Author's Note: I'm a little nervous about starting a multi-chapter story, but hopefully I can get out updates fairly soon.

Mr. Gold, Storybrooke's infamous and intimidating pawnbroker, was just about ready to head home for the day.

It was essentially a typical day for the man, most of his time spent doing paperwork in the office and tending to some of the various objects around his shop. His customers really only consisted of Regina, especially recently.

Ever since the young woman, Emma, had arrived in town, Regina had been all over Mr. Gold demanding answers.

Rumplestiltskin would merely smirk and offer vague answers, very content with letting Regina fall to pieces and enjoyed watching her squirm as her power of control slipped through her fingers.

But, ever since he had heard Emma's name and regained his memories, days in his shop could be quite… horrible, if he were to be honest. Being at his house could be bad as well, but the shop seemed suffocating at times.

Since he spent most of his time in the back doing paperwork, he found his thoughts drifting more and more on memories that he was both glad to have gotten back and anguished to remember the pain associated with them.

All these memories and thoughts would relentlessly attack him as he sat in what his profession was now in this world, as everyone knew as only Mr. Gold. When it came to be too much, that was when he would take to the streets and simply intimidate people.

Collecting rent was even more fun; it allowed him to believe he was still just Mr. Gold who really had no one in his life to love or miss. The mysterious and powerful Mr. Gold who was never to be crossed.

Rumplestiltskin sighed, today hadn't been awful but he was eager to return home and relax, make some dinner for himself and have an early night in.

He may even schedule some time to plan more steps to guiding Emma to breaking the curse as soon as he was able to push the stubborn woman. Yes, that sounded like a plan indeed.

Mind made up, Rumplestiltskin shut off the light to the back room, got on his coat, and limped his way over to the front door of the shop.

After turning the sign from "open" to close" and locking the door, the man made his way to the car when his something caught his eye in the distance.

Across the street from his shop, seemed to be a boy, though Rumplestiltskin was only seeing the back of the person, but based on the height and build it must be. The presumed boy looked to be carrying a type of bundle in his arms and was walking at quite a quick pace, occasionally turning his head slightly sideways as though looking out for any trouble.

Even from a short distance, Rumple could see that the boy's clothing was worn, with the jeans and long-sleeved shirt torn with holes in some places.

Rumplestiltskin frowned. How peculiar. In all his years of living in this cursed town, Gold knew essentially every single person. Collecting practically everyone's rent will do that, and even his cursed self had seem to known the importance of always being on top of things, and knowing the ins-and-outs of this city.

From his outfit and curious behavior, Rumplestiltskin would have to guess he was in some sort of teenage gang. But, he knew Storybrooke, and there certainly were no gangs. Not in 28 years had the weekly town meetings mentioned any sort of miscreant behavior – which Regina would have been sure to be all over.

In that moment, Rumple quickly decided he would follow this boy and just see for himself what was going on. It wouldn't take too long, he reasoned. Just a quick look to make sure nothing extremely odd was happening that would possibly affect the curse and he would go right back to his plans for the rest of the day.

And... for reasons he couldn't exactly explain, something seemed to be pulling him to wherever this boy was going; or more rather, the boy himself.

Shaking his head of these thoughts, Rumplestiltskin got in his car and luckily caught sight of the boy again. He slowed the car and made sure to follow him at a good length were he wasn't right on top of him but still at a good seeing distance.

To his surprise, the boy wasn't heading to an alleyway to meet up with what he presumed would be the other members of this "gang", instead the boy seemed to be heading to the woods of the town.

Slowing his car down to stop by the entrance of the forest, Rumplestiltskin watched the boy make his way into the thick of the trees; quickly the pawnbroker got himself out of the car and limped after him.

Deeper and deeper into the woods the two went. How much farther will this little ruffian be going? His leg was starting to ache and he was beginning to wish he had not given in to these crazy thoughts.

A clearing soon came, and Rumplestiltskin first caught sight of an old, abandoned house that looked ready to fall in on itself. The boy went inside and left the man to his thoughts.

