"Missed a spot, dearie."
No matter how many times he appeared out of nowhere, Rumplestiltskin always managed to startle Belle. She jumped with a yell, her hand over her heart, and dropped the book she had been holding. Rumplestiltskin laughed from his place on the edge of the library's table.
"I'd say that was the best one yet." He giggled again, clasping his hands together in front of him. "But you did miss a spot. Right over there." He pointed to a shelf which Belle was sure she had already cleaned.
"But I already cleaned it," Belle retorted, composing herself and picking up the dropped book. "While you were gone."
"Ah ah ah!" He pointed a finger at her, hopping of the table and advancing toward her. "Who is the master?" he purred in a soft voice, stepping into a self-important bow.
Belle sighed and went to the shelf Rumplestiltskin had pointed out, aware of his eyes on her. She studied the dust-free wood, and was about to say that he had been wrong, until she spotted an out of place book. It had a hard, red spine with gold lettering.
Belle had cleaned the library countless times, and never once had she seen this book.
She pulled out the thick book, turning around as she opened to the middle, flipping the pages. It was old and battered, some of the pages ripped and chunks of the writing smudged. Finally, she looked at the cover, marveling at the intricate gold patterns which stood out on the red. She ran her fingertips over the leather binding and whispered the title to herself.
"Ancient Legends of the Enchanted Forest." She looked up at Rumplestiltskin, who was gazing at her with a superior "I'm always right" air.
Belle smiled at him. "Did you get this for me?"
He gave her a mocking smile. "It's been there the whole time," he said, waving it off. He began walking toward the door. "I'll take my tea once you're finished here."
She watched him as he left, still smiling after him. She hugged the book to her chest and then put it back in its place, noting its position and planning on picking it up after she was done for the day. Tonight, she would probably fall asleep in the library. Though Rumplestiltskin pretended that he didn't like it, she knew that he would never do anything more then tell her not to do it again.
For the hundredth time.