#captain swan gift exchange

[kazoosandfannypacks]

I saw this post going around about how there's not a lot of interaction for @cssecretsanta2020 and also @csgiftexchange [hope it's okay that I tagged you guys] between the gifters and their people. I know there's quite a few people who probably feel the same way, so I've decided to make a Captain Swan Christmas Ask Game. Obviously, anyone can participate, reblog, and send asks, but it also might be helpful for those of us who aren't quite sure what questions to ask our giftees.

GIftees, if you want a little more interaction from your secret santa/gift exchanger, (or just other users in general!) feel free to reblog!

Givers, if your giftee has reblogged this, you know have a few ideas for some questions to ask them (and don't forget to reblog it yourself so your giver can hit you up with some asks)

Without any further overexplanation from kazzy: Captain Swan Christmas Ask Game

How long have you been a Once Upon a Time Fan?

Around what point in the series did you start shipping Captain Swan?

Favorite Captain Swan scene?

What are some non-Captain Swan ships you ship?

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

How are you doing on your giftexchange/secretsanta gift?

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?

Favorite Christmas/holiday treat?

Favorite hot drink?

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you decorate/prepare for Christmas?

Got most of your holiday shopping done?

Do you feel like you have a set Christmas aesthetic?

What's a favorite holiday memory of yours?

Favorite Christmas movie?

Favorite Christmas song?

Favorite Christmas TV special episode?

What does Christmas mean to you?

Do you have any Captain Swan Christmas headcanons?

Favorite Captain Swan headcanons in general?

Have you ever participated in this kind of event before?

Favorite kind of Christmas cookie?

A few of your favorite CaptainSwan fic recommendations (either ones you wrote or ones you've read.)

What's Christmas morning like for you?

Do you do any of the holiday cooking/baking?

Do you have any favorite christmas outfits or accessories?

Do you own any OUaT merch?

What's your biggest Christmas wish this year?

What are some of your favorite platonic relationships Killian and Emma have?

What are some of your non-ouat OTPs?

What's your opinion on X [character, story arc, holiday thing, ext.]

Merry Christmas, loves!

[anmylica]

The City of Lights

A Captain Swan Fanfiction for @jrob64 as part of the CS Gift Exchange 2022.

Surprise! I am your gift exchange writer for this year’s exchange! I hope I nailed your request this year for a modern AU holiday fic! I am going to post this in two parts (because I am incapable of restraint, apparently). Part 2 will be posted on NYE!

Summary: Killian Jones has been waiting for the perfect opportunity to propose to the love of his life, Emma Swan. When he’s presented with the opportunity to whisk her away on a weekend trip to visit the Festival of Lights in Natchitoches, Louisiana, he’s confident that the perfect time will present itself. But even the best laid plans often go awry…

Tagging my usual crew: (want to be added? Let me know!) @xarandomdreamx @kmomof4 @snowbellewells @sotangledupinit @tiganasummertree @zaharadessert

Killian Jones opened the door of his apartment to the sound of his girlfriend, Emma “Swan” Nolan, quoting Steel Magnolias verbatim as the television blared in the background.  Emma was spread out on the couch, trying to cover every square inch of its surface with her body, blankets, and pillows, eating peanut butter straight out of the jar and quoting lines as if she were Shelby Eatenton herself.  He smiled at the sight she presented.

“You’re as bad as Mary Margaret, I hope you realize,” he called to the blonde, causing her to jump, as she didn’t hear the door open.

“You’re home early!” Emma exclaimed, smiling to see him but not moving from her spot on the couch.  “Slow shift?”

“Aye, it was.  I’m technically still on call for the next thirty minutes, but it should stay quiet.”  Killian removed his Boston PD jacket and placed his radio on the counter, making sure to turn the dial on the volume loud enough to hear it should he get called out.

Emma hummed, turning her attention back to the movie for a moment, quoting the lines, “My colors are blush and bashful” with the practiced ease of someone who had seen the movie dozens of times before.

Killian moved to sit on the arm of the couch.  “Would you want the colors of your wedding to be blush and bashful, love?”

Emma’s eyes widened and she made a shocked trilling sound in the back of her throat.  “Woah, woah, woah,” she started, wholeheartedly engaging in the game of cat and mouse they always partook when the subject was brought up.  Though Emma was not opposed to marriage (in fact, she was actually hoping that wedding bells would ring in the very near future), it was a running gag amongst all her friends and family that just the hint of white lace would set her running for the hills.

Killian held his hand up, cutting off her reply, and inserted, “Calm down, Swan, I’m not proposing.”  His eyes were on the screen so he missed the disgusted, let down expression that crossed her face at his words.  “I’m merely curious since this is your favorite movie if you would ever want to use the same color scheme.”

Emma huffed.  “I like blush and bashful well enough, but I wouldn’t want them together,” she replied tersely, a little annoyed with her boyfriend of three years.

Killian had brushed off any mentions of their making their relationship legal, a fact which Emma played off in front of their friends (especially her brother and his wife, Mary Margaret) but Emma secretly loathed.  She had been hinting for weeks and weeks that she was ready, but he either was playing dumb or he truly didn’t pick up on her hints.  She was about ready to admit that maybe she needed to be a little less subtle in her desires, but she wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel yet.  What she didn’t realize was that Killian was very well-aware of her desires and was merely acting in that manner to make her less suspicious of his intentions.

“Too much pink, eh?”  Killian smirked.

Emma shrugged and said, “Maybe for you.”

The two fell into a companionable silence as they watched the screen for a few more moments.  When a shot of the town the movie was filmed in was shown, Emma said, “I’d love to see where they filmed this.”

Killian frowned.  “Where did they film it?”

“I have no idea,” Emma said as she grabbed her phone.  After a quick search, she announced, “It was filmed in a place called,” and she paused.  “I don’t know how to say this.”

Killian looked at the screen “Natch-uh-toes-es?” 

Emma shrugged and scrolled.  “It’s in Louisiana, apparently.  Just about an hour south of Shreveport on the western side of the state.”

Killian nodded.  “You want to go one day?”

Emma scoffed.  “There’s nothing there except trees and rednecks with jacked-up trucks, I’m sure.”

Killian took the phone from her and scrolled through some of the information.  “It says they have a ‘Festival of Lights’ in December.  It’s actually already started.”  

Emma gave him a side-eyed look.  “That’s just a way to draw tourists in to make money off the unsuspecting people who think there’s more there than there really is.”

Killian nodded in response absentmindedly.  An idea was forming in his mind.  He knew Emma actually would enjoy that trip, as they had done several like it in times past.  She was just trying to downplay how badly she wanted to tour the town so as to cope with the disappointment of not being able to go.  The best thing about her job is she could work from just about anywhere, as she worked in bail bonds, which required research online, and only paid her a check upon the successful delivery of the fugitive she was hunting.  If she wanted to take a few days’ vacation, then she could with no issues.  Killian had some time accumulated with the police force, and it would be nothing more than applying for a few days off.  

He continued to look through the pictures of the festival.  It looked quaint, with the lighted displays glinting off the water of the Cane River and accompanied by horse-drawn carriage rides.  Killian could suddenly feel a hole burning in his pocket, so to speak, at the thought of being able to propose to Emma in that setting.  He had bought the ring ages ago and was simply waiting for a moment when the time felt right.  Perhaps that would be it?  His mind suddenly made up, he handed her back her phone.

Emma took it absentmindedly, her attention already back on the movie.  Killian got up and moved to grab his radio even though his shift would end in just a few minutes.  He picked it up and carried it with him to the bedroom, where he closed the door and took out his phone to call his shift captain to arrange the vacation time. 

Once he had the necessary arrangements made, he called David (who, besides being Emma’s brother, was his partner with the Boston PD) and asked him to help him look at hotels, flights, and other necessities.  He also filled David in on his plan for proposing to his sister, a fact of which David was already aware. Within about forty minutes, Killian had plane tickets, a hotel room reserved, a rental car lined up, and was quickly looking up information on the Festival of Lights itself to plan out an itinerary.

He answered Emma when she called out to him wanting to know what he wanted for dinner, and then made his way to the shower to get rid of the dirt and grime that he often felt after a day spent upholding law and order.  A satisfied smirk on his face, he began whistling as he turned on the water.

This was going to be a Christmas surprise that Emma would never forget.

After his shower, he discreetly printed the plane tickets, hotel confirmation, rental agreement for the car they would need, and placed all the documents in a Manila folder.  Peeking into the living room, he saw that Emma was now sobbing in tears at the scene on the screen of Shelby’s funeral.  He smiled at her show of emotion.  Emma “Swan” Nolan may wear a layer of red leather as armor, but he knew she was a closet romantic and the sweetest soul he knew.  The only person he knew that could even hold a candle to her purity was Mary Margaret, David’s wife and Emma’s sister-in-law, and even she wasn’t on Emma’s level in some ways.

Killian watched Emma watch the screen, appreciating this quiet moment that he never thought he’d get to have.  After so many things had nearly torn them apart, from vengeful exes to their own stubbornness in admitting their feelings and then their sometimes dangerous jobs, he had never thought they would get here, but he now had everything he ever wanted.

Lost in his reverie, he didn’t notice when the movie ended and Emma stood up and sauntered over to him, a seductive smile on her face, though tear tracks stained her cheeks.  He thought there was no better sight than Emma in sweats and no makeup coming towards him with that look in her eyes.  

“Hey, Lieutenant, what’s a girl gotta do to get some company?” She wrapped her arms around him and he reciprocated the gesture, smiling as he did so.  “What’s that you’ve got?” She nodded towards the folder.

He lifted it and handed it to her.  “See for yourself.”

Emma took the folder and opened it, wondering what was in it.  She studied the print-outs for a moment, her brow furrowed, before she realized what she was looking at.  “Is this-” she started.

“A trip, fully booked and paid for, for us to go to this Natchitoches place to see where they filmed your second favorite movie in the whole wide world,” he finished for her.  “Aye, love.  It’s part of my Christmas gift to you.”

Emma’s eyes widened at what he said.  “You really booked this for us?”

Killian nodded.  “Just this evening.  You can’t fool me, Swan, I know you’d love to make that trip.  You’re always on about how beautiful the place looks on the screen.”

Emma smiled at him.  “Do I want to make that trip?”

Killian smirked.  “Well, you’re something of an open book.”

They both laughed and embraced for a long moment.  FInally pulling apart, but not completely, Emma gave him a sly smile and a pointed look.

“I believe I should show my gratitude, don’t you think, Lieutenant?”

Killian tapped his lips and returned her sly smile.  “Perhaps gratitude is in order now.”

Emma rose up and kissed him fiercely, grabbing his shirt to tug her closer.  Dropping the folder, he picked her up to carry her into the bedroom.  Everything else could wait.  He had his Swan to ravish, first.

Several days later, Emma was desperately trying to pack her carry-on suitcase for their trip.  Nothing seemed to be exactly right, though she didn’t know much about the Southern states’ climate having grown up only in the northern states.  She had desperately called Mary Margaret over to help, and her sister-in-law had promptly arrived thirty minutes later bearing two hot chocolates in hand, ready to help Emma solve her latest crisis.

“What do you even wear in Louisiana in December?!” Emma shouted in frustration, tugging at her hair as she scanned the contents of her side of the closet.  Their plane was set to leave from Logan International in the morning, and she was now only half packed. She had the essentials in her suitcase, like comfortable pajamas and her toiletries, but the actual outfits to wear during the day were still yet to be picked.  It was the beginning of winter, and Boston had snow on the ground already, but Louisiana wasn’t a winter state. Did they even get snow? What was their average temperature this time of year? Did she need a swimsuit? Did they go swimming in December? Emma let her head thump against the frame of the closet door in frustration.

“Clothes might be the best option,” David replied, coming in to get Killian’s suitcase to help load it in Killian’s truck so they wouldn’t be lugging heavy bags around in the morning in a rush. 

Emma rolled her eyes. “Nah, I think I’ll just wear my tattoo and a smile,” she snarled back at her brother. David grinned and grabbed the packed suitcase, walking out without replying.

Mary Margaret breezed in behind him after a bathroom break, replying as she did so, “Louisiana is usually around mid to low 70s or high 60s during the day at this time of year, and anywhere in the high forties or low 50s at night.  They would be warmer or colder, but it usually won’t be by much. Jeans, sweaters, some lighter shirts, a jacket and maybe a hat and gloves and boots, should be all you’ll need for the temperatures.”

Emma looked at her best friend in disbelief, leaning her head against the closet door frame. “Seriously? When did you become an expert in climates of states you’ve never been to?”

Mary Margaret handed Emma her phone with a weather app pulled up that showed a graphic of the same information she just told Emma. “Since I Googled it.”

Emma smiled in response, rolling her eyes as she turned back to her closet. She settled on pulling out her favorite pair of jeans, a pair of leggings, and a skirt that she liked to wear for dates with Killian sometimes. She threw them haphazardly in her suitcase, which caused Mary Margaret to tut in exasperation at her sister-in-law’s messy habits as she grabbed the items to fold them properly.

“Do you want tights to go with this skirt,” Mary Margaret asked as Emma dug for her favorite white Aran knit sweater. 

“Yes, can you grab me a pair of black ones?” 

Mary Margaret moved to grab the item Emma would need, and when she turned back to place the item in the suitcase, she saw Emma holding a black leather dress with a thoughtful look on her face.

