Well, dearies (I just love that word) what I didn't mention in the last chapter is that when Rapunzel meets Rumpelstiltskin for the 1st time is about 2 years before the Dark Curse.
Ready to know more about how these lovely two love stories began (Enchanted Forest/Storybrooke)? On we go with this fanfic!
"Well dearie, are you ready for my price?" Rumpelstiltskin giggled as he saw her roll her eyes, boy, this was one feisty princess. "Name it and you shall anything you want!" Rapunzel demanded, she wanted to have her powers under her control, to no longer be feared for her magic.
"And if I told you, you'd have to wait to know it, what would you say" he challenged her with his eyes, anxiously waiting for her answer. "What do you mean? I don't want these games, can you teach me or not? I don't need some man to toy with me" she said very mad, how dare this man challenge her? She had promised him she'd give him anything.
Rumpelstiltskin pushed Rapunzel into the nearest tree, keeping her trapped between the tree and his arms, one above her neck and the other one wrapped around her waist.
"You really just dared to do that? To defy me, sweet and naïve Rapunzel?" he cooed at her, pressing her harder against him. "Please, forgive me. I'll do anything you want me to do." She answered, her voice slightly sad as she refused to look at his eyes.
"Look at me, sweetheart. Now, what do you mean by anything?" He removed his arm from her neck to cup her chin and make her look at him. "You say you'd do anything but what does that mean?"
"I have riches, anything material I could give it to you. Or I could make you part of my court, of the allies' council. I could guarantee your safety so no one defies you." Rumpelstiltskin chuckled, riches and royalty wasn't something he hadn't been offered before, however safety, that could come in handy.
However Rapunzel blushed at her next suggestion, yet looked at him seductively. "Or, I don't know when was the last time you've been with a woman but I am a woman and I'm willing to do anything to please you if that means you'll teach me magic"
Rumpelstiltskin laughed half-heartedly while placing his face on her neck. "My darling, you really are something special and unique" he told her. Rapunzel tried to ignore her thoughts that told her to run away and wrapped her arms around him.
Pain. I felt nothing but pain on my forehead. As I slowly opened my eyes I saw a pair of golden eyes looking at me, they showed concern. I saw I was also in the woods; I must have fallen pretty hard.
"Dear, are you all right" he spoke to me offering his hand; I took it as he helped me stand up. "Yes, I'm fine, I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble." I answered, I had seen him before but I never had spoken to him before.
"I'm Mr. Gold. I saw you there, lost in the woods." He told me, he seemed almost biased by the way he was looking at me. "I'm Natalie Richie, I was just walking around the woods, trying to find inspiration but I tripped"
"Inspiration? For what, may I ask?" Mr. Gold asked me; clearly we hadn't met before even with our businesses across the street. "I teach Arts, well I mainly teach dance or music but inspiration always comes good for it" I answered, my voice slightly cheerful, I loved talking about my work.
"My dear, you seem content about your work, most people aren't. And you haven't run after hearing my name." he said, sounding slightly ashamed. Or perhaps sad? "Why should I run? You shouldn't be judged for whatever people judge, besides you're not the only one judged in Storybrooke" I told him, smiling gently at him.
He smiled at me, his smile being surprisingly warm. "Dearie, I believe this is the start of something beautiful"
"Well, then. I believe we will start that magical progress!" he said as he let go of Rapunzel; "What does that mean?" she said, curious about what he wanted. "How about this way, dearie: I teach you for this week and if you progress in this week, I shall name you my price and if not, you shall give me something I desire"
"Nothing to do with the original price" she questioned him. "No, it will be something different." He answered. "Deal." she said with a smile and she started to walk away.
"What shall I have as a sign, dearie, to know when to be at your room for your lessons?" he questioned her, Rapunzel turned around surprised as she hadn't thought of that, but then she decided what would it be.
"Very well, I shall leave a rope, made of any material, silk or anything like that, but it shall always be one color: gold. But when will I know when to place it on my balcony?" she waited patiently for his answer.
"Whenever you hear me whisper your name with my normal voice and then with my" business" voice, that's when it will be. I will always know if you're available" he said with a teasing smile, to which she responded by softly giggling as she departed.
The days passed, Rumpelstiltskin would normally come when the sun began to come down. He and Rapunzel would practice til midnight, while he made her several questions about herself.
Questions such as "where are your parents?" and "why is gold your favorite color?" he would ask her, whenever she questioned why he asked that, he'd tell her to know what was what he could ask her as a price.
Rapunzel learned to like his presence over the days, she would even miss him when he was gone. No one had taken their time to understand her, to know the real Rapunzel, not the princess but the real one, the one that loved to sing just for it or who would stare at the stars thinking her parents could see her, loving her while being at heaven with the Lord.
Finally, the week ended and Rumpelstiltskin came at sunset like always to her room. He smiled at her when he saw her come to him.
"So, do I get a lesson today or a price?" she questioned him, fearing that he would simply ask for something and finish their lessons. She needed the magic but she also needed him.
"Dearie, I finally have your price" he said with a serious expression, staring intently at her. "Why the long face? What is that price?" she asked him, afraid that he looked so serious.
"Do not fret, sweet one. It's nothing dangerous." He smiled at her to help her relax. "Now, tell me, what's the only thing you've never had besides your parents?"
Rapunzel looked shocked, she had always had everything, riches, freedom, not a complete one, but free to choose whatever she desired, in spite of the people's thoughts. She then came to the realization of what he meant. "I've never had love, not fraternal or from a friend, just the love that comes from two that love each other dearly. That's what I never had, somebody to love" she told him sincerely.
"You'll have to give me, something valuable, something you've never given anyone." He told her with a mischievous smile. Rapunzel seemed surprised yet curiously defying. "What is that?" she asked him.
"A kiss" Rumpelstiltskin said.
Realization dawned on Rapunzel's face. She didn't look disgusted or repulsed which surprised him, however she seemed shocked. "I've never kissed anyone, I won't give you something you'll clearly not enjoy" she said looking away with a blush on her face.
He giggled at her embarrassment. "Sweetie, as you said it's been a while since I've been with a woman and believe me, someone so beautiful as yourself can surely be enjoyable" he complimented her.
"Still, I don't want to give you a simple kiss, you've helped me so much even for such a small time, I'd like to give something that really shows my gratitude, perhaps if I have previously the knowledge, I can.." she rambled as he gently put her against the wall.
"Are you saying that you would first like to practice to finally kiss me?" he questioned her as he cupped her face with one hand and caressed her hair with the other. "Perhaps, that's what I'd like" what was he doing? Why was he causing her this? She'd never been shy, she'd never feared anything but with him, everything seemed new.
"Well then, dearie, maybe I should teach you but it'll cost you." Before Rapunzel could answer him, he pressed his lips against hers. She was surprised by this, his lips felt surprisingly soft and the warmth was almost magical.
Slowly, her eyelids closed and she softly started to kiss him back. Rumpelstiltskin told her in her thoughts to let her instincts or feelings guide her, which she did. They kissed for a long time, ignoring everything: who they were, what they were, what had caused the kiss. They just remained feeling each other's lips.
They finally broke apart for air, he disappeared but Rapunzel could feel his voice saying "I'll see you in 3 days, that's the price for teaching you this, 3 missed lessons"
She would have offended but she wasn't, she just simply put her fingertips on her lips, where his had been, questioning herself what were those feelings she felt when she was with him.
