#pickle's technically there. he doesn't do much though or is even clear enough to be seen

[wheucto]

what if she was a bluetooth microphone

[prissyhalliwell]

FairyGardener!verse- (pure fluff) Jefferson meets Belle and starts to bring her little trinkets whenever he stops by to see Rumple. Rumple doesn't like this at all (which of course makes it all the more fun for our favorite hatter).

Author’s Note: IT’S BACK, BABY! The Fairy Gardener is finished and I will be posting a new chapter every Wednesday until it’s done. If anyone is still reading at this point, thank you so much for sticking in there!You can also find this chapter on AO3.

CHAPTER NINE

If Rumplestiltskin had regretted inviting Jefferson that first day, it was nothing compared to how much he regretted it the next time the Hatter came to tea. Or the time after that.  

It was the second time in two weeks that Jefferson had come to tea unannounced and Rumplestiltskin was ready to strangle the man. While it hadn’t been uncommon for his friend to pop in unexpectedly from time to time in the past, he’d never come this often in such a short period of time. It was obviously due to Belle’s presence in the castle, and Rumplestiltskin thought it very rude of her to be encouraging such behavior. It was his home after all, even if she did technically live there.

He’d hoped that Jefferson’s habit of being forgetful would decrease his visits to the Dark Castle, but the Hatter disappointed him by suddenly having a great memory. Rumplestiltskin wasn’t quite desperate enough to magically block Jefferson from visiting yet, mostly because he wasn’t sure if it would work. For someone who jumped back and forth between realms on a regular basis, magical wards probably wouldn’t be much of a challenge.

The only upside of the visits had been the improvement in Belle’s mood. She had stopped moping around the castle and was more talkative during their meals, even if she seemed a bit more reserved with him than she had prior to Blue’s visit. With Jefferson though, she showed none of this restraint, leaving Rumplestiltskin to believe she still harbored some resentment towards him.

To make things easier for her, he left Belle alone most of the time. He checked on the Jekylls every few days, but spent the majority of his time in his lab researching, emerging only for meals. The castle would still feed Belle if he wasn’t there, but he’d grown used to taking meals with her.

Besides, how was he supposed to learn anything about her if they never spoke? He rather missed their late nights by the fire, reading and trading stories, but he doubted Belle would be interested in that anymore. Maybe if things thawed a little more between them, he would ask. Until then, it seemed best not to broach the subject.

Like they had during the past two visits, Jefferson and Belle were laughing over some ridiculous story he hadn’t been paying attention to. Since they all revolved around Jefferson getting himself shrunk or nearly losing his head, Rumplestiltskin didn’t have much of an interest.

The three of them were sitting at the dining table in the Great Hall with both Belle and Jefferson doing a bang up job of forgetting Rumplestiltskin was even there. In return, he ignored them as well, though he did take note when Jefferson withdrew a small item out of his pocket and held it out to Belle with a grin. He’d brought her something during his last two visits as well.

Rumplestiltskin let out a low growl, unaware that he was digging his fingernails into the arms of his chair.

The pleased expression on Belle’s face was impossible to miss. “Jefferson, you shouldn’t! You’ve given me so much already.”

Rumplestiltskin bit back a comment about how he had given her the roof over her head and sanctuary from the Blue Fairy. Or how he had yet to toss her out on her fairy ass for keeping secrets from him.

“Ungrateful pixie,” he mumbled under his breath.

Belle flashed him an annoyed look from down the table and he flinched. Did garden fairies have super hearing? He’d have to look into it.

“It’s just a little souvenir from my last trip to Oz,” Jefferson said good naturedly. He ignored the current glaring contest going on between his two companions and lay the package of seeds on the table. “I thought poppies would look nice in your garden.”

“Thank you, Jefferson. I’m sure they’ll be beautiful,” Belle said, smiling widely. “Do you plant them in your garden at the cottage?”

Jefferson sighed. “Not anymore. I had to stop.”

“Why?”

“I kept forgetting where I’d planted them! I’d end up falling asleep mid-weeding.” He shuddered. “It was awful. I missed several tea parties.”

Belle chuckled. “Maybe I’ll use it on Rumple when he’s brooding.”

Rumplestiltskin frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t brood.”

When the two looked at him with twin looks of disbelief, his frown turned into a scowl.

“Fine!” he said, throwing his hands up in the air. “Since the two of you are bound and determined to gang up on me – ”

Their peals of laughter interrupted him, annoying him further.

“Merlin, but you’re self-centered,” Belle managed to gasp out between chuckles. “Has he always been this temperamental?”

Jefferson rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Definitely not.”

“Thank you, Jefferson.” Rumplestiltskin preened, pleased his friend had defended him. Perhaps he was being too harsh on –

“He’s usually worse,” Jefferson continued, matter-of-factly. “But it’s not his fault. Some people are just bad communicators.”

“That’s it,” Rumplestiltskin said, standing up. “I’m leaving!”

Belle held up her hand to stop him, hiccuping as she tried to control her laughter. “No, we’ll behave. I promise.” She flew off of her cushion and grabbed the package of seeds. “I’m going to plant these now before it rains later tonight.”

Both men looked out the window at a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. Jefferson opened his mouth to ask, but Rumplestiltskin beat him to it.

“Fairy magic,” he said with a sniff. He called out to her as she flew through the open window. “Not that you ever think to share that information with me!”

Belle ignored his taunting and disappeared into the garden. Rumplestiltskin collapsed into his chair with a huff.

“Ah, I think I know what’s going on here.”

Rumplestiltskin raised an eyebrow at the other man. “That would be a first.”

