A/N: Wow! Over 1,000 reviews! You guys are seriously amazing. And as we've been two chapters without smut, I thought it was about time we had some! My smut muse deserted me for a few days, so this is later than I intended. Welcome to my new readers.
To my reviewers ecinspired, JosephineM, jewel415, spacecats, RaFire, Wondermorena, Kiri Huo Ziv, karolprado, AngelOfMusic44, Twyla Mercedes (x2), OneMagician, crazykat77, orthankg1, deweymay, Erik'sTrueAngel, Sprocket: thank you all for your continued support
Emma and Snow shuffled through to the kitchen, yawning and rubbing their eyes, just as Ruby returned with a box of doughnuts and muffins. Belle poured coffee, sinking back into her chair and drawing her knees up so that she was huddling, her hands around the steaming mug.
"Hey," said Snow, sliding onto a chair beside her. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Belle wrinkled her nose. "Just thinking. You know, if you three are going to help out with breaking this curse, maybe it would be best if you stayed here for a while."
Emma frowned.
"Why do you say that?" she asked. "It wouldn't have anything to do with Gold's obsession with killing a certain Boston-based criminal, would it?"
Belle looked a little shifty. "Maybe," she admitted. "I just don't want you guys to be in any danger because of their feud."
"Might not be a bad idea," said Ruby thoughtfully. "At least when the nightmares start you guys'll be around to hug me." She grinned as Belle immediately threw her arms around her. "Why don't I pick up Malvolio, bring him over with a litter box? Poor little guy's been stuck with me since Gold changed his image."
Snow giggled. "I'm sure Gold'll love having a cat all over his antique furniture."
"As long as he keeps his claws to himself he'll be fine," Belle assured her. She pulled back again, turning her cup around in her hands and blowing on the steaming liquid. Emma nudged her.
"Is Gold back?" she asked, and Belle nodded.
"He's back," she confirmed, with a sigh. "And apparently he didn't kill Midas, but he's still acting strange. He's done something, I know it."
"Perhaps he had good reason," offered Ruby, taking a bite of her doughnut before chewing and swallowing. "If he was at Midas's place, maybe he had to fight his way out."
"Maybe." Belle looked unconvinced, and more than a little unhappy. Snow put an arm around her.
"Why not stay home today?" she suggested. "The two of you have been through so much lately, maybe you should take some time alone together."
Belle sighed, sipping at her coffee. "Can't," she said reluctantly. "We both have things to do. He's going to try and get Regina on board today, anyhow. And I still need to work. I was going to try to talk to him later. Tonight, maybe."
"Tonight is girls' night," Emma reminded her. "Will he be okay with the three of us coming over again?"
"I shall simply sit in my basement and amuse myself." Gold's voice made them all jump, and Emma glared at him as he appeared in the doorway, arms folded across his chest.
He was gazing at Belle, where she sat with her knees drawn up, and there was a slight frown on his face.
"Are you well?" he asked gently, as though the other three weren't there, and she held his gaze for a moment, before looking down.
"I'm fine," she said shortly. "We'll talk about it later."
Emma was amused to see the Dark One cringe slightly at that sentence.
"Very well," he said stiffly. "I'll be going to the university today. I have to speak to Jefferson, and to Regina. I'll be home before you leave work this afternoon."
He disappeared with an elaborate flourish, and Belle scowled at the empty space he had been inhabiting moments before.
"Well, that was awkward," remarked Ruby. "Why don't you guys just have a massive fight and clear the air?"
"After girls' night," added Snow, with a grin. "We know what you're like when you fight. The walls in this place aren't that thick."
Belle stood up, feeling both frustrated and upset with Gold, and not sure what to do about it.
"He's keeping stuff from me again," she said, gulping her coffee and reaching for a doughnut. "I know he thinks he's protecting me, but sometimes I just wish he'd tell me. Whatever it is can't be as bad as the things I imagine." She sighed, taking an uninterested bite of her doughnut and throwing it back in the box, wrinkling her nose. "Oh, I'm not hungry! I better get dressed for work. Do you guys want to walk with me?"
