Monday 16 May 2016

Marvel Cinematic Universe: I said to call me when you need me (But it is I who need you now)

Summary: [Spoilers for "Captain America: Civil War". Post-CA:CW.] Steve never lets go of the phone. Sam thinks that it's time for him to use it.

Rated: Fiction K+ - English - Friendship/Hurt/Comfort - Steve R./Capt. America, Bucky B./Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson/Falcon, Tony S./Iron Man - Words: 2,380 - Status: Complete

FF.Net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11947389/1/I-said-to-call-me-when-you-need-me-But-it-is-I-who-need-you-now

Also available on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/6856084


Author's Note: The Marvel universe and its amazing characters do not belong to me, but to their creators. Enjoy!


I said to call me when you need me (But it is I who need you now)


Steve never let go of the phone.

Even when Barnes was still with them and Steve devoted all his time and energy to the man, the phone never left his hand. It was a flip phone, nothing like the sleek models that the rest of them were using, nondescript and always, always tucked in Steve’s pocket. Sam had thought that it was because Steve still preferred something less modern, especially now when everyone had ditched their personalised Stark Phones and were back to using the average mass produced commercial product.

Then, Sam had learnt that Steve did have another phone, a more modern one, and that as nondescript as the flip phone was, it was made of military grade materials, closer to the equipment that could withstand fire, water and being flung to the floor by panicking super soldiers – because Sam had been there when Steve had accidentally swept the phone off his bedside table in the throes of a nightmare, he had still been there when Steve had checked every nook and cranny to ensure that it still functioned and he had been there when Steve had heaved an intense sigh of relief when it was clear that it was still alive after the whole fiasco.

Sam was a smart man, and he put the pieces together.

‘You could just call her, you know,’ he said, after watching Steve flip the phone open and close for the umpteenth time since Barnes had retired for the night.

Sam cleared his throat as the other man stared blankly back at him in response to his remark. ‘The agent, I mean, Sharon Carter.’

Steve laughed – choked and strangled rather than the sheepish embarrassment Sam was expecting. ‘We’re criminals, Sam. She’s already risked enough for me as it is.’

Sam raised an eyebrow. ‘She probably misses you, man, as much as you miss her.’ Steve stiffened. ‘I don’t want to cause her any more trouble than I already have,’ he answered, and Sam would’ve pushed harder if it weren’t for the note of firm finality he could hear in Steve’s voice.

He shrugged. ‘Suit yourself.’ At least he had already given Steve something to stew over.

And Steve tucked the phone back into his pocket.

After their conversation, Sam noted that Steve still fiddled around with the phone as much as ever, but he was a lot more discrete about it; often hastily keeping it when Sam, Wanda or any other person happened to walk in on him doing so.

Then, Barnes decided to go back to cryo, and without anything, anyone, to distract him, Steve went right back to his habit fiddling with the phone while staring into space. Sam hadn’t known how bad Steve had gotten until one night he had been forcefully awoken from his sleep – Riley, Rhodes, Riley, Rhodes falling, falling, falling – and he had stumbled on Steve in the living room, the phone on the table in front of him, just staring.

And Sam had had enough.

‘Call her.’

At any other time, he would’ve crowed with delight at making Steve jump the way he had, but Sam was done, just done, with everything, including the way Steve seemed to hold himself back from even that tiny splice of happiness when he had already sacrificed so much.

‘Sam-’

‘Call her, dammit, and I’m not leaving until you do.’

Steve looked back at him, features haggard with exhaustion, blue eyes haunted. ‘It’s not Sharon, Sam.’

Rhodes falling, falling, falling.

Sam was a smart man, and he wondered how he could’ve been so blind. ‘Stark,’ he breathed, ‘That phone connects you to Stark.’

Tony Stark, who had not planned on fighting them, who planned on going easy on all of them even when they had been blinded by their misplaced anger and even more misplaced sense of betrayal.

Because Stark had only wanted to protect them, still believing the best in them, even as they had lashed out at him, believing the worst of him.

