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mie779 · 4 months ago

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Don't Kiss and Tail

A/N: This is an alternate/what-if version of season 3 episode 17 “The Jolly Roger” where we have Zelena pose as Ariel… What if it was the real Ariel who spoke with Killian, how pissed Ariel would be and go tattle to dear old daddy dearest and have Killian cursed, and not only his lips.

This story is part of CSSNS2024, and I have some peeps I’d like to thank.

@whatevenisthisbloganymore (on Tumbler) for beta reading this. Without her, this would have looked so messy.

@iamstartraveller776 , who made the beautiful banner for this story. It was also through a talk with her that the title finally came to be. And that title sparked my muse, (damn it!) so perhaps one day I’ll write some original mermaid story.

It’s been such a blast being part of this event, (again), and it's sad to see this will be the last year. I love the stories already having been shared, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories.

My inspiration for the theme was several CaptainSwan fan art with a mermaid theme, from Wild-white-werewolf (Julia Volkova) and Svenjaliv. And plotting began and I tried to find a place to do an alternate spin on an episode… On a rewatch I stumbled over the episode “The Jolly Roger” and the whole talk with Zelena posing as Ariel had my muse thinking… so here you are, without further ado, my contribution to the CSSNS24.

READ ON AO3 if that is your thing (like me) https://archiveofourown.org/works/57458686

Don’t Kiss and Tail

“You're a monster… “ The following sting of the female hand slapping his cheek still burned as Killian watched the mermaid leap from the dock and dive into the dark water. The flip of her colorful tail was the last thing he saw.

“Bloody hell. “ He understood the mermaid perfectly as he'd been so bullheaded in that missing year in the enchanted forest. His focus on getting his beloved ship back and this having not helped Ariel find Eric might have been stupid. He paced the docks. The whole town was still in a mighty uproar over the wicked witch. So he wasn’t going to worry about a pissed-off mermaid right now.

He kept his pacings to the docks, but he staggered back in surprise when Ariel again came striding towards him, this time from behind the old fisherman’s shack. How did she get back there? He shifted his gaze towards the water where she’d vanished moments ago. But before he could contemplate this the mermaid spoke.

“How am I supposed to trust a man who doesn’t believe in love?” Ariel curled her lips in disgust.

“I still do,” Killian whispered, his face contorted in agony.

“Then swear to me on it. This woman broke your heart. Do you still love her?”

Killian looked down, the word tearing through him like a thousand blades. “Yes.”

“Then swear to me, on her name.” Ariel lifted her chin in an unspoken challenge.

“Then I swear on Emma Swan.” Her sweet name was the only easy word falling over his lips.

A smirk forms over Ariel, “Thank you, captain, that’s exactly what I needed to hear.” She flipped her fingers towards him and something green and warm wrapped around his lips; the sensation confused him and he covered his lips with his hand, “What the hell?”

He looked back up at the mermaid. But the next second a swirl of green smoke engulfed the girl and in her stead was now the wicked witch. “Zelena it was you.” Killian drew his cutlass, “where’s Ariel?”

With a quick flick of her wrist, Zelena tore his weapon out of his hand.

“Relax. She wasn’t here right now, I’d imagine she’s gone tattling to her dear ol’ dad, boo hoo, the pirate wouldn’t tell me where my beloved is.” Zelena rolled her eyes and chuckled.

“I don’t understand why you would pretend to be her?” He frowned.

“To corrupt your love. I have known all about your dirty little secret for some time, and have seen the guilt on your face ever since making that decision that day. I knew it haunted you. I knew I could use it.

“Use it for what?”

“When you evoked the name of your love, your selfish plea for redemption, I was able to curse you. Or more specifically your kiss - you see the next time your lips touch Emma Swan’s all of her magic will be taken. Everything that makes her special, that makes her powerful, that makes her a threat will be gone.”

“I won’t do it. I’ll tell her, then she’ll defeat you.”

“Then I’ll send the Dark One to kill her before you can.” The self-satisfied smile on her face pissed off Killian even more, but he saw right through her bluster.

“No, you won’t. If you could have killed her you would have. You need her power removed. That is why you didn’t kill her when she came to the town. It’s why your monkey looked after her in New York instead of killing her.” Killian gave her a satisfied smirk. “For some reason, you can’t.”

Zelena pursed her lips before saying, “It no longer matters, because you’re going to remove her powers. I may not be able to hurt Emma, but I can hurt those around her.” She lifted her eyes briefly as if to contemplate who to put on that list, “Her parents, her friends,” she shifted far too close, “her child.”

“Do not go near him.”

Zelena chuckled and grinned knowingly. “Yes you’ve become quite fond of the boy, haven’t you? I will enjoy turning him into a monkey’s breakfast.”

“I’ll stop you.” Killian sneered.

“No, you won’t. That pointy little hook of yours can scratch a mere mortal but me…” Another chuckle. “You’re out of your depths, pirate. The choice is yours, kiss Emma and remove her power or everyone she loves dies.” The words came out in a hate-filled staccato, baring her teeth as she sneered at him.

Before Killian could make another retort she was gone in a swirl of green smoke.

“Bloody hell.” Killian slumped back on the crate behind him, his lips still tingling from the curse Zelena had cast upon his lips. “Bloody hell that woman is crazy as shite.” He shook his head and gazed upon the dark waters, the moored fisherboats swaying on the gently lapping waves. He had no idea how long he’d been sitting there - he wasn’t sure where to go from here, all he knew was that he wouldn’t tell Emma about the curse. He wouldn’t have her worry about another thing in her life. He would attempt to avoid her advances to become closer. He knew they were closer than ever to crossing that line of a real relationship.

The moored boats started to crash against the dock, the wood scraping against the concrete. Something was stirring up the water and when he rose to his feet he spotted a swirling vortex out in the water. Moments later a white-haired man with a tri fork floated in the water.

“Bloody hell, now what?” Killian groaned.

“You’re Killian Jones?” The voice of Triton boomed over the docks, the trident pointed at Killian.

Killian gulped down and was about to lie his way out of this predicament when a far too familiar mermaid rose from the water.

“That’s him,” Ariel said and crossed her arms over her chest.

“What did I do?” Killian wavered.

“You refused to help my daughter find her love, and now you shall pay.” Triton lifted his weapon and boomed, “Ye shall live a life under the sea. Return to the dry lands will only be possible by a true love kiss.”

“What the bloody hell…” Killian stepped back but swirling white magic leaped from the trident and within seconds it wrapped around Killian. The magic pulled at his form and he felt pain shoot through his body. “What are you doing to me?” His voice pained and he dropped to the edge of the dock, while his hands grabbed his legs. The magic swirled over his form from head to toe.

“You’ll have to live your life as a merman.” Ariel huffed. “You didn’t want to help me find my Eric.”

“Bloody hell, you went and tattled to you dear old…” Killian gritted his teeth, the magic did some crazy ass shite to his body. “... Dear old daddy.”

“See, father, he’s nothing but a vile and ruthless pirate.” Ariel glared at him.

“I see, my daughter. And now he will not be able to walk around on dry land and pursue his happiness.”

“Bloody hell, Emma…” He nearly blacked out from the pain.

“Yeah, now she won’t be able to find you.”

When Killian finally opened his eyes again the pain had vanished, but as he inspected himself he quickly saw how his body had changed, his torso now bare, and from the waist down his legs had transformed into that of a merman’s tail. Its dark scales glinted in the streetlights behind him. It would be crazy to try and slither his way into town like this. With a roar of anger, he leaped into the water and headed for where Ariel and her father had been. But the harbour was empty and the king and his daughter were nowhere to be found.

Killian lifted his head above water and roared, “Bloody hell, what do I do now?”

*********

Emma was nursing her second mug of cocoa at the diner. It had been two days since she or anyone else had seen Killian and by now she was more than worried. With Zelena on the loose wreaking havoc around them, it was safe to bet she might have had something to do with his disappearance.

Where the hell are you, Killian? Emma thought, taking another sip, and gave her son a reassuring smile. His observant brown eyes were wrinkled in concern. How was she supposed to share her worries with her son? He had no memory of anything related to magic.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, you know it’s just my case that has a lot of loose ends.” Emma mused, “I’ll go to the docks and see if I can find any leads.”

“Will Killian be there?” Henry licked up the remaining crumbs of his breakfast with his finger.

The mention of his name had Emma’s heart skip a beat. “I don’t know kid, I haven’t seen him”

“His boat is still down in the harbor.”

Emma blinked in surprise, the Jolly Roger wasn’t there. “Oh yeah, the fishing boat he took you out in.”

Emma finished her cocoa before she ushered Henry outside, and they walked down to the waterfront. Sure enough, the fishing boat Killian had borrowed was still there. “Look kid, I’m just going to ask around. Why don’t you go to the beach and see if you can find something interesting?”

Henry looked a little put out by this so she added, “Look, this case is not exactly kid friendly so I don’t want you to be part of it. I’ll come for you in half an hour.”

Henry nodded mutely and trodded towards the nearby beach; she could still watch him from afar if Zelena chose to show up.

Emma asked the harbor master if he’d seen Killian, but the only answer she could get was that the old man had seen Killian three nights ago talking with a red-haired woman. That could either be Ariel or Zelena so it wasn’t much help. But why would Killian speak with either of them, unless it was Zelena who then had taken him somewhere?

“Moooom.” Henry’s shout startled her and she rushed towards her son who was waving his arms in the air as he rushed towards her.

“What’s wrong, what happened, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Henry waved his arms in front of him taking a few deep breaths, “I’m fine, I just think I saw something out in the waters.”

“What?” Emma felt a cold shiver run down her spine, and flashes of Killian lying dead in the water shifted through her mind.

“It was some kind of a large fish.” Henry looked a little puzzled, then shrugged, “It had to be a fish, the tail looked like a fish but it was big, like a grown man.”

“A small whale?” Emma mused, unsure what kind of large sea creatures roamed the coast of Maine.

“Maybe, but I haven’t seen any whales with scaly shimmering tails.”

“What did you just say?”

“It had black shimmering scales.” Henry paused and looked at her with worry. “What's wrong?”

Emma shook her head and masked her worry with a smile. “Nothing, I don’t know what you saw but it could have been a large fish I guess.” Inside her head, she thought: it could be a mermaid. She had no idea where Ariel was off to, and now that she thought about it she hadn’t seen the red-haired mermaid for a couple of days either. Did Zelena whisk her away too? That crazy-ass wicked witch of the West needed to be stopped in whatever crazy plan she had set up.

Emma suggested they head back home to Mary Margaret and David, and as they walked along the beach she couldn’t help scanning the water to get a glimpse of whatever creature Henry had seen out there.

Just as they reached the docks again she looked over the rocks jutting out from the coastline and she could have sworn she’d spotted a dark-haired creature hiding between the rocks, but it was gone in a flash and the last thing she saw was the reflection of the sun in a dark tail. “What the hell?”

“What is it, did you see it too?” Henry asked excitedly.

Emma shook her head and waved him off, “No I don’t think it was anything, a seal perhaps.” Or a selkie… oh wasn’t that over in good old England they were legends? Emma wrapped her arm around Henry and urged him to walk to the docks. As they rounded the corner she couldn’t help herself and took another glance over her shoulder. The same dark-haired creature which now looked remarkably like a human was holding onto the rocks but was too far away to see. What the hell is that? she thought to herself, and she couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled inside her. Who was out there?

Emma couldn’t focus on the talk at the dinner table that night and Mary Margaret did ask if she was okay. Emma waved off her mother’s worry and assured her she was merely trying to string together all the loose ends she had in her case. She glanced at Henry who had helped clear the table and then settled onto the couch with his game console.

Her sleep was filled with strange dreams of sea creatures waving at her from the water, all twirling around in a mismatched chaos of confusion. When the first rays of the sun peeked through the thin curtains she slipped out of bed and left a note for Henry before heading for the beach.

*******

Killian kept a close eye on the shoreline, still staying out of sight as he wasn’t sure who would spot him. It was infuriating and damn near impossible to figure out what the hell he should do. He knew his main hope was finding Emma, and spotting her with the boy yesterday afternoon he’d damn well nearly jumped up on the rocks and called out for her. But Henry was there and he still had no memory of any fairytales or curses so the lad was sure to be spooked out of his wits seeing a real merman speak with his mother.

Then there was the whole conundrum with the curse Zelena had placed on his lips. He would never let her willingly give up her magic for him.

The early morning sunlight glinted behind him as he scanned the beach, he was sure Emma had spotted him the day before so he hoped she would return, this time without Henry.

A flash of golden hair and a red leather jacket caught his eye, and he swam closer to the beach. It had been a learning curve the past few days navigating underwater and he realized there was a colony of merfolk some miles south of here keeping their existence unknown beside a small island off the coast. They had not exactly been friendly but they had not been hostile either, only made it clear that he had no business there as they somehow had sensed he truly didn’t belong under the sea.

Emma had walked to the beach and neared the long row of rocks going out from the beach. She pushed away her loose hair from her face as she scanned the water.

Killian reached the first rock, lifted himself halfway out of the water, and waved, “Emma?”

Emma nearly stumbled over her feet as she stepped out on the first couple of large boulders. “Killian, is that you?”

Killian swam closer and he saw how her face contorted into surprise and worry at the same time. “Aye.”

“How the hell did this happen to you?” She narrowed her eyes as she focused on his tail. “You have a tail.”

Killian refrained from rolling his eyes, only nodded and with a quick push of his hand, he lifted himself on a low boulder and sat there.

“What happened?” Emma moved closer cautiously as if trying to gauge if this was some kind of ploy to fool her.

“It’s me, love. Don’t worry, I won’t bite.” He tilted his head and smirked.

Emma rolled her eyes and settled on the rock beside her, her knees bent so her boots didn’t get wet. She reached over and touched his arm. “It really is you.” Her eyes scanned over his form and a blush spread over her cheeks.

He gave her a knowing smile, this might be the most naked he’d been in her presence and the color on her cheek indicated that she didn’t mind.

Then she frowned, “What happened to you, who did this?”

“You know how Ariel came to town some days ago.”

Emma nodded, “Yeah everyone was so surprised to see her.”

“Well, she was here on a mission.” He looked down at his hand and hook. When he’d transformed he’d been surprised that his hook was still there.

“What mission?”

“To find me and avenge me for failing to help her back in the Enchanted Forest.”

“Why didn’t you help her?”

“I was so focused on finding my way back to you that I declined to help her find her Eric.” Killian sighed and pushed his wet hair away from his forehead. He looked at her, “I was a fool, I know that.”

“That was a foolish choice.” Emma’s hand on his arm rubbed up and down, “but seems like a long stretch to curse you into a merman.”

“That was her father’s doing.” Killian mused.

“She went and tattled to her father?” Emma exclaimed and turned fully towards him, “Are you serious?”

“Very much so. The king of the sea, Triton cursed me to be a merman, until…” He paused and closed his eyes.

“What?”

“It’s nothing.” Killian brushed it away, how on earth was he ever going to tell her that kissing her might be the only thing bringing him back to his human form? But in doing so he would also remove her magic, giving Zelena a better chance at getting whatever witch wanted.

“Do you know how to reverse the curse?” Emma asked and leaned closer. He could smell her perfume now and his heart beat a lot faster. Gods she smelled good.

“I… it’s going to be bloody complicated.” He grimaced, rubbing over his face.

“Tell me, please,” Emma begged. “Whatever it is we can make it happen, we can go get Regina if it’s…”

“No!” He exclaimed, “No one else needs to see me like this.”

“Oh, it’s not exactly a bad look you have going here.” Emma mused and her eyes scanned over his form again, the blush on her cheeks darkened.

Killian tilted his head, getting a better look at her, her eyes sparkled with mischief something that was rarely seen these days with all the stuff going on with Zelena and her son still not remembering anything.

“So you see something you like here, love?” He lifted an eyebrow.

“Perhaps.” She looked down at her hand resting on her bent knee, her fingers tracing over the seam in her jeans.

Killian chuckled, leaned closer, and caught her eyes, “So you’d not mind having a merman as a friend?”

Emma choked back a laugh, “I can’t believe you’re so at ease about all of this, I’d be in a total panic had it been me turned into a mermaid.”

“I did panic at first, but I knew you’d come looking for me. I saw you on the beach with your boy yesterday.”

“Why didn’t you call out then?”

“Henry doesn't remember anything about magic, so I imagined seeing a real-life merman might be too confusing.”

“He’d survive I’m sure. He might not remember, but he still has a vivid imagination.” Emma chuckled, then sobered, “But how can we reverse the curse?”

“Thought you wanted me to stay like this?”

Emma shook her head, “As much as I like this look I still want the real Killian Jones in my life.” She blinked a few times, “I can’t imagine not having you in my life, Killian.”

“Oh.” Hope bloomed inside him and he smiled, “I’d very much like that.” He glanced down at his tail and smoothed his hand over the black scales.

Emma reached over and asked, “May I?”

He looked up at her in surprise and noticed the curious glint in her eyes as she looked at his tail. “Aye.”

Emma moved forward and smoothed her hand over the black scales, it was a strange sensation feeling someone else touch his merman tail like this. The warmth of her hand seeped through to his core.

“This is so strange.” Emma mused and kept her hand on his form, when she looked up at him her eyes were filled with wonder, her lips looking so damn inviting he nearly leaned forward. But when she moved first he pulled back and rubbed over his mouth.

“I can’t…” Killian looked to the sky, the sun had now fully risen and the sea birds flew over them in circles, their cries echoing over the waters.

“What?” Emma pulled back and hugged herself. “This… what do you mean you can’t I thought you wanted to… you know kiss me.”

“Bloody hell I do want to kiss you.” It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we returned to Storybrooke.

“Then why… “ Her voice trailed off and she gasped, “Did Triton do more to curse you?”

“What do you mean?”

“So if you kiss someone they die or something like that?”

“It wasn’t Triton.” Killian sighed and shifted in his seat. The rock beneath him started to feel uncomfortable.

“Then who?”

“Zelena…” Killian whispered.

“Seriously!”

“Aye, I’m afraid so, the witch came to me in disguise as Ariel, and since I thought it to be the actual mermaid who’d just jumped into the water I couldn’t have known. The woman was livid and had me swear on the woman I love’s name and she cursed my lips.”

“What?”

“She cursed my lips…”

“Yeah yeah, I heard that… it’s the love part I’m curious about.” Her voice was wary and guarded but when he glanced at her a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Aye, you’re the woman I love.” Killian reached over and touched her leg, “It’s always been you.” He looked down, “But if I kiss you now we’ll never defeat Zelena.”

“Why?”

“The bloody witch cursed my lips so that should you ever kiss me, your magic will be taken from you.”

“Great.” Emma rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, “Just freaking great.” She looked at his tail, biting her lips.

“I can’t ask that of you, love.”

“Why not?” Emma exclaimed, “You can’t continue living like a merman.” She tilted her head, “Or do you want to be a merman forever?”

Killian shook his head. “There’s got to be another way?”

“And if not?”

“I will live my life hunting down Triton and defeat him.”

“That is a fucked up plan. You know that, pirate?” Emma rolled her eyes, “What I know of Triton he is very powerful and you will have every merman hunting for your tail.”

“You will need your magic to defeat that wicked witch, whatever it is she’s plotting, it can’t be good for anyone in this town.” Killian mused.

“Look, let me ask around and see if we have a chance to work around this curse.” Emma reached over and cupped his face, his skin burning by her touch. She was so bloody close he could smell her.

“Don’t make too much of a ruckus just for me, darling.” He placed his hand over hers.

“Let me be the judge of that, eh?” Emma smiled, her thumb caressing his skin. Then she moved closer wrapping him in a tight hug, “I can’t lose you, Killian.” Her words whispered into his skin and shivers ran down his spine at how close she was now.

“I’m right here, love.”

She pressed a small kiss to his neck and whispered, “Good thing it’s only your lips she cursed.”

“Bloody hell, love, you… gods.” Killian groaned and wrapped his arms around her holding her close.

They stayed like this for some time and it wasn’t until they heard some of the fishermen shout to each other from the docks that they pulled away.

“I better dive down into the water again,” Killian mumbled, gently untangling himself from Emma’s embrace.

“Yeah, I’ll come back here tonight, okay?” She looked up, “after sundown.”

“Aye.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm, “Tonight, hope you find a way.”

Emma rose to her feet and stepped back onto the beach before she turned around and gave him a parting wave, “See you tonight then.”

Killian waved back and jumped into the shallow waters below him and swam for his usual hangout spot he’d found at the end of the peninsula jutting out into the sea. It was going to be a long day, but hunting for fish would perhaps keep his mind off of things.

**********

Emma’s head was buzzing with everything she’d learned this morning. Killian was a freaking merman now, long black scaly tale included. Her face heated up when she recalled how damn good he looked sitting there with a bare chest and tail. Damn, she hadn’t known she might have a thing for mermen. Well, this one merman in particular it seemed.

She sought solace in a cup of hot cocoa and a Bearclaw from the diner and when Ruby placed her order on the counter the brunette asked, “You look a bit off kilter this morning, what happened?”

“Oh…” Emma pushed away her hair and sighed, “It’s a long story.”

“I have time, the morning rush is over.” Ruby rested her arms on the counter, “So spill, girl.”

“I found Killian.”

“Oh, the elusive pirate has shown his face again, where is he?”

“In the sea,” Emma mumbled and blew on her cocoa.

“Well, he’s a pirate.”

“No I mean, he is IN the sea, two curses included.” Emma sighed.

“Who cursed him and why?”

Emma explained what she’d learned from Killian, making sure that no one nearby was eavesdropping. But the diner was mostly deserted so she could share her story with Ruby.

“That is such a crazy story, even for this place.” Ruby waved her hand around and Emma couldn’t agree more. Even with everything going on right now a man cursed to be a merman and on top of that also with cursed lips so he wasn’t able to kiss her. That last part had Ruby waggle her eyebrows and comment, “So the question is are you willing to pay with your magic so your pirate will have his legs back?”

“The question is more if he’s willing to let me kiss him.” Emma sighed.

“What do you mean?”

“He seemed reluctant to let me just kiss him, he wants me to keep my magic as it will no doubt be useful when we go against Zelena.” Emma mused and shrugged her shoulders, “I need to speak with Regina, perhaps she has another way.”

Emma enjoyed her breakfast and took off to find Regina, but the mayor had no idea how to reverse a curse that was linked to a true love’s kiss. And she agreed with Emma that she might be the only person Killian loved. But if she kissed Killian she would lose her magic.

*******

Killian kept a close eye on anything happening at the docks, hoping Emma would come down early. But when he did spot her she was accompanied by Henry so Killian kept his distance and watched Henry drag Emma onboard the small vessel he’d borrowed from the fisherman in the past week.

“What are you doing, lad?” Killian asked in wonder. Sure he’d taught the boy a thing or two about boats and sailing, but it wasn’t safe for anyone to go out there with so little training.

“Come on Mom.” Henry’s voice rolled over the water, “I wanted to go fishing, and since Killian is missing I need you with me.”

“Okay, kid, I don’t know how to sail this thing.” Emma sighed and placed her hands at her hips.

“It’s easy. See here.” Henry started up the engine and leapt down to release the boat from the docks and jumped back on board.

Killian contemplated showing himself and warning the pair not to go out there. The skies were getting darker further out and he felt a storm rolling in, but it might be hours before it reached the shoreline.

Henry sailed the boat out on open waters and stopped the engine, and soon Killian could see him preparing the fishing rods. Emma was still arguing with her son about the safety of this, but Henry eased her worries and soon Emma had settled down on a crate on deck.

The sun disappeared behind grey clouds and before either Emma or Henry knew what hit them the rain started falling heavily. Henry scurried to get the engine started while Emma struggled to get the fishing rods packed away. In her haste, she stumbled over something on the deck. Her body slammed into the railing and she lost her balance. Killian could only watch in horror as Emma tumbled into the dark waters below. With a quick flip of his tail, he dived towards where Emma was slowly dropping to the bottom.

Henry’s cries for his mother were muffled by the water but they pierced through Killian like knives. He wasn’t about to leave this boy without his mother.

Emma wore her red leather jacket and it had weighed her down so much that she wasn’t able to swim upwards. Her eyes were filled with panic when Killian finally reached her.

Her body went limp in his arms as he ascended to the surface and broke up into the air. He looked down at the woman in his arms, her eyes closed, lips blue and lifeless.

“Mom?!” Henry’s frantic voice sounded from above, then “Killian is that you?”

Killian didn’t pay attention to the lad right now, all he cared about was the woman floating in his arms. Her skin was more and more pale and he leaned closer and realized she wasn’t breathing, her lips turning blue.

