a/n: More triggers for non/dub consent. Mature situations, adult themes, reader discretion is advised.

IX

"Dark One," she breathed, unconsciously shrinking away from him, her back against the mattress preventing her from moving away too much. "Y-You're …"

"In the flesh, so to speak," he replied with a waggle of his brows. Braced on his arms, he let his head fall to her shoulder, breathing her in. He was bold where the spinner was timid, and he would not hesitate to show the little maid the difference. He could feel her tremble as his tongue snaked out to travel the length of her pale throat, a low moan leaving him. He could taste her innocence, her purity, her light. It was almost painful, but nothing he couldn't handle. "Seems you've gotten yourself into quite the … predicament. Imagine my surprise to find you alive."

Belle bit down hard on her lip, her eyes slamming closed as heat flooded her, spreading out from her lower belly to the tips of her fingers and toes and raising the fine hairs on her nape. "R-Rumpel?"

A sinister grin curled his lips, not having missed her reaction to his touch. "Oh, he's in here, dearie. In quite a bit of a panic, actually," he cackled. "He didn't take the time to think about what Regina said before he started sniveling like a wee girl-child."

She struggled against her bonds as he raised above her, his eyes taking in her charms appreciatively. She needed to keep a clear head and having him so close was playing havoc with her desires. "What do you mean?"

The dark one's eyes narrowed on her. "I don't know if I want to tell you, little maid. You caused quite a bit of trouble trying to banish me, after all." He ducked his head and caught the edge of her bodice with his teeth, pulling it down to reveal the smooth perfect globes of her breasts.

Her cheeks suffused with the heat of indignation. "I was trying to save you – him – gods this is confusing," she hissed with a shake of her head. "If I'd known he didn't want his curse broken, I never would have risked it!"

"Didn't bother to ask either, did you?" He licked a long path between her breasts and shunted his hips forward to press against the heat of her core, stifling a groan. How long had it been since he'd been able to drive the carriage? Rumpelstiltskin had been at the reins for far too long. "Too little, too late."

"Rum –"

"Tet, tet, precious," he warned lowly. "Fret not. I promised the spinner I'd be on my best behavior if he agreed to let me help him." That manic gleam returned to his eyes, one Belle recognized. He wanted to be the showman. "Good thing, too, with him trying to pull himself together."

Belle stared at him as if he'd truly lost what little sanity he had left. "There really are two of you in there," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

His lips nibbled lightly at her collarbone as his hand covered a breast, his fingers idly plucking at her nipple. "I am the voice of all the dark one's who've come before," he murmured, sinking his weight against her as he felt his host begin to come back to himself. "Not one of us has ever been brought down by … love." He drew out the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Which is why I can't destroy you even if I wanted to."

"Why?" she asked, trying to block out the sensations he was wreaking across her flesh to focus on his words. Dark one or not, he was still her beloved. He was just another layer.

"Because, precious …" he reared back to meet her sloe-lidded gaze, "… he's stronger than us." Fucking hell! I can't lie to her any more than I can lie to the spinner. He leaned down and caught her lips, teasing them open to kiss her breathless. Perhaps, if she was aroused, she might stop asking so many questions. "Now, let's work through the queen's commands and see if we can get through this night without my host having a mental breakdown, shall we?"

With a wisp of magic, she was bare, the golden negligee vanishing into the ether. His face lost its playful expression and his lips parted on a gasp as he took in her perfection with his sharp eyes. He sat back on his haunches and pulled the tunic over his head, tossing it behind him to land on the floor. He couldn't remember the last thing he'd wanted quite so badly. The little maid's gaze traveled almost greedily over his bare chest, and he couldn't help but be pleased with her admiration. Rumpelstiltskin would have tried to hide his body from her, ashamed of his face and form, but the darkness had no such fear. He wanted her to desire him.

Belle groaned at the discomfort in her arms, her bonds tight. "W-What are you going to do to me? S-She … Regina wants you to h-hurt me."

The dark one frowned to hear the frightened tone slip past her lips. This was brave little Belle, the only woman he'd ever known to stand up and challenge the darkness. It was almost a physical pain to see her nearly cowering before him, helpless and vulnerable. She knew he couldn't resist the compulsion of the dagger.

He stretched out his hand to rest against her upper thigh, his blackened nails drawing nonsensical little patterns against her skin as he leaned forward to claim her lips once more. He wanted to be gentle with her – his precious little maid who'd taunted him endlessly with her sweetness all those months in the dark castle – but one taste of her sweet lips, the soft, slow stroke of her tongue against his as if she thought he had any right to her kisses, and he felt himself sink deeper into the most primal part of himself. His hand tightened on her thigh, leaving finger-shaped bruises as he dragged her leg up to drape over his hip.

