BatB: Cogsworth/Lumiere
Jun. 26th, 2013 04:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
katleeptTitle: "A Waxy Situation"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: R for adult sexual references
Summary:
Warnings: Slash, Het
Challenge: This began as an attempt to answer the ForeverInDisney challenge of 9-11-08 using the words "pants", "snort", "willow", "cramped", and "bottle", but it overshot the limit of 100 words.
Disclaimer: Lumiere, Cogsworth, Ms. France, and Beauty and the Beast are © & TM Disney, not the author, and are used without permission. Everything else is © & TM the author. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
He purred into her ear as he ran his wax carefully over her wood. "What zind of wood is zat, ma cherie?"
She giggled, her feathers shaking provocatively. "Willow, I believe, meisur." Her tone was meant to be seductive and coy, and he followed suit.
"If I had mon pants, ma petite, you'd be makin' zem quite cramped right now."
Her giggling answer was put to an abrupt stop by a loud, indignant snort directly behind the maid. "Cavorting with the help again, Lumiere?"
As Lumiere fell into his regular response, the feather duster quickly made apologies and sashayed away with a wink. The candlestick then collapsed with an arm around his partner. "Ah, mon amour, you came just in time! Come share a bottle of scotch with me?"
His answer came in the form of a stiff shoulder shrugging off his embrace. "Unlike you, I have duties I care to tend to."
Lumiere sighed defeatedly and hung his head as Cogsworth waddled on down the long hallway. Now he had hard wax, and nobody to soothe it for him!
The End
Title: "Feast of the Heart"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: PG-13
Summary:
Warnings: Slash, Het
Word Count: 2,245
Date Written: 27 August, 2011
Challenge: For the XDisneyDreamers LJ comm's weekly challenge
Disclaimer: Cogsworth, Lumiere, Beast, Belle, all other characters mentioned within, and Beauty and the Beast are © & TM Disney, not the author; are used without permission; and may not be used without permission. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Food was a passion to Lumiere, and so it was, on the evening after he and every one else in the castle had at long last been restored to their true human forms, that Lumiere slipped away to the kitchen while every one else was going to bed. They had celebrated for hours on end, living through the dawn and not sleeping a wink, and it was beginning to catch up to everybody but him. Mrs. Potts and Maurice had shushed away the children hours ago, and when Chip had come looking for his Mama, she had retired. Every one else had gradually slipped off to bed until it had just been himself, Cogsworth, the Prince, and Belle left.
Cogsworth had told him to go to bed, and Lumiere had simply nodded, neither agreeing or denying his command. Had his lover offered him to retire to his bedroom along with him, Lumiere would have dashed off in a heartbeat, but though no longer a clock, his love had still been too rigid to make such a bold declaration. Besides, there was another passion calling Lumiere's name, and anticipation sang through every vein in his tall, lithe body as he sprang into the kitchen.
As the others slept, he danced and created. It had been far too many years since he had been able to delve so deeply into the kitchen. He had had to settle for instructing and overseeing others preparing his dishes while he had been a candlestick for to dip his flames into the food had caused too many disasters for Lumiere himself to be allowed to continue to cook. He had tried many times when they had first been cursed, but every attempt had ended in either sparking a fire or burning the food to a blackened crisp.
Losing his ability to cook had been one of the saddest things about being a candlestick to Lumiere, and he had suffered in silence, taking to singing and dancing instead of cooking to express his joy over food. Now, at long last, he could dip his fingers into the food again, and they thrilled almost as much at the touch of his ingredients as they had when he had ran his hands over Cogsworth's body and stolen him into the shadows while the Prince had been busy with his new Princess for a long and heated kiss.
He danced now as he cooked, his loud and proud voice filling the kitchen as he sang out his bursting happiness. He didn't care if he woke the others. He could scarcely believe they'd all opted to go to bed. Life was too grand, too wonderful, to spend any part of it sleeping when you could be doing something else!
He thrilled as he patted dough into cupcakes and rounded it into cookies. He took rapturous delight in licking clean his spoons, bowls, and even his own fingers. Flour shot across him, covering his fine clothes, but he didn't care. After all, he'd worn the same outfit for centuries! He laughed it off, spun through the kitchen, and pulled out a tray of delightful scones.
The scones were for Mrs. Potts and the cupcakes and cookies for the children. He made muffins, breads, and puddings of every sort. He crooned his approval when the butcher brought in the morning's kill, sent the hunter away with a small cake all for himself, and then dressed the boar to the nines before setting it to roast for his Master. He recreated every dish Belle had ever complimented, and he made pies. He made strawberry, blueberry, peach, cherry, apple, raspberry, mincemeat, and even rhubarb pies. He used some of everything he had on hand to create a double dozen quiche and then started over again with the pies and pastries.
He rushed between the kitchen and the dining room, filling the long banquet table with every dish imaginable and a dozen new dishes for which he did not even yet have names, and all the time, he danced. He spun on his heels and tapped his ankles. He waltzed through the rooms and sang his joy. At long last, he was back! He was human again, and he could cook once more!
He was covered from head to foot in flour with only the tip of his long nose sticking out when Mrs. Potts bustled into the kitchen. Her intent had been to set on the morning tea, and she stopped and looked around her in amazement. "My goodness!" she exclaimed, seeing food on every available space. "There's nowhere to sit the tea! Lumiere, dear, what have you been doing all night?"
"Creating!" Lumiere sang. He grasped her hands and swung her into his impromptu dance, and though Mrs. Potts giggled like a school girl as he danced with her, when their dance stopped so that he could pull out the cookies, she looked at him with worry. The sweet boy had been cooking all night, and that meant he'd gone for over twenty four hours without a wink of sleep. She shook her head and left the room with worry dawning over her aging, motherly features -- but not before grabbing a raspberry cheesecake scone.
Lumiere barely noticed the housekeeper's departure and instead continued to dance around the room as he set the latest batch of cookies out, placing them at an angle on top of two other trays. He really had to thank his Master for making certain that they had enough trays for cooking, although he was down to his last three dishes, Lumiere thought with just the slightest pout, the closest he'd come to a frown with his human mouth since it had been restored. "Oh, well," he murmured and set immediately back to making pies.
Belle, Maurice, and the children drifted through next, and Lumiere sent them to the dining room where they had no end of delectable foods from which to choose. Still, the children, unobserved by Mrs. Potts who was busy elsewhere, ran through his kitchen, eager to taste every different type of cookie he'd baked during the night. They streaked through his kitchen, bringing dirt and raucous laughter with them, but Lumiere only smiled, tossed back his head, and joined in their laughter.
"I called a meeting. Where were you?"
The voice stopped the laughing French man dead in his tracks. He turned to meet his lover with a smile that would not be disturbed despite his annoyed tone. "Look around you, Cogsworth."
