while he talked. "Our Users told us you're up to no good! You'll take over the world or something! I can't let that happen!" He snarled.
Tron looked at him surprised. "That's not our objective!" He talked with his hands. "Once the Grid is ready, and our Users feel the other Users of the User World are ready, we'll open the Grid to them. Our objective is peace, Programs and Users living and working together." He paused, a thought coming to him. "Did you know that most Users outside of ENCOM don't know that Programs have lives of their own?"
The Program just waved his hand before him and scowled. "You're lying! They know!" He got up and walked to the front of the cell threateningly. "And you're lying about your Users' objective too!"
Tron shook his head and lowered his hands to his sides. "Believe that, and you will learn the hard way." He said with a touch of frustration and turned to leave.
The male Program shouted after him as he left. "You're the one who'll learn the hard way!"
The door to the containment area closed and Tron waited in the elevator until he was on the main floor.
Beck was waiting there for him. "You've been spending a lot of time with the Infinitas Programs while the Users aren't here." He said with concern, talking with his hands.
Tron just looked over to him and growled out, frustrated and serious. "I need to. If we don't find out what Infinitas' plans are we'll be in more trouble than we were during the first attack!"
Beck looked hurt and Tron closed his eyes, sighed and spoke calmly. "I'm sorry. It's been a long cycle."
Beck shrugged. "I get it. Hey join us for some energy? You look pretty beat."
Tron nodded. "That sounds like a good idea."
Beck smiled and waved Paige, Mara and Zed over. "We're heading up to the bar! Come on!" He called to them.
"Alright!" Zed said as he put his pad down.
"Coming!" Mara grinned and put her own pad down.
Paige just smiled and walked up to Beck's side, taking hold of his arm affectionately. "You got him to take a break." She said lovingly.
Beck smiled lovingly at her.
Tron chuckled. "Now I know why you wanted to protect them so much." He teased as he headed back to the elevator.
Beck laughed. "Yeah, they're great." He looked with love to Paige.
Tron chuckled once again, and soon they were in the bar. To be honest, Tron liked it this way, always busy, it kept his mind from wandering… To darker times. He never admitted it, but Rinzler was always on his mind, even if he had accepted some changes from him, the nightmares… He rarely had a sleepcycle without them. He looked to Beck's friends, now his as well, and smiled. He was grateful for them… And Astra. A slow, teasing, flirtatious smile crept onto his lips at the thought of her. Just thinking about her made him feel better, happier, she was a Usersend to him.
Beck noticed the smile and looked to him slyly. "Thinking about Astra again?" He pointed as he took his energy glass.
Tron breathed out a laugh and nodded. "How did you know?"
Beck laughed. "Maybe it was that goofy grin you just had." He teased his past mentor.
Tron laughed and shook his head. "I'm that obvious?" He took his energy glass and looked to his friend. "I'll need to watch that." He took a sip.
Beck chuckled. "Nah, it's good to see you so happy." He smiled and took a sip of his own drink.
"I can attest to that!" Zed piped up from a few seats down, he was seated beside Mara, who was beside Paige, who was beside Beck.
Tron snorted out a laugh. "If you can say it than there must be some improvement." Tron teased.
Zed looked incredulous. "Hey!"
Mara just laughed and gave him a noogie. "You earned that!" She laughed out.
Paige just laughed and shook her head, then looked to Tron. "They're right, you do seem a lot happier. It's good for you." She said seriously as she took a sip from her drink.
Tron smiled and shook his head, raising his hands before him in a defeated gesture. "Ok, ok! I'm outnumbered. You win." He addressed them all with a laugh in his voice.
Beck smiled and pointed to him. "Good."
The rest of the cycle went like that until Tron had to go to bed… A time he feared, but had to do. It started out alright, until memories of Rinzler took hold of him again and he tossed and turned in his sheets, calling out. "No! Please! Alan-One! Don't let me!" He prayed to his User until he woke up, sitting up with a hand to his head, tears streaming down his cheeks, breathing hard.
He was silent as he sat there, remembering, forcing the memories back into the furthest reaches of his mind, until he got up and walked to the window to the right of him, his bed against the back wall facing forward within Tron Tower. He looked out, watching the peacefulness of the Grid as it glowed brightly in the darkness that was their world.
He stood there for some time, until memories of Astra took hold, they seemed to creep into his mind when he needed them the most. A sad smile touched his lips, as the memories of Rinzler were still fresh, but he felt a little better… Then he remembered how her touch felt just like… Yori's. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He kept comparing her… And those dreams, when they bonded. He gasped with emotion and then pushed it back. No. She wasn't her… She couldn't be… Could she? His resolve wavered. He just couldn't keep his hands off of her… But if she learned of Rinzler, how would she react? Would she accept him? Or push him away?
He closed his eyes tight, not wanting to think about it. He would have to tell her eventually… She had to learn about the history of the Grid, to stop something like it from happening again, or, help stop it along with the ENCOM Team.
He sighed and looked to his bed. He wasn't going to get any more sleep this sleepcycle so he decided to go work out. It usually helped clear his mind.
Most Programs were asleep at this time, but there was a sleepcycle crew of very few Programs within Tron Tower that were awake, looking after the Grid. None saw Tron as he took the elevator down to the Simulation Room however, where he worked out and trained until everyone was awake and heading to their work areas.
YyYyYy
Back in the User World Astra had another day working at her regular job, old job? She thought as she worked on the last little bits of fixing the Grid from the attack from Infinitas.
While she worked Dev poked her head over her cubicle to talk to her. "So how'd yesterday go?" She said cryptically, and whereas her tone was basically monotone, one could tell there was laughter in it.
