Real Inside

by Dekujin

Belle French is forced to move back to Storybrooke when her ill father grows even worse for wear. Determined to help him, she ends up taking a night time shift as a security guard for Storybrooke's 'Fantasy Family Fun Center-Avonlea'. However, the quiet empty building holds more secrets than she could ever imagine as a mechanical monster lurks in it's darkened hallways…

25. Chapter 25

"You can't be serious."

The baffled electronic voice echoed about the large room, shattering the silence that had overtaken Avonlea in a short amount of time. Not that it changed what was occurring as both he and Belle seemed to have arrived at their 'intended destination'. Despite his confusion Rumplestiltskin remained beside his dearest in the dark space she swiftly rectified by turning on one of the lights hanging above an island. In an instant the bulb lit up with its glow bouncing off the stainless steel appliances and slab tops, forcing the shadows to crawl to the corners of the room.

Yet, after the many numerous nights he'd had spent wondering what he and Belle would share on this most special occasion... This sudden change in plans had not been one of them. Oh, he had expected them to surround the meager tree he'd set up with some presents-though not the amount she'd far too generously bestowed upon him. He also didn't doubt the inevitable Christmas stories his bookish knight was bound to share given the season. What he had not been prepared for though was for her to take hold of his frightening hand, leading them from her cozy office and down the hall to the last place he expected. More so she went on her merry way, knowing exactly what she was doing as she weaved between the counter tops.

All the while the glittering imp felt an oddness squirm in his processors at being here with his companion. The only time he and Belle had been in the kitchen together beyond passing through in their strolls had been when they'd first met... When he'd chased her to make her flee like all the other night guards before her-only for her to end up fearing for her life and bleeding on this very floor because of him…

When he'd vowed to never spill human blood again... Another one of his promises he seemed cursed to break no matter how hard he tried.

But, those painful memories he could not and would not forget didn't seem at all to be on Belle's mind. No, when she turned back to glance at him there was just pure happiness dazzling in those excited blue eyes.

"Come on, I've mentioned before this is a common household tradition during the Christmas season. Besides, I checked ahead of time to ensure we could get away with doing it, which we can. Not going to back out on me now are you?" A brow quirked at him in question, his beauty looking rather sure of his answer from the growing smirk upon her features.

Try as he might to not smile in return there was no stoping the twitch at the corner of his faux lips. "Of course I'm not backing out of this, it's just all seems rather odd… I mean-just... W-well-I'm not made for..."

The animatronic grew frustrated when his usually witty words stumbled over each other in his poor attempt to explain himself. Yet, he could see she wasn't going to relent on getting an answer out of him when she propped her hands on her hips and peered up at him. With his sense of foolishness rising Rumplestiltskin gritted his gruesome dagger like teeth, forcing himself to remind her though he was ashamed to.

"I-I won't be of any use to you in this! I've never made anything more than a pot of tea or coffee for you, after watching you make them first! Not to mention I can't even eat anything we would make, which would be a complete waste of your food..." Both his metal eyebrows drooped on their tracks as the bits of life he could not share with her still bothered him no matter how hard he tried to push them down. The feeling began to swallow him further now that he understood the plan she had been brewing by bringing them here too. His rising suspicion confirmed itself when his alien eyes watched her open her brought along bag and began to dig out baking ingredients of sorts without any tell tale concern of what he'd said.

Instead Belle playfully 'tsked' at him, reminding him of the many times in Avonlea he'd heard a visiting parent scold a stubborn child. "I know that you can't enjoy it in the same way I can, but I planned on us making these sugar cookies together for fun. There's more to the tradition than just the final edible product, and you said you were wanting an authentic experience, so here we are."

'Actually, you were the one wanting to make this an authentic experience from the start.' He mused inwardly, but at the same time he could not come up with a single worthwhile rebuttal despite being disheartened about his 'human' failings. Not that they ever mattered to her since she always turned an eye to them... Like it was so easy to forget she stood next to a frightening mechanical nightmare than a true man. Something he'd never to be able to understand how she could do.

Sure enough his security guard continued about her business setting out a heaping bag of flour, some granulated sugar, a carton of eggs, and various other supplies. Drawing closer to her side as she did so Rumplestiltskin studied the features framed by the free curls of hair from her ponytail. It was there he noticed the emotion he'd seen since they'd first been reunited tonight out in the snow and in the moments with her around the tree. Still... He couldn't discern what the confusing array meant that had continued to scratch at his systems in growing worry.

Belle on the other hand was quick to notice his stare and glanced back up at him with a small shine glistening in her gaze. A gleam that told him they were holding something back within their depths.

He didn't get to inquire as she spoke up out of the blue, her fingers trailing over the counter's edge nervously. "You know if you don't want to do this we don't have to-there's plenty of other ways we could spend tonight if that would make you feel more comfortable. I just thought making and decorating cookies might be a nice change of pace and be a clever way for us to celebrate given the circumstances... When I was a child I used to have so much fun doing this. I remembered how every year I looked forward to it-so, I guess a part of me hoped I might be able to share that same joy with you."

At that he found himself loosing his nonexistent heart to those beautiful blue eyes and the wondrous woman they belonged to more than he thought possible. Of course it would be his Belle who would offer such thoughtful things to an inhuman being like him without care... Festivities that he could tell meant a lot to her from just the emotion alone lacing her voice. With the way she kept looking up at him too, as if awaiting his response with baited breath, the animatronic found all his former fears and worries slipping into the crevices of his programming.

Letting out a defeated sigh from a hydraulic piece in this throat the imp shook his head, the motion making his wiry locks cover some of his face. There was no point in trying to deny her eager request despite his limitations, and nor did he want to in all honesty. How could he when any moment spent with his Belle-whether it would be baking things he could not eat or celebrating a holiday he could not properly join in, was a moment well spent in his opinion?

"Very well my stubborn knight, what's the first thing we need to do then?" Rumplestiltskin asked in a resigned manner much to the surprise of said knight beside him.

"Do what my sorcerer?" Those dark lashes blinked at him-the picture of innocence, yet he could see the edge of a pleased smirk forming on her lips.

Flustered he flung a sharp clawed hand through the air and tittered in jest. "T-To make cookies of course! I have some knowledge on how pizzas are made for the most part, but I think this is a different matter… Now, what do we do first?"

"First..." Belle pondered before tucking a delicate lip between her teeth-the sight sending a jolt of electricity down the mechanical man's endoskeleton. As if a light bulb had gone off over her head she turned to some adjacent counters and began pulling open drawers as if in search of something. It didn't take long for to find whatever she was seeking after having spotted them hanging from a hook on a nearby wall. He was a bit surprised though when she whipped back around, holding out two sets of matching aprons that the cooks typically wore on duty. "First thing first we should keep ourselves as clean as we can-let's just say I have the oddest feeling a certain someone is not going to be able to tonight."

Without hesitating Belle looped the strap of an apron about the animatronic's neck, drawing it with care over his frayed orange vest. Rumplestiltskin on the other hand looked down at himself rather appalled while she tied a tidy bow at his back.

"I-I look absolutely ridiculous in this!" His high pitched voice exclaimed-his meager bits of vanity feeling attacked by the navy colored garment. Belle just stood back when she was done to study him with a look of amusement and something else there-something almost... Appreciative-or longing perhaps. However, he bristled at such a ludicrous idea of her ever feeling such a thing towards him.

"Well, I don't want all that hard work you've done fixing your vest to go to waste if you're to make a mess now." She teased before drawing on her own apron that looked more right and cuter upon her frame-even with that ridiculous bow tie of hers.

"If such a mess were to occur I very much doubt it'll be because of me." He pointed out, though he didn't at all attempt to take the garment off as he joined her at the counter. "So now that we're all prepared for your inevitable baking disaster what's next?"

After giving him a short lived scowl Belle returned to her ingredients, more so a recipe book she pulled out that looked like it had aided in many various cooking endeavors due to its yellowed pages. With her spot marked she flipped open to a stained page, trailing her finger over it with a tenderness she reserved for her books. It took a few seconds with her skimming past recipes like 'shortbread' and 'snicker doodles' before landing on the one labeled 'sugar cookies'.

"All right, I've got all what we need right here to start, so first thing first we'll need to mix together sugar and bu-Oh no! Did I? There's sugar, flour, vanilla, baking powder, eggs..." Belle's voice dipped while she looked everything over on the counter-once more in search of something specific. Upon not finding it though she dragged a hand over her weary face and let out a mournful sigh. "I did-I forgot the butter. Which we need otherwise we can't make the cookies-how could I have left out something so important! I'm sorry Rumple-"

"Ah-ah-ah! Fear not my forgetful knight! There has to be some in one of the fridges, and I'm sure Mr. Getto won't mind or bother to notice if we used some." Rumplestiltskin reassured her with a pat on the shoulder, hoping to draw away any of her disappointment. Tonight would be a night full of only joy for her, and he certainly wasn't going to let something as frivolous as 'butter' get in the way of that.

His words seemed to do just the trick when she smiled back at him, if looking a bit more flustered.

"Thanks… I should have thought of that first, but if you'd go and hunt some down I'll set the oven to preheat in the meantime."

With a nod he turned about on his scuffled boots, striding over to the two large fridges of Avonlea's kitchen. Upon opening the massive appliance he revealed cool shelves before him full of fresh food, large tub of sauces, and pizza related toppings. Even then... The sight was still somewhat intimidating though he had curiously peaked into the fridges a few times before in his years being trapped in the family fun center. What was more odd was how the edible products had always appealed to the machine in a way he didn't understand-he assumed it was due to too many years observing humans stuff themselves with it on a daily basis... Which may have also lead to an incident far back he dare not mention to his dearest least he lose his remaining pride.

Pushing that embarrassing memory aside the imp kept himself on task considering he didn't have a stomach to be allured by the sight. After a few more moments scouring the upper shelves he grinned in glee, finding something that resembled what he sought in a large container.

"Hope you weren't needing any exotic butters for this recipe. All I could find was something called margarine-it says it's artificial butter..." Rumplestiltskin called out while his sensors picked up the sound of his knight scuffling behind him with a paper bag.

"Oh-that'll do just fine! The oven is on preheat now so I'm going to start measuring out what we'll need to... Make… The… Batter-ack!"

The loud rip of paper followed by Belle's cry of distress caused the animatronic to instantly turn around-

In time to find his vision filled by a plume of white, startling him enough he gave a crackled gasp.

It was a good thing he didn't need to breath as he had to fling his hands through the air to divert the mass of white powder before he could see again. When it cleared his sight landed on Belle on the other side of the counter, her hands hovering about a haphazardly torn open bag of flour. Bearing him a sheepish smile she stood there with the remnants of her trouble now coating the tips of her hair, nose, as well as most of the counter space in front of her.

This time Rumplestiltskin was the one to put his hands on his hips to stare amusingly at the security guard. Without being able to see it he could imagine the patches of flour that were sticking to his silicone cheeks, ragged shirt sleeves, and mop of hair too.

"Oh... I tried to open the bag too fast and next thing I knew, whoops..." The brightening hue of her cheeks gave away her embarrassment, yet Belle didn't try to stifle her giggle when he scowled at her and tossed the acquired butter onto the counter. "Come on-it's not that bad-it could have been way worse."

"Really, dearest! And to think you were ready to blame me for any messes that were to occur!" Rumplestiltskin trilled an odd short sound after he spoke, moving more towards the island on graceful dancer like steps. "Perhaps you've taken recreating the perfect white Christmas a little too far now that we're buried under an entire bag of flour."

Several of his fingers swept over the counter top for extra measure, scooping up a pile that sifted through the segmented digits.

All she did was roll her eyes at him before she reached over to nearby rack to snatch up a hanging hand towel. Quietly he observed her from where he stood as she went to the large sink near the back wall-a gush of a faucet spewing water following shortly, before she returned to his side. Without any forewarning to what she was doing she reached her hand holding the towel towards his face which caused him to flinch back for a second. His system was quick to process what she was doing so he relaxed, leaning into her touch as she trailed the wet cloth over the curve of his scaly cheek. It was still odd how despite not being able to feel he could determine where the tips of her fingers were as they pressed themselves against his facial mechanics... Near causing a needy whimper to build up in his vocal box upon certain areas she darted over.

Even his security guard appeared to notice this pleasure he found in her touch much to his dismay. However, her mouth remained a soft smile when she drifted the towel over his crooked welded on nose and down to his chin, skimming over his faux lips as if an after thought. At that brief contact the mechanical man almost lost it for the second time that night in his heady desire for his little human. With strenuous effort he kept his shaky hands at his sides instead of reaching out of her, his fingers kneading themselves in a frantic manner.

"Don't worry, I promise I'll have you back to your usual impish self in no time." Belle hummed, and the lull of her voice along with the sensation of her about him almost made Rumplestiltskin cry out at how right he felt with her. Not a single sound escaped his pinched lips though-there was no way he was going to scare her by letting her know how much he enjoyed her gracing him like this... But… If becoming messy meant more moments like these-her caring for him in a manner so tender and foreign to all he'd known, he could foresee himself discarding his preference to be clean from then on.

