One Sentence at a Time

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[sentenceme-leni]

Monday. Minimum 1 sentence.

---

Jefferson stuck a hand into the inside pocket of his jacket. Frowned. Checked the pocket on the other side...

Then huffed and glared at Belle. "Seriously?" he snarked, hand extended to demand his flask back.

"Jeff," Belle said patiently. "You said..."

"I know what I said."

The worst was the understanding in her eyes. Of course she knew about men who couldn't leave a vice behind.

"I know," he repeated, throwing himself back in his seat. If that allowed him not to meet her eye, so much the better. "And I meant it. But even though my mind knows it was a trick, my body insists it's been three decades since I was sober."

"You seemed okay last year."

Jefferson chuckled. "Last year there was a curse to break. Funny how that helps."

The End

12/01/06

[sentenceme-leni]

161. Thursday. Minimum 4 sentences.

---

Anna tripped again.

Wearing Elsa's clothes had solved an emergency, but in practice the longer skirts were a hazard.

It didn't help that all the reaction she got was an annoyed snort.

People should be compassionate!

And nice!

And patient!

"Chop, chop, little princess," snarled the dreadful man. "I do have things to do besides guiding you home."

When she had first seen Rumpelstiltskin, she had been naive enough to assume he'd be helpful and magic her to Arandelle.

Instead he had scoffed at the "rancid" magic on her and declared that, unless she wanted to explode or at the very least lose a finger or an ear, they would have to make the trip back to the border of the fairy hill on foot.

"I'm going as fast as I can," she said to his back.

To her chagrin, even to her own ears, the words sounded like a whine.

And she tripped again.

The sound of Rumpelstiltskin's chortle made her snap. "Why are you even here?! You don't give a damn about me!"

She clapped her hands to her mouth at the language, and regretted it when that only made the odious man laugh harder.

He looked as if she had announced that that sky was blue and magic had a price. "Just walk faster, girlie. There's dinner waiting for me, and I'm not missing on warm pie on your account."

Anna took a deep breath.

Right. Dinner.

With Belle.

Because the Dark One might not care a whit, but if Belle did, he came to fetch her friend.

The End

8/01/26

[sentenceme-leni]

Wednesday. Minimum 3 sentences.

---

The diner was acknowledged as a neutral zone for any and every party in Storybrooke. Kings met at one of Granny's tables to discuss borders; a dragon and a knight would politely ignore each other while they waited for their orders. Even Regina's sister had sat there a time or two, in all her green glory, both before and after she had her little world-melting tantrum.

In short, people wandered freely in and out of the diner, content to be and let be under Granny's sharp eye - and crossbow.

Fairytale Switzerland, as it were.

Perhaps that was why it caught Belle by surprise when a complete unknown stalked up to her in the middle of the dinner rush. "How dare you wear white to wed that demon?!"

Belle's first reaction was to gape. The second, to wonder why fools with suicidal tendencies rushed into her path.

His one mercy was that Rumpelstiltskin would not hear about this for five minutes or so.

(Gossip was stronger than fear, in Storybrooke.)

Then she waited for five full breaths for Granny to intervene.

The old wolf must have growna sudden case of deafness.

What a shock.

So she had no choice but to grit her teeth, wave her hand, and will the idiot to disappear into a swirl of pink mist.

Twenty-four hours scurrying around her garden had taught many a hater to keep things civil in public.

In the silence that ensued, Belle stepped forward, letting the crowd part around her.

She didn't like being feared, but she would cope with that if it meant should could go peacefully about her business in town.

The End

07/07/26

[sentenceme-leni]

Monday. Minimum 1 sentence.

---

Grumpy eyed the sign at the front of the pawnshop. Then he glanced at Gold. Then back at the sign.

He had never given it much thought, but the imposing sign fit Mr. Gold just like the leather outfit had spoken volumes about the imo that terrified the Enchanted Forest.

"You sure you want it down?" he gruffed out.

