Flashback

Isabelle was pulled out of the overbearing crowd swiftly by two familiar hands, guided away from the loud swells of people. A pair of bright blue eyes studied her worriedly, trying to shake her out of her terrified hypnosis. Hugo's voice finally broke through the fearful glaze and Isabelle's dark eyes caught his intent gaze, and she fell into him with a sigh of relief. He copied the noise and hugged her close, cautiously moving her to a more secluded and quiet location.

She steadied herself and returned the hug, closing her eyes and burying her face into Hugo's shoulder as she wound her arms around his neck. Breathing in his scent, Isabelle let Hugo hold her up as she recollected the last time they had been this close. It was that night, the first time they had spent the night together. It had all started out so normally…

A few weeks earlier…

"No, really, It's fascinating, exhilarating! It'll open your mind, really make you think. Aldous Huxely is an absolute geni-"

"Isabelle, really, I'm sure there are far more interesting things to read about than the human subconscious. Things like… well, magic, for example!"

"Magic? Hugo, you're already brilliant with magic, what more could you rea-"

"There's no limit on magic, Isabelle!"

"Would you stop interrupting me!"

This was the usual banter between Hugo and Isabelle. She was trying to convince him to read 'Brave New World', one of the newest additions to the library, but he wouldn't budge. He was still glued to Robin Hood, though he had read it countless times. But tonight wasn't the usual.

Tonight was different, because Hugo and Isabelle were usually arguing like this in the clock tower, wasting time before she had to head home with her godfather. Instead of being at the highest point of the station overlooking Paris, they were hidden deep within the walls in Hugo's apartment overlooking Paris. Isabelle sat on Hugo's bed in her nightdress, and Hugo sat in his chaise in warm fleece pants and a loose sweater.

Tonight, Isabelle was staying. Papa George and Mama Jeanne had left her with the Station Inspector and Lisette while they traveled for supplies, but they didn't know that their 'babysitters' had had plans for a date that night, leaving Isabelle with Hugo. They surely knew that Isabelle would have stayed in the apartment anyway, the only detail they'd be missing was that they'd be alone all night. Anyways, they sat bickering together for a while longer until Isabelle rolled her eyes and gave up. Hugo laughed as she slipped under the warm blankets and turned toward the wall.

"Aw, Iz, don't be like that. I'll read it… one day. I promise!" He stood and stretched up, smiling as she sat up with a huge grin.

"Really? Because you really should! It's so-"

He interrupted her again. "Yes, yes, eventually, I will."

She scoffed, shaking her head as he rudely cut her off once more. She watched as he looked around, trying to figure out where to lay down.

"You can climb in with me, Hugo, it'd be warmer. I don't mind." She shrugged, biting the inside of her lip.

He gulped silently and nodded, shuffling forward. "Yeah, I suppose that's best.." He sat on the edge of the bed, blowing out the candle and sighing as the moonlight danced around the room.

Isabelle sighed at the lovely sight. "It's so wonderful up here, Hugo, why don't we spend more time here?" She asked, turning towards him as he got under the covers.

He shrugged, smiling at her. "I dunno, there aren't many adventures to have up here."

Isabelle's bright smile faltered a little as her mind filled with her daily dreams of Hugo seeing him laying down and smiling up at her. "Um.. Well, I mean, sometimes it's nice to.. to have a relaxing adventure."

Hugo chuckled. "What kind of adventures can you have cooped up in a room like this?" He licked his lips and raised his eyebrows, meeting her twinkling dark eyes.

She watched his wet his lips and shrugged, feeling her face heat up slightly.

"Well… I mean, a lot of things, Hugo. Isn't there… well, y'know, isn't there any.. kissing in the book? In Robin Hood? That's an adventure.." She let out a staggered breath, watching for a reaction from Hugo.

He only furrowed his brow. "Well, sure, Maid Marian and Robin Hood get married and kiss and… Kissing is an adventure? How is that?"

Isabelle chuckled a little. "Haven't you ever felt the butterflies, Hugo?"

He was about to ask what she was on about, but then looked up at her. She was gazing at him with sparkling eyes, golden blonde hair draped over her shoulder. Her heart shaped lips were in that crooked little smile and he felt them. The butterflies. They sprung to life in his stomach and he gulped, nodding.

"That's the same feeling we had when we snuck into the movie theater, and when we jumped in that carriage, and all those adventures we had. Maybe it was a little different then, but it's the same.. sensation." She sighed and looked down at her hands. "At least.. I think it is."

Hugo sat up, leaning on his hands. "You think?" He rose his eyebrows. "Don't you know?" Isabelle shrugged and he widened his eyes in disbelief. "But.. you know everything!"

She laughed and shook her head, pushing on his arm playfully. "Shush, I do not! I've never had the.. experience!" Hugo laughed and shrugged. "Why not?"

Isabelle blushed. "I.. I dunno, I just never have!" She eyed him. "..Why are you so curious?"

Hugo shrugged again, and it was his turn to blush. "I don't know, I guess.. well, I guess I want to.. experience it, too."

Isabelle's throat dried up and she gulped, biting her lip. "We.. We could try it, I guess.." Hugo looked at her almost excitedly. "Could we?"

She smiled and nodded, scooting closer to him. He grinned and sat up fully, leaning towards her. His enthusiasm made her giggle as she met him halfway, both of them pausing a centimeter from each other's lips. She could feel his warm breath on her skin and took in his sweet and familiar smell…

Isabelle stepped back from Hugo after she pulled herself together, smiling at him.

"Thanks," She said, blushing slightly. She hadn't had a break down like that since.. well, since over a year ago.

Hugo nodded and took her hand like always, pulling her along towards the library.

"Yeah, let's just get you back in your element. Then we can go get some dinner, okay?" Isabelle smiled and followed him. He knew just how she ticked.