The Next Step Oneshots

3. Behind the Scenes - Pinn, Piper + James

"Shut up everyone, the programme's starting." Her brother shouts, shushing the whole family. Everyone settles down, and the brunette nestles into the couch more. It was strange having her family not be focused on all her brother's accomplishments, ranging from band gigs to his internationals win and bangers and mashups.

The Dancemania season had ended, and the final episode had just played. But as a special episode because of the disqualification, they were releasing the behind the scenes footage for the audience to make up for the missed out routines.

She takes a sip of her tea, as the tv talks. Out of nowhere, they make an announcement that almost makes her spit out her tea.

"Now, to see the romance behind the scenes. The next step is one of the most romance oriented troupes on Dancemania this season, with many adorable couples to choose from."

She hadn't told her brother yet. Nor had she told her family. It had only been two months since they had got together, and she wanted to make sure that the relationship was going well before telling her family. Plus, she knew her brother would almost certainly overreact, and she wanted the privacy while she could.

--

"Firstly, we have Kingston and Lily, the dynamic couple of the next step. Though sometimes arguing, they truly do have an amazing relationship."

She thinks back to last weekend where the two had fought about Marvel and Disney and inwardly laughs. 'Sometimes' was an understatement.

"Next, we have Henry and Amy, the romantic couple."

Amy and Henry truly were the most romantic in the whole next step. They were all about the cliché moments, and the huge romantic gestures. She remembers the time that Henry had taken Amy on a camping date, and smiles at the cute scene playing on the screen.

"Thirdly, we have the most unexpected couple, Richelle and Ozzy. Though competitors, they have amazing chemistry, they're the most adored couple by all the Dancemania fans."

The scene after the resurrection round plays, where Richelle jumps into Ozzy's arms and kisses him. The brunette thinks about how long Ozzy had pined after Richelle, and how he finally got the girl. It was really sweet, honestly.

"And finally, we have the sweetest couple of the next step. Piper and Finn. Though he turned up late to the competition, missing his flight and almost causing the next step to lose, he made a grand gesture to apologise to piper. Here is footage we got of the adorable scene."

She gulps, and her brother spits out his coke. Her family talks excitedly around her, as James turns to her.

"Pipesqueak. You never told us you had a boyfriend."

Her mother shushes him, as the scene starts to play. She turns towards the screen, and sees her anxious self in the darkish auditorium

--

Her whole family watches, as he sings his song and dances for her. Then it's the kiss, and she can't bear to watch their reactions, so instead she texts him.

Pipes: Hey finny :)

Finny Moons: Hey pipes, you seeing what's on tv right now?

Pipes: Yep. Family's going crazy haha

Finny Moons: My parents are obsessing over the singing

Pipes: Must be a surprise for them to hear you sing since fruity moons xD

Finny Moons: Definitely. Wanna go out somewhere?

Pipes: Sure. Don't want to deal with James while he's going crazy

Finny Moons: Got it. I'll come pick you up in 5

Pipes: Cya, love you.

Finny Moons: Love you too baby.

She looks up from her phone to see her brother staring at her.

"Is he treating you right?"

"He's treating me even better than I deserve. Especially after blaming him for so long when it was really my fault." She confesses.

"It wasn't your fault he was late, Pipes. And don't you get it? You deserve the world. And if he makes you happy, I'll tolerate him."

She runs up to him and gives him a hug. Soon, the doorbell rings, and he rushes to get it. It's her boyfriend, dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants, a big smile plastered on his face.

"Hey, I'm Finn! I'm here to pick pipes up?" He smiles, unaware of the incoming protectiveness coming from her brother.

"If you hurt piper, I'll hurt you like you'll never believe." He threatens. She was his baby sister, and if he was the cause of any of her pain, he would end Finn, no matter the consequences.

"I'd rather hurt myself than hurt piper intentionally." He tells him, honestly.

She pushes her way past her brother, waving goodbye to her family and groaning internally. When he sees her, his face lights up, and he picks her up into a big hug, twirling her around. She laughs, and the family all coo at their antics.

"See you guys later tonight." She tells them, and they leave the doorway.

--

He drives them to a small secluded park nearby. It's where her brother and his girlfriend frequently visit for dates. He doesn't know, but it means a lot to her that she gets to do this now. She'd always been a bit jealous of their love, but hid it in favour of being happy for them. And now, with him beside her. she has the opportunity to love and be loved.

Pulling out a box of homemade cookies, he offers them to her, pulling out a blanket and setting it on the grass.

"My mom insisted on giving these to you when I told her I'd be meeting you. She's been wanting to meet you ever since I told her I sang for you."

"Aww, that's so sweet of her. Tell her I say thanks, and I'd love to meet her sometime."

They lay on the blanket in the grass, cuddling each other. A chilly breeze wafts past, and they cling to each other's hoodie clad bodies for warmth. It's so comfortable, she almost drifts off to sleep.

Her tiredness makes her start to ramble.

"I love you so much, you know. And I don't deserve you. Especially after blaming you so much during Dancemania when it was my fault for setting so many alarms. You were just trying to help."

He presses a kiss to her forehead, and grasps her hand.

"It was my fault for being late, though. I should've been more careful. And you were just trying to help me too. It's not your fault, pipes. I promise."

"I still feel bad." She tells him.

"Then don't, or I'll tickle you until you stop."

He reaches over and pokes her in the side, earning a giggle from the brunette, the ticklish girl trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

"Fine, fine, I concede." She laughs.

--

They settle down once again, laying comfortably under the stars. Eventually, she falls asleep, and he carries her back to the car and into her home. As he settles her into the couch, her brother taps him on the shoulder.

"Take good care of her, okay? She might think that she's strong, but I still feel better knowing that people are looking out for her like I am."

"I'll protect her with my life." He tells him, much to the approval of the overprotective brother. She shifts on the couch, and murmurs in her drowsy state.

"I love you, Finn. And you too, James."

"I love you too, pipes."

"Love you too, baby."