Katie was coming into her parents' apartment, though there was tension in the air and a freaky atmosphere surrounding it as David and Mary Margaret got ready for another morning at work before they would see her. "Mom? Dad?" she then asked a little nervous at the tension, as she got out of bed.
David glanced over, looking a bit stoic and blank-faced as he looked right at her without skipping a beat. "You're still here?" he then asked, his voice nearly sounding like a whispering echo.
Mary Margaret looked over too but ignored Katie then.
"O-Of course I am..." Katie replied, frowning in concern.
"Interesting..." David replied sharply. "Considering... You don't live here anymore."
"What?" Katie blinked in surprise to that.
"We thought you were going to stay with your new friend... With your new family..." David told Katie soullessly.
"What new friend and family?" Katie asked confused, she thought he at least approved of Killian.
Killian soon stepped inside suddenly with Felix from behind. Felix looked more or less the same as he always was, though Killian seemed to be reacting the same way that David and Mary Margaret were.
"Killian, Felix~" Katie greeted as she came over to them, ready to hug Killian first then Felix.
"Didn't expect to see you here..." Killian said to her stoically, putting his hand up as though to prevent her from hugging them.
Katie stopped in her tracks. "Why are you guys acting like this?" she frowned. "I might have argued with you guys earlier, but I still love you all." she said.
Mary Margaret scoffed a little to that.
"Love us... That's an interesting thing to say..." Killian said bitterly.
"After you betrayed us and not just with your little friend." David added.
Katie frowned as she looked at them all. "What do you mean 'betrayed' you?" she asked.
"You did this to us..." David said firmly. "You brought in that menace with you and you were even with Whale."
"Your new lover... I could never love someone like you," Killian added carelessly. "You betrayed me and my heart."
"But I didn't have any say in those things, I wouldn't have been with him in my right mind... And with Mr. Hyde don't you guys say that second chances are good?" Katie asked her parents first, though looked crushed to Killian's statement. "I wouldn't betray you on purpose, ever." she told him as she approached him pleading for him to believe her.
"You did..." Killian narrowed his eyes. "I am disgusted and horrified."
"We all are," David added. "So that's why we thought you would be gone by now and go with someone who would understand you way better than we ever will."
"Y-You want me gone?" Katie whispered.
"Yes, we do..." Mary Margaret said and then approached. "We should have just left after Pan's shadow crushed your heart," she then said, and suddenly lashed out pulling the half of Killian's heart out. "In fact, here Killian, she won't bother you any longer." she told him, pushing it back in his chest.
Katie's dream turned to black and then she awoke, screaming, clutching a hand to her chest as she did so as the dream had felt so real. Of course, there was no one else in the room and it was just Katie in the room, and luckily, it was all just a dream, even though it was quite scary and life-like. Light thunder rumbled from outside the window as it was lightly raining outside, but it wasn't a storm. Katie looked around and stifled a sob into her cover. She wrapped the cover around her like a cloak, as she went to go and check her phone that was in her jacket pocket.
There were a few messages left from Killian after a missed call or two to say 'Sorry for blowing up' back at the apartment after his bottles of rum were replaced with milk and it was close to midnight, around 11:45 PM.
Katie trembled a little, but went to call Killian back, hoping it wasn't too late for him to pick up.
"Whozzat... Whozere?" Killian mumbled after he answered after a few rings. "...Katie?"
"K-Killian, I-I woke you d-didn't I?" Katie sniffled, then realized.
"Just a little bit, luv..." Killian said softly. "...I'm glad you called though... I had to do some thinking after our little spat earlier and I had gone to bed not too long after my visit with you."
"I-I'm sorry..." Katie said quietly, shakily.
"I know... I know... I'm sorry too," Killian sharply sighed. "Listen... Why don't we get breakfast together tomorrow? Uh, my treat... I didn't mean to scare you like I did, but... I was just really mad then. I didn't mean what I said to you... This is very hard for me to say, but..." he then took a deep breath in and let it out before he said the three words he dreaded to admit to anybody ever. "I... I... I was wrong."
"B-Breakfast s-sounds good..." Katie said softly. "A-And I forgive you," she said about that. She then sniffled again. "I-I don't disgust you, right? Y-You don't think I-I'm a b-betrayer of y-you and your h-heart, right?" she asked quietly, almost crying again.
Killian looked soft and concerned before he thought that maybe she had a nightmare that was plagued due to the argument and tension that struck them all recently. "You could never disgust me, even if you had a fishtail," he soon began. "You didn't betray me, you couldn't help what had happened with Frankenfurter or whatever he calls himself and I know that deep in my own heart and you should know it too, as long as there are still stars in the sky, I will live on in your heart and you will in mine, and we'll live happily ever after together."
Katie let out a small relieved sob to that. "I-I love you, Killian..." she said softly.
"I love you too, Katie... Very much and nothing will ever change that," Killian reassured warmly. "I just ask for your forgiveness from when I had my meltdown."
"I-I forgive you." Katie said softly, wiping her eyes as she went back to the bed, this call calming her down some.
"Would you like to hear a song before you fall asleep?" Killian offered softly and warmly.
"I'd like that." Katie said softly, as she lay down, holding the phone to her ear to still hear his voice.
"She stepped away from me, And she moved through the fair~," Killian soon started to sing what sounded a bit like a lullaby. "And fondly, I watched her, yeah, And she turned her way homeward, With one star awake~..." he soon began, going on for a little bit longer until Katie would feel good enough to fall asleep to.
Katie was soon relaxed enough. "Good night, My Captain~" she breathed softly, ready to hang up so her credit wouldn't run out and she didn't just fall asleep on him.
"Good night, My Fair Lady," Killian whispered before he hung up with a bit of a yawn. "Sweet dreams and maybe I'll see you in mine~"
"Sweet dreams, luv." Katie said softly, before hanging up at the same time as him, and drifted off to sleep.
Killian smiled before he went to get back to sleep as things were quiet that night in Storybrooke for once.
The next morning soon came with no more nightmares. Katie slowly woke up herself.
"Well, wherever you go, just don't be late for work," Granny's voice said from downstairs, obviously scolding someone. "Just dress the part rather than working at a place where you'd serve hot wings and get tips for the more skin you show to buying customers."
