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Nervousness was not something Mr. Gold felt. He was always seen calm and collected no matter what. Usually, nothing could rattle this man. But the sight of Belle in that sexy blue cocktail dress made him nearly drop his cane. She glided down the stairs with every bit of grace she had when she was a princess. Her shoes matched the dress while some of her hair was held up but most of it hung down. When she reached him, Belle smiled up at him, and he was left speechless. She stunning. Draco barked, and he then remembered how to breathe again
"I'm glad you like the dress."
He licked his dry lips and smiled."I love it."
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
He's dressed in one of his best three piece suits. The shirt underneath it is only a shade or two dark than her dress, and he's wearing the gold tie she bought him for Christmas."Of course, dearie. I always look my best."
Belle looped an arm through his and pulled him out the door with a laugh."You forget that I see you when you wake up, love."
"I'm not that bad."
"You look like a cat's resting on you head. It is kind of cute though."Mr. Gold shuddered at the word 'cute' and opened the car door for her.
"I'll ignore that,"he said once he was inside.
"Fine. I have my pictures."
He nearly slammed on the brakes at that, and Belle was thankful that traffic in Storybrook isn't that heavy."You had better be joking."
"I am."Belle smiled at the small victorybut stopped none the less . Even with little traffic, Gold was a reckless driver. Besides, he didn't need to know about the shots of him on her phone.
"Good."
Since Storybrook wasn't the largest town, getting to the restaurant took very little time. Le Petit Poisson was the most expensive place in town, and Gold loved seafood. After a particularly successful deal, he'd go there and treat himself. The fact that he owned the place helped him acquire his own private booth in the back of the restaurant. No reservations required. Belle also knew the other reason his liked the restaurant. He had a twisted sense of humor. He found it hilarious that mermaids worked in and ran a restaurant that served seafood.
"You need help,"she said once they were seated.
"You like coming here just as much as I do."
"Yes, but I like coming here for the food and music. You come here to smile like a maniac at the waitresses just to scare them."
Said maniac smile appeared on his face."I have to have my fun some how, dearie. I need to do something to take my mind off of the horrible sounds in this place."
"You're the one who wanted to come on a Friday when you know full well it's karaoke night."
Mr. Gold simply grumbled and buried his face in his menu. Belle 2 Gold 0. Eventually, someone came to take their order and brought the wine Gold had requested. With their orders taken, the waitress left the bottle between the two. Their dinner was brought quickly, but he was distracted throughout the meal. He was too fixated on he to eat.
He'd taken her out plenty of times, and each time they attracted stares. Neither ever cared. Sometimes, they cut dinner short, and Gold had half a mind to do that now. How a woman could look so sexy eating he'd never know. The sight of the small trail of butter from her lobster running down her chin was driving him mad. Belle looked up at her date for the evening and noticed that something was off.
"Are you alright, love?"
He finally caught her eye and gave her a small smile."Fine, dearie. Couldn't be better."
"Hm. I remember why you come here. The lobster's delicious. Have you tried it?"
"No, I don't think have."
"Here."She dipped a bit of the meat in butter and held it up.
Without a thought, he leaned forward and took her offering. She was right. It was good. As he chewed, Belle leaned forward and did what he'd been dying to do all night before kissing him. He didn't resist, enjoying the taste of seafood and wine on her lips as much as she did on his.
"A napkin would have sufficed, love,"he said after pulling away.
She smiled at him deviously."But it wouldn't have been nearly as fun."
Gold smiled back at her, and they soon lapse into a comfortable silence. After a while, however, he forces himself to break it."Belle?"
She took a sip of wine. Damn he had good taste in alcohol."Hmm?"
"Are you...are you happy with me?"
Oh no. She remembered the last time he'd asked her that and glared at him."Don't you dare."
"What?"
"I remember what happened the last time you asked me that. I'm not going through that again. So, if you brought me here just to break up with me, you've got another thing coming."
"Belle I don't want to leave you. We've been together for a while, and I just want you to be sure that I'm the one you want."
Belle let out a strangled cry and stood up."I'm sick of people asking me that. Granny, Ruby, my father, and even Archie each ask me that at least once a week. I'm going to the bathroom, and maybe when I get back you'll have stopped acting like a coward."
Gold watched her storm off and immediately felt empty. He polished off his glass of wine before pouring himself another glass and downing that too. When waitresses noticed Belle's departure and the look on his face, they cringed. This was not good. After minutes of debate, an unlucky ex-mermaid was sent to ask about Belle.
