#leading her to believe she’ll be a savior of the clans… only for her to find out she’s basically the final ingredient to finishing off the

[warriors-ideas]

An AU where The Power Of Three (+DoveWing) instead work for The Dark Forest and drive the living Clans to a near apocalypse, with their powers instead inspired off of The Four Horseman. HollyLeaf = Death, JayFeather = Famine, LionBlaze = War and DoveWing = Conquest. i think this could be a cool concept

✨

[otp-armada]

Archiving another Twitter meta, based on this thread: https://twitter.com/otparmada/status/1557854311245557760?s=21&t=9Gy0hl6-VLLQJHQMufOZ9Q

Once upon a time, Clarke admired the fortitude, steadiness, and resolve Lxa projected as the leader Clarke wished to be while she was drowning in grief and guilt over Finn's death and grappling with doubts that she could help to save her people. So she deferred to Lxa's example. I still believe the most influential parting lesson Lxa left her with is that if she wants to be strong enough to protect her people, she must be willing to do whatever is necessary, morals immaterial. It's a prevailing sentiment that colors Clarke's path up to 5x12's overturning of "love is weakness," during which the plot drives Clarke toward more desperate and darker means of saving her people, weighed against her continual compassion and heroism.

Once upon a time, Clarke identified with Lxa's projected loneliness, which stemmed from her people's dependence on her leadership. She's an 18-year-old girl with limited life experiences, flattered that she could bring a leader of Lxa's stature to bow before her in seeming respect and support.

In wanting Clarke to stay with her in Polis, Lxa provided Clarke a shield preventing her from returning to her people, where she would be looked upon by at least a few to lead them, where she would have to contend with the effects of her absence, namely among Bellamy and the delinquents. Lxa enabled her to keep running, and in surrendering her agency for the most part, she transferred her power to "decide who lives and dies" to Lxa. In this way, Lxa is her shield. She's Clarke's barrier that keeps her from the danger of being responsible for the lives of others, while the advisory role Clarke accepts gives her the semblance that she's still helping her people from the distanced vantage she's comfortable with.

I believe that getting Lxa to abolish blood must have blood as the grounders' rule of law engendered a speck of confidence in herself. Relief and maybe a bit of pride that she might have helped to foster peace at a time when the world exalts or lambasts her as a harbinger of death, when she believes herself to be more a danger to others than a savior. For a minute, she found hope that their warring clans could finally - genuinely - forge a bridge of peace.  

And so enmity reverts to admiration and attraction again.

She loves Bellamy and is drawn to Lxa, but only one of them is open to the affection she craves. She isn't ready to let herself fully love someone, and with Lxa, she has an exit strategy. They are over before they can begin. So she allows herself to embrace affection in the physical form she'll permit herself to engage before she says goodbye.

Lxa dies from a bullet intended for Clarke, and once more, grief and guilt return to form to reign supreme among her emotions, just as they did when she lost Finn.

This all contributes to what is arguably a nuanced dynamic in this segment of Clarke's life.

For Lxa to stand as her final proof of how deadly Clarke's love is to its recipients, for Clarke to then look to shelve her heart for the next harrowing stage of her journey, Clarke had to love Lxa first. That's all well and good, but we also know Clarke's fond remembrance afterward is partly due to the backlash, given such examples as the added ILY. CL and Bellarke were affected by influences outside the narrative, with opposing effects. Grievances worked in CL's favor and against Bellarke.

[linelpisffxiv]

5.0 Spoilers

I’m still working on/thinking up 75, 77, and 79/80 parts for tomorrow and tomorrow, but here’s a coda

He hears the portal ripple to life a few weeks later.

Lin comes through in the outfit he gave her when she first arrived. The golden brass just makes the warm tones of her skin stand out like a beautiful sunset.

“G’raha! Have you any need for me?”

He shakes his head. “For now, the peace has no need for the Warrior of Darkness. Though time has slowed down a bit compared to your world. I feel that you can spend three days here and have only two and a half pass by back on the source.”

She smiles. “Perfect. Every extra hour I can spend here with you is one well-spent. I got you something back home.” She holds out a parcel.

“A gift?” he asks. He’s used to gifts. The people of the Crystarium had relied on him for a century now, and sometimes thankful bordered on worship. “You needn’t get anything for me.”

She pushes it towards him. “Please, it’s my choice to spoil you if I want to. I just hope it fits.”

He takes the package and starts to open it. “Fits? Hm, I did not expect you to get me clothes. I don’t think I need any.”

