A/N: Let the angst begin.
The showers were never a safe place for Malcolm Gold's son. Often isolated from the watchful eyes of teachers, they were the perfect place to be cornered by those he hoped to avoid. Last year Rumpelstiltskin had taken to showering on the fifth-floor bathrooms while everyone else started to dinner. That floor was generally empty after lessons and almost everyone went to the Great Hall immediately and remained there for the duration of dinner. Meaning he had a solid hour of alone time in which to get to the showers, bath, dress, and quickly head back to the common room without any confrontations.
By making use of secret passages, he'd managed to go all last year, and thus far this year, without incident. Much to the chagrin of his tormentors, he seemed one step ahead of them in this at least. He'd grown comfortable with his routine. Which is why he never noticed the three figures that entered the bathroom a short while after him.
Completely unaware of his visitors, Rumpelstiltskin allowed the hot water to wash over him for a few minutes longer than normal as his thoughts returned to Belle French. It had been almost three months since their meeting on the train and yet she still sought out his company. She sat next to him in Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions. She didn't mind partnering up with him and she never took advantage of that to throw a cruel jinx or hex at him. She even went so far as to have lunch with him every day. The girl was strange, there was no question about that. For whatever reason, Belle wasn't afraid of him. And he found that he liked that about her. In fact, he found that he liked more and more about his friend.
The young man was so deep in his thoughts that it wasn't until he'd stepped out of the shower that he noticed something was amiss. Staring at the spot where his clothes had been, Rumpelstiltskin swore loudly. Checking his stall, he found nothing more than a hand towel to cover himself with. When a quick inspection of the other stalls provided him with nothing else, the youth slumped to the floor with his head in his hands.
This was bad.
Belle French made her way up to the Ravenclaw common room discussing Flitwick's latest essay with Jasmine. The assignment wasn't due for another three days, but the two hoped to finish the blasted thing tonight in order to have tomorrow evening free.
"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" the door's guard was asking.
A moment of thought and a blank stare from Jasmine prompted Belle to give the only answer she could come up with. "I'd say that commonality can be found between any two things if one only looks hard enough."
"Well answered," came the reply as the door swung open.
Laughter erupted from the common room as Jasmine and Belle entered. A surprising amount of people were present for this time of the evening and whatever was happening seemed to be centered around the stairs to the boy's dormitory. Curiosity drew Belle and Jasmine towards the commotion. A gasp escaped Belle as her eyes found the source of all the laughter.
A group of sixth year boys, of which she only recognized Kathryn's boyfriend Frederick, blocked an infuriated Rumpelstiltskin's way up the staircase. An event which in and of itself wasn't completely out of the ordinary. What made Belle's stomach twist was the fact that Rumpelstiltskin was covered by nothing but a hand towel, while the boys in question dangled his robes and cane in front of him.
"Get out of my way," Rumpelstiltskin growled dangerously. He was putting on a good front, allowing anger to mask anything deeper. But Belle could see humiliation in the red tint of his cheeks and the shame swimming in his eyes.
"Or what?" one of the boys – a dark haired student with a deep voice – mocked in return. "Going to call daddy on us?"
The boys surrounding him, as well as half of the common room, laughed. "You have to answer the riddle to get by. Rules of the house," one of the other boys – she thought might be called Jekyll – taunted.
Looking around Belle could hardly believe her eyes, no one was stepping up to help. They were either enjoying the show or pretending that nothing was happening. Her newest friend let his head fall as he looked to the ground in an obvious attempt to prevent his rage from taking over. This movement exposed his back to her, and those crowded around beside her, in a new light. She barely had time to notice the collections of scars present there, before Rumple seemingly gained control of his emotions.
"I've answered your damn riddles. Now move… please," Rumpelstiltskin insisted his voice tight as he practically begged them to simply let him by.
"You've got to answer one from each of us–" the one beside Frederick returned.
