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The bass of the bar thumps loudly in his chest as the lights go wild and color everything in neon. Even the liquid of whatever drink he currently has in his hand seems to come to life and sparkle. Tech is pulled out of his thoughts by the musical sound of her laugh, likely brought on by something Wrecker had said. He glances up, catching the way her head tips back and her eyes crinkle. He can’t help but stare for a moment, almost hypnotized by the way the lights hit her skin and hair, the colors dancing and making her more beautiful than normal-
Oof-
His moment is cut off by an elbow to the gut by Crosshair.
“It’s not polite to stare,” the teasing in his tone hits him harder than the liquor he suddenly downs to cover the blush creeping up his cheeks.
“I was not staring, I was simply looking toward the source of noise.” He lies, not used to being caught like this. “Wrecker was talking loudly and I was simply directing my attention to him.”
Crosshair smirks
“Right… what did he say then?”
Well. He’s got him there.
Tech takes another shot, choosing to ignore his brother who is currently snickering and whispering something to Hunter, which causes the sergeant to smile and raise an eyebrow at him. At this point, disappearing into the booth they’re all sitting in seems appealing.
The bass groove switches, electric synths taking over the bar as another song starts.
“Oh, I love this song!”
Tech can hear her smile through her words without having to look over. He looks over anyway of course, wanting to see the way her eyes sparkle in excitement and how her smile lights up the room far more than the disco lights do. She bounces in her seat to the beat, trying to get Wrecker to join in on her fun, and Tech once again finds himself mesmerized by such a simple action. He pulls out his datapad, trying to figure out which song this is so he can remember it in the future, should the need for it ever come. He misses whatever Crosshair says, but is jolted when he feels himself being pushed from the booth.
“Hey!” He turns to glare at his brother who, once again, has that infuriating smirk on his face.
“Go dance with her, idiot,” Crosshair pushes him again.
“Now why would I do such a thing?” Tech tries to slide back into his seat, pushing back against him.
“Because I told her you would”
Oh.
What?!
Tech turns, glancing across the table to her smiling face.
“You’ll dance with me?” There’s excitement in her tone and a hint of curiosity, almost as if she doesn’t fully believe what she’s trying to ask.
And how could he say no and disappoint her?
“I… yes? Yes. Of- of course I will,” he awkwardly slides back out of the booth and to his feet, sending an almost horrified and panicked look to Crosshair, who shoos him away.
“You’ll thank me later,” and that's all he hears before his hand is grabbed and he is pulled to the dancefloor.
ꭥ
The first thing Tech notes about the dancefloor is that it's loud. The second is that it’s crowded, and he suddenly feels claustrophobic with all the bodies around him moving, but her hand still being in his keeps him in place. When they have reached a spot on the dancefloor that is deemed suitable for her, she lets go of his hand, much to his disappointment, and begins to move to the music.
“I… must confess to you that I have no idea how to dance properly,” he glances over his shoulder to where he thinks his brothers are in the crowded room.
“That’s alright,” her hand gently guides his face back to look at her. “Just watch me, copy what I’m doing,” her infectious smile lights up her face again.
Tech awkwardly sways to the music, his arms wrapped around himself uncomfortably.
“I really don’t know what I’m doing-” he starts to protest again but is cut off.
“Hey!” She takes both his hands again, her touch electric. She guides him into a careless rhythm, pulling and twirling them both to the music. “Relax, Tech.”
“I feel I am not the most adequate partner for you to be dancing with-” He begins to softly protest again, but is quickly pulled in a little closer as the bass drops, the crowd falling just quiet enough for a moment for him to catch what she whispers to him.
“Just shut up, and dance with me.”
The bass hits and his world seems to catch back up to him, the crowd roars back to life as the lights strobe across the bar. He relaxes slightly, allowing her to guide them into an easy groove. He feels silly, but it's worth it to see her smile and to hear the joyful laugh that escapes her when she realizes he’s allowing himself to be led by her into dancing.
“There you go!” She lets go of his hands to fall into a new rhythm, her mini skirt fanning out around her like a halo and her eyes closed in a carefree expression.
He almost stops dancing so he can just look at her. She’s absolutely stunning in this moment, and he feels himself falling…
“Tech?” Her breathless voice snaps him out of the trance. The song has ended.
She gently places a hand on his bicep, leaning into him slightly as they walk back together toward the booth his brothers are at. “Wanna stop and get a drink for a moment?”
Who is he to deny her?
“That is fine… though I would quite like to dance with you again, if… you would allow it?” The words fall out of his mouth before he can stop them. The blush creeps back to his cheeks and he looks down at her, awaiting a response. There's that smile again.
“I’d like that,” she slides back into the booth for more drinks, leaving him there smiling like an idiot before he finds his seat again.
Perhaps a little more liquid courage would do him some good.
After a moment, the song changes again, the pop sound finding his ears before her excited gasp does. He meets her eyes with a grin and is already pulling her out of the booth before she can ask him to, and back to their spot on the dancefloor.