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

After waking up in her own bed with no recollection of how she got there in the first place last night, one might think it best she abandon this lifestyle and return to the one she knows. Natalie is only a tourist.

Interaction pulls her out of her own head, astonishingly blank. It isn't as if she's gone this entire time completely ignored - she'll dance of pulled along. Normally, she can just ignore that bump but she turns slightly and shrugs at him, as if to say no harm done. There's little inviting about her in her day to day life, but she's more open in expression and posture now, not a wrinkle in her brow or lips.

Temporary stay or no, what matters is that they're both here. It's ridiculous how much this girl stands out when he turns to offer her an apologetic smile and a shrug. What can you do, right?

They might as well make the most of it, Leo decides, well aware that the alcohol is fueling him as he turns to face her properly, eyebrows raised in a questioning expression as if to invite her to officially join him. He has half a mind to take her hand and pull her along, but he's not quite that far gone as of yet.

It strikes her, then, that she must look kind of stupid, barely moving and not even to the beat of the song pumping through the stereo system.

Natalie starts to shake her head, thinking it best that she removes herself from this situation so no one has to come and pick her up late at night because she has no way of getting home. But at the same time, she's not so high up in the clouds that she no longer has control of her own body - just enough to leave most of her inhibitions at the door. It won't do her any harm.

She nods and the corner of her mouth quirks up when she decides to reach for his hand.

He's almost disappointed, but Leo is pleased to see her nod instead, and grins brightly. And the interesting part is that she takes his hand, and he gives it an encouraging squeeze as he pulls her along in time with the music, a quicker beat than she'd been swaying to only moments before. The fact that he doesn't even know her name slips his mind, but he doesn't expect to get it before the night's up, so he doesn't bother asking. They're both here to have a little fun; who cares if it's anonymous?

Natalie would never describe herself as graceful. Her movements, once she finally lets go, are wilder and more fluid - not at all jerky like she usually is. Eyes closed, the music takes over. It's easier that way, latching herself onto the tune instead of associating herself with the rolling masses. Well, except for her newfound partner. When she opens her eyes again to look at him, she actually tries to smile in full. It's hard not to actually look at him, considering how packed the space is getting and how close she has to stand.

There she goes. His grin grows, happy to see her letting go and getting with the rhythm. She wasn't exactly stiff before, but she wasn't rolling with the beat, either, and it's much easier to enjoy himself if he knows his unexpected partner is relaxed and having fun, too. As the song continues, Leo finds himself standing closer to her than he'd intended, but the sea of bodies around them will do that. He still tries to leave some meager space between them; judging from her clothes and how out of place she's looked up to now, she's not the clubbing type, and he doesn't want to scare her off somehow.

Even with her attempts to blend in, what with the exposed patch of midriff, she's still pretty conservative and that won't change about her. But she does actually want to try for a little closeness, even with a stranger. (Which has everything to do with her affection starved self but she won't get into that.) He shouldn't hold back because she's Stoll easing into this. So she pulls him closer with their joined hands, nodding slightly.

Well, if that's what she wants, who is he to deny her? Leo gladly comes a little closer, the space behind him filling instantly as he does. A hand goes to her hip, tentative but testing out the flow she's created so he can match it well, or pull her along into his own. The music changes slightly as a new song fades in, but the shift is only momentary as they sink into the sound, the adjustment in his movements easy and hardly noticeable if she doesn't know what to look for.

She takes a deep, unnoticeable breath when he actually rests his hand there but she goes with it. Her brain is slowly waking up but she puts that off for now, following his lead instead. Nearly matching his height, her face is especially close to his now but she doesn't let her gaze waver much except to occasionally glance at the DJ or follow one of the neon lights cast upon the crowd. Her hand goes to his side in return instead of resting on his shoulder.

If he were to stop and examine the situation, Leo would think it's weird how close they are, how cute she is, how much he's had to drink so far, and yet not a single word of flirting comes out of his mouth. No words at all, really, which is a feat in and of itself. He's always had a lot of trouble shutting up, even when he wants to - something to do with the ADHD, he's been told. And the fact that he tries so hard to annoy everyone around him.

This is what feels natural, though, and he smiles at her as she eases into it, feeling a little thrill when her hand touches his side. Not a bad turn, Leo thinks to himself, closing his eyes to listen to the music. He's kind of glad he got shoved into her.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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