bakerstreet

Prom

High School Dance Meme

Who doesn't love the iconic, coming of age experience that is the school dance? It's the one time teens are distracted from their scheduled angst, and such a promised event can cause peace at even the most divided of schools while everybody plans for the most important THING E V E R. Getting excited only makes sense. There's the ubiquitous red plastic cups! Questionable fashion choices and haircuts! Playlists filled with early 2000s r&b and slow jams for nervous slow dances!

You better get pumped for this shit, kid. Because that's what you are now, a high school kid, and you're going to the dance - willingly or unwillingly. Put on that button-up dragon shirt, make sure you bring your date flowers...or go stag, because you're a pathetic social reject or something! You do you, bro, and maybe you'll still get to second base.

Comment with your character, preferences, the usual. Hell, include your a description character's totally-not-picked-out-by-mom outfit if you want.
Your character is now a teenager trying to get their crush to notice them, being a lump, having fun, getting all romantic, trying to wreck the whole shindig, or whatever they'd be doing. It doesn't matter what your character is in canon. This is the infamous trash high school AU.
This can be gen or shippy I cannot care less. You can even smut for all I care. Just make it known in your top comment what you want so people will know to reply or not.
Don't just sit there. Reply to others and get out on the floor. They may even play the chicken dance!
In case you need some inspiration: playlist 1 and playlist 2. Tip for a top-level starter could be to link what song your character would totally get turnt for!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ come au into the 1930s! ]

[ Chris' father has always insisted that his only son would be a man of the cloth, the way he never got to do. Chris once tried pointing out that it wasn't his fault Charles had a high school sweetheart who wound up falling pregnant, therefore obligating him to marry her, thereby removing his chances at joining the Church in any formal way. That hadn't gone over very well with his father, and in self-defense, Chris retreated further into his studies and his duties at church. It got him away from his father while making him proud at the same time, and that was enough for Chris.

There were things about church that appealed to Chris more than just because it got him out of his house, though. He genuinely found fulfillment in the ritual of it all, genuinely believed in the Scripture, and formed genuine friendships with the other children that were all herded together like livestock to be seen and not heard as the monsignor droned on and on at the pulpit.

As Chris grew up, he grew taller and stronger, and his father's ire held less weight. It's hard to intimidate someone bigger than you, after all, and by the time he hit his teens, Chris knew exactly how far his father was willing to go and learned to bear it and then some. It's one of the reasons he was able to have a social life at all; maybe he will enter the seminary after graduation, but that doesn't mean he has to behave like a monk right now. He's still young, he's healthy, he's well-liked, and he wants to go out with his friends. The school is hosting a dance tonight, probably to distract people from the threat of war looming on the horizon, and the future is uncertain enough that the idea of a night of distracted revelry is very appealing.

A more than passable dancer, even if he doesn't often spend time at the dance halls every night like his peers, and handsome enough to make up for the fact that he's not very talkative, Chris spends a good half of the evening allowing himself to be tugged onto the dancefloor time after time, until he's flushed and a little sweaty and begging for a moment off his feet.

Depositing his current partner into the arms of Bucky Barnes — he knows Bucky will show her a good time, probably a better time than Chris would — he makes his escape and slips through the crowd to head towards the wall where the chairs are arranged. His first instinct is just to sit down, but then he sees a flash of blonde hair illuminated by the lights, and he alters his trajectory a little.

It's rude to go talk to a lady empty-handed. ]

Hey, Steph. [ Claiming the chair beside hers, Chris hands her one of the paper glasses of punch he just acquired before taking a sip of his own. ] Glad you made it. I wasn't sure if you'd come.

[ Were Steph's da still alive, he would've done the opposite of Chris' father and tried to discourage his daughter's misguided aspirations to be just like him. She'd not let being a girl or being only a few steps away from death's door deter her from fighting against injustice and championing the weak and the innocent; if anything, she'd only become more of a spitfire the older she got, sometimes even picking fights she had no hope of winning.

