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martianbugsbunny · 1 year

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OUAT Thoughts Pt.75--Episodes 21-22

I have watched through S7E22; there are no spoilers to be had. Spoiler warning for anyone further behind than I am, though.

Kinda satisfying that I got an even 75 on that.

—I have been ugly-crying for about twenty minutes.

—Rumple dying because he gave his heart to Hook is the most poetic, beautiful culmination of their stories I ever could’ve hoped for and it’s got me wrecked. And the fact that he did it expecting to never see Belle again makes it even more lovely of him....And the fact that Hook is going to spend the rest of his life walking around with Rumple’s heart inside of him...that’s beyond words for me.

—I’m never going to love like this again. This show is the single best story I have ever consumed and I loved every minute of it, even the parts *looking at you, finale* that emotionally destroyed me. Also, Rumple is the most stunning tragic character I’ve ever met and it is impossible for anyone to ever take his place in my heart.

—That scene where Rumple was fully prepared to kill Rumplestiltskin, to keep any realm from ever having to have him in it, was a pretty poignant personification of self-hatred and it was a really weird, dark kind of beautiful.

—Look at my funky lil lesbians going off to save the world!

—Alice was looking lovely at Regina’s coronation. That blue dress was so pretty.

—I cannot stress enough how much I adore the fact that in the last two episodes of the show, I got to see Rumple and Hook adventuring together as friends.

—Rumple calling Rumplestiltskin “crocodile” was fun.

—I’m rather glad I picked up CaptainCroc as my new hobby, because I think this stuff would’ve hurt me even worse if I wasn’t trying to pick up the little bits of happiness and inspiration between them, and starting to come up with how it goes down in my AU even while it was unfolding in canon. CaptainCroc may be my comfort ship.

—It’s great that the last time we saw Emma, she was wearing her red leather jacket and a full-length dress. V cool.

—Seriously, did they have to make the last shot of the entire show the “Leaving Storybrooke” sign? That is exactly the opposite of what I want to do. I want to live in Storybrooke for the rest of my life and never have to think about being without it again. I want Storybrooke to be a constant presence in my brain and a weighted blanket for my heart and I want to imagine it happy and full of life and with all the characters I adore in it.

—Moving all the realms to one place so nobody can ever be separated again was kind of fun.

—In case you hadn’t guessed, I think I lost a couple more marbles watching those two episodes. I’m also reinforcing my belief that fanfic, headcanons, and fan-life in general is the ultimate form of escapism and comfort and I can’t imagine not turning to it at the end of something great.

—Seeing Henry dark and angry was weird. I’m glad he got out of that without actually killing Regina, because I think would’ve been the end of me. And now he gets an entire family to help him get back on the right path. (Which he appears to be doing, as he’s wearing a sheriff’s badge. Nice to see that’s still in the family.)

—It’s nice that Tiana and Naveen appear to have ended up together.

—In similar news, I also kinda like that wish realm Hook didn’t end up in a romantic relationship. It was his bond with Alice that was important, and even if the writers maybe strayed from that a bit every now and then, it was both nice to see and also, and a parent and child thing, very OUAT.

—It’s great that we got to see Robin ask for Hook’s blessing to marry Alice. I want my girl to have the happiest ending possible, and it looks like she gets it.

—I suddenly realized that the entire time Rumple was in Hyperion Heights, he didn’t seem to have a single problem with his leg, and that’s maybe a little disappointing. Hook had a false hand. Without magic, Rumple still should’ve had a limp, even if made it a bit harder to do detective action sequences.

—Hook and Alice kinda have the same cute ear shape. Iykyk, and if you don’t I’m sad for you.

—Still crying, and it’s taken me about fifteen minutes to write this much. Mostly because I’m crying.

—I like how Hook’s alcoholism is taken seriously in this last season, and in a pretty subtle way. At Flynn’s Barcade, Nick and Henry had beers while Hook had a lemon water (warding off scurvy, I’m sure). In episode 21, Regina and Rumple had a drink and Hook had what I’m assuming is water, but in a mug. (I drink cool/warm temperature beverages in mugs to annoy my kid sister, and let me tell you it’s a fun little way to mess with people. Hook should do it more often.) Also, when Hook and Rumple went to Hook’s old home in the wish realm, the booze there was specifically mentioned in connection with the fact that Hook basically went there to die a slow death. I would give a round of applause for the writers, but the writers have upset me, so I’m withholding the applause. So there.

—As sad as I am, I do love that now nobody has to choose between Storybrooke, their magical realm of origin, or Hyperion Heights *snort*

—I don’t think I’ve mentioned it yet, but Killian is such the beautiful name. I love it. I know what I’m naming one of my next two plushies.

—Yes, I hate, despise, and loathe the fact that Rumple is dead, but it really was the perfect ending to his story. And his story was the most amazing one to come out of this show, which is saying a lot. I’m glad he’s with Belle again, because my head knows that’s how he gets his happy ending, even if my heart doesn’t want him to be gone.

—It was nice to see Snow and Charming again. Especially in such pretty clothes.

—Their little round table was the start of my crying. Three generations of heroes, how does it get better?

—Okay, I hated seeing him again, but good on Rumplestiltskin to have Peter Pan in the stocks. He had it coming.

—Very nice that original Hook had a bit of rubber on his hook so he could hold the baby safely.

—Also, very nice to actually see Hook and Emma’s happy ending. And Hope is the best possible name for their baby.

—I don’t stan wish realm Rumplestiltskin, because I already have the Rumple I love, but hearing him say “dearie” again sure was nice.

—Henry was a bit of an arse. He hit Hook over the head to sneak off and do inadvisable things. He basically told Rumple that he didn’t deserve a happy ending. And you know, that was a particularly arse move with his mother, also an ex-villain, standing right behind him. *shakes head*

—As you’re probably tired of hearing, this show is now my favorite story that I’ve ever experienced. One of the things I love most about it is the theme of hope. That’s hard to find sometimes, in our world, but I find that a lot of what these characters say, and what they go through, especially some of the stuff between Regina and Henry in recent episodes, resonates. It makes sense. And it does exactly what Regina wanted to do for wish realm Henry: it shows that if these people can survive, and hold onto hope, despite the bad things that go on in their lives, so can we. And I love that. Realism has its place, but that place is far away from me. I live in reality, and a dose of fantasy and joy and hope is exactly what I need in my stories, and I’ve found it nowhere better than here. The villains redeemed themselves, because the heroes gave them a second chance. Regina and Rumple and Hook got happy endings just like Emma and the Charmings did. Full marks.

—In other news, I have other stuff I have to do tomorrow night, but on Thursday I will be starting the series over. Which means I get to see Rumple A) alive, and 2) with his suit and long hair. Quite dapper. V dashing. Also, he’s gonna say “dearie” a whole lot.

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4dmc · 1 year

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rewatching Princess and the Frog and i gotta say it's a mediocre movie, with so many wasted potential and has rich references that I had to look up and realize why are we mostly in the swamp with a jazz crocodile, a romance that should've been done with Tiana and Prince Naveen as humans who still has the curse turning into a frog and shenanigans can STILL happen

and I get Tiana's flaw that she overworks herself because of both the circumstances she's in and also her ambition is causing her both physical stress and unable to socialize but I feel like there's also this weird framing that only her hard work can make things okay in the end but she has Mama Odie and there's magic and stuff, why is there no magic helping her because Tiana more than deserves it, not getting turned to a frog for most of the film

also Doctor Facilier like I get it's implied he's poor unless did I miss something but there's not much justification to why he's motivated to go through this and how he's magical, like he's a great character who's also smooth and quite a crafty character.....umm I don't get the whole sexy tumblrman thing but I don't see him on this site's roster 👀 like doesn't his whole character qualify, like a bunch of bones from a video game and an environmental hazard qualified but he didn't???

what a beautiful visual animation, I learned Tiana has the most dresses/outfits as a Disney Princess despite this whole Frog issue, I wish there was more Naveen too because he and Eugene are in that era of playful flawed men who want to set things right and they have that charming swagger, and they have pretty noses but why is Naveen mostly amphibious it's not fair

Lastly Lottie is adorbs, like I know there's some things Disney tweaked regarding social and racial class especially during that era the film is set but I'm glad Lottie and Tiana are friends she did her friend the good she can

#doctor facilier #princess and the frog #princess tiana #prince naveen #lottie la bouff

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sassuguru · 2 months

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IN WHICH THE RADIO DEMON ACTUALLY WATCHES THAT "NOISY BOX." (PT1)

the art includes alastor from hazbin hotel, in a pre-established relationship with gn!reader. all warnings include foul language, slight angst, implied human reader, bulleted headcanons, and possible out of character behavior. "Im falling in love with alastor omg. Please send more requests," the artist says. *please look at our taglist!

