Chapter IV
Belle had without noticing dozed off against Rumple's shoulder. She was breathing softly and her chest rose and sank repeatedly.
Rumple couldn't sleep; he felt not comfortable with the idea of falling asleep in this position. Despite that he also didn't want to wake her up.
He shifted carefully not trying to wake her. After some time he had managed to stand up from the couch.
He watched her for several moments not sure what to do. An idea popped in his head and he found a blanket and carefully covered her with it. He sat down in the armchair opposite the couch and watched her sleeping peacefully.
She's so beautiful, he thought.
Why haven't I noticed that before?
''Because you're evil,'' a voice behind him said. He spun around and found the former Dark One, Zoso standing behind his armchair.
''What are you doing here?'' Rumple hissed. ''I had hoped you would be able to go on your own a few centuries ago, but it seems to me that you're weakening,'' Zoso said. ''Don't fall for weaknesses, don't create bonds, don't create your weakness.''
Zoso walked toward Belle and kneeled in front of her. He looked around at Rumple, grinning, as he slowly lifted a hand and moved it toward her. ''Don't touch her,'' Rumple hissed dangerously.
Zoso didn't listen to him and continued. ''I said,'' Rumple said standing up. ''Don't touch her!'' He stepped toward Zoso and watched him with hatred. ''Go away,'' Rumple hissed when he stood in front of him.
Zoso withdrew his hand and stood up, facing Rumple. ''This is exactly the reason why I'm here,'' he said coldly. ''To stop you from creating your weakness.''
''Don't fall for it, it'll only destroy you,'' he said with a penetrating look. ''She'll turn away from you when she realizes what you really are.'' Suddenly his voice was filled with venom and a smirk stretched across his face. ''A monster,'' he whispered.
Rumple's eyes burned with tears and he was trembling with anger. ''Go away,'' he said dangerously. Zoso cackled. ''Or what?'' he asked challenging. ''Hold in mind, that I'm your guide,'' he said his smirk vanishing. ''A guide through the darkness.''
He slowly faded away and left Rumple to ponder about what he had said.
What am I going to do? he thought miserably sitting back down in the armchair.
I can't ignore what I feel, I'll go mad.
Think about what Zoso said, an evil voice said interfering his thoughts.
But what if he's wrong?
He isn't. He keeps you alive and powerful. If you create weaknesses people will try to get to you through them.
Yes, but what if I can protect her from that?
You can't.
What am I supposed to do instead?
Stop seeing her and be a bastard so she won't start to feel anything for you.
But what if I don't want to be a bastard? I've got my son back and I have to be a good example.
That's a pity.
The Dark One isn't as dark as he used to be. Quite pathetic actually. Do you really think she'll want to be with you? You're a coward and nothing more.
Rumple hesitated as he shot a glance toward Belle. You're probably right, but what's happening to me? Why can't I just let go?
I don't know, that's something you'll have to figure out yourself.
Rumple pushed the thoughts away and glanced toward the clock. It was almost 1:00 AM. He sighed and closed his eyes.
He couldn't get himself to sleep. He was tired but his fussed thoughts kept him awake. He had dimmed the lights so they wouldn't wake Belle.
Rumple had laid her down on her shoulder so she would lay more comfortable. He returned to his chair and watched her the entire night.
The sun slowly rose in the air and filled the house with morning light. Rumple still sat in his chair for five hours straight now.
He had dark circles under his eyes and he still felt exhausted.
Soft footsteps were coming down the stairs. Neal entered the living room and noticed his father sitting in the chair. Rumple pressed a finger against his lips.
Neal raised an eyebrow, then he noticed Belle asleep on the couch. His expression was unreadable, though he beckoned his father to follow him.
He walked to the kitchen and closed the door. ''Are you dating her?'' he asked immediately. Rumple quickly shook his head. ''Then what is she doing here?'' he asked anger rooting inside him. Rumple sighed. ''She fell asleep last night when we were talking,'' he said tiredly.
''And why would you even care if I was dating her?'' he asked frowning. ''I'm still a man, Dark One or not,'' he said yawning. Neal rolled his eyes. ''Fine, but would you consider telling me this kind of information?''
''Stop commanding me like that,'' Rumple said sharply. ''I understand you did it in the beginning, and I completely understand that you're angry with me but I'm still your father,'' he said. Neal watched him surprised, but that soon turned into anger. ''I know really well that you're my father, and I accept that. But do you have any idea how long I was forced to barely survive because you let me go? My life has been a drama since you let me fall through the portal,'' he hissed. ''I've been stuck in Neverland for three centuries,'' he said. ''Do you have any idea what they did to me there?''
Without waiting for an answer Neal rolled up his sleeves so his arms were bare. They were filled with scars of different sizes.
Rumple watched them shocked. ''Did he do this to you?'' he asked angrily. ''This is nothing,'' he said rolling his sleeves back down. He turned his back to his father and lifted his shirt so now his back was bare.
It was filled with burns and a long scar went down from his left shoulder to his right hip.
''Why would he do that?'' Rumple asked as tears struck his eyes; seeing how his son was treated by his own father hurt him more than anything. ''Neverland isn't exactly like kids dream,'' he said lowering his shirt and turning back to his father.
