#there is something incredibly pure about being the one person as the outlander who held zero hatred zero stake in this battle against

[eorzeashan]

KOTET CH 1: Wrath and Ruin

Eight: There can be no redemption for the fallen emperor of Zakuul, abandoned by his mother, poisoned by his father. You have failed him, Senya.

Senya: I haven't failed him yet.

Dogged assassin, who reads the lives of others to them as their final death sentence-- there was no choice more fitting though I was afraid of picking it out of sounding too cruel, as DS choices tend to be. I don't think he would've told Senya she failed. If there's one bright point out of all this, it's that he holds no grudges, no vengeance, and nothing personal towards her.

She picked a side, as he did. That has always been the nature of the wars he fought, where he killed as many allies as he did enemies by the smallest of choices. That's all it takes is a fork in the crossroad of ideals and decisions to find yourself on the opposite side of someone you once called a friend, callous as it sounds.

Eight: You fought for the Eternal Empire, the Alliance, for your family. Now you may die with honor, Senya Tirall.

The words alone don't do it enough justice, but his voice was so unbearably kind here. He meant every bit. To a warrior like him, this was the most he could do for her; the highest of honors he could give. He respected her to the end for choosing to fight for what she believed in even if it meant turning against all others.

I imagine Lana cutting in with how she's sorry she brought in a traitor, and Eight silencing her with a look. "Don't call her that. She never betrayed herself, not to her last breath."

This scene reminded me of the one on Ziost, where Theron wants to save Master Surro and Lana wants to dissect her brain. Eight chose to mercy kill her, because he saw how much she suffered; in the same way, he brought the kind of honor he could only think of as a fellow warrior. A kindness that is cruel, and a cruelty that is kind.

It's the middle ground neither Lana or Theron can understand.

Eight: For what it's worth, I regret firing on your ship. I blame it on the heat of battle.

He looks so sad here :(

He wouldn't have said this out loud, but he was thinking it, and he wouldn't have blamed it on the heat of battle either because it was a conscious choice. But...to be unable to even offer that vulnerability and take the full brunt of duty and decision out of respect for another's choice and yours even if it puts you at each other's throats... ah, it hurts. Unfeeling weapon, who never denies his enemies the honor of their ideals, always mere inches away from in another life, we could've fought by each other's side.

But that is what it means to be a betrayer.

[fuckyeahjamieandclaire]

My love for a good love story is well documented around these parts. And there is no more sweeping love story on television than Jamie and Claire’s epic Outlander romance. Every chapter in their story feels cinematic, so I was thrilled when it was announced that their long-awaited reunion episode, “A. Malcolm,” would be almost feature-length (74 minutes, and I could have watched another 74). Their farewell in last season’s finale was one of my favorite TV moments of 2016, so it was safe to say my expectations for their return to one another were high. But even the (probably too many) hours I spent imagining how the show would depict their famous “print shop” reunion could never have prepared me for how wonderful it would be to see Jamie and Claire—and Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe—together again.

The chemistry between Heughan and Balfe is something special, and sometimes you have to go without it for a while in order to fully appreciate how much it elevates the already beautiful story they’re telling. “A. Malcolm” asked them to do a lot of heavy lifting—imagine how cheesy some of those lines could have sounded coming from anyone other than Heughan or how long some of those silent beats could have felt without all the emotions we see so clearly in Balfe’s eyes. And one of the hardest things they had to do in this episode was play this reunion as realistic rather than pure wish-fulfillment. Obviously, both the audience and the characters end up quite satisfied with their return to one another, but it’s not all smooth sailing. There were awkward moments, shy glances, secrets told and some still kept, doubts, anxieties, insecurities, bumped heads, and many other complications that needed to be shown beyond pure relief, joy, and passion, and Balfe and Heughan gave us a true sense of the roller coaster of emotions these characters were on. It would have been easy to play this reunion as a one-note explosion of passion and longing, but that wouldn’t have felt real. Instead, by infusing this reunion with an honest sense of hesitation, they made it even more beautiful because it was believable.

