So... this is an interesting chapter.
Trigger warnings - Dub/Con or rape depending on your views on whether cursed people can consent.
Emma woke up, her head pounding. She rolled out of bed and let out a yawn, glancing beside her at her husband curled up on his side facing away from her. It was still dark out, the sun only just rising over the houses of Storybrook. She had always woken up before Neal, she wanted to make sure she looked her best for him. As turned the shower on and frowned, glancing at her hand.
There, on her finger was a large pinprick hole, a black line poking through the skin with heavy blue bruising, almost like she had been injected with something. She touched it lightly wincing at the pain it caused. She must have knocked it in her sleep perhaps? She went to touch it again, her hand stopping and closing her eyes.
What was she doing?
Right, shower.
It took her a while to get ready in the mornings. Her hair had to be perfectly curled, full makeup, and a dress befitting someone in high standing in the community. She walked downstairs, Neal should be up any second. The breakfast was already at the table, pancakes with a smiley bacon face. Emma smiled. When Neal was appointed Mayor, he demanded they hirer a cleaner and cook to help out around the house. She rarely saw him. He kept mainly to the shadows. Not that Emma minded. There was something magical about everything already being done.
"Good morning."
"Morning." Emma smiled, sipping her orange juice as he sat next to her. Kissing her deeply, his hand wrapping around her hair and holding her tightly. Emma let out a laugh.
"I just spent ages on that."
"And I want to kiss you," Neal smirked, running a hand up her leg.
"Neal." She whined. He really was insatiable. Every second they were together he was touching her or trying to touch her.
"What? You're beautiful. Can you blame me?" He asked. Emma rolled her eyes.
"When you have to get to the office, yeah."
"Are you going to come with me?"
"Not today. A lot of things to do for the charity event tonight." She said, secretly glad. They had a healthy sex life, but she still cringed every time he felt her up in the car. The driver could obviously see them, even if he couldn't mention it.
"Meet me at Grannys? We can grab lunch."
Emma nodded. "Of course." She smiled. Like they didn't do that every day.
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Henry had dropped Hope off at school, it was easy enough, it's not like anyone knew who Hope Jones was and he still went by Harry, just in case he ran into Neal. His heart constricted as he saw Mary Margaret, she looked tired, in clothes almost twice the size of her frame.
Henry decided to walk to Granny's, hoping that he could see Regina or David. He wanted to make sure they were safe. He walked the long way around trying to see if there was any differences from the last time. It looked like... it looked like when he was growing up. Had Neal cursed them to their original selves? That means David would be in a coma, and where would Regina be? Mayor again?
Henry was in such a hurry he slammed straight into someone.
"Sorry." He said quickly before gasping.
"Archie?" The man stared at him, frowning as he pushed his glasses further up his nose.
"Sorry, do I know you?"
Shit. "Sorry." Henry smiled holding his hand out. "Harry. Harry Jones. I've just moved from the other side of town."
Archie slowly nodded before shaking his hand. "Archie Hopper, oh and this is Pongo."
The dalmatian barked loudly, his tail wagging excitedly.
"Pongo down!" Archie cried as pongo jumped up at Henry.
"Sorry. He normally isn't like this with strangers."
"It's okay. I used to have a dalmatian.' Harry smiled, stroking his head lightly as he wagged his tail.
"Well. I'm late for an appointment. If you need anything my office is just down there." He pointed to his office.
Henry watched him walk away, which made it clear, they were all the same people as last time.
So where was Regina?
Henry walked into Grannys and smiled. It hadn't changed. He ordered a grilled cheese and looked around, hoping to spot a familiar face.
He froze, as he saw a man facing away from him, a man with a leather jacket and clearly a gloved prosthetic on his arm, sat in one of the booths.
Killian. Henry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he grabbed his plate and walked over.
"This seat taken?" He asked softly, the man looking over at him. His eyes narrowed as if he couldn't put his finger on who he was. His eyes suddenly widened in recognition and he smiled, his face relaxing with relief.
Henry gasped. Killian remembered.
The man nodded to the seat opposite him. Henry falling into it and looking eagerly at him.
"You know who I am?" Henry breathed.
Killian nodded.
