Deep in the forest the silence of the night brought no serenity, paired with the pitch-black darkness, you couldn't tell friend from foe. Amongst the trees Snow White marched forward from a cloud of magic towards her family, her smile tinged with sadness recalling their faces of contempt as they parted. David stood by the embers of the fire remaining close to Emma as she slept, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest. Lingering in the shadows Snow watched him with longing eyes. His fear was palpable and yet she did not rush to ease his worries, remaining in the dark.
Smiling lovingly, he fiddled with his wedding band by rotating it around his finger absentmindedly. Upon seeing this, she flashed a quick adoring smile as a spark stirred deep within her heart, pulling her to him. With one small step forward, her boot snapped a branch and the crack carried through the quiet night.
"Who is there?" David's voice came out hoarse as he breathed heavily.
"Relax. It's me" Snow's tone of superiority was like a knife to his gut. David's heart rate increased, his eyes wide watching as she stepped out of the shadows slowly.
"Snow, you found us." his voice croaked, there was no sense of happiness in his tone. It was more like dread.
"I never lost you." Snow stepped closer, glaring at him. She waved her hand out in front of her before she curled her fingers inward, as if she was grasping some invisible string tied to Emma. The locket around her neck began to glow dimly and Emma stirred slightly but remained asleep.
"I can explain," David stammered as his wide eyes darted between Emma and Snow. With a raise of her eyebrows she scoffed at this statement inching closer her eyes looked him over intently.
"No need, I know what you're trying to do" she turned back to him with a glare.
"I don't care what you say, I'm going to find a way to break this curse" David held out his hands animatedly as he spoke.
"You're not trying to avoid me" She paused, fear in her eyes "After our kiss?"
Shaking his head slightly but his uneasy expression exposed the deep sense of betrayal. Raising her eyebrows she stepped closer; her pointed expression demanded the truth.
"You're not yourself, I can't risk it" David's voice wavered as he looked away ashamedly.
"You think that I'm capable," Her voice broke. "That I would hurt, either of you".
"No, I-I'm worried, " stammering trying to find the right words but as his eyes went to his daughter "Emma, can't you see how it affects her: Seeing you like this"
There was a flicker of guilt in her eyes but it faded and he turned away, walking away hastily but she was right at his heels.
"Everything I'm doing, is for her" her voice was firm, her eyes looked him up and down with judgement. "For our family"
David looked down to the ground letting out a sigh in defeat, while his chest became tight. Silent for a moment his eyes glanced to the heart she had concealed in her cloak.
"Emma's heart?" His pleading voice had so many questions, but this was the most prominent.
"I removed the curse" Snow stated with a gratified smirk. David smiled wordless as relief sunk in, but it wasn't without caution, as he eyed Snow with suspicion. A sinking feeling in his gut as he tilted his head to the sky, up at the only thing that made sense.
"The stars, they're the only thing that stayed the same" David sighed.
"We have to evolve," Snow stated coldly. Eyes wide with longing and anticipation, no longer on the night sky he was in agonized awe and she smiled at him before taking his hand in hers.
"If we change who we are, then none of it matters" he pleaded.
"All I want is our happy ending, it's time we've earned it" her tone was dismissive and firm, leaving no room for further discussion.
Desperate for his touch, sure it would ease both their anxieties, she lifted his hand placing his palm on her cheek. It felt like a betrayal to the woman she was, looking at the dark one with lust, a seductive smile on her face, her hands sliding up his chest. He stepped backwards as she moved closer, but he could not bear to push her away.
"Kiss me" her voice was commanding, even as she whispered to him. Stepping further into the darkness, now even the moonlight was covered by the enormous branches above. Stopping only when David had his back up against a large oak tree, their lips just touched tentatively.
"Wait" David gasped in one last attempt to stop, but he couldn't even finish his thought, already kissing her lips, his breath heavy.
"No more waiting," she said through a smile, her soft voice coaxing him.
This kiss melted the whole world away, the two of them were all that was, all that they ever needed, breathing each other's air. The chilly night breeze was welcoming now against their hot skin, their hands moving without even thinking, an instinct. His arm around Snow's back as he pulled her closer until they were pressing against each other.
