#ouatmilah

[justmilah]

I didn't know he liked drawing.                                   He got it from his mother.

[piracytheorist]

I just really like the idea that when Milah and Killian first got together, it was clear to both that it was a 100% sexual thing. They both had feelings for each other, of course, and Killian was more discreet on that since it was the first time he was falling in love and it felt weird.

Though Milah was developing feelings, she didn’t act on them and just allowed their relationship to be what it was; they were both fine with it and it did make her happy.

It was like that for a few months, then things slowly started to get more intimate. It was during that time that she told him about RumpeIstiltskin selling their unborn child.

Killian was furious, and almost run to the wheel to change direction and go back to her village to take Bae with them. And when Milah stopped him, he turned furious with her. How could she have the heart to leave her own son to a father who would sell his own children left and right?

Milah explained that she had absolutely no doubt that her former husband would lay down his very life if it came to protecting Baelfire... Baelfire he did love and the whole “selling their unborn kid” was exactly what he was willing to do only because said kid didn’t even exist. He was a coward, yes, but he was a loving father.

Then she angrily asked Killian what the hell his problem was with that and stormed off when she got no answer.

It was months later that he talked to her about his past. He admitted that what he saw in her, the reason he wanted so much to help her run away and one of the reasons he loved her (the first time he ever said that) was that he saw his own desperate need for freedom in her eyes. The one he had himself during his years of servitude, a fire that never stopped burning despite what occured to him or how long his servitude lasted. A fire he wanted to see burn freely, like his own did after he was free.

[gusenitsaa]

Charlotte (Part 1 / 2?)

Prompt: "How do you think things would have been different if (Killian) and Milah had had a child?" 

The current plan is that part 1 will take us all the way to Neverland. (oh yes, still) and part 2 will take us to storybrooke (yes YES,  still!) CS eventually, but most of this story does take place long before Emma is born and focuses on Killian!  

Thanks to @pirate-owl , @justmilah and @queen-mabs-revenge for headcanon angsting with me and inspiring me to put this on paper!  

Read on FF!

It wasn't like the first time.

When Milah learned she was carrying Baelfire it was a time of hope and limitless possibilities. This time… they'd talked about it and Killian had accepted her decision. It was too risky. She couldn't bring a child into the world when some magic she didn't understand and hadn't agreed to might bind the child to slavery.

But here she was, despite all their best precautions.

She wished she could feel pure joy, wished she could draw a little girl with her curls and her father's eyes. Wished all she had to fear was how rough seas might exacerbate her nausea. An infant on a pirate ship? It was absurd, even Bae- Her heart clenched at the thought of her first child, still so young. Still too young for the life they had chosen?

She didn't tell Killian.

He knew something was wrong, asked her to trust him and she did. She did trust him, but she could barely handle her own emotions, she wasn't sure she could handle seeing his eyes light up before he remembered. That look of worry that would settle onto his face, the way his eyes would go distant as he tried to find a way out. A way to protect their child from an enemy they couldn't see.

It took him nearly two weeks after she figured it out before he finally cornered her in their cabin. She'd been avoiding him, quite the feat when you're on a ship and the man you are trying to avoid is also your captain.

"Milah, please talk to me-"

"I can't-" she didn't quite meet his eyes and tried to leave, tried to escape before he saw. She'd nearly made it out of the cabin before he spoke, a note of desperation in his voice.

"We will find a way to protect the child." She froze, closing her eyes, and heard quiet steps as he came up behind her. She turned, burying her head into his chest the tears finally falling.

"How did you-" she started but shook her head. Of course he noticed. His arms tightened around her. "What if we can't? What if someone steals her from us." She hadn't noticed until that moment but was suddenly certain that it would be a little girl and he didn't question her.

"Then they will learn it is unwise to steal from a pirate."

"So we just wait?" she knew she sounded panicked but now that he knew the emotions she'd been bottling up exploded to the surface. " Do we just wait for someone to come and-"

"Shhh, Milah, love, we will not just wait. And tomorrow we will discuss the logistics at length. But tonight-" he pulled away just enough to kiss her softly. "I know it's not what we planned but, Milah are you… are you happy?" There was a nervousness in his eyes and she smiled in spite of herself.

"I'm scared, Killian. But yes, yes I'm happy too."

Returning to her small port again after all these years was surreal. She didn't think it was possible but somehow it seemed even smaller. She leaned against his desk with her arms folded glaring at him as he belted his scabbard around his waist.

"We agreed to this days ago, love," he told her, not needing to look up to feel the heat of her glare.

"I've changed my mind," Milah snapped, "You can't go alone. They say he's a healer but what kind of a healer deals in children."

"All the more reason for you to stay here. We do not know what magic he possesses, if any. What if he has a way of knowing you are with child? He may consider the child his due already. Promise me, love? That you will not seek out the healer? Give me one day. One day to find out the terms of that deal. To determine the situation, remedy it if I can."

She nodded glumly and he took her hand, pulling her closer, "I love you."

"I love you too, Killian. Please be careful."

"Always."