“A. Malcolm” was an incredibly intimate episode—perhaps even more intimate than Jamie and Claire’s wedding episode because the emotional stakes were even higher. And intimacy isn’t something that can be forced; it lives in the tiny details. And those details were my favorite parts of “A. Malcolm”—the way Jamie kissed Claire’s nose after she thought she broke it, the playful smacks they gave each other in bed, Jamie tossing food to Claire, the way their fingers always interlaced when they held hands, the way Jamie’s nails dug into Claire’s shoulder as they made love and then gently stroked her shoulder afterward, the forehead kisses, the tears in Claire’s eyes when Jamie told her she was beautiful, the way she kissed his stomach as she talked about him being too fit for a printer…All those small moments added up to a picture of a marriage being brought to life again. And I loved that it was brought to life with so much laughter. This reunion could have easily been tearful and intense, but the genuine laughter between them lit up the screen and served as the perfect reminder that love should make you happy—that you should be able to laugh with the person who’s sharing your bed. What made all that even better was the fact that this is a marriage between two people in their 40s who are still capable of having really great sex with each other, which is something that’s not often shown on television.

Both Balfe and Heughan were at the top of their game in this episode, with Balfe’s gift for vulnerability on full display in nearly every scene. And I found myself completely captivated by the nuances Heughan brought to his performance. From shy hesitation and downright confusion to near-delirious desire and overwhelming love, he played every facet of Jamie’s reactions to Claire’s reappearance perfectly. And if you didn’t melt a little at the awestruck look in his eyes when he saw her naked before him or get a little hot and bothered by his smile as he told Claire he wanted to eat, you weren’t paying attention. Heughan did incredible things with just his eyes and his face in this episode, matching Balfe’s gift for nonverbal nuance beat for beat. It’s what made that scene of them undressing each other so satisfying to watch. In the hands of lesser actors with less chemistry, it would have been horribly boring, but watching the two of them watch each other was a thing of beauty that was enough to leave a viewer breathless.

Ultimately, the best example of what these two actors brought to this episode can be found in its early moments, when they were back in each other’s arms for the first time. Balfe’s tears during their first kiss made me an emotional wreck, but nothing prepared me for how stunning Heughan’s performance in that scene was. The way his small smile against her mouth bloomed into tears of joy and relief as it settled in his soul that she really was there was a truly gorgeous display of raw emotion. And it’s that kind of performance—that kind of emotional intimacy—that allows viewers to get lost in this love story.

[imgilmoregirl]

AO3 Link - FF.Net Link

Notes: Hey, everyone, I'm so, so happy that The Bookshop Owner was nomineed for T.E.A.! Thank you so much, you are incredible. So, I was asked a while ago about Agathe's appearence and only recently I've found a perfect cast for her, the actress Nell Hudson, who you might know as Laoghaire from Outlander or Skerrett from Victoria. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Belle's absence in the castle was pure torture to Rumplestiltskin. Truth be told, he didn't know what to do without her anymore, every room seemed empty without her presence, the maids annoyed him twice as they usually did and his only consolation was to take care of his children. He had sent Gideon and Rose with her to Ruby's house, thinking it might be good for them to distract their minds, after all the distress they had been through during the last few weeks, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to madly miss them. Chip was starting learning magic and Colette was getting better with her reading lessons, and it was a joy for him to watch his precious children evolve this way.

Fatherhood was something special for him. Ever since he held his first-born, Baelfire, in his arms for the very first time, he knew this kind of love was something that couldn't be replaced and would never end. He spent hours in the library with the younglings, telling stories for them, just like their mother would do, but a part of his mind couldn't help be very far away from there, worrying about his beloved wife, who had been too sad and broken-hearted lately. They were currently going through one of the worse times they ever faced, and that was slowly changing her, making her light fade away and he wished he could do something for her, that he could prevent them from going through those hard paths, and give her everything she wanted, but unfortunately, he couldn't.

However, maybe Ruby could cheer her up a little, so when she came back they could find a way to move on together, he could take her somewhere new, show her interesting things and exotic food, they could go up for an adventure like they hadn't done in quite a while, then they could make love in a place where they wouldn't be interrupted and this time, maybe his seed grew inside her again, so he could see that bright smile come to her face, when she realised they were going to have another baby. Yes, that would be perfect and he could only hold on to that fantasy to enlighten his days while she was away.