“Emma?” He called out frantically, his hand cradling her face.

“Give her mouth to mouth,” Henry called from above him.

Killian swallowed; he knew he had to breathe life into her, “Her magic will be lost.” He called back, his voice breaking, this couldn’t be happening.

“What?”

“My lips are cursed.” He looked up and when he spotted the bewilderment in the lad’s eyes he knew he’d screwed it up. Henry had no memory of magic or fairytale characters. There was no time to explain so the decision was all up to him and as he watched Emma lie lifeless in his arms his heart broke. He couldn’t live without this woman in his life, be damned her wrath if her magic was gone, he needed her.

Pressing his mouth to hers he breathed into her mouth, feeling her chest fill with air. A woosh of magic spread out around them and he felt his tail vanish and turn into a pair of legs again. The motion to keep them afloat changed but he managed to balance himself and Emma above water. He blew more air into her mouth and then Emma violently coughed up seawater.

“Killian?” Her voice was weak and her eyes searched his face, “What did you do?”

“You were drowning, I couldn’t… I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let you die, not like this. Not in front of your boy.”

“Mom?!” Henry bellowed from above them, “Are you okay?”

Emma gave her son a weak smile and wave before returning her focus to Killian. “You saved my life.” She cupped his face and he marveled at the feel of her hand against his cheek.

“Aye.” He swallowed deeply, “But your magic… I’m sorry love.”

“We’ll find another way to beat Zelena.” Emma soothed and pulled herself closer to him again and kissed him.

This time it was a real kiss, profound and filled with untold promises of a future together.

“I have a rope ladder here,” Henry called out and interrupted their kiss, both adults looked sheepishly up at the teenager who rolled his eyes. “Don’t go around doing that too much from now on, okay?”

“Aye, lad.”

Emma chuckled and coughed a little, clearly not fully recovered from her near-death experience.

“Come now love, let’s get us back home.” He maneuvered them both to the rope ladder Henry had dropped over the sides. “Are you okay going up on your own?”

“I’m fine, Captain.” Emma smiled and hauled herself up the ladder, slow and steady and Killian followed her to the deck where Henry greeted them both with a hug.

When Killian pulled away to get the boat started Henry stopped him, “Did you just have a tail before you saved my mother?” The lad’s eyebrows were lifted to his hairline.

“Henry.” Emma interjected and took her son’s arms, “There’s a lot of things that aren’t as they seem.” Emma looked at Killian, “Some things will be a bit hard to understand, but let me tell you why we’re really here in Storybrooke.” She urged him to sit on a crate and turned to Killian, “Get us back home.”

“Aye.” He saluted her with a grin and let mother and son talk alone on the deck while he took the wheel. The boat wasn’t as majestic as his old lady The Jolly Roger, but it would do for now. He watched Emma speak with her son, who looked more and more confused and sometimes even worried.

When they reached the dock they were greeted by Mary Margaret, David and Regina, who all looked relieved to see them all. Killian included, which surprised him a bit. But apparently, a lot of people had been worried about his whereabouts in the past few days.

“Mother.” Henry greeted Regina with a hug and when he pulled back, “Killian was a merman.”

Everyone gasped in surprise and a load of questions was thrown at him, he lifted his hands and said, “I’m here now in human form and that is what matters.” He grasped Emma’s hand, “We’re ready to fight off that green witch, any ideas what her plans are?”

Mary Margaret stepped forward and said, “Henry this is for you.” She presented him with a storybook, a very familiar storybook. “You need to believe.”

“In what?” Henry took the book and a burst of magic swirled around them and he gasped. “I remember.”

Everyone cheered and no one seemed to ask more about their adventure on the water, not until it became clear that Emma’s magic indeed was gone. But that was a worry for another time as the threat of Zelena still hung over Storybrooke.

All Killian cared about was having his legs back on dry land again and Emma by his side. He wanted her there for the rest of their lives if he had anything to say about it.

THE END

#ouat #once upon a time #killian jones #captain swan #fanfiction #emma swan #my writing #writers #writers on tumblr #ouat fanfiction #cssns24 #cssns2024 #mermaid

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drghostwrite · 1 year ago

Text

Scars for Love pt. 2

Pairing: Regina Mills x wife!reader

Summary: Wedding day!

********************************************************

You ran your thumb along the cool metal wrapped around your ring finger, a habit you formed the day you put it on, whenever you got nervous, anxious, excited, or just felt pure love you ran you finger along the ring. You looked down at it seeing the beautiful black and silver vines that intertwined, you didn't want anything fancy or showy so that's what Regina picked for you, two simple vines with leaves one made of black obsidian metal and the other of silver. You heard a slow knock on the bedroom door and reached an arm over usually you would be met with a sleeping raven haired woman, but instead you made contact with the soft sheets and blanket.

"Come in" you heard the lock disengage and turned to see Zelena step into the room, your soon to be sister in law.

"If only she could see you at this very moment, still in bed on your big day."

"Oh trust me, I'm sure she knows. " you pointed to the standing mirror in the corner of the room and then to the ring on your hand. After proposing, you both decided that life was crazy so you had your rings enchanted, you can feel when the other is hurting or happy, and just like Snow and David if one gets lost you can find your way back.

"Right, well I can fix one of those, sorry sis." she says tossing the extra blanket over the mirror, "you know what they say it's bad luck to see your bride before the wedding." you both chuckled as you got up to go shower and start getting ready, while Zelena went to grab your dress and whatever else you needed. After you were ready you realized the time and both quickly made your way to the town hall. You knew about Regina's secret garden when she was mayor and knew how she loved the idea of having you in the space so after talking about it you decided to have a small wedding there. Snow and Emma went to get her ready while Zelena took care of you and Belle, David and everyone else helped decorate. When you walked in you saw the white marble and royal purple accents it was perfect and it was you. You greeted some guests and then took your place as you waited for your bride to arrive.

You knew as soon as she was there because you could awe but also the anxiety. Regina had some much love taken from her she thought she wasn't meant to ever be loved the way she loved, but you'd be damned if you were to let anything happen to her again, or her heart. The moment you saw her in her gorgeous white dress walking down the aisle the memories came flooding back. You could hear as she started her vows.

You thought back to the day you first met, in the enchanted forest you were a knight, a commander of armies(people called you the realm slayer, but they also thought you were a man), you also owned a tavern, a well-known one at that. Regina was supposed to walk into your tavern to meet Robin her other true love but she didn't realize that there were two people marked by the dust that night. after that, she left for her rain of terror and you left being a knight.

The first time you laid eyes on her after that was in Storybrooke, one day the gorgeous woman ran into your coffee shop after the curse had broken, trying to hide from some townspeople, you let her stay in the extra loft upstairs until she felt safe. For the longest time she didn't know who you were, but she kept coming back it had been two years after the curse had been borken and she'd come in with Snow and Emma and even bigger groups like Zelena, Belle, Ruby. One day snow caught her wandering eyes as I was tending and encouraged her to ask me on a date, the rest was history.

She later found out about me being a knight and remembered the stories about me such as a young knight with so much power, not only with battle smarts, agility, and physical strength but the fact that you knew magic made you a force to be reckoned with. She told you stories about how horrible she felt during the whole Evil Queen era, but you both found healing in each other.

"Y/N, my love?" You were quickly snapped out of the memories by Regina calling your name. You quickly swiped the tears from your eyes and took in a deep breath, cracking a big smile.

"What'd I miss?"

"Your vows love, you need to say your vows." she chuckled to herself and looked down as you continued looking into her beautiful coffee-colored eyes.

"To the Woman I love, Regina Mills, I know I'm not your first love and that's okay, but I vow to be your last. I vow to protect you and Henry, our son, and any other children we may have with my life. I know life and love haven't always been easy for you, but I swear that I will make it my life's mission to show you how to love and how to truly be loved. In a tavern many years ago you were supposed to walk through a door and meet the love of your life but you didn't know that there were two marked that night, though one died and broke you, I will continue to pick up the pieces and restore you, forever. We've learned that not even death can keep us apart and that no matter what comes against us, nothing will break us because together we are a team, we are like the vines on these rings forever intertwining and never-ending. Because my love for you won't ever end, so I say Yes, I do take you to be my wife forever and always."

"Well, then you may kiss the bride." Before the officiant could finish you had her turned and dipped into one of the most passionate kisses you could with it being a PG wedding. You both walked back down the aisle and out to the car to go to the reception, leaving guests to talk among themselves for a little.

"What you said back there..."she trailed.

"I meant every word, I love you with everything inside of me and believe that we can break curses with our love." she reached over taking your hand in hers and she squeezed looking over at you as you looked out the window of the car, driving to the reception hall.

"You know what, screw it!" she exclaimed.

"Huh?" You asked puzzled.

"Turn around."

"What?" you pulled over and looked at her, she'd been planning and stressing about this reception for three months.

"Turn around and go back to the house."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you why, because you are now my wife, the love of my life and I only get to tear this outfit off of you one time in my life, so turn the car around and take me home so I can do it in our house, in our bedroom and actually take my time to savor the moment." She leaned over and kissed you chastely.

"All you had to say was please." you looked into her eyes, pupils blow with lust, kissing her again before leaning back and whipping the car around speeding back to the house.

"It's a good thing the sheriff was your maid of honor." You both laughed as you quickly pulled into the driveway. You quickly made your way inside and upstairs stripping each other of your outfits and completely ruining the hair and makeup everyone slaved over.

You woke up the next morning to texts and calls from Emma, Snow, Henry, and various others asking about what happened and why y'all weren't at the reception. You looked at the sleeping beauty next to you hair tousled and completely naked under the sheets, as she moved closer to feel your warmth you sent a text to Snow, Zelena, and Emma that said, change of plans Regina felt pretty worn out so we went home for the night. You sat your phone down next to you but picked it up when you heard the vibration, Snow replied with, Ha the classic 'didn't feel well', hope y'all had fun, and don't forget you have a honeymoon for that. Don't worry though you're secret is safe with me, I'll make sure if anybody asks to say that you were tired from all the planning and we'll do a raincheck.

With that you rolled over and wrapped your arms around your wife, falling peacefully back into slumber, dreaming about what would meet you when you woke up.

#regina mills x reader #ouat x reader #ouat fanfiction #wedding #engagement #regina mills

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overlordofthelollipopguild · 7 days ago

Text

Broken Souls Mend Hearts -- Chapter 97: Going Home Again

Read on AO3 or ff.net.

Chapter notes:

Warning: Character death imminent. Sorry....

So this chapter is Enchanted Forest heavy and very Emma light. I was planning on the CS reunion being chapter 100 but so much of chapter 97-99 would have to be filler and I think I've kept y'all on the hook long enough. Season 3B here we come.

Also, Rumple is taking a lot of Neal's role. I just don't like Neal or writing for him. Rumple's easier and this is canon divergent enough that it flows better for Rumple to be more active than Neal.

Also next chapter is the CS reunion.

Chapter 97: Going Home Again

They appeared near the castle, which was kind of Zelena to send them so close to home, so she definitely wasn’t heartless.

August’s own heart was racing and his mind a mess of thoughts. Zelena wasn’t completely evil; he could see it in her eyes. She wanted to open up to him, to come to their side. He wasn’t sure why she rejected his offer, but they’d been so close to convincing her. August needed to see her again and talk. If only he stood up for her after the fire; if he did, maybe they wouldn’t be on opposite sides and she’d be with him.

August swallowed. Did he want that? Be with Zelena? Did he even know her? What if everything she ever said to him was a lie? He wanted to find out for sure, but actually being with her, pursuing a relationship, was something for him to think over.

“We have to go back.” Grace said. “I don’t think she’s evil, Uncle August.” In fact, Zelena seemed wrecked over the whole situation. It was clear to Grace at least that Zelena felt something for August, and she truly was upset that they hadn’t believed her about the fire.

“I don’t think so either, Gracie.” August sighed. “But we can’t go back. She doesn’t want us there right now.” Zelena gave him a lot to think about and he needed time to process. He figured Zelena also wanted to be alone for a reason.

Grace opened her mouth to protect, but August quickly cut her off.

“You know how sometimes you’re feeling bad about something and you don’t want to talk about it?” August asked.

Grace nodded. After all, she went through her lack of contact with her friends and losing Henry. Those were some rough months.

“Well, I think Zelena is struggling with something.” August said. “I think she needs time, okay?” Struggling with being good, maybe? Or was there something else? Zelena was so close to coming back with him, but something changed her mind.

“I just don’t want to give up on her.” Grace said. Zelena was her friend and friends were supposed to be there for support. Maybe August had a point, but Grace still didn’t like it.

“Grace!” Jefferson called out, catching their attention.

Jefferson and Belle walked closer to them.

“We’ve been looking all over for you.” Jefferson said. “Where have you been?” His expression was a mixture of concern and sternness. He definitely wanted answers.

Grace looked to August at a loss as to what to say.

Great, it’s time to be a responsible adult. August thought, though he hoped Grace wouldn’t be mad at him. He wasn’t going to lie to Jefferson. “Don’t be mad, but Grace wanted to talk with Zelena, and I went with her.”

Grace winced. Okay, so no lying this time. Papa was going to be mad.

“What?” Jefferson glared. “You took my daughter to see the Wicked Witch?” What the hell was August thinking? Didn’t he have any idea how dangerous that was?

“No, Papa.” Grace said, stepping in to defend August. “I ran off and Uncle August followed. He tried to bring me home, but I wanted to get answers. Zelena was my friend.”

Jefferson regarded his daughter for a moment, before sighing. Grace struggled since their return to the Enchanted Forest, and Jefferson knew that Lena, or Zelena, really bonded with Grace and helped her get through it, but she was still evil and was plotting against them. “I understand that, but you can’t run off and confront someone with the magic she has. I’m glad August was with you, but neither of you have enough means to defend yourselves against her.”

Grace looked down at her father’s disappointed tone. “I know. I wasn’t thinking about that. I didn’t think she would attack us, and she didn’t. She sent us back here.”

Belle and Jefferson shared a look. That was interesting. At least, they were both safe, but why wouldn’t Zelena harm them?

“She just sent you back?” Belle asked. Holding them hostage would’ve been incredibly beneficial to Zelena. Grace said she hadn’t attacked them either. Belle wondered what that meant.

Jefferson was curious too, and seeing August’s contrite expression, he figured that maybe Zelena had a heart after all. He’d talk more with August later, and they’d have to discuss not letting a twelve-year-old convince him to run off to a witch’s lair. “Be that as it may, we still need to talk about your independent streak. Come on, let’s go find your mom and we’ll talk about your punishment.”

Grace pouted but understood it. She hugged August tightly. “Thanks for going with me, Uncle August.”

August returned the hug. “You can always count on me, Gracie.”

As Grace walked over to her father, Jefferson sent a look which told August that they were going to talk more later. August nodded in response. It wasn’t a lecture he was looking forward to having, but he understood. He was the adult after all.

Belle walked over to him after father and daughter headed into the castle. “How are you doing?”

August shrugged. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Belle was the one who’d been through recent trauma. What he was going through with Zelena didn’t hold a candle to that. He’d eventually deal with his own issues, but whatever Belle went through, she needed all the support she could get from them.

“I’m…doing better.” Belle said uncertain. “Slow progress, you know?” She grimaced at her words, unsure of how to discuss her own situation. Not talking about it was too much, but talking about it at all wasn’t something that she was ready for and she doubted she’d ever be ready for it.

“That’s good.” August sighed. His heart wanted to reach out to Zelena, to get her side, but his head couldn’t trust it. He wasn’t sure he could trust her, even though she hadn’t attacked them and seemed so uncertain about her own villainy. After a moment of silence between them, August voiced his thoughts. “When we went to see Zelena, it was like she didn’t want to be our enemy. Do you think she has changed? I just…I don’t want to be played again.”

Belle considered his words. It was odd that Zelena seemed so unwilling to attack August and Grace or use them for her own gain, but could it be that Zelena had a change of heart? “I don’t know, August. I wasn’t around. I do know that villains are capable of change. Look at Killian, Rumple, and Regina. They all changed for those they loved.” Rumple tried so hard for her. Even when he had his setbacks, he still attempted to be a better man. It wasn’t until his passing that she realized that three-hundred-years of being the Dark One was a hard habit to break. “Rumple even sacrificed his own life for us.”

August froze. Didn’t anyone tell Belle about Rumple? Crap. “Uh, Belle, did…did anyone tell you?” Why did it have to be him?

“Tell me what?” Belle didn’t like how August paled.

“We think Rumple is alive.” August said carefully. “He sent a note about Zelena and Regina recognized his handwriting.” He braced himself for her reaction, knowing that it wasn’t going to be a good one.

Belle’s blood froze, a chill settled over her. That wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be unless…had Neal succeeded? Had he resurrected his father? If he had, then…a price was paid. Did that mean Neal was dead?

“Belle?” August worried about the shock on her face. Great, I broke her, again.

“If Rumple is alive, then…” Belle swallowed. “Neal resurrected him, which means Neal is dead.” She shook her head. “I need to find Regina.” She hurried off, leaving a shocked August in her wake.

*****************************

David considered Snow’s words for a long moment. She told him everything Regina said about the Land Without Magic and the Dark Curse. Worse, how the Dark Curse was there only option to bring Emma and Henry home. He wasn’t sure what to think other than, of course they’d have such rotten luck.

Why did there always have to be a Curse?

“If the Curse is the only way to open up the realms,” David started. “Then someone is going to have to sacrifice themselves.” It wasn’t something they could ask anyone to do. It was their daughter who was the Savior. Could they rightfully ask Jefferson or Ruby to sacrifice each other? Aurora or Mulan? Marco or August? It wouldn’t be right.

Unfortunately, that would mean… David swallowed. He’d have to be the one.

Snow sighed. “We have to figure out who. It’s a lot to ask someone.” Though it didn’t seem fair to ask anyone to do it, but after everything their family had been through, she didn’t want to lose David. Was that selfish? Absolutely, but she’d had enough loss for a lifetime. Emma grew up without them, they missed out on raising Emma, but Snow would not allow this baby to miss either their mother, father, or sister. Their family would be whole.

David paused, knowing he needed to broach this carefully. “Snow,” He started, kneeling in front of where she sat in an armchair. “We can’t ask anyone to make such a choice for us.” He hated it; hated the very idea of dying. But they needed Emma. They needed her a lot more than they needed him.

“No.” Snow shook her head. “I’m not going to crush your heart.” She wouldn’t, couldn’t, do it. “Our baby, Emma, Henry, Liam, and Killian need you. I need you. We missed out raising Emma and our family being together. I won’t have our next child missing out on anything.” Snow pushed herself up out of the chair, slowly, but she got to her feet and walked away from David. Her feet carried her to the open window. A hot breeze blew in, the August heat would normally be stifling if the castle wasn’t always so cold.

There was a silence before David walked over to her side. “We can’t ask our friends to make this kind of sacrifice. I know it’s not fair to us, but it wouldn’t be fair to them either.” David said. “I know we’ve been through it, the Curse, losing Emma twice, losing Henry, you losing your parents when you were so young, everything Regina put us through, it’s been so much. But we’ve also been so lucky to have our epic love story, and two children and grandchildren. We’re well ahead of everyone else we know. Shouldn’t they be able to have those opportunities?”

Snow sighed, tears forming in her eyes. Though he had good points, sometimes Snow hated how noble her husband was, even if it was also one of the traits she loved the most about him. “Well, I know where Emma gets her selflessness from.” She shook her head. “Why is it always us, Charming?” Why did it have to be again?

“I wish I had an answer for that.” David wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as her tears fell, hating himself for making her cry.

“I don’t know if I can do this.” Snow sniffed. “Crushing your heart would be like killing myself.”

David held tightly, not sure how to comfort her. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to be there for their baby, wanted to reunite with Emma and Henry, wanted to see their child and Liam grow up together, but this was their path. They couldn’t let anyone else cast the curse, no matter how unfair it was to them. “I know.”

Snow cried into his chest as their decision was made.

*****************************

“Regina.”

Regina winced hearing Robin call out to her. They hadn’t talked since he kissed her, which was by Regina’s design. She refused to be alone with him again.

It wasn’t a bad kiss; in fact, it was incredible. It awoke long dormant feelings that scared the shit out of her. Regina knew she was undeserving of love and Robin, and Roland for that matter, deserved better than her. She didn’t want Robin to get ideas.

“Regina, hey.” Robin caught up with her.

Surely he wouldn’t want to discuss this while they were walking down the hallway where anyway could hear their conversation. “Hi, Robin.” Regina greeted, keeping her eyes forward. What excuse could she come up with to avoid him? “I was just on my way to gather ingredients.” Not entirely a lie.

“Could we talk a moment?” Robin implored, his expression pleading.

“I really should…” Regina stopped herself. What could it hurt to hear him out? So long as she shot him down, then they could put their kiss behind them. “All right,” she stopped and turned to face him. “What is it?”

Robin felt triumph. He knew she’d been avoiding him since their kiss; he’d take the small victories. “I wanted to talk.”

Regina’s lips twitched. “Yes, you mentioned that.”

“About our kiss…” Robin started. Come on, Locksley, be brave. He took a breath and spoke his truth. “I just wanted to tell you that it meant more to me than just being a kiss.”

Her heart skipped. What exactly did he mean by that? Regina shook her head. “It can’t be more than just a kiss.” She couldn’t let him think there were feelings there. There were, of course, and Regina knew she’d come a long way after all these months back in the Enchanted Forest, but there were people who still feared her or suspected the worst. She didn’t want Robin and Roland affected by her reputation.

“Why not?” Robin asked. “Don’t tell me you don’t feel the same as I do. I know you do.” Robin stepped closer to her.

Regina sighed. “Robin, I just don’t think us being together is a good idea.” How could she convince him that she was bad for him?

“I think you’re just trying to protect yourself.” Robin said. “You’ve shut away your own heart for so long, you’re afraid to trust someone else with it.”

Oof. Well, he was hitting the nail on the head. Regina truly did want to protect Robin and Roland from her reputation, but was that all? After Daniel, when Tink came to her to help her find her True Love, Regina let her anger, grief, and fear rule her decisions. She lived in her bitter emotions for so long. She remembered standing outside the tavern, seeing the lion tattoo, her heart in her throat, thinking how could her True Love ever love her?

She tried to earn her mother’s love, only receiving cruelty. She tried to be a good wife to Leopold, only to be ignored. Even Snow, while kind, was more often with her father. Regina was all alone.

Her father showed her what love he could, though he cowered to her mother’s power. Daniel showed her love and a taste of freedom, but her mother proved that love was a weakness and it certainly wasn’t meant to last.

How could she explain all of that to Robin? As much as she felt for him too, what would happen if her True Love ever showed up again? She couldn’t hurt Robin like that. What if Marian hadn’t been Robin’s True Love? What if someone better was out there for him?

“I’m poison, Robin.” Regina sighed. “I destroy everything I touch. I ruined Henry’s life, my first love died because of me, I took away everyone’s happy endings…”

“You’re not that person anymore.” Robin said, hands coming to her forearms, gently pulling her to him. “You’ve changed for the better. You’ve worked so hard. Don’t let your past decide your future.”

Regina looked down at her feet, shaking her head. “You might believe that, but not everyone else is as kind.” As her eyes moved up to look at him, they caught sight of something on Robin’s wrist. Regina turned her head slightly to get a better look and froze.

On Robin’s wrist was the same lion tattoo of her True Love. Her soulmate. In the exact same place.

How many people in the Enchanted Forest had that lion tattoo?

Regina swallowed, finding her voice. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo.”

A little confused about the abrupt change of subject, Robin looked at his tattoo. “Yes, it’s a simplified version of the Locksley family crest. A reminder of where I come from and why I left my titles and noble life behind.”

His family crest? Regina took a step back, Robin’s hands dropping from her. If it was his family crest, it was very unlikely anyone else had the same tattoo, which meant… Her heart raced.

Robin was her True Love.

Holy shit.

“Regina!” Belle ran towards her, thankfully interrupting any further conversation with Robin.

Shaking away her shock, Regina turned to her best friend. “Belle, what’s wrong?”

“August just told me that Rumple might be alive.” Belle was a bit out of breath, red-faced from running.

Regina grimaced. “After everything you’ve been through, I was hoping to prove Rumple was alive for certain before telling you. I mean, he sent a note and I believe it was his handwriting, but that’s not foolproof evidence.”

“Neal planned to resurrect his father.” Belle said. “We haven’t heard from Neal since he left for his father’s castle. I can only assume that if Rumple is alive…”

Regina’s expression turned grim. “Then Neal must’ve succeeded.”