“New dress?” Mary Margaret asked, noticing the tags still on it.

“Yeah,” Emma replied, a little breathlessly. “I bought it as a surprise for Killian for a special celebration.”

The brunette smiled excitedly. “Do you think he’s going to propose on this trip?”

Emma shook her head slightly. “I don’t think he even realizes that’s what I want.”

“Then you should tell him! And pack that dress just in case! If nothing else, you can wear it to tell him you’re ready to take the next step.”

Emma winced a bit. “What if he doesn’t feel the same?” she whispered softly, fearful of the possibility that the answer was that Killian didn’t feel the same as she did.

“Emma!” Mary Margaret chided gently. “Of course he feels the same! He told David that he was ‘in this for the long haul.’ His exact words. A proposal is probably going to happen sooner than you think!”

Emma sighed. “I hope so. I never thought I would find what we have together. I don’t want to lose it.”

Mary Margaret hugged her close and Emma held on tightly to her sister-in-law. “You won’t. And you should bring that dress and a pair of red heels with you on your trip.”

Emma smiled and turned to place the dress in the suitcase. “I think I will.”

Feeling much more centered, Emma quickly grabbed the rest of her items and finished packing. She rolled her bag out to the living room and passed it off to David. Killian was just coming back inside from where he had walked downstairs with David to load up his luggage.

“All set, love?” He asked, taking her in his arms. 

Emma nodded contentedly. “All set,” she sighed happily. She held onto him as tight as she could. She couldn’t wait for their next adventure together.

The roar of the planes taking off the next day could be heard in the background as Killian argued with the woman behind the counter at the car rental inside Dallas Fort-Worth International about the rental he had reserved. Emma stood a little ways down the concourse from him watching the planes arrive and depart through one of the windows, though she could still hear his frustration. It seemed that his information and reservation had been lost.

The plane ride from Boston to Dallas had been uneventful. Emma loved quick plane rides that didn’t involve any hassle. She just wanted to get where she needed to be. Having Killian be there to handle any problems they encountered was a blessing to her.

“Well, Swan, it seems we finally have a vehicle. The woman said the drive was a little under four hours if we hit traffic right.”  Killian had moved behind her while she was ruminating on her thoughts. She turned and smiled.

“Lead the way.”

They walked out of the airport and to the location of the car. Once they located it, they loaded their luggage and began to make the next part of their journey. Killian sang along to the radio as Emma stared at the scenery. Everything looked very different from home, though it did grow monotonous after a while.  After a couple of hours, they arrived in Shreveport and stopped for a quick lunch before continuing south on Interstate 49 to Natchitoches. They arrived at the Natchitoches exit around three in the afternoon.  Emma looked at the hotels and fast food joints that surrounded Highway 6 and turned to Killian.

“Is our hotel here?”

He grinned in reply.  “I thought we would stay at a more ‘on location’ site and booked us at the Saint Denis Hotel.  It’s right along Front Street.”

Emma nodded in understanding and kept watch out of the window.  As they came into the outskirts of the city, she noticed a university of some sort to the right.  

“Is that Northwestern State University?” She asked.  

Killian nodded.  “I think so.  We have tickets to a show their performing arts center is performing tomorrow night.”

Emma raised her eyebrows in mock disbelief.  “Getting fancy on me, aren’t you?”

Killian laughed.  “It’s called the Christmas Gala.  We’re going to dinner before and then the show starts at 9. I hope you brought something appropriate to wear.”  Killian shot her a sly look and licked his lips.  Emma laughed in delight, grateful now that she had listened to Mary Margaret’s advice about packing her black leather dress.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She teased back.  Killian grinned wider but didn’t say anything, instead turning his attention back to the road.  They drove past the college, eventually turning left onto Jefferson Street.

Up until that point, there had been Christmas lights draped along light poles and various other points, but the moment they turned onto Jefferson, the lights started.  As they drove, the road felt as if they were entering a tunnel of multicolored lights.  Light strands zigzagged above them, and there were light-drawn figures on every telephone pole.  As they drove, they could see some of the scenes that Natchitoches was famous for this time of year. It looked amazing, and it wasn’t even dusk yet.

After trawling through bumper to bumper traffic and getting turned around for a moment or two, they finally arrived.  The hotel lobby was decorated in a modern Provencal style that Emma had seen once before during a brief trip to New Orleans during Marci Gras with Killian a couple of years before.  Although not as ornate as other places Emma had seen, it still had a homey feel to the place.  Check-in was much less of a hassle than getting their rental car was, too, Emma noticed.  Once they made it into their room, which was decorated in a similar style, they set their luggage down and Emma flopped onto the bed.  Killian sat on the edge, watching her in amusement.

“Tired, love?” He asked.  It had been a long day of travel, after all.

Emma closed her eyes and nodded.  “A little.”

“What do you think so far?” 

“Emma opened her eyes and looked at him.  “Well, you’re sitting too prim for me but at least you're on the bed.”  Emma shrugged slightly, holding back a teasing grin.

Killian rolled his eyes.  “I meant about the town, Swan.”

“I know what you meant,” Emma laughed before continuing, “honestly, it’s all a bit cheesy, but I can see why it’s a popular lights destination for this area.  I’ve had fun so far.”

“I’m glad,” Killian replied and bent down to place a soft kiss on her lips, which she happily returned.  After several moments, he pulled away and stood.  “If you’ll get freshened up, we’ll go walk downtown and scope out the place.  I’ve heard they have a lot of great food here.”

Emma smiled and got up and walked to the bathroom.  “I’ll be right out,” she said, cocking her hips to the side sassily.

He laughed and returned, “I’ll be waiting.”

Once he was. certain she was ensconced in the shower, the door firmly closed behind her, he let out a shaky breath and put his hand in his pocket.  Clasping it in his hand, he pulled out a black velvet box and opened it.  The engagement ring was nestled safely inside, the huge center stone glistening in the light coming from the bedside lamps.  

Killian wasn’t sure when exactly he was going to propose, but he hoped that tomorrow night might provide the most romantic scene.  Surely there would be an opportunity sometime between dinner, the concert, and hopefully a nice stroll along the river taking in the lights.  Maybe they would luck out and get to do a carriage ride on one of the horse-drawn carriages he had spotted as they arrived.  All he knew was that he couldn't wait any longer.  He had had the ring for several months now, but something always stopped him from asking her.  

But not this time.  When they flew back to Boston in three days’ time, they would be engaged.  He knew Emma wanted it just as badly as he did, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn't do to help her have one of the best Christmas seasons of her life.  He just hoped he didn’t chicken out once he found the right moment.

An hour later, they were strolling along Front Street taking in the sights. The lights were on, but the sun hadn’t yet set, and Killian knew they would be better once it was dark. The streets were busy, as the area drew in a lot of tourism and the college kids were still in class and would likely continue to be until around the 15th. Emma, in true Emma fashion, found a street vendor who was selling hot chocolate, and they bought a couple of to-go cups and sipped on them as they walked. 

They passed a lot of shops, one of which was the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store, which was a blast from the past that was apparently founded in 1838. They learned from a local working the cash register that the name of the town wasn’t pronounced how it looked. 

“It’s pronounced ‘Nack-a-tish,” the friendly-faced woman laughed, seemingly not surprised by their lack of ability at pronouncing the name. “It was the name of a local Native American tribe. You’d actually be surprised how many people come here unable to pronounce it.  And don’t even try to ask Siri anything about it.  She doesn’t understand the word at all!”

Killian and Emma shared a glance of amazement at just how wrong they had gotten the name, quickly wrapping up their purchases.  After they deposited their purchases in their room, it was late enough for them to grab dinner at one of the restaurants on Front Street, a place called Mama’s that was adjoined to another place called Papa’s.  Dinner passed quickly with both enjoying the live music playing and being together in a place where they had no worries.  Killian kept sneaking glances at her when she was watching the band, struck by how happy and relaxed she looked.  

Perhaps this was the moment?  Should he get down on one knee now?  Though he hadn’t planned on asking for her hand tonight, it seemed as if this time could be the time.  His hand drifted to the pocket of his leather jacket and gripped the black box residing in it.  Emma laughed at something the lead singer said (what it was, Killian couldn’t have said, because nothing existed but Emma and this moment), and he pulled the box out.

“Emma?” He called, a little louder than normal so as to be heard over the din.

She turned and looked at him, smiling brightly.  “Yeah, babe?”

He broke off for a moment as she looked at him expectantly.  The words he wanted to say, of adoration and forever and will you be mine, got stuck in his throat.  He cleared it, and grabbed her hand.  “I love you,” he stated a little flatly, let down by his inability to say what he wanted.  

Emma chuckled softly.  “I love you, too,” she replied.  “Are you okay?  You looked almost nervous just now.”

“I’m fine, love.” He looked down at the table for a moment, caressing her hand with his thumb, before he looked up and caught her eyes again.  “We’ve been together for a while, haven’t we?  Shared many adventures together?” He asked, trying to buy some time to get his thoughts together.

Emma tilted her head a bit in confusion.  “Aye,” she responded, teasing.  “Why do you bring it up?  You’re not breaking up with me are you?”  Her face fell at the unpleasant thought, and Killian’s heart skipped a beat at her words.

“Of course not!  I would never- I want you by my side always!”

Emma’s face relaxed from relief.  “Oh, good.  That’s good because I feel the same way.”

“I can’t believe you would think I’d take you all this way to break up with you,” Killian responded, momentarily derailed from the romantic speech he didn’t have planned to ask the question he knew that both of them wanted yet fully paralyzed him with fear at articulating to her.

Emma laughed and shrugged.  “Stranger things have happened to me before.”

“Indeed, they have,” Killian responded, not continuing as the waitress came over to see if they needed anything else.  Once they had settled the bill with her, they had silently agreed that it was a good time to head back to their room.  Killian lamented that the moment had passed, but he also couldn’t help but feel some relief.  If he couldn’t get out the question without botching it up, then he shouldn’t ask it until he could do so without making her question if he’s about to end their relationship.

After they had been walking for a moment or two, Emma said, “So why did you bring up how long we’ve been together?”

Killian looked out at the scene before them, of the glimmer of the lights on the Cane River and the romantic atmosphere of the quaint college town.  “I was just thinking about how much we’ve seen and done,” he finally responded before looking at her.  “There’s no one else I’d rather go through life with.”

Emma smiled and stopped them from walking any further.  She leaned up and gave him a long, slow, soft kiss, one that Killian gladly returned.  Their mouths moved in the perfect sync that came from years of devotion and adoration.  Killian drew her further into his embrace, wrapping his arms around her as she moved one hand to clench in his hair and the other to cup the back of his neck.  Neither carried the kiss much further, aware as they were of being in the middle of a public sidewalk with many other people around them for the festivities, but the heat that always seemed to simmer between them was stoked to a higher flame.

As they both pulled away from the kiss, Killian rested his forehead against hers.  He looked into her eyes, asking a silent question, one that Emma responded to with a similar look.  They both turned and quickly finished the trek back to their hotel room.  Once inside, they gave into the passion and love that consumed them in the dance of lovers as old as time itself.  After they lay sated and entwined, Killian briefly thought of asking her then, but when he turned his head to broach the subject, he saw that Emma lay peacefully asleep.  Smiling, he tugged her closer and gave into the exhaustion that ebbed at his consciousness.  There was always tomorrow, after all.

[csgiftexchange]

GIFT GRAB

Participants: @anmylica @captainodonoghue @cocohook38 @cosette141 @everything-person @i-will-sing-no-requiem @jrob64 @kazoosandfannypacks @middlemistcs13 @nachocheese-itsmycheese @sotangledupinit @their-seafaring-ways @totheendoftheworldortime

Gifts:

Giftee 1 WANTS: fanart of one of their fics, cursed!Killian, Movie au of Divergent Harry Potter Jumanji 2017 2019 or Avatar. NO: permanent character death for either Killian or Emma

Giftee 2 WANTS: missing moments, Killian exploring the land without magic, Captain/Lieutenant Duckling. Has no restriction.

Giftee 3 WANTS: pirate princess, canon au, supernatural au NO: angst, character death

Giftee 4 WANTS: fanart of one of their fics, canon compliant or divergent physical hurt comfort, one bed sharing before Emma and killian are together NO: smut, too much sexual innuendo/intention, character death, dark ones, season 5a, AUs, graphic injuries/gore

Giftee 5 WANTS: au fanfic, fanart, christmas anything. NO: smutt, shirtless fanart, no swearing, no villainizing Neal or Milah

Giftee 6 WANTS: one bed modern au, childhood best friends, sick fic au. Has no restrictions.

Giftee 7 WANTS: enemies to lovers, slow burn, captain duckling, cs role reversal. NO: permanent character death, supporting Neal.

Giftee 8 WANTS: gifsets, enemies to lovers, lieutenant duckling, pirate!Killian -princess!Emma, lieutenant duckling or pirate!Killian - princess!Emma fanart. NO: Graham or Neal.

Giftee 9 WANTS: Hurt/comfort, modern AU, Christmas themed CS fluff, must have happy ending. NO: friendship between Emma & Regina

Giftee 10 WANTS: anything set in season 3 or 4, mutual pining, any fanart. NO: AUs.

Giftee 11 WANTS: angst and/or smutt, western/farm/ranch au, any au, fluffy family holiday/winter fic/art. NO: whump, Ingrid

Giftee 12 WANTS: Established relationship, cs family fluff, cs parents, modern au with established relationship. NO: character death, angst.