Her poor health continued to get in the way, however. So unlike her peers, she didn't have much of a social life, since she was often ill or relegated to watching from the sidelines. She read, she sketched, but that was about it. The most action she got was whenever Chris' parents invited her over for dinner while her mother worked nights at the hospital. Or church events like Christmas or Easter, where she'd inevitably play some kind of role unless she was too sick to make it. ]

Hey, Chris. Thank you. [ She accepts the cup with a small smile before sniffing its contents apprehensively. While she ultimately takes a sip, encouraged by the little toasting gesture he makes with his own paper glass, it's just enough to wet her lips. She has to be careful; her mother has been unwell more than usual lately. Who's going to take care of her ma if she has an allergic reaction or passes out from drinking this? She doesn't have the luxury of good health everyone else seems to be taking for granted.

She glances wistfully out the dance floor, her gaze lingering a little too long on Bucky Barnes. It annoyed her that he had it so easy, that he could have anything and anyone he wanted while she... is practically invisible to the likes of him. That was why she hadn't really wanted to come. Dancing isn't something she'll ever be good at, not with her noodle arms and weak lungs and fragile heart. She'll just end up sitting next to the wall the whole night, unnoticed or ignored. She's not sure which would be worse.

With a huff, she turns back to Chris. ] Ma insisted I come. Said I might not get to... [ She self-consciously smooths her skirt with her free hand. ] You know, with the brewing war and everything. You should get back out there. You were having fun.

[ Chris is well used to Stephanie's allergies by now; his mother is a schoolteacher, not a nurse, but she and Mrs. Rogers get on well enough at church functions and the like that he'd consider them more or less friends, and that means when the Pikes step in to fold Stephanie into their midst for the evening or sometimes longer, they aren't doing it blind.

Watching her cautiously touch the punch to her lips but barely drink it at all, he mentally kicks himself for not thinking about it; it's a very pink color, and he's pretty sure that's only partially natural. What kind of dyes are in this? He's drank far worse and come out the other side completely unscathed, but he should know better.

Making a face even though the taste of the punch is sweet and it whets his thirst, he shakes his head down at his cup. ] This is...interesting. You want some water instead?

[ Chris won't mind drinking plain water all night. He's definitely not the kind of boy to sneak a flask into a school dance, so taking it one step further towards the teetotaler end of things isn't going to hurt him much. It'll certainly help him keep his head, which he thinks is probably a good thing as he watches their peers wheel each other around the floor, feet kicking and skirts spinning and laugher rising almost as loud as the music. She's right. He had been having fun, but he's not so good at the really fast and athletic numbers, because he doesn't have the time to practice the way some of the other kids do. Not because he works, he's very lucky in that he doesn't have to have a part-time job to support his family, but because he's always busy with one thing or another.

Shaking his head, he leans back in his seat as she turns to face him a little better, his arm sliding over the back of her chair. ] Nah. I'm grateful for the breather, actually. And I wanted to come talk to you. Your ma's right. We should both be having fun tonight.

[ The smile he gives her is entirely genuine, a dimple popping into his cheek, and he lifts a hand to brush some of his hair off his forehead, the heat of the room and the sweat from his previous exertion undoing the hard work of his pomade and allowing the natural curl of his hair spring back into place. ]

[ She hesitates. There is that desperate teenage urge to belong, too; what if someone wandered over and noticed she was drinking water? She might never live it down, even if she might not have enough years to worry about that anyway.

After another glance at the dance floor, she shakes her head. ] It's okay. It's just so... [ She looks down, swirling the drink in her glass. ] ... pink.

[ His arm sliding over the back of her chair doesn't go unnoticed. They're friends, sure. They get along well enough for dinner invitations to each other's houses and hanging out outside of school and church. But she is not unaware of their proximity, or the fact that he's cute — in that unassuming way that doesn't demand attention the way some other boys do. Especially with that sweet, dimple-popping smile. It's contagious enough that she can't help smiling back.