You sigh at the many grumbles Alastor mutters under his breath as you situated yourselves. "Please, baby! I promise you'll love it!" You plead with Alastor as you click the remote on the television to get to the movie.

Alastor closes his eyes with a sigh, "You are quite lucky I'm infatuated with you, my dear."

You chuckle and hum, "IIII know." With a kiss to his cheek, you cuddle up next to him. "Thank you for giving it a chance," you whisper, "And for listening to me." Alastor looks at you, a mix of fondness and softness in his eyes. "Your welcome," he says in a snooty tone, though the way he's looking at you betrays that.

"Ok Ok Ok, watch. I used to watch this movie all of the time when I was little" you smile, snuggling up to him, ignoring the disgusted smile that's present on his face.

HIS REACTIONS DURING THE MOVIE:

alastor is all types of stiff.

though, in the beginning of the movie, seeing tiana, her mother, and her father, there's a somewhat solemn look on his face. of course you're aware of his past, his abusive father and how much he loved his mother. maybe he's wishing he had that?

he relaxes after a bit, actually getting into the movie. the background music and familiar jazz remind him of his time at home. his smile gets a little less stiff, and a little more happy.

though, he's 2 seconds away from destroying the damn TV when he he hears you giggle and mumble about "a crush you used to have on naveen."

you had to thoroughly beg and reassure him so the tv wouldnt wouldn't end up in pieces.

when the shadow man gets briefly introduced, he just looks at you. knowing damn well you knew they were similar.

"am i hallucinating or does that fellow sound like husker?" alastor looks at you and asks, wondering why the shadow man sounds like the soul he's bought. when you awkwardly chuckle and shrug, he sighs, knowing he's not going to get much out of you.

he rolls his eyes at loonies scenes, except for the "those are man-catching beignets!" he looks at you, reminded of when you first attempted to make him some. "they truly are," he says.

(he snarfed them down in 2 seconds flat)

he thinks you don't notice, but you do see his foot bopping side to side during "friend's on the otherside." you lightly chuckle, finding it cute how he claimed to hate the television an hour ago, but now he's vibing to the music coming from it.

he audibly groans when tiana gets turned into a frog though. he seems to hate plot points like that, but he ends up shutting his mouth about it.

once they start talking to each other in frog form alastor looks at you with a face full of sarcasm. "really, dear. you're having me watch a movie about frogs falling in love with eachother?" you chuckle lightly and shrug.

"oh! you weren't kidding about a talking crocodile!"

when i say he's fucking VIBING to 'When We're Human.' I guarantee you it's his favorite song out of the whole fucking movie. he LOVES the fucking song. (or Down in New Orleans) he'd never tell you that, though his feet give it away.

he raises his eyebrow at the singing fireflies, though he finds 'Ma Belle Evangaline' sweet (he'd never tell you that)

he's silent throughout 'Dig a Little Deeper,' and Mama Odie's scenes. you can't tell if its bad or good. (he's really focused, it seems to strike something deep within him)

he gers MAJOR second hand embarrassment when Lawrence starts turning back into himself.

he doesn't show it, but he starts getting anxious when tiana and naveen are racing home. he desperately wants them to turn back into humans, but he doesn't want to seem like he's invested. even though his face is in a frown, his body tense. hell, his shadow is tense too. you laugh but give no clue as to what your laughing at.

he looks at you weird when you pout and fake sniff when ray dies. he doesn't get it, "it's just a character," he says as if he's not invested in tiana and naveen's story.

y'know that scene where the shadow man like drags naveen while he's on the floor? y'know how he did that with husk? he sees that scene and cackles. not laughs, cackles.

"i believe i could be friends with this facillier!" alastor laughs, "if he didn't y'know. get dragged to hell." you sigh at his words and teasing tone, though ignore them and continue watching it.

you notice his smile is softer when tiana starts singing the finale. you swear you saw his eyes water for a moment when he had a moment with her mother.

when the movie ends, he turns away from you, trying to ignore your sparkling eyes and stare.

ENDING THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MOVIE!

"SOOOOOOO," you smile, "What'd ya think?" You're leaning into him, eyes carefully watching his facial expressions. He sighs, not saying a word. "C'mon Al! What's the rating?" You whine with a pouty face.

He grumbles. "3 out of 10!" He huffs (he's lying). "Alastor!" You huff, determined to get the real answer out of him. "I didn't like it!" He says firmly. You frown, studying his face, knowing damn well he's lying by the subtle blush and sweat rolling down his temple.

He hears a 'hmph!' come from you as you cross your arms. "After allll of that," you mumble. "I'm sorry dearest but that noisy box isn't my cup of tea!" He says, playing carefully into his role.

At some point, you start thinking that he maybe doesn't actually like it. That is, until you hear the subtle hums of 'When We're Human,' or 'Down in New Orleans.' He does it absent-mindedly, or when ending his daily radio broadcast. It makes you laugh, you want to say something about it, but you refrain.

There's not a word about it until Nifty loudly ponders, "Whatcha singing, boss?!"

Alastor freezes, because of course her loud ans squeaky voice has caught the attention of everyone in the lobby.

You simply smirk, knowing he's 2 seconds away from being teased. "Yea Al, what are ya singin'?" Angel asks. "He's been humming that shit for days now," Husk grumbles. Charlie hums, thinking about all the movies you've shown her, "It sounds familiar..." You chuckle.

"So you did like the movie, sweetheart," you tease. "It has catchy songs, I don't blame you."

Alastor's ears flatten, blush forming on his cheeks. A 'tch' leaves his lips as a string of questions and teasing fill his ears. "Awww, bambi actually liked the "noisy box," cute," Lucifer teases the radio demon, poking his side.

"Would you all shut up!" He grumbles. You sigh and stand up, walking up to him to prevent him from blowing up on everyone.

Standing on your tip toes, you plant a kiss to his cheek, silence in the lobby. You smile brightly, "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Al."

TAGGING : @fairyv-ice @ghostdoodlen

#( sect. i ) — small exhibit #hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel alastor #alastor x reader #alastor fluff #hazbin hotel alastor x reader #hazbin hotel alastor fluff #hazbin alastor x reader #hazbin alastor fluff #hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin hotel fluff #x male reader #x female reader #x gn reader #gender neutral reader #princess and the frog

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slashingdisneypasta · 2 years

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Disney Villains who were morally right and deserved better (the heroes were kinda jerks toward them)? 'cause I feel there are some

Oh yeah totally. I mean, they all went about stuff wrong, so none of them are totally morally right... but there are definitely some that had a point, hah.

Like Captain Hook. Fuck Peter. I hate him. Cutting off his hand and chucking it to the crocodile? Hell no. Leave Wendy and the Lost Boys out of it though, man??? Your beef is with Peter- they didn't do anything, to you!

And Hades. His brothers got domain over the sky's and the seas- but he gets stuck with the underworld (Which he clearly didn't want), where nothing grows and he cant even take a holiday? That's not real fair... NOT to MENTION the fact that Hades already spent his whole childhood in his fathers STOMACH... if that's even canon in the Disney version XD I mean, give him a break! Haha

But Hades my man you shouldn't have tried to kill a child, *cough*. Herc hadn't done anything to you, yet.

And Dr Facilier. I mean... yeah. He was being treated like dirt. And he translated that desire for basic respect into a desire for money and power- very classic Disney Villain (And, honestly, human) mistake. I can even understand his dislike for Naveen- but not Tiana. And he doesn't, strictly, dislike her. He understands her, her and her dreams and (From his point of view) inability to reach them through honest means. I totally think he would've helped her if she had given back the talisman. These two actually are quite interesting together, but I digress- making a deal with the devil is never a good idea man, never. You will never be the good guy, for doing that.

Robert Callaghan / Yokai!! I really cant blame him for being pissed and heartbroken about what happened to his daughter (And more heart bleeds at the fact that when they find her again safe and sound, he's put in jail). No, he should not have done what he did after she was lost, but he has a legit reason for going to the dark side. He was utterly heartbroken.

you've actually reminded me I gotta write something about Doc Cal some day so thanks XD

#those are the ones that come to mind anyway

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wolken-himmel · 3 years

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Broke: Rielle Being Azul's Rival

Woke: Rsa's Ver of Tiana is Azul's biggest Rival in the School business industry, Tiana is always ahead of him somehow since Tia's Restaurant is Warm and Cozy and lowkey Luxurious ngl, While Azul's Mostro Lounge is kinda Cold and Mysterious, Both of them are willing to Deck it out in the back of an Alley at any time, Nobody Talks about Jazz nights

Bonus: Louis, The Trumpet playing crocodile, Nearly had a Breakdown of Joy when he got turned human since he wants to be a Human jazz musician, However since he is a huge ass crocodile in the last movie, He is now a VERY INTIMIDATING Himbo, Also he is Very much Willing to Beat the shit out of Jade and Floyd with His trumpet 24/7 I love him

YES I LOVE THIS IDEA. The Princess and the Frog movie is super underrated and even I often forget about it despite how good it was. I think it's because I hate the original fairytale version of it.

