Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters of Rumpelstiltskin or Belle. The show and all it contains belongs solely to ABC while the characters previously mentioned are brought to life by the wonderful Robert Carlyle and Emile de Ravin.

Spoilers for all those that have not seen Season 3 of OUAT yet. Specifically, spoilers up to 3x06. You have been warned.

A/N: Just to make it clear from the start, this is going to be a series of one-shots based around Rumbelle. I have written a few stories for Rumbelle already and wanted to keep writing for them without diving into a huge project. Mainly because my time for writing is strained with my other stories as it is. So, I plan to write some Rumbelle one-shots instead. If anyone has any suggestions about what they might like to see in a one-shot, I'd be happy to consider it.

Enjoy!

Just One Question

Storybrooke, ME

The town had grown unusually, blessedly quiet ever since their crew had returned from the bowels of Neverland. It was a welcome change from the never-ending drama that mounted after the breaking of the curse.

Peter Pan was subdued-not dead, but trapped forevermore in a heavy sleeping curse, courtesy of Regina's urging. Charming had managed to come back with his family to Storybrooke while Hook had remarkably taken his place upon the founding of the New Neverland. The pirate had ultimately accepted that he would likely never be with Emma romantically because her heart belonged to Neal. Staying in Neverland and allowing her father to still be in her life was his way of saying I love you just one time. Henry was safe. The Charmings were trying for another baby, to make up for the all they had missed with Emma.

And Rumpel...

Rumpel was alive. Breathing, walking, talking, alive. The relief had shaken him to the core. After all, he had gone to Neverland in preparation to sacrifice his life for Henry. Bae was still nowhere near to forgiving him, no matter how hard he groveled, but at least he had Belle.

He was going slow, taking the time to develop their relationship properly. Even now, nearly a month later, they were enjoying a peaceful nighttime walk under the stars, their bellies full with Granny's burgers, savoring each other's company. And yet it was times like these, amidst the flanking shadows and soft cries of the surrounding woods, that he mused over the events of Neverland the most.

"What are you thinking so terribly hard about?" Belle's arm was looped through his and she insistently tugged on it, drawing him back to the present moment.

Oh, his beautiful Belle. How could he have fallen for the shadow's trick when that false manifestation of Belle never held a candle to the real thing? That Belle paled in comparison to this one, the one he loved so dearly. That one lacked her natural sincerity, her ceaseless fire, everything that truly made her Belle. He leaped headfirst into those earnest sapphire pools and felt his lips mirroring the carefree smile she saved for his benefit.

"You," he responded easily. It wasn't a lie by any means. He lifted a hand to brush aside a loose spiral of her chestnut hair, the cloud of darkness framing her face so tantalizingly soft. Tenderly, he caressed her cheek. Ever since Neverland, he appreciated every moment he earned with Belle and thus started acting more confident about expressing his love for her. "Always you, Belle."

"What about me?"

Belle's breath fogged the air between them, a result of the chilly Maine temperature. His arm sliced through the air by her head and a scarlet scarf draped over it, which he then wrapped snugly around Belle's neck to grant her warmth. In a way, he was stalling in answering her question and he knew she knew it. Belle read him as fluently as she would any other book.

"Just one question," he drawled carefully. Currently, his brain was striving to figure out how to tell her what was constantly burrowing under his skin. Belle's brows rose in speculation.

"Just one?" Rumpel smiled sheepishly. Their footsteps echoed along the darkened street as they carried on their way.

"For now," he admitted.

After that, he quickly fell into silence, the question yet to reach his tongue. Every time he tried to form it, it did not please him. It did not sound right in his mind. This was not an easy proposal to make. Belle had enough courtesy to be patient,though she must have sensed his growing inner frustration. The smile-sheepish or not-had slipped into a scowl, his forehead marred with concentration. Belle's hand slid over his arm, coaxing away the tension.

"Rumpel, you know you can tell me anything. You can ask me anything."

He was comforted by her reassurance. Of course he knew deep down that he could tell Belle anything; she was his sounding board, his confidant, never judging him no matter what dark secrets he divulged. He trusted her more than anyone in town, but the words stuck to the roof of his mouth. Logically, he forced himself to focus on one tree instead of the entire overwhelming forest, sever it into bite-sized pieces, take it one step at a time.

"When I was in Neverland, Pan distracted me with a vision of you," he began. Belle listened raptly, hanging on his every word and making him feel like he was the only man in the world. He fidgeted under the spotlight. Keep calm and carry on, he recited in his head. "At first, I thought you were a figment of my subconscious, coming to haunt me. I knew you weren't really there, but everything you said, I believed myself. It was a trap, one of Pan's compelling mind-games to disqualify me from his much larger game. In reality, it was his shadow and, wearing your face, it offered me happiness. If I took your hand, if I gave in to that selfishness...well, I never found out, in any case."

