Once Upon a Time x Reader One Shots

Belle - Story Time

"Belle!" you called excitedly when the brunette sauntered into the library early one morning. She looked

up at the familiar call of her name, a smile finding her lips when she saw you standing behind the check

out counter.

"Good morning, (y/n)," she greeted, and her accent made you melt. You moved out from behind the

counter and approached her, taking her in your arms. She accepted the contact, securing her own arms

around your neck. You leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips, sighing softly when she returned it.

"What are you so excited about?" she inquired, noting the sparkle in your eyes. A grin claimed your lips

as you stepped out of her arms, taking her hand and leading her to the counter. There you had a stack

of books set aside that you'd picked out especially for your moments with her.

"Ooh," she said with interest, picking up the topmost book and thumbing through it. "What are these?"

"I found them in the back," you explained, admiring their leather bindings. "I read a little bit and they

look interesting. I thought we could try them on our next date night."

She nodded and turned to peck your lips. "That sounds perfect."

Since you met in the library, you quickly bonded over your shared love of books. One night, Belle had found you in the library after hours, sitting in a corner, reading quietly to yourself. Recalling how she would spend every waking minute she could opening her soul to a book, she quickly understood your method of relaxing and asked to join you. Since then, it had become your thing to sit in a quiet corner in the library after it closed for the day and read whatever your favorite book was at the time. Sometimes you would cuddle together and read your own stories, and sometimes you would take turns reading your books aloud to each other. Neither of you ever got bored or tired. You could easily spend an entire day drinking tea and eating crackers and reading to each other.

You picked one up - The Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett. You had read a few pages and it reminded you of a story your mother used to tell you when she put you to bed. You'd been looking for new books to read, and what little you'd browsed through of this one had you hooked.

That evening, you were excited for the library to close. You and Belle worked together to sweep the floors and dust the shelves, returning all of the books to their rightful places and eventually locking the doors. Your apartment sat atop the library, so you didn't have to worry about how to get home. You took your stack of books and led Belle upstairs. She had been there many a time, and had spent many nights with you. It was a comforting feeling after a long night of tea and books to fall asleep in bed or on the couch with your beloved in your arms.

"Which one do you want to read first?" Belle asked, taking the whistling kettle off the burner and pouring the boiling water into two waiting mugs. She then dropped tea bags of your favorite flavors into each mug and carried them over to where you sat on the couch. You smiled at her as she set the mugs on the coffee table and dropped her weight onto the cushions beside you.

You nibbled your lip and lifted one - The Little Witch. "It reminds me of my mother," you told her softly.

Her smile told you that she understood. You'd told her a handful of stories of your childhood and all of your happiest memories were those of quality time with your mother. She knew that your mother told you bedtime stories every night, and that was how you spawned your love of books, much like her own past.

She had already dimmed the lights, turning on the small lamp on the table so that you would have enough light to read by. You were both in your pajamas and there were blankets and pillows on the couch in case you fell asleep. You sat back against the back cushions, lifting your legs to use the coffee table as a foot rest. Belle snuggled in beside you, her head on your chest, turned so that she could see the inside of the book as you read it aloud. When you were awake enough, you both enjoyed following along as the other read.

You wrapped one arm around her shoulders, holding her close while the other hand held the book open. Her arms wrapped around your waist, her legs resting over your lap.

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep, especially once you began carding your fingers through her hair. You weren't offended by her falling asleep during your story. You often passed out to the soothing sound of each other's voice. It was comforting that you enjoyed each other's presence so much that you could just slumber in each other's arms.

You set the book aside and reached over to turn off the lamp. You then shifted so that you were lying down with Belle lying on your chest. She stirred but didn't wake, tightening her arms around you as you lied down comfortably. You closed your eyes and followed her into slumber as soon as your head hit the pillow.