"Lady Belle!" The whispered shout startled both of them, Rumple moved his staff between them and the figure that rapidly approached from the other side of the darkened street.
"Oh! Mrs. Potts!" Belle skirted around Rumple's protective stance to embrace the stout woman. "What are you doing here?" Here being a quaint town on the very border of Lord March's lands. They had just arrived as the sun set, and were planning on finding a meal before retiring to the inn for the evening. Their nights in the woods having been forfeited to the winter.
"I was visiting my son and his wife before the winter festivities at the palace begin in earnest. But, oh, what you are doing here, love? How have you been – where have you been? Who is this with you? Wont you come inside for a bit?" Her chatter doesn't cease, even when she tugged Belle's hand, gesturing towards the house she exited.
Belle turned to Rumple, a sheepish smile on her face and she makes a hurried introduction as the head housekeeper pushed them into her son's house.
Christopher, whom Belle has always known as "Chip", quietly made them tea as Belle answered Mrs. Potts' many questions. Rumple tried to keep up, but the familiarity and speed of which the two women chattered with was a bit overwhelming. Belle noticed his distraction, and smiled at him, allowing him to retreat towards the flickering fire where Chip's wife sat with her sewing.
The pregnant woman welcomed him with a shy smile. Wanting to be helpful, even as he desired to avoid conversation, he offered his assistance with her mending which she accepted in bewilderment.
The simple, easy work helped to settle his nerves, and they worked in harmony until the touch of Belle's hand on his shoulder drew him from his daydreaming.
"Rumple?" She leaned down to speak right into his ear. "Mrs. Potts and I came up with a plan."
Belle planned to speak with her father tonight, after he retires to his study following the ball. Until then she is content to sneak around the palace with Rumple, their presence known to the staff but not the nobility. She had explained to Rumple, with a ruefully smile that her behavior had long since been categorized as "we don't understand, but we support her" by the staff.
Rumple laughed. Easily able to imagine the stubborn young woman before him as the bossy child she must have been, encouraging the staff to assist in her adventures.
Belle grinned over her knees as him, slowly moving her toes forward until she could press them under his thigh. He shook his head, switching his drink to his other hand so that he could tuck the blanket firmly around her bare feet.
"If you're cold, why don't you put your slippers back on? Or are you wanting me to cast a warming spell on you?" He teased.
She stuck her tongue out at him, and reached over to steal a drink from his mug.
A shout from down below drew their attention. From where they were tucked into the nook above the great hall, they could see all the dancing and merriment below without being seen themselves.
The shout had come from Belle's ex-betrothed, it seemed that two of the young triplet princes of the north had tripped him with a string between them. Belle expected, knowing his previous temper and impatience, anger from the duke. But she was surprised when he laughed, and chased the boys until they retreated behind their sister's skirts, who seemed to struggle to remain unamused at their antics.
"I'm happy he's changed." Belle told Rumple, moving her feet so she could sit on her folded legs. "We'd never be happy together, and he must've known it too."
Belle was far happier here, in her most comfortable gown – faded and worn, than in one of the glittering gowns that swirled across the floor below.
He welcomed her weight leaning against him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. They sat cozy, trading the mug back and forth.
"Ah."
Belle lifted her head, following Rumple's gaze to the archway of the hall. She didn't see anyone there, the only thing that could've caught his attention was… "The mistletoe?"
"Would they mind terribly if I borrowed it for a moment?" With a twist of his wrist he had the mistletoe in hand.
"Now what do you need that for?" Belle asked, grinning as she tilted her head back expectantly as he dangled the leaves above them both.
He brushed his lips over hers, as if asking for permission. Belle huffed slightly, brining her free hand up to his hair, tugging him into a deeper kiss. His eyes fluttered closed, and he whimpered when she drew back to press light kisses along his jaw.
"What happened to my shy spinner?" She said, her lips right at his ear.
"I think love for you has given him a touch of bravery." Rumple murmured in a bit of a daze, a flush dancing across his cheeks.
"Oh?" Belle cupped his face, kissed him again, her tongue darting across his lips. "I also believe I taste a touch of whisky." She held up the mug, nearly empty now, raising her eyebrow.
"Maybe a wee bit."
A two-part disclaimer: I quit watching Ouat before Merida came along. And I'm going with the first version of Gaston shown on Ouat – a bit dim, but not evil – which then would be a very interesting match with Merida. She obviously doesn't want to get married, but this oaf – admittedly a good huntsman, is entertaining to her brothers at least.