Aaron walked down the grand staircase, full of nerves. He fiddled with the fine sleeves of his dark purple jacket and tried to take deep breaths to calm himself. He couldn't understand why he was so nervous. It wasn't like he was still scared of Alexander. Aaron liked to think that they had become friends, or at least close acquaintances.

"Aaron."

Aaron startled, turning around towards the voice. He blinked in surprise when he saw how nicely Alexander had cleaned up. He was wearing a lovely green suit. His fur was now shiny and silky and Aaron was tempted to run his hands through it.

He refrained however, instead smiling softly.

"Hello Alexander." He greeted, walking up to him, trying to ignore the infuriating fluttering that his stomach was doing. "You cleaned up nicely..." He mumbled, not so subtly looking up and down Alexander's form.

"T-Thanks..." Alexander mumbled, blushing. "You look very nice as well."

Aaron smiled. "Thank you. Shall we make our way to the dining room?"

Alexander nodded, taking Aaron's hand and leading him away.

Lafayette peeked out from behind a table grinning,

That is the way Alexandre!" He cheered. "Sweep Monsieur Burr right off his feet!"

"Shush!" Washington hissed, also watching from behind the table. "You shouldn't even be here watching them! It's disrespectful."

"Says you." Peggy snorted quietly, hovering above them. "If you really thought that you wouldn't be here with us."

"I'm here to keep you lot out of trouble!" Washington protested.

"Quiet Monsieur Washington!" Lafayette whispered, watching as Aaron and Alexander disappeared from sight. "Come! Let's follow them!"

Washington scowled, but Peggy nodded eagerly and quickly followed the candelabra out of the room. Washington groaned but followed as well. To keep them all out of trouble of course. No other reason.

Meanwhile, Alexander was pulling out Aaron's chair, completely oblivious to the candelabra and feather duster watching through the door.

"Good job Alexandre!" Lafayette cheered, grinning.

"Move it you two!" Washington grumbled. "I can't see!"

Peggy grinned. "I thought spying on them was disrespectful."

Washington scowled at her, but said nothing, instead shoving Lafayette away so he could see what was happening. Alexander was sitting at the table now, but he and Aaron were kinda just sitting there, not saying anything.

"Come on son!" Washington murmured. "Say something!"

Both Lafayette and Peggy snorted. Washington ignored them.

Alexander stared at Aaron who was sitting across the table, looking at his lap and squirming.

Alexander cleared his throat awkwardly. "Tell me about the village?" He asked meekly.

Aaron looked up. "The village?"

"Yes." Alexander replied. "You know, Yorktown?"

Aaron blinked. "How did you know that was where I came from?"

"It's the closest village. The other one is hundreds of miles away."

Aaron smiled sadly. "Yes well, I can't say I miss it too much."

Alexander frowned. While he was glad he wasn't causing Aaron too much grief, he couldn't help but feel confused. "It is your home town correct? Why would you not miss it?"

Aaron sighed, staring down at his lap. "My village thought I was strange." He admitted.

"How so?"

"Well, many people in Yorktown don't very much appreciate books."

Alexander's eyes lit up. "You like reading?" He asked eagerly.

Aaron looked up. "Oh yes." He said smiling. "Reading adventure novels was, is one of my absolute favorite thing to do."

"I love to read as well." Alexander's gaze turned sad. "But, now, whenever I attempt to read, my claws tear the books to shreds..."

Aaron gasped. "That's awful!"

"It's been many years." Alexander smiled sadly. "I'm used to it by now. I've come up with other ways of entertaining myself."

Like tearing up furniture in fury. He added silently.

"I would not mind reading to you."

Alexander's eyes widened. "You would read to me?"

Aaron smiled. "Of course. As long as you let me decide which books to read."

Alexander was so happy he stood up. "Of course! Oh goodness, it'd be wonderful to be able to read, or hear, a story once more."

"I would be happy to help. You have a library yes?"

Alexander nodded.

"Why don't we go there after dinner? I have yet to see it."

Alexander grinned, revealing his sharp teeth. "That would be lovely."

The two were smiling at each other, not saying a word when the food arrived. Aaron was the first to break the gaze as he watched with awe as the servants fluttered about, placing down various dishes.

"There's so much." He said. Alexander laughed sheepishly.

"I have a large appetite." He said, which was true. However, his large appetite was only caused by his monstrous form. When he'd been human, his appetite was much smaller and he often went many hours without eating, sometimes even days.

