#ouat future family fluff

[snowbellewells]

Captain Swan Spooky Season/Autumnal Bingo Entry: "Coming Back on the Wind"

Summary: When a sudden storm blows up while Killian, Emma, and their family are out in Storybrooke's wood camping, they find shelter and Killian tells an almost-forgotten tale to pass the time...

Author's Notes: Thanks to @hollyethecurious for the lovely bingo board to play with! This is the first entry I have managed to create (hopefully there will be more to come before Autumn gets away from me entirely!) for the prompt "stormy seas"

Takes place in a post-s6 future where Killian and Emma have Hope and twin boys as well, Henry stayed with Violet and didn't go on adventures in other realms, and Emma's little brother is named Leo instead of Neal!

** Also available on AO3 if that's your preference**

"Coming Back on the Wind"

by: @snowbellewells

Outside the hunter’s cabin in the forest bordering Storybrooke, the rain splashed wetly against the windowpane. The torrents of water pouring down from the sky showed no sign of letting up anytime soon. Though he would have preferred they have made it all the way back home from their weekend camping excursion, Killian looked out the window without any true sense of alarm as the branches swayed wildly and the wind moaned, but they remained safe and dry in the log structure which was proving admirably sound - if rather small for their extended crew. The ground might grow soggy and some branches might fall, but it was merely an October storm, not the sort of maelstrom that had once made him cower in the corner of his bunk on Silver’s ship as the waves rolled and he feared the vessel would sink before the dawn.

Turning from his vantage point before the sink in the small kitchen area, Killian’s eyes surveyed the rest of the cabin to find his family and their guests gathered in the open living area around the crackling fireplace, which he had watched Emma light with a mere flex of her fingers. It mattered not that they had been married nearly seven years now, nor how often he had seen his wife avert tragedy and summon marvels into existence; he was still in awe of her, and he often found himself watching her with his breath stolen away, struck speechless by his Swan and all that she was.

His gaze was drawn to her once again as he ascertained that all were well and accounted for. Emma was bustling about to bring Hope her stuffed crocodile (a gift from Belle and young Gideon which entertained everyone else simply for how much Killian grumbled about it), bringing a throw blanket for Henry’s lovely girlfriend to drape over her legs where she was curled up against Henry on the sofa, and then she settled too, pulling their twins onto her lap as she did. Her younger brother Leo, now a bright and cheerful preteen with his father’s blonde hair and chiseled chin but his mother and sister’s brightly shining green eyes, along with Gideon Gold, almost eight now, were also seated within the fireside huddle, having been happy to go on an outdoor adventure with the Jones crew and give their respective parents a night off. When she asked who wanted hot chocolate with cinnamon, there was a lively, unanimous chorus of approval that drowned all sound of the wind and rain outdoors, and had Killian chuckling and shaking his head even from across the room.

“I would think you might have already known the answer to that question, Love,” he playfully chided.

Shooting him a scoff and a mischievous wink, Emma swirled her hand in the air once more and a perfect mug of cocoa, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon appeared in the hands of all but him, eliciting squeals of surprise and delight from the younger children. Gideon in particular wriggled with excitement at the prospect of such a sweet treat. Killian knew that Belle favored tea and healthy snacks and seriously doubted that liquid chocolate was on the boy’s usual menu. 

Thankfully, they hadn’t been far from the old, abandoned cabin when the storm had blown up unexpectedly, and they had managed to get themselves and their things inside the shelter before being truly drenched. Still, Killian reckoned it was wise of Emma to make sure their charges were warmed by the fire and set with the hot drinks as well - though he couldn’t resist needling her a bit for it.

Still, his own insides warmed at the cozy feeling of belonging he had in a cabin in the stormy Maine woods. He had never truly known such peace until these last few of his uncounted years of life, only since meeting Emma and their starting their own small family. The contentment spread throughout his being so completely that it seemed to pour from his fingers and toes; Killian could only draw nearer to his loved ones to drink in the moment. Henry glanced up from where he had been adoringly studying Violet’s profile and gave his stepdad a knowing look as he lowered himself to sit by his Savior’s side. And he could only sheepishly acknowledge the lad’s playful glance. Henry knew the man his mother had married could never stay far from her, always drawn like the strongest of magnets - True Love at its finest.

Soon all of the children, and Emma as well, were happily sipping their decadent drinks and savoring the warmth as it traveled down their throats and soothed their stomachs pleasantly. Hope lowered her mug slightly, only to reveal a dollop of whipped cream on the tip of her pert little nose.

“You’ve missed a taste, lovey,” Killian murmured, the affection glowing in his eyes as he reached out to swipe the creamy topping form her face and pop it into his own mouth. 

“Papa! That was mine!” Hope squealed, giggling even as she did so, but hopping to her feet, little fists planted on her hips and the intriguing near-turquoise of her eyes - a perfect blend of his blue and Emma’s green - flashing with playful pique.

