Sitting around for two days and not knowing what was happening to her mother was unacceptable for Rose, just as she knew it was for her father too, but he had decided to hear his brain instead of his heart for once and was giving the children attention they needed as all both Chip and Colette asked for was their mama. It was a whole knew confusing time they didn't need to go through. First, they spent weeks without their father and now without their mother.

The two poor little ones were learning from very young age the cost of being the Dark One's heirs just like Gideon and Rose did. She could still feel the scars of being hunted around the realms in her soul, reminding her constantly that they were never going to be safe. Her visions persisted and the memories of her enclosure in Avonlea were constant thoughts of hers, but right now, Rose had to forget it all. For her mother's sake.

In the second day after Belle's kidnapping about noon, a carriage stopped in front of the Dark Castle, making Rumple, Gideon, Rose, Neal and Emma reunite in the great hall to receive their guest's: Regina's family. It was the best her day could get, as her face lighted up when she saw her boyfriend and rushed towards him, not caring that everyone was watching them.

"Hey," Roland exclaimed, pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek – he wanted truly to kiss her lips but wouldn't do it in front of her father. "I've heard about your mom, I'm so sorry Rose!"

"Papa will find her, I believe it," she answered, faithfully.

Regina took a few steps ahead, freeing herself from Emma's embrace to look around the hall. Everyone knew who she was desperately looking for as she clutched Lucy's little hand in hers, but he was anywhere to be found.

"Where is Henry?"

"He hasn't arrived yet," Rumplestiltskin answered, "but I think he shall be here for dinner."

The deception was clear in her face, but Regina wasn't one to keep showing her emotions like an open book, so she nodded and pulled on a blank expression.

"You need to explain me this mad theory about my mother being alive," Regina said. "She disappeared from Wonderland years ago, everybody thought her dead."

"Yeah, but the description Mr. Potts gave me could only lead to her."

"This is all based in your maid's description? Unbelievable," she blinked, shaking her head at him. "Rumple you have lots of enemies. Anyone could have Belle!"

Rose rolled her eyes. That was how every single meeting between those two started and, if they only yelled at each other for a few minutes it would be alright, but there was never enough time for Rumplestiltskin and Regina to discuss, so she got a hold of Roland's hand and gesticulated to the left corridor.

"I think this argument will last for a few more hours. Care to follow me?"

"Rosie, where are you going?" Little Lucy asked, freeing herself from her grandmother's grip and chasing after her.

"Nowhere," she quickly said. "Can you be a good girl and go find Colette in the playroom? She was eager to see you."

"Ok."

Lucy was gone in a slip second and Rose sighed in relief, starting to drag Roland down the hallway again. They took the stairs and she knew she shouldn't be taking him there – actually, this place was forbidden to her too – but Rose had been exploring the castle lately and she had found something she wanted to show him.

They ended-up in Rumplestiltskin's treasure room and she went immediately to a glassware, running her fingers through the wooden surface and using the blood magic to open the locker.

"So, my father is gathering a group to rescue my mom, but he thinks I should stay back alongside with you and the children, but I say we should go."

"You really think we can make father change his mind?" Roland asked. "That trip will be dangerous. I bet he will insist we stay behind."

"I don't think we should ask for permission," she said, turning around to see him. "Listen, my plan is, once they are gone, we follow their lead to Wonderland."

"Rose are you mad?"

A long deep sigh left her. She loved Roland but he never risked himself enough and he always wanted to do the right thing. Heroism syndrome, her father would say, sometimes it was a good thing and sometimes it was not. It could make you a better person, but it could also make you give up a lot of things that you should not.

"Don't try to be cautions now, we are talking about my mother's life."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Come here," Rose called, opening the glassware and taking a large object out of it. "I've found this recently and I want you to have it."

"A bow?"

"An enchanted bow," she explained, handing it to him, who took an attentive look at the thing, running his fingers along its length. "It belonged to your father before he broke into our castle a long time ago and papa decided to torture him for it. Mama freed him and got papa mad for weeks."

