xxiv. love me better

━ ❝ i need a gangsta ❞

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forty votes and fifteen comments for next chapter!

the only thing i dislike about this gif is that she legit has no bra on

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AS HE DRAGGED her through the sky, Arabella fought against him. Pan was getting angry because his jaw was clenched. No way she doing this against her free will. They were quiet, the only sound being her groans of discomfort as she tried to get her arm free. It didn't hurt her, she was just extremely annoyed. She growled at him. "I am so going to kick your ass."

Malcolm looked over at her and sighed. "Leave it, Arabella. It had to be done, there's no other way to save me." 

She scoffed in reply. "Didn't realize that I married an idiot." Then she took a deep breath. "I love you, but I can't let Henry die." And with that, she used her magic to burn his hand. Pan yelped in pain, letting go of her hand. Arabella fell fast towards the ground but by the time her husband moved to save her, the former princess was nowhere in sight.

The brunette groaned in pain once she hit the ground with a thump. Arabella looked up to see all of the lost boys staring at her, the group of heroes entering the camp, carrying Henry. The boys ran over and helped her up. "Mommy!" Curly cried out, holding onto her. "We were worried about you."

Arabella smiled softly down at them, wincing at the pain in her stomach at the fall. Her magic could only do so much to help with the fall. "No need to be worried, darling. I'm alright." She looked over at the heroes. "Now, we need to make sure Henry's okay." Jordan tugged on her hand and she gave him a quick kiss before going over to Regina and Emma.

"Do you think you could cast a stronger preservation spell?" the blonde asked, hope in her eyes.

She nodded in response. "I can. But that will only buy you about another hour." The mother pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes, waving her hand over the boy's body. "There. That should hold."

Emma put a hand on her shoulder when Arabella moved to go over to the boys. "Thank you." She simply smiled back, nodding once before she went to her children, picking Jordan up and resting him against her hip, giving the other younger boys kisses. Felix sat on a log nearby. And she didn't have to hear any words to know what he was telling her. They were going to kill Pan. She nodded at him and he nodded back, a silent reassurance.

"If he's airborne, he can be anywhere on the island," Neal spoke up to the heroes.

"Now is just as much time I suggest we get started looking," Hook chimed in. Arabella looked at Hook and gave him a look. "Look Aria-"

"It's Arabella," she corrected.

"Arabella," Hook started again. "I may not know what Pan told you, none of us do, but whatever he told you is a lie. He doesn't love you. He manipulates people. He can't be trusted."

She held onto Jordan tighter so she didn't attack the pirate. The magic she was born with burned her and all she could imagine was tearing him apart for saying those things about her husband. Yes, she was pissed at him. But she loved him. "He does love me. I know he lied but doesn't everyone? Who knows why he did it. It doesn't give you a reason to kill him. We can get Henry's heart back and find a way to save him."

"You're really going to trust him after how he killed an innocent boy?"

"Are you deaf?" she hissed, the boys shrinking away because they knew that their mother was not happy. "We can save him, let me talk to him."

Regina looks at her the former princess before stomping over to Felix. "Where is he?" Arabella rolled her eyes, shifting Jordan onto her other foot and holding him tightly, kissing his head. 

The boy frowned. "Mommy? Will papa be okay?" Everyone went silent for a moment, watching with stunned expressions.

Arabella nodded, forcing a smile through her rage at the heroes. "Of course he is, darling. Do not worry." Jordan just smiled back, nustling his head into her neck. He was so innocent, so pure. And she could kiss him over and over again because Mary Margaret looked regretful for their plan, giving her husband a look who gave her one back. Even Emma had that look on her face. Perhaps they'd change their mind.

Felix apparently didn't think so and he was most likely correct. He glanced at her and then back at Regina. "Gone. There's nothing you can do. He's already won. Pan never fails." If it weren't for Arabella standing nearby, the former Queen would've slapped him across the face.

"You won't talk? How about I make you talk?" Regina threatened.

Instantly Jordan was in Simon's arms and Arabella was moving towards Regina. Her arm circled her's and she gripped tightly. "Lay a hand on him and I will gut you!" Emma was quick to act, placing a hand on her shoulder again. But she was too focused. It was almost like something possessed her. The boys watched with wide eyes. And then Jordan's lip trembled, a soft cry escaping his lips.

