Rumbelle: Cold. by Sadict.deviantart. The sun rose bright and early over Storybrooke and with it, so

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1 Rumbelle: Cold by Sadict.deviantart Storybrooke The sun rose bright and early over Storybrooke and with it, so did Belle. She liked to wake up early so she could prepare breakfast for Rumplestiltskin and herself before he went to work at his pawn shoppe. She looked over at him in bed next to her and gently shook his shoulder. It s time to get up. He groaned and pulled the covers a bit tighter around himself. A few more minutes, Belle, he muttered, sniffing. Well don t stay in bed for too long, Belle said before she got out of bed and ready for the day. By the time she was dressed, Rumple was still in bed, which was unusual. If he wasn t up before her, he normally got up when she did. She came over to the side of the bed and brushed his grey-brown hair out of his face before kissing his cheek. It s time to get up, Rumple, she said again before she left to go prepare breakfast. She finished with the breakfast preparations and kept watching the clock. She knew Rumple liked to leave at 7:45 in order to get to his shoppe by eight, but it was already fifteen after seven and there was still no sign of him. She decided to give him a few more minutes before she went up to check on him. As she waited, she started to clean up some of the dishes. She

2 was almost done when she finally heard movement upstairs followed ten minutes later by the sound of Rumple s cane and footsteps as he came down the stairs. Morning, Belle, he smiled and sniffed, his voice sounding congested. Sorry I m late. I he stopped and quickly reached for the kerchief kept in his blazer s pocket just in time to cover his mouth and nose as a sneeze overtook him. Pardon me, he said, sniffing again. As I was saying, I was having a hard time waking up. Are you alright? Belle asked. You were sniffing a lot last night. For a little while I had thought you were crying. She reached out for his hand. I m fine, Belle, Rumple assured her. My nose is a little stuffed, that s all. He quickly pulled his hand away from her and turned as another sneeze came upon him. When he turned back around, Belle had a look on her face that said she didn t buy it. It s just allergies, Rumple told her. You ve never had allergies, Belle said and pressed her hand to his forehead. You re warmer than usual. That and the sniffing and sneezing I think somebody has a cold. Nonsense, Rumple scoffed and sniffed. I don t get another sneeze. Belle couldn t help but smile and took hold of his hand again. You may not have gotten sick in the other world,

3 Rumplestiltskin, but here without your magick, you re a man same as everyone else. And you ve got a cold. You re forgetting, Belle, Rumple said, I brought magick back. Yes, but you haven t gotten it to work properly yet, have you? I don t have time for this, Belle. I ve got work to do. Well it will just have to wait. You need to go back to bed. This can t wait. Not, he stopped as he felt the threat of another sneeze. When it passed he finished, Not when there s rent to be collected. I ll make you a deal, Belle said, knowing how fond he was of such things. You return to bed for the day and I ll collect the rent. Just give me a list of where to go. It s a very delicate thing, Belle. You d best let me another sneeze. I think I can handle it. Do we have a deal? Oh alright, Rumple sighed. But just one day. I can t afford to be sick for any longer. Of course, Belle said with a smile. Now, you return to bed and I ll bring you something to eat. Rumple slightly shook his head as he turned and limped his way back to the stairs.

4 Belle watched him go before she set aside the breakfast she d already made and went about making some porridge. She placed a bowl of it and a cup of orange juice on a tray and headed up to Rumplestiltskin s room. She entered to find him in bed with a pad of paper, writing out a list of those who owed their rent that day, and where to find them since Belle was still new to Storybrooke. Belle placed the breakfast tray next to him on the bed and put her hands on her hips as she noticed his shoes next to the bed and glimpsed pieces of his suit lying on the floor of the bathroom. Honestly, she said as she bent to pick up his shoes, how did you ever manage without me? You d be surprised, Rumple muttered as he finished writing his notes and tore the paper from the pad. Here s the list of those you need to collect the rent from. Belle put his shoes away and took the paper. Easy enough, she said as she looked it over. Make sure you get some rest, she said, tucking the paper in the pocket of her sweater before she grabbed the half-filled water cup on the side-table. She retreated to the bathroom to re-fill it and brought out a box of tissues with her. She set both on the side table and returned to the bathroom to put away the pieces of Rumple s suit. I ll be back for lunch, she told him when she d finished tidying up. She returned to the bedside, leaned over and kissed his forehead

