Strange Magic

Prompt: Belle and the Dark King realize they might not be as different as they originally thought. (Rated K)

Never in her whole life had Belle imagined something like this ever happening. Emma… poor Emma was doused with love potion and the first person she laid eyes on that activated the magic was the fierce-some Dark King. Now, her baby sister was head over heels and singing really bad love songs on top of it. Even the Dark King appeared to be uncomfortable with the situation as he couldn't stop wringing his hands and his wings were thrumming softly.

Thankfully, he hadn't wanted this to happen either and agreed to help her restore her sister back to her normal self. What they needed was an antidote and the only one who had such knowledge was the Blue Fairy. Of course, being locked up and ignored for so long had her stir crazy for attention and with Belle's new face… the Blue Fairy could not stop yammering until the princess's patience snapped and she shouted for her to shut up.

Her outburst startled the Dark King himself as he looked at her in shock. He always assumed fairies were all sunshine and friendliness, but this particular fairy… She had a temper and a decent right hook—attributes one did not contribute with these colorful and light creatures. This princess was a head-scratcher. She did not cower before him and she escaped her prison cell to fight him—him—and here she was standing next to him as if the last five minutes hadn't happened. He had to admit the fight had been exhilarating. She gave everything and more, exhausting him in a way that no creature—goblin or other—could. And… if he had to be honest with himself… He was rather intrigued.

Belle took a deep breath, calming herself, and gently beseeched the Blue Fairy once more. "I need your help. My sister… She can't stay like this. If you can tell us how to make the antidote, then the Dark King will set you free."

"Free?" the Blue Fairy repeated.

"Free?!" The Dark King gaped at Belle who only gave him a cutting look that said he better or else. Sighing, he faced the annoying blue ball. "Aye. I'll set you free."

The Blue Fairy screamed for joy as she clapped her hands and flew around her bubble cell with high speed. Once she expended the energy, she became serious and business-like as she began reciting the supplies she was going to need.

Waving the closest goblin to come over, the Dark King ordered him to get whatever she needed and be quick about it. While that part was over, the Dark King and Belle were alone and standing somewhat awkward by each other. Somehow, neither knew what to say or do next until he cleared his throat and gestured upstairs.

"This could take a while. Perhaps… we should return to the throne room and discuss matters, yes?"

Belle frowned not sure what other matters they might discuss, but at least he wasn't planning on throwing her back in the prison cell. Following his lead, the two left the dungeon to return back to the chamber. Of course, when they arrived, they froze in their tracks in utter disbelief and horror as the room suddenly transformed into a pink and red nightmare.

Hearts. Paper hearts were everywhere: draped over the throne, on the walls, on the floor; streamers with hearts hung over the chandeliers, and even an arch covered in ribbons and more ungodly hearts were above them. They couldn't have been gone for long… ten, fifteen minutes… but the entire throne room was decked out in these horrid decorations with a small table arranged in the center with candles burning brightly.

The two goblins Belle had seen earlier when she was making her escape stood in front of the table with silly grins on their faces. They seemed to be quite pleased with themselves, which meant they were responsible for this mess. It didn't take long for their sire to reach that conclusion for himself.

"Hatter! Whale!" the Dark King bellowed. "What is the meaning of this?!"

"Your majesty, we thought with the princess and you getting along now—" began Whale.

"—You two can get to know each other a little bit better," finished Hatter.

This left their king dumbfounded as the two scurried away to give the two royals some privacy. The Dark King scarcely glanced at the fairy beside him who was also just as silent as he. Finally, they looked at each other and quickly took a step back away from the other.

"So…"

"Um…"

Neither knew what to say to the insinuation that the goblins were getting at. After what felt like hours stretched on, Belle decided to break the silence.

"Why would they think we would like this stuff? Who does?"

"I don't," the Dark King answered quickly.

"Me neither," she replied. "In fact, I hate it."

"Well, I hate it more!"

For the first time in their acquaintance, Belle and the Dark King smiled genuinely at one another. She reached up to grab one of the hearts and with a sharp tug; she pulled it apart as she ripped it in half.

"Love is for fools," she said, letting the two halves flitter to the floor.

"Always rushing in," the Dark King chimed as he took a heart himself and ripped it into a dozen little pieces.

"It's crazy how people just let themselves fall so easily without any rhyme or reason," Belle continued as she went around the room plucking the hearts she could get her hands on and leaving behind a trail of destruction in her path.

"It's downright insanity!" the Dark King agreed, mimicking Belle's actions.

Together, they were a tour de force as they wiped away the hearts. With every tear and rip they couldn't help the relief flowing through their veins.

The fairy princess had so far exceeded his expectations. She wasn't a dainty lass and she had just as much pent up anger as he did. They were clearly of the same mind when it came to the ridiculous notion of love and what it pertains. Funny. He didn't think a fairy could be against the emotion as much as him.

Belle, surprisingly, was having fun with the decoration massacre. There was something so cathartic about destroying these hearts. She let out a giggle and captured the Dark King's eye. They couldn't help the smiles that stretched across their lips and as quickly as it did… the quickly it vanished as they nervously looked away.

One thing for certain, they knew that love can be dangerous. It was best to ignore the possibility of it coming to fruition.

Next prompts will be One Night Stand Indecent Proposal.