Jack and The Cuckoo Clock Heart Preferences

You're Not Dating: Georges.

(I know Georges is a sweetheart, but I feel that he can be super shady if he wants to be, so there's that.)

Georges and Y/N were once again at the Starlight Theatre. They had stopped by on account of Y/N having an audition for a play a local playwright wrote. Georges stayed to watch and to offer moral support to his dear friend.

Looking at the long line of aspiring actresses, many of which Y/N had competed with before, made her feel uneasy. "Georges, I'm not sure about this. I mean, I know a lot of these girls and some of them have beat me out of roles easily. What if I make a fool of myself?" The uneasiness settled in the pit of Y/N's stomach, bringing forth a bit of nausea. "I think I should go", Y/N whispered quickly before trying to make her way out without bringing attention to herself.

"No, no, no!" Georges grabbed Y/N by the shoulders and promptly brought her back to the end of the line. "Listen, Y/N, you have just as much potential as any of these other girls, maybe even more. You cannot simply give up! Do you think Lady Bancroft or Rose Beaufort gave up? No! They worked hard and got what they wanted because they never gave up!" Georges shook her gently by the shoulders. "If you ever get scared, just remember I'll be close. I believe in you."

Y/N's heart was full. She was so happy to have a friend like Georges. "You're absolutely right, Georges. I'm gonna go on that stage and do my best!" She hugged Georges tight and pecked his cheek, walking off to the main stage once her name was called.

Georges smiled before making his way to the front center seats. He waved and winked at Y/N, who gave him a slight nod before reciting the soliloquy she had worked so hard to memorize. Oh, he was so proud of her.

All of his focus was on Y/N. Every step she took across the stage, every line she recited- it was art. Georges took a deep breath and sighed blissfully. He couldn't help but to look like a complete dope.

It was only a matter of time before somebody noticed that silly look on his face. It was Marcel that caught Georges looking all dopey as he watched Y/N perform. Marcel snickered to himself and made his way next to Georges, sitting next to him.

"I didn't know you were sweet on Miss L/N, Mr. Meliés", Marcel whispered as Y/N's audition time was coming to an end. "It looks mutual too. I mean you're the first man she's brought in to join her for auditions and such and she's always so happy you're there with her."

Georges' attention flickered between Marcel and Y/N for only a few seconds. "I'm not sweet on Miss Y/N. She's a very dear friend of mine and I'm a very dear friend of hers. She's only happy because we're like minded adults with similar interests. With all due respect, I don't think our relationship to one another is any of your concern." Georges huffed and focused once again on Y/N who was now walking backstage.

She motioned for him to accompany her.

Marcel chuckled. "If you say so, Mr. Meliés. That being said, I suppose you won't mind if any of the other gentlemen here try to court Miss L/N, right?"

The young stagehand wasn't interested in Y/N. Marcel merely saw her as a talented actress and a good acquaintance, but he was super nosy and he loved to instigate things. After hearing some gossip around the dressing rooms, Marcel was already coming to conclusions about Y/N and Mr. Meliés. Now that Georges was denying anything regarding a possible romance, it was easy to add fuel to the fire.

Something struck George as fishy in Marcel's declaration. "I wouldn't mind it. It's none of my business who Ms. Y/N decides to court, as long as she is happy." He stood up, dusted off his hat and started making his way over to his friend. "However, if you're implying what I think you're implying, then I kindly say that you have a better chance of spitting out the flames in hell."

The young stagehand unceremoniously jumped over several seats in the theatre, subtly letting Georges in on his game. "Well, don't mind me, sir. I'm just giving you a warning. Miss Y/N has quite a few admirers. Surely, you wouldn't want to be left in the dust should she accept one of their proposals."

Both men made their way to the ladies' dressing rooms, walking quickly while trying to avoid any suspicion. Marcel's cocky grin just grew more and more as they both got closer to the dressing rooms. Georges couldn't help but to don a smirk too; he was so close to seeing his friend and getting her away from those stupid rumors.

In all honesty, as long as Y/N was happy and healthy, Georges didn't care who she dated. However, he didn't want to be left alone. He loved her company and he really didn't want to be left in the dust. Georges has no doubt about Y/N's loyalty, but he just felt a bit ill just thinking about somebody coming in between their friendship.

Just like that, both gentlemen were at the dressing room door. Simultaneously, they knocked on the door. Y/N opened the door, mumbling a greeting as she held some hair pins between her lips. She let them in and quickly finished arranging her hair to how it looked prior to the audition. Finally, she finished her hair. "I'm terribly sorry for making you wait, but I've got a good feeling about this audition."

Georges grinned, proud at her attitude and overall performance in the audition. "Y/N, I'm willing to bet anything you'll get the part. I don't see how it could go any other way." In the heat of the moment, George had picked her up and spun her around, laughing and smiling.

"What a lovely couple you two make", Marcel crooned, teasing Georges. "Truly, one of the loveliest couples I've seen."

Y/N had settled down once George set her down gently. She giggled and linked arms with Georges. "Oh no, Marcel. Georges and I aren't courting. We're just very good friends. Isn't that right, Georges?"

Georges glanced at Marcel and looked him dead in the eye. "Yes, yes we are."