Chiaroscuro

Peter pulled the rope out of his belt. He glanced at Belle. Belle was still staring at him in disbelief. > "Really...?" Peter nodded very slowly. > "Really." Belle sighed. > "So you weren't kidding..." > "No." ... Peter removed his hand from Belle's mouth. Belle just took a deep breath. It looked like he was about to say something... But before the first word could leave his lips, Peter said very politely: > "Excuse me?" Belle frowned at him. > "No!" Peter's corner of his mouth turned up. > "I guessed." 🥹🤣 --- He very gently brought Belle's wrists behind her. Not in a hurry... Not by force. Bell resisted. He shrugged. Peter just said: > "Bell..." The same quiet voice. > "Cooperate, it'll be over sooner." Bell muttered under his breath: > "Are you kidnaping me, and do you expect cooperation?" Peter thought for a few seconds. > "...Yes." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 --- He tied the knot. He tried it once with his finger. He loosened it a little. > "This is better." --- Then he reached into his coat pocket. He pulled out a clean navy cloth. Bell's eyes widened at the sight of it. > "No... no... not this one..." Peter almost felt embarrassed. > "I promise it's just so no one can hear you." Belle pursed her lips. > "I promise not to scream." Peter looked at her... A few seconds of silence. Then, with his famous composure, she said: > "No." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 --- He tied the cloth very gently behind Belle's head. He paused for a moment before tightening the knot. > "Isn't it too tight?" Belle looked at him with wide eyes. Peter answered himself: > "No... it's fine." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 --- Belle was still muttering incomprehensibly under her breath. Peter bent down. He picked up the second rope. Belle immediately folded her legs. Peter sighed. > "Belle..." Belle frowned at him. > "Don't make this part difficult." Bell shook his head angrily. Peter smiled. > "Okay... I'll do it myself." A few moments later... Bell's ankles wer