Ch 10: It's Belle

~Belle's POV~

As the weeks passed Belle was finding it ever harder to keep her resolve to stay just friends with Beast. Since that day in the library, when Beast told her about his past, she'd wanted nothing more than to get closer to him.

He deserved happiness.

He deserved to be loved.

Not abandoned like his father had done.

It made her so angry.

How could his father walk away from him like that? How could he live with knowing he could have taken away his son's suffering, but chose not to?

Belle thought for a moment, that some people were missing part of their heart. Something that made kept people from being so horrible.

She thought of the years after her parent's death, growing up under the hateful Lefou family, who enjoyed teasing and hurting her.

They had instilled fear in her.

A fear that never really existed before.

Belle hated how it had shaped her into a person afraid to be herself. And yet every moment she spent with Beast went such a long way with making her feel whole again. Making her feel almost normal.

He just let her be.

Every day they ate together, played together, talked of all things on their minds. He never questioned her about her past. Never pushed for more.

He was just there. And he cared.

Now the guilt of lying to him was starting to get to her.

How was she any better than other people in his life if she couldn't tell him the truth? To trust him?

And she found she wanted to.

She wanted to trust him so much. To really be able to give herself to him.

That thought was harder to accept. She wasn't sure she could ever be intimate with him. There was his form to consider, but beyond that, there was her form to consider.

He might not even be attracted to her!

But how she wanted him.

Not just in that way. But the urge to hold him. To comfort and love.

Yes, love.

She knew she was already lost to him. If not before he'd shared his story, then most certainly by the time it was done.

He had trusted so much of himself to her. Trusted her not to judge. To be there and accept him as he is.

And she did.

Now it was time to for her to do the same. She just wasn't sure how to work up the courage. She'd been lying to him for months now. Even if he wasn't upset about her confession, he probably would be that she hadn't told him the truth.

Belle was deep in contemplation as she sat nested in the dirt, planting her new spring shrubs. It wasn't yet time for them, but she hoped they would be alright.

"The garden is looking ever better!" A cheery voice called.

Belle smiled at Mrs. Potts happy demeanor, glad for a distraction away from her unhappy thoughts.

"I'm getting very close to having it where I want it," she agreed smiling.

"It's truly beautiful Ben. It seems a shame to not enjoy it." Mrs. Potts announced, hopping up to a flower, nudging it with her spout.

"What do you mean?"

The teapot turned to her a sly grin on her face.

"Just that you've done so much work. We should do something to enjoy the garden at its fullest."

Belle contemplated the comment.

"You mean, like have a party out here?"

The thought had merit. It was mostly finished, for the winter at least. Come spring she would have her hands very full.

"Oh yes! A party would be just the thing. Think of it, little lanterns along the path, tables of food and drink. We'd have music and dancing!" The teapot was steaming slightly with excitement.

Belle was starting to see it in her head.

It would be nice to have a fun night of dancing. There were several servants Belle had met that were various musical instruments.

"Do you think they would mind playing? Would that be fun for them?" Belle wondered aloud.

"Oh yes dear! They haven't had a ball to play at in ages! I don't think anything would make them happier." Mrs. Potts told her adamantly.

"You know you don't have to convince me," Belle laughed. "I'm not the master of this castle."

Mrs. Potts rolled her eyes.

"But sire would listen to you if you asked." She insisted.

"Do you think so?" Belle considered it a moment. Beast did like to do things for her. He seemed to find a great joy in doing things that made her happy.

"Dear, I know so." She looked absolutely certain.

"And he wouldn't say yes if someone else suggested it?"

The tea pot looked contemplative for a moment.

"I would have said no once, but he is much changed since you've come into our lives. I've never seen him so carefree."

This made Belle's heart throb.

It filled her with longing to think she was the reason he was happier.

"In any case, he would find it far more pleasing if you were to ask." The pot added knowingly.

Belle looked down feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.

"He thinks far more of me than he should," she said softly.

Mrs. Pott's eyes softened and she patted Belle's leg.

"You may not be perfect, but you're perfect for him. Just remember that."

Belle wanted to believe her. She truly did.

Giving the pot a small smile, she got a fun idea.

"Mrs. Potts, what if we didn't ask?"

Confusion was momentary, before the kettle's eyes grew large understanding Belle's thoughts.

"A surprise party!" She exclaimed merrily. "What an idea! Everyone would love to throw master a party. It's been so long since we've celebrated anything."

The grin on Mrs. Potts face was huge.

"I'm glad you like the idea. I think it would be great to do something nice for him."

Mrs. Pott's beamed at Belle.

"Oh, I can't wait! When do you think, this weekend perhaps?" Belle's eyes widened at the suggestion.

"That's only three days out. It would be chaos to try for so soon!"

But Mrs. Potts wasn't listening.

"No no, we'll have plenty of time. But we must tell the others right away. Come on, quickly now." She was pushing at Belle's leg rather determinedly, but she found it endearing.

"Alright. I'm coming." Her laugh was filled with light as she scampered away with the teapot to make haste in preparation.

Over the next few days Belle found it rather hard to keep the party a secret.

Coordinating so many people and ideas was challenging enough, but trying to keep Beast in the dark about the whole business was almost impossible.

He was suspicious, that was for certain. She'd had to cancel their nightly dinner the past few days, because she needed all the extra time she could get. Story night had also been put on hold.

Beast wasn't just suspicious something was amiss; he had become downright worried something was terribly wrong with Belle.

She had done her best to reassure him everything was fine, but her excuses were running thin. She just hoped they could keep him preoccupied enough to make it through the end of the day.

