The tavern was nearly full that evening, people almost having to yell in order to be heard over the other ruckus. It was normal considering how cold it was outside, the comforting warmth something Stanley craved after working all day. Tom and Dick felt the same, laughing loudly at some joke or another as Stanley waited to pay for three tankards of beer.
He wasn't really paying much attention to his surroundings and so never noticed the two men shoving until a third person was knocked sideways into Stanley's side. It's pure instinct to wrap one arm around the person and grip the bar with his free hand, keeping his hold tight and secure until he was steady again. That's when he noticed who he had an arm around, the warm and chubby body of Gaston's right-hand man pressed against his side.
Stanley's mouth goes dry immediately as his brain processes this sudden turn, taking in the dark hair that brushed LeFou's shoulders, the way he was dressed as nicely as usual, and the grateful smile turning up the corners of the other man's mouth. He was gorgeous in a way that no one else in the village managed, just an all-around good human being that did his best to keep the rowdier Gaston under a semblance of control.
"Thanks," LeFou chuckles, grinning up at the taller man. Friendly, sweet, it was all the things Stanley loved about him. Now, if only he could smile back… Or reply… Or move. He knew he had to look completely ridiculous, staring down at the other man with what must have been the weirdest look LeFou's ever seen on another man. Stanley wasn't entirely sure what his face was doing, to be completely honest.
"LeFou," Gaston shouts from across the tavern, voice booming as it always was," what's taking so long?"
"Coming!" LeFou's smile brightens when he looks towards the mountain of a man that he'd claimed as his best friend and Stanley's heart broke a little at the sight. It was obvious to anyone with half a brain that LeFou was in love with Gaston, which also explained why the latter had no idea about the infatuation. "Thanks again for catching me, Stanley." Stanley just nods along numbly, watching LeFou gather the steins from the bar and make his way back through the crowd towards the chairs closest to the fireplace.
Swallowing thickly, Stanley moves back to his own table, completely forgetting about the order he was meant to place and everything that wasn't the glittering of brown eyes and that bright grin he'd never be able to get out of his mind.
"So, did you finally ask him around for dinner," Tom asks once Stanley sat down across from him.
"Of course he didn't," Dick says smartly. "Just look at his face, obviously LeFou did all the asking. Ain't that right?" Stanley looks up at his friends, taking in the expectant looks with apprehension. He had been working up the nerve for months to ask LeFou over for a quiet dinner, but every opportunity seemed to slip right through his fingers.
"Actually," Stanley murmurs," I might've forgotten about any asking after I had my arm around LeFou's waist." Tom throws his arms in the air with a groan, shooting the man across from him an exasperated look.
"For fucks sake, Stan!"
"If asking someone out is so damn easy, then I'd like to see you do it!"