Welcome back!

Michaela pendragon Holmes, hope you like their interaction this chapter.

Guest, we'll see, both drafts I've made are interesting to pursue.

Mustard Lady, thank you so much. I was glad to write some actual interaction between the two.

Yinlai, It truly was time for him to regain his senses.

Banzi, thanks for the continued support.

ImagineATale, the 'insult' truly shows how far he's come. Of course Beast couldn't resist having some fun at Gaston's expense. Their friendly banter is just their way of communicating.

eternallyenchanted7, I did keep writing but I had trouble concentrating after Five Dozen Eggs formed in my head XD I had to get that out of my system first.

It took me a while to write this chapter, after my daughter started questioning Gaston's eating habits, I had to get that out of my system first, because I couldn't concentrate on this until I did. Resulting in the oneshot Five Dozen Eggs, so happy I wrote that XD Also I've made two drafts, one for breaking the curse and one for not breaking the curse. Let me know your preferences of what you hope in the comments.

Chapter 22

"You what..." Belle blinked, she had longed for nearly three weeks to hear him say those words. Now Gaston had finally said them and she couldn't even form a decent reply. Looking past Gaston, she saw Beast still sitting with wide eyes.

Beast was staring at Gaston's back, "Are you sure?" He managed to get out.

"As you've so kindly pointed out, I could hardly blame myself for something I had no way of knowing. Though there are still plenty of other unsavoury moments I can think of that I could take the blame for. I just figured it would be hard to make up for those in here."

Belle was waiting what Beast would say, would he let her open the door or would she still have to wait?

Beast smiled, Gaston had finally forgiven himself. He nodded at Belle, who quickly moved to open the cell door.

After seeing Beast nod, she quickly dove to her right, pulling the lever before Beast could change his mind. Unfortunately she had forgotten the door swung inwards, right into Gaston who had still been standing there.

Beast managed to catch Gaston as he went down, "I think you kept her waiting too long," he joked.

Rubbing his hurt jaw Gaston glared at Beast, "Very funny..."

"I'm so sorry Gaston, I should have warned you before opening he door." She walked in and checked to see if he wasn't hurt. "It's only a bruise, you'll have your dashing looks back in no time." she reassured him.

"Yes, that would have been a shame." Beast muttered.

Gaston smiled, "We can't all look this good, can we Beast."

Shaking her head Belle picked the tray back up, "If the two of you are ready, I'd like to eat something myself." She walked in front, while Beast gently guided Gaston down.

"I would like to apologise for the way I dragged you up, I might have been a bit too harsh."

Gaston looked incredulously at Beast, "A bit? I still remember bouncing at every step."

"Alright, I should have controlled myself better." Beast corrected.

"Beast?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for what you did for me, I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you or Belle." Gaston started. "I know I'm going to regret saying this to you, but I have been a total idiot."

They had reached the bottom and Beast stopped and sighed, "You're not the only one, I've been blaming myself for a lot longer. Who do you suppose that makes the bigger idiot? Perhaps I should be the one to regret saying that." Beast smiled and continued walking. "But all misery aside, I think it did us both some good to be there. It is easier to think things over properly when there are no distractions."

"You thought about it more often?"

"I have, over the years there had been many occasions where I came close, but then one of the servants would come into view and that was the end of it."

They were nearing the dining room and both heard Belle humming inside.

"She sounds happy," Gaston stated, "Perhaps you should have a private dinner, I think she'd like that."

"Nonsense, we are celebrating the fact you've finally come to your senses. We could hardly do that without your presence."

Shaking his head, Gaston turned around, "There will be plenty of time for that next time. Just go in there and do whatever the two of you do, just spare me the details." He started walking away, "Besides, I could really use a change of clothes after three weeks, not to mention a bath."

Beast sniffed himself and grimaced, he did have a point there. "Yes, well, you may be right about that..." He looked up to see Gaston had already walked away.

Walking in Beast saw Belle setting up the table, "Gaston isn't joining us, he wanted to give us some time alone." Truth to be told, he didn't mind having her all to himself. "I've missed you." Beast embraced belle who leaned into him.

