arrays | [ open ] we'll keep dancing til we die

It's actually nice, not talking. Natalie herself is used to run on sentences, clipped phrases, talking herself in and out of corners. Not being able to say anything might just be helping her in this situation.

Natalie lets go of his hand to rest hers on his other side instead, licking her lips out of habit instead of out of nervousness. In a twisted way, she's grateful for what she's consumed tonight, otherwise she might not be in this position. Even in her state, her heart rate picks up as she lifts her head, angling it slightly as if to kiss him, but not quite meeting the goal.

"There aren't many people that can dance like that," Sasha responded. Her reputation was for being an egomaniac ballet dancer. Of course, nothing about her ego wasn't well supported by raw natural talent. She leaned against the bar, trying to look as flirty as she could manage (she's terrible at it, honestly).

"Why, like something you saw?"

He nodded, conceding the point, but chose to ignore the question she posed. It was clear what she was after, and while Gale was hardly here out of completely innocent intentions, it was almost comical how obvious she was being.

"If you want a free drink," he said plainly, tipping his glass to point to a table to his left, "you'll have better luck talking to those guys. Bend the right way, and they'll give you whatever you want. But they're the types that expect more for their trouble." Gale, for his part, was distinctly lacking in cash. More often than not, he snuck in a beer or two with Thom, but today he'd indulged himself in a glass of the house brew.

His hand remains free for only a moment before settling onto her other side, enjoying the closeness of a total stranger. It's a good distraction from everything, one Leo hadn't expected to be given tonight despite coming here in search of exactly that. Usually, the most he gets from places like this are a few drinks and some eye candy to feast on, both of which he enjoys very much. But actual interaction is different, better somehow.

When he opens his eyes, he sucks in a sharp breath as he realizes exactly how close she is, the sound lost in the cacophony of sound they've surrounded themselves with. There's a short, almost unnoticeable pause in his movements before he's back to it, still smiling and moving with her. The part of his mind that's lost all sense and inhibitions says he should make the move, it would be so easy, and what difference will it make - but there's still a part of him that's surprisingly shy around girls, for all his flirting. And he doesn't want to ruin this, whatever it is. He's having fun where they are.

She shifts one hand to rest on his shoulder, retreat being the last thing on her mind. Instead of kissing him, she just rests her forehead against his, closing her eyes. It helps her put her mind at ease, finding odd comfort in her environment. It's nothing like the quiet she's accustomed to, and she still prefers isolation, but there's something about him that draws her in and she doesn't overthink a thing about her actions.

Natalie, even in her worst states, barely hooked up with anyone in her months long spree through clubs. Maybe a kiss here or there and the occasional grope, but she preferred floating along over seeking physical contact. This, she tells herself, is a little different.

Even as close as they're getting, they're still pretty tame, compared to some of the other club patrons. Leo tries not to think too hard about it; before they know it, tonight will be over and they'll probably never see each other again. That's all the more reason to make the most of it, though, and there's something about this girl that fascinates him. Maybe it's because she sticks out so much; he doesn't know, and it probably doesn't matter.

Smiling, he gives her side a gentle little squeeze, a touch of silent encouragement. She'd looked... not quite stiff, but almost uncomfortable before, but she seems to be loosening up now.

She wants to cling to this actually pleasant haze and she's almost sure it's because of him. So with that squeeze, she presses forward, taking that chance and kissing him. Her kiss is unpracticed and she goes slow, sliding her hand from his shoulder to slide into his hair. For a moment, this girl isn't really Natalie; she's someone who wants to kiss strangers and pull them closer until she can really feel him against her.

It takes a moment for him to respond, everything slowing for a few seconds as the surprise works through the haze in his head. When it does, he closes his eyes and presses a little closer, enjoying the feeling of having her against him, lips and body and her hand in his hair, a weakness he's only just getting around to acknowledging. He can tell he isn't the only one with a lack of inexperience here, his pleasure usually lying in the dancing part of being in these clubs, but that's heartening, if anything. The kiss is far from perfect, but they're both in the same boat, and that's more than okay for where they are.

Natalie doesn't like relying on her instincts but that's what she has to do right now, extending the kiss longer than she should. When she parts, she doesn't smile sheepishly but she does duck her head, licking her lips and honestly wanting to try again, wanting to give him a better one.

Whatever song is playing, she's completely unaware of it, vaguely moving instead if only to attempt to keep up with everyone else here. It seems to be a slower beat, something to cool down the crowd but all Natalie feels is the rising heat on her neck and down her shirt.

While it was always nice when a boy bought her a drink, she didn't actually require it. Her parents were both rich and happy to throw shame money at her because of their own issues. She turned to the bartender, "One of what he's having."

She smiled, just a bit smugly, "I'm sure if I took my top off I'd get all sorts of offers too. Pass. I'd rather have company with taste, good diction, and aren't actively willing my clothes off instead of having a conversation with me." She glanced over at him, a little more sarcastic than the flirty look she started with, "Think you can manage that?"