Cogsworth was doing just that, his beady, brown eyes darting over the counters and chairs. Lumiere had even dragged extra chairs into the kitchen during the night to put more food on them. "Or, better yet, taste around you," Lumiere added with a grin. He turned from him, picked up a stack of pies, and turned back to him. "These are all for you."
"For . . . For me?" Cogsworth blustered, his thunder drained. He marched forward, stuck his finger in a pie, and licked off the gooey berry. "Mmm! Strawberry!"
"And blueberry, and cherry, and apple, and peach, and rhubarb, and lemon meringue, and mincemeat too!" Lumiere sang. "All for you!" Cogsworth barely managed to react in time to keep from dropping the pies as Lumiere thrust them into his hands.
"You've . . . You've been here all night!" Cogsworth declared in amazement.
Lumiere just grinned. "Oui," he agreed and turned back to his oven. For the first time since they'd become human again, tiredness touched him as he withdrew another pan filled to overflowing with pastries. He set them next to a dozen triple layered cakes covered with rich and gooey frosting. He stifled a yawn, but Cogsworth caught it.
His heart warmed even more. "You've been cooking," he declared softly, "all night."
"Oui," Lumiere shrugged his shoulders and nodded. Another yawn came, and this one broke free from his restraints. He covered his mouth with his hand and then popped a chocolate chip cookie into his mouth to distract it. He wasn't ready to go to bed!
"See?" Mrs. Potts asked, coming into the kitchen and stepping up to Cogsworth. She cleaned her hands on an apron. "I told you he's been up all night. Poor lamb!" She looked compassionately upon Lumiere and grabbed another of the scones he'd made especially for her.
Cogsworth sighed, but a grin still tugged at his mouth. "Then I think it's time we celebrate again," he announced, "but in the privacy of my bedroom." Lumiere looked at him in surprise as Cogsworth laid down his pies. "The meeting I called was to let every one know that his Majesty declared today an official holiday."
"Again?" Lumiere asked in surprise.
"I know. I'm astonished, too," Cogsworth admitted, looking him up and down. Despite his sweetheart's jovial mood, he saw the redness in his eyes and the dark bags growing beneath them. He noticed his frenzied hair, his haphazard clothing, and the fact that his mouth was trying to open in a yawn every time Lumiere wasn't busy stuffing pastries into it. "As the head of the servants, I believe it best we all take advantage of it."
Mrs. Potts smiled but said naught a word. Cogsworth's declaration was very far from what he had said in the actual meeting, telling every one to make sure their chores were still performed today despite the holiday.
"We shall go to my bedroom, I believe, and spend most of the day there." He stopped as he noted Chip's blonde head bobbing up behind a quadruple layered, chocolate cake. "Playing games, of course."
"Of course," Mrs. Potts chimed in, beaming brightly. "Shall I tell the others," she suggested softly, "that today's plans are off?"
Lumiere's head was beginning to nod, and his eyes had drifted shut despite the sugared roll of dough that he'd been aiming for his mouth. "Yes, yes, of course," Cogsworth babbled. "Can't have them working when I shan't be there to oversee them, after all." He stepped up to Lumiere and draped his arms around him. "Lumiere, wake up."
"Hmm?"
"To my bed," Cogsworth instructed.
"Oh? To your bed, mon cherie?" Lumiere repeated, his eyes popping back open and lighting with excitement. He grinned. "I've been waiting all night for you to ask, mon amour!" he said and then, before Cogsworth could stop him, he tickled him. Cogsworth bowled over with laughter. "The last one to the bed," Lumiere whispered quietly so that only his love could hear him, "is as hard as an object." His head drifted lower, tickling him still, and then he pulled away from his arms and darted up the stairs.
Mrs. Potts watched with quiet and happy approval as Cogsworth, beaming with true, glowing, and complete happiness for the second time in all too long, turned to chase after his boyfriend. He paused only long enough to grab two spoons, some napkins, and his pies, and then he headed after him. Cogsworth knew he'd find Lumiere passed out when he arrived. He'd eat some pie and then hold him for some hours as he let him sleep. When his lover again awoke, Cogsworth would feed him some of his delectable goodies, and then together, they would celebrate their life, love, and happiness as they should have long ago.
Cogsworth still had a multitude of duties to which he would have to see, but they would wait another day. They would wait, he thought, and never again would he place them above Lumiere. They had a second chance at life now, thanks to the love that their Prince had found in Belle, and whereas their love was just beginning, Cogsworth had had his all these many years and never once stopped to fully appreciate it. That would never, he vowed, happen again!
He entered his bedroom to the sound of soft snoring and placed his pies on the stand next to his bed. He laid the spoons and napkins next to them before slipping into bed and pulling Lumiere close to him. He kissed his forehead as he whispered softly, "I love you." He'd tell him again when he awoke that he loved him, and never again, he swore, would he make the mistake of waiting to tell him. He'd keep seeing to his duties in the castle, but from this day forward, he would never waste another moment to tell Lumiere how much he loved him and show him how important he was to him!
Lumiere's snores grew louder, and Cogsworth reached for his strawberry pie, grinning and glowing with his happiness. Cogsworth oohed and ahhed over his yummy pie which his love had created especially for him, but all the time, he kept looking forward to the most wonderful dessert that would follow. He'd finish his pie and then cuddle with Lumiere until he awoke. Then he'd love and thank him openly, apologize for not having invited him back into his arms and his bed sooner, show him he'd never left his heart, and keep loving him always.
Like the Prince and his Princess, they had a second chance to live their love, and together, they would always fulfill it forever more and live and love each other alone for all eternity! He ate the last bite of his strawberry pie, discarded the left over items, and wrapped his arms around his beloved Lumiere. He cuddled to him, holding him tight, and together, side by side, they lived happily ever after.
The End
Title: "Love's Testament"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: PG-13
Summary:
Warning: Slash, Het, Established Relationships
Challenge: A SmallFandomFest LJ comm prompt
Word Count: 2,541
Date Written: 25 June, 2012
Disclaimer: Cogsworth, Lumiere, Prince "Beast" Adam, Belle, all other characters mentioned within, and this version of Beauty and the Beast are © & TM Disney, not the author, and are used without permission. Everything else is © & TM the author. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Cogsworth loved Lumiere, but he just didn't understand him. Rather as a candlestick or a human, it seemed that it was impossible for the chef to be serious about anything. He was always quick with a smile and a joke, and whereas Cogsworth had always been good at spotting the dangers and troubles hounding them, he had always been able to find a silver lining in every cloud.
He'd not even seemed that upset by being a candlestick most of the time, but no matter how hard Lumiere had tried to hide it, Cogsworth had known and understood his frustrations. Being cursed into enchanted objects was truly one of the worse curses they could have received, and it wasn't as if it was their fault in the slightest! They couldn't keep their Master from being a grouch, or seeming heartless.
