#Liam was the old kingdom’s prince and as a way to keep the enemy close but also humiliate the new ruling king/emperor placed him to be

[fluffypotatey]

*thrashing against the lmk authorities* hey…hey y’all *struggling to grasp the door back to the teen wolf thiam fandom* hey i just had this great thiam au— *they pull me back*

[lovelylou]

since 2020 is almost over, i thought i’d share (some of) my favorite fics that made my 2020 a lot better.

[note: not all of these fics were written/published in 2020, although most of them are, there are some that are older, but that i’ve read or re-read this year]

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tastes like summer, smiles like may by outropeace

“Is this true?” Harry grabbed the beta by the shoulders. “Bryce, where did you hear that?”

“There’s rumors going around the castle,” he smirked. “stories about his beauty and his cold attitude. They know he is an omega only because of his scent, but he has never had a heat.”

“Do you know what this means?”

Bryce smirk grew into a big smile. “He can’t give you an heir.”

A cold prince, an alpha with nothing left to lose and a kingdom with a secret.

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But It's Useless by thinlines

“Hey.”

Louis was even hallucinating now. He closed his eyes.

“Hey, you.”

He chuckled wetly, head still leaning against the door.

“Can you get out of the way? You're blocking the door.”

He exhaled sharply before slowly turning around. His eyes fixed onto muddy Nike trainers before it traveled up to impossibly short jogging shorts. The yellow color was atrocious, simply ghastly.

“What happened to being polite, Harold?”

OR Omega Louis would never guess that he would be trying to hack into Alpha Harry's Wifi. That is until everything changes when he tries to get to know his enemy.

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haunted by the ghost of you by missandrogyny

He’s tall—that’s the first thing that registers in Louis’ head when he spots him, standing with his hands behind his back. Tall, with curly hair, staring at them with the widest, greenest eyes Louis has ever seen. And wait, are those dimples? Louis didn’t know ghosts could have dimples.

Because he’s definitely a ghost, this boy. At first glance he looks normal, standing there pigeon-toed in a band shirt (The Ramones, Louis can’t help but note incredulously), dark jeans, and some boots, with rings on both hands, and tattoos littering his left arm—a sleeve made of anchors and names and roses and other completely unrelated things. But he’s also a little bit translucent; if Louis focuses, he can see the outline of the furniture, the design of the wallpaper through him.

“Hi,” the boy—the ghost—says to Louis. His face shifts; somehow his dimples dig deeper into his cheeks. His eyes flit from Louis, to Niall, to Liam, and finally to Zayn, and his face goes from shocked to elated. “I’m Harry.”

At in that exact moment, standing between three of his best friends and staring at a (quite handsome) ghost, Louis can only think one thing.

Nick Grimshaw was right.

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On the Edge by zanni_scaramouche

Figure skating is as vital to Louis’ identity as his DNA, so when his skates go missing right before the last Olympics of his career there may be a meltdown only vanilla bath salts can fix. Well, that and the stupidly charming hockey player he met on the plane.

Harry’s too old to be the wonder kid and too young to be taken seriously in the NHL. As an alternate thrown in at the last second, he fights to prove himself on the national team at the largest sporting event known to man. Or he will, once he gets off this flight and can focus on something other than the fussy figure skater and his stunningly blue eyes.

A baggage mix-up skews both of their perfectly laid plans for gold, forcing the two to work together as the clock clicks towards the minute they’re expected to shine on centre ice.

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even the best laid plans by falsegoodnight

“Anyways,” Louis stresses, narrowing his eyes, “just let me say it and then rate how terrible of an idea it is on a scale from one to ten.”

“Alright,” Zayn agrees, sitting up expectantly.

“I want to ask Harry Styles to take my virginity,” Louis blurts, holding his hands out for emphasis.

The way Zayn’s eyes bulge is almost comical. “Negative infinity,” he says, voice choked. “Negative infinity times negative infinity.”

“Technically, a negative times a negative is -”

“Really negative infinity,” Zayn corrects himself, shaking his head wildly. “Louis, what the fuck?”

-

Or, Louis wants to have sex with someone and decides Harry is the perfect alpha for the job.

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The Compulsion to Find Love by Toomanytears

The most prestigious English third-level institution, Candling University, accepts omega students for the first time and Louis Tomlinson applies with bright eyes and brighter ambitions. There he encounters personal obstacles, traditional mindsets and a beautiful boy who inverts every prejudice Louis has ever known.

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Mine Would Be You by crinkle-eyed-boo (KimmieRocks)

Louis blinks his eyes open, his eyelids fluttering as the room swims around him. He takes several gulps of beer once he confirms that he’s definitely not hallucinating, that the very first portrait Harry Styles ever painted of him is hanging on that wall.

Louis stares at the wall, his heart jackrabbiting in his chest as he realizes that there’s not just one painting of him, there’s five, the portraits lined up like they’re some sort of storyboard depicting the rise and fall of his deepest love. His greatest heartache. A pain that cut him so deep that he left the fucking country, severing all ties with his life in New York, now suddenly surrounding him as if he’d never left.

Fucking shit motherfucker fuck.

Louis returns to New York City five years after he left it – and the love of his life – behind. He didn't intend to see Harry again, but fate has a funny way of pulling them together, whether they like it or not. After making a begrudging truce, they both start to wonder: Would it be so bad if history repeated itself?

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UN(RE)SO LVED. by daddyharrie

The ghoul boys are back, but this time around there are some unresolved feelings involved. Harry is a skeptic, Louis is not. Watch them go on their ongoing investigation into the question: are ghosts real?

Or, BuzzFeed Unsolved AU.

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Hate to Smoke (Without Me) by louhazpride

“For fuck’s sake,” he huffs, grabbing the pillow and pulling it on top of his head in an attempt to block out the banging coming from the other side of the wall.

It’s the third time this week that his neighbour has woken him up in the middle of the night with his little ‘rendezvous.’ Honestly, he's quite sick of it. There’s only so much sex he can bear to hear in one week and he has already hit his limit. If he wanted to listen to someone having sex, he’d turn to porn.

As if the noises weren’t enough, Harry immediately becomes aware of the faint aroma of weed filling his flat.

“I’m going to murder him.”

Sleep. Harry just wants one good night of sleep. However, his neighbour has a thing for headboard-banging-against-the-wall-sex every night. After a secret set-up and a bet, Harry may finally get the sleep he so much desires.

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Three Days in February by writing_practice

“We have to get out of here, outside,” Harry whispered, turning his hand in Louis’s grip to hold on and pull them both to their feet.

“And how do we fucking do that?” Louis hissed, carefully rising and pulling Harry to his feet before Harry could do it. His gaze darted to the front then back of the arena. “None of the doors are where they’re supposed to be.”

“What?” Harry looked around again too, couldn’t see any doors, only knew that they must be there, somewhere. “How do you know?”

Confusion slid over Louis's features.

“Because we’ve been here before, Haz. It’s the O2.”

The show. It must be the first night of their tour. They were too late; they were out of time.

Louis is cursed after a night out with the lads and the five have just three days to figure out what happened and how to break it before Harry and Louis both lose their sanity and maybe something more. Louis can hear everything Harry thinks and Harry isn’t sure he can keep his feelings for Louis a secret from his own mind.

Ridiculous amounts of banter and angst, a lot of Harry and Louis alone together, a healthy dose of OT5 friendship, and one very magical weekend.

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Coming Up For Air by stylinsoncity

It's a long plane ride to LA but sitting beside Harry makes time fly.

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I'd Give Up Everything Just Ask Me To by Rearviewdreamer

They don't usually exchange Christmas gifts, but this year is different. This year, Louis knows exactly what he wants to put under the tree to make his boyfriend smile. He just doesn't know how he's going to get it.

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bruise you like a peach by falsegoodnight

There’s two reasons Harry despises Econ.

The first is that it’s boring as fuck. The second reason is a bit more personal, a bit more focused in a way. As in it’s focused on one specific thing, or in his case, person.

His name is Louis Tomlinson.

-

Alternatively titled 'the peach fic.'

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Sometimes You Just Know by 2tiedships2

“Dear diary. Today is going to be a good day, and here’s why...”

“What are you doing?” Louis mumbled as he bit into a piece of toast.

“It’s been almost two years and today Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson reunite. Louis is very excited about…”

Louis’ chair screeched along the kitchen floor as he flew up out of his seat, quickly grabbing the paper from Niall’s grasp. As he scanned the page he found it amounted to lines of nothing.

“What is this?” Louis asked again. “We’ve discussed how Harry Styles will never be spoken of in this flat. I don’t care how long it’s been.”

Niall snatched the paper from Louis and proceeded to draw a line across the page before writing.

“Today is the day that he-who-shall-not-be-named is coming to dinner.”

Or the one where Harry and Louis don’t believe in soulmates… until they do.

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eyes off you by soldouthaz

“Just promise me you’ll do whatever it takes to keep us all safe while we’re in there,” Liam says.

Through the crack in the door, Louis can just barely make out the broad curve of Harry’s back, the slope of his curls as they tumble down all sleep-soft and lazy, and the sharp twist of his arm - all leading down to where he’s got his pointer and middle finger crossed over each other behind his back.

“I promise,” he tells Liam firmly, “I promise.”

--

or; a charlie’s angels inspired fic where louis is the brains, harry is the charm, liam is the muscle, and niall drives the getaway car - and zayn is there, too. sometimes.

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Welcome to The Rivalry by 2tiedships2

“Welcome home!” Niall yelled, clapping his hands in excitement. “Isn’t it great?”

Louis looked between Niall and the house, unsure how to respond.

“I don’t understand,” Louis finally managed to say. “Aren’t we a little old to be living so close to campus?”

Niall scoffed. “You’re only twenty-four for fuck’s sake. There is still plenty of partying left for us to do. What better place than one street over from where a car was set on fire after the Michigan game last year?”

“Is there proof of that? Did the car have Michigan plates or something? Is there a photo I can send in a DM to Wolfie?”

As if on cue, a Twitter notification popped up on Louis’ Apple watch. He had tweeted again.

Or a reverse You’ve Got Mail au inspired by the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry. Featuring duplex neighbors, (kind of) enemies to lovers, and an anonymous Twitter feud between omega Louis and alpha Harry.

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Cold Little Heart by seducedbycurls

Louis is a soft omega with an abusive past and an alpha child

A few months after getting a divorce, Louis meets Harry, an ex-military alpha wolf that offers him something -odd.

In exchange for teaching him how to cook, Harry will babysit his son, Abraham

Louis really could use the help.

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[axwalker]

We used to be friends

To catch up : One decision.

Book: The Royal Romance (half AU/half canon or my HC anyway…)

Pairing: Drake x Mc Drake x Liam (friendship?)

Disclaimer:  Drake, Liam and Valtoria belong to Pixelberry.

A/N: This is  Prompt #32 “I’ve never lied to you” from @emceesynonymroll​  Wacky Drabbles (Thank you for hosting this!)

Word count: 1500 (Sorry! I really tried)

This is my personal opinion on the reasons that drive Liam and Drake to act as crazy as they are acting in TRH. 

Tagging: @emceesynonymroll​ @mskaneko​ @pedudley​ @burnsoslow​ @princessleac1​

Liam and Drake usually met on his personal quarters but when Drake had called, the solemn tone in his voice had made Liam set the meeting at his royal office. He didn’t know what Drake wanted, but something told him he wasn’t going to be pleased about it.

He sighed thinking about their friendship, it definitely had taken a toll since the day Drake had finally come clean about his feelings for her.

Well, come clean was not really the best way to describe it, after all, he had discovered their relationship when he was on one knee, proposing. He could still feel the pain, not only because of her rejection but because of his best friend’s betrayal. Months and months of lying and deceiving from the person he trusted the most in the world.

Their friends didn’t judge Drake because they only saw one lie, one deception. But they both knew it was much more than that. It was the hundreds of nights drinking whiskey in his bar while he talked hours about her as Drake listened and nodded without once hinting that their friendship had become something else. It was all the times he had confided in his best friend after she had canceled on him once again, and Drake had comforted him while knowing that he was the reason behind it. It was the day he had told him he was going to propose, and Drake had congratulated him without admitting the truth.

So no, it wasn’t one lie, one time. It had been hundreds of them, months of them.

Of course, he was aware of how emotionally crippled Drake was. Liam knew how difficult it was for him to admit he was capable of feeling anything at all, let alone falling in love for someone, and accepting that that someone loved him back. He knew about all the women that had thrown themselves at him only to get close to one of the princes. And he was grateful. Drake had always been there for him and had dropped his life no questions asked to support him when he had needed him the most, he also knew that Drake would give his life for him. They were brothers and Liam would never forget that.

All those reasons had allowed him to forgive Drake and try to move on. Except he hadn’t. Giving her Valtoria and naming her child heir of the kingdom had been both a blessing and a curse. As he had intended, it had allowed him to spend time with her, but also to be a sad witness of how in love with Drake, she was.

After a while, he had tried to get her out of his system by dating numerous women and focusing on Cordonia’s future. He had even been the best man at their wedding. One of the worst days of his life, he didn’t wish on his worst enemy the pain of seeing the love of his life marry his best friend. He had done it, but it hadn’t been enough to forget her or to mend their friendship. Even if they saw each other regularly, they were with Max and Leo, or watching a horse race or a football match. Their conversations never ran very deep, he didn’t want to hear how happy they were together, it was painful enough to see it written on both their faces. At least until recently. Lately, he had noticed that Drake was almost as bitter as he was before her. And Alexis wasn’t happy anymore, her contagious laughter had almost disappeared and the passion he loved so much about her was gone. He wondered if that was the reason Drake wanted to meet him. Had he lost her already and now he came to him for comfort? Could it be…?