Giftee 13 WANTS: Enemies/rivals to lovers; fake dating; captain cobra swan. NO: no major character death (I.e., emma or killian), no victor/ruby

[sotangledupinit]

Hi, I'm your CS Gift Exchanger, and I wanted to ask a few questions so I can cater your gift as much to you as possible!!

- What are some of your favorite OUAT characters so I make sure they make an appearance? (Obviously besides Captain Swan and Henry!)

- Are there any characters you don't like so I can make sure to avoid them?

- What are some of you favorite CS scenes so maybe I can somehow include those as well!

Hi fellow exchange participant! 🤗👋 hopefully I can answer your questions and not make your life more difficult lol.

1. I love Will. I feel like he’s a really interesting and fun character, especially when it comes to his interactions with Emma and Killian. Those are very interesting to me. Also, I love the chaos he brings haha. Of course Mary Margaret & David I adore as well, and I’m currently being reminded of how much I love the Frozen gang (because perfect casting is perfect)! Don’t worry if you can’t fit any or not all of these into the gift. It’s totally fine!

2. There’s no real characters that I absolutely can’t read about so go wild! Even though I hate the Victor/Ruby coupling, I like both characters individually (Ruby much more so than Victor lol).

3. Favorite CS scene is a hard one and I’m going to be terrible and say that I cant pick just one? Maybe the s3 finale outside of Granny’s scene? Maybe when he tells Emma he’s yet to see her fail and also when he tells her that when he wins her heart, it won’t be because of trickery. I also like the beanstalk scenes and the coconut scene with the shadows being ripped off. Ahhhh I just love them all but I especially the scenes when they’re just supporting and loving each other and it’s just sweet. I’m sorry that’s not really an answer but I’ll just say ALL.

Thank you ❤️

[cosette141]

The Only One Who Saves Me | OUAT fanfic | CS gift exchange gift (1/3)

MERRY CHRISTMAS @i-will-sing-no-requiem !!!! I was your CS gift exchange santa this year!! :D I very much enjoyed obsessing over Taylor Swift with you haha! :)

Your gift is a 3-parter! 😱😆

This is the main fic I worked on for you! I ran with your prompt of Emma or Killian rescuing the other :)

Summary: (CS movie divergence) Killian gets his dashing rescue, and Emma is no longer the only one who saves her. :)

AO3

Killian ran, hard and fast. He's been out of breath for most of the last mile but he didn't stop.

Emma.

Nearly an hour ago, Emma was taken by Regina's guards.

He could only remember standing in that ballroom, watching them drag her away, every muscle in his body coiled to run after her, to fight them all off even if he had to bloody kill them, to save her, but at the same time, knew that he wouldn't have survived such an attack.

If he was to save Emma, and he would, he needed to be smart.

He needed to do this quietly.

For a moment, Killian had considered trying to find Emma's parents. The prince and princess could certainly help, however risking their lives was out of the question. If one of them died, there wouldn't even be an Emma to save.

That very thought was the only thing that was on Killian's mind.

Her parents were back on track, Snow White had the ring.

But none of that mattered if Killian couldn't save Emma now.

His heart was pounding so hard it hurt and Killian could only remember one time in his life that he's been this scared, and back then, he'd been tied to a mast on his own bloody ship.

But somehow, this felt more terrifying, and that very thought scared him almost more than the fear he wouldn't make it to her in time.

Killian knew Regina's ways; she wouldn't kill Emma tonight. Regina liked to watch the execution of Snow White's supporters every morning after she caught them. Like some sort of twisted breakfast entertainment.

However, even the knowledge that he had until morning to save Emma didn't help the fact that he still had to break into the bloody castle and get to her before he was killed.

He'd done it before, he knew how to get in and to find his way to the dungeons.

But the bloody rule not to mess with the timeline which meant he couldn't kill anyone if he needed to only made his heart beat even faster.

Killian finally stopped when he saw the silhouette of the castle over the hill. He stared at it warily, catching his breath.

"I'm coming, Emma," he whispered to the air.

And he started on his way, clinging to shadows.

I will find you, love.

And he won't stop until he does.

Emma huffed a defeated breath, sinking heavily back to the ground.

The lock was too far; she couldn't reach it.

Emma threw the wire she'd found back to the ground with burning eyes. That was her only chance. In a last ditch effort, Emma shut her eyes, trying to feel the magic inside her.

But it wasn't there, no matter how hard she searched for it.

Rumplestiltskin had already given them that wand to use when they'd successfully completed their mission—in Killian's possession since his ensemble had pockets—but Emma already knew even with it it was useless.

Her magic was still gone.

With an audible groan, she gave up trying to get out of here, dropping her face over her crossed arms.

Something about this felt eerily similar, being here, alone in a jail cell.

"Sorry, sweetheart, your boy took off."

She could still remember the first day she spent in prison.

Alone.

Terrified.

She'd curled herself tight on the cot, arms wrapped around her shins, and she didn't sleep a wink.

She waited.

She waited for someone to come, tell her that it was all a misunderstanding, to let her go.

Waited for Neal to show up, to break her out, to save her.

But he never came.

No one ever came.

Not for eleven months.

Not ever.

Emma didn't even realize she was crying until she felt the dirty sleeves of the dress dampen with hot tears.

Did Hook know she was missing?

He'd been taking out the guards on the balcony; he might not even know she was taken. Or by whom.

But even if he did know she was taken, Emma wasn't going to get her hopes up.

Breaking into Regina's castle to save her? The odds of him succeeding were low at best.

He'd be risking his life even thinking about doing such a thing.

Emma suddenly wondered where he was, what he would do, trapped in the past.

Because the last thing she'd ever believe was that he was going to come back for her.

Save her.

No one ever does.

Emma suddenly heard footsteps.

She lifted her face from her arms, where she was huddled in the far corner of the cell, arms still wrapped around her shins, the facsimile of a hug that felt too shallow and cold to be called such a thing.

The footsteps were running. Fast.

Guards.

Emma's heart pounded.

Was it morning already?

Was she out of time?

As much as she had planned to be strong, to fight them, to save herself, panic was suddenly consuming her.

She was going to be executed.

So when the shadow crossed the walls, getting closer and closer, Emma just curled in on herself tighter, trying to swallow the rising fear.

But—

"Emma!"

Emma's fear halted, traded for shock.

Hook.

It was Hook.

The moment he saw her, he ran to the bars of the cell, eyes on her, his relief at finding her quickly dashed. Concern bloomed. "Emma, love," he whispered.

Emma blinked in shock.

He was here.

He came back for her.

Someone came back for her.

She shot to her feet and rushed to the bars, standing inches from him. Her fingers grasped the bar, wondering if she was dreaming. "Hook?"

"Thank the gods I found you," he breathed, a slight, relieved smile at the victory. His eyes then shifted to the bars, looking for—

"It's at the top," whispered Emma quickly. "The lock. I couldn't reach it."

Hook located it, reaching for the lock and using his hook to pick it. A few precious moments ticked by, and Emma could read every anxiety in his face until the lock clicked open, and the chain fell free.

Hook ripped the door open.

Freedom.

But Emma wasn't half as relieved by the freedom as she was by him.

She didn't even think; she grabbed him in a tight hug, practically clinging to him.

He stumbled a little by the force of it, surprised. She held him tightly, eyes shut, relief rushing through her in waves as she breathed in his scent. Familiarity. Safeness. Home.

She didn't know when she'd started thinking of him as home, but right now, she didn't care.

She felt him hold her back after a hesitation of shock. Just as tightly as she held him. "Are you all right?" he whispered. "Are you hurt?"

"You came," she found herself whispering. Her voice like broken confusion.

A tear fell down her cheek.

His hold on her tightened a little. "Of course I came," he said. He pulled back a little. "You thought I wouldn't?" he asked incredulously, like the idea hurt him. But a noise somewhere nearby like a door opening made both of them freeze and Killian's grip on her tighten even more. "We need to get you out of here. Now," he said quickly, eyes locked with hers, fear in them.

Fear for her.

"Come," he breathed, and without hesitation Emma's hand intertwined with his, and she suddenly felt like she never ever wanted to let go.

Killian led the way, seeming to know his way around, and Emma didn't stop to question it. She was glued to his side as they clung to the shadows, every usual strength within her strangely gone, replaced with the fear of her seventeen year old self, trapped in prison with no way out.

Their run through the castle was like a blur of panic, and Emma heard Killian whisper, "We're nearly there, love." And Emma only then realized she was practically crushing his hand.

But they rounded a corner, and Killian skidded to a stop, just as two guards saw them both.

"Bloody hell," cursed Killian.

"The prisoner!" cried one of the guards, recognizing Emma. "The one who aided Snow White's escape!"

"Get her!" growled the other, both unsheathing swords, and Emma felt paralyzed.

"Get behind me!" exclaimed Killian in a desperate breath, releasing her hand—something that felt like panic itself to her—so he could draw his sword.

Emma listened to him, allowing someone else to take control for the first time in what felt like her life, because hell she knew how to fight with her fists but not against swords and not with flashes of the past blinding her, and she felt her hands grasp the back of Killian's jacket, needing something tethering her to him.

He fought off the first guard, both men caught in a flurry of blades, and suddenly Emma felt a burly arm grab her around the waist and yank her back.

"Emma!"

Emma struggled, managing to land her elbow in the man's gut, making him grunt in enough pain to release his hold. And Emma's hands fisted, her heart pounding as she prepared to fight—

But she didn't need to.

Because suddenly Killian was there, standing firmly in front of her, protecting her, knocking out the man with the hilt of his sword.

Both guards lay unconscious on the ground.

Emma was still shaking.

But Killian's hand suddenly found her face, making her look at him. Such determination shone in his eyes. "I won't let anyone take you. I promise." Emma felt her breath skip, a wave of relief feeling like warm sunlight because, for the first time, she didn't have to protect herself alone. Sheathing his sword, Killian again took her hand, holding her even tighter. "Come," he breathed.

They continued on their way out of the castle, this time making it without trouble. But they didn't stop running until they were well away from it, and could no longer even see the castle in the distance.

And without hesitation, Emma dove into his arms, hers wrapped tightly around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

She was crying and for the first time in her life she didn't care that the tears fell, or that they did in front of someone else.

Because for the first time in her life, someone saved her.

For the first time in her life, she didn't have to do it herself.

She could hear him saying her name, his voice surprised, worried, gentle.

She felt him pull back a little, though his arms never loosened around her.

Killian looked at her, noting the tear tracks on her face, old and new, the dirt and the scratches from the rough handling of her by the guards. It looked like his heart broke in his eyes. "Emma, love," he whispered. "Are you all right?"

But Emma was unable to find her voice, because her mind was still caught on something she couldn't understand.

He came back for her.

He saved her.

Her whole life, the only person who ever saved her was her.

No one else bothered to.

But Killian broke into a castle full of guards that would have killed him in an instant, just to save her.

He risked his life.

For her.

The last person Emma trusted put her in prison.

Killian just rescued her from it.

"Emma…?"

He was still staring at her, even more concerned than before.

"You saved me," she whispered.

"Of course I did," he said, like it was the only reasonable answer.

Like there was no world in which he saw himself not saving her.

Ever since Neverland, hell, long before then, Emma had felt… something for him.

After Neverland, it turned into something even more, something that wasn't just interest, something that was feelings.

And ever since she drank that potion, they had only gotten stronger.

She has spent every waking minute shoving those feelings down, trying to bury them, erase them, because she could not—she could not—stand to trust someone again, for someone to break her like a damn promise.

She had planned to run away to New York, to leave it all—leave him—behind.

But tonight…

He had just risked his life to break into a place that would have killed him if it could have, just for her.

Tonight, he did something no one has ever done.

He saved her.

And Emma was beginning to realize he's done so in more ways than one.

He's handed Emma proof that he will be here for her and will never leave.

And it suddenly gave her an overwhelming need to stay.

Like a broken dam, everything that she felt for him, that she's tried to hold back, rose within her, warming her chest, like a tidal wave she couldn't wait to drown in.

Emma smiled, another tear falling, feeling like so much weight had been lifted from her. Like she suddenly couldn't stand to keep herself from him, to hide the fact that she liked him, she more than liked him, that she—

Emma's hand found his, intertwining with his fingers.

And suddenly, a glowing emitted from his pocket, where her fingers brushed it.

They both looked down, to see the wand.

Lit up with magic.

With a gasp, Emma pulled her hand away, and the glow faded.

Killian smiled.

He took out the wand. "Emma," he breathed.

Tentatively, Emma took it, and in an instant, it lit up again.

"My magic!" she breathed. "It's back," she whispered.

"Perhaps it just needed time," he said softly.

But Emma knew what it needed.

She smiled at him, and the warm feeling that was still in her chest.

The feeling that he and he alone elicited.

"Thank you, Killian," said Emma softly. She kissed his cheek, a little shyly, pink coloring the tip of her nose. Electricity like her own magic seemed to spark as she did.

His brows shot up at the sound of his own name, hearing the heaviness of her gratitude. He stared at her in utter shock.

"Let's go home," she whispered.

His brow quirked, something so hopeful in his eyes. "Home?" he echoed.

She smiled, more and more sure with every second. "Storybrooke." she clarified. "I'm not going anywhere."

She took his hand, and Emma had never seen him look as stunned as he did now.