Back in the days before the curse had been deployed over all of them, the Prince had even been cruel to them. He had kicked Cogsworth in the shins many times as he'd been growing up. When he had gotten older, and had lost his father, his shenanigans had grown less, but his cruelty had remained. He'd even made his mother cry more than once. Cogsworth knew because he had heard the Queen's sobs and tried to comfort her on many occasions before she had locked herself away in her bedroom.
Belle still didn't know the entire truth of the man who she had married, how ugly, spoiled, and pretty nearly as heartless as the tales described him he had been. The girl had no clue that the first time any one had heard from the Queen was when she, as an enchanted wardrobe, had befriended Belle. There was something about a crying woman, Cogsworth knew, that made every one around her want to comfort her, and the Queen had been no different when the child had cried, soaking her bed and sheets with rightful tears.
Cogsworth might be gay, but he was no less bothered by a woman's tears. No one with half a heart could stand still when a woman cried. No one but His Royal Majesty himself, which was one of several reasons why many of his subjects, Cogsworth included, had, at one time, wondered if he had a heart left. Looking back, Cogsworth could see where the Prince had gone wrong, and he knew, now, that he did too for they had talked about it and Adam had actually apologized to everybody, though no more so than to his mother whose forgiveness, Cogsworth had known, the boy had been ready to beg for but had not had to drop to his knees or even ask more than once. The same women whose tears tore at a man's heart could also be quite quick to forgive.
Women were a marvel, but there was no woman he loved. His heart belonged to Lumiere, even if he didn't understand him. The curse had been hard on them all, and though they had not deserved to be cursed, having been unable to do anything about their Prince's wicked behavior, their lives, too, had nearly been ruined by the curse. Cogsworth had feared, at one time, that they'd not be able to outlive the curse, but death had not offered an escape in the long while. Enchanted objects, you see, do not die nor do they break easily.
There had been many times when Cogsworth had come close to the breaking point, but always, Lumiere had been there with a smile, a laugh, a hug, and often times, too, a tickle. Cogsworth hated being tickled, but that knowledge had not deterred the chef in the least from running his fingers as light as feathers over his pendulum and making him roar with laughter until he either pushed him away or succumbed into ungentlemanly fits, rolling across the floor and laughing so hard he'd cried. Lumiere had always known exactly what to do to cheer him up, and even today, after the curse had been lifted, was no different.
Lumiere possessed the uncanny ability to somehow, regardless of whatever else was happening in their lives at any given time, know when Cogsworth was feeling sad. He'd reach him post haste and not stop, no matter how many times Cogsworth yelled at him or pushed him away, until he had succeeded in brightening his spirits again. Today had been one such day. It was the one year anniversary of when the curse had been lifted, and though the Prince and their new Princess had thrown a festival to celebrate their freedom and the curse's demise, Cogsworth's mind had turned back, like the hands of the clock he'd once been going in reverse, to the times they had suffered underneath the curse.
There are too many things that humans take for granted. They take their own bodies for granted, believing they'll always be in possession of two hands with which to hold things, eight fingers with which to touch, and legs with which to stride over long distances. Cogsworth had always been a short man, though nowhere near as short as the clock he'd been, and had always detested his height and longed for a taller body with which to reach higher and invoke more respect. He had been demanded respect still, becoming the kingdom's highest ranking General and the leader of their military forces, but he had nonetheless taken his human body for granted. He had believed, like so many do, that he always would have his body; it would never really change, even with age; and he'd forever be able to do the things that were important to him.
But being a clock had changed all that. He'd not been able to go into town where men and women alike had once stopped to admire him riding astride his steed. He had not been able to really commandeer his forces for, as enchanted objects, they knew they were useless in battle, or so they had believed until they'd been forced to fight the villagers to protect their Prince and all their lives. He had not been able to swordfight or even fence until Lumiere had somehow gotten him a sword his own size. Cogsworth still didn't know where Lumiere had found that sword, or who he'd gotten to make it, but his beloved had come to his rescue one particularly dismal evening with the new shining blade.
Cogsworth had worked out many of his frustrations through fencing for seemingly endless hours throughout the castle and its grounds. He'd heard the lesser subjects whispering about him behind the instruments they'd used for hands, saying how he was going batty if he still thought he could fight any opponent. Cogsworth had kept going with his fencing lessons and even chastised some of the more loudly disapproving subjects, but in truth, he had not done so to stay fit or ready for battle. He'd known he made a truly worthless opponent as a clock, or again, thus he had believed until their hour of greatest need had come upon them.
He had fenced, instead, as a way of dealing with his frustrations. It had anguished him to no end that he was no longer the man he had trained so hard to become and could not do the things he should as a General. He had been disappointed in himself, too, for failing to protect his Prince and their people. Yet, most of all, what had bothered him was the little things. He could no longer properly hold anything in the pieces of metal he used for hands. His cursed arms were too short to fit properly around anything possessing any real size, including, and most importantly of all, his beloved Lumiere. He could kiss Lumiere, but he could go no further. Sometimes, even when they did kiss, his hands had chosen that particular moment to come together and ended up pinching Lumiere's nose.
But never once had his love complained. Though he'd tried especially hard today, Cogsworth couldn't remember a single time that Lumiere had ever complained much about the curse or all it had taken from them. He had missed being a chef and cooking almost as greatly as he had missed loving Cogsworth, but he had never really voiced those complaints. Cogsworth had known from the forlorn look in his eyes every time they entered the kitchen or dining room and the way he'd speak wistfully about his culinary conquests as a human, and, of course, there was the song and show he'd performed for Belle that, though it had bespoke his happiness to serve, had also at last admitted, in the first stanza, how much Lumiere had missed that part of his life, how much they had all missed how they served as humans.
But, again, today, Lumiere had been busy serving. He had cooked ever since last night, creating an elaborate feast that, even after every one had partaken in, had still had leftovers. He had also been the loudest proclaimer of all in rejoicing that the curse was over, but still, whereas many of them had relived the woes of their cursed existences, Cogsworth had not heard his lover utter one single complaint about the time they'd spent as enchanted objects unable to properly embrace or love one another.
"Ah, zere you are." Cogsworth's eyebrows lift slightly at the sudden sound of Lumiere's French-accented voice, but he doesn't look at him. He's not ready to see his bubbly smile or happy eyes. He's still too glum and wants to wallow in the misery of their past for a little while longer. How everybody can be so happy today is beyond him for all he can remember are the bad times they suffered until the curse was lifted. "Ze party has not her light and glow without your presence. I may have been really swell at putting out that glow once," Lumiere continues speaking as he tackles Cogsworth from behind and wraps his long arms around him, "but not so much without you by my side any longer." He whispers the last words right next to Cogsworth's ear.
