*Chapter 16: Date Night*
She's pretty nervous. She is looking at herself in the mirror, brushing her hair before curling it. Belle is in a white dress, wearing the red earrings, and the gold necklace she's been wearing. She blushed when her cleavage shows a bit, but Robert won't care about that, right? It felt like she's going to a ball with her prince, but this is no fairy tale. Yet, this dress makes her look like a queen.
Belle is placing the curlers in her hair and went on to put makeup on. She doesn't know what to expect tonight, though she trusts Robert. Unless she is seeing Pennywise. Either way, this is supposed to be a nice night. One of them promise her that.
XX
Pennywise wiped the blood off his chin after devouring a child. He must eat before the date that will begin at sundown. The clown went inside the wagon to shapeshift back into Robert. So much to do tonight. Anything to make Belle smile again. He likes the way she smiled and her laugh today. Pennywise will keep her that way. She's been unhappy until that day she sings for him. The turtle will not interfere and try to keep Belle away from him.
"She is mine. No one will take her." Pennywise growled. He shapeshifts into his human form.
Robert knocked on Belle's door, dressed in a black jacket, black pants, shoes, and a red tie. He heard her reply, telling him she will be out in a moment. The man waited patiently for his mate. This night will be perfect. The door opens and Belle revealed herself to him. Robert's blue eyes sparkle when he sees her in a dress she loves. It looks so perfect. Her dark hair is in curls, a rose clipped on the side of her head. She looks like an angel.
"Wow. You...look amazing." Robert spoke, smiling at her. Belle blushed.
"You look...amazing as well." She said.
"Thank you. Now, shall we?" Robert got his hand for her to take. Belle took it and Robert lead her down the stairs. She asked him what was the plan tonight, but Robert told her it's a surprise. He then lead her down the basement. Belle was afraid that the dust would ruin her dress, but what she sees below the stairs is unbelievable. There is no old basement with a well. It's a big ballroom with a chandelier. How did this happen? Robert turned to her and smiled at her expression. "Surprised?" He asked.
"I... How...? Robert, this is..." Belle doesn't have any words. She is very speechless. It felt like she is in another place. This old basement was turned into a ballroom. "I don't know how you did it, but...this is amazing!" Belle said. Robert giggled.
"I knew you'd like it."
"I love it!" Belle exclaimed. "Unless I'm dreaming." She then felt a pinch on her arm, making her wince. "Hey, what was that for?"
"To prove to you this isn't a dream." Robert said, pulling his hand away. Belle rolled her eyes playfully. "Now that we are here..." He snapped his fingers. Music started to play in the ballroom. Sounds like a piano and a violin. But they are nowhere to be found. Belle won't even ask. She looked up at Robert who bowed to her. Belle, in turn, curtsied. Robert took her hand as the other is around her waist. Belle places her other hand on his shoulder, bringing her body close. They begin to waltz around the ballroom, following the music. What's shocking to Belle is that she dances very well, she never danced before. How could she be this good as Robert leads her? But, that doesn't matter. The two looked at each other's eyes as they dance, smiling at each other. Robert swirls his mate around him, have her spin and her hair flies around her neck.
When her back meets his front, his arm snake around her stomach and took her hand. He brought the hand to his lips and kissed it. Belle felt butterflies in her stomach when Robert kisses her hand. Her cheeks are burning up. Robert sniffed her hand silently. She smells like roses, but he also smells something else in her. He couldn't put a finger on it. He never smelled this new scent of Belle's before. Other than fear.
"Are...you alright?" Belle asked, turning to him. Robert blinked and release her.
"Yeah. I'm fine." He replied. "Sorry."
"It's okay. Hey, I gotta ask. When did you learn to dance like this? This is my first I ever dance like this." Belle wondered. "I'm guessing you watch people as always."
"You can say that." Robert said with a smile. "And you dance wonderfully." Belle brushed her hair back with a slight blush. "Would you...like to dance some more?"
"I would, but...I was thinking we should be outside the house." Belle said. "It's a clear night and no one was around." Robert nodded at her. He lead her back upstairs to get outside of the Neibolt house.
XX
They went around the back to see the view of the trees ahead and above there are stars and a full moon. Belle grinned at the beautiful sight of the night sky.