“Ah, but I’m a pirate, little sparrow,” he replied good naturedly, using one of his favorite pet names for her. “You’d best carefully guard your prizes when a pirate’s about.”

“But I’m your pirate princess, remember?” Hope wheedled, flopping dramatically against her father’s chest where Killian willingly wrapped her in his arms. “You shouldn’t steal from me!”

Emma burst out with a guffaw at that comeback from their precocious five-year-old. Nudging him with an elbow in the side, she added, “Kid’s got you there, Babe.”

Killian winked back at his wife before turning playfully repentant eyes on his daughter. “A thousand apologies, your Highness,” he offered humbly, with an exaggerated bob of the head for a sort of seated bow. “To what punishment do you sentence me?”

Hope’s brow furrowed as if she were deep in thought, tilting her head while she studied first her father, then turned to consider both her friend Gideon and her younger twin brothers with a mischievous smirk that rivalled Killian’s own. All three boys nodded eagerly, seeming to know exactly what their pixie ringleader was thinking without exchanging a single word.

Henry snorted in amusement at the proceedings, loving that his baby sister could wrap both Storybrooke’s Savior and the fearsome pirate Captain Hook around her little finger with such ease.

“You have to tell a pirate story!” Hope declared with impish glee, clapping her hands in delight while the twins bounced on their mother’s knees and cheered excitedly. “And if we don’t think it’s good enough, then you walk the plank!” she crowed.

“Yes, please, a story!” Gideon chorused from his spot between Hope and her youthful uncle, his intelligent eyes alight and enthralled at the mere suggestion, loving a good tale every bit as much as his mother did. Belle never could resist listening to a well-spun yarn, and seeing that her only child took after his dear, goodhearted friend in this way especially - her most leading trait - never failed to touch Killian’s heart. Though Belle and Gold might still share a home, and though they remained married, her trust had been broken one too many times for even her generous faith to be fully restored. They were meant to be True Loves, and the emotion remained, but it was bruised and trampled like the rose of their famous tale, far too long past its wilting to salvage. She would never deprive the old Crocodile of another son, not after how long he had sought Neal, how bitterly he had regretted failing him, and then lost him to death anyway, but they kept a brittle distance in their home. Belle found her happiness in her son, her friends, and her books, and Gideon blossomed mostly under her care - for which Killian knew the lad was all the better.

Hanging his head, Killian feigned reluctance at having to provide entertainment, though in truth, he had known that tales of his pirating days would be the decree as soon as he had seen that particular gleam in his daughter’s eye. As Emma often lamented wryly, ‘Our daughter is entirely too entranced by the idea of pillaging and plundering.’ Reaching out to gently tap her chin with the curve of his hook, he pulled Hope into his lap again, tickling her stomach once he had her in his clutches until she cried for mercy.

Once she was sprawled across his legs heaving for breath, Killian nodded his agreement. “You wish is my command, Princess Hope,” he replied. “A story you shall have.”

A whole chorus of cheers rang out from all their younger charges, and in truth, even Henry and Violet’s faces shone with interest. To his delight, even Emma moved slightly closer and leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder, as if she were settling in for the show. He felt a sort of pride that he could grant such pleasure with his storytelling.

Pausing dramatically, he watched as Leo leaned easily back against the couch, cradling his mug in his hands, ready to savor the last of his cocoa and listen contentedly. Gideon scooted right up before Killian until his knobby eight-year-old knees touched the pirate’s own, eyes wide and breath practically held so as not to miss a word. Hope, for her part, settled on his lap as if it were her throne, somehow managing to look both supremely self-satisified and guilelessly eager, gazing up into her papa’s face as her little fingers clutched at the charms of his necklace the way they often did when she truly settled in to rest. Little Liam David and Westley Graham, just barely walking now, were equally cuddled up against Emma, and a pang went through him, taking in the whole scene as he drew a deep breath to begin. It did his heart good to see their children so comfortable, at ease and certain of their safety and in the knowledge that they were loved. That was as it should be. But he had been only a year or two older than Gideon was now when all he had known of his safe and familiar home had been lost to him. He hadn’t found such security again for so long it had nearly vanished, forgotten, in the recesses of his mind. Something long cracked and aching was mended in seeing that his own children would never face such doubt and fear.

Closing his eyes for a moment, Killian gathered his thoughts. The room went still as his listeners ceased talking and moving about, focused on him intently. He could again hear the wind whistling outside the little cabin, the rain slapping in sheets against the window glass and the almost soothing patter of it upon the roof over their heads. If he tried, he could just conjure up the sensation of rocking back and forth, carried on turbulent waves - could take himself back to the time when he was a boy at sea. Then he began to speak.

“Once upon a time, long before I was the famed pirate captain you see before you,” Killian intoned, letting his voice drop a bit lower and employing a lyrical rhythm. “I was a young lad who could barely be called a cabin boy, on the ship of another pirate - the dastardly Long John Silver.”