The demon tore himself away from her lips and buried his face against her throat with a groan. His host was fighting for dominance, and he knew it would only be a matter of time before Rumpelstiltskin gained control. He pressed his lips to the ivory column of her throat, drawing her flesh into his mouth and sucking hard enough to bruise. His precious girl arched into him, grinding herself against his erection, and he felt a little more of his control slip.

He raised up on his elbows and smiled, taking in her wrecked visage. The way her breath rushed past her parted lips in little pants, how her cheeks flushed with desire, and her pupils were dilated with wanton need … it all fed his lust for the chit. "I will not harm you, precious. To do so would hurt the spinner, and I need him to be hale and hearty to exact our revenge. Take comfort in the fact that Regina is never specific in her commands. She leaves them wide open for interpretation."

Belle gaped at him, her brow furrowing in consternation. "She seemed rather specific to me. How could you possibly interpret them in another way?" she asked, some of her ardor cooling in the face of a puzzle to be solved.

The dark one nipped at her collarbone and began to leave small sipping kisses in a trail over her chest. He rather liked it better when she was breathless and panting. "Think about it. She told me to use you, but she didn't say how, now, did she?"

"N-No, but h-her intention was c-clear," Belle breathed, trying to focus on his explanation rather than the fire burning between her legs and beating in time with her heart.

He giggled softly, his tongue dipping into the well of her navel. "Intent is nothing. I could use you to play chess and it would fulfill the command."

Her head shot up off the pillow as one blackened claw carefully traveled the length of her slit, but she fought back the moan trying to peal from her throat. "I-I take it that's out of the question?"

His grin was sin incarnate. "Where would be the fun in that?" he cackled, lowering his head to find the hardened little pearl at the top of her sex with his lips, suckling gently. Her desperate cry was music to his ears. He released it to lick a hot path to her entrance, delving his tongue inside with a low moan. She was sweetness and innocence, a heady combination which could keep him enslaved to her forever without the need for that bloody dagger. He could see why Rumpelstiltskin had fallen so hard for the little beauty.

"R-Rumpel …"

A shiver tripped up his spine at the raw need in her voice. "Will you cum for me, precious?" he purred as she fought against the bonds holding her in place. "Will you let me bring you off … be the dark one's plaything?" He moved back to her clit, teasing her as he slipped one long talon into her sodden core, moving in a gentle rhythm.

Belle buried her face against her arm, biting her lip until it was bloody to hold in her screams. She could feel herself steadily climbing her peak, his ministrations becoming more frenzied, yet she knew he'd never let her fall until she'd answered. "You are a p-part of him … which m-means you belong to me, too."

The dark one growled as he let her come undone with one last flick of his tongue. She'd claimed him for her own, just as she'd claimed the spinner that fateful day before his wheel. She hadn't done it for wealth or prestige or power, but for the being he was … monster though he may be. Yet, he couldn't believe in her love. I want you to douse the flame of love she insists is in her heart for you, the queen had said. If he refused to believe in her love, he could spare her. The command would be useless.

He climbed back over her, nibbling on his favorite patches of skin along the way, lowering his head to claim one more kiss. His time was short, and he had one more dire warning for his little precious. "Listen well, little maid. I cannot ignore her last commands. Your flower will be … plucked," he said, twirling one of her long curls around his finger. "Your virgin blood will be spilled." He kissed the shell of her ear before whispering, "Your fate is yours … pleasure or pain."

*.*.*

Belle gasped as she watched his countenance change from one of desire to outright horror. A breath of relief whooshed out of her as his eyes turned from darkest bronze to soft amber. Those familiar eyes warmed her from the inside out. "Rumpel," she breathed, her eyes filling with tears of joy.

"Belle …" Her name was a reverent whisper brushing ever so softly against her lips. With a thought from him, she was released from her bonds, and his arms were rapidly winding about her back, pulling her closer as he buried his face in her fragrant locks. "Gods, I've missed you. I thought you were dead. I'm so –"

"Shh, no," she crooned, carding numb fingers through his messy hair to caress his nape. "No regrets. Regina is responsible for her own actions."

He shook his head. "My fault, Belle … all my fault," he lamented.

