Rumbelle One-shots

Never Far Away

The events of the past weeks finally caught up with the Golds, especially the past few hours. Belle had been lenient enough to let Rumplestiltskin poof the three of them home. As much as he wanted to hold his son, Rumple didn't dare ask Belle to hand him over. With Gold's help, Belle limped over to the sofa, Gideon still in her arms. 

"Let's get your foot up; I'll get some ice for it," Rumple offered. Smiling down at her son, Belle took her eyes off him just long enough to meet Gold's gaze. She listened to his steps retreating to the kitchen.

Gold opened the freezer and withdrew a bag of frozen vegetables, pausing to view the pictures he'd hung there. Next to a picture of their wedding was Gideon's sonogram. The sound of Belle cooing to their infant snapped him back to the present. He took a seat on the coffee table opposite of her and drew her injured foot into his lap. With nimble fingers, he took off her shoe and placed the bag on her ankle. Belle hissed at the cold, jerking her foot back slightly.  Gold mumbled an apology. 

"Thank you, Rumple, for everything. I can't imagine how hard it must've been, facing your mother like that, alone."

"I would do anything for you and Gideon, Belle," Rumple reassured her. His hands were idly massaging her ankle and calf, but she did not draw attention to it. "I can only imagine you were disappointed that you didn't get to give her a piece of your mind for what she did."

"If she'd actually hurt Gideon, I might've tipped a bookcase on her," Belle laughed. "Do - do you want to hold him?"

Silently, Rumple stood and gently elevated Belle's foot where he had been sitting. His movements were slow, so as not to disturb the sleeping baby. As soon as he was settled, Belle eased Gideon into his arms. The boy snuffled lightly at the disturbance, but remained asleep. Reflexively, his five little fingers grasped the one large finger his father offered. Gold hugged his son closer to his chest and kissed his forehead.

"Oh, Belle, he's so perfect. He's beautiful, our boy," Rumple fawned over Gideon. "You meant it then? A happy beginning?"

"You've proven yourself, Rumple, to me, to Gideon and to everyone. There is more than darkness in you; you are more than the Dark One." Belle tried to stifle a yawn but failed. 

"Looks like we all need sleep," he concluded. Standing, he cradled Gideon in one arm and supported Belle with the other around her waist. Together, they slowly made their way upstairs and to the master bedroom. Gold helped Belle sit on the edge of the bed and passed Gideon back to her. With a flick of his wrist, a bassinet appeared next to the bed, complete with blankets and teddy bear. Tears welled up in her eyes when Belle noticed her son's name embroidered in the blanket in golden thread.

With a hand at her elbow, Rumplestiltskin helped Belle stand so she could place Gideon among his blankets. Both parents gazed at their child for several quiet minutes. Eventually, Belle snapped out her reverie and began shrugging off her sweater.

"I can leave, if you want some privacy," Rumple offered.

"Don't be silly, Rum, it's nothing you haven't seen before. Besides, I'm going to need help unless you want me tipping over."

With trembling fingers, Rumple began to open the buttons on her blouse. Her small hands rested on his shoulders, keeping her balanced and off her injured ankle. She heard his soft gasp as he opened the halves of her shirt, revealing her wedding ring, worn on a chain around her neck. His fingers ghosted up her neck, fumbling momentarily with the clasp until it released. One hand slid off his shoulder, held up in the space between them, silently requesting the ring be returned to its home. It was not lost on Belle the way his chin wobbled ever so slightly as he slid the ring down her slender finger. He returned his hands to her clothes and finished helping her undress until she stood in only her bra and panties.

"I need something else from you, Rumple," she began.

"Anything," he was quick to answer.

"I need you to- to fix me," Belle's voice cracked. Before he could object to her choice of words, Belle explained herself. "When the fairies 'sped up my recovery', they fixed everything. I had hoped to have Gideon back, but I never thought it'd be this soon, when he's still a baby. We got a second chance with him and I don't want to miss a single opportunity, but I can't be the mother he needs. Not like this."

"What are you asking, Belle?"

She took one of his hands in her own and placed it on her breast.

"Can you fix me so that I can be his mother?"

"Oh, Belle, you will always be his mother. You're not broken, you don't need fixing. But, yes, I can make it that you can feed him," he understood without further explanation. His forehead rested against hers as he brought both his hands up to cup her breasts. Belle felt his magic at work, felt it inside of her, changing her. She didn't have to look to know that her breasts had swelled slightly - she could feel the tightness of her bra. Once his magic was finished, Rumple reached behind Belle and felt for the clasp of her bra. He met her gaze once more, silently asking permission. She granted his request with a tender brush of her lips against his.

A sigh of relief escaped Belle's lips as the garment fell to the floor. It was her turn to begin popping open buttons on Rumplestiltskin's wardrobe. His tie and waistcoat joined her bra on the floor with the barest whisper of fabric and silk. Gold kept his hands on her hips as she opened his belt and trousers. Rumple carefully stepped out of his bottoms, making sure the belt buckle didn't clunk on the floor and wake Gideon. His cufflinks joined the pile of discarded clothes. When he noticed goosebumps rising on Belle's skin, Rumple was quick to shrug off his shirt and wrap in around her small frame. 

Both chuckled as Belle's hands became lost in the long sleeves. Scrunching her nose, Belle raised her arms in the air and shook them slightly, causing the sleeves to slide up enough to reveal her hands once more. Belle climbed into the side of the bed closest to the bassinet, her husband coming up behind her. She felt the warmth of his body close to her, but not close enough. Immediately, she recognized that he was still cautious of this whole thing. She knew that he feared that soon enough, she would leave him again. He was more hopeful than ever, but still afraid. Belle scooted backwards until she bumped him, then half turned to take his arm and drape it over her waist.

More than once during the night, Belle was awakened by Rumple's arm tightening around her waist, almost too hard; he trembled and tensed in his sleep. The first couple times, Belle was able to calm him down by rubbing his arm, reassuring him that she was there. The third time, Belle turned in his arms and kissed the corner of his mouth. Even in sleep, he chased her lips with his own. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

"Belle?"

"I'm right here, Rumple." Even in the darkness, she could see how his form sagged with relief. 

"Gideon?" An urgency returned to his voice. He propped himself up on his elbow and peered past Belle to where Gideon slept. 

"He's sleeping better than you are, Rumple," Belle commented, hoping he'd expand on what was bothering him.

"All magic comes with a price. Magically having twenty-eight years of your life undone is no doubt exhausting."

"What about you? Why aren't you sleeping?"

"The darkness. It's mocking me, telling me that this is all too good to be true. That in the harsh light of morning, you'll see your folly and leave me," he confessed. "My father almost found a way to return from the Underworld, what if my mother does?"

"She's gone, Rumple. And whatever comes tomorrow, we will face it together, as a family. Okay?"

Rumplestiltskin nodded and shuffled back under the covers, his arm open and ready to hold his wife close. Belle quickly snuggled in, pressing a kiss to his bare chest. She could feel him smile against her hair as Gideon snuffled in his sleep. The Golds all slept soundly the rest of the night, ready to wake up and start their happy beginning together.