Prove Me Wrong (Rumple X OC. Hook X OC)

Chapter Five

Once back in her chambers Eleanor dropped onto the bed unceremoniously
"What's with you?" Katherine asked, looking at her sister over the top of her book
"I don't know, I'm confused" Katherine sensed the turn their conversation was about to take and put down her book, walking over to sit on her sisters bed
"Go on, tell me"
"It's Rumplestiltskin. He's too... kind to us" Katherine scoffed and rolled her eyes
"So you want him to turn us into handkerchiefs too?"
"No, that's what I'm talking about. He shouldn't be this nice. You've heard the rumours, what the children whisper in the village, how the adults won't dare say his name in fear he will appear. We've even seen ourselves how ruthless and merciless he can be, Kat. Why is he so gracious to us?"
"Probably because if he kills us he has to do his own laundry again" the two girls shared a genuine laugh
"What's brought all this on, El?"
"Downstairs, moments ago, today's events got a bit overwhelming. I got upset and he... he gave me a handkerchief and patted my shoulder, he even called me Eleanor" she said, exasperated
"Oh no, what a monster" Katherine mocked
"I'm serious, Kat. He's so kind to us, I don't understand it"
"You mean he's kind to you, he tolerates me"
"Don't be absurd"
"El, are you really that ignorant? Look at you, you're beautiful, you can't blame him for noticing. He is human, after all... I think. Anyway, the point is, he's obviously taken a liking to you. After all, you're smart, witty, fun, gorgeous, he's just admiring you in his own way, whatever that is"
"But he's kind to you too" Eleanor argued
"No, well yes, but not in the same way. He's pleasant to me, but he goes out of his way to be kind to you, he makes an effort. Why is this bothering you so much, does it make you uncomfortable or something?"
"No, of course not. It's flattering, truly, but I'm trying to work out my feelings for him. I mean, I've never seen him as a monster, as he puts it, and he's really not as ugly as he thinks he is, but I'd never really thought about him like that until now, until I had to and I don't know what to think" she sighed again, trying to think of a solution
"Eleanor, listen. You're the oldest and - though I hate to admit it - you've always been the wisest and most level headed. Since I've been a girl you would always read me stories, tales of heroes and villains; happy endings and true love. Don't you think it's time to find your happy ending? And if that's with Rumplestiltskin then so be it. What does it matter? You said yourself he's being uncharacteristically kind to you, a trait we've seen him show to no one but you, shouldn't that tell you something?"
"I guess you're right"
"I swear I should have been the older sibling" Katherine stated and they both laughed and hugged before lying down together and, eventually, falling asleep. Unbeknownst to them, the Dark One was sat in his private rooms, watching their conversation through his enchanted mirror.

Could it be possible? Rumplestiltskin asked himself. He'd never encountered a woman of Eleanor's elegance and iron will - except perhaps Milah, he thought, but dismissed that thought as soon as it had come. Milah was different, she didn't truly love him, or she'd have never abandoned him for some pirate. In the short time he'd known these two sisters, he could sense their loyalty already. Could it be true that she might one day learn to care for him? A beast, a man unworthy of love - in his opinion. Wait. Did he even know whether he held such feelings for the girl himself? Sure, she was pleasant to look at but, anyone who had been lonely as long as he had would find it hard to resist the call of a woman. He reflected upon their encounter after they had returned from the village. How upset she was and the rage he immediately felt towards their father. He was willing to turn the man to dust for upsetting her. In his defence, he'd done a lot worse to people for a lot less. What frightened him, though, was the pure rage he'd felt towards Jonathon Rhodes for upsetting his maid, the hatred that still coursed through his veins and made his fists clench just by thinking about it. He asked himself whether it would have bothered him this much if it were Katherine who had stood before him crying - he didn't think he wanted to know the answer. For now, he was content to watch her in his mirror. Unwilling to make the first move, or even admit that he wanted to. He would leave it up to her. He stood and left his rooms, deciding that he would go to his wheel and spin for a few hours, that always helped him to forget.

Eleanor awoke in, what she presumed, were the early hours of the morning, due to the moonlight that shone through the window illuminating their room, making it look more beautiful than ever. She suddenly felt very thirsty and got out of her bed, careful not to wake Katherine, and crept from the room to head downstairs. She padded down the corridor, the chill of the halls making her cross her arms in front of her, trying to protect herself from the cold - to no avail, when she noticed an open door, which was unusual in the castle. She walked over to the door, intending to close it, when she heard a slight squeaking from inside. Curious, she peered her head around the door, surprised to find Rumplestiltskin sat with his back to her, spinning straw at a large wheel. Not wanting to disturb him, she quietly turned to leave
"What is it, dearie?" She jumped, startled by his voice, she hadn't realised she'd been spotted
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude" he turned on his seat to face her
"No matter. Was there something you wanted?"
"Oh, I was just going to get some water. I'm sorry to bother you, Rumplestiltskin"
"There's no bother. Come, let me me accompany you" he walked over to her and they both made their way to the kitchens together.
"Can I ask you something?" Eleanor asked, once they were sat in the kitchens, a cup of tea in front of them both (Rumplestiltskin was drinking out of the chipped cup - she noticed)
"Of course, dearie, ask away"
"Tell me if this is too personal but, why did it take you so long to get someone here? I mean, you're so powerful, so why did you settle for being alone for so along?" The Dark One regarded her question for a moment
"When you're a man in my position and power, honest company is difficult to come by. People either hate you for what you do or want you for what you can do for them. Yourself is never enough" he looked almost upset, Eleanor suddenly felt quite protective of him
"So what made Katherine and I different, how did you know we weren't the same as everybody else?"
"The way you looked at me upon our first meeting. Your eyes were fierce and determined. I knew you were a feisty one and I love a challenge" he giggled and she laughed at his glee.
"You know, I think people are far too quick to judge you" she told him, honestly
"And what makes you say that?"
"Back in our village, there were legends of you. The Dark One. A man with no heart that would kill you for breathing the wrong way. Children were told tales of you before bed, their parents would threaten to call your name if they misbehaved. Hushed whispers of the power you were capable of would circulate the town. You were made out to be a beast but, you're not a beast at all, are you? People just need to be willing to see the man behind the beast" he looked at her, momentarily speechless. It astounded him the faith she had put in him so willingly in such a short amount of time. He watched her eyes glimmer with the sincerity of her words and he felt a sudden urge to make her happy for the rest of eternity
"Come" he said, rising from his seat "I have a surprise for you..."