Here we are! I'm gonna continue this as the show goes on. Not quite sure how for some things, but I'll do my best!
Please enjoy! :)
I own nothing but my fangirling heart.
Neither mentioned anything about who Pongo would stay with as they walked out of the shop together, the dog trotting happily ahead of them.
Belle gripped his leather leash, smiling as she walked a bit closer to Rumplestiltskin, their shoulders brushing together with each step. Both secretly wished that the other would mention something about staying together again to properly take care of the dog, but neither would bring it up.
For now, they strolled to the pharmacy, hoping to purchase supplies for the dog. They could've taken what Archie had for the dog, but Gold insisted that they start out fresh.
Belle was fine with this. It would've felt wrong to keep Dr. Hopper's items for the dog. To feed Pongo from the bowl that a man who was now dead had once fed him from chilled her to the bone. She still felt a little nauseous after seeing Regina kill the man in the little dream catcher Rumplestiltskin had produced.
Belle focused on Pongo's walking as they neared the pharmacy. She was well aware that other Storybrooke residents were staring at them. What a silly family they made. The Dark One, an asylum escapee/librarian, and the dog of a dead man. Belle had to hide her huge grin at this thought by idly rubbing her nose. What a lovely misfit family they were!
They paused outside of the pharmacy, Gold pulling out his wallet. "No mutts inside." he told Pongo before nodding to Belle. "I'll go buy supplies for him, wait here with him while I'm inside?"
"I suppose I can manage that." Belle teased. It wasn't as if anyone was waiting to kidnap her or handcuff her out here? Maybe someone would interrupt this moment as so many others have?
"Are you sure?" he asked, tilting his head forward in mock seriousness.
"Oh stop it, you." she laughed, gently pushing him along. She strolled over to the bench sitting outside of the pharmacy, sighing contently as she sat. Belle idly stroked Pongo's head as she focused on the beautiful weather today. It was chilly, but the sun was out. It always seemed to be cold in Storybrooke. So often that she recalled taking one of Gold's jackets on more than one occasion, which she completely enjoyed. The jacket always smelled so strongly of him. It was a different smell from before. Before, he smelled of herbs and wood smoke, but in this town, in this world, he smelled of cologne. A very nice cologne.
"Pongo!"
She was broken from her thoughts as she saw Red running over, a smile on her face. "I was wondering who took him in!" she beamed, rubbing the dog's stomach as he patiently sat. The dalmatian was quite excited to see a familiar face. Especially Red's. His tail wagged so quickly that it became a blur as he practically tackled Ruby off of her feet.
Belle laughed, gently tugging the dog back. "Rumplestiltskin and I are taking him in." she told her friend, smiling slightly as she felt her cheeks heat up. Had she secretly agreed to move back in with Rumplestiltskin without even realizing it? Why was she even blushing?
"He certainly seems to like you." Red smiled, moving over to sit besides Belle. The woman started rubbing Pongo's head in a way that made his ears flap back and forth. The dog wore a tortured expression while this all happened, making Belle laugh. "I was going to take him, but I don't think I can manage..." she sighed, looking off across the street, her smile fading. "I'm so busy at the diner and thinking of poor Archie alone has me in tears..." she snuffled loudly, causing Belle to focus in on her, not wanting to see her friend cry. If any tears fell, Belle would be there to wipe them away. Ruby was the only person in this town that treated her like another human being, besides Rumple.
"Oh, Red..." she murmured, sighing as she shook her head. "I can't believe it either. To think that...that woman would do such a thing." she scowled, eyes darkening.
Ruby's voice grew frantic as she spoke again. "I saw her go in, Belle...I could've run in after her...maybe I could've-"
Belle silenced her with a gentle shush, placing her arm around her shoulders. "No, Red. She would've killed you too...I don't think Archie would've wanted that at all." she murmured.
Red gave a hasty laugh, wiping her eyes. "Look at me, crying like a little girl." she sniffled, noticing Pongo in front of her. Sensing her dismay, the dog had padded closer to Ruby, resting his head on her knee with a pathetic stare. "Oh baby..." Red sighed, hugging the dog's head. "I miss him too, but these two will be the best parents ever."
Belle flushed as Ruby called them "parents." She almost wanted to correct Ruby, but she wasn't sure she even wanted to. Was she really going to move back in with Rumple because of this poor dog?
As if on a cue, Rumplestiltskin emerged, Sneezy the dwarf quickly following him with a bag of dog food in his arms. Belle stood, knowing Pongo would stay put with Ruby as she walked over to take the bag of food from Sneezy. "Thank you." she told him sincerely with a smile. The man only nodded quickly before scurrying back into his shop, as if he expected Rumplestiltskin to kill him for staring at Belle the wrong way.
