Twice Upon A Time - Season 2 (reader x once upon a time)

The Crocodile: Storybrooke -Part 2

Wednesday, April 8

Belle was sitting at Granny's counter, waiting for her food

"This one is a classic" Ruby said, putting a glass of orange juice, some syrup and a plate with pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs in front of Belle "The syrup goes on the pancakes, the um, round things. But I kind of like it when it gets on everything" she explained

"You know, um, thank you" Belle said "I mean, not just for this but, for everything"

"No worries" Ruby replied with a smile "And stay here until you're on your feet. Granny will be fine with it" she assured her friend "Oh, I almost forgot" she said, giving Belle a small box "Someone dropped this off for you at the front desk"

Ruby left to attend other tables and Belle opened the box, finding a key labelled 'Library' inside

When she finished eating, Belle went to check the library once more. This time, she was able to open the door with the key. Once inside, she started looking to all the books around her when Gold walked out from around the corner.

"We may sit in our library and yet, be in all corners of the earth" he said

"You gave me the key" Belle realized

"I heard of your interest and I uh, I made some inquiries" he admitted "There's an apartment for the caretaker if you want it"

"If, if this is some way to win me back after everything you-" Belle started to said, but Gold cut her off

"No, that, that's, that's not why I'm here" he said softly "I came because you're right. About me. I am a coward" he confessed "I have been my entire life. I tried to make up for it by collecting power and the power became so important that I couldn't let go. Not even..." he paused, taking a deep breath before continuing "When that meant losing the most important person in my life"

"Your son" Belle said, remembering a conversation they had many years ago, back in the Enchanted Forest

"Baelfire, is his name" he told her "After he left, I dedicated myself to finding him. I went down many, many paths, until I found a curse that could take me to the land where he's escaped"

"Here" Belle said, putting the pieces together

"And I found myself in this little town with only one thing left to do: wait for the curse to be broken so that I could leave and find him" Gold finished explaining

"But instead of looking for him you, you brought magic" Belle pointed out

"Because I'm still a coward" Gold whispered "Magic has become a crutch that I can't walk without" he admitted "And even if I could, I now know I can never leave this place"

"Because anyone who leaves, forgets the people they love" Belle said, walking over to him and leaning against one of the bookshelves "So when you go looking for Baelfire, you won't know him"

"Magic comes with a price" Gold said "Belle, I have to break this new curse. That's why I was using magic that night you saw me down in the basement" he explained "I have lost so much that I loved" he whispered, his voice full with emotion "I didn't want to lose you again without you knowing everything" he stepped closer to her and softly caressed her face with a finger "Goodbye Belle"

He was almost at the door when Belle spoke again, making him stop

"Do you uh, have you ever had a hamburger?" she asked him

"Yes, of course" Gold replied

"Well, I haven't. But I hear Granny's makes a great one" she said "Maybe, maybe we could try it sometime?" she wondered