Chapter 28: Deal
"Bae, why don't you go out and play? The weather is getting warmer. I'm sure Anna and Morainne would love to see you."
Bae looked up from his book to see his mother glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She was chopping vegetables, her movements with the knife precise and quick. Bae sat quietly for a moment, neck slightly outstretched, listening for any sign of footsteps outside. When he was sure there was nothing, he closed his book and stood.
"Morainne and Anna may want to play, but none of the other children will," he said with a sigh, coming over to sit at the table closer to his mother. "Ever since Papa's been on his crusade to protect us, none of my friends have wanted to play with me. They're afraid Papa will do something to them."
Belle's hands stilled at her son's words. She knew them to be true, no matter how much she wished she could deny it. Despite her husband's apology to them both for causing such pain, he had not relented on his determination to protect them from anything and everything. It should have been a touching gesture, but when his instinct was to destroy everything that even remotely posed a threat to them, it quickly grew tiresome. It had only been nearly nine months since the incident in the town square, but the deaths of four people still fresh on everyone's hearts and minds. And even worse, was Rumple had not learned his lesson. He was quick to make threats. He threatened Ebert on a few occasions, but so far they had been empty words. Belle knew, however, that soon empty threats would become actions. And while hearing of threats over trivialities was tiring, she preferred them to the alternative. She would not stand for anymore acts of violence in her name.
"Well, if you aren't going to go out, would you help your poor mother with supper?" She asked, reaching out with slimy fingers to poke Bae's nose. He laughed, wiping at his face and picked up a carrot and another knife and began to help chop.
"You should make some sweet cakes again," Bae said idly, "We haven't had them in a while."
"When I do make them, you and your father eat them all in one sitting!" Belle laughed. "I never get to enjoy them!"
"Well, make extra," Bae said simply. He was rewarded with a slice of potato thrown at his head. He glanced up, watching his mother snicker as she held up another piece. "I'm not afraid to use it," she said, waving the slice at him menacingly. Bae tossed a small piece of carrot at her, which landed in her hair. She stuck her tongue out at her son, and instead of throwing the potato, held it out to him. He leaned over to take a bite, but Belle pulled away quickly, shoving the whole slice in her mouth. "Ha!" She cried in victory as she chewed. As Bae laughed, Rumplestiltskin entered.
He raised an eyebrow in amusement at the sight of his wife and son huddled around the kitchen table, Bae laughing at something his mother was doing. He stepped closer, even more perplexed when he saw a slice of carrot sitting in Belle's hair. He reached up and gently removed it, glancing at her curiously. "What have you two been up to?"
Still chewing on the large slice of potato, Belle could not answer, so instead she pointed at Bae who looked between them with wide eyes. "You started it!" He cried, his eyes bright with mirth.
"What did you start?" He asked, still holding the carrot slice. "A food fight?"
Belle nodded while Bae answered, "Yes."
Rumple 'tsked' and dropped the carrot to the table. "I can't leave you two alone for a moment, can I?"
Belle swallowed and pointed at Bae, "Your son apparently thinks my only purpose in this life is to make him sweets," she said with a wink at Bae.
"You mean it isn't?" Rumple asked as he sat at the spinning wheel, facing his family. "Then why on earth did I marry you?"
Belle's eyes grew wide and she gasped, affronted. Bae bent over laughing, slapping his knee. Rumple smirked, and glanced up at Belle, who was glaring at him, but a smile was slipping through her features. It was a rare moment for them; a true moment of joy and laughter and it was everything he ever wanted. They'd been marred by so much violence and fear for so long. This tiny droplet of fun amidst the storm that was still raging around them was desperately needed. For a moment, he was not feared and powerful. For a moment his family was not timid or uncertain around him. It was as it should have been.
"Well," Belle said, sliding the chopped vegetables into a bowl, "I see where my value lies. I guess I'll just spend the rest of the day cooking and baking. Never mind all the other chores that need to be done." It was said in jest, but she played the part well, turning and storming to the other end of the room so she could dump the vegetables into the simmering pot.
Rumple moved to stand behind her, snaking his arms around her waist and the foreign sensation caused Belle to inhale sharply. They had not really touched since the incident several months ago and it felt strange to have him so close to her.
"I could hire a maid," he offered softly, pressing his nose to the back of her neck. "Someone to help you out around the house. In fact, you would not need to do anything. You could read all day, if you wished. You and Bae could have more time to enjoy yourselves, instead of worrying about taking care of this place."
Belle shook her head and slipped out of his arms. She cast a quick glance at Bae who watched on curiously and grabbed a towel to wipe her hands. "I don't want a maid, Rumple," she said gently. "There isn't that much to do. I don't mind chores. I enjoy being busy. And at any rate," she said, gesturing with a nod of her head toward his waist, "No one knows about the dagger. Having someone here to clean and organize would surely stumble upon it, or one of your books that you leave lying around. You're so determined to keep so much of yourself a secret now; do you think it wise to let a stranger into our home and subject them to things you won't even let us see?"
