Spinning Gold

Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet

When: Listening to Jimmy Eat World.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Once Upon a Time, but I don't. Imagine that?

A/N Rumpelstiltskin and Belle make a deal, but this time, Belle is calling the shots. Just to clarify, this doesn't really go with the other two Rumblle fics I have written, though it can if you'd like it to. Please review? :)

She is standing only a few feet away, staring out the window.

The sun is setting, and I find that I cannot look away from her soft silhouette as it is bathed in the orange glow.

She is like gold, glittering and beautiful. I am only the spinner. I can see her, use her, but I can never really have her.

I know it is only a dream, but I cannot help myself.

"Belle? You are...alive?"

Belle turns toward me, a look of surprise on her face, like she didn't expect to see me here.

"Yes," She replies, a soft look entering her eyes.

They are so blue. So real.

I take a step closer to her- the need to know she's really there is too strong to resist.

When she doesn't move away, I step closer again. Now she is so close I can see my hideous reflection in her clear eyes. I look anxious. Both excited to see her again, and afraid it is all just another dream.

I reach out, trailing my fingertips over her cheek," Why did you come back, dearie?"

She turns until she is staring directly into my face," I," she hesitates," I love you."

I let my hand drop to her waist," How? After I-"

"Nothing you have done will ever change how I feel," Belle whispers, she sinks into my arms, and after only a brief moment of hesitation, I embrace her.

"You're shaking," I say, trying to keep my voice calm. Belle had always been so strong. It is my fault she is so broken.

I am a monster.

"I've missed you," She says in response. Her voice is quiet, and I can take it no longer. I pull away from her slightly, encircling one arm around her waist.

I grasp her hand with my free hand, and she weaves her fingers through mine.

"Belle, I-you-," I frown, unable to speak at first," You were right. I have regretted my choice every day-"

Belle smiles," I know. You don't have to tell me."

"Then...how...how do I make it up to you? All this time-," I take a deep, shuddering breath," I am sorry, Belle. If I hadn't been such a coward, we could have been happy. I wish I could make it up to you. I will do anything."

"Well," Belle says, laughing," I will make you a deal, Rumpelstiltskin."

I raise an eyebrow," Oh? And what are the terms of this... deal?"

Belle leans forward, her lips brushing against my ear," Kiss me, and all will be forgotten."

I stare at Belle, just for a moment, wondering how I survived so long without her.

I pull her in close, covering her mouth with my own. Her small hands clasp behind my neck, and I tangle my own in her hair, determined to make the moment last as long as I can.

But we are stopped when a violent shake nearly pulls us apart. The castle is quivering. Outside the window, the night sky is becoming clouded.

Belle begins to shake again, so I hold her tighter.

"We have to go now," She says, sadly, pulling away.

"Why?" My voice sounds strange...hollow.

"Listen," Belle takes my hands in her own," I am trapped. In the curse. In Storybrooke. Find me."

She brushes a kiss on my cheek...

And then I wake up- not in the castle, but in my house in Storybrooke. My hand is still clutching the chipped cup. I had fallen asleep studying it once again.

All I have is an empty heart and a chipped cup.

It was just another dream.

A/N Sorry for shortness. And awkwardness. I'm not the best as lovey-dovey scenes. I am trying to get better, though!