Tag Archives: fic: Painting Layers of Love

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rowofstars:

still-searching47:

rowofstars:

Painting Layers of Love | Rumbelle | by @still-searching47

It had been two years since the accident.

I think I’m going to cry. You are so incredibly nice. I can’t believe it. This is just wonderful. I’m stunned. Thank you so much! It is a real honor and wow, I just … you did this for my fic? It means a lot. It’s amazing, so pretty and the pictures are all perfect. Thank you.

#I feel even more guilty now about not having updated in a while#I’m going to get on that#look at this amazing thing#this was made for my fic

Shh. You deserve all the nice things and PLL is just darling. The angst is so quiet, just like Belle’s anxiety, and then when it erupts it’s startling and you’re taken aback like oh, wait… something bad is happening … why isn’t this fic all tea and chats in the garden what is happening?!? I love how Belle talks herself into things, and then when she goes to do them it’s suddenly like NOPE what was I thinking??? ABORT MISSION. That’s so real with anxiety.

Poor Gold is just along for the ride for a while. He doesn’t know how to act and that’s actually really great because he’s not overcompensating, he’s not trying to help her all the time. He gets that she’s existed for this long without help, and he marvels at that because I don’t think he could be that solitary. Her life is peaceful and calm and slow, and he doesn’t know how to live like that. She’s very grounding for him. But for Belle, God’s arrival is this tumultuous event in her life. Yet he’s now become this calming force that is slowly pulling her back into the world. She wants to get out there again because of him, she’s realizing part of what has been missing from her life. He’s the unknown, the thing that use to thrill her and that now terrifies her.

And the way you write Belle’s disability is perfect, it’s like it’s not a thing at all, not a big deal. It’s there but you’re not having it thrown in your face that Belle’s blind Belle’s blind Belle’s blind!! It’s honestly the least interesting aspect of her because there’s so much more going on with her past, her art, her personal issues, and her budding relationship with Gold. It’s a factor but it in no way defines her.

There are no words. This is the nicest review ever. I’m just overwhelmed and I can’t believe how thoughtful this is. You are my favourite person in the world right now.

I know it’s not Tuesday but i was wondering does Painting Belle read braille? How does she read books? Audio books?

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Hi anon! No worries about it not being Tuesday – I love questions and my askbox is always open 🙂

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I prefer braille if I can get it. There’s something about the feel of paper beneath my fingers, and the reassuring weight of the book. However, audio is more widely available, especially with digital books because even if an audio version isn’t available, there are programs that can read the text.

Painting Layers Belle: A sort of odd question, but how do you read your books? Do you prefer braille or audio books? Also, what is your favorite book?

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I prefer braille if I can get it. There’s something about the feel of paper beneath my fingers, and the reassuring weight of the book. However, audio is more widely available, especially with digital books because even if an audio version isn’t available, there are programs that can read the text.

Asking a book lover what is their favorite book, is like asking someone to choose between dozens of things they love equally. All books are different, and they suit different moods. When I’m sad I like to re-read happy books, where nothing really bad happens and it all ends well.

The rest of the time my taste is fairly eclectic, I adore the classics of course, but all books are valid. I’ve just finished a sci-fi series where a group of people were stuck onboard a very old alien spaceship. Next on my ‘to read’ list is a fairytale adaptation crossing between their world, and modern day. It sounds fascinating.

#so it was hard to know what to say because no book titles really came to mind sorry#this was a hard question because I’m not Belle and I love to write but I’m not much of a reader these days (I know that’s bad)

Painting Layers Bae: Now that you have met your father’s mysterious friend, what do you think of her?

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Who’s Bae????

My name is Neal but I’m assuming that you mean me, seeing as you are asking about dad’s friend/neighbor Belle. I kinda already said how I felt about their relationship (link) but you want to know my opinion of just Belle?

I don’t know man, she seems nice enough but it’s clear she has some problems. I just came over to do her garden and beyond saying hi, it’s not like I really know her that well, just what dad has told me and what I can see for myself. To be honest I’m kinda worried about her.

