APAHS: Chapter 5
A/N: So sorry to keep all of you in suspense! I have already written several more chapters and didn’t realize I hadn’t posted Chapter 5! WC: 2668 Warnings; Mention of the death of a family member Thanks to @flamencodiva for Beta and @winchest09 for the divider!
Sam was here. Sam was here in Storybrooke Cemetery. This was the last place Y/N had expected Sam to be, especially at this hour. Clearing her throat, she repeated her question.
“What are you doing here Sam?” Sam cleared his throat. “Wanted to come and see your Dad and pay my respects,” he says, placing his hands in his lap as he remained seated. He noticed the wet tear slip down her cheek, becoming concerned. “Are you alright?” This made Y/N scoff. “Please, as if you care about my emotions Sam.”
Normally, Sam would have responded with a snarky comment back, sending them into one of their usual arguments. This time though, he shakes his head. Not wanting to fight. This wasn’t the time or place for that. Clearing his throat, he held up his hands, letting them fall on his lap as his eyes met hers. “I didn’t come here to fight Y/N.” Sam says gently, his tone calm and relaxed. Patting the ground next to him, he’d offered her a spot beside him. “I wanted to get some things off my chest. Why not talk to someone who won’t have an opinion to press on me. Allows me to speak freely, lets me open into certain emotions that I’d rather hide.”
As he spoke to her, Y/N couldn’t help but feel sorry for the way she’d spoken to him. Normally, conversations between the pair would end up in a fight, even with name calling involved. This conversation, however, was more relaxed and open. Sam was letting his guard down. Was opening up to someone other than his family. Y/N sat in silence. Rendered speechless by Sam’s words. “What brings you out here?” Sam asks her after a moment passes between the two of them. Crickets filling the atmosphere to make it not as quiet. Taking a deep breath, Y/N looked into Sam’s hazel eyes. “I-I just missed my Dad that’s all” She whispered, eyes falling down to her lap. She didn’t need to tell Sam the whole truth. She really did miss her Dad. Especially given her current circumstances. ====
Enchanted Forest Sam entered Winchester Castle’s archive, panting as he made an attempt to get away from Ruby. She was everything he’d heard about. She sure wasn’t the one for him. The way she’d looked at him sent chills down his spine, and not in a good way either. “Who or what are we hiding from this time,” Gabe calls from his desk in the center of the room. Book in hand as he read. Trying in earnest to find some kind of loophole to free Odette from Rowena’s curse. “Princess Ruby of Avrinyth on the Isle of Dagua.” Sam sighed as he flopped down in one of the plush chairs. Making some sort of excuse to stay away from her and his parents.
Placing his fingers on his temple, Sam groaned, rubbing them in a circular motion, in an effort to make the headache go away. Gabe glanced over from his book hearing the groan, setting his book down closed, his full attention now on Sam. “I’m searching as hard as I can, Sam. I’m searching for a loophole to get your princess back.” Gabe says, his tone soothing, hoping to relieve any stress the young prince may be experiencing. “I just want her back, Gabe.” Sam says, tired and exhausted.
“As of right now, it’s true love, kid,” Gabe sighed. “I mean have you told her you love her?” Sam’s gaze met the Fairy’s, eyes narrowed as well as his eyebrows. “What does telling her I love her have anything to do with this?”
“Oh yeah, saying you love her beauty is absolutely true love,” the fairy said, rolling his eyes. It took all Sam had in him to not roll his eyes, let alone throw him across the library. He really would never live down what he’d said to her at his birthday celebration. Clearly, this was getting him nowhere. He had the same answer as he’d had the last time he checked in with him, and even the Blue Fairy had given him the same answer.
“She’s beautiful and I love that about her,” Sam sighed in frustration, “isn’t that enough? How can that not be enough!”
“Bucko,” Gabriel huffed, “you have a lot to learn about love.” The fairy was collecting the books when he had a thought. “You know where Odette is, right?”
“Obviously,” Sam let out.