“What does that mean?” Robin asked. “Is Neal all right?” Though he didn’t really care for Neal after the stunts the man pulled in Neverland, but he didn’t wish ill on the man…okay, he didn’t wish death on the man. If Neal paid a price for magic, then perhaps he deserved it.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think so.” Regina admitted. “Resurrection magic is dark magic. The darkest and most impossible magic. If Neal succeeded then the price was very likely his own life.”

Her words only distressed Belle. “I should’ve stopped him.” Tears came to her eyes.

“Belle, Neal made his choice.” Regina put her arm comfortingly around her friend. “Neal was a grown man. If he wanted his father back, I doubt you could’ve stopped him.”

“Regina’s right.” Robin reassured. “Neal’s choices were his own.” Damn him for making Belle feel at fault. After everything the poor woman suffered, she didn’t need unnecessary guilt on her conscience.

Belle wanted to take comfort in her friends’ reassurances, but she couldn’t help putting the blame on herself. She was with Neal. She should’ve stopped him. That was on her.

“Hey, stop thinking like that.” Regina saw the guilt weighing Belle down. “You couldn’t stop him, okay?” Wanting to distract Belle from thoughts of Neal, Regina changed the subject. “Come on, I need some ingredients for the Curse. Some help would be nice.”

Belle reluctantly nodded, still lost in her thoughts.

Regina turned to Robin. “We’ll talk later.”

As the women walked away, Robin sensed that later wasn’t going to come unless he kept confronting her. Though should he? Should he keep pursuing her or give her time? His heart told him to go after what he wanted, but he didn’t want to pressure her. Regina was a one of a kind woman and he didn’t want to push her away by wanting more than she was ready for; perhaps patience was the best course of action. He could be patient for her.

He only hoped that he wouldn’t have to wait too much longer.

*****************************

“Hey.” Jefferson appeared at his side.

August winced. Time for that talk then. “Hey, look, I know I should’ve been the responsible adult and brought Grace back, but…”

“But you wanted answers.” Jefferson said. He understood that much. August felt something for Zelena and her betrayal stung. While he was mad, after a long talk with Grace and Ruby, in which it was agreed that Grace was grounded for a month, meaning helping Granny with any and all chores, Jefferson came to understand how affected Grace was by Zelena's ruse. August's moping clued him in to how much it bothered his friend. At least August was sorry for being an idiot. Jefferson couldn't fault him for wanting to see Zelena and find out the truth. “I get that. You really like her, don’t you?”

“I’m not sure.” August admitted. “I liked Lena, I liked her a lot and thought...but I don’t know how real Lena was, or if everything was a lie.” He turned towards Jefferson, quickly changing the subject, not wanting to lament his love life. "I still shouldn't have gone along with Grace. I wanted to drag her back to the castle." He would never let Grace walk all over him again...he hoped.

"You shouldn't have." Jefferson agreed. "But I'm learning my daughter is a strong-willed, independent girl. I'm already terrified of what the teenage years will bring if the preteen ones are this difficult." He shuddered slightly at the idea. Grace was going to make him go grey before he reached his forties. "To be honest, I'm glad you found her. Even though you don't have magic, you being with her was better than her being alone." Jefferson crossed his arms over his chest, a stern expression in place. "That being said, if Grace ever attempts something like this again..."

"I will take her to you, Ruby, or Granny kicking and screaming even if she hates me for it." August nodded in agreement. "Mostly because I don't want to be werewolf chow."

Jefferson smirked. "Good man." He relaxed his stance and patted August on the back. "Now let's talk about Zelena." His friend wasn't getting out of this talk that easy.

August grimaced. What was there to talk about? Zelena lied and August was confused as hell over it.

"Come on, man." Jefferson said. "You can't keep moping. Talk it out, and let's figure out what you want to do." After a pause, Jefferson added, "Don't make me get Killian involved."

"You're going to rat to my brother?" August huffed. "What are you going to do? Get Regina to magic him back here from his mission to reunite with his soulmate to solve his brother's small problems?"

"Maybe." Jefferson said. "He's good at advice, particularly with love. I'm lucky I managed to get Ruby's attention." Jefferson leaned against the window frame. "I mean would you rather me get David? He's more accessible, but he's more..."

"True Love must be fought for?" August sighed. "Killian would probably tell me to figure out if I want to find out if Zelena wasn't entirely lying. If she was, forget her, lean on your family for support. If she wasn't, and she feels something for me, then..."

"A man unwilling to fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets." Jefferson quoted, hearing that phrase many a time during intense pool matches at The Rabbit Hole. Really, he said it often enough, Jefferson figured they needed to make t-shirts and sell them. Not a bad idea for extra cash. Maybe after the next Curse, he could start a graphic tee business with all of his friends' annoying quotes. "Well, I guess you need to figure out if it's True Love or not before you pick which advice to follow."

August looked out the window, wondering the best course of action. When he and Grace confronted Zelena though, he could've sworn that she wasn't acting. "Zelena said that maybe she was playing us at first. I think it became real for her at some point." His heart hoped it was real for her. He really liked her and before the fire, he was going to ask to court her. He wanted so badly to see her again.

"Then fight for her." Jefferson said. "At least if you convince her to be with you, then we won't have to worry about casting the Dark Curse and getting Emma back to defeat her."

"Ah, so that's why your pro-Zelena?" August joked. "Love conquers all, even wickedness?"

"I wouldn't say that." Jefferson shrugged. "But hey, Regina changed her stripes. Rumplestiltskin pulled a heroic sacrifice, though he's back now. Hook is one of the biggest heroes around. Villains can change. Though it also would be nice to not have one of our friends die for the Curse."

August nodded. "Did anyone volunteer?"

Jefferson sighed. "Not yet, but the meeting is in a couple of hours. I'm sure someone will and we can argue with them all we want, but if Zelena still plans to act against us, then what choice do we have?" He stood straighter. "I'm going to leave you to brood. Though careful about how much you do that, otherwise your really will start looking like Killian."

"Killian doesn't own the trademark on brooding." August huffed, though he couldn't help a small smile appearing on his face.

"Ha, right." Jefferson said. "Tell him that. You two really are brothers." He shook his head, walking away, leaving August to his thoughts.

August wondered about Jefferson's words. Could he really convince Zelena to side with them? Could he be the one to stop her and save someone's life in the process?

It was quite a burden to carry, and August wondered if Emma felt like this when acting as the Savior. It wasn't fair to do all of this just to bring her back because of her destiny. It should be done to bring her back to their family. To bring back just Emma and Henry, not the Savior.

August needed to figure out what to do and fast.

*****************************

Zelena kept replaying August’s words over and over. Had he meant it? Did he really want her side of the story? He said he wanted another chance, but did he mean he wanted to be her friend or something more? Her heart fluttered at the thought. Did he feel something for her?

She scoffed at her own thoughts. Why would he want something more? He couldn't feel more than possibly friendship for her. She was the Wicked Witch, which meant she was entirely unlovable. Her adopted father hated her, Cora abandoned her, Regina rejected her. No one loved her. It didn't matter that she loved August, he could only ever see her as a villain.

Zelena froze mid-stride, almost losing her footing, her entire being jolting as if struck by lightning. Did she just think that? She loved August? No, no, she couldn't possibly...

Her heart raced at the thought. Did she love him? Thinking about him sent butterflies dancing in her stomach. He made her smile and laugh so much when they'd spend time together. But love? Was that love? Zelena smiled widely. She did love him. She loved August Booth. Pure giddiness filled her being. She was in love. Oh, this is why love was so wanted. It felt so good.

Crap. Zelena shook herself. What was she doing? She was the Wicked Witch. She terrorized Oz for years. She...oh who was she kidding. Being Lena was the happiest she'd ever been, and part of that was due to the friendships she made and the man she loved.

What was she still doing here?

Zelena turned around, determined to leave this castle and go to August, only to come face to face with King George. Scowling, Zelena crossed her arms. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to deliver news." George said, looking none too happy. Whether it was because of his news or Zelena, she didn't know. "The heroes think that only the Savior can stop you." He watched her reaction carefully.

"So what?" Zelena shrugged. "The Savior is in the Land Without Magic. There isn't a portal they can use to get to her." Though she figured eventually they'd figure out that getting to the Land Without Magic via Neverland was a workaround, but they'd need a pegasus sail without Pan's shadow and fairy dust was dying out, so she doubted the fairies would offer it.

"They plan on casting the Dark Curse." George said. Her lack of concern irritated him. He knew she was weak; why did no one understand that love was a weakness and power was all that mattered? He was glad he planned for this. After seeing her interactions with the puppet and the Mad Hatter's brat, George just knew that Zelena would be too weak to aid him further. It was time to get her out of the way. "They want to return everyone to Storybrooke. We can use this to our advantage."

"Oh, you think so?" Zelena arched a brow. Just what was he playing at?

“If we intercept the Dark Curse, we could make it our own.” George said, ignoring the shadowed figured moving silently behind her. “You and I can have all of the power.”

“You’d share power?” Zelena asked, unconvinced. “Please, you and I both know you’ve been using me for my magic and to get to the Dark One. You’re a pathetic, bitter old man, who can’t get over losing your throne.”

George reined in his temper. How dare this witch speak to him that way? He was and will always be a King. “All I need from you is to alter the Curse. Let them do the work, but change it so that we're in charge of the town and they are nothing more than our slaves.” Nottingham needed to hurry. He didn't want Zelena to realize the ambush.

“No.” Zelena said. “In fact, I think you’ve been enough of a thorn in…” Something hard hit her head and Zelena fell to the ground, unconscious.

Nottingham dropped the scepter he found lying around. “Now what?”

George held his tongue of criticism. He didn't need Nottingham going against him too. George smirked. “Now, we find the Dark One dagger.”

*****************************

David entered the Council room, gripping Snow’s hand. He didn’t want to do this; he didn’t want to die. However, he couldn’t in good conscience let anyone else make the necessary sacrifice. Even if it meant never meeting his second born, or seeing Emma, Henry, Killian, and Liam again. Leaving Snow alone to raise their child made him sick to his stomach, but he knew she’d have the support she’d need.

He just missed out on so much already. He wasn’t ready to die.

Everyone was sitting, waiting for him and Snow to join, all ready to discuss the plan. He pulled Snow’s chair out for her. He looked around at his friends, his family.

Jefferson and Ruby sat across from him, ready to draw up battle plans if necessary. He adored his dearest friends and hoped they would back his decision.

Next to Ruby, Granny looked both stern and worried. Marco was next to her, his expression contemplative. Both were the supportive parental figures they all needed as most of them were orphans just trying to figure out their lives.

Then there was August, who David couldn’t help but grow to like as August did all he could to make up for leaving Emma.

Regina was grim yet determined. Her turn around truly amazed David and he was so proud of her.

Mulan was stoic as ever, though she glanced worriedly at Aurora, who appeared exhausted and rather frail. They helped everyone so much, opening their homes to refugees, even though it resulted in them losing so much.

Robin, who’d become such a good friend and counsel with Killian away, looking ready to follow orders.

Belle, who’d been through so much, but who was still determined to give her aid.

David took a breath and started. “So we all know that we need Emma to stop Zelena and that means casting another Dark Curse…”

“No.” Ruby interrupted. “You are not sacrificing yourself.” Her green eyes pierced him. There was no way she was letting David be a self-sacrificing hero.

Damn her for knowing him so well. “Yes, I am.”

“Oh great, you’re being noble.” Jefferson groaned. “Someone go get Killian to knock some sense into him.” Though Killian would probably yell first and then punch David. Jefferson seriously considered punching David if it meant knocking out the self-sacrificing part of his personality.

Regina was sorely tempted to do just that, but first, maybe they could convince David without resorting to Killian. “David, there’s no way we can let you do this.”

“Who else can?” David snapped. “I’m not going to ask any of you to sacrifice yourselves or your loved ones.”

“You shouldn’t assume you’re the only one willing to make that sacrifice.” Regina huffed. “I would if I was the person someone loved the most, but I don’t have anyone. You have a baby on the way and how do you think Emma would feel about you dying just for her to be able to come home?”

“She’s right.” Ruby said. “David, you’re an important part of this family. We can’t lose you. We can figure this out together.”

“I don’t want anyone else to die for us.” David said. Why couldn't they just let this go? He'd made his decision.

Snow, unusually quiet today, spoke up. “David, they’re right. This should be a family decision. Jefferson also has a point. We should tell Killian what’s going on.” Snow knew Killian was probably still angry with her, but he’d come home for this. She knew he would, and he wouldn’t let David sacrifice himself either.

“Someone still needs to die for the Curse to work.” David protested. “Who else would be willing?”

“Me.” Marco spoke up, surprising everyone.

“Papa…” August started, but Marco cut him off.

“No.” Marco stood, shoulders set. “I have lived a long life. I’ve raised my sons. I’ve had grandchildren. I found love.” He looked to Granny then, taking her hand in his. His eyes moved back to David. “It’s my fault that Emma grew up alone. I’m to blame for that. Let me do this for our family.”

Everyone sat silent, considering his words.

David felt gratitude and relief for Marco’s offer, but could he really let him die?

“Papa, are you really sure about this?” August asked, quietly, tears in his eyes.

“I am.” Marco said. “I will die a lot sooner than any of you anyway. To die for my family, so they can be reunited? There is no better death than that.”

“I’ll do it.” Granny said, saddened by Marco’s impending death, but pride for the man she loved shining in her eyes.

Marco squeezed her hand tightly, knowing she was doing it, not just for him, but to save August from the pain and guilt of killing his father.

“Marco,” David choked. “Thank you.” Because what else was there to say? Marco was giving his life so that David could live and be with his family.

Marco nodded. “There is no need for thanks. I’m happy to do it.” He sighed deeply. “I only want to see Killian and Liam one last time.”

Regina stood, her own eyes wet. “I’ll go get them. Killian needs to know what’s happening anyway.” With that, she teleported away.

“Now that it is settled,” Granny spoke, her voice thick with grief. “We need to prepare everyone to return to Storybrooke.”

*****************************

Killian gathered his crew, his family really, on the deck of the Jolly Roger.

Eric leaned against a barrel with Ariel in his arms. Alice and Tink sat on crates, Liam sitting between them, the eight-month-old happily playing with his aunts’ hands. Will and Blackbeard stood by the mast, both eyeing Killian with worry and curiosity.

He internally laughed at how much father and son looked alike in that moment.

“So fearless leader, why are we having a family meeting?” Will asked.

Killian chuckled at the title. "Well, to be honest, I think it's time to go home." He sighed. "I'm not giving up, but I was thinking over it last night. We haven't been back to visit the family, and perhaps consulting with Regina might give us fresh insights." More than that, he knew something was coming. Anticipation buzzed in his veins.

"Are you sure, brother?" Blackbeard asked. "They might not let us go off again."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take." Killian said. "Besides, I still feel like something is happening. I think they have answers." He couldn't explain it, but his gut knew that this was the right decision.

Blackbeard narrowed his eyes, still not entirely convinced Killian's powers weren't trying to break through. He needed to ask Killian if he ever died and was resuscitated. Then he'd know if the binding was still mostly intact or not.

"It might be good for us to take a bit of a break." Tink said. "After eight months of traveling, it will be good to stay in place for a little while."

Purple smoke startled everyone as Regina appeared.

"Regina!" Killian yelped in surprise.

Regina smiled brightly, hugging her friend. "It's so good to see you, Killian." She pulled away, taking in the others. "It's good to see all of you."

"You have perfect timing." Alice said. "We were just headed back to the Enchanted Forest."

"You were?" Regina asked, shocked. Did they know about the Curse? No, they just now made a decision about the Curse. There was no way they'd know already. Her dark eyes looked to Killian for an answer.

Killian shrugged. "I just had a feeling something was happening. That it was time to come home."

Regina scrutinized him, wondering, not for the first time, if the pirate was precognitive on some level. "You're not wrong." Taking a breath, she prepared herself for the negative reaction she was about to get telling Killian her news. "We have a way to get to the Land Without Magic."

"You do?" Alice asked. "When did you figure it out?"

Seeing Regina wince, Killian's blood ran cold. There was only one option that he knew for sure, and Regina's reaction told him all he needed to know. "No."

Perceptive pirate. Regina sighed. "It's the only way."

"No." Killian snapped. "I'm not letting anyone die."

"That's not your choice." Regina crossed her arms, prepared to stand off against him. "We're casting the Curse. Then magic will be back in the Land Without Magic, and you can get Emma and Henry."

"Wait, hold on," Tink spoke up. "The Dark Curse? The one where you have to kill the person you love most? That Curse?"

"As I explained to the others," Regina began. "It's not called the Land Without Magic because there isn’t magic, there's just not enough there to make it accessible. The whole reason the Curse was created was for Rumple to bring over magic so he could remain the Dark One. Casting the Curse will weaken the barriers of the realm, and since you have Ariel here, she could open a portal to the Land Without Magic."

"So the Dark Curse gets cast," Ariel started. "Storybrooke and magic would return to the realm. If you teleported me and Killian far enough away, once the Curse is cast, then I can get us to the Land Without Magic, no problem."

Killian still didn't like the idea. "Who's volunteered to die for this cause?"

Regina grimaced. "Look, let me transport everyone to the castle and we can finalize plans. Then, like Ariel said, I can teleport the two of you away from the range of the Curse. If you get caught up in it, you won't be able to leave Storybrooke to find Emma and Henry."

"Regina, who's dying?" Killian demanded. "David's not being a noble idiot again, is he?"

"He tried." Regina admitted with a watery chuckle. Killian knew his best friend so well. “But no, David isn’t pulling the noble sacrifice card. We wouldn't let him."

“Okay, let’s get back to the castle then.” Tink said. “We can debate and argue over the details when we’re there.”

Killian wasn’t happy about Regina withholding details and being rather shifty about the plan, but Tink was right. They needed to get back home. The sooner they did then the sooner they’d figure out whether or not the Curse was worth it, and then he’d find a way back to Emma and Henry.

*****************************

While he wasn’t too happy about George and Nottingham roaming his castle, Rumple had work to do. The memory potion for Miss Swan was almost ready and he needed to send it off before George and Nottingham discovered his whereabouts.

Having overheard George’s plan, Rumple only hoped that the heroes would cast the Curse before George could find the dagger or worse: find the dagger and control Rumple into altering the Curse.

When he defeated his father and sacrificed himself, Rumple was at peace with his decision and knew Belle and Neal had a support system to get them through their grief.

His sacrifice felt like an apology to Neal for everything that he did as the Dark One. More than that, death freed him from the Darkness. He never imagined his son would go as far as to resurrect him considering they never truly resolved all of their issues. Even now with Neal in his head, it was only a matter of time before one of them took control permanently. There couldn’t be two of them. Resurrection magic came with a price and that price would be the death of one of them. He just had to figure out how to make it so Neal lived and he died.

But that would be for another time. The memory potion was ready.

Rumple worked quickly to bottle the potion and hide evidence of his actions before heading to a window and summoning a bird. Of course it was a messenger pigeon. Rumple quickly wrote a note explaining what the potion was for and tied it to the pigeon’s leg. “Take this to Killian Jones.”

As the bird flew off, Rumple felt a pull in his gut. The Dark One dagger had been found. Answering the summons, Rumple disappeared in a puff of scarlet smoke and reappeared in another room of the castle in front of King George and Nottingham.

The dagger was in George’s hand.

George smirked. “Hello, Dark One. I have a job for you.”

*****************************

Regina first teleported all of them and the Jolly close enough to her castle so that the Jolly would get caught up in the Curse. She knew how important it was for Killian and his family to keep the ship. After that, they teleported to the castle, appearing in the war council room where only David and Snow awaited them.

“Killian!” David beamed at the sight of his best friend and quickly moved to embrace him.

“What are we?” Will whined. “Chopped liver?”

“Hello to you too, Will.” David said as he pulled away from Killian.

“He’s just sore because everyone likes me best.” Killian chuckled. As David hugged and greeted most of the others, Killian walked over to where a very heavily pregnant Snow sat. “I see that congratulations are in order.”

Snow’s smile fell, and she immediately bursted into tears. “Oh Killian, I’m so sorry. I was so horrible to you and you didn’t deserve it. I’m sorry.”

Startled at his friend’s tearful outburst, Killian sat next to her and took her hand in his. “It’s all right, Snow. Emotions were still running high.”

“No, it’s not.” Snow sniffled. “There is no excuse for how I acted and the words that I said.”

“Would it make you feel any better if I was still angry?” Killian asked. “Or if I said I didn’t forgive you?”

“No.” Snow wiped away her tears.

“Exactly.” Killian squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Let’s just leave it all in the past. Fair?”

“Okay.” Snow sniffed a final time before throwing her arms around him. “We’ve missed you so much.”

David walked over with little Liam in his arms. “Look how big he’s gotten. Is he crawling yet?”

“Oh all over the ship.” Killian grinned. “Teleporting too. Likes to give us a scare from time to time doing that.” His eyes lit up with pride taking in his son.

“He looks so much like you.” Snow reached up to brush Liam’s hair away from his face.

“Aye, but most of his expressions are pure Emma.” Killian said. “Particularly when he’s mad.”

David laughed at that, knowing the exact expressions Killian meant.

“I know this reunion is overdue, but we have a Curse to cast.” Regina spoke up. “I’m going to get started.” She gave David a significant look as she left.

David winced. Why did he have a feeling Regina didn’t tell them who was sacrificing themselves? How kind of her to leave the hard part to him…

“So who’s the ritualistic human sacrifice?” Will asked.

Alice smacked him on the shoulder. “Will, really?”

Will shrugged as if to say that his description was rather accurate.

“Uh, yeah, about that.” David grimaced. He turned to Killian. “Look, I was going to do it, but everyone was against it…”

“Rightfully so.” Tink said. “You have a baby on the way, and a full life to live.”

“I know.” David said. “I was trying to be noble. I didn’t think it was right to ask anyone else to make this kind of sacrifice.” He sighed. He really thought his sacrifice would be for the better until everyone set him straight. Marco made his points clear as well.

“So who’s is?” Alice asked.

Snow squeezed Killian’s hand again. “Marco.”

Killian whipped his head towards her. “What?” He couldn’t have heard that correctly. Not Marco. No, Pop needed to be around to watch Henry and Liam grow up. He needed to see Killian and Emma get married. What about August? Marco needed to be here for his milestones too.

“That’s why Regina went to get you.” David gave Liam to his father. “Marco wants to say goodbye to you and Liam. He and August are in the garden.”

Killian sat there a moment, stunned by the news. “Wait, hold on. There’s still got to be another way. The Dark Curse can’t be our only option.”

“We’ve already been over this with Regina.” David said, giving Killian’s shoulder a comforting squeeze. “Regina consulted with Blue. The Curse is all we have, Killian. It’s our only chance to reunite with Emma and Henry. Marco wants to be the one to do this for our family.”

“Go say goodbye.” Snow urged softly.

Killian swallowed, not sure what else to say. He got up and glanced at the rest of his family. None of them knew Marco as well as he had, but their sympathy for him and the situation was clear on their faces. He looked away, not able to stand it, before he left the war room with Liam in his arms.

The garden was in bloom despite the August heat. Killian found his father and brother sitting on a stone bench across from a black marble fountain. He approached quietly as Marco and August were deep in conversation. August clearly upset o er whatever his father was saying kept shaking his head.

“Papa, give me a chance to go to Zelena." August said. "Maybe I can get her on our side."

"If you can't?" Marco argued. "Besides, this is the only way to get Emma and Henry back."

August ran a frustrated hair through his hand. "Then let someone else do this. I know why you want to do this, but can’t you reconsider?” August pleaded.

“No.” Marco’s tone was resolute. “This is my choice. You won’t change my mind.”

“Could I?” Killian asked, surprising the two men.

“Killy!” Marco stood up and pulled Killian, Liam still in his arms, into a hug. “My boy, it is so good to see you. Welcome home.”

“Hi, Pop.” Killian returned the hug as best he could with the baby.

Marco pulled back and took in little Liam. “Look at how big you’ve gotten, little one.” Carefully, he took the baby in his arms. “Oh, you’re a heavy one now, aren’t you?” He tickled the baby’s tummy earning a giggle from Liam, who wriggled in his hold.

“Pop, can we talk about this?” Killian asked. “Why do you want to die?”

“Killy, I have lived a full life.” Marco said. “Fuller than most. Everyone else here still have long lives ahead of them. It would be unfair for any of them to die instead. As I told everyone, it isn’t just about that, but I feel it is necessary to make up for past mistakes.”

“Past mistakes?” Killian asked, but the answer came quickly enough. “You mean Emma? Pop, Emma forgave you for that.”

“That’s what I told him.” August said. “He’s not listening to reason.”

