Changes and Not

By:RosexKnight

In which Ruby and Belle have a little bonding time, make a deal, and they both realize some things have changed, but really nothing has.

(( Anon Prompted: Spinner verse: Rumple takes Belle with him on a deal. The deal takes longer than expected, and the only way to keep Belle at his side is to say they are married. They have to spend the night in the same room with only one bed.

Alrighty. Just letting you all know, we are nearing the end of the Spinner! Verse. I forsee maybe three more parts? So if you have a prompt for them, get it to me before it's too late so I can integrate it into the story! You can send it to my Tumblr at breaktimewritings Though I will always be taking prompts for this 'verse. I don't see me ever letting go of it fully. Either way, enjoy! Smut next chapter, I promise. ))

As it turned out, her father had a point about the kingdom needed an heir.

"It's my kingdom my marriage, annulment or no. That was the arrangement." Gaston had said. "But even so, the family line will need to CONTINUE, Belle."

"That has nothing to do with me anymore." She said firmly, feeling Rumpelstiltskin's arm tighten around her waist.

"I know. That's why I want to make a deal. I want what you have. Love. True, everlasting love."

Belle was still getting over the fact that Gaston had called Rumpelstiltskin her true love when he himself spoke.

"Magic can't make someone fall in love with you, dearie."

"But it can find my love can't it?"

"You already know them?" Blue interjected. "The one you love isn't Belle?"

"Our marriage was an arranged one." Belle said. "No tender feelings."

"Indeed not." Gaston agreed. "But I…well I've met someone. Before. Who I was quite fond of."

Rumpelstiltskin made a grunt, and Belle nudged his side. "Do you have something of theirs, dearie?"

Gaston reached into his pocket, pulling out a scrap of red cloth. "This was part of a cloak she wore. It was torn on a branch when she was running. Will it do?"

"Heavenly." Rumpelstiltskin said flatly as he took the cloth.

"Gaston." Blue began, eyeing the cloth. "She's not…"

"She is. A child of the moon. They call her Red. I knew her as Ruby. I met her before I was betrothed to Belle. I helped her to escape some hunters. I was…quite taken with her."

"And if she doesn't feel the same?" Belle ventured. "Then what?"

"Then I suppose any noble wanting an alliance with Avonlea will do. In exchange for my bride, I'll give you my word that we will not make a pass at Belle ever again. And warn you against any rumors of those foolish enough to do so."

"Gaston!" Maurice was suddenly protesting. "You cannot do this!"

"Calm yourself, Lord Maurice. It is out of your hands." The knight turned King said.

"She is my daughter!"

"And I have made it abundantly clear that I have no wish to return to a kingdom that does not understand me." Belle snapped. "I love you, father. Truly. But I have a family now. A life. I cannot give it up. No one decides my fate but me."

"You have a deal, dearie. I'll find your little wolf. If not a suitable bride. Not to worry."

"We will." Belle corrected earnestly, giving The Dark One no chance to argue. "Come, Rumple. We'll no doubt need some potion, and I'm sure Bae is worried."

"Of course, Milady." He said, taking her by the waist without arguing.

In a puff of purple smoke the world shifted around them, and they were back home.

"Lady of the Dark Castle?

Belle hit him playfully in the chest, his hands ever present on her hips. "You called me it first!"

"So I did."

"We…we still have a lot to talk about."

"I know."

"Mama!"

Belle only had a moment to turn before Baelfire was at her, flinging his arms around her and burying his face in her waist.

"Shhh…it's okay my boy. Your papa brought me back."

"Are you staying? Will they take you again?"

"No. They won't. In staying. I still have deals to fulfill. And speaking of…" She knelt down to him. "Your papa and I are going out on a deal. Will you be alright here by yourself for a day or so?"

The boy nodded excitedly. Belle smiled, ruffling his hair. He was probably too old for that, but she didn't care. "That's my little knight. We'll be back soon."

