A thread exploring the true love healing of Killian Jones' love vs the toxic friendship of Regina Mills. This thread was inspired by Regina Mills Apologists coming into my mentions claiming that Regina Mills treated Emma Swan better than Killian Jones which isn't true +

It’s true Dark Hook wasn't kind but that isn’t who Killian truly is with Emma. He also deeply regretted his weakness. However, Regina was never controlled by the darkness like Killian was & her treatment was abusive & she simply didn’t care.

When it came to believing in Emma Swan's Magic... they each had a much different response...

Regina was accusing & angry.

Killian was supportive & encouraging.

One brought out Emma’s magic by being cruel.

The other helped her find it by supporting her & believing in her.

And this was no accident... her magic was unleashed the moment she stood beside him...

One delighted in hurting her & said “Whatever” when Emma told her the pain it caused. She used cruelty to force the truth.

The other believed in her enough to let it be her choice… and talked with her instead of forcing.

Regina knew she was hurting Emma... but she was so wanting to play hero and be the one to win that she wouldn't listen...

Killian Jones on the other hand wouldn't let anyone control Emma with that dagger. Instead he spoke to her, reassured her, and after their kiss the flame lit

The moment that the flame lit is just another example of how Killian's love helps Emma with her magic in a more positive way

One emotionally blackmailed Emma into risking her future to secure her own happiness then ridiculed Emma for trying to save her True Love. It was OK for Emma to lose love, again, but not her

The other fought for her happiness before his own & always thought of her before himself

Killian would’ve done everything in his own power to protect Emma & Henry from Zelena. He’d have gladly drowned if it meant Emma wouldn’t lose her gift or the means to defeat Zelena. His first thoughts were of her. He wouldn’t have asked her to save him.

One quite often begrudged her her happiness. Whether you like it or not, Emma chose Killian & he made her happy. But Regina was never supportive of that.

The other only ever wanted her to have her heart’s desire & everything he did, he did for her future. For her happiness.

One gave up on her.

One never doubted her motives. He may have struggled with his love being consumed by the same evil as that of his arch enemy but he never gave up on her.

One was ready to think the worse of her...

The other was clinging to the belief that yes, Emma was still there and she was still good and she must have her reasons... because after all this was Emma Swan they were talking about.

One used torture & emotional abuse that caused her to break down into tears of anguish then blamed her for it! In the end it was Emma’s wish son that woke her.

The other showed her how much he believed in her. Believed in her super powers. And she trusted him.

Lets just be clear about Killian's attempted TLK. This is a show about magic & fairy tales. He deserved that punch as did Charming. However, there's a distinction here. He didn't kiss her for personal gain or malicious intent & he was kissing a woman who had shown romantic +

interest in him. Whether you like it or not, Emma Swan did have a thing for Killian Jones. So his hope that she felt as he did was not unfounded. She'd encouraged him. So in this instance, on this show, under these specific circumstances...him trying to wake her... intent matters

One demonizes her for saving a woman’s life & equates that with mass murder! Emma needs forgiveness? No.

The other delights in her piratical ways & while he may have warned her against it…he doesn’t insult her. He helps her save Marian b/c he trusts her judgement.

"I saved her from you"

Can we talk about how gross Regina treated her? Regina murdered Marian. This is the consequences of Regina’s actions, not Emma’s. Robin would still be with Marian and Roland would still have his mother. But Regina, a mass murderer, matters more.

Regina r/ped Graham for 28 years & when he chose Emma…she murdered him... To this day Emma doesn't know & she counts him lost love

Despite the real possibility of rejection, Killian Jones didn’t leave Neal Cassidy to die. He wouldn’t have “hurt her unnecessarily” in such a way

And yes, Regina Mills did r/pe Graham.

The fact that Emma doesn't know this makes Regina unfit to even be called a friend.

The fact that Regina gets away w/this heinous crime & no one knows about it & justice wasn't brought makes her redemption incomplete.

Emma would defend villain Regina to Henry but Regina wouldn’t do the same for Dark Swan. In fact, she’s used anti-birth mother rhetoric in the past = no surprise that she behaves this way despite having abused him for 10+ yrs

While Killian praises her. Henry is lucky to have her

It's also important to note that Killian Jones engaged Henry in trying to help Emma. In trying to save her. In trying to give her a reason to look forward to the future.

One quite often doubted Emma’s abilities & thought they were more capable than her.

The other never did. In fact he was quick to offer praise & reassurance.

P.S. by the way... a friend should never, under any circumstances, cause you to doubt yourself. I hear a lot about this is Regina being "truthful". Correction: tearing down. David & Killian's response to this was to build Emma up which is the CORRECT response.

More instances when Regina just refuses to follow Emma’s lead b/c she thinks she's smarter. & It was Regina that nearly got David killed. But hey, Killian saved him.

Meanwhile Killian is all "I'll follow you to the end of time" & is quick to remind Emma of her leadership skills.

One was quick to throw an insult.

The other was quick with the compliments because he saw her for the wonderful heroine that she was.

Note: 1) Regina was never consumed by darkness-she’s just a jerk. 2) if a friend has a tendency to call you stupid or an idiot…unfriend them.

Note about above instance of Regina actually agreeing that Emma is an idiot. This is over Emma saving a woman's life at the expense of Regina's happiness & it wasn't even intentional. Regina is literally upset that a child got his mother back & acting like Emma should be guilty