It was nearly nightfall before Killian found Fendrake. The man lived in a tent which was inconveniently mobile. He just seems to find you, was all anyone could say when he told them he sought the healer.

When he stepped inside the man looked unsurprised as though he'd been waiting.

"You made a deal with a man named Rumplestiltskin," Killian said, he hooked his thump through his belt loop, close enough to his blade need he draw it but with a facade of calmness.

"I did."

"I wish to know the terms of that arrangement."

"And why should I yield such information to you."

"Because you do not want me for an enemy," Killian replied tersely.

"Perhaps not," Fendrake smiled though and did not look worried in the slightest. A document appeared in his hand and the man looked it over. "What is it you want to know pirate?"

"What did he promise you?"

"A child. His second born child."

"His second born child?"

"Am I to understand congratulations are in order?"

"He has no second born child."

Fendrake sighed, "usually I don't have to bother reminding people that this is a binding contract until there is a second child," he grumbled irritably and the document vanished. Killian turned to go and Fendrake spoke from behind him. "Ah, he doesn't... But she will."

Killian turned slowly, his face a mask.

"I'll admit, it would be a stretch but deals can be funny things. Interpretation is everything. Let's talk, pirate, perhaps we can make a deal. To ensure my interpretation is to your liking." Killian smirked, he knew a blackmailer when he saw one.

"What is it you want, healer?"

"Your second born, of course. Your second born to ensure the safety of your first. I mean you may never have another child, so it's really-"

Killian moved so fast that the man didn't finish his sentence, letting out a small choking sound as Killian's blade flew, impaling the man through the heart. The man sagged and Killian pulled free the blade.

"Goodbye, healer." Fendrake collapsed, eyes wide and staring. Killian cleaned the blood from his blade with the sleeve of the dead man's tunic and sheathed it, leaving the tent without looking back.

When he got back to the Jolly Roger he found preparations to make sail underway, Milah hurried to meet him at the gangplank, her eyes flicking over him to ensure he was unscathed.

"Well?" she asked worriedly.

"It is done. The man told me that it is Rumplestiltskin's second child who is promised." Milah sagged in relief. "Then he told me it was a matter of interpretation and tried to interest me in the same deal. My second-born for my first."

"Killian, tell me you didn't-"

Killian shook his head. "He will be making no more deals." He glanced around at the men preparing to make sail and looked back at her with eyebrows raised. "What is this, Milah, I thought you'd want to stay. To go see your lad?"

"I did," she admitted.

"You… did?" Killian's face was confusion for a few seconds before his eyes widened. "The boy is below isn't he?" Milah nodded. "Your husband… let him go?"

"Not exactly. But I told him that this was best for everyone. What is he going to do if the soldiers come to take him away in a few years? Beg for mercy? I told him if he wished me to stop he'd have to make me stop. He didn't."

Killian nodded, "and the preparations?"

"Just in case. He's not… well liked and he won't fight his own battles so…" she shrugged. "Killian would you like to meet him?"

"Very much. What have you told him, about his father?"

"Not much. That his father loves him, but he can't protect him from the ogres on land, so we're going on an adventure at sea."

Killian nodded and Milah led him to their cabin. Bae was by the window when they came down looking over the water towards the port. He looked nervous but he smiled when he saw Milah.

"Are you sure Papa cannot come on an adventure with us?"

"No, my sweet boy. But we'll have fun won't we, you won't believe all the amazing things I'm going to show you." She ruffled his hair affectionately and he smiled. "I'd like you to meet someone, Bae," she looked over towards Killian who stepped forward now. "This is Killian, he's the captain of this beautiful ship."

"Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger, my boy."

They'd planned on being back in port by the time their child was born but the storm had raged for the better part of a week, blowing them off course and with only storm sails, their progress slowed to a crawl.

It would have been fine. If their child (daughter, Milah insisted,) hadn't decided she'd had quite enough of her sheltered life. She came several weeks earlier than they were expecting her and really he should have known Milah's daughter would be as eager to see the world as her mother.

But bloody hell now? The storm had been raging for days and everyone was exhausted. And to make it worse the midwife who had been sailing with them for the past month was seasick thanks to the storm. Killian slipped into the cabin, shaking wet hair from his eyes. The cabin pitched and there was a groan of discomfort from the midwife. She still looked a little green but she seemed better than she had been this morning thanks to her near constant nursing of ginger tea in his borrowed flask.

"I'm sorry, love," he said taking Milah's hand, "we should have been in port weeks ago in case-"

"You should be topside-" Milah hissed, squeezing his hand tight. The ship pitched again and he tightened his grip on the cot to stay upright.

"Aye love, I just wanted to see you."

The contractions would return soon, she'd been counting in her head and Killian had picked the worst time for a visit. "Killian, I love you-" Milah started.

"I love you t-"

"But if you do not get out of this cabin within the next 45 seconds I might just rip your spine out through your throat, understand?"

He kissed her hand, "Understood."

"Captain-" the midwife called as he made for the ladder. "Some fresh water and maybe some more ginger tea?" she asked and Killian nodded.