“I haven’t forgiven myself.” Marco said simply. “Killian, I love you and August. I love all of our family. Did I want to see you boys married and raising your families? Yes, I did. But for you, Killian, it won’t happen unless I do this. Please, let me do this for our family.”

Killian swallowed, pushing back tears. He looked to August, who appeared as defeated as Killian felt. “There’s nothing we can say to change your mind?”

"You can't be serious." August stood and began pacing the garden. "We can find another way to Emma and Henry. I know if I get a chance to talk to Zelena, she'll come to our side. Then we can all scour the realms until we find another way."

"You heard Regina." Marco said. "There is no other way. Even if we tried to look, Henry and Liam could be grown. I am an old man. My time will come soon enough." Marco patted Liam's little head as the baby watched his uncle pace. “Now, let me say goodbye to you boys properly, yeah?”

Breathing shakily, Killian nodded. “Okay.”

August reluctantly agreed as well, tears falling down his cheeks. "Okay, Papa."

Marco knew they would grieve, knew he’d miss out on so much, but he was at peace with his decision. To die was only the next adventure after all.

*****************************

Her head pounded as she came to awareness. Zelena slowly opened her eyes, finding herself facing metal bars. She pushed herself up finding that she was in a cage of some sort. She remembered George speaking with her then...someone hit her from behind.

“You’ve got us into a bind, dearie.” Rumple said from behind her.

Turning, Zelena found the Dark One scowling at her. “What happened?”

“King George and his crony Nottingham happened.” Rumple said. He was leaning against a table covered in gold straw. “They knocked you out and found my dagger.” His teeth clenched in a snarl. “I’m under his control now.”

Zelena swallowed back her fear. “Does that mean you’ll kill me now?” She needed to get out of here. Her magic reached out to unlock the cage, only to bounce off of more powerful magic.

“No.” Rumple said. “Luckily for us both, George thinks you’ll be useful as a hostage.” Rumple walked closer to the cage. “Your magic won’t work either. He ordered me to create a cage that you couldn’t magic your way out of, so that he could keep you in his possession.” He leaned down to whisper. “But this could work in our favor. You figure a way out without magic, get my dagger, and then we can kill George.” Rumple’s teeth baring grin held mania behind it.

“You’re more sane for the moment.” Zelena said. “Or have you been playing me this entire time?” She wondered about his outbursts and why he was so calm now.

“I can silence my son when needed.” Rumple said. “He’s asleep for now. No doubt he’ll wake up soon enough.” Though Rumple knew the real reason. The Darkness and past Dark Ones didn’t like his son holding him back. They wanted to expel Neal and get back to full power. Rumple silenced him as much as he could to protect him. He needed to figure out how to save Neal before the Dark Ones grew even more impatient.

Zelena couldn’t tell if Rumple was lying or not. She’d take him at his word for now. “How am I supposed to escape?”

“That’s for you to figure out.” Rumple snapped. He stiffened. Anger flashed in his amber eyes. If Zelena hid the dagger better, they wouldn’t be in this situation. “I’m being summoned.”

Once left alone, Zelena turned her focus to the cage. She couldn’t use magic to get out, but he didn’t say anything about picking the lock. Though Zelena didn’t know how to pick locks, it couldn’t be that hard, could it?

Combing through her hair for a hairpin, Zelena decided the sooner she escaped, the better.

*****************************

The Curse was ready.

Regina teleported Killian and Ariel to the Southern Isles, where they’d be out of range of the Curse, but still able to keep an eye on the Enchanted Forest’s coast.

Most everyone else was somewhere in the castle hunkering down. Only David, Granny, Ruby, Jefferson, Marco, and August elected to stay in the room. August wanted to be with his father as he died, especially since Killian couldn’t be, and Ruby and Jefferson stayed to support Granny. David stayed for support as well, but he was ready for a fight in case Zelena or Rumple showed up.

“Okay, it’s time.” Regina said. She beckoned Marco and Granny over to the cauldron. “I’m sorry for this.” She genuinely felt horrible for Marco’s fate, but this was the only way.

“It’s all right.” Marco assured with a sad smile.

Regina reached out, hand plunging into his chest, and pulled out his red, beating heart. Gingerly, she gave the heart to Granny. “All you have to do is squeeze it over the cauldron until it turns to ash. Once the ashes fall in, then the Curse is enacted.”

Granny nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She walked over to the cauldron, Marco at her side. August and Ruby joined them. August put an arm around his father, ready to catch him when he fell. Ruby stayed by Granny’s side.

Granny looked into Marco’s eyes, and with a final nod from him, she held his heart over the cauldron and squeezed.

Marco gasped at the pain, staggering a bit as August held him firmly.

Granny closed her eyes, unable to watch, squeezing harder, hoping for it to work faster to end Marco’s suffering.

As Marco’s knees gave out, August helped lower his father to the floor, holding him tightly. Marco whispered a final “I love you” as his heart turned to ashes.

August hugged his father to him as Marco took his last breath.

A sob escaped August, unable to hold it in now that his father was gone.

Once all of the ashes fell into the potion, purple smoke seeped out of the cauldron. As the smoke creeped along, Granny, with Ruby right behind her, went to August’s side. Granny hugged August, who refused to let his father go, his body wracked with sobs.

Regina stood off to the side with Jefferson and David, all of them tearful.

“How long will the Curse take?” Jefferson asked quietly, turning away from the grieving family. He hoped they’d be taken soon so that Marco could have a proper funeral.

“It will take some time.” Regina said. “It’s not a fast curse, so we should be in Storybrooke by morning.”

“Do you think Zelena or Rumple will interfere?” David asked.

“Even if they did, I spelled the cauldron to only respond to my magic.” Regina said. It was foresight on her part, sensing that either or both would want to manipulate the Curse in Zelena’s favor. That is, if her sister still held possession of the Dark One dagger. Her sister. Perhaps if she received the news better that she had a long lost sister, then they wouldn’t need the Savior and Marco would be alive. Then again, they’d likely never seen Emma and Henry again, and a very selfish part of Regina was glad for the Curse. She’d get her son and a woman she considered family back. As horrible as it was, in the long run, this truly was best for everyone And Marco’s sacrifice would be remembered.

“Will the spell hold against them?” David knew Regina was a powerful witch, but Zelena and Rumple were more powerful. It wouldn’t surprise him if they broke through it.

Regina’s silence was telling. “Let’s hope not.”

“Hope not what, dearies?” Rumple’s high-pitched voice startled them. The imp appeared out of the smoke. “That I won’t change your Curse?”

“Rumple.” Regina stepped forward. “I know you’re under her control…”

“Not hers.” Rumple said. “Someone else controls me now.” He grinned without humor. “Unfortunately, I’ve been ordered not to say.” He waved his hand, magically tossing Regina back into Jefferson and David, knocking all of them to the stone floor.

“You bastard!” Ruby snarled, pouncing for the Dark One, only to be pushed back with his magic, disappearing into the smoke of the Curse.

Granny screamed out Ruby’s name, rushing to her granddaughter.

August couldn’t see through the smoke as he sat clutching his father’s body, though the tears didn’t help his vision any.

Regina used the smoke as cover to get behind Rumple. Lightly twirling her hand, she knew a vial of squid ink appeared in David’s hand. “Rumple, you don’t have to do this.”

“On the contrary,” Rumple snarled. “I have my orders.”

Calling upon her magic, Regina threw her hands out, pushing Rumple into the far wall, away from the cauldron. “Fight it, damn you! You know if you alter the Curse, there’s no Savior to break it.”

“True Love abounds now.” Rumple said, hiding in the smoke. “Plenty of givers and receivers of True Love’s Kiss.” He came up behind Regina. “My master,” His tone was laced with disgusted sarcasm, “craves power and revenge. I’m to help him achieve that.”

Good, good, give me clues. Regina thought. Master of loopholes as always. “You can still fight it. I know you can.” They just needed to stall him long enough for the Curse to finish. Come on, David. She knew the squid ink wouldn’t last too long on Rumple, but it would last long enough to get past the point of no return for the Curse. “You’re stronger than the dagger.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Rumple walked slowly in front of of her, eyes piercing. “Play time is over.”

Okay, he can’t fight it much longer. Regina thought. Where was David? “Rumple, wait…”

The Dark One froze.

Regina glanced down to see David on the floor, having army crawled under the smoke to hide, an empty vial of squid ink poised over Rumple’s foot. “Finally.”

“Sorry.” David said, pushing himself up. “I wanted to make sure he was fully distracted.”

“He was fighting it.” Regina said. “His new master is a guy out for revenge. Any idea who?” Since they were back in the Enchanted Forest, it could be a number of people, not just ones who were victims of the first Curse, though it wouldn’t surprise her if it was a victim of the first Curse.

“Depends on who he wants revenge on.” David said. “You, me, Snow, Rumple, we all have a number of enemies.” Whoever controlled Rumple now was the most dangerous enemy they’d face yet; they needed to get the Dark One dagger back and soon. “How long will this hold him?”

“Maybe a few hours.” Regina said. “The Curse can’t be altered after a couple of hours, so when he gets free, there’s nothing he can do.”

“That’s a relief.” Ruby said, appearing out of the smoke with Jefferson. She favored her left arm, having landed on it, breaking her ulna.

“Here.” Regina waved her hand, healing Ruby quickly.

“Thanks.” Ruby said. “Now we wait?”

Regina nodded. “Now, we wait.”

*****************************

With his spyglass, Killian could see the Curse off in the distance. Purple smoke and lightning creeped through the Enchanted Forest as the deep inky sky started greying along the horizon. They hadn’t slept, worried that the Curse would reach them, though he hoped Regina’s calculations were correct and that the northern most coast of the Southern Isles was out of range.

“Do you see it yet?” Ariel asked from her perch on the small cliffside. She stretched as she yawned, eager for the Curse to be over and done with so they could all be reunited again.

“Aye.” Killian said. “It’s still far off, so it will take some time for it to finish.” He sat next to her, worry gnawing at his gut. He know leaving Liam with his brother and Tink was the right move, since he didn’t know how long it would take to get to Emma and Henry, but he hadn’t been away from Liam more than an hour or two in the boy’s entire life. Leaving him for who knows how long with villains amok ate away at him. “Once it’s finished, we’ll try your portal. Likely we’ll end up in Storybrooke, so I’ll need your help to get to the edge of the town and escape.”

Ariel nodded, stifling another yawn, when she saw something. “What’s that bird doing?” Ariel asked, squinting off in the distance.

Killian watched the pigeon flapping it’s wings vigorously, almost as though it was outrunning the Curse. “I don’t know. Is there something attached to it’s leg?”

The bird drew closer, clearly intending on them being its destination. It landed next to Killian, practically collapsing onto the ground.

Gingerly, Killian picked up the bird in one hand. There was a note and potion attached to its leg. “Here, take the potion and note.” He maneuvered the bird so that Ariel could untie it. Once that was done, he released the pigeon and took the note from her.

“What is it?” Ariel held the blue bottle carefully.

“A memory potion.” Killian said. “For Emma.” If the Curse didn’t return their memories, then why didn’t Regina give him the memory potion earlier? Why send a bird? Unless she hadn’t realized the Curse wouldn’t return their memories and someone else sent it, but who? Killian looked over the note, but it wasn’t handwriting he recognized. Could he trust that this potion was a memory potion? He pocketed the note and took the potion bottle from Ariel, eyeing it despite not being versed in potions to even know what he was looking at. Shaking his head, he pocketed it too just to be on the safe side.

The sun slowly ascended above the horizon.

Killian took out his spyglass once again to see the progress. A thrill crawled up his spine when he saw the purple smoke clearing. “I think it’s done.”

“Okay.” Ariel said. “Let’s see if I can make a portal.” She removed her bracelet, her legs quickly joining together, creating her fishtail once more. She handed it to Killian. “Hang on to this for me.” Then she pushed herself the ledge, diving into the water. Once she hit the cool blue waters, she stretched out her hand and twirled it in a clockwise motion. A blue portal opened and Ariel darted through.

As Killian awaited her return, he pushed himself up, preferring to walk down the cliff to a more level space, not wanting to risk shattering a bone. As he walked, the memory potion and who might’ve sent it nagged at him. Uncertain as to its origins, Killian decided that it would be a last resort when he found Emma. He’d do what he could to make her remember him and their life.

Ariel was waiting in the shallows when he reached the beach. “It’s there.” She said excitedly as he approached. “I came out about fifty yards from the coast. It looks just as it did before.”

“That’s a relief.” Killian said as he waded through the shallow waters. “Did you figure out where the edge of town is along the coast?”

“Yeah, it’s two leagues south of the docks,” Ariel said. She took Killian’s hand. “Ready?”

“Aye.” Killian said. “Let’s go home.”

*****************************

“Killian.” Emma gasped, waking up, looking around the room. She could’ve sworn…

Wait, something happened. Her bedroom looked and felt the same, but everything was off. Or she was off kilter.

Emma saw nothing different in her bedroom, but her instincts were screaming that something was different. Egged on by her gut, Emma hurried out of her bedroom, anticipating finding something changed. After scouring her apartment, finding Henry still asleep, Emma was at a loss.

This was certainly all the fault of her silly, stupid dream.

She dreamed that Killian was here. That they were so close to touching and being together. Her nostrils filled with the smell of him, leather, sea, and his Opium cologne.

God, she was going crazy wasn’t she? Killian wasn’t real. Or was he? After all, there was no such thing as Storybrooke, Maine, but she’d been there. She raised Henry, yet there were adoption records. She worked as a bail bonds person in Boston, then disappeared for over a year.

There were things that didn’t add up; things that couldn’t be explained. Storybrooke had the answers, and she planned on going. However, now, everything in her was telling to stay put and wait.

But wait for what?

A live-wire crawled under her skin. Life as she knew it was changing. Something big was coming.

Her bones, heart, head, and soul knew that before long, she’d be seeing Killian Jones.

#bsmh #broken souls mend hearts #cs ff #cs fanfic #cs fanfiction #cs au #captain swan

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swanfireouat · 2 years ago

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I just rewatched OUAT season 1 and realised something.

From a writing perspective, the show feels complete with the main characters in season 1 - Rumple, Regina, Snow, Emma, David and Henry.

There was no need for Hook to become a main character from a writing standpoint. I’m saying this very critically. His character doesn’t serve any purpose to the plot, he’s just there as Emma’s love interest. It’s the same with Zelena and Robin. They never brought anything unique to the show in the later seasons. All these characters should have been left behind after season 3, after their story arcs were completed. Their actions have not contributed to the main plot in an entertaining way and rather seemed forced. Hook’s story arc should have been limited till Rumple and Neal. Also, I think this is the reason why Neal fit so effortlessly into the story for me. He is directly connected to the plot and Baelfire has been there from season one. As for Regina and Emma’s love interests, Regina anyway ended up having none towards the end of the show so what was the need to drag the Robin chapter so long with all the back and forth? If they introduced Robin, they could have killed him off way sooner, that way it comes full circle for Regina or not introduced him at all and have Regina separate from someone else she loves (not Henry). Having another loved one being killed but this time she coped with it in a healthy way. That’s what they made Robin’s death about anyway. It still felt forced though. And Emma could have rekindled her relationship with Neal to complete the family circle or even stayed single leaving their relationship open ended. Maybe she could have had a fling with one of the side characters in any of the seasons while keeping Neal constant in her life (maybe even August since they already built up a little bit of that chemistry in season one. They should have kept him around more, I think he would have been a useful secondary character). I don’t think her arc needed a love interest & married with a family in the traditional sense anyway. She was grew up in our world and should have ended up with somebody who would understand her in both ways. All these main characters did not need side characters like Hook, Robin or Zelena to become series regular. They felt complete within themselves, their stories felt complete and didn’t need to be complicated with forced storylines involving these other characters 🤷‍♀️

#anti hook #anti captain swan #anti outlaw queen #anti zelena #ouat criticism

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emilyrox · 2 years ago

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ouat for the ask game?

OUAT!!!

Favorite Male: Killian Jones. There's no contest. Just Killian.

Favorite Female: Emma Swan. There's no contest. Just Emma.

Favorite Pairing: Ok I'm gonna list both my favorite main pairing and favorite side pairing.

Favorite Main Pairing: Captain Swan. You all knew this was gonna be my answer don't lie. Finally watched the Captain Swan wedding for real and it is the best thing ever. Also started season 7 officially and THEY'RE HAVING A BABY!

Favorite Side Pairing: Mr. Hyde x Mary Lydgate (I don't know what the ship name is someone plz help). Gonna be honest I don't exactly know why I think about them as much as I do. Maybe it's because Hyde is also a favorite, or because of their dynamic in general, or because I wish we saw more of them, but I just think about them a lot and what they meant to each other. I'm attached to a pairing that was together for ONE episode??? It's more likely than you think.

Least Favorite Character: uhhhhhhhhhhhh I got a few

Fiona "The Black Fairy". I did not like her. Yeah she's a villain so she's meant to be rooted against but other villains in the show are at least ENTERTAINING. Regina was an entertaining villain (and the og). Zelena was fucking hilarious (and still is as a hero I'm glad they kept that part of her). Cruella de Vil is a cruel dog murderer but I was always interested when she was on screen. But Fiona? She was just a bitch, and not an enjoyable one. I just wanted someone to finally end her. Was so satisfied when Rumple killed her for good.

Mother Superior/"The Blue Fairy". Just because I don't like Fiona and she and Blue were foils doesn't mean I like the Blue Fairy. I agree with the rest of the fandom that she was shady as fuck. She does some good things but also a lot of rude and shady ones. The way she treated Tinkerbell was awful, and her overall "I art holier than thou" attitude was just unpleasant. I could never really tell if she actually wanted to help the heroes or not, which would have been an interesting thing to think about during the show if not for her over-the-top self-righteousness.

Rumplestiltskin (Season 4, Season 5B-Season 6A. Season 7 TBD). He has had many opportunities to redeem himself and be a good person, which he claims he wants to be, but over and over again he kept clinging to "muh power." He is entertaining as a villain overall, and I do like Rumbelle, but not when he is being borderline abusive and possessive of her. I specified specific seasons where I don't like him because those are where he fucks up the most imo. 5A could have been his perfect redemption arc, and he was finally free of the Dark One Curse, but he willingly chose to take that power back. Which makes his actions more irritating in 5B. 6A Rumple was god awful. However, I am glad that by 6B he got his shit together (most of the time) and ultimately did the right thing. *I will say that I enjoy Rumple the most when he is in full-on Dad mode. Which is part of why I like him again in 6B. He genuinely cares about his sons, and I believe him when he says he would do anything for them.* Rumple in Season 7 has yet to be determined as I have not finished it yet.

Who's Most Like Me: Ok imma be completely honest I don't actually know. I feel like my answer, if i have one, would just be me projecting myself onto the character and not actually looking at canon.

Most Attractive: Killian is the obvious choice but ngl more than half of the entire cast slays. The costume department is a big reason why. I agree with the idea that most of the budget went towards the costumes and honestly that is 100% valid of them to do.

Three More Characters I Like: Here ya go:

Elsa. Fuck y'all the Frozen arc was great and Elsa was great and she cares about Anna and Kristoff and becomes besties with Emma and doesn't understand talking phones with Killian and she's great and I may or may not have shipped her with Liam (the first) at one point even though there is literally no way that could ever happen but consider this: it'd be cute.

Zelena (Season 5B and onward. Season 7 TBD). I mentioned how she was a very entertaining villain but ngl I think she's even more entertaining when she's on the heroes' side. She still has 100% of her sass, it's just now directed at people who deserve it. Like Fiona for example :D. I also love when she and Regina work together and help each other. I also believe, like Rumple, that she genuinely cares about her daughter, and seeing her go mom-mode is great. Overall, I think she became a much more likeable and enjoyable character after 5A, and especially by mid 6A. Zelena in Season 7 has yet to be determined as I have not finished it yet.

Lily Page. So from what I've seen online I'm not the only one that was hoping to see more of her after Season 4, right? I thought she was an interesting character, and I'm happy she finally reunited with her mom, Maleficent. Lily being her daughter was a plot twist I don't think anyone expected, but I really liked it! I would have honestly loved to see an episode where Lily and Emma, and maybe a few others, go searching for Lily's dad. They introduced that arc for Lily in the Season 4 finale, but then it didn't go anywhere. (Ok so I have been spoiled that it's revealed in Season 7 at the very end but I wish we got more than that ngl). I like Lily, I just wish we got to see more of her.

#once upon a time #ouat #killian jones #emma swan #mr. hyde #mr. hyde ouat #mary lydgate #the black fairy #the blue fairy #rumplestiltskin #elsa #elsa ouat #zelena mills #lily page #asks #ask game #ask away my dudes

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ladystrallan · 2 years ago

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Once Upon a Time season 6A thoughts

I’m rewatching OUAT and I wanted to share some of my opinions on each season!

- This is all your fault Jafar…

- ‘Away, peasant!’

- Another saviour??? Okay

- Ooh captainswan makeout

- That boat/blimp is cool

- Why is Mr Hyde ridiculously overpowered???

- What is this music lol

- Omg I’m gonna cry

- They’re back in the dark one castle

- Where they first fell in love

- “I’ll make her fall in love with me again” aaaaaaaaaaa

- I missed rumbelle so much

- The beauty and the beast song…

- This is so cute

- “I blame you” WTF REGINA

- She literally treats Zelena so terribly because of robin dying

- Like it wasn’t her fault

- And she lost her true love too

- She had to kill him herself which is arguably more traumatic

- Omg yassss rumbelle kiss

- Wait noooo

- Wtf the guy is their unborn son???

- That’s kinda weird

- Noooo I hate this

- “Robin is at peace” lol he was obliterated

- OMG THE EVIL QUEEN

- “What’s a jukebox???” Love the background acting

- Woah regency era

- The count of monte cristo lol

- They ran out of fairytales and they were like um… I guess we’ll do this?

- Wtf is Regina doing there???

- Why is she wearing a mouche??? This is regency not rococo

- Literally 60% of the drama in this show is caused by Regina

- The town line is back…

- Why is he sniffing her???

- Ewwwww why is EQ flirting with rumple

- Disgusting

- How does no one notice him slowly pouring poison into the wine?

- Ooh he couldn’t kill her

- Does she remind him of his dead fiancée???

- “Hi sweetie, mommy’s back” lol

- The way she enchanted Henry’s phone

- Ooh she killed him

- “We do like it rough don’t we” nooooo

- She did a little dance

- “Oh I’m not here because of your daddy issues” lol

- The mouse running on the ‘O’ lol

- Ooh she’s marrying the footman

- I love Ashley tbh

- “I’m trying to save you” YOU LITERALLY SAID YOU BLAMED HER FOR ROBIN BEING OBLITERATED

- “You look like a trash bin and have the education of my cat” omg lol

- NOOOOO

- Not the stepmother with the gun

- “You filthy little rat” I can’t—

- Omg she stabbed her

- YASSSSS DR WHALE

- Ooh they’re moving in together

- His accent!!!

- Ew why does the EQ keep flirting with rumple

- Yasssss dark one choke him

- Wait what

- You can’t kill a half personality???

- Love this dramatic violin music

- “Technically it’s a serum” lol

- RUMPLE

- He is literally everywhere

- Every single story he is involved

- Me when I eat something spicy

- Not the rumbelle marital problems… Please just be in love

- The iconic ouat villain theme

- I HATE RUMPLE’S NEW HAIRCUT

- The long hair looked so much better

- “RISE AND SHINE” lol rumple

- OHHHH THEY KISS (Hyde and Mary)

- Yassss Rumple

- Wait wtf

- Why is Hyde unkillable… way too op

- Ohhhhh he switched the vials

- Omg did they fuck???

- “I will never love you. You are weak” OHHHHH ROASTED

- HE PUSHED HER OUT THE WINDOW OMG

- Okay Jekyll actually sucks

- Slay belle

- Omg he got impaled

- Of course they both die

- Okay just kill Regina then

- “Why did you do it?” “You” omg

- ITS JASMINE

- She was my favourite princess when I was a kid

- Love this evil sister spa day

- HE KEPT THE SHEARS

- “There will be no scurvy here” lol

- Not the step dad angst

- OMG ITS THE BROTHER

- NO NO NO NO

- Belle is going to walk in on EQ kissing Rumple…

- I can’t

- Ok good she just dropped off the pics

- Its from the underworld…

- I miss Hades :(

- EWWWWWWW Rumple x EQ/Regina

- Not this…

- DISGUSTING

- She’s turning green again!

- Omg is this the curse where one of them is always asleep???