"I... I don't understand." Henry kept his voice low. "How?"
Killian pursed his lips and gave a shrug. He glanced around before tapping his lips once and shaking his head.
"You… You can't talk?" Henry let out an annoyed sigh. "Can you write?" He asked, reaching for a pen. Killian shook his head and his hand moved to touch Henry's wrist, just before their skin touched he pulled it away sharply. His face frowning deeply as he shook his head again. Henry looked at him in confusion.
"Okay." Henry nodded. "20 questions it is then. Have you seen mom?"
Killian closed his eyes and nodded.
"Is it bad?"
Another nod.
"She's with my.. With him?"
Killian lifted his head before his eyes narrowed, his hand gripping the table tightly as his whole body shook. .
"Dad?" Henry breathed, almost like a puppet, Killian's head slowly moved to turn around, his whole face tense as tried to fight it, pain obvious in his eyes. Henry followed his forced gaze and gasped.
Mom.
It didn't look like her, it was like she was a model. High heels and a tight dress, Neal stood next to her, hand low on her waist as he kissed her neck, she was laughing, trying to push him away jokingly.
"I love you." Henry heard Neal say, it was almost like a stage whisper. Emma grinned and kissed his cheek.
"I love you too."
"I'll be right back babe." He swatted her ass playfully as he walked by.
Neal froze as he saw Killian was not alone. Killian was suddenly released and his head quickly snapped back. As if strings were cut, Killian's eyes closed for a long moment, and Henry imagined if he could talk he would have grunted.
"Who are you?" Neal snapped, eyes focusing on Henry.
"Harry Jones." Henry tried to keep his voice steady as he looked up at his father. Killian's eyes glanced between them, trying to keep his face natual.
"I haven't seen you around here. Harry."
"I used to live on the other side of town, and didn't really get out much." He shrugged. Neal frowned but slowly nodded.
"And what are you doing with Ian?" He glanced over at Killian.
"I…" Henry had to think fast. Killian tapped on the table.
"I need to find somewhere to stay," Henry said quickly. "And…" more tapping.
"Ian, I remember he lives in the big house all on his own. He might need a roommate." Henry finished, glancing up at Neal. Neal's eyes narrowed as he stared between the two of them.
"I guess…." He finally sighed. "Ian, the charity dinner is tonight." He smiled, although it didn't reach his eyes. "I need an extra set of hands." He smirked as Killian glowered in his direction.
"My house, 5 o'clock." He went to turn. "Oh, on the way can you get to the dry cleaners for Emma's dress? It's a stunning white one." He grinned at him before turning and walking back to Emma. Slipping a hand round her waist as they left the dinner, food in hand. Killian let out a shuddering breath, his whole body shaking as his eyes closed, a tear falling down his cheek before quickly shaking his head. Locking eyes with Henry and smiling weakly at him.
Henry looked at him sadly. "Are you okay?"
Killian nodded.
"Well, as soon as we fix this, you get to say I told you so for forcing me to learn morse code." Henry smiled. Killian let out a silent chuckle, his fingers tapping again on the table.
I didn't realise that would work.
"I'm glad it did." Henry glanced back at where Emma was sat. "So, you remember because he wants you to see them together?"
Killian nodded.
"And… and he's forcing you? How…" Killian tapped his chest. Henry letting out a groan.
"He has your heart?"
I can't do anything that would harm the…
His fingers began to shake as he tried to tap out the word curse. He flinched his hand away.
"Right." Henry sighed. Killian stretched his fingers out before pointing to the children's menu.
"She's fine. She's at school." Henry said quietly.
Careful. Neal might see.
Henry nodded. "Agreed. Do you want to see…?" He trailed off, looking back at the children's menu. He shook his head quickly.
No. He did something. His fingers twitched. I can't touch anyone I love.
"So even if you wanted to... "
Killian nodded.
Henry's eyes widened as he realised why Killian had pulled away from him so sharply. He looked at him sympathetically. Henry and Killian had always the least in common, He was connected to Emma through blood, Hope through blood - Albeit, half of it anyway. Killian was Hope's father and Emma's true love. However, the fact that Killian couldn't touch Henry, or at least didn't want to risk it. Was the first time it was clear. Killian might not be his birth father but he was the father he wanted. Henry blinked for a moment to clear his eyes and smiled over at Killian. Trying to portray all of the things he couldn't.
