Chapter Text
The interior of Random Play is filled with bright, midday light, filtering through the window on the door. It glints off the shelves of VHS tapes, illuminating the worn cases and faded labels stacked in neat rows. Against one wall, an old CRT TV hums quietly, playing some muted romance film no one that no one seems to pay attention to.
Lighter stands near one of the low shelves, shades on, absently running a finger over the spines of a row of movies. It’s clear he’s not actually looking for anything. Belle stands behind the counter, idly sorting through a small pile of tapes, organizing them in a way only she could understand.
Belle, without glancing up, speaks. “You’re here a lot these days, Lighter.”
Lighter doesn’t look away from the tapes. “What can I say? Gotta keep an eye on my favorite brother-sister duo.”
Belle snorts, unimpressed. “Right. You’re totally not just here for my brother.”
Lighter shrugs, turning away from the shelf. “We’re just heading into the city for a mission briefing. Work stuff.”
Belle leans against the counter, resting her chin on her palm. “Work stuff? Really? You two couldn’t possibly handle that over the phone, huh?”
Lighter grins but doesn’t respond. Belle watches him for a second longer before tilting her head. “Huh. You sure talk about him a lot.”
Lighter exhales through his nose, running a hand through his hair. “He’s… interesting.”
Belle raises an eyebrow. “Is that all you’ve got to say about him?”
Lighter mutters, mostly to himself, “He’s sharp. Smart. Doesn’t take crap from anyone.” He pauses, crossing his arms. “So yeah, maybe I like that in a guy.”
Belle watches him for a moment, then smirks. “ Ooooh , that almost sounded like a real confession, Lighter. I’m impressed!”
Lighter scoffs, rolling his shoulders. “Tch. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Belle hums, tapping her fingers against the counter. “Okay, okay.” Then, after a beat–way too casually–she asks, “So, you guys didn’t fuck when Wise spent the night at your place?”
Lighter chokes on his breath. “The hell-? No! What kind of-”
Belle raises an eyebrow, still grinning. “Not even a little something? C’mon.”
Lighter exhales sharply. “Well, believe it. We just slept, alright?”
Belle chuckles, clearly still unconvinced. “Slept reeeal close, though, didn’t you?”
Lighter tenses. “That’s not imp- ugh, whatever.”
Belle lets out a short laugh, shaking her head. “You’re so bad at this.”
Lighter scowls. “At what?”
Belle tilts her head. “At just saying things . You like him. We know it. He probably knows it. So just tell him.”
Lighter looks away. “Yeah, because that’ll go real smooth.”
Belle shrugs. “C’mon. You can’t just dance around this forever.”
Lighter scoffs. “And what, just blurt it out? Hey. Wise, uh. I think you’re really cool and smart and maybe I wanna kiss you. What do you think about that? ” His voice drips with sarcasm.
Belle just stares at him. “Honestly? Yeah. That’d be a great start.”
“Tch. It’s not that simple,” Lighter answers after a beat.
Belle smirks. “Actually, it’s exactly that simple. Stop being a coward.”
Before Lighter can argue back, the sound of footsteps on the stairs makes them both look up. Wise steps into view, adjusting his jacket as he descends. His gaze flickers between the two of them, surprise clear in his expression. “...do I even want to know?”
Belle, perfectly composed, smiles. “Nope.”
Lighter clears his throat, pushing off the shelf. “Took you long enough, Manager.”
Wise eyes them both for another beat before sighing. “Whatever. Let’s go.”
Wise heads towards the door, with Lighter following loosely behind. As he steps outside, he flicks his gaze back towards Belle.
She just shakes her head, amused, as the store bell chimes behind them. “Unbelievable.”