Belle woke up in an excellent mood and stretched, her body aching from the previous night's pleasure. She sighed and curled into a ball, drawing her knees to her chest and smiled. She felt happy, despite all the odds. Belle knew most people would find it strange - she was locked in a cell next to the dark sorcerer, she had only been flogged a couple nights ago and almost died, but that morning she was truly happy.

She raised her eyes at Rumpelstiltskin, who was sitting sideways next to her, one of his arms resting on his propped knee and his other leg stretched along the bars of the cell. He studied her face passionately but she beamed up at him, warming up inside even by the grim look on his face.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was husky and strained.

"Joyous", Belle said sincerely.

She felt like confessing her being happy would just make him withdraw into himself. Even now he was eyeing her suspiciously, looking for a catch. Was he regretting what happened yesterday? Belle failed to see why he would do that. She wasn't thinking clearly and felt a little dizzy, but she knew what she was doing and she wanted to do those things. Perhaps it was her inexperience that upset him. She did nothing for his pleasure but he kept distracting her, besides, she wasn't sure how she could make him feel good. Rumpelstiltskin didn't let her undress him, he wouldn't even take his coat off. But Belle touched his face and hair and he didn't seem to mind, she even licked the exposed skin of his chest which made him moan, but he avoided her lips when she tried to kiss him.

That reminded her of something. Belle sat up and leveled her face with Rumpelstiltskin's, pressing herself against the hard bars wishing they would disappear or that she could seep through them.

"You promised me something", she reminded him, licking her lips and leaning forward as far as the bars would let her.

"Stop it!" Rumpelstiltskin snapped. Belle didn't listen and grabbed his shirt, pulling him forward. "I said no!"

His voice was hard and determined but he pried her fingers off his shirt gently. Belle chewed on her lip, trying to think. She sensed he wasn't angry with her, so maybe he believed he wronged her.

"Rumpelstiltskin", she began gently, knowing she wasn't eloquent but she hoped the right words would come. "I have no regrets. I am sorry I was greedy and selfish last night and I do realize it was not appropriate behavior for a lady, but please, give me a chance. I want to know you, and if you do not want my touches, we will take things slow. I will not push you to do anything."

The Dark One snorted. What kind of game was she playing? Did she even realize what she was asking for? He wasn't a pleasant man and he'd never make a good life companion. No one could ever love or desire him. People used him to satisfy their little magical needs but never did anyone care to get to know him. Was it just her curiosity? Or was she enjoying the challenge, thinking she could tame him and bend him to her will? Oh she would be bitterly disappointed then!

Belle's eyes were fixed on his face. He wished he could trust that her interest was sincere, but that was a luxury he could not afford.

She sighed, seeing his doubts. He didn't want anyone in his life, it seemed, or maybe he was betrayed in the past which made him cautious and reluctant to open to someone. Whatever it was, Belle had made her decision - and once she set her mind on something, she would not back away.

She lifted his hand and rested her cheek against it, uncertainly watching his face, but his expression was unreadable. Yet the man didn't pull his hand away, which encouraged her a bit.

"It's okay", Belle whispered. "I will prove it to you."

Rumpelstiltskin didn't dare ask what she meant by it. Belle pressed her lips to the center of his palm in a dry kiss and closed her eyes. He didn't know what got into her, or why she craved to touch him, suddenly not afraid he would hurt her.

She talked to him about different things that day. She told him about her papa, and how she felt when her mother died. Belle told him about her favorite books and quoted her most beloved heroes. She described the view from her room and the names she gave to the cats in her castle. She was ranting and his replies, when she asked him this or that, were mostly one-worded, unless he felt like making an acidic remark that Belle would pout at but laugh away. She knew he was listening closely. Rumpelstiltskin let her chat away merrily, enjoying the sound of her voice, drinking in her gestures and facial expressions. She truly was a strange girl.

It was hard not to like her, but he had to remember it wasn't all that simple. Yes, she may believe she liked him. But they were in unusual circumstances, locked up in a tiny space secluded from the rest of the world. She could be mistaking her feelings of gratitude for… for whatever else she thought them to be.

Belle would never treat him the same way out there. She belonged with her family and friends. He had no one and belonged to the darkness. It was both a blessing and a cruel joke of destiny to have Belle here with him and know it'd never last.

But Rumpelstiltskin let her talk, and smile, and hold his hand. He could still enjoy moments with her, even if his pessimistic thoughts would not let him relax. The problem was, he didn't believe he could be happy with anyone, he often felt as if he didn't deserve anything good, and if just for a second he could let himself forget that, everything would shatter.

He did break things he cared for, after all. Pain and death were his constant companions. And the more he was attached to someone, the more pain he would bring them in the future.