"I'll send someone with both. Anything else?"

"It would be pretty helpful if you could keep the ship steady-" she grumbled under her breath.

"I'll do my best, love," Killian replied.

The storm raged for three hours longer before finally beginning to calm and Killian almost wished it hadn't. Without the sound of wind and rain he could hear Milah's cries from the cabin and it broke his heart.

He hurried below to the hold to check on Bae. The boy had gotten his sea legs quickly after a rocky start the first few weeks and now he could sleep through near any storm. But not, apparently, through the muffled sounds of his mother's cries.

"Is she going to be okay?" Baelfire asked the second Killian opened the door to the hold.

"Aye, lad," Killian assured him, "she'll be alright" Baelfire dove forward into his arms and Killian stiffened at first, unaccustomed to such affection from the boy.

Things were not smooth between them at first, it was difficult for the boy not to feel like Killian was trying to replace his father when they had to explain to him that he was going to have a younger sibling.

Killian rubbed his back calmingly. "She's going to be just fine," he repeated, hoping desperately the nervousness didn't creep into his voice.

Their daughter comes screaming into the world and into the first sunlight the crew had seen in a week. Some of the more superstitious of the lot spin tales already, already wrapped around the finger of the child who calms the storm.

Killian is not particularly superstitious compared to some of the men, but the moment he sees his daughter wrapped up in her mother's arms something in him shifts, a subtle thing that he doesn't fully understand until later. He presses a kiss to the top of Milah's head.

"I was right," Milah teased lightly, "she's beautiful isn't she?"

"Like her mother. What's her name?" They had talked about names for her a few times but he left the final choice to Milah in this moment. After all, it's bad luck to name the babe before she arrives… (perhaps Killian is a little superstitious.)

"Charlotte," Milah said quietly.

Milah had been worried about having a child so young aboard a ship but Charlotte had never known anything else. She was not prone to fitfulness but the first time they took her on land she screamed like a banshee until her mother relented and took her back to the gentle rocking of the ship at harbor.

"Just like her mother," Killian teased when Charlotte relaxed, calmed by the familiar movement under their feet.

She'd gotten her father's eyes, to Milah's delight and though her hair curled like her mother's it was lighter and sun streaked. She thought it odd at first and asked Killian about it. He smiled and tousled her hair affectionately. It was the same color as Liam's had been.

Bae adored his baby sister. Watching them together, Killian couldn't help but think it was Bae who reminded him of Liam, even more than the girl with her uncle's curls. Bae was quickly developing a protectiveness of the little girl that reminded him so much of his own brother it made his heart clench.

By the time Charlotte is six years old she's the apple of not only her family's eye but of the entire crew.

There are men in Killian's crew who would gut a man as soon as look at them but they are all politeness when they finally receive their invitation to the little pirate princess' weekly tea party.

Killian is half buried in a chart, his attention split between checking Bae's calculations and his little girl, who is currently reminding "Mr. Donovan" not to put the teacup down too hard or he might break it.

"Oh, right, of course," Donovan says apologetically and is rewarded with a bright smile.

"Thank yooooou!"

He glances up again when she she gasps in dismay and she is staring intensely across the table.

"Mr. Jacobson!" she chided, "That was the salt you just put in your tea!"

He struggles to bite back a smile and glances across the desk towards Bae who is not even bothering to hide his adoring smile. He's 14 now and starting to take on more duties around the ship starting with this. Navigation is not his favorite subject but when he puts his mind to it he does quite well.

"Well done, mate," Killian affirms when he finishes looking over the boy's work, Bae nearly glows with pride and Killian ruffles his hair affectionately, "we'll make a navigator of you yet!"

There is the sound of a scuffle from above and Killian tenses. The hatch opens and a man calls down.

"Unfriendly company captain-"

Killian shoots to his feet and looks at Bae, "stay here, watch after you sister."

Bae nods and Killian glances at the men who had been having tea with Charlotte, he jerks his head at them and they follow him topside.

Milah is talking to a man with his back to the when Killian gets onto the deck but he can read it in her posture, she's afraid. He hurries to her side and when he looks up at the man his blood runs cold too.

"Rumplestiltskin-" he says quietly and the man giggled.

"It's always nice to make an impression. You may have heard of me under a different name now, pirate. The dark one. Oh! I see my reputation precedes me."

Killian stiffened but Rumple continued. "Do you know what it's like to have your wife stolen from you? To feel powerless to stop it? It feels like having your heart ripped from your chest. Actually, let me show you." He reaches out and shoves his hand into Killian's chest. Killian doubled over with a hiss of pain. .

"No!" Milah cried, stepping forward. "Please don't hurt him."

"And now you beg for the life of your true love, the pirate. I didn't realize the power of true love before. It is impressive. I'd hate to break it up. Actually, no. I'd love to," he squeezed Killian's heart for emphasis and Killian fell to his knees with a groan of agony.

"It's not him you're angry with Rumple."