"Aye," he said softly. "Home." He smiled, the word like music to his ears, like a relief of his own.

And she conjured the portal, the glow reflected in their eyes as they jumped through together.

For she was home long before they reached Storybrooke.

-.-.-.-.

tag list: @kmomof4 @justanother-unluckysoul @klynn-stormz @stahlop @ilovemesomekillianjones @hookmecaptain @tiganasummertree @jadehowlettthewolf @jonesfandomfanatic @anmylica @pirateprincessofpizza @stahlop @snowbellewells @eddisfargo @motherkatereloyshipper @csgiftexchange

[i-will-sing-no-requiem]

@cocohook38 I was your @csgiftexchange gifter!

I went with the cursed!killian prompt and decided to write a season 1 au where killian is one of the curse victims.

It's turning out to be a lot longer than I had initially planned, i think it's going to go through at least the entire season, but here's the first chapter!

Emma has no idea what she’s doing in this town. 

One minute she’s in Boston, blowing out a birthday candle alone, and the next she’s drinking hot cocoa at the smalltown diner-slash-B&B in Storybrooke, Maine, where she’s just finished talking with her son who she gave up for adoption ten years ago about how everyone there was actually secretly a fairytale character under an evil curse. Completely insane. 

As she gets up to pay and leave, someone catches her eye. A man sitting alone at the bar. He is hunched over eating breakfast by himself. She’s not sure what it is, but something about him catches her interest. Maybe it’s the faraway look in his eye that she connects with. And he’s handsome too, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, but she has a strict policy about men, no dating, no letting your guard down, and absolutely NO falling in love. 

Despite all of that, she somehow finds herself walking up to him.

Telling herself she’s just waiting to pay for her food (even though she could have stood anywhere while waiting for a waitress to be ready for her), and glances over at the stranger one more time. He catches her eye and smiles at her. “Hey.”

“Hi.” she responds.

There’s a pause, and then…

“So. You’re Henry Mills’ mother.” 

Emma’s startled by this, probably more than she should be. She did come into town in the middle of the night with the mayor’s runaway kid, and then get arrested for drunk driving. That’s the kind of thing that would spark rumours, especially in a place like this.

“What would you know about that?”

“It’s a small town,” he acknowledges with a raise of his eyebrows, “people talk.”

He still hasn’t gotten up, or even turned in his stool, but he’s watching her intently as she listens, and he can see the confliction on her face. She can’t get a read on this guy, and it’s making her feel at the same time on edge and jumpy, and intrigued. 

Ultimately, her curiosity wins out, and she asks, “And what exactly are they saying? About me.”

He shrugs a shoulder, “The people of this town will say any number of things. That the boy rode a bus all the way to Boston to find you. That you were just a teenager when you gave him up,” he pauses. Then, “That you’re a conwoman who’s only here to try to steal Henry away.”

“Well,” Emma says cooly, her eyes flashing “you shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

Finally turning in his seat to face her, they lock eyes as he holds her stare. “Aye love, perhaps I shouldn’t”

Emma feels a shiver run down her spine as he turns to go.

“Wait. I didn’t catch your name.”

He looks back at her. “Killian Jones, at your service.”

He tips his head slightly in a mock bow. 

“And you?”

“What? All these rumours flying and the people don’t even know my name?”

“I guess that information never reached me.”

She smiles slightly and shakes her head. “It’s Emma. Emma Swan.”

“Swan.” He smiles. “Well, I’ll see you around, Swan.”

“Uh… yeah” she says, taken aback by his assumption that he would be seeing her again. 

As he walks away, she feels a strange mix of emotions. She doesn’t know really anything about him. Doesn’t know if she trusts, or even likes him that much. But as she watches him leave, she can’t help but feel like she wants to talk to him again.

[4getfulimaginator2022]

WIP Word Post

Huzzah! Tagged by @fandomsbyladymelodrama. Thank you 😊 Also, a fellow OUaT fan?! Wow!!!! Wasn't that show a train wreck of chaos? 😂 Some parts were fun, though! I jumped on the Captain Swan (Killian x Emma) bandwagon in season 2 onwards.

Rules: You will be given a word. Share one sentence/excerpt from your WIP that starts with each letter of that word. (I have archived 2 other WIPs because too many things coming up - Jorleesi Gift Exchange, birthday, work - so I technically have only 2 ongoing WIPs at the moment, Heart Bound for Captain Swan and Inferno for Jorleesi). I'll be using my beloved Inferno for this tag game.

M

Missandei jumped up from her chair, walked away from the main library desk, and enveloped Daenerys in a warm embrace that only a very dear friend could give.

A

After all their individual struggles, sitting on a picnic blanket together and enjoying the tranquil afternoon as a family was a dream come true.

G

"Gods, Daenerys."

I

In every restaurant, there should always be live music.

C

Customers loved Daenerys, but many of their elderly regulars were becoming quite fond of Jeor as well.

Hope you found these quotes insightful! 😏 I'm tagging @rileypotter17, @clarasimone, @houseofthebear, @youcancallme-ray and @gettingovergreta. Your word is LOVE. 💕

[everything-person]

Kazoos Advent Calendar

Hi @kazoosandfannypacks! I’m sure you’re confused on what’s going on so let me explain. Last year you signed up for the Captain Swan gift exchange and I was your gifter but I unfortunately never delivered. And I have felt terrible about it ever since. So I decided this year I would give you one gift per day leading up to Christmas to make it up to you and to get the creative juices flowing again. I will be giving you a mix of everything you asked for and kinda stalked your page for more ideas.

So today is day

I noticed you were a fan of Tangled the series so I decided to do my best and draw Killian and Emma in that style. And well here it is along with the reference photos

I feel Killian turned out really well but I kept having difficulty with emma. No matter how much I adjusted her her proportions weren’t coming out right. But I did my best and I think they aren’t terrible to look at. Hope you enjoyed your first gift!

Also big thank you to @piinfeathers also used their art as reference and to remind me which hand Killians hook is. These are nowhere near her art and should not be compared. Her art in phenomenal.

[captainodonoghue]

Hello, this is santa's elf at your service again 😆. I've been working on manufacturing the perfect toy- nvm *mission abort this intro is to chaotic 😭*

Hello there!! How have you been? What have you been up to this Christmas? I'd love to hear of your wintery adventures- does it happen to snow where you live?

*takes a deep breath in I promise I didn't mean for that to sound like a barrage of questions- I just happen to love the winter season and people's Christmas traditions :)*

Off topic (but not really, but yeah) the captain swan Christmas fics are so good I swear...secret Santa and gift exchange are literally one of my favorite collections...and- *yeah imma stop myself before I start rambling.....and we can't forget new-

Do you happen to have any favorite collections, authors of fanfics? Do you happen to lik

*I think I'll stop now and saw some questions from later*

Chaos aside 😭 I've made some progress on your gift...I don't really know how to describe it apart from killian's "you never forget your first"......I use that qoute way too much *help*

Sidetrack no 2: What's your favorite OUAT qoute?

Addressing this more seriously,I just hope you like it. I really wanna say more but I don't wanna give it away. In terms of completion I'm halfway through the story. Unfortunately, I have already spilled a secret or too, so I shall have to keep my lips sealed.

Oh, look, what's that.....I dropped something? What could it possibly be? *oh well I just noticed that you can't send media in an anonymous ask welp-* what a bummer...I'll defo try to share a bit of the second part when I'm done :)

With that I shall reign in the chaos...Stay safe and happy and I hope you have a great remainder of the week :))

Love your chaotic intro!!

This time of the year is my favourite so I understand your excitement! haha I've been good, little tired because of work. I work at a bakery and things are busier this month. Besides that, I've put up the Christmas trees (I have two, a small one in my room and a normal one in the living room) and decorations since the end of October! Way too early, I know but I couldn't help myself. Last year, I put them up tooooo late because of some problems but now that things are great again, I wanted to fix that! hahaha Where I'm from, it's a tradition to make two type of cookies. One is a honey cookie (melomakarono) that we soak into syrup (as soon as it comes out of the oven) and the other one is a butter cookie with roasted almonds (kourabies). I'm about to make more of them because we already ate the first batch. Sadly, it rarely snows and when it does it lasts like a day or so. It snowed last year and it was the first snow in 5-6 years! :((( In other parts of Greece, it does snow... it's just my island! *grumpy face*

What about you, Elf?? What are your traditions?

I really hope we can keep these events going for as long as possible because those are my favourite as well. Other favourite is all those AU fics because I do love reading my OTP falling in love with each other 4573478976 times in 9549058439058 different ways! haha We have so many great authors, seriously we're blessed! I'm afraid I'll forget someone.

OKAY OKAY, your spoilers/hints only make me even more excited!!! I'm sure I'll love it! Can't wait to read it!!!! It'll be great! Thank you so much for doing this!

My favourite quote has to be Killian's "A man unwilling to fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets." I think about this quote a lot! haha What about you?

Have a great week as well!!

[cssecretsanta2020]

CS SECRET SANTA 2021

Yes, there will be a CAPTAIN SWAN SECRET SANTA EVENT again. The year is not complete without this event.

Signups will be open from November 7th until November 26th.

Pairings will be sent out the weekend November 29th-December 1st.

Get to know your assigned giftee anonymously from Dec 1st until Dec 23rd.

Post your gift on December 24th, 25th or 26th.

Enjoy your gift, reblog it and give kudos.

Enjoy all the other gifts.

[kazoosandfannypacks]

"Last Chance" by kazoosandfannypacks

Pairing: Captain Swan Rating: General Word Count: 1K Summary: Killian had been hoping to tell Emma about his feelings for her at some point this Christmas break, as their friends visited with her brother. As the holiday came and went, Killian feared he may have missed his chance. Fortunately for him, one last Christmas decoration has yet to be put away- and it may be just what they need to break the ice. Tags: au, fluff, captain swan, one shot, modern au, christmas, snowing, first kiss, oneshot, college au Author's notes: This one's based on a prompt that @everything-person sent to the discord a while back! It was probably jsut after Christmas when it was sent, and I wrote it not long after that, but it sat in my drafts for a while. After a poll revealed y'all wouldn't mind a Christmas fic in May, I've decided today would be an awesome day to post it. I hope you guys enjoy it! Shoutout to @booksteaandtoomuchtv for betaing! Taglist:@zahara@kmomof4@jonesfandomfanatic@booksteaandtoomuchtv@jrob64@tiganasummertree@anmylica@teamhook@undercaffinatednightmare@gingerchangeling@lonelyspectator@caught-in-the-filter  @ultraluckycatnd  @cs-rylie @silver-the-phoenix @pawshapedheart  [if you’d like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!] Also on Ao3!

 Killian smiled at Emma across the room as she took down the decorations on the tree, just like he'd smiled at her when she'd helped put them up, and like he'd smiled at her when they'd helped her sister-in-law make cutout cookies, and when they'd all gone caroling and got hot chocolate afterwards, and when they exchanged gifts on Christmas morning, and when they all sat down for a Christmas dinner- and really, like he'd been smiling at her since the day he met her at a campus-wide fall festival- one that he'd almost decided not to attend; one that she'd've skipped out on if her friends hadn't dragged her along.

 But how fortunate was he that he'd gone, and that he'd somehow fallen in with her friend group there, and how readily they invited him to join them at various activities afterwards. Already they'd celebrated a few birthdays together, set up a trunk for trunk-or-treat, gone on a few hikes- and now they'd even celebrated Christmas together.

 It really was kind of Emma's brother to invite him and some of their other friends to stay over the week for Christmas. It was nice to get away from the dorms for a bit to celebrate a small town Christmas.

 It also would've been the perfect opportunity for Killian to tell Emma how he felt about her. Christmas magic in the air, blanket of snow across the town, the lights, the excitement, the merriment, the wonder- but as Killian helped her brother, David, take down the last string of Christmas lights, he realized he'd probably missed his chance at a Christmas miracle. Tomorrow they'd head back to school, back to classes and teachers and homework- back to normal.

 And, unfortunately for Killian, his normal life only involved liking Emma from a distance.

 "And it looks like another family- and friends- Christmas is officially in the books." David said, wrapping up the last string of lights.

 "Thanks for having us," Killian said.

 "Our pleasure," David said, "the more the merrier."

 "Allow me," Killian said, taking the string of lights from David, "you've already done more than enough for us."

 "Alright."

 A bright green tote labeled "XMAS LIGHTS" sat just between this room and the living room- where Emma had been taking the last of the decorations off the tree. Killian wondered if he could steal another glance at Emma without anyone noticing, but his glance revealed she was coming that way, with a string of lights of her own to put away.

 "Here," Killian said, walking past the tote to take the string of lights from her.

 "I can get it," she said, holding out the string of lights at arms length away from him.

 "It's really no trouble at all," Killian said. He stood in the doorway between her and the box of lights, and when she tried to walk past him, he sidestepped into her path. She tried again, and he blocked her again, and again, and the same result.

 She sighed as she handed him the bundle of lights. "You really are taking the fun out of this."

 "Am I?" Killian asked with a smug smile.

 Mary Margaret interrupted their conversation to yell something past them both, to David.

 "Oh, David! We still need to take the mistletoe down too!"

 Killian knew which doorway the mistletoe hung in almost too well- he'd seen David catch his wife standing there a few too many times- and it happened to be the very same doorway that Killian and Emma were now standing under.

