Once Upon a Time x Reader One Shots

Rumple - Deal

You hated having to keep your feelings for the town sorcerer a secret. Since the curse had been broken and everyone had recovered their memories, people began distrusting Mr. Gold more and more. You knew he didn't have much in the way of friends to begin with, but you'd been drawn to him, and he always kept his deals. But he had encountered so many people in his time that now no one trusted him. They all recalled how he had burned them or their loved ones, and you were virtually the only person on his side.

You had met him the same way most people had - through making a deal. You were a mermaid, and you longed to spend time on land. The most you could do was sit on a rock or at the edge of the shore, watching from afar as you had to keep at least the end of your tail in the water. You got to watch a lot of happy scenes that way; families on the beach, ships setting sail, tender goodbyes and gleeful reunions. But you never got to experience them. And that was all you really wanted.

You had found yourself wanting more and more to be human, even if for just a day. You wished upon the stars every night, but after months of doing so with no results, you began to lose hope. You mused that there was no way for your wishes to come true, and that you would just have to carry out the rest of your days alone.

One day, while you were seated atop a rock, combing out your tangled hair and adjusting your seashells, a figure appeared on the shore. You sat still on the rock, waiting for the man to either notice you or saunter away, like everyone did. You soon noticed him coming closer, until he was just a foot away from you, his legs in the water and his clothing getting damp.

"Who are you?" you inquired shyly. No one had ever ventured so close to you before.

"I'm sure you know who I am, dearie," he replied cheekily, a thick Scottish accent settling in his sultry voice. It sent a chill up your spine, and as you took in his appearance- his wild curls and glittery skin- you realized there was only one name that could apply to this man.

"Rumplestiltskin," you breathed.

He grinned. "That's right, dearie. I've been watching you for a while. You seem unhappy."

You nodded eagerly. "I love being a mermaid, but it's so lonely. I want to spend a day on land; just one day. I want to feel the sand under my feet - I want to have feet! I want to talk to humans and spend time with them and just experience not being under the sea."

He nodded in understanding. He heard the desperate pleas of the unhappy all the time. Your request was nothing new. Everyone wanted what they couldn't have.

"Can you help me?" you asked, trying to keep the desperation from your voice.

He nodded again. "Of course, dearie. But you know my magic always comes with a price."

It was your turn to nod. You'd heard enough stories about Rumplestiltskin to know that he didn't work for free. "What do you want?"

He looked you over. "As I said, I've been watching you. I've taken... an interest in you, you might say. Tell you what; I'll give you a charm that will let you become human whenever you please. In turn, you have to visit me whenever you're on land."

You tilted your head as you looked at him. "That's it?"

He nodded again.

"Done," you agreed eagerly.

He grinned and snapped his fingers. A charm bracelet materialized in his hand. He held it out to you and you extended your arm, giving him access to your wrist. He secured the flimsy metal around your arm, his fingers gently trailing down your skin. You fought the chill that crawled up your spine.

"There," he breathed. "Just think about being human, and your tail will turn into legs."

"Thank you," you beamed, looking at the bracelet in awe. You closed your eyes and focused, and you could feel your lower half tingling. Within moments, your tail had vanished and in its place were two long, lean legs.

Rumple cleared his throat and materialized a skirt, offering it to you. Blushing, you slid your legs into it, stumbling when you tried to stand. You fell foward, having no idea how to actually use your new feet, crashing into his chest. A light blush dusted his cheeks as he caught you, his arms wrapping around your waist. You looked up at him, your hands on his chest.

"Where to?" you asked softly.

He raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You said I had to visit you whenever I'm human," you reminded. You glanced at your legs before looking back up at him. "I'm human now."

A small smile settled on his lips as he stepped back, offering you his arm. You wrapped yours around it, letting him lead you away from the ocean. You didn't know where he was going, but you knew you definitely wanted to be there.

You sat at that same beach now. Your legs and feet were bare, allowing you to bury your toes in the sand as you leaned back, your head resting against Rumple's chest. This had become your "spot," and Rumple had cast a spell over the area so that no one could see the two of you there. It was like your own secluded little bubble, and you loved it.

His arms tightened around your arms as his chin rested on your shoulder. He nuzzled his nose into your cheek, pressing a kiss to the soft skin there.

"I love you, my sea princess," he murmured into your ear. You giggled and turned your head, catching his lips with yours.

"I love you too, my magical prince."