MsMegan, I just want to say that in the last two panels are, in my opinion, the best expressions I've seen of the Beast. He looks so human whenever he has revelations.
Also, may I ask how old Beauty is? Thank you and keep up the marvelous work!
I'm glad that Beauty asks if hugging the Beast like she did was okay - some people can be very sensitive about touching, so it's good she acknowledges that here and asks if it was alright. But yeah, her expressing her desire to comfort him when words weren't working, and him saying that he regrets how difficult he can be while in a depressive episode, and her saying that she knows he can't just turn his feelings off - it's all very emotionally mature and self-aware of them, so I'm grateful to see them having this conversation.
I empathize so hard with the Beast right here. Actually in tears. I've been there and I've apologized awkwardly for the same thing, and then apologized for apologizing.
So, uh... thank you for this. It's validating and reassuring.