"You're back." Belle stated without turning around, knowing that if she did she would run into his arms and beg him not to let her go.
"You don't seem surprised to see me, dearie." Rumpelstiltskin responded, his voice trilling into that obnoxious giggle.
"Oh, I'm not. I knew you would come back as soon as I sent you over the town line," Belle said. "I didn't expect you to take this long, though. Really, Rumple. Have you lost your touch?" she turned then, staying strong behind the mask of false security she'd drawn on.
"Well, it wasn't exactly easy. You see, I have this wife - She decided to throw me out, weak and with nothing." Rumpelstiltskin hissed. "And don't call me that, you've lost the right." he added defensively. "Rumple is reserved for my wife. You, miss, are not her." Belle didn't know he could be so cruel with words. Well, she knew he craved winning a fight, and did whatever it took.. But to hurt her, like this?
"You've a new wife then? I don't see anyone flocking around you like a lovesick fool." Belle taunted, but her voice cracked at the end. It used to be her, following him around like a lovesick fool, and they both knew it.
"Oh, no. My wife has died. A tragic death, really. She was taken over. By someone else." Rumpelstiltskin said, his face at last showing a flicker of emotion: Betrayal. And oh, Belle wished she could kiss it right off of him. But she knew if she kissed him now, he'd turn her away.
"I'm so sorry to hear that. You must be grieving her loss." Belle threw him a line, half hoping he'd catch it.
"Indeed." Rumpelstiltskin surprised himself as well as Belle at his admittance. "I.. find myself waking up in the middle of the night screaming her name." he added, almost against his will.
"Oh.." Belle said, her voice strangely small and wistful. Again, she wanted to kiss the sadness away. She was half willing to admit that he wouldn't push her away, but at the same time.. She had already grieved him not once, but twice, and she didn't need to add a third time.
"I wish she were back.." Rumple finished, his voice quiet.
"What would you do if she were?" Belle found herself asking.
"I'd apologise, and beg her forgiveness. I'd kiss her as if I were dying, for I am.." he trailed off.
Belle suddenly was up close to his face. "You're what?" she demanded.
"Dying. Without her love to keep me here, the Dark One is out of control. The old spinner will soon be no more," his voice had taken an eerie tone.
"Oh, Rumple, no." Belle couldn't stare into his eyes and play her mask. "You do- do have my love. Always have." Belle tried to assure him.
"But what is love worth, Lady Isabelle?" his voice hadn't left the eerie tone at her declaration.
"Love is layered, and it's worth fighting for. Every time, dammit!" Belle screamed. "Give me my husband back!" she shouted, her voice struggling to remain calm.
"You lost him, Lady Isabelle," Her husband - but it wasn't him, not really - told her. "You cast him out, let me come in."
"I will fight for him." Belle swore.
AN: This is the last chapter of rumbelle fluff for now. Send in prompts and it'll be continued.
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