#v;idk

Eyes narrowing at the young redhead while he tried to focus on her rather than the way his whole body ached after he’d emptied his stomach enough times his nose burned. “I’m fine.”

Easily spotting the way Belle reached for him, Gaston took her hand gently within her own. “I will be here for you as long as you allow it.” After all, she hadn’t always been willing to put up with him. “Your first,” And hopefully only, “Battle scar. We’ll have to be sure to keep it clean so you heal up well.”

The paleness to her skin worried him after how many he’d seen take infection and die in the battle field hospitals, but Gaston tried his best to offer her a smile, trying to comfort her rather than upset her. “Yes, but it will get easier. You’ve got to give it time to heal.”

“When I heard what happened, I left the rest of the party to finish the hunt. I needed to be sure you were safe.” Voice gentle, he reached out to brush a lock of hair away from her face, worry becoming more obvious on his features as he sat there. “At least you got away...”

He stared at the baby boy from across the room. Big brown eyes, much like his own - dark black curls like his mother’s and a cute round nose - like Elijah’s. He stared, choked up and potentially ready to burst into tears. He walked across the room. A year ago, he and Mary had been in Barcelona together, tangled in each other… She’d disappeared after their weekend love affair. He stared down at the baby, then up to her. “…is he… Is he mine…?” He whispered, voice cracking.