How to have fun is the question, though. She could probably pick up the steps, since she's a fast learner, but she'll just as likely break something in her in the process. Bones, if she's lucky. Something more fragile if not, and she's usually not. She can't let him be miserable simply because she is, however. It's not fair.

So she tries something: ] Can you teach me this dance? Just... go really slow? It won't be the same, but... it could be fun...?

It is very... pink.

[ If she doesn't want to finish it, he'll finish her cup for her. It's not exactly great punch, but it's sweet and cool, and he's thirsty enough he's grateful for it.

The fact that Stephanie smiles back at him makes a small measure of tension that's been tightening his shoulders relax, allowing him to settle even more comfortably in his chair. They've known each other a long time, pretty much ever since Chris and his family moved to New York from California, when he was new in town and didn't know anybody and too shy and awkward to make friends. Stephanie had been kind to him, then, when he was new in church and school, the odd kid out in a sea of people who'd all grown up together. Even now, all these years later, she's still nice to him and makes an effort to include him the same way she tries to include everyone.

Even if he didn't genuinely like her, he'd make an effort to talk to her tonight just because of how kind she is to others.

Her suggestion has him perking up, fully undercutting everything he'd just said about wanting to sit back and relax. ] Yeah, I'd love to.

[ Quickly draining his cup, he crushes the paper in his hand and tosses it into the trash can at the end of the table nearby, then turns to Stephanie as he stands and holds out his hand to help her up. ] This one's a little slower, you'll get the steps in no time.

[ Chris isn't hard to like. He's kind and thoughtful, which goes a long way in Steph's book. Talking to him is also easy; he's hardly as intimidating as some of the others, and she can count on him to have something worthwhile to say about most topics of interest. She can even picture him standing at the pulpit one day, churchgoers rapt with attention not because of any theatrics, but because of his earnestness. He can sweep girls off their feet, that's for sure. Just in a different way.

Her cup still more than half full, she sets it down on the chair he's abandoned in the meantime. Maybe she'll need a drink after they wobble around for a bit. Then she looks up at him, and, to her surprise, feels a little flutter in her chest. Okay, maybe it had been her idea. But he could've easily said no. He could have just continued to rest up so he could rejoin the others sooner rather than later, and dance with girls prettier and more personable than her. Instead, he's here, offering to teach her a few moves.

It's nice, to be seen. To belong.

She takes his hand and lets him pull her up. It's nice, too, to feel her hand in his. She might have a stubborn, self-reliant streak most days, but there are just some things in life that one can't do or enjoy on their own. Dancing is one of them. ]

I'll try not to step on your toes. [ She looks to the others on the dancefloor for guidance on where to place her hands, only to realize that it's one of those slower dances that require a little more... proximity. She blushes, but does what she's supposed to. ] Is this okay...?

[ "Earnest" is definitely a word that can be used to describe Chris. He's earnest about nearly everything he does. He's earnest in school, where he's not afraid to pick a fight with their teacher about their interpretation of history or literature when he believes they're being unfair or unjust, earnest in church, reciting his prayers with every appearance of complete conviction, and earnest with his friends, with whom he'll also pick fights if one of them says or does something he finds rude or distasteful.

Maybe that's why he and Stephanie get on so well. She's not afraid to start a fight, either.

Her hand is narrow and a little cold in his, and instinct has him folding his fingers over hers to press them a little more firmly into his palm, already broad like a man's even if his fingertips are soft like an academic's. ]

Don't worry about it. [ He flashes her a reassuring grin, leading her a little bit away from the chairs so that they aren't blocking the flow of traffic. It also leads them a little bit away from the strongest lights, which he's hoping will help her feel more at ease. ] My toes are pretty tough.