''When you refuse to obey he'll make you. The Lost Boys play cruel and dangerous games. Or better said they call it games, it's more like a battlefield,'' he said.
''I'm the only one who ever escaped Neverland, there are so many boys of my age and even younger stuck in that horrible place,'' he said blankly.
There was a silence. ''Did he know?'' he asked suddenly. Rumple looked up. ''What?''
''That I'm his grandson.'' He looked at his father intensely. ''I don't know,'' Rumple replied sitting down at the table. ''I haven't seen him since I was eight and he traded me for youth,'' he said. ''But to be fair, I think he did.''
Another silence. ''How did he get his hands on you?'' Rumple asked looking up. Neal sat down opposite him. ''I met someone on the sea, he took me with him. At first he hid me when the Lost Boys came to check if there were boys on the ship. I'm not really sure what happened but one day we had a fight because I had found a drawing of ma in his cabin. The next moment the Lost Boys came to get me,'' he said.
Rumple watched him with wide eyes. ''Who was that, the man who took you with him?'' he asked quickly. He hoped so immense badly it wasn't the man he suspected. ''I think his name was Killian Jones, but most people call him Captain Hook,'' he said thoughtful. ''Why?''
Rumple froze. ''Do you know that man?'' Neal asked noticing his father's sudden discomfort. ''I-I…''
Before he could answer someone called for him. ''Rumple?'' Belle's voice sounded from the living room. Neal shot him a dangerous look. ''Did you tell her your name?'' he asked astounded. Rumple rolled his eyes. ''We'll continue this later,'' he said. He stood up and entered the living room.
He found Belle in the hallway. ''There you are,'' she said when she heard the familiar clicking of his cane nearing. ''I'm so sorry I fell asleep,'' she said quickly. Rumple grinned. ''It doesn't matter,'' he said reassuringly.
He reminded Zoso's visit the night before and hesitated before he asked, ''Do you want to stay for breakfast?'' he asked raising an eyebrow. ''I don't know, I don't want to be a burden,'' she said uncertain. Rumple smiled. ''You aren't, I would really like it if you'd stay,'' he said carefully. ''If you're sure,'' she said smiling back.
They entered the kitchen and found Neal and Emma talking. ''Good morning, sir,'' she said turning to Rumple and Belle. ''Did you sleep well?'' he asked. Emma nodded with a smile. ''It's been a really long time ago since I had last slept in a bed,'' she said excitedly.
Belle gasped. ''Where did you used to sleep then?'' she asked. Emma shrugged. ''Usually outside,'' she replied casually. Belle turned to Rumple. ''Did you hear that?'' she asked shocked. Rumple nodded. ''Those days are over, you have a home now,'' he said smiling.
''Bacon and eggs again?'' he asked walking to the fridge. ''That's fine,'' Neal said quickly.
''I'll help,'' Belle said walking toward him.
Together they cooked and talked. Rumple kept glancing over his shoulder at Emma and Neal.
''Relax,'' Belle said chuckling. ''I can't, he's my son and I'm supposed to look out for him,'' Rumple replied turning to the pans. ''I don't think that means from girls,'' Belle chuckled. ''But what if something happens?'' he asked uncertain. ''Like what?'' Belle asked taking plates from the cabinet.
''I don't know, what if she becomes pregnant?'' he whispered. ''She's almost fifteen, what do we do then?'' he asked turning to Belle. ''If that happens, I'm not saying it will, we'll deal with it at that moment. You shouldn't worry about that now, you'll only stress yourself out,'' she said. ''Don't worry.'' She laid her hand on his. ''Everything'll be fine,'' she said her eyes twinkling.
When they had finished their foods Belle set off to the library. Neal tried to leave and go upstairs with Emma again but Rumple held him back. ''Emma could you leave us for a moment? I have to talk with Neal,'' Rumple said.
Emma shot a quick glance towards Neal who reassured her. When she was out of sight Rumple started, ''I need to talk to you,'' he said. ''Sure, whatever,'' Neal replied rolling his eyes annoyed. He sat down on the couch and waited for his father to start.
''Had I already told you about the curse?'' Rumple asked sitting down in his armchair. Neal shook his head. ''Well, back in the Enchanted Forest the Evil Queen cast a dark curse that banished everyone here, to Storybrooke,'' he said.
''I had prophesied that the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White would return to break the curse."
"Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean with return?" he asked. "They had sent her here to this land through a magical wardrobe to protect her from the curse," he explained. ''Prince Charming and Snow White?'' Neal asked. ''But if the curse took them to this world then they must be here too,'' he said. ''That's right. But why does that make any difference?'' he asked raising an eyebrow. ''If we just go and find their child and bring it to them they will be together again.''
Rumple shook his head. ''It's not that easy,'' he said. ''Everyone in this town is a person from the Enchanted Forest who is affected by the curse, but they don't remember. One of the side effects is that the curse has a nasty memory wipe,'' he said darkly. ''And I don't have to search for their child anymore,'' he said blankly. ''I've already found her.''
A/N: Another chapter done. As always I hope you enjoyed it, and don't hesitate to leave a review!
