A/N: So sorry for the hiatus everyone, but have no fear: I'm back! Here's the next chapter; please enjoy and don't forget to leave a review! Thanks for everything, y'all rock!
The sun had set and it had grown dark outside. A light, misty rain was falling. Laurel had survived her first day waitressing at the diner, and was settling into her new home. Having washed the long day away in a hot shower and replaced her uniform with freshly laundered clothing, Laurel now surveyed the scene. The decor in her new room was so similar to the Wicked Witch's old place, she could almost pretend she was just in another room of the farmhouse, instead of in the inn above Granny's diner.
The most glaring difference, however, was the bed: unlike the farmhouse bed, it was too small for two people, but too big for just one, though it looked comfy enough. But it didn't really matter; Laurel knew she'd be the only one sleeping in this bed.
She ran a hand over the old quilt, appreciating the softness of the well-worn fabric, her mind far away. The morning's dream continued to play in her mind.
Laurel had not seen nor heard from Will the rest of the afternoon, not since he'd left with Robin. She tried to not feel entitled to know where he was or what he was doing - she had no claim on him, after all - but still she wanted to know.
As if on cue, Laurel heard a knock at her door. She hoped it was Will, but prepared herself for Granny, just delivering some fresh linens. She hurried to the door and pulled it open to reveal... no one.
Laurel leaned her head out, looking up and down the hallway. Still no one. Then she saw it: at her feet lay a large, flat book, brown with gold trim. She picked it up curiously. The book's title, in gold foil, indicated that its contents were of a historical and nautical nature. Confused, Laurel flipped through the first few pages - then paused in surprise when the pictures literally jumped off the page.
"Amazin', innit?"
Laurel looked up to see Will stepping around the corner, just a little way down the hall. A jolt of excitement shot through her at the sight of him. She gave him a bemused look.
"I've never seen anything like it." She told him, examining the painting of a naval ship that stood tall on the page before her.
"I found it at the library. I told Robin I thought it were a magical place…" He slid his hands into his back pockets as moved closer to her. "D'ya like it?" He asked, nodding toward the book. Laurel thumbed through it some more, noticing a several places with more popping pictures.
"It is amazing." She smiled at Will, closing the book and holding it out to him. "Thank you for showing it to me." Will put his hands up.
"You keep it then," He said, smiling back. "It's yours, if ya like."
Laurel's lip curled mischievously. "But isn't that stealing?"
"Ya catch on real quick, don'tcha?" Will's eyes twinkled.
Laurel hugged the book to her chest, and Will shifted his weight. A moment of silence passed as Laurel tried to think of something to say. She'd missed Will from the moment he'd left the diner and had been thinking all afternoon about things she wanted to ask him, but now, as she and Will stood in the empty hallway, she was having a hard time remembering anything.
"So… did you find what you were looking for?" She finally asked. Will cocked his head to the side, his eyebrows knit questioningly.
"You and Robin," Laurel elaborated, "At the library. I couldn't help but overhear a little at the diner, you were helping him look for something?"
"Ah," Will's brow relaxed as understanding dawned on him, "Yeah. The Evil Qu- Regina, that is – 'as a magical book, and seems to think that findin' the author is the key to findin' 'er 'appy endin'. Robin wanted my 'elp and I suggested we search the library, but that book you're 'oldin' is the most magical thing we found." Now Laurel's eyebrows knit.
"Her happy ending?" She asked Will. "Why would she think she needs some magical author to find it?"
Will shrugged, "Seems to think 'e – or she – made it so villains can't 'ave 'appy endin's. Makes a certain amount of sense. Look at the mess with 'er and Robin."
"I guess." Laurel agreed. Then, tucking a curl behind her ear, she asked, "Do you believe that?"
"Believe what?" Will replied.
Laurel glanced down as she answered, "That villains can't have happy endings." She glanced back up at Will when he didn't immediately respond. His hands flexed at his sides.
"I dunno." He finally sighed. He then inclined his head toward her. "Why? Do you think you're a villain?"
There was that look again: that concerned, protective look Will gave that made Laurel's knees weak. She cast her eyes down again so as not to get lost in the depths of his.
"No," She answered truthfully. "But I'm no hero, either."
Laurel felt a finger slip under her chin, and she lifted her face in response.
"Laur," Will said, looking her assuredly in the eye, "Listen to me, luv. I don't know what makes a 'ero or a villain; I 'ardly know where I would fit if those were the only two options… And I don't know who decides whether we get our 'appy endin's or not, but I do know this: you are a good person, and you deserve a 'appy endin'."
Laurel fought the tears that threatened to form in her eyes; she had promised herself no more crying in front of Will. And again, the urge to lean forward, to close the small distance between them, to kiss him, became overwhelming.
Will's eyes drifted over her face, and his hand dropped back to his side. He was waiting for her to say something.
Laurel willed herself to exhale.
"I could say the same thing about you." She told him, meaning every word. The corner of Will's mouth lifted.
"You flatter me," He replied.
"No, really," Laurel insisted, "You've been so kind, and helpful. You got me this room…" She gestured behind her, "and this job-"
"'Ow'd it go, by the way?" Will interrupted her then. "The job today, I mean." Laurel almost laughed.
"Well, they didn't fire me."
Will grinned, "Well, that's somethin'." Laurel returned his smile, then reached for his hand, shaking her head. He allowed their fingers to intertwine.
"Seriously though, Will, I want to thank you." She said, her smile fading into sincerity.
Will matched her expression, meeting her gaze.
"Thank you, Will," Laurel said quietly, but purposefully, with much more than gratitude behind her words. Will squeezed her fingers, a kind smirk playing on his lips.
"Thick as thieves, luv, thick as thieves," He replied, and Laurel felt aglow. She would give anything to make this feeling last.
"Are you headed to your room?" She asked Will, not sure what she hoped his answer would be.
"Actually," Will said, dropping her hand and running his fingers over his short hair, "That's what I wanted to tell you. Robin's invited me to rejoin the Merry Men."
"Oh?" Laurel responded dumbly.
"I'll be campin' with them now, in the forest." Will continued. "I'm on me way there now. I only wanted to see you first, to say goodnight." He added, slipping his hands into his front pockets.
"Oh," Laurel said again, "Okay. That's great." The disappointment she felt surprised her, but she tried her best to conceal it. "Well then, thank you for the book," She told him. "And goodnight. I guess I'll see you around."
She knew Will could sense her mood; his own expression was conflicted. Still, he gave a small smile.
"Goodnight, Goldilocks," He replied, then after a moment, he leaned forward.
Laurel's breath caught in anticipation, and her eyes closed as he pressed a soft kiss to her left cheek.
"I'll see you soon," He whispered in her ear, his face lingering close to hers.
Laurel's heart beat against the book still pressed to her chest. She opened her eyes, turning to look at him, and their noses brushed. Her eyes fell shut again, and breathlessly, she waited. It was only a moment before Will's lips met hers. Then, almost before Laurel could appreciate the sensation – the warmth of his mouth, the scent of his skin, the throbbing of her heart – he leaned back.
"Sweet dreams, Laurel." He breathed, turning to leave, and as he walked away, Laurel licked her lips.
To her disappointment, they didn't taste like whiskey.