Chapter Text
Jack had never felt so jumpy before. Everything made him irritated. The music was too loud, the air too warm, the lights too bright, there were too many people. He nervously flicked his ears and took deep breaths to calm himself down. He didn't know why he was so nervous, but a bitter taste filled his mouth as he watched the happily dancing couples. The way they danced, entwined, lost in each other's gaze and presence. His stomach turned with jealousy when he saw one of the couples kissing. He looked away, unable to bear the sight of them. Not because he found them disgusting or because he hated those people, but simply because he knew that this would never happen to him.
He could never hug his beloved in the middle of a crowd, let alone kiss him. He couldn't turn the curious eyes of the crowd to their relationship. What they had was a deep, heavy secret. A secret that should never be shared. He knew that his beloved's career was the most important thing to him and he, Jack, was only second in line, he never opposed it and fully accepted it. Because for Jack, he was the most important thing. That's why he agreed to keep it a secret. But even then, bitterness gnawed at his soul and squeezed his throat hard. He loved him more than anything. Jack's wolf self knew that he was the one and only when he first saw him, but Jack let things happen slowly between them. At first, he didn't even dare to hope that the other would ever fall in love with him. But when it happened, he was over the moon with happiness. He was happy that he had at least gotten a tiny piece of heaven. Just a tiny piece that he could hold in his hands for a little while. But he knew that he couldn't keep it there forever. He would have to let him go someday. He couldn't hide that beautiful star in his hands forever. That star must shine, high, in unreachable heights, where it no longer needed Jack's protection. After all, he was the Beauty, while Jack was a mere Beast.
These bitter thoughts tormented Jack as he watched his friends and schoolmates having fun on the dance floor. Then his gaze fell on the brightest star. He was also among the dancers. His smile shone as he let Rook Hunt spin him. His hands fell on the hunter's shoulders and he laughed. Jack's breath caught. Even more envy filled him, he began to wag his tail nervously. Then he suddenly stopped. He realized how embarrassing was what he was doing. Why was he jealous? Rook Hunt deserved that place next to his star more. He understood that world, he could give him advice. The two of them made a much more beautiful picture. Where Rook was soft and pleasant, Jack was hard and unmovable. He was the complete opposite of everything his star had ever stood for. He was truly just a Beast next to Beauty. Jack's face contorted when he saw Rook kiss HIS star's hand when the music ended. Jack spun on his heel and stormed out one of the balcony doors. He didn't notice a pair of worried lavender eyes following him the whole time.
Jack leaned against the railing and looked up at the beautiful sky of Briar Valley. But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find the most beautiful star. He sighed, taking a deep breath of the clear night air. Behind him, the music and laughter died down, and it was just him and the silence of the evening. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear the steady clatter of high-heeled boots approaching him. He only realized someone was standing next to him when that someone spoke.
"Aren't you going to ask me to dance?"
Jack jumped up in fright. "V-Vil?" Jack didn't dare believe that his star was standing next to him. Vil held out his hand expectantly.
"You know that's not possible." Jack pushed Vil's hand away.
"Why not? No one can see us here. Please, Jack." The wolf couldn't resist the request. Not when Vil's voice rang so clear, almost pleading.
Jack sighed. "Can I have this dance?" He bowed theatrically and took Vil's hand in his.
From inside, the orchestra was just starting a new waltz. Jack tried to lead the dance uncertainly. "Sorry, I rarely do something like this..." He apologized when he almost stepped on Vil's foot.
"It's no problem, don't worry. Don't think, let the music lead your body." Vil whispered and leaned his head on Jack's shoulder. Easy to say. Jack thought. His steps were still shy, but he managed to relax under Vil's touch. He carefully rocked this beautiful star in his arms. He was afraid that the song would end too soon and he would have to let his beloved go again.
"Do you remember? We danced like this under the stars once before. You couldn't dance back then either." Vil laughed.
"Don't tease me! I wasn't that lame."
