They've come so far, but still have far to go. While this scene shows that Beauty loves him no matter what form he is in it still breaks my heart to see Argus so broken. Feeling the need to get out the tissue box again!
I really like this reverse of the "Belle, it's me," moment. Not that I don't love that one too, but this adds a nice touch to the bond between these two--she'd know her Beast whatever skin he wears.
Agreed. I just love the ways this whole sequence has reversed all the usual patterns of this scene in other BatB retellings. Where normally Beauty/Belle is confused and awestruck by the transformation and the prince is the calm one who either explains everything to her or waits patiently while she sorts it out, here Argus is awestruck and overwhelmed, while Beauty is his calm, comforting pilar of strength. Where normally Beauty/Belle doesn't recognize at first that the handsome stranger is her Beast, here she assures him that she would know him anywhere. It's so fresh and different from other retellings, but feels absolutely right for this Beauty and Argus. Just like the earlier scene where he tended her injured hand was a beautiful reverse of the scene where Disney's Belle tends the Beast's injured arm – different, but perfect for these versions of the characters.
I'd almost forgotten about that line. Beauty has grown so beautifully since then; she and Argus both have. They know each other now, they know themselves, and they've truly earned a happy future together.
He looks so sad, but so hopeful, and I am so glad Beauty is here for him in this moment.
Reaction 2: “Tweet, tweet. Tweet? Do I really sound like that? ‘Tweet?’ That can’t be right. ‘Tweet?’ ‘Tweeeeeet?’”
and now the birds have their voices back! filling the skies with their song . . .
So I think this line was meant to be catharsis after that.