Not really related to the last chapter. Just a little thought that was itching in my head. Not the greatest, but all the same.

.

Ballet

.

They kind of have this routine.

It's like a dance, really. A performance, a show, all just for the two of them.

It starts with a stretch. Warm up the muscles, get the blood flowing. A little comment here and there, a little jab or flirt to ease him up just a bit. She'll get him to relax his clenched jaw when he's nervous or agitated, works him into developing a nice flush in his cheeks.

Then come the steps. Slow at first, easing into it. Arms moving fluidly, gently. Lithe, smooth movements of the legs, softly putting one foot in front of the other. A light touch on his arm, a bump of the shoulders, a small chuckle at his jokes. He's getting the hang of it slowly, his blush a little less fierce, his brow a little less furrowed. He smiles at her now when she enters the room. Progress.

And then there's a leap. A run and a jump, gliding through the air. A moment of pure abandon that can leave you with an intense feeling of regret or incredible exhilaration. They've got a handful of these, but the best one yet is the lullaby. She wants to try to get through to the big guy, to attempt to calm him down when they're done with a mission. And he lets her. It is easily one of the stupidest and greatest decisions ever. She's got a few bruises to prove it, but that's what real dancing is all about anyway. You have to hurt sometimes to get it just right.

After is the spin. A little twist, changing perspectives. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's hard to perfect. It might leave them back at square one, wondering what in the world they were thinking, but it can also bring them closer together.

Finally, the bow. Show's over, energy is spent and breathing is coming fast. An acknowledgement of the audience, thanking them for their time and support. For, them, it's each other, and they smile and say goodbye and part ways until the next time. Dancing should never be easy, never boring, and for them, this routine is never monotonous and always a little taxing. But the effort was worth it.

And they start again.