This is the first time I write a Once Upon A Time fanfic, so be nice with me?
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this short chapter.
-M
Gold slammed the door of the large pink house and made his way to his car. Another fight with his wife. Again. It happened a lot lately and he was getting really tired of it. She was never happy, no matter what he did or tried to do, Belle always ended up yelling at him for all kind of reason. He was never good enough; he was never making the right choices. Well, according to her.
The deal maker climbed in his car and growled deeply. He had to get away from his own house. He would never hit her or something; he wasn't a man who took pleasure in hitting women, but when he was very angry he needed space and to be alone. Anything to change his mind or he could really turn her into a toad just for the hell of it.
As much as he loved Belle, Rumple started to think maybe they weren't mean to be together. He wasn't happy. It was always fights and crying and broken hearts. It wasn't good, not for him nor for her. Were they really true love? Her kiss broke his dark one curse once but maybe it faded. What if it changed? They were fools if they insisted to make their relationship works when it was not mean to be. He couldn't fight fate, he knew it well now.
He sighed deeply. Where to go now? He played with his keys for a moment and gave a look to his house. He couldn't go back in for now. That wasn't possible. Belle needed time alone as much as he needed it. And he was in no mood to deal with the yelling woman. Gold was so grateful his dagger was hidden somewhere even her didn't know. It wouldn't be good to leave it in her hands regarding how much hurt she was at the moment.
Before he noticed it, he was parking his himself in the Rabbit Hole's parking. He knew he wouldn't run into someone he knew there. Well, he knew most people in Storybrooke but the Charmings squad wouldn't dare to walk in. The club was one of the worst places in town. Only drunk people and the ones who wanted to forget their problems went in this building. But at the moment it was what he needed. He needed to forget how complicated his love life was at the moment. The imp needed to have drinks and forget about anything else.
Rumple made his way inside and scanned the place with his gaze. The place was almost empty, except for a few people sitting here and there. This was just perfect; he didn't want to be surrounded by annoying folks.
The Dark One sat at the counter and sighed. He needed something strong.
"..Give me the strongest drink you have." Of course, the barman didn't ask anything. Gold was still so feared in town and well he also owned the place. So, if the man asked for a drink he would get one. No question asked.
The man placed a glass of their best whiskey. Rumple didn't wait any longer and grabbed the drink. The first taste burned down his throat but it still felt better than anything he had in the past weeks.
He really needed to do something about his chaotic relationship with Belle. How could he fix this? Or just make it better. Gods, he loved that woman. He really did but this wouldn't work if they keep going on like this. This was so much pressure and stress. This was killing him and he didn't like to see Belle so hurt. This was complicated because they both had strong feelings toward each other but, Rumple was so broken. And the woman was expecting too much from him. She wanted to change him. Belle wanted him to be someone else. He had tried for so long to please her, to be loved by her. Was it really worth it? He could be a better man but even if he really wanted, he couldn't be a different man. He would always remain the same.
Rumplestilskin finished his drink and placed it back on the counter. He was about to ask for another one when someone sat next to him.
"Well, hello Rumple." It was someone he expected to never see again.
"..Zelena. What are you doing here?" They weren't on good terms but he had stopped trying to kill her and she did the same. Their relationship was complicated but they could manage it to be civil. Well, sometimes.
The red head witch grinned. It was the last place he expected her to be. Since she was back in Storybrooke, Gold knew she was dealing with a lot of problems between her, Regina and Robin. This whole mess around Zelena's baby created a lot of tension. But Gold had decided to stay out of this; he had enough of problems with his wife. He didn't have time for this.
The witch leaned a bit on the counter and smirked. She asked the barman for the same as Gold just had.
"Make it two actually." He replied. Rumple knew that to have to deal with the wicked witch he would need a few drinks. There was no way he could manage it being sober. As the man brought their drinks, Gold turned a bit and looked at Zelena. It had been a while since he saw her. Both were busy with their own mess.
"Don't tell me, your little wife is giving you troubles again?" A deep laugh escaped the witch lips.
"This is not of your concern dearie. What's bringing you here? I know you're not in this place only to get a drink. You knew I would be here. What do you want from me?" Rumple was in no mood for games. He didn't care if Zelena had been following him or just waiting until she would cross path with him again. She was here because she needed him for something. He was sure of that.
He frowned when he saw her bring the edge of her glass against her lips and taking a long sip of the amber drink.
"Dearie, for what I know pregnant women are not allowed to have drinks." Gold raised his eyebrow. This was not of his business of course but that was quite an important point if she was indeed pregnant.
"Oh come on, I was never baring the thief's child. It was only a trick."
"Excuse me?" He placed back his glass on the counter. He wasn't sure if he had heard correctly.
Zelena grinned.
"I needed a way in. I didn't expect Regina to accept to let her beloved Robin leave town. When we were in New York, I came up with this excuse to have a way in. And it worked so well. Why would I want a baby with my sister's man anyway? I don't want someone who has been with her. "She finished her speech by downing the rest of her drink. Rumple was a bit impressed. That was a good plan, something even he could have been up to.
