He calls her out on catching that hamburger she so desired to try. He strolls into the library, knots tightening in his stomach as if he were a young man finally gaining enough courage to ask out a girl he'd had a crush on. He dings the bronze bell sitting on the front desk, and Belle pops out from between two shelves. A smile brightens her face, her blue eyes shining, when she catches sight of who is waiting for her.
They had seen each other a few times in the past week since he had given her the key to the library. Every time they encountered each other they talked for a minute or two, and he'd promise her that hamburger, telling her each time that he'd come to call soon. He wanted to give her some space to settle, but after a week he couldn't stay away any longer.
"How is it, dear?" Rumpelstiltskin asks as Belle takes another bite out of the thick, juicy, fully-dressed hamburger.
Belle closes her eyes seeming to savor the taste. She nods after swallowing, laying her palm on the table. "That was delicious! And this is from cattle, not pigs, right?"
He nods.
"Then why do they call it a hamburger when it's not made of ham?"
Rumpelstiltskin makes a bewildered face. His Belle is full of questions. Even when they were back at Dark Castle, she always had something to ask. "I'm not sure."
"I'll have to, what's the word - oogle it?"
Rumpelstiltskin chuckles at the cuteness of her mistake. "Google, dearie."
They have an audience the whole meal. Ruby insist on serving them instead of one of the waitresses. She and Belle had become fast friends, and Rumpelstiltskin is relieved that Belle has at least someone else to turn to for companionship.
Lunch is enjoyable as they sit in companionable silence as they ate. They chat about things of this world as they finish off their drinks (Belle surprisingly downing two iced teas then asking for a third one to go). Belle's desire to know everything is enduring, and he can't deny her of anything she wants to know.
He walks her back to the library after lunch, and Rumpelstiltskin's breath catches when she slips her arm around his as they walk, a small smile crossing his lips. They make it to the library, but he doesn't go in.
"Thank you for lunch" Belle says, letting go of his arm, and he's slightly dismayed losing her warmth against him. "Let's go again soon?"
"Of course" he replies, and he can never say no to that request. She could ask for the moon and he wouldn't be able to deny her. "Belle-" There's something he needs to say to her. He needs to say it before his courage dissolves. She looks at him expectantly, blue eyes bright and baring into his soul. "Thank you for this. For giving me more chances than I ever deserve. For never giving up on me even when you should have ages ago."
Belle only smiles softly up at him. She pushes up on her toes, planting a chaste kiss on his cheek. "Lunch. Tomorrow."
He watches her unlock the library door, disappearing inside; leaving him filled with hope that maybe they will be okay after all.