"Wow. It's...so beautiful." She said.
"Yes, it is." Robert said. "I prefer night than day." Belle giggled. "The night is quiet, and easy enough to find those who are foolish to around the dark."
"Like thieves, drunks, horrible people." Belle said. "And please don't ask me to hunt any of them tonight." Robert laughed at her. He wouldn't do that to her. It would ruin their night. The man then faced her.
"There's another thing for you." He said. The same music plays around them softly. Belle watched Robert with wonder, but by her surprise, he began to sing to her. And she recognized the song from a musical.
"Night time sharpens,
Heightens each sensation,
Darkness wakes and stirs imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses,
Helpless to resist the balloons I offer.
For I transform the beast of the night."
Belle smiled at him as he sings to her. Robert did say that he will sing for her in return. She's actually impressed by this. He took her by the hand, guiding her towards him.
"Slowly, gently,
Night unfurls it's splendor.
Grasp it, sense it,
Tremulous and tender.
Hearing is believing, seeing is deceiving.
Hard as lightening, soft as candlelight.
Dare you trust the beast of the night.
Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth,
And the truth isn't what you want to see.
In the dark it is easy to pretend,
That the truth is what it ought to be."
They both look up at the sparkling sky. Robert continued to sing.
"Softly, deftly,
Pennywise shall caress you,
Hear him, feel him,
Secretly possess you.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind.
In this darkness which you know you cannot fight,
The darkness of the beast of the night.
Close your eyes, start a journey to a strange new world,
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before,
Close your eyes and let me set you free.
Only then will you belong to me...?"
He faces her, lightly cupping her face. His left hand started to stroke her hair. Belle felt uneasy for a moment, so Robert stopped what he was doing. So he brought her body close to a light hug, singing softly. Belle noticed some of the lyrics have changed as well, but she didn't say anything.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication.
Hold me, love me,
Feel each sensation.
Let the dream begin, let your bloodlust side give in.
To the power of the Shine that we have.
The power of the beast of the night."
Belle's eyes grew wide when Robert holds a piece of dry grass and it turns into a fresh white rose. Then the petals fall and turn into butterflies. Belle and Robert watch them fly up to the moon, fluttering their wings. Belle places a hand over her chest, taking everything in that has happened in front of her eyes. Robert held her free hand, finishing up the song.
"You alone can make my heart take flight.
Hold me, the beast of the night."
"That was...wonderful." Belle said. "Thank you."
"Now we are even." Robert said with a grin. Belle giggled a bit. Her feet was starting to hurt for standing too long, especially in heels. Robert told that they could sit on the steps in front.
She sat next to him, her hand in his. Robert stares at her with his bright blue eyes. Belle turned to him in silent. Her heart is beating as he gave her a charming smile he usually gives her.
"You look beautiful in the moonlight." He said.
"Thank you." Belle said. "And thank you for tonight. It was...lovely."
"It sure was." Robert replied. He reached for her cheek and felt it burn. "Your face is hot." Belle turned away.
"It's...it's nothing." She said. Robert frowned at her. Belle faced him again. "Sorry. It's just that...this is new to me and...I don't know what to do next after..." She trailed off.
"Hey, it's okay. No one is judging you. You're with me." Robert told her. He started to stroke her hair. Belle relaxed a little. "Belle, may I ask you something? Feel free to say no."
"What is it?"
"May I...kiss you?" Robert asked. Belle stared at him in silence. Did she hear that right? A disguised creature asks her to kiss. Belle stuttered a little. She's acting like Bill right now. Will she let him kiss her or not? She doesn't know. "I understand." Robert said. "Maybe it's for the best."
"I'm sorry." Belle said with guilt. "It's just this is...too fast. For us." Robert didn't say anything. The look on his face worries her. Did he regret asking that dumb question? Or was he mad for not getting a kiss from a mate? Belle wasn't sure which is which. Though her conscious tells her not to kiss a demon ever. Robert broke the silence by speaking.
"How about we have...one more dance out here?" He asked. Belle nodded. He took around the back and they slow dance this time. Belle rests her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Robert couldn't help but to smile at her resting on him. The two slow dance outside the old house under the full moon a while longer, enjoying the soft music around them with no one around.