Sorry, but SS is a huge fan of this pairing, so it had to be done. Also, we love Beauty and the Beast, so that's why this is a parody.
Beauty and the Beast
"Once there was an arrogant prince who denied a young girl shelter because she had no use to him. The young waif revealed herself as Shelke the Transparent, a mage of magical powers. Using her mako energy, she turned the arrogant young prince into a terrible creature and gave him a gift, a materia which shed layers. After the layers were all gone, the prince and all of his attendants would be dead. It is said that-"
Hojo snatched the book away from his son. "Are you still reading these little picture books?"
"Father," Nero said beseechingly, "These tales have been passed down for generations, and I have a theory that-"
"Can't be backed by science. None of your theories about this town can be backed by science. I accept that we don't have much history of this town, so perhaps its fairly new."
"But we'd know if it were a new town."
Hojo sighed. His son could be so odd, so difficult, so much like his father. "Listen, I need you to go into town and get some specimens for my experiments today. Lab mice. Not rats."
Nero stood, put the book under his arm and walked off.
Hojo wasn't the only one who regarded Nero as a strange one. Though Nero was extremely beautiful, who hair dark as the night and eyes red as a passionate heart, he was forever theorizing about origins of things that had no origins. Overthinking every piece of literature that crossed his eye-sight. Making mountains out of mole hills.
Nero crossed the threshold of the bookstore. "Mr. Tuesti? Reeve? Hello?"
One of Reeve's many creations, a mechanical cat, greeted him. "Nero, nice to see ya! Reeve's busy downstairs right now but I can help you."
"Thank you, Cait." The mechanation's proper name was Cait Sith, but Nero regarded that as a full name. "I'm just here to return this book and borrow another before I do father's errands."
"Is he still doing things with those mice?"
"Yes." Nero found it very difficult to believe that this was an actual robot and not a person. He found his selection. "I'd like to borrow this one."
"This is the third time this month," Reeve noted as he walked up from his basement.
"Good morning, Reeve. I know it is, but it is my favorite book, after all."
"Of course. It's a wonderful book. In fact, it's yours."
Nero flushed. "Reeve, I couldn't!"
"I insist. It's going to be your birthday soon anyway. Next week, right?"
"Yes. The first one without mother."
Reeve's face softened. "I know. But you and Hojo will make due, won't you?"
"Naturally. Speaking of him, he'll be wanting his mice. Goodbye Reeve! And thanks again!" Nero hurried out of the door. Reeve stood against his shop's doorframe, shaking his head. Such a peculiar boy.
An odd boy. But so very beautiful. People were waiting for him to marry and there was one in particular who wanted him.
"He shall be mine," Rosso announced to the bar of eager young men. "He is beautiful and quite submissive. I shall make him mine." The other men were disappointed but they nodded along because, if they stayed in her favor, she would get bored of Nero and probably take it out on them.
"Hello, Nero, my love," Rosso crooned as her prey in question left the pet store.
"Hello, Rosso. How are you?"
"I'm well, darling."
"That's good to hear." Nero tried to press on. Rosso blocked his path… And sunlight. "Uhm, excuse me…"
"No excuses. I need to know. When are you getting married? I mean, the whole town is talking. Men don't think. They just run the shops and let the women do all the thinking."
"Rosso, there's equality among the sexes and then there's feminism. You happen to be in the latter."
"Why thank you, my love." Nero resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He wasn't impolite like that. "Why don't we go to my home and I'll show you how latter I am."
Nero blinked. "I… can't. I have to go to my father's home. He needs his mice." Nero took off running. "Good lord, what a crazy woman."