"My chipped cup."

Belle was not expecting him to pull away and followed his lips slightly before pulling back. Her hands resting on his shoulders as she looked at him.

“I.. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. All I wanted to do was tell you how I feel… and I can see that in wasted your time when you don’t feel the same… I’m sorry.” She bit her lip as tears started to form in her eyes before turning to exit.

He sighed and used his cane to prevent her exit, pressing the rubber end to the cabinet so she couldn’t cross. He ran his free hand through his hair and tried desperately to think of what he could say to her.

“We have known each other for just two days. How about we just try things as friends first?” He would love nothing more than to kiss her breath away right that moment, but he shouldn’t. He was far too old for her and she needed to see that. But he was selfish and couldn’t let her completely go.

Belle sighed when she saw the cane and forced to turn around. She had just humiliated herself and the last thing the brunette wanted was to be in the same room as him.

"That... that's probably best. That doesn't change the fact I humiliated myself in front of you."

You can say it. Just do it. Tell him how you feel. “Gaston is out of the picture. I broke it off with and I.. I’ve realized that..” Belle bit her lip lightly as she looked down at his lips before making eye contact with him. Words were impossible for her and she found herself wrapping her arms around his neck. The brunette leaned forward and kissed him, and she didn’t pull away.

He was waiting for her to say what it was she needed to say, to answer the question of why she was waiting for him after the show in a town that was half an hour away from her own. But no words were there and instead he found her lips on his and her arms around him once more.

Oh, how he loved the feeling of her soft lips pressed against his. But no, he shouldn’t be doing this. And he winced and pulled away. “Belle..” He cleared his throat. “Belle..” He was struggling to find words. What was he supposed to say?

“You shouldn’t have kissed me..” It hurt to say those words - like he was being repeatedly stabbed through the heart.

Belle was not expecting him to pull away and followed his lips slightly before pulling back. Her hands resting on his shoulders as she looked at him.

"I.. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. All I wanted to do was tell you how I feel... and I can see that in wasted your time when you don't feel the same... I'm sorry." She bit her lip as tears started to form in her eyes before turning to exit.

Belle smiled and laughed a little. “It’s great seeing you too.” Belle couldn’t believe that this had worked out exactly how she planned. The only thing left to do was tell him how she felt. “I wanted to come and visit you. I missed you, Rumple. Things are over with Gaston and I… I needed to see you.”

Belle found herself closing the gap between them before wrapping her arms around him for a hug. “I also have something to tell you..”

He stopped when he recognised the woman as Belle. He hadn’t expected her to be waiting for him after the show and she had managed to catch him off guard. He didn’t even have a moment to respond before she hugged him. He paused but hugged her back.

“It’s only been a day..” He said softly. “What is it?”

You can say it. Just do it. Tell him how you feel. "Gaston is out of the picture. I broke it off with and I.. I've realized that.." Belle bit her lip lightly as she looked down at his lips before making eye contact with him. Words were impossible for her and she found herself wrapping her arms around his neck. The brunette leaned forward and kissed him, and she didn't pull away.

The next day had arrived and Belle woke up to five missed calls… all from Gaston. Once she ate breakfast and changed, Belle made plans to see Gaston and call things off completely. She didn’t approve of his dreaded behavior and needed out.

Once evening arrived, Belle decided to surprise Rumple in the next town over. Driving to the next down was new for her, but she was confident in her abilities. Belle arrived safely and those seating guests recognized her. Her wish was to wait in Rumple’s dressing room until the end of the show and that was what they allowed. This was also the moment she was determined to tell Rumple how she felt once he finished the show and came back to his dressing room where a Brunette was waiting for him.

For Rumplestiltskin, life went on. The next day moved on without any problems, besides a little bit of scorching on a few of the things needed for the show. But things were normal.

The show was good, ran smoothly and the guests were entertained. Rumplestiltskin found he enjoyed himself, despite all that had happened over the past couple of days. He wasn’t expecting anybody to be waiting in his caravan when he was finished.

“What, who..” He frowned, stopping in the doorway. “What are you doing in here?”

Belle smiled and laughed a little. "It's great seeing you too." Belle couldn't believe that this had worked out exactly how she planned. The only thing left to do was tell him how she felt. "I wanted to come and visit you. I missed you, Rumple. Things are over with Gaston and I... I needed to see you."

Belle found herself closing the gap between them before wrapping her arms around him for a hug. "I also have something to tell you.."

