Also written for the Secret Valentine. I wish I owned at least one of these characters.
"You dropped it in my castle," he says, smiling at the memory despite the current circumstances. "You were afraid that you'd angered me."
That look is back in her eye, the one that says you are insane, but he speaks before she gets a chance.
"Please, just humor me. I promise I'll go away if you'll just look at the cup."
She sighs, wanting nothing more than for this man to just leave her be. But there is something about this chipped teacup that draws her eye.
He watches in silence, hoping with all his soul that it will work. "Can you remember what I told you?"
Her eyes narrow as something tugs at the back of her mind. "But, that's-" she gasps. "—impossible."
His hand reaches toward her hesitantly, hopefully. "Belle?"
Her hands shake as she grips the cup. She meets his eyes with a radiant smile. "You told me it was just a cup."
"Ah, Belle!" Caution gone, he pulls her into his arms, crushing her against him. "I thought I'd lost you again."
"Never, Rumple," Belle mumbles into his chest. "I'll always come back to you."
He pulls back, just enough to bring her face up to his. "I love you, Belle."
"I love you too, Rumplestiltskin," she replies, closing the distance and pressing her lips to his.