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It was late in the evening. The store was surprisingly busy, with groups of teens, regulars, and even some old timers coming in to rent tapes. It was unusual, but business was business, and Random Play would accept any dennies that flowed in, even though Wise was manning the counter all by himself.
Ever since the corruption scare and Bringer almost ending all of New Eridu, Belle’s health wasn’t in the greatest state, with bouts of intense vertigo and weakness. The doctors said it would pass eventually, with proper medication and rest that is, which means she had been on strict bed rest for the past several days. No errands, no commissions, nothing. It wouldn’t be so bad, with Wise and pretty much everyone she knew checking in and bringing gifts, if she wasn’t bored out of her mind.
Anby was kind enough to actually hang out with her when she had the energy, but being cooped up in her room all day for almost a week was starting to drive her mad. Belle had to get out, even if it was just for a few hours.
So, laying on her bed, kicking her feet in the air, she scanned her contacts for a certain someone she could always rely on for a good time. Clicking on the profile, she smiled to herself and began to type:
‘Billyyyyyy!! I’m soooo bored. Can we meet up? Pretty please????’
Luckily, just as Belle had expected, he began typing almost immediately.
‘Manager!! You’re not supposed to be up and about!!!’
‘I know i know but I feel fine, really! i just need to get some fresh air. pls? just for an hour or two??’
‘aaaaaand what if you pass out and I’m suddenly at the mercy of Deputy manager?’
Belle couldn’t help but stifle a snicker picturing Wise sizing up the world's most feared gunslinger.
‘That wont happen, i promise :P’
There’s several seconds of silence that turned into a full minute, and then two. Belle was worried he’d been caught by Nicole or Anby, when her phone pinged.
‘Alright, I’m out back. Let’s go have some fun, Manager!’
Belle could hardly contain smiling ear to ear. She got out of bed and stretched, pausing to let the suddenly-standing-up vertigo to pass, and grabbing her keys and wallet. She carefully peaked downstairs to see a long line and very busy Eous and Wise. Perfect. Back pressed against the wall, she snuck over to the back door and slipped through.
Immediately, Billy waved her over, his yellow eyes glowing in the slowly growing darkness, and Belle’s chest suddenly felt warm. She practically lit up upon seeing him.
“Manager! How are you feeling?”
Right now? On cloud 9. Overall? Well…
“I’m feeling much better. I’ve been itching to get out and do something for a while, so thanks for this, Billy.”
Billy rubbed his neck shyly and waved his hand dismissively, “Oh, ya know, it’s nothin. I gotta do what I can for my faaaaavorite manager~” He drew out the word playful and Belle let out a small laugh, starting to feel her face grow hot.
“Well then, favorite manager, where’d you wanna go?”
———————————————————————
Lumina Square. It took a bit of begging and some puppy dog eyes, but they got there in the end. It wasn’t Belle’s fault that on nights like these Lumina Square was perfect for walking. The sky was already dotted with stars, and the streets were mostly empty. It was an odd pattern she’d noticed over the years, that if Sixth Street was busy, Lumina Square wouldn’t be.
Belle ended up pulling Billy into whatever shops were still open, mostly just to look at trinkets and figurines. She practically had to drag the android away from a Starlight Knights collectors set, it was way way too expensive and Billy was actually considering selling his guns and an arm for it. Though, Belle wasn’t any better, as she was tempted by a limited edition Astra Yao album.
The pair walked along the riverfront, moonlight spilling across the dancing water, making it glitter like stars. Belle paused to grip the railing tightly and look across the water, inhaling the air slowly, letting the cool breeze wash over her.
Billy placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned over slightly to look at her face, “You ok?” His voice was gentle, a hint of concern breaking through. She nodded, looking him in the eyes briefly before she felt shyness take over and she looked back at the water. In reality, a steady dizziness has been building, and she’s been doing everything in her power to push it down. She couldn’t let Billy know, though, out of fear he’d cut the evening short and take her straight home.
