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Now we’re in the next chapter,” Blake agreed while her eyes adjusted to the lower light provided by periodically-placed torches.

The halls were better lit than at other points in this particular story, but the lack of nearby windows gave everything a distinct dungeon-like feel that was hard to escape. If not for the faded tapestries on the walls and the dusty suits of armor, Blake could easily be convinced that they were in a medieval prison.

Yang seemed to feel the same about their newest environment, as she took a good look around and faked a shiver.

“Is it just me, or is this place a little creepy?”

“Don’t worry,” Blake replied, even though Yang’s ever-present grin didn’t need reassurance. “I’d say this is the least creepy of the chapters.”

“Considering we already had a dead guy’s voice speaking to us from the beyond while the sun and moon did some crazy stuff, I hope you’re right.”

Before Blake could respond, the sound of voices drifted down the hall - the effect of the cavernous space sending words and conversation far further than one would expect them to go. Quickly picking up the sound, Yang tilted her head and gave Blake a look.

“I’m guessing we go that way?” Yang asked, pointing towards the source of the noise and beaming when Blake nodded. “The story beckons!” she declared while confidently setting off to find the speakers. “And who will it be this -”

They’d only made it five feet before Yang suddenly backed straight up - crashing into Blake and nearly knocking them both to the ground if Blake hadn’t put her hands on Yang’s back and taken a step back to catch her balance. 

“There’s hope, after all!” a lively candlestick said, hopping across the hall in front of them.

“We don’t know that,” a clock replied, waddling after his friend.

“Come on, Cogsworth - admit it! She might just break the spell!”

The answer was a grumble that muffled when the two characters turned the next corner. Eventually, the sound of their voices disappeared entirely, but even after silence returned Yang remained frozen in place.

When she finally moved, it was to turn to Blake with an expression of complete dismay.

“That was a talking clock.”

“That was,” Blake replied, stifling the urge to laugh at the pure shock Yang was displaying.

Between the dragon, the sun and moon, the wolf...and now a talking clock and candlestick, they’d experienced quite the array of unique characters so far. But this one Yang should know - this one was a classic.

When everything clicked into place - Cogsworth, Lumière, a spell, a dark castle - Yang broke into a huge smile.

“It’s Beauty and the Beast!” When Blake nodded, Yang laughed and looked after the characters who’d just passed by. “A classic! Finally, a story I know. But...what chapter are we in?”

Smiling at Yang’s enthusiasm, Blake waved down the hall in the opposite direction Lumière and Cogsworth had just gone. “Let’s go find out,” was all she said, not wanting to ruin the surprise.

Yang willingly fell into step beside Blake as they moved down the hall and turned right when they reached the intersection of another hallway. This hall looked exactly the same as the previous one, but might be moderately cleaner - it looked like someone had recently made an attempt to dust the suits of armor, at least.

“You’ve done this chapter before, haven’t you?”

“What gave that away?” Blake asked, surprised that Yang had already drawn that correct conclusion.

“It looks like you know exactly where you’re going.”

That was a pretty clear giveaway, and one Blake couldn’t refute as their destination loomed up ahead.

“I might have seen this chapter once or twice before,” she admitted. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“I can’t wait to see why.”

The comment filled Blake with an unmistakable warmth as her appreciation for Yang’s company grew. There was something very flattering about the way Yang said those words - spoken as if her interest in this chapter had as much to do with watching the story unfold as it did with figuring out Blake’s reasons for including it.

Yang was truly paying attention, and that made Blake feel...special.

“I think you’ll be able to figure it out,” Blake finally replied as they approached a room situated at the end of the hall. They could hear more voices now - filtering through the open doorway and drifting towards them.

Knowing what they would find inside - and wanting to see Yang’s reaction to it - Blake motioned for her to go in first - which she willingly did.

And the second Yang stepped around the corner, her jaw dropped in surprise.

