The Only One Who Saves Me | OUAT fanfic | CS gift exchange gift (1/3)
MERRY CHRISTMAS @i-will-sing-no-requiem !!!! I was your CS gift exchange santa this year!! :D I very much enjoyed obsessing over Taylor Swift with you haha! :)
Your gift is a 3-parter! đ±đ
This is the main fic I worked on for you! I ran with your prompt of Emma or Killian rescuing the other :)
Summary: (CS movie divergence) Killian gets his dashing rescue, and Emma is no longer the only one who saves her. :)
AO3
Killian ran, hard and fast. He's been out of breath for most of the last mile but he didn't stop.
Emma.
Nearly an hour ago, Emma was taken by Regina's guards.
He could only remember standing in that ballroom, watching them drag her away, every muscle in his body coiled to run after her, to fight them all off even if he had to bloody kill them, to save her, but at the same time, knew that he wouldn't have survived such an attack.
If he was to save Emma, and he would, he needed to be smart.
He needed to do this quietly.
For a moment, Killian had considered trying to find Emma's parents. The prince and princess could certainly help, however risking their lives was out of the question. If one of them died, there wouldn't even be an Emma to save.
That very thought was the only thing that was on Killian's mind.
Her parents were back on track, Snow White had the ring.
But none of that mattered if Killian couldn't save Emma now.
His heart was pounding so hard it hurt and Killian could only remember one time in his life that he's been this scared, and back then, he'd been tied to a mast on his own bloody ship.
But somehow, this felt more terrifying, and that very thought scared him almost more than the fear he wouldn't make it to her in time.
Killian knew Regina's ways; she wouldn't kill Emma tonight. Regina liked to watch the execution of Snow White's supporters every morning after she caught them. Like some sort of twisted breakfast entertainment.
However, even the knowledge that he had until morning to save Emma didn't help the fact that he still had to break into the bloody castle and get to her before he was killed.
He'd done it before, he knew how to get in and to find his way to the dungeons.
But the bloody rule not to mess with the timeline which meant he couldn't kill anyone if he needed to only made his heart beat even faster.
Killian finally stopped when he saw the silhouette of the castle over the hill. He stared at it warily, catching his breath.
"I'm coming, Emma," he whispered to the air.
And he started on his way, clinging to shadows.
I will find you, love.
And he won't stop until he does.
Emma huffed a defeated breath, sinking heavily back to the ground.
The lock was too far; she couldn't reach it.
Emma threw the wire she'd found back to the ground with burning eyes. That was her only chance. In a last ditch effort, Emma shut her eyes, trying to feel the magic inside her.
But it wasn't there, no matter how hard she searched for it.
Rumplestiltskin had already given them that wand to use when they'd successfully completed their missionâin Killian's possession since his ensemble had pocketsâbut Emma already knew even with it it was useless.
Her magic was still gone.
With an audible groan, she gave up trying to get out of here, dropping her face over her crossed arms.
Something about this felt eerily similar, being here, alone in a jail cell.
"Sorry, sweetheart, your boy took off."
She could still remember the first day she spent in prison.
Alone.
Terrified.
She'd curled herself tight on the cot, arms wrapped around her shins, and she didn't sleep a wink.
She waited.
She waited for someone to come, tell her that it was all a misunderstanding, to let her go.
Waited for Neal to show up, to break her out, to save her.
But he never came.
No one ever came.
Not for eleven months.
Not ever.
Emma didn't even realize she was crying until she felt the dirty sleeves of the dress dampen with hot tears.
Did Hook know she was missing?
He'd been taking out the guards on the balcony; he might not even know she was taken. Or by whom.
But even if he did know she was taken, Emma wasn't going to get her hopes up.
Breaking into Regina's castle to save her? The odds of him succeeding were low at best.
He'd be risking his life even thinking about doing such a thing.
Emma suddenly wondered where he was, what he would do, trapped in the past.
Because the last thing she'd ever believe was that he was going to come back for her.
Save her.
No one ever does.
Emma suddenly heard footsteps.
She lifted her face from her arms, where she was huddled in the far corner of the cell, arms still wrapped around her shins, the facsimile of a hug that felt too shallow and cold to be called such a thing.