But like,, sweet but determined twst!Tiana being Azul's rival is a very cool dynamic!

#askaskask #rsa oc

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jordanparker · 3 years

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PRINCESS AND THE FROG STARKER AU

Naveen!Tony: rich, playboy, could get anyone he wants into his bed. Parents decide to cut him off, so he plans to marry Michelle Jones, the daughter of a very wealthy man.

Tiana!Peter: non-stop working at the diner to save money for his future restaurant that he and his Uncle Ben were planning on making. Childhood friends with MJ and barely has time for anything other than saving money and visiting his Aunt May every once in a while.

Like Tony would see Peter in the diner and slip him his number, watching through the window as Peter rolls his eyes and throws it away (wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to get in his pants) and instantly wants to know why someone rejected him.

unfortunately, he meet Harry Osborn, a magician who promised to grant him unlimited riches; then he finds himself being turned into a mucus-covered frog, his assistant Beck using his body to marry MJ himself.

Later that night, Peter arrives at the announcement party, loaded with treats and tasty snack to feed everyone. MJ arrives and forces him into change into a different outfit; a glittering dark green ballgown and a gorgoeus crown.

Tony comes in sees the beautiful boy and is conviced that he’s somehow Mj’s brother or something, so he ropes Peter (after scaring the shit out of him) to help him get his human form back.

But then both of them are frogs and the two end up swamp; escaping vicous crocodiles, meeting a very loud and gentle one named Harley who Peter convinces to help them.

It’s going well, Tony vows to buy the old warehouse for Peter and like a fool, Peter believes him. It all goes to plan, they arrive at the old lady’s house, learn that only a prince’s kiss will transform the back.

and even though Tony knows that Peter doesn’t feel the same way, he can’t help falling in love with the younger boy.

@keenwonderlandcollector @starkerswonderland @smallaviatrix @starkerscoop SOMEONE PLEASE WRITE THIS

#Jordan Talks Shit #Starker au #peter parker #starker #ironspider #tony stark

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seriouslyhooked · 4 years

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When We Collide (Part 1)

Emma Swan has always known one thing: trust no one but yourself. Unfortunately she forgot her one rule and now she’s paying for it. One bad decision led her to the monstrous ‘Crocodile’ a mobster in New York who goes by the name Gold. Hope seems lost until she meets another person in this underworld, Killian Jones. Despite the place they find each other, a true love blossoms, and they manage to get away. But what will happen when Emma discovers who Killian really is? Will love prevail? Um, yeah, I’m writing this, so duh – it’s all love all the time. Fic features motorcycles, hot guys in leather cuts, and a bit of action/drama. Will end happily, and despite the first chapter, will be light on angst. Available on FanFiction Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey everyone! Surprise! There’s a new fic I’m here to share with you all, and full disclosure, it is very different than my usual fare. You will be able to tell that from this first chapter, and for some of my readers it might be a bit too much. Not to worry, this is just a prologue of sorts, and next chapter will start in a brighter, more hopeful place (we will flash forward in time). Be advised that there is no graphic violence or anything like that, but the premise of this story involves Emma owing a debt to Gold (a mob boss in New York) that she has to pay. She’s working it off in a bar, but she’s not exactly free to go as she does. That’s a lot angstier of a situation than I ever like to deal with, so it’s temporary, but want to give you all the heads up just so you know. I suspect a lot of you will read this and think it’s not that bad, but I figure it’s best to give everyone the heads up. Anyway, I promise that this story will eventually be just as fluffy and feels-filled as my other stories, and I hope you’ll give it a try, even if you decide to skip this chapter and just join for the next. Also, just to shout out the excellent song that partially inspired this fic, you should all listen to the song ‘Collide’ by Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG. It’s a really beautiful song, and I hope the fic can embody the feel of it as it continues to unfold. Thanks so much for reading, and hope you enjoy!

Maybe I’ll get lucky and everyone will forget I’m back here, Emma thought to herself as she counted up the bottles on the shelves, taking a quick inventory of what they had for the bar out front.

She also needed to keep this count to protect herself. She’d learned a few days into this gig that Gold’s men loved their liquor and they had a tendency to come back here and take it. Instead of letting them do that and then allowing her and her coworkers to take the blame, Emma came up with a system including locks on the door and an electronic documentation of what they had and when. There was no wifi hook up, obviously, as Gold made sure to keep a strict lock on their surroundings, but it did provide an timestamped trail that proved she was taking nothing from this place. Every night she cashed in her tips with Sydney, the bar’s ‘owner’ but really just Gold’s front man and lap dog, and she watched as the debt she owed grew smaller and smaller. In six more months she’d be free of this and she was doing anything and everything she could to shorten that time.

Thinking about her debt made a flare of anger rise in her belly. Truth was this wasn’t even her fucking debt, it was Lily’s, a woman Emma believed to be her friend. They’d met when they were still kids, both of them runaways, and though time had driven them apart, they reconnected when they realized they were both living in New York. Emma had managed to get steady, honest work and was doing her best to claw up from the nothing that she’d started with in life, and she thought Lily was doing the same. Boy had she been wrong.

It turned out that Lily didn’t pay her part of the rent with anything resembling clean money. She’d worked for Gold, and then she fucked him over and ran, leaving Emma none the wiser and thrust into the fallout of a crime she’d never committed. When that moment came Gold gave her two choices: pay off the money he was owed, or suffer a bit before accepting and still paying, but in a less desirable way. Emma chose the former, and she gave everything she had to the man, but it still wasn’t enough. Lily had managed to get off with almost 50k, and while that was chump change to Gold, it was more than double Emma’s savings. Still she’d promised to get him the money, to give him every paycheck she could, save for her rent and food expenses. But it didn’t satisfy the Crocodile, as people were prone to calling him. Gold decreed that she’d work in the bar and that was that. She’d also been ‘moved’ to one of the apartments above the place. But none of her actual belongings ever arrived. All she had was work uniforms and bare essentials. There was no TV, no phone, no nothing. She’d been graced with tattered linens, the most basic of household essentials (as in one plate, one fork, one of everything) and a bunch of dusty books on ranging topics left from tenants past. She also had a chip on her shoulder, created from the unjustness of this whole situation, pushing her to get out of this shit as fast as she could.

“Yo, Emma, you coming back at some point?” A voice asked from the doorway. It was one of her coworkers, a guy named August who she’d never had much to do with. He seemed pretty okay, but then again, he was here working for Gold and he didn’t even seem to have the whole debt-pay off factor going. That was a huge red flag, and one of the reasons Emma never trusted him much. “We got customers.”

“One minute,” she said, and waited until the door swung closed again. Knowing she was along she closed her eyes and took some steadying breaths, gearing up for what would no doubt be a terrible night.

It’s temporary. You just have a few more months. You’ve survived worse. You can survive this too.

When she felt strong enough to put her mask in place and face the raucous debauchery that awaited her outside, Emma squared her shoulders and headed out. Her eyes had to adjust quickly to the dimness of the lighting, and she took in the stronger scents of stale cigar smoke and piss that always clung to this place. No matter how much they cleaned after hours, there was no getting rid of the odor or the grime. This bar was better off burned to the ground and completely built over, but to the men who frequented it, this place was the closest thing they had to home. The Lair, as the neon sign outside advertised, was a total dive, and it was filled to the brim with low-rate mobsters and criminals.

This was one of those places that Hollywood constantly tried ripping off to no avail. In some ways it was completely corny and predictable, and so blatant in its criminal ties that it felt like a joke that everyone was in on. But the embellishments and adornments here were over the top and gaudy, too tacky even for a Las Vegas casino. Gold’s namesake was splashed everywhere, from the countertops to the barstools to the curtains on the back walls. When the finishing got gross and dirty, they’d be replaced, but the style was dated and straight out of the 70s. It was a mobster hideaway with no pretensions, and Emma always thought to herself that the cops should be busting in every night. This was an obvious den of misconduct, but no cops ever came. The reality was that Gold had half the police force in his pocket, and the other half were too scared to cross him for fear of what he’d bring down on them. Gold might be ridiculous and over the top, but he was powerful, and more than that he was smart, so smart Emma knew better than to ever try to run and think she could get away with it.

“Well, well, well. Ain’t you lookin good tonight, sweetheart?”

Emma fought the instinct to roll her eyes at the slurred and shouted words that crossed the bar top over to where she was standing. Two months into her captivity here, and Emma knew better than to let her baser instincts win out. Despite how gross this man was, and how underwhelming he was on any metric of attractiveness, Emma couldn’t cave to her want to blow him off. Doing so was a risk, and if she had any chance of surviving this hell hole, she could not afford to take those.

