Yeah, I know he's like the mini version of Snowing. But, trust me no one will ever get where I'm going with this. Well, at least I hope it's a bit of a surprise or something.
Chapter 2: Lego Master
"What's your name?"
Leo glances at the door, refusing to utter a word. He didn't want to come back to this peculiar town, not with the quick lady, who grabbed him. It isn't right; she's far stronger and taller than he. How is this fair? She's a giant, grown-up and he's barely eight years old. Emma's brow furrows at the boy's defiant attitude. Ruby practically had to drag him by his upper arm into the police station and even then, he was wriggling uncontrollably.
"C'mon kid, don't you wanna sleep in your own bed tonight?" Emma asked her tone is pleading, something about this kid is actually quite concerning. How did he end up with a broken rib while portalling? Emma remembers going to the Enchanted Forest through portal and had no internal damages whatsoever. His story just doesn't add up, at least it doesn't to her.
The little boy looks up, causing his dark blonde locks to fall into his blue eyes. He would love more than anything to sleep in his own bed. He would love to return home to see Father Isaiah and all his friends. "Yes ma'am" the eight year old answered hopefully, Snow resists the urge to push his wheat colored hair out of his eyes.
"Then, help me out by telling us your name" the Sheriff demanded passively.
"Leopold," the little boy cringes at his full name; Mama named him after Grandfather as a way of showing her love for him. He's only ever called Leopold when he's being cheeky or caught being mischievous or if John's mad about something. "But, I am called Leo."
Snow feels her breath catch, slightly. That was her father's name. Had Emma been born a little boy, his name would've been Leopold Joseph. "That's a beautiful name," Snow commented softly.
"Thank you, miss." Leo smiles politely at the black haired woman and tugs on Emma's leather jacket looking hesitant. "Sherriff…are you going to find my Papa? John tisn't my real Papa, I do not know who that is…John does care for me, though. He is a good man."
Emma watches the boy hesitantly shift from foot to foot. The kid looks like he's all dressed up for Halloween as a miniature, Harry Potter. He doesn't seem the least bit embarrassed about his attire which causes Emma to conclude his parents' either let him run wild or Ruby's right about the kid not being from here. The second choice seems more logical. So, the kid's from there. Last time Emma was there, she didn't see any remnants of children.
The blonde secretly wonders how little Leo's managed to grow up and survive in the Enchanted Forest Ghost town. "Leo, we're not…I think you know you're in a different land than the one you're used to" Emma said wanting to be honest, but not too harsh with the little kid. This isn't the same thing as talking to Henry, this kid is so much younger and looks like a little baby.
"Yes, this land is funny." Leo mused thoughtfully. "The people dress weird and what are those big moving objects on the gray ground?" He looks slightly in awe with all this land possesses, especially their strange attire.
"Cars," Snow answered smiling warmly at the little boy.
"Cars," Leo echoed gently. "They seem scary," Snow and Ruby gush at the child's wonderment to vehicles they've been using for the last twenty nine years. Leo blinks, realizing maybe he came to this distant land with John as well. "You must find John."
Emma sighed, wishing it was only that easy. "Kid, we can't. I know this sucks, but we aren't in the Enchanted Forest, John is."
"He may be here, perhaps? Do you ponder of it?" the dark blonde asked hopefully, he sounds wondrous and full of unyielding hope that maybe his stepfather came to this distant land with him. John may be a bit tough on Leo, but he's all the eight year old has in this hard world.
"When we found you, we didn't find anyone else." Leo opens his mouth, attempting to proclaim he oughta search for John himself, but Ruby finds herself covering it with her hand; silencing him. "Listen, I searched the woods, myself and found nobody" Ruby explained using a tone she only reserves for Henry and Pinocchio.
Leo protested, "But, you're just a girl. How could you search the woods? I shall go instead, I am near a man." Snow bites the sides of her cheeks to keep from grinning at the boy's sexist views.