They didn't talk about anything more as Rumpelstiltskin gathered what he needed for his tracking magic and Belle packed a small travel pack. One day, he'd said. One day and they'd be back home and things would go back to normal. Or as normal as they could be. And so, they said goodbye to Bae and away they were again in another puff of smoke.

They found themselves in a small village, perhaps in Snow White's borders.

"This is charming." Belle said with a smile as she inspected the quaint houses and people bustling around in the streets. "I wonder how we are to find this…Ruby."

"I'd say we start at the inn." Rumpelstiltskin said. "I'm sure the keeper knows the village well.

She linked her arm with his, and the two entered. A hush fell over the inn at the sight of The Dark One and his lady.

"What brings the likes of you here?" And old woman said, her voice practically dripping with venom. "I don't want any trouble at my inn."

"I assure you, dearie, we mean no harm."

"No harm. The Dark One and his Dark Lady come into my inn and mean no harm."

"'Dark Lady?' Is that what they're calling me?" Belle asked. "Ma'am please. We're here looking for someone on behalf of my ex husband."

"Really?" The older woman seemed intrigued, waving them over to a podium. "Who exactly are you looking for?"

"Her name is Red. Or Ruby." Belle explained, holding out the bit of red cloth to the older woman.

Her eyes flared with a mixture of anger and alarm, obviously ready to fight for something. Belle decided she liked her. "What do you want with my granddaughter?" She demanded.

"It's not what we want…" Rumpelstiltskin muttered bitterly.

Belle nudged him in the ribs. "It's about a knight she met. Perhaps a few years ago. Gaston."

"Gaston?"

The voice came from behind them, from a girl at the top of the stairs, dressed in a simple brown dress and striking red hood. Tentatively, she descended, glancing cautiously between The Dark One and her grandmother.

"What's happened to him?"

"Nothing's happened. We've simply been sent to fetch you for him, dearie."

"Why?" Ruby asked. "I haven't seen him in two years."

"He's looking for a bride."

"He is already married. He was betrothed when I met him."

"There was an annulment…" Belle muttered, and Ruby gave her an odd look.

"You?" She asked, and Belle gave her a sheepish smile. "For The Dark One? Was he really so terrible?"

"No! Of course not!" Belle defended. "He was a good husband. Truly. Just…not for me."

Ruby quirked an eyebrow at him, and Belle sighed, but then gave Ruby a small smile.

"Rumple, sweetheart. Will you be a dear and get us a room?"

"A room?" He echoed, his voice edging into annoyance.

"I have a feeling this may take a little longer than planned. Ruby. Fancy some girl time?"

"Um…" The girl in the red cloak glanced to her granny, who only shrugged. "Sure."

Belle smiled, turning to kiss Rumple's cheek. Before following Ruby to find a table in the tavern.

"Alright. I suppose you'll want our best room." Granny said, the words not exactly a grumble but not exactly happy either. She scribbled something down before giving him a key. "Here you are. One room for Mr and Mrs Dark One."

"Oh we're not–" Rumpelstiltskin cut himself off, glancing back to Belle and Ruby, who seemed to be chatting with some other bar maid. They weren't anything. Not yet.

Granny gave him a knowing smile. "You're fixing that soon yeah?"

The Dark One gave her a short glare. "Yes."

"He was a good husband?" Ruby asked tentatively, fiddling with her mug of ale. "In and out of bed?"

Belle's cheeks immediately flared, and she almost choked on the liquid. "Ruby!"

"Hey a girl's gotta know what she's getting into."

"Yes in and out of bed. Though I don't have much to compare to…"

"Ah. Right. Princess and all that. I suppose other than Gaston you haven't got much more experience."

"Gaston wasn't my first." This time, Ruby was the one who was doing the choking, and Belle giggled. "My first was a spinner from the Frontlands. With a limp. I met him a few days before Gaston and I were betrothed."

"What happened to him?" Ruby asked.

Belle payed, worrying her lower lip. "He…changed a bit I suppose. But then again he didn't. It's a bit complicated."

"I see. Well, glad to know Gaston measures up to a lame spinner."

Belle laughed then. Oh if only she knew. She cleared her throat and quickly calmed down, waving Ruby's question off.

