AN: A little bit of a slow build here, but hopefully this sets us up for some meatier chapters. Reviews/ comments are appreciated. It's a bit of a niche story, so if anyone likes it let me know.

Ch 3: Regret

Belle was utterly confused.

What just happened?

Her head was spinning from being carried briskly out of the tower. She'd tried to eat these past few days, but the pain in her arm made her nauseous. She'd nibbled on the bread, and sipped the water, but it wasn't much. Now she really didn't even feel hungry anymore.

She was aware she was probably delirious from not eating, but she was sure the gentle way in which she'd just been handled wasn't part of her imagination. Was it?

She eyed her captor as he stalked back into the room.

His appearance was just as intriguing as she remembered.

It was hard to grasp exactly what it was he looked like. Some sort of bull, bear, man.

He was magnificently tall with broad shoulders that seemed impossibly wide. Silky fur covered every inch she was able to see. Curved horns stuck up from his head. He had large paws for hands and feet. And a long swishy tail.

But his face was so human like. Sure, he had a long snout, and sharp incisors sticking out from his lips. But there was an essence of human there. Perhaps it was in the expressiveness of his brows, that were now drawn in concentration. Or the startling depth that accompanied his brilliant blue eyes.

Belle was sure she should be afraid, but somehow the only emotion she could muster was curiosity.

What exactly was he? A creature? A man? Something in between? And how had he come to be that way? Was it a defect of his birth?

The last question made her heart clench.

She knew all too well what it was like to be born different.

He kneeled gracefully by her side. It was interesting to watch as his burly hands caressed her small arm. She noticed suddenly he brought bandages and warm water to patch her up with.

The cuts in her arm ached terribly, she gritted her teeth as the thorns were pulled. More blood gushed upon their removal. The release of pressure was horrid and wonderful all at once. At least now she could heal.

"Thank you." She said lowly as the master of the house finished wrapping her arm in a bandage.

He looked up startled. Then he frowned.

"You shouldn't thank me. I might as well have done this to you."

Belle was surprised at the self-reproach in his tone. She had realized quickly he meant her no harm, but his regret assuaged her a bit more.

"I should never have imprisoned you. If I had paid attention, I would have seen your cuts sooner. You would not have been in pain for days." He looked truly remorseful and pained at the admonition.

Belle wanted to ask why she had been imprisoned. Was it really so simple as he thought she'd taken a rose? And if so, why would such a simple act, cause so much anger?

Recalling both his temper and the way he'd gently carried her, she wondered how a person could vary between such extremes.

"It is better now at least." And she did feel somewhat better, if exhausted.

He gave her a gruff nod.

"You will heal now. Consider it a part of my apology, I should like you to stay as long as you need to heal."

The offer completely took Belle by surprise.

"Oh." Though she felt awful and knew there was no way she'd survive, it felt wrong to simply accept. "Are you sure?"

He looked on at her so deeply, Belle nearly shivered. The intense gaze struck deeply within her, and she couldn't quite place the feeling. Maybe it was all in her head. A lack of sleep and nourishment.

"I want you to stay. Heal for a few days. Let my staff care for you."

After only a moment of deliberation she nodded her head. If she tried to leave, it was likely she wouldn't make it to morning. A few days of rest would give her the strength to face the coming days, and just maybe she'd find a way to make it.

"You may go as you please. I ask only you keep out of the West wing. They are my quarters and I do not like anyone there."

She could handle that. She nodded again, feeling a wave of sleepiness wash over her.

"You are overtired. I will take you to your room."

Without another word he lifted Belle into his arms and carried her. She liked the way his arms felt. So soft and warm. Her eyes drifted closed of their own accord.

…

~Beast POV~

He marveled at the creature in his arms. It amazed him how trusting the boy was. He'd only just imprisoned the young man, and now he was asleep in his arms!

Beast frowned over the form, wondering what the next few days would bring.

"Ah Monsieur. He is not looking so well I see." Lumiere called with a concerned voice.

Beast grunted.

"He will be staying with us for a few days. Until he is better. I am giving him a room in the East wing."

Lumiere said nothing but followed along dutifully. Only the metal tapping of his 'legs' on the floor was to be heard.

When they arrived at a room with a blue door, Beast walked through it hastily.

He laid the boy on the bed, noting there were droplets of sweat beading up on his forehead. The young man was feverish it seemed.

"Oh, he is quite sick. Shall I send for Mrs. Potts?" Beast nodded and Lumiere hopped away quickly.

Beast gently brushed the side of the boy's cheek, finding a strange sense of pleasure in the touch.

He retracted his hand quickly, uncertain of his thoughts or feelings. He simply felt bad about the circumstances. He would made it right and send the boy on his way. Nothing more to think about.

With such resolve he went about making preparations to help the boy feel better.

"Oh, dearie me. Poor lad. To think he's been without treatment for days." Mrs. Potts tutted as she came through the door to look at her new patient.

"He will be alright, won't he?" Lumiere asked.

Mrs. Potts gave him a hard look.

"I should think so. I've never lost a patient before. Now out with you both. I have healing to do!"

Beast didn't want to leave but felt there was little he could do to help anyways.

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Hmmph. You should have seen to him days ago. You can help me by getting that temper of yours under control. You could have killed him. Now out!" She nearly slammed the door in his face.

Very few servants could get away with the way Mrs. Potts spoke, and under normal circumstances Beast would have roared with indignance. But today, he felt the reproach was totally deserved.

"Ah, come now. You know she gets worked up. The boy will be fine. Let's go get some dinner and you can check on him later when Mrs. Potts had cooled her kettle a little."

A gruff nod was all Lumiere received, but he wasn't deterred.

As they walked further and further away from the blue door, Beast couldn't help but think about Mrs. Potts words. He'd been angry many times, but he'd never hurt anyone before. The though that he was the cause of such suffering weighed on him heavily. Maybe they were wrong to have any hope.

He would always be a beast.