My dear followers and readers, I'm so sorry that there are so many typos in my story. I edit as I go and don't catch a lot of things. This update took a bit longer, I know. But, the remainder of this story is completely planned out now. Well, I think it's finally time to find out what our little dearies are up to. Oh, and thank you for all of the follows, reviews, and the favorite. I do love them so much. 3
Belle stirred softly in her borrowed bed. She rolled on her side and shut off the alarm clock that blared on her bedside table. Before she could catch herself, Belle spilled onto the floor. But, before she hit the ground her head kissed the corner of the bedside table. She hissed. The morning had barely begun and she had managed to break something.
"I just wish it hadn't been my bloody head." She thought. Belle's grimace broke as she rose and collected herself. Her head was bloody and it was rather funny. She glanced at herself in the cracked mirror as she walked to her closet, but doubled back when she saw the blood running down her cheek. Everything seemed off to Belle that morning. Perhaps not "off", but broken. Her thoughts seemed out of focus, distant and echoing. She raised her hand to touch the source of the red stripe and cursed when she made contact. Belle turned, and found her window to be open as well. As if by magic cold struck her suddenly, freezing her in place.
"But there is blood. Damnnit." She thought. Stormy and bedraggled, Belle wandered to her tiny bathroom and mopped up the blood on her face, cursing herself for falling asleep without changing into proper pajamas. The bathroom mirror showed her the mess; but even after it was clean, a mess was all that was there.
"Oh god. I look awful." She moaned. Belle brushed her teeth, dabbing her head when she needed to, and got dressed. Her closet was full of color, but it seemed that black called out the loudest when she made her decision. Belle rushed out of Granny's and into the street, trying to get to the library to open on time. She nearly crashed into Ruby who was on her way back to Granny's.
"Whoa there, girl. What's the hurry?" She asked. Belle shrugged, breathless, and continued her rush.
"I've got to get to the Library!" She called over her shoulder. When she finally arrived it was nearly eight. Belle was just in time. She walked in and took in the smell of the place.
"Ah, books." She thought, content. Belle loved books. In all her years of captivity both in Storybrooke and in her own realm she had always found books to be a place of comfort. They were her windows into all of the places she could never go. They were her escape, and now she was their caretaker. It seemed right. Over the next few hours Belle managed to organize the rest of the children's fiction and part of the classics section. Her progress had stopped though. One of the Bronte sisters had caught her eye, and before she knew it Belle was nearly halfway through Wuthering Heights. She was sitting on the floor surrounded by a mountain of books, too engrossed in her novel to notice her beau's entrance.
"Found something you like, Belle?" Rumplestiltskin asked. Belle nearly jumped out of her skin. He leaned down and kissed her head.
"You startled me." She replied. He leaned down and appraised her book.
"I haven't read it." He said flatly, offering his hand to help her up. She rose and Rumple smiled. In his other hand was an apple.
"I thought you might like something to snack on. I know it's not my style, but I promise I didn't get it from Regina." He quipped. Belle waited for him to apologize to her. But, he seamlessly flowed from one topic to the next without one remorseful comment. She waited a bit more, but his demeanor never changed. He was sure and confident and not even a little guilty for the terms upon which they had parted. Did he think she was stupid? Did he think an apple would make their previous conversation less hurtful? Belle suddenly realized that she hadn't been listening to anything Rumple was saying.
"But, who knows? Maybe she'll finally stop hurting people and just leave us alone." Rumple concluded. Belle sighed. She knew that he had been talking about Regina. Belle wasn't Regina's biggest fan, that was for sure, but she thought Regina's situation was sad in the end. Regina had let the darkness in her heart overpower her and make her a monster. Belle couldn't imagine what she was going through.
"Be nice, Rumple. She's very sad." Belle chided. Rumplestiltskin scoffed.
"Did you happen to forget that she locked you in an asylum? She stole you away from me." He clucked, pulling Belle in for a kiss. She pulled back.
"I didn't forget, thank you. I just think that she should be praised for trying to get her life together. Ruby heard she was quitting magic. I think it's admirable. It's more than you're doing." She answered quietly. Rumplestiltskin's face curled into a sneer.
"Well, dearie, I see your adventures in Storybrooke have given you quite an interesting perspective. Covorting with evil queens and wolves has made you ungrateful." He mocked, staring deep into her eyes. Belle crossed her arms and adjusted her skirt. The apple became heavy in her hand.
"I have a lot to do. Thank you for the apple." She responded curtly. As she turned on her heel she noticed Regina standing at the information desk. She whipped back around, eyes ablaze.
"Please leave." She said quietly. The last thing Belle wanted was for Rumplestiltskin to say something to Regina. He had no right to judge her. He was the Dark One for crying out loud. Rumple looked ready to spit, but he nodded and sulked out of the library without even seeing Regina. Belle sighed, relieved. Regina tapped the bell sitting on the counter, looking around.
"Hello?" She called out, unsure. Belle appeared from behind a shelf with a bright smile. Regina visibly relaxed and held up her stolen book.
"I forgot to check this out yesterday." She admitted formally. Belle retreated behind the counter and set the apple on the edge.
"That's alright. I forgot about it too. Seeing as though I run this place I suppose I can forgive it this time." Belle said with a wink. Regina cocked her head to the side, confused.
"Thank you, Belle."
"It was a joke...Don't worry about it. Did you read it?" Belle asked, quickly changing the subject. Regina nodded and soon they were chattering away about Matisse and how lovely his work was. The Evil Queen eyed the apple sitting on the counter. Belle noticed her staring and picked it up. She offered it to Regina, smiling.
"Do you want it? I don't care much for apples. I mean...That's not true. I do like apples. I just don't want this one." Belle offered, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. Regina didn't know why exactly Belle was nervous. She supposed the girl could still be frightened of her. Regina admittedly loved apples though they carried dark memories.
"Why don't you want it?" She asked. Belle shrugged and rolled her eyes, an air of nervousness lingering in her mannerisms. Regina took the apple, thanking Belle despite her odd behavior. Neither spoke for a moment. Neither woman was sure of what the other was thinking. Regina worried that Belle found her beastly. Belle wondered whether or not Regina needed someone to talk to. She wondered if Regina had any friends.
"She probably doesn't. Not even Regina deserves that." Belle thought. Then, a thought came to her. She could be Regina's friend. After all, Ruby wasn't very good at giving relationship advice. She was a maneater. The thought made Belle chuckle despite herself. Regina, now more confused than ever, gently placed the book about Matisse on the counter.
"Well, thank you for the book, but I think I should go." Regina interjected gently, snapping Belle from her reverie.
"Do you want to get lunch?" The words spilled from Belle's mouth before she could stop them. She wanted to be nice, it was true. Belle wanted to be generous to Regina. She wanted to show her it was possible. Regina regarded her for a moment. Belle couldn't be afraid of her. Was this the work of Rumplestilktskin?
"She is nervous..." Regina thought. A flash of irritation flashed across Regina's face.
"Look, if this is some kind of trick I warn you-"
"It's not. I just thought you could use a friend." Regina paused. Tears sprung into her eyes for just a moment.
"Let's go, then." Regina answered. They smiled.