Rumplestiltskin chuckled and released Killian's heart. "I assure you I can be angry with more than one person at a time. But you're right… priorities. Do you know what it was like walking home that night…"

"Rumple…"

"Knowing I had to tell our son…"

"Please."

"that his mother was dead?"

"I was wrong to lie to you. I was the coward. I knew that."

"But that wasn't enough for you. You came back. You stole my son.I want my son."

"He's not here," Killian broke in quickly. "A seafaring life was too dangerous for a boy so young."

Milah nodded, latching onto the tale, "We asked a fairy to take him somewhere safe, to a realm far from the ogre war. Somewhere he'd be safe until he was old enough."

"You told me I couldn't keep him safe," Rumple hissed at Milah, "and then you send him off with some fairy."

"We just wanted to keep him safe-" Milah said carefully.

"Oh did we?" He glanced at Killian with unconcealed disgust. "We could have kept our boy safe, together," Rumple hissed, "but you tore our family apart."

"Our family was a miserable prison," Milah snapped, anger and desperation rising in her voice.

"Why were you so miserable?" the dark one sneered.

"Because I never loved you!"

In an instant Rumplestiltskin's hand is in her chest emerging with a glowing red heart. "Milah! No!" Killian charged towards Rumplestiltskin but is shoved backwards by an invisible hand. Ropes snake around him and he struggled against them, finally managing to free himself. He catches her as she falls and cradles her gently. She reaches for him, her fingers a gentle pressure on his cheeks. There are a thousand words in her eyes, sorrow, worry, fear, an apology. They are all left unspoken save one.

"I love you."

Rumplestiltskin's hand clenches and Milah stiffens for a moment before relaxing in his arms.

"No-" he mumbles. He lowers Milah gently to the deck, his hand brushing gently along her cheek for a moment before turning enraged eyes on Rumplestiltskin. "You may be more powerful now, demon, but you're no less a coward."

"I'll have what I came for now," Rumplestiltskin sneered. "You see, I think you're lying. I think you do know where my son is. I think you're going to tell me where he is-"

"You'll have to kill me," Killian spits, reaching for his sword.

"Ah, ah ah-" In a moment of agony fire explodes up his arm and he collapses in pain his left hand and a growing pool of blood on the deck. "Not until you tell me what I want to know-" Killian grabs a hook, driving it into Rumplestiltskin's chest but Rumplestiltskin just giggles.

"Killing me is gonna take a lot more than that, dearie."

"Even demons can be killed. I will find a way," Killian growled.

Rumplestiltskin raised a blade to his chest, settling the point above Killian's heart. "And how will you do that if you're dead? Tell me what I want to know, pirate, and maybe I'll let you live long enough to try to kill me. Otherwise this is just going to get really messy."

Killian hisses in pain as Rumplestiltskin leans forward, the point digging into his chest above his heart but unable to back away, held in place by some magic.

"NO!"

Killian's eyes widen in shock as Bae's voice echoes across the deck.

The magic releases him and he falls, his head spinning from pain and blood loss. In a moment Bae is in front of him, standing head held high between the dark one and Killian.

"Bae-" the dark one says quietly, his eyes softening slightly.

"You like deals," Bae said, only the slightest tremor in his voice. "Here is my offer. I will come with you, you will leave Killian and this ship alone. You will not harm him or anyone else aboard."

"Baelfire, no-" Killian murmured in horror.

The dark one looked genuinely perplexed for a moment. "Bae, don't you want to come home?"

Home? Baelfire's eyes slipped to where his mother lay on the deck and he fought the tears that threatened to come.

"That is the deal," Baelfire said. "You can take me by force, you can kill Killian and sink this ship but if you do I will run. Any and every chance I will run."

The Dark One nodded and Baelfire turned, kneeling next to where Killian had fallen leaning close. Killian wrapped his good arm around him, his embrace too tight, as though he could stop this just by holding on tight enough.

"I'm sorry, papa," he whispered in Killian's ear, too quietly for the dark one to overhear. "Take care of Charlotte."

And then Bae was gone and Killian fell forward, the place he had been only a wispy smoke remained.

For a moment no one moves then he shifts closer to Milah his remaining hand reaching for her as for a port in the storm. She's gone. Bae's gone and Charlotte- A sudden bolt of panic strikes through him and he's on his feet again. His mind has gone fuzzy from the pain and grief and loss of blood but he makes for the cabin anyway, the last place he saw her. He stumbles below, horrified that at any moment he'll find her beyond his reach like her brother, or worse... still and broken like her mother

The cabin is empty, the table still set for her afternoon tea party but she's gone. Half delirious with pain and grief he sinks to his knees.

Gone. They're all gone.

A hatch opens and Charlotte comes flying out and into his arms, he clings to her tightly, terrified she'll vanish if he lets go.

"I'm sorry papa, I know the rule, Bae told me not to come out until I hear the safety word but-"

He just holds her tighter, not trusting his voice.

