The Truth Echoes Darkly (A Pre-CaptainCroc Fic)
*struts into the room like a pigeon with an attitude problem* *removes rainbow sunglasses* HOWDY!! I came up with this when I was thinking “Gee, how could the Echo Caves on Neverland have been more awkward?” And the Muse answered “Probably if it was CaptainCroc instead of CaptainSwan.” It’s technically pre-CaptainCroc, because they don’t get together by the end, but if I get bored someday I could do a Part 2 in which they do. Enjoy!!!
Killian held his breath as Snow White and David spilled their secrets to the cave. She wanted another child—Killian didn’t he think he could want that, if his first child had been torn from his arms in such a cruel manner as Emma was from Snow, but if she was brave enough, then good luck to her.
No, really. She would need a healthy dose of luck to have the second child she wanted. Killian knew it even before David spoke his little bit of truth, as he was already privy to that information. David was permanently tied to Neverland. Leaving was impossible for him. Which, to be fair, Killian was starting to believe it was for all of them; Pan had a stranglehold on not only the island, but the waterways and airspace around it. Not to mention, he could send his shadow into another realm to drag them back one by one and mount their heads on pikes if he liked.
The point was, the royal couple told the cave, and each other, their secrets, and now they were furious at each other.
“You can’t leave Neverland and you didn’t think to tell me?” Snow asked incredulously. Killian rolled his eyes; this really wasn’t the time for them to have their full-on argument. The distance between them and Baelfire, trapped in a cage on that central pillar of rock, was still far too wide for anyone to cross.
David apparently also realized this, as he didn’t even try to explain himself. Snow caught Emma’s eye, and Emma could only shrug, but there was a steely look on her face that silenced Snow rather effectively.
Killian and Emma eyed each other apprehensively. Neither of them wanted to give up their secret. Emma wasn’t the only one who wore stylish, hand-stitched leather armor, and she definitely wasn’t the only one with tough, handcrafted walls around their innermost heart.
He tried to gauge whether it would be more awkward to say it to her, or to Baelfire—Neal, he reminded himself. He changed his name in the Land Without Magic. Emma he had shared a kiss with earlier, and a rather pleasant one if he was honest, regardless of how much meaning it held for either of them. Neal…oh, no two ways about it, it would be more awkward for Killian to spill his guts in front of him.
Killian inhaled, closing his eyes. Then he opened them and stared out into the void of the cavern. “I’m in love,” he said. “I didn’t think after Milah, I ever could be again, but…I am.”
Nothing happened. David stared at him suspiciously. “I was supposed to hate him forever,” Killian said. “But I should’ve known the different ways obsession can evolve.” Realization began to dawn on the faces of the entire Charming family. “I’m in love with Rumplestiltskin,” Killian called into the darkness.
After Neal was rescued and the group ventured back outside of the cave, Killian found himself hanging back. He wasn’t afraid of their judgement; he didn’t care too much what they thought of him. But he had only admitted it to himself two days ago, and his mind was still reeling from the shock.
“That’s your darkest secret?”
A cool voice spoke from just over Killian’s shoulder. “I would’ve expected a pirate to have darker things on his soul.”
“Than loving you, crocodile? You’re as dark as it gets.” Killian turned to face Rumple. As usual, a mask of smug calmness covered any emotion he might’ve been feeling.
“I’ve decided I’m going to survive Neverland, pirate,” Rumple said. His voice was slightly raspy, and very quiet. Killian might dream of sounding so sinister, but he could never quite get on that level. “And if I am, then so are you. I can’t wait to torment you with this knowledge for the rest of your puny mortal life.”
The next instant he was gone, vanished into thin air rather than in a swirl of violet mist, as he usually seemed so fond of doing. It was the same intimidation tactic Peter Pan used, actually. They were smart to both employ it, as it was quite jarring.
Killian smirked. If the Dark One wanted to obsess about holding Killian’s heart over his head, let him. Killian knew exactly where that would lead.
Your move, crocodile, he thought, plunging back into the jungle.
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