#laonda

summary: While at a party, you meet “El Gallo Negro”. Causing the possibility of something new

- short and sweet, fluff, cute

a/n: LIKE IVE SAID BEFORE , I LIKE SOME AMBIANCE

The hum of East La was distant here, only the occasional rumble of a car passing by. Street lights glowed yellow with a low hum.

You were posted on a white plastic lawn chair. A slight bounce to your foot matching the beat of the music flowing through the backyard. Motown classics, funk, and disco that made you sway without thinking. The smell of beer, smoke, and sweat hanging thickly in the air.

Your friend had found her place in the party. Laid up with a random vato on a old worn out couch with burnt cigarette marks on the arms. She knew how to handle herself, but you kept an eye out, just in case.

You on the other hand stayed on the outside, sticking to people watching. There were guys sporting white shirts paired with a flannel and khakis. Some leaning back against the metal gate, smoking. Girls with sharp winged liner and hoops that caught the porch light.

You had greeted familiar faces from highschool, mutuals, a friend of a friend. Even chatting it up for a while, but you weren’t trying to be anybody’s babysitter tonight. You just wanted to realax and enjoy the energy of the party.

That’s when you felt it— a sudden chill that ran up the back of your neck. You turned your head, not thinking much of it, simply scanning your surroundings again. That’s when you saw him.

“El Gallo Negro”

He was leaning up again the fence, arms crossed, he wasn’t talking, wasn’t drinking. He was just watching.

Watching you

You’ve heard his name before, heard stories of him. How he knocked out two dudes by himself at a house party. How he never took disrespect lightly. “The Baddest in the Barrio” some called him, but looking at him now, something didn’t add up. He looked at ease, didn’t look angry, as you had previously imagined him.

He looked curious

His dark brown eyes held steady on you. Like a hawk perched up high, patient. Calculating.

You didn’t look away. Instead, you lifted your hand and gave him a soft wave. Acknowledging him. Sending him an unspoken invitation.

He didn’t change his expression. He pushed himself up off the wall. Holding a casual grace in his walk that didn’t match the rumors that you’ve heard.

As he got closer, the details of his face came into focus. Strong jawline, thick eyebrows, and sharp brown eyes. His skin a warm sun kissed brown. He was handsome, undeniably so.

“Don’t think I’ve seen you around here before,” he said, voice low and relaxed, like he had all the time in the world. He offered his hand with an easy confidence. “Names Paco.”

You reached up to shake it, feeling the warmth of his hand against yours, noticing the “VL” inked across the side of his hand. A sign of his affiliation and loyalty to “Los Vatos Locos”

“Nice to meet you, Paco” you let your hand hold for a moment longer then necessary before drawing it back. “Yea I don’t live here, I’m not that far from here, but I didn’t grow up on this side.”

“No wonder…” he said with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I definitely would’ve remembered you.”

You gave him a sideways glance, amused.

He pulled up a chair, turning it slightly, angling it in your direction. He sat down, body turned towards you like you were the only person at the party.

“So whats a pretty girl like you doing here, sitting all by herself?” His tone intentional, eyes scanning your face, waiting for your reaction .“I hope your vato knows he shouldn’t be leaving a girl like you unattended” he added, testing the waters.

You let out a soft chuckle, lips curling into a smile as your eyes narrowed slightly . His face matching yours. You knew what he was trying to uncover. You saw right through him— and you could tell he loved that.

“Yea, no…” you said, shaking your head lightly your laughter slowly dying out, leaving nothing but a grin on your face. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

The reaction was subtle—his shoulders relaxed a bit, his smile now fuller. “Damn,” he said with a small shake of his head, “Lucky me.”

You simply turned away letting out a small breath or laughter. “Yea, I like being single” you said glancing back at him “no commitments, no headaches.”

You looked at the couples scattered around infront of you dancing and swaying to the music. Love sick fools.

Paco simply nodded following your gaze, looking off into the crowd, “I feel that…it’s nice, having your own thing. Not having to explain yourself to anybody. Freedom’s a good look on you.”

He stopped for a second

“But it’s also nice when you meet someone you don’t mind sharing a bit of that freedom with.” He said looking back, letting the playfulness slip just a little.

You tilted your head towards him, your eyes meeting. Finding truth in his words.

Just as the last upbeat doo-wop faded out, a slower, more romantic melody began to hum through the speakers—What More Can I Say by The Notations , one of your favorites. The kind of song that always made your chest ache in the best way. You glanced toward the makeshift dance floor. Most of the people peeled away, giving space to the couples now wrapped up in each others arms.

Paco saw the way the song seemed to move you

“Wanna dance?” He asked with a smirk on his lips as he stood up. There was a flicker of confidence in the way he rose— like he felt the moment calling to him.

You blinked, caught off guard, “What?” You said, a shy smile creeping in, surprised by the sudden offer.

He extended his hand, open and waiting.” Come on,” he grinned, “Let’s go dance, You’ve got no reason to say no.”

Your smile grew as you slowly got to your feet, reluctant but curious. “I don’t really…i don’t know how to dance. Not like that. Not with someone else.”

Paco chuckled lightly, the kind of laugh that took its time. “That’s alright,” he said, gently taking your hand in his, “I’ll show you. It’s easy. Just feel the music.”

You let him guide you toward the pavement where others were swaying, lost in their own little worlds. You suddenly felt like the odd one out in the middle of all the couples. Paco seemed to notice right away.

“Here,” he said softly, meeting your eyes as he moved with calm certainty. He lifted your hand, placing it on his shoulder with a light touch, resting his hand at your waist, firm but respectful. His other hand held yours with ease, warm and steady.

You stood there, barely moving at first, feeling awkward.

“Relax,” he said gently, dipping his head slightly to catch your gaze. “It’s just a dance. Nothing serious. Just follow me, yeah?”

He began swaying, slow and measured, guiding you with subtle movements. The rhythm of the song found its way into your steps, and little by little, you stopped overthinking.

You looked up from checking your footing and caught him already watching you.The way his eyes softened made your heart flutter. You looked away quickly, shy, lips curling into a smile. And letting out a soft chuckle.

“Ay,” he said with a soft laugh, leaning slightly, following your face. “Don’t get shy on me now.”

His voice dropped just a bit, playful but low. “I wanna see your face, chula.”

That word lingered between you, the way he said it felt different, not just a line, but genuine.

You gently lifted your head and gazed into his eyes with a smile. Feeling the heat in your cheeks, but you didn’t look away this time. Instead, you slipped your fingers between his, no longer just resting in his palm—your hands fully connected now.

You felt his thumb brush lightly across the back of your hand, a small gesture, but it made your chest flutter. His eyes full of something steady. Something real.

Neither of you said much in that moment. You didn’t need to.

The distance that had been there a moment ago was gone, melted into the sway of the music.

It wasn’t just a dance anymore, it was the beginning of something new.