"Sure," they chorused, and Belle put down her cup, making for the stairs. Emma, Ruby and Snow exchanged glances.
"The moment she goes down to the basement this evening, I'm getting the earplugs out," remarked Ruby, taking a drink.
Gold wore the glamour of his old Storybrooke self as he passed through the halls of the university that afternoon. It meant using his cane and faking a limp, which was irritating, but he supposed it was for a good cause. He was worried about Belle. She was clearly suspicious of what he had done the previous night, and he really didn't want to have to confess it to her. Knowing how stubborn she could be, it might just come to that, however, and he was mentally preparing himself for her reaction. He had called Dover earlier, and given the man his instructions. The body was not far from Anton's farm, and the pigs would once more have something other than their usual fodder to chew on. All except the head, of course. He would keep his word about that. If he had the time, Gold intended to be there to see Midas's reaction.
He had popped in to see Doc, and had explained what the Seer had told him, and Doc advised him to get Regina on side as soon as possible. Gold made his way down the stairs slowly, deciding to deal with Jefferson first. He toyed with the idea of visiting Belle, and even paused briefly outside her office, but he could sense that she wasn't there, and he was not entirely sure what he would say to her, in any event. Sighing to himself, he walked further along the corridor and knocked on Jefferson's door.
"Gold? Good to see you." Jefferson was lounging in his chair, a pile of papers on his desk, clearly in the middle of grading something. "Tea?"
"Please," nodded Gold, and Jefferson grinned as he busied himself with the kettle. Gold stood awkwardly, watching the taller man as he poured boiling water into a pot and set out cups and saucers. Jefferson was the only person besides Belle that he knew who made a proper cup of tea. It was probably the reason that the man was one of the few people he could tolerate. Jefferson placed the teapot and cups on his desk and sat back down, raising an eyebrow.
"So, what can I do for you?" he asked, and Gold smiled slightly, leaning his cane against the desk.
"Well, It's like this…" he began, and threw off his glamour, making Jefferson yell with fright. Gold grinned nastily at the look of wide-eyed astonishment on his face, which faded into curiosity, then deepened into fascination.
"Cool effect," said Jefferson admiringly. "How the hell did you do that?"
"It's not an effect," said Gold tersely. "It's me, you idiot." He pressed a hand to his chest.
Jefferson picked up the lid of the teapot and peered inside ostentatiously.
"Well, here I thought I'd made Earl Grey tea," he remarked dryly. "Seems I picked up the psilocybin instead."
"You're not hallucinating, Milliner," sighed Gold. "And you're not dreaming, either. Stop being dramatic, if that's even a possibility for you."
"Not really," said Jefferson cheerfully, but sat back, swinging his boots up onto the desk and crossing his ankles. "Okay, Gold, you have my rapt attention. What did you do to yourself?"
"It's a curse," said Gold crossly. "And I'm trying to break it."
Jefferson looked interested, folding his arms across his chest and lifting an eyebrow. "Seriously? Those exist?"
Gold promptly waved a hand and set his desk on fire, and Jefferson yelped and toppled backwards in his chair, falling to the ground with a crash. The flames raged, hot and bright for a minute or two, before Gold extinguished them with another wave of his hand, leaving the desk and Jefferson's papers untouched by fire. Jefferson's eyes were as big and round as Gold had ever seen them, his mouth hanging open as he pushed himself up on his elbows.
"Awesome!" he breathed, looking up at Gold with something approaching reverence. "What else can you do?"
"I can turn you into a toad, if you don't start being a bit more helpful," snapped Gold. "Do you accept what I'm saying to you?"
Jefferson nodded mutely, scrambling to his feet and righting his chair, and Gold looked satisfied.
"That little job I sent you on," he began. "It may have gotten you in trouble. Midas sent someone here to question you. I do not think you would have enjoyed his methods."
Jefferson eyed him shrewdly, sitting back down to pour the tea. "I note your use of the past tense."
