Who We Are, Dearie

Around the World

"If you could go absolutely anywhere in the world, where would you go?" Belle asked, skimming the pages of one of her Around the World books.

Gold smiled and looked at her from where he was sat in the big brown chair in the library. At this moment, he couldn't think of a better place to be then where he was right that very moment. With Belle.

He didn't want to embarrass her so he sighed and thought a little. 

"New Zealand," he finally replied, now sure in his answer.

Belle looked up from her book and smiled, 

"Wow, why's that?" She said, heading to the context page in her book to find which pages would show her New Zealand.

"It's uh, beautiful and... quiet," Gold nodded. 

He pictured the serene  mountains and hills, the lakes, the absence of people...

Complete bliss in his mind.

He watched as Belle gasped, finding the page in her book which showed her all the beautiful sights of New Zealand. 

"It really does look beautiful..." she breathed, tracing the page lovingly with her finger.

A sad, beautiful smile, fell upon her lips, and she shook her head a little, before closing the book.

"What about you?" Gold asked.

"It hardly matters..." she sighed, sitting up from her chair opposite Gold and heading to put the book in its rightful place.

Gold realised why she had taken a sad turn.

Wherever she dreamed of going, she couldn't. Not with the town line and the consequences it holds. Gold knew Belle had dreamt of exploring the world since she was little, the curiosity in her never fading away, even when she knew she could never go. His heart ached for her, Belle never asked for anything in life, was pure hearted, high spirited and one of the best people he had ever met. So why couldn't she do something that would make her happy.

"Where?" He asked again. 

"so...many...places..." she faltered as she slid the book onto its shelf. 

"Paris...India...Australia...Greece..." Belle stopped but Gold knew her list would go on and on. 

"New Zealand?" He winked as she walked back over, leaning her elbows on the top of her chair, resting her cheek in her hand.

"Mh.." she nodded sadly.

"But, that is never gonna happen... So i'll just have to stick to looking at the pictures in my books," she smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

In that moment Gold made a vow deep down inside his bones that one day, he would find a way for Belle to see the world. Every single inch of it. Anywhere she wanted to visit, she would. 

"We'll make it happen," Gold smiled at her, knowing that nothing was impossible, especially for a man such as him.

Belle rolled her eyes,

"You know no-one has even come close to finding a spell to undo all the curses that have been  cast upon the town line, it's never going to happen," she didn't want to get her hopes up. 

Gold stood up and made his way to her, taking both her hands in his.

"You will see the world, Belle," he said, looking deep into her eyes, a promise.

Belle studied him and found that she couldn't protest. She could see in him that he wanted to try, that he would do anything to make it happen.

"Just as long as you're there with me," she said, her hand reached up and stroked his face gently.

"Paris, Rome... they hold nothing for me, not if you're not there," Belle smiled.

This made Golds heart fill and almost spill over with joy. 

As much as she wanted to travel the world, she wanted to be by his side more.

He leant forward and their lips met, a soft kiss shared.

"Indeed..." Gold said, pulling back a little but enough for them both to feel the others breath on their lips.

"...Screw New Zealand..." 

Belles laughter filled the library as Gold scooped his Belle up and span her round in a circle.

Belle shrieked with joy and clung to him, Gold laughing now himself.

He stopped and smiled at her, panting a little at the sudden burst of energy.

She squeezed her arms that were around his neck and shoulders.

"Yeh, screw New Zealand," she smiled. 

"For now," Gold winked.

"For now."