Drake parked the car at his usual spot in the Palace and stop the engine. He stayed inside the car a few minutes to collect his thoughts, he didn’t doubt their decision for one second, but he knew it would be a shock to Liam. Again.

He sighed thinking about how much he had hurt Liam in the past years. It hadn’t been their intention, they had even tried to ignore the strong pull they had for each other, but their relationship had seemed unavoidable. From those early days when he had doubted her intentions and tease her incessantly, to the strong friendship they had built during the social season, and the consuming passion that had started with that kiss on the Beaumont’s study, every moment of their relationship had been a step closer to each other. He hadn’t lied to Liam intentionally, Drake had truly believed that Alexis was going to choose the king at the end. So, he decided to keep quiet about her because it would hurt less when she’d finally left him. 

Nonetheless, the truth was that he had hurt Liam so deeply that his friend seemed unable to move on even after all that time. And the last year had been torture for the three of them. Drake knew his best friend was a good, generous man, but he couldn’t help but doubt his intentions behind giving her Valtoria and naming their daughter the heiress.

Finally, he got out of the car and went to meet Liam who was already waiting for him in his office. He was sitting on his desk with a scotch lost on his thoughts.

Drake entered and they greeted each other with a nod of the head, as Drake poured himself a scotch from the bottle next to Liam and took his usual place across the young king.

“Well, here we are, Drake. Why was it so urgent that we meet?” Liam asked in a commanding tone. 

Drake cut to the chase, there was no point in delaying it anymore “We want to leave Valtoria, Liam. We’re not made for the noble’s life. Either of us”

Liam furrowed his brows “Helena cannot be the heir of the kingdom if you are not nobles Drake, you know this”

Drake looked at him knowingly.

The realization hit Liam. “Oh, you don’t want her to be the heiress anymore either,” he said as he leaned back on his chair.

“I’m sorry, we didn’t realize the amount of sacrifice it would be for us, and especially for Lena. She’s barely one and already engaged, Liam!”

“I told you we were going to get out of it, just give me a little more time,” Liam said tiredly.

“It’s not only that. We simply don’t want to be nobles anymore. This can’t be a surprise for you Li, you know that I’ve always hated this stuff. We both do”

“We? You keep talking for the two of you, but I don’t see Alexis anywhere. It looks like it’s you who want to quit, and you are using her as an excuse. You’re only thinking of yourself but she deserves-”

Drake raised his hand interrupting him “What? More than I can give her? The life of a queen? Believe me, I know that,” he gulped his drink. “I also know that for some fucked up reason she doesn’t want any of it. She’s miserable there”

Liam stood up holding his glass. “Maybe that is what you want to think. Maybe she’s quitting to make you happy.”

Drake didn’t take his eyes off of his friend. “That has always been the problem, Li. You don’t know her”

“Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Drake, but I think it was made perfectly clear that I didn’t really know either of you.”

Drake raked his hand through his hair.  “It’s been two years, you have to let it go. Let her go.”

Liam walked towards him “Oh, Drake, I have. That doesn’t mean that I had forgotten what you did to me. She came here for me. Did you forget I was the reason she left New York to come to Cordonia?”

Drake felt the old pang of jealousy at Liam’s words, so he stood up angry as well.

“No, I haven’t, but she fell in love with me while you were engaged to Madeleine. Have you forgotten that? You’re rewriting history, Liam”

They stood a few inches from each other. “You’re right Drake, I made a lot of mistakes concerning her. I shouldn’t have chosen Madeleine at the coronation or let the guards take her, and it was certainly a big mistake to ask her to be my mistress. So, I’ll admit it, when it comes to Alexis I can see where I failed. But you?” He cocked his brow “I’ve only been a brother to you. You deceived me for months, and I’ve never lied to you. You stole my only chance to be happy” He was so angry he barely realized he was shoving Drake.

Drake raised his hands bawling at him “You have never lied to me? Do you really think I don’t know why you gave her that damned duchy seconds after proposing? Do you really think I can’t imagine why the hell you named our daughter, her daughter the heiress?” He pushed Liam back “Don’t say you have never lied to me because you’re fucking doing it right now, Liam. You might be entitled and oblivious but I’m not. You’re still in love with my wife”  

[heavensreigns]

𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲. 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲. 𝘄𝗲'𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. ( cosimo de’ medici. dominic sherwood. unknown age. angel. ) psd & template.

CREATION the angel was made by god himself and he is a part of the first generation of angels that followed the archangels lucifer, michael, gabriel and raphael. it makes him older than many creatures in this universe and he had the “privilege” to be one of his father’s favorites for a long time. it was the reason why he was trusted with one of the first missions on planet earth, accompanied by his better half and best friend, pinniki.

VISITING EARTH was something that was feared by many angels while others were eager to see the new realm their father created. cosimo himself felt indifferent about it, but he was eager to please god and show him that his faith in him was nothing but justified. for a long time, he was nothing but a perfect little solider, but things were about to change when pik and him were tasked with the destruction of a nephilim. instead of ending the child’s existence, both angels raised them for a long time, but god was displeased with their choices and their lack of obedience. his better half was ordered to return to heaven and it would take a very long time for the two of them to find each other again.

FINDING HIS TRUE VESSEL after countless missions, cosimo finally located his one true vessel. the human body that was made for him, meant to last forever. it wasn’t hard to convince the young man to say yes to the angelic possession, but there was something else that made cosimo feel guilty: the man’s family. he could feel that his vessel was really close to his twin sister, camilla. he planned on giving them a few more days together, but within moments of staying around, cosimo felt something that he never experienced in his entire existence. he grew attached to the blonde and with it came a possessiveness that he never felt before either. it was impossible for him to lie to her and so he finally came clean about her twin’s fate, hoping that it would help her accept everything that happened. what he did not expect was for the attachment to be mutual. camilla refused to leave his side and by now, it no longer matters that they were not born as twins. she is his twin sister and cosimo loves her with all of his heart.

BECOMING CROWN PRINCE OF ITALY was not something that he planned on when he encountered teresa de’ medici. the queen was desperate: the king and her tried everything to conceive children for so long, but it just would not happen. their kingdom began to talk and she feared for her life, so when she noticed the resemblance between herself and the twins, she begged cosimo for his help. she would introduce them as their children, claiming that they were hidden away for their safety, and announcing that cosimo de’ medici was the rightful heir to the throne.  he was hesitant at first: his acceptance would have an impact on the development of history and his father would not be pleased, but he finally agreed, unable to turn teresa down. camilla and him moved to italy and he took his place as crown prince.

ENDING AN OLD BLOOD FEUD months after his arrival in italy he came across a rarity. another supernatural being, a dragon, that went by the name of illyria pazzi. her story was much like cosimo’s: the pazzi family found and adopted her and there was an instant fascination between the two of them. their families, which had been enemies for quite some time, saw that they spent time together and they started to see it as an opportunity to end the bad blood between them. illyria and cosimo were asked to marry. again, there was lots of hesitance, but they finally agreed. why not? they were interested in each other, there was attraction. they would not have to live on without each other, since they were immortal. perhaps marriage would not be so bad and if it helped teresa and the house of medici, cosimo was willing to do it. a beautiful ceremony took place, making the dragon and the angel man and wife. a fact that only let his father’s anger grow. 

FALLING IN LOVE while angels are not supposed to feel, he tried everything in his power to let himself feel. he wanted the full experience, but unfortunately, it did not happen with his wife. illyria and him still had their attraction to each other and their physical interactions were passionate. he cared for her, deeply, but it did not go past that. instead of loving her, he did something he knows he should not have done. when illyria moved into the castle, it was impossible not to notice one of her ladies in waiting: anastasia. she was nothing like the rest of them. she was wild and spirited, constantly leaving smiles on the prince’s face, even if he tried to hide them. it only took so long before they began to interact and soon enough, their conversations turned into a heated affair. in order to protect anastasia’s reputation, he made her his official mistress, even though he knew it would hurt illyria’s feelings. he was too consumed by ana and it was not just lust. he was slowly falling in love with her and their love was crowned when his mistress told him that she was pregnant with his child. 

RETURNING TO HEAVEN at this point, cosimo was ready to take a step back to focus on anastasia and their child. in the past years, teresa managed to have children of her own. the medicis reign seemed secure, he held up the end of his bargain and when his first daughter, aurora, was born that was all that he wanted to be: her father. but things got delayed when teresa became ill. a reaper showed to warn cosimo. this was his father’s punishment for creating a nephilim and her soul would be denied entrance to heaven. infuriated by the thought, the angel warned camilla and anastasia that he would have to return to speak to his creator, but things were not supposed to work out the way he wanted them to. teresa’s soul did go to heaven, but his father’s punishment was severe. in his absence, aurora was destroyed. anastasia and camilla sacrificed their humanity and turned into demons, while ana took her own life to be with their daughter. illyria faked her own death to punish cosimo and god took their memories of aurora and anastasia, leaving him with nothing as he finally made his way back to earth.

BEING BANISHED FROM HEAVEN was not the worst thing in the world. he never relied on heaven’s forces to sustain himself and after his return, he tried to handle the mess in italy, staying there for a long, long time to guide and protect the house of medici, since he felt like he failed his job the first time. he stepped back from his position as crown prince, living his life in the shadows, always feeling like something was missing. it felt like he lost everything, except for camilla, and it only strengthened their bond. he tried to convince himself it was all he needed and it took centuries before they managed to remember what they lost, breaking through god’s spell. 

DEFEATING THE EMPTY there is one resting place for celestial and demonic beings. just one. the empty. a place where souls are supposed to slumber for the rest of eternity. a peaceful thought to some, but when cosimo finally remembered his wife and his daughter he refused to let them stay there. cosimo cannot count the sleepless nights that he spent planning their recovery from the empty and it took a great amount of power that would weaken him for months to follow, but he managed to retrieve their souls, resurrecting both the love of his life as well as his firstborn. 

RETURNING TO ITALY was the only thing that really made sense to cosimo after they reunited. with illyria long gone, the two of them finally married and after months spent together, their second daughter, leilani, was on their way to them. cosimo knew about the risks, but he promised himself to protect his babies with everything that he has. to send god a warning, he tracked the angel that destroyed aurora and anastasia, camilla and him had their revenge in ways that should not be described. 

THE SEELIE REALM was not on the list of places that cosimo wanted to visit, especially not while his wife is pregnant with their third child, liam. he does not care about the feud between the clave and the downworlders, as harsh as it sounds. both sides are making mistakes and he believes that they should be able to handle things better, so he built himself a residence, hidden away in the woods, to keep his family as safe as possible.

[xxrainbow-princessxx]

Tension - Leo x Isabella (NSFW 🍋🍋)

This is 18+ - please do not read if uncomfortable!!  Isabella and Leo meet after splitting a few months previously. Will either one of them make it difficult for the other?

Tagging: @drakewalkerfantasy​ @lorirwritesfanfic​ @lorircreates​ @desireepow-1986​ @debramcg1106​ @liam-rhys​ @rainbowsinthestorm​

“Sí, Your Excellency, we are so pleased to invite you to our humble Kingdom...” Isabella giggled, her cheeks were slightly flushed as her warm, welcoming smile glistened. There she was standing in a room of foreign dignitaries, nobility and Royalty; her thick, long, dark raven locks cascaded down her shoulders and back, framing her heart shaped face as she beamed. Isabella wore a black and white, fitted, short Chanel pencil dress which hugged ever inch of her petite, curvy figure. Her eyes shimmered under the crystal chandeliers, reflecting the small speckles of honey that decorated her dark chocolate brown eyes. The Crown Princess easily entertained her father’s guests with her quick wit and dry humour. With her fluttering, long dark eyelashes, the petite brunette was enchanting, knowing full well that with a well timed glance, she could have any man wrapped around her finger and underneath that 5ft 2” facade was a well versed, unnerved and ruthless negotiator; always one step ahead.

Laurentia was hosting a trade conference; the Princess was due to address the delegates and conduct meetings for her father to build the relationships of their allies and review their current terms. The Princess narrowed her almond eyes whilst she stared out towards the crowd; every single one of them were either a narcissist, playboy or had a inferiority complex and Isabella could very quickly work out their psyche; playing them like a violin at their own game. For every lie that she told them, they would tell her three in response; the more they underestimated her, the less she cared and the more pleasure the petite brunette had in making it more painful without the other party realising. Unfortunately for Leo and Liam; Constantine felt it an important lesson for the two Cordonian Prince’s to attend in his absence. “Your Royal Highness...” quipped a woman of similar age to Isabella holding an iPad documenting the Crown Princess’ schedule, “The East Wing drawing room is ready for you...” With a warm smile, the twenty year old Princess nodded, “Gracias Jimena...”

As Isabella walked across the cream marble floors, her Louboutin heels clicked, head buried in an iPad until she saw a familiar figure across the room. In an evening where she had forced laughter laughter and faked smiles; the Princess’ eyes darkened that little bit more as she caught the Cordonian Crown Prince standing casually with a champagne flute in his hand. “Leo...” Liam began to sigh, “Come on... we need to...” Leo quietly stood as he watched Isabella, exchanging her gaze before she returned to her IPad without a second glance in his direction. Shoving his hands into his navy suit trouser pockets, Leo swallowed hard. He hadn’t expected to feel the way he did. Their split was still raw after three months, the petite brunette had enough of Leo’s womanising ways after he was caught with an Italian Countess and the Princess finally had enough, no longer willing to put up with the drama. Isabella knew she deserved better. Biting down on his lip, Leo was deep in thought until he felt Drake’s hand patting his shoulder, “You ok big guy?” Leo shrugged his shoulders quietly, “Yeah...” he sighed before running his fingers through his sandy blonde hair, “I really shouldn’t be here...”

