Captured- Rumbelle Fanfiction

ONE

Belle French walks into the quaint town of Storybrooke, shivering from the morning's mist. She pulls her woolen jacket tighter around her shoulders to ward off the cool breeze. Not knowing where she is going, she stops in front of the only shop on the entire street with its lights on. It is still early, but she sighs and slowly opens the door, hoping someone will be inside. The brass doorbell chimes as the door shuts behind her.

Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop reads the large sign.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" Her thick accent echoes in the shop. She does not see anyone in the front of the shop, so she walks towards a velvet curtain in the back.

"Sorry Dearie, we are closed." A short man hobbles to the curtain, his black and gold cane pounding the wooden floor.

"Oh, I apologize sir, your lights are on and the door was unlocked so I assumed it was alright to come in." Belle glances at the open sign on the door.

The man tucks a strand of his shoulder length silver hair behind his ear. "I suppose you are right, Dearie. I guess I am just not used to customers this early in the morning. Now, I know everyone in this town, but I don't believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you. I am Mr. Gold, and this is my shop. I apologize for my rudeness." He nods towards her.

"It's alright, Mr. Gold. My name is Belle French, and I am new in town. I just arrived this morning."

"Belle French, what a lovely name."

The conversation is interrupted by a phone call from Belle's phone. "Would you excuse me for a moment?" She steps outside, plugging one ear with her hand. "Logan, I have told you that I do not want to date you. Please stop calling me! We have had this conversation millions of times. I will not EVER be interested in you. Now go eat your six dozen eggs or something." She quickly hangs up, presses the block button, and shoves her phone back in her jacket. Opening the door again, the bell chimes once more. This time, Mr. Gold is waiting for her.

"That did not sound pleasant. Boy troubles?" He asks, looking at her reddened face.

"I guess you could say that. See, back where I'm from, my parents kind of set me up with some guy, and he's a misogynistic jerk. I have told him millions of times that we are not going to be dating any time soon, and he just won't listen to me. Why do men have to be so complicated?!" She asks, quickly remembering that she is indeed talking to a man. "My apologies, Mr. Gold. I did not mean you. You seem quite nice, actually." Her face turns even more red than before, practically matching her auburn hair.

"No apologies necessary, Dearie, I am quite the complicated man myself. Now, where are you staying? Do you have a place?" He asks, wiping dust off of one of his displays with his finger.

"I actually don't yet. Like I said, I just moved here, and I don't know anyone. Well, besides you now." She looks down at her feet, trying to avoid his eyes. They're captivating, and she can't understand why. Deep down, she feels like she knows him from somewhere.

"No matter," he flicks his wrist, "if you need a place to stay, I know the library across the street has an apartment open. I am actually the landlord of the town. Here, I can give you a key. You look like a bookworm to me, do you read?" He pulls a key labeled "library" out of his suit jacket.

"I am not sure how you knew that, but yes! I love reading. Is the library hiring? I suppose I would need a job to pay for the apartment." Her face lights up as she grabs the key from his outstretched hand.

"Actually, I think it might be. Would you like me to walk over with you and look?" He smiles warmly at her.

"I think I will be alright, but thank you. I really appreciate this, Mr. Gold." She turns to walk out the door, but feels his hand on her shoulder. She stops in her tracks.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Belle French. Welcome to Storybrooke." He smiles again at her.

"Thank you again." She walks out the door, thinking about what just happened.

What kind of man would give someone a whole freakin' library? And what kind of name is Storybrooke?