That afternoon she went to his office and asked if he would like to join her for dinner that evening. He'd been very excited, glad to see she still wanted to spend time with him.

"I had begun to think you'd grown quite tired of me." He told her as they met in the lobby for dinner.

Both had dressed a little nicer than usual. Belle wondered if he'd received a nudge from Lumiere to spiff it up a little.

"Never that." She assured him, taking his paw, surprising him. And when she started to lead him towards the door, he grew quite confused.

"Ben, the dining hall is that way." He smirked pointing a claw behind them in the opposite direction they were going.

But Belle smiled in good humor.

"True, but dinner won't be ready for another half hour, and I thought we could take a little walk in the garden."

Beast looked quite pleased at the suggestion.

"Lead the way."

Beast was so wrapped up in taking a stroll with Ben, he nearly tripped when he saw the scene before him unfold.

"Surprise!" The entirety of the castle yelled.

Beast's jaw was somewhere on the ground as he looked around in awe.

"I hope you don't mind. We thought you might enjoy a little party." Belle told him shyly.

"You arranged this?" His voice was stunned.

"Well, me and Mrs. Potts." She admitted.

Beast was so overcome; he couldn't speak for a while. He simply gripped Belle's hand tightly.

"We- I wanted to do something to show you my thanks. For everything." Belle told him, her heart in her eyes.

"This is the most wonderful surprise I've ever received Ben. Thank you so much." Belle saw the same emotions she was holding back, swimming in his eyes.

"I'm glad. Now, how do you feel about dancing?" She extended a hand with a grin. Beast took it with a wide smile to match.

~Beast's POV~

Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of the feast and decorated garden. To see Ben standing there, offering his hand, giving Beast nearly everything he'd ever wanted.

It was perfect.

They laughed and danced and ate.

As the night sky crept in, the lanterns light up, setting the garden in a soft glow. It was like a ring of fairies dancing around them, with them.

Beast couldn't remember a time he felt so carefree. So perfectly content.

And as the night drew on, and tired servants wandered somewhat drunkenly back into the castle, Beast and Ben made their way a little deeper into the garden. They were chatting merrily beside the fountain, the stars and moon shining down upon them.

In that moment Beast knew his heart no longer belonged to him. That the smiling, wonderful man beside him, held it completely in his hands.

Knowing this, he couldn't hold back anymore.

"This has been the most magical night of my existence." His voice was deep, and he loved the way Ben's eyes dilated.

"In all my time, even before I was this creature before you, I'd never felt so treasured. And after my change, I never thought I would get the chance to feel this way. These past months have been the happiest I've known, and I owe it to you."

He reached out, caressing Ben's cheek.

The boy watched him, enraptured. The pad of his claw gently swiped across his lips, and Beast nearly growled when Ben kissed the appendage, as if without thinking.

Encouraged by this response, he leaned down to take the boys lips with his own.

When their lips touched, Ben gasped softly, opening to him.

Beast's stomach clenched as he pushed into the sweet sensation, feeling surrounded and loved. Ben's mouth was divine. It was soft, sweet, supple.

But as he pressed to take more, Ben pulled back suddenly, tears in his eyes.

"I-can't do this." His words were nearly strangled as he broke away, putting space between them.

Beast felt his heart shatter. As though Ben had dropped it on the cobblestone path.

It was all too good to be true. This night, everything he was feeling. What he thought Ben felt.

He dragged a claw through his mane, needing to garner whatever shred of control he had left.

"I'm sorry." He gritted out. "I should have known this was too much to ask."

But as he tried to turn away, Ben caught his arm, pulling him back.

"Please. This- it's not-." Beast cut him off, though his eyes begged for understanding.

"It's alright Ben. I know I'm a beast. It was a miracle we were able to have a friendship at all."

But this time Ben was adamantly shaking his head.

"No! Stop!" he shouted surprising Beast thoroughly.

"You are wonderful. You make me feel-" his words cut off, but the sentiment was there. Beast understood what he meant. "You aren't the problem. I am."

The words confounded Beast. Tenderly he reached out to stroke Ben's cheek yet again, watching fascinated as he leaned into Beast's palm, obviously enjoying the feel.

"How could you ever be a problem? You make me feel ways I have never felt before." Beast murmured.

Tears fill Ben's eyes, unable to force them away.

"I'm not who you think I am. I'm not…" he struggled to find the words. His mouth hung open. "You'll hate me." He whispered.

Concerned Beast looked down into his eyes.

"Hate you? I could never hate you. Tell me, Ben. Tell me who you really are."

Tears fell down his cheeks as he backed away.

"That's just it. I'm not Ben."

Beast looked down confused and aching to make the pained look on Ben's face go away.

"Ben isn't your name?" He asked trying to understand.

"Ben is what I was called, as a joke. A cruel joke that I got used to growing up, and it sort of stuck. It's what everyone called me before I came here. It's a shortened version of my surname, Benoit."

Beast listened trying to understand, but when he took a step forward, Ben's head shook.

"Don't you want to know? My real name? Why I'm wrong for you?"

Beast sighed knowing this was only going to end when Ben got everything out. He felt the pain and wanted it all to go away.

"Tell me what you think matters." He whispered.

Ben's hands trembled as they rose to wipe away the tears.

"Belle." He whispered.

Beast gave him a confused look.

"My real name, it's Belle."

AN: 2 updates in a row?!

AHHHHHHHHH! She did it! She told him the truth! You guys like cliffhangers right?

Just curious, how sexy do you want this to get? I mean I have plans… but we'll see what the ppl want.

I hope you liked how this reveal went down and my version of the ball scene from the original tale.

Feel free to leave comments if you have them :)