[ Taking her right hand in his left, he lifts it up and out slightly and uses his other hand on her back to pull her a little bit closer. Some couples are very close right now, cuddled up against each other and swaying more than they are dancing, but Chris keeps a respectful distance between their bodies even as he holds her in his arms. ] That's perfect. Do what I do, just backwards.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

[ "Do what I do, just backwards," isn't exactly the easiest set of instructions to follow, but Chris is patient and Steph is stubborn, so they manage some sort of dance after several attempts. The first few tries, she's frowning, eyebrows knit together in tight concentration, but the more they repeat the sequences, the more relaxed she becomes. (She only stepped on his toes a few times.) It helps, too, that they're tucked away in a corner from everyone else. She feels less self-conscious without an audience.

At least until she looks over his shoulder at the other couples dancing very close together. Is that how it's actually supposed to be done? Following that trail of thought, she steps just a little closer, only to belatedly realize that now they're too close. Her cheeks grow warm. Maybe it's just from the exertion. It's not like she's never been in close proximity with a boy, between hanging out with Chris to Bucky barging into her space just to be annoying.

Not like this, though. The music, the ambiance, it makes this feel more than just a dance. It's... nice. She almost feels normal. ]

[ Stephanie is short, and probably a buck five soaking wet, which means she's about the same size and weight of Chris' younger sister, who he vividly remembers teaching to dance by letting her stand on his toes and shuffling her around their living room while their mom made dinner in the next room. He doesn't suggest that methodology tonight, though, for multiple reasons, chief of which is the fact that Stephanie can be pricklier than a damn hedgehog sometimes and he doesn't want to embarrass her in front of their entire school. But when he says his toes are tough and can withstand being trod on, he means in. The few times Steph manages are barely blips on his radar.

She starts to get it relatively quickly, all things considered, and he's about to congratulate her when she shuffles closer, prompting him to shift his arm around her to accommodate their new positioning. It makes it much easier for her to anticipate what he plans on doing next, is the explanation he's going with, and he carefully tries not to notice how it feels to basically have her tucked into the crook of his arm as he spins them in a slow circle, deftly avoiding colliding with other dancers as they move. ]

See? [ It doesn't stop him from ducking his head a little to talk to her, apparently, not that she really needs it. ] I told you you'd get it in no time.

This is actually kind of fun... thank you.

[ She's more relaxed now, relieved that the night hasn't turned out to be a complete disaster, and pretty pleased that she's at least managed this one dance — thanks to Chris, who's turned out to be an excellent dance partner. She can't wait to tell her mother all about it, as well as thank her ma for insisting that she come. She's also already thinking of sketching something. Maybe she'll even give Chris a copy, as a token of her gratitude.

The music winds up and she stops too, chest heaving as she catches her breath. She's smiling though, nodding when he asks if she's alright. Then another song comes on, this time one of the faster, catchier tunes, and the light in her eyes dims some as she realizes this isn't one she can keep up with. She lets go of Chris, stepping back and self-consciously running a hand through her hair. ]

You should pair up with someone else. This is a good one. I... I'll be there if you wanna talk again later.

[ Well it's not like he went to his. ]

[ The senior who definitely asked a couple of girls who turned him down and came alone/maybe kinda came with his childhood friends. Or maybe he asked your character! ota castmates, crosscanon, etc. pre-timeskip age for this, obviously ]

[Claude transferred to Garreg Mach for his junior year from-- somewhere else, he's never actually said, though there are many rumors about where and why. He kind of came with Hilda as friends, but really she's here with Marianne-- Claude was the backup in case Mari decided it was too much for her after all. They're all very proud of her for showing up anyway!

Even if it means Claude has lost his friend-date for at least part of the night. He spots Sylvain over by the punch bowl and raises a cheap plastic cup to him in a mock toast.]

Taking a break from the dance floor?

[ Claude Reigan has been a mystery since he first transferred earlier this year, and that's more than enough to make him interesting. In addition the man himself is clever, clearly playing cards close to his chest, and quick. He's also in the board game club and is a lot of fun to play with. Sylvain enjoys his presence immensely. ]

[ He also absolutely didn't expect the guy to show up dateless. The way he flirts, and how hot he is? Frankly it's a crime, but he saw him come in with Hilda and Marianne like the chaperone or the third wheel. Sylvain lifts his own cup to tap against Claude's. ]

Gotta rehydrate, you know?