- This could literally be the plot of a romcom

- I like how Aladdin has replaced Robin as the resident thief

- ITS THE DRAGON

- Omg he turned into a dragon

- I can’t do this anymore… Rumple x EQ is VILE

- NO DON’T KILL GIRLBOSS ZELENA

- He’s lying he still loves belle I know it

- Lol they’re trying to make us believe that EQ is more powerful than Zelena

- YASSSSS hopefully this is the beginning of a rumple redemption arc

- Why is she still blaming Zelena… omg

- Rumple has the worst most evil genes possible… pan + the dark fairy

- My prediction is that it wasn’t Rumple who used the magic on Belle

- I hate EQ

- So creepy and predatory

- “Call Jeremy” who’s Jeremy???

- AUGUST! I honestly love him

- Omg hook is all old and fat

- Not pile of bones Belle…

- Ugh that’s so stupid

- If they’re going to bring anyone back it should be Hades

- Wait how is august grown up in storybrooke??? Didn’t blue turn him back into a little boy like max 3 years ago???

How I feel about the characters this season

Love: Zelena

Like: Rumple, Belle, Hyde, Hook, August, Jasmine, Aladdin

Neutral: Emma, Snow, David, Henry

Dislike: Regina, Blue

Hate: Jekyll, The Evil Queen, Gideon

Season rating: 4/10

I kind of didn’t like this season. I did not like Regina blaming Zelena for Robin’s death, Rumbelle being broken up, or the whole Gideon plot. There were some good moments but mostly me being frustrated. I did kind of like the land of untold stories plot line though.

#ouat thoughts #once upon a time #ouat #once upon a time season 6 #ouat season 6 #ouat season 6a #regina mills #emma swan #captain swan #zelena ouat #zelena mills #belle french #rumplestiltskin #ouat rumple #rumbelle

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lenific · 2 years ago

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@beastlycheese asked "kintsugi" for @fluffapalooza

Set in the Dark Castle era.

Belle peered at the newest addition to the great hall. After a long moment, she decided to give it the lightest brush with her duster, making sure to keep herself at arm's length. Just in case the fragile-looking vase fell apart.

When it didn't prove to be another of Rumpelstiltskin's silly pranks, she came closer, curiosity piqued. Tiptoeing around its pedestal, she admired the golden lines that ran across the porcelain. It had a certain dignity, for an item that must have been broken.

"Careful, dearie. It's possessed." Behind her, Rumpelstiltskin snickered at her startled jump, doing nothing but tilt his head in amusement at her glare. "That's why they traded it away. Thought I wouldn't notice, the fools."

Belle gave a careful step away from the vase, making certain to stay close to Rumpelstiltskin. His smile faded at her proximity, radiating uncertainty at her choice of shelter, but he didn't step away.

Belle remembered in time not to thread her arm through his, as she would have done with any likeable escort in Avonlea. Instead she turned to the vase in question, trying to determine whether the golden lines spelled some curse in some foreign language. "It doesn't seem very hostile."

Neither remarked that, after months of exposure to the Dark One's collection, she had developed a knack for spotting dangerous items.

To Rumpelstiltskin's despair, her talent mostly meant that she would run back to the library to research the origins of the item - and if possible, the countercurse as well.

Pity she didn't have a drop of interest in magic. He could have made her into quite the talented witchling. Not up to par to Zelena, or even enough to rival Regina's power, but Belle could have made a name for herself, when they returned to the Enchanted Forest after he'd found his son and set her free.

"Why did you even accept it?" Belle asked. "It's not a powerful spirit, is it?"

He snorted. "A dragon, if you'd believe it. Quite the temperamental little beast, but ultimately harmless."

She raised an eyebrow. "It doesn't sound like a worthy addition."

"Well. If you must know," he said, leaning closer with the intention to wag a finger at her curiosity... and then snatching his hands behind his back, at the realization that he would have tapped her chin instead. It wouldn't do, to have his chiding mistaken for affection. "I don't appreciate being swindled. It's nice to have proof of it."

Meaning, Belle decided, that soon the owners would be trading something of far higher value for the Dark One's forgiveness - or they would regret having called him at all.

For someone who could squeeze through the tiniest loophole, Rumpelstiltskin had no patience for cheaters.

"At least it's beautiful," she said. Then she glanced over at the cabinet, where Rumpelstiltskin's favorite tea set was kept. "Perhaps you can borrow the technique to fix your cup?"

Rumpelstiltskin gave a quick shake of his head before he mastered himself. "Feeling guilty over destroying your master's treasures, are you?"

"Hardly a treasure," Belle grumbled, still befuddled at his attachment to the chipped cup. He must enjoy remembering her clumsiness. "I just thought you'd prefer having a whole set again."

Rumpelstiltskin gave in and tapped her nose, giggling at her little frown. "You will not sweet talk me into turning your mistake into a boon, sweetheart." He giggled again when she didn't react to the pet name. The Dark One behaved like a besotted fool, and the smartest girl who had ever crossed his path thought it unremarkable. Perhaps she thought it was her due, pretty little thing that she was, turning men into idiots wherever she went. "Off with you, now," he said, injecting much needed authority into his voice.

Belle just gave him an arched look. "You could say 'please'."

"I could turn you into a matching vase," he rejoinded nastily, as was their usual exchange.

She was careful enough to turn around before rolling her eyes in exasperation, but Rumpelstiltskin read the gesture in the angle of her head. "That's hardly ladylike behavior, dearie."

Her eyes round with surprise, she turned around. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Make no mistake," he fibbed gleefully, "I can see everything in this castle."

Belle made a frustrated noise. Then, because he had obviously failed to instill a iota of fear into her soul (and thank the gods that she was so hard to scare), she gave him a wide smile.

And poked her tongue out at him before scampering away.

The End

12/02/23

#rumbelle #fluffapalooza2023 #fandom: ouat #2: belle/rumpelstiltskin #dark castle

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treatian · 1 year ago

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The Chronicles of the Dark One: The Delicacies of Time

Chapter 13: Distress Message

He had a plan. By the time Zelena arrived to give him permission to leave the cellar, he couldn't be sure what her plans were in a get up like what she was wearing, but he didn't care. He had his own plans. His goal was to get a message to Belle or the others, to anyone who could get his message to Belle. For that, he needed free will, and so he'd spent the afternoon plotting ways to get his free will. It wasn't foolproof. His theory was untested and therefore relied on chance and happenstance. It required Zelena to be agitated and imprecise. It lacked the flawlessness his plans usually sported. But given his circumstances, he'd take the chances he had. And given what Zelena was about to do, he'd make the bet that he'd have enough time to do it.

He had nothing but theory on his side. Now he had to put it into practice. And when Zelena commanded him to transport them to Main Street. It was a perfect time to see if he could do what he hoped.

"Main Street," was an undesignated, generalized location. There was wiggle room in that. Not much because he didn't want Zelena to suspect that he was testing the limits of his leash, but enough that he could try. She would want to make a dramatic entrance, appear suddenly. But she hadn't said those words, hadn't thought them hard enough, so instead, he summoned them to the corner across the way from the library. It worked well enough. He fulfilled the command given while also defying Zelena's wishes at the same time. It was enough to give him hope.

Across the street, a crowd had already gathered. They were standing in the street, and a quick scan of the area, showed roadblocks. Aside from that, there was no difference to this area at all. His first glimpse of Storybrooke with his own two eyes showed him that, somehow, Storybrooke had been reset just as it was before. There was safety in that. Familiarity could give them the home-field advantage in this upcoming war. For example, the heroes had obviously time to prepare for this battle. And they'd known how to do it because whatever memories Zelena might have covered up didn't take away from the fact that they knew Storybrooke better than she did.

He hadn't made the entrance that Zelena had in mind, but she found her own, stalking toward the group that was gathered with menace in each footfall.

"All right, listen up!" He heard David call out over the crowd. "We need you to get back to your homes-"

"No one's going anywhere!" Zelena responded, issuing a silence command through the dagger he heard loud and clear. "Follow." Another opportunity to test his theory. She wanted him to follow him as she tore deliberately through the crowd, but she hadn't said how closely, hadn't said how quickly. So, he followed, but he dragged his feet, going as slowly as he could. That one was more difficult for him to go against, but he managed. Again, he fulfilled Zelena's command while still fighting back against her wishes. So long as her attention was divided and she was still getting used to the magic of the dagger, this might not be a hopeless cause after all.

"This audience needs a show…out of my way munchkin!" Zelena snapped at Tom Clark.

"I'm a…dwarf," he corrected nervously.

"That's even worse," she responded.

Zelena came to a stop at the center of the intersection, surrounded by the crowd that she'd desired. He kept his head low. Hopeful as he was, he still hated this. The once powerful Mr. Gold standing before everyone as a slave to the Wicked Witch turned his stomach, but he couldn't let it take too much out of him. This was just another role he was playing. Acting meek and run down…it allowed him to let Zelena run the show, and hopefully, it would give him his best chance at succeeding. At least, that's what he told himself.

Belle was there. He was trying as hard as he could not to let his gaze linger, but it was difficult. Besides, the lingering couldn't hurt. Zelena already knew what Belle was to him, if she saw him staring, she would have likely just thought he was pining. Which he was, in part. He was both happy to see her there but also terribly disappointed that after their first encounter, she hadn't gone to greater lengths to protect herself, but it didn't surprise him. Hiding wasn't in Belle's nature, even when it was what was best for her. It was an irritant for him within their relationship. Though, at least, it might make it easier to pass along his message to her. If he could get her attention and somehow pass the message directly to her, that would certainly remove the middleman and any chance of a message not reaching her in its entirety.

"Where is she, hm? Don't tell me she's a coward!" Zelena asked of those that stood before them. It was only then that he managed to take his eyes off Belle and look around at the group before him. That was when it registered that Regina was not present. A chill swept down his spine. Zelena wasn't going to like that. And if she didn't like it…

His eyes found Belle's again. Perhaps he would prefer it if the message was more difficult to get to her.

"Well, this isn't good for any of you. If my sister's not here in five minutes…I'm going to let the Dark One off his leash."

He closed his eyes and tried to breathe. He prayed, truly prayed to whatever god might hear that Regina would just fucking get here. Just because he didn't particularly give a fuck about the people in town didn't mean that he was eager to hurt or kill anyone just because the redhead didn't get her way. He only hoped that Regina understood that and would hurry.

The minutes were like agony. Every second passed as though it was an hour. His eyes swept the crowd, preparing, thinking through questions he'd never wanted or dreamt he'd have to think through. If Regina didn't show, where could he find free will in his enslavement? His best chance was simply for her to issue a general "kill them." No restrictions, no preferences. In that case, he'd have his choice of who to attack first. A dwarf might be best. Belle would be at his side in no time, trying to talk him down but unable to. She'd witness him doing a terrible thing, but in that moment, if he choked the life from him with his own hands, then he might at least be able to get the message across. But if the message was more specific, if it was Emma or David or heavens-forbid, Belle that she ordered him to kill…he'd do it slowly. Heaven help him, there might be pain involved, but a slow death meant that there was a greater likelihood of stepping forward to try and stop him. There was a higher chance that a fight would break out. He'd have to pray that Zelena wouldn't be able to continuously hold on to the demand, and that someone would put a stop to it before he finished. But if she got even more specific, if he was ordered to break a neck or stop a heart…

Oh, he hoped that she gave a command with a bit of freedom to it. Though the process of standing there now, waiting for the minutes to tick by, trying to pick out from the crowd who he could kill first that would have the least impact…could Dark Ones be sick? He felt like he was going to be.

"Time's up! Zelena stated almost happily, making his stomach twist as the witch strode over to him. "Who do you want to kill first, Rumple?"

Walter.

That was his choice. If he had to go for one of the dwarves first, the one called Walter was his choice.

"He's not killing anyone!" Emma insisted. The fact that she was speaking at all had him holding in a sigh of relief. It might not be much, but at least she was buying seconds. Perhaps he could volunteer to go and get Regina instead. "If you want to fight someone, Zelena, fight me!"

"Sorry, dear, I don't dance with amateurs!"

"I'm not an amateur, I'm the Savior."

And if it wasn't for the fact that he was dependent upon Emma's ego at the moment, he would have laughed at that himself. Emma was no match for Zelena, even if she was the Savior. She was untrained and-

Suddenly a feeling of loathing and confidence that didn't belong to him crept through him. Oh no…

"Mmm, it appears someone's got an inflated sense of self-worth."

The feeling grew as he realized that in buying time, Emma had just painted a target on her back.

When Zelena turned to him, the command was wordless but clear…show her what your magic can do.

He nearly cried. There was so much freedom in a command like that! He could start a fire, cast an illusion, hell, he could cast a spell to make it rain glitter! But he had to make it look good. If she sensed that he was going to fight her in that way, then she'd start giving more specific commands that would be more difficult, if not impossible, to fight. So he used his magic to shoot her back off her feet and throw her across the street. In the same breath, before she could hit the pavement, he used his magic to blanket her in a protection spell that would be hidden within his magic. When she landed, he knew that she'd barely have a scratch. But would it be enough to satisfy the witch?

David and Tinkerbell helped Emma to her feet. She looked shaken and breathless from her flight but otherwise okay. And as for Zelena…

"Anybody else want to give it a go?!" Zelena cried into the crowd holding the dagger up for all the world to see. He raised his arm up as if in threat to try and discourage it. Oh, he prayed that this would be enough, that she'd have gotten some of her anger out in that command, and that they would just go back to where they came from. Message be damned. His new goal was to get out of here without a body count above seven.

"I do!"

A chill that had nothing to do with Zelena swept through his body at Regina's words. As if on instinct, the crowd parted for her as she entered the ring, and he'd never felt so much relief at the sight of his protégé.

"Didn't anyone tell you? Black is my color!"

Zelena let out a giggly laugh as she looked her over. "But it looks so much better on me! I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up."

"I couldn't let my sister off that easily."

"Oh…so you've finally accepted me into the family?"

"I've accepted that we shared a mother, yes. But I still have one question: what the hell did I ever do to you?" Regina growled out as the sisters faced each other. It was clearly not their first meeting, and Regina had clearly learned the secret that her mother sought to keep from both of them, but it was the first time that it was all occurring to him. It was the first time seeing them side by side. It was the first time he'd ever thought he was crazy for even considering Zelena might have been the one he needed. What a waste…

"Isn't it obvious?" Zelena responded as her face began to contort. "You were born!"

He scented magic in the air. Not his own, Zelena's. It rippled and grew into a wave until-

The sound of a smack rang out in the silence. Zelena's magic dissipated before she'd gotten the chance to use it, and it took a moment for him to realize what had just happened. Regina hadn't used magic on her sister. She'd slapped her. Regina had slapped Zelena clean across the face. And Zelena had been taken back. The force caused her to stumble. But it wasn't enough to wipe the crazed smile off her face as she wiped the blood from her lip.

"I've been waiting to do that all day!" Regina smiled proudly. It was a face of satisfaction that told him that was the absolute truth.

"Rumpelstiltskin can't save you this time!" Zelena snarled as she began to gather her magic again.

Him? He couldn't save her 'this time?' When had he saved her the first time?

"What does Rumpelstiltskin have to do with any of this?! With you or me?!"

"Everything!"

"You'll have to be more specific than that, dear," Regina remarked in such a calm way he practically swelled with pride at the witch he'd trained. She was stalling. She was using calm and cool intellect to get the answers she needed. That was practically out of his playbook, and he was so godsdamned proud of her that for the first time in his life, he wished that she was his daughter.

"For the last time," Regina demanded, raising her voice like she might have if she was chastising Henry. "What. Is. Your. Problem?"

Zelena advanced quickly, stopping right in front of Regina and looking her dead in the eye. "He should have chosen me!" she screeched.

"Who?!" she demanded.

"Rumpelstiltskin!"

He could feel eyes from the crowd on him, looking at him with curiosity, but suddenly he felt as though he was just as confused as they were. He was at the center of this? He was the reason Zelena was angry? Just because he'd chosen Regina over Zelena? This was nothing but a thirty-something-year-old grudge?! Or was there more to it? More they couldn't remember? What the fuck?!

"That's what this is about?" Regina cooed in an almost mother-like tone. "You're jealous of me?"

Zelena appeared to be too stunned to refute the accusation. She appeared to be too stunned to feel the magic that he felt gathering in the air. Not Zelena's, not his own…Regina's magic.

Without warning, Regina raised her hand into the air. There was the sound of something snapping and metal whining, and then the traffic light that Zelena was perfectly poised under came crashing down and-

Zelena's magic responded on instinct; she sent the light barreling toward Emma. Mary Margaret pulled her out of the way just in time. It crashed, sending up a spray of dangerous-looking sparks that held the people's attention.

Now!

Zelena was distracted, her attention was on her sister, and the crowd was breaking up and beginning to descend into chaos. He had to find Belle now. He had to pass along his message! It might be the only chance he got!

"You still don't realize what you had!" he heard Zelena screech at Regina. "You never did! You got everything I ever wanted, and you didn't even deserve it! But I'm going to take it all from you!"

Just as he located Belle, he felt Zelena's magic flair. It called his attention back to the situation at hand. He couldn't pass his message along if the witch sent something flying and killed her! As he watched Regina fly through the air, as he felt her magic cast a spell of protection over herself, he did the same for Belle. It was a temporary spell, one that, if Zelena caught him placing over her, would inevitably be bad for her, but he'd worry about that if it happened. It was a protection spell, one that not even he would be able to break, that would hold for a day or two. As Regina crashed into a car at Zelena's will, he was happy to place it on Belle.

Regina conjured a ball of fire in her hand, but Zelena's magic overpowered it and extinguished it. And then-

Then Regina was in the air, raspy breaths leaving her body as every muscle tensed. Zelena was choking her. She suspended her off the ground and had a vise on her throat. He fought the instinct to protect Regina, even as he felt her magic struggle against her sister's. What good could he do? If he intervened, Zelena might retaliate by using him. Right now, she was blissfully unaware of his presence. He needed to act!

"Everything Rumpelstiltskin taught you, he taught me too!" Zelena snarled. "But I was the better student!" Before he could make his way to Belle, Zelena sent Regina flying through the air, higher and higher, until-

Regina's magic flared out in protection just before she crashed through the face of the clock tower. A second later, Zelena disappeared in a fog of green smoke, and the crowd that remained began making circles, trying to locate her.

"What just happened? Where did she go?" David questioned.

She was nearby. She might be a bit oblivious to him at the moment, but she wouldn't leave without him or without taking a shot at Regina's heart. She was-

"There," he pointed out quietly as Zelena's magic flared again. "In the clock tower."

She was there, standing there, saying something he couldn't make out, presumably to a still-living Regina. If ever there was a time for Zelena to try and take Regina's heart, it would be now. Oh, he hoped that she'd been smart enough to protect it as he had.

"Gold! You have to do something!" Emma begged.

"I can't." And he couldn't. Though there was no command given, he'd already weighed the odds of his intervention and concluded that it wouldn't be good. So long as Zelena held that dagger, he might get a shot in, but it would always be Zelena who had the last laugh. Regina was on her own for this one.

"Screw the dagger and help us!"

He was. That was his plan all along. Now was the time. Now he had to…

Go.

The order came through in his mind, clear as a bell.

Go.

Zelena wanted him to go back.

The urge was strong, but he'd prepared for this. He found the free will in it.

Zelena wanted him to go, but she hadn't specified when. So he'd go…right after he told Belle what she needed to know.

"Belle…"

She returned her attention to him immediately, even smiled a little as she took a few steps too close. "I'm here-"

"No, don't!" he urged, taking a step away from her. Though she was distracted now, the command she'd just sent back through the bond suggested it wouldn't be for much longer. She was wrapping up. The last thing he needed was a jealous Zelena to see him with the woman he loved. A second was all it would take. "Don't come any closer!"

"Rumple-"

"I have to go…she wants me to go."

"Don't!" she begged.

"I don't have a choice."

"You do! You can fight it!"

"I don't! I can't…" Couldn't she see that he was fighting it, damn it?! And they were wasting precious time. "Belle…Belle, she wants something from me…from Regina, you have to understand. She's only gone to get it!"

GO!

The magic was demanding. It was painful. Her own desires were effecting the command, specifying the time. Now. She wanted him to go immediately. The need to give in and yield to it called, offering a respite but he fought it. He had to say this! He'd go immediately after he said what he had to say!

"What?" Belle prompted. "Rumple, what does she want?!"

GO!

He'd go when he gave the message! This was his free will in Zelena's…

"Her heart! My brain! She wants them both. Needs them!"

The message was delivered. The magic within him sent a shock of pain through his body, so he'd finally comply. The order was to go! He'd used up his free will in the order! He had to go!

"Wants it how?" Belle asked.

"I'm sorry, Belle," he hissed, moving further away from her.

"No, don't leave," she cried.

If only…

"I've no choice."

"Stay."

Her voice made his heart hurt, it made his stomach wrench in a way that, for a brief second, was ten times more uncomfortable than the pain of denying a command. He could see the tears she was fighting off. He could see the gears in her mind working, trying to come up with solutions. But he knew there were none. He'd just given her their best shot at his freedom, now he needed to trust that she'd follow through with it. Now he needed to go.

"I can't," he muttered before allowing his magic to swallow him up and take him back to his prison.

#rumbelle #rumpelstiltskin #rumple #dark one #mr. gold #belle #emma swan #regina mills #the evil queen #mary margaret #snow white #prince charming #david nolan #zelena #wicked witch of the west #ouat #fanfic #ouat fanfiction

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beautywithin80 · 8 months ago

Note

Belle didn't mind being kept busy it kept her mind off other things, sometimes she would go in a dazed like state and have flashbacks like glimpses of the car accident and other things that happened. She usually kept the kids she watched busy or would take them on outings, she had taken Emma a few places one place they went to the zoo after the curse broke but Rumple went with them The zoo was one of the last trips before the accident happened it was just when she wss starting to get sick. Belle knew that Emma was Jealous when Belle watched other children but she always told Emma that she was her favorite, Belle and Emma had a really close bond and it was still there, it was just different the young beauty was always happy when she saw Emma.

Belle had also taught Emma some stuff while she took care of her, she knew The adult side of Emma knew it but little Emma didn't so Belle had told her about all the animals at the zoo. Belle was glad she could spend time with Emma and that the little girl was happy. Emma deserved to be happy after a hard life. Sometimes when Belle was having a bad day she would be kind of snippy towards her friend, she didn't mean to be but sometimes she couldn't control her emotions or anger, thankfully she didn't have a lot of bad days but when she did it was a good day for her to be alone with whoever was caring for her. Belle knew that Emma looked up to her she didn't mind being Emma's big sister, she liked it and tried to help the little girl as much as she could. Now Belle was more like her best friend and they spent a lot of time together, even though Belle missed Emma when she wasn't there she was glad Emma was spending time and bonding with other people. Occasionally Belle would spend time with Ruby, Zelena and Regina but not very often, she was mostly with Gold or the charming's. Belle wasn't feeling great today but she was in a decent mood and wanted to see her friend if she had time later, so she would try and be on her best behavior so she could see Emma.

When Snow stopped reading again Belle was almost asleep, she was tired and being red to helped her relax. When Belle opened her eyes she looked at snow then at the clock before frowning a little, before she could say anything snow's hand was on her bottom which felt full, as snow checked her Belle blushed she didn't like being checked. When Snow confermed Belle needed to be changed she looked at her and blushed as she pulled the blanket closer. "Now?" She asked in a somewhat timid tone.

Snow: Belle am here to read you a book is that okay honey?'

Belle was home laying on the couch watching TV, when snow came into the room, she looked at her and smiled. Snow was watching Belle today because it was the first of the month...rent day, which meant Belle had to stay home. She was to sick to travel all day. "W-which b-book?" Belle asked snow softly.

@ocenitram

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kazoosandfannypacks · 2 years ago

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Cursed (A season 3 Killian Analysis)

Thinking about how when Zelena said she was going to start killing off the people that Emma loved if Hook didn't use his cursed kiss on her, he probably didn't realize he was even on that list. Obviously, Emma would give up her powers to save Henry, and she probably would've for her parents, probably against their best wishes, but in the end, he's just as suprised as she is when she gives up her magic to save him.

I can only imagine what was going through Killian's mind as Zelena's magic held him underwater. Sure, he'd considered the possibility of drowning before, what with being a pirate, probably walking the plank to some untimely demise. In his daydreams of death, he'd died for something noble, heroic even, like his crew or his ship or some great revenge.

But of all the causes he'd risk his life for, the noblest was love. That's what he was dying for now, wasn't it? For Emma? If he were to perish in these waters, it would be to save her and her family- if she'd kept herself from his cursed kiss while he lived, it would be much easier once he was gone, lost to the waters to save her own soul. He liked the thought of dying a hero, even if it was his own actions, his own kiss he was saving her from.

