I recently read some Outlaw Queen and Rumbelle fanfiction and watched some Rumbelle on youtube when I decided that 6 months was way too long for this to go without an update. In that time, I've also figured out more of the plot that ties it to where I want it to go. I'm sorry to you all for taking so long but I'm back for now. Here's the next chapter.
Music and laughter merged to fill the room as they entered the main hall. Everyone old enough to go was there as they danced around in abandon. Houses merged, romance spiked, and rivalry dissipated for this one night as teenagers ran wild. So many colors painted the other students' dresses and suits, mixing together as they spun and swayed together.
Rumple was reminded once again as to why he never attended this awkward social competition and did anything else. However, he remembered the fantasy he used to have about this when the hand of his darling Belle landed in the crook of his arm.
He looked to find her eyes wide and in awe of all that was in sight. She looked at everything with such excitement that he was afraid she might combust. That was until her eyes landed on his. Somehow, she'd managed to hug his arm close to him as they walked inside the room together. The way her smile lit up, the way that her eyes bared her soul so openly, he knew she felt as if one of her dreams were coming true. He couldn't help but feel lucky that he got to give her this before everything unraveled.
They always did.
"This is amazing!" she beamed, holding his arm just a little tighter. "Thank you for tonight. I know it's not your scene but…."
"You deserve to be happy. Goodness knows you've suffered long enough," he told her, picking up where she trailed off. He may have done a lot of despicable things and was even doing some currently but he'd made a promise to himself that night and he never broke his word. He was going to give her a ball that she would always remember fondly.
He slipped her hand from his arm into his own hands before bowing to her, "May I have this dance?"
Every time he thought she was at her happiest, she always managed to outdo herself. If she glowed anymore than she was right now, she'd be bioluminescent. "You may," she replied, just as one of the characters in her books would have done.
He aimed to give her that fairytale night not knowing that everything around him would try to tear that apart beginning with their third dance.
Belle couldn't have been happier even if she tried. She was living out one of her most impossible dreams. Dancing like a princess with a prince that freely had her heart. As their feet fell in perfect time with the other, she let herself get swept up in a feeling she wasn't ready to admit quite yet. It was too soon for that. But standing on the precipice of that fine line was as exhilarating as it was reassuring somehow.
She wished it would never end.
"Belle?"
She froze. No, why of all people? Why him? Not him. Please, if anyone out there was listening, don't let him come near her perfect night.
"Belle?" she looked up at the sound of her name coming from Rumplestiltskin's mouth this time. She looked to find that she'd stopped moving with him. Her hands were holding onto him tighter than they should have been.
"My, my, my," he said. His voice dripped with that of cruel intent.
She couldn't help but find herself moving closer to Rumple. Her hands found their way around his waist as one of his wrapped around her back.
"The rumors are true aren't they," he probably smiled. She didn't know as she refused to face him knowing if she did things would fare far worse for her. "You really have saddled with the snake. Well, when you've sunk so low, I guess there really isn't much else to choose from."
"Leave us alone Neal, please," she asked, sounding more like a plea.
Rumplestiltskin held Belle as she hid her face in his chest. He didn't blame her for not wanting to see this oaf. How people viewed him as good was beyond him. This whiny arrogant brat was a constant thorn in everyone's side. That's probably how he got made the Hufflepuff's Head of House. Most Hufflepuffs didn't have backbones. Sure if they were in a pack, they could be brave but alone they tended to shrink and run away.
Neal, however, was a different story. Neal gave the appearance of having a spine by having a lot of unearned confidence which he used to tear apart others. He'd destroy those who stood in the way of his house, which made him look like a hero in their eyes. The funny thing was, he acted more like a villain than anything else rather than in the ways of their precious heroes.
"The rumors are true aren't they," he smiled. The stench of malice rolling off him in waves. He sunk more venom into his next words. "You really have saddled with the snake. Well, when you've sunk so low, I guess there really isn't much else to choose from."
Now that was quite enough of that. He was about to grab his wand and end this fool's blathering when Belle's voice sounded for the first time.
"Leave us alone Neal, please," she asked, trying to sound stronger than she was.
"Oh Belle," he smirked. This insipid twit had the audacity to smirk. "I know things have not always been great for you here with us but you're still one of us. And, as Head of the House, it is my responsibility to make sure our charges don't end up going down the wrong path. I had hoped you'd realize who it is that you're spending time with but it appears I have to show you how foolish you're being."
"The only foolish one here, dearie, is you," Rumplestiltskin began, ready to begin The Dark One's show. "Since I'm in a generous mood, you apologize to Belle and I'll let you leave with your dignity intact."
"Oh you can't blame me for wanting the best for our housemate," he sneered. "Though, I've noticed you haven't been around much lately. Anna was worried we might have to get Headmaster Dumbledore involved in this whole mess," he paused. Belle's grip tightened on him as he paused, "but I assured her you'd come to your senses. Was I wrong?"
