A/N: I absolutely adore this prompt! I hope you guys will too! Some fluffiness after a crazy week.

One Night Stand

Twyla Mercedes prompted: Belle has this sudden craving for watermelon. She calls Ryan for help and he goes on a late-night hunt. (Rated K+)

There was no way this was happening, but when Belle woke up at three in the morning, she only had one craving:

Watermelon.

It was totally out of the blue but the hunger and the urgency to have it right at that moment was overwhelming.

And naturally she didn't have any in her apartment.

For the most part, her cravings had been pretty subdued. Plus, she never experienced anything this strong before. Yet nothing in her cupboards or her refrigerator would satisfy the demand for watermelon.

So she did what she could think of in this state of emergency.

"Hi Ryan? It's Belle. I'm fine; we both are. But I was wondering if you could do me a favor… I know it's late but I need watermelon. Yes that's right. You could? Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!"

She hung up with a bright smile. Resting her hands on her belly, she murmured: "Hang on. You will have your watermelon soon."

xxXXxx

The phone call in the middle of the night startled Ryan, but as soon as he heard Belle's voice… his nerves instantly calmed. The fact she called him, needing his help… He didn't have the words to describe how he felt.

The truth was he didn't think she would ever call him. He thought she agreed to be nice since his offer did come out of nowhere. Yet she called him and he couldn't have been more overjoyed.

He knew how these late-night cravings could be. Milah had some pretty unusual ones. There was one time she had to have bird's eye chili peppers and peanut butter. The lengths he went to find that elusive pepper made her very affectionate and grateful. Not to say he expected or hoped Belle would show her gratitude in some way… He was only too happy to help out a friend.

Ryan dressed fairly quickly and stopped by Bae's door. He hesitated and decided it was best to let the boy sleep. He didn't think he was awake enough to explain to Bae about why he was leaving in the middle of the night to buy watermelon for the librarian.

He made sure all the windows and both the front and back doors were securely locked before Ryan got into his car and drove off.

First, he went to the 24-hour pharmacy and mart. To his dismay, Ryan couldn't find the watermelon. The clerk on staff looked at him oddly and said he wouldn't get more until six when the delivery truck came. Well, waiting for three hours wasn't going to work for him.

So Ryan got back into his car and drove out of Storybrooke to the next store. The second one he went to was also out, but they had plenty of cantaloupes, honeydews, and even Santa Clauses. He had no idea what kind of melon a Santa Claus was, but he couldn't believe they carried that one but not something as common as watermelon.

The third store ended up being a charm. They had the beautiful, succulent watermelon—the holy treasure on his quest. Ryan almost cried tears of joy but he managed to hold them back as he took his purchase (he bought a dozen… no point in risking the possibility of Belle not having any at a drop of a hat) and drove back to Storybrooke, back to Belle.

It took him longer than necessary but when he saw the elation on her face… it was worth the headache to go as far as he did.

At least… until he cut into it for her.

Her delight turned to sorrow as tears started to form. Ryan couldn't understand what made her upset as he pulled out a handkerchief to give to her.

"What's wrong Belle? I thought you said you wanted watermelon…"

"I did, do. It's just that… they have seeds," she explained in a dishearten voice.

"That's all?" Ryan was relieved. He thought it was something else. "It's okay. I can fix it."

Then he proceeded to grab a spoon and he began to scoop out the seeds. He was able to remove the ones he could see right away, but as soon as he cut a slice for her he continued to pick out the seeds so she could have a seedless watermelon.

Belle didn't have the words to tell him how she felt with what he had done. He didn't have to take out the seeds for her, but he did, without her asking. Once more her eyes welled up and she wiped the tears away. Her lips quivered and she had the truth right at the tip of her tongue. All she had to do was say…

"Ryan, this child is yours."

But Belle bit down and swallowed the truth along with the juicy fruit.

One of these days… she will find the courage.

Aww! Ryan to the rescue! And such a darling for basically being her hero and taking out those seeds for her. But Belle is still scared. What will it take? Stay tune my wonderful readers.