Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.
Dead on her feet, Evie rubbed tiredly at her sore eyes.
Her vision blurred and she swayed her way to her sewing table. Not that she'd be able to design or sew anything in this state, but she needed some kind of normality right now. Never in her wildest dreams would she have ever imagined their mother would involve Henry, however indirectly, in her smear campaign against Emma Swan.
Though Henry hadn't allowed himself to show any reaction to the news that he was born when Emma was incarcerated, in private was another matter. There had been yet another screaming match at the Mills family residence... only this time, Evie had been on Henry's side.
Smothering a yawn, Evie closed her eyes tightly to stave off the tears that pricked at her eyelids. Henry hadn't been too bothered by being born in a prison hospital, she knew that much. What bothered him more, what truly hurt him, was the fact that Regina revealed that information, without giving a care to how her only son would feel about such a reveal.
Honestly, Evie couldn't remember a time she had ever even raised her voice to her mother. And right now, her throat felt raw from the amount of yelling she'd done in the last few hours. Sighing heavily, her head fell limply into her hands and she let her shoulders slump. Henry was upstairs, in the small living area that housed a bed and small kitchenette area, hopefully sleeping. Last she checked, he was, but it was a fitful sleep that would most likely end in a nightmare.
Tired as she was, she still heard the familiar scrap of boots on stone. Turning to her unlatched window, she watched expectantly. The window swung open, revealing Harry clambering up onto the windowsill. He paused at the sight of her and Evie self-consciously brushed a hand through her hair. She knew she looked a mess, with tear-stained cheeks and tangled, messy curls. Her makeup was no doubt smudged and smeared beyond recognition.
"Princess, are ye alright?"
Harry's tentative whisper broke the floodgates. Biting her lip so fiercely she tasted copper, Evie shook her head fiercely from side to side. Nothing was alright, and she very much doubted anything would be alright ever again. Their mother had turned into someone Evie couldn't recognize, and her little brother had been hurt so badly she wasn't sure their mother would be able to do anything to make it up to him.
Harry was in the studio and across the room in an instant, gathering her in his arms. Carrying her to the padded lounge nestled in the far corner, he arranged them comfortably, her on his lap, face pressed to his neck. Evie shuddered, blinking fiercely past the hot tears that came from nowhere. Her head ached and her eyes felt like she'd poured sand into them.
Unsure how much time passed as they sat there, she finally pulled far enough away to meet his worried gaze. Swallowing thickly, she went limp again, taking comfort from the faint thrum of his heartbeat.
"So," he whispered, as if afraid to break the silence. "What happened?"
"Have you seen the newspaper?"
"That rag?" Harry snorted derisively. "Anything Sidney Glass prints isn't fit to wipe ma boots. I did happen to hear the recent gossip - is it true?"
Evie nodded gravely. "I'm afraid so."
"How's the runt takin' it?" He nodded in the direction of the stairs. "I'm assuming he's up in the loft?"
"He isn't having the easiest time, honestly. Mom… mom didn't consider how he felt when she released that information. I-I've never seen her like this before." Numbly, she rubbed at her arms to stave off the sudden chill. "She's so consumed with getting back at Emma, at doing everything to keep her away from Henry, that she hurt him in the process."
Tears pricked behind her eyes again and she swallowed thickly. Evie knew what kind of person her mother was; she wasn't blind to Regina's faults like everyone thought. But this… what had happened tonight within the Mills household… it was like her mother was a completely different person. Right now, Evie was tempted to believe her little brother when he claimed their mother was the Evil Queen out of his storybook.
"Did yer mother apologize?"
Harry's question caught her off guard. Startled, Evie drew back to look at him, biting her lip. "No," she whispered, pressing her face to his neck again, "no she did not."
Whatever harry might have said in response was halted by the faint sound of footsteps. They turned as one to see Henry stumbling his way down the stairs. His face was red and tear-streaked, eyes bloodshot and half-open.
"Evie?" He called out, sounding so small that her heart threatened to crack.
Evie clambered from Harry's lap and raced to meet Henry at the foot of the stairs. "Shh," she soothed when he collapsed into her arms, shaking. "I'm here," Evie pressed her cheek to the top of his head, twisted her head around to meet Harry's sympathetic gaze. "I'm here."
Once the storm had passed, Evie led Henry to the padded window seat. Harry scooted over to make room for the boy, ruffling his hair fondly and drawing a weak smile from the little boy. Within the hour, Henry was asleep again, his head cradled on Evie's lap. Carefully carding her fingers through Henry's hair, Evie slumped beneath the weight of the day.
She couldn't exactly pinpoint when her sadness turned to a slow, burning rage, but Evie wasn't going to question it. Eyes blazing, she had her phone out and was dialing a familiar number within heartbeats.
Harry watched her warily. "What are ye doing, princess? Ye got that scary look in yer eye that spells trouble."
"Oh, you have no idea." Evie muttered, praying the late hour wouldn't work against her. The phone rang several times, long enough she was afraid he wouldn't answer. Then, the smooth, cultured voice of Mr. Gold came from the other end.
"Miss Mills. Always a pleasure." His voice was roughened by sleep and she hated to wake him, but it was urgent. "Judging by the lateness of your call, can I safely assume this has nothing to do with my recent order of suits."
Evie winced at the censure in his voice. "I'm sorry for calling you so late, Mr. Gold. But it's urgent." Harry started at the name but relaxed when she held up a finger for silence. "I have sensitive information about the Sheriff's department that you might find quite interesting."
There was silence, so heavy Evie feared she'd overstepped. Taking a gamble with Mr. Gold was never a safe thing, but given the circumstances - and the well known tension between her mother and Gold - she was sure he'd take the information she was offering.
"Well, I do know Miss Swan is set to take up the mantle of Sheriff, given that it has been two weeks since Graham's unfortunate passing." He paused, clearly thinking over the reason for her call. "Unless, that is, the mayor is prepared to pull rank."
Evie nearly wilted in relief that he caught on so quick. Harry watched her, a wicked smirk growing across his handsome features once he realized exactly what she was doing.
"Here's what I know… "
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