Winter had come in full force to the Dark Castle and Belle awoke one day to find the Dark Castle buried in more layers of snow than she had ever seen in her life.
Rumplestiltskin had chuckled in amusement when she expressed her wonder over breakfast.
"It's only snow Belle."
"To you perhaps but we never got anything close to this much back home Avalonea is a far more temperate climate. At best we would get an inch or two."
"Your ability to find wonder in the simplest of things never ceases entertain," snorted Rumple though there was a fond edge to his tone.
"Have you really lived so long that nothing surprises you anymore? That you can't even comprehend that amazement?" asked Belle. Rumplestiltskin gazed at her for a moment.
"It's rare but there are a few things every now and then that manage to surprise or impress me." He admitted.
"Like what?" asked Belle leaning closer. Rumplestiltskin smirked and bopped her nose.
"Now that would be telling." Belle giggled. Rumplestiltskin then gave an exaggerated look of exasperation.
"However, if you are so enthralled with the inclement conditions outside you can have the day off to go enjoy it." Belle jumped up.
"Oh thank you!"
"You won't be saying that when you come in cold, wet, and stiff," Rumple snorted and Belle smiled.
"We'll see. What do you plan to do today?"
"I have work to do in my tower. It's the winter solstice and that has some specific ramifications on a spell I'm creating right now." answered Rumple. Belle was pleased he was becoming a little more open with her about sharing his activities as she truly found some of his magic rather fascinating. She also got the sense he enjoyed showing off.
"Well do try not to blow up the tower while you're at it."
"It was one time!" huffed Rumple in reference to a semi recent accident in which a haywire spell had destroyed most of the west tower.
"One time too many." answered Belle. "I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Yes." answered Rumple. The two of them had since taken to sharing meals as well as tea. Of course, Belle still took care of the cooking and clean up but it was nice to spend her mornings and evenings conversing with Rumplestiltskin who truly was the most interesting man she'd ever met. With his wide depth of knowledge, she'd never known a more intriguing conversationalist.
Belle collected the breakfast dishes and after cleaning up went to dress warmly so she could head outside.
OUAT
Rumple headed up to his tower. In truth he did have a spell he needed to work on as he stepped away from one of his spell books Rumple glanced outside and saw a green cloaked figure out in the snow.
He walked to the window and looked down at Belle who was spinning around laughing. White snowflakes speckled her chestnut locks and her cheeks were already pink with cold. The cheerful sight of her in the snow brought a small smile to Rumple's face.
It still amazed him how she managed to find so much joy despite being it what many might argue was a less than pleasant situation. She'd left her home and family to come stay with a monster who had certainly treated her exceptionally poorly in the beginning and while Rumple had actually tried to treat her far better lately being a maid was a severe step down from a princess.
Despite all that she remained optimistic, though not entirely naively so, and had even made the effort to befriend him and treat him with kindness despite his beastly behavior to her.
Rumple saw Belle glance up at the tower and swiftly turned away from the window hoping she hadn't caught him staring. It was a good thing Pip and the Hatter weren't here or they'd never let him live it down.
Still over the course of the day he would take brief peaks out the window to catch glimpses of her jumping away each time he thought she might look up. What on Earth was getting into him?
OUAT
Belle quite enjoyed her time outside. The snow was a fine fluffy powder that came up to nearly her knees. She reached down picked up a handful of snow and tossed it in the air above her with a laugh smiling as it came down.
Then she went on to do things like make snow angels, a snowman and seeing how high she could hit on a tree with a snow ball.
Every now and then she glanced up at Rumplestiltskins tower and caught a glimpse of the mage looking down at her. Every time he would quickly leave the window as soon as she saw she was watching and the sight made Belle smile. A part of her wished Rumple would come down but she knew better than to both him when he was in the middle of spell work.
At last, the sun began to set and with both soaking wet hair and clothes Belle trekked inside where she rushed upstairs to take a quick hot bath.
One thing she did have to say was rather nice about the castle was some of the magic that charmed the appliances. For instance, she merely had to wave her hand inside the tub and it would fill with warm water. It was certainly easier than having to drag water all the way up to her room.
Once she was finished she hopped out and tying back her wet hair hurried to make dinner.
OUAT
Dinner went well as usual with only a few snide comments from Rumple about her looking like a drowned rat when she came in to which she replied it was better than appear like a pompous peacock the way he did on so many of his deals.
After dinner, as had become their custom they retired to the library. They sat close to the fire and Belle read aloud while Rumple, who had summoned his spinning wheel upstairs, spun.
At last Belle set her book down and took her hair out of its tie int he hopes that having it down would help it dry quicker.
"I did tell you you'd end up wet," said Rumple.
"But I don't regret it," answered Belle. Rumple sighed and waved his hand a warm breeze swept over Belle causing her hair to flutter as if in the wind and moments later her hair was dry.
"Thank you," she said.
"No matter," answered Rumple with a shrug. Belle paused.
