Nathan awoke to a quiet Saturday morning, the kind of silence that carried possibility. The Mills household always seemed different on weekends: less rushed, more open, as if the walls themselves allowed a little more breathing room.
He dressed slowly still with sleep in his eyes and followed the faint aroma of food into the kitchen. Regina was already there, immaculate as always in a sleek black blouse and tailored skirt, her hair framing her face in precise waves. Henry lay drowsing in his bassinet on the counter beside her, wrapped in a pale blue blanket.
" Didn't expect you to be up early on the weekend." Nathan said as he slid into a chair rubbing his eyes.
Regina glanced up, arching a brow before softening. "So are you, I sadly don't have the luxury too with the little man here. Couldn't sleep?" she asked with concern in her voice.
Nathan shrugged. "Just thinking last night.… I don't really know what's here. Like in town, I've only basically seen the school, the library, and Granny's but that's about it."
Her expression shifted, almost amused. "You want a tour of Storybrooke?"
He grinned faintly. "Yeah. I should probably learn my way around my new home, right?"
Regina sipped her coffee, considering him. "Very well. After breakfast, we'll take a walk. You'll find Storybrooke isn't large, but it has everything you'll need. Predictability has its merits."
Nathan's smile widened. "Guess I'll see for myself."
By mid-morning, the three of them were strolling down Main Street. Henry rode in his stroller, bundled against the breeze, while Nathan matched Regina's pace.
"That's Town Hall," she said smoothly, gesturing to the brick building with its proud clock face. "Where I work. And where all of Storybrooke's business is decided."
Nathan smirked. "Of course. Figures you'd run the whole town with everyone now again greeting you with madam mayor instead of Miss Mills."
Her lips quirked into the faintest smile. "Someone must."
They passed the florist, the post office, the pharmacy, hairdressers, each with tidy window displays. The streets were clean, the townsfolk polite, but Nathan couldn't help noticing the sameness the mechanical greetings, the shallow smiles.
Still, when they reached the darkened storefront of Mr. Gold's pawn shop, his step quickened. The bell above the door didn't ring for them since they never went in. Regina kept walking with deliberate speed but Nathan's golden eyes lingered on the door, a spark of excitement flickering in his chest. Gold. Rumpelstiltskin himself. Also a major favourite male character of his.
Regina's tone sharpened slightly. "That is Mr. Gold's shop. Avoid going inside unless you absolutely must. He is… not someone to trifle with."
"I get it," Nathan said, but his grin betrayed his eagerness.
From the shadows within, Mr. Gold watched. His cane tapped once against the wooden floor as he leaned forward, eyes narrowing. He had been expecting the Mayor, the infant, perhaps even the familiar rhythm of the curse's endless loop. But the boy at her side platinum hair streaked with crimson, golden eyes with flecks of purple.... was new. New was impossible unless he knew about it. And yet here he was.
A thin smile curled his lips. Curious. Very curious indeed.
The tour wound down around noon. Regina's steps guided them inevitably toward the diner, where the smell of frying onions and bacon wafted invitingly through the air. She pushed open the door, and Nathan followed her inside, Henry still content in his stroller.
Ruby spotted them first. "Well, look who it is!" she chirped, bouncing over in her red vest. "Our new favourite little customer. You're making this place a regular hangout, kiddo."
Nathan chuckled. "Guess so."
From behind the counter, Granny gave Ruby a look. "Don't smother him, girl." Ruby pouted at her grandmother quickly gives Nathan's hair a ruffle. Granny sighs then, turning to Regina, she added, "Table for three?"
"Yes," Regina replied with a hint of regal pride. "Somewhere with space for Henry."
Ruby then takes Nathan's hand them to a booth, before reluctantly letting go getting menu's.
As they settled in, Mary Margaret entered and walks to the table top, her smile bright finding the Mills. "Regina, Nathan! Out for a walk?"
"Tour of the town," Regina said smoothly, slipping off her gloves. "And now, lunch."
Ruby crouched near Nathan after bringing the menu's, her eyes sparkling hands out pinching his cheeks. "Seriously though, you might be the cutest kid Storybrooke's ever seen. No wonder Regina's bragging."
Nathan flushed but managed a grin. "Thanks… I think."
Regina, sipping her coffee, allowed herself a subtle smile. She hadn't said a word, yet her triumph was clear: Nathan is mine now.
Mary Margaret turned in her seat, softer in tone. "It's nice to see new faces. Storybrooke could use more of that."
"Especially faces like his." Ruby teased, ruffling Nathan's hair before skipping off to grab their order.
Nathan's ears burned, but beneath the attention he felt something he hadn't in years wanted. Seen. It felt weird for him.
The bell over the diner door jingled again. This time, the diner hushed slightly. Conversations slowed almost quieting, even Ruby froze getting their order.
Mr. Gold entered with the measured rhythm of his cane tapping against the floor. He moved unhurried through the diner, yet every step drew eyes towards him, his sharp gaze swept the diner in a possessive way as though taking stock of what was his, until it landed on Regina's booth with her hand on Henry's stroller rocking it slowly then sharply on the new child.