She mourned the loss of his warmth as he moved to the foot of the bed and cast his eyes down. He wouldn't even look at her, guilt and pain as heavy as the weight of the world on his shoulders. Belle pushed herself up to her knees, cursing the pins and needles sensations stinging her hands. She knelt before him and cradled his face in her palms, her thumb brushing his lower lip until finally he looked up to meet her gaze.

Belle knew better than to argue with him. He suffered quite frequently from his mercurial moods, but now – after coming face to face with the darkness – she had a new understanding about what made him tick. She inched closer, kneeling between his spread thighs and tilted his head back. Giving him every chance to pull away, she slowly brushed her lips to his. When he didn't retreat, she became bolder, nipping at his lower lip until he tentatively opened for her.

Rumpelstiltskin came alive as her tongue stroked his, an arm wrapping tightly around her waist, his free hand squeezing her bare thigh. Her gasp brought him up short, and he jerked his hand away, glancing down at the marks his counterpart had made, amber eyes darkening angrily. "He … hurt you, Belle," he hissed, attempting to retreat further away from her. "How could you stand to have me touch you after –"

Belle gripped his chin firmly, dragging his lips back to hers for another kiss, her fingers tightening in his hair to gain his full attention. "He is you; you are him. It makes no difference to me, Rumpelstiltskin," she murmured softly, kissing the corner of his lips. "That part of you did as the queen commanded of the dagger, marking me with the least pain as was possible."

He closed his eyes as her lips trailed a hot path to his ear, her fingers playing along the nape of his neck beneath that blasted collar, soothing her beast as only she could. "I-I never wanted to expose you to that. I tried to fight it, to keep him away from you. I don't want to cause you pain."

She shook her head. "You won't. I think that's why the darkness retreated and allowed you to assume control. Rumpel, you still have to obey. You must have me."

The sorcerer gripped her upper arms, his eyes wild and jaw clenched tight. "NO! I won't take your innocence."

Her hands gripped his hips and pulled him towards her so she could wrap her arms around his waist, settling her head against his shoulder. "You cannot take what I freely give, Rumpelstiltskin."

"Belle, you can't want –"

She pressed a finger to his lips. "Forget the queen, the commands, the dagger. Why can't it just be us … just me and you … a man and woman giving into how much we care for one another?" she asked, wanting nothing more in the world than for him to give in. Belle placed a kiss to the hollow of his throat, just below the ring in his collar. "Love me, Rumpel."

Belle could see the conflict in his eyes, the compulsion to follow through on Regina's commands, the desperation to save her from what he saw as a cruel fate, but mostly … the emotion so prevalent in his eyes was love. "Belle, I … you don't … I can't …"

His protests faded away as her delicate hands trailed over his bare chest to his shoulders, and finally up to cradle his beloved face. Her lips claimed his in a kiss filled with hope. "I want this. I want you," she whispered, her sweet breath ghosting over his face. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "This may be the only chance we have to be together. Please."

Rumpelstiltskin crushed her to him, burying his face against the crook of her neck, hiding his own tears. I love you, my Belle. Please … please forgive me. His grip only tightened on her as she pressed soft kisses to his temple and stroked his hair. He didn't deserve her, not after all he'd done, not after what he was being forced to do. Yet, he could not fight the compulsion.

"I'll try to make this good for you, dearest … I swear it," he breathed into the shell of her ear, feeling her tremble against him. "I'll not hurt you."

Belle nuzzled her nose to his and smiled. "I know," she assured him, leaning in for another kiss. She could feel his blackened nails caress her back from shoulder to waist, gooseflesh erupting over her skin, and she couldn't fight the shiver of pleasure which shook her in his arms. How long had she waited to have him like this?

She moaned as he gripped her thighs and hauled her up against him, her legs wrapping around him. A moan burst past her lips as he held her tightly, his erection pressing against the heat of her core. She wanted to move, craved the friction to quench the fire in her blood, but he was having none of it, his arms like bands of steel holding her in place.

Rumpelstiltskin kissed her as if his life depended upon it. The memory of their first kiss that fine spring day when she'd returned to him had haunted him after Regina had informed him of Belle's death. Never could he have dreamed he'd hold her in his arms once more. He'd once again chosen power over someone he loved, and now he had the chance to make it up to her. In this moment, he was choosing her. He couldn't get enough of her sweetness, pouring all his love into each taste of her lips. He couldn't tell her, but he could show her.

A sharp breath hissed between his teeth as her hand delved into his hair and gripped firmly, breaking the kiss so she could trail her lips over his jaw to find the sensitive spot below his ear. His skin tightened and filled; his cock painfully hard as her teeth sank into his neck. Gods, she's killing me!