He stood in the gardens, watching as Chip tried to perform the newest spell Rumple had been teaching him, with Colette by his side, her head resting on his leg as her small fingers toyed with the curls of her own hair. Chip narrowed his eyes, his palm opened in front of his body and tiny translucid amber flames started to appear, before a little bird passed flying in front of him and the boy blinked, letting the fire die.

“Concentration, Aiden,” the imp bounced.

“Oh, you never call him that,” Colette pointed out.

“It’s his real name and we use it when it’s needed,” Rumplestiltskin said, bending so he could pick his youngest daughter from the floor, her green-gold skin shining in the bright lights of the afternoon. “What about you and I start with some magic lessons too?”

Chip ignored them, focussing on his open hand again, trying to block his father and sister’s voice, to do one of the most exciting spells he had learned, ever since Rumple had started teaching magic to him.

The girl giggled in her father’s arms. “Really?”

“Really, little princess,” Rumplestiltskin confirmed, kissing the top of her head, before turning back to his son. “Let’s try again, Chip.”

But the boy was already doing it, his gaze fixed in him palm as the flames started to rise up again, very slowly and totally out of practice, but they were still there, growing to form a fire ball that started to glow with power and heat. A happy sound left Chip, his shiny blue eyes, the very same ones his mother had, reflecting the flames as a big smile appeared in his lips.

“I did it, papa!”

“Aye,” the imp mumbled, proudly, kneeling by his side to extinguish the fire, before Chip’s inexperience could end up harming him, “you did it my boy.”

Throwing his arms around his father’s neck, Chip caused Rumplestiltskin to fall on his back, the two children laughing as they smashed him, one of them in each side, Colette’s long hair covering his face. The imp giggled as he struggled to sit up, snuggling his son and daughter close to him, knowing that if anyone ever present this, his reputation as the cruel and terrifying Dark One would be lost, but he wasn’t carrying about it in that moment, because he had the most precious things in the world curled in his embrace and he could have stayed there forever, grateful for some light between the darkness.

“I miss mama, when is she coming back?”

“Soon, my love, I promise you.”

He tapped a finger on the top of Colette’s nose, making her giggle again and took the children from his lap, so he could stand up before offering a hand to each of them, balancing their arms and making a bunch of butterflies appear with magic for the pair to chase around together, not untucking their hands from his, while they did so.

Inside the Dark Castle, Agathe closed the curtains, still hearing their happy laughs and looked around her chambers, large, comfortable, everything she could have asked for after the terrible life she faced at the Dark Realm, thinking that maybe if Fiona's cruel advices didn't keep coming up to her mind, she could have been grateful for what she had, but Agathe's heart beat with the need of something even better, something she knew she could conquer. The Black Fairy had always said that you must take what you want or it will never come at free will to you, and she took it as a motto as she walked to her desk and opened the drawer and picked one of the potions she had hidden inside there.

Lady Belle being away from the castle, brought her the perfect opportunity to use it, but she hadn't done it yet, because Rumplestiltskin was always around his children, however she had learned his new routine and knew he was going to send the wee ones to their chambers soon with Mrs. Potts, then he would ask for tea before disappearing into the laboratory for gods knows how many time. That was when her plan must be put in action and she should not fail.

The last thing he wanted was to be back to the village, but apparently Gideon had been picked as his mother’s personal body guard from now on. Not that he did not understand his father’s worries and very reasons to not wanting her traveling alone, but he wasn’t feeling much confidence in himself those days, although he knew that he would do whatever it takes to protect his family. He would gladly have accompanied his mother and sister wherever they wished to go, however, his aunt Ruby lived near Roderick’s house and he really didn’t need to accidentally ran on him now.

Spending a whole week with six cheerful women wasn’t exactly what he was planning too, but he had to admit, it was better than to be locked inside his chambers, ruminating how he had let go of the person who might have been the love of his life.

They had magicked themselves to the village, since Rumplestiltskin didn’t trust travelling with carriages anymore and Gideon had to admit, neither did he, so the three of them appeared right in front of Ruby’s door. He could take his mother’s glance laying on the woods behind them and he knew that at some point in this trip, she would sneak to the place where the stone was still placed, even after fifteen years, the one where his father had buried a dead baby that should have been a brother or sister for them. Belle never truly got over it and when Gideon thought this was his grandmother Fiona’s fault, it only made him hate her more than he already did.