Later he'll regret it, letting her see him like that, bleeding and terrified, but at this moment he can't do anything but cling to her. Darkness is creeping into the edge of his vision and he can feel the blood seeping into his clothes from his left arm, still hidden under his coat from Charlotte's view. She knows he's hurt, and he can see the tears slipping down her face. Doubtless she can smell the blood, see it seeping through, probably she can feel him shaking but he keeps his arm hidden beneath his coat, he can't stand the idea of her seeing that.

He wants to say something, to tell her he loves her but the words get caught in his throat. With the state he's in, he knows he's got about even odds of closing his eyes and not opening them again. She'd be alone and unprotected and his last words to her will break her heart just as Milah's had broken his.

Finally he lets the doctor pull him away from his daughter. Some part of him wants to try to protect her by letting the crew take her away, but he knows that's not the kind of protection she needs right now.

"I need you to do something for me, little love," he says gently. His voice comes out gruff and weaker than he'd like but she nods immediately, her face tear-streaked and determined. "Close your eyes." She obeys and he pulls her close again. "Don't look, alright, can you promise?"

"I promise, papa," she nods, eyes still closed. She buries her head into his shoulder and he finally takes his arm from beneath his coat, the sight nearly making him nauseous. He looks away, focusing on his daughter's curls as they tie leather straps around the stump to slow the bleeding.

At first he thought he was being strong for her when he choked back his cries of agony, but she clings to his good hand and whispers that she loves him into his chest and he realizes that she's the strong one. Just like her mum.

The bleeding stops eventually and the wound is cleaned and wrapped. He's feverish and woozy and there are times when the pain and the grief tempt him to despair, but he feels her hand in his and decides right then and there that he is a survivor. He refuses to leave her alone.

He heals, or part of him does. The brace and hook cover the missing piece of his body an icy chilliness covers the missing piece of his heart. Or tries. But for Charlotte he had no doubt he'd had spiraled into the abyss long ago. But the darkness never truly takes hold in his heart, thanks to his one little light, his beautiful daughter with her uncle's hair.

But Bae… Killian wants to keep Charlotte safe, keep her away from that monster. But Bae- He could not have loved that boy more if he were his own flesh and blood. Thinking of Bae trapped with the man who stole his mother right in front of his eyes makes him sick.

He seeks out the dark one, tracks the dark one's movements, follows him from port to port. Always careful to keep Charlotte out of sight but desperate for a chance to save his boy.

Killian caught up once, saw him through the crowd, tagging behind Rumplestiltskin with his eyes on the ground. The Dark One kept him physically safe, destroyed any that should even accidentally harm the boy in the most vicious of ways. But Killian cringed to see the bright eyed boy he loved so well with his eyes locked on the ground in front of him.

Killian tracked them through the crowds all day, waiting for his chance and it finally came when Bae waited outside as the Dark One finally went into a tavern to broker a deal. Killian slipped his hand over the boy's mouth and pulled him out of sight into an alley. Baelfire struggled viciously but Killian was too strong, when they'd put some distance between themselves and the busy street Killian finally relaxed.

"Be quiet, Bae, I mean you no harm," Baelfire stilled instantly at the familiar voice and Killian took his hand away from his mouth.

"Killian?" he whispered.

"Aye, lad," Bae spun around and launched himself at Killian who closed his arms around him tightly.

"You shouldn't be here," Bae mumbled into Killian's chest, "if he sees you-"

"He won't see me," Killian assures him. "The man inside, talking to the crocodile, It's Donovan. He'll keep him busy. Sadly they will be unable to come to terms in the end but he'll be busy for a while."

"Charlotte?"

"Misses her brother."

"I miss her too,' Bae said quietly.

"Say the word Bae, and I'll take you away, we'll run."

Bae shook his head, looking so much older than his 15 years in that moment. "He'll find us. If I break my deal, he'll break his. His magic…"

"I will find a way, Baelfire," Killian insisted. "We will be a family again. Do you believe me?"

Bae nodded. "There's a dagger," he said quietly. "It's the only weapon that can hurt him." He dug into his jacket and Killian saw a small secret pocket sewn into the lining. His mother's stitchwork. He pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Killian.

"How did you know to carry it today?" Killian asked, the paper disappearing into Killian's own jacket.

"I've carried it every day since I found out. I knew you'd find me eventually." Bae shrugged, "I have to get back. He has a way of knowing when someone isn't serious about a deal. Donovan may be the best poker player on the Jolly but it won't take long for him to be found out."

"We're not giving up on you Bae, we're tracking his movements," Killian said quickly.

Bae nodded, a small smile flickering onto his lips for a moment and he hugged Killian once more. "Love you," he murmured.

"I love you too, lad. Keep your chin up, we're always nearby."

"Tell Charlotte I love her too?"

"Of course."

Bae nodded and scampered back out towards the street. Killian leaned back against the wall. His nails dug into his palm. Every instinct told him to follow, to get him back, damn the consequences. But damn the consequences was an almost certain path to his own death and more importantly, Charlotte's.

He dug into his pocket and pulled out the scrap of paper. On it was drawn a dagger impaling a human heart, clearly drawn in Baelfire's own hand. He stared at the drawing for a few moments before putting it back in his pocket.

