( she already knows that he thinks the same way. that no matter how little he deserves it, she's his happy ending. he can't fathom living that without her, which means he'll fight for her and fight for them to the very last breath he has. because he's tried it the other way around, he's tried living just for himself, forgoing happiness and just existing instead, leaving his heart in the past and pretending he had no capacity for more. he's past that now, and he doesn't want to, but just because he will fight, doesn't mean he wants to. doesn't mean he wants to live that moment again, when that familiar mantra becomes reality; loving someone is not enough to save them from the imminent loss that came from loving him in return.
she might think she'd remember, but just looking at him has to be indication that he's not imagining things. he's just lived his greatest fear, one he's had to survive twice now, three times if one counted a boy he practically begged to be his family once upon a time. he used to be good at covering this sort of bold emotion, but Emma always managed to see through it anyway. right now there's no attempt to hide the sheer terror that he'd lost her for good, even with proof that she wasn't entirely gone burned onto the dark one's blade. )
The Crocodile. That... idiot apprentice tried to save him by sucking his darkness out of him, into the hat. It didn't work, it ran rampant through town. ( he isn't sure he wants to recount this story, not even to Emma. it still too new and too raw, and he can remember it all falling apart when he closes his eyes. he doubts he'll be sleeping for awhile. he presses his forehead to hers and his palm over her heartbeat like he needs proof that it's there before he can keep going. )
That darkness needs to be tethered to the dagger, or it will destroy whatever it touches. It was after Regina, and you had the dagger and... ( he leaves out broken promises of love that he didn't even have a chance to give back, but that doesn't make the last part of the tale any easier to say. ) You tethered it to the darkness, and yourself, and then you were gone. ( she may not believe him, but he's got the proof tucked in his coat. he can't honestly explain why she doesn't respond to it or she doesn't remember, he just knows it happened. )
no subject
she might think she'd remember, but just looking at him has to be indication that he's not imagining things. he's just lived his greatest fear, one he's had to survive twice now, three times if one counted a boy he practically begged to be his family once upon a time. he used to be good at covering this sort of bold emotion, but Emma always managed to see through it anyway. right now there's no attempt to hide the sheer terror that he'd lost her for good, even with proof that she wasn't entirely gone burned onto the dark one's blade. )
The Crocodile. That... idiot apprentice tried to save him by sucking his darkness out of him, into the hat. It didn't work, it ran rampant through town. ( he isn't sure he wants to recount this story, not even to Emma. it still too new and too raw, and he can remember it all falling apart when he closes his eyes. he doubts he'll be sleeping for awhile. he presses his forehead to hers and his palm over her heartbeat like he needs proof that it's there before he can keep going. )
That darkness needs to be tethered to the dagger, or it will destroy whatever it touches. It was after Regina, and you had the dagger and... ( he leaves out broken promises of love that he didn't even have a chance to give back, but that doesn't make the last part of the tale any easier to say. ) You tethered it to the darkness, and yourself, and then you were gone. ( she may not believe him, but he's got the proof tucked in his coat. he can't honestly explain why she doesn't respond to it or she doesn't remember, he just knows it happened. )