The floor wasn’t big, but it was enough for a couple of people to dance freely. The crowd parted naturally as they joined, and Mara immediately swayed to the soft rhythm of the song. Her eyes were half-opened as her head gently bobbed to the beat.
She didn’t go all out. She just moved her hips, with her arms loose. She was smiling up at him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Gray stood awkwardly at first.
Then shifted a little.
Then... swayed.
Not too much.
But enough.
Mara noticed and let out a pleased sound.
"See? Look at that. You can dance!"
He laughed under his breath.
"I’m barely dancing, stupid."
But it was easier than he expected. Maybe it was because the alcohol helped with it, so did Mara’s carefree vibe. She didn’t pressure him or make it weird. She just danced, and somehow, that made it easy to follow.
After a few minutes, the rhythm changed to something slower and groovier. The lights dimmed a bit more. Gray didn’t even notice when Mara stepped in closer until her shoulder bumped his.
"You’re not so bad at this," she murmured.
"Careful," Gray said, smirking. "If you keep saying nice things, people might think you like me."
Mara rolled her eyes and bumped him again.
"Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just drunk."
He laughed again, genuinely this time.
And then, for a brief moment, the night stopped feeling like a night out.
It just felt like them. Two old friends, laughing, swaying under neon lights, surrounded by strangers they didn’t know and wouldn’t remember. The air was warm. The music was soft. The moment was quiet, but full.
Mara’s laugh rang out again, light and a little slurred, and Gray found himself grinning without even realizing it.
The music picked up just slightly, slipping into a steady, pulsing beat that made it hard not to move. Mara twirled once. It was not a dramatic spin, just a lazy turn with her hair brushing over her shoulder and when she came back to face him, her smile was wide and unguarded.
Gray shook his head, chuckling.
"You’re ridiculous."
"And you’re still here," she shot back, poking his chest with one finger before taking a small step closer.
They started moving in sync without talking about it. Mara’s movements were fluid, easy, while Gray’s were more restrained, but somehow it worked. Her hand brushed against his once, twice, until finally she just caught it, holding it lightly as if to keep him anchored in the rhythm.
"See?" she said with mock seriousness, "Now we’re actually dancing together."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "That’s debatable."
"Shut up and keep moving."
So he did.
They laughed at nothing in particular.
Every time the beat shifted, Mara adjusted, pulling him along with a stubborn determination that made him shake his head but follow anyway.
And somewhere between the teasing and the music, their steps fell into perfect time. They weren’t just standing side by side anymore, they were facing each other, their movements connected, and their smiles matching.
The song slowed again, the beat turning into something smooth and steady.
Mara didn’t let go of his hand this time. Instead, she stepped closer until the space between them was barely there.
Without thinking, Gray’s other hand rested lightly on her back, and hers found its way to his shoulder.
It wasn’t some planned, romantic thing. For them, it was just the easiest way to move with the music now. But the longer they swayed like that, the more natural it felt.
Her head tipped forward until it rested lightly against his shoulder. He could smell her perfume. It was subtle, warm, and mixed with the faint scent of alcohol.
"You know..." Mara’s voice was low, her words slightly slurred as she spoke near his ear. "You’re... not as bad as I remember."
"Thanks. I’ll take that glowing review." Gray smirked.
She giggled softly, the sound muffled against him.
"Like... you’re still annoying, obviously. But... you’re... also kinda..." She trailed off, as if trying to remember the word. "Kinda... nice."
Gray chuckled under his breath. "Wow. That’s almost a compliment. You really are drunk."
"I’m not drunk," she mumbled in a way that proved exactly the opposite. "I’m just... happy."
He shook his head, amused. "You’re hilarious right now, you know that?"
"Shhh." She pressed a finger lazily against his chest without even lifting her head. "Just... dance."
So he did.
They stayed like that for the rest of the song, her half leaning, half hugging him, and him quietly keeping them moving in time. Around them, the bar was alive with chatter and music, but in their little circle, it felt almost still.
Mara stayed close against him, her words slipping out in soft, lazy fragments every now and then.
"Your shirt’s... warm," she murmured once, like it was a profound observation.
A minute later: "I like this song. Wait—do I like this song? Yeah... yeah, I do."
"Y-you aknwo I wike Chicken..."
"Can we... eat chicken... later?"
"Gray, gray... why are you a color?"
Gray bit back a laugh, shaking his head. Mara was just saying random words now.
"You’re unbelievable."
She hummed in vague agreement, then mumbled something about the lights being "too blinky," followed by a comment about how his shoulder was "a good pillow."
He couldn’t help it. Every time she spoke, he grinned wider. It was ridiculous, and a little stupid, but she was... well, adorable like this.
It was so long before he saw her completely unfiltered. She was already half-asleep on her feet, and just swaying with him like the rest of the world didn’t matter.
Then, after a long, quiet pause, Gray felt something warm brush his cheek.
He blinked.
It took a second for it to register.
Mara had just pressed a quick, clumsy kiss against his face.
"Did you just—?"
"Mm-hmm," she answered without lifting her head, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Felt like it."
Gray huffed out a laugh, still swaying with her, unsure if he should be amused, confused, or both.