Ruby’s house wasn’t exactly a place full of happy memories for his family, but he was still struggling to find one that was, so he placed an arm on his mother’s shoulders and lead her to the door, knocking softly. Granny opened it a moment later, smiling at them and inviting the guests to get in to where Ruby and Dorothy were sat by the breakfast table with their adoptive daughter, Emerald, sat between them. By the moment she saw them, the wolf woman stood up and ran to meet Belle.

"It is so good to see you!" Ruby had said, wrapping her arms tightly around his mother.

"You too," Belle replied with a grin.

It was good to see her smiling again. Sometimes, it was kind of weird to have a mother that appeared to be only a few years older than him, but Belle's remaining youth wasn't able to eclipse her motherly nature in any way, because her age was show in the wisdom of her words and gestures, however ever since she saw him bleeding on the entryway, Belle seemed to have aged some years. The traces of her face were sadder, her eyes distant, but now the bubbliness of her beautiful personality was back and everything Gideon wanted to do was to push his aunt Ruby away and hug her, but he remained where he was.

Ruby released Belle and went to Rose as his mother greeted Dorothy, Emerald and Granny.

His sister's features were also illuminated, even though he knew the grin on her lips was forced. She was feeling a lot better than she was at the day their father brought her home, but she didn't want to make a trip that soon.

"Oh, little beauty, I'm so sorry to hear what happened to you," Ruby said, stroking her hair, "men suck."

"Hey!" Gideon shout as if offended, but he clearly wasn't, he only wished to get Rose out of focus.

"Not all of them," Ruby completed, finally reaching up to hug him.

He didn't understand people's necessity of hugging everyone when visitors arrived, maybe because his own father was always complaining about that and absented himself from such a thing. Gideon might not be as grumpy as the Dark One was, but he was going through a hard time and that was affecting him, however he hugged his aunt Ruby back with all the tenderness he had.

"Granny made apple pie," Emerald said, pointing at the small dining room where the pie was waiting for them.

"Come on," Granny invited, "I'll serve you."

Everybody followed them, expect for Ruby that stood near to Gideon with a dangerous smirk playing on her lips, which indicated she was about to say something that he wasn't going to like and unfortunately, he was right about it.

"How is Roderick?"

"What?" He almost choked with the word, desperately looking around to confirm there was no one near to hear it, and that Belle was probably too entertained in the conversation going on the other room, to even notice they had stayed behind.

Ruby understood perfectly what his sudden wide eyes and his nervous glances meant and she slapped his arm firmly.

"Gideon! Haven't you told your mother yet?"

His cheeks blushed. "Told her what? There is nothing to tell!"

"Oh, no?" She arched an eyebrow for him. "So, the boy desperately knocking on my door every single day ever since you were attacked, looking for news is just a worried friend?"

"Yeah," Gideon lied.

Rolling her eyes, Ruby dragged him outside, where they could continue discussing this without the risk of anyone hearing them.

"Don't play me dumb. I have been afraid of telling Granny about Dorothy too, I know how those things work."

"Aunt Ruby!"

"Tell her, Gideon," the wolf woman continued, kindly. "Belle will be happy that you've found somebody to love."

He knew that it might be truth, as his mother was a loving woman who only wished for other people's happiness, and before Prince Neal's birthday party, he was gathering courage to tell it to her, as he knew that with his father willing to marry him with a highborn lady, he'd better rush before it was too late and he found himself engaged to someone he would never be able to love. But now, his family would never know Roderick, because they would never be a couple again.

"There is nothing to tell anymore, we broke up," Gideon confessed, looking down at the grass.

"Why?"

"It just wasn't right for us," he shrugged. "Now can we please move on?"

Shaking her head, Ruby denied. "He came here every day, I'm not lying. I wrote a letter to your mom on the second time he appeared, and she told me what happened, but also said that no one should know about it, so as a loyal friend I didn't tell him anything, but I felt pity for the boy."

A silly smile came to fill his lips as he imagined a preoccupied Roderick coming here to this house to look for news about him. They hadn't spent much nights apart after they started that relationship, because Gideon always used his magic to transport the other boy from his chambers to the old shack where Roderick's family lived.

"Oh, that sweet fool," he contemplated.

