Saved By A Spinner (Rumbelle)

Chapter 4

It had been a couple weeks since Rumpelstiltskin had introduced Baelfire to Belle, and they absolutely loved each other. Often, after Milah had left for the tavern, Bae would retell many of the tales Belle had told him, even though Rumplestiltskin had been there the entire time.

Every time Bae saw Rumpelstiltskin heading out, he would follow along like a sheepdog. Once they arrived, Bae would immediately ask to ride Philip, Belle's horse. No matter how many times Rumpelstiltskin had scolded the boy, he continued to do so, much to Belle's amusement.

One day, as Rumpelstiltskin and Baelfire were making their way to Belle's cottage, Bae turned to his father.

"Papa?"

"Yes, Bae?"

"Do you love Belle?" The boy asked calmly, as if he asked this on a daily basis. Rumpelstiltskin's eyes went wide.

"W-What? Why would you ask such a question?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, his voice slightly shaking from nervousness.

"I'm not a young child anymore, Papa. I can tell when you love someone."

"Baelfire, you should not be asking such questions. I am married to your mother, and you know that," Rumpelstiltskin explained sternly.

"Papa, even though you are married to Mama, you are in love with Belle. I can tell by the way you look adoringly at her. You have never look at Mama that way. You always stare at Belle when you think she's not looking. Especially when she bends over, and you can see her-"

"Bae! Stop these insane notions this instant!" Rumpelstiltskin commanded.

"Ok, Papa," Baelfire replied, a knowing smirk forming on his lips.

Rumpelstiltskin tried to forget Bae's accusation, but, as they continued walking, the words kept playing over and over in his mind.

'Did he love Belle?'

It was an absurd notion, one he should not be dwelling upon. The more he thought about it, though, the more he thought it to be true. He was developing feelings for Belle.

How had he let himself do that? She was his only friend other than Bae. She was his best friend. She was the only other person than Bae that had ever cared for him in the least. He had to get these insane ideas out of his head.

So lost in thought that he was, he didn't even realize they had arrived at their destination.

"Papa? Are you coming?" Bae asked, snapping Rumpelstiltskin out of his reverie. When he looked up to Baelfire, he realized that he was already inside Belle's home and that she was holding the door open for him.

"Are you feeling alright, Rumpel? You seem sluggish today," Belle commented as Rumpelstiltskin followed her in.

"I'm fine, dearie. Just a little tired," Rumpelstiltskin lied, taking a seat next to her fire place.

As their day went on, Rumpelstiltskin caught himself staring at her in an obscene manner. Every time she would bend to poke the fire, he would watch the way her bum stuck up in the air. When she served him tea, he was eye-level to her bosom. He mentally slapped himself.

"Rumpel, did you hear me?" Belle asked, once again drawing him from his reverie.

"I'm sorry, Belle. Could you repeat that?"

"I said that with my leg healing, I'm going to be able to walk without my stick before long."

"That's wonderful news, Belle!" Rumpelstiltskin exclaimed.

"Once I can walk again, I can finally do more things around the house. Maybe I can even give Bae proper riding lessons. Would you like that, Bae?" Belle asked, turning to the boy.

"Really, Belle?! You'd do that?!" Baelfire asked, excitement clearly evident in his voice.

"Of course I will. I'd be more than happy to. Maybe while you're riding, your Papa and I could watch you under the oak tree in the field. It gives off the best shade, but still enough warmth to keep one cozy. You'd love it, Rumpel. I love to take a book out there and read in the beautiful, green grass."

"I'm sure I'll enjoy it, Belle. It sounds wonderful."

A few hours later, Rumpelstiltskin and Bae had left Belle's cottage and returned home. Once they had eaten, and Rumpelstiltskin had told Bae goodnight, he went up to his own little bedroom, alone and dark.

As he slept in his bed, his nightmares were absent, and in their place were images of his lovely Belle.

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A/N: I'm very sorry it's been so long since I've updated this story. I had a bit of writer's block. Hopefully, I will be able to update this story more often. Hope you enjoy the chapter!!