A/N: We're back! For like half a second. Sorry this story is moving so slow these days, the new job is killing me on time. But, I am still writing this story. It's just a bit slower.

Serious trigger warning for child abuse in this chapter. It's here and it's slightly graphic so be warned. This chapter is a bit darker than the others, but it has to get dark before we get to the light. I really hope you guys enjoy!

It was turning into what could easily be called the best summer of Rumpelstiltskin's life. While it certainly had begun like any other, the past week and a half had been marvelous. After running away from his aunt and uncle's house, the young man found himself with a room at the Leaky Cauldron until the start of term. An occurrence that was becoming more frequent during the summers away from Hogwarts had turned into one of his smartest decisions.

Three days after booking a room, none other than Belle French had turned up at the popular inn as well. Business had once again taken her father away and she'd elected to stay at Diagon Alley until term began. The two friends had been ecstatic over their good fortune.

Barely a minute had passed where they hadn't been stuck together like glue. Rumpelstiltskin found himself dreading September like never before. Going back to Hogwarts would have its benefits, but it would also mean that he and Belle would be forced to spend some amount of time apart.

However, he refused to allow those thoughts plague him at the moment. For now, he would soak in every moment with his favorite bookworm. Rumpelstiltskin wasn't certain who had been watching out for him the day he'd met Belle, but he was eternally grateful. She grounded him in a way that no one else ever had. Belle made him feel as though he might actually be worth something. That he might, one day, escape from the shadow that was his father's name.

Laughing Rumpelstiltskin pulled Belle up the stairs to his bedroom to quickly drop off their new school supplies. The two had plans to spend the rest of the day at Fortescue's and nothing was going to stop him from enjoying every moment of Belle's company. At least that was his plan, fate it seemed had other ideas. Eyes fixed on Belle's wide grin Rumple didn't notice the figure standing in the room until he'd shut the door behind them.

"Hello there laddie," an all too familiar voice chimed in.

Rumpelstiltskin felt his blood run cold as the smile fell from his face. Subtly moving Belle behind him, he looked up to face the intruder. "Malcolm," Rumple said coldly.

Malcolm's hair had grown a bit greyer since the last time they'd seen each other. However, the youthful twist of the man's face and the malicious glint in his eyes remained. "Now, now. Is that any way to speak to your father?" The older man quipped as he took a few steps forward. Rumpelstiltskin tensed, ready to get Belle away from his father at any moment. "Thought I raised you better than that."

It was a fine line he needed to walk in this moment. Drawing Malcolm's ire towards himself would keep the man from asking too many questions about Belle, but he didn't want to draw too much anger. A little irritation wouldn't be too harmful and being polite might earn him points for later, yet he had to keep the man's attention on him.

Carefully Rumpelstiltskin measured each of his words. "I apologize father. I didn't intend to seem rude."

The flash of smugness that flitted across Malcolm's expression brought a breath of relief to the younger man. He'd played that one right at least. "It's been far too long since I've seen you laddie. You've grown a fair bit."

"That does tend to happen over time," Rumple quipped before he could stop himself. Mentally kicking himself, Rumpelstiltskin lowered his gaze to his father's nose. He'd grown adept at faking eye contact throughout the years and knowing what might come as a result of his cheek, forced the boy to look away from the intense gaze.

The corners of Malcolm's mouth twitched down at the snarky response from his son. The man's eyes flicked to the side and rested on the only other person in the room. "Now who do we have here?" he crooned. "What's a pretty lass like you doing with a worthless thing like this boy?"

Rumpelstiltskin could feel Belle's indignation rise on his behalf. "She's not important," he replied quickly, moving his foot ever so slightly to nudge Belle's. He could only hope that his message to stay silent was received.

"Course she is," Malcolm protested. The man walked forward until he was within a few inches of his son. "You've never had friends before. Yet now you're bringing a girl up to your room. How much is he paying you sweetheart?"

Fury roiled in Rumple's stomach and he could literally feel the anger pouring from Belle, but he kept himself calm. Anything else would invite more attention than either of them could stand.

"I'm not paying her anything. She's borrowing a school book, that's all."

"What's your name then lass," Malcolm asked, clearly not believing a word his son said.

"Don't tell him," Rumpelstiltskin ordered more sharply than he'd intended. He could apologize later though.

