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When Fang Rui first met his eyes across the floor, Lin Jingyan thought that it was his retirement.
The teenager- barely in his twenties- was vibrant and chipper with enthusiasm almost flowing out of him. It was the end of a era: his era.
Until it wasn't.
Lin Jingyan still didn't know what made Fang Rui change his mind about being his successor but he's not complaining.
Not when Fang Rui grins cheekily at him after they won a match with a suggestion of finding the nearest gaming café with everyone else, or a small smile with a joke for the team and a private dinner with just the two of them to sort out what they could have done when they lost. It surprised Lin Jingyan sometimes how quick Fang Rui became essential to Wind Howl.
---
Their life turned into a partnership: relying, and being relied upon.
The ebb and flow of a special kind of dance. A misstep being covered up, a pivot turning into a twirl with ease as they spun around each other, a hand in another hand. This was their partnership.
They weren't like Sun Zheping or Zhang Jiale with their dazzling brilliance, nor Ye Qiu and Su Mucheng with their near oppressive shut downs. Theirs was more subtle and gentle than that, unexpectedly dirty too. Lin Jingyan was honestly surprised by that. He was surprised about a lot of things that Fang Rui did, but it wasn't bad.
In fact, he rather liked it.
---
There was a steady hum of a fan in the background, almost unnoticeable apart from the way that Fang Rui and Lin Jingyan followed it while they cry inside over the heat. Nanjing was hot during the summer and their air con was broken.
It was originally Fang Rui's idea to meet up in one of their rooms to hang out, but now it was something they regularly did.
Occasionally, Fang Rui would dig out his PS3 so they could play fighting games. It was relaxing and Lin Jingyan found that it did improve their partnership. Also, Fang Rui was a cheat, and shoving Lin Jingyan to win a fighting game was definitely dirty. Even if Fang Rui smiled beatifically at him whenever he complained.
Fang Rui was leaning on him watching some kind of idol variety show. His head heavy on his shoulder. It was almost too warm to let Fang Rui lean on him, but Lin Jingyan was too comfortable to push him away. Lin Jingyan was tapping his foot lightly as he watched the figures across his screen, it was just out of eyesight for Fang Rui since Lin Jingyan was slightly embarrassed to be watching his video. However, it was brand new- practically live! How could he not watch it?
"Hey, why do you keep moving for?" Fang Rui asked. He tilted his head so he was staring up at Lin Jingyan. A small pout on his face and his eyes were shining with an impish light.
"Ah, sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you,"
"You didn't. I was just wondering why you were moving around so much, normally you just watch in silence."
"Just something I'm watching,"
"What is it?"
Lin Jingyan hesitated for a second and that was all which was needed to get Fang Rui curious.
"Hey, this isn't something shady is it? Something embarrassing? I promise not to blackmail you over it, look into my honest eyes and tell me that I'd blackmail you!"
"I know you were part of Blue Rain but I didn't know that we got a second Huang Shaotian," Lin Jingyan deadpanned. Fang Rui stared at him with a faint smile.
"If you really don't want me to know, then just tell me,"
"It's not shady or anything, I just- I guess it's a little embarrassing." Lin Jingyan pressed his lips together before he showed Fang Rui the video. Fang Rui moved a little so his face was pressing almost uncomfortably against his shoulder, practically snuggling Lin Jingyan.
"Dancers?" Fang Rui asked curiously. "That's what you are embarrassed over? It's not that embarrassing at all! You'd easily be able to score if you told women that you can dance. Wait, you can dance as well, right?"
"Only a little bit," Lin Jingyan confessed.
Fang Rui whistled.
"What a catch you are," Fang Rui joked. He looked back up at Lin Jingyan. "Hey, can you teach me how to dance?"
"All I know is the waltz though,"
"That's fine, any dance is better than none,"
"Alright, when do you want to learn?"
"How about now?"
"Right now?"
"Yep, no better time than the present!"
"Okay, okay, but you have to get off of me first. I can't teach you without standing up,"
Fang Rui got up quickly and flung his phone on the bed that they were resting on. He stood expectantly in the middle of the room. "Come on, teach me," he said. It was almost an direct echo of what Fang Rui said when they met for their first training session. Lin Jingyan smiled wryly.
"You gotta stand up straight first," he said as he moved as well until he was standing in front of Fang Rui. "Here, it's easier if you take the male lead and put your hand on my waist,"
Almost too eagerly Fang Rui put his hand on Lin Jingyan's hips instead causing Lin Jingyan to move the hand to the correct place. In short order he got them into the correct position.
"Okay, when I move backwards with one foot, you move forwards. Let's practice it,"
It was smooth, smoother than any actual beginner. But, they had been partners for a year now and it felt like more than that. In a way, they had been practicing this dance ever since Fang Rui decided to be his vice captain, maybe even before then.
"That's good." Lin Jingyan praised. "Now take a step to the side, and let your other foot meet it afterwards-" They moved as one. "Exactly like that. Now, we go in a circle."