 "No," Emma said, "I already…."

 She looked up at the ceiling almost confused, like she hadn't expected the mistletoe to be right where it had been for the last two weeks, so much so Killian almost didn't expect it to be there either. But Killian looked up too, and sure enough, there was the mistletoe, right above himself and Emma Swan.

 "This is almost too good to be true," Killian thought. Fate had given him one last chance at a Christmas miracle.

 "I thought I took that down," Emma said.

 Killian swallowed the lump in his throat- it was now or never.

 "Swan?"

 "Yeah?"

 "We're under the mistletoe," he said, trying not to chicken out as her eyes met his, "and there's this tradition…."

 "Do Christmas traditions still count after New Year's?" Emma asked.

 "I sure hope so." Killian thought.

 "The last chance of the season," he said, "may I?"

 Emma smiled and nodded, and Killian's heart skipped a beat as she said, "Yeah."

 He closed his eyes and leaned forward, meeting her lips with his for the most perfect moment of his life. Her lips touching his was like a meteor shower, or a firework- beautiful, entrancing, dangerous- and done and over with way too soon. He pulled away, smiling, wishing he could've made that moment last longer, but not wanting to push her further than she was willing to go.

 He thought his heart was beating so loud she could probably hear it, but realized instead that the sound was their friends clapping. He didn't turn to look at them though- in that moment, all he wanted to see was Emma.

 "Is that the best you got?" Emma asked.

 "What?" Killian asked.

 "It's like you said," Emma said, taking from his hands the bundles of lights that had gotten them into this beautiful mess in the first place. She threw them aside, probably landing them somewhere near the tote they belonged in.

 "What?"

 "'Last chance of the season-'" she said, "might as well make it a good one."

 She placed her hands on his neck, stood up on tiptoes so her lips were parallel with his, then whispered, "May I?"

 Killian couldn't get out much more than a nod and a breath that sounded almost like a "yeah," not even seeing this moment coming in his wildest daydreams- Emma Swan asking to kiss him.

 She slid her hands down to his collar and pulled him closer, drawing his lips down into hers in a kiss that blew the last one out of the water.

 He placed his hands on her waist, trying to experience everything he could in this moment- his lips exploring hers, her body in his hands, the lingering taste of gingerbread in her breath, a subtle pine smell, her warmth- holding her closer than he'd ever dared dream she'd let him. He was so lost in the moment he didn't even hear their friends cheering around him as he wrapped one of his hands further around her side, resting her neck in his other, pulling her into a dip and holding her as tightly as he could, pulling her even closer as he kissed her.

 For the past three months he'd been watching her from a distance, wishing he could tell her how much she meant to him, wishing he could even just take her hand, ask her to get coffee, hold her at a dance, walk her back to her dorm and kiss her goodnight. And now that he had her in his arms and had her lips on his, he had three months of catching up to do, and one kiss to do it in. Every moment spent pining from a distance equalled another ounce of passion and love he needed to communicate in this kiss.

 But as all good things have to, this kiss came to an end. Emma pulled away, her hands still on his neck, her eyes still sparkling in reflection of his, her breath still lingering on his lips. They both breathed heavily, still lost in their own little world a moment longer, until he gently stood her upright again.

 "Wow," he whispered, hoping his voice wouldn't be drowned out by the cheering of her friends around them. "Swan, that was…."

 "I know," Emma whispered, a look in her eyes that said it still wasn't nearly enough.

 But she shook her head and blinked back to reality, and he as well noticed the crowd of spectators around them. Then he looked back down to Emma, her cheeks flushed with the most perfect shade of red he'd seen that whole Christmas season.

 She smiled as she let go of him, albeit a bit awkwardly, and he watched her walk away from him, not taking his eyes off her until she'd walked out the back door and disappeared from view. The rest of the group, apparently, had decided the show was over and got back to whatever they'd been doing before Killian's life changed forever like that.

Killian ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath, leaning against the doorway to brace himself and his thoughts. He'd just kissed Emma Swan. He'd practically made out with her- and if he could do that, what was stopping him from finding a moment with her later, telling her how he felt, asking her if she wanted him to be something more to her.

 He smiled as he took down that fateful mistletoe plant, now filled with hope that maybe things wouldn't be so normal when they got back to school- or maybe normal would be something even better now.

 Maybe he hadn't missed his chance with Emma after all.

[jrob64]

This story is

Steel Magnolias + my favorite couple + a double proposal = one very happy gift exchange recipient! Thank you so much!

❤️❤️❤️

The City of Lights

Part II

For @jrob64 as the completion of the CS Gift Exchange 2022! I hope you have a wonderful New Year, and that this fic was all you had hoped it would be!

Tagging the Usual Crew: @sotangledupinit @kmomof4 @xarandomdreamx @tiganasummertree @zaharadessert @snowbellewells Want to be added? Ask me!

Read on AO3. Catch up Here: 01

Friday proved to be a busy day for the couple. After enjoying breakfast at a local cafe, they decided on perusing the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, spending several hours together reading about all the various athletes that made up the history in Louisiana athletics, and once they finished there, moved into the exhibits that made up the Northwest Louisiana History Museum that was attached. They learned a little more of the area’s history.

Once lunchtime arrived, they went to another restaurant called Merci Beaucoup, where Killian had their fried catfish and Emma had a bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo. Both agreed that all the food they had eaten so far had been very good. After their meal, they returned to their hotel room and rested for a while before they had to begin getting ready. Their tickets to the NSU Christmas Gala were for tonight, and they had dinner plans before the show.

Killian took his shower first and changed into a pair of black coated jeans, a blue button down, and his favorite leather waistcoat under his leather motorcycle jacket. He tucked his boots under his jeans and then told Emma that he was going to go downstairs to the bar in the hotel so she could have the space to get ready. Emma agreed, and she proceeded to gather her things for her shower.

Killian walked out, making sure he had his room key, his wallet, and the ring that he had been carrying in his inner jacket pocket pretty much nonstop since they had left Boston. When he stepped out of the elevator he made his way to the bar, idly watching some of the other patrons who were there. He ordered a glass of rum and sat idly, people watching, waiting for his Swan to finish her preparations for the evening.

He didn’t have to wait for very long. Emma was very well practiced in being able to get ready for honey traps with very little time available for preparation, and she definitely had used all the tricks she had in her arsenal tonight. All Killian could do was stare at the vision she made.

Emma had on a pair of black tights that lead to a black leather dress that was very tight-fitting and very short. To make up for the skirt length, the neckline was very high, running across her collarbone. She had on a pair of sky high red heels and a red pea coat instead of her usual red leather jacket. Her jewelry was minimal; she tended not to wear much more on a normal day than a pair of earrings and the swan and anchor necklace he had given her for their first year dating anniversary. Killian knew that that necklace, along with a circlet necklace given to her by her parents, was hidden under her dress.

What really drew his eye to her more than any of those details, however, was the golden halo of hair she had curled and loose around her shoulders and her knowing smile.

“Swan,” Killian began once she was close enough to hear him, “you look absolutely stunning tonight.”

Emma gave a sly smirk and replied with a simple, “I know.”

Killian knocked back the very last of his drink and stood. “Shall we?” he asked and held his arm out for her to take.

“Let’s go,” she said as she slipped her pea coat over her shoulders. It was just cold enough in the Louisiana nights to warrant the jacket but not so cold that it was uncomfortable.

They both decided to walk to dinner at a restaurant called Merci Beaucoup that was situated just a ways down from their hotel and discreetly tucked into a corner. The Christmas lights added an ambiance to the date that Killian hoped would continue throughout the evening. Once at the restaurant, their conversation continued much as it always had: easily and with very little effort to propel it forward. It had always been like that between them, though, Killian reflected idly as they waited for dessert. They had always been so in sync with one another that awkward silences had very rarely happened for them.

After finishing their meal, they got into their rental car and drove to the Christmas Gala, a show that Northwestern State University’s theater programs put on every year. Killian had done some minor research on previous shows, and it seemed as if they always put on a different show. While he and Emma weren’t necessarily theater enthusiasts, he thought it would be a good idea for an outing while they were on this trip. Judging from Emma’s expression throughout the musical numbers, he had been right.

After finishing the show, they decided to meander around by the river and view the lights and people watch. There were a lot of families there, and Killian couldn’t quite suppress a soft smile at the thought of his and Emma’s future family. He wanted that future with all his heart, and looking at Emma’s face, illuminated by the lights and flushed from the cold, he just knew with an absolute certainty that that future was about to be possible. He just needed to set the scene.

He looked at Emma and gave her a mischievous grin, which she returned a bit quizzically.

“What are you planning?” she asked him, suspicious of intentions.

“How about we do something thoroughly touristy to end the evening?” Killian returned, not wanting to reveal his plan just yet.

Emma laughed. “Like what?”

Killian turned and pointed to a horse-drawn carriage that had just pulled to a stop. “What say you, Swan? Fancy a romantic carriage ride with me?”

Emma grinned. “Romantic, huh?”

Killian rolled his eyes. “You should know well enough by now that I know how to plan a date.”

Emma shook her head in amusement, but simply replied, “Okay.” They quickly moved to claim the next ride, pausing to avoid what looked like a group of upset kids and a chaperone of some sort. Killian paid the requisite fee and then climbed into the carriage, turning to offer his hand to help Emma climb up next to him. They tucked an included blanket around them and leaned back to enjoy both the ride and the view.

Killian felt a deep sense of contentment even as the butterflies rose up in his stomach at the thought of the simple question he was about to ask. This was the only place he ever wanted to be. He moved to wrap his arm around her, and Emma snuggled into his side in return. Neither said anything for a long moment, choosing to take in the sights and festivities around them.

Finally, Killian broke the silence. “Are you happy, love?”

Emma nodded her head. “I am.”

Killian smiled, but hesitated. Something in her voice didn’t sound quite right. “What’s on your mind?”

Emma looked over at him and smiled. “It’s nothing, really. I was just thinking.”

“About?” Killian prompted gently. Whatever it was must have been important enough for her to seem bothered by it when just moments ago she had been blissfully happy.

Emma shifted in his embrace, seemingly struggling with how to say what she was feeling. Killian let her have her moment, long since used to Emma’s need for space while she tried to confront some emotion. She sighed after a long moment.

“Did you notice those kids right there by us just before we got on the carriage?” She asked.

Killian nodded, waiting to see what her point was before saying anything in response.

“They were a group of foster kids,” she told him. “I used to be one of them before I was adopted by Ruth and Robert Nolan. I was sixteen when they finally adopted me.”

“Yes, I knew that, love. Your brother has told me the story many times.” Killian smiled in fondness at the memory of David telling him how Emma and David’s twin brother, James, hadn’t gotten along at first, and of how Emma had managed to get him to come around after putting hundreds of fake frogs all around his room (James hated frogs with the passion of a thousand burning suns). That was probably David’s favorite story to tell, especially since James had been killed several years before during a deployment in the Middle East.

David had often said that remembering the good times helped to ease the pain of the loss. Killian didn’t really agree, as he had also lost his brother, Liam, in the line of duty while in the navy; sometimes the hole left behind was too great even for the happy memories. He appreciated the sentiment behind David’s words all the same, and he made sure to tell David often how much he treasured the other man’s friendship often. Both of them had become as close as the other had to a brother during their years of acquaintanceship. Killian’s marrying Emma would only help to solidify that bond further.

Emma smiled as Killian pondered the story, knowing what it was that David had told him before. She continued, “I couldn’t help but overhear how one of the kids, the one that was upset, was crying for her mom. The foster mother, I guess she was the foster mother,” Emma amended hastily, “was trying to explain that her mom couldn’t come get her.” Emma trailed off, searching for the words to explain. She bit her lip in frustration.

Killian nodded slowly. “You were reminded of a similar experience,” he gently asserted. Emma nodded and hummed her agreement.

“This time of year… it just reminds me of how much the earlier years of my life sucked before Mom and Dad came into my life. And the holidays… they were the worst time of all.” Emma blinked away a tear that had come up.

Killian hugged her closer to him. “I often felt the same. After my mother died and my father left, Liam and I didn’t have much else but each other until our uncle, Dakkar Nemo, came along. Having him take us in made things better.”

“Yeah,” Emma agreed softly. The lighted scenes along the Cane River passed by without her really seeing them as they fell to silence. “Anyway,” she continued after a moment, “it just reminded me that Christmases up until I was seventeen always sucked because I didn’t have a family.”

“And you’re still affected by the loneliness because the scars made when we are younger tend to linger, no matter if they’ve finally healed,” Killian murmured from where she left off.

“Exactly,” Emma replied softly. They watched the scenes continue as each realized how lucky they were to have someone who truly understood. She turned to look at Killian and smiled. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips, which he returned.

When she pulled away, tears from the years of hurt and rejection lingering in her eyes, he knew that this wasn’t the moment he would present to her the hope of their future together. No, this was a moment for support and healing, for tending to the wounds of the past and helping them to become something more than just a reminder of a past they’d rather forget. He vowed that he would ask her to marry him on Christmas Day as the first of many happy Christmases they would share in the future. Killian could give her the happiest of memories to commemorate what they were building together.

But he could perform a gesture that would help her to understand his place in her life. He could give her a physical piece that represented his heart. He could give her a different kind of ring. Killian reached into his shirt and pulled out the long chain which held Liam’s ring. It had been given to him by Liam just before his brother had deployed. That had been the last time he had seen his brother alive.

