Let me Carry You From Hell To Home Again -- Beauty And The Beast AU (Tendershipping)

[destinedhost]

 [Once Upon a Time, there was a village not far from an enchanted forest.

It was a normal village, filled with normal people living normal lives. Truly, it was a place ripped right out of a storybook that a particular young man enjoyed reading to his sickly little sister.

A sickly little sister that, one day, passed away. 

So the young man lived alone with his father: an explorer who often found himself wandering into uncharted territory and disappearing for weeks at a time. Both were considered 'strange' by the town's standards, often ignored and treated as outsiders by any who knew them. Truly, the man's father was all he had, even if the two had a strained relationship and were hardly what one would consider 'close'. 

The boy's name was Ryou, though some of the men in town jokingly called him 'Beauty' for his feminine looks and gorgeous long hair. He took it in stride, spending every day working odd jobs to keep himself fed while his father went off on his expeditions...

Unbeknownst to him, though...

His father's eyes fell onto the castle in the Enchanted Forest. 

He found a Ring there, and had to leave with it. 

However, a Beast confronted him, and threatened his life. Told him that for trying to steal what was his, he would take his life. 

The man, Mr. Bakura, was desperate to survive; there were things to find, and he wasn't ready to join his daughter and wife in Heaven. He had things to see, things to do, and wanted desperately to leave the town behind that had so many horrible memories...

But. 

Thinking quickly, the man begged and pleaded: 

"Please," he said, "I have a son! He's young and beautiful, and his life is worth far more than mine. If you let me go, I'll bring him to you, and I'll give him to you! No questions asked!" 

He didn't intend to give Ryou away, of course; he just needed to find a way out.

To his surprise, the Beast even acquiesced! Told him to return home to his son to have one last day together before the Beast would take him into his castle to take his life. 

So Mr. Bakura went home, and did not tell Ryou anything of this encounter, not knowing that the Beast was following behind him to take Ryou once he arrived home...]

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[stealerofsouls]

[He knew the man wouldn't keep his end of the bargain. Why would he? No one ever did. It was a lie to get out of his situation.

Why was it so hard for people to leave him alone? To avoid the forest? Why were they always wanting to seek his treasures?

As he stood in the woods outside of the cottage, the beast wondered to himself why he was even bothering to do this. Loneliness? Anger? Pettiness? He wasn't sure but... if the man wasn't going to keep his word then neither would he. He would take the man's most prize possession to show him how it felt.

At the stroke of midnight, Ryou's bedroom window shattered and there in the moonlight stood a tall, pale, large creature that could be mistaken for a demon. (But strangely fluffy as well...?) Before the boy can react, he's picked up and thrown over the beast's shoulder, and carried off into the woods.]

[destinedhost]

[Ryou didn't have time to scream. Before he knew it, large hands grabbed him and threw his tiny body over his shoulder as they went off into the night.]

Who--?!

[They were a good way away from his house by the time he found his voice, and he could barely see his captor's face. All he could see was long white hair and a large body.]

Who are you?! Where are you taking me?!

[stealerofsouls]

[There's a low rumble of a growl before he speaks, his voice surprisingly gruff yet velvety for such a terrifying creature.

He continues to dash through the forest like he's running down the street, nothing getting in his way.]

Your father made a bargain with me. I'm simply taking what he offered in exchange for his life.

1/2

[destinedhost]

My...father?!

[For a moment, Ryou stiffens in his arms, as though he's ready to bite back. To fight, to scream--]

2/2

[destinedhost]

[Ryou slumps into his arms, sighing deeply.

Of course. Of course he did.

His father acted strangely, kept glancing towards the door and asking how Ryou was doing all day like he actually was some kind of present father. At the time, Ryou was happy at his sudden care...

...But of course...

Of course he would do something like this. He's not even surprised that he'd do something like this in exchange for Ryou's life. It's not like he took much of an interest in him otherwise.]

...I see...

As you were, then.

[He'd have to find his own way out once they got to...wherever he was being taken. He obviously couldn't stay the captive of...of this strange man.

