Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast, or any of the associated characters
Summary: Stanley, thinking on LeFou and on himself
Stanley
Stanley, or Stan to his friends, Tom and Dick, was a very talented actor.
Acting was a necessity, a role he could play to fit into the world that looked down upon people like him. The fawning admirier or witless thug of a war hero - an accolade subject to much interpretation - those roles were easy. Working as Tavern security paid the bills, and it let him stay close to LeFou.
They were kindred spirits, really. LeFou's family had been jesters in the Royal Court of France for generations, which was how they had gained their unfortunate surname. Whatever had caused LeFou's father to leave that exalted position, Stanley had no idea, but he pitied the man for it. In the Court, the Italian Affliction* was an open secret, and even if they made jokes behind LeFou's back, the court would do nothing about his preferences.
Not like here, in a small village with far too many people who scorned anything 'different'.
Perhaps it was selfish, but Stanley could not regret that LeFou was here. Gaston would have been much worse without LeFou to talk him out of his moods and rages, to calm him when he verged on violence and coax him out of sulks that were far too unpredictable in their consequences for anyone's comfort.
That Stanley finally had someone to relate to didn't hurt, either. Someone steadfast and good-looking, gentle but strong, caring and unashamed. Who could blame him for falling in love, even as LeFou very obviously fell for someone else.
Without the protection of Gaston's friendship, Stanley could not afford to be quite so obvious in his affections, if he thought LeFou would even notice. But, he could watch, and tell anyone who bothered to notice or ask that he was admiring Gaston the Hero; pride of the village and admired by all.
Stanley had no difficulty believing that Gaston had finally hit a rage that LeFou could not talk him out of, and tried to kill Maurice, but he did not blame LeFou for lying. Perhaps he truly believed that Gaston could still be reasoned with before it was too late, or knew that Agathe would find the old man. (Stanley knew that LeFou quietly helped the old spinster when he could get away with it, providing her with used blankets and furniture and slipping a few coins to buy supplies.)
Stanley saw the fear on the face of his unknowing love as Gaston clasped his shoulders, gripping tightly. If LeFou said anything other than what Gaston wanted to hear, Gaston could expose him as a Sodomite, a scorned would-be lover. His testimony would be considered as suspect as that of an old spinster and a senile old man, and LeFou would be lucky if he only joined Maurice in the asylum.
To protect LeFou, and himself, Stanley had to keep the attention on Maurice. If the old man spoke the truth, then he was safer away from Gaston. LeFou might finally be willing to break free of Gaston, and Stanley had enough saved to bribe a guard to release an old man into his custody, and they could all run away together.
Perhaps they could find Belle, and find somewhere far away. He and LeFou were young and strong, and could build whatever Belle and Maurice designed.
Learning to dance, Stanley had always been the 'lady', mostly because Tom and Dick complained at the mere thought of even pretending to be female for an hour, but partly because he enjoyed it. The chance to not force himself to be rough and macho, to feign softness and grace… he adored it, and wished that society could be a bit less insecure about masculinity. Being different shouldn't be treated as a crime.
He wondered if the wardrobe knew that. Her voice was that of a singer, a profession that housed many of… different orientations, and her cries to 'be free', sang of acceptance. Perhaps it was the defiance of a last stand, a woman who stood on the verge of losing everything and no longer cared what others thought. Nonetheless, in powder and a dress, Stanley felt free.
Free enough to push his fears aside during Belle's celebration and steal LeFou away from his partner. Free enough to see the startled expression melt into joy and cautious hope.
Free enough to finally love as he wished.
.
.
.
.
A/N: Because even those few seconds of Stanley, looking so happy in a dress, and the totally deliberate stealing of LeFou as a dance partner begged to be explored.
Also, I needed a break from working on my twisted fairytale series. The completed draft of "Red Riding Hood and the Stalker" is with my editor now, and I'm working on a twisted, gender-swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast, "Beautiful, Inside and Out". The first chapters can be found on my profile.
As always, reviews and constructive criticism is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Nat