"Thank you." Aaron said to a servant who placed a glass of water in front of him. Another servant flew over (all of them were various dusters as well as some cutlery) and placed a large bowl of soup in front of the two of them.

Alexander thanked the forks who'd given him his, before he began to eat. Sadly, after eating alone for so many years, Alexander had... forgotten his table manners.

Lafayette Washington and Peggy watched with muted horror as Alexander drank his soup messy while Aaron stared with surprise.

"Oh non!" Lafayette groaned, covering his eyes.

"We're doomed." Washington moaned.

Peggy only cringed.

"Wait," She whispered. "Look!"

Lafayette uncovered his eyes and they all watched as Aaron slowly set his spoon down before picking up the large bowl filled with soup.

"Oh!" Lafayette said when Aaron lifted the bowl and began to drink from it. He excitedly grabbed Washington's arm and began to shake the poor clock.

"Look!" He whispered. "That is true love!!"

"Calm down." Washington snapped. He turned to the couple. "The evening isn't done yet."

The rest of dinner went quite smoothly, with Aaron continually adjusting his eating habits so as not to embarrass Alexander. He knew that the beast couldn't help it. Those claws must make it terribly difficult to eat with cutlery.

The servants fluttered in and cleared their dessert dishes.

"That was lovely." Aaron said softly.

Alexander smiled at him. "Would you like to go see the library?"

Aaron positively beamed. "I would love to!"

Alexander grinned, offering his arm to Aaron who took. All the objects scrambled away to hide from the approaching couple.

"You'll love it." Alexander said, grinning with excitement.

"Yeah?" Aaron said, clutching Alexander's large arm. He pressed up against him, looking up with wide hopeful eyes. "How many books do you have?"

Alexander's grin widened. "More than you could count." He said smugly.

Aaron's eyes lit up and he practically squealed. "I can't wait to see it!"

Alexander's face flushed a bit. God this man was adorable. He coughed awkwardly.

"R-Right. It's this way." He said, gently leading Aaron towards a couple of large doors. The servants were hobbling after them. They weren't exactly quiet, but Aaron was too excited and Alexander was too shocked by how cute Aaron was to notice the light tapping sound.

Alexander was smiling widely when he pushed open the library doors. A gasp escaped Aaron's lips as he took in the pure magnificence that was the library.

The library was enormous for one thing. Aaron could see at least ten bookcases stocked with books. He could see a couple of opening which he assumed led to even more books.

There was a small fireplace, a desk in front of it covered with papers. Huge windows overlooked the palace's gardens, which were now covered in snow. Multiple chairs were scattered in the room, and Aaron immediately spotted a large comfy one sitting near the fireplace.

Aaron stared with wide eyes, releasing Alexander's arms and walking quickly into the large room.

"Oh it's amazing!" He cried, turning in a circle.

Alexander smiled as he watched the man spin. "It's one of my favorite rooms." He admitted. "Back when I could write I would stay in here hours on end. Sometimes I even fell asleep here and Washington or Hercules would carry me to my room."

Aaron stared at the beast, taking note at the soft look in his eyes.

"You care deeply for them don't you?" Aaron said.

"Of course!" Alexander said. "They've stayed with me for so many years. I owe them so much..."

Aaron smiled softly, before looking around once more. "Do you have fantasy novels?"

"This wouldn't be much of a library if it didn't." Alexander chuckled when Aaron's eyes lit up.

"Where?"

Alexander pointed to a shelve just behind Aaron. "There. A whole bookcase is dedicated to them." Alexander smiled sadly. "My mother adored fantasy novels. Father would buy her books from all over the world."

"How about this one?" Aaron asked, pulling a large book out from a shelve.

Alexander glanced at the title. "Jack and the beanstalk? I did not know you liked novels such as those."

Aaron blushed. "What does that mean?"

"O-Oh! W-Well, I just thought you'd like stories like, like Cinderella! Or maybe that one with the a-apple...?"

Aaron quirked a brow. "You thought I was romantic."

Now it was Alexander's turn to blush. "Uh, well I-"

Aaron chuckled gently. "It's fine Alexander. Now, let's read yes?"

Alexander blinked, before stumbling over to a small couch that sat by the window. Aaron followed him and settled beside him. He opened the book, flipping to the first page. He took a deep breath and began to read.

"Once upon a time, there lived a widow woman and her son, Jack, on their small farm in the country.

"Every day, Jack would help his mother with the chores - chopping the wood, weeding the garden and milking the cow. But despite all their hard work, Jack and his mother were very poor with barely enough money to keep themselves fed..."