A/n: This one's rated M, dearies. The entirety of the fic is rated T, so if you're just a T reader, you really might want to skip this one :D. Happy reading!

XXX

Love Requited

It was done. The gauntlet was safely tucked away in the Dark One's vault and the witches had been dealt with … though he wouldn't be telling his Belle the intricacies of that deal. However, the first vile finger they lifted in his beloved's direction and all bets were off. He was confident now that no one would be breaking into their home either. Not with the amount of dark magic he'd expended to fortify the castle. He was exhausted, and just wanted to curl up next to Belle and sleep for a week. He'd returned to Avonlea at dawn to find her curled up on the sofa with her father, her head resting on a pillow on his lap. Maurice had been diligent watching over her, a fond smile upon his lips. At least she'd been able to rest for a while.

She stirred restlessly in his arms as he set her down upon his bed. His room was much more opulent than hers, offering more comfort for her weary body. Quickly, he used his magic to swap out her day dress for her nightgown before disappearing behind the dressing screen to change his own clothes.

Belle yawned loudly as she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Rumpel?"

"I'm here, my love," he replied, his voice drifting out to her from behind the screen.

She focused on her surroundings as she climbed under the crimson and gold duvet, snuggling down into the pillows. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth. It was the only source of light in the dark room, heavy drapes covering the windows to block out the morning sunshine. "Is this your room, Rumpel? I thought I'd seen every room in the castle."

"Mhmm." He hesitated when he reached his side of the bed. Belle held out her hand to him, beckoning him to join her. "I wasn't sure … er … and I … uh … didn't want to assume."

"Stop. I want you with me. And it's obvious you desire my company as well, seeing as this is your bed," she teased. She nestled into his side as he laid beside her. "I'm yours, Rumpel. Don't be afraid to touch me."

He tipped her chin up, frowning at the marks on her neck left by Ursula's tentacle. He knew if he were to draw up her sleeves, there would be more on her arms. Blasted harpies! "Will you allow me to heal you?"

"If you wish. They don't hurt, and I can withstand a few bruises. I'm not some delicate flower, Rumpelstiltskin."

The mage laid her flat against the smooth golden sheets and whisked his hand over her pale ivory throat. "I don't think either of us need the reminder of this night. And it makes the Dark One disgruntled and difficult to control."

Belle's brow furrowed. "You speak of your curse as if it is a separate entity."

"There are many things about my curse I will need to explain, but now is not the time. You need to rest."

Warmth spread through her as his spell-clever hands sought out her minor injuries. She tingled wherever he touched her, and she never wanted it to end. "Did you finish with my pendant?" she purred softly, trailing her fingers over his arm.

He stilled as he was lifting her long sleeve out of his way, his sloe-lidded amber gaze meeting hers. "I'd just finished when I discovered you missing. It's ready."

Belle's rosebud mouth lifted at the corners as she relaxed and let herself enjoy his light touch. He was so gentle and attentive with her. She could feel the love radiating from his fingertips. She sighed happily, and he smiled in return, pleased she could find such delight in him.

"Did I get them all?"

Belle bit her lip, the gesture going straight to his groin. He should have tucked her into her own bed and given her a sleeping draught.

"I don't know. You might have to do a more thorough search," she whispered breathlessly. Her hand curled around his nape, nails scratching against his scalp as she delved higher into his soft hair.

"B-Belle …" he groaned, his clawed hand curving over her hip and pulling her into his body. He reached into his pocket and retrieved her pendant, pressing it into her hands. "I'm returning this to you, my Belle, but it is with no expectations." He pulled her hand from his hair and pressed a reverent kiss to her knuckles. "Nor will I put pressure on you to do something for which you're not ready.

She rolled to a sitting position and pulled her hair up and out of the way, eager for him to clasp her pendant about her throat. Just the short time he'd had it to charm, she'd missed its warm weight against her skin. It warmed her knowing it was from her beloved sorcerer. She cherished all the gifts he'd given her over their time together because he'd given them freely rather than out of some obligation to her.

