"Just one step at a time
And closer to destiny
I knew at a glance
There would always be a chance for me
With someone I could live for
Nowhere I would rather be"
How To Destroy Angels - "Is Your Love Strong Enough"
Rumpelstiltskin sat at his wheel, spinning strands of straw. He'd drawn himself into the monotony of the task, slightly guilty about how he had acted with Belle a week earlier. He had given her an apology of sorts- a red rose with a black ribbon laced around the stem. It was a mutual, silent agreement not to bring up the events of that night. Belle had begun to spend more time with him as he spun when she had finished her duties for the day. She would sit reading her books, a small giggle or a light gasp snapping Rumpelstiltskin our of his trance. He found himself amused at her reactions to simple stories- stories so far from reality. Not everyone has a happy ending.
Oh, but the pure amusement he'd had in the past week! After finding out Belle's gift, he'd wondered exactly what he could make her feel- and how strong and receptive she could possibly be.
He smiled darkly to himself as he spun the wheel, remembering his fun he'd had with her.
It was a game, and a fun one at that. For both of them. He'd had no idea how much -he- affected her.
Several nights ago while spinning, she sat in the chair in front of the fireplace, reading. He'd imagine the spun gold as Belle's hair, gently stroking it. He had suppressed laughter when he saw her tilt her head in the direction of him, her eyes closed and lips softly parted.
It was more of a game to him just by the fact of seeing how long either of them could last- pushing their limits to the edge of the abyss.
He'd had his moments of fury. His moments of anger and frustration indirectly taken out on Belle. He regretted it when she saw her wince in pain. It hurt him.
From reading of the Pain-Eaters, Belle seemed to be an exceptionally powerful one. He'd read from the small book of magic that Pain-Eaters had many years of mastering their unique power, and some never even got that far. Yet, Belle had seemed to have such complete control over her abilities.
Rumpelstiltskin recalled further passages from the small book. Of how Pain-Eaters will bleed from the heart while absorbing the sadness and darkness of others. He'd learned that the wound would heal, the recovery taking time depending on the amount of darkness they'd taken.
"….the most powerful Pain-Eater has been known to have the ability to focus their emotions to large groups of people, causing collective sadness and despair. This Pain-Eater had been documented as the most powerful for the fact of the sheer capabilities of their power. This particular Pain-Eater had the darkest abilities to exchange the light with the dark."
"Rumpelstiltskin? Are you well?" Belle asked.
Rumpelstiltskin blinked several times and looked up. Belle had a hand on the spinning wheel and a concerned look on her face. He must have wandered off to his thoughts while spinning before becoming absorbed by them.
"Yes, dearie. All is well. I do have a request. Would be so kind as to fetch me the spare straw behind me?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, suddenly wanting to play another game. A dark smirk came across his lips as Belle gathered a small bundle of straw.
Rumpelstiltskin knew from hi experiences with his Belle how his thoughts affected her, as well as his emotions.
The Dark One closed his eyes, imagining the softness of Belle's skin. He opened his eyes to see Belle rubbing her arms as if trying to fight off hidden sensations. He chuckled softly, his imagination becoming darker and more sensual. He imagined running his hands over her nude body, firelight casting beautiful shadows against her features. He grinned darkly as he heard Belle gasp.
"Dearie? Is all well?" he chirped, strumming his fingers together, casting a concerned look on his face.
Belle took a shallow breath, turning to face Rumpelstiltskin. Her eyes had darkened to the midnight blue- something he had begun to notice when she was in tune with the emotions of others.
He noticed with pleasure the look of lust and desire on her face. She bit her bottom lip, trembling at the emotions he was feeding her.
"Rumpelstiltskin…" Belle whispered, her heart pounding heavily in her head. The Dark One rose, slowly approaching Belle- a tiger stalking his prey. Belle stayed her ground, wanting with every fiber in her being for Rumpelstiltskin to touch her- for him to enact on what he was feeling and imagining.
"You seem distracted, my dear," he said, an undercurrent of dark satisfaction in his voice.
Belle began to sweat, feeling more physical sensations than the emotions. He was imagining doing so much to her- things she'd never even fathomed.
"No…distracted doesn't seem to fully describe it. Hmmm. Oh, Belle, Belle, Belle," Rumpelstiltskin giggled, placing his hands on either side of her face. Belle gasped, The Dark One pulling her deeper into his fantasy- a fantasy of tangled sheets, their bodies entwined intimately. Belle moaned softly, her hands tightly grasping Rumpelstiltskin's forearms.
He grabbed her hands, holding them tightly to her side, his mouth gently brushing against her ear.
"I think…distressed is the right word, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin whispered softly into her ear, brushing his lips against her neck.
Belle moaned, her arms fighting his hands, wanting to touch him.