The sorcerer eased her down to the bed, her legs still locked about his waist. His heart soared to see her smile up at him, her pupils blown wide with need and something he refused to name. He couldn't allow himself to put a name to it. It would destroy them both if he did. Grasping hands reached out to him, pulling him to her and breaking the spell. Nails scraped gently against his chest, his breathing no more than a rough pant as she found his nipples, exploring them at her leisure. His entire body hummed with exquisite pleasure only she could bring to him.

He returned the favor, capturing one of her own between his lips and sucking it deeply into the hot recesses of his mouth. He was rewarded as she arched beneath him and ground her hips up into his. Teasing her with his tongue, his fingers played over her fevered flesh as they drifted lower. He gently squeezed her hip, separating them enough to fit his hand between them. His Belle cried out as he found her core, and his head snapped up to search her face. He'd promised not to hurt her, but it wasn't pain he saw there, but raw unadulterated need.

Her hips thrust up against his hand, seeking more of his touch, and he wouldn't deny her. He could remember how she tasted on his tongue from when the demon had taken control and brought her to her peak, and he had to fight down the surge of white-hot lust as more blood filled his already tumescent cock. He couldn't allow himself to lose control now. This wasn't about him or the dagger's thrall, it was about her. He would not fail her as he had failed so much in his long life.

Rumpelstiltskin's brow dropped to rest against her belly, his control threatened as he felt her silken folds against his fingers, the unmistakable wetness of her desire. How could she want him, the monster, when she deserved so much more? His thumb circled her clit as two of his fingers pushed past the tight ring of muscles at the entrance of her body.

"Rumpel," she keened, one hand gripping the sheet in a tight fist as the other carded through his hair and scratched deliciously at his nape, dragging him up to claim his mouth as he worked her closer to climax. She released the sheet, her hand fumbling at the waistband of his pants as her hips grinded against the magic of his hand. "Please … take these off. I need you … now."

Merciful fuck! His Belle was a siren, and he could not – for the life of him – resist her allure. With a whisper of magic, his pants joined his shirt on the floor. He hesitated, letting himself revel in the joy of her cries and the sweetness of her kiss, trying to ignore the guilt which burdened his heart. I'm taking advantage of her. She deserves better. I will push her away, and she will leave me … just like everyone else I've ever loved. It all came clamoring to the forefront of his mind before he could banish the thoughts.

Belle cupped his cheek in her hand, worried eyes searching his. "Hey, it's ok. Don't leave me, Rumpel," she whispered, brushing the hair away which had fallen over his brow. "It's just us … no dagger, no queen, no wayward thoughts." She leaned up and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, reaching a hand between them to stroke him, drawing a gasp from his lips. "Love me. I'm yours … now and always." She kissed him again. "Love me, Rumpelstiltskin."

He drew in a shuddering breath and pressed his brow to hers, his hand brushing hers aside to guide himself to her entrance. "I do," he breathed, entering her with one swift jerk of his hips, burying himself in her heat until his hips were flush with hers. He didn't think he'd ever forget the feeling of her maidenhead breaking against his cock, the magic and power within him claiming her. Blood magic. The thought stole the breath from his lungs. It was more binding than a marriage contract, strong and unbreakable.

Rumpelstiltskin couldn't dwell on the ramifications despite the gleeful cackle of the dark one at the back of his mind. Instead, he held himself very still and brought his lips to catch the single tear at the edge of Belle's lashes. "Forgive me, dearest," he whispered as he felt her body relax. Make her bleed. The command released the last of the invisible threads the dagger have woven around his soul, leaving him blessedly free of the queen's influence. At least until she cooked up another scheme.

Belle shifted her hips, planting her feet flat against the mattress and pushing up to meet him where they were joined, gasping when he was able to sink just a little deeper. "There's nothing to forgive. Is there more?" she asked, her brow drawn inquisitively.

He withdrew slightly before moving back in, his head bobbing fervently. "Yes, gods, yes," he fairly growled as her inner muscles clamped tightly around him. "Belle …"

Her back arched, her breasts pressing into his chest, and a smile stole over her face at the unfamiliar weight and fullness of him. "Show me …"

An unmanly whimper – which he would deny when he wasn't completely overcome by the woman in his arms – eked out of his throat at the pure wantonness of her statement, but he began to move, trying for a gentle rhythm to make up for his beastliness from earlier. He didn't know how he was going to last as he listened to her body. A long keen, a needy moan, the beseeching whisper of his name on her lips. Never had any woman ever seemed to want him as his Belle did.

