Mary Margaret and David Nolan one shot inspired by "When We Were Young" from Adele's album 25.
They grew up in the sleepy town of Storybrooke together. He was drawn to her from their first day of kindergarten, though he was too young to understand it, she felt like home to him.
She was surrounded by fancy dress costumes but seemed to be desperately routing for one costume in particular. The petite brunette, with hair already down to her shoulders, squealed in delight as she pulled out the Snow White dress.
He made his way over to her, she looked exactly like the princess, only more perfect.
"You look like a movie" he declared, smiling warmly at whom he hoped would become his new friend.
"That's because I'm from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, silly" she giggled.
Giving him a look up and down, her green eyes assessed him. Seemingly content with what she saw, the young girl thrust a wooden sword at the boy.
"You can be my Prince Charming" she told him, grabbing his hand and together they set off on their first of many adventures.
School days soon became play dates and the children were with each other more often than not. Afternoons spent in the sun, rainy days when imagination turned sofas into horses and carpets into meadows, they didn't care what they did, as long as it was together. However, hide and seek was a particular favourite of the two, wether it was inside or out, they could always find new hiding places.
She could never stay hidden for long though, he seemed to know where she was and how to follow her, as she did him.
"Prince Charming, you found me" she gasped as he caught her behind the curtains.
"I will always find you" he promised her, more a taunt at their young age but neither would forget the words.
They faced elementary school as a team, finding new friends but always sticking together. 'Prince Charming' soon became 'Charming' and 'Snow' became his shortened term of endearment. Every lunch they sat together and every chance to be together in class, they took. He knew he had been lucky the day she chose him as his prince.
"Charming!" the familiar cry from across the play ground had him running to her.
They hadn't seen each other since the previous day - a very long time to them indeed.
After their familiar, friendly hug she tapped him on the shoulder initiating a game of chase. They sped round the playground like they seemed to speed through elementary.
Middle school came all too soon and games of Prince and Princess were suddenly much less cool than playing video games or riding bikes till the sun started to set. Of course, they still did it all together.
He hadn't realised that so much homework could be given out. It was child cruelty! She would never let him struggle with it alone though.
"Charming, you can't possibly still be on that math problem" she teased him, her raven hair falling around her, now at elbow length.
He couldn't help but think how pretty his best friend is. Not that he would ever tell her.
"I'm not as smart as you are, go on, would you just give me this answer?"
She blushed at the compliment, something she seemed to be doing a lot more recently but shook her head. "I will not be sweet talked into giving the answers"
He looked up at her, giving her his best puppy dog face, knowing she was unable to resist when he looked sad.
"Fine! But this is the last one Charming" she tutted, hiding a small smile.
"Thanks Snow" he grinned, scribbling down her work.
The summer before they moved to high school was months of being with each other. They spent days at the park with Ashley, Sean, Ruby and Peter.
Sean and Peter had told Mary Margaret she couldn't play football but soon realised that was a mistake. She kicked the ball at Sean's head, somehow managing to make it bounce off onto Peter's. The girls collapsed in laughter, the boys didn't question her ability again and David smiled, ignoring the gushy feeling in his stomach as he looked at her animated features.
'Truth or Dare' become a popular game between the group of friends. Ruby played knock-a-door-run on the Mayor's door. David admitted to the last time he had wet himself (it was when he was little to everyone's dismay). Sean downed a whole energy drink in one go. But when Ashely asked Mary Margaret if she loved anyone, the game soon ended and became 'Dare or Dare'. David didn't miss the way she was avoiding his eye contact, something she never did.
Once their summer of freedom was over, high school began. They started to mature and grow up but never did the couple grow apart. She was still the only thing on his mind, but he was beginning to wonder if she was more suited to taking residence in his heart, perhaps she already had.
Homework, assignments and projects piled up, leaving them both to feel a little bit drowned. Team work got them through though, and was a great excuse to see her.
The years seemed to fly by and they were soon in their final grades of high school.
Some nights she would be very giddy, the blush on her cheeks taking away her pale complexion and her hair wild and flying. These were the nights he knew we was in love.