Tony Stark, who had allowed Steve to break them out of The Raft and who had turned a blind eye when they had chosen to seek refuge in Wakanda because everything he had done had been to protect them.

Because Stark had signed the Accords to give the superheroes a voice and a choice in a regulation that was going to be forced on them whether they liked it or not; because Stark was trying to give them back their freedom and restore their reputation by regaining the trust of the people that they had lost.

Tony Stark, who had risked his life and safety to help the very people who had turned on him when he realized that there was more at stake than he had initially been led to believe.

Because when Stark had given the chance to make a choice, he had immediately chosen to admit he was wrong about Barnes and he had chosen to make things right.

Because Tony Stark wasn’t perfect and just as human as the rest of them.

But he had given them a chance when they had given him none.

And Sam, Sam had made the wrong call.

‘I’m sorry man.’

‘For what?’ Steve’s question was weary.

‘We should’ve told him about the Winter Soldiers.’

About Barnes’ innocence.

Steve shook his head. ‘That’s not on you; you didn’t know him.’ The unspoken, ‘not as well as I did’, hung in the air between them. Steve buried his head in his hands, knuckles white against his forehead as he clutched at the phone, tightly, desperately. ‘There were so many things I should’ve told him,’ Steve whispered.

It was only because Steve had confided in Sam that Sam knew about what really happened in Siberia. He had initially been furious at Stark – because he had trusted Stark when Stark had promised to go to Steve, alone and as a friend – but Steve – and Barnes – had told him what really happened, and all Sam’s righteous anger had left him, left him hollow and empty.

‘I feel like such a hypocrite.’ There was a hysterical edge to Steve’s voice. Sam could only wait as Steve struggled against the outpouring of emotion; this had been a long time in coming.

Sam had always thought that Barnes was the only person who could push Steve Rogers, the boy from Brooklyn, forcefully to the surface as demonstrated by Steve’s actions that had led them to where they were. It was now clear that Tony Stark was the other.

‘I was angry, you know, so angry when he kept Ultron a secret from all of us.’ Steve’s laugh was an ugly sound. ‘I was so mad at him. Even though Bruce was also involved, I could forgive him. Even after I found out that it was Wanda who had pushed Tony into such desperate measures through her mental manipulations, I still forgave her. But Tony, I was still so angry with him. Something that big, I trusted him to tell me about it. Instead, he kept it from me, lied to me and only told me the truth when it blew up in our faces.’

Steve looked straight at Sam and Sam had to hold himself still from flinching at the bleeding wound in Steve’s eyes. ‘He didn’t think that we would listen; that we would understand. Sam, he only wanted to protect us.’ Although Steve’s next words were soft, they rang in Sam’s ears. ‘I only wanted to protect him.’

Steve hadn’t wanted to push Stark to have to choose between the Accords and Steve Rogers.

‘And I wanted to protect myself.’

Because Steve would always choose to defend Barnes – and Sam understood; Barnes was innocent – but he was also afraid of giving Stark the chance to choose against him, and telling Stark about his parents’ death? The chances of being in direct conflict with Stark was very, very high.

They had their ideological differences, they bickered and they fought, but Sam was beginning to see Steve and Stark had always believed that where it mattered, they wanted the same thing; to do the right thing, to protect the people they loved.

Even with the Accords, they had still wanted the same thing, but when it came to Barnes, when it came to Stark’s parents, it was a chance that Steve had been unwilling to take.

‘I lied to him, Sam. After all the grief I gave him, even though I understood how much it would hurt, I still lied to him.’

And it was that lie, not the Accords, that now still drove Steve and Stark apart.

‘So call him.’

‘What?’

‘Call him and apologise. Tell him what you just told me.’

Because Sam might not have known Stark very well, but he did know that if Stark had wanted Barnes’ head on a platter, they would not be sitting here talking about this while Barnes lay in a peaceful cryogenic sleep.

‘I wrote him a letter.’

Sam gaped at his friend. ‘You wrote him a letter?’ he echoed disbelievingly, ‘You wrote him a letter and what? You told him to call?’

