spoilers likely!

[offtheroad]

Look, my "backstory" is my backstory, and no, I don't really feel like getting into it. It's nothing you'd be interested in, and it's over with. 

So do me a favor and don't start with all of this [ he makes a big, sweeping gesture with his arms ] crap. I've got enough to worry about without adding...what did you call it? "Roleplay". [ an eyebrow raise ]

Hate to break it to you kid, but I think you missed the D&D craze by a few decades.

Comments

[badappled]

I'm just curious about [my daughter's baby daddy] my grandson's father. From what my husband tells me, Henry's very fond of you.

[Annnd there's a bit of worrying on that front. Of course Henry should get to know his father. But she does not want to see him hurt, either. Or Emma.]

I know. But there is a lot of good here. You've kind of come at a really bad time. [Understatement of the decade. Let's just avoid any specifics entirely.]

[offtheroad]

[ he's side-eying you a little bit, Mama Bear. As well as maybe looking for the metaphorical window to run out of ]

We're getting to know each other. He's a good kid.

[ Neal has to snort at that ]

Right. Because magic is always associated with happy ones.

[badappled]

[ don't you even think about it, mister ]

He is.

No, the magic hasn't exactly made things better. I meant that...there are good people here.

[His father is currently in the TBA column. Considering what she did to save his life all because he's family now--he better not screw it up ]

[offtheroad]

[ the way his week's been going, MM would probably just tackle him down anyways ]

Bad people, too. [ Neal rolls his shoulders, taking a deep breath. ]

So. Cursed, huh?

[badappled]

[yeah let's just not test her right now okay?]

That is true. But we look out for each other. We look out for Henry.

For twenty eight years. Until Emma found us.

[offtheroad]

Glad she did. Getting stuck somewhere isn't the best situation for anyone.

[ now's...probably not the time to mention how Emma got started on her path to Saviordom ]

[badappled]

[and lucky for you, Neal, she would rather hear that little story from her daughter]

You sound like you know from experience.

[offtheroad]

Guess I should apologize in advance for the new in-law.

[badappled]

No, you shouldn't apologize for him. You're not responsible for the way he is.

I think we all have...quite a lot to work through, don't we? It's certainly a lot to process. But we'll do it. For Henry.

[offtheroad]

Right.

[ yeah, about that. turns out neal kind of is responsible...in a roundabout way, sure, but it doesn't make him feel better about it all ]

Sounds like it. [ SIGH. ] Maybe a good start is just to ignore the family tree for the moment. Too much going on there even for me.

[badappled]

I think that's easier said than done.

[after all, Gold already pulled the Henry's-grandpa card when he asked her to use the candle.]

[offtheroad]

Honestly, I think it's impossible. Guess I'm feeling optimistic today.

[ a pause, as something's just occurred to him ]

How do you know each other?

[badappled]

[HAH.]

I'm afraid it's a pretty long story. One you probably don't want to hear.

[offtheroad]

[ he grins and mimics her earlier words ]

There must be something.

[ he waves a hand though, dismissive ]

But if you don't want to share, I get it. His deals are never what you'd call smooth.

[badappled]

[She sees what you did there.]

No, they really aren't, are they? But I guess it's just as much our fault for making them in the first place.

[offtheroad]

Depends on why you're making them. [ and cue the sad puppy face ]

[badappled]

Sometimes we need to. To protect the people we love. But there's always a price.

[Because your dad's kind of a dick.]