Epilogue

Now:

Rumplestiltskin was strangely glad that Belle's smile rooted him to the spot, when he entered, otherwise he feared he would have turned around and fled his own home. Instead he braced himself against the door and tried to compose himself again. His stomach was constricting from nerves, and he truly feared he would be sick right there on his boots. How had he ever thought this would be a good idea? He really wasn't sure anymore, but Belle was looking at him expectantly and there was no way but forward.

He felt like a fool, as he offered her the rose he had hidden behind his back up to that point. It was a deep read one he had seen on his way and considered a sign and he flushed just as red as the flower, when he noticed, that he had crushed a leaf in his tense grip. Back then it had seemed like a good idea, a symbol that would make at least some of the words that were sure to get stuck in his throat unnecessary, now on the other hand, it seemed no more than an awkward gesture, as Belle looked from the flower to him. At least the children were already asleep. No matter that they wouldn't be able to truly understand what was happening yet, he didn't want them to see him embarrass himself so.

"Is that for me?" A smile bloomed on Belle's face and as so often, Rumplestiltskin was left speechless by the sight, so he only nodded. This was not going well at all and slowly the heat of his blush was replaced by an anxious cold.

"Well, thank you." She took the rose and sank down into a courtly curtsy, or at least what Rumplestiltskin imagined one would look like. The gesture startled a laugh from him, and suddenly he could move again. His stomach was still feeling as if a swarm of butterflies had gone rampant in it and cold sweet was on his forehead, but somehow seeing her so carefree helped him find himself again. Seeing her always did, and wasn't that exactly why he was doing this whole thing?

His responding bow was clunky, but it made her laugh in turn and that was all he could ask for.

"Everything for you, my lady." Rumplestiltskin grinned at her, as he searched frantically for all the words he had concocted on his way here. "I-" he halted abruptly.

He loved her, wanted her to be by his side always, no matter how unworthy he was of her. He wanted to lay the world at her feet and would do anything in his power to make her happy. He was hers, if she would have him, but how could he take that sentiment, the feeling that made him shudder with nerves as he was trying to speak, to find the words that could express all that he wanted her to know?

"Yes, Rumpel?" Belle bit her bottom lip nervously, the gesture not quite able to hide her smile and the endearment was what made him melt. He would never find the right words, fumbling idiot that he was and so he gathered all his bravery, made another uneven step towards her and leaned in, his heart beating wildly.

In all honesty, Rumplestiltskin had half expected her to turn her head away, and had even moved towards her deliberately slowly as to give her the chance to do just that, so it came as a little shock, when his mouth truly met hers.

The kiss was no fire lapping at his body, no shock going through him. It was warmth and completeness and so much more than he had ever imagined in the guilty moments just before sleep, when he hadn't been able to stop himself. He fumbled with his sweaty hands for a moment, unsure where to touch her, whether he should even do so, but the she nibbled on his bottom lip and all musings were forgotten as he pulled her even tighter against him.

It was both an eternity and a single moment, before they broke apart again. Rumplestiltskin shook his head slightly and allowed himself a sheepish smile. "I still don't know what to tell you."

Belle laughed at that, a sound like a chorus of bells, and kissed him again, so quickly, that he was too startled to react. "I think I already understood the important bits." She smiled a little abashedly. "I have waited for you to do this for quite some time now. I was beginning to think that I would have to take matters into my own hands."

Rumplestiltskin hid his face in the crook of her neck, still too overwhelmed with the fact that he could do something like this now without fearing her reaction, to feel anything other than sheer happiness. The rose prickled his neck, where Belle had entwined her still occupied hand, but for the moment he couldn't care less "You wouldn't have made such a mess of things, that much is for sure."

He couldn't see her face, but he could feel the vehement shake of her head well enough. "You didn't make a mess of anything, you were wonderful! And even if you had truly made a mess, it wouldn't have mattered; all that is important is that we are together now."

Rumplestiltskin looked up at that again, wonder in his eyes. "Together?"

Belle blushed under his gaze. "Yes, I mean, I supposed-"

It was at Rumplestiltskin to interrupt her. "And you did so rightly! That is exactly what I want. You and Feli and Bae and me, as a family."

She smiled at that. "Yes, just us, and the world can worry about itself for once."

There were still things to be discussed of course. Rumplestiltskin didn't truly want to stay in the village that had caused them so much pain, no matter how much joy had sprung from it, and with the money the tailor's orders were earning him, he would soon have enough coin for them to leave and build a new life for themselves in the market town or wherever else they wished. There were still aspects of their pasts they had to discuss and truths to share and Rumplestiltskin didn't doubt that Belle would eventually want to reconcile with her father, but for the moment all that mattered was her in his arms and the promise of a better future together.