The look on Steve’s face was all the answer that Sam needed. ‘The ball’s in his court. I’ve learnt my lesson. I-I won’t force his hand.’ Steve was resigned. ‘If Tony wants to speak to me again, he’ll call.’

Sam loved Steve, he really did, but right now, he just felt like strangling his friend.

‘When it was Barnes, you were so determined to get him back that you still went after him even when he tried to kill us, but with Stark, you’re just going to let him go?’

‘I’ll be there when he needs me, but I won’t force him to make nice with me unless he wants to! I’m giving him a choice, Sam!’

‘No, Steve, you’re running away.’

Because Sam understood, more than anyone else Sam understood. He understood what it was like to have someone precious to you ripped away from you when you could not do anything but to watch helplessly as they fell.

If Barnes had been Riley, if Riley had come back into his life the way Barnes had come back into Steve’s, the world be damned, Riley would’ve been Sam’s highest priority.

Because Sam understood how easy it was to focus the person you had lost; to focus on the second chance that the heavens had suddenly thrown at you to protect the person you had not been able to protect before.

Because if Sam had been given the same chance to save Riley the way Steve had been given the chance to save Barnes, he would’ve taken it; selfishly, he would’ve taken it, not only because it meant that he could save Riley, but because it meant that he could make up for not saving Riley the first time around.

And Sam knew how easy it was to take for granted the person who you knew would always be there, especially if they had always been there no matter how much you fought, no matter how life had tried to keep you apart.

Because Barnes had been taken away from Steve, but Stark, from what Steve had told him, from what the Avengers had told him, especially Rhodes, Stark had always been there.

Heck, even now, when they were both separated by pain and lies, by distance and regulations, Stark was still there.

Unlike Barnes who hadn’t been given the choice of whether or not he had wanted to leave Steve, Stark did have the choice; the choice to reject Steve the way Steve had seemingly rejected him. By sending a letter and leaving it up to Stark to call, Steve had once again neatly sidestepped the conflict that had prompted him to lie to Stark about his parents in the first place.

And Sam was not going to stand idly by while his friend continued cower in his cowardice. The Steve Rogers he knew wasn’t a brave man because he was Captain America; the Steve Rogers he knew was Captain America because he was a brave man.

‘Steve, Stark is not likely to call you when the last time you saw each other, you left him, injured and alone, in Siberia.’ Steve flinched, opening his mouth, but shutting it almost immediately with a snap when Sam waved him into silence. ‘You may have sent him a letter, but a letter is not enough, and deep down, you should know that. No, you do know that, but you’re still reeling over what happened in Siberia and you’re terrified he still is too. This way, you can pretend that everything’s alright between you, that the only reason he hasn’t called you is because he’s handling things and he doesn’t need you for another superhero emergency. But, Steve-’ Sam gestured at the phone that Steve still held tightly in his grasp. ‘-you can’t spend your life waiting for a call you’re not sure is ever going to come.’

As Steve’s gaze drifted down to the phone, Sam waited for his words to sink in before adding, ‘Think about it man, it’s been a month since you’ve sent that letter and it hasn’t yet been returned to its sender.’ With that, Sam turned his back to his friend, pretending not to notice Steve’s eyes drilling a hole into the back of his head, and left.

Lingering in the next room, Sam closed his eyes and breathed, trying to calm his own nerves, which were still twanging from his nightmare.

Rhodes falling, falling, falling.

But not dead.

And Sam was gratified to hear Steve’s voice breaking through the silence he had left in his wake.

‘Tony?’






Tuesday 3 June 2014

Supernatural FanFic: Don't Let Me Go



Summary: Team Free Will, all the thoughts and feels at the brink of Season 9 finale. Mostly Destiel. [Spoilers 9x23]

Rated: Fiction T - English - Romance/Hurt/Comfort - Dean W., Castiel, Sam W. 
Status: Complete



Author’s Note: I wanted to explore further with the emotions and thoughts of Team Free Will (especially Destiel) and I thought the events of 9x23 would fit perfectly with this wonderful song Don’t Let Me Go by Raign (thank you TVD for introducing me to this song, I still can’t get over its haunting melody). 

