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“See, Mama, I told you!” Chip hopped toward the window and Plumette flew over him as the others hopped eagerly behind him, desperate with hope.
“She came back.” Cogsworth noted with awe as they spotted the familiar girl, shining like a beacon in her bright yellow gown, riding in on horseback towards the castle.
“I told you!” Lumiere cried triumphantly. “She is the one!” He hopped off towards the doors and the others followed quickly behind with their own shouts of joy.
Within a few minutes the doors swung open and in walked Belle, her hair windswept, her cheeks tinted pink from the cold but still radiantly beautiful in her yellow gown, her face pulling into a smile as she spotted them.
“Belle!” Chip exclaimed as he hopped towards her and Belle laughed as she reached out to catch him in her hands. “You came back!”
Belle grinned at him and rubbed her fingers gently across his porcelain frame. “Well of course I came back!”
“We are so happy to see you mademoiselle!” Plumette gushed as she floated around Belle’s head and Belle turned her smile to the feather duster.
“And you brought with you a guest!” Lumiere said as Maurice cautiously stepped in behind Belle, his eyes widening once again at the sight of the enchanted objects. He flinched as Lumiere took a few steps towards him, waving his arms enthusiastically. “Welcome again, Monsieur!”
Maurice shot a look of alarm to Belle and she smiled softly, keeping Chip safely in one hand and reaching out to touch his arm reassuringly. “It’s alright, Papa…”
Maurice swallowed thickly and then let out a breath and nodded once to himself before returning his attention to Lumiere.
“I...ah...thank you.”
“My name is Lumiere.” He bowed sweepingly and then motioned to everyone else respectively. “Cogsworth, head of the household, Mrs. Potts, the housekeeper and the lovely lady beside your head is Plumette…”
Maurice stifled a gasp, jumping as Plumette glided into view. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” She greeted sweetly.
“O-oh.” Maurice stuttered. “...um, hello there…”
“And I am Chip!” Chip proudly exclaimed from Belle’s hand and Maurice turned to the small teacup and his face softened into a small smile.
“Oh my, yes. You I remember…”
A small, sheepish smile crossed the teacup’s face. “Sorry again for scaring you!”
“Oh no that is quite alright...my uh...my lad…”
Belle smiled and then placed Chip back down beside his mother. Her face sobered as her eyes fell on Mrs. Potts. “Where is he?”
Mrs. Potts gave a small, sad smile. “I imagine right where you left him, dear.”
Belle nodded, furrowing her brow and looking with a frown towards the west wing. “Is he angry with me, do you think?” She asked quietly.
“Oh heavens no.” Mrs. Potts said and Belle looked back at her. “Believe me, dearest, he is not angry with you. Go to him...he will be so pleased to see you.”
“Yes, yes…” Lumiere agreed eagerly. “You must go to him. I know he will be waiting for you.”
A small smile twitched at her lips as she glanced at all the enchanted objects she had come to know as friends and then glanced at her father.
Maurice was watching her with an odd, perplexed look as if he was still trying to understand how she could be so calm in the face of all the magic and how she seemed to care so much for the beast he had last seen as a monster.
His face then softened and he gave her a small encouraging nod and a smile.
Her smile widened just a little more and she nodded before she lifted the ends of her dress and took to the stairs.
“Oh Lumiere…” Plumette landed next to him and he pulled her carefully against his frame. “This could be it!”
A smile spread across his face as he shared a knowing look with the rest. “I know, my love!”
Soon Belle found herself in the familiar West Wing and she pushed open the doors and stepped into the seemingly empty room where she had just stood with the beast not too long ago.
“Hello?” She called into the room as she slowly walked in. “Are you here?” Her voice seemed to echo in the spacious room but there was no reply. She frowned as she came to the rose, her chest clenching a little at the sight of the wilting flower with only a couple petals left.
She stepped out onto the balcony and shivered against the cold air and she wondered where he had gone.
It was then she spotted a staircase hidden off to the side and she followed it up - higher and higher around the turret, and hoped that he’d be there.
She stifled a gasp as she spotted him through the darkness, crouched low on the edge of the tower, still as stone and being covered in a thin layer of snow.
She took a few slow steps toward him and he let out a soft grunt in acknowledgement of her presence.
“She’s not coming back.”
Her heart broke at the despair in his voice and she took another few steps closer. Her lips twitched up at the corners as she began to reach out towards him.
“Are you so certain of that?” She asked quietly and his head whipped up with a gasp. Within seconds he rose to his full height, whirling around to face her, his eyes wide with shock and she could only smile.
“Belle…” He whispered and took a slow, large step towards her. His arms hesitantly extended out towards her and her smile widened as she crossed the remaining distance between them and slipped her hands into his.
He let out another sharp gasp at the sudden contact, the feel of her warm hands in his.
A smile twitched at his lips, his blue eyes shining with hope. “You came back.”
She squeezed his hands reassuringly. “Of course I came back. I couldn't just leave you.”
He shook his head slowly and took half a step closer. “I don't understand, your father…”
She smiled softly. “He's fine. He's safe...I brought him here. I hope you don't mind.”
“No.” He said quickly, his voice suddenly deeper than normal. “Not at all.”
A silence fell over them as they held each other's warm gaze. They were both acutely aware of the other's touch and neither wanted to let go.