Standing in the middle of the room, gazing into a mirror while a large, lively wardrobe hovered over her shoulder, was Belle. Although she appeared hesitant about the event she was dressing up for this evening, she looked positively radiant in her golden gown, which sparkled under the light of the chandelier hanging above.

“Oooh my goddd.”

Any fear from the first chapter gone, Yang walked right over to Belle and circled around her while admiring her outfit. “Wow. I mean, I know they said she was pretty, but they were wrong. She's absolutely gorgeous!”

“She is,” Blake agreed, although that term could easily be applied to either of the two girls standing before her.

With Yang and Belle so close together, it was possible to make a determination of who was prettier...and Yang won. While Belle exuded hope and grace, Yang radiated warmth and life. They were both beautiful, and both worthy of living in a far more magnificent castle than this. But if Blake was ever given the challenge of choosing between the two, she knew exactly who she'd pick.

“I’d kill for this dress,” Yang added, taking a step back when Belle spun in a circle and the audience in the room ‘ooh’d and ‘ahh’d in admiration. “Like, literally. You sure we can’t take things home?”

When Yang sent a hopeful look her way, Blake smiled and shook her head.

“Unfortunately not. Otherwise, I’d have a pet dragon.”

Bursting into laughter, Yang nodded and said “Touché,” before moving to the side as Belle made some last minute adjustments to her hair. “I’m totally doing my hair like this sometime. I’ll be the belle of the ball.”

When Yang grinned at the joke, Blake laughed - mostly finding it funny that Yang was so pleased by the pun.

“I’m sure you will be,” she replied, smiling when Yang went back to admiring Belle’s outfit. Finished with her hair, Belle lowered her arms and gently picked up the outer layer of her gown.

“What do you think?” she asked, nerves evident in her posture.

“You look beautiful!” the wardrobe replied, the compliment earning a modest smile in return.

“I’m with the dresser,” Yang added with a firm nod. “Eleven out of ten - love it.”

Taking a deep breath, Belle seemed partially reassured by the wardrobe’s (and Yang’s) comments. She stopped fiddling with her dress and straightened up with a bright, honest smile.

The moment was broken by a rattling noise outside the door - the sound causing the characters to turn as a tea cart rolled through to greet them.

“Mrs. Potts!” Yang exclaimed, rushing over to take a better look at the cheerful tea kettle. "One of my favorite characters ever."

“Oh dearie - you look wonderful,” Mrs. Potts said, rushing around Belle in a full circle in order to take in the full effect before screeching to a stop in front of her. “Are you ready?”

Faced with the question, Belle checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. She was openly nervous about what was to come, as she only barely understood the feelings blossoming in her heart, but she still smiled at her new friends.

“Thank you for all your help,” she said, ever gracious. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

As they accepted her gratitude and offered words of encouragement, Belle followed Mrs. Potts out of the room, her dress swishing along the ground as she went. She was hardly out of earshot before the wardrobe dramatically leaned against the wall and sighed with hope before hurrying out the doorway after the pair.

“You probably want to follow them,” Blake said, moving to follow Belle and her companions towards the ballroom herself. Before she could get very far, Yang reached out, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her close.

“I'm so excited about this,” Yang whispered as they walked down the stone halls of the castle. “Look, I'm practically shaking!”

When Yang raised one hand in front of them, Blake saw that she was, in fact, nearly quivering in excitement. The feeling was mutual, but Blake’s nerves had more to do with Yang holding her so close than the story she’d seen several times before.

She was grateful for the prior knowledge at this point because she was finding it increasingly difficult to focus on anything but Yang - especially when Yang’s side was pressed against her own. They’d never been this close for this long before...but Blake found it was more comfortable than she would have imagined. Exhilarating, thrilling, and exciting...but comfortable.

As they walked through the corridors, the sounds of voices drifted across them - a sign that the castle was currently bustling with life. Tonight, the days of stony silence were completely forgotten - instead, excitement and hope abounded. Through it all, Belle’s dress shone like the sun - an unavoidable beacon promising better times to come.

