I don't own OUAT
She woke up in his arms, hardly remembering falling asleep after their long night. Finally, they had both gotten what they wanted. Cora's eyes darted over to his sleeping body, chest rising evenly in his sleep. She slipped out from under his arm as gently as she could, trying desperately not to wake him. He stirred, reaching for her, but did not wake. A smile lit up her features once he continued his slumber, and she crossed the woods, naked from head to toe, to take a bath. Just before reaching the small pond, she took note of the wall beside it, covered with jagged marks made by a hook.
Looking at it, a sharp jolt went through her heart. Today was the day. Perhaps it was her magic telling her, perhaps something else, but with the knowledge came a memory of years ago, when she was given three visions. One, that she and Hook would become lovers. If last night was any indication, that part was definitely true. Two, that he would make her a ring. Thinking of it, she looked at her hand, the permanent residence of the ring he had given her. She smiled as a few rays of light from the sunrise sent a sparkle through it. The smile faded as she thought of the final vision she had been sent.
She would take her heart back out. It was hard to imagine ever wanting to, but time was one thing all magic users knew not to mess with. If the future had been set years before, she could not change her destiny. Perhaps it was all for Regina. She knew that only by using her magic could she regain her daughter, and perhaps this was how it had to be done. If that was the case, then so be it. Her daughter had never properly known the love of her mother, and Cora intended on giving it to her. Somehow, she had to get to the land which Rumple's curse had sent them to. This had to be a part of it.
Behind her, Killian awoke, yawning as he climbed out of bed. "Everything alright, love?" She turned around to face him, forcing a smile onto her face. The vision only forced her to remove her heart before the spell broke. For now, she could enjoy what time left she had with him as herself. Soon enough, he would be dealing with the Queen of Hearts. She hoped he could handle that.
"Of course. I was going to take a bath. Care to join me?" It was obvious that he did, the way his eyes lit up at her suggestion. He gave her a kiss before jumping into the pool, water splashing up to drench her back side. She shrieked, and his laughter echoed around the cavern. With a glare in his direction, she got into the water, giving herself a moment to relax before launching into an assault against him. Her face was completely even as she gathered magic up around her, sending it out into the water around them. The tiny lights that were the only sign of her actions were barely visible in the water, gathering around him before shooting up, water hitting him from every direction. The corner of her lip twitched up at the sight as she tried to stifle the laughter that threatened to come to the surface.
As soon as the water settled, he was by her side, pitifully splashing her with his one hand. The smile overtook her face at the sight, and she effectively stopped him with a kiss, open-mouthed and rough. They pulled each other closer, only water separating them from one another. Eventually, they broke away for air and she moved to the side of the pond, resting against the edge. She locked eyes with him, suddenly serious after their playful fight. "I love you."
"I love you too." He looked concerned, but after a few moments of silence decided not to comment on it.
The day grew hot as the sun rose, and Cora knew that time was running short. The curse would break any time now, so she slipped away from Hook, a task that proved to be harder than it used to be. He showered her with kisses and affection, something that she might have appreciated if not for the gnawing sensation in her stomach that came whenever she thought of what she was about to do. She told him that he was going to find something to eat, finally getting him to stay away from her. When she was far enough away, deep in the woods, she sat down on a tree stump, heart beating too quickly.
She had to take out her heart. There was no denying that. But she knew that it would only cause pain, both physical and emotional. She would hurt him, she knew, in doing this. Maybe once her heart was back in its ornate box, she wouldn't mind hurting him. Now, though, she couldn't bear the thought of doing it. But she had to. And it would hurt, pulling her heart from its place in her chest. She remembered the pain clearly, even after all of these years. A sharp stabbing as the hand entered the chest, powerful enough to take away a person's breath. Then the painful tingling sensation of every touch, the vulnerability...
She took a deep breath and placed her hand on her chest. Quicker was better, but she wanted to feel the pain. Hook deserved better than he was going to get from her now, and this was the only way she knew of to somehow honor the knowledge of what she was doing to him. She gasped as her fingertips pushed into her chest, biting her lip to keep back a whimper as her fingers moved deeper, inch by inch. The pain was unbearable, but she forced herself to endure it. Finally, her hand was in her chest, and her fingers grazed her heart. She let out a soft cry at the first touch, the pain shooting down her spine and causing her back to arch. She wrapped her fingers around it, not making a sound, despite the terrible pain.