“Why did you come back?” he asked, his voice low. “I let you go. You didn't have to…”
She shook her head, cutting him off. “I wanted to.”
He turned his head, eyes wide in wonder and curiosity and she smiled at him.
Her body suddenly shuddered as a cold, stinging wind whipped past them and she stepped closer towards his warmth. They were now so close their chests were just barely touching and she tilted her head up to keep their gaze.
“Perhaps we can continue this discussion inside?”
“Yes. Yes of course.”
They held onto one another for a few moments longer before Belle released his paws and took a few slow steps backward.
She walked back towards the towers only pausing to turn over her shoulder to make sure he was following behind.
His lips twitched in a small smile as he caught her gaze and he kept a small distance between them but followed her inside.
She pressed her lips together, holding back a giggle as he shook the snow out of his fur as soon as he got inside.
He met her eyes, looking almost sheepish and she gave him a radiant smile in response.
She descended down the winding stairs, feeling his warm and overwhelming presence behind her all the way.
They entered the west wing and the first thing she noticed was the rose. She stopped near the rose and simply stared at it.
“Belle?” his voice came up behind her and then he appeared beside her, observing the frown on her face.
Her brow furrowed in determination and she quickly looked up at him. “I want to help you.” She told him decisively. “Cogsworth told me there is a way to break this curse.” She took a step towards him and once again reached out to place her hands over his paws and his brow lifted. “Please, tell me what I can do. There has to be something...”
He stared at her in silence and then slowly glanced behind her to the wilting rose. A small, sad smile crossed his lips and he shook his head, sighing in resignation. “If it were to work it would have already happened.”
Her frown deepened. “What do you mean?”
He slowly glanced back to her and there was a certain hesitance in his eyes. “I…” he grunted softly, visibly warring with himself and then shook his head. “Just that I fear it is too late for me…”
“Don't say that.” She whispered almost harshly and tightened her grip on him. “You have until the last petal falls. We may be running out of time but we aren't there yet….please let me help you.”
She was looking at him in such desperation and pleading and such care, he wanted so badly to tell her, to have the curse be broken once and for all.
However, it needed to be real. Her love needed to be real and she needed to come to the knowledge on her own with no persuasion from him.
She came back, she cared, but apparently it was not yet enough to break the curse and perhaps it never would be.
He gave her a small, sad smile and shook his head. “You have already helped more than you know.”
Her brow pulled into an adorable scowl.
“Belle, truly, do not concern yourself with me.”
“I do concern myself with you!” She insisted with a frown. “I would like to believe that we have become friends.”
His heart both soared high and then stopped further. A friend - not something he had had in a very long time, if ever. Someone who actually cared for him for who he was. Yet, that friendship, as meaningful as it was, was still not enough to break the curse.
“As do I.” His voice was low, hiding the true emotions he felt over her words.
“Well then…?” She raises her brow and once again the desire to just tell her overwhelmed him.
He fought it off once more and just looked away towards the doors. “Shall we retreat downstairs, you must be cold up here.”
Belle let out a frustrated sigh and shook her head at his blatant stubborn refusal to tell her.
She would get it out of him, one way or another. She refused to let him or anyone else remain under this curse for eternity.
“Very well.” She said and then indeed started to feel the chill of the cold air drifting in through the shattered windows.
He nodded and then started to walk towards the door.
She watched him go and her eyes flickered back towards the rose, dwindling in life with every passing second. She would save him, she would find a way, whatever it was.
She glanced back at him, his familiar form walking away from her, taking in the surroundings of the room when a thought occurred to her.
“I can't believe I have never asked…” She began, hustling towards him, “...what is your name?”
He froze, straightened up, and his eyes widened as he glanced back towards her. “My name?”
She lifted a brow. “You do have a name, don't you?”
“Of course I have a name.” He said gruffly. “It's just...it’s been a long time since anyone has called me anything but ‘master’.”
Her face softened and she nodded in understanding. “Well?”
He stared at her for a long moment of silence. His voice was low when he finally spoke. “Adam. My name is Adam.”
“Adam?” she whispered, her eyes widening in slight surprise and his brow furrowed.
“Yes” His eyes narrowed. “You seem surprised. Don't expect it for a creature like me?”
She gave him a reproachful look and took a few steps towards him. “I didn't expect it of a Prince.”
His eyes widened. “How did you know?”
She smirked and laughed quietly. “Well, you live in this beautiful and large castle with an entire staff to attend to you. I figured you were either royalty or just very, very rich. I made an educated guess as to which one.”
“Oh.”
Her smile widened. “Not to mention Mrs. Potts may have said something about you being a Prince of a fellow.”
He blinked. “She said that?”
Belle hummed and nodded. “My first night here to try and convince me that perhaps your bark was worse than your bite?” She raised her brow.
He let out a heavy sigh, his face falling as he looked away. “My behavior was rather appalling that night.”
“Yes.” She agreed and he looked back up at her in shame and her face softened in a smile. “But you have changed and that's all that matters.”
He grunted and took a step towards her. “Still - I apologize.”
“You've already been forgiven.”
His face softened in a smile and they held each other’s gaze.
“Is that you, then?” She suddenly asked, turning her head and he followed her gaze to the portrait hanging on the wall. “The boy in the portrait?”
“Yes.” He said quietly with a frown and she looked back at him. “With my parents.”