Fang Rui was a little wonky with the footwork but he didn't look down. Instead, he stared at Lin Jingyan head on. It was a little intense, and flattering.
"And this is what you like?" Fang Rui asked after a couple of rotations.
"Yeah, it's relaxing to look at and the dancers make it look graceful. I enjoy the waltz,"
Fang Rui let his face bloom into a beautiful smile as everything about him softened.
"It's also a little romantic as well," Lin Jingyan confessed.
"Romantic?" Fang Rui questioned.
Lin Jingyan nodded and sighed. "Yeah, they say that the waltz is like asking the other to marry you every time."
Fang Rui stopped altogether, looking stunned. Their hands clasped together allowing for Lin Jingyan to feel the sweat building up between their hands. "It's like asking someone to marry you if you dance the waltz?" he asked.
Lin Jingyan nodded. "Yeah, it's very romantic, is it not?"
"Yeah…thank you."
"For what?"
Fang Rui grinned cheekily. "For this." he said before he swung them around for another rotation, this one much faster than what it was supposed to be. Despite it, Lin Jingyan let himself be spun around until they collapsed on the bed in laughter and panting. Lin Jingyan thought it was the end of that but Fang Rui kept asking for another dance. He thought nothing of it.
---
Lin Jingyan watched his screen with an intense stare. His favourite dancers were streaming again but it was their final dance. The woman had broken her ankle this season meaning that they couldn't compete in nationals and the man was growing too old for the scene anymore. Jingyan had been following them since they debuted 10 years ago. It was a little…almost lonely to see them leave? They had been a part of his life for so long and yet, they didn't know who he was. Such was the life of a fan.
Silently the training room door opened and Fang Rui looked around to check if there was anyone else in the room. Lin Jingyan didn't notice. But, the words "Old Lin…" echoing around the computer room, joining in the concerto of nearly silent electricity made him break his concentration on the video.
"Little Rui," in Jingyan greeted as he turned around to look back at him, a smile on his face. Fang Rui wore a grimace on his face. Immediately Lin Jingyan was concerned. "What's wrong?"
Fang Rui was silent for a moment. "Can we hang out?"
Lin Jingyan smiled crookedly. He knew what this was about and was grateful that Fang Rui sidestepped the actual problem. "My room?"
Fang Rui looked at Lin Jingyan's screen before he shook his head. "I want to watch them dance," he eventually said. Lin Jingyan smiled and pulled a chair up next to him. Fang Rui scurried along until he practically jumped into the chair next to him.
"So, what's going on? Is this a competition?" Fang Rui asked eagerly. Lin Jingyan's smile turned awkward.
"No, this is their final dance."
"What? How? Aren't they your favourite dancers?"
"Yes, but it's their time. I'll still support them but they can't go on anymore,"
"Then give me a ear bud, I want to listen to the music as well,"
"Okay but they're dancing to an English instrumental song called the last waltz," Lin Jingyan gave a smirk as he handed over an ear bud and hit play as he watched Fang Rui carefully. There was an immediate reaction almost instantly.
"Wait. That's the song they're dancing to?" Fang Rui asked confused.
Lin Jingyan laughed at him lightly.
"Yeah, it's not what you'd expect from that song, is it?"
Fang Rui shook his head slowly as he stared at the dancers on the screen, paused in a fall step with the woman smiling faintly to the camera. "Exactly, I was expecting something you know, sombre but this is…"
"Cheerful?"
"Yes! It's really too cheerful for something called the last waltz!"
"Really? I think it's rather fitting. It's a celebration of the next stage of their life. The accordion makes it slow and almost sad but the guitar and piano make it more lively,"
Fang Rui stared into Lin Jingyan's eyes and gave a smile containing unfulfilled promises. "Should we have a final waltz as well?"
Lin Jingyan was used to this by now; Fang Rui popping up to ask for a dance whenever he liked. He was glad about this because he had someone to dance with.
"I'm not leaving the GPA," pointed out Lin Jingyan though.
"I know, but it'll be the last time we'll be able to dance in Wind Howl together as captain and vice captain."
Lin Jingyan melted inside.
"Okay," he said as he accepted Fang Rui's hand, meeting him halfway. "Wait a moment!"
Fang Rui paused and tilted his head. "What's wrong?"
"Music; all this time we've danced without music, so should our last time be with music?" Lin Jingyan stated as he unplugged his ear buds from the computer.
As he hit play again, he moved back to Fang Rui. He could always watch the video later, this was more important. Fang Rui took the male position with his hand expertly placed on Lin Jingyan's waist. Their hands connected once more and the music played. A slide backwards, then to the side. Forwards, and around once more. It was like Glory, but more private; a world of their own.
"I'm going to miss you, Old Lin,"
"I'm not dying,"
"You're ruining the mood,"
"I'm going to miss you too,"
Fang Rui's head fell on Lin Jingyan's shoulder as his hands dropped into a hug, clinging to Lin Jingyan.
"Message me often?" Fang Rui asked.
"Like I could ignore you," Lin Jingyan said and he hugged him back.
Fang Rui was the best partner he could have asked for.