#rumbelle roar

[kelyon]

Hello! I found you through your Golden Cuffs AO3 fanfic (currently reading through Golden Rings), and you have brought back my love for both OUaT and Rumbelle! It’s been a while since I got inspired like this, so first thank you! Since TMI Tuesday is coming up I thought I’d submit my two questions (one here, one in another ask): One, is there any sort of Fandom group for OUaT or Rumbelle? I wasn’t sure how active a fandom there was, but if there was still something I would love to know!

Hello! Welcome to the fandom! I know that you already did the most important part of any Rumbelle initiation and asked Stragg for The Thing. That's how we learn about new Rumbellers. Hopefully, you've gotten a hearty welcome.

I've heard rumors of fandom discords for Rumbelle, but I'm not a part of them myself. We are definitely here on Tumblr.

It's hard to be part of a fandom for a show that isn't running anymore (though it's also nice because we don't have to care about canon anymore.) When a network show is running, you have these bursts of activity every week when there's a new episode. It's easier for fans to come together at the same time and place. Now that people are watching OUAT on streaming, fan activity is more of a steady drip than a full firehose.

This is why it's always so fun to participate in events. Right now the @rumbelleshowdown is in its second round of competition. (You can read all the fics right now! And vote on which ones you think are the best!) Hard to say if they'll be much of a presence at the Monsterfucker's Ball in October (same with Rumbelle Christmas in July.) But as far as I know the Rumbelle Secret Santa is still going strong. That's my favorite way to meet new people and get new fics.

And of course, the most important rule of any fandom is to be yourself and have fun. We're a level-headed, understanding, very horny bunch here in Rumbelle. I hope you have a good time!

[eirian-houpe]

Asking game: 12, 21, 39, 63, 64 and 67 ;-)

Thank you for the ask, my friend - here are my answers:

12. how does receiving or not receiving feedback/support impact you? Well now, if you look back on my blog here (or anywhere else if you happen to know where they are) you will already know that I'm a loud and obnoxious advocate for reader engagement. That's primarily because... well actually maybe what I was about to say was not the whole truth. So I'll start over.

I'm a teacher. More than that, I'm a special education teacher, and I know how important and motivating feedback and support can be for my students, and so I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me at all. The truth is that more than ever the older I get, (and the less time I have to spend on the things I like to do for leisure and enjoyment), the more motivation I have to continue a project comes from knowing that others are enjoying reading what I write, or looking at the things I make - or are at least reading it, even if they're ambivalent. I know that I'm not the only writer in any number of fandoms that feel the same. This is also the reason that if someone comments on a fic, I'll always try to answer it, because writers engaging with the readers is also important. It's a transactional process in that respect.

21. Would you ever collaborate with another writer for a story? I have done it a few times in the past, once with great success, but unfortunately most often time not, though I think that depended more on the personality of the other writer than the actual process, so I think my answer would be, and would have to be, it depends. It's a matter of trust, I think, and where it was a great success, I trusted the other writers implicitly.

39. Share a snippet from a WIP. Thank you for asking. Here is a little snipped from the next chapter of Laer o Faen. It isn't much, but you are welcome to it.

It was a strange dichotomy. The building of the elven home around him set against the tearing down of everything Elvenkind held dear barely a breath away across the Bruinen. The rushing of the river between at once soothing, and unnerving each in its turn. It was night that brought the respite from the constant worry, albeit but a blink of it, for he knew the gathered orcs would not try to ford the Loudwater, as swollen as it was by recent rains.

63. Something you hate to see in smut. Oooh, tough room. Um... wow, um.... I guess the biggest thing I hate to see in smut, the one thing that has me cringing is when a writer uses bizarre euphemisms for body parts. I mean, I get it, not everyone is comfortable with, (or confident enough to) use some of the words most commonly used for genitalia, but excessive beating around the bush (no puns intended), can be a little tiresome. I guess as I've gotten older using and reading those words don't bother me so much any more. I do still dislike the use of the four letter word beginning with c and ending with t used to reference the female sex. It's not a deal breaker, but yeah, I think it still carries a negative connotation for me.

64. Something you love to see in smut. Attention given to all of the senses, and a maintenance of viewpoint character. Nothing worse than headhopping in the middle of rip roaring sex to make a reader's head spin.

67. Do you prefer prompts and challenges, or completely independent ideas? More often than not, I have a hard time with prompts, but by the same token many, if not most of my fics (and some of my best) have come from prompts or challenges - usually from @peacehopeandrats when they say something like, "You know, I read this book and it would be perfect to Rumbelle." Then I go and read the book and they're right, and then my brain can't stop trying to Rumbelle the story. That's how The Library Beneath the Clock Tower came about, among others.

Thank you so much for the questions. I hope you enjoy the answers.

[angreturns]

Dearies, Rumbellers, Anyellers! READ SMUT AND DO NOTHING!!!!!

[emospritelet]

Is there anybody out there like me? I'm a wife, mother, and professional. I'm actually a high school principal of an all girls private school in NY. Yet, at night, when the paper work goes away and the kids are in bed, I'm secretly addicted to Rumbelle fanfiction (especially yours!). I wish I could just come out and say it!

You can say it here Nonny!  There are so many of us!  It’s a myth that fangirls are just in their teens and twenties: there are plenty of us at the other end of the age spectrum.  Rumbelle has a very wide age spectrum, it seems to me - I’ve seen ages given from teens to 60s.

So yes, there are plenty of us with careers and kids and busy lives who are also obsessed with these two fictional characters.  You’re definitely not alone!