The song is available here below. Please take a listen as it’s an awesome song that brings out the feels in all of us. As always, the characters of Supernatural and the lyrics of Don’t Let Me Go do not belong to me but to their respective and wonderful creators. This is my first time writing a Supernatural ff. Comments and constructive criticisms are always welcomed! Don't forget to give your support follow/fav it if you like the story. Your support means the world. Enjoy =D

I'm watching myself
Drifting away
A vision so darkened I cannot stay
I'm reaching out wide
Trying to catch myself before
I fall too little too late

Can you save me ?

Where do we go when I walk on light
Who do we call at the edge of night
Carry me close like the tear drops in your eyes
All I can give you is memories
Carry them with you and I'll never leave
I'll lay my head down
But when I lay my head down

Dean slummed limply against the wall. Swells, cuts and bruises covered most of his face. It felt so difficult to see or even breathe for that matter. Metatron had done a number on him wielding the “power of god”. The stench of blood was thick in the air. Dean was barely able to concentrate let alone pick himself up. Still the Blade called to him, like a beacon of untold power. Son of a bitch! Dean Winchester knew that if he took the blade and kill Metatron now, there will be no going back. 

Ever since he had killed with the First Blade, there was a hunger growing steadily within him. It gnawed at him, clouding his mind, urging him to pick up the Blade whenever it was near its vicinity. Dean tried to resist the Blade’s calls but he always gave in. Once he had the Blade in his hands, all thoughts of doubt and fear immediately faded away, giving him clarity and focus. The focus to Kill. Dean never told anyone, especially Sammy, about what was happening to him. He couldn’t. How could he lay his burden on his brother. Not after all Sammy had been through. It’s my burden to bear, not yours Sammy. 

The Blade lay just out of reach from Dean with Metatron gloating at him. Dean could barely hear him. To hell with it. Even if I die, least I’d drag that smug bastard down with me. He focused all his energy in summoning the Blade to him, like he had before he stuck it into Abadon’s guts. The Blade shuddered and moved. It flew into Dean’s hand. Then, he felt something sharp and cold pierce his gut. He faintly turned to see Sam running towards him with a mouthed NO! Dean had no more strength left. It’s too late. That angel douchebag got to me first

Sound began to return to Castiel as he got over the shock of his former-brethren-turn-enemy-turn-ally Gadreel sacrificing himself to prove his innocence and a chance to atone for his sins. Cas quickly got out of the rubble and made his way to Metatron’s room in search of the tablet, the same one that fuels the “Would-be God’s” powers. He knew he was running out of time as Dean would be fighting against Metatron to buy him time to destroy the tablet. I hope that I’m not too late. Please hang in there Dean. I’m already in the Deathstar

Now where would I hide a tablet that possesses the power of God? Cas’s logical and methodical mind answered a million possibilities. However, his emotions and instincts tugged at him. He was missing something. Metatron said he was a writer. His entire endgame is based upon him emerging as the hero and saviour of the story he wrote. Cas glanced towards the blue antique typewriter sitting on Metatron’s desk. The word of ‘God’ indeed

Darkness swirled within Dean. Metatron was gone. Sam gripped and shook him, trying to keep him awake. Underneath all the exterior injuries sustained, he could feel the power of the Blade spreading. Something cold, not winter cold but a give-me-the-creeps-chill sort of cold. The feeling of sensing something was out there, watching and preying on you from the darkness. Whatever it was, it was evil and Dean knew it. He desperately fought to keep the chill that was threatening to overwhelm him. 