Astra looked up a bit surprised, she was so engrossed in her work, and stood to talk to her. "It was… Interesting." She laughed. "I ended up staying longer than planned." She rose an eyebrow at the other woman, daring her to realise what that meant.
The older woman whistled and pulled what could only be a smile. "That must've been interesting." She said slyly.
Astra laughed again. "It was!" Shaking her head, she noticed Riven also looking up and getting ready to say something.
"Trevon must've given you a hard time." He laughed.
Astra shook her head. "No actually. It was… Interesting working with him." Her eyes twinkled and darkened at the memory of their time in the base.
Just then another head popped up from the cubicle on the other side of Riven. "Why would you be working with Trevon when you're IT?" The brown-haired man with green eyes asked.
"You don't need to know Ben." Riven snapped at him.
Astra rose her hands in a gesture to show peace. "Hey it's ok." She looked to Ben. "He's teaching me self defence. He got really upset that I was alone at a club for hours and went home in a taxi." She said, mostly truthfully.
Ben looked at her surprised and then nodded. "I think I remember when he chewed you out for that…" He trailed off the looked back at her. "Ok. Hey Riven, that was nothing to get upset over."
Riven just blushed and said. "Well it seemed personal. I didn't want to give that away…" He looked up to Astra.
She smiled apologetically down at him. "It's ok. It's not exactly secret after Trevon yelled at me." She laughed nervously. It was really hard trying to lie… But she was convincing nonetheless.
Riven just nodded, hummed and got back to work, they all did really, and the day went without a hitch… Until the end when "Trevon" came to call on Astra.
"Working hard, I see." He teased as he silently walked up behind her and leaned on her cubicle. His nightmares long gone. In honesty, he missed her this cycle, it was a lot longer in there than it was out here.
Astra squeaked in surprise and looked back at him, a teasing smile on her lips. "You're silent as the wind!" She shook her head. "I've just finished fixing the last of the damage from Infinitas." She said proudly, chin raised in challenge.
Tron chuckled. "I have to be, for my job." He says the last as he leans in close to her, then stands back up. "Good work. ENCOM is lucky to have you on its team." He said cryptically.
Astra just laughed and shook her head. "Thank you. And, you." She stood and poked him on the chest. "Are a sneak." She teased, she loved it about him.
He laughed and shook his head. "Oh? I thought I was security." He teased right back. Users this feels so good! Tron thought as his eyes glittered in happiness. If any bad feeling was left from his nightmare, it was gone now!
"Oh I don't know. You're pretty sneaky to be simply security. Do you have a night job I don't know about?" She flirted with him as she stepped close to him and gently traced his shoulders.
Tron suppressed a shudder at her touch, it was nothing like on the Grid, having no lightlines or circuitry to touch, but it was still pleasant. "I might." His eyes glittered as he leaned in and whispered to her.
From the cubicle beside them a cough sounded and they both looked to it, pausing in their flirting.
"You two are like a sweet and sour sauce." Riven said a bit irritatingly to them. "Sweet and flirty yet sassy all at once."
"Riven! Let them be." Dev said from over her cubicle wall.
Riven just shook his head. "I'm trying to work." He grumbled. In truth, he just wanted to be back at home with his boyfriend and Tron was just reminding him of that.
Dev shook her head and looked up to the "couple". "Sorry, Astra shot him down earlier so he's a bit grumpy."
"Hey!" Riven shot up in defence. "You make it sound like I hit on her! You know I wouldn't!" He turned to Tron. "She just peace called a situation earlier. I made a big deal out of it."
Tron looked at him, surprised, then turned his gaze to Astra. "You did?"
Astra nodded. "Yeah, we were talking about me training with you and Ben wondered why. Riven basically told him to mind his own business and I told him it was because you're teaching me to defend myself, after having learned about the club incident." She informed him just so he could keep the story going.
Tron nodded slowly, noting the half-lie. "I see. Well, you're doing well in your defensive training…" He looked from Riven to Ben who had been listening in from his cubicle.
"I should head back. See you tomorrow?" Tron said with a bit more seriousness. "I have something a bit more fun planned." He grinned at her.
Astra's eyes lit up with happiness and she nodded. "You bet! I can hardly wait." She smiles at him.
He nods and heads back to the Rezzing Room.
Astra shakes her head with a smile after him and packs up her stuff to head home.
On her way down the hall to the elevator, she bumps into a man with medium-length brown hair, (for a man), and icy blue eyes. His purple suit, vest and white and purple striped shirt crisp and smart upon him.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" She apologizes quickly.
He adjusts his glasses smartly and holds onto the pad in his arm a little tighter. "You should watch where you're going Miss…" He asks the silent question.
"Astraica." She holds out her hand to him in greeting. "Devinlight."
He stares at her hand and stands straight. "Well, Miss Devinlight. You should pay more attention to your surroundings." He said cooly as he turned to enter the elevator.
Astra retracted her hand slowly, sadly, then stood straight and decided she wasn't going to let this frigid man's attitude get to her and stepped into the elevator next to him, chin held level with the floor, silent.
He looked to her curiously, slow. He supposed she would be taking the elevator, and looked forward again.
After a beat, Astra turned to him. "I never caught your name." She asked her silent question.
"Edward Dillinger." He said boldly without looking at her. Adding. "Jr." After a beat.
Astra's eyes widened. "It's nice to meet you."
He looked to her then. "No comment about my father?" He asked coolly.
She shook her head. "Why? You're here, the company must trust you."
He stared at her, cool and calculating for a moment. "You're… Odd." He said as the door dinged and opened and he stepped into the hallway of another floor.