He smirked. She was so clever sometimes. Well, almost always. The witch had tricked everyone at Storybrooke at some point. Zelena was a true Mills, even if Cora didn't raise her she surely passed on many things to her eldest daughter. If things hadn't been so bad between them maybe they could have been friends. But she tried to control him with his dagger and that was something he couldn't just forget. Rumplestilskin couldn't accept this even if he wanted. Maybe that was why he was so annoyed to see her sitting with him with a drink in hands. He liked her but at the same time he hated Zelena so much.
"You didn't answer my question. Why are you here?"
The witch leaned on the counter and looked down at her empty glass for a moment. Then she gave him a small smile. For a moment he could swear that it was the truest smile she ever gave him.
"I thought you wouldn't mind having a drink with an old friend. You look like you have a lot on your mind." It was true. Gold had a lot to think about. How could he fix his relationship with Belle and if he really wanted to fix it. He wasn't sure this was worth it. Even if he would do anything for her, it was never enough. She wanted to change him and it ended with them arguing all the time. It wasn't his idea of a couple and a life with her, his true love.
The Dark One sighed deeply. Maybe he could let his walls down, just for one night.
"Why do I have a feeling I will regret this later?"
"Come on, what I can do to you? You have your dagger back and well I have nothing against you and most important no reason to harm you. Why would I do that? You're probably the only one in this cursed town that would accept to sit and have a drink with me." It was true that Regina hated her and even more at the moment with the whole thing around Robin and the baby that Zelena didn't have with him. And no one trusted the Wicked Witch. With good reasons regarding that she placed a curse on the whole town almost two years ago.
Rumple asked the barman two drinks.
"I will make a deal with you dearie, you will not ask about my relationship with Belle and I will buy you a few drinks. How does that sound?" Gold raised his eyebrow as he eyed her. He needed to forget about his problem for a while and it wasn't like he had many friends either. Maybe if he was drunk enough, he could consider her as a friend.
He pushed her drink toward her and grinned.
"Sound like a good plan." The witch grabbed the glass and raised it to her lips.
For a moment, he wondered how well she could handle drinks. He would find out tonight.
The night went well. Gold and Zelena chatted for most of the night having drinks after drinks and he was surprised to see how well she could handle liquor. There were so many things he didn't know about her but as they spoke of everything and nothing Rumple got to know her more. They spoke of everything except his rocky relationship with Belle and of course the things that happened between them in the past. It was something Gold didn't want to talk about. He was still ashamed that the Mills woman won over him at some point and that she got to have control over him. But Zelena was kind enough to not mention any of it.
After a while, all of Gold's anger disappeared and he forgot why he was so upset. His little bossy wife was long forgotten and all his attention was on the redhead witch having a drink with him. This was something Belle would never do, have a drink with him. He knew she wasn't much into liquor but that wasn't the matter. They never went on a date in Storybrooke not since they were truly 'together'. He had brought her at Granny's sometimes but that wasn't the same.
He was glad that he could just relax and be himself. He didn't have to pretend and be someone else. He didn't have to change or act as a hero. Zelena knew he was a villain and she didn't care. She enjoyed his company. And well, he liked to believe it. It was the first time he felt like he could be himself and it didn't happen in such a long time.
Closing time came sooner than he expected and they needed to leave the Rabbit Hole. He wasn't sober at all, yes he could walk straight but his mind was in a cloud but he never felt so relaxed before. He was in no hurry to go home at all. As he walked hands in hands with the Wicked Witch, a smile curved his lips. Could this night never end? How could he have guessed Zelena was such of good company?
The Dark one patted his pockets searching for his keys car.
"...Where the hell I left my keys...?"
"Oh no, I won't let you drive in that state." Before he could make a step toward his car, Zelena grabbed the keys he had in hand. That just made him growls.
"Don't be silly dearie, I won't get kill in a stupid car accident."
"Well, I won't risk it." She didn't drink as much as he did. He was the one who needed to forget about his problems after all.
Rumple stopped on his tracks and frowned. He tried to give her his best scary look but it didn't work that much regarding how drunk he was and Zelena has never been scared of him. That was one of the reason he liked her but he would never admit it out loud. His ego won over him every time.
"Zelena, give me back my keys. "
"No."
"Yes!"
"I said no."
"Don't test me dearie. Even if I drank a bit..."
"A bit? Rumple, you can't drive and you know it." The witch played with the keys in her hand and grinned.
Gold couldn't believe the witch was dealing with him. He needed to go home, even if he was drunk and Belle would probably still be mad at him. It was the story of his life lately. It was nothing he couldn't deal with. He was the Dark One after all.
"Anyways, do you really look forward to go home to your pissed off wife? The bookworm is probably still angry with you. Are you sure you don't want to have another drink at my place? The night is still young."
Zelena had something on her mind, he was sure of it. The rational part of his brain was gone since the moment his lips tasted the liquor. For now, Belle French was the last thing he wanted to think about.
