[Completed!]

[beau_sest_leve]

Character(s): Belle and Beast. (Closed for awkward turtle reunion times for now.)
Content: Belle has come back. Once again, her memories differ from Beast's.
Setting: By the Niflheim Gate.
Time: Evening
Warnings: None.

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[tolove_inreturn]

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

[beau_sest_leve]

Belle was lost in her own thoughts when he approached her. In fact, the sound of his voice startled her so much that she gasped and struggled to her feet. Brushing a few stray strands out of her eyes, she composed herself and gave him a tentative smile.

"Beast..." she tilted her head and observed him. He looked...uneasy. Had she caused that? She hadn't meant to.

"Thank you for...coming to get me." she stepped closer, clasping her hands to stop them from shaking, "It's...strange to talk to all of these people who know me."

Yet there was something comforting about not being alone. Then again, nothing could put her more at ease than seeing him. Yes, she cared about him deeply. She couldn't deny it any longer.

Tipping her head back, Belle managed a warm smile. It wasn't fair to burden him with her problems. He was kind enough to come all this way, after all. She would make this as easy on him as possible.

[tolove_inreturn]

Seeing Belle uneasy did nothing to calm Beast's worrying. But...her father was in danger. Of course she would be anxious. He rubbed at the fur on his collar, and looked at the pavement next to her.

"I...only had one person say that to me." That was as close as he could come to expressing sympathy. He just...didn't know what it was like. Nervous hesitation took hold, just briefly, but he went on. "If there's anything I can do to help, please...just tell me."

The rose wasn't going to last forever. And Beast wasn't going to waste his second chance. She had taught him so many things...and he was going to make sure that she could see just how he'd learned from her. Even if...she couldn't even remember how it had all happened.

[beau_sest_leve]

"You're here." Belle gently reached up and squeezed his hand, "I will be fine." she shook her head, "I've been worrying about things I can't change. What matters most is...right in front of me."

And she truly believed that. Her father was in a place that even she couldn't reach. She would keep praying for his well-being, but that was all she could do. Belle saw no reason to worry Beast when he was in the same position.

"May I stay with you?" the question wasn't easy to phrase and she felt herself blushing, "I would be...more comfortable."

[tolove_inreturn]

Never would Beast have expected Belle to ask that. His jaw hung open in surprise, until he finally had the reason that he would have to tell her no. Not that he wanted to. "I...wouldn't have a room for you to stay in, where I am now."

"But...maybe we could find somewhere new to live...together."

[beau_sest_leve]

She hadn't even thought of that as a possibility. Belle took a step back, raising her hands to discourage him from feeling any guilt whatsoever.

"Only...if you want to. I can find another home." she bit the inside of her lip, "Beast, I didn't mean to...make you uncomfortable." she bowed her head, trying to find something steady to hold onto, "Its been a long day." and night, "I'm not thinking clearly."

[tolove_inreturn]

A steady arm held Belle up as Beast bit his lip. He curled the arm around her waist gently, and looked down into her beautiful eyes. The thought of brushing a wisp of hair from her forehead occurred to him, but he didn't act on it. Just...being so close to her was enough already. This was...this was the nearest he'd ever been to Belle. It felt...nice.

"Belle...for you...I would go anywhere." Before she left, he might not have been certain of that. But he couldn't bear the thought of losing her again. No matter what happened now, he would stay with her.

[beau_sest_leve]

Belle tipped her head back, tentatively resting her hands on Beast's chest. This wasn't the first time that she had noticed how intense his eyes were, yet she was entranced by them now.

"B-Beast..." she smiled tremulously and returned the embrace, sliding her arms around his neck. Happy tears rolled down her cheeks as she simply held him.

"Th-Thank you. For everything." she couldn't say that enough, "I don't know what I would do without you."

[tolove_inreturn]

Beast's eyes went wide as she hugged him, then the corners of his lips turned up into a smile. "You're welcome." He was surprised...and happy.

"For now, I should take you back to where I'm staying. A friend who knew you here before might let you use your old bed for now." He was thinking of Yuna, since she only lived a few floors below him. He didn't think that she would have any problem with letting Belle use her old bedroom, and...maybe Yuna knew more about the way this place worked than he did. She might be able to help Belle get used to everything again. And that would give Beast a chance to find them somewhere new...with furniture that hadn't been ruined.

[beau_sest_leve]

Belle pulled back, looking relieved. She rested her hand briefly against his cheek before drawing her cloak tighter around her. Everything was still overwhelming and strange, but, for the first time, she felt like, maybe, she could handle it.

"I would appreciate that." she smiled to herself, pleased at how thoughtful he was being, "What's their name?" she stepped up to his side and took his arm gently.