(1467 words) 

Your POV 

If you asked me how long I thought I had been down in the dungeon, I wouldn't be able to tell you. All I really knew was that I messed up, royally this time. I've been down here for about a week, Rumple hasn't come down here to see me. Let alone give me food, I'm pretty well positive that he's still simmering in his tower. 

Looking at the door I sighed gently, putting my hand on the floor as I leaned against the wall, I looked around the small room like I have the entire time I've been down here. Finding my voice after a small cough, I closed my eyes and started to sing. 

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

Cos even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we've got yeah, we got a lot at stake

And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not and who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

So easy is our life
What's mine is yours and yours mine
Hardly do we ever find
We'd rather be kind

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get dark
I'm healing this broken heart
And I know I'm worthy

I won't give up on us
God knows I'm tough, I am love
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worthy

No, I won't give up on us
God knows I've had enough
We got a lot to learn
And we're, and we're worthy

No, I won't give up
No, I won't give up

Once I had finished, I watched as the door opened slowly. Looking over to it Rumple stepped into the cell. His head was down, clasping his hands together, and looked at the straw-covered floor. 

"Here to finish me off? Turn me into a toad?" 

"No, I'm inviting you to attend dinner." 

Standing up I brushed myself off before I looked at him confused. 

"But you said-" 

"I know what I said!" 

He cleared his throat, looking up at me. 

" Also, the castle is getting dusty again, you can continue our agreement tomorrow" 

Huffing, I walked by him and made my way back up to the main floor. That was before he appeared in front of me. 

"What now? I can't clean if you're in front of me." 

"I said for you to start cleaning tomorrow, for now, we should get you cleaned up for dinner." 

"I can't do that if you're in front of me still." 

He snapped his fingers, some smoke swirled around me as my outfit changed. It was a crimson red dress with off-the-shoulder straps and a deep sweetheart neckline. Looking at my hands they were gloved. Watching as the glittery gold gloves that stopped above my elbows shined in the light that made its way into the dungeon. 

I looked at him as he held a mirror up to me. I was wearing makeup; my hair was up, and I had a small tiara in my hair. Looking at him I rose a brow. 

"What game are you playing, Rumple?"

He hummed as he looked down for a moment. "I was hoping, no, that's an understatement. I was praying that you would forgive me for my treatment of you and agree to a waltz before dinner?" 

He looked at me, his eyes were pleading for me to say yes. Sighing gently, I nodded he smiled and held his hand out to me. I took it and let him lead me up to the ballroom that the castle had. Taking me to the center of the floor, he snapped his fingers, changing his clothes, adding some lighting and some music. 

Bowing to me gently, while I curtsied, he put a hand on my waist and held my hand in his. My hand rested on his shoulder as I looked at him. Smiling gently, he looked at me before he looked elsewhere. 

"Aren't you supposed to look at your dancing partner?"

"Traditionally, you are I just cannot." 

"Why would that be?" 

I asked as he spun me around. 

"I'm worried about what I might do." 

"What would you do, kiss me?" 

He fell silent at the sound of my joke. Looking away from me he tried his best not to run and hide. Taking my hand from his I used it to turn his head to look at me. 

Looking at me his eyes softened, with a look of familiarity. Looking back at him it was as if the world around us melted away. It was just us two. It had sounded like a fairy tale. Once the song had finished, he was snapped from his thoughts. Stepping away from me he adjusted his tie and looked at me for a moment, before dropping his gaze. 

"We should eat before it gets cold." 

Nodding as I laced my fingers together in front of me, holding them in front of me I followed him to the dining hall. Getting to my seat he pulled it out and then pushed me back in as I thanked him. Sitting at the other end of the table, it was silent for a moment. 

"What's the real reason you wanted me out of the cell?" 

"I've already told you, dearie." 

"I know that the Dark One lies, and I'm sure that was another to his list." 

He put his napkin down on his lap as he looked up at me. Looking me dead in the eyes he blinked before looking away from me. 

"Your silence speaks volumes." 

I was making him uncomfortable, and I could tell. Catching him in the act was the best thing I could do to break him, and it looks like I did. Getting up from my chair I kept my eyes on him as I walked over to him. Sitting on the floor next to him, I grabbed his hand gently. My dress had puffed out around me as I knelt next to him. Leaning back in his chair, he looked at me. 

"There's more you want to say to me than I should clean the castle again." 

"It isn't just my castle, it's yours as well." 

I furrowed my brows as I looked at him. "What do you mean, it's mine too?" 

"You live here, it's my castle as well as yours." 

"What else did you want to tell me?" 

He looked away and put his hand over his mouth as he mumbled. "Imissedyou." 

"Speak up, Rumple."

Sighing he turned and looked at me before he repeated himself. 

"I missed you." 

"Missed me how I was in your dungeon." 

"I missed seeing you around the castle, in the kitchen and I missed your singing, which is why it took me so long to ask you to dinner. Your singing reminded me of the man I was. That I had a beautiful girl in the castle with me."

"If you wanted me to sing, you could have- wait.... beautiful?" 

Shaking his head, he got up, pulling his hand out of mine as he tried to make a hasty retreat to his tower. Getting up I started to chase after him, jumping over the table he puffed out of my way as he appeared somewhere else. 

"Rumple come here." 

He looked at me for a second before he tried to get to the steps towards the west tower. Jumping at him, I was able to knock him to the ground. Landing on him he looked at me. 

"If you wanted to be on top of me you could have just asked, dearie." 

Smacking his chest as he gave me that all too familiar giggle, I shook my head. 

"I was trying to get your attention." 

"Mission successful." 

Sighing gently, I looked at him. "You should stop trying to run from me, and your feelings." 

"Why would I do that? When neither of us is certain I won't get hurt all over again?"