Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Mulan: Was there anyone else in here with him? Could they have taken the ink?
Snow White: No. He was kept alone. Visitors were forbidden. He was too dangerous to allow any human contact.
Emma Swan: How did he keep from going crazy?
Sleeping Beauty: He didn't. ~Season 2 Episode 9 - Queen of Hearts.

"They say that talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity, you know."

Mr. Gold opened his eyes and looked down at his wife. "What?"

Belle rolled over on to his chest and looked at her husband. "You've been mumbling to yourself for the past half an hour."

"Have I?" He asked, feigning surprise.

"Yes. Come to think of it, you do that a lot especially when you think I'm not watching."

He smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry if it bothers you. It's an old habit I picked from living alone. Even with you here, it's hard to stop."

Belle smiled sadly at him. He was centuries old and had been alone for most of that time. That much isolation would drive anyone mad. Even with his deal-making, he'd probably been lonely. Even though he denied it, she was sure that was the reason he asked for her.

Why did you want me here?

The place was filthy.

I think you were lonely. Any man would be lonely.

I'm not a man.

Despite his words and attempt to be rid of her, she'd stayed with him. She'd looked after him when he'd forget to do it himself and still did it to this day. He'd given her his dagger as a sign of his trust and protected her and their home with his life. They'd even adopted a dragon together.

Belle knew, however, that none of this could fill the hole created by the loss of his son. She was somewhat glad. She did not want to replace Baelfire in his heart. His past would always be a part of him. Belle wasn't naïve either. She knew that he'd done horrible things before they met. Three hundred years was too long a time for him to have gone without doing something bad and there wasn't anyone in their world that could have stopped him.

That was until she'd come along. He'd been hesitant at first, but he eventually learned to trust her and let her in. There were some subjects he wouldn't talk about, and she wasn't going to push him. He'd talk when he was ready. Even if he never told her, she would be fine with it. His past was his past. She wasn't going to punish him for things he probably could never fix by now; his dreams did that for her.

"Belle. Belle, can you hear me?"

Belle was brought out of her trance by his voice and realized that she'd been unconsciously stroking his hair the entire time. She nodded and lunged forward, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. When she pulled away she saw that he was out of breath and slightly confused.

"Is something wrong, dearie?"

She smiled up at him and hugged him tighter. "No. Everything is perfect."

She was right where she wanted and needed to be. As long as she was here, he wouldn't have to be alone again.

TBC