“Of course I will. I won’t let it out of my sight.” Belle meant every word. She kept it beside her bed back at her father’s place as her intention was to move back home. Gaston had changed over the last several months, which made Belle see that he was no longer the right man for her.

“You did more for me than you know.” This was the moment she could have made a move. This could have been a moment where she could confess her feelings, but the brunette couldn’t get over her nerves to do it. “You… you two.” She replied as she hugged him one last time. “Goodbye.” Once she parted from their embrace, Belle turned and left towards her car before driving back to her father’s. Her plan was to break up with Gaston the next day and take Rumple up on his offer… but to surprise him at the next show instead.

Rumplestiltskin gave her a small smile and watched her until her car was gone from view. He let out a breath he didn’t realise he had been holding and ran a hand through his hair. She was better off without Gaston and definitely without a cripple old man. She would hopefully have a good life now. It was best to push her to the back of his mind.

For the time being he had plenty to do. He had to take care of his troupe and get them moving on their way. He would send his goons after Gaston. For now, he was moving on to the next town and the next show.

The next day had arrived and Belle woke up to five missed calls... all from Gaston. Once she ate breakfast and changed, Belle made plans to see Gaston and call things off completely. She didn't approve of his dreaded behavior and needed out.

Once evening arrived, Belle decided to surprise Rumple in the next town over. Driving to the next down was new for her, but she was confident in her abilities. Belle arrived safely and those seating guests recognized her. Her wish was to wait in Rumple's dressing room until the end of the show and that was what they allowed. This was also the moment she was determined to tell Rumple how she felt once he finished the show and came back to his dressing room where a Brunette was waiting for him.

Belle managed to smile a little back at him after the blush from his hand touching her cheek had left. “We probably would have never met if Gaston didn’t cause a scene.”

“I will try. I will… I will miss you.” Belle wanted so desperately to kiss him as her eyes glanced down at his lips, but instead she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you for everything.” A single tear had fallen down her cheeks during their embrace before she pulled away. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll let you get back to it then… Goodbye, Rumple.” The longer she stood across from him, the more tears she knew would fall down her cheeks. The brunette waved a little at him before pivoting on her heel to leave.

“I don’t know about that. I hope you shall keep that little rose I gave you before he decided to destroy my troupe.” He couldn’t believe that he had only given it to her the day before.

He was a little tense in her hug but took a moment to hug her back when he relaxed. “I did nothing.” He smiled when they parted, choosing to ignore the tear on her cheek. He didn’t want to draw attention to it. “Take care of yourself, Belle.”

"Of course I will. I won't let it out of my sight." Belle meant every word. She kept it beside her bed back at her father's place as her intention was to move back home. Gaston had changed over the last several months, which made Belle see that he was no longer the right man for her.

"You did more for me than you know." This was the moment she could have made a move. This could have been a moment where she could confess her feelings, but the brunette couldn't get over her nerves to do it. "You... you two." She replied as she hugged him one last time. "Goodbye." Once she parted from their embrace, Belle turned and left towards her car before driving back to her father's. Her plan was to break up with Gaston the next day and take Rumple up on his offer... but to surprise him at the next show instead.

Belle forced a smile and nodded. They had only known each other for a short while and yet she loved how concerned he was for her well-being. “I will.”

“I.. I understand. If it means anything to you at all, I.. I’m happy to have met you. I’m sorry this happened.” Belle replied as she felt tears forming in her eyes.

Acting on instinct, he reached out to touch her cheek. He had never been any good with crying women and he didn’t want Belle to cry again. “I am happy to have met you too. Even if it was a bit of a disaster.” He gestured around him, hoping for a little smile.

“You are welcome to come and see us if you have the time. It would be nice to see your face in the crowd.”

Belle managed to smile a little back at him after the blush from his hand touching her cheek had left. "We probably would have never met if Gaston didn't cause a scene."

"I will try. I will... I will miss you." Belle wanted so desperately to kiss him as her eyes glanced down at his lips, but instead she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you for everything." A single tear had fallen down her cheeks during their embrace before she pulled away. "I'm glad you're okay. I'll let you get back to it then... Goodbye, Rumple." The longer she stood across from him, the more tears she knew would fall down her cheeks. The brunette waved a little at him before pivoting on her heel to leave.

Belle bit her lip and nodded. “I won’t. He has changed since we first met. I don’t know what got into him… being with him is not safe. I know that even more now.” She was about to say something else when he made the comment about leaving. “I… I see. When will be going?”

