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Grimmjow liked gym. He liked when they played sports or ran the field, or even when they did their warm up exercises. He did not like when they had dance class.
What was the point of it? At least sports taught them something useful! It tested his reflexes! It kept him sharp in between team seasons.
The coach blew the whistle and had them line up with boys on one side, girls on the other. Grimmjow put his hands in his pockets and went to stand at the far end. The girls lined up, all giggly and stupid. This was dumb.
“Well, looks like we’re uneven since Halibel and Nelliel’s out with the chickenpox.”
Lucky them. Grimmjow wished he’d get them again. But hey, that meant he didn’t have a partner. Maybe that meant he could sit this stupid exercise out.
The teacher didn’t go for it and snapped, “Cifer, you’re paired with Jaegerjacques.”
What the hell? Why did he have to be lumped in with the freaky goth? Grimmjow sent a scathing look Ulquiorra’s way. Even Ulquiorra’s gym sweats were decked out in stupid little bats. At least Ulquiorra didn’t look happy either when he came to stand in front of Grimmjow.
Not like he ever looked happy anyway.
Grimmjow curled his lip while Ulquiorra rolled his eyes. Gym was the first class of the day which meant Ulquiorra hadn’t put on his makeup yet. Some saving grace for Grimm, he supposed. Or maybe it was better if Ulquiorra had his lipstick. At least them he kinda looked like a girl.
“Alright, we’re going to learn to waltz. It’s an easy enough dance. Male leads, female follows.” Coach Luisenbarn blew the whistle.
Ulquiorra considered Grimmjow. “We should switch positions.”
“Tch. I ain’t no girl.” Like hell Grimmjow would let Ulquiorra lead.
Ulquiorra's eyes narrowed. “I know how to waltz. Do you?”
Grimmjow repeated, “I ain’t no girl.”
Ulquiorra rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll break your fingers if you step on my feet.”
Grimmjow glanced down at Ulquiorra’s black sneakers. He considered stepping on Ulquiorra’s foot on purpose to see him try. Twiggy little twink couldn’t even break a cap on a milk jug.
The music started a beat later, and Ulquiorra placed his hand on Grimmjow’s shoulder. Grimmjow tried to look anywhere but Ulquiorra’s pasty face when Ulquiorra grabbed Grimmjow’s hand. His fingers were warmer than Grimmjow expected. Weren’t goths supposed to be icy?
They took a step to the side. Grimmjow’s eyes lowered to the floor to watch his feet. It was different dancing like this. He was used to something less… touchy.
“Look at me, not the floor.” Ulquiorra’s voice was stern, deeper than his pretty face implied.
Grimmjow flashed his teeth. “Shut up.”
Ulquiorra exhaled. “You’re so tiresome. To the side. Back. Other side. Back. Turn.”
They began to move in a small circuit. Grimmjow lifted his eyes and focused on Ulquiorra’s chin instead of his face. Seemed safest.
“Better than I expected, for a hyena,” Ulquiorra mumbled.
And that’s when Grimmjow put his entire heel on the toe of Ulquiorra’s shoe. He grinned, quick and vicious. But then there was an arc of pain racing up his wrists. Ulquiorra twisted Grimmjow’s fingers, forcing his hands to turn almost in opposite directions.
Ulquiorra’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “And now I lead.”
He yanked Grimmjow into a turn. Then faster. He counted each step as they moved across the floor. The grip on Grimmjow’s fingers remained iron-tight. Grimmjow tried to break it, but Ulquiorra kept tightening, kept twisting.
That… well. It was kinda hot. Seeing Ulquiorra mad. Grimmjow didn’t think he had it in him. What? No! Ulquiorra shouldn’t have been hot! He was a loner! He stuck to himself and always pissed Grimmjow off when he had the right answer in class. And his face! Grimmjow hated Ulquiorra’s face!
But Grimmjow couldn’t break that damn grip!
They continued to twirl around the gym, and Grimmjow, reluctantly, lifted his eyes to Ulquiorra’s. It… wasn’t so bad. Dancing with him. He was kinda cute when he wasn’t spouting some bullshit or insults. Or kissing up to the teachers for extra credit. Or…
The music stopped. They parted. Ulquiorra bowed, and Grimmjow returned the gesture. His fingers still stung from Ulquiorra’s tight grip.
Coach Luisenbarn clapped his hands. “Alright, good work. We’ll have another lesson tomorrow. Maybe some square dancing. You can all go do free play for the rest of class.”
Grimmjow glanced at his hands and watched Ulquiorra cross the gym to the farthest corner. He wasn’t as upset as he should have been at the prospect of another lesson. Maybe it would be nice to learn a few more dances. With Ulquiorra.
“Hey, Cifer.” Grimmjow grabbed two rackets and a tennis ball. “You play?”
Ulquiorra tiled his head before he nodded. Alright. At least Grimmjow could reclaim his title as a badass. And if one of the balls hit Ulquiorra’s pretty face? Well, consider it payback.