Belle frowned deeply as she glanced back to the portrait, observing the obvious claw marks over the boy’s face and his father's.
His mother remained untouched and her heart clenched as she remembered Mrs. Potts words.
“Would you mind?” she asked suddenly and then turned to look at him and he looked at her in confusion. She turned to face him fully with a smile. “Would you mind if I called you Adam?”
His name on her tongue caused a stirring in his heart and filled him with a warmth he never thought he could feel again.
A slow, small smile pulled at his lips. “I do not mind at all.” He answered hoarsely. “I would love it, actually, no one has called me by that name in a very long time.”
A smile lit her face. “Adam.” She said again, her voice sweet like honey and a delightful shiver shuddered over him. Her eyes twinkled in delight. “It does suit you.”
“Really?” he raised his brow and took a few steps toward her. “I never thought so ..especially not in this form.”
Her face softened and she nodded. “It's perfect.”
They descended down the stairs together and followed the murmur of voices towards the sitting room.
Belle smiled as they walked into the room and she found her father, sitting by the fire and still looking rather uncomfortable as Lumiere stood on the arm of the chair beside him and talked incessantly.
Maurice glanced up as they walked in and his eyes widened at once at the sight of Adam standing so close to Belle. He gripped the arms of the chair and sprung to his feet, nearly knocking Lumiere to the floor.
Lumiere quickly caught himself and instead slid onto the chair seat.
Maurice glanced quickly between Belle and Adam, his eyes lingering on the beast.
Adam shifted uncomfortably under his stare and Belle subtly brushed her hand across his arm in reassurance.
Adam appeared significantly less threatening than he had in the dark tower where he held Maurice. He held himself differently, less like a beast, and more like a man and there was a certain softness in his eyes that replaced the cold stare.
“Monsieur..” Adam started and took a step forward toward him. Maurice tensed and took a step away and Adam froze.
“It's alright, Papa.'' Belle told him with a gentle smile and she turned to look at Adam. “He won't hurt you.”
Adam met her gaze and his own tense body seemed to relax at her words, his face softening.
Maurice watched the exchange curiously, intrigued by his daughter's complete faith in the beast.
Belle took a step towards her father and then paused. She turned her body back towards Adam and smiled as she offered her hand. Adam’s gaze flickered to her outstretched hand and without hesitation reached out to gently take her hand.
Maurice's eyes widened further as Belle guided the beast towards him.
They paused a few feet in front of him, side by side and Belle kept her hand on his, a smile on her face. “Papa...I think I should properly introduce you. This is Adam, he is the master of this castle.”
There was a resounding gasp from the staff still all gathered around the chair.
Briefly, Adam’s gaze flickered over to them before returning to Maurice.
“Did you hear that?” Plumette whispered to Lumiere and a grin split across the candelabra face. “She called him by name!”
“Which means of course he told her his name!” Lumiere whispered back in enthusiasm. “We are so close, mon amour, I can feel it!”
Plumette giggled and swished her feathers ecstatically.
“Monsieur,” Adam started again and bowed his head, “I must apologize for my behavior towards you that night. I am afraid I have no excuse but I do admit that I was wrong. I should not have called you a thief nor held you prisoner.” He sighed heavily and Maurice stared at him in stunned silence as Belle smiled kindly up at him.
Maurice furrowed his brow inquisitively as he looked between them both. “What precisely happened over the last several days?”
Belle and Adam met each other's eyes and then a full smile pulled across her face. “We became friends, Papa.”
“Friends?” he echoed incredulously.
Belle nodded. “Yes, friends. There was an incident involving wolves and he saved my life.” Her voice softened in affection. “After that, we discovered a mutual affection for reading. Papa, you should see the library! There are more books than you could possibly imagine! I told you he took me to Paris...to where you and Maman used to live…”
“Yes, how on Earth did you manage that? Paris is not a quick journey.” He addressed Adam and Adam seemed surprised by the direct address.
“I was given a very special book - one that will take you anywhere your heart desires.”
Maurice's eyes widened in wonder. “As in...magic?”
Adam nodded. “Yes. Another gift from the Enchantress.”
Maurice regarding him thoroughly. “I take it you do not care for this enchantress?”
Adam scoffed bitterly. “No, she cursed me to live this way.” At the confusion in the other man's eyes he elaborated. “I was not always a beast, Monsieur. I was cursed as were my staff.” He glanced over to the enchanted objects and Maurice looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening in realization as Lumiere gave a friendly wave.
“A curse…” Maurice muttered, shaking his head. “Well of course, that makes sense now…” his eyes drifted back to Adam and his eyes scoured his large form. “So you mean to say that you are a man?”
“Yes.” Adam confirmed. “A man trapped in the form of a beast.”
“I see...well that certainly does explain your rather human mannerisms. I must ask, what possessed you to hold a man prisoner over a rose?”
Adam sighed shamefully. “It was not so much the rose but the fact that you were trespassing and it was wrong of me.”
Maurice grunted softly. “I did politely try to introduce myself. Your...teacup was rather welcoming.”
With a hint of a smile Adam glanced over to where Chip sat with his mother.
“Then, well I became rather spooked by the ordeal and I was leaving but I promised Belle a rose…” Maurice turned to her and she smiled softly. “Even if I had not reached my intended destination I felt I could not return home without it.”
