Liam + Emma - after the Underworld
A/n: This is my current freaking WEAKNESS right now. So basically the idea is that Liam ended up coming back with them from the underworld instead of Killian. He did not move on to the better place. Killian is gone gone, not just in the dungeons. He either moved on or is in the river of lost souls. No need to overthink it. xD
She had thought it might be cathartic, drinking with him. No matter how muchit hurt toasting to the man they both cared for so deeply that it was like apiece of them was missing, she truly thought that it might help. He would have wanted them to get along. She thinks itâs what he had always hoped.(And she couldnât even give him that before...)
And so they had a drink once.
She thinks itâs some sort of sick punishment heâs put upon himself, working at the Rabbit Hole, working the job he was meant to still be working in his mind. Apparently bartending for Hades held up on a Storybrooke resume and there were only rare times that Liam wasnât found there.That first drink was quiet mostly, a couple of shots of rum and moments of silence. Theyhad another one the next week. And then it was every Thursday, drinkingthemselves into oblivion at The Rabbit Hole in a tense mostly-silence. (Fridays were never great after thosenights, but what day was anymore?)
It became a ritual for them â not apleasant one, but at least it was something consistent. Hell, sometimes they actually forgot how painfully their personalities had clashedfrom the first moment of their meeting. Unfortunately, other times they didnât forget at all.
Liam slams his glass down, a grimace sort of set to his jaw as he staresat the table.
âYou wanna say something?â
She watches him as he carefully chooses his words.
âIâm afraid I want to say quite a lot things, but I still have a small senseof good form left in me.â
His prim and proper accent almost makes the words cut deeper, though for what reason, Emma has no idea. She waitsfor an explanation that doesnât come and then simply says âohâ as she takes a sip of her whiskey. She really couldnât stomach rum anymore.
âSo, itâs about me then.â
Liam doesnât say a word. He stares at his own drink for a moment,considering it, before he drains it and mechanically pours himself another.
Typical. Typical Liam. Self-righteous andcryptic as fucking ever. You know, if it hadnât been a month of this crap withhim, they might have actually learned to get along but no. Heâs just asstubborn asâno. She doesnât want to go there.
âWell?â
He sighs, but itâs a frustrated sound, like what one might make to a petulantchild, and it irks her. Why? Why her? If he blames her, fine, but sheâs prettysure that they already had this conversation back in the Underworld or whereverthe hell they were. She only stares as he empties his glass again and then sets it back onto the table with a clatter.
âYou know, I think Iâve had enough to drink tonight.â He begins to stand,swaying with drink, and his chair scrapes across the floor.
âNo.â She stands as well, crossing her arms over her chest. âIf you havesomething to say, then say it.â
Liam grumbles something incoherent, shaking his head as he stumbles backtowards the bar.
âIâm the sheriff. I could have you arrested for drunk driving, you know.â Sheknows she shouldnât say things like that, especially not in the snide tone that she used, but his holier-than-thou attitude isreally starting to bother her. Heâs not the only one that lost something thatday, heâs not the only one that hurting, and to take it out on herâ
Liam whirls on her and stops abruptly, as if not sure what to say first. Hisexpression doesnât soften, but his tone does, if only slightly. âOut of respectfor my brother, Sheriff, Iâm going to go.â
He dares her to stop him with his eyes, blue and angry and flashing at herin such a familiar way that it makes her flinch. She hates him for that. Shehates that she sees so much of Killian in him sometimes that it makes her chestliterally ache and tighten.
âItâs my fault.â She throws up her arms, frustrated. âIs that what you want me to say,Liam? I shouldâve let him die the first time, right? Let him die a hero. Maybethen you both could have moved on together. Maybe there wouldnât have been anymistakes that landed you here and him there, right?â
âMe ending up in this hellhole isnât a mistake. Itâs downright cruelty andHades knew that.â
âBut Iâm to blame.â
He huffs a harsh breath out through his nose, his piercing eyes neverleaving her gaze. Emma sighs so heavily her shoulders slump and she feels tears begin to prickthe back of her eyes.
âWhat was I supposed to do, Liam?â
He answers her, but this time the edge is gone from his tone. âI donât know.â
He leaves after that. Emma doesnât follow for a long time. Â












