Tick, Tock, Overworked Clock (Disney Flash Fic)

Tick, Tock, Overworked Clock
A Disney Flash Fic
Prompt: Further/Farther
Characters: Lumiere, Cogsworth
Universe: Beauty and the Beast (Pre-Movie)
Word Count: 497

   

    Cogsworth huffed as he scaled the steep steps of the castle’s main staircase. The arms on his clock face twiddled up and down when he finally made it to the top, and he preceded to stomp down the long hallway of the second floor. It was a common sight to see the butler in such a state, especially when the source of his huffing came in the package of his best friend.

    “Lumière!” Cogsworth ignored the faint giggles he inspired from the group of dusters that he passed and continued his search. “Confound it, Lumière. We only have six hours to prepare for the dinner, and the Master will not be pleased by any delay.”

    Cogsworth paused when he caught sight of muted light around the corner, and he quickly chased after it. The shadows danced along the wall as the light fled from him, staying far enough ahead for him to catch mere glimpses of a golden candelabra before it vanished around a new corner. “Lumière! You will not get away from me!”

    By the time the clock butler had caught up to his fiery friend, Lumière had led him to one of the castle’s obscure storage closets and was hopping up a precarious pile of boxes to the high shelves that lined the walls of the enclosed space. Cogsworth barely stopped as he followed the candelabra up, shortening the distance between them as Lumière’s speed was drastically reduced. Soon they were both standing on the very top shelf with the few inanimate cleaning supplies the castle possessed.

    “Now see here—”

    Cogsworth had barely straightened himself when Lumière rushed towards him. With a squeak of surprise, Cogsworth ducked right as Lumière leaped over him, barely grazing the top of his head. When Cogsworth turned to continue the chase, he could only gap as Lumière made quick work of their makeshift staircase, kicking one small piece from its place and collapsing the entire pile of boxes and junk.

    The thin arms on Cogsworth’s face wildly spun at the smug look the candelabra possessed when the destruction was complete. “Why would you—you get me down this instant!”

    “I am sorry, mon ami.” Cogsworth growled at the completely unrepentant smirk the candle stick possessed. “But as your best friend, I must sometimes do the extreme! You have worked yourself far too hard this week, and we all agreed that it was time you took a break.”

    “We?”

    “Myself and Mrs. Potts of course. Further exertion on your part will only lead to another cracked gear on your part.”

    “Why I ought to…” Cogsworth trailed off as Lumière hopped out of the closet. “Lumière! You’re not seriously leaving me here.”

    “What was that? I believe I hear my name being called by a beautiful, young feather duster.”

    “Lumière!”

    “I am coming, mon chèri!”

    Cogsworth growled, listening to Lumière hop farther away, before forming an elaborate escape involving a strip of linen, a bar of soap, and a bucket.