For Day 2 of Ficmas. Takes place a few years after the current events in verse.

David smiles as Mary Margaret's arm slips through his own while they walk down the crowded sidewalk. She's never one for much PDA and the fact that she feels safe enough, comfortable enough, shows just how far she's come in the past couple of years. Her head gently falls against his shoulder and he presses a kiss to it, making the tips of her ears glow red. Soft snow gently falls around them, signifying the holiday that's only days around the corner.

"Oh, the snow is so wet," he teases.

Mary Margaret rolls her eyes and pulls her head away from him. "I cannot believe I told you my mother used to call me that. You're never going to let me live that down."

"You call me Charming, still."

"That's different."

"Why? Because you came up with it?"

She rolls her eyes yet again. "What time do we have to meet up with your dad and Regina?"

"Not for a few more hours. We still have time to look around."

By some miracle, all of them managed to get the week off and headed to Vermont to spend it at the cabin David's grandmother had left to Robin. James, Belle and their little one had even come up as well to spend Christmas as one big family. For the day, they've split off on their own. Robin and Regina have taken Henry and Roland to go sledding. James and Belle are giving their third go for Gideon to meet Santa, which to David is basically torturing the child, he clearly hates it. But Belle insists, they need the perfect Christmas picture. Mary Margaret and David were invited by each group, but instead decided to get some quiet from the chaos and window shop.

Mary Margaret stops in front of a candy shop, who's window is exploding with Christmas cheer. Fake snow dusts each corner, while a candy cane merry go-round shows off various treats.

"I think I'm going to pick up some candy for the kids' stockings," she says.

David smiles. "Look at you, being all soft for the boys."

She shrugs, keeping her eyes on the confectionary. "They're cute." She breaks away, to glance up at him. "Coming in?"

"Uh, no. I have a feeling I'll be tempted to buy everything in sight and I don't think Archie will appreciate me calling him to work out my triggers."

Mary Margaret nods, squeezing his arm. "I'll be quick. You sure you don't want anything?"

He debates it for a moment before nodding. "Some muddy bears, if they have them?"

"Of course."

She pecks his cheek before heading inside. David leans against the glass, digging out his phone to check his e-mail. There's not much there, outside spam and some automated bill payment reminders. He's zoned out for a bit until he feels someone collide into him. Looking down, David finds a little girl who can't be much older than Gideon. Fire red hair frames her face covered in freckles.

"Rebekah!" A faraway voice chides. "I told you not to run off like that."

The little girl frowns, staring up at David. "Sorry."

He chuckles. "It's okay sweetheart. Just watch where you're going next time."

Another, deeper voice pulls him away from her. "I'm sorry about her…David?"

His head snaps up to find a familiar face. Kristoff stands there, his curly blonde hair covered by a gray beanie. It's been nearly four years since David's seen him in person and yet, not much has changed. The bags under his eyes are a little heavier, cheeks rosier from the weather, but everything else remains the same. David straightens up a bit, gnawing on his lower lip. This has been the moment he's thought about for years. What would he say? Would he chew him out? Scream for everything he's done?

"There you two are." Another familiar voice pulls the two men away and David recognizes Anna joining the group. A tiny baby is strapped to her chest in a sling, quietly snoozing away. It takes David a moment to realize, she's talking to Kristoff and Rebekah, and not him. Despite how much David once stalked his ex's social media, he and Anna have never seen each other face to face. There's a good chance, she doesn't even know about him. "Are you ready to get some candy?"

"This is um, an old friend," Kristoff stumbles over his words. "David. I haven't seen him in a while. I'll meet you two inside?"

Anna nods, the smile not leaving her face. "Very nice to meet you. Come on Bekah, let's go check out the candy."

The little girl slides her mitten covered hand into her mother's and the two disappear into the crowded store. David shoves his phone back into his pocket, keeping his hand in there for warmth.

"She doesn't know who I am?"

"She doesn't connect it," Kristoff shrugs. "I told her about you…when it all ended…"

Anger that David doesn't want boils through his veins. "Well, at least you gave her that curtesy."

