Happy Holidays to everyone reading my story. I hope you all enjoy your holidays!
I started writing another Belle and Rumpel story called To Catch a Rat. It's a crime/romance story, completely different from Gold On the Ceiling, but hopefully just as entertaining. I just posted the first chapter in the story a couple of days ago, so if anyone wants to check it out, that would be great.
I'll still be posting a chapter once a week in Gold On the Ceiling, despite writing my other story. I'll try to update once a week in both stories.
Anyway...read on.
Regina was sitting at her window, staring out at the village in the distance, when Zelena came running into her room.
"Regina, Mother says we get to go into town," Zelena said, excitedly.
Regina snorted. "Where did you hear that? From the mice that talk in the walls?"
Zelena pouted. "You don't have to be mean. Mother truly is taking us into town."
Regina turned in her seat, staring incredulously at her sister. "You're serious?"
"Yes, I am," Zelena nodded, enthusiastically.
"Why?"
The red head crossed her arms. "Why, what?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Why are we going into town?"
"Because Mother needs new ingredients for some spells, and she wanted to show us some tricks."
"I'm sure she wants to go to town to harm innocent people," Regina muttered.
Zelena sighed. "I don't know why you always have to be so harsh on Mother. She saved us from execution."
Regina stood up. "Only because she was going to be executed herself! We would have been see as accomplices if we had stayed."
Zelena waved a hand. "Technicalities."
"No, not really," Regina said, exasperated.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Zelena said. "We're going into town, and that's that. It doesn't matter the reason."
Regina, even though annoyed by her sister, couldn't help but be slightly excited to leave the Dark Castle. She hadn't been to town since she first arrived at Rumpelstiltskin's home.
After Zelena, Cora, and herself were in the carriage, heading off to town, Regina couldn't deny the feeling of giddiness.
"Now, girls," their mother said, settling back against her seat, "when we arrive, I'm going to pick up some herbs to help with spells. You two can wander around a little bit, and then I will show you my lesson for the day."
"Yes, Mother," the sisters agreed.
Regina's heart swelled with happiness when she saw the first market place. So many people were out, bustling around. It had been a whole year since she had seen people other than the women that resided at the Dark Castle, a stint with Robin Hood being an exception.
They stepped out of the carriage, Cora walking first. Zelena followed, the ever faithful puppy dog. Regina stepped out last, wanting to run, but knowing her mother wouldn't approve.
Cora walked to some vendors, leaving Zelena and Regina to explore.
"Look at this sister," Zelena said, holding up a shrunken head, a row of them in a booth.
Regina flinched. "What is that?"
Zelena frowned, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know."
"It looks like something Rumpelstiltskin would do to someone," Regina said, inspecting the head.
"Why would he do something like that?" Zelena asked.
Regina snorted. "Uh, have you met The Dark One? He would so shrink someone's head if he was angry with them."
"That's true," Zelena muttered. Then she perked up. "That's what is so fascinating about him." She started to go dreamy eyed. Regina recognized Zelena's expression. She got it whenever she thought of Rumpelstiltskin. Regina rolled her eyes. Her sister was half in love with Rumpelstiltskin. It was a little disgusting.
Mark that: very disgusting.
Zelena set the head back down, walking around the market some more.
Regina turned to follow her, when she saw a man standing across the aisle from her. She caught her breath. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He had brown, tussled hair. A very nice disposition.
She caught his eye. He smiled at her, lines appearing around his mouth. All she could do was smile back. She ducked her head. She wasn't normally shy, but this man had a reaction on her. She looked back up, to see him walking towards her. She held her breath.
He was almost upon her, when Zelena stepped right in front of her. Regina jerked her head back.
"Come on, sister," Zelena said, tugging at Regina's arm, "I found this really interesting collection of stones. They are so pretty." She pulled Regina away from the man.
