Summary: Gaston is reluctant to face there are some arguments he can't win.
Number of years married: Less than one
~:~ Reading ~:~
He sat in front of the fireplace, lounging on the armchair. She stood a ways to the side of him.
She tossed the book to him - had she handed it to him he wouldn't have taken it.
He frowned and picked it up. He looked at the canvas cover then at her. He watched her lips move and heard her voice but didn't pay attention until he heard a certain phrase.
"To read?" he asked incredulously.
She had been expecting this sort of reaction from him. She had her patience ready. "Yes, Gaston."
He stammered out a disbelieving chuckle and he sat straighter. "You're sure about this?" He looked at her carefully as if this were a matter of life and death.. which in his case, it might as well be. "Belle, the town's already giving you a lot of grief for having your nose in books. Now you'll subject it to our kids?"
She huffed, irritated. "Gaston, our children will not be illiterate. Even you need to brush up on your literary skills-"
"I know how to read," he haughtily waved off.
Belle glared at him. "The basics, yes, but that's for reading maps. You need to read an actual book and… and I will teach Lefou how to read too."
He scoffed. "Damn Lefou. The villagers won't accept- We would have to move!"
"We are not moving, Gaston. Papa is here and I want our children to know him- The town will just have to get used to the children of Gaston learning how to read."
A frustrated grunt left his chest without hesitation.
She raised an eyebrow. "You wanted sons, yes? Strapping young lads like you?"
He looked at her. There was a catch.
"I will give you sons so long as I can teach them to read.".
There it was. But he was Gaston, and no one refused to read more than Gaston. "And if I say no?"
She smiled stiffly at him. "Then you will have no sons and I will no longer be your love."
His confidence at winning this argument dwindled slowly. Then he sat there, staring at the opposite wall, his upper lip twitching in aggravation. It was occurring to him he'd have to give in and face the fact that their children will learn how to read… and Lefou too. "Fine," he growled, sulking with his arms folded over his chest.
Belle was thoroughly pleased with herself. She took the book from him. "Shall we get started, then?"
He did a double take, semi-eagerly sitting to attention. "Now?" he asked with a slight laugh as if he was not acting as stubborn. Then he quickly added, "Not that I'm against it, but you want to try for sons right now, before supper?"
She shot him a glare. "No, you oaf. Reading. Teaching you."
He narrowed his eyes and slumped back into the chair with a disappointed mutter under his breath. "I never agreed to that."
"But you never said you wouldn't."
He had to hand it to her. Belle could be as argumentative as she was beautiful. And he loved her for it.
"Fine," he reluctantly agreed - or snapped, he couldn't tell. "But not a word of this leaves this house. I do not want to ruin my reputation with the villagers." He started muttering, "Reading… Books… Me!"
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