Cogsworth has had enough of Lumiere's bubbling happiness, however, for he's been exerting that positive attitude that so troubles him all day. He's stayed silent up until now but can stand it no longer. He shoves his arms off and bats away his hands as he immediately reaches for him again. Lumiere's seductive pout fails to keep Cogsworth's wiry mustache from bristling with its full thickness.
"What is wrong with you?" Cogsworth demands, batting Lumiere's hands away. His massive belly jumps with his anger, pushing him even further back across the parapet. "How can you always be so . . . so jolly? Why is everybody so happy today?"
Lumiere looks at him with the first inkling of sadness shining in his eyes since the curse was lifted. "Because, mon chere," he answers as though it's as obvious as the long and pointed nose upon his otherwise handsome face, "we're free! We're no longer cursed! We're no longer enchanted objects! We're free to be our own men!" He spreads his arms wide and opens his hands before them, palms up. "Isn't that what you wanted, too?"
"Of course it's what I wanted!" Cogsworth blustered. "But you didn't sound upset about it today when you were reliving the tale to the children!"
"Non," Lumiere replies, shaking his head, "because I was not. What is there to be sad about now? We have each other, mon chyri, and our rightful bodies. Why allow the past to still trouble us when it is but a testament to our love?"
Cogsworth's dark and furious glare would have sent every light out on Lumiere's body had he still been a candlestick. "What," he demands icily, "in the world are you talking about?"
Lumiere approaches him slowly. This time, he succeeds in wrapping his arms back around his love's hefty waist, but still Cogsworth glowers at him until he gives his answer in the truth and eloquence with which only he can speak. "We survived a most perilous time, mon amour, a time darker and more painful to the heart and soul than most people can even imagine. We survived a horrible curse, and though it did unthinkable things to us, we never once allowed it to dull our love. We didn't just survive the curse, Cogsworth; our love survived the curse when few others' could have, especially without being at each others' throat day and night!"
Cogsworth lowers his head in shame; his puffy cheeks darken guiltily. He had taken out far too many of his frustrations on his beloved Lumiere while they'd been cursed, but Lumiere had forgiven him for every single temper tantrum he had ever thrown and would again today, he hopes and, in his deepest heart, already knows. "The curse," Lumiere continues, his eyes gazing steadfastly down into Cogsworth's, "did not weaken our love. It gave us strength and renewed the bonds of our hearts! Our love is stronger today than ever before, and because of that curse, I know, and you and the whole world should as well, that nothing will ever be able to hinder or even give our love pause!"
"Our love," he whispers, lowering his head, "is unstoppable!" His last two words brush softly across Cogsworth's upturned lips. Then Lumiere's lips, as Cogsworth has secretly been needing them to all day, touch down upon his. He kisses him sweetly and gently at first but then begins to deepen their kiss.
As their kiss deepens, however, and his tongue slips into his mouth to play a game of hide and seek with the General's tongue, the chef's sneaky hands reach beneath his heavy coats and tickle his tummy. Cogsworth's mouth leaves his immediately as laughter barks deeply from his throat. Lumiere grins and starts tickling him faster. Cogsworth doubles over, his laughter rushing over the parapet, but then he stands suddenly, sword in hand.
Lumiere's eyes widen; his face pales slightly as Cogsworth's sword points at him. His hands drop, and he starts to back up. Cogsworth backs him against the nearest wall and traces his cravat with his short sword. "You're right," he speaks with a grim expression. "Nothing . . . " His eyes begin to twinkle, diminishing his act, and Lumiere boasts his knowledge of what is about to come with a silent, broad grin. " . . . can ever stop our love!" He throws his sword to the rooftop, grabs Lumiere, shoves him a little closer against the wall, and sets to kissing him passionately, determined to make up not just for the time they missed while Lumiere was cooking and partying today but for all the time they've missed over the years.
Yet, for the first time as he thinks of the curse and how they won, his heart truly does soar. His lover is right, as he is more often than the General cares to admit: The curse was a testament to their love. They won, and they will always win because of their love! Their love will last forever, and in it, they will live happily ever after!
The End
Title: "Royal Command (of Love)"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: G
Summary:
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, names, codenames, places, items, fandoms, titles, and etc. are always © & TM their respective owners, not the author, and are used without permission. Any and all original characters and everything else is © & TM the author and may not be reproduced in any way without the author's express, written permission. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
He hadn't meant to fall in love with him. Doing so upset his entire life's mission. He was to be the top General and defend their kingdom and Prince. He was to keep them safe, but he'd failed. He'd been too involved in thoughts of love to realize the danger that'd crept into their world, and by the time he had, it'd been too late.
They had suffered a long time, but now, at last, the curse was broken. They were free again to be the men they were. It was time for him to resume his post and be the diligent General he should have been. It was time he let go of love and its follies, but he'd yet to muster the courage and break his lover's heart by telling him.
He had been about to do just that when their Prince had called. He had hurried to obey him, leaving his love in the proverbial dust in his haste not just to obey their Prince but also to delay having to do what he's known all along he should and yet continues to break his heart. He has to leave Lumiere behind. He has to tell him he doesn't love him even though he does.
Cogsworth's being with him, being happy and distracted in the love they share, is a threat to the whole kingdom. Their affair can not continue. His watch must be ever vigilant. Their entire kingdom, their makeshift, adopted family, depends on his being free from all distractions and protecting them as he should. He has no time or room for love in his life.
And so it is that, when Prince Adam tells him why he's called him to him, Cogsworth's well disciplined mouth falls wide open. "I would like to see you and Lumiere married and sharing the happiness Belle and I have discovered." Adam looks at him inquisitively. "What, old man? Don't tell me you don't want to marry Lumiere!"
"I-It's not that, Your Majesty."
"Then what? Tell me, Cogsworth, and whatever is wrong, I will make it right."
"I thought -- Sir, we can't wed! We're men, and . . . and furthermore, love is a distraction!"
Adam throws his head back and laughs. The deep, pleasured sound resonates throughout the castle and its grounds and makes Cogsworth's cheeks burn. "It is a distraction, but it is a most wonderful one! It's the best thing that's ever happened to us!" Adam's head drops; he looks solemnly at Cogsworth once more. "Besides, I'm not going to let you become the grump you were before Lumiere kissed you. This is my kingdom. I make the laws here; we are all free to marry who we love. Now, when shall the date be?"
"I-I don't know," Cogsworth replies bashfully. "I-I'll have to ask Lumiere."
Adam turns; Lumiere sprints into the room. He wraps his arms tightly around Cogsworth's bulk and covers him in kisses, crying happily, "Right away, mon cherie!" Cogsworth beams. Though he's as apple red, he's never been happier!