"You were!" Jack just snorted at Vil's further teasing. "It got completely dark and the air got really cold when we finally stopped dancing. My dad even scolded us when we got home so late, remember?" Jack nodded. Of course, he remembered. He remembered every moment he spent with Vil.
"How much we've changed since then. We've grown and matured. But we found each other again." Vil sighed. "I don't believe in fate or wishes, but I'm glad they allowed us to be together again."
Jack's throat tightened. He loved his brightest star too much. He would never be able to let him go. He stopped dancing and pulled his beloved closer to him. He hugged him so tightly that he was afraid he would break that fragile star. But the star wasn't as fragile as it seemed. He was strong, brave, and determined. Vil was surprised at first by the sudden embrace, but then he melted into it and let Jack hold him.
"Are you okay, my dear? What's on your mind?" He asked, running his purple nails through Jack's white hair. He rubbed small circles under his ears. Jack sighed from the pleasant feeling. It was hard to find words, it was hard to share everything that was swirling in his mind. In fact, he didn't understand everything himself. All he knew was that he never wanted to let Vil go.
"I have a selfish request that I know you can't fulfill."
"You can't know that until you tell me. Maybe I can help."
"It can't be helped, Vil. The Beast can't ask Beauty to be so selfish. The Beast would want Beauty to stay his forever, but Beauty can't do that. Beauty doesn't belong only to the Beast, he doesn't belong to anyone. The Beast cannot lock Beauty in a prison with iron bars just to stay with him. Beauty must shine. Beauty cannot be the Beast’s alone. That is why the Beast tries to enjoy every moment while Beauty is his, because he knows that Beauty will one day move on and take all his light with him and the Beast will be left in the dark without his most beautiful star. Because the Beast loves only once and he gave this first and only love to Beauty. Even if Beauty gets bored and leaves him one day.
"And what if Beauty doesn't want to get tired of this supposed Beast? Because Beauty doesn't see him as a beast. Because when he looks into his eyes, he finds love and a future there. Beauty would never want to be apart. Not even if the world desperately needed him. After all, Beauty is also in love and greatly values the Beast’s gift. Beauty knows that the Beast is insecure. And for that the Beast finally understands that Beauty is not going anywhere, he would give anything. So Beauty wants to reassure his beloved that whatever life brings, he will not leave him alone. He will not take his light and leave him in the dark. After all, without love, even the brightest star would go out."
Jack was shocked when Vil continued his metaphor. He forgot to even breathe. Vil smiled and stroked Jack's face with his soft hands.
"We may be different, but that's what makes us so perfect." Vil whispered, then placed his lips on Jack's. "Let's stop keeping secrets. Beauty wants to share with the world how much he's in love." Vil said after the kiss. Jack felt a little dizzy from the kiss, at first he barely understood the meaning of the words. However, after a few moments the words hit Jack's mind like a meteor.
"But-but Vil! What about your career? What will the people say?
"I don't care. People say and think what they want, but it won't change the fact that I’m in love with you. Beauty is just as selfish, maybe even more so." Vil's wink sent a shiver down Jack's spine. He didn't dare believe his ears. "But only if you want it too. We won't tell anyone anything if you don't want to. You are the most important thing to me, Jack, not the opinions of strangers. I want to stay with you. And if the world doesn't need me like this, then I don't need the world either." Vil reassured his love.
"Vil-I..." Jack hesitated. He was never a man of words. He never knew when exactly to say what. Words had often failed him. Actions, however, did not. So, gathering strength, he kissed his beloved fiercely. He tried to pour all his feelings, all his thoughts, all his doubts into that kiss and hoped that Vil would understand him. And Vil did understand him, even without words.
"Let's do it. If you're by my side, I can do it." Jack whispered and squeezed Vil's hand. Vil smiled and squeezed his hand back.
They walked back to the throne room hand in hand and danced together the whole night, completely ignoring the eyes following them.