With every step they took, Yang’s eyes flitted from one side of the hall to the other. The tapestries, the suits of armor, the stained glass windows - none of it escaped her gaze. Blake paid the castle decorations no mind, finding it more enjoyable to watch Yang soak in the atmosphere.

“Do you like this story?” Blake finally ventured to ask. Lilac eyes immediately locked onto her, gleaming with an answer to that question.

“It’s one of my absolute favorites,” Yang answered before her attention was caught by the end of the hallway approaching them - the rest of the chapter mere moments away.

Blake smiled at the answer while Yang squeezed her arm in anticipation. It had been entirely unintentional, but she was glad that she’d managed to pick a story Yang loved. Now this could be something they’d both enjoy.

Coming to a stop in front of an ornate door that was far more exquisite than the initial hallways they’d walked through, Mrs. Potts moved out of the way and nodded towards it.

“Here we are,” she said, her soft voice providing gentle encouragement for Belle to move forward on her own.

They’d made it, and beyond the door was the man who’d alternatively frustrated and scared Belle like no other. But then something changed - whether it was him, her, or a combination of both, Belle was nervous and excited for what was to come.

When Belle took a deep breath in anticipation, Yang pulled Blake even closer. And when Belle found the courage to step through the door, they were close behind.

It was like walking into another world. The stone walls and flickering torches disappeared - replaced by magnificent white walls decorated in gold and adorned with royal blue draperies - while the dusty suits of armor and torn tapestries gave way to a polished brass banister leading down red-carpeted stairs to the marble floor below.

Hearing Yang suck in a breath of awe at the beautiful space, Blake smiled.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she whispered, her smile growing when all Yang could do was nod as she continued to stare.

Gathering her dress, Belle delicately stepped down the stairs and stopped on the landing midway to the floor below. The Beast, dressed in his royal blue suit, stood on the balcony across the room from them.

He was every bit as nervous as Belle but, when prodded forward, he took a deep breath and swept down the stairs to meet her. Clasping hands as if they’d been separated for far too long, he smiled down at her - and whatever nerves the two of them had been feeling disappeared as the Beast gently led them down the remaining steps and towards the ballroom.

“This is the best part of the entire story,” Yang said excitedly, sliding her hand down to Blake’s and tugging her down the steps.

Taken by surprise that they were now holding hands, Blake’s heart started doing cartwheels in her chest - but she made no attempt to pull away. Instead, she savored the sensation of their hands clasped together and fought a blush as Yang led them after the main characters.

Making their way down the stairs and across the marble floor, Yang’s eyes swept in every direction while she attempted to take in as much of the room as possible. From personal experience, Blake knew that it was breathtaking each and every time - no matter how many of the details were memorized - but she wouldn’t stop Yang from trying to commit every nook and cranny to memory.

But this first room was only the beginning of beauty within the castle walls, with the most exquisite section located across from the grand staircase and through two towering doors that Belle and the Beast swept through without a second thought.

Modestly slowed down by Yang’s intent analysis, Yang and Blake stepped through the doorway a few moments later and found themselves in the ballroom. Yang let out a soft gasp as the warm lights draped over them, followed by an awestruck, "Wow..." that trailed off while she looked at the brilliant chandelier sparkling above.

It was just as resplendent as Blake remembered - the golden pillars draped with dark blue curtains, the expanse of windows in front of them creating a wall of stars, the polished marble floor, the gleaming grand piano playing soft notes from the corner, the painted ceiling up above - it was one of the most magnificent scenes she’d seen in any story she’d ever observed.

But today, it was far more enjoyable to watch Yang’s reaction to it all.

“This is...the most amazing thing…” Yang said while staring towards the middle of the room, where the Beast hesitantly accepted Belle’s hand before they glided across the floor for a dance. With every step, the Beast grew more confident and assured in his motion, and Belle willingly allowed him to lead her throughout the room.

