Rumbelle One-shots

Just a Little Change

Set in the Land of Untold Tales. Rumple has already woke Belle up and they've been living in this new realm for a couple months.

Rumple trudged inside and shut the door, minding not to let it slam behind him. There was always the chance Belle might be taking a nap, and rude awakenings were something Rumplestiltskin had learned to avoid. Their house here was nowhere near the size of Gold's house in Storybrooke, but it was large enough for their growing family. 

It would seem Mr. and Mrs. Gold were about to have their happy ending, but Belle still had some reservations about her husband and his magic. Things were always a bit tense between them these days. She had accepted that he didn't need to give up his power, that she really had fallen in love with the man and the beast; she did, however, still encourage him to use his magic for good. It was never easy, for even the people in this land knew of the Dark One and his dealings. Rumple was given few opportunities to even try to use magic for good. His thoughts, however, were interrupted as Belle stepped out of the kitchen.

"You're home early," she commented while licking a spoon.

"It was a good day at the market," he lied. Rumple could just spin gold if he wanted, but for the sake of starting over in a new place, he spun wool and sold it in the local market. Some days were better than others and some people were kinder to him than other people. "I'm, uh, not not very hungry, sweetheart. I think I'm just going to take a shower then spend some time in my study. Belle nodded understandingly and watched as he went upstairs. 

"All these years, and you're father is still a mystery to me sometimes," Belle spoke to her small baby-bump. One thing both Rumple and Belle agreed on was the safety of their family. Few people actually knew about Belle. She had agreed to stay within their estate until the people of this realm grew accustomed to Rumplestiltskin not being the "darkest Dark One".

Belle continued to make her way about the kitchen, humming to herself. At first, she convinced herself she had imagined someone knocking on their door, but when the sound came again, she knew she was not mistaken. As she approached the door, a gruff voice came from the other side.

"Rumplestiltskin? Rumplestiltskin, I know you're in there," a man called. He pounded on the door another time before calling out again. "Rumplestiltskin, open this door!"

Belle opened the door a crack and spied a rather large man gazing back at her. He stood at least a foot taller than both her and Rumple. His broad shoulders loomed over her. 

"He's...he's retired for the evening. But if you'll come again tomo-"

"Please?" A small voice squeaked from behind the man. Belle opened the door wider and we greeted by a young girl peering from behind his legs. "Daddy promised I could see him."

"And see him you shall, little one." Rumple appeared downstairs, having overheard someone at the door. The little girl rushed past her father and Belle. He bent down to allow her to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him. Belle watched as the girl pulled a drawing out of her pocket and handed it to the Dark One, explaining what it was she had doodled.

"Seeing him like this makes it hard to believe he's the Dark One," the man commented. "Pardon my manners, miss. I am Roman, the local blacksmith. I can't say that I've seen you in the market ever."

"I'm Belle, his maid." she smiled at the man. She had lied to protect herself. There was the possibility these townspeople could be as unaccepting of their love as her father had been.  "Rumplestiltskin and I agreed it'd be better if I stayed here until the town gets used to the Dark One being its newest resident."

"I may be a simple blacksmith, but can tell there's more to you than you say, my lady... you're not Rumplestiltskin's maid, are you?"

Belle noticed her husband look over at them when he heard his name. He did not stop demonstrating magic to the girl as he watched Roman talk with Belle. She offered her own question instead of answering his.

"Why are you here? And why did your daughter insist on seeing Rumple? Does she not know who he is?"

"Oh, she knows. That is exactly why she wanted to see him," Roman countered. "Did he not tell you? My daughter and I were riding through the market in our wagon. Some young fool let loose an arrow that buried itself into our horse. My daughter cried, begging anyone to help us. Rumplestiltskin alone emerged, and with a wave of his hand, healed my horse. He disappeared before we could thank him. We owe him much. Without that horse, our whole family suffers. I wouldn't be able to make it to market each day or deliver the items I make. Plus he's my daughter's best friend."

Belle couldn't help but wonder at this man's story. She did not doubt his ability for good, but disappearing without a word -even to decline payment in return- was unlike Rumplestiltskin. Her hand unconsciously came to rest on her tiny baby-bump. Unless someone actually knew Belle and that she was pregnant, her bump could easily be mistaken for part of her figure. Her heart fluttered as she watched her husband play with the young girl. She knew he had a soft side, but she had never seen him interact with children. 

"Come along, Lucy. Time to go," the blacksmith called to his daughter. Lucy grabbed Rumplestiltskin's hand and dragged him over to where Roman and Belle were standing. The little girl motioned for the Dark One to come down to her level, and when he did, she kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, Mr. Rumple. Will I see you again?"

"You'll have to ask you father," Rumplestiltskin told Lucy. She looked up at her father.

"Of course you can, sweetie. You folks are welcome at my farm any time," Roman offered. "Lucy, go wait with the horse."

Once she had gone, the blacksmith turned to face the couple in front of him.

"Forgive us for intruding on your evening. If I may be so bold, I admire your dedication to protecting your family."

Rumplestiltskin tensed at the man's words, knowing he had figured out their secret. Instinctively, he stepped in front on Belle, placing himself between the blacksmith and his wife.

"I mean you no harm, sir, I assure you. I may be just a blacksmith, but that cannot hide the way you look at each other. I am a father myself and I can see that same protectiveness in both of you. This knowledge will remain with me, I swear. And my wife will be willing to help you, my lady, with any questions you might have about child bearing. As I said, your family is welcome in my home. Good evening."

Rumplestiltskin relaxed and began to retreat upstairs.

"Wait," Belle called after him. He half turned to her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have believed me?  Belle, I know you want me to use either light magic or no magic at all, and I try. But one good deed does not make me a better man." Belle was not sure if she was hearing anger or hurt in his voice. "I see it in your eyes, Belle. You're afraid. Afraid that our child will end up like me, a purveyor of dark magic. You're my wife, Belle. How can I expect anyone in that village to believe I can change if you don't?"

"I'm sorry if it seems that way, but look at it from my side. You come home every day and hardly say two words about how your day was. If you act like that to me, how am I supposed to believe you treat those villagers any better? I do believe in you, Rumplestiltskin. That man and his daughter believe in you and all they know about you is that you are the Dark One. They don't know about how you've saved Storybrooke multiple times, how you died to protect us. They don't know, yet they believe in you. How much more do you think I believe in you? All it takes is one good deed to prove that you're trying. I love you, Rumplestiltskin, on our good days and on our bad days. Remember what I said when we were married? Sometimes the best book has the dustiest jacket. And sometimes-"

"The best teacup is chipped," he finished for her. "Your unwavering faith constantly astounds me. I love you very much, Mrs. Gold."