Emma and Red made their way down to the pier to were the Jolly Roger rested, recently relocated due to the changing of the tide. This made the walk a little further and tiresome especially with the load they were carrying. It included a tarp to help with the Rogers leakage problems, some extra chairs, and the Storybook. Emma didn't want to part with it after finding again only a few days ago when August, also known as Pinocchio arrived in town. Another relic from her past bringing with him a lot more questions than answers. Having only showing up after the curse broke. It just made it sting even more knowing he took the place one of her parents. All it did was remind Emma the life she didn't have. Imagining a world where she was loved and cared for right from the start of this journey wasn't helping her mental state. This didn't stop here from lying awake at night thinking about it of course.
"Word around town is that you didn't come to this world alone after all" Red asked awkwardly as Emma had failed to mention it, even though the whole town new.
"Yeah, kind of a bombshell" Emma said trying to shrug it off. Her voice was longing, wondering how different everything would be if she didn't have to find her way home alone.
"It's good though right, having someone from your childhood back in your life" Red said having most people she knew growing up flee from once knowing the truth about her wolf alter ego.
"I don't remember him; I mean I just remember the newspaper article more than the actual person" Emma said trying her best of think back. It was impossible to remember though, August explained he had left when Emma was still an infant. Even though he'd sincerely apologised Emma still felt bitter, just another person who had let her down.
"I can't believe he left you" Red said almost growling as she thought about it.
"He was just a kid" Emma replied with a shrug, but it was barley masking her pain.
"So, where you" Red reminded her.
"I guess that's my tragedy" Emma said picking up the pace ahead of Red down the pier.
While Mary Margret and David helped him reunite with his father, she just wanted to have a relaxed day with her friends. One great thing August arrival seemed to trigger was a newfound peace for them. Like some minute amount of the guilt, they lugged around with them had been lifted. Everything was slowly starting the feel nice comfortable and real, like a family. Emma realised smiling as the stepped onto the deck of the Roger. Hoping to find Killian and Liam had found that same peace within their family.
"Didn't realise we'd have visitors" Liam said slightly surprised as he slid down a rope effortlessly from up the top of one of the sales. Realising now Liam had no idea they were swinging by, Emma knew that lines of communication must not be great between the brothers Jones.
"You remember Emma, and Red" Killian said gesturing towards them awkwardly making his way down the steps at the hull of the ship.
"Ah yeah I defiantly remember, the werewolf girl" Liam said, slightly in awe.
"I'm hard to forget" Red said proudly smiling up a Liam. Mindlessly going about his evening routine taking care of his floating home. It almost seemed to much for the two brothers to handle alone but the managed because they always have.
"Thanks for coming, Let me help you with those" Killian said taking the tarp from Emma as he could see her struggling.
There was a bit of an awkward silence as they four stood there realising Killian had failed to tell Liam he had invited company over. Liam had been keeping to himself mostly only really communicating with Killian. Wanting to take it slow spending most of his time out by the docks, the only place that felt familiar to him in this alien world.
"I thought it would be good to have some friends over for a meal" Killian said looking closely at Liam's reaction hoping he would look pleased with this turn of events.
"Friends, right" Liam said trying his best to put on a nice smile for his brother.
Killian took the tarp making his way over to the port side to get working on the ship before dusk became night and they would have to endure another sleep with rainwater gushing into the ship. Leaving Emma and Red to make small talk with Liam something the pair where not very experienced in.
"How old are you?" Red asked not able to hold back the silence making it just blurt out of her.
"Hard to say" Liam said trying to play it off with a laugh but not knowing such a simple thing about oneself was certainly disheartening. They all walked towards the dining area continuing to chat except for Liam he stayed silent.
"I guess we could all say the same" Red said trying to lighten the mood, but nobody was bitting.
Liam had been in his early twenties when he disappeared into the void, time didn't really pass there or at least it didn't feel like it had. More of a constant stream of nightmares with only small instances where Liam was conscious of his situation, those where the worst moments. The rest of Storybroke didn't have the same experience as Liam in the void, Emma having pulled them out just hours after they were taken. The hopelessness of starring into darkness for an eternity hadn't quite set in.
"It defiantly had for Liam and then some. Having been lost for so long he was so beyond despair, just wanting and end to his misery. Now he was back in the world it was impossible to know, how he held onto his sanity for all those years. Presumably if one spent decades in the dark waiting to die, you would expect to find them as a shell of their former selves. But Liam jones wasn't your average person. Strong willed just like his brother, he was able to hold onto his sanity. It was a wonder what it was that he was holding onto, love or hate?
"Come on let's sit down" Emma said grabbing Red's hand pulling her over to the small dinning nook as the conversation inevitably fell flat.