“Then go spend time with her,” Gabe insisted, “when you come back, talk to your mother. Ask her why she loves your father. Then go see Odette again, when you come back, as Your father the same question. Maybe you’ll find your answer there?” Sam stands from where he’d been seated, he’d delayed himself long enough. He had to survive dinner, have a private conversation with his mother, then find some way to sneak out of the palace. Away from his parents, away from Ruby, and try Gabe’s next suggestion. ==== Storybrooke
“How long has it been since you were here last? To talk with your Dad, I mean?” Sam asks softly. “Honestly, you think I’d have kept track of that but, judging by the flowers, it's been too long.” Y/N sighed as she looked at the wilting flowers beside her father’s headstone. Sam looks down feeling bad for her, he had both of his parents. How was he supposed to sympathize with her? Sam wanted to help mend the relationship they had, not fight on a constant basis. “If...If there’s anything you need….you know you can talk to me right?” Sam says, hesitating slightly. Y/N shakes her head, pulling the dead flowers from the vase, making a mental note when she comes back the next time to bring fresh ones. She stood, clearing her throat. “It’s getting late, I better head on home.” “Want me to walk you home?” Sam asks, to which Y/N shakes her head. “I can manage,” she replies, giving him a small smile. “Goodnight Sam, thank you for sitting here with me.” “Anytime, if you need someone to talk to or whatever, you know where I’ll be.” Y/N nodded and turned to leave, making the slow walk back to her house. She needed to find extra income now that she was unemployed. Sam didn’t need to know about that. He had enough on his plate to worry about with the debt his family owed. Why on earth would he want to help her?
After watching Y/N walk away, Sam had made his way to work at Gold’s Shop. There were a few items that Mr. Gold wanted to be cataloged. As he was working, time seemed to fly quickly. It wasn’t until a small clock announced that it was close to midnight. Rubbing his eyes, Sam closed the ledger where he was taking inventory, and made his way to the back where Mr. Gold’s office was located. The closer he got, he began to hear a familiar voice.
“It can’t be,” he whispered to himself.
Nearing the door, Sam looked through the crack seeing Dean and Mr. Gold. Dean’s knuckles were bloody and torn. Did Dean do a job for Gold? He wouldn’t, would he? Sam recalled their argument from that morning and sighed.
Pushing the door open, Sam made his presence known, “Mr. Gold I finished --” he stopped halfway and raised an eyebrow at Dean, letting his brother know he was caught. “Dean? What are you doing here?”
Dean in his usual fashion, brushed him off. Sam waited until Dean was walking to his Impala to confront him. This wasn’t good, Gold was manipulative, he could trick you easily. Dean working for him, made him worry what sort of catch there was to this. Why on earth did he choose him of all people as his employer.
His conversation with Dean didn’t go smoothly. Dean, in great big brother fashion, mentioned how Sam had caused their family to be in the predicament they’re in. Why couldn’t his brother see he was trying to fix things on his own? It was his mistake, He, Sam, would need to fix it, not Dean.
Ever since Sam had made the deal with Rowena and buried them in bigger debt, Dean had pulled away from his younger brother. Sam felt it, could feel it with every look and with every conversation they had. Not to mention that Dean seemed to think that Ruby would be in the house. He was sure that he had done everything to keep Ruby out. With these thoughts in mind, Sam shook his head, once he reached the comforts of his apartment, however, his mood was instantly soured. After turning the lock, not hearing the familiar click of the door unlocking, his brows furrowed. He’d locked it before he left this morning, hadn’t he? Upon opening the door, Sam discovered why the door was unlocked, when he saw his ex-girlfriend sitting in the living room. This was going to be a long night. --- Enchanted Forest The evening meal was uneventful, but Sam shuddered as he felt Ruby staring at him for most of it. Gazing at him as if he were the meat that had been placed in front of them. Before excusing himself from the dinner table, Sam turned to look at his mother. “Mom, can we talk, alone?” he asks. The question makes Mary look worried, glancing at her husband before nodding at her son. “Of course sweetheart.” The Queen nods, before rising from the table to leave the dining room to walk side by side with her son. Sam cleared his throat as he walked beside his mother. “What made you fall in love with Dad?” Mary stopped walking, turning to face Sam, her eyes downcast slightly. “This has to do with Ruby’s visit I assume?”
Sam remained silent, giving Mary her answer.