Leo and Drake made the bar their temporary home as Liam disappeared to discuss Cordonian affairs with the Crown Princess. During the flight, Leo and Liam both agreed due to particular circumstances, it would be best for Liam to do all the talking and for Leo to stay out of Isabella’s way; essentially Leo was there to be seen but not heard. Leo raised the crystal tumbler, staring at the dark caramel coloured liquid that swirled around with a simple flick of the wrist. The hypnotising pattern distracted him whilst Drake quietly savoured the smoky whiskey, enjoying the warm, burning liquor pass his lips. Tilting his head, Drake noticed at the corner of his eye Liam emerging into the atrium, elbowing Leo to get his attention, “Shit...” Drake quietly spoke under his breath, “Looks like things didn’t go too well...” Liam was seething, his jaw was clenched tightly as he stormed through the crowd towards his brother and Drake. It wasn’t in Liam’s nature to allow a negotiation to the better of him or let someone get under his skin but his face told a thousand stories.

“She’s a f...” Liam took a deep breath, before straightening his suit jacket as Leo’s eyes narrowed slightly, “What happened?” Scornfully, Liam swiped the whiskey that rested under Leo’s nose instantly downing the liquid, groaning as he shook his head before slamming the tumbler onto the table. Liam ran his hand down his face slowly, rubbing his face before his eyes met Leo’s, “We lost everything, she won’t renegotiate terms... Father will be furious...” Leo began to frown, pushing his brother for an answer, “What do you mean... everything?! Including the port licenses?” Liam began to sigh heavily, “...goods, excise, port licenses... we effectively cannot trade with Laurentia or sell Cordonian goods here...” Leo pursed his lips, twisting his mouth as he sat deep in thought trying to piece together what to do next. He knew that this wasn’t business, but it was personal. Pushing out his chair; Leo stood tall, pulling on the arms of his suit jacket. The Crown Prince’s sea green eyes flared with rage, “She’s not going to get away with this!”

Liam grabbed his brother’s arm, “Leo...” he spoke under his breath, “Don’t... just let it go... you’ll just make this worse...” Leo pulled his arm back angrily as he spat, “She’ll not make us a laughing stock!” With a furrowed brow, Leo marched towards Isabella’s meeting room barging through the door as the Princess sat with her feet propped up against the table and her filing her long, crimson red almond shaped nails, “What the fuck are you playing at?!” Leo barked, slamming the door behind him. Isabella didn’t budge; holding out her hand as she tilted her head slightly to the left to check her manicure. The Crown Princess clicked her tongue as she finally spoke, a faint smile grew across her full, supple lips hidden from Leo’s view, “It’s not like Cordonia brings anything to the table...” Leo’s face reddened in frustration, smacking his hands onto the desk that Isabella had her legs and feet upon, “Don’t make enemies here Isabella! I am not in the fucking mood!” Leo growled towards her, he was incensed. The Laurentian Princess finally turned her head slowly, her dark chocolate brown eyes barely narrowed, unphased by Leo’s outburst as she lowered her legs towards the floor and stood up.

As she walked towards the other side of the desk, Isabella folded her arms as she began to speak, her thick Laurentian accent echoed within the quiet room, “Señor Rys... you must understand...” she began to smirk slightly knowing she had the upper hand, “...The world does not revolve around you... and for you to think that I care...” she began to giggle, “...is simply laughable...” Isabella surveyed Leo’s demeanour carefully, pushing a little more for her own entertainment with her taunts, “Are you afraid of going home to Papa with empty pockets?” Isabella pouted before coyly smiling, “Oh well...” she quipped shrugging her shoulders, “... that’s not my problem...” Isabella was cold and calculated; Leo knew the Princess has a wicked temper, but not where she would risk a whole Kingdom because of a grudge. Rolling his eyes, Leo snapped, “Stop being so fucking petty...” he began to bark, “...I know I fucked up... I know that I hurt you but don’t take it out on Cordonia... don’t be a complete bitch and drag innocent people into this... you know the Kingdom relies on port licenses and export from Laurentia!”

The petite brunette sucked in her cheeks unimpressed as Leo continued to scold her, “Grow up Isabella!” The Princess felt her rage building, her glaring eyes burned with anger as she closed the distance between her and Leo, “How dare you speak to me like that!” She spat, “I’m not the one who needs to grow up Leo! You come here, expecting me to be nice to you? I have been cordial to you... I’ve put up with the tabloids, the other women, helping you where I could... and I...” she stopped herself for a moment, Isabella no longer was shouting but her lowered tone was still as cut throat, “....was the only one who ever stood by you... and you treated me like an object...” her nose scrunched up in disgust, “and to think... I thought I loved you once... You’re the one who needs to fucking grow up!” Isabella gritted her teeth as she raised her hand to Leo, only for him to grab her wrist tightly. Isabella’s face glowed a crimson red as she seethed, “I fucking hate you so much!” as she pulled back on her arm.

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife as Isabella glared up towards the Cordonian Crown Prince; her defiance rattling Leo and tipping his already short temper over the edge as she kept cursing him out, “...and you think your all ‘I’m just a regular guy’ bullshit...” the faster she spoke, the stronger her accent became, eventually resorting to her native tongue, “¡Usted me gustaba, pero ahora le detesto!” not giving Leo any opportunity for a come back. Stepping forward, Leo reached out; tangling his fingers through Isabella’s hair, kissing her passionately against her crimson red lips. The pretty brunette felt dizzy as her chest heaved, nearly stumbling in her five inch heels as Leo stepped back. She was speechless. Isabella’s dark doe like eyes blinked, her lashes fluttering in shock whilst Leo awkwardly tried to laugh it off, scratching the back of his head, “Sorry... it’s the only way I know how to keep you quiet...”

Isabella’s almond eyes slowly narrowed as she grabbed Leo’s tie pulling him back towards her causing him to stumble slightly. “Shut the fuck up...” she mumbled under her breath before eagerly kissing him again. The feeling of his lips against hers sent shockwaves down her spine; whilst Leo’s hands traced along her waist, bunching up the hem of her dress in tow. As Isabella placed her arms around his neck, Leo picked her up with ease. Isabella’s legs wrapped around the Crown Prince’s waist as Leo fumbled with documents that lay across the table, firing them everywhere as he placed the Princess roughly on top of the heavy oak table. Leo greedily began to kiss along the Crown Princess’ neck bringing a gentle moan to Isabella’s lips but that’s not what she wanted. Placing her well manicured hands into the top of Leo’s head, she cocked her brow with a mischievous smile, pushing him down onto his knees in front of her.

Leo shook his head, his sandy blonde hair falling back into place as he began to grin as Isabella placed her legs over his strong muscular shoulders. The Princess bit down on her plump crimson red lip as she felt Leo pull her thong to the side, his warm breath teasing her. “I still hate you...” she began to moan as the tip of Leo’s tongue began to taste her, flicking against her folds and aching mound as Isabella’s fingers traced through his sandy blonde hair. Feeling her rocking against him, Leo began to smirk pulling the petite brunette forward, his fingers teasing her sweet tasting entrance. He slowly pushed two fingers in; both of them finding their rhythm, moving in unison. Grabbing onto his hair, Isabella seductively moaned Leo’s name, “Leo... I’m going to...”

A knock against the door interrupted them both, Leo tried to pull back but Isabella tightened her legs, “I’m not finished!” She shouted, her chest heaving as Isabella could feel her climax building. Leo had never seen her so demanding, but he loved it. He’d never felt as turned on. “Sí...” she whimpered, “Stay... there...” Leo grinned as he felt her legs shaking against him, he moved his arms, holding her thighs tightly so she couldn’t move. With a groan, Isabella came, smiling. Slowly releasing her legs from around Leo, he leaned backwards taking a deep breath. “Kitten...” Leo cooed with a smirk as he stood, “You still taste amazing...” The Princess’ cheeks were flushed a rosy pink as she fixed the hem of her dress, before being interrupted by another knock. “Don’t answer...” Leo begged, “You’re killing me here!” adjusting himself for comfort.

“Princess you need to be ready in 10 minutes...”

“Sí!” Isabella shouted back towards the staff, before biting down on her lower lip, picking up her iPad before jumping down off of the table top, handing it to Leo smugly, “I told you it was never personal...” Leo’s sea green eyes looked through the file Isabella gave him. His brow began to furrow, “Where did you get this? This can’t be true!” Awkwardly, Isabella began to sigh, “GDP is dropping fast... Liam stormed out before I could say anything and then you accuse me of making a 15% drop personal...” Isabella took the iPad back from Leo, slowly closing it over, “Maybe you and your brother should stop jumping to conclusions and look closer to home...” walking past Leo, Isabella grinned to herself, “Thanks for the fun... but...” she turned and looked at him over her shoulder, “I still don’t like you...” leaving the Crown Prince behind.

Leo stood looking around the empty room, awkwardly running his fingers through his hair trying to understand what had just happened. “Damn... did she just?” he murmured to himself before chuckling and raising his brow, “Fuck...” Leo slowly began to smile, coming to a self realisation that the Brunette had played him at his own game.

[tabithahallows]

Heloo I'm feeling terrible!! Do you perchance have any Valentine and the snake squad au or random facts? Or mayhaps a joke? Thanks!

Hey!! Sorry, I don't know how long ago this was but I don't really get asks so I don't ever check them 😅 BUT I do have a pretty cool AU if you wanna hear about it still. Beware. This could drag out a bit.

So, basically, it's like a Fantasy World Royalty AU. Val is a Queen and Snape is her second in charge, closest councillor and Head Sorcerer.

Val lives with Draco, Narcissa and Lucius as her parents and uncle were all banished for murder when she was young.

The main characters of my three future HP fics rule the three other kingdoms, East, South and West. Naturally that leaves the North for Val.

The North contains the highest peak on the continent where this all takes place. It's scarcely populated, mostly vast ice plains, caves and the odd forest. Val has around only 500 subjects in all and they are all fiercely loyal and utterly devoted to her.

The entrance to the palace itself is through a large cave opening and a long passage. Then you have be accepted by the sentry who on guard who opens a secret passage that will let you into a huge underground cavern where the palace is. This system was created by their ancient ancestors to remain hidden from other kingdoms and particularly to avoid conflict but secrets don't stay secrets forever.

When this kingdom was finally revealed hundreds of years ago, there were many wars and many did die. The kingdom is still well known but keeps to it selfs is unlikely to admit foreigners without plausible reason.

The crown is not inherited through birthright but rather through qualification. Certain children are raised as 'Royal Candidates' to possibly be the kingdoms next ruler.

Val and the other children of the court whose parents are all nobles (Draco, Leah, Blaze, Liam, etc) are raised and trained as Royal Candidate's their entire lives, as are any common children to wished to be placed in a possible position of succession (Olivia became a candidate at her mother's insistence).

When they turn 18, only two from each age group are chosen to work either in the palace or in another official capacity. Noble children who aren't chosen often end up in a similar position regardless.

The current ruler (in this case Dumbledore) chooses the Royal Candidate's of their choice to rule next, typically out of one of the two. As the average life span for the people of the continent is around 100 years, rulers are expected to select a successor by around the age of 50 Once the Candidate is at least 18, they can be officially selected.

Once officially selected they are basically an apprentice ruler and learn further how to rule by assisting.

Okay, so that's the boring stuff.

Snape, as Head Sorcerer, is technically still a Candidate himself even though he's the one teaching the young Candidates magic.

Yes, that means he's been teaching Val and co. since she was like six and they have that entire time arguing. He can't even take away her candidacy because she's one of the best they've seen since Dumbledore was in training.

When Val was 15 and a Candidate herself, war broke out. Invaders from overseas came to pillage the continent for its natural wealth. Think England and Africa (and like half the world really). The four kingdoms North, South, East and West, fought together against this common enemy. All Candidates are trained in combat, both magically and non-magically and all those over the age of 18 (whether they are one of the chosen two or not) are expected to fight. This is something pre acknowledged to becoming a Candidate.

Despite being only 14, Val, of course, is still overpowered to hell and the general opinion is that she'll become the next ruler (remember Val doesn't have to sneak around with her mission or anything in this so many people genuinely like her). Without telling anyone first, Valentine got Dumbledore's permission to fight anyway so there was nothing anyone could do about it.

The war went on for two years, ending when Val was 16. She was a deadly fighting force on the battlefield and became known continent-wide as a warrior.

Near the end, other underage Candidates started fighting as well as they needed more numbers. Many lives are lost, although all of Val's friends manage to survive (so, yay! I'm not killing off Olivia. This time.)

Val and Snape actually form kind of friendship on the battlefield as Narcissa made Snape promise to watch her. This pisses Val off when she finds out.

Dumbledore dies near the end of the war during battle and Val was crowned, the youngest Queen in the history of the kingdom. Dumbledore had had things set up with Snape for several years before the war for Val to be the next ruler (of course unless someone else better came along).

Snape fully expected to be fired when Val came into power even though they have some kind of bond now. He's not exactly topping the charts for self-esteem in my opinion. That's why he's surprised that Val keeps him around as her second in command and Head Sorcerer. She knows he'll never lie to save her feelings if he thinks she going to make a poor decision. He's the only one she'll listen to at the end of day, especially when it comes to her own well being.