I hope dad treats her right because if he thinks in three months he can just walk away *shakes head* I know he has it pretty bad, but I know how he is about work. This thing between them it might work now but it’s not likely to end well and … gah I don’t know … I don’t know whether to encourage it or not. It might be good for dad but it could be devastating for Belle.

Layers Neal: Sooo, how do you feel about your father’s friendship/relationship with Belle? I think they will be good for each other.

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I’ve never seen him like this, it’s hilarious and nauseatingly sweet at the same time. I’m going to take every opportunity to tease him about it. I don’t really know how Belle feels, but dad has it bad, so I hope she feels the same or it’ll be all sad, and we don’t really do ‘emotional moments’ in this family. I swear though, if dad screws it up …

Layers Belle, I think you’re doing remarkably well. Before you know it, Gold’s home might be your own home away from home. :~)

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I don’t know about that *blushes* besides the cottages are next door to one another, so it’s inevitable we’ll gravitate more towards one than the other. My home has everything we need – it certainly has enough tea! Nick seems to think that he needs to reciprocate the hospitality, but it’s not like I mind. He’s welcome any time.

*chews on thumbnail* we’ll have to see how it goes.

Painting Layers of Love (Chapter Five)

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grace52373:

still-searching47:

Synopsis: Belle French lives alone and she likes it that way. She’s lived alone ever since the terrible car accident which killed her mother and claimed her eyesight. Belle spends her days painting, in complete solitude, until one day she wakes up and hears movement outside. Somebody has moved into the cottage next door. She had grown comfortable in her solitary existence until Mr Gold crashes into her life. Now her future is uncertain, like a blank canvas, waiting for her to apply the paint and decide what kind of story she is creating.

Note: Yeah sorry this didn’t happen for last Friday. This chapter was inspired by answering a question @rowofstars had about the fic, namely to do with Neal and Gold and their history. So thank you very much, that question helped me immensely 🙂

Warning: I probably should have put this on the other chapters as well. Deals with depression and anxiety.

On Tumblr: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four

AO3 Link

It had taken
about ten minutes to wipe down the garden furniture. The spiderwebs, and
splattered dirt from the rain splashes, wiped away with a little bit of elbow
grease. It was good wood and cleaned easily. Once that was done Gold returned
to his cottage, it was time he called Neal back. Gold hit speed dial and
waited, his heart pounding with every ring. Perhaps Neal had gone out, and he
would have to try again later.

Talking with
Belle had helped him calm down and think about the situation more logically. He
still didn’t think that he had done anything wrong, was he supposed to let his
business suffer when he could prevent it? Sometimes emergencies happened, this
was real life, not a fairy tale. However, he was going to follow Belle’s
suggestion and be honest. Neal wasn’t generally unreasonable, and perhaps now
he’d had some time to calm down, he would listen and then they could resolve
this.

“What?” Neal
answered abruptly.

Gold winced at
Neal’s harsh tone, clearly he hadn’t calmed down. “Son, if you would just let
me explain …”

Keep reading

I am happy Neal and Gild reconciled. Neal and Gold really need to talk more.

Yup they do and they probably will at some point. Gold has had an impact on Belle’s life, but she’s going to have just as big an impact on his, just in a different way. I’m glad you are enjoying it 🙂 Thanks for commenting.

worryinglyinnocent:

Now this could either go very wrong or very right, and with the added pressure of Neal in the background *bites nails*. I’m working on the principle that everything’s going to be all right. 

I love the way that this is unfolding! 🙂

Heh thanks 🙂 I’m really glad you are enjoying it. To be honest, I confess I don’t actually know whether it’s going to be all right or not yet. This is something of an experiment for me (I’m usually very much a planner). Anyway, I’m rooting for it to be alright, but it’s up to Belle what happens.

bookwormchocaholic:

Gold and Neal can’t see how much they are alike; so worried about each other that they neglect themselves. Like father, like son! 

Don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but I love Belle’s and Neal’s introduction. That was so thoughtful of him. 

