This journey, like the first, is special. Their story is coming full circle, and it all seems so appropriate that they should meet and go on an adventure, and here, at the end of all things, make one last trip together, just them.
He knows the stakes are high. He knows he might not survive this with her, that he might have to say goodbye, but he can't bring himself to care.
Because this is just like then. She's so strong, so determined, so passionate. And this time it's for him. All for him.
And when the time comes for him to let her go, to say goodbye, he does, though it breaks his heart into a million pieces, what's left from their last parting and barely pieced back together since they'd been reunited.
She doesn't want to say goodbye. He knew she wouldn't. But he wipes her tears, just as he feels his own brimming to the surface, and he kisses her lips, wet with saltwater. He tastes the cinnamon on her breath and inhales the sweet fragrance of her hair one last time.
The test is true love. It seems almost silly, for he's never doubted his love, and he's learned not to doubt hers, but the universe is funny, inexplicable, mysterious, and some things, like this, just can't be explained. He doesn't know how to express the love he feels so deeply to his core, like a fire in his blood, with words. He only has this moment to show her what she's meant to him, how wonderful she's made his life, how he wouldn't trade their time together, however short, for an eternity.
Letting go, with these feelings burning in his veins, is the most difficult moment of his life. He watches her disappear as he's engulfed in the inferno. He waits for the end, death beyond death, and prays to whatever deity might listen that it will be quick, and she won't have to suffer his loss.
When the flames recede, he's still there, still whole. The cavern has calmed and Emma is before him, on her knees, shoulders shaking.
He reaches out and touches her. "Swan."
The look on her face makes him burn. And as their lips meet, sending out a wave of magic, he knows the inner fire will never abate, never dim, as long as he has her. And if the universe is finally on their side, this time it will be forever.