Damnit Cas! Where are you? I need to see you. At least one last time. Memories of Cas flashed before him and the chill began to slow its pace. Dean was surprised at this revelation and his reaction to the lack of Cas’ presence. ‘I did it all you, Dean,’ echoed Cas’ voice. I guess it makes sense... in a way. The things that Cas did began to fall into place, rebelling against heaven, fighting against his own kind. Hell...the guy even gave up his army for me. Cas always had affected him profoundly in ways he never thought possible. He just never realised it until now. Dean had always thought that his brother Sam was the one person he could never truly let go off. Turns out that there was another in Dean’s life. It wasn’t Bobby, it wasn’t Dad, it wasn’t Lisa, Benny or any of the others. It always has been the angel who had literally left his mark on Dean, his Cas. 

No matter how badly things went, Cas always found his way back to him. Dean only hoped that Cas made it out alive. I’m sorry that I have to leave you Sammy and Cas. I wished that you could save me but it’s too late.
 

So let me freeze time
Before it turns cold
The moments go by and life goes on
The torturous stars
Are taking every breath I wish I held
The love is my heart
Is never ending

Sam carried Dean the best he could, out of the warehouse. Away from here. It seemed like Cas and Gadreel succeeded in destroying the tablet. Otherwise, Metatron would have stuck around to finish the job. Sam’s jacket was beginning to soak with Dean’s blood. He’s lost a lot of blood. He’s going to die if I don’t get help. Sam silently prayed for Cas, hoping the angel could hear him and heal Dean. Cas did not come to his call. Something was wrong. Everything had gone seriously wrong. Metatron is out there. Cas is not here. And Dean…

Dean slummed even further onto Sam. ‘Sam, hold up,’ Dean breathed. He had to let Dean rest. Dean leaned against an old rotting table and held Sam by his shoulders. ‘I need to say something,’ Dean struggled. 

No. Don’t say anything. I don’t want to hear it. Save your strength.What?’ asked Sam instead. 

I’m proud of us,’ declared Dean, staring straight into Sam’s eyes. His hand moved to tap on Sam’s face like a father who was proud of his son would have done. Tears threatened to overwhelm Sam as he watched his brother’s eyes closed and fell on him.

Hey, hey, wake up, Dean! DEAN!’ gestured Sam desperately.  You can’t die. You’re my brother. I’m so sorry Dean. Dean! Just wake up! Please!!

Dean didn’t respond. Sam knew he was gone. He cried for his brother’s passing as he hugged Dean tightly for the last time. 

After smashing the tablet, Cas found himself handcuffed to the chair. Metatron had returned. If he had returned, that would mean Dean had... Dean wouldn’t fail. He couldn’t. Pieces of the tablet lay shattered on the floor.

 So Gadreel bites the dust and the tablet, arguably the most powerful instrument in the history of the universe and for what again?’ questioned Metatron. ‘Oh that’s right. To save Dean Winchester,’ he sneered.

Cas looked up at the mention of Dean. Dread began to fill him. ‘I mean that was your goal right?’ Metatron continued. ‘You draped yourself in the flag of heaven but ultimately it was all about saving one human, right?’ 

Cas turned away. He couldn’t even look at Metatron. He was guilty by all accounts. Dean started off as part of his assignment – to protect him. Somehow along the way, that protection became a vow. In all his life of existence, Cas had never felt more alive than he was with Dean. Dean challenged everything he used to believe in; made him see the good in humanity; that free will was worth fighting for. That Dean was worth fighting for. 

While Dean had sacrificed a lot to save Cas; likewise Cas had also given up so much for that man. He lost his place with his brethren, his home above, his angel grace and his own life. And Cas knew that if he could do it all over again, he wouldn’t choose differently. Because it lead Cas to him. As an angel, Cas had never experienced love but from what he understood about that complex emotion with so many different answers, he somehow knew that his love resided with Dean Winchester.
But guess what?’ eyed Metatron. ‘He’s dead too.

Cas turned back to face that son of a female dog. His eyes went wide, mouth parted in shock. This is not happening. Not Dean. I failed him.


I can't see me
But you still feel me
I only live in your memories

I mean something
Your everything
You lay me down
Take me there 

He has to pay for what he did. This has to end. Cas did his best to calm himself, tapping into his angel half to subdue the raw pain and anger he was feeling at the moment. The angel forced himself to think logically and took in deep breaths whenever he could. Cas baited Metatron to confess to his crimes. Metatron, ever so eager to tell his story, revelled in the opportunity to gloat at his victory over Cas. 