The sun had already set when she knocked on his door, always a rhythmical beat. He opened the door and with one look at her smile, he knew it was one of those nights.
"Charming! Get your jacket, we're going on an adventure" she giggled, standing in the doorway.
He did as he was told, after all he'd do anything she asked him to.
She took him by the hand and led him towards the old toll bridge, or the troll bridge as they named it when they were younger.
"Snow, what are you up to this time?" he teased, not bothering to keep the curiosity out of his tone.
It was a warm night and the sky was lit up with thousands of stars. She couldn't have looked more beautiful in the moonlight.
They arrived at the troll bridge and she stopped, spinning on her feel to face him.
She looked up at him with her beautiful green eyes but now he could see a hint of worry in them, or perhaps caution, it was masked by the radiant excitement though. Rather than letting go of his hand, she took his other so she was holding both. The mood seemed to shift and sober a little.
She opened her mouth to say something but shut it again, unable to get the words. She didn't need to though, he knew her well enough to know exactly what she was trying to say.
"Snow" he whispered before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.
In turn, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and stood up on her toes.
When their faces were inches apart, she rested her forehead on his. "I need us to be more than friends" she breathed, tickling his lips.
"We always have been" he smirked back at her.
That was all the confirmation she needed of his feelings before catching his lips with her own.
Finally.
It felt wonderful. It felt better than that. It was flying, it was freedom, it was Snow.
When they had to pull away from each other to breathe, she looked at him with that smile reserved for only her Prince Charming, now brighter than ever.
That first kiss was the beginning of many. Each seemed better than the last, though neither thought it possible at the time. They were flying in a romance, one so impossible it seemed to be from a song. Specifically a romantic love ballad.
The development didn't surprise anyone, in fact most were pleased the two were finally dating, however they soon tired of all the kissing and hand holding they seemed to do.
The first time he said "I love you" he was terrified. He knew she loved him, always had, yet the strong desire for her gave him a fear of rejection
"Oh Charming, I love you too" was immediately his favourite sentence to ever leave her lips. Lips which he kissed till they were wonderfully swollen.
He got her a promise ring, the possessive part of him wanting to claim her and wanting to show how he will always be there.
It was his mother's, a green gem with a silver band. She'd told him that true love would follow it anywhere and though she intended it for a wedding ring, it just felt right. No matter who he married, though he knew it would be her, his princess would always be his first and true love.
Though they didn't know it at the time, prom was their final night together with all their friends. They had passed all of their exams and were on their way to further education. He told her he couldn't have done it without her which earned him an eye roll and a grin.
He naturally took his princess with him, Sean accompanied Ashley and Peter went with Ruby.
They spent the night dancing, laughing and celebrating. Holding her in his arms, he memorised everything about her: the curves of her body, the warmth and fit of her in his arms, the feel of her hair tickling his arms, the weight of her head on his shoulder. She never left his side but that was more than fine with him.
Then came the day both their hearts broke.
"Snow, my dad got a job which means we're moving to England"
It punched him in the gut to even say it but what hurt him more was her pain.
"How will I live without you Charming?" she sobbed, falling into his arms.
They stayed like that all night, her safe in his embrace where they both knew she couldn't stay.
For the last few weeks he had in America, she distanced herself from him, for the first time in their lives. It broke him.
She wouldn't answer his calls, reply to his texts and she didn't leave the house, getting her parents to keep him away. Her walls were up, she was protecting herself from more pain so she could mend her broken heart.
The day he left was the last day he saw her. As he was getting in the car to leave, one final look at Storybrooke and tears in his eyes, she came running.
Her eyes were red and her face was puffy, she'd been crying as much as he had.
"One last goodbye" she whispered and launched herself into his arms, holding on so tight he wondered if she'd ever let him go.
After some moments he pulled away enough to cup her face with his hands.
"Snow White, I will always find you. Never forget me" he murmured before kissing every inch of her face. Her eyelids, her cheeks, her forehead, her nose and chin. She finally caught his lips in hers and kissed him as though the world was ending. Then again, theirs was.
He watched her fade into the distance as they drove away, just as she would fade from his life.
