Love snuck up on the Dark One far too easily, getting past his defenses without even trying, and his heart picked up speed before he could blink.

Love slipped into Rumplestiltskin's heart the moment he laid eyes on a dark headed peasant girl, eyes twinkling with desperation.

Love made his eyes glossy when he caught a maid as she plummeted from a ladder, determined to let light shine through his dark home.

Love made him smile when he married his wife, hands trembling.

Love made him cry when he held his son, a tiny palm atop his nose.

Love pushed him in front of Lacey, staring down a gun barrel with genuine courage.

Love made him laugh, wrapping his arms around Bae, tears of relief pouring from his eyes.

Love made him shake, voice horrified as he hovered over Belle, her body slung across the town line.

Love made him stumble, at a loss for words.

For an evil imp with a black heart, Rumplestiltskin knew love, was full of it, and love knew him.

Love, the most powerful magic of all, is the flip side of his own insidious nature, creeping into his heart when he least expects it, and for once, holding Lacey in his arms, Belle's laughter echoing in her amused giggles, he's ok with that.

Please R&R!