Captain Swan One-Shots

A Storybrooke Mermaid Tale: Part Two

They broke out into a run as they neared the house. They tore through the back door.

Hope jumped. She nearly dropped the camera she held.

"Liam! David! Why are you in such a hurry?"

They continued to rummage through the bowl that held the keys. David grabbed a set and held it in the air.

"We got them. Let's go!"

They raced back toward the door. Hope planted herself in front of them.

"Why are you taking out the dune buggy?"

Both boys groaned. David then told her, "Not that you care anyway, but we're helping out some mermaids."

Hope's blue eyes widened. "Mermaids? You do realize they can't be trusted."

Liam scoffed. "You're just jealous that you don't get to help them and save the day."

"You seriously think I'm jealous? I'm worried because like I told you - mermaids can't be trusted."

David threw back: "Oh yeah? What about Ariel? She is a family friend and even saved Dad from drowning."

Hope crossed her arms over her chest. "And what about the ones in Neverland that wreaked havoc when our family went to save Henry?"

"You can't say that about them because you don't know them. They wanted our help, so we're taking them to our lair to see if it helps them get legs," Liam argued with his sister, his stance mirroring hers.

"You are not doing anything of the sort. They're playing some kind of game with you, and I'm not gonna stand for it."

She placed her camera on the table. "Take me to them."

"Why should we?"

David glared at her - until Liam nudged his arm.

"No, she's right. We should take her to them - and to the lair."

"We should what?" David huffed, his arms tightening over his chest.

Liam tapped his foot three times before he raked his fingers through his hair. David smiled. He then cleared his throat.

Hope narrowed her eyes as she looked back and forth between her brothers. She then took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay. You two just show me where they're at."

"Will do, sis," Liam offered before he and David rushed back out of the door. They fist-bumped before their sister followed them.

When they arrived at the beach, Hope planted her hands on her hips.

"So, which way is the lair?"

"Left." "Right."

The twins exchanged a look as Hope narrowed her eyes. She crossed her arms.

"Don't make me pull out Mom's superpower. Which one is it?"

The boys exchanged another look. Liam then cleared his throat.

"Well, which one of us doesn't know the difference between port and starboard?"

David glared at him. He then punched him in the arm. Liam winced before he elbowed him in the stomach.

Hope rolled her eyes. She then steeled her expression. "Just take me to those mermaids. They're not getting away with this."

"And they won't," Liam stated as he nodded. He then glanced over at the keys still in his brother's hand.

"Just keep heading that direction, and you'll find them. We'll be right behind you."

David tilted his head. At his brother's gesture, he then nodded.

"Yeah, we're just putting the keys back."

Hope quirked an eyebrow. "And that takes both of you?"

Liam shrugged. "We're twins. What do you expect?"

"Fine. Just don't take too long."

She then turned on her heel and marched further down the beach. The boys watched until she was out of earshot.

David turned to his brother. "Okay, so, what's our actual plan?"

"You go get the dune buggy - and I'll go tell the mermaids. Maybe start helping them get to shore."

"You got it. Sounds good to me."

The boys then high-fived before they parted ways.

David stopped in his tracks. He called after his brother. Liam turned on his heel and cocked an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

"Maybe we should, you know, stay together. For when Hope finds us."

"That's a good point - I don't wanna face that Captain Hook temper by myself."

"Exactly."

With a shared nod, the two of them then ran back to their house. They made a beeline for the garage.

Liam jumped into the driver's seat and opened his hand. David stood with crossed arms.

"Why do you get to drive?"

"Adella and the other mermaids are waiting on us. Do you really want to argue now?"

With a huff, David climbed in and passed his brother the keys. Liam shoved them in the ignition and cranked it up.

He backed it out and maneuvered it onto the street. He then turned it and headed toward the backyard.

"Liam, where are you going?"

"The back way. We can't risk getting stopped in this thing."

David couldn't help but sigh. "Why do you always have to be right?"

Liam grinned. "Because I'm the older twin." He received an eye roll in response.

He then said, "And they say I have a big ego."

"Because you do have the bigger ego between the two of us."

David's reply cut off when Liam crashed over a bump. Both boys jumped in their seats.

"Geez, Liam, you wanna watch where you're driving?"

"I'm trying!"

"Try harder!"

"If you would shut up, that would be a great help."

David huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. He then muttered, "And if you weren't so bloody stubborn, that would help me."

The boys then rode in silence until they reached the beach. Liam gassed it as they headed in the direction of their lair.

The sand flew off the tires, some of it landing in the dune buggy. Liam reached down to brush it off.

David grabbed the wheel. "You can't do things one-handed."

Liam rolled his eyes before he grabbed the wheel once more. He sped up a little more - and smiled when the lair came into view.

He then turned the wheel and maneuvered it closer to the shore - and to the mermaids. He brought the buggy to a stop and put it in park.