Author's Note: The saga of "every time I write Golden Queen it turns to fluff no matter what my intent" continues. Inspired by Regina's Camelot outfit in 5 x 05, which reminded me of Rumpel's outfit in 2 x 05 when he visited Victor, and therefore brought back the concept of Regina stealing Rumpel's clothes constantly (not that the Dark One minds). As par for the course with the bulk of my GQ work: this is AU.
A Sort of Comfort
The first time Regina shows up at his castle in clothes stolen from his own closet, Rumpelstiltskin can't help but be proud... and a little turned on at the same time.
After all: he's grooming her into an evil queen, and thievery is something he's equally guilty of (particularly when it comes to objects of magical value). It's an additional perk that she looks fabulous in his colors of red and gold, and those leather pants hug every curve perfectly.
The fifth time, he's sorely tempted to tear his shirt off her body in a haze of lust, but resists somehow - mainly because that silk is expensive.
By the time it becomes a habit, he secretly stocks his closet with items he thinks she'll appreciate: pretty scarves and thigh length boots that he'll enjoy peeling off over so slowly.
Eventually, however, he's compelled to ask her why. And in true Rumpelstiltskin fashion: he does so when they're basking in the afterglow of shared passion.
Regina's response is to snort lightly, trace an invisible pattern over his bare chest, and then murmur: "I guess I like having your scent on me all day."
The goblin blinks in surprise at her answer and turns his head to gaze at her. "Really now? And why is that?"
His Queen shrugs and curls closer. "It just makes the days easier to get through somehow. It's a sort of comfort."
His arms curl protectively around her as he frowns. It's no secret that her so-called marriage brings her nothing but misery. Their affair gives her brief solace, but if he could grant her one wish: it would be to take her far away from it all and start over. Unfortunately it would mean giving up the quest to find his son, and he's not quite prepared to end it.
Regina sighs, her breath hot against the skin of his neck. "Rumpel...this might seem like a strange request, but there's something I want to ask of you."
"You know I'll grant you anything," tenderly, he cups her chin and tilts her head back so he can meet her eyes with his. "I would even get rid of King Leopold for you if you asked."
She chuckles softly. "I appreciate the offer, but what I want is far simpler."
"And what is that?"
"I'd like a room here in the castle, for when I stay for longer than a night or two."
He blinked. Of all the things she could have asked for, that wasn't something he expected. "Really?
Regina nodded. "I figure it would be easier on us both for when lessons run long into the night... though we tend to get distracted by other things," purposely, she ran her fingers slowly up his arm.
On contact, a surge of heat eases up his spine and he mutters something incoherently before abruptly twisting and pinning his beloved against the pillows. "Mmm. Very easily distracted indeed."
She laughs, bright and beautiful: a mixture of the innocent princess he fell in love with and his dark mistress that he adores all the more. "So that's a yes?"
He answers her with a fervent kiss as his body settles against her own, their limbs entangling further under the sheets as the fire between them is ignited once more. "I'll get started on some plans... tomorrow. Right now there's something else I'd rather focus on."
Smirking, Regina draws him close, and then they are utterly distracted yet again for a long, long while.
The End