Steel entered Malcolm's face as he turned back to his son. "It's impolite to bark orders at a lady Rumple. Perhaps that's why you've never actually had one before. And I wasn't speaking to you son. If I want you to talk, I'll ask you the question." Malcolm's words filled the air between them with open hostility. "Do. Not. Interrupt me again," Malcolm hissed before turning his attention back to Belle. "I'm sorry Miss, I swear I raised him better than that. Now, what might I call you?"

Panic engulfed Rumpelstiltskin. If he spoke again, he'd most certainly push his father too far. If he didn't though… His mouth made the decision for him. "You don't have to tell him anything."

A strong hand reached out and grabbed his collar, yanking him forward hard. "What did I just get done saying boy. You-"

"Lacey!" Belle interrupted frantically. "You can call me Lacey."

Turning his attention to Belle, Malcolm released his hold on his son. Rumple stumbled for a moment before he was able to once more insert himself between his father and Belle.

"It's my pleasure to meet you Lacey," Malcolm said in a charming voice. "Tell me about yourself Lacey."

"She was just leaving," Rumple noted as he pushed Belle to the door.

"Rumple don't be an idiot. Let the girl stay for a while," Malcolm insisted in a voice that said his suggestion was nothing less than a command.

"No, she has somewhere to be."

Knowing that he would pay the price for his insolence in a matter of moments, Rumpelstiltskin grabbed Belle and pushed her roughly out the door. Giving her a significant look, he slammed it in her face and bolted the lock.

"Now that wasn't very nice laddie," Malcolm sneered. "You're lucky something as vile as you managed to get a girl like that up here in the first place. That will certainly never happen again."

He pushed his limits too far already, he couldn't rise to his father's taunts. Staying as silent as possible Rumpelstiltskin moved away from the door.

"She's a pretty one though," his father continued. "Maybe I'll find her again once we're through here."

"Leave. Her. Alone." Rumple growled.

"Oh, so she is important to you then."

"What do you want Malcolm?"

A vein throbbed above his father's forehead at Rumpelstiltskin's continued insolence.

"You'll address me properly laddie, or you'll find yourself in even more trouble," the man responded angrily.

"What do you want father?" Rumpelstiltskin intoned in the same harsh voice but using the correct vocabulary.

It didn't settle Malcolm's anger in the slightest. "Can't a father just want to visit his son?"

"You usually don't."

Malcolm eyed the obstinate young man for a long time. Silence stretched between like tar, thick and heavy. "Take off your shirt laddie."

Knowing the moment was coming and facing it were two very different things. Rumpelstiltskin felt his stomach drop to the vicinity of his knees. He might be able to outrun his father if he went now. It was unlikely but was it worth a shot?

Apparently reading the look on his son's face Malcolm's wand shot up quickly, sealing the doorway. "I'll not be repeating myself boy. You obviously haven't learned proper respect."

With trembling hands Rumpelstiltskin obeyed his father and slowly pulled his shirt over his head. Having had this routine well ingrained in him he knew what to do next. Bare chested he turned his back to Malcolm and braced himself against the wall.

Hearing movement behind him, Rumpelstiltskin did his best not to tense as the first strike hit. Pain seared through his back as his nerves were lit on fire. Another crack sounded as the belt struck him again. Gasping, Rumpelstiltskin bit down on his bottom lip determined to keep every other sound held in. If he cried out, Malcolm would only give him something else to cry about.

"When I'm done here with you, maybe I'll go pay Lacey a visit." Malcolm jeered from behind him as the belt lashed out again. "Show her what a real man looks like."

"I swear, she's no one," Rumpelstiltskin pleaded breathlessly.

"Doesn't seem like no one."

"She's not important."

Several more whips followed in quick succession leaving the young man seeing white as pain flared through his body. He'd be covered in welts for the rest of the week, and if he took another hit from the buckle he'd be lucky if he recovered before going back to school.

"Ask me nicely," Malcolm ordered as he continued his lesson in proper manners.

"Please," Rumpelstiltskin conceded yet another strike. The only thing running through his mind was that he couldn't allow Malcolm to hurt Belle. To realize just how important the young woman really was.

"Please what?"

"Please leave her alone," the young man begged as he felt his knees start to buckle.

A fist grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head back until he was nose to nose with his father. "If I ever catch you acting like that again in front of me, she'll be the one to pay. Do you understand me boy?"

Rumpelstiltskin nodded quickly. "Yes sir."

Malcolm threw him to the floor. Writhing in agony as his back took the brunt of the fall he never saw his father's boot coming. Several kicks made it into his gut before he could properly protect himself. The final blow connected with his nose, shattering it with ease.