Liam had a smile on his face as he stood over their makeshift stove cooking dinner on the deck. It was fake of course. Emma knew to be because it was the same one, she saw in the mirror. Emma wondered if he where ok, if he would ever be ok.
"How come I've never seen this before" Red remarked shocked and excited bringing Emma out of her daydream. Looking around in awe at the various maps and parchment nailed to the walls of the little nock they sat in. There was not a spare bit of wood showing with all the paper coverage. It was nice made the place feel lived in, a true home.
"Well, you've never been over for dinner I guess" Emma responded confused realising in all the times her and Killian have shared a meal here together, they never invited anyone. It was sort of their own private corner of the world.
"There is kind of a weird atmosphere here tonight though" Red said meaning she wasn't sure she was happy to be present anyway.
"Yeah, I know the feeling" Emma replied sadly still looking at the various drawings seeing the life these two once shared maybe not always the happiest of times, but they had each other. Now much like Emma's family even after being reunited they where still so lost no able to connect.
"Swan, a little help" Killian called out from the below deck. Even though Emma didn't want to leave Red alone to battle the socialising she knew Red could handle herself. After all she could never decline a request for assistance from Killian.
"On my way" Emma said making her way below deck. Looking forward to having a moment alone with Killian.
"Surprised however when she got to the office below it was empty. Well, there was nobody there, but the place was quite cluttered. Not in an overbearing way, it felt welcoming all the relics from the world they came from mixed in with the new. The brothers Jones have lived quite a life and they certainly didn't pack light.
"Grab the rope" Killian voice rang out from the other side of the wall grasping as he held onto the hull of the ship.
"What are you doing out there?" Emma asked alarmed but obliged pulling the rope Killian had shoved through one of the cracks in the roof.
"Just pull" Killian instructed.
Emma realised as she pulled the rope down what Killian was trying to do. The tarp they brought with them slowly made its way up over the side of the ship, covering most of the broken wooden panels.
"Not a permanent solution but it will keep us dry for now" Killian answered, Emma could her the smirk in his voice.
"Alright well get back in here before you fall in" Emma replied still concerned that Killian would slip off falling into the watery depths.
"On my way back to you, Swan" Killian said grunting as he pulled himself up and back safely onboard the Roger.
Only a few seconds had passed when Emma heard footsteps quickly coming down from the deck above. She smiled making her way over excited to show Killian what he had accomplished. However it was Liam, to her surprise. Liam certainly wasn't expecting Emma to be down here his face shocked and Emma felt like an invader in someone else's home.
"What are you doing down here?" Liam asked almost accusatory, like Emma didn't belong in this little corner of his and his brother's world.
"Just helping Killian with your leakage problem" Emma said back confused. Liam quickly composed himself smiling as he walked into the room and grabbing what he came down there for.
"Right" Liam replied letting out a breath realising Emma had probably been down here many times before and this was no invasion. Still not used to the idea he wasn't the only important person in Killians life anymore.
"So you're the, saviour" Liam said pausing before continuing "You destroyed the creature" Liam said not with the same awe he had when they first meet but it was almost accusatory.
"With the help from Killian and my friends" Emma replied awkward not quite used to that word yet.
Liam's tone was different he said not with the pride or awe that everyone else did but, almost saying the world 'saviour' vehemently. Sensing his slight aggression, she thought back on how strange it must have been to awake in another world after all that time alone. Liam must have been so relieved to find his brother there. Maybe that's what this sense of confrontation was. Being such a traumatic memory and now Killian still hadn't told him the whole story. It would extremely anxiety inducing, causing a person to act out. Emma decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"It's a good thing you awoke before Killian" Emma said thinking how glad she was that Killian wasn't alone when he came out of the darkness. Believing Liam just needed reminding of the good things.
"What do you mean?" Liam said surprised.
"I'm just glad someone was there for him" Emma replied, still not sure why she was getting such a reaction out of the older Jones.
"I found him right here, I wasn't sure if I was dreaming" Liam said awkwardly back peddling realising Emma was trying to be nice.
"Here" Emma paused confused "Killian said you found him up on deck" Emma recalled every moment of that story after Killian told her.
"Yeah, yeah that's what I meant" Liam said quickly turning away looking frustrated.
"I get understand it's hard, I spent my whole life trying to find my parents and I'm realising that happy endings aren't as simple as imagined" Emma said feeling in a rare moment that she could open up to someone recognising that Liam would be experiencing similar circumstances as her.
"You don't know me, or Killian" Liam replied his anger more prominent now and he turned away storming off up the stairs.