Well, what should I do now? Should he wait and see if this "house" was a meeting place for other people to meet this boy or go and greet the boy himself.

No. It best to wait and see what would happen. Rumplestiltskin figured he would give 15-20 minutes before he would end this crazy little adventure of his and go home. That should be enough time for teenage gang members to come, right?

Before the man could even go back to the outer edge of the clearing and conceal himself in the trees, the boy had come back out again, head bowed as he closed the door slightly.

Rumplestiltskin immediately stopped in his tracks. Shit. As he tried to think of what he would possibly say, the boy turned from the door to resume what he had come out for and raised his head – stilling instantly as he noticed he was not alone in the clearing.

Rumple's breath stopped in his throat, the world stilled, and all he could hear was the beating of his own heart as everything but him and this boy ceased to exist.

It… it couldn't be. It wasn't possible.

Bae? Standing before him, looking exactly as he had the night he had fallen in that horrible portal was his lost son. His sweet and precious little boy, Baelfire.

He must be hallucinating. Back before Regina had cast the curse, Rumplestitlskin would often see the boy appear in his castle. And every time the imp would beg the boy to be real, even just for a moment, so he could touch him, hold him. Whenever he got close to the beautiful sight of his boy and reach out, the image would disappear like sand in the air and Baelfire was no more.

Just a failure of a father and a coward would remain.

But, in every hallucination Bae had been dressed and looked like he had the night he had last saw him. When his eyes thoroughly scanned the boy, drinking in every detail – for even hallucinations were a cursed blessing - there was something wrong.

This Bae looked very tired and pale; his face betraying lack of sleep and a tad dirty. His signature dark wavy hair was slightly longer, mused with pieces sticking out and curls in numerous tangles.

The child wore jeans that had dirt and had numerous holes and tears. His long-sleeved, oversized shirt looked worn and thin, barely suitable in the colder air of Storybrooke and hung over him. His shoes looked to be the only sturdy thing he had on: a simple pair of old sneakers.

And his son had always been small and thin, but this Baelfire looked a little too thin to be healthy for a normal child.

So, why would Rumplestiltskin ever hallucinate his son in such a state? Could he really be here then?

He took in some air. "B-Bae?" Rumplestiltskin breathed, his eyes wide and filling with tears. He had casted this curse with the hope of finding his son, but.. it couldn't possibly be this easy, could it?

The boy started backing away a little and a look of fear crossed his face.

Rumplestiltskin's heart quickened at the sight, and he held out a hand, "No, it's ok, it's ok. It's all right, son. Please, don't be afraid." The sight of his long lost son backing away in fear of him crushed the man's heart. "D-do you recognize me?" The man's voice trembled.

The boy shook his head and gazed back to the old house.

Rumple couldn't help but step closer, desperately needing to touch the boy and see if he was really there. "Oh, Bae. Oh, son is it really you? Oh, gods, my beautiful boy." He reached his hand out, somewhat quickly, and rested it on the boy's shoulder before the child backed up, eyes wide and looking alarmed again.

"What do you want? P-please, leave me alone," The boy, said quietly.

The voice of the child was like music to his ears despite the words that came out. It had been so long since he had heard his precious son's voice and he had never forgotten it's sound.

Rumplestiltskin's eyes widened and his tears had finally fallen. He had touched him. And the boy was real. His son hadn't disappeared to leave him alone again.

"B-Bae, don't you recognize me?" The man said tearfully, the image of an imposing Mr. Gold long gone. It's your Papa, Bae.

The boy backed himself against the door. "No, no I don't. I don't," The child murmured timidly and stared down at his shoes.

Why wasn't he.. ? Then it hit him. Of course Baelfire wouldn't remember him. Where were they? Storybrooke: the place where people had been ripped from their true homes and given false memories. A place Rumplestiltskin had put into motion for this to all come to be. And now he had subjected his son to this curse as well. Would he ever stop hurting his child?

