Gaston left LeFou's home and began to wander the streets of Storybrooke. Everything was so foreign to him in this land, especially his beloved Belle. He still couldn't put together how she could love a woman when she could have the honor of being with him.
He snorted arrogantly. "Foolish girl," he muttered into the night. "She will see her mistake soon enough."
He turned the corner not too far from his destination when he noticed a brightly lit eatery across the street. It was filled with residents of Storybrooke. Some were even sitting on metal benches outside waiting to get in. He detoured and crossed the street to see what it was all about. As he came closer, he read the brightly lit sign.
"Tiana's place ..." He furrowed his brow, confused. He wasn't exactly sure who or what Tiana was. He shrugged. "No matter," he muttered to no one and continued on his way.
At that moment, something … actually someone … caught his attention in the window of the restaurant. His jaw clenched at the sight of Belle sitting at a table with Ruby, a blonde woman, and …"The queen?" His confusion and irritation started to grow. "What is this madness?"
He watched them for a brief moment, letting out a loud grunt when Belle lovingly brushed a stray dark hair from Ruby's face. He turned on his heels, his jaw strained from clenching, and headed toward his original destination. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now.
"So … wait … wait. …" Emma laughed, wiping away the tears that had fallen from her hysterics. "She told him what?"
Ruby rolled her eyes and sighed. Her earlier confrontation with Gaston had turned into the joke of the evening. Everyone found humor when her inner wolf showed its anger, especially since her human form was so sweet and giving. She watched as Belle scrunched her face in mock anger and shook her head. Even though this imitation was of her, seeing Belle try to be mean was cute. She pressed her lips together trying to stop the chuckle that wanted to break free.
Belle swung her arms in front of her. "You have no idea what I'm capable of!" she growled causing Emma to burst into hysterical laughter again.
"My, Ruby, you truly are the big bad wolf, aren't you?" Regina teased causing the laughter to continue even more.
Ruby huffed and rolled her eyes again. "Okay, okay ... poke fun at Ruby time is over." She raised her fork and pointed at each one of them. "You all would have done the exact same thing."
"Aww, honey..." Belle pouted, turning her girlfriend's attention toward her. "We're just teasing you." She kissed her lightly. "It's just odd to see you as threatening. You're so sweet and charming … and utterly adorable."
Emma faked a gag. Ruby shot her a look. "Now who needs to shut up?" the brunette questioned as Emma held her hands up defensively with a light chuckle.
"GASTON!" shouted the tavern full of men as he barreled his way through the door.
He ignored their shouts of admiration. Their 'good to see you!' greetings and 'let's go hunting' requests fell on deaf ears. He continued to make his way toward the bar, barely feeling the slaps on the back and shoulder. He was on a mission and that mission lead him to LeFou. The smaller man stood behind the bar cleaning a glass. He looked up to see his old friend coming toward him.
He smiled brightly to greet him. "Gast …" he started but was immediately stopped by the larger man's hand gripping his throat and yanking him over the counter. The glass in his hand hit the ground with a crash causing all activity in the bar to cease.
"Why didn't you tell me about Belle, LeFou?" Gaston questioned, his tone eerie and calm.
LeFou struggled against his grip. "Wh – what … about … B – Belle?" he croaked.
Gaston tightened his grip around his throat. "About her being in love ..." He made a disgusted face. "With a woman!"
LeFou wrapped his hands around the stronger man's wrist, silently pleading for him to let go.
His eyes glanced around the bar for help. Men avoided eye contact. He heard chairs screeching against the wood floor as they scooted their chairs closer to the table. Heads bowed. Men walked into corners, pretending to be on phones or engrossed in conversation. He returned his attention to Gaston.
"Ga ... Gaston, please …" he begged. "I ... it slipped my mind. … Please … I'll tell you every ... everything I know. …"
Gaston cocked an eyebrow and released him. LeFou fell to the ground, hunched over on his knees, gasping for air. He tapped the back of the smaller man's head. LeFou looked up, his face color finally returning. Gaston pointed to a dark corner of the bar with a large animal chair. "Grab me a pint and meet me over there."
LeFou nodded. "Yes, Gaston ..."
Gaston smirked at him and walked off.
Ruby changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top to prepare for bed. She stepped out of the bathroom and turned off the light. As she made her way toward the bedroom, she paused at the sight of her other half. She leaned against the doorframe and silently watched Belle lying on the bed reading a book. Just the sight of her, back pressed against the headboard, blanket half covering her yellow nightgown, made her stomach flutter and her heart race.
She cleared her throat, trying to get Belle's attention. She rubbed her hands together as she walked toward the bed. "So, tonight was fun, huh?" she asked.
Belle did not raise her eyes from the pages of her book. "Uh huh …" she responded, absentmindedly.
Ruby grinned. Her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as she made her way to the front of the bed. "We should do it again sometime."