He held it out to Emma for her take. She took it from him, looking at the ring in surprise. Before she could say anything or ask him why he was giving her the ring, he pressed a kiss to her cheek before giving her the explanation he knew she was dying to ask for.

“That ring was the very last thing Liam gave me before his deployment. It was supposed to symbolize us as a family, that we would never lose each other. He gave it to me because I was worried about his deployment, that it would be too dangerous.” He shrugged off the unspoken, “It turned out I was right,” statement that seemed to echo after it regardless. Emma already knew the ending of that story. “Anyway, I want you to have it.”

Emma protested, but Killian waved her off. “I’m serious, Swan. I want you to know that you’ll always have me, that we will always be there for each other. We are each other’s family.”

Emma looked at him in amazement. “But it’s the only thing left of your brother.”

“Aye, and I’ll know it’s safe around your neck.” He scratched behind his ear. “At the very least, it can serve as a reminder that you’ve got a piercing-eyed, smoldering police officer here who loves you.”

Emma laughed and Killian smiled at her response, which was the one he was going for when he said it. He pulled her in close and hugged her tighter, making sure to lace his fingers in between hers. She put the necklace around her neck and held the ring in the grasp of her other hand.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft as a bruise, and he kissed her in the only reply that he knew she needed.

They finished their carriage ride in silence, hands joined together in a silent gesture of solidarity and jointedness. Killian felt comforted by Emma’s presence, and Emma felt supported by this steadfast man who had been by her side for longer than just about anyone else. Their evening was likewise finished in the same way as the carriage ride, clinging to one another as a reminder that neither was alone anymore.

Their final day dawned bright and sunny, a stark contrast to the stormy waters of emotion they traversed the night before. Killian and Emma awoke early, determined to get in every moment of the Steel Magnolias film tour that they could. They decided to start in the order the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau suggested online. Their first stop was the St. Augustine Catholic Church, and from there, they proceeded to every other film location, ending a very long, exhausting day at the Odalie Lambre-Gwinn House.

Emma took pictures along the way, trying her best to catch Killian in awkward moments as a way of poking fun at his “dashing good looks” (Killian’s words). They had a lot of fun and were very tired by the end, but the bleakness of the evening before seemed to have been left behind. Emma was smiling the entire day, which was all that Killian wanted to see.

They enjoyed another dinner, this time at a place called Lasyone’s, and then crawled into bed early, knowing they had a flight to catch out of Dallas early to head back to Boston. After a day of nonstop traveling, they made it back home safe and sound. Both had to work early the next day, and they were going to be busy with the upcoming holiday season, but they were grateful for the chance to do something together.

The next day, Killian was back on patrol with David. When David saw him in the station, he collapsed into a chair at his desk and stared at Killian, who simply ignored him.

“So how did it go?” David asked.

Killian glanced up briefly before turning back to the paperwork he was finishing up. “Fine.”

“Fine,” David echoed. He swiveled in his chair for a bit before saying anything else. “So have you guys set a date yet?”

Killian shook his head. “I didn’t ask her,” he said in a faux absentminded voice.

David stared at him in amazement. “You didn’t ask her? You mean you haven’t put a ring on my sister’s finger yet? Why the hell not?”

Killian rolled his eyes. “Because the moment never presented itself.”

“The moment never presented itself?” David repeated.

Killian gave him a droll look. “Does Polly want a cracker, too, while he’s at it?”

David kicked Killian’s chair in retaliation for his sarcasm. “Only if it has peanut butter,” he replied. “Seriously, Jones, what do you mean? I thought you had that dinner and concert date planned? Didn’t you go on that?”

“Yes, we did,” Killian sighed, giving into his best friend’s proddings. “We finished the evening off with a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, as well. I was going to propose while on the ride, but Emma saw a faster group just as we got on and it upset her.”

David’s eyes cleared as he realized just what had happened to prevent Killian from enacting his plan.

“So I decided that I would wait until Christmas morning. We talked a bit about how Christmas had always been a let down for her, and I came to the realization that waiting until then would mean starting our joint lives off with a happy memory. I liked the symbolism, so I’m going to wait.”

David nodded his head slowly. That definitely did seem like something his sister would appreciate. “Well, make sure you get a few other gifts for her so she doesn’t suspect.”

Killian laughed. “I plan to, mate.” They both let the conversation fall off into work-related issues as their shift went on, though neither had forgotten the conversation and its implications.

Before anyone had noticed, two weeks had passed, and Christmas was only a week away. Killian had finished his shopping a few days before, but Emma still had a few things left to buy for her family. She and Mary Margaret agreed to meet up for a late lunch and finish their shopping together. Over the course of their meal, Emma described all that they had done over the course of the holiday away, and Mary Nargaret oohed and aahed at all the appropriate times. Something in Emma’s expression must have given her inner thoughts away, though, because before she knew it Mary Margaret was giving her a hard, no-nonsense look.

“Alright, spill,” Mary Margaret commanded.

Emma’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?”

“Spill what’s got you so upset.”

Emma scoffed. “I’m not upset.”

“Yes, you are. Is it because he didn’t propose like you had hoped?”

Emma rolled her eyes. “I’m not upset about that,” she lied. Mary Margaret just gave her an unimpressed look.

Emma sighed. “Alright, fine! I’m a little upset about it.” Damn her sister-in-law for being able to read her so well.

Mary Margaret took a drink of her beverage. “So why don’t you do something about it then?”

Emma furrowed her brow in confusion. “Like what? He obviously has no intention of asking me, so why even bother putting us through that heartache?”

“Emma. How many times has he told you that he’s in this for the long haul? Of course he wants to ask you! He’s probably just nervous, or waiting for the right time.”

Emma returned Mary Margaret’s pointed look with an exasperated one of her own. “I’m pretty sure a romantic Christmas trip to the middle of nowhere Louisiana was the right time.”

“ Well, did anything happen that might have put him off asking?”

Emma opened her mouth to respond, but then she hesitated. “Hmm. We did go on a carriage ride after the concert, but I had just seen a group of foster kids, and it-” she broke off as Mart Margaret finished her sentence.

“It reminded you of the loneliness of the season, and you were upset.” Mary Margaret made eye contact with Emma after the statement. Emma’s face screwed into an anguished expression.

“Dammit!” Emma exclaimed as she cradled her head in her hands. “How could I be so stupid? He was probably going to ask then and I blew it!”

Mary Margaret patted her shoulder in a consoling manner. “He always did give you what you needed from him first.”

Emma merely groaned in response.

“Besides,” Mary Margaret continued, “you can just ask him instead.”

Emma looked up at her sister-in-law. “What?” she demanded.

“Well, why not? Women can do big romantic gestures too!”

Emma stared at her. Mary Margaret stared back for a moment before shrugging as if to say, “What?”

Emma leaned back in her chair and studied the brunette. Neither said a word as the waiter brought them a refill on their drinks. Emma continued to study her with a vaguely suspicious look on her face. Mary Margaret simply resumed eating, knowing that Emma would need to work through the scenario on her own first

“I guess that could work,” Emma said slowly, rolling the idea around in her head.

Mary Margaret looked up from her food briefly and nodded, not pausing in eating her salad otherwise.

“But I would need a ring.”

“That’s an easy thing to fix. We can go get one after we finish here.”

Emma took a few bites of her soup, contemplating that problem. “I actually…” she began before cutting off.

Mary Margaret looked up at her through her lashes. “What?”

Emma tilted her head consideringly and reached up to take the ring on the chain Killian had given her in hand. “I think I may already have one.”

Mary Margaret’s brow furrowed for a moment. “Really? What does it look like?”

Emma took the chain off her neck and handed it to her. Mary Margaret studied it for a moment before gasping. “Is this Liam’s ring?”

Emma nodded.

“Well, that’s the only sign you need! You have to do it!” Mary Margaret grinned in excitement for Emma, who smiled softly back.

“When should I ask him?”

Mary Margaret thought. “How about Christmas Eve?”

Emma considered the suggestion. “I think we’re both off that night.”

Mary Margaret smiled. “Then there you go! It’s fate!”

Emma smiled widely back, feeling more confident in the plan now that she had gotten her friend’s opinion. Though she still had reservations about being the one to ask, she knew without a doubt that she was tired of waiting. Killian’s attentiveness to her mood on that carriage ride just cemented it for Emma that she didn’t want to wait a moment longer for the rest of their lives together to start. Even as her and Mary Margaret’s attention turned to other topics, Emma was formulating a plan for their date on Christmas Eve.

Their schedules finally aligned a week later for their date as planned, and this time allowed Killian and Emma a rare joint day off on Christmas Eve with plenty of time to take a short walk down by the Boston Harbor just after sunset after they had eaten at a Chinese restaurant that both enjoyed. Emma knew the perfect setting for her to ask her question; she just had to get them there.

After a time, Killian noticed that they were nearing his favorite tall ship, the USS Constitution. The sight of it in the harbor was one of the things that Killian most loved about Boston. Once they reached it, Emma pulled them to a stop.

Killian looked at Emma curiously, wondering why she had stopped them here. She seemed to be struggling for something to say, looking very nervous, and Killian wondered what it was that had her so riled up.

“Swan?” He asked, hoping that the prompting would help ground her and let her get out what she was going to say.

Emma shook her head slightly before launching into a speech. “So I’ve been hoping you’ll propose for I don’t even know how long,” she began, not wanting to beat around the bush. Killian’s eyes grew large, but before he could say anything, she continued. ”But I’ve recently realized just how wrong I’ve been for waiting for you to do it. I don’t have to wait for you to do it because I can make a big romantic gesture myself. So.”

She shrugged slightly before glancing around and then going down on one knee. She took the necklace with the ring on it that he had given her in Natchitoches (that had once been his brother’s) and took it off the chain. She held it up to him as he stared at her, dumbfounded that she would be the one to take this step.

“Will you marry me?” Emma asked, her heart on her sleeve and her emotions written all over her face.

Killian grinned and looked shyly at his feet. He reached into his pocket and took out the black ring box that he had had in his possession for far longer than he cared to admit. Emma stared at him in trepidation, wondering what it was that he was doing when he didn’t answer her right away. He knelt down beside her as she watched him, confusion in her eyes, and opened it. She looked in the box and gasped, looking back up into his face.

“I’ve been waiting a very long time for the right moment to ask you the same question, my love,” he responded gently to her.

“What?” Emma stammered, caught completely off guard by this new development that she never foresaw.

Killian smiled. “I had planned on asking you that night we took that carriage ride, but we were talking and you told me about how awful Christmas had always been growing up in the system, and that’s how I knew I had to wait until Christmas to ask you. I wanted to give you the best Christmas memory at the start of a lifetime of them. If there’s one thing I want you to know, to be absolutely sure of, it’s that I will always, always be by your side. So Emma Swan, I want to ask you the exact same question. Will you marry me?”

Emma’s eyes welled with tears. Blinking them out of her way, they spilled over onto her cheeks as she smiled the most radiant smile Killian had ever seen from her. He was struck that, though it wasn’t how he had planned it, there wasn’t a more perfect moment than now.

Emma breathed out a shaky, “Yes!” as she fell into his arms. He held her tightly in his embrace, finally parting from her just long enough to slip the ring onto her finger and help her come to standing.

They stood together, locked in an embrace so tight there wasn’t any telling where one ended and the other began. Neither wanted to let go of this moment, and their lips met in a kiss borne of devotion, love, and forever. As their kiss went on, snow began to fall softly around them, though they neither noticed nor cared. In the distance, a refrain from “All I Want for Christmas Is You” could be heard playing from a restaurant as Christmas lights began to light up in various storefront windows, casting the entire area in a warm light.

It wasn’t a Steel Magnolias tear jerker. It wasn’t a tale of loss and loneliness (not anymore). It was real, true, all-consuming love that Killian knew was the start of their own story and the start of their very own happily ever after. And he couldn’t wait to start it with her.

[csgiftexchange]

This event will again not be taking place this year.

I am focusing on my, and possibly the, last year of Captain Swan Secret Santa. Which does currently have sign ups live right now. You can find that post HERE

But I want to make it clear though this event has only happened one year this event is not abandoned. The one year it did happen it was very fun and I enjoyed running it. I do hope that this event can run next year maybe we can even do a Christmas in July gift exchange so we don't have to wait for the winter season.

[sotangledupinit]

a little bundle of icing - My CS Gift Exchange Fic

Prompt: Giftee's Wants: Established relationship, cs family fluff, cs parents, modern au with established relationship. NO: character death, angst

SUMMARY: She thought the hardest part would be hiding the gifts from the (mostly) reformed pirate. In actuality, the hardest part has been wrapping them. For some reason, every chance she’s gotten has been foiled by one thing or another.// or Emma tells Killian she's pregnant.

RATING: G for General Audiences

WORD COUNT: 4,575 words

TAGS: Captain Swan, Christmas, Holiday fluff, Pregnancy

AO3

AUTHOR’S NOTE: this was fun to work with and try, as i haven't done much established relationship writing. hope everyone enjoys this!

hi @middlemistcs13​ ! i picked your prompt for the gift exchange! as you already know (and read), this fic has been up on AO3 for a few days but here’s the tumblr post to accompany it! yay! for anyone who hasn’t read this yet - i hope you enjoy!

***

“And this Santa Claus… your world doesn’t consider him to be flagrant?”

