It was Xavier’s idea — and also his greatest regret within the first minute

He stood in the clearing, arms stiff, knees locked, eyes darting between your face and the phone playing music on a log nearby

“Okay, so I’m ninety percent sure I’m gonna embarrass myself,” he announced, then quickly added “but if it’s with you, maybe that’s okay.”

The first few steps were awkward. He kept stepping on the wrong beat, his hands hovering like he wasn’t sure where to place them

He was trying so hard — tongue poking slightly from the corner of his mouth in concentration — and every time you giggled, he looked flustered but not frustrated

“Wait, wait — I can get this,” he insisted with a small laugh, bumping into you slightly “I used to do coordination drills for the army! ...Okay, they didn’t involve twirling.”

But slowly, something changed. The way he held himself relaxed. His movements lost their tension. And at some point, he wasn’t focused on the steps anymore — just on you

Your smile, your closeness, the way the music swirled around both of you like something magical

When the music faded, he didn’t let go immediately. Just looked down at your hands in his and said quietly “That… wasn’t so bad. Kinda want to do it again.”