“You are a very kind and generous father.” Adam said, his voice strained and Maurice glanced back to him as Belle turned to him with a frown. “I should not have punished you for that. My rage blinded me and for that I can only apologize.”
Maurice stared intently at the beast - No, Adam. A man who was cursed to live as a beast. Well, it was truly no wonder he was so miserable.
Maurice remembered fearing for his very life as he lay in the snow, a fearsome creature towering over him, sharp teeth bared with piercing, cold eyes.
Those same eyes were now deep with emotion; Despair, regret and the warmth of humanity.
Maurice’s gaze shifted towards his daughter. Maurice knew Belle to be an excellent judge of character, a young woman so pure of heart and not afraid to stand up for what was right, so much like her mother in that way. After all it was Belle who so gallantly traded her life for his own, who stood up to the beast with only minor hesitation. If she could forgive the beast...if she could come to even have kind regard for the beast, to go so far as to call him friend and return to the place that had once been her prison, well then so could he.
Belle’s face lit up with a smile of relief as she noticed his face soften. Maurice returned her smile and nodded his head before returning his attention to Adam.
He still felt a little intimidated by the beast’s presence but Adam appeared almost visibly nervous and anxious as he awaited his acceptance. He was most certainly not the beast he had encountered just several nights ago.
Maurice cleared his throat and smiled genuinely as he took a few cautious steps towards Adam. “Apology accepted.” He said simply and his smile widened at the relief and surprise that suddenly crossed Adam’s face.
Adam looked quickly to Belle, as if to make certain he had heard correctly and her smile widened.
Adam glanced back to Maurice and bowed his head respectfully. “I fear I do not deserve your kindness but I thank you, monsieur.”
Maurice shook his head with a smile. “My daughter sees something in you. I trust her judgment beyond all else. If she trusts you then so will I.”
Suddenly, Belle gasped and shot towards Adam’s side, her eyes turning upward as the castle shook. A loud cracking filled the air and parts of the ceiling crumbled into dust and fell to the floor around them.
“What in heaven’s name?” Maurice wondered, his eyes widening as he moved out of the way of falling debris.
“Oh dear…” Mrs. Potts muttered in despair and Chip questioned his mother's concern. Lumiere carefully pulled Plumette in closer as she sighed. Cogsworth scuttled in closer to the chair, frowning in concern at the ceiling.
Belle’s brow knitted together as she looked up at Adam whose eyes were trained intently on the ceiling.
“What was that?” She wondered, although she already feared the answer. The castle had shaken several times since she arrived but no one would ever talk about it but the look in Adam’s eyes spoke for itself.
He let out a deep sigh, keeping his eyes upward. “Another petal fell.” He said, his voice deep.
Maurice frowned in confusion, turning his attention to the pair.
Belle’s heart lurched as she remembered the sight of the wilting rose with just two lonely petals remaining. Now only one.
“What happens when the last petal falls?”
“The master remains a beast forever…”
With a suddenly fierce determination she grabbed a tight hold onto Adam’s arm and he looked down at her in surprise. A deep frown was on her face as she gazed up at him. “You must tell me what I can do to help you!”
His eyes widened. “Belle…”
“No!” She snapped almost harshly, desperately. “I will not let you live this way! Any of you!” She glanced quickly towards the staff all huddled together in fear. “Not when there is something I can do to help and I know there is, if only you would tell me! Please,” Her fingers curled around his sleeves, gripping him tight as she pleaded with him, “Please tell me, Adam…” She paused to slowly shake her head, her eyes welling with emotion. “I cannot let this happen.” She finished softly.
“Master…” Lumiere started quietly, leaving Plumette’s embrace to walk forward towards him, wincing with every stiff step, desperation written on his metal features. “Please, you must tell her. We are running out of time.”
Adam took in the sight of his staff watching him in hopeful desperation and his heart ached for them. They were turning less and less human by the second and quite possibly may be nothing but objects by the end of the night. His gaze drifted towards Maurice, the poor man who had been swept up one too many times in the mess of all this, and hadn’t a clue of what was happening but seemed concerned all the same. It was no wonder Belle turned out to be the way she was with a man like Maurice to raise her. That thought finally brought him back to Belle, still holding tightly onto his arm and staring up at him with wide, pleading eyes and his heart pounded.
He feared rejection, certainly but he also feared what may happen if he did not try. The fate of his life and the life of those of his friends lay in her hands.
He cleared his throat and kept his eyes on Belle but addressed his staff, “May I have a few moments alone with Belle?”
A hint of a smile twitched at her lips but her eyes remained full of concern.
“But of course, Master! We will leave you at once!” Lumiere answered, the hope now returned to his voice and he motioned to the others to follow behind him.
Maurice twitched a little as the staff passed by him and he glanced at Belle and Adam, hesitant to leave.
“Come along Monsieur, you must be starving!” Lumiere said as he stopped at Maurice’s feet.
“Well I…” he stuttered in protest but as Belle turned to look at him, certainty and genuine worry in her eyes for her friend, he sighed and nodded. “I suppose I could eat.”
Lumiere clapped his handles together, the clinking of metal echoing in the quiet room. “Wonderful! Please follow me!”
“And I shall put on some tea!” Mrs. Potts said as she disappeared out of the room.