The Queen sighed, clearing her throat. “Your father and I had an arranged marriage,” she explained. “When I first met him, he seemed like someone so self-centered and selfish, only caring about what battles he could go in and bring glory to his people.” She paused and let out a snort, “he would go on and on about the ogre wars and how brave he was fighting for his kingdom. On our wedding day, I saw a different side to your father. He’d changed into someone who was caring, compassionate and took time to listen to my problems. Your father put me first, then the matters of the kingdom a close second.” Sam listened, maybe Gabe was right. There was more to loving someone than just looks. Sam learned that once he’d watched Odette leave the palace gates. Seeing the look on her son’s face, Mary reached out to cup his face gently. “I know you're still set on finding Odette, I really think you should continue your search.” Mary’s words caught Sam off guard. She wanted him to keep looking? If this was the case, then why invite Ruby to the palace at all? Was this his father’s idea? “Why don’t you talk to your father about this too?” Mary suggested. “Why Dad?” Sam muttered. “Dad’s so set on me moving on and marrying someone else.” Mary let out a deep sigh, “Samuel, your father is trying his best to look out for you.” She reached out and pressed her hand to his cheek, “Ever since Odette went missing, you’d been brooding around the castle, wearing yourself out, just to break this curse she’s supposedly under.” “Mom, you heard what Rowena said, I read the translation to you.” As he spoke, Sam’s tone was getting higher and more irritated.
Not wanting to argue with his Mother, Sam left and headed in the direction of the stables to go meet with Odette. The evening the two spent together was something Sam wouldn’t forget. Sharing memories of their childhood, the jokes and pranks he and Dean used to play on her. Hearing her laugh, made Sam’s heart swell. Perhaps his Mom and Gabe were right. There was more to love about someone besides their looks. Beauty was both on the inside, as well as the outward appearance. Like his previous visit, hearing Rowena approaching with Crowley in tow, Sam managed to slip past them unseen. The lack of sleep was getting to him, but the time spent with Odette was worth it. Managing to slip past Ruby after breakfast, Sam meets his father in his study. Clearing his throat, Sam rapped on the door. Hearing John mutter permission for him to enter, he looked up hearing Sam’s shoes. “I thought you and Ruby were off riding after breakfast,” John says confused, looking concerned. Sam shakes his head. “Forgive me for bothering you, but I wanted to talk to you about Mom.” This made the king even more concerned. “Your Mother? Why?” Sam inhaled, letting his words out in a rushed breath. “Was Mom’s beauty the thing that made you fall in love with her?” John’s taken aback by such a question. “No.” He answered without hesitation, “Yes, her beauty was something I noticed right away but, it takes more than outward beauty to truly love a person.”
Sam hesitates before speaking again. “Then why is Ruby here Dad? You know how I feel about her, not to mention matching her with me, given her reputation, is not the best image I want for the kingdom. Dean may be the next king, but I will not see our Kingdom be made a laughingstock.” John looked sympathetic. He knew how well Odette and Sam had gotten along as children, even growing into the adults they were now. “You're really set on finding her aren’t you?” He asks gently. Sam nodded. “I love her Dad. I just don’t know how to tell her, let alone when.” John nods, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. “When the time is right, you’ll know.”
----- Storybrooke “Get out Ruby” Sam snapped, his tone clipped and frustrated “No, my name’s on the lease too. There’s nowhere else for me to go, Sam,” Ruby argues, sipping her burgundy red wine.
She’d held the stem so delicately, as if the glass would shatter. Brown eyes searched Sam’s. Begging for him to continue the argument.
“I’m not in the mood to argue with you right now,” Sam muttered. Heading towards his bed, slamming the door shut, locking it behind him.
As Sam slept, he found himself running through a palace courtyard.
“Come on slowpoke! Gotta catch me!!” The woman’s voice giggled. No….it wasn’t just any voice. He knew who the voice belonged to. Y/n?
Sam was running, leaving the palace to the woods? Why here? Y/N’s pale blue dress shimmered as she ran, her hair all curled flowed down to her back.
“Wait up!!” Sam calls, losing his footing, tripping over a stump as he falls to the dirt below. Looking up as a white swan glides peacefully over the lake.
As he stands, Sam holds his head in agony. Hearing someone call his name. Crying out for him.
“Sam, Help!!”
With her cries, Sam heard a laugh. The laugh was dark and sinister. Hazel eyes fell upon a metal cage, the swan trapped inside. Rushing to the bars to try and free the animal inside, Sam was grabbed by the back of his shirt, eyes turning to look into her green eyes. Not the bright emerald green color of his brothers, but a dark green. “You will never understand love,” She snarled. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Samuel”
Sam jolts awake, clutching his chest as he hears Y/N’s voice screaming his name. Her voice had sounded like she’d been crying before calling out to him as he was dragged out of the dream. His chest heaved as he attempted to catch his breath, body covered in sweat. “I gotta talk to Henry.” .