I enjoyed writing this chapter very much, even though it's really short.

This chapter is dedicated to Nightmaregirl.

-OUAT-

Chapter 4- Comfort in Each Other's Arms

Rumpelstiltskin's hand flew to the girl's mouth, silencing her scream only mere seconds into it. She tried to pull away but he grabbed her arm, forcing her into the wall and holding her there.

"Stupid girl!" He hissed in a whisper, gripping her arm tightly. "They're sheep organs. Sheep! So calm. Down." Sally trembled under his hand eyes fearful but narrowed, trying to look intimidating and failing. She knew it wasn't working when Rumpelstiltskin grinned sickly. "Now the," he continued. "I'm going to remove my hand from your mouth but my price for that is that you do not scream or call for help. Understand, sweetheart?" No response but then, Sally slowly nodded. He removed his hand from her mouth but remained clutching her upper arm holding her in place.

"Why do you have them?" Sally demanded, voice shaking. "They're in my room, I deserve to know." The girl did have a valid point…

But…

Rumpelstiltskin refused to be pushed around by a girl of 17. So, sneering scornfully, he replied, "That is none of your concern—."

"How about this," Sally interrupted, sick of the man's games. "You tell me what they are for and I won't tell anyone you have them."

Ahh… the girl was playing his game. Rumpelstiltskin was impressed; no one had ever tried to reverse the tables on him. He already knew the consequences of when someone found out that he was keeping the organs here. He would have to tell what they were for and that would be a problem. But the only way to keep the girl quiet was to tell her. The only way to assure she would keep quiet would be to scare you into silence and guarantee that it wouldn't harm her in anyway. Oh how he hated losing the upper hand… now he had to gain it back.

He removed his hand from her arm and tapped his chin with a long, scaly finger, elbow resting on his other arm whish was crossed over his chest.

"You learn quickly, my darling," He mused, snaky-fox grin creasing his forever parched lips. "Trying to make a deal with me of all people?"

"Thought I'd try to beat you at your own game." Sally shot at him, causing the demon to chuckle.

"And for that, I bow to you." He bowed that "asking-for-a-dance" bow which made Sally sick to her stomach. He was such a disgusting bastard and she hated him for playing his tricky mind games. Hated the fact he always mocked everyone and seemed to find a way to gain the upper hand in every situation. But not this one. She would keep it and would beat him at his own game. This time, she would win and make him pay for always bartering and messing with people's lives. For making her become the queen's entertainment.

"Very well, dearest. I will accept your deal." He grinned and Sally extended her hand to him. With a hoarse laugh, Rumpelstiltskin clasped her hand in his. She had very small hands, he realized causing the grin to falter for just a moment but he was able to keep it plastered there on his face. Smaller than his wives'…

Her hand released his quickly and she grimmanced at the thought of her skin willingly touching his scaly and rough flesh.

"What are the organs for?" Sally demanded again. That stupid, rasping chuckle rumbled through his chest again.

"A spell." Was the simple and annoying answer.

Before she could stop herself, Sally asked, "What spell?"

He considered making another deal with the girl for the information and gain the upper hand. But then again, he already had it. So, just to exercise his power, he walked slowly over to her mattress, left foot in front of right, right in front of left. He laid down, one leg bent and on arm behind his head as he examined his gruesome nails in the other hand. She repeated the question, beginning to get angry. He smirked, knowing exactly how much he affected her and proud of it. This was just one of his many ways to gain power and, knowing that it was all too easy to make this girl what little power she gained, turn the tables to get it himself; she had just given him the upper hand on a silver platter without even realizing it. On the third time she asked he sighed heavily, pretending to be defeated.

"They're for another person to use, not me. The spell they wish to use is dark and full of evil. They want to bind a dragon to them and destroy a nearby village and the only way to do so is to use organs of a defenseless and pure animal. Dragons are creatures from the depths of hell so to bind one, you must trade something pure. The dragon will become bound to the caster and the caster will control the dragon and use it to set fire to the village and surround it in darkness and become its ruler. The caster will then go and begin to capture more land with the dragon as their weapon, becoming the strongest kingdom in all the land." Here he paused and looked over at the wide-eyed and horrified girl. "But not to worry dearie." He got up and walked over to her, stroking her cheek with the back of her fingers, whispering as he touched the soft, pale skin, "You're safe with me. No danger will come to you."

"H-how do you know?" Sally managed to gasp out in a whisper. He felt a memory pressing in on him as she spoke the words and he look at her face, into her eyes. Something was there… something familiar… but then again, something foreign. He instantly began feeling the power he had gained over her slipping away and he hated it but he could not stop it. Without realizing it, he spoke.

"Because I'm here," He whispered back. He leaned in and pressed his lips to her ear, speaking quieter. "And I won't let any more harm come to you. Ever." She closed her eyes, both repulsed and comforted by his words, not even bothered by his breath on her ear or the arms wrapping around her and pulling her to him. Oh wow… she thought as he held her to his dragon-hide covered chest, her taking in his scent. He smelt, not of onions or anything awful but instead, he smelt of the world outside, like the air, like he had traveled far and farther still but always returned to this kingdom, carrying the smells of the world back with him. This… wow…

It felt strange to be held by someone who revolted her so much. Actually, it felt strange to be held by anyone in general. But it was comforting. Even the feel of his scaly, green-gold skin couldn't take that feeling away. She kept her brown eyes closed, just taking in the moment, soaking it up like it was all a dream and she would suddenly wake up and all of it would end, becoming just a faint, make believe memory. A sick one at that as this was something she had longed for, hoped for, for as long as she could remember.

It felt strange, also, to be holding someone after all these years, Rumpelstiltskin thought as he stood there, just holding the fearful girl who, just minutes ago, he had to scare to silence her. The girl who annoyed him to no end, but who was now in his arms seeking comfort from the old trickster that had just frightened her. But it felt so good to be this close to someone again, to feel their body against his. He knew she found him sickening and he found her annoying and boring, but at that moment it didn't matter, not at all, to either one of them. He closed his eyes and buried his nose in her hair subconsciously, inhaling her scent like he used to do with his wife. It made his chest ache with grief but not nearly as bad as normal and there was something else there as well; something… pleasant.

Soon, both of them forgot about the organs lying in the box under the bed and about the deal they had made, just standing in the embrace, now unsure of who was comforting who, both of them comforting each other. Neither one knew when Sally had in returned wrapped her arms around his torso and was hugging him back, it had just… happened. They held each other in their arms, eyes closed, inhaling each other scent, neither repulsed by the other, taking in the comfort they both offered, not wanting to let go.

They stood like that for a long time, in each other's arms, in each other's comfort and in return comforting the other. It was Rumpelstiltskin who opened his eyes and released her first, stepping back. He looked into her eyes, onyx meeting brown, before he decided he needed control again. But for the first time, he was unsure on how to grasp it. So, without speaking a word, he turned away and walked to the window, looking out of it and into the starry sky. Sally soon joined him and the two just stood there, silent silhouettes, watching the night pass them by.

-OUAT-

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-Draco