“Good. Just make sure to remember that. Take your Father, if needs be.” He had seen what that oaf could do when he was throwing a paddy, the last thing he wanted was for Belle to be hurt. He wouldn’t be there to help, either.

“There shall be no show tonight, nothing to pack up.. But probably tomorrow afternoon. We can afford a delay.” They had to check everything over, usually they moved in the early hours of the morning.

Belle forced a smile and nodded. They had only known each other for a short while and yet she loved how concerned he was for her well-being. "I will."

"I.. I understand. If it means anything to you at all, I.. I'm happy to have met you. I'm sorry this happened." Belle replied as she felt tears forming in her eyes.

Belle had only known him for a few days and yet she had never witnessed him shouting at her. She stepped back a little because of it, but quickly realized he was only looking after her best interest. She smiled a little at him before stepping closer to him. “Just be careful. I don’t know what has gotten into him. He was never like this before… I can’t see myself with him anymore.”

“I… I see.” Belle tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. She wanted more than anything to tell him her feelings, but Belle’s nerves always played a part in keeping that from him. “I don’t blame you. I would want to leave after all of this too.”

He tried to ignore the pain he felt when she stepped back, telling himself that he had no right to be upset or pained when he hardly even knew this woman. He was just a lonely old man pining for something he could never have. Lord, if she knew she would probably run for the hills.

“Make sure he is not there when you choose to leave him, then. Who knows what he will do..” He didn’t want her alone with that man no matter what.

“Well, it is also our schedule. But we shall likely miss opening night in an attempt to recover.” He didn’t notice any disappointment, he was too busy feeling his own.

Belle bit her lip and nodded. "I won't. He has changed since we first met. I don't know what got into him... being with him is not safe. I know that even more now." She was about to say something else when he made the comment about leaving. "I... I see. When will be going?"

“Rumplestiltskin, don’t do anything. Please. Let me at least talk to him first and find out for sure if he did this.” Belle replied. “If he did then the sheriff needs to be involved. Gaston… he.. he could have killed you… your friends. I don’t want you to visit him and do something you’ll regret.” The main reason for her begging him not to go was because she didn’t want to lose him, but that was something Belle couldn’t say to him… yet. “I.. I’m assuming you would be leaving then?”

“Do you think I am going to go and let you talk to him if he is capable of setting an entire group of people’s entire lives on fire?!” He cringed when he realised just what he had said. He cleared his throat and started again. “I can talk to him,it will be fine. And I certainly won’t have any regrets when I talk to him.”

“Ah, yes. Once we have established everyone is here and we have saved everything we can, we shall move on to the next town. Half an hour down the road.”

Belle had only known him for a few days and yet she had never witnessed him shouting at her. She stepped back a little because of it, but quickly realized he was only looking after her best interest. She smiled a little at him before stepping closer to him. "Just be careful. I don't know what has gotten into him. He was never like this before... I can't see myself with him anymore."

"I... I see." Belle tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. She wanted more than anything to tell him her feelings, but Belle's nerves always played a part in keeping that from him. "I don't blame you. I would want to leave after all of this too."

Belle smiled at him slightly when he rested his hands on her waist. His touch was a comforting and safe feeling, which was something she hadn’t felt in awhile.

“I’m pretty certain it was him. He… he didn’t like what he saw during the show and just left me here without a way home.” Belle replied. “We live together and I had no way to get home and have been with my father instead. It– he has to be responsible for this. I’m done with him, Rumplestiltskin. I’m so sorry.” Tears filled her eyes while one fell down her cheek.

He didn’t like seeing her cry, but with anger simmering so close to the surface he wasn’t up to comforting her like he should have been. “If that is the case, you should go home to your Father. I shall pay a little visit to Gaston and it is best you were not there.”

His friends had been threatened - his family. All because of one jealous buffoon. He would not stand for that.

"Rumplestiltskin, don't do anything. Please. Let me at least talk to him first and find out for sure if he did this." Belle replied. "If he did then the sheriff needs to be involved. Gaston... he.. he could have killed you... your friends. I don't want you to visit him and do something you'll regret." The main reason for her begging him not to go was because she didn't want to lose him, but that was something Belle couldn't say to him... yet. "I.. I'm assuming you would be leaving then?"

“I’m relieved to know that you’re alright. I didn’t know what to think when I saw this on the news… I was planning on coming to see the show one last time before you left.” Belle didn’t want to let go in fear that she would end up losing him. She couldn’t imagine what he felt… what the rest of the entertainers felt, especially when they more than likely lost items that they valued.

