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Rumpelstiltskin could not deny that thing had changed between him and Belle ever since she'd first come to live with him. They'd adopted a dragon, angered the Queen, and kissed now and then. They weren't lovers, but they were much more than friends. There was no name for what they were, but he knew it was something special.
Belle had changed him, both inside and out. Since she'd come, he noticed that his skin had before lighter, like gold fresh from a mine. His nails and teeth were still the same, but he hadn't looked like this since he'd first gotten his curse. He even dressed differently. Before, he wore dark colors every day and still did when he made deals. Around her, he wore vests and shirts that were colored.
He could tell that she liked them. When they were together, she would sometimes trace the patterns that were embroidered on his vest. Other times, she would run her hand down his arm, admiring the feel of his shirt. It had shocked at first. No one had dared to stay around hm longer than an hour before let alone touch him the way Belle did. Now, he'd grown used to her touches. Simple ones such as her hand on his back or knee could make his heart flutter.
What Rumpelstiltskin did not know was that Belle knew how much he loved her touches. That was why she made it her mission to touch him when she could. She could tell he wasn't accustom to them by the way he froze when she started doing it. A simple brush against his arm would make him tense up, but Belle fixed that. Now, his entire body relaxedwhen she touched him. Whenever his came back irate because of a bad deal, she would rubbed his back and remind him that their were many desperate souls out there to deal with. This usually did the trick, and he would smile at her before asking what she did while he was gone.
To be honest, Belle enjoyed touching him just as much as he enjoyed being touched. Rumpelstiltskin was very tall or brawny like most men, but she could feel the muscle in his arms and shoulders when she touched him. She was sure that the imp was stronger than he appeared to be. She'd first suspected this when he caught her after she fell from the ladder. She was then proven right when he picked her up with one arm and hoisted her over his shoulder as they enjoyed the snow one winter evening. She'd laughed as he twirled her around and never once feared that he would drop her.
As much as she touched him, however, it was very rare that he touched her. At first, it was because he thought she would shrink away in fear of his beastly hands. Now, it was because he didn't trust himself to be able to stop. The first time he'd touched her at all in fact was when he caught are after she tumbled off the ladder. He'd never forget how perfect she felt when he held her. She'd rested there comfortably for a few moment before held eventually set her down. He'd touched her but only on occasion, usually to brush her hair back or stroke her cheek, and she'd never once shied away from him. Their touches, though simple and brief, held meaning, and both had grown used to them. However, there was one touch Rumpelstiltskin did not expect.
One day out of no where, Belle stopped dusting and turned to see him mixing various vials together. Timing it perfectly so not to startle him too badly, she quietly came up behind him and delivered a well-aimed slap to his leather-covered behind. Rumpelstiltskin yelped and jumped nearly a foot in the air before whirling around to look at her.
"What the hell was that?!"
"I've wanted to do that for months,"she said simply."and now was the perfect opportunity. You have a very nice rump, Rumpelstiltskin."
Now blushing like mad, the Dark-One struggled to come up with a reply. Still smiling, Belle left the tower, savoring her victory.
TBC