His mother turned her head to look at him and let Regina go, going over to him and picking him back up. "Oh, no, no, no, you don't cry, honey. It's alright. Mommy's sorry for scaring you." She kissed his head, bouncing the young boy up and down. The lost boys breathed out in relief and so did the heroes.

Emma looked at Regina. "I don't think torture is our best move here. Look at these kids. They've been to hell and back. We need to try something else." She glanced at the mother of the boys. "Arabella? You alright?"

She lifted her head and nodded. "Yes, my apologies. But you are right. These boys have been through a lot and I think they deserve to know the truth." Felix shook his head at her but she only frowned at him. "He's secrets and that isn't what family does." All of the boys listened to her as she sat Jordan back down on the ground, turning to address them all. "Peter has not treated you how he should have. He lied and made Henry give up his own heart to save himself because he was dying." She took a deep breath.

"And while I do not approve of his methods, everyone deserves a second chance. I hope all of you can do that for him. Because deep down he does care it is just he doesn't quite know how to show it." She looked over at the heroes. "We are going to get Henry's heart back so you can save your son and go home."

Emma was hesitant. "No, he doesn't, Arabella. We care about you. And we can save you all. We can take you guys home with us. To our land. There's no reason to fear Pan anymore. Until he absorbs the power from Henry's heart, he can be stopped. We need to stop him."

"You just have to tell us where he is," Mary Margaret added.

The former princess scoffed. "You stupid heroes always go on about second chances! Why can't you just listen? My plan will work and we can all get what we want. There's no need for anyone to get hurt. You aren't hurting him." She eyes were ignited with a fire that the Savior realized as devotion.

"You have to tell us where Pan is."

Suddenly, Slightly spoke up. "Can you really bring us home?"

Arabella looked over at him and frowned. "Slightly, you are home. We can make this place our home. I understand that Peter hasn't been the best but things will change." She gave him a pleading look though she could see the fight the lost boy fought with himself.

He shook his head. "Neverland isn't happy, mommy. It's evil, Pan made it evil. I want to go home and you can go with us. We can make a new home." Then he looked at Emma and told her, "His thinking tree." Everything went crazy from there. Felix yelled, horror coating his expression while Curly nodded, confirming it though he did look at Arabella who was looking at them with teary eyes. "It's where he goes when he wants to be alone."

"You can find him there. It's not far," Simon added.

She spoke up. "Please, you don't understand..." she trailed off. The brunette looked at Emma. "If you have any empathy inside yourself, you won't do this Emma. Believe me, don't." The thought of losing the love of her life was too real. Her magic for some reason was burning hotter than it usually did.

Emma felt bad, you could see it. She saw how much Arabella cared about Pan. And yet, in her mind, this had to be done. "I'm sorry. But this has to be done. Pan will not give up Henry's heart without a fight. He has to be taken care of." She sighed deeply and then turned to Simon. "Can you tell us where that is?" 

"Yes, but you have to swear... swear that you'll take us with you."

"I promise. We are going home."

Arabella's eyes filled with tears and she felt her heart start breaking. She was going to lose her husband. Again. Her magic burned her skin and she shut her eyes tightly, fighting it off though she knew it was only a matter of time before it escaped from her fingertips. This was clearly not a good sign. Never had she lost control before.

Simon looked at her and sighed before looking back at Emma. "It's in the Pixie Woods. It's just north of here. It's where the pixie dust used to grow." The guilt that was coating his expression showed that he truly did not want to do this. But Pan had gone too far. He hadn't treated them like a family, ever. Arabella was the first and they were doing for this for her as well.

Emma stood up from where she sat down on one of the logs. "You know where that is?" she asked Hook.

He nodded. "Aye. The whole region is deserted now. No one but Pan has set foot in those woods in centuries."

Neal added that they'd be making history to lighten the mood but things were way too depressing for anything to make them smile. Arabella ignored the rest of the conversation, looking up at the night sky and clutching her hands into fists. She couldn't fight it. The more they spoke about getting Henry's heart back, the more she realized that Pan was not making it out of this alive.