"Your mom is a nice person," Roland chuckled, but his eyes were still fixed in the magic bow. "I can't believe in holding this bow, my father thought it was lost forever."

"Well, now it is yours."

He pulled it down to one of the empty pedestals her father had, a lot of them filled the room. It was full of shelves, cabinets and things like that, keeping his collective objects safe from people's eyes. Rose was basically stealing by giving that bow to Roland, but she didn't really care, she could deal with her father later, all that mattered now was that happy smile on Roland's face, nothing else.

"Thank you, my love."

The boy kissed her lips and Rose held onto him, remembering about the last few books she had read, some her mother had personally indicated to her and smirked at the same time she felt her whole body flush. She opened her mouth, deepening the kiss until both of them were panting for air.

"Roland..." Rose whispered. "I want you to touch me again."

"Here? With the whole family upstairs?" He gasped. "I think you definitely lost your mind."

"They are not paying attention on us," the girl insisted, nuzzling her nose against his throat and making him shiver. "Just kiss me. I know you want to."

Roland cupped her face, forcing her to look into his eyes again and she saw that touch of heat in his eyes, the same one she had seen back in the tavern when they made love for the very first time.

"You have no idea of half of the things I want to do to you," Roland said, his voice husky and nothing alike the one he was using moments ago.

"Show me then," she defied him.

He took her by the hand, sitting on a large chaise and taking her with him, letting Rose sit on his lap. They took care of not being heard and some good memories were made in that room.

A meeting between Rumplestiltskin and Regina was never a calm thing, there was always lots of yelling, both of them always wanted to best the other and everyone around just kept silently praying there wouldn't be any fireballs being throw around the room. With his mother absent from the castle, Gideon knew that his father tended to be only more aggressive than he usually was, which was not good, so after some long, eternal moments hearing their argument over the Dark One's rescue plan, the boy retired himself to his bedchambers.

Gideon was extremely preoccupied with his mother. He couldn't imagine why this Cora would want to held her captive, but he knew that Belle had already gone through a lot of bad stuff this year to face this too, even more now that she was with child again. The boy kept remembering about their last conversation after they came back home and how much she had encouraged him to open up to his father about Roderick.

He had spent hours thinking about the right way of doing it, which words he should use and which ones he should avoid. A million different scenarios passed through his mind, hundreds of different reactions crossing the Dark One's face when he finally told him the truth. Most of these reactions, made Gideon feel afraid. What if he would disown him, throw him out of their house and tell him to never come back? What if he never again spoke to him, like his grandfather King Maurice did to his mother?

There were too many "what ifs" to count and thinking about them made Gideon's vision get blurry with tears. He wanted to be accepted, but he wasn't sure if this was possible. His mother though, believed it was and he really wanted to be her brave hero and just tell Rumple everything and still there he was, pacing around his chambers, considering and considering without doing anything. Gideon needed some comfort, but Rose had disappeared with Roland and his mother was out of reach, so he suddenly stopped only one remaining person coming to his mind.

It was easy to wave a hand in the air to bring him like had done so many times before, but today it came out of warning and the boy who appeared in front of him was confused and a bit startled.

"What…"

"Oh, Roderick," Gideon said, throwing his arms around him and breathing in his scent, feeling much calmer now that he was there. "I'm sorry from taking you away like this, but I needed to see you."

Roderick patted his back and caressed his hair, remaining still in his arms for a moment, just allowing him to feel the warmth of someone else's support before he pulled away, cupping his cheek and allowing the tallest boy to kiss his palm tenderly whist they looked into each other's eyes.

"Gid, what happened?"

"It's my mother, she was kidnapped."

At this point, Roderick didn't know if he should be surprised or not. Gideon was visibly shaken and by the sweet relationship he shared with his mother Roderick could say it must not be easy.

"This family doesn't quite get a break, huh?" He murmured stroking his boyfriend's lower lip with the pad of his thumb. "Don't worry, your mother is a strong woman, she can take care of herself and I bet the Dark One will soon find her."

