Work Text:
Agostino
I walked down the stairs. There he was. Corey. Wearing his Iowa mask and a black dinner jacket with dark pants. Some may have screamed or run away in terror. But in my eyes, he was beautiful. Wonderful. Dreamy. It was almost as if -
He was the man of my dreams.
Corey held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
I nodded, beaming.
I took his hand.
We began to dance. I was struggling and staggering while Corey moved his feet flawlessly.
"How the fuck are you so good at this?" I asked.
"When you've been around for as long as I have, you learn a thing or two. And so can you."
"Me? No, I can't dance Corey - "
"Sure you can, just wrap your arms around me and follow my steps."
I did. Or at least I tried to.
How did it go? Two steps forward, one step back? Or is it one step back, two steps forward?
Whatever it was, I followed Corey's lead.
"Watch me Joho. Two steps forward, one step back."
I watched him. Corey took two steps forward, one step back.
I started to do the same.
Remember, two steps forward, one step forward.
"That's it Joho!"
As if by some magic, I was starting to understand. I followed Corey's steps. Until soon enough, I was able to do it myself.
"You're a natural!" Corey said.
"I'm dancing!" I exclaimed.
"See? I told you can dance!" Corey said excitedly.
I chuckled. I stepped on him a few times, but he didn't seem to mind.
We spun around slowly. I was getting lost in Corey's eyes. They were full of excitement and something else I couldn't quite interpret.
I looked around. The silvery stars glimmered on the walls. A light shined on us. We continued to move effortlessly across the dance floor.
Stars. Lights. Corey. It was all right here. Happening right before my eyes.
"Am I dreaming?" I asked quietly.
"No Joho, you're not dreaming," Corey heartened.
I turned pink.
I didn't think he would hear me.
"Why are you doing this Corey?" I asked.
"Umm... Because I'm your friend?" Corey said, laughing.
"No, I mean, why? After everything that happened. What if Manson found out?" I asked anxiously.
"He's not here now, is he?" Corey asked.
"No," I said.
"I made a promise Joho. I told you."
"Yeah, I remember. You said once you get everything figured out, you were going to make me feel special. Just like what Tommy did with Carrie."
"I didn't break my promise," Corey said.
I chuckled again. "You really do keep your promises."
"Did you ever do this with Manson?" Corey asked.
I thought about it for a bit. Then I said, "Oh no. I could only dream of doing something like this with him."
"Too bad. For him at least. I'm telling you right now Joho, Manson can't dance to save his life," Corey said.
I laughed. "You're joking."
"I'm not," Corey said.
"How do you know that?"
"Trust me Joho, I've known him long enough to know that he can't dance. The guy had chicken legs and he'd fall on his face."
I laughed once more.
"Oh Corey."
"Yes?"
"I can't thank you enough. You've been so kind to me. So patient. So supportive. How can I ever repay you?"
"You don't owe me anything," Corey said. He meant it too. I could tell because he smiled at me.
That smile. I've never seen him smile like that.
"I don't?" I asked.
"No. I'm not Manson."
"Why you say that?"
"Because what matters is you're here. You being here is what makes this night so special."
Those words. It was those words that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Manson never came close to making me feel this way.
"Corey... Thank you so much."
"Anything for you Joho," Corey said softly.