A/N: Okay, so, I have been reading a lot of Henry/Grandpa Rumpelstiltskin fanfics and I really wanted to write one of my own. I just love the possibility of a familial relationship between Henry and Rumpelstiltskin. I just think it's super cute! So, I wrote this story. This takes place after everyone breaks Zelena's curse but before Emma and Hook are sent into the past.
Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time!
In the midst of Regina and Emma arguing whether Henry should stay in Storybrooke or in New York, Henry was sitting in a booth at Granny's, reading stories. Not just stories though. His grandfather's stories. His paternal grandfather's stories. He realized that he didn't know much about Rumple's story as much as he did his maternal grandparents'. He wanted to change that. He wanted to build a relationship between himself and his grandfather, the last link to his deceased father.
Reading through his stories, tuning out the apparent conversations about him, Henry realized just how entertaining and heartbreaking these stories were. From the story of Rumple being abandoned as a child to the story of Rumple's wife, Milah, leaving him for Hook. From the story of Bae being separated from him to the story of Rumple losing Belle, his true love. It was all so sad and unfortunate.
When Emma first came to Storybrooke, he thought villains were always going to be evil and there was in gray area in between. His own adoptive mother countered that, and he was glad she did. Regina may have been the Evil Queen, but she raised him from infancy. Rumple may have been the Dark One, but he was still his grandpa, whether everyone liked it or not.
It was then that Henry had an epiphany. Rumple was always alone. Rumple lost his father, his wife, his son, and his true love. He found his son, but lost him TWICE. All he has now is Belle and him. He learned to love Belle and now he was going to learn to love him.
Closing the book, Henry got up from his booth and went up to both of his mothers. "I'm going out."
"Where are you going?" asked Regina, sad to see her son leave so quickly after just reuniting with him again.
"I'm going to go visit Belle and Rumple" answered Henry.
Emma cringed at the name Rumple. "Kid, I don't think that's such a good idea."
"Belle's super nice" said Henry.
"I meant Rumple."
Henry let out an exaggerated sigh. "Mom, I'll be fine. Grandpa would never hurt me. I'm the last link to his son, remember?" He knew it hurt to bring up his biological father's death, but he was afraid Emma wouldn't let him go otherwise. He REALLY wanted to see his grandpa.
Emma let out a sigh. "Alright kid, you can go see Rumple, but I want you to come straight to either mine or Regina's home, alright?"
Henry nodded and practically ran out of the diner. He tried Gold's pawnshop and was glad to see Rumple right behind the counter, polishing one of his antiques. Rumple looked up and offered a questioning glance. "Henry, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you" said Henry, still holding his storybook. "I got my memories back grandpa."
Rumple seemed surprised at both Henry getting his memories back and calling him grandpa. "Well, that's great Henry." He watched as Henry surveyed his surroundings and smiled softly.
"Where's Belle?" asked Henry, noticing the absence of his grandfather's fiancé.
"She's taking a quick nap before our wedding" said Rumple, smiling at the word "wedding." Henry was super surprised and super happy for the two of them, but wondered why he didn't tell anyone about it. Then again, would anyone else really care? But why didn't he tell him?
"Grandpa, I'm really happy for you!" Henry exclaimed. "I had no idea you proposed!"
"It was…. last minute, I suppose" murmured Rumple, realizing exactly what Henry was trying to say without words. He then smiled at his grandson. "Would you like to come?"
Henry's smile brightened. "Yeah, I would love to!" He then went over and hugged him around the waist. "Thanks grandpa!" Rumple was taken by surprise and before he could hug him back, Henry ran out of the shop.
Not even a minute passed before Henry sheepishly poked his head into the door. "Um, when IS the wedding?"
Rumple couldn't help but chuckle at his grandson. "It starts at 7."
Henry grinned. "I'll be there at 6:30!" He then closed the door and ran back to his mansion to ask his mom if he could attend his grandfather's wedding. Hopefully his mom wouldn't mind. His birth mom, however, was a completely different story.