Bram Stokers Dracula (1992) | Dir. Francis Ford Coppola

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) | dir. Francis Ford Coppola

Dance with me ~ Arthur Shelby x Reader

Summary: Three little words, with a lot of meaning and implications depending on how and where they are said (Fluff)

Note: This is the version with Arthur. Here are those with John and Tommy if you are curious. And here is my [Masterlist].

I do not consent to my work being translated, copied or posted elsewhere on this platform or any other. This hasn't been beta'd so I apologise for typos or mistakes

Warning: mentions of alcohol consumption, otherwise none. As I am an adult, all my writing I share is unless explicitly stated for adults (18/21+). Your media consumption is your own responsibility. 

Wordcount: 1210 words

Arthur always said that his brother Tommy had been the greatest of storytellers. He could not only imitate people's way of speech to perfection, amusing children and adults alike, but he could also capture their attention with ease, igniting their imagination with the stories he told. 

Now he was telling a different kind of story, one of the greatness and generosity of the Shelby Family Foundation. 

There wasn't much be had in regards to locations in Birmingham, but he had chosen the most glamorous, and most expensive for this event. And even then, he had made sure they hired the most excessive decorations with the most exclusive flower arrangements and served only the most expensive champagne. 

He had also sent out instructions that they all had to dress and behave their best, because despite the location and the disguise of a social occasion, this was work. It was always work- for the family, for the company, for the business.

And they had all been given their orders ahead of tonight. 

Hers was to sweet talk possible business partners and allies, and where better to do that than the dance floor? 

It wasn't like she didn't enjoy dancing- she loved it to the point where she had accumulated a long list of events where she danced until the morning light shone through tall glass windows. 

But the false smiling made her face hurt and the conversation was beyond repetitive. 

"It was a pleasure to meet you.", Her partner said, as the music softened to signal the upcoming end of the song. 

"I hope it's not the last time.", (Y/N) said with a smile as she took her leave. She had barely gone turned, when that smile faded. 

Her gaze drifted over the crowds of people, searching for the one company she preferred above all others. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she spied Polly admiring her reflection. She did clean up nicely, in a long pale ballgown, with a diamond collier thicker than three fingers put together. She had combined it with large diamond earrings and two diamond bracelets on each white gloved hand. 

In one, she balanced a cigarette holder, in the other a flute of Champagne. 

"Hello dear.", She greeted, talking more to their reflections than her face. 

"Have you seen Arthur?", She wanted to know. 

"Went outside to smoke.", Polly said, before placing the black cigarette holder between her painted lips. 

Outside meant stepping out onto the terrace and into the cold night air. 

Compared to the heat and stuffiness of the ballroom, this crispness seened to wake her from her slumber. 

As the glass door shut behind her, both music and chatter were banished into the distance, leaving her breathing, and the clicking of her heels to be the only sound. 

"Arthur?", She called, looking over the abandoned terrace. As she reached the banister, the familiar smell of his cigarettes filled her nose and she looked down. 

He was sitting at the bottom of one of the two stairs that descended from the terrace downward. 

"There you are.", She greeted. Taking her skirts in hand, she hurried down the steps. 

"What are you doing out here?", He wanted to know. 

"Looking for you, of course.", (Y/N) replied. "And to get some air."

Arthur smiled softly as his eyes travelled over her, from head to toe and back again. 

"You look beautiful, you know?", He mumbled, as if he was afraid of saying the words aloud. 

"I know.", (Y/N) giggled. "You already told me earlier."

A slight blush crept up his cheeks. "Yeah, well I mean it."

But then his smile faded, and his gaze dropped to the floor. 

"No wonder all them toffs are all over you."

As he spoke, he shifted his weight from foot to foot, and only stopped when she stepped right in front of him. 

Pulling off her evening glove, she reached up to cup his face. 

"Don't be daft.", She told him with a shy smile. "No one's all over me. Besides, you know I only have eyes for you."

When he took her hand in his, his fingers brushed against her rings. 

"But I can't dance with you, now, can I?", Arthur said. "Didn't even give you a proper wedding dance, let alone all that-"

He waved in the general direction of the ballroom, where they had begun to play yet another Strauss piece. 

"A Viennese waltz?", She asked. "It's not that different from the normal ones. I could teach you."

Arthur shook his head and scratched the back of his neck. 

"No point in it- wouldn't work anyways. Not with me and me two left feet."

(Y/N) bit back a sigh. She hated it. She hated this, more than anything. Arthur was so brave and so strong, but he was sensitive too, more sensitive than he would ever admit, and some members of his family would ever realise. They were quick with their words and often underestimated the lengthy effect they could have. 

But pointing that out to them, or Arthur, wouldn't help. She had to take a different course. 

"Do you know the Viennese cheated? Half their dance is just swaying side to side."

Arthur scoffed, but his eyes met hers again. 

"You're making that up "

"Am not."

She stepped back, away from the walls and towards where they had more space. 

"I'll show you.", (Y/N) offered. 

"Ah, you don't want that."

"I'd like to.", She admitted. 

When he stepped forward, he wasn't very good at hiding his reluctance. 

His hand found the small of her back while the other captured hers. He held her hand as if it were some fragile sculpture made of glass. 

"Now all we do is this.", She explained as she began to lead him in the sway. 

Side to side- side to side.

He began by watching their feet, but when he realised that it was just that and did not include any hidden complications, the muscles in his shoulders relaxed. 

"There.", She said. 

Her heart fluttered when Arthur mirrored her smile, especially since she knew she had put it there. 

He glanced down, then up again, then down, before he took a step forward, leading her in the stereotypical box step. 

"You practiced?", She asked breathlessly. "Oh why didn't you say?"

(Y/N) could- and would have kissed him for that if they weren't just moving. 

"Thought you might want to dance with me, and I didn't want to make a fool of you. Still, I won't be much of a show in there.", He admitted as his eyes glanced up, his jaw tightening once more. 

"Oh Arthur,", she said. "I think we can gladly leave the showmanship to Tommy."

That brought the smile back, but it was a little smaller than before. 

"You deserve to be in that ballroom, you. With all the diamonds and the crystal chandeliers and the champagne and not out in the cold with ol' me."

(Y/N) shook her head. 

"But I want to be with you, my love. No matter where you are.", She assured him, giving his hand a little squeeze. 

She felt his smile against her lips as she leaned over and kissed him. 

End.

Thank you for reading. I'd be very grateful for feedback or comments of any kind.

“english isn’t my first langua—“ say no more.

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Arthur x reader

requested by @daynaelizabethclairereynolds ​ sorry this took forever!

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