Work Text:
Takes place at the end of “Fatal Glitch.”
“Go. Get out of here,” Belle says, her voice kind and soft. Lamar and the others turn and leave, but Tari pauses for a moment to gaze sadly at Belle, unsure how to put into words the feelings trapped in her chest. Glumly, she turns to leave…
“Wait,” Belle calls after her. Before Tari even knows what’s happening, Belle is cupping her face and pulling her in for a passionate kiss. Tari squeaks softly in surprise before melting into the kiss, eyes fluttering shut. Her hands naturally come to rest on Belle’s shoulders. Everything else falls to the wayside—it’s just them, alone, sharing their first kiss with all the time in the world.
But all good things must come to an end. With the sound of approaching sirens threatening to shatter the moment, Belle reluctantly pulls away. Tari tries to follow her lips, longing for more, but Belle gently stops her. She looks up at Belle with dazed half-lidded eyes.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” Belle breathes, her breath hot against Tari’s face, her lips tantalizingly close. Her burgundy eyes are slightly unfocused as they gaze affectionately at Tari.
“Yeah…” Tari sighs, dumbfounded. Her face feels like it’s burning up, her lips tingling. Belle’s cheekbones are equally red, she notices with a hint of satisfaction. “I—”
“TARI! WE HAVE TO GO!” Lamar shouts commandingly, his voice raw.
Tari half-turns to see Lamar waving emphatically at her, then turns back to Belle, her expression turning sorrowful, suddenly wishing for more time, even if it were just another moment. Belle gives her a small, sad smile.
“Go,” she murmurs softly, thumb gently stroking the side of her face. “We’ll see each other again.” Tari nuzzles her hand, looks up with sad eyes. “I promise.”
“…okay…” Tari sniffs. She presses her forehead against Belle’s. Her heart feels like it’s being torn in two. “Stay safe….”
“I will,” Belle promises, her voice slightly hoarse. Smiling sadly, Belle plants a chaste kiss on Tari’s brow, then pushes her away. Tari looks at the hands on her shoulders, then up at Belle, her purple eyes misty. “Now go,” Belle commands, the sternness in her voice almost hiding the worry in her eyes. Almost….
Tari watches Belle turn away, her chest aching, her feet seemingly held in place. She vaguely feels Lamar pulling her shoulder, feels her legs begin to move on their own. Tearing her gaze from Belle, she sees Theo and Sofia waving them into an alleyway. Her feet seem to hit the pavement in slow motion, the world a blurry mess. Muted sirens blare and muffled voices yell. She risks a glance back, sees Belle waving down the oncoming police, envies how Belle can resist the fear of losing sight of her, of those she holds dear. She wishes she were that brave.
“Uh, Tari…? What was that all about?” Theo asks, his voice breaking through her thoughts. She glances at him, then at the wet pavement ahead, unable to hold anyone’s gaze.
“I…” she starts, emotion constricting her throat. Lamar and Sofia glance at her in concern.
Be brave, like Belle.
She sniffs, willing her emotions to steady. “I’ll tell you guys later,” she says, forcing a bit of cheer into her voice, manages to give Theo a small smile. She looks ahead, her jaw set, her vision clear. “But first we need to focus on escaping.”