"Will your date be returning, Mr. Gold?"The glare she received terrified her, but he said nothing."Why don't I just come back later?"
"Why don't you do that? Though, I will have another bottle of wine since you are so eager to help."
The startled woman scurried off, and Mr. Gold set about finishing the bottle of wine. Well, this wasn't how he'd hoped for the evening to go. The little black box he had now seemed to burn the pocket it was in. At least the no talent singer had gotten off the stage, but another was about to take his place.
Some say I'll be better without you
But they don't know you like I do
Or at least the sides I thought I knew
I can't bear this time
It drags on as I lose my mind
Reminded by things I find
Like notes and clothes you left behind
Wake me up, wake me up when all is done
I won't rise until this battle's won
My dignity's become undone
This one wasn't that bad. Wait a second. He knew that voice. Gold looked up and saw Belle at the mic. Her eyes were closed since she knew the song by heart. He'd caught her singing bits and pieces once or twice at home. Wow. She sounded better than he remembered.
But I won't go
I can't do it on my own
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
I won't go
I can't do it all alone
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk.
So petrified, I'm so scared to step into this ride
What if I lose my heart and fail declined?
I won't forgive me if I give up trying
I heard his voice today
I didn't know a single word he said
Not one resemblance to the man I met
Just a vacant, broken boy instead.
Everyone in the restaurant was enjoying it, but only one knew why she was singing that song. Gold smiled and sat back in his chair. I hear you, dearie. I'm sorry for doubting you.
But I won't go I can't do it on my own
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
I won't go
I can't do it all alone
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
There will be times, we'll try and give it up
Bursting at the seams, no doubt
We'll almost fall apart then burn the pieces
To watch them turn to dust but nothing will ever taint us
I won't go
I can't do it on my own
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
I won't go
I can't do it all alone
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
Will he? Will he still remember me?
Will he still love me even when he's free?
Or will he go back to the place where he would chose the poison over me?
When we spoke yesterday you said to hold my breath, to sit and wait
I'll be home so soon, I won't be late
At that moment, Belle opened her eyes and looked dead at him. He smiled at her from the back of the room, and she smiled back as she finished up.
He won't go
He cant do it on his own
If this ain't love then what is?
He's willing to take the risk
So I won't go
He can't do it on his own
If this ain't love then what is?
We're willing to take the risk
'Cause he won't go
He can't do it on his own
If this ain't love then what is?
We're willing to take the risk
I won't go
I can't do it on my own
If this ain't love then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
The band played the finally notes and a cheered went up. However, Belle was only concerned about the man clapping in the very back of the room. The cheers were seceded by the shouts of encore. Gold could see her blushing and gave her a slight nod as encouragement. Her next song ended up being One and Only, and Gold stood up halfway through the song.
Everyone's eyes were on her, but Belle noticed him coming toward her but kept going. He remained that way for the rest of the song. He simply stood there a little ways away from the stage with that infamous secret smile on his face. When she finished, another round of cheers was heard, and she got of the stage and made her way to Gold.
"You were amazing, dearie."
She blushed and buried her face in his jacket."I wasn't that good."
He tilted her chin up to look at him."The round of applaud says otherwise. I'm sorry for doubting you, love."
"I know. I'm sorry for freaking out. I'm just sick of people telling me to leave you. I couldn't stand hearing it from you too."
"I know, but I have a way to silence them."He reached into his jacket and pulled out the box."That is. if you'll have it."
Belle gasped and watched him open it to reveal the beautiful ring inside."Rum."
"I know most men are usually on one knee, but I'm afraid that's out of the question. So what do you say? Will you marry this evil old crippled fossil?"
She smiled at him."You're not that old, and yes. Yes, I will marry you."
Her tone instantly reminded him of when she'd agreed to his deal, and he couldn't stop smiling as he slid the ring on her hand. It looked as if t belonged there, and if she had anything to say, it would never come off. Belle admired the ring for a second before kissing him.
"Things are going to change now, dearie."He didn't just mean their marriage. Less than a year was left before the Savior would arrive. When she did, everything would be different.
She understood what he meant and hugged him tighter."I know, but we'll get through it. Nothing will split us up, Regina be damned."
Gold smiled down at her. He had to agree with her. If Regina or anyone else tried to come between them, he'd personally to see to t that they didn't live to see their plan finish. They had a chance for happiness in this world, and he wasn't letting anyone screw it up. Not even himself.
TBC
