A/N: This story is dedicated to Summers-haze. I just received the kindest review from her, and that prompted me to upload this story. Thank her for your reading this!
Rumple sat down to dinner. Snow was falling outside the castle and he was afraid that Belle would get distracted (again) and burn the supper (again). So far, no burning odor had yet reached nose. The small door to the kitchen opened and Belle entered, carrying a tray. She set it before him and removed the lid with a flourish. There was a juicy steak, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Considering they'd largely been subsisting on watery soup for the past three weeks, Rumple was surprised to find the entire thing looking delicious. Beside the plate, however, was a medium-sized box. Going straight for the gift (clearly the girl clung to her 'something for nothing' belief) he opened it to find a folded new shirt. He pulled it out, privately marveling at the softness of the fabric. It was ox-blood colored, a hue he had long loved. He looked up at his caretaker,
"May I enquire as to the occasion?" he asked. Belle just smiled and said in her lovely voice,
"Happy Valentine's Day."