"What time are you going to the dry cleaners?" Henry asked, trying to think of how to ask his questions without Neal working out he was secretly communicating with him.
Killian rolled his eyes.
I'm his cleaner, and cook, and driver. He suddenly frowned. Anything he wants. I do.
"It's Emma's dress for this evening's dinner? Is she nice?" He asked conversationally.
Killian nodded, his fingers tapping
She looks right through me. She sees me, she just doesn't notice me.
Henry hummed looking down at his empty plate.
Jolly Roger?
"My place? Yeah, it's nice. I'm just not sure if it's big enough. A little cramped."
At least something went right.
"So, are you in need of a roommate?" He asked, even if he knew the answer.
All for show.
Killian shook his head.
Not fair to Hope. To not be able to come near me. Plus I'm never there. Neal likes me close.
Henry nodded. "Oh well." He wiped his face with a napkin. "I'll see you around?"
Tell Hope I love her. And you. Love you Lad. Killian's face remained neutral, although Henry could see the tears in his eyes.
Henry nodded. Walking away before his emotions could show.
Killian watched him leave before sighing. Standing up and leaving the plate half-finished. He hadn't got much of an appetite.
He knew the memories were fake. He could see them swimming in his mind as he walked down Main Street. Neal was enjoying torturing him. He made Killian drive him to work, while his true love and the dark one was having sex in the back seat. Neal didn't sleep, he whispered in Killian's ear all the things he does to Emma, forcing him to listen as he plays out every moment of their encounters. Killian tried not to vomit just thinking about it. The only thing he enjoyed was making Emma breakfast. Pancakes, with a bacon smile.
Just what he cooked her at home.
Killian cursed silently. He should have told Henry where to find Regina. He hoped that he could see him tomorrow, so he could tell him.
He walked into Emma and Neal's home, dress in hand. Neal was right, it was stunning. He could picture Emma in it. The tight fabric clinging to her slight frame.
Killian froze as he heard it. Giggling, then a moan. Killian tried to turn away but he couldn't. His legs moving without permission as he climbed the stairs. The moaning getting louder. The door was open. Killian closed his eyes. He couldn't look, he was granted a 10-second reprieve before his chest began to hurt. His eyes pulled as he was forced to reopen them.
His eyes met Neal's.
"Want you on top." He muttered, rolling so Emma was now straddling his waist. Killian's throat tightened. He knew what Neal was doing. He wanted Killian to watch Emma want him, to be lost in the passion that had been reserved for Killian.
It's not her. It's not her. He told himself. It was easier knowing she was so different here, every day in a dress, something at home she would reserve for special occasions. She preferred Jeans, once that hugged her hips and made Killian's heart stop.
It was easier. Killian told himself. This Emma, she wasn't the Emma he knew. She was Neal's twisted version of what he thought he wanted.
It still killed him to watch them together. His throat closing as he was forced to watch them intimately. He almost wished Neal had killed him. Or at least cursed him with fake memories.
He seemed destined to let the dark one control him.
Rumplestiltskin had controlled him for centuries, his vengeance making every move for him. Now his son was forcing him to watch the woman he loved, be in love with someone else.
They didn't last long. Although Killian couldn't help but smile.
She didn't finish. She had faked it.
Killian knew how Emma looked as she orgasmed, how her nails dug into his skin as her body shook. Her head falling back as her eyes closed, wanting to stay in that moment forever.
Bad form Neal. You always finish a lady before yourself.
"I'm going for a shower," Emma said breathlessly. Standing up.
Another thing Killian had noticed, in the foggy memories that he has. She never stayed with him. They never held each other.
If he didn't know Emma he would brush it off. However, he knew Emma. She had told him, one rainy afternoon, Henry was at school and Hope was asleep, that she never was held before Killian, and she had convinced herself that she didn't want it. Until the day he held her. Killian made a point after that to hold her whenever he could.
Somewhere. Emma is in there. He knows she is.
He just needs to reach her.