Summary: What better way to bond over Lefou's terrible dancing skills.
Number of years married: Two weeks and four days
~:~ Lefou's two left feet ~:~
"- and just one and two and three- ouch!"
"Sorry," Lefou said timidly as Belle stumbled.
She brushed off her squished toes. "It's okay." She straightened and he did the same. "Again. One and two and three and four. One, two, three, fo- Ow!"
"-sorry."
She shook her head and went on. "Four. Your turn."
He frowned a bit then nervously sighed. "Uh, uh. One uh two... then three-?"
"Ouch, Lefou! That one really hurt!" She stepped away and massaged her bruised toe.
"I'm sorry!" he apologized fiercely. "Oh I can't do this!"
"You can but-" she tried in giving him confidence... much to the protest of her toes.
The front door opened and Gaston stepped through then paused at the scene. "What's this?" he asked.
Lefou went red. "Oh. Oh, we're just-"
Stanley - gracefully perched on the arm of a chair - answered Gaston with too much mirth in the shorter man's opinion, "Lefou's learning how to dance."
"Stanley!" Lefou hissed.
But the man merely grinned then he feigned innocence. "What?"
The hunter hung his jacket and scoffed, "Why on earth do want to learn to dance? Dancing's for womenfolk. Not men."
"Gaston," Belle scolded.
He chuckled, "It is!" He nodded to Lefou. "Next you'll be in here wanting to learn how to sew!"
Lefou's entire face was crimson - he was purely embarrassed.
"Oh for pity's sake-" the hunter started in an incredulous scoff.
Belle let out a scoff of her own. "Gaston, go bother someone else."
He looked at his wife. "I am not bothering anyone."
"Well, you're interrupting this lesson. Just.. go away."
He sent her an amused look and ignored her order. He crossed the room and contently sat himself down with full view of this dance lesson.
Her eyes followed his form and she glared hard at him when he grinned.
Lefou cleared his throat. "Belle, I don't think he's going to leave... b-but look at that, I must be gettin' off!" He made it to the doorway before Stanley got ahold of his collar and Belle his wrist. He let out a pitiful noise as they pulled him back to the center of the room.
"Well, just because he won't leave doesn't mean we have to end our lesson," she reminded him. "Now. Can- can you promise to at least try this time?"
"You mean... try to not step on you?"
She gave a small nod.
He groaned a bit. "Fine." He took up her hand and took a mighty gulp. "Oooooooooooooonnnnneeeee…"
The step was too big and they stumbled – again.
"Lefou, just ignore him," she encouraged. She smiled and stepped away from him. "Alright, just watch. It's really simple."
The chubby man – covered in a fine sheen of nervous sweat – watched her do the four simple moves of the dance. He tried to pay attention.
"Ready?"
"I guess…"
And she took his hand and continued to practice.
Gaston admired the way she was able to move without music-
Contrary to her belief, he really hadn't married her purely based on looks. A small part of him had but for the most part, it had been her fearless spirit that attracted him, and her passion for reading and books, for being herself.
Now as he sat there staring at her, watching her try to teach Lefou how to dance... He thought of their wedding night- The night portion of it had never happened. She wanted to talk and he let her, but at the end of the night, she revealed she was not ready for... that. He respected her wishes and had given her space... but that was nearly three weeks ago and seeing her here...
It did something to him.
And it didn't take long for him to realize what it was doing to him.
The rhythm of her, the sway of her hips, even the tiny stumbles of her feet made his insides curl with warmth. Add the sweet gasps at the end of her laughs, and Gaston was head over heels.
He cleared his throat and stood to leave the room. He didn't see her turn her head.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Mhmm," he grunted.
She frowned. It wasn't like him to just up and disappear without loudly announcing where he was off to. But she surprised herself by being this oddly concerned with his behavior. If he wanted to leave, she should let him leave! Why did she have to be curious! a part of her thought.
"Are you sure?" His back was still to her so she rested her hand on his shoulder.
He tensed and she slightly pulled away. But he gave a nod, "Yeah, I'm.. I'm alright."
He headed for the bedroom and sat down heavily, putting his head in his hands. He sat there for what felt like a few seconds but it was probably a long while-
She knocked on the doorframe and he looked up. "Lefou and Stanley have gone. Thought you'd like to know," she said softly.
He managed a nod. His problem still hadn't resolved itself – granted he really hadn't tried to resolve it.
"Gaston?"
He shook his head and stood, aiming to step around her and leave the room, but her hand on his bicep kept him from leaving.
She was there – all brown eyes and dainty nose and freckles and perfect curve of her mouth.
Her breath caught in her throat as he ducked his head, his lips soon hovering over hers. She frowned as he was more hesitant and careful than usual. She met his eyes.. or tried to - he seemed stuck, should he or should he not kiss her. She smiled softly and hopefully encouragingly as his lips finally met hers. She felt the fire on his lips but she was surprised by his gentleness. She allowed herself to accept his touches and kisses.
They had never you know because she still felt she wasn't ready... but here he was- Oh! And she could feel him pressed against her, all of him.
She jerked backwards and he pulled away just as quickly. If she was honest with herself, the reason she had rejected his advances was because she was scared of what could happen. Of what he was capable of.
"I'm sorry," he apologized quickly.
She caught his untamed gaze and his uneven breath. He was truly trying to control himself. She could see how much he wanted this but was stopping for her. Longing filled her in an instant and she reached forward, kissing his lips firmly and pulling him into her.
He pulled back first, looking at her carefully. Did she realize what she was doing to him? "I can't, Belle. I know you're not- that you don't want to-" His voice was hoarse and he swallowed painfully. "Staying here, I'm unsure what I'll do-"
To her surprise, she caught his hand as he shakily turned away. "It's okay... I've thought it over and..." Oh god, she just revealed that she's been thinking about it. She tried to ignore the red tinge to her cheeks. "I'm ready."
He felt as if his breath had been stolen from him. He was incredibly awed by her words... almost not daring to believe they were true.
She bit her lip and sat down - her fingers constantly rubbing his knuckles.
He found air and let go of a long unsteady breath. "Belle."
"It's alright," she assured with that soft shy smile…
She truly had no idea what she did to him, he thought. He hoped the rest of their lives carried such passion.