So imagine the pain and disbelief as he awakes again- not as the hero who silently saved her from losing her powers, but as the greedy pirate who's life she saved, dooming herself and her family to nonexistence. She could've lived and defeated Zelena and lived the rest of her life happily ever after.

And instead she chose to save him- to deprive him of a daring sacrifice and save his life- but save him to what? With no way to stop Zelena now, she'd turn back time, create a world without Regina or Snow or Emma- Emma would be gone, no way for her to wander into his life and turn it upside down- he'd still be a miserable pirate chasing a daydream of revenge, without a savior to pull him out of it.

But I think a part of him was also bummed that he missed it. Her kiss in Neverland was intoxicating, and, sure, it may have been nothing to her, but it was everything to him, and he'd longed for it since then. When he found her in New York and tried to kiss her- a foolish tactic, to be sure- she wasn't really her, their history, their chemistry- it was gone, and he worked so hard to bring her back, then patiently waited again to woo her back to him.

When Zelena told him his kiss would steal her magic from her, I'm sure he felt a bit glad that she wasn't ready for him yet, for the town's sake, but when she said her family would die if he didn't kiss Emma, well, I imagine that, while a part of him was planning out how to save her magic and her family, that little voice in the back of his head was saying "and if our plan fails, if she does have to lose her magic, at least my lips will cross paths with hers one last time."

So then imagine how infuriating it must've been for him to realize that not only had he failed at being the hero and she had lost her powers, but, as a rotten touch of irony, he hadn't even been conscious for her kiss, if you could even call it that. He'd lost his opportunity for the moment he'd been waiting for.

This adds some reasoning to the epsiode where they go back in time, and he punches himself out, so to speak. Here he's been longing for her, yearning after her for weeks, and here she is, kissing this drunken former shadow of himself who isn't even sober or experienced enough to appreciate the good thing he's got right in front of him. No wonder he felt the need to clock himself from the past- because he'd spent half a season earning her kiss, and this version of himself got it for free? It'd almost be bad form not to absolutley deck himself.

broken | cursed | kisses | his princess

#killian jones #once upon a time #once upon a time season 3 #emma swan #captain swan #zelena ouat #past!hook

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sailtoafarawayland · 4 years ago

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The Daughter You Have (Not That Girl)

Summary: “Take me home,” she whispered against him, and when she pushed onto her toes and hungrily met his lips with her own, pressing every bit of the things she wasn't ready to say yet into him, he knew that she wasn't just talking about a place.

Rated: T

(This is an edit of my very first story published over on FF way back in 2015, but new to AO3. I've corrected some grammar and fixed a few errors, but have kept it true to what my intentions were at the time. It follows "There's No Place Like Home", but continues as if neither the urn nor Marian returned to Storybrooke)

- AO3 -

Chapter 1/1

It was a little thing, nothing more than a gentle touch on his wrist, that opened Emma's eyes fully to something she had a feeling her subconscious had been protecting her from up until that point. David and Mary Margaret were disappointed with her. The signs had been there from the beginning – they were so obvious now that she was looking back – but it had been the family dinner at Granny's that had made their feelings perfectly clear.

Things had changed for Emma after she and Hook traveled through Zelena's time portal – a lot had changed, and when they'd finally gotten back, she knew what it was to return home. This was the town where her family was, where her heart was. The entire adventure had also opened her to other possibilities, things she had been eager and uninhibited in exploring since their return.

So when her mother called to let her know they were all meeting at Granny's for dinner, it hadn't occurred to her to do anything other than show up with the person she'd been spending her evening with. After all, they'd intended to eat at some point, so even though the family dinner would shorten other activities they'd had planned, Emma knew they'd make up for the distraction later.

The scene when she and Hook entered the diner was something that tugged at her heart. Every year when she was a child, she'd wished for the same thing on her birthday – to not be alone, to have a family. To have one now and really know that they weren't going to give her up, it was something she'd never thought she could have. So it was understandable, as caught up in the emotion of it all as she was, that she didn't notice the slight fall to Mary Margaret's face when they stepped inside, or the almost imperceptible tightening of David's mouth.

Placing a light kiss on Henry's forehead as he smiled up at her, she took the empty chair alongside him, the familiar heat of Killian beside her as he pulled out the chair at her right side, the comforting weight of his hook resting easily on her leg beneath the table.

She'd smiled at him, his own bright grin contagious beneath his flushed cheeks.

The two tables pushed together were crowded, Regina, Robin, and Roland being a natural extension of the weird, extended family they'd all fallen into, but everything felt perfect to Emma in that moment.

She was happy.

That's why it was so jarring when it happened.

They'd gone through the tedious chore of ordering food, Roland unable to decide between chicken fingers and pizza, and the conversation was light and easy. Laughing at a quiet comment Henry had made, she'd turned to share it will Killian, knowing he would enjoy the quick-witted remark. Henry had been enjoying spending quite a bit of time with the both of them lately, and clearly the pirate's verbosity had worn off on him. She'd leaned into him, the action intimate and familiar, her arm crossing his body to gently squeeze his hand as she whispered in his ear.

It was a small gesture of affection, an easy expression of her happiness, and if she hadn't happened to look across the table at the exact moment she did, she wouldn't have seen it, but she had, and she did.

Mary Margaret's quickly stifled sigh, the slight flare of David's nostrils.

In that moment, Emma didn't need to ask them if they disapproved of her relationship with Killian, to test their words and weigh them as truth or lie – she read it on their faces as easily as if they had sent her a text.

“I don't feel great,” Emma cut in, interrupting the flow of conversation as she stood abruptly, the legs of her chair stuttering against the floor. “Sorry, kid, but I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” Henry shrugged, already turning his attention to the dessert menu he'd been eyeing up. “Feel better, Mom.”

She squeezed his shoulder once, a tight smile on her face, and turned toward the door, needing to get out of the diner that was suddenly too small to hold the frustration and anger coursing beneath her skin.

Killian rose with a bit more grace than she'd been able to muster, his words charming and polite despite the concern she could read beneath them.

Emma didn't go far, simply taking the few steps she needed to get away from the glare of the diner's lights before waiting for Killian to join her, immediate relief folding over her as she was enveloped by the scent of leather and salt – the mark of the sea far too ingrained in everything he wore to ever fade. The heat from her breath clung to his jacket as she pressed herself into his embrace, needing the closeness.

“Talk to me, Swan. Are you unwell?”

She didn't want to talk.

She didn't want to do anything other than run away from the fact that her parents were far from happy about her happiness. She just wanted to wrap herself in his body, finding peace in the friction between them that always brought her to completion so perfectly. She wanted to feel the slide of his fingers, rough and calloused, over her skin, the hard chill of his hook at her back.

She was happy, and they didn't want that for her.

If she didn't soothe the wound that realization left on her heart, she wasn't sure what she would storm back in there and say in front of everyone.

“Take me home,” she whispered against him, and when she pushed onto her toes and hungrily met his lips with her own, pressing every bit of the things she wasn't ready to say yet into him, he knew that she wasn't just talking about a place.

* ~ * ~ *

As Emma lie in his arms that night, listening to the slow creaks and moaning pipes that ran behind the walls of Granny's, her thoughts traveled back through the days and weeks since their return from the Enchanted Forest. She tried to remember how her parent's had been from that first moment until now.

There had been relief etched on their faces as Emma recounted their adventure, and gratefulness when they thanked Killian for not letting her go alone and keeping her safe. They had been friendly even, for once acting as if he belonged in Storybrooke, as if he had a place there and was more than an unwanted outsider looking through the window – but apparently their good will had an expiration, and that was as soon as they realized that they weren't the only reason she'd stayed instead of running back to New York.

All that time as her relationship with Killian progressed, she hadn't noticed their disappointment in the fact that it was growing and deepening rather than fading, a one time thing – because that was what she had seen on their faces in the diner, and it had shattered her.

She burrowed closer to Killian as he held her, his face serene and relaxed in sleep. She was thankful for that, knowing that some nights his old demons haunted him more deeply than others. It warmed her heart to know that those nights were becoming farther and fewer between. She didn't want to leave him when the sun came up, would miss the strength of his arms around her, the confidence that came so easily when he was at her side, but she knew she had to talk to her parents.

She knew what she had seen, but she had to hear it from them.

* ~ * ~ *

David's face moved quickly between his easy, morning smile to surprise as the door opened, then more slowly to the grim look of resolve. For a second, Emma couldn't figure out why she'd surprised him, and then she realized it was because she'd knocked. The realization left a small ache in her chest, the significance not lost on either of them. Though she'd been spending most nights at Granny's, up until last night, this had still felt like home.

“Who is it, David?”

She heard Mary Margaret's voice chime from the other side of the loft, the soft tapping of her shoes drawing closer.

“It's Emma,” he muttered, opening the door fully and waving her inside, his movements stilted.

Mary Margaret was smiling when she finally popped into view, but Emma could see the anxiety flickering in her eyes as she stepped through the door and closed it behind her, facing the both of them with more than a hint of discomfort in her stance.

“Henry didn't stop in, did he?”

He'd been staying most nights with Regina and Robin, enjoying spending time with Roland, but sometimes he would still swing by the loft in the mornings to meet her before they went to Granny's together for hot cocoa.

“He did, but we mentioned you weren't here and he said he'd wait for you at Granny's,” her mother said. “Did you want to head over – ”

“No,” Emma rushed, cutting her off and interrupting the motion Mary Margaret was making toward the door, her hand falling back to her side. “I need to talk with the both of you, about last night.”

“Emma, if this is about Hook – ”

“It's not...well, not directly. It's about me.”

Emma watched them uncomfortably, suddenly unsure of how to begin now that she was actually standing in front of them, David with his questioning eyes, and Mary Margaret with her hands twisted together in front of her waist. She was supposed to be able to do this. She'd broken a curse, fought a dragon, stood up to Cora, and fought to bring down Zelena. She was the Savior, she was supposed to be able to do everything, including confront her parents.

A longing to have her pirate standing beside her hit, his hand resting gently on her shoulder for support, but even though she knew she needed to do this alone, the brief flash of him in her mind was enough to spur her on.

He was worth fighting for.

“I saw the way you looked at us last night,” she began, the hurt obvious in her voice, no matter how steady she tried to make it. “When I touched his hand, I looked across at you, and you guys couldn't stand to see it.”

“Emma, you have to understand, we appreciate everything Hook did to help you get back home to us. We see that he's changed, please don't think we're blind to that,” Mary Margaret sighed, her eyebrows knit with concern.

“But you still don't think he's worthy of your respect, your trust...that he's worthy of me?”

“We do respect him, Emma, we really do,” David interjected, scratching the top of his head as he met Mary Margaret's eye, “but you have to understand, we never wanted someone like him for you.”

“Someone like him?” Her voice crept up in volume, ringing with disbelief.

“You deserve better.”

“Better than someone who has come to my rescue time and time again? Better than someone who gave up his actual home for a chance – no, less than a chance even – that he might be able to save me, to save all of you? Someone better than that?”

“You're forgetting all of the other things he's done, Emma – his past. We wanted something different for you, someone like your father, Not a – ”

“Not a pirate,” David snapped, unable to keep the vitriol from his tone.

“How dare you!” There was a venomous edge to her voice now, low and quiet. “How dare you think you have any right to an opinion on this. Are you kidding me? You dropped into a magic tree – and I get it, I understand that you had to, and that it broke your hearts, but now you need to understand something...”

She paused, taking a breath as she tried to loosen the tight fists she'd balled her hands into “All of those hopes and dreams you guys had for me, the things you envisioned shaping me into the woman you wanted me to be, they didn't go through the wardrobe. It was just me, all by myself. Whatever plans you've made for my future, they're for a person who doesn't exist. They're for the daughter you wanted, not the one you've got.”

“But the daughter you've got,” she continued, “she's pretty damn happy as she is. I didn't grow up in some fairy tale. I grew up in the real world. I was abandoned, betrayed, disappointed and left behind my entire life. I've got more bruises, and scars, and flaws than most people, but because of Killian, I've learned to accept them and move on, because all of them together put me right where I am today. You might not like the rough, gritty parts of him, his past, the hook, but I do. I love every part of him, and I will not sit here and let you treat this like I'm settling, because he is everything I need, and everything I want.”

She found herself nearly breathless after her rant, fists shaking at her sides as she stared at her parents wide-eyed in front of her. She had hoped the weight on her chest would lighten once she put everything she felt out into the open, but instead she was faced with a lingering tightness that wouldn't budge, suddenly aware that they may have considered all of those things and still disapproved.

“Emma,” Mary Margaret sighed, locking eyes with David before reaching forward and taking her daughter's clenched fists in her hands. “You may have grown up here, but you were born in the Enchanted Forest, a princess and the product of true love. If you're destined to have a True Love of your own, then surely it's not someone – ”

Emma didn't give her a chance to finish her sentence, tearing her hands free and throwing the door open, the heavy wood bouncing off the wall as she stormed out without a backward glance. The resounding thump of the door falling back into place and closing behind her somehow trickled through the roar of anger thumping in her ears and she paused, pressing her forehead and hands against the cool wall down the hallway.

“You alright there, love?”

The rage she'd been feeling slipped away from her at the sound of his voice, her legs suddenly shaking and less steady than they should have been for someone who was stone cold sober. Thankfully, he was at her side the minute she turned from the wall that had been lending her a little support, his arms catching her as they sunk to the floor together, his leather jacket splayed across the rug as he knelt, arms circling around her as she tucked her head into his chest and closed her eyes.

Her heart ached in a way she hadn't expected to feel again, in the same way it had when the cop told her to turn around and she'd realized someone she'd counted on had let her down.

It ached until he whispered against her hair, soothing noises and assurances that everything would be well, the timbre of his voice bringing her peace.

“What are you doing here?” Emma whispered, wondering how he'd known to look for her at her parent's loft, and suddenly very glad they hadn't decided to follow her into the hallway. She had no idea how she'd react seeing them again so soon after what Mary Margaret had just been about to say. She needed time, and they probably did as well.

“I will admit I was adrift when I woke without you this morning, Swan,” he confided, placing another soft kiss to her hair, “but I thought perhaps you'd been craving some of that chocolate concoction you like, so I went to Granny's, wondering if that's where you'd run off to.”

“It's called hot chocolate. Did you see Henry there?”

“Aye, the lad was showing me something in a book about the stars that Belle had given him. He thought perhaps you'd gone to see if he was at the loft.”

Emma sat up quickly, leaning out of Killian's lap so she could search the stairwell below, her chest tightening painfully at the thought of Henry overhearing what had gone on with her parents.

“He's not here, Swan. I had a feeling there was something that needed addressing between you and your parents after last night.”

“How did you know?”

“I'm a pirate, love. We've a keen sense for danger – a word that would fairly describe your temperament a moment ago.”

“Where is he?”

“Ah, I sent him over to our room to retrieve the sextant I'd told him about the other day. I thought it would be useful for him to see how it works for the paper he's writing.”

“That's good,” she murmured, settling back into his lap. “I wouldn't him have wanted him to hear me that upset with his grandparents.”

“Aye, angry is what you were a moment ago, but how do you feel now, Swan?”

“Blood spectacular,” she laughed, snuffing her nose that she hadn't realized was now stuffy, her eyes burning slightly at the tears she wouldn't shed.

She felt the absence of Killian's arm around her as he reached up and scratched behind his ear, a nervous habit she thought was pretty cute.

“Well, in that case, what do you say to a change of scenery, a leisurely stroll, perhaps?”

“Your legs are numb, aren't they?”

“Aye.”

* ~ * ~ *

Days had passed since Emma confronted her parents, and still she hadn't asked him the question he'd been dreading. He had expected it right away, and she'd surprised him by not seeming the concerned in the least that may have overheard her conversation. His Swan, still managing to surprise him even after how much they'd learned of one another. Perhaps now that they'd grown closer than he had ever hoped was possible, she had no words left to hide from him.

They spent those days enjoying the company of one another and the continued absence of any threats to the town. Walks with Henry to the dock were frequent. The lad had developed a true curiosity about everything to do with the sea, and though he no longer had the Jolly with which to entertain the boy, he never regretted it – though Emma often gripped his hand more tightly whenever they passed by the spot where she had once anchored so long ago.

She'd asked him only once if he regretted it, and he'd been able to look her in the eye and speak honestly.

Never, not for a second, Emma.

Hours spent twisted among his sheets were also frequent, his fingers never tiring of their play across her body, but his Swan was quite perceptive, and he knew she felt the subtle change in his demeanor that had plagued him ever since that morning at her parent's loft.

When it had lingered for more than a week – his breath hitching in his throat as he watched her fall asleep, thinking she was too far gone to notice, she finally asked him.

“Killian, will you please tell me?”

A part of him wanted to sweep her into his arms, fingers threading through her hair as he grinned, disarming her with some witty banter about how the only thing bothering him was her state of dress, mainly that the shirt she'd donned was too much, but the smile wouldn't come to his lips, and he had no desire in his heart to lie to her.

“Your mother, Emma...what she said. Surely it's the truth.”

She stiffened against him and pulled away, the immediate distance she's placed between them striking his chest with both fear and pain, though it was the reflection of both in her eyes that injured him most. His words had hurt her, but neither could he lie. She would know, and it would pain her just the same.

“What do you mean?”

“She told you no untruths, love. You were born a princess in the Enchanted Forest, the daughter of heroes and a Savior in your own right – someone destined to have a true happy ending.”

“What I was supposed to be doesn't mean anything, you and I both know that, Killian.”

“But what if she's right?” he nearly whispered, dread thick on his tongue as his sea-blue eyes bored into her own. “What if it means everything? What if there is true love waiting for you, a man destined for you – a man who never killed because he could, nor lived solely for vengeance until it blackened his heart?”

“I believe that, Killian – ”

Her words were a frigid wave of his deepest fears washing over him, the doubts he was voicing suddenly far more substantial than when they'd haunted his dreams.

“ – a part of it, that is,” she continued, sliding closer in his bed and running her fingers through his inky, dark locks. “I believe I have a true love. The only difference, you idiot, is that I know I've already found him, so don't do this to me. Don't doubt me now when you never have before. After all the chasing, just because I finally stopped running doesn't mean it's your turn.”

The tips of her fingers stroked through his hair, returning softly along his jaw and cupping his face. He reached out for her then, twirling a strand of her golden hair around his finger, his heart leaping as he took in every curve and peak of her face as she smiled. He wanted to have her faith, to believe as she did that he could be her everything – because was certainly everything to him.

Slipping easily onto his lap, the sheets pooling around their waists, she rested her forehead against his, moving to wind her fingers in his own, her other hand firmly grasping his stump, loving every part of him. His heart ached with how much he loved her in return.

“What do you say, Killian. Can you take that leap of faith with me, that no matter what, from here on out it will always be us?”

And because she asked and he trusted her implicitly, believed her in the very core of his being, he could. His lips crashed against hers, rocking them both back onto the bed as they shared each breath, passion and love and a feeling of rightness brightening each move they made. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, needing to vanish any breath of space between them. Possessiveness and need slowly rolled into the slow rise of tenderness and longing, their bodies moving and melding seamlessly as they poured their commitment into each shuddering breath. When they finally broke apart, their heated bodies resting atop the sheets, he knew in his heart how true her words had been, because he could never leave this miraculous woman who'd brightened his life, who'd chosen to be his. He loved her too greatly, too deeply, and every day till his very last he would choose her.

“It will always be you,” he whispered against her neck, clinging to her as if she was the only thing keeping him afloat in an endless sea, and perhaps she was. “Always, Emma.”

Tagging: @justanother-unluckysoul @kmom0f4 @the-darkdragonfly @teamhook @zaharadessert @xarandomdreamx @jrob64 @wefoundloveunderthelight @tiganasummertree @pirateprincessofpizza @lfh1226-linda @alexa-fangirl-forever @alifeofdreams @superchocovian @donteattheappleshook @hollyethecurious @caught-in-the-filter @snowbellewells

#Captain Swan #cs fanfic #CS fic #emma and hook #sailtoafarawayland #The Daughter You Have

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camelotroses · 4 years ago

Text

Why I Love Emma & Killian

And why I love them for not only who they are together but who they are as individuals and for their individual stories.

The Pirate & The Princess

It was evident from the time Emma Swan & Killian Jones climbed a beanstalk that they'd find true love. The episode revealed Emma’s first love’s bitter betrayal mingled between scenes with a man that was just as dangerous yet had much more respect for her capabilities. Neal didn’t think she could go after the watches but Killian Jones never doubted what Emma could do. Their chemistry together was off the charts.

But I love Emma for the hero she is & the love she gave & found.

I love Killian for becoming the hero he was always meant to be & bravely facing his past.

Emma Swan Fought for Happy Endings

Emma fought for others happy endings before fighting for her own and I always admired that. She may not have always wanted the title savior but she also never could turn her back on someone who needed her help. She wasn’t helping others so that she could better herself or get a guaranteed happy ending. She did it because it was the right thing to do. She fought like hell to keep her happy ending in S5 but she gave it up to return to Storybrooke and continue fighting for those who needed her.

Killian Jones Owned His Crimes

I also admired that Killian never blamed anyone else for his crimes. He fully owned what he did without downplaying the seriousness of his crimes. We know this because of what he tells Emma in S5 about his part in Rumple & Milah’s story, when he explains what his rings are for and then again on the ship with Belle in Season 6. He showed remorse, regret & humility. Even after sacrificing himself for everyone, being tortured, he still felt unworthy. He felt he still had much to atone for. And he wanted to do it. Not just so he could be with Emma. But because he needed to make things right. The pirate he was would only risk his life for love and revenge yet by Season 6 he was even willing to risk his life to help the wife of his most hated enemy.

Emma Swan is best friend goals

She may have struggled with being the savior but helping people came natural to her and the friendships she forged were always true and good. She is exactly what you’d want in a friend and the kind of friend you should strive to be. The kind that always believes in you when you don’t believe in yourself and will be there to help you up when you need a hand.

Killian Jones is also best friend goals

Belle was where Rumple “kept his heart” which made her Killian’s prime target. Killian sought her forgiveness & despite that horrible beginning, Belle saw the change in him. He helped her when she was sad about Rumple & he saved her life. This friendship always warmed my heart.

Emma Swan was a good mother

Emma had Henry in prison during a time in her life where she had no money, no home and no family. She put his needs before her own when she gave him up to give him his best chance at being adopted and finding a stable home - something she wouldn’t be able to give him for years to come. And then later on when Henry found her, Emma already had a life established in Boston doing something she loved to do. But when Henry needed her she dropped everything. She always put her son first & the special bond they shared was great to see.

Kilian Jones becoming a father figure to Henry

Killian really did love Henry like son. He didn’t have to take him sailing or teach him how to sword fight. He didn’t have to step aside so Neal could have a second chance with Emma but he did so for Henry. And he certainly didn’t have to tell Henry about Neal’s time on his ship, either. He didn’t have to spend time with him at all. But he wanted to. He wanted what was best for him too. He wanted to be his father.

Emma Swan was a true leader.

Emma did what was right not what was convenient. She led an angry mob away from Regina & to the real current threat. She led them through Neverland. She led the search for the Ice Witch & Zelena. She motivated, challenged & inspired.

Killian Jones always played in good form

He was a villain. He did evil things. He may brag. He may flirt… but underneath the thirst for revenge was a pirate with a heart of gold. He just needed to find it again. And when he did, he did it heart & soul.

Emma & David’s Father - Daughter Dynamics

I always loved this Father - Daughter sheriffing team. Despite looking the same age, Emma really looked up to him. She sought his advice. She sought his comfort. And she will always be David's little girl. Their father-daughter bond is parenting goals.

From enemy to Son-in-Law

I love how Killian Jones really did grow on David. David didn't trust him, especially around Emma but by the end he trusted Killian with everything. Their friendship is another testament to the change we saw in Killian Jones. And I'm all here for that.

Emma Swan sacrificed herself for others

In the S5 finale and into S6, Emma realized she was always driven to protect the ones she loved. Emma was always willing to make sacrifices for her family & for the greater good. She did so without hesitation. She became the dark one to protect everyone. She died here for Gideon & other children like him.

Killian Jones fights for those he loves too.

He made an ultimate sacrifice as well. He didn't have to. He could have let Emma take it. He could have insisted Gold take it. He could have gone back to Emma’s plan and had Zelena take it. But he chose to be the hero he wanted to be.

Emma Swan was a lost princess

She’d been hurt and betrayed and to protect herself from that she’d walled her heart off. It took the steadfast love and devotion of one man willing to prove he’d never abandon her to bring those walls down. He showed her that the future wasn’t something to fear but something to look forward to. And when those walls came down, Emma truly let herself openly love her family and her friends without the fear of losing them or being abandoned.

