Numbers and Hamburgers
By RosexKnight
Anon Prompt: Belle and Rumple meet while speed dating.
Belle drummed her fingers against the table as she tried desperately to seem interested in what the man on the other side was talking about. He seemed nice enough, but from the moment he'd sat down he'd just drolled on about something Belle had stopped listening to log ago. Another bell sounded and they said goodbye, and his place was taken by another. They exchanged pleasantries and he seemed nice enough but Belle was just not into this at all.
"Come with me." Ruby had said "It won't be so bad. And we'll be out after a few guys I promise."
This was not what she pictured when Ruby had suggested a girl's night out. Pretending to be interested in guys that wore a number and talked endlessly about nothing was not her cup of tea.
The bell sounded again, and Belle bid him farewell before another came, or rather limped, over to take his place.
"Gold." He said, extending the hand that was not on the cane out to her.
"Belle." She said, shaking it, surprised by the action. Most guys that night had tried for a hug if they dared to touch her at all.
Gold sat down and she noted how much more well-dressed he was than the other men, opting for an entire three-piece suit and tie. She liked him already. They sat in silence for a moment, and Gold fiddled with the tip of his cane almost shyly.
"Where are you from?" Belle ventured.
"Scotland originally." He said, giving her a small smile, and she noted how it softened his eyes. "And judging by your accent…Australia?"
Belle nodded, "Good job."
"Thank you. Presently though I live in a sleepy town called Storybrooke."
Belle blinked. "Storybrooke? My friend Ruby's from there."
"And I suspect Ruby was the one who drug you out here." She raided an eyebrow at him. "Your table is missing it's number."
The brunette giggled at his mischievous tone. "And so is your jacket. But something tells me you weren't exactly drug out here."
"No. I came because of my son. Something about wanting me to get back out into the dating game. I remember it much differently."
"Me too." Belle mumbled, trying not to think of the many nights spent with ice cream and romance novels. "So how is Storybrooke? I've only been there a few times. Ruby keeps trying to talk me into moving there."
"Well it depends on what your looking for."
"I suppose I'd need a job. I do love books."
"Well you're in luck, dearie. There's a library in need of a new librarian. If you're interested."
She tilted her head in confusion. Here this man was, not handsome by some woman's standards but very attractive to Belle, much too overdressed for something like this, and he was talking to her as if he was trying to make a business transaction rather than take her home for the night. She really liked him already.
"What and I suppose you can arrange an interview?" She asked.
"Well as luck would have it I own the sleepy little town." He leaned forward on his cane as Belle's eyes widened as her brain made the connection. Gold. Mr. Gold. This was the terrible Mr. Gold who Ruby was always complaining about? This man who was barely bold enough to look her in the eye at a speed dating place? "And you seem just as desperate to get out of here as I am. So I'll make you a deal. Let me buy you a hamburger so I can report this as a success to my son, and you get the job as the new librarian."
The bell rang, and Belle glanced at Ruby, who seemed far too pleased with the amount of phone numbers she was trading to pay attention to Belle. Besides, something about Gold was drawing her to him. And a hamburger sounded delightful.
"Deal."