Right?]

[stealerofsouls]

[... An odd reaction. Does this not come as a surprise to him?

Is his father that terrible of a person?

The beast slows down to a walk.]

No protesting?

[destinedhost]

[He slowed down? Why?]

Even if I did, there would be little point. I am not very agile and you would catch me easily. I don't see the point in doing something that'll just get me into trouble.

[He laughs; he can't help it. This situation is rather silly, isn't it? He's getting carried off because his father convinced him that Ryou was worth taking over his own life!]

Besides, if I leave, you'll just kill my father. It's me for his life, right?

The next morning...

[destinedhost]

[Ryou slept better than he had in years.

Was it because he was in a bed that was plush, with soft blankets and even softer sheets? Was it because there was the subtle scent of lavender in the air, even though he wasn't quite sure where it came from or how it got there?

Perhaps it was his new...friend, who took over his mind as he closed his eyes and found himself going to sleep.

Would his father even care that he was gone...?

Perhaps he was looking for him--

No. Probably not. He was likely preparing for the next adventure, looking for more trinkets to study and more things to decorate his bedroom study. Ryou's bed was barely more than a plank and he had to fight to get food on the table, but his father sure had plenty of artifacts to busy himself with.

The only people who would notice he was missing were...

...

Yuugi. And Atem.

Yuugi was the closest thing Ryou had to a friend, and his older brother was someone who had known Ryou for many years growing up. A nice enough person, if not a bit preachy sometimes. Still, they were reliable friends and Ryou wished he could send out a message to at least...let them know he was all right.

These thoughts fluttered in his mind as he sat up in bed, only to find fresh tea on the nightstand and toast with what looked to be mascarpone cheese and fruit jelly.

But...

He was still alone.]

[stealerofsouls]

[Thankfully, it isn't long once Ryou has awaken that the sound of loud footsteps approach the door, along with a knocking before it opens.

The horned, fluffy beast peers in for a moment and then enters fully, making his way to Ryou's bedside.

Still dressed in regal clothes, still majestic looking despite being more visible thanks to the sunlight peeking through the balcony window. He grunts and looks to the plate of food before his gaze meets his captive.]

Did you sleep well?

[destinedhost]

[Ryou's eyes light up as his new friend enters; he kept his promise.

He didn't leave Ryou alone...!

He took a sip of his tea with a smile.]

Best sleep I've ever had. The bed is lovely.

[stealerofsouls]

Good.

[... He's very beautiful when he's happy. Bakura grunts and looks to the side.]

How is your food?

[destinedhost]

[Ryou takes a sip of his tea before following it up with a bite of toast.

He lets a little sound of pleasure.]

It's delicious! The tea is perfectly brewed, too.

[A touch of pink glows on his cheeks.]

Thank you, Zorc.

[stealerofsouls]

Of course.

[Zorc attempts not to stare, instead moving to look out the balcony window.]

... You will not be unhappy here.

A Week Later

[stealerofsouls]

[That first day together shook him. Made him feel things he hadn't in what felt like forever.

And it terrified him. Terrified him to open up to someone. That someone could actually... love him as he was. Surely Ryou was just trying to get on his good side so he'd let him leave, right? He couldn't possibly want him...

He spent the next week distant and generally by himself, spending minimum time with his guest. The servants didn't seem all that worried. He got like this from time to time.

But one servant could tell something was a bit different, suggesting to Ryou that perhaps he make something for him. Maybe that would cheer him up!

One particular rainy day, Zorc is sulking about as he has been, and happens to walk past Ryou's room. Against his better judgement, he peers in to see what he's up to.]

[destinedhost]

[Zorc was...distant.

He was barely around, having left Ryou to the care of the little servants around the castle. They were all charming of course, and they became friends rather quickly...

But Ryou's heart kept thinking about the majestic master of the castle.

Enough so that he asked what he could do to cheer him up.

"Oh, you can make him something! The Master really likes artwork, you know!"

This spurred Ryou into action.