Regina turned her head, and saw the man standing in the street, looking shocked. He clearly had not been expecting for Zelena to show up. But, what made Regina feel a little happy, was the look of disappointment on his face. Regina was hoping he wanted to talk to her. She would find him again, just once she was able to get away from Zelena.
Easier said than done, of course.
Belle was cleaning and dusting, like usual. She made her way to an abandoned room. A huge bed was in the center. It resembled any other chamber, but it seemed that no one had touched it in years, or ever. Dust covered every surface. There were no personal items.
Or so she thought.
She saw in one corner of the room, a huge chest. She tilted her head, walking closer. She knelt down, and tried the lock. It wouldn't open. She tugged and pulled at it, but it still wouldn't open.
She knew realistically that she should just walk away, but she really wanted to know what was inside. But it was locked for a reason, she told herself. That still didn't diminish her burning curiosity.
She found a quill sitting on a nearby table. Belle had never picked a lock before, but her heroines in her books seemed to know how. She inserted the quill into the lock, jiggling it just like how she read. She continued to do that until she heard a clicking noise. The lock came undone. She squealed in delight, then hurriedly stopped. She didn't want to get in trouble for opening a chest she probably shouldn't have been opening.
She lifted the lid, and peered inside. The chest was filled with...clothes.
She sat back, disappointed. Clothes, she thought, after all that trouble, it was only filled with clothes.
Then hope struck. Maybe the clothes were hiding something. She looked back inside, and dug around. Nothing other than clothes resided in the chest. There wasn't even a secret panel hiding something.
She lifted up a piece of clothing, and noticed how small it was. It was fit for a small child, probably no older than two or three.
She wondered why Rumpelstiltskin would keep baby clothes locked up in a chest. Maybe he had a child, she thought. It wasn't implausible. He was married after all. And he had Cora. Regina made it sound like those two could not keep their hands off each other. Thank goodness she had not walked in on them...making love, the other day. Just seeing them kiss was bad enough.
But it was clear that he had...intercourse...with women. Him having a child made sense. I wonder what happened, she thought.
She closed the trunk, and started cleaning the room. When she was finished, she went back into the Great Hall. Rumpelstiltskin was there, spinning.
He glanced up at her entrance. Cora had taken Regina and Zelena into town, so it was just her, Milah, and Rumpelstiltskin.
Belle blushed when their eyes locked. She remembered what Milah had said to her, about Rumpelstiltskin looking at her differently than anyone else. She couldn't tell if that was the case, but he didn't seem unpleased to see her, so that was something.
He turned back to his wheel, speaking. "Are you done with your work?"
"Yes," she responded. "You know, this place is very dusty."
He grinned at her teasing tone. "That's why I have you here. To clean."
She slowly walked up to him. "Is that the only reason? To clean?"
He paused, stopping the wheel. "Well, and to bring me amusement," he giggled.
She smiled. "I amuse you?"
He steadily looked at her. "More than you know." He turned back to his spinning wheel.
She sat down on the bench next to him. He looked at the small space separating their legs. Belle didn't seem to notice.
"Rumpelstiltskin," she said, hesitantly, "I wanted to ask you something."
He nodded at her. "Ask away, dearie."
"I," she halted. He looked at her inquisitively. She tried again. "I was cleaning one of the rooms, a bed chamber, and I noticed this chest in the corner."
His hands stilled on the wheel, but he didn't look at her. She continued. "I know I probably shouldn't have opened it, but I was really curious." She was sheepish, blushing a little.
"What did you find?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, subdued.
"Baby clothes." Belle saw Rumpelstiltskin flinch. "Did you have a child?"
Rumpelstiltskin sighed, turning to look at her. "You shouldn't have opened that chest, dearie. It was locked for a reason."
Belle ducked her head. "I know, and I'm sorry. I just wanted to learn more about you."
He eyed her up and down. "Why?"
She shrugged. "Because I want to."
"Or maybe you want to find the monster's weaknesses," he tisked at her.