"Go talk to him, Gid," Ruby said touching his cheek affectionally. "I'll cover for you."

"No, we break up for good, aunt Ruby."

Sighing and knowing that she wasn't going to win that fight, the wolf woman nodded. "Alright, just make sure you'll not regret it."

She entered the house, leaving Gideon there alone, to think about the mistake he might have done, until Rose appeared, sitting by his side near the three to where he had dragged himself.

"Are you alright?"

"Just fine," he confirmed.

Rose laid her head on his shoulder, getting his hand and enlacing it with hers. The proximity between them was one of the most precious things to him, because his little sister was also his best friend and he would do anything for her.

"Mama it's not, she is so sad…" Rose bounced.

"Ruby can make her laugh," Gideon pointed out. "Now, what about our plan?"

He would be lying if he said that he wasn't worried about their mother too, but Gideon needed to keep Rose's mind away from those matters from now.

"I'll meet Grace later, she said her father have a map that might help us."

"I'm going with you," Gideon assured, bringing her hand up so he could kiss it before standing up and bringing his sister with him.

A frown formed on her face. "Oh, no, you're not."

That she was stubborn, he knew very well, but Gideon wasn't expecting her to be willing to risk herself after what happened, especially because now they knew that people all around the realms were looking for ways to fight against people who beard magic like them, and the black cuff King Maurice had placed on her wrist was the very proof of that.

"Rose, sweet, the last time you were alone - "

"I was attacked, yes, I know, but I'm not going to restrain my life because of that," Rose said, fiercely, lifting her chin. "Besides, Roland is coming."

"I see, I'm being replaced by Roland."

"No, you're not," she guaranteed. "You're my brother and the best one I could ask for, but he is my boyfriend and I need to see him too, just like you need to see Roderick."

His heart skipped a beat, because he told Ruby the truth but not yet his sister and she was the one that had been by his side the whole time, supporting every decision he made. He had to be honest with her.

"Rose," Gideon breathed the name as if it was the air he so needed to live. "I broke up with him."

"What? Why?"

"He was in danger near me, you know it, sis."

Closing her eyes, Rose inhaled deeply, placing both hands on his arms, stroking him through the brown fabric of his coat.

"Brother, Roderick is not stupid, he knew what he was up to the moment you two started this relationship," Rose muttered emphatically. "Our family will always be in danger and you can't let it interfere in your happiness, or you'll never get it."

"I know, but I can't bear losing him this way, Rose. If something happened to Roderick because of me - "

"You love him," his sister marvelled, "it's normal to care too much, but you can't push him away because you're afraid."

"This is a decision I've already made and there is nothing I can say now to fix things between us."

"Oh, Gideon!"

Rose threw her arms around his neck and he had to pick her from the floor, because she was a petite person and he, a tall man, so that was the only way she didn't seem to be hanging like a necklace. Gideon wrapped her tightly in his embrace, letting her warmness console him, before he could put her down to face her beautiful brown eyes that mirrored his.

"Does mother know that Roland is coming?" He asked, concerned.

"Yeah, she thinks it will be good for me."

"Ok, just be careful, alright?" Gideon begged. "I also can't bear losing you."

A smirk played on her lips, as she declared: "I love you too, brother."

As expected, after dinner, Rumplestiltskin entertained his children with the spinning wheel until Colette fell asleep in his arms and Chip’s eyes were struggling to keep open. The imp rose on his feet, lifting the little girl and gesticulating for Mrs. Potts to take the boy, and the two of them led the kids to the tower where their chambers were set. Agathe stood there, waiting for his return and hoping that just like Mr. Dove, Mrs. Potts was going to sleep now.

The Dark One came back some moments later, sitting on his usual chair by the head of the dining table and asking her for a cup of tea. Smiling, the maid nodded, going straight to the kitchen to prepare the tea, taking off the small bottle with the lust potion from the place where she had hidden it and pouring it on the teapot. She headed back to the dining hall, trying to not have a too bright smile on her lips, as she did it and served Rumplestiltskin, in the old chipped cup he so cherished.

“Thank you, Agathe,” the imp said, lifting it to his lips. “I was in need of some warm tea and a great rest.”

“Are you tired, master?”

“Oh, I most certainly am. A whole day chasing after the wee ones can drain out all your energy.”