Belle found she could stand it no longer. "What the hell is going on here?" She interrupted as she moved to her friend's side. The dumbfounded looks on everyone's face told her all she needed to know. No one else was going to step in. "What are you doing?"
The dark-haired boy who'd spoken first regained his footing the quickest. "We're just having a bit a fun."
"Doesn't look very fun to me," Belle spat as rage built within her. "Looks more like you lot are being complete pricks." When no one answered that, Belle's anger carried her further. "Frederick you're a prefect. Isn't this the kind of the thing you're supposed to prevent?"
The young man in question had the grace to look abashed but that didn't stop the git from defending his actions. "He deserves it."
"Really? Why is that then?" The whole of the common room was shamelessly watching the exchange now. Though no one backed her, the room went silent. "I thought Ravenclaws were supposed to be clever," the young beauty snapped in a righteous fury as she snatched Rumpelstiltskin's belongings from the hands of his tormentors.
Her tirade seemed to be all the distraction Rumple needed. As she retrieved his clothing, Rumpelstiltskin shoved his way past the group of sixth years and hurried up the stairs. Turning her glare on the whole of the common room Belle found she had nothing left to say. Following her best friend up the staircase, Belle felt hot tears trickle down her face.
Stopping half way to the fourth year's landing, the young beauty leaned back against the cool stone. Rumpelstiltskin didn't need her anger or her pity right now. In truth she didn't know what he'd need, but she couldn't leave him alone after this. Pulling his bundle of clothes to her chest, Belle noticed a stain on the front of his robes. Unfurling them another shocked gasp escaped from the young woman.
Supremacist had been written across the front in bold white lettering. She didn't know if Rumple had seen that yet. Desperately, she hoped he hadn't. Pulling out her wand, Belle attempted a quick spell to remove the letters, but nothing happened. She tried spell after counter spell, jinx after jinx. Nothing she tried could even make the words fade. Without any permission her tears started up once again. She had to do something.
Unceremoniously Belle stuffed the clothes into her school bag and fled back down the stairs. Providing glares to those left in the common room, she fumbled her way out of the portal. It was late, but not quite past curfew. If she was quick about it, she could be back in less than ten minutes.
Belle followed the few secret passages she knew and made certain to skip around the staircases that enjoyed changing as she made her way down to the kitchens. Just last week Rumpelstiltskin had shown her the way in their search of a late-night snack. She didn't even fully contemplate her actions until she reached the large portrait of fruit that marked the entrance.
What if the house-elves weren't here? What if they refused to help her? Sure, they'd given Rumple a few cauldron cakes last time, but he seemed to have a rapport with them. Would they help her if she mentioned him?
Mentally shaking herself, Belle shrugged off her doubts. She'd never know if she didn't try and right now she really needed to try. Do the brave thing and bravery will follow, she thought repeating her mother's old mantra. A tickle of the pear caused the door to swing wide, welcoming her into the warm and cozy kitchens.
Most of the elves paid her no mind as she strolled through the door, but a loud squeak of "Mistress Belle" reminded her that she did have a friend down here after all.
"Pongo!" She exclaimed as the tiny elf ran up to her beaming. "How are you?"
"Wonderful, Ms. Belle. Just wonderful," Pongo gushed. "What can I do for you? Did you miss dinner? Hungry? Let me get something for you!"
Belle couldn't help but laugh at the little elf's excitement. "Whoa Pongo," she chuckled reaching out and putting a hand on his shoulder. Big eyes turned to her at the contact and she only narrowly avoided being hit in the face by bat like ears. "I actually need something to take to a friend. He missed dinner and he really needs something to lift his spirits."
"I know just the thing Ms. Belle, just the thing."
Three minutes later, Belle had a whole chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots, a variety of sweets, and four butterbeers (from the elf's secret stash) packed away into her now exceedingly heavy school bag. Pongo had refused to take no for an answer when it came to providing extra sweets. He'd insisted that any ailment could be cured with a pumpkin pasty or a cauldron cake. Belle hadn't really had the heart to argue with that.