So entranced by her gentle caress Rumplestiltskin didn't notice how his metal eyelids grew slack or the dimming glow of his eyes. It wasn't until he sensed the movement of fingers slipping away that he broke free from the spell he'd fallen under. Immediately he mourned the loss of contact as he looked down at his beautiful companion who was looking back with concern tugging at the edge of her mouth.

"Are you all right Rumple? Did I do something wrong? I really didn't mean to get you covered in flour-I know washing your hair has to be quite a troubling task…" Guilt laced her voice and in turn caused immense guilt to rise up in his systems from how his cords wriggled inside his hull. Willing himself to be brave he reached for the towel in her grasp-which she relented if with a bit of wonder, before taking it in hand.

"No-no-I'm fine, dearest, the flour truly doesn't bother me, at least not near that much. You see, no one has taken care of me like that in quite a long time, nor as kindly as you do… I fear that I may be growing spoiled underneath your guardianship." A giggle escaped him that was far more human in tone before he dared himself to bring the towel up to her face. Doing so Belle did not recoil or look offended from the offer-no, she smiled at him in the way he adored, and it encouraged him to begin to wipe the bits of powder from her forehead. The tidy task felt so natural to do as he worked at a slow pace-familiar in a way he could not hope to explain. Then again since they'd first met he'd felt the urge to take care of her grow more and more-the need to provide for her too-to stand alongside her-to lov…

Of course he stopped himself there. Even now with her like this he could not forget that this was as far as he could care for her...

And this-right here, was all they could ever be.

Despite the somber reminder the imp forced it back down as he focused more of his efforts upon the curve of Belle's nose, the cut of her jaw line, and the perfect pale skin he revealed from beneath the troublesome flour. All the while his charge remained pleasant for him in those long quiet moments they shared. Her own blue eyes started to look heavy under his ministrations, making him question what it was she was thinking behind them... What did she truly feel while being touched by a thing like him in such a manner? Realizing that if he took too much time cleaning her up it would just make her uncomfortable Rumplestiltskin forced himself to finish the job despite how he wanted nothing more than to hold her so close for the rest of the night.

"Ah, what an unexpected surprise-there is a night guard under there after all!" The childish declaration filled the room when he pulled the cloth back-not before giving the beauty one last dab on the tip of her nose. That earned him a chuckle as Belle awoke from the daze that had overtaken her, her lidded eyes flickering open.

"Thank you for that Rumple, you didn't have to clean me up considering I was the one that caused you trouble first." Regardless his night guard beamed at him in gratitude as he finally noticed after having been so lost to his work that her nimble hands had found their way upon his chest.

Rumplestiltskin-stricken again by how easy it was for her to touch him, managed to catch the gasp he felt rise up before turning to his usual theatrics. "N-Now don't go thanking me just yet! The night is still young, and who knows what might happen next-you might find yourself in a worse mess than before. Though I suppose that's only the case if you still have enough flour left for actually making cookies."

"Despite what you may think I have plenty enough left over-as long as you're willing to trust me not to cause another 'baking' disaster as you called it." With that teasing reply her hands fell away to cross over Belle's chest defiantly.

"That I can do, though I feel I should thank you now for getting us these aprons-looks like we are going to need them." Rumplestiltskin quipped in nervousness while a flippant finger danced about for added effect.

That warranted him an immediate flick against the nose-the resulting 'tink' of her finger another small break in the silence around them. Not that he minded at all while he rubbed at the unfeeling slab in feign hurt. For when Belle turned back to the counter he saw the grin she couldn't conceal blossom across her face.

Together then, with most of themselves now flour free, they returned to the tradition at hand-artificial butter and all. Like earlier with Belle decorating their humble little tree Rumplestiltskin found himself all too quickly getting caught up in the moment with her. Right away he managed to prove his culinary worth despite his previous claims by taking note of the recipe and its measurements with his photographic memory. From then on the poor book lay casted off to the side while he informed the security guard on how just much vanilla needed to go into their working batter or the ratio of baking powder to flour. Of course Belle got her turn to tease him when she offered him to crack the delicate white eggs… Due to his unfeeling hands never having handled such a thing the whole egg splattered into a liquified mess in his grip before it hit the bowl... Which forced his dearest to dig out the bits of shell while her hardly contained laughter echoed through the entire room.

After that he allowed her to handle the rest of them, watching from the sidelines and trying his best to not to let her see him pout.

Luckily he got to redeem himself from his blunder when the bowel of heavy dough became too much for the young woman's arms to handle stirring for so long. Thanks to his mechanical limbs he took over without a problem, earning her wondrous praise that made him bear a jagged toothy smile. By the time they were working on rolling out the fine mixture, both of them a bit sticky much to his chagrin, the oven beeped at them that it was ready to start baking. Both human and machine took Belle's various cookie cutters then, slicing through the dough to make some rather amusing shapes-even if he didn't entirely understand what they all were.

Of course his knowledgable companion was quick to change that when she saw him scrutinizing them. Just like he had foreseen she soon began delving into a tale about a 'reindeer' with a glowing red nose that saved Christmas and other silly stories of that nature. In honesty, he had to roll his eyes a few times as the holiday remained strange and nonsensical in his systematic mind-not that he minded really. Despite nitpicking her about things like a 'magical hat' that could bring a snow man to life-how preposterous-the animatronic smiled at his dearest all the while, enjoying how passionate she was in telling him these things.

It was in this time they soon found themselves with a tray full of cookies just waiting to be baked-from sleighs, holiday bells, to Christmas tree shaped ones. With care the security guard put their laden tray into the oven, appearing to savor the rush of hot air it produced for a moment before setting the timer for a good ten minutes-forgetting she had a walking talking timer beside her. Regardless, they'd taken care to work on cleaning up while they'd been making the dough so with nothing else to do in the mean time Belle pulled out two stools at one end of the counter, patting the other for him to come join her. Swiftly Rumplestiltskin accepted, ending up with both of them sitting down side by side-their legs pressed against one another in a manner that continued to make his gears twist.

However, a sudden shiver stole over Belle that he couldn't not notice as she was quick to rub at the goosebumps pebbling on her arms.

"Are you too cold in here, dearest?" Rumplestiltskin asked with an owlish tilt of his head, already preparing himself to go fetch her jacket if need be. Before he could move an inch her hand shot out to stop him, grasping his larger scaly one resting atop the counter without hesitation. Just as always the dainty thing looked so stark against the sickly green gold hue of his metal hand-one that had to be just as freezing than the room itself.

"I'm only a bit chilly-it's my fault though. I should have thought better than to wear a short sleeved shirt to work on a day like today, but I'll be fine for now." Belle replied in a low humorous tone, yet it was far louder now in the animatronic's sensors with how close they were sitting. For a few moments she said nothing more than that-the room filling with just the hum of the oven, faint traces of the storm outside, and the rush of the air leaving her lungs before she drew in another. It marveled him how much he found the sounds of her breathing soothing-a constant reminder she was well and alive, but when she spoke back up she sounded much softer and serious than before. "You know how I told you earlier about how I use to do this every Christmas? Well, it'd always been with my mother during the holidays when she was still around. To be honest, I haven't even celebrated this way ever since the year she…"

There Belle stopped, not that she needed to continue when he knew well what she meant to say. His gentle illuminating gaze lidded in true sorrow for her despite how she did not look directly at him but at the wall-more so beyond it-to the things he knew she kept deep within too. A part of him desperately longed to bring her closer to him than they were at seeing that much sorrow grace her lovely face... It wanted to be able to soak up that hurt lingering in her spirit and whatever else it was that was bothering her so far tonight that she'd not spoken of. Such a pain like that was hers and hers alone though, as he couldn't take that from her-couldn't force her to speak of it nor could he make her forget... Because that pain was a part of her as much as her precious breath, her blue eyes, and wonderful laughter.

But... Like he had done a long time ago when she'd been a wee small thing crying upon that old stage...

Perhaps, he could help her remember something else too.

"Why don't you tell me more about them Belle." Rumplestiltskin spoke after a minute of contemplative silence, surprising her with the way she turned to look at him. With their hands still touching he found his bravery once more as he curled his clawed fingers about her fragile flesh in a protective and reassuring manner. "Tell me some memories of your past Christmases with her, I would love to hear them. I'd tell you my own in return-fair is fair after all, but considering that this is my first true Christmas you've already seen first hand all that I've experienced so far."

At this request Belle seemed a bit breathless-lost as to what to do as her tongue dabbed at her lips for a second that instantly drew the attention of his amber eyes.

"Oh, well, if you really want to know-it was nothing too different than what I imagine other families do-except in Australia the holiday is towards the start of summer-no white Christmases there like we have here." There the knight he knew gave a soft short lived laugh, leaning closer to the sorcerer with their shoulders flushed against one another. "Still, we'd be tucked away in the kitchen for most of the day before, just us baking treats while the hours went by, and putting together a gingerbread house that was always different then the years before. My dad would join in too-taking us caroling with the local community, putting up the tree, however he was so bad about baking day. Most of the time he would try to sneak in and get a few cookies before they were done cooling or getting decorated, and my mom. Oh-she'd get so mad at him! She would almost always catch him in the act-I even remember one time she had to chase him out of the room with a spatula!"

That gorgeous laughter of hers began to peel forth then, alighting in Rumplestiltskin's chest mechanics a sensation that could only be a fraction of the joy she felt. The mottled animatronic observed such happiness with aid from his own yellow light while the young woman brushed at her cheeks as if it could help fight off the red spreading across her skin. It only made him smile more at the thought of such memories that could elicit that remarkable laugh he always tried his best to rouse... Memories he could not relate to or understand in the slightest... Of what it was like to have loved ones and such personal traditions to share with one another.

Not until she came around of course and changed every bit of his lonesome world.

That, however, he kept to himself in fear of how she would ever react to knowing he considered her part of his 'family', if something like him could ever be allowed to have one... And with her he wanted that so badly and so much more. Never had he thought his own idea of a 'happy ending' would ever grow beyond his simplest whim given all that he was, but it had since he'd come to know her. Much like her own ending she'd spoken of over the phone his own now consisted of the beautiful image of a life always beside her, a home for the two of them, the chance to find the forgotten boy to keep his long lost word… Of a place where he could belong beyond this stone structure.

However, he knew that was too good for the likes of him with all the blood and horror rusting within his innards. He knew that-he knew-he knew...

But maybe... Just maybe...

Quickly the machine shook his head at his rising longings and closed his eyelids to submerge the spark of pain-whether real or not, that they elicited. When he opened them again he found his curious night guard glancing at him with a series of questions blazing back. They made him panic instinctively-it would be easy to change the topic to avoid it all by throwing on his masks, leaving his stark misery where it should remain-his and his alone. He was about to do that, recollecting his previous promise that tonight was a night for her to be happy-

Then her other hand came a top his, and he was enwrapped in her-lost to her touch more than ever before. With a single gesture she tore apart his already crumbling walls as his voice began spilling free the thoughts he thought he could bare alone, especially on a night like this.

"It sounds like your holidays were quite the sight to behold-your mother valiantly brandishing a spatula about the house and all. Truly, that was nice to hear, you have such lovely memories, Belle... I can't imagine what it is like to have such things to look back fondly upon…" Rumplestiltskin's brogue crackled at the end, yet he pushed forward upon seeing the sky blue peering back into him-through him-to the him beneath the horrible silicone, metal, and wires. "I… I wish I did-when I remembered back on my years here or when I try to remember the things I've been forced to forget, but I fear if the day does come when I do r-remember… Whatever it is that's been locked away deep down inside of me… I won't have anything wonderful like that to look upon... Ah, perhaps some things are just best left forgotten."

The laugh that shortly left him was horribly hollow, void of any true happiness, and his beauty sensed that with the way her grip tightened.

"You know I count myself lucky for all the good memories I had with her outweighing all the bad ones, but still-you do not know that about your past to be absolutely true! While I know that you can't remember much of him perhaps with that boy you've mentioned knowing once-maybe you did have some wonderful Christmases together years ago or other good memories too. I don't see how he couldn't have when you're involved because looking back on our own short time together I can recall so many great moments you've shared and given me-memories I wouldn't trade the world for..."

Those heartfelt words of hers stunned him into pure silence, his gears seemed to stop too in his utter amazement of the woman beside him. Honestly, he'd never thought of it that way before-didn't dare to... He'd always expected the worse given it was all that he'd known for over well over twenty five years... What if she was right though? After all that wasn't the case for him now- not anymore-not when the greatest thing in his life gazed at him with such thoughtfulness, truly believing in what she'd told him and sparking his own hopes in return.

It was hard... So very hard dealing with the inner struggle storming within his code-of what he could and couldn't have-of what he wanted and yet told himself along with the world was not meant to be.

When she looked at him like that though...

He wanted to believe.

