Was reading some rumbelle analysis and an interesting contrast hit me re Rumple’s treatment of Belle, even from the beginning of their relationship.
“It’s just a cup.”
This is a guy who is extremely possessive, who collects objects and values them highly (if as nothing else, tools for getting what he wants). He tells Belle he loves his things, and the evidence that he does is pretty strong. In fact, once he comes to associate the chipped cup with her, he seems to value it even unconsciously (before it becomes his most cherished object).
And yet he tells her it’s just a cup. I think despite the fact that he intentionally teases her and tries to persuade her he’s evil while she’s at the Dark Castle, her distress genuinely distresses him. We see that when she’s crying and, like most guys in the face of a crying woman, he looks for a moment like he’s at a complete loss for what to do. (Seriously. I’m an emotional girl and I’ve seen this probably way more than I should admit.) Thus the pillow. I think if someone had pilfered the cup or intentionally damaged it–even before it had any significance to him–he wouldn’t have been so dismissive. But because she’s distressed about it, he dismisses it.
And now the rumbelle feels hit. Cuz awww.
Keeper of Belle's Gold magic, sand dollar, cloaks, purple FTL outfit, spell scroll, library key, copy of Romeo and Juliet, and cry-muffling pillow, Rumple's doll, overcoat, and strength, and The Timeline. My spreadsheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6r8CySCCWd9R0RUNm4xR3RhMEU/view?usp=sharing