She smiled. "You're not a monster. I genuinely want to know more about you."
He turned back to his wheel. "Not many people would say that."
She placed her hand on his. "Well, I mean it. I ca-," she broke off. He looked at her, surprise written on his face. She smiled again, taking in a breath. "I care about you, Rumpelstiltskin."
He barked a laugh, shocked. He didn't move her hand from his though. "Really, dearie? What is it about me that you could possibly care about?"
Belle chided him, strengthening her grip. "Don't say that. You saved my life, multiple times. Obviously you are not a horrible person. You only like to pretend you are. Let me in," she said, quietly.
He just looked at her, weighing his options. He finally said, quickly, "I had a son."
"Oh?" Belle said. "What happened?"
He hesitated, grimacing. "He died."
Belle gasped. "I'm so sorry," she said, sincerely.
Rumpelstiltskin frowned. "It's not your fault, dearie. It's mine."
"How did he die?" She asked, slowly.
He finally removed his hand from underneath her's, and patted it. "Another time. You don't need to know the mistakes I've made." His expression had softened as he was speaking with her, but now he threw his guard back up. "Go read a book, little maid." He turned back to his wheel, and started to spin.
Belle knew when she was clearly dismissed.
Regina managed to get away from Zelena by rounding a corner, when her sister was distracted by a vendor selling jewelry. Her sister was one to like shiny things.
Regina turned round a booth, and ran straight into a man.
It was the man. The one she had been admiring earlier.
"Oh," she said, breathlessly, taking a step back, "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." She straightened the collar of her dress.
He smiled, shaking his head. "It's quite all right. I was actually waiting for you."
She was taken aback. "You were waiting for me?"
He ducked his head. "I saw you earlier today, but you were taken away. I was waiting to see if you could get away from your friend."
"Sister, actually," Regina muttered.
He grinned. "Well, I now know you have a sister. And you're clearly beautiful." She blushed at the praise. "Now all I need is your name."
"Regina," she said, smiling.
"Regina," he repeated, softly. "I'm Daniel."
"It's nice to meet you, Daniel." She held out her hand. He laughed, shaking her hand.
"It's nice to meet you too, Regina." He glanced around the marketplace. "What brings you around here? I've never seen you before."
"That's because I don't live in the village."
He tilted his head. "Where do you live?"
She hesitated. "Umm, in a nearby village. I'm here with my mother and sister. We just wanted to come to the marketplace. We've heard great things," she lied. She couldn't well tell him that she lived with The Dark One. She somehow thought that wouldn't go over well.
"Interesting," Daniel said. "I didn't think the marketplace advertised to other villages, but then what do I know? I'm just a stable boy." He rubbed his neck sheepishly.
Regina smiled. "That's fine. I actually find horses quite fascinating."
He pointed at her. "You're just being nice," he teased.
She blushed. She wasn't one for blushing, but this man made it possible. "Maybe I am," she teased back. She also wasn't one for teasing. Daniel seemed to bring out the annoying, girly habits she found wrong in other women out in her.
She actually liked it.
Regina at that moment heard her name being called. Regina turned to see Zelena walking towards her, curiosity burning on her face.
"Oh, no," Regina muttered. She turned back to Daniel, plastering a smile on her face. "Why don't we take a walk around the market?"
He smiled. "Sure." He held out his arm. "Lead the way."
Regina took off in a sprint, grabbing Daniel's arm. "You know," he said, "I when said 'lead the way,' I didn't know we were going to walk this fast. You're sure in a hurry. Is there some vendor you want to see?"
Regina nodded, furiously glancing back. Zelena was still on there tail. "Yes, actually. Have you seen the one with shrunken heads? They're really fascinating."
"Regina!" Zelena called, speeding her pace to catch up.
Daniel turned. "Is that your sister?" He asked.
"Uh, yes," Regina replied. "I don't want her catching us."
"Why not?" Daniel looked concerned.
