A Magic Box
Belle sat watching over her sleeping love. It had been five hours since Rumpelstiltskin had stumbled into the shop, bedraggled, tired, but with his dagger back in hand. Belle, who was sitting in his desk chair reading a book, asked no questions. She simply went to him and wrapped him in her arms. It seemed like an eternity that they stood there holding each other, saying "I love you", and crying tears of sorrow and relief. Finally it was decided that they should go home so he could freshen up and rest for the night.
Rumple hated being vulnerable, but his current state made hiding it difficult. The horror was too fresh. When he cried at their reunion, it was because emotion was pouring out of him like a fountain. He managed to stifle the occasional sniffle as Belle brewed both of them some tea. While he knew he could be vulnerable with Belle, he didn't want to distress her. Not now. She deserved to rejoice in having him back with her, and he would not ruin that joy. Rumple would wear his best poker face until he fell asleep.
Once he was cleaned up and in his pajamas, it did not take him long to drift off. Belle didn't want to sleep. She wanted to watch over him. Somehow she doubted that Zelena had been a benevolent jailer and Rumple might be ill. He began to twitch and squirm in his sleep. Until that moment he had been very still. "No, please" he moaned, "please don't make me hurt her". His twitching became more frantic. "Please! No!". Rumple bolted upright, gasping and horrified. Belle climbed into the bed and held him.
"It's alright. It was a dream. She can't control you anymore."
Rumple tried to settle back in, shivering from anxiety and fear. As much as he tried to stop it, the tears began to stream down his face.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to see me like this. I don't want you to be sad."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I just wish I could make your pain go away."
Belle curled up and stroked his hair. She knew this was only the beginning of these nightmares. If only she could help bring him peace. True love had many powers, but not the power to instantly erase trauma and loss. It was then that a thought occurred to her. When she had first been out of the asylum, she had woken up screaming from a nightmare. Rumple comforted her, and then he had an idea. He picked a small polished wooden box off the night stand, wound it's key and opened it. A soft, beautiful melody filled the air.
"Is it magic?"She asked as took her hand and kissed it.
"No, but you can think of it as magical if you want to. Just let the music soothe you."
Belle reached for the polished wooden box and opened it. After she set it back on the night stand she kissed Rumpel's cheek and said "Just listen to our box and you'll calm down". After a few moments, he stopped shaking and began to breathe more easily. His hand found Belle's and he closed his eyes. In a few more minutes he was asleep, smiling peacefully like a child. It was the first time Rumple had smiled since his son's death.