𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑳𝒀 - Rumplestiltskin [2]

fifty two

52|POWER AND PAIN

Celeste was reading a book in the backroom when Emma called her, explaining that they think Rumpel was up to something and to meet them in the clock tower.

With worry, she grabbed the dagger, knowing it was the real one as she rushed out the door. She knew Emma was probably overthinking but she was curious as to what her husband was up to.

Her heart dropped in her chest as she witnessed Rumpel holding Hooks heart, about to reduce it to nothing but dust. She lifted the dagger, turning off her emotions as she mumbled a quick command.

"I don't understand." Rumpel mumbled, staring down at the heart he was unable to destroy. "Why can't I?"

"Because I commanded you not to." Celeste informed him, appearing behind him with the dagger raised. Her voice was hollow, usual bright eyes now faded as she faced her husband. "Drop the heart. Now release everyone."

The spell he was casting sank back into the small box, silence filling the air as he stared at her with betrayal.

"Now, you can take us to the town line." She commanded, raising her voice with anger at what he had done. How he had broke her trust and heart. "Because we need to be alone for what comes next."

"Cel, what are you doing?" Rumpel asked with a shaky voice, the pair appearing alone at the town line.

"Finally facing the truth." Her voice cracked, a single tear falling down her cheek as she backed him closer to the town line.

"No, please, put the dagger down and let me explain." He begged her, knowing what she was going to do.

"No." Her lip quivered as she tried to keep her emotions buried. "It's my turn to talk. Do you remember the first time you saved my life? You traded for me. I thought I saw something in you, something good. Well, I found that gauntlet today. And that's when I realised that no matter what, you will always choose power over me."

"You don't understand." He stammered, trying to cup her face but she created a distance between them.

"No, I do understand." She snarled, the pain and humiliation she felt for loving him creeping in. "I used that gauntlet today to find your real weakness, what you love the most. It lead me to this fucking dagger. Your true love is your power."

"Celeste."

"I realised that I will never be your true love yet you will always be mine." Her heart shattered into a million pieces in the palm of his hands.

"I like the power." He tried to explain himself. "But there's nothing wrong with power. Not when it means that I, we, can have it all."

"I just wanted you." Celeste sobbed, her hand falling to her side as she gripped the dagger with anger. "I just wanted to be chosen. I tried to be everything for you, Rumpel. I gave you my love, I gave you a family. But I wasn't everything."

"Please, Cel, I'll make it up to you." He cupped her face, staring deeply into her ocean blue eyes. "I've changed once before, I can do it again."

"You've never changed." She chuckled darkly. "Once, I saw the man behind the beast. Now, I can barely look at you after what you've done."

"Celeste."

"Rumpelstiltskin, I command you to leave Storybrooke." Celeste cried, her cheeks soaked as she raised the dagger once more.

"Cel, please." He begged her, voice shaking with fear. "I won't be able to come back. I don't wanna lose you or our child."

"You already have."

"Cel, please. I'm afraid."

Celeste fell to her knees, a cry of heartbreak tearing through the woods. Her hands held her stomach as she let her emotions go.

A wave of magic flying out from her heart as she watched the man she loved cry for her. She turned away, stumbling to her feet as she walked away from her true love.

Her eyes were distant as she stumbled into her old apartment, dropping the dagger she once kept clutched tightly in her grasp on the kitchen table.

Voices of worry fell on deaf ears as she walked into her old room, falling on to her bed and holding her stomach. Her body still as Snow slipped into the bed beside her, holding her tightly as fresh tears soaked her pillow.