Winter passed more quickly than Belle expected though strangely she was beginning to somewhat lose a sense of time here. Still Spring was nearly upon them which meant things were due for a change both in and outside the castle.

That was how Belle ended up on a slightly wobbly ladder tugging at the long, heavy, crimson curtains in the Great Hall, which in all her time she'd never seen opened, while Rumple spun at his wheel. The curtains didn't seem to want to give so Belle took a moment's break from her efforts to watch Rumple.

As always when spinning he looked pensive hardly noticing the rather amazing sight of the straw turning to gold that pooled at his feet, though she supposed it wasn't very amazing to him.

Belle did like watching him work. It was cleared he was incredibly skilled at the craft the way his long fingers moved along the wheel without even having to focus too much on it. As if the wheel were a natural extension of himself. Still it brought a question to her mind.

"Why do you spin so much?" Rumple paused and Belle wondered if it were too much of a personal question.

"It's just you've spun more straw into gold than you could ever spend." She hoped by making the request sound a little more logical it might put him at ease. He returned to spinning the wheel.

"I like to watch the wheel; it helps me forget." His voice was low and what she would almost call normal. It was the voice he tended to use when they were alone and discussing anything serious.

"Forget what?" asked Belle unable to contain her curiosity. Rumple continued to spin for a moment and then cocked his head to the side.

"I guess it worked," he giggled and Belle couldn't help but laugh at the joke even if she knew he was deflecting. She turned back to the curtains but heard him stand and walk towards her.

"What are you doing?"

"Opening these, it's almost Spring, we should let some light in," she told him continuing to tug to no avail. She glanced back at him in exasperation. "What did you do? Nail them down?" she joked.

"Yes." he answered completely straight faced. Belle rolled her eyes fondly and shook her head. Silly man. She gave one last powerful tug leaning out on one leg on the ladder and the curtains fell however, Belle lost her balance and fell with them. She closed her eyes expecting to hit the ground only to feel a pair of sturdy arms catch her.

Belle opened her eyes and found herself gazing into the face of Rumplestiltskin who looked just as stunned as her. Belle's heart seemed to flutter and her breath caught in her throat and they stayed frozen like that. Briefly the thought passed through Belles head that she wouldn't mind staying that way forever.

Then the world seemed to come back to them.

"Umm. Thank you," she said softly as he set her down.

"No matter," he said putting some space between them.

"I'll uh put the curtains back up," said Belle desperate to break the awkward silence. Rumple shook his head.

"Uh there's no need, I'll get used to it." Then he walked away. She turned to the next row of curtains only for all of the curtains in the room to suddenly fly open and the ladder to vanish. Belle smiled after him her heart still thumping in her chest.

OUAT

"Why do you spin so much?" the question was unique but perceptive. Just like his dear Belle.

"It's just you've spun more straw into gold than you could ever spend."

"I like to watch the wheel, it helps me forget," he answered honestly. It was strange how the desire for honesty sometimes came rather naturally with Belle. Although the action itself was a little more difficult.

"Forget what?" she prodded gently. Oh, there was so much. Forget his cowardice in betraying Bae. Forget Cora's false promises. Forget the way he was growing to care for Belle more and more each day and how that utterly terrified him. But he couldn't tell her any of that. So instead, he deflected and tilting his head said.

"I guess it worked." Then giggled at his own joke. To his slight surprise and great delight Belle laughed. It always amazing him that she actually found his jokes amusing. He stood up and turned to see her up on a rickety ladder tugging at the curtains.

"What are you doing?"

"Opening these, it's almost Spring we should let some light in." If only she knew how much light she'd already brought.

"What did you do nail them down?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered seriously. He was a creature of darkness. It seemed fitting his home should reflect that. He watched her give a final tug and the curtains pulled free sending her tumbling with them. On instinct he moved forward and caught her in his arms.

Belle looked up at him and he found himself entranced by her sapphire blue orbs. Had they always been that bright or was it merely the light streaming in from the window?

He half expected her to demand he set her down but she seemed as frozen as he was though strangely not in fear. At least there was none in her eyes as he continued to look into them. Rumple's black heart was now beating so fast in his chest in was a wonder to him it didn't fly out of it's own accord.

"Umm. Thank you," said Belle softly her cheeks tinted slightly pink. Rumple blinked and reality hit him like a carriage. He quickly set her down.

"No matter." He answered attempting to brush the action off and hide his own awkwardness.

"I'll uh put the curtains back up," said Belle and Rumple shook his head disliking the idea of her getting back up on that damn ladder much as he had enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms.

"Uh, there's no need. I'll get used to it," he told her before turning away. He heard her move to take care of the rest of the curtains and waved his hand causing them all to swing open. For good measure he vanished the ladder.

Glancing back as he reached the doorway, he saw Belle was smiling. The sight filled him with a strange warmth. Rumple shook his head and turned to go to his tower. He really needed to sort out his feelings.

OUAT

Belle continued to dwell on the ladder incident for several days. It was strange but she enjoyed reliving in her mind the feeling of Rumple's arms holding her. Belle really wasn't sure what had gotten into her.

She was going about her cleaning for the day when she reached a room she hadn't seen before. Which was strange as she had thought she'd at least seen everything bar the rooms the castle was enchanted to keep her out of. The door was painted a deep forest green and arched. Carved on it were imagines of heroes from various stories some she recognized others she didn't.

Belle tested the gold and handle and it opened. She wasn't quite sure what she was expecting but it certainly wasn't what she found. There was a large comfy four poster bed with Dark green bedding in the center of the room however everything else indicated that this chamber was one meant for a child. There were a variety of toys some wooden some stuffed laying around on the floor including an old leather ball. A bookshelf she examined held many children's books once again a mix of ancient and new.

She moved to the wardrobe and dresser where she found a strange combination of clothes meant for a young boy of around perhaps 13 or 14. Some were brand new and made of the finest cloth while others were clearly much older but equally well preserved.

Belle was baffled. She'd had a vague suspicion that Rumplestiltskin had had some sort of life before he was the Dark One and this all but confirmed it. The question was who the clothes belonged to. Were they his? Was there a child once?

Unlike all the other rooms she'd found this one was utterly spotless preserved almost as if it were being kept ready for someone. Suddenly Belle had the feeling she was intruding on something rather private. She took one last look and left closing the door softly behind her. She could ask Rumple about the room at a later time.

Author's note: And so we have the ladder scene which is honestly one of the cutest moments in the entire series with how sweet, funny, and awkward it is. We also have Belle's discovery of Bae's things. I liked the idea that Rumple always had a room ready for Bae. Thanks to everyone who has commented and read. If you like the story PLEASE leave your thoughts for me below. As a sneak peak Piper and Jefferson will be back next chapter!