Empty. The castle was empty. It wasn't a complete surprise, as Rumplestiltskin left often to do deals and meddle in the affairs of seemingly everyone; or so she gathered from what he said. She tried not to ask him too many questions about what he did, especially when his clothes were stained with blood or when he seemed especially pleased with a deal. Just the thought of what he could have done would make her sick...
And yet, there was still something so appealing about him. It was the man behind all of that, the man who was really witty and clever, who knew exactly what to say at any given point in time. The man who seemed to be drawing closer to the surface every day.
Like how only a little while ago he had spared a man's life; a thief, nontheless, who had stolen a wand from the castle. How he had been opening up to her, telling her small things about his life, and seeming to be deeply interested in almost everything she had to say. It was as if he was slowly shedding his dark skin to reveal a real, caring man underneath.
And what was more than that, he seemed to be caring for her, too. He denied it all, of course, but it was obvious; the gowns, the library, and even his protection. On the journey to hunt down the thief he had ended up sparing, a sheriff had promised he would reveal the whereabouts of the thief, but only in return for a night with Belle. She remembered how the dread had crept through her and how she had hoped beyond all hope that Rumplestiltskin wouldn't agree. To her surprise, he stubbornly refused the sheriff every time; he, who loved to make deals. He ended up getting the thief's location from the sheriff all the same, but Belle had wondered at his actions. She recalled her asking him on the carriage home all too well.
"Why didn't you make a deal with him?"
"Hm?" Rumplestiltskin turned his gaze from the window and trained his animal-like eyes onto her.
"That sheriff. He would have given you what you wanted."
"And he did," he responded with a smile and a characteristic giggle of his.
"But the first time. When he asked for me. You could have agreed."
He didn't even pause to think. "I could have, dearie, but I only agree to deals on my terms." He pressed his thumb against his chest and sat up taller.
She smiled at him. She was always teasing him about how he actually cared about her. "Are you sure that was it?"
"Of course it was!" And with that he had crossed his arms and looked out the window again, clearly dropping the subject.
It had been one of those times when she had seen something more in his eyes; something very soft and human. Was it possible? Could he really-?
But she banished the thought and shook herself out of her reverie, realizing she had been standing in the same place for some time. With a shake of her head, she grabbed the broom in the corner of the room and began sweeping the floor, not wanting to admit to herself how much she missed her master's company.