Rumbelle One-shots

Where Your Heart Is

CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR 7X22

He had expected cold, harsh nothingness, like when he'd been shot. Instead, death greeted him with warmth and a blinding light that blotted out the world of the living. When light faded, Rumplestiltskin stood in darkness. The silence was deafening. Ethereal smoke swirled through the endless abyss.

"Rumple."

Belle.

He could live lifetimes, even centuries without her, but Rumplestiltskin could not forget that sweet, lilted accent.

"Rumple!"

Again, she called out to him. Turning, Rumple saw the well, dotted with candles, as it had been on their wedding night. He blinked, and there she was. As beautiful as the day he'd first laid eyes on her, there she stood. A smile graced her face, untouched by the years that had passed. He could have run to her. Rumplestiltskin very well could have run, caught his True Love in his arms, and spun her around like they were dancing. But, no. Steadily, he walked to her. Walking, he took his time, believing that it was actually Belle in front of him. That she was real, not one of the many dreams he'd had. She was real; she was here and so was he.

"I knew you'd make it home," Belle smiled at her husband, taking his hands in hers. Rumplestiltskin could feel her hands beneath his, the warmth and roughness of a mother who'd raised a strong son. She was real. Words were lost to him as Rumple searched the depths of Belle's eyes. Belle could only giggle that adorable laugh he adored before she leaned in, kissing him. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, unwilling to let go after so many years apart.

Even after breaking apart from their kiss, Rumple couldn't bear the thought of being apart. Still clutching at each other, he rested his forehead against her, permeating the intimacy that went beyond kisses. One of Belle's hands toyed with the buttons on his shirt, opening it enough to slip her hand in. Goosebumps rose across his skin as her hand came to rest over where his heart was.

"You are literally heartless," Belle giggled. "An act of heroism has made you heartless."

"You're hilarious," Rumple deadpanned.

"C'mon, Rumple. There's quite a few people waiting to meet you," Belle tugged on his hand. Where there was previously only darkness, there was now a forrest. A winding path cut through the trees, leading somewhere Rumplestiltskin couldn't see. "Some of them have been waiting hundreds of years to meet you."

"Where are we going, Belle?" There was no house, no building in sight that might be a place of residence. Did they even need a house in the afterlife?

"We're going home."

As if summoned by thought, a castle appeared over the hill.

"The Dark Castle?"

"It's where we fell in love, Rumplestiltskin. You and I traveled the realms with Gideon, finally seeing the world like I always dreamed of. But, believe me when I say, every day in that castle was an adventure in itself. Loving you has been my greatest adventure."

When Rumple looked up, they were at the castle doors. Belle giggled at her husband's mystified expression.

"This place has a magic of it's own, you'll see."

Belle pushed to door open, letting the noise inside filter out. Where Rumple had expected the silence that was typical of the castle, he was met with hundreds of voices. As they walked inside, Rumple saw that almost everything was the same. A grand table still sat in the center of the hall and the curtains were still open, but no magical artifacts could be found.

"He's here!"

One voice called out above the rest, and Rumple found himself the center of attention. Throngs of people came to shake his hand or simply say thank you. Children tugged on the hem of his shirt, a silent request for him to bend to their level so they could hug him or kiss his cheek. Countless simply thanked him for saving them. Overwhelmed, Rumplestiltskin could only smile and nod as he passed through the crowd.

"Alright, everyone, I do believe we've shocked my husband enough for today, " Belle announced. A small murmur of disappointment could be heard, but the people went without a fight. Suddenly, she was at his side, looping her arm through his. "Time for the real surprise."

They walked silently together, simply relishing being with each other once more. Rumple let himself be led through the halls, to the private ballroom. In the center of the room sat three large mirrors. Upon closer inspection, one mirror revealed Henry as he pretended to sword fight with Lucy. The other mirror showed Gideon, hunched over at the pawn shop's work table, sobbing. In his hands, Rumple recognized the pocketwatch he'd gifted to Gideon for his tenth birthday. 

The last mirror showed nothing.

"He felt it in his heart, Rumple. He knows you're gone now," Belle whispered, her voice wobbly. Without looking, he knew she was crying too. "We've been watching over them for years now, including you. The last mirror was yours, Rumple."

"We?"

"Somebody's got to keep an eye on you, Papa!" Baelfire strode into the room, a woman at his side. "When Belle told me you'd cut your hair, I didn't believe until I saw it for myself. Not a bad look, old man."

"Oh, Bae," Rumplestiltskin drew his son into his arms, unashamed of the tears streaming down his face. 

"I saw what you did over the years, for Gideon, Henry, and Lucy. Thanks, pops, for looking out for them. You're a good man."

"Indeed, he is," the woman spoke up. Standing side by side with Belle, it was no mystery as to who she was. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. Colette, Queen of Avonlea. I'm Belle's mother. A lot of the people you met in the Great Hall were citizens of my kingdom, saved by your deal with my daughter."

"Others were families and kids from villages all over the Old World, papa. Ones you saved by ending the war," Bae smiled. "And kids from the mines, where the Black Fairy took Gideon. You gave them their lives back."

Rumplestiltskin was overwhelmed. Briefly, when he'd first become the Dark One, was he ever celebrated. No one celebrated Rumplestiltskin, cowardly spinner.

"Gideon has a good life in Storybrooke, Rumple," Belle reassured him as more tears streaked down his face, "and one day, he'll be with us again. And when that happens, nothing can separate our family ever again."

"It'll be forever," Rumplestiltskin realized. 

"Our forever started a long time ago, Rumple. Now, no curses, no portals, not even death can touch us here. I will be with you, forever."

"If you guys start making out right here, I'm gonna throw up," Baelfire interjected. Both Belle and her mother laughed at his remark. 

"Well, we do have ten years to make up for," Belle smirked up at her husband. 

Even though it was gone, Rumplestiltskin swore he could feel his heart skip a beat.