So Much More (Two)

[dj-rocca.livejournal.com]

So Much More
Two



Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself.
Authors Note: Please note, the spinning scene here was written WELL before the sneak peek was revealed, which made me go FML, believe me or not, I don't care.
Setting: Enchanted Forest
Rating: PG (later chapters will go higher)
Warnings: minor suggestive dialogue
Genre: Mystery/General/Romance (I’m covering all the bases)
Word Count: 1,216
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Rumpelstiltskin, Belle, Adam
Summary: She always wanted more than the provincial life, in hindsight she should have been careful what she wished for…

“What did you do to him?”

Rumpelstiltskin looked up from his spinning wheel as Belle burst into the room. She looked paler than usual and just a tad terrified. He tried not to enjoy that, so he decided to feign innocence instead.

“Did what to who, dearie?”

Her face went from fear to fury in seconds, it was nearly laughable, “That man! What did you do to him? I heard such horrific screams! Nothing could be worth that price!”

He chuckled softly, “Some things are, but that is none of your business or concern. He got what he needed,” he said, then dropped a clue he knew she would seize and investigate, “Also, for your own sake, avoid the towers for the next few weeks, it will not be pleasant.”

“You have towers here?” she asked, she had been all over that house and had not seen one.

“I do now, with much reason. Be a good lass and avoid it, I can’t guarantee what will happen,” he assured her, giggling madly. He was sure she took it as his madness, and she was partly right. The other reason for his laughter is that he knew she would look until she found it.

She looked at him skeptically, “Alright,” she said, eyeing him once more then swept off back to the library.

He stopped his spinning to listen, hearing her get to the library, then double back and begin to look. He shook his head, closing his eyes, continuing his spinning. It was the only thing that eased him, though it reminded him of the man he once was, and it was painful, he needed the pain to go on. Inhaling deeply, he focused on the soft wool slowly changing into a solid gold thread, an endless, heavy chain. He never noticed the hours that would pass as he spun, consumed at the task, until he heard Belle scream.

“Fool,” he muttered, immediately standing.

Making his way through the dark halls, as soon as her scream had started, it stopped. He froze, listening for her heartbeat, it was there, and in fact was slowing to calm. That fascinated him, she had found the Beast, but after that very momentary fear, she seemed at peace. Did nothing terrify this girl, but him? He smiled to himself as a vision flashed around him, of the devious things he could do.

Instead of heading towards the tower, he turned around back to Belle’s room and then to the library. He picked up the book she read most often, a much worn book and tossed it into the fire, watching it burn. The pages curled, the words ignited. After a moment or two, he pulled it from the flames and put it out; wanting her to see what would happen if she disobeyed. It was not out of anger, but to see what her reaction would be. It was unpredictable with her, had it been anyone else, he could picture what would happen next. At least with Belle as a prisoner, he was never bored.

He returned to his wheel, and within hours Belle was back, slamming the door open.

“You son of a-!”

He raised his hand to his lips and faked surprise, “My my, such language from an accomplished woman,” he teased, which only made her anger rise.
Belle’s face was a deep red, “Why? Why would you do this?! Because I went to the tower? Because I found that Beast you’re keeping there?” she demanded.

“Yes. I told you not to and you didn’t listen,” he said, voice mild.

She let out a small scream of rage, “This was MY book, from MY family!”

“And you disobeyed my rules, Belle. I told you I had few of them but when I would off limit something, you were to listen. Children won’t listen,” he muttered.

“I am not a child!” She snapped.

He rolled his eyes, “You’re acting like one. A spoiled child, I think I changed the wrong person…” he whispered to himself.

“You wonder why you live such a lonely existence, it’s because of how you treat people! What gives you that right?” she demanded.

He looked directly at her, eyes boring into hers, “Power, dear. Power gives me that right. Everything has a price.”

“Why, as you say you have the power, what else do you need? Why do such things?” she asked, he paused, face falling.

“It is something you learn with time and age dear. No one does anything for the pure good of it anymore. That is not the way of the world. If you do it, even just once, people will take advantage of you. They would no longer strive to do anything for themselves and become weak,” he told her, “I’ve struggled for everything in my life. I’ve suffered more than you would ever know, I do not ask for much, just simple things in return for my favors.”

“Like firstborns and information so you can swindle the next person?” she asked, her fury was dying slowly.

He smiled softly, “Sometimes,” he replied, “And sometimes it’s just to have a lovely woman stay in my home for company,” he flashed her a charming grin.

Now it was her turn to roll her eyes, “I give up for the night, I’m going to bed, alone.” She said, eyeing him, glaring at his giggle.

“Are you sure? I like to cuddle,” he offered, with a scream of rage she was out the door, slamming it behind her.

He laughed to himself, as happy as he was to have Belle in his life; he had no desire to be with her. He knew he had someone else, someone he would meet eventually. As Adam had been when he first laid eyes on Belle, he too, would know when he found her. Thankfully his powers gave him immortality, so he didn’t mind the wait.

Around the dinner hour (or whatever time it was) when he broke away from his spinning, he made his way to the tower. Adam was leaning against the wall, his newly grotesque features hidden in shadows. He just eyed Rumpelstiltskin wearily.

“I heard you made a friend today,” he said, drawing a monstrous snort from Adam, “Do not get huffy with me, Princey. This was your choice, you could have said no. But you should be thankful she didn’t seemed that horrified at the sight of you.”

Adam rolled his eyes, “Oh yes, that’s comforting,” he growled sarcastically. Even the Prince’s once tender voice was deepened to an animalistic sound.

Rumpelstiltskin just shrugged, “You can come down, anytime you like. I’m sure you can scent your way around. Or you can stay here and sulk, that really doesn’t matter to me, but I’m not coming up here to feed you,”

“Fine,” Adam sighed, he pushed himself up, his form taking up much of the room.

“That’s a good boy,” Rumpelstiltskin teased, “Come along…hmm…well you’re not really a cat…or a dog…Beastie. Come along Beastie.”

Adam grumbled behind him, “I should eat YOU for dinner,” he said, which only resulted in Rumpelstiltskin’s laughter.

“Sorry to disappoint, I don’t enjoy that thought…maybe if that offer was from a certain woman…” Rumpelstiltskin’s laughter only grew as Adam almost fell down the stairs in shock.
---
To be continued

I know its starting slow but the original idea was to flip back and forth but I was struggling a bit so I'm going to stick to the Forest for now.
I hope you continue to enjoy.