Astra was heading to the floor below it, so she stayed in the elevator. "I take that as a compliment." She smirked cheekily back at him.
He turned quickly to her then, eyes wide as the door closed on them. He hadn't expected her to be cheeky with him! He fully expected her to slink back like most of the weak-boned people in the world. She had guts. He pulled a slow smile, pushed his glasses back up his nose, and continued to his destination.
Astra just grinned as the door opened, she wondered if she could befriend the frigid man. She shook her head inwardly. No. She had enough to deal with, with Tron, Dev and Riven here. She couldn't exactly call Alan, Lora, Sam, Quorra or Roy her friends, they were more her bosses than anything, even if she did pull that coffee prank with Sam, Quorra and Tron that one day.
Waving to the security desk with a warm smile, she leaves for her car to head home.
YyYyYy
The next day Astra found no-one to meet her when she rezzed into the Grid, so, with a shrug, she headed to Tron Tower on her own. It was even stranger that no-one met her there either. She waved with a smile to the Programs working on the main floor, scanning in all who entered the Tower, and headed into the elevator to the Simulation Room… She had an idea of what she could do on her own while waiting for Tron.
With a smile, she heads into the control room and scans in, then heads to stand in the centre of the room. She had downloaded a few songs into the Grid when she found out about the End of Line club. She would use some of these now.
With a thought, a male simulation rezzes beside her and the music begins to play – Into You by Ariana Grande. She walks around him slowly to the beginning, tracing his shoulders gently, then she stops at his back and slides down then up while sliding her hands down then up his back. Slowly she traces his shoulders to his front "cross the line" is sung and she touches his symbol.
He holds her, dips her low then back up, "game to play" singing throughout the room. She touches his lips and he twirls her around then dips her low, slowly bringing her back up while slowly moving his hand down to her thigh to bring her leg up to his hip. They "wave" their bodies together slowly to the beat once while he moves his hands up her body, lowering her leg while he does so. Then he slides his hands up her arms to hold them over her head, then brings them down and twirls her around.
She twirls back and he dips her low, she slides her hands along his shoulders and arms while they "wave" together "waitn' and waitn'" singing around them.
He twirls her again and pulls her tight with enough force for them to shake as he looks like he's growling at her in passion and she brings her hands up to cup his face, their faces are an inch apart. "To make a move" is sung at this point.
She leans back with her hands gently on the sides of his face, her eyes closed, back arched, "Ooo O! Ooo O!" plays around them and she snaps back up with a fluff of her hair while she traces her hands along side of his face to his neck, before she twirls out of his arms to bend a bit and tap his symbol teasingly, then press her body up against his starting at the feet, up, to her chest. She traces his arms up to grasp hands.
/Begin chorus
He twirls her away from him harshly, "burn me up" being sung.
She comes back to him to "wave" with him once, "on it" being sung.
He twirls her out then back in, and she touches his lips with her body flush against his. They "wave" again, "dangerous" singing around them.
She twirls out of his arms and back in to "wave", "want it" being sung, and traces his shoulder and arm as she walks around his left side in dancing steps to the beat.
He stands for a moment then turns with her as she takes his hands and moves them to her sides then down them slowly, head back, back arched, only to snap back to him, hands going up his arms to his shoulders quickly.
His hand is on her thigh now, with her leg on his hip. They wave together like that for all "into you's", then she half-turns out of his arms, her hand still on his shoulder, and turns back to place a hand on the side of his face and trails it down slowly.
They wave and she puts a finger to his lips, "secret" singing around them, and he slowly runs his hands down her back and sides while they wave, "scandalous" being sung.
Then she turns out of his arms quickly to trace his shoulders again while he turns with her, "don't let them see it" being sung. Then she holds his hands to slide up her sides, "touch my body", and her hands come up to his neck, then trail up to the sides of his face while their bodies are flush against each other, and his hand comes to her hip to pull her leg up to his hip and they wave to all "in to you's". /End chorus
She twirls out of his arms to trace his arm down, to his hand, when he twirls her on the spot and into him. Then she puts a hand on his chest, leg on his hip, and they wave once while she slides her hands down his chest slowly, only making it to the middle when she pushes him away bent over, "mistakes" playing around them.
She pulls him back to her via the opening in his collar of his suit, "better get this right", and she pulls him flush against her and they wave once while he brings his hands up to her arms, and brings her arms over her head.
They repeat the dancing to the chorus.
He turns her out fast, brings her in fast, turns her out fast, she turns back to him and prowls up to him touching his symbol, his shoulder, then his lips while he's sliding his hands up her sides to her arms.
They clasp hands and he spins her away from him, then back then out again, this time with a turn when she reaches out far enough.
She prowls around him, sliding her hand along his shoulder then pressing her body against him. They follow their hands up, then out then against each other, hers on his shoulders, his on her sides, while they turn their heads quickly from one side to the other in time with the beat.
They slide their hands along each other's bodies, "I'm on the edge with no control", his hands go up, hers go along his arms. Then she quickly moves her hands to his neck as he moves his up to her ribs.
He wraps his arms around her holding her tight as she arches her back in his arms. He loosens his hold as she snaps back up with a fluff of her hair and her hands stay on his jawline as she comes close enough that their noses touch.
Then she moves her hands down to his shoulders as his hand travels down to her thigh to lift it to his hip and she initiates the wave to each "you to know's". She slowly raises her hands over her head as he brings his hands up her sides, dropping her leg and following her hands up to clasp hands.
They continue with the chorus dancing.
He spins her out then back in then out again and turns her when she is out far enough.
She turns into him and runs her hands along his shoulders to his neck while she arches her back. Then she stands straight with a snap as he brings his hands along her shoulders to her arms, and leans in to bare his teeth on her neck, "dangerous" singing around them.
