Magic always comes with a price

"When you see the future, irony is everywhere."

[booklover-french]

Revenge [Gold/Lacey]

[booklover-french]

Lacey couldn`t help with the way Mr. Gold seemed to mess up her mind whenever he was around. It was weird and new and definitely extremely scary. And yet, the burning desire deep within was taking over and somehow excluding all the other emotions. 

That was until he finally spoke. Just moments ago she was pressed up to him, her hands on his chest, giving promises to herself that she wouldn`t give up, and then, just like that, she took a step away and frowned in confusion.

"Who`s Belle?!"

Did he just call her someone else`s name? The thing was, that she could handle being pushed away. She could handle being talked down to. But, calling her by someone else`s name? Who the hell could have thought that Gold had someone?!

Her frown deepening, Lacey shook her head. She was not going to be someone`s replacement. 

[magicinhispocket]

Gold realised what he'd said almost immediately, a look of panic crossing his face as the question was asked. How did you explain to someone that you just called them by the name of the person they used to be before their memories were replaced by fake ones?

"No one," he said quietly, panic and pain mixed in equal parts in his expression, "Someone who was...close to me. I'm sorry Lacey...I should leave."

'What are you doing? You're the Dark One and you're acting like a wounded puppy! You really are the coward everyone thinks you are, Rumplestiltskin.' Gold pushed the thought deep down. He wasn't a coward. He wasn't running. He had fucked things up with Lacey now, possibly beyond repair, why should he stay?

[couplehundredyears]

Caught in the Rain

[couplehundredyears]

Each second the thunder grew louder and the lightning grew closer. He leaned against the floor and slid to the ground. Determination shining in his eyes, he stared at his feet as he focused on breathing and not having a panic attack. Why wouldn’t the storm just pass?  ”You are fine, Cassidy,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “You’re fine. It’s just a storm.”

When his father spoke, he looked up. “Aw, hell no,” the man muttered under his breath. Seeing his father wasn’t something he wanted to do, but apparently the fates had other plans. Of all the places to come into, Neal chose his father’s shop.

"Yeah. It’s me," he said louder, but the man didn’t get up. Instead he looked at his clothes. "It seems your right. It’s kinda pouring out there… But, I’m fine. Just wet." A flicker of a smile crossed his face, but it fell with next (and final) thunder clap.

Even though the storm was over, he didn’t move. “I’m sorry for breaking in,” Neal apologized. “I just…I couldn’t see and I didn’t really want to get struck by lightning. Do you have a towel? I’ll…uh clean up the floors. I probably made a mess.”

[magicinhispocket]

"Er...yes, of course," Gold said awkwardly. He hadn't been expecting to see Neal today. He knew it was probably nothing compared to what his son must be feeling now, but he'd been caught off guard. He retired to the back room, fetching a towel and bringing it out. "It's okay, by the way, better than being trapped outside." It's not that Gold would have kicked anyone else out in this weather - Neal had a point, it was dangerous - but he was getting kinder treatment than most.

A crack of thunder accompanied a flash of lightning that flooded the shop with light. "However, I'm beginning to think that perhaps this shop isn't much safer," he said warily as he looked out the window at the torrential rain. "In all my many years I haven't seen a storm this bad before."

[magicinhispocket]

Lost and Found (Annora/Gold)

"You're...Dawn's roommate, yes?" he asked as they two of them sorted things into piles for the lost and found. He didn't recognize her from the Forest. That was always a strange feeling, seeing as he'd interacted with or influenced so many people in the past. He wondered who she'd been. Was she a princess? Perhaps a warrior? Or perhaps she was simply a peasant who'd had the misfortune of getting caught in the curse.

"So, er, what do you do?" he asked. Small talk was never his forte. He was a business man, no matter what business happened to be conducted. He preferred to get straight to the point, but most people considered that rude, he found, and he wasn't in the business of making any more enemies than he already had since he didn't have his magic.

