Ch 6: Restless
~Belle's POV~
Belle spent the week following her decision to stay in a sort of happy trance. Each day she grew stronger, until moving about the castle no longer winded her at all. And now that she was fully better, she felt a bit restless with her current role in the castle.
When Beast asked her to stay, she agreed without really considering what might be expected from her day to day. Immediately it became clear she wouldn't be allowed to do anything remotely strenuous until she was completely better. Though the cut had already healed, her body took a bit longer to get its full strength back.
The days she'd spent wandering the forest had diminished her usual vigor, and the following nights in the tower had sapped whatever energy was left. Mrs. Potts had been adamant about not overextending herself too soon, so Belle agreed to take it easy and continue to rest.
But now it had nearly been two weeks since her arrival, and she was tired of resting. Many of the castle workers visited her often, but they had their own jobs to do, and apart from the nightly story time, Belle found herself aching to do more than simply walk the grounds or sleep.
Maybe Beast would allow her to take up a job. But what sort of job could she do?
Her fingers trailed over dew covered petals as she walked the garden lost in her thoughts. So wrapped up in her mind she was, she nearly squeaked when a figure appeared suddenly beside her.
"Oh!" Belle gasped lightly, before giving Beast an apologetic smile. "I must have been daydreaming. I didn't hear you come up."
He watched her with quiet intensity. It always managed to send a hot chill coursing through her body. She suppressed the urge to shiver, and instead gave him a warm smile.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt or frighten you." His voice was deep and smooth, though it held a tinge of disappointment.
She deepened her smile, hoping to assuage any unease on his part.
"On the contrary, you aren't interrupting at all. I was actually wanting to speak with you."
A hint of wary surprise lit his eyes.
"What's on your mind?" His tone was perfectly neutral, but his eyes showed concern.
Belle drew her gaze away as she worked up the courage to speak her thoughts. She hated to seem ungrateful and wanted to make sure she chose her words carefully.
"I've been here a few weeks now, and I want to start by saying how thankful I am that you have allowed me to stay here. It's more than anything I could have dreamed of." She gave him what she hoped was a gracious smile.
But the deep frown on Beast's face made her stomach drop.
"You've changed your mind. You want to leave." The words were a mixture of both harsh and resigned. In a rush of panic, Belle grabbed Beast's hand, holding it tightly between her palms.
"No! Not at all." She rushed on to say, watching his eyes widen at her actions and words. "I love it here. I want to stay." She assured him passionately.
His gaze tracked to their intertwined hands, making Belle blush furiously at her rash reaction. She slowly, though reluctantly let go, knowing it was perhaps a little inappropriate.
"Sorry." Her blush deepened. "I'm messing this up a little. I just didn't want to seem ungrateful."
His eyes softened from their bewildered state as he looked on at her. The gaze made her feel hot from more than just embarrassment.
"I doubt there is much you could say that would make me think you are ungrateful. Why don't you start over, and tell me what you need?"
Belle took a steadying breath.
"I was really just wondering what role I have here. I mean, I know I sort of started out as a guest, but since you've offered me a more permanent situation, it seems like that should change. I appreciate everything, but I feel like I should be doing more."
Understanding, and something like relief filled his eyes. In turn, the tightness in her chest relaxed at his change of expression. Surprisingly, an almost smirk seemed to grace his lips, a little more fang showing on the left.
"Are you saying you'd like a job?"
Belle blushed, wondering why such a simple thing had been so hard for her to say.
Memories of mockery and censure surfaced in the back of her mind, but she shoved them away, focusing instead on what was in front of her.
"Yes." She smiled shyly.
Beast nodded his head, stoking his bearded mane lightly.
"That wouldn't be a problem. What sort of work would you be interested in?"
Feeling both less nervous and embarrassed, Belle felt her excitement bubbling up.
"I've been thinking a lot about that. It seems like most of the castle is under control. I mean you already have everything running smoothly, its clean and organized so I doubt I'd be much help in that."
She gave an ironic smile and shrugged before looking out over the lawn.
"Then I noticed not much is done outside, apart from your roses anyways. I used to have a garden back home for a time. And I was thinking maybe that was something I could do here? I know your roses mean a lot to you, so I wouldn't mess with them, but I could do something with the rest of the grounds if you like. I'd love to add color, and trees, and maybe some pretty shrubs."
Belle had been looking over the barren lawn, imagining the additions and how they would look. The thought gave her immense pleasure. Now that she had finished her thought, she turned back to Beast to find his face was devoid of emotion. Her stomach churned and she wondered if she had managed to cross a line without knowing it.
"I mean, it's just a thought I could do something el-" Beast quickly, but gently pressed a paw to her lips.
The warmth of his pads radiated against her mouth, and she found herself resisting the urge to groan at how nice it felt. Her eyes widened as a different kind of heat worked its way through her thighs.
