Deals and wants chapter 3
As the weeks went by Belle had made quite an improvment in the dark castle,it practically glowed with a clean shine and a much more pleasant odor. She was getting better with his meals too. They had even had some pleasant conversations, Belle was smart and witty and it had been too long that Rumple had remained alone and secluded, he craved company but someone who sparked his intrest and intellect was hard to come by. Rumple came to crave her company. If she were cleaning or cooking, he would go and seek her out. Sometimes he would hang back in the shadows to watch her. Sometimes she would whistle or sing, he would smile to himself as he retired to the hall to spin, just to gaze at her was enough; for now.
Belle would sit at the fireplace in the great hall in the evening staring at the embers, listening to the spinning wheel turn under Rumple's experienced fingers. She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. He pushed his wheel with one hand as he gently fed the wheel with the other.
Everyone saw him as a monster, but Belle had seen a much more tender side of him here at the castle, funny, charming. She turned her head to examine him closer. he seemed lost in thought, his hair,greyish brown and long covered a bit of his eyes as his tongue licked at his lips as he concentrated on his task. Although he appeared smallish for a man, his leather pants revealed strong, toned legs; and his silk shirt unbuttoned at the top reveled dark chest hair. Belle wondered what his skin felt like as she looked at him.
Soon her eyelids grew heavy but she was in no hurry to go down to her cold room. At least Rumple had put a mattress and cot with blankets for her, but she much prefered the warm fire and thick carpet in the great hall.
Rumple's back started to ache and he stretched a bit. Time to retire to his quarters for the night. He got up to leave, he looked over to Belle's sleeping form. Her hair spred out in auburn curls as she lay on her side facing him. he stared down at her, then on impulse pushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across her eye. As he did he touched her face and she let out a small moan. Then she rolled onto her back. Rumple froze as her breathing deepened and her eye lids fluttered. He half expected her to be startled, here a monster was staring at her while she slept. Anyone else would have screamed and panicked at a hideous beast standing over them but Belle smiled up at him with no fear. His heart lurched in his chest. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever beheld as she stretched and sat up.
"I geuss it's time to go down to my room" she said low. "I suppose" he said. At that moment he had never felt so guilty in all his existance. this beautiful woman was nothing but hard working, gracious, and grateful to him. She had showed no fear from the beginning and here she was about to tread down to a damp, dark cellar. On a whim Rumple scooped Belle up in his arms as he did she let out a surprise yelp but she placed her arms around his neck seizing her opportunity to touch him."Where are we going?" she asked as Rumple started up the stairs to the west wing.
she barely weighted anything as he carried her up to his bedroom. As they approached the door it swung open to revel a gorgeous, large, plushly furnished room. Belle let out a gasp as rumple layed her on the large 4-poster bed. She sat up as she gazed about at the beautiful furnishings. Pillows and curtains all in gold and trimmed in red velvet. A roaring fire and lit candles flickered in the background amist paintings and tapestries. Belle's gaze finally came back to rest on Rumple staring at her, he was always staring. she felt herself blush at his direct gaze." this is your room isnt't it?" she shyly asked, knowing the answer. Rumple watched her amazment as she looked about the room. She was never so lovely as when she blushed. Seeing her in his bed made his pulse race. "you needent spend anymore time down in the dungeon, from now on you can stay here. Here is a washroom complete with a tub and gowns completly at your disposal." He magically opened the door to revel everything to her eyes. " I'll leave you too it" he bowed to her and left the room.
Belle bounded out of the bed and into the wash room. Hot water filled the large tub and towels and night gowns lay across a vanity of sorts. Belle relaxed in the tub, the hot water causing her fingers and toes to get all prunny. As she drug herself out of the bath she got her first close look at the night shifts that he had provided. They were more like slips, soft and sheer, they barley came to her knees. she felt good and clean anyway,even she felt naked when she put on the slip. She went back to the bed and was about to get in "I'm in the west wing" the thought occured to her as her head spun toward the door. "I wonder" she thought as she tried the handle. "Unlocked" she stepped out into the hallway