“You’re about the same size as Raks if I remember correctly. You remember him, right? My friend?”

He does. Another young miqo’te who was practically her brother in some respects. Lin may have been blind to his affections back then, but the one who told him she was spoken for was Rakka. More friendly and clueless, not understanding love can be unrequited.

G’raha nods his head. Inside is a set of clothes, something different from his robes. A pair of simple trousers, and a combination of a shirt and waistcoat. The latter could be worn alone, but the shirt it comes with is high-necked and long-sleeved. “I assume this is...”

“You wished you could travel Norvrandt with me, love. If you don’t wish to draw attention to yourself, you can wear the shirt. I know I can’t cover everything, but it would be enough to discourage second glances. I wanted to get gloves and boots, but those are something that need better fitting.”

She looks at him. “You don’t like it? I’m sorry, I just--”

He shakes his head. “No, no, I love it. It has been far too long since I’ve seen anywhere I haven’t had need to be. You just know that I can’t be far from the tower for too long. So a full adventure will never be on the table.”

“Then just spending a day somewhere else,” she says. “If everything is peaceful, you won’t need your powers, and I can fly you wherever you need. Do you know where everyone is?”

Adventures for a day. He likes that. Even if it wouldn’t be one grand tour, a day would be plenty to be a sightseer.

“Each of our friends have returned to where they were before. Though Alphinaud has been spending time specifically in Eulmore--”

“Perfect!” she says. “I wanted to see how Eulmore and Kholusia fare first. They were the last to get night, after all.”

The original plan had been to call everyone and have them come to the Crystarium, but clearly that was not a plan Lin would agree to.

She claps her hands together. “It’s decided then. Decide whether you want to be the Exarch or G’raha, and I’ll meet you at the Amauro Launch either way.”

She kisses his cheek as she leaves the Occular.

It takes a few minutes to decide, but he chooses to put on the outfit. It almost feels odd to wear something different, but she has an eye for detail. Hints and pieces are like what he wore on his expedition, but she chose softer fabrics than he wore before. His trip to where she’ll meet him turns a few heads. It has been so long since he’s presented as himself. There was an open secret of his race once people had been in the Crystarium long enough, there was no proof, but there was a stunning amount of proof he was no Hume, Galdjent, Dragn, Ronso, Elf, or Dwarf (And almost certainly not a Viis). So the fact that no one could prove he had the ears and tail of a cat was moot.

Still, without him in his robes, it made it clear to all that whatever he planned to do, planned to go to, he was not doing it for the sake of politics or stability. He was doing it for himself.

When he meets with Lin again, she looks him over. “Hm, Raks has wider shoulders than you. But next time, we can ask for help in the Mean. Still, I think the colors are right for you.”

He helps her get on the amaro and guides them across the Tempest. Lin loves looking along the coast, pointing out areas that haven’t changed since the sundering. First the west coast of the main continent as it disappears, then Kholusia as it grows in their view.

As they draw in to Eulmore, he sees a perfect place to land. Then there’s the people there. All of them focused on the amaro only now slowing down.

Space is made in the end, and they land perfectly.

Fewer people notice his crystal hand and cheek here, with more eyes focused on Lin.

“The Warrior of Darkness has come,” someone says, and suddenly, they’re surrounded. So many words of thanks. Others talking about the steps they’ve made.

Lin smiles and listens to them, lets them take her hands.

“I thought you didn’t wish to be seen as their savior,” he says.”Especially given how you’ve reacted to other titles you’ve earned.”

Lin laughs. “I did, and it’s true. But in my defense, we did draw quite the attention, landing on a balcony not meant to be landed on, Exarch.”

Her use of his title, his name, is quite pointed, though few still give him more than a few glances.

“Alright everyone,” a familiar voice says. “You’re coddling the poor girl. Let her breathe now.”

“Dulia!” Lin says. She cuts through the crowd. “It’s great to see you! I heard that Alphinaud has been spending time here. Do you know if he’s in?”

“Of course he is, dear,” the voice returns. The woman he remembers from the assault breaks the crowd. He remembers just how positive she had been. How encouraging. She looks over to him. “And you’ve brought a friend as well. We’ll have to get more tea and sweets for you, then. Apparently the trade between Eulmore and the Crystarium has brought so much new diversity to my palette.”

He looks over to Lin, whose eyes sparkle at the suggestion. “I’d love to catch up with you and Alphinaud, then.” One of her hands takes his, laces her fingers between his as she leads the way.

