Note: This Hollow Bastion/Radiant Garden challenge belongs to WishingDreamer5.
The Radiance in the Hollow Abyss
9. Happiness
He found her in the library, smiling and deeply focused in some book, probably a novel as he knew she particularly loved those. He considered leaving the piece as he did not wish to disturb her. But the human beneath the beast momentarily forgot what loud noises paws could make. Belle looked up as she noticed his presence and walked towards him. They silently stared and smiled at each other for a few instants to wallow in the happiness of finding each other again. She was the first one to break the silence.
"Thank you."
With those words, he remembered all the distance and ordeals he went through and how he would go through them once more if she ever left his side again. He was aware that a wider smile would probably look hideous on his beastly face but his grin widened nonetheless.
Their attempts at casual conversation were probably feeble but they both knew none of the words they could say would properly describe the amount of conflicting and deep feelings shooting through their hearts at that instant.
"I know that we will most definitely not have pleasant memories of this place but I find this odd castle to be most fascinating," Belle said eventually, looking around the room. "Hollow Bastion is the name, isn't it? I was looking for some information about its past," she said as she showed him the book she had been reading. Her eyes were vibrant with passion at that moment. "This place has probably seen better days with such a great library and whatnot."
There was a deep silence again until Belle slowly dropped her book on the desk and hugged one of his arms.
"I am so happy that you are here today. By my side."
