Give me the strongest of anything you got

[Neal Cassidy]

• • • • • • • • • •

Neal had only been back in the Forest for about 2 weeks, and, he was still missing all of his family like crazy. He and Belle had been trying to figure out a way to bring his father back, to allow Belle to have him, and to allow himself to get back to Emma and Henry. But, things needed to be done and worked out before they could do that. Plus the fact that Snow and Charming rarely let him out of his sight, because they worried made things harder.

When he headed off to help Hook find his Jolly Roger, Neal had hoped that this could be his way back home, but, he hadn't found the ship, but, Neal had been able to bond with Hook again. Even if it had been years, and, the two of them were once again finding something in common. Missing Emma.

Sleeping at night-times in the Forest was hard, since all he saw was the moment his papa killed himself and his grandfather Peter Pan. And then watching Emma and Henry drive over that town-line and out of his life. With this inability to sleep, Neal found himself wandering the hallways of the castle late at night, soon ending up wandering the Forest itself. Since most other people slept quite soundly at night, Neal found himself having to be quiet or tip-toe through the castle until he reached the town he needed or place he was wandering to.

He knew that one thing he needed right now was a drink from the tavern not far from Regina's castle. Neal had never really been much of a drinker, but, he wanted to use a few now to allow him to be able to erase them from his mind and allow him to forget about them, well, not completely, but, hopefully it could numb the pain of not being able to be with them for a while.

After making his way towards Regina's stables, Neal found someone's horse and saddled them up with the correct gear. Hopefully they wouldn't miss it for a few hours, besides he would probably have it back by the time anyone realised he'd taken it.

Neal rode the horse that he had borrowed to the front of the tavern before tying it up out front and entering the door. Neal looked around and saw that it was just a usual crowd of local drunkards, and, the bar tenders, bar maids and all that.

Adjusting his shawl, Neal sighed softly before making his way towards the bar itself and sitting on a stool. Gesturing to the bar-tender, Neal sighed "Just give me the strongest drink you've got." Neal said, before looking around the tavern and then turning back to face the bar tender.

• • • • • • • • • •

tag: notoriouspad
notes: anything else?
credit: template is made by xxdawnxx from caution. Other credits.

[notoriouspad]

Life in the Forest has never been as exciting as it is right now. For the last couple of weeks, everyone that suddenly went missing from the Enchanted Forest is back and slowly settling into their lives... or would be if it wasn't for the Wicked Witch of the West.

Robin Hood has been helping Queen Regina with that case, as much as she doesn't want his help, he just can't help himself. That's what he does, helping those in need, even a Queen. And after all, she did save his son from that flying monkey, so he's going to be forever in her debt. But not tonight. Tonight, Robin is enjoying a night out with a few of his Merry Men, celebrating nothing and everything – just an excuse to drink a little before they all turn in for the night. With his son safe and sound, Robin can just enjoy the evening.

The noise of the door to the tavern opening catches Robin's attention and he looks towards it, watching as Baelfire – or Neal as he introduced himself to him once – walks in and approaches the bar. From the look in the man's face, Robin can tell that he's having trouble sleeping and he can only guess what keeps the man's thoughts going.

Excusing himself from his table, Robin picks up his cup and carries it with him as he approaches the bar. Robin takes a look at the sit next to Neal and places his cup down at the bar and catches the bartender's eye. “Fill me up, please. And whatever this gentleman wants, put it in our tab.” The man behind the counter nods at Robin and takes his cup to be refilled.

Robin looks down at Neal before taking the empty seat next to him. “I hope you don't mind me sitting here. It looks to me that you need someone to talk to and turns out I have all the time in the world tonight. We haven't had much time to catch up these days, not after that first day I saw you all come back.”

TAG: Neal Cassidy

[Neal Cassidy]

• • • • • • • • • •

The Forest felt different this time around, and, Neal knew exactly why. Neal saw everyone spending time with their loved ones, and, it just made him realise just how much he missed his family. His son and Emma. They were the people he loved most in the world, and, he couldn't be with them.

This time around Neal couldn't even find comfort from his papa because he was gone too. His father had sacrificed himself to save him and Belle, his family. It was to give him a chance at happiness, but, it was because of the sacrifice that he lost his happiness again. And now all he saw was all three of them whenever he tried to sleep.

At least part of the time when dealing with the Wicked Witch, Neal was able to forget about those images for a while. Due to teaming up with The Charmings and Regina, Neal could focus all of his energy on trying to take her down, and, it takes out the time that would allow him to think about them.

Neal jumped slightly as he heard the voice behind him, and looked up as he saw Robin made his way next to him at the bar. The fact that he was offering to buy his drink made him smile softly, for the first time in a long time. Neal was going to turn it down, but, knew that Robin may not have listened to him anyway. “Um, one ale thanks.” Neal said, as he gestured to the bar-tender. 

Neal watched as Robin took a seat next to him at the bar, and ran his hands over the counter. “No I don't mind you sitting here. I guess I don't look in the best shape do I? There's just a lot on my mind, and, has been since coming back here to the Forest. Yeah we haven't, I've been meaning to. To you know check on you and Roland. We've just had a lot to deal with. I guess we can do that now.”

• • • • • • • • • •

tag: notoriouspad
notes: anything else?
credit: template is made by xxdawnxx from caution. Other credits.

