Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT or the Swan Princess (Swan Lake) storylines.
Just wanted to say thank you for BundyShoes for proofing this for me...you are awesome!
So, I actually started writing this back in like November, it was around the same time that I discovered one word prompts. So, there will be about 50 total, some short, some long, mostly told from Emma's POV, but not always. GoldenSwan throughout the story... So, I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think! :)
Emma sighed heavily, tossing restlessly in the over-sized bed. It had been a week, only a week and she was crawling out of her skin. For the fourth night in a row sleep eluded her. With the help of Anton the giant and with the threat of Regina and Cora vanquished, they finally made it back to the Enchanted Forest. As thanks, Rumpelstiltskin restored her parent's castle with little more than a wave of his hand – free of charge. But she missed everything; mostly hot running water, electricity and the ability to tell time with something more than the position of the sun. She missed regulated temperatures – the castle was always either too hot or too cold. But the nights were the worst, and they were the longest. At least during the day she could distract herself from the thoughts that would overwhelm her. She was used to the sounds of the city; in some paradoxical way the silence was so loud it was keeping her awake. The castle was big and hollow making her feel even smaller and somehow amplifying the emptiness inside her. She had always been a loner, choosing to guard and isolate herself from everyone. But here, she felt the isolation. She was trapped with no way home.
She should be happier, she knew, she had Henry, and finally after twenty-eight years they were a family. But they could've been happy in Storybrooke. She didn't want to come here and if it wasn't for Henry, she can't say for certain she wouldn't have stayed in that world. This whole life was suddenly thrust upon her and now she was a princess in a foreign world…and she didn't want any of it. The castle was their home; this world was their home. Her home was a world she once hated – one she desperately longed to go back to. She was trapped here with no way home. With a frustrated groan she tossed the blankets from her body, a shiver tore through her as her bare feet touched the cold stone floor. She needed fresh air.
Wrapping herself in a silk robe she opened the door silently, searching for any sign of the guards who always stood watch. When she saw the coast was clear, she snuck down the fire-lit hallway and headed straight for the door. The cool night air ghosted over her skin, instantly cooling the warmth that flushed her face. She closed her robe tighter, crossing her arms over her chest to guard against the chill as she inhaled deeply the floral aroma. A full moon cast the expansive gardens in an eerie glow and combined with the fog hovering over the lake it looked more like the setting for a bad horror movie. While she missed the excitement of the city, she had gained a new appreciation for nature since being here, surrounded by the lush gardens and picturesque mountains across the lake. There was no light pollution to interfere with the endless stars in the night sky, perhaps the only thing that felt truly familiar. She stopped walking not too far from the fountain and closed her eyes, tilting her face to the light of the moon.
"Troubled, dearie?" came his all familiar voice. And her horror movie was complete… Her eyes remained closed, somehow not at all surprised that he would be the one to find her like this.
"I don't remember calling your name…" dry sarcasm laced her words, in no mood for his games tonight. Opening her eyes she looked to the fountain he was perched on, smiling weakly as their eyes locked. "How did you know where to find me?"
"I can hear your cries, dearie. They almost rival my own…" his voice was somber, not at all mocking or maniacal as she had heard that first day they arrived.
"I'll try to cry quieter." He smiled, stepping off the marble fountain and walking slowly towards her. If Emma didn't already know the man beneath that hide she'd be paralyzed with fear. If the moon made the garden look eerie, it made Gold look downright terrifying. Though his skin reflected the moonlight, it made him look darker and predatory, and if she didn't know better she might actually think she was in danger.
"Hello Emma…"
"Hey Gold…" she replied hoarsely. His smile only widened and Emma fully expected to get a lecture on 'the power of a name'…it wouldn't be the first time she's heard it. Much to her surprise he said nothing, allowing her to use the name she was familiar with. There was something off about him tonight, though, something akin to sadness that made her want to hug him. He seemed as lonely and as miserable as she was despite that he had Belle and that he and Nea–Bae had been reunited. Not to mention, he was officially the most powerful man in the realm now that Regina and Cora were no longer a threat.
"Why so troubled?" he pressed, offering his elbow. Emma stared skeptically at his arm as if his next words would be 'do we have a deal?', and accepting his arm meant giving away her firstborn. They had never been friends, especially not in a let-me-bear-my-soul-to-you kind of way. But on some level they always had a connection – a silent understanding and mutual respect. Perhaps it was their brokenness or how expertly they guarded themselves against any who would hurt them; often times shutting out the ones they loved most in fear. Her eyes lifted to his with a small smile, staring into his reptilian like eyes as she linked their elbows together.