"Oh, he's dead, have no fear on that score," said Gold, waving a dismissive hand. "I've spent not an inconsiderable amount of time this past couple of days destroying Midas's empire from beneath his nose. Some of it I've transferred to you."
Jefferson's eyes widened again as he passed a cup to Gold. "Seriously? Why? You pay me well enough."
"I dislike people coming to kill those who are useful to me," said Gold simply, and Jefferson grinned.
"You could just admit you care, Gold. Your head won't explode, you know."
"I didn't want you to die horribly," snapped Gold. "That's it."
Jefferson sighed, and leant back in his chair again. "When you say you've transferred some of his stuff to me, how much are we talking?"
"Enough," said Gold, looking a little smug as he remembered the complexity of the magic he had used. "Enough to buy you entire wardrobes of ridiculous outfits, and houses to put them in."
Jefferson looked him up and down. "And here I was about to compliment you on your change of image," he said dryly. "I had no idea you had such good legs, Gold." He raised a curious eyebrow. "Turn around, let's see the merchandise." He moved his finger in a circle, and Gold gave him a flat look.
"Do you find it absolutely necessary to flirt with everyone you meet?" he asked dryly, and Jefferson grinned.
"I find it pays never to let an opportunity pass me by," he said, with a small shrug and a wicked look in his eye. He spread his hands, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "You never know until you try, Gold…"
"I think not," said Gold sternly, and Jefferson shrugged again.
"Tease," he said, with a grin.
"I'm not here for your titillation," Gold said coldly, crossing to one of the padded chairs to Jefferson's left and sitting down, resting a booted foot on his leather-clad knee. "Merely to warn you. Midas may send someone else before I can take him out. He doesn't want to kill you, so I suggest that if you are questioned, you tell them anything they want to hear. I shall deal with the consequences." He took a sip of his tea, his little finger sticking out as he drank.
Jefferson swallowed hard. "That sounds – unpleasant."
"Leave the town for a week or so, if you wish," said Gold dismissively, putting his cup back in its saucer and waving his hand in an elaborate gesture. "Alternatively, take one of my spare rooms until all this is over. I can assure you that you will be as well protected as Belle and the others."
"Thanks," said Jefferson, looking relieved. "I believe I'll take you up on that offer."
"Excellent." Gold put the cup down and steepled his fingers, swinging back in the chair. "Now, the girl. Ariel."
Jefferson perked up. "Yes? Did you see her?"
"I did." Gold frowned. "She's clearly unhappy. Would you like to come with me when I free her?"
"Yes," said Jefferson eagerly. "Please, Gold, make it soon. I hate to think about what's happening to her in that place."
Fully aware of exactly what Ariel was going through, Gold kept his thoughts to himself. No point in upsetting Jefferson further, when there was nothing to be done about it.
"We'll get her out as soon as we can," he acknowledged. "I imagine Midas will make a move against me fairly soon, and I aim to be prepared for it."
"So, what do you need for – whatever it is you're looking to do?" asked Jefferson, waving his hand up and down Gold's form. Gold smiled unpleasantly.
"I need to ask for Regina's help," he said, and Jefferson gave him an incredulous look, before bursting into amused laughter.
Regina was dealing with some correspondence when there was a firm knock at her door, and she sighed in frustration. Couldn't they take care of things without her for five minutes? Bad enough that she had to write some ass-kissy letters to the university donors, including Gold, of all people, but she was being interrupted constantly as she tried to get through the unpleasant task.
"Come in," she snapped, and scowled as Gold himself opened the door and walked inside. The door shut with a click after him, and he took a seat across from her without being asked, making her frown.
"Busy, are we, dearie?" he asked softly, and she glared at him.
"As a matter of fact, I am," she said. "What can I do for you, Mr Gold?"
"It's more a question of what we can do for each other," he said calmly, folding his hands across the top of his cane. She put down her pen and sat up a little straighter, raising an immaculate eyebrow.
"Really? Care to elaborate?"
"Indeed." He picked up a paperweight, a ball of clear glass containing an intricate lacy pattern in a shade of deep purple. "What would you say your dearest wish was, Ms Mills?"
