He should've been nervous about giving her the dagger, he should have never told her about it, but deep inside him he knew it was right. The demon in him found comfort in knowing the dagger was protected by her. The spinner in him was distracted, still feeling her lips on his skin. He had so much to do, he couldn't let himself think about anything other than getting Belle what she wanted. He visited Regina, telling her about how they were to get rid of two others. But, this time, she knew it was something more. She had demanded to know exactly what was going on. He did not give her what she wanted, instead he left her with her own thoughts. He didn't think she would track him down and find him at Belle's estate, but she did. Now they were standing around the castle doors Regina slammed open.
"Rumpelstiltskin, I did not imagine I would find you here. Making a deal?" Regina sneered, thankfully Belle and Tink were outside, making sure no other animals were harmed or taken overnight.
"Leave, dearie. You still have much to do." He tried to keep his Dark One mask on, making everything a joke.
"Tell me, have you taken a fancy to Queen Belle?" She still stood in place, not listening to Rumpel. She had found a little spot for Gaston and King George. She even brewed some more sleeping draught for them, incase Rumpel needed it. This was getting personal and she wanted to find out why.
"I am simply fulfilling a deal, dearie." He was not lying. The week was not up and he was bound by the contract to stay. Not that he dared to leave. He enjoyed his time here and dreaded when the week was up. Belle had his dagger, but would she give it up when the week was done? Was she just protecting it until Rheul was gone?
"A deal? Is this where you got the Jaculi? What did she want in return for it?" Rumpel was going to answer when he felt Belle enter the room, he could hear Tink behind her.
"I asked him for his time. Your majesty, what brings you to my Kingdom?" Belle asked, coming to stand by him. She did not seem tense in Regina's presence, which told him she did not fear her. Belle didn't need to, no harm could come to her anymore. Not with her animals listening in on her through the bond and Rumpel in her control.
"Lady Belle, long time no see. How have you been? I haven't seen you since you rejected my offer after your father died." Suddenly, Regina went quiet. Her eyes were now on Tink. Tink had a small smirk on her face, waiting for Regina to recognize her. Tink had visited Regina once, when Rheul had tried to keep Regina from turning dark. When Tink had failed to keep Regina pure, she had been punished. She was sent to Hollow's cave, to be tormented.
"Your highness, still trying to get revenge on Snow White? I told you, you had a second chance at true love." Tink stated, but Regina did not reply. In order to keep Regina from spiraling into darkness, Tink was to unite her with her soul mate, the man with the lion tattoo. She had told Regina where to find him and that she had one night before he was going to leave town. Regina fled, refusing to believe she could have happiness. Rumpel was watching with great interest while Belle was simply confused.
"All you fairies are liars, you just wanted to watch me become rejected." Regina spat at Tink, which made Tink step towards her.
"No! You just didn't want to believe you could have a second chance! The man with the lion tattoo is your true love, you felt something. We both know it!" Tink was passionate; fiery. It reminded Rumpel of Belle when talking about her animals.
"The man with the lion tattoo is gone!" Regina nearly yelled back, but refrained herself.
"I am sorry to intervene, but do you mean Robin Hood?" Belle piped up, doing her best not to add salt to the wound. Tink nodded a yes, while Regina still glared at Tink.
"He isn't gone, he works for me. He is one of my guards." Everyone's eyes were on Belle now and she knew she needed to explain. "He was on the run, most kingdoms want him dead. I do not see him as a villain, he is only trying to help the poor. So he disguises himself as my guard, helps with the animals in return for me hiding his merry men and son. Right now, he is on his way to find the Sheriff of Nottingham, he killed his wife." Regina's eyes were wide, Tink was grinning ear to ear and Rumpel was amused by this whole situation.
"This is your chance Regina! For your happiness!" Tink said with so much excitement, like a kid when given sweets.
"If you will help us Regina, I promise you that you can meet Robin when he returns, have an evening with him." Belle offered.
"You will also still get your revenge on Rheul for Daniel." Rumpel stated, knowing Regina could not pass up an offer like this. Belle could see the fear in Regina's eyes, but there was also this undying amount of curiosity.
