“I was just curious. New York is pretty awesome, but Storybrooke is home. Do you ever miss the Enchanted Forest sometimes?”
That question had a little more weight. Even Emma’s been to the Enchanted Forest now - twice. He was a bit jealous, his own curiosity for his roots being the cause of that. It was where his family was from, where fairytales were reality. He might be growing up, but that didn’t stop
as much as she might have wished to avoid both her parents —- well it was working for a while—— but it seemed rather impossible to get some alone time without any of them; snow especially, attempting to apologize for something that just couldn’t be taken back; the savior’s WALLS were higher than ever before, & she wasn’t about to let them down anytime soon.
❛ i’m busy && i’m really not up for talking with you right now, so please do me the favor and leave me A L O N E. ❜
it stung ; emma’s determination to conceal herself. but persistence was key & snow would not give up. it’d been a (moment) of —- fear, hesitance, and although the past could not be undone, the feeling had been just that. a feeling. one of passing. one that snuck up, tale between it’s legs, only to f l e e in the other direction. she refused to allow their daughter to remain believing it true. ’ emma, please. it’s okay. we’re sorry ;i’m sorry. we just —- we love you. & we want to help you. ’
“Hey grandma, do you ever get tired of Storybrooke? There’s a lot more out there, not that I’ve seen a lot of it, besides here and New York, but aren’t you ever curious? This must seem really small compared to the Enchanted Forest.”
’ storybrooke is our home, henry. it doesn’t matter how big ( or ) small it is : as long as we have each other. —- what’s this about ? ’
warm gaze lifted from the book in front of her at the familiar sound of the bell above the door chiming. she set reading material aside at the appearance of a not entirely unfamiliar head of cropped, dark hair, the corners of her mouth curling upwards with ease. the tranquil silence of the ice cream parlor is broken by soft, sweet voiced greeting.
❝ Afternoon. What can I get for you ? ❞
being with child certainly had it’s perks. besides having the chance to raise a child & watch a part of david and herself grow up, it also helped in sufficing as a good reason to indulge in some much needed ice cream. eating for two just happened to be another perk.
’ two pints of vanilla, please. ’
awarm smile tugs across her lips before adding :
’ oh !a pint of cherry vanilla & one rocky road, as well. ’
it’s only then that realization dawns upon her – she’s never formally introduced herself to the woman behind the counter. though, it seems silly now but recognition is failing her sorely.
’ have we met before ? ’
( —- aside from the obvious : her question digs deeper. )
Her touch is calming, and he relaxes almost immediately under it. It’s her voice, really, that draws him back to reality instantaneously. She has that affect on him, her ability to help him so natural that he knows he should be able to sleep again in a moment, be able to say something to her in a moment.
” —- I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Words, and they aren’t calm, or steady, but shake a bit, that he can manage. It’s all about pushing it aside, after all. He’d prefer to keep this to himself. Even if she’s able to help, which he knows she can, having lived through this herself, he also knows that it just fades with time. The nightmares stop - it’s an after effect of the sleeping curse, but it passes sooner rather than later. Any fix now is just temporary.
“I know.”
His voice is calm now, and a deep breath helps even more, the cool air bringing him back from the harsh conditions of the Netherworld. Looking over at her, there’s a small smile on his face, his lips curved just slightly, though it’s certainly not reaching his eyes. He’s here, his head and heart are here, but he knows as soon as he sleeps, it’ll be back there. If not tonight, then tomorrow. And it’s frightening.
“You should go back to sleep. I’m fine.”
He isn’t though. He isn’t fine. Physically, yes, but the Netherworld encompassed the mind. His eyes are the path and they bleed the opposite : a letter in which Snow can read quite well.
’ I know. ’
Her words convey a double entendre: I know you’re fine ( or ) I know you better than that. The latter is where she finds herself. Though she need not further stress her point as she moves quietly through the loft to retrieve one of the wax candles kept in case of emergency.
Returning promptly, candle already lit & secured in a holder, she places it upon the dresser. He could insist all he wanted - fine or not - the candle would remain bright. The flames belonging to the nightmare were terrifying but the ones flickering now would soothe.
David, in fact, had been the one to tell her so —-