5 before she started to leave the room. Belle? Rumple called just before she was out of sight. She stopped and turned around. I know I don t say this enough, but thank you. No need to thank me, she smiled. I know you would have done the same for me. The Enchanted Forest Rumplestiltskin sat at his spinning wheel, lost in his thoughts as he spun straw into gold. A sneeze burst through the air and he jumped in surprise at the sudden noise. Pardon me, Belle spoke from where she dusted one of the many shelves that housed various objects Rumple had procured during the years. She sniffed and went back to work while Rumple went back to his spinning. Another sneeze caused him to jump again. Do you mind? Rumple asked irritably, turning to look at her. I-I m sorry, Belle stammered, followed by a sniff. She held up the feather duster she was using. It s really dusty in here. Well keep it down, Rumple snapped before he turned his attention to his spinning again only to be disrupted by not one sneeze, but three. In a row. He leapt to his feet and stormed

6 over to Belle. Would you stop?! I can hardly concentrate! He moved his hands in wild gesticulation. I m sorry! Belle snapped and sniffed. But I can t help it. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffing again, before she rubbed her eyes with her knuckles. Rumple gave her a closer look. Are you crying again? No, Belle sniffed, lowering her hands to reveal eyes that were wet, red-rimmed, and glassy. The dust is irritating my eyes, that s all. Sneezing, sniffing, crying You re not sick, are you? No. She sneezed again. Maybe. Well keep it to yourself! Rumple barked before he turned to go back to his spinning. I ll try to, Belle said before she slumped down into a chair, unable to keep on her feet any longer. Hearing her sit, Rumple turned and looked at her. What are you doing? What does it look like? I m sitting. I m tired. Tired? How can you be tired? It s not yet noon. That may be so, but I need a rest. Ah-ha! Rumple exclaimed, pointing a finger at her. You are sick, aren t you? Don t worry, Belle said. I won t let it interfere with my duties.

7 Maybe not, but do you think I want your sick germs all over my things? He crinkled his nose in disgust. Not to mention in my food. He looked revolted at the thought. I will not have it said that the Dark One was defeated by the germs of his caretaker! Belle didn t know how to respond to that, so she said nothing. No, no. What you need is a day in bed, dearie. But, what about the cleaning? It s gone this long without you, it can wait another day. Now, off to bed with you! He flourished his hands in a shooing motion to send her off. If you insist, Belle said, getting to her feet and resignedly heading for the dungeon where her room was. The last thing she wanted to do was upset Rumplestiltskin. A few hours later, Rumplestiltskin came down to check on her. You re supposed to be sleeping, he said as he entered her cell to find her reading. It s rather hard to sleep on this plank you call a bed, Belle said, referring to the hard, flat, raised wooden surface that served as her bed. There was hardly any padding on it and only a thin blanket to keep her warm. The only luxury item she

8 had was an embroidered, white silk pillow Rumplestiltskin had conjured and thrown at her during one of her first nights in the castle. Hmm, you re right, Rumple said. You won t get better any time soon sleeping in here. I know. He snapped his fingers and suddenly he and Belle were in his room, with Belle in his bed. Why don t you rest here for the day? Belle looked around, stunned, as she took in the sudden change. You you would let me sleep here? she asked, dumbfounded as she felt the thick blankets and soft pillows. Don t get too used to it, dearie. You ll be back in your room soon enough. Perhaps you re not as beastly as I first thought, Belle said in way of thanks. Try and get some sleep, Rumple said. After all, he grinned and flourished his hand, pointing upwards, the sooner you recover, the sooner you can get back to work! He laughed and left her as he returned to the main floor of the castle. Storybrooke Belle entered Granny s Bed and Breakfast as she finished her rounds collecting rent. Granny s was the last place on the list and Rumple had written that it would be best to go there last, which Belle didn t mind. She had thought to get some lunch

