Shadows of the Soul (for onceaheroine) Slayer!Belle and Vampire!Gold

[with_aprice]

He knew her.  Some things might have changed over the course of five years, but not the important things.  She still patrolled, and without him around she was more or less alone when she did.  There weren't that many cemeteries in town; he picked the largest and sat on one of the headstones, waiting for her.  She'd be here eventually

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[onceaheroine]

Archie had attempted to insist he was patrolling with her, but that had gone precisely nowhere. She'd pointed out that he was no warrior, and she'd be distracted by keeping an eye on his safety. Reluctantly, he had conceded -- and attempted to foist an elaborate check-in system based upon their grid of Storybrooke, so he'd have a good idea where she was should something happen and she not check in within a reasonable interval, but that would take time to make into something practical.

Slayers develop a strange sixth sense over time, Belle has learned, that tell her when there's a vampire nearby. A kind of gut feeling that's never, ever wrong. And even before she was called, she knew what it felt like when Nick was watching her. The combination was unsettling.

"Evening," she acknowledged his presence with a slight nod. "Waiting for me? You shouldn't have."

[with_aprice]

She certainly was calmer than she had been the last time they'd met. He could almost see the invisible walls she'd worked so hard to erect around herself. He could see the cracks as well, thin but enough to work at. He knew her too well for her to remain impassive around him.

"We were interrupted the other night. It hardly seemed fair to leave you so... frustrated." He grins at her, a wolfish thing that's almost familiar, but not quite.

I think that she probably at least tried to seduce Archie after all that.

[onceaheroine]

"How thoughtful," she tilts her head slightly, shutting down hard the slight flutter in her chest at that wicked grin. "But unnecessary."

If she had her crossbow, this could be dealt with easily. As it is, she's armed to the teeth otherwise.

the image of Archie's face in my head right now...

[with_aprice]

"It was hardly the most gentlemanly of behavior. I did make you a promise, after all." And he has plans to play with Archie a bit, for ruining said plans. Though there is merit in stretching these things out.