Shattered Sight

[a_chipped_cup]

Who: Belle and OPEN
Where: Shelter Research Station
When: Backdated to 5/15 - 5/18
Rating: PG - 13
Summary: Hiding the dagger and distrusting everyone
The Story:

It was her first time experiencing a change in the world around her. The beautiful mansion now changed into an unfamiliar setting, leaving her cold and shivering alone. Her arrival here with a certain dagger had left her in a vulnerable position. Taking Henry's advice, she had hidden herself away, trying to decide what to do with Rumpel's dagger.

There were still no answers. She was vulnerable and vulnerability left her suspicious. Hostility wasn't a quality inherent in Belle, but this place seemed to breed it.

Comments

[a_chipped_cup]

She can still see that moment when Rumpel had tossed the gauntlet at the Queens of Darkness. The second that he surrendered power for her. As she looks at him now, all she can feel is the nagging reminder that it might have been a lie. Maleficent had said he returned for it, not really sacrificing anything at all, but instead using it as a means of distraction. He wanted it all and didn't matter the cost.

But that was if it was true. There was still a chance that Maleficent was lying. She had little reason to be believed. She and her friends had nearly killed Belle. Why should their word be taken over Rumpel's?

Why then is he changing the subject? Why doesn't he just say what she needs him to? The only thing that could reassure her. The way he says he loves her, it feels so forced and detached. She isn't crazy and this odd sensation of being deceived isn't placated by that statement.

"You should go." Belle said, pulling back as she burrowed herself in her coat. "It's dangerous for you to know where I am. I don't want Zelena to find out I have the dagger." Maybe his departure will be enough to give her time to think and form a decision about his behavior.

[undealt]

He recoils a bit, realizing in that moment that he's said the wrong thing- too little, too late, per usual. At first he opens his mouth to protest, but her logic is sound, and even he can't deny that as much as he wants to be with her and seek her comfort (maybe apologize for trying to distract her, if he can muster it- maybe actually tell her the truth), Zelena could easily twist this around.

And then, of course, there's his own doubt that could simmer into resentment, into something dark and awful that he'd never want to show Belle directly, because she wants to believe so badly that darkness can't overtake him, but it can. Oh how it can.

Oh, how it is.

He reaches to clutch his heart for a moment, aware of the fact that though the blackness hasn't fully encased it yet, it will soon, and he's never been more aware of that than this moment, the paranoia and fear driving him to fear the worst about everyone- Belle, himself, Zelena.

She's right. He's better off not near anyone.

"Yes..." he says, slowly. "Don't worry, Belle. It will be over soon. I'll see you again soon."

It's a weak promise, one with tiny murmurs of unspoken apologies. Slowly, he backs out, as awkwardly as he did the night she lost her memory and cried out when he'd tried to kiss her. Even after he turns to walk away completely, he still glances over his shoulder.

You fool, he curses himself. You damned fool.