#ay-ohhhh (drawn out)

[kettouryuujin]

Nobility AU: Noble's Summit

[Inspired by @monsoon-of-art's Pokerus AU and @jade-nargacuga's Pokerus: Ghosts]

To say the mood was tense on the way to the Temple of Sinnoh was an understatement. If it wasn’t for his new School, Iscan was sure he’d be freaking out so badly that he’d need help getting there.

All the Nobles - new and old - were meeting. Officially, it was to discuss what to do about the rift and Clans, as well as go over duties and all. Unofficially, it was to get everyone used to working with each other, since the Nobles were - somewhat surprisingly - a tighter-knit group than the Wardens.

Knowing what he knew now, it made sense. Both clans had assigned the title of Sinnoh to the wrong Pokémon, and the Nobles had known the whole time. So there wasn’t any sort of clan-based division, and they actually met up regularly. Honestly, though, this all wasn’t that worrying.

What he was actually worried about was how everyone would react to finding out that he and Palina were…together. He was sure some of the old Nobles had let it slip, and even if they hadn’t he was willing to bet that it’d come up.

Even if everyone knew about Arceus now, old animosity would still be there. Especially Melli…

Oh, ball-Melli was going to be utterly insufferable.

—-

Palina thanked her lucky stars when they got to the Highlands meeting point. Lord Electrode was off to the side, recovering from an Explosion, whilst being tended to by Sir Voltorb. “Well…that explains why we had to come up here. What happened?”

“Ah… who’s to say? This is the third time he’s exploded today…” A groan from the smaller Sphere Pokémon. “It’s like the smallest thing makes him go off.”

“Erm. Is he…safe to have here?”

“Yeah, new Poppa’s right! If Melli keeps going boom-boom…” Both lovers sputtered at the pup’s frank statement. They weren’t like that yet! (Right?)

“Wait, new poppa? Ohhhh, I gotta see this.” Looking up, Palina saw the new Lady Braviary swoop in, Sir Rufflet trailing behind. “Hah! I knew you two would get together! I guess the real question is, will the young pup have siblings only on land, or in the water as well? Hmmmm~”

…right, a dog and a fish might not be…compatible… well. Something to work around when they got there.

Iscan was still stammering and stuttering up at his fellow Diamond Clan noble, even as she snickered.

“...together?”

Each pair of eyes was drawn to the giant wooden orb.

“They…they’re together? A Diamond with a Pearl?” Out of the corner of her eye, Palina saw Sir Voltorb roll away. She gave IScan a gentle bite on a fin and pulled him away, her son and Sir Basculin following suit.

*BOOM!*

…really, it was the obvious choice.

—-

The one good thing about Melli’s…explosive tendencies… is that it was a good way to let everyone know just where the meeting was.

Miss Petilil was more than willing to give the new Noble some Aromatherapy, thank Sinnoh. Especially as it seemed to help everyone just calm down some. Otherwise, they might all end up at loggerheads over one thing or another.

Lady Sneasaler - the only remaining “natural” Noble - adjusted her ever-present black hat. “Alright, I’ll do the opening since I’m the only one of us who knows how. So yadda yadda yadda, I declare this Meeting of the Hisuian Nobles open.”

“Lady Sneasaler! You are not giving this the right gravitas!” Sir Basculin fumed from his spot in a nearby water bowl.

The Fighting-/Poison-type just shrugged. “Meh. It’s what works. Got any complaints, whitefin?” A growl. “Thought so. Now.” A sigh as she leaned back. “First things first. I assume everyone has been informed that the whole "Sinnoh dispute" your clans had was completely pointless?”

A series of “Aye’s” came up from the former Lords, with one exception. “I have told Lord Melli, but he…hasn’t exactly let me fully explain.”

“Oh-kay. Go ahead and give the talk while we get started. Don’t wanna push the little sprout too far with Aromatherapy.” Miss Petilil gaped at the taller ‘mon, then sighed.

Lian leaned to Sir Scyther. “...has she…always been like this?”

The Sir let out a sigh. “Since before her Trial, apparently.”

“I have ears, you know.” The bug-type Noble and his predecessor stared at the Sneasaler before she sighed. “Right, next up would normally be discussing Wardens, but given circumstances we can pass to Current events.” A deep breath. “And… this is the doozy. Not talking about the mass transfer of power, but everything that’s been going on.” 