Family is definitely the most important thing to both Gold and Neal. However, Neal doesn’t necessarily understand or believe that about his dad. I’m glad you liked the chapter! Thanks 🙂

beastlycheese:

Cleanse your aching Rumbelle heart with some layers of lovely words from still-searching24. It features (unusual for us ouat sufferers) the rare notion of Gold and Belle in the same place and talking. (AND NEAL IS ALIVE!)

Heh, I always make Neal live if at all possible because I can’t stop writing Gold as a father, plus I ship Swanfire. Although, this isn’t all that fluffy. Now what I’m writing right now, that is pure fluff, I’ll be posting it on Friday heh. Thank you for your kind words 🙂 I’m really pleased you are enjoying the fic!

rowofstars:

Yay Neal! I hope things get sorted out between them, and I hope Belle is okay going over to Gold’s… That could go badly.

You are sweet, reblogging here and commenting on AO3. Thank you so much! Yeah and Neal and Gold have their status quo back – for now. As for Belle … it could be good and a step forward for them or it could go horribly wrong. Either way, it’s progress of a sort because she’s agreed to go in the first place. Thanks again 🙂

Painting Layers of Love Belle: Are you looking forward to spending time with Gold out in the garden? I think it could be fun.

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We have had tea in the kitchen and the living room, I don’t imagine the garden will be much different. Yes, it is outside but it’s an extension of my cottage really. Just a couple of steps from my studio, close enough to reach out with a hand and know where I am.

Truthfully my biggest concern is that we will run out of things to talk about, and the conversation will grow awkward. I’m amazed that hasn’t happened yet but Nick generally has a way of making everything feel more comfortable. *blushes* I will never tell him but I have quite the crush on him.

#the garden scene will be in chapter five on friday 🙂

Painting Layers of Love (Chapter Four)

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rowofstars:

still-searching47:

Synopsis: Belle French lives alone and she likes it that way. She’s lived alone ever since the terrible car accident which killed her mother and claimed her eyesight. Belle spends her days painting, in complete solitude, until one day she wakes up and hears movement outside. Somebody has moved into the cottage next door. She had grown comfortable in her solitary existence until Mr Gold crashes into her life. Now her future is uncertain, like a blank canvas, waiting for her to apply the paint and decide what kind of story she is creating.

Note: The thunderstorm is now over! Anyway, I think the update schedule for this is going to be every two weeks, which I know is a compromise. I would like it to be every week but with all my other projects I can’t manage that at the moment – maybe one day 🙂

In this chapter @rowofstars prompted “Maybe Nick
has a call with Neal and they fight about something stupid (Nick going back to
work for 4 days perhaps??) which puts Nick in a bad mood. This time Belle is
the one who is understanding and puts her issues aside to help a friend feel
better.”

Warning: I probably should have put this on the other chapters as well. Deals with depression and anxiety.

On Tumblr: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three

AO3 Link

When Gold woke
up the next morning, the best description of his feelings would probably be
disquieted. He had been concerned about Belle from the moment they had met. Her
panic attack the day before had just deepened his concern. He could recognize
loneliness, it was an emotion he had felt in spades over the years but it
wasn’t just that, there was a lot more to it.

As a general
rule Gold didn’t care about people, mostly because they had always disappointed
him. Belle had wormed her way under his defenses disturbingly quickly but he
couldn’t bring himself to mind. She was so fragile, and obviously in a lot of
pain, the blackened remains of his heart ached for her.

He had so many
questions, and he wanted to help her but he wasn’t sure how. All he could think
to do was just be there, and let her
take the lead as much as possible. After all, Belle would presumably know what
was best for herself. He had felt awful that he had invited her for a walk and
it caused her such distress, that hadn’t been the idea at all.

Their first few
meetings had been marked by always ending in a fight. After the last fight he
had thought Belle was a mystery, one he would enjoy solving over the three
months of his sabbatical. However, then she had come over and apologized, they
had tea and then dinner and he was forced to admit the truth.

He was utterly
enchanted by her, he wanted to learn more about her because he cared, not just
to solve a puzzle. Belle seemed to want to be friends and that was more than
enough. He doubted she would ever return his affections and he resolved to
never let her discover them, it would only make her uncomfortable.

