Chapter 9 - Firebird (check out mabs art for this chapter once it posts on tumblr!)
"This feels wrong," Liam mumbled under his breath. "If something goes wrong-"
"How are you going to fix it?" Milah asked. "Emma has magic, so does Regina. He's in good hands, Liam."
"This still feels wrong." He glanced back towards the bar. "I've never left him behind before… not on purpose. It could be decades or longer before I see him again."
"It's okay to miss him," Milah said gently. "I do too." She flipped open the sketchbook she'd brought with her, the only thing she'd brought with her, and pulled out a couple pages while he watched. She glanced at them for a moment and then offered them to Liam.
He glanced down and his breath caught. The page was covered in sketches. Mostly of Killian. Stolen moments, his eyes when he smiled, the ring Emma now wore around her neck.
She'd drawn Killian for him before, centuries ago and the page, creased and yellowed with age as it was, was folded carefully in his pocket. But there was something about these new drawings… there was a life to them that could only come from having seen him again, from seeing the way his eyes lit up when he smiled and- he ran his fingers over the page and smiled down at her.
"Thank you."
She nodded, flushing slightly. "Now stop procrastinating."
Liam rolled his eyes at her and folded the pages, carefully slipping then into the inner pocket of his jacket with the other.
"I'm not procrastinating," he informed her, "but I would feel better if I had a plan for this conversation. It's not every day you have to tell former crewmates you are responsible for their death."
"Let me make it easier for you, then," a voice came from around a corner and Silver slithered into view. Milah clenched her fist. The crew may not have all deserved their fate but silver was still scum in her book. "They already know," Silver sneered. "Hades told us about your little secret. What you did to us." Then Silver was not alone, Liam's former crewmates converged on them from all sides and he stiffened, moving closer to Milah.
"You traded our souls for the eye of the storm. And now you're going to pay. Men!"
Before Liam could say a word a sack was thrown over his head and hands were pushing and shoving him. When they reached their destination Liam didn't even need the sack removed to know his location. Between the map in his head and the heat on his arms he knew where they were.
"You can remove them now." The sack came off to reveal the fiery river below and Liam glanced back at Milah. She nodded at him that she was alright and he looked back to Silver.
"There's no need for this," Liam said, "I came here to tell you the truth, to give you all the chance to move on."
"And you thought that would be enough? That you'd just tell these men that you are responsible for their deaths and that would be it?" Silver sneered, "It's time to walk the plank."
"I'll gladly walk it. Just spare Milah, please. She has nothing to do with this."
"I think I've suffered her temper quite long enough," Silver spat and Milah gave him a venomous look that showed just how much she'd like to take that temper out on him right now. But she was distracted quickly by the column of blue flame that suddenly erupted behind him.
"Did someone decide to have a party and forget to invite me?"
Silver spun, "Lord... Lord Hades." Hades turned his attention to Silver for just long enough to send him hurtling over the side of the cliff before turning back to Liam and Milah.
"That's really just rude. I couldn't miss this. You two have been a real thorn in my side," Hades said, his voice as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "You helped a prisoner to escape, spread toxic hope through this realm," he glanced past Liam to Milah, "Blinded my cerberus. I'm going to take great pleasure in ridding my realm of you." He looked at them appraisingly. "Do I have a volunteer to go first?" Liam stepped forward placing himself more squarely between Hades and Milah.
"I won't let you hurt her." he said steadily.
Hades smiled. "No, but I'll hurt her anyway." He let out a small puff of air and Liam went flying over the edge the cliff. Milah scrambled for the edge, her cries lost to the roaring of the flames. Milah stepped back towards Hades, her jaw set in stubborn defiance even as the tears streamed down her face. She waited for the wind to take her too but Hades smirk fell as his eyes fixed on something behind her. She spun and saw a bright smile that she'd not even dared hope to see again.
"Liam?"
The flames were gone, replaced by the peaceful lapping of the ocean's waves knocking gently at the dinghy Liam was standing on. The sea, she breathed in deeply. The smell of the sea. "How did you-" she heard Hades mutter then he shook his head and looked towards Milah. "Unfortunately for you, we still have unfinished business. And no, I don't mean with your husband, or lover, or child," he waved a hand dismissively, "or whatever petty drama you had lingering from your life before. No. You nearly blinded one of my dog's heads. The captain, it seems, is… unfortunately… free to go. But you are staying here in the Underworld."
Milah moved to dart past Hades, making for the boat, for Liam, for freedom, but Hades was too fast. Suddenly he was in front of her, cutting off her path. Refusing to slow, she only picked up speed, tackling Hades in the hope of surprising him enough to let her go, just long enough-
Her hands burned and she cried out, Hades was thrown off balance but it didn't matter. She was engulfed in flames and then the smell of the sea was gone. The boat, the waves… Liam, all gone.
