The arrogant hunter Gaston must work together with the Beast, if either of them want to escape the Enchanted Forest alive.
What could possibly go right?!
Direct sequel to Beauty and the Beast.
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"Beast? Beast, where are you?"
Gaston stood up with a groan, attempting to ignore the fluctuating pain in his shoulder and then the dizziness that followed, making him sway and see black dots around his eyes for a few seconds.
His mind was foggy with the fragments of a dream about the huntress Artemis, and something to do with the Beast telling him about her. Or perhaps that had all actually happened, though he couldn't really remember anymore. Much of yesterday seemed like a blur between pain and random conversation. In any case, he was grateful that the dream hadn't been anything too horrifying. Every other one he'd been having recently made him look at the Beast with a tight sensation in his own chest, and he couldn't easily forget it.
He rolled his bad shoulder again, biting back another groan. It wasn't so bad when he stayed still (as the Beast had implored him to), but it wasn't like he could afford that luxury for very long either.
"Beast?" he called again, trying to keep the rising concern out of his voice.
The forest was bright with morning sunshine, and rays of it filtered through the trees, highlighting the wisps of pollen and seeds that floated through the air. The leaves glowed translucent, giving everything a dreamy sort of aura.
Gaston blinked, noticing that his bow and quiver were gone in a panic. He stumbled, and looked around wildly, before spotting the tufts of brown fur caught against tree branches. They formed an experienced hunter's trail in front of him.
"Damn Beast," he rolled his eyes, pushing a hand through his hair. He began to follow the trail for a short while.
He found the Beast standing on a large rock in the middle of a clearing. He was stood so still, and looked completely lost in a concentrating gaze. The stretched back bowstring was poised so precisely in his paws, as if he might release it at any moment, to reach something that Gaston couldn't quite see.
His view was in profile, and he'd not noticed Gaston at all.
There was something very striking about the sight, and Gaston realised he quite liked it, somewhere at the back of his mind. He smiled faintly, and folded his arms, leaning back against a tree to take it in completely.
The Beast released the bowstring, and the arrow sailed off into some shrubbery. He made a huffing sound, turning his head away in brief annoyance, before moving to collect the arrow back up again.
Gaston pushed the rest of the way through the trees to meet him.
"What were you trying to get?"
Beast spun on his feet, his ears pricking and eyes widening when he saw Gaston.
"Oh...nothing, really. I was just practising."
"Hah, I see," Gaston knelt down, picking up the rogue arrow for him. "You're still holding yourself kind of stiffly, though."
