a/n: well here we go i dont even know what to say about this its my first crack at a multi chapter fic in years. the idea was originally based on beauty and the beast but thats just more of the general feel of it as opposed to most of the plot content.

i upped the rating because i figured i might as well do that now so people aren't suddenly hit with things they don't want.

this story will include mentions of pedophilia (not directed at alfred), abuse (physical, mental, and sexual), stockholm syndrome, and possibly some other things i don't want names for at this very moment but will mention should they come up.


It wasn't that he was a bad child, Alfred did his best to be good, but sometimes circumstances were just unfortunate. Circumstances and temptation. Who could blame him for any moral failings he happened to have now and then, such as skipping his lessons, harassing the kids he didn't like, or convincing his friends to go on daringly dangerous journeys with him? He was a child, that's what children did. They got into things, got into trouble, but not on purpose. Not always. Alfred frowned as he met his father's gaze, violet eyes narrowed and stern. Pouting could only get him so far. He rubbed at the bandage on his wrist and looked down.

"I cannot believe you. This is the third time in a week you've been causing trouble," the man scolded, the sound of disappointment in his voice was the worst thing of all. He bent down in front of Alfred and gripped his shoulders, his touch nothing short of gentle. Concerned. "You almost got two of your classmates seriously injured, do you realize this?"

Alfred refused to look at him. It was all unfair, this wasn't his fault. They hadn't been forced to come along with him, he had explicitly told them they could stay behind with the consequence that they'd just be cowards, but in the end it was their decision. The three had been exploring the abandoned workshop off near the edge of town, indulging in the silly rumors that it was haunted. Ghosts, however, had been the least of their worries as the floor gave out, landing them in the basement with no real way of getting out, the stairs decrepit and a reason why Alfred's leg was scratched up after he'd attempted to brave them. It was only by some miracle one of them had avoided falling, running off to go fetch an adult. Naturally they'd both said Alfred talked them into it. He shuffled his feet and mumbled something that his father didn't catch.

"What was that?"

"I dunno why I gotta be sorry, 'm not the only one to blame," Alfred replied, peaking up and hoping the look on his papa's face would tell him that he agreed. It didn't, all he did was look exasperated. He straightened up and folded his arms over his chest, making it obvious that he wasn't going to allow Alfred to get away with just a warning. Stern father was something he could play when necessary. Not that the young boy took that into consideration, feeling particularly victimized by his father's frown.

"Maybe not, but you were a big cause of it. You don't seem to understand the potential severity of your actions. Places like that are dangerous. First the forest where you nearly broken an arm, then harassing the reindeer, and now this. Alfred I might as well assign you a nanny to keep you out of trouble at this rate." Blue eyes widened to horrified proportions are the suggestion. A nanny? He was not some little kid who could barely walk anymore, he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. The boy huffed, looking about ready to throw a tantrum.

"I don't need a nanny! I can do things on my own I'm not a little kid, I'm almost a man!" He insisted, and the man before him just frowned deeper.

"You're ten, Alfred. Ten. You are nowhere close to being an adult yet. You are still just a little boy, and I don't want anything to happen to you because you were being reckless!" Tino had always been a cautious man. He took comfort in security, stability, taking things slowly as they came with a rational mind. Alfred was opposite of that. The boy was adventurous and curious almost to a fault. He was brave, or rather determined to prove his bravery, too headstrong to back down when things were troublesome. Alfred's expression only worsened, looking particularly put off and wronged. He stomped his feet a little, but otherwise made no arguments, his young mind failing him and defaulting to 'throw a fit'.

Tino shook his head, determined not to give in, much as he would like to sweep the young boy into his arms and forgive him. Later, he'd make up for it later, with dinner, and pie, and they could go to the edge of the forest and pick berries. For now he kept his resolve. "Wash up and go to bed, do not make that face at me. I have errands I need to attend to, errands I should be doing right now, but had to take care of you first." He felt bad, wondering if he was being too harsh by the way Alfred was glaring at him. The boy stiffened his shoulders, dug the toe of his shoe against the wooden floor.

"Can I come?" He asked in a voice that was downright timid and Tino might have been swayed if he didn't know what Alfred was getting at. Trying to find a way to prevent the man from being upset with him. It was close to working, but, Tino squared his shoulders and shook his head.

"No. You will wash up, you will go to bed, and you will think about exercising some common sense the next time go get the idea of doing something dangerous." Alfred's frown returned ten fold and he looked every bit the child he claimed to not be. Without a word he turned and stormed off towards his room.

A sigh of relief could only be given from the man. There were no amount of words for how much he adored Alfred, but the boy could be exhausting.

After his retreat Alfred waited and waited, his mind a brewing storm that picked up with every passing moment. He felt so wronged, so hurt. How could his father treat him like that? Why couldn't he understand that Alfred hadn't meant any harm? That he was capable of taking care of himself? Independence had flared up hot and blinding in the boy, making it hard to see straight. Some minutes passed and he heard the sound of the front door closing, some minutes more and he crept out of his room. The good boy he insisted he was wouldn't be sneaking out and going against his father, but Alfred refused to stay pent up in his room under such unfair restrictions.

He knew where Tino was going. An elderly woman that lived just inside the forest often had him fetching things for her, as her granddaughter was out visiting her father in another town. Alfred snorted through his nose, bargaining with himself that it was fine he didn't get to go, the place smelled strange anyways. It was a blessing in disguise.

Alfred idled around the house, walking circles, fuming. He was on edge and the more he thought about the events the more upset he got, which only instilled a distinctly stir-crazy feeling in him. Opportunity presented itself, the conveniences of life sometimes such wonderful things. Alfred's attention was drawn to a package that rested on the table, one he could distinctly remember needing to go along with his father on his short trip. The boy could have jumped for joy upon that realization. It provided him with a chance to prove himself, that he could be competent and take care of things. All he had to do was take the package and deliver it himself, or at the very least catch up with his father. The man might be mad at first, but he'd be so grateful once he realized his own mistake, Alfred just knew it.

With his plan in mind he scrambled to get himself ready, throwing on a cloak and pulling on his warm boots. The package was scooped up and in no time he was out the door, followed by a bouncing white dog. "Ah, no Hanatamago, you can't come with me!" Alfred said, then frowned as he watched her sit at his feet. Who was he to say she couldn't come? Just because she was small? Or could run off? If he did that than he'd just be a hypocrite and so Alfred just closed the door. "Okay you can come, but you've gotta listen to everything I said! And no getting lost, Papa would make me sleep with the reindeer if I lost you." The dog just barked and took to trotting by his side as they set off on their journey.