Gold gave him an impatient look. "Well, I didn't call on you for your company."

"Just saying." Grumpy shrugged. "You might be the Dark One and smite us all on a bad day, but I'm not putting that thing back up for free."

Gold snorted. "Have I ever asked for something for free?"

Well, the man had a point.

"All right." He turned around and motioned for his brothers to start. "We'll get rid of the thing before you even notice."

The End

05/01/26

[sentenceme-leni]

161. Sunday. Minimum 7 sentences.

---

"How much do you want for it?"

Most people trembled in terror if the Dark One should as much as glance in their direction.

Merchants in the villages close to the Dark Castle were made of sterner stuff.

The woman met his eye with only the barest of flinches. "Three gold coins."

Rumpelstiltskin lifted an eyebrow. "For a shawl?"

"Made in the softest wool and dyed in the exact shade of blue the Lady likes so much." The woman gave him a knowing look a she said the last. "Three gold coins, Spinner. Not a copper less."

He could force the issue. He could even just magic a replica and be done with the interaction.

But Belle adored every item that came from the village, and her smile as she received it...

"Worth the price," he grumbled, and paid the price.

The End

4/01/26

[sentenceme-leni]

160. Saturday. Minimum 6 sentences.

---

Belle had never appeciated being called stubborn. There was something about the word when applied to a young lady, that spoke more of shortsightness and impetuosity.

Belle was not shortsighted.

She was not impetuous.

Stubborn, however, was an adjective she might use to describe herself when the situation called for it.

Hauling Jefferson out of a hat-riddled hut in the middle of Cora's kingdom was, definitely, a feat of stubbornness.

"No, no," Jefferson kept mumbling, making another weak attempt to drag her back. "Just a hat. Just one. You have to let me!"

Belle grit her teeth tugged harder.

Arguments were in vain. Logic was literally out of this world.

"One hat, and I'm free. Not like this, please."

Her heart could break later. She would work at returning her friend to sanity once they were in the Dark Castle.

"The Queen..." Jefferson whimpered.

Belle didn't want to know the thing he wasn't saying. Cora was poison and bare claws even to her, who was explicitly under Rumpelstiltskin's protection.

What that woman would have done to defenseless Jefferson, she didn't want to imagine.

"She won't care about you," she promised.

Rumpelstiltskin, after all, made a much more interesting target.

The End

3/3/26

[sentenceme-leni]

159. Friday. Minimum 5 sentences.

---

"Has anyone ever told you that you have terrific timing," Belle cooed, scratching between the monster's furry gray ears.

Lucifer purred in satisfied response.

Rumpelstiltskin eyed the bulky feline with distaste. His magic had made clear that the creature was a simple, run-of-the-mill cat. His instincts, however, protested that it was a demon in disguise.

To give proof to his misgivings, the Tremaine's cat gave him a superior smirk before cuddling closer against Belle's chest.

"You mean 'terrible'," he muttered, still wanting that kiss. "Awful, terrible, absolutely deplorable timing."

Belle moved to cover the cat's ears. Gave him a look of dismay.

As if a creature that had survived the chaos and still managed to find the one friendly household in a whole new realm could be affected by a few words.

"We are taking that thing to Her Highness first thing in the morning."

The cat hissed, burrowing deeper in Belle's arms.

Belle held it even closer, distaste clear in her face. She had never reconciled with the little princess, and Ella's choices in Storybrooke had only added kindle to the fire. "Just to hear her lie about being allergic, or whatever? No, thank you."

"We are not keeping that cat, Belle."

There was a mutinous line to her lips. "I'll think of something," she offered.

For someone who despised lies, Belle wasn't above tampering with the truth. Of course she would think of something: how to convince him to keep the cat.

Rumpelstiltskin glared at the culprit, ignoring Belle's eye roll.

Safe on her lap, Lucifer responded with a smug feline grin.

The End

02/01/26

[sentenceme-leni]

158. Thursday. Minimum 4 sentences.

In the last year, Rumpelstiltskin often wondered whether he had gained a permanent mark right above the bridge of his nose.

