The rest, you know it better than me.

When the curse was broken and the magic returned, I could move but I was still a wooden puppet. I might have forgiven myself but that wasn't enough, I had to be sincere, selfless and courageous. And I was not enough. It was a fight I had to fight alone, no one could help me. I was the one and only responsible for my mistakes and I was still ashamed that my now conscious father saw me in this state.

I had confronted Snow White before, it was already a lot. Hope had helped her find her prince, but it had hurt me to find my father. I did everything for myself, to keep my promise and to be healed and I understand that was selfish and cowardly. I had to give my life and sacrifice myself for my family, my whole family. I deeply loved these inhabitants (the Strorybrookers?) And I wanted to protect them even if it could cost my own life. And that's what happened, but the blue fairy turned me back into a little boy with no memory and although my dad was happy to find me, both of us were forced to escape the real reality.

A lot of things happened and because of my fate I didn't feel responsible for anything and it was worse than anything. Neal had died to resuscitate his father and there was nothing I could do. Regina had been lucky enough to be forgiven after all the mistakes she had made even though she was certain that the wicked had no right to happiness. I found this statement very risky because you can't say I'm in the vilain category. And yet, I did not have the right to a happy ending, at that time. I don't even know if being with my dad is my real happy ending. But I am convinced that not everything is all white or all black, even for fairy tale characters.

Who would think the Evil Queen could change?

I was able to follow its development and it was very encouraging.

And then, when Gold transformed me back into an adult, I had never felt so good even though he had it for him. I would rather have made mistakes than not remembering that I had made them, because those mistakes that happened to me in this world made me grow up, they were part of me, without them I wouldn't be August.

I had come to accept myself and being a child with amnesia had forced me to start all over again and it wasn't my wish, it wasn't the second chance I wanted. When Emma rescued me when I was back to myself, she told me that she was happy that she hadn't waited twenty years to find myself as I am. I had formed a personality of my own and Emma liked me as August and not as this shy and naive young boy Pinocchio. I had changed and I was finally the person I wanted to be but now I had to be like the person my father wanted.

It was not easy for him that the 7 year old boy he knew so well could transform into a 38 year old man who had had a great initiation rite. Soon after I turned back to August, the final moment of my story began. Have a serious discussion with my dad without being ashamed of me. I was going home, home, almost as usual.

I rang on the door ... He was in shock. He recognized me as his assistant during the curse but he was not a fool he understood who I was. Finally, I recognized that it was he who was ashamed.

« I think we need to talk, finally, Dad! »

« You're right, he sighed. You have changed so much. The weather had such a big impact, I can't even recognize you anymore, it's awful. »

« Yes but it's still me. After everything that's happened, after my broken promise and the fact that I grew up, do you still see me as your son? »

« Obviously, but as for the change, it will take some getting used to, but that's what is fun, I'll be happy to know what happened to you. As far as your function as a son is concerned, you still are and I love you. These are the most important words to say in a lifetime and I told you a few years ago that having a son was enough for me and still is with you. And for your mistakes it's all my fault, I know that nothing I will say can make up for what I did that day, I lied to everyone and I shouldn't have. It's still hard to look at Snow and act as if nothing had happened because of me she wouldn't have separated from Emma and you, I can't imagine how much you have been through, it's my fault you've lived your life alone. »

« You were only protecting me! Any father would have ... »

« No, I made you carry a horrible burden that no child should have to carry, I pretended it was for love. And I see it again, it haunts you, and I'm afraid it will haunt you all your life, if you've been through all these things that I can't wait to hear you tell me, it's my fault, I would have to keep you and protect you ... I think I may be the only one but I still blame Regina for having cast this curse that separated us. »

« You should not. You know, if the curse had not been cast, you would surely have died with age, by now and I would be alone but here after all these years, all these trials that he has been able to experience. to happen, it made me grow, and it made me achieve a lot of things and I'm happy that after all that a new chapter finally turns and I'm convinced that now despite my mistakes, despite my shame, despite my fears, you will always be present to extend your hand to me and I too will be there for you, with every hard blow, with every doubt. I don't know what the future will hold for us and I am happy to find out because I am finally the person I dreamed of being for so many years and above all I am with the person I love the most in the world ... So let me love you, let me finally be the son you always wanted! »

« You are the son I love and, you know what, that you tell me that, it proves that I have never been so proud of you! Pinocchio ! »

« August, I want you to call me August, now! »

« Well, but I can't guarantee that I'll get used to it, he joked! I can't get used to the idea that my little boy won't come back ... »