"That girl just seems to rub him the wrong way!" Cogsworth lamented.

"She is abrasive!" Mrs. Potts sighed.

"She is kind in 'er own right," Lumière argued. "'Ave you ever considered zat ze master is just as abrasive?"

"Mama, what's abrasive?" Chip asked.

"Go get washed, Chip," Mrs. Potts ordered then she turned to Lumière once her son was gone. "Cogsworth told me of you spending inordinate amounts of time with Belle. What do you have to say with that?"

"We are just friends!" Lumière growled, crossing his arms.

"Spending every few nights together until midnight," Cogsworth spat.

"You are spying! What 'ave you seen?"

"I have seen you leaving her room, looking much too happy! That's what I've seen."

"We are not allowed to laugh and 'ave amusing conversations?"

"Every single time you're there? Keep this up and I will tell the master!"

"I am doing nozing wrong! Belle is to be 'is! I know zis! We are just friends! Why do you not believe me?!"

"Because besides Mrs. Potts, you have done every girl in the castle!" Cogsworth roared.

"Oh, so zat is what zis is about! Vous fils de pute! At least I get some!"

Belle stood around the corner, listening in displeasure as Cogsworth began describing what an ass her friend was. She couldn't intervene. It would make things worse. So she went to sit at the table, her stomach rumbling.

"Are you okay?" a gruff voice asked.

"Beast," Belle said softly.

"Yes or no?"

"No."

He blinked in surprise then sat beside her. "What's wrong?"

"Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts are accusing Lumière of having improper relations with me."

"Are you?" There was danger in that tone.

"No. We are just friends, I can assure you. He doesn't even call me chérie anymore. It's always 'mon amie' now."

The creature paused. "Now that you mention it, I have noticed that. So you're friends? Nothing more?" She nodded. "Then that settles it. Now, where's breakfast."

A string of French curses reached him, and Lumière stormed out, looking close to tears. Belle's face pinched in sorrow. The Beast noticed.

"Lumière!"

The candelabra turned. "Please, Master, not now. I am not feeling well."

"I would like for you to provide candlelight and a little conversation with our guest as I go check on breakfast."

"It isn't started yet, sir. Zere were…other zings on zeir minds."

"Then I will encourage them to start it. Swiftly."

Lumière hopped up on the table and turned to look at Belle. She was watching his master go, a smile on her face. And he knew that smile. He knew what it meant.

"Oh, ho! So 'e is not so stupid and boorish," he teased.

"He surprises me sometimes. I would like to free him. Are you sure you can't tell me how?"

"Je suis désolé, mademoiselle! I cannot. It is a part of ze spell. If I tell you, zen you cannot break it."

"Damn."

"Belle!" Lumière laughed. "Curses should not come from such delicate lips!"

"Well, I can't do it when…yeah."

"Belle, you are too 'ard on yourself, much like ze master is."

"He has a chance. I don't."

The door to the kitchen opened, and the Beast came out. "Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes."

"I didn't hear yelling."

"Yelling doesn't work."

"It doesn't?" Lumière asked.

"Doesn't work with her. I have to take a different approach. I thought I'd try it on the servants. It worked."

Belle laughed, surprising everybody, including the kitchen staff and Cogsworth, who all peeked out of the kitchen to gape.

"You never laugh," the Beast said dumbly.

"I have very little to laugh about. But it is nice when I do."

"Why don't you laugh?"

"They're staring at us instead of cooking."

The doorway suddenly had nothing but door as the Beast turned to glare. He snorted.

"Why don't you laugh?" he repeated, turning back.

Belle shrugged. "Why laugh when you're miserable all the time?"

"From being here."

"No. From existing. Being here is actually nice."

The Beast was surprised. That was…dark. "What makes you say that?"

"You think you're the only one whose a beast?"

"You're beautiful," the Beast said. He jumped to his feet when she snarled, the noise extremely animal like.

"Stop saying that!"

"You don't like that word?"

"No!"

"Fine, you're lovely. Inside and out."

Belle laughed again, very loudly, and this time there was a low tone to it that he couldn't place. The candelabra knew it was a growl. Everybody was at the door again.

"Your beast is on the outside! Mine is on the inside! You have a chance! I don't! So don't you dare call me lovely on the inside! I'm a monster!"

Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she shoved back from the table, turning and sprinting away. Lumière flinched at the speed, sure he would be questioned. Sure enough, he was, but not over her speed.

"What was that all about?" Cogsworth demanded, staring after her.

"Why are you asking me?" Lumière asked reproachfully.

"I…You're her 'friend' aren't you?"

He could hear the quotation marks around the word, and he stuck his nose in the air, turning his back on his friend. Ex-friend, he thought bitterly. His master stared after her then poked him gently.

"Lumière? What did she mean by that?"