The little boys reacted with shivers and gasps, just as he had expected. Emma, who had of course heard this story with much less dramatic flair, in the tone of an agonized confession when they hid themselves away after his return from the Underworld. They had bared the last of their secrets and all of their souls once and for all and bound themselves back together again. Killian felt her hand flutter lightly to rest upon his own, and he squeezed it briefly in reassurance, letting her known that he was alright. This was a much less raw and bleeding version of events, peeled back to reveal the little good that there had been, even in those awful times.

“Aye, you’re right to be alarmed, me mateys,” Killian warned, waggling his dark brows at them with playful aplomb. “Silver was indeed a ruthless villain - and he ran his ship with little care for youngsters aboard who might be hungry, injured… or frightened of storms.”

He swept his hand out before him, illustrating the expanse of rolling waves under a dark night sky lit at alarmingly frequent intervals by bright, wicked forks of lightning. His audience was every bit as rapt as he had intended, allowing Killian only a moment for a sidelong glance at Emma with a twinkle in his eye.

“That stormy night, all but the night’s watch were in their bunks, and the lad knew he would find no sympathy from any quarter at any rate. His older brother was on the ship with him, but that young man was the only one who showed the boy any consideration, and he was fast asleep, having already put in what would be a hard day’s work for a full grown man, much less a stripling of fourteen. And so, the boy huddled in the corner of his small bunk, crowding against the wall and trying to block out the booming claps of thunder with hands pressed over his ears, willing his stomach not to turn as they were rolled up, down, and sideways by the vicious swells.”

Hope snuggled deeper into his embrace, seeking comfort for herself, empathetic little siren that she was, and unknowingly grounding him in the present, soothing the long scabbed-over wounds this story pricked. As though somehow sensing the boy from the story was closer than its teller let on, Killian also felt the feather-light brush of young Gideon’s fingers come to rest on his knee, offering silent support in his own timid way. He was hardly privy to what his dear friend Belle told her son about his past history or the harsh beginnings he’d weathered early in life, but he sensed in that moment that Hope’s unlikely playmate knew the frightened youth of long ago was now the man seated before him. And he wanted to bolster him in a difficult moment.

It was enough to have Killian swallowing back a lump in his throat. Meeting the child’s searching gaze, Killian offered a smile and nod of the head in unspoken gratitude, to which Gideon beamed and patted his knee with more confidence.

“Though the boy tried to remain still,” Killian continued solemnly, “the storm did not let up. Instead it raged harder until he was sure he would be thrown from his berth to the floor and that the ship itself would be turned on its side and sink into the deep. His thin shoulders shook as he wept, and though he fought to hold back his tears, occasionally a hiccup or gasp for air escaped.”

“It was at that moment,” and here the pirate’s voice, though still rough with deeply felt emotion, grew more musical and light, “when all hope seemed lost, that he felt a soft, familiar touch on his shoulder sliding down to gently rub his back until his strangled sobs eased. It was his older brother, roused from slumber, either by the boy’s distress or the ferocity of the storm, and quick to come to his younger sibling’s aid. The elder scooted into the bunk and gingerly wrapped an arm around the trembling smaller form, shushing and soothing as best he could.”

“Even as the wind continued to wail and howl all around, and as the waves slapped against the hold where they huddled together, the boy already felt much stronger - less afraid - just knowing that he was not alone. And then the elder brother began to hum. It was a familiar tune, a soothing lullaby coaxed from the far reaches of the younger’s memory along with an echo of his mother’s warm voice singing that same melody. Soon his brother was offering lilting words as well, in barely more than a whisper. Both knew the ire which would rain down on their heads if they roused any others, and yet his sibling dared those consequences to end his little brother’s torment. As the near-forgotten song continued, the effects of the wild storm seemed to die away. By the time the end of the song neared, that frightened cabin boy had finally found sleep.”

“What was the song?” Hope piped up curiously. “Can you sing it for us?”

Killian shook his head with a humored huff, having expected no less. Not letting himself hesitate long enough to change his mind, he wet his lips, drew in a steadying breath, and launched into the old tune he remembered hearing in Liam’s murmured, youthful tones. His brother had always told him it was their mother’s favorite - one she had used often to soothe fevers or lull her boys back to peaceful dreams after nightmares. Killian had barely remembered her - or anything about the cozy, cliffside cottage that had been their home - even then, but Liam had held it dear in his own heart and had brought the same feeling to life for Killian.

As Killian continued to sing, voice gathering strength while rising and falling with the notes, the rain outside their small shelter in the woods seemed to wrap around and join the chorus. His audience in the cabin listened closely, drawn into the song that had once been his mother’s, which had comforted him for years as something of his older brother’s, passing on once again to the new family they had made.

