Chapter 4: Not Dead Yet
Before the he was cursed as the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin was a bit obsessed with having his house perfectly tidy and in order. Part of the curse made him a bit of a hoarder, but he still lived in organized clutter. Albeit, he got Belle to do all the cleaning back in the Enchanted Forest.
Most people would be pretty surprised if they went into his large Victorian home in Storybrooke and found just how clean it was. Belle was when she first came here.
Seriously, his true love did not believe he could take care of himself.
Well, he had over three hundred years.
Speaking of Belle, she was there sitting next to him in the kitchen trying to get him to talk. But how could he talk? These past few days have just been, he didn't know how to describe them.
"Are you okay?" Belle asked again.
Rumple looked at her. Belle had taken the whole long-lost son thing better than he had. She was happy about Harry. Well, so was Rumple, but he didn't expect Belle to be, especially when he revealed just who Harry's mother was.
"I'm fine." He wasn't but he wouldn't tell her that, especially after the conversation he had with Regina earlier that evening about Harry's living situation.
Dear lord, he wished that he would've known everything before he talked to the Dursleys. Though, based on their behavior, he couldn't say that he was entirely surprised. They haven't even inquired about his son once since he had been hospitalized. Oh, except that Vernon would not be paying the bills.
He should've pulled the man's heart then, but Rumple thought that Vernon might have some sentimental value to his son so he controlled himself. That, and he sort of wanted to keep a low profile about Harry's existence.
He hated the fact that the Evil Queen had been helping him as much as she was. He was the Dark One. He was supposed to be independent of needing anyone's help, but Regina had been instrumental in keeping the Charmings away. And admittedly, Harry seems to like her well enough to confide with her about his awful home life and school that was going to get a major lawsuit whenever Gold got down to it. That was if he didn't kill the headmaster first.
Seriously, who the hell hires a serial killer and has a three-headed dog in a school full of children?
More hearts to destroy.
He was interested in the concept of magic in a world with no magic, though. Stupid Blue Fairy.
He wanted to ask his son more about this world's magic, but he was a little bit scared to bring it up. He didn't want to seem too pushy.
"Obviously, something is wrong, Rumple."
"What?" He turned to see Belle staring at him
"You've been staring into space. You said Harry was fine."
"He is. Its just there are things that I'm not sure about."
Belle nodded. Sometimes it was just ridiculous how understanding she was. When he told her about Harry she was completely okay with the idea that he had a son. In fact, she told him that she'd help decorate his son's room.
Which was something that completely slipped Rumple's mind. It had just been too much, especially with Cora on the loose.
Thank god for protection spells that weren't blood-coded. He didn't want that bitch anywhere near his son. Though the profile she had been keeping was ridiculously low. Regina hadn't even heard from her since she seemed to miraculously disappear the other day.
Belle sighed. "What happened?"
"I talked to Regina." He admitted. "There are some things about Harry's past that I wasn't aware of until today."
Belle grimaced. "I was afraid of that."
Rumple raised an eyebrow. Belle hadn't even met Harry's relatives, or even Harry. He didn't know how he was even going to spring on his son that he had a girlfriend after all these other revelations.
Belle sighed, "You said the relatives didn't make an inquiry of him or even mentioned him to Emma, and that you and Regina had done nothing to them."
Rumple nodded.
"Well, don't you find that odd?"
"Yes, now, obviously. But I've been overwhelmed these past days. Especially since Cora's out there somewhere, and who knows what she's going to do when she finds out that I know."
"I'm sure she'll be hiding. You're not going to do anything to her, are you?"
"What do you think?"
"I know you, that's what I think, and I know you're upset with what she did to your son. I'm upset too, but you can't kill her because of Harry."
Rumple shook his head. "She's not who I want to kill right now."
"But she's on your list."
"Oh, definitely. Cora has had a place on my list for a very long time. But right now, she's not at the top of my priorities."
"Really?"
Obviously she didn't believe him. If Cora did happen to pop in his kitchen right now, Gold probably would try to strangle her, even though he knew it probably wouldn't get him in Harry's good graces. But when it came to finding people he wanted to kill, Vernon Dursley and his family filled those places.
Belle saw his look, "The relatives. You want to kill them first. What all did Regina tell you?"
Rumple then explained what Regina had told him earlier. About a childhood filled with doing chores, fixing every meal, and sleeping in a cupboard. When he was finished Belle said, "At least you gave me a bedroom—eventually."
Rumple sighed, "And at least you weren't a child."
"I'm so sorry Rumple. These people, you've talked to them?"
"Briefly. Just enough to realize they're indifferent to Harry. I just can't believe he had to grow up that way."
"Well, he won't anymore. He'll be living here with me and you."
"You're okay with him being here?"
"Of course," she said. "He is your son."
Harry seemed to like Belle too, Rumple thought the next day when his girlfriend met his son for the first time.
She had brought his son a book.
It wasn't that surprising, since books were what his Belle liked the best (besides him, hopefully). She had even gotten Rumple to crack open a few tomes that weren't magic or law books. Granted, he was nowhere near as enthusiastic as his girlfriend was about the adventures of one overly neurotic detective, but he had to admit they were mildly amusing. Harry seemed to be at least appreciative of them.
"So, are the two of you dating or something?" He asked his father after Belle had introduced herself.
"Something like that. Belle will be living with us."'
It was the first time he had said it out loud, that Harry was going to be moving in with him. He hadn't even taken care of the legal stuff yet. He was sure it wouldn't be that big of a deal. His law degree and license might have spurned from Regina's deranged imagination, but he was the Dark One, which was better than any J.D. that he might or might not have. Besides, he did know that whatever sort of adoption that Cora did, he could make a very strong case that it was illegal. And, hopefully, scare the crap out of the Dursleys too.