Unable to bite back his cry, Rumpelstiltskin's hand shot to his face to guard it as best he could. Curled up in a trembling mess at his father's feet, he knew that this time it had been worth it. If it kept Belle safe, it was worth it.

"You're such a pathetic little worm," Malcolm spat. "Don't know why I even try with you."

The infuriated man walked away from his huddled son. Rumple could hear his father slipping his belt back into place and smoothing out his clothes. Aside from the tremors that raced through his body, Rumpelstiltskin didn't move. Instead he made himself as small as possible, knowing that any further movement or unprovoked words would only land him with another lesson.

"I came for a reason boy," Malcolm said in a level voice from his position by the bed. "I need a favor from you." Without waiting for a response, Malcolm continued with his order. "You're to watch that Jones boy closely this year. His older brother has been causing me too much trouble and I may need to remind him just how far my reach extends. If I send word to you, you're to make an example out of the kid."

Rumpelstiltskin's stomach turned as he realized what his father was ordering. Killian might be an ass and Rumple's worst tormentor, but he didn't deserve to have Malcolm Gold using him as leverage. Yet if Malcolm ordered him to do something and Rumple refused, would his father hurt his son or Belle? Rumpelstiltskin wasn't certain, but he was terrified of the answer.

Pain exploded from his bad ankle, pulling the teenager from his frantic thoughts. Malcolm's foot pressed down with more force at his son's strangled cry. "I asked you a question laddie. Do we need another lesson in listening?"

Recalling his father's last teaching with perfect clarity, Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. Blood from his nose splattered the floor and his head swam at the movement, but Malcolm seemed to accept that answer.

"Good. Now, if I send word to you, you're to rough the kid up. Send him to the Hospital Wing or something along those line. Clear enough to send a message, but nothing to get yourself expelled. Am I understood?"

Rumple nodded and whimpered out a quiet "yes sir."

Shaking his head in obvious disgust, Malcolm removed his foot from his son's bad leg. "You're a Gold laddie. People ought to respect you and if you keep acting like this they never will. We don't pay women for their services, we take what we want. Understand?" Malcolm waited for his son to nod once more before scoffing once more. "I'm glad your mother died before she could see what a pathetic waste of breath you are."

With those parting words Malcolm disapparated, leaving his only son a trembling mess on the floor.

Hearing his father's departure, Rumpelstiltskin let out a shaky breath as the tears he'd been fighting finally began to fall. Curling into himself the teen allowed sobs to wrack his body as he realized just how often fate screwed him over.

Belle was worried sick. She'd been pacing her room for hours now, waiting for Rumpelstiltskin to come and get her. Waiting to find out how much damage his father had done this time.

The bookworm had never met Malcolm Gold before today, but her initial impression wasn't good. The man had a gleam in his eyes that spoke of cruelty and a soul crushing darkness. Judging by his expensively tailored clothing Malcolm obviously thought highly of himself and his position in life. Confidence had eaked from him in a manner that few others could pull off.

Yet what worried Belle, was Rumpelstiltskin's response to seeing the man. His walls had instantly flown into place. She'd rarely seen him so tense. Despite his obvious attempts to draw the man's ire, she'd also noticed that Rumple was entirely compliant in the face of his father. He'd thrown her from the room, but not himself. For whatever reason he'd stayed with Malcolm. Hadn't even defended himself when his father grabbed him. How could-

Belle's thoughts were cut off by a quiet knocking at the door. Crossing the room in four strides, Belle flung herself at the door as she yanked it open. Tears welled in her eyes as she took in the sight of her best friend.

Rumple's nose was crooked in a manner it hadn't been a short while ago. The skin around it and his eyes were a dark purple. He'd changed into an old dark blue shirt that didn't speak of the obvious elegance she'd seen in his father. As he took a step in and shut the door, Belle noticed that he was obviously in pain. His hunched shoulders and the way he winced as she put a hand on his shoulder, confirmed that thought. He looked like hell.

"Rumple," she started but stopped short at the look he gave her. Instead she gently wrapped her arms around him, careful not to hurt him. At first, Rumpelstiltskin froze solidly in her embrace, but slowly he melted into her arms. Before long he was gripping her like she was only solid thing in the world. Tears cascaded down her face without Belle willing them to fall.

When she heard a muffled sob escape from Rumpelstiltskin, Belle lost it completely. Soundlessly she pulled him over to her bed and settled him onto his side. Pulling the hefty quilt over them both she slid in beside him, shifting until they were facing and comfortable.