He had a stop to make on the way home.

When he returned to the Jolly Roger his forearm was carefully wrapped. Under the bandage Baelfire's drawing was faithfully inked into his skin with only one addition of his own. Her name, a permanent reminder of what he had lost, (and what he still had to lose.)

Killian seethed silently, pacing back and forth along the deck. He'd come topside to try to keep from waking Charlotte.

It had been months since they'd learned that Rumplestiltskin had let Baelfire fall into a portal. As much as he hated that Baelfire was now alone in some unknown world without magic, he'd realized this was perhaps the best chance he'd have. If he could get there before the crocodile… Rumplestiltskin could not hurt them in a world without magic. That was a place where Killian could truly protect them.

But crossing realms was not easy under the best of circumstances and- he paused his hand going to his blade as a bright light began to move towards the ship. By the time the light reached the deck of his ship his blade was leveled at a woman in blue who dusted herself off and looked up at him.

"I mean you no harm, Killian," she said, hands raised. "I'm here to help. I've heard your wish. And I mean to right a mistake that I made."

"Who are you?"

"You can call me blue," the woman said, inclining her head slightly when Killian sheathed his blade.

"What mistake?"

"I heard Baelfire's wish too. Gave him a magical object that would help him reach a world without magic. He meant to take his father-"

"The dark one is not his father," Killian hissed.

Blue nodded, her expression conciliatory. "He meant to take the dark one there, where he couldn't hurt anyone else. I tried to help him but in the end he passed through the portal alone.

"You created that portal?" Killian asked, voice tight with anger.

"Not precisely. But I have something which can create another. You can follow h-"

"And you're offering this now? It has been months."

"The magic I offer is not easy to find even for one such as me, you know this."

"And what price will you extract for this magic?" Killian asked suspiciously.

"The journey is its own price. I have only one magic bean, your path home will likely be most arduous. And the land Baelfire has been taken to is a dangerous place filled with dark magic. A place called Neverland."

Killian's blood ran cold, "Baelfire is in Neverland?" Killian hissed, voice tight with horror.

"You've been there?" Killian nodded tersely. "Then you know what dangers lie in that place."

"Then I must hurry."

The blue fairy reached out a small glowing bean in her hand. "Once the portal opens you need only think of the place you wish to find and you will be there. Good luck, Captain."

Then Blue was gone and Killian closed his hand around the bean.

Neverland. The one place he never wanted to set foot in again, was now the one place he desperately needed to go.

"To Neverland."

Off to Never-never-land!

Also tagging @mryddinwilt​ , @theonceoverthinker​ , @ouat-and-spn​ and @arandompudley​  because I’m pretty sure this is the millian headcanon that I was being asked about though admittedly I am not sure.

On to chapter 2

[queen-mabs-revenge]

“He got it from his mother.”

[asktheoriginalliam-blog]

God, you really are all work and no play, aren't you? It's been a rough time of it lately -- live a little!

This is hardly the first time I’ve been accused of that. Mostly by Milah. And by Killian. And by the crews of several ships.

@ask-milahthepiratequeen is always encouraging me to take a break, sometimes even successfully. 

Although I’m not technically alive, so living is perhaps the wrong word.

[justmilah-archive]

Because @gusenitsaa has been giving me feels and I need some Milah & Liam (The Dead One) Jones bromance in my life.

Summary: "So the rumors are true. After all these years, my little brother is finally here." In which Milah is the source of the rumors.

They never would have gotten along in life but loving the same man in different ways had forged an unlikely bond in death. 

She had intended to leave him a note, just a scribbled out warning to bypass the lack of informational flow. Of course, this being the Underworld, her plan was thwarted by a severe lack of pens, an over abundance of paper, and a bartender who never understood what 'day off' meant.

Milah was  draped over the bar, rummaging through and testing inkless pens on napkins when she felt the air shift around her. She sighed and slid back down to the floor, arms crossing over her chest as she attempted to glare up at the bartender. "Do you realize your smug superiority just sort of leaches into the atmosphere? How do you do it?"

"There is nothing smug about it." His eyes narrowed as he leaned in as far as propriety would allow. "What brings you here? It isn't like you to ignore a ban, of which you have three days remaining."

"Gaston deserved it. He's an ass." Usually she saw her abrupt nature as a flaw. It was failing her now and she greatly wished it would come back."My ex husband is here."

Liam's eyes widened. "Dear heavens, no wonder you're in such a state."

"How can you tell?" Then she remembered she was talking with a Jones. Apparently a shared family trait was being annoyingly perceptive. "That isn't actually why. I just...I was going to leave you a letter just in case. I don't trust him, but Liam, it's about Killian, so of course I have to try."

Liam stared at her before a look of determination slid over his face. He gave a grim nod. "Right, then. I am coming with you."

"No! That isn't why I'm telling you this!" She reached out and took his hand. Touching was not done much between them, it wasn't who they were. The occasional hand on the shoulder during a centennial birthday or anniversary was perhaps the closest they got to physical affection. "I don't trust Rumple, Liam. If Killian is here, one of us needs to be there to watch after him."