Their eyes locked, and Belle felt a little lost in the intensity of his stare. After a long moment, he removed his paw, and Belle admitted, she mourned the loss of his touch.
"I think that would be a wonderful idea." His voice was always deep, but this time it was thicker, huskier, and altogether more delicious on her ears than she thought was possible.
Feeling out of her own depth she took a step back to clear her head. She turned away to face the lawn and cleared her throat.
"I'd be happy to start right away. I won't be able to plant some things until the weather warms a little more, but there are lots of cold adapted plants that would spruce the place up a bit. And then in the spring I'd like to make the yard explode with flowers. And maybe even a vegetable garden!" As she spoke the awkwardness fell away and excited warmth took its place.
"I don't doubt you can work wonders. If you can make me a list of everything you need, I will get those supplies to you this week."
She smiled brightly as she turned to look at Beast.
"Thank you." Her words were heartfelt, though part of her wanted to say more. But there were some things she didn't have the courage to say out loud. And she regretted to think she probably never would.
…..
~Beast POV~
(next week)
Having Ben around since he'd agreed to stay had been both wondrous and agonizing. Beast couldn't concentrate like he used to, knowing that brown haired boy was just down the hall. It had taken all his self-control to not spend every moment of the day by Ben's side.
Even now he found himself lurking in the shadows, watching from afar. He admitted, he did this more often than was appropriate. But he couldn't help himself.
There was something irresistible in the boy. The bright, curious look in his eyes. The soft, gentle way he spoke. Or the unfailing kindness he showed everyone.
And more so, the total acceptance of everything as it was.
He didn't question the moving furniture, talking kettles, singing wardrobes, flirty candelabras, or stuffy clocks. And somehow, he didn't question Beast.
There were never looks of fear, disgust, or pity. All Beast ever saw there was fascination, excitement, compassion, and every other good-hearted thing he could think of.
Beast could hardly fathom how Ben could be so accepting. He might have expected at least a few probing questions about how a beast came to oversee such a grandiose castle with all its fantastical inhabitants. But Ben hadn't even hinted at such a thought.
And then there were the times that Beast saw something more.
More than just kindness. More than mere friendship. But an unmistakable heat and intensity that flipped Beast's world upside down. He'd tried to write it off, to dismiss it as nothing more than gratitude on Ben's part, and regret on his own. But that wasn't it.
There was tension, between them.
A tightness that pulled at Beast in ways he'd dared not even think of since his change. And if Ben's reactions were any indication, he felt the same way.
Like last week, when he had touched Ben's mouth, the way he'd leaned in, how his lips parted slightly as if he wanted to taste.
Beast groaned at the tightness he felt in his belly.
What was happening?
Did he have feelings for the boy?
Did Ben feel the same way?
Was this normal?
And if so, how did such a relationship even work?
"You are going to give yourself a headache," a remarkably smug voice cut in through Beast's thoughts.
He scowled at Lumiere, though he wondered how the candleholder always seemed to know when he was distressed.
"If you are going to spy, you should get a glass. Then you can see better." He announced, his eyes shifting to look out the balcony at the figure on the lawn below.
Beast's eyes shifted to look at Ben too.
He was standing at the edge of a path, using a shovel to dig a hole. Even from the distance, Beast's enhanced vision allowed him to see the strain of muscle beneath the cloth of Ben's shirt as he dug into the earth.
"He's starting on the garden." Beast commented, ignoring the comment about his spying.
Lumiere smiled, drawing closer.
"I heard. He was quite animated after your talk last week. And you should have seen his eyes light up when you had those tools and plants delivered so quickly." Beast couldn't help the wave of pleasure that rolled through him at the thought of making Ben happy.
"You are quite pleased with yourself." Lumiere laughed knowingly.
Feeling uncomfortable, Beast scoffed and forced himself to move away from the window, back to his desk where actual work awaited him. Enchanted castle or no, lands had to be managed along with taxes, and the other businesses he owned.
"I'm glad he's enjoying himself." Beast forced his tone to be neutral, even though he felt anything but that.
"Ach, come now Master. Why are you pretending you don't care?"
The ache of confusion returned to this stomach. He didn't know what was right or not. Was it wrong to care? He'd never heard of such a relationship.
And then there was his form to consider. Ben couldn't possibly be…attracted to him. Could he?
A quiet sort of lull fell over the room, and Beast felt a coil within him winding ever tighter.
"I think, perhaps, we should talk." There was an authoritative solemnness to Lumiere's voice that Beast seldom heard. It commanded his attention and spoke to how important the words were. He looked up, confused and curious about what his confidant, and sometimes mentor, had to say.
"Let's go to the library."
He walked away, leaving Beast no choice but to follow.