He took another sip of it and leaned on the chair. Agathe didn’t know exactly what she was expecting, but it clearly wasn’t for him to keep slowly drinking the tea with a distant expression, as if his mind wasn’t even there. She thought it might work at the first sip, that by the moment he tasted the mixed potion, he would stand up and pull her closer. However, nothing seemed to change.

Maybe the potion needed some time to work, or maybe Lady Heart was wrong and the thing didn’t make any effect in someone as powerful as the Dark One, so when he finished the cup, thanked her again and made his way to the left tower, probably going to the lab, she almost started crying, however, decided to give it sometime to prove its effects. Agathe took the dishes back to the kitchen and washed them, waiting for some anxious moments before tiptoeing upstairs.

Hoping the potion might have be doing its magic and she may end her night in her master’s arms, Agathe looked for the laboratory, even though she knew that it was a place totally forbidden for the maids and butler when their presence was not required.

The first thing she heard was a muffled whimper coming from behind the closed door, which she thought was weird, but Agathe kept going and carefully grabbed the knob and opened a crack of it to peek a look inside.

It was dark, only a couple of torches lightening the room and she could see Rumplestiltskin sat on the arm chair near the windows, lady Belle’s favourite place to curl herself in and watch as he prepared his potions. Agathe knew that he could have detected her presence and transformed her into a toad, if he was aware of her sneaking up there, but his eyes were closed and he seemed too lost to even notice her. That was when she realised that he had something in his hands, something rather large and stiff that was difficult to distinguish on the low lights, but Agathe swallowed when he emitted a groan that made her blush, finally understanding that he was pleasuring himself.

She watched with wide eyes as he pumped himself eagerly and bit down her lip to think the potion was really working. Agathe undid the laces of her bodice, hearing the heavy breaths and sinful moans that were leaving her master’s mouth, already planning to enter there and offer herself to help him, when something stopped her.

“Belle,” Rumplestiltskin groaned deeply, “I love you so much, sweetheart.”

That should be wrong, she must have misheard him, he couldn’t be doing that while thinking about his boring wife, could him? The potion was made for her, he should desire her, not that clumsy lady.

“Belle!”

Agathe witnessed while a thick layer of seed spurt from him and the imp collapsed back against the chair, having coming with his wife’s name on his lips. It hadn’t worked, he loved her too much to cheat on her even under the effects of such a powerful potion. Closing her bodice again, Agathe ran downstairs, crying, disappointed and broken-hearted.

It was already late when she left Ruby's house again, but Rose wasn't the kind of person that would risk doing anything suspicious during the day, when the sun's light could easily reveal her to whoever might be around. If one thing her father had taught her well, was how to be clever enough, when it came of those matters, he wouldn't be the Dark One for so long if he wasn't a smart person. She clipped her cloak, grabbed a lamp and waited for her boyfriend's arrival, for what her mother thought to be a romantic walk through the woods. Poor Belle, was so out of her mind that hadn't even though about sending anyone to follow them and assure that Rose wasn't going to do anything wrong.

She was sad to know that part of her mother's pain had come from that stupid attack on the road, but she was willing to make things better and Rose was going to start by riding herself from those horrible visions. Someone covered her eyes, causing a giggle left her.

"Roland," she guessed.

The boy took his hands from her eyes and pulled her into a kiss, a soft, sweet, tender one that made Rose's heart melt for how much he was gentle with her.

"How are you feeling?"

"It was a sunny day," Rose shrugged, "it makes me happy."

He offered his arm for her to take and lead their way through the village, where they were to find the Mad Hatter's house. It was the first time they saw each other after the day she was rescued from Avonlea and Rose had been reluctant in meeting him again, because she felt a little ashamed for the image he had gotten from her when they entered that damn bedroom. But she also knew that Roland was a sweetheart who cared nothing about Keith's attempt to assault her, he only wished to have Rose safe again.

"What about your visions?" He asked, distracted.

"I had one last night, but it was an old one that probably will still take some time to happen."

"It's blurry?"

"Very confusing," she said and it wasn't a lie, even though she was omitting the fact that it was about Lucy, but Rose hadn't confessed to anyone but her brother that she dreamed of their grand-niece’s fate and for now, she'd rather have this secret hidden away. "So, I need to ask, how did your parents reacted when you said to my father that we have a compromise?"

