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candlelightscribe · 1 month ago

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Mama Bear

LeFou took the last duck from the ground and tied it to the rope strung between two pine trees. The smell of smoked deer filled the air as Gaston sat crouched near the campfire, working on preserving the largest of his many kills. Some of the meat needed to be salted to keep it from rotting and other parts dried out in the sun until it was ready to pack away for later. “That’s all of them.” LeFou turned to Gaston. “Well, all the waterfowl at least.” He added.

Gaston glanced up at the line of hanging ducks behind LeFou. “I’ll get to those next,” Gaston told him. “The skins from yesterday are almost ready for the cart. We set our course for home tomorrow, at first light.”

LeFou walked over to where several deer skins hung over another nearby tree. “Is the mighty hunter satisfied with the number of kills he made?” He reached up to take down the fur pelts as he spoke.

“Yes, I am LeFou. We have more than enough for winter, and good thing; it’s going to be a long one this year. I can feel it in the wind.” Gaston said, looking up towards the grey sky.

LeFou stood on his toes to reach the remaining skins on the higher branches. “I’m ready to be home. I miss our bed.” He said although he should be used to it, as it was the annual hunting trip Gaston took every year. Though LeFou still couldn’t help but miss home every year by the end of the seven-week autumn hunt.

“I, too, am ready for home,” Gaston told him. “I look forward to seeing the looks on everyone’s faces when they see how much game we brought home.”

LeFou pulled himself up onto the edge of the cart as he maintained his balance with the skins in his arms. He began sorting them into the right sections and thought about how they would fit everything inside. “I think you got more this year than the last, Gaston,” LeFou said with a grin.

Gaston began laying out the smoked meat to dry, noting that each section was thorough enough as he worked. “Last year, the rain hardly wanted to stop, all through autumn.” Gaston reminded him. “It made the tracking a nightmare.”

LeFou laughed at the memory. “Oh, yes, and we both caught such terrible colds by the time we got back to the village. We had so much tea that week.” LeFou walked over to Gaston and sat down on the blanket beside him. “So uh, I assume smoked deer is on the menu tonight?” LeFou asked.

Gaston glanced towards the cart that seemed to be bursting at the brim already. “Do we have any more potatoes or carrots from home?” He asked.

LeFou touched his chin for a brief moment as if recalling. “No, we ran out yesterday.”

Gaston nodded; he had assumed as much. “Then deer meat it is unless you want boar,” Gaston told him. Lefou scrunched up his face in an unappealing way, and Gaston laughed. “Or I could go catch a few delicate rabbits for you?”

LeFou smiled warmly at the offer. “Rabbit sounds good.” He told him. LeFou always preferred the softer meats rather than the toughness of boar or pork.

Gaston, who loved the idea of a quick hunt, got up from his place by the fire. “Alright, I’ll be back before you know it.” He told him. Though rabbits were a waste of time, in his opinion, he knew LeFou loved it when he set out on a hunt just for him.

“Do you want me to release a few of the dogs?” LeFou asked him when Gaston went to take the smaller of his two firearms from the tent.

“No, I won’t need them for this. Besides, the dogs are still tired from today's hunt,” Gaston told him.

LeFou nodded and got up to check the cart one last time for anything he could add to their dinner. The small barrels once holding the carrots and potatoes were now full of smoked and salted meats. He checked the front, right behind the passenger seat, thinking they had to have at least some apples left from home. If they did, they wouldn’t last much longer before going bad. LeFou lifted the lid off a small barrel, and to his luck, found four apples still at the bottom. He took the whole barrel out of the cart, knowing Gaston would want to put more meat in it later before they journeyed home. LeFou took the apples, as all of them still seemed in good enough shape to eat, and went back to the fire. He left them to rest on the blanket before going to the tent to start getting things situated in preparation for home.

When Gaston returned with two large rabbits, LeFou applauded him gratefully and sat down with a wet rag to clean off the apples before dinner. “I found a few green apples,” LeFou told him happily. “And some more space for the rest of the meat.”

Gaston pulled out his skinning knife and started on the rabbits. “Well done, my love,” Gaston told him. “A good dinner for our last night out.”

LeFou hummed in thought as he imagined sleeping in his bed tomorrow night, instead of the piles of blankets on the ground inside their makeshift, temporary home.

