#ouat 2x09

[vasfasan]

hook + gardening

[lumadreamland]

[notebook91286]

Under Skin by KillerQueen86

Author's Notes: With the rewatch I got the to write about these two again and that led to this little thing (I already have more in the works), it's just a little thing that popped into my head and I had to write it because it tormented me.

Story to be placed after episode 2x09 Queen of Heart.

English is not my language, so sorry if there are any translation errors.

I hope you like it, I look forward to your reviews.

Disclaimer: OUAT and all of its characters are not owned by me (otherwise it would have been an HBO product), all rights belong to their rightful owners, mine is just for fun.

They had eaten their fill, Granny had brought out her lasagna, Emma had really enjoyed it, and she had missed all of that, she had missed her little boy who after eating two portions of lasagna had collapsed in her arms, David arrived to rescue of her and had taken Henry in his arms, so they decided to go home, MaryMargaret had agreed with Ruby and Granny for the following evening and celebrate properly.

She really didn't care, she had silently followed Mary Margaret next to David holding Henry, could she really get used to all of that? She'd only stayed in Storybrooke for Henry, her didn't care about anyone else, or so she believed, spending time with her mother (yes, she still had to get used to all of that) had helped her deal with the burden that had accompanied her whole life: the abandonment of his parents.

The four reached the loft, apparently David had settled there with Henry after their disappearance, the man himself without saying anything took the boy upstairs, what had been Emma's room, perhaps now her had to consider the chance to find a home of his own. Henry needed his own space, and David and Mary Margaret needed their own space and time to recover, but that her could deal with later.

“I think I will collapse as soon as I touch my comfortable bed” the brunette said catching her attention, the two looked at each other and smiled, she too had definitely missed her bed and the comforts of Storybrooke.

"I'll give myself a quick wash so I'll leave the bathroom all for you" she said disappearing where the bathroom was, at the same time David went down the stairs, smiled at her and felt a little uncomfortable, they hadn't spent much time together, or for at least since he had gotten back his memories and the knowledge that she was his daughter.

“So how did you fare in our old world,” he said quietly leaning against the kitchen counter in front of her, giving her the peninsula space where she chooses to sit, secretly appreciating that David kept some form of distance.

“Terrifying” she admitted with a small smile, she saw him smile in amusement, her watch him carefully as he told her some old world stuff, and she realized how different he was from David Nolan, James or Charming as his mother liked to call him, he was a self-confident man, a leader.

Keep reading: A03 (eng)

EFP (ita)

[onceuponarewatch]

ONCE UPON A REWATCH | S2EP09: QUEEN OF HEARTS

In which the Narrators Three discuss OOC Hook and Unwarranted Casual Misogyny (Killian Jones Would Never!), Emma Swan’s Sailor Moon Moment, Regina Saves The Day, We Cry About Sleeping-Warrior, Belle Can’t Catch a Break, and Snowing Fills our Hearts with Joy.

Listen to Once Upon a Rewatch: Spotify | Apple Music | Anchor.Fm | Stitcher | Google Podcast | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker |

[castielamigos]

Normally, I prefer to do other more enjoyable activities with a woman on her back. With my life on the line, you’ve left me no choice. A bit of advice? When I jab you with my sword, you’ll feel it.

[spartanguard]

Oh, that’s CUTE! Love the sass from both of them 😉 

While You Weren't Sleeping | OUAT fanfic oneshot

Author: cosette141

Fandom: Once Upon a Time

Pairing: Captain Swan

Words: 1.2k

Summary: Emma learns that Hook was a little less unconscious after their fight in the Enchanted Forest than he’d led her to believe. (tag to s3 ep The Jolly Roger)

AO3

(story under the cut!)

a/n: I personally still think that the s2 fight between Emma and Hook could have gone either way (one theory being that Emma actually won because Hook was being cocky, the other (more popular one) being Hook threw the fight because he didn’t want to hurt Emma).

I’m all for girl power so I love the idea of Emma having actually gotten the upper hand cause he was flirting too much lol and underestimated that Emma is a scrappy badass.

But this little story came along with the other theory, because I caught something Hook said in season 3. He tells Emma “Magic is a part of you, Swan. Don’t forget; I was there when Cora tried to steal your heart. I saw the power inside of you.” So, either this is a writing mistake, since he was supposed to be unconscious… or it was Hook’s flub, outing himself.

For the sake of this story, we’re going with the idea that Hook threw the fight, but I love both theories. :)

She found him where she knew she would; by the docks. And ever since seeing him again, though it’s been weeks since he woke her up in New York, she still felt a… something stir inside her at the sight of him. Something she’d felt at the town line, that might have prompted her to do something if they had been the only two people there. 

But that was a long time ago.

And everything after Walsh…

She knew she had… feelings… for Hook—Killian. 

However she didn’t yet know what to do about them. 

“Hey,” said Emma, trying to ignore that feeling when he looked her way. “I need you to watch Henry again.”

Hook grinned, but it was still a softer one than he used to have. 

Like this smile was one just for her. 

“If you wanted to get close to me, no need to use the lad as an excuse,” said Hook, smirking a little.

Emma very nearly rolled her eyes. “I’m not.” At least not entirely. “Regina is giving me a magic lesson,” she explained. “We think that the both of us combined should be strong enough to overpower Zelena.”

His features shifted into one of a little relief. “That’s about the best plan we’ve got yet.” he said with a grin.

“Yeah,” said Emma, biting her lip, feeling a little less confident than he seemed to feel about her. She had no idea how to handle her magic and she wasn’t sure one lesson was going to change that. 

“Don’t worry, Swan.” he said, the cunning slipping out of his expression, the look in his eyes shifting to something much more genuine. “Remember,” he said gently, “Magic is a part of you, Swan. Don’t forget I was there when Cora tried to steal your heart.” A change in his eyes, something like pride, like confidence , in her . “I saw the power inside of you.”

Emma smiled, a little heat touching her cheeks at the faith he had in her, nodding at his reassurance. Her magic was powerful, and that reminder did give her a little newfound faith in herself . 

But her expression halted, something shifting in her eyes, and then her eyes snapped back to his. 

Suspiciously. 

“How do you know that?” she asked, eyes locked onto his. “Cora told you?”

“She didn’t have to,” he said, his own brows kneading with genuine puzzlement. “I was there.” 

No…

“As I recall,” she said slowly, brows narrowing, “you were unconscious .” 

“I—“ It was only then he seemed to understand the direction her interrogation was heading, and he froze. Swallowing, he scratched behind his ear, saying, “—aye, yes, I was.”

He didn’t .

“Then how did you know I used magic to stop Cora?” she demanded, brow hitching up sharply. 

Hook swallowed again, eyes shifting to the ground before meeting hers. 

Lie.

Emma felt something heat up her chest. 

He did not .

“I—er, it only makes sense that’s how you—“ 

“ Hook .”

His eyes found hers. 

And then…

He grinned .

Like a child caught doing something they shouldn’t have. 

Emma’s jaw dropped. 

“I knocked you out!” she hissed.

“You knocked me down ,” he corrected, that amused grin lifting his lips into a crooked smile, and Emma suddenly wanted to smack it off. 

“Are you saying you let me win? ” growled Emma, voice hitching up an octave. 

“I’m saying,” he said, “I didn’t duck when you swung the compass at my head.”

Emma gaped at him. 

But it was there in his eyes. 

His stupid, cocky eyes. 

“I knocked you out,” whispered Emma. “You were being a cocky bastard, and I knocked you out .”

Hook winced a little. “I’ll admit to being the cocky bastard, but you know as well as I do that you didn’t.”

Emma stared him down, and he let her, and damnit he wasn’t lying. 

“But—“ began Emma.

“Swan,” he said, a little exasperatedly, “unless you’ve forgotten, I am a few centuries old. I’ve been a swordsman for hundreds of years, and you’d been one for all of five minutes.” At her narrowed eyes, he said, “Though I’ll admit, I did have quite the headache afterward.” 

Emma felt anger and a thread of humiliation course through her. 

He let her win?

He let her win?

She’d prided herself on that victory.

But something else snuck into her mind, a question that suddenly wouldn’t let her go.

She raised her eyes to Hook. “Why?”

The amusement slipped from his face. “What do you mean why?”

Emma’s anger faded. “I mean,” she said quietly, “why’d you let me win? It’s not like we were on the same side.”

His brows rose. “Emma,” he said, and it always shot a little chill down her spine when he chose to use her first name. “ Winning that fight would have meant either severely injuring or killing you.”

“So?”

He blinked. “What?”