When Snape looks at her he sees a sarcastic, vindictive, little girl rather than a vicious queen to be feared. Their bond is steadfast and widely known and speculated. People unfamiliar with them often find themselves under the impression that the two have some kind of intimate relationship which creeps them out immensely as Val is still AroAce and Snape will never see her in that way no matter how old she gets.

Many decisions are made by the council which is made up by the Head Sorcerer, four members of prominent families and people's representative. These members are for Val to chosen although the general public can dispute the decision and make a case for someone else to be chosen.

When Val gets into power she removes Lucius as a member and puts Narcissa in his place instead. She also removes Gordon Highcourt and gives the position to Liam. The current councilmen and women (besides Snape) is Narcissa, Liam, William Lovat, Bridget Zambini (she's un-married here), with Olivia as the people's rep. Val had to basically beg her to take the job. She knew Olivia would be great at it, but the girls self esteem is about as good as Snape's.

Some members of the general palace staff are;

Haley- House keeper

Emma- Head Maid

Chloe Connelly- Maid

Anna Henley- Maid

Benjamin Heady- Man servant

Theodore- Maintenance

Rebecca Bolton- Maid

Christine Calloway- Maid

Gia Calloway- Kitchen hand

Shelby Acton- Kitchen hand

Bonus Story Arch;

There were once two brother prince's who visited from a small overseas kingdom that Val's kingdom had a good relationship with. Both bothers wished to over throw the other and had the intention of taking Valentine's thrown from her via marriage or otherwise to use use against their own brother. They were both so convinced that Val and Snape had been 'fraternising' with one another that they both came up with the same plan. The older brother sought out Valentine and the younger Snape. They both tried to convince their pray that their lovers had been unfaithful. Both Valentine and Snape kept their cards close to their chest and when they saw each other next they both burst out laughing at the disgusting idea of them together. It was so utterly ridiculous to the other that they couldn't believe this was really happening. Once word got out around the kingdom of the princes scheme, no one could even take them seriously as threats. Both prince returned to their kingdom as laughing stocks.

Jesus fuck. Okay, so I don't know if you read all of that. You might not bother. I don't blame you. I promise it's way more interesting in my head than actually written out like this.

[walkerduchess]

A Game of Hearts - Chapter Six: Unbarred (The Royal Romance AU)

Pairing: Drake x MC [Liam x MC]

Notes: I posted this chapter days ago and then deleted it. I’ve been considering stop posting this story since it seems no one reads it, but decided to finish it for myself (because I love it) and post it here anyway because who knows maybe someone will enjoy it. 

Anyway, this chapter is more descriptive than my previous ones so I had a hard time writing it (sorry in anticipation if it’s not very good). Anyway, if anyone is still reading this (thank you so much for reading!!!), I would really like to know what you’re thinking and how you’re enjoying it!

I do not own these characters, they belong to Pixelberry.

Summary: Princess Sapphire finds unexpected allies during her journey, while Prince William has to deal with the aftermath of her leaving.

Word Count: 4029

Tagging: I’m tagging everyone who asked me to. If you want in or out the list just let me know!  @confessionsofabrokegirl, @museofbooks, @stopforamoment, @scarlettedragon, @annekebbphotography, @queenodysseia

Prologue: Promised

Chapter One: Unveiled

Chapter Two: Tied

Chapter Three: Acknowledged

Chapter Four: Disarmed

Chapter Five: Gone

Chapter Six: Unbarred

Even after all the years researching and studying, Sophie could not anticipate what the outside world would look like. She’s never been outside of the kingdom, not even to Thorngate, which is the closest to Stormholt. As she wandered outside the limits of the kingdom in the early morning hours after leaving the castle, she noticed how the grass would get less green and more yellow, almost in a dead-like tone. Also, the trees got smaller and rarer with each mile she would walk.

She had to walk, after all, using a car to travel all the way to the south would not only get too much unwanted attention, but also she would probably run directly into the war, since there is only one main road connecting each of the four kingdoms. That being, she was forced to use the woods as well as the abandoned parts of the country to sneak her way into the enemy realm.

Sophie’s been on this alternative route for a week now. It is certainly no view she can find in her books. Well, no one was there after the end of the world to register how a big city looks after being destroyed and abandoned. From her calculations with Hana, the travel by foot to the South kingdom would last a little over two months. She is still close enough from her kingdom to find some villages, made of small groups of people who wished to live out of the city, around the very few and very scattered fertile soil that can be found there.

She has barely slept, trying to find some comfortable position on the floors of dusty, abandoned old buildings, in a mood of constant alert. She can hide her trail well, yet it’s only sensible to be wary of people trying to harm a girl travelling alone. Especially if they suspect that girl to be the crown princess.

At least it gives her more time to finish the Device, in the hours before falling asleep. She knows she has time, although she is a little late on schedule, and that she must get some pieces on the way south, but she’s rather anxious to finally see it finished. The thing that will save the world.

She wakes up early this morning to see if a little rest can bring her luck in removing the tiny screw that got stuck between the lenses of the Device last night. Her fingers, or any of her tools, are not small enough to retrieve it without putting too much pressure on the lenses and risking breaking them. Much to her dismay, nothing has changed this morning.

“Shit.” She mutters to herself, packing her belongings before getting up to resume her travel. She’ll find a solution soon enough, so it’s no use to stress about it now.

A few hours later, Sophie approaches one of the vendings in the small villa she’s passing through, amazed by how the apples being sold there can be as red as they are in Stormholt, when they’re grown in this death-colored place. She takes one in her hand to find out it’s firm enough, and looks up at the old woman inside the vending.

“I’ll have eight.” She supposes it’s enough to last a few days without rotting.

“Eight?!” The old lady looks intrigued. “Are they all for yourself?”

The princess knits her brows together, wondering how on earth this can concern the seller. ‘Yes.” She answers nonetheless. “Will this do?” The girl asks, taking a medium-sized bottle of lamb milk out of her bag and placing it in the counter which separates the two women..

“Yes, definitely.” The woman looks impressed, almost as if she’s never seen milk before. “I see you’re a traveller.” She says while she packs the apples, motioning with her head to Sophie’s bag, now at her feet in front of her. “I’ve never seen your lovely face around here before. Are you from the south?”

Oh no, that’s exactly what the princess wants to avoid. Until now, she has been successful in not getting second looks from people, and she wishes it stays this way.

“Umm, no, I’m from around here.” She answers nervously, rushing to put the apples in her bag and bringing it back to her shoulders. The old lady opens her mouth, but Sophie adds in before any words can come out. “Thanks.”

Rapidly walking away, the girl resumes her travel. She won’t admit it to herself yet, but her feet are already getting a little sore from all the walking.

She waits until daylight begins diminishing to find another empty building to rest. The one she enters looks only half up, with piles of concrete, glass and wood on the other half. It has a very large hall and a couple of small rooms in the back. It doesn’t take long for Sophie to realize it has been a church once. She has seen figures of churches in her books, and looking around the one she’s in, it is possible to picture in her mind what it used to look like in its whole grandeur.

She leaves her bag in what used to be the front of the church and steps into one of the small rooms to the side. She thinks she’s seen some books there, and she’s right. There are dozens of them, sadly most are too degraded to be read. If only she can find room in her bag for a couple of the good ones…

And then she hears it. Sophie’s been so enthralled by the books she got herself distracted. There are footsteps inside the church. Her blood grows cold and her hand moves to retrieve her sword from the holster.

Holding the sword in front of her, the girl takes one deep breath before stepping out of the small room. She does a quick scan of the area and notices one person with their hands on the bag she’s left in the front of the church.

“Hey!” Sophie yells, startling the stranger. They turn their gaze towards her, and she realizes it’s only a boy who can’t be older than thirteen. He dashes through the hall holding the package of apples she got earlier, and she doesn’t have to think twice before running after him.

She follows the young thief through some abandoned streets, a mixture of gray and brown from the concrete and the dirt dancing around them, even some green at times, though her focus remains on the boy. He suddenly turns a corner and seconds later she follows, only to find the boy is facing her holding a sword of his own.

The princess is momentarily taken aback. She doesn’t know if she wants to fight a boy who isn’t even holding the sword in the right way over some apples. Damn, he doesn’t even reach her own height, and she is not a tall woman. Yet, she has to know if he is just a thief or if he poses a threat against her. Cautiously, she takes one step forward, but the boy raises his blade higher.

“Stop right there!” There’s authority in his voice, but she can see uncertain in his gray eyes. Giving him a proper look, she notices how dirty his light brown hair and clothes are. There is one fine black line inked on his lower lip and all the way down to below his chin.

Sophie lowers her sword in one of her hands. “We can share the apples.”

Before the boy can give an answer, two heads peek in from behind another curve further back in the alley. He notices her switch of gaze and looks behind him. “Get back, you two!”

However, they don’t obey, and only show themselves more, so Sophie can see clearly now that one of them is a girl with blond hair, bronze skin and matching olive eyes, who appears to be around eight or nine years old. The other one, a boy - this one cannot be older than six, the thick black hair stuck in his forehead contrasting with his pale skin and blue eyes in an almost magical way. Both of them look overall dirty and hungry, and the sight alone is enough to lower all of the princess’ guards.

“I’m…” Her sword is completely hanging from her hand now, as she looks to the older boy in front of her. “I’m not going to hurt you.” She drops the sword to the ground as to prove her words, and extends one of her hands to him.

She knows she is taking a risk she really shouldn’t, but somehow in her heart she is certain these kids aren’t dangerous. They just look… lost.

“What are your names?” She asks, looking at the boy and them shifting her gaze to the younger children.

“Don’t answer her!” The older boy shouts, turning his head to glare at the children, though their eyes are friendly.

“It’s fine.” She tries to give the boy a reassuring look. Although he keeps his sword up, she notices he is starting to give in. “I’m Aurelia.” If she’s going to let herself known, she should be Aurelia again. She can’t deny she likes it, and the freedom that comes with.

“I’m Elliot.” The younger boy speaks up, causing the older to turn around to him again.

“Lott! Jon told us not to tell!” The girl scolds him.

The older boy turns back to Aurelia with a sigh, finally resting his sword down in defeat, lines in his face disappearing as it grows softer. He then glares at her, narrowing his eyes again. “Jonah. What do you want?”

Aurelia can barely hide the amused look in her face upon seeing the effort it took the boy to put up his defensive facade. “Well, for starters, I’d like my apples back.”

“You said we can share.” The little boy, Elliot, speaks again, his voice is firm for a child so small.

The princess can’t help but smile. She likes this one. “And we can. I’ve got some bread back in the old church too, if you care to join me.” She answers the boy, but looks at all three of them. “Are the three of you alone?”

Elliot and the still unnamed girl nod.

“We’ve got each other.” Jonah does not look pleased, face settled on a frown. “And why would you do that? What do you want from us?”

“Your company on a meal?” She offers them a smile. Jonah’s face remains still as he only crosses his arms and stares at her. “...And maybe a very small hand to reach something for me.” She has to admit, after she decided to introduce herself to these children, an idea lit up in her mind. That little boy’s fingers would certainly reach her stuck tiny screw so she can keep up with her project. They can help each other, right?

-

Liam feels exhausted. He has barely gotten any sleep at all since Sophie visited one week ago, and the last conversation with Drake only made him more nervous. No, he can’t tell him, his best friend, that she left willingly, and he doesn’t even know why not. He only knows she asked him not to and he hates himself right now for being so devoted to her and meeting her requests without a second thought. But that’s not even half of it and he can’t even lie to himself. Truly, he hates himself for - always - staying silent, for not stopping her from walking out of his room or going after her.

He marches towards the library, a place so ingrained with her that he almost shivers when he stops by the door. His body freezes but his mind is racing, wishing he could take it back, not only the past week, but all of the past years, years feeling too small before her overflowing presence to actually do something. Too mesmerized by her to listen to what she really had to say. Realization dawns upon him slowly, but heavy - of course he wouldn’t be a strong enough reason for her to stay.

And now, everyone thinks she’s been kidnapped. He’s the only one who knows the truth - does that count for something? Well, if she’s let him know, it could mean he can find her.

Liam pushes open the grand wooden door and steps into the very empty library. He knew it would be, but that’s not the room he’s searching for. His fingertips graze the cover of some books in one of the shelves. How could he forget? He has found Sophie here various times, but there was the one time where she took him somewhere else. Somewhere right behind one of this shelves, but he doesn’t know which one or how. He could have payed more attention, but he was only nineteen and too excited to be doing something special with her to give a second thought about his surroundings, let alone about the importance of what she was showing him.

“Do you see anything?” Her voice resonates sweetly in the empty library as she ties the piece of dark cloth around the prince’s head.

“No.” He answers, a playful smile on his lips.

“Great, wait up there.”

He does as he is told and seconds later he hears a click, followed by a louder sound, like something heavy being moved. Before he can ask, he feels her hands on his arm, pulling him to the direction from where the sounds came.

Liam is sure by the amount of steps he took he should have collided face first in one of the shelves already. He is about to voice his confusion when the princess halts, placing a hand on his shoulder for him to stop too.

“Stay still, just a second.” She calls again, her voice already behind him, and then he hears the noises again. The sound that reminds him of furniture being moved and then a soft click.

He can hear her taking a breath and then feeling her very close to him. He’s somewhere between dying to know what’s going to happen and thrilled with anticipation. It looked like it’s a good surprise when she announced it earlier, after all.

