A/N: Okay, I think this is the last chapter. I couldn't find a fanfic of this moment the way I wanted it, so I'm writing it myself. I'm trying to sort of hybrid the live action and animation as best as I can so it feels canon for both. I'm not quoting either movie directly so you can imagine whichever exact dialogue you like more.
Belle had never been in love before. She didn't quite recognize the feeling at first. But once the castle grounds had faded behind her in the distance, her whole body suddenly grew heavy with longing. An ache stung painfully in her breast, making it difficult to breathe. As hard as it had been to stay at the castle without her father's warm embrace — she discovered that it was just as hard now for her to leave. It was not a lifelong prison sentence that had kept her there for all this time. Without her even realizing it, Belle's heart had found a new home; a home trapped within the human eyes of a gentle Beast.
And even as she raced away, she knew that she would return. She had to. There was a beautiful soul inside that beastly frame — a soul that she loved.
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind."
Oh, how she treasured those long peaceful evenings, reading about love and beauty, and watching the way his compelling blue eyes glinted softly in the candle light. She cherished those cool winter days, full of magic, friendship, and laughter, when she was free to be exactly who she was with no fear of judgement or criticism. And tonight, as they danced together in the ballroom, Belle had wanted to drown in his kind and intelligent gaze. She'd prayed for the music never to end.
She would be home soon. Just as soon as she got her father to safety.
Things did not go at all the way Belle had intended. It was her own fault, really. Back in the village, a real monster had been unleashed, threatening to take Maurice away to the asylum. In an attempt to protect her beloved father, Belle unintentionally endangered her newfound love as well. Unable to stop the villainous man, Belle watched in horror as Gaston riled up the villagers to storm the castle and kill the only true friend she'd ever had.
She arrived too late. She'd tried to save him and had failed. Now he was dying in her arms, his breathing labored, his blue eyes struggling to stay awake. Never in her life had Belle ever felt this desperate, this hopeless. Never had she ever been so afraid to be alone.
Don't leave me, her heart cried, urgently clinging to the life still flickering in his eyes. Please stay.
Then his head rolled back, his body went limp, and those gentle blue eyes were suddenly gone.
A vacant loneliness encompassed Belle's soul like a vacuum, echoing through the dark and lifeless castle. She sobbed against his broad chest painfully and soundlessly, mourning the words that now tumbled from her lips. Words that she had never gotten the chance to say.
"I love you."
Her face dropped helplessly into her hands, and she pressed her palms forcefully against her closed eyelids. Stars danced quietly across her vision; she felt like she could lose herself in the darkness forever.
Please, she wished willfully into the empty silence. Please come back.
-0-0-0-
Belle knew very little about magic. She didn't know how, but something had happened that allowed her wish to be granted. Her gentle Beast had suddenly been lifted into the air with a magical ray of light, and was transformed into a man right before her eyes.
It was a shock the moment he turned around to face her. He was tall, broad, and light-skinned, with a clean-shaven jawline and thin blond locks that flowed elegantly down his shoulders. He would have been completely unrecognizable if it weren't for the striking blue eyes that pierced directly into Belle's heart like an arrow.
Belle couldn't breathe. She had always known that there was a real person behind the animalistic features, for it was the person who she had grown to love. But he was truly a human, who had been entrapped within the body of a Beast. In truth, he was beautiful — as beautiful as the love she felt for him. As beautiful as the love reflecting back at her through those familiar, emotion-filled eyes.
The way he looked at her, with such utter disbelief and awe; you would think that she was the one who had just transformed. Belle could feel his grateful tears against her fingers as she delicately brushed over the smooth skin of his cheek. It dawned on her that this was the man who had called out to her on that very first night, pleading silently for help. These were the raw and honest eyes that had been imprisoned beneath the burdens of the Beast — the eyes of a man who was finally free of his curse.
His own hand reached for her as well, the softness of his skin feeling foreign against her own as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was full of tenderness that caused her to shiver involuntarily. She took in every part of his face, all of it so new and unknown to her. He leaned towards her, and glanced momentarily at her lips with a humble question in his eyes. It was those eyes that kept her heart from leaping out of her chest; for she may not know this human exterior, but she knew him.
It was really him.
His soft breath of relief blew lightly against her face and Belle felt her lids fall shut. He closed the gap, pressing his warm lips passionately against her own.
Belle had a sudden urge to cry.
He was holding her in his arms, twirling her around on the balcony, and had a true smile on his face for the first time since she'd known him. A deep laugh rumbled out from his chest in a familiar way, and he kissed the back of her hand with fervor.
"I don't understand," she said, her brow furrowing in thought. "You were —"
"Trapped?"
Belle met his gaze as he stepped towards her. His eyes were so full of life now, but only moments ago she had thought they were lost forever.
"Dead," she corrected quietly, choking on the word.
His smile dropped, and he took both her hands into his own. "The Beast is dead," he explained solemnly. "But I am not."
His voice was low and rich, just as it had always been. His words warmed Belle's heart. "You…" She breathed with a gentle smile, reaching once again to relish the softness of his smooth-shaven chin. Belle pushed upward onto her toes about to kiss him again, but pulled back abruptly.
"What is it?"
Belle nearly gasped as she stared up at the new man before her. "I do not know your name!" She exclaimed in shock.
She suddenly felt undeniably foolish. Her shameful lack of information troubled her immensely. Inside the Beast had been a man, and yet not once had Belle ever asked what his true name was. "You are no longer Beast — but surely the man I fell in love with has a name!"
Belle knew that she was visibly upset, but something about her words seemed to knock the breath out of him. He stared at her in amazement, like he still could not fully believe that she was real.
"Adam," he spoke finally, a grin growing beautifully onto his face.
Belle relaxed, glad to have a decisive answer to such an obvious question. She mirrored his smile. "Adam," she repeated happily, enjoying the way the name seemed to fit the person she had come to know so well.
His intense gaze scanned her face, that raw honesty returning to his eyes. He entwined his fingers loosely between hers and swallowed. "And you love me…" he spoke softly, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Yes."
It was wonderful, the way his eyes lit up and he beamed at her, like a bright morning sunrise. He tugged on her hand, pulling her towards him so he could wrap his arms around her waist. His lips pressed gently against her forehead, lingering so that she could lean her head on his shoulder.
"I love you, Belle," he murmured against her skin. "So much."
Belle smiled to herself and wrapped her arms tightly around him in a hug. Adam. She loved Adam. And she was going to stay here forever.
A/N: It was making me nuts that we never got that final conversation. So happy with it! I hope this felt real and satisfactory enough for you all! Thanks for reading, please review with thoughts.