I get that hearing Rumple say he loves the dagger was upsetting and sounded like a slap in the face to Belle.
But he has just done the single best thing for their relationship he has EVER done. He was brutally, absolutely, and lovingly honest. Belle said in the S4 finale, “I knew what I was getting, Rumple. I wasn’t going to pull back.” But she did. Because of the deceit that ate its way between them. And why? Because she DIDN’T know what she was getting. Not really.
Look, I wanted to believe that Rumple wanted the power for more noble reasons. And maybe he still does. But let’s say that’s not true. Can Belle still love him?
Belle wants to deny it, but she loves Rumple because the power is a part of who he is. Fundamentally. That need for power is in his DNA. She knows it. And if he cannot be who he is, he will destroy himself and Belle, and their child.
Rumple loving power has NEVER been the problem. Rumple doing evil with his power has been the problem. Rumple having to hide his need for the power has been the problem. Rumple trying so desperately to be what Belle wants has been the problem.
But if Rumple can be the Dark One without being a lying, evil, manipulator, I don’t see a problem. If he can use his power for good and with honesty, I don’t see a problem. If he can own up to his mistakes and continue to make good choices, I don’t see a problem. If he can love Belle with honesty and courage, I don’t see a problem. And that conversation? That honesty? That required a lot of love and a lot of courage. I am so proud of both of them–of Rumple for being honest and of Belle for listening. Really listening.
Yes, it’s a simplistic comparison and it’s not exactly the same, but would Rumple ask Belle to give up books, curiosity, her desire to be a hero–for him? Would he ask her to deny who she is for him? No. He hasn’t and he wouldn’t.
He’s telling her who he is. He’s giving her a choice. A real choice. No lies, no strings. He’s asking her, “Belle, can you love me for who I am, not who you want me to be?”