The End
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: R for adult sexual references
Summary:
Warnings: Slash, Het
Challenge: This began as an attempt to answer the ForeverInDisney challenge of 9-11-08 using the words "pants", "snort", "willow", "cramped", and "bottle", but it overshot the limit of 100 words.
Disclaimer: Lumiere, Cogsworth, Ms. France, and Beauty and the Beast are © & TM Disney, not the author, and are used without permission. Everything else is © & TM the author. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
He purred into her ear as he ran his wax carefully over her wood. "What zind of wood is zat, ma cherie?"
She giggled, her feathers shaking provocatively. "Willow, I believe, meisur." Her tone was meant to be seductive and coy, and he followed suit.
"If I had mon pants, ma petite, you'd be makin' zem quite cramped right now."
Her giggling answer was put to an abrupt stop by a loud, indignant snort directly behind the maid. "Cavorting with the help again, Lumiere?"
As Lumiere fell into his regular response, the feather duster quickly made apologies and sashayed away with a wink. The candlestick then collapsed with an arm around his partner. "Ah, mon amour, you came just in time! Come share a bottle of scotch with me?"
His answer came in the form of a stiff shoulder shrugging off his embrace. "Unlike you, I have duties I care to tend to."
Lumiere sighed defeatedly and hung his head as Cogsworth waddled on down the long hallway. Now he had hard wax, and nobody to soothe it for him!
The End
Title: "Feast of the Heart"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: PG-13
Summary:
Warnings: Slash, Het
Word Count: 2,245
Date Written: 27 August, 2011
Challenge: For the XDisneyDreamers LJ comm's weekly challenge
Disclaimer: Cogsworth, Lumiere, Beast, Belle, all other characters mentioned within, and Beauty and the Beast are © & TM Disney, not the author; are used without permission; and may not be used without permission. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Food was a passion to Lumiere, and so it was, on the evening after he and every one else in the castle had at long last been restored to their true human forms, that Lumiere slipped away to the kitchen while every one else was going to bed. They had celebrated for hours on end, living through the dawn and not sleeping a wink, and it was beginning to catch up to everybody but him. Mrs. Potts and Maurice had shushed away the children hours ago, and when Chip had come looking for his Mama, she had retired. Every one else had gradually slipped off to bed until it had just been himself, Cogsworth, the Prince, and Belle left.
Cogsworth had told him to go to bed, and Lumiere had simply nodded, neither agreeing or denying his command. Had his lover offered him to retire to his bedroom along with him, Lumiere would have dashed off in a heartbeat, but though no longer a clock, his love had still been too rigid to make such a bold declaration. Besides, there was another passion calling Lumiere's name, and anticipation sang through every vein in his tall, lithe body as he sprang into the kitchen.
As the others slept, he danced and created. It had been far too many years since he had been able to delve so deeply into the kitchen. He had had to settle for instructing and overseeing others preparing his dishes while he had been a candlestick for to dip his flames into the food had caused too many disasters for Lumiere himself to be allowed to continue to cook. He had tried many times when they had first been cursed, but every attempt had ended in either sparking a fire or burning the food to a blackened crisp.
Losing his ability to cook had been one of the saddest things about being a candlestick to Lumiere, and he had suffered in silence, taking to singing and dancing instead of cooking to express his joy over food. Now, at long last, he could dip his fingers into the food again, and they thrilled almost as much at the touch of his ingredients as they had when he had ran his hands over Cogsworth's body and stolen him into the shadows while the Prince had been busy with his new Princess for a long and heated kiss.
He danced now as he cooked, his loud and proud voice filling the kitchen as he sang out his bursting happiness. He didn't care if he woke the others. He could scarcely believe they'd all opted to go to bed. Life was too grand, too wonderful, to spend any part of it sleeping when you could be doing something else!
He thrilled as he patted dough into cupcakes and rounded it into cookies. He took rapturous delight in licking clean his spoons, bowls, and even his own fingers. Flour shot across him, covering his fine clothes, but he didn't care. After all, he'd worn the same outfit for centuries! He laughed it off, spun through the kitchen, and pulled out a tray of delightful scones.
The scones were for Mrs. Potts and the cupcakes and cookies for the children. He made muffins, breads, and puddings of every sort. He crooned his approval when the butcher brought in the morning's kill, sent the hunter away with a small cake all for himself, and then dressed the boar to the nines before setting it to roast for his Master. He recreated every dish Belle had ever complimented, and he made pies. He made strawberry, blueberry, peach, cherry, apple, raspberry, mincemeat, and even rhubarb pies. He used some of everything he had on hand to create a double dozen quiche and then started over again with the pies and pastries.
He rushed between the kitchen and the dining room, filling the long banquet table with every dish imaginable and a dozen new dishes for which he did not even yet have names, and all the time, he danced. He spun on his heels and tapped his ankles. He waltzed through the rooms and sang his joy. At long last, he was back! He was human again, and he could cook once more!
He was covered from head to foot in flour with only the tip of his long nose sticking out when Mrs. Potts bustled into the kitchen. Her intent had been to set on the morning tea, and she stopped and looked around her in amazement. "My goodness!" she exclaimed, seeing food on every available space. "There's nowhere to sit the tea! Lumiere, dear, what have you been doing all night?"
"Creating!" Lumiere sang. He grasped her hands and swung her into his impromptu dance, and though Mrs. Potts giggled like a school girl as he danced with her, when their dance stopped so that he could pull out the cookies, she looked at him with worry. The sweet boy had been cooking all night, and that meant he'd gone for over twenty four hours without a wink of sleep. She shook her head and left the room with worry dawning over her aging, motherly features -- but not before grabbing a raspberry cheesecake scone.
Lumiere barely noticed the housekeeper's departure and instead continued to dance around the room as he set the latest batch of cookies out, placing them at an angle on top of two other trays. He really had to thank his Master for making certain that they had enough trays for cooking, although he was down to his last three dishes, Lumiere thought with just the slightest pout, the closest he'd come to a frown with his human mouth since it had been restored. "Oh, well," he murmured and set immediately back to making pies.
Belle, Maurice, and the children drifted through next, and Lumiere sent them to the dining room where they had no end of delectable foods from which to choose. Still, the children, unobserved by Mrs. Potts who was busy elsewhere, ran through his kitchen, eager to taste every different type of cookie he'd baked during the night. They streaked through his kitchen, bringing dirt and raucous laughter with them, but Lumiere only smiled, tossed back his head, and joined in their laughter.
"I called a meeting. Where were you?"
The voice stopped the laughing French man dead in his tracks. He turned to meet his lover with a smile that would not be disturbed despite his annoyed tone. "Look around you, Cogsworth."