Turning towards Yang, who was still staring at the characters in stunned disbelief, Blake smiled. Feeling the gaze, Yang tore her eyes away from the story unfolding in front of them and suddenly realized that she was still holding Blake’s hand. Quickly dropping it, she flashed Blake an embarrassed smile before turning her attention back to the couple on the dance floor.

“I thought he’d be scarier-looking,” Yang admitted, smiling when they heard Belle’s light laughter drift across them.

“When he’s not dressed up, maybe.”

Sticking near the pillars lining the sides of the room, Yang moved further from the door. She glanced over her shoulder to see if Blake was following, and smiled when she was. Moving from one pillar to the next, pausing by each to watch the characters sweeping throughout the room, Yang eventually stopped when they reached the middle of the large space.

“Just look at them…” she said, staring in awe as Belle and the Beast glided by, perfectly in sync and smiling at each other. “They're totally falling in love.”

Turning away, Yang caught Blake's eyes for only a brief second before looking around the room instead.

“They have company too -” Nudging Blake's arm, Yang nodded towards the other characters attempting to stealthily watch from the corners of the room. 

"But they only have eyes for each other," Blake added, smiling at the two characters who'd found a way past their differences.

She loved this scene because she could feel the love in the air, clinging to the characters and filling the halls with joy. Maybe there were difficult times ahead, but emotions were building and unlocking at this moment - emotions that neither of them could fight.

It didn’t make sense, but it didn’t need to make sense as long as they could feel it - and as long as they were willing to follow their hearts.

“God, they’re just so…” Words trailing off, Yang suddenly turned to Blake as if a huge realization had just struck her.  “Wait. They can’t see us.”

“You’re right,” Blake answered with a nod and curious smile.

“Then...we could dance too.”

Taken aback by the comment, Blake only managed to say, “Uh…” before Yang’s eyes filled with excitement.

“We can, right?” she asked, her expression begging Blake to say ‘yes.’ “Please? When’s the next time you’ll have a chance to dance someplace this beautiful?”

Blake had never considered dancing here period, but there was no opportunity to decline since Yang had already taken Blake by the hand and was pulling her out of the periphery of the room. Again, Blake made no attempt to stop her - she was far more interested in seeing what would happen next.

Once they left the shelter of the pillars behind, Yang raised Blake’s hand and prompted her into a spin. Beaming when Blake obliged and spun in a circle, Yang then stepped forward and hesitated before reaching out and placing one hand on Blake’s waist.

Yang was standing close now, with one hand resting on Blake’s side and her other gently holding Blake’s up in the air. Blake’s heart rate was climbing at their proximity, and it certainly didn’t slow when Yang looked down at her and smiled.

In all the times Blake had watched this chapter, soaking in the budding romance in the air, she’d never considered leaving the edge of the room. She’d never considered joining Belle and the Beast in their dance. She’d never considered that she could participate in this moment as well.

But she’d also never considered that she would have company...

With Yang taking the lead, Blake smiled and took a step forward when Yang stepped back, then stepped left when Yang stepped...right on her foot.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Yang immediately said, dropping Blake’s hand and reaching out to help while Blake lifted her trounced upon foot off the floor. “God, I’m such a klutz - are you ok?”

Shaking her head at what had only been a short, temporary pain, Blake laughed and raised her arms so they could try again.

“Don’t worry. That didn’t hurt...much,” she teased when Yang hesitantly returned to her. And when Yang took a deep breath and haltingly led them to the right, Blake realized something.

Yang Xiao Long, the most beautiful girl at Vale University, was blessed with two left feet.

“Wow, you're surprisingly bad at this.” The comment slipped out before Blake thought it through, but Yang's response was a burst of laughter.

“I appreciate the honest assessment of my dancing skills!” Yang replied, tripping over her feet when she tried to give Blake a grin and move at the same time. “This isn't exactly the type of dancing I'm used to.”

