Author's Note: My first fic since returning home after six months away at basic training and then OCS for the National Guard - I am a newly commissioned officer, and I am also ready to start posting this, my first Once Upon A Time story. It centers on the development of the Rumbelle relationship in Storybrooke - are they meant to be? Are they cursed? Can they find their way to true love? I'll let y'all know when I figure it out. ;P
Returning from the stacks, Belle had just settled behind the main circulation desk when she heard that familiar tap in cadence with a set of footsteps. She lifted her head to smile at the man himself just as Mr. Gold stepped in from the street.
Watching his approach, it was strange to think that he could command such dread in the residents of Storybrooke. Mr. Gold was a slight man, only a handful of inches taller than herself, really, and he kept very formal manners and attire. He was also dependent on a cane, but Belle saw it as more of a dashing accessory than proof of his handicap; she knew for herself that the man was stronger than he appeared: he'd recently impressed her by lifting a crate of encyclopedias that had been too heavy for her to move on her own.
No, he was not what anyone would first picture after being told of such an imposing figure in the town, but Belle had come to learn that, as he owned most of the buildings in Storybrooke and so dictated leases, Mr. Gold had gained the reputation of being a cunning dealer. This much Belle could believe; the man was highly intelligent, she was sure he could match wits with the whole of the town and come out the victor.
What she refused to believe were the rumors of his wrath - warnings of a vicious temper and unforgiving nature when faced with those who either couldn't or wouldn't pay their debts to him.
Belle just couldn't see it. Mr. Gold had never been anything less than pleasant with her, and they had even fallen into a routine of secret visits over the past few months. They saw each other several times a week, some visits being more brief than others, and no one knew of her visits to his shop.
She and Mr. Gold had an agreement toward discretion.
Belle hadn't mentioned him to her girlfriends to avoid the childish teasing she knew would come of it. Ruby especially would jump on the thought of something sordid going on between them when nothing could be further from the truth.
Not that Belle didn't catch herself in the odd daydream every now and then...
Mr. Gold smiled lightly as he approached her desk, and as always, he was dressed to the nines. Belle often thought that, if she could trade genders for a day, she would happily do so just for the chance to raid Mr. Gold's wardrobe. Eying the folded handkercheif peeking from his pocket, Belle bit her tongue to keep from telling him she wanted to try on his suit. As pleasant as they might be with one another, Belle doubted he would let her do so.
"Good morning Mr. Gold." She greeted.
The man came to stand before her at the circulation desk, gracing her with a thin smile in return. Others thought his smile to be condescending, while Belle had come to know him well enough to understand that he was simply not wont to big grins.
"Good morning to you, Miss French." He said, his accent warming the words.
She leaned a bit closer over the counter, "What brings you in so early? Another Dali painting to research or is it some fiction you're after? I've had a new mystery set come in that I'm sure you'd love, the whole series is set in your Scotland."
"You've quite the memory. No new paintings as of late, though I have come into possession of something wholly unique - an Egyptian scarab from the reign of Nefertiti."
Belle's eyes widened, "You're joking!"
Gold shook his head, "Never. You are, of course, welcome to come see it any time you like...perhaps later today, if you're-"
His invitation was interrupted by the library doors opening to reveal a gaggle of children headed up by Mary-Margaret Blanchard. He had had few dealings with the teacher, really he only engaged with her when collecting the rent but she had always been pleasant with him and always had her money on time. High points in her favor. Outside of that, they would usually only give a greeting to each other in passing on the street.
"Oh, it's Wednesday. New book day for Mary-Margaret's top readers." Belle confided to him in a quick whisper while directing her smile to Mary-Margaret and waving her forward from the door.
"Ah, I'll leave you to it, then. And I'll leave you with this," Gold set the take-away cup he'd been holding on the counter between them. "There was some mix-up in the kitchens and Miss Lucas gave me an extra coffee." He tilted his head toward the excited children. "From the looks of this group I think you'll need it."
Grateful, Belle took the coffe and put her hand over his, giving his fingers a quick squeeze of thanks on the counter. "You're a lifesaver, Mr. Gold."
It wasn't until after the children left and the library was quiet once again that Belle realized Gold had brought her coffee just the way she preferred it.