Cogsworth was doing just that, his beady, brown eyes darting over the counters and chairs. Lumiere had even dragged extra chairs into the kitchen during the night to put more food on them. "Or, better yet, taste around you," Lumiere added with a grin. He turned from him, picked up a stack of pies, and turned back to him. "These are all for you."
"For . . . For me?" Cogsworth blustered, his thunder drained. He marched forward, stuck his finger in a pie, and licked off the gooey berry. "Mmm! Strawberry!"
"And blueberry, and cherry, and apple, and peach, and rhubarb, and lemon meringue, and mincemeat too!" Lumiere sang. "All for you!" Cogsworth barely managed to react in time to keep from dropping the pies as Lumiere thrust them into his hands.
"You've . . . You've been here all night!" Cogsworth declared in amazement.
Lumiere just grinned. "Oui," he agreed and turned back to his oven. For the first time since they'd become human again, tiredness touched him as he withdrew another pan filled to overflowing with pastries. He set them next to a dozen triple layered cakes covered with rich and gooey frosting. He stifled a yawn, but Cogsworth caught it.
His heart warmed even more. "You've been cooking," he declared softly, "all night."
"Oui," Lumiere shrugged his shoulders and nodded. Another yawn came, and this one broke free from his restraints. He covered his mouth with his hand and then popped a chocolate chip cookie into his mouth to distract it. He wasn't ready to go to bed!
"See?" Mrs. Potts asked, coming into the kitchen and stepping up to Cogsworth. She cleaned her hands on an apron. "I told you he's been up all night. Poor lamb!" She looked compassionately upon Lumiere and grabbed another of the scones he'd made especially for her.
Cogsworth sighed, but a grin still tugged at his mouth. "Then I think it's time we celebrate again," he announced, "but in the privacy of my bedroom." Lumiere looked at him in surprise as Cogsworth laid down his pies. "The meeting I called was to let every one know that his Majesty declared today an official holiday."
"Again?" Lumiere asked in surprise.
"I know. I'm astonished, too," Cogsworth admitted, looking him up and down. Despite his sweetheart's jovial mood, he saw the redness in his eyes and the dark bags growing beneath them. He noticed his frenzied hair, his haphazard clothing, and the fact that his mouth was trying to open in a yawn every time Lumiere wasn't busy stuffing pastries into it. "As the head of the servants, I believe it best we all take advantage of it."
Mrs. Potts smiled but said naught a word. Cogsworth's declaration was very far from what he had said in the actual meeting, telling every one to make sure their chores were still performed today despite the holiday.
"We shall go to my bedroom, I believe, and spend most of the day there." He stopped as he noted Chip's blonde head bobbing up behind a quadruple layered, chocolate cake. "Playing games, of course."
"Of course," Mrs. Potts chimed in, beaming brightly. "Shall I tell the others," she suggested softly, "that today's plans are off?"
Lumiere's head was beginning to nod, and his eyes had drifted shut despite the sugared roll of dough that he'd been aiming for his mouth. "Yes, yes, of course," Cogsworth babbled. "Can't have them working when I shan't be there to oversee them, after all." He stepped up to Lumiere and draped his arms around him. "Lumiere, wake up."
"Hmm?"
"To my bed," Cogsworth instructed.
"Oh? To your bed, mon cherie?" Lumiere repeated, his eyes popping back open and lighting with excitement. He grinned. "I've been waiting all night for you to ask, mon amour!" he said and then, before Cogsworth could stop him, he tickled him. Cogsworth bowled over with laughter. "The last one to the bed," Lumiere whispered quietly so that only his love could hear him, "is as hard as an object." His head drifted lower, tickling him still, and then he pulled away from his arms and darted up the stairs.
Mrs. Potts watched with quiet and happy approval as Cogsworth, beaming with true, glowing, and complete happiness for the second time in all too long, turned to chase after his boyfriend. He paused only long enough to grab two spoons, some napkins, and his pies, and then he headed after him. Cogsworth knew he'd find Lumiere passed out when he arrived. He'd eat some pie and then hold him for some hours as he let him sleep. When his lover again awoke, Cogsworth would feed him some of his delectable goodies, and then together, they would celebrate their life, love, and happiness as they should have long ago.
Cogsworth still had a multitude of duties to which he would have to see, but they would wait another day. They would wait, he thought, and never again would he place them above Lumiere. They had a second chance at life now, thanks to the love that their Prince had found in Belle, and whereas their love was just beginning, Cogsworth had had his all these many years and never once stopped to fully appreciate it. That would never, he vowed, happen again!
He entered his bedroom to the sound of soft snoring and placed his pies on the stand next to his bed. He laid the spoons and napkins next to them before slipping into bed and pulling Lumiere close to him. He kissed his forehead as he whispered softly, "I love you." He'd tell him again when he awoke that he loved him, and never again, he swore, would he make the mistake of waiting to tell him. He'd keep seeing to his duties in the castle, but from this day forward, he would never waste another moment to tell Lumiere how much he loved him and show him how important he was to him!
Lumiere's snores grew louder, and Cogsworth reached for his strawberry pie, grinning and glowing with his happiness. Cogsworth oohed and ahhed over his yummy pie which his love had created especially for him, but all the time, he kept looking forward to the most wonderful dessert that would follow. He'd finish his pie and then cuddle with Lumiere until he awoke. Then he'd love and thank him openly, apologize for not having invited him back into his arms and his bed sooner, show him he'd never left his heart, and keep loving him always.
Like the Prince and his Princess, they had a second chance to live their love, and together, they would always fulfill it forever more and live and love each other alone for all eternity! He ate the last bite of his strawberry pie, discarded the left over items, and wrapped his arms around his beloved Lumiere. He cuddled to him, holding him tight, and together, side by side, they lived happily ever after.
The End
Title: "Love's Testament"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: PG-13
Summary:
Warning: Slash, Het, Established Relationships
Challenge: A SmallFandomFest LJ comm prompt
Word Count: 2,541
Date Written: 25 June, 2012
Disclaimer: Cogsworth, Lumiere, Prince "Beast" Adam, Belle, all other characters mentioned within, and this version of Beauty and the Beast are © & TM Disney, not the author, and are used without permission. Everything else is © & TM the author. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Cogsworth loved Lumiere, but he just didn't understand him. Rather as a candlestick or a human, it seemed that it was impossible for the chef to be serious about anything. He was always quick with a smile and a joke, and whereas Cogsworth had always been good at spotting the dangers and troubles hounding them, he had always been able to find a silver lining in every cloud.
He'd not even seemed that upset by being a candlestick most of the time, but no matter how hard Lumiere had tried to hide it, Cogsworth had known and understood his frustrations. Being cursed into enchanted objects was truly one of the worse curses they could have received, and it wasn't as if it was their fault in the slightest! They couldn't keep their Master from being a grouch, or seeming heartless.
