Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11058666-20141228031222/@comment-25926288-20150119232109

I also think that for Rumple, as with others like Cora, love has failed them when they least expect it, while power doesn't. Rumple loved his father, but he still left. Rumple loved Milah, but she still left. Rumple loved Bae and Bae loved Rumple and Rumple let him go. Rumple loved Cora, she left him for her ambitions. Rumple loved Bae and found him, but has lost him forever. Rumple loves Belle, but can't fully accept that she loves him.

While power is in his control, love isn't (ironic though since he bottled true love in the end). His addiction is within a level of understanding, and I can't expect him to break an addiction with 200 years or so dabbling in it. He barely managed with his son which was a struggle for over 200 years. Now Belle is another issue, since this engagement is fairly recent and only a few years. (Belle's time with him + part of Season two not amnesiac + Most of Season three apart + Season four lying)

Regardless, it won't work out unless the Dark One is removed, as I stated he's immortal and she is not, even in good conditions within the relationship.