Regina's eyes grew cold. "You know perfectly well what my dearest wish is," she said through gritted teeth. "It hasn't changed in all these years, Gold. You also know that despite my pleas, you refused to help me obtain it."
"Well, let's just say that I have reconsidered my position on the matter," he said easily, turning the paperweight around in his hand so that it caught and held the light. Regina hesitated, looking suddenly intrigued.
"What changed your mind?" she asked, and he shrugged.
"I underwent some changes in my life, and decided where my priorities lay," he said, and her lip curled.
"Oh, God, is this about you and Miss French?" she sneered. "Is this your way of soothing your soul? It won't help, Gold. You can't wash away your darkness with the blood of your enemies."
"Oh, believe me, dearie, I'm well aware of the extent of my own darkness," he breathed, the sudden, heated look in his eyes making her pull back a little. He placed the paperweight down on the desk very deliberately. "I'm not here for absolution. What I have in mind is more of a quid pro quo."
"I'm listening," said Regina cautiously, and the corner of his mouth curled upwards slightly.
"What if I told you that you had lived a past life, and that I could help you remember what you had done in it?" he suggested, and she snorted, swinging back in her chair, shapely legs crossed at the knees.
"I'd say you were a crazy person, and if I didn't know any better, you were trying to get in my pants."
Gold chuckled without mirth. "Let's not traumatise ourselves with that notion, dearie. Say it's true. Would you be willing to remember? To know the life you had, alongside your own?"
Regina studied him for a moment, her dark eyes impenetrable.
"Okay," she said. "Hypothetically speaking, if you could show me that, I'd be interested. Why do you ask?"
Gold reached in his pocket, and pulled out a ring, a thick gold band with a polished golden-yellow stone set in it. Regina eyed it curiously.
"What's that?" she asked suspiciously, and he smiled briefly.
"This," he said. "Is a key. It will return your memories, your knowledge of the past, everything you lost. My gift to you."
Regina sat back, hands poised on the carved wooden arms of her chair, her gaze calculating.
"You're lying," she said automatically. "And you clearly think I'm an idiot. Nice try, Gold, but I'm not falling for whatever ridiculous prank this is."
"If I'm lying, it won't hurt to give it a go and prove me wrong, will it?" he said mildly. She watched him cautiously, dark red lips pursing, eyes narrowing as she tried to see whether he was tricking her.
"What do you mean, 'give it a go'?" she asked, and his mouth twitched again.
"I press this to your forehead, and you wake," he said simply. He grinned suddenly, the raw menace in his face making her draw back and curl her lip. "Be warned, though, dearie. You may not like what you remember. I have no knowledge of what you may regret about your past."
"You're an asshole," she declared, folding her arms. "And incredibly creepy. I don't know what that poor girl sees in you."
He shrugged, rolling the ring between his thumb and forefinger, the stone gleaming in the light, the steady blink of gold almost mesmerising. Her lips parted as she watched it, then flicked up to meet his, the tip of her tongue darting out to wet her lips as his eyes bored into hers.
"Such power from such a small thing," he said softly. "Imagine the things you could do, with the knowledge of multiple lives. Not to mention you will finally have your vengeance. And all because of this." The ring winked gold flashes at Regina, and he continued to stare at her. She started at the glint of gold in his irises, her heart thumping strangely.
"What do you say, Ms Mills?" he whispered, and she found herself nodding, almost as though she was not in control of herself.
"I want to know," she said softly.
Smiling, he pushed the ring onto his finger, and stood up, moving slowly and surely around the table until he was standing by her chair.
"Get up," he breathed, and Regina stood, her breath catching in her throat. He turned her to face him with gentle hands on her shoulders, and looked impassively at her slightly shocked face, her widened eyes and flushed cheeks. She closed her eyes as he pressed his palm against her forehead, the stone pushing against her warm flesh.
"Wake," he whispered, and Regina dropped like a stone.