She arches her back with her hands on the sides of his face and slowly comes back up while tracing his shoulders and down his arms, while he moves his arms to her sides, "conversation". She turns in his arms to have her back flush against his and moves his hands down her sides and they wave together to all "in to you's".
The music stops and she hears Beck's voice say to someone. "Wow, if she can dance like that-" He's stopped as Tron hits him in the stomach. Hard.
Astra lets out a strangled squeak and the simulation disappears as she looks up at them. Tron's symbol is shining very brightly, something she barely notices, but does notice, as she stammered. "I- I didn't expect anyone to walk in! You weren't at the rezzing point so…" She trails off as he starts to walk up to her, Beck snickering in the background.
Tron just walks up to her, expression blank, until he stops just in front of her, their toes touching. He leans over her and whispers in a husky voice. "This is how you dance at your clubs?"
Is he jealous? She wondered in her mind. He sounded mad and turned on all at once. She blushed, but then rose her chin to meet his gaze head on. "Yes." She smiled then and asked. "Would you like to dance with me?"
Tron's eyes flashed at her answer and he looked like he was going to say something before she spoke. Then, he stood straight and thought about it, a slow smile touching his lips. He leaned back over her and said. "Only if I'm the only one you dance with from now on." He growled out at her.
Her blush returned with full force as she leaned into him and tapped the centre square of his symbol. "Deal." She lifted her gaze to him with a flick of her eyes as she puts a hand to her hip and sashays away from him. "If you think you can handle me." She purrs out at him with a teasing smirk.
He growls low and pounces on her, wrapping his arms around her middle as he brings his mouth to her neck. "Oh I think I can handle you." He purrs in her ear, his innuendo not lost on her.
Her eyes go glassy at his touch as she leans into him. "You're on." She keeps up her cheekiness barely, her voice low.
At some point Beck had left, a wise choice. Possibly to tell Paige about his past mentor's newest situation.
Astra takes note of that with relief, and starts up the next song: Animal by Kristina Maria.
Turning out of his arms to slide her hand along his shoulder and push him backward as she swings her hips in time to the music. He grins as his eyes darken and he takes his cue, feeling Astra's movements along her touch. He would have been surprised if he hadn't seen her dance before now. He growls and slides his hand along her arm to take that hand in his and twirl her out, then back in as he leaned over her.
She smirked suggestively, having fun with this, as she traced her other hand along his shoulder just before he twirled her out again, and in, when the singing started.
Astra immediately pulled away and bent her body so that she could tap his lips as she pressed flush against him again and waved in time to the music. Then she pulled back again so that she could move up the top half of Tron's torso to place her face along his neck, breathing in deep and slowly through her nose as she did so, "smellin' being sung as she finished. A very primitive move which completely turned Tron on as she did so.
His symbol lighting brightly as her body became flush with his, he moved his body against hers, leaning in close, he traced his hands along her arms to clasp hands over her head. Then he let go and ran his hands down her back, down to her thigh, as he brought his lips to her neck and bent her backwards, holding her close, her leg upon his hip.
Her back arched as his lips touched her neck, this was so different from dancing with a simulation! She could feel every touch, his desire and moves… And his probing to see what she would have him do, and he "listened" beautifully! Bringing her hands around from his back, she runs her fingers along his shoulders to shove him away as she trails her hands down his arms to grasp his hands and hold them over his head, as she brings her body flush against his. Tracing her hands back down his arms to his shoulders, she taps him on the centre square of his symbol with a flirty smirk as if to ask him, "what's the hold up?" as the song sang, and quickly traces her way back up his arms to clasp hands with him and raise them to shoulder level.
Tron smirks flirtatiously himself and takes a step towards her, grasping her by the waist to wave their bodies once in time to the music. Quickly, he runs his hands up her sides, then slowly down, to her bottom, hitting all of her lightlines as he does so, "your body's being modest" singing in time to his touch.
Then he brings his arms around her enveloping her like a cocoon, just as the song sang that word, and turns her so that her back is flush with his chest. Slowly, he runs his hands along her sides to her hips and places his lips to the hollow of her neck just as the song sings "goddess." He turns her around then to touch the triangle of her symbol and lean into her with a low purr as his hand travels down, to her abdomen, but no lower, and his other down her back to grip her bottom as the song sings "hottest".
Leaning into her now, he grins and presses her close, arching her back as his lips touch the hollow of her throat, just daring her to question his honesty as the song sang "honest." In his defence, he never kissed her, but Users, he had wanted to! He brought her back up with a fluff of her hair, her hands coming to rest on his chest as he held her close for a moment "you should be released", then spun her away from him "back into the wild."
/Begin chorus
She turns back into him, slowly tracing her hands up his chest, hitting every lightline she can, fingers splayed, back slightly arched inward as she prowls him. Then she presses her body flush against his, pushing him slightly backward as the song sings "time" the second time, and chases after him in a prowling stance to splay her hand across his chest and bring it around to his shoulder as she stalks around him, as the song sings "time to let the predator out." Running her hands up his back from his waist as the song sings "it's one sure bet."
He quickly turns to meet her head on as he purrs loudly and stalks her back. He takes her left hand into his right and pulls her flush against his body with enough force to shake them both, their two hands over their heads, "you're a killer beast." Then he runs his hands both down her arm and her sides as he bares his teeth against her neck, eliciting a soft sigh and shudder from her, even as he bends her over, holding her close, one hand at her neck, the other at her waist, "you're an animal."
Then he moves them apart to bring his hand to her stomach and trail his way up, to the triangle of her symbol, only to trail it up to her shoulder so that he could bring their bodies flush once more with his other hand upon her waist, and bare his teeth against her neck again, "you're an animal."