Roland laughed, looking at her with the corner of his eyes. "Mom freaked out. She said I'm too young and irresponsible to know what I want just now."

"I'm sorry, but she is right."

That was something Rose had told him multiple times in different occasions but he pretended not to hear. Stupid darling Roland, so innocent to actually realise what he was getting himself into, by assuming his relationship with the Dark One's daughter.

"Then," he continued, his cheeks burning with colour, "my dad took me for a walk and started to talk about marriage and coupling."

"Oh, gods!" Rose guffawed.

"Awkward, very awkward conversation," Roland grumbled, shaking his head as if to try getting the remembrance out of his head. "I blushed the whole time."

A wicked smile took Rose's lips as she leaned on him to whisper: "At least now you have some useful information for the future."

She hadn't allowed herself to think about any possible lovemaking, especially after what just happened to her in Avonlea and she was pretty sure it would take her a long time to heal her soul enough to not freak out at any man’s advance, but that didn't mean she didn't want to wonder what it would be like with Roland. Rose wasn't a fool and had read enough books that totally contradicted what society says about woman being mere reproduction objects, she knew that when done the right way, coupling could be good for both parts.

"No one really wants to get any useful information from their parents," Roland answered with a grin.

"Guess not."

"But, well, the only thing that matters to me now is that I'm sure that someday you'll be mine,"

Rose stopped walking, the darkness of the night, a comforting for the words she was about to say. No one was around, the commoners already retired to their own homes, the only people wandering around there, far from where they were and minding their own secret business.

"I'm already yours, Roland," she said looking down at his hand, "I have always been."

Pulling her into a hug, Roland kissed every part of her that he could reach, her hair, her face, her neck and finally her lips. They had spent more time together than most couples did and he intended to share the rest of his life with her.

"I've never said how much I'm sorry for what happened to you," Roland whispered, "if I had arrived sooner I would have never let that disgusting man touch you."

"You arrived just in time and I'm thankful for that," Rose replied petting his hair with a soft smile on her lips.

Roland nodded, not wanting to think about this anymore and pulled away, grabbing her hand and dragging her through the small shacks that made homes for the villagers.

"So why are we going to the Mad Hatter's house?" The boy inquired.

"Grace has a map that might help me and my brother with something."

"Can I know what this something is?"

"Sorry, babe," she bounced, "but it's a secret between siblings."

Everybody knew better than to get between Rose and Gideon's secrets, but that doesn't mean they still didn't want to know what they had to hide. Most people had just given up asking a long time ago, but Roland, just like Mrs. Potts was not one of those people.

"You two are full of secrets," the boy complained.

"We are the Dark One's children," Rose said, simply. "Don't worry we know what we are doing."

"I hope so," Roland muttered.

The Hatter's shack wasn't far away from there, but it was settled in a hill and was larger and more comfortable than the other commoners' houses, that given the fact that Jefferson wasn't common in any possible aspect. Rose advanced and knocked on the door, being welcomed by the seventeen-year-old blonde girl that lived there.

"I missed you!" Grace exclaimed, happily bringing her inside with Roland right behind.

Rose waved her head in agreement. "So, did I."

"Come on," the blonde one said, walking around the room, looking for something in the shelves that were nailed to the walls, "I think I've found that map we talked about."

Roland blinked at the information and grabbed at his girlfriend's elbow. "Are you using mirrors to communicate?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Because it's dangerous."

Rose rolled her eyes.

"Roland, darling, your mother does it all the time."

"But once, she was the Evil Queen."

"I don't see your point," the girl continued, pulling away from him to follow the Grace.

They examined some old parchments, opening then as Grace sword she had placed the thing in one of those shelves just that morning, before she finally squealed: "Here! There it is!"

Opening it on the table, the blonde girl let the brunette take an attentive look at it, analysing the lines and the inscriptions on the draw.

"Great, exactly what I needed," Rumplestiltskin's daughter murmured.

"Rose this is - " Roland started, but she didn't allow him to finish.

Casting a dangerous glance at him, she said, threatening: "Be quiet, you never saw it."

Then, she rolled the parchment back, thinking that hopefully, she might have found a solution to a great part of her problems.