How was this possible though? Baelfire couldn't have been in the Enchanted Forest when the curse hit. Rumplestiltskin's plan was always to find his son after the curse had broken, never would he have imagined his son to be here and cursed as well.

And here he was as a child as well. In his dreams, Rumplestitlskin would be able to find his son like the boy he had lost. He had tried often not to dwell on the fact that fate couldn't be so kind to allow that to happen.

Yet here the boy was. Rumplestiltskin gulped. Yes, here he was – hidden deep in the woods, looking to be living in an old abandoned house – if it could even be called that. Gods, his son surely couldn't be living here? His eyes told him the truth of the situation but his heart couldn't bear the thought.

Baelfire was still looking at him wearily, unruly bangs hanging in his eyes. "Mr. Gold, right? W-what are you doing here?"

Rumplestiltskin started. "You .. know who I am?" He asked. The boy nodded.

"I, um," what should I say? "I saw you when leaving my shop and I had never seen you in town before. I felt the need to see where you were going," He finished awkwardly. He wasn't sure if he should reveal everything yet.

"You-you don't live here, do you?" Rumplestiltskin asked hesitantly, dreading the answer. Praying to all the gods that there was some explanation for what his eyes were seeing.

Baelfire looked conflicted before nodding at the man, shuffling his feet again and looking around, as if he was expecting the police to be following close behind.

The boy saw how the man seemed to crumple before him at his answer, though he didn't understand why Mr. Gold would be acting this way. He never stayed around the town for very long but he of course knew who Mr. Gold was. Even someone like him. He'd heard the whispers and how everyone was afraid of the man.

Even so, he felt compelled to soothe this man who was practically shaking. "It's not so bad. Uh, don't worry," The boy tried to give a reassuring smile and hoped it would appease Mr. Gold enough to leave.

Oh, his boy. His sweet, brave Baelfire. Even now, when the child had no idea who the man was, he was being the stronger of the two and comforting his father. Rumple shook again.

He swallowed, "No, no, no, no. This isn't a home. What's your name?" It had just occurred to him he had no idea what his son went by here.

The boy looked down again before he spoke quietly. "I don't know."

"…What?" Rumplestiltskin was shaken, voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean?"

Baelfire brought a hand up to his head and scrunched his eyes a bit before looking back up at the man. "I mean, I- I can't remember my name, or my parents or how I got here. I just remember always living here. Always," He cast his eyes down – a recurring habit, and bit on his lip.

Oh, my boy. The curse couldn't have been so cruel to do this to his son. Had Regina been responsible for his child living on his own in poverty and starving? He would kill her.

Rumplestiltskin's stomach churned and he thought he might be sick. Here he was, dressed in exceptionally fine clothes, warm and fed with no worries of what the next day would hold for his well being. With a good house to go home to and more money than he could ever need.

'I want comfort. I want a good life.' The words he had spoken to Regina came back with full force and haunted him.

For 28 years, Rumplestiltskin had gotten what he wished for and more. While his little boy was all on his own, a boy of fourteen, fending for himself in this town and just trying to survive.

Being disgusted with himself didn't cover half of it. If the man didn't already loathe himself for all he had done, this more than made up for it. This was all his fault, and he would never forgive himself.

But he was taking control of this situation right now.

"Not anymore you're not," Rumplestiltskin said firmly but gently. Baelfire's eyes shot up in confusion.

"You're coming with me."

"What? I-"

"You're my son, Bae. I'm taking you home," Rumplestiltskin couldn't lie to the boy and pretend he was anything other than his son. It hurt too much already with everything the two had been through. The boy's rightful place was with his father. He was never letting go of his little boy ever again. Never.

Baelfire just stared at him, a million emotions running across his face. The two stayed silent for a while. Finally he spoke. "..Bae?"

Rumplestiltskin smiled softly. "That's your name, son. Baelfire." 'A strong name!'

The boy was silent again before he shook his head. "This is crazy. I'm nobody and nothing. Certainly not you're son," Bae didn't sound angry just confused.