Back in the days before the curse had been deployed over all of them, the Prince had even been cruel to them. He had kicked Cogsworth in the shins many times as he'd been growing up. When he had gotten older, and had lost his father, his shenanigans had grown less, but his cruelty had remained. He'd even made his mother cry more than once. Cogsworth knew because he had heard the Queen's sobs and tried to comfort her on many occasions before she had locked herself away in her bedroom.
Belle still didn't know the entire truth of the man who she had married, how ugly, spoiled, and pretty nearly as heartless as the tales described him he had been. The girl had no clue that the first time any one had heard from the Queen was when she, as an enchanted wardrobe, had befriended Belle. There was something about a crying woman, Cogsworth knew, that made every one around her want to comfort her, and the Queen had been no different when the child had cried, soaking her bed and sheets with rightful tears.
Cogsworth might be gay, but he was no less bothered by a woman's tears. No one with half a heart could stand still when a woman cried. No one but His Royal Majesty himself, which was one of several reasons why many of his subjects, Cogsworth included, had, at one time, wondered if he had a heart left. Looking back, Cogsworth could see where the Prince had gone wrong, and he knew, now, that he did too for they had talked about it and Adam had actually apologized to everybody, though no more so than to his mother whose forgiveness, Cogsworth had known, the boy had been ready to beg for but had not had to drop to his knees or even ask more than once. The same women whose tears tore at a man's heart could also be quite quick to forgive.
Women were a marvel, but there was no woman he loved. His heart belonged to Lumiere, even if he didn't understand him. The curse had been hard on them all, and though they had not deserved to be cursed, having been unable to do anything about their Prince's wicked behavior, their lives, too, had nearly been ruined by the curse. Cogsworth had feared, at one time, that they'd not be able to outlive the curse, but death had not offered an escape in the long while. Enchanted objects, you see, do not die nor do they break easily.
There had been many times when Cogsworth had come close to the breaking point, but always, Lumiere had been there with a smile, a laugh, a hug, and often times, too, a tickle. Cogsworth hated being tickled, but that knowledge had not deterred the chef in the least from running his fingers as light as feathers over his pendulum and making him roar with laughter until he either pushed him away or succumbed into ungentlemanly fits, rolling across the floor and laughing so hard he'd cried. Lumiere had always known exactly what to do to cheer him up, and even today, after the curse had been lifted, was no different.
Lumiere possessed the uncanny ability to somehow, regardless of whatever else was happening in their lives at any given time, know when Cogsworth was feeling sad. He'd reach him post haste and not stop, no matter how many times Cogsworth yelled at him or pushed him away, until he had succeeded in brightening his spirits again. Today had been one such day. It was the one year anniversary of when the curse had been lifted, and though the Prince and their new Princess had thrown a festival to celebrate their freedom and the curse's demise, Cogsworth's mind had turned back, like the hands of the clock he'd once been going in reverse, to the times they had suffered underneath the curse.
There are too many things that humans take for granted. They take their own bodies for granted, believing they'll always be in possession of two hands with which to hold things, eight fingers with which to touch, and legs with which to stride over long distances. Cogsworth had always been a short man, though nowhere near as short as the clock he'd been, and had always detested his height and longed for a taller body with which to reach higher and invoke more respect. He had been demanded respect still, becoming the kingdom's highest ranking General and the leader of their military forces, but he had nonetheless taken his human body for granted. He had believed, like so many do, that he always would have his body; it would never really change, even with age; and he'd forever be able to do the things that were important to him.
But being a clock had changed all that. He'd not been able to go into town where men and women alike had once stopped to admire him riding astride his steed. He had not been able to really commandeer his forces for, as enchanted objects, they knew they were useless in battle, or so they had believed until they'd been forced to fight the villagers to protect their Prince and all their lives. He had not been able to swordfight or even fence until Lumiere had somehow gotten him a sword his own size. Cogsworth still didn't know where Lumiere had found that sword, or who he'd gotten to make it, but his beloved had come to his rescue one particularly dismal evening with the new shining blade.
Cogsworth had worked out many of his frustrations through fencing for seemingly endless hours throughout the castle and its grounds. He'd heard the lesser subjects whispering about him behind the instruments they'd used for hands, saying how he was going batty if he still thought he could fight any opponent. Cogsworth had kept going with his fencing lessons and even chastised some of the more loudly disapproving subjects, but in truth, he had not done so to stay fit or ready for battle. He'd known he made a truly worthless opponent as a clock, or again, thus he had believed until their hour of greatest need had come upon them.
He had fenced, instead, as a way of dealing with his frustrations. It had anguished him to no end that he was no longer the man he had trained so hard to become and could not do the things he should as a General. He had been disappointed in himself, too, for failing to protect his Prince and their people. Yet, most of all, what had bothered him was the little things. He could no longer properly hold anything in the pieces of metal he used for hands. His cursed arms were too short to fit properly around anything possessing any real size, including, and most importantly of all, his beloved Lumiere. He could kiss Lumiere, but he could go no further. Sometimes, even when they did kiss, his hands had chosen that particular moment to come together and ended up pinching Lumiere's nose.
But never once had his love complained. Though he'd tried especially hard today, Cogsworth couldn't remember a single time that Lumiere had ever complained much about the curse or all it had taken from them. He had missed being a chef and cooking almost as greatly as he had missed loving Cogsworth, but he had never really voiced those complaints. Cogsworth had known from the forlorn look in his eyes every time they entered the kitchen or dining room and the way he'd speak wistfully about his culinary conquests as a human, and, of course, there was the song and show he'd performed for Belle that, though it had bespoke his happiness to serve, had also at last admitted, in the first stanza, how much Lumiere had missed that part of his life, how much they had all missed how they served as humans.
But, again, today, Lumiere had been busy serving. He had cooked ever since last night, creating an elaborate feast that, even after every one had partaken in, had still had leftovers. He had also been the loudest proclaimer of all in rejoicing that the curse was over, but still, whereas many of them had relived the woes of their cursed existences, Cogsworth had not heard his lover utter one single complaint about the time they'd spent as enchanted objects unable to properly embrace or love one another.
"Ah, zere you are." Cogsworth's eyebrows lift slightly at the sudden sound of Lumiere's French-accented voice, but he doesn't look at him. He's not ready to see his bubbly smile or happy eyes. He's still too glum and wants to wallow in the misery of their past for a little while longer. How everybody can be so happy today is beyond him for all he can remember are the bad times they suffered until the curse was lifted. "Ze party has not her light and glow without your presence. I may have been really swell at putting out that glow once," Lumiere continues speaking as he tackles Cogsworth from behind and wraps his long arms around him, "but not so much without you by my side any longer." He whispers the last words right next to Cogsworth's ear.