Rumpelstiltskin laid back against the pillows, one knee bent as he reclined to watch her inspect her bauble. "Are you pleased, dearest?"

Belle hummed low in her throat as she tossed him a coy smile over her shoulder. "I don't know … it depends on if it works."

He swallowed audibly. "Oh." He cleared his throat and tried not to fidget as she turned to kneel next to him, her knee pressing into his left hip. "And why wouldn't it, hmm? My magic hasn't failed me yet."

She inched closer, her little pink tongue darting out to wet her lips as she held his gaze. "Let's test it then, shall we?"

Rumpelstitlskin's fingers curled over hers as they slid over his tunic, holding her warm hands in his to ground himself as the distance between them melted away and her soft lips closed over his own. Her kisses were sweet, chaste, never having had experience with much kissing before, and they were as addicting as magic. Belle smiled against his lips before pulling away. "I suppose you were right, darling. You're still that lovely shade of greenish gold I adore so well."

He couldn't help the laugh which burst past his lips at that cheeky statement. "I fear I will never understand you, my Belle," he said, shaking his head in amusement.

"All you have to understand is how much I love you, Rumpelstiltskin," she whispered, pressing another sweet kiss to his lips. "Now … how about we continue that search, hmm?" She didn't give him a chance to protest and whipped her gown over her head, leaving her in only a skimpy pair of lacey knickers.

Rumpelstiltskin felt his mouth go dry as so much of her creamy white flesh was bared to him. "Uh …"

Belle blushed a bright crimson and began to feel self-conscious under his long perusal. She brought her arms up to cover her breasts and winced at the pain in her ribs. That seemed to snap her love out of his daze. His strong arms went about her, cradling her to him for a moment before lying her back against the cool sheets.

"Tell me where it hurts," he commanded since there were no visible signs marring her flesh that he could see. It was then she lifted her left arm and he could see the bruising on her side. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry," he fretted. In moments, she was feeling better and then her earlier worries returned.

"Rumpel?" she asked, still unable to meet his gaze, her voice shy and uncertain. "Did I do something wrong? Was I too forward?" Her pearly teeth clamped down on her lower lip in an effort to quell the tears burning her eyes. "Or … do you not want me?"

The sorcerer gaped at her, stunned by her insecurities. "Belle …" He rolled over onto his back and pulled her across his chest, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. "You're perfect, dearest. You take my breath away." He scooted up against the pillows and helped her straddle him, sitting her up with a groan as she rocked against his arousal. "I don't deserve this … you. But I will give you whatever you wish, Belle."

"I just want you," she insisted, desire evident in the deep pools of her eyes. But there was also a great wealth of uncertainty. "I was supposed to marry Gaston … before you came into my life. I was told what to expect in my marriage bed, the mechanics, how it was my duty. I was terrified, Rumpel."

He pulled her close, his hands tracing soothing circles over her back. "You don't have to be afraid I'll hurt you, dearest."

She smiled. "That's just it. I'm not afraid with you. I don't think you have it in you to hurt me, Rumpel." Her hands slid over his shoulders to wrap around his neck, her body arching into his. "I want you. I want you to make love to me, show me what it's like to be loved by you."

The sorcerer crooked a finger under her chin, tilting her face up for his kiss. "We'll go slow, yes? And if at any time you don't like something, or you want to stop, I want you to tell me."

She nodded. "I promise."

"This first time should be special for you, dearest. You need a gentle hand and a loving touch … not the blackened claws of a monster." He cringed, closing his eyes briefly to collect himself. He pressed one hand to his heart as he met her gaze. "You honor me, my love."

"You're not a monster … just my beloved beast," she whispered lovingly as his lips closed over hers.