Her eyes swept across the assembled ‘mon. “Anything of note at the villages and all? You lot have had more experience there than us, so…”

Mai sighed. “Unfortunately, it seemed like us… ex-wardens… were the furthest along with our changes. The Clan Leaders were the closest to our levels, though.”

“I…right. Ok.

…Bird. You can stop jumping.”

Indeed, Sabi was just hopping in place, causing some rumbling on the ground. “Bird. Please. Staph.”

“But I have something to saaaay!”

“Is it from your ‘clairvoyance’?” The Lady made air quotes, not noticing her fellow Noble shoot a glare. And an evil smirk.

R.I.P. Lady of the Cliffs.

“Oh, the same thing that let me know you’ve been trying to learn human speech recently?”

“Yeah, that th-wait, what the?!?” Weasel-cat whirled on avian, gawking. “You - I - I haven’t been trying to learn human! Where’d you get that idea from?

C-Cut it out, you guys!” Nope. Despite her pleas the assembled Sirs, Misses, Lords, and Ladies would not stop laughing at the Sneasler.

Eventually, Sir Rufflet managed to talk instead of laugh. “A-apologies, but… I can confirm her talents for myself. We’ve saved several clansmen with her visions, and I’d be a fool to discount them.” Sigh and smirk, shaking his head. “Although that was one she had not shared with me.”

Sabit just petered off into a snigger. “But the real question is, did I see your reaction, or did I see you actually practicing?” Sneasler just glowered at Braviary, causing the newer Lady to sigh. “Right, right. Anyways, I saw what was going to happen.”

“Y-you mean whatever had Sir Basculin scared enough to pass on his title?”

“The exact thing, Iscan.” Her head drooped some, eyes closing. “It…wasn’t pretty. In the vision, I…I wasn’t myself. None of the Clansmen were.”

“I assume you don’t mean physically.” Good on Gaeric for clarifying.

“No, I mean…” A small choked squawk came out, tears coming to her eyes. “I…Sir Rufflet? Can you?” And she had to let the experienced one take over? Oh-kay…

“Of course, m’Lady.” The smaller bird stepped forwards. “Lady Sabi had allowed me to view hr vision via my psychic powers, and her reaction is… sadly, justifiable. We thought she'd be able to tell you anyways.

Nevertheless. Her vision revealed that everyone in Hisui, except for the Nobles and a few lucky Pokemon, had been reduced to mere beasts that were hunting…something.”

The hollow itself seemed to still at this revelation. Background chatter from those in the meeting and those who were just peeping in died off. “She didn’t see the end result, but we are lucky it didn’t traumatize her.”

“...that bad?” Sir Basculin whispered. Sir Growlithe burrowed his head in his mother’s mane, while Sir Scyther just gawked. Sir Stantler laid down, forelegs over his eyes as he shook in fear. Tensions climbed as Miss Petilil’s Aromatherapy ceased in shock, Sir Ursaring sitting and murmuring about how this couldn’t be possible. Sir Bergmite had fallen on his back, not even bothering to move as Sir Voltorb stared, eyes occasionally darting to a thankfully-still-alert Melli.

“That bad.” Sir Rufflet nodded. “Truth be told, it seems like nothing would be set right without the Hero returning.”

Silence reigned for a few precious minutes.

—-

Lady Sneasler was in shock. This whole “Pokérus” thing was leading up to people being at each other’s throats? Hunting and killing? Nary a sign of intelligence?

…Sinnoh, what were you thinking, letting all this happen?

And more pressingly. “These… lucky Pokémon. Did you happen to see anything about them?”

The young Sir shook his head in denial. Crap, so the former Lords might be vulnerable now! Oh this wasn’t good this wasn’t goo-

“There…was one thing.” Eh? Miss catatonic had snapped out of it? “T-thinking back on the vision, I… I realized. It seemed like everyone who wasn’t… insane… had some sort of Legendary blessing.” Her gaze drifted to the young Sir Growlithe. “L-like you.”

The pup pulled his head out of Palina’s fluff. “E-eh?”

The Braivary - who suddenly seemed a good bit older - nodded. “Yeah, you… you were safe in my visions. Weren’t even a target.” A dry laugh. “Heck, if Palina was nearby and not… busy… she’d be caring for you.”

