Mr. Gold watched Belle's curls tumbled back to reveal her creamy neck as her eyes lifted to the movie theater's marquee.
"Twilight. Is it based upon the book? It's a popular title at the library but I haven't read it. Ruby told me what the story is about. After the Ogre wars back home, I'm surprised people around here still have such a fascination with deadly creatures." But she smiled her willingness to see it anyway.
Gold would have vastly preferred to introduce Belle to cinema with a film of some substance. Gone With the Wind perhaps. He smiled in memory of the weekend she had been utterly lost to the world while devouring Margaret Mitchell's novel.
Sadly Storybrooke's tiny two-screen theater didn't offer much by way of movie classics. He'd only opted for the teen romance because the other option was an equally outdated spy thriller. It did look exciting but he didn't relish the idea of his dear Belle confronted by such violence and death on a 20 foot tall screen.
"So I understand." He placed a guiding hand on her back as he opened the door to the theater, gently ushering her inside.
They discussed other books that were oft-requested in her library as they waited in line to purchase tickets. Where he could, Gold told Belle which of the stories had been immortalized on film. He hadn't seen most of them, but one really couldn't avoid being bombarded by advertisements for each new release.
Belle tried not to blanch visibly when the ticket vendor gave the price. She hadn't had many occasions to spend this world's form of currency yet, but she still found the price exorbitant. They could share a meal and a few glasses of wine at Granny's at that cost, with perhaps enough left to split a slice of pie. But Gold handed over the paper money calmly, taking their tickets and ushering her towards a concession counter.
Noting the prices of the various snacks on the menu board, Belle attempted to demure politely when he asked what she would like. It was unreasonable to pay so much for a treat when they planned to have dinner afterward. He would insist upon paying for that as well, she knew, and it's not as if he spent all his time spinning straw into gold in this world. But he would have none of her denials and Belle had to admit that the aroma filling the room was quite tempting.
"You cannot see a film without popcorn, dearie. It is part of the experience, and it is the experience I particularly wish to share with you." A moment later she found herself the possessor of a large box of candy that rattled when she shook it, and a cup filled to the brim with a partially frozen beverage in a bright shade of blue. Gold carried a large paper tub of fluffy popcorn drizzled with butter.
A teenaged attendant took their tickets and they passed into a partially dim room full of tiered seats.
"Which seats are ours?" Belle inquired as she tried not to gape at the size of the screen. She wasn't to know it was unimpressive as far as movie screens go; it quite dwarfed even the largest television Belle had seen so far.
"They are not assigned. We may sit wherever we choose. Every row will offer an excellent view. So…" Gold offered her a half-smile "You may choose. Where would you prefer?"
Belle glanced about, unsure of how to decide. If each seat offered an equal view, it didn't seem to matter. She was about to point at random when a thought occurred to help her choose.
"If it's all the same, I think i should like to sit up front here. I wouldn't want to miss anything." She held his eyes, not glancing down at the cane in his hand. As much as Belle wished to spare him the discomfort of climbing stairs unnecessarily, she also was loathe to wound his pride. He had been nothing but kind to her since she had been released from Regina's prison.
Belle knew his reputation, the things he had done before she had met him, as Rumpelstiltskin, in her father's castle a world away. As Mr Gold though, he seemed to be a quiet-living man, harsh only to those who got his way or tried to hurt her. Though she had a healthy dose of fear at his power, it did wound her to witness the spite the other townspeople had for Mr Gold because of Rumpelstiltskin's actions. She felt a new world ought to give a man a new chance.
They seated themselves in the middle of the foremost row. Belle sampled the icy blue drink he'd purchased for her and found it a lovely treat. Far too sweet to indulge in more than occasionally, but lovely and refreshing.
"Careful, dearie. That will make your head sore from the cold if you drink it too quickly." Mr Gold murmured as she took another swallow. He proffered the popcorn to her. "Best balance it with a bit of warm popcorn."
She grinned as she took a dainty handful, popping a few kernels into her mouth. Gold watched as her smile widened.
"This is delicious. I tried a bit of popcorn Ruby made one evening, but it wasn't nearly as good as this. Perhaps it is good she doesn't do the cooking at Granny's."
"Oh, I am sure her popcorn was quite adequate. You see, there is a very special magic in a movie theater. Popcorn becomes a great delicacy, every beverage quenches more than it would anywhere else, and every film seems a masterpiece." He rather hoped that would be the case today.
The Storybrooke Cinema rarely changed its offerings; surely everyone in town had seen this movie by now. Gold hoped that, and the 2:14 matinee showtime, explained why no other viewers had joined them. Though he certainly didn't mind the time alone with Belle.
She reached for another handful of popcorn but paused, remembering the box of candy on her lap.
"Junior Mints. Is there a Senior Mint as well?" sBellesmiled saucily at him and he had to grin at her little joke.
"Perhaps, but I believe the senior mint goes by the name of York." He made a mental note to introduce her to peppermint patties first chance he got. "Those are best saved till last. The sweet chocolate and mint are even better after all this popcorn." Perhaps he could convince her to share a few with him. If he stole a kiss later, she would find it far more pleasing than if he tasted of salt and butter.
Taking his advice, Belle set the box aside just as the lights dimmed to darkness. The screen lit up and trailers for movies long since released onto dvd marched across it. Gold didn't note which films were being advertised, his eyes were on Belle's as they shined in reflection of the dancing lights before her. Yes, he had made a good decision in bringing her here today.
As the opening theme started, Gold turned his attention to the screen. But the next moment his hand brushed Belle's as they both reached for popcorn. She started to pull back but he tipped the tub towards her, encouraging her to help herself first. He smiled, his teeth gleaming in the darkness, as she quickly took a heaping double handful of the tasty treat.
Funny, Belle though to herself, she had heard Ruby complain that chivalry was dead in this world but was it really? BShe hadn't seen enough of it to tell if Gold could indeed be consider chivalrous or if his affection for her made him inordinately kind. She had a feeling Ruby and the other women of town wouldn't find anything particularly pleasing about his manners.
But as the movie began she put aside her musings and munched contentedly, riveted by the sights before her. It took a moment to get used to watching 20 foot tall faces speak but Belle was always one to get swept away and absorbed in any story. She didn't even notice when Mr Gold, settling himself more comfortably in his seat, shifted close enough that his shoulder brushed hers. Belle simply leaned against him and reached for more popcorn, her eyes never leaving the screen.
To Be Continued.