The two spent the rest of the evening in absolute silence, taking whatever strength they could from each other. Rumpelstiltskin fell into a light sleep before Belle. As her own eyes slid shut and she drifted into her own dreams, Belle whispered, "I love you Rumple," into the darkness. She couldn't be certain, but she thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch up.

Rumpelstiltskin awoke to the most beautiful sight he could imagine. Even in sleep Belle was the most stunning creature he'd ever seen. Tousled hair, droll, and all. For a moment he lay in the early morning glow forgetting everything but the curve of her jaw and the way the sun highlighted the various shades of brown in her hair. Rumpelstiltskin felt certain that he could remain here content for the rest of his life.

Then he shifted in the bed and recalled why, exactly, he had slept in Belle's bed last night. Pain radiated through his back and head as his body recapped each of his father's blows. Yesterday had been a stern reminder of why he held on to so much hatred for his father.

The young man wasn't certain what had prompted him to come here after picking himself up and cleaning off. But Belle was the only one he'd thought about after his father's visit. He'd worried that Malcolm might have paid her a visit as well, worried that she might have been frightened by his father, worried that she might want nothing to do with a weak and worthless thing like him.

But she'd been alright, concerned for him, but alright. Belle had anchored him through the worst parts of last night. Something he certainly wasn't accustomed to from anyone other than Neal or Tilly. The warmth that spread through his chest at every thought of Belle had grown to something more than just friendliness.

And that was precisely the reason he had to pull away from her now.

"Good morning," his favorite bookworm groaned pulling him from his dark thoughts.

"Morning," he replied.

Belle carefully sat up, obviously doing her best not to jostle him. Such a small kindness meant more to Rumpelstiltskin than anything else. He would miss Belle.

"You look like hell Rumple," she said looking him over in the fresh light of day. At his shrug, she continued. "Can you sit up at all?"

Rumpelstiltskin took a deep breath before attempting such a difficult feat. With her help and a good deal of pain, he managed it. Belle's eyes never left his as she pulled the blankets down from around him and stood up. Shifting behind him, the bold girl lifted his shirt in order to get a proper look at his back. Her gasp was lost in his hiss of pain as something moved across one of the worst welts.

Belle's voice shook with anger when she next spoke. "Let me grab my wand and we can heal those right up."

Fear coursed through the teenager as she spoke. "No!" he shouted far louder than he'd meant.

Belle startled but held her composure as she walked back to face him. "What do you mean no?"

"You can't-"

"It's a simple spell, of course I can. Don't be silly Rumple."

He shook his head frantically and grabbed her wrist. Everything within him begged the beauty not to meddle in this affair. "I know you can, but you can't heal me right now. If he comes back and I've evaded his 'lesson' then it will be worse."

Rage flashed through Belle's expression, but for once, it wasn't directed at him. "Rumple, I can't leave you like this. I can't do nothing."

"You have to," he said matter-of-factly. "It's just until we get on the train. Then I can fix it. Until then though…"

Luckily, he didn't have to finish. Belle understood. She didn't like it and she wasn't happy, but she understood. "What can I do?"

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head helplessly. "Nothing really." Seeing Belle's face fall to sadness, struck something within the boy. Wracking his brain for anything at all to make her feel useful, Rumple patted the bed next to him. "Tell me about your father's business trip," he said, hoping that she would give in.

To his great pleasure, she did just that. Plopping down beside him gently, Belle prattled on about her father and all that his job entailed. Rumple asked polite questions where he could, but he mostly sat and listened to the peaceful cadence of her voice.

He would savor every moment with her that he could. Once they got back onto the Hogwarts express he would be forced to put distance between them. Rumpelstiltskin refused to risk Belle's safety. Malcolm could hurt him as much as he pleased, but he'd be damned if he would let his father touch Belle.

Their friendship had been the highlight of Rumpelstiltskin's life and he would never forget the plucky beauty who'd so captured his heart. But he couldn't put her in danger. Her association with him would only draw his father's attention and nothing good could come from that. Besides, he thought to himself, I'm not good enough for her. She deserves so much more.

Resigned to his fate, Rumpelstiltskin basked in the warmth and light that was Belle French one last time.

A/N: So like I said, a bit darker than usual. But Malcolm had to show up at some point. And Belle needs to understand exactly what she's dealing with. I don't know when the next chapter will be up, but I am working through several ideas. I'm always accepting prompts, so if you have one feel free to share that in the comments or through a private message. Thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter!