TWO

His father hates him. Of that he is sure.

He's said it outright on many occasions.

"Rumple, you know why I named you what I did?" he asks rhetorically. Because Rumplestiltskin knows already. His father has told him this countless times.

But he is respectful if nothing else.

"Yes, father, I do."

"Don't use that tongue with me, boy!" his father responds angrily. He is drunk. As he always is. He misses Rumple's mother ("her name was Fiona," his father tells him.) so much to the point that he's an incompetent. And he's a swindler, too. He tells everyone to play "Follow The Lady" which is an outright sham if he's ever seen one.

But there are thoughts to think and thoughts to voice. His father likes playing and it's almost very childish. Rumple always goes along with him because honestly he thinks his father might hurt him if he doesn't.

Rumple looks to the floor meekly. He braces himself for the answer which is always the same but hurts nonetheless.

"I named you for your darkness," Malcolm says. "You drove your mother insane, dearie."

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sorry for the late update; life bothers. i have testing coming up so don't expect a new chapter soon.

-readersarethebestwriters