Work Text:
This was kidnapping.
Belle was certain this would be considered kidnapping in a court of law—maybe. Not that she would press charges against her friends. They had the best intentions, even if they had a bad habit of ignoring her protests.
How did this happen?
She was leaving the salon after her monthly haircut when Ruby Lucas and Mary Margaret jumped out of the shadows. They each grabbed an arm, smiled, and started a conversation as if nothing were amiss.
Belle didn’t realize she was being led somewhere until they stood in front of the Three Bears Day Spa. Despite politely declining, every argument she made was rebutted, and she was dragged into the spa for a girls’ night.
That was how she ended up here, seated on a salon chair between a werewolf and a queen, while getting a manicure from Goldilocks.
“Was this really necessary?” she sighed.
“Yes.” Both Ruby and Snow said at the same time.
“I haven’t been that bad.” Belle had been raised as a noblewoman. She knew how to remain polite despite what she felt inside. True, it had been over thirty years since she had been in a noble setting, and living with the Dark One had taught her that sarcasm was its own love language. But still.
“Girl,” Ruby turned toward her. “You growled at me the other day when I suggested you go home early to get some sleep. Growled! I’m supposed to be the big bad wolf. You can’t take my thing.”
“You have been—cranky—for the past few days,” Snow said reluctantly, as if it pained her to be so direct.
She sighed, staring down at her now-polished nails. “I have been stressed lately.”
She was really starting to hate how the two of them communicated with a look. Red shook her head, but Snow straightened her back, a tell that she was going to do something against someone else’s advice.
Snow spoke softly, as if she were a child. “Belle, if something’s going on at home, you know you can tell us, right? I mean, if he’s—”
“I’m going to stop you right there.” Belle would have raised her hand if her nails weren’t currently being painted moonstone blue.
“Rumplestiltskin has been nothing but a gentleman. He is a very thoughtful husband. Just last week, he cooked an entire picnic dinner, and we spent the whole night stargazing. Whatever you’re thinking isn’t true.”
Snow frowned, but Ruby looked like a wolf with a bone. She leaned in closer. “Damn girl! I never would have thought the Dark One was a romantic. You will be spilling all the deets on that later, but what’s been stressing you out? And don’t say nothing, or I’ll bite you.”
Belle looked down at her half-painted nails and bit her lip. She wanted to tell them, but she knew that if either of them found out, it’d be all over town by the next day. Rumple had already set blood wards around the house and regular wards around the pawnshop. They both knew it couldn’t stay a secret forever, and they were prepared for anyone to come after her.
Still, she didn’t particularly want anyone to know. It wasn’t anyone’s business. But it had been almost a month, and maybe talking about it could ease some of the awful pressure in her chest.
She briefly looked at Goldie, but she was focused on her nails. Not that it mattered anyway. Screw it.
Belle raised her head and looked both of her friends in the eyes. “We're trying to have a baby.”
Silence and then—
“Oh my god,” Ruby squealed.
“Really? That’s—that’s amazing. Congratulations.” For the sake of her sanity, Belle was going to let Snow’s hesitation go. She knew the noblewoman was trying.
Belle took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “There’s nothing to celebrate.”
Snow looked confused. “I—don’t understand?”
Ruby tilted her head as she did when she used her enhanced senses. “Oh. Oh, sugar, don’t worry too much. I’m sure it’ll happen soon.”
“We’ve been trying for a month, and—nothing. What if—what if I can’t give him children?”
Ruby pulled her hand from the heater, wet nails be damned, and set it on her shoulder. “Belle. These things take time, and he’s still the Dark One. Do you know if he can even get you pregnant?”
She swallowed. “We don’t know, but we both want this so much.”
“Give it more time,” Ruby comforted. “And stop blaming yourself. If he so much as hints at it, let me know, and he’ll get a visit from a wolf.” She grinned, revealing fangs.
Belle’s laugh was wet as she sniffled. “Nothing like that! I promise, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
Snow, who had been silent until then, spoke up. “Have you considered adoption?”
She nodded. “Yes, we looked into it, but we couldn’t bring a child from outside our realm into Storybrooke. It’s too dangerous. But the only orphanage in town is run by the Covenant and—”
“And there’s no way the fairies would let the Dark One adopt a child, damn,” Ruby interrupted.
Snow wrinkled her brow. “That’s not right. I’ll talk to Blue. I’m sure there’s been some kind of misunderstanding.”
Red and Belle exchanged a glance, knowing that saying anything to their friend would get them nowhere, but they both knew the Blue Fairy was not the paragon of good the Charmings believed her to be.
“I appreciate it.” Belle smiled anyway, touched by Snow’s offer.
“Well!” Red exclaimed, slapping her hand back on the table. “This is supposed to be a spa day. Let’s release all that negative energy and soak up the alcohol!” She raised her wine glass for a toast.
Belle’s heart felt lighter as they all clinked their glasses together.
“To spa day!”