"I know," Belle replied softly, a wry smile quirking up the edges of her mouth. She gazed at her hand on the tawny fur of his arm, vaguely aware that none of this seemed possible, shouldn't be possible at all in fact...but she was very glad it was. Despite the risk, the danger of living here, Beast's friendship alone made it all magical.

She withdrew her hand, cheeks faintly colored pink at the sudden knowledge that she'd be touching him far longer than what was considered proper and smiled brighter at him. "Well, I'll always be your friend, Beast, no matter what." Turning away, Belle began to walk slowly once again, hands clasped behind her back.

"So where would you like to go today?"