Belle still kept her attention on the pages. "Uh, huh … definitely."
Ruby pressed her lips together. She was determined to get the beauty's attention. She pressed her palms into the mattress causing the bed to shift. She looked at Belle. Still nothing. She shook her head lightly and, with a seductive grin, crawled her way up the bed and over her girlfriend's body. She placed her teeth on the book and pulled it away from Belle. When the brunette's blue eyes locked with hers, her grin widened with the book still held between her teeth.
Belle raised an eyebrow. "That's only cute when you're in wolf form," she stated in a playful tone. She reached out and removed the book from her teeth, tossing it onto the floor. She placed her hands on the sides of Ruby's face pulling her closer. "Okay … you have my attention."
Ruby's smile widened. "That's all I wanted," she whispered as she leaned closer and captured Belle's lips with her own.
The couple kissed passionately for what seemed like an eternity. Hands roamed, exploring and caressing different regions of each other's bodies. Belle lifted her tank, allowing her finger tips to caress the soft skin. She heard Ruby moan at the contact and smiled inwardly as their kiss deepened. Ruby slowly moved from her lips, to her cheek. She kissed the path down her jaw leading under her chin finally reaching her neck. Then suddenly, she stopped.
Ruby pushed herself up so she was hovering over Belle. Her eyes narrowed, and her head tilted. She focused on the window. Belle stared up at her love, confused. She did her best to slow her breathing and speak.
"Honey, what's wrong?" she asked, still doing her best to regain her senses.
Ruby climbed off the bed and walked toward the window. "I heard someone say your name. ..." She replied, pushing the curtains back to look outside.
Belle propped herself up on her elbows. "Are you sure it wasn't you?" she teased, a playful grin on her lips.
Ruby glanced back at her then returned her attention to the outside world. Her expression was hard and serious as she looked out the window. "No, it was him. ..."
Belle hopped to her feet and joined Ruby at the window. She saw Gaston stumbling down the street with LeFou doing his best to keep him steady. She turned her attention to Ruby. The intense focus on her face was borderline frightening. Damn wolf hearing.
Belle stepped closer, concern covering her features. She reached out, taking her love's hand in her own. "Ruby, come back to bed," she requested.
The sound of Belle's adorable accent pleading with her broke Ruby's concentration on the outside world. She turned to her. Hazel eyes locked with worried blue ones. She sighed, knowing she had ruined their moment. Damn wolf hearing.
Belle stared into her eyes for a moment before smiling. She tightly entwined their fingers together. "Come on. …" She started to lead Ruby away from the window. "Let's finish what we started."
LeFou struggled to open the door to his home. The weight of Gaston on his tiny shoulders was making it difficult to maneuver his key into the lock. Once inside, he dumped the larger man on his couch and exhaled. He placed his hands on his hips and leaned backwards. The crack of his back allowed a satisfied breath to escape his lips.
"Alright, Gaston …" he said, looking down at the man face planted on his furniture. "I'm going to make you some coffee." He started walking toward the kitchen when Gaston's muffled words stopped him. He leaned closer to hear him more clearly. "What's that?"
Gaston sprung to his feet, growling as he grabbed LeFou by the neck again. He slammed the man against the closest wall. "A wolf?! This … woman … turns into a wolf when the moon is full?!"
LeFou pulled at the larger man's fingers. "Ga ... Gaston …" he gasped, still pulling. "You ... really ... have ... to … stop choking me. …"
He released his grip on LeFou. "This is unacceptable," he muttered, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck in frustration. "Belle cannot be in love with ... with a ..." He snorted in disgust. "A beast."
LeFou released a small laugh. "Yeah, but, you have to admit. … She's a pretty sexy beast. .."
Gaston's brow furrowed, knitting together in a hard line. He turned on his heels and stomped toward the smaller man. "Is that supposed to be some sort of joke?" he barked, lifting LeFou off the ground by his collar.
"No ... no ... Gaston, please, just listen. ..." He held his hands out defensively as the man stared hard at him. "She shifts only when the moon is full. She can even control it if she wants. She brings no harm to anyone." He laughed nervously. "All she does is run through the woods or lay at Belle's feet in the library. … That's all."
"She's a monster," he snarled, releasing LeFou's collar. He started to pace the floor. "She must be dealt with."
LeFou drew his eyebrows together. "Gaston …"
Gaston turned quickly on his heels. "I will hunt that beast every full moon until her head is mounted on the wall of the tavern! And Belle will be mine!" He lunged toward LeFou, his face just inches from the frightened man. "This is a vow I fully intend to keep. You are either with me or against me." He grabbed LeFou's face, scrunching his cheeks together. "And you know what happens if you're against me."
With his warning ringing in the smaller man's ears, he turned and exited the house. The door slammed so hard behind him, the paintings shook then slowly fell. LeFou exhaled and slid down the wall. He ran his hands over his face then through his hair. "Shit."