The answering huff of a laugh from Henry is loud, even from the other end of the table. “Dude. Of course not. He leaves presents for you to reward a year of being a good person.”

“But aren’t you required to cook for him as well?”

Emma’s eyes drift to the end of the table where Henry and Killian stand side by side, each holding a piping bag of icing, one red and one green. Sprinkles litter the table and powdered sugar is dusted across Killian’s leather vest, not that he cares much. Their sleeves are rolled up to their elbows and a mixing spoon is still taped to his brace (a brilliant idea that he and her son supposedly had; the mess they have yet to clean up says otherwise).

She tries hard to suppress her grin at the image but she knows she’s failing miserably so she ducks her head and kneads the dough beneath her knuckles, listening along.

“Well, not really,” Henry says. Emma feels his eyes on her for a moment but she pretends not to notice. “It’s more like a donation or a gift.”

“Ah ha!” Killian cheers, mixing spoon gesturing wildly as he points a finger at Henry. Some of the red icing drips from the bag under the pressure and lands with a plop! on the counter between the naked gingerbread people and sugar cookies. “So it’s not from the goodness of his heart!”

At her quick glance up, she catches Killian’s eye and he winks at her. Her kid can be too easy to rile up sometimes, something Killian likes to do to get back at Henry’s quips about his struggles with modern technology. She doesn’t always understand their relationship, the way they can rile each other up one moment and immediately slide into the caring, supportive step-father/son dynamic the next – but she’s grateful nonetheless to have them be so close.

Henry rolls his eyes. “Yes, it is. He’s basically our world’s Robin Hood.”

“Didn’t this world already have a Robin Hood?”

“Oh my god.” Henry groans and then calls out to Emma, a gallop of green icing landing on the face of a gingerbread man. “Mom, you need to divorce your husband.”

“No, you need to start decorating those gingerbread cookies instead of the table.” She thinks she succeeds in keeping the amusement out of her voice but Killian’s quiet snickering tells her otherwise. “And you,” she continues, aiming her glare at the husband in question, “have to clean up. I’m not letting you two leave without cleaning up first.”

“Are you positive you can’t to come with us, love?”

There’s nothing more that Emma would love to do than pick out a tree with Henry and Killian for their first Christmas in their house when there’s nothing going on. No foes, evils witches, or snow monsters appearing out of nowhere to ruin any holiday plans. Storybrooke has been blissfully peaceful for the most part for the last two years following the Final Battle.

Emma still knocks on wood when those thoughts cross her mind. Best not to jinx it.

Still, as much as she wishes she could join the boys on their tree hunt, she can’t as she has far more pressing matters to attend to. Those being trying to wrap Killian’s Christmas gifts without him finding out what they are first. She thought the hardest part would be hiding the gifts from the (mostly) reformed pirate. In actuality, the hardest part has been wrapping them. For some reason, every chance she’s gotten has been foiled by one thing or another.

Her first attempt was when Killian was going out for a day excursion on the Jolly Roger with Smee. She waited until she was absolutely sure the ship left the docks to pull out her gifts only for her sheriff’s beeper to go off. By the time she handled the situation and returned home, the Jolly had returned to shore and it was only a matter of time before Killian came back.

There were a few more close calls at home after that – enough to make her consider wrapping his gifts at the station. By the time she actually attempted it, David had barged through the front doors at such a speed that Emma’s surprised she managed to hide the gifts in time. Despite what most of the town believes about her mother, there’s no worse gossiper or meddler in town than her father. The only thing possibly worse than Killian discovering his gifts early is finding out about them from someone else.

After that, she assumed her luck had almost completely abandoned her. Christmas is coming up quickly and she can’t bear to give him his gifts without wrapping them. Last year he took so much pleasure in showing Henry how easily he could rip through the wrapping with his hook. She can’t take the idea of preventing the look of glee on both of their faces appearing again.

Plus, she wants to be able to watch Killian unwrap one of the most life-changing gifts ever, see the different emotions play on his face as the realization sinks in.

“I’d love to but I really can’t,” she answers honestly. “I have to handle security at the school’s Christmas fair today and we can’t keep putting off the tree. At this rate, we’d be getting it in January.”

“We’ll pick out a good one, Mom, don’t worry,” Henry consoles. He winks at her once Killian isn’t looking and his comforting smile only grows bigger.

It’s her own fault, really. One of her earlier attempts to wrap Killian’s gifts only resulted in Henry coming home from school to see them laid out on her bedroom floor when he went looking for her. The surprise that crossed his face quickly turned into pure joy and Emma unsuccessfully willed herself not to cry.

No bribing was needed to make Henry keep the gifts a secret. He knows how special this is for her.

For the second time in her life, Emma’s pregnant. For the first time, it’s with someone she loves – her True Love at that – and she has no fear of what the future might hold for her and their baby. She’s excited.

All she needs now is just ten minutes of peace with a guarantee of No Killian so she can actually keep it a secret until Christmas.

Killian and Henry are able to appropriately decorate the gingerbread and sugar cookies after a few elbow nudges are exchanged while she puts the last batch of cookies in the oven, though there are some close calls that Emma has to shut down the moment her eyes catch what one of them is trying to do. She does not want to deal with her father’s sputtering and mother’s giggles at the sight of any cookie decorated in any way less than a G rating.

By the time they’re leaving and Killian is warming up the bug, Henry pulls Emma aside under the guise of finding his missing shoe.

“You’re not really missing your shoe, are you? Because otherwise you’re going barefoot, kid.”

Henry rolls his eyes. “Chill, it’s in my backpack.” He hooks a thumb to gesture at the bag on his shoulders and Emma nods. “Grandpa’s already at the school and says he hopes you ‘feel better’. I’m planning to take my sweet time inspecting every tree with Killian. I’m gonna feed him a bunch of fake facts so that he gets really invested too. Should buy you like two hours.”

Emma worries her lip, shoving her hands in her back pockets so she doesn’t play with her ring, a sure sign that she’s hiding something if Killian sees her. “What if Killian’s researched about Christmas trees though? He may be a pirate but he’s also a nerd.”

Henry exudes a confidence that she doesn’t have, given her track record this season. “Trust me, I know how to rile him up.” She rolls her eyes goodheartedly at that. As much as Killian loved to tease and rile Henry up, her kid loved to do the same just as much. She worried at first that it meant the two didn’t like each other and couldn’t get along, but her worries were quickly tossed away when she saw the two sitting at her kitchen table as Killian spoke to Henry in low whispers, helping him with an issue in his friend group.

He treated Henry like an equal, let him know that everything he said, saw, and felt held value. A trust existed between them that Emma didn’t breach – not that she wanted to. She respected that as much as she wants to be able to do everything for her kid, sometimes he needs to seek out someone else and she’s thrilled that most times he chooses Killian. Ribbing on each other is just another way to show that affection.

Emma bids her goodbyes to the two. Henry’s hug leaves her feeling the warmth one only gets from being a parent, and Killian’s goodbye kiss sends tingles down to her toes. That tingling is the exact feeling that got her into this situation and if she hadn’t been already, the look he gives her as he shuts the door behind him would’ve done it.

She waits for them to make it to the tree farm, according to Henry’s location and update texts, checking in with David who’s covering her shift at the school’s Christmas fair. It is then and only then that she feels comfortable enough to wrap the gifts.

Hauling them out of the closet in no time at all, she makes quick work of wrapping them. Despite the assurances that no one would be bothering her, especially her husband, she still chances a glance over her shoulder every few moments, just to be sure. She’s come this far and she’ll be damned if letting her guard down ruins the surprise.

Wrapping goes seamlessly and Emma triple checks that she has gathered and wrapped all the gifts before she places them in the closet under the stairs with the others. One more thing she can cross off her list.

*

When Emma wakes up the morning of Christmas, it’s to soft humming against her neck, a Christmas song that’s been on the radio more often than not this last week. She’s just thankful it’s one of Kelly Clarkson’s songs and not Wham!’s Last Christmas.

“Merry Christmas, love,” Killian whispers to her neck before placing a light kiss there. He wraps his arm tighter around her middle, pulling her back flush against his front, and she feels her stomach erupt in butterflies. He doesn’t know it yet but his hand rests right where their kid is growing and she works hard to refrain her glee for the time being.

Instead, she focuses on the trail of kisses he places down her jaw until he leans over her side to plant one on her mouth. She hums contently into the kiss, turning onto her back so she can wrap her arms around his neck. “Merry Christmas indeed.”

They share a smile before he leans back in for a short kiss.

“How long do you suppose we have before the lad comes stomping down the stairs for his gifts?”

Emma considers his question, furrowing her eyebrows when she realizes she forgot to charge her phone overnight and it’s dead. “What time is it?”

“Nearly eight.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “It’s a matter of seconds then, not minutes.”

“Think we can distract him with his PlayStation?”

“Wait – PlayStation? Not ‘Playing box’? Not ‘Stationary play’?” He crinkles his nose at her poor imitation of his accent and shakes his head.

“Of course I’ve learned the names by now, Swan.” He ignores her interjection of ‘Jones’ though it does earn her a smile. “I’ve known them for quite some time. But Henry doesn’t know that and I quite enjoy annoying him with that bit.”

She laughs and runs her fingers through his hair, tugging lightly on the silky soft strands as her reprimand. However, his reaction shows it is anything but. “I don’t know which of you is worse. Honestly.”

The two of them lean in with the full intent to enjoy as much of a lazy morning in bed as possible on the holiday but their lips don’t even meet before it’s interrupted.

“Merry Christmas!” Henry yells as he comes down the stairs. His feet stomp on each step and Emma grins at the way Killian cringes. He pauses on the landing outside their door and shouts before hurrying down the steps with stomping feet again. “You’ve got five minutes before I force you out so get dressed!”

“Like a bloody ogre,” Killian mutters as he rolls off of her. Despite his grumbling, the smile he gives her as he helps her out of bed and pulls her close is soft. The walls between them disappeared long ago and neither of them are afraid of the openness that exists in their relationship. It’s another first for Emma, being able to be so unapologetically herself and so vulnerable with her emotions when before Killian, she’d always been waiting for the other shoe to drop. Never before him did she allow such a complete offering of herself to another person. With him, it doesn’t feel so scary.

It's also why she’s so excited to have this baby. Being with Killian makes anything they face not seem so bad.

The thought of what lies beneath their tree brings a giddiness to her movements that even her husband notices.

“What’s gotten into you this morning?” he asks as he puts on his brace. He sends her a wicked grin that has her toes curling as he attaches the hook – the same one he shined the night before so he could show it off to Henry in all its unwrapping glory.

“I’m just… really happy.”

“Aye,” he says once he comes close to her again, one hand on her waist and his lips descending upon hers. “So am I.”

Their moment is broken by Henry banging on their door, warning that they better come down that instant or he’s opening everyone’s presents. The notion gets a laugh out of her, knowing that despite his threats, her kid wouldn’t follow through with this one. Maybe.

Nervousness doesn’t come to her until it’s time to hand her gifts over to Killian. He sits in a pile of wrapping paper on the couch, the ‘Best Dad in the Universe’ mug Henry got for him sitting on the coffee table. Henry had been sheepish as he handed over the gift, calling Killian ‘Dad’ on occasion now and then, nowhere near a regular occurrence. Still, the sentiment behind the gift, and the true feelings it relayed, left both her son and husband emotional. They exchanged quiet words that left them both teary-eyed and Killian had wrapped it up by showing Emma the mug as if she hadn’t helped Henry design it online. He then sat it on the coffee table so gently like a prized trophy and couldn’t stop looking at it.

If he reacted this way to Henry’s gifts, she can’t imagine the emotion that’ll come with hers.

The two of them have led hard lives, obstacles in their paths trying to prevent them from wanting to push for the light at the end of the tunnel. But they both did, whether out of sheer stubbornness or resilience, she’s not sure, and it held it them together until they found each other. Then suddenly they weren’t navigating the ups and downs of life alone and everything became a bit more bearable day by day.

Fatherhood is something that always came natural to Killian, she could see, and something that he wanted. His pirating ways took him to many lands and realms but he’d gotten to the point where he wanted to settle down and have a family. To live a life of peace he was never granted beforehand. Villains didn’t get happy endings though so he assumed it was out of the cards for him.

Henry accepted him, made him part of their family, and looked to him as a father. The remaining Lost Boys sought out his comforting presence, a familiar figure, despite their tangled pasts or because of it, when they were feeling particularly lonely or destructive, and he provided a guiding hand back. Hell, even baby Neal latched onto him almost as quickly as he did her parents.

There was a contentedness to Killian when he stepped into the role of father-figure that she never saw before. It shined brightest with Henry but she always saw the longing look in his eyes when Henry left for a weekend at Regina’s or when they saw Sean and Ashley with their baby at Granny’s.

Her mother once said, “Happy endings always start with hope.” Their life together was the start. This is the continuation of it.

“Ready for my gifts?” Emma asks. She discretely wipes her sweaty palms on her thighs and takes the gifts from Henry’s outstretched hands. He gives her a reassuring smile and she can only manage a quick, tight but grateful grin in return.

“Thanks, love.”

Killian lifts his hook to open the smallest of the boxes when Emma shoots her hand out to grab his wrist, a loud ‘No’ leaving her lips before she even realizes what she’s done.

Concern fills Killian’s gaze as he leans closer. His eyes rove over her person, searching, cataloging, trying to get any hint of what’s happening. “Emma, what’s gotten into you?”

