She didn't hear another peep from the living room as she re-made the bed, built a fire and heated up the macaroni for dinner. Padding softly near the couch she could see he was sleeping peacefully, arms wrapped protectively over his chest. Occasionally he shivered, the soft cotton fabric doing little to keep him warm in the absence of the blanket. Aria you jerk. She set the tray down and retrieved the oversized throw from it's place on the dresser. He stirred as she drew it over his slim form, tucking it in near his feet. I bet it is rare that he sleeps like this. She watched his face, as he dreamed, his breathing shallow and rhythmic. What is it about you, Rumplestiltskin? In short days you have turned everything inside out. You turn me inside out. I know so little about you...and yet I bet I know more than most. "This is turning into a mess." she grunted. Walking away the thought dawned on her that for the last few days she hadn't thought about her pager or cell phone once. Well, I'll be damned. She glanced back at the wonder on her couch in admiration. Well mister, I don't think I have ever met anyone who's been able to that. She shook her head and gathered up some candles from the kitchen. "Such a mess."
When she had returned he was awake, quietly fingering the blanket, pulling at the tassles absentmindedly. He jumped when she came into view, still nervous in her presence after the evening's' antics. She opened her mouth to offer some awkward apology, then decided against it."Have you ever had macaroni and cheese?".
"Macaroni?..I've never heard of it." He winced as he sat up, a slow blush coming over his face as she sat opposite him at the coffee , must be adjusting to seeing me dressed again. She pressed on, determined not to admit defeat. "I guess you could call it a blue-collar delicacy in this world."She forced a cheerful smile and handed him a bowl. He blinked at the phrase, "I'm sure it is wonderful" he mumbled, clearly distracted. She paused, watching him peering into the bowl. "It's not poison… I promise…"
He shook his head in alarm, "oh no! It's….I've never seen food this color before!" Oh and you won't...in nature. She laughed, "well.. that's the nature of Mac and Cheese."
Oh God I am a terrible cook. She chewed away at the rubbery pasta, watching him wolf down his food with interest. Can't tell if he thinks I would take it away from him...or if he really thinks it is that good… Finally. A man who appreciates the finer boxed foods in life. As he finished, she replaced the fallen books from earlier, tracing the spines with her fingers as she walked the length of the antique shelf stretching the length of the wall. A section of her father's books caught her eyes and she bent to pull them out. "World history in photos: 1800-2000", "200 Years of Transportation" "Ancient HIstory: National Geographic Special Edition". She gunted, lifting the pile to set it on the table.
"In case you wanted some information about this world… there are a lot of pictures." She felt odd discussing the only reality she had ever known as if it were some foreign country.
He looked at the stack, then leaned forward to slide a different volume from the earlier collection. "I had started looking at this, " he wet his lips and continued in his breathy tenor "It seemed like more relevant history" She drew close to look over his shoulder at the dusty picture album. "Aria and Clay, The teen years" Her mother's' scrawling handwriting covered the front page.
Her words caught in her throat as a silent sob bubbled up from deep inside her. "Your mother...and your father, they loved you two very much." He spoke with low intensity, gently opening the volume, letting his fingertips graze each photo as he studied it. On the page was a 13 year old Clay, dolled up in matching sports regalia with his father, 'First big game' read the inscription. Pasted opposite was a young Aria, her hair in one long braid holding a test beaker in her lab coat 'Science camp scholarship winner!' read her inscription.
Beneath the two was a larger family photo, her mother and father dressed as Gomez and Morticia Adams, Clay and Aria as Wednesday and Pugsley, starring in 'Halloween, 1999'. At the bottom of the page was Aria clad in an oversized 'Motley Crue' tee and army boots, curled up under a tree with a book, 'Our princess and the bard' it read. A tear splattered onto the page and he looked up, startled. "Aria, I.."
She covered her face with her hands and did her best to remain silent. Damn you Rumplestiltskin. She started to walk away, the tears coming in streams down her face, when she heard the book drop on the table. He stood, leaning heavily on the cane, his expression one of alarm and guilt. "Aria, I'm so so sorry.. I.. I didn't mean to upset you." He started toward her shakily, pausing to catch his balance on the arm of the couch. "Please forgive me, I truly didn't mean...I just wanted to.."
He grimaced and snapped his mouth shut, instead gripping the cane with all his strength and reaching out his other hand to her. "Please Aria" he whispered, "don't walk away." She went to him, holding her breath and gripping her arms. She allowed him to pull her down to the couch with him and when the tears came again, he held her tightly, rocking her gently as she wept.
She felt his fingers in her hair, combing through the strands with halting strokes while he murmured unintelligible phrases. When she quieted he released her, "I'm sorry.. I should never have-" She placed a finger on his lips to stop him, and shook her head. "I loved my parents." she drew a sleeve across her eyes, "and I miss them so much...I just can't believe that I let them go so easily." She started to cry again and he gathered her to him once more.
"I have noticed that people...who feel they have to be strong grieve differently from others." He repositioned her so he could dry her face with his sleeve. "You bind it up tight, and carry it like it weighs nothing, but it becomes hollow if you don't allow someone to bear witness to your loss." he finished timidly. "Hush" was all she could muster.
She later awoke to the sound of creaking pages and the feeling of an insanely stiff neck resting against a bony shoulder. Rumpelstiltskin looked up from studying the picture album. She pushed the blanket he had covered her with aside, sitting up from him and rolling her shoulders, wincing at the audible 'pop' the movement made. "You fell asleep for a few minutes..I didn't want to wake you." He said gently, putting the book down. Letting me sleep on you should had to feel like hell on all those bruises. "Who's the patient here anyway?" She joked half heartedly as she stood. He rubbed the shoulder where she had rested, and watched her stretch her back. "Aria...can I ask you a question?" She waited, nodding. "There is a picture in here… of you in such finery...and it says 'our princess, 2004'...are you...royalty in this world?"
The outburst of laughter he received in response made him jump, his brow knitting in confusion as she shook her head, smiling. "Ha..no." She made a vague gesture to the book ""Princess" was my dad's nickname for me.. that picture is from senior prom...it's where girls get to pretend to be a princess, you know big dresses, glitter and hissy fits and they go to a dance..a ball sorta." And by sorta I mean kinda sorta not really but roll with it.
"Oh, I see" he muttered sheepishly. He chewed his lip and avoided eye contact as she came to stand in front of him."But it's a wonderful compliment" she added gently. "We don't have royalty in this country.. and even the few that still do...well I am willing to bet it a very different from what you would expect.". He nodded, lost in thought again.
"Rumple," her heart fluttered at the little smile the nickname elicited from him. "I know it is late, everything is ready if you wanted to go to bed." She cringed inwardly at the phrase, nothing his own expression of surprise quickly replaced by embarrassment as he quickly glanced in the direction of the room. ACK. I FEEL like I am effing 13 again. "I mean," she quickly continued, "If you want to be more comfortable, or if you were tired or.." she shrugged she shoulders, holding them tight for second before relaxing again with a loud exhalation. "I just… want for you to be comfortable, and resting… you have a lot of healing to do."She waited in silence as he fingered the patchwork bandages on his abdomen, his expression hid by the curtain of hair across his face.