They have to break for air sometime, and he's grinning when they do, amused at the way she ducks away as if she's feeling shy. A little late for that, Leo thinks, but everyone is different about these things. He tends to go with the flow, and try not to think too much. It gets in the way of having fun.

The music playing is becoming less of a priority the longer they dance together, but Leo does notice the change in tempo and adjusts accordingly, his hands on her hips keeping her close enough in sync. He's curious what her next move is going to be; his own would be to kiss her again, to see where that takes him, but although he'll flirt obnoxiously, he's not one to press - not that way.

She joins both hands, sliding the other into his hair as if she knows he actually likes that. It feels amazing, not overthinking her actions, though, when she'll think about this later, it will be pretty pathetic that she needs chemical aid to reach this point.

Natalie lifts her gaze again and bites her bottom lip. It's not really an invitation but if he wants to continue what she started, she won't mind. No one's looking, at least no one who matters.

He gives a soft sigh when her hand goes into his hair. That's enough of an invitation for him, though the way she bites her lip is plenty enticing on its own. It's a small matter, closing what little space there is between them, his hand resting lightly on her cheek.

Willingly, she parts her lips, breathing in. It's slow and exploratory, unlike anything else happening around her. It excites her, having someone so close who wants to kiss her and hold her like this. Her hips sway slowly until she nearly comes to a stop, focused on kissing him instead.

The music fades around them, and gradually, Leo slows to a stop, forgetting to dance while his focus narrows to the girl before him. He's in no mood to rush, enjoying this slow, casual arrangement they've fallen into without any warning. They get a bit of jostling from those immediately around them now that they've stopped moving with the crowd, easily ignored in favor of something far more pleasant, temporary as it may be.

She doesn't care if they're being shifted this way or that. Whoever he is, he makes he feel good, a different high than the ones she had been seeking before. Natalie kisses fervently, wanting to make it a good one. Her eyes linger on him when she parts, lips still slightly puckered, before she slowly turns in his arms to face away, her back to his chest.

He likes the energy she throws into it, and makes a point to return every effort. When they part again and she shifts, he snakes his arms around her waist, staying close as if he's known her far longer than just a minute or two. That they lost track of the music is sinking in now, and he tries to get them back into it, swaying just so.

"I'm not so sure about that," Gale countered. "You may have the dancing part down, but you're a little lacking up top, compared to most other girls. Stick to showing off how flexible you can be and you might have better luck."

Yes, he'd looked, and was not ashamed of it in the least.

"It might be tough," he continued, tone dry as a desert. She's still not his type. "But I think I can manage."

Natalie chuckles, leaning against him comfortably. Her arms stretch over her head lazily before she slowly lets them sink, one hand reaching for him, fingers threading into his hair. There's something intoxicating about not speaking, just touching. Her eyes close.

He hums pleasantly, glad to have her hand back in his hair as they find the beat of the music again. He's almost disappointed that they aren't continuing their little makeout session, but he'll gladly settle for this. It's not a bad compromise, and probably a teensy bit more appropriate for being in public, too - not that Leo's ever cared much for appropriateness, but he doesn't want to get kicked out, either.

She moves with him, hips loose and for once not caring about what happens or who sees her. It's freeing and fun. This guy, he doesn't seem lecherous or anything like that - it almost feels like he might be into her. Not that it matters, because they'll likely never see each other again, but it's nice for the time being. It's almost sexy, the thrill of anonymity. Her body feels warm.

The longer they keep this up, the more tempted Leo is to break the silence and ask her a few things. A name, maybe, or what she's doing here looking so out of place, but he manages to hold his tongue for the time being. It's not like it'll matter anyway, after they leave tonight and never see each other again and probably even forget this entire thing even happened. And anyway, they can just let loose and have fun for now, right? It's not hurting anything to share a few dances, trade a few kisses, and Leo likes the change in having a partner for once, having to keep in tune with one another and match each other's movements. It's a different sort of puzzle than what he's used to, but as he moves a hand back to her hip to feel the sway she's got going, he thinks that it's definitely a good change.

With kissing on her mind, it's tempting for her to steal away from the masses and find a more private corner. And since she isn't being entirely herself, it isn't out of the question. But right now, she likes where this is going, feeling him against her. She angles her head when she opens her eyes, looking up at him almost curiously, her lips slightly parted as she breathes in and out, trying to cool down. She lifts a hand to move her hair out of her eyes and away from her neck, pulling the curls over one shoulder.

His eyes are closed until he feels her move again, outside the time of the music. It's impossible not to notice how inviting her neck looks when she moves her hair, but he takes a breath and catches her eye, offering a smile.

It's astonishingly easy, all of this. Natalie actually smiles back, her face lighting up in a way that hasn't happened in quite some time. Her eyes flutter closed again and she languidly tips her head back onto his shoulder, back slightly arched. Her attention's on the music again, letting that guide her instead.

[ open ] we'll keep dancing til we die

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