He was a pirate on revenge

His heart had been hardened by betrayal and love that was taken from him. His past decisions sent him down a dark path of revenge and all it took for him to realize that he still had a chance at redemption was Emma reaching out to him. Love can be a powerful force for good and that love helped him fight to become the man he always wanted to be.

Their character growth led here

They helped each other grow into two people who will be the best parents possible to their precious bundle of true love: Hope Swan-Jones.

Why do you love Emma & Killian? Let me know in the comments!

#captain swan #swan-jones family #emma swan #killian jones #swan believer #frozen swan #captain charming #daddy charming #captainswan meta

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emospritelet · 3 years ago

Text

Heatstroke - chapter 20

Last time, Gold and Lacey danced :)

Words: 2,331

[AO3]

The music kept playing. The Nolans breezed past them, moving in step with each other as though they’d been dance partners all their lives. David Nolan winked at Gold again, and Lacey bit her lip to hide a grin at the long-suffering expression it caused. She was beginning to feel more relaxed, which considering she was pressed up against the man she had a crush on was something of an achievement in her mind. Gold’s grip was firm on her waist, his hand warm in hers.

“What made you want to be a journalist?” he asked, and she wrinkled her nose.

“Guess I’m a nosy bitch.”

Gold burst out laughing, head rolling back and she felt a lurch in her belly.

“People are interesting,” she said then. “Their lives, why they do what they do. I mean there’s unearthing scandals and exposing corrupt public figures, and that’s all good, but sometimes it’s nice to just document humans doing human stuff, you know?”

He pursed his lips, nodding slowly.

“I think I understand that,” he said. “What do you do when you’re not working?”

Lacey pulled a face.

“I probably spend way too much time drinking in bars,” she said. “But I guess you’re only young once, right?”

“I vaguely remember,” he said, in a very dry tone, and she clicked her tongue.

“Come on, you’re not old.”

“Tell that to my aching bones.”

Lacey stepped back immediately, looking him over.

“Oh, are you hurting?” she asked anxiously. “We can sit down, if you want.”

Gold shook his head, pulling her close again.

“I’m joking,” he said, turning her in a slow circle. “A little, anyway. I’m in no more pain than usual.”

“Oh. Okay.”

They fell silent for a moment, and Lacey smiled as she saw Astrid and Leroy waltz past. Leroy, it turned out, was a surprisingly good dancer.

“How did you injure your leg?” she asked, and Gold looked surprised.

“You don’t want to save that deeply personal question for Sunday?”

“Thought about it,” she confessed. “But it seemed appropriate to ask now.”

He nodded, his gaze somewhere over her shoulder, as though he was wondering whether to answer.

“I’m afraid it’s nothing remotely newsworthy,” he said. “Merely a motorcycle, an icy road, and bad luck. Or good luck, depending on your point of view. I suppose I was fortunate that a ruined ankle was the worst I had to suffer. Physically, anyway.”

That comment made her curiosity grow, but she filed it away for the moment.

“Besides,” he added. “We were talking about you. Other than drinking with Miss Lucas, what are your interests?”

“You expecting me to admit to book-binding or basket-weaving, or something?”

Gold showed his teeth.

“I find I never know what to expect with you, Miss French.”

“Well, sorry to disappoint,” she said. “I work, I drink, I eat and I read. Pretty much it.”

“I’m almost certain that’s not true.”

“How did we get fixated on me, anyway?” she demanded. “How about you answer a few questions?”

A tiny grin twisted his mouth.

“I agreed to,” he said, his eyes glinting. “On Sunday. Tonight I want to hear about you.”

Lacey let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Well, I run,” she said, and grinned at him. “The scenery around this town can be very interesting at times, you know?”

Gold gave her a very level look, as though unsure whether she was teasing him or not.

“I’m even worse a runner than I am a dancer,” he said, and she chuckled.

“You’re doing fine, but I take your point. I guess yoga might be more your thing. That’s another thing I like to do. Part of my morning routine.”

“Yes, I’ve seen you,” he said, and closed his eyes, looking pained. “I - I don’t mean I’ve been watching you, I’ve just - seen you in the garden, that’s all.”

“Yeah, I like it out in the open air,” she said. “I’ve even done it in the rain.”

A tiny grin appeared on his face, and his eyebrows flicked upwards.

“Sounds - invigorating,” he remarked.

“You can always come over and join in, if you like,” she suggested.

“Me?”

“Sure, why not?”

Gold looked down very pointedly before meeting her eyes again.

“Because I’m possibly the least flexible person in Storybrooke.”

“Then you’re the one that needs it the most,” she countered, and swatted his shoulder with her free hand, making him blink in surprise. “Come on! It would be good for you! The more you do it, the better it gets.”

Gold’s eyebrows twitched, and that twisted little smile appeared again.

“True of so many things in life, I find,” he murmured, and Lacey smirked.

“Practice makes perfect.”

“Indeed it does.”

His voice had gone low and throaty, his grip tightening a little, and she could feel her heart thump, her breath quickening a little. She licked her lips, her eyes on his mouth. He was almost close enough to kiss.

“Oh, Mr Gold, there you are!”

A familiar and unwelcome voice cut through the tension between them, and Gold jerked his head upwards, mouth flattening. Lacey wanted to growl as Zelena West strode up to them, in a long green strapless dress with a thigh split, white teeth bared in a grin. Gold’s face had taken on an oddly closed expression, his eyes losing their light.

“I’m so delighted you could make it!” went on Zelena. “And dancing with Miss French! I always knew you were a charitable person!”

She smirked as she said it, which made Lacey bristle, before turning her attention back to Gold.

“I certainly hope you don’t intend to make this your last dance,” she said. “The night’s young, after all. Perhaps I can tempt you later.”

“I think one dance is really my limit,” said Gold coolly. “Thank you for your effusive welcome, Miss West. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Miss French and I were having a private conversation.”

Zelena let out a tinkling little laugh that made Lacey want to throw something over her.

“Ooh, be careful!” she said, in a sing-song voice. “Miss French might seem as though she’s just making conversation, and the next thing she’ll be poking her nose in where it doesn’t belong and getting you to confess to all manner of things.”

“That would suggest she’s very good at her job,” said Gold, as Lacey opened her mouth indignantly. “However, other than attempting to school me on the merits of yoga, she’s been going easy on me. I detect no burning desire to get me to spill my darkest secrets this evening.”

“Wait for Sunday,” muttered Lacey, and his mouth twitched as though he was trying not to grin. Zelena rolled her eyes.

“Well, I insist on speaking to you later,” she said. “I doubt Miss French can hold your attention for long.”

She sauntered off, leaving Lacey staring after her in outrage.

“Miss West appears not to care for you too much,” said Gold mildly.

“Feeling’s mutual.”

Lacey was still scowling after her, but his hand was warm on her waist as he pulled her back towards him. She caught the scent of his cologne, feeling his fingers splay out across the small of her back and then slide together as he tugged her close.

“She’s a woman of poor taste,” he murmured.

His body was very warm, and Lacey was feeling a little breathless. She licked her lips.

“She seems to like you well enough,” she said, and he chuckled deeply.

“That only proves my point.”

The music slowed to a stop, and for a moment they stood there in silence before Gold smiled a little awkwardly and stepped back, releasing her.

“See?” she said. “You can dance.”

“With you to hold me up, perhaps.”

“Details, details…”

Gold grinned at that, and Lacey felt her heart clench again. The music started up, a livelier tune, and she raised an eyebrow.

“You want to go again?”

“I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead,” he said, in a dry tone. “Drink?”

“Please.” She grinned at him. “I can see David and Mary Margaret are calling it quits, too. I think I’ll go get to know them a little better.”

Gold gave her a slanted grin and bowed his head before turning on his heel and heading in the direction of one of the wait staff. Lacey watched him go, fully aware that she probably had, in Ruby’s words, ‘big pulsing cartoon hearts’ in her eyes.

The evening continued to go well. David and Mary Margaret were every bit as nice as they had seemed, and David seemed to be the only person in Storybrooke that Gold didn’t mind being teased by, however gentle the teasing might have been. Lacey was reluctant to pull herself away from Gold, but she was technically working, so she made sure to talk to plenty of other guests. She caught his eye on her a few times, and he glanced away whenever she turned to face him, causing David to nudge him with a grin and say something that made Gold close his eyes and sigh. It made Lacey bite back her own grin, and she wandered back over to watch the prize draw with Gold and the Nolans. The champagne was going to her head.

Once the prize draw was done—the top prize of a three-course dinner with champagne being won by Leroy—Zelena walked onto the stage to take the microphone as the applause was dying down. Beside her, Lacey felt Gold stiffen, as though he was apprehensive. As though he was waiting for something. She recalled Sidney saying that he thought the evening was about more than charity work, and across the room she saw him watching Zelena intently. Zelena bared her teeth in a wide smile, flicking back her reddish curls.

“Thank you all for coming and for making this event the incredible success it’s been,” she said, her voice carrying. “I think we can all agree that the food has been first class, so thanks to Granny’s Diner for providing it.”

Applause rang around the room, and Lacey joined in.

“Tonight’s event has been the work of months,” Zelena went on, “but seeing the smiles on all your faces and knowing that all the money raised tonight is going to such a good cause - well, it just fills my heart with joy!”

Mary Margaret shared a smile with David, and Lacey eyed Gold, who was staring at the stage with narrow-eyed suspicion.

“I have to confess,” said Zelena, “that I have another reason to speak to you tonight.”

Gold made a tiny noise in the back of his throat, as though he was confirming something to himself. Lacey found her curiosity growing, and edged closer to him. Zelena had begun to pace slowly back and forth across the stage.

“Storybrooke has opened its heart to me ever since I came here,” she went on. “We’re a close community. A community based on good old-fashioned values. Friendship, and family. Neighbourliness. I can’t tell you what a relief it was to move here from New York and find a town so - so steeped in wonderful local traditions. So eager to welcome a stranger who felt that she had lost her way.”

She bowed her head a little, as though overcome by emotion. Lacey snorted quietly, but flattened her mouth as Zelena looked up again.

“You see, I’ve always wanted a life of service, a life of - of giving,” she said. “It’s why I’ve done so much for charities in the past. It’s why I’ve been organising these events since I came to Storybrooke. And yet - I feel that I could give more.”

She paused, shaking back her hair as she gazed around the room.

“I like to think that in my own, small way, I’ve helped this town through difficult times,” she said, pressing a hand to her heart with a self-deprecating smile. “And that’s why, after much soul-searching, I’ve made the decision to try to serve the town I’ve come to love so dearly in the best way I can.”

Another pause. Lacey had to admit that she had a talent for holding an audience’s attention. Zelena smiled, eyes widening with a hopeful expression.

“I have decided,” she said. “To run for Mayor of Storybrooke.”

There was a collective intake of breath from the audience, and a scattering of applause that rippled around the room. Lacey glanced at Gold, whose eyes had narrowed further, his mouth set in a grim line. Her eyes flicked to Regina Mills, who was looking shocked, lips parted and eyes wide. Her wife grasped her hand, leaning to whisper something in her ear, and Regina started before nodding and whispering something in return.

“I trust that I can count on the support of the many friends I’ve made since this town opened its heart to me,” said Zelena, in honeyed tones. “I have every faith that Storybrooke will prove to me once again that wishing for something hard enough can make dreams come true.”

She seemed to glance in Regina’s direction, but then smiled broadly.

“Thank you all,” she said. “Enjoy the rest of the night!”

More applause, and Zelena sauntered off stage as the music started up again.

“Well,” said Mary Margaret. “That’s - unexpected.”

“What’s the deal with the Mayoral elections?” asked Lacey.

“Regina’s run unopposed for the past few years at least,” said David.

“No one else wanted the job?”

“Pretty much.”

“Regina’s been Mayor as long as I can remember,” said Mary Margaret, looking puzzled. “Surely no one’s going to vote for Zelena over her?”

“Depends what she’s offering,” said Gold, in a grim tone. “Or what she can use to bring Regina down.”

He said that last in an undertone, and glanced at Lacey as he did so. She could feel curiosity surge in her. His eyes flicked away almost immediately, but she nodded to herself. He knows something. And I’m gonna find out what.

#fic: heatstroke #golden lace fic #golden lace #my fic

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kazoo5480 · 3 years ago

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Ruth woke up early and got herself ready. She also had her first treatment today, which should have been a little more terrifying to her, but she wasn’t. She had spent so many hours sitting with those undergoing their treatments, that she knew the drill, and laid out everything she might need once she got home within reach next to her bed.

Emma was making coffee, and already dressed. She had swapped her shifts around this week, thankful to M’s and the other waitress they had hired, and Zelena of course was understanding. She and David were joining their mom today, and her mom came out of her room as the thought crossed her mind.

“Hey Momma,” Emma said and placed a glass of juice on the table for her, and some buttered toast. Between David’s research and pamphlets, they were well-versed in making foods tolerable for their mom and what they could expect.

Dave had compiled a list of phone numbers on the fridge for everyone from Doctors to hotlines, and Ruth was adamant that they continue with their lives as normal as possible.

Ruby had gone all out, Ruth had amassed a collection of scarves within days, all colors of the rainbow, and Ruby’s grandmother had knitted her some nice soft hats to keep her warm.

The boys had taken over all lawn care and kept the house in tip-top shape, Regina brought freezer meals for at least a week, and a plethora of soups she could reheat at moment’s notice. Ruth smiled to herself, her tribe remained strong, and she would beat this. She was sure of it.

Killian had hardly spent any time at all at his place once he returned from seeing Liam and Elsa off. He had been spending most nights at their house, and Ruth noticed his clothes mixed in Emma’s hamper more often than not, and the same with M’s in with Dave’s.

Ruth smiled at that, but she knew that they were there supporting her kids, and her and her kids were supporting each other, so brave and determined to help out.

Emma waited for her mom to finish, and Dave came down with M’s, and M kissed Ruth’s cheek as she headed off to work. The three of them got into the bus, and Emma headed towards the hospital, following her mom’s directions of where they should park and enter.

Emma and her mom held hands tightly as they walked in, and she eyed her brother as they sat in the uncomfortable orange chairs, while their mom checked in.

Dave put his arm around his sister and pulled her in kissing her hair. They had made sure everything was in place, and Emma seemed fidgety. She hadn’t been in the water in days, and he knew she was going to snap if she didn’t get a chance to get out, get away from this overwhelming situation.

Emma had been there every step of the way and only agreed to keep her job to ensure they had more than enough income in the bank in case they needed it.

Dave felt guilty at that, Emma was still a kid, about to enter her senior year and she was working her ass off to help them ensure everything remained normal.

At first, he bristled at Killian’s constant presence in her bed, at their kitchen table, until he realized M’s was there just as much, helping make dinners, cleaning, folding laundry alongside his mother. Killian and Emma making dinner in the kitchen, making sure to feed their mom healthy meals.

They were an unconventional family, but it was theirs, and until Ruth said no more to any of it, their tribe would continue taking care of them all.

Dave watched in trepidation as his mom came to sit next to them, Emma scooting over a chair so he could hold her with his good arm.

“It won’t be long” she sighed and patted both of her kids’ knees. A few moments later, a nurse who introduces herself as Mal led them back to a room and helped Ruth up onto the bed.

Emma and Dave took opposite chairs at the end, and Emma handed Dave a book from her bag, and pulled out a surfing magazine, occupying her mind while the nurse got things ready. Dave watched and looked over noticing Emma watching the nurse’s actions as well.

Emma was soaking it all in, every movement, and the way the nurse measured the medications, laying out instruments on the small tray, and the nurse smiled at them letting them know Dr. Whale would be in soon to see them.

A blonde man strolled in, and smiled at Ruth, holding her hand, and explained to them what was going to happen. Dave and Emma listened and nodded, and Dave balked when the blonde doctor leaned down kissing Ruth’s hair, whispering something in her ear that made her smile.

“Friend of yours?” he asked his mom confused, and a little taken aback at his informality.

Ruth nodded, “Vik was one of my interns, and has been here a long time now. He is a wonderful physician David, do not imply otherwise. He was simply offering me some support, as he was the first person I went to after my diagnosis. He is my friend, that is all” she said, and Dave nodded at his mom letting it go and feeling a little silly for questioning his mom.

Emma sat there watching as the nurse came in, and set the IV bag upon a pole, and offered her mom a warm blanket. Emma knew that the medication could cause her mom’s body temp to drop, and she also eyed the basin placed next to the bed in case her mom got physically sick during it.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes calling out to her dad, begging him to help her momma get through this.

The window was cracked and the sun shining in, and Emma felt a warm breeze blow in. She smiled, it may not be him, but she liked to think it was him responding to her request. Ruth smiled at her daughter, feeling the breeze blow in too.

“Sunshine, read to me, anything, an article, or from the book,” she asked smiling.

Emma nodded, and took the book from Dave, and began to read aloud. Her voice soothed Ruth as she felt the medication slide into her system, setting her veins alight in protest. She took a deep breath, and Dave slid his chair beside her grasping her free hand, and gently rubbed it.

Emma kept reading, she watched her mom every once in a while, and Dave keeping her mom content.

Ruth looked up at the ceiling, the burning had subsided. She felt tired, but nothing major. She was hopeful, maybe her treatments wouldn’t be as nearly as bad as she had prepared for.

The hair loss she could handle, Ruby and Granny had gotten her set for that, but maybe physically the treatments wouldn’t be so bad, maybe she could still work. She held onto this thought that maybe she would get to keep a piece of her normalcy.

She smiled when Dr. Whale came in and sat at the end of her bed. “How is it going so far?” he asked her and dragged another blanket over her feet, tucking it beneath them.

“Just fine so far Vic, burned a little at first but it subsided. Now I am just tired, but overall, not nearly as bad as I had prepared myself for” she said.

He nodded at her and looked at her kids. “How are you two holding up? Any questions I can answer for either of you?” he asked, acknowledging Dave and Emma both.

“When she gets home, what can we expect, will she be nauseous right away?” Dave asked.

Vic thought for a moment before he responded. “Each patient is different and I know that is such a general response to your question. But the therapy affects every individual differently. Some carry on normally, with mild fatigue, others are completely wiped out and in bed for days between treatments. But your mom is stronger than she looks” he said and eyed Emma.

“You remind me a lot of your mom Emma when I began my residency” he smiled at Emma, and she smiled back and looked at her mom who gave her a wide smile.

“That’s my sunshine right there Vic, and this one here, my protector” Ruth said cupping her son’s cheek.

Dave nodded, “so it’s a wait, and see?” he asked, and the doctor nodded at him.

“I am afraid so. But here, I thought you might like to have this, I don’t think they give this out, but Ruth is my friend and a mentor to me. So, in the event you need help, or she needs help, side effects, any time day or night, call me. That’s my home number. I live a few blocks from you guys, so I can be there in a few moments” he said, and Dave clutched it in his hand like a lifeline.

“Thank you, Dr. Whale,” Emma said, and the nurse came in, smiling at Dr. Whale and Ruth.

“Ready Ruthie?” She asked, and Emma watched her extract the IV and tape her mom’s hand. She handed Ruth some saltines, and a cup of water, and adjusted the bed to a sitting position. “Take your time, I will be back in about 15 minutes to check on you, and we can get you out of here,” she said patting Ruth’s hand.

“Thanks, Mal,” Ruth said to her friend, and Dave handed her the crackers. Emma glanced out the window wistfully, and Ruth had an idea.

“When we get home, I think you should head to the beach Sunshine,” she said. Emma’s eyes widened and she began shaking her head.

“No momma, I will be there. Dave and you need me around today, It’s ok I promise” she said.

Dave looked at his mom and nodded in agreement. “Em, you heard Mom. She feels ok, you can help me get her home in bed, and I am not going anywhere. We both think you need a break” he said gently.

Emma looked down, “I should be there,” she said sounding small.

“Honey don’t be silly. Dave will be with me, and you have been there, every single day, all the paperwork, you both have been here for me. Bless Killian and M’s for knowing how to cook because you two are hopeless” she teased them. Emma laughed, and so did Dave.

“I can cook” Dave protested, and smiled at his mom.

“You can grill honey, different thing. But seriously Sunshine, it would make me happy to see you go to the beach, get a break” she said encouragingly.

Emma looked at Dave and he nodded, “I want you to Em. I need you to, you need a break” he said.

Emma looked at him, “I could say the same for you Dad” she said teasingly, and he blushed nodding.

“I’ll take M’s on a date this week, don’t worry about me,” he said, and Emma nodded.

Mal appeared again, and took a look at Ruth, removing her heart monitor, and handed Dave the instructions for aftercare and helped Ruth to her feet, and Dave wrapped his arm around his mom’s waist and led her to a wheelchair that Emma stood behind, and they led them to the exit.

Emma ran to the bus, and pulled up, Dave assisting Ruth into the front seat. He rolled the window down for her and hopped in back, Emma pulling away from the curb and headed home.

Emma went in and popped into her mom’s room realizing her mom had prepped her entire room for herself. Emma swallowed thickly, her mom needed to control what she could, and Emma had to respect that. She held the door open as Dave led Ruth inside, and got her into her bed.

Emma watched from the doorway, and Ruth leaned over grabbing her water, and her book, and smiled at her. “Go on Sunshine, catch some waves,” she said winking at her.

Emma smiled and nodded, she walked to her and leaned down kissing her head. “I’ll be back in a bit,” she said and left a note on the fridge. Killian was working until 4, so in case he came by he would know where she was.

She headed up to change and grabbed her bag. Dave hugged her on her way out, “I’ll see you later princess” he said and nudged her out the door. Emma pulled up at the beach, and she immediately felt like a weight lifted off of her chest.

She grabbed her board and headed toward the water. She dropped her stuff in a pile and spotted Ruby and Graham in the water. She paddled out, and Ruby turned to her and shrieked.

“Ah! Em, how did she do?” Ruby asked clasping Emma’s hand, her hazel eyes on Emma’s green ones, searching her friend’s face.

Emma nodded, “Great, as expected. Even set her aftercare at home up before we left” Emma said and smiled a small smile. Ruby laughed, and nodded, knowing how independent Ruth was determined to be.

“They kicked you out huh?” Ruby teased, and Emma nodded.

“Where’s Jones?” Graham asked, and Emma told him he was at work. Rob paddled up, and Emma was surprised she didn’t see him.

“Ah, our Marvel has arrived. Get ready, a set is rolling in with your name on it” he said smiling and patted her shoulder. Emma nodded and paddled out, the sun beating down on her skin, and the saltwater splashing her face. She smiled, a wide, real smile and it felt fucking fantastic.

Emma watched it rolling in, a solid 5-footer, and she swung around, crouching on her board. She waited, eyeing it, and turned forward as she felt the familiar tilt, and she skated down the face, a perfect tube forming and she sailed into it, running her fingers along the wall of the green room, keeping her eye on the opening ahead.

She sailed out, and she could hardly hear the hollers and whistles as she skated into the shallows. Emma sat a moment, and looking up, saw the most perfect rainbow in the distance.

“Thanks, Daddy” she whispered and paddled back out.

By the time they all paddled in, collapsing on the sand, Emma was not surprised at all to see Killian walking down the pier towards them all. He sat behind her, pulling her into his chest, nuzzling into her hair. “You ok Swan?” he asked, and she nodded, leaning her head back on his shoulder, kissing his jaw.

“Let’s get you home, M’s making dinner, actually Ruth told me everyone is invited if you want,” he said aloud to everyone.

“Did you move in Jones?” Graham elbowed him, and he shook his head.

“Nah, just spending a lot of time there to help Dave and Em the next two weeks, in case Dave needs help moving or lifting Ruth. Wasn’t sure what to expect mate, but Ruth looked ok when I left to come here for Em. Resting on the porch swing with a book” he said.

Graham nodded and clapped him on the back. “We should take the girls out next weekend,” he said, and Killian nodded.

“Let me just clear it with Dave, make sure he doesn’t need Em, or a night off himself, maybe Rob and Gina can stay with her, give them both a night off,” he said.

Emma held her hand out to him and pulled him to his feet. He grabbed her board from her and led her toward the bus. Emma tossed his skateboard in the back with her board, and she waited for him to climb in heading to his apartment. He looked at her confused.

“Arent we heading home for dinner?” he asked her curiously.

Emma nodded, “Yeah, but I need you,” she said and he grinned, opening the door, and running to grab her bag.

He unlocked the door quickly and as soon as it closed behind him Emma was in his arms, her legs around his waist as he made his way toward his bedroom, bumping into boxes, and the wall. Emma was only in her bikini, and he pulled the strings at the back and sides as he held her in one arm, mouths latched together. He set her to her feet and she lifted ripped them off, laying back on his bed.

