Blooming Red Rose: Chapter 4
The evening was drawing in but there were still plenty of people on the beach. The bonfire was illuminating everyone, crackling as it burnt the dry wood. Rumpel kicked at some sand before snatching another beer from the ice bucket near the dying barbeque. With a swift pull of the ring, the can hissed with a small amount of foam escaping. He sipped the foam away as he traipsed his way nearer to the bonfire.
There were plenty of couples darted around sitting on their blankets. Rumpel nodded to a few people that met his gaze before finding a space on the bank leading to the woods to sit. He promised himself one more drink and then he was going home.
His eyes danced over the familiar heads looking for her. She'd been spending the majority of her time with Dr Whale on her arm. Rumpel didn't like that. He shrugged his shoulders at his thoughts, knowing it wasn't his place to do anything about it. Belle had asked him for space and hadn't spoken to him since. If that was what she wanted then he was more than happy to respect what she wanted, but it didn't mean he liked the situation.
Rumpel was appalled by the interruption of his thoughts, when Prince Charming bumped into him, taking a sit beside him. "Rumpel."
"Charming." Rumpel countered.
"Nice to see you here. Enjoying yourself?" Charming asked drinking from his bottle.
"It's been alright." Rumpel went back to looking for Belle.
Charming bumped Rumpel's shoulder. "She's over there." He pointed to some people near the bonfire. "She hanging with Ruby and Snow." Charming informed him.
Rumpel dared a glanced at the younger man beside him. "Why are you meddling?"
"Meddle? Me? That's your department, Rumpel." Charming winked at Rumpel.
"Ok. Why does it seem you're guiding me?" Rumpel questioned.
"Because, Rumpel, like you said to me once, I know what it's like. You're sitting here when you should be with Belle." Charming pointed in Belle's direction. "I just don't want to see you miss out on something that could be good."
"Yes, well, Belle has made it quite clear. She wants her space and I respect that." Rumpel informed him before drinking some more of his beer.
"So, you stopped trying then? You stopped fighting for her?" Charming said passionately.
"I'm doing what she wants." Rumpel growled at Charming.
"Rumpel, you are not going to get her back unless you do something. Think about it." Charming patted Rumpel on his shoulder before getting to his feet and left in search of Snow White. Rumpel mulled over Charming's words and finished off the last of his beer. Maybe he was right. Or maybe Rumpel would end up pushing Belle further away, if he tried to get her back. Could he risk it? 'But, if I don't try…', Rumpel pondered Charming's advice as he stood brushing the sand off the back of his shorts.