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She was just going to grab a movie. She was going to see Belle, then go home with her borrowed copy of “More than One Truth”. Then Belle offered to watch it with her. She just thought it would be a simple movie. Sure it was a slight alteration of her plans, but it would just be a late night movie with the manager.
When she walks into Belle’s room, she sees that it’s a little messy but in an endearing way. The room also smells very nice, although the scent isn’t one she can pinpoint. Her eyes wander more, seeing a guitar with well worn strings, a board filled with pictures she’s taken and pictures of her other friends, although seeing how close she was to some of the women in the photos put a pit in her stomach. She’s shaken from her thoughts as Belle sits on her couch and calls to her “Hey, Zhu Yuan, I got everything ready to go!” The bluenette pats the seat next to her, asking for the officer to sit with her. Zhu Yuan sits down with little space between the two.
Before watching, Zhu Yuan and Belle have a brief conversation as Belle accidentally spoils a part of the movie. She blushes out of embarrassment which makes Zhu Yuan chuckle a little to herself. Belle apologizes then she presses play, and pulls a blanket over them.
The two share commentary about the film, or rather Belle starts talking about trivia about the movie and Zhu Yuan just listens, drinking in how pretty her voice is… the officer snaps herself out of that thought wondering where it came from. “Zhu Yuan?”, “Hm?”, “Were you even listening?” The taller girl begins to blush after being in her thoughts for a little bit. “Sorry…” Belle laughs “It’s fine!”.
As the movie progresses, Belle begins to speak less, Zhu Yuan thinks nothing of it, just thinking she’s just engrossed… until she feels a weight press into her shoulder. Her face goes bright red. She reflexively looks over and sees that Belle fell asleep… on her shoulder.
The world around her stops for what feels like hours, her heart simultaneously melting at how adorable she is, and pounding as the manager is on her shoulder. Her gaze quickly moves towards the TV pretending that Belle isn’t there.
Zhu Yuan tries to remain calm and finish the movie, but she can barely hear it over her own heartbeat. Zhu Yuan, calm down, the manager is just a friend… she is just a friend. She attempts to repeat that mantra to herself yet those words feel like a spear piercing her heart.
The movie ends, despite the fact that Zhu Yuan was not paying attention in any way shape or form. She barely moved or breathed out of fear of waking up the sleeping girl. She doesn’t want to admit it, but she wants this moment to last forever.
While Zhu Yuan is contemplating her next move, a man with grey hair ascends the staircase and looks into the room, seeing the PubSec officer in a rather… compromising situation. He shoots her a look she can’t exactly place and she rapidly shakes her head and mouths a quiet “Help” at him. He does, walking into the room and helping Zhu Yuan carry Belle to her bed, although he exits the room shortly thereafter, which just leaves the black-haired girl with Belle’s sleeping form. Before she exists, she pulls up her blankets so she won’t be cold, but hesitates before leaving her side. She kneels down and plants a gentle kiss onto Belle’s forehead, she stirs a little before Zhu Yuan quickly and quietly exits her room.
Zhu Yuan is left quietly panicking to herself “WhydidIdothatwhydidIdothatwhydidIdoth-” She descends the staircase and is met with Wise. “So… you and my sister…” Wise still holds that hard-to-place expression on his face. Zhu Yuan however is too nervous to notice his inquisitive look “I- I- swear, it wasn’t what it looks like, s-she was j-just tired and-” Wise shakes his head, “Just… treat her well okay?”. Zhu Yuan’s face is so red that she could pass for one of the tomatoes in her garden. She quickly leaves and gets into her car, however she doesn't turn it on. She still can't get the thought of Belle on her shoulder out of her head. She tries to pry the cute manager from her head, but she fails repeatedly. Suddenly it clicks for her and she can’t push this thought away. She is in love with Belle. She starts her car as she proceeds to drive home with this new revelation on her mind.