Pain shot through Rumple's heart at his son's words. Was his son's self-worth that low? "No, don't ever think that. Bae, you're the best thing that ever happened to me. Please, son let me take care of you. I can't let you stay here. This is no condition for a child to be in. Come home, I'll make things right, I- I'm so sorry son, so sorry." Rumplestiltskin felt more tears fall and all he wanted more than anything in that moment was to take his boy in his arms and just hold him.

And he would have earlier if not for the fact that his son seemed so frightened. He would not upset him more for his desires.

"I don't understand. You must have me confused with your son, I'm sorry, sir," The boy was adamant.

"You are my son. My boy," His voice broke and he took a moment to compose himself again. "I'd know you anywhere. I've been looking for you, for so, so long. I know you can't remember, but I am your father. Please believe me," Rumplestiltskin finished desperately.

The young teen looked at the man's tear streaked face and felt conflicting emotions. He couldn't understand how anyone would care about him and here was the most dangerous man in town claiming he was his son; looking at him with longing and such sadness and.. love.

Baelfire knew that Mr. Gold was just seeing what he wanted to see. He never pictured Mr. Gold to be a loving father but just seeing his tears, it was obvious he had loved his missing son very, very much. The boy almost wished he really was this man's son, just so he could feel that love too.

Regardless, Bae was still afraid of what could happen if he did go with this man, despite the benefits. This man was offering him a place to stay and safety. Things like these were not to be taken lightly when all you knew was an abandoned house and the streets.

But what if Mr. Gold had other ideas in mind for him. Bae was still frightened of him..

Rumplestiltskin looked on at his boy's face and noticed the fear in his eyes. Rumple hated seeing his son in such a state. He had no idea what his son had been through and with him not knowing who he was, getting Bae to come with him would be ten times harder. When he was just a father though, the best part of himself, he had never been anything but gentle with his boy and hopefully his son would believe him enough to come with him now and know he would be safe.

"I would never, ever hurt you child," The thought of hurting his Baelfire was inconceivable. "I'll make you a deal though," Rumple winced internally at how the last deal with his son had gone. "Come back with me and I'll make you some supper. I was just on my way home to make some for myself. Then you can wash up and have a nice rest. I promise I'll prove to you tomorrow that I am your father."

Supper? The boy's stomach churned painfully at just the thought. When was the last time he had had a proper meal? Baelfire couldn't remember and if he ever forgot the visible ribs on his stomach would certainly be a remainder.

Maybe it was incredibly unwise to say yes, but Bae didn't have many options. Every day was a struggle and going with this man couldn't be any worse. With Mr. Gold, there was at least a chance of food.

Hesitantly, the boy nodded his head at the offer.

Rumplestiltskin let out a sigh of relief and beamed at the boy. "Good, ok is there anything you wish to bring back?" Bae didn't even bother looking back at the house.

"No, sir," The father winced at his boy calling him sir, wishing desperately that he could here Baelfire call him papa again.

Just as they were about to head to the car, a gust of cold wind shot through and Bae couldn't hide the shiver that racked his small body. The boy's arms went around himself and tried to bring some warmth. As he looked up he noticed that Mr. Gold had hurriedly taken off his expensive overcoat and was approaching him.

"Please, son. Can I put this on you? You'll feel much warmer," It was only a short walk to his car, but his boy was practically freezing and he would be damned if he didn't do something about that.

Bae nodded again, still in awe that this man was caring so much and let him gently put the coat on him. It swamped the boy but he instantly felt much warmer and let out a little content sigh.

Baelfire smiled up at the man, "Thank you, sir."

"It-it's no trouble, son," Rumplestiltskin said tearfully, knowing it was his entire fault Baelfire was in this state to being with. The man didn't know what he ever did to deserve his kind-hearted son. He wanted to ruffle the boy's hair but knew his son would be frightened by the unfamiliar touch.

Rumplestiltskin gestured gently for the boy to follow him and father and son made their way to the car, forever leaving behind the broken down house.

Author's Note: Please let me know what you think and review :)