I don't even remember when this beautiful song was suggested to me, but I finally did it so I guess that matters :) This is post-curse but I decided that Ivy's in our world (and I again ignored the fact that the show ignored the existing and potential link created between the two)

Ivy was reading the papers, absentmindedly stirring her tea when a violent knocking on the front door shook her up. The teaspoon dropped from her hand with a clink. Did someone find her? No, Regina assured her nobody was after her.

Nonetheless, she tiptoed to the door and looked trough the peephole. It couldn't be. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. Maybe she should pretend she wasn't home. It wasn't like he could sit there all day. The urgency of his movements made her rethink that. Maybe something was wrong? Why else would he be there? The first thing she had to do was focus on remaining calm. She exhaled slowly and flung the door open, "Henry?"

He was breathing heavily. She could see in his face something's happened, "What's wrong?"

Henry walked past her into the living room.

Ivy watched him move restlessly, like a caged animal, "Henry, you're scaring me. Is Lucy all right? Is-"

It two swift strides he was in front of her, actually looking at her, "I called." the tone was accusatory, making the air in the room strained, "For weeks."

"I- is that why you're here?"

"Yes. You're avoiding me." another accusation. Ridiculous, pointless, but it was easier that way.

She didn't know how to respond. Dread was overwhelming. What her hollow dreams were leading her to believe could not be the truth.

"Why didn't you come back to Storybrooke?"

Back? She needed to focus, keep her head above the dangerous waters, "Storybrooke's not my home."

"I know but" his palms rested on her forearms, "Come with me."

"I can't." her voice was just above the whisper. His warmth was making her heart rage, overpowering the senses.

"Why?" it was a stupid question but he was stuck on it like a rock in the mud. 'Why are you here, far away? Why are you not with me? Why are you so close that I could find you. Why?' 'Why' for days and weeks of drowning in questions, the answers to which he shouldn't be seeking.

She slid away from his hands, "Can you please refrain from... from touching me." she begged at this point, his nurturing touch was something she thrived on. Couldn't he see what he was doing to her?

"Tell me why, Ivy?" he pressed for an answer. He needed to know.

"Why does it matter?"

"It just does."

"I'm here because I took your damn advice!" she retorted angrily, "You told me I could be better and if I stayed close to you, I would have been tempted to... to go overboard."

He stared at her, he understood everything. Those words, veiled confession, confirmation, it was the thing that enticed him. He pulled her close and smacked his lips against hers. Everything was put into that single act, all that was wrong and forbidden, all so irreplaceable.

She relented, and her body melted into his. His fingers were playing with her hair and her arms found rest in the dip of his back.

No, no, no. She couldn't be that person. Not after everything, not ever. She could never destroy him like that. The guilt would have suffocated him eventually. She had to remain far from him, on a boat in the middle of the sea, watching him stay on the shore and have the life he deserved. But he kissed vehemently, causing the storm in her hideaway. She pulled him closer, she'd drown before she could ever reach the land. For once, she had to keep doing the right thing. She found the strength to pull back, "Leave." she managed.

They were both heaving.

"I want to stay here with you."

"We can't. Please. This will only drown us both."

He knew, of course he did. He knew long before he came to her doorstep.

"I'm already drowning Ivy, I have been for so long. I need to stay up." he cupped her face, his voice was brittle, "Show me how-"

She tried to push his hands away. She wasn't sure she could be the strong one.

"I don't-" he pressed his forehead against hers, "What do I do?"

"Just. Just say no. You must because-"

She was shaking her head, tears were beginning to show. He could see in her face he's gone overboard. Walk away, he had to walk away. He wasn't supposed to let himself come to her.

"No." he said, "No." he let go and stumbled out of the apartment. "No." he had to keep saying no it until he believed it. He had to. He's Henry Mills, the truest believer. The hero. Henry Mills never let down anyone. He's the good guy, always the good guy. Henry Mills always did the right thing. Down the stair, outside and in the faraway blind alley. All alone, away from people, from sounds. He was all alone now, away from her, "No."