Gold immediately swapped her, giving her the large bag he held with what looked to be a dog bed and some other supplies inside. He held the bag of dog food under his arm, his other arm needed for his cane. He only glanced at Red, a tight smile on his face. "Ah, Miss Lucas, have you found a relative?" he nodded to Pongo.
Belle gasped, smacking his arm lightly. "That wasn't even remotely funny!" she scolded, frowning.
Red stood, giving a harsh chuckle. "Oh stop, Belle. I can defend myself. At least I've got fur, not scales." she spat back, smirking. Red stood, handing Pongo's leash off to her. "Take care of Pongo for me, okay?" she told Belle, planting a kiss on her cheek before walking back towards the diner, a hop in her step.
Gold frowned, quickly tucking his cane underneath his arm long enough to extract a silken tissue from his breast pocket. He hastily wiped the red lipstick from Belle's cheek, his nose twitching. Was he really jealous of her only friend in Storybrooke? Belle only smiled, shaking her head. "She's sad about Dr. Hopper." she informed him as they started walking back towards his shop.
"Hm. Those two were often the cause of some ridiculous gossip." he scoffed lightly. "A wolf and a cricket in love, to imagine how that would look in our land..."
Belle shot him a coy smile, shrugging. "We've made it work, so they could've done the same." her shoulders fell as she suddenly questioned if they had been in love. Now Red...this would be the third love she's lost. Poor thing.
They walked back to his shop, leaving their bags at the door. Belle unclipped Pongo's leash, letting the dog go off on his own as she pretended to look at something on the shelves. She wished so badly to just blurt out that she wanted to live with him again, but her heart wasn't letting her do so.
She turned around to see him right there, in front of her. The toes of their shoes were only inches apart.
"Belle..." Rumplestiltskin murmured, a thumb under her chin. Had he been thinking the same thing that she had? Thinking of losing him as Red had lost Archie? Or losing her? "I want you to come back...to live with me again." he told her, a sincere kindness in his eyes.
Belle struggled for words, stuttering lightly. "I...I, ah, would like that very much." she finally said. The apartment above the library had certainly been nice, but it was so lonely. She hated sleeping alone. It reminded her too much of her prison underneath the hospital. She would wake up alone and scared from the nightmares. When she had lived with Rumple, he always woke her with a gentle kiss to the forehead, soothing her fears.
He gave a chuckle. Was it a chuckle of relief? She didn't get the chance to think on it anymore, as he had closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to hers.
Belle was taken aback. It'd felt like ages since he had kissed her last. She had wanted to in the library so long ago. The pain on his face as he attempted to leave her, it killed her. Her hands gripped onto his face as he kissed her, her shoulders slumping lazily as they parted. Belle sighed, smiling. "Missed that..." she murmured, staring into his darkening eyes.
"I did too." he agreed quietly. She only smiled, pressing her lips to his again. This time, his hands fell down her back, lightly skimming the cloth of her top he rested both hands on her hips. The kiss deepened at his simple grip and she was about to give a content little groan when she felt something wet and cold nudge her leg.
She jerked back, looking down to see Pongo, staring at her with...is that a scolding look in his eyes?
He barked once, pushing himself between them.
Belle only could laugh breathlessly, shaking her head.
Gold scowled. "He'll be sleeping outside of the bedroom." he muttered darkly, frowning at the dog.
Pongo simply whined softly, his tail wagging as he stared at Gold.
"Oh stop it Rumple!" Belle gasped. "He loves you!" she stuck her lower lip out as she had when trying to convince him to keep the dog.
Gold swallowed hard, watching her do that adorable pouting face again. He wanted to kiss her before, now, he wanted to do other things. "Fine." he grunted hoarsely. "Here, boy." he murmured, giving Pongo a good rubbing on the back. "Let's take you home and get you settled in, eh?"
"Let's." Belle agreed, smiling contently at the scene before her.
She walked over, wordlessly clipping Pongo's leather leash back onto his collar. Gold headed out, hauling the bag of dog food with him yet again. Belle took the bag of Pongo's new things, following him with the dog. He shut off the lights in the shop, locking the door once he was outside. Belle smiled, wishing to hold his hand without causing the bag to fall.
She was aware of what the people in town thought of them. She remembered the whispers during their first date at Granny's. She wanted to flounce their relationship out to everyone and let them know that she wasn't being drugged or held against her will.
She was here with Rumplestiltskin because she loved him ever so dearly. Not because of any deal. Not because of any guilt. Only from love.
Belle's wishes to hold Rumple's hand started looking likely when she noticed the boy walking towards them known as Henry. Gold told her all about the savior's battle for him against Regina. Belle wasn't sure how she felt about Emma Swan anymore, but the boy had a sweet little smile.
"Want to earn a few dollars, lad?" Gold called to him as the boy smile bashfully at Belle.
