One hell of a gap year
Omegathekid asked for a oneshot of Henry leaving home to travel the realms writing stories and Emma being so proud of the man her son has become.
Rose: No no, I meant my reply to your request got deleted with the missing chapter, not the actual request. Well, I know I haven't got the best standing with a lot of (daddy) Charming fans and they may perceive that as me making Charming look bad is all I meant :). You're not nagging at all. I understand where you're coming from completely and hope this message clarifies things. If not, if you happen to have an account and wish, feel free to drop me a PM and I can explain further :).
HenrySwan: That has already been written, I am afraid.
OncerDani: That has been too closely covered with Emma taking Henry at the end of season 1.
"Have you got everything?" Emma asked, trying to hold herself together. Henry nodded. Emma still wasn't sure a backpack would be all he needed, but after all, how could Henry know what he would need when he didn't even know where he would end up? He decided before he set off for college he would take a year out and jot down some stories from realms previous Authors may not have visited yet.
"Honestly, when most moms have to deal with their kid taking a gap year at least theirs can take their cell phone with them. I'm not going to be able to get in contact with you at all! How am I going to know you're alright kid?"
"Mom, relax." Henry said, pulling his mom into what might very well be the very last hug for a year. Emma felt very unrelaxed. "I'm going to be fine. I'm the Author. I can write myself out of any dangerous situation."
"What if someone gets hold of your quill though?" Emma pointed out. "You'll be all on your own and you're refusing to take a weapon. I know you say the pen is mightier than the sword but it doesn't hurt to have a plan B! Are you sure you don't want to convince a friend to go with you? Lots of your friends would jump at the chance to go exploring different realms." Emma once again tried to persuade him. Henry smiled and shook his head, pulling out of the hug.
"I need to do this on my own. It's an Author thing." He told her. Emma nodded. She understood. What she didn't understand was how her little boy had grown up so quickly. She took his face in her hands. Her little guy, not so little anymore.
"Henry, I cannot put into words how proud I am of you. Although I'm sure you could." She joked, her voice catching. "You have become an amazing young man, and it is an honour to be your mom."
"Mom." Henry protested. She knew he didn't like mushy stuff. Emma laughed slightly.
"Ok, ok. I won't say anymore…I guess you had better get going. I love you kid." Emma said before kissing his forehead.
"I love you too mom. I'll be back before you know it." He promised her. Emma nodded, smiling encouragingly at him. She didn't trust herself not to burst into tears if she opened her mouth again. Henry took a deep breath. This was it. He took his little notebook and Author's quill out of his pocket. He opened to the first page of the new notebook and wrote
The Author, Henry Mills, then transported himself to a realm previously undocumented by any other Author.