Time to step back in. “Oh-kay, that’s impressive. But the pup was blessed by Arceus then, and now he’s given that blessing to his mother. Don’t you think-”

“Erm, actually?” And Sir Basculin had piped back up. “My continued independence proves to me that Dialga and Palkia helped oversee Iscan’s Rite of the Waves. Would that be enough to protect us?”

“I’ll commune with them tonight, see what I can find out.”

“...erm. You sure you can do that, Miss?”

“Eep! Right. Sorry. I’m going to have to teach Arezu how to do the Dance of Connections…”

“The what?” Said Lilligant looked at her predecessor in sheer bafflement.

“I’ll explain it when we get back to the Arena.”

“Oh-kay. Erm. Anyone else have something to discuss?” Lady Sneasler got the meeting back on track, only to receive a series of “no” responses. “Right. Well, umm. Given the… magnitude… of what has been discovered, I’d like to call for an emergency adjournment so the ex-Nobles can start helping their new Nobles learn to fight. If we can’t get any answers from the guys upstairs, we’ll have to assume the worst. Sabi, Rufflet. Any signs we can look for?”

Sir Rufflet gladly answered: “We have until the skies turn red before anyone falls to insanity. Also, the hyper-aggression comes with glowing red eyes, so it’s easy to tell who’s affected.”

“Gotcha. Someone get that noted.

OK, all in favor of emergency adjournment, say ‘Aye!’”

A chorus of tiny “Aye’s” sounded out through the hollow.

Lady Sneasler sighed. “I…alright, kinda can’t take your word here, need the actual current Lords to say ‘Aye!’...”

“Oh, uh, Aye?” “Aye.” “Aye?” “Ayy.” “Aye-Aye!” “Aye…” “A-Aye…” “Erm, aye?” “I. Oh, um, Aye.”

“Alright. Oh, uh, first: I’ll be popping by after the Dance of Communion to see what Arezu’s heard.” The Grass-/Fighting-type gulped, clearly not having expected this kind of pressure. “Once I know about that, I’ll go around and see if we can get another meeting set up.

Now. Meeting adjourned, everyone get to practicing!”

Silence (except for Miss Petilil leading Lady Arezu away).

“TODAY, people! We don’t know when that red sky is coming!” That got ‘mon up and running, and soon only Melli, Sir Voltorb, and Lady Sneasler were left. And she wasn’t gonna stick around for the Electrode’s training - she preferred not being blown up, thank you very much.

And Legends, was this what it was like being the eldest Noble? She’d like the old Lord Basculegion back, please and thank you. Ugh. Well, if wishes were fishes and all that crap. She had to get ready to check on the Dance of Communion - probably get some notes - and make sure the kits were alright. Not to mention see if the sky was starting to turn red and all because that would be when pretty much all of Hisui would be hunting something. Quite possibly them.

“Arceus help us… we’re gonna need it.”

[davenettis]

The Midnight Club

Spoilers, probably. 💀💀

(This iPhone commercial before the show even started #yesssss)

oooh the recap. TELL US THE SECRET.

Weatherbee taking the books 💀💀

Let's not lie, no one would be this on a fucking D&D game.

"the little we know about it" Y'ALL KNOW EVERYTHING WHY LIE

"AS MAYOR" when you forget Hermione is Mayor for a hot minute lmao

Why would Betty and Jughead be playing if they're the ones investigating it, Veronica?????

DOCTOR CURDLE JR. WHAT UP

HA. BETTY GOT THE RECEIPTS. *snaps at Alice*

No, never believe when Alice accepts defeat that easy.

OHHHH SHIT, ALICE.

"shouldn't u be in a church" 💀 burn.

HAHAHAHAHAH ITS UP UR ASS, PENELOPE.

Slap that hoe. Do ittt. Yassssss. HSHAHAHAHA TRASHY BITCH

oh God this is better than any episode ever. YESSSSS STREAK.

*chants with them* STREAK STREAK STREAAKKKKK.

Wow. The 80s intro, beautiful. 👏👏

(it just cut to a random buffalo chicken dip commercial and I was so CONFUSEDDDDDD)

(like weird flex but ok??)

(how many freaking commercials do I have to watch before it comes back on. I'm at six. Like come on)

The bad girl, the rebelling Catholic, the teachers pet, the artist/athlete, the political animal, ANDDDDD the ladies man.