"Snow" he gasped as if he'd only just reunited with her now, overcome with joy.
"Yes" her simple reply with so much fire, knowing she'd won. Love, true love was a tenderness that never wavered, but now tainted with the darkness they dove deeper than ever before.
Desire that burned from anticipation after holding back for so long, consumed them. His mouth moved from her lips, along her jawline and to her neck sending a pleasing sensation through her body. It was then she pulled away ever so slightly, her eyes not filled with love but content holding his chin in her hand. He had no choice but to look into her eyes. Without a word, her expression told him firmly 'you are mine', she grinned upon seeing the recognition in his eyes. His arm then slid further down and he lifted her up from the ground, her legs wrapped around his hips.
"I love you" he moaned.
Aware that no matter how powerful she was now, true love was always stronger, the dark one wasn't going to let it slip out of her firm grasp.
The sun rose early; the cloudless morning chill caused Emma to stir under the covers, while her eyes remained shut, unwilling to face the day. Her mother standing just meters away smiled, recognizing that sound of an awakening teenager.
"You're up" Snow voices chimed sickly sweet.
"No" Emma groaned rolling to her side. For a moment lost in a dream she thought herself in the loft, hoping to stay in this happy place a little longer. It only took a second before she was conscious enough to feel the hard ground radiating pain up her spine.
"I've got something for you" Snow stated, her voice calm in control, she was at ease. Emma's eyes shot open before squinting in the light, her mother's voice greeting her was unexpected and she froze for a moment.
"Did you sleep ok?" she stepped closer.
Emma gave no acknowledgement to her mother, instead rubbing her eyes and yawning, before looking over to where her father slept. "Dad, you up?" Emma's voice croaked out.
"Let him sleep a little longer" Snow raised her brows. Emma sighed getting up from her sleeping sack abruptly, lifting the blanket off her in a huff and started to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Snow White watched bewildered as Emma walked in the opposite direction towards the river.
Every step forward she stomped into the ground swatting at tree branches in jerk movements, to get them out of her way.
"Slow down," Snow said while frowning, her eyes filled with a desperate longing.
Emma continued to ignore Snow, but she followed quickly catching up to Emma, both their frustrations growing.
"Are you ever going to talk to me again?" Snow stated exasperated. Emma didn't say a word, speeding up her pace upon reaching the water's edge. Stepping out onto the slippery rocks attempting to reach the other side of the river, which had a steady current. Eyes wide with fear Snow let out a strained gasp before anger abruptly rose in her, jaw clenched as she reached into her pocket.
"Emma, stop" she commanded, holding her pulsing red heart in her hand. Causing her to freeze in place, just as she was about to step into the shallow water. Emma turned to face her mother; her eyes narrowed.
"You wanna act like the overprotective Mom now, before you just leave again," her voice broke, her anger fighting through her sadness "maybe Cora has some more advice for you about barrier spells"
"Emma, I understand you're upset" her tone calmed writhe with guilt.
"You promised, we'd find Dad together, but you left me" Emma's hands began to shake while her voice wavered.
"I was protecting you, I'm not going "
"I hate you" Emma cried out in a whisper; she wanted her words to have more venom to them but she was gutless without her heart.
The desired effect was still clear on her mothers agonised face. It felt good to inflict this hurt, to lash out and let some of the fire inside, sear someone else for a moment. Snow White froze speechless for the longest minute.
Emma wanted to cling to her anger and tear into it but faded just as it surfaced. A numbness had taken Emma's breath away; she wanted it all back. To feel her grief, her love fully, not this watered down version unable to light the spark of her magic. Vulnerable and powerless, she looked up to her mother with desperate eyes.
"I can make it better" Stepping forwards Snow's heart rate increased, she put her hand on Emma's shoulder keeping her still.
"Let go of me" Emma jaw clenched as she tried to pull away.
"Please let me" She paused as Emma glared "I just don't exactly know, how to do this?" her voice faltered looking at Emma with desperation, hoping she could be forgiven.
