𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

NINETEEN

19|DEBATE

Bella sat beside Henry at the town hall, both excited to watch Emma in the Sheriff debate. Regina sat on the other side of Henry, looking bored out of her mind. The doctor and young believer waved rapidly at the blonde woman as she poked her head out of the heavy red curtains.

"She will do great." Bella mumbled to the boy beside her, nudging him encouragingly. Finally they stepped out to begin the

"Tragedy has brought us here and now we are faced with this decision, and now we ask only that you listen with an open mind and to please vote your conscience." Hopper announced to everyone in the town hall, beginning the debate. "So, without further adieu, I would like to introduce you candidate Sidney Glass and Emma Swan. Glass - Swan. Sounds like something that a decorator would make you buy." Nobody laughed at his joke, silence throughout the hall. "Wow. Crickets. Okay, Mr. Glass, your opening statement?"

"I just want to say, that if elected I want to serve as a reflection of the best qualities of Storybrooke." Mr. Glass stated, his speech sounding like the current Mayor had wrote it. "Honesty, neighborliness, and strength. Thank you."

"And Emma Swan?" Archie glanced at the blonde sat boredly on the stage as everyone applauded the first candidate.

"You guys all know I have what they call a troubled past." Emma began, taking a different approach from Sidney Glass. "But you've been able to overlook it because of the hero thing. But here's the thing. The fire was a set up." The audience burst into murmurs after the blondes statement. "Mr. Gold agreed to support me in this race, but I didn't know that meant he was going to set a fire. I don't have definitive evidence. But I'm sure. And the worst part of all of this is I let you all think it was real. And I can't win that way. I'm sorry."

"Excuse me." Bella mumbled to the pair beside her and snuck out the town hall to follow the limping man. "That was a genius idea, I wonder how long it will take for her to realise."

"What do you mean, dearie?" Mr. Gold allowed the woman to catch up before the pair wandered slowly through the streets of Storybrooke and back to his small store.

"Emma would not win this election by saving the Mayor from a small fire. It's common sense." The doctor laughed to herself. "The only way to make an impact in this town is to go against the most feared person. You."

"You are smart." He chuckled, opening his shop door and letting the woman inside.

"I'll get the kettle on." She said casually over her shoulder as she walked into the backroom while he opened up the front. Bella pulled out her favourite mug and his usual one, placing the teabags into the mugs and filling it almost to the top with hot water. Letting the tea soak, she removed it, threw it in the bin and topped her cup with milk and sugar but left his plain.

"Thank you, love." He happily accepted the drink and sat at his desk while Bella draped herself over the small makeshift bed. "Are you not working today?"

"No, I have the day off so you have my attention for as long as you want." Bella hummed, drinking her tea happily. She loved quiet days like this, he would do work while she read a book and messed around with the trinkets in the store.

"I think I'll pass on the celebration party tonight but you're welcome to go." Mr. Gold stated casually, putting down his tea to start his work.

"Where did I leave my book this time?" She sang, standing up to wandering around the back room. Eventually she stumbled across the old, tattered book and sat back in her spot, quietly flicking through the tea stained pages.

"I heard they moved the party to Granny's." He entered the back room after leaving her invested in her book. "Go, celebrate with your roommates."

"Are you sure?" She placed her book beside her and stood up in front of him. "I mean, I can stay here for a bit longer."

"Go." He said with a genuine smile, his hand cupping her cheek lovingly. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Bella repeated her question while leaning her head against his hand. "Are you sure you're sure?"

"I'm sure." Mr. Gold leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead, her cheeks glowing red in response.

"Fine." She kissed his cheek in response and grabbed her coat, heading for the door. "But I'll be back to finish that book."

"I expect no less." He waved goodbye to her as she left his shop and into the cool air of Maine.

Bella skipped to Granny's, happy as hers and Mr. Gold's relationship grew closer emotionally and physically. Although they had not kissed yet Bella kept imagining the way his lips would feel against hers.

"Bad." She yelled at herself in the empty streets, shaking the thoughts out of her head. Finally she wandered into the warm café, greeted by most of Storybrooke. Bella wandered over to Mary Margaret, happily accepting the random drink Ruby passed her.

"Where have you been?" Mary Margaret asked randomly, only just noticing the doctor had been missing. "I went to talk to you after the debate and you were gone."

"I went with Mr. Gold." Bella shrugged, downing the liquid which burned her throat. "Is it bad that I really want to kiss him?"

"You haven't kissed him yet?" Her roommate said with surprise, raising an eyebrow at the brunette.

"Pffft, virgin, remember." She joked, the two women joking and enjoying the party.