"Let's gather up the Lost Boys and get them aboard the Jolly Roger," Neal replied to something someone had said. Her head snapped up to see that the boys were grinning with excitement. They didn't even hesitate in abandoning Pan. Then again, could she blame them? But she couldn't lose Malcolm, not again. All of that pain he must have endured, she could not even begin to imagine.

Suddenly, Emma walked over to her and she looked up. "I think it would be best for you to take the boys to the ship."

"And what makes you think I'm going to listen?" Arabella hissed with her arms crossed over her chest with a glare spread across her face. "I'm not a kid Emma, I'm an adult who can make her own choices. You can't make me do anything." The words rolled right off her tongue with no filter. And the feeling felt odd because she was never this hostile. Suppose this is what happens when you mess with her family.

The Savior shook her head. "Henry is dying, Arabella. We have to stop Pan before it's too late."

"If you go after Pan I will make you pay for it. Why are the lot of you so hellbent on hurting him when a conversation would do just fine? I can convince him, let me try." She felt blood rise to the surface of her hands, the magic burner hotter and hotter because the former princess was aware that they would not rest until Henry was safe. Which would mean Peter had to go.

Emma gave her a pitiful look. "Look, once we get home everything will be better. You can stay in StoryBrooke with your son and you can be a part of our family."

"You don't get it, Emma. Pan's my true love. He brought my memories back." The blonde suddenly looked confused as to where she was going with her words. "Fine, you go and try and take Henry's heart back. But Pan'll kill you before you get the chance. And I won't stop him. Because I've lost him already and I don't want to lose him again."

"I understand you're hurting. But we are your family. We care about you. And we're getting home."

A scoff passed through Arabella's lips. The air shifted into something much, much darker. "Oh, Emma, Emma, Emma. You aren't my family, StoryBrooke is not my home nor will it ever be. My home is here with Malcolm and my children. And if you won't see reason, then I suppose I'll have to take things into my own hands." She flicked her wrist and every single person in the camp fell asleep. The brunette looked down at them all and then stalked past them. They would all awake soon so she did not have long.

———

Peter's thinking tree was somewhere she came to realize held a stronger meaning. She got flashes of him abandoning Rumple here but then she remembered a memory they held at this tree. Arabella smiled softly at the many times they stayed here, talking for hours and sharing several kisses and touches here and there. It was almost as if he was expecting her because a familiar sensation traveled down her back.

Malcolm was right behind her, hands going up underneath her shirt and touching her spine, running a gentle hand up and down. His lips were on her shoulder but she wasn't having it. "You always did try and blind me by affection." She pushed forward and spun to face him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Now for the talk, why would you lie? Why couldn't you tell me the truth?"

Pan straightened his back and avoided her eyes, thinking of something to say other than the obvious reason. Nothing came to mind. "Because I knew you wouldn't allow it. I knew you'd be upset and angry. But this is the only way for me to live. The shadow explicitly told me I needed the heart of the truest believer."

She laughed humorlessly. "Yeah, Malcolm, I wouldn't support your choice to harm an innocent child. Since when do you listen to the shadow though? Last I checked, he was always creeping on us and you told me that you'd stay far away from him?" She threw her hands up. "What? You abandoned our son and suddenly you two became buddies, bonding over how much you guys are creeps together?"

He rolled his eyes at her. "Yes Aria, please be sarcastic and point out the things I already know. This is why I didn't want to tell you! You won't listen to or see my side!" He pointed at his chest. "I don't want to die and this heart keeps me alive. I enjoy breathing, I enjoy ruling this realm, I enjoy knowing that I can finally wake up every morning with you by my side, I enjoy the fact that I can kiss you and show you how much I missed you."

"Do you now?" Arabella stepped closer to him. "If you truly did enjoy those things and if you cared about me, you would've told me regardless of my response! That is what we promised each other! Being honest is something we need to be as partners, Malcolm. There is always another way and you made a choice without talking to me first."

Pan shook his head, pressing a hand on his temple. "Because you wouldn't stand by me!" He looked up at her, stepping closer so they were almost touching. "I love you and because I love you, I kept you out of it. You just got your memories back and I didn't want to ruin things."