"Well, that's what I think anyways-I hope I wasn't being too presumptuous there." As if realizing what she'd just done a flushed Belle shifted her gaze down to their joined hands, her fingers brushing against his scales embedded into the green gold hull. "Though I do hope that maybe after tonight you'll have a least this one holiday memory to look back happily upon till you ever do get back all you've lost. It's not much of a Christmas-I know, or really a good memory, baking cookies and telling you stories probably seems a pretty boring way to celebrate-"

"No, I'm not bored-I could never be when I am with you!" The imp interrupted her, drawing nearer to her that it caused their noses to brush on accident from the movement. Wide eyed Belle stared back at him for a long moment before Rumplestiltskin hastily jerked back, feeling once again mortified at her enduring his horrid face being so close let alone his icy touch. Not that she looked like she'd minded it now or the other night-perhaps-perhaps she truly could-no-that was one thing he just couldn't allow himself to believe! "Y-You've made my life anything except boring-and-I-I promise you I will look back on this night with you and think nothing but utter joy for the rest of my existence-so long as you don't feel the need to-to pelt me with flour again!"

For a long moment the security guard just sat there after his rambling, her features baring a mixture of emotions he couldn't quite uncover. Not until her twitching lips turned upwards into a gorgeous expression, mirth dancing in her darkened eyes.

"Now, now, I can't promise you that as the night is young and there's so much left for us to do before it's over. Who knows what will happen..." A hint of mischief laced Belle's tone then, making him smile further despite her rather messy implications. "I do hope in the future that this isn't the only good memory we've made so far or that you have to look back upon. After all Christmas comes once every year, and we'll have so many more to celebrate tog-"

Abruptly, as if a switch had been flipped, all the joy and happiness he saw in his beloved then disappeared without a trace.

Staring out ahead, with something he dared to call fear sparking in her eyes, she remained frozen in place upon her stool. Worse, her breathing appeared to have stopped altogether-like all the air had been taken from the room. Instantly her reaction worried him-he'd not seen such a look on her face in a long time, but then his mind recollected the glimpses of dark emotions he'd seen outside when they met and around the tree. They were bare now here, clearer than before-telling him the truth when she seemed determined not to-

That something was wrong... Very wrong indeed.

Desperate to know and to make such a terrible look cease crossing her face he moved his other hand to clasp her own, only to find it hanging in the air as she pulled away before he could. Facing away from him now the concerned animatronic could only see a glimpse of the young woman's features that she went about rubbing at with her arm. Forced to sit by, unsure at all what to do, he reached slowly out for her shoulder only to stop himself short in fear. Yet, she was quick to look back at him with one eye more lidded than the other as both glistened in a way that hinted of unshed tears.

"A-Ah… I'm sorry-I think I just got some left over flour in my hair into my eye there." She stated as if she felt rather silly to share that with him before brushing at her eyes again and taking a steady breath that did little to steady him. Despite Belle's attempt to hide her emotions Rumplestiltskin had seen too much to be lead astray... He was just not brave enough to address it, making him curse at himself for his constant cowardice.

Instead he shifted his gaze to the strands of her hair had strayed from her ponytail during their strange yet welcome night so far. Warily he lifted a hand towards her face, and like before she didn't recoil from his nearing fearsome claws or inhuman countenance. However, there was something different this time as he with great care inched forward, tucking the runaway locks behind her ear. Not too long ago he'd done this same thing, right before she'd kissed him on the cheek for the very first time, and at that time she'd stared at him shock... But now... Now...

"My silly noble knight… What ever am I going to do with you." He couldn't help but whisper, the longings inside not able to conceal themselves within his more human voice.

Just when she looked to say something, stirring his insides back to life at her parting lips, he swiveled upon mechanical compulsion towards the oven that immediately began to beep in time. That spooked the security guard, however, as she jumped with a squeak, causing her stool to rattle against the tiled floor.

'"Just the timer-ah-our baked goods are done!" Rumplestiltskin stated out loud as whatever enchantment had befallen them both this time had disappeared with the shrill cry. Getting up off her stool in a flash Belle nabbed at nearest oven mitts and began to work on pulling out the laden tray now covered in perfectly golden brown cookies. With a smile that was more shy than usual she brought it back over to their counter to place the treats on the cooling rack.

Like what occurred hadn't all they were abruptly brought back to their celebration, though what lingered unsaid between them continued to torment the machine as he got up to join her.

"Since you just asked what you're going to do with me I have something in mind..." She brought up much to his surprise, making him glad his own golden complexion could not get toasty like the cookies she dished out. In turn Belle's cheeks flared to life once more as she understood the implications what she'd said-quick to point at all the remaining ingredients before them as if a needed distraction. "-I mean we still need to decorate the cookies after all."

At that offer he didn't complain or argue, for he was looking forward to experiencing the rest of this new tradition with her and whatever came later... Even if the sorrow and pain he'd just seen still haunted his mind and laced the edges of her lowered eyes. Still, he couldn't force himself to bring it up again despite how much he wanted to. All he could do was brush it aside like everything else as he remained by her while she went about showing him how to mix up some colorful icing that tempted her to taste test it several times-with adorable success. All the while he could see how she continued to try and cover up what she was feeling like the cookies both of them were soon smothering with wispy frosting.

Rumplestiltskin only sighed to himself, no matter what he would not press his dearest if she didn't offer him the truth willingly. Especially considering how she had never pressed him on the things he didn't wish to dwell or speak upon it was the least he could do.

Part of him hoped with plenty of their night remaining he could make her feel better and distract her-like he was programmed to do as an animatronic. The promise he'd made lurched back up from his flittering systems then, encouraging him to nudge her in a playfully in the ribs that got him a soft laugh and curious glance. Yes, this would be a night he'd make sure she'd spend as happy as she could be… A night free from the cold darkness or unknown future lingering outside Avonlea's doors.

And being the trickster he was Rumplestiltskin thought of no better way than to sneakily take a dab of some of the red icing she'd just made. All it took was waiting for the perfect moment to strike when she turned to another bowl before he got to smear her clean cheek in a long glob that got him an instant response.

"Ack! Rumple! Really?!"

"I say-I think blue would look much better on you than the red! Perhaps I should give that a try too!"

"Oh is that so?! If that's the case-then-let's see how you look in yellow then!"

Moments later the human and machine's laughter resumed whole heartily about the kitchen-their sounds of delight and be it playful frustration resonating through the empty dark spaces. Yet, Rumplestiltskin decided he'd do whatever it took to make her smile even if it meant becoming covered in icing from the top of his head to the tip of his boots. Nothing was more worthwhile than to make her giggle as she did now-to stop whatever painful thing harbored within her from tainting her special night. Chasing her about the rows of counters, with their cookies momentarily forgotten as red and blue and other colored icings soon splattered the floors and themselves, he became more resolute in his vows than ever before.

No, he would not let anything ruin this night for her... Nothing at all.

—

Much to Belle's dismay the absolutely wonderful night she was having had to move by as the two peculiar souls found their time in the kitchen coming to an end.

After the very last cookie had been decorated, their aprons put away, and their entire mess cleaned up-the icing having found some interesting spots across the tiles as well as Belle's face, the tired security guard and animatronic retreated to her office to resume their night. As they strolled she couldn't help but admire their treats, commenting over them and adoring Rumplestiltskin's flickering smiles after teasing him for starting the frosting fight. When they entered her welcoming space still lit up by the array of blinking lights they quickly ended upon on the comfy couch, nestling in side-by-side. She noticed that right away, for unlike most nights they were easily going about easily touching one another. Emboldened by this Belle rested her head on her imp's plated shoulder while he drew her close, draping the blanket she'd brought about them both.

In this welcomed peace of Avonlea, the wind outside having died down to a mere whisper through the walls, they chose to read further from the fairytale book Henry had gifted them. Once more he made it clear he was not the biggest fan, disbelieving of the ending to 'The Frog Prince' and in turn a bit surprised at the morbidness in the original telling of 'Rapunzel'. Of course Belle had to share some true classics for the holiday too, like 'The Night Before Christmas' and 'A Christmas Carol'-the later he made her snort during by rattling his legs to sound like ghostly chains. Between those two tales they took time to do a run of the building together though-after all she had a job to still do. But, by the time they had finished the last story she'd eaten a few too many cookies and drank a good portion of the now lukewarm tea.

With a full belly, warmth soothing her frigid form, and the voice of her companion she was snuggled up to cooing in her ear it was hard to keep her tired eyes open. Yet, despite with the burdensome news she'd come to face within that day that laid heavy on her soul... In that very moment with him, she realized she was more than just enjoying herself tonight with cookies, chatter, and company…

In fact, it was the happiest she'd ever been… In many, many years.

The thought caused her gaze to peel itself off the closed book in her lap to the machine whose gears were clattering within his chest. It should have been no surprise to find him looking back, but her quickened breath hitched in her throat when their eyes met. Funny enough Rumplestiltskin was all huddled around her as if he was seeking reprieve from the cold too, all while bearing her a gaze she thought made him look... Content, with this-her being pressed tight against him. In honesty she was too despite his form being rigid and hard as she was savoring the heat produced by his upper body. Better yet the happiness he'd had displayed through most of their night was still there from the way his smile creased the age lines of his face along with a peace he usually never had from how he always seemed to be moving in some manner. Not even the metal fingers curled around her waist were twitching, just his thumb brushing her side in small soothing circles.

Her hand seemed at equal ease on the bit of his inhumanly colored chest peering his vest she hadn't been aware it'd crept to again. Those fingers of hers flickered to life then, helpless in their urge to trace the bumps of the metal beneath that seemed to set her mechanical man's systems off with how intense his stare became. Belle's blue eyes widened alongside his, surprised at this burst of boldness to caress him there of all places. Then again there had been a shift in the air between them as of late-felt more so strongly tonight than ever before.

It only made her wonder what he would do if she were to dive beneath his clothes and run her fingers across his barren plates. Would he push her away or would he draw her closer-seeking out her touch? The mere notion was flush inducing and yet far too tempting in her yearning desire for him...

Alas, her opportunity to test that idea was unfortunately cut off as a sudden chime began resounding through her office. Clicking in their sockets Rumplestiltskin's glowing eyes shifted their gaze up to the wall where her vision soon followed, there the clock above her desk she'd been trying to avoid all night displayed that it was now five in the morning.

With that the dreamlike sensation slipped away along with her hand, leaving Belle's heart to thud dully within her chest.

"M-my the night has gone by so quick… I wish we had just a little longer to spend together." Rumplestiltskin murmured in a way that made her think it had meant to remain a thought given his habit to talk out loud. However, she had to assume from his displeased expression that he too was growing to disdain the clock and everything else seeming to interrupt them. "I suppose we still have one more important event left to do before we can call the night over, though I'm sure you're more than excited to get out of here and spend the rest of your holiday with your loved ones." A titter quickly left his lips as he launched forward, though it was short lived-a farce, leaving Belle's insides to twist further when she sat up beside him.

"Rumple-" The young woman tried to grab his hand-it helped when he got like this, but he was flourishing his arms about as he continued.

"Or would it be more fun waiting to open them till the very end? Perhaps, we should sing some carols you mentioned having done so in your youth in the meantime-I bet you've just been waiting to indulge such holiday antics!" He snickered as he got up to his feet and began almost stretching his mechanical joints. Belle had to roll her eyes at his turned back while he tugged back on his leather coat he'd discarded most of the night for her comfort while she escaped the cocoon of her blanket to join him near the Christmas tree.

"Very funny, but I know you can't wait any longer either-I've seen how you've been taking glances at your gifts most of the night." All she got in return was a sheepish smile, causing her own forced irritation to fall apart to with a quiet sigh. She'd been no better about taking glancing peaks too, he'd poked her a few times after catching her while they were reading.

Not wanting to waste their precious time left the beauty found a good spot and sat down on the carpeted floor near their pile of presents. The animatronic joined her shortly, sitting across from her before they swiftly had their stacks divided amongst them thanks to their crafty fingers longing to delve past all that tantalizing wrapping paper. It was then Belle got her first chance to looking over her three, finding first that the smallest one was from Mr. Getto, which was sweet he'd even given her one. The next present was from none other than Sheriff Graham, which made the dimples of her cheeks deepen-'not on hand' he'd said… Clever. To her surprise though the last one didn't have a name at all or whom it was addressed to-not a single a tag on the top or bottom no matter which way she turned it over.

"Now who should go first, or do we both just open them all at the same time?" Rumplestiltskin inquired after studying over his stack too, his claws toying with one sporting a curly bow.

"Hmmm… You have the most out of the two of us and since this is your first Christmas I think you should go first." Belle stated after a moment of thought, already prepared for the rebuttal she knew was trying to pass those parting green gold lips. "And no-I won't relent on that. Truthfully, I want to see you open yours more than I want to open mine, and there's nothing you can do to change my mind."

"I-if you say so, dearest…" He mumbled towards the floor in quick defeat, yet from how bad he was fidgeting Belle was sure he was about to get over his mild disappointment.

