Never, not once in his life, had he ever needed to impress someone. He had never had the desire to either.

His life had been a royal one, he had always felt entitled that everyone should impress him. He was the most important of this castle and he deserved to be treated like the royalty he was. So he had always demanded his servants and guests to impress him and they, in his eyes, had always failed.

That had had played a part in his downfall, his curse.

But his life of bitterness and isolation had ended when a beautiful girl in a shabby blue dress offered herself as his prisoner. He wondered what had made him go after her when she ran from the castle. Because of the wolves that stalked the forest? Because time was running out and he needed the spell broken? Or because he had wanted to apologize for frightening her? Lumiere and his other servants would insist it was the third option.

But either way their relationship had improved drastically after he saved her and she had saved him. And now he was consumed by this unwavering urge to impress her.

He could tell she was awed by the castle, but who wouldn't be? Even he sometimes took a step back to admire it's sheer size and grandeur. Unlike him it was still beautiful even while cursed.

No he needed something that truly interested her. He asked the staff for help:

"A lady always enjoys fine jewels," Lumiere had smirked.

"There is always the classic box of chocolates," Cogsworth pointed out, "Flowers…promises you don't intend to keep."

"A quiet walk around the gardens would be lovely," Mrs. Potts offered.

But he found his answer one day while passing her bedroom. Through the closed door she could hear her speaking to someone.

"It was one of my favorite books."

It wasn't her words that stopped him as much as the way she said it. An open and warm affection came from her lips that made his insides twist with jealously. Which was ludicrous because she was talking about books!

"It took place far, far away from here," she continued in a voice that was like music. "It had daring sword fights…and even a prince in disguise."

"Why was he in disguise?" a new voice questioned, it was Chip.

"Well…" He walked away before he could hear her explanation, the wheels in his head turning. He now knew exactly what he needed to impress her and it almost made him want to skip. He wondered if it would be considered selfish to hope she would talk to him in that affectionate tone he decided to dub her book-voice.

After all it wouldn't hurt.

.

He had grabbed her hand without truly thinking, his brain already steps away to the room he wanted to show her. But the moment his hand wrapped around hers he stilled, heart sky-rocketing with panic. He waited for her to scream or flinch, to pull away with disgust.

But she only smiled at him with polite confusion, "Are you taking me somewhere or…?"

"I-I am," he stammered, trying to hide his surprise. "There's something I wanted to show you."

He led her down the hall and as they walked in silence a part of his brain couldn't help but note how warm and smooth her hand was. It was like her skin was made of silk.

"What is it you wanted to show me?" she asked when they stopped before a large set of doors.

"It's a surprise," he breathed, trying to hide his excitement.

She giggled softly, the sound like bells that made his heart flutter like a bird. "Should I close my eyes then?"

He nodded and while her smile stayed in place her brows furrowed in confusion. But she obeyed, sliding her eyes shut. With a pinch of reluctance he released her hand to open the doors.

He placed slightly shaking and hesitate hands on her slim waist and led her into the middle of the room.

"Can I open my eyes now?" she asked when his hands fell away from her hips.

"Yes," he replied, staying close to her side, his eyes on her face.

Her eyes opened slowly and he watched her lips form an o in surprise as her brown eyes took it all in, turning in a slow circle and gazing at the books that covered every inch of wall. "I've never seen so many books…"

"Do you like it it?" he asked hesitantly.

She turned to him, her face split with a smile, "I love it!"

His chest swelled with pride as she appraised him with a newfound interest. "Have you read every one of these books?"

"No," he snorted dryly with a droll expression. "Some of them are in Greek."

She chuckled, and there was something riveting about making her laugh.

Her eyes trailed back over the books, "It really is beautiful."

His eyes stayed on her, at her soft as silk skin, brunette hair that glowed in sunlight, brown eyes shining with fascination. And that smile that made his heart do somersaults. "Yes, you are," he breathed.

"I beg your pardon?" she hadn't made out his words.

"Nothing-nothing," he took a few steps back, flustered. He felt like a child finding his first lov-

He cleared his throat, "I said nothing."

She frowned slightly but didn't press him, instead taking the steps to bring them face to face. "Do you have any favorites?"

"Favorites?" he echoed, distracted by the golden glow the sun set to her hair.

"Favorite books," she clarified.

"Ah…" he racked his brain for a moment, "Adventures. The Three Musketeers…Count of Monte Crisco…things like that."

"I haven't read those," she admitted. "The town's library only had so many books."

"Well now you can," he tried for a smile and she returned it. "This way." He lead her across the room, resisting the urge to take her hand again.

They stopped before a large shelf where rows of adventurous tales sat, waiting to be open and pull the reader into a journey of danger and excitement. She trailed a slim finger across the leather spines, eyes roving over the titles. As she did that he walked to a table, picking up a book he had started a few days ago.

A few moments later she rejoined his side, peeking over his shoulder. "What are you reading?"

"Nothing," he tried to dodge, closing the book.

She lowered her head to read the spine, "Guinevere and Lancelot?"

He was glad his fur could hide a blush. "King Arthur and the Round Table," he corrected.

Her smirk was teasing, "Still a romance."

"Hm, felt like a change," he admitted, moving to place the book back on the table. But her hand came to rest on his, stopping him and nearly making him jump out of his skin.

"Could I read it?" she asked.

"Oh, of course," he gave her the book.

She smiled at the bound paper and once again he felt a ridiculous sense of jealously. Oh how he wanted her to look at him like that, like he was a fascinating and priceless treasure. But he wasn't fascinating or priceless. And he would never be considered a treasure, especially not by someone like her.

She turned around to find a comfortable place to read. The word came out of his mouth before he could could stop it: "Belle."

He swallowed when she turned and met his eye. "Could we-that is…" his tongue tied and he dwindled off into silence.

She gave him an understanding look that made his heart squeeze, "Would you like to read it together?"

He nodded earnestly, "I would…thank you."