In a swift move, she takes the piece of cloth from his head and the first thing he sees is her face. She is staring at him with her caramel eyes and a smile that brings her cheekbones slightly higher. It enhances the almost imperceptible freckles on them and he swears in his heart that he will never get tired of looking at her. Without even noticing, he is smiling too.

She is the one to break the silence. “I want to show you something.”

The girl then turns around and away from him and he finally takes in his surroundings. They’re in a large room, with a big table in the center and a smaller one to the side, next to them. He notices the room is a bit dusty in its corners, and there are books and other objects scattered all over the floor and on the bigger table. He can’t really recognize what these strange objects are, they look like parts of various different things.

On the table beside them, though, there is only one item, which resembles a big metal box covered by a glass, joined with smaller pieces of metal and glasses. As he observes it, she comes near it again, carrying a piece of paper in her hand. He doesn’t understand whatever she is doing, but she places what he can see now is an illustrated page of a book on top of the bigger metal box and her hands move some pieces of the equipment.

Liam just stands there, silent while he watches the princess walks to turn the lights of the room out and then comes back. She presses one final button on the item beside them and something like magic happens. A light comes out from the device and to the wall in front of them, lighting up a perfect rectangle on it. Not only that, but the figure from the page appears in front of him, a man wearing a very red coat. From where he is standing, the man is almost his own size, and he can see even the smallest details of the image.

He is left gaping at the image in front of him for a while, and then moves his gaze toward the girl again to find she is already looking at him expectantly. “Did you do this?”

She almost looks flustered by his question. “I… I built it, yes. The people from before called it a projector.”

And then she goes on and on about this piece of tech, her talk excited but he can’t truly listen. Liam is so marveled by her he can only think how incredible she is. Is there more she can do? More that she knows? After years of knowing her, he is still left agape by her. It seems like the more he knows her, the more there is to know. Just when he thinks she is within his grasp, Sophie shows him how far away they still are.

His hands move furiously through the books, dropping several to the floor nonchalantly - what’s the use of them now that there is no one to read? - and he is just about to give up when he finds it. A very small, metallic button on the inside of the shelf wall. When he pushes it, he hears a click sees the shelf in front of him open a little, just like a big, heavy door made of books.

Astonished, he pushes it open walks through it - and just like that he’s there. Back to that secret chamber Sophie has shared with him.

All the hope he had of finding a clue or anything that could make him find her is crushed away when he looks around the completely empty room. He’s so tired and disappointed that he can feel tears start to slip from his eyes. He decides then to close the door behind him and stay there - with silence for company - just for a while.

-

The bread was still edible but that is not what made her smile during the course of this meal. It felt good to have some company, to actually interact with other people, even if they were only children. Aurelia’s learned the girl name is Eleonora, and the boys call her Nora. She doesn’t talk nearly as much as Elliot but enough for Aurelia to know a life of hardship didn’t take away her sweetness. Jonah ate in silence, only making small, rispid remarks now and then, but Aurelia noticed he watched her every move, even while pretending to be paying attention to the food.

The princess also learned that they are not really going anywhere. They were on their own as long as they can remember, parents died or simply forgot them. In times of war, you never know. The three of them found each other along the way and managed to stay alive.

“What do you need my help with?” Elliot asks, mouth still full with his last piece of bread.

“Well,” Aurelia gets up from the floor and walks up to her bag. The Device is big and heavy, so it takes her some time to properly place it on the floor in front of all of them, “I let a tiny screw get stuck in this project I’m working on.”

All three pair of eyes widen a little at the sight of the strange piece of tech, making them all get up from their seats. Elliot is the first to approach it.

“Don’t touch it, Elliot.” Jonah’s commanding voice is back and his brows furrow.

“It’s safe.” The princess assures him. “It’s not a weapon.” She turns back to the device which Elliot is clearly dying to touch. “Do you see it here?” She points to the lenses with the stuck metal piece.

“Yes!” He answers animatedly and it doesn’t even take five seconds for his little fingers to dive between the lenses and bring the screw out. “What does it do?” He turns his head up to look at the young woman.

Aurelia notices Jonah and Eleonora not very distant behind them, also waiting for the answer. She thought about this during the whole time they’ve been eating. Telling anyone was definitely not in the plan. However, finishing the Device alone during the trip was part of the plan and a few days in she already realized it would be far more difficult that she and Hana predicted. Maybe the plan needs to be adjusted. And these kids are probably the safest help she can get. They’re alone and uncompromised. Sure, travelling with children would probably double the duration of the trip, but if it means she would arrive at her destination with the Device ready and functional, it is worth it. Or so she hopes.

“I’ll tell you… if you promise not to tell anyone.”

“I don’t talk to anyone other than Jon and Nora.” Elliot answers while Jonah and Eleonora just nod.

Aurelia takes a long breath before explaining, in the easiest way she can think of, how this device will purify the water stream from its poison. They listen, and as soon as she thinks she can get away with only that without telling them who she is or why this is so important, the one question arrives. She should’ve expected it, but she hoped they wouldn’t ask that, for the answer to this question changes everything.

Eleonora is the one to ask it. “How do they clean the water, currently?”

Soon enough, the whole evening turns into a history lesson. A very careful lesson, after all she doesn’t wish to traumatize the kids. Also, she has yet to comprehend what is the notion they have of right and wrong, and she needs them on her side, especially now.

Aurelia decides to call it for the day after explaining what the North Kingdom does what it does and why. The two youngest are soon sleeping in the side room of the church, cozy in a couple of blankets the princess had in her bag. Jonah is still outside, Aurelia knows he still wants to talk, so she goes to him.

The boy is staring at the outside when she joins him, and he doesn’t look at her to ask. “Who are you? Why are you doing all this alone?”

The young woman smiles to herself. Jonah won’t let anything slip past him. He finally switches his gaze to her, eyes attentive and waiting for an answer. Aurelia can’t see anything else in them, about what’s going on in his mind, but she does see worry there. Worry that should not be in the eyes of someone so young, yet with so much responsibility already. And when she tells him, she sees it, the pressure he puts on himself to protect not only the two children sleeping inside, but all of those around him. She recognizes it, for she carries it since a young age too, a burden to be the one who saves the world.

“I…” His mouth twitches. “I cannot protect you, your Highness.” He finally blurts out, staring at the floor.

Her eyebrows knit together as her mind quickly meanders through countless thoughts. Who is this kid? What made him have this as his first thought upon hearing the truth about her?

“It is not your duty to protect me, Jonah.” She speaks rather desperately as she places a hand in his shoulder, wanting to make this boy - young, way too young for what she’s about to get him into - understand that she’s not here as a princess. She’s in this mission, the most important mission of all, as the executor, and she needs help. And, right now, her help consists of these three children. Besides, something inside her is telling her that she is, too, the best help they can get for now.

[overlordofthelollipopguild]

Broken Souls Mend Hearts - Chapter 94

So yeah here’s an update lol

Anyway, we have just have this chapter and then 5 more before we reach the Wicked Arc, which will also be the final arc of BSMH. 

So yeah, we have this chapter which is a little action and a little calm, but things are starting to gear towards the end of the arc that leads up to things lol. 

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Link to ff.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9905481/97/Broken-Souls-Mend-Hearts

Chapter 94: Plots Lead To Plans

George found Zelena in her library, surrounded by books that had been thrown about and torn apart as though a tornado had demolished the room.

The witch herself was sitting on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest. Her expression was the epitome of miserable and her eyes were bloodshot.

It made George sick that he would have to work with such a pitiful creature. He didn’t know how long she had been there as it had been three days since her identity was discovered and she ran from the castle, but she looked like she hadn’t slept and she still smelled faintly of smoke from the fire.

Carefully, as though he were nearing a skittish animal, George stepped into the room and went to sit with her. It was time to use her very emotions against her. He sat down across from her.

Her blue eyes flicked to him, but other than that, she didn’t react to his presence.

George knew that Zelena would be wary if he showed her any sympathy, but his usual attitude wouldn’t help his cause here. No, if he remained true to himself, he would only push Zelena away. George needed her on his side and it was a constantly irritating reminder that he needed her help a lot more than she needed his. With her magic, Zelena could accomplish her goals, but there was no reason for her to help George. He needed to give her a reason to aid him, especially since his blackmail was off the table; that was according to his plan after all.

“I am sorry.” He said quietly.

Zelena’s eyes narrowed as she tensed up. She was scrutinizing him already, searching for an ulterior motive. “You’re sorry? I doubt you have an empathetic bone in your body.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

George chuckled. “I have come off that way, I know.” George sighed, thinking of his next move. This interaction was vital to his plan. “I never told you why I wanted my revenge against the Prince and Snow White.”

Zelena didn’t respond, waiting for him to give himself away.

“I had a son, a long time ago.” George began. What better way to get Zelena’s sympathies than to tell her the truth? “His name was James. My wife was barren, so we adopted. It was our family secret. Rumplestiltskin acquired James when he was a baby, and my wife and I never asked questions. I raised James in my image and he was a perfect son in most ways. Perhaps too…flirtatious with women, perhaps a bit spoiled, but I loved him. He was killed some years before the curse, and Rumplestiltskin revealed that James had a twin brother. I blackmailed that brother into becoming my son to save my kingdom, because after James died, my kingdom was all that I had left. Then Prince Charming met Snow White and they ruined all of my plans and eventually took my kingdom from me. I’ve lost everything because of them.” He took a deep, tired breath, trying to show Zelena how much pain and loss he carried. His eyes met Zelena’s. “Do you know what it’s like to lose everything, all because someone wouldn’t let you have it?”

On her part, Zelena began to feel a flickering of sympathy. She had no idea that Prince Charming wasn’t Prince James, because everyone thought that was who he was. David was assumed to be his cursed name, and Zelena often wondered why he still went by it when many others, with a few exceptions, returned to using their Enchanted Forest names. As for losing everything…that did happen to her. She always lost everything. Her mother, even her adopted father, her place in the Sisterhood of Witches, even her place in Oz…now when she had been so close to gaining something, to gaining a family and friends, a place in this realm, it was all taken away from her.

All because Regina couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

Perhaps it was partly Zelena’s fault as she had only drastically changed her appearance for Regina, but she hadn’t disguised herself from the others because for once…for once she wanted people to like her for herself. She didn’t want everything to be a lie. Now no one would ever know that it was all real for her. No one would ever trust her again. But was that really her fault? Everything was fine until Regina met her when she was disguised. No one would’ve ever known the truth if Regina hadn’t said anything.

Zelena saw red. It was Regina’s fault. “Yes, I do know what that’s like.���

George nodded. “You and I aren’t that different.” He reached out and gently patted her knee the way a father would. “We’re all alone, because everyone and everything we loved was taken from us. I know that you don’t trust me, but I still want to help you. Even if I can’t get my revenge, I do want you to have yours.”

Her feelings over the matter were torn. Zelena knew better than to trust a snake like George, but she also couldn’t tell if he was lying. He really truly looked pained when he spoke of James, telling Zelena that he really had lost his son, and that it had hurt him. Perhaps, she could give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, they both wanted revenge, and if George was still willing to help her…how did that old saying go? The enemy of my enemy and all that? Well, George was enemies with her enemies allies, so perhaps a true alliance with George wouldn’t hurt. It could actually benefit her in the end. George and his ally were undiscovered at the castle. They could move about freely and be Zelena’s eyes and ears. Though, they wouldn’t be able to get into the Charmings and Regina’s inner circle; no, Zelena would have to get another spy for that work, perhaps someone who was already in said inner circle, but who? She shook her head; she’d think more on that later.

She held her hand out to George. “King George, I will help you get your revenge if you help me get mine. Is that a deal?”

George took her hand and gave it a firm shake. “I believe that we do.”

Zelena nodded. As a show of trust, Zelena picked up a book that wasn’t far from where she sat. It was a book that detailed the time travel spell that she intended to use. After all, George needed to help her collect the ingredients. “Here’s my plan.”

As she filled him in, George gave nothing away as he mentally congratulated himself. More than that, with her time travel spell, George had a new plan. A better plan. Once Zelena was ready to cast the spell, George would be ready, and he would ensure that the past would be altered for his own means. Zelena be damned.

With his goodbyes all said, and of course not sentimental, as Jack wasn’t one for sentimentality, Jack asked Blackbeard to escort him off of the ship.

Blackbeard walked side by side with Jack as they moved towards the docks.

“He’s a good man, your little brother.” Jack said after a bit. “When he’d been more…Hook he wasn’t at his best, but he was still more honorable than most pirates.”

Blackbeard nodded. “Killian’s always had a good heart. Too exposed for my liking, but good nonetheless.”

Jack chuckled. “Ah, that he gets from your father.”

Both men turned back towards the ship, finding Killian at the helm.

Killian had Liam in his arms, already teaching the baby how the ship worked, pointing at the P and S that he must’ve carved there himself.

Blackbeard had wanted to ask Killian about that and why the letter were crossed out, but he’d yet to do so. It made him smile to see Killian so alive though. In the months that they had been searching for a portal, Killian hadn’t been living. He’d been surviving. For Liam, Emma, and Henry. But now, back on the Jolly, having gained back a piece of himself, Killian was happy. He was happy to have a piece of home, happy to teach Liam about sailing, and happy to have a way to expand their search. It was good to see Killian smiling genuinely and even better to see him so excited, especially teaching Liam everything about the ship despite the baby being too young to understand. At least, Blackbeard thought Liam was too young, but the months of traveling had Blackbeard suspecting that Liam was smarter than the average baby. He shook his head; perhaps he was just imagining it.