Sometimes I forget they have a kid??? Hahahah Betty's like ew gross can u not tell me how hot my boyfriend's dad is please

"cause I have nothing better to do" I feel it.

The music choices are just 👏👏

AYE YOUNG DADDY KELLER . KEVIN NO. LMFAO

Secrets and Sins??? Thought that shit was truth or dare. So dramatic .

"I wanna stay here my whole life" wooowwww. Aim high, Freddie.

RUNNING FOR MAYOR. the foreshadowing.

he really didn't escape the Southside lmfaoooo

OH FP ONE IS SCARY .

OMG PENELOPE. oh GOD hahahahahaha it's Clifford. Damn, no wonder she's such a stone cold, bitch.

(TAKEEEE ONNNN MEEEEEEEE)

Aw. They're all besties. ♥️♥️♥️

Gryphons and Gargoyles. 🤦🏻‍♀️ No kids, put it back.

His name? The demogorgan Gargoyle King

Yeah, Fred, u the radiant knight. 💁🏻‍♀️

Did the V on his cast just change from black to red?

AW. THEY HAD TO PAIR UP AND HE LOOKED AT ALICE. Cuuuute.

She in the mood for chaos. That's where Cheryl gets it.

Is Hermione gonna kiss FP too? He's a skank lmfao

Aw. Alice, it's ok, hunni.

"what exactly went down with you and Alice?" Uh, obviously their pants, Hermione.

(KJ really looks like young Luke Perry. The CASTING on this show)

ALICE. BAD. BAD ALICE. NO.

YEAH THE BLUE AND GOLD? OUR BUGHEAD SANCTUARY? HOW DAAAARE.

Oh. Now they're LARPing.

HAHAHAHAAH. IS THAT DILTON AGAIN (obviously he's his dad but still)

No, no. Don't rise to any challenge. Stop it.

FIZZLE ROCKS 💀💀💀💀

Uh oh. Gargoyle king is real.

(please stop showing food commercials, I'm so hungry. I'm about to gnaw my arm off)

(U GOT EXXMA? what U GOT EXXMA???)

(like I'm so excited, I could die. "That's morbid")

THE FRED HEADS . YASSSSSS. SING IT, HUNNNIIII.

thank God he's just playing drums, pls don't make my Cole sing.

THE DREAM WARRIORS. 👏👏👏👏👏 I LOVE THIS.

HAHFJEJFNEJFENCJEJ CASEY'S FACE WHEN HE WAS LAUGHING. oh. Oh Lord.

What's happening ? Oh no. Ohhhh no. Don't drink the Kool fresh aid

Oh NOPE. HEEEELLLLL NO. uh oh.

Alice is smart, she fuckin left.

Principal Featherhead....

What a name.

NICE HICKEY, HERMIONE. OMG FRED'S DAD NO.

OH GOD AND THE PRINCIPAL IS MISSING?!

Aw, Fred. It's okay, bby.

Oh hell no. He's still the school?! No no no. Oh fuck.

IS THAT JUGHEAD'S CLOSET? DID JUGHEAD SLEEP IN A CLOSET WHERE A DEAD ASS BODY WAS???

(cut to a bleach commercial. Nice segway)

WHY U ASSUMING THEY DID IT TO HIM 🤣

Destroy the gameeeee.

Ew. No, we don't have to spit. We can just make the pact..

(WELCOME TO YO LIFEEE. THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.)

YES, HERMIONE. GET THEM PEARLSSSS.

KELLER AND SIERRA 😭😭😭😭 "I'll wait for you." OUUUCCCHHHHH, MY WHOLE ASS HEART JUST SHATTERED.

(I'm happy af they're together now 👏👏👏👏)

I AM SCREAMING. MY HEART.

Jason still creeps me out. Even as Clifford.

YES. THE JACKET.

Rock them, Serpents, daddy.

HEY THERE, HAL COOPER. 💀💀💀💀

God. The adults need a spin off because THIS. EPISODE. WAS. BEAUTIFUL.

(what are these vaping commercials? Let me smoke in peace)

Betty, your classmates have been dying for like three years. Just let it happen.

No one ever noticed all the initials carved in the window before??

Oh shit. The chalices. (Why would you hide them at the school, idiot)

JUGGIE. JUG. MY HEART.

All the Serpents are playing now lmfao

Yeah, the end was SO her hallucinating.