“So?” repeated Emma. “At that point you were ‘done with me.’” She watched Hook wince at the words, and she suddenly realized he must have regretted saying them to her. “You risked your mission and Cora’s wrath for me? Why?”   

Hook hesitated. 

And Emma would never get over how strange, how rare it was to see him unsure. 

But he smiled, something soft, and he shifted her hair with his hook, like he’d done on the beanstalk. “Because I was never done with you, love.” Taking a breath, he said, “I still had the last Bean. I knew Cora and I could use it to get here, and you deserved to return to your son. I… simply couldn’t bring myself to prevent you.” He scratched behind his ear again. “And, love, I…” He swallowed. “I do apologize for the way I spoke to you that day.”

There was a touch of anguish in his eyes, and Emma found herself smiling. “You let me clock you in the face with a compass,” she said. “I think we’re even.”

He smiled too.

His eyes on her, he said, “Rest assured, love, that you are the strongest person I know.”

Emma rolled her eyes. 

His expression didn’t change. “I’m not placating you, Emma,” he said with a sort of gentle firmness. “I may have given you that fight that day, but Cora didn’t.” Emma felt herself pause, realizing that. “No one,” Hook went on, “in any of the realms had been able to defeat her, myself, Regina and the bloody Crocodile included.” He smiled. “So, trust me when I say that I’ve still yet to see you fail, and I know you will defeat Zelena.”

Emma felt herself smile. “Thanks, Killian.”  she said softly. 

Hook smiled too, something even warmer. Because Henry was nowhere in earshot, and she used his name.

Because she was also realizing that he had been the first person, other than perhaps Henry, to believe in her.

And before she could think twice about it, throwing a look over her shoulder to make sure Henry wasn’t looking their way, Emma stepped toward him, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

He stared at her in utter shock.

Breezing past it, trying to keep the heat from rising to her cheeks, Emma said, “So you’ll watch Henry?”

He looked like he was torn from a daze. Shaking himself from it, he said, “Ah—aye, of course.” 

“Thanks,” she whispered. She turned to get Henry, when Hook said, “Emma.”

She turned. 

“I’d be open to a rematch,” he said, that grin back at his lips.

Emma smiled. “I would, too.”    

Hook grinned. 

She left Henry with Hook, then walked away, heading toward her magic lesson with Regina. 

And found that she might be open to more than just a rematch.

tag list: @kmomof4 @justanother-unluckysoul @klynn-stormz @stahlop @ilovemesomekillianjones @hookmecaptain @sotangledupinit @tiganasummertree @eddisfargo @anmylica @pirateprincessofpizza @cs-rylie @elfiola

[ouatvibechecks]

Once Upon A Time Vibe Check 8/?

#vibecheckdenied

[intothewickedwood]

Once Upon A Time Rewatch: 2x09 Queen of Hearts

I love this episode!

I love wonderland. I’m so glad we got to explore it in ouatiw. I would have loved to have explored Tilly’s Wonderland too! It looked like it consisted of loads of mazes, which is what I’ve always associated Wonderland with.

I love team princess’ little adventure together. I’m gonna miss it!  

Woah, Hook took those guards out with his bare hook.

Wait. How does Hook know so much about Belle? He knows about her father and that Rumple took her but how? Maybe I’m forgetting something.

That Hook must be made of strong metal to break through those manacles.  

Ouch! Hook! It’s not nice to hit a woman! I’ve seen that this scene upsets a lot of people and I understand why. While heart ripping and stabbing with swords is much more violent getting hit round the face by someone stronger than you seems all too real.

Hooked Queen happened y’all, you can’t convince me otherwise.

Wow, Gold is just okey dokey with killing Emma & MM. And Regina is hesitant, which is reassuring!

Gold is so good at the manipulating game. And I love him for it xD.

Aww, Henry reading the Snowing Story to David like MM did for him and David.

Cool wand! I forget, is that the Black Fairy’s wand? If so, why did Rumple say she was dead?

Cora got what she wanted. She became Queen!

Didn’t see that coming, did ya Hook?

Damn, Captain of hearts’ chemistry is everything.

Man, I can see how genuinely hurt Cora is by the notion of Regina wanting her dead.

Aurora what the hell!

Oh yeah, Cora’s got her heart!

Don’t hurt Aurora!

Hook: “Perhaps you should have thought of that before you abandoned me on that beanstalk.” Emma: “You would have done the same.” Hook: “Actually, no.” That’s interesting. I wonder what would have happened if Emma didn’t abandon him. Would he have worked with them? Or would Cora have killed him for his betrayal? Or would he have played both sides or would he have gone back to Cora’s side?

Woah, did Gold and Regina take all the fairy diamonds?  

Oh snap, they did.

“And yes, she was beyond hope, beyond saving.” Season one feels!

Henry gets his hope from his Grandma! They are actually quite alike in that way when I think about it but he could have got it from Charming’s side to, though Charming has more of a tendency to go about things with blind faith. I guess that’s what makes Snow and Charming perfect for one another!

Oh my God, where was Cora with her lake restoring powers when Ruth needed it’s waters!

I wonder how Cora knows so much about the curse.

I don’t think Cora would ever kill Regina. Her legacy means to much to her. When she said, “And then I’ll rip her heart out,” I think she meant to control Regina. I could be wrong but she just seems so obsessed with her daughter.

If I lived in the EF and had the choice, despite there being evil sorcerers about who could rip out my heart and control or kill me, I’d still choose to keep my heart in my chest. I’d want to feel everything. I’d want to be able to love.

I forget how much Regina loves her mother, and honestly I get it. Sometimes mother’s can be awful and violent to you and yet you can still love them. It’s so unhealthy I know, but sometimes you just can’t stop yourself, especially when they have a loving side. It’s weird how that happens. And it explains why she took everything out on Snow. She couldn’t bring herself to truly hate her mother.

Cora be powerful as heck, protecting that whole section of the EF from the dark curse.  

Wait, squid ink could get them out of Rumple’s cell? I thought it just immobilised magic users.

Mulan’s, “No. I’m not leaving without you” to Aurora will be the death of me. Her face! She looks like she might cry at the idea! And then her promise to get Aurora’s heart back for her! Seriously, they are so cute!

Aww and MM and Aurora wishing each other good luck is the best! I love how motherly MM was to Aurora.

I don’t understand how Cora can be so obsessed with one daughter and not even spare a thought for the other just because of who their fathers were? Actually, I wouldn’t even be surprised if she had another kid with Rumple at some point who she discarded. Yes, I am still mad about it but I still love Cora!

So is Storybrooke like an altered copy of the EF? I’ve always thought of it as the same place brought from the EF but that can’t be true as both exist at the same time. Storybrooke has the T®oll bridge, the forest and the well that seems to contain the waters of Lake Nostos.

Mulan’s sword is so useful! They definitely need to make more swords that deflect magic! I wonder how she got it.

Lol. Emma trying to tackle Hook xD. So we got a CS sword fight, but now I need a Snowing one!

Aww. Snows insistence that Mulan goes to give Aurora’s heart back to her! She really grew to care for her!

Emma’s sword looks like Charming’s sword, but it can’t be, can it?

Cora and Hook are having way to much fun!

I can’t deny Emma and Hook’s sword fight is pretty cute.

Hook I don’t know about your innuendos but I’m gone come in ya window if you carry on like this, mr. flirty!

Punching Hook sure is is one way to get the compass!

Hey! Don’t hurt Ruby!

Listen to Henry!

I wonder what Regina’s reaction would have been if Cora did bring MM’s heart to her.  

Emma putting herself in the way of Cora and her mama!

Emma’s got magic!

Henry’s so wise. Y’all should listen to Henry.

The Charming family reunited!

Snowing true love’s kiss! My heart <3!! I love them so much!

Ah yes, Rumple was exactly where he needed to be when he was in that cell. Very clever Rumple. That’s where seeing the future comes in handy!

But Rumple didn’t create the curse, Emma.

You can’t tell me that the Sleeping Warrior scene where Mulan’s putting Aurora’s heart back in her chest wasn’t supposed to be romantic because it’s as romantic as hell! I’m gonna miss them so much!

Now kiss!  

And they ran off in the sunset together to find their other love Phillip and all three of them lived happily ever after together.

Oh yeah, Hook and Cora can’t go through because the wardrobe only allowed for two to go through. MM must have been curious about the fact that it allowed the two of them to go through.  

So can you direct a magic bean to open up a portal wherever you want?

Captain of Hearts be coming for your soul.

[aclashofcaps]

[kmomof4]

Beautifully done!!!! And SO SPOT ON!!!!