Maurice shared a small, tight smile with Belle before slowly following after the candelabra, glancing over his shoulder one last time at the pair before disappearing around the corner.
Belle turned back to Adam as soon as he was gone. “Well? What is It? What do I have to do?”
His eyes tightened and he kept his gaze on her for a moment longer before he sighed and stepped out of her grasp.
He turned away from her and took a few steps. Belle frowned as she watched him.
His heart pounded and his stomach churned as he tried to think of how to begin. He had never confessed his heart's desire before - he had never felt anything so strongly before.
“It does not matter how difficult the task I will do it.”
His heart leapt a little at the fierce determination in her voice.
Finally he turned back towards her and shook his head slowly. “Belle...I would like for you to know...whatever may happen tonight…”
“Don't talk like that.” She cut him off, her voice sweet and sad and she took a step towards him. “I won't let anything happen to you.”
“You are very kind. Far kinder than I probably deserve and for that I must thank you. No matter what may happen tonight...you have saved my life already. I have lived more these last few days than I have in my entire life. My heart, my life, is forever changed thanks to you, Belle.”
He took a breath to calm the sudden nausea but Belle's soft expression gave him the courage to continue.
“I think you ought to know Belle…” he started and then paused and she raised her brow. “That I believe…” he sighed and turned his head away, growling under his breath at how the words seemed to get caught in his throat. “I don't know why this is so difficult.” he grumbled
Belle's lips twitched in a small smile and she crossed the distance between them, sliding her hand onto his arm encouragingly, drawing his attention back to her. His breath caught in his chest at the look in her eyes.
“Whatever it is...you can tell me.”
He let out another heavy sigh and nodded, gathering his courage. “I have never felt anything like this before.” Belle's eyes widened slowly as she seemed to catch on to where he was headed. “I believe I have fallen in love with you.” He said the words quickly and his voice was low and thick with emotion. “I love you.” He restated, soft but confident.
Belle gasped quietly, staring up at him with wide eyes.
“Yes…” She breathed, a look of realization sweeping over her features and he blinked at her.
“Yes?”
She looked back up at him and smiled. “I’ve been trying to understand what it is exactly that I’ve been feeling these last few days. It’s new, and overwhelming and wonderful...and that’s it...that’s what it is ... it's love…”
“What are you saying?” He asked, daring for once to actually hope.
A grin spread across her face as she laughed joyously. “I’m saying I love you!”
He took a shuddering gasp, his heart felt like it beat right out of his chest as a feeling unlike he had ever known flooded over him. “Truly?”
She nodded, her grin still beaming and another peel of laughter escaped her lips as she reached for his paws. “Yes, truly. I do, I love you.” Then she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him the best she could, snuggling into his large chest.
He let out a breath as he gently encircled his arms around her, hardly believing this moment to be true but filled with such incredible joy and relief.
“Oh Belle…” He whispered against the top of her head and she smiled and hummed against his chest.
His relief and joy were short lived however as he realized her words and he frowned. He sharply pulled away from her and her brow furrowed as she frowned up at him.
“What is it? What’s the matter?”
“I don’t understand…” He muttered, looking down at his furry, monstrous paws.
“Adam?”
He looked up at the sound of his name and for the very briefest of moments doubted the truth of her words. All doubt however was quickly snapped away by the genuine concern in her eyes and he knew Belle would never say something she did not mean. She loved him...by some miracle she loved him...but it hadn’t done any good.
“No.” He whispered and took a few steps back and felt a cold stab of fear climb up his spine. “No.” His voice shook as he turned away from her and took a few hurried steps toward the window. He glared out at the darkness, silently cursing the enchantress.
“Adam, tell me what’s wrong!” Belle demanded from behind him, her voice sharp and full of worry.
“It’s too late.” He whispered and he curled his fists, feeling his claws digging sharply into his palm and then winced at the pain that came with its very implication. He was still a beast and would be for the rest of his days.
He released his fingers with a heavy sigh and closed his eyes as he turned back towards Belle. “Belle...you should…” He paused when he caught sight of Belle staring at him with wide, almost terrified eyes.
“What is it?” He asked, fearing the worst though he wasn’t quite certain how it could get much worse.
Belle blinked quickly and slowly lifted her hand to point at him. “You...you’re glowing…”
“What?” He wondered and then glanced down at his paws which were slowly being engulfed by a soft golden light. Not a moment later he felt a sudden comforting warmth radiating from his palms and starting to spread to each of his fingers and down his wrists.
His head shot up and he gasped as he remembered the last time he had felt this way...on his knees in the ballroom, fear and pain overcoming him.
There was no pain this time, as the warmth of the golden light traveled up his body he felt nothing but relief.
“What’s going on?” Belle asked in awe and took a few steps closer to him.
“Belle, stay back.” He managed to say and she gasped and stumbled backwards as the golden light suddenly engulfed his entire body and lifted him off the ground.
He closed his eyes in bliss, letting the powerful magic overtake him.
Belle continued to step back, further and further away from the bright light that had taken over Adam. Her heart pounded as she watched in stunned silence. The light was near blinding but she could see something was happening to Adam behind it.
Slowly the light began to descend back towards the ground and fade away and her breath caught. Adam as she knew him was gone and left standing in his place was a man. A lean but undoubtedly handsome man with unkempt, long, sandy blonde hair and wearing Adam’s torn clothing.