A low sigh emits from her lips as she brings her hands up his chest from his back, touches the centre square of his symbol and slides her body along his as she lifts herself onto her toes with one foot, bringing her other leg to wrap around him as she lowers back down onto her foot, "everyone will know what you are."
Bringing her hand up, to his neck to cup the side of his face, she presses their bodies flush and waves them once, "you'll be outta the dark." Then she brings her hand around to the corner of his eye, their noses meeting. "when you're watchin' me." Then she leans into him, arching his back backward as she lightly traces his symbol with a finger, her eyes dark, as she bares her own teeth to his neck gently, eliciting a quiet moan from him as her teeth graze his skin, "you're an animal."
Rising back up, he purrs heavily in her ear as she slowly lowers her hand down, to his abdomen, and he traces his hands along her sides to trap her in his grip and bare his teeth back down on the hollow of her neck and shoulder, as he bends her backwards, "and it's easy to see you're an animal." /End chorus
She rises back up with a snap and fluff of her hair, and, with her hand on his chest, pushes him back as she sways her hips in time to the music and walks with him backwards, her hands slowly tracing his shoulders, "moving with your instincts," until she brings one hand to tap his symbol, bending slightly so that she could bring her body flush with his and slide up to stand fully to prowl him, "heartbeat."
Then she quickly turns around him, bringing her hand to slide up, to his shoulder and around to his back, and traces down, as her body follows her hands, to his butt, and back up, around his other side, tracing his shoulder as she does so, back, to his front, to touch his symbol and bend down, to bring her body flush with his and slide back up once more, then waving their lower bodies, "people are arousing."
The whole time his hands are on hers, save at his back, guiding them, touching them. Throughout most of the song he's acting as he wants to as well as listening to her own indications of moves for him, his symbol flaring brightly with each touch and emotion that buzzes along her fingers.
She pushes him away only to have him pounce on her, arms around her waist as he holds her tight, "I can feel you pouncing." Then he spins her out to have her come flush with his body and waves them once.
She pushes against him as she lightly traces up the side of his face, then over to the corner of his eye, then back down to his hand which she guides to her symbol, "ready to play." Then, she brings her hand back up to trace the side of his face, over, to the corner of his eye, then back to the back of his head to pull it down so that his lips gently graze her neck, "I'll be your prey."
He growls into her neck and nips it lightly as he waves their lower bodies and runs her hands along her shoulders and back, to her arm where he clasps their hands and brings them apart once more, spinning her away from him only to bring her back against him with enough force to shake them, "back into the wild."
They repeat the dancing to the chorus.
She rises back up with a snap and fluff of her hair, and, with her hand on his chest, pushes him back, he grabs hold of her hand and spins her back in as she bends her back in a stalking motion, he twirls her before her body can touch his, though her free hand rests on his chest for a moment, "I bring out the animal in you."
He spins her out again and then back, and this time, she rests her hand on him and pushes against him, stalking after him as he steps back willingly, a feral grin upon his lips, "you bring out the animal in me," while she runs her hands along his chest, to his symbol, pressing her body against his even as he's taking slow steps back, breathing in slow and deep as she does so, until her teeth lightly graze his neck, and she nips him, causing him to inhale a breath in arousal and grab hold of her hand to spin her away, only to bring her back with enough force to shake them and bend her over, baring his own teeth down on her neck, gently nipping her there, causing her to shudder in pleasure and hold in a moan, "I bring out the animal in you."
She pushes back up, her hand against his chest, slowly raising it to his symbol and waving their bodies in time to the music, her hand slowly going up, to cup the side of his face, "you bring out the animal in me."
He spins her out, then back in flush against his body where he bends her backwards and places his lips on her neck once more, "animal in you."
She snaps back up with a fluff of her hair and traces along his arms to his symbol where she pushes him away and stalks after him, "animal in me."
He grins ferally and stalks back after her, sliding his arms around her waist to hold her tight with one hand and trace her symbol with his other, then spins her out and back in with enough force to shake them, and slowly leans her back with his teeth bared against her neck once again, where they stay for a moment, "bring out the animal."
She waves her body against his once, from the hips up, lifting onto her toes and sliding her hands along his back up, to thread through his hair at the back of his head while she brings her lips close to his, but doesn't touch, then back down to her feet.
He growls low in his throat, his purr louder than ever as he takes her hand and spins her out then back in hard and dips his head into the hollow of her neck while waving their bodies together a few times to the beat. Then he turns them around and spins her out and twirls her while she's out, and back in.
They continue with the chorus dancing.
As his teeth are upon her neck, she brings her hands up his chest and along his shoulders as she brings herself back up, to push him away, but he grabs her hand and spins her back, shaking them with the force of their impact while he slides his hands down her back and she slides her hands up his chest. He spins her out one last time and back into him as she slides her body up his, trailing her hand up his chest to his neck, to the side of his face, while at the same time he slides his hand down to her thigh and brings her leg up to his hip. She's on her toes as her nose touches his, her back partially arched so that her body is completely flush against his.
The music ends and they stand there, panting, until Astra smiles and lowers herself down to the ground, he loosens his grip on her leg, allowing her to stand once more.
He smiles, his purr evident. "That was, amazing." He purrs into her ear. "I've never felt so free." Not even as Rinzler, I could never dance like that. I've never been so... Aroused from dancing! He thought happily, and with a bit of relief as he stares down at her. She may accept me as Rinzler. He thought.