"Deal, tell me what I need to know." Regina finally said. They all made their way to the grand hall, sitting at the long table. Belle said everyone should eat while they discussed their plans. Belle explained everything to Regina, the meeting with King Christopher and Gaston, Rheul Ghorm exploding on them and then finally, her getting sick. That resulted in Farrah to go missing. Regina asked questions here and there which Belle did not fail to answer. Rumpel could sense something was changing with Regina, he did not know what. Eventually, Regina left, saying she had much to do if they were to rescue Farrah tomorrow.
"Something is different with Regina." Tink said while she and Belle sat near the fire, listening to Belle read while Rumpel studied some documents that he found on Hollow's cave.
"When I mentioned her meeting Robin, a bright flicker of light burst through her soul. I could feel it, I do not know how but I could. She has always been good, but the death of a loved one could do awful things to people." Belle's voice was soft as she stared into the flames of the fire. Tink nodded, before saying she was going to bed.
"Why do you hate her so much? Rheul." She asked Rumpel but did not turn to face him. He looked up from the parchment he was reading and walked over to her, sitting across from her.
"She is the reason my son is dead." Is all he said, but she nodded for him to go on. She knew there was more to the story. "Bae was fourteen and she convinced him to join the war she knew he would not survive in. She sealed his fate, she knew that he would die, but she convinced him it was for the greater good." He shook his head.
"Is that why you became the Dark One?" She turned to face him, looking at his amber eyes.
"An old man came up to me and told me to steal the dagger from a Kingdom. He told me I could bring Bae back from the dead. I didn't know that it was against the laws of magic. I was still grieving my child. I did it, I stole the dagger. I brought it to the man and he told me if I wanted Bae back, I had to summon the Dark One and stab him with it. I did, I was a poor spinner, I did not know the man was the Dark One, that he wanted to be free from the curse. There has to be a Dark One, when I killed him, I took on the Dark Curse. I became the Dark One." While he was talking, Belle has come over to sit next to him, taking his hands in hers. She was so close, he could smell the rose oil she washed her hair with. He felt comfortable in telling her this, he felt she would not judge him, but understand him. He would do anything for his son. "When I realized he had lied to me, I went into a state of rage. I became the Dark One that deals, that destroys." Her thumbs were caressing the backs of his hands. He felt soothed by her. "My heart became black as did my soul. I was corrupted."
"There is still good in you, my darling. There always has been and will be. You hide behind the mask that is the Dark One, but you are still Rumpelstiltskin, father to Bae and spinner. Do not let yourself forget that. There is good in you, you have shown it. You are helping me, and for what? What are you getting in return? You are doing this because you have good in you." She did not break his gaze, she did not shy away. There was this passion in her eyes again, a look he began to see often.
"What am I getting in return? I am hoping I will gain your friendship." He answered with a smile and to that she leaned in, kissing his lips briefly, but enough for a spark of feelings to ignite.
"You already have it, my Rumpel. You have it and so much more." He cupped her face in his hands and brought his mouth down to hers. He felt brave in her presence, as if he could do anything. Their lips molded together perfectly. Her lips worked softly against his own, and he tried to pour his affection into the kiss, so she would fully know how he felt. All too soon the kiss was broken, both slightly out of breath and her cheeks flushed with joy. He could feel her wrapped around his heart, claiming it for herself. He could not deny he was fascinated by her and found himself wanting more than her friendship. If she would give it to him, he would gladly take it.
"I feel connected to you, my Belle." I said after simply staring into her ocean, blue eyes. He could never hold his tongue around her.
"As I feel connected to you, my Rumpel." She said softly before resting her head on his shoulder and his arms coming to wrap around her small body. He would prove he would never hurt her or betray her. He would spend every moment, making her happy if only she would let him. He would do anything for her, he trusted her and she trusted him. Her lips parted to let out a soft yawn and he expected her to excuse herself to her room, but she merely rested her head in his lap and fell asleep shortly afterwards. He stroked her cheek and eventually rested his head on the back of the sofa, falling asleep after her with the feeling of her lips on his and her hand on his heart.