Once Upon A Time
Rumpelstiltskin wasn't jealous of the idea of Baelfire courting Dagian, because he knew that he knew there was no opportunity with her. However he was…irritated and he couldn't explain why.
He opened his home to her because it was the closest one when they arrived. She was under no obligation to pay him back or only stay with him. Whatever relationship that his friend and his guest had was none of his business. He just didn't want to be alone again, but they could still be friends.
Then why was he bloody staying awake for her to come home?
It was an hour after sunset when she came home.
"What are you doing awake?" she asked as soon as she saw him at the wheel.
"I had work I needed to catch up on."
He saw her smile slightly, remove her shawl, and lay it on the bed.
"Did you have a nice time?" he asked while trying to act like he didn't care.
"Yes," She sat next to him and watched his face carefully, "We ate and he took me to walk by the creek."
"And will you see him again?"
He saw her smile out of the corner of his eye, "No."
"I thought you said you had a nice time."
"I did, but I have no interest in letting a man court me that I have no interest in marrying."
He looked at her, "He's a good man."
"IT wasn't Baelfire that saved my life that day you stumbled upon us on the road," she said simply, "It wasn't Baelfire that opened his home to me. It wasn't Baelfire that made sure I healed and it certainly isn't Baelfire that wakes me from my nightmares at night and sits up with me until I fall asleep. I'm not interested in Baelfire because I believe that I can do so much better than just a good man."
He felt a slight blush creep into his cheeks when she was done, "Me?"
She smiled warmly and nodded, "I would much rather be with you than anyone else I've ever met."
"I'm not…I can't- I'm not a leader, I'm not strong, I'm not-"
"I don't care about that," she whispered, "The measure of a man is not just based on their physical attributes, Rumpelstiltskin. Has no one ever told you that?"
He put his hand on the side of her face, "You would marry me?"
He had to be dreaming. Why should she seek him as a husband when there were far more candidates that would probably fight for her hand if she wanted them to. He knew that he would wake up, and things would be the same as they had always been.
But he knew that this wasn't a dream.
"I don't have a dowry," Dagian said, "In fact I have nothing to offer-."
"That doesn't matter," he said quickly, "Are you honestly considering this?"
"I've considered it for a while now," she said, "I was just waiting for you, and considering your reaction to the idea of letting Baelfire court me, I think it's' safe to say that you feel at least some affection towards me."
He closed his eyes and shook his head. This was NOT how he'd planned his evening to go. He needed time to think about this but he knew what his answer would be whether it was tonight or tomorrow or next week. He wanted a wife. He wanted a family, and he wanted to be loved. And she had been practically dropped at his feet by the higher powers. Was this his chance to ease that loneliness? Or was it a trick?
He really hoped it was the former, "I don't…when? If I said yes, when would you want to get this done?"
"I saw the cleric when walking back here," she said awkwardly.
"That quickly?"
She raised her eyebrows, "Is that a problem?"
"No I just…thought you would want more time to talk yourself out of this."
She looked hurt at the words and he immediately regretted it, "Perhaps you need time."
"No," he said, "I know what my answer would be. I just want to know if you're sure."
"Well I know what my answer would be. I just wanted to know if you were sure."
"Well, I say yes," he said and blushed again. He hoped she wouldn't hold that against him, he had never been proposed to before.
"Then let's get married," she said simply.
He stepped forward and kissed her. At first he thought that maybe he'd taken too many liberties, because she pulled back, "Dagian, I'm sorry."
"No Rumpelstiltskin, I would just like some warning next time," she said and returned the kiss.
Present Day
Dawn hated the mornings that she woke up with a pounding migraine because it was probably a sign that she was going to spend the rest of the day in bed with the curtains drawn, the light out and praying that no screaming children were outside.
Sunday morning was one of those mornings.
She moaned as soon as she was conscious of the painful throbbing with what felt like every beat of her temple and forced her into a sitting position.
There was no way to tell where these migraines came from, specialists had come to examine her but there was no way to figure out where they came from. They just popped up 2 or 3 times a month and she had to deal with them.
She got up, closed the curtains and walked to the bathroom where she kept the medicine for the migraines. It didn't usually help but it took the edge off so that she could at least nap the rest of the day.
Dawn sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her eyes. The movement woke her husband who turned over and looked at her, "Are you alright?"
"Migraine," she muttered.
He sat up, "How bad?"
"I've never had a hangover but I imagine this is close."
He moved closer to her and pulled her backwards. She lay back down and let him cover her. Whenever these migraines hit, he always took time to take care of her. It was one of the few times he showed vulnerability and a certain tenderness that she rarely saw. Most of the time there was affection but it was different than this. When he fawned over her like this then it gave her a glimpse of what might've happened if they actually lowered their defenses and loved each other.
She didn't like it.
"Do you need anything?" he asked her and pulled the comforter over her.
"No." she muttered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," she muttered and hugged her pillow.
"Alright," he kissed her and then her cheek, "I'll be downstairs if you need anything."
She pulled the covers over her head and hoped that sleep would come back to her very soon.
