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There was a rather groovy tune playing through the gramophone that day, accompanied by the unrhythmic tapping of shoes upon polished wood. Herlock peeked into the living room to see pink curls bouncing upon Iris’s head, and a puzzled, slightly irritated look on her face. He waltzed his way into the living room and proclaimed “What might you be attempting to do my dear Iris?”
Iris jumped at his shocking entrance and accidentally hit the needle off the spinning record. “Hurley! I really do wish you wouldn’t sneak up on me like that!”
“My apologies my dear little miss” he said while holding a hand out for her. Iris gracefully accepted it with her small hand and pulled herself off the floor. “Might I make a deduction?”
Iris already knew that Herlock already knew what she was trying to do. But she also knew her Daddy loved to make all sorts of deductions. “Of course Hurley” she said.
Herlock looked around the room once more. He put the needle back onto the record and gave it a good spin, letting music flood the room once more. He turned back to Iris in a flourish and striked a pose. “Are you trying to learn how to dance?”
Iris nodded her head. “That’s exactly right!” Herlock felt his heart grow ten times and his eyes start to water.
“For what reason, my dear?”
“Well…” she put a pointer finger to her temple. “You and uncle Mickey are always dancing when you’re making deductions” she flicks her wrist out, making Herlock’s signature finger gun move. “I want to be just like you and Mickey!”
Herlock could feel his heart burst out in joy right then and there. He used the back of his arm to wipe away several tears that were escaping and tried to hold back the rest. “Why don’t I show you the basics?” there was a little crack in Herlock’s voice, which was all too obvious to Iris’s curious ears.
“I would be delighted to learn” she curtsied, then took Herlock’s hand once more.
It was for this exact reason that Mikotoba found himself lacing up his tap shoes. With Iris’s watery eyes and Herlock’s beautiful ones both staring right into his soul, how could he say no? Besides, it had been quite a while since Mikotoba had danced with Herlock. He pulled the last knot tight and stood up, his feet already tapping to the beat.
“What would you like to learn, Iris?” he asked politely. Of course, everything he did was polite and gentlemanly.
Herlock cleared his throat. “I’ve taught her some basic moves, but I can’t seem to get the rhythm down to exact precision. I suppose that’s mostly your forte?”
“Ah yes” Mikotoba replied. “To get your rhythm right, you need to feel it. Close your eyes, Iris” he said. Mikotoba closed his own eyes and Iris followed suit. “Let the music wash through you like water. Feel every note in every twinge of your muscles. And soon…” he shifted his feet and started tapping away. “...You’ll feel yourself moving, as if the music controls you.”
Iris concentrated on the music and let the beats flow through her being. She shifted her shoulders up and down, and started swaying side to side. Her feet followed next, practicing the few moves Herlock had taught her just moments before. But this time, she was completely in sync with the music, and having a blast doing so.
“There you go!” Mikotoba exclaimed while dancing alongside her.
“You’re a natural!” Herlock said while clapping off beat. Mikotoba couldn’t help but sigh at his hopeless partner.
“You really should learn how to keep in rhythm, aibou ” he laughed.
“Well, maybe Iris isn’t the only one who needs dancing lessons” Herlock chuckled. “Care to join me, partner?” He extended his hand out to Mikotoba. “For uh, a live demonstration?” he quickly added.
“I would be honoured” Mikotoba beamed from ear to ear.
Mikotoba took Herlock’s hand in his and bowed. Herlock did likewise, holding his laughter while doing so. They started slowly with tapping toes and light hand movements. They really looked like a couple of old gentlemen trying to be groovy, but Iris loved it all the same. Then they spun together, hands on hips and shoulders and faces being too close for comfort. Not that either one complained, for they have been far closer than this for a long time. They hopped and twirled to the music, Herlock and his dramatic flairs while Mikotoba kept time and rhythm. They were truly the perfect duo, and it was theatrical to see them work together like this. Iris was in star studded awe, and on some stairs not too far away, a certain judicial assistant and defence attorney were too.
“I never knew my father was quite so nimble” she whispered.
“I never knew Herlock had such great chemistry with your father” he whispered back.
“Reminds me of two other people I know” she giggled softly, hiding her face with her hand. He tilted his head at her, not being able to connect the dots.
They breathed heavily when they came apart, signifying that the dance was over. Iris whooped and cheered! So did the secret audience on the stairs. Herlock took a bow, one hand across his torso and the other still tightly holding on to his partner. Mikotoba followed suit with a quiet “thank you” to his three adoring fans. Neither of them let go of their clasped hands. Herlock’s eyes darted to the couch behind them leading Mikotoba in the same direction. As if being able to reach the other’s mind, they both collapsed onto the couch with a heavy thud, hiding their hands between them.
“That was a great demonstration!” Iris said, her own hands clasped together. “You could even say, the greatest demonstration!” she beamed.
“The pleasure is all ours!” Herlock cheered and accidentally raised their clasped hands. Mikotoba blushed just a little, but one could attribute it to all the heat he was feeling. Whether it be because of the fireplace or their little dance or the fact that his beloved partner was oh so close to him...who knew? Instead, Mikotoba just nodded to Iris.
“I’ll bet everyone would like some tea after this exercise. Susie! Runo! Will you come to help?” The two teens hidden in the darkness sprang into action, scaring the souls out of Herlock and Mikotoba.
“Of course Iris!” Susato said, hurrying down the stairs with Ryunosuke, tail between his legs.
Herlock and Mikotoba watched them scurry away into the little kitchen, eyes as wide as dinner plates. At first...there was nothing but silence.
Then they both bellowed in a hearty guffaw. What had just happened?? Were they really just teaching Iris how to do the famous “dance of deduction”? Or was this just one of Iris’s little tricks?
They didn’t know, and they didn’t need to know. What they did know was that it was the most fun they’ve had in ten years. Something that both thought they would never do again. Not a dance of deduction, but just plain ol’ dancing. Mikotoba wiped the tears from his eyes and stared into Herlock’s deep oceans. They were a peculiar shade of dark blue or maybe green. Sometimes it was like the colour shifted in the light. They were hooded and tired, buried in shadows of black. But today, they held brightness in them, like a tiny moon shining above the vast sea. It’s no wonder Mikotoba got lost in those eyes more than once.
“Yuujin…my dear fellow” Herlock leaned in, resting a hand on his partner’s jaw. There were a million and one things he wanted to say. So many things tangled in his heart that he wanted to confess. So, so many heartaches that won’t just soothe themselves.
“Herlock...I-”
“Tea’s ready!” Iris announced.
Blast! Could she not have found a better time?! Mikotoba sensed the disappointment in Herlock’s dejected face. It was kind of cute in a puppy-like way. Without missing a beat he pressed his lips upon Herlock’s sharp cheekbone.
“There will be more time” he whispered into Herlock’s ear. That was the last thing he said before he got off the couch and went for tea.
Herlock sat stunned, wondering once again to himself, what the devil just happened?? It wasn’t long before Iris called for him once again. He blinked twice and forced himself out of his bramble of thoughts, just enough to shuffle into the kitchen and ---would you look at that--- take his place right next to Mikotoba.
Maybe there were many things on the horizon. Maybe there would be another ten years of no dancing or music or light in his life. But for right now, he was here and bright and shining, and Herlock chooses to be right here and right now.