The world reappeared around her in a haze of blue smoke and flame. Though her words had no means to escape she had still been yelling her stream of threats, weaving a colorful tapestry of all the expletives she rarely dared to use in recent decades. "-and when I'm done I will-"
It was the sudden return to the physical that cut her off more than the hard drop to her knees. Her nose was filled with the scent of old blood and the sickly sweet scent of the swirling green river.
"Do you recognize this place, Milah? You should. You rescued your pirate from this place." Hades strolled a few steps away from her, surveying his open dungeon with a sense of pride. "And now you are taking his place. Fitting."
"Oh. This place." Milah tried to ignore the sense of dread that filled her. "It's cozy. Open a few windows, I've lived in worse."
Hades turned to look at her, hands clasped behind his back. "You know, I really thought you had learned some respect centuries ago. I didn't think you would be susceptible to this hope your pirate has been trying to spread. But the thing is, that's not even why you are here.
"It isn't?"
He knelt in front of her. "You are here because no matter what happens next, I win."
"Is that so? Because there's a boat full of sailors moving on that say you've already lost."
"It's possible. And I admit I would be quite saddened to lose Liam Jones in particular, he was an exquisite study. You know I think with a bit more attention on my part, he'd have walked into the river himself, just like so many others." Hades squatted, "but then I have you, don't I? I do wonder how much better the 'better place' will be, spending eternity knowing he left you with me."
Hades stood up and shrugged, "but I think I have time. He may yet walk into that river." He turned and walked away and Milah gaped- "That's it?"
"Why yes, for now. I know how much you like your alone time, let me give you something to contemplate. If he doesn't come, you get to spend eternity here with me. If he does… then I get you both, eventually. Enjoy your contemplations."
And then she was alone with only the smell of Killian's blood and the burning agony of her hands for comfort. She risked a glance down at her hands but looked away when she saw the blistered flesh. She tried to move her fingers and cried out as the fire reignited, making her gasp for breath she didn't need. She leaned back against the stone column eyes closed, listening for the sound of the clock.
"Come on, Liam," she murmured, "get the hell out of here-"
When the clock finally moved she counted every stroke. Which would have been useful… if she could remember how many sailors had been with Silver. She snuck another peak at her hands and the sight made her nearly ill.
"Milah!"
"No-" She nearly sobbed, both from the relief at the sound of his voice and the devastation of knowing what that it meant. And then he was there in front of her, eyes worried, "You're all right? I was afraid he would have-"
"What the hell are you still doing here, Liam," she asked mournfully.
"I couldn't just leave you here. Not alone. Not knowing what Hades could do to you. I love you, Milah."
"I love you, too, Liam, and that's why even though I am so beyond thrilled to see you again, I also know I should probably punch your arm for giving up this chance."
"I could never have left you alone. I know what it is like being truly alone down here, I couldn't leave someone I love to that."
He pulled the lock picks that Killian had left with him and unlocked her shackles. Carefully he loosened them trying to avoid the most damaged skin on her hands.
"Oh just do it," she insisted, pulling her hands out of the shackles and hissing in pain as they dropped to the floor. "Can we just get out of here?"
Milah leaned against Liam as they made their way back to the bar. She needed his presence as much as he needed hers. He would have reached out to take her hand if her hands weren't so badly hurt.
The door to the bar opened easily enough, oddly so, and he kept one arm wrapped around Milah as they made their way inside. It was still dim inside, but light filtered in through the windows. Had the air always looked this red?
He flicked on a light and was greeted with the sight of Killian, lying slumped on the ground against the bar. Liam froze.
"What the halibut are you still doing here?" Milah demanded. Of course Killian didn't answer, remained still and silent on the cold floor. She didn't know, he realized with a start. How could she not know? Killian's hair was damp and clumped and plastered to his face and it didn't rain… it didn't rain here. Liam tried to step forward but his muscles wouldn't seem to respond to his demands.
"Killian?" Liam asked, his voice a broken whisper. "No, no, no. It can't be."
"I really thought he could go back with her," Milah said, voice sad but calm. "You think there's any chance he left something for me to drink?" Milah asked, eyeing the well-pillaged bar. She tried to smile but it looked strained. "I mean, I'm pretty sure the strongest stuff at the pharmacy is cough drops. I'd get it myself but," she held up her hands. "Should probably make some coffee too for when he- Liam?"
Suddenly he couldn't see Killian anymore and a bolt of panic shot through him as Milah's face swam into view.
"Liam? Hey, look at me," he tried to move her out of the way so he could see Killian again but a cry of pain jolted him from his daze. He had grabbed her hands, why had he-
"Oh- oh Milah, I am so sorry, are you- of course you're not-" his eyes slipped past her to Killian again. He was still limp against the bar, but the damp hair sticking to pale skin was gone. He shook his head.
