Little Gaston

Chapter 18

Staring in surprise at Gaston because of the sudden apology, Adam wondered where it came from. So far he knew, Gaston hadn't done anything really wrong.

"Now what are you sorry for?" Adam asked, looking worriedly at the little.

"I messed up. I said I was going to be big, but then I got small anyway, and I ruined that cushion I was sitting on. I should have stayed big, or at least made sure I was somewhere I couldn't cause a bother," Gaston said, thinking it easier to come clean about his wrongdoings.

It felt difficult to say it out loud. Normally he was always so sure of himself, knowing exactly how to behave when he just needed to be the strong hunter in the village, the man other man wanted to be.

But he wasn't that man here. Here he was just someone who took advantage of their kindness, providing as good as nothing and relying on their goodwill.

And here he had gone and gave them another reason why they shouldn't keep him.

"That's not how we see it," Belle said, frowning at the little.

"I think we need to talk," Adam said, and Gaston nodded, his face serious and feeling so nervous. Either they were going to say he would need to go, or there would be more stipulations to him staying.

Perhaps they would lock him back in the room and would tell him to stay there, like when they had found him back when he had stormed the castle.

"Let's talk," Gaston said, feeling as if he was going to his execution. Talking wasn't his really his strong point, and it felt worse knowing he was the charity case.

"Why don't we go sit, sweetheart. Or do we need to change your diaper first?" Belle asked, her voice still gentle and calm, but it did nothing to soothe Gaston. Belle was always gentle and calm.

"It's wet, but there's still room," Gaston said, not sure what he should pick.

"Mmh, perhaps it's better we talk first," Adam said, "I think we might feel a little more comfortable after."

"I guess," Gaston said, hating himself for being so unsure, and looking cautiously at the man, thinking back to the raging beast he had fought, and how angry the man had been in the beginning when they had found him half dead.

Trying to not feel scared, he clenched his hands into fists, hiding the tremors.

"Let's go to our room," Adam said, holding out his hand to Gaston, who hesitantly grasped it, unsure why no one was being angry at him.

Belle grasped his other hand, and feeling silly, he walked in between them to their room, towering over both of them and still making him feel so small and little.

Surprisingly, when Adam let go of his hands, the man changed back to his beast form before he settled against the headboard on the bed, gesturing for Gaston to go sit between his legs, a position he always liked when he was small, partly because the beast was so warm and firm and tall and made him physically feel smaller.

"I don't know..." Gaston began, but a paw around his front arm, and he was pulled on the bed, and to save himself the dignity, he rested in between those legs, feeling a little calmer.

At least they didn't seem hellbent on being angry.

"So, could you tell us why you didn't warn anyone that you were little yesterday?" Belle asked, sitting on the bed with her legs bend and lying to the side, so she could see both their faces.

"You were busy at the fair," Gaston muttered, "and I was supposed to be big."

"But you seemed to have slipped, sweetheart," Belle said, a warm hand on his cheek while she talked to him, "even if we were busy, one of us could have checked in on you, or we could have asked one of the servants to sit with you if we couldn't."