Katie slowly sat up and looked around, taking a moment to wake up fully. "Granny's... Right." she said quietly, her voice a bit croaky.
Edward slowly woke up and decided to get freshened up in the morning, though he wondered what to do with himself as he tried to adjust into this new world and century, far different from his home. Katie got up and dressed. She stripped the bed and stuff so Granny wouldn't have to, before she headed out, ready to go meet Killian for breakfast. She glanced to Edward's room as she was passing it. Edward sat by himself, looking out his window as he stared off into space. Katie gave a small knock to the door. She would at least tell him she wasn't returning as the night rent was only for the one night.
Edward glanced over and soon stood up and walked over to the door and opened it up, looking down at the younger woman. "Katie?" he then asked her softly.
"Good morning, Edward," Katie greeted softly with a small smile. "How did you sleep last night?" she asked him first before she would say anything else.
"I slept well," Edward smiled back and nodded. "You were great company last night. Probably the warmest and most inviting I've had in a long, long time."
Katie blushed a little at the compliment but gave a tiny smile. "I-I just thought I'd let you know I only rented one night, so I won't be sleeping here tonight most likely, but I'll still come and visit," she told him. "Though I was wondering if maybe you'd like to join me for..." she started to say, about to offer lunch.
"Breakfast?" Edward guessed due to how early it was in the day.
"I-I... Um, o-or lunch if you'd prefer that." Katie said quietly, but if he insisted she couldn't exactly brush him off.
"Well..." Edward paused thoughtfully. "I'd be honored and thankful to join you."
"F-For which?" Katie asked to clarify.
"Breakfast of course," Edward replied. "I look forward to it."
Katie bit her lip. "O-Okay," she said softly. "I'll meet you downstairs." she said quietly. She then was about to go down ahead so she could text Killian to warn him.
"Deal." Edward nodded as he closed the door and went to get ready to go out with her.
Katie text Killian, explaining she had started to invite Mr Hyde for lunch as she wanted to try to give the man a second chance, and become friends, however, the man had thought she had said breakfast and she couldn't be rude and just say no.
Killian took a little while longer than expected to answer back, but he soon did after what felt like agonizing hours passed by. "All right," he then replied to her. "Just as long as he doesn't try anything... Otherwise he'll deal with me."
Katie sighed softly in relief. 'Deal. xxx' she text him back then put her phone away for now as she waited for Hyde.
'See you shortly then.' Killian replied with a few kissing emojis before going offline briefly.
Katie gave a small smile, and continued her wait, she had placed the key in the 'Returned Keys' box for Granny, making sure the room number was still attached.
Edward soon came downstairs and gave a small smirk at her once he was all set. "Ready to go then?" he asked her softly.
Katie gave a small nod. "This way." she said softly as she led him along to where Killian would meet them.
Edward nodded back and soon went to go and join Katie outside into a brand new day. Of course, some people stared at the sight of him, but they didn't say anything directly to him as they mostly felt scared, though they looked friendly around Katie. Katie gave a smile to the people, waving or nodding politely.
"Charming little neighborhood..." Edward remarked.
"Yes, it's home." Katie said quietly, they soon reached Granny's.
Dopey seemed to run past them, looking a little sick to his stomach, darting right by, though he didn't bowl them over on the way.
"...I hope the food's not that bad." Edward shrugged as Dopey ran on out like that.
"Granny's is nice, just beware the meatloaf... That thing could kill you then bring you back just to kill you again." Katie told him, then had to joke about the meatloaf.
Edward nodded as that sounded like a vital lesson, though he kept his small smirk as they went inside. Katie looked around to see if Killian was already there. Killian soon waved his hand to the air as he was sitting at their favorite booth as Edward glanced all around in wide wonder. Katie smiled as she led the way over to where Killian was sitting. Edward soon followed after, glancing between the two then.
"Do you wish to sit across so I can look at those beautiful baby blue eyes?" Killian asked Katie invitingly.
Katie gave a small nod and sat across from him, blushing though at the compliment. "Come sit down." she advised Edward with a kind smile.
Edward soon went to sit down, sitting right next to Killian then. Killian grunted, but he scooched over, though he did his best to put up with it before smiling at Katie and reaching out to touch her hand. Katie bit her lip trying to hide a smile to that and turned her hand so they were palm-to-palm.
"You two want your usual?" Granny asked as she came by before looking over at Edward. "...And something for your friend?"
"Probably just some hard-boiled eggs and toast." Edward said softly.
"Yes, please." Katie gave a small smile to Granny.
"All right," Granny replied. "Just remember not to do anything I wouldn't do IN here." she then added firmly.
"We know, Granny." Killian nodded quickly and nervously from her firmness.
Katie nodded too. "Hand holding, chaste kiss at most." she agreed quickly.
"If there were more unruly lovers out there, it wouldn't surprise me if Ruby had brothers and sisters all over the world." Granny muttered to herself as she walked off, giving them glasses of water to start off with.
"Well, she seems interesting." Edward remarked.
"Granny is tough, but a wonderful lady." Katie chuckled to that. She took a sip of her water sighing happily before putting the glass back down and using her thumb to stroke Killian's wrist as they were still holding hands kind of.
"So, are you in a better mood then?" Edward asked Killian.
"Oh, I am," Killian reassured, though smiled a bit to Katie. "I just had to get some sleep... I'll be fine now, especially after this lovely breakfast with a lovely lady to dine with... You don't look so bad either, Katie." he then added with a playful quip.
Katie looked playfully offended at that. "If I'm not lovely enough maybe I should leave?" she teased.
"Ah, come along now, there's enough loveliness to go around, I'm sure you can spare some?" Killian chuckled.
Katie chuckled to that and then took another drink of water. Edward sat quietly, not really sure what to do or say.
"Maybe if you want, I could come with you to see your parents?" Killian then suggested to Katie.
"I-I don't know if I'm ready to face them..." Katie said softly as she flinched at the unbidden memory of the nightmare, and absently rubbed her chest.
"...All right," Killian said softly. "You don't have to go and see them right away then."
Katie gave a weak smile to that and nodded. "Thank you," she said softly. She then gave a small smile to Edward too. "Food shouldn't be too much longer." she told him.
"I'm starving." Edward replied.
"Well, just try not to eat the table." Killian said from behind a sip of his water.
