He tangled his fingers in her hair, careful not to tug at the strands lest he wake her up. It had taken some time but eventually their conversations about nothings and everything had simmered down to monosyllabic words and murmurings. And shortly after just peaceful calm as Belle's breathing deepened and the small smile on her lips relaxed. In the almost dark, Gold's eyes drank in every inch of her. From the warm mahogany curls in his fingers, to the long dark lashes on her pale skin, down to her rose hued lips and slow rise and fall of her chest beneath the soft covers of the sheets. It was still hard for him to fully believe that she was alive and with him. That she wouldn't disappear if he blinked but he had blinked at least a hundred times since she had returned to his shop and she hadn't left him. Not Yet.
It was late. He could feel it in his joints and sore muscles. He could feel it from the mild burning in his eyes. His body had wanted to sleep hours ago, in his own bed, where the mattress had formed perfectly to fit his body after 28 years of use but Gold wouldn't let it. Not when Belle couldn't even close her eyes for more than a second, not when she had looked so exhausted but couldn't get comfortable enough to properly drift off. Not when she had tentatively asked if he would stay with her, just until she fell asleep. She had added that last condition hastily when the shock had left Gold elated but speechless.
He would stay with her forever if she let him. They had made a deal years ago in another world and he had ruined everything and thought he had lost everything, forever. But now here she was, in the same bed, sleeping as if completely at peace and comfortable to let him watch her as she rested because she trusted him. Rumpelstilskin had always been a man, a being, who kept his word and he had promised to protect her, and protect her he would. From sleepless nights, from everything.
Author Note: This was inspired by a comment made by MarchionessofBlackadder on Rumbelle's sleeping arrangements when Belle was still staying at Mr. Gold's home and by a conversation I had on the OUAT IMDB forums .