He certainly was pinching the spot often enough.

"That," he said, summoning patience from the bottom of his exhausted soul, "is a reindeer."

Belle patted the side of the towering beast. Smiled.

The reindeer showed a whole row of teeth.

Rumpelstiltskin refused to call that a smile.

"It cannot stay in the castle."

Belle gave him a patient look. "Of course not," she said easily. Too easily. "We are helping it return home."

The reindeer's head bobbed up and down

Rumpelstiltskin refused to call that a nod.

"We?" he repeated incredulously. "And why am I helping along?"

"Because I'm not powerful enough to send it all the way to Arandelle."

Rumpelstiltskin raised an eyebrow. Belle usually avoided even the mention of that kingdom. Something to poke at... later.

"Why use magic when it has four perfectly healthy legs?" he tried to reason. Honestly, insisting that he wasn't the type to help human or creature went nowhere with Belle. The woman was convinced there was a speck of niceness buried in him and she was relentless in bringing it out.

It was very annoying.

"The trip is long, Rumple, and Sven needs to be home within the day."

The reindeer had a name.

Fantastic.

Now he would never get rid of it.

"There is a festival," she added.

Ah.

There it was. The reason for that shine in her eyes. His maid took to festivals like Maleficent to cursed spindles.

However... "In Arandelle?"

Belle twitched. What was it between the girl and that frozen land?

Even the reindeer looked at her sideways, a certain expression to its big brown eyes.

Rumpelstiltskin refused to call it worry.

"Close by," she muttered.

Rumpelstiltskin had options.

He could vanish into his tower. He could leave the castle. He could transform that collection of fur and antlers into something squishable and forget the whole thing.

(He could. He wouldn't, because even the thought of Belle's reaction made that inconvenient 'nice' speck rise in protest.)

But then Belle glanced at him, all hope and eagerness, and his options reduced to one.

"All right," he capitulated. "But if it lands in a frozen lake, you're fishing it out."

The End

0/01/26

[notonlymice]

rumbelle au

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 157. Monday. Minimum 1 sentence.

---

"Terrible news, terrible!"

Leroy's sheer volume yanked Belle's out of her nap.

Afternoons saw little traffic in the bookstore, and Belle had a few late nights to compensate for. A bit of a rest after lunch had sounded perfect until a few seconds ago.

Since there were no explosions or waves of dark magic following Leroy's announcement, she only responded with a long stare.

Instead of apologizing, he gave her a judgemental look. "How can you sleep on a day like today?"

Belle blinked. She hadn't heard about any new villains coming to town. "A day like Wednesday?"

"Wednesday, shmenday," Leroy grumbled. "It's Henry's birthday, woman!"

Of course she knew that. The event was the cause of her difficulty sleeping. Juggling three sets of family, all of which had earnest cause to distrust the other was quite the feat.

A feat she would be glad to pass onto Snow White's shoulders next year.

"Did Emma curse anyone?"

Her money was on Neal. But it could as easily be David.

Emma was not kindly disposed to the father and grandfather who had let Henry talk them into driving a car.

Leroy gave her an unamused glare. "Emma wouldn't curse anyone."

Belle decided not to argue. From experience, some people would never admit that the Charming clan had a smidgen of darkness between them.

"What happened, then?"

"Our prince has turned thirteen! There should be tourneys, games. A royal ball!"

"And there is nothing of the sort?"

"Absolutely nothing. Such terrible news!"

Belle almost laughed.

She supposed that it was good, that the bar was so low.

"Oh yes," she said, keeping in a chuckle. "Terrible, indeed."

The End

28/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 158. Tuesday. Minimum 2 sentences.

---

"Nope." Belle pulled the covers over her head to punctuate her answer. "I'm not going."

Neal tried not to think too hard on the fact that this was his soon-to-be stepmother. "It was your idea, Belle."

