A/N: Here we go! I wanted to include some more prompts from my reader's requests so I hope you like them all. Thank you again to everyone for reading, reviewing, and giving me their ideas! And as a thank you, I decided to add another prompt to the One Night Stand verse as well.

And… I also want to include some good news as well: I just found out that I will have a short story published in an anthology soon! It's a collection of horror stories centering around the Great Lakes region with the theme being "holidays." It won't be out until October but I will post details later about where you can pick up a copy if you like. I also joined Tumblr as well so if you like to follow me and talk about Rumbelle, Once, or just to say hi… That's all right! My username is erikstrueangel.

Now, I give you…

Edward Scissorhands

belle'sdarkangel Prompted: Scissors!Rum adjusts to his new hands. (Rated K+)

The feeling had been foreign for him. The first morning he woke Rum panicked when he didn't see the familiar knives and blades that had been his fingers. Instead he found his hands wrapped up in white bandages all the way up to his elbows.

Hyperventilating, he sat up in the hospital bed and was flailing about until Belle's soothing touch on his forehead calmed him down. It was then he remembered he had surgery to replace the blades with actual fingers and he felt a little silly for reacting the way he did.

Belle only smiled and assured him it had to be strange for him not to see something familiar as those scissor fingers. While she was right, Rum couldn't believe he was holding her hand—well, it was more her holding his. He could feel the pressure but he couldn't feel her skin. All he knew was that he wanted these bandages off as soon as possible so he could feel skin against skin. And know that he couldn't harm her.

The doctor came in to check on him and was pleased to see the patient awake and impatient to see his new hands. After living a lifetime with those knives and such, the good doctor couldn't blame Rum for wanting to leave immediately. Yet, he still had some recovery to do, not to mention physical therapy. It was the first time ever that he performed a procedure like this and wanted to be certain that Rum would be able to use his new appendages with no complications.

It took a few days before the doctor deemed it all right for the bandages to be removed, and once the last wrap was gone… Rum found two perfectly good hands with five long smooth and lean fingers. He stared at them in wonder and awe, looking back and forth at the backs and the palms. His fingers were a little stiff but it was a feeling he was quite used to as he flexed them, feeling the little tendons perform little miracles as they moved in tandem and then one at a time.

Tears gathered in the corner of his eyes as he gazed at the doctor with gratefulness.

"Now, let's try them out, shall we?" The doctor asked with a grin.

xxXXxx

It didn't take long for Rum to acquire the use of his extremities. In physical therapy, he learned how to hold utensils and to use them, how to write, how to dress, how to open doors, etc. Every new skill he mastered was met with a beaming smile and pride filling his countenance. And… Belle was with him every step the way.

She helped him with his exercises and acted as his personal cheerleader when he did something on his own. Even her father had been supportive and encouraged him as time went on.

Before Rum knew it, he had his hands for a month and he felt like he could take on the world. Yet, there was something else he wanted to do and had been shy to even try. After all, touch was not something he was able to do so willingly, not when the consequences could hurt someone. But this time it was different. He was different. He had nothing to fear, at least… he hoped not.

It took him a while but eventually he worked up the nerve to make his wish come true.

He and Belle were enjoying a lovely walk in the park when she pointed out a bench for them to sit on for a short break. It was a beautiful day—not too warm, not too cold. The truth was Rum was really enjoying his time spent here in Sydney. Not that he wasn't occasionally homesick for Storybrooke (he missed the mansion and his garden), but here… he didn't feel like he was being judged. People weren't terrified of him. They didn't know his past and they didn't know about the bad thing he did. Of course, as Belle told him many times, if he hadn't done what he did… Who knows what could have happened?

He wished others thought the same as Belle, but the truth was… All he really needed was her. Maybe when they did return to Storybrooke, he could venture back into town with his newfound hands. Maybe people won't be scared anymore. Maybe they will want to be his friend again when they see he can do them no more harm. But that was a lot of "maybes."

Until then, Rum was going to focus on the present. And he was going to attempt what would have been the unthinkable.

As they looked out to the sky where the sun was setting, Rum knew his chance was now or never. Backing out was no longer an option. He was going to do this.

Tentatively, he stretched his hand towards hers, which she laid flat on the bench, and rested his palm on top.

Instant bliss flooded his senses.

Her skin was soft and supple as silk, completely smooth and flawless. Lifting his hand up, Rum's finger trailed over the length of her finger to her knuckle and down to her wrist. He marveled over how warm her flesh felt and how she always seemed to radiate comfort and acceptance, but to actually feel her… To touch without fear was an entirely new sensation. Her hand was truly a work of art with its dainty and delicate curvature, and at the same time, feisty and tough since it was her hands that welcomed him to her world. She was never afraid of him, even when he accidently hurt her. She never shied away from him.

Pressing his hand on top of hers once more, he couldn't help but be amazed at the contrast of her petite hand and his slightly bigger one. Belle had done so much for him and changed his life for the better.

She was his savior.

Then, her hand shifted beneath his until her fingers interlaced with his.

He looked down with astonishment at how perfect they fit with one another and shifted his gaze to her face where he caught a hint of a blush as she smiled up at him.

I figured a nice dose of fluff was needed. Thanks belle'sdarkangel for the request!