Author's Note: I guess this is a Captain Beauty/Rumbelle short story. I've been thinking about making this one a book but not sure. If you have any ideas for a short story or drabble, I'd like to hear it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy it.

The Unseen Star

Storybrooke is having a ball, which everyone is invited. The ballroom is grand with its low hanging ceiling lights, beautiful decorations, and mirrored walls that makes the room much spacer. The orchestra plays magnificently as one. There is a sweet scent in the air, most likely of the floral arrangements. On the dance floor are many dancing couples, a sea of smiles and laughter.

Killian watches one of the owners of a grin. Belle looks so beautiful; her long ruffled royal blue dress waves as if choreographed. Her brown curls of her pinned up hair twirls along with every spin.

He wishes, aches to dance with her, to hold her and never let go. He wants to whispers sweet nothings in her ear, despite the dark looks people are giving him.

Killian doesn't have the cleanest, best reputation. People knows he likes to drink and chase women. They see him as reckless, a drunk, and a promiscuous low life who will do nothing with his life. Someone who only thinks about himself. They don't believe that he could give his whole heart to one woman.

Killian, though, has been keeping a secret buried deep within him. He is unconditionally and irrevocably...in love with Belle. Unlike the rest of the residents, she actually took the time to get to know him, believing there is something good dwelling inside him. She is right, even though she hasn't discovered it yet. After tonight, she still may not know. There is something he must do tonight.

The song dies, and everyone applauses. Killian watches Belle curtsied to her dancing partner, giggling. She says something to him, but Killian doesn't hear it. He then turns his attention to Mr. Gold. He sees how Gold looks at her, such love and such passion. His eyes shines and starts to walk to her.

Belle gasps. "Killian!"

Gold stops, following her gaze to him. His face darkens.

Belle, however, beams as she runs to him, dodging fellow partygoers. Her dress sways with every step. Her slippers tap the white marble floor.

Killian grins, arms wide open. Soon, she fills the space in his arms. He holds her close, smelling the lavender scent of her. She embraces him just as tightly as he, her smile on his neck. He knows he should release his hold but his arms refuse, knowing what he must do. Just one moment longer, he thinks.

When they part, Belle exclaims, "I'm so happy you're here."

Killian strokes her cheek softly. "I wouldn't miss seeing you for the world." His eyebrows furrow, sadden. "There is something I must tell you."

She gathers his hand in both of hers. "Can't it wait for one dance?" she pleads.

He glances at Mr. Gold. The grip on his cane is tight enough for throat constriction, his knuckles white.

He lets out a breath. "Alright, but just one."

Taking her hand, he leads her to the dance floor. All eyes are on them. She doesn't see them, but he does. He feels those judgmental eyes staring down at him with disapproval. He can feel their thoughts. The collar of his shirt seems to tighten. He loosens it as they take their place. Belle holds his hook in one hand and his shoulder in the other.

Another song lives. They move in closer and start dancing. The two of them move as one: their footsteps, their breathing, even sweat descends the same time at the same location. It is like they are the same being like their arms have molded together, no beginning and no end. Everything around them subsides to Killian, and it's only the two of them left alive in the world. Their world. One inhales. The other breathes in the air then exhales, and the cycle repeats. Killian's chest warms, heart pounding enough to fracture a rib. His hand lowers to the small of her back. Her hand travels from his shoulder to the back of his head. He lets go a shaky breath.

...The song ends too soon. At the final note, Killian pulls Belle to him, face to face and chest to chest. Then and there he wants to kiss her; the kind of kiss that shakes the soul and never lets go. He rests his forehead on hers and closes his eyes instead.

"I wish we could be this way forever," he whispers. "If only time could be merciful for once and stay still." On lonely nights when he's in his cold bed, he will remember their dance and this exact moment.

"So do I," she murmurs.

The feelings of those surrounding eyes dawns on him. Killian looks all around them. Some faces are twisted in disgust. Mr. Gold looks like he's ready to break every bone of his body. He sighs then turns to Belle.