The young woman watched as her companion glanced back over his stack of gifts, eyeing them up as if having a hard time making up his mind on which to pick first. Finally after a few moments of silence he chose a thin and tall box that had her biting her lip to keep back a giddy sound. Giving her a nervous glance-as if asking permission to proceed, Belle nodded, fearing if he took too much longer she'd start opening them for him herself. With her approval his fearsome hands tore through the paper so fast that it all lay in scraps before he was opening the crisp white box.

It was when he brushed aside the thin decorative paper covering the items within that he let out any kind of sound. His sigh of sorts escaped his plated throat, one far more reverent in tone than she'd ever heard. Belle's poor heart pounded with heated emotions at it, but the look on his face when he pulled the garment out caused it to drum loudly in her ears.

Holding it up for them both to see he revealed a new vest for him-one that was similar and yet somewhat different than what he wore. It was made of dark leather without such a high rising collar though it still sported a deep cut on the neck with ties instead of buttons that went down the stomach and sides. The black scale like pattern across it gleamed, shifting in the amalgamation of lights from his now unsteady hands. Against Rumplestiltskin's unusual tone the material looked even better than she imagined when she had ordered it a month earlier, reflecting his 'reptilian' qualities and looking every bit to be worn by his impish form. However, it wasn't the only thing inside that box, and he soon found the rest, pulling out a pair of matching leather pants that were so new she could smell the material from where she sat.

Eventually he managed to tear his gaze away to peer at her in pure disbelief , causing Belle's blush to worsen alongside her painfully wide grin.

"So… Do you like them?" Her voice sounded hoarse to her own ears, but the words appeared to reach him from how he stuttered in response.

"Y-yes… I-I do Belle." Setting his new trousers down his dark talons traced up the leather of the vest as he looked to the articles of clothing like such things couldn't exist. "It's… Lovely… So very l-lovely-I never imagined getting anything so incredible ever-I-I think… I think I'll p-put them on right now."

"Wait! You have more gifts to open up first, and then if you want you can go and get changed." Belle pointed out in a hurry, stopping him from hopping straight up to his feet and rushing out of the room to adorn his new clothes like she could see him longing to do. Oh, she wanted to see him in them herself-perhaps too much from how her stomach fluttered at the thought. The beauty just didn't know if she could handle having to wait for him to open the rest. However, euphoria darted across the machine's face when seemed to understand he had more wonderful things awaiting him in the rest.

With that he carefully set aside his new garments, and then, well-

Those boxes didn't stand a chance.

Tearing hastily into the others Rumplestiltskin's childlike joy only escalated with each rip of crisp wrapping paper while the young woman watched. The wonderful scene made her smile further-it'd been so hard to stop shopping for him when she found an amazing source online with clothes befitting him a while back. For along with his new leather trousers and vest Rumplestiltskin was soon opening a box that revealed more clothing. Inside this smaller present was a golden silk shirt with the shoulders already cut-an odd request for the seller no doubt, to match with his old orange vest. At the sight of it her imp began making small glorious electronic cries he didn't realize he was emitting, but they made Belle giggle behind one hand alongside him.

With a wild ferocity he turned to his second to last gift, the biggest box she'd given him, tearing straight through it to showcase a pair of knee length boots. That alone had him sputtering about in incoherent tittering that almost had her fearing his vocal wiring had gone awry again. To her relief he was more than fine as he roved his large hands up and over the boots in awe. While these were ones without the troublesome lacing as the ones strapped to his feet they were pointed and sporting a bit of a heel just how he liked.

It was when he went to open the last gift, the only one she was a little nervous about, that his whole energetic and overwhelmed reaction changed in a mere instant.

As if a wave had washed over him he peeled back the little pieces of the paper, slowly pulling out the final addition to his updated wear. It was a cravat of a similar dark purple color to his shirt, glinting from the black metallic flecks embedded into the spider web like material. It'd caught her eye the moment she'd seen it, she'd always felt his outfits were lacking just one small thing to complete their whole effect. At first it seemed she'd done right picking it out too... Though now, maybe not with how his previous joy was being replaced by a haunted expression that glazed over the two amber spheres pinned upon the accessory. Belle could tell memories or flashes of something long ago had to be racing through his data banks, wrenching him far from this space and the delicate lace his trembling claws were starting to dig into.

"Rumple? Are you okay? Are-are you about to suffer a fit? Rumple-" Belle called out to him, hoping to coax him back from whatever dark place he was being dragged towards. The possibility of him becoming overwhelmed by the broken part of him was still something that she greatly feared, and it didn't help when continued to not respond. In fact, when his head began to twitch sporadically her worried expression turned to one of dread with her reaching over to grab hold of his slack arm.

At her immediate touch Rumplestiltskin returned, his head jerking up to meet hers as if he found himself suddenly lost. Yet, the sorrow she saw remained in the tension of his curled fingers clenching the poor cravat she feared it'd tear. "I'm sorry-I'm-I'm all right, dearest. This-every-very-thing you've bought me, went out of your way to g-get… It's really too much-you spent too much on me-I don't know how I could ever repay you-"

"I didn't spend too much, and I wouldn't go back and stop what I did either-no repayment required as well. Seeing you happy is more than enough for me." Belle was quick to inform him, keeping her hand on his arm before she tilted her head. The act spilled her rich curls over her shoulders while she observed him with genuine concern from beneath her lashes. "Do you like it though? I was uncertain buying that cravat till I realized your new vest and outfit almost seemed to be missing something, and I thought it looked like-well, like you…"

Astonishment turned to her in his unblinking gaze, leaving behind a warmth she found heating her skin far more than anything else had.

"I do like it-it's perfect. In fact I used to have something similar once, far back in my early days here… I wouldn't have called it a gift since Marco put it on me- he didn't 'give' it to me, but it was a nice brooch shaped like a spinning wheel pinned to a cravat similar to this." Rumplestiltskin stated gently, though his voice trailed off as the cravat began to slip between his digits like the flour from earlier. "In the end though it got c-completely ruined because of me, like everything that crosses my path…"

There was something there in what he said-something far more to his resigned tone and story that made Belle think to the final letter Mr. Getto had written to ZOSO sitting in her breast pocket. He once had a cravat similar to this one and then it was ruined-how? Did... Did this bit of information have something to do with the terrible event he was involved in back in '87? Or was there something far more to this that perhaps even he didn't completely understand? Whether that was the case or not Belle forced back such dreadful thoughts of what little she knew of that terrible dark day haunting her dearest friend. Tonight was a night for them to be happy together and far from such things…

'That is... Until I have to admit what I've been keeping from...' Her mind chose to painfully reminded her in that moment-of the awaiting truths she couldn't escape. 'I know-I know... But not yet-not now... For a little while longer I just want to remain with him like this.'

"Come here." Belle demanded suddenly as she let go of him, earning her a nervous frown though the mechanical man scooted forward to her open hands anyways.

Taking the cravat from his claws with great care she motioned for him to lean forward so that when he did she could wrap it about his neck behind his high collar. After tying it together, her hands brushing the soft edges of his coiled hair, she nestled the ends into the cut of his vest. Pleased with how right it looked on his person her hands went from smoothing it to the sides of his hinged jaw, lifting his head on its pivot back up to meet hers.

There she found an array of fear, worry, and shame creasing the artificial age lines of his face. However, with just a brush of her thumb she watched it begin to thin away, smoothing out his furrowed wrinkles into a much softer expression she adored. Part of her couldn't help but ponder as to what he thought then when she touched him like this-if he found more than just comfort in what he'd be without for so long. Despite not having an answer she kept holding him, feeling far too heightened by this powerful sensation that he alone stirred within her to let him go.

"You'll just have to prove that theory wrong with this one, and even if this one does somehow get ruined we can just get you another one, okay?"

At her reply one of his hands lifted up to touch the frilly material, grazing her heated flesh as he murmured. "I… I-I will do my best to take care of these. I really will, Belle. Thank you… I…"

The raw emotion in his voice alongside how close they were again beneath the array of pretty lights-lights that danced across his sparkling metal, made her more convinced on how right and natural it would be to kiss him. With it a rising passion-wild, powerful, and freeing began coursing through all of her limbs as her pleading heart begged her to do so. But, when lips started to lean towards him they were met with thin air as Rumplestiltskin quickly withdrew from her hands, siting back in his previous spot.

"N-Now-I've had my fun, and I'd very much like to go put these on, but it's your turn dearest… And I'm rather curious to see what your gifts are too." Hearing him sound so awkward-his hands fiddling with his new accessory, only made Belle feel embarrassed by the constant urge consuming her to touch him. Still, she gave him a small nod in agreement, hoping she could distract herself with her stack of mysterious gifts awaiting her now.

Starting with the one from Mr. Getto the security guard began to rip the paper in a similar ferocity to her sorcerer. After peeling away the final bits of tape she revealed the weighty object in her hands to be a lovely picture frame with an even lovelier picture inside it. It was of her and her father at the Christmas party just hosted at the family fun center, making her vaguely recall someone with a camera asking them for a quick snapshot that night. Still, this was far more thoughtful of a gift than she expected, and she told herself to be sure to thank her employer later for such a kind gesture... Whenever in the future that might be. In the meantime Belle shared the frame with her companion, who looked at it with a wide mischievous smile she wasn't sure about-almost like he knew something she didn't…

That was also tucked away to think on later while she moved onto her other gifts.

Next was the present from Graham, and upon adding to the growing pile of destroyed paper she revealed a book she'd mentioned to Ruby she'd been wanting. Of course Rumplestiltskin just giggled at such a predictable gift, though she saw how he tried to read over the back's synopsis with increased interest of his own. It was then she was left to the last gift of the night-the one she still could find no name of who it was from. Figuring since it'd been left on her desk she was safe to assume it was meant for her Belle shrugged and began to dig into it just like all the others.

After a few moments of struggling to get to the sturdy box a scrap of paper slipped out without her notice from the lid when it popped open. The mechanical man saw it instead, snatching it up while Belle worked on removing the ridiculous amount of tissue paper she couldn't believe had all been shoved into the box. It was either very fragile whatever she'd been gifted or the unknown giver had some fun packing it all in.

"Looks like there is a note for that one after all, dearest! It says, 'For my bookish friend, hope this helps spice up your holidays this year! From you know who, Ruby'… Ah, Ruby-she's that wild waitress friend of yours you've mentioned a few times-the one that works at this 'Granny's' everyone seems to eat at." Rumplestiltskin stated as he chattered on from the scrap of paper. It wasn't that Belle didn't hear all he said-she heard him loud and clear, but her mind was far too distracted trying to process what on earth she was looking at that.

When she realized what it was, the bunch of lace and thin fibrous material having confused her at first, the chilly room became absolutely stifling.

What lay inside the innocent looking box was what she feared and not near as innocent. Before her was a blue lingerie set of a matching top and panties so not meant to conceal anything from any person's view that one couldn't hardly call it clothing. It was such an intimate looking set too that her saucer sized eyes felt ashamed to even gaze upon it, and yet, they could not tear themselves away... They couldn't from the knowledge of who sent it and what its clear intention was for as Ruby had told her right to her face that it'd be for her to wear in hopes to allure a certain someone her friend believed that she was-

"Well-what on earth is it? You're being oddly quiet there!" Belle's head jerked back up with a snap when that certain someone's nasally voice chirped at her in question. Looking Rumplestiltskin dead on while knowing what resided just beneath the lid out of his view caused the rampant images she was trying to prevent to spring forth into her mind without abandon. In flashes she imagined herself wearing these revealing garments in the cozy space of her apartment, lying across her bed in a soft yellow light produced by the pair of glowing eyes looking into her own. Eyes that revealed every inch of her form to his gaze alone while a pair of large metal hands roamed over her flushing flesh that trembled beneath his touch-

For a moment the images felt far too real within her mind that when she snapped out of it she slammed the box closed, creating a loud crackle of paper to pierce the peaceful air of her office.

Not that she was able to hear that either with the boiling blood in her face also roaring within her ears. Through her rising mortification the young woman managed to set the gift aside all while the animatronic studied her, looking beyond befuddled by her defensive reaction.

"Ha! It was nothing-just a box full of tissue paper! What a dumb prank gift Ruby gave me-I bet she has the real one for me at home!" Belle squeaked out in a far too high pitch that made her wince at the sound of it. "I-I-should have expected that from her though… Classic Ruby!"

'I didn't actually think she'd really do it! I'm going to make her pay for this! Oh god! What if he actually saw it-or if he figures out that I'm lying and realizes that it's meant for me and him! I still don't even know if he could ever think of me that way-or if he'd ever want to-or if I would want such a...' Belle thoughts grew to a tizzy as she tried to tame the imaginings she was still having towards the silent machine sitting across from her. Imaginings that had her feeling far too warm beneath her work uniform and longing to jump face first into the snow building outside.

Hoping to save some face the security guard laughed nervously, glancing over their mess laying about in dejected piles of boxes and paper.