When the entered the room, a hollow echo of disuse seemed to fill the place. Beast hadn't set foot in there in years. He'd once spent many afternoons on the ornate couches, reading to his heart's content. Then, after the change, frantic hours spent rummaging through anything he could find that might help his cause. It had been to no avail. And since then, he'd not been able to come back.
Now, looking at the book lined walls he felt a sense of comfort rather than the angry panic that had once filled him.
His eyes followed Lumiere as he hoped along the wall, searching it seemed for a particular volume. In a somewhat hidden corner of the room, he pulled out a large, and rather worn looking piece of literature. Making his way to a small couch, Lumiere motioned for Beast to join him.
"I know this life is not the one you wanted. Or the one any of us expected you to have." The words clawed at him; old shame surfaced.
A gentle touch made him lift his head.
"You might have made a mistake, but no one blames you for what happened. Don't you ever think otherwise." He paused, and Beast accepted that he would never feel relief from the guilt, but he didn't have to wallow in it.
"What are we doing here?" He asked with resigned exasperation. Lumiere clucked his tongue at the tone.
"We are here because when you were changed you were very young. There were many things that we failed to teach you because of these changes. But it is past time we have this conversation."
The determined tone of Lumiere's voice piqued Beast's interest. He seemed almost flustered, which was baffling, because nothing could embarrass the man.
"What conversation is that?" He asked with genuine interest.
Lumiere cleared his throat and looked him dead in the eyes.
"Sex education."
Beast felt the blush that he knew no one could see underneath his fur. His eyes widened, he was sure to a comical extent, and his heart started racing.
This is what Lumiere wanted to talk about?
"Oh no! I'm certain I don't need to learn anything about that." He blustered, getting to his feet.
"Come back here, and sit down!" The voice wasn't quite hard, but it was commanding. At least enough to give Beast pause.
"We don't need to talk about this. I don't need to know any more than I what I do now." He spoke adamantly.
Lumiere sighed deeply, shaking his head.
"That statement just shows how much you don't know."
Beast threw up his hands in frustration.
"I'm not saying I know much. I'm saying that I don't need to know much. Because it isn't happening." There was an edge of melancholy to his voice, as if realizing how true the statement was.
"How would you know? You don't even know what sex is." Lumiere retorted, making Beast roll his eyes.
"I know enough to know that it's not happening." He returned dryly.
Lumiere remained silent, giving Beast a hard look.
Beast knew it was futile to resist, but he really didn't want to have this talk.
"Fine. What is it that you think I should know?" He refused to sit, instead choosing to stand off to the side.
Lumiere sighed in what Beast could only assume was in irritation.
"I think it would be best to start with what you know."
Beast stiffened, and pinched the bridge of his nose, before turning his back on Lumiere. There was no way he was getting through this conversation if he had to look at him.
"It's how children are made. And… from what I understand, it feels… good." Why was this so difficult? Why was it necessary?
"That is woefully undescriptive and underestimating, but not exactly inaccurate." Lumiere acknowledged.
"How descriptive am I supposed to be?" His voice might have been an octave higher than usual.
"I am not trying to embarrass you. I only want to make sure you are aware." He paused long enough that Beast turned to look at him. "Physical intimacy is one of the most special experiences a person can have. And I think it's very important that you know what all that entails from a physical and emotional perspective."
His words made sense, even if it was hard for Beast to accept them. He doubted that he'd have occasion to have those experiences. And he wondered if maybe it wasn't more than a little cruel to learn about something amazing he would never have the chance to enjoy.
"Can we just assume that I don't know anything, and that if this is something you want to talk about, you're going to have to explain what you want me to know."
Lumiere nodded.
"Fair enough." He paused for a moment. "Would it be easier for you if I describe it, or for you to read it?"
Beast knew he was blushing again.
"Uh… read?"
He nodded again and handed Beast the book.
"I will let you read some things first, then we will discuss them so that I know you understand. I want you to read Chapter 1 on human anatomy for both males and females. Chapter 2 talks about sexual intercourse. Start with those. You will probably be more comfortable reading alone, so I will leave you. It shouldn't take very long, but I will give you a few days to read and get comfortable with the idea of talking about this."
Beast nodded his head, knowing this would likely be the most painless option.
Though Lumiere left immediately, Beast stared at the book for a long time, uncertain about the knowledge hidden within.
Tentatively he opened the cover bracing himself for whatever was to come.
AN: I hope you enjoyed this little chapter. Sex talks are great… yeah… sure. Poor Beast has no idea what's coming. Should I actually write about him and Lumiere having 'The Talk'?… oh the awkward!
Just a note, in my story Beast has a different background for becoming the way he is. I'll write that in at some point, but it's not the original tale.. in case y'all were wondering.
I'm just having fun with this story, but I hope y'all are enjoying it. Let me know what you think so far/ if there is something you'd like me to expand on