"Excuse me?" Edward glared slightly.
Katie looked surprised Killian would say that. She reached out to Edward's hands hoping to calm the situation a little. Katie looked surprised Killian would say that. She reached out to Edward's hands with her spare one hoping to calm the situation a little.
"I didn't say anything, mate." Killian softly told Edward.
"You said something..." Edward narrowed his eyes a bit.
"Killian, Edward, please don't fight." Katie said quietly.
Killian did his best to settle down as Edward just stared at him firmly while Granny brought them a basket of biscuits to start off with.
"Thank you, Granny." Katie smiled a little.
Granny smiled back and nodded. "Butter and jam too?" she then asked.
"Always." Killian replied.
Edward just nodded in silence as Granny went to get those real quick to go with the biscuits. Katie squeezed both their hands softly. Killian smiled calmly from that before the butter and jelly came for the biscuits. Edward soon reached out, instantly taking a biscuit and buttered it rather quickly as he felt pretty hungry. Katie took one and had just butter on it. It was quiet between the three so far as Killian tried to keep his cool, though Edward smirked at him.
"Stop looking at me like that." Killian complained, sounding like a child with an annoying younger sibling.
"I'm not doing anything." Edward smirked.
"Boys, stop acting like children." Katie said quietly.
"He started it." Killian complained.
"You did." Edward retorted with a smirk before he ate his biscuit up.
"M-Maybe we should all calm down." Katie advised softly, not wanting them to argue.
"I will if he will." Killian muttered.
Edward then covered his mouth with his free hand to show a calm and easy temperament right now.
"I had six older brothers and I'm starting to think they were a lot more mature than these two." Granny rolled her eyes to herself.
Katie glanced at Granny at that and gave a small smile to the two men. "Please excuse me a moment, gentlemen." she then said as she stood to 'go powder her nose'.
Killian and Edward nodded, allowing her to go.
Gold woke up and headed down, thinking to make breakfast again. Belle decided to start her morning off by taking a shower. Cherry stared out her window with a lot on her mind as she had woken up earlier and soon began to sketch, feeling a bit weary from last night's little ruckus. Gold started to make breakfast for everyone.
"Smells good, whatever it is!" Belle lightly called out from the other room.
Cherry flinched from the calling out, not sure if she would even leave her room today or not as she put her hands behind her back.
"Well, there'll be enough for all of us!" Gold called back.
"Alright!" Belle called over.
Cherry just sighed as she sat at her desk, not moving or going anywhere as she just decided to stay in her room, locking herself inside so no one on the outside could come in. She felt that she didn't deserve their company... Maybe her parents were right, maybe she should stay with them and leave it at that... No more Belle... No more Gold... No more Katie.
"Cherry, that means you too!" Gold called out.
"I'm sleeping!" Cherry called back as she went back over to her bed, pulling the covers over her body and tried to snore and make herself fall back asleep.
"Get down here, dearie, locked doors won't stop me!" Gold called out.
"I can't hear you, I'm asleep..." Cherry muffled, though she was unable to fall back asleep. "Ugh... Why...? ...Is it the guilt or did he cast a spell on me to prevent me from falling back asleep?" she then asked herself.
Gold soon had breakfast almost done, the scents wafting up the stairs.
Belle smiled as she soon got ready and came down to breakfast. "Come on, Cherry, you don't wanna miss breakfast, do you?" she asked the girl behind her door on the way down.
"Ugh..." Cherry groaned with her face to her pillow. "It smells so good I can almost taste it... Maybe if I'm really quick and sneak some food, I won't have to talk to them..." she said as she removed the pillow, practically drooling as she talked and soon unlocked her door and poked her head out, looking around and soon quickly ducked down the stairs, nearly tripping, but luckily didn't slip and fall on her face as she darted into the kitchen to sneak some food over and head back into the room, undetected, panting heavily from hunger and the racing she forced herself to do as she grabbed a plate and put some food on it and tried to be quick like a bunny about it.
"Sit down at the table." Gold told Cherry before she could run off.
"But... But... But... But..." Cherry stammered and shivered.
"Your butt. In your chair. At the table. With us. Right now," Belle punctuated for emphasis as she pointed at Cherry's seat at the table with her fork. "And I don't want to hear any excuses about why you can't join us this morning. Am I clear?"
Cherry mumbled in defeat before she soon went to take her seat and came to sit with them as she got her breakfast ready to the way she liked it before she shoveled the food into her mouth, though she tried to eat a bit slow so she couldn't talk to them. Gold sat down too after serving himself. Belle smiled fondly and adoringly about how they looked like a little family, making her even more emotional about last night, though not as much as she tucked into her breakfast. Cherry noticed that no one was talking, so she began to take that time to think to herself, wondering what might happen later, though she picked up the pace a little bit in eating as the food was too good to ignore. Gold relaxed a little as the food seemed to cheer her up a little bit.
"Okay..." Cherry said with a sigh. "I can't bear this much longer..." she said as she looked them both in the eye.
"...Yes?" Belle asked.
"I haven't been the easiest and best person to live with as of late," Cherry said as she bowed her head. "I've lied to you... I let people get hurt with my uncontrollable magic... I broke promises to you... I keep sneaking off... I've been a very horrible person to you both and that's not fair... So I've decided," she then said as she stood up from her seat as she looked ready to cry. "I'm going to pack up my bags and go away so that you two don't have to see me again and ever feel hurt again. I deserve to never be seen by anyone ever again if all I'm going to do is be bad and never be good ever again."
"That will not do at all, dearie, we know you're not bad, but if you're that scared of being so there is something I can do to stop it for you." Gold told her before she could run off.
"I have to..." Cherry said. "Don't try to stop me, my mind's already been made up."
"Cherry..." Belle frowned softly.
"So, if you don't mind... I'll just grab my stuff and get out of your hair... So please, don't try to drag your feet and cry, I know this is very hard..." Cherry said with her eyes closed before pausing a few moments and opened one eye to see if anything had changed.
Gold moved out of his seat and was quite close to Cherry when she opened her eyes. "This can bind your power until we find a way to help you control it," he told her as he showed her the wristband. "And if you keep talking of running off then you'll find you won't like the consequences." he warned, not being mean or nasty, just needing her to realize that running from them was not an option.