"Please," she whispered, never wanting anything- anyone as much as she did right at the moment.
"I'm sorry? I'm afraid I don't quite understand, Belle," Rumpelstiltskin murmured against her neck.
She moved her lips to speak when he suddenly released her, his hand running down her arm as he grasped the small bundle of straw.
"Thank you," he said, a dark, knowing grin on his face as he turned back to his wheel.
Belle remained where she stood for several moments, trying to regain any sense of control.
After several minutes, she had regained her composure, a small smile on her face.
He knew. He knew about her ability.
For the past week...al the sudden urges of lust and desire she'd felt- all fed to her by Rumpelstiltskin.
"If nothing else is required of me, I think I'll retire for the night," Belle said, curtsying politely.
"Pleasant dreams, Belle," Rumpelstiltskin replied, now focused solely on his spinning, not even turning behind him to face her.
Belle smiled and approached him slowly, putting her hands on his shoulders, feeding him her feeling os dark lust. His spinning interrupted, Rumpelstiltskin inhaled deeply.
Belle leaned forward, whispering into his ear.
"Just remember...turn about is fair play."
She pulsed one last rush of desire into him before leaving the room.
Belle awoke suddenly, fealing a dark maelstrom of emotions- anger, frustration, loss, despair, need. It overwhelmed her to the point where she felt her own heart wrenching. She'd never felt such grief before.
She kicked off the blankets, knowing where the grief was coming from.
She walked the stairs to Rumpelstiltskin's private chambers. She gently opened the door.
Rumpelstiltskin sat on his bed, staring deep into the fireplace. He clutched a small, stuffed animal to his chest. The Dark One's face remained impassive, but Belle could see and feel the emotions he was holding in check.
She walked over to him quickly, kneeling in front of him.
"Leave," Rumpelstiltskin said, his voice deadly.
"Do the brave thing and bravery will follow," Belle thought silently to herself.
She put her hands on Rumpelstiltskin's face, gently moving his face to meet her.
"I know. I know that you...that you know what I can do. I can make it stop hurting, Rumpelstiltskin," Belle whispered, stroking his face.
"At what cost, Belle? Please, enlighten me. I've seen the price of your magic. I've seen what happens when you take away the pain. Not all of it can be taken! It will always come back," Rumpelstiltskin replied, his eyes looking down.
"I know I can't take it all away. I know I can't take the darkness of your memories or pain completely away. Please. Please let me take some of it away," Belle said, her eyes filling with tears.
Rumpelstiltskin shook his head free from her hands, putting the stuffed animal on the mantle of the fireplace.
"Why, Belle? Why? What could you possibly want out of this?" he asked, staring into the fire.
Belle rose and walked to stand beside him. She took a hand in hers and spoke.
"I don't know. Sometimes I can control it. Sometimes I can't. But you...you, my dear Rumpelstiltskin...I've never connected to anyone on such a level as I have with you. I can...I can feel everything you feel. Your pain. Your sadness, your joy and passion. I feel it as if it's my own. And I don't know what it means," Belle said, her eyes darkening as she began to open herself to receive his pain.
"No," Rumpelstiltskin said firmly, praying to the Gods her eyes would return to their normal color.
Belle's eyes lightened to the blue Rumpelstiltskin had been drawn to.
"You're not obligated to take away the pain of the world, Belle," Rumpelstiltskin said.
He felt tired suddenly. Tired of playing games. Tired of the pain and sadness- of the all consuming darkness he was lost in.
He wanted comfort. He wanted just one night. One night without the pain. One night with the only person who'd care enough to give him a chance.
Belle turned around, preparing to leave. Rumpelstiltskin called her name as he walked towards her, embracing her.
In her arms, the pain disappeared. He wondered if Belle had taken his pain away, pulling her away to see if her wound had opened. It hadn't.
Rumpelstiltskin brought Belle back into his arms, kissing her softly.
Belle wrapped her arms around his neck, gently drawing him in deeper. It was a powerful sensation for her- the feeling of letting her guard down completely, the feeling of letting someone have control over her.
Rumpelstiltskin, still holding Belle, led her to the bed. She fell back slowly, her lips never parting from his.
This is what she had wanted desperately. She wanted him. She wanted the Dark One.
For all her need and want, she was still slightly fearful. She had wanted to give him comfort, something tangible. She just hoped she wouldn't destroy the experience.
Rumpelstiltskin was over her, tracing the curves of her body through her nightgown, mesmerized at the shadows the firelight cast on her body. It was just as he had imagined. It was better than imagining- he was experiencing...
A/N...Please don't hate me, haha! It's almost three where I am and I'm tired. I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Next chapter...however. Did somebody order a fluffy lemon topped with yummerific smut? Anyone?