The Hamburger Date (Ouat, Rumbelle)

[Red]

Hello everyone,
I was very busy but during my holidays I started rewatching OUAT with my husband and remembered that there are barely any fics around, so I am writing one.  😊

I don't know if there's anyone who's still in this fandom so let me know if I should continue.

AU of the infamous Hamburger Date at Granny's.

~~~~~

Part 1

Mr. Gold was on his way to Granny's and determined to eat a Hamburger. He wasn't hungry at all. On the contrary, he felt slightly sick thinking of the recent events and in anticipation of every damn one in Storybrooke watching him eating out with Belle. He didn't mind being seen with Belle at all. What Belle could see if someone decided to interact with him was much more concerning. He had a - well, complicated - relationship with every single person in town. All he wanted was to show her that he was trying to be his best self for her. Other people wouldn't exactly help with that. On top, he woke up this morning with a sore throat and a slight headache. Sometime during noon he lost the ability to breath through his nose. Right now, on his way to the diner, he felt just wretched. But he needed to see Belle. There was no way he could cancel their date. Even if the last thing he wanted right now was a Hamburger. 

A Hamburger and an Icetea. If that was what Belle wanted, she would get it. He ordered two Hamburgers and two Iceteas and only earned an "I'll charge extra for the pickles." 
"Of course you do" He muttered before he turned to the reason why he came here. Belle was enjoying her food and beamed when she talked about the library. Gold tried really hard to listen to her. He wanted to know what makes her happy. On the other hand, he also tried really hard not to make any inapropriate noises. At some point he took his Icetea and sipped as slowly as he could to avoid the building cough but it was in vain. He suddenly sat the glass back down, took the napkin and muffled a harsh cough. 
It wasn't particularly loud but it seemed as if the whole diner fell silent, watching him. 
"Rumpel, are you alright?"
There was cold sweat on his forehead when he finally managed to gain back control. "Fine, sweetheart. I beg your pardon."
Belle looked him over and was shocked that she didn't notice earlier. He was pale and shivered barely noticeble despite a sheen of sweat on his face. Something was totaly not 'fine'. Instead of stating the obvious in front of all those people she offered him a way out.

"I'm so sorry but I'm really tired today. 
Would it be all right if I had the rest of the food wrapped up and we eat it at your place?"
Rumpelstiltskin knew exactly why she asked him to leave and took his chance.
A few steps away from the diner he stopped and looked at her. "Thank you, my dear. I am so sorry I ruined the evening. To be honest, I do feel a bit off today. I won't be good company so I'll walk you home and..."
"You think I'll let you walk home alone in your condition?"
"Don't worry about me, dearie." He tried his best impish grin to proof that he was alright but it began to get colder and a violent shiver shook him.
"You're cold!" she exclaimed before she cupped his cheeks in her hands. "You feel feverish. I'll walk you home and you're going straight to bed while I'm making some tea."
For a second he was overwhelmed. Nobody ever cared about his wellbeing. Before he got the Dark One, not even his wife tended to him when he was sick. She mostly blamed him for being weak. As the Dark One, he rarely got sick - maybe once every five or six decades? But gladly there was never anyone to witness this moments of weakness.
"Belle, you don't have to..."
"I know, but I want to. Now c'mon, let's get you somewhere warm." She took his elbow and turned him into the right direction. Only now did she notice that he was leaning more heavily on his cane than usual. 

During the walk he started to feel much worse. It was just a fifteen minutes walk but about eight minutes from his home he collapsed on a bench. "Could we sit a minute or two? I am so sorry but I do need a short break." 
"Sure. Does your leg hurt?"
"It is bareable. But I got somewhat... lightheaded." 
Worry was written all over her face. "Can I do anything to help?"
"No, dear. Thank you. It will pass." Sitting in the cold, he was trembling now and Belle stripped off her jacket and put it around his shoulders like a tiny blanket. One hand resting on his back, she looked at him. "It's not much."
"Don't say that. You don't have to..." his voice trailed off and Belle, alarmed from his behavior, watched him closely. He fumbled something out of his breast pocket, turned away from her and "Hngx! Ishh! Eshew! Excuse me." He managed to stifle the first sneeze, but it made his head hurt and spin even more. Belle realized that this was the first time she heard him sneeze and seeing him so... human... vulnerable... felt strangely warm. On the other hand, she was worried about him and it did hurt her to see him miserable. "Oh bless you, Rumpel. We have to get you home. Can you walk or should I call someone?"
"I think I can make it." He replied but didn't sound very convincing. 

He tried standing up very carefully just to sit back down the moment he stood. He was white as a sheet of paper and looked like he might throw up any second. He mumbled a "sorry, dizzy" into his shaking palms.
"It's alright. You can't help being ill. Should I call doctor Whale?"
"No, no, no. I don't need a doctor."
In this moment, a car came around the corner and Belle felt relieved. It was getting colder and she couldn’t bring Rumpelstiltskin home alone. So she waved and the driver stopped his vehicle. 
"Belle, what's wrong?"
"David, I'm glad to see you. It's Rumpel, he's sick." 
There was something desperate in her voice and he glanced towards the bench were the Dark One sat like a heap of misery.
"What happened?" David asked while he got out of his car.
"We were having dinner at Granny's but he wasn't feeling well so I was going to take him to his house. On the way there, he got dizzy."
Nice, an ill and moody Rumpelstiltskin was exactly what he needed today. But he couldn’t left Belle dealing with it alone.
"Oh, how... charming." Mr. Gold whispered as the acting sheriff approached.
"I heard you could use a ride?" Wow, he really did look terrible. His hair was sticking to his sweaty, pale skin while his cheeks were flushed and his body tried to get warmer by shaking violently. 
"Thanks but I'll be capable of walking in a few minutes."
"You don't look like it. And you don't want Belle waiting in the cold, do you?"
"Rumpel, please, let us help you." His beautiful Belle kneeled in front of him and stroked his arm. How could he say no to that? How could he make her wait in the cold? He sighed. And finally nodded.

Edited May 30, 2021 by Red

[crazy_cat_girl]

I love OUAT and I love Rumbelle in particular!! 
This is a lovely fic and it reminded me of how much I loved this show when it was on the air!

 

[angora48]

Seconded! I was doing a rewatch last year, and it reminded me how great OUAT could be. Nice fic ☺️

[Care]

This is amazing !