Thanks again for the reviews! I was cracking up about the furball with you, kudos to the three year old of mine again, you guessed correctly about that coming from the kids, ImagineATale. Her personality is just a perfect fit for Gaston in many ways. The oldest is more like Belle, so you can imagine how those two play sometimes. Maybe I should write a story about their occasional struggle to get along and replace the names with Belle and Gaston XD.

Mustard Lady, sometimes the only thing that helps is to flat out tell Gaston.

Yinlai, there is a lot of character exploring in this chapter, it might explain a lot.

I've made a slight time jump here, hope you like it!

Chapter 15

Weeks had flown by and before the trio knew it they had passed the third month. They had fallen into a routine that worked well for them, Gaston kept caring for Philippe, he found that he rather liked it.

The rose had eight petals now , but the rebuilding castle had presented certain challenges. A small problem had presented itself when the fourth petal had returned.

The falling petals had caused the floor to collapse and destroyed a good part of the West Wing, when the fourth petal was restored some of it had come back along with a wall blocking their way. Beast could climb over the obstacle, but Belle couldn't and had been stuck for nine days in the West Wing. When the fifth petal had returned, the doorway to the left had been restored and she could walk through it again. She had been bored to tears and not even the books Beast brought her managed to comfort her. But thinking back, she had to laugh about it. It certainly made living at the castle interesting.

Gaston couldn't believe three months had passed, he had become pretty self-sufficient. He could walk to all the rooms he frequented and had learned how to make his own lunch. The actual cooking was done by Belle except for the week she was trapped. He grimaced at the memory, Beast was a horrible cook, after that first time, they both decided to eat bread and fruit until Belle was able to return. It was during those days that he and Beast had gotten to know each other better, while they still had their moments. Whenever Gaston called Beast a furball, he heard a small chuckle come from Beast. Even Belle seemed to have picked up the nickname.

He did feel a bit left out when the pair disappeared for several hours every day. Not having much to do caused him to get bored very easily. Eventually he had told them that and they had taken him to their hiding spot. To his annoyance it had turned out to be a library and he had to listen to the poetry of some fop. He never wanted to return there, he'd take the regular non lethal boredom any day. In the end they had compromised that they would visit the library while he was tending to Philippe, joining him again around lunchtime.

Gaston had to admit that Beast wasn't as bad as he had thought. Sure he had his moments where his temper got the best of him, but he always apologised after. Sometimes, just sometimes, he was actually glad for the curse, mainly when Belle and Beast were in a romantic mood. He did not want to see how that looked, he certainly hoped they had some decency. He had figured out they were sleeping in the same chambers, though in different beds.

He heard the pair heading his way again, laughing and having fun together. When the door opened, the pair fell silent once more.

Belle gave Beast a nudge to enter the room, "Have fun you two!" It was all she said before leaving again, and Gaston wondered what they were up to.

Beast approached Gaston, "Follow me." Deciding it would be best to follow, he followed the sound of Beast's footsteps. Then he was handed his coat and put it on.

"Where are we going?"

"Belle thought you were missing some of the things you used to love. So we've prepared a surprise for you." Beast explained.

Getting curious, he noticed that they were heading for the stables. Beast went in first and instructed him to wait outside, what was he up to? A few moments later Beast returned and had brought Philippe out.

"Belle said she noticed how you look at Philippe and guessed you would like to ride again. It took some work, but together we blocked all paths except for the one heading to the gate. Since it would be hard for you to find your way back to the stable, all you have to do is walk next to Philippe and feel the hedges and ropes, when you reach the open path, you're opposite from the stables. Beast noticed the surprised look on Gaston's face.

Gaston couldn't believe they went through all of this trouble, just to make him happy. He quickly climbed on Philippe, first starting slowly with walking. It didn't take long before he spurred Philippe into a full gallop, enjoying the wind blowing through his hair. How he had missed this!

Belle looked from one of the balconies and saw the genuine look of happiness on Gaston's face. He had come a long way, and had showed a different side to him.

Outside Beast was having similar thoughts, the man wasn't that bad to have around, as long as he stayed out of the library. Once had been enough and Gaston apparently agreed having said he never wanted to go back to that 'torture chamber'. Gaston had just finished his third round and he looked more relaxed every time he passed.