Regina waved a hand. "Because she's a basket case, and I don't want her interrogating you." She paused. "Or trying to kiss you," she muttered, quietly to herself.
Daniel looked confused, but nodded anyway. "All right. Operation 'Keep Away From Sister.' Got it."
Regina laughed, liking Daniel more by the second. But right as they turned around another booth, they ran straight into Cora.
Regina stopped dead in her tracks, letting Daniel's arm go. Cora crossed her arms, giving Regina a speculative look.
"I'm Regina's mother," Cora said. "I don't think I had the pleasure of meeting you." She held out her hand. Daniel shook it.
"I'm Daniel," he said. "I just met Regina. We were heading to look at the shrunken heads."
Cora pursed her lips, eyeing Daniel up and down. "So it seems." She turned to Regina. "You were also trying to get away from your sister." She nodded behind Regina.
Regina turned right as Zelena walked up. The red head stopped, breathing hard, trying to catch her breath.
"Did you have to walk that fast, sister?" Zelena asked. "It was like you were trying to get away from me."
Regina didn't warrant that comment a response.
Cora was not pleased. "I did not take you girls out here today, so you could mingle with the locals." She said the word like it was dirty. Regina flushed at her mother's tone. "I took you girls here to get away from the castle. I thought it would do you some good. And I had a lesson I wanted to teach you."
Regina shook her head, furiously at her mother. Daniel frowned.
"Didn't you say you were from a neighboring village?" He asked. "I didn't think there were any castles in any villages I know."
Regina flushed again. "I am from a neighboring village. I don't know what my mother's talking about."
Cora became sly. "Oh, so she lied to you, did she?" Cora said to Daniel. She said to Regina, "I'm so disappointed, Daughter. I never thought you would stoop so low as to lie." She eyed Daniel again, grimacing. "Or stoop so low as to spend your time with...what do you do?" She asked Daniel.
"I work as a stable boy," he tried to say proudly, but in the wake of Cora's dismissal, it was tough.
Cora's lips became a straight line. "Yes, the stable boy," she emphasized, frowning at Regina.
Zelena laughed. "Oh, Regina. Please tell me you're joking?"
Regina didn't respond. She held her head low in embarrassment. Embarrassment not on her part, but on Daniel's. She had done nothing wrong.
Daniel was standing by quietly, face flushed. Regina gave him a sympathetic look.
Cora waved a hand. "Enough of this. Leave him Regina. I have something to show my girls."
Regina knew it was pointless to argue with her mother. She could stand up for herself, and Daniel, but it would get her nowhere. She gave Daniel one last longing look, and walked away.
Belle went back to reading after her talk with Rumpelstiltskin. She had no idea opening a chest would lead to so much tension. It didn't help that Belle stayed in the Great Hall, where Rumpel was still spinning.
He finally stopped and walked hesitantly up to her. She wanted to giggle. She had never seen the infamous Dark One hesitant before. He usually barged in wherever he wanted to go, took whatever he wanted. She didn't know what was making him cautious.
"Belle," he said, quietly, stepping closer to her.
She set her book down. "Yes?" She asked.
He was being funny with his hand gestures. Normally he was so sure of them. Now it seemed he didn't know what to do with them. "You wanted to get to know me better." He said it like a statement.
She nodded, smiling a little. "Why, do you want to get to know me better? Because you can, you know," she said, softly.
He grinned, tilting his head. "You had a life, before all this." He waved his hand to encompass the whole room. "What made you choose to come with me?"
Belle thought. "Well, I wanted to save my people and land. I knew it was a...courageous, brave act. I knew I could help a lot of people." She smiled at him. "And you were a better option than Gaston."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
Belle blushed, hesitating. "Well, before you showed up," she took in a deep breath, "Gaston..." she trailed off.
Rumpel's look of inquisitiveness, turned to anger. "That fucking fuckwit!" He looked beseechingly at Belle. "Tell me he didn't!"
