Beauty and the Monster-A Namjin AU story

Chapter 1

A.N. Hey guys! Thanks for reading. So I wasn't sure what to do about Gaston, since the other members of BTS have roles elsewhere...(No spoilers~! ;))...so I just made Gaston himself, in case you're wondering why. Because no matter what universe he's in, Gaston is a massive jerk. Alright, on with the story~

Seokjin awoke in the morning to the familiar song of a robin chirping outside his window. He rubbed his bleary eyes and pulled the comforter off his bed. Normally, he would let himself surrender to sleep again, but there were chores to be done. And besides...he had a book to return. 

The sun was just rising over the horizon. The air was fresh and invigorating. By all means, it was the start to a perfect day.

To Kim Seokjin...it was completely ordinary. And ordinary made him far from content. 

 The quiet village awoke with the sun. The little people in their little town rose from their nests, and as Seokjin strolled into the square, he could hear the chorus of greetings.

"Bonjour!"

"Hello!" 

"Good morning!"

The baker passed by Seokjin with a tray piled with the same steaming bread and rolls he made day after day. He dropped some coins in the baker's pocket, snatched a roll for himself, and was on his way.

Ever since we came to this town, nothing has ever changed...

Just then, a familiar man stopped him in his tracks. "Good morning, Seokjin!"

"Good morning, Monsieur Jean," He peered at him. "Have you lost something again?"

 He dug his hands in his pockets. "Well, I believe I have. Funny thing is, I can't remember what-" Seokjin giggled. "Oh well, I'm sure it will come to me. Where are you off to?"

"To return this book to Pre Robert," He replied, holding his novel up enthusiastically, "It's about two lovers in Fair Verona."

Monsieur Jean shrugged, indifferent. "Sounds boring."

As Seokjin strolled through the village, the townspeople whispered and gossiped to each other. That boy was a mystery and an oddball. Anything out of the ordinary was, well, out of the ordinary, and must be discussed in hushed whispers that really weren't so hushed at all. 

"Look, there he goes!"

"That boy is strange, no question."

"Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?"

"He's never been a part of any crowd."

"It's because his head's stuck in some cloud!"

"No denying he's a funny one!"

An ordinary town with ordinary discussions. Seokjin passed through the market, bored. 

 "Bonjour, good day, how is your family?" Asked the man in charge of the fish cart.

"Bonjour, good day, how is your wife?" A woman replied.

An older woman wrung her hands. "I need six eggs! That's too expensive!"

Seokjin shook his head and sighed.

There must be more than this provincial life!

At the very least, he had a way to visit anywhere he could dream of. The near abandoned bookshop stood at the corner of the town, with worlds far beyond his reach available at the turn of a page.