As usual, the insult bounced right off Jefferson. “It’s clear as day what’s bothering you,” he said, smiling inanely.

“Let me guess,” Rumplestiltskin said dryly, “my aura is off. Or perhaps my phlegm is unbalanced.”

Jefferson stared at him like he was simple. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m sure your phlegm is wonderful.” He shifted in his seat to get comfortable and then swung his legs up on the table, ignoring the withering glare Rumplestiltskin sent his direction. “It’s quite simple really. You’re jealous.”

“Why that’s – ” Rumplestiltskin blinked. “That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. Why in all the realms would I be jealous of you?!”

Jefferson preened a bit, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not uncommon, you know. I do possess a certain je ne sais quoi.” His smile faltered. “I haven’t quite narrowed down what it is yet, but the ladies seem to love it.”

Rumplestiltskin made an impatient gesture with his hand. “I’m hoping there’s a point in here somewhere.”

Leaning forward in his chair, Jefferson looked him straight in the eye, his expression serious. “Belle is a woman.”

“She’s a mosquito.”

Jefferson laughed. “I think you’ll find she’s much more attractive than most mosquitos.”

The use of the word ‘most’ worried Rumplestiltskin, but he stopped himself from asking. There were certain things he just didn’t want to know.

“Regardless, I am not jealous of Belle’s affection for you.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Hmm.” Jefferson seemed to mull this over. “So…you’re jealous of my affection for her?”

“What? No!”

Jefferson let out a rumbling chuckle, rising from his seat and walking over to clap Rumplestiltskin on the back. “I only jest, my friend.” A wistful look passed over his face. “That ship sailed long ago.”

Rolling his eyes, Rumplestiltskin stood as well. Putting his arm around the other man, he began to steer him in the direction of the door. “I think that’s enough tea for today. Off you go.”

The Hatter nodded begrudgingly. “I suppose you’re right. I have to pick up some pickled herring for a customer anyway.”

Rumplestiltskin nodded along though he was only half-listening, already planning what he would do next. He had a potion to brew and some royal family trees to study in order to deal with some local monarchs. “Have fun with that. Make sure you check up on the Jekylls for me, like we discussed.”

Jefferson turned back to face him, a pout on his face. They had almost reached the front door, and Rumplestiltskin wondered how long it would take the Hatter to forgive him if he pushed him through it.

“Do I have to?” Jefferson asked, a hint of a whine in his voice. “They creep me out. Couldn’t I check on someone else for you?” His eyes lit up. “How about Regina? She’s a riot, provided she’s not busy causing one.”

With a shake of his head, Rumplestiltskin waved open the front door and gently ushered Jefferson through. “Goodbye, Jefferson. Come back if you have anything useful to share.” As Jefferson opened his mouth to speak, Rumplestiltskin clarified. “That I would find useful, I mean.” With a twitch of his hand, the door swung shut.

Letting out a deep sigh, he walked back to his spinning wheel, sinking onto the stool wearily. For someone who enjoyed peace and quiet, he certainly didn’t get much of it these days.

No sooner had the thought entered his mind, then Belle flew back into the room. She glanced around before stopping next to his spinning wheel, hovering in the air beside him. “Did Jefferson leave?”

Rumplestiltskin made a big show of looking around, even lifting his boot to look under it. “If he hasn’t, he’s certainly picked a damn good hiding spot. ”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “It wouldn’t kill you to answer a question simply one of these days.”

He flashed her a crocodile smile. “How do you know? Perhaps it’s the way I’ve stayed alive for so many centuries.”

“No, I think that’s due to pure spite.” She gave him a cheeky grin before turning to fly away, most likely back to her garden.

“Running away so soon, dearie?  I suppose the castle’s too boring without your dashing friend here.”

She paused, a strange expression crossing her face. “Jefferson?” She gave an incredulous laugh. “He’s certainly many things, but I don’t know if I’d call him dashing.”

Rumplestiltskin scoffed and Belle rolled her eyes.

“Think what you like,” she said, “but I was just going over to the table to get our book. You promised you’d read more of it to me sometime, remember?”

He did remember. Reading in the evenings had become a regular pastime for them, up until Blue’s visit and the resulting awkwardness between them. As strained as things had been the last two weeks, he hadn’t thought Belle would want to return to their nightly ritual.  

“You’ve been…distracted lately,” he said softly. “I thought perhaps you’d enjoy a break.”

Belle gave him a sad smile. “I just needed time to come to terms with some things.”

“And have you?” he asked, unable to keep the hope out of his voice.

“I think so,” Belle said, her tone only halfway convincing. “But I’ll be even happier if you read me the next chapter of our book!”

As if he could deny her such a tiny request. The book appeared in his hands a second later and he opened it to where they’d left off, Belle perching on his shoulder so she could follow along as he read.  

“In the deepest, darkest part of the forest, where the trees are old and their memories long, where humans have never tread and only the wolves can roam, there came a babe.”

Rumplestiltskin turned his head slightly, catching Belle’s gaze with his own. This time the smile she gave him held no trace of sadness. He returned it with one of his own, feeling lighter than he had in days. His annoyance with Jefferson faded and he began to read the story with a renewed energy, reveling in the contented sighs that left Belle’s lips as he read.

Even the Dark Castle itself seemed at peace for once, raising a fire in the hearth as the storm clouds began to form outside and the rain fell down around them.

Inside, Rumplestiltskin and Belle were warm and comfortable, too busy exploring new worlds to worry much about their own.

Author’s Note: Big thanks to @b-does-the-write-thing​ for letting me borrow the lines Rumple reads to Belle from her fic, The Story Teller. If you like twisted fairy tales and a darker take on the Rumbelle story, check it out!