“What can I get you, Mr. Black?” Emma asked, ignoring the stench of sweat and booze that mingled with the man’s cheap aftershave. She looked at him for only a second before looking down again, knowing her best bet was to try and blend into the background and let these men set their sights on the women who actually wanted to be here.

“I’ll take a night in bed with you, darlin’.” Emma chocked down a gag but flashed an insincere smile as she shook her head.

“You know the rules, Black. I work for Gold in a strictly drink-serving capacity.”

“Damn waste if you ask me, putting talent like you up in the bar.”

A waste? Emma considered it a small miracle. Since the day that Gold’s men had swarmed her apartment with guns drawn, looking for Lily, Emma had been completely at the will of a monster. She knew from the second they apprehended her and brought her back here that she could be destined for anything. People talked about Gold in this city and there was no crime he was too good to partake in. He had brothels all over the place and a stake in the skin trade. He ran drugs and guns, made people disappear and black mailed anyone he could. He had no moral restrictions, and no love greater than the one had for money and control. He owned this city in almost every single way, and if he chose to, he could make her life even worse than it was now. So much worse. It sent a shiver up her spine to even contemplate some of the things she’d heard whispered about. But Gold, as dark and twisted as he was, did have a code, and he’d briefly explained it to her the night she was brought in.

“I’m a man who collects his debts, Miss Swan, but I am also a man who sees a whole story. You had nothing to do with Lily’s betrayal, I know this. You’re collateral damage, a source of collection through no fault of your own. The debt must be payed, but since you yourself have never wronged me, I’ll be good to you. You even think of crossing me, however, and you’ll live to regret it.”

Emma knew the truth when she heard it. Her gut was never wrong. Even with Lily, the problem wasn’t that Emma had missed her true colors, she’d just chosen to ignore the telltale signs of a problem person because she really had no other friends. She hoped that Lily may come around, that she’d get better and really try and make a go of things in an above board way, but with Gold there was no doubt as to the veracity of his threat. If he felt Emma was disloyal, he’d punish her, and if at the end of this there was any doubt that she’d turn on him, she would never be free. She had to be picture perfect in her actions. A pretty, polite prisoner who served their time and then kept silent. She was ready to do that, she just had to stick to her plan and keep her head up in the meantime.

As she made Mr. Black’s drink and got caught into the flow of the bar, serving men their beer and liquor until they all got drunk as hell, Emma counted down the seconds until the night would be over. She gathered her measly tips, and kept them guarded close, and she knew that tonight would be like every other. She was trapped here, in this darkness, destined to be unhappy but determined to survive. When she was free of this she’d go as far away from Gold’s hold as she could. She’d find a cabin somewhere, live a quiet kind of life, and she’d never put herself in this kind of position again. Her lesson had been learned – she could trust no one but herself, and though that was a totally lonely sensation, she had to try and accept it or risk hurting herself all over again down the line.

Suddenly, in the midst of the normal night’s activities, the front door blew open and Emma felt a tingling of anticipation when it did. She hadn’t looked in that direction all night long, never liking the people who would dare to enter here, but her instincts were screaming at her to turn around and look. She had no idea why, but when she obeyed the internal command, she was shocked into stillness, caught up in the sight of the man who’d just walked in.

Tall, dark, and fiercely handsome, this man was sin personified and so much better looking than the other thugs that came here every night. He didn’t look out of place though, aside from his attractiveness. The clothes he wore were made of leather and spoke to some dangerous intent. He made no show to hide the side arms he was carrying, one on his hip and one strapped across his chest, and the scowl on his face made him seem hard and unapproachable. For a moment, Emma had the chance to take him in, and despite the fierceness of his expression, she felt a flutter low in her stomach.

His chiseled jaw with the well-trimmed beard he had was hot, as was the symmetry of his features and the way his broad body clenched and she could see his muscles. But if someone were to ask her what stood out most about this mystery man it was his eyes. They were blue, like the ocean in places she’d only read about. They weren’t icy or cold, but warm somehow and so thoroughly enticing. She felt herself lost in them, and then he looked at her, their gazes connecting, and that sensation grew so much stronger. She felt a kind of pang echo through her ribcage the moment he took her in, and she watched as the hardness of his face shifted ever so slightly. It was a small tell, most people wouldn’t have noticed, but Emma did, and she knew that he felt this too. Whatever the hell this was – the man who’d just arrived was just as captive to it as she was.

“Ah, Captain, you’re here!” One of the regulars said, laughing and flailing about as only truly drunk men did. “Didn’t think we’d ever get you to The Lair. Thought you was too good for us.”

The man they called ‘Captain’ tore his gaze from Emma and moved over to the man who’d called him over. His stride was measured and almost graceful, and Emma couldn’t help but follow him with her eyes. This was so unlike her. She made it her business not to watch anyone too closely. The less she knew about what everyone was really up to the better, but she was intrigued by this newcomer in a way she’d never been before.

“Boss wants to see you, Alvin. Something about the McManus shipment.” Alvin blanched at the comment and swallowed harshly and Emma knew for certain that this man was in trouble with Gold. She didn’t have much sympathy for Alvin, and in fact most of her intention was focused on this stranger, who had the touch of an accent she couldn’t quite place. His voice was silky and low, tantalizing in a way, and she wanted to hear more of it. “Perhaps you’d like a drink for the road. Not sure when you’ll have the chance for another.”

“Bring them this,” Sydney said, materializing from nowhere next to Emma. She jumped at the unexpected intrusion into her thoughts, and looked at the two glasses.

“Is this rum?” she asked dumbly and Sydney nodded.

“The best. Captain likes the good stuff.”

“Right,” Emma said, moving over with the tray to the table where both men sat. When she got there, she was struck speechless again. Being so close to this man only added to the allure. He was even more interesting close up, and she lost her head a little bit at the sight of him, but tried to pull herself together as best he could. “Your drinks, gentlemen.”

Alvin took the drink and downed in, but the stranger took his time, glancing at her over the glass and nodding. He didn’t smile, but his eyes conveyed a warmth he’d shared with no one else here. “Thank you, love.”

Knowing she couldn’t linger, Emma moved back to the other tables, continuing her work, but when she noticed Alvin and the mysterious man standing up to go a few minutes later, she felt a dash of disappointment. He was leaving, and she didn’t even know his name.

Okay, seriously? What the hell Emma? He’s one of them. He works for Gold. You don’t care about him. You can’t care.

The voice in her head scolded her for her fanciful thinking and this completely mistimed attraction. It was so foolish to think of him as anything but a threat, but her heart lurched at the thought. She was overcome with these weird feelings. Being so drawn to a man so quickly had never been her style. Certainly not now when she was in survival mode. But as she turned around to fill a tray with empty glasses on one of the far tables, she felt a presence behind her. She whipped around too quickly, only to run into him, and if it hadn’t been for his steadying hands, one on her arm and the other on her tray, the glasses would have shattered.

“You all right, love?”

“Um,” she licked her lips as her eyes darted up to and she nodded once. “Yes. I’m fine.”

“Good. Just wanted to give you this,” he said, handing her a tip. It was generous. Like a couple hundred-dollar bills generous. It was way more than their drinks had been and way way more than she could ever accept. It felt wrong, but there was a part of her that was desperate to keep it. This would put her that much closer to freedom. It was almost a week she wouldn’t have to work. Still she pushed it back at him.

“I can’t. It’s too much.”

“It’s hardly enough,” he replied ardently and her brow furrowed as she looked at his face, the earnestness on it clear as day to her. “I know these men, love. There’s no way they give you what you’ve earned. Not tonight, not ever. So please, take it.”

“Okay,” she agreed after a moment’s hesitation, feeling gratified by the fact that she had earned this, even if he wasn’t the one who should have to pay. “Thanks…”

“Killian,” he filled in before she could decide to use the nickname that Alvin had called him by.

“Killian,” she repeated, tasting the name on her tongue and loving the way it felt as it passed through her lips. “I’m Emma, by the way.”

“Emma,” he replied with a grin that was there and gone so quickly she would have missed it as she blinked. As it was, she knew she saw it, and that look was even more breathtaking than the rest of him. No one had a right to be that sexy. No one. “Well, until next time, Emma.”

With that, he turned and walked away, cold and composed once more as he led Alvin out of the bar and headed off into the night. And though Emma knew very little about him, she had a feeling she’d just met someone very important. Through the mist of all the new emotions and excitement, she sensed, deep down, that this man – Killian – mattered, and that somehow, someway, their fates were intertwined, destined to lead them back to each other in one way or another.