[magicinhispocket]

The Hatter and the Spinner

[thestorybrokejefferson-deactiva]

"I’ll remember," Jefferson sighed. It was funny in a way - how the two went from business partners to acquaintances to … well, whatever they were now. Had this conversation happened before Grace’s birth he would have likely accepted being feared a little within moments of the conversation starting. The desperate feelings had been fleeting. "I’ve never been sick of things enough to want power."

[magicinhispocket]

"You say that now..." Gold said, leaning forward slightly. He remembered when he was like Jefferson. He was content to be a spinner with Bae and Mila. Then his wife was 'kidnapped' and his son threatened with a bloody death in the ogre wars, and he realised that he needed to have the power to make his enemies bow before him in fear. "I think you'll find that everyone has their breaking point, Hatter, even you."

[soullessmeg-deactivated20150818]

Oh, yes…those will do. Thank you.

[magicinhispocket]

"Of course, dearie. If you need anything else, you know where to find me."

[couplehundredyears]

Caught in the Rain

The clouds rolled through the sky. A covering of grayness coated the horizon. Night came early this day. The streetlamps conquered - they came flickering on withing minutes of the turbulence.

Wind picking up, Neal drew his coat close around him. If it was to rain, which he had a feeling it would, this woolen outerwear would do nothing to keep him dry. At least he was slightly shielded from the gusts. He hurried along, hoping to get back to the inn before the rain fell. Neal didn’t want Henry worrying about his father’s whereabouts.

Luck wasn’t with him. A big, fat droplet hit his brow and then another. The rains fell hard and fast. With the first crack of thunder, Neal jumped. Storms freaked him out. He hated them with passion. The rain came down in torrents. Mixed with the wind, it was impossible to see a thing.

At the first shop he came to, Neal darted to it. Grabbing the door knob the man yanked it open and hurried inside. Standing int he middle of the room, he looked around - all the while dripping water on the floor.

[magicinhispocket]

When his shop's bell rang, Gold turned around, an annoyed expression on his face as he faced the unwelcome guest. "If you hadn't noticed, there's a storm out. We're closed," he said. Then his eyes went wide, "Neal?" he asked, the name still feeling strange and alien on his tongue. It was hard to use the name his son had chosen for himself, but he was determined to try to prove he was capable of change to his son, in any little way he could. "Are you okay? You're drenched."

He suspected Neal would simply walk right out once he realized where he was. If he had walked into the same building as his father, he'd rather take his chances with the storm, in all honesty.

[booklover-french]

Revenge [Gold/Lacey]

[booklover-french]

The moment when Gold pushed her away, she knew that was her chance to simply turn around and leave. She didn`t need those feelings and she knew that acting on them would only make them worse. Being pushed away was a very good excuse to get angry, right? Especially after she kissed him. Lacey could have glared at him, turned around and left, and no one,  no one, could judge her. 

Except that she couldn`t do it.

She wanted him, she wanted him so bad that it hurt somewhere inside to see that he didn`t want her the same way. She needed to satisfy that ache and hunger or otherwise she felt like she could never feel whole again. It was insane, but in her drunken mind it all made sense. Plus, she couldn`t fight the desire to feel his fingers against her skin. “I`m kissing you,” she murmured slowly, determined to get him. Raising up her hand she brushed her fingers against his jawline, pressing her body closer to his. Damn it, she was going to get what she wanted or she was going to die trying. “Come on, don`t tell me you don`t want it?” Her tone was low and seductive as her eyes pierced his. 

[magicinhispocket]

As Lacey stared into his eyes, a sharp pang shot through Gold's chest and he was once again reminded that this woman was once Belle.

'Who cares?' asked the dark parts of his soul, 'You never were one for love, Rumple. Not since you lost Mila. Besides, Belle betrayed you. She tried to take away your power. In this world, Lacey could be yours. So go on, Dark One. Give in.'