"So what? You were going to lie to me afterward and tell me you didn't know Henry would die?"

"Yes!" She laughed humorlessly again, throwing her hands up and shaking her head at him. He stared deep into her eyes. "Go on, say it. I want to hear you say it, Arabella." His voice got dark, evil. Those eyes she loved staring at suddenly began wicked, pitch black. Instead of being afraid of him, she stood there, watching him as his chest rose and fall rapidly. Turns out his magic was out of control as well.

Their magic almost connected from them standing so close. She could feel it begging for her to reach forward, to hold the fellow owner of darkness. They were never an angel and a devil in love. They were both devils; Queen and King of a place that made Hell looked like Heaven. But no one knew that, no one saw that, no one would ever realize it.

Arabella took a deep breath, staring right at him. "You are a monster and I hate you." But then his lips curved upwards into a malicious grin. Lies had spilled from her lips and they both knew it.

"Oh, baby we both know that you are lying." He stepped closer. "Because no matter how angry you try to be at me, we both know that you won't let anything happen to me and that you will never leave my side. And you know that I wouldn't let anything happen to you and that I would never leave your side. We have been in this together since the start and we are going to end it together."

Pan got so close that their lips brushed and Arabella's breath hitched. "I hate you." But he only smirked again. Then she grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him hard. Instantly he responded back, using his magic to move them back to the tree so her back was against it. He held her hips while she pulled his hair, both of them fighting for dominance. The rulers were vying for control but they both held the same amount of strength.

Her hand moved and a tree near them caught on fire because of her magic. They both looked over at it, then at each other. Smirking simultaneously, they kissed again, fiercer this time. Pan set fire to another tree, picking her up and letting his wife wrap her legs around her waist. "By the Gods I love you," he growled, attacking her neck. "Let's see these heroes take you away from me. I dare them to try."

She exhaled, gripping onto him. "Oh darling, they have already dared." Arabella looked past his shoulder and her eyes landed on the figures in the distance. They were already awake. Pan sensed them coming but sucked on her neck, moving to kiss her again. It was desperate this time. No more playing around. "It's alright," she whispered to him, pressing one last kiss to his lips. "You'll be alright."

Pan nodded once and let her go, grabbing her hand and pulling her into the shadows where they waited for the females of the group to appear. He had purposefully left Pandora's Box sitting on the rock for them to grab. Mary Margaret easily took the bait. Regina was quick to stop her. "Careful," the former Queen warned her and the bandit stopped. "Pan wouldn't have just left it behind for no reason."

"It's David's only way home. Without Gold, we're stuck here—" Mary Margaret started as her hand reached towards the box. Then vines ensnared her from behind. Arabella watched with awe as the rest of them were grabbed, falling back to be tied to the tree by the vines. Pan smirked from beside her, kissing her neck a few times.

That's when he chose to appear, moving so the two only held hands. "You're still at it. Don't you know—" he picked up Emma's sword that she had dropped. "Peter Pan never fails?" The three saw Arabella and Regina glared. Emma looked betrayed but understanding. "I didn't expect you to find me. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. You're mothers. Quite tenacious about your offspring." His love burned his hand, making him wince for a second. He sent her a look before continuing. "If you're looking to see Henry again, I have to tell you there's only one place you'll be reunited—in death."

Angered, Regina glared at him and hassled against the tightly bound vines. The brunette still felt guilty for standing beside Pan. But they were going to kill him and she was going to fight for him. And yet knowing that a child would be dead because of her ate away at her heart.

"Having trouble moving? Can't be surprised given where you are. Do you see what is hastening your demise is your regret?" Pan questioned, raising an eyebrow. Arabella looked over at him with a surprised look. He was going to tell them the truth.

"What are you talking about?" Emma asked with a glare.

The leader sighed at the memory. "This tree is the site of a very important event for me. I abandoned my child here." Regina responded with shock, confused as to how he had a child. But none of them seemed to fit the pieces together. "I'm older than I look." Emma pointed out that he must regret abandoning his own kid but he shrugged. Though he did feel a bit bad, not once did he grow to truly regret making the choice. Yes, he imagined that his wife wouldn't be too happy and that he regretted not being a good father, but never leaving his son.