❤️❤️❤️

Season 2 Rewatch Drabbles--2x09 The Queen of Hearts

Summary:  A series of 100-500 word drabbles to accompany my   rewatch of season 2 of Once Upon a Time as an attempt to finally jump   start the muse again.  There will be a drabble–either a deleted scene, a   “fix it” fic or a character musing for each episode of the season.    Focus will be on Emma, Henry, the Charmings and Killian–with an   emphasis on the very beginnings of Captain Swan’s epic love story, as   soon as a certain dashing pirate makes his appearance.  

Word Count: 1262

Tagging a few people who may be interested (Let me know if you want to be added or taken off the list): @sailormew4​​ @annaamell​​ @flslp87​ @emmateo26​​@bethacaciakay​​ @ultraluckycatnd​​ @effulgent-mind​​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​ @kat2609​​ @brooke-to-broch​​ @missgymgirl​​ @galadriel26​​ @the-lady-of-misthaven​​ @charmingturkeysandwich​​ @jennjenn615​​ @laschatzi​​ @kimmy46​​ @snowbellewells​​ @iamanneenigma​​ @daxx04​​ @nickillian​​ @in-spirational​​​ @gillie​​​  @britishguyslover​​​ @ginnyjinxedandhanshotritafirst​​​ @kmomof4​​​  @linda8084​​​ @golfgirld​​​ @captain-swan-coffee​​​ @searchingwardrobes​​​ @hollyethecurious​​​ @laughswaytoomuch​​​  @allyourdarlingswans​​​  @winterbaby89​​​ @facesiousbutton82​​​ @therooksshiningknight​​​, @lfh1226-linda​​​ @tiganasummertree​​​  @jrob64​​​  @anmylica​​​     @cosette141​​​  

Other Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Note: I know, I know.  This installment is more than twice the word count I limited myself to in these drabbles (making this clearly not a drabble), but I couldn’t end it with that first scene.  I just couldn’t!  We needed a little hope and inspiration after all!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dried up. Dead. Useless. Much like you.

Emma slumped down the rocky wall of Rumplestiltskin’s cell and settled on the ground, dropping her head as the utter futility of their situation washed over her.

For several minutes after Cora and Hook had left the cave, her anger had fueled her, giving her the strength to use her sword to bang away at the bars of their prison, to use brute force to try to get them the hell out of here.

If nothing else, it had been a good outlet for her aggression.

The absolute son of a bitch!

He’d betrayed her, betrayed them all, stolen the heart out of a princess’s chest for the sole purpose of manipulating them.  Who did that?

You betrayed him first, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered.

Keep reading

[vasfasan]

[lumadreamland]

[theonceoverthinker]

OUAT 2X09 - Queen of Hearts

Ooh! After how great that last episode was, I’ve got my HEART set on this review!

And you can experience what I’ve got to say right under the cut!