"W-What...?" Cherry asked as she looked at the wristband. She then tried to do something with magic, but nothing happened and she soon went to take it off... After all, to her, it was just a stupid little wristband, but she couldn't get it off that easily. "...The hell? What? Did you glue this on me?!"
"Consider that as punishment for being a magical troublemaker for a while," Belle advised as she sipped her morning coffee. "You'll wear that as long as Rumple can think of a way to help you... So no teleportation, no shadows, and absolutely no running off."
"This one is a little special, only I can take it off you, not my shadow, not anyone else's shadow, not a different person," Gold told her. "I know you couldn't control your magic but this will give us time to think of a way to help you." he said.
"I feel trapped..." Cherry whispered nervously.
"Well, maybe this will teach you to learn better." Belle said firmly.
"Belle..." Cherry frowned shallowly at the firm tone.
Gold glanced at Belle at that.
Belle didn't say anymore and soon sipped her drink sharply. "I don't think she should be left alone," she soon told Gold. "She'll come into the library with me today."
Cherry flinched at how assertive Belle suddenly sounded, stepping back from the table a little bit as she felt the innocence leaving her body somehow.
"Very well." Gold said, actually a little surprised at the suddenly very assertive Belle.
Cherry began to turn slightly pale, looking like she was about to pass out again, though nothing seemed to happen, as though something was fighting deep down inside of her. Belle watched Cherry with a dead-eyed gaze before smirking slightly.
"S-S-Stop!" Cherry cried out as she fell to the floor and held her head. "You can't control me! Go away!"
Gold looked to Belle and sent a wave of magic to knock anything negative out of the woman.
"Ah!" Belle yelped slightly before groaning as she held her own head.
Cherry fell to the floor, looking a bit weak, though she curled up a bit as she muttered to herself a little bit. Gold looked between both his girls.
"What happened?" Belle asked softly. "I have a headache right now."
Cherry didn't get up off of the floor this time as she nearly looked lifeless, though she was mumbling to herself about wishing she and Katie never ended up here because it only led to trouble that she could only view as her fault.
"I think you were possessed, dearie," Gold said. He then came over to check on Cherry. "You are not at fault, dearie." he told her firm but gentle.
Belle frowned a bit before coming to Cherry's other side, lightly stroking the girl's hair to calm her down a bit.
"Yes, it is... It's all my fault..." Cherry muffled. "I wanna go back to... To... Shit, I don't even know. Just out of here."
"You won't be going anywhere, dearie, until we sort out your magic problem." Gold told her.
"Just let me go... It would be better for everyone..." Cherry groaned before she was lifted up into a sitting position beside Belle.
"Shh~... None of that now~" Belle cooed as she knelt beside Cherry before hugging the girl close in her arms, spreading her body out a bit while stroking her hair. "You have people who love you right here."
"Yeah... I can count 'em all on one hand..." Cherry muffled from the tight hold, nearly being smothered.
Gold joined in, but eased Belle's hold just a little so it wasn't so tight.
"Hmm... You're stuck a little..." Belle giggled playfully. "Should we have fun with this? You're like our baby~"
Cherry gasped for air as she was stuck in the middle with them, looking a bit like their kid right now due to the vast age difference between the three of them. "Not... Funny..." she then mumbled with a pout.
"No, not a baby." Gold assured.
"That's right..." Cherry nodded firmly before trying to stand up.
Belle giggled as she kissed Cherry's left side a bit to make her smile or at least laugh a little.
"Quit it~" Cherry said, trying not to crack a smile as she leaned out of Belle's kissing range.
This however had the 'unfortunate' result of her being closer to Gold who kissed her on the other side.
"Waaugh! Quit it!" Cherry cried out, sprawling from between them, though she was "trapped". "I'm calling the police!"
"Rumple owns the police~..." Belle whispered into Cherry's ear as she kept going with him until she gave up.
Gold smirked just a little to that.
"Stop it!" Cherry cried out, laughing a little bit, unable to hold it in.
"Gotcha~..." Belle giggled during the kissing.
Gold chuckled a little to that.
"Can I go now, you guys?" Cherry asked, trying to break free from the middle.
"Hmm... I don't know~" Belle giggled innocently.
"Well, we could, to finish our food." Gold said.
"Yes! Finish the food! Please!" Cherry panted. "Lemme go~"
"Only you promise to stop being a Grumpy Gus about yourself." Belle said with a small smirk.
"I can't promise that," Cherry said softly as she bowed her head. "I'll just be brought down by something... Because I'm not a very happy soul."
"You'll just need to try your best, dearie." Gold said quietly.
Belle then decided to let go since Cherry got depressed all of the sudden.
"Whatever..." Cherry mumbled softly.
Gold helped them both up. Belle gave a small smile. Cherry just stared at the floor and soon shuffled back over to the table, though she mostly stared at her food than ate it this time. Gold looked concerned for Cherry. Belle frowned softly, feeling the same way as they went to finish up their breakfast. Cherry ate much slower as she stared down at the plate, looking very glum.
"Is there any more of those Dis-Ney movies you'd want us to watch?" Gold asked.
"It's okay... I know you hate them..." Cherry said softly. "You guys can do whatever you want... I'm gonna stay locked in my room and take a nap... If Storybrooke is lucky, maybe I won't wake up."
"Cherry..." Belle said firm, not meaning to be mean though.
"I didn't hate the one you showed us," Gold admitted. "And don't say that~"
Cherry soon put her fork down as she wrapped her arms around the table and buried her head in between them.
"Come now, we can watch one of those movies again, they seem to be special to you," Belle reassured, patting Cherry on her head as the younger woman tried very hard not to cry. "Let's have some hot chocolate and watch one."
"Don't you guys have work to do or something?" Cherry asked in a cracky voice.
"I'll... Even let you put blue bows in my hair. " Gold added.
Cherry soon sat up a bit, though she still looked upset.
"Go pick one and set it up and we'll meet you out there." Belle said with a warm smile in hopes to get her to smile back.
Gold nodded. Cherry soon stumbled out of her chair and went over to the living room to look for a movie for them to watch.
"Poor girl..." Belle said softly.
"I think we should buy her something pretty." Gold whispered.
"Like a new dress or jewelry?" Belle whispered back.
"A piece of jewelry." Gold agreed.
