The Unlikely Lesson
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“You’re doing that wrong.” Regulus deadpanned.
It’s been about four weeks since Regulus agreed to teach James ballet. For a guy who has never done anything but hip hop, he was quite skilled. However, that didn’t stop Regulus from being annoying about the logistics of the routines.
“How about actually helping me instead of standing at the barre barking orders.” James groaned. They had been working on the same combination for the last two hours and James still hadn’t seemed to pick it up. He was beginning to get extremely frustrated.
“Have you ever even seen Giselle? It’s one of the most famous French ballets.” Regulus questions, almost offended.
“Uh did you forget that I’m a hip hop dancer? I haven't done this before! Maybe if you danced the other part this would be easier.”
James seemed hesitant to even bring up the idea but after giving it some thought, it did make sense. Regulus is trained to play both roles. He's always been the smallest guy in his classes and he's arguably the most skilled in his class, so he's filled him here and there as a few of the girls.
“Okay fine. Follow my lead, and don’t mess up.”
Regulus gets into position for the duet section of the Waltz: Pas de Deux. As soon as the music starts, their bodies mold together, as if they were made to dance with each other. It's stereotypical to say but it was electric. The minute they touched hands it was as if he had touched a live wire. Starting to feel more alive than ever, Regulus allows himself to smile a bit. He’s never danced with someone so intimately before and with James of all people, he feels so free.
They glide easily through each movement as if it were written for them. They get to the arabesque part where Giselle teases Albrecht by blowing a kiss while he reaches for her hand. It almost seemed too real. He felt like Giselle. Teasing and messing around like he has never hated the man in front of him. Like the commoner dancing with his love at first sight. Although, in this instance it's more like hate at first sight. For Regulus that is.
Regulus starts enjoying himself and laughing at James, who is getting very into character. He grabs his hand and pulls him into the hug as choreographed. It was beginning to become hard for him to continue hating James. Especially from this close. Regulus pulls back to continue the combination when time suddenly froze. They were so close he could feel James’ breath meet his own. His mouth went dry, and he couldn’t look away. James, looking just as frozen and stunned as he did, glanced down at his lips. Not long enough to be noticeable by anyone else but long enough to have intent. His breath hitched and he could feel himself subconsciously moving closer. And closer.
He could hear his heart pounding in his chest, and he silently prays that James can't hear it as well.
"How dare he." Regulus thinks, "How dare he make it this hard to stay mad at him. And how dare he be this, this HOT!"
A crash from outside startled them back to reality and that crimson blush James is famous for, now settled on both of their faces. They jumped apart so fast it was as if that electric feeling from before had suddenly increased by a thousand. the silence stretched for way to long, both standing there eyes as wide as saucers and mouths slightly open.
“Reg I-” James tries to break the tension.
“I told you not to call me that.” He gingerly grabbed his things and raced out of the studio.
"What. The. Fuck. Was. THAT!" Regulus internally screams and slams his dorm room door shut.
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