"Roderick... Is that what you want for yourself? Being bonded to a family that drawls problem like this?" Gideon asked, feeling a lump on his throat as he dropped the words that could end the most powerful thing he had ever felt. "Are you really signing up for this?"

"I want you and whatever comes in the package," Roderick said, simply, without even hesitating.

"Are you sure?"

Rolling his eyes, Roderick grabbed the back of his head, pulling Gideon down for a kiss that took his breath away. He pressed his lips hard against his, then opened his mouth to allow Gideon to slid his tongue inside of it, caressing every bit of his mouth that was able to make him groan. They were so very acquainted to each other by now that knew exactly what to do and how to do and knowing this only made Gideon's smile grow bigger as he parted from him, seeing that Roderick smiled as widely as him.

"Did you ever pay attention to anything I say?" The dark-haired boy chuckled.

A little giggle escaped Gideon's throat as he toyed with one of his boyfriend's curls, enjoying the softness of it on his fingers.

"We are going to another land and I'm not sure if all of us are coming back alive, so there is something I want to do first, but only if you trust me."

"I do," Roderick guaranteed.

He took a deep breath knowing that if he didn't do it now, he was probably going to delay this moment forever and given the fact that his father was immortal, then forever could be a really long time. With a quick flourish he made them appear by the door of the room where his father was and Gideon was a bit surprised to discover that the Dark One had left his guests all alone to hide himself in the laboratory, which could only mean that Regina had annoyed him enough for a day.

"Wait here," he told Roderick as he pushed the door open and peeked a look inside the lab, calling out: "Papa?"

The imp was standing in front of his large working table, the cauldron boiling with something as he ran a long, slender finger along piece of parchment. Closing the door behind himself, the boy took a few steps towards him, always careful inside the lab, like his parents had always taught him.

"Not now, Gideon," Rumple asked. "I'm preparing a potion that can be useful in this rescue."

"It is important," he insisted.

Maybe it was the shaken tone of his voice that made the Dark One look back and leave whatever he was doing aside take an attentive look at him.

"What is it, my boy?"

Well, now that he was really there and his father was actually facing him, it all seemed harder, even more than he had ever imagined. Gideon's glance fell to the floor, trying to avoid his father's eyes, as he began to speak, slow and full of hesitation.

"I know I've been disappointing you lately, because I refuse to get married to any of the girls you have in mind for me and I don't feel good to hide myself from you too. I tried really hard to find the right way of telling you this, but I guess I was just delaying this talk, because I was afraid you wouldn't love me anymore once I spoke up."

"Gideon, what are you saying?"

Attempting a glare up, the boy concluded that his father looked extremely confused with his rambling and hadn't got a think he said, that probably given the fact that he had just whispered nonsense and not being direct at all, but all the words had left Gideon. He wished he could just tell him the truth and not care if Rumple had a problem with it or not, but he cared way too much, he loved his family more than anything and he would be heartbroken if his father started to hate him because of his relationship with Roderick.

"Papa," he murmured. "I have been seen someone for a few years now and this person is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."

A smile lighted up his father's face and Rumple took the few steps towards him, tapping his back with pride shining in his eyes.

"And why haven't you said that before? I'm sure she is lovely lady!"

Gideon shook his head, knowing that was when things got bad. The expectations were already there and he would hate to see the excitement in Rumple's face being replaced by something else.

"No, you got it wrong! We are not talking about a lady," Gideon said, his voice hitching up. "Papa, his name is Roderick, he is a very poor commoner, but he has a heart of gold and is the kindest boy in this world."

His father blinked, his smile faded and Gideon's heart attempted to stop inside his chest.

"Roderick?"

"Yes."

Rumplestiltskin turned his back to him, walking towards the working table and playing his hands on it as he took a few deep breaths. Gideon was aware of every movement his father did in that moment, the way his chest raised and fall, the slight floating of his hair, balancing with the soft wind that came from the open window in front of him. A whole eternity could have passed and he said absolutely nothing, standing there, refusing to look back at his son and making Gideon's heart break inside his chest.