She blushes pleasantly and smiles up at him. "I'm glad. You deserve to feel free." She pokes him on his symbol. "I've always felt free dancing… I do dance differently, elegantly, as well. Not just like this." She tucks a hair behind her ear as she smiles up at him.
He just smiles. "I would like to see that type of dance too…" He grins at her wolfishly. "No Program dances like that, not here at least... We'll make a scene at the club." He chuckles darkly.
Astra blushes darker and laughs nervously. "Well, I hope it won't be too much of a scene." She gently traces along his shoulder with a finger.
He groans and takes hold of that finger. "Keep that up and we won't make it to the club." He purrs down at her, teasing. He didn't mean it… Completely.
Astra giggles and shakes her head. "Ok, ok… Is that what you meant with something fun this cycle?" She asked curiously.
He grinned and nodded. "Yes. Come on, Zuse and the others are waiting."
She laughs, a pleasant, tinkling sound. "Haven't we danced enough today?"
Tron just growled. "No." And threw back a grin at her as he lead her from the room.
Beck was waiting for them downstairs with a big smile. "So, you two have fun?"
"Beck." Tron warned.
Beck just chuckled and put his hands up defensively. "I just wanted to know. Seemed you were when I left."
Tron chuckled. "You didn't see much then. Alright. Yes. We did have fun." He crossed his arms in front of him.
"Good!" Beck piped up as he looked behind him and motioned with his hand while saying. "Because we'd like to join you guys, if that's ok." He looked back at Tron and Astra now.
Paige, Zed and Mara walked up to them at that cue, all smiling in their own way.
Tron just sighed and dropped his arms with a smile. "Alright. I suppose it would be more fun with more people." His eyes flashed to a happy Astra beside him. "We can scandalize them later." He meant it.
Astra just laughed and shook her head while the others looked amongst each other confused… Save Beck and Paige.
Tron grinned back at them. "You didn't tell them. Smart move." He praised his friend and started to walk out of Tron Tower.
"Didn't tell us what?" Zed asked loudly.
"Obviously none of our business until they tell us." Mara punched him in the arm.
"Ow! Hey!" Zed wined as they followed Tron out and towards the EOL.
Beck just chuckled and held onto Paige, as she leaned into him, whispering. "You think they'll really dance like that?"
"I think so. Apparently Astra does all the time in clubs in the User World." Beck whispered back.
"I can hear you!" Tron threw back at them which caused Beck to snicker and Paige to laugh.
Tron just smiled. "You're already the talk of the Grid." He looked down to Astra, still beside him, who laughed and shook her head again. "I hope not. But I bet I'm bound to be after this." She looked up at him, eyes sparkling, a tease in her voice.
He chuckled and growled a little. "Oh, I'm certain of it."
Soon, they were at the top of the EOL tower and being greeted by Zuse, Ada and Eckert once again.
"Wonderful to see you with us again!" Zuse enthused at them as he pulled a graceful bow.
Ada's eyes gleamed as she watched them and awaited her turn. "You actually came to visit this time." She said, pleased.
"Don't be rude, sister dear." Eckert threw a glance at his sister, then returned his gaze to the group that had just entered the club. "Our service is yours!" He tapped his cane on the ground and tossed it a little up to catch it deftly.
Astra smiled happily, she really liked these people!
Tron just nodded, speaking for all of them. "Thank you. Yes, we're here to visit this time." He used Ada's own tactful words. He wondered how they would react to his and Astra's dancing.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Eckert shouted as he waved his cane around slightly and ushered them to a seat. It was a fairly large table with a seat that went around the outside in a half-circle. It was just big enough for all of them to sit on the half circle seat comfortably.
Zed ordered some energy first while Mara dragged Paige onto the dancefloor. Beck and Zed talked while Astra and Tron sat at the far left side.
"So, what do you want to do first?" Tron asked with a smile.
Astra looked around. "I'm not sure. I want to dance, but I also think some energy is in order after that dancing." She looked up to him, undecided.
He hummed and nodded, waving a Siren over to order a couple of energy drinks.
Astra smiled and bumped her shoulder against his happily. "Thank you."
Tron's eyes clouded a bit, Yori used to do that to him when she was happy too… He looked down at her, now sat with space between them. She was respectful of his personal space, but after that dance… Was he really being loyal to his dead Bondmate doing it? He thought for a moment as the energy came and he took a slow sip. He came to the conclusion that he was alright, as long as he didn't take it any further. He'd never felt so free dancing before and was loath to give it up… It brought out that part of him that he earned from Rinzler… His eyes clouded again.
Astra noticed and put her own energy drink down. "Hey, are you ok?" She asked gently, concerned.
Tron just breathed in and looked to her. "Yeah, I'm fine." He smiled a half smile down at her.
She didn't know what was on his mind, but she did know her teasing seemed to help, so her eyes flashed as she smirked flirtatiously at him. "Oh? Well you won't be. When I'm done with you on the dancefloor." She teased and took a sip of her energy.
Tron's previous thoughts went out the window as he grinned back at her and turned as much to her as possible. "Really? Because I was thinking the same thing." He growled, leaning toward her.
She just smiled cheekily. "We'll see who'll win."
Tron's mood and interest immediately piqued as his eyes shone. A challenge. A game. If he was willing to admit it to himself, inwardly, he was thinking, "I love this woman!" He smirked flirtatiously back. "You're on." He purred in her ear and returned to his drink.
Soon, their drinks were done and the song had finished, bringing Paige and Mara back to the table.
"I think I'll have some energy after that!" Mara said happily, Paige was in an agreement, and her and Beck got a bowl to share while Mara got a glass.
"You danced well out there." Zed said conversationally to Mara.
Mara smiled and shook her head. "Thank you. You should join me for the next one!"