Post-Note: So there we have it! This is a short glimpse into the fic, kind of like a prologue if you will. Next chapter will flash forward a bit, because this honestly was angsty enough for me to write. I do not want to dwell in the bad circumstances Emma finds herself in, and instead want to get us to a fluffier, if still a bit wilder place than I am used to. As the description says this will be an MC (motorcycle club) romance, and we’ll reveal how that will come to pass in the next few chapters. In the meantime, I would love to hear what you all think! This is a break away from my usual fare, and pretty much the opposite of the other fic I am currently writing, but I have wanted to write a story like this for a really long time. I’m eager to share the rest of this fic with you all, and hope you will join me on this fun new journey. Anyway, thanks for reading and hope you have a great rest of your day!

#captain swan #captain swan fic #captain swan au #cs fic #cs ff #cs fluff #cs angst #cs au #cs mc au #cs motorcycle club au #emma swan #killian jones #gold is a bad guy #the whole storybrooke gang #ouat au #when we collide #when we collide au

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bella-spil · 4 years

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Sharing the Secret: Nat

You and Bucky tell Nat about being together. (follow up to Sharing the Secret: Steve) Bucky x female reader, Bucky x female reader x Nat

Warning: cursing, fluff

Word count: 1.1k

Bucky headed back to your room to tell you how everything went. You finished taking your shower when you heard a knock at the door. Bucky never entered the room unless you said he could, wanting to give you your privacy.

"Come in!" you yell.

He enters your room and waits for you on your bed as you get ready in your bathroom. You fix your hair, put on some PJ's and head out to sit next to him.

"How did it go with Patriot Frisbee?" you ask.

"It went good," he laughed. "Ready to tell Nat?"

"Oh she is taking a nap now, but she said she is going to train at nine in case I wanted to join. In the meantime, you wanna watch a movie?"

He smiles at you. "Sure which one?"

"My favorite Disney princess is Tiana, so wanna watch Princess and the frog?" you ask as he chuckles at your suggestion.

"Sure, but the best Disney princess is Ariel. She's a mermaid for crying out loud!" he playfully argues.

“What?” you shout. “Tiana had to go through so much more! She was a fucking frog, lived in the Bayou, met a talking firefly, a talking crocodile that can play the trumpet, and defeated a witch doctor and his voodoo shadows. And she even has her own business. How is that worse than Ariel?”

“Well,” Bucky started. He sounded like a real estate agent, very serious and trying to be convincing.

“Ariel is a mermaid, which is 100% better than being a frog. She also has beautiful red hair, like yours. She saved Prince Eric from dying and was able to figure out how to stop Ursula.”

You eyed him, trying to get him to say he was obviously wrong. After a few minutes of an intense staring contest, Bucky gave up, letting you soak in the glory of his defeat.

“Fine,” Bucky sighed. “Tiana is way more badass.”