[ethereal-wishes]

Dear Rumbelle Fandom,

I just want everyone to know that whatever happens Friday night, whether Belle dies or she doesn’t, fandom will always be here. We have so much great fic and a team of outstanding writers that top the original OUAT writers any day. A ship never dies unless you let it, but it doesn’t have to. Keep writing, making fan art, writing songs and doing what you love. Rumbelle deserves better than anything it’s been given over the last several years, but Emilie and Bobby have gifted us with so many spectacular moments on screen that will never be forgotten. This may sound cheesy, but Rumbelle lives in you and me and won’t go away unless we let it. We’ll get a spectacular performance Friday night regardless, and a slew of fics to follow. Shine on Rumbelle fandom, shine on.

[bluebirdofhapiness]

VOTE FOR RUMBELLE FOR THE BEST COUPLE !!

If you need reasons to vote:

[rumbelle-ficbrarian-blog]

IT’S UP!

Stop everything!

The first episode of Rumbelle Roar: The Podcast is officially online!

The very lovely, very adorable @maplesyrupao3 agreed to be our guinea pig this episode. You can find the episode HERE on Podbean. Please excuse all of the awkward that is Missy, focus on Maple’s adorable instead. Thank you in advance for this kindness ;)

I hope everyone is able to use Podbean easily. If not, please let me know a better site for hosting a podcast of this length!!!

[jackabelle73]

I just finished listening to the first Rumbelle Roar podcast -- all 42 minutes of it, when I was supposed to be writing -- and I’m sorry, @rumbelle-ficbrarian but I have to back out of doing the podcast myself. I can’t follow that. You and @maplesyrupao3 set the bar too high. 

[emospritelet]

I don't think there's anything else running at that time :)

So… hypothetically speaking. If I were to introduce a new, informal Rumbelle event in, say… March or April… would this be conflicting with any existing events? And if not, would anyone be open to participating?

[mareyshelley]

Summary: Belle has no idea how she ended up outside the Evil Queen’s tower, with a note telling her to find her happy ending, but she isn’t going to fall for any more lies. As much as she wished to be free, she knows that none of it is real. [Wish!Rumbelle] A/N: Last time, Wish!Rumbelle were reunited and Wish!Rumple has taken her... somewhere. Thank you @maplesyrupao3​ for beta reading, as always 🖤 Rating: E | Chapter 3: Ao3

The Dark Castle had changed. While Rumplestiltskin looked the same as ever, the castle’s great hall was a mess. The drapes hung loose, ripped and tattered, a thick layer of grey dust coated the long table, and all of Rumple’s prized collection had been broken. Much of it lay in pieces across the floor.

Thirty years.

Rumple stepped back from her the moment they arrived in the hall. He released her hand and looked about the place, taking in the damage for himself. His face gave nothing away, but his hands did. His fingers twitched and rubbed together, and Belle knew him to be as uncertain as she was.

He flicked his wrist and a fire roared up in the hearth. The flames lit the room more than a fire its size should have; highlighting the extent of the damage in a warm, flickering light.

Leaving her side, Rumple walked across the room to where his wheel had once stood. She followed him at a distance. It was only as she rounded the table that she realised his spinning wheel was still there, smashed and lying on the ground. He righted it, and Belle resisted the urge to run and help him. He didn’t need her help. The wheel left behind several spokes and smaller bits she didn’t know the names of, but he was able to stand the main frame of it upright.

She glanced around, wondering if she should pick up some of the other pieces.

“What happened here?” she asked, edging closer.

Rumplestiltskin ignored her and Belle frowned. He continued to poke at his wheel, as if it was the most important thing in the room. Belle could only tolerate so much from the curse. Rumple not trusting her was nothing new, no matter how much it hurt, but him ignoring her was almost unbearable.

“So that’s it?” she pressed, walking up behind him.

He stopped half-way through testing the wheel, and slowly turned to face her.

“You’re not going to try and make a deal?” she added. “You don’t want to ask for anything in return for my staying here?”

His eyes flicked over her, and Belle did her best not to shrink away or feel judged. She knew she hadn’t eaten properly in a long time. She was thinner than she used to be, and she’d never had much in the way of curves to begin with. But still, she felt judged, and she worried she’d been found wanting. His eyes settled on the front of her dress, where her cloak fell open.

“What I want,” he said at length, returning to his wheel, “you won’t be willing to give.”

[Read More on Ao3]

[stardancerluv]

At War

Part 4b

Summary: Roman, takes care of what’s his.

Warning: none

“Zsasz, get us the fuck out of here.” When he climbed back into the Rolls, he saw you shaking and trembling. He exhaled. “Come over here.” Pulling off his mask, he reached over and out it on the passenger seat beside Zsasz who was already tearing through the streets.

He ruffled his hair, looking over he saw you still being consumed by your fear. He was used to seeing people at the other end of his wrath acting like this. He hated seeing you feel like this. He slid over to you.

“Baby.” He whispered. “Come here.” Wrapping an arm around you he pulled you close. He had felt you flinch but then you relaxed. In a breath, you wrapped your arms around him and buried his face into his good side. He ran his fingers through your hair.

Being with you made him face things he disliked, he mused. He was certain you had blood on your face and now that was on his suit. Also this need for comfort, he wasn’t used to giving it. He couldn’t explain it but when you wrapped your arms around him, he actually liked it. Annoyance did not claw at him. If anything, he really wished he could bring you even more comfort.

He’d love to promise you that he will get the head of Gillis but right now he knew best to be quiet. As he held you knowing he killed St. Clair filled him with happiness. She was responsible for the argument the two of you had this morning. The fucking pretty boy got her, he smirked.

The heavy metal door came down behind them as Victor pulled into the underground parking garage.

“Y/N, we’re home.” He tucked some hair behind your ear. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

You looked up at him. “Cleaned up?”

He pressed his lips together and nodded. “Yeah.”

Worry crossed your face.