Belle was taken aback at Rumpel's choice of words, but she hurriedly responded. "No, Rumpel. He didn't take advantage of me."
She smiled when she saw him visibly calm down. He does care for me, she thought. The idea made her feel warm.
"Good," he muttered. "Now I don't have to go cut up that rose into a million little pieces."
"He didn't take advantage of me, thought he tried," Belle said. Rumpel's look of anger was returning. Belle quickly spoke up before he completely lost his temper. "I slapped Gaston, and...kicked him between the legs before he could try anything," she said, slowly. He quirked an eyebrow. Belle elaborated. "He went down. Like a log."
Rumpel laughed. "I knew you had courage, dearie. I didn't know you were capable of physical violence either."
Belle blushed. "Only when dealing big oafs like Gaston."
"So, that made you choose to come stay with me?" Rumpel asked. "I'm a little flattered, dearie, that you think me better than your fool of an ex-fiancé."
Belle shrugged. "When you said that you wouldn't touch me without my consent, I believed you. I didn't think you would have reason to lie. And then when you said you lived with other women, it gave me more confidence. I felt I could trust you." He lifted an eyebrow. "To not physically hurt me, at least," she added.
He nodded, looking satisfied with her answer. "I would never physically hurt you, Belle," he said, softly, like he almost couldn't believe he was saying it.
"I received a rude awakening," Belle said, "when I actually met the women that live here."
Rumpel chuckled. "They haven't been the most welcoming."
"Well, only Cora. And Zelena," Belle said. "Regina been's nice, and so has Milah. I guess I can't complain too much."
He shook his head. "There you go again. Being selfless."
"That was the way I was taught," Belle smiled. "By my mother."
"I didn't know you have a mother. I seem only to recall meeting your father. He didn't take a liking a to me," he pretended to be offended.
Belle grinned. "That is true. He hated you."
"For taking his daughter away, no doubt," Rumpel muttered.
Belle sobered up. "To get back to your comment; I had a mother. She died a week before my father called on you."
Rumpel frowned, lowering his eyebrows. "That's a shame. She must have been a marvel."
Belle tilted her head. "Why do you say that?"
Rumpel looked at her steadily. "She raised you, didn't she?" Belle blushed under the praise, smiling a little. He paused, snorting. "And I seriously doubt you take after your father. You are too smart."
Belle laughed. "Will you stop insulting my father?" She crossed her arms, teasing.
He giggled. "I'm the Dark One, dearie. You should know that by now. Insulting people is part of my profession."
Belle shook her head, smiling. "You know...you can be nice a person, when you want to be. Why do you shut people away?"
He tisked a finger at her. "No, dearie. This conversation is about you, not me."
"It can be about you," she said, adamantly.
He sighed. "Not really. Not when I don't want it to be." He turned back to his wheel, then stopped. "Don't tell people I can be nice, dearie. I have a reputation to uphold." He sat back down at his spinning wheel.
Belle rolled her eyes, opening her book again. Rumpel could be so stubborn.
"Really, Regina?" Zelena asked. "The stable boy?" Cora was taking them farther away from the marketplace, away from Daniel.
Regina flushed. "Be quiet, Zelena." But, of course, Zelena could not keep her mouth shut.
"I can't believe you would even spend time with someone like that," Zelena said, pointing back in the direction they left Daniel. "Let alone have feelings for them."
Regina stopped walking, whirling on her sister. "I just met Daniel, so I don't have feelings for him." Zelena rolled her eyes dramatically. Regina started to turn away, then thought of something else. She whirled back around to Zelena, pointing a finger at her sister. "And you're one to judge on having feelings for someone inappropriate."
Zelena became angry. "What does that mean?" She crossed her arms.
Regina waved her hands dramatically. "You're so in love with Rumpelstiltskin, it's sickening. He'll never return your feelings."
Zelena pouted. "Why would you say that?"
