Two POVs this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter, things finally go down.
He looked horrible. That was the first thought that ran through Belle's head when Jones shoved Gold to the floor at her feet. Not horrible as in unattractive, honestly he could have been very attractive, but he was in such terrible shape. He was much too skinny, his clothes swamping this thin frame, he had dark purple bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, he was unshaven and unkempt, he had scars marring his face and hands, and worst of all the air of the hopelessness hanging over him like a cloud.
Belle wanted nothing more than to wrap herself around him and assure him that everything would be okay. To tell him that Bae was safe and that she would get him out of here as soon as she could, as soon as she was sure it was safe, but she couldn't. She could only stand there and look down at him with disgust. It broke her heart to watch Jones abuse him but she couldn't break her cover now. She had to remain unflinching and hard hearted. She just hoped that when she finally could save him from this wretched existence he would forgive her for all that she would have to do.
For the next few weeks Gold was plagued not only by Hook but by his new paramour as well. It seemed that Belle French found some sick amusement in seeing him caged up because she started coming with Hook two or three times a week. Most of the time she ignored him, spending her time talking with Hook about the war or things going on in The Heart. Occasionally she would watch over his shoulder as he drafted weapon after weapon. She'd ask what they were for, how they worked, where they were being sent, and other annoying questions that he'd be forced to answer. He hated those days the most. Her melodic voice and unforgettable accent in his ear drove him nuts as did the scent of her perfume, roses, tickling his nose when her curls would fall across his shoulder.
After those days she would always feature in his dreams, not as the heartless witch who worked for Cora but as the kind and benevolent goddess he had first thought she was. Those dreams were almost worse than the his nightmares because they hope they conjured up was always crushed by reality when he woke the next morning. He had to remind himself after those dreams that he hated her. She wasn't kind or caring. She wasn't his friend. She wasn't his light. She was a tool of Cora's. She was heartless. She was cruel. She was one of them. She was darkness wrapped in a beautiful package. He had to remember that. He couldn't let her distract him.
He didn't know how long Belle French had been coming with Hook to his prison before his son had been brought up. He was working on a plans for a new multi-rocket launcher while Hook was begging Belle to stay with him longer.
"I can't. I offered to watch his brat for Regina tonight. Apparently she's got a date."
Gold froze, his pencil hovering above the drafting paper, they were talking about his boy. Belle was going to be watching his Bae. It was one thing for her to be here torturing him with her presence but it was another for her to be with Bae. He didn't want her anywhere near his boy.
"Can't you tell Regina to shove it? Stay here with me love." Yes stay with Hook. He didn't care if she stayed had drove through railroad spikes through his hands so long as she stayed away from Bae.
"Sorry but I promised her. Don't worry. I'll come by tomorrow okay?" No it was not okay. She couldn't leave. She couldn't go to Bae, she had thrown him to the lions without a care. Who knew what she'd do to him if they were alone. She couldn't leave!
But she did. With a blown kiss to Hook and a lingering glance at hims he left. And then he was alone with Hook and his thoughts.
"Guess it's just me and you Crocodile."
It appeared so. Gold bent his head back towards his desk but instead of working he did something he hadn't done in years. Something he didn't even fully believe in. He prayed.
Hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be posted soon!