Gaston was having a great time, he had thought he would never ride again. He was starting to think again, it was becoming an annoying habit of his. He was confused about his feelings, he was starting to like Beast. It had been so easy to hate him when he could still see and saw the monstrous form, but now he couldn't see it anymore and had gotten to know him. The Beast didn't seem to hold a strong grudge against him, but he hadn't been forgiven either. He had learned one thing, appearances were deceiving, first a beggar turned into a powerful enchantress and now a fearsome looking Beast was showing kindness. He was ready to return and did as Beast had instructed, it didn't take long for him to find his way to the stables. He had to admit that they had thought of everything, he liked being independent as much as possible. But why would they care about his feelings? Belle might have forgiven him, but Beast hadn't. Why would he do all of this for him? He had tried to murder him after all.

Beast saw Gaston returning and went towards him, the man had a pensive look on his face. He was having those a lot more these days, but something seemed different now. "How are you?"

Hearing the Beast's voice, he snapped out of his thoughts. "Thank you, I needed this," and it was true, he did need it. He was starting to feel more like himself, he had started to shave again, though he still cut himself doing that. But he wanted to try and look more presentable again. His hair was clean and in an haphazard tail, with a few locks falling out. But he was getting his life back, best as he could. He was starting to like it here, if only he could see and leave sometimes, to hunt or visit the tavern. "How did you handle your curse in the beginning?"

Beast sighed, "Not well, much like you I blamed others for my own faults. In my anger I destroyed everything that connected me with my human past. I had given up and let the Beast take over, it wasn't until Belle arrived that I started to change. I'm hoping to prevent you from making that same mistake, and even though I was too late to break the curse, I'm glad to have Belle here with me. She doesn't care what I look like, only about what's inside my heart. My only regret lies with the fate of the servants, who are essentially dead."

Gaston nodded, he was going to break his curse. He did not want to become as miserable as Beast. He could picture it, going out into the forest again and hunting some deer and to celebrate his success he would go to the tavern. "I will succeed you know, I'm not giving up like you."

Beast looked at Gaston to be met with a very determined face. He softly spoke, "I can only hope you do".

Belle was sitting on her bed, holding the mirror. She had just looked at her father, who was at a nearby market. He looked so happy, how would he feel when his memory was returned to him, she wondered.

Beast walked into the room hearing Belle sigh, seeing the mirror was enough for him to know what had happened. "How is he?"

"He's fine, he was at the market. It's just so hard sometimes..."

Placing a paw on her shoulder, he sat next to her on the bed. "Why don't you go visit him? I don't mind and we're starting to get along, he enjoyed the ride."

Smiling back, she took hold of his paw, "I know, I could see from the balcony. It's almost as if you're becoming friends."

"It's more the shared experience of being cursed, I know how it is to miss all the things you used to love and take for granted, suddenly being taken away. He knows it as well, he's afraid of going through this alone, seeking support from the one who can relate the most." He took a deep breath, "But I can't forget what he has done and caused that easily, it's too early for that. Besides if he doesn't break the curse I will still be unable to leave, what would be the point then?"

"What if he does, he is making progress. And he has nine months left, look how far he has come these last few months. Agathe had deemed him a lost cause, but I'm not so sure about that. He is trying, you can't deny that," she countered.

No, he couldn't deny it. Gaston had been trying very hard to be respectful. Belle was right and he should try to let go of his resentment of the man. It didn't mean he had to forgive him immediately, but he could try to find out more about the man's preferences. He had never taken the time to really get to know the man, his knowledge after three months was still limited. What did he know about the man? He was a hunter, one that could be very arrogant about his skills. But what did he like? He found that he had no idea, all he saw was a vain, arrogant man who was full of himself.

Seeing something was bothering Beast, Belle decided to leave him to his thoughts for a while. Sometimes he needed to figure things out for himself and she sensed this was one of those times. She left closing the doors behind her.

Getting nowhere with his thoughts Beast stood up and walked to the rose on the balcony. He looked at the petals that were still lying underneath the rose, they wouldn't stay there forever.

He remembered when in the past he looked at the rose with hatred, now he looked at it with hope. It was thanks to Belle he had changed, he wouldn't have on his own. Gaston needed those around him to help guide him, and Belle had been pushing him to help as well. The selfish man he used to be was still there he realised, he didn't care to help Gaston to get his sight back, he only cared about the return of the servants. If he truly wanted to help the man, he would have to care about his fate as well. But could he ever let go of the grudge that was holding him back?

"You're conflicted, something you would like to share?"

He heard the voice behind him, but didn't bother to turn around. "I'm still the selfish man I used to be, nothing has changed."

"Would that man ever have admitted to it? Would he have cared about it?"