Press Release Cora and Hook face off with Mary Margaret and Emma in a race to secure the compass, which will point its holder to the portal into Storybrooke. But back on the other side, Regina and Mr. Gold, desperate to keep Cora out, put a plan into action that would kill anyone entering the portal - placing Mary Margaret’s and Emma’s lives in danger as well. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, Captain Hook travels to Wonderland and meets up with a vengeful Queen of Hearts. General Thoughts - Characters/Stories/Themes and Their Effectiveness Past I don’t really feel like there’s a lot to say about this segment. Apart from re-establishing personality traits of both Killian and Cora, this segment serves only the purpose of giving exposition for why Killian and Cora weren’t cursed and how they started working together. While it’s really well done exposition and it’s great to see Killian and Cora bounce off one another, exposition doesn’t leave a lot to discuss and what I do have to say is in other segments. Storybrooke The segment provides the ultimate test of Regina’s character thus far in the series: Rumple offers Regina a path of temptation and she has to choose whether or not to take it. This was fantastically done because not only has it been well built, but the conflict itself resonates with Regina’s character so well. Her biggest fears and dreams are pit against her, escalating the impact of the choice and making part of the fallout (Where she loses having Henry to herself) come off as effectively tragic and giving the resolution all the more bittersweet. Enchanted Forest I actually forgot that Emma had a story of her own in this episode as she deals with what being the Savior actually means. And I loved the direction they took with it. Emma’s intimidated by the prospect, as Emma would be, but she also is willing to accept the responsibility and that fear is channeled into the question of how much control she has over her destiny and what is to come of it now that her initial purpose (As far as she knows) is fulfilled. That’s a really good question to ask, and what makes this conflict so good is how Emma continues to give it her all, and it’s a combination of her history as the savior as well as her sacrifice for Snow that makes her heart unrippable and proving herself to be something unique: Magic. And her conversation with Rumple sums all of this up in a way that enforces Emma’s value and gives hints as to where her character will go next like a neat bow on top of a package. All Encompassing “Love is weakness.” There’s a contrast here between Emma and Cora. When the line was stated to Cora, it was from Regina who (As far as she knew) sacrificed her mother’s life for herself (For as justified as it was). As it’s being said to Emma, Emma sacrificed herself for her mother, and that selflessness between the later mother/daughter duo, partnered with her lineage, is what allows Emma to reject the notion for “love is strength.” Insights - Stream of Consciousness -Given his backstory, how much you want to bet that that “slave” comment from Faceless Guard 1 took Killian from competent fighter to competent fighter with a vengeance? XD -I just noticed, but Belle has a roomy as fuck cell. I mean look at that thing! My bedroom is smaller than this! Put a desk and a mini fridge in here, give me some WiFi, and make my bed not suck and I’d live here. -”A friend.” Not yet, Killian, but give it a few more seasons. -Killian can be the freakin’ best liar. Look a how well he delivers that fib to Belle! Like, if I wasn’t aware of what he was doing, I’d believe him. -”Do I look like I’m playing a game of chess?” Once again, not yet, Killian, but give it a few more seasons. -”Until.” I like how Rumple’s subtly comments on the change in Regina’s outlook on life, a subtle show of her redemption. -Emma’s reaction to Snow’s news about being told beforehand that she was going to be the Savior was so sad! Look at how shake up she is and just compare that to how she was when August told her as much in “The Stranger.” She now realizes that like it or not, this is her life and she needs to be the beacon for everyone. As someone who recently felt that pressure for all of two days, I can’t imagine how it must feel like to have to live with that mindset. -I know I’m supposed to be freaking out about Emma’s name being written so many times, but all I can think is “damn, Rumple has pretty penmanship.” -The Regal Believer development is just beautiful here. It blossomed so well from the last episode and now Henry’s showing more overt pride in Regina’s progress. It makes the fact that Regina’s lying to him so sad. -”No one mourn her [The dead fairy].” Rumple, dude, why would you say that? She was a nice fairy! Get your fairy vendetta out of your ass! -I feel like Regina has waaaaaay too much faith in Killian. Like, there are WAY too many holes in this plan, ranging fro Cora’s sheer power to the fact that someone can sneak through while Killian’s getting the job done. -So here’s my question: Why did Cora end up sticking with the Wonderland crazy aesthetic of masks and whatnot? I feel like that’s just not her style. -Look at Killian’s reaction when he discovers that the organ is missing! He can HEARTLY believe his eyes! XD -Yay! Aurora’s heart looks normal again! A touch too pale, but normal! -”Actually, no.” While I do like how the legitimacy of this line is retroactively made better later on in this episode, I feel like as it stood at the second it was said, it was rather weak. I love Killian, but up until this point, for as much as he’s talked about honor, we haven’t been shown it as much. While yes, in “Tallahassee” iself, Killian didn’t lie to Emma, that act was done more passively. What I want (And again, get later on in this episode) is a more active show of that honor, for not only did it poorly affect the present events of “Tallahassee,” but this scene in its entirety too, including the hurt that’s supposed to be behind Killian’s speech about the bean. -I love Emma and Snow’s discussion about Emma’s role as the savior. The way that it builds is fantastic and the tragedy of the circumstances that Emma brings up (That she doesn’t know of her work as the savior was finished when the curse was complete or not) as well as Jennifer Morrison’s acting is just fantastic. It sells her unsureness and frustration concerning the fact that her saviorhood was created not from who she was as a person, but as a product of her lineage and a prophecy. -Cora sure CORRODED that dirt away! XD -”Honor? For the pirate that snuck into my palace and attempted to assassinate me?” She’s got a point there, Killian. -Okay, so I want to give a rebuttal, if you will to what is considered a plot hole. In the flashback to “Dark Waters,” the events are implied to happen between the casting of the first curse and when Killian pretends to be a blacksmith. The plot hole that’s brought up is that that’s not possible because Cora froze them for the curse. My point of contention for this plot hole theory is that people in the shattered Enchanted forest are shown to be awake. Mulan notes that Killian’s been in their town for a month and that the town needed time to be constructed. Therefore, I pose that the time spell broke when Emma arrived and Cora’s words were more in reference to her interest in traveling between the realms and that it would come to pass after the curse was broken because that’s when Regina would have lost everything. -I really wish they’d still call Mary Margaret “Snow” when she came home. It’s so annoying to write her long ass name. -Snow is the ultimate archer! Like, what the fuck?! She’s so freakin’ good! Who can shoot a freakin’ compass like that?! -”Normally, I’d prefer to do other more enjoyable activities with a woman on her back…” I know this line gets a tough break (And I have something to say about Killian’s more...unavoidably shitty thing down below), but I genuinely don’t think this line means what many antis say it is. The line is about sex and as it comes right after Killian saves a woman’s heart and gives it back to someone who will ensure Aurora’s autonomy, the framing of that line as crossing a line just doesn’t add up to me. While these are my thoughts on the line, I just want to make it clear that I understand sensitivity, and if something like this line hit close to home for a situation for you, I neither could nor would ever want to tell you you’re wrong. Killian’s manner of speaking in Season 2 was definitely problematic and I’m glad that the writers decided to stop going so close to the edge of discomfort going forward. -”With my life on the line.” I don’t think this line was only talking about his own mortality. As we’ve seen (And will see in just a couple of episodes), Killian cares fuck all about his mortality. His “life?” His revenge. It’s so pathetic to see that that’s what Killian’s measuring his life as and it makes his redemption at the end of the season much more meaningful. -I love the actiony nature of the climax. -Rumple, was probably not a great idea to knock out Belle’s bestie like that. -Something to point out, when Regina’s holding Henry back, she’s physically holding him back, either consciously or subconsciously holding herself back from using magic like she promised (Also, Rumple is the one who has used magic throughout this set of present events. -*Totally choking up at the Snow Swan Believer hug* -”Just remember never to bet against you in the future.” Emma, make sure you do that because if not, he will forget HARD! -Rumple and Emma’s conversation towards the end of the episode sells Emma’s dilemma over her nature as the savior. Rumple says it best: He made the curse, but he didn’t make her. He took advantage of the person she was, the person she built for herself to accomplish what he wanted, but she as a person was the one who came through and accomplished things. -”Dinner at Granny’s? On me.” Ruby, did you steal Gold’s wallet or something after the assumed verbal thrashing you gave him following you waking up? Because otherwise, that’s gonna cost a ton! There are at least twelve people in this room and those dwarves eat a LOT! -The lighting for Hook’s ship is AMAZING, darkened by the clouds and fog, but unmistakably The Jolly Roger. Arcs - How are These Storylines Progressing? The Journey Home (May as well combine the Emma and Snow/Storybrooke stuff since they’re one and the same) - And here we come to the close of this arc. Overall, this story was so well done. It accomplished the task of opening and closing so many stories and arcs, all the while involving almost the entire main and supporting of the series. Additionally, it went on for as long as it needed, never feeling too long or short. Most every episode was satisfying and contributed to the solving of this duo-realm conundrum. Rumple’s Redemption - Rumple, of course, took a bit of a step back here, but I like it. Not only is he early in his redemption, but Cora’s a threat the likes of which he hasn’t been threatened to face since he started his attempts to better himself. It’s also given an added bout of weight due to the circumstances that Regina laid out in the last episode (Cora could hurt Belle) and that he brings up in this episode (The entire town as a whole is in danger). Regina’s Redemption - I misspoke last episode by calling it the culmination of Regina’s redemption arc in this partial season, because in hindsight, it’s more of a two-parter. While we got payoff the last time in regards to the improvement in hers and Henry’s relationship, this is the challenge portion. It’s one thing to work towards repairing relations with your son who you unashamedly love, but to help not only those who you hate, but to also risk a powerful and abusive enemy crossing your path in the process is something else entirely, and that was such an important distinction to make and present. Killian’s Redemption - *sighs* So I can’t help but feel like the missteps I pointed out in my “Tallahassee” review really did this particular arc dirty. Like, I feel like had the interactions between Emma and Kiilian been a little bit stronger in terms of setting up a dynamic where trust was being built but cut down just as it was on the precipice of really coming out, the moments here where Killian shows such vitriol over being betrayed would have been so much more powerful and to see them not work because of that is just so frustrating. HOWEVER, I feel I should say, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing good to be said about Killian’s redemption here, because a VERY good decision was made that for my money, essentially revitalized Killian’s arc. I am so glad that it was Killian who caught Aurora’s heart. As I said before, that’s the kind of show of honor that reinforces that there is goodness in Killian and that said goodness can be worth growing. It helps to solidify Killian’s ability to be sympathetic in a half season that characterized his more villainous attributes well, but needed a touch more balancing when it came to the more heroic ones. This one action showed Killian as both the pirate with the snarky one liners as well as a man who can be saved, and that was imperative to see before we went back to Storybrooke. Favorite Dynamic Rumple and Regina - Rumple is one half of the fork in the road for Regina’s conflict throughout the episode, but what I really appreciate is that it’s not just left at that. Look at the following line: ”You won’t be able to be a better anything if Cora comes through.” Rumple knows Regina so well, acting as the devil on her shoulder, but also a guardian at the same time. He knows not only what Cora can do to him and the town, but Regina too, just on a personal level. While he doesn’t say this outright, choosing to focus on the more overt danger that Cora poses, the way that Robert Carlyle delivers that line and the history that Rumple and Regina have together convinces me that it’s true. In this episode, Rumple’s motivations are selfish, but not entirely, and I found that so nuanced that I couldn’t let it go unappreciated. Writer Adam and Eddy were in charge here, and of course they are: The run the ends of every major arc! And I think that’s what they do best. If and when they communicate correctly and are paying attention to what the other writers are doing, they’re good at providing finales that come full circle from where they started. This is very much one of those cases. I feel like Adam and Eddy were really paying attention to what their writers were going for and wrote this episode accordingly. Also, I genuinely like their writing. What they put into this episode works, with natural dialogue and a good use of story elements all around. In this episode especially, we get so many from Rumple’s stolen wand to the scroll in the jail cell to Jefferson’s hat and even the well! Darker Aspects (TW: Mentions of assault and abuse) Watching Killian smack Belle is incredibly uncomfortable to watch. I get that we needed a way to see Killian turn on Belle after she showed herself to be useless and magic’s not really his thing, but maybe he could’ve stolen some sleep powder. It would be more in character given that he’s a pirate and wouldn’t push a character who was designed with redeemability and sympathy in mind to a place that’s so screwed up. And I get that villains have done worse. Hell, this isn’t even Killian’s worst deed (Not by far), but modern sensibilities are what they are for a reason and something so personal as hitting a woman in such a real way simply strikes a lot harder of a note than a murder which for most audiences has a level of distance (Especially given the more fantastical methods of death in this show such as being gut by swords and having one’s heart ripped out and crushed), and this was the case when the episode aired too. Do I personally go on to like Killian after this? Yes, I think that’s pretty obvious from everything to my icon to my reblogs to the fact that I’m both participating in and creating a project partially dedicated to the guy, but just as with Regina and Graham, it’s a dark spot on a record that I refuse to forget, even as I move on from it. “I’m sorry, Mother. Without you, I’d never have become the person that I am now.” Given how abusive Cora was to Regina and how that abuse framed Regina’s mindset for such a long time, that line is so messed up, though better written for the fact that it was correctly framed for the complicated relationship that Cora and Regina have. Rating 9/10. What a fun episode! So much of the personalities of our mains come out as we close out the first major arc of the season! The entire episode was filled with great character moments and an earnest feeling of closure. It’s intense, heartwarming, romantic, and just a fun ride. I took points off for the uncomfortable moment as stated above in my “Darker Aspects” segment because that was honestly just disgusting to be portrayed in such a callous way and because of the disproportionate early payoff to the setup of the Emma and Killian dynamic. Flip My Ship - Home of All Things “Shippy Goodness” Hooked Queen - Regina’s hook pull was just sexy as hell. Going against someone as flirtatious as Killian with such an intimacy-inflicting maneuver just works so well! Captain Swan - Don’t think I don’t notice how the camera doesn’t point to Killian as Cora mentions how in 28 years, there will be a savior. Also, as this is a CS-centric segment in the scene with the infamous sword fight, I feel like I should weigh in on the immortal question: Did Killian throw the fight? My answer: Nah. There was this great post made a while ago and I don’t remember who wrote it, but they analyzed Killian’s sword fighting and concluded that he was trying to win, but not harm Emma in the process. Anyway, if you remember that post, please send it my way so I can link it! Finally, I found it to be such a good writing choice to have Emma be the one who heard why Killian saved Aurora’s heart because it was a good show of how he is someone redeemable. Swan Queen - Two things. First, Emma’s “thank you” is so amazingly sincere. It’s quiet, but energized, amazed and yet calmed. Second, the good-natured quips about Cora provides a very genuine moment of bonding for the two women for the first time really. Snowing - We get a great parallel here for the TLK that wakes Charming up. Not only is the dialogue given again, but the dwarves are there too and even the sheets are white just like in Snow’s coffin. It’s one of my favorite parallels of theirs, up there with some of the moments in “Snow Falls.” That’s because while there are these repeated elements, there are changes to make this a new scene and give it a different level of weight. It’s the first time we’ve seen a TLK in Storybrooke since the curse broke and new characters with new motivations are there for the ride. ()()()()()()()()() Season 2 has been utterly amazing thus far! Score wise, it’s doing better than Season 1, and even the disappointments have been relative improvements over the last Season’s. This is an especially great surprise because I had little recollection of Season 2 before I started this rewatch and I’m so happy that it’s been as good as it’s been and I hope that it stays this good going into the next arc!