"Ok, yeah!" He agrees.
Tron and Astra look at each other, the challenge in their eyes. "Ready?" Tron asks as he extends a hand to her.
"Ready." Astra takes his hand and they slide out of the booth to the dancefloor.
"Wait here." Tron whispers to her and promptly heads to Zuse to ask him to change the song. When he reaches Astra again, he says truthfully. "This song brings out a more… Sensual side to me. You don't stand a chance."
"Ooh? I'll be happy to see this side of you, if it's even more than before." She teases as she touches the centre square of his symbol. "I accept your challenge." Her eyes gleam up at him.
Then, the song starts - C.L.U. (Remixed by Paul Oakenfold) by Daft Punk & Paul Oakenfold, plays over the speaker.
Tron grins at her. "You're on my turf now." As he slowly circles her, prowling, before taking her into his arms, bodies flush against each other, and bends her backward, then slowly back up again. Tracing his hands up her sides, touching every lightline he can as he does so, to her arms where he lifts them over her head, and back down, until one hand is on her waist, and the other is on her symbol, so that when the music picks up, he can wave their bodies with force in time to the beat, the whole set of the first beats. Then, he turns Astra around so that her back is flush against him, trailing one hand along her side, up, to her arm to lift it over her head, then back down to cup his cheek, the other hand upon her waist as he waves them in time to the music once more for the whole next set of beats.
The music picks up to Clu's theme, and he turns her quickly to face him, she "feels" his moves and suggestions, taking his lead this time as her hands travel along his shoulders then back, to his symbol, all while he waves them in time to the beat with his hand upon her waist.
He dips her low and brings her back up with a fluff of her hair, then spins her out to capture her in his arms once more, shaking their bodies as they collide where he waves their bodies in time to the music twice, and spins her out again, letting go so that she can prowl him this time.
She circles him, fingers tracing their way along his shoulders, back, then chest, where her hands go down quickly as she bends her knees so that she can trail her hands up, his chest as she slowly stands, touching all of the lightlines she can as she does so. Then she puts her leg to the side of him, up, onto his hip and cups his face within her hands. The whole time, her cheeks a lightly flushed and a happy word, "challenge" runs through her mind.
He grabs hold of her and she waves them in time to the music until she arches her back backward and slowly brings herself back up again. Then he spins her out and back in so that her back is flush against his chest and waves them once more, all the while trailing his hands up her side and along her arm to her shoulder and finally, symbol which flashes brightly at his touch.
The music picks up once more and he quickly grabs hold of her hand to spin her out then in, dipping her low, almost to the ground, his lips almost touching her chest above her breasts, her leg curved against his leg. Then he slowly brings her back up, his hand trailing along her arm, down, to her chest, stomach, and finally to her knee, when he holds them close, noses almost touching, bodies flush against each other, her leg around his hip, the whole time they wave in time to the beat.
Spinning her out once more, he brings her in close as she arches her back against him and lightly runs her hand down the side of his face, her other arm along his shoulder, the whole time his one hand is upon her back while the other slides down, to her butt, along her thigh to hold her leg against his hip, as he dips his head into the hollow of her throat, the whole time he waves their bodies in time to the music.
To the next beat he spins her in front of him, close to him, and then back, when he grabs her leg and pulls it up to his hip and pulls her backwards along the floor, with her other foot barely touching the ground. When he stops, he runs his hands along her arm and back as he lets go of her to stalk around her, her eyes heated and on him the whole time. Finally he pounces on her from behind, grabbing her up in his arms and baring his teeth onto the hollow of her neck and shoulder, all while waving to the beat, and his hands travel from around her waist, up, her sides and to her symbol, which continues during the lull in the music, her eyes closed, mouth open as his hands wander over her.
/Begin chorus
The music picks up again and he quickly grabs hold of her hand to spin her out then in, dipping her low, almost to the ground, his lips almost touching her chest above her breasts, her leg curved against his leg. Then he slowly brings her back up, his hand trailing along her arm, down, to her chest, stomach, and finally to her knee, when he holds them close, noses almost touching, bodies flush against each other, her leg around his hip, the whole time they wave in time to the beat.
Spinning her out once more, he brings her in close as she arches her back against him and lightly runs her hand down the side of his face, her other arm along his shoulder, the whole time his one hand is upon her back while the other slides down, to her butt, along her thigh to hold her leg against his hip, as he dips his head into the hollow of her throat, the whole time he waves their bodies in time to the music.
To the next beat he spins her in front of him, close to him, and then back, only to have her back flush with his chest as he waves them in time to the beat and his hands wander along her body.
The music reaches a crescendo and her turns her to face him, pulling her arms over his shoulders and grabbing her up by the waist to wave their bodies in time with the beat, in nice and slow and hard and deep movements. He eventually bites down on her neck as his hand runs down her arm, her hands in his hair, her leg up around his waist. He waves them a few more times, until he spins her around to have her back flush against his, his hand bringing hers above her head as his other one wanders her body, all while waving them deeply in time to the music. He turns her back to face him, bringing her leg to his hip with one hand, waving them in time to the music with the other. /End chorus
Zuse, Eckert and Ada look on with varying expressions of entertainment, surprise, and enjoyment. Zuse pipes up with a swallow. "I've never seen him quite so... Sensual."
Ada smirks at her older brother. "That's because he's never had someone to dance with quite. Like. This." She says as she returns her gaze to the couple taking over the dancefloor.
Eckert just grins and raises a glass. "Good for him. He needed to get some of that Rinzler out." He whispered "Rinzler" so as not to be overheard by Tron and invoke the monitor to remember that side of himself.
