I'll Be Your Reason (Bradga AU)

Part 10

don't judge me pls I've been in artrave nostalgia land for over a week <3

*

This was not going well.

He wasn't shy, but getting up in other people's space when he hadn't even taken them out for dinner before was pretty damn weird. He tried to keep it to a minimum because the last thing he wanted to do was cross an invisible line.

"I need that connection to feel natural. Cose to him, up in his space, like yesterday. And Bradley, at the end, before she can leave, I need you to reach for her, grab her wrist, pull her back, and then we'll go the easiest way. If we had a dancer...but okay, let's go simple. First version. You scoop her up in a smooth, confident lift and carry her offstage bridal style. One hand here" He gestured to his own back. "The other one here, start right here under her thighs. Don't hesitate or fumble around. The lights are going to dim, so you need to know where you're going."

The first attempt was one Bradley wanted to forget about right away again.

Her body wasn't quite aligned, his grip not far enough under her, and he found himself hesitating, then adjusting his grip to keep her steady, making her flail for something to hold onto like she was sensing a fall.

"Stop." Alex barked.

Bradley set her down gently, frustration already creeping into his chest.

"I'm sorry, I'm not tensing my body right, I'll fix it." Gaga apologized and briefly laid her hand on Bradley's shoulder. "Let's try again."

Bradley opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak, Alex was already stepping forward and into their bubble. "Here, let me show you."

In one fluid motion, he grasped Gaga's wrist and pulled her into him effortlessly before she got a second to protest. Alex scooped her up too easily, as though she weighed nothing, her arms automatically looping around his neck, as if they'd done this plenty of times before. Without missing another beat, he smirked, and shifted her over his shoulder, eliciting a surprised squeal from her, her hands grasping at the back of his shirt.

"See? Easy." Alex called back, grinning as he jogged a few steps, making Gaga laugh more.

"Alex, put me the fuck down!" she protested, smacking his back playfully. "You're gonna make me get sick."

"Just showing the new guy how it's done," Alex teased as he let her gently slide back off his shoulder and to her feet. She quickly adjusted her shirt and smoothed her hair back down. "Body tension's fine." Alex assured her with a glance towards Bradley. "Again. See if the strength is there."

Bradley bit back whatever thought just went through his mind. He'd always had a stubborn streak, one that made him not let go even when it would have been smarter sometimes.

This time, it felt different, maybe the strength came from pure stubbornness. The lift was smooth, natural, and for the first time, he didn't feel the tension in his own movements. Gaga's body relaxed into his hold, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. He cradled her close to his chest, felt her breathing quickly against the nape of his neck.

As he carried her offstage, he felt a surge of pride, his grip steady as she fit perfectly against him. Her face was close enough that he could feel the warmth of her skin, her hair brushing against his cheek as the lights dimmed around them.

He lowered her back down carefully, his hands lingering just a moment longer than necessary before stepping back.

"That felt better." She murmured.

Alex followed them, nodding along. "Good, but you need to be more assertive with the pull at her wrist." He repeated the motion Bradley had attempted with Gaga. "This doesn't look believable at all. This looks like you're in first grade and you're asking her to walk to class with you. She's turned away, she's going to leave, and you don't want her to. Put some passion into it. Go again."