"Because, he can't stand you!" Regina exclaimed. "It's so obvious in the way he looks at you. You follow him around like a lost puppy. Newsflash, Zelena: he doesn't like you in any romantic, intimate way." Zelena was flushed, fuming with anger. Regina continued on her rant. "He has Mother for that, and he isn't going for you."
Zelena grimaced, marching away. "You can be such a bitch," she muttered. She walked past Cora, who had been walking in front of them.
Regina sighed. Her mother slowed her pace to stand next to Regina.
"I heard all that," Cora said.
Regina flinched, embarrassed. "You can't get mad at me, Mother. What I said was the truth."
Cora nodded. "Oh, I know. You're right. Rumpelstiltskin does not have feelings for Zelena. I sincerely doubt he ever will. It would do Zelena some good to let go of her fancies for him."
"Then why do you look disappointed with me?" Regina asked.
Cora grimaced. "Because you said Rumpel has me for all his desires and intimacy," she said, quietly. "I'm beginning to doubt that."
Regina furrowed her brow. "Why do you say that?"
Cora barked a laugh. "Have you not seen the way he treats his little maid? He clearly has feelings for her."
"Belle?" Regina was astonished. She shook her head. "Not possible. Belle's way to innocent for him. He could hurt her."
Cora grimaced some more. "I sincerely doubt that was well. He has this annoying habit to want to protect her."
"Protect her from what?" Regina asked.
Cora's lips thinned. "From me, Daughter. I'm starting to think I'm not his favorite anymore."
Regina didn't respond. She had noticed her mother and Rumpelstiltskin hadn't been spending as much time together recently. She never attributed it to Belle, though.
Cora stopped walking, pointing at the ground. "I took you girls here to the village, because I wanted you to learn a new spell. The soil here is much richer, and more fertile, than by the Dark Castle. I want you to practice some of your elemental magic."
Regina frowned. "But Rumpelstiltskin has hardly taught Zelena or I anything in that department."
"That's why I'm going to teach you," Cora said. "Rumpel doesn't think you or your sister need to learn how to draw from the earth. I've learned a lot of spells can be enhanced harnessing the power this land provides."
"Mother," Regina asked slowly, "does Rumpelstiltskin know you're practicing different kinds of magic behind his back?"
Cora laughed, shrilly. "Regina, dear. The Dark One doesn't need to know what I do in my spare time."
"But I thought, Rumpelstiltskin taught you all you know."
Cora nodded. "He did. But I happened to acquire a spell book when I was away on my travels. It's a little bit different than what my lover taught me."
Regina felt a growing sense of dread. "Is it light or dark magic?"
Cora smirked. "Does it matter? You're going to learn it." She pointed at the ground. "Do exactly as I tell you."
Regina had a feeling that Rumpelstiltskin wouldn't approve of her mother's new magic. It made Regina uneasy. But, like always, her mother was a difficult woman to say no to.
Belle was in the middle of a chapter, when the darkness in the room started to bother her. It made reading a little difficult.
She glanced up, and saw the heavy drapes covering the windows. She looked at Rumpel, who was still busy spinning. He had been spinning all day. It must help clear his head, she thought. Maybe it was relaxing for him. Belle pursed her lips, an idea forming.
She got up from her seat, and went into the kitchen. She knew there was a ladder in there to reach some of the higher cabinets. She picked up the ladder...and immediately dropped it. It was really heavy. Belle knew she could have asked Rumpel for help, but she really wanted to do this on her own.
She took in a deep breath, and lifted the ladder. She carried it into the other room. Well, she dragged it into the other room, but she still lifted it a little bit. She took the ladder over to the windows, setting it down.
Rumpel gave her a curious expression, but just shook his head and went back to work. Belle unfolded the ladder, propping it up. She climbed it, and started tugging at the drapes.
"Come on," she muttered quietly, when the drapes wouldn't come loose.