And as the fireplace crackled invitingly, his wife’s golden head rested on his shoulder, and he sang the last lines, the sudden storm they’d hunkered down to escape seemed to have enclosed them in a haven instead. The wind blowing the branches against the windows still showed its power, but with those he loved around him, the storm which had accompanied his long held memories finally ceased.

Tagging a few who might enjoy: @jennjenn615 @kmomof4 @searchingwardrobes @whimsicallyenchantedrose @laschatzi

@jrob64 @apiratewhopines @anmylica @justanother-unluckysoul @bluewildcatfanatic @xsajx

@tiganasummertree @optomisticgirl @spartanguard @therooksshiningknight @lfh1226-linda

@xarandomdreamx @booksteaandtoomuchtv @goforlaunchcee @stahlop @caught-in-the-filter

@donteattheappleshook @the-darkdragonfly @elizabeethan @undercaffinatednightmare @drowned-dreamer

@gingerpolyglot @gingerchangeling @scientificapricot @motherkatereloyshipper @myfearless-love

@belovedcreation @exhaustedpirate @grimmswan @zaharadessert

[galactic-pirates]

OUAT: #6 , and Rumbelle, #8!

Oh yay! Thank you for the ask ❤️

6) which is my favorite platonic or familial relationship in this world

Obsessions wax and wane and it’s been a minute since Once ruled my brain. The first answer that came to mind was Regina and Henry.

Regina is fascinating and given Once’s… erm shall we say less than consistent writing (and that’s generous) I find it amusing having read a ton of writing craft books this year, that Regina is textbook for emotional wound and then a thematic positive change arc. We know what tipped her into being a villain and we saw the struggle to change, and that change started in her vault when she took the memory potion.

Think about it Regina wanted revenge, but her need was for safety/safety drawn from control as she had never had control over her life totally. Even as the Evil Queen she was more afraid than anything. The dark curse gave her revenge and control but they were drawn from the thematic lie. Because it came from the lie, it was a hollow ‘victory’ which the show lampshaded as a “hole in her heart” (a magical thing) but just as a person it’s an emotional wound.

When Regina got Henry she was grasping. She knew she needed to make a change but wasn’t at all ready to give up the lie/start the positive change arc. She got Henry for what he could do for her. Learning he was the legacy of her appointed nemesis - that was basically an anvil hovering threatening the security of the lie (dark curse revenge/control) - she could have retreated to the pain/darkness but instead she chose Henry AND she gave up the control by losing her advantage of foreknowledge. She could have prepared/been vigilant but instead she allowed her future self to be blindsided as the love for Henry was stronger than her fear.

Stronger than her fear. I mean how incredible is that.

I have often said that I think love is the ultimate expression of trust. Now this is getting long and so I won’t say much more but it would be negligent of me not to mention the true loves kiss that broke the second curse. Regina’s heart wasn’t in her chest - she wasn’t supposed to be able to feel, to love - and yet she loved her son so much magic answered. She had so much baggage and she had her toxic moments but she tried, and she did the work. When she fell into her mothers example, she realised and let Henry go, she broke the cycle.

I don’t know I just have feelings. Regina was not the biological mum, and media historically doesn’t treat them well, but Once generally did. If I had to say that any relationship formed the backbone of the show it would either be this, Regina and Henry mother and son, or it would be Rumple and Bae/Neal, father and son. Driving forces really.

8) if I'm most interested in fics about them that focus on fluff, angst, humor, smut or actual plot?

Hmm it would be between fluff or actual plot. Rumbelle rarely got to be happy and if canon won’t give me that, then fic can. But I do also like to see their issues resolved, and so their happiness is… earned isn’t the right word. But there are consequences when stuff happens and Rumbelle on the show were either kept apart, or shoving everything under the metaphorical rug. So yeah actual plot can deal with things the show didn’t.

[seriouslyhooked]

Can’t Say No (At Christmas)

CS one-shot set in the future. Hope is three and Emma and Killian are still very much in the throws of a happily ever after, but Killian wants to do something special for Emma for Christmas. With the help of their family and the town, he manages to fulfill a Christmas wish for his wife in exactly the kind of over-the-top fluffy and sweet way you’d expect from me. Includes holiday surprises, Christmas cheer, and a healthy dash of true love. Rated T. Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey all! I really did not know if I was going to be able to get this drabble done, but I am so happy to say that I did and to share it with you all tonight. I know that this Christmas is going to be so different for so many of us, and that it has been a hard year of uncertainty and stress. My gift to our little fandom is this story, focused on Emma and Killian a few years after we got to see them in the show. It’s inspired by the spirit of Christmas, the cheesiness that only Hallmark movies can provide, and the song ‘No Problem’ by Dylan Schneider. I love the idea that Killian cannot deny Emma anything, and that at Christmas he has to make Emma’s wishes come true. I hate to spoil any more of this, but I will just say thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!

“I don’t know how the hell you pulled this off, mate, but I got to hand it to you, this is really something special.”