“I’ll take care of it.” He said to you. Zsasz, he noticed had opened the door. “Let’s get out of this dank parking garage. Yes?”

You nodded and followed him out of the Rolls. He looked at Zsas, “You know where it goes. Make sure that door is locked and then come up and meet me in my office.”

“Want me to give you sometime?” Zsasz, scratched the back of his head.

He exhaled. “Right now is not the time for games.” He gave Zsasz, a hard look. “Once up in the penthouse make sure the elevator only travels to your floor and mine. I do not want to be worried about it.”

“Sure thing boss.”

******

Silently, he took your hand and interlaced your fingers with his gloved one. Looking at it, he rather enjoyed its kind of odd balance. It was the two of you.

He brought you the bedroom, he stopped short of the bathroom. “Wait right here.” He hesitated at you closet but then he turned to his, you barely reacted to him taking his knife back.

Once in his closet, he shed his jacket. He would have to have another one made. He had been rather fond of the maroon color. Pulling off his gloves, he let them fall onto his jacket. A smile tugged on his lips as he looked at all the knives he had, he out the one you took and placed it where it belonged

Opening the drawer below it, he grabbed one of his t-shirts and a pair of his pajama pants. He knew what you had just got through had been a lot. He didn’t want shock or panic setting it.

With his shirt and pants slung on his shoulder, he led you into the bathroom. “Sit here.” He suggested once guiding you to bench he had in there. He placed his shirt and pants beside you.

You looked up at him. “Is it that bad?”

He put a finger under your chin and drew your face up. He shook his head. “No. But my girl should have to deal with this.”

You gave a soft smile. “Thank you.”

He smiled. “What kind of guy would I be?”

You nodded.

He went over and grabbed a wash cloth, he wet and soaped it up. “As much as I love you looking up at me,” He smirked. “Close your eyes, so I can take care of this.”

Looking, at your face seeing the blood splattered there. Incensed his anger. You were only part of this world because of him. How dare they.

He was just grateful, you had that idea. If he had just gotten the news you being killed. There would be even more blood on the streets tonight.

He would have Zsasz, find out what he could about Vanessa. Thankfully, he had set up the transfer but boy executed it because he waited making sure the plan would work. He had not expected this. The other girls would be upset. Everyone, seemed to like her. David on the other hand, had been a decent driver but he had no connections with the others and no family to speak of. GothamPD could handle him.

More reason, for him to dislike Gillis and her gang. Making more unnecessary trouble. He gritted his teeth

Gently holding your chin as brushed and rubbed the blood away. “Stay this way, now I have to rinse the soap away.”

He threw away the wash cloth. Grabbing a new one he soaked it with warm water he twisted it and grabbed a dry one and you would be set.

When he back, he noticed that tears had run down your cheeks. He sighed, “It’s not your fault. You had an amazing idea. It saved you. And I will make Gillis and her gang pay.”

Your eyes were watery. “Ok. Good.”

He held up the wash cloth. “Hold the dry one for me, baby.”

You took it and he made sure all the soap was gone. He went over it a few times. After drying you off, the wash clothes were on the floor. He’d never use them again. He helped you to your feet.

Easily he helped you out of your clothes. “Ooh.” He made a sound as sweet as he could while letting his finger trace the band of your panties. “These are very nice.” But then he helped you into his pajama pants followed by his t-shirt. “There’s my girl.” He pulled you close and brushed aside the fresh tear.

“Baby, I have to gather my men and protect us here. Now you can lay on the sofa in my office while I talk with Zsasz or you can stay in here.”

You swallowed. “I’ll stay here.”

“Alright, thats my girl.” He smiled. “I am very proud of you tonight.”

“You are?”

“Yes. You had a solid plan and it worked. And those people will pay for what they did.”

You looked down. He drew your face up. “Maybe I will let you scream at them when I capture them.”

You smiled then that made him feel better. He was relieved, he didn’t want you getting depressed. In this world people died, he was just glad you were not one of them.

“There’s the smile that pulled me in.” He smiled. “Ok, I’ll come get you if the need arises. Maybe get some rest. It has been a rough night.”

You nodded.

*****

Roman, was right your plan worked and thankfully it wasn’t you. Perhaps, when things calmed down the two of you could do something for Vanessa’s family, if it was needed. You picked up the discarded wash clothes, your clothes and brought them to the chute that dropped them into the incinerator. You saw where he dropped his suit-jacket and gloves. It was best to let him decide what he wanted to do.

Going the room where you kept your stuff, you gathered Vanessa’s and also put them down the chute. Pushing the button, you let the incinerator do its job.

As you walked back to the bedroom you watched as Roman hunched over maps sipped at some whisky. He undid the first few buttons of his shirt. Seeing him do what he did his best made you feel good, it made you feel safe.

Going back to the bedroom, it was too much work to pull the blankets aside so you laid on top of them. You barely laid down and sleep claimed you.

*****

“Alright, let’s see.” He took a sip of his whiskey. “I want some downstairs in the club and I want the rest spread out in the neighboring buildings.”

“We can do that.” Victor sent out the messages. “Who do we want down stairs?”

“The ones who are directly on my payroll. The other ones,” He pressed his lips together. “Those who uphold and pledge their loyalty can stat staked out in the other buildings. Give them an incentive. A bonus if they stay there ams stay good look outs and support if she comes.”

“Alright good. They should all like that.”

Roman, looked at him. “They better. And of we catch any of them helping her, we take their fucking head.”

*****

Later, much later after he had finally spoken to various groups. He finally decided to sleep. He was ready.

Feeling like he was shedding clothes from a lifetime ago he felt worlds better. It felt good to feel the silk of his pajamas.

He tiredly smiled when he saw that you and cleaned things up. The entire maroon suit went down the chute along with the gloves. Pushing the button, for the second time that night the incinerator roared to life.