"You said this morning that there are some things that have still managed to surprise you after all this time. What would be an example?" Rumple stopped his spinning and turned to look at her.
OUAT
"You said this morning that there are some things that have still managed to surprise you after all this time. What would be an example?" Rumple brought the wheel to a halt and turned on his seat to look at Belle who was leaning forward in interest.
Inside him a war was going on whether to tell her the truth or brush her request off with a quip. At last, the intrigued look of her bright blue eyes won out and he allowed a crooked smile.
"Well, there was a certain Princess in a golden dress a while back who sacrificed all she knew for a life a servitude to save an entire kingdom of people many of whom are complete strangers of an entirely different station." Belle blinked in surprise.
"Me? But it was the obvious thing to do to save everyone. One life for many. Not to mention station should have nothing to do with it."
"And that right there is one thing that sets you apart. For you while the decision was I have no doubt a significant one it was also the clear choice morally. Few in this world are so selfless. A best there are a handful who might sacrifice themselves solely for those they care for. But for strangers as well as your family now that is rare. Especially among nobility."
"You don't think much of the aristocracy, do you?" asked Belle raising an eyebrow though she did not appear particularly offended. Rumple shrugged.
"I've rarely been given reason to do so. Most I've encountered tend to be greedy, selfish, narcissistic fools who don't realize how good they truly have it and take advantage of those they see as beneath them." Belle sighed.
"I wish I could say you were entirely wrong but I won't deny I can think of a few I grew up with who fit that description."
"I didn't think you'd accept the deal so readily and I certainly didn't expect you to fair as well here in your duties as you have." It was strange to be so honest and yet with Belle it also felt natural. He saw a light blush color his maid's cheeks.
"I can't say it was easy but I knew when I made the deal I couldn't just let myself wallow."
"Few creatures of light have the strength to survive in darkness such as this. I must admit it does make me wonder how you came to escape the usual disagreeable disposition of your kind." Belle rolled her eyes at his usage of "your kind".
"It's not all darkness. As for my disposition, I'd have to put that down to my mother. She's the one who gave me my love of books and she always said there was no real difference between the people and the nobility. We got lucky and by virtue of birth received a more comfortable life but it could have just as easily been otherwise. We're all human and all deserving of the same kindness and respect." Belle gave a rueful smile.
"Besides, last I checked it's when the nobility starts getting cocky that things start going downhill for them."
"Very true." Rumple chuckled although he hadn't missed the nostalgic and slightly sad look on Belle's face as she spoke of her mother.
"I didn't see your mother in the War Room." Belle shook her head her gaze downcast.
"My mother died shielding me from an ogre attack early on in the fighting. I actually can't remember most of it."
"How long ago?"
"1 year 4 months 2 weeks and 3 days," answered Belle. Rumple did some quick calculations and it then hit him that the anniversary of Belle's mother's death would have fallen on the day of the thief's break in. THAT had been her reason for crying! Well now he felt like even more of an arse. Hesitantly, he reached out to take one of her hands and to his relief she didn't pull away.
"My condolences. Losing someone is never easy," he said quietly. Though Bae wasn't dead and he knew from the seer that he would find him again someday he was still currently beyond Rumples reach.
"I know she's still with me in spirit. It's difficult at times I think I'll always miss her but I know she wouldn't want me to stay mired in grief forever."
"I'm quite certain she'd be proud of you." Belle squeezed their joined hands.
"Thank you, Rumple."
OUAT
Belle hadn't really spoken much about her mother since her trip to Arendelle. It was a subject her father staunchly avoided. Yet she felt no difficulty confiding in Rumplestiltskin. Her eyes widened slightly as he reached out to take her hand, tentatively, as if scared she'd pull away in disgust. Though Belle felt no such emotion. It was the first time he had initiated purposeful contact between the two of them.
"My condolences. Losing someone is never easy," as he spoke Belle could hear a twinge of pain in his voice and had a feeling he spoke from experience.
"I know she's still with me in spirit. Its difficult at times I think I'll always miss her but I know she wouldn't want me to stay mired in grief forever."
"I'm quite certain she'd be proud of you." Taking a chance Belle gave his hand a slight squeeze
"Thank you Rumple." They stayed like that in gentle silence as the fire flickered in front of them. In the half light Rumple appeared far more human. It was strange to think how comfortable they had become when little less than a year ago Belle had been scared by this man. He was the Dark One but he was also so much more than that.
Author's Note: Just some fluff for the most part. Obviously, Rumple is not exactly open to sharing his past with her yet but since they have formed something of a friendship, I didn't think him elaborating on his thoughts regarding her decision to accept the deal was too farfetched. It's also Rumple's first baby steps towards building a connection with her as opposed to Belle having been the one to push things forward. If you like the story, please leave a comment below letting me know what you find enjoyable about it! Comments really do help! Thanks again to all who have done so in the past and who are reading the story. Until next time!
