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...]

Comments

[stealerofsouls]

[... He is very beautiful.

Zorc absent-mindedly strokes his cheek with his thumb.]

Then I am glad I took the greatest treasure of his, even if he couldn't appreciate it.

[destinedhost]

[With a shuddering breath, Ryou's hand meets his.

His greatest treasure...

Those are sweet words. He wants to hear more...

He holds Zorc's hand to his face as he nuzzles into the touch.]

I'm happy to be your treasure, Zorc.

[He pauses...and chuckles.]

By the way... your treasure is named Ryou.

[stealerofsouls]

[Happy to be his treasure...

The beast growls softly. Not a hostile one but a content one.]

Ryou...

[He slowly pulls his hand away.]

... Shall I show you around the rest of the castle?

[destinedhost]

[The gaze Ryou fixes on the beast is nothing short of adoring.

His new companion...

His...

...

Savior. From his isolation.

Ryou reaches out his hand for Zorc to take.]

I... would be honored, Zorc.

[stealerofsouls]

[He helps him up then proceeds to lead him through the castle. The hidden passages, the kitchen, dining hall, all incredible and luxurious. Ryou truly is in a fairytale.

Then... he pauses for a moment before leading the young man to a tucked away from. He opens the massive doors and inside is an impressive and huge library with rows and rows of bookshelves. Every book imaginable is in there in multiple different languages.]

[destinedhost]

[He's...in a fairy castle. Something out of a book, with a dashing caretaker while the simple town boy was somehow allowed to partake.

It was like he was a commoner being married to a prince...

But then.

The library.

Ryou lets out a noise he didn't think he could make: a gasp combined with a high pitched cry.]

This is...!!

[He rushes inside, not even thinking about how his hand is still in Zorc's as he spins about to look at all the books.]

This is incredible!! Zorc, how did you get so many books?

[stealerofsouls]

[The beast is pulled along with him as Ryou twirls around, a look of confusion on his face at the sudden excitement in the young man.]

My family has collected them throughout the years...

You're... er... happy with this...?

[destinedhost]

I love it!!

[Ryou grabs his other hand, and his eyes sparkle like aquamarines in the sunlight.]

I love to read. It was always difficult to get new books at home because they were so expensive...!

I can use this? Really?

[stealerofsouls]

Oh.

[He likes to read... Really...?]

Y-Yes. You can use it whenever you'd like...

[destinedhost]

[Before he even thinks better of it, he kisses the large man on the cheek, still grabbing his hands.]

Thank you...!

[And without missing a beat, he squeezes his hands.]

I want to know which ones you like. There's so many, I don't know where to start.

[stealerofsouls]

[The beast can feel his cheeks heat up at the kiss.

Why... would he do something like that to him...?]

Which ones.. I like...?

I... It's been quite some time since I last read but... hmm...

[He looks over to one of the shelves.]

... That shelf. There's a couple of fun adventure stories...

[destinedhost]

Adventure...?

[Ryou's already walking to the shelf, and his heartbeat picks up.

This is...

Nice.

Being hand in hand with a gentle person, looking at books...]

Oh! I saw some of these in the shops, but I was never able to get them. I used to sneak reading them...

[Keeping one hand in Zorc's, he fishes for one book... and then pulls it out with a smile.]

Do you want to read this together?

[stealerofsouls]

[He just... holds his hand. Like he's a person. Not some hideous monster.

Zorc isn't sure what to make of such kindness. He wants to lash out, run away. But another part of him wants to cherish and protect this wonderful man.

... Because it doesn't seem like an act. This seems genuine.]

If you'd like.

[destinedhost]

[Ryou's eyes glitter.]

Thank... thank you...!

[Nobody Was really so genuine with him. Yuugi was too restless, too in love with games, and Atem...

Atem was a bit patronizing.

Like he was pleasing a beloved but strange child.]

Nobody's really...had much of an interest before.

[Maybe he...

Could tell Zorc his own stories.

Talk about his unique creatures and worlds.

Maybe he wouldn't judge him...]

[stealerofsouls]

Stories are essentially to life. People are just fools and don't realize it.

[He leads Ryou over to the chairs next to the window. One is massive in size to fit him, the other normal.

The beast sits down in the larger one, waiting for his guest to sit where he'd like.]

[destinedhost]

[Ryou takes The smaller chair, but his eyes never leave Zorc's as he hugs the book to his chest.]

...I agree. Life is a story; stories and imagination inspire invention; art gives solace to the soul and invigorates the mind.

To not appreciate it...I don't understand.

[stealerofsouls]

People fear what they can't comprehend. And not everyone has such a level of creativity as us.

[Not that he's felt very creative for the past few years.]

[destinedhost]

As...us...?

[Oh. That. That gets his attention.

Look at that excited face.

Those bright eyes.]

You're an artist too, Zorc?

[stealerofsouls]

[Oh.

Dammit. He revealed something about himself...]

... I used to blacksmith.

[destinedhost]

Blacksmith...

[A pause.

He stares.]

That's amazing! Blacksmithing requires a lot of strength and focus, doesn't it?

I sculpt, carve, and paint, but I'm not nearly as focused as I could be, a-ahahaha...

[stealerofsouls]

[Gods, that's the first time someone has complimented his skills in... who knows how long.]

It does.

[Zorc blinks, tail flicking lazily next to his leg.]

Still. That's quite impressive... What do you usually make?

[destinedhost]

Paintings and figurines...

[Ryou smiles shyly.]

They're not amazing, but...I like to make my own stories and worlds with them. I have a fantasy World that I often build on and make things for...

It's for a game I've always wanted to make.

It's about a land of magical creatures who separated themselves after humanity started hunting them. They have their own towns, magic, and kingdoms...

The players are humans who go to this world and are meant to help these creatures and make friends with them, going on adventures. It's like a mixture of a serial story and a board game...

But the players are the ones contributing to it...

[Ryou moves His hands as he talks, excited and passionate...]

[stealerofsouls]

[Zorc listens, happy to have the topic off of himself.

Seeing the passion, the creativity behind Ryou's words. It's... It's nice.

He wonders for a moment if he should let the man return home so he can bring this things to him.

A test perhaps. Unless he sends some of his servants to fetch his stuff...]

... I see. You have quite the imagination. If you wish to build for the game here, you may.

[destinedhost]

Really?

[Would he...? Was it possible if...?]

If I do... would you play with me?

[stealerofsouls]

[Blinblink.

Tail flick.]

Yes.