The footsteps were running. Fast.
Guards.
Emma's heart pounded.
Was it morning already?
Was she out of time?
As much as she had planned to be strong, to fight them, to save herself, panic was suddenly consuming her.
She was going to be executed.
So when the shadow crossed the walls, getting closer and closer, Emma just curled in on herself tighter, trying to swallow the rising fear.
Butâ
"Emma!"
Emma's fear halted, traded for shock.
Hook.
It was Hook.
The moment he saw her, he ran to the bars of the cell, eyes on her, his relief at finding her quickly dashed. Concern bloomed. "Emma, love," he whispered.
Emma blinked in shock.
He was here.
He came back for her.
Someone came back for her.
She shot to her feet and rushed to the bars, standing inches from him. Her fingers grasped the bar, wondering if she was dreaming. "Hook?"
"Thank the gods I found you," he breathed, a slight, relieved smile at the victory. His eyes then shifted to the bars, looking forâ
"It's at the top," whispered Emma quickly. "The lock. I couldn't reach it."
Hook located it, reaching for the lock and using his hook to pick it. A few precious moments ticked by, and Emma could read every anxiety in his face until the lock clicked open, and the chain fell free.
Hook ripped the door open.
Freedom.
But Emma wasn't half as relieved by the freedom as she was by him.
She didn't even think; she grabbed him in a tight hug, practically clinging to him.
He stumbled a little by the force of it, surprised. She held him tightly, eyes shut, relief rushing through her in waves as she breathed in his scent. Familiarity. Safeness. Home.
She didn't know when she'd started thinking of him as home, but right now, she didn't care.
She felt him hold her back after a hesitation of shock. Just as tightly as she held him. "Are you all right?" he whispered. "Are you hurt?"
"You came," she found herself whispering. Her voice like broken confusion.
A tear fell down her cheek.
His hold on her tightened a little. "Of course I came," he said. He pulled back a little. "You thought I wouldn't?" he asked incredulously, like the idea hurt him. But a noise somewhere nearby like a door opening made both of them freeze and Killian's grip on her tighten even more. "We need to get you out of here. Now," he said quickly, eyes locked with hers, fear in them.
Fear for her.
"Come," he breathed, and without hesitation Emma's hand intertwined with his, and she suddenly felt like she never ever wanted to let go.
Killian led the way, seeming to know his way around, and Emma didn't stop to question it. She was glued to his side as they clung to the shadows, every usual strength within her strangely gone, replaced with the fear of her seventeen year old self, trapped in prison with no way out.
Their run through the castle was like a blur of panic, and Emma heard Killian whisper, "We're nearly there, love." And Emma only then realized she was practically crushing his hand.
But they rounded a corner, and Killian skidded to a stop, just as two guards saw them both.
"Bloody hell," cursed Killian.
"The prisoner!" cried one of the guards, recognizing Emma. "The one who aided Snow White's escape!"
"Get her!" growled the other, both unsheathing swords, and Emma felt paralyzed.
"Get behind me!" exclaimed Killian in a desperate breath, releasing her handâsomething that felt like panic itself to herâso he could draw his sword.
Emma listened to him, allowing someone else to take control for the first time in what felt like her life, because hell she knew how to fight with her fists but not against swords and not with flashes of the past blinding her, and she felt her hands grasp the back of Killian's jacket, needing something tethering her to him.
He fought off the first guard, both men caught in a flurry of blades, and suddenly Emma felt a burly arm grab her around the waist and yank her back.
"Emma!"
Emma struggled, managing to land her elbow in the man's gut, making him grunt in enough pain to release his hold. And Emma's hands fisted, her heart pounding as she prepared to fightâ
But she didn't need to.
Because suddenly Killian was there, standing firmly in front of her, protecting her, knocking out the man with the hilt of his sword.
Both guards lay unconscious on the ground.
Emma was still shaking.
But Killian's hand suddenly found her face, making her look at him. Such determination shone in his eyes. "I won't let anyone take you. I promise." Emma felt her breath skip, a wave of relief feeling like warm sunlight because, for the first time, she didn't have to protect herself alone. Sheathing his sword, Killian again took her hand, holding her even tighter. "Come," he breathed.