He follows her to a table by the aetheryte, and watches as Lin talks animatedly with the woman.

“You’ve been quiet,” she finally says, looking at him. “Tell me about yourself. You’re that nice boy in the robes A’lin kissed on the beach, aren’t you?”

How long it has been since someone called him a boy? It was a surprise, but just like Lin’s use of his name, it makes him feel young in the best ways.

“Ah, that was a bit spontaneous on our parts. Lin always has a flair for the dramatic. She’s quite prone to sitting on tall archways when she plays music back in the Crystarium.”

She laughs and pushes him, however the woman’s eyes open. “Oh, you are a musician as well? You never told me that.”

He’d never seen Lin’s skin darken so much. “Raha...”

Turnabout is quite fair play. It’s one thing for her to request the intimacy of dropping her own clan, but dropping his, in public? He’d never asked, but she knew she had the right. It still was a shock.

“So that is your name,” Dulia says. “What a lovely one you have Raha.”

He shakes his head. “I-- It’s G’raha. The way my name and A’lin’s work, removing the first sound is a sign of family. Or romantic affection, as is the case with us.”

“Still, play us a song,” Dulia-Chai says. She claps her hands together. “In hindsight, your voice is perfect for singing. Well, if you don’t mind performing publicly.”

Lin nods her head. “There’s a piece I put the finishing touches on a while ago. I kind of meant it to be personal, but if you don’t mind?’

“If it is the song you picked at since you’ve come, please.” He moves his hand. “If you are nervous, pretend we are alone in my chambers.” Wait, there were implications of that. “I mean the Ocular.” His own cheeks heat up.

She quickly presses her lips against his cheek. “I know full well what you meant, and it is not fear. I just like to let a friend or lover be the first to hear a song, much like you always shared your Talos with your wife, Master Chai.”

Chai-Nuzz looks at her for a moment, but nods. “Should you need an instrument, I am sure we can find one for you.”

She pulls out her lyre and strums it a few times, tuning a few strings. “No need. I bring it everywhere.”

A few more odd plucks of some strings, and she starts. A haunting wail. Regret and the past, but it turns to the same lyrics he saw her picking at on the arch back then.

A new addition surprised him. She adds his words in a line she couldn’t get right before. No wonder she wanted to give the song to him first. It was for him. About him.

Tears well up as he listens.Every lyric meant for him alone. To know he has become a muse to her, let her reach some beautiful crescendos in emotion. To remember that she once said she was letting her time in the First be a place to heal from her past, only to pass on that gift to him. He’s been too old for too long.

When she sets down the harp, he realizes she had attracted a crowd again. Several others clap for her. He’d kiss her again, but he didn’t believe she would appreciate it this time.

He’ll just have to follow through later.

“I-- Thank you everyone,” she says. “I am glad the song is good. I haven’t done much composing recently, but I found inspiration some time ago.”

Lin looks at him when she says that. She may have been his inspiration since they met, but to hear those words from her mouth, that he had inspired her in the end...

His throat catches.

“It is hard to believe the Exarch is the same man he was before,” Alphinaud says. “A’lin has changed you, and I must say it is for the better. Much as she has for so many of us.”

Only one of those words reaches the other ears. “The Exarch?” someone says. “The Crystal Exarch is come?”

His ears twitch and he almost has to laugh. “Thank you, Alphinaud. A’lin and I had mostly hoped to not draw attention. While she had failed, I had succeeded in seeming little more than an errand boy. Even with my condition.”

“I knew,” Dulia-Chai says. “While I only saw you in passing as the Exarch, the mark under your eye is quite distinctive. I doubt people from the Crystarium just happen to be part crystal. I just figured that you wanted a moment free of your duties.”

“Indeed,” Chai-Nuzz says. “I must say that while some can blind themselves when people wish to hide, I can just respect the attempt. A keen eye is how I made my fortune, after all.”

“Well, I doubt we’ll be having a quiet moment alone now.” Lin stands up. “So if I could have all of your attentions, I shall share other songs I’ve written, back in my homeland.”

He can’t take his eyes off her when she does so. Most are happy, though he does hear a requiem in one such ballad. Her own version of the end of the Dragonsong War. Of the Fortemps Memoirs he had devoured time and again over the years.

He listens to every song she shares, how she commands his attention and those around her. Back on the source, people would likely call her the sun, but the murmurs in the crowd he picks up compare her voice to the gentleness of the welcome night.

It is quite apt.

Whatever plans of leaving Eulmore end up delayed, as she sings full through the afternoon, and only stops as she sees stars.