"I have to tell you something but not in front of all of these people watching us."

"People are watching us?" Belle asks surprised.

He nods. "Yes. Now, shall I escort you outside, lass?"

She smiles. "You shall."

Killian takes her hand, leading her outside. There is a slight chill in the night air. The sky is full of stars, but it's impossible to see them because of the town's lights. The stars are good, but no one sees them. They can still hear the music playing. As they descend down the flight of stairs, her blue dress swims down each step.

They reach the end. Belle holds his hand and hook. She looks at him in such a way no one has done before with such love and happiness, so bright. In the corner of Killian's eye, he spots Mr. Gold watching him like a hawk at the top of the stairs. His darken face remains.

"So, what do you want to tell me?" Belle asks.

There are so much he wishes to say. I love you. You make me want to change, be a better man. You've seen the good in me that no one else has. You had faith I was more than everyone thinks and says. This is the only way I can repay you back, he thinks.

Belle loves him, and Killian knows that. Over the time they've gotten to know each other, he saw how her feelings for him transformed like a rose, closed at first but started to open slowly until it blossomed into something beautiful. It was from other things as well: how she softly brushed his skin, the way she looked at him, how she said his name when she saw how the first time everyday, the way she leaned toward him when they talked, and she kissed his cheek, the palm of his hand, and even his hook to show she accepts him for who he is. Knowing all of this, his ardent feelings and hers, makes it so hard to say what he must. He has thought about this long and hard, not an overnight decision, and believes that this is the right thing to do.

Killian looks down, unable to speak for a moment. Look her in the eyes. She deserves that. When he does, he thinks, I love you. Then he glances at Mr. Gold. But I have to let you go.

His eyes return to her. His voice shakes. "Belle...w-we shouldn't see each other anymore."

Belle's eyebrows raises. Already her eyes her glassy. "What?" Her voice is a high pitch.

Killian's heart breaks like glass shatters completely. He bites his lip hard until he tastes blood. Tears burn behind his eyes but doesn't dare let them escape. His insides are being shredded. He has to do this. He must! It's the right thing. It's the right thing.

"I am not your true love. You are not meant for me. You will not have the happy ending you deserve if you're with me."

Belle lets go of him, taking a few steps back. "What do you mean? I love you, and I thought you loved me back."

I do, enough to let you have true happiness and love.

Killian puts on a mask of indifference and starts to tell false truths in a harsh voice; he hopes his tone will be convincing. "I don't want you." I need you. "I don't have any feelings for you." I'm in love with you. "Stay away from me." Forgive me. Please realize one day that I am doing the right thing. Don't hate me like the others.

Belle cries out loud. She pushes him then hurries upstairs. At the top, she slips. Mr. Gold picks her up and brushes her hair from her face. His face portrays his concern.

"Are you okay?" His voice is painted worried. He wipes her tears away.

As Belle looks deeply into his eyes, she sees something that wasn't there before. She nods slowly. "Yes, I'm okay."

Gold hugs her close to him. She buries her head on his shoulder. He didn't hear what Killian said but, if it makes her feel this way, then it could not have been good. He looks down on him with such hatred. If only looks could kill.

Killian, on the other hand, wears a pain stricken face. He feels a thousand daggers steadily digging deeper into his heart. He knows deep within him that she will live happily ever after with her true love, Mr. Gold, even though it will not be himself. A tear betrays him by falling down his cheek, but he quickly wipes it away and hopes no one saw.

But Gold does. And, because of that, he understands what Killian has done and why. Now, he sees him in a new light. His features soften.

Killian nods once to him. Gold waves. Then Killian hangs his head low and walks away, feeling like an unseen star.

Gold looks at Belle. "Let's return inside, dearie."

As they walk inside, Leroy asks Gold, "Did Killian leave?"

Holding Belle's hand, he answers, "Yes."

Leroy's face twists in disgust. "Good. We don't need that likes of him here. The man has never done one selfless thing in his life."

Gold grimaces then walks away with Belle. He thinks, I'm not sure about that.