Belle nodded. “I do. I’m not certain… but I’m fairly confident that the person behind all of this was Gaston. After the scene he made here the night before… it.. It makes sense.” Belle felt nothing but anger as she thought of Gaston doing this. He had a temper and changed so much, but Belle never imagined he would go this far.

He wasn’t about to complain when she refused to let go, but he steered them a few steps away from the ambulance so that they had a bit more privacy. His own hands rested about her waist, a reassurance that he was fine and he was here.

“Gaston?” Rumplestiltskin scowled, feeling his quickfire temper starting to rise. But he tried his best to keep it calm for her sake. “Are you sure?”

Belle smiled at him slightly when he rested his hands on her waist. His touch was a comforting and safe feeling, which was something she hadn't felt in awhile.

"I'm pretty certain it was him. He... he didn't like what he saw during the show and just left me here without a way home." Belle replied. "We live together and I had no way to get home and have been with my father instead. It-- he has to be responsible for this. I'm done with him, Rumplestiltskin. I'm so sorry." Tears filled her eyes while one fell down her cheek.

Belle apologized for nearly knocking him over before stepping back, but her hands remained in his shoulders. “I saw the news and I came down here as soon as I could. I was afraid something bad had happened to you.”

“Somebody?” Belle sighed. “I… I think I know who the person was.”

He could feel the warmth of her hands permeating through his suit and into his shoulders, warming the skin beneath. It was a pleasant weight from her touch. And her concern for his well-being caused another warm feeling to spread through him.

“I am fine, personally. Lost a few things to the flame but no real damage was done. And I am not hurt.” He promised softly. But then he paused. “You do..?”

"I'm relieved to know that you're alright. I didn't know what to think when I saw this on the news... I was planning on coming to see the show one last time before you left." Belle didn't want to let go in fear that she would end up losing him. She couldn't imagine what he felt... what the rest of the entertainers felt, especially when they more than likely lost items that they valued.

Belle nodded. "I do. I'm not certain... but I'm fairly confident that the person behind all of this was Gaston. After the scene he made here the night before... it.. It makes sense." Belle felt nothing but anger as she thought of Gaston doing this. He had a temper and changed so much, but Belle never imagined he would go this far.

Belle looked over her shoulder and nodded as she arrived at the car. “I hope to see you again too.” She replied as her father opened the door for her. A smile reached her face as she buckled herself in, which brought a small shade of pink to her lips.

The following day had arrived and Belle planned on seeing the show one last time before it left for the next town. Belle was making her way towards the front door to leave in hopes of beating traffic when she heard the report on the news her father was watching. Her eyes widened and she immediately knew who caused it, but her concern for Rumple’s safety took over. Her father didn’t even have time to stop her as she ran out of the house.

She parked her car right outside the venue for the show and ran to the scene. There was so much damage, firetrucks, and medics who had responded to the scene. “Rumple?! Rumplestiltskin?!” Belle shouted before seeing Rumple by an ambulance. “Rumple?! Are you alright?” She raid while running towards him and wrapping her arms around his neck into a hug. “What happened?”

Needless to say, Rumplestiltskin wasn’t expecting Belle to just turn up and throw herself at him. He had spent the last hour or so organising recovery attempts and making sure those who had gotten injured were taken care of. The last of their crew was getting checked out at the ambulance when he heard his name being called.

“Belle?” He was stunned, but just about managed to wrap his arms around her in his shock. She ran at him with such force that he stumbled back a step. “Belle, what are you doing here?”

He shook his head as they parted. “Somebody tried to burn down our trailers.”

Belle apologized for nearly knocking him over before stepping back, but her hands remained in his shoulders. "I saw the news and I came down here as soon as I could. I was afraid something bad had happened to you."

"Somebody?" Belle sighed. "I... I think I know who the person was."

Moe nodded as he wrapped a protective arm around Belle. “That is very true.” Belle bit her lip and smiled back at him before looking away as her cheeks began to turn pink. “We should be leaving as it’s approaching 3am. Thank you again for looking after my daughter.”

Belle was sad to leave him but knew it wouldn’t be the last. She waved at him once more before following her father to his car. Little did either of them know of Gaston’s plans to sabotage the next performance.

Rumplestiltskin could only nod again and give Belle one last smile. “Good night, Belle. I hope to see you again.” He called after her.

He stayed where he was as Belle walked to the car and got in safe and sound. He still didn’t move until she had driven away and he was sure that she was safe. He really hoped that he would see her again soon.