Seeing, that you laid on top pf the blankets he would too. He saw anguish splashed across your face. He exhaled, he was tired to his bones with the situation Gillis threw his life into. But carrying for you felt easy, it was like taking care of himself. He went and laid close.

“Daddy’s here.” He breathed close to your ear and pressed a kiss on your cheek.

Draping an arm over your side, he gave himself up to the sleep that had been pulling hard on him.

@darling-i-read-it @spn-obsessed-dean @vintagemichelle91 @xxxeatyourh3artoutxxx @ewanfuckingmcgregor @zodiyack @angel98624 @frenchgirlinlondon @nebulastarr @emyliabernstein @thepeachreads @itsknife2meetu @omghappilyuniquebouquetlove @nomnomnomnamja @poe-kadot26 @top-rumbelle-fan @babydoll97 @hazel-nuss @vcat55 @feelthemadnessinside @rosionis @queenofgotham800 @brookisbi @peachthatdrinkslemonade @johallzy @foreverhockeytrash @frostypenguinoz @starwarsslytherin @proffesionalclown @chogisss @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @shantellorraine @xxinvisiblexx @pooshnulooshnu @speedypartyducksuitcase @blondekel77 @corey-clown @drarrylov3r @i-cant-hear-you16 @deadlymistress24 @yesqueenofthelight

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: Stick to the Shadows

AU-gust Day Twenty-Two: Futuristic AU Fandom: Once Upon A Time Pairing: Rumbelle

Rated: T

Summary: Belle, Gold, and the rest of their Shadowrunning team are caught in a sticky situation during a Run, and Belle and Gold are very relieved when it’s all over. (A Shadowrun AU.)

Note: I had a ton of trouble working out what to do for this prompt and I went through several different tries before hitting on the idea of using Shadowrun, a tabletop RPG that I play set in the distant future. It can basically be described as ‘D&D - but with added guns and computers’. There’s magic, there’s tech, there’s metaspecies (elves, orks, dwarves etc). It’s a lot of fun.

Content warning: Blood, mild violence.

Stick to the Shadows

“Rumpelstiltskin, how’s it looking up there?”

“It’d be wonderful if it wasn’t as cold as a yeti’s backside.”

Belle had to laugh at Gold’s frank statement. They always had a good time when he came out into the field with them. Normally he stayed at home, working behind the scenes.

Beside her, Jefferson, the one to ask the question, sighed. “I happen to know several yetis, Rumpel, and I can guarantee that the fur makes them a lot warmer than you give them credit for. Anyway, stay put. I’m sure that Beauty can warm you up later.”

Belle felt herself flush. Although their relationship was something of an open secret among the rest of their group of Shadowrunners, she was trying to keep the secret part of it going for as long as possible. 

Gold gave Jefferson some choice four letter words and Jefferson smiled calmly, letting him vent before speaking again.

“Grumpy, are you in position?”

“Jeff, we’re in each other’s line of sight.” Leroy waved at them from across the bar. “If you can’t see that I’m in position then I think you need glasses. Aren’t elves supposed to have keener eyesight than the rest of us?”

Jefferson rolled his eyes, but he didn’t rise to the challenge. As the only metahumans in their usual group, Jefferson and Leroy got a lot of mileage out of dwarf and elf jokes. 

“Ok, we’re ready,” he said. “And Grumpy, you know that we’re supposed to use codenames when we’re on comms.”

“Yes, Hatter.”

“Hopefully, this should be a nice, clean extraction. In, out, deliver, get paid. Let’s Run.”

Jefferson began to weave his way through the crowded bar towards their mark, striking up an easy conversation. Jefferson was their face, the charismatic con artist with a silver tongue who could talk them into or out of anywhere. Well, almost anywhere. If Jefferson’s charm failed then they fell back on Belle’s magic or Leroy’s aptitude with a hammer and pickaxe – or just his fists. As a last resort, they had Gold providing them with air support from a distance; the man had more drones at his fingertips than he knew what to do with, ranging from tiny spy cameras the size of a bee to huge monsters with mounted heavy machine guns. Between them, they made a good team and they’d been Shadowrunning together successfully for years.

The mark had bitten, leaning in closer to Jefferson, eager to hear what he had to say. Belle kept her eyes open. They were not the only ones looking to extract this man. When they’d been hired, their client had warned them that he was hot property. There was a price on his head.

Belle spotted a couple of obvious paramilitary types moving towards Jefferson, and she dropped onto the astral plane to take stock, scanning the room for magical signatures. She wasn’t the only mage in the bar, but her persons of interest had no powers themselves. Across the room, she could see Leroy taking an interest in two more goons and beginning to tail them through the throng.

“One more behind you,” Gold’s voice said in her ear. His spy drone zoomed past in front of her and began to systematically read the room. “Just those five as far as I can make out.”

Belle glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of the person Gold had spotted, a burly ork in an ill-fitting suit. As he squeezed past her, Belle caught his arm, sending out a pulse of magic to probe his mind. It was only a brief touch so she didn’t get much, but she could tell that he had been hired by one of the megacorporations, that the other suspicious persons were with him, and that his intentions towards their mark were of the distinctly murderous variety.

“Jeff, we have incoming and they’re not friendly,” she hissed into her comm. “Get him out now.”

“Copy that.”

Across the bar, she saw Jefferson’s demeanour instantly change from debonair playboy to hardened Shadowrunner as he explained the situation to the mark and the two of them began to make their way back towards Belle and the exit. The goons were following them, pushing the other patrons aside in an attempt not to lose their quarry. Over on the other side of the room, there was a commotion as Leroy engaged the two he’d been tailing. The other three looked over to their colleagues but did not go to their aid.