Cogsworth has had enough of Lumiere's bubbling happiness, however, for he's been exerting that positive attitude that so troubles him all day. He's stayed silent up until now but can stand it no longer. He shoves his arms off and bats away his hands as he immediately reaches for him again. Lumiere's seductive pout fails to keep Cogsworth's wiry mustache from bristling with its full thickness.
"What is wrong with you?" Cogsworth demands, batting Lumiere's hands away. His massive belly jumps with his anger, pushing him even further back across the parapet. "How can you always be so . . . so jolly? Why is everybody so happy today?"
Lumiere looks at him with the first inkling of sadness shining in his eyes since the curse was lifted. "Because, mon chere," he answers as though it's as obvious as the long and pointed nose upon his otherwise handsome face, "we're free! We're no longer cursed! We're no longer enchanted objects! We're free to be our own men!" He spreads his arms wide and opens his hands before them, palms up. "Isn't that what you wanted, too?"
"Of course it's what I wanted!" Cogsworth blustered. "But you didn't sound upset about it today when you were reliving the tale to the children!"
"Non," Lumiere replies, shaking his head, "because I was not. What is there to be sad about now? We have each other, mon chyri, and our rightful bodies. Why allow the past to still trouble us when it is but a testament to our love?"
Cogsworth's dark and furious glare would have sent every light out on Lumiere's body had he still been a candlestick. "What," he demands icily, "in the world are you talking about?"
Lumiere approaches him slowly. This time, he succeeds in wrapping his arms back around his love's hefty waist, but still Cogsworth glowers at him until he gives his answer in the truth and eloquence with which only he can speak. "We survived a most perilous time, mon amour, a time darker and more painful to the heart and soul than most people can even imagine. We survived a horrible curse, and though it did unthinkable things to us, we never once allowed it to dull our love. We didn't just survive the curse, Cogsworth; our love survived the curse when few others' could have, especially without being at each others' throat day and night!"
Cogsworth lowers his head in shame; his puffy cheeks darken guiltily. He had taken out far too many of his frustrations on his beloved Lumiere while they'd been cursed, but Lumiere had forgiven him for every single temper tantrum he had ever thrown and would again today, he hopes and, in his deepest heart, already knows. "The curse," Lumiere continues, his eyes gazing steadfastly down into Cogsworth's, "did not weaken our love. It gave us strength and renewed the bonds of our hearts! Our love is stronger today than ever before, and because of that curse, I know, and you and the whole world should as well, that nothing will ever be able to hinder or even give our love pause!"
"Our love," he whispers, lowering his head, "is unstoppable!" His last two words brush softly across Cogsworth's upturned lips. Then Lumiere's lips, as Cogsworth has secretly been needing them to all day, touch down upon his. He kisses him sweetly and gently at first but then begins to deepen their kiss.
As their kiss deepens, however, and his tongue slips into his mouth to play a game of hide and seek with the General's tongue, the chef's sneaky hands reach beneath his heavy coats and tickle his tummy. Cogsworth's mouth leaves his immediately as laughter barks deeply from his throat. Lumiere grins and starts tickling him faster. Cogsworth doubles over, his laughter rushing over the parapet, but then he stands suddenly, sword in hand.
Lumiere's eyes widen; his face pales slightly as Cogsworth's sword points at him. His hands drop, and he starts to back up. Cogsworth backs him against the nearest wall and traces his cravat with his short sword. "You're right," he speaks with a grim expression. "Nothing . . . " His eyes begin to twinkle, diminishing his act, and Lumiere boasts his knowledge of what is about to come with a silent, broad grin. " . . . can ever stop our love!" He throws his sword to the rooftop, grabs Lumiere, shoves him a little closer against the wall, and sets to kissing him passionately, determined to make up not just for the time they missed while Lumiere was cooking and partying today but for all the time they've missed over the years.
Yet, for the first time as he thinks of the curse and how they won, his heart truly does soar. His lover is right, as he is more often than the General cares to admit: The curse was a testament to their love. They won, and they will always win because of their love! Their love will last forever, and in it, they will live happily ever after!
The End
Title: "Royal Command (of Love)"
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: G
Summary:
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, names, codenames, places, items, fandoms, titles, and etc. are always © & TM their respective owners, not the author, and are used without permission. Any and all original characters and everything else is © & TM the author and may not be reproduced in any way without the author's express, written permission. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
He hadn't meant to fall in love with him. Doing so upset his entire life's mission. He was to be the top General and defend their kingdom and Prince. He was to keep them safe, but he'd failed. He'd been too involved in thoughts of love to realize the danger that'd crept into their world, and by the time he had, it'd been too late.
They had suffered a long time, but now, at last, the curse was broken. They were free again to be the men they were. It was time for him to resume his post and be the diligent General he should have been. It was time he let go of love and its follies, but he'd yet to muster the courage and break his lover's heart by telling him.
He had been about to do just that when their Prince had called. He had hurried to obey him, leaving his love in the proverbial dust in his haste not just to obey their Prince but also to delay having to do what he's known all along he should and yet continues to break his heart. He has to leave Lumiere behind. He has to tell him he doesn't love him even though he does.
Cogsworth's being with him, being happy and distracted in the love they share, is a threat to the whole kingdom. Their affair can not continue. His watch must be ever vigilant. Their entire kingdom, their makeshift, adopted family, depends on his being free from all distractions and protecting them as he should. He has no time or room for love in his life.
And so it is that, when Prince Adam tells him why he's called him to him, Cogsworth's well disciplined mouth falls wide open. "I would like to see you and Lumiere married and sharing the happiness Belle and I have discovered." Adam looks at him inquisitively. "What, old man? Don't tell me you don't want to marry Lumiere!"
"I-It's not that, Your Majesty."
"Then what? Tell me, Cogsworth, and whatever is wrong, I will make it right."
"I thought -- Sir, we can't wed! We're men, and . . . and furthermore, love is a distraction!"
Adam throws his head back and laughs. The deep, pleasured sound resonates throughout the castle and its grounds and makes Cogsworth's cheeks burn. "It is a distraction, but it is a most wonderful one! It's the best thing that's ever happened to us!" Adam's head drops; he looks solemnly at Cogsworth once more. "Besides, I'm not going to let you become the grump you were before Lumiere kissed you. This is my kingdom. I make the laws here; we are all free to marry who we love. Now, when shall the date be?"
"I-I don't know," Cogsworth replies bashfully. "I-I'll have to ask Lumiere."
Adam turns; Lumiere sprints into the room. He wraps his arms tightly around Cogsworth's bulk and covers him in kisses, crying happily, "Right away, mon cherie!" Cogsworth beams. Though he's as apple red, he's never been happier!
The End