He asked some of the servants to fetch him his art supplies from his old home, which was done in quick order.

Then...he started carving.

It was a figurine of Zorc, cute and endearing with his coat and adorable hair, horns, and fur.

He was applying the fluff to his chest with gentle precision with adhesive and tweezers, smiling and humming to himself.]

[stealerofsouls]

[It was hard to tell what he was working on. Was it a sculpture of some sort...? He's certainly engaged in it though...

Zorc finds himself smiling a bit.

Curiosity gets the better of him and he softly knocks on the door so he doesn't startle poor Ryou, then pushes the door open all the way to enter the room.]

... How are you doing?

[destinedhost]

Zorc!

[Ryou's entire face lights up as he turns around in his seat, figurine on full display in his hand.

He's...

He's... smiling... just a little.

His heart flutters and stomach swoops...]

Hello. I'm doing well, thank you. Just working on some art...

[He was so excited to hear from him that he forgot just what he was making for a moment...]

[stealerofsouls]

[His cheeks flush just a little at that sheer joy on Ryou's face.

The beast steps over to the table to look at his work. And his eyes fall on to the figurine.

It's... him? Ryou's making... him?

Any wall he might have had up melts as he kneels down next to the younger man's chair to get a better look at it.]

Is that... me?

[destinedhost]

[Ryou flushes, bashful but not willing to look away.

He nods.]

Nn. I wanted to capture your essence as best I could. You're regal, but also very cute, so I thought, maybe...

[Ryou. You don't just call this man cute.]

Mixing that with your soulful eyes...I hope I did it justice.

Half a Day Later

[stealerofsouls]

[It was unusual for Zorc to be restless. Everything he did was so particular.

But while Ryou was gone from the castle, the beast paced around, pointlessly looking out the windows, checking the time. He knew it was foolish to get his hopes up but after their talk yesterday, how could he not?

He wanted to beloved Ryou. Wanted to let him in to his life and perhaps ease his heart. To have someone see him for who he was instead of what he was.

Zorc wrings his hands anxiously. How long would he be gone? Surely it wouldn't take him more than a day to get back. He hasn't heard anything from the servant that went with him so that's a good thing, hopefully...?]

[destinedhost]

[In the distance, Zorc can hear the slamming of the door...and hard, running footsteps that could not be from a monster or a mob.

Ryou was home.

And clearly upset.

A frustrated cry can be heard from his bedroom, followed by sobbing.

These were not the delicate tears of a maiden or a soft young man.

These were desperate, heaving, hiccuping sobs that came with trembling muscles and hyperventilating.

Ryou was home.

And he was not okay.]

[stealerofsouls]

[As soon as he hears the slam, he rushes to Ryou's room but stops outside of the door when he hears the crying coming from the young man as he draws closer.

At first, he wonders if he's upset that he had to return.

No. It couldn't be that. He returned. He said he wanted to... He's even brought all of his things without prompting. Which means...

Zorc knocks softly before pushing the door open. His voice is soft, velvety when he speaks.]

Ryou...

[destinedhost]

[Ryou looks up, and...oh, his face is splotchy from crying. Tears run down his cheeks and his eyes are swollen.]

Zorc...

[He sobs, sitting up...

And then runs towards him, throwing his arms around the beast's waist to hug him tight as he lets out a pained wail.]

[stealerofsouls]

[The beast tenses for a moment but quickly relaxes himself, wrapping his arms around Ryou to pull him close.]

You returned...

[He leans over slightly to rest a cheek on the top of his head.]

... Who hurt you...?

[destinedhost]

[Safe. Gods, he felt so safe here in Zorc's arms.]

My...father tried...t-to mobilize the town. T-to get me back.

[He took a deep breath.]

A-and...nobody b-but one person believed him. The...br-brother of my friend.

He...

[A sob.]

Asked me to m-marry him. I told him no, b-but he didn't listen! Nobody ever listens to me! H-he thinks he kn-knows what's best for m-me... because he th- thinks I'm...!! Soft! And...d-delicate...!