Chapter Text
Kravitz had been dancing professionally for nearly a decade.
He liked to believe he was good at it. Maybe in his old studio; considered the best.
When it came to dancing however - dancing styles — He had preferences and ones he called a ‘one and done’. Never to do again.
His favor laid in ballroom, ballet, waltz, and maybe some jazz. Other than that - he was alright with the other styles but if he could pick the time, place, and song. He was satisfied.
Though once Kravitz allowed his mentor, Raven, to peer pressure him into taking improv dancing classes, he learned to throw all control and preferences out the window.
Her friend, Lady Istus, also peer pressured Kravitz into joining. Explaining how she knew the perfect class for him to take.
It was a class in a rented dance studio only thirty minutes away from where Kravitz lived. The class itself was called “Improv Dancing lessons and competitions” in parentheses in the description it read; “Mostly run by the seven birds”.
Whatever the hell that meant.
So, Kravitz walked up the stairs of the studio, dancing clothes in his bag for fear he may end up going to the wrong place and presented himself instead in a black button up with dark red dress pants.
When Kravitz opened the door the lady up front was covering her mouth and lowering her drink at lightning speed. Typically jobs like these don’t let you remind the customers you’re a human being who needs hydration. She had short grey hair and black lipstick on that she just barely smudged as she wiped her mouth clean.
“Hello, welcome in!” Kravitz smiled shyly and approached the desk as the lady greeted him, eyeing her name tag: REN (SHE/HER)
“I’m looking for the.. the uh improv dance class?”
And her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh shit?” She smacked a hand over her mouth, using the other to punch herself lightly in the chest. “I’m so sorry- uh- Davenport!“
She turned out and shouted down the hallway. Some double doors were opened and some that held only singular doors were locked up tight.
A rather short and somewhat stout man with dull orange hair and stick-out ears strutted down the hallway.
“Yea?”
“Uh- you’ve got a fellow here for your class.”
Kravitz arched a brow. She said it like no one had ever joined this class before. Like this was a once in a blue moon type of thing.
He began to worry maybe he did have the wrong place.
Davenport - the small man is - just sighed lightly and shook his head. “I don’t know why Taako keeps telling you it’s been a century since anyone has-“ he met Kravtiz’s eyes - Davenport’s gaze was unnerving and stern - before clearing his throat. “You’re fine Ren, don’t worry about it.”
Davenport now fully turned to address Kravitz, who tried not to look down at him- really he didn’t want to - he was just so short. “It’s nice to meet you..”
“Kravitz. My name is Kravitz.. I don’t know if anyone informed you ahead of time of my arrival, I wasn’t sure who exactly called you—“
“Lady Istus informed me like a week ago someone new might show.”
Kravitz huffed, baffled. How could she have known that he’d end up going? He never told her-
“Welp, hopefully your flexible in a button up.” Davenport eyed him and Kravitz replied instantly; “Oh no I have a change of clothes.”
“Oh, okay, good. Follow me then. I think it’s best to introduce you to everyone.”
Kravitz nodded hesitantly, following Davenport down the hallway. They didn’t have to walk far- they were only the third door down.
Just a step away from the door Kravitz heard a high pitched masculine voice go; “FUCK IT UP!“ and several woo-ing after as the tale tell beginning note of “Somebody That I Used to Know” started playing.
Davenport stopped in the door, sighing and shaking his head - with the endearment of a disappointed father.
Kravitz stood next to him and scene before him was… interesting.
A very tall slimmer woman with tanned skin and short curly blonde hair was dancing with an intimidatingly muscular man who stood just a few inches taller. His hair more auburn, his skin white, and with big bushy sideburns. She wore looser baggy clothing - a white cropped hoodie with red sweats while he wore a plain white tank and baggy brown pants.
And they were dancing together. To this song. As the ticking soundtrack went on they jolted their bodies in unison in random positions, getting slowly closer together before the lyric finally started. The male leading mostly as the girl trailed - the two danced in a sort of ballroom mixed modern dance style.
When the female bridge started - some of the people in the back ‘ooohed’ as the girl sudden took the lead - the man instantly letting her take charge.
