Looking After You Chapter 12: XII: Sacrificing, an once upon a time fanfic

(A/N: We're back to the twelfth chapter of Looking After You! This is a slightly longer chapter than some as of late. Honestly I didn't mean for it to be this long. :/ The content alone is over 1,400+ words. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about it. I hope you enjoy it anyway!)

Warnings: I should have mentioned this before when I STARTED the messaging thing, shouldn't I? Yeah? Yeah. So basically, when I write the ChapterEdge stuff, I try to lack on some pieces of grammar and punctuation. Why? Look, when I message my friends for real, I never really look to make it... perfect. I just type it on the spot, you know? I try to make this seem realistic, and how my friends and I would talk over the internet. I'm practically the Spam Queen. xD Oh, and 'swearing'.

Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT or any references you may recognise. I'm sorry but I would if I could. :P

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...

Emma felt so confused at the moment. Killian was acting strange, Ariel just added them to a group conversation, just the two of them, and NOBODY WAS TELLING HER WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS GOING ON.

She always tended to like being in control of a situation. Any time something unexpected happened and surprised her, it both boggled her mind and made her a tinge upset.

That was why when she had no knowledge of what had happened on New Years it freaked her out. She started to close herself off more, and think quite too deep. Sure, some memories were coming back to her, but she needed everything to be complete. Every question she had to be answered. And without any of those luxuries, she felt powerless and irritated.

Ariel'd decided to talk. This could be her opportunity to get answers from her!

Emma decided to start the conversation. It was now or never, right?

SwanLilyslyce17: Hi Ariel

Ariel90xdinglehops: Emma and Killian I'm so sorry for not telling you

KKJnes_bluesea: Isn't that an interesting conversation starter

SwanLilyslyce17: Shaddup you weirdo

KKJnes_bluesea: It's my job to be weird, just for you~! =^.^=

SwanLilyslyce17: Shut. Up.

...

Since Emma didn't remember, Killian found the understanding man in him and played along. It was okay for her not to know. Maybe she never would. It would be a hard thing to forget - a man like him never could, it sticks. But for her sake, he acted like nothing had ever happened, like everything was all just fine.

But you know it wasn't for him. His bravery was a triumph.

...

Ariel had a feeling the two wouldn't be happy about her telling them this. She could see in the conversation they were happy. They talked like they usually did, Killian being dramatic and sarcastic, and full of innuendos at times, while Emma was the responsible, serious and defensive type. They sure fit each other, she knew. The two measured the other one out.

Ariel knew what she did was wrong, but at least it made sense. I mean, seriously, if you didn't ship them, you were tasteless. Well, at least that was what the redhead thought.

And the two seemed so happy, it almost felt evil to break it to them. But why hide the truth? Dishonesty was the reason why her father was dead. And no matter how naïve she seemed, she swore to herself, she would always be honest about her opinions, what she understood and what she stood for. And it'd be on the day she died she would break that vow.

Ariel90xdinglehops: You guys don't understand, let me finish

SwanLilyslyce17: You said that you were sorry about not telling us something?

SwanLilyslyce17: It can't have been that bad. Did you take the last pop-tart from the staff room?

KKJnes_bluesea: Cause honestly it's okay, we weren't that hungry

SwanLilyslyce17: Yeah, we ended up just buying sandwiches at the local bakery no big deal

KKJnes_bluesea: AW YEAH SAMMICHS

SwanLilyslyce17: SAMMICH ARMY UNITE

KKJnes_bluesea: YEAH!

Ariel90xdinglehops: Look, I don't want to come between your sammich party

KKJnes_bluesea: *army

Ariel90xdinglehops: WHATFVER

Ariel90xdinglehops: JUST LISTEN TO ME FOR JUST A SEC

Jeez, these people did not know how to be serious at the right time! Ariel internally facepalmed. Honestly! It took a few minutes to calm herself. Meanwhile, Killian and Emma seemed pretty concerned.

SwanLilyslyce17: ...

SwanLilyslyce17: Is she gone?

SwanLilyslyce17: ARIEL WE'RE SORREH

SwanLilyslyce17: WE NEED YOU

KKJnes_bluesea: WE DIDN'T MEAN IT

KKJnes_bluesea: WE'LL LISTEN TO YOU, DON'T GOOOOOOOO

KKJnes_bluesea: PWEASE

SwanLilyslyce17: Aw, no, see what you've done Ariel?! ;^;

KKJnes_bluesea: PWEEEEASSSSEEE

SwanLilyslyce17: See, now he's spamming us!

SwanLilyslyce17: MAKE IT STAHP

KKJnes_bluesea: please.

Ariel90xdinglehops: FINE FINE I'M BACK

KKJnes_bluesea: YAY

SwanLilyslyce17 and Ariel90xdinglehops: shut up

KKJnes_bluesea: MEANIES ;N;

Ariel90xdinglehops: NOW will you listen to me?