They began walking at a snail's pace and she had never been more grateful for this man she once despised. He watched her expectantly, awaiting her answer, and Emma carefully avoided staring at him in this new form. She wondered what his skin would feel like if she were to accidently allow her fingers to brush against his hand. Would it be coarse and grainy like sandpaper or would it be tough like leather and scaled like a crocodile – just as Hook had always called him. It's not that she found him ugly here – it was the most fascinating thing she'd ever seen the way his skin reflected the moonlight. But she missed Gold's face; the perfect smooth skin and his annoyingly perfect hair. She especially missed that silky smooth, seductive voice and those chocolate brown eyes that seemed to search the depths of her soul anytime he looked at her. But upon seeing him in those leather pants that were too tight in all the right places, she in no way missed his stuffy suits. At times she almost found herself envious of Belle, though she'd die before she ever admitted that. She pressed her lips in a tight line to suppress her smile, hoping that reading minds wasn't one of his magical powers.
"I just thought it would be different. I feel so displaced, uncertain of everything. And my parents just…they don't understand why I'm not happy. They're even planning a ball, a sort of celebratory event in my honor that's also meant to boost moral around the kingdom." She almost laughed as the last words escaped her, as if a night of dancing would change the fact that the ogre's were closing in and they were on the brink of war after only one week of being here. But hey – welcome home, everyone! It was tragically misguided.
"Well, now I know what party I'll be crashing…" he replied followed by that high pitched giggle. Rumpel was over the top and chaotic, she had grown so used to Gold's controlled and calm demeanor. But she found herself relaxing in his presence nonetheless.
"Crashing will not be needed; I have every intention of sending you a formal invitation…" his eyes clouded with confusion, shaking his head like he couldn't comprehend her words.
"That will never work, dearie, I try to only go where I'm not wanted…"
"My parents still won't want you here…" a finger flew to his mouth, pretending to look thoughtful. Emma stifled the urge to laugh as she watched his performance. He reminded her of a mime with his over-expressive face and the exaggerated movements of his hands – the only real difference was that Gold spoke.
"Very well then, I accept. Am I promised a dance with the Lady of Honor?"
"I can't dance, Gold…" she said shyly, shaking her head as she dropped her gaze to the ground.
"Ah, ah…" he said sternly, moving in front of her. He caught her chin gently in his fingers, lifting her head until their eyes were level. "You are a Princess, dearie, you're not inferior. You must hold your head high, with pride and strength…" his voice was low and thick, she shivered at the feel of his calloused fingertips caressing her jaw line.
"I am an orphan who lives in a castle…" her voice quivered as his fingers moved to trace the edge of her face. The sadness in his eyes at her words was almost enough to make her cry.
"You're so much more…" Emma didn't know how long they stood there, just staring at each other in silence. Abruptly, he pulled away, returning to her side and joining their elbows. "And if you can't dance then we must teach you…I'll help you."
"And what will be your price?" he stopped walking, regarding her with an incredulous and curious glare.
"A dance…at. the. ball."
"Oh, right…sorry, it's a deal and a date."
"You really are troubled tonight, aren't you?" he laughed, a teasing edge to his voice as he resumed walking. Emma laughed lightly, the first time in as many nights as she can remember. It felt good to laugh – it felt even better not feeling the need to lie and pretend that everything was alright.
"Is that a smile, princess?" She pressed into him playfully, knocking him slightly off balance. His elbow clenched tighter to hers and he pulled himself back to her side.
"Don't get me wrong, Gold; I love having my family, but I just wasn't prepared for this. David always talked about this place like it was some kind of heaven on earth. I saw how bad everything was when I was here with Mary the first time. But he was persistent, we have to go home and take back our land… Now the ogre's are closing in, the kingdom is still in shambles and it falls on us to fix everyone's problems."
"Yes, that tends to happen when you rule over a kingdom."
"My parent's rule over the kingdom," she corrected curtly.
"And as their daughter you will inherit said kingdom…"
"And I stand by my original reaction and say, 'I didn't ask for that and I don't want it'." She countered sharply. Gold turned away, his eyes focused intently on the ground.
"I know it's been hard, Emma, and I wish I could tell you it will get easier." Emma bit her tongue, looking around as they came to the end of the garden. The vast lake spread out before them and she basked in the few moments of silence, listening only to the gentle ebb of the water. For a moment, she was even tempted to rest her head against his shoulder, allowing herself to believe that this was all a bad dream. But she knew better, there would be no waking up from this.
"Why did you come visit me?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the lake.
"As I said, I can hear your cries." She leveled him with a curious gaze, letting his words sink in.
"What do they sound like?" he looked at her then, shaking his sadly as he replied, "Agony…bitter, desolate anguish…"
"Wow…and you still sought out my company?" he unlinked their arms, turning his body to face her.
"Emma, you broke the curse, you reunited me with my son – I'd like to do at least one thing to help you." She smiled at the sentiment, but short of taking her away from here, there wasn't much he could do.
