Fly

Chapter 8: The Dance

The Mystery Shack was unusually quiet, save for the music blasting in your headphones as you swept the floor. With no one else around, you'd turned the chore into an impromptu dance party. Humming to the beat, your movements grew more fluid, and soon you were singing out loud, twirling and spinning the broom like a dance partner. The rhythm of the music carried you away, making you forget about everything else.

Unbeknownst to you, Stanley had quietly slipped in through the door. He froze, his eyebrows raising in surprise as he watched you glide across the floor, completely lost in the song. You were dancing like no one was watching, and it captivated him more than he'd like to admit.

Leaning against the doorway with a grin, he decided to just watch for a while, thoroughly entertained. But when you turned mid-spin and finally noticed him, you let out a startled gasp, nearly dropping the broom.

"Stanley!" You yanked off your headphones, your face turning red with embarrassment. "I didn't realize you were standing there!"

He crossed his arms, the playful smirk still on his face. "Oh, don't mind me. Just enjoying the show. You got some moves there, toot.s"

You let out a sheepish laugh, trying to regain some composure. "Yeah, well... You should've joined in! Or are you too rusty for a little dance-off?"

Stanley's eyes gleamed with challenge. "Rusty? I'll have you know, I was quite the dancer back in the day." He puffed his chest out proudly, though you could tell he was half-joking. "I could teach you a thing or two about footwork."

"Oh really?" you teased, raising an eyebrow. "Prove it, then."

With a dramatic flourish, Stanley stepped toward you, taking the broom from your hands and spinning it like it was a cane. "You're on, sweetheart. Let's see what you got."

As you both are about to dance, Mabel bursts in with her usual enthusiasm. "Ooh! A dance party in the Shack! This is going to be epic! Picture it: music, lights, and a ton of people! We'll make it super ultra mega fun!" she exclaims, bouncing on her heels.

Stanley clears his throat, pretending to be nonchalant. "Yeah, yeah, that's a great idea, kid. Glad you thought of it."

Not long after, the Mystery Shack is transformed into a lively dance floor, complete with string lights, a makeshift DJ booth with Soos in it, and a crowd of tourists who seem to be having the time of their lives.

You're dressed to impress in a stunning sequined jumpsuit that sparkles with every movement. As you enter the room, you glance around, searching for Stanley, but he seems to be momentarily out of sight. A man from the crowd, looking a bit too confident, approaches you with a charming smile. "Hey there," he says. "I couldn't help but notice you pretty girl. Care to dance?"

You hesitate, still looking for Stanley, but not wanting to be rude, you accept the man's offer and join him on the dance floor. At first, the dance is light-hearted, but as the song progresses, the man's behavior becomes increasingly aggressive. He keeps trying to pull you closer, his hand lingering inappropriately on your back.

Uncomfortable, you try to subtly distance yourself, but the man doesn't take the hint. "Come on, don't be shy," he insists, his tone growing more insistent. "You're too good to be dancing alone."

Just as you start feeling cornered, Stanley appears, his expression darkening as he assesses the situation. He strides over, a protective stance evident in his posture.

"Hey, buddy," Stanley says firmly, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "I think it's time for you to back off. You're making her uncomfortable."

The man looks taken aback but tries to brush it off. "Oh, come on, man. We were just dancing."

Stanley's gaze hardens. "Not with her, you're not. Now beat it, before I introduce you to my little friend." He pulls out a shiny pair of gold brass knuckles from his pocket, holding them up with a smirk. "Meet Goldie. She doesn't like guys who don't know when to quit."

The man, realizing he's outmatched, mutters an apology and quickly retreats, disappearing into the crowd.

You turn to Stanley, who's looking every bit the hero in his navy blue long sleeve button shirt folded unto his elbows and a few buttons undone, dark brown pants, a gold chain playfully tangled in his chest hair, and his signature brown leather jacket. His smirk fades into a look of concern as he takes in your expression.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice softening.

You nod, feeling a rush of relief. "Yeah, thanks to you. I was starting to get a bit uneasy."

Stanley's eyes linger on you, a spark of admiration in them. "You look incredible tonight. That jumpsuit is... wow."

You give a playful twirl, the sequins shimmering under the lights. "Thanks, Stan. I was just trying to keep up with your style."

Stanley chuckles, then you can't help but ask, "So, do you always carry those brass knuckles around? Or is today just a special occasion?"

"Always," he replies with a grin, striking a mock heroic pose with his fists up. "You never know when you'll need to teach a guy some manners. Besides, don't I look cool with 'em?"

You laugh. "Yeah, yeah, you look really cool. Very intimidating."

Satisfied, Stanley tucks his brass knuckles back into his pocket and extends his hand with a dramatic flourish. "How about we start fresh and dance, my lady?"

You take his hand, feeling a rush of warmth at his playful charm. "I'd love that, my hero."

The two of you make your way back to the center of the dance floor just as "Latch" by Sam Smith begins to play. The smooth, sultry beat fills the room, creating an intimate ambiance. As you start to move to the rhythm, the outside world seems to disappear, leaving only the two of you and the music.

"Now I've got you in my space, I won't let go of you..."

"You're really full of surprises, Stan," you murmured as the music played on.

He chuckled softly, leaning in a little closer. "Stick around, sweetheart. You haven't seen half of them yet."

The connection between you deepens as you sway and twirl, the earlier tension replaced with a carefree joy. Stanley's hand on your waist feels reassuring, and you move together effortlessly, the rest of the world fading away.

"I'm so encaptured, got me wrapped up in your touch..."

Your heart races, your breath hitching as you realize just how close you are. Stanley's hand rests lightly on your waist, his eyes never leaving yours. There's a softness in his gaze, something unspoken yet deeply felt.

"I think we're close enough, Could I lock in your love, baby?..."

With each chorus, you're drawn nearer, the gap between you shrinking until there's barely any space left. You can feel the warmth of his breath on your face, and your noses almost touch. Stanley's expression softens as he leans in, his lips mere inches from yours—

Suddenly, the music cuts off with a loud scratch. Waddles, has somehow leaped onto the DJ booth and accidentally changed the song. The new tune that blasts through the speakers is a fast-paced, comical polka.

The moment is shattered, and both of you burst into laughter, the unexpected interruption only adding to the fun.

"Well, guess the universe decided that was enough romance for tonight," Stanley chuckles, shaking his head.

You shake your head, still laughing. "Yeah, leave it to Waddles to be the ultimate third wheel."

He grins, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But hey, not a bad first dance, huh?"

"Not bad at all," you agree, still catching your breath. "Maybe next time, we can finish what we started."

Stanley smirks, giving you a playful nudge. "Oh, you're on, sweetheart."

The two of you continue to dance, this time in a more carefree and silly style. You spin, twirl, and laugh together, your movements light and full of joy. The Shack's lively atmosphere, the tourists' laughter, and Waddles' occasional snorts all blend together, creating a scene of pure happiness.