Keep reading

Oh my god my unsure, awkward babies!!! Bless them. I was glad to see Gold not retreat or change the subject so readily because it made Belle deal with the conversation that was happening and what both of them had said. And it was good to see Belle’s defense mechanisms happen but not get in the way. It’s small but very important progress. I’m sure Neal will get over it eventually and I don’t feel like it was really breaking their deal. He cannot expect his father to let parts of his business fail when he could stop it. Granted, Regina should be able to handle things, but it’s very common for a top executive to take some leave and vultures try to swoop in. What Neal wants with his father is some kind of ideal or absolute, and that’s not possible or realistic. Being away from a business for that long is really really difficult when you’re the one in charge.

Wow, thank you so much! Your reviews are always so thoughtful and so helpful. Yeah next chapter Gold will talk to Neal and then that’s going to spark what happens in the chapter after that probably. I have some plans 🙂 I’m glad you are enjoying the fic!

Painting Layers of Love (Chapter Three)

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rowofstars:

still-searching47:

Synopsis: Belle French lives alone and she likes it that way. She’s lived alone ever since the terrible car accident which killed her mother and claimed her eyesight. Belle spends her days painting, in complete solitude, until one day she wakes up and hears movement outside. Somebody has moved into the cottage next door. She had grown comfortable in her solitary existence until Mr Gold crashes into her life. Now her future is uncertain, like a blank canvas, waiting for her to apply the paint and decide what kind of story she is creating.

Note: I managed to update in two weeks this time! Thanks to everyone that sent prompts in on Tuesday, I really appreciate it 🙂 In this chapter @bookwormchocaholic prompted “Maybe Belle tries to leave and go somewhere and gets disoriented.”

Warning: I probably should have put this on the other chapters as well. Deals with depression and anxiety.

On Tumblr: Chapter One, Chapter Two

AO3 Link

Belle slept
badly. Unusually she managed to get to sleep relatively quickly, which didn’t
happen often. Most nights, the moment she laid her head on the pillow, her mind
started racing. During the day she had distractions, she could lose herself in
painting if nothing else. However, at night, when she was trying to sleep, her
mind became a battleground.

Last night,
just a couple of hours after she went to sleep, Belle woke up. She had a drink
of water and tried to settle but she was wide awake. When she had gone to bed,
she had been happy, but in the dark of the night, that happiness turned to
fear. After all, Nick had left quickly after she had touched his face.

The fleeting
hope she’d felt disappeared, and Belle started wondering if he’d left because
he’d been uncomfortable, and had just been too polite to say anything.
Intellectually she knew it was paranoia, but she couldn’t stop her mind from
imagining scenarios. She pictured seeing him, and him yelling at her, or even
worse just being cold and dismissive. Then Belle pictured never seeing him
again, as he just decided not even to bother saying goodbye.

Keep reading

That moment when you thought you had subscribed to a wonderful story on AO3 but then you see an update you missed and you hadn’t and LOOK AT MY LIFE CHOICES. Okay that’s fixed now.

I love this and everyone should be reading it! Will we be seeing some more of Nick’s POV with regards to Belle and maybe his own issues? (Of which I am sure there are many if Neal had to order him on vacation.)

Wow thank you so much!

I did only update this morning so you didn’t really miss it and you didn’t have to comment here and on AO3 but thank you so much! 🙂 Yes that will definitely be covered. Not all in one go obviously but we’ll start to delve more into Gold’s feelings, understanding of the situation and his own history etc. in the next chapter.

I’m so glad you liked it!! Thank you 🙂

worryinglyinnocent:

I was so happy when I saw this update! Poor Belle, I just want to wrap her up in a hug. 

I love the way that this is developing, it’s really beautiful, and I can picture the little cottages and the lavender fields so vividly!

Heh so can I … but then I stole the description from the inspiration aesthetic that prompted this fic. At least I think I did, I wasn’t actually looking at when I wrote that part *checks* … erm nope actually that doesn’t match the picture, clearly I formed a new picture in my head.

Awww I love that you were happy for the update! I don’t think Belle would appreciate a hug right now but Gold’s working on it, he’ll hug her for you later 🙂 Thank you so much for commenting!