By the time dinner was served, the sun was just starting to make its way down past the trees, sending rays of glowing light that shimmered through the branches into their campsite. LeFou borrowed one of Gaston’s knives to cut up the apples into slices and then took his plate from Gaston when the rabbit meat was ready. “This is very good, love,” LeFou told him when he took a bite of the meat, followed by the fruit. The sweetness from the apple and the smoked rabbit blended perfectly together.

Gaston shoved a fork full of meat into his mouth and nodded at LeFou’s approval. “Not bad.” He told him, then took a few slices of apple. “Is there anything you would like to do tonight before returning home, LeFou?” Gaston asked. “I would suggest a midnight swim, but the nights are getting colder.”

LeFou shivered at the thought. “No cold water for me, please.” He told Gaston. LeFou didn’t care for the water much, not only because he could hardly swim but because he hated being cold, and the darkness of night made it look even more deadly.

“Perhaps in the summer then,” Gaston said, his mind returning to the things he still needed to do before they went home. “We should be back to Villeneuve before dusk,” Gaston told him and took the last bite of dinner before getting up. “If we leave soon enough.”

“Sounds good to me,” LeFou said with a smile. After he finished his dinner, he took the things they didn’t need until tomorrow to the cart as Gaston loaded up the last of the game. Together they got everything ready for the trip home just as the sun started trading places with the moon, bringing a crisp sort of nostalgia to the air.

Escaping the cold, LeFou burrowed deep inside the blankets as Gaston ducked down to step inside the tent. He closed the entrance behind him to block out any night chill. LeFou’s body lay just underneath the fur blankets, barely visible against the lantern light hanging from a thick stick above them.

Gaston blew out the candle, and excitement filled LeFou as he felt Gaston get down onto his knees and crawl through the darkness into the blankets beside him. The air entered the blankets for a moment, making LeFou shiver, though the cold quickly vanished against the warmth of Gaston’s body so close to his. “Mmm... you're so warm.” LeFou cooed happily and snuggled deeper into his chest. Gaston wrapped his strong arms around LeFou and kissed his head, the warmth between them making each more sleepy.

“We did well this year, LeFou,” Gaston said, listening to nothing but the gentle breathing of his partner. “We do well every year. But this year was exceptional.” He added. LeFou hummed in response and adjusted his arm against Gaston’s chest to burrow even deeper into comfort. “We’ll have enough to go around and more, and the money we make from the proceeds can go to our holiday savings next year.” The only response to Gaston’s words was LeFou’s breath growing heavier. Gaston smiled slightly and kissed the top of his head before nuzzling into him, allowing the sensation of sleep to pull him in as well. He loved how quickly LeFou had fallen to sleep, how safe he was in his embrace. No trouble sleeping, no nightmares, just peaceful, comfy, LeFou, without a care in the world. The fact that Gaston was able to be the man who pulled LeFou into such tranquillity made him feel like the luckiest man alive, with the most important job in the world, keeping LeFou safe.

Gaston’s heart leapt in his chest as LeFou pulled from his arms into an upright position. Small whimpers spilt from LeFou’s mouth as he tried desperately to warn Gaston of a possible threat.

Gaston shook the drowsiness from his head and reached to find LeFou in the darkness. “LeFou, it’s only a dream love, I’m here,” Gaston said as he found LeFou’s hand. He could feel him trembling slightly and placed an arm around his back.

“I…” LeFou swallowed hard, taking a breath. “I thought I heard something, an animal in the woods.” He realized it was probably just a dream, but the feeling that something was out there still pressed at his mind.

“Will it make you feel better if I go check it out?” Gaston asked and brushed his face gently with the back of his hand.

LeFou nodded, and Gaston pressed a kiss to his brow. “Alright,” Gaston said and reached across the tent with the hand that LeFou wasn’t holding in a death grip and grabbed his pistol. “Don’t worry, LeFou. I’ll protect you if something is out there.” He promised and might have winked if LeFou would have been able to see it.

LeFou took a deep breath, reassured by Gaston’s words as he listened to the silence outside their tent. “I’m ready for home.” He admitted. “All these noises are so frightening sometimes.”

Gaston chuckled. “You're such a girl, LeFou.”

LeFou hummed and leaned closer to Gaston. “And you're... such a... such a man.” He said, almost dreamily as he thought about it.

Gaston held his arm around LeFou for only a moment more before pulling away. “I’ll go look around our camp and be right back.” He promised.