He looked down to try and see her face but all she could see was the top of her head. He could feel her face pressed into his suit and shirt. He wanted to say something but found himself speechless. What would she say? For the longest time, Belle hadn't had a choice in where she wanted to be because of standing circumstances. Now, she had the option of either her Hufflepuff or his Slytherin.
For the first time, she looked up into his eyes. Her usually vibrant blue eyes were full of fear and tears. She turned her head to look at the brat in front of them. "Please don't make me do this," she choked.
She didn't want to leave.
He couldn't believe it. She didn't want to go back to Hufflepuff. She wanted to stay with him and the others. He had never been so relieved in his life. He wanted to kiss her so badly in that moment.
"It's for your own good Belle," Neal smiled, shaking his head like someone who was sorry. Well, this vapid wad was about to be.
"My, my," Rumplestiltskin started, his voice a little higher, his free hand gracefully moving about. "That's the worst apology I think I've ever heard," he laughed. "See, I think you've forgotten something in your little quest for misery. It's not just up to Belle."
"On the contrary, it's completely up to Belle to make the right choice here and that means coming home, forgetting about all you Slytherine scum," Neal happily spat.
"They're not scum."
That one surprised even him. No one stood up for Slytherin. Not even Slytherin stood up for Slytherin. They just took it and ran with it, ready to show everyone how nasty they could really be. Yet, the words seemed to have given strength to the person who's lips they fell from.
"They are good people," Belle continued, her conviction growing stronger by the word. "These Slytherins have been better to me than any house has ever been. They are good and care greatly for the ones they care about. They are patient and strong and clever. They love deeper than anyone else. You can say what you want to about me but you leave them alone."
It took everything he had not to kiss her right there. Not only did she want to stay with them, but she also defended them. She was telling the Head of her House to take a hike with no regrets to be seen in her eyes. It was no wonder he was in…
"You really have gone crazy haven't you?" Neal interrupted his thoughts. "No matter, we'll get you fixed up when you come back. It'll just take a little bit of time until you remember what monsters they are."
"Oh, no, that won't happen," Rumple laughed. "You see, as hard as it is to believe, we've all grown rather fond of our friend Belle here," he placed both hands on her shoulders before one went on to move about the air. "And we've all decided that she's not going back to that ridiculous house of yours. We're keeping her."
"Well then," Neal scoffed. "Tell you what, you like a good deal don't you?"
"My patience is waning," he told him bored.
"If Belle can defeat me in a duel, she can stay with you. If I win, Belle moves back in with us and none of you ever come near her again," Neal proposed.
"Oh please, she wins and there's nothing saying you can't nag her for the rest of the year?" Rumplestiltskin laughed. "What kind of fool do you take me for?"
"Fine, if she wins, I never say a word to her again unless she talks to me first and we include the aforementioned details of my original offer," Neal gave in. "What do you say?"
"Deal," Rumplestiltskin agreed almost immediately, shaking his hand.
"We duel in three days at 7:00pm in The Dark Forest. First one to give up or pass out loses," he told them.
"I can't wait to see you writhing on the ground," Rumplestiltskin assured him.
"I think it's going to be a little harder than you think," Neal smirked as he looked at a very pale and scared Belle. "See you then."
Rumplestiltskin turned back to Belle. She had to be worried about the duel. Who wouldn't be worried about a duel, not to mention Neal wasn't an imbecile in this particular area. She looked like she'd seen a ghost. She was looking right through him. He gently took her hands in his, bringing her back to him. "Belle you have no reason to worry," he began to try and comfort her. "I'll teach you everything you'll need to win this duel. We'll practice day and night. You are going to win this. I promise you."
Tears brimmed in her eyes. He'd never seen her quite like this before. She was quite utterly terrified. He was about to bring her into his arms when she pulled her hands away.
She'd never done that before.
Every atom of him stilled. Ice-cold fear pumped it's way through him. Something snapped off in his heart. His throat dried up in an instant. Sweat started beading his skin. His hands clammed. He searched deep into her eyes for any sort of clarity. His body screamed knowing something horrible was happening. Praying for paranoia to have been his only mistake right now, realizing it wasn't when she wiped at a few tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "But you have no idea what you've done." He was frozen in place as she gathered up her skirt in both hands before dashing out the door, quietly crying.
He'd never felt so much pain before. His chest ached. His heart felt like it was crumbling. His lungs felt like they were on fire. He couldn't get himself to do anything.
All he'd wanted to do was protect her from any more pain. But he'd failed. He knew this would happen. He knew that he'd hurt her. He knew that he'd do something unforgivable and lose her. He'd known from the start that this had a huge chance of hurting her so badly and he'd foolishly taken it without any consideration of her. He was finally getting what he deserved. He'd just hoped Belle wouldn't have been hurt on his account. This was all his fault.
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