Mary Margaret and David Nolan one shot inspired by "When We Were Young" from Adele's album 25.
They grew up in the sleepy town of Storybrooke together. He was drawn to her from their first day of kindergarten, though he was too young to understand it, she felt like home to him.
She was surrounded by fancy dress costumes but seemed to be desperately routing for one costume in particular. The petite brunette, with hair already down to her shoulders, squealed in delight as she pulled out the Snow White dress.
He made his way over to her, she looked exactly like the princess, only more perfect.
"You look like a movie" he declared, smiling warmly at whom he hoped would become his new friend.
"That's because I'm from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, silly" she giggled.
Giving him a look up and down, her green eyes assessed him. Seemingly content with what she saw, the young girl thrust a wooden sword at the boy.
"You can be my Prince Charming" she told him, grabbing his hand and together they set off on their first of many adventures.
School days soon became play dates and the children were with each other more often than not. Afternoons spent in the sun, rainy days when imagination turned sofas into horses and carpets into meadows, they didn't care what they did, as long as it was together. However, hide and seek was a particular favourite of the two, wether it was inside or out, they could always find new hiding places.
She could never stay hidden for long though, he seemed to know where she was and how to follow her, as she did him.
"Prince Charming, you found me" she gasped as he caught her behind the curtains.
"I will always find you" he promised her, more a taunt at their young age but neither would forget the words.
They faced elementary school as a team, finding new friends but always sticking together. 'Prince Charming' soon became 'Charming' and 'Snow' became his shortened term of endearment. Every lunch they sat together and every chance to be together in class, they took. He knew he had been lucky the day she chose him as his prince.
"Charming!" the familiar cry from across the play ground had him running to her.
They hadn't seen each other since the previous day - a very long time to them indeed.
After their familiar, friendly hug she tapped him on the shoulder initiating a game of chase. They sped round the playground like they seemed to speed through elementary.
Middle school came all too soon and games of Prince and Princess were suddenly much less cool than playing video games or riding bikes till the sun started to set. Of course, they still did it all together.
He hadn't realised that so much homework could be given out. It was child cruelty! She would never let him struggle with it alone though.
"Charming, you can't possibly still be on that math problem" she teased him, her raven hair falling around her, now at elbow length.
He couldn't help but think how pretty his best friend is. Not that he would ever tell her.
"I'm not as smart as you are, go on, would you just give me this answer?"
She blushed at the compliment, something she seemed to be doing a lot more recently but shook her head. "I will not be sweet talked into giving the answers"
He looked up at her, giving her his best puppy dog face, knowing she was unable to resist when he looked sad.
"Fine! But this is the last one Charming" she tutted, hiding a small smile.
"Thanks Snow" he grinned, scribbling down her work.
The summer before they moved to high school was months of being with each other. They spent days at the park with Ashley, Sean, Ruby and Peter.
Sean and Peter had told Mary Margaret she couldn't play football but soon realised that was a mistake. She kicked the ball at Sean's head, somehow managing to make it bounce off onto Peter's. The girls collapsed in laughter, the boys didn't question her ability again and David smiled, ignoring the gushy feeling in his stomach as he looked at her animated features.
'Truth or Dare' become a popular game between the group of friends. Ruby played knock-a-door-run on the Mayor's door. David admitted to the last time he had wet himself (it was when he was little to everyone's dismay). Sean downed a whole energy drink in one go. But when Ashely asked Mary Margaret if she loved anyone, the game soon ended and became 'Dare or Dare'. David didn't miss the way she was avoiding his eye contact, something she never did.
Once their summer of freedom was over, high school began. They started to mature and grow up but never did the couple grow apart. She was still the only thing on his mind, but he was beginning to wonder if she was more suited to taking residence in his heart, perhaps she already had.
Homework, assignments and projects piled up, leaving them both to feel a little bit drowned. Team work got them through though, and was a great excuse to see her.
The years seemed to fly by and they were soon in their final grades of high school.
Some nights she would be very giddy, the blush on her cheeks taking away her pale complexion and her hair wild and flying. These were the nights he knew we was in love.