“Ah, this went on much longer than I had intended.”

“You can stay here for the night. We have plenty of room,” Dulia-Chai says.

Lin shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but G’raha needs to return to the Crystarium, and I would like to be with him tonight. Perhaps soon, though.”

Alphinaud scrunches his face. “I do suppose you’ve been anticipating time alone with the Exarch.” He shakes his head. “Sorry, G’raha. I just have known you as the Exarch my time here, and I only know parts of the story A’lin has of how she knew you in the past.”

He shrugs. “Either is fine. Whatever you feel comfortable saying. Though being the Exarch is more than just a convenient title.”

The flight home is different. It was intimate, but there was adventure promised as well. Whatever plans Lin has for now are not the same.

“I liked that song,” he says. He needs to fill the silence.

She nods her head. “I’ve never played a song first to a crowd. Alphie was the first to hear a few. Arenvald, a Scion back home, got one. Sanson and Guydelot, some friends of mine in Gridania were present for quite a few. And Rielle from Ishgard had one shared with as well. And I suppose it’s obvious who also had a few.”

Haurchefant. Both his journeys with her centuries ago and everything he had read once made the man feel larger than life, someone who left a void on Lin so deep she never recovered.

“Do you miss him?”

She wraps her arms around him tighter. “Sometimes, but it is better now than before. As I said, he wished I would heal.” She brushes her lips against his ears, purring the next words into them. “I think he knew someone who’d cherish me waited on the other end of my journey.”

Her teeth nibble a corner, making it harder to concentrate. She has had practice with that technique. Just enough pressure to stimulate the nerves and blood, but not so hard it’s painful. A purr catches in his throat and his tail starts tapping the side of the amaro with increased frequency.

“You didn’t need to return to the Crystarium with me. We could have started our journey from Eulmore.”

“Let me be more obvious then,” she says. “If you want me to speak plain, I do not intend to retire to my room tonight. That is, unless you plan to as well, Raha.”

Her hands slip lower, one almost resting on his groin. “At least, should you consent.”

Gods she makes him feel young in more ways than one. This is no exception.

“Why settle for the Pendants, when I know your curiosity well enough. Even though I lack the need, there is a bed in the Umbilicus for the rare occasions that merely joining with the Tower isn’t enough.”

Lin chuckles as her lips find his jaw for a second. “You know how to treat a lover, if that is a yes.”

“A yes to what? You have given no hint towards your plans other than you seem to want to sleep by my side.”  He grins as he speaks.

“Ah, you want to hear the exact words then, and not let my hands talk. You. Me. Nude. Kisses. Intimate.”

He pretends to think on it. “Yes.”

[hungrywhovianjedi]

It Hurts To See You and Him book two: I’ll Fight It for You: chapter 3

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.

(a note: I won’t be giffing every chapter from now on, because it was consuming a lot of time, so all of the posts from here on out, will be made with the header above. I did make the header, so if you share it, please give credit)

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

IHTSYH Also on: FFN

The Spin-off: The prologue, Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

If I Never Leave also on: FFN

The rest of this story: Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2

I’ll Fight It for You also on: FFN

tagging a few who showed interest @andiirivera @revanmeetra87

Merida led the way, her sword cutting wildly through the underbrush. Killian kept pace with her, as best he could, but after an hour, even he began to tire from watching her wild swings. He offered to take over clearing the path, but Merida had merely scoffed, and told him that, “she didn’t need, no man to help her.”

“You know, you could have avoided this, is you had just gotten rid of her.” Emma smirked at him. “OR do you enjoy being belittled?”

“I’m not being belittled.” He mumbled under his breath.

Merida looked back. “What was that?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Killian assured quickly, earning a chuckle from Emma.

She looked like she didn’t believe him, but nodded. “Very well, come on then, we’re almost there.”

“You know, there’s a phrase from back home, that I think would be quite fitting about now lass, as you’re about to burn yourself out, before we even make half the voyage. It’s something along the lines of, ‘slow and steady, wins the race’ If I remember correctly.” Killian told her, as her latest swing faltered.

Merida gritted her teeth, “I don’t have time for slow!” She snapped.

“What precisely is the rush, anyhow? Why do you need the wisp?” He questioned, slowing slightly, causing Merida to spin on him with a glare. Killian would be lying, if he said he wasn’t used to this reaction from women, in fact when he and Emma first met, he was on the receiving end of many a patented Emma Swan glare.

