Beast strode toward the Niflheim gate with purpose. He couldn't describe how he felt, but relieved, at least, would be true. The crowd still parted for his massive figure, but instead of fear, some watched with interest. His usually angry gait and stomping footsteps were calmer, lighter...happier.
It had been a long time since he had felt so happy, but...now Belle was from somewhere in his future, just like Cogsworth had been. It had been only a few days for him, but...she had forgotten about Beast entirely, only to meet him again in the castle. What Cogsworth had told him must have been true...that they would have met in their own world even if they hadn't met in Paixao. Belle...she didn't remember anything of what had happened here. And...Beast knew nothing of what had happened with her in his castle. From the way it sounded...he had taken her father prisoner. He couldn't imagine doing that to anyone now, but...back then...before he'd met her...he couldn't argue with her. There was every chance he would have taken an innocent man prisoner, just for walking into the castle unannounced. He was still ashamed of how he looked, and of everything that it meant, but back then...it had been far, far worse. He was only just now starting to realize he didn't have to act like a monster just because that was the way he looked. And even though he realized it now...that only made it feel worse when he lashed out at those trying to help him.
All those people on the journals...he hadn't...he hadn't meant to push them away like that. There was nothing he could do now, it was too late to apologize for being so selfish. Belle...she would be disappointed...wouldn't she? They'd told him that...that she wouldn't have liked to see him that way, no matter what happened.
As his footsteps slowed with the somber thought, and his tail ceased wagging, he looked up at the form of the imposing gate. Belle's beautiful locks would stand out in an instant from this crowd, and he was looking for them as hard as he could. Finally he saw her kneeling, and his face fell. She looked so...worried. That...wasn't his fault, was it?
He approached her slowly, stopping once and swallowing a lump in his throat. "...Belle...?"
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It had been a long time since he had felt so happy, but...now Belle was from somewhere in his future, just like Cogsworth had been. It had been only a few days for him, but...she had forgotten about Beast entirely, only to meet him again in the castle. What Cogsworth had told him must have been true...that they would have met in their own world even if they hadn't met in Paixao. Belle...she didn't remember anything of what had happened here. And...Beast knew nothing of what had happened with her in his castle. From the way it sounded...he had taken her father prisoner. He couldn't imagine doing that to anyone now, but...back then...before he'd met her...he couldn't argue with her. There was every chance he would have taken an innocent man prisoner, just for walking into the castle unannounced. He was still ashamed of how he looked, and of everything that it meant, but back then...it had been far, far worse. He was only just now starting to realize he didn't have to act like a monster just because that was the way he looked. And even though he realized it now...that only made it feel worse when he lashed out at those trying to help him.
All those people on the journals...he hadn't...he hadn't meant to push them away like that. There was nothing he could do now, it was too late to apologize for being so selfish. Belle...she would be disappointed...wouldn't she? They'd told him that...that she wouldn't have liked to see him that way, no matter what happened.
As his footsteps slowed with the somber thought, and his tail ceased wagging, he looked up at the form of the imposing gate. Belle's beautiful locks would stand out in an instant from this crowd, and he was looking for them as hard as he could. Finally he saw her kneeling, and his face fell. She looked so...worried. That...wasn't his fault, was it?
He approached her slowly, stopping once and swallowing a lump in his throat. "...Belle...?"