Y'all ever think about the fact that Liam had to take care of Killian when he was still a kid himself?
And how he was taken from Killian too soon?
...Only for Brennan, the man who literally left both his sons to save his own ass and who is the reason they both had to grow up too soon (the reason Liam had to sacrifice a lot), to have the audacity to not only have a third kid but to name said kid Liam.
every ouat fan needs 1 character that only appeared in >10 episodes that they are insanely attached to. mine in liam jones. He’s evil he’s terrible he’s a homosexual and he loves his brother. Please ask me about Liam jones
underrated tragic dynamic is Killian & Liam tbh. I was devastated the first time I watched their backstory & I’m devastated again. imagine your big brother is your entire world & you look up to him more than anything but he’s also a bit of a stubborn ass & also you have strong morals that guide you (morals that he helped instill in you!) & thanks to a slight disagreement & some political manipulation & lies you inadvertently help lead him to his death (NOT your fault but you’ll always see it that way anyway) & in your grief you become everything you both hated. Like. Okay!!!
Summary: Killian, along with his brother, lived deep under the sea being raised by his grandfather King Triton in King Posideons court. Emma lived high on land in the Enchanted Forest being raised by her parents Queen Snow White and King "James" in the Misthaven court. Their worlds so close yet so far. What happens when they meet and their curiosity gets the best of them?
A/N: This story is based on one of the first fanfics I ever read, Castles in the Sand by alleycat22 on fanfic.net. It was unfortunately never finished so this fic is an ode to that story. I am not trying to plagiarize anyones work there will be similarities because one fic inspired another.
Prologue
The mist of the sea sprayed against her skin as the wind whipped her golden hair. The wood bit into her palms as she gripped the railing of the ship leaning back enjoying the sea air; listening to the waves crash against the ship beneath them.
“Isn’t this great?” She turns her head upwards to see her father standing just behind her, a smile gracing his features.
“The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face,” He inhales deeply before letting out a sigh, “Perfect day to be at sea.”
Finally looking down at her she smiles back at him.
“A fine strong wind and a following sea,” the gruff voice of a sailor near them caught her ear, “King Triton and Poseidon must be in a fine mood.”
“King Triton?”
“Why ruler of the merpeople your highness,” another sailor answered.
“Merpeople?”
“Yes! Mermaids and mermen, half fish half human, swimming about below this very vessel.”
The young girl’s eyes went wide as she leaned forward, feeling her father’s hands come to rest on either side of her waist, bent in half staring at the water below them, trying to catch a glimpse of the creature the sailor spoke of.
“And King Triton rules over them with a mighty hand. ”
She absorbed every word the sailors said. Her imagination running wild with all this new information. Then she paused, standing up straight once more she turned her attention to the sailors.
“Who's Poseidon?”
“Poseidon is his brother. He rules all the sea and the creatures that live there. Each brother can control the tides and the storms too, so when the sea is restless you know something is a miss in their kingdom.”
Almost as if to prove the sailors point a strong waves rocked the ship, nearly causing the young princess to tumble over if it wasn't for her father hands still griping her sides.
She turned to her father, “Do you think it's true, Papa?”
Her father shrugged, “I’m not sure, Emma. I’ve never seen a merperson.”
“I have.”
They turned to see the lady of the ship finally on deck. Emma raced over to the woman looking up at her, eyes slightly widened, mouth agape.
“Really, Mama?”
Her mother knelt down, gently brushing her daughter's wind swept her from her face. “Really. She was beautiful and very kind and very curious.”
“How come I’ve never heard this story?” Her father asked behind her.
Her mother shrugged looking up at her husband, “You never asked.”
“Will you tell me?”
She looked down at her daughter, “I’d love to.”
Emma's face lit up with her excited smile.
“But another time. You have some studying to do,” the twinkle in her daughter's eyes quickly faded as her mouth turned down into a pout, “Just because we are traveling doesn’t mean you get out of your studies. I promise when we are done I will tell you all about my friend Ariel.”
Her mother stood, grabbing her hand to lead her below deck. Emma dragged her feet but followed her mother, though the pout never left her face until a question came to mind.
“Mama,” she said, catching the woman's attention, “Do you think I could meet a mermaid?”
