Rumbelle prompt!!! Rumbelle in WWII. 😀

Belle couldn't help the little gasp as her hairpin disappeared before her very eyes. She knew it was a trick, that she had been distracted by an unexpectedly forward compliment in the midst of his sleight of hand.

It still made her smile. "That was fantastic, Mr. Gold."

Gold gave a soft smile at the praise.

A few days after Dr. Whale had given his verdict over the crushed ankle, it was the first time Belle could see her favorite patient free of stress. Even when he had visitors, there was a severe set to his features.

"I'm glad you are feeling better. I heard you'll be returning home soon."

"If I must," he said, and then looked straight into her eyes. "Though there will be a few disadvantages."

Flirting never had left her so flustered. But then, Belle had never cared for the men who attempted it

"Nurse French!" came a hiss from across the room.

Belle realized too late that her position by Gold's bed was hardly professional. She tried not to blush, but the attempt was lost once she saw the little smirk Gold was sporting.

He knew he'd gotten her in trouble. And he knew she didn't truly mind it.

"I'll be back," she whispered before she put some distance between them, straightening her apron to give her cheeks a few seconds to return to their usual color.

Gold gave a nod. "I'll try not to run away," he quipped.

She gave an eye roll, convinced that macabre humor wasn't healthy but still amused by the dry delivery. Then she felt her hair shift a bit too freely. "Oh!" She extended her hand. "My hairpin, please?"

Gold tilted his head. "My, my, Nurse French. Having memory trouble so young?" He grinned, and even had the audacity to shrug his shoulders. "It disappeared, remember?"

Belle narrowed her eyes, ready to argue back, but another sharp call of her name stopped her.

Nurse Nolan was staring at her with disappointment, which from the mild-mannered woman was indeed a dire warning.

Gold looked over with an unimpressed sigh. "And a good morning to you too, Miss Blanche."

"Mrs. Nolan," the other woman corrected.

Gold raised an eyebrow. "If you say so."

Belle gave him a hard look. Marrying a divorced man was hard enough already, without judgement from strangers.

"I'll be back," she repeated, "if you behave."

Gold grinned. "In that case, sweetheart, I'll be a saint."