A/N: I still am just dumbfounded at the response. Seriously, you guys are the best! It makes me feel good knowing that you all find my first stab at this fandom so good as well.

Anyways, another chapter for you all! Hopefully I keep the momentum going.

CHAPTER 4
The First Day

"Maman must have loved this place."

"She did, which is why I gave it to her."

Adam let a smile creep over his muzzle as the boy's eyes stared at the library in wonder. The boy seemed to look at each new revelation as if he was seeing the world for the first time. He took a few more steps inside, and then began to speak again. "She taught me to read, you know. With the books in this library. It was a skill I had when human, but had lost," he explained, deep in thought. "We had barely sparked a friendship by then. Yet she was so kind..."

"So you've never read a single book in here?" Percy asked.

Adam shook his head, looking at the boy and quick to correct himself. "At the time I had not. Since I have regained my ability to read I have read many of them," he explained, his voice thoughtful. "Some I have yet to, however. I doubt she even knew Greek to teach me if she wanted to."

He was thankful to see the boy chuckle quietly in response. "Maman taught me to read, the things father wanted me to read, mostly. But when he was away on the hunt, she would teach me to read such wonderful stories," he explained, looking saddened by the mention of it. "It was the only way she could."

"And why was that...?" As if Adam didn't already know.

"Papa would never have approved of me reading her stories. He was literate, and wanted me to be so like any man," Percy responded honestly. "But he scoffed at what she read. He said they would give me fanciful ideas... And distract me from 'reality'. Had he known maman was going against his wishes..."

The child didn't need to finish the sentence for Adam to catch on. And the more he heard of this boy's father, the more he truly was coming to despise him. "Well, you are welcome to read any book in the library you wish," he told the boy gently. "The library is yours, just as it was once your mothers."

Percy turned around, looking surprised by that. He'd never dreamed of being able to read so many books in his life. His mother had only a scarce few she had kept hidden from Gaston after all. He could only wonder what wonderful adventures he may find in these bookshelves. "You're too kind to me, Monsieur Adam."

Adam shrugged his shoulders. "Come now, you'll have plenty of time to spend here later. For now, the rest of the castle awaits. And there is much ground to cover," he replied, avoiding the compliment as best he could. "Would you rather start outside or inside of the castle...?"

Percy shook his head. "Inside, I don't think I'm quite used to the cold yet."

"You will be soon. It is not difficult when you live in an area trapped in eternal winter."

Percy licked the sides of his lips in thought, but finally nodded his head. He carefully shifted the cloak on his shoulders, and then added quietly. "Monsieur Adam," Adam turned his head at the child's voice. "Might I ask you another question?"

Adam was beginning to think that the child was one of many questions. But he also had to remember that children most always were. Keeping his patience, he simply turned his head and responded with: "Proceed."

The boy looked as if he was going to ask the question in a cautious manner. But after a moment, he spoke up. "How do you not resent my presence in your castle?" the question caught Adam off-guard in many ways. "I understand that you loved maman. But I thought you may be angrier that I was her progeny."

The beast turned around to face the young child. Slowly lowering himself to one knee to be at the child's height, he looked him in the eyes. "On the contrary, Percival," he replied, insisting on calling him by his formal name. "It is because you remind me of your mother that I wish to have you here. It was her charm that brought life to this castle again."

Percy gave the beast a curious look. "I once heard papa tell Monsieur Lefou he resented me because I reminded him of maman, rather than him."

It was spoken quietly, as if in shame. But even so, Adam could hear him. "Did your father always see you in such a spiteful light?" He questioned.

"No, not always. When I was young he was kind to me," the boy was silent for a long moment, and then noted. "I don't remember when he started acting in such a way. But I do know he always treated maman cruely."

Of course he did, Adam figured. And he was sure it was only after Percy started to develop a personality of his own that he did the same. Adam knew this man's type, controlling, domineering. God only knew why he resented his only son, but Adam wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Standing again at full height, the beast carefully wrapped an arm around the child's shoulders. It was not an embrace, but he could imagine the gentle action did help Percy relax. "Would you like to see where your mother stayed in her time in the castle?" he asked in a jovial manner, attempting to keep him happy. "It's a grand room. Perhaps not as fine as where we have kept you. But fine none-the-less."

He knew that it would pain him to enter the room again. But none-the-less, he wanted to make sure that Percy got his mind away from the village. As selfish a reason it may have been, he felt as though he could not keep his temper much longer if he did.

It took Adam a long time to show Percy the grounds.

When they were finally done, he left Percy for alone time that he figured the boy needed. And it was this that Percy agreeably did need - alone time during which he decided to take a closer look at the library.

