(Hey guys, you've been amazing with he support, still having trouble moving in to my new flat, family that was supposed to help now not replying so not sure if I can be 100% with this right now but I'll upload 2 chapters today for you guys hopefully you'll enjoy it ๐)
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Nathan stirred awake earlier than usual, the faint cries of Henry carrying through the stillness of the mansion. The sound was soft but insistent, and before long it drew him from the comfort of bed.
He opened his curtains for some natural light to stream through and waddle to his desk still half asleep. Slipping into his chair Nathan opens a drawer taking out a note book he got yesterday from Regina before arriving home yesterday, looking through were he left off writing what he can remember, luckily he's got most of the main plot down but just none of the details from episode to episode.
"Dam I'm forgetting most of the story now, it's been a couple of years now and everything is becoming foggy. At least I've managed to get the main points down I just hope everything still follows the plot even if there's changes shouldn't be much, right?" Murmuring to him himself and letting out a frustrated sigh.
"I've done the best that I can, if I remember more I can write it down." Stretching his arms after finishing his stomach starts to rumble.
He slipped into his clothes and padded quietly downstairs.
The kitchen lights were already on. Regina stood at the counter, flawless as always, dressed in a fitted black dress with her hair pinned back in perfect order. A half-empty mug of coffee rested beside her, steam curling upward. With her free hand she gently rocked Henry's carrier, soothing him with small, steady motions.
"You're up early," Nathan said, rubbing his eyes as he stepped into the room still having some sleep in them.
Her sharp gaze flicked toward him, then softened slightly. "Some one was very adamant that I should get up plus its an important day" she replied, her tone clipped but not unkind. "I'll be enrolling you in school."
That woke him up more effectively than any caffeine ever could. "Oh yea that's today?"
"Best not to delay" Regina said, adjusting Henry's blanket with meticulous care. "The sooner you get you registered, the easier it will be to settle in."
Nathan blinked, then caught himself staring. Every time he saw her like this perfectly composed even at dawn, hair and makeup immaculate, yet pausing to tuck in a baby's blanket with tender precision he felt the same tug of disbelief. She was unreal, too perfect, as if she'd stepped out of the very storybooks the town pretended not to remember.
He gave a small, crooked smile. "Guess that makes sense."
Breakfast passed in quiet rhythm. Nathan handled Henry's bottle without hesitation, angling him just right so the infant fed without fuss. His movements were practiced, natural the result of weeks of trial and error in the orphanage. Regina said nothing, only observed, though her eyes lingered longer than usual.
When Henry finally drifted back to sleep, she broke the silence. "You're veryโฆ sure of yourself with him. Most boys your age would be overwhelmed by now even with your practice."
Nathan shrugged, keeping his tone light. "You know already that I enjoy helping out, especially Henry."
Something flickered in her eyes at that a glimmer of recognition, maybe even pride and the faintest smile touched her lips before vanishing as quickly as it came.
By mid-morning they were on the road. Regina drove with composed precision, one hand steady on the wheel, while Henry dozed in his car seat in the back. Nathan sat quietly, watching the town of Storybrooke pass by through the window.
At first glance, everything looked ordinary: the streets tidy, storefronts neat, townsfolk walking with predictable routines but Nathan knew better. The sameness was unnatural, the way greetings never strayed from polite repetition, the way smiles didn't quite reach anyone's eyes.
The System flickered briefly in the corner of his vision:
[Observation: Storybrooke โ Temporal Stasis Detected.]
Nathan smirked faintly. Yeah, I already know. He didn't say it aloud. Let Regina hold her truths close for now he wasn't in a hurry to break the illusion.
The school sat on the far side of town, a modest brick building with peeling white trim and a faded playground out front. Inside, the air smelled faintly of paper and disinfectant. The principal, a man with tired eyes and a fixed smile, greeted Regina with polite deference that bordered on fear.
Paperwork was exchanged. Questions were asked. Regina answered with crisp certainty, her presence commanding enough to make the man nod along quickly, sometimes before she even finished speaking. Nathan sat in one of the office chairs, legs swinging idly, pretending not to notice.
He already understood what the adults around him didn't: none of the children here would ever age. He'd be sharing classrooms with frozen faces, locked in time by a curse no one remembered but Regina wanted this for him. And that, he decided was reason enough.
While he was thinking about what he school life will be he caught a face he never saw in the show walking past the office only for a split second but still he managed too see a women with scar on her face. This made him feel a bit uneasy. Maybe Storybrooke got more characters then he realized or maybe just a minor character, he'll just have to find out at school.
When they stepped back outside, Regina glanced down at him. "You'll start next week. That gives us time to prepare."
"Alright," Nathan replied easily.
Her brow arched slightly. "No protests? No objections?"
He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Wouldn't do any good. Besidesโฆ" He tilted his head toward her. "If you think it's worth it, I'll give it a shot."
For a moment her expression softened, the hard edges smoothing into something almost tender. Not gratitude exactly, but something close.
That afternoon, back at the mansion, Regina laid Henry down in his bassinet and turned to Nathan.
"You'll have responsibilities here" she said, voice firm but not unkind. "School, chores, structure. I expect your best effort."
Nathan nodded seriously. "Got it. It's not like I haven't done those before."
Her tone gentled as she added, "And in return, you'll have stability. Also get to do what you want to do without worrying about others all the time. Plus a home, something no one can take from you."
The System pulsed faintly:
[Affinity Update: Regina Mills โ Bond Strengthened.]
Nathan fought the urge to smile. Which he couldn't as his smile was radiating. Regina caught it and stared how adorable, gently ruffling his hair pinching his cheeks. He'd expected as much.
Evening brought quiet companionship. Regina sat in her armchair, a book open in her lap though her eyes wandered more often than they read. Nathan sprawled on the rug nearby, playing with Henry on a blanket. The baby gurgled, tiny fists wrapping around Nathan's fingers with surprising strength.
Nathan looked up, catching Regina's gaze. "He's gonna be a handful when he's older."
Her lips curved, just slightly. "Then it's fortunate he'll have both of us, isn't it?"
The words settled in Nathan's chest with unexpected weight. Simple, matter-of-fact but powerful. Not you, not me. Us.
For the first time in as long as he could remember, he wasn't just passing through. He wasn't temporary not like he thought at the start, he was home.
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(No personal thanks in this one but in the next one there will be ๐)