"Perhaps a necklace..." Belle nodded at him. "Something special... Something to help cheer her up and so she doesn't feel bad... If we can figure out her birthstone, it'll make it even more precious."
Gold nodded, thoughtfully.
"Okay, how about a nice, relaxing movie, huh?" Cherry suggested. "I've found one that maybe will ease the tension."
Belle looked over before smiling. "Of course, Cherry," she then said. "Whatever makes you happy."
Gold nodded with a small smile. "What movie, dear?" he asked to check.
"It's called Lady and the Tramp," Cherry said to them softly. "It's about two dogs who fall in love."
"Aw, how cute~" Belle cooed as she put her hands together.
Gold hummed, but nodded, deciding to allow it.
"So is that okay?" Cherry asked softly.
"Yes, of course." Belle smiled warmly so that Cherry wouldn't be upset again as the younger woman soon took off with the movie to go and set it up.
Cherry dashed off, looking a bit excited now, though she didn't exactly smile yet, though it was clear that she was in a much better mood now as someone secretly watched them.
"We'll discuss it more a little later." Gold said about the gift.
Belle nodded as she went to get comfortable on the couch, sitting on the left side as he would take the right and Cherry would be in the middle.
"I hope that you like it," Cherry said to Belle and Gold as she got the movie ready. "It's not my favorite Disney movie, but it's pretty sweet and adorable, especially in the spaghetti scene."
"We shall see." Gold nodded, with a small smile.
Cherry soon came back over and sat in between the two as the movie started. Gold even put an arm around her shoulders. Cherry gasped before huddling a little closer as her face turned pink. Belle smiled at that as they started to watch. Gold settled to watch the film too. Cherry leaned up against him while they watched, though she found herself purring like a cat.
"Watch it now." Belle teased as she overheard the purring.
"I could turn you into a cat temporarily if you want to purr~" Gold smirked teasingly.
"Again?" Cherry smirked back. "You don't have the guts~"
Belle playfully gasped.
Gold raised an eyebrow to that. "Did you just insinuate I wouldn't?" he smirked.
"I guess she did~" Belle giggled.
Cherry stuck her tongue out before she lay back down across with her head against his lap as she clutched the remote while looking at the screen.
"Well then, I'd hate to let that be the truth~" Gold smirked and snapped his fingers and turned Cherry into a cat.
"Eek!" Cherry yelped before she was suddenly a cat again before pouting. "Hmph~..."
Belle then decided to let Cherry sit in her lap for a little while during the movie, giggling in amusement. Gold shuffled a bit closer so he could put an arm around Belle and also reach to stroke Cherry's fur. Belle smiled a bit as she scooched closer. Cherry purred from the comfort as she felt much better now, especially from the movie, the company, and the cuddling. Gold smiled a little. Cherry soon tensed up, hissing once they got to the part with Si and Am, arching her back as her tail went up and she nearly pinched her claws into Belle's bare legs, but luckily didn't.
"Look, other cats." Belle smiled obliviously.
Gold was amused a little. He gently smoothed the fur down. Cherry blinked rapidly before she soon settled down and purred as she nestled into Belle's lap a bit more.
"Very cute movie so far." Belle soon said before narrowing her eyes as she found Aunt Sarah to be horribly annoying after seeing why Cherry reacted badly to the cats.
"Maybe she should have been turned into a mouse..." Gold said quietly.
Cherry snickered from that.
"Probably, yes." Belle nodded in amusement.
Eventually, the famous spaghetti scene came in and, though Cherry wasn't a sucker for romance, she couldn't help but awe at this scene every time she saw it. Gold smiled a bit to that too. After a little bit longer, the scene in the movie changed to the chickens flying everywhere as Tramp showed Lady what to do. Cherry suddenly jumped at the screen and swatted her front paws on the screen, trying to chase the chickens too as her cat instinct took over as Belle began to laugh at that, finding it adorable. Gold chuckled a little too.
"Settle down over there, Cherry." Belle giggled.
"Stupid freakin' chickens..." Cherry grumbled as she kept going, feeling a little frustrated. "Die, chickens, die!"
Gold chuckled and then watched, seeing the chicken scene coming to an end. "They're taking Lady to the pound?" he asked softly though, shocked to that as after all she did have a collar and license.
"Yes... Because she's alone..." Cherry nodded once she got over her chicken obsession. "I have to warn you... This is really hard to watch."
"Oh, dear." Belle frowned, feeling sorry for Lady even if she was just a cartoon dog and all.
Gold watched and he even pouted just a little, his brown eyes tearing just a tad from the sad howls and cries, though soon cheered up at the plan to escape and the kind dogs. Cherry nuzzled up against him during the sad moment before she went back to Belle once it was over.
"Rest easy, my dear..." Facilier's voice said in Cherry's head as she flinched, looking around for him, but she didn't see him. "It'll all come into full circle for you soon... Mama and Papa will make sure of it~"
Gold looked to Cherry. Cherry looked up and all around curiously. Belle soon distracted her with a shoelace and Cherry looked over and began to swat at that for a little bit, unable to fight her cat instincts after being transformed. Gold had to chuckle a little for that.
"When do I change back?" Cherry asked, watching the shoelace as she swatted at it.
"Change back? I thought you were going to be a cat forever." Belle teased.
"Aw, come now, I can't stay a cat forever," Cherry replied before she hid a mischievous smirk. "Though I wouldn't mind clawing Whale's face off if we see him~"
"How about a few more minutes and a rechange if we ever see Whale again?" Gold smirked.
"Goodness..." Belle whispered, not alarmed, but surprised and humored as she understood why.
"Hmm... Okeh~" Cherry smirked back.
After doing what she needed to, Katie returned to the front of the diner, hoping the men weren't fighting. Killian and Edward were quiet for a little while.
"Food will be a couple more minutes, sweetheart." Granny smiled warmly at Katie.
"Thank you, Granny." Katie smiled warmly before going to join Killian and Edward again.
Granny smiled back before keeping a sharp eye on the two men.
"Feel better, dear?" Killian asked Katie once she came back.
"Yes, thank you." Katie smiled and then went to sit down again.
"Good." Killian nodded.
"Last one... Would you like it?" Edward asked Katie, showing the last biscuit, trying to be a gentleman.
"Thank you, but the food will be ready soon, so I'll probably safe it until after that." Katie smiled thankfully.
