Baltimore, Wednesday night

[sharp_as_knives]

This had been a close runner-up when they'd been women; now that showing off was (slightly) less of a priority and they weren't looking for trouble, it was in the front by a bit.

So, here they were at this converted church that promised lovely wooden dance floors (which was an advantage) and no rude people (which was only a slight pity).

Hannibal grinned at Jono and held out his hand. "Shall we?"


[NFB due to distance, unless the squirrels hitched a lift to go swing dancing. I won't judge!]

Comments

[furnaceface]

Yes, but would they be greasy, Hannibal? Would they?

//You always know the right thing to say,// Jono teased, shooting him a shameless wink. //For fish and chips, how could I possibly say no?//

[sharp_as_knives]

They would be properly, minimally greasy, not swimming in it.

"Clearly you can't." Hannibal gave him a little bow. "I may even take suggestions for the rest of the menu, although I make no promises."

[furnaceface]

It's okay, Hannibal. Nobody was perfect.

//I can't imagine most of the guests would appreciate mushy peas as much as I do anyway,// Jono allowed. //I'd be interested in seeing your take on chicken tikka masala, though...//

Jonothon's birthday wishlist this year apparently mostly involved taste experiences.

[sharp_as_knives]

It was far preferable to despising food or pretending it didn't exist.

"I'll see what I can do," Hannibal promised. "And this year you won't have annoying aristos stopping to congratulate you everywhere you go." He felt fairly confident in that, anyway. Unless the island should get ideas.

[furnaceface]

//Good. Lord, good. It's closer to Kayla's birthday in Kaeleer right now than it is mine, anyway.// And yes, there was a bit of a pang in that, but he was going to pretend there had been no such thing, thank you. //I'd sooner stay around here and just have to tolerate people I actually know.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Then that's what we'll do. And we should probably send a gift for Kayla," Hannibal noted.

The music started back up, and Hannibal grinned and held his hand out. "May I have this dance?"

[furnaceface]

Jono nodded a little. He needed to ponder that one. What in the world to send to the baby girl who had stolen his heart away before she'd even been born.

Music. Probably music.

//Of course you may,// he replied, thankful for the distraction, and a bit amused by the song. He took Hannibal's hand with a smile creeping back into his eyes. //Let's tear up this dance floor, shall we?//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Let's," Hannibal agreed.

They weren't the best pair on the floor (which was a little vexing, if not surprising), but they did quite well for themselves, if Hannibal did say so. And they certainly were one of the more striking couples.

[furnaceface]

They definitely were that. And considering that this was Jono's first time dancing like this?

Well, he was putting a fair bit of flair into it, and the rest would come.

//This is fun,// he shared. //We might have to make a habit of this, you know. Wednesday night swing?//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Why not?" Hannibal answered, grinning. "After all, we apparently have room to improve. I should hate to stop before we're the best."

[furnaceface]

//And that shouldn't take much time at all,// Jono decided, amused. //We're both fiercely competitive, after all.//

Really, Jono might even request extra practice during the week itself, at this rate.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal wouldn't exactly mind that, either. "Shall we see how quickly we can do it?"

The next song was a little more traditional, but still lively, and Hannibal spun Jono around to match the tempo.

[furnaceface]

//Oh, I think we can manage a fair bit of speed to us,// Jono decided, quite happy to follow the tempo that Hannibal was setting. //And if I end up embellishing somewhat as we go using dances I already know in the meantime? Would that be so terrible?//

Because again, Jubilee making the New Warriors study ballet meant that Jono wasn't terribly lousy when it came to footwork, here.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Not at all." Hannibal grinned and stole a kiss to Jono's ear in passing. "Part of the beauty of swing is that so long as you keep the rhythm, nearly anything will work."

[furnaceface]

//Well then...// Jono returned that kiss with a nuzzle of his own, the next opportunity he had. And then he quite happily started to do said embellishing. Because why the hell not? They had come here to dance, and it wasn't like he wasn't following Hannibal's lead or making use of the steps that he'd been shown. Really, there was just some extra creative footwork to go with it all, while they were at it. //Let's keep the rhythm, shall we?//

[sharp_as_knives]

"Naturally." And Hannibal wasn't above mirroring some of Jono's moves, either; he knew many dances himself, and improvisation in all things was a passion and a challenge.

[furnaceface]

And see, that was what Jono had come out tonight for. Even if it was at least, in part, about showing off, there was something delightful about just letting go and playing off of one another, dancing and embellishing and yes, maybe being a touch on the competitive side about it...

//So, how much dancing have you done before now?//

Because this? Was excellent.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I am an excellent waltzer," Hannibal answered, smirking. "And I do quite a mean tango."

[furnaceface]

//Well, you'll have to show me your tango one of these days too, then,// Jono decided, winking as they found themselves chest-to-chest for another moment still. //Not much of a tango-er, really. Maybe I just haven't had the right partner yet.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"I may have to do that," Hannibal agreed. The song they were on stopped and he held up a hand. "One moment. One of us needs water. And possibly to lose this jacket." He grinned. "Don't go away."

[furnaceface]

//Where would I even go?// Jono was smiling right back, contemplating whether or not he should be losing his own jacket just yet. He wasn't sweating, but that wasn't really a surprise, all things considered. Still, it looked like Hannibal wasn't the only one who was starting to shuck layers, either. And Jono hated feeling conspicuous.

Which was why he was keenly aware of a couple not far off who were whispering amongst themselves and looking his way. He was going to just ignore it, for the time being. He couldn't make out what they were saying anyway, after all.

[sharp_as_knives]

Only because he was being pesky and moral and not mentally eavesdropping.

Hannibal folded his jacket neatly over a chair and headed for the bar. They were a few people deep, but the servers were doing their best, so he waited politely.

[furnaceface]

And Jono... mostly Jono was just standing around some more, watching Hannibal idly where he was standing. Hands in his pockets, listening to the music.

Which was about the moment one of the murmuring people stepped up to him with a shy smile and a polite, "Excuse me, would you be interested in dancing?"

...

//Um, Hannibal?// Jono was having a minor bluescreen moment, now. //Go on and get your water, don't let me interrupt, but, er... I think I was just asked for a dance.//

He was looking supremely awkward while he attempted to figure out how to spell out in charades that he sort of needed to ask his partner, first.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal glanced back at him and saw what was going on.

Forgive him if he looked and sounded extremely amused, Jono.

It does look that way, yes, he agreed. They probably don't sign, but I imagine a nod or a shake of the head is universal, he added helpfully.

[furnaceface]

Jono did an admirable job not looking as pained as he felt, even if the look would have only crossed his face for a moment. And then he looked back at the young lady who had asked, and tried to look apologetic for a moment while gesturing to his wrappings. See, he couldn't answer aloud, but...

//... Should I accept this dance?//

He didn't know! He had no idea! What was going on? Why were people asking him things??

At least the realization that he was mute had bought him some time, here. Look, he didn't have to pull an immediate answer out of his arse right away! It also meant the charades he was going to pull to explain that he'd come in with somebody were going to be an interesting sight to behold.