LeFou held the blankets close to his chest as Gaston made his way to the front of the tent. “Be careful,” LeFou called to him.

“Always am,” Gaston replied, though he wasn’t, and pulled open the entrance of their safe place. He peered out into the moonlit darkness for a moment before stepping out into the night. LeFou swallowed hard in anticipation, his stomach hurting with worry as the shadow of Gaston left his sight.

After surveying the campsite and not hearing or seeing anything to be concerned about, Gaston came back to find LeFou still wide awake and waiting for him. “Nothing,” Gaston told him. “Just a quiet forest.” LeFou took a relieved breath as Gaston entered the tent. “But the dawn is nearly here; we might as well get breakfast and start on our way home,” Gaston said and crouched down in front of LeFou.

“Alright,” LeFou said tiredly. “If you insist.”

Gaston gave LeFou a quick kiss on the lips. “I do.” He told him before leaving the tent again to get the fire started for breakfast.

LeFou laid back down tiredly. “Alright, just give me a minute.” He told him, his eyelids growing heavy, drowsiness threatening to envelop him.

LeFou woke to the gentle song of birds singing in the forest. It was light out, and the tent was nearly empty. He could smell bacon cooking on the stove outside the tent and heard Gaston singing softly to himself. LeFou scolded himself for falling back to sleep and hurried quickly from his nest of blankets, grabbing his coat on the way out. Gaston had been polite enough to let him sleep in, and now he felt guilty.

“Good morning,” Gaston said with a smirk as LeFou came stumbling from the tent. LeFou noticed as fog still made its way through the trees; it was still early, and the sun must have just risen. “A minute, huh, LeFou?” Gaston teased him.

“I’m sorry, Gaston,” LeFou apologized and approached the huntsman, who handed him a plate of bacon.

Gaston started on his breakfast, ripping off half of a bacon strip with his teeth. “Most everything is ready to go,” Gaston told LeFou and glanced around to make sure he didn’t forget anything. “I loaded up the rest early this morning. The weather is good, so it won’t take us long to get back.”

LeFou nibbled on his bacon quietly as Gaston continued talking about plans and the journey home. Once finished with breakfast, LeFou started gathering up the plates and other utensils from last night’s dinner. He pulled his jacket around him tighter, wishing for the sun to hurry up and warm the air so it wouldn’t be so chilly outside. Gaston put out the fire before he started tearing down the house they had been living in for over a month and taking the parts of it to the cart they had brought with them.

LeFou had just walked away from the campfire, going to take the last of the dishware to the cart, when he heard an odd sound coming from the forest. The same sound he remembered in his dream last night, of which he had only just recalled. LeFou nearly dropped the dishes but managed to keep them in his arms as he glanced into the brush to see what it might be. He nearly jumped out of his skin as an uproar of barking came from the dogs, still contained by the cart. He turned to Gaston for help and saw he was also listening and watching for what might happen next, his hand steady on his gun.

LeFou’s heart dropped when he saw a tiny, furry thing struggling out of the bushes, utterly oblivious to their presence and crying out for help, frightened by the dogs. LeFou would have found it adorable if it wasn’t for the next sound that followed, a sound of beastly rage, met by the angry, persistent barking of their protective dogs.

Gaston cocked his musket without a moment's hesitation as he ran to LeFou, just as a bear came blundering out of the forest. He held out an arm, nearly pushing LeFou back behind him as he stood their ground, ready to protect LeFou. Gaston yelled out in an attempt to intimidate the creature, but this didn’t seem to faze it. LeFou’s heart raced as Gaston aimed for the snarling beast, its mouth foaming as it charged the two men.

With one shot, the creature fell, sliding hard into the earth before them. Silence enveloped the forest for a moment as the panic of what had just happened set in, and the dogs quieted once they saw their master had killed the beast. Gaston took a breath and walked over to the animal. To be sure, he fired another shot into its skull and lifted the corner of its mouth with his boot. “She was diseased,” Gaston told his partner. “Something may have bitten her.”

LeFou set everything he had been holding on the ground and approached Gaston. “Well, I doubt it lived to tell the tale.”

Gaston shrugged. “Probably a badger or skunk.” He said and looked at the baby bear as it wiggled its way from the brush to its mother. Gaston sighed as the tiny ball of fuzz rooted around in her fur for milk.

“Oh…you poor baby,” LeFou cooed and reached down to the baby bear.