Thank you all for reading and to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales! Putting this project together has really boosted my appreciation for the sophomore season of OUAT and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love the extra boost my channel has gotten since this has started and the people I’ve met by doing this!

Season 2 Tally (86/220) Writer Tally for Season 2: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis: (29/60) Jane Espenson (17/50) Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg (20/50) David Goodman (10/30) Robert Hull (10/30) Christine Boylan (7/30) Kalinda Vazquez (10/30) Daniel Thomsen (10/20)

Operation Rewatch Archives

[spartanguard]

ahhhhhh I LOVE this extra adventure!! Especially the way you had them both crashing against both each other’s and their own walls. That cave scene? SWOON. And then after the run-in with Cora? HELL YES.

It's Called Trust | OUAT fanfic | CSSS 2022 Gift

MERRY CHRISTMAS, @willexxmercer !! I was your Santa this year!!

I ran with your prompts of enemies to lovers and only one bed for this one!! I hope you like it!!

Summary: (season 2 "Tallahassee" canon divergence) Emma forgets that handcuffs cannot hold a pirate. 

AO3

For a moment, the two of them inches away, Hook felt himself smile, the steel walls he hid behind for so long beginning to loosen for the first time in centuries.

But it was shattered, when he felt Emma click something around his wrist.

She shot back, stumbling away from him, eyes wide like he was a terrifying, bloody giant.

The grin of his faltered, his eyes finding what was around his wrist.

A manacle, chaining him to the wall.

Shock drove every warm feeling out of his chest, making it once again the frigid wasteland he was used to.

But somehow, this betrayal hurt far worse than anything he could ever remember.

"What are you doing?" he felt himself whisper, standing to follow her, but she only took another step back, and the chain prevented him from taking another step forward. "What are you doing?" he repeated, voice gaining an edge of anger, but it wasn't anger.

It was hurt.

"I'm sorry," escaped her lips, her eyes wide and scared, her body like that of a frightened animal.

"So you're just going to leave me here?" he demanded. "To let that monster tear me apart? Crush my bones?"

"He's not a monster," she said too quickly, too fast for it to just be about the giant, and for a fleeting second, he wondered what it'd be like for someone—for her—to defend him like that. "And you're not going to die," she said, firmly, surely, and for half a second he wondered why she cared to ensure it.

"Why do this to me now?" he tried, mind racing, yanking at the chain, that didn't give at all. "Have I told you a lie?"

That made her pause.

He knew she hadn't sensed any lie from him.

Because he hadn't told her one.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, like she meant it, something almost choked in her voice, a pain in her eyes as she whispered, "I just—I can't take the chance that I'm wrong about you."

She backed away.

She was going to leave him here.

She was going to bloody leave him here.

She bloody used him to get the compass, and now that she had no more use for him, she was going to leave.

"You're sorry?" he echoed, hurt anger building into a rage he's so often killed with. "You're sorry?!"

She didn't respond, but her eyes did.

Then, she turned and ran.

"Swan!" he growled, yanking hard at the chain. "SWAN!"

There was no bloody way she was getting away with that compass, with double-crossing him.

No one double-crosses him.

Trembling with rage, it took longer than he would have liked to pick the lock with his hook, but he got it—pirate—and soon he was running after her.

Emma's entire body trembled with fear as she carefully switched handholds and footholds on her way down the beanstalk. Don't look down, don't look down… thoughts of returning to Henry kept her focused, kept her fear from overflowing.

However, she couldn't help seeing Hook's face flashing into her mind.

The moment he realized she'd chained him, that their alliance was abruptly severed.

It wasn't anger in that look.

It was shocked hurt.

Never in her life, for Emma had met many villains as both Emma the Savior and Emma the Bail-bondswoman, never in the moment her target learned they were cornered, did she see hurt.

She would see anger, rage, fury.

Never hurt.

But she shook it from her thoughts, focusing back on Henry, doing this for Henry, for what business did she have feeling guilty about leaving Hook behind?

But she was a little more than halfway down the beanstalk, where the trees below finally looked more like trees and less like dots, when something struck her wrist, pinning her to the stalk.

She let out a little yelp in surprise, glad that she hadn't been in between hand and footholds, and her eyes snapped to her wrist to see—

Oh, no.

A silver hook.

"I believe," snarled his voice as he revealed himself from the other side of the stalk, and Emma desperately tried to yank her hand free, "that you have something of mine, love."

The love was spoken with a sharpness that was nothing like the epithet's namesake.

Emma's heart jumped into her throat. "H-How did—?"

"Pirate," he reminded her, though the smirk wasn't in his features like it had been on their way up this beanstalk. "Give me the compass," he said firmly, and Emma tried again to get her hand free where he was pinning her to the stalk, but she was effectively trapped. A little panicked sound escaped her throat, at the same time that Hook's eyes snapped to her jacket pocket, where the chain of the compass gleamed in the sun.

"Ah," said Hook, that smirk back, but none of it holding any amusement. "I'll just take it myself."

He removed his hook from her wrist, and swiftly instead hooked the steel through the chain.

"Stop!" growled Emma, removing her hand to grab at the chain before he could take it, leaving them both in a sort of tug-of-war with it.

However it only lasted a few moments, because suddenly the entire stalk shook violently, as if—

Emma's eyes shot wide. "Crap," she breathed. "Mulan."

"What the bloody—" began Hook, but another strike to the beanstalk sent it swaying sharply. And both she and Hook, who only had a one-handed grip on the beanstalk, suddenly lost their holds.

A scream rose in Emma's throat as she fell, the sharp weightlessness feeling like the most terrifying thing. They were still hundreds of feet up in the air; the fall would kill them.

A flash of black leather as Hook fell next to her, and Emma suddenly felt an arm wrap around her waist, pulling her flush to a leather-clad body, and Emma suddenly didn't know if the falling or this was more terrifying.

But just as fast as they fell, something stopped them abruptly, along with a groan from Hook. They jarred to an almost-stop, and Emma's eyes snapped open, seeing that Hook had used his namesake to grab a branch of a tree that must have stood at least a hundred feet tall.

Though it interrupted their fall, the branch snapped on impact, and they fell, Hook attempting to grab another branch, each one breaking as he did, but also breaking their fall.

And suddenly they were crashing to the ground, Hook's arm releasing her as they did, both of them groaning as they hit the ground. However, the way the branches had slowed their descent, it didn't feel like they'd just fallen hundreds of feet through the air. It felt more like they'd only fallen a dozen feet.

Emma groaned as she pushed herself off the ground, feeling bruised, but surprisingly alive and not even having suffered more than scratches.

Beside her, Hook was painfully getting himself off the ground, wincing as he moved his shoulder, and Emma was stunned he hadn't dislocated it.

But even Emma was safe from the fall, she wasn't safe at all.

She stumbled to her feet even as Hook was trying to get his bearings, massaging his shoulder, and Emma snapped her head around, but the beanstalk wasn't even in sight.

"Where the hell is it?" she breathed, panic in her chest.

"Seems," came a pained voice as Hook rose to his own feet, "we've landed a ways away from the Beanstalk."

But Emma suddenly remembered something else.

What they'd been fighting over.

