A/N: Hello all! I am a little late but decided to participate in the 30 day Beauty and the Beast challenge. I hope you enjoy these ficlets! This one is short but sweet. Very sweet. Sickeningly sweet.

It was just a dance, Lefou tells himself. Just a dance.

So why does everything feel different this morning?

He looks at Stanley, who is equally apprehensive at his usual spot next to Tom and Dick. Their eyes meet, tentative, for a fraction of a second before they are once again averted.

Just a little change, small to say the least…

He swallows hard, stealing another glance in Stanley's direction. He goes unnoticed, as the three men are now absorbed in a conversation.

But unknown to him, as soon as he looks away, Stanley does much the same.

Never in his life had Lefou imagined he would have so much as a chance to find a lover. He never would have thought there would be anyone else like him in his tiny little world, let alone someone who felt like him and was brave enough to admit it first.

The fact that there's even a chance now both delights and terrifies him.

"Lefou!" Tom calls, jolting Lefou out of his thoughts. "Would you like to join us? Dick was going to show us some sort of trick for card games!"

Lefou raises an eyebrow. "If that 'trick' you're talking about is cheating, I think I'm better off not knowing. And you would be too, Stanley!"

"Hmm," says Dick, pretending to contemplate this. "You know, Lefou, I think you're right! Stanley, this secret is not for young ears. Get!" He makes a shooing motion.

Stanley opens his mouth to protest, but his friends practically push him in Lefou's direction. "Alright! I'm going!" he says, rolling his eyes playfully.

Lefou gives a nervous smile, watching Stanley approach. He feels a confusing mixture of apprehension and joy.

But when Stanley sets a hand on his shoulder, he closes his eyes and lets out a sigh, knowing everything will turn out alright.

"It's a nice day, isn't it?" asks Stanley in a soft voice once they're out of sight of the other villagers. "Fancy a walk with me?" He hesitates, and then holds his arm out in a gentlemanly gesture that has both chuckling.

Lefou breathes in the morning air and watches Stanley for a moment, overwhelmed in the best possible way.

Both a little scared, neither one prepared…

"I'd like that very much," Lefou murmurs, walking over and resting his arm on Stanley's. The two share a shy smile, falling into a comfortable silence as they walk.