"Is your castle far from here?" Confusion and surprise flashed across his face. It was a strange request and she hoped Belle wouldn't mind, but the one thing that would help right now was to get away from this place – to feel less isolated and alone even if only for a few minutes.
"I have magic; we can be there in a flash if you'd like." He said, the excitement rising in his voice.
"I would like…" he raised a quizzical eyebrow, pulling her body tight against him.
"Then hold on tight, dearie…" In a puff of red smoke they appeared in the entryway of his castle. Emma clung to him, her face tucked into his neck as she took a moment to register that her feet were on solid ground. She hadn't been prepared for that. Her skin hummed with electricity, not wanting to leave his embrace. She relished the closeness of his body, the strength of his shifting muscles beneath her fingertips. He, too, seemed unwilling to let her go. Letting her arms slip from his neck she pulled back to face him. He cleared his throat awkwardly, his arms slipping from her waist as he stepped back.
"Welcome to my humble abode, your highness…" he said, bowing deep in the knees. Again she laughed at the title and the exaggerated show, attempting to curtsey in her silk robe and pajamas. The doors opened by themselves, and Gold extended his arm leading into the large room. Emma stepped through hesitantly, half expecting to be greeted by dancing teapots and talking candelabras next.
"I thought your son wanted you to get rid of magic." She stated flatly. Looking around the great room reminded her of his shop, intrigued at all the bizarre knick knacks that filled the large space.
"He does." came his pointed reply.
"Then why not ask Belle to kiss you and break your curse once and for all? Regina and Cora are gone now after all…" She paused as he dropped his gaze to the hardwood floor, quiet for a long moment.
"I did and she tried." The implication hung in the air, and Emma nodded sadly in understanding.
"I'm sorry."
"It's no matter…" he replied with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders. Emma stopped when she saw the infamous spinning wheel set just beside the fireplace. She motioned to the stool and raised her eyebrows, silently asking permission to sit. A small smile appeared on his lips, giving the slightest nod of assent.
"Storybrooke changed many things between us," he continued as Emma sat down, letting her fingers drag over the old wooden wheel. "But if it was really true love then the kiss would have worked."
"I thought true love was stronger than regular love – the kind that you can't just snap out of. Like once you're in it, you're in it…" He scoffed beneath his breath, and Emma watched him closely through the spinning spokes.
"It is. But in all fairness, it wasn't just her that changed. I will always cherish Belle, but our relationship was doomed to fail from the beginning." She stopped the wheel, disappointed when it didn't turn the straw into gold. Her gaze lifted up to his, propping her elbows on her knees as she studied him.
"So, what changed for you? I never thought I'd live to see the day you two would separate…" he cocked an eyebrow as a playful smile formed on his lips.
"Something you wished for, dearie?" he was clearly teasing her, but with Belle gone possibly for good, Emma decided to just take a risk. At this point, what else did she have to lose?
"Maybe…" The surprise was evident in his eyes as he stared at her, studying her intensely – his eyes full of confusion, want, and hope. Then his expression turned serious. Emma grew self-conscious in his silence, and the room was suddenly too hot. She realized how close she was to the fire and moved quickly from the stool to the windows where she hoped it would be considerably cooler. Gold stalked her movements, trailing in her steps slowly as he approached her. She leaned back against the wall, chiding herself that she had said anything.
"To answer your question…" he began tightly, clearing his throat, "…Another woman came into my life – one whom I desperately hoped would one day learn to love me. When I discovered Belle was alive I was thrilled, but by then…" he closed the distance between them, tucking a wild curl behind her ear, "…my heart was already yearning for someone else…" Her breathing intensified at the soft touch of his fingertips; apprehension and anticipation kept her still, awaiting his advance against her.
"Who…?" She knew the answer by the look in his eyes, but she needed to hear him say it. She needed to hear that it wasn't just her, that he felt the same way about her despite all their fighting, bartering and trying each other's patience. Her breath caught in her throat as his arms slipped loosely around her waist, pressing his body against her.
"You…" he breathed against her lips. Her eyes closed, catching the flash of desire that shone in his eyes as his mouth closed over her lips. His kiss was gentle and soft at first, as though he was afraid of hurting her or scaring her away. She allowed her hands to slide up his chest and into his hair, moaning against his lips as her fingers tangled in silk. His palm warmed her back, sweeping over her spine in slow circles. His mouth moved so lazily, so thoroughly beneath hers; his touch both relaxed and aroused her simultaneously. Her grip tightened in his hair, moving her hand over the expanse of his back.