"Very well..." Edward replied as he ate the biscuit while Killian tried not to look irked by that as he sipped his drink.
Katie blinked as Edward ate it. "A-Alright, guess I won't need it after breakfast after all...~" she said quietly with a small laugh to make it lighter.
Edward lightly chuckled before Granny soon arrived with their food, smiling warmly at her, though glancing at Killian and Edward in silence and slight indifference.
"This looks amazing as usual, Granny." Katie smiled to the woman.
"You're quite welcome," Granny smiled back. "Old family recipes."
"At least it's not a hallucination." Killian said with a small smirk.
"What do you mean?" Katie asked, curious to that.
"I was given some food once I wasn't very fond of... I thought it was a hallucination..." Killian replied.
"Well, you're not dreaming, but you are dreaming if you just think you can eat without paying." Granny teased before she let them get to it.
"What food?" Katie asked quietly, but smiled to Granny before starting to eat a little. She couldn't help it, she was hungry.
Granny playfully rolled her eyes as she let them get to it.
"Something... Blobby and jelly... Think they called it 'Jell-O'." Killian replied, sounding a bit old-fashioned of course.
"I don't really like Jell-O either..." Katie said quietly as she quietly ate, a little down at hearing a reference to what must have been a time with Emma, but hiding it.
Edward noticed that and smirked to himself.
"It's an odd food... I don't understand it..." Killian shook his head as he ate up.
Katie gave a small smile and nod to that.
"Tell me, Katie, do you like dancing?" Killian soon asked.
Katie nodded. "I do." she said softly with a small smile.
"I'd love to share a dance with you someday." Killian smiled back as he reached for her hand and lightly patted it.
Katie turned her hand so it was holding his a little with a smile. Killian smiled back.
"Just don't mind me," Edward smirked. "I'm sure I'll find something to do with myself in this town."
Katie blushed, but turned her attention a little to Edward. "Sorry," she said softly. "But I'll help you find a job if you're planning on staying." she told him.
"I really should find something useful to do." Edward nodded in agreement.
Katie gave a small smile. "We'll find something for you to do, especially once I teach you about the modern world." she said softly.
"I would appreciate it, Miss Nolan." Edward nodded, keeping his manners in check as Killian rolled his eyes at that.
Katie smiled and then soon finished her food, with a tiny spot at the corner of her lips that she was about to wipe with a napkin.
"I might need to take some of this back home with me." Edward said, unable to finish his meal.
Granny nodded as she overheard that, coming to collect their dishes.
"It was delicious," Katie smiled. "Thank you, Granny."
"Always." Killian added.
"Glad you enjoyed it so much," Granny beamed. "It's always my pleasure to see a well-fed and pleased customer after having my cooking~"
Katie nodded with a smile.
"I'll cook for you two sometime." Edward said to Killian and Katie.
"You cook?" Killian asked and he was given a proud and humble nod.
Katie did pay for Edward's part of the meal, as though unintended she had invited him and didn't want to cost Killian too much. "That sounds wonderful." she smiled softly.
Killian frowned a bit firmly.
"Then allow me to some time in the future," Edward replied. "You won't be disappointed."
Katie gave a small smile and nod. She then glanced to Killian, looking a little concerned over the frown.
"Sounds adventurous..." Killian said. "Thank you, Mr. Hyde."
Katie gave a small smile.
"You're welcome, Mr. Hook." Edward replied.
"Jones... And Killian is fine..." Killian corrected. "So, are we off then or should we wait a little?" he then asked Katie.
"I'm ready to leave if you both are." Katie gave a small smile.
"All right then," Killian nodded as he stood up. "Let's venture off then."
"Right then." Edward nodded in agreement.
Katie stood up too and waited for the two men to stand up before leading the way out of the diner. "Thank you, see you again soon." she smiled to Granny.
"See you again soon, dear." Granny nodded, allowing them to go.
Edward soon stood up and walked out first as Killian trailed after. Katie smiled softly and walked out of the diner and then took a deep breath of fresher air. Killian smiled at her as he walked beside her after a lovely meal together. Katie hummed thoughtfully as they all walked, thinking on what they could do.
"Maybe a walk through the park?" Killian offered.
Katie gave a thought a moment and then nodded. "Alright." she smiled warmly.
"Will you be joining us?" Killian asked Edward.
"Only if I'm invited." Edward replied calmly.
"Why don't you boys go on ahead just a little while I run over to the shop there to quickly grab some drinks for us all?" Katie suggested, wanting the two to become friends.
"Hm? Well, all right," Killian nodded before whispering with a small smirk. "Don't take too long~"
Katie blushed and chuckled, before scampering off. Edward and Killian seemed to stare each other down once they were alone together as Katie hoped that they would get along.
More time passed in the movie as Cherry put her face between her eyes while watching Tramp go up against the rat as this was always a bit scary and suspenseful for her to watch, especially if the rat wasn't taken care of.
"That's the scariest rat I've ever seen." Belle commented.
"Get it! Get it!" Gold was actually cheering on Tramp.
Cherry giggled a little at that, unable to resist finding it adorable. Belle looked like she was literally on the edge of her seat as Tramp squared off against the rat.
"Watch the baby!" Gold exclaimed then.
Cherry looked surprised then while they still watched. Belle covered her eyes, looking a bit nervous before looking at a few points as, of course, Tramp was being successful so far. Gold looked wide-eyed as Aunt Sarah reentered. Cherry hissed at the sight of Aunt Sarah.
"Ooh, I do not like that woman," Belle tutted and shook her head. "Almost reminds me of how Regina used to be."
Gold shook his head a little. "Regina had more taste and class compared to this woman." he said.
"I never liked her..." Cherry narrowed her eyes, referring to Aunt Sarah. "I just can't believe Jim Dear and Darling trusted her to look after Lady and the baby."
Belle lightly petted Cherry from that, though she had to agree that she didn't like Aunt Sarah much either. "I had an aunt I didn't like much like that either," she then said. "Aunt Marguerite always pressured me into getting married to a strong, brave, handsome man."
"It's okay, Goldibear," Cherry then said teasingly. "One out of three ain't bad."
Gold looked at her. "And which am I only, dearie?" he asked.
Belle giggled at that.