"What are you doing?" She head a question behind her. She turned her head. Rumpel had left his wheel, and now stood below her, arms crossed, head tilted.
"Trying to get these drapes down," she said, breathlessly.
He frowned. "Why?"
She laughed a little. "Because, it is so dark in here. It's making it a little difficult for me to read."
"Why didn't you just ask me to take the drapes down?"
"Because," Belle said, "I didn't want to bother you."
He squinted at her. "So, you thought dragging a ladder across my extremely nice floors, and tugging at drapes that wont move, was a better idea?"
"Yes," Belle said, obviously.
He shook his head. "You are so strange, dearie."
Belle kept pulling on the drapes. "What did you, nail the drapes down?" She was joking.
"Yes," he said, seriously.
Belle paused, looking at him. She rolled her eyes, still pulling, reaching farther out. The only part of her body touching the ladder were her feet. The rest of her body was sideways.
He pointed her. "You're going to fall, dearie. I won't catch you, you know."
Belle laughed. "I'm going to get it, Rumpel. Have no fear." But right as she said that, the drapes came loose. The next thing Belle knew, was the feeling of falling. "Oh," she gasped, not having any time to scream.
But before she felt her body colliding with the floor, she noticed a pair of arms around her. She turned her head, and saw Rumpelstiltskin holding her.
"I thought you said you wouldn't catch me," Belle said, breathlessly.
"I guess I lied," he said, simply.
They stared at each other steadily. For a moment, Rumpel tightened his arms around her. But before he could set her down, the Great Hall doors opened, and in walked Cora with Regina and Zelena.
They stopped walking, taking in the scene. Belle blushed. She was much more aware of Rumpel's arms around her.
Rumpelstiltskin giggled. "Back home early, are you?" He still hadn't let her go.
Cora pursed her lips. "Yes. We finished our lesson sooner than expected." She eyed Belle in Rumpel's arms.
"What were you two doing?" Zelena asked, looking envious.
Rumpel nodded at the ladder and fabric on the ground. "The little maid decided to take the drapes down. She fell in the process. I caught her." He nodded towards Belle, hefting a her a little higher.
"Then why are you still holding her?" Zelena asked, pouting.
"It felt nice," Rumpel said, sarcastically. He rolled his eyes, finally letting Belle go, her feet touching the ground. Belle's face was beet red.
Awkward silence prevailed through out the room. Cora looked angry. Zelena looked jealous. Regina looked shocked, but a light was taking place behind her eyes, like she realized something. Rumpel was standing with his arms crossed, smirking. And Belle was embarrassed.
She cleared her throat. "I'll just take my book back to my cell." She started to walk towards the object, when Rumpel stopped her.
"Belle, you're not staying in a cell any longer. Have one of the rooms," Rumpel said.
Cora did not look pleased with the new predicament. "You're going against one of my orders?" She seethed.
Rumpel tilted his head. "You've gone against so many of mine. The little maid is not staying in a cold, rusty cell any longer. I'm giving her one of the rooms. She's deserved it, clearly. She works harder than you around here."
Cora flushed. "That's because I'm not the hired help." She glared at Belle. "I will hurt her, Rumpelstiltskin."
He giggled, reaching to pull out Belle's protection necklace. Belle blushed even more when Rumpel's hand brushed against her collar bone. He held the necklace up, waving it. "This protects her, Cora. You know that. You can't hurt her. I would advise you not to even think about it, either. It won't end well for you."
Cora huffed. "I was here first. The one you turned too when you grew tired of you wife." She gave Belle a dismissive glance. "You'll grow tired of her too. And when you do, you'll come crawling back to me."
He giggled. "You're so sure of yourself, Cora. But I'm The Dark One, dearie. And I don't crawl."
Cora just huffed again, and stormed away. Regina looked around the room, awkwardly. And Zelena pouted even more.