Belle cast invisibility with a flick of her wrist, Jefferson and the mark becoming blue and ghostly in her eyes as they vanished from view for the rest of the bar. The spell was tricky, needing a constant sight line to maintain, and it was difficult in a place where there were so many other people getting in the way. Someone jostled her, breaking her concentration, and the spell shattered, leaving Jeff and the mark fully visible again, although they’d managed to put some more distance between themselves and their pursuers. They were almost at the door when there was a scream; the two goons had produced pistols and didn’t seem to have any care for collateral damage in their determination.

Belle knew that she only had a moment to act, and she dived into their path.

“BELLE NO!” Gold’s voice in her ear was frantic, but she ignored it. She’d done this before, and she had to trust that Gold knew what she was doing and could act on her instinct.

As the two men fired, Belle threw up a barrier, pouring all of her magical energy into maintaining the invisible wall between them and her – and by proxy Jefferson and their mark.

“Hatter, go!” she yelled as another couple of drones swooped past her ear. Gold had got the message, and Jefferson wasted no time in escaping with their mark. A moment later, there was an ear-splitting shriek of electricity as the taser drones found their mark, and Belle finally dropped the barrier, the bullets dropping with it. She staggered backwards; the spell had drained her, and her head was pounding. Across the bar, she saw Leroy despatch his two opponents and dive out of the nearest window. Ignoring the spots dancing in front of her eyes, Belle turned tail and ran out of the bar after Jefferson, catching up with him and the mark and meeting up with Leroy outside in the commotion.

“Now where?” The mark was looking around in desperation. Although Shadowrunners were not the most trustworthy of people, at least this group appeared to want to try and save his life rather than end it, so he’d cut his losses and was sticking with them.

“Now, we wait for our ride, which should be here any minute now.” Jefferson smiled as a screech of tires heralded the arrival of a blue SUV on the scene. “There we are, right on schedule.”

Three of the four doors shot open, much to the alarm of the gathered crowds outside the bar since the SUV appeared to be completely empty. Jefferson bundled the mark into the back and Belle jumped into the passenger seat, Leroy throwing himself into the driver’s side and only just having time to close his door before the car zoomed off again.

“Rumpel, if you hurt one molecule of Catherine’s paintwork,” he grumbled. “I’ll take the wheel now, thanks. Rumpel! I said I’ll take the wheel!”

“You sure about that?” Gold’s voice came through on the comms. “You’ve got incoming.”

Belle glanced in the rear-view to see that the three goons Leroy had not had chance to take down were following them, one in another car, the other on a motorbike.

“Yes! Will you give me control of my own damn van!”

There was an audible clunk as the SUV dropped out of remote control, losing speed for a moment before Leroy was back in control, roaring down the road and dodging in and out of other traffic.

A hail of bullets ricocheted off Catherine’s bumper and Jefferson pushed the mark down out of the line of fire. Evasive manoeuvres weren’t going to cut it; they were going to have to return fire.

“Rumpelstiltskin, take the wheel!”

As reluctant as Leroy had been to let Gold get his hands on his precious Catherine, even he had to admit that having a backseat driver was very useful in times like this.

There was another clunk and short speed drop, then the SUV was driving itself as Leroy rummaged in the driver’s footwell for something out of his extensive arsenal, proceeding to lean out of the window with a shotgun.

Belle leaned out too, but the vehicles were moving too quickly for her to get a proper hit with her magic. She looked up at the rooftops, spotting Gold in his roost, his face illuminated by the light of several holographic screens as he effortlessly drove Catherine with one hand and controlled his many drones with the other. Something caught her eye, a flicker behind Gold that shouldn’t have been there.

She dropped down onto the astral plane again, trying to focus despite the motion. Yes, there was another mage coming up behind him.

“Gold, behind you!” she squealed. He turned, but the mage was invisible to him and his attack drones were all focussed on the pursuit. Belle pushed back onto the physical plane, dived back into the SUV and then out of the sunroof, much to Leroy’s alarm.

“Get down! You’re a sitting duck!”

“So’s Gold, and I need a better sight line on astral! Cover me!”

Leroy griped but acquiesced, and Belle went astral again, throwing a spell towards the mage behind Gold. Being astral, it went straight through Gold with no ill effects, finding its target and sending him staggering backwards, breaking his concentration and turning him visible again to let Gold finish him off – in doing so losing his own concentration on Catherine for a moment and making her lurch to the side.

Belle heard Leroy’s yell: “Rumpel! Do not hurt Catherine!” but then all that was lost as a bullet grazed her arm, making her cry out with the pain and drop back down into the SUV.

“If she even has a scratch I’ll… Belle, are you ok?”

“Belle! Belle, are you all right?”

Belle nodded, although she did not like the feel of the blood seeping between her fingers as she clutched her arm. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes, vaguely aware of Gold’s voice in her ear as Jefferson leaned through between the front seats to give her first aid.

Finally, Leroy finished off their attackers and took control of Catherine again. Everything was quiet at last. Now all they had to do was get to the rendezvous with their client: their mark’s father, who had promised a substantial sum if they got him out of dodge unscathed.

Belle just hoped that the mage on the rooftop hadn’t been alone.

X

It was the small hours by the time they made it back to their nominal hideout. Of all of the places where they could have met, Leroy’s underground safehouse had been judged the safest, and no matter what happened during a Run or however they might get separated, they would always meet up there afterwards. Being set up for a dwarf it was not the most comfortable accommodation for the rest of them, but they were nonetheless glad of it.

The mark had been delivered safely and Catherine had got through her ordeal with only a few bullet marks; Leroy was already performing repairs in the garage whilst Jefferson got Belle’s arm fixed up. It was only a scratch, but it had been painful enough at the time.