"Papa?" He called in a broken voice, feeling some tears blurry his vision. "Are you angry with me?"

The Dark One finally looked up, turning around on his heels, a look of pure shock stamped in his face. He shook his head, taking a few steps into his direction and touching his now wet face, so he could brush the boy's tears away.

"I'm angry with myself," Rumplestiltskin answered. "Your mother and I share a love everybody disapproved and we fought for each other despite of what they thought about us, but it seems I've failed as a father as my son was afraid I would not love him anymore just because he wants to spend the rest of his life with a commoner boy called Roderick."

Gideon had to blink away the tears that continued to gather in his eyes, falling down to Rumple's hand. His breath was caught on his throat, because his father looked at him with such an unconditional love and a cruel touch of self-loathing that it made him feel stupid. The Dark One might be a cruel being, but Rumplestiltskin, the man that hid himself behind his bad reputation, was nothing like that and he would never do anything other than supporting his beloved children.

"I didn't want to disappoint you, I know I don't show it very often, but your approval is very important for me, papa."

"Oh, my boy," Rumple whispered. "I could never be disappointed by that. Love is love and nobody can possibly change it. I'm not like your grandfather, King Maurice, I would never push you away because of your life choices. In fact, I must say that I'm happy for you."

"You are?"

"Aye," the imp confirmed. "I might pull on a scary face for all people on this world, but I don't want you to feel like you can't come to me for talking, my child. You are blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh and I will never abandon you. Never."

All of the sudden, Rumple pulled him down to hug Gideon tight. Once upon a time, he would need to pick the boy up on his arms to embrace him, but now-a-days, Gid was way taller than him and needed to bent to do so

"Thank you, papa," he said, sincerely. "It means a lot."

The Dark One pulled away just enough to look at his eyes, still keeping a hold of his arms. During all his years of life, Gideon knew how much Rumple had always felt bad that he and Colette looked alike him, with the green-gold skin that announced their parentage to everyone, but in that moment as Rumplestiltskin look at him with such acceptance, Gideon thought that he was happy with every bit of himself, because he was also proud to say he was that man's son.

"I'm so sorry for all the times I tried to match you with some lady," Rumple said. "If you had told me, I would have stopped, but now that I know, I'll never make this mistake again, son."

"Would you like to meet him?"

"I believe I've already done it," the imp chuckled, letting his hands fall to his sides, "if the Roderick we are talking about is the same one in which's house you were staying."

"It is," Gideon confirmed. "But I want you to know him as my partner now."

Rumple nodded turning back to his cauldron and summoning some black feathers, which he threw inside the boiling mixture.

"Bring the boy then, before Henry arrives and we have to go,"

"Here is already here," the boy answered, opening the door with a movement of his wrist to reveal an expectant Roderick. Rumple turned around to see him standing there, not even attempting to step inside the laboratory. "Roderick, I'd like you to meet my father, Rumplestiltskin."

Pulling him in by his arm, Gideon led Roderick closer to his father. Of course, they already knew each other, but back when they were in Roderick's family shack, Rumple had barely casted a glare at him, more worried to bring everybody back to the Dark Castle than anything else. They haven't talked and, in that occasion, the imp obviously had no idea his son was in a relationship with that boy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, milord..." Roderick mumbled quickly, his pale cheeks acquiring a reddish shade. "I mean, Mr. Dark One."

"Are you afraid, boy?" Rumplestiltskin asked, amused.

"A little," Roderick admitted.

"Gideon, what horrid things did you tell him about me?" His father asked, giving the boy a scandalized look, as if he was extremely offended. "Let's make it clear that I'll only kill you if you hurt my son and that torture is only involved if you ever do something to make him sad."

Roderick's eyes bulged. Gideon could see his shoulders shrinking as he glanced up at him, clearly asking for help.

"Papa," Gideon intervened, guarantying to his boyfriend: "He is lying, Rod."

"No, I'm not."

"I - I..." Roderick tried to start but failed miserably.