The man shakily raised his hands out in front of him and turned them over, looking at his palms and the back of his hands and then he brought his hands to his chest and he lifted his head.
Belle gasped as piercing blue eyes met hers from across the way and a smile of relief crossed his face. “You did it.” He said lowly and her brow twitched at the almost familiar tone of his voice. His smile widened and he took a shaky step forward, pausing to regain his balance but then continuing over to her.
She narrowed her eyes slightly as the unfamiliar man approached. Yet somehow she felt comfortable in his presence, she had never seen his face before but she felt like she knew him.
“Belle...it’s me…” He paused just a couple feet from her and she suddenly gasped as she looked deep into his eyes. Blue eyes that shone with such deep emotion and were so familiar, she knew, despite his now human form, this was the man she had fallen in love with.
“Adam.” She whispered and she took a few steps closer to him, slowly raising her hand to touch the side of his face. He let out a shuddering gasp as her hand came into contact with his cheek and his eyes instantly welled with tears as he gave a shaky smile.
She let out a small laugh of relief as the truth finally set in. “It is you!” She suddenly threw both her arms around his neck and he quickly took a step back to steady himself. Then his arms wound around her waist, gently at first but once they both realized how close they could be, their arms tightened around the other in a secure, desperate hold.
Belle let out a sudden squeak of delight as Adam suddenly lifted her off her feet and began to turn them around in circles and their shared joyous, relieved laughter filled the air.
When he placed her back on her feet, he held her tightly to him for another few seconds and then slowly released her, pulling away just enough to move his hand to her face.
Belle smiled, her heart leaping as she looked up at him.
“You truly do love me.” He whispered in awe and her smile widened as she moved her hand to cover his.
“Of course I do.” She answered just as softly and then slowly a look of realization crossed her face. “Was that it? Is that what broke the curse? Love?”
With the smile still on his lips, he nodded. “Yes. I needed to learn to love and to be loved in return. Only then would the curse be broken.”
“And it needed to be before the last petal fell.”
He nodded again. “You can see now why I was so hesitant to tell you.”
She slowly shook her head as she smiled. “You should have told me earlier.”
“It doesn’t matter now. It is indeed broken...and I…” His voice broke with emotion. “You have no idea how grateful I am to you. How much I love you…”
Her smile widened and a blush coated her cheeks. “Well, if it is anything like I feel for you I may have some idea.” Her eyes twinkled in delight. “It is strong enough to break a curse after all.”
He swallowed thickly and fought back the tears that sprang helplessly to his eyes. “Belle I…” His eyes drifted down to her lips and his hand, of its own will it seemed, started to tilt her chin towards him. He paused though every cell in his body was screaming at him to kiss her, something he had longed to do but knew he never could before.
Belle felt a sudden warmth flood her and her stomach flipped as she realized his intentions. However, when he paused, hesitating, she took it upon herself to finish what he started.
Her free hand moved to cup his cheek and his eyes darted up to hers in surprise and she gave him a small, loving smile before she leaned in the rest of the way, pressing her lips gently to his.
His breath caught as their lips touched and he froze for half a second. It had been far too long since he had any kind of human contact, none the less one so intimate, and one that meant so much more than any of the kisses he had had before it.
His hand slowly moved through her hair until he was cradling the back of her head. His entire being buzzed with joy as Belle sighed against his mouth. He was tempted, incredibly tempted to let his emotions run away with him and kiss her with all the passion and experience he knew but he kept it sweet, tender and gentle, not wanting to frighten her away. She was incredibly receptive to every gentle caress and with her hand now resting on the skin of his neck, he never wished to part from her.
Once the kiss had ended they still remained close, their foreheads intimately pressed together as they clung desperately to each other, both smiling in contentment.
They were only pulled apart by the sound of shouts of joy from down the hall.
Her hands now on his chest and his arms around her waist, Belle glanced over her shoulder and her smile widened as she turned back to Adam. “The others!”
Adams eyes widened in realization and he looked at the source of the noise and a flood of relief flooded over him. “They're saved…'' he let out a breath. “Oh thank God…”
The guilt of what he had done to his ever faithful staff tore at him. He wasn't sure of what was to become of him had the curse not been broken but all of them, people he had come to know as his only friends, were doomed to die.
“Shall we go to them?” Belle asked, eager now to see what her new friends truly looked like.
Adam looked back at her with a warm smile. “Of course. They will want to thank you as well.”
He dropped his arms only to then take her hand in his. He glanced down, marveling at the sight and feel of their joined - human - hands.
Belle squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. He returned her smile and together they headed out of the room.
Belle gasped, pausing to look around in awe. The castle's layout was the same but almost everything else had changed. The walls were a bright, warm color, the statues had changed from hideous gargoyles made of dark stone to angelic faces made of marble. Bright sunlight shone in through the windows, casting a warm glow on the entirety of the foyer, even though it had just been night not half an hour ago.
“It's beautiful…” she remarked and Adam looked from her to trail his gaze around the place he had called home for nearly his entire life and he smiled softly in fond remembrance.
“It is, isn't it? This is how it is supposed to be.” His smile slowly faded. “The spell cursed everything- even the castle. I had forgotten how light it could be…”
Belle frowned, slowly turning to look at him, observing the look on his face.
She shifted closer to him, tightening her hold on his hand which drew his attention back to her.