"Thank you, Pongo," she said giving the little elf a quick hug, "I owe you one."
"No, Ms. Belle, I'm happy to help. Happy to help."
By the time Belle made it back to the common room, it was well past curfew. Few individuals remained in the common room and none of them dared look at her. She made it as far as the fourth year's door before she met another soul. Jefferson Hatter and Victor Frank stood outside their door apparently unable to enter.
"Oi ya right git," Jeff was yelling as he pounded on the door, "let us in!"
Victor noticed her first. "Belle, thank God. He's locked the door. And jammed it shut."
"Yeah," Jeff added loudly enough for the entire tower to hear, "we can't get in."
"Let me try," Belle insisted quietly as she knocked gently on the door. "Rumple, I have something for you." There was no reply and the door didn't budge. "It's Belle, please open the door."
The door held fast refusing to budge. Just as she was about to suggest just sleeping on the couches, a light click emanated from the lock. A turn of the handle and the door slid open easily.
"Finally," Jeff breathed fully exasperated.
Belle jumped in the way preventing either of the boys from entering. "Five minutes," she pleaded. "Give me five minutes, please."
Surprisingly, Victor gave her a small nod and pulled a protesting Jefferson from the landing. Belle took a deep breath before entering, steadying her nerves as best she could. The curtains to Rumpelstiltskin's bed were pulled closed. If she strained her ears she could just hear the soft catching breaths of her best friend.
"Rumple," she mumbled as she pulled open the curtain not facing the door. He was curled up under a mound of blankets in the center of the bed. She couldn't see his face, but his messy hair indicated that he'd had his head buried for some time. Reaching out she placed what she hoped was a comforting hand on his shoulder. It broke her heart a little further when he flinched at the contact, but she didn't let go. He needed to know she wouldn't hurt him. He had to believe that, or there was nothing she could do to help him.
"I have something for you," she whispered soothingly, gently rubbing his shoulder. "But I need you to come with me." A slight shake of the head was his only reply. "Please. I promise it will be worth it."
It took a bit of encouragement and her shoving Jeff and Victor out of the room once more, but finally she managed to pull Rumpelstiltskin out of the fortress of his bed. Belle grabbed a few of the blankets and bundled them under her arm. Handing over his cane, Belle guided her friend out of the room past an irate Jefferson.
Rumple kept his head down as she took his hand and led him up the stairs instead of down. Belle was certain he would follow her if she let go, but after everything today, she found that she was reluctant to release his hand. It was warm and solid and proof that despite everything Rumpelstiltskin placed some small amount of trust in her.
With Rumple's ever-present limp the going was relatively slow, but they reached the trap door at the top of the stairs in little time. While Belle felt as if each step took them a life time, she wasn't certain that her friend had any clue that they'd actually been moving at all.
"I don't technically think we're allowed up here," she acknowledged as she pulled Rumple through the trap door onto the top of the Ravenclaw tower, "but I figure it's the perfect place for a little stargazing and a late dinner."
Rumpelstiltskin's mouth twitched ever so slightly as she took a thin blanket and threw it across the floor. "Belle French breaking the rules, what a development," his voice was quiet. The humor she heard within his words was forced, but at least he was speaking.
Turning to face him Belle got her first good look at his face and it took every ounce of will power to school her expression. She wasn't entirely certain that she managed. The puffy red eyes and tear tracks still visible on his face, displayed that Rumpelstiltskin had obviously spent much of the last hour or so crying.
Pasting on her best smile, Belle stuck her tongue out at him and settled onto the blanket. "I'm not that much of a stickler."
"Of course not," he mumbled joining her on the makeshift pallet.
Belle threw a thick blanket around their shoulders attempting to banish the frigid air. Any other night, she would have balked at spending time outside on such a cold night. But tonight, it seemed important that she huddle as close to her friend as possible.
The two sat in silence as she guilted Rumple into eating and studied him. He didn't have much of an appetite, but she knew for a fact that he'd skipped lunch. A quick story about how eager to help the little house elf had been provided the right amount of guilt and persuasion to have him take a few bites.
