Magic is Coming | Gold | safekeeping.

She suddenly stopped in her track up the hill, following Gold. A strange warmth had washed over her, and it caused her pause, and then suddenly the onslaught began.

So many things unlocked first and she was shaking as she viewed each and every one of them. She was staring at Gold’s back, not seeing him in a suit and tie, but linen shirts and leather pants, curly hair and gold flecked skin. She shuddered and she had to grab hold of a nearby tree to steady herself. She thought… she thought this would be easier, since the curse had weakened it’s hold on her. Oh, she was so wrong. So very, very wrong. It was almost coming to an end and she was now witnessing where she was before she was here… and oh, she gasped, trembling and she couldn't help it. She fell to her knees, her hand covering her mouth. She remembered.

It wasn’t the fact that Regina had locked her up, or Hook tried to steal her away that concerned her; it was the reason she ended up in that awful predicament. She was staring at Gold again, eyes wet with tears. She remembered her regret, but now it was mixing with her memories of now.

“You were so angry…” she whispered. “I… oh, Rumple. I broke your heart… I broke your promise, and you forgave me!”

She was so happy, putting the pieces together. The Rumple now, to the Rumple then. When had he forgiven her? It was and echo in her mind. That was one of her nightmares, she had dreamt of it so often. That fight, what she had done, how awful she had felt. And she had been cast out, and she had meant to return as soon as possible but then Regina caught her and locked her up. That witch! They were torn apart by her, and she had told him lies. Her? Throw herself off a tower? When---

Her hand suddenly flew to her stomach as a wave of nausea hit her. Speaking of memories returning, there was also that one particular memory she had tucked away inside. She had been traveling home to see her ill father, but at the same time, she needed the excuse to see a doctor. She had supposed she could have seen one in town, but that would make the town talk. She knew better than anyone that there was no doctor-patient confidentiality in those days. They would have most likely talked. At home, with her doctors, if they talked, it would hopefully stay in the kingdom and any word that reached out of it with be a myth. She released another shuddering breath. Eyes still wet with tears.

“Oh, Rumple. When did you forgive me for such an act? I broke the promise…”

Flashbacks were still hitting her left and right. That lesson being one of them. She swallowed, slightly pink in the face. It’s a no wonder her body had such strong reactions towards him. Her body and heart had remembered him before her head did. She realized she was still on the forest floor and she picked herself up, brushing off her skirts. She was still in shock. Disbelief. Pain. Oh, so much pain. He had time to forgive her, and it was still so fresh on her mind, like it was only…. a week ago and not 28 years.

“Oh, Rumple…”