In doing so, he unwittingly told everything he did with smug glee. The rest of his brethren did the rest of the work for Cas as he heard Metatron’s first hand confession over the PA system. Cas did it. Metatron was finally defeated. And all Cas felt was grief. 

Dean felt himself pulled away from his body. He saw Sam crying, hugging his body, now an empty shell. I hope you find your happiness Sammy. This will only be temporary. You’ll get over it. I could never get over losing you but I know you’re strong enough to do so. Goodbye Sammy. 

He continued upward until he found himself in a room. Metatron was there. Dean remembered that he was supposed to kill that bastard. But it didn’t really seem that important now. Then, he saw Cas handcuffed to the chair. Cas’s face was white but his eyes were filled with sorrow and rage. His jaw clenched with a sense of determination Dean had seen countless of times when the nerd angel was by his side. 

Dean turned around to see the PA microphone was turned on. Metatron was spilling all his dirty secrets out and he didn’t even know it. He would be the cause of his own downfall. Nice one. Real smooth Cas. He smiled with pride at Cas as the rest of the angels rushed in to take down Metatron. Despite the victory, Cas could only look down at the floor, shoulders slummed in defeat. Dean knelt in front of Cas. His angel couldn’t see him off course but Dean couldn’t bear to see him like this.

Hey, hey... Dean faced upwards to look at Cas. It’s not your fault. Don’t do this to yourself. You never failed me. You saved me. It took me so long to realise this but You mean everything to me Cas. Never forget that. Dean stroked Cas’ face as he felt himself fading away. 

Cas felt a familiar touch to his face as the feeling dissipated. He looked around for a sign but there was no one there. 


Don't let me go
Hold me in your beating heart
I won't let go
Forever is not enough
Let me lay my head down on the shadow by your side
Don't let me go
Hold me in your beating heart

Sam carried Dean back to the Men of Letters Headquarters. His tears had dried, his face replaced with a hollow look. Sam lay Dean down on the latter’s bed and walked out. 

The younger Winchester sank into a chair at the main hall, a drink in his hand. He downed the drink in a single gulp and let the cup slide from his fingers, landing onto the table with a loud thunk. His thoughts drifted back to that moment of confrontation. ‘You would’ve done the same for me if the situation was reverse’. ‘No. Actually I wouldn’t’. Sam closed his eyes tight. He regretted telling Dean that. He knew it was the truth when he said it. Sam had always wanted a normal life. One where there were no monsters out to rip your throat and you could just sleep soundly into the night. But he knew he was past that stage. And now that Dean was dead, Sam will be damned if he let his brother go just like that. Dean was right, they are family. 

It took everything Cas had in him to not shove a blade through Metatron’s skull. To torture him in every way imaginable, just as he had done to Dean. As he had done to Cas. He knew Metatron hadn’t been lying when he said Dean was dead but Cas could not bring himself to see Dean’s body. Instead, he sought to see it through that Metatron is safely locked away in heaven’s cell. 

After it was all over, Cas found himself alone in Metatron’s now ex-room. After a long day of maintaining a stoic face with beaming angels smiling at him like he’s some sort of leader, Cas could not take it anymore. His fist rammed into the wall, a hole left in it, like his heart. Blood dripped from his knuckles but he didn’t bother healing it. He needed to focus on the physical pain. Because the emotional pain was too much for him to handle. Tears flowed down silently from Cas as he knelt down, too tired to stand up. 

What’s the point in all this? I could have everything I wanted. My brethren have finally accepted me. I could help them, lead them back into our home. Only it’s not my home anymore. Metatron lost. We won. But Sam and I are the ones who truly lost. I would never let you go Dean. I will find a way to save you. I promise. 

