the lee mood is real

so to set the scene, we were on this trip with some other friends, and it had been kind of a rough day. okay actually, a really rough day. trip was coming to an end as well and the other friends were planning on leaving early the next day. everyone is pretty tired, a bit cranky, and honestly hangry too. we’ve all kind of spread out across the airbnb (which was very small, so not that spread out) and taken some time to cool down. tbh I’d been feeling a bit anxious about something someone had said, and was just enjoying being on the floor.

so after a while, the friends all come down. and my bestie, let’s call him Mei. Mei comes down and immediately slides to lay down next to me. in one fluid motion, he also grabs both my legs and throws them over his. heard him mumble something about “can’t have you kicking the glass table”. [more context needed I guess - I’d told him within the past few weeks that I enjoyed being tickled]. at this point, I’m incredibly confused and so is everyone else in the room. he waits barely a single beat before starting to scribble on my stomach and ribs. to which I of course immediately burst into giggles. my partner catches on, grabs an arm so I can’t fight back, and joins the fray. this does not help at all - because my partner is an expert in my spots after all these years, so he’s only using like one finger on my ribs. and then this MF (Mei) has to come in and decide to COMMENT on it???? he’s like “wooooow, all that laughter from just one finger??” and starts teasing me. which like - I think he has no idea just how badly that affects me?!?! but it makes it sooooo much worse (better)!? and then if you get all incoherent and babble it’s “what was that?? hmm? didn’t quite catch that??” like. EXCUSE ME SIR BUT YOU ARE KILLING ME (and also maybe I like it shhhhh). it barely lasted any time before fizzling out - probably to decide on dinner - but like. it meant so so so much to me?????

“So, this is the posture for the person leading.”

He adjusted the hand holding Iruma’s and grasped near the other boy’s shoulder blade.

“And your hands should be in these positions.”

He felt a slight blush creep up his face at the contact. But before he could feel too self conscious about that, he noticed the blue-haired boy also sporting a small blush of his own. He allowed himself a small smile, then continued:

“See how my right arm on your shoulder blade allows me to direct you?”

He tugged gently towards himself.

“If I want you to move forward, then I will gently pull like this. The same goes for stepping to the side, etc.”

He accentuated each description with a small tug and watched as the smaller boy was caught between bewilderment and wonder.

“Today, I will lead in order to show you a good example. I have studied ballroom dancing for many years. In order to be a good lead, you must ensure the person being led feels safe. They are trusting you to lead, so you must be worthy of that trust. It is important to always watch where you are going and your surroundings.”

At this, he glanced at the empty room behind them.

“Obviously there are no other dancers today, but let’s take things one step at a time, shall we?”

Iruma nodded.

“The waltz mainly involves a three-step sequence. We will of course begin with the basics. See how if I step forward with my left foot, you naturally step back with your right?”

He demonstrated the step slowly.

“Then, I slide my right foot to the right, and you follow with your left.”

Asmodeus looked down and found Iruma’s face of intense concentration to be downright adorable. He drank it in for a moment, before continuing.

“Now, we need to get back to our starting position. So, I will slide my right foot back, which brings your left foot forward to meet me, and then slide my left foot back to the left. Now, we are where we started.”

“Oh! That’s…much less daunting than I thought it would be.”

“Yes, ballroom dancing can be much more simple than people usually think. However, it helps to have a good lead.”

Iruma beamed up at Asmodeus, then said,

“You’re right Azz-kun, thanks so much for showing me how to be a good lead!”

Asmodeus took a moment to register what he’d just said, then spluttered,

“Ah! I w-was not trying to appear arrogant, Iruma-sama. I merely meant that, well, any good lead will make the dance smoother and easier for their partner.”

“Hehe, I know Azz-kun. But, you do seem good at this!”

“T-thank you, Iruma-sama. Do you think you’re ready to move on, or do you need me to demonstrate the steps again?”

“No, I think I’m okay to move on, thanks for asking though!”

“Very well, then please let me demonstrate with a full song. I think it is best to just learn by moving. If you get too caught up in thinking about the steps, it will overcomplicate things.”

He looked over to David and nodded. Slowly, the music started to play. Asmodeus took in the music for a moment; it was a nice, slow tempo. Perfect for a first waltz.