"Really?" Harry said before turning to Belle. "That's okay with you?"
"It's fine, honey. More than fine. I'll finally have someone to talk to books about besides your papa."
"I'm not that much of a reader." Rumple admitted. "Well, unless it involves spells."
"I'm not that much of a reader either, at least not like Hermione."
"Hermione?"
"One of my friends at Hogwarts." Harry then went on to tell them with what Gold deduced was an annoying bossy girl that thought she knew everything. Really, he wondered why his son was friends with her, save for maybe the fact he was attracted to bookworms.
After a few minutes of chatter, Rumple looked at Belle and nodded. This was her cue to leave. He needed to talk to his son about the Dursleys. And God, he had been dreading this.
Harry looked at him when Belle left. "You look serious."
"I'm always serious."
Harry shrugged. "True, but you look more serious than usual. What's wrong?"
"I talked to Regina."
His son paled. "You know."
"What do I know?" Rumple said because what else was there to do.
Harry sighed, "You know about the Dursleys. I don't know what to say."
"You don't have anything to say." Rumple said looking at him, "But if you want to talk about it. I will listen. My…my family growing up wasn't the best situation either, Harry."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"My father. He, well, abandoned me. And when he was there, he wasn't how a father was supposed to treat his child."
Harry sighed, "The Dursleys didn't abandon me."
"No, but they didn't let you have a childhood either. And I'm going to be discussing that with them."
Harry shrugged. "It doesn't matter."
"Oh, but it does." Gold said, "They should've had cared for you. You were their responsibility."
Harry shrugged. "I was just a burden."
"Don't be ridiculous." Gold said. "You are a child. Children are blessings not burdens. Trust me on that."
Harry sighed. "You know, I always wanted something like this to happen. Someone to come tell me that while I was growing up with the Durselys. I mean, Hagrid sort of did that, but…never mind"
"But what?" Rumple said.
Harry shrugged. "Nothing happened. I mean, we got my stuff. And I got Dudley's second bedroom out of Hagrid's visit so there's not much to complain about."
Rumple shook his head.
"You're upset," Harry said.
"Not with you." Rumple said. "Just with your upbringing. And speaking of bedrooms, Belle is on a mission to decorate your room. So if you want any input you better say something now or it will probably be a bloody library with a bed."
Harry grimaced. "She does like books."
"Well, reading is a good thing." Gold said, "Though most people aren't obsessed as it as Belle."
"I think Hermione beats her." Harry said, "At least Belle likes interesting books. This Hounds of Baskerville thing she gave me looks pretty cool."
"I'm sure it is." Rumple said. "You are okay with Belle, right?"
Harry looked at him, "Does it really matter?"
That was actually a good question. Would it matter if Harry didn't like Belle? Well, of course it would. But at the same time Belle was the love of his life.
Rumple looked at him, "I would hope you liked her. But if you didn't, we'd work out something."
Harry smiled, "She's great. Really great. And pretty."
"She is way too old for you." Rumple said rolling his eyes.
"And she's way too young for you." Harry responded.
"Touché," Rumple said before they began to talk about Harry's room.
Later that day, he was leaving the hospital when he heard shouting coming from right outside of his son's room.
It wasn't that difficult to see who was yelling since there only a few people in town who had a British accent and weren't Robin Hood.
Okay, very lame joke considering that the actual Robin Hood hadn't came over with the rest of them in the curse. But he had just seen that movie and, well, the moment to make the crack was there.
Vernon Dursley wouldn't be mistaken for Robin Hood. Maybe Prince John. Rotund. Balding. And dressed in clothes that were supposed to look expensive, but were probably discreetly bought at a low-end department store. Yeah, Rumple was a bit of a clothes snob. Today's suit of choice was Armani.
Vernon though, probably wouldn't recognize the beauty of his suit. He would recognize it was expensive. Or at least his wife would.
Honestly, Gold hadn't had much contact with the Dursleys since finding his son. He really saw no need to. Harry's adoption had been illegal. Therefore, there really were no custody papers to be filed. Though, he supposed he should've known he was going to have to tell them this.
But he had been preoccupied with more important matters than dealing with an overstuffed suit.
As Rumple approached, he heard something about expensive and freaks. It didn't take a genius to know whom Dursley was talking about.
"Mr. Dursley," Rumple said as he strolled up to the man.
The red faced Brit turned his attentions away from the nurse (a former peasant) and towards Rumpelstiltskin. "If this is about the hospital bills, I thought you already said you were going to work something out."
Rumple sneered at him. He thought he was a bill collector? He might've collected the debts from some of Storybrooke's most obnoxious, but that was because he wanted to torment them. Normally, he'd just get Dove to do his bidding. "Do I look like I do my own collecting?"
"Well, why else are you here? Now, I told that nurse, she needn't bother with the boy if the hospital's not paying. "
If Vernon Dursley knew whom he was talking to, he would've known that this was not the thing to say. Heck, most rational wouldn't have said such a thing to a complete stranger. But Vernon Dursley, despite what he thought, was not rational.
"Is the boy still under your care?" Rumple asked trying to be as emotionless as possible.
Vernon looked at him. "Not by choice. But yes, I am his appointed guardian and I do not want him treated here. I won't pay for it. I thought I told you this before."
"Well, today is your lucky day." Rumple said. If he were back in the Enchanted Forest right now, he'd be giggling because he was about to make one of his infamous deals.
Vernon eyed him. "You better not be joshing. I'm not in the mood to laugh right now."
"Oh, I know." Rumple said. "I'm here to tell you that I decided that I will be taking care of the boy's medical bills."
"Will you?" Vernon asked.
"Well, there is a price." Rumple said.
Vernon gave him an odd look.
"Just kidding." Rumple said.
Though you didn't have to be a genius to know he wasn't.