“My brothers.” She told him through gritted teeth, and with a flash of empathy towards her, as he knew what one would do for family. He had turned pirate for his, then he turned hero for the chance at a new one. “They were kidnapped by the united clans of my country. Just three wee innocent boys. Savages!” she growled, swinging more vigorously at the branches in their path. “Because of me!” she snapped. “My father is… was the king. When he passed, they no longer approved of me being queen.” Merida explained. “In my land, people, well, men. They don’t think that a woman can lead.” She stated bitterly.

Killian chuckled, thinking of the way that people he’s come across in so many times and places, that thought women were lesser, he thought of Rumpelstiltskin, who spoke of his wife as though she were cattle. He thought of the pirates, whom he defeated in battle, would speak of the women in port as though they were nothing but pieces of meat. He even thought of the stories that Henry had told him of the people back home, the lengths they went to, to ensure that a man would remain in leadership. “I would wager to say, that it doesn’t end in yours. You should see some of the atrocities some men will turn to when a woman is placed in power.”

“Well, I’m going to show them. I need the wisp to lead me to my brothers, and when it does. I will save them. No matter the cost.” She said passionately.

Killian nodded. “Aye, I’ve learned in my life, to never underestimate a woman. She could start wars, and end them, without breaking a sweat. I should know” he stated, thinking of his Emma, so willing to do whatever it takes, this Merida reminded him so much of her, that it strengthened his resolve to beat this and get home.

Merida nodded, then she smirked. “If it’s war the clans want, then it’s war they’ll get.” Then she turned to continue on, and didn’t see the rock, until she was on the ground.

Killian winced, then hurried to help her up. He offered his hand, which she took readily, and pulled her to her feet. “You’ll do no one any good if you pass out from exhaustion, lass. When last did you sleep?” He asked her.

Merida was silent for a second. “What month is it?” she asked, then catching the look on his face, she sighed. “Fine! We can make camp.” She turned away, but then spun back, “But only till first light!” She called back.

Killian sighed, at least they would get some rest. With that in mind, he helped her gather the things they needed to make camp.

~~I’ll Fight It for You~~

Emma stood before the door to Zelena’s cell. She knew Regina was still pissed about the idea, but she really didn’t care. She didn’t need Regina’s permission to do this. She wasn’t even mayor anymore, but Emma was still the Sheriff. She opened the door and stepped inside.

“I see we’re going against Regina’s wishes again. I love it! Why couldn’t you be this interesting when we were fighting? I really must say, I love this new savior. The heartache looks great on you.”

“Shut up.” Emma snapped, as she walked in.

Zelena pouted, but displayed her wrist. “Right then, off we come.” She ordered, nodding to the cuff.

Emma raised her eyebrow, “really?” she asked, “and what, have you poof off to do whatever you like? No. It doesn’t come off, until right before you need to cast the spell.”

The witch frowned. “Fine.” She sulked, then she smiled again. “Then let’s make a new deal.”

“Negotiations are over, Zelena. You already said you’d help.” Emma shook her head. “We already made the deal.”  

“Now I want an amendment.” She explained. “You want the spell cast? Fine. Then here’s what I want, you can keep the magic cuff on me, but I refuse to live in captivity!” Zelena actually looked hurt. “I want only two things. Just two.”

Emma sighed. She knew that she needed Zelena. “And if you don’t get them, you won’t cast the spell.” She reasoned.

“It seems, that we’ve reached an impasse.” The witch said with a smirk.

“What do you want?” She asked.

Zelena smiled. “I want to be able to walk the streets, and be free to live my life, even if I need to keep the cuff on, and I want to be in my child’s life. You can’t let Regina take my child from me.”

Emma couldn’t believe that she was hearing this. Zelena wanted to be free for her child? The woman hadn’t done a single selfless thing since Emma met her, but then she thought about it. Raising Henry was what changed Regina. There was a possibility that it could help Zelena too. “On one condition.” Emma told her.

Zelena looked up at her with hopeful eyes. “What is it?”

Emma smirked. “I make a new cuff, that can’t come off with any cheap tricks, and I can control if you can use magic or not. Cuff on, or off. Call it a safeguard. I’m willing to work with you, but you need to give too.” Zelena looked like she was about to add something, but Emma stopped her, “and Robin gets joint custody. You may have forced this on him, but that is still his child. You get to be its mother, but he gets to be the father.”

Zelena smiled. “You have a deal.”

~~I’ll Fight It for You~~

Night fell quickly, and Killian wished he could say sleep came any easier, but it seemed, no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t fall asleep. For the fifth or sixth time, he had lost count, he rolled over, and he suppressed a shout, when Dark Emma was looking at him, mere inches from his face.

