Where Shadows Lie (Once Upon A Time)

Chapter 20

He strode up to the counter, sat on a stool, and ordered a drink. Only his mouth, and the ends of his greasy, lanky hair, could be seen.

Now that he was beside him, Peter couldn't find the courage to speak.

Then the Dark One spoke to him.
"How old are you, boy?", he asked.

"Does it really matter?", said Peter grumpily. Out of all the scenarios he had thought up of in his head, he never expected the Dark One to be concerned whether he was old enough to drink.

"Suppose not.", the Dark One said. "If one is not an enemy to time."

"Actually, about that.", said Peter. "I want to make a deal."

"Well, then, now's your chance, dearie. What do you desire?"

Peter lowered his voice. "Eternal life", he whispered. "I never, never want to grow up. And every day I grow closer to, I grow older." He paused, to see if he would think he was crazy, but the Dark One remained expressionless.

"Hmm...", he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Odd, why one so young would wish for such a thing. Usually I get that request from old men who clearly don't have much time left. And then they think it's fine to waste my time. So no, I never bother with them, but you? For you I might make an exception."

"So you can really do it?", asked Peter incredulously. "You can really make someone immortal? Free me from this inevitable fate?"

"There are ways. But what, may I ask, have you to offer in return?"

"I'll do anything.", said Peter, gripping his glass so his knuckles turned white.

The Dark One smiled gleefully. "Oh I do love it when they say that! We have a deal!"

"But.", said Peter, his brows lowering. "Prove it. That you can grant eternal life. What is it? An elixir? A spell?"

"Oh, it's a bit more complicated than that, dearie. You're going to have to trust me. Now, here's what I want you to do. . ."

Now, Peter cleared his mind. His hand rested on the sword at his side. He felt his fangs prick his lip.
He spoke in a dark undertone. "Why are you really here?" He tilted his head slightly to the side.

"No need to get all hostile, dearie.", said Rumple cooly. "Just wanted to make sure you were still alive and well."

Peter smirked. "Is that all? That's unlike you, Rumple." Peter shrugged. "Well, I'm perfectly fine. Brilliant. I've mastered air. . ." He made a guesture with his hand. Gusts of wind blew around them, lifting leaves and debris in a whirlwind motion.
"I'm at one with fire. . ." The wind died down, and his hand caught fire, though it was not actually burning. He shaped it into a fireball, and threw it at a tree, which erupted into flames.

He clenched his fist. The fire went out.
"Water?", he said, calling on his magic. "Easy peasy." He clicked his fingers. It suddenly started raining, though the sky was cloudless and the trees formed an enormous umbrella. They should have been soaked, but when the rain stopped, they remained dry.
"And as for earth." He picked up a stick, and dragged it along the ground. Where he drew, at the stick's touch, the earth cracked open. The ground rumbled and shook. Peter threw down the stick. He had just created a miniature earthquake.
"And that's only the chink in the iceberg.", said Peter smugly. He crossed his arms.

"No need to show off, dearie.", said Rumple, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Though humbleness was never your strongpoint. I'm not here to play games, Peter. Any news of my son, Baelfire?"

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Ha ha. I knew there was something up with you, Rumple." His brows lowered. "There always is with you. As for the whereabouts of your son. . ." Peter stepped over the crack in the ground. "He isn't here."
Rumple's face fell. Peter smirked.

"What kind of a name is Baelfire, anyways? Why don't you just give up? Abandon this relentless mission of yours? He's probably dead by now." Peter shrugged.

Rumple's face was like thunder. A burst of magic slammed Peter against a tree. The air was cut off from his throat, choking him with an invisible grip. His eyes were closed, but his expression was placid.

To Rumple's fury, Peter only grinned. Of course, vampires don't need air.
It's really quite hard to kill a vampire.

Rumple stormed up to him, and whispered in Peter's ear.
"Your magic may be strong, dearie. But I am the master here. You're a smart lad. Don't go against me. You're out of your dept."

Anger flickered across Peter's face. But he kept his eyes closed.
Rumple finally released his grip on Peter's throat. Peter's eyes snapped open. He took in an unnecessary, shuddering breath.
"Was that a threat?", was all he said.

"That.", said Rumple maliciously. "Was a threat if there ever was one."

Peter squared his shoulders. "Then get off my island.", he said with authority. "No one threathens me!"

"Just one last lesson.", said Rumple. "Love is weakness. Remember that."

And with a click of his fingers, Rumple vanished into thin air.

Peter stood there for a while, staring at the spot where Rumple had stood. Then he let out a small laugh.
"Huh? What has that got to do with anything?", he said aloud. Then he shrugged, and walked away, into the woods.