Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast, or any of the associated Characters

Summary: They say that love is generous and patient, and that it is blind. LeFou knows this better than most

Fools in Love

Despite his name, LeFou was not a fool.

Perhaps a little, for why else would he dedicate his life to looking after Gaston, but Love made fools of any who gained her blessing. LeFou knew that Gaston did not love him, did not love anyone, but the last time LeFou was away from Gaston's side - the only time, in fact - the Seven Year War happened, and LeFou's friend returned to him a changed man.

Where Gaston had been self-centered, fond of hunting and other 'manly' sports, he had also been loyal and brave and fiercely protective. After the war, after the attack when LeFou had not been there and Gaston had been badly injured, something had changed. Gaston seemed his same loud, brash self, but there was a darkness about him.

Self-centred had become a vanity that bordered on obsession. Hunting and wrestling became almost a need, a thirst for blood and danger that war could no longer provide. During the war, people had called Gaston a hero for his bravery, and now Gaston's actions were driven less by courage or righteousness, and more by the desire to be hailed as the War Hero he had once been.

Still, LeFou hoped.

He learned to coax Gaston back when he began to slip toward a dark place, learned exactly how far he could push and cajole and tease, and when the only thing to do was back off and try to mitigate the resulting carnage. He leaned to flatter and hint, to guide Gaston so that his actions made the townspeople look up to him, which led to fewer dark moments. Quietly, without anyone noticing, including the man in question, LeFou protected Gaston from his worst enemy: himself.

Somewhere along the line, the love of a friend became more, and LeFou began to become more overt in his hints. He pretended that Gaston's grand declarations meant more than they did, and told himself that even if Gaston never said the words, LeFou would hear them. LeFou cared for Gaston like a war-injured spouse, and found happiness in living his fantasy.

It was not until he found himself trapped, and Gaston blithely walking away to play at being a Hero, rather than actually being one by saving the one person who truly loved him, to face the truth.

Mrs Potts had the right of it, for all that she was a teapot at the time, when she said that LeFou deserved better. Coming from anyone else, LeFou would have been angered at the suggestion, but with his memory restored, he knew that the potter's wife was nothing if not genuine. 'Better' would never include a wife and children, like most of the village assumed was all One needed to be happy, but 'better' was out there, and it was time for LeFou to stop chasing dreams and start living his life.

LeFou loved Gaston, but he needed and deserved more than Gaston was willing or able to give.

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A/N: Look, the movie left me with FEELS, ok?

I was a bit worried when Disney announced that LeFou would be Gay, because while I could totally see that, Queer representation in entertainment media has something of a questionable track record. I was incredibly happy when this proved the exception, and just had to write something for him.

When I've got a bit more time and can organise my incoherent squealing into actual thoughts, I'll probably write more.

As ever, reviews and constructive criticism are much appreciated.

Thanks,

Nat