Emma stood there silenced by Liam's retort not sure why he was receiving such animosity from him. Then for the first time Emma thought about it all, why is it that that everyone else woke at the same time, why did Liam awaken first? What was Liam doing while the rest of them where still blacked out and Emma was leaving town limits. Emma knew every detail of the moment she reunited with her parents, how is it that Liam would forget something as simple as where he found his brother. After being missing all those years. What was even stranger was Liam abruptness and inability to be stuck in conversation with another. Like if they stared into his eyes for a moment to long, they would notice their hollowness.
Emma realised the pair had never shared a moment alone until now. She had always felt so welcome on the Roger, like this was here home as well as Killians. But with Liam she got the distinct impression he didn't want her here. In fact, that he didn't like her period.
"Swan" Killians said smiling as he came down the stairs.
"What's wrong" Killian said Noticing Emma distant look.
"Nothing" Emma said trying to pretend her mind wasn't racing and tried to focus on having a nice evening. Not wanting to burden Killian with her thoughts until she knew more.
"Sorry I was just lost in thought; this room is beautiful we haven't spent much time in here" Emma said looking up at the many beams and beautiful carvings in the ceilings. Now smiling as she spotted where Liam and Killian had carved their names into the one of the beams.
"I guess I was avoiding it so many painful memories, now with Liam back I can repair it" Killian finished hopeful, but he knew deep down that it was going to take more then a tarp strung over the side to help weather this storm.
"Red and Liam seem to get along ok" Killian said walking up behind Emma wrapping his arms around her waist to lead her out onto the deck where their dinner awaited.
"Yeah, it's good, I hope Liam well get to know everyone soon" Emma added.
"Well, he, we thought be best to take it slow, this place is overwhelming" Killian said remembering the disembodied experience he had when first arriving in Storybroke Maine.
"He certainly needs some time to adjust, especially if you haven't told him everything" Emma said.
Killian shied away something he never usually did but he didn't want to admit aloud how fragile he thought Liam was. Sure, that if he told Liam the real reason, he came here was a quest for revenge. That he never even considered his brother was still alive he would never forgive him, that he may even leave.
"I've got a plan" Killian said trying to play it cool but not sounding very convincing.
"What are you going to do when he passes Mr Gold on the street" Emma asked concerned.
"I was still working on that" Killian replied his eyes going wide picturing the inevitable fight that would result.
Emma shook her head wondering what was keeping Killian from talking to his brother usually being such an honest soul even when the truth hurts. That's one of the things she loved about him, never one to back away from a fight emotional or otherwise. Emma was realising when it came to Killian and his brother, she had no idea what the dynamics of their relationship where like. It was new and alarming, not to know what Killian was thinking or feeling. Emma held Killian hand tight as the walked back over to the little nook she sat with Red earlier.
"Hard to picture, my brother a schoolboy once more" Liam said to Red as Killian and Emma made their way into earshot.
There was a beautiful platter of fish and crab set up no utensils in sight but a plate for each of them. It looked like there were doing dinner the more traditional way this evening the way the brothers had prepared and eaten all their life. Having no time or money for anything but the essentials and cutlery wasn't one of them.
"Don't tell me Killian was a dropout" Red replied with a giggle.
"You know how it was, for most of us we had to start working at a young age" Liam replied reminded Red of the harsher realities of the world they came from. Where children had to grow up to fast.
"With dad trading us off to life of slavery, an education wasn't in the cards" Killian added sitting down with Emma. Saying it like it was just a funny antidote about his life.
"Yeah, I almost forget sometimes, even though I miss home there are benefits to this world" Red said dropping her light-hearted demeaner now.
"I mean they actually treat us like, children" Killian almost laughed never really having experienced being cared for in that way. Killian and his brother had to grow up so fast and now they were expected to sit back and let the adults handle the hard stuff.
The conversation halted somewhat as they all dug into their meal it was delicious to have such fresh seafood. Turns out growing up fast does have its benefits like learning how to prepare a good meal for a few friends.
"Hey, I had dibs on the last piece" Emma said as Red grabbed it smirking as she ate it in one bite.
"There are no friends at the dinner table" Killian replied jokingly nudging Emma.
As the night went on at Killian saw how his brother felt even in their own home an outsider. Not able to keep up with the conversation no matter how hard they tried to include him. Trying their best to stray away from pop culture references and the like. Liam must feel so alone, so alien in this place. Red and Emma unsure of what to say not wanting to make Liam feel more out of place or slip up knowing, there were key details of their story Killian had purposely not shared with his brother. Silence fell upon the group one time to many, Emma and Red realised it was time to go home.
"Thanks" Killian simply said as he kissed Emma goodbye, he didn't have to use many words his tone said it all.
