A tour of your former life
"Welcome to my shop!" he said, proudly, as they arrived under the pawnbrocker's sign. "You want to come in?"
"Sure" she replied, making him open the door.
Inside, Belle found a world of wonders. Everywhere, objects of all sorts were giving the room an identity. On the shelf, an ivory game of chess was waiting for a player to make one last move, from the ceiling were hanging two eeriely smiling puppets, and on the counter, an old-fashioned globe was still spinning with the wind.
"So?" he timidly asked.
"So I think it's perfect... and I think it suits you."
"Old..." he replied.
"No, of course not. I'd say... experienced. All these items, they have an identity, a story. It's what make them unique." she said, taking a dusty book in her hand to browse through it.
"Thank you... So, do you remember something?"
"I'm afraid not... But I'm glad I came here. It helps me get to know you a bit more. This book really looks interesting, by the way."
"You can have it if you want."
"C'mon I'm sure I couldn't afford one single item here." she teased him, but it seemed he didn't get it, for he simply looked down.
"That wasn't what I meant."
"I know, I'm sorry, I was just trying to get you smile."
Confronted to his silence, she closed the book and looked at him. Despite the smile he was forcing on his face, he looked sad.
"So, what are we doing next?" she happily asked, heading towards him.
"Whatever you want, sweetheart."
"Well... I was thinking that, maybe, we could... see the town together? I mean, perhaps it will help me remember. And anyway, I want to see the place where I used to live, the people I used to know..."
"A kind of tour of your life?"
"Of my former life, yes."
"Don't say that" he said, taking her hand. "You might not remember, but your memories, this 'former you' you are talking about, it is still here, in your heart."
"Thank you..."
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" he said, with a new spark in his eyes.
They had walked for almost an hour along the streets, Belle being once again marveled by everything, from the simple come and go of the town to the bird delicately settling on a branch. But Mr Gold was nervous. Of course he wanted -needed- to take her to the library, but on their way was Moe's shop. Since he had tried to send her passed the town line, Moe hadn't seen his daughter, and Mr Gold was afraid any confrontation with the hot-tempered man would be devastating. So, as they passed in front of Game of Thorns, Mr Gold's grip on her arm tightened, but Belle didn't pay attention to it until the large man carrying a box of flowers on the shop's threshold let his load fall down in a loud noise. What Gold feared was happening.
"Belle!" Moe exclaimed, visibly shocked, but Mr Gold hurried through the street as fast as his limp could allow him, making her follow him without the chance to talk to the man.
"Who... who was this man?" she asked once they were far enough to slow down, but she was only confronted to his silence. "He seemed to know me. Perhaps he could help me.. remember who I was..."
"I doubt that."
"Please, tell me. If you want me to help you, you have to help me too." She put her hand above the one holding on his cane and looked at him, the same way she did before entering his shop, the day Hook had devastated it to steal Bae's shawl. "Please... Tell me... Who was this man?"
"... He... He's just someone who used to wish you hurt." he replied, bitterly, and Belt felt she shouldn't ask more, for there was this darkness in his eyes, this anger, which he never wore when he was with her, her who he had looked with nothing but tenderness and -Belle was afraid to admit it- love. They had stopped under the clock tower, and Gold nervously took a key from his pocket and opened the door. Inside, everything was dark.
"Come" he said before entering, but Belle stayed there a few moment. She was afraid. Of him, of this side of him she didn't knew. But rapidly, she collected herself. ''Trust Mr Gold'' she said to herself. ''Trust Mr Gold, he'll protect you.'' It's what the man -Jefferson, was it his name?- had told her. She sighed. ''Trust Mr Gold'' she said, and she entered in the dark room.
"Okay, just come one step closer..." Mr Gold said, and even if she couldn't see his face, she could feel that he was smiling. He took her hand, to bring her to what she thought was the center of the room, and stayed still.
"Are you ready?" he asked, and she nodded, before it came to her mind that he couldn't see her neither. Or could he, because he didn't wait any longer before turning all the lights on and letting her breathless. Around her, an endless number of books was strictly arranged on shelves, or in piles next to a counter.
"It's... It's wonderful. There's more books in here that I could read in a lifetime..." she said, making him smile.
"Well, I wouldn't bet on that... If you're to come here everyday, I'm sure you'll manage..."
"What do you mean? Coming here everyday?"
"All of that, Belle, is yours." he said, and he saw a spark illuminating her eyes. "Come with me, there's something else." he added, presenting his hand to show her the way to a stair that lead to a simple red door. Mr Gold searched into his pocket and found a key. "Please", he said, opening the door for her on a perfectly cosy and elegant apartment.
"Welcome home, sweetheart."
"Is it where you live? Where... we live?"
"No, no. I own a house further down the street. That's your apartment. I know it is small, but, well... considering its location, I believed you might like it. And you still have a separated bedroom. From the living room, I mean. Your tiny place, you said. You hated the kitchen, though... You found it a bit..." he had started, but she hushed him by placing a light kiss on his lips.
"...formal..." he finished, blushing hard when she looked at him.
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome..."
"I mean, not just for that, the library, the apartment. Thank you for helping me. I have no idea of how I'm gonna pay you back..."
"Well... I've got quite an idea" he said playfully, before taking her hands in his. "Miss French, will you do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight? I know Granny's not the most tasteful restaurant, but it is friendly and heartwarming."
"Then, Mr Gold, it would be a pleasure." she said, taking his arm and leading them both outside, a smile on their faces.