"Well, I call this gift getting a success don't you? We had quite a good haul." Despite her reddening composure-surely she now looked more than festive for the holiday season, Rumplestiltskin-if a little more nervous himself, observed their haul as if taking note too.

"I have to agree, though it's been far more than I could have ever dreamed to have received… Y-you really shouldn't have went out of your way to do so much for me. Yet… I'm afraid I was the one who got the far better end of the gift spectrum." He said with some of his typical trickster teasing, making her feel a bit more relaxed against the slight tension hanging about them.

"Hey! Mine were nice too… If some a bit more unconventional than others." Belle muttered quietly at the end before scooping up some shredded paper and rising to her feet to throw it away.

Taking it as a moment to escape and regain her train of thought Belle glanced away, returning once more to the conundrums awaiting her. Not only did she need to figure what to do with Ruby's gift now of all things but her persistent problem of how to deliver her not so joyous news without ending up a sobbing mess and breaking her friend's heart... Though part of her wondered how long it would be before the mechanical man would ask himself-as in sparse moments he appeared to be figuring out she was keeping something from him, given his strange ability to sense when something was wrong with her. While the answer she sought still eluded her she at least knew they had a bit of night left with some cleaning to do to think it over more...

Yet, the clock was ticking all the same, and as much as she didn't want to face it now was more than likely the best time. The mere thought made her stomach roll in awful anticipation as the corner of her eyes stung with rising tears.

Tears that didn't have the chance to form or fall as abruptly the mechanical man called to her.

"W-Wait!" At such a desperate note in his voice Belle quickly looked back over her shoulder to Rumplestiltskin just as the crumpled scraps dropped into the trashcan.

Through their whole night so far she'd never seen him looking near as nervous as he did now with how fast he sprung to his feet. There he stood staring at her with an anxious gaze, his kneading fingers with their invisible thread in full effect that he almost appeared out of breath despite his lack of it. After a few seconds more of this intense quiet moment with her growing rather concerned he grimaced at himself before speaking up.

"Don't worry about it, I can do the cleaning tonight, considering I was the one who put up all the decorations after all… But, before that there's something left… You know h-how I told you I couldn't get you anything Belle-and I couldn't-nothing you truly deserve nor like how I wish I could... B-But..."

Belle watched as Rumplestiltskin made his way over to her desk before opening and reaching into the bottom drawer to withdraw something from inside. Standing back up he hastily thrusted towards her a gift with a small golden bow on top that was shaking hard enough the paper crinkled thanks to his trembling grip. At first all Belle could say was nothing alongside him as he approached her, his whole head of wiry locks facing the floor while he kept the package out stretched for her. It looked like any other gift one could imagine despite the paper not being expertly wrapped from how various pieces of tape was placed over it-like it got snagged by something sharp. Yet, with that she understood what this meant-more so what it was he offered her… And that made the young woman's blue eyes begin to burn so badly she bit her lip to help fend off the sensation.

"T-this is for me… From you?" The animatronic before her didn't move a single inch at her soft claim nor did he say a word. Trembling in place he just continued to keep his head lowered as if he feared to seeing her possible reaction.

Unable to help herself Belle went to take hold of the gift that slipped from his grip upon her touch. The weight of it and its meaning settled within her hands, allowing her to feel the strange bend-ability of whatever lay beneath the same gold and silver stripped paper she'd left in her office by accident one day. With her heart thudding in her chest she willed herself to peel it away, taking care to not damage whatever it was he'd been so kind enough to gift her...

Gifted her after saying he couldn't and blaming himself for it… Gifted her despite how he believed he could do so little in return... To think he'd done this after already giving her his wonderful friendship all these months along side his banter, time, and innate kindness despite living in a world that had been far too cruel to him-that had taken so much from him…

However, this was different than those things-this had a physicality the others did not. So when she pulled back the paper the physical burning in her eyes flared to a new height, freeing a single tear over the curve of her cheek.

"Oh Rumple…" Belle's voice trembled like her hands did now, and she dropped the wrapping paper to the floor so she could better hold onto the most incredible thing she'd ever received.

And it was the most incredible thing ever, for in her hands was a handmade copy of her favorite book… 'The Velveteen Rabbit'.

Despite looking nothing like the one she'd gotten a long time ago-clearly having been done by hand with how imperfect and childlike it was, his was breathtaking from how much effort he'd put into the cover alone. The whole book was held together by thick yarn through the hole-punched sides, its cover a thicker piece of paper while the pages within were various pieces of white construction paper. On the front the little rabbit adorned there was mostly drawn with colored pencil and crayon, but it also had glued on buttons for eyes, actual thread whiskers, and lines down his felt belly to simulate stitches of his stuffed form. Managing to move past staring at the gorgeous cover the story unfurled further before her eyes with each page depicting a beautiful scene from the neat elegant handwriting beneath. Flipping through them-though she wanted nothing more than to study each one for hours on end, the story came to life in a whole new way that by the end... With the now 'real' rabbit frolicking amongst his new peers as his boy watched on had several more tears curling down her bright red face.

However, what lay beyond that final page was what hit her the hardest of all. Just like the one her mother had given her and she in turn given to Rumplestiltskin there was a message scrawled there just for her. At it the crudely constructed book began shaking with her as the words leapt off the page, spoken aloud in her mind by an high pitched, teasing, and yet charming voice she knew all too well.

'Dear honorable knight, my dearest friend Belle. Whatever the future holds for us, for you, I hope whenever you look at this book a part of you will think of me, even if someday I'm no longer around. Like the boy and his stuffed rabbit I've found I've somehow changed through all our time spent together, though I remain nothing more but the strange machine you first took the chance to befriend. I'll never understand why you even spared a second glance my way, but from all you've gifted me these few months, your freely given smiles, incredible wit, companionship, to your endless kindness I can not fathom. I thank you from the bottom of all that I am.'

'Your impish sorcerer always-Rumplestiltskin.'

At that her tears fell free, unable to be stopped, unable to be reigned back.

Everything that Belle buried deep inside herself rose up that instant, streaming down her cheeks while her sobs broke free. At their sound Rumplestiltskin's head shot up, his fear filled eyes looking into her own tear filled ones while her lips strained to try and hold back such pitiful cries from escaping. Without any thought he reached for her before she could have any chance of escaping-not that she wanted to-no-not ever from him. Placing his hands on her shoulders with nothing but gentleness he looked at her so distraught that against all odds she expected to see tears of his own start rippling down his silicone face.

"B-Belle! P-please don't cry! I-I made a mistake! I-I-s-shouldn't have made that when the original was so sentimental to you from your mother-I'm sorry-I'm sorry-I just thought I-that I-" His broken lit only made the deluge of emotions more intense, and she feared now he'd be fleeing in fear of having hurt her.

"No! No! It's perfect-it's absolutely perfect!" The sobbing beauty sputtered before tucking the precious gift to her chest in worry the falling droplets would stain its pages. When his comforting touch only tightened as the tears continued, those two lonely souls so lost in that moment, her heart ripped free from her remaining control. Glancing back up at the unique face of her friend-one she'd come to find so beautiful, Belle's thoughts flew forth unhindered. "I-didn't mean to make you think I don't like it! It's just that no one's done something this thoughtful for me in such a long time... And your gift is more than wonderful-this whole night has been so incredible with you-from the cookies, the tree, to the gift! And I mean it! I do! I-really... I really-really love-"

'You.'

Belle's whole body froze beneath his hands at the earth shattering word that had almost escaped her agape lips.

The beating of the fragile organ in her chest came to a momentary halt as her office, Avonlea, and the whole world faded to nothing but the two of them. Her seemingly endless fears from before too now lay silent in the back of her mind as there was no more hiding it from herself... No more places to run from this truth... And with it came the most wonderful bliss and agonizing pain she'd ever experienced to strike through her chest.

Because she-Belle French, was truly and irrevocably in love with Rumplestiltskin.

Deep down she knew that she had been in love with him for a while, a love that had built between silly arcade games, a rainy night, their stage play and so much more. She just hadn't been brave enough to face it before-brave enough to accept such frightening things she'd never felt for anyone else ever let alone an animatronic man living in a pizzeria. Yet, she found nothing in her life burned deep in her heart like this brilliant love was in this moment... This that she felt for the scaly machine who'd she'd fallen for the moment he'd caught her from her spill on the swivel chair.

'I've been so afraid to accept it till now, so frightened and hesitant-but I do! I love him-I love him so much! Even if he couldn't or didn't want to love me back-I still-'

Then, as odd as it was, the teary eyed human started to laugh through her sobs as the glistening trails only poured harder down her face.

Against her sudden laughter her beloved's voice called out, but his voice was muffled by the sound of her heart near about to burst between her ribcage. However, Belle's heightened sense of touch felt one of his cool leather coated arms shift, wrapping around her waist as the other lifted its hand to encompass the curve of her cheek. Grounded by this union of her simmering flesh and his icy metal Belle opened her bleary blue gaze to him... Seeing all that Rumplestiltskin bore right back in his amber-his own fear, his doubts, his confusion and something…

Something she swore was akin to what she felt for him too.

"Belle? Belle?" His odd brogue had deepened, and she had to let out a shaky exhale as his clawed thumb brushed delicately over the skin of her chin. Once again he was brushing her tears away, taking care of her in ways no other had. "I-I don't understand… Please don't cry-I-I didn't make this so you'd be sad or to replace what you're mother's had meant... I just wanted to give you back all that you've given to me, and I know it's not near enough-that it's not worthy of-"

"You silly man-stop it! Can't you s-see that these are tears of joy! Sometimes we human's just get so happy we can't help but cry, and I am so very happy... I do love your gift, and the decorations, and what you've done tonight. You've made me the happiest I've been in a very long time… You've made me so happy Rumple..." Belle gushed before closing the minor distance left between them to rest her head upon his shoulder, pushing her face into his collar and the plated column of his neck. Between their tightly pressed forms the wonderful book he'd made remained in her grasp while his ensnared her in the same protective manner.

It felt so much like being home within his embrace then, like she was right where she needed to be.

More so where she was meant to be, and that she believed to be truth-she was meant to be right here with him and he with her.

"I-I'm s-so glad you like it Belle-that means the world to me." Her beloved ushered into the crown of her hair, his cold nose nuzzling against her without a drop of hesitation. "I'm-I'm very happy too… And I can say without a doubt that this has been the best Christmas I've ever had... All because of you."

There those two strange beings, so different and yet not, stood holding each other tight in the dancing lights of that small office. Like a beautiful dream Belle feared she'd suddenly awake from it and the scene would break apart to find herself once more alone in an empty apartment. With both his cold and heat sinking into her and his clattering parts clicking away it only confirmed it was so very real, and she would have it no other way. Right now she was being held by the machine-the man she had come to finally accept she'd truly loved with all her feeble heart, almost as if he too felt the same way. There was not a single thing more she could ask for than this right here this Christmas Eve.

It was the feeling of his gift in her grasp as he cradled her close that reminded her that he wasn't the only one with something so important left to give. There was still enough time tonight for one more, and hopefully enough time to take hold of her fate and change the imposing chances and terrifying outcomes of the future before her too. With him at her side she'd have nothing to fear, so without a moment more to waste she decided right then and there would be where she made her stand.

For her-for him-for a life-a family...And a love she hoped to share if he was willing to accept it.

Pulling back from him just enough so she could look up to his face Belle gripped one hand at his coat lapel, watching his peaceful expression shift the moment he saw her. Just like she thought her love could see through her masks just like she through his to the sorrow they both buried deep within-her own one she didn't want to burden him with though she knew she must.

Right away she could tell he'd was about to ask her as a mixture of confused emotions became apparent in his heady gaze. The beauty just shook her head at him though, stilling his questions near instantly and willing herself on with a forced smile. There would be answers soon enough in time-as much as she feared their results and reactions just like him, but she had to do this...

It was time to use all the courage she could muster and claimed to have. It was time to do as her mother once told her long ago... To do the brave thing.

And with a deep breath she steadied herself to do just that, needing that guidance more than ever before.

"I have something I need to show you."

—

"B-Belle-wait, where are we going now?"

The mechanical man's question rung out through the air in thinly veiled desperation, but it got no immediate reply. All the tiny woman continued to do was hold his hand, practically dragging him down the hallway that he stumbled a moment to keep up with her pace. It should've been rather amusing having her pull him of all things about without any hinderance when he could so easily rip free or stop her in place… If the situation wasn't worrying him out of his mind. A part of him began to doubt too if he could tear away from how her hand gripped his tight enough that he sensed the pressure of it against his plates.

"Rumple, it's going to be okay-you trust me, right?" His dearest finally asked in return after a few moments of just their foot steps bouncing off the floor. Yet, in her light hearted voice he recognized all too well the distinct ache of someone trying to hold oneself together.

"Of course I d-do… I trust you-I always will, but I don't understand... Why won't you tell me what's wrong..." Rumplestiltskin ushered silently at the end before squeezing her hand back to push his point.