Thanks for trying, thanks for putting up with a somewhat awkward evening with grace, thanks for trying to help my brother connect to the world again. Killian was just happy they gave it a try. It may not have gone as planned but it cemented for Killian what he needed to do now for his brother and himself. Killian watched Emma and Red make there way back to there car he turned to Liam who had his back to Killian, standing at the port side looking out to the sea.
As they stood there together looking out into the vast ocean under the moonlight, you couldn't see the other more modern ships. If the brothers didn't know any better, they could back home in the enchanted forest. But as Killian looked up at the stars the consolations weren't familiar, he couldn't see a clear path ahead. Lost but no longer alone standing next to Liam and the fear of losing that, still caused him stress. The only sound now was the crashing of the waves while Killian hesitated, wanting this peace to last just a little longer.
"Come on then" Liam said looking down at Killian with a slight smile waiting for him to get it over with, knowing he was ready to share his story with Liam. That it would explain how they ended up in Storybrooke Main in the first place.
"I know, it's time I told you the truth" Killian said with a sigh.
"If you're going to tell me our home is shipwrecked in another time and place because of a girl then" Liam said trying to joke but Killian interrupted.
"I only found Emma after being stuck in this timeless hell for fourteen years" Killian said abruptly a little offended at the accusatory tone towards Emma.
"What brought you to Storybrooke, if it wasn't a girl then" Liam said confused.
"Revenge brought me here, the girl saved me" Killian said a smile reaching his checks as he realised.
"From what?, the creature that took me" Liam replied still not understanding what Killian was trying to say.
"In every way a person can be saved" Killian said then took a deep breath realising he couldn't keep dancing around the subject "my anger it consumed me after you were gone, I become something else, I became Captain Hook" Killian continued handing the storybook Emma had left showing it to Liam so he could see the truth for himself.
"Is this another movie thing" Liam said with a sigh, still having no real idea what a movie was.
"No, well sort of" Killian said remembering Emma showing him the fellow with perm, but it was a moot point. Liam was finally seeing for himself what Killian was trying to say as he read through Storybook.
"Are you trying to tell me you ended up here because of what happened to me" Liam replied in shock flipping through the pages seeing Killian had travelled to many lands not just to the one without magic.
"When you died, I realised life doesn't work out for those who live by a code" Killian admitted feeling the anger rise just thinking about it. "I decided I would live by my own rules that suited my own ends".
"I can tell, you've grown" Liam said proud.
"I used people, to get here, to get to Storybrooke" Killian said shaking his head looking away from his brother's proud gaze, to guilty to even accept that.
"That doesn't sound like the young man standing in front of me" Liam replied putting his hand on Killians shoulder trying to get him to look up.
"Emma reminded me I was still capable of love, deserved love that there was more ahead of me then death" Killian continued ignoring his brothers' comments believing that his legacy would forever be just a cutthroat pirate, even though he had made peace with it now.
"Stop using metaphors and storybooks Killian just tell me, why did you come here? Why would you purposely come to a place that everybody else was cursed to live in?" Liam said getting frustrated of him dancing around it now.
" I came to Storybrooke to kill the dark one, I knew he'd be vulnerable here" Killian almost yelled, Liam visibly shuddered his fists clenching at the mention of that name.
"But you didn't" Liam said confused looking deeply at Killian who turned away, that anger still just under the surface "Why didn't you kill him?" Liam asked already thinking he new why.
"When I finally faced him, he didn't know who I was, who he was" Killian stopped ashamed he couldn't avenge his brother "He was powerless, I, I couldn't" Killian said stumbling over his words.
"Doesn't sound to me like a man without a moral code" Liam replied trying to get Killian to see the truth.
"But I never looked for you, never even tried" Killian said feeling that Liam was just not understanding the weight of what he was trying to say. Not that he simply knew the truth and still accepted Killian.
"It was not your fault, Killian" Liam said grabbing Killians shoulder other shoulder getting him to look into his eyes for the first time since they reunited, trying to really connect with him.
Killian was surprised to see his brother smiling at him, still with pride in his eyes not ashamed of his little brother and they embraced. However, you could see Liam's mind ticking away thinking it all over. Realising that all along Killian had done this all for him, his jealousy of Emma had been sorely misplaced. Even after all this time had passed Killians love for his brother persevered. The thing about love is that as much as it can be a powerful source of light, it can be tainted. Turned to darkness if you're no longer able to reasonably perceive right and wrong. Liam Jones had long ago crossed that line into the abyss. More than willing to finish the crusade his brother started.
Notes: Hope you like this chapter bit late but next few updates should run more smoothly, as the chapters have already been written. :)