The words David uttered from the bottom of the ladder were high praise, despite the dig at Killian’s favorite endearment. Tonight though, Killian would let the jab slide. He simply didn’t have the time or energy to pretend to argue with Emma’s father. Instead he hustled down the rungs and back to solid ground beside his friend. He took stock of the room once more, running his hand through his hair and tracing each corner of the barn with his gaze. There was very little about the place that was recognizable. It had been sufficiently transformed, from an old, dusty tomb of farm equipment, to a space fit for the evening ahead.

“It pays to be a good guy in the end,” Killian joked. Playing up the early days of their knowing each other when Killian was anything but a hero. “Turns out I’ve helped quite a lot of people these past few years. They were eager to return the favor.”

“That’s true enough, but I think the fact that you did this all for Emma plays a big part too.”

There was no doubt about that, and the mere reminder of his wife brought a smile to his lips. She was going to be surprised by this, and there was nothing that he loved more than surprising his Swan. Killian could hardly wait for the look of excitement that would spread across her face, and the light that would appear in her jade colored eyes. Her cheeks would flush from realization, and her hands would move unbiddenly, as if she couldn’t quite contain the excitement or suspense. Emma was always the most beautiful of women, and a miracle to be sure, but when treated to a gift that was truly worthy of her, she was transcendent, his own personal star and tempting taste of heaven.

“Any word from Snow?” Killian asked, checking his watch and seeing they had made good time, despite the hecticness of the day. He had enough time to catch a shower and prepare himself, but he needed to be sure that Emma and Hope were sufficiently occupied in the meantime.

“Better – she sent a video while you were hanging the last of the garland.”

David offered his phone and Killian laughed at the sight. Snow and Emma had taken Neal and Hope out of town to a nearby ski resort that was hosting all sorts of winter activities for kids. In the video Emma, Hope, and Neal were all making snow angels, until Neal gave the signal and he and Hope pivoted to throwing snowballs at Emma. The only problem was Hope was far too little and bundled up in snow gear to be effective. She was having the time of her life though, and at the end of the video, Emma scooped their daughter up and nuzzled her close, bestowing a kiss on her curly brown hair, which had escaped its winter cap. Hope was a dazzling blend of him and Emma, but her goodness and ability to inspire love was totally her mother’s doing.

“Perfect. You good here for the time being?” David nodded, pivoting from his assistant role to commander in chief with the quickness of one-time prince. Content that his tasks were in good hands, Killian headed out, eager to put the next parts of his plan in place.

Things moved quickly from there. He showered and readied himself for the kind of night his Emma had imagined, ignoring the strangeness of his reflection as he did. He would never feel quite right in these damn tuxedos, but Emma’s wish was specific and it included the blasted suit. It also included a number of gifts for Emma and for Hope, which he pulled from the one place in the house Emma never ventured to – the garage. From the back of the storage space there, he grabbed a number of boxes that he’d stuffed away last week, and brought them all inside. After checking the contents were free from any water or dirt, he was convinced things were as they should be, and he left the gifts underneath the Christmas tree.

The only thing left to craft was the note for Emma that would set her surprise in motion. He hadn’t dared to write it out before, wanting to save it for this moment. It felt right to speak from the heart and to put in words exactly how he felt tonight. Still, it took time to get the letter exactly right, and he must admit he grew a bit sentimental when crafting it. A time or two he fell into recent and more distant memories of their lives together, feeling the warmth in his soul that could only ever come from the truest love. Luckily, he had enough of his wits about him and time was on his side. Soon he heard the sound of a car pulling up the drive just as he closed the envelope with Emma’s name and placed it on the tree, and with the stealth accrued in his past life, he slipped out the back door just before his girls came in.

“Mama, look! Santa came early,” he heard Hope say as he quietly rounded the side of the house. For a moment he was truly tempted to steal a look and watch this scene play out, but he reminded himself that there was still more to be done, and instead headed down the street to where a not so patiently waiting Snow was parked.

“Killian, thank God! I thought you’d never get here!” she exclaimed as he opened the door, but before he could reply, young Neal let his own thoughts be known.

“Mom, it’s been like sixty seconds. Literally. Look, I timed it on the stopwatch Henry gave me. 63 seconds.

“No, has it only been a minute? I’m so excited I can’t tell. It feels like forever. I was waiting for this all day. It was so hard not to spill the beans.”

“But you didn’t, right?” Killian checked, pivoting to Neal for the truth. When the boy gave him a thumbs up, he let out a breath. “Good. But it all might be for not if we don’t get a move on.”

“Oh, right. We’ve got to go. We’ve got a Christmas miracle to deliver.” Neal groaned at the words and Killian remained quiet prompting Snow to ask the question, “Sorry, too cheesy?”

“For tonight? No, strangely it’s just right.”

And with that, they pulled away from the curb, headed back towards the barn and the long-awaited surprise.

……………….

“Mama, look! Santa came! Santa came!”

