ma bête | Glowfic Constellation

beheld_beauty

She doesn't protest. She certainly can't run.

But the fire is very swift. It hasn't rained in a while, now...

deslandes

And when they reach the walls, there's not much they can do to shut out the fire, and the way across the yard to the castle is thick with rosebushes.

He puts her down to claw his way through them. Going around would take even longer.

beheld_beauty

Belle doesn't know a spell for this, she's been so focused on disenchantment that she knows nothing about managing the elements, she is certainly not yet advanced enough to invent something on the fly -

"Beast," she murmurs when the fire is close enough that she feels sunburnt and he's only halfway through the bushes.

deslandes

He growls.

beheld_beauty

"Maybe if you tossed me over them - I might break something but I might not -"

deslandes

He shakes his head.

"Climb on my back," he says, "and hold on."

beheld_beauty

She holds on and scrunches her eyes shut.

deslandes

The Beast takes the distance to the castle door in a series of jarring leaps.

beheld_beauty

Belle's ability to hold on is sorely taxed. He may be missing a few tufts of fur at the end of this.

Outside, the fire swirls through the garden, but is stymied - both its temperature and its actual burning - by the walls of the building.

Belle doesn't let go even after it's clear they're safe.

deslandes

The roses did far worse; his arms and hands are scratched bloody.

Softly: "Belle?"

beheld_beauty

"I'm okay," she murmurs. "Just - just a few scratches."

deslandes

"The same," he says, turning his head to nuzzle her hand where it is still clenched in his fur.

beheld_beauty

She holds tight. "Thank you," she murmurs.

deslandes

Laughing, he licks the back of her hand.

beheld_beauty

"Ee! What was that for?" laughs Belle.

deslandes

"To make you laugh," he says triumphantly.

beheld_beauty

"Well, you succeeded there, I suppose," giggles Belle.

deslandes

"I love you," he says happily, and starts to purr.

beheld_beauty

She scratches behind his ears.

deslandes

He purrs louder.

beheld_beauty