Sydney and Spencer's mom was a dancer and was primed to make it big when she got pregnant with them, so she got married and put them in dance classes at 4

Sydney is a gorgeous, natural dancer, all pretty lines and faces. Spencer has to work a lot harder but he's no slouch either, and he's a lot more passionate about it

They've been on the same team since they were 9. Also on the team is Justin, Hope, Shane, and Merril. As kids their team was pretty unusual for having more boys than girls, but once Merril started transitioning it made sense.

Anyway every year the two top scorers get a duet in the showcase and this year it's Spencer and Merril

And the two of them have been friends since they were kids and they're still close but Spencer doesn't want to admit it's a little wierd to adjust to her being a girl (not that he'd ever say anything bc he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable) and he's afraid they won't be able to dance like they did but as they start choreographing it

it's just like it used to be: fun

so their duet is a lyrical/contemporary piece to this song
https://youtu.be/...

Anyway so as they're leading up to the showcase Spencer comes to the realization that he likes Merril but he's not really sure what to say or do so he does nothing

And soon they're backstage waiting to go on and since Merril enters from the other side she's about to circle back around when he says "kiss for luck?" without thinking

And he blushes a little but she smiles and kisses him on the cheek before going

Anyway this dance is absolutely beautiful. I wish I could show y'all but unforch I have no one to do it with. Anyway. It's so freaking sweet and Spencer's like 'oh shit' I've been in love with her the entire time' and at the end he impulse kisses her

Merril is #shook but she keeps her cool until they make it off stage and Spencer's like 'i am so sorry I was not thinking I shouldn't have done that' but then she's crying and he's trying to calm her down but she thinks he did it to make fun of her or something and won't listen to him when he tries to tell her otherwise

And eventually she's like 'this confuses me. You confuse me, Spencer.' before storming off and he tries to go after her but Sydney stops him

Meanwhile Shane's parents don't go to his performances very often anymore so Blaine always makes sure to come and often drag along his boyfriend Kurt

And one time Kurt brings his best friend Reed and Shane's smitten pretty much immediately which freaks out Reed but he kinda likes him back and they're slowly easing towards each other until Shane's old dance friend who he liked and was liked back by shows up

Reed's upset which makes Shane upset which makes Micah upset but it's okay they all have 2 hands

Another meanwhile Charlie comes to nearly all of Hope's dance stuff and everyone thinks that they're either dating or gonna date and Justin's a little heartbroken bc he has Big Feelings™ for Mr Chaz but would never betray a teammate like that

But then Charlie kisses him and he feels guilty™ and breaks down and confesses to Hope that Charlie kissed him

Hope starts laughing and she feels bad bc the guy is litterally crying but she's like 'Justin. I'm a lesbian. I'm dating Sydney.' and he's all surprised Pikachu but not that he knows he's not dating one of his best friends he's going to Get His Man

Meanwhile Sydney tells Merril to go to dinner with her and Hope but whoops it's a double date with her brother haha sorry I forgot to tell you and Merril could kill her but she remains polite and halfway through the meal she goes to the bathroom to cry and Sydney follows her

Merril's hiding in the bathroom but Sydney tells her that her brother wasn't trying to hurt her bc he actually really likes her (Sydney beat in out of him so she knows he's telling the truth) and Merril doesn't believe her at first until Syd litterally shakes it into her that he's Head Over Heels For Her

And they get to her porch and she knows this is the last chance she has to make a move so she rings the doorbell for her uncle to let her in,then kisses him before going inside. He goes to leave in a daze but sees her peek out of the curtians and wave, and he waves back

Last meanwhile I promise but at the next comp Charlie's there as always and he brings 2 sets of flowers and ofc one's for Hope but everyone's confused until he gives the others to Justin, who just laughs and kisses him

Also in this au Charlie plays the guitar and he likes playing Walk The Line for Justin bc it makes him year up a little every time