At first Emma didn’t understand the words from her daughter. She was just trying to get her bearings after peeling the snow clothes off of Hope and discarding her own jacket on the hook by the door. Her boots were barely off and her scarf was still wound around her neck. She couldn’t imagine how Hope still had so much energy, but then she remembered – three year olds were like comic book characters, with a super power of endless energy.

“Christmas Eve is tomorrow, honey,” Emma said, righting her clothes and letting go of a big breath, before walking towards the living room. “Two more sleeps until Santa.”

“But look, Mama, pwesents!”

Emma followed her daughters pointing finger across the way, and low and behold there were gifts under the tree that had not been there this morning. Her curiosity was peaked, but when she saw the white envelope secured in the branches of their evergreen tree, she had an inkling of what was happening.

“Killian,” she murmured walking forward, and running her fingertips across the delicate paper.

“Daddy?” Hope asked excitedly, and Emma nodded as she opened the envelope, only to fight off tears of love when she read the letter.

My Dearest Emma,

There are no gifts that I could ever give you that compare to all you’ve given me. I know and accept that, but this time of year is different. It’s a season predicated on love, light, and yes, even a bit of magic. So I had to try, for your sake and for mine.

Christmas is about showing the people you love what they mean to you. It’s about giving love and feeling love, and knowing that even in the dark of a winter night, there is hope and light ahead. It’s about reminding loved ones that you care, that you’re rooting for them, and that their dreams are your dreams too. You taught me that, you and Hope and Henry, and I swear to you that all I could ever want is to make you happy, and to grant the wishes you carry in your heart.

“Ooo, pwetty,” Hope said, dragging Emma’s eyes down to where her daughter had already begun opening the parcels below. Inside the white garment box was a gorgeous crimson colored dress, breathtaking in its elegant design. The satin and the beading were exquisite, and the color was to die for, and like something from a dream. Hope offered the box to her, knowing even at age three that it wasn’t the right size for her. “For you, Mama.”

“Thank you, princess,” Emma said, taking the box in hand, wanting to look at it in full, but knowing the letter was still more important.

You are everything to me, Emma. Everything and so much more. You and our children hold my whole universe in your hands. Tonight, I hope to take your hand in mine, and remind you that in life, all you really need is the perfect partner.

“He didn’t,” Emma whispered, looking down from the letter which had been signed with love by her pirate. Then she looked at the other presents Hope was opening. A beautiful pair of heels, a white fur muff, and a necklace that sparkled, along with all the same things for Hope that were more their daughter’s style and perfect for her size. The last gift was another envelope, with a card. On the top in cursive script it read ‘Selected Suitors for Emma Jones’ and the only name was Killian’s. “Oh my god, he did. It’s a dance. He planned a Christmas dance for me.”

“Dance?” Hope asked and Emma crouched down to help her daughter really open her own garment box, where a beautiful princess-style dress was waiting for her. As soon as she saw it Hope let out a sound of pure delight, clapping her hands together at a hastened clip. At that moment, the front door opened, and Emma looked, expecting to see Killian but instead seeing her son, dressed up in a tuxedo and looking downright dashing. It would have been a shock either way, but this year, when she’d been bracing herself for her son being away for the holiday, it felt like an even greater gift.

“Henry?” she asked, as Hope bolted for her brother. Instinctively, Henry scooped her up, accepting all her hugs and kisses before turning his eyes back to Emma.

“Surprise! Well, part of it anyway. But we’ve got to get a move on, or we’ll be late.”

“Where are we going?” Hope asked. Henry responded by whispering in her ear, low enough that Emma couldn’t hear. Whatever he said made Hope gasp. “Really? We’re going there?”

“Sure are. But we have to get ready. Don’t worry, Mom, I’ve got Hope. You do what you need to do.”

Emma was spurred into motion, grabbing the gifts marked for her and heading upstairs. In thirty minutes, she and Hope were both ready for whatever awaited them, and though Emma had her suspicions, she was in no way prepared when they arrived at the old McDonald farm. Pulling around back to the barn, there were dozens of people milling around. Everyone in town was here tonight, dressed up and partaking in merriment, but when they left the car and walked inside, Emma was truly stunned.

“It’s beautiful,” she said aloud, taking in the gorgeous decorations. The space was totally transformed, a perfect blend of rustic refinement. The colors were vivid and vibrant, the air was warm and filled with the scent of cinnamon and honey, and the joy here was palpable. There was a buzzing electricity that crackled in the air. This was what all those Christmas movies strove to recreate but could never quite capture, and Emma took it all in knowing that her husband had made this just for her.

Scanning the room for him, Emma was first greeted with the sight of her Mom and Dad and brother. They came forward immediately, hugging her and Hope and Henry and extending their thoughts.

“Oh, honey, you look spectacular!” her mother exclaimed with tears in her eyes, holding her hands and looking at her red dress. It was a truly wonderous design, that hugged every one of Emma’s curves just right while still feeling of the season. It was classic and timeless and more than a little sexy, but it was appropriate for the night, when everyone was dressed to the nines.

