bsumone | ❝ You fairies love where love is wise and just ❞

Eli actually burst into giggles. But probably not for the reason one might think. Lifting a hand, he gently poked his boyfriend's nose.

"That's such a teacher answer." Yeah, he was dating his teacher. It was a fact. But it was really funny when the fact that he was one just came out so strongly. He found it to be super cute.

He huffed a little breath in mock offense at Eli’s laughter. In truth, he adored it. It’s not that he’d been overly serious in class, but it just warmed James to be able to make him laugh like that. From what he already knew about Eli, things haven’t necessarily been easy for him. So being able to help him relax and gets his mind off his schoolwork, his dance lessons, and his job… It feels good.

“In case you’ve forgotten, I am a teacher. Your teacher, in fact.”

"Really? Are you sure? I never would have guessed!"

Of course he was just messing around now. Relaxed and happy it was more fun to just play with his boyfriend like this. And get to see more of this side of him at the same time. It was just as attractive as everything else about him, after all. And that smile and that laugh...

"I better pay attention then since you apparently are my teacher. To get the really good grades and extra credit points."

James chuckled and ran his hand through Eli's hair. It was such a pleasure to see him so relaxed, so unburdened, without that sharp focus he's seen in Eli's eyes in school. Now he was just another young man in the arms of his lover without a care.

"I have a lot to teach you," he teased in kind. Or was he teasing?

"Teach me everything you know."

It didn't matter to him what James taught him too. He just knew that he wanted to learn it. Sexual things, things about James as a person, things about life... As long as his his boyfriend was the one teaching him then he knew that he would be happy.

"I'm not as experienced as you but I'll find things to teach you too. Promise."

“Well,” James quipped, barely able to hide his grin. “I’m not as flexible as you. Shall we call ourselves even?”

James will teach him all manner of things and happily. Eli will probably end up knowing more about poetry than a first-year grad student in a very short amount of time. And that’s just to start! In turn, he’s sure there’s so much Eli can teach. James knew very little about dance, so that was a start. And he’s never been the sort of person who dismisses the wisdom of younger people simply because they were younger.

“I know you will. A relationship without mutual learning isn’t the kind I think either of us would be interested in maintaining.”

Eli shook his head to agree. No, that didn't sound like a fun relationship for either of them. They were both people that were too curious and too eager to learn. Being in a relationship where there was nothing to learn or nothing left to learn? It just didn't suit them at all.

"So you love how flexible I am?" And he grinned at him.

"Are you surprised?" James grinned over at Eli, unable to keep his smile in check. "It's one of many things I love about you. Not only because it benefits me, but because it's a sign of something you love and work hard for."

"I love dancing." But they both knew that. It was why he did erotic dancing as a job right now. It was more dancing so he was good at it. Sure it was also really exhausting to go to school, dance after school, and then dance at the club. But for him? It was worth it. It was going to take him places.

"I'm going to love you watching me dance the most though."

There's 'loving' something and then there's loving something. The latter shows through so clearly, as if the joy it brings simply oozes from one's pores. James saw that love in the way Eli's eyes brightened, in the way the corners of his mouth turned up whenever he spoke of it, in the very way he moved when he danced (even if it was erotic dancing!).

It's something that made him fall for the boy all over again ever time he was lucky enough to see it. Yes, he felt lucky. Privileged, even, to have this young man's heart. There's a passion in him which James, over his many years with hundreds, maybe even thousands of students, has rarely seen.

And when he has? It's always in the artists, the musicians, the dancers. Sometimes in the writers, too.

"As am I."

After a beat, a more thoughtful look came over his face. It seemed like the idea he just had might come across as a 'too soon' sort of proposition, but...

"You know, the loft upstairs has never been finished. It's just storing some things right now. We could make it a useable space for you to practice if you'd be interested in that."

He looked up above them at the ceiling. There was a loft up there? Huh. He didn't know...

Wait. He'd turn it into a practice space for him? He looked back to him with wide eyes.

"Wait really? The whole space?"

"I'm just using it for storage right now." And, honestly, everything that's up there wasn't very important. Hence why it's in storage.