"Ah ah dearie, you promised you wouldn't mention my wife tonight. A deal is a deal. "She had a point. He didn't want to go home yet but another drink wouldn't hurt and even if it did, Rumple didn't care much at the moment. He was beyond drunk and he was in lovely company.
"Alright. Let's go to your place. At least, I know she won't be trying to look for me there." For the first time in his life, the Dark One gave up. He let Zelena drive his classy car and lead them to her isolated house. It was far away from the middle of the town and no one dared to come close to it since she captured the Dark One and tried to go back in time to change the whole storyline. Only Regina was brave enough to go there and she avoided it as much as possible.
Rumple sighed and climbed on the passenger's side. He didn't want to fight. He was a man that had so much love to give but he trusted no one and for so long he believed that no one could love him. He's a coward, selfish and manipulative man. Back in the Enchanted Forest, he has been hurt so many times that he didn't trust love and people anymore. That was a bit sad.
Zelena grinned as the drunken Dark One finally gave up and willingly accepted to follow her home. It was like a dream coming true. She was having Rumple's attention all to herself and he seemed to really enjoy her company. She was beyond happy and she wouldn't let the annoying bookworm break or steal this moment from her. She had always loved Rumplestilskin and this, since the first time she met him but he never returned her feelings. If she needed to drunk him to make him willing to spend time with her, the witch wouldn't hesitate at all.
She was a tricky one but she had the nerves to face him when he was in his worst mood. Rumple didn't allow many people to confront him and live. Belle could do it and also Zelena. Regina was also one that he could tolerate but over the years they become more friends than enemies. His relationship with the Mills women was complicated, a little bit of anger and a little more of love, all of this mixed with conflicted feelings. Over the years, it never got better.
He was very quiet on the way to Zelena's house. She was focused on the road and he was lost in his thoughts. He was thinking about Belle and their problems. Was this really worth it? All this pain and arguing together? He loved her. He knew it, but maybe they weren't meant to be together.
Rumple didn't realize when they reached their destination and that the witch stopped the car. She observed him for a moment before breaking the silence.
"Stop thinking about her, she can't be madder at you than she is now. Right?" She gave him a small smile and stepped out of the car. The man said nothing and followed her to the porch. It was only the second time he went to her house, but it was the first time he did as a free man. A part of him still hated her for what she did to him in the past. Controlling the Dark One was a dangerous game but she handed it pretty well. Zelena Mills was a really surprising woman.
He leaned on the wall beside the door, taking deep breath. His head was spinning a bit, he didn't feel sick but the liquor was really affecting him now. He heard the sound of the door being unlocked and turned his gaze on her. Like a submissive dog, he walked in behind her and closed the door after them.
The witch turned on her heels and smiled at him. It was a seductive smile that would drive any man crazy. No sane man would deny that she was a beautiful woman and even Rumplestilskin had to admit it.
"Why don't you take off that heavy jacket?"
"I know what you're trying to do." He made a few steps toward her. His pace so slow that it was predatory. Even in his drunk state, Gold was still having effects on her and having him in her house made Zelena went to jump him. She wanted to strip him bare and have her way with him, but what she wanted more than anything was for him to want this too. She wanted to see lust in his eyes. She wanted him to want her like he wanted Belle. Zelena wanted to make him forget about his little bookworm waiting for him at home. She knew he wouldn't give up on Belle so easily but a girl could have dreams.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Do not lie to me."
"I'm not." She answered firmly.
Gold eyed her for a moment. She looked sincere but she could also be playing a game with him. He knew very well how the Mills women worked.
"I...I shouldn't be here. This is not right."
"No, this is not but you came here willingly. I didn't force you to do anything."
Zelena's hand rested on his cheek. His skin was warm under her palm and she wished she could touch more of it. He was her dark fantasy since so long that she couldn't remember the exact moment it started. Rumple placed his hand above hers and gave her hand a squeeze. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on what was happening.
"You know I can't do that..." He opened his eyes and dove into her deep blue eyes. He wished this was simple. That he could gave in and not think about Belle at all but she was still on his mind even if she yelled at him a few hours ago. He couldn't just betray her like that.
"I won't be telling her, you know. This can be our secret. When she is giving you a hard time, you can come to me. I can make you feel good for a moment and we both go separate ways as if nothing happened. You deserve to be happy Rumple."
He was so close to snap. The alcohol in his veins making him weak. How could he resist such a deal? Having the best of the both world. He could have his married and stable life with Belle but at the same time, he could have the wild witch laying in a bed for him. His wife didn't need as much intimate contact as him. He was a man that loved to have sex and Belle was pissed off at him all the time. There wasn't much occasion for them to make love but with Zelena, he could fulfill his needs. Belle would never know about this, he could make sure of it. He was the Dark One, if he couldn't hide his affair with Zelena he was a poor excuse of a powerful wizard.
Gold released her hand and placed his around her waist.
"She would never know about this?"
Zelena's face lit up as she grinned shaking her head.
"I promise you Rumple. I will never tell anything to your wife. If she hears anything, this will not be from me."
The Dark One growled.
"Then we have a deal dearie..."
He leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.
Review please?