(I mean, maybe they are playing but ...I highly doubtful Jughead is stupid enough to be drawn into it that intensely, knowing the consequences )

[hungrywhovianjedi]

It Hurts To See You and Him book two: I’ll Fight It for You: chapter 7

New Dark One, Killian Jones, finds himself in a frighteningly familiar situation, as he struggles against the aftermath of protecting his love. Emma Swan and the hero gang is left in shock after the sudden disappearance of the Pirate, and now must figure out how to get wherever the Dagger has taken Killian, before the darkness can swallow him whole.

Read where it all began: : Prologue, chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 6chapter 7 Epilogue

IHTSYH Also on: FFN

read the rest of I’ll Fight it for You: Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

I’ll Fight It for You also on: FFN

read If I Never Leave: The prologue, Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

If I Never Leave also on: FFN

Tagging a few friends @andiirivera @revanmeetra87 @sherifffjones @the-corsair-and-her-quill

There was a flurry of activity in the tower, as Regina cleared the table, with a sweep of her arm, so they could lay Robin down. David rushed across the room with Emma, and set her in the chair in the corner. She looked pale, her face drawn in pain. Killian couldn’t help the wave of relief that the man was already dead, nor could he help the wave of regret, that he wasn’t the one who made him that way.

Regina was trying to heal Robin, but Killian couldn’t pull himself from Emma’s side to assure himself that his friend would be fine.

“It’s not working!” Regina cried in frustration. He glanced back, and watched as she waved her hand over the sword that had harmed both Emma and Robin. “The sword, it was enchanted to kill me. My magic can’t heal him.” He heard the emotion in her voice, then she turned, eyes zeroing in on Emma. “But yours might.”

Killian was on his feet in a second. “You can’t be serious. Emma’s in no state to be using magic. The strain of it might kill her, do you really think her life is worth less than Robin’s?” He demanded.

Regina didn’t flinch. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help Robin.” She narrowed her eyes. “You have magic now, don’t you? Use it. Help Robin.”

“Regina!” It was Emma’s voice, though it hardly sounded like her, the words coming out strained and tired. “You can’t expect him to use dark magic for your personal use!” The ice in her tone, cut at the ex-queen, despite her condition.

Killian looked back at Emma. The blood was soaking more through her once pristine white gown, and he knew, that her injury was far worse than she let on. Emma didn’t have much time left. “No. I won’t use it to heal Robin, but I can heal you, so you can help him, luv.” It was a half-truth, he knew her magic would help her, help Robin, but in truth, he wasn’t about to let Emma die either way.

Emma shook her head, the move lethargic, David’s grip was white knuckled around Emma’s as Mary Margaret smoothed her hair. “No, don’t use dark magic. It’s not who you want to be.” The words cut through him. Yes he wanted to be a hero for her, but what was being a hero, if he didn’t have her? She was the one that made him want to be better. She of all of them, should understand that.

Killian dropped before her. “I don’t want to be anyone, without you, Emma.” He told her, then he felt the magic well beneath his palm, only this didn’t feel dark, as he pressed his hand to her side, and felt the warmth pass from his hand and into Emma’s body. The red stain began to shrink from her dress, and the color seemed to come back to her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her breathing grew steady, and he knew she would be okay.

He felt a pull from behind him, and he spun, eyes widening when he saw the dagger in Regina’s hand. “Heal him, Hook.” She ordered. “Heal, Robin.”

He felt the pull, even as everyone in the small tower room stared at Regina in shock and anger, including Regina. He felt Emma’s hand on his wrist, and he looked up, she was glaring past him.

“Don’t do this Regina.”

“I have to, Emma.” She said coldly. “Now heal him, I can’t lose him!”

Killian moved woodenly, till he stood over his friend, and he felt the magic well within him again, and he waved his hand over Robin Hood’s body, and watched as the wound magically healed.

“It felt good, didn’t it?” Asked a familiarly cold voice from the window. “The dark magic.” The Dark Emma asked. “Now there is just the teensy little issue, of the price.”

“Price?” he asked. “I saved them, what could possibly be the price?” he asked, glaring at demon.

Emma straightened in her chair. “Killian? Who are you talking to?” her voice was concerned.

The demon chuckled softly. “Emma? Well, hers wasn’t as advanced as Robin’s the price isn’t that large, but Robin? Wooo that is going to be a hefty one, but don’t worry. You didn’t want that magic, the price isn’t yours to pay.” She told him. “She ordered the magic, so she has to pay for that order.”

