Sleep avoided him, his mind restless with a rush of thoughts. Was he doing the right thing? For most of his lifeRumpelstiltskin was doing what he wanted or what suited him, there was no question on whether it was right or wrong. It was certainly right to get the girl from Regina's clutches, but was it fair to keep Belle with him?

He couldn't help but compare the two women. Regina was wicked because he made her that way, on a whim and just because he could. There were possibilities of using her in the future and he took immense pleasure in bringing out the most vile and sinister what was in her, adding to and cultivating it.

But Belle… Belle was different. However, it seemed he was repeating the same pattern. Regina didn't start off naturally evil; the closeness to magic did it to her. What if it happened to Belle too? Magic was addictiveand he showed her so little, reluctant of letting her feel its true power. Could she resist if he let her get a true taste? No, most likely not. She'd always approached him first, always the brave onebut she was fooling herself. He wasn't the knight in shining armour who cared about the common good, despite his being mostly kind to her. He was this world's reincarnation of everything evil, his own rotten soul absorbing the accumulated experience of all those demons who had been the Dark One before him and it could not leave the girl unaffected.

He could see the scene playing out in his mind – Belle's heart opening up to the darkness. Moral values are so easy to twist. Would she attempt to kill Snow White if she wasn't stopped by the royal guards? Yes, Belle's hand would tremble and shake, but it was one person's life versus the lives of many; compared to the lives of people she loved. How would she feel if Regina turned her threats into action, burning up the village? Would Belle seek revenge? Would she be willing to pay any price to make the woman suffer?

Why didn't she ask him again what he intended to do with Cinderella's child? She didn't just forget it; she probably didn't want to imagine what he was capable of. Even back in prison she tried to justify it, to suggest he had some good motive. Could she be blinded by what she willed him to be not to notice what he was like? There was more than just one side to every story and with the right persuasion skills anything could be turned upside down. He knew it; he'd done it, playing with words, manipulating people into concluding deals – magical contracts they didn't fully understand.

Belle had seen him murder and yes, she cringed at first and couldn't stand looking at him after, but time had softened the initial shock and she accepted that as a part of his nature. Belle knew he wasn't forgiving or soft, even if she chose to believe it otherwise when he allowed himself to let his guards a little down with her. Weren't those the signs of darkness? One little step at a time on the path to corruption.

She went beyond accepting him, she wanted his company even though all he offered was isolation instead of the adventurous life she had dreamt of. She didn't desire him for his magic, a promise of wealth or a chance at eternal youth – he had no doubt come across women who wanted those things before. But Belle went further; she took him in her bed willingly; he asked for her permission each time and each time she granted it, never once showing a sign of regret. Why did she want him? Because it was forbidden? Because it felt wrong - considering his looks, his reputation, his nature? Did she consider the consequences of such a liaison, of how people would see her as the Dark One's whore? Did she care or did she simply choose not to dwell on it?

Questions, questions and even more questions. Rumpelstiltskin flattered himself in reading people's hearts easily, but her heart remained a mystery to him. Was is still pure or would he see little changes blossom day by day, inevitable and irreversible? What if her character shifted – Belle getting a little more daring, more mischievous or becoming slightly vain as her thirst for dark knowledge grew? It always starts little – change of clothing, heightened curiosity and blunted perception of what previously seemed unacceptable. On the other hand, what if she could balance it? Stay true to her ways, seeking the good in him instead of succumbing to evil?

Rumpelstiltskin gave up the idea of having a companion in his life long ago, but if he did have to think of one, it'd be someone entirely different from Belle. He assumed he needed someone wicked, someone who could push his ambitions further and gloat with him, watching him inflict pain, creating chaos and destruction. If Belle didn't want it, how could they co-exist?

She seemed to want something long-term, she'd indicated that much. But if neither of them could influence the other one, their opposite personalities would collide, like fire and water, extinguishing each other.

All those what-if's just made it worse. He knew he wanted Belle, but he didn't know how to make things work. He wasn't even certain heshould make things work, yet again, he'd just be a fool if he didn't attempt it. Rumpelstiltskin pushed her away oncebut he would not make the same mistake again.