“Let us begin.”

While he sometimes felt awkward and out of place around other people his age, he felt natural on the dance floor. He didn’t really need to try after so many hours of practice; it was as easy as breathing. Even his nerves about being so close to Iruma soon dulled as he glided effortlessly across the floor. Iruma was nowhere near his level yet, that would be out of the question for his first dance, but he wasn’t doing too poorly either. The only thing was…

“Iruma-sama, you mustn't look down at your feet. Please, trust me to lead you. It is no matter if you step on my feet, that is what practice is for.”

He slowly came to a stop as the song ended and looked down into Iruma’s bright, blue eyes. Asmodeus saw the embarrassment, but also awe and respect.

“You’re right, Azz-kun, I’m sorry,” Iruma said sheepishly.

“I was so nervous about stepping on your feet, that I forgot to trust you to lead. From now on, I’ll do my best to follow you!”

“It is no matter, Iruma-sama. And, I think it is good practice for you to experience both sides of ballroom dancing. After all, to truly be a good lead, you need to understand your follower’s perspective.”

“Would you say it's important to step into their shoes?” Iruma giggled.

Asmodeus let out a breathy chuckle.

“Yes, Iruma-sama, I would agree with you there. Now, let us continue your practice.”

Asmodeus led them around the ballroom, reveling in the fact that Iruma’s steps became more confident as time went on. He faltered a few times when he tried to look down at his feet, mostly out of habit it seemed, but more and more his eyes were on Asmodeus. The pink-haired boy felt the thrill that can only come from receiving someone’s full trust and attention. He felt tingly from his head down to his toes. The longer they twirled around, the more admiration and wonder he saw in Iruma’s eyes. The song wound down and Asmodues brought them to a halt. Devils, but that look in Iruma’s eyes was making him want to show off.

“Iruma-sama, I want to show you something. But first… do you trust me?” he blurted out, before he could lose his nerve.

There was no hesitation in Iruma’s response.

“Completely,” he said seriously.

Asmodeus’ heart did all sorts of flips and somersaults at that. He took a moment to control his reaction, and when he felt he was less in danger of breaking into a ridiculous grin, said:

“Then please, close your eyes for this song. Focus on the music. Feel the rhythm. Know that I will not let you stumble.” Not now and not ever, he added to himself.

A new song began.

The music swelled and he felt his heart swell with it. With every spin, every step, he felt their breaths fall more in sync. Until it felt as if their very breaths were one. He steeled his resolve and slowly led them upwards. Spinning and curving through the air, he felt dizzy and lovesick. He was dancing, really dancing with Iruma! Holding him in his arms. He’d only dared dream of it before, but it was happening - this was real. Oh, how he wished it would last forever…

Iruma’s voice broke him out of his reverie -

“Azz-kun, this is amazing! You’re amazing! It almost feels like we’re flying!”

Asmodeus chuckled softly.

“Iruma-sama, that is because we are.”

Iruma’s eyes flew open at this.

“W-wah?! H-how?! A-Azz-kun?”

He looked up at Asmodeus, but there was only a look of amazement there, without a trace of fear. Asmodeus took note of this with pride.

“It is not unheard of to utilize the entirety of a ballroom, especially at a crowded event like the Deviculum. I know that you do not often use your wings, and I want you to know it is not a requirement. But I couldn’t help but show you the experience”

“Azz-kun..” Iruma’s eyes shone with unspoken feelings.

“I-Iruma-sama, I want you to know it is my greatest honor to be able to teach you, to dance with you. I know that your grandfather could have arranged for someone to teach you, but instead you have allowed me the privilege. Thank you so much for having faith in me.”

“Azz-kun! You’re going to make me cry!”

“I just want you to understand.. the depth of my feelings.”

As the song slowly died, he drifted them back towards the ground.

“If I may be so bold as to ask a request of you..”

“Oh Azz-kun, you don’t need to be so formal with me! Of course, you can ask me anything.” he smiled gently.

“O-of course! I know that we will need to practice more before the Deviculum, and you will need to learn to lead as well. But then, p-perhaps, even after the Deviculum we could.. do this again sometime? That is if you wouldn’t mind, of course. It’s just that I so rarely find an excuse to dance and I have really enjoyed today..”