"Don't worry, we're not going very far, it'll be okay... It'll be all right..." That soothing voice did little to comfort him, but he fought back his rising fears to follow her further into the darkness of Avonlea.

Together both human and machine made their way through the building's hollowness as they rounded a corridor, her 'pitter patter' echoing alongside his 'clacking' limbs. Already his previous question was starting to sound pretty foolish on his part with the back door looming ahead. Not that the way she'd gathered all her gifts up in her bag and got dressed once more from head to toe in her coat, scarf, and gloves didn't make it clear she'd been preparing for the wintry world outside. He just didn't understand why... Why was she doing this now-why were they going back out there? It wasn't time for her to leave as they had a little under an hour left... The mere thought of her preparing to head home had the gears in his chest grinding uncomfortably.

However, a rather perplexed frown crossed his face in consideration-that perhaps this odd change in his dearest had been spurred by him giving her his meager present just minutes ago... Which was something he was still having a hard time handling from the unexpected way she'd reacted. Before he forced himself to give it to her he knew any one else except his dearest would have looked at his poor attempt as nothing more than trash… It couldn't have ever hoped to be as pretty or appealing as the original book he tried in vein to mimic. Instead of simply thanking him politely for it like he thought she would she'd been so delighted to receive such a crude copy that she'd cried against him with the happiest tears he couldn't understand… A heartfelt and touching response he hadn't been prepared for in the slightest.

Then again it appeared there were quite a few more surprises to add to his growing list tonight.

Yet, as the dying echoes of the awaiting storm outside grew closer and closer the whirlwind within Rumplestiltskin only raged harder. The part of him that knew something was causing his sole companion immense sorrow despite her apparent joy had him an entire mass of confusing emotions all jam packed into one jittery metal shell... While she on the other hand... She... More than ever he found himself confused about what was occurring between them this wonderful night. Most of all he was at a loss about what was happening within Belle that even his strange foresight couldn't detect.

That caused his ebbing yellow eyes to drift up from the checkered patterned tiles to security guard leading the way in search of answers. Not that he found any as her face was hidden by the heavy shadows and sprawled curls over her shoulders.

Mulling further over such things came to an end as they both quickly arrived at the back door. Even then Belle looked sure of what she was doing as she disarmed the security system, her trembling fingers only slipping a bit on the key pad. Soon a low groan rose up from the slab of metal as she opened it, revealing beyond the door frame to Avonlea that the snow fall had decreased through their dwindling night. Together they stepped out into the drifts, covering the tops of their boots and obscuring most of the surrounding parking lot from view. Rumplestiltskin's strange eyes couldn't help but flicker up to the small flakes now floating harmlessly down to the earth thanks to the wind being nothing more than a low gale through the nearby trees.

Such a sight-it was stunning, and more so in the slim rays of silver moon light peeking behind the thinning clouds. Sadly the view soon became little to nothing to him from how intense Belle's gaze looked to be when she continued moving onwards towards the van parked ahead. Each crunch of her boots was a loud crackle against the peaceful backdrop, but it didn't take her long to realize after a few steps in that it was only the sound of her own. Watching her stiffen in realization made him feel more cowardly from where he stood, having been unable to move a step further from the doorway.

With a swift turn Belle glanced over her shoulders at him while he physically squared himself to her pleading gaze as difficult as that was. Nothing was making sense right now, and after having promised to try to be more truthful-to not mask what he, felt he forced down his anxiety to face her.

"B-Belle-you're making me worried-if you have something on y-your chest or something you need to say you know I'm here. I-I might not understand, but I... I'm... I'm not going to get angry, you know that right?" He tried explained with a reassuring grin that looked to be helping as she began to trudge through the snow back towards him. Yet, she was filled to the brim with a strange determination amidst the fear he could see in her stance.

"Close your eyes."

"What? Close my eyes?" Rumplestiltskin asked to her bizarre and sudden demand, those very glowing eyes blinking in confusion.

"I need you to either close your eyes or turn around, please... You told me you trusted me just a moment ago, and I need you to do so again." Her voice dropped its brave edge to a manner far more beseeching that made his flighty hands knead even quicker at his sides. Try as he might to think of an excuse he couldn't refuse this request of hers either. She'd asked him for his trust and he'd said he'd given it-which he did… Besides, there was no doubt in his mind that she wasn't trying to hurt him on purpose in any way-her doing such a thing was just... Impossible, she was the one and only Belle French after all.

Then why... Why did he feel something awful was about to take place despite everything pointing to the contrary?

Regardless of that horrible feeling a promise was a promise, and the oath bound animatronic would not stand to break another in his life.

The security guard got her answer in the form of him whirling back around which left him to stare at the brick work and back door of Avonlea. Lingering only a moment more behind him Belle's steps worked their way through the snow drifts, her heavy bag slapping loudly against her leg. His sharp auditory sensors remained pinned upon the noise of her movements though, creating a blurry picture within his head of what on earth she was possibly doing. All too quickly though there was a lack of anything noticeable coming from her that between anticipation and his anxiousness had him wiggling in place-

'SHUNNNNK-'

So startled by the abrupt noise of a metal door popping open Rumplestiltskin's legs near launched himself straight into the air.

His growing intrigue just about had him look behind before he forced his wandering gaze once more towards the stony structure ahead. It was turning out to be quite the endeavor to quell his interest-perhaps a trait he was picking up from a certain someone, as he shortly heard a noise like his knight was struggling with something. Whatever it was she was dealing with the imp could tell must have been rather... Heavy. Even then he remained unmoving as it sounded like Belle managed to set it on the ground from the slight 'thunk' that rose up-soon to be followed by her moving and the van's door being shut again.

"I will admit... I got this after I said I wasn't going spend any more money on you... But I just had to when I found it-there was no way I couldn't…" Belle spoke back up a few strained seconds later, her voice noticeably winded as well as nervous against the hushed cry of the wind. "T-This isn't a Christmas present though-I stayed true to my promise, and that's because it's not a gift at all... Rather it's something you should have had all this time considering its always been yours... So, Rumple, you can turn around now."

'What? It's a gift and yet not a gift-something I've always had… Though I don't have the slightest clue what she could be talking about.' With his curiosity piqued and his staggering fears simmering back down from her confirmation the leather clad machine found nothing on earth would have stopped him from complying. His leather coat tails flew thorough the air as he spun about, yet all he could see at first was Belle and her father's van through the gentle flakes... Like nothing had changed since they'd gone back outside.

That was until his eyes clicked in their metal sockets, catching the strange shaped object standing off to the side in front of her. A thing that was oddly familiar-no, it was more than familiar-it was something he knew far more than anyone else ever could that it had his system near crash in utter disbelief.

As if time had never passed there it stood just a few feet away, a relic of days long passed...

His old spinning wheel.

Sure enough the aged wooden object sat right there-right within his reach despite the fact it should've been nothing but ash like he to should be. In fact it hardly looked changed from when he'd last seen it before everything went so horribly wrong with its simple dark finish, large wheel, as well as its intricate carved spokes and legs. Thinking it too good to be true the animatronic just stared at it, willing the thing to glitch and disappear as if nothing more than a hallucination. When it didn't, solidifying before him from the bits of snow starting to collect on it, he drew forward upon a few hesitant steps before slowly reaching out and... Indeed, there was a physicalness to it beneath his unfeeling fingers grazing the wood.

'How can this be-after all this time-it's here, and to think its found its way back-no-its because she'd brought it-somehow-how-how-how-how-'

Without thinking about it those shaking golden-green digits gave the wheel a small tug , and the rising creak that met him sent his gears rattling away inside.

"M-M-My… M-my… Spin-pin-ning wheel… It-It's... It's back…" Rumplestiltskin's voice was nothing more than croaks like the wood emitted as he continued to spin, his dark talons fitting into the old grooves he'd worn into it years back. A thousand emotions were overwhelming the mechanical man to the point his facial mechanics flinched rapidly beneath the silicone from their intensity.

Then through the same spokes he'd watch so many lonely nights turn without a seeming end he saw something approach. Looking upwards his vision drifted from snow covered boots, to work slacks, over a puffy white coat, to the still red cheeks and glistening blue eyes looking right at him. Between Belle and his wheel it felt too much like a dream for him to comprehend... Like some imagining in his head had gone on far to long and had tricked him into thinking this was his wonderful reality. The scene remained though-real and whole, with his beloved standing across from him with the spinning wheel-his wheel, within his grasp.

"This can't be-it should have been d-destroyed when I-I was meant to be... W-Where has it been all these years-where did-did you find it?" Rumplestiltskin managed to ask his most honorable knight through the tremors within his voice box, and she... She was far more than honorable-far more than brave and kind to a pitiful awful thing like him that didn't deserve a single scrap of it! To know she'd brought him back that which he'd lost and mourned for years-after having never expected to see it again like everything else that crossed his path… She… She…

"Honestly, I found it just earlier today at the town's pawnshop-it turns out Mr. Getto sold it in an auction instead of tossed it out all those years ago. Though, I am sorry that the store owner had gone and touched it up a bit... He told me that it can actually be used to spin wool now-it has a bobbin and everything, but when he said he wanted to finish refurbishing it before selling it I convinced him to leave it the way it was… I have to say the claw marks and wear give it its own special beauty..." Belle explained with a tender smile, her eyes lidding as she stared down at the wheel spinning beneath the animatronic's touch.

Without him noticing her gloved fingers joined his, their opposite positions stopping the moving wheel in place. Rumplestiltskin meanwhile remained at a complete loss for words-unable to express the depths of his gratitude and pure happiness that what she'd done had given him. Once more she'd gifted him something without a price tag-without knowing it at all-something more than what was seen by the visible eye. For as much as his spinning wheel brought him this indescribable joy she'd returned to him something far more fleeting in all his twenty eight years at Avonlea... Hope.

It near made him giggle like a maniac to 'feel' it shining bright within his chest-it so powerful and light that his system could not comprehend. There it was though, a rising spark surging within his wires, telling him that his strange story might not be one of only loss but one of reunions-of finding all that had been taken from him and all that he'd let go in his fears and doubts. Such a feeling was so overwhelming he fought back the urge to shout out to the sky above as he found a strength in himself he thought not possible…

All thanks to the woman who dared to befriend him and her never ending kindness... One he knew he'd be so hopelessly lost without more than ever.

But, of course... Such a wonderful feeling was never meant to last for something like him.

When he shifted his brilliant gaze all thoughts of his wheel and the possible future drifted away from the sight of the emotions spreading across Belle's face. There was that sadness-the same pervasive one, that quickly doused him as his fears and doubts resurfaced.

"There's only a slight problem with this, having your wheel back now..." Her soft spoken words caught him completely off guard, causing Rumplestiltskin's claws to dig into the wood beneath them. "I know it's is going to be too big to fit in your room with you comfortably, and there's no way you can keep it elsewhere around Avonlea without it possibly being found by Mr. Getto or the other employees... Which would be a big issue… But, I thought that perhaps… M-Maybe… If you'd want-I-I have enough room for…"

With Belle's stammering voice trailing off and her eyes scrunching up tighter his blatant confusion only grew.

"Belle…" His distressed call towards her seemed to help free her from the heartache overtaking her with how she blinked back the fresh tears in her eyes. Then in an mere instant he observed as a sudden fire alighted within them, burning as fiercely as any star in the sky.

"There's... T-There's plenty of space in my apartment for it! I have a whole corner in my living room I can set it in-even with a stool or a chair for you!" Belle declared valiantly, her voice rising from its softer tone-as if baring itself in all that she had from the way it cracked. It was those words of hers and their weight that shocked him most, causing him to stare wide eyed at his night guard in astonishment. "Y-You coming over or leaving Avonlea doesn't have to be permanent if you don't want it to be either-we can start small-like just doing that on the weekends-or whenever you'd feel comfortable! I know you're afraid, but I want you to know there's a place for you, and you wouldn't have to worry about being found out either! You could enjoy my vast book collection when I'm out too, and when I was home we could sit together while you learned to spin so... I... I c-could read to you a-and… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Rumple..."

Just as quick as it had come that brilliant flame of hers was smothered, her voice dying back down into a mere whisper. This time the droplets beginning to leak from the corners of her puffy eyes didn't carry a hint of happiness while her arms crossed over herself through the sobs wracking her chest. Startled further by this despair Rumplestiltskin stepped around the wheel in a flash to reach for her without anything getting in the way. She didn't pull back when he carefully gripped her once more by the shoulders, yet she refused to look at him, filling him with an agony almost unbearable.

Because now he knew the reason for this pain she bore, That made him want nothing more than to tear his hull into pieces for causing her such grief.