She had let Gold dictate the pace of their kiss, hoping he'd just realize how much she's wanted this – how much she needed him right now. In an effort to let him know, she gripped his neck a little tighter, silently pleading for more. He obeyed her whim and lightly dipped his tongue into the warm cavern of her mouth. Fire flared inside her at the simple contact as her arms tightened around his neck, clinging to him as she melted into him…into the kiss that did indeed seem to awaken her senses as Gold pulled her closer, cradling her to his chest.
How long how had it been? How long would it be again after this moment ended? The need for more drove her, their once-timid kiss becoming more passionate and fervent. She abandoned all thoughts of control and propriety – it had been too long since she had been kissed, been touched or held. Her mouth opened wider inviting him in, all her resolve melting as he kissed her with tender urgency, claiming her mouth in a way she'd never experienced. It left them both astounded and overwhelmed as he eased back from her, still gently cupping her face as he struggled to pull air into his lungs.
The kiss left her dizzy and for long moments afterwards her eyes remained closed. Her hands gripped his arms for balance, keeping her body joined to his hip, not wanting to lose the connection. When her eyes finally opened, she looked up to see him staring down at her in wonder. Then in the space of a heartbeat, he lowered his mouth back to hers.
"Is Neal…er…Bae here?" she asked abruptly, pulling her head back just before his lips reached her. The last thing she wanted was the drama of her ex-boyfriend walking in to find her making out with his father. Gold rested his forehead against hers, panting for breath as he replied "He's sleeping,"
"Good…" her hand cupped his cheek and she leaned in, eager to claim his lips once again. He met her passion and as their kiss turned demanding and heated, her desire to hold still and bathe in his touch only increased. She needed to feel his hands against her bare flesh, feel his fingers tease and stroke her skin. She wanted to grip the fabric in her hand and yank the shirt off his body, allowing herself to explore every inch of his skin. She couldn't let go of him, though, couldn't move from this spot – her arms seemingly glued behind his back to hold him to her questing mouth.
Gold sank his hand into her hair, firm but gentle, encouraging a rush of desire inside her. She strained against him unable to get close enough as his other hand crept over her hip. He held her to him, and she wasn't sure if his pants were just that tight, or if he was getting as aroused as she was. As if reading her mind, he tore his lips away. Emma groaned in protest, somehow knowing the words he was about to say.
"We can't do this, Emma…not now." He said gruffly.
"No…please," Emma pleaded, pulling his face to hers as she leaned in again. He caught her gently by the wrists, pulling them down as he held her gaze. She mentally cursed herself that she had said anything – it had been so perfect. "Is it Bae? Cause I'll never –"
"It has nothing to do with anyone…" he whispered gently. "If we do this, I want to do it right…"
"Imagine that…" she retorted bitterly, her body still humming in anticipation. "Please tell me you're not seriously going to ask my father's permission…"
"Of course not, he'll tell me no…" Emma huffed at that, almost allowing herself to laugh. "But I'm not going to take advantage while you're so vulnerable either. I may be a monster, dearie, but even I have standards…" Emma gripped the lapels of his shirt bringing her forehead to his as she pulled him closer.
"Please don't send me away." His lips just slightly brushed against her cheek as he whispered the words, "I'll go with you…" The thick cloud surrounded them again and when Emma opened her eyes they were beside her bed. The oppressive weight of her misery came rushing back at the thought of him leaving her here alone.
"Don't pout, dearie…" he pleaded softly, his thumb running along her bottom lip. "Meet me at the edge of the garden tomorrow night, I'll come get you and we can spend some time together." Despite her disappointment, her spirits brightened at the prospect of seeing him again.
"Ok, what time…or wait…there's no clocks." And there're no cell phones either… With each passing moment the idea of returning home was increasingly appealing. His hands pressed against the small of her back, pulling her flush against him.
"How about any time after the sun goes down, whenever you can sneak away; then summon me…" She sighed and pressed her mouth to his, craving the connection one last time. His hands caressed her from hips to shoulder blades, holding her close. She wanted to ask him to stay, to hold her in his arms just long enough until she was asleep. She opened her eyes, pulling away slowly before she couldn't stop herself.
"I'll see you tomorrow night…Rumpelstiltskin…" a broad smile formed at her use of his real name and he leaned in, kissing her forehead affectionately.
"Good night, Emma; sweet dreams" And in the blink of an eye he was gone. She fell to her mattress, rubbing her palms into eyes and giggling like a love sick school girl. Was she out of her mind? He was Neal's father and Henry's grandfather, and he just broke up with Belle…her father hated Rumpelstiltskin and would never allow them to see each other.
She didn't care, she realized, what anyone thought. Gold reciprocated her feelings – he had all along. If only she hadn't been so prideful then…if only he hadn't been so crazy they could've been together all this time. She pulled the robe off and tossed it over the canopy, burrowing underneath the covers. She laid her head back against the mass of pillows, running her fingers over her lips once more as the darkness closed in around her.