Belle didn’t want this to end. It wasn’t just the fact she was outside for the first time in days, it was being with Billy. She felt safe around him, and not just physically. When Belle was with him, it was like nothing else mattered. The responsibility of being a world renowned proxy suddenly melted away, not that she didn’t like being Phaethon, but all the pressure was gone.
Finally, after several moments, she broke the silence, “It’s just…it’s so peaceful. And to think, a few days ago, it seemed like the world was going to end, and I would lose everything again. I think it’s moments like these I really appreciate everyone. Especially you, Billy.”
There’s another beat of silence. Belle tore her eyes away from the water to look at Billy, who was staring at her. Her face flushed brightly from how intently his gaze was, “B- Billy??”
Billy blinked and immediately waved his hands in embarrassment and apologized, “S- Sorry, sorry!! I- I didn’t mean to be weird!! I was just um…I didn’t expect that from you, Manager.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I…didn’t know you thought so highly of me..” Billy fidgets with the bottom hem of his jacket, not wanting to look up at Belle, “Honestly, when we first met, I kinda thought you didn’t like me.”
Now that surprised her. Is that why he was so anxious around her back then? “N- Nonono!! I never thought that, Billy! I mean, I thought you were a little strange, b- but honestly, I thought you were…cool. And a little scary.”
He met her gaze, his eyes creasing in a way she knew he was smiling, “You think I’m cool?”
“I- I um!!!”
It was her turn to look away. Billy chuckled and scooted closer to her, putting an arm around her shoulder, “You’re waaaay too sweet to me, Manager~”
Even though he’s made of cold metal, Belle could feel heat emitting from him, and she savored the closeness.
“Oh whoa, no way!!”
And just like that, the moment was over. Billy let go of her shoulder and excitedly made his way over to an advertisement. Belle peered over in his direction. It was an advertisement for a Starlight Knights movie. Ah, that’s right. She walked over to where Billy was, who was currently bouncing on his toes. She had heard of this, “That’s the showing of the exclusive Starlight Knights special effects movie, right?”
“M- Manager!! You know this movie??”
Belle gave a small, nervous laugh, “Not really…I’ve just heard a lot of people talk about it. They moved the event to this week after the whole ‘New Eridu almost ending’ fiasco. I think it’s going to be playing all week.”
Billy’s eyes sparkled, “I HAVE to see this!! I mean, sure I’ve seen it before, but watching it on the BIG SCREEN?? AND IT'S IN 3D?!?!” And then he immediately wilted. “I…just realized I have no dennies.”
“Then how about I buy us tickets? We can go together sometime this week!”
He grabbed her hands, “Really?!!” and pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her in the air and spinning her around, “Thank you thank you THANK YOU, Manager!!!”
Belle’s heart would be exploding if she wasn’t focusing on not throwing up from dizziness. “B- Billy!!”
He put her down and steadied her, “Sorry! I got excited.”
She took a moment to breathe, then felt her phone buzzing in her pocket. Pulling it out, her face dropped and anxiety took over. Three missed calls from Wise, several texts….and it was already 10 PM??
“Huh? What’s wrong?” Billy looked over her shoulder, “Oh.”
Belle sighed and pocketed her phone.
“I should probably get back…”
“Awww, boooo.”
“I know, I know. But if I stay out any longer, Wise will come out here and…wait. Do you hear music?”
As the two had been talking, a steady tune from across the water began to carry out, quiet at first, but now very noticeable. Belle half ran half stumbled back to the railing, holding onto it and listening intently, “It’s…music!”
“Music?” Billy stood next to her and leaned out over the railing to listen for himself, “Who is playing music at 10 o’clock at night? It’s kinda creepy…” He shivered to himself, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“It is kinda creepy, but it’s kinda pretty, too.”
She hummed to the tune, gently swaying back and forth.
“Uhhh…Manager?”
She turned to Billy with a smile, “Well? How about a dance?”
A fine blush spread across the android’s face as he’s taken aback, “M- Manager! I umm…” he rubbed the back of his neck, “I don’t know how to dance…”
Belle gently took Billy’s arm, guiding him a few steps away from railing, her hand resting on his shoulder. “I can teach you, if you’d like,” she looked up slightly, meeting his eyes. He took a sharp inhale and gave a small nod.