“Can’t sleep, handsome?” she asked in a smooth voice, she smiled at him sweetly. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Dark Ones? We don’t need sleep. Why do you think Gold, spins straw? It passes the time.” She mused. “You need a hobby.”

Killian bit back a groan, as Emma continued. “Do you like knitting? No wait, one hand… wood carving! You could replace the hook with a chisel!” she giggled at her own wit. “It’ll help take your mind off of all of the dark things you’ll do.”

He closed his eyes, trying to block out the visage. “If you haven’t noticed.” He bit out, “I’m doing good here.” He explained. “I’m helping Merida! Then, when she’s finished with the wisp, she’ll give it to me. No need to return to darkness!” he whispered harshly, glancing towards Merida, as Emma broke off in a peal of laughter.

“You are not that stupid!” She roared. “The wisp isn’t some doll at the daycare, that you can play with, once Maddie is all done ripping out her hair, and snapping off its legs! The person who whispers to it? They own it. Forever. No take backsies.” She explained, seeming to lose interest, as she toyed with her nails.

It hit him like a ton of bricks, but surely Merida would understand, would whisper to the wisp that they needed to find Merlin once her brothers were free. He looked to Merida’s sleeping form, and thought of what he would do. He wouldn’t care. He would have taken the wisp, and left those boys to die, and that was before he was the Dark One. “So, if I let Merida whisper to the wisp, I lose my chance at finding Merlin, it will never be able to be used again.”

“Not if you snap her neck. She won’t even feel it!” Emma informed him. “It’ll be quick.”

He sat up, glaring at the image. “You expect me to claim the wisp for myself?” he asked in disbelief.

Emma rolled her eyes. “I want you to stop being such a wimp, and act like what you are! A pirate, a dark one, a villain.” She said in a low voice.

“You wanted this to happen.” The realization began to dawn on him, the way Emma was goading him, this was a test, he needed to pass it. The way that she baited him, with small nudges towards harming Merida. “You want me to betray her!” He shook his head, he wouldn’t.

Emma clapped. “Now you get it! Good boy, now that we know what you need to do, let’s get to it. Shall we?”

~~I’ll Fight It for You~~

Emma stood in Regina’s office, taking the barrage of angry words, spilling from the ex-queen’s mouth. “It’s irresponsible! No! Absolutely not! I didn’t like it before, I sure as hell don’t like it now. Especially the part, where you made a deal to let her go free! Are you forgetting what she can do?”

Emma sighed. “Regina, I have a plan, something that will keep Zelena in check. For once, can you trust an idea, that doesn’t come out of your own head? Seriously, you don’t have that great of a track record.”

Regina shook her head, eyes flashing. “At least I’m not only thinking about my boyfriend! Hook is not more important than this town. He is certainly not worth the risk to Henry!” She shouted.

Behind her, Snow flinched, and David seethed. Henry looked between his moms with worry.

“How dare you?” Emma growled. “You think I’m being emotional? Well yeah, I have lost everyone I have ever cared about. Do you honestly think I would put my son in danger? I know what I’m doing, and I don’t give a crap what you think. You don’t want to help? Fine! Then don’t.” Emma took another step towards the ex-queen. “You are still so closed minded Regina, that you can’t see what’s in front of you. I already made the deal. It’s not up for discussion!”

“I hardly think it’s your call. You told her she could keep Robin’s child!” Regina shouted.

“No!” Emma shouted right back. “I told her she could be in its life! I told her she could be a mother! A choice you would never give her! A choice you wouldn’t even let me have! So yeah, I granted her joint custody, because it’s her baby too. You can’t just decide she’s not fit. When you adopted Henry, you were evil. Motherhood changed you. Why not give it a chance to change Zelena?” Emma ended with her voice an even and calm tone.

Regina looked shocked by her sudden change, but she also seemed thoughtful. “how are you going to make sure the cuff stays on? Lord knows if there’s some way to get it off, she’ll figure it out.”

Emma smiled, and pulled out a cuff. “With this. Once it’s on, it shrinks into the skin, and melds to her magic, and I can turn it on and off. Even if she cuts off her wrist, she won’t be able to use her magic. Think of it, as an insurance policy. She goes rogue? I flip the magic switch.” She tells her. “So are you done shouting at me?”

Regina looked at the cuff, impressed. “And it will work?”

Emma smiled. “Of course it will, I made it.”