[notoriouspad]

Robin looks at the Dark One's son with undivided attention. He can see that the man looks tired, even if he doesn't try to show it. Robin understands exactly why, having lost someone he loved in the past. “That's very understandable. Everyone has been busy around here lately, but I was still hoping I'd run into you.”

Robin pauses for a second as the bartender arrives with their drinks. Robin nods at the man and pushes Neal's mug towards him. “Here you go.” Still smiling, Robin raises his own cup to Neal and then takes s sip from it. “But I'm here if you want to talk. I know how it feels to lose someone you love... but I don't think I can understand how it feels to lose someone you love but know they're still alive... if that makes any sense. But I'm glad you were able to find your kid in Neverland, despite the current circumstances.”

Not knowing what happened in Neverland, Robin still fears that the shadow will come back and rip his son from his arms. Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and has to check to see if his Roland is still sound asleep in his own bed. “Is there not a way for you to go back again? To your family?” Robin has heard many tales and after watching Neal fly away with the shadow into another realm, he can't help but wonder if there's a way this man can go back to his son and the woman he loves.

TAG: Neal Cassidy

[Neal Cassidy]

• • • • • • • • • •

Neal noticed that Robin was looking at him, and, he returned it with a gentle smile. Neal didn't want to show anyone how tired he was, or that he hadn't been sleeping, since it would only worry them. Yes, the others were able to sleep, but, that was because they didn't get the nightmares or see the images he did when he closed his eyes. “Yeah, we've all been busy. Really and why's that?”

Neal ran his hands along the table as he looked down at them for the time being. Looking up, Neal saw the mug being moved in front of him by Robin. “Thanks” Neal said, returning Robin's smile as he took the mug in his hand. “Thanks, I guess I need to get used to that. Having people around. I guess it does, it means the loved ones you've lost are dead. Yeah, I'm glad I could find him too. I'd rather have him safe, then knowing I was able to get back to help save him, but, gave up.”

Neverland was where everything changed for him. Neal had gotten his son back, and, also reunited with Wendy, someone he had lost years ago. It was also the place where he finally forgave his father for everything. But, then he lost all of them. Wendy went home with her brothers to London, his papa was dead as well as Pan, and, the family he'd gone there to rescue was happy without him. But, at least they were safe. Robin's question brought him out of his thoughts, “I honestly don't know. And the only person with knowledge of that is gone. He left me the same day I watched everything else I love disappear.” Neal didn't know whether Robin knew what happened with his father that night, but, he was the only person who would have any knowledge of how to get back to Emma and Henry.

• • • • • • • • • • 

tag: notoriouspad

notes: anything else?

credit: template is made by xxdawnxx from caution. Other credits.

[notoriouspad]

Robin takes a sip from his own drink, letting the man speak. He didn't expect Neal to know if there was a way for him to go back, but there was no harm in asking as he did watch him fly away to another realm not long ago. “I was hoping I'd run into you to know what happened in Neverland. I hope I'm not being selfish when I say that I don't want that shadow to come back for my son.”

Considering the man he's now seated with has lost both his son and the woman he loves, Robin doesn't want to make it seem that he's only worried about his son's well-being, but he still wonders what exactly happened in never land.

“Also, if you don't mind me asking... I haven't seen the Dark One back. Which in a way was a relief, since I did steal from him and I worry he'd come for my head... but I can assume he's the one you're talking about, yes? The one that would know how to get out of the land?” Robin also wonders what this “Storybrooke” everyone talks about looks like or how it was in there. It definitely sounds a lot different than the forest he's grown in, but if someone would know how to leave and go back, it would be the Dark One. “I've heard tales of some magical beans that take you to new places, but I've never seen them or even know if they're real... I don't know if this is the sort of information you'd be looking for, but it's all I know.”

Robin takes a sip from his beverage once more, completely oblivious to the fact that Neal knows exactly what kind of beans Robin is talking about.

TAG: Neal Cassidy

[Neal Cassidy]

Neal cassidy

This isn't over. I'll see both of you again.
notoriouspad

Neal took a sip of his drink as he glanced around the tavern, he had no way to get himself home. His real home that wasn't here in this town, it wasn't even in this land. Years ago it was, but, home was where his heart was, and, that wasn't here. “What happened was I found my son and Emma, got them home, and, that's when things got bad after that. It was also when I lost them again. Good news though, you don't have to worry about the shadow coming back for Roland, it's gone.”

Neal knew that Robin was worried about his son, he would've been the same way with Henry and his safety. But, at the same time he didn't have his son or Emma. And he didn't even have his father either. Neverland was his worry as well, it was the one place he'd been the longest since being abandoned, but, that wasn't by his choice.

“You don't have to worry about him coming back for you either. I'm glad to hear you're still standing, when it comes to my father that was one of the biggest fears that came to my head as well. Yeah, he's the one I'm talking about, if anyone knows how to, it's him. I don't know why the universe seemed to give me him back, only to take him away from me again.” Neal sighed softly. The whole world outside of this land was one that had been new to him at one point, but, now this place felt like the new land to him, even if this was the one he was born in. “Yeah, I know all about magic beans. Believe me they work more then anyone here would know.”

Neal sighed sadly before running his finger along the rim of the glass in front of him. “It was the thing that seperated me and my father in the first place.”

thanks delusional