Bae watched silently, glancing back and forth between Mother and Father. They seemed to be at a standstill, staring at each other with intense focus and frustration. It made him uncomfortable and he suddenly wished he'd listened to his mother and left to play with his friends. Rumple sighed at length and conceded, "I suppose you're right," he said softly. "No maid, then. But I could make it easier on you. On us." He wiggled his fingers and Belle shook her head, stepping forward and taking his hands in hers.
"We have managed for almost fifteen years," she said with a gentle forcefulness that left no room for argument, "We can manage now."
Rumple nodded in understanding, and turned away to sit back down at the wheel. He began to spin, and it came a neither shock nor wonder to Belle or Bae that the string that began coiling at his feet was gold.
~000~
"Bae, catch!"
The ball flew right past Bae's head and rolled away. Bae raced after it, failing to notice the cart that was moving toward him. Catching his foot on the edge of the cart, Bae fell onto the ground. He cried out in pain, his knee aching from the fall. A man appeared from behind the cart, a scowl set deep on his face.
"Hey! Watch where you're going you brat!" He yelled, bending down to grab to ball. Bae shakily stood to his feet, an apology on his lips, but when the other man got a good look at the boy's face, he stepped back in fear. "My apologies!" He said suddenly, reaching out to hand Baelfire the ball. "It was the donkey's fault." He began to dig through the cart frantically. "Can I give you anything? I feel bad that I caused you to get hurt."
"What is going on here?"
Bae and the man turned to the source of the voice, only to find Rumplestiltskin standing with his arms crossed, looking none too pleased. Those in the market had stopped and were now watching with nervous anticipation. Rumplestiltskin was feared, his powers and his determination to protect his family enough to cause most people to shy away from him. The man at the cart jumped back and stammered out another apology, "It was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going. B-but he says he's fine!"
Rumple said nothing, instead glancing down to look Bae over. When he noticed Bae's knee was scraped and bleeding, he scowled, his eyes snapping up to the man. Bae grabbed his father by the arm. "I'm fine, Papa."
"See? No harm done," the man chimed in pitifully.
Rumple frowned, "Don't. Bother."
With a wave of his hand, the man was engulfed in purple smoke. Bae cried out, as did several of the villagers, but Rumplestiltskin was deaf to all of it. When the smoke cleared, all that was left was a small snail, big enough for only Rumple and Bae to see. Lifting his foot, Rumple smirked, but was suddenly jerked back by small but strong hands.
"That's enough."
Rumple glanced back to see Belle, A basket dangling from her arm and a frown set upon her face. He met her eyes for only a moment, then jerked away. He vaguely recognized the sounds of his son, wife, and villagers screaming and crying out, begging for mercy, but they were easy to ignore. He lifted his foot, deliberately, and shoved it down onto the ground, the snail crunching under his feet.
"Indeed, it is," he replied. He blinked, then turned to fully face Belle. She said nothing, but looked shocked and disgusted. She grabbed Bae's arm and lead him away from the crowd. Rumple watched on his anger melting into concern and confusion. He shot a hateful glare to those around him, causing them all to step back in fear, and moved to follow his wife and son.
When Rumplestiltskin entered the house, he found Belle already at work applying a balm to Baelfire's knee. Bae hissed in pain and Rumple stepped forward, extending his hand which glowed with magic.
"Here, let me-"
"Don't touch him."
Rumple and Bae's eyes shot to Belle, who was staring hatefully at Rumple. "You are not touching my son with your magic," she said softly but firmly. "Besides," she said as she turned around to tend to Bae, "You've done enough for today, don't you think?"
"I protected him."
"You didn't protect me, Papa," Bae said. "You killed that man. You always hurt and threaten people. This Curse has changed you."
Rumplestiltskin shook his head, "I ended the Ogres War," he said, desperately trying to make them understand, "I walked into the field of battle, and I made it stop. I led the children home. Surely, a man who's saved a thousand lives-"
"-Is done. A man who's saved a thousand lives can be done with it. You can stop doing things."
"He's right, Rumple," Belle said softly. "It's over. This needs to stop."
Rumplestiltskin shook his head. "No; I can't I need more power to protect you. Both of you."
"And what are you protecting us from, Rumple?" Belle asked as she stood suddenly, knocking her stool over, "Not the Ogres; they're gone. Not murderers. Not merchants. Who are you protecting us from?"
"I just want to make sure you're safe."
"We were safe," Bae insisted, "We wouldn't need protecting if you didn't have power!"
