Square One

Title: Square One

Prompt: Theme Set Alpha (1-13)

Summary: "The idea of running away from home never struck Henry until Miss Blanchard gave him the book." Thirteen drabbles set between Storybrook and the Enchanted Forest.

Author: Sakura123 (weber_dubois22)

Genre: Fantasy/Drama

Rating: T

Written: 11/9/2011

Completed: 11/11/2011

Characters: Henry Mills, Prince James/David Nolan, Emma Swan, etc.

Chapters: 13

Disclaimer: Once Upon a Time and all things related is property of ABC studios. All fairy tale characters, save ones created exclusively by Disney, are property of the public domain (or so they would have me believe).

Author's Note: This is my first and most likely, the only Fanfiction I'll end up writing for the relatively infantile ABC series, "Once Upon a Time", unless they do something that compels me to write another drabble. The web is abuzz with this baby fandom and already I can tell this place in particular will be swamped with god-awful Rumpelstiltskin/OC fanfiction (oh joy). Anyhow, the following drabbles were originally intended for a livejournal community dubbed "13drabbles". However, being more interested in writing about bits and pieces of ideas from the episodes that already premiered, I totally forgot to look at the rules and was disheartened when I learned the community catered simply to Pairings (boo!). A moment later, however, I decided "Fuck it, I'm writing these drabbles and using the prompts anyway."

It's not like they can stop me, but I'll do them the respect and not post it on their community. To restate myself, these are simply ideas based on episodes presently aired; certain parts or ideas from the characters sparked most of these, combined with one vain hope that they use two boss incarnations of "Disney Princesses" that were released in 2009/2010 (if you've seen their movies, you know who they are). And while I love the established relationship between Snow/Mary and James/David (because holy shit, the writers managed to succeed where the animated film failed with flying colors. Giving them PERSONALITIES. I can like them now), I'm intrigued by idea of the doomed arrangement of Annette-Katherine/James-David as well (I explore all angles). I know everyone is just going to have the greatest time rabidly vilifying her if the show doesn't do it for them, but there is some part of me that hopes the writers are smart enough not to make Katherine shallow this way of Cinderella's stepsisters (if she shows up again). If they do, oh well. I'll always have head canon. Anyhow, be forewarned there are probably a few errors here and there as minor character information isn't exactly readily available for me (I'll get to fixing errors later), I wrote this on the fly and I'm basically avoiding spoilers on principle alone. Regardless, enjoy the drabbles, I had fun writing them.

Title: Tale I

Prompt: "Forgetfulness"

Character(s): Prince James/David Nolan, Annette/Katherine Nolan

Time and time again he had to remind himself just how different Annette was to the dozens of women he courted. And by that he meant she was essentially a woman of two faces; in the safe confines of their kingdoms, she was at ease, a creature of smiles and hopeful plans for the future they'd resigned themselves to. Part of him was convinced that he was content with this life. He would, in time, grow to love Annette and she would come to feel the same about him.

The moment they left the walls of home, her friendly and amicable nature quickly evaporated into unrest and paranoia. Pressing herself against the soft walls of the carriage, her fears get the best of her, translating into unintentional anger aimed toward him. Feigning forgetfulness whenever her anger bubbled and her fan slashed at the air as a means to calm herself (not really), he tried his best to accommodate her whenever they traveled.