An impish laugh left the Dark One as he came closer to tap Roderick's back with a huge smile on his lips. Gideon was relieved that his father could take this with such a good mood, however he was also praying for his funny time to be over soon as Roderick seemed about to jump off his skin with fear.

"You need to learn how to recognise a quip, young lad," Rumplestiltskin said, cheerfully. "I like you. I think you remind me of someone. A smart girl who always got startled by my quips but never stopped fighting for her old monster."

"Gideon's mother is in fact remarkable," Roderick answer, for the first time since he came into the lab, smiling. "I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to her."

"I'll get her back, rest no doubt," the imp stated. "Now I want to know what exactly your intentions with my son are."

In a swift second, Roderick's face went pale. He hadn't prepared himself for that. Actually, after years of hesitation he was starting to think that he and Gideon would have to keep their relationship in secret forever, so he would never have to worry about talking with his father. But yet, there he was, feeling speechless and knowing that a wrong couple of words could make him end the day dead.

"Oh, I love him. More than I can say and I wish this thing we have to never fade away,"

"Do you see this castle?" Rumple asked, waving a hand around them. "Baelfire, my first-born son has already made his life very far from here, so Gideon is my heir and all that is mine, someday will be his. He needs a strong person by his side to be with him at his best and his worst. Are you this person?"

"I'm just a commoner, milord," the dark-haired boy, whispered, sincerely. "I'm the son of a fishman, I've never had gold or lands, I barely know how to read and count... I know a lot is expected from Gideon because he is your son, but all I can ever offer him is my love."

Rumplestiltskin nodded, his expression soft and serene.

"You're a good one, Roderick. I'll be very happy to welcome you into our family," he said. "My wife would say that what really matters is what you have inside and I think you have a kind soul."

Gideon glanced at Roderick, seeing his features brighten up with a brilliant smile, one of the kind that could take his breath away. Words couldn't express how happy Gideon felt and he wanted to pull both Rod and his father into the tightest hug ever.

"Thank you, milord."

There was another nod coming from the Dark One and them with a flourish of his hand, he made a golden sword appear and offered it to Roderick, who didn't take it, only stepped back, a bit startled.

"We are going into a journey now, to find my Belle and I'll need someone to protect the castle."

"I don't know how to use a sword."

"Don't worry, Mr. Dove does and the castle is also bounded with magic, but you can start training in the meantime," Rumple chuckled insisting to push the sword's handle into Roderick's hand, who took it with hesitation.

"Alright, I think I can do that."

"One more thing," the Dark One said, before snapping his fingers and making Roderick's raggedy clothes disappear and be replaced by a whole black outfit and brand-new leather boots. "Ah, now you're dressed like a king. Remember, this castle is your responsibility now."

Roderick gasped, looking down at himself in wonder. Rumplestiltskin left the lab without another word, making the cauldron immediately stop to boil as he made his way to the staircase. He had a thing for fashion and Gideon needed to admit that his father's taste for clothes was simply wonderful as Roderick in fact looked like a highborn right now. A king, he would agree.

"Is he serious?"

"Like he had never been before," Gideon smirked. "But I think you'll do a good job. Roland and Rose will stay here, so if you need partners for training with this thing, they will be perfect. Just take care with my sister, she may look all innocent, but she is swift and strong with a sword in her hands."

Reaching up for him, Roderick kissed his lips, throwing his arms around Gideon's neck and remaining in that position even after they parted lips, petting his boyfriend's hair gently.

"What are you smiling at?" Gideon asked.

"You were so afraid of telling your parents about us that in the end, all they were was comprehensive and tender."

"I'm silly sometimes."

"Oh, believe me," Roderick laughed. "I know."

They stayed inside the laboratory for some more time, as Gideon showed around the room, talking about the stuff his father stocked in there and the funny stories his family had from the times he or one of his siblings had broken into there without permission. He delayed himself on the details about how Rose grew a tail after once drinking one of their father's potions, just because it was purple – her favourite colour – and the trouble she created trying to hide the thing. Rumplestiltskin had obviously freed her from it, but it was still one of the funniest memories he had.