Belle's rosy lips parted, a sympathetic look crossing her face.

"You stayed to save Henry. I'm proud of you," she said. No one had ever uttered those words in his presence before, not even his father. To hear it fall from his true love's lips-I'm proud of you-it made his heart melt.

But, no, this was not the end of his tale! Focus, he scolded himself. Tell her what you really mean to say, now, before you lose your confidence. He paused in step underneath the glow of one of the streetlamps and Belle followed suit.

"No, that's not my point. Belle, everything I ever desired to have with you, everything I thought I was not worthy of, the shadow presented in front of me. It made the promise that I could return to you and that we could...have our own family together."

He did not dare glance up to gauge Belle's reaction, not yet. First he needed to get this out in the open. He had given it a great deal of thought over the past month of courting her and he had come to realize just how much he wanted it to be true. Rumpel sucked in a deep breath of cold air, felt it tunnel its way into his lungs, and took ahold of Belle's delicate hands. They were so soft and warm. Here goes, he thought.

"My question, therefore, is: would that be something you would want? Would you ever dream of having a family with me?"

Belle looked like she was struggling to swallow down a giggle, her lips doing a funny quiver. He wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Technically, that's two questions," she pointed out. The teasing note was short-lived, her features writhing with thoughtfulness. He silently begged her to say yes. It had taken incredible strength on his part to summon the courage to ask this sort of personal question. Gods, what ever would he do if she refused it? "I admire your courage in asking me."

"But...?" He heard it; it was there. Or was he only paranoid, convinced the negativity must be coming since he earned it from everyone else?

Belle tilted her head condescendingly, the glow of the lamp bringing out the redder strands of her hair. She squeezed his hands tightly.

"Your self-esteem needs improving, Rumpel. There is no 'but'. The fact that you were brave enough to make this proposal is a good thing. And my answer is yes. I love you and it would only bring me happiness to be able to share a family with you."

Joy seized his beating heart and suddenly Belle was in his arms, her fingers delved into his hair and her head tilted back in offering of a kiss. His lips desperately sought out hers, pressing perfectly together like two pieces of a puzzle. There was nothing sweeter than the taste of Belle's kiss.

When they finally came up for air, they were both red-faced and breathing heavily, their minds intoxicated by their surge of happiness.

"You want to start this tonight?" Belle inquired quietly, her long black lashes batting dreamily as her head rested on his shoulder. He licked his lips nervously, cradling her taste on his tongue, all the while understanding her implication all too well.

"Perhaps that would be a bit too fast. I want to do this the right way," he said. This, too, he had been considering for a long time. It was partly the reason he was so distraught upon saying goodbye to her before sailing off to Neverland with the intention of never returning.

To Belle's delight and wonder, he gradually sank to one knee. The ground was slick and frozen, his leg was screaming with discomfort, but he didn't care. He would gladly walk through fire if Belle only commanded it.

From his pocket, he withdrew a velvet black box. The contents were no mystery, but Belle was speechless nonetheless. He took one of her hands and kissed her ivory palm.

"Belle, if there's anything I have learned in Neverland, it is that time is very precious and I never want to imagine living without you again. You are my strength, my goodness, and my heart. Will you marry me?"

Belle's blue eyes shimmered and he realized there were tears welling under her eyelids an instant before one trailed down over her cheek. Panic set in. He never meant to make her cry. Most women who cried in front of him did not do so for good reasons. But Belle calmed him with a sturdy hand on his shoulder, a smile rising out of her fallen tears.

"It's okay, Rumpel. I'm crying because I am happy, not sad. Yes. Yes, I will marry you," she declared. Before he could ask if she was sure, she dragged him to his feet and laid another kiss on his lips. Every nerve in his body sang joyfully as he placed the ring on her finger and kissed her back twice as passionately.

The chill of the air could not hope to touch them as, arm in arm, they finally headed for home.

...

For those who are wondering, the title of this series of one-shots comes from the song of the same name by Within Temptation (All I Need). I couldn't think of a proper name for this series, and I happened to be listening to that song while writing this, so I decided to go with it. In any case, I think it fits nicely.

I will never tire of Rumbelle fluff. (-; So, there you have it, the first one-shot for Rumbelle. I have an idea for another one already in mind, but again if anyone wishes to see something happen in a one-shot, feel free to let me know. It's all Rumbelle, all the time.