Kristoff sighs, digging his foot into the snow that covers the sidewalk. "You look good."

David nods, trying to calm himself down. "You look…like you have two kids."

"Yeah, uh, we had a son last year."

A pregnant pause falls over the two. In the distance, David can hear a Salvation Army charity bell and a flurry of different Christmas carols floating from the different shops. This is his moment, to say how he finally feels and yet…nothing comes to mind. All the anger, the betrayal and jealousy…how can he feel practically none of that as this man stands in front of him?

"I heard about what happened after we broke up," Kristoff continues. David tilts his head. "Your um…your relapse."

"Oh."

"I…I've…" Kristoff clears his throat and stands up a little straighter. "Was that me?"

David laughs in spite of himself. After all this time, he's not being asked "Are you okay?" or "How are you doing now?" Instead, all Kristoff wants is to absolve his own guilt. He wants answers, after David's had none for the past four years. Kristoff knew about the overdose, potentially rehab and who knows what else, and he never called. Never checked in on him. He went on with his life and didn't give a damn. A part of David wants to say yes, let him sit in it and suffer.

But it'd be a lie. It's not Kristoff's fault that David started using again. He's not the one that gave him the pills. Kristoff had been one of his biggest supporters when it came to sobriety. He drove him to meetings and listened when David said he was struggling. Ultimately, David is the one who chose to go back down that path. Everything that lead him to being dead on the floor of his studio apartment was himself.

"No," David says. "Nothing that happened to me was your fault. I'm the one that took the pills."

"But before that…"

"I'm aware of what happened, Kris," David interrupts, holding up a hand. He sighs, shaking his head. "I fell down the rabbit hole again. There was a lot of other stuff going on at the time and it piled on top of me already feeling like crap. Then I got hurt…" He trails off, shaking his head once again. Kristoff doesn't need to hear the story, he doesn't deserve to know what happened. "Anyway, I made choices. Bad ones, that lead me to where I was."

He peers through the frosted glass, trying to get a glance of Mary Margaret. Her pom-pom covered green beanie manages to shine through and anchor him back Earth.

"I'm not in that place anymore. I'm okay." He sees the doubt written across Kristoff's face. "I am. My dad got me out of Michigan, we started over. I can honestly say that I'm doing good."

A small smile comes across Kristoff's lips. "I'm glad, I really am."

Is he glad because it absolves him of guilt or happy that David is sober, in a good place? David doesn't know and he doesn't need to hurt himself by asking.

"Thank you," David says.

Kristoff nods. "Are you in town for long?"

"Just through the 26th. Here with my family and girlfriend."

David isn't sure, but he swears a twinge of jealousy sparks in those blue eyes. Kristoff recovers quickly and forces a smile. "Fun. I um…better go find Anna and the kids. It was good seeing you."

David gives a quick nod of his own. "Have a good holiday."

Kristoff walks inside and David allows himself to once again collapse against the building. He runs his hand over his face, letting out a long, deep sigh. His body doesn't feel as heavy as he expected. That telltale urge isn't there like it was before. Is this the final stage of grief? Acceptance, moving on. Even if the other person hasn't.

Mary Margaret exits the shop, a couple of bags swung over her wrist. David pulls her into his side and presses a kiss to her lips, thankful for the familiar face. She deepens it for a few moments and when he finally pulls away, a curious smile takes over her.

"What was that for?"

"I'll tell you later. Did you get all the candy?"

"Yes. Including your muddy bears." She reaches into the bag and pulls out a smaller one to show off.

David manages to smile himself. "Thank you, baby."

Another kiss clearly catches his girlfriend off guard. "What has gotten into you?"

"I'm just really glad I have you, you know?"

"Well, likewise. C'mon, let's keep shopping."

David knows he will have to call Archie later, sort out the complicated emotions brewing inside. But for now, he's perfectly happy to hold on tight to Mary Margaret as they walk the snow covered sidewalk.