Dark Hearts | Once Upon A Time

Li. Light Over Dark

Storybrooke. Present-day

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE ECHOED in Erica's ear and her stomach sank. She didn't want the praise, she didn't like the way that people were praising her for the heroic acts the group had done and although the other's had done such heroic acts and she didn't want to take away from that but she really didn't feel like the hero they were praising her to be, not like the others were anyway

She tried to fake a grin like all the others as everyone seemed to be happy with what they accomplished. Emma and Regina got their son back and were able to work together without killing each other and Keira coming back alive ( thanks to the help of Rumplestiltskin ) although Keira was quite sad that Tinker Bell hadn't come back to Storybrooke, she had confessed to the group that she was upset that she hadn't seen the young pixie to say goodbye before they quickly left the island and of course, the pirates were able to help and not get caught up in their time on the island

"They're back!" Leroy shouts as the group stumbled off the ship, their shoulders slumped and bags under their eyes but smiles on their face all the same ( though Erica's smile was mostly faked )

Hugs were given all around and as soon as Erica pulled away from Granny, arms were immediately wrapped around her neck and she had to steady the person as the person sobbed into her shoulder and Erica managed to pull away slightly, blonde hair obscuring her vision and she realised that it was Rachel "You're okay, you're alive"

"I'm okay" Erica tries to keep her voice even and sound happy but her stomach had twisted itself in knots and she felt like she was going to throw up, she found herself wishing she had not survived, she found herself wishing she had actually drowned because it would be so much easier than going through what she was going through -- honestly she knew these thoughts were dark but she also didn't know how she was supposed to feel about being controlled

Was this how it was going to be when she becomes the Dark One?

If it was, she wasn't looking forward to it and she was snapped out of her thoughts by Rachel tugging on her hand and she looked over to Rachel to see the blonde woman glancing around as if she was nervous and Erica quickly pulled her aside and held her hands as she asked: "What's going on?"

"I've found a way to find Eugine!" Rachel stated, her voice cracking

"Then why don't you look happy?" Erica asked her ex-girlfriend, noticing the frown on her face and tilting her head to the side, she thought that she would be happy to see her finding her fiance but Rachel's face looked to be riddled with nerves

Rachel shook her head "I am! I just didn't want to leave without seeing you, because you kind of just up and left which totally wasn't your fault and I'm so glad Henry is safe along with everyone else...But I guess I didn't want to leave before saying goodbye because you've been a huge part of my life ever since I walked into you and although we may have not worked out, I want you to know that I will always appreciate and love you"

"I love you too" Erica mumbled, picking at her skin

"What's wrong?" Rachel asked, causing Erica to look up, her eyes wide

The older blonde thought about lying but knew that somewhere deep down whether the younger blonde was Rachel or Rapunzel, she trusted her just like she trusted her like she trusted her sister "You know when the curse broke and you asked me whether I broke it and I told you, it was complicated? That was because I was never the saviour and I was to become the future Dark One"

"What why didn't you tell me--?"

"Because I didn't want you to panic over something you can't control"