Chloé had always had an affinity for music, almost certainly a symptom of growing up surrounded by it, yet Jean-Jacques realised quite abruptly that he had never seen her actually enjoy it. Casting his mind back, even humming was something he couldn't picture her doing. The realisation sent a jolt of confusion through him, surely he was only having trouble remembering? But no matter how hard he racked his brains nothing would come to mind.

He didn't know how long he'd known Chloé at this point, the days in Gévaudan all blurred together after a while, until time lost all meaning, but he knew it had surely been many years. He had grown up in that time, now far removed from the boy he had once been, the boy who had been even smaller than Chloé. It was a little upsetting that even after so long there were still things he didn't know about Chloé.

At dinner he finally worked up the courage to ask her about it, about whether she sang or danced or enjoyed composing music separate from her research on the world formula in any capacity.

Chloé only smiled languidly. "I have no need for such things."

Jean-Jacques nodded reticently, allowing the matter to fall by the wayside. Chloé wasn't one for frivolities, usually only pausing her work when she began nearing the point of breaking down. She took care of herself, but no more than that. It made Jean-Jacques anxious, though he still tried to support her as best he could despite that. Her revenge had become her purpose and he wasn't about to take that away from her, he wanted payback against everyone who had ever hurt her just as badly as she did.

Even so, he wanted to make her happy, to make their days in Gévaudan just a little bit brighter. Maybe make that music she was always surrounded by just that little bit warmer.

****

It took a while to plan. Jean-Jacques wasn't all that knowledgeable about music or engineering so it took some time to work out how Chloé's self-playing instruments worked. He'd always found them creepy besides, so he avoided them where possible and thus knew very little about how they worked. Eventually though, he managed to make them play a set tune by giving them the information on some sheet music he had painstakingly dug out of the profane mess of the library.

He brought the automatons with him when he entered the alteration device chamber one night. Chloé was already there, her back to the entrance as she fiddled with the controls of her alteration device. Then Jean-Jacques made the automatons begin to play. The music continued for a few bars where Chloé didn't react at all, rigid in her seat. But as the music didn't fade away, the only option became to acknowledge it.

Chloé twisted in her seat and frowned at Jean-Jacques when she met his eyes. "What's this about, Jean-Jacques?"

Rather than give her any verbal answer Jean-Jacques took her by the hand and gently pulled her up from her seat. He was never an especially talkative fellow, and if he had to explain out loud what he was doing he was afraid he'd lose his nerve, so he found himself far more comfortable using actions to express his intent. Though Chloé still seemed visibly displeased she didn't resist him, which lightened Jean-Jacques's anxiety considerably, as he was sure she could have already denied him outright if she had wanted to.

Jean-Jacques allowed one hand to drift to Chloé's upper back and adjusted his grip on her hand with the other. Suddenly he felt awkward, their position was a little uncomfortable with their height difference, and he was beginning to realise he didn't have much of a plan beyond this point. He had never been taught to dance, he had no idea what he was doing. Then he felt Chloé's hand come to rest on his chest and looked down to see her staring at him expectantly.

"It's your job to lead, Jean-Jacques."

He felt his cheeks flush and he tilted his head down in the hopes that his bangs would hide even more of his face than usual. Hesitantly, he took the first step, Chloé easily following after. Somehow the world didn't implode. It became a little easier after that. Jean-Jacques was still a little stiff but Chloé didn't seem to mind, in fact it seemed she was a little uncertain in her movements as well. Jean-Jacques realised that maybe she didn't have much experience either, Chloé may have been a d'Apchier but she'd grown up in isolation, dancing may not have been a skill anyone had bothered to teach her. She certainly wouldn't have had any potential suitors to dance with.

"Your heart is beating quite fast," Chloé said matter-of-factly, as though she were commenting on the weather.

"I'm sorry," Jean-Jacques replied reflexively.

Chloé laughed quietly. "You really can be quite adorable, Jean-Jacques. It's nothing to apologise for. I'm glad I can still fluster you after all this time."

"You'll always have that effect on me."

"That so?"

Jean-Jacques twirled her once before they fell back into their somewhat clumsy waltz. Aside from their mutual inexperience, the uneven layer of books littered across the floor wasn't conducive to a particularly graceful dance. Regardless, as they continued they both gained confidence and Jean-Jacques was stunned to see a genuine smile had broken out across Chloé's face.

In a moment of weakness brought on by the shock of Chloé actually enjoying herself Jean-Jacques moved without really thinking about it. Suddenly he had picked Chloé up and spun around with her in his arms. At least Chloé didn't mind - she even allowed herself a tiny shriek of laughter before he set her back on the ground. After that the music began to wind down, the two of them coming to a stop, though they didn't let go of their hold on one another.

"I'm surprised you'd do something like this, Jean-Jacques. It wasn't a bad idea."

"You enjoyed it?"

Chloé nodded in affirmation. "I do have to wonder what brought it on though. Is this a new way of persuading me to give you blood? You could just ask if that is the case."

"No! I only wanted to make you a little happier... you're always working so hard."

"Then I thank you, I'm grateful for your presence. But, well, even if you aren't craving my blood... After all that exertion..." Chloé brought the hand she was holding to her mouth and kissed it, letting her teeth graze lightly against Jean-Jacques's skin, looking him in the eye all the while.

"You can have as much as you like, Chloé." He flushed slightly.

"I already know that." Chloé smiled against his skin.