He broke her fall a little with his arms, then shrugged her out of his grip and allowed her to hit the floor, gazing down at her with an air of detachment. Interesting that the ring worked as he had suspected, lulling even the most cynical with the pull of its magic. He had not had to use it to that extent on Miss Swan, but he suspected that was equal parts peer pressure and a genuine desire to help her friends. Turning, locking the door, and moving to the walnut bureau at the side of the room, he rummaged inside and found Regina's bottles of liquor. Pouring himself a large whisky, he settled down in one of her leather armchairs to wait for her to wake.
Gold had finished his whisky and poured himself another before there was any movement from Regina. She groaned, putting a hand to her head and pushing herself up on one elbow.
"What the hell, Gold?" she growled, dark eyes flashing. "You could have warned me, you bastard!"
He smiled, meeting her venomous glare with a raised eyebrow and a mock toast, the amber liquid swirling in his glass. She glared anew.
"Make yourself at home, why don't you?" she said sarcastically, and he smirked.
"Welcome back, Ms Mills," he drawled. "Or should I call you Mrs Winters?"
"That and half a dozen other names," grumbled Regina, getting to her feet and rubbing her temples. She crossed to the bureau, pouring herself a large measure of whisky and knocking it back. "I suppose you've had a similar experience?"
He chuckled. "Over a hundred lives, Regina. Think yourself lucky."
She was round-eyed at that, but then her gaze narrowed as she looked him up and down.
"Why did you do this?" she asked, and he took a drink, setting his glass on the table beside him and standing up.
"I require some of that knowledge you hold," he said. "To get myself out of a rather difficult situation. In return for your agreement to assist me, and your participation in a small project, I will grant your dearest wish."
"And what do you get out of it?" she whispered, dark eyes searching his. He met her gaze, unblinking.
"Peace," was all he said, and her brow furrowed slightly in confusion. He tilted his head to the side, watching her intently.
"Do we have a deal?" he asked softly.
Gold returned home after finalising his deal with Regina, agreeing that she would come to his house the following evening to make plans. He went straight to the basement to spin, allowing his thoughts to drift with the turn of the wheel, replaying the events of the previous evening, and that morning, over in his mind. The part of him that was the Dark One revelled in it, almost chuckling in the back of his head. The part of him that was just Gold (and he wasn't certain how large a part that was anymore) was glad the two men were dead, but faintly sickened at what he had done in his pursuit of their demise. He heard Belle return home some time later, and waited to see if she would come to him, unsure whether that was what he wanted or not. The waiting was making him nervous, but eventually he heard her tread on the stairs, and looked up to see her watching him, her hands twisting anxiously.
"Hey," he said, for lack of anything more inspiring, and she flashed a brief smile.
"Hey," she countered, walking slowly towards him. "I thought I'd come and see how you were, before the girls get here."
"Ah," he nodded. "It's Friday."
Belle nodded, inching closer. "I suggested that they stay here until we break the curse, just in case Midas – well, just to keep them safe, really. Do you mind?"
"Of course not." He continued to turn the wheel slowly, and she moved around, putting her hands on his shoulders. He let his hands fall to his lap and looked up at her, slightly surprised when she moved to stand between his legs, Her arms went around him, and pulled him against her, so that his head was nestled against her belly, just below her breasts. He was momentarily startled by her closeness, but then he began to breathe her in, and his arms went around her, and he let out a long, shuddering sigh as he felt some of the tension leave his body.
Belle stood in silence for a long moment, stroking his hair gently.
"I miss you," she said softly.
His grip tightened. He didn't want her to speak. He just wanted to be held, and loved. If she spoke, she would ask him. Sooner or later, she would ask. He hadn't decided if he would lie to her or not. He nuzzled against her, hoping she would let it go.
"Sometimes, it's as though you're not really here," she continued. "I don't know whether to reach out to you, or whether you want me to leave you alone."
"No," he said, more sharply than he intended, his grip tightening. "I may wish to be left alone, but it's probably not the best thing for me, at times."
"Like this morning?" she asked, and he let out a heavy breath, rubbing his head against her.
"Yes."
There was silence for a moment, and she continued to smooth his hair with the flat of her hands, the rhythmic stroking calming him.