Dean found himself in a dark space of nothingness. The darkness seemed to stretch till no end. For some reason, he could see himself quite clearly despite the pitch black surrounding. So this is where I’m supposed to spend my eternity eh? Dean thought bitterly as he had harboured a tiny hope that he could at least become a ghost, watching over both Cas and Sam. If they truly could live life without him, then perhaps he could find some peace in that. Dean noticed the glow around him, which allowed him to see himself, was growing brighter. 

The light source was emitting from the Mark. It grew brighter and brighter. Its eerie orange-yellow glow slowly gave vision to where Dean was. Dark black smoke swirled around Dean. He instinctively knew that this was the same evil that tried to claim him before he died. Dean tried to run from it but the smoke was everywhere. It crawled up, latching onto his legs as the smoke transformed into a liquid corporeal state, climbing up on Dean’s body. He desperately tore at it, trying to rip off the black sludge threatening to take his life once more. 

The effort was futile. A raspy voice surrounded him. ‘Come back with us. Rise, my Son. Soon, you shall be reborn and carry out what you were destined to do. To Rule.’ ‘I will fight this. I WILL FIGHT THE DARKNESS!!’ screamed Dean defiantly. He prayed that Cas and Sam had not given up on him as the darkness enveloped him. 

Don't Let Me Go by Raign



Tuesday 6 May 2014

OUAT FanFic: Be My Saviour



Summary: Hook was drowning. Zelena had given Emma a choice – keep her powers or save the one man that she couldn’t wait to run away from. [Spoilers from 3x20 ‘Kansas]

Rated: Fiction T - English - Romance/Hurt/Comfort - Emma S., Killian Jones/Captain Hook  Status: Complete

FF.NET: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10328029/1/Be-My-Saviour

Also Available on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1576445



Authors Note: So…I came across a song sung by Colin O’Donoghue’s band, The Enemies. It’s called Perfect Strangers and this song has served me the inspiration for this one shot using the lyrics of the song. I find ironic that this song was sung wayyyy before Captain Swan happened but this song describes their relationship perfectly.
The song will be up on my blog (ourfictionstation.blogspot.com). Please take a listen as it’s an awesome song. As always, the characters of Once Upon a Time and the lyrics of Perfect Stranger do not belong to me but to their respective and wonderful creators. Comments and constructive criticisms are always welcomed! Don't forget to give your support follow/fav it if you like the story. Your support means the world. Enjoy =D


Are we Alone?
Forever finding our way home?
Or have we Lost the Skill to Navigate This Course?
Still we try, to keep ourselves alive,
For reasons why, others will get left behind.

‘Whatever happened in that city. It wasn’t real,’ Hook justified for what felt like the hundredth time to his beautiful but bloody hell stubborn Swan. 

‘But whatever happened. Happened. And we were happy,’ responded Emma indignantly. Typical of Swan

Hook heaved a sigh. Here they were, trekking their way up to the Wicked Witch’s house, courting danger once again. And all his Swan could think about was running as far away from here, from him as possible. No. Not my Swan. Never was anyway. How could he get her to trust him again? To trust in herself again? He wished Emma could see that home was where her family is. Not in that stone cold city where one was serve bologna as “food”. Hook shuddered internally at the thought. 

‘What about your boy? What does he think of this?’ he tries again. 

‘His mother knows what’s best for him,’ replied Emma curtly.

‘Or for you?’ challenged Hook. He had had it with Emma. After everything he has done, from saving the lad in Neverland and Peter Pan to crossing realms getting them back to their family. She turns her back on everything the first chance she gets. That woman infuriated him till no end. Sure, he made a mistake by not telling Emma about Zelena cursing his lips. But surely she’d know that there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Emma Swan. There was no solid reason to put her walls up now. Not after everything they have been through. How can she not see it? She need not feel so alone. She had her lad. She had her parents. She had him. 

She will always have him. 

“What is it? Why are you so scared of staying?” Hook pressed on. ‘I think it’s because you can see a future here. A happy one.’ 

Emma stopped on her tracks. How could he have known? It never ceased to amaze Emma of Killian’s ability to read her like an open book. Killian? Since when was he known as Killian now? Truth was she had almost begun to open up to him. To trust him. A pirate of all people. Not just any pirate. He was Captain Hook. 