The Compass.

Her hand shot to her pocket, but it wasn't there; she didn't have it.

And from the way Hook seemed to remember at the same time, his hand going to his own pockets, his eyes scanning the ground around them for a gleam of metal in the grass, Emma knew they were screwed.

From Emma's own scan of the area around them, the compass was nowhere near.

They'd dropped it, and it could be anywhere.

Emma's eyes suddenly landed on Hook's, both of them realizing exactly what happened.

And within the same seconds, as if in a race, they both took off, running in opposite directions, eyes glued to the ground, looking for anything that sparkled in the sun.

Emma would kill for a metal detector right about now.

She needed to find that damn compass.

If she didn't find the compass, she couldn't get back to Henry…

Emma huffed a frustrated breath.

Right now she had no idea where to find the compass, and no idea where to find Snow, Aurora and Mulan, and she was pretty much completely lost in a world she knew nothing about.

And as much as she had tried to tell Snow she was fine and that she could take care of herself, that was on Earth, in a world that didn't have magic and irritating pirates and ogres and chimera as a traditional food—

Emma felt herself shiver beneath the leather jacket, and she pulled it closer around her.

The air was getting chillier as the daylight was fading, and she was suddenly growing far more scared than cold.

Don't be scared, don't be scared, she thought, just as she had so many times in a new foster home or one of the many times she found herself homeless, sleeping under bridges or in vacant cars.

But this wasn't even a world she could do that, and it made her realize how screwed up she was that the fact that sleeping under a bridge was even in her comfort zone more than where she was now—

She briefly shut her eyes, walking a little faster, wanting so badly to call out Mary Margaret's name, but learning the hard way that ogres are blind and they follow sound.

Emma took another unsteady breath, walking quicker through the forest, trying to be quiet and fast, but her boot suddenly snapped a twig under her feet, and at the same time, she felt a tension in the air.

Then, the ground shook.

With a heavy footstep.

The roar of an ogre that did not sound far suddenly rose a scream in her throat, but she swallowed it down, whipping her head around to try to figure out what direction it was coming from, her heart beating a million miles a second.

But it turned out it was coming from behind, and Emma whirled around, seeing the huge, hulking, ugly beast running at her. Without a second thought she turned and ran, nearly tripping over herself, choosing speed over silence, but it seemed this ogre was fast, too.

"Crap," breathed Emma, voice cracking with fear, skidding around a tree and ducking, curling herself as tiny as she could and holding her breath.

The pounding footsteps of the ogre came closer and closer, and suddenly it was in front of her, but it froze, tilting its head in the silence.

Emma pressed her hand over her mouth, her lungs burning, but she dared not make a sound.

But the ogre took another step closer to her, like it could sense she was there, and an involuntary gasp escaped her, and the ogre heard.

It roared so loud it shook the forest, and fisted its hand, moving to land a blow that would certainly kill her. She shut her eyes, burying her face in her arms—

Only for the ogre to roar in agony.

Emma's eyes snapped open, watching in shock as the injured ogre ran away, limping badly, to reveal—

Emma couldn't hide this gasp, either.

Hook stood where the ogre had been, his blade dark with what looked like blood.

He was thoroughly out of breath, like he'd been running for some time, and even in the faded light, she could see the fear in his eyes.

But when he looked at her, the fear was pushed away and traded for a smirk, but it was a lie Emma could have seen miles away.

"Hook?" breathed Emma, suddenly feeling very vulnerable in the curled up position she was in. She stumbled to her feet with difficulty, but her legs felt numb from the close call.

But with him in front of her, sword still out, she wondered if he or the ogre was more dangerous to her.

Emma expected either a smirk or a glare for leaving him behind, or perhaps to be the second victim to his sword.

What she didn't expect was for him to look at her with only more fear in his eyes. "It isn't safe out here. Come with me." He sheathed his sword, starting to walk away, but when she didn't follow, he turned back with impatience. And as if reading her mind, he said, "If I had wanted to bring any harm to you, Swan, I'd have let the ogre do so. Let's go."

He started walking again, and Emma felt indecision tearing her apart.

However…

The idea of being out here alone…

When the distant rumble of another ogre's footstep rocked the ground, Emma's feet made her decision for her.

She followed Hook, keeping herself a few feet away from him.

"Hook—" she began.

"Don't speak," he said sharply, eyeing the forest carefully, and Emma suddenly remembered the 'be quiet' rule with ogres.

Neither of them spoke for at least what felt like an hour, walking out of the forest and into dried up land by the side of a mountain, and after a while of walking through it, she saw Hook take a breath of relief.

"This way," he said, making her jump, as they'd been in silence for so long. "We can find shelter." Just as he said the words, Emma felt a few drops of rain hit her shoulder.

By the time they found a cave, and a tiny one at that that made the bridges Emma had slept under look like the Four Seasons, it had begun to pour. Luckily, they'd missed the heaviest of it, and Emma turned to watch it thunder down.

"The ogres don't often travel here," explained Hook, unsheathing his sword, and making Emma flinch a little, but he only held it to the rain to clean the blood from the blade. He eyed the sky. "Even if they do, the storm will drown out any noise we make."

Somehow, those words made her uncomfortable.

Emma swallowed.

A slight silence as he cleaned his blade, and Emma couldn't stop herself.

"Why did you do that?"

He looked at her, pulling his sword back under the shelter. "Do what?"

"Why did you stop that ogre from killing me?"

Why did you save me?

He looked at her, and in his hesitation, she saw a sort of uncertainty, like he didn't quite know the answer.

But instead, she saw a flicker of that hurt she saw when she'd handcuffed him, and Emma was suddenly far too aware he was still holding a sword.

"Why did you betray me?" he countered, lifting a brow that looked so much more dangerous than it had been up until now.

Emma felt a chill sweep down her spine.

Suddenly she was wondering if she should have taken the chance with the ogres.

He took a step toward her, and Emma kicked herself for moving an inch back instinctively. But instead of smirking at her fear, it seemed to… bother him.

He sheathed the sword.

Emma swallowed hard, standing up a little straighter, trying to gain some sort of confidence she didn't feel in the slightest. "Did you find the compass?" she asked, trying to keep her voice direct, unemotional.

She saw his…disappointment?...that she didn't answer his question, and his irritation at the new one.

But he pondered her question, a hesitation that was just enough for Emma to catch the consideration of telling a lie.

Her heart picked up.

But he seemed to think better of it, yet it also seemed to irritate him further and look like premature regret as sharp as the lightning that flashed outside, and he answered with movement, pulling out from his pocket—

"You found it!" breathed Emma, moving instinctively toward the compass to take it—the hope, the only way of getting home to Henry, the only way to not abandon him the way she was abandoned—but Hook's fingers closed around it, and he pulled it back a little.

"Yes," he said, the word careful. Measured. Watching her like he didn't know how to predict her. "I found it," he said slowly.

Emma again reached for it, but he pulled it further out of her grasp, lifting a brow as sharply as he'd raise his sword.

"I need that," said Emma, her desperation almost making her voice crack, her heart hammering.

"As do I," said Hook slowly. And before Emma could try reaching for it again, he pocketed it once more, making Emma flinch. "We should wait until morning," said Hook, when the silence spread too long. "The ogres are nocturnal." He kicked around some of the rocks and twigs that had gathered in the very small alcove, as if making room to sit.

"And what happens in the morning?" asked Emma, voice on edge, body tense, eyes still fixed on his pocket.

They both wanted, needed that compass.

He turned then, and watched her for a long moment. She could just see the war of emotions behind his own steel walls. Fear. Irritation. Hurt. Confusion.

But for the first time, she also saw exhaustion, and it was more than just in need of physical rest.

"I wasn't lying to you today," he said, voice suddenly serious, and Emma was surprised to hear how much he seemed to want her to believe him. "You are much safer company than Cora. At least, that was what I had thought before you left me to the giant's disposal."

"He—" began Emma, ready to defend Anton, but Hook didn't let her.

"I would be open to taking this compass and going to your land with you, so long as I can trust you." said Hook, looking her right in the eye, as if looking for a lie in her own.

And it somehow felt offensive that he deemed her untrustworthy.

"Or," countered Emma, "as long as I can trust you."

His brows shot up. "Me?" he said with surprise. "Love," he said, "I am not the one who left you handcuffed at the top of that bloody beanstalk." He took a step toward her, radiating an anger he seemed to have been keeping at bay, and Emma felt her back hit the wall of the shallow cave. "I," he said firmly, "have done nothing to warrant your betrayal or your distrust. I have saved your life three times now. And all you have done for me is leave me behind." He was inches from her now, brows narrowed into a glare that was so angry it could only have been caused by pain, and Emma couldn't look away from it.