9 for herself and Rumple from Granny when she was done. As she entered the inn, she couldn t help but wonder why Rumplestiltskin thought she couldn t collect the rent. Everyone she d gone to so far had been pleasantly surprised to find her collecting the rent instead of Rumple and had seemed more than happy to pay her. She came up to the front desk and, trying her best to avoid the cobwebs that had settled on the desk, tapped the service bell. She wasn t waiting for long when Granny showed up, looking slightly bewildered. Storybrooke never received strangers, so it was odd for someone to be at the front desk instead of in the diner. You, she said, her confusion turning into agitation. What are you doing here? I m here to collect the rent, Belle said. So Mr. Gold s got you doing his dirty work now, does he? Granny asked. I m not doing his dirty work, Belle said. I just thought I would help him out while he s otherwise indisposed. Granny harrumphed and reached into the money drawer for the rent. Honestly, Belle, I don t know what you see in that man. She handed a wad of rolled up bills to Belle. I d gladly pay you the overpriced rent plus more just to see you leave that

10 monster. He s really not that bad, Belle said, taking the money and trying not to take offense. You just need to give him a chance. No thanks, Granny said. There. You ve got your rent. Now run along. Thank you, Granny, Belle said, tucking the money away and leaving. She headed down the road for the grocery store. After that encounter, she decided there d be less chance of food poisoning if she just made Rumple and herself lunch. When she finally returned home, she prepared soup and dished up two bowls before preparing another tray and heading upstairs to check on Rumple. She entered the room and found him dozing lightly. I m back with lunch, she called gently as she came over to the bed. Rumplestiltskin stirred and sat up with a slight groan. Belle, hey, he smiled when he saw her. How did things go? It was a lot easier than you made it sound, Belle said as she sat down next to him in bed. I don t know why you made such a fuss about it. Although, she handed Rumple a bowl of soup, for a moment there I didn t think Granny would pay. That woman is insufferable, Rumple grumbled before taking

11 a bite of soup. This isn t hers, is it? No, Belle said settling back with her own bowl. I thought it would be a bad idea to get lunch from her today. I must say, this is certainly better than anything she could cook up. I don t know, the way you go on about her hamburgers Belle teased. Trust me, Belle. Those are about the only decent thing Granny can make. They ate in silence for a few minutes before Belle asked, Is there anything else you need me to do today? No, you ve been quite helpful. Thank you, Belle. When they were finished eating, Belle gathered up the dishes and started to leave. Ah Belle? Rumple called just as she disappeared into the foyer. Yes? She backed up to face him. When you re done with those would you would you come back up and sit with me? Belle smiled. I ve got a better idea. I ll be right back. She took the dishes to the kitchen and put them in the sink to clean later. She then found one of the books Rumple had bought her and headed back to his room. I m going to read you a story, she said and rejoined him on the bed.

12 The Enchanted Forest Belle. Belle, wake up. Belle opened her eyes and looked around from where she lay. For a moment she thought she was back home. She slowly sat up and when she saw Rumplestiltskin at the edge of the bed, she couldn t help but groan and lean back. The sight of him reminded her that she was far from her father s realm. I made you some stew, Rumple said. You should eat something. Belle sat up. You made something to eat? Of course. What, you think I never ate before you showed up? He had a point. Now open up. He took a wooden ladle and spooned up some of the stew before holding it out towards Belle s mouth. I can feed myself you know, she said before he shoved it into her mouth. Yes, yes. Of course you can, Rumple said dismissively before ladling more stew, but I need my caretaker up and running again. This time Belle was ready for the ladle. Why are you doing this? she asked after the second spoonful. Why are you being nice?

