page eleven

[fantasies]

[It's the second time he's woken up to an empty room, and somehow he's still surprised.

It figures. Just when things had been getting better, when he'd started feeling alright after having Emma taken away, when the castle had brought Snow back--

Well. It wasn't like his family had ever been whole before, anyway.]

Um. [A beat. He started talking too fast. Try again.] Um, the castle sent Prince Charming home. [amending:] James.

[Home to a curse, which isn't any better.

He's quiet for a while, looking at the other pages of the journal when he doesn't feel like doing anything else.]

I guess it's doing that thing again, isn't it. Where it sends a bunch of people home at once.

Comments

[secondchances]

You should. How about Ace and I meet you in the lobby?

[fantasies]

Okay. [There's some rustling in the background while he tosses things around to find said gift.] Give me two minutes.

[secondchances]

See you soon, Henry.

[Operation: cheer the kid up >:(

Steph and Ace will be waiting.]

[fantasies]

[He bustles out of the elevators a few minutes later, the ball clutched tightly between both of his hands.

He manages to smile when he sees them. It's not even forced.]

Hi, guys. [and to Ace:] Are you ready?

[secondchances]

[Ace gives Henry a sniff-over, just in case he has treats on him. You know, just for reference of how obedient he should be.

Steph smiles back, going over to Henry and gently ruffling his hair. Despite watching after a ten year old boy for a good portion of her stay here, Henry's not Damian--slightly less likely to take her arm off at shows of comfort, she thinks, but she's still careful not to overstep.]

Hi. He's more than ready. Let's see how far you can throw that thing.

[And outside they go.]

[fantasies]

[Henry doesn't mind. In fact, he relaxes a little bit more and reaches out to pat Ace on the head while he follows them out.

It's chilly, but it's nice to be out in the sun. He bounces the ball a couple of times on the steps.]

Okay, ready? [He shows Ace the ball, ready to throw.] Go!

[And he flings it!]

[secondchances]

[Ace lops off after the ball. He's so big that his seemingly-slow strides get him where he needs to go pretty quickly. Steph takes advantage of the lull.]

You doing alright, Henry?

[She asked already, but she'll ask again.]

[fantasies]

I guess.

[He puts his hands in his pockets and looks at his feet, shifting a little.]

He was here for Christmas, at least.

[He wants Ace to come back now.]

[secondchances]

That's good. Had he been here already when you got here?

[Ace comes back with the ball.]

[fantasies]

No, he came after.

[He takes the ball back and rubs Ace between the ears.] Good boy. Want to go again?

[And he throws it!]

[secondchances]

[Ace takes off after it again!]

It gets a little easier as time goes by. You'll be okay.

[Another hair ruffle.]

But, if you're ever not okay, or just want someone to hang out with--you can always come to me and Ace. Got it?

[fantasies]

[He smiles up at her, genuine.]

Okay. I promise.

... Um, and thanks.

[secondchances]

You're welcome. You're a good kid, so I'm sure there's a lot of people here willing to help you out if you need it.

[Ace comes back with the ball. It's a little slobbery at this point.]

[fantasies]

Yeah, I've... got a lot of good friends here. It's nice.

[He never had that at home, not really. That's why he got the book of fairy tales that started everything in the first place.

He grins when Ace comes up to him, and he takes the ball gingerly between two fingers.]

Ace. Look what you did, boy, it's all messy now.

[secondchances]

[Ace sees no problem with this, tail wagging lazily.]

Ah, Ace drool. I would have many gallons of it if I ever tried to bottle it.

[fantasies]

You could get rich if anybody shows up from a world where they really, really like dog slobber.

[secondchances]

[She makes a face.] Um, I'm not to sure I'd want to get too close to anyone who likes dog slobber that much...

[fantasies]

I'm just saying, some of the worlds people come from are pretty weird.

[secondchances]

Yours isn't weird?

[fantasies]

Not as much as some other ones.

[secondchances]

But still a little weird, right?

[fantasies]

Just a little bit.

[the whole 'fairy tale characters trapped in limbo in a fake town in Maine' counts.]

[secondchances]

How so? Strangely smart little boys?

[fantasies]

[He laughs a little.]

I hope not, 'cause I'm still bad at spelling.

[secondchances]

Smart isn't just spelling and math, you know.