Roderick heard everything with a huge interest and, when Gideon heard the fuss by the gates and suggested they went downstairs to say hello to Henry. The boy, didn't know anyone from his extended family and, although he knew it was big, Roderick was still pretty impressed with the amount of people gathered in the dining hall when they arrived, just at the same time Rose and a boy – who he took as her betrothed – did too.

"Are we interrupting the reunion?" The boy asked, stopping behind another guy, who had a little girl, about five-years-old wrapped tightly in his arms.

Turning around, Henry smiled and pulled his half-brother into his embrace too, using only one of his arms, as the other was still occupied with his daughter. Gideon wanted to ask Rose where she and Roland had gone as they had disappeared for most of the day, but he guessed that if his father didn't kill any one them until now, then she must be very clever to hide the things she did.

"Roland," Henry greeted the boy. "It is so nice to see you!"

Regina was looking at the two of them with that motherly look on her eyes that very rarely appeared, she had Ronnie by her side and the two of them looked about to break into tears. Henry was gone for too long and if being away from his mother for a short time was difficult, he could guess that spending infinity months wondering how a member of your family was, was a bad experience.

Lucy finally lifted up her face, resting her forehead against her father's as if she couldn't quite stand any distance between them as she scanned the room with her smart brown eyes, the deepest mark of their family.

"Who are you?" She asked, pointing at Roderick.

"This Lucy, is Roderick" Rumplestiltskin started, before anyone could think ago saying anything. "Gideon's future husband."

Well, Gideon's future husband, weren't the words any of them would have chosen as it made both Gideon and Roderick blush deeply, but it also put little smiles on his faces. The boy couldn't quite look up, as Rose was the only one in that room despite of their father to know about his relationship with Roderick.

"Can men have husbands?" Lucy inquired.

"Yeah, they can," Rumple answered quickly. "Now we need to discuss the information Henry brought, so what about we all come to the library and let the children play here."

"Sure," Henry agreed, pulling Lucy down to the floor. "Be nice to Mrs. Potts."

Regina's family immediately retired alongside with Emma as Ronnie made her way to the reading chaise and Mrs. Potts reached for the big chest in which the children's toys were.

"It was about time, huh?" Rose said as she passed by him, taking Colette and Lucy's hands in hers. "Come on girls, who wants to play dolls with me?"

"A fight at the gardens?" Roland proposed to Chip, who agreed with an enthusiastic nod.

The two of them walked towards the double doors, disappearing through the corridor and Gideon's smiled at the quick movements his little brother made with his wooden sword before they were gone for once. He didn't realise somebody was still standing near him until he felt one of Baelfire's hand in his shoulder and watched as he stretched out the other in Roderick's direction.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Neal, Gideon's brother, but I'm sure you already know this. Welcome to the family."

"Thanks," Rod replied, accepting the greeting.

Bae tapped his shoulder before going straight to the library and, as a part of the rescuing mission, Gideon knew he should be there too, so he turned back to Roderick, trying to find something that could distract him while he was gone. He eyed the open chest and picked one of the toys, offering it to him with a smirk.

"I'll catch up with papa's plan and you can start your training with Chip's wooden swords."

"Training?" Dove interrupted, picking a sword too and pointing it at Roderick. "I can help."

"Rod, this is Mr. Dove," Gideon presented him.

And the fact that Dove was way taller than both of them and certainly one of the most intimidating people who currently occupied that castle was probably what made Roderick's face go white as he murmured a "hello".

"I knew you weren't Rose's boyfriend," Mrs. Potts yelled from the other end of the room where she was knitting something for the Dark Lady's newest baby. "You kids are such liars!"

"I think you remember Mrs. Potts, of course," Gideon mumbled, blushing at the memory of being catch making out with his boyfriend in the kitchen.

"You're not getting a second piece of pie at dinner," the maid insisted.

"Understood…" Roderick whispered.

Mr. Dove approached him, poking the dark-haired boy with the tip of his sword, making Roderick jump in place.

"Won't you train?"

"Good luck," Gideon laughed.

"Yeah, I think I'll need it."