Barely Even Friends [Completed]

[beautiful-tale.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Belle and Beast
Content: Belle helps Beast settle into his new home.
Setting: Iriela Apartments
Time: Backlogging to Week 5, late afternoon
Warnings: None

Belle discreetly glanced at her companion, wondering not for the first time if she was crazy for being alone with him. After his outburst at the library, she was even more hesitant around him, never sure when she'd experience his terrifying temper yet again. Still, he seemed so...alone. She was sure he'd be able to take care of himself (just look at him!), but for reasons she couldn't explain, she wanted to help him. So when he mentioned he didn't have a place to stay, she found herself offering to get him a place at her apartment building.

As the building in question came into view, Belle turned around and walked backwards, smiling at Beast. "Look, it's close! It's not very elegant, but it's pretty quiet...usually. I'll talk to the woman at the office and get you settled!" She paused, shyly glancing down and brushing a lock of hair from her eyes. "...that is, if you feel you'd like to stay here."

Comments

[tolove-inreturn.livejournal.com]

Beast's mouth opened to answer Belle's first question, but closed again as she went on. He kept his eyes on hers for just long enough to notice how sad he must have appeared, then quickly broke eye contact in favor of looking at the floor behind his feet.

Nobility...he had been, once. But not since...then. The rose shone brightly in his monstrous paws, reminding him all too well of his dreadful mistake, and the terrible fate it had wrought upon him. The former prince clutched it tightly, as if he were a trembling child clinging to his mother.

"You should...you should go." Beast's voice was low and rumbling, speaking worlds of his sadness. "I'll see you tomorrow." That was more confident, and sounded more of a barked order--his attempt to get her to want to leave, rather than pry any further.