It was tempting, of course. He missed the times in his castle. Of course it wasn't as though she was staying there under her own free will, but he had come to enjoy their time together all the same. Those memories sent a pang of guilt through him for wanting to take advantage for Lacey like this. "Belle, you're drunk..." he said, realizing too late the name that had escaped him.

[soullessmeg-deactivated20150818]

Oh, um…possibly. Let me see? Everything’s fine. Thank you for asking though, Mr. Gold.

[magicinhispocket]

"Of course it is...anyway, how about these? They're half the price of the others."

[justa-teacup]

Getting The Book || Paige + Gold (Set in the Past)

[justa-teacup]

Paige’s eye’s widened. “Thank you. Thank you so much Mr. Gold. I’ll make it up to you Sir” She looked at the book examining it’s binding. How old it seemed yet how new it felt. It certainly was a curious thing. “My I ask where you got such a book? It look’s ancient but it’s in perfect shape. It’s hard to tell”

[magicinhispocket]

Gold did his best to look like he was trying to remember where he'd gotten the book. The truth was, it was a relic from the Forest, but he couldn't exactly tell Paige that. "It was a collector," he said finally, "Said he was giving much of his collection away to travel and I ended up with that book, among others."

[angusknave-deactivated20150315]

"No… not that I’m aware of anyways. What are you digging for?"

[magicinhispocket]

"Just doing a bit of gardening. I know, I don't seem the type."

[magicinhispocket]

Memories

In your eyes I see the eyes of somebody I knew before, long ago

It was maddening, looking at her and seeing the face of the woman he loved, yet it not being her. Lacey, as much as she may have the same body as Belle, was not the same person and every second he spent around her made that painfully clear. 

I change shapes just to hide in this place But I'm still, I'm still an animal

That was his curse though. The others, Snow White, Charming, they were cursed to forget. Like Jefferson, it seemed his curse was to remember. Remember everything he had done in the forest, from the perspective of someone who did not have the Dark One's magic. Part of him abhorred it, hated what he'd done. Yet another part...another part craved it. Would do anything to hold that power again. To exert it over anyone he saw fit. But Belle wouldn't want that. She'd want him to use his powers for good. So would Bae. If he had his magic he was certain that Bae would want him to use it to help break the curse. To be a good man and do the right thing.

But was there even a shred of good left in him?

[angusknave-deactivated20150315]

[magicinhispocket]

"It's a spade. You haven't hit your head recently, have you?"

[justa-teacup]

Getting The Book || Paige + Gold (Set in the Past)

[justa-teacup]

Paige nodded politely. “Thank you Mr. Gold” She said softly. Her curiosity for the story had grown— she badly even remembered the storyline of it all. She crossed her finger’s he had it.

When he returned the book didn’t look at all like Alice in Wonderland. It was Red and had written in gold Secret’s of Wonderland. Her eye’s lit up. “This is perfect!” She said almost a bit to enthused. “I mean.. it looks amazing.  How much?” She looked up at him.

[magicinhispocket]

Gold paused and looked it up in the book, but he was considering giving it to her for free. He wouldn't be out that much money - the book may be uncommon, but it wasn't a collector's item or anything so it sold for fairly cheap. That and the fact that seeing what happened when the daughter of the mad hatter started reading about wonderland seemed very intriguing indeed, and Gold's mind was made up. "Don't worry about it dearie," he said with a smile, "Consider it a gift."

[soullessmeg-deactivated20150818]

I, um, don’t have enough to pay for that. 

[magicinhispocket]

I think I have something similar for less. Something wrong, dearie? You look rather shaken up.