You laugh and the both of you settle into the bed, laughing and crying while watching the movie.

~~~

Then, it's a little past 9pm. The movie is wrapping up and you hear a door open, but not from your room. Your room and Nats are right across the hall from each other, so you can hear when her shower is on, when she enters and leaves her room, and when her TV is on.

You and Bucky get up from the bed and make your way to the door, getting ready to confirm everything to Nat.

"Ready?" Bucky says, waiting for you at the door.

"Always," you answer. You go and try to give a forehead kiss to him, but you realize he is too tall and you fail. Bucky laughs and gives you a kiss on the lips. Then you take his hand and follow him down to the gym.

You find Nat boxing against a dummy. She is in a matching Nike outfit, complete with a hoodie, shorts and sneakers. She has her red hair tied back in a french braid. Normally, you never train at this hour, and she is shocked to see you enter. Then she sees Bucky follow you and she is lost.

"Hey guys, didn't expect to see you," she said with a level of scepticism in her voice. "Here to train?"

"Not exactly," you answer and confusion is written all over Nat's face.

As you and Bucky are thinking about what to say, a light bulb goes off in her head. She remembered that when you were talking to her two years ago, she asked you who you thought was the hottest avenger. You answered Bucky a little too quickly and you melted at his name. Then she looked at you and then him and saw tinkles of pink on you both. Then it all made sense to her.

"So," Nat clears her throat and you and Bucky look at her. "You and the Wiener Soldier are lovers?"

You and Bucky were taken aback, not exactly sure of what to say next. You guys didn't think she would automatically know. Nat smirks as the pink on both of your cheeks is turning into red.

"Well am I right?" she asks, knowing she was right with a sly look on her face.

"First of all, it's Winter Soldier. Second," he stops to sigh. "Yes, you're correct."

"How the hell did you know?" you ask just as lost as Bucky.

"Well, you have to remember who you're talking to. You guys are looking at an ex-Russian spy and assassin, and an ex-American agent. I can spot little details very easily. Also I have never seen you guys with so much pink on your faces." she adds with a smirk at the end.

"Oh," Bucky said and then laughed embarrassed.

"Are you ok with this Nat?" you ask. You wanted her approval since she was your closest friend other than Peter.

"Of course I am. I love seeing you happy, Y/N." she says happily. Then her tone changes a little. "Even you I guess, Sergeant.”

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Thanks Russian tarantula. Promise you won't tell anyone."

Nat makes the motions zip it, lock it and put in your pocket with her hands. You and Bucky knew you were fine.

You went to give Nat a hug because you were in desperate need of one. You were gonna hug Bucky later, just not in front of Nat because of all the things she would pick on you both for.

"Thanks Nat," you say while you hug her. "It means a lot."

"You got it, Y/N," she says. Then she leans into your ear and speaks so quietly that Bucky wouldn't be able to hear.

"If he does anything, I mean anything, say the word and I'll dislocate that metal arm of his and beat him to death with it." Nat whispers and you can't help but let out a giggle.

You both look back at Bucky to see if he heard. But he just stands there awkwardly, playing with his hair and fingers. He was swaying back and forth because he had no idea what to do with himself. As you and Nat eye Bucky with suspicion, he looks at you guys clearly puzzled. And you and Nat chuckle to yourselves.

"Thanks Nat," you said. You and Bucky start to leave the room, but Nat has more on her mind.

"Your welcome!" Nat says, but she isn't done yet.

"Hey! Wiener Soldier! Don't screw this up like you screwed all those ladies from the Forties!" she shouts.

Bucky ushers you to follow him and rolls his eyes and sighs. "Fuck you Nat!" He puts both of his middle fingers in the air and you laugh at his antics.

"Love ya too Barnes!" Nat shouts as you both leave. She smiled at the thought of you being with Bucky. She loves seeing you both happy, but mostly you. She knew you two were going to make it work. On the inside, she couldn't wait to see your relationship blossom.

#buckynat #bucky barnes #bucky fic #bucky fucking barnes #reader #bucky x you #natasha romanoff #natasha x reader #fanfic

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goblinconceivable · 4 years

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It’s cool, I can fill my own sails

Finishing the last few eps of s7 OUaT helped. At the very least, it brought up issues of family inclusion and exclusion, which was a heavy theme with Regina back in the day and reexploring that a little with Wish!Hook is intriguing. And the nod to romance being nearly absent from the season gives license to delve into the negative space and supports the reading that Regina/Rogers are on a (very very slow) trajectory.

I don’t know how and when to refer to Wish!Hook/Rogers/whatever, so I’ll just go with Rogers because it’s easier to type, and where the character ends up.

Frankly, there’s about 5 gifs of Regina/Rogers and most of them aren’t shippy in canon. Pulled out, they create a fanon narrative, and that’s great, but I always like to start deep in canon compliance and build/reinterpret from there.

One of the best points in favor of the ship, oddly enough, is the stack of prison books. Which are ordered, intentionally. Snow and Charming are next to each other. Henry and Regina. Alice and Robin. Lucy and Cinderella. And Captain Hook is next to Regina. I don’t know why Zelena/Robin and Hook/Alice are so far apart but that the 4 new characters are on the bottom.

I will note that this season IS a compressed and thematically focused narrative, defined by our 4 returning characters and primarily the parent/child love. Rumple is completing his own long arc, we’ll ignore him except that he is the one reminder of true romantic love in a season otherwise largely ignoring it with the mains. Yes, Henry/Ella begins, but their function is giving birth to a child and starting a family together, rather than their own story as a romance. Which leaves Regina and Rogers, who are all about their kids. Who do find love, next gen starting out with the fresh start their gone-evil parents have undergone change to give them.

They each do get a love interest, insofar as that exists. Rogers had a recurring interest in Tiana, and while she flirted a bit, she shows greater interest in Naveen. Regina had Facilier, more explicit, though he shows greater interest and investment than she does. What this gives us as an opening where Rogers and Regina are both open to romance, though it takes a back seat to their children. True love, for either of them, would be the end of a long journey, rather than the instant-fall we often see. Older, more experienced, more bruised. They both had that already, with first loves, lost it, became villians, and villians, typified by Rumple, get more love journeys.

Regina is more open, she knows how to love and be loved, though she isn’t desperately seeking more because she is content - though she’s realizing she has more to give. She mentors Drizella, she fights for Wish!Henry. Rogers wants more, but he’s in an emotional place Regina was at back in season 2 or so, albeit gentler.

A cool thing about Wish!Realm is that happy endings often don’t exist. The stories are darker. I don’t have much to say about that right now except that rather than losing family, Rogers gained one - and lost it, but he gained love and redemption. Arguably more painful.

I was drawn to 2.5 scenes at the end of the show. The first is right after the curse was broken and Gothel was defeated. Families are reunited, happy. Regina and Henry, Regina and Robin, Cinderella and Lucy mixing in. Alice has Robin. Even Tiana and Naveen run in, holding hands. In the background, largely ignored, is Rogers. This had to be a specific choice, especially since everyone there knows a hospital will not help his affliction, yet someone must have called them. He’s not a part of the larger family of interrelationships, and moreover, is watching Alice become a part of it. His ties are only to Alice, and to Rumple, who is an outlying character (yet STILL part of the group, in his way.)

The .5 is when Regina, Henry and Rogers are together. Rogers tries to join Regina to find Rumple, and she tells him to stay (he does tend to obey her immediately, see her admonishment to find and help Alice at the station.) Later he tries to go with Henry, and Henry knocks him out. He’s TRYING to be helpful, be part of the group, and no one needs or wants him.

The third is at the war table. Again, everyone is sitting around the table, together and despite there being chairs, Rogers stands back, outside the circle. This time, his exclusion is distinctly a decision he has made, how he feels. But something shifts. Charming, the family patriarch, reaches out, with “and a new friend... who feels like an old friend.” Despite having just met him, he accepts him as one of them, and Rogers is surprised but appreciative. It’s particularly touching because Rogers has been with Henry et family (Regina and Zelena etc) for years and never felt that.

The next point is Rumple sacrificing his heart and saving Rogers. It’s the first time someone has sacrificed for him, it’s validation. He’s one of them, annointed by the crocodille. Literally having his heart creates ties to the group, puts him back with Alice so that physical distance is no longer an excuse or reason. It’s is linked to emotional distance, as his quest to cure his heart for Alice, for their relationship, is now over, and he can take a next step.

What happens next? Rogers, the only other active character at this point, explains the situation. He moves from “to save me” to “to save all of us” - he’s considering himself an us, not just his admitted friendship with Rumple, but that perhaps he’s part of the whole. He and Regina were the two tightest with Rumple, so it’s fitting. Regina is 100% about Rumple, double proves he was beloved. It IS his moment, the whole scene was about him. But Rogers is on his own little journey, and he takes Regina’s oblivious hand. Why?

We’ve seen Regina touch him occasionally, more of a distant sympathy or comradery, but human touch is yet important, look at how much Regina hugs her family, and how much Alice and Rogers want to hug and be near each other. Aside from Alice, Rogers never reaches out,

Though as a side bar, when he reaches out to Tiana, to go with her to storm the castle, or hire Alice, she accepts, which probably explains why he likes her. Conversely, trying to manufacture an adventure for Henry goes wrong, and see his recent attempts to help Regina and Henry are rebuffed. All told, dude doesn’t have the best time of it.

So anyway, he takes her hand, and while she doesn’t acknowledge it, she doesn’t reject it either, and that is family. Sometimes you’re just there, behind someone, supporting them as they go through their own thing. And while sometimes you’re pushed away, you just keep trying. Which as Hook with Emma, though I have my own issues with that. They are the same person to large extent, so the tendency is worth mentioning.

Finally, the coronation. Frankly, they had to pan to all the mains and Rogers/Alice/Robin are the least important group -to the show as a whole, the full 7 seasons which this scene is acknowledging and honoring. But they do leave him as Rogers, suit and fake hand. Distinguishing him from Original!Hook. Which again is functional, so grain of salt and shippy eyes. He is not yet integral, but the future is open. As Regina says, see what’s next, indeed.

TLDR; my attempt to find a canon ships fails, but there’s potential if you look. This is a story of an individual journey on Rogers’ part to GET to that point where he can open his heart, and romantic love can follow that. Regina proves she’s now completely comfortable with who she is and who she has, and is open to additional love. There may not be romance in this book, but as to the next...

Addendum because I’m doing the obsessive searching thing: apparently there’s a deleted scene where Rogers asks Henry if he got Regina’s crown. FFS that’s useful information, it means Rogers IS a part of the group, and in fact a larger part of Regina’s future. I mean, he’s there with Alice and Robin. Henry swings by. They’re not just in on the surprise, they’re planning it. He has a role in the new world. ... Deserves it’s own analysis when I process.

