I don't own OUAT. (grumbles)

Belle stood, her arm linked with her husband's, by the grave of one August Wayne Booth.

He had been the only one left in Storybrooke, besides the two of them, that had actually known life in the Enchanted Forest. The children and grandchildren that called this place their home now knew of their origins, knew of magic, but it wasn't the same thing. And even if he didn't remember it, August had lived more than one lifetime himself - which to Belle, made the sense of loss even sharper.

She reached her arm down, taking Rumplestiltskin's hand in hers and giving it a light squeeze. In response he put his other hand over hers. A reassuring gesture.

"He died happy. Loved. He did well with his second chance." She whispered.

"Yes, he did."

Belle turned her face towards her husband, but he would not look at her - his gaze steady on the fresh grave in front of them, his thoughts deeper still. She could tell.

"So have you." She replied quietly.

"I think not."

She frowned. "You've helped people."

"Not enough to erase the things I've done."

Belle looked down, stroking his knuckles lightly. "We can't just stay this way forever. Things have already changed so much."

He looked down, his hair shielding most of his face from her - but she could still make out the lines of worry as he clenched his slightly trembling jaw.

"You don't know what waits on the other side for someone like me. Someone who's been under The Dark Curse."

"Neither do you." She kissed his temple, and his hand tightened over hers, almost to the point of pain.

"Please, Belle. I'm… I'm not ready."

Placing another light kiss on his hair, Belle ran her free hand over his shoulder in a reassuring gesture. Beneath his careful facade, there were so many things her husband still feared - and death was one of those that remained a complete mystery, even to him. Most people didn't have the luxury of contending with it at their leisure. She would wait for him to face his last demon. Forever, if necessary. She'd promised. She wanted to.

With her arm around his shoulders, she lead him back towards their car, and away from the grave of the last person that they could ever talk to of home