"It doesn't span the length of the whole house. It was supposed to be the primary bedroom and bathroom, but I got this place a little cheaper because that wasn't done. The plumbing is complete, so there could be a bathroom, or a water closet, at least, put in up there."

His eyes lit up and he threw his arms around him again to kiss him. "I'd love that so much! Then when I'm here I can still practice and you can even watch me. Can I help you plan it out? It can be something we work out together!"

A quiet but dramatic 'oof' met Eli flinging of his arms around James. But that didn't stop him from pulling the young man closer to him and returning that kiss with a smile. A hand cards through his hair and James gives a subtle nod.

"I'll need your help with it. I don't know what a dancer needs in their rehearsal space, after all."

"I can help you clear it to get a good idea of what the space looks like. Then I can help you plan it out. Though I'm sure we'll need mirrors in there."

Mirrors were so essential for a practice space to perfect angles and the like. And they'd be great for other things too he was sure of that already. Grinning, he pushed his fingers through his boyfriend's hair.

"Is it too much that I already love thinking about the future with you?"

James took pause at those words, a powerful warmth spreading through him. He pulled Eli even closer and tipped his head to press a kiss to the young man's forehead, then his lips. Thinking about a future together wasn't something James has done in a while. Sure, he did some dating, but nothing that got very serious. Even with his ex, there wasn't really much planning for the future (it was more of an 'oh shit we're pregnant' sort of situation where neither of them really thought the matter through).

"I don't think it's too much," he murmured very softly. Wanting a future together, dreaming of a future together is something James thought (after experience, of course) was vital to a solid relationship. Yes, there's always excitement at first, but once the newness of a relationship wears off, there has to be something more to build a strong foundation on.

"I'm happy that you're already thinking ahead for us."

It was so nice to hear that he wasn't being too much. James made him smile with that and he pressed a kiss back to his lips. While he didn't need much reassurance due to being confident in himself it still meant the world to him to have this. From someone he both loved and respected. Because it meant that he could be himself and not be treated like he was too young to understand or be pushed off because he was too eager.

"I really love being able to think about a future for us. Especially now that I know it can be real and not just a fantasy while I watch you on breaks during class." He laughed a little then beamed up at him.

"Wanna hear something that combines a fantasy and me thinking about the future of us? I want to be able to one day leave the club so I only ever dance like that for you and no one else."

Eli's enthusiasm was infectious. He knew before all this that Eli was the sort of person to consider his future. A dancer, that's a profession that takes a life-long commitment. Eli's always been thinking about his future and James is simply happy that he's now a part of it.

A brow lifted and James gave him a look that was one-part mischievous and one-part incredulous.

"Shall we have a pole installed in your studio?"

"It'll be great exercise. Super practical."

He managed to make a serious face for a moment, nodding like that was absolutely what he meant when he said that. Even if they both knew that, while true, he really was just messing around. Still, what was wrong with combining practical with fun? Nothing! He laughed and gave his boyfriend a kiss.

"I bet there's even fun things we could do together if we had a pole in there..."

James barked a laugh at the mere thought of himself doing anything on a pole. No, that would be all Eli, please and thank you. James may be fit for a man of his age, but he's not going to risk throwing out a shoulder trying to learn pole tricks.

"If you really want one, I'll make sure you have one," he replied, still amused but more serious about it. Even if it was just for Eli's own amusement, he'd arrange for one when they make up the plans for the studio.

Eli laughed when James did. "I meant that you can hold me against it! Most of my weight would be there so you wouldn't have to worry. Not that it matters because you're so strong."

He wiggled for him then he grinned. James was honestly an amazing boyfriend. Someone who truly wanted to provide for him while letting him still be a partner in this. He appreciated it so much. "Even before all that though, I'd really like to dance for you sometime. Just us. That way I can go all out on the sexy."

Maybe even give his boyfriend more ideas for the fun of it.

"Now, now," James intones with a note of affected worry that's anything but real. "Are you sure I can handle it if you go all out on the sexy? I already think you're very sexy, Eli." Another chuckles and he leans in for a soft kiss. Then, more seriously, "I ='d really like to see you dance just for me."

❝ You fairies love where love is wise and just ❞

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