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Prom was lame.
Conner had said that for years now and yet there he was, dressed in a tux that's just slightly too large for even his jock frame and pretending to be interested in whatever the hell his classmates were chattering about. He was only there for one reason: his boyfriend would probably have axed him and buried him in the woods if he wasn't. Okay, Conner was pretty sure that Tim wasn't capable of that sort of bloody murder and maybe it was just his own creepy brain but his point still stood. Tim had been in love with the idea of prom for as long as he could remember and he had wanted the fairytale prom which apparently involved his loving boyfriend being there. Conner had reluctantly agreed if only because he knew he couldn't turn down those puppy dog eyes.
The rest of Conner's friends were there but he knew that none of them had gone the full mile like he had. None of them had begged their parents for money to rent a limo just so their boyfriend could turn up to what was supposedly going to be 'the best night of their life' (Conner was offended by this; he was pretty sure their wedding night was going to be better) in real style. Tim had loved it, of course, but it hadn't stopped any of his friends from teasing him about it. Barbara had been perfectly fine riding in the back of a taxi as Dick had pointed out several times. Cpnner wasn't sure what that said about Babs and Dick but okay, each to their own.
Tim's friends had teased him just as much but they were also total hypocrites. Conner knew for a fact that Jason had gone overboard with his promposal for Bart and that just last year Bruce had booked out an expensive suite at a classy hotel for Conner's half-brother Clark. Total hypocrites.
None of them really mattered though. All that mattered to Conner was whether or not Tim was having fun. He felt a duty to make sure that the night was living up to his boyfriend's hopes and dreams and judging by the smile on the other boy's face he figured he was doing okay so far. His hand found its way against Tim's own, lacing their fingers together and resting their clasped hands on the other boy's thigh.
"Are you having a good time?" he asked softly. Tim beamed back at him.
"I am," he confirmed. He let out a sigh and glanced around the decorated sports hall. Their friends were scattered around, dancing to some chart song apparently everybody but Conner knew. "Look, I know you're not big on prom so thank you for doing this."
Conner was caught by surprise. He blinked at Tim for a few moments before relaxing into a smile. "Anything for you, dear." He earned a quick kiss for that, their lips softly pressing together. It was relaxed and simple like it was the most natural thing in the world. To them it was.
Of course, that was when the music changed and instead of some repetitive dance song Conner's ears were greeted by the sounds of a mushy 80's Madonna song. It was slow and romantic and Tim's face seemed to light up. "I like this song. Come on, let's dance," he said, already getting up and pulling Conner with him. Conner really wanted to say no, to stay seated and not fall into the cliché moment. The song was practically made for proms and it made Conner want to cry with despair but the look in Tim's eye had him get to to his feet.
He followed his boyfriend to the middle of the floor, passing more than a few slow-dancing couples on the way. Conner had caught sight of Dinah and Helena making out in the corner and felt a little envious. Why did he and Tim have to be dancing when they could be doing that?
"Swaying room as the music starts, strangers making the most of the dark. Two by two their bodies become one," Madonna crooned in the song. Conner forced himself to block out the sugary sweet lyrics and instead focus on the boy in front of him. His hands settled on Tim's hips as the other boy wrapped his arms around Conner's neck. They were swaying side to side in time to the music, the same as everybody else. At first Tim didn't think there was anything remotely special in that moment but years later he realized something. The fact it had been so ordinary was what made it special. They were a young couple crazy in love with each other, the same as everybody else. There was no drama because they were two guys or their friendship groups had some sort of weird rivalry. They were two teenage boys in love dancing to the most ridiculous song Conner had ever heard in his life.
He actually sort of loved it.
Six years and several terrible jobs later the song went on to be their first dance after their wedding. Tim's face lit up in surprise as he recognized the familiar drum beat intro and the soft electric guitar chords. "You remembered," he whispered so only Conner could hear. His husband just smiled and nodded. How could he not? It was the best night of Tim's life after all and a good boyfriend remembered that sort of thing.
"You know, I'm crazy for you too," Conner murmured in return. Tim broke down into giggles but it was the wetness of his eyes that caught Conner's attention instead though. "Hey, you alright?"
"I'm brilliant," Tim assured him, smiling through the tears. "Best night of my life."
"It was."
"No, this is."
Conner mentally high-fived his past self. He'd been right all along! Suck it, prom!
"Yeah, me too."
He didn't hear the song again until they were both well into their fifties.
It was playing on one of those 'golden oldies' stations Conner had swore he would never enjoy while he was a teenager and was now obsessed with. They had been sat in silence at the time, each doing their own thing and not even noticing what was playing until the familiar lyrics started. Then they danced like it was still their wedding night, like it was still prom. All those feelings came rushing back like those days had been only yesterday. His hands were on Tim's waist and Tim's arms were around his neck. Even after all those years they still fit together perfectly.
Conner had to admit that he kinda loved the song now.