“LeFou,” Gaston said in a stern tone, knowing the moment LeFou made contact with the infant, it would only make matters worse. The baby was going to starve, they had a hard decision to make, but it was the only thing they could do.

“Come here, it’s alright,” LeFou said, clearly not hearing Gaston. He scooped the baby bear into his arms as it cried out in fear, unsure about what was going on.

“LeFou,” Gaston said again. “You know what needs to be done. We can’t take care of a wild animal.”

“Oh, but Gaston.” LeFou chimed, adoring the creature in his arms. “Don’t be so mean,” He said cutely and looked at the huntsman. “We can’t just leave him,” He added, a bit more persistent than before, though he still wore that cute look on his face. The look he only wore when he saw something adorable.

Gaston sighed; LeFou just didn’t understand these things. Sometimes he wondered if he should rethink taking him on hunting trips altogether. “Not leave, LeFou…” Gaston said regretfully.

LeFou’s mouth dropped, and his brow furrowed into a look of horror. “Gaston! No! We can’t; that’s terrible!”

Gaston rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. “It has to be done, LeFou; we cannot take a bear back to Villeneuve.” LeFou held the baby close to his chest and looked down at its dead mother. “I’m sorry, I don’t like it either,” Gaston told him. “But it has to be done.”

LeFou pursed his lips into a pout, looking back to the huntsman. “But Gaston, it’s a baby!” LeFou exclaimed. Gaston looked to the bear cub, no bigger than a large rabbit, and sighed. What on earth was he to do? Even if they could wean the small creature, it would only grow up and become a dangerous predator. Then what? LeFou was not using his head. “Please, Gaston?” LeFou begged as the baby bear wiggled around in his arms. “We can find someone that will take him. We can set him free when he gets old enough.”

Gaston looked to LeFou in adoring irritation. “You're such a softy, LeFou.” He told the shorter man, who smiled because he could tell Gaston was giving in to his pleas.

“We can find someone to help, someone that cares. Huh, little guy?” LeFou said, talking to the bear again.

Gaston rolled his eyes and picked up the items off the ground that LeFou had put down moments ago. “Alright, I’ll see if one of the lads can help us figure out something to do with the little threat,” Gaston said and started towards the horses.

“Oh, you're not a threat.” LeFou chimed in an adoring voice.

A small smile formed on the corner of Gaston’s mouth as he listened to his partner coo over the animal. “Are you coming, LeFou?” Gaston asked.

LeFou looked down at the baby with an adoring smile. “See, he’s not heartless,” He told the bear and looked down at the mother. “I’ll take care of him.” He promised, feeling almost guilty for taking the baby as he hurried after Gaston. LeFou knew they should do away with her body, but as deep as they were in the forest, the trees were sure to catch fire. And because Gaston wanted to get home before nightfall, they wouldn’t have enough time to dig a hole her size.

LeFou got situated in the front seat, and Gaston released the dogs, making his way to the back of the cart, a hesitant expression on his face. “What is it, Gaston?” LeFou asked him.

Gaston held his chin thoughtfully, trying to decide how much room they had in the back. “I was thinking of taking the bear, though I’m not sure we have room. We could use another rug.”

LeFou chuckled. “Could we, though?”

Gaston pursed his lips before looking towards the bear. She had the madness disease; maybe it wasn’t worth it. “But I hate to let her go to waste,” Gaston argued with himself at this point, as if being a rug on his floor would somehow make the bear’s death a justified or honourable one.

“It’s alright, my love. I’m sure you’ll have another opportunity for another bear rug.” LeFou told him. “One bigger than her anyway.” He said to Gaston, trying to make him feel better.

Gaston shrugged, the cart was already too full, and much more weight would probably break a wheel or strain the horses, and he couldn’t leave any of the meat behind. “Alright,” Gaston said with a sigh and got up into the cart next to LeFou. He shook his head at the tiny creature in LeFou’s arms, playfully mocking him for being so soft. “I can’t believe you, LeFou. What are you going to feed him?” Gaston asked and took the horse’s reins, snapping them just enough for the horses to get going.

With a jerk, the carriage leapt forward as they set into motion. “Goats milk,” LeFou chirped and looked back at the empty campsite, where the past several weeks of memories would disappear, all but inside their heads. The dead bear was far enough out of the site that LeFou couldn’t see her as they drove away, and he was grateful she was at least out of her misery.