They continued on their way out of the castle, this time making it without trouble. But they didn't stop running until they were well away from it, and could no longer even see the castle in the distance.
And without hesitation, Emma dove into his arms, hers wrapped tightly around his waist, burying her face in his chest.
She was crying and for the first time in her life she didn't care that the tears fell, or that they did in front of someone else.
Because for the first time in her life, someone saved her.
For the first time in her life, she didn't have to do it herself.
She could hear him saying her name, his voice surprised, worried, gentle.
She felt him pull back a little, though his arms never loosened around her.
Killian looked at her, noting the tear tracks on her face, old and new, the dirt and the scratches from the rough handling of her by the guards. It looked like his heart broke in his eyes. "Emma, love," he whispered. "Are you all right?"
But Emma was unable to find her voice, because her mind was still caught on something she couldn't understand.
He came back for her.
He saved her.
Her whole life, the only person who ever saved her was her.
No one else bothered to.
But Killian broke into a castle full of guards that would have killed him in an instant, just to save her.
He risked his life.
For her.
The last person Emma trusted put her in prison.
Killian just rescued her from it.
"Emma�"
He was still staring at her, even more concerned than before.
"You saved me," she whispered.
"Of course I did," he said, like it was the only reasonable answer.
Like there was no world in which he saw himself not saving her.
Ever since Neverland, hell, long before then, Emma had feltâŠÂ something for him.
After Neverland, it turned into something even more, something that wasn't just interest, something that was feelings.
And ever since she drank that potion, they had only gotten stronger.
She has spent every waking minute shoving those feelings down, trying to bury them, erase them, because she could notâshe could notâstand to trust someone again, for someone to break her like a damn promise.
She had planned to run away to New York, to leave it allâleave himâbehind.
But tonightâŠ
He had just risked his life to break into a place that would have killed him if it could have, just for her.
Tonight, he did something no one has ever done.
He saved her.
And Emma was beginning to realize he's done so in more ways than one.
He's handed Emma proof that he will be here for her and will never leave.
And it suddenly gave her an overwhelming need to stay.
Like a broken dam, everything that she felt for him, that she's tried to hold back, rose within her, warming her chest, like a tidal wave she couldn't wait to drown in.
Emma smiled, another tear falling, feeling like so much weight had been lifted from her. Like she suddenly couldn't stand to keep herself from him, to hide the fact that she liked him, she more than liked him, that sheâ
Emma's hand found his, intertwining with his fingers.
And suddenly, a glowing emitted from his pocket, where her fingers brushed it.
They both looked down, to see the wand.
Lit up with magic.
With a gasp, Emma pulled her hand away, and the glow faded.
Killian smiled.
He took out the wand. "Emma," he breathed.
Tentatively, Emma took it, and in an instant, it lit up again.
"My magic!" she breathed. "It's back," she whispered.
"Perhaps it just needed time," he said softly.
But Emma knew what it needed.
She smiled at him, and the warm feeling that was still in her chest.
The feeling that he and he alone elicited.
"Thank you, Killian," said Emma softly. She kissed his cheek, a little shyly, pink coloring the tip of her nose. Electricity like her own magic seemed to spark as she did.
His brows shot up at the sound of his own name, hearing the heaviness of her gratitude. He stared at her in utter shock.
"Let's go home," she whispered.
His brow quirked, something so hopeful in his eyes. "Home?" he echoed.
She smiled, more and more sure with every second. "Storybrooke." she clarified. "I'm not going anywhere."
She took his hand, and Emma had never seen him look as stunned as he did now.
"Aye," he said softly. "Home." He smiled, the word like music to his ears, like a relief of his own.
And she conjured the portal, the glow reflected in their eyes as they jumped through together.
For she was home long before they reached Storybrooke.
-.-.-.-.
tag list: @kmomof4 @justanother-unluckysoul @klynn-stormz @stahlop @ilovemesomekillianjones @hookmecaptain @tiganasummertree @jadehowlettthewolf @jonesfandomfanatic @anmylica @pirateprincessofpizza @stahlop @snowbellewells @eddisfargo @motherkatereloyshipper @csgiftexchange
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TW: Mentions of SA
In my works, and other places, people have been asking me my opinion on Achilles attacking Troilus. I would just preface Iâm not an expert on the Trojan War. I was sick the week we did the Iliad in high school and they made me perform as Odysseus when we read the Odyssey and i had no clue what was happening, but I am in the process of reading it now.