He did possess a gift of being able to tell the future but it wasn't something he could controland the damned inner eye remained oblivious to everything that had to do with her. He couldn't see the girl coming his way at all, less any possible future they had together... It didn't mean that there was no chance for them to have one. Rumpelstiltskin found that he wanted it rather stronglyand it unnerved him. Belle made him... She made him feel. Itwassomething entirely new, something he'd only been capable of feeling towards his lost son and never thought was possible in terms of another human being - immense tenderness and urge to keep that person close, to protect them, to never find them in need for anything, to see them content. The feeling was bitter-sweet, tinted with fear of loss and it made his heart shrink and ache, both wanting express this... affection and holding back. Belle would be kind enough to accept it, but no sane person would believe she could feel any of that towards him.

"Rumpelstiltskin?" her voice was tentative as if she was afraid of waking him up. "Did you go through much trouble to…" she paused, wincing at the idea of saying to trade for me, for after all, she wasn't a horse to be bought and sold, "…to give Regina what she wanted?"

Did he? On a large scale, he didn't have to face the dragon or actually do anything; he merely gave up what could be considered the magical work of a lifetime. Nevertheless, he was immortal, so a dozen years spent on bottling True Love didn't matter.

"No," he said half-heartedly and of course Belle could sense that.

"Are you… are you angry with me?" she asked hesitantly.

"No," he repeated more softly. He felt quite a mixture of emotionsbut anger wasn't among them.

She was quiet for several moments, chewing on her lip.

"Will you make love to me?"

"Belle, I don't think it's a good…"

"Please," she squeezed his hand.

She knew something was wrongbut she couldn't come up with a way to fix it. She couldn't simply say she was sorry again – she wasn't responsible for Regina's deeds – and just go on, but Belle felt like there was a lack of closenessand she hoped physical touch could make up for it.

She sat up and pulled her nightgown off as the man shifted to remove his own clothing. He coaxed her back into the position they were, Belle on her right side, and climbed under the sheets with her, this time pressing his naked self against her. His body was firm and warmand he simply held her for several moments before his hand travelled along her side. He pressed dry kisses along her shoulder, working his way up to her neck. Rumpelstiltskin's movements were unhurried, almost lazy as his hands stroked the curve of her hip, long slow brushes of his large rough hand making her sigh.

Belle let out a small oh when his lips partedand he nibbled at the base of her neck, the warm moist pressure of his mouth echoing in her groin. His hand cupped and squeezed her small breast, the sharp nail of his thumb raking across the sensitive nipple. She squirmed and pressed closer, longing to have him wrap himself around her completely. She could feel his cock pressed against her buttocksbut Rumpelstiltskin wasn't hard. She reached back, taking him in hand clumsily, hoping that the bondages didn't feel unpleasant on his skin. The soft flesh grew thicker and heavier, lengthening immediately in response to direct stimulation, until she could barely wrap her fist around it, his prick now rigid and fully erect. It was exciting, knowing that she did it, that she could arouse him so easily.

Belle reached between her own legs, rubbing herself to make sure she was ready. She wasn't particularly moist, this desire to have him inside her different from the consuming need she felt previously, but it would be enough. She covered the head of his cock with the same hand, spreading the wetness from her fingers to coat it and guided it to her entrance.

She raised her knees, adjusting the angle and Rumpelstiltskin slid lower on the bed, lining their bodies up. He pushed forward, his hand holding her firmly around her waistand the tip of his cock nudged her open. He pressed further, her inner muscles grasping him tightly as he stretched her, sliding deeper, withdrawing an inch to sink back in. It felt good – the familiar sensation of being penetrated, of being filled by his cock, of being joined and having his hands on her skin. He rocked against her slowly, making deep even strokes, resting his forehead on her back as his hot breath came out as short puffs between her shoulder blades.

Rumpelstiltskin stifled a moan when she flexed her muscles, grasping his cock to keep it inside when he would slide out.

"Gods, Belle," he rasped and she smiled to herself, repeating it, drawing a groan from him this time.

He moved his hand down her belly to fondle her but she caught his arm, lacing her fingers through his and holding them in place. She couldn't quite explain why she didn't want to cum; there was faint throbbing in her lower abdomen, indicating that she could do it, that her body was ready for it. But she wanted this time to be for him, to be reassured that things were alright between them, that he still wished to be with her.

Even though she didn't crave a climax it was pleasurable enough – his hard length sliding inside her, the friction and the sweet pressure, his shallow breathing which turned into panting as his thrusts became faster. He came with a burst of wetness inside, clenching his teeth and breathing hard through the nose, his heart racing against her back.

She felt satisfied, content, differently from what physical relief would have brought her, and yet it was important to know that her body could grant him pleasure. Belle didn't imagine lovemaking being peaceful or calming, but it was.