Her moves were bold, and dramatic, the guy had no problem watching out the way of her long legs. Pulling against one another’s arms - Kravitz really saw the muscle on the two. Well, the sideburn guy had bulging muscles and Kravitz wondered if it was from him working out or just this class.
As the song toned down, the two calmed their movements, once again jutting with the ticking soundtrack. As the song ended the two somehow ended back to back.
And the group of four overlapping one another, sitting very close, on the floor - went wild with applause.
During the whole song the two stared at each other with such intensity - but no real anger or love or anything was felt between them. Like they were trying to communicate each move to each other telepathically.
Kravitz believed some parts of it must’ve been coordinated. Surely…. Maybe…
“Next time guys,” when Davenport spoke all eyes landed on him; “Please shut the door first. Taako I don’t think Sloane and Hurley would be happy if they heard you screaming profanities every time someone went up.”
“My bad,” the other male in the back - who Kravitz just noticed had striking similarities with the girl still standing up front - raised his hand. He had the same toned hair and tanned skin - though his hair was whiter. A small gap between his teeth and light sun kissed freckles. Unlike his identical twin(actual twin or not) he wore tighter clothing, a royal purple sleeveless turtle neck with plain black shorts.
“I wanted to introduce you all to the newest member -“ Davenport eyed him, challenging if Kravitz would agree to that title. “Or are you just trying out for today?”
“We’ll see.” He settled on, with a smile.
“Hm.” Davenport hummed, “Alright gang let’s line up.”
And the 6 of them did so, the girl and buff boy not needing to move. “Going down the line; that’s Lucretia.”
Lucretia was an older darker woman. Just a few years ahead of some of them but she held white dreadlocks wrapped up in a tight bun. She also wore looser clothing. Rolled up sleeves on a thick blue sweater with white leggings. She waved timidly but her expression remained warm and welcoming.
“Taako.”
The male carbon copy of the girl he was standing next to. “I’d shake your hand fella but some of us are super sweaty.” Kravitz almost broke a smile at that. Almost. Taako seemed smug at the idea of almost making him.
“Lup. Taako and Lup are twins. If you couldn’t tell already.” “Hey there stranger.” She grinned, pushing her sweaty curly hair out of her face only for it to bounce back.
“That’s Magnus.” The man who was dancing with Lup only took a single step forward, holding out his hands. “Magnus Burnsides. Hail and well met!”
Kravitz took his hands and glanced at Taako - he wasn’t wrong. Some of these people were sweaty. Magnus even waited for Kravitz to let go first and seemed happy when he did. Like it was a competition.
“That’s Barry.” The man next to Magnus was wearing more layers than anyone there. A black tear shirt with a red jacket over top. What was the most baffling was how this man must’ve been dancing the entire time in denim blue jeans. “Nice to meet you.”
“And finally that’s Merle.” Merle was defiantly the oldest of the bunch. And what’s worse is Kravitz think he knew him. Istus was friends with Merle, that’s right..
He had a headband over his white hair tied into a tight bun - just like Lucretia’s - he wore shorts with beach patterns and a similar white tank top.
“I assume you already know I’m Davenport?” He added quickly as Magnus was just opening his mouth.
“Yes that’s right..”
He looked at everyone who stared back at him expectantly. Oh right-
“My name is Kravitz.”
Some responded with “Nice to meet yous”, Barry nodded, and Kravitz swore he heard Taako go; “Hachi Machi”.
“Alright Kravitz, there’s a changing room just down the hall and when you come back you can tell us some dance you’ve done before, before we push you right into the deep end.” Davenport tapped him lightly on the back and then whispered; “we’ll go over boundaries before we begin too.”
Kravitz watched in awe as Davenport renter the room and clapped his hands together. Merle hit the next track and “Emergency” by fantasy Icona Pop started playing. The seven birds cheered and Lup pointed at Lucretia who was already moving her body to the music towards Lup, Kravitz turned around and headed towards the changing room.
This was already so overwhelming - sneaking a glance back at Ren she gave him this weird knowing smile.
Like she knew he’d come back.
And as Kravitz heard the uproar of Magnus, Merle, and Taako - he wondered; why wouldn’t he?