It was a wonderful library, as he learned. With more books than he'd ever dreamed of seeing having lived in the home of someone such as Gaston. Sure, the man may have been well-read in what he wanted to be. But most of his literature consisted of history books, of which there were two of three, within his house.

The library must have contained thousands of them. Some on history, some of fantasy, taking him to other worlds, even a few biographies. He didn't even know where to start with his reading, as he had so little time at home to read.

Finally, after settling on a romance novel, he sat down to read. Mostly because, after all, reading always reminded him of his mother. A fact which he hoped would help him get his mind off of his grief. He seated himself down on a chair inside, and felt himself engrossed in it for so long he hardly noticed as someone entered the library a few hours later.

He turned his head to see that it was one of the servants checking on him. He half-expected Chip, or Mrs. Potts, but was rather surprised that it was Cogsworth. It was a little odd for him, he supposed. From what his mother had always said, the clock was always a bit on the grumpy side, after all.

He shifted a little, standing to his feet. "Monsieur Cogsworth," he tried to say in a most respectful manner. "What can I do for you?"

Cogsworth looked almost as if he were amused. Perhaps at least thankful that Percy had a bit more in the way of manners than he was expecting. "I've been asked by Mrs. Potts if you desire anything more to eat."

Had it already been that long, Percy wondered. He didn't think he could get used to this - eating as much as he wanted. Being waited on by castle staff. He wasn't a prince, he was a pauper in every sense of the word and it felt odd. "Thank you, but my belly's quite full from the last meal," Percy responded, then after a moment added. "Monsieur Cogsworth, I thank you very much for you and the rest of the staff's kindness. You show me more attention than should be afforded to a commoner."

Cogsworth looked as though he was surprised to be thanked. And again, was himself thankful that Belle seemed to teach the child manners. "Well, it's not very often we get to serve anyone other than the master. And what's more you do not demand our service," he noted, taking a deep breath. "It is rather refreshing given the prince's own childhood."

"Maman said he was quite... Mean before they became friends."

Cogsworth wrinkled his nose slightly, the hands on his clock form moving with them. "Yes, well, do not let master's kind demeanor fool you. He had a very hard time following the death of his own mother," he explained, trying to keep things as private as he could. "His father was not a good influence either. He passed not long after his mother, but the six years he had Adam his influence was not so pleasant at all."

"Wait, so Monsieur Adam was an orphan?"

Cogsworth was silent - knowing he was probably wrong to bring this up. Adam's parents were as touchy a subject as Belle was. "You didn't hear this from me, mind you. Nor should you repeat it to the master," he explained. "But you and he may have more in common than it would first appear."

Now that was another mystery with the prince, Percy supposed. What did they have in common? Did his father abuse him as Percy's had? He shifted a bit in his seat. "So, what is it you were reading?" Cogsworth asked, changing subjects.

Percy looked over the book quietly. "Romeo and Juliet, maman always said it was one of her favorites. But she could never sneak it past papa," he explained, setting it down in his lap. "She used to say that romance was her escape... Before she came here, and found it herself."

Cogsworth seemed to grow saddened at the thought. After all, they had been so close to breaking the spell it seemed. Or at least, it appeared that way the more that Percy spoke about his mother. "Yes, well, she seemed very much into books. Just as you seem to be," Cogsworth noted, coming closer towards the castle's young ward. "She had good taste as well, Romeo and Juliet was a favorite of mine back when I still had hands to read with."

"It must be terrible, being cursed," Percy added, his voice wavering. "Is there no way to save you all from the curse?"

There was a long silence as Cogsworth considered how to answer the child. He couldn't very well put the burden of it on him. Especially now that the last petal had fallen. "I'm afraid not. There once was a way, but I'm afraid once the rose keeping time wilted our chances were gone," he explained. "We are cursed to live as this forever. But it is a fate we have resigned to, at the very least, we have each other for all eternity."

"You won't die then?"

"Indeed it would seem so. I'm afraid we don't age. Only the master does, as he is still a living, breathing thing. We are as well, but we are also mere objects. Cursed not to age for all eternity," Cogsworth knew it was a dark notion, but he tried not to think much of it. "Long after the master is gone, we will inhabit this castle. Short of tragedy, I'm afraid."

It was indeed a dark thought, Percy imagined. One day the master they served would be gone, and they would be stuck here. Living forever, going about their lives with no one to serve, and no company but their own. "I wish I could help you in some way. Does magic like the one that made you so have no back doors?"

