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?

[stealerofsouls]

[There's just a grunt.

He's a smart young man, that much is certain.]

It is.

[The beast doesn't say anything else until they begin to approach this castle. It's like something out of a fairytale. Gorgeous, regal, yet dark, and mysterious.]

Then you are not sad about this?

[destinedhost]

[That...That's where this man is taking him?

A...castle?

Ryou tries to hide his surprise and curiosity, but it glitters in his eyes and the parting of his lips.

He bites his lips to try to keep himself from reacting.]

You know...

[He laughs, hollow and sad.]

In just that one question, you've shown more concern for me than my father has in many years.

[stealerofsouls]

[The beast shifts Ryou to hold in his arms instead, bridal-style as he approaches the bridge.]

... I see.

[The doors magically open and he steps inside, allowing them both a moment to adjust to the new lighting.]

You will be well taken care of here.

[destinedhost]

[He was...going to take care of him? That...was not what Ryou expected at all.

He hadn't expected his arms to feel so warm, either, or his...face...

To be so handsome...

O-Oh. Wait. Probably shouldn't be blushing at a man who is essentially his captor, should he? But it was hard not to be drawn to the softness of his hair, the large build of his body, and...his frankly massive size.

Gently, Ryou smiles.]

Thank you. Thank you...very much.

[stealerofsouls]

[Hmm.

He is rather beautiful, isn't he? Such a slight frame... soft features... and that smile.

Maybe... Just maybe, this man could help him break the curse...]

You don't need to thank me. I did just kidnap you...

[Ryou will note that the there are no proper staff. It seems... inanimate objects are moving around and doing things.]

[destinedhost]

[Things are...moving.

Inanimate objects are hopping around and doing chores, like they were made of magic. How curious! Ryou wanted to follow at least one of them. Maybe ask it questions; could they talk? Did they have the ability to communicate? Could they write?

So many questions...

Wait.

Captor.

Discuss.

He said something. Think about strange castle later when he had time to explore.]

You did, but you're also carrying me like a gentleman.

[He still smiles.]

And you asked about my feelings.

[Someone who was willing to ask about his feelings couldn't be bad, right? He took him from his father, but...Mr. Bakura wouldn't exactly be looking for Ryou. And so long as he stayed here, his father would be okay...]

[stealerofsouls]

[Ryou would find out soon enough even if the beast tried to keep things secretive.

... Carried him like a gentleman. And asked him about his feelings...? Was that truly a sign of being a good person?

He grunts in thought as he continues to walk through the castle, up the grand staircase and to the guest room.

It's gorgeous, spacious, and a giant window that leads to a balcony facing the garden, with every piece of furniture Ryou would ever need.

The beast sets the young man down on to the bed and stands back up, staring down at him, red eyes studying him.]

[destinedhost]

[It's beautiful.

No, it's like something out of a fairy tale. It didn't have the charm of his old room, filled to the brim with books and statues and artworks that he was working on...or books full of old stories...

But it was elegant.

It had a balcony view.

He was set gently down on the bed like he was something precious; it was like he was being taken to his marriage bed rather than as collateral for his father's cowardice.

And that didn't...count his strange new friend.

He was massive, with chest fluff the color of his long beautiful hair. His eyes stared him down as he stood at full height.

Ryou wasn't afraid.

Instead, he reached out his hand and touched the man along his torso, as though trying to study his form as blue eyes stared up into red.]

[stealerofsouls]

[The beast lets out a surprised grunt, stepping back to get out of his range of touch.

What... Why isn't he scared of him? He's bestial. Inhuman. And while he might take better care of him than his own father, he's still a monster and captor.]

... If you need anything, just... ring the bell on the nightstand. A servant will come.

[destinedhost]

[Ryou frowns, as though disappointed.

He doesn't...want Ryou to touch him?]

...I...

Can I at least have your name? What should I call you?

[He didn't want to be left alone again. He wanted to get to know this strange person who was being so kind to him.]

[stealerofsouls]

[He doesn't want anyone getting close to him.

But he does note the look of disappointment. Surely it was nothing though...]

Zorc. Zorc Necrophades.

[destinedhost]

Mr. Zorc.

[Ryou puts his hand in his lap and looks up at him, almost pleading.]

Will I...see you again? I'd like...to talk to you again, if that's okay.

[stealerofsouls]

Zorc.

[None of this formal nonsense.

... He wants to talk with him though...?]

I will check on you in the morning. Get some sleep in the meantime.

[destinedhost]

In the morning...

[Ryou smiles, hopeful and warm.]

Promise?

[stealerofsouls]

...

[He wants him to promise...]

Yes.

[destinedhost]

[Ryou's smile brightens, and he tilts his head to the side, hands in his lap.]

I'll be waiting, then, Zorc.

[stealerofsouls]

Good night.

[He realizes... he didn't ask the boy his name but if he asks now, it'll look stupid.

So Zorc bows slightly and takes his leave, closing the door behind him and retreating to his own bedroom.

To think on things. Think on how he's going to adjust to having a new resident of his castle.

A new... possible partner... to help him.]

[destinedhost]

[Ryou flops onto the bed and slips under the covers, resting his head on the pillow.

This bed is nice and comfortable..

Warm.

...

Zorc was really warm, too. And he looked so, so soft...

He goes to sleep, dreaming of red eyes staring down at him.]