Claude x Reader: Shall We Dance

Beautiful. Long legs extended and your form illuminated by the stage lights. You danced across the stage in a tutu that was black as pitch and sparkled like black diamonds. You wore colored contacts that made your eyes appear red (some new kind of device of this day and age), and Claude decided then that you were his black widow. You twirled with all the grace of a black widow weaving her web too. Needless to say, you had captivated Claude with your movements. He was accompanying his new master to the ballet. His Master had said you were a close, personal friend of his. Claude didn’t care until he saw you dance. It helped that you were quite attractive as well. You danced the tarantella (Tarantula) beautifully and without flaw. You may even put actual spiders to shame (In my opinion, you all are far more beautiful than spiders and not just cuz I hate them). It was funny. Claude, despite being a lover of the dance and graceful things, had never much been interested in the ballet until now.

You were backstage still in your costume when you received a knock on your dressing room door. Funny. You weren’t expecting anyone….

“Come in,” you called as you continued to unpin your hair from its bun and shaking it out as whoever it was entered the room.

“A fine dancer as always,” said a masculine voice. You gasped in surprise and rushed to hug your friend Nathaniel. Claude inwardly scoffed. "Fine" was no way to describe someone with such beauty and grace.

“A truly captivating and enthralling performance, my lady,” Claude said with a slight bow. You blushed. He was so handsome with eyes you had never seen before. You’d seen amber eyes before but never in such a beautiful shade of gold. Claude let a rare smirk (or any expression really) grace his features at the enchanted look in your eyes. Humans were so easily ensnared by beauty. Normally, it wasn’t anything he cared for, but he was willing to make an exception for such an exotic creature. He noticed you had taken out the contacts to reveal a sparkling set of __e/c__ eyes – oddly enough, more fitted to you than red ones. Beautiful.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the performance,” you said with a slight curtsey. You and Nathaniel caught up for a bit before he properly introduced you to Claude. You blushed wildly when he kissed your hand and Claude smirked when your heart sped up and your breath hitched. He liked that he had that effect on you. You were like a butterfly caught in his web, but he would preserve you rather than eat you.

“Are you a fan of the ballet, Claude?” You asked as you folded your hands in your lap.

“I wasn’t, but you have thoroughly changed my opinion of it.” You flushed in pleasure. He was charming, no doubt about that.

“Claude, I understand you dance. Why don’t you and ______ give me a show? I’ll accompany you on piano.” It was meant as a joke, but you kind of wanted to try it.

“Why not? Claude?” you asked, hoping he would say yes.

“It would be my honor to dance with you, Miss ______.” You led the two to the empty stage. There was only one light on (a ghost light for the superstitious/good-bad luck method). Nathaniel sat behind a piano that was just far enough off stage to be unseen by any audience. The light shone brightly enough to see the stage and only the stage. It was as if you and Claude were the only ones there. You took first position as you waited for Nathaniel to start playing. You began to dance, letting the music move you into a series of improvised steps and movements that, even though thought up on the spot, were graceful and well-executed as if you had been practicing them for months.

Claude then joined you, gently placing one hand on your waist and letting the other one trace your extended arm. The hand on your waist then followed the curve of your thigh as you lifted your leg, and Claude lifted you from the ground and proceeded to lift and guide you through the song. You had never had a partner who danced with you like this – as if the two of you were destined to dance together. Even if the room were full of people, you doubted you would have acknowledged any of them. Your attention was solely on Claude and the slight tingles his touch seemed to leave all over your body.

Meanwhile, Claude was fascinated with the feel of your body. The way your muscles moved, controlled and elegant. You were simply amazing. Claude had never been so spellbound by a human before. You were something to be treasured, and he found himself reluctant to pull away as the last notes of the song rung through the empty air of the theater. He lowered you into a dip for the final pose and marveled at the arch of your back and how your body fit well against his. He placed a gentle, quick kiss on your collarbone and you felt your body tense. His lips lingered on your skin, and you could feel him smirk against you. He was fully enjoying the moment – as your bodies were angled so Nathaniel couldn’t see what he was doing to you. He gently brought you up from the dip, smirking at your flustered expression and deep blush. You were, dare he say it, cute. You curtsied again and thanked him for the dance.

“Marvelous,” Nathaniel praised, unaware of what had happened and mistaking your blush as a result of dancing beneath the warm light. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful duet. Perhaps you should have considered becoming a dancer, Claude.”

“You’re too kind,” Claude said, feigning humility. You merely nodded and gave a light smile. Even though it was a small kiss, it still managed to take your breath away somehow.

“It was so nice to see you again, ______,” Nathaniel said as he hugged you. You returned the hug and told him not to be such a stranger. “Come along, Claude. It’s time we took our leave.”

“It was a pleasure to dance with you,” Claude said as he kissed your hand, smirking as you turned bright red once more.