A trick. Just another trick. It's not Leviathan Shoals. It's not.
"I'm sorry," he murmured again. His eyes drifted back to Killian before he forced his focus back to Milah. "Here, sit. I need to…" he shook his head. "I still have a first aid kit in the back." His voice was steadier as he set a course. "I'll get it. Stay here." He stood frozen for a moment longer, staring at Killian's still form again.
"Liam?"
His hands were shaking and he squeezed them tight for a moment, fighting for control. Milah was watching him far too carefully as he half ran into the back room. He grabbed the first aid kit from the bathroom, pausing only a moment to splash icy water on his face before he hurried back out to her, to them.
It helped, having a specific course to set himself to. Get the kit, clean the wounds, try not to hurt her anymore than he already- he caught a glimpse of Killian out of the corner of his eye and nearly jumped. Damp hair. Still. Lifeless. Gone-
No!
Milah needs help now. He needed to focus on Milah. He needed to trust her that Killian's situation didn't need immediate attention. He led her to the sink behind the bar and glanced down the bar. Killian had clearly rummaged quite a bit before deciding that that swill really was the best the underworld had to offer.
"Ladies choice," he said pulling out a shot glass for the best painkiller they had access to.
"Anything but gin," she said with a small smile.
He nodded, pouring generously. He nearly offered the glass to her out of habit but one look at her hands reminded him that she was going to need help. He raised the glass to her lips and helped her to drink when she nodded she was ready.
When she was finished he turned to the sink and started the water, checking the temperature himself before glancing up at her. She was not watching him so closely anymore, her eyes were locked on the counter trying not to flinch away from him as he reached for her hand.
"I'm sorry, this is not going to be pleasant-" he warned and she nodded tersely. She managed, mostly, to hold still, but was less successful biting back the whimpers of pain as he worked, cleaning her hands under the running water as gently as he could manage. He knew it was necessary, but every sound cut him like knives.
He turned off the tap and opened a drawer for a clean towel, gently drying her hands. Silent tears were streaking down her cheeks now and knowing it was necessary did nothing to soothe the ache in his heart.
"Easy, my love," he murmured, finally putting down the towel. "The worst of it is over."
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking as he reached for the first aid kit for bandages.
"For what?" he asked. "For trying to fight your way back to me? For getting hurt? You couldn't help that."
"For not being able to handle the pain like you and Killian can. You must think I'm so weak."
He reached for her and gently wiped away the tears that had streaked down her cheeks. "My dearest Milah, I know your strength too well to think you weak," he gave her a pained smile. "Killian and I… We've had more practice with physical pain. I would never wish you to be able to even imagine the kind of pain it would take to take this in stride." He finished wrapping her hands as gently as he could manage.
"You all right?" he asked when he was finished and she nodded jerkily. He led her back to one of the booths and she sank down into it, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm herself.
He sat opposite from her in the booth, trying not to look at Killian, knowing if he turned he was as likely to see the boy with seawater in his lungs as he was to see the man whose despair drove him to drink too much. Neither were particularly pleasant to think about but the latter… the latter could be fixed.
"Liam?"
"Hmmm?" Liam hummed, his eyes finding Milah again.
"You'd have been a good father. You certainly got plenty of practice worrying like one." He nodded distractedly and Milah smiled. "Did you ever think about that when you were alive? I mean, having children of your own?"
Liam was quiet a moment, his eyes drifting back to Killian of their own accord. "I did though. What's the expression? Possession is nine tenths of the law?" He gave a small shrug, "Brennan left and I stayed. Killian is my flesh and blood. He bears my surname. He is the child I raised and he is the legacy I left behind. I couldn't always protect him like a father could have. I was too busy keeping him alive and keeping us together to build the life for him that he deserved. But I tried. I made my mistakes, but I like to think I did well by him."
"You did, Liam."
"It kills me to see him like this, Milah, I thought after all he'd been through, he'd finally escaped and now- Milah, we almost left. If we had, he'd have been alone down here."
"But we didn't, and he's not alone."
"Hades is not just going to let us go."
"No, he's not," Milah agreed. "Would you get me a glass of water," She asked with a sigh, looking over at Killian. He nodded and hesitated when he set it in front of her.
"Can I help-"
"Not why I wanted it-" Milah said, picking up the glass between her wrists and moving over to the bar. She dumped the water on Killian's head and he sat bolt upright,hitting his head on a barstool in the process and groaning. Milah winced and squatted in front of him.
"Killian, you're supposed to be back home by now, with Emma," she said, voice gentle. "What are you still doing here?"
Chapter 9 alternative title; in which everything goes wrong and you abruptly remember that we told you there would be ~3 more chapters?
