Ariel/Belle

A/N: The tiny ship must SAIL!

Belle watched her red-headed friend curled up in an armchair reading a book intensely. Belle smiled; she liked watching people read. Ariel had been in the library for hours though, not coming up for air at all. Belle had finally mastered that coffee-making machine thing.

"Coffee?" she offered as she approached Ariel.

Ariel yelped in surprise, slamming her book shut and shoved it down the side of the armchair.

Belle blinked in surprise at her friends reaction, "Wow, that was some reaction… Is everything okay?"

Ariel nodded, "Uh-huh, great. I was just um reading and you surprised me, that's all," she smiled, "Um, coffee, great," she stood to take the mug out of her friend's hands.

"I used the coffee machine! It might not be as good as Granny's," Belle smiled sheepishly.

Ariel tilted her head, "Coffee machine - that sounds interesting!"

Belle laughed, "I'll teach you sometime. Did you manage to find a good book? I can help you if you'd like."

Ariel stammered, "Oh, um, it was good, yes, thank you."

Belle frowned, "You're acting strange, are you sure everything is okay?"

"Um, oh, yes, fine, I uh, have to go," Ariel picked up her bag and rushed past her confused friend.

Belle watched her rush through the doors, still pulling her bag onto her shoulder. Strange, she thought, Ariel was usually keen to talk for hours with her friend, now she was running like Belle had the plague.

She spotted a book in between the cushions of the armchair and picked it up curiously. She turned it over in her hands; Turns To Her. She hadn't read this one. She turned it over to read the blurb.

"Oh," she came to a realisation.

It was a story about lesbians. Maybe that's why Ariel was embarrassed, Belle thought, maybe mermaids didn't talk about homosexuality.

Belle herself hadn't known much about it until this world. But it certainly wasn't anything to be embarrassed about, Belle had read a few – some of those stories were really sweet! She decided she should let Ariel know it was okay. Ariel didn't have many close friends in Storybrooke, she shouldn't have to feel bad about reading a book!

Ariel sucked on her milkshake straw, thinking. She wished she'd at least bought that book with her, now she was embarrassed and bored. It was a good book, she thought, if a little…unconventional. She wondered why Belle even had such a book in the library? Was Belle…like those women in the book? No, she had been Rumple after all, she reasoned.

"Ariel."

Ariel looked up to see the librarian greeting her, "Oh, Belle. Hello."

Belle smiled and held out the book her friend had left behind, "You forgot your book, you rushed off so fast!"

Ariel took the book, blushing, "Oh, um, this isn't mine. It must be someone else's."

Belle watched her awkward friend concernedly, "Oh. You know, if it was your book, though, it's okay. You can read whatever kind of books you like."

Ariel nodded slowly, "It's just…"she leant forward, speaking in a hushed voice, "Belle, um, this world is still confusing to me," she paused as Belle nodded, listening attentively, "But in these stories… oh, it's just very strange."

Belle nodded slowly, "What are the stories about?" she prompted, despite already knowing the answer.

Ariel's cheeks turned crimson, "Oh, they um, well you know, usually in stories it's the prince, or the man and the woman who fall in love. But," her brow furrowed, "In this book, it's two women who fall in love. I've never heard of that before, but…you have it in the library, does that mean…is it okay? Should you burn it or something?"

Belle looked at her friend sympathetically, "No, Ariel. It's okay here. Actually, Ruby even said it happened sometimes in the Enchanted Forest…I don't know about Under the Sea, but it's quite accepted here. It's not bad, it's okay if you like women or men, or both! Or neither!"

Ariel ran a hand through her hair, taking in this new information, "Oh. I guess that's…good," she frowned.

Belle took her friends hand, "Ariel, I will never judge you for what you read, or who you like, or anything at all."

Ariel nodded, smiling albeit a little forced, "Thanks, Belle. Um, I don't want to keep you from the library, shouldn't you get back there?"

Right on cue, Ruby yelled Belle over to collect her lunch. She could take a hint and said her goodbye's to her friend as she headed over to Ruby.

"Thanks, Rubes," Belle said distractedly, taking the bag from Ruby's hands.

Ruby could see the wheels turning in her friends hand, "You alright? You look like you've got something on your mind."

Belle thought for a moment, "Are you on break yet?"

Ruby glanced around at the ceasing lunch crowd, "Sure, I'll walk you to the library."

"So, what's up?" Ruby asked her quiet friend as they strolled down the street.

Belle looked at her, "Well, it's Ariel… I think she's kind of confused."

Ruby frowned, "Confused? About what?"

Belle sighed, "Well, she jumped out of her skin and ran out of the library so fast this morning. I picked up the book she left behind and it was one of those one's I got in for you… umm, Turns To Her?"

