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

[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.

[destinedhost]

Thank you...!

[Ryou sets his book aside and launches himself into this warm giant's arms.

He looks so warm. So comfortable. So safe...]

[stealerofsouls]

[What in oblivion--

For just a moment, he bares his fangs and growls, not used to physical affection.

What should he do? Why is Ryou doing this? His hands remain on the arms of the couch although he grips them rather tightly as he looks like a deer in headlights.

Eventually he stops internally panicking and speaks.]

... It's nothing.

[destinedhost]

[Ryou pulls back, just enough to touch the beast's face with gentle fingertips.

His eyes grow soft with worry.

Genuine, genuine worry.]

Zorc...? Are... you okay...?

Did I...?

[Did He do something wrong?]

[stealerofsouls]

[Gods, he's so close. So soft. And he smells so sweet...

Zorc can't help but gaze into Ryou's eyes for a moment, taken aback by his constant kindness, his affection.

He has to stop himself from desperately nuzzling into his hand.]

I'm fine. Don't... worry about it.

[destinedhost]

A wise person once told me... that when someone says not to worry, that's usually the sign to worry.

[Yuugi. His only real friend.]

And if I did something wrong...I want to know. So I can fix it.

[stealerofsouls]

[He sneers, unintentionally looking more menacing than he intended.]

You didn't do anything wrong. I told you not to worry so don't worry.

[destinedhost]

[Oh...he pushed too hard...

Ryou smiles sadly, but makes no move to pull away.]

... okay. I'm sorry, Zorc.

[stealerofsouls]

[The beast huffs and looks to the side.

He hates how nice this feels. To have someone be this close and not fear him. To treat him like an equal.]

... It's fine.

[destinedhost]

I...

[Ryou bites his lips and moves closer.]

Just don't want to make you uncomfortable...

[stealerofsouls]

[His heart is racing. Ryou is so close... No one's ever gotten this close to him since he was cursed. Not that he ever let anyone.

There's no fear in the young man's eyes. Only concern for him.

Zorc swallows, his teeth still visible, claws digging into the fabric of the chair slightly as he tenses.]

... You don't need to worry about doing that.

[destinedhost]

[Ryou moves just a little closer.

He's so beautiful... but so lonely. He's alone like Ryou.

Gods, he would do anything to take that pain away and see his smile.

His lips are so close. So, so close. Close enough to brush against Zorc's as he murmurs:]

Yes, I do. You deserve kindness and care...