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Belle had learned a lot about Rumpelstiltskin in her time with him. She'd learned that his skin color shifted with his mood and that he was stronger and faster than he looked even without added magic. She probably knew more about him than anyone else by now, but she was still learning each day. Today's lesson was an unexpected one. Who knew that the Dark One had a low alcohol tolerance?

She'd found him outside near the edge of the woods, drunk off his ass, staring at the clouds. A decorative bottle was beside him, and it was empty. Belle stood over him and looked down. He looked back up at her and suddenly started giggling like mad.

"Hi, Belle."

"Hello. What was in the bottle?'

He thought for moment."I have no idea. A wine merchant gave it to me. Said it was the strongest he ever made. I drunk this much."He spread his hands apart a small distance."and decided to come outside."

"Uh-huh. You can't stay here, Rum. You'll roast alive in this heat wearing that,"she said, gesturing towards his trademark leather.

Rumpelstiltskin rose, stumbling as he did so, and smiled at her. With a wave of his hands, his clothes disappeared."There. Now I'm not wearing anything."

Belle's hands flew to cover her eyes, but she was too late. The image of her boss stark naked was now burned into her mind. She could feel herself blushing at the image. As much as it pained her to do, she had to fix this."I take it back! I take back! Put some clothes on."

"Okay."

She slowly opened her fingers and moved her hands away. He was now dressed in a light brown shirt and pants.

"That's better."He then started frowning."What's wrong?"

"You think I'm ugly."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."He bowed his head and looked at the ground."You didn't even want to look at me."

She immediately felt bad. He looked like a kicked puppy."It's not that. It's just-It's really weird seeing my best friend naked."

He lifted his head."I'm your best friend?"

"Of course. Who else would it be?"

Smiling like a child, he stumbled forward and pulled her into a hug. Belle blinked but hugged him back."So you don't think I look funny?"

She pulled away and cupped his face in her hands. She had to admit that he did look a bit weird. Scaly green-gold skin that changed shades, big amber eyes, and green nails wasn't exactly normal but neither was he.

"I love the way you look, Rum. It's different just like you."

"And I love you, Belle."

"You what?"

With that said, his knees gave way bringing both of them down, and he used magic to keep them from hitting the ground. This ended up sending them to his room. He landed on the bed atop of her and smiled drunkenly. He hugged her tighter and decided to use her chest as a pillow. Belle tried to move, but his grip was too tight.

"Rum. What did you say?"

Rumpelstiltskin yawned."I...love...you. I have since I caught you that one time. I just didn't think you loved me back."

Belle was stunned. He was drunk and professing his love for her. What was she supposed to say to that? Then again, he probably wasn't going to remember this anyway."I...I do, Rum. I love you, too."

"Hmm. That's good."He shifted his weight and closed his eyes."Goodnight, Belle."

Despite it being noon, she smiled down at him and brushed his hair back with her hand."Night, Rum."

As he drifted off, a thought came to Belle. Rumpel had only drunk half of the bottle. What happened to the other half?

Meanwhile

Unknown to the two inside, Draco lay passed out on Belle's balcony. The dragon had gulped down the other half of his master's wine and like him, felt the effects. The drunken creature managed to fly himself, albeit shakily, to the nearest ledge and pull himself up. Once in the shade, Draco rolled onto his stomach with his legs and wings spread out across the balcony and was soon dead to the world.

Belle found him two hours later, still out, after Rumpel awoke with a huge hangover and brought him in. Draco soon came to with a hangover of his own, and Belle left him with Rumpel as company. Master and dragon both lay on the bed with bucket beside it for the both of them. When he was done hurling, Rumpel fell back and looked at his pet.

"I'm never drinking again."

Draco rolled over slowly and groaned in agreement.

TBC