Plays: 0
Do you know that feeling when, after a hard day’s work, you get to let yourself sink into the depths of your pillow, clear your mind and let all tension just slip away? That feeling—-keep it in mind. Think of it when you remember, because knowing you, you’ll break your head over this at some point in the future. Don’t.
They say everything will be alright in the end—-and if not, it isn’t the end, now is it?
I think this really is the end. Everything worked out for the best.
~*~
"Papa!"
The word passed the boy's lips as clumsily as his steps towards his father were, but the effort was there. It was only natural that it should be his first word, and of course, his first big steps into the wide, dangerous world would lead towards him, the one constant in his life. He was genuinely happy in the presence of his father. If only that feeling had been mutual for the remainder of their shared lives, perhaps they would have been much less unfortunate.
Quickly paced, inexperienced steps were taken towards his father, and even though the distance between the two of them wasn't all that far according to adult perception, it seemed like a perilous trip for the young lad. Moments before he managed to reach his father's outstretched arms, the boy could feel himself tumbling forward, something which would no doubt have resulted in a fall absent his father's loving embrace to wrap him up. Still standing on his feet, the boy beamed, proud to have conquered this obstacle with his father to witness.
"I did it!"
"Yes you did, Bae. Yes you did."~*~
“Papa!”
The boy’s panicked cry, no matter how far it would have carried had he been standing on solid ground, was sucked into the vortex that swirled around him and threatened to swallow him up any moment now. Not a chance of resounding, nipped in the bud and inaudible to its intended recipient. Tightening his grip around his father’s hand as he could feel it starting to slip, Baelfire pulled himself up just enough for his voice to carry out the same message towards his father. It didn’t by far have the intended effect.
Yes, there was hesitation—-but there should never have been any hesitation in the first place. They’d come to an agreement, a deal, and Rumplestiltskin never broke deals. He never had—-until that very moment. Facing the choice of parting ways with his son or giving up the power he had gained, power that had corrupted him to essentially become the Dark One, the pressure overtook him. In the heat of the moment, a choice was made. A choice that would cause much resentment and regret.
Fingers loosened their grip, his hand opened, and just like that, the kid had slipped out of reach—-and out of time and space. One last echo of the word he had once valued above anything else, and the boy vanished.
~*~
It took me so long to forgive you. Took me way too long to find Emma again. I’ve wasted so much time being angry about meaningless things when I could’ve had so much better all along. I don’t regret coming here. My only regret is that I won’t be there to take care of ‘em, to watch the two of them be happy, eventually, and to watch Henry grow up. But at least they’re alive. I only ever wanted them to have the best shot at happiness, and this is the best I can do for them.
You’ve taught me so much, Papa. Not that the day we lost touch’ll ever be forgotten, but you should know that it’s forgiven. If I hadn’t been sent here on my own, I never would’ve met Emma. We never would’ve had Henry. I would’ve missed out on a package of happy memories to last me a lifetime.
You helped me make my first footprints before I tracked my own path. Now it’s up to you all to continue without me. There’ll always be obstacles along the way, but I’ve learned a long time ago that they’re not as difficult to overcome as they may look, when you’ve got some familiar help.
Take care of them, support them where I can’t. Make sure Henry leaves some damn good footprints; he deserves nothing less.
Just keep in mind that it’s alright. This is the end, and you know what they say about endings.
I love you, Papa.