And then it was out. One motion had her heart out of her chest, and the pain evaporated, as did her worries for Hook. A pirate could handle himself, and if he was foolish enough to have truly fallen for her, that was his own doing. Nonetheless, she couldn't afford to lose him now. Despite his weaknesses, he was a good ally. Easily swayed by a pretty face, but she could keep him loyal. He was easily controlled, especially when he thought that she truly cared for him.
She straightened herself up from her seat in the tree stump, summoning the box that her heart had been kept in when they arrived. She replaced it, sending it back to the rest of her things. Before the curse was broken, she had to make herself presentable. She was barely dressed, just wearing a simple shift. Magic fixed that well enough, changing her into an elegant blue dress, a dress befitting a queen. A wave of her hand fixed her hair up into one of her classic hairstyles. Hair left loose was something that only peasants would do. She would not be thought of as a peasant. After everything she had done to rise up in the world, maintaining the image was essential.
Hook waited back in the clearing for her, no doubt fixing his own appearance, as he was prone to do when left alone. She returned to him, dropping a kiss on his lips. Her hands so easily found their way around his body, fixing themselves where they would always land before. He pushed her back, a frown covering his face as he did it. "Something's wrong."
She nodded, trying not to chuckle at how similar his words were to his greatest enemy's when met with the same situation. Something in her expression must have tipped him off, though, because his frown deepened as he lifted his hand to her chest. Clever boy. His face changed, not angry or upset as she had expected, but completely blank. This was not good. She had planned for the other reactions, knowing how to twist them in the way she wished. But when she was met with this empty dismissal, she knew she had to do something unpleasant to keep her pet from running away. She had to play the part of his doting, if somewhat unfeeling, fiancée.
He turned from her, and reached out for him, trying to prove to him that she still cared. "Let me explain." She tried to make her voice sound as pleading as it had once for Rumplestiltskin, but it came out rather flat. He pushed her back roughly, not turning back to her. Surprised, she fell to her knees, a new idea forming itself in her mind. Despite her aversion to the thought, she stayed on her knees, hoping he would turn around now. It wasn't immediate, but when she held her position, he turned slowly, eyes darting down to her position. It wasn't quite kneeling, but it was close. Certainly if she was the person she had once been, she wouldn't have allowed this. "I had to do it."
"Why?" The one word came out, choked with emotions. Confusion, anger, betrayal... From other men, the sound might have delighted her. This didn't, though it wasn't completely unsatisfying. If he was this emotional about it, he would be easy prey for her. She wouldn't lose him, and she had clearly grasped his attention.
"I have seen the future. In our fourth year." Her eyes stayed locked on his face as she rose to her feet, extremely watchful over how he would respond. She didn't want him to become difficult again. Her fingertips brushed his cheek lightly, eyes soft. "This very moment. I've been dreading it all day." It wasn't a lie, though it should have been. She had allowed herself to become far too vulnerable around him, and her weakness had almost cost her everything.
"If you have seen the future, tell me why you must do this to me!" It was obvious that he was trying not to get angry, obvious that he was. Clearly, he didn't want to lash out at his beloved. Despite the concept irritating her, she knew that only by pursuing it could she get away from him.
"I... I don't know." She looked down, summoning tears to her eyes as she spoke. She had done the same when talking to Rumplestiltskin. Truly, the two men were just alike. Both were so willing to throw power away for something so useless as love. But this pirate, so desperate to destroy her former lover, may be her best chance to finally gain the power she had always craved. She would become the Dark One, killing Rumplestiltskin with the dagger he had told her so much about when they had been in love. "I do not know what happens tonight, but I know something will. I don't know why I cannot have my heart, but I know that I cannot. I can't fight fate, Hook."
She looked up at him, and when he caught sight of the tears in her eyes, he brushed them away with his one hand. She grasped it tightly. "We can't. I must lose my heart. And I must go now, as the you of our freedom approaches." She turned from him, making her last few words as bitter as she could. Finally, she would get away from him without fear that he would run away. The curse would break very soon, and she had to prepare herself for it. She was stopped by his hook on her shoulder, turning her around. He pulled leaned forward to give her one kiss, simple despite the look in his eyes showing that he wished to do more.
"Go. I trust you." She nodded, making her exit now. He would stay with her, and it would all work out. Hopefully, when the curse broke, he would stop needing persuasion in this manner. Rumplestiltskin's death should have been motivation enough.