I think if you are studying these events from the perspective of the god Apollo, then Achilles kind of loses his Brad Pitt appeal that the movie Troy (which I have never seen) gives him. So if Achilles is your guy, stop reading. Iâm thought dumping.
There is something wicked and powerful about Achilles k*lling and r*ping Apolloâs own son on his own altar in his own temple. Because that is the implication of the iconography and artwork.
Achilles drags Troilus by his hair to the altar of his father and the story doesnât say if Achilles r*pes him, but it is implied. For one it talks about Achilles being overcome with lust for Troilus, who is the image of Apollo in human form. A beautiful golden haired, youth.
Not only is Troilus the son of Hecuba, heâs Apolloâs image. Sources say he is the most beautiful of the Trojans and Greeks. But he has been designated a fate where he represents the city of Troy. Hence the name Troilus. If he reaches adulthood, the city survives. If he dies as a youth, the city will fall.
Athena leads Achilles to Troilus to ensure his death and thus Troyâs fall. She does not account for HOW Achilles kills Troilus.
He sees Troilus on his horse, and he is overcome with lust. I think he probably offers Troilus some sort of deal, come sleep with me and I will let you and your sister go, but Troilus refuses and runs away and hides in his fatherâs temple. He is a little kid running to his father for help. But, Achilles breaks in, finds Troilus, and enraged kills him either on or near the altar of Apollo.
Troilus is the image of Apollo. He is his son. He is a prince of Troy. I think this is a tipping point for everythingâthe point of no return.
This seals Troyâs fate, but I think the reason for that are because of Troilusâs death. I think before this point there is the possibility there will be peace. I think Big Bro Hector would have sent Helen back, I think peace would have been sued for and Troy would stand. But Fate has to be accomplished. This is the point where Troy no longer gives a damnâtheir prince has been m*rdered and r*ped on the altar of their chief god. Priam is upset because he loved Troilus as his own son, and he calls Achilles a child-slaughterer after that. Hecuba is besides herself, and Hector wants to kill Achilles. I think this is the point where they decide that, yes, they are going to die fighting this war, but they have a GOOD REASON to. Itâs not about Paris and Helen and Aphrodite and a dumb apple. Itâs about a boy being murdered.
But Apollo, Apollo is now vengeance. He is acting as an arm of fate. Heâs already peeved at Achilles, who had killed another son Tenes. (A different story about Achilles r*ping someone)
I said this to one of my commentersâan altar is a godâs dinner table. Apolloâs hands are tied by somethingâeither Fate or Thetis or his Father, and he cannot stop Achilles who is savagely attacking his own son on his own table. He has to watch, has to sit there and taste his own sonâs blood in his mouth, watch him brutally die.
Achillesâs fate is sealed. Apollo is going to kill Achilles. Itâs just nine years later.
In the art, Thetis, Athena, Apollo and Hermes are in the background of this event. Athena and Thetis as support of Achilles, but it makes me curious what Hermes is doing there. Is he holding Apollo back? Has Thetis begged Zeus for Achilles life? Athena regretfully watching as she accomplishes her plan only to realize WHY it worked?
I think in this way you can fashion the Trojan War as a direct conflict between Apollo and Achilles. Everything else is going on around it, but at the heart of it, is Apollo and Achilles. Apollo waiting for his father and the fates to give him the go ahead because Achilles will die, and Apollo is going to take away everything from him in the process. Briseis, Patroclus, and then heâs going to take his life.
Achilles is the villain in Apolloâs story. Heâs invulnerable, heâs circumventing fate, he r*pes anything under his power, he disrespects the gods. He is a lesson in what men do when no one can stop them, and the most powerful thing is that the Father wins. He finds and kills his sonâs murderer even after all the roadblocks in his way.
Troy is a revenge story, and if I ever get to writing it in my series, itâs going to be written like a revenge story.
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