[Definitely no one expected Sylvain to come dateless, but it looks like the most notorious flirt in school struck out. Claude winks when Sylvain's cup taps against his and takes a drink.]

Ah, so you're planning to get back out there, then. Haven't quite filled up your dance card yet.

Of course! You're supposed to dance at a dance!

[ He also takes a drink, snatching up a little snack too. ]

What about you?

There's always room for one more on my dance card. [Claude grins.] And if no one is willing to help me fill it, I'll make do on my own.

See, that's what I'm talking about. [ He gestures, friendly and approving, with one hand, before finishing his punch. ]

Right, room for me on there, then?

If you can keep up. [This kid is full of cheek like you wouldn't believe. He finishes his punch off as well, the tease in his eyes as much as his voice.]

[ Sylvain laughs and reaches out a hand in offering. ]

I heard you had some audacity to you. Come on, then, put your money where your feet move.

You mean my Claude-acity? [Do you still wanna dance with him after that? Too bad, he's already taken the offered hand.] Get ready to turn some heads.

Wow that was terrible. [ He's still smiling, though. ] Oh, certainly. Two of the best looking guys at school, taking over the dance floor? The biggest news of the night. Are you sure you're ready for all that attention?

[They absolutely did not come to this dance together— no, that would be weird. The school's most notorious playboy asking out some reclusive commuter who everyone's convinced is in a cult? Absolutely ridiculous. In fact, it's probably a surprise to everyone that Maya's even here— she hasn't been to one of the school dances before, and some say it's because she's not even allowed.

It's by pure chance that Sylvain will be able to encounter Maya wasting time before the end of the night in the middle of a hallway outside the bathrooms, where no one's gathered since the event started. She's been spinning around... doing Steel Samurai poses by herself, since they always cheer her up. It... looks completely out of place with her little short-poofy-skirt dress, though. It's at the end of one such spin that Maya notices the hallway door open and Sylvain stumble through, which...

Well, she's already in this pose, with her arms out, almost like she's gesturing— so she straightens up, pointing in that same direction, and covers—]

Heyyyyy!

Bathrooms are... that-a-way.

Edited (I DIDN'T DESCRIBE CLOTHING AT ALL) 2024-11-11 11:49 (UTC)

[ It is definitely a surprise to see Maya in more ways than one. He's been to the bathrooms earlier, he knows where they are... ]

[ And he knows what someone who feels like they're not part enough of the group looks like. He doesn't know much about her- nobody does- but he never had anything against her. No, actually, the better reason that he didn't bother to ask her to the dance and in fact has never made moves on her at all... is that he doesn't hate her. ]

[ Most notorious playboy indeed and his targets are always girls he knows and intends to have nuclear breakups with. Maya... doesn't deserve that. She seems lonely and even kind, even if a little weird. She's small and cute and silly and he has no desire to break her heart on purpose. So... he ignores her, mostly. He can't really ignore her now, though, standing face to awkward face and with her doing a pose that would be right at home with a circus ringmaster. ]

[ Sylvain is wearing tight black trousers, oxblood wingtip shoes, and a deep emerald shirt that's nearly black. It slouches just enough to look rogueshly careless and he's wearing a gold chain that sits above his collarbones, which are very visible from where the shirt is unbuttoned. He shoves his hands in his pockets. ]

I was just looking for a moment of air. It's getting pret-ty stuffy in there.

[ Y'know. Teenagers in an enclosed space doing physically active things like dancing. It's Musty. ]

It's Maya, right? I haven't seen you at one of these before.

[Oh great now he's talking to her! That's okay. She doesn't have experience in talking to the others much, but there's a first time for everything, right? She can handle this.

She straightens up, straightening out her dress (which doesn't need to be straightened) and looks Sylvain up and down. He is very pretty. But from her perspective, he's a bit of a mess. Pretty boys tend to be, though, as far as she's seen on TV and in books.]

Right! Hi, Sylvain.