Addendum 2 because still tracking down meta: so a reason for Regina looking to Rogers and his nodding could also be that they were talking and he let something slip at some point about... I dunno, something that didn’t make sense to her but now she’s all “oh, so this is what you were talking about?”

#meta #OUaT #hooked queen #captain hook #regina mills

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searchingwardrobes · 5 years

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Just a Kiss

Happy birthday, @kday426 ! Thank you for being a lovely person who so faithfully reblogs and comments on my stories. I wanted to give you something truly fluffy and happy for your birthday, and I also couldn’t help giving it a Southern flair because of the Lady Antebellum song it’s based on. This is one of those times I wish I was an artist so I could make a manip, painting, or drawing of this beautiful kiss I envisioned in my head. Unfortunately, this picset is the best I could do. Thanks to @kmomof4 for helping me choose the best suspenders pic 🙂

Summary: Emma turned then and fled from the tree and the fireflies and the moonlight. Fled from her best friend who could apparently kiss the living hell out of her.

Rating: T, but only for brief mentions of stereotypical college behavior

Trigger warnings: Tiana is in this for people who aren’t fond of season 7 ?

Words: About 4,000

Tagging: @snowbellewells @winterbaby89 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @teamhook @bethacaciakay @snidgetsafan @delirious-latenight-laughs @jennjenn615 @let-it-raines @optomisticgirl

Ao3

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight. Just a touch of the fire burning so bright. And I don’t want to mess this thing up. I don’t want to push too far. Just a shot in the dark that you just might be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life.

Emma never knew that the country could be so loud. She was far away from the wedding band and the partying guests, yet the air held a cacophony of sounds. She’d always been a city girl, so she couldn’t really identify what they all were. Crickets, she knew for sure. The croaking of frogs maybe? That shrill, unceasing screech, however? That one she couldn’t place, but it was sure annoying as hell. At least far away from the fairy lights of the wedding tent the mosquitos had stopped plaguing her. An outdoor wedding in New Orleans? What was Tiana thinking?

Despite the bugs, and the strange sounds, and the shadows cast over the bayou by the full moon, she still preferred it here than back under the wedding tent. Out here Mary Margaret wasn’t trying to play matchmaker. Out here there was no DJ barking out ridiculous things like “lady’s choice” or “all the single ladies out on the floor” while he pumped out Beyoncé. Emma reached down and slid off her strappy heels, then sagged against the bark of the magnolia tree she had sought solace beneath.

“Hiding, Swan?”

She jumped as she spun around, pressing her hand to her heart. “Shit, Killian, you scared me to death!”

He just chuckled as he sauntered closer, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his dress pants. “Sorry, love. I saw you head this way and was worried you would get eaten by a crocodile down here.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Louisiana has alligators, not crocodiles.”

He shrugged. “Fairly certain they would both eat you.”

“What a lovely thought.”

Killian leaned against the tree casually. They had always felt at ease around each other ever since they met her freshman year of college. His best friend David had dragged him over to be his wingman while he hit on her roommate Mary Margaret. The rest, as they say, is history. Mary Margaret and David married back in the fall, and Emma and Killian became best friends. They hung out with the same group all through college, leaning on each other through finals, drinking binges, and nasty breakups. Especially breakups. Neal Cassidy had done a number on her, and Killian’s literal affair with a much older Milah Gold hadn’t ended much better. Killian had offered her a strong shoulder to cry on, and Emma had in turn been there for him when he drowned his misery in rum.

They understood one another.

Emma lifted her long blonde locks off her sticky neck. “How is it this hot at the end of April?”

“You think you’re melting? I’m British. I’m wondering if this is what hell feels like. And you lucked out with the much cooler wardrobe.” Killian gestured at her spaghetti strap, knee length sundress.

“Hideous color, though,” Emma said, wrinkling her nose. “Blondes shouldn’t wear yellow, or at least I think that’s a fashion rule. I look like a lemon meringue pie.”

“Nonsense, Swan, it brings out the gold in your hair.”

She snorted, used by now to Killian’s over the top compliments. She added another eye roll for good measure.

“You know,” Killian teased, “most men would be offended by your constant eye rolling. I, on the other hand, take great pride in how often you grace me with them. And as for your aversion to wearing yellow, need I point out that I am wearing the same shade? Only in the form of this hideous bow tie?”

He grimaced as he tugged at the offensive accessory, which was indeed lemon yellow. Emma had to admit it wasn’t his best color, but he looked handsome nevertheless. She was used to his chest hair breathing, so the bow tie was out of character, but he wore the suspenders well. Extremely well, actually. She averted her eyes when she realized she was staring.

“So, um, are we going to have these things constantly now?”

“You mean weddings?” He started undoing the bow tie, and that was a good look, too.

“Yeah, and I think I’m going to fit into that category of always a bridesmaid.”

“I think the old wives’ tale requires you to be a bridesmaid three times before you’re doomed to singlehood, so I think you’re safe.” Now he was the one rolling his eyes. “As if you’re the husband-hunting type. I’ve watched you Emma; you run in the opposite direction as soon as the bride aims her bouquet.”

“And Mary Margaret was definitely aiming,” Emma pointed out, “but a month from now, I’ll be Elsa’s bridesmaid, so there you go. Doomed to singlehood as you put it.”

“I’m in that wedding too, second time as best man, third time in the wedding party, so am I also doomed?”

“I’m pretty sure it only applies to women.”

“How sexist.”

Now that his tie was hanging loose, he undid several of the top buttons of his dress shirt. He rolled up both sleeves, revealing his tattoos: one of a compass pointing north that he already had when they met, and the other of an anchor. The second one he had regretted along with his hangover the next morning, mumbling about looking like a bloody pirate cliché. Emma had informed him that it could have been worse – if she hadn’t been there to stop him, Milah’s name would have been encircling it. Again, it was all a very good look on him, standing there in the light of the moon, the top of his shirt open, his arms exposed, and those surprisingly sexy suspenders. Her best friend was hot, it wasn’t as if this were a new revelation, but she had to admit that her body was responding to it more often lately.

It suddenly seemed as if the stars above had lowered and settled beneath the boughs of the magnolia tree that ensconced them. Dozens of fireflies blinked around them, perhaps hundreds. Emma was rendered speechless for a moment as they all flitted and blinked around them.

“Amazing,” Killian whispered, as if speaking would shatter the magic around them, “I’ve never seen them before.”

His words pulled her gaze away from the entrancing spots of light and to his face instead. The city girl thing meant fireflies had been rare in her life, too, and growing up in foster care meant she’d never had that idyllic summer evening of chasing them with a jar in her hand. Yet she had seen them before. She studied Killian’s expression, the way his eyes lit up in the moonlight watching the fascinating insects. He reached out a hand, and one landed there, crawling around and blinking in his palm before flying away again.

It felt as if time had slowed, the branches of the tree cocooning them in some sort of enchantment. Under that spell of dazzling light, fragrant magnolia blossoms, and singing crickets, Emma reached out and grabbed hold of Killian’s suspenders. Yet instead of yanking him to her, she stepped closer to him instead. She searched his blue eyes intently, her knuckles turning white as she held fast to those damn suspenders. His eyes darkened and his expression softened as he gently brushed her cheek with the tips of his fingers, then slid his hand into her hair. He slowly lowered his face to hers, brushing their noses, and God! was he torturing her on purpose? Evidently so, because he first dragged his lips across her cheek, then her chin before claiming her lips.

Even then, he didn’t speed up. He moved his lips tenderly across hers, then tilted her head to deepen the kiss. He swiped his tongue across her lips, asking for more, and she gladly gave it. She finally let go of the suspenders, taking her time dragging her palms over his chest and shoulders, then wrapping her arms around his neck. Killian still had one of his hands in her hair, but his other arm encircled her, pulling him flush against her. Emma was embarrassed when a moan escaped her throat. God, could this man kiss. She had always wondered . . .

Emma gasped then, but not from desire. Her brain had finally reared up to ask what the hell she was doing. She pushed away from him, her face burning.

“Emma -”

“- don’t,” she silenced him, unable to look him in the eye, “don’t say a thing, okay? It was just a kiss. Just . . . don’t follow me. Wait five minutes.”

She turned then and fled from the tree and the fireflies and the moonlight. Fled from her best friend who could apparently kiss the living hell out of her. Her best friend who had just muttered, “as you wish,” maybe on purpose. He knew that was her favorite movie, so what would possess him to say that? Unless . . .

No, no, no, no. Killian was her best friend. They had an understanding, a great platonic relationship. What the hell had she been thinking kissing him like that? Or had he kissed her first? She groaned as she slipped into the back of the crowd in the wedding tent, pressing her sweaty palms to her flushed cheeks. It didn’t matter. She had been the one to grab him. Stupid sexy suspenders!

*****************************************************

Three weeks, two days, five hours, and twenty-seven minutes. That was how long it had been since Emma had seen her best friend. Three weeks, two days, five hours, and twenty-seven minutes since their kiss. It had been the longest length of time she had gone without seeing or talking to him since they had met. Even when they were dating Neal and Milah, they had at least talked every single day. It had been a sore point with her and Neal. He’d been extremely jealous of Killian.

The thing was, avoiding Killian also meant avoiding everyone else. Especially Mary Margaret because Killian and David were always hanging out, and Elsa because her fiancé was Liam Jones. Avoiding Elsa was an especially thorny issue since Emma was her maid of honor, but it wasn’t like her friend had a lack of attendants. Her own sister was her matron of honor, for God’s sake, surely she had everything covered. What the hell Emma would do when the wedding day actually arrived, she wasn’t sure. It would be a little hard for the maid of honor to avoid the best man.

During week one, her friends hadn’t suspected anything. Emma sometimes got prickly and withdrew. When week two rolled around, they started texting and calling in concern. It didn’t take much for Mary Margaret and Elsa to discover she had also withdrawn from Killian, and both also well knew how odd that was. So Emma wasn’t really surprised when she received the ultimatum from Elsa at the three week, two day, five hour, twenty-seven minute mark: Meet me for coffee, or I’ll turn into a Bridezilla.

Now, Elsa was much too kind to follow through on such a threat, so that wasn’t why Emma relented. It just made her realize how worried her friend was, and that was the last thing she wanted for Elsa a week before her wedding. So she dragged herself off the couch and away from Netflix to meet her friend.

What she wasn’t expecting was to find not just Elsa but also Mary Margaret, Anna, and Tiana sitting at a table in the corner of their favorite coffee shop. Elsa’s entire wedding party. Tiana especially shocked Emma, since she and Naveen were still in the blissful haze of being newlyweds. They’d only returned from their honeymoon five days ago.

Emma arched a brow suspiciously at them before sitting down. “Is this an intervention or something?”

Tiana arched her brow right back and slid a chair out with her foot. “In a way. Sit.”