“I think mum and dad would be proud of him.” Blackbeard said. “They’d want to be here for him. They’d want to help him find his way back to Emma and Henry.”

“They would.” Jack agreed. “You’re father would if he wasn’t…attached. You’re mother…bloody terrifying she was.”

Blackbeard chuckled. “She was a tough lass, but I wouldn’t call her terrifying.”

“Ah but she loved you.” Jack shuddered. “She loved to scare me. I lost count of her threats.”

That only made Blackbeard chuckle again, before he became wistful. “I miss her.”

Jack gave him a sympathetic look, or well, sympathetic for Jack.

“Killian has no memories of her.” Blackbeard said. “I wish I could tell him everything about her, but if I do, that would only lead to more questions.”

“You can’t tell him the truth.” Jack warned. “As long as his magic is bound, he’s safe from Calypso.”

“I know.” Blackbeard sighed. “I promised mum and dad a long time ago.” Blackbeard’s brow furrowed. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Davy in a long time.”

Jack looked concern in his own way. “For the best, I’m sure. Your brother needs to stay far away from Davy. If there’s contact…”

“It would risk Killian.” Blackbeard nodded. “I will protect him.”

Jack nodded. “I’m off then. I have my own travel plans after all.”

Blackbeard bid Jack goodbye and returned to the ship.

Tink had been watching him. “You and Jack are good friends?”

“Old friends.” Blackbeard said. “Just catching up. He’s off to do his own thing.”

“How is he immortal?” Tink asked. “He seems very human.”

Blackbeard hummed. “You know, I asked him a long time ago, but he said it was a story for another time.”

“Funny that.” Tink said. “I asked Killian the same thing and that’s the same answer Jack gave him.”

“It’s standard Jack Sparrow then.” Blackbeard reassured her. “Nothing to concern ourselves over.” He glanced across the deck at the other four members of their group.

The two couples were chatting amicably, with Will and Eric laughing together and Ariel and Alice chatted on.

“Are Eric and Ariel joining us for the long term?” Blackbeard asked.

“I don’t know about long term.” Tink said. “They are both willing to help us though, so they’re staying for now.”

“That’s awfully nice of them.” Blackbeard said.

Tink chuckled. “Ariel and Killian know of each other, and Killian, Will, and Alice knew Eric back in Storybrooke.”

Blackbeard nodded. “Good then.” His eyes moved over to the helm, where Killian was still teaching Liam, but now the baby had grabbed on to the spokes of the wheel, trying to turn it, but Killian’s hook held it steady.

Liam was already taking to sailing as quickly as Killian had as a lad. It made sense though; the sea ran deeply in the blood of the Jones’ after all.

Robin’s extended stay at Snow and David’s castle was proving to be busy with the tearing down of the old stables and salvaging what they could as well as making a temporary shelter for the animals. Some of the animals were kept near the kitchens, which only irritated Granny as the animals kept finding their way into the kitchens.

Regina and Robin had been tasked with overseeing the stable operations, or Operation Maximus as Regina was calling it.

It had endeared her to him when she explained to Robin that Henry had a habit of creating top secret missions and giving them codenames, and that Maximus, the stubborn white stead who was not happy about the new, temporary accommodations, was Henry’s horse back in Storybrooke.

Ever since the fire, something had shifted between him and Regina, and he wasn’t sure what. He only knew that when she had been in that fie, he had been scared for her, and that he was grateful that she had survived. It was…confusing to say the least. While he knew of all of her deeds as the Evil Queen, and while she had been…less than pleasant in Neverland, the Regina he had known since returning to the Enchanted Forest hadn’t been the Regina that had cast the Dark Curse or even the Regina that had gone to Neverland to save her son.

No, the Regina that he knew now was…softer, kinder, calmer. Sure, she was still snarky, could still give as good as she got, but her heart wasn’t as weighed down with guilt and anger. She even managed to return almost all of the hearts that both she and her mother had collected. Others had been warming up to her as well.

It was nice to see actually. To see someone who had committed evil to find a way to repent and become a good ally.

At least, Robin kept telling himself that. He denied that the shift had to do with more than Regina’s redemption.

The woman in question appeared in Robin’s vision, speaking to one of the volunteers.

She wore pants when doing hard labor, and today, the whiskey colored leather fitting nicely against her assets.

Robin shook his head. There was also the matter of his attraction to her. While her personality had at first put him off, her looks certainly hadn’t. She had been attractive in her darker clothes, but those outfits had often reminded him of her former life. Her more recent wardrobe of greens, brown, other neutrals, and even red or purple here or there, had him often forgetting that Regina had once been evil.

He really shouldn’t be attracted to her; they wouldn’t be a good match, and if he ever did bring a woman into his life, that woman needed to be good for Roland, and that was final. Roland had to come first, no matter what. Even if Robin wanted to explore things with Regina, which he didn’t, he couldn’t be sure that bringing Regina into his life would be good for his son, even despite Regina having had a son before herself.

Regina turned and caught him staring.

It took a lot of his self control to stamp down his embarrassment at getting caught.

She gave him a small smile before walking towards him.

Robin’s heart began to race. Why was she coming over? He definitely was not sweating.

“Robin.” Regina tilted her head in a slight nod. Her lips still curved upwards.

Robin swallowed. “Regina.”

There was an awkward silence between them as neither seemed to know what to say.

Regina was silently cursing herself; she had been so confident when she had walked up to him, but once his name left her lips, she found herself at a loss of what to say. It made her want to crawl in a hole and hide, because now they were just standing there, looking at each other in uncomfortable silence. Her heart was beating too fast and her palms were sweating; it took a lot of will power not to wipe the sweat off onto her clothes. “How…how’s the work going?”

The work that they were both overseeing. Right.

“Um…fine.” Robin said. “Good.”

“Good.” Regina nodded.

Robin gave her a slight smile. “Are you…are you better? From the fire.”

It was cute how hard it was for him to speak. It gave Regina a spark of hope that maybe he didn’t think that she was all bad. Her injuries from the fire were small and healed by magic, the smoke inhalation being the worst of it, but thanks to some disgusting healing potions, Regina was much better. Robin knew that of course, since she had given him potions as well, but he was trying. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” Robin nodded. “That’s good.”

Regina bit her lip, trying not to smile too much. She looked down at her boots, digging her right toe into the earth. She wanted to ask him if he wanted to go for a walk on their break so that they could talk, but just working up the courage to ask him to be friends was hard.

“Oh my Gods.”

Robin’s horrified tone had Regina looking up, but Robin was already walking past her. Regina turned and saw what had gotten Robin’s attention.

Belle was walking her horse through the trees, her clothes covered in dirt and blood, some places torn, her hair in disarray.

Regina hurried after Robin.

“Belle?” Robin stopped before her and reached out, but Belle flinched away. Sensing her unease, Robin stepped back as Regina reached his side. “Belle, what happened?”

The young woman didn’t answer; her eyes were vacant and downcast.

Regina gently, slowly took Belle’s hand. “Let’s get you back to the castle.”

Belle said nothing, but allowed Regina to lead her away as Robin took the horse from her. He realized then that the horse wasn’t the same horse that she left with.

What had happened to her?

The Wicked Witch was who everyone believed her to be, so she decided to embrace that. If they wanted to believe the worst in her, Zelena was going to prove them right. They would regret turning on her.

Her plan had to be careful though. She couldn’t constantly send her monkeys after them every day. She had tried that before with little success, and she was running out of people to turn into monkeys unless she started kidnapping people left and right. Actually, she might save that idea for later; perhaps her impending attack could even allow her to go forth with that.

She and George had come up with a plan after all.

Zelena knew that Snow and David’s inner circle was too loyal to actively betray them, even with threats to them or loved ones, because they were just too heroic and they would rely on their allies to protect them.

There was another option. Zelena, thanks to George, had learned that Aurora was considered a close ally, but she wasn’t used to the support of the inner circle. She would be easy to manipulate. The only problem was that Aurora had her own castle where she resided. They needed to force her out.

Zelena stood at the edge of the woods, seeing Aurora’s castle in the distance. Oh and what forcing they would do. Her monkeys were in the trees, awaiting her orders. Zelena smirked. It was time to destroy things. Her anger could certainly use the release.

“All right, my darlings.” Zelena purred. “Let’s begin.”

They had come out of nowhere en masse, darkening the sky with their black fur, their wings flapping wildly.

Mulan cursed all of the damnable monkeys as she ordered archers to shot them out of the sky. People were hiding inside of the castle, and Mulan hoped to get rid of the monkeys quickly and without injury to anyone. There were others with swords, protecting the archers and cutting through any monkeys that flew too low.

A cackle broke through the sounds of the wings and caws, and suddenly fire rained down.

Mulan looked up to seeing the Wicked Witch throwing fire balls, Wasn’t that Regina’s move? At least that’s what she had heard from others. Shaking her head, she shouted for the fighters to take cover.

The Wicked Witch cackled again and the wind picked up.

Mulan’s stomach knotted when Zelena blew the windows of the castle out. “Shit.” What else did the Wicked Witch have up her sleeve? Mulan really didn’t want to find out.

Some of the monkeys broke through the lines and started biting and clawing at the archers.

Mulan cursed again. They were too overwhelmed out here. They needed to retreat inside of the castle and create a barricade until the onslaught ceased. Mulan tried to order the fighters back inside of the castle, but their screams and the monkeys’ animalistic sounds drowned her words. The few that did hear her managed to move towards the castle with a lot of trouble since their paths were being blocked. Mulan herself kept slicing and jabbing at any monkey that dared to come near her. So far, she had been lucky not to receive an injury. It seemed that many others had.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Mulan reached the castle doors. The doors were likely already barricaded, not that that would do much good with the blown out windows, but the fighters could get in through a window and go protect those who locked themselves inside.

Aurora and Diana better be all right or that wicked bitch will pay. Mulan thought as she swung her blade at an incoming monkey. Others who sustained minor injuries had made it to her side, but something was happening to the men and women that the monkeys had assaulted.

It was with horror that Mulan, and the small group with her, as those who had been practically mauled by monkeys slowly started to grow claws and fur. Red eyes began to replace human ones. Wings sprouted from their backs. Their howls of torment echoed through the air.

“Everyone get inside!” Mulan ordered, pushing some of them to get them moving and out of their frozen states of shock. “Inside!”

The group hurriedly jumped through one of the broken windows. Little John and Mulan made sure that they all were inside before they too followed. The group ran through the castle as fire balls were launched through windows and more cackling was heard.

A noise of anger left Mulan’s throat as she realized that the Wicked Witch was going to try and burn them out. Why though? Why now? Why them? A million questions ran through Mulan’s mind as she ran ahead of the group to lead them and get to those in hiding. If the castle burned, they had to make sure no one burned with it.

As the flames spread and the witch’s cackling became more muffled by distance and fire, Mulan pushed ahead. She would not fail those under her protection, especially not the woman she loved and the baby she’d come to see as her own daughter. No, she would do whatever it took to protect her family.

Killian put Liam down for a nap on the Captain’s bunk, taking the pillows to form a wall on the side of the bed so that Liam wouldn’t roll off. Though Liam never moved much in his sleep, which he definitely didn’t inherit from Emma, Killian always ensured his son was as secure as possible. If Emma were here, she’d tease him for his overprotectiveness. Not that she wouldn’t be overprotective too; if they were in Storybrooke, Killian doubted Liam would even be crib-trained.

It stung thinking about the house that he and his father designed that was meant to be a home for his family. It was supposed to be the home that Liam would grow up in. Killian doubted that they would ever see it again, and that realization only made his heart ache further. He and Emma had plans for their future, for their family’s future, and all of it was taken away by a villain.

Killian shook his head. He knew better than anyone that life could never be controlled. So what if Storybrooke was gone forever? He and Emma and their sons could still have a future together. Killian just had to find his way back to them.

With the Jolly returned to his ownership, a world of possibilities opened up. They could travel to Arendelle, Agrabah, The Empire, Atlantis, Dun Broch, anywhere in the realm.

Mermaids could’ve been an option, but Killian had inquired about Ariel’s ability to portal travel, and she confirmed that she couldn’t open a portal to the Land Without Magic, lending more credence to Regina’s belief that the Land Without Magic was closed off for good.

Even so, Killian refused to give up hope. His family would be reunited.

Liam made a noise in his sleep and wiggled a bit, before settling back into his sleep.

Killian smiled at his son, reaching out and gently stroking a finger along Liam’s chubby cheek. He wished that he had a camera to preserve these memories and show Emma someday. He could draw Liam, of course, but it would be time consuming to draw Liam now. He could start it at least, and then do the rest from memory. Killian clicked his tongue. It would be nice to have some downtime, and his supplies were likely still in his desk, unless Jack threw them out, which was unlikely.

Looking back down at Liam, Killian smiled. Yes, a drawing of Liam would be a great gift for Emma when they reunited.

Killian walked over to his desk and searched for blank parchment and charcoal. Quietly, he cheered once he procured them and set to work.

He was only minutes into drawing, having used a book to support the parchment and pulled his chair over beside the bunk to better see Liam, when the door opened behind him. From the heavy, intentionally quiet footfalls, Killian didn’t have to look up to know that it was his brother.

“You still draw?” Blackbeard asked quietly, standing over Killian’s shoulder.

Killian twitched. He hated when people hovered over him. It always threw him off and made him keenly aware of the other person’s presence; sometimes it even irritated him. Now though, Killian calmed himself by focusing on his son’s sleeping face. “Rarely nowadays.”