"Well, well" he drawled, his accent smooth but edged with iron. "Mayor, a pleasant surprise, seeing you out for lunch."
Regina's eyes sharpened. "Mr. Gold."
His lips curved, not warm or cold but calculating. He let the silence linger, heavy enough for Nathan to feel it press against his chest.
"And who" Gold continued voice curling around the question like smoke, "might this young man be."
Nathan straightened in his chair, heart skipping beats, pulse quickening. Mr Gold, Rumpelstiltskin the real deal. Meeting one of his favourite characters in person was surreal thrilling, even. His grin nearly broke through before he pressed it back, schooling his face to polite neutral but inside excitement fizzed with the feeling of lightning.
Regina's eyes flicked for the briefest moment before steadying her hand resting lightly on the stroller. She didn't hesitate when she answered, her voice firm, steady and calm. "This is my son, Nathan Mills."
The words hung in the air like a declaration.
Nathan swallowed, heat rising in his cheeks. His grin almost splitting his face. Her son. Every time she said it, it felt both unreal and… perfect
Gold's gaze sharpened, taking him in from head to toe the unusual hair, the golden-purple eyes, the posture too self-possessed for a boy his age. Nothing about Nathan belonged to Storybrooke. And yet here he was, seated comfortably at Regina's side, woven into her world as though he had always been.
Gold's smile thinned. "Ah. How… delightful. One would never expect our esteemed Mayor to keep such a surprise to herself."
Ruby appeared with plates balanced in her arms, breaking the tension as she slid food onto the table. "Play nice, Mr Gold don't want you scaring of my new favourite customer." she said lightly, though her eyes flicked between him, Regina and Nathan with unease.
Gold's chuckle was soft, dangerous. "But of course, dear. I'm merely expressing admiration."
Still his eyes never truly left Nathan.
Regina's voice cut sharp, polished. "Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Gold."
His cane tapped once against the floor as he inclined his head, the smile never reaching his eyes. "Oh, I always do. Oh and also If you ever need anything it'll be my pleasure to provide.... for a price of course." His gaze lingered a second too long on Nathan before he moved to the counter. Yet the curiosity in his eyes never dimmed. He turned toward the counter, moving with the same unhurried rhythm, yet Nathan could feel it the weight of curiosity that clung to him, the knowledge that this was only the beginning.
When Gold's back was finally turned, Nathan let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Does he always make things feel… intense?" he asked quietly.
Regina's eyes softened only slightly. "Always. And it would be wise to remember that."
But Nathan's pulse was still racing, not from fear, but from exhilaration. Gold had noticed him. Storybrooke was about to get a lot more complicated. And Nathan couldn't wait.
Back at the house, it was quiet again the evening light pouring through tall windows and scattering soft patterns across the floor. Henry was asleep in his bassinet, tiny breaths steady and peaceful. Regina had settled into the armchair with a glass of red wine, her posture deceptively relaxed. Nathan, sprawled on the rug with a book half-open in his lap, kept glancing toward her, waiting.
It came sooner than he expected.
"You should be careful around Mr. Gold." Her voice carried no hesitation, each word precise and deliberate. "He doesn't move without reason. Every smile, every word has weight. He's not someone to take lightly."
Nathan tilted his head, closing the book. "He seemed… interested."
Regina's gaze snapped to him, sharp as a blade. "Yes. And that alone is reason for caution." She set the glass down, tapping her fingers on the arm rest. "Gold is a man who notices everything. He deals in secrets, debts, bargains. The less attention you draw from him, the better."
Nathan nodded, but his chest thrummed with excitement. Being noticed by Gold wasn't a danger to him it was a milestone. The sly gleam in Gold's eyes, the way his words had weighed heavier when directed at Nathan, meant recognition. A chess player had spotted a new piece on the board but not sure of it moves or position.
"I'll be careful," Nathan promised, tone soft, agreeable.
Regina studied him a moment longer, as though searching for cracks in his composure. Whatever she saw seemed to satisfy her or perhaps she simply accepted that he'd listen in his own way. She leaned back, a sigh slipping past her lips. "Good. Because he and I… we have history. Complicated history. You don't want to be caught in the middle of it."
Nathan tucked the words away, thoughtful. History, of course she wouldn't spell it out not yet but he already knew more than she realized.
Still, for her sake, he kept his expression solemn. "I get it. I'll stay out of trouble."
Regina's lips curved faintly, almost relieved. "See that you do."
Silence stretched between them, comfortable now. Henry stirred in his sleep, and Nathan leaned closer to adjust his blanket just so the small motion grounding the moment.
Inside, though, his thoughts were electric. Gold had seen him. Really seen him. And Nathan couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips.
This wasn't the end of it. Not even close.
( Hey guys hope you enjoy the longer chapter today, sadly no bonus chapters probably this week, only reason i did that is because I was surprised with over 130 power stones. Do thought you guys deserved it. Also the usual personal thanks are in the author notes. See you guys in 2 days ☺️)