“So do you guys,” Emma said honestly, taking in her mom’s sapphire ball gown, and her Dad and brother’s tuxes.

“I’m a princess, Grandpa,” Hope said happily and Emma’s father immediately agreed as the band began to play a slower melody.

“There’s no denying that. Care to dance with me, Princess Hope?” He asked, bowing to her daughter. Hope giggled but took Emma’s hand instinctively, looking at her for permission and clarity.

“What about you, Mama?”

“Don’t worry, sprout,” Henry said nodding across the room and using his favorite nickname for his sister. “Dad’s got her taken care of.”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Killian, as if this was a first date and not years into their marriage. She couldn’t help the butterflies swarming within her, and then, like magic the crowd of people parted, and there, across the room was her man. It should have come as no surprise how handsome he would look. Emma was well versed in how roguishly hot her pirate could be, but in a tux it was a whole other story. Maybe it was the rarity of seeing him like this, or maybe Killian was just one of those men who was born to wear a tux, but either way she was struck by him. Everything seemed to stop around her, and all she could sense was the man who completely owned her heart.

A few moments later they were together again. Emma hadn’t even realize she’d been walking towards him, and him to her, but when he took her hand she felt her blood hum in anticipation. She was caught in his eyes, sensing the mixture of love and desire that was so intoxicating, and waiting for him to speak, because words in this moment truly failed her.

“You look stunning, Swan,” he said to her, the gravel of his tone washing over her and sending a shiver down her spine in that delicious kind of way. “The fantasies I’d conjured in my mind’s eye could never do you justice.”

“So you were fantasizing about this, huh?” she asked, her voice thready as she turned, purposefully taunting him with a view of all her best angles. This time he let out a low growl that spiked her desire to tease him. God damn, there were people around! How could she be this hot and bothered? Oh right, she was married to a sinfully attractive and impossibly romantic man. This was par for the course.

“Aye, love, and I promise those musings will prove more than satisfactory when we get home.” His voice dipped low and she swallowed hard, trying to tamp down her own building need. Then something shifted in his eyes, and she knew before he said a word that something immensely thoughtful was about to be shared. “I hope it’s everything that you wanted, love. Those blasted ‘Hallmark towns’ have a lot more built-in Christmas cheer than Storybrooke, but all it took was a hint that this was what you wanted, and everyone came together.”

It dawned on her that the wish he was referring to was one that she’d made a few weekends ago when they were laying in bed watching TV. She usually skipped the Hallmark Christmas extravaganza, but this year she was feeling sentimental. Maybe it was the fact that Hope was finally hitting an age where she was starting to understand the season, or more likely it was the pregnancy hormones from their little one on the way. She was only twelve weeks along, and wasn’t even showing yet, but her self-coined pregnancy induced crazy brain was in full swing, and had been from the start. The only thing getting her through most days was Killian, and then he went and did something like this… it was too much for her, she couldn’t take it.

“I love you,” she confessed, blurting it out like it was some big secret instead of established fact. “Like a lot. A lot a lot.”

“A lot a lot,” Killian parroted with a grin, pulling her with him out to the dance floor before taking her in his arms. She melded into his muscled physique, trying not to swoon as the melody carried them away.

“You know I’m not as good at the whole poetic declarations thing as you are.”

“Few can be, love,” he joked. She raised her brow at him in quiet consternation, and he only laughed before turning her into a low dip on the dance floor and reminding her that he was in total control of himself out here. “But where words might fail you, action is your strong suit. You show me every day how much you love me, Emma. And every day I thank my lucky stars to have that love.”

He made a fair point. Emma was, after all, a woman of action, and so she decided to take some now. Though they were dancing, she stalled their moment to pull him in for a kiss, giving them both a taste of what was to come when the night drew to a close. The sparks between them ignited instantly, and without looking, Emma knew some of her magic was radiating from within. When they pulled apart she was almost dizzy from the delight, but Killian was even more effected. He had that boyish grin of his in full display, and that tiny hint of bashfulness that came when he’d done something really well. Only when she heard the oohing and aahing of the people around them did she realize their magic had created stars along the ceiling of the barn, making it appear that they were all dancing under an inky black sky bursting with constellations.

From a distance, Emma heard her daughter ask if it was ‘magic time’ now, but before she and Killian needed to step in, Regina told her ‘Not tonight, kid,’ and Henry whisked her off for her another dance. This gave Emma and Killian time, time to enjoy the fruits of all he’d done, and to revel in this moment for as long as they could.

“Merry Christmas, Killian. You’ve made it so perfect, I never want it to end.”

“What is it they say in those movies, love? Oh right – every day is Christmas when we’re together.”

