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Belle walked in on Jack looking over a book, troubled. She wasn't exactly sure what contributed to his poor literacy. If it was his upbringing or if the words actually did move around like he had said. His brows were furrowed as he sat concentrating on the book. She came up from behind him and rubbed his shoulders.
“What are you reading?”
He turns towards her and laughs, “nothing really i'm just practicing.”
“Okay,” she leans in to kiss him and he kisses her back before turning back to the book.
“Are you practicing for anything specific or just for fun?” she inquires.
She knows Jack doesn't enjoy reading and would prefer someone else to do it for him, as she is the one always reading the notes and texts in their medical procedures. This creates a suspicion in her that someone might have said something or done something to make him react like this. She remembers how he reacted that time at the dinner and how this topic really got to him. It makes no difference to her if Jack can read or not, but she hopes he's not forcing himself.
“Im- yeah it's for fun”
Belle then walks over to the desk he is reading at and grabs the book from the side. Jack knows any attempts to prevent her from knowing what he is reading is futile and he doesn't move to stop her. Now seeing the cover and the title her heart warms, it's her favorite book. She had mentioned it to Jack a few times.
She thinks out loud, “you're reading my favorite book.”
“Yeah, I'm trying to. I wanted to surprise you when I had finished, but… well you caught me. I don't know why I thought I could get anything past you,” he smiles a bit.
“Do you like it so far?”
“Yes, yeah, it's good,” he reassures her but she can see through him. He was barely on page 3 and he did not look captured by the pages the way she would be.
“Jack, you don't like to read,” she says softly and places the book back down.
She is still staring at him at his desk chair, she knows he is anxious about her pushing him on one of his most sensitive topics. He does that one nervous habit where he tightens his fists. She just wants him to be honest.
“But you do, my lady,” he finally looks at her.
His face is unreadable but Belle knows he is feeling upset at some level. She is trying to think of what to say because she doesn't want to hurt him.
“What you have done is very thoughtful, and sweet, but you don't need to do something difficult for you to make me happy. It doesn't matter if you can read my favorite book or not,” she tries to reassure him but he interrupts.
“But it does matter, it matters to me because I should be able to. I hate that I can't do something so simple.”
“It's okay.”
“No it's not! No matter how hard I try I can't read, I'm stupid,” he says, sounding sad.
“Jack you are a lot of things, even an idiot sometimes, but you are not stupid. You are a genius surgeon and a quick thinker and you saved my life,” she steps closer to him, “I love you the way you are.”
She finally is able to get close to him and brings him into a hug which he returns. He holds her tight and she holds him as well. They don't pull apart for several moments until she gets up and looks at him again.
“I can read the book to you, so that way you can enjoy the story.”
His eyes dart around for a moment as he stands beside her, he doesn't feel ashamed like he normally does of himself. He would probably prefer her reading the story because it would be so much easier.
“Okay you can read it to me.”
…
The next day Jack comes over to have Belle read him the book. She is sitting on a couch with the book in her hand when he walks in. She is dressed more comfortably than normal, not wearing her full dress outfit but a light dress for lounging. It is a baby blue that makes her skin look golden.
She motions to him to sit down and he sits there waiting for her to read. She smiles and says, “get comfortable, Jack, lay down and enjoy the book.”
Jack is more quiet than usual and he just nods. He feels a bit of anticipation, no one has ever read a story to him before. He takes off his jacket and lays his head next to her. She brings her hand to his face and he moves his head to her lap.
From there she begins to read. She starts the story from the very beginning and keeps an even pace throughout the story, looking down to see him in her lap with his eyes closed, listening.
After reading 4 chapters she finally stops, it has been about 30 minutes. Jack sits up figuring it is the end for the time being, and Belle grabs his hands in hers.
She asks, “So what did you think?”
“I really liked it. Thank you for reading to me.”
“Of course, I love to read.”
“I mean it, my lady. You always read to me and I can't repay you for that.”
She presses her head against his and holds him.
“You don't need to repay me, I do it because I want to.”
“You're too good for me Belle, really, you're the first person to ever read me a story like that. I don't know what I did right to have you.”
He kisses her gently, like his lips could hurt her. She kisses back more passionately, their lips slowly touching and their breathing becoming one.
After a while of kissing, she pulls away.
“So who is your favorite character so far?”
Jack smiles and they begin to talk about the book into the night. Belle promises to read to him again soon.