“What happened?” She asked quietly, making sure to keep all accusations out of her voice and his face fell further. “Why did she curse all of you?”
His jaw clenched, his eyes hardening as he looked away from her, staring instead across the room. “It was my fault.” He said darkly. He sighed and he closed his eyes. “I….”
He was suddenly interrupted by the sound of quick, bustling footsteps on the stairs above them. He directed his gaze towards the stairs and then leaned in towards Belle. “Perhaps a conversation for another time.”
Belle nodded and they walked around to the front of the staircase to find a middle aged woman quickly hurrying down the stairs.
Adam’s eyes widened and he broke out in a smile at the sight of her. “Madame!”
Madame de Garderobe yelped and suddenly came to a halt halfway down the steps. She gasped and they stared at one another for a few moments in silence.
“Oh! Your highness!” She suddenly fell to her knees in a bow, her head bowing in respect.
Adam's face softened and he started up the steps and held out his hand towards her “Come, Madame, on your feet.” He urged, his voice calm and gentle.
She slowly lifted her head and it was only then he noticed the tears that rolled down her cheeks. She let out a small little sob and smiled in relief as she slipped her hand onto his and he guided her to her feet.
Adam turned and walked back down the stairs with Madame De Garderobe close behind.
“Oh, Your Grace, I cannot believe it! We are human again!”
Adam glanced back over to her with a smile. “Indeed we are, Madame.”
She shook her head, in shock and wonder and Adam shifted his gaze to Belle. Madame De Garderobe followed him and gasped quietly as her eyes fell on the young woman.
“Oh my dear girl!” she cried and crossed the distance between them and Belle smiled as Madame De Garderobe enthusiastically kissed both her cheeks. “Oh bless you...bless you! I hoped you would be the one!”
Belle let out a soft grunt and then patted the older woman's back as she brought her into a crushing hug and sobbed in relief against her shoulder.
“Oh, forgive me!” Madame De Garderobe pulled away a moment later, wiping at her eyes and Belle smiled.
“It is quite alright, I am just happy to see you are human again!”
Madame De Garderobe blubbered again and then gasped as she looked around frantically. “Oh Mi amore! I must find him! Please pardon me, mademoiselle,” she nodded to her and then to Adam, “Your Grace.”
Adam smiled warmly and held out his arm. “By all means, Madame, go and find your husband.”
Madame De Garderobe whimpered and thanked him again before rushing off towards the ballroom, the place her husband would no doubt be.
Belle watched her go and turned to Adam with a beaming smile. “She seems so happy!”
Adam returned her smile and walked back to her side, once again taking hold of her hand. “The curse has separated her and her husband for years, I can imagine how much joy it would bring her to see him again. It brought me such incredible joy to see you had come back to me, and you were only gone a few hours.”
Belle flushed at his words coupled with his intense stare. She squeezed his hand.
“Shall we now go find the others?”
He nodded and together they walked hand in hand in the direction of the loud noise. It led them to the dining room and smiles lit up both their faces as they took in the scene.
Maurice stood by the head of the table, his eyes wide in astonishment as he looked around at the people who had suddenly appeared around him.
Mrs. Potts was clutching Chip to her chest and crying in relief and the little boy had his arms wrapped around her neck.
Lumiere and Plumette were wrapped in each other's embrace on the other side of the table.
Cogsworth stood happily conversing with some of the kitchen staff who had piled into the dining room after their miraculous transformation.
Adam felt his heart swell with joy as he watched his staff rejoice in being human again. It was a feeling unlike any he had had before and the emotions rose up in him until they reached a tipping point and his eyes welled with tears and a small sob broke in his throat.
Belle glanced up at him at the sound and her smile widened, seeing the tears in his eyes, and the genuine smile on his lips.
Her own eyes started to wager and she squeezed his hand again, leaning her head against his shoulder.
“I never thought we would see this day.” He whispered against the top of her head. “Belle, I….” his voice choked with emotion. “I cannot thank you enough.”
She was about to answer him when a small gasp came from Plumette.
“Lumiere, look!”
At her voice, Lumiere and everyone else paused and looked towards the doorway, where their Prince and savior stood together.
Maurice's eyes widened like saucers when he recognized the young man standing beside his daughter.
Lumiere broke out into a grin and released Plumette to take a few steps forward toward Adam.
“Oh, my Prince!” he bent in a flourishing bow and Adam released Belle to approach him with a smile.
“Hello, old friend.” Adam greeted and he stopped in front of him and the two men smiled at one another before Adam closed the distance between them and brought his faithful servant and dearest friend in for a hug.
Lumiere laughed, clearly a little taken aback by this move by the Prince, but readily returned the hug. “Oh, it's so good to see you!”
They pulled out of the embrace a few seconds later and smiled radiantly at one another.
“You look well, Lumiere.”
Lumiere beamed. “I feel magnificent, your Grace! Soft and warm and no metal to be found! And you…” he looked over the prince's form and Adam raised his brow expectantly. “Also look very well, your Grace! Significantly less hairy.”
Adam let out a loud laugh, which brought smiles to everyone in the room. Their prince's genuine laughter, not a derisive sneer, had not been a sound heard for ages.
“Yes, just so.”
Belle watched with a wide smile until her attention was drawn to a familiar voice calling her name.