He seemed to realize in that moment how intimidating he was being, and like he was shocked with cold water, he stepped back, that anger softening a little, doused like a cooling fire.

Their eyes, however, never left each other.

"I have no plans to betray you," he said firmly, keeping his eyes on hers, and Emma read every damn truth in them.

But she's done that before.

And Emma felt herself quietly say, "Betrayal isn't really something you plan."

It was as vulnerable as being without clothes to say the words, and she could tell by the shift in his face that he heard the vulnerability.

And in that shift, was almost an understanding, like he not only understood, but knew exactly what that felt like.

And maybe that he was beginning to realize that her leaving him at the beanstalk had far less to do with him.

"Well, then," he said, voice only just louder than the thundering rain. "It comes down to trust, then." He lifted a brow. "I'll ask you again. Care to try something new, darling?"

Emma watched him for a long moment.

And for the first time, actually… considered an alliance with him.

He had saved her life a few times now when he didn't have to.

And…

He had the compass.

He had already found the compass when that ogre nearly killed her.

He could have let her die, and gone off with Cora.

But he didn't.

And even after he saved her life, he let her accompany him to a safer place.

And he told her that he had the compass.

Perhaps he'd simply known she'd be able to tell a lie if he'd denied it, but he still did tell her the truth.

If he really wanted to, he could kill her right now.

She winced inwardly a little, realizing that he was right.

She was the one who was untrustworthy.

But for some reason, after everything, he still wanted to give her another chance.

Everything inside her screamed that it was an angle he was playing, that he and Cora were up to no good, that he was going to backstab her in the end. Possibly literally.

But the look in his eyes now…

It didn't look like he was going to hurt her.

However, neither did Neal.

"While you think that through, love," came Hook's voice, shattering her from the daze, he sat down, leaning against the wall of the tiny space, "you may want to get some rest. If we're to travel back to the beanstalk where your friends and mother are waiting for your return, we've quite a trek ahead of us."

He shut his eyes, seemingly to sleep.

Emma didn't move.

Her eyes fell to his pocket, where she could even see the slight gleam of the compass chain peeking out.

She looked back outside, through the dense falling rain, hearing a distant roar of an ogre.

Her heart skipped.

She looked back at Hook, who hadn't moved, but Emma knew was perfectly awake.

Try something new, darling.

It's called trust.

Emma sighed.

And out of the corner of her eye, she could have sworn she saw Hook's lips twitch upward.

She sat down herself, trying to put distance between herself and Hook, but the alcove was stupid small. Her legs out straight brushed his, and a feeling that Emma decided to call fear rushed down her spine.

Hook, however, didn't seem to notice.

She pulled her knees to her chest, glad she had at least a few inches of space between her shoulders and his, but any further and she'd be in the rain.

She was still close enough that his scent enveloped them both, something like the ocean and leather.

Emma just hugged her knees tighter.

Silence fell.

She looked at Hook, who again seemed to be sleeping, but Emma knew he wasn't.

What if she fell asleep and he took the compass and left her here?

What if that was his plan all along?

Though then why would he save her from the ogre?

It took Emma what felt like another hour of pondering, but as she did, exhaustion weighed down.

She let her head tilt toward her shoulder, hugging herself tighter as a chill from the storm swept through. Her eyes shut, and she let them, planning to open them in a few minutes.

She was asleep long before then.

The soft light of day nudged Hook awake.

But it didn't come with what it usually did.

Usually, morning came with facing yet another day without his revenge sated, as each day without it was a failure. As each day without her was an empty and angry one, destined to only be worse than the last.

But for some reason, this morning… didn't bring that emptiness, that fury.

For some reason, it felt almost good.

His eyes opened slowly, rest having taken the edge of what had turned into a long day yesterday. Outside, the storm was over, though rain had left puddles and wet dirt. The scent of post-rainfall wafted through the area, and it was like the aroma of a fresh start.

Something he knew he could never have.

He was planning for a bitter end, and he'd made his peace with that.

But the strange… light feeling in his chest begged to differ.

Still half-caught in sleep, he moved to sit up straighter where he'd slept against the hard wall, but realized something probably far too delayed.

There was a… heaviness on his shoulder.

He looked down, and felt his heart stop.

The Swan girl.

Emma.

The last he'd seen of her last night was when she'd been curled up as far away from him as she could get without getting drenched in the rain, her eyes darting between his pocket where he knew the compass was, and the outside. She was quite the open book, and he knew she was pondering every possible plan to take the compass from him and leave with it.

But though distrustful, she was very smart.

Perhaps those qualities went hand in hand.

She knew as well as he did that she had no idea how to get back to the beanstalk, and she would have been dead within an hour if she had left last night.

But it wasn't just the fact that she was still here and the compass was still in his pocket.

It was that she was sleeping on his shoulder.

He couldn't tear his eyes away, frozen there, just staring at her.

Somehow in the night, she'd listed to the side, his side, resting her head on his shoulder, under his chin, almost like she fit there.

In a way that Milah never even had.

Her one hand was curled in toward her chest, as if protecting her heart, her other resting on his sleeve by his hook. Her eyes were shut, and she slept on, an occasional wince in her face, a twitch in her muscles, like sleep was never as restful for her as it should be.

Hook had had plenty of… female company over the years after Milah, but… they were enjoying the company for the same reason he was. For the passion.

But this… closeness?

It was something he hadn't experienced since…

He should move, he should wake her, he should run, he should leave her here like she left him.

He should have let the ogre kill her like it would have if he hadn't stopped it.

A question slipped through his mind, for about the thousandth time since last night. The same question she asked him.

"Why did you stop that ogre from killing me?"

He didn't know why.

He had every right to.

She'd betrayed him.

She was after the one thing he needed to get his revenge.

She'd have deserved it.

But something inside him had made him run the moment he knew the ogre found a target, and the moment he knew it was her.

Maybe it was something in the way she apologized for betraying him.

Hook had been betrayed many times over the years.

Never had the betrayer been sorry.

She'd hesitated after she'd done so; there was an agony in her decision.

It wasn't meant to be cold hearted.

He didn't know why she did it. But it was more than just because he was a pirate.

"I do not plan to betray you."

"Betrayal isn't really something you plan."

She was like that of a frightened animal. And seeing her there, terrified as the ogre nearly killed her…

She wasn't on this mission for anything more than to return to her child.

She knew as well as he did what abandonment does to a soul.

Sometime after she'd nearly left him to the ogres' mercy and before she'd left him to the giant's, there were cracks in those steel walls of hers. There were shaky smiles and there was…

He shook himself.

She was safer company than Cora, and he… he's… he's just… trying to help one more boy avoid becoming a Lost One.

That's all this alliance is.

But Emma suddenly shifted, lifting her head from his shoulder, opening her eyes.

"Morning, love."

Emma suddenly went rigid at his voice, and proximity, and her eyes snapped to him, realizing how close she was.

She flinched back instinctively, that fear that was as much a part of her eyes as the hazel in them deepening. And he tried to not feel the sting of her reaction.

They both got up, Emma very quickly, but Hook had a feeling it wasn't because of how uncomfortable he made her.

It was something of the opposite.

But there was something else in her shock, almost as if she was stunned he was still there.

She looked at him, like she was shoving every bit of that discomfort away. "You're really going to help us and not Cora?" she asked, changing the subject fluidly.

There's that distrust again.

"Aye." he said honestly.

Why did he suddenly want this woman's trust?

"If you want me to trust you," said Emma slowly, "let me hold onto the compass."

She held out her hand, waiting.

Hook lifted his brow. "Love, the last time I did that you handcuffed me on top of the bloody beanstalk." He lifted the brow higher. "I believe it is you who is in need of earning my trust."

Something shimmered in her eyes. And less than a whisper, she said, "I need to get back to my son."

Hook felt something deep inside his chest shift at the agony in her words, the pain of being away from her son.

So, he simply nodded, and said, "Then let's get you back to him."

Emma's eyes lingered on his pocket, on the compass, for a moment longer. But she shut them, and then opened them, giving him the tiniest of smiles.

It was a start.

They were walking for what felt like an hour or two, almost completely in silence other than some of Hook's directions and warnings.

The two of them walked with a few feet of space between them, like neither of them wanted to get too close.

Emma, at least, knew exactly why she wanted to keep her distance.

How could she have fallen asleep on his shoulder?

She never was one for cuddling, not even with Neal.

Why on earth would her body betray her like that?