When Yang stumbled again, Blake couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing as how Yang was the one who proposed this idea, it was adorable to watch her struggle so mightily with it - all so that she could dance next to Beauty and the Beast.

“I have an idea,” Blake said after narrowly avoiding another foot stomping. Standing in place, she shifted their hands and gave Yang an encouraging smile. “Let me lead.”

The suggestion was met with a beam - Yang gladly accepting their change in positioning. Butterflies immediately fluttered through Blake’s chest, but she took a deep breath and tried to prevent them from scrambling her thoughts. Shyly reaching out, she set her hand on Yang’s waist before Yang rested her own arm on top of Blake’s.

“Step in the direction I'm stepping,” Blake instructed. “And follow my hands.”

With her hand on Yang's waist, Blake gently pulled forward while taking a step back. When Yang matched the motion, Blake smiled. Using the heel of her hand, she softly pushed while taking a step forward - Yang's reaction was delayed, but she managed to step back in time to avoid being stepped on.

“See? It's not too hard.” Leading them to the left, then into a gentle turn, Blake smiled when Yang reacted perfectly.

“How are you such a good dancer??”

“I've taken a few lessons,” Blake admitted. “My parents must’ve thought I’d be the next great ballroom dancer.”

“Looks like you are!”

Blushing at the compliment, Blake ducked Yang's eyes and looked at the rest of the room as it passed them by. The main characters were in the center, lost in their own world, but that left plenty of space for Blake and Yang to dance at their own pace. Maybe they weren’t able to glide across the room, but at a slow, steady pace Yang was able to keep up admirably.

“You’re doing really well,” Blake said, blushing again at the gratitude that comment immediately earned her.

“Good teaching - and good leading,” Yang replied, accidentally taking a bigger step forward than Blake had taken back and ending up with the two of them nearly pressed together.

Blake corrected the error when she moved away, but her blush only grew when her mind refused to forget that temporary bit of closeness.

“Ok, I have a confession to make - I had a huge crush on Belle when I was younger,” Yang said, turning to watch as Belle and the Beast swept by. Turning back to Blake, Yang grinned. “Must be the dark hair.”

This time it was Blake who stumbled over her own feet, caught off guard by a comment with a potential meaning she couldn’t unsee.

“And now that you’ve seen her in person?” she asked, turning to the side to look at Belle. Yang did the same but immediately turned back to Blake with a growing smile.

“Second most beautiful girl in the room.”

Averting her eyes while blushing at the flattery, Blake’s mind was already searching for a way to casually deflect it. Thankfully finding one, she playfully narrowed her eyes.

“You’re including yourself, aren’t you…”

When Yang laughed, her eyes sparkled with delight - vivid lilac twinkling under the lights of the chandelier.

“I’d put myself fourth,” she replied, grinning when Blake raised her brow. “After Mrs. Potts.”

Blake laughed at the joke, and Yang’s grin only grew - as if making Blake laugh was one of the most rewarding things Yang could do.

“Ok, let’s put your new skills to the test,” Blake said, hoping for a change in subject that would allow her blush to fade. “We’re going to try a spin - think you can do that?”

“Sure, I can spin. I just don’t know if I can do it without hurting someone.”

“We’ll go slow at first,” Blake added, “I’ll lead you out with my hand and then you spin back into me. You’ve seen this in the movies, right?”

“Yes…”

Yang was unsure, but Blake was willing to risk her feet for this endeavor.

“Let’s just try,” she pressed, nodding and motioning Yang away from her.

Moving slowly, Yang spun as Blake moved their joined hands up and around her head. Making it out to the end of both of their arms’ lengths, Yang grinned and then slowly twirled back to Blake. She made a quarter turn too many, and ended up pressing into Blake before stopping.

Whether it was a mistake or intentional, Yang turned towards Blake and grinned. With their faces mere inches apart, Blake blushed and scooted a step away.

“Try again?” she asked, realizing that Yang had an uncanny ability to make her blush no matter the topic.