"Oh, trust me; I know these woods better than anyone," Ruby stated seriously while her eyes twinkle with delight. She doesn't sound the least bit insulted by the boy's backwards thinking. Yeah, she's defidently going to have a lot of fun messing around with this little imp; something about him seems adorable and fun.
Leo starts to protest, but quickly remembers he shouldn't question authority, no matter how strange the authoritarians are. Back home, he wouldn't have dared question his elders. Why is he behaving differently? It's not like he's been here very long. "I apologize for being insolent, miss" the little boy murmured softly causing Ruby to smile warmly and push back his dark blonde locks.
"Don't apologize, you're just scared." At Leo's annoyed look, Ruby reaches over and ruffles his mangy hair. "It's alright, I get it. This Land is really different than the Enchanted Forest and you don't know anyone."
The sandy haired boy still doesn't look certain that Ruby has forgiven him and decides; he oughta be silent now. Emma looks down at the youngster, wondering how a little boy managed to portal himself here. "Leo, can you remember how you got here?" the Sheriff asked curiously.
"I was in trouble and…and then I woke up at the hospital," at Emma's raised eyebrow, Leo realizes he could be in a bit of trouble for leaving without informing anyone. "But, I had to leave the hospital, Sheriff" Leo added knowing that's a feeble excuse, but it's the truth. In order to find a way home, he had to leave the hospital. It was the only way.
"You had to?" Emma questioned, the little imp sounds a lot like Henry, when he's trying to avoid doing a tedious chore.
"I do not like hospitals." His answer is so child-like; Snow bursts out laughing while David folds his arms over his chest and chuckles.
"Okay, fine, we'll talk about that later" Emma dismissed it, knowing her parents' are likely judging her parenting skills or lack of. "But, why were you trying to steal a boat?" She switches into her Sheriff title almost instantly and puts on her best 'mom' face.
The little boy asked quietly, "Am I in trouble, Sheriff?"
"No, Leo" Emma winces, realizing he may just be in a little trouble. He did after all, attempt to steal Archie's sailboat. Though, she seriously doubts Archie would ever press charges against an eight year old. "Wait, yeah, you might be. You know stealing is wrong, right?" the blonde woman asked her brow furrowing; this kid looks way too young to be thieving.
"Nobody was using it…ma'am. Why would I be in trouble?" Leo shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot looking perturbed with confusion.
Emma flashes back to when she hijacked an already stolen vehicle with Neal sleeping in the backseat. This kid doesn't even seem all that bothered about getting caught. In fact, he seems more annoyed with them than anything else. "Because, that boat didn't belong to you" Emma said, the kid sounds too much like Neal did back in the day.
"I would have returned it," the boy answered softly. "I…I needed it more than the owner." He sounds as though, he's trying to convince himself what he did was just in some twisted way.
Snow studies her exasperated daughter; the mother gently touches her arm, letting Emma know she's got this. "Leo, stealing something…anything is wrong. I know you may think you need it more, but how would you feel if I took…your cloak?" she asked trying to sound both diplomatic and stern, which is proving to be a challenging task.
"But, it's mine." Leo is thoroughly confused and a bit tired.
"What if I told you I needed it more?" Snow asked causing Leo to stare up at the sweater wearing lady in shock, she doesn't need his cloak. If she didn't have a sweater, perhaps, he'd lend it to her, but not for keeps.
Leo protested, "But, it isn't yours." A smile tugs on Emma's cheeks, along with a twinge of jealously. Her mother would've been an amazing parent; fair, but firm. They would have had their squabbles, but Emma knows she would've had a wonderful childhood.
"Neither was Archie's boat."
"You shan't make it fair, miss" the little boy complained, sourly. What Snow is declaring is quite true, but it sounds similar to what Father Isaiah would proclaim.
"And you shouldn't have tried to steal Archie's boat," Snow explained wondering for a brief moment if this is how it feels to be someone's mother. "You should've stayed in the hospital and waited for us to talk to you. It would've saved us time, if you had."