Ruby laughed, "Oh, yeah, not too bad a read."

Belle smiled, "So I bought it back to her and she was really embarrassed. I don't think she's been exposed to homosexuality before. It's like she thought it was something to be ashamed of, to be reading such a book," she shrugged, "It's just a book!"

Ruby nodded thoughtfully, "Hm, maybe it's more than just a book, Belle."

Belle frowned, "What do you mean?"

Ruby chewed her tongue in thought a moment, "Um. Maybe she's curious, you know, on her sexuality. I mean, it's been ages since she broke with Eric. And uh, you know… well, do you know what that book is about?"

Belle shrugged, "It's some lesbian romance. I haven't read it. Why?"

Ruby smiled at her friends ignorance, "Well, it's about these two best friend and one of them falls in love with the other after she leaves her boyfriend…"

Belle nodded, "Sure. Isn't that like every romance novel?"

Ruby chuckled, "True. But the one she's falling in love with, she's this cute as hell librarian."

Belle smiled, "Yes! Represent!"

Ruby barked a laugh, "You're missing my point!"

Belle tilted her head, "Oh," she frowned, "So… what is your point?"

"Uh, well, I'm just saying maybe, with all this awkwardness and reading that novel about a cute lesbian librarian… "Ruby sighed, "Maybe she has a crush on you."

"On me!?" Belle exclaimed in surprise as they came to the library, "I hadn't even thought of that. Why would she have a crush on me!?"

Ruby roared with laughter, "Uh, you looked in a mirror lately? You're hot as and you got that whole sweet as pie thing going on," she shrugged, "If you weren't my bestie I'd probably crush on you too!"

Belle bit her lip, her cheeks burning, "Oh," she giggled, "Thanks, Rubes."

"Yeah, yeah," Ruby waved a hand dismissively, "Anyway, do you like her?"

Belle blushed further, "Oh, I don't know."

Ruby rolled her eyes, "You know, we never talk about what you told me that one time - "

"Ruby!" Belle interrupted her head, shaking her head.

"It's okay, Belle. Jeez, you know you two are more alike that you like admit," Ruby pointed out, "But it's okay to be scared, Belle."

"I am not scared!" Belle exclaimed indignantly.

Ruby smiled, "It's alright to be scared, Belle," she said gently, "So… you do like her, right?"

Belle groaned, "How do you always read me like that?"

Ruby grinned, "You read books, I read people."

Belle rolled her eyes, "Fine, fine. I think I like her. I'm not sure."

Ruby squinted at her friend, "You're not sure?"

"Um," Belle's face scrunched in thought, "She is very nice to look at," she smiled sheepishly as Ruby chuckled, "And she's really sweet," she bit her lip, "Sometimes when she doesn't know what things are, like technology, she's very… cute."

Ruby quirked an eyebrow, "Cute, huh?"

Belle ran a hand through her curls, "Yeah, she reads cutely too."

Ruby laughed, "Okay, I get it, you do like her."

"So, what do I do?" Belle asked, nibbling on her lip.

"Talk to her, girl! Jeez!" Ruby shook her head.

Belle shoved her friend gently, "Oh shush, I've never really done this whole courting thing before… I mean, not for a long time and not with a girl.."

Ruby nodded, "Okay, first thing, don't call it courting. It's very…old world."

Belle fixed her with a glare, "Oh, well I wonder where I could have possibly got that from then?"

"You want my advice or not?" Ruby asked.

Belle sighed, hesitating, "Yes, please," she said meekly.

Ruby smiled and wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders, "So, I guess you wanna know if she likes girls before you go confess your love – "

"It's not love!" Belle interrupted.

"Uh-huh," Ruby replied absently, "So, really, just ask her. Knowing you, you wanna be all discreet, so you can ask her about that book she was reading. You know, lots of people get confused or they think liking the same sex is a really bad thing. I mean, you're pretty shy about it too, remember?"

Belle nodded, "I know. It's a brand new thing to some of us, I guess."

"It is," Ruby agreed, "So, just you know, be patient with her."

"Of course," Belle smiled, eyes wide, awaiting more advice from her friend.

Ruby sighed, "Come on, Belle, you don't need my advice. Just be you, all smiles and sweetness. Be patient."

Belle bit back a smile, "Okay," she nodded, taking a deep breath, "You're right. I'll try find her after work."

Ruby squeezed her friends shoulder, "You'll be right, babe," she kissed her on the cheek, "If she hurts you, I'll – "

"Ruby!" Belle exclaimed, "No violence."

"Alright, alright," Ruby held up her hands in defense, "I'll just make her a bad batch of coffee."

Belle shook her head, "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the chat Ruby," she wrapped her arms around her friend, "I'll call you later."

"Luck!" Ruby returned the embrace, "Remember, confidence is sexy," she winked before skipping off.

