[First OUaT fic. I like criticism as long as it's constructive.

I don't own them, if I did Mr. Gold would have rescued her already and they would have made babies.]

The sun crept into his bedroom without him taking notice. The silence in the castle was loud and Rumpelstiltskin took notice.

Belle?

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes with his palms as he got up and looked for his clothes. The silence that had once been his only companion, now made him feel uneasy and very much alone.

It had been months since the new addition to the household. He didn't need her of course. He could simply snap his fingers and his estate would shine, dust free. I should get rid of her, he had found himself musing, more of a nuisance than a help…. Much too loud.

Especially in the mornings, when her dulcet voice would make its way around the rooms, squeezing under his door and into his ears. The racket was worse when he opened the door and made his way to the kitchen. She would meet him with her cheerful face and serve him his tea and toast, not missing a beat.

It was this lack of singing that made him uneasy and made him rush when getting dressed.

She's just busy getting breakfast ready, he told himself, no time to sing today. That's all. She's fine. He cursed the size of the corridors as he sprinted down to the kitchen, different scenarios of how she could have hurt herself ran through his if she had tried to clean a cabinet too high for her and she fell, this time with no one to catch her.

"Belle?" He said more roughly than he meant to.

Belle jumped at the sound of her name and wiped a tear from her rosy cheeks.

"Sorry." She whispered, rushing to serve his breakfast, "Everything's ready."

Rumpelstiltskin took a seat in the kitchen table instead of the one next to his spinning wheel. He stirred his tea, careful not to drink from the chipped spot on the cup.

"Why were you crying?"

Shaking her head, she smiled shyly, "It's foolish really."

"I made you a question." He said, more roughly than intended.

She took a sip from her tea and turned to the window. "It's spring," she said, "flowers are blooming and I'm-"

"Stuck with me." He finished for her, taking another sip.

"It's not that silly." She said giggling.

His heart jumped; such a lovely sight so early in the morning. He had made her smile, not only that, but actually giggle. Her laugh warmed up his chest and lit up his face with a small smile.

"Around this time of the year, my father would take me on a picnic to our gardens." She turned to the window, "This is the first year I won't go."

Rumpelstiltskin studied Belle; her skin was a shade paler than when she had arrived. Still, she's as lovely as ever. He imagined her in a field, sun kissing her face and laugh filling the air. Then another image invaded his mind, making him frown.

"Did he take you on those outings?"

"Who?"

"Your," he paused, searching for the right word. "Love?"

"You mean Gaston?" She chuckled. "Once or twice, he was terrible company. He wouldn't stop boasting about himself. Ruined the outings really."

Rumpelstiltskin didn't know why this pleased him so much. Idiot, ruining my Belle's picnic. He chose to ignore the fact that he considered her to be his Belle. She did, after all, belong to him, but he realized early on that this was not what he meant at all. He suppressed a smile and finished his tea, living Belle alone for the rest of the day.

Belle woke up at the same time as always. She followed her morning routine. Get up, make the bed, wash her face, and get dressed. Except this time as she opened her closet, she noticed a small brown parcel with a hand written note reading:

I can't have my servant dressed in rags. - R

She took out a light blue dress, similar in color and cut as the others, but from a superior material; the bodice embroider with elegant gold string. A light snowy shawl finished off the ensemble, leaving her gushing with joy.

This isn't a chores dress at all. She thought as she admired the garment. I wonder what he has in mind.

When she made it to the kitchen, she found him sitting at the table, a teapot and two steaming cups of tea in sight.

She sat across from him as was custom and took her cup of tea. She was careful not to spill her tea for fear of ruining her dress. From the corner of his eye, he saw her gingerly drink from the cup, wearing the garment he had made her.

"Thank you," she said. "for everything."

He merely nodded and continued with his tea.

I guess I misjudged his gesture. She thought.

After some moments, she stood and went towards the mop and bucket.

"What are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"I have to mop the halls today and start on the laundry."

"Tut tut, not today you won't." He said wagging his index finger. "It's a lovely day for a picnic, don't you think?"

"Do you mean it?" She asked excited.

"Of course, wouldn't want to break the tradition." He said biting back a smile.

"Oh wonderful!" Belle exclaimed rushing for a basket. "I'll prepare our lunch.

What would you rather have? Pastries or fresh fruit? And to drink?"

"I'm afraid I won't be joining you, princess."

He regretted having said that immediately. The change in Belle's face was drastic. Her bright smile faltered as she set down the basket. A part of him made him want to rush to her and apologize and another made him question his brain for ever thinking about apologizing.

"We're not going… together?" The hurt in her voice was undeniable.

"I can't dearie," he said feigning the indifference he didn't have. "Much too busy, I've got deals to make."

Belle turned her back to him and took out some of the fruit she had placed in the basket. Of course, she thought, how silly of me to think he would want to come.

"I could move things around, of course." He said lightly, studying his hands closely.

"Really?" She asked brightly.

"Yes, yes. I think the world will keep revolving without Rumpelstiltskin. Don't you?" He said with a mischievous smile.

Belle giggled and placed the fruit back in the basket. "Well, even if it didn't, it will have to manage."

Rumpelstiltskin forgot to surpress a smile. He had to make a mental note to pay closer restraint to his facial muscles. Belle had a way to make him forget he was a dark lord and not some hopelessly in love teenager.

Oh yes, Rumpelstiltskin knew he was in love with her; he just didn't know when he had fallen of his ladder and whether Belle was going to catch him at all.

"Pastries Belle," he said walking towards the front door. "Don't forget the pastries."

Belle appeared next to him. Flashing her smile, she linked her arm to his, "Of course not, dearie."