Prince Adam was in a conundrum. He'd been turned back to his human form for numerous weeks now and he truly did feel a happiness he had never felt before, whether beast or human. He'd spent so many years desolate and angry due to the curse, and then remorseful for his selfish, cruel ways that had not only damned him but the inhabitants of the castle. What he wouldn't have done then to have gone back in time and changed his ways. But now he realised that if it wasn't for his previous misdemeanours he would only have lived a meaningless half-life, as he wouldn't have met Belle. She had transformed his life, and it was so much richer.

Alas, just because he was now a prince, living in a castle, with his soon to be princess, didn't mean that he wasn't experiencing…issues.

He thought back to last week. It was a cold evening, and he'd been trying to get the ledgers into order. They were a mess, after years of neglect, and his head was aching after trying to remember how he had organised them in his previous incarnation as a prince. His eyes were aching, and his body was uncomfortable after sitting in his chair for so long. He was also having trouble focussing properly, knowing Belle was somewhere out there in the castle.

Adam didn't know where Belle was but could guess where he would seek her out. He wandered down the corridor, still unused to how it looked after so many years in disarray. A lead lined mirror on the wall caught his eye, and he still felt shocked to see his face as it now was. He ran his hand over his hair, tidying it back into the tie that held it at the nape of his neck.

Into the library he walked, Belle sat in front of the roaring fire, snuggled deep into a leather couch far too big for her small frame. A blanket rested on her knees, and she held a book high to her face, utterly engrossed, and completely unaware that she was being watched. He stood in the doorway, unsure whether he should interrupt her. In the end, his stupid, clumsy body made the decision for him, as he went to lean against the wall, misjudged his new, smaller size, and stumbled slightly, right into a side table.

'Unf!' he shouted, his hip bashing the table, and a candlestick clattering to the floor. Belle jumped up, her reprieve into another world broken. She looked up, a look of concern on her face as she asked, 'Are you ok?'

He knelt down to pick up the candlestick, willing the blush on his face to leave. For goodness sake, he spent years as an uncontrolled libertine, then as a ferocious beast. Now he was blushing as a lovelorn teen would.

'I, erm, yes.' He coughed, embarrassed. 'I finished with the records and thought I'd come find you. Though I can leave-'

'Why would you leave?' She interjected. 'Much of our time together has been with my head half hidden behind a book, and I imagine that the rest of our time together shall be too. Here, come sit.' She patted the seat beside her, and he came to sit with her. He turned to look at her, wearing a blue dress that looked new, entirely too rich for a peasant, but not regal enough for a princess. Though completely perfect for her.

'How's your book?'

'It's marvellous. Hamlet always is. I feel so spoilt for choice here. I could never have imagined having so much to read.'

'Ah, well. Benefits of marrying a prince.' Adam said sheepishly.

Belle snorted. 'Please. You gave me this library far before I accepted to marry you.'

He went to tickle her.' You minx, I should have known that this little interloper was just after my books.'

She leant into him and looked up into his eyes.

'You know, that's not all I want, right?' Belle asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Adam felt his stomach jump, as she brushed her lips against his. She gently kissed him, moving her lips slowly, and after a few seconds, he responded, attempting very much to let her set the pace. He knew she wasn't experienced at this, still a maiden, and though brave, and headstrong, still so innocent. He was desperate to preserve that for as long as possible, frightened to ruin someone as pure as her.

She moved her hand up to his hair, pulled out the tie holding his hair back, and ran her fingers through his thick locks. He heard himself groan deeply in the back of his throat. He knew this couldn't possibly have felt as good in his previous incarnation as a man, though if it was that a part of his beastly form had remained, or just that Belle had a certain effect upon him, he wasn't sure.

He felt himself losing some of the control he maintained just moments before. He moved his tongue against the seam of her mouth, seeking entrance, and felt a deep surge of longing when she accepted him and tentatively moved her tongue against his. Adam was unsure how long they moved like this, gently exploring each other's mouths. He moved his hand, shaking slightly, to her waist, thankful for the thick cotton of her dress, and damning it all the same. He suddenly was very aware of just how long it had been since he had touched a woman, that tenuous channel of self-control ever more difficult to keep in situ. Not wanting to move too fast, and feeling his restraint slipping, he moved back slightly.

At which point his innocent, sweet Belle surprised him wholeheartedly. An annoyed look upon her face, she moved closer than ever, and kissed him rather enthusiastically, taking his lip between her teeth and nipping it. Self-restraint damned, he pushed her against the back of the couch and kissed her harder. He could feel her restless fingers moving from his neck, exploring his shoulders, arms, and back, heat radiating from them. He moved his mouth to kiss up her delicate neck and kissed roughly up it. He bit down, laving it with his tongue afterwards. He heard her whimper his name, holding his head into place, and arching her back, moving more of her body in contact with her than before.

At which point, the realisation of how quickly a chaste kiss had developed became apparent. He moved quickly away from her, Adam realising that Belle would discover just how much he was enjoying this if he didn't. She made a mewling noise and went to move after him.

He took a deep breath. 'Please Belle, I have only just had my soul given back to me. Please do not allow me to condemn it again.' He looked at her earnestly, hoping she understood.

She reached out, moving his hair out of his eye. Compassion evident on her face she spoke, 'Of course. I'm sorry, I just…I never thought I'd get to feel this way before. But I understand. We have a great many years together, there's no need to rush.'

'Thank you. I love you. I'm so lucky to have found you.'

'Well, if we're being pedantic, I found you really.' She smiled and picked up her book again.

And that was how their evening ended, her reading Hamlet to him, and his blood cooling in his veins once again. He had since, however, tried to limit the time they spent alone, inviting her father for dinners, going out for picnics and horse rides.

Which is what he was worried about. Adam was sure Belle had noticed and was trying to orchestrate moments with just the two of them. Which was fine, but he was unsure just how long his restraint could last. He went to close his eyes and attempt to return to sleep again, once again paying thanks to the fact that she was far on the other side of the castle, far from reach.