Have A Little Faith (OUAT AU)

Operation Pancake

I've never been able to sleep well in a new foster home. This combined with the usual nightmares that plague my sleep and the fact that I can't shake the feeling that there's something odd going on in this town results in me getting about 3 hours of "sleep." Really it was just three hours of me lying in bed with my eyes closed trying to count as high as I could without losing my place (I made it to 2,732 in case you're wondering). I completely give up on even pretending to sleep just before 4 AM and get out of bed in a huff.
I creep to the top of the stairs and peek over the railing to find the curtains surrounding Mary Margaret and David's bed are completely drawn shut. I take the steps slowly, careful to avoid the third step from the bottom which I noticed creaks if you put too much weight on it. As quietly as possible, I crack the door open and slip out quickly before shutting it behind me with a soft click. I tip toe past the door to Emma's apartment as well just in case she is an early riser as well.
I don't go far, just to the wooden bench right in front of the apartment. I take a moment to take a deep breath of the fresh, early morning sir as I take a seat and admire the beginnings of the sunrise peeking out behind the clock tower. As much as I hate to admit it Storybrooke does have a certain charm to it; it almost seems magical with its brick buildings, antique lamp posts, and ivy covered clock tower.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Someone says from directly behind me. I gasp, one hand coming to clutch my racing heart, as I while around.
" David! " I gasp, at first I'm relieved that it was him and not a stranger but then I realize I left the apartment without permission and icy fear washes over me. "I'm so sorry I left without permission." I shift my gaze to the pavement and try to brace myself for what may come next. What I don't expect is for him to take a seat beside me and place a mug in my hands.
"You're not in trouble, Everleigh." David assures me, turning to watch the sunrise as well and I allow myself to relax. "I heard you get up and thought you might like a cup of coffee. Don't mention it to Snow though, she prefers healthier drinks."
"Like hot chocolate and cinnamon?" I inquire and he chuckles while taking a sip of his coffee. Taking a drink from my own mug, I'm surprised to find it's the perfect combination of coffee and creamer.
"I wasn't sure how you take your coffee So I just made it the way I drink mine." He explains when he notices me staring at my cup.
" It's perfect, actually. " I say and he has almost a proud smile. "Thank you."
" You're welcome. " he grind at me before we fall silent and continue watching the sunrise.
"So what's with calling Mary Margaret Snow?" I ask once the sun is fully risen and my coffee cup is empty.
David freezes up for a split second before glancing over at me, "What do you mean?" He tries to play it off and I narrow my eyes at him as I get the distinct feeling he's hiding something.
"Last night that dude lady called Mary Margaret Snow and just now you said not to tell Snow about the coffee." I hold up my mug for emphasis and arch one eyebrow as he refuses to meet my gaze.
"It's just a nickname she's had since childhood." He admits with a shrug. "Because she's always loved snow."
"That's ridiculous." I roll my eyes at his blatant lie. "That would be like nicknaming me pancake because it's my favorite breakfast."
" I like it. " David says as he pretends to think it over and I groan.
"Do not even think about calling me that."
"Too late, it's already stuck." He grins as he stands and stretches. "Come on, Pancake, let's see if we can rustle up some breakfast." I
I give him the dirtiest look I can muster as I unfold myself from the bench and follow him back up to the apartment.
"By the way, I know you're lying about the whole Snow thing." I inform him as we enter the apartment.
" Is that so? " he asks with a joking tone but his eyes are much more serious.
"Mhmm." I murmur. " I will find out what you're hiding. " I assure him. Before he can answer Mary Margaret comes out of the curtained partition that is their room.
"There you two are." She says, smiling when she sees us together. "I was about to file a missing persons report."
"Who would you report it with? " I ask while jerking my thumb toward David. "He's the sheriff."
Her smile grows at my joke, "How about you get cleaned up and ready for the day while David and I make breakfast?" She suggests and I quickly agree since I didn't take the time to shower before I went to bed last night. Mary Margaret relieves me of my coffee cup and I quickly make my way upstairs to grab a clean set of clothes and my shower bag. Coming back down the stairs I manage to catch the end of what appear to be a very tense conversation.
"She was asking about your name, your real name." David whispers frantically.
"Charming, it'll be okay. " Mary Margaret murmurs reassuringly as she wraps her arms around his neck. I furrow my brow when she calls him by their last name once again. "We'll just have to be more careful."
I notice they're moving in for a kiss and clear my throat to alert them of my presence since I really do not want to see that. They immediately jump apart and share a guilty glance.
"What would you like for breakfast?" Mary Margaret asks after an awkward moment of silence and I shrug in reply.
" It doesn't really matter to me. I'm not picky. " I admit because it's the truth. Being in foster care teaches you to eat whatever is in front of you because you won't get anything else. "The only thing I don't really care for is tomato."
" Tomatoes. " David repeats with a small nod as if he's making a mental note of it. "Got it."
" Well, why don't you go ahead and get a shower and we'll throw something together. " Mary Margaret smiles politely as she and David share another glance. They're definitely hiding something.
"Sounds good." I agree and they immediately begin busying themselves in the kitchen as I head for the bathroom. Just as I'm shutting the bathroom door I see them whispering to each other again.
Let operation "pancake" commence.