An interesting pairng that I haven't really see anyone write about is Rumple/Emma/Hook, Emma had crazy chemistry with Rumple in the first season, and just the general banter between all of them is peak. None of them would take shit from each other, Emma would be dragging both of them to a better path, maybe established CaptainSwan rehabilitating Rumple lol, and CaptainCroc trying to drag Emma out of whatever mess happened, or GoldSwan just charming the absolute shit out of Hook, not to mention all three of them are SO devoted to the people they love
I hadn't considered GoldSwan before but I think you're onto something here, I really like CaptainSwan and CaptainCroc so I can get on board with them combining forces in a polycule lol
I kind of love the idea of established GoldSwan where Hook is beefing with Rumple like in canon, and Emma protecting Rumple while also falling for Hook. there's so much potential for angst in the episodes where they find Baelfire in that scenario. the Neverland arc would also be pretty damn good; there's room for Hook charming Emma and also for him observing Rumple and coming to understand him more and hate him less. maybe CaptainCroc get together in the Enchanted Forest after that, when the fairytale characters are banished back there, partly because they both have feelings for Emma, but they actually develop a relationship as a functional unit there and by the time Emma's called on to fix Zelena's curse, all three of them have feelings for each other. CaptainSwan have to rescue Rumple from her as a team, which has (once again) a lot of potential for solid angst, because Hook would be very up for trying to fix things the villain way while Emma would be more heroic about it.
some things would have to be changed about the Camelot/Underworld arcs, but also!!! imagine CaptainSwan getting to understand Rumple a little better by being the Dark Ones. him being envious of them having that power when he doesn't, maybe a little enamored of the new dark turn they've both taken and uncomfortable because he's not sure how he fits in that scenario. or maybe Rumple being unhappy about Emma being a Dark One because that's his role and as much as he wants it for himself, he doesn't want it for her. maybe Rumple gets caught in the middle there, because both of his partners want him on their side, but he loves both Hook's darkness and Emma's light and he doesn't know which to choose, or how to avoid choosing and bring them back together. Rumple taking the Dark One powers back because he knows Hook is going to die and he thinks that's his best shot at getting Hook back. GoldSwan going to the Underworld together to get their boyfriend back. Emma hating Milah on sight and Hook reevaluating some things now that he's with Rumple.
my anonymous friend, you are a genius and I take my hat off to you *doffs cap* I'm enjoying GoldenCaptainSwan immensely