People typically said nothing but “yes, ma’am” to Tiana, even if they weren’t from the South. Emma mumbled it herself with a scowl as she plopped down into the offered chair. The diamonds glistening on the fingers of all four women seemed to mock her.

“Emma,” Elsa began, “we’re all worried about you. Liam and David are worried about Killian.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “What?”

“It’s true,” Mary Margaret added, “is it true you’ve been avoiding him for over three weeks now?”

Emma lifted a hand to stop their words. “If this is about the wedding, you don’t have to worry. I’ll be there, and I’ll also be on my best behavior.”

“You think that’s all that this is about?” Anna exclaimed, sounding deeply offended. “I’m the sister of the bride, so we’ve got it all covered. We’re worried about you.”

“And Killian,” Elsa added.

Emma bit the inside of her cheek at the sight of Elsa’s furrowed brow. Was Liam really that worried about his brother? But it had just been one kiss . . .

“What happened at my wedding?” Tiana asked.

“What are you talking about?” Emma tried to sound nonchalant, but she couldn’t stop the traitorous blush that rose to her cheeks.

Tian a leaned across the table. “Rumor has it you and Killian both disappeared for a while. Then you both showed up later looking flushed.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “We didn’t leave together or come back together.” Truth. “And it was just a warm night.” Partial truth.

Her four friends exchanged glances that clearly said they weren’t buying it. Emma blinked. “Wait - did Killian . . . tell you anything?”

Mary Margaret looked smug. “I thought there was nothing to tell.”

“He’s been brooding ever since the wedding,” Elsa explained, “but he refuses to tell Liam why. All he will say is that you’re upset with him and that you won’t return his texts or calls.”

Emma let out a long sigh. She got a short reprieve when a waitress came over and took their orders, but when she walked away, her friends’ pointed stares and heavy silence let her know they weren’t going to let it go.

“I kissed him,” she finally hissed under her breath.

“Who?” Mary Margaret asked.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Killian! Who do you think?”

“Wait!” Anna said eagerly. “Did you kiss him, or did he kiss you?”

Emma rubbed her temple. “Both, sort of? I don’t know, it’s all sort of hazy.”

“Were you drunk?”

“God, Tiana, no!”

She shrugged. “Just making sure.”

Their orders came, and in between sips of hot chocolate, Emma poured it all out: the teasing and flirting under the tree, the moonlight, the fireflies, and Killian looking so unfairly attractive in suspenders. She told them about fisting her hands around those suspenders and the slow-motion way Killian had bent towards her. She ended the story with pink cheeks, and it wasn’t from the cocoa.

“Wow,” Anna said into the silence.

Emma groaned and covered her face with both hands. “I can’t believe I just word vomited all that.”

Mary Margaret reached out with a gentle hand to her elbow. “Emma, none of us are surprised.”

She looked up in confusion. “You’re not?”

Tiana shrugged. “Frankly, I’m surprised this is the first time.” She took a sip of her latte, wagging an eyebrow at Emma over the top of her mug. “I even thought you two were maybe . . . friends with benefits?”

Emma’s mouth dropped open, and her face went from pink to red as her friends all laughed.

“Oh no,” Elsa said, “our Emma here has been far too oblivious for that.”

“Oblivious?”

Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. “Come on, Emma, seriously? The yearning looks? The doey eyes?”

Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t yearn.”

“Maybe,” Tiana quipped as if she didn’t believe her for one second, “but he does.”

Elsa squirmed. “Killian has never come out and said as much to Liam, but . . . Liam knows anyway. He can tell that his brother is in love with you.”

“I-in love with me?”

“It isn’t just obvious to his brother, Emma,” Anna told her, “it’s been obvious to all of us. For a long time.”

Emma looked in shock around the table at each of her friends. They were all gently nodding in agreement. Mary Margaret took her hand in both of hers.

“And honey, you’re in love with him too.”

“Yeah,” Anna laughed as she took a sip of her cappuccino, “that’s been obvious too.”

********************************************************

Maybe Emma should have contacted Killian after speaking with her friends, knowing that he was hurt by the wall she had thrown up between them, but she had far too much to process. Her friends said it was obvious, not just that Killian loved her, but that they loved each other. Could she really miss something like that completely? Misread her own feelings?

So the wedding rehearsal ended up being the first time she had seen Killian since their kiss. Elsa, unlike Tiana, was not fond of the heat, so her late May wedding was being held in the ballroom of an old manor by the sea. The French doors would be thrown wide to let in the ocean breezes, but they would all be safely inside for the entire ceremony and reception. The ice sculptures and ice cream sundae bar also necessitated the air conditioning being cranked up. Instead of melting in the Louisiana heat, they might all freeze to death at Elsa’s wedding.

The actual ceremony took place in the foyer of the manor, with the wedding party lined up on the wide staircase. The rehearsal was so hectic, with the wedding coordinator lining everyone up and making sure the music cues were correct, that Emma and Killian only exchanged quick pleasantries until his turn came to escort her back down the aisle.

“I’m not mad at you,” she whispered to him as they made their way down the snow white runner.

“Then why wouldn’t you return my messages?”

They were in the hallway now, crammed in with the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. It felt like everyone had grown quiet when they entered.

“I just needed time to think about things,” she whispered in an even softer voice. She finally, for the first time that night, locked her gaze on his. His eyes looked sad.

“I wish I could apologize for kissing you,” he whispered back, “but I’m not sorry at all.”

Emma bit back a gasp. “You’re not?”

He shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. A tiny smile flirted with the corner of his mouth. “No. Are you?”

She bit her lower lip before letting a small grin fill her own face. “No. I’m not sorry either.”

His eyes lit up then, his smile broad and dimpling his cheeks. Emma lifted her hand quickly, resting it on his chest. HIs heart was thumping hard beneath her palm.

“But that doesn’t mean that I’m not . . . confused.” She frowned, wishing she could explain herself better.

“Okay,” Killian said with a sigh. He glanced around the room where everyone was pretending not to be eavesdroppping. He lowered his face close to her ear. “We’ll talk after the rehearsal dinner.”

When Emma slipped out before dinner with a lame excuse to Elsa about not feeling well, she knew she was a complete and utter coward.

***************************************************

Avoiding Killian at the wedding was surprisingly easy. Prior to the ceremony, all the bridesmaids were on the opposite side of the manor in the bridal suite getting their hair and makeup done. Elsa wanted Liam’s first glimpse of her to be when she walked down the aisle, so the guys and girls also took pictures separately. Talking was impossible during the ceremony, and even when the entire wedding party took joint pictures, it was too chaotic for a private conversation.

Then they were all ushered into the ballroom amidst cheers from the guests. Liam and Elsa had their first dance, then the entire wedding party were seated at the head table. Emma had been expecting to be seated next to Killian, but the wedding coordinator had seated them in the traditional way with all of them sitting in a row facing the guests, men to the groom’s left, women to the bride’s right. As soon as Emma ate, she quickly slipped away under the guise of heading to the ladies’ room. She found a dark alcove, and seated herself there to wait out the rest of the celebrations. She knew she couldn’t avoid Killian forever, but today was just too much. He wasn’t wearing suspenders this time, but he still looked far too handsome in a suit and an ice blue bow tie that brought out the color of his eyes. Every time he glanced her way, her heart raced. The entire scenario was too similar to their first kiss. In short, she didn’t trust herself.

She sipped on a flute of champagne as the DJ cranked out one party tune after another. She had a perfect view of the cake, so she didn’t miss Liam dabbing Elsa’s nose with icing and kissing it off. When the crowd thinned, she even snuck over to get a slice. She heard hoots and cheers and some sort of stripper music, so she figured Liam was removing Elsa’s garter now. Such a ridiculous, sexist custom, if you asked her.

“And now!” the DJ cried. “The bride will toss her bouquet!”

Sure enough, he punctuated the announcement with Beyoncé's “All the Single Ladies.” Emma rolled her eyes.

“Okay,” the DJ called out again, lowering the volume of the music almost completely, “we need the maid of honor on the dance floor. The bride says she won’t throw her bouquet without her. Maid of honor? Emma Swan!”

Emma tried to shrink farther into her dark alcove, but the entire ballroom had started chanting her name. It was only a matter of time before Anna discovered her and practically dragged her to the front of the room. Emma’s face burned as everyone laughed and cheered. Elsa winked at her. Emma pointed a finger threateningly, but her friend just laughed.

Emma wasn’t fully aware of the set up until every other woman on the dance floor suddenly disappeared as the bouquet sailed through the air. Mary Margaret had aimed, but had failed to take into account Emma’s complete disinterest in catching. Elsa had upped the game. Emma either had to catch the damn thing or hurt the bride’s feelings. She just managed to grab it with the tips of her fingers, the petals skimming the floor. Everyone laughed uproariously as Emma lifted the bouquet half-heartedly. She did, however, accept her friend’s hug.

“That was low,” she whispered in Elsa’s ear.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Elsa whispered back.

Now what did she mean by that?

“Okay, maid of honor,” the DJ announced, “tradition says the woman who catches the bouquet must dance with the man who caught the garter.”

Emma groaned. Of course it did. The DJ began to play Lady Antebellum’s “Just a Kiss.” The title of the song made dread fill her gut. Surely Liam and Elsa hadn’t . . .

Oh , but they had. She turned to see Killian standing there, Elsa’s garter dangling from his fingertips and an apologetic grin on his face.

“Sorry?” The word was cancelled out by the smirk and the cocky tilt of his head.

Emma scowled. “Isn’t that kind of gross? That was on your sister-in-law's thigh.”

Killian wrinkled his nose. “Seriously, Swan? You had to go there?”

She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her. This was the easy banter they had always shared. He crammed the garter in his coat pocket and reached to take her hand in his. He rested the other at her waist. As they swayed together, she was surprised to find that this was easy too.

“I’ve missed you,” he told her.

“I’ve missed you, too.”

They swayed silently, drawing closer and closer until his arms circled her waist and hers circled his neck. She fiddled with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Are you really . . . I mean, do you really . . . “ she let out a frustrated breath of air.

“Yes, and yes,” he told her with a sparkle in his eyes.

She rolled hers. “How can you answer when you don’t even know the question?”

“If I waited for you to spit it out, we’d be here all night.”

Emma smacked him in the chest as he laughed. When he drew her in his arms again, she rested her head against his shoulder.

“The question, I believe, is: Are you really in love with me? Or alternately: Do you really love me? Therefore, the answer to both is yes.” He spoke the words against her hair, and when he finished, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I don’t want to mess this up,” she told him honestly, pulling back to look him in the eye.

He cupped her face in his hands. “Oh Emma, that’s impossible. Being with you can only make my life infinitely better.”

This time when they kissed, it was met with cheers and shouts of “it’s about damn time!” Not that either of them noticed. For them, they may as well have been back underneath that moonlit magnolia tree, hidden away with enchanted fireflies.

#cs ff #cs modern au #friends to lovers #fandom birthday playlist #kday426 #for her birthday #just a kiss

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