SwanLilyslyce17 and KKJnes_bluesea: FIIINE

Ariel90xdinglehops: Good

Ariel90xdinglehops: Now be serious, behave, and listen to what I've got to say

Here it comes. She braced for impact.

Ariel90xdinglehops: It has to do with New Years.

The two didn't respond until a few minutes later.

SwanLilyslyce17: Look, I don't remember, so you shouldn't, too, right? You were drunk too

Ariel90xdinglehops: I have a confession to make. I wasn't drunk at all that night. But there's something else I need to tell you

KKJnes_bluesea: I don't want to talk about this, Ariel.

Ariel90xdinglehops: Killian?

KKJnes_bluesea: I'm sorry.

KKJnes_bluesea has left the conversation and gone offline.

Ariel's eyes widened. He knew, didn't he? Now she felt even worse for putting him in such a tight position. But why would he act as if he had no recollection of what happened at the beginning at the conversation?

But she caught herself in a realization. Because he... no way.

Then no way was she going to tell them blatantly over a flipping website. She needed to tell them in person. And fast. Killian was the type to shut himself off, and so was Emma. It was only a matter of time until her friends made their separate ways, and it would be all her fault. Ariel wished that everything could be casual, as if it didn't matter that they kissed. Killian was the romantic type, though. He could never forget, she knew that. She need to make this right, even if her friends were never to hang out with her ever again.

At least she could say that at one point she made two of the best friends in her life.

She dialled Killian's number. She looked to her computer as well, checking on Emma, too. She was still talking, so she supposed that she still didn't know what was going on.

"Come on, come on, pick up..." she wanted to beg Killian.

SwanLilyslyce17: Ariel?

SwanLilyslyce17: What happened

SwanLilyslyce17: What's going on?

SwanLilyslyce17: Why the hell did Killian leave?

SwanLilyslyce17: Ariel?

The phone was still ringing...

Ariel90xdinglehops: Look, Emma, this is serious

Ariel90xdinglehops: We have to talk about this

"Hello?" Ariel said anxiously. He'd picked up!

In response, a gruff tone answered, so unlike Killian. "Ariel..."

SwanLilyslyce17: Ariel, what's wrong?

SwanLilyslyce17: Did I do something?

Ariel90xdinglehops: No, Emma. You did nothing wrong. I did something, and it's probably going to cost our friendship. Same for Killian.

"Please!" She was too aware of how he acted when he used it, though. He wasn't going to listen to her. Killian was going to be stubborn. "Listen to me, okay? I know you know what happened, and it might be painful for you to say it, but-"

SwanLilyslyce17: Why?

He cut her off. "Why?"

SwanLilyslyce17: This has to do with New Years, right?

Ariel90xdinglehops: Yes, and I'm so sorry for keeping this from you. I hope you find somewhere in your heart to forgive me

She was startled at his darkening of voice. "Look, Killian, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what, Ariel? It wasn't-"

SwanLilyslyce17: Forgive you for what?

SwanLilyslyce17: Ariel, you're not making any sense!

It was her turn to interrupt him. "Killian, j-just go t-to my house. Promise you'll meet me there." It wasn't the right time and place to tell him about it. He probably knew who his kissing partner was, but not exactly who made it happen.

SwanLilyslyce17: Should I come over? You don't sound okay

Ariel90xdinglehops: Yes, please

Ariel90xdinglehops: I need to tell you this in person

Ariel90xdinglehops: I don't want to tell you this through such a casual source like it doesn't even matter to me!

Ariel90xdinglehops: You guys are too important to me

"But-"

SwanLilyslyce17: What did I do? Just tell me, I'll be okay!

Ariel90xdinglehops: JUST GO

Ariel90xdinglehops: please, I need to tell you this

"Just go!" She yelled into the speaker. Ariel sighed and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Please, promise me?" The redhead begged desperately.

There was a minute of silence after she said those words, but Killian spoke one more word before hanging up.

SwanLilyslyce17: Okay

SwanLilyslyce17 is now offline

She shut off her computer.

"Okay." And he was gone just as he had picked up. The frequent, loud beeps in the aftermath of the call kept her frozen. Her hand dropped to her side, phone in hand.

(A/N: Well, be ready for next time! The next chapter will be kind of hard, but I swear the one after that will be a breath of fresh air compared to this one. I don't know whether or not you guys like drama? Do you? *shrugs* If you enjoyed, you can fav/follow this story if you like more updates. And hey, did you know, you can follow/fav me, too! You can get more updates from me in general! YAY! We can be frrrrriiiieeeends~! *INTERNET GLOMP* (you don't have to do this btw. I hope it doesn't sound like it. :/) Also, leave your opinion in the review box down there! I love your feedback!

Also, did you know? I'm a beta reader now! If you'd like me to edit/proofread your work, either PM or directly send me a request for a 'connection' via DocX. Cheers!)

Wait patiently like you're in the doctors office (for two/three days?! O.O) for the next chapter of...

~ Looking After You ~