page six

[fantasies]

[September hasn't been kind to Henry. First Snow, sent back home just to be cursed, and now he wakes up to find their (his, now) room is completely, terribly empty.

Alone. Again.

It's a long while later, but when he speaks into the journal, his voice is composed (if very, very small).]

The castle sent my mom home. Emma Swan. [a pause] I just, I dunno. I thought you guys should know.

[He knows he should be happy, that this means Emma can go back and break the curse like everyone at home needs her to. But he started out in Paradisa with his family whole and intact, and now....

And now he's just right back where he started.

He drags his sleeve at the corners of his eyes, and writes in a filter.]

[ Prince Charming ]

Do you wanna.... [He hesitates.] Can we get dinner?

----

Comments

Katniss

[fantasies]

[He's quiet for a long, long moment, because suddenly it's all been brought back to the surface -- (all he ever wanted was a chance to know his mother without Regina pushing her away) -- and he doesn't trust his voice. Right now, more than ever, he just wants Emma back.

There's an audible sniff, which he tries (and fails) to muffle.]

Yeah. [He takes a second to keep the waver out of his voice. When he tries again there's more steel in it.] Okay. Okay, I promise.

Henry

[the_effect_she_has]

Good. Don't forget that. And don't forget ... you're not alone.

Katniss

[fantasies]

... I know. You're right.

[He needs a reminder, sometimes. He doesn't need to go back to the way he was before Emma and the book, because he doesn't need to be lonely here.]

It's just--... [he swallows] It's hard.

Re: Katniss

[the_effect_she_has]

Just because I'm right, doesn't make it any easier. I get that. I've been there. It feels like you lost the one person who really got you. I felt the same way when my father ... when my father died.

Katniss

[fantasies]

Yeah. [His voice is very small. That pretty much hit the nail on the head.

He's quiet for another long moment. The sniffles are getting harder to cover up.]

I know I'll get to see her again. [It's not nearly as bad as losing a parent like Katniss did.] It'll be okay.

Henry

[the_effect_she_has]

Then you just hold onto that, Henry. You will get to see her again, and then you'll have ... god, all kinds of new adventures to share.

Katniss

[fantasies]

Exactly. [He laughs. It's tiny and weak, but it's genuine.] She's gonna do so much for everybody at home. It's going to be awesome.

Re: Katniss

[the_effect_she_has]

I'd like to hear more about why. If you want to tell me.

Katniss

[fantasies]

Yeah, sure, if you want. [He already sounds brighter. He does love to talk about how great his mom is.] You probably would have liked her a lot.