She mumbled something undistinguishable.

"What was that?"

"I said," she said louder, enunciating clearly because she still wouldn't bother to shift position. "Sometimes I have bad ideas."

"And I applaud you for recognizing that, but this is one bad idea you'll have to see through."

Belle sat up, eyes narrowed. "You sound just like your father."

Neal lifted his hands in the air. "Don't hate me for having common sense, Belle. I'm just saying, you're responsible for having Maleficent, Snow White, Aurora and the queen of Wonderland in the same room downstairs. You better get over there before spells start flying."

"Regina didn't come?"

He decided that wasn't a pout. "Dad is stalling her until peace treaties have been signed by all parties. Or until you deign to attend your own bachelorette party."

"And Emma?"

"She put one foot in your living room, saw your guests and hightailed it out of there."

"Can I pick to go with her?"

Neal gave himself a second to consider rolling her into a giant burrito and hauling her downstairs. Then he breathed deeply. "You like these people, Belle."

"Not when they insist on taking me out," Belle retorted. "I want to be presentable tomorrow. Not a hangover mess."

"I'm sure they'll listen to you," he lied through his teeth.

Belle glared. "You've obviously never hung out with this crowd."

The End

15/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 157. Monday. Minimum 1 sentence.

---

Belle took a sip of tea. "I don't like that woman."

Rumpelstilskin raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's damning indeed," he said, eyes full of laughter. "You like everyone."

"Not her."

"Last winter a sea monster decided to camp in the lake behind the castle. You fed the thing."

"It was hungry," Belle retorted. "Once Waldorf recovered its strength, it asked for help to return home."

Rumpelstiltskin gave her a fond smile, with just a hint of exasperation. It was hard to slay an annoyance when she befriended it; it was impossible when she named it so ridiculously. "Not my point, dear. What I'm saying is, I'm not taking you to Midas' kingdom in fear that you'll befriend the dragon attacking his lands. Then what feat will I have to offer to the next princeling?"

Belle shook her head. "There's no comparison, Rumple. I'm certain one can reach a compromise with any dragon-"

"Maleficent proves this point, how?" Rumpelstiltskin muttered from behind his own cup.

Belle ignored him. "Meanwhile, Lady Tremaine would sacrifice her own daughters to spite Ella. That's nonsense!"

"Then it's okay if I offer the girl a deal?"

Belle sighed, conflicted, but shrugged in the end. "It might be the only way she'll ever get from under her stepmother. Even if she does get stupid about it, her life can't possibly get worse."

Rumpelstiltskin grinned, always delighted to have her agreement to one of his schemes.

"Oh, but Rumple?" Belle added, a calculating look of her own gracing her features. "You are taking me to visit that dragon."

The End

14/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 156. Friday. Minimum 5 sentences.

---

Will cocked his head in curiosity. "What is he doing?" He yanked his arm out of pinching range, and pretended not to hear Ana's hissed order to stay quiet. "No, really. Why is he carrying her? Does he know how easily that dress will wrinkle?!"

Ana looked suitably concerned at that. But still she shrugged. "I've no idea, all right. But Belle seems happy to behave like a sack of potatoes, so if she wants it, she gets it. However bizarre it looks," she muttered in the end.

Belle's new husband had carried her out of view into the guest wing. He didn't seem to have a problem with the feat, but Will still thought they would have reached their quarters faster is Belle had gone on her own two feet.

Romantic gestures in other lands were quite nonsensical - and he'd seen plenty of nonsense in Wonderland!

"Should we try it?" Will asked anyway, honestly willing to give it a try.

Ana gave him an offended glare. "Don't you dare!"

The End

11/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 155. Thursday. Minimum 4 sentences.

---

"You don't have to try so hard," Maleficent said, eyeing the elaborate spread of cakes and, what she assumed, were Rumpelstiltskin's favorite dishes. "Your Rumple is practically eating from your hand. He really doesn't need all this."