13 Forever isn t over yet, dearie, Rumple said, reminding her of the deal she had made: her freedom for her realm s safety. Don t think you can back out of our deal so easily. I don t think me being sick qualifies as trying to back out, Belle said before he put another spoonful of stew into her mouth. Of course it does, Rumple said. What if you were trying to get so sick you d die to get out of our deal early? I made you a promise, Belle said. I m not about to break it. Good, Rumple said and finished feeding her. If you need anything else, just let me know. Actually, she said as he got up to leave, there is one thing. Could I could I have my book? I know I should be sleeping, but I d rest a lot better if I had my book. I have a better idea, Rumple said, using magick to make the dishes disappear. He pulled his hand dramatically down through the air and a book appeared in his hand in a puff of purple smoke. How about I read you a story? You would do that? It s not like I ve got anything else to do, Rumple said before settling down on the edge of the bed. Storybrooke

14 Belle read to Rumplestiltskin until he fell asleep. When she finished reading the chapter she was on, she set the book on the side-table and carefully got out of bed before making her way out of the room as quietly as she could, given the hard floor and her high heels. She returned to the kitchen and cleaned up the dishes from lunch before she picked out a different book and curled up in a chair to read. She was disturbed from her reading hours later when she heard the floorboards upstairs creak followed shortly by the sound of Rumple s cane methodically tapping the wood floors as he came downstairs. This is ridiculous, Belle, he said through a congested nose as he sat down in the chair next to her. This isn t getting any better. It hasn t been a full day yet, Belle said with a gentle smile. You can t rush something like getting better. You have to rest and take things easy. I can t do this anymore, Rumple said. I don t want to be in bed any longer. You don t have much of a choice, Belle said, there s no magickal cure for a cold. That s not entirely true, Rumple said and flourished his hand. Nothing happened. He tried again. Nothing. He slumped back with a sigh. When I brought magick back, I didn t expect it to

15 take so long to work. Belle reached over and placed her hand on his. It s just a cold, Rumplestiltskin. You ll be feeling better by tomorrow. She made no comment on the newly returned magick. It was a bit of a sore spot between her and Rumple. She couldn t understand why he had brought it here--why he had needed it. I hope you re right, Belle, Rumple said. My shoppe s not going to run itself. I ll make you some tea, Belle said, getting up. If there s any magickal cure, it s tea. The Enchanted Forest You re still in bed? Rumplestiltskin s high-pitched, grating voice woke Belle up. Belle sat up with a start. Wh-what time is it? she asked before leaning back against the pillows with a sigh. Way past time for you to wake up, Rumple said. I don t feel good, Belle moaned. What? Still? I gave you the day off, time to stop slacking off. He clapped his hands together and then yanked the covers off Belle. She groaned and buried her face in one of the pillows. Rumple sighed. This has gone on long enough. He flourished his hand and Belle sat up and looked at him, her brow

16 furrowed. What did you do? she asked as she slid her legs over the side of the bed. I feel I feel much better. Magick, dearie. I can t have you staying sick forever. Why didn t you just heal me yesterday? Maybe I am as beastly as you thought, he said, his words followed by a shrill squeal. No, she said, getting to her feet, a small smile gracing her lips. I think you just wanted someone to take care of. Rumple was silent as she came closer to him. You ve been alone for so long, Belle said. I think you brought me here for the same reason you let me stay abed all day. You re lonely and you want someone to care for and someone who will care for you in return. Not willing or ready to show Belle just how true she was, Rumple said, No, dearie, I just needed someone to clean the castle. A grin spread across his face, revealing his dirtied, yellowed teeth. So get to it! he laughed and handed her a feather duster that magickally appeared in his hand from a purple haze. Belle s jaw dropped and she huffed before indignantly snatching the feather duster and storming off to perform her duties; Rumple s laughter following her as she left down the hall.