Wiping away a tear, Belle looked up, "I missed you too, don't ever do this again."

"Not if I can help it, but it worked didn't it." He sighed, "In the end, he wasn't the only one who needed it, in there I realised it would be unfair for me to expect him to forgive himself, without doing the same for myself. For so long I blamed myself for what had happened and in a way I owe him for making me realise it." He truly did owe Gaston one for that.

"Never thought the day would come, where you'd thank him for anything," she smiled. "I still have an hard time grasping how much he has changed. I remember telling him when he started about marriage, nobody could change that much. He proved me wrong."

Beast pulled back a chair for Belle, "He proved us both wrong, now let's start eating before it spoils."

After freshening up, Gaston went outside to sit in his little hiding spot. It felt good to be outside again, why had he been so stubborn again? In the end he felt better for it, but he did wonder if he hadn't wasted too much time. How many petals were remaining? He would ask them later, perhaps they would let him see the rose again. He leaned into the hedge, when he was startled by a hand on his shoulder.

"Bonjour Gaston."

"Agathe..."

Agathe took her hand back and sat next to Gaston, "I'm glad to see you're doing better, I was starting to get worried. Belle came to the barrier often to talk, she was very concerned for you. Why did you feel the need to punish yourself?"

"Too much had happened I suppose and finding out that my actions caused so much grief was more than I could handle." Gaston sighed thinking of all Beast had said, "Beast made it quite clear that I wasn't the only one responsible."

Agathe smiled, "Yes, I suppose he did. I was quite surprised when Belle told me he locked himself up with you." She sighed, "Why do you keep hiding yourself?"

Gaston looked up surprised, "What do you mean, they know where to find me if they want to."

"You know that is not what I'm talking about... Let go of your fears, you have nothing to lose, only to gain."

He looked away, "I can't, if I do..."

"You fear to break your curse, most would rejoice."

"Because I know what would happen when I do, as soon as I can see again they'll send me on my way back. Sure they would let me visit, but..."

Agathe stopped him, "Do you really think so low of them? Or are you fearing they show you, that they do truly care for you? In the village everyone held you in high regard, but they never showed true interest in you as a person."

He knew she was right, it was holding him back in breaking the curse. Could he really trust them, that all would still be the same afterwards? He felt accepted here, and he didn't want to lose that feeling.

"The curse brought me the acceptance I've always wanted, what if when I break it, it will be gone again?"

Agathe shook her head, for a man who had changed this much, he still was incredibly dense, "They have shown how much they care for you, they didn't just offer you their acceptance, they offered you true forgiveness. Don't be afraid to let them in."

Letting it sink in Gaston remained silent.

"Take your time, no need to rush it as you still have several months left. Just make sure you don't regret the choice you make."

He nodded, what else could he do? He had two choices, either he let the curse be or he would let them in and break the curse. He knew what he had to do to break it, but the thought scared him more then losing his sight permanently. For now he would keep his distance and let things be as they are.

"I must be going now, send my regards to the others. You will be fine, don't be afraid to trust them."

"Agathe, wait!"

Agathe stopped and turned around, "What is it Gaston?"

He raised his head, "I have been horrible to you in the village and even after you cursed me, I still ridiculed you for being a beggar. I scornfully said I should beg you on my knees for forgiveness, now let me do it in respect." He kneeled down before Agathe, "Would you please forgive me?" He looked up with blank eyes and wondered what she would think of him.

"There is nothing to forgive, I am proud of the man you have become. Perhaps I should join you on my knees, for having ever doubted you could change." She took his hand and lifted it up indicating he should stand, "Many times I contemplated cursing you before to save you from the path of destruction you were taking, but I doubted you so much I wouldn't even give you a chance."

Gaston chuckled, "Perhaps you should have, they would have dropped me from my pedestal, though LeFou probably would have stayed."

Agathe smiled, "Good luck Gaston, I'll see you again, I only hope you'll see me in return."

Gaston nodded, he had a lot to think about.