ch5 Out of the asylum (and the closet)

"For the sake of exhausting all of our options, do we maybe want to consider a slightly less gruesome alternative?" LeFou timidly asked.

"Are you coming?" Gaston glared at him as if warning.

LeFou didn't want to leave poor Maurice behind but just couldn’t resist his captain's eyes, even if blood-curdling. He regretfully joined Gaston in the carriage. As they drove forward, he kept staring at Maurice until he got sucked in by the thick forest's darkness.

I'm sorry Maurice.

Gaston really had fucked up here. To punch then tie up an old man leaving him to hungry wolves not only wasn't what's called an act of bravery but what's more it was the first time he didn't listen to LeFou's advice. Why? He had put on a moronic large grin on his perfect face while his little crêpe was seductively whispering about their 'countless widows' only minutes ago! Why this sudden change? The crêpe thought.

***

"How come no girl has snatched you up yet?" A panting Gaston had straight up asked.

Even though it didn't sound quite straight to LeFou. In fact it meant two radically opposed things to the suave singer: his beloved  one still hadn't gotten his best friend didn't want to be just his friend and, in spite of it, it also meant that if Gaston was a girl, maybe she would snatch him up?? Was he half-proposing to his petite crêpe? Maybe. How to answer to such an obvious yet complicated question?

Let's get subtle. He's still not ready to hear and let alone comprehend the truth.

"I've been told I'm clingy, but I don't get why."

Gaston had completely forgotten why he had asked such a weird question which had seemed so innocent in his head. His best friend just had lifted his mood up and they really spent a good time partying in the tavern where everyone surprisingly looked so bored and done a few minutes ago. They were really good at bringing fun in any place. LeFou had been so kind and managed to cheer him up once more when he felt –but he'd never admit it- a bit down after Belle's rejection.

He actually wondered why she had said no! To him! Wondered if something was wrong with him! Ha! But there's no valid reason she'd say no! He was perfect! She had some issues, not him! His bouncy and quite dynamic pal just had reminded him. And Gaston had to admit he really needed that. He even had felt a surge of affection rising up from his warming up heart. At that very moment, LeFou was the only thing he saw in the room.

LeFou… he was always there for him. Always here to help, to have fun with, to talk to… He was… lovable. So cute, so kind… with everyone but mostly Gaston. He wasn't less of a soldier either. He could take down an enemy without failing when he had to. Gaston had been wrong to refuse his enrollment. And look at him. Wasn't his friend perfect in that pink ribbon? With his glossy hair, bright smile, sparkling eyes and all-red cheeks? Dreamy. He couldn't take his eyes off him. Petite Crêpe was too… beautiful. Then the enamored warrior strangely felt the need to ask him…that. What had made him ask that?

Was it…? No! Impossible! He was a man. A he-man like Tom and Dick sometimes tell him. Sounded like a tautology to the hunter but whatever. A man is obviously manly! A man obviously loves women! Or else… well, he's not man! Simple. What's more it was a disgusting, horrible sin! A true man –a true soldier!- does not sin. It simply was a feeling of healthy male camaraderie! Surely LeFou was going to reply 'it's a bizarre question.' or 'I have a girl! Who do you think I am?'. For he surely must have a girlfriend too.

But no. Instead Gaston got this enigmatic answer. 'Clingy'? What did that mean? Girls find LeFou too clingy to ask him out? That's stupid! A lover IS clingy. It's normal. Then his glowing friend intensely gazed at him as to make him understand while the captain remembered both indeed cling to each other all the time. It was at this moment Gaston knew.

No. It couldn't be. LeFou was… No! He was the most reliable companion a man could have! He was a respectable soldier too! He could not be a… a… Gaston thought his friend had given up that despicable inclination ages ago! Gaston thought LeFou's excessive mannerisms and précieuse behavior just were here to entertain the soldiers back in the war –also to keep them from asking about the captain's past- and the townspeople now.

But now Gaston was wondering. Was this behavior really just a cover-up? Or was it just LeFou's… real self?

No. Booze is messing up with your brain, Gaston. You're drunk and you're seeing things that don't exist.

Then an all-raving Maurice had stormed in the tavern, ranting about a 'beast' that had kidnapped Belle. Well, it was another good opportunity to show this town what a hero is!

Let's pretend to believe the old man and go back as a respectable man once more. And as Belle's fiancé.

Surely Belle won't refuse him after he's taken care of her father! Because no, the ex-soldier hadn't given up on marrying the best girl of the village. After all, it was the hero's destiny, wasn't it?

And it'd prove to everyone that he's not a…

Still, for no apparent reason, he wanted to have LeFou with him. Why would he need him for such an easy mission? Gaston had no answer to that.

***

So, Maurice also had said no. Very well. He'll just force Belle. He wanted to marry her! He HAD to marry her! Now it wasn't just a matter of destiny or some shit like that, it was an honor matter! He'll just tell Belle he tried to protect her father against the wolves but sadly didn't succeed. He won't let a lunatic and decaying man ruin his plans, will he?

LeFou had to question these plans. He questioned him, Gaston! Who did this insolent fatass think he was? Talking like that to his own captain? To a man so much braver and bolder than him? Why had he brought him again? The angry captain was all the madder the fat poofter had made his soldier's heart flutter and melt again a few minutes ago. He was yelling at the crazy old geezer when LeFou caught him by the shoulders and reminded him of the war as happy thoughts.

Yes. War was actually a good time. Finally the moment to show to the world Gaston was the manliest man on Earth. All these English he took out, all these people he saved… Yes, he wasn't half-proud of himself. Then his plump and all-smiley friend talked about the 'widows'. Codename for… ugh.

Such a disgusting and unmanly behavior