Some of you dearies were curious of who asked? This is my idea on who asked and how. :)

I own nothing but my fangirling heart.

Mr. Gold was nervous. Yes, Mr. Gold was nervous. He had assumed Belle would find him when she wanted to have that hamburger date, but two days had passed, and she hadn't stopped by to ask.

He had locked up for the day and was about to head to his car when he caught sight of the library across the street. Rumpelstiltskin took a long breath, nodding to himself, almost like he was trying to confirm that he had the power to do this.

I've always been the coward. He silently told himself in his mind. It was time to be the brave one. Belle had been the brave one for much too long. It was his turn.

He made his way to the library, shoulders held high with determination. He felt like throwing his cane down and running to the doors. He wanted to grab her, kiss her and beg for forgiveness.

He walked in, scanning the room to see a few Storybrooke residents browsing idly. Most of them stared, wondering why he was here. Most of them knew about his relationship with Belle. Most of them thought it was crazy. They knew nothing.

He didn't see his Belle anywhere. He assumed she was busy helping someone behind a shelf or something of the sort.

Mr. Gold held onto his cane so hard his fingers ached. He made his way to the front desk and waited.

He noticed Pride and Prejudice resting on the table with a bookmark inside of it. It was his bookmark. He had needed one to keep track of certain spells in his book of magic. She must've borrowed it while reading at home. Before their talk in this same library not so long ago. He smiled and picked the book up. He opened the book to where she had last left off. He read a few paragraphs before he heard the current owner of the book clear her throat.

"I didn't think you were one for petty romance novels, Rumpelstiltskin." she said, her head bobbing nervously as she looked at him.

"Petty?" he asked. "I suppose it was. I tried to read this once and quit after a page. I was hoping for an uplifting tale. Not such a bland one."

Belle laughed, imagining what the residents of Storybrooke would think upon hearing that the Dark One tried reading a novel by Jane Austen. "I think the same thing. I was actually about to quit." No love story could really top theirs, in her opinion.

He smiled in response to her happy expression, feeling less rattled about his date proposal.

"Did you come to check out a book or did you need something else?" she tried to look like she was doing her job. She failed miserably. He could see the pain in her eyes. "I really miss you." They said to him. He prayed that his eyes read the same to her.

"I was wondering if you'd like to have those hamburgers with me tomorrow, seeing that we both have that day to ourselves." he breathed, his voice sounding almost weak. Weak with love.

He looked so boyish to Belle at that moment. The most powerful man in town was nervous asking her on a date. He looked so sincere, so…naive. She couldn't keep her smile hidden. "I'd love to, actually. I was going to ask you myself, but I've been so busy…"

"Of course, I understand." he nodded. "I'll meet you at noon tomorrow?" he placed a hand on the counter, trying to keep his joy hidden. She wanted to see him. She wanted to work things out.

She placed her hand on his, gripping it tightly. "Yes. I'll be looking forward to it." she smiled. This time her eyes read to him, "I'm so proud of you, love. You've taken your first steps."

And she was proud.

I wrote this pretty quickly, but I think I fixed most of the errors. I hoped this helped your Rumbelle raving minds. Mine's gone wild. Thank you for reading, dearie!

Review if you so desire!