“What’s the price?” He asked.

Emma moved to stand, but despite Killian’s healing, she was not yet at full strength, and she swayed. “Killian?”

He turned, and blocked the dark image from view. “Emma, Swan, are you alright?”

Emma nodded slowly. “I think so, you saved me.” She whispered. “idiot.”

He was taken a little back by her anger. “What?”

“I told you not to use your dark magic for me. I couldn’t handle it, if you went dark because of me!” She cried, then she spun on Regina, “and you. You stole the dagger! You used it to control him.” She held out her hand. “Give it back to me.” She demanded. “You have proven that we can’t trust you with that kind of power. You should be ashamed, Regina. You saved Robin, sure, but you lost a little bit of the light in your heart to do it.”

“Ohhhh, she does not pull punches, when she’s angry.” The darkness whistled. “I can see why you like her so much.”

Regina looked suddenly guilty, as she handed the dagger back to Emma. Killian felt it now, simmering below the surface, the darkness. It was back, and he was sure he knew why. Using the dark magic, strengthened the hold it had on him. Emma was right. Using magic was dangerous. He had saved Emma, but what would the price be?

Emma turned back. “That being said, thank you.” She told him. “I might have downplayed that a bit. You saved my life.” She put a hand on his arm.

Killian sighed, and leaned into her touch. They only pulled back, when the door to the tower opened, and Arthur walked in, with a sense of urgency. “Oh thank the gods.” He gasped, seeing them all there, a little shaken, but otherwise unharmed.

“I had heard that Robin was hurt, and that the savior was, as well.” He looked at Emma, then at the rest of them. “Is everyone alright?”

Emma swallowed, glancing at Killian, how could they tell Arthur, when he didn’t know that Killian was the Dark One?

“They are now.” Regina told him. “Emma and I, we combined our power, and we were able to heal Robin, and Emma’s injury was not as serious as it first appeared, and I was able to heal it before anything became worse.” The lie slipped so easily from the ex-queen, that it made Killian cringe. She so easily took the credit for saving them. He could taste the lie in the air like poison. He caught Emma’s glare from behind Regina, and knew he was not the only one.

Arthur accepted the lie however, and looked relieved. “I am glad to hear that. I fear I must apologize. Here in Camelot, we make a point in not trying to kill our guests.” He bowed his head towards Emma. “However, if you were able to heal him, then it appears you are indeed the savior that Merlin prophesized”

Emma bowed her head. “I am sorry about your knight. It was not our intention, to cause upset.”

Arthur shook his head, and Killian looked at Emma in shock, was she apologizing for them getting attacked? For her almost dying?

“I assure you, milady, that you were at no fault. I’ll be honest, I haven’t the foggiest, as to why Percival would react in such a way, or what would cause him to make such assumptions.”

Regina spoke up next. “Actually. Percival was right. I am the evil queen”

Arthur seemed mildly surprised, but then he smiled. “Camelot is a place of second chances. It doesn’t matter, who you were. Only who you are.” He told her. “I assure you, no more harm will come to any of you, while you are here. Rest here tonight. On the morrow, we shall find out how to free Merlin, from his wooden prison. So you may defeat the dark one, and return to your home”

~~I’ll Fight It for You~~

Once they were alone again in their chamber, Killian pulled Emma to him, another moment and he would have lost her. He didn’t realize how much he truly needed her, when the thought of her being gone forever almost became reality.

Emma curled into his chest, any anger she felt at him using his dark magic to save her, gone. Leaving nothing but exhaustion, and relief in its place. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder, fingers toying with the hair on the nape of his neck.

“I almost lost you.” He whispered. “If I hadn’t healed you, or if Regina had used the dagger on me sooner…” he felt a sob catch in his throat. “You almost died.” He held her impossibly closer, and she let him. “I don’t know what I would have done, if you had died.”

“I didn’t” she assured him. “I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere.” She pulled back to gaze into his blue eyes. “Though, if Regina doesn’t watch it, she might be going somewhere.”