"What happened?" she asked then, and he sighed anew. No, she wasn't going to let it go.
"I didn't kill Midas," he said, playing for time. "Didn't even touch him, I promise."
"I know. You said." She carried on stroking his hair, combing through the soft curls with slender fingers. "Something happened, though. I know you. Something's upset you."
"I'm not upset," he snapped, pulling back from her, and softened at the look of love and understanding on her face. "I'd rather not talk about it, Belle. Not now."
"Why not?" she persisted. "Why won't you tell me?"
He hesitated, lifting her hand to kiss her palm. "Because I don't want the look on your face to change," he said uncomfortably. "I don't want to see what I've become, in your eyes."
She shook her head, cupping his cheek with her hand.
"I love you," she whispered. "I always have. That won't change."
He sighed, wrapping his arms around her again, and she bent to kiss him, sliding onto his lap as her fingers pushed into his hair. His arms tightened around her, his hand gripping her hip and tugging her against him as his tongue slipped into her mouth. Belle made a tiny sound of enjoyment, her tongue meeting his, and his hand splayed out across her hip, the other sliding up to cup her breast.
"How long do we have?" he murmured, and she briefly looked at her watch before plunging her hands into his hair again.
"An hour or so," she whispered. "Less if I have to cook."
"They can order a fucking pizza for all I care," he growled, his mouth sucking on her throat and making her moan. He stood up suddenly, causing her to let out a squeal as he threw her over his shoulder. Belle broke into breathless giggles as he transported them to the bedroom in a plume of red smoke. She was aware that he was trying to distract her, but right at that moment in time she didn't care. He deposited her on the bed, the fall knocking a little of the breath from her as she bounced on the mattress, and he grinned down at her, shrugging off his waistcoat before jumping on top of her and making her shriek.
"You're heavy!" she protested, still giggling, and he began kissing her, his hands sliding up her body to the zip of her dress. She responded enthusiastically, running her hands over his silk shirt and tugging at his nipples through the thin material, making him growl. The shirt was soon discarded, and he peeled the dress from her as his mouth trailed across her bare skin, his lips nipping at her and making her shiver.
"You taste delicious, my sweet," he purred, fingers nimbly flicking open her bra and pulling it off her. "So good." He lowered his mouth to her breast, sucking the nipple in and swirling his tongue around it as Belle moaned, her fingers in his hair. She could feel him harden in his leathers, and itched to unfasten them, to have him naked and pressed against her, to have him inside her.
"Take off those bloody pants!" she gasped, trying to grab at the fastenings, and he grasped her wrists, pinning them above her head as he kissed her.
"All in good time, my beauty," he murmured, the strange scent of his skin, of his magic, enveloping her. She pressed her groin up against his, causing a muffled curse to fall from his lips, and grinned.
"Doesn't feel as though you want to wait," she said innocently, her blue eyes wide and blinking up at him.
"Minx!" he growled, and snaked a hand down between her legs, stroking her through the thin lace of her panties. Belle yowled, cat-like, one leg wrapping around him and tugging him against her. Her wetness soaked through the lace, spreading on his fingers as he teased her, and he gently slipped a finger under her panties, touching her directly.
"More!" she gasped, and he smirked, adding another finger, his thumb stroking her and making her moan as she writhed beneath him.
"Please!" she whined. "We don't have long!"
"Are you watching the clock, missy?" he demanded, and she giggled, drawing her tongue up his neck and causing him to groan with pleasure.
"Shut up and take me," she said boldly, and his eyes gleamed darkly. He pulled off her panties, throwing them over his shoulder, and knelt up, batting her hands away as she sat up and reached for the laces of his pants. She made a noise of vexation as he began unfastening them unbearably slowly, grinning at her as he did so.
"You're going to be sorry for this," she pointed out. "You know that, right?"
He showed his teeth. "Am I to be punished?"
"Severely," she sighed, as he finally got the bloody things open. He was wearing no underwear, which was a surprising turn-on, and she heaved a happy sigh as he banished his boots and pants with a flick of his wrist and revealed himself to her.
