The Dreamer and the Hunter - A Beauty and the Beast Story

My What A Guy

On her way up the stairs Belle paused, thinking about Madame's story.

To be perfectly honest she felt horrible for ever judging Gaston before. She had grown up surrounded by such love, always, and never such circumstances as he had. She couldn't imagine...

When she reached the top of the stairs she found a long hall with doors on either side. Gaston's room was the farthest one Madame had said.

Belle approached the door at the far end of the hall and knocked softly.

"Come in," came Gaston's voice from within. He was awake.

She turned the knob and gently pushed the door open to find... She stopped and stared. She couldn't help it.

Gaston stood in the centre of the room, his dark hair not pulled back as usual and instead loose around his shoulders, and bare-chested.

Gaston was shirtless. Belle had never seen a man shirtless before.

Gaston looked just as surprised to see her there. "Oh Belle, I thought you were LeFou, or Madame."

She knew Gaston was handsome - she had even admitted it herself, but had just left it at that. Now with the absence of his shirt and coat she could see the prominent muscles in his arms, chest, back, the dark curls of hair all over his chest. And she had never seen him with his hair down before... To think that it had been those muscular arms that were around her yesterday, holding her protectively, shielding her from danger following the encounter with the wolves...

She caught herself then and immediately snapped from her trance. She was surprised he hadn't made some comment about his attractiveness - no doubt he had caught her staring.

"Yes - sorry. I came to check on you, see how you were doing after yesterday." She finally managed to yank her gaze away, not without feeling herself blush furiously. She tried to concentrate on the room: it was fairly large - the largest room the tavern had to offer she guessed, no surprise there - and had a small fireplace with a chair before it, a set up much like the one downstairs, a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk.

"Oh, fine, just a little scratched up. I've had worse," he quickly added. She noticed his bandage-wrapped arm and shoulder.

"How would you like to go for a walk?" she suggested.

"Oh would I ever! I've been cooped up in here long enough."

It was settled then. She stepped out into the hall and waited while he got dressed. When he emerged he was wearing a simple brown suit, his hair pulled back in its usual fashion.

"You're up," Madame LeBlanc said when Gaston and Belle came downstairs. "You really should be resting-"

"I was resting," he insisted. Belle couldn't help but laugh a little at how much he sounded like an impatient child. "Belle and I are just going for a walk."

"Very well, you're in good hands I know." She smiled at Belle. "I'll get you some lunch ready."

With that the two left the tavern and stepped out into the late morning.

"How are you?" he asked. "You weren't hurt at all yourself?"

"No, I'm fine thank you. Just a little shaken is all, but it's passed now." She was just about to continue when she was interrupted by a rather loud "Oh Gaston!"

Gaston gritted his teeth as the triplets rushed over in a flurry of pink. Then he put on an exaggerated fake smile and turned to face them. "Ladies."

"Oh Gaston, we heard what happened in the woods yesterday!" cried Adrienne.

"That you were attacked by a pack of vicious wolves!" added Adeline.

"And that you almost died!" shrieked Arielle. All three were now surrounding him, clutching his arms, having pushed past Belle as if she were not there.

Belle tried to stifle a laugh. How very over-dramatic, as always.

Gaston obviously thought so too. He chuckled. "Well yes, I was attacked, but I wouldn't say I almost died-"

"How many wolves were there?!"

"Oh, eight maybe."

Belle rolled her eyes. A bit of an exaggeration. Classic Gaston.

"But you fought them off bravely I imagine! Were you scared?"

"Of course not!"

"Oh Gaston, you're so brave," gushed one with a sigh and flutter of her long eyelashes.

"And strong," added the other.

"And handsome," sighed the third.

"Oh tell us the story! Of how you bravely fought off a whole pack of wolves single-handed!"

Now Belle crossed her arms. No doubt she and the part she played in the whole event would not make it into the story.

"Oh yes do tell us!"

"Of course," Gaston promised. "But not right now. As you can see, I'm already engaged in something else." He gestured to Belle who the sisters noticed for the first time. "Good day ladies." And with that he strode past them, Belle falling into step at his side, both gladly leaving behind the trio of stunned young women.

"Please don't retell the story where you're the hero and I'm the damsel in need of saving."

"Of course not. I'd rather face that pack of wolves again than face you angry with me."

She stopped walking suddenly, staring at him, and for a moment he thought he had offended her. But then, to his surprise, she laughed. A full laugh, out loud. A beautiful laugh.

"On that topic, as I was saying," she continued, still chuckling. Before being so rudely interrupted and then ignored by the triplets. "I never thanked you for saving my life."

At these words he grinned down at her. "And I never thanked you for not leaving me to be eaten by a pack of vicious, hungry wolves."

This made her laugh again. "What's this? Is that another joke? Are you making jokes now?"

He smiled and winked. "Possibly."

(Haha, the chapter title, I just couldn't resist! 😂 Belle's not the only one who thinks he's handsome - sadly there wasn't a scene with shirtless Gaston in the movie so no picture for the start of this chapter ;) haha thanks for reading!)