A/N: I decided to post another chapter today because I'm having major feels. Again, thank you for the kind reviews! :) They warm my heart! Please continue to review, follow, and favorite!

"You're not going to leave me?"

Rumplestiltskin's voice was very soft. "I never break a deal, dearie, and I said forever."

On an impulse, Belle placed her hand on top of his as it rested on his leg. "I'm sorry I slapped you. I shouldn't have done it."

He turned to her, his eyebrows raised in bewilderment. "You're sorry?"

Belle leaned toward him, trying to convey a stern look with her eyes. "I still think what you did is wrong…" She softened her gaze. "…but the way I reacted wasn't right either. So yes, I am sorry."

He stared at her for a few more seconds before shaking his head and looking back down at the brook. "It's no matter, dearie."

Belle smiled to herself, translating in her mind: I forgive you.

"But don't do it again, or you might just find yourself with four legs and webbed feet." Rumplestiltskin giggled, sliding his hand out from under hers and clapping his hands together.

Belle considered how he could never admit that he enjoyed her company or appreciated what she did. That he had saved her because he cared about her. She had come to the realization a long time ago that he was afraid of loving anyone, and was trying to cover it up. He certainly did a good job, but she had been around him long enough to see through his façade. She could only imagine what terrible losses he had suffered.

"Have you ever had a friend?" she ventured.

He stared at the water for so long that Belle was unsure if he had heard her, and even when he responded his voice was very quiet, like a whisper in the wind. "I have you."

It was in that very moment that Belle knew. She didn't have to analyze the depth of her love for him; she knew. And she almost voiced it; she was so close to saying those three words that would have changed everything, but she didn't.

She could have teased him about finally admitting that he cared even a scrap about her, but she didn't. Instead she nodded. "And I have you." Hesitantly at first, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug like she had only done once before. Unlike the last time, he gently touched her back, returning the embrace, and then quickly pulled away. He then stood up, seeming to be trying very hard to act like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

"Time to go, dearie."

"Okay." She lifted the hood of her cloak over her head and stood up next to him, resisting the urge to take his hand in hers.

Little did she know that he was doing just the same thing.

Rumplestiltskin paced at the bottom of the staircase to the library. He wanted to see her, to watch her as she enjoyed her book, but he didn't trust himself. His resolve was hanging like a delicate thread, and snapping was inevitable. It was just a matter of when.

He didn't trust himself with her now. One touch of the hand and the thread just might come loose. All there was to do, then, was separate himself. See her as little as possible. Maybe then…

His steps halted and he sighed, knowing it was no use. He couldn't keep away from her even if he wanted to. She sought him out often, and the idea that she felt the same way only fanned the burning flames of some powerful emotion eating away inside of him.

The Dark One shook his head and pressed his fingertips against his temples. He knew love's deceiving guise all too well. It took on the look of an innocent, beautiful, elating feeling, but it ended up as a raging inferno, eating away your life and soul until there was nothing else. Love was cruel and dangerous, which was why he had sworn never to love again.

Why, then, could he not stay away?

Cursing under his breath, he turned and made his way up the stone stairway. Though he entered the library quietly, Belle looked up from her book momentarily to watch him approach her chair.

"Finished everything else, then?" he asked, watching her delicate hands as she closed her book. He swallowed hard, hoping she didn't notice. His hand twitched, wanting so badly to grasp hers. He told his eyes to look elsewhere, and they focused on her lips, red and full and beautiful.

Stop! he screamed inwardly, finally settling on her eyes. But even those weren't safe. They shone with mirth, kindness, and curiosity; their depth astounded him.

"Yes, I did. If there's something else you need-"

"No," he said a little too quickly, turning around and pretending to be interested at a book on a shelf. "No, I'm fine." He waved a hand in her direction. "Carry on." Still, he couldn't help but glance back and catch her giving him a dazzling smile.

"'The creature bounded onto its hind legs, striking fear into the heart of the soldier. He raised his sword and prepared to strike…'"

It took a few moments for Rumplestiltskin to realize that she was reading. Out loud. To him. He could have easily told her to stop, but he didn't. Instead, he turned to face her and summoned his spinning wheel, stool, and some straw. They appeared in front of him with a puff of smoke, and he quietly sat on his stool and began to spin as Belle read.

Belle's voice grew weary over time, and eventually stopped altogether. After several minutes, Rumplestiltskin looked up to see her head leaning back against the chair, eyes closed and lips slightly parted, and the open book in her hands, resting in her lap. Try as he might, he couldn't tear his gaze from her. She was so peaceful, so beautiful.

With quiet, deliberate steps, he stood up and walked toward her sleeping form. How long had she been asleep?

"Belle?" he murmured.

She didn't even stir.

He tried again, louder. "Belle?"

Nothing. He waved a hand in front of her face and was finally convinced that she was fast asleep. He sighed with relief. He could leave now and try to forget about his feelings until the morning.

But of course he didn't, because that elated, soaring feeling was swelling up inside of him so much that he felt like he was about to burst. The Dark One wasn't quite sure what to do about it, but he found his mouth forming almost inaudible words before he could stop it.

"I love you."

Rumplestiltskin snapped his mouth shut, inwardly cursing himself. He tried to turn away, but he just couldn't. Instead, he reached for her hand and just brushed his finger against hers with the gentlest of touches.

Belle shifted and Rumplestiltskin drew away quickly, about to poof away. However, before he could, Belle mumbled in her sleep.

"Rumple."

Rumple. The Queen had called him that a few times, but it wasn't the same coming from Belle's lips. It was gentle, warm…affectionate.

That was when her eyelids fluttered open.

In the time it took her to blink, Rumplestiltskin and his wheel had vanished without a trace. He found himself in his trophy room, his heart pounding. Now he knew. She was a light sleeper.