All she knew was that she had hated it.

She utterly hated the feeling of being so close to him, just as much as when she had prevented him from breaking the trip wire in the giant's treasure room, and he had grabbed her.

She hated it, hated it, hated it.

Because a little part of her thought it felt good.

Not good in an he's attractive way, either.

That, she had chalked up to his ego and vanity and stupid charm.

But it was more that he felt almost…

Safe?

Emma wanted to scoff at the idea of thinking of Captain Hook as safe, but… clearly her body thought so, as she woke up sleeping on his shoulder.

As much as she wanted to think that was flat out wrong, with every footstep, Emma was starting to maybe… do it. Actually, for the first time since Neal…

Trust someone.

And just as she had the thought, they saw it in the distance:

The beanstalk.

Emma's little gasp of relief made him look at her.

"Aye," he said. "We're nearly there."

Emma smiled a little, walking a little faster, thinking about how terrified Mary Margaret must be right now.

"Here."

Emma stopped at Hook's voice, turning to see—

"What?" she breathed.

For he held out the compass, gesturing for her to take it.

"Take it," he said. At her unspoken question, he sighed and said, "Trust works both ways." A little uncertainty, he said, "You won't run off with it, will you?"

This time, Emma didn't even find herself thinking about it. "No."

He smiled a little, like he could read the truth in her eyes.

She took the compass, smiling.

Soon, Henry. I'll be home soon.

Hook started walking again, but Emma didn't, staring at the compass, the trust he placed in her hands.

Trust she really didn't deserve.

So, before she could change her mind, she said softly, "I only trusted one person in my life."

He stopped.

"And…" Emma felt her throat close a little. "He betrayed me."

Hook turned, watching her, listening with a little furrow in his brow.

Not like he didn't understand.

Like he didn't understand why she was telling him.

"He… he never told me a lie," said Emma, voice shaking a little, like her body was trying to reject the words that came out anyway. "And he… he betrayed me anyway." She took a shuddering breath. As hard as the words had been to say, words she had never said aloud before, it felt like relief. "That's why," she said, explained. "That's why I left you." She swallowed hard. "I…"

"I can't take the chance that I'm wrong about you."

Something shift in his expression, like he was replaying that moment too, with new context. And after a moment, a little sad surprise, like he was replaying another thing she'd said.

"I thought you'd said you'd never been in love."

"Maybe I was once."

Something about Hook's demeanor… softened.

Like he knew how much she'd just given him.

And how vulnerable it made her.

He was quiet for a moment, but then said, "I'd like to tell you why I saved you." he said, and Emma remembered her question to him.

"Why did you stop that ogre from killing me?"

Hook took a step closer to her. "However… I truly don't know why." Emma could read the truth, the confusion in his eyes as he looked at her, and she didn't even know if he realized he was still walking toward her, even closer. "I had every reason not to."

He was an inch away now, looking into her eyes, like the answer was there.

But instead of stumbling back, getting away from him like her body was screaming for her to do, she instead gave him a rare smile. "Truce?"

He seemed to shake from a daze, realziing how close they were. But he cleared his throat a little, smiling too. "Aye."

"Well isn't this cozy," came a cold voice from behind them

Cora.

Emma went rigid.

"I see you've found my compass," said Cora with a cold smile directed at Emma. "Good work, Hook."

Emma felt her entire body run cold.

She stumbled back a step.

Away from them both.

Her eyes snapped to Hook. "You told me I could trust you!" she breathed, feeling every nerve in her body go numb.

It suddenly felt like flashing back to the day she was arrested.

Hook, however, was still caught in shock, and had something so agonized in his eyes at her words, which was nothing like the smirk Emma had been expecting.

"And you've brought company," drawled Cora, taking a step toward Emma. Her smile faded. "However, I was on the fence on bringing you along with me. I certainly cannot trust the daughter of Snow White." And with a chilling smile, she said, "Kill her."

Emma felt fear slide through her like lightning.

She stumbled back another step, her heart pounding.

"We…"

Hook's voice stuttered, and to Emma's shock, he looked afraid.

"We…" he began again, like he was clawing for words. "We don't have to kill her. We… we can take her with us. Use her."

Emma froze.

He was trying to save her?

And his last words were a lie.

He was stalling.

"Hook," said Cora, in a terrifyingly quiet and frigid voice. "I allied with you under the condition that I had your full loyalty." She took a step toward him, and Emma nearly saw him flinch. "Kill her," she demanded. "Or I will kill you."

Hook was frozen.

But then, his eyes shifted to Emma.

Something horribly sad in them.

And then quickly— "Swan, run—!" he breathed.

Cora's features twisted, and she reached for his chest.

His heart.

His eyes shut.

And Emma's feet moved instinctively, throwing herself in front of him.

"EMMA!"

Emma felt Cora's hand sink into her chest, making her gasp like she'd swallowed ice. She felt the cold grip of fingers like claws curl around her heart and pull—

—but her heart didn't move.

Emma's eyes opened, seeing the witch's hand still in her chest, yanking at her heart that wouldn't move.

"What—?" she gasped, furious as she kept trying.

But then, a brilliant light exploded from Emma, the power of it so strong it struck Cora, throwing her back dozens of yards, crashing her into the ground, unmoving.

The light faded, and Emma stumbled, gasping, putting her hand to her chest.

"Emma!"

Suddenly he was touching her, his hook at her side to steady her, his hand finding her face, looking into her eyes with such a strong worry it made her lose her breath.

"Are you all right?!" he breathed.

"I… think so," said Emma breathlessly.

"Why did you do that?" he gasped.

Emma blinked, realizing what she'd just done.

She nearly died for him.

"I don't know," she whispered, looking at him.

Though she was no longer unsteady, he didn't let her go.

And it felt like she needed support now more than even before.

"You saved my life," he breathed, shock and awe coloring his blue eyes even bluer.

"You saved mine," countered Emma softly.

A moment held them in tense silence.

He was still looking at her, eyes inches from hers, and she couldn't tear hers away.

And his brows twitched, as if with curiosity, as if with wonder, and before she knew it he was leaning in and she was meeting him halfway.

The kiss felt like nothing she'd ever experienced.

It felt like speaking everything that had been in the tension between them the past two days.

He pulled back, their eyes opening, both of them caught in the shock of it.

But he broke the moment with a look toward Cora's unmoving form, and he said, "We need to get to your friends and then to you land. Quickly."

Still too stunned to speak, Emma only nodded.

And they began to run.

By the time they made it to the base of the beanstalk, Emma was out of breath.

But relief struck her at once.

They were still there.

Mary Margaret was pacing, Aurora was watching her with sad eyes, and Mulan—

….was tied up on the ground, cursing and fighting it.

"Mary Margaret!" called Emma as loudly as she dared as to avoid ogres hearing.

The moment Mary Margaret heard her, she gasped, spinning around.

She wasted no time; she ran, crashing into Emma, and grabbing her in a crushing hug.

"Emma!" she exclaimed, every ounce of worry poured into her name. "You're okay! Oh, my god, you're okay." She pulled back, eyes wide. "Where have you been?!" She suddenly glared at Hook, eyes threatening. "If you hurt my daughter—"

"No, he didn't," said Emma quickly. "He… um, actually… saved my life. A couple of times," she admitted.

Mary Margaret's brow raised. High.

"We found the compass," said Emma, lifting it. "But… Cora found us."

Mary Margaret and Aurora gasped, and Mulan stopped struggling.

"What?" breathed Mary Margaret.

"It's a long story," said Emma, "but she's unconscious and we should really get home."

Mary Margaert looked like she very much wanted to know that story, but let it go.

Emma suddenly asked, "Why is Mulan tied up?!"

"She tried to chop down the beanstalk," said Mary Margaret, using a very parental tone, and Emma winced. "We're going to talk about that when we get home." she said, with a pointed look at Emma.

"She really is your mother," commented Hook under his breath.

Mary Margaret's eyes shifted to him. Warily. "You expect Hook to come with us?" she asked Emma, suspicion and distrust in her eyes.

"Yes," said Emma, the word firm and certain.

"How do we know we can trust him?" asked Mulan as she stood, Aurora untying her.

"Because," said Emma, looking at him. "I do."

Mary Margaret's brow lifted, for she knew just how hard it was for Emma to trust.

Slowly, Mary Margaret nodded.

The other three women started leading the way, and Emma looked at Hook.

He was already looking at her.

And they both smiled.

-.-.-.

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[shipsxahoy]

yearning looks & doey eyes » ten of ∞ 

[castielamigos]

When I jab you with my sword, you’ll feel it.