Killian shucked off his shorts, and tee, and was on top of her in a second. Emma was grabbing his hair, as he latched on to her nipple, kneading and tugging the opposite one. She was panting, and he slid down, trailing kisses and his fingertips toward her hips.

He bent down splaying her thighs wide, his thumbs parting her pink folds, and dove in. He hummed as he began lapping at her, tasting her sweetness, and saltwater washing down his throat. Emma’s hips bucked as he inserted a single digit, warming her up, and added a second when he felt her walls relax.

Emma was thrashing against the pillow, his mouth doing dangerous things to her clit, but it wasn’t enough. “Babe, I need you, I need more” she cried out desperately.

Killian stopped, and wiped his chin on her thigh, crawling up her body, placing soft kisses along her chest and neck. He licked into her mouth, Emma’s hands gripping his neck, pulling him closer to her.

“Em, I am right here love, just hang on,” Killian said unlinking her hands from his neck and dropping them on his pillow.

“What? I can’t touch you” Emma said, looking nervously at him like she might cry.

Killian shook his head, “Of course, love, but I can hardly move like this” he kissed her and leaned back on his heels, pulling Emma up onto his lap. “Come on love, let me love you” he whispered with a smirk.

Emma’s heart stuttered in her chest as he pulled her into his lap, her knees on either side of his hips. She rose above him and sank slowly. Killian’s hand gripped her hip, tilting her back and the other snaked up her back into her hair, curling against her scalp and holding her as he kissed her, tilting her head to kiss and nip at her neck.

Emma ground herself deeper onto him, feeling so full that was going to burst. She panted and moaned as she rocked up and down him, his hand tightening on her hip, and in her hair.

Killian felt like his eyes were going to roll out his head, Emma squeezed his cock with each shift, her cries turning him on so much that he was fighting the urge to blow right there. He released her hip and rubbed at her clit and was rewarded with a warm gush of heat inside of her. Emma moaned and tucked her face into his neck, her pants heavier and louder.

Emma felt her orgasm coming, and she wouldn’t be able to stop it. Killian hooked his arm over her shoulder cupping it, pulling himself as deeply as he could fit inside of her, and his rubbing and grinding into her set her off like a goddamn firework. She screamed his name and gripped onto him, her knuckles white, his groan in her ear loud, as she felt him pulse inside of her, the warm jets enhancing her aftershocks.

They stayed wrapped like that for moments, breathing hard, not wanting to release the other. He leaned back and tipped her chin up to gaze at her. “I love you, Swan, so much,” he said tipping his forehead against hers. Emma felt the dam break and tears ran down her cheeks, and he just held her, letting her release everything in the privacy of their bed.

When her tears had slowed, he lifted her gently off of him, laying her back, and used his tee shirt to wipe at her, and clean her off. He hovered above her, “are you alright?” he asked gently.

Emma nodded, and her eyes finally looked into his. “I just love you so much, I need you so much” she whispered, and Killian smiled.

“Well that’s a good thing, I need you too,” he said and kissed the tip of her nose. He looked at the clock, “We need to get you, home love.”

Emma got up and walked to his bathroom with her bag, and came out a moment later dressed in a sundress, and scooped her bikini up and into her bag. “You’re coming right?” she asked anxiously.

“Of course,” he said and grabbed a few changes of clothes throwing them to her to put in her bag, and grabbed his mail as they exited to the street. He drove them to her house, and Emma slid her board out of the bus leaning it against the garage.

M’s eyed them as they walked in, Emma heading to the porch to see her mom, and Killian stopped to ask M’s if she needed help with dinner. She laughed and nodded. “You two ok?” she asked him.

He nodded, “just needed a moment,” he said and winked at her, and she nodded. She got it, she and Dave went to her place when they needed a moment too, sometimes the house stifling with the situation, and it was their self-assigned job to be supportive and love them, be strong to support them.

“Hey, um Graham asked if you and Dave and Emma and I wanted to go on a date next weekend. I said I would clear it with Dave in case you guys needed a night out yourselves” Killian said shredding carrots for the salad.

M’s hummed to herself, “We have a date Friday, I work the morning shift and Dave works the afternoon shift Saturday so we would probably be spending the night at my place. But I will ask him about next weekend, I am sure Rob and Gina would be happy to hang here, or Will and Belle” she offered.

Killian nodded, “Swan and I got Friday covered, I work the morning, and she works the afternoon, so I will be here all night with Ruth. You two go, enjoy yourselves” he winked at her.

M’s flushed and kissed his cheek, “I used to think I was so lucky with Dave, that he finally noticed me ya know? I know Emma felt the same after pining away after you. But now I see it as a big picture kind of thing, we are all lucky, to love and be loved the way we do” she said.

Killian turned those words over in his head and nodded. “Aye, I am lucky every day that she chooses to have me,” he said quietly, and M’s rested her head on his shoulder as she stirred the pasta.

Dave was reading to their mom on the porch, Ruth bundled in a blanket, and watching her son read. Emma came out the front door and kissed her mom on the head, and then her brother, sitting in the wicker rocker. “Hey Momma, how do you feel?” she asked.

Ruth sipped her lemonade, “Just tired Sunshine. Did you have fun at the beach? Catch any good ones?” and Emma’s eyes lit up.

“I got a solid 5-footer, and when I came out, a perfect rainbow was above it. I think it was daddy” Emma said smiling.

Ruth smiled, “I bet you it was. I have been chirping in his ear all day, asking him to watch out for you at the beach,” she said, and Emma nodded.

Dave interjected, “I am going to see if dinner is coming soon. You hungry yet Ma?” he asked.

Ruth nodded; will you pull that squash soup out of the freezer for me babe? I think I will have that and some noodles, no sauce” she said, and David nodded heading through the door.

M’s called everyone to eat a few minutes later, Killian coming out to help lead Ruth inside while Emma gathered her book and blanket off the porch, setting it on her rocker in the living room. They all ate and Emma and Dave cleaned up, Killian helped Ruth to her room and went to sit on the porch.

Thinking about his mom, his brother, he wanted to call Liam, he would do that tomorrow and let him know how Ruth’s first round went. Dave came out, handing him a beer.

“You alright?” Killian asked and Dave nodded at him.

“Long day is all. How was Em?” he asked Killian and Killian nodded.

“Seemed like the break was good for her, Ruby, Graham, and Rob were there too, she wasn’t alone. But it looked like some weight lifted off of her” he said.

Dave nodded, “Thanks, for her, dinner, just being here,” he said quietly, and Killian squeezed his good shoulder.

“We are family mate, any way you cut it. I am honored to be here for your mum, for Em, you. So are M’s and everyone else. Your mom has seen each of us through good and bad, the least any of us could do is be here for her, repay her in any way we can” he said.

Dave sniffled, and Killian allowed him his privacy keeping his gaze straight ahead drinking his beer. “I asked my mum to keep an eye on her, between her and your Da, Ruth will be right as rain Nolan,” he said and clapped Dave on the knee, walking inside.

Emma was laying in bed when Killian came in shutting the door and locking it behind him. He kissed the top of her head as she flipped through the Syllabus her high school had mailed out and was looking over the dates, so he let her be, and climbed into the shower.

Emma bit her lip as she looked, she marked her classes and electives and folded them up to mail back tomorrow. She was nervous, with School starting in another month, she thought to her mom, and how this was going to affect her schoolwork.

She would have to tell her counselor soon, that way if she needed to leave, she could. Dave couldn’t do it all on his own, he had the police academy coming up, and it wasn’t fair to expect him to carry the load all alone. She would talk to her brother tomorrow. Killian came out of the bathroom, already dressed for bed. He climbed in beside her, and Emma rolled into his arms. He stroked her back and placed a kiss on her hair.

“I’m glad we got some alone time today” she murmured.

“Aye, I as well love,” he said and pulled her closer, letting her snuggle into his chest and she laid her hand over his stomach. He sent another round of prayers up to his mum, for Liam, for Ruth, and Emma and Dave. His last thought when he fell asleep was how good it felt to hold his love in his arms, to be her strength, and how grateful he was for her.

Ruth woke up the next morning, and after tossing and turning all night, a restless sleep, she readied herself for work. The chemo only made her sick once in the night, and she made sure to be quiet, as not to wake any of the kids. She showered, and combed her curls out, dressing in her favorite yellow scrubs, getting ready for work.

Dave was in the kitchen making some toast and tea for his mom, knowing she was hellbent on going to work her shift as normal. The only comfort he had was that If something happened, she would already be at the hospital.

Something irked him about Dr. Whale, his affection toward his mom, and hers for him. Their mom had never dated or even tried after she lost their dad, so he wondered if there was another secret she had been keeping, something private only for herself.

He wouldn’t fault his mom for trying to find love, someone to care for as she got older, and have a partner. No one would ever replace their dad, and he had to come to terms that his hunches might not be so far off that Dr. Whale and his mom held a more personal relationship than she let on. He shook the thought off as his mom came into the kitchen looking normal, and ready for work.

“Good morning, did you sleep alright?” he asked her.

She nodded, “A little restless babe, but nothing I wasn’t anticipating. I have a short shift today, I should be home by 3,” she said taking the toast to the table, sipping at her tea.

Dave nodded, “Any dinner requests?” he asked.

She shook her head, “I’ll be fine with anything. Do you work today?” and he nodded.

“I have a 10 am shift, I should be home by 5, Killian has the same shift, so I am just going to ride with him,” he said.

Ruth nodded, “Emma?” she asked.

Dave shrugged, “I think she works the afternoon and night tonight. But M’s had the morning, and Ruby mentioned she would be by this afternoon at some point. Hunt is coming to cut the grass today at some point, not sure when” he said.

Emma walked into the kitchen at that point, Killian was still fast asleep. “Morning guys,” she said and looked at her mom. “You look, good Momma, sleep ok? She asked her, and her mom nodded.

“Do we have stamps Emma asked them” as she searched the kitchen drawers. Ruth got up and pulled one out of an envelope.

“What do we have to get for school Sunshine?” she asked. Emma shrugged, “I don’t know yet, but probably stuff I already have. I have to mail in my schedule preferences today, but I am going to contact my counselor, let her know the situation here, so if I need to be somewhere, that my teachers are flexible” she said.

Ruth nodded and looked at Dave. “And the academy?” Ruth asked him.

“I don’t start until mid-September, it will be after your last cycle, so I should be good,” he said sipping his coffee.

Killian came in the kitchen bidding them all good morning, kissing Emma’s cheek and then Ruths. Emma handed him some coffee, “We should make a calendar” Emma said. “That way we know where everyone has to be and when.

Ruth smiled and nodded. “That’s a great idea sunshine, you guys can all add your work schedules on too, in case,” she said.

Killian grabbed Emma’s envelope, “I’ll drop this off for you when we get to work, there is a box outside he said, and Emma smiled and nodded at him.

“Alright kids, I am off to work. Wish me luck!” Ruth said and waved them off, grabbing her badge and keys, heading toward her car.

“Ride together?” Killian asked Dave and he nodded.

“I am going to jump in the shower,” he said and headed upstairs.

Emma looked at Killian and he caged her, arms on either side kissing her softly. “You ok? Ready for school to start?” and Emma shrugged.

“I wish that I was in your grade, that this was over ya know?” she said.

Killian nodded, “it goes by fast, and you will have Ruby and M’s with you. It won’t be so bad at all,” he said smiling at her.

“You’re not going to be around though, in the mornings, or at night,” she said sadly.

Killian rubbed his finger over the ring on her right hand, “I am always here” he said rubbing it. “A few hours apart is the same as work, and I will be here at night, for dinner, sometimes sleeping, but you have my place too Swan. Let’s just worry about now, your mum has 2 more rounds to get through, the rest will fall where it may” he said and tucked a curl behind her ear.

Emma smiled at him and nodded. “Ok, yah. You’re right. I am getting ahead of myself. Anyways, M’s and Dave have a date night Friday, so I am going to hang here. If you want to head out and have a guy’s night, or whatever that is ok with me. You don’t have to hang here” she said.

Killian balked at her, “I am where you are Swan” he said and kissed her head. “But I am going to get ready for work and headed up the stairs.

Emma sighed, looking at the clock she realized her shift wasn’t until 3. She bounded up behind Killian and locked the door behind her.

“Swan?” Killian asked her, and she bit her lip walking towards him.

“I just wanted to make sure you had a good day is all,” she said smiling, and he grinned at her curiously. Emma toyed with the shorts he had just pulled on, unbuttoning them.

Killian eyed her, “Emma, now is hardly the…”

Emma sank to her knees, and pulled his pants down, pumping his cock. Killian was caught completely off guard by her, and the moment her mouth was surrounding him he sunk his fingers into her hair, grounding himself.

He wanted to groan loudly as she took him into her throat, quietly humming around him, he looked down at her and she looked up at him, her pink lips taking his cock in and out of her mouth, her warm tongue swirling around him.

“Fuck” he said as quietly as possible, and he felt Emma’s lips smirk around him. Her hand cupped his sac, and his hips jerked involuntarily. He was trying to keep her breathing steady, but Jesus christ she felt good.

Killian was lost in the sensation of her, he gripped her curls steadying her, and pumped himself in and out of her mouth faster, her jaw going slack around him, letting him take what he needed. He plunged in and out of her warm mouth at a punishing pace as she continued lightly cupping and rubbing his sac.

“Gods, Emma, I am going to cum” he growled and he stilled himself, Emma began slow sucks, and he erupted, shooting long ropes of cum down her throat. Emma took every drop, and licked him clean, tucking him back in his pants. She stood and began to button his pants, and he steadied himself by holding on to her hips in a daze.

He looked at her menacingly, and pulled her lips to his, kissing her deeply, tasting himself on her tongue. He placed his forehead against hers, “that was…”

“A way to ensure you had a good day,” she said sweetly and kissed him chastely heading toward the bathroom to brush her teeth.

He shook himself out of his daze and righted himself. Dave knocked on the door “Jones, let’s go” he hollered.

“Coming man, be right down,” he said. Walking up behind her, he kissed the side of Emma’s neck.

“You don’t play fair love” he murmured.

“Emma spit and turned to him. “I love you, have a good day,” she said and kissed him again, tasting of mint.

“I love you, more than anything,” he said, and she nodded.

“I’ll see you tonight babe” and shooed him away.

Killian bounded down the steps where Dave was waiting for him and pulled his keys out of his backpack as they headed to his car. He dropped Em’s envelope in the mailbox on their way in, and they jumped into their day.

Emma tidied up the house, made sure her mom’s room was clean, that dishes were clean, and looked at the clock. She had three hours to fit in, and she thought she could probably hit the beach for a little bit. She scribbled a note out and stuck it to the fridge, taking her uniform with her, and her hairbrush. She threw on her suit and headed to the beach.

She spotted Jefferson and Will laying on the sand, the water looked calm.

“Hey guys,” she said heading toward them.

“Hello Nolan,” Will said, and Jeff nodded in her direction. She noticed a bottle of blue juice next to Jeff, and Will and he both appeared to just be laying in the sun.

“What’s up? You guys just laying in the sun?” she asked with a smile.

“I was in the water, but nothing really rolled in, and ran into Jeff here, and decided to park it,” Will said.

“Jeff, you have any water?” Emma asked, and he held up a bottle in his other hand as an answer. Emma eyed Will and he grinned at her and held the bottle to her and she smiled shaking her head. “I work in three or I would say yes,” she said.

Will nodded, “I am going to throw a party next weekend, Belle’s birthday,” he said smiling.

Emma smiled and nodded. She wasn’t sure if they could risk leaving their mom like that, all night and it wouldn’t be fair to Dave at all. Maybe Dr. Whale would come to sit with her, she thought. She had been thinking a lot about the blonde doctor.

She spread her towel out and will slather her back in sunscreen for her, and she laid looking at a magazine. The guys were completely content being quiet, so she thought to the man who she thinks perhaps might have a thing for her mom. Her mom was a gorgeous woman, she had been alone almost 12 years now, and it would be wholly unfair to expect her to live the remainder of her days alone.

While Dave may not like it, Emma understood it. She thought she should maybe broach the subject with her mom, but decided she would make a family decision and call the man, ask him to come to stay with Ruth for the evening.

They had a couch he could crash on, and her mom would actually enjoy the company if he was free. If he wasn’t, she would let Dave head to the party and stay in with her mom, pamper her a little, watch a movie or something. But Emma just had a feeling that a not-date with the doctor might cheer her mom up. She knew better than to tell Dave this plan, but she would call him so he had notice, and surprise her mom.

Emma flipped, letting the sun beat down on her face, the sun warming her bones. She smiled, and Will noticed.

“Oi little Nolan, whatchu grinning about?” He asked and she rolled to her side and shook her head.

“Nothing, just happy for the peace ya know?” and Will nodded looking at the water.

��Well Alice, I can tell you much peace may be found when you tumble down the rabbit hole” and winked at her. Emma laughed shaking her head.

“You are watching him, right?” and Will nodded at her. “You guys wanna go take a swim?” She asked. Will and Emma each grabbed one of Jeffs’s hands pulling him to his feet. Emma slathered sunscreen on his back and face, as he giggled.

They led him to the cooler water, and he exhaled a sigh of euphoria, floating on his back. Emma and will shared a look and cackled. The three of them laid there floating for a while, and Emma gave Will some ideas for gifts for Belle, and he asked about school. It felt nice to just have a normal day.

She guessed an hour had passed, and helped Will drag jeff back to the towels, and gave him some more water. She combed her curls out so they would dry normal enough to pull back for work. She checked her watch and realized she would be late if she didn’t take off then, so she said goodbye rushing to the bus.

She changed quickly inside it and headed toward Rae’s and walked in surprised to see Killian at the counter.

“Hey Babe,” she said and kissed his cheek, and she ran to clock in, and throw her skates on. When she came out, Killian was still sitting there and was looking at her curiously.

“Did you enjoy the beach?” He asked her, and she smiled nodding.

She rolled her eyes. “I cleaned the house before I went Jones. But Jeff took acid, Will was there with him, we swam, floated, and now I am here” she said.

Killian laughed, nodding. “Sounds about right,” he said amused.

“Where does Jeff get his money from if he doesn’t work?” Emma asked him, and he shrugged.

“I am fairly certain his folks left him quite an inheritance when they passed, Liam would know, they are closer,” he said.

“Whatever. Why are you here?” she asked.

“I was waiting to see you,” he said smirking at her, and she heard “order up!” She grabbed it, and looked at it, handing it over to him.

He leaned over the counter to grab it and kissed her, “see you later” he said with a knowing smirk, and she shook her head smiling at him.

God he was so hot , she thought as she watched him stroll out. He always turned girls’ heads, and she felt like a lucky bitch that he was all hers. She looked to the lot which was empty and dialed the number she had scribbled down on her pad.

“Hello?”

“Dr. Whale? Hi, It is Emma Nolan” she said.

“Oh Emma, Hi. Is Ruthie ok?” he sounded concerned, Emma smirked.

“Yeah, I was actually calling for a favor. I was wondering if you weren’t working next Saturday would you mind staying with her for a few hours?” she said.

“I am not on call; I would be happy to. Does Ruth know you asked?” he asked her.

“No, not yet. But Dave and I both have something to do, and if you are busy or get a call in, just let us know. We thought since Mom enjoys your company so much, and you are a Doctor, that we would feel comfortable with asking you. She could probably use a friend, and you two seem like friends. I think she could use a night off from a revolving door of teenagers babysitting her, but we aren’t wholly comfortable leaving her alone” she said.

“Oh. Ok, yeah. Count me in. I would be glad to, I will bring dinner along for us” he said.

“Ok, well I am at work, so have a good day, I would say come by around 7,” she said, and he agreed. “Thanks, Doc,” she said and hung up smirking.

Emma just wanted to make her mom happy, and if having a friend to watch a movie or show with, who could help her if she got sick was with her, who she appeared to trust was there, that would be best Emma rationalized. Dave was going to hit the roof at first, but he would come around.

Emma felt like all three of them needed a break from each other and the house, and maybe Dr. Whale would take their mom out, a drive, fresh air, or something. Couldn’t hurt right? She thought. Seeing a car pull in, she skated out with her pad and started her shift.

Killian dropped Dave off at their house and headed to his apartment. He went to the phone, and called Liam first, dragging a chair over, and waited while it rang. Elsa picked up.

“Hello?” She asked.

“Hey Elsa, Killian,” he said.

“Oh, Killian Hi! Liam isn’t home yet, is everything going, ok?” she asked him.

Killian told her most of everything going on, so she could relay it all to Liam. They were not coming to visit for quite some time, but Killian promised that no matter what he would go to them, or host Christmas with them at his place.

Elsa was pleased. She asked after Ruth, Emma, and how David was healing up. He gave her the just of it all, and she said she would have Liam call him.

Hanging up, he eyes the unpacked boxes and decided now or never. Cutting the first one open, he quickly put all his books on the shelves that Liam gave him, and it took him only two hours to empty and break down all the boxes.

His kitchen was now furnished, and he headed down to the drugstore. He picked up toiletries for him and Emma, extra stuff they may need, and ran upstairs to put it all away in the bathroom.

He placed a few of the stolen photos of him and Emma in frames that were now displayed around the apartment, it felt a little homier. The tall money tree that Ruth gave him for luck sat in the corner, and he watered it, tilting the shades so that it got some sunshine.

He tidied his room up, did some laundry and it was only 7. Emma still had two hours before she was off, but he called over to the house to check on Ruth.

“Hello?”

“Ruth, it’s Killian. Just checking in. How are you doing, need anything before I head over in a bit?” He asked her.

“Nope. But you are amassing quite a bit of wardrobe here sir, you have to be running low on boxers” she laughed, and he heard Dave in the background. “David I see quite a bit of M’s underpants as well, so hush” she chastised, and Killian stifled his laughter.

“Alright, well I am just finishing the unpacking here, going to take everything down to the dumpster, so I will see you shortly, I think Em is off at 9,” he said.

“Why don’t I send her by your place? You can show her everything unpacked sweetie? I will come by this weekend perhaps and you can show me yourself” She said amused.

Killian blushed furiously. “Oh, Um ok. Yah, are you sure?” he asked.

“Absolutely Jones. Tell your brother to call soon, I miss him. Otherwise, I will see you tomorrow, and Emma later tonight” she said resolutely, and he agreed hanging up.

He shook his head laughing, Ruth really did know them way too well. But now he had two hours to plan a date, and he was taking advantage of that. He headed down to the truck and hit the market, and the flower shop. He was throwing together a pizza for them, and he arranged sunflowers in a vase Ruth had given them.

He showered and flicked on the small TV, and checked the TV guide, seeing what was playing. He flipped on a show and heard a knock sometime around 9:30. He opened the door and Emma stood there with a bag in her hand holding it out to him.

“Your underwear sir,” she said laughing.

“Hey,” he said and shut the door behind her. She smelled clean and he watched her take it all in unpacked.

“Wow,” she said and walked to the bookshelf spotting a photo of them, and smiled at him. “It looks great, homey,” she said and he nodded.

She spotted the sunflowers, “For me?” and he nodded.

“Your mum said she was sending you here” he laughed, and she smiled and nodded.

“She sent Dave to M’s as well. He huffed about it, but she said since I was right around the corner it was fine for a few hours” Emma said.

“Are you hungry? I made pizza” he asked her as he pulled it out of the oven.

She smiled and kissed him, “absolutely.”

Killian popped the radio on, filling the space with some music, and Emma told him about her little plan for the party at Wills, and Killian sensed she might be right that her mom could use some company that wasn’t her kid’s friends. He knew Emma was smart, and if she sensed this was the right move for her mom, then he supported her. He also knew Dave would blow a gasket.

After dinner, he showed Emma the bathroom. Her shampoo and conditioner in the stall, a razor, lotion she liked, her toothbrush, and a hairbrush. She smiled, her cheeks wide, and kissed him. “You always know just what to do, don’t you Jones?” she murmured.

“I never want you to doubt that you don’t have a place in my life,” he said confidently.

Emma nodded, and he placed a spare key into her palm. “In case I am not home yet, you can always be here. You might need it, studying, whatever. While I am at work or school, this is as much your space as mine Swan” he said.

Emma swallowed, not knowing what to say. She looked at the key in her hand and just nodded. “Thank you,” she said and hugged him. “I love you a whole lot, a dumb amount,” she said and kissed him.

He laughed against her lips and surprised her by scooping her up and heading toward his room. Emma didn’t make it home until after midnight.

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#emma nolan #david nolan #ouat #ouat au #1970s #once upon a time #killian jones #ruby lucas #graham humbert

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