Chapter 2
AU in which Gavin is a dancer and no one knows until they catch him in the act.
Ever since Gavin was young, he’d been in love with music. When he was just learning to walk, he would move to the beat of whatever he could hear. When he was even younger he would be in his bouncer and just sway to the music floating through the house. His mother enrolled him in dance class as soon as possible, and Gavin's next years were lost in a swirl of costumes, competitions, and choreographing. Dan had told him multiple times that he should tell other people about his dancing, but Gavin couldn't. Not only did he not want to, he had an agreement with his father that Gavin could continue his dancing as long as he kept it to himself. Gavin guessed his father didn't want to be bugged by his buddies for having a son who was into something so ‘girly’.
In his heart he knew his father loved him, but sometimes it felt like he didn’t. It hurt, but at this point Gavin was used to it. When he started to talk more with Burnie, Geoff and the others his time at the studio started to diminish. When he started getting into slow motion, he stopped going altogether. That didn't work out too well. Dancing was Gavin's stress outlet. He wasn't sleeping, he was grumpy all the time, and he was all around unhappy. It took nearly a month for him to say fuck it and go anyway.
The effect was immediate and Gavin was happy and stress free once again. His YouTube channel with Dan was starting to skyrocket, and Burnie was talking of him going to the U.S. Needless to say Gavin was very keen on the possibility. He applied for a Visa and next thing he knew Gavin was off to the U.S. On the flight Gavin dreamt of his first serious dancer teacher. She told him always remember two things. One: Your gangly frame is ideal for ballet, lifts, and acro, and two; If you ever end up in the U.S. look me up. He wondered if he should. After all, she did change his life. Maybe. But for now he should get used to the country.
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Two weeks in and Gavin had never been so busy. He had Let's Plays, AHWU, and Achievement Guides to film and edit. Plus he still had The Slow Mo Guys, and now he helping to take care of a baby. Gav smiled smiled slightly. He had fallen completely in love with Millie Ramsey the moment he saw her. She was so tiny, and adorable. Geoff and Griffon had accepted him immediately, and with Burnie, Matt, Joel, and the others Gavin was having more fun than he’d ever thought possible. The only things he truly missed were Dan and dancing. He hadn't any time for it since he came, and the stress was starting to make a noticeable difference in his appearance.
Week three was when Gavin broke and bought himself a pass for a local studio. He knew the more he went there the higher the chance of him getting caught, but he could care less. Dancing was one of his biggest passions. The system he had going worked for years, although he did start going more when Dan went into the army. The constant worry in the back of his mind made him understandably more stressed. In the years of working at Rooster Teeth no one ever found about his dancing, until he started dating Meg. It wasn't much of a problem until they moved into together. He should've known better than to assume Meg wouldn't notice him sneaking off.
He had snuck out again. It was mid-afternoon, his day off. He thought he was being careful, but apparently not careful enough. Meg had assumed Gavin was cheating on her, so she’d called the other Achievement Hunters, and Burnie, to help her confront Gavin. They’de flowed him to the studio and were shocked at what the found. Gavin was completely lost in his music. Didn't even notice the door open. He spun, flipped and moved with the beat perfectly. He looked so relaxed, so at peace. A gasp flew from Meg's throat as Gavin did some backflips, and the others shushed her, caught up in Gavin's performance. As the song came to a close Gavin ended up on his knees, bowed head in his hands. Ray started clapping, and everyone else followed his lead.
Gavin shot up like a bullet. He went as pale as a sheet when he saw them standing there. His chest heaving, he asked them what they were doing here. Meg stepped forward and explained the situation. Gavin looked aghast at thought of cheating on her, Meg happily noticed. When Gavin looked at the others and finally saw who all was there he almost immediately shrunk in on himself. Geoff walked towards Gavin slowly.
“Gav, why would you hide this from us? You’re amazing!” Gavin blushed and shook his head.
“No I'm not. And I thought you guys would just use it as another thing to make fun of me for. You already do it with the way I look,and sound, and talk. I didn't want to be made fun of for this to.” The Achievement Hunters felt guilty, and it must have shown on their faces because Gavin instantly tried to take it back.
“I know you guys don't mean it! I know it's just poking fun, and only for the cameras. It's okay really everything is fine! I swear!” Michael and the others came forward next.
“Gavin we’re sorry. We didn't know it made you feel this bad. We’ll tone it down, kay? And for the record you’re one of the best dancers I've ever seen. You’re my boi, Gavin. I wouldn't tease you for something you love so much.” The agreeing grunts and words came from the others as well.
Burnie threw an arm around Gavin's shoulders and wrinkled his nose.
“You need a shower dude. Let's go.” Within a week everyone at the company knew about his dancing, and had asked to see, or watch sometime. A weight Gavin had had for years was finally gone. It made his heart soar, knowing he could show anything to these people and they wouldn't judge him. Gavin went to bed that night some odd weeks later with a smile on his face and his girlfriend curled around his, taking advantage of his new found flexibility. So, yes, Gavin still loved to dance, but at least now he didn't have to hide it. As he drifted away he dreamed of stage lights and talent shows, a duet with Meg, and maybe even a career in dance.