Cherry looked away. "Oh, look, Christmas." she then said innocently.
Gold hummed, but allowed it to slide for now.
"Naughty." Belle whispered to Cherry.
"That makes me more interesting than being Goody Good all the time~" Cherry smirked playfully.
Gold watched the film, tilting his head just a little.
"Aww..." Belle cooed at the cute baby.
"...Huh," Cherry said to herself as she saw the baby too, looking thoughtful about having her own child again, but also something she just now noticed on rewatch as an adult. "Never noticed how much that baby looked like Michael Darling in the Disney movie for Peter Pan."
Gold blinked and glanced to her to that.
"What a cute little movie..." Belle smiled softly and warmly.
"I always thought so..." Cherry said as she yawned and stretched. "Mm... I could probably go for a little cat nap."
"I'll change you back now, if you want me to, dearie." Gold told Cherry.
"Sure," Cherry said before she hopped down onto the floor in front of his feet. "Thanks for the movie..."
"No, no, thank you," Belle smiled. "It was very cute."
Gold clicked his fingers and Cherry returned to normal. Cherry soon stretched once she was back to normal and she let out a small, weary yawn as she looked back at them.
"Are you napping then?" Belle asked.
"Maybe for a little bit," Cherry nodded as she went to her room. "After all... I can't cause problems if I'm asleep."
"It's not you causing the problems, dearie," Gold told her. "But your magic won't be causing any more problems with that cuffbracelet." he added, so she could sleep peacefully.
"Right..." Cherry said as she looked down at the cuff. "So, uh... If I run away... Would this thing explode or something?"
"Don't run away, Cherry," Belle said in a firm and assertive tone. "And don't worry so much. Get some rest and we'll get to the bottom of this magical mystery."
Gold nodded in agreement to Belle. Cherry let out a small, nervous whimper as she nodded at them as she walked off back to her room.
"Hopefully that keeps the mysterious cases under control for a while." Belle whispered hopefully.
Gold nodded. "Though I have a feeling it's Facilier's work." he said quietly.
"...You think you might tell her that?" Belle suggested softly.
"I will..." Gold said. "Hopefully she will believe me."
"A-All right," Belle nodded. "She's a little sensitive, so be very careful."
Gold nodded. "We'll let her nap for now though." he said.
"All right," Belle said as she scooted closer to him, putting her hand against his lap with a small smirk. "You wanna help me relax until she wakes up?~"
"And how would I do that, dearie?" Gold smirked.
"Hmm... I dunno," Belle smirked back. "I guess you could put on some music and maybe you could give me a little rub?"
Gold chuckled.
"If you're up for it, that is~" Belle smirked. "I think my hand's too far in the cookie jar now~"
"I could be persuaded, dearie~" Gold smirked.
Belle smirked back before she decided to get up off of the couch and soon wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Cherry's right though... You are very handsome and adorable~..." she then whispered into his ear a bit.
Gold stiffened a little to that, but smirked. "You're playing with fire~" he warned her, though not nasty.
"Am I though?" Belle smirked back. "I'm not scared of a little old flame~"
Gold smirked and suddenly stood, wrapping his arms around her.
"Ooh!" Belle yelped playfully before giggling to that as she kissed him on both cheeks. "So... Our room?" she then suggested.
Gold led her upstairs wordlessly. Belle giggled, trying not to be too loud since Cherry was taking a nap and luckily, her shadow wouldn't be able to escape freely during her slumber this time, though the shadows were doing something else right now anyway.
The young worker greeted Katie at the door as she mopped up the floor beside the woman. Katie smiled and nodded her greeting as she went to grab some drinks for herself, Killian and Edward. The employee known as Baron Samdi was shown to be walking along, dressed casually though before he glanced over towards Katie with a small smirk, though he kept doing what he was doing which was browsing as he seemed to be off work today. Katie hummed softly as she collected the drinks, giving a polite smile to Baron as she made her way towards the check-out counter. Baron smiled back before smirking sneakily.
"Did you find everything okay?" The clerk asked Katie.
"Yes, thank you." Katie smiled warmly.
The clerk smiled back as he rung her up and gave her the drinks back. "Receipt?" he then asked just to make sure.
"No, thank you." Katie smiled softly as she handed over the money.
"Very well," The clerk nodded, accepting the money. "You have a nice day now, Miss."
"Thank you, you too." Katie smiled before she walked out to head back to find Killian and Edward.
When Katie got outside, Killian seemed to be stepping on Edward's chest with a firm glare, looking a bit fiendish and menacing as Edward tried to fight back what flat on his back on the ground.
"Killian, Edward!" Katie called out as she hurried over.
"You look at my woman the way you look at her? Well, you can kiss my boot~" Killian mocked Edward, looking like he was about to step on the other man's face, sounding a bit unlike himself right now.
"Killian, stop!" Katie told him and carefully pulled him away and stepped between him and Edward.
Killian laughed before he was moved off of Edward before glaring towards Katie slightly. Edward grunted as he tried to sit up a bit.
"Killian, what's wrong?" Katie asked, in concern for how he was acting.
"What's wrong is that this gentleman was dishonoring you and I was just defending you," Killian replied with an innocent smile as he straightened himself out. "He was trying to cat call you."
"I just said that you looked nice today." Edward replied innocently. "Nothing bad at all, I assure you."
"Killian, even if someone cat calls me, you don't have to beat them down," Katie said soothingly. She then helped Edward up. "I left you two together to make friends, not fight." she said softly, but also firmly then.
Edward grunted as he soon caught his breath.
"Even after what happened when you were taken?" Killian asked with a firm pout.
"He hasn't tried anything due to that deal, and him keeping me there was only due to orders, Whale was the one who hurt me." Katie said softly.
Edward nodded. "I was only following orders," he then added. "I might had been rough, but I'm not a monster."
"Hmm..." Killian narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he slowly tried to calm down. "Maybe you're both right."
Katie gave a small smile to that, and reached up and gently stroked Killian's cheek.
"Perhaps my jealousy got the better of me," Killian soon said. "Sorry about that, Katie and Edward."
"Just don't let it happen again," Edward replied. "Jealousy is a hideous emotion sometimes."
"It's alright," Katie said quietly, lightly rubbing her chest. She then took both of their hands and joined them in a handshake hold. "Now let's get along, shake hands and make up." she smiled.