The next evening, news was rapidly spreading through the small town. The visiting freak show troupe had been attacked whilst the performers were running through a practice of the show. There were fire engines screaming and lots of interest.

Belle looked over her shoulder and nodded as she arrived at the car. "I hope to see you again too." She replied as her father opened the door for her. A smile reached her face as she buckled herself in, which brought a small shade of pink to her lips.

The following day had arrived and Belle planned on seeing the show one last time before it left for the next town. Belle was making her way towards the front door to leave in hopes of beating traffic when she heard the report on the news her father was watching. Her eyes widened and she immediately knew who caused it, but her concern for Rumple's safety took over. Her father didn't even have time to stop her as she ran out of the house.

She parked her car right outside the venue for the show and ran to the scene. There was so much damage, firetrucks, and medics who had responded to the scene. "Rumple?! Rumplestiltskin?!" Belle shouted before seeing Rumple by an ambulance. "Rumple?! Are you alright?" She raid while running towards him and wrapping her arms around his neck into a hug. "What happened?"

“Belle! It’s 2am! Where have you been?” Moe exclaimed as he pulled her into an embrace. His hand cupping the back of her head as he closed his eyes, relieved that his daughter was alright. “I tried calling you that I needed to a place to stay. Gaston– we had a disagreement and he caused a scene at that show I told you about that they kicked him out, so one of performers took care of me and brought me here. I don’t want to be anywhere near him right now.”

Moe nodded, understanding what his daughter was saying. Gaston went from being a man he approved of for his daughter to someone he wanted to be far away from her. He apologized for not getting her calls or voicemail and asked to see the man who graciously looked after her. Belle nodded and lead him out to where Rumplestiltskin was still waiting. “Dad, this Rumplestiltskin.” Moe immediately took his hand and shook it lightly to express his gratitude. “Thank you for looking after my little girl.”

Rumplestiltskin was surprised but he managed to hide it as the pair advanced on him. He pushed his weight off the car and took a couple of steps forward to meet the man. His entire arm shook with the force of the handshake but he just nodded and managed a small smile.

“It was the least I could do. The night is dark and full of terrors. I would never allow a woman to wander alone if she would accept the help.” He glanced at Belle and smiled a whole lot more. 

Moe nodded as he wrapped a protective arm around Belle. "That is very true." Belle bit her lip and smiled back at him before looking away as her cheeks began to turn pink. "We should be leaving as it's approaching 3am. Thank you again for looking after my daughter."

Belle was sad to leave him but knew it wouldn't be the last. She waved at him once more before following her father to his car. Little did either of them know of Gaston's plans to sabotage the next performance.

Belle didn’t catch the last part as he had muttered under his breath. She was too preoccupied watching him get out from the driver’s side to help her out. Her cheeks turned pink yet again as she got out of the car. “Thank you.” As a way of thanking him for his hospitality, Belle hugged and kissed his cheek but her eyes widened by what she did. “Sorry… Yeah, uh, I will… I will see if anyone is still up in the lobby.” Belle pivoted on her heel and walked towards the front of the Bed and Breakfast as she smiled brightly to herself. Before Belle could get the chance to knock, Granny opened the door with a worried Moe French standing in the lobby.

Rumplestiltskin was frozen in place when she suddenly hugged him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Even though he had been expecting a thank you, it had never entered his mind that she might try to touch him. He nodded just a tad, unable to form words, and watched her walk to the door. That woman did all sorts of things to him.

He watched her approach the door, rounding his car as he did so. He had just leant back against the side of the car when he saw the door open. He guessed the man was her Father and simply watched, making sure Belle was happy for him to leave.

"Belle! It's 2am! Where have you been?" Moe exclaimed as he pulled her into an embrace. His hand cupping the back of her head as he closed his eyes, relieved that his daughter was alright. "I tried calling you that I needed to a place to stay. Gaston-- we had a disagreement and he caused a scene at that show I told you about that they kicked him out, so one of performers took care of me and brought me here. I don't want to be anywhere near him right now."

Moe nodded, understanding what his daughter was saying. Gaston went from being a man he approved of for his daughter to someone he wanted to be far away from her. He apologized for not getting her calls or voicemail and asked to see the man who graciously looked after her. Belle nodded and lead him out to where Rumplestiltskin was still waiting. "Dad, this Rumplestiltskin." Moe immediately took his hand and shook it lightly to express his gratitude. "Thank you for looking after my little girl."