The sun had already set when she knocked on his door, always a rhythmical beat. He opened the door and with one look at her smile, he knew it was one of those nights.
"Charming! Get your jacket, we're going on an adventure" she giggled, standing in the doorway.
He did as he was told, after all he'd do anything she asked him to.
She took him by the hand and led him towards the old toll bridge, or the troll bridge as they named it when they were younger.
"Snow, what are you up to this time?" he teased, not bothering to keep the curiosity out of his tone.
It was a warm night and the sky was lit up with thousands of stars. She couldn't have looked more beautiful in the moonlight.
They arrived at the troll bridge and she stopped, spinning on her feel to face him.
She looked up at him with her beautiful green eyes but now he could see a hint of worry in them, or perhaps caution, it was masked by the radiant excitement though. Rather than letting go of his hand, she took his other so she was holding both. The mood seemed to shift and sober a little.
She opened her mouth to say something but shut it again, unable to get the words. She didn't need to though, he knew her well enough to know exactly what she was trying to say.
"Snow" he whispered before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.
In turn, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and stood up on her toes.
When their faces were inches apart, she rested her forehead on his. "I need us to be more than friends" she breathed, tickling his lips.
"We always have been" he smirked back at her.
That was all the confirmation she needed of his feelings before catching his lips with her own.
Finally.
It felt wonderful. It felt better than that. It was flying, it was freedom, it was Snow.
When they had to pull away from each other to breathe, she looked at him with that smile reserved for only her Prince Charming, now brighter than ever.
That first kiss was the beginning of many. Each seemed better than the last, though neither thought it possible at the time. They were flying in a romance, one so impossible it seemed to be from a song. Specifically a romantic love ballad.
The development didn't surprise anyone, in fact most were pleased the two were finally dating, however they soon tired of all the kissing and hand holding they seemed to do.
The first time he said "I love you" he was terrified. He knew she loved him, always had, yet the strong desire for her gave him a fear of rejection
"Oh Charming, I love you too" was immediately his favourite sentence to ever leave her lips. Lips which he kissed till they were wonderfully swollen.
He got her a promise ring, the possessive part of him wanting to claim her and wanting to show how he will always be there.
It was his mother's, a green gem with a silver band. She'd told him that true love would follow it anywhere and though she intended it for a wedding ring, it just felt right. No matter who he married, though he knew it would be her, his princess would always be his first and true love.
Though they didn't know it at the time, prom was their final night together with all their friends. They had passed all of their exams and were on their way to further education. He told her he couldn't have done it without her which earned him an eye roll and a grin.
He naturally took his princess with him, Sean accompanied Ashley and Peter went with Ruby.
They spent the night dancing, laughing and celebrating. Holding her in his arms, he memorised everything about her: the curves of her body, the warmth and fit of her in his arms, the feel of her hair tickling his arms, the weight of her head on his shoulder. She never left his side but that was more than fine with him.
Then came the day both their hearts broke.
"Snow, my dad got a job which means we're moving to England"
It punched him in the gut to even say it but what hurt him more was her pain.
"How will I live without you Charming?" she sobbed, falling into his arms.
They stayed like that all night, her safe in his embrace where they both knew she couldn't stay.
For the last few weeks he had in America, she distanced herself from him, for the first time in their lives. It broke him.
She wouldn't answer his calls, reply to his texts and she didn't leave the house, getting her parents to keep him away. Her walls were up, she was protecting herself from more pain so she could mend her broken heart.
The day he left was the last day he saw her. As he was getting in the car to leave, one final look at Storybrooke and tears in his eyes, she came running.
Her eyes were red and her face was puffy, she'd been crying as much as he had.
"One last goodbye" she whispered and launched herself into his arms, holding on so tight he wondered if she'd ever let him go.
After some moments he pulled away enough to cup her face with his hands.
"Snow White, I will always find you. Never forget me" he murmured before kissing every inch of her face. Her eyelids, her cheeks, her forehead, her nose and chin. She finally caught his lips in hers and kissed him as though the world was ending. Then again, theirs was.
He watched her fade into the distance as they drove away, just as she would fade from his life.