"I understand ma'am," Leo murmured quietly. He still believes in some respects thievery can be considered moderately right. John's friend, Robin Hood steals and he's a good man. "I apologize, Sheriff Swan."
Emma nods, still trying to convince herself that this is possible. Then again, she is residing in a town with people who're fairytale characters and her biological parents just happen to be about a year older than her.
"Sheriff, you must portal me home." The eight year old latches onto her hand and stares pleadingly up at her. He wishes not to stay here. He must return home where he truly belongs. Perhaps, John will not be too rough on him.
The Sheriff makes a face and squints. "You could get hurt, Leo" she answered with worry etching its way onto her face. "Remember what happened last time? You broke two ribs."
Leo wishes not to tell her how he really broke his ribs. The wooden table connected with his stomach harshly and then he awoke in this Land. "I needn't care what happens to me," Leo stated courageously, holding his chin up high causing David to grin at the little boy's valor.
Snow almost instantly steps in. "I guess you're lucky cause we do."
"Leo, if we try to portal you home, you could end up in another land where we can't protect from its residents. We want you to be safe and right now, your safest here" David cut in, ignoring the smirks his daughter and Ruby are shooting him.
The little boy nods, not daring to ask why. He was raised under the stern belief that children were to be seen and not heard. Even his Mama believed in that firm principle. Leo chews on his lower lip, wanting to demand answers out of these people, but forcing himself not to. He cannot just expect everyone to do as he says. The world doesn't revolve around him. He must start to understand that asking questions' is a waste of everyone's time.
"Mom! Mom" Henry shouted running into the police station. Everyone turns to watch as twelve year old Henry bursts into the station looking impressed and slightly annoyed. The brown haired preteen eyes the blonde haired boy in awe. "Wow, so it's true! There's really a little kid from the Enchanted Forest, here. That's just…wow. Why didn't you tell me?"
Leo eyes the boy in stunned silence, when Mama was alive, he never questioned her. Not even when she wed John. This boy here appears older than he and yet, he's questioning his mother, who's also the Sheriff. "I didn't have enough time to. Wait, how did you find out?" Emma asked running a hand through her tangled blonde curls.
"Tiny told me and I ran here."
Emma asked tiredly, "How did Tiny know?" Snow and David feel a bit bad for their daughter, she sounds exasperated.
Henry thinks for a moment. "I think Archie told him," the preteen answered nodding precisely and then frowning again; he can't be one hundred percent certain, though.
"How did Archie know?" Henry's mother demanded; small town gossip has to be the worst thing about living in a small town.
The brown haired boy shrugged, turning his attention to young Leo, who looks rightfully frightened of the exuberant older boy. "Did you really hijack a boat?" Henry asked practically hopping from foot to foot in excitement.
"I do not know what hijack means," Leo answered, his blue-green eyes twinkling with confusion and slight worry. Many older boys' in his village called him cruel names and tease him about not having a natural father.
"It's like stealing, but a sicker word."
"Is sicker good?" Henry nods, a bright smile forming on his face. "Oh, but I did not steal. I was borrowing it." Leo's decided he'll use that clever excuse from now on, it seems realistic. Snow rolls her eyes and gives Leo a look, the little boy looks down apologetically.
"How would you have given it back?" Henry asked laughing at his new friend's easygoing behavior, besides that time with Ava and Nicholas; Henry's never intentionally stolen anything in his entire life.
Leo replied quietly, "I did not think of that."
Emma smiles gratefully at her son. "I think we need to talk about this," she informed the adults, while nodding her head in Leo's general direction.
They haven't yet discussed how they should handle this problem. Leo seems like a good enough kid, but what are they to do with him? Snow can see her daughter's face becoming contort with stress. Probably stress from Tamara and Greg attempting to kidnap Henry, Neal returning to Manhattan for a stint and now with Leo appearing in town; the eight year old magical kid.
"I'll get the food-"Ruby starts to the diner, causing the adults to frown at her. "What? We can't discuss things seriously on empty stomachs."