"Alright." His jaw ticked. "But you should know if anything happens to you I will be sorely put out."

Milah smiled at him. That was probably her first mistake. "I know. But I'm probably worrying too much. He's already killed me once, twice would be overkill." Hugging him was her second mistake.

He was tense but she didn't move until she felt the awkward pat of his hand against her shoulder blade.

[unordinary-modern-princess]

Headcanon||

Its no secret Milah and Rumple were dirt poor. I mean, we never see her wearing anything but rags. However, when Milah is playing dice with the pirates, (besides that we all know Killian gave her his loaded dice so she would win against his men) look at her earrings.

If we are to believe Killian came to port many times as he told her on their first meeting, Milah most likely goes to the tavern whenever the Jolly is spotted in port. He probably brought her gems and jewels and trinkets all the time. Something from his adventures. She told him during one of his visits about Bae falling ill from the snake bite and having no money for a cure so Rumple sold their second born for a cure. Milah is a strong woman who wont just take money from the pirate no matter how much she was falling for him. But Killian brings her trinkets that she could sell if need be to protect her boy. He tells her its pieces of the world she has yet to see and each piece comes with a story.

[andheyfordavyjones]

70 days of Milah: Day 56

[justmilah]

Question.

We could have a thing in s5 that was beyond ‘oh yes we made this kid once’ in an arch meant to honor Swanfire in some way even if they weren’t endgame.

Yet beyond this... Milah could be alluded to but not actually mentioned once? I mean, she was Henry’s grandmother, a strong driving force to Rumple, good OR bad. This doesn’t include the effect she had on Killian.

She has been hinted at, but if no one had seen previously to season 7 they’d have no clue. And I’m not just complaining as a fan of hers, but a fan of Killian’s.

Guys, Rumple didn’t just take his hand, he killed the love of Killian’s life.

And this tidbit only ADDS to the endgame that was Captain Crocodile. Because 1) it meant Killian was able to look past it all for the sake of his daughter. But also 2) Rumple saw past what Killian ‘stole’ (his words in previous episodes) from him.

I just...

Yes, I would have loved to have seen this resolution for Milah’s sake. But also? For theirs. It would have made that endgame all the more sweet. Because as s7 stood in what it actually told OUT LOUD without prior seasons? Captain Hook and the Crocodile reconciled. Meh, okay, sure. But it was just...so much more than that. And I’ll be sad it was never fully addressed in canon.

[piracytheorist]

Like I hate the writing for Rumpelstiltskin in the 5x14 flashbacks but sometimes I think about Milah, and how devastating that revelation must have been... that a man’s cowardice stole away her chance of having a second child... her own choice. She just had to compromise with what a man gave her because a man said so.

And then she went to the tavern and saw again the pirate captain who’d offered to show her the world... she just went like, for once I’ll do something for me.

[queen-mabs-revenge]

So 2.04 aired five years ago today, and I’m a little bit emotional about the fact that

Killian Jones has been in my life for 5 years.

Milah has been in my life for 5 years.

They were introduced to the show in the same moment.

Killian’s iconic “A man unwilling to fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets” is intrinsically tied to his relationship with Milah.

I love them so much.

[ask-milahthepiratequeen]

Killian -was- a bit posh for the image he was going for sometimes wasn't he? I bet he tried to talk more 'pirate-y' in front of the crew than he bothered with in private.

I was rather surprised to discover his occupation in the first place.

I’m fairly certain if you could only be a pirate captain if you spoke as the stereotypical pirate would, Killian never would have gotten command.

If speaking were tea parties, the other pirates would be throwing their cups around while he tried to hide the fact he was raising his pinkie finger while taking sips.

I blame Liam for that, honestly. I’m betting through observation he made certain his son brother had a proper way of speaking no matter where they were.

[asktheoriginalliam-blog]

Of course she misses Killian. And of course she kisses you senseless when you talk like a pirate. It's the closest she's ever going to get to kissing Killian again. We all know you're never going to live up to the epic love story that Killian had with Milah but at least she can still pretend...

I’m not a fool, malevolent shade. I know she misses Killian. And I know that what I have to offer is far less exciting than running away with a pirate. 

But I also know Milah. I know that our friendship means too much to her for her to simply take me as a replacement for what she cannot have. I know she deserves far more credit that you give her. Do not make the mistake of doing her that dishonor again in my hearing.

[justmilah-archive]

I drabbled at @queen-mabs-revenge. Just a quick little thing!

The Kindness of Strangers

Everyone told her the way he sat in her belly that he would be a girl but Milah knew different. He was already as stubborn as she was and possibly twice as adventurous, seeking out every part of her womb in the attempt to explore everything he could.

He was playing at her kidneys as though they were drums. Usually this wasn't much of an inconvenience but it most certainly was when she was at the market.

It hit her like a wave, a bout of dizzyness that shouldn't surprise her but always did. She stumbled a bit before she felt a weight at her shoulder and support along her lower back. When her vision cleared she was sitting on a low barrel, a skin of water at her lips and a calm voice in her ear.