Her brows drew together as her breaths grew more labored, her peak a slippery slope where the pinnacle was just out of reach. He gnashed his teeth together and sped up his movements as he lowered his head to capture her nipple, toying with it with his sharp teeth. She nearly bucked him off of her, and he grinned, releasing her breast with a soft pop. Her eyes never left him as she pleadingly called his name, and he felt as if he could drown in those empyreal orbs.

The mage reached between them, his fingers finding her clit to give her that extra push, and he thanked the gods who had forsaken him as her legs tightened around him and she fell over the edge into sweet bliss. Belle's hand gripped his hair painfully, and his thrusts grew more frantic, fire sparking along his spine. Burying his face against her throat, his teeth sank into her to muffle his own cry as he let go.

Belle winced, but ignored the sting, her nails scraping soothingly over his back. She clung to him as he continued to move, the warmth as he emptied himself into her filling her with a sense of contentment. She had but a moment of anxiety when he rolled to his side, but then his arms dragged her against him into the safety of his embrace.

She was right where she wanted to be. In fact, she expected to wake up and find it had all been a dream. As he pulled the blanket up around them, she drifted off to sleep with a smile on her lips, praying their future would no longer be bleak, but bright … on a path where they were together.

*.*.*

Rumpelstiltskin pulled the blanket up over her shoulder to make sure she was warm before he eased out of the bed and donned his discarded pants. He slid down to the floor and pulled his knees up to his chest before dropping his head into his hands, guilt making his chest ache. In the centuries he'd been the dark one, nothing he had done could come close to the regret he felt this night.

Because you love her, Rumpel Bumple, the dark one teased.

'I could have hurt her!'

But ya didn't, he sighed. You could thank me, at least, for doing the hard part.

Rumpelstiltskin growled. 'You bound her to me. Explain yourself!' he demanded.

The dark one shrugged. Oh, come off it, spinner. You love her, she loves you … it was the next logical step. Now, she's yours, he sing-songed. Better than any protection spell we could have cast on her. Even the queen won't be able to harm her.

'She's going to hate me for this when she finds out … if she doesn't already.'

Stop being a missish maiden and grow a pair of balls, for fuck's sake. Here you are wallowing in misery when you should be in bed with your girl, keeping her safe and warm. Who's to know when you'll have the chance again?

'Piss off!'

What's really eating you, eh? Afraid she likes me better, he chortled, genuinely amused at his host's jealousy. Get over it because, believe it or not, precious believes us to be just different parts of the whole, and she's claimed all of us now. She's special. How could our magic not lay claim to her as well? What good would it do either of us to lose her to eventual death? The small part of the curse she carries inside her now is inconsequential. It won't mire her in darkness … she won't even notice.

'It will change her, the magic … and she will hate me for it,' Rumpelstiltskin spat miserably.

The dark one rolled his eyes. You can always blame it on me. Wouldn't be the first time.

Delicate, familiar fingers carded through his hair, and he closed his eyes briefly to relish the feeling. He glanced over his shoulder to find Belle, chin propped on her pillow as she laid on her belly, watching him.

"Why are you down there, darling," she whispered, her voice rusty and hoarse from her earlier screams. "Come back to bed."

He took her hand in his and dropped a lingering kiss to her palm. "Belle," he breathed reverently, "forgive me, dearest."

"I've already told you … there's nothing to forgive." She scooted to the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket with her. Cupping his cheek, she forced him to look at her. "I lo –"

Rumpelstiltskin stole her voice with a snap of his spell-clever fingers, preventing her from saying the words. "Don't. At least, not yet. Not until we can be free of Regina's control. Please."

She leaned over and kissed his bare shoulder before offering him her hand. "Come back to bed," she mouthed rather succinctly.

He huffed a short laugh and returned her voice but rose to his knees to acquiesce to her request. And then he froze, his blackened nails digging into the bedding.

"Rumpel, what is it?" she asked worriedly, not liking how the color had leeched from his face. "Tell me what's happening!"

He groaned, feeling the pull behind his navel, calling him into the ether. He barely had time to reply before a telltale wisp of purple smoke enveloped him. "Someone has the dagger … and it's not Regina."

Belle stared at the space where he'd been kneeling and lurched forward to grab hold of him only to come up empty handed. "Rumpel?" she asked as panic began to set in. "Rumpel!"

a/n: Comments are love … even though y'all might hate me right now :D