"That's true, Mom" Henry piped nudging Leo in the ribs, causing the younger boy to eye the taller boy in a hero like worship. Emma rolls her eyes, grinning at the display. Great, just what they need a little kid doing everything Henry tells him.
"Yeah, I'll bet." Emma reaches over and ruffles her son's dark hair. "I'll have a grilled cheese, please."
Henry answered quickly, "Me too." Snow and David share a look their grandson obviously still considers his mother his hero.
"I'll have a ham and cheese sandwich," Snow said smiling gratefully at Ruby.
David thinks for a moment. "I'll have a chicken sandwich."
"What? Should I get out my pad and pen?" Ruby's sarcasm is evident and playful. "What about you, cutie, what do you want?" She turns to the younger child, who looks around as several pairs of eyes fall on him.
They most likely do not have enough food for everyone, Leo thought. And he's new to this land; it'd be impolite to take food. He may steal, but Leo does have some standards. He'll have to work for his keep. Perhaps, he can scrub the floors or wash the windows. "I am not hungry" Leo lied as David studies the little boy with concern; something about this kid seems familiar.
"Are you sure?" Emma doesn't believe the boy for a second. If there's one thing, she knows about portalling, it's that it takes a lot out of someone. She felt as though she hadn't eaten in a week when she and Mary Margaret arrived in the Enchanted Forest. "We're going to be talking for awhile, kid" the Sheriff added sounding concerned.
"I'm sure," Leo lied once more as his stomach rumbles and a chorus of laughter erupts from everyone in the station.
Ruby nudges him playfully, "Liar, I'll get you a grilled cheese." A dark look casts over Leo's eyes and he takes a step back, colliding into Emma. That's what John right before he…before he was going to give him a lashing for doing whatever he supposedly did.
The blonde gently rests her hands on his shoulders. "Leo, why don't you go over there and do some thinking? If you remember anything else, shout for me" Leo knows an order when he hears one. "Henry-"Emma beckons the twelve year old to her side.
Henry bounds over to his mother. "What's up?" he asked in a conspiracy whisper. Normally, Emma would smile at his secretive behavior, but right now she wants more than anything to keep little Leo distracted.
"I need you to do me a big favor."
"What? Slay monsters? Fend off evil crazies?" Henry is practically bouncing up and down; he's been training in the park with boys in his class. They've decided they want to do their part, which they've concluded means fending off evil. Of course, none of their parents know about it and the group has made a pact to keep it that way.
Emma whispered, "Keep Leo distracted while the adults talk. I promise, I'll tell you everything later, but for now, I need you to keep him busy."
"Aww Mom" Henry groaned dramatically, it's not that he doesn't like Leo; he's sick of being treated like some little kid. He wonders if kids' in the Enchanted Forest get treated like this, especially at his age.
"C'mon, kid, it's an important job. I think Leo trusts you. You'll be able to get Intel and report back to me," Emma pleaded hoping Henry perceives this new title as deputy and not some pathetic little rat.
Henry gives his mother a look that seems eerily similar to Mary Margaret's when she gets in a certain mood. "Like a snitch?" the twelve year old asked frowning at the thought. Henry prides himself on being able to keep a secret; he did after all keep Operation Cobra top-secret from the former Evil Queen.
"If you do this for me, I'll owe you big" the Sheriff promised.
"Big like you'll lemme learn magic?" Henry asked hopefully. He would never tell either of his mothers, but every Saturday; he and Grace have been waking early and practicing spells at the old park. They've kept it a secret, knowing their parents' wouldn't approve and they'd be grounded for a long, long time.
"Big like you'll get double scoop of ice-cream for a week," under no circumstances does Emma want her son learning magic. Neither does Regina, she has deemed magic is for adults and there's no way of changing her mind.
"Works for me," Henry shrugged, he trudges over to his mother's desk and pulls out the Lego set; he hasn't used this in weeks. "C'mon Leo, let's play with my Legos."
Leo follows the older boy almost instantly, asking along the way. "What are Legos?"