"Not really." Since he didn't feel like moving away from his love, he used his magic to make the box appear in his hands. "See, I have him all boxed up so I don't lose him again." Arabella opened her mouth to say something. She wasn't aware that he had trapped their son inside of that dreaful box.

"Rumplestiltskin is your son?" Regina realized, her eyes widening in shock.

"That means..." Emma trailed off, all eyes went to Arabella who gave the Savior that look. It finally all made sense. That was why she felt so strongly about Pan caring about her and loving her. That was why she said Pan was her true love and she already lost him once.

Pan glanced to Arabella with a loving stare. "Arabella is my wife, has been for centuries now." He kissed her cheek, making Regina roll her eyes in disgust.

"You're a fraud. Your magic is weakened. You can't even hurt us; let alone Rumplestiltskin," Regina scoffed.

He saw Arabella's glare she gave him, upset that he had trapped their son. But he only gave her a look before looking at Regina. There was guilt in his eyes. "You're right. But that's why I'm here. This tree will protect me till my power's restored. And then, well... then I get to have some real fun." He winked at her and she blushed slightly. "My wife and I finally will be able to be the family. Then I won't ever have to worry about our child again. Something we will all soon have in common."

Emma lunged at him but failed because of the vines. "There has to be another way." Her eyes went to Arabella. "Don't let him do this, please. If you have any empathy, you wouldn't do this."

Perhaps if the comment was worded differently she would've felt bad. But because her own words were used against her, she narrowed her eyes, hissing. "You dare use my own words against me? You are pathetic, Emma." 

Malcolm was surprised at her hostility but did not say anything about it. His lips twitched a bit but then he focused once more on the heroes. "You're not going to get to us. See, this tree attacks the regret inside anyone who comes here, and you, you've got plenty."

"I regret not taking a better shot at you when I had the chance," Emma shot back with a scowl.

"That's not all, is it, savior? No. I have your son's heart inside me. I can feel just how much you let him down time and time again."

Arabella titled her head to the side, feeling her dark magic flow freely. Because she had gotten a taste of it earlier, she craved more for some reason. She wanted to watch the heroes bleed and hurt. And then she wanted to push Pan up against that same tree and show him who was boss. She wanted to feel powerful.

"Leave her alone," Mary Margaret said fiercely, bring her back into the present.

"Perhaps I should. After all, what chance did you have of being a good mother? Look at the example you set. Abandoning her for twenty-eight years," Pan pointed out, sighing fakely and leaning his head against Arabella's temple, kissing her cheek. "Mothers, mothers, mothers." She rolled her eyes at him and Regina looked bored.

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you finished?"

They glanced back at her and Pan smirked. "Last words from the Queen. Perhaps a deathbed confession from the one who has the most regrets of all."

"Yeah, there's one problem with that." The couple raised an eyebrow in response, listening. "I did cast a curse that devastated an entire population. I have tortured and murdered. I've done some terrible things. I should be overflowing with regret, but, I'm not." She pulled herself, as well as her companions, free from the vines. Arabella's eyes widened. "Because it got me, my son."

Right when she moved to grabbed Henry's heart from Pan's chest, Arabella went to use her magic to stop her. But then a blinding pain shot through her head. And then she screamed, falling to the ground, white-hot anger covering her vision. Her dark magic was trying to take over her body.

Pan yelled her name when he collapsed to the ground beside her, his body moving to shield her, his arms wrapping around her body. Mary Margaret was going to help her but Emma grabbed her mother, dragging her away once Regina had Pandora's Box in her hands. They ran towards the direction they came in, heading to the shore.

The pain stopped soon after and Arabella let out a breath, tears traveling down her face. Pan was rubbing her back, kissing her face. "Aria, are you alright, darling?" No answer. He had tears in his own eyes. Because now he was vulnerable. Now he could lose her for good. "Aria say something."

She lifted her head to look at him, her eyes replaced with rage. "I want them all to burn."

———

Okay just saying that if this chapter flops I'm going to be so upset because it is by far one of my favorites I've written for this book because it was just wicked and I love that! Dark Arabella is so fun to write tbh. Hahaha, anyway, please do comment and vote and have a great day/night guys! :)

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