She glanced to the side and saw a brown haired boy running towards her with a grin.
Belle dropped to her knees and eagerly welcomed the boy into her arms.
“Belle, it's me! It's Chip!” the boy exclaimed against her and she laughed joyfully, squeezing him gently.
“Oh, Chip!”
Chip’s arms tightened around her neck. “Mama said you would be the one to break the spell and turn me back into a boy!” he snuggled his face into her dress and then finished in a muffled voice, “Thank you for saving us.”
Belle felt tears rush to her eyes and she let out a breath as she moved her hands to run through his hair. “It was my absolute pleasure.” She whispered, her voice full of emotion.
Chip pulled back and they grinned at one another and Chip giggled as Belle affectionately tapped his nose.
He climbed off her lap and Belle rose to her feet as Mrs. Potts approached them.
The kind woman wore a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
“Oh, my dear…” she reached out to take Belle's hands within her own and then pressed a soft kiss to each of Belle's hands.
Then she pulled Belle into a gentle hug of her own and Belle smiled, wrapping her arms around her.
“I knew you would save us all….”
Belle pulled away and shook her head. “I do wish you would have told me what I needed to do. It would have saved you all some time!”
Mrs. Potts smiled softly. “The Master has no doubt told you the conditions of the curse? You had to come to it on your own, dear and so did he. We encouraged you both as best we could but love...that cannot be forced upon anyone.”
“A hint of any kind would have helped. I was not even aware of my own feelings, it wasn't until he told me how he felt that I realized it”
“It does not matter now, the curse has been broken and we are all so grateful.”
“Belle?”
Belle looked over as Maurice approached her and she smiled at him.
“What precisely just happened here? One minute they were all objects and the next…” he swept his arm meaningfully around the room, indicating the crowd of happy people.
“The curse has been broken, Papa…” Belle explained.
“I gathered as much but how?”
Mrs. Potts answered, “She broke the curse, Monsieur.”
Maurice lifted his brow. “You broke the curse? How on earth did you manage that?”
Belle felt heat rise to her cheeks and she glanced over her father's shoulder to where Adam stood, now talking animatedly with Cogsworth.
Her heart flipped at the sight of him. He was in a much different form than the beast she'd come to know but there were so many similarities. The crinkle at the corner of his eyes, the way his body moved as he spoke, and his smile, now lacking fangs and crooked teeth but still the same.
Belle cleared her throat and looked back at her father.
“It was love.” She answered quietly.
“Pardon? Love?”
Belle nodded. “He needed to learn to love and to have someone love him in return. That mutual love between us is what broke the curse upon this castle.”
A look of realization slowly dawned upon his face. “You love him?” he glanced over his shoulder towards Adam.
Then he turned wide-eyed back to Belle. “That is the prince!”
Belle giggled. “So it is!”
Maurice hawked at her. “Are you telling me that the beast who imprisoned me, the beast we met just before, he is the Prince?”
Belle nodded, still smiling. “That is precisely what I am telling you.”
“Good Lord.” Maurice muttered, shaking his head. “The Prince..”
As if being summoned by the constant utterance of his title, Adam suddenly appeared behind him, smiling nervously.
“If I may interrupt…” His voice was soft and quiet but still startled Maurice and Belle’s smile widened.
Maurice stared wide eyed at Adam. “Your highness! Goodness, uh, you must forgive me! I did not realize...but how foolish is that not to realize...this castle was yours, that you lived here that is, that you were…”
“It is no fault of yours, Monsieur.” Adam cut off his rambling politely. “The castle was enchanted, you see, we were all made to be forgotten. You did not recognize this castle because you were not supposed to. Nor how were you to know who I was in that form? I hardly looked or acted very Prince-like.”
“That is true.”
“Please monsieur.” Adam reached out and placed his hand on Maurice’s shoulder much to his surprise. “You do not need to treat me as a prince. I no longer feel like one.”
“Oh-” he cast another look at Belle who gave him another reassuring smile and a nod. “Oh, very well then. How should I address you?”
“Adam is more than acceptable.” He replied with a kind smile.
Maurice blinked, his brow lifting and then he nodded. “Then I insist you call me Maurice.”
“It is a pleasure to properly make your acquaintance, Maurice.” Adam lowered his hands to take Maurice’s in his. “And I commend you for raising such a wonderful young woman as Belle.” His eyes twinkled as he glanced at Belle who grinned at him.
Maurice glanced between them a few times and then a knowing smile teased his lips. “My, you two really are in love, aren’t you?”
Belle flushed, her smile brightening as she nodded.
“Strong enough to break a curse.” Adam answered, his eyes fixed on Belle.
“What happens now, Your Grace?”
Adam turned as his staff all looked upon him, awaiting his guidance. His head turned as Belle came to stand by his side and he smiled at her as he slipped his hand into hers.
“First, you find your families.” He looked at each and every one of them. He had lost track of the time of how many years it had been but it had been far too long. “And you take as much time as you need with them.”
Belle squeezed his hand in acceptance and support of his decision.
“Then, only if you so choose, you are welcome to return here. Belle and I will be here to welcome you home.”
The faces he scarcely remembered all lit up in joy and excitement and tears once again were shed.
Adam wasn’t sure what came next, after all his life had now been changed forever, but with Belle at his side, and a new joy in his heart, he would be ready for anything.