"You gave her jewelry?" Zelena asked, looking even more green with envy. Regina rolled her eyes, and pulled at her sister's arm. They left the room, leaving only Belle and Rumpelstiltskin behind.
Belle shook her head. "You keep saving me," she smiled. "Why?"
Rumpel shrugged. "Maybe I... care... about you, too," he muttered. Belle smiled even wider, throwing her arms around him to hug him again. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her as well. She pulled back, walking to pick up her book.
"I have a new room, you're going to show me," she grinned.
He smirked. "Right this way, dearie."
After Rumpelstiltskin left, from showing Belle her new room, he went to his tower. He felt a little...smug that Belle gave him another hug. Giving her gifts really brought out the affectionate side in her. Also the touchy-feeling side. She really liked to give him hugs.
He didn't mind, of course. The feeling of his little maid pressed against him, all her curves molding to his...it was a great feeling. But what really affected him, was her innocence. The fact that she never meant her hugs to be sexual, caused his pant's to tighten. He already knew he was going to a dark place after death from all the trouble he caused, and his perverted thoughts of his maid were just added to the list.
He never did anything about his desires and urges, though. Belle was so innocent. He didn't want to scare her.
He was working on another potion, a vial in his hand, when he heard someone enter his work room. He glanced up to see Zelena.
He sighed. "What do you want, Zelena?"
She frowned, pushing herself away from the door. "Why don't you love me?"
He jerked back, not expecting the conversation to head in that direction. "What are you talking about?"
"Why don't you love me," she repeated. She looked ready to cry.
He set his vial down. "Why are you asking me this?"
"I spoke with Regina today, and she told me that you don't look at me the way I look at you. She made it sound like you find me annoying." Zelena placed her hands on his bench.
Rumpelstiltskin nodded his head in obvious agreement. "Well, that's because it's true, dearie."
Zelena huffed, holding back tears. "How can you say that?!" She exclaimed. "I do so much for you. I bring you your favorite foods when you're too busy working to come eat at the table. I listen to every word you say in our magic sessions, and do the spells correctly, like you taught. I'm better than Regina is at magic." She crossed her arms. "This isn't fair."
Rumpelstiltskin snorted. "Life isn't fair, Zelena. Get over it."
She reached up, and grabbed his hands. He was surprised, trying to pull his hands away. Zelena only held on tighter, bringing them to her chest, to rest over her heart. "I've done so much for you, and you only find me annoying? Why don't you love me?"
He pulled his hands away. "Because you are too desperate for love. It's tiring."
"I saw the way you looked at her," Zelena said, quickly.
He squinted at her. "Who?"
"Belle. Your little maid." She rolled her eyes. "You love her, don't you?"
Rumpelstiltskin was extremely taken aback. "I don't need to discuss this with you, Zelena. It's my business."
She shook her head. "It isn't. Not when you hold in your arms for the world to see." Zelena rushed around the table to stand next to him. Rumpelstiltskin hurriedly backed up. "Do you kiss her? Touch her?"
Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes. "Like I said, dearie, it's my personal business. What I do or don't do with Belle is not your concern."
Zelena huffed. "Why can't you just try to love me?"
"Zelena-," he was cut off, when Zelena reached up and kissed him. She was so forceful in her kiss, his back slammed against his work bench. He nudged her away, detracting their lips. "Zelena," he said again." Don't."
Zelena stepped back, tears welling up in her eyes. "Fine. Whatever. I won't love you anymore. Clearly you don't need me, since getting a new girl." She ran away, leaving the room.
Rumpelstiltskin didn't even know what to think about the situation. Zelena was extreme, but fragile. He knew she had feelings for him. She wasn't subtle in her glances. But he never thought her idiotic enough to try a stint like that.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The women in his life were starting to drive him insane.
Now I feel a little bad for Zelena. She is just so desperate.
Some headway in the Rumbelle department. Finally!
Upcoming: Belle gets interrogated, Regina gets sneaky, and Rumpel does something no guy should ever do.