Blackbeard didn’t say anything to that, but he moved over towards the table, taking a seat so that he was facing Killian. Still, he said nothing, and a comfortable silence fell between the brothers as Killian drew.

It had been centuries since the brothers had had a quiet moment together on this ship, and it brought back memories; good memories, thankfully. A feeling a peace settled in Killian, the act of drawing and the easy silence between him and his brother putting him at ease for the first time since their return to the Enchanted Forest. For once, he didn’t feel restless or as though he was running out of time; a weight seemed to lift off of him as he relaxed and focused on his task at hand.

Killian’s change in demeanor didn’t go unnoticed by Blackbeard, who watched him carefully. It was good that Killian could finally relax; Gods know, he needed it. Perhaps reclaiming the Jolly had helped with that as well; after all, this had been Killian’s home for centuries. Killian certainly looked at home here.

Blackbeard smiled a bit as he watched Killian’s brow furrow in concentration. It was a scene that took him back to their navy days, though Killian would usually be drawing crewmen at work or he would be pouring over navigational charts. Killian had always loved the stars and charting maps, which Blackbeard had never quite had the patience for himself. It always amused him that as impetuous and passionate as Killian could be, that the younger Jones was the more patient one and certainly more for book learning than Blackbeard had been.

It struck Blackbeard again that their parents would be so proud of Killian. He had turned out to be a good man, even after all the pain he had suffered through, even after losing himself to darkness and revenge; ultimately, at his heart, Killian was always a man of honor and good form. Blackbeard couldn’t be more proud of his younger brother. “I’m proud of you, Killian.”

His brother’s quiet words had Killian pausing, looking up from his work at his brother. “You are?”

“I am.” Blackbeard smiled. “You’ve become such a good and honorable man. Liam and Henry are very lucky to have you as their father.”

Memories of his own father abandoning them surfaced, but they didn’t pain Killian. In fact, Blackbeard’s words made Killian feel lighter than he had in a long time. For centuries, Killian had measured himself against an idealized version of his brother, always fearing that every mistake or bad choice would’ve disappointed his brother. Ever since he learned that his brother was in fact Blackbeard, and as he learned about his brother’s past, Killian finally realized that his brother was only human and as flawed as anyone else. The pedestal that Captain Liam Jones had sat upon was broken, but Killian knew that it had only served to bring him and his brother closer together. Knowing that his brother was proud of him, even knowing about Killian’s history and the horrible things he had done in the name of revenge, meant more to Killian than he could ever express in words. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Killian nodded. “Thank you, brother.”

Blackbeard gave him a slight nod in return.

They once again let silence fall between them, content for the moment to just be in each other’s presence, neither worrying about the past or the future.

Such worries would be left for tomorrow.

Regina left Belle’s room, unsuccessful once again. In the days since Belle’s return, the woman had stayed in her room, silent and barely eating. All attempts from Belle’s friends to get her to open up had failed. It was worrying for all of them.

First the fire, then Belle, and now the destruction of Aurora’s castle. While they didn’t know anything about Belle’s attack, Regina wondered if the Wicked Witch was connected. After all, the witch had suddenly started attacking them with more than just a few flying monkeys.

Once again, the castle was filled with refugees.

Though it was much more terrifying to find out just how flying monkeys were made. They were people, and their lives were stolen from them and they were now enslaved by that woman. It was horrible to know that those people would endure such a horrible trauma. It was…exactly what Regina had done with her curse. That was a sobering thought.

Was the Wicked Witch going to be the Evil Queen 2.0?

Gods, Regina hoped not. When she was the Evil Queen, she was an unrepentant monster. The Enchanted Forest definitely did not need another villain that was that terrible. Not when they were just beginning to rebuild. If the Wicked Witch did step up to the villainous plate, Regina wasn’t sure who would be able to defeat her. There wasn’t exactly a Savior on call at the moment, and only light magic could defeat evil. Regina could fend off the Wicked Witch if necessary, but her magic wasn’t good magic. After years of being the Evil Queen, Regina’s magic was tainted and could never be light magic even if she continued to use it for good.

They needed Emma. There was no purer magic than that of a product of True Love. The only ones in supply were all babies, one not even born yet, and Regina highly doubted that any of the parents would be comfortable allowing Regina to harness the babies’ magic.

Hell, she wasn’t even sure if Diana and Snow’s unborn baby even had magic. The only true certainty in the magic game was Liam, and Killian would probably tear apart anyone who dared to try and use his son.

More than that, even if they had the power to defeat Zelena, they still didn’t know her plans. Why was she attacking them so much and so viciously all of the sudden? Was it just because her cover was blown? No, she had set the fire before that. As for Belle, Regina really wish she knew what had happened to her. If she did, then she could help Belle through her trauma.

It was just so frustrating. Even with magic at her disposal, Regina felt helpless. She absolutely hated feeling helpless. As a child, she was always helpless against her mother’s controlling behavior; she was helpless to save Daniel; and at the time, when she allowed the darkness to consume her, she believed she was helpless to her anger. Helplessness was one of the worst feelings in the world, and Regina wished that there was something more that she could do.

“Regina, there you are.” Snow’s voice came from behind her.

Regina turned around with a small smile.

At nearly seven months into her pregnancy, Snow was very excited and terrified for the baby’s arrival. Excited, because she was getting her second chance at raising a child, but terrified, because once again an evil witch was running amok and the last time that happened, Snow lost Emma for twenty-eight years. She was terrified that she’d lose this baby too, no matter how many times David, Regina, and Ruby reassured her that this time would be different.

“How are you feeling?” Regina asked once Snow stopped before her.

“Better.” Snow said. “That nap helped.” Snow had been feeling faint earlier, and it had caused some concern.

Regina doubted that the stress of the Wicked Witch’s attacks had helped matters. The last thing they needed was for Snow to go into labor prematurely. “That’s good. You need your rest.”

Snow playfully rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. That’s what I’ve heard. In case you haven’t noticed, I look like a beached whale. All I do is rest.”

“You don’t look like a beached whale.” Regina scoffed. Though she was concerned that Snow looked more than seven months along, even though Snow assured Regina that the timing was accurate.

Snow wasn’t reassured. Her expression grew serious when she glanced at the door to Belle’s chambers. “Any change?”

Regina sighed. “Unfortunately, no. I just…I wish I could get her to talk, find out what happened, and help her.”

“We all do.” Snow said. “Do you think Zelena did something to her?”

“Honestly, I have no idea.” Regina said. “Anything could’ve happened to her.”

A harsh gasp escaped Snow.

“Snow?” Regina reached for her, instinctively holding her steady.

“I’m fine.” Snow sighed, rubbing her stomach. “The baby was kicking. It’s odd though. I feel like I’m being kicked in different places one after the other.”

That was concerning, but perhaps the baby was just very active.

“Maybe you should rest some more.” Regina suggested, her brows pinched.

“If someone tells me to rest one more time, I’m going to get my bow and arrows and start firing.” Snow huffed. “I’m tired of resting.”

“It’s good for the baby.” Regina reminded, already leading Snow out of the hallway and to somewhere more comfortable.

Snow begrudgingly let her.

There was a parlor close by and Regina maneuvered Snow onto a couch. “Can I get you anything?”

“Help me have this baby now so people will lay off?” Snow asked dryly.

Regina rolled her eyes. “Too bad, so sad, princess.”

That earned a chuckled from Snow. “Gee, you sure know how to pamper a girl.”

“I’m not in the pampering business.” Regina said.

“Not even the diapers?” Snow grinned cheekily.

“If we were back in Storybrooke, maybe.” Regina said. “The cloth diapers here, nope.”

Snow’s face grew sullen then. “I do miss Storybrooke.” It went unspoken that she really missed Emma and Henry.

Regina could relate to that. “We all do.”

“Do you think things will ever get back to any kind of normal?” Snow asked.

“What the hell is normal anymore?” Regina countered. She heaved a long suffering sigh. “I think we need to defeat the Wicked Witch first. Then go from there.”

Rubbing her temples, Snow reclined into a more comfortable position. “I wish we knew what she was up to, and what her endgame is. It’s stressful not knowing.”

“I know.” Regina said. “I feel helpless.”

Snow arched a brow. “Really?”

“I know, shocking, isn’t it?” Regina chuckled.

“Yeah actually.” Snow said. “You’re always confident and snarky.”

“Defense mode, activated.” Regina said. “I’m am human despite what some people may still think.”

Snow nodded. “You’ve come a long way, Regina.”

Regina was glad to hear that someone thought so. “I hope so. I hope that Henry would be proud of me. That’s what helps me get through the day. I think, just be a person that Henry would be proud of, no matter what anyone else says or does to you.”

“That’s a good model to live by.” Snow agreed. She rubbed her stomach again. “I wish they were here. I don’t know how Emma would feel about having a little sibling, but I have no doubt that she would love her little brother or sister.”

“Emma’s a good person despite all of the hardships she has endured.” Regina said. “From what little I do know about her childhood, not many, if any, people who survived what she went through would’ve grown up still good at heart.”

Snow smiled sadly, though there was a hint of pride in her lips.

“Have you and David thought of any names?” Regina asked, preferring to turn the conversation onto a lighter topic.

“Even if we did, we’re sticking to the Naming Ceremony traditions.” Snow said. “Though he’s vetoed a lot more names than I have.”

“Leopold is old fashioned.” Regina guessed, of course, but she knew better than anyone how close Snow and her father had been.

Snow rolled her eyes. “It’s the name of kings.” She shook her head. “Anyway, we do have a list, but we haven’t quite decided on the order. It would be nice to know the sex of the baby though, without magic.”

Regina shrugged. It would take her time to research such magic, and even then, she’d be nervous about the effects her magic would have on a baby that possibly had light magic. “If only the Enchanted Forest had Storybrooke technology. Then we’d be all set.”

Snow hummed in agreement. “Like central air. Gods, I miss central air.”

“Indoor plumbing.”

“Electricity.” Snow added.

“Grocery stores even.” Regina said. “It would be so much easier to make my lasagna, that’s for sure.”

Another humming sound from Snow; her eyes were closing, and she certainly looked relaxed.

Regina smiled. It was good for both Snow and her baby that Snow rest and relax, even if Snow was tired of the constant resting. Regina sat in an armchair, figuring that she should relax while she could.

A storm was coming, and this would be the only calm that they would have for a while yet.

With everyone finally gathered in the room, David began. “We’ve called everyone here, because we need to talk about the Wicked Witch.”

The very mention of the witch had everyone tensing up.

August in particular looked cut up over it.

David knew that August and Lena, or Zelena rather, had gotten close during her time at the castle. He’d tried talking to August about it, but the man had frozen him out over the subject. “We need to find out what she’s up to.” David continued. “These recent attacks can only mean that she’s upping her game, or worse, trying to distract us from whatever she’s planning.”

“Which could be anything.” Jefferson said. “She supposedly is more powerful than Regina, so where does that leave us in the defense department?”

“After what happened at Aurora’s castle, any defense won’t do much good.” Mulan said. “Fighting monkeys only risks us losing more people to that…transformation.”

“Is there a cure for that?” Robin asked, and his eyes were on Regina, clearly expecting an answer from her.

Regina didn’t have one. “I have heard of transformative magic, but I’ve only ever practiced it on myself and those were temporary disguises. Illusions, really. What Zelena’s magic is doing is changing the entire biology of a person. It’s very hard magic and it’s very difficult to master or counter without years of practice.”

“So we’re screwed?” Ruby asked. “There’s nothing that we can fight Zelena with?”

“The only thing I can think of is Emma.” Regina told them. “Her light magic is much more powerful than Zelena, and light magic can defeat dark magic.”

“We’re screwed.” Jefferson groaned.

“There has to be another way.” Snow said.

“Squid ink could hold her temporarily if we could find any.” Regina said. “We could freeze her and trap her in Rumple’s old cell.”

“Could that cell hold her?” Marco asked.

“It held the Dark One.” David said. “Surely Zelena isn’t as powerful as him.”

“Then where do we find squid ink?” Robin asked.

“Even if we get squid ink, we have to get close to her.” Regina said. “Close enough to get it on her or to trick her into touching it. That’ll be harder than getting the ink, if we can find any.”

“So we have a possible plan that we might not even work?” Ruby asked.

The silence spoke more than words ever could.

“We’ll train more people to fight.” David said. “The more defense we have, the better our chances are. We’ve already warned people about getting bit by the monkeys, so if they can protect themselves better, there will be less of a chance of them falling prey to this…transformation curse or whatever.”

“I can look for potions.” Regina said. “There might be defensive potions. I’m not sure what, but I’ll look.”

“I’ll help.” Jefferson offered.

That surprised Regina, but then with Belle, their resident researcher, down for the count, someone had to help Regina. There were only so many books that one person could get through in a day, and they needed to be ready for anything.

“Robin and I can train some archers.” Snow spoke up. “Well, I can for another couple of months at least.”

“I can make arrows and bows.” Marco offered. “August and I can do that, and make shields, or anything else you need.”

“Good.” David nodded. “Mulan and I can train others to fight too. We’ll also need a curfew, and I don’t think people should leave the castle unless they are in a group.”

“What are we going to do about the village?” Granny asked.

“We’ll have to cease construction.” David said. “People are better protected inside the castle.”

“I can try to put a shield over the castle.” Regina said. “Zelena might still be able to break through it like she did the last one, but her monkeys might not.”

“Maybe the fairies could help you.” Snow suggested. “Maybe their magic and yours could keep Zelena out?”