Gold was the last to arrive, having had to pack up all his gear and make his way to them without the aid of Catherine. Belle knew that he had several other vehicles rigged up that he could use, but she also knew that he preferred to keep a low profile after an altercation such as the one he’d narrowly missed with the other mage.

He ducked into the living room where Jefferson and Belle were waiting, going straight over to throw his arms around Belle. He was not usually demonstrative when the rest of the group were around; trying to keep the futile secret going for as long as possible. Belle guessed that it was definitely out in the open now.

“Never do that again,” he mumbled in her ear. “I thought I’d lost you for good.”

“I promise. As long as you promise not to get ambushed by unfriendly mages again.”

Gold gave a weak chuckle. “I’m never going out into the field again if this is what happens. I’m staying firmly in my own office and running everything remotely.”

Belle just laughed, tightening her hold on him with her one good arm. Tomorrow, when she wasn’t so drained from tonight’s magic, she’d cast a healing spell on herself and everything would be as good as new.

Gold kissed her then, a fierce and desperate kiss that showed just how happy he was that they had both survived another Run, and how distraught he would be if he were to lose her for good one of these days. Belle knew the feeling, she felt exactly the same way. Although he was not usually in as much danger as the rest of them, tonight had proved that even Gold could end up in harm’s way if the stars aligned in a particularly horrible way.

Leroy came in, wiping his hands on a rag.

“Please, if you’re going to get mushy, do it elsewhere,” he said, but the smile on his face betrayed his happiness at seeing the two of them together and comparatively unharmed. Life in the shadows was a dangerous business; Runners tended to stick to the mantra of live fast, die young. Still, having someone to share the life with made Belle that much more determined to come home at the end of every Run, and she knew that Gold felt the same way.

“I love you,” she whispered, once Leroy had gone back out to Catherine and Jefferson, deciding to give the lovebirds some privacy, had gone with him to make himself useful by handing him spanners.

“I love you too. Now… Any idea how we should spend our fee? There’s a new command console that I’ve had my eye on for a while, and you said you wanted new Gecko-Grip gloves…” He tailed off as Belle kissed him again.

“Or we could have a nice romantic night on the town,” she suggested.

Gold nodded. “Yes. Yes, we could do that.” He paused, and Belle had to laugh when he spoke again.

“I don’t think we’ll be welcome at that bar again though.”

[emospritelet]

Thank you darling xxx You're wonderful!

It’s Fanfic Writer Appreciation Day

And I didn’t realize it until five seconds ago so I’ve been remiss. 

So here we go. 

The Rumbelle fandom is lousy with talent and always has been. I started reading Rumbelle fic in 2013. So many of the writers I first found have been lost to the ether over the years. But many of them are still here and I’ve even followed a few to other fandoms. And the thing about the Rumbelle fandom is it keeps growing. Even now, a full year after the end of the show, people are still finding Rumbelle and writing about them falling in love a million different ways. It’s brilliant and beautiful. So I want to take five minutes to just APPRECIATE all of you lovely people. Here we go!

@timelordthirteen. You are my soul mate. You manage to hit all the right buttons with every fic you write. It’s like you’re in my brain knowing exactly what I want. It’s a little freaky, but I love you for it. Check out Working Out (who would have known a fic about Gold joining a gym would be my everything?) and her in progress Killing Time, which checks every box I have for a great story. 

@emospritelet my smut queen. If I could write a sex scene half as well as you do I’d spend my days penning erotica and eating bon bons because obviously you should be paid handsomely for your work. Also, how do you write food so well? You make me horny and hungry it’s insane. Please check out Things Left Unsaid (and I’m not just saying that because I prompted it!) and The Long Game, the fic that introduced me to Sprite and that I’m still in awe of its majesty. 

@rufeepeach was the first Rumbelle writer I found. I devoured everything she wrote and I will still, 6 years later, drop everything to read he stories. Her Time of Day series is one of the first stories I read and is still the standard I hold all curse AUs to. Inheritance was one of those fics where it just spoke to me and I waited with bated breath for every update. She’s a genius. 

@bad-faery. You know her. You love her. You don’t need me to sing her praises, but I will anyway. Four Walls is one of the best fics I’ve ever read. It’s rare when a story makes me burst into tears but I full on sobbed during this story. And Again was my first Macelle story and I’ve never looked back. 

@prissyhalliwell is my darling. My buddy. My post episode squee/rant partner. Check out We’ve Never Met and Welcome to the Enchanted Forest (which I need to finish now its been updated!).

@mareyshelley. We haven’t interacted much, but I’ve loved your fics. The Image of Her is the moody gothic romance I never knew I needed. What the Heart Wants is a gorgeous season 7 AU where Belle retained her memories and tries to win over a cursed Weaver while taking care of their infant son. 

@worryinglyinnocent is so prolific I literally can’t keep up. A couple of favorites though are The Darkness Within which is terrifying and sexy and everything in between and Friendships and Fandoms which managed to spin off its entire own fandom about a fictional TV show!

@ifishouldvanish wrote my favorite Lachlan/Lacey story that I could ever imagine and I can’t fathom ever writing that pairing now because that fic is so perfect it’s canon to me. Please read How Do You Sleep. I can’t recommend it enough. 

@b-does-the-write-thing. I’m always in awe of your ability. I love a good historic AU and The Demon Earl’s Deal is the real deal. So much research! Please read it! Also check out The Story Teller. B’s world building is unparalleled and you should have it in your life. 

@ishtarelisheba has written some frankly amazing fics. Her gender swapped Pretty Woman AU Life in Detail is brilliant as is her Christmas fic Blue Christmas. She writes a woobie Rumple like no one else. 

