Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any of these characters. This story is for entertainment purposes only and has no commercial aim. Please do not publish without my explicit consent

Return

As he approached the sign saying "Welcome to Storybrooke" August stopped his bike. He stepped down and started walking around, taking deep breaths. He remembered the day that he has left this little town on the coast of Maine. On the one hand, he couldn't wait to go back after spending 3 years having only phone conversations with his father. True, the old man had figured out how to use skype (thanks to Henry he suspected) but it wasn't the same as getting to hug him and help him out in the shop. On the other hand, he was afraid of what he was going to witness. The last time that he had rolled into Storybrooke on his bike he had run into Emma Swan, sheriff of Storybrooke, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, mother of Henry, only love of his life.

He thought about his father. The old man didn't even know that his son was returning tonight. August wanted it to be a surprise. He hadn't actually planned on coming back until a couple of days before so he had been surprised himself when he'd gotten on his bike and taken off for Maine. Something was pulling his back to town. Was it his father? He remembered how they had parted.

Flashback

"Son, you don't have to go. We'll get through this." Marco tried to rub August's back. "We've been though worse."

"No we haven't. And yes, I have to." The young man continues stashing his stuff in his travel bag. "At least for a while. I just… I can't stay."

"They will come around. You'll see." The old man tried to reassure his son.

"It's not them, father. It's her." He took a deep breath. "I can't be around her."

"Running away is not a solution, son. You know that better than anyone." Marco was determined to keep his son. After everything that had happened, he didn't want to lose him again.

"It is now." August turned away and looked at his father. The pain in the old man's expression was obvious. But August couldn't stay. He had to go. He had to figure out his purpose in life and he had to do it away from Emma because for the past year… more like his entire life (who was he kidding) the only goals in his life had been making his father proud and making sure that Emma would fulfill her destiny and have her happy ending. "Look, father. I know that it is hard to be separated again. And I don't want to leave you. But right now. Right now I can't stay in Storybrooke. It's too painful."

"Son, I know that it hurts but that is why Jiminy and I are here. We can help you get through this." Looking at the bandages around his son's wrists, Geppetto took a deep breath. "You are not alone."

"I know." August sat next to his father and put an arm on his shoulder. "I'm fine, ok? No need to worry about me. I won't do anything stupid, I promise. But I can't stand it any more. Even after all this, she still blames me. And she has every right to. And every time I see her in town, it'll just bring out all those memories in my head and the guilt… I am not strong enough to face the past. Maybe I will one day but it's better for everyone, including you, that I leave town for a while. I'll call. I promise."

"I will miss you so much, my boy." Marco hugged his son, tears falling on his cheeks.

"I will miss you too, father."

End of Flashback

"I'm on my way, father." He thought, jumped on his bike and drove into town. For better or for worse.

Contrary to the previous time that he'd come to Storybrooke, he now knew the town pretty well so he knew how to get to his father's house without having to go through the main street. He wasn't sure whether he was ready for everyone to know that he was back just yet. As he approached his father's workshop he saw that the light was on. The woodcrafter had the habit of working late. On the opposite side of the table was sitting no other than Dr. Archibald Hopper, otherwise known as Jiminy. August smiled: he would get to see his two closest people. The sound of the engine caught the attention of the two men who turned in his direction.

"Pinnocchio?" Geppetto immediately saw him. Even after all this time, the man couldn't get rid of the habit of calling him by his Fairy tale name. "My boy. You are back." It wasn't long after August had put out the engine and stepped down from the bike that he got a bone crushing hug from his father.

"Father."

"You're back." Marco stepped back and looked at his son. "Tell me that you are back."

"I'm back."

"For good?" Jiminy approached him.

"If you'll have me." August smiled. The two men nodded. "Now, is there anything to eat in this house? I've been on the road all day and I'm starving." They all laughed and made their way to the kitchen.

AN/ So? What did you think? I hope that this raised a few questions. Let me know what you think.