Well the pairing I had in my head was Tony Stark and Pepper Potts.

Tony is brilliant, the best at what he does, just like Rumple. Tony is dependant upon his tech, his suits, like Rumple depends on his magic. They are both the richest men in town. Tony struggles with the shrapnel injury and needs the arc reactor. Rumple struggles with his limp which his magic heals.

There are other similarities too like they both have trouble letting go of guilt, their responsibilities weigh heavily on them – “I have to protect the one thing I can’t live without.” and they both have self-destructive tendencies. Obviously there are many differences as well but I can see Rumple in Tony. The bitter sarcasm, the mask to keep people at a distance etc.

Pepper runs the company, she is brilliant and formidable in her own right and she’s not afraid to call Tony out on his shit. Sound familiar? When I think of Pepper trying to get Tony to eat and sleep when he’s been pulling all-nighters I think to myself “I bet Belle had to do that at the Dark Castle.” Pepper was never just an assistant, she was always Tony’s partner because she balances him – they are equals. It’s the same with Rumbelle.

So yeah if I was going to do an MCU AU I would make Rumple Iron Man heh 🙂