@maplesyrupao3  has another historic AU I absolutely love in Vows, a story about Belle marrying Mr. Gold to save herself from financial ruin but ends up quite happily discovering the pleasures marriage has to offer. Another favorite is Blind Faith which has a disabled Gold in a whole new way. 

@thestraggletag. Going back to the first writers I found in this fandom, Stragg is it. Some of my favorite fics I’ve ever read are still her Starbucks Series and Nurturing. 

There are so many more, but it’s late and I’ve had two glasses of wine and I have to stop at some point. I love this fandom, I love the fic, I don’t get to read as much as I’d like these days but it’s still my happy place. No matter how much or how little you’ve written, you are apprecitaed. Thank you to each and every Rumbelle writer for keeping Rumbelle alive. 

[xiolaperry]

The Piano - Chapter 10

Summary: Belle French and her daughter arrive in New Zealand to an arranged marriage with Gaston LeGume.  Gaston shows little interest in her or her piano and books. However, Mr. Gold is fascinated… (Rumbelling of the 1993 film “The Piano”)

Rating: E for smut, dark subject matter and violence. 

Special Note: There is a forced kiss in this chapter, please do not read if this sort if thing upsets you.

Also available on AO3

---

“I lied to you earlier.”

Belle stopped tracing patterns on his back. He rolled over and sat up, leaning against the headboard. Patting the spot next to him, he showed he wanted her close.

“I implied there wasn't anything of yours here. But there is.”

He reached under his pillow and pulled out a small green cloth-bound book. It was “Aesop's Fables,” from her childhood.

“Another lie - no, exaggeration. I can read, just not very well.”

He opened it and traced her name written inside.

“You wrote your name in this one. Belle French. The rest had printed bookplates, this one was in your handwriting.”

He looked up from the book to assure himself that he had her full attention.

“Names are important. They have power. I wanted to have yours, this piece of you, here with me. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept it.”

She kissed the side of his neck, forgiving.

“Labhrainn. My name. You are the first in all of New Zealand to hear it. I trust you to keep it to yourself.”

She mouthed the name, enjoying the feel of the syllables on her lips. Labhrainn. Unusual, but it suited him to have an uncommon name.

Her wry smile made her thoughts clear to him. “Don't tease, now. I didn't choose to be saddled with it.”

She squeezed his hand. Sharing a secret was a unique form of intimacy, and she was glad he'd given her one.

Gold snapped the book shut. Belle got up and collected her clothes. He wished their morning together would never end. “You're leaving.”

Her only response was to hold out her wrist so he could help with the buttons on her sleeves. Gold's shirt hung open, his buttons still scattered about the room.

Concerned with how much time had passed, Belle hurried to finish getting dressed. She had lost a few buttons of her own. As she reached to pick up the one she spied on the floor, she knocked it down a knot-hole in the floorboard.

“I need to know. What will you do?”

Belle tidied her hair in the mirror.

“Does this mean something to you?” This woman had changed him. He didn't recognize himself with all this talk of feelings and emotions. She was like a drug, putting him in an altered state. The words just kept coming.

“I already miss you, Belle.” Standing, he reached around her waist and breathed in the scent of her neck. “I'm a difficult man to love. But do you love me?”

Belle stopped fussing with her hair and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face had not changed, but everything was different. What had transpired between them was overwhelming, but she had to get back to Tilly. There was a lot to process, choices to make. It wouldn't do to be impulsive and come to a rash decision after the morning of mind-blowing sex. Not wanting him to doubt that she cared for him, she turned, pulling his shirt further apart to kiss him on his chest over his heart.

Gold was confused. Was this an answer? He studied her face. “Come tomorrow,” he told her with urgency in his voice. “If the answer is yes, that you want us to be together, come tomorrow.”

She put the book on the table next to the chipped cup and left before he could tempt her to stay.

---

That morning, Gaston had decided to work in the barn instead of going straight out to the new property. When Tilly’s shouts reached his ears, he'd returned to the house in time to see Belle leave and an angry Tilly stomp away. Belle didn't even notice his pursuit in her rush.

He crept up to the cottage, a hunter stalking his prey. From the bottom of the porch steps, he could almost make out Gold's quiet murmurings. When the slapping and scuffling noises began he advanced to the window without making a sound. He saw Gold and his wife in a passionate embrace. He reeled, dropping to the porch, his back sagging against the wall. The muted sighs, moans, and breathless sounds of pleasure paralyzed him.

Anger and curiosity trapped Gaston between them. Curiosity won. He looked again. Gold was on his knees under the cage of her hoops. Belle ripped at her clothing, yanking off her corset. He grimaced at the sound of fabric tearing.

Gaston continued to play the voyeur. With Belle's eyes closed, swaying like she might fall over, she'd never notice him. Gold was intent at his task between her legs, licking and kissing. Then he stopped, and Gaston darted back. He heard Gold tell Belle she was delicious. He knew men sometimes did this sort of thing, they told bawdy jokes and stories about it. But the idea of kneeling before a woman, worshipful, did not appeal. Although Belle was enjoying herself, if the loud panting was any sign. He peeked again, and yes, Gold had returned to his ministrations. Did he enjoy doing that?

After Belle had tensed like she'd been struck by lightning, she helped Gold to his feet, then ripped his pants off. He hadn't realized she was such a wanton. Gold's stiff cock answered his question, he'd obviously enjoyed the time spent on his knees. He observed that the man was well endowed, then chided himself for even noticing such a thing.

Realization that he was in a vulnerable position came to him. Granny or those Maori could show up at any moment, and he didn't want to be caught spying. Besides, they'd moved to the bed, which he couldn't see without sticking his head in the window. They'd notice that.

A black cat butted against his hand, looking for affection. Irritated, he swiped at it, causing it to run off hissing under the house. There was just enough room for him to follow. And a knothole in the floorboard to make it easier for him to eavesdrop. The panting and moaning were endless. How long did this act take?

