Author's Note: I want to thank familyofthieves over at tumblr for allowing me permission to write this story. That person made an amazing AU pic set that I fell in love with and I thought how could it not be turned into a story? So major credit goes out to familyofthieves. I hope I can do your set justice in the written form. :)
Chapter 1: Promise Un-kept
Neal watched as August walked away. He took a deep breath and sighed. Though he had just promised August that he would steer clear of Emma so that she could do what she was meant to his promise had been a load of crap.
For the past two months he had tried to lose himself, tried to forget but he couldn't not when he still had the watches and the car in his possession. He didn't have either of those now. He had given them to August so that he could give to Emma. It was his way of being there with her but also as his own way of letting go.
Letting go had never been an option though not really. He may not have returned to Emma but that didn't mean he didn't love her any less. He had chosen her over them. He loved her enough to complete his destiny without him. Neal would wait as long as it took. August had at least promised to send a postcard when her job was done now whether that was a year from now or ten, Neal didn't care.
He would stay out of her life directly but indirectly was something he just couldn't do. He had to know, he had to make sure that she was okay even if she wasn't. He owed her that much.
Taking another breath Neal made his way south. He had to get back to the states. Though Neal had no money, no prospects, none of that mattered. He would find a way, he always did and he would find his way to Emma.