Emma's eyes filled with disdain as she continued to try to pull herself away squirming under her mother's grip. In one quick motion Snow White pushed her hand forwards shoving Emma's heart back into her chest. In that instant all her dulled emotions, her love for everyone in her life, came flooding back, leaving her breathless, wincing slightly.
"Wow, that felt weird" Emma gasped out looking away. Guilt washed over Emma, she glanced up at Snow, catching the look of utter devastation in her mothers' eyes, that quickly turned to concern for her daughter.
"Are you ok?" Snow asked with a shaky voice.
"Better" Emma nodded breathless.
David's booming voice rang out across the forest, scarring off a flock of birds that flew across the sky, as he continued to yell out for his family.
"We're ok" Snow White yelled back, putting one arm still around Emma's shoulder as they started to walk back towards camp.
"Wait, where is Regina?" Emma frowned looking up at Snow.
"She's occupied," she said with a dismissive tone.
"What does that mean?" Emma scoffed.
"Don't worry about her" she squeezed Emma's shoulder lightly as she said it.
"You know something?" Emma smirked, "Is she with the thief?"
"Will catch up with her later, your father has a plan of his own" her voice bitter as he came into view.
"Wait, you're coming with us?" Emma asked sheepishly.
"I'm not leaving you, never again" she said as a gentle smile graced her features.
"I'm so sorry"
Although such a ridiculous claim could only lead to destruction, Emma smiled her heart racing in her chest, she felt whole again.
–
Paws pounding on the steep hillside dodging between trees and leaping over rocks. It didn't feel like running, more akin to flying. A rush of adrenaline surging through her veins and even as the world went by in a blur, she could see it all not just through her eyes but the smells. The feel of the dirt as her claw dug in and the wind flowing through her coat painted a clear picture. Red turned to see Anita right by her side, a look of pride in her eyes. There was no denying the truth, she was home, and she never felt more whole and real than in this moment.
Running along a cliffside playfully nudging and trying to pounce on one another until Anita abruptly stopped. Red hadn't slowed but frowned looking back as she noticed her mother's tense stance, her ears twitching. Suddenly she understood, a stench of sweat and rusted metal overcame her. Aware of their presence before laying eyes on the knights. Marching through the gorge just below. Red stopped skidding in the dirt, her eyes wide in horror. Hundreds of knights marching to war with flags held high. Anita was at her side no longer a wolf; she looked at Red with warning eyes shaking her head.
"We have to get back to the pack" she ordered.
With a sad moan Red turned rushing ahead, the thought of her friends being overrun by an army of knights clouding her mind. In seconds she had run further than ever before putting miles between her and Anita. In this state of crisis Red caught the familiar scent of fryer oil mixed with sweet apples reminiscent of her Gran. Multiple footsteps approached her from behind and in front and her heart raced, racing her paws she felt a rush the ground became further away. Her irises went from red back to brown. Her jacket and pants hitting her in the side throw towards her from Anita.
"I have to warn my friends," she argued, sliding in her tattered jeans.
"Your friends aren't there" she countered, arms folded.
"How would you know that? Red frowned as her head popped out of her shirt.
Anita scrunched up her face frustrated with herself for revealing her cards, having received the letter from Emma a day ago, detailing everything.
"You've been keeping messages from me"
"Please Red, you've only just begun to understand yourself, don't leave" Anita's eyes became dark as her nostrils flared.
"I don't abandon my family" her broken voice revealed her indecision.
"I'm only trying to protect you" Her voice wavered not believing her own words, she wanted more than to protect, but to control.
Footsteps moved closer and both Anita and Red turned their heads as a familiar scent caught their immediate attention. Cocking her crossbow and walking out from behind a tree was Granny, closely followed by Ingrid and Killian.
"That's my job" Granny stated firmly.
"Gran, you're here?" A smile lit up her face and Red ran over wrapping her arms around her, confusion evident in her expression.
"I don't understand" Turning around she looked at Killian waiting for an explanation as he stepped forward wrapping his arms around her, she knew he needed the hug desperately. He clung to his dear friend tightly, his eyes welling with tears.
"Everyone's back, Storybrooke's gone" Killian stated glumly.