It was not like they hadn't considered just that. But if there was, Cogsworth highly doubted this ten year old boy could help them at all. "I'm afraid not, young Percival. The magic put upon us was not one that could be easily reversed by a child," he replied with complete honesty. "Do not worry yourself, we have accepted our fate. And you are far too young to worry about it."

But in truth, Percy's mind already swirled with many thoughts.

Percy woke up that night in a cold sweat.

It wasn't unusual for him to have nightmares. He had them all the time having lived in a home full of fear. But it was unusual for him to not feel frightened when he did. He was sure the castle was far too big for anyone to have heard his loud scream. And as such, he pulled himself out of bed, trying to keep himself calm.

It was only fitting that if Gaston could not torment him in life, he would in his sleep. Somehow, he had to ruin his first day in good hands.

He was careful to sneak out of his bedroom quietly. Though he knew the servants had likely fallen asleep, he still did not wish to alert them. As such he carried himself down the hall with light feet, and out into the foyer the same. He took a moment to look towards the path to the west wing, silently wondering if Adam had gone to sleep or not.

He hoped he had, and for a moment, believe it was so as he walked down the castle steps. Making his way towards the sitting room, he only had just noticed the glowing fire when Adam's voice spoke up. "What are you doing awake at such an hour?" he questioned, turning around to reveal himself in a large chair. "I put you to bed four hours ago."

Indeed, Adam had made sure he went to bed to get ample rest. He supposed that it was for the best, given he might not have bothered himself. But all the same... "I'm sorry, I'll go back to bed if you want me to," Adam was silent as the boy spoke. "I... Had a nightmare."

Adam's face softened, noting the look of fear in his ward's features. He took his time with his reply, thinking it through carefully. But reminding himself that he was, as of this moment, the boy's guardian, he extended an arm and motioned to him. "Come here, child. There is room by the fire for both of us," he explained. "I know what it is like to be kept awake by night terrors."

There was a bit of hesitation, but eventually, Percy came to a stop in front of Adam. The beast carefully moved an arm, and settled the boy onto a seat on his lap. It was something his mother had done for him, and although the boy was older, he still thought some comfort would do him good. And as he'd considered, he was the boy's guardian at the moment, so comforting him was something he knew he must do.

Although he shifted uncomfortably a moment, Percy allowed the beast to hold him. Although he could tell it was perhaps as awkward for him as it was for Adam. "Do you often stay up this late?" the child asked in an attempt to break their awkward silence. "I did not mean to bother you."

"I find it hard to sleep some days," Adam replied as he watched the glow of the fire. "But you are not to tell any of my servants that. Or Mrs. Potts will indeed give me a proper chewing out."

He carefully moved the boy a little closer, letting him lean into his fur. He wasn't good at this, and he knew it. But he also knew he had to try, as he was the only one who could properly provide comfort in this manner. "Maman used to hold me like this. But I never thought it was supposed to be proper for a man to," Adam knew he most likely heard that from Gaston. "You do not need to-."

"Hush, young one," Adam told him, rubbing his back with a paw. "It is best we sit here in silence. You need to rest and build your strength. If we get deep into conversation now, you will never sleep."

As much as Percy wanted to argue, the tone Adam gave was firm. So knowing that he meant it, the ten year old let the beast hold him there. Knowing that if it were truly too awkward for him, he very well might have sent him off. And so they sat there in Adam's chair, watching as the embers glowed quietly against the darkness.

They hadn't been there long before Adam noticed the considerable shift in weight. He looked down upon Percy quietly to find that he had returned to slumber. Perhaps, he should bring him back to bed, he assumed. The boy would do well to sleep in a bed, since he never had...

And yet, the child looked so peaceful as compared to how he had looked before. The beast thoughtfully arched an eyebrow, deep in thought. After a long moment of consideration, Adam carefully rested his other arm along the child's back, resting his paw gently against his back. Very well, he supposed, he didn't mind if the boy slept against him for one night if it brought him comfort.

Soon, he felt as his eyes too grew heavy. His mind drifting into many thoughts as he carefully stroked the thick of Percy's back. No, the servants would never let him hear the end of it if he fell asleep in this position on Percy's full first day there... But on the other hand he was so tired. And perhaps a few moments of resting his eyes might not hurt him either...

It was early the next morning when Mrs. Potts would pass by the parlor and find them this way. Both gently snoring as they rested in that same chair. She smiled, seemingly in a combination of amusement and happiness. Perhaps, despite what Cogsworth may have believed, this boy would do Adam some good after all.

But until she could be sure, she would let keep her own comments to herself.

A/N: Finally got to write some pure fluff at the end there. Hope it came out well enough!