Barely Even Friends [Completed]

[beautiful_tale]

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

Comments

[tolove_inreturn]

To say the least, Beast wasn't very impressed by the building. The entire place was smaller than his castle, and it was in terrible shape. Though the inside was probably the same as the inside of the castle was...

"I..." It almost sounded like a question as he first spoke, his voice losing volume quickly. "...I do." Beast felt strange, having to live somewhere outside the castle, with none of his servants. Belle would be nearby to help him, but...could he really ask her if he needed anything?

[beautiful_tale]

He seemed so uncertain, so unsure. She couldn't help but feel protectiveness for him now, that quiet, nervous note in his voice so echoing her own. "I know it isn't much to look at, but it's warm and we can make it home...somehow." She turned back around to skip up the few steps to the entrance and opened the door

[tolove_inreturn]

Beast stood well back while Belle talked with the gypsy behind the counter, not wanting to draw any attention to the way he looked. He'd scared more people in this city than he cared to already.

Even though Belle wasn't actually touching him, Beast had the sensation of being pulled along by her, as if she was tugging his wrist. He followed her, clawed footsteps rasping against the wooden staircase. It was a much different sound from the stone floors he was used to in the castle, less harsh.

The hallways were dusty, sparse, and cramped, almost completely empty save for small pots of flowers outside the doors to the steps. The third floor was no different, and Beast let Belle lead him to the room that he would be staying in.

[beautiful_tale]

They stopped in front of a non-descript door identical to all the ones they'd already passed. "I think this is it," Belle murmured, taking a key from her apron and unlocking the door. She stepped into the room, looking around curiously.

It was dusty and as shabby as everything else in the building, but sunlight poured in from the undecorated windows and Belle felt it was a cozy, comfortable looking place. Then again, she was a mere peasant, her own cottage back in her world only being moderately nicer than this. As she stepped further into the room, she glanced behind her at Beast, hands clasped in front of her apron in attempt to appear more casual than she felt. "W-well, what do you think?"

[tolove_inreturn]

It felt like a servant's room in the castle. It was small, decrepit...the few pieces of furniture were already falling over. A far cry from the opulence Beast had been used to...but it was probably the only place in the city a monster like him would be able to stay.

"It's...not bad," he lied, horribly. His true opinion showed clear as day on his face, the retracted jaw, the furrowed brow, the flared nostrils; everything was only enhanced by his bestial features.