[queenofabrokencurse-deactivated]

"Everything that I know you do, Gold," she defended herself verbally, though her body tensed up to see him come another step towards in. In his shop, taking violence against her didn’t bother Regina at all; she could have gotten out of there, and it was easier to just let him believe he had the upper hand. On the street, in plain view, she wasn’t so stupid to believe she could get away without harm unless she reacted. If he touched her, she’d turn it against him, using the publicity of the event to fuel his downfall. "Our visitors are still mysteries. I’ve only just spoken to the man’s son recently," she added, wondering why she tried to justify when she knew if Gold was genuine in his actions he would not believe her. What was he on about? "So I’m not sure what you think has transpired. Perhaps you should explain."

[magicinhispocket]

"Oh don't give me that," Gold said, half laughing, "Twenty-eight years, no one comes or goes from Storybrooke and now that the streak's broken you're telling me that you had nothing to do with it? Nothing happens in this town without your knowledge or permission. You know that, I know that."

There was no way she had no idea. Of all the people to show up in Storybrooke after all these years, it just so happened to be his son? It wasn't even as if the curse had worked slowly for him. He was already in this world when they arrived. He shouldn't even know about Storybrooke unless someone told him about it.

[magicinhispocket]

Answers

[couplehundredyears]

Neal stared back at his father. His heart raced. Memories of childhood flooded his mind. The murder of the guard in front of their home. Being forced in living in seclusion with only his father as a companion. Seeing the effects of breaking a deal. His heart raced. “Are you sorry about the men I saw you kill? Or…or keeping me hidden away? Or…or any of the other things I saw you do?” he asked. “I don’t know if I can forgive you, papa! It’s not just the abandonment…”

Stomach churning, he coughed and leaned against the wall for support. The pummeling to his stomach plus thoughts about the past didn’t sit well with him. If he wasn’t careful, Neal’s supper would end up on the pavement. Neal breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth. Everything was going to be okay. It had to be.

"If you want to put it like that. Yeah, I am," he replied. "I’m here to help these people, papa. I’m here to allow them to have their lives back. This place isn’t real. You know it and I know it. It’s not fair to let them suffer…to let them not know who they really are. They can’t stay in this limbo for eternity. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel?"

[magicinhispocket]

Was he sorry about the men he killed in front of his son? Gold honestly didn't know anymore. He had done so much bad in his considerable life, and he had only ever brought one good thing into the world. Baelfire. It was hard to believe that he could even father a good man, but Bae wanted to help the people of Storybrooke, even though he didn't know them and they likely wouldn't have cared about him at all.

"I know what it's like..." he said, standing up straighter, "I've been where they are. I was until you and Emma Swan came to town. It's...confusing, at times, you don't have specific memories when it comes to people, only vague feelings and instincts. They may have a decent life, they might not, but whatever life they have, the thought that something is missing is always there. It's a noble thing, to want to rescue them from it. I'm glad you didn't turn out like me, Ba-Neal." He tripped over his son's new name. He could understand why he would want to distance himself from the name Gold had given him. It hurt. It would always hurt. But he understood.

[magicinhispocket]

The Hatter and the Spinner

[thestorybrokejefferson-deactiva]

"Yes," Jefferson sighed. Of course he wanted to be taken seriously. He just wasn’t exactly willing to put in the effort to make others believe he was more than just a drunk. His head tilted in thought while he mused over Gold’s words. Being feared was effective… But did he want to turn into an asshole or something similar to get people to view him in a more serious light? "I don’t know…" He eventually murmured. "Your advice is tempting, but I don’t think I want to be feared." He wrinkled his nose after that, thoughts clouded with trying to reason about everything that was suggested.

[magicinhispocket]

Rumplestiltskin was quiet for a few seconds, mulling over what Jefferson said. He could sympathize, really. Before he got his powers he hadn't wanted to be feared, just...respected. However when you wield the powers of the Dark One being feared was something that came naturally. However that had forced him to realize that when you're feared, people tended to take you more seriously. "You say that now," he said, "But there may come a time when you are so sick of being dismissed, so sick of the injustices done to you that you'll get desperate. And if that time comes, remember my advice."