A sea of guilt swallowed him up while he shook her gently, urging his companion to look at him which she finally did despite her tears. "Look at me Belle! No! You have nothing to be sorry about! I'm the one who-I'm the one whose cause for this-it's because I am nothing but a coward! B-Because I refuse to leave the place that is more a prison than go with you-even though I long to more than I could ever-ever say… It's not your fault, dearest-p-please-I am-I-so sorry-"

"No-it's not that, and you're not a coward-not that at all-if anyone is-is a coward tonight it's me... Because I haven't told you when I should have right away… Even if I didn't want to ruin our night earlier, but I have no choice but to tell you now... I'm sorry-I'm sorry for being too afraid before…" As her voice remained small, the already tiny woman in his grasp seeming tinier than ever, his mechanics lurched at the openness residing there alongside how her hands gripped at his inner coat sleeves.

Tell him something... Oh... Was that why she'd seem to be in some form of pain their whole night? Was that why he felt this sense of trepidation rise as the hours passed?

He didn't have to wonder for much longer, for despite her apparent fear in telling him she forced herself on-brave to the bitter end. "My father... He's worried his health will start to decline again in time, even though things are going well right now, and so... He talked with his only brother and my grandparents-they all live back in Australia, which you know is very, very far from here... N-Naturally they agreed to help my father figure out planning his-his… His will... Just incase, to help handle the shop and his debts and what would happen if he were... To…"

Once again the mechanical man knew what she meant to say, yet he knew nothing he could say would be able to deny such a horrible outcome from being possible. All he could do was raise one shaky hand up to caress her flushed cheek, hoping that somehow his freezing metal might bring her some form of comfort. After a moment spent regaining her breath against his palm Belle nuzzled her face into him, seeking out a warmth that he knew she wouldn't find. They remained like that a while more as the salty tracks trailing from her chin found their way down the bolt of his wrist.

"My father was in such a hurry to get this done while his health was good that my uncle helped him get tickets for both me and him to fly over the day after Christmas... That means... I'll be gone for a while-a little over the new year too, but I have to go Rumple. I can't let him fly all the way over there alone with how his heart condition right now-I'm sorry… I-I wish I'd known sooner, but given it was so sudden and the circumstances..." His dearest's voice became hushed, and he allowed her to hide her face in his fingers while his other hand came to rest upon the curve of her neck.

To think she was hurting-hurting so deeply, because she feared leaving him alone for so long and on such short notice… No, it was more than that-it was because she feared upsetting him in turn-of hurting him in response to such news… A notion that made Rumplestiltskin's wires twist from a different kind that coursed through them. While something still didn't seem to add up from such ache to be encompassing her the honesty she bore had him reaching for his bravery to put those fears of hers to rest.

"My most noble knight... It's all right, you have nothing to be sorry about, what you're going through... I can't ever imagine. You are so strong to be handling all that you are…" He told her kindly, though all she did was give another short sob that drew him closer to her, his thumb trailing over the edge of her bottom lip. All the while the falling snow was settling upon them both which caused Belle's shivers to worsen much to his dismay. "Your father-your family, they come first no matter what-I know that without ever having one of my own... So if you need to go then you must go be with him, besides, it's not like I won't be right here when you get back! I bet it'll more than likely snow again for that snowball fight you mentioned, and when you return you'll probably have a lot to talk about too! So don't fret for me-I-I'll be all right alone, besides we'll see each other again-"

"Rumple-my dad talked about the possibility of moving back over there!"

It was so sudden-so fast-the words spilling out of her mouth like a thunderous deluge, that the unblinking imp wasn't sure he heard her right.

"Wh… What d-did you say..." He tilted his head, his mouth becoming a thin line and thoughts even thinner in this horror overtaking him.

The sorrow of hers only looked heavier to bare in those tense moments as the dying wind rose back up, whipping at both their hair and clothes. All the while she continued to shed those tears against his unfeeling hull, but like a flood they now threatened to drown them both.

"He doesn't w-want to move back, but he says if he was to... To d-die soon, that he'd w-want to be where his family and my mom is... And if he moved all the way back… I... I couldn't stay here-I'd have to..." Her fragile voice broke off, unable to go on while the pieces of the puzzle fell into place within the animatronic's processors.

The realization was like a slap across the face, except it was far worse than something physical like that. To think there would be something worse to endure than any physical torture he'd had-like the endless barrage of swings he'd suffered bashing his metal skull into a blood drenched floor all those years ago... Worse than the agony of his fits or the constant loneliness, and even worse than the emotional misery his past inflicted day to day…

"Oh… Y-You might m-move… Away… Away from S-Story-brooke... So... F-Far away... Wh-where I'd never see… Y-You…" Rumplestiltskin was at such a loss to this daunting fact he couldn't stop the pitiful whimpering that escaped his vocal box. No-no-no! His tone was all wrong-it wasn't the confident trickster like it needed to be for her-to make sure she wasn't worried about him-to spare her further hurt! Feeling more desolate than ever before in his wretched life the imp forced a smile on his face to mask it, but he just felt monstrous when Belle looked up at him with further distress straining her tear stained features. "That's okay-that's okay! Y-You'll be fine-you'll be with your fam-fam-mily! It'll be fine-if you moved away-if you lef-lef-t-it'd be fine-it'd be f-fine-I'd be fine-fine-fine-f-four-four-forty-four-uhn-uhnnn-no-no-four-four-"

Already it was clear his programing was on the verge of a breakdown if his flickering eyes now spinning in their sockets didn't give it away.

Like the miserable inhuman creature he was all he wanted to do was scurry away from her, from this truth, from the entire world before him to sink back into the darkness of Avonlea he knew would at least remain the same. Never had he thought he'd know what a hell would feel like worse than the one he endured so long alone, but now-now... One would think that this outcome would've been a lesson he'd have already learned-given that from the start he'd known that these idyllic days alongside Belle were going to come to an end no matter what promises they made... Yet, he'd been a fool as he'd taken hold of the barest sliver of hope that such an end might not be. That instead he'd not only have a second chance at 'life', but one shared with the woman he'd come to love without harboring a heart at all…

The irony didn't go past him with how he now wanted nothing more than to shriek out in blistering agony towards the mocking sky.

But he didn't, because loosing her had always been an inevitable.

After all... Monsters like him didn't get happy endings.

Especially not with someone as wonderful as her.

It was then his full out rattling hands lost all their strength, slipping from Belle's face as the servos operating his legs threatened to give out. However, his knight's hands shot forth, grasping at his coat and grounding him despite his desire to spare her from seeing the absolute misery encompassing him. Always he marveled at how strong she could be in light of such circumstances as she tried to keep him with her and from the brokenness calling out to him… And what-what would he do without her courageous light distilling his abysmal darkness? What would he do if she truly had to move to another continent-to never see her smile again-to never hold her hand when she was sad-to never get to see her reach those dreams she spoke of? What would he be without her wonderful stories, her one of a kind laugh, her in everything and all that she was?

Oh that he knew the answer to, his previous hopes of surviving in cinders... He'd rust away entirely, finally become the very dust he was meant to be.

"Rumple! Rumple! Please-Please don't fault! I-I-I'm so sorry-I'm so sorry-but-I promise I'm not going to let anything happen to you and us! No matter what comes of this!" The ferocity in his beloved's voice and her hand now pressing against the back of his head forced his unraveling gaze towards her. There he saw the grit of her teeth through her cheek as she fought back her tears, denying them from getting in her way to speak. "I gave you my word that night-that we'd be together and that nothing would tear us apart, and I'm going to keep it! I'm not ever going to let you go back to being alone ever again!"

At that his eyes steadied themselves-of course, now it all made sense-this true struggle of hers weighing her down. Even now after everything that had happened to her and all she'd found out Belle was thinking of him before she ever gave a thought towards herself… And he-he was being selfish in his pain right now that she had to be feeling ten times worse-ever horrid and greedy as he continued to soak up all the good from her that in turn burdened her soul with his vileness. It wasn't having to leave for a while or the possibility of moving from Storybrooke-he was the one doing this to her, all this pain and sadness-it was because of him being in her life, and no matter what it brought facing it...

He... He couldn't allow that-couldn't let himself be another reason for her to suffer…

Because he loved her... Whether such feelings were real or not.

"N-No... No-NO-NO! STOP THIS-STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"

Rumplestiltskin's rising bellow cut through the air as he abruptly gripped Belle's out reached arms, prying them off as he tried in vein to step away. Shock darted through Belle's eyes at his actions while her gloved fingers continued to grasp for him, but he couldn't let them-no matter how much it tore him apart inside. With a slight shove he pushed her back, feeling all the more horrible to watch her stumble about before regaining her footing upon the slick pavement beneath the snow and her feet. Already he could see her daring to rush forward with how hurt and betrayed she looked, so he held his hands out to keep her at bay, fearing if she managed to hold him again he'd not find the strength to do what he should have done from the beginning.

At that he gritted his horrendous teeth, hard enough to make his jaw's hinges groan in protest as he searched deeply for the will to go on.

He had to-it was time... Time to do the right thing regardless of what happened to him-what was meant to be from the moment they met and that not even their heartfelt vows could have prevented...

It was time... To let her go.

"Y-You can't keep thinking about me like this Belle! Don't you see-see what I'm doing to you right now-what I've done all this time?! I am a burden to you more than I can ever be a friend-I'm an utter waste of s-s-space! I'm not worth your kindness or effort let alone y-your promise-though I so desperately want to be…" Rumplestiltskin began, his electronic cries disrupting the quiet world around them while his wires writhed so terribly he thought they'd come undone. It was all the more worse with how his dearest stood back, watching him wide eyed with those hands he longed to hold still outstretched towards him. "I'm so sorry Belle... I-I know I asked you to stay beside me and I promised you that in return-but I see now how it was horribly s-selfish-I can't hold you to that, especially given what's happening with your father! I just want you to be happy, and with me being in your life I fear it's never going to be... I-I've already caused you so much s-sorrow and p-pain you never deserved to endure-you're better off without me-"

"D-Don't you DARE say anything like that to me ever again!"

It was his turn to stare at his companion in momentary terror as the will of Belle's sudden shout slammed into him. As before that fire in her teary gaze turned on him, but far mightier as he could almost feel it burn through his metal form and scorch his being with its sheer vehemence. The hands that had been reaching for him fell to her sides, tightening into fists trembling with anger. Truly with the wind tugging at her hair and billowing it out in silver glinted waves she looked like beautiful righteous fury bottled in human form.

"Y-You truly think that by having you in my life it makes me unhappy-that I'm better off-having-having never met you?! Then you-you don't know a single thing about me really then! Do you think you're the only one who's lonely?! Do you think you're the only one who feels broken and out of place in the world?! I've felt that way my entire life-even if I'm just a-a normal human with nothing extraordinary about me at all!" Belle cried out, her eyes closing a brief moment as if to push down the frenzy of emotions assailing her.

Despite having revealed to him such buried feelings she didn't cave-no, with her tears reigned back she began to barrel towards him on intent steps through the drifts. Upon seeing such force headed his way Rumplestiltskin staggered backwards in time-the nightmarish machine now being hunted by a petite human he could tear apart if he so wished. That was until his backside smacked into the spinning wheel right behind him, leaving him to gasp silently as he faced her.

"I've spent so much of my life feeling so disconnected-feeling so automated and forced! I'm honestly not good with people no matter what you think-I mean I try to be kind and compassionate always, to be the best person I can be, but… No matter how hard I try I just-I just can't seem to reach others like how everyone else does…" There he could hear his dearest's strong will breaking, tugging at his chest mechanics in a way that he couldn't help but long to reach for her too. "I've always been 'Little Belle French'-sitting on the outside looking in-with her head stuck in her books or in places that don't exist, wondering what it'd be like to really feel like I belonged anywhere… But everywhere I went I never did, and it was that way for a v-very long time... Then... Out of all the places I thought possible..."

It was remarkable to see such a sudden shift in her as she took a steadying breath, her hands slowly unclenching at her sides. As if all that striking anger was swept away into the wind that sorrow of hers met him when her gaze lifted from their snow covered boots.

"When I first saw you… I will not lie-I was terrified... That night you chased me through the halls I truly thought I was going to die there all alone. Then out of all the horrible possibilities I thought of you chose to help me-more so you apologized for what you did, bandaged me up, and then left me ready to face your end... When I left I thought I was going to report you to Mr. Getto, but I couldn't because right away I was drawn to you-I found myself intrigued by this unique being-this new amazing secret I wanted to uncover more than anything else... That all that quickly changed the more I got to know you in our deal-to see past what you were, and when I did I realized I wanted to know so much more about you-about who you really were... And as my want to see you grew, to understand what made you laugh and sad, and hear all your stories in all your years being alive I found I also wanted you to know more about me too…"

It was the gentle and forgiving look she sent his way made the animatronic's will to do what he felt he should unravel completely. Unable to fight her or himself a broken sound escaped from his plated throat as all the emotions bubbling up inside him lurched within his rattling frame. This time there was no stopping his traitorous hands from doing as they longed to as they desperately fumbled for her, and in response the young woman's tears sprang back up as she met him in the middle, lacing their fingers together and reminding him how it was like they were perfectly made for each other.