A period of relative silence followed. Gold spoke some nonsense about books and names. It was difficult to pay attention; he was getting uncomfortable, and he was certain a spider was walking across his hand. A button dropped through a knothole nearby. At last, Gold asked something important.

“What will you do?”

After Belle left, Gaston did not go straight home. He needed time to think. What would Belle do? Her actions tomorrow would answer the question. Maybe this was to be a single occurrence, to show her gratitude for the return of the piano. For now, no one else knew. That was the most important thing. People would mock and laugh if they found out. The secret must be kept. As long as she didn't go back, everything would be fine.

---

That night, Belle was giddy. How did couples get anything done when there was such fun to be had? Her first lover ought to be ashamed of himself. He had either known nothing about a woman's body or just didn't care.

Trying to calm down, she asked Tilly to read her favorite book aloud. She saw Mr. Gold's – no, Labhrainn's – expressive face on the prince, herself on the princess. When they got ready for bed, Tilly brushed Belle's hair. Unable to contain her high spirits, she grabbed her and tickled. The two rolled around, laughter ringing through the house.

Pleased with her mother's good humor, Tilly demanded a shadow puppet story. Belle acquiesced. Now the sorcerer was not evil like everyone assumed. He was only lonely, and the princess he'd stolen away fell in love with him. Tilly applauded this romantic development. Belle hoped Tilly’d be as enthusiastic about her mother’s romance after she’d had time to process it.

In the next room, Gaston paged through a book on botany, eyes not seeing the pages. His jaw clenched, and his neck was stiff. When he could no longer take the sounds of happiness that assaulted his ears, he took his axe and went outside to chop wood until the window of the bedroom darkened.

Long after Tilly fell asleep, Belle replayed the morning's events. She wondered if Mr. Gold would enjoy her mouth on him to completion. The next day could not come fast enough.

After breakfast, Gaston announced he was continuing his task of building a fence on his new acreage. As soon as he was out of sight, she instructed an irritated Tilly how to spend her morning. She was upset about being left behind again, but they didn't have as much of a confrontation as yesterday. She had to teach her boundaries. It would be difficult for Tilly to understand, but she was a bright and loving child. Given time, she'd realize Mr. Gold hadn't stolen her place in her heart, he'd expanded it and there was more than enough room for them both.

She hurried along the path. Brimming with happiness, she wondered what he would do when he saw that she had come back to him. There was much to discuss, which would be difficult, considering he didn’t sign and had a hard time with reading. But sometimes she felt as though he heard her in his head. He would understand that she wanted to be with him, wanted the three of them to be a family. She and Tilly could teach him sign language and help him with his reading.

As she raced past a grouping of trees at the edge of Gaston's property, the man himself stepped directly in front of her. Shocked, Belle stopped short and almost tripped. Gaston's face was blank, his eyes empty. She decided in an instant to keep walking, acting like nothing was amiss. But he followed her, grabbing her arm and wrenching her back to him. He did not speak. Pulling her hair, he kissed her hard, bruising her lips. There was no affection, only dominance, a show of power.

Belle’s heartbeat roared in her ears. She kept her mouth clenched shut and did not fight back. Her jaw ached from the effort. When he stopped to breathe, she shoved him with all her strength and ran away. Gaston was faster. He caught her, and she clung to a stout tree branch, kicking at him as he pulled. The rough bark dug into her hands.

“Maaammmaaa!” she heard Tilly call from a distance. She was coming up the path. Relief at Tilly's disobedience brought tears to her eyes. “Mama, Aunt Cora is looking for you!” At the sound of her voice, Gaston froze. Belle gathered her composure; Tilly must not see them like this. Gaston took her arm and marched her back to the house.

“There you are,” said Cora as they came into view. Her sharp eyes noted Belle's pale face and Gaston's grim mouth. “We were just stopping to thank you for allowing Tilly to be a part of our little play. And, I know Gaston would appreciate having an enjoyable meal for a change, so we wanted to invite you to dinner for Christmas.”

“Thank you Aunt, we will attend. However, we are very busy. Don't let us keep you.” He walked straight past her to the woodpile and cut lengths of board. His axe hit the mark each time despite his speed and wood split with a crack.

“Well, I never saw such rudeness.” Cora stalked off to where Regina was waiting with the horses when it became apparent Gaston was ignoring her.

The rest of the day Belle lay on the bed. When Gaston started hammering planks over the windows she covered her ears, the sound of the nails in the wood like clods of earth falling on a coffin. He finished his work with a wooden bolt on the front door, enabling him to lock it from the outside. That would keep her home. She would not go back to Gold.

Tilly sat next to her mother. “You shouldn't have gone to Mr. Gold's house again after he returned the piano and books. I don't like it, and neither does Papa.” Why did Mama want to spend time with him without her? Mr. Gold was nice, and she liked his cat, but it wasn't worth getting into trouble. Calling Gaston 'Papa' was the best way her child's mind could conceive of how to get back at her for causing this upheaval. Belle ignored the ploy and closed her eyes.

[woodelf68]

EVERYTHING IS PERFECT AND NOTHING HURTS

We’ve got four and a half months of Rumbelle being in a happy place with baby Gideon and I will need ALL the fluffy fics. And I don’t see any reason why Belle can’t be happily off-screen with Gideon in season 7 if Henry is in Seattle. This girl turns up claiming to be his daughter in an eerie echo of his own childhood, so what more natural than to call home and say something magical is afoot and could anyone come and help him figure it out? And Grandpa Gold and Regina and Hook (standing in for Emma for some reason?) go out to help him. 

[emospritelet]

Happy Skin Deep Day!

Rumbelle roar!