After a day alone by herself while Rumpel went on his new magical rounds, Belle decided he would not get out of spending time with her when he came home.
Rumpel came home the first night to find Belle seemingly asleep. He ran a hand through her hair, but before he could retreat Belle, wide awake, caught it. She was shivering, but not from cold. From fear. All those years in the psych ward had seriously impaired her to being alone, and her condition only worsened at night.
Without a word, Rumpelstiltskin climbed on top of the covers and wrapped an arm around her as she nestled up against him, her ragged breaths shallowing until she finally fell asleep.
Once Upon a Time (c) ABC