Belle sighed as she looked around the half-filled diner. No sign of her friend. With a small wave to Ruby, she pushed the door open and headed out. She only really knew of one other place her friend liked around town.

Belle tried to shake the sand out of her shoes; heels weren't exactly the best to wear on the beach. Still, there was that familiar red hair whipping around in the wind. Belle nibbled on her lip for a moment. She took a deep breath and approached the other woman.

"Hey," she smiled.

Ariel looked up from where she was perched on her rock, "Belle, hi! What are you doing down here?"

Belle shrugged, "Um, just, well, I was looking for you actually."

Ariel looked curious, "Oh, you were?"

"May I sit?" Belle asked, a little stiffly.

Ariel nodded, a little confused, "Sure, Belle. Are you okay? You're acting a little odd."

Belle smiled as she sat, slipping her heels off to curl her legs under her, "Sorry. It's just… I wanted to talk to you about something," she paused, trying not to think too much, "You know how that book was about two girls liking each other, right?"

Ariel nodded, "Um, yes."

Belle sighed, "So, uh, hm, I…" she berated herself for being so awkward, "Well, you know Ruby?" she was taking the weak way out; she knew it, but it was a start, "Well, she likes girls… like that."

"Oh," Ariel frowned, "Did you just find out?"

Belle shook her head, "No, she told me months ago."

"Oh," Ariel repeated, "So why are you telling me?"

Belle bit her lip, "Um, well what do you think of that?"

Ariel frowned, "Well, it's okay by me. Um, is it just me or is this a strange conversation?"

Belle laughed nervously, "It is a little. It's just, I wondered, maybe, because you were reading that book, if you were…possibly thinking you might like…girls," she finished weakly, cringing internally.

Ariel blinked rapidly, "Oh!" she exclaimed, "Um, oh. Well, I-I…"

Belle watched her flustered friend, "Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you, it's not anything to be embarrassed about," she paused, "I guess I was just asking because you reminded me of… well, me."

Ariel looked at her friend, brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"Well… Ruby's not the only one who likes girls," she said quietly, flicking her eyes to her friends face, "It's just it's what I used to do until Ruby snatched the book right out of my hands and confronted me about it. I mean, it's Ruby so she's pretty direct. I'm not so good at this – "

"You're great," Ariel interrupted, speaking quickly, "And I-I don't know what I'm thinking or feeling. I just really like those books. And this girl in this one, well, she's very… sweet."

Belle smiled, "It's okay, you know, to like whoever you like."

"So then, why didn't I know you like girls?"

Belle opened her mouth before closing it and frowning, "Well, I guess it's not a secret; I'm just not as overt with my sexuality like…some people. I haven't had a girlfriend or anything so it's just never really come up, I guess."

Ariel nodded, "Oh. So you and Ruby…?"

Belle laughed, "No, no. I mean, Ruby's well…Ruby," she smiled, "She's my best friend."

Ariel smiled, "Yes, but she's," she stopped talking suddenly.

Belle noticed the subtle red tinge to her friend's cheeks.

"Oh," Belle nodded, "Yes, she's very um pretty."

Ariel smiled sheepishly, "Yeah," she agreed, "I like her clothes."

Belle laughed freely, "I'm pretty sure half the town agrees with you there."

Ariel giggled, "So, I mean you didn't break up with Rumple that long ago really, and you haven't dated since… Were you with any girls before that?"

Belle shook her head, "Oh! No. I only realised once I came to Storybrooke… so I haven't actually had a girlfriend or anything."

"I see," Ariel stated before returning her gaze to the ocean before them.

"Um, Ariel?"

Ariel looked back at her friend, "Yes?"

Belle looked back into bright eyes, "Well, I," she bit the corner of her lip, "Um, it's just…" she sighed, "What I mean to say is – "

Before she knew it, Ariel's lips were pressed against her own. It only took her a second before she got over the shock and responded enthusiastically. She forced herself to pull back, not wanting to push her friend too far.

She looked at her friend tentatively, waiting for a reaction.

Ariel smiled shyly, "Well, that was nice," she said softly.

Belle nodded, "It was…very nice."

Ariel pushed a hand through her red hair, "Um, may we do it again?"

Belle grinned and lent forward to connect her lips with Ariel's once again. Her lips were so soft, Belle thought as she startled a little as Ariel's hand laid against her cheek. She sighed as they broke apart.

"Wow," Belle breathed, "That was… wow."

Ariel giggled, "So, what now? Do we go on a date or something?"

Belle nodded, "Yes!" she exclaimed happily, "I mean, if you'd like to."

Ariel smiled as she bobbed her head up and down, "Yes please!" she wrapped her arms around her friends neck, "I'm glad you came down here tonight."