Author's note: Thank you to Muirgen79, partygirl98, and anonymouscsifan for the reviews! Today is a continuation of the conversation from last time. Hope you guys like it!

Beauty and the Beast

No, he was not a monster.

I would convince Hank of that fact later, though. First I had other questions that needed answering.

"You're not blue and furry now, though," I observed. "And you seem to act normal enough. Except for the extreme shyness, I guess."

"Right. Almost a year ago, now, I developed another formula that repressed my second mutation. I'm fine, most of the time. But when I get angry, or some other kind of- instinct kicks in... my serum fails, and my feral side takes over until I can calm back down again."

The gold flash in his eyes earlier, the one I thought I'd imagined, suddenly made sense. It wasn't my imagination at all- Hank had been on the verge of losing his self-control with Nick.

But he had controlled himself, despite the provocation...

"Can you see why I would be concerned about being involved in a romantic relationship with anyone?"

"You're afraid you would get angry? That you could hurt me?" I guessed.

Even as I said the words, I didn't believe them. I couldn't picture Hank trying to hurt me at all. He was much too gentle, too sweet. Even today, when he looked like he was seriously contemplating beating Nick into next week, I hadn't been afraid of him.

"No. I almost never get angry enough for that to happen anymore. It's pretty rare because I've learned to control my temper very, very well. Your brother-in-law trying to hit you made me upset enough for it to be a close call, but that was the nearest I've come to losing it in ages. And hurting a female goes against instinct, no matter what. I don't think I'd be able to hit a girl even if she punched me in the face a few times."

"Then what are you afraid-?" I began to say.

And then I remembered what he said. When any other instinct kicked in.

My cheeks started to burn. "Oh. That."

"It's the main reason why I never tried to speak to you," he admitted. "Even if you accepted my weird feet and my utter lack of social skills, how could I ask you to be with someone who might not even be able to kiss you- let alone anything else- without turning into a furry blue monster?"

I blushed even harder at the thought. Most people had this discussion much later, even months into their relationship. Not during their first ever real in-depth conversation.

But then, we weren't most people.

I could see why Hank was bringing it up now, rather than waiting. He didn't want to hurt me.

Now I had a confession of my own.

"Well, I wouldn't mind trying to kiss you," I explained, sure I was tomato red at this point. "But... as for 'anything else,' just so you know, I'm, um- saving myself for marriage. Things worked out well for my mother, but I don't want to make the same mistake as my sister."

Both my mother and my sister had had shotgun weddings. I didn't want that for myself at all- that feeling of obligation to rush into a marriage. I wanted someone to marry me for me, rather than because they were fulfilling a duty after a "mistake."

The only way to absolutely guarantee that was to wait.

And... it was a big step. Something I could only see myself doing with a man I loved and trusted, who loved me back enough for us to make the ultimate commitment together.

"So... yeah. Is that ok with you?"

Hank nodded eagerly, like he had no problem putting that issue far into the future. Yet another thing we were on the same page about.

For a moment we just looked at each other. I could see the worry in his eyes, the imminent fear of rejection, like he expected me to scream at him to get out of my apartment at any second.

That wasn't going to happen.

Hank was like the Beast in the original Beauty and the Beast. He possessed a kind, gentle nature despite his appearance, and now he was just looking for a Beauty of his own.

I feel like I've stepped into a fairy tale, I thought to myself. Could I be his Belle? The one who sees who he really is on the inside?

I had a feeling I already did.

"What I don't understand is, if you won't hurt me or anything... what's the problem?" I asked finally.

"The fact that I could turn fuzzy and-"

"And I was willing to give my secret admirer a chance even if he turned out to be thirty-five and balding," I cut in.

I didn't want to talk about the fairy tale stuff on the risk that I would sound like a silly twelve-year-old, but I hoped that comment would make my point anyway. I wanted Hank to understand that I didn't care about his appearance, but I had a feeling it would be difficult for him to believe after a lifetime of insecurity and other people making him feel inadequate for just being himself.

It wasn't fair, that such a kind-hearted person had to suffer through that. Hank deserved to be loved for who he was, furriness or not...

I shook off his hand and foot, sitting on my knees instead so I could throw my arms around his neck and snuggle against Hank's shoulder.

"'Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind/ And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind,'" I murmured. "I'm so sorry you've always felt that you couldn't be yourself."

He bowed his head, reaching up to give my wrist a gentle squeeze. I felt him relax, the tension draining out of him now that I knew his secret and obviously didn't mind.

I lifted my head to kiss his cheek, but found myself caught in his gaze as soon as my eyes met his.

Hank's eyes were just so blue. Pure and endless, like a summer sky. They drew me in effortlessly, and I found myself leaning in to kiss him without thinking.

My lips barely brushed his-

And then Hank jerked away from my face with a gasp.

I turned my head to see Sydney standing on Hank's lap, looking quite pleased with himself. And trust me when I say that he wasn't dainty, by any means.

Oh, dear.

The cat meowed in our faces, unperturbed that he'd just ruined the moment. I huffed at him, but he completely ignored me and started to mole around Hank's lap, looking for a hand to be petted with instead.

"I'm sorry," I said sheepishly. I moved to sit back on the couch properly as Hank obliged my romance-ruining feline and began to pet him with his free hand.

"Don't be."

Hank released my wrist, freeing up his other hand. Within seconds we were surrounded by cats demanding attention.

The mood was basically ruined at that point, but Hank didn't run away or anything so I took that to be a good sign. He seemed much more relaxed now that he'd told me his secret, much more comfortable with me. Talking to me seemed easier, at least.

In fact, we talked until past eleven o'clock.

"I'm so sorry, but look what time it is," Hank noted, sounding reluctant. "I know you have a big day tomorrow, so I should be going."

Stupid clock.

I wanted more time with him- somehow I feared that if this day ended, tomorrow all the walls would come back up and Hank would revert to being too shy to speak to me.

"I had fun tonight," I offered as he followed me to the door.

"Me, too. Thank you for having me. And for being so understanding- it means more to me than I can say," he said earnestly.

I shook my head and smiled at his sincerity.

Hank stood there awkwardly for a moment, like he wasn't sure how to say goodbye. His hesitation made me wonder if he was debating on kissing me.

I didn't really expect him to, honestly. He'd been brave enough coming here and telling me everything he had. Anything else was-

And then Hank leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

Just the feeling of his lips on my skin made me feet suddenly feel bolted to the floor, like I was being grounded from an electrical shock. I could feel my face turning red as he pulled away.

"Good luck on your presentation. Will I see you tomorrow at Marceline's?" he asked, stepping out the door.

I certainly hoped so. I was rather afraid I would wake up at any moment and find out this was all a dream.

"Of course," I replied, still feeling a little giddy from that kiss.

"Until tomorrow then," Hank said shyly, giving me a smile.

A real, adorably lopsided smile that lit up his entire face and told me just how happy he was right now, if he was forgetting to be politely reserved. I had a feeling he hid his teeth when he usually smiled out of habit because he was used to having fangs still.

But this smile... it went beyond causing butterflies in my stomach. It basically turned me into a puddle on the floor.

"Good night, Zoey."

"Night, Hank."

Tomorrow. I would see him tomorrow.

I leaned on the door after I shut it behind him, clutching my chest and feeling my heart flutter the way I only thought happened in silly romance novels and old movies. I couldn't wipe the huge smile off my face if I tried.

For the first time in my life, reality was better than my dreams.