Author's Notes:

I don't own Beauty and the Beast or its characters. It's the property of Walt Disney and all other versions of the story belong to their respective owners.

Rated M for the usual: language, adult themes, and other good stuff.

Chapter 7: Lumiere's POV

Mademoiselle Belle's demand for answers resonated in my ears for hours afterwards. Had it not been for Madame Potts' brief interruption concerning Mlle Belle's health, I would've had to stare down irises that churned with quiet determination; as to what Mlle Belle was determined to accomplish, I still had no clue.

Her demeanor intrigued me, however. Despite the chilling bite in her words, her voice betrayed her often. To my surprise, she and I became quick acquaintances; in my opinion, she reveled in my presence because I did not chase after her as aggressively as Monsieur Adam.

After their spat, Monsieur Adam decided that it would be best to take a short respite and attend to his business ventures. Of course, attending to one's enterprise is a much less risky affair than setting up affairs in order to become risqué with someone. That being said, Monsieur Adam departed without delay with the promise of returning in a few days' time.

I, of course, ever gallantly offered to patch up the tattered framework he left at home. When I informed Mlle Belle of Monsieur Adam's plans the next day, she didn't seem very worried; on the contrary, she brightened at the news. Since she was entrusted in my care, I allowed her more freedom around Monsieur's home. If she was never allowed to roam the halls, how could he expect her to acclimate to her odd surroundings? Mlle Belle's initial reaction to my trust was hesitation and suspicion; her trust issues ran deeper than her conflicts with Monsieur Adam.

Mademoiselle Belle explored the house slowly and cautiously the first few days. I resisted the urge to escort her around the premise lest she think that I actually didn't trust her. During my morning walk about the grounds, I caught Mlle Belle gazing longingly out of the windows of the sitting room. She hadn't noticed me at all, so I continued to watch her as she observed the horizon.

Her expressive eyes flittered from one object to another as her forehead creased delicately in concentration. I appraised her murky eyes and clear complexion as she worried her lower lip; I wanted her to feel at ease, but apparently, she couldn't bring herself to that completely.

I approached the large window and along the way, plucked a lone tulip and held it up to the window. Mlle Belle's eyes skirted over various things before she finally realized I stood outside. Her eyes widened in surprise before her eyes settled on the flower. I waited expectantly as she assessed my gesture; the side of my mouth quirked up in a smile while her eyes stayed glued to my hand.

I tapped softly on the glass to get her attention; her gaze snapped up to mine and she unlatched the window.

"What are you doing out there?" She asked.

"Well Mademoiselle, I was performing my daily errands and caught sight of your gloomy expression. Here, perhaps this flower will brighten your mood."

Mademoiselle Belle's delicate hand took the tulip out of my grasp and she glanced down at it blankly.

"Does the flower displease you, Mademoiselle?" I asked with my eyebrows furrowed.

She shook her head slightly, keeping her gaze upon the flower. "No sir, the flower is lovely." She commented, "thank you."

I smiled as I leaned against the rough brick exterior of the house as I offered to escort the Mademoiselle around the estate myself; after a few minutes of persuasion, we were walking idly about Monsieur's garden. That day, Mlle Belle relied on me as a type of confidant. Perhaps it was the manner in which I treated her and spoke with her. I assured her that she could address me candidly.

"If you do not wish to speak with me frankly about your private affairs, Mademoiselle, you can speak with me about your experiences here at Monsieur's home."

Mlle Belle lowered her eyes to the nestled cup in her hands that Madame Potts had brought out.

"I'm simply tired of being afraid, Lumiere." She huffed softly. I waited briefly for her to go on and when the pause started growing, I responded, "Then fight the fears, Mademoiselle. Place some faith in me and tell me what you are afraid of – that is the only way you'll be able to conquer them, through trust."

She looked out on the garden before she continued, "My entire life, I was afraid of being myself. I worried about others constantly, but it never felt like the sentiment was reciprocated. I took care of myself as long as I can remember. I didn't rely on anyone else. How am I supposed to stay in this man's house, give up my dignity, and submit to his wishes? I would never be able to forgive myself."

Lumiere sipped his coffee purposefully, "Haven't you grown fatigued of your struggle, Mademoiselle? Hasn't your constant struggle through life made you consider that relying on another might not be as strenuous as you believe it to be?"

Mlle Belle looked out at the willowy trees as the wind picked up. Her voice was almost lost in the howling of the wind as she answered me.

"I am not sure how to."

My gaze softened at the sight of her vulnerability; I reached my hand out to comfort her. Her gentle lament echoed in my heart; I was no stranger to the strife of battling poverty or the struggle of placing my faith in others.

Just as the tips of my fingers brushed her wrist, a clap of thunder shook the skies and jolted me and Mlle Belle out of our reveries.

The sound caught her by surprise and she jerked away from me. In her startled state, she dropped the teacup she had been holding and raised her hands to cover her face from the lightning flash and downpour of rain.

