Beauty and the Monster-A Namjin AU story

Chapter 4

A.N. This is a short chapter, sorry. The next one will be longer, promise. Thanks for reading~

Back in the town pub, Gaston was, for one of the first times in his life, dejected.

What was wrong with him? Normally, people would throw themselves at his feet left and right. Everyone either wanted to be with him or be him. He was no king, but he certainly had the town wrapped around his finger.

He couldn't even enjoy his drink. Not after...the incident.

Seokjin said he would never marry him. Never.

"You know," said Lefou, handing him another drink, "He's not the only person in town."

"I great hunter doesn't waste his time on rabbits," Gaston said bitterly.

Lefou frowned. "Gaston, don't look so down! There's no one in town as admired as you!"

"Tell that to Seokjin..."

"Forget him! You have me...and everyone! Right, guys?" He turned to the bar patrons hopefully, "No one's as quick and manly as Gaston!"

"No one fights like Gaston!"

"Douses lights like Gaston!"

Gaston sat up in his chair, smirking. Lefou was right. There was no one better than him, after all.

"When I hunt, I sneak up with my quiver," he said, "And beasts of the field say a prayer..."

Lefou was completely awestruck. "Tell us more!"

"First I carefully aim for the liver, than I shoot from behind!"

"Is that fair?"

"I don't care."

The pub suddenly gained a tremendous amount of energy. The people cheered and clapped as Gaston stood up from his chair and leapt onto the table with Lefou.

Filled with newfound confidence, he danced around the table. He lifted an unsuspecting girl off her feet and danced with her. When he let her down, a man threw him a sword and he began mock fighting with Lefou who, of course, let him win.

"Who has brains..."

"Like Gaston!"

"...Entertains..."

"Like Gaston!"

Gaston glared at Lefou pointedly. "Who can make up his endless refrains like Gaston?"

"Say it again!"

"Who's a man among men?"

"Who's a super success?"

"Don't you know? Don't you guess?"

"There's just one guy in town who's got all of it down..."

Lefou was back in center stage. "And his name is G-A-S-T....I believe there's another T....It just occurred to me that I'm illiterate...and I've never had to spell it out loud before..."

Luckily, the crowd took over. 

"Gaston!!"

Gaston sat back in his chair, happier than ever. "Oh, Lefou, how has no girl snatched you away yet?"

Lefou tried his best not to look incredulous at that question. "Some say I'm, uh, clingy. But I have no idea what they're talking about..."

The cheerful energy of the pub was broken by a shout and a door slam. Maurice charged into the pub at full throttle. His his were desperate and crazed. His hair stuck up wildly. He looked like a man on the verge of tears. Or of breaking down. Perhaps both.

"Help! Someone, someone please...! You must help me. It's Seokjin! He's got, he's got Seokjin! Locked in a dungeon!"

"Who's got him?" the bartender asked.

"A beast!" he shouted, voice cracking, "A huge, horrid monster! My son's life is in danger!"

The pub collectively chuckled. Everyone knew Maurice was out of his mind, but this was a new low.

"Why are you laughing? My son...my son could be dead! It's not a joke. His castle is in the woods, where it's winter there!"

"Winter in June?" a woman mocked.

"Crazy old Maurice!"

"Listen to me!" he pleaded, "The beast is real. Don't you understand? Will no one help me?"

Gaston smirked. This was exactly what he wanted.

"I'll help, Maurice," he volunteered.

The pub shot each other sideways glances. Maurice was one thing, but Gaston too? Perhaps this was the truth. There was no chance Gaston could be wrong.

Maurice looked up at him with the purest gratitude. "Thank you so much, Gaston."

"No need to thank me," he replied, picking up his best shotgun, "lead us to the beast."

And with that, they were off into the dead of night.