He kept his hands at her waist, his thumbs rubbing soothing little patterns over her skin and toying with the little silk bows which kept her knickers in place as he sipped at her lips. Now that he was able to kiss her freely, she seemed to revel in it. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and she gasped, allowing him inside to explore the honeyed recesses of her mouth. Rumpelstiltskin was thankful he'd taken the extra precaution of chaining the demon firmly in his mind. He didn't want his darkness to intrude on this moment. Belle was his, and he didn't want to share her with that part of himself.

Her fingers curled in the ends of his hair, urging him ever closer, willing him to take when he just wanted to give. His beloved was innocent, pure sensation driving her, and gods how he wanted to give in and bury himself in her heat. But he would not hurt her. He would show her his love through his touch, burying the beast and revealing the man he was at the core of his being. He flinched as her hands found their way under the soft cotton tunic he wore, the muscles of his stomach contracting beneath her fingers.

"Take this off," she mewled, his hands flexing over her hips. "I want to see you."

"Belle … sweetheart, you don't –"

She kissed along the smooth curve of his jaw, nipping lightly at his rapid pulse where it throbbed beneath his skin. "You're beautiful, Rumpel. Let me see."

The mage groaned as she pulled away enough so he could whip the tunic over his head and toss it aside. He averted his gaze, unable to bear the revulsion he was sure to see in her eyes.

Belle tipped his chin up. "Look at me. Don't hide, my love."

He shuddered at the unadulterated love and acceptance he found in her gaze. In over three hundred years, no one had ever looked at him like that.

"You're mine, Rumpelstiltskin. Mine to love. Not for what you can give me. Not for what great and awesome power you wield … but for who you are … here," she murmured, resting her hand over his heart.

And he broke, the last wall around his heart crumbling to dust as he gathered her to him and buried his face against her throat. "I love you, Belle," he gasped out in a ragged whisper, his warm breath against her skin making her emit a low purr. "My Belle."

"Love me …" she breathed. "Show me, darling."

His inhibitions fell away, driven by the single-minded purpose to bring her pleasure. He kissed her hungrily, pouring his love into the kiss before mapping a path to her ear. There was no inch of her perfect skin he left untouched. He wanted to taste her, all of her, but he didn't know how much would be too much for her first time. He was going simply by instinct alone. He listened to her body sing for him, her breathy little moans and keening cries telling him what she liked. Her back bowed beneath him as his lips covered one pert nipple, his tongue swirling around the tight bud as his clever fingers toyed with its twin.

Belle wrapped one leg over his hip, pulling him into the cradle of her thighs. Her blood was on fire, a pleasurable ache building within her of the likes she'd never known. She raised her hips, pressing herself to him, reveling in the friction against his hard cock. She felt empty, the need to be filled by him overwhelming. The tales her governesses had told her of what to expect had frightened her when she'd thought of having to share her bed with Gaston, but now with her true love, the need to be joined with him, it felt right, perfect.

His hand covered her mound, and it didn't occur to her to wonder where her undergarments had gone. It didn't matter when his fingers were grazing her soft curls and tracing the line of her folds. He delved deeper, gasping against her lips. "So wet, my love," he murmured, almost as if he couldn't believe it. She didn't have time to worry over his awe, her eyes flying wide as he discovered her little bundle of nerves and gave it a gentle caress.

Belle shivered from head to toe, her nails digging sharply into his upper arms. "Rumpel!"

His eyes met hers, searching for any signs of discomfort. "Good?" he asked, circling the little nub as she writhed beneath him.

She moaned long and low. "So good. Do it again!"

Rumpelstiltskin's confidence grew as he watched her get lost in a sea of sensation. He remembered his wife's revulsion in sharing a bed with him. He'd never been able to please Milah, yet his Belle relished every press of his lips and every touch of his hand. He slipped deeper, past her tight ring of muscle where no man had explored before him, her walls clenching tightly. "Easy, dearest. Just relax," he crooned as she stiffened slightly. "I'll not hurt you."