"Depends on what you're asking." the boy shot back, a sly smile on his face.
"Smart boy." Gold praised, smirking. "Could you accompany Miss French and myself to my house and carry this bag of dog food? I wouldn't ask a lady to do such a thing."
"I'm perfectly capable of it though!" Belle added, winking at Henry.
The boy blushed lightly from her wink and smiled, shrugging. "I can do it for free!" he said, taking the bag from Gold's arm and wrapping his arms around the thing.
Gold watched Henry, amused. The boy was obviously trying to impress Belle. Little did he know, Belle was impressed enough from the fact that the boy didn't look at her as the other Storybrooke residents did. Thinking of the blatant stares made Gold scowl lightly. He shook the thoughts away, focusing back on Belle.
Belle released the plastic bag, allowing it to wrap around her wrist so she could reach out for his hand. How she had ached to feel his warm, calloused hand grip onto hers. They shared a gentle smile before he clasped onto her hand.
Henry stared back at the both of them, eyebrow raised. "You just want me to carry this just so you guys can hold hands?" the boy almost pouted. Gold smirked. She's mine, laddie.
Gold was thinking of a witty comeback when Belle interrupted his thoughts with a laugh. "No, Henry, of course not. You want to be a knight one day, correct?" she asked him kindly, her smile not fading one bit.
"Yeah, I guess so." he said, fondly watching Pongo trot ahead of them. "I'm gonna be a prince one day, but a knight sounds cool too!"
Belle nodded as the four walked together. "Ah, this is part of the Code of Chivalry, you know that?" she told him. Belle absolutely loved sharing her knowledge gained from reading so much. "Respecting woman and aiding the weak!" she spoke, a twinkle in her eye. "I suppose we're not weak at all, but you are aiding us, Ser Henry. All knights follow the Code of Chivalry, so you are no exception!"
Henry's eyes brightened as she called him "Ser Henry." His expression was noble as he straightened his shoulders. "Of course. I knew that!" he claimed, watching her a little more closely.
Rumplestiltskin could easily see that the boy had already fallen head over heels for Belle within these few minutes. "You're not like all the other girls around here...Belle, right?"
"Yes." Belle only smiled at him. "How so? And how did you guess my name?" she questioned.
"You're not all wrapped up in girly stuff...I read your story. About you two. That's how I knew. I guessed." he smartly remarked, nodding to Rumplestiltskin. "You had all that love stuff, but you really liked to read and you were really brave." he told her. "All the other ladies in town are brave too, but you're like an underdog! Sometime you'll get the chance to rise against evil! You and Rumplestiltskin...and Pongo!"
Belle flushed, her smile modest. "Thank you, Henry..." she laughed softly. "Rumple and I have nothing to be afraid as long as our fearsome hound is with us!" she walked closer to Rumplestiltskin, shooting a secretive smile that adults often gave each other when entertained with children.
"And here we are." Rumplestiltskin announced as they approached his house. Belle had hardly noticed how quickly time had flown while she spoke to Henry. She released Rumple's hand so he could take the bag from the boy.
"Thank you, my knight." Belle murmured, leaning down to plant a kiss on Henry's cheek. The boy stared at her, his cheeks absolutely red as he wiped the kiss away with the back of his hand, pretending to be grossed out.
Gold almost snorted at the boy. He knew more about women than Prince Charming himself. Act tough and the women will swoon.
"We gotta talk again, Belle." Henry told her, grinning. "Pinkie promise?" he held a pinkie out, looking at her expectantly.
The way Belle gave a blank stare of confusion was rather adorable to Gold.
"Right...you were locked away." Henry sighed, frowning. He took Belle's hand, folded out her pinkie, and wrapped his own around it. "See? Now we're bound! We have to talk sometime now!"
Belle smiled, nodding. "Right then, I promise! Pinkie promise!" she proudly glanced back at Rumple, who only nodded with a smirk.
"See ya!" the boy waved as he took off running down the street, probably running home to tell his mother about his encounter.
"Well then!" Belle sighed happily, her hand on her hip. "Let's get this dog settled in, shall we?"
"We shall. I have some competition now, it seems. I'd better take that bag." Rumple attempted to grab for the bag while holding the dog food all at the same time, but Belle snatched it away, quickly darting ahead into the house.
"We will see, Rumplestiltskin, we will see!" she called, Pongo giving a happy bark as he sensed her sudden playfulness.
Rumple only grinned as he watched her go on. He couldn't help but feel excited himself to get their latest addition to their little family settled in.
I am now balancing this with my other Rumbelle series, Danse Macabre, which has more of my attention because the chapters are longer and a tad bit more complex for me. I'm going to try my best to update this when I can though. All of your reviews have been so very sweet! Thank you!
Thanks for reading, dearie!
Review if you so desire!