She knew everything he did for her and she was truly grateful for it. But she has already loved and lost enough in her life that she cannot bear to face it again. If it wasn’t evidence, Killian, no, Hook’s recent lies to her where enough proof that she was right not to trust him. That’s why I can’t take that chance that I’m wrong about you. 

Emma turned to face Hook with the hardest look she could give and answered sardonically, ‘Let me guess…with you?’

Before Hook could answer her, Zelena appeared with the Dark One by a side. ‘Awww…you two are so adorable,’ she mocked with a sneer. 

Who we are all comes down to what we know,
Who we become, surely time will tell us when to run,
Or walk in the light,
the warmth just feels so right,
The question burns,
never know which way to turn.
All we stand for, all we know,
where we come from, where we go.

Hook was drowning. Zelena had given Emma a choice – keep her powers or save the one man that she couldn’t wait to run away from. The next thing she knew was Gold flinging Hook into the air and dunked his upper body into the pool of water. But Hook couldn’t get up. He was desperately flailing, struggling to come back up for air but Gold’s magic kept him down. 

Hook struggled underwater. He could feel water seeping into his lungs, eager to claim his life. He always had a love for all things water but this wasn’t how he envisioned of going. I can’t die just yet. Emma needs me! But his chest was already tightening and the more he struggled, the quicker he could feel the numbness spreading. Urging him to stop fighting. Once upon a time when he was Captain Hook, he wouldn’t have put his life on the line for anyone other than exacting his revenge. Now he was here, sacrificing everything for a woman that did not love him back. 

He could feel someone trying to tug him out of the water but to no avail. Subconsciously, he knew Zelena’s move in forcing Emma to relinquish her magic to save him. No. I cannot let Emma give up her magic. Everyone else needs her. She doesn’t need me. Killian felt the pressure releasing as he began to let go.  You don’t know it but you already saved me. I love you Emma.

‘Hook!!!’ cried Emma as she desperately tried to heave him out of the water but the Dark One’s magic was too powerful, even for Emma. Then, both Zelena and Gold disappeared in a green cloud of smoke. 

Emma pulled Killian to the ground. His eyes were closed with his soaking wet head slummed to the side. He wasn’t breathing. No no no no no no….it can’t be. ‘Hook! Hook! Killian! Wake up!!’ Tears wielding in Emma’s eyes as she shook him, hoping that he would wake up. Don’t leave me Killian. I can’t lose you too. 

Might have known you'd be my savior,
when I'd fallen out of favor,
Might have known you'd be my savior
You saved this perfect stranger

Killian was so devoid of life. It scared the shit out of Emma. You cannot do this to me Killian! All the others, Graham and Neal were taken away from her as they died in her arms. But Killian had always been different. He was the one that was too stubborn for his own good. The one that never gave up on her. The one who never stopped thinking about her. The one who believed in her. The one who always came for her.

‘Killian, come back to me,’ breathe Emma. If she didn’t do something now, she would lose Killian forever. She considered her options and she made her choice. She breathe life into Killian’s cursed lips. Emma could feel her light magic fade away from her. Please come back to me Killian. I can’t lose you. She stroked his face willing him to come back to her again, as he had always done before. 

Then, Killian sputtered out water and inhaled deep breaths of air as he regained consciousness. ‘Swan,’ he muttered touching his lips. His eyes grew wider as he realised what Emma had done. What she gave up for him. ‘What did you do? What did you do?’ he questioned Emma with dread of the answer. 

The first thing he says after saving his ass is still concern over me and what I had lost. Emma could only stare at him and said nothing. Because if she had to do it all over again, she knew she would choose Killian over her magic. Everytime. Although Emma wasn’t willing to admit it, despite of what he had done in the past, Killian had always been her saviour. 

Now it was time for her to be his. 


                                                  Perfect Stranger by The Enemies


 
*Spoiler* BTS Captain Swan in 3x21 and 3x22