Belle blushed, but at last she had stopped protesting the possessive. At least in private. "I just wanted tonight to be special."

Maleficent perked up. Would there finally be some romantic development in the Dark Castle?

After all this time, she would settle for acknowledgement of their own feelings!

Of course, that was not to be.

"I'm leaving tomorrow to visit my father," Belle explained. "I'm coming back in three days, but..."

"Oh yes. He'll be a real beast until you're back." Maleficent laughed. "Better leave him in a good mood tonight, and by the way, you don't need to cook for that..."

Belle's cheeks went bright red.

But she didn't protest.

The End

10/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 153. Tuesday. Minimum 2 sentences.

---

"Can you help me out here?"

Rumpelstiltskin looked up from his book. Then craned his neck further still.

Oh.

Belle gave an inpatient look from her spot at the very top of the ladder.

"Haven't you almost fallen down enough times?"

The girl gave a careless little shrug. "Only the first time was scary."

'Scary' wasn't the first word he associated with that moment, but Rumpelstiltskin wasn't anywhere near ready for that conversation.

In fact, he shelved the mere thought back to the depths.

"I will not always be around to catch you, silly girl."

Belle cocked her head to the side, a small smile quirking her lips.

Then she only waited for him to catch up.

Rumpelstiltskin narrowed his eyes. "Do you only clean the windows when I'm around?"

Her smile widened. "You can be useful, Mr. Dark One," she said mischievously.

Laughter surprised him.

He had dealt for a maid, and he hadn't truly expected much of the arrangement.

Instead he had somehow gotten a woman who could make him laugh.

What a wonder.

The End

08/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 153. Monday. Minimum 1 sentence.

---

Henry flipped the page of the photo album and pointed at the first picture. "This is the time I taught Auntie Belle how to ride a bike," he explained to his father.

A gap-toothed six-year-old beamed up at them, his arms around Belle's neck while she balanced both the boy and their helmets on what, Neal was sure, were a pair of high heels.

She, of course, looked exactly the same despite the half decade that had passed.

Then Henry's words struck him.

Neal gave an indulgent chuckle. "I'm sure you mean that she taught you."

However, Henry shook his head. "I used to think so, too, but now that I know better, where would she have ever learned?"

Neal opened his mouth and closed it again as he thought it over.

That made sense.

There hundred years had done nothing to the technology of the Enchanted Forest. He had left horse-drawn carriages and wooden farm carts, and that was exactly what people kept using to the day the curse was cast.

"Well, now that she's recovered her memories, she can teach you how to ride a horse."

"Belle can ride a horse?"

Neal nodded. "She is a lord's daughter. Of course she can."

The End

07/04/25

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 152. Sunday. Minimum 7 sentences.

---

Belle smoothed the skirts of her dress with a smile, ready for the promised outing.

Since their return from Wonderland, she and Rumpelstiltskin had stayed in the castle, receiving few visitors and avoiding any and all invitations to the world outside.

Though unintentional, the weeks spent by themselves would be the biggest nod to convention since the start of their relationship.

The honeymoon, however, was over.

This visit to the town market would mark their first official outing in the Enchanted Forest as a married couple.

"You look perfect," Rumpelstiltskin said, stepping closer to her. Then he raised an eyebrow and smiled playfully. "Well. Almost."

Belle did her best to glare at such manners.

Her best allowed for a small giggle and a roll of her eyes.

Rumpelstiltskin smiled wider. "I know just what you need, love."

Belle decided to allow whichever jewelled monstrosity he was about to present to her. For all his good taste, his need to show off got the better of him sometimes.

Delighted at her easy acceptance, Rumpelstiltskin clapped his hands twice. On the third time, a cloud of magic appeared between his palms, exploding into sparks and then fading into...

...a rose?

"For you," he said, presenting his gift.

Of course, it was the exact shade of her dress.

Blue roses were an extravagance in itself.

"Thank you," Belle said, truly pleased by the detail. "It really is perfect."

The End

06/04/25