Killian and Edward stared each other down for a few moments.
"I humbly apologize." Edward said, sounding like a gentleman as he held out his hand.
"...Oh, very well," Killian said softly before he hesitated briefly as he sounded firm and warning again. "...You better not turn around and stab us both in the back, because if you do, you're getting a hook lodged right into your-"
"Killian, please stop. " Katie said not harsh but still firm. She winced and placed a hand over the area where her half of heart was and stepped between them while looking to Killian.
"...Fine," Killian said as he heaved a sharp sigh, though he began to look a bit like his old self again as the half of his heart felt something from what happened to Katie's heart somehow, at least the one that Katie knew, as he began to settle down and he shook hands with Edward. "...Katie, I'm terribly sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"Hmm..." Edward paused thoughtfully and suspiciously.
Katie gave a small smile. "Are you okay?" she had to ask him though, as that wasn't like the Killian she knew.
"I-I'm fine... I'll be fine..." Killian replied as he rubbed his forehead. "I should probably just sit down and relax for a little while. No hard feelings, eh, Hyde?"
"Perhaps." Edward nodded, though he looked thoughtful.
"Let's go over to that bench and we can all sit down?" Katie suggested as she pointed to the nearest bench.
"That might be a good idea," Killian nodded. "I'm so sorry, Katie, I don't know what came over me."
"I'm not sure either," Edward said thoughtfully as they walked towards the bench. "I'm sure we can sort something out soon though."
Katie gave a soft smile. "It's alright." she soothed, helping him sit down on the bench.
Killian smiled back at her softly.
"Middle?" Edward offered to Katie.
Katie smiled, sitting between them. "Only to keep the peace." she said and then to put on a united mindset she held both their hands.
"Fair enough..." Killian replied. "I probably just got a little mad at myself because of our little argument when your Bear changed my rum into milk."
Edward couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"Yes, yes, very amusing." Killian rolled his eyes at that, but not meanly as he tried to keep things light this time.
"That wasn't Cherry, Killian... I know her she wouldn't do that." Katie said softly.
"She was laughing when it happened..." Killian reminded.
"She has a dark sense of humor, but she wouldn't personally do it." Katie told him.
"Hmm..." Killian paused thoughtfully.
"You probably had an interesting reaction," Edward remarked. "How does it go? 'Got Milk'?"
"Very funny." Killian shook his head, not finding that very funny, but tried very hard not to get too angry.
"Edward, please don't joke about Killian's rum." Katie said softly, before remembering and handing them their drinks. There were two kinds for them, a nice 'single glass' bottle of rum for Killian as well as a similar one of wine for Edward, and of course the normal daytime drink that wasn't alcohol for Killian as well as a fruity juice drink for Edward. She then opened her cola, and took a sip.
"Ah... Thank you and I'm sorry." Edward said, accepting the drink, though he glanced at it strangely.
"Thank you, dear." Killian smiled warmly at Katie's charity before he took a swig.
Katie smiled happily to that. "Edward, yours is just a couple of juice flavors mixed, I thought it best not to just give you something like this right off." she said to the tallest man as she gestured to her cola.
"I see..." Edward nodded before he took a small taste just to try it before shrugging and he then drank some more, seeming to have liked it. "Hmm... Very sweet like candy."
Katie smiled, glad he liked it.
"This is an... Interesting drink..." Edward said. "What did you say it was called again?"
"It's a fruit punch drink, non-alcoholic as it's not quite late enough to drink alcohol." Katie chuckled with a smile.
"Oh... All right then, well, this fruit punch is very good." Edward nodded.
"Maybe I'll make a cake over some leftover rum," Killian smirked at Katie. "You want in on this?"
"Rum cake?" Katie smirked.
"Is there any other cake worth having?" Killian smirked back.
Edward chuckled, a little bit amused by that.
"Chocolate cake~" Katie retorted playfully.
"Oh, ruin my fun, why don't you?" Killian smirked at Katie. "So chocolate or rum cake? I think we should have a special treat sometime soon."
Katie smiled. "Maybe a chocolate and rum cake?" she suggested after a moment.
Killian soon paused to think about it for a few moments before he soon nodded as that might work out somehow.
"Is that legal?" Edward asked. "Sounds like a child's dream come true with all that richness and sweetness."
"Well, if it isn't I could make it so... Princess~" Katie said a little playfully and raised her hand as if stating a title about herself.
Killian chuckled lightly.
"Ah, yes," Edward played along. "All Hail Her Royal Sweetness and Crankiness." he then added as Killian couldn't help but laugh, finding that rather funny, though he cupped his mouth.
Katie looked playfully affronted. "The Sweetness, maybe... but 'Crankiness'?" she gasped. "I think I better go and find someone who appreciates my company more~" she then playfully huffed, standing up and went to walk off not expecting to get far.
"Wait! Don't go!" Killian called before he took Katie's hand and he dropped down on one knee with a small grin.
Edward watched in mild amusement as something deep down inside him began to change. Katie had to stop and turned, hiding a small smile as she looked down at him as on his knee he was shorter.
"You know I love you and admire you..." Killian said to her. "You are a mermaid while I'm the sea-monster with a teamed wild beast deep inside of me~"
"Well, you're not a monster, but I thank you for your compliment~" Katie smiled sweetly then. "And I love and admire you too, my Captain." she said softly.
Edward just watched in silence as he drank up.
"You know I'd never do anything to hurt you." Killian continued with a small smile.
Katie gave a small nod and smile to that.
"So... Allow me to treat you to this chocolate rum cake adventure into deliciousness~" Killian smiled back. "We can have it wherever you like... As long as I get to see your smiling and angelic face."
Katie blushed and couldn't help but giggle to that. "Oh you charmer," she blushed and gently took her hand away to try to cover her blushing cheeks.
"What can I say? My mother raised a gentleman," Killian smiled. "And I see she was put to good use in my younger years and you get to experience Charming Captain Killian Jones."
Katie gave a small soft smile to that and then once her cheeks weren't so pink she gently stroked his before helping him up.
"Ah... This is nice." Killian smiled back at Katie once he settled himself down.
A shadow soon seemed to whiz by as Edward noticed it, though the other two he was with didn't seem to as he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and curiously. Katie smiled warmly.