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

[amiable]

[ Oh no, she doesn't like that look and feels bad for mentioning it in the first place. ]

Uh, I'm not sure?! Crowley-san lost a memory...

[fantasies]

Because of the wishes? [He bites his lip.] What if I did and I just don't know it?

[amiable]

No! I'm sure it's fine!

[fantasies]

How do you know? Did anybody else forget something?

[amiable]

I didn't hear it from anyone else... maybe Crowley-san just wishes too much!

[fantasies]

Oh. [That seems to flick a switch in his head.] I guess I didn't wish all that much....

[amiable]

Don't worry! I'm sure you're fine. [ She says this resolutely and beams at him. Then she points to the shop ahead. ] That's the place right there!

[fantasies]

Oh, good. [He sighs, heavy with relief.] I definitely need one now.

[Way to freak him out, Uru.]

[amiable]

[ SHE'S SORRY.

And she lets go of his hand to push open the door when they're in front of the shop. There's a little bell that jingles above them and the place looks a little busy, filled with all sorts of people. None of them pay any attention to the little boy and Japanese girl who just walked in. ]

Chocolate donut, right?

[fantasies]

Yeah! [Then, an afterthought:] Please.

[He trots up to the counter to watch. This is the fun part.]

[amiable]

[ Uru's glossing over the different kinds of donuts they have. What is she going to eat today? ]

I want them all~

[fantasies]

Get the sprinkles one, that looks really good.

[amiable]

Sprinkles, huh? [ She looks at it now. ] Hmm... okay! Go find us a seat and I'll order us the food!

[fantasies]

Sure.

[He trots away to snag a table by the window. Yeaaaaaaaah, window seats!!]

[amiable]

[ A few minutes later, Uru comes by with hot chocolate (with marshmallows) and two chocolate donuts for Henry, and one sprinkle and another maple flavoured one for herself. ]

I hope hot chocolate was okay! It's the best kind of warm drink to have in the fall.

[fantasies]

Oh.

[Henry stares at the cup for a second, startled, his comfortable state of half-distraction slipping a little.

Then he pushes past it, smiling.]

Yeah, no, I love hot chocolate. Thanks.

[He presses his palms on either side of it, letting it warm his hands.]

Um, do you think they have cinnamon?

[amiable]

Cinnamon? Did you want that instead? [ She looks back at the counter and is ready to get up. ]

[fantasies]

No, just... extra cinnamon. I like to put it in my hot chocolate.

[amiable]

Alright! I'll be right back with some, then.

[fantasies]

Thanks. [He looks sheepish.] Sorry to keep making you get up.

[amiable]

It's okay! [ She disappears for half a minute and returns with the cinnamon. She slides it over to Henry. ]

It's my treat, remember?

[fantasies]

Yeah.

[He smiles, and proceeds to dump a few shakes of cinnamon into his drink.]

It's really good, you know. [re: the cinnamon] You should try it.

[amiable]

I guess it is getting to be the season for it. That and anything pumpkin flavored.

[ She will definitely add a few shakes of cinnamon to her own drink now. ]

[fantasies]

I don't really get a lot of pumpkin stuff at home. My mom always makes apple pies.

[amiable]

Apple pie is delicious, though!