No, he knew. "Perhaps not, why have you decided to come back?"

Agathe moved to stand across from Beast, "Because I would hate to see you throw away your chance to be free once more. Not just physically, but also in your mind."

"If he doesn't succeed, I will still be trapped here due to my appearance. Why set myself up for disappointment, even if I were to find it in my heart to forgive him. You once said you yourself considered him incapable of changing his ways." Beast countered.

"Perhaps I was mistaken there." Agathe admitted, "He has shown some potential, and he has changed more than he himself has realised, all of you have realised." Agathe raised her hand and a petal rose up, "This holds not just the fate of you and your servants, his fate is there with yours." She let the petal float back down. "He has shown interest in their fate as well as your own, not knowing the power he has over all of you. It's only fair to show concern for his fate in return, something you can't bring yourself to show due to his past actions."

Beast hung his head, she was right, he was letting the past control his actions, never moving forward to the present. A present where Gaston was showing interest for those he hadn't even known. The man deserved more credit than he had been given. "He's still vain and arrogant, that hasn't changed."

Agathe shook her head, "Perhaps, but overconfidence can give strength, something to believe in. All too often it can be mistaken for arrogance, is he truly as arrogant as you believe? Or could it be that he is trying to give himself hope, where he feels he has none?"

This was something he had never considered, could it all just be an image created to hide insecurities. He had often thought nobody could be that dense, what if he wasn't? He had been insecure more than once in his past life and hid it behind cruelty. Belle handled her insecurities by helping others, forgetting her problems as she did. Could this have been Gaston's way of hiding his own? If it was, he had to applaud the man for his very convincing act. But it did make sense...

"Agathe, could you do something for me, or rather him?"

"It would depend on what it is your asking, as you know I can't change the curse."

Beast shook his head, "Nothing like that, he doesn't have anything of his own here. He's been borrowing my oversized clothes for three months now, perhaps a wardrobe of his own? Maybe that would help him in some way, he has cleaned himself up, as much as possible. Though his choice in clothes is rather limited and could use some improvement."

She pondered this for a second, though it did look rather comical to see Gaston wear oversized clothes, he must be longing for something that fits him. "Very well, that could be arranged." She raised her arm and pointed to the bed of Beast. On it a huge pile of clothes had appeared. "I think it would be best if you brought them to him, see how he will react to it."

He wanted to thank Agathe, but she had left again. He picked up the many clothes she had left there and made his way down, he passed the library and heard Belle humming a tune. She could be so adorable without even trying he thought. Quickly moving on, he reached Gaston's room. He knew the man was in there, he was most afternoons. He knocked on the door and waited for a reply.

Gaston was lying on his bed, he had enjoyed the ride. He was surprised how much he had missed it without even knowing. He had taken a long walk around the castle afterwards, feeling his way along the hedges and ropes. They certainly had gone through a lot of trouble for him, nobody had ever done anything quite like it for him. Sure they sang his praises and worshipped the ground he walked on, but it wasn't the same. He heard the knock and sat up, they rarely came for him since he managed to find his way around.

"Yes?"

Taking the reply as permission to enter he opened the door. "Agathe visited me a few moments ago."

This piqued his interest, "Did she say anything about ending this?"

"No, she can't. But you knew that already."

Gaston just sighed and shrugged, "One could hope, what was it about her visit that you decided to grace me with your presence?"

Beast snorted at the mocked courtesy, "We had a long talk and I realised there might be something you missed. I asked if she could arrange it and she did, therefore..." With that he dropped he dropped the heavy bundle with clothes straight on Gaston's head.

Sitting rather dazed from the unexpected load that was dropped over his head, he grabbed a few of the items on the bed. He noticed a wide variety of clothes and he felt his way along over every single piece. Clothes! Better yet, smaller clothes! These would fit a lot better, amongst the pile he also picked up a piece of jewellery. Recognizing it immediately he felt the tears coming down. "These were all mine," He held up the ring he had found, "This belonged to my father, he gave it to me when I made my first kill hunting." As he felt his way along he could identify several pieces of clothing as well. "Thank you, for doing this for me."

Beast stood there awkwardly, "Do you need help sorting through them and putting them away?"

"No, I'll be fine. Besides it gives me something to do, there isn't much to do for me otherwise." He immediately got up and started to sort all types of clothing.

Beast looked at the enthusiasm the man displayed, he seemed so genuine at that moment. Perhaps it wasn't arrogance after all.