In a blink, she had stood up and grabbed my hand, "come on, Lumiere." She prodded me as we ran toward the house. Once we made it to the back entrance of the estate, I removed my jacket to drape over the mademoiselle's head. I immediately propped the door open after using my copy of the house's skeleton key. Both Mlle Belle and I shuffled inside and made our way through the pantry room.

I groped the wall for the light switch; as the room illuminated, I opened the door that led into the kitchen.

"Goodness gracious! Where in the dickens are you two coming from?" Madame Potts gasped in shock while watching us as we came into the kitchen.

"Madame Potts, if you would be so kind, fetch Mademoiselle Belle a hot cup of tea and a warmed blanket? Once she has changed and dried off, she can receive it in the parlor." I asked, ignoring the woman's question.

"Of course, Mr. Lumiere," turning her attention to Mlle Belle, "come child, let's get you into some dry things."

I noticed, as Madame Potts led Mlle Belle away, that Mlle Belle didn't recoil from her touch; it may have been my fanciful imagination, but I believed that she became a fraction more receptive to the servants. I was filled with a bittersweet warmth since Mlle Belle would be starting to accept her new situation (as convoluted as her arrival might have been), but the master of the estate would be away and unable to see her develop.

…

Hours after Mlle Belle and I's soaking in the downpour outside, I retired to my office for some tea and paper work. After I had exhausted my patience and completed the loose financial ends of Monsieur Adam's businesses, I decided to take a walk; there was a trail that ran along the side of the woods near the estate. The evening had just begun and the sun had started to set off an explosion of colors that slowly seeped down into the horizon.

The front door's lock clicked resolutely in place behind me. Some of the sun's last golden rays cascaded over my body as I walked forward. The air was crisp because of the recent rain. Leaves as well as a few twigs crunched under my leather shoes as I strayed from the house.

The sun's light glared in my eyes as I thought of my complicated history that had begun to intertwine with the land I was traipsing over. I was Monsieur Adam's only true friend since he came to his senses to reach out to another person; I was there when his gruesome qualities began to surface. Although he and I's histories are of completely different natures, after so long, I felt a compulsion to stick by his side. He still was not adjusted to his life and there was still so much to discover, not only about himself, but about his family's background.

I had thought countless times about leaving the complications behind and starting my life as I should have been – but I always held back. I would think of the times M. Adam and I played as children or sought girlfriends as teenage boys. Granted, I resented him early on, but he grew on me as time went by. His mother, in the later years of her life, actually commissioned me to watch over her son. I suppose I never got over the urge to protect my friend. It was too late now to start over, but regardless, I sought more for myself…

"Lumiere?" The voice floated over to me from the house. I realized as I was consumed in my thoughts, I had stopped walking.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Mlle Belle peeking out of the parlor window. I immediately grinned heartily as I responded.

"Why Mlle Belle, did I disturb your view from the window?" I inquired good-naturedly.

She smiled and chuckled lightly, "of course not. I saw that you were standing there and wondered if something was wrong?"

"Oh no, Mademoiselle. You do not have to concern yourself over me. Enjoy your tea and warm yourself. I'll be walking about the grounds near the woods; it soothes me."

Mlle Belle rolled her eyes lightly, "don't be ridiculous. If I was any warmer, you'd be able to use me as a heater on a cool night. Would you like company on your walk? Perhaps it would soothe me as well." She asked me with trepidation as if she expected me to reject her.

My smile remained steady as I encouraged the mademoiselle to accompany me on my walk; I retraced my steps to the front door in order to meet her. I offered her my arm to hang on, as all gentlemen do, but she amusedly shook her head at me and stood by my side.

"You're quite the independent woman, Mademoiselle." I commented lightly.

"That's what I keep telling you, sir." She answered with her head cocked slightly, a small smile alighting upon her mouth.

The sun had already set by the time Belle and I made it halfway through the trail. "Tell me Mademoiselle, has your heart always been so guarded?"

Belle glanced up at me with the slight moonlight cast on her features, "and what makes you so curious?"

I found her constant deflections amusing, but continued the conversation, regardless.

"Because Monsieur Adam is a very good person."

She looked up at me, but didn't battle my statement. However, as the moonlight reflected off her eyes, I knew she didn't feel the same as I did.

…

"Od dear. The master won't like this…not one bit." Cogsworth whined as he wrung out his handkerchief. He had stood by the windows watching Belle and Lumiere walk across the lawn.

"What could they have to talk about?" He questioned indignantly to Mrs. Potts who was collecting the used tea tray.

"Good heavens, how am I to know?" She shrilled as she piled the teacups atop the tray. She paused as she placed the teapot on the tray. "You don't suppose that Miss Belle fancies Mr. Lumiere?" she asked in quiet shock.

"She couldn't…and she most certainly shouldn't… oh good heavens, the master won't enjoy this at all."

Cogsworth obscured the view of the two outside the window by quickly snatching the curtains closed, "well then, the master needs to come home without delay and restore order."

A/N:

Thanks for reading, guys. I'd love to hear what you think. Until next time ~

-NightmarishEscape