dancing thing // private rp with octane

Luther could only chuckle softly at that, and he moved with Luther as Kieran did his best to lead through the more complicated step. He stabilized them easily, making sure Kieran didn't fall. "Careful, now. Don't fall," he said with a small smile

"Sorry…." Kieran muttered under his breath, listening closely to the music. When it repeated, he tried the complex footwork again, this time much steadier. "Like that?"

"Better, definitely," Luther said with a soft smile, helping Kieran move a little to further stabilize him. "Good, you're getting better. Your improvement is incredible," he said with a happy smile

Kieran flinched almost imperceptibly, not used to compliments such as these. "Thank you," he answered, almost automatically. What else was there for him to say?

"It often takes many more months for any of my other students to get this far. Soon you won't need my help at all," Luther joked lightly, though he couldn't help the soft pang of sadness he felt. He hated when one of his students left his class, but it was inevitable, really

Kieran bit the inside of his cheek, unsure how to respond to the second compliment. So he asked a question instead, hoping to evade any awkward conversation. "How many students do you have right now?"

"Not many. Only about ten or so at the moment. A few had to drop out this past month or so for various reasons," Luther answered with a small shrug

Kieran nodded in understanding.

"Any group classes?" he added, "Or do you usually teach single students at a time?"

"Usually single students at a time. It's easier, though I was thinking of eventually hosting a…ball, if you will, for my students once they all reached the point where they could dance properly. I thought it would be nice, and others could come to," Luther answered

"That would be nice," Kieran agreed, the slightest traces of a genuine smile ghosting over his lips. "Do you have an even number of boys and girls? Or would some boys dance with boys and vice versa? Will you be dancing?"

"I would like to dance, yes, but no one would want to dance with their instructor when they have friends and other students they could dance with," Luther said with a small, almost sad chuckle. "But like I said, anyone could dance with anyone. I don't mind, and other people would be invited."

Kieran suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy for the other man—something very unusual for him to feel. "Well, I don't really have any friends," he chuckled, "At least, none here. I'd….."

Are you really about to sympathize with your dance instructor? Since when is kindness your thing? Besides, you might not even live here anymore by the time that happens..

"I'd be happy to dance with you, I guess."

Luther's eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise, but he quickly shook his head. "No, I couldn't. You shouldn't have to feel as if you need to pity me," he said softly. Though even as he spoke, his heart ached for him to accept the invitation. But he could always try and find someone to invite, since he was convinced he'd be all alone otherwise

The faintest of scowls flitted across Kieran's features. "I don't do pity," he told Luther, doing his best to refrain from being blunt. "But to be frank, I'd rather not spend the entire time dancing with strangers. I'm not very….. social."

Luther blinked owlishly at Kieran, seemingly a little surprised. And nervous, too, as he seemed to realize that he might have said something to upset Kieran. "I…I'm not either, I suppose…" was about all he could manage to say

"I should probably warn you," he murmured, suddenly quieting, "I may have to leave the city at some point or another. I'm not sure when."

And that was something that hurt Luther more than accepting the invitation to dance. He hated hope, hated when it left him so quickly after just getting it. "That's alright. We can still dance, I suppose, can't we?" he asked softly

"Until then? Of course," Kieran agreed, sensing the other man's disappointment. "I'm not sure when, yet. I'm…. looking for something. I might be back."

Liar.

If he found his selkie coat, the only place he'd be going was the sea. But despite his conscience, he fed Luther the half-lie, hoping to soothe him a little. Which was ridiculous—why would he care if his rude student was leaving?

"That's alright. Don't feel as if you need to stick around for me. There are other instructors out there, I wouldn't want you to feel tied down because of me," Luther said softly. He was gnawing the inside of his cheek, really, but he had to keep quiet about his disappointment

(hey I've got an idea for them later on)

(ooh, I'm intrigued. Send it to the PM?)

Kieran was slightly at a loss for words. How was he supposed to reply to that? 'Sorry, there aren't any ballroom dance instructors under the sea, I won't be looking for another one after I leave?' Or maybe 'You're not tying me down, the only thing I want to do is get back home?'

He stayed silent for a few moments, before opening his mouth to speak again. "I'll see if I can visit."

(yuh)

Luther didn't respond verbally to that, just let the corner of his lip quirk up in a faint, partially forced smile. He continued to sway gently with Kieran as the music began to wind down, slowing their movements and drawing them out

Kieran fell silent as well, unsure how to fix the mess he had apparently just made. He let Luther take the lead a little more towards the end, unsure how to finish off.

Eventually, the music slowed to a stop, and Luther glanced to a clock on the wall. Their session was nearly at an end, and he felt something sad rise in him. "I suppose you must be going soon. Our lesson is nearly done," he said as he let go of Kieran

"Already?" Kieran glanced up at the clock, and an emptiness spread through his chest. Oh. These dance lessons were some of the few friendly interactions he was able to have with other human—well. Other intelligent beings.

"Yes, I suppose. But…If you'd like, we could run over to the coffee and boba shop across the street, since there's not quite enough time to start dancing again," Luther offered with just the smallest shred of hope

Kieran blinked, astonished that someone—and his dance instructor, no less—actually wanted to spend more time than strictly necessary with him. “I—Yeah,” he answered after a moment, slightly awkward. “I’d like that.”

"Consider it an apology for me taking up so much of our time talking. Your shirt should be dry now, so we can go once you get dressed," Luther said, smiling every so softly

Kieran have a brief nod, ducking his head and turning away before Luther could see his own, more anxious smile. As his instructor predicted, his shirt was dry, the warm fabric sliding over his skin as he pulled it on. A mess of scars and tattoos disappeared beneath the white garment, hidden from the world once more.

Luther retrieved his phone as Kieran got dressed, slipping it into his back pocket before stretching with a soft yawn, his shirt riding up ever so slightly to expose just a sliver of his tempting hips

Kieran turned around just to catch a glimpse of Luther’s bare waist. His traitorous heart skipped a beat, as it always did around other young men showing skin, and before he had fully grasped what he was about to do, the selkie was driving a hand across his own face in a harsh slap.

He stared at his hand for a few seconds in disbelief. Shit…. did I just do that in front of Luther? He couldn’t afford to fool around with anyone again, not after the last time… but he couldn’t afford giving anything away to his dance instructor, either. So, before the man could react, Kieran was striding towards the door; a silent invitation for Luther to follow.