"Before I knew it... In our time together I had begun to want to tell you things I had never dared to think of telling anyone, and I wanted to be the person who'd cause you to smile and giggle in that way of yours, to help you through your darker times… To cure your loneliness as you'd come to cure mine... I-I just wanted to be with you, every day and much more than that-these six hours aren't near enough anymore... Deep down I had hoped that you'd want that as well after all this time-that you felt the same way I did… But if you don't I can't push you to be with me or to leave Avonlea-I know this is the only place you've known so long that the thought of leaving altogether has to be more than hard… Perhaps I wasn't fair to promise I'd take you away that one day… You're not my property-you're my best and dearest friend… I just… Don't want you to be alone… And I don't want to be without you anymore..."

Hearing such a heartfelt confession had Rumplestiltskin's chest clattering so loudly between them he was sure she could hear it despite the storm. To think-she felt all that towards him-he couldn't fathom it-couldn't comprehend... Not a single human had ever looked at him and desired to try to understand him let alone befriend him until her. To think she longed for all the same from him that he longed of her… It was still beyond his wildest dreams...

But... That didn't change how wrong he knew them wanting such a thing was, for how could he allow this when he... He was...

"Belle-I do-I do want to be with you mo-more than a-anything… I'm just so a-afraid… So afraid to hurt you because of what I lack and from what I-I am and never will be…" Freeing one hand he drifted it over his loathsome form to help push where his words couldn't, for no matter how much she forgot what he truly was-he couldn't, and neither could she. There was no way he could ever be the human she needed in her life-not close enough, and because of that sharing one beside her like she spoke of so intently wouldn't be easy or without its own struggles and pain... And it most certainly would never be fair for her to endure being stuck with. "You mustn't forget either that I'm b-broken, dearest… With something very aw-awful inside me too, and with the horrible things I've done and could do still-even if I didn't want to… H-How could you ever wish to spend your life beside me?"

Yet, despite being reminded of the very nature of the mechanical being she was claiming these things towards his Belle didn't falter for a second. No, she reached out her free hand while he simply watched it come to a rest on his chest, just beneath the new cravat she'd gotten him. At this his own metal eyelids lowered, his glowing eyes alighting them both in a yellow hue amidst the swirling snow. Surely it must bother her no matter what that she found no heartbeat beneath her finger tips-nor warmth in such cold-that what she sought for companionship was this... This Thing… That could give her or offer her nothing but darkness and isolation.

Instead, she continued to smile, teary eyed and obviously still hurt, but with such a hopeful expression he cursed himself for ever allowing himself to doubt her.

"You don't have to be afraid I'll suddenly change my mind on this, and it most certainly won't be because you're a machine-that doesn't matter to me at all in wanting to be with you. In our own ways we're both different or... Chipped you could say… But, these last five months have been the happiest I've been, through all the pain and sadness we've endured. I've never felt more alive or human myself… I've never felt more like I've belonged anywhere than when I'm with you, or working here at Avonlea, or being back in Storybrooke after all this time..." With another step forward she shrunk the distance between them, their conjoined hands settling at their sides as those vibrant blue eyes peered into him. "I would never change what happened either-how we meet and became friends, so there's no way that I'm ever going to leave you all alone after everything. Besides, you said I have to stay with my family first and foremost, and I will… Because… You are a part of my family Rumplestiltskin."

'Family... She-she says I'm apart of her... She-she couldn't truly mean that-but-she...'

Those whispered words had Rumplestiltskin's mouth twitching as he tried to handle the rising bliss within himself to hear such things he'd dreamt of having not long ago. However, he was unable to do as he let out a soft laugh, drawing towards her despite how little room remained. His brilliant incredible Belle didn't seem to mind-not at all, in fact she encouraged his other hand to settle on her waist as she brought her forehead to a rest against his.

"Oh Belle... I've... I've felt the same way... I never want to-to be without you-or your clever mind-your silly humor-everything that you are... I've never f-felt a single thing like this with anyone at all-never let myself dream I could until I got to know you…"

"And nor have I Rum..." She laughed lightly along with him-the tears lessening-and oh, what a sweet sound that shortened name was falling off her tongue. "You're the one that I want to wake up to each and every day-the one I want to face the world with at my side no matter what... To share a life with for the rest of my days... So don't you dare say that I would be happier without having met you or having you in my life, because truth is... I am the happiest I've ever been with you in it."

Truly now, with her smiling so widely at him and peppered by the moonlit flakes she was the most gorgeous thing he'd ever seen. Inside his parts whirled in powerful surges while Belle looked at him in a way no one had ever done with an expression no human-not even she, had spared him before. Both of her sky blue eyes were shimmering with something he dared not name but could almost swear was there while her dainty fingers began traveling up the side of his mechanical maw. It was with his noble knight filling his entire vision-not the snow, or Avonlea, or the rest of the world that he found himself without a thought more leaning towards her... Ever drawn to her as she brushed her nose against his inhuman one without any sign of guilt or disgust.

And then… Under that stormy sky, his beloved making the gentlest movements forward, both hesitating until she released a single breath...

The space between their faces and their parted mouths was thinned into nothing.

No matter how much his fears and doubts screamed within his code to pull away in those following seconds-to stop this before either of them got hurt, Rumplestiltskin found he could not comply. On the contrary, when he sensed the pressure of her against his artificial lips they chose to brush back as light as the snow drifting down from above.

At first it seemed neither human nor machine couldn't truly believe what was happening from how they soon both stilled in realization. Yet, his wide alien eyes didn't deceive him as he watched Belle's begin to flutter closed in light of this unforeseen kiss. The ever present darkness inside of him tried to creep its way into his systems then, trying to convince him this was not so-that she would soon be recoiling from him and pushing him away-that this was wrong for her to share something like this with him… But, there was no room to deny what this was after such heartfelt words and touches. Not with the way both of their mouths trembled against one another alongside the soft needy sounds she started to make.

Which he could only respond in desperate kind as his hinged maw opened to her as much as he dared to, and to his surprise his little night guard hummed, hungrily claiming him in the process. Wasting no time Belle's hands worked to free themselves before worming their way behind his plated neck and coat collar. Immeasurable pleasure filled him to know they were twining in his grayish hair and grasping him tight as if fearing he was about to pull away altogether.

Oh-how could he ever do such a thing... When the woman he loved with every fiber of his being was kissing him back like she felt the same.

Instantly his thoughts flickered when a small spark occurred as her mouth deepened upon his-a brief jolt of electricity that startled the animatronic enough that his hands flinched at her sides. However, Rumplestiltskin quickly understood it was her tongue slipping between his dangerous teeth and touching against the ridges of his metal one. Even though the moisture brought out the small snippets of code in him that read 'possible damage' he couldn't find it in him to care. The sensations-the leaps in his binary Belle caused, it was almost like feeling while the two things intertwined-his far more limited in movement but hers unyielding in demand. These feelings multiplied into a swarm of information he could not hope to describe when that part of her brushed against some wires in his cheek that had never been jostled like that before...

Quickly the burning of his cords and the pure energy whittling away at his parts in his ardor for her grew too great, so he pressed back harder-in need to find the pressure of her against him… To know without a doubt that her mouth was upon his and his on hers. Though he knew what they were sharing out in that bleak cold was far from what a perfect kiss should be-something like him hadn't been built or ever intended to share anything like this with another, his segmented hands helped steady himself by cradling her neck. A pleasant sound escaped his blushing beauty in return as she shivered beneath him, emboldening him to caress the exposed flesh there. More than ever it felt meant to be that as he kissed, touched, and held her the familiar and unexplainable tick formed at the corner of his eye sockets.

Rumplestiltskin ignored it too, wishing to instead remain in this moment of her roving lips and their touch forever. Perhaps, if he were to fully close his eyes he could almost let himself pretend that he too-for just a little while… Was a regular man, and that they were both two ordinary people this late winter's night.

However, that incredible kiss continued a few moments more before Belle suddenly pulled back-if only a few inches, leaving him to almost chase after her with how his mouth followed. Instantly a part of him rose up in spiraling fear that she'd just realized she'd made a mistake-that she'd come to her senses about what a hideous inhuman thing he was and would reject him. That feeling stilled when Belle just breathed deeply and pressed her nose back against his, regaining the much needed air he almost forgot she couldn't go without.

"R-Rum… I've... I've wanted this so much for so long... For a while-I-I was afraid you wouldn't want this... That you couldn't feel the same as I could-or that you didn't want to-" The breathy lost tone of her voice and her own doubts had him lunging back forward without hesitation, claiming her mouth with an urgency that hadn't been there before. Belle gave a muffled gasp at his unexpected advance, but her flushed lips responded back in the same manner of need. Such a notion was made ever sweeter seeing the red hue encompassing those lovely features of hers that the mechanical man emitted his own content noises. Without either of them realizing it at all from their escalating passion both their feet began to find themselves moving them backwards, the snow crunching beneath falling deaf upon them.

"Oh dearest-my sweet, sweet, Belle…" He stammered in turn, being able to even through their messy heated kiss given his electronic vocal box. "I've wanted this too-for so very long… I never imagined you'd ever feel the same for me too-you're far too good to me-I just… Y-You deserve a true man to be with-not a thing like me-"

As if sensing his fears trying to pull him under his companion's kisses grew fiercer, silencing his worries beneath the flurry of her mouth and the daring hand finding its way across his barren plates. Another short cry fled him from surprise, her hand having slipped beneath his vest and silk shirt to press over parts of him he couldn't imagine she would long to touch. Together both of them continued to move backwards, stumbling a bit as the machine's hand went to brushing across a sensitive spot on his beloved's nape.

"Sweetheart... I... I... I can't b-believe you'd... Want me... Even now-I-I shouldn't…" Like much of tonight his words kept failing him as his systems lost their control in all that he felt for her and her alone.

"Rum... D-Don't you dare stop... I do... I want you-only you…" Belle demanded hastily between, the last vestiges of the tears she'd shed falling to the frozen ground. Not that she needed to demand this of him as he held onto her tightly, for he'd follow her command to the bitter end-follow her to the edge of the earth if she so wished... Already she'd lead him beyond the edge of the only world he'd known for so long and freed him of the eternal isolation he'd thought was all he'd ever know. Despite all he was this brilliant young woman somehow found something worth caring for beneath the metal and inhumanity that haunted the glass every time he looked back. No he'd never understand how she could find anything worth while in him, couldn't fathom why she'd come to care for him, but with this he could believe she had… That maybe… Even possibly she'd…

And with that hope he found the strength to break free of the chains binding him-to put his upmost faith in her and trust her with all he was and all he'd longed to say.

So it was then he finally closed his mechanical eyelids, basking in this warmth he swore he could almost feel between them.

"Belle... I... I love you-"

The words were slipped out so easily-like how Belle's footing did abruptly on a hidden slick of icy pavement below.

Without warning they were stumbling together with their mouths still interlocked for her back bumped into something this time-the side door of the van behind her.

And within the next instant the peaceful world all around them shattered entirely.

'BEEEEEP-BEEEEEP-BEEEEEP -'

The abrupt bellowing ripping into the air had Rumplestiltskin's whole body spasm in shock. Reacting so incredibly fast he ended up several feet from both the van and Belle in what had to be a second later-the whole world having become a blur until his trembling frame had stopped. Through the terror fueling his unbalanced mind the animatronic pivoted his head around in sheer panic, trying to understand what was happening. Swiftly his auditory sensors pinpointed that the alarming cry was coming from nearby-the van itself, and though he began to relax from the wild fear sparking in his cords he couldn't get himself to glance back towards Belle. It was hard to think of facing her with the loud alarm going off and everything in him lost in this hurricane of his emotions he was enduring flickering in his circuits… Of not only what they'd just had shared or what they had willingly bared, but what it now meant for them…

Regardless, he forced himself to look over at her in order to know if she was all right too-she'd probably been pretty spooked as well…

Not the most romantic way to end such a wonderful kiss.

Yet, the moment he looked at her Rumplestiltskin's faint smile fell, for he got his immediate answer, and no... No...

She was not all right-not at all.

Standing a few feet back and still pressed against her father's van he noticed right away how Belle was now holding desperately at her arm as her muffled cries of pain reached him despite the force of the van's alarm, freezing his hull to the spot. Through the lack of proper light between the single light post and the thin slivers of moonlight drifting down from above his keen vision could still see more than enough of what she was trying hard to hold onto. There was a new torn part of her upper coat sleeve that had not been there just moments before-that he knew for certain. One she'd noticed too as her wide blue eyes darted from it up to his amber ones as if utterly stunned. Yet, it was not enough to distract him from continuing to look at her curled fingers clenched around the white material and the pale flesh now exposed…

Its fabric edges and her gloves beginning to seep with a dark red color.

What was even more horrifying, as both he and his dearest seemed to realize with how her mouth remained agape from the force of her haggard breathing…

Was the amount of blood trickling down her bottom lip and over her jaw...

Dripping to the ground in fat droplets that stained the pure white bellow.