A/N: Since Her Dark Guardian only has a few chapters left and I've settled into it more(at least that's my plan), I'm starting a new fic titled To Ease Loneliness. It will go back and forth between SB and the EF, just like the show, in order to explain certain things. This is not the fluffapalooza fic and Her Dark Guardian will take precedence over this one, but it is a fic that celebrates the 2nd Anniversary of Rumbelle! So, once again Happy Rumbelle Anniversary! Also, keep in mind that I make my prologues rather short, the rest of the chapters will be longer.
Prologue
Belle watched the trees whip around in the air as the dark violet cloud of magic inched closer to the Dark Castle The ominous billow stood out against the horizon, rolling like the thunderous waves of the ocean. Fighting the panic that made her chest feel tight, Belle fought the urge to run. What good would it do to run? A few nights before Rumple had reassured her the Curse would not tear them apart, however a flutter of trepidation consumed her. The Curse had been placed in the hands of another, one who did not view Belle with respect, despite who she was married to.
And that put her at unease.
The sound of the door creaking open made her jump and she placed a small hand to her chest. Rumplestiltskin, the Dark One, her husband appeared from behind the door, his amber reptilian eyes gleaming with concern for his wife and his shimmering gold scales appeared brighter against the sickly green-gray of his skin. She breathed a sigh of relief and ran into his arms. As a brave woman she did not succumb to fear often, but this was the unknown, this could tear her away from the one person who had ever believed in her.
"Rumple, I don't like this. I have a bad feeling," she whispered in his ear, and his arms wrapped around her firmly, holding her to him.
He ran his fingers along her forearm and stopped at her wrist, where a tattoo of his magical dagger imprinted on her skin. It appeared the night they consummated their love with a bit of blood magic thrown in, binding her to the dagger. Though she would never be as powerful as her husband, his dark blood flowed through her making her immortal, aware of his emotions, and unable to break his curse. At times she could even sense him from miles away, or hear his words in her mind, speaking to her.
"This is permanent, love. It will appear on you in some form, even in a land without magic. I've made sure of it. It will help you if anything goes wrong. And when the savior arrives, we will be together whether we're separated at first or not." He kissed her with fervor, and Belle gave back just as much, unsure of what laid ahead after the purple smoke consumed them.
"I love you, Rumple," Belle murmured, tears glistening in her blue eyes as she buried her face in his neck.
His hands came up to smooth her curls and glide down her back, desperate to touch her before their memories were lost for the next twenty-eight years.
"I love you too, Belle."
And soon, their world was covered in darkness.
—
"Get going ladies! The food won't serve itself!" Granny yelled, ushering Belle and Ruby to speed up the orders going out. The petite waitress with the long, auburn curls and startling blue eyes had been working at Granny's since her junior year in high school, desperate to help her abusive, alcoholic father pay his bills along with completing homework and studying. Even at the age of twenty, it was either work until you drop or be evicted and homeless if you were Belle French. Belle huffed out a breath of mild frustration as she gathered the food items to serve to the rambunctious men sitting in the corner, one of them being Gaston, her former fiancé´ and high school sweetheart.
Mustering up all of her courage she made her way to the table, avoiding eye contact with Gaston, which usually resulted in some kind of unwanted acknowledgement of her. Her reluctance to look at him proved futile when he pawed at her red skirt, making her slap his hand away and tempting to pour hot coffee on his lap.
He lifted his hand again to grab her ass, but Belle stopped him with sharp words and a harsh tone. "Don't do it again Gaston, or you will be nursing a burnt groin for weeks." She bit out through clenched teeth, holding the coffee pot over his lap. One tilt would send him to the hospital screaming in agony.
Gaston's hand stilled then descended to his side.
"Yeah, I thought so. Can't have your sex life ruined, can you? " Belle smiled at him then walked away.
It seemed hours before Gaston and his circle of buddies left Granny's, making Belle's job easier as her anxiety dissipated. Ruby's heels clicked against the floor as she stepped over to her friend, noting the look of distress on her face.
"Did he hurt you?" She inquired, concern etched on her face.
"No, just being the usual jerk that he is," she muttered, wiping off the table where the offender sat, then going over it an extra time just to make sure she got rid of Gaston's presence.
The door opened and Granny's went quiet all at once. The sound of a cane tapping on the floor made Belle turn around, taking a glance at the disabled pawnbroker, who also owned the diner. A piece of sympathy tugged at her heart like a puppet's string. For some reason it hurt her to see a man so lonely. A thousand stories to be told rested behind his chocolate brown eyes, waiting to be heard by someone willing to listen. Why she felt such sadness for him while others loathed him she didn't understand, but the emotion existed nevertheless. Belle supposed he came here for the rent, which was confirmed when she watched Ruby pull out a wad of cash to shove at his chest.
"Here's your rent money, Gold, now leave before we lose customers and can't pay you next month." Ruby scowled and stomped away, leaving an unfazed in her wake.
He stuck the wad of cash in his shirt pocket and turned to leave until Belle walked up to him and touched his arm, nearly startling him. She pulled back her hand immediately noticing his discomfort, unsure of why she chose this day of all days to approach him.
"I'm sorry about what Ruby said, you're welcome to sit down and have a cup of coffee if you'd like." She gave him a warm smile, and brightened up more when he mirrored her with a smile of his own. Being labeled the town monster made a pariah who was only seen on rent days and at his shop. The worst she had seen of the man was when he collected money, but compared to men like Gaston he did not seem so bad, just sarcastic and possibly a bit harsh at times.
"I'd love to Miss French, but I still have a full day of rent collection ahead of me," he replied and gave her another soft smile. Somehow she felt like the only one to receive such a smile, which happened monthly when their eyes met on rent days.
Belle nodded as he shifted his weight on his cane and walked out of the door. Turning on her heel she went to the next table to take an order, distracted by thoughts of going by the shop the next day just to have a conversation with him and provide him with some company. Her heart demanded her to do so.