Belle forced herself to relax as he began to move within her. His thumb continued to stroke her little bundle as his fingers found a secret place inside her which had her fighting to breathe. It was intense, an end to her torture just out of reach.

"Let go, sweetheart. Just let yourself have it," he commanded huskily against the whorls of her ear, wanting it as much as she did. She felt herself fall, her muscles clenching about him as his touch gentled, guiding her through her climax.

When she felt she could breathe without gasping every other breath, she opened her eyes to find Rumpelstiltskin leaning up on an elbow, gazing down at her with a tender smile. "I've … I've never felt … anything like that before."

Rumpelstiltskin brushed her damp hair away from her face and leaned over to press a soft kiss to her lips. "You're so beautiful, my little dearie. My treasure."

She reached for him, deepening the kiss. "I want more. I want to feel you inside me," she purred. "Does that make me wanton?"

"No, dearest," he growled lowly, "it makes you human."

Belle dropped her gaze shyly as she trailed her fingers over his belly and lower to the prominent bulge in his cotton pants. He hissed sharply, but pressed her hand more firmly against him. "Please, Rumpel. I need you."

The mage doubled his earlier efforts as he kissed her, bringing her back to the mindless state of bliss she'd been in before. He wanted her focused on her pleasure instead of her small fears. He magicked his trousers away, unable to bear the thought of releasing her long enough to discard them. He settled into the cradle of her thighs, his body thrumming with his own need. He groaned as his cock slid through her slick folds, the head bumping against her nub and making her cry out. His little dearie was flushed with desire, and to him, she'd never been lovelier. His soul deep wish only to please her, to bring her a fraction of the pleasure she'd brought him thus far.

He eased into her, gnashing his teeth as she contracted around him, stretching to accommodate the intrusion. "Hold onto me, Belle. Don't let go," he crooned softly against her lips. "Relax, my love. Don't fight me. Your body knows what to do."

A small whimper slipped past her lips, feeling the burn as he broke through her maidenhead and fell still. She breathed out a sigh of relief, the anticipation most times worse than the reality. Her sorcerer peppered her face and neck with kisses as fleeting as butterfly wings, fretting over her comfort. "Shh … I'm fine, darling," she cooed, drawing him down to her lips. She arched beneath him, that inner fire begging to be sated. "Move, Rumpel … I need you to move now."

He gave an experimental thrust of his hips, watching her closely. "Alright? If it hurts, I'll stop, Belle," he assured her, though that was the last thing he wanted to do now that he was buried so deep in her warm wet heat.

Belle shook her head, raising her hips to meet his next thrust, losing herself to the feeling of him silken and oh so hard within her, driving her up her peak. He set a slow rhythm, trying to prolong her pleasure, months of teasing touches and unrequited love pushing him onward. His senses, heightened by his curse, merely doubled his delight in her, and it was by sheer force of will he was able to hold on until he felt her give in to her passion again. Despite the charm on her pendant, he could still feel her light, their true love, their magic, permeate his soul. His curse roiled within him before shrinking back and letting her love fill him as he spilled himself deep within her.

Rumpelstiltskin collapsed against her, pressing a soft wet kiss to her shoulder which made her hum appreciatively. "Are you alright, dearest?"

"I'm perfect. You?"

"I can't move," he moaned.

Belle giggled and dropped a kiss to his damp brow, her arms tightening about him. "Then don't. You're not that heavy."

The sorcerer snorted and forced himself to roll onto his side. "You say that now, but I somehow think you'd protest when your arse fell asleep and you were trapped under my weight." He used a bit of magic to clean them up and then pulled her into the circle of his arms and draped the duvet over them.

Belle brushed his hair away from his eyes and kissed the corner of his mouth. "I love you."

"I love you, too, my Belle. I never … I didn't think anyone …"

"Shh … you were just waiting for me."

A/n: Well, was it worth the wait? Gawd! I hope so. One more to go, dearies! Thank you all so much for taking this journey with me. *love and hugs*