My price is her.
The familiar words echo across the town square and Belle finds herself shoved into the spotlight.
Rumplestiltskin has been back in town for a week, but this is the closest she's been to him. When she first heard news of his arrival, Grumpy rushing into the diner in the middle of the dinner rush and shouting at the top of his lungs, she'd almost fainted from sheer relief.
It had been two months since the horrible night she'd banished him from town. Part of her had expected him to come back immediately. Rumplestiltskin was the most cunning man she'd ever known. Even powerless he couldn't be gone for long. But as the weeks stretched by, that certainty had given way to the overwhelming fear that she may never see him again. That perhaps he'd given up. She'd cried herself to sleep more often than not in those intervening weeks, thinking of him out in a strange world with nothing but the clothes on his back. She didn't regret her decision. It had been necessary for the safety of the town. But she was a big enough person to admit that her emotions had clouded her judgment. She'd been so angry, so hurt, so heartbroken, that she'd acted on impulse. The true ramifications of what she'd done didn't hit her until the weeks stretched on before her and the thought that she would never see him again truly set in.
But after the relief came the dread. She had done the one thing she'd promised she never would. She used the dagger against him, the true one this time. She'd forced him out, away from his home, his grandson, his child's grave. It was necessary, but she still felt the icy tendrils of guilt seize her gut. He would hate her, and despite it all, despite the fact that his power meant more to him than her, she still loved him so very much.
That fear was solidified when she had her first sighting of him. He was walking down the street when his eyes alighted on her. Her heart had stuttered to a stop in her chest, the desire to run to him overwhelming. But she held fast. His eyes had roamed over her face, desperate and longing. But then they'd hardened, all tenderness dissipating as he turned and walked away from her.
She spotted him again across the street a few nights ago. She'd been leaving the shop with Will, searching for ways to reunite him with his Ana. They'd had a bit of a breakthrough and Will had thrown his arms around her, hugging her in his gratitude. It was an innocent thing. Just a bit of affection between friends. But she knew Rumple wouldn't have seen it that way. From across the street she could see his mouth set in a firm line, his eyes hard. Then he'd disappeared in a blink of an eye.
That was the last time she'd seen him, until tonight. The newly arrived trio of witches had started wreaking havoc all over town. Maleficent had already gone head to head with Regina. Cruella was reportedly able to shapeshift into any creature whose pelt she acquired. Ruby had growled ferally at that revelation, and Archie had taken to keeping Pongo indoors. The full extent of Ursula's abilities had yet to be determined, but Regina had assured them she was a goddess with unfathomable power. Belle could still remember the feel of her tentacles wrapped around her neck, the threats of choking the life out of her ringing through her head.
Back then, Rumple had chosen her. But it was only temporary.
The combined brilliance of the Charming family had deduced that Rumple must have something to do with the trio's presence in town. David had been the one to suggest they confront him, find out what he wanted in exchange for his help against the sorceresses. And wasn't that the way of things? They always wanted his help, prepared to promise any price but affronted when he actually collected. They expected him to help yet treated him like an outcast. He'd died to save them all, watched Baelfire do to the same powerless to prevent it, and no one had cared.
Belle felt a stab of something like hatred for the heroes in this town, though she banished it quickly. She'd given up her true love, her happy ending, to protect them. No one had seemed to think that was much of a sacrifice, save Regina, who knew exactly what it was to send the man you love away. She never thought she'd feel closer to the Evil Queen than the rest of the miserable lot.
And so here they were, standing in front of Rumplestiltskin and asking his price. It was a scene so familiar it made her heart ache. The man before her wasn't covered in glittering golden scales, had traded in leathers for a crisp, tailored suit. Witches rather than ogres were the menace of the day. But it was still so much the same.
"My price is her," Rumple says, voice echoing across the square. Belle briefly wonders why these confrontations must take place so close to her library and the precious books within. One misplaced fireball is all it would take to ruin her safe space, her favorite place in town.
There is a shocked gasp throughout the assembled townspeople, as Rumple's long pointer finger finds her in the crowd. She's not sure why anyone should be surprised by this. He's claimed her as his price before.
In some rough parody of their first meeting, someone steps forward, blocking her from Rumple's view. She's moderately surprised to see it's the pirate.
"You can't have her, mate," Hook says, stretching one arm out protectively. And Belle wonders where that protective chivalry was when he shot her in the back. She's not disposed to think kindly of him, even if she did save his life.
"Then no deal," Rumple sneers, his eyes malicious as he takes in the sight of his old enemy standing in front of his wife. He thinks she stands against him, and that thought breaks her heart. Because Belle has always loved all of him, even the darkness. For him to believe she'd side with the pirate over her own husband, the betrayal he must feel. Belle is betrayed herself, but she can't let this stand.
"Wait," she calls, finding her voice at last. As if one body, the entire town turns to look at her. Rumple stares, his eyes wide with surprise though he schools his features quickly and no one but her would have caught it.
"Belle," Hook whispers harshly. "You can't do this."
Belle has always bristled at being told what to do, especially by someone who has never once shown an ounce of care for her person.
"So concerned for me, Captain?" she asks wryly.
"You saved my life," he mutters, as though every word costs him. "I owe you a debt."
"I'll say," she agrees, glad that the man has finally acknowledged this. Perhaps there's hope for him yet. "But this isn't the time to pay up."
"Belle," Emma says from behind Hook. "You don't have to do this. We'll find another way." At the Savior's side, Snow is glancing back and forth between Mr. and Mrs. Gold, her eyes wet with tears. If anyone in this crowd understands the power of true love, it's Snow. She knows what Belle will do.
"He's not the man he was," Emma continues. "He could hurt you."
Belle just shakes her head, Snow mimicking the motion.
"He won't hurt me," she assures them. "He loves me."
And she knows it's true. He's always loved her. It just wasn't enough.
"Yes, well he loved Milah once upon a time," Hook hisses. "Cora too. Tell me, where are they now?"
"Dead," Belle says simply. She knows what her husband is capable of. But she also knows he would never hurt her, not physically anyway.
Emma opens her mouth as if to protest again but is cut off by Regina.
"We are wasting time here," she interjects. "Let Belle make her own decision and let's get moving. Or have you all forgotten that my former best friend who currently hates me is capable of turning into a dragon and burning us all to a crisp where we stand?"
"Hard to forget that, sister," Leroy agrees.
"Make a decision, dearie," Rumple calls out, feigning unconcern at the town conference he's not privy to. "I haven't got all day." But that's a lie. He's cursed, immortal. He has all the time in the world. Regardless of what happened between them, they'd always be separated by that. Belle would grow old and die. Rumple wouldn't. He'd once told Lacey he could keep her young, but Belle would never ask for that. She wanted him to choose a life with her over the power.
"I'll go with you," she says, turning to look him in the eye once more. Something flares to life in those amber orbs and for a moment he's her husband again, the sadness and longing etched in every line of his face. And then the mask descends and he closes off once more.
He stretches out a hand to her and Belle walks forward to take it, a small sob escaping her lips at the feel of his skin on hers after all this time. He yanks her forward, wrapping his arm gently around her waist like he did in her father's war room all those years ago. His touch was foreign then, terrifying and exciting by turns. Now it is familiar and comfortable, and she finds herself melting into his side despite herself.
"Alright, you have your price," David calls out. "Now tell us what they want."
"The same thing we all want," Rumple replies, turning to look at Belle. There's such a storm of emotions in his eyes, seeing them this close. She sees hope and love, but also fear and anger. She's sure he can see a similar mix in her eyes. Without breaking their gaze he continues.
"A happy ending."