Meanwhile Beck and Paige are unphased by the dancing, Beck having seen her dance not long before and having told Paige, so she knew. And everyone knew how sexual Tron had become as Rinzler, they thought along the same lines as Eckert.
Mara simply watches, entertained while Zed is downright scandalized. "I can't believe he'd dance like that here! Isn't that extremely User?" He says incredulously.
Mara just hushes him and tells him to. "Watch and learn."
As this is going on, the music plays Clu's theme and Tron twirls Astra out to the beat, then back in, dips her low, then back up to twirl her out again, and back in, then he turns them, dancing, in a circle, one set of their arms out, her other on his shoulder, his on her waist. He twirls her close to him while they're still turning in a circle, then back in, then continues dancing in a circle and dips her low, then twirls her back out again. Finally ending the section of the song with a dip and back up.
They dance in time to the chorus once more.
He slowly lets go of her to trail his hand along her shoulder as he stalks around her, stopping behind her to run both his hands along her middle and sides and stomach. He resumes stalking her until he comes back to her front, when he grabs her up in his arms and waves them in time to the music, his hands wandering her back and sides, until the end comes and, with his lips almost touching hers, he kisses her, deeply, and both of their lightlines flare brilliantly with the pleasure they both feel at the intimate touch.
Tron immediately regrets his action, surprising himself thoroughly as thoughts of Yori resurface. He masks it before anyone can see and pulls back from Astra saying. "It was just a dance." Just to make sure she wouldn't get the wrong intention.
However, she wasn't listening as her first kiss was just taken by the one she was beginning to believe to be her soulmate.
Tron doesn't notice as he storms off into a room to be alone.
Beck notices and excuses himself from the table to quickly follow him in.
Tron knew his past apprentice and now friend would have followed him, so as the door closes behind Beck, Tron throws his hands in the air and shouts. "That kiss felt just like Yori's! But she's gone! She can't ever come back! Flynn tried! And she derezzed in my hands!" His voice became more and more anguished as he spoke. Finally he sat himself on the chair that lined the white walls.
Beck tries to help his friend and old mentor gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe it's meant to be. Maybe she's Yori, or maybe she's meant to be your next one."
Beck got no further as Tron growled and knocked his friend's hand off his shoulder. "No! No-one can ever replace Yori!" He turns to Beck and points a finger at him. "Mention this to anyone and I'll remove you from your station!"
Beck looks at him sadly for a beat before asking softly. "Then why did you kiss her?"
Tron's voice sounds anguished as he says. "I don't know…" As he puts his hands to his head, elbows on his knees. Then he whispers sadly. "She just reminds me so much of her…"
Beck sighs and sits down beside his friend. "Then don't worry about it. Or, do!" He raises his hands defensively at Tron's glare. "I'm just saying she's good for you. How did you feel when you danced with her? Because from what we could see, you were thoroughly enjoying yourself… I've never seen you so free."
Tron sighs, head still in his hands, and sat up. "Alright. Nothing changes between Astra and I… I just need to control myself."
Beck smiles and places a hand on his friend's shoulder. "That's a start." Though inwardly, he knew his old mentor would eventually give in. And when he did, he would be the happiest Program on the Grid.
Meanwhile, Astra lightly touches her lips with her hand as she watches Tron storm off, dazed, remembering the feeling, and amazed that he would kiss her. She was dazed from the feeling of the kiss too, and fighting her own feelings for him.
Zuse tries to perform damage control and comes up to her, words upon his lips. "You know he thinks you're-" He tried to help, though that was as far as he got as Astra holds up a finger to his lips and shakes her head saying.
"No. I can wait until he tells me himself. I don't want it to be any other way." And she releases her finger.
Zuse looks at her, shocked. Then he chuckles and nods once saying. "You're right. It is the best way. Come, he will likely want to leave. You should head back to your friends."
Astra smiles at him thankfully. "Thank you. You're a good person." She tells him as she walks back to their table.
He stares after her a moment. Even among the ENCOM Users, Programs were rarely referred to as people. He supposed it was out of respect for them, they call themselves Programs, so that is what the Users call them.
Astra gets to the table and says. "Party's over." Apologetically.
Zed sighs in relief. "Finally! After that dance, I-" And Mara elbows him in the side. "Right. Good dance!" He covers up sorely.
Mara smiles back at Astra. "Thanks for letting us come along."
Astra smiled and shook her head. "Thank you for coming. I, think I'll head to the portal now. It might be best before Tron gets back."
"Leave before I get back?" Tron's voice is heard from right behind her!
She squeaks and turns to face him, who lightly taps her symbol. "Nothing has changed between us." He calls a truce.
She smiles and shakes her head, tapping his symbol as well. "Nothing has changed." She agrees, now relaxed. In truth, she had been worried he wouldn't want to see her for a while after this, but, she's very glad that he's chosen this route instead.
Looking behind Tron to Beck, she guesses he must be the reason for this change of heart. "Thank you." She says.
He just shrugs and goes to Paige's side.
Tron smiles, eyes glittering at Astra's comment and Beck's lack of one. Smart move. He thought as he takes Astra's hand and leads her out of the club and back to the Portal Room in Tron Tower.
Everyone else went to their own places for the rest of their shift as Astra realizes back in ENCOM Tower.
Lora is there waiting for her. "You're back sooner than expected. Did something go wrong?"
Astra looks to the woman and nods. "It's nothing... If you don't mind, I'd like to go home for the rest of the cycl- Day." She corrects herself.
Lora smiles warmly at her and nods. "Alright. Go rest. I'm sure you need it." She watches the younger woman leave with wary eyes. She had a feeling she knew exactly what had happened, and the worst part about it was, she had to let them work it out themselves.