"I cannot tell you. I promised 'er I wouldn't. If you want to know so badly, go find out yourself. She enjoys ze reading nook, though I 'aven't shown 'er ze library, which might actually make 'er feel better. She does love a good book, and we 'ave many. Now, I am taking some time off!"

He hurried away to hide himself near where Belle was. He knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but this was a sensitive subject, and if she needed an out…Well, he could always blame Cogsworth.

She was sitting there, crying and trembling. The poor girl was miserable, her mind circling around what he had said. He had no idea. None at all. The Beast came up and lightly touched her.

"Belle?"

"Go away!"

He considered this then shook his head. "No."

She turned to snap her teeth at him, and he snapped back, standing tall and growling darkly. She barked and stood up on the seating, meeting his height even. He stared at the challenge in her eyes. And this time, he met it, roaring loudly. She howled, snapping her teeth again. Lumière watched the displays of dominance, fascinated, and it dawned on him that his master didn't realize she wasn't acting human because he hadn't acted human for the majority of his life! She was safe around him! Lumière had to hold in his laugh of relief. If the noises continued for a while, however, the others would come. And they would notice.

That turned out to be moot, because his master threw her down and practically mounted her. Lumière was frozen in fear. Fear that he would take it too far and have her right there. Fear that Belle wouldn't give up. Fear for their safety if a fight broke out. But she struggled in his grip for a minute then bared her throat, giving up for the first time since Lumière had known her. His master purred deeply, pleased that he had won, and he began to lick her throat, nibbling a little. She made a displeased noise, so he grunted, drawing her onto his lap as he sat back, petting her gently. She made another displeased noise and he growled. She stilled and resumed crying. He cradled her close, nuzzling and licking at her cheek to taste the tears.

Lumière heard Cogsworth's step, and he quickly came out of hiding, hopping over.

"Is she alright, Master?" He got a glare. "I am sorry, but I care for 'er. She is a good friend. I am worried for 'er."

"She will be," came the response.

"Sir! What was all that roaring?" Cogsworth asked, turning the corner.

Lumière was suddenly terrified that their master would tell the clock about it…but he didn't. He growled.

"Mind your own business. Go away. Both of you."

Belle watched them go blankly. She hadn't lost a fight since she was a pup. It didn't make her feel any better. Then he started licking her again. She let out a whine, cuddling close. He purred his pleasure, resting one of his arms on her as he continued to bathe her face. It felt…nice. His large paws massaged her back, going low, but not low enough for cause to bite him.

"Are you alright now?" he asked gently when he was finished.

"I don't know."

"What makes you think you're a monster?"

She shrugged. "I don't know."

"You're lying."

"I don't want to talk about it. If you love me, you won't ask again."

That gave him pause, so he dropped it, bathing her again until she fell asleep. He carried her to her room, closing the door behind him as he left. He saw a flicker of flames.

"Lumière," he said warningly.

The candelabra came out. "I am still concerned."

"About what?"

"Did you notice anything…odd about what 'appened between ze two of you?"

"No. She challenged me. I won. Nothing odd about that. She is learning her place. It's only natural."

"Ah, yes. Well, to 'er zis is a very personal thing," the candelabra said awkwardly as he tried to put it into word in a way that he wouldn't fully understand what was 'odd' about it. "Would you agree on zis?"

"I can see how it would be."

"I know 'er well enough to know that she wouldn't want anybody else to know about it. She 'as pride, you know, and I want to, respectfully, of course, request that you not tell anybody else about ze interaction."

"What about you?"

"Non! Non! Mais non! I would not do such a zing to 'er! She is dear to me, Master, and I wouldn't reveal so personal a zing to anybody else!"

"Would she mind you knowing, is what I was asking."

"I do not zink she would. I 'onestly believe she would 'ave willingly told me about it without a single question. She trusts me, Master. And I would break zat trust for nobody. Not even you." He paused. "Unless zere is a grave emergency. Zat is the only acceptable reason. I know it probably displeases you, but—"

"I think your loyalty is a good trait. I won't tell the others about it. I don't want to incur her wrath. She seems…strong. Especially for a female. I was using all I had to pin her down. She might have gotten away if she had more endurance."

"Oui, Master. I do believe you are right. I shall have breakfast postponed for an 'our to let her rest properly. What did you request?"

"Steak and eggs. I definitely want steak now. Mm, she's feisty. Makes me want meat."

Lumière watched him go, debating for a second. "Master!"

He turned. "Yes?"

"I…" Lumière took a deep breath. "She 'as told me zat she 'asn't lost a fight since she was seven. Losing to you will mean somezing to 'er. Do not abuse it."

The Beast studied him then nodded, turning to walk away. When he was out of sight, the candelabra peeked in the door. She was peacefully sleeping. He smiled warmly. He had a feeling things would be alright. The feeling was joined by a foreboding feeling. The master might be pleased by her wolf-like behavior, but the others will…I don't know. It just won't be good. I know it.