"Well, I can't just get rid of it," Rumple hissed, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.
"Have you tried?"
"The only way to get rid of the Curse is if someone kills me with the dagger," Rumple snapped, "Is that what you want, Bae? For your father to die?"
"Do not talk to him like that," Belle hissed, "He's done nothing to deserve anything of this."
"He's asking the impossible, Belle," Rumplestiltskin replied angrily, "You're both asking the impossible."
"What if I found a way?"
Rumple and Belle stopped arguing and looked at their son. Bae continued, hopeful, "If I found a way to help you get rid of your powers and keep you alive, would you do it?"
"Why is this so important to you, Bae?" Rumple sighed. He didn't understand. Neither of them understood. All the threats, all the times he'd gone after someone, it had been to ensure they had nothing to fear. All the deals he made in nearby villages were to ensure that his family had nice clothing, the most wonderful books, and the nicest things. He would – he could – give them the world, and he didn't understand why they seemed determined to remain in this hovel. They could be so much more. They could have so much more, but instead they asked for the one thing he was not willing to give them. He needed his powers. He was strong, whole. He could walk and run. He could make gold. He could bring forth anything any of them wanted, and still they were not grateful.
"I want things to be how they were before. I want us to be happy. Normal. I want my father back."
Rumple glanced back and forth between Belle and Baelfire. Their gazes matched, looking at him pleadingly. He could see he was outnumbered. They would never change their minds. He sighed.
"All I want is for you to be happy. I want you both to be happy. So if that's what you want, then fine."
Bae smiled and hopped off the table where he'd been siting. He stuck out his hand to his father, "Deal?"
Resigned, Rumple took his son's hand. Glancing at Belle despairingly, he nodded, "Deal."
~000~
The next day, Bae sat in the forest, thinking. His parents had gone for a walk to discuss some things, and Bae had remained behind, wanting to work out a plan for saving his father. The tension between his family was thick and uncomfortable, and Bae knew if he didn't find a way to save his father, the divide would only grow and soon it would be unfixable. His mother was already fed up with his father's actions. And Bae was afraid. He loved his father, of course. It was why he was so determined to save him, but Bae could no longer look at the man who had once been so gentle and loving and not feel fear. And Bae did not want to be afraid of his father any longer. Chin resting in his hands, Bae began to mull over ideas. He knew nothing about curses and therefore had no idea how one went about breaking them. None of his books spoke of curses, and his Papa's books were off limits to him. Sighing, Bae rubbed his hands over his face. What was he going to do?
A snapping twig brought him out of his thoughts and he smiled when he saw Anna and Morainne walking together carrying flowers. They waved to Bae in unison and approached him.
"We saw you walking this way," Morainne said with a cheerful smile, "Thought you might like some company."
"And you aren't afraid to come near me?" Bae asked, even as he made room for the girls to sit. He blushed as Morainne took a seat next to him.
Anna shook her head as she sat on the ground in front of them. "Your father is scary, but he wouldn't hurt us. He saved us."
"He's different not, though," Bae sighed, "I'm afraid."
Morainne nodded sympathetically, "I don't blame you," She said as she touched his hand, "But maybe things will get better soon."
"I hope so," Bae replied, "He said he'll change back if I find a way. I just don't know where to look. How does someone break a curse?"
"The Reul Ghorn could do it," Morainne said simply.
"Who?" Bae asked, leaning forward with interest.
"The Reul Ghorm," Morainne repeated. " I heard about it when I was in the trenches. The other soldiers talked about it," She looked to Anna for approval, and the blonde girl nodded.
"Reul Ghorm is an ancient being that rules the night. The original power," Anna explained, "The soldiers talked about her as if she were the most powerful creature alive."
"Bigger than Papa?" Bae asked with excitement.
"Bigger than anything," Morainne confirmed dramatically.
"Did they ever say how to find this Reul Ghorm?" Bae asked.
The girls nodded and began to tell Baelfire the stories they'd heard of how to summon the most powerful being in the world.
Author's Notes:
I'm glad to be back. I've missed posting and I hope you guys have missed me!
One of the things I've struggled with is the fact that the show doesn't give us any real timeline for Rumple's spiral into true Dark One-ness. We know what happens, but how long? Over a few months? A year? It's something I've had to work with, so that's why there's been a nine month time skip. It's not ideal, but it's necessary. He's not going to lose his shit in the span of a week, but I also don't want to spend 10 chapters detailing every single little moment of that. Not sure if this is something that anyone has an issue with (no one has said anything) but I thought you might like to know my reasoning for there being another jump in time.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement with this story. I'm almost finished writing it, but have no worries, you still have plenty to experience! And I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 29 will be posted Friday, June 13!
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. OUAT belongs to ABC, and the respective writers.