Killian couldn’t argue with that idea. His anger at the mayor was certainly a burning flame in the back of his mind. There was one thing he hated over anything else. It was when someone took another’s will from them. Spending his childhood as a slave, had taught him that. Regina had taken that freedom from him. He though back to that other time. Apparently, that Emma had trusted the queen with her dagger. He wondered if that was one of the things that haunted her about their time in Camelot? If Regina had taken her agency, and forced her into doing things she would not otherwise do.

“Aye luv, I agree. She crossed a line this evening, and it won’t be easy to cross back. Betrayal is a hard thing to accept.” He leaned in and buried his face in her hair. “She almost cost me, the most important thing in my life. She almost cost me you.”

Emma sighed, and looked up, their faces mere inches apart. “But she didn’t.” she said softly. Her lips were soft against his, as she gave him a sweet kiss. “Now come. Let’s get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” She told him, before pulling away, and leading him to their bed.

~~I’ll Fight It for You~~

The day had dawned with birdsong, Emma wrapped in his arms securely. He hadn’t slept at all that night, but it seemed that Emma’s presence was keeping the darkness at bay. He knew though, that this could only last so long. So when Emma and the others went up to the tower to begin their research, Killian wandered around the tree. He tried to sense the presence through the knotted bark.

“You know, in my experience, trees don’t tend to talk…” Robin called out to him. He looked up, and smiled at his friend.

“Aye, but there is a certain peace that comes with their silence.” He mused. “Though I always did prefer the waves as my confidante. They could never share all of your secrets. Because no one wave knew them all.”

Robin came to stand by his side, as they looked up at the limbs of the bark. “If only this tree could talk, perhaps then Merlin could help us beat this, without all of the extra work.”

“From what Arthur said, there was a time, when the tree was rather chatty. Especially about Emma’s arrival here.” Killian bit his lip.

Robin saw his jaw clench, and sighed. “How is Emma? I know she was hurt last night”

Killian closed his eyes, trying to chase away the image of her slipping away from him in that chair the night before. The feeling of the magic that passed between them, that didn’t feel like dark magic at all. “She’s doing better. I was able to heal her, before Regina had me heal you.” He looked up, and saw guilt cross the thief’s eyes.

“I am sorry, that Regina took such an extreme measure” He paused. “But I also have to thank her. Without her doing that. Without you healing me? I would have died last night. I saw Marian waiting for me, but then I was back.”

Killian clapped a hand onto his shoulder. “Aye, I know what you mean, there were a few times, where I was sure it was the end, that I almost thought I could see Milah waiting for me, but then each time, Emma has pulled me back.” He looked at his friend. “I am glad, that you’re okay though, mate. Even if your girlfriend has ruffled my feathers one too many times.”

Robin chuckled, and shook his head. “Oh I assure you, she has ruffled many a feather. Some of mine included” He sobered, “But nothing can be worse, than losing your will to choose. So I am sorry Killian.”

Killian “It was terrible, but I learned something from it.” He said softly. “I learned, that there was nothing  worse, than the thought of losing Emma.” He said. “Even being controlled by Regina, paled in comparison, to the moment I thought I saw her slipping away from me. So, I can truly say, that I know why she did it.” He looked up at Robin. “I would have done it too, if Emma was in your place, and Regina was the Dark One. I would have used that dagger, and I would have made her save Emma.”

Robin seemed to be in shock, from what Killian had revealed, but he shook it off, as he looked up. “Speaking of Emma.” He nodded towards the door, where Emma stepped out into the sunlight. Killian smiled at her. There was something about the clothing she was wearing here. Dresses of pure white, that made her look even more like an angel, or a siren, than ever. She spotted him, and hitched her white skirts a little, so she wouldn’t trip on them, and made her way over.

“Hey, you.” She said. “Robin.” She nodded to the thief.

Robin gave an exaggerated bow, “Milady, I think it’s time that I go and see to Regina.” He said, sending a smile at Killian. “Killian, I’ll see you later”

Killian waved at the other man, as Emma stepped up, her hands tracing up his chest. “So, what has the day brought about, luv? Any magical fixes for the grand sorcerer tree?”

Emma pursed her lips. “Not as such, yet… but we have an idea on how we can talk to him. Dad is out with Arthur now, trying to find it. They shouldn’t be much longer.” She leaned up and kissed him. “We’ll figure this out, before you can say, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”

Killian gave her a confused look. “Say what now? Is that some sort of spell?”

Emma laughed. “Note to self, when we get home, we’re watching Mary Poppins” she tapped his nose.