Gold knelt up on the bed, and curled his arm around Belle's waist, pulling her to him and encouraging her to straddle him so that he could slide into her. His fingers gripped her hips as she arched her back, gasping aloud, the small mounds of her breasts looking soft and perfect in the lamplight. He ran gentle hands over them, calloused thumbs scraping over the nipples and making her moan, and she wrapped her legs around his back as he moved, gently rocking back on his heels. She could feel every bit of him within her, how tight she was around him and the hard heat of him filling her up. His skin gleamed in the light from the lamps, his hair falling in soft curls around his face, and his expression… Her lips parted as she watched him, his face serene, peaceful, his dark eyes gazing at her with love and devotion. She lifted a hand to cup his cheek, and he pressed a kiss to her palm, nuzzling her hand with his head like a contented cat.
Belle leant further back, so that she was almost looking at the wall behind her, her arms stretched over her head, and moaned aloud as the position made him thrust against her inner walls in the sweet spot that drove her wild. The speed of his movements increased, the tension building within her, and she raised her head to look at him, her eyes dark and heavy with lust. He was grinning at her smugly, a wicked glint in his eyes, and he very deliberately put his thumb in his mouth and sucked it obscenely, making her eyes widen. She watched, entranced, as he withdrew it, glistening with his saliva, and slowly lowered his hand to the place where their bodies joined, pressing firmly against her clit and rubbing in a circle.
Belle came with a scream, arching up, her body spasming, crying out over and over as she jerked and shook. Blackness claimed her vision, and she was dimly aware of collapsing onto the bed, of him falling down on top of her and lifting her knees so that he could push right up inside her. She gasped and trembled, almost weeping as the tide of bliss swept over her, and he finally came inside her with a groan of pleasure.
She was shaking as he pushed his head into her neck, breathing hard, her arms moving loosely around him, as though all the bones of her body had disappeared. He pressed heavy kisses against her skin, tongue darting out to taste the salt of her sweat.
"Are you alright?" he murmured, and felt her shiver.
"I think so," she said, her voice a little hoarse. "That was pretty intense."
He chuckled, sinking his teeth into her and making her squirm. The doorbell ringing made them both groan.
"Dammit, they're early!" grumbled Belle, and he kissed her again, his lips trailing up her neck and over her jaw to meet hers. She pushed her fingers through his hair, tongue probing his mouth as she kissed him. The doorbell rang again, loud and insistent, and he growled, waving his hand towards the unwelcome sound.
"What did you do?" she gasped, pulling her mouth from his. He kissed down her neck again.
"Opened the front door," he said. "Worry not, my sweet, I cast a barrier at the bottom of the stairs. They won't be able to come up."
"Hey, Gold!" Emma's voice drifted up from downstairs. "You in here?"
"Told you." Ruby sounded satisfied. "At least they got it out of the way before we came round."
Belle giggled, and Gold licked along her collarbone, turning her chuckle into a breathy moan.
"We'll be in the kitchen!" Ruby shouted. "You guys just – we'll see you when you're – done!"
There was silence then, except for a rhythmic pattering sound, and all of a sudden the door was pushed open with a loud miaow. Gold pushed himself up on his elbows, glaring at Malvolio, who promptly leapt onto the bed and padded his way up Gold's back, purring loudly.
"How the hell did you get in here?" he demanded, and Belle giggled.
"I guess you didn't set your barrier to cat," she said with a grin, and he grunted.
"Well, that killed the mood," he said grumpily, but he scratched Malovlio's ears, anyway, rolling onto his back and drawing Belle close against him. She nestled into him, breathing in his scent as their breathing steadied.
"I guess we should go downstairs," she said regretfully, and he made a noncommittal sound and tightened his grip.
"They can wait five minutes," he said. "Just stay with me for a moment."
Sighing, she slid her arm around him contentedly, the cat curling in a warm ball behind her knees as they relaxed together.
A/N: I thought we ought to include some fluff and smut after the last (dark) chapter.
Coming up: Jefferson comes to stay, Regina gets to meet the Dark One, and Gold gives Midas a present.
