#finepointofadeal

It seemed so surreal. Belle had just been crowned queen. It was surreal to think that it seems like just yesterday she was a simple noblewoman and now she is queen. Somehow, one of the distinguished knights of the King’s counsel chose him to be his successor after his death, but she was sure it was simple diplomacy matters she didn’t understand. Gaston, the soldier and king-to-be, had only chosen her as her bride simply because of her beauty. He really just wanted her to smile and look pretty. But others saw her as more than that. When he wasn’t around, people asked her for opinions on many important political matters, but she felt very over her head about it all.

It was days like this she wished her parents were still around to help her through this. Her mother had died during one of the ogre attacks on their land, and her father passed away very suddenly after her marriage. No one knew the cause of it, but after being forced into this arranged marriage, she felt more alone now more than ever. If only they could be here to help her through all of this.

She needed to take a walk and get some fresh air, but she knew that she would not be allowed out of this palace alone. Looking around, she saw a kind knight off in the corner on his past. She walked towards him. “I would like to take a stroll in the village. Would you be able to be my escort? I would hate to take you away from more important duties.”

The auburn-haired woman woke up in the middle of a wooded area that she did not recognize. She was wearing dirty rags, and she did not have the slightest memory of who she was or how she got here. Her entire memory was blank, which made her more anxious about her current situation. There were so many questions that came at this moment. Where am I? How did I get here? Who am I? Why can’t I remember anything?

Part of her was afraid to call out for help. With no memory or understanding, she might be forced to ask someone for help who could take advantage of her situation. Still, what choice did she have if she wanted to survive this situation? Without any memory, she could not do this alone. She needed someone to help her.

“Hello?” she called out nervously as she took nervous steps around. “Is anyone there? Please! I need help! I don’t know where I am!”

Standing there as the rain soaked his skin, mixing with the tears that spilled down his cheeks. It had began soon after the young librarian chanced a look over the line. He was gone and he wasn’t coming back. It was then that Beau collapsed into the street sobs of pain and regret escaping his lips in the form of “ what have I done” and “I’m sorry”.

He stayed there for as long as he could bare the night air chilling his skin through is soaked shirt. Sniffling back all his pride and his sense the young man made his way back into town, reaming as tall and brave as he could. He wouldn’t go back there tonight, not there not with his presence everywhere. Despite everything Beau loved him but that wasn’t enough..for either of

them.

Beau reached the diner collapsing on a chair. The place was quite by now. Only Emma was there with Regina taking shots looking a bit out of sorts. But Emma was not out of it enough to notice Beaus clear heartbreak. He herd Emma slide over and sigh.

“You didn’t know, you couldn’t have” she said to try and sooth him.

“I should” was all Beau could say

“Where is he now?” Emma asked softly

“Gone” he said tears trickling down his cheeks again

Emma looked at him confused for a moment.

“Gone where?” Beau turned to her this time and slowly placed the knife on the counter letting her see it. He knew the blonde wouldn’t think him capable of murder, he knew that wouldn’t cross her mind. But when it did dawn on her she looked at him in surprise.

“You gonna be okay?” she finally asked him  

He looked away and sighed again a sob escaping his lips.

“Someday” he said and with that Emma walked out with Regina in tow

He felt lost and alone in that moment that nothing would ever be okay again when someone changed it all for the better. The thief, Will Scarlet.

“I know exactly how you feel” he said sliding in next to Beau and ordering him a drink.

“Your just saying that to make me feel better”

Will sighed. “I know what loving someone like him is like” That got the young book lovers attention. “You do?”

“Aye, I do. The kind of person you want to change your entire world for just to make them happy. But in the end it just isn’t enough for them and when you think they changed and they everything is better it just gets a whole lot worse. Thats what happened to Ana”

Beau was silent for a moment. It was as if the other man steeped into his shoes and understood him completely in that very moment.

“Can you tell me about her?” he finally asked breaking the silence.

Will smiled signalling Ruby to bring drinks. “With pleasure”

———————

One night of drunken passion to forget the one he lost. Beau lost himself in the intense heat of the moment, he had never had someone who understood him so well and he liked that. Its probably what possessed him to kiss the other man, and surprisingly he didn’t push away. It was just a  kiss though and nothing more, he didn’t think he would be ready for anything for a while.

It was one night be tried to forget, it was a mistake and he didn’t want a repeat. But he just couldn’t stay away and neither could Will. They were drawn to each other like moths to flames and honestly Beau has never been happier.

The days turned into weeks and pretty soon it was as if Rumple was just a distant memory, not forgotten just no longer his burden. Six weeks after that dreadful night it would seem fate had something in store for him. The young librarian had seen Cruella and Ursula back in town the same two people who tried to kill him many years ago when he was under Rumples captivity.

He had gotten them out of the shop thankfully and now he was on the way to meet his, well it seemed like it could have an official title now, boy friend for lunch. Things with Will had been going great but he wasn’t ready for anything too physical just yet and Will respected that. He would wait forever he told him and that made the book lovers heart sore. Finally a reason to feel happy again.

He hoped on his bike and drove over to the diner, planning to meat Beau inside, when he saw someone step from the shadows behind the diner.

Oh Gods no this was not happening. Not now, it couldn’t. Tears pooled in his eyes and if he looked hard enough he could almost pretend they were still in love, happy together and married. But as soon as it had come it had gone and all that was left in his heart was anger and sorrow.

As soon as he saw that gauntlet he knew. How could he have been so stupid? to actually think he could change for him. Had everything been a lie? had their entire marriage, everything they built been false? 

No it hadn’t, it couldn’t possibly. Beau kept telling himself this, it was true love after all. Of course it had been real at one point, but what about now? thats was the only thing he could think about as he shooed his step grandson from the shop.

He had a choice to make. He could see where this damn thing lead, and hope to the Gods it didn’t move at all or he could just go confront the man himself. Beau certainly was angry enough to do the later. But he knew Rumple, and he would try and dance around the whole thing. The only way was to see where this lead him.

Taking a deep breath he spoke softly “Show me Rumplestiltskin’s weakness” and a line appeared leading from the back room. Tears formed in his eyes, of anger, sadness and frustration as he placed down the gauntlet and followed the line out the door.

It took him to the clock tower, strange place for him to be. Beau could hear shouts from inside as he approached and that only made him want to get their faster. The elevator came in the nick of time and he was riding up to the top.

What would he say to him? what would he do? it didn’t matter though. What mattered was getting his hands on the real dagger. He knew thats what it would lead him too. The spell taking him from the shop confirmed two things, not only was Beau not the weakness, but that the dagger he had was fake. If he wasn’t the weakness he knew it was the magic. He had always known it was the magic, it was more important then him and he just refused to see it.

The doors opened and the scene was before him. Emma and Snow were frozen in place down below and Rumple there he was standing with hook a light of purple stars above them.

Beau quick on his feet followed the line he saw up the stairs to the dagger. It was lying on the crate glowing a golden light. He picked it up his hands shaking as he saw the pirates life about to end.

He had to be strong their was no time for sadness and grief now was the time to act, and show Rumple just how much his actions would cost him.

It was an allusion. Her mind playing tricks on her. Tricks much like the imp of her past played on her inside a dusty castle. He looked like the imp, only with human skin. Walked like the man from the pawnshop - the one who said he'd protect her. 

     "I-I... You--You... I mean, helllo. Hi. You're here. H--How?"