“Maybe.” The woman thought about her words carefully, not wishing to deject her daughter, “It is rare to see a mermaid, let alone meet one, like I did, but anything is possible.”
They passed by a sailor who had just pulled up a fishing net, detangling their catch. He pulled out one that was slightly too big for his hand, so when it started the squirm as the ship was rocked again, it slipped from his grasp, falling back down to the sea. It swam deeper and farther trying to get away from its captors. It swam right past a young boy.
Following the trail the fish left, the boy saw it lead to the surface. His curiosity got the better of him so he swam up, seeing the hull of the ship cutting through the water. The closer he got the more his curiosity grew, and he reached out his hand towards the ship.
“Killian!”
He turned to see his brother's scowl, “What the bloody hell do you think you are doing?”
“I was just-”
“First, you are late! Grandfather has everyone looking everywhere for you! And I find you chasing after a human's ship!”
“I-”
His brother grabbed his hand, beginning to drag him the opposite way of the ship towards their home. “You could’ve been seen! You could’ve been caught in one of their nets! You could’ve been harpooned! You could’ve been killed! Is that what you want? Huh? To be dragged out of the water and hung up to dry in the sun? Is it, little brother?”
“Younger brother,” Killian muttered.
“What?” His brother turned to face him again.
“Nothing happened, just relax.”
“This time! Nothing happened this time. You need to be more careful. You’ll be lucky if I don’t tell Grandfather about this.” Never letting go of Killian’s wrist, his older brother began swimming again.
They swam for a while before reaching an iridescent glowing city. Continuing through until they reach a glittering palace, that currently had many merfolk anxiously swimming around its grounds.
“King Triton, he's found!” a guard called into the palace, as the two boys swam into view.
In an instant the boys found themselves in front of the king himself, relief washed over the grand king's face as he spotted the two boys.
“Killian, thank the seas you're alright,” The older man embarrassed the smaller boy.
The once anxious waters calmed with the king, as merfolk stopped their search and went back to their duties.
“Liam, where did you find him?”
“Um, well.”
At the older boy's hesitation, the king pulled away from the younger, holding him by the shoulders, fixing both of them with a look. “Where did you find him?”
KIllian’s hand found its way to the spot behind his ear, “I was just exploring.”
“Exploring where?” The man's eyes shifted between the two boys as both were seemingly more interested in their tails than in giving him an answer.
With a sigh Liam spoke up, “I found him chasing a human ship.”
“HUMANS!”
Killian flinched, “I was just curious.”
“Killian, how many times must we go over this?! The surface and humans are dangerous!”
“I was being careful. Nothing happened.”
“THIS TIME! You could’ve been seen by one of those barbarians! I’ve already lost two daughters to them! Do you think I wish to lose one of my grandsons as well?! I am never NEVER to hear about you and humans again, is that clear!” The king’s voice boomed with authority off the palace walls.
Killian’s head bowed deeper as Liam gave a quiet “yes sir.”
The king sighed, “What am I going to do with you boys?”
Silence hung in the water between the three of them before the king spoke up again. “You are both to go to your room for the rest of the day. I will have supper sent to you. Neither of you are permitted to leave this palace until I say so. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir,” the boys answered.
As soon as they did, the king waved them off and they swam to their room.
“I don’t know why he’s so mad,” Killian started, “It wasn’t like I was seen.”
“He’s not mad, Killian. He’s scared. As was I.”
Killian continued as if his brother had never spoken, “And I don’t know why he talks about Ariel as if she's dead. She isn’t.”
“But Mother is.” Liam said pointedly.
Killian turned away at his brother's remark.
“Humans aren't to be taken lightly, little brother. They are dangerous and can be cruel.”
“Younger brother,” Killian muttered.
They stayed in silence. It was only when they reached their room that Killian spoke up. “I’m not afraid of humans. I could fight.”
Liam chuckled “Oh yeah?”
He nudged his brother who pushed back. Their pushing turned to shoves, which turned to grappling, which turned into an all out wrestling match. They wrestled until Liam pinned him.
“You were saying, little brother?"
“Younger brother.” Killian stated defiantly as he shoved Liam off him. “Do you think I’ll ever meet a human?”
“For your sake, I hope not,” Liam said just as Killian grabbed onto his shoulder and began round two of their wrestling match.
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AND Thats all she wrote. I hope it was worth the read.