“Of course!”

Pulling them out of the way when Belle and the Beast danced past, Blake set their hands again and then slowly directed Yang into a spin. This time, she twirled faster and with more confidence. Extending her arm at the far side of the spin, Yang came back to Blake and stopped at just the right moment - their hands clasping together once more.

“Perfect.” Leading them back into their slow dance, Blake smiled at Yang’s success. “Now we try to spin and then keep dancing without stopping.”

“That sounds more difficult.” Briefly looking down at her feet to make sure she wasn’t too close to Blake, Yang looked over at Belle and grinned. “Who do you think I am - some like, super perfect princess?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Blake noticed that their own princess was walking out of the room with her new prince - the two of them heading towards the balcony just outside. Under ordinary circumstances Blake would prompt them to follow, but...these didn’t feel like ordinary circumstances.

The two of them had the dance floor all to themselves - and Blake wanted to enjoy this moment while it lasted.

“I think you’re perfect enough to throw a spin into our dance,” Blake said, smiling when Yang easily matched the next few steps.

“Alright,” Yang agreed with a nod. “Let’s do it!”

“Ok - get ready.” Stepping to the left, and then back, Blake held Yang’s eyes intently. “One...two...three…”

On ‘three,” Blake paused her feet and used her arm to lead Yang away. Once Yang reached the length of their two arms, she spun back to Blake - who, this time, pressed her hand back to Yang’s waist as soon as the rotation was complete and smoothly led them into the next step.

It was practically flawless - especially considering that Yang still needed to glance down at her feet every so often to make sure she didn’t trip over them.

“That was perfect,” Blake said, smiling as she led them into another turn. Beaming at the word, Yang squeezed Blake’s hand in appreciation.

It felt like they could stay like this forever - smiling at each other while gliding across the ballroom floor in their slow, yet comfortable dance. Eventually, Yang glanced away, looking out the window at the stars twinkling beyond before finding Blake’s eyes once more.

“Ok, I'm totally in love.”

“With what?”

When Yang smiled, her eyes sparkling under the light of the chandelier, and Blake felt her heart skip a beat.

"With this," Yang replied, the simple answer providing little illumination while Blake led her into another slow spin.

But Blake left the question alone, satisfied with imagining what it might be about this moment that Yang was so fond of. The budding romance in the air, the intimate yet grand surroundings, the pleasant company...Blake might very well be in love with this moment too.

How could she not be? They were dancing in a fairytale. It felt too surreal to be true, but whenever Blake met Yang's eyes her heart fluttered in a way that was unmistakably real. She could feel Yang's hand - soft and warm - clasped within her own. She could feel the fabric of Yang's shirt under her other. And she could definitely feel the heat emanating from Yang, their close proximity allowing them to share that intimate sensation.

In all the chapters Blake had ever experienced, she’d never considered the possibilities of having someone else with her. Now...she wished that this moment would continue for far longer. Sharing this experience with Yang took her out of her traditional role as an observer and allowed her to fully embrace the moment - to experience some of the nerves and fluttering feelings that Belle herself must have been feeling.

The story had moved away from them, but the two of them kept dancing until the environment began to blur. It was only then that they came to a stop, Blake finally letting go of Yang’s hand and taking a step away to put a polite amount of space between them.

Their loss of closeness made Blake’s skin tingle in longing as she rubbed one of her arms and tried to commit the feeling of Yang’s warmth to memory.

“Thanks for the dance,” Yang said with a smile.

“The pleasure was all mine,” Blake replied. Her voice came out soft as she was caught up in Yang’s eyes, which were an even more beautiful shade of purple than she remembered.

“Should I even bother asking what’s next?”

For a second, Blake couldn’t even remember what chapter was supposed to come next. It was only when the remarkable ballroom disappeared and was replaced by the dull, tan interior of a tent that she recalled the next stop on their journey across genres.

“Oh, I think you’ll enjoy this one,” was all she said.

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