It seemed that Rumpelstiltskin had dressed in several layers before burying himself in his bed. Belle was quite certain that those layers had little to do with the frigid night. The long-sleeved black t-shirt that he wore hung loosely from his thin frame, making him seem smaller than normal. It was obviously an old shirt because she could see a white undershirt peeking through from the several holes littering the garment. In contrast, his thick flannel pants seemed to be almost too small. Too much of his ankle peered out from the legs and they seemed tighter than sleeping pants ought to be.
Despite their time together, Rumple remained a mystery to her. He had fine clothing, truly expensive garments that he rarely wore. Instead he favored ratty older clothing that had no hope of fitting him. It wasn't just his wardrobe though. It was everything about the young man. Around her he was sweet, caring, and kind. Wickedly clever and hilariously snarky. Yet he showed that side of himself to very few others. That sixth-year blonde girl, whose name Belle could never remember, could elicit such responses from him and she'd seem him act friendly with Jeff and Victor. But it was as if he wanted the rest of the school to hate him. He'd become so entrenched in his role at Hogwarts that he'd forgotten it wasn't actually who he was.
From a seemingly great distance Rumpelstiltskin's voice reached out to her and pulled the beauty from her thoughts. "Thank you, Belle." She stared at him blankly, not fully understanding his words. When she didn't answer, Rumple tried again. "For everything. The food, the butterbeer, saving my arse back there. All of it."
"Of course," she replied around a mouthful of pumpkin pasty. "It's what friends are for."
"I wouldn't know much about that," he sniffed turning his gaze to the heavens above.
Belle didn't know what to say, this was uncharted territory for her. How did you comfort someone so completely unaccustomed to basic human kindness? She'd learned so little and so much about Rumpelstiltskin in the past three months. He was bullied ruthlessly by the other students all because of who he'd been born. Though he seemed to resent that to some degree, he usually accepted his fate with cold resignation.
"They should have helped you," she insisted in a low voice.
"Why would they?" Before she could answer him, he changed the subject. "Did you happen to get my robes?" Belle hesitated and prayed that he hadn't noticed. Her prayers went unanswered this time, he knew her far too well. "What's wrong?"
"Rumple, I… it's just that, well…" Belle stammered trying to find the right words.
In the end there weren't words to properly explain her horror or discomfort at how the other students treated him. Belle pulled the ruined robes from her bag and spread them out, displaying the hateful marks. "I'm sorry," was all the beauty could say.
Rumpelstiltskin's face paled and then went completely blank. The walls she worked so hard to pull down were now firmly locked in place. "Hey, hey," she began, desperate to bring him back from the brink. "It's o-"
"Please don't say it's okay," he interjected bitterly. "How is this okay? How will it ever be okay?" Rumpelstiltskin moved to stand up and leave. "It doesn't matter."
He was shoving her back to arms-length, desperate to keep her from getting too close. Belle wrapped an arm around his neck refusing to allow distance between them and refusing to let him leave. "I'm here okay," she whispered pulling his head to hers until her forehead rested against his. "I'm right here and I'm not leaving. Don't push me away."
"You'll leave too."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Maybe not today, but soon. You'll see."
Resignation and regret laced Rumple's words, splintering a piece of Belle's heart. She had to make him understand, somehow. Putting her hands on either cheek she forced his face up until he was looking her in the eye. "Rumpelstiltskin, I am not leaving you. Not today. Not ever. I'm your friend and your mine and I'm sorry but you're stuck with me forever."
Disbelief radiated from the broken young boy in front of her. But she saw a flicker of hope in the depths of warm brown eyes. Whatever happened next, whatever challenges they faced or obstacles that stood in their way, Belle knew she and Rumpelstiltskin would face them together.
A/N: Let me know what you think in the comments below and leave a prompt if you'd like. Thanks for reading and I'll see you all again very soon.