Regina nodded. “I’ll speak with Blue about it.”

“Does anyone else have other ideas to add?” Ruby asked.

When no one could think of anything else, David dismissed them, hoping that the ideas that they had come up with could be executed. They needed to be able to defend and protect themselves from anything that Zelena could throw at them.

Even if their plans worked, there was still not yet a way that they could defeat Zelena.

As the others left, David sat back down and sighed.

Snow took his hand in hers. “We’ll find a way to defeat her.”

“You heard what Regina said.” David said. “Emma is likely the only one who can defeat her.”

There was a flash of grief in Snow’s eyes, still not over the loss of their daughter. It was easier to think about Emma nowadays, but it still hurt that they would never see her again. They still missed her so much that it made them both ache with great loss. “Emma’s not here. We can’t rely on light magic being the only thing to defeat Zelena. We will win this.”

David knew that she was right. They couldn’t lose more people to Zelena’s terror, and they would not let her win. Whatever her game was, they were going to stop her, not just because they were heroes, but because they and their people deserved their lives back. “You’re right. We will win.”

Snow smiled widely, hope all over her expression as she leaned in to kiss him.

They would win this fight no matter what.

Her castle was in ruins, and it was only thanks to Snow and David’s kindness that Aurora and those she had sheltered had a place to stay. She hated to be an imposition, but there wasn’t much else she could do other than to seek sanctuary.

Aurora didn’t understand why the Wicked Witch destroyed her castle. What did Zelena hope to gain by driving everyone out? What did she get from the attack? Was it fear? Did she want people to fear her? That certainly worked. Aurora was terrified of what Zelena could do. She was a princess, raised to lead her kingdom, and the first chance that she got, she failed.

Zelena won, and now Aurora was floundering.

How could she not? She was the leader here, and her castle should’ve been better protected. Aurora should’ve had more people ready for an attack instead of becoming complacent in these past months, but she hadn’t. She lead her people into a sense of false security, and now she lost her home and people lost their loved ones who were now enslaved to the Wicked Witch. It was all her fault.

Aurora glanced over at the cot that held her sleeping daughter. How could she be a good mother if she couldn’t even be a good leader? How could she raise Diana to be a future ruler when she herself didn’t know what she was doing? She failed everyone, and she would fail Diana too.

“Oh don’t look so distraught, darling.” A woman spoke from behind her.

Aurora stiffened, turning around only to come face to face with the Wicked Witch herself. “What are you doing here?” Regina was supposed to be working on a protective barrier around the castle, but it wasn’t up yet.

Zelena smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes as though Aurora’s fright was entertaining. “No need to be so sharp, dear.” Zelena glanced over at the cot. “What a sweet looking child?”

Aurora rushed over to the cot, placing herself in between it and Zelena. “Stay away from my daughter!”

Seeing Aurora being so protective made Zelena feel a twinge of envy. No one had ever been protective of her like that. Her birth mother had abandoned her, and her adoptive mother was too weak to argue with Zelena’s adoptive father over her. “I don’t want to hurt her.” Zelena said gently, trying to put Aurora at ease. “Of course, that’s all up to you really.”

“What do you mean?” Aurora asked, her lips trembling.

“Well, I have a proposition for you.” Zelena said.

“I don’t want anything to do with you.” Aurora snapped. “Leave now, or I’ll alert everyone that you’re here.”

Zelena tutted. “You haven’t even heard my offer.”

“I doubt that anything you have to offer is good.” Aurora stepped forward, growing bolder as anger overcame her. This woman destroyed her home, and she wouldn’t get away with it.

“I would like you to be my spy.” Zelena continued, paying no mind to Aurora’s defiance. “You tell me what exactly goes on in those council meetings, and keep me privy to their plans regarding me.”

“Why would I do that?” Aurora hissed.

The witch waved her arm and Diana appeared in her arms in a puff of emerald smoke.

Aurora froze. “Don’t hurt her.”

Zelena gently cradled the baby in her arms. “I don’t want to, but I will.” She stroked the baby’s cheek. “You see, it’s very easy for me to take her away from you. I could do anything to her. I could send her far away so that you would never be able to see her again. I could keep her with me and raise her as my own. I could hurt her, kill her even. All because her mother decided that being a good person was more important than her daughter.” Even as she made the threats, Zelena felt hollow. Her stomach churned, making her feel ill.

The princess’ eyes teared up. She couldn’t let Zelena take Diana from her; not her precious daughter. “If I do as you ask, you won’t harm Diana? You’ll leave her alone?”

Even though it was a win, Zelena didn’t feel satisfied with it. It actually hurt to see Aurora so torn over her decision. It was very clear, though, that her daughter was the most important person in her life, and Zelena once again found herself envying the baby a little bit. “You keep your eyes and ears open, and our alliance a secret, and no harm will come to you, your daughter, or your lover.”

Aurora stiffened. So Zelena knew about Mulan as well? The threat to her family was more than enough to get her compliance. She hated Zelena more than she had hated anyone in her life ever. Zelena had the power to take away everyone that Aurora loved, and Aurora knew that Zelena’s threats weren’t empty.

Though the witch in question wasn’t even sure herself. Zelena had decided to embrace the Wicked Witch and show everyone what they believed her to be. But it felt wrong. It felt like she wasn’t even comfortable in her own skin anymore.

“We have a deal.” Aurora spoke with resolve. “I will spy for you and I will not tell anyone. In return, Diana and Mulan will not be harmed by you or your monkeys, in any way. Understood?”

Zelena grinned wickedly. “Deal.”

Diana disappeared from Zelena’s arms and reappeared in her cot.

Aurora turned around and hovered over her daughter, ensuring that the child had no injuries.

“I hope you do remember to keep your word, princess.” Zelena said sweetly.

Aurora glared at her.

“You don’t want to know what I’m capable of when I’m betrayed.” With those harsh, meaningful last words, Zelena disappeared in emerald smoke.

Aurora turned back to her sleeping daughter, tears in her eyes.

What had she just gotten herself into?

It was a lovely day and summer was still in full swing. It was a perfect day to go outside and explore, which is how Emma and Henry ended up in Central Park with ice cream cones.

Emma smiled down at her son, glad that he was enjoying himself. After sharing all of her information with Henry, both of them had been considerably confused. How did they have these memories, but there was nothing real to back it up? She was starting to feel like the life they were living was a complete lie. She knew that Henry was unsettled too, and she hated that; he was her son and she was supposed to protect him. It wasn’t that telling him the truth was a bad thing and Emma didn’t regret it, but she wished that they knew the truth of what had happened to them. Maybe then, both of them would be put at ease.

She hadn’t done anymore digging into her past since she told Henry, though. Mostly because she was afraid of what she might find.

Even her dreams lately hadn’t calmed her either. Her dreams of a ship and the sea and her pirate in his element. He was so at ease and calm, and it should’ve calmed Emma too, but instead she found herself restless. What were these dreams and why did they still haunt her?

Henry’s dreams always seemed to be the same and always matched up to his storybook or they were in a town that Henry swore he’d been to, but Emma couldn’t remember it except in dreams.

Her dreams, unlike his, changed with her pirate. She didn’t know why or how, but she was irrevocably connected to this dream figure. Her pirate. Just who was he?

“So is it okay?” Henry asked.

Emma shook herself, her mind coming back to the present. “Sorry kid, I was lost in my head.”

“That’s okay.” Henry shrugged. “I was just asking you about Parker’s birthday party. It’s going to be in August. He wants a group of us to go camping. His dad will take us Friday afternoon and we’ll come back Sunday.”

“That sounds like it will be fun.” Emma said. “Just let me know the date and when you need to be ready. We’ll need to get him a birthday present too.”

“Okay, I’ll let him know.” Henry smiled. “Thanks, mom.”

Emma smiled as Henry began texting Parker, happy that her son was excited and that he got to participate in something normal. They had moved around so much when he was younger, that he had never really made any friends.

Then again, if their memories weren’t real, then they hadn’t moved around at all, had they?

Emma shook that dark thought from her head and finished her ice cream cone before getting up to go throw her trash away. It was hard to want to know the truth about what had happened to them, but at the same time being scared of it as well.

“Emma?”

Emma stiffened at her name and turned to see Walsh smiling at her and walking over. It had been over two weeks since he said he’d leave her alone, and he had avoided running into her. Emma really forgot he even existed. There were much more pressing matters in her life right now than some creep.

“Hey, Emma.” Walsh’s smile was still off putting.

There was just something unnatural about him that Emma couldn’t quite figure out and it always set her on edge. “Walsh.” Her tone was clipped. Just because he had left her alone, that didn’t mean that she had to like him for it.

Walsh’s smile dropped. “How have you been?” He asked it as though they were old friends and not neighbors who barely tolerated each other.

Or, well, she barely tolerated him. “Fine.” She didn’t want to stop and exchange polite pleasantries. She and Henry were having a nice day out, just the two of them, and Emma didn’t want anything to ruin that.

“That’s good.” Walsh said. “How’s Henry?”

That raised her hackles a bit. Her son wasn’t any of his business. “Fine.” She growled. She turned around, intending to go back to Henry and leave. They could still have a nice time somewhere else.

“How’s Killian?”

The mention of her fake fiancé had Emma freezing. She turned a glare on Walsh. “He’s fine. Still deployed and missing his family.” It was so much easier to lie when she wished it was true, and that there was someone out there somewhere who loved her and Henry and missed them both.

“That’s a shame.” Wash said.

“That he misses us?” Emma arched a brow. “Yeah, it is. He wants to be with me and Henry more than anything.” Where the hell was all of this coming from? Did she really believe that that could be true? Was she that desperate for someone to love her? Emma gritted her teeth. No, it was easier to tell Walsh off this way. It didn’t matter that eventually her lies would catch up with her.

“No, it’s a shame that he won’t put you and Henry first.” Walsh told her. “His career is more important.”

That stung and Emma didn’t even know why. Killian Jones wasn’t even real. “If he had a choice, he’d be here.”

“Are you sure about that?” Walsh asked. “Don’t you think that Henry deserves to have a father that might actually be there for him?”

Emma felt her eyes stinging even as her rage at Walsh grew. “Seriously, who do you think you are? You don’t know me or Killian. You’re obsession with me is sick and unhealthy. So stay the fuck away from me, my son, and Killian when he comes around. You need therapy, pal.” She whirled around and rushed over to where Henry was still sitting.

He had finished his ice cream, but his focus was on his phone. He looked up as she approached. “Mom? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Henry.” She lied. “Do you want to go see a movie?”

Henry knew that she was lying, but he didn’t push her. Instead, he agreed to the movie, just happy to spend the day with her, and hoping that a movie would cheer her up.

Neither of them noticed that Walsh was watching them with angry eyes.

Killian looked out over the deck as Tink and Alice decorated. It was a bit short notice, but Eric and Ariel had come to him last night, asking if he would marry them today. It was an honor really. In Storybrooke, Eric had been a good friend and since his and Ariel’s time on the ship, Killian had grown close to both of them. As much as he loved his family, it was nice to have more people around to talk to.

They had stopped in port this morning and Alice and Tink had dragged Ariel off to the market to get a dress and decorations, leaving the men to procure the food and drink for the occasion.

Everything would be set up soon, and Killian found himself excited for his friends. He was happy for them, truly he was, but there was a voice in the back of his head that reminded him that, had things gone as planned, he and Emma would be in Storybrooke right now, either married or planning their wedding. He shook himself from those thoughts and focused on the tasks ahead.

When Alice and Tink had deemed the deck ready, and everyone was in place, Killian went down to his cabin to get Ariel. He knocked and Ariel opened the door.

She was beautiful with her hair up in a loose chignon and a light white dress that was perfect for summer weather.

“Is the bride ready?” Killian asked with a grin.

Ariel fidgeted, a nervous smile on her face. “I am.”

Killian cocked his head. There was something else going on. “Ariel, what’s wrong?”

Ariel sighed. “I just wish my family was here.”

That was certainly something that he could understand; probably better than most. “If you don’t want to go through with this right now, I’m certain that Eric will understand.”

The former mermaid tilted her head. “If it was you and Emma, and your family wasn’t here, what would you do?”

It touched him that she wanted his advice, and that she trusted him enough to hear from him. “Honestly, if it were us, if it felt right, we’d go for it.” He stepped further into the cabin. “If you feel that this is the right time for you and Eric, then don’t let any lingering doubts stop you. You’ll never know when you get a chance to get married again. You must follow your heart Ariel, and while it’s no substitute for your family, I hope that those of us here are enough.”

Ariel smiled brightly at his words. “It is right, and I don’t have doubts about Eric or marrying him. That doesn’t mean I still wish that my family could be here.”

“I understand that.” Killian said.

Ariel walked over to him and gave him a tight hug. “Thank you, Killian, for everything.”

Killian returned the hug. “So, are you ready to be married?”

“I am.” Ariel looped her arm through Killian’s. “Let’s go, Captain.”

Hours later, after revelry and seeing Eric and Ariel off as they were spending the next few days at an Inn, Killian found himself alone on deck, the mess from the party finally cleared away, everyone else sleeping below deck.

Closing his eyes, he cleared his mind and let the sea around him calm him. The sea was his home for centuries, the waters, the air, the swaying under his feet, the breeze in his hair, all serving to calm the turmoil inside of him, easing the aching loneliness. He looked up at the stars and wondered where Emma was now and what she was up to. He swore that he could still feel her sometimes, especially in his lonelier moments, like this one.

He wished that Emma was by his side again. Soon, love. I’ll find you and we’ll be together again soon.