"Are you alright, ma'am?"

He was in a uniform, navy though not of this kingdom. She recognized it as one she would occasionally see in port as she watched the ships come and go, knew his was an ally.

She offered him a smile, tired and faint, and she was certain she must look a fright. Her purchases were at her feet, which was good. "I am, thank you."

His shoulders relaxed and his grin was pleasant to see. "I'm glad for it. You had me worried there for a moment."

She shrugged her shoulders and tucked her hair behind her ear. "He is giving me trouble before he's even here." She was tired and exhausted but her heart still burst as she placed a hand on her belly. "He's likely to get into everything when he's able."

"More trouble than it's worth?" His voice was light and teasing but she noticed a little something in the corner of his eye. Not judgement of her, but perhaps judgement of a memory.

It was that look that had her take no offence. "Of course not. He shall be a hellion and take after me for it." Her nose turned up, just so, pride at the very thought of it.

That little something was gone and he grinned again. "I'd wager he would be."

She was feeling better now. The spells rarely lasted long and she was grateful he had been there. "Thank you for what you did..."

"Ah, Jones." He paused and stumbled a bit, spine just a little straighter. "Lieutenant Jones."

She tried not to smile. "Freshly promoted?"

His cheeks tinged pink as he scratched lightly at his ear. "Is it so obvious?"

Milah took pity and offered him a shrug. "Not overly so. I'm just more perceptive than most."

He grinned and opened his mouth, perhaps to ask for her own name.

A voice rang through the crowd before he could. She couldn't see the source. "Come along, brother! The supplies have been loaded!"

The man winced. "I must be off. Will you be alright?" She could tell he wouldn't leave unless she assured him she would be so she offered a small smile and a nod. "Then I bid you farewell."

She could hear his voice as he got lost in the crowd, one part adoration, two parts teasing. "That's lieutenant to you, little brother!"

It would be the last kindness she'd receive from a stranger until years later, this time in the form of a pirate captain who shared the same name.

[unordinary-modern-princess]

||ok… so @justmilah and I are evil Angst Queens when it comes to Millian-Captain Swan… so… enjoy…

Just a Memory Now posted on AO3 Millian centric with Captain Swan

After he loses Milah and goes on a 200 year quest of revenge, occationally his journey brings him back to port. The same port and tavern where he first met her… his Milah. His crew never noticed the lost look in their Captain’s eyes as they disembark the Jolly Roger and head to the tavern for drinks. Of course he joins them, nursing the same mug of rum all evening until finally everyone is gone except him and the old barkeep who is half deaf and ignores the lone pirate in the corner. He swirls his mug as the liquid sloshed and he hears it… barely a whisper. Its a woman’s laughter. That sound he hasnt heard in a handful of years. Not since… not since her. He closes his eyes and listens to the shrill of happiness before he finally looks up and just out of the corner of his eye, the tavern is no longer empty. Dark hair filters past as the woman slams her hand on the table, laughing as the dice before her show her exactly what she wanted to see. Killian looks directly there but just like a dream is destroyed by sunlight, the image fades away.

He’s back in port soon enough on a supply run for his crew and the demon and once again he stays past closing. He hears the same laughter that haunts his sleepless nights and this time he keeps his eyes downcast, afraid that if he looks she will be gone. “I went to Agrabah again…” He starts just as he always did all those years ago when this port was still her home. He continued to look down at his mug as he retold the stories of his adventure to the land of sand and jewels. He felt his lips curl as the ghost across from him smiled and asked what it smelt like. Lost in his dream, he looked up yo smile at her and just as before, she was gone.

Years turn to decades and decades to centuries. The enchanted Jolly returns to port on buisness a few times a year. And those times, the dreaded Captain Hook remains much after closing in the corner booth, talking to his mug of rum as he tells stories of his travels. It continues like this for nearly two centuries. He learn to keep his eyes cast down or to the side, never able to look directly at her knowing once he does, she will vanish like a dream. Of course, he knows shes not really there but a small piece of his heart holds onto hope.

Its been a while since The Jolly Roger was spotted in port. The last anyone heard it was sailing to Wonderland with the Queen of Hearts as a passenger. It wasnt until another curse ripped everyone back to the Enchanted Forest, that the ship once again makes port. Crew drunk and merry on the docks, one man sits alone in the darkened corner of the worn tavern. The lanterns are dimmed, and the barkeep has long since retired to his own chambers. But there the Captain sits. His single mug of rum almost gone by the time the early rays of sunlight filter through the dinghy windows. He stares into his drink, heart aching as he remains alone. She didn’t come. He closed his eyes and looked up as the sun streamed into the tavern, casting golden beams of light across the dusty floors. He glances to the side as he rises to return to his ship when he sees it just in the corner of his eye; a flutter of golden silk. His heart clenched in his chest as he turned to get a better look but its gone as soon as he does. A single word walls from his lips as he closes his eyes to fight off the sting of tears threatening to fall. Swan…

[andheyfordavyjones]

70 days of Milah: Day 68