Hesitantly, he grasped one of her hands, placing the other lightly on her waist. They swayed together gently for a few moments before Belle whispered, “Just follow my steps, ok?”
The first few steps were clumsy, with Billy stumbling and misjudging his steps, but after a bit of persistence, his movements became more confident, and the two fell into a smooth, steady rhythm. The music pushed and pulled them, the tempo quickening and slowing, and they followed with ease.
Belle had felt so happy, so at peace, dancing in the moonlight with someone she admired. But it was more than admiration, wasn’t it? Every moment spent with Billy felt special. Every time he was near, a warmth spread throughout her chest. She always brushed it off as a silly crush, but now? She was actually dancing with him, and he looked just as happy as her. He twirled her around and caught her by the waist. It felt so perfect.
And then the vertigo hit her. Her pace stumbled and the whole world suddenly tilted. Belle desperately gripped Billy’s arm, hoping it’d pass. But it didn’t.
“Manager? Manager!!”
She must’ve been falling, because the next thing she knew, she was being lowered to the ground in a crouch, sweat beginning to gather on her forehead.
“Manager! You got…really pale all of the sudden. Are you feeling alright?” Billy held her head in his hands, looking into her eyes. They were unfocused, darting between two androids that weren’t there.
“I’m…I’m alright…I just feel…” nothing was in focus anymore. Belle’s breaths quickened as a sudden horrible pain hit her like a sledgehammer to her head, “why…are there so many of you….?” The last thing she remembered before passing out was Billy catching her head before it slammed against the concrete.
———————————————————————
The cool darkness of Belle’s room was the first thing that filled her vision when she woke up. A towel was resting on her forehead. She removed it and slowly sat up, head pounding. In the darkness, there was a vague android shape on her couch.
“Billy…?” Her own voice surprised her. It was raspy, and her throat felt dry. Immediately, Billy scrambled to sit up. “Manager, you’re up,” his voice was a whisper, “when you passed out, I didn’t know what to do, but then Deputy Manager came out of nowhere and I could feel how angry he was but then he saw you a- and…” his voice trailed off.
“You stayed?”
He blinked. She didn’t mean to sound so pathetic when she asked that, but she did kinda feel pathetic. Billy grabbed the back of the couch and half hid behind it, “Um, well, of course I stayed. I asked the Deputy Manager if it was ok…he seemed to appreciate it.”
Just then Wise creaked the door open, his arms crossed. Belle looked up at him and gave a soft, apologetic smile, “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”
Wise just sighed, “I’m glad you’re ok, Belle. You had me really worried,” Belle looked away as he continued, “A call, a text, anything. I just needed something to tell me you were alive.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Wise.”
She looked up and met Wise’s eyes. He broke and gave her a small smile. “Rest up, Belle. And Billy?” the android jolted a little and turned his attention to Wise, “Thanks for looking after my sister.” He gave a knowing smile and closed the door. Billy looked at Belle, whose face was bright red. She was totally going to kill Wise when she had the energy.
“Well, I should probably get going.”
She snapped out of her flushed frustration and watched Billy stand, feeling her heart race slightly. “Unless…” he turned to her, “I take it you want me to stay?” Belle took a deep inhale and realized her hand was outstretched. She drew back in her hand and rubbed her arm, “If…if that’s ok. I would like you to stay.”
Billy approached her side of the bed, “I’d love nothing more.”
His fingers slipped over her opposite cheek, a thumb caressing her gently, and her head tilted slightly. Billy leaned over and pressed his face plate against her cheek. It was surprisingly warm, and though he didn’t have a mouth, she could still feel the intent behind the gesture. Her heart melted.
Billy pulled away and stood, “Goodnight, Manager Belle.” And he made his way back to the couch.
Belle tucked herself under the covers, hugging her pillow, the widest smile on her face. When she recovered, she would take Billy to that Starlight Knights movie, and give him the best date ever.