"You're not like the princesses I've seen. You seem right at home here." Ruby said.

"Because I am." Belle shrugged. "Now, how did you and Gaston meet?"

Ruby paused, looking down into her half-empty mug. A smile formed on her lips.

"You know what I am…" Belle nodded. "There was a hunting party that found me. Thought I was an ordinary wolf. Gaston was the one who cornered me, but he didn't strike. I think he…knew somehow. Saw what I was and stopped. He told the rest of the party false information and made sure I was safe. He said there was no honor in killing another who didn't do him any wrong, no matter what they were.

"Then he went all knightly with 'my ladies' and escorts. He took me home. Made sure I got there safe." The girl sighed, leaning on her hand and elbow. "He was a lug. A big naive overly courageous dumb lug. But somehow it just…"

"Worked for you." Belle finished.

"But why'd he send you two? Why not some for me himself?"

"I don't know. It's complicated with my dad. He's probably afraid of being slapped or something."

The two girls exchanged knowing looks before bursting into a fit of giggles.

"Oh lookit this. Two lovely ladies drinking alone? Well I can remedy that." Ruby and Belle looked to see a man, cheeks red with alcohol, flop down onto a chair at the table. "What are you two lovely ladies doing this fine evening? Lookin' for some fun?"

Belle's eyebrows shot up as Ruby scoffed. "Not with you."

"Aww c'mon pretty thing." Ruby simply turned away, so he turned to Belle instead. "Alright how about you? Sure you're smarter than your friend here."

"You're obviously not very bright." Ruby said.

"What makes you think that?"

Two strong hands appeared on Belle's shoulders.

"I'll thank you to stop harassing my wife and her friend dearie." A voice said with a dangerous edge.

The man was scurrying off before Belle could blink, leaving Belle and Ruby in another for of giggles.

"Has our red-hooded friend made her choice?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

Ruby worried her lip for a moment, glancing to Belle.

The tremor in her voice was not unnoticed. "If your spinner came to you, and asked you to drop everything to be with him…would you?"

Belle felt Rumple's hands tighten on her shoulders and giggled. If only she knew. "Without a second thought."

"Well. That's that then. I'll need time to pack. And Granny will need time to as well and see that the tavern is taken care of. We're…we're a package deal."

"I'm sure Gaston wouldn't mind."

"Alright then. You two enjoy your stay. And don't hesitate to come for more girl time."

"I'd love some." Belle said with a grin.

The Dark One cleared his throat. "I drew you a bath, sweetheart. It'll get cold if you linger."

No it wouldn't. "Of course." She said, putting a hand on his and turning to look up at him. "Care to help me in it, my spinner?"

"O-of course, treasure."

He was stunned, as as Belle stood she was happy to see that Ruby seemed to be too. Heh. If she was glad that Gaston could compare to a spinner maybe she was happier now knowing Gaston could compare to The Dark One.

"What was that back there?"

"Just girl talk." Belle assured him as she inspected the room. It was quaint and cozy with a large bed, warm hearth, and large tub. It seems when Granny had promised her best she wasn't kidding.

"Ah."

"And uh…on your end?"

"Hm?"

"You called me your wife.

Rumpelstiltskin suddenly felt frozen in place. Because she had set her pack on the bed and was shucking off her coat.

"Well I…I couldn't have that brute do something he would soon regret."

"Right." The princess said, giving him a knowing smile as she began to unlace her dress.

A lump suddenly formed in the spinner's throat and his mouth felt dry. He turned away, determined to find something, anything, to focus on besides Belle being right behind him and the sound of clothes hitting the floor.

"Rumple?"

He stiffened, breath catching in his throat as he turned ever so slightly. He failed to keep his voice steady. "Yes?"

"Aren't you going to help me?"

He turned in time to see her figure disappear behind the curtain, her silhouette disappearing into the tub and her dress on the floor beside the bed. He wasn't strong enough to tell her no.

The spinner was completely at the mercy of the princess. But then again, when had it ever been any different?