[She remembers his name from classes just like she remembers his pretty, pretty face. Her hands come together as if in prayer with her 'introduction', which seems a bit out of place in this outfit, but it's a habit.]

My sister's off this weekend, sooo... She told me I should come.

The music's really nice, but... there's definitely a change in the weather between this room and that one.

[Very humid very sweaty.]

[He notices her looking him up and down and he sets a hand on his hip, cocking his pose a little in a practiced way that comes automatically now when he notices someone looking at him. He runs his other hand through his hair, tousling it a little more and making him look artfully disheveled.]

Oh did she help you get ready?

[He doesn't quite get the connection there, but... he can roll with it.]

You seem like the dancing type, I'm kinda surprised you're deterred.

[Ooh, wow. He is cute. How does he end up cuter by making himself messier? That's a kind of artform Maya can't understand, she's sure.]

Yeah! I mean, I'd love to.

[She looks back that way, though, fussing with her fingers, and doesn't look so confident in doing so. She could have something really fun to take home to talk to Pearl about... and it would make her happy, and it would make Mia happy.

But she just knows Morgan will say something about it— and remind her how dangerous outsiders are. Maya doesn't want to believe it, and really isn't as scared of outsiders as poor Pearly is... but even if outsiders aren't scary, Morgan's demeanor when an outsider is involved sure is.]

...but, you know. It's not like I know the dances everybody's doing.

[lie. she may be a mountain hick, but even she has a cell phone capable of watching videos. but even if it wasn't frowned upon to go blabbing to strangers, it's not like Sylvain asked for her life story.]

What about you? Where's your date?

[Her responses get curiouser and curiouser. Sylvain cocks his head at her, eyebrows pinching in a little in what might be pity or might be concern.]

You don't need to be doing a dance to dance. You just... move.

[Easy enough to say for a guy from an old money family who went to cotillion and then to further dance classes when Ingrid was forced to and she didn't want to go alone...]

Oh, I came stag. I'm sure you've heard, I'm hard to tie down. I can dance with whoever I want this way.

[He looks at her with an uncharacteristic sharpness in his soft brown eyes. He takes a calculated risk, without doing most of the calculations.]

If you don't like the vibes in there, we could dance here. Or in a different adjacent hallway. But if I'm bothering you just say the word and I'll leave you to your business.

[He's no interest in forcing her to keep talking to him if she doesn't want to, and she does have a reputation for being withdrawn. Maybe she prefers to be left alone.]

—You're not!

[Maya's a bit too quick to say, but she's realized quite suddenly that the potential for Morgan's disdain feels a lot less painful to deal with than rejecting Sylvain's attention. she wants to dance with him, to keep him talking to her, and just like that she finds her answer in the silliness.

she puts on airs of pretension, lifting her chin and waving away the thought;]

I just don't want to get you in trouble for dancing with cuter girls than usual.

[it's a little true, at least. she does know of his reputation too, but if neither of them are hurting anyone, then Morgan's worries are just that— worries, and nothing more. Maya takes a couple steps closer to Sylvain, hands behind her back, body language like a curious kitten who's not quite sure, but does suspect, that it would be very nice to be petted.]

[Shock and fluster a street punk biker dropout by dragging him to your school dance?]

about m/f

Edited 2024-11-11 01:18 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Prom

heat | digital devil saga

edna | tales of zestiria

esther moreau / original / ota

steph rogers (r!63) | mcu | ota

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Matsuno Chifuyu ( Tokyo Revengers )

Riku | Kingdom Hearts

edelgard von hresvelg | fire emblem: three houses/hopes

rin sohma | fruits basket

rinoa heartilly | ffviii

peko pekoyama | super dangan ronpa 2

iris | ace attorney

Sylvain Gautier - Fire Emblem 3 Houses - ota

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i couldn't just let us NOT get to play this au so makes some shit up

this is so stupid bless

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Tetsuo Usuda | OC

Isadora 'Izzy' Fairbanks | XMCU OC |