“Actually…” she starts with a sardonic laugh, tilting her head.

“Ew, gross, Mom,” Henry crimes in, face wrinkled in disgust.

She clears her throat while rolling her eyes and instead taps the biggest of the three boxes. “Open this first.”

“O-kay…” Killian eyes her as he gently, slowly, unwraps the biggest box. Instead it lies a photo album titled Daddy & Me. “It’s blank?” he asks.

“Yeah, it’s for you to fill it with photos.”

“Ah.” Killian turns to Henry. “I suppose we should start filling this up, aye?”

A quick moment of panic flashes across Henry’s face as he looks to Emma for guidance, both of them floundering. “Uh, yeah!” he says in a hurry. “I can help you fill it up.” He then gives Emma a pointed look, Killian none the wiser.

“Open your second one,” Emma encourages. Killian takes another hard look at the album, the content in his gaze soothing any nerves that remained from Emma’s anticipation.

Earlier, Henry laughed smugly as Killian ripped through about thirty layers of wrapping paper to finally uncover the mug. Henry encouraged him to really dig into it, something that flashes Emma’s mind back to the beanstalk and made her laugh. Killian had taken the message to heart.

Now, he uses the hook to lift the edges of the wrapping paper and gently unravels it. Beneath the paper is a box and Killian gives her a watery grin once he sees what’s inside.

His very first Christmas ornament – or at least the first that’s meant specifically for him – lays inside. It features a large brown bear holding a baby bear wearing a diaper. Beneath the figures is a banner that reads, ‘Papa Bear, Est. 2022”.

Emma expects the questioning glance he sends her way and the subtle, confused one he gives to Henry. However, he receives no answers and Emma finally taps the small box. “Now you can open it.”

She bites her lip and her and Henry share a reassuring nod as Killian opens the last gift. Sitting inside the small box, cleaned off and surrounded in tissue paper is a positive pregnancy test.

Killian picks it up with a cautionary gentleness that she hasn’t seen before. His mouth drops open as he stares it down and he mouths the word ‘Pregnant’ over and over again as his eyes get misty. “Is – is this real?” he asks, voice full of emotion. Emma nods, blinking back her own tears.

“Yeah, Killian, it’s real.”

“Gods, love.” Suddenly, Emma is pulled out of her chair and swept off her feet as Killian tugs her into a tight embrace. He kisses every inch of skin he can find, pulling back every few kisses to catch her lips before he embraces her again. His arms are bound around her tightly, the squeeze between them only getting tighter as Killian urges Henry to join their hug. “You’re going to be a big brother, lad. The best there is,” he whispers and Emma nearly lets out the croaking sob stuck in her throat.

As much as it is a monumental moment for Killian, he still includes Henry and still makes sure that he’s wanted around. The notion makes her heart burst. Once again, she’s aware that she never needed any official True Love test to give her confirmation that Killian is it for her. The way he acts proves it more than enough. It doesn’t make her any less emotional, especially as Killian whispers, as giddy as she’d been that morning, “We’re having a baby!”

“Yes, we are!” she whispers back excitedly.

The trio embrace for a few more moments before Henry’s phone rings and lets him know that it’s Regina reaching out. He congrats the two of them, tells them what wonderful parents they already are, and then bounds out of the room.

“Wow,” Killian says with the long release of a deep breath. “You’re pregnant.”

“I am,” she teases.

Killian’s wide grin matches her own and even though he leans in to kiss her, they aren’t able to do much as their smiles keep breaking through.

It’s not until Killian places a hand on her stomach that her breath catches and realization sinks in. They’re really doing this. They’re having a baby. She can’t explain it but she thinks she’s having a girl. Even Killian’s seemingly decided so as well, babbling on about their daughter despite the fact that they won’t officially find out until Emma’s next appointment in two weeks.

They will have a baby. Together.

They’re going to bring someone into this world that’s half him and half her and it’ll be their responsibility to not screw them up.

With Henry it was easier. He was already ten by the time he connected with both of them, respect and manners already instilled in him. All they had to do was encourage them to flourish. But with a baby, they’ll be starting from scratch. In all honesty, neither of them know much of what to do aside from the basics to keep a baby alive, but she figures they’ll approach it like they do everything else: together.

“You know, little one,” Killian starts as he leans down towards her stomach. “Your grandma is a very wise woman and she once told me that happy endings always start with hope.” He swallows, glancing up at Emma for a moment as his voice gets even quieter. “I’m excited to meet you, Hope.”

*

4 years later…

*

“No, no, no, love, not like that.”

Emma looks up from drying dishes and fixes her gaze on the other end of the table. Killian and Henry are bent over it, heads close together. Between them, Hope kneels on a chair and squeezes an icing bag with so much force that fat glops of red icing plop onto the cookies, nearly covering an entire group of gingerbread men. She watches the way Killian keeps the rounded curve of his hook, sharp tip pointed away, pressed against the center of Hope’s back to keep her steady, attempting to guide her in how to decorate the cookie while she just wants to mix colors together.

One of Henry’s hands holds a gingerbread man in place for her, fingers turning red from the icing that’s slipped over the side, and he’s quick to grab the green icing bag before Hope’s grubby little fingers can grab it. “Oh no you don’t, munchkin.”

“I’m not a munchkin!” Hope pouts. Her glare is fierce as she turns her attention to Henry, cookies completely forgotten as she stands from her kneeling position.

“Oh really?” he eggs her on, fighting to keep the grin off his face. “How come you’re on a chair and I’m still taller than you then? Munchkin.”

“Stinky nose!”

“Short stack.”

“Hairy back!”

A whistle breaks through their teasing before Emma can step in and all eyes go to Killian. He leaves his hook pressed against Hope’s back even as he straightens and stands tall. “Enough of this nonsense from me crew!” Hope stares at him with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, joy filtering its way into her features.

An aspiring pirate captain herself, the three-year-old takes great glee in seeing her father step into his, admittedly watered down, pirate persona. She turns towards Killian, bouncing where she stands in the chair. Her hands attempt to come together in claps but only succeed in dropping more icing all over her hands and Henry’s.

Killian plucks the icing bag from Hope and places it aside. “Now,” he starts, voice an octave lower. “This mess needs to be cleaned otherwise I’ll let Santa know to toss yer presents overboard! Aye?”

“Noooo!” Hope shouts. “He can’t do that!”

“He knows Santa,” Henry says. He nods to Killian as he catches the wet washcloth Emma tosses to him and begins to wipe his icing covered fingers. “He can totally make it happen.”

“Aye,” Emma adds, grinning wide at the way Killian’s nose crinkles. She holds a second wet washcloth in her hands and comes over to Hope, gently wiping her hands clean. “But perhaps me and Papa can clean up the kitchen while you help Henry put some tinsel on the tree instead. It’d be a big help.”

“Aye, aye, captain!” Hope tugs at her hands, pouting when Emma won’t let them free yet. However, once she’s able to, she turns and jumps on Henry’s back, already urging him towards the living room.

“You know,” Killian says, “you’ve just granted her permission to make a mess even worse than this one.”

Emma grins, “Are you saying you weren’t also desperate for five minutes to ourselves?”

Killian hums, giving her a grin that she knows so well. His arms come around her waist while hers wrap around his neck and their lips meet in a soft kiss. When he tries to pull away, Emma keeps him locked with her and the heat between them rises. So lost in the progressing passion of their kisses, she doesn’t even realize Killian’s lifted her onto the table until Henry voices his disgust.

“Gross, guys,” he says. “We eat there.” He shakes his head, shuddering at catching them mid-make out, and reaches for the extra bag of tinsel on the counter. He holds it up and points at it before he leaves. “For scarring me, I am not cleaning this up.”

A snort comes out of Emma before she can stop it and she closes her eyes, content as Killian presses a soft kiss to her cheek. His hand drifts down to rest against her stomach and she feels the butterflies of excitement start up again. Only two more weeks before they can share their big secret.

“This will be a fun Christmas, love.”

[cosette141]

Good | OUAT fanfic | CS gift exchange gift (2/3)

MERRY CHRISTMAS @i-will-sing-no-requiem !!!

Here is your second gift! A little fic I started for you that I didn't end up going with, but it turned into like a little missing scene :)

Summary: (missing scene/tag to "New York City Serenade") A conversation between Emma and Killian about her broken heart. And maybe the hope that it will mend, sooner rather than later. 

AO3

It was the night they'd come back to Storybrooke from New York City, and he found her in Granny's dining room, nursing a drink long after the employees had gone home. He himself had come to look for a drink for himself to erase the desire to be near her.

Yet, he didn't think anything was strong enough to keep him away.

"Emma?" he asked, brows lifting in surprise. "I thought you'd be with your family," he said, ignoring the pang in his chest, the wish to be included in it.

"Henry doesn't have his memories," said Emma dully, turning the glass in her fingers, staring into it. "We're staying here until he gets them back. He's asleep."

The dining room was empty, and it felt like he'd rather die than leave her alone in it. "Care for some company?" he asked gently.

She seemed to hear the gentleness of the question, and also seemed to ponder it before saying, "Sure."

Killian sat beside her, trying to ignore what felt like electricity being so close to her. He watched her for a moment, but she didn't say anything. Until:

"Oh for two, I guess."

Her words were weighted by something tired and sad, and Killian turned his head, seeing with shock that her eyes were slightly red, like she'd been crying.

But before he could inquire, she clarified, "First Neal, then Walsh. The two biggest liars I've ever known, and my superpower didn't catch a damn one."

The boyfriend that turned into a flying monstrosity.

For the first time, Killian pushed aside the envy at the idea of Emma with another man while he'd been madly in love with her for the entire past year.

Because this was Emma, someone who trusted people less than he did, especially when it came to love, and she'd been played.

Twice.

Bloody hell.

How could he have been so selfish?

"Catching liars is the only thing I'm good at," whispered Emma, like either she'd hit a breaking point or the alcohol was loosening her walls a little. She shut her eyes, rubbing them. "God, I'm so stupid."

"You are the furthest thing, Emma," said Killian seriously, wanting badly to touch her, console her somehow, but he kept himself from doing so. "I've said it before and meant it every time, love. You're bloody brilliant."

"No," she said, dismissing the compliment without a second thought, like she didn't even have the ability to process words of praise.

Something that hurt him to his very core.

"No," she repeated, glaring a little into the drink left in her glass. "Stupid that I even thought someone could—anybody would want—"

She didn't finish the sentence, but Killian heard the end of it in painful clarity.

Me.

"Emma." said Killian, voice almost edging on desperate, because the thought of her believing something so untrue made him feel sick. This time, he couldn't help himself, settling his hand tentatively over hers on the counter, making her eyes snap to it, like she was just as distrustful of a kind gesture. Unable to believe it could simply be for comfort and comfort alone.

"You are not stupid for believing that someone had wanted you this past year, because someone has." And trying to breathe past the sudden fear in his own chest, he managed— "I have."

She looked at him for the first time tonight, like that wasn't something she'd even considered.

"Emma," he said, slowly, because he needed her to hear his words. "I was… I was a bloody mess this past year. Thinking I'd never see you again…" He swallowed past the dark, lonely nights thinking just that. "When I got the message to save you…" He smiled at the relief at reading it. "I did everything I could to find you. If only… to see you again."

Finally, it seemed like she was hearing his words, and for the first time since taking the memory potion, she seemed to realize just what lengths he'd gone.

For her.

There was something in her eyes, something that erased the sadness that was there.

Something like hope.

She smiled a little, something that was like the shadow of her normal one, though he's only rarely seen even that. "Thanks," she said softly. "I think I forgot that part." And with a little shyness, "It's been… nice to see you again too."

'Nice' didn't quite seem to define the look in her eyes, but he let her have her secrets.

A… feeling filled the air between them, and they both seemed to feel it at the same time, the lingering… chemistry.

Emma stood, fairly quick, saying, "I guess I should, um, get to sleep."

As much as Killian wanted to stay here with her, he understood.

Emma was afraid enough of love, and that was before her heart had been freshly broken.

He'll give her as much time as she needs.

"Aye," he agreed, both of them walking toward the rooms.

They stopped outside his door, and Emma paused before heading to hers, saying, "So... you're... staying? In Storybrooke?"

There was so much hope in those words that it seemed she was trying to actively prevent.

The question was attempted to be casual but was anything but.

Her heart was shattered, broken.

As much as it pained him to see, it was a hope of his own.

If it can be broken, that means it still works.

For he knew that, all too well.

"Aye," he said, just as heavily, just as hopeful. "I am."

Emma's eyes lingered on his, those walls so cracked, that hope shining through, like sunlight through leaves.

And she smiled, the expression as beautiful as she was. "Good."

She disappeared with that whisper, slipping into her room, and Killian remained frozen where he was.

Good.

He smiled.

-.-.-

tag list: @csgiftexchange @kmomof4 @justanother-unluckysoul @klynn-stormz @stahlop @ilovemesomekillianjones @hookmecaptain @tiganasummertree @jadehowlettthewolf @jonesfandomfanatic @anmylica @pirateprincessofpizza @stahlop @snowbellewells @eddisfargo @motherkatereloyshipper 

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Does anyone know if the Captain Swan Secret Santa is going on again this year--and if so if it’s too late to join?

I’m actually brimming with fluffy Christmas ideas this year.  I figure 2020 needs a little more fluff.