Chapter 15: In the Studio

Iris woke up to the sound of birds chirping and the soft warmth of the morning sun creeping through the curtains. The room was still peaceful, with only the light shuffle of sheets breaking the silence. She turned her head to see Luke still asleep beside her, his face relaxed, looking even more innocent than usual with his tousled hair and a small frown on his lips.

She couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her mouth as she watched him. It wasn't the first time they'd woken up together, but there was something about mornings like this that made her feel like she was in a dream she didn't want to wake from.

Iris carefully pulled the covers back and slipped out of bed, trying not to disturb him. It was still early, and she didn't want to be the one to wake him. Quietly, she made her way to the kitchen, letting the smell of fresh coffee envelop her.

By the time Luke finally stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes, she was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in hand, flipping through a magazine.

"Morning, sunshine," he mumbled, still half-asleep, making his way toward the coffee pot. He poured himself a cup and leaned against the counter, eyes still heavy with sleep.

"You sleep like a rock," Iris teased, sipping her coffee, not bothering to look up at him.

"You're just jealous because I'm so good at it," Luke replied with a sleepy grin.

Iris rolled her eyes, setting her mug down. "You could at least let me sleep in every once in a while."

Luke smirked, his gaze flicking over to her. "If you wanted more sleep, you should've gone to bed earlier."

She scoffed, grabbing the magazine to hide her face. "Says the guy who kept me up all night with his stupid jokes."

"Hey, you love my jokes." He walked over and stood next to her, his presence warm and easy, like it had always been. He nudged her gently. "So, you ready for today? I promised you a day at the studio with the guys."

Iris set the magazine down, looking up at him. "Are you sure they won't mind?"

Luke raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "They're always happy to see you. Besides, they've been bugging me about you coming around more often."

"Really?" Iris asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought you guys had your own thing."

"We do," Luke said with a casual shrug, "but they all think you're cool. And, honestly, they don't shut up about how you kicked my ass at the gym. They want to meet the girl who can keep up with me."

Iris smiled at that, leaning back in her chair. "I didn't think you were that hard to keep up with."

Luke chuckled and crossed his arms, his eyes softening as he leaned toward her. "Well, not everyone can keep up with Apollo's best dancer."

"Oh, you mean the guy who tripped over his own feet during the last practice?" Iris shot back, raising an eyebrow.

Luke's face turned mock-offended. "That was one time! And I was distracted."

Iris grinned, reaching over to tap his arm lightly. "Sure, Luke. I'll believe that."

A few hours later, they were in the car on the way to the studio. Luke was in a good mood, which was contagious, and Iris found herself enjoying the ride, even though she hadn't expected to be this excited about a simple trip to the studio.

When they arrived, Iris was immediately greeted by the familiar faces of Apollo. It had only been a couple of weeks since their first real meeting, but the guys had a way of making her feel like she'd known them for years.

"Hey, Iris!" Jae called out as she stepped inside. "Ready to watch us show off?"

"Always," Iris replied, flashing him a smile. She noticed that the guys were all in their practice gear, stretched out and ready to get started.

Luke walked up to her with a small grin. "They're like a bunch of kids before practice. It's always like this," he teased.

"Hey!" Jae exclaimed, looking over at Luke, his eyes wide with mock indignation. "We're professionals, okay?"

Luke smirked and threw a playful punch at his arm. "Right, professionals. You're all a bunch of children."

Iris couldn't help but laugh as she joined the group in the center of the studio, where the guys were already setting up. The dance space was open and bright, and there was a certain energy in the air that made Iris feel like she was about to witness something exciting.

"Alright, let's get started," Luke said, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. The guys all nodded, slipping into their roles with practiced ease.

"Luke, come on," Jae added with a grin. "We're just waiting for you to mess up again."

"I'm warning you now, I'm on fire today," Luke replied confidently, his voice laced with that signature teasing tone. He leaned over to Iris, lowering his voice just enough for her to hear. "They don't know what's coming. I'm about to blow them away."

Iris raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. "We'll see, superstar."

Luke flashed her a wink before stepping into position with the other members. He moved with an effortless grace, his body flowing through the choreography, but it was clear he was having fun with it. The others followed his lead, each of them synchronized in a way that Iris found completely mesmerizing.

The routine was fast-paced and sharp, the energy in the room crackling as they moved through each step with precision. Iris found herself completely entranced by their chemistry, her gaze flicking from one member to another as they each had their moment to shine.

When they finished the routine, the guys were panting and laughing, but there was a sense of satisfaction in their eyes. They were proud of their performance, and rightly so. The practice had been flawless.

"Well?" Luke asked, walking over to her, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What do you think? Impressed?"

Iris chuckled, shaking her head. "I have to admit, you guys are better than I expected."

Luke grinned, clearly pleased with her answer. "Told you."

But then, in a rare moment of seriousness, he added, "I'm glad you came today, Iris. It means a lot that you're here."

Iris felt her heart flutter at his words. She smiled softly. "I'm glad I came too."