“I’m sure old Farmer Bill will love you for that.” He laughed. “LeFou, do you know how much milk a baby bear needs?” He asked him.

LeFou was hardly listening and beamed at the baby in his arms as it grew sleepy. “We’re going to find out, aren’t we?” He giggled and stroked the baby's head.

Gaston laughed and placed his arm around LeFou as they rode back towards home, allowing the smaller man to lean into his side for support. “Ah, LeFou,” Gaston said and shook his head. “No one, and I mean no one, is sweeter than you are.”

Gaston wiped his muddy boots off at the front door and walked into the living room. He smiled when he saw LeFou sitting at the dining room table, as he had done so faithfully for the past three weeks. LeFou, by nature, had wanted to name the baby a day into having him, although Gaston told him it wouldn’t make it any easier when he had to part with him. Still, LeFou couldn’t help himself. The little one had to have a name, LeFou told Gaston, even if he wasn’t staying long.

“Hello, Gaston,” LeFou said happily, his concentration breaking from feeding the baby bear. “Did you find out who's been trespassing in Farmer Charloun's crops?” He asked, turning back to the baby in his arms.

“Only some of the village lads up to a little fun last night,” Gaston said as he hung his coat over his mighty armchair. “I sent Pere Robert over to the schoolhouse today to have a word with them. Anyway, no real harm done. How was your time without me?” Gaston asked with a smirk and leaned over to kiss LeFou.

LeFou hummed happily. “Dreadfully lonely.” He said dreamily and motioned to the bear as if he could understand him. “Look, Daddy’s home,” LeFou said to the baby as he removed the empty bottle from its mouth. A bottle Gaston had made especially for him out of a pig’s bladder.

The bear squalled as LeFou adjusted him in his arms, cooing sweetly at him. “Oh, Gaston! Look, he’s starting to get around better on his own!” LeFou said and set the cub on the floor, where the baby bear started almost frolicking towards the stairs.

Gaston sighed; now he must tell LeFou he had also just come back from speaking with the lads about this little creature that had recently taken up residence in their house. “Alright, Mama Bear, let’s talk,” Gaston said and sat down on the couch, patting the spot beside him for LeFou to sit. Recently Gaston had gotten into the habit of calling LeFou by the adorable nickname, Mama Bear, whenever he saw him acting like a mother to the baby bear, and LeFou seemed to love it.

LeFou picked up Snuggle Bear, wincing when the little one began using his hand as something to teethe on. He quickly pulled his hand away and grabbed the rope toy from off the table. One he had made for him days ago. LeFou sat down, and the baby started gnawing on the toy happily. “You found a home for him, didn’t you?” LeFou guessed. Gaston nodded with the raise of his eyebrows, and a sigh escaped LeFou’s lips. “That’s alright; I knew it couldn’t last forever.” He said and petted the cub’s head lovingly. “But I am going to miss you, little one.” He told him and kissed the bear’s head. Gaston put his arm around LeFou and let him lean in close to his chest. He was glad LeFou was taking it well; he honestly wasn’t sure he would, as attached as he seemed to be. It made Gaston wonder if LeFou ever wanted to be a father someday.

“One of the boys finally got back to me; he said he knows a man who knows a family that will take this little Snuggle Bear off our hands,” Gaston said and scratched the bear’s head around the ears.

LeFou laughed inwardly. To hear Gaston say that name still made him smile. It was both adorable and a little humorous. “Oh? Where from?” LeFou asked curiously.

“A family in Bordeaux. They live on a large reservation and take in mostly injured or small animals, like foxes or lynx. But they said it would be ok if we brought him to the farm this weekend.” Gaston rubbed his fingers in LeFou’s hair as he spoke, admiring his round face and long eyelashes.

LeFou took a breath and snuggled deeper into Gaston, watching as the baby bear played about between their laps. “I’m glad he’ll be ok,” LeFou said. “At least we were able to help him. Do you think they will keep his name?” LeFou chimed.

Gaston laughed. “We may very well ask them to keep his name.” He said and kissed LeFou’s head. He would never stop admiring how truly good LeFou was and how loving. Though he might not admit it, Gaston would be lost without him, for LeFou was his heart.

LeFou looked up with a smile in his eyes and leaned upward, kissing Gaston on the lips with a content hum. “Thank you, Gaston. I do love you so very much.”

The End

#gafou #gaston #lefou #beautyandthebeast #disney #romance #fluff

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