And even though it was horribly corny, and she should have rolled her eyes at such a lame joke, Emma found that she couldn’t. She was simply too happy and grateful to feign otherwise. Instead she savored every moment of their Christmas dance, and the night they shared thereafter, knowing this would be one of the best days she’d ever had, and that somehow, some way, her pirate would find other means of making the future just as bright.

……………………

Girl I got a no problem Yeah, it's a bad habit, the way I gotta have it With or without you around All ya gotta do is call me, and tell me that you're lonely You're always stringing me out Yeah, they say the first step to quitting it Is admitting it, so here it is Girl, I think I got a no problem On my hands, 'cause I can't say no to you Once you start you know I can't stop it Even if I wanted to Yeah, I get tongue tied every time I try To do what I oughta do Girl, I got a no problem Yeah, 'cause I can't say no to you Girl, I should know better, yeah, I should know never To let you in just to leave If it's just two letters, then why can't I ever Find a way to piece 'em together Let's say the first step to quitting it Is admitting it, I'm admitting it, here it is Girl, I think I got a no problem On my hands, 'cause I can't say no to you Once you start you know I can't stop it Even if I wanted to Yeah, I get tongue tied every time I try To do what I oughta do Girl, I got a no problem Yeah, 'cause I can't say no to you Those smokey blue eyes staring back at me Yeah, you already know if you're asking me What the answer's always gonna be It's gonna be, yeah Girl, I think I got a no problem On my hands, 'cause I can't say no to you Once you start you know I can't stop it Even if I wanted to Yeah, I get tongue tied every time I try To do what I oughta do Girl, I got a no problem Yeah, 'cause I can't say no to you Those smokey blue eyes staring back at me Can't say no to you Yeah, you already know if you're asking me Girl, I got a no problem That the answer's always gonna be 'Cause I can't say no to you Girl, I got a no problem 'Cause I can't say no to you

Post-Note: So, what did you think? Hopefully you enjoyed this little dose of holiday cuteness and none of this is offensive in any way or to any story line. Most of you know I never watched the last season of the show, so I don’t know what they say happened to Henry and everybody. I only knew Emma and Killian did eventually have a baby girl named Hope. Anyway, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and healthy holiday season. I am grateful for you all, from the ride or die readers who comment on every post, to the people passing by who just wanted a little bit of Christmas cheer. You are such a force for good in my world, whoever you are, and I thank you for your light and kindness in these trying time. I wish you all the best this Christmas and in the New Year, and more than anything I wish you love! Sending my best vibes your way now and always, xE.

The Captain Swan Mixtape oneshot series:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9,Part 10,Part 11, Part 12,Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24,Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31,Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38,Part 39,Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45,Part 46,Part 47, Part 48, Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53,Part 54,Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60,Part 61,Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68,Part 69,Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74, Part 75,Part 76,Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83,Part 84,Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90,Part 91,Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98,Part 99,Part 100, Part 101, Part 102, Part 103,Part 104, Part 105,Part 106, Part 107,Part 108, Part 109, Part 110,Part 111, Part 112,Part 113, Part 114, Part 115,Part 116, Part 117, Part 118,Part 119,Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123,Part 124, Part 125,Part 126, Part 127, Part 128,Part 129,Part 130, Part 131,Part 132,Part 133, Part 134, Part 135, Part 136, Part 137, Part 138,Part 139,Part 140, Part 141, Part 142, Part 143, Part 144, Part 145,Part 146, Part 147, Part 148,Part 149, Part 150, Part 151,Part 152, Part 153, Part 154, Part 155, Part 156, Part 157, Part 158,Part 159, Part 160, Part 161, Part 162, Part 163, Part 164,Part 165, Part 166, Part 167, Part 168, Part 169, Part 170,Part 171,Part 172, Part 173, Part 174, Part 175, Part 176,Part 177, Part 178, Part 179 , Part 180, Part 181, Part 182, Part 183, Part 184, Part 185, Part 186, Part 187, Part 188, Part 189, Part 190, Part 191, Part 192, Part 193, Part 194, Part 195

[rollyjogerjones]

It's 'Bring Your Kid to Work Day' in Storybrooke, and Deputy Sheriff Jones' daughter, Aislin, joins the ranks of law enforcement.

We all need a bit of fluff once in a while :) This is a painting of Killian and my OC, Aislin. I absolutely adore her and I’m thrilled with how this turned out!

Please don’t repost or crop! Only reblog. Likes are nice, too! :)

[spideyanakin]

dream on (k.j)

summary - despite everything, your true love wasn’t who you thought it was. 

warnings - angst? fluff? I also found the one Disney princess who wasn’t in ouat. Also i know this doesn’t stick to the ouat timeline oops-

requested by - @justifymyfeelings​ // reader is meant to be someone else’s true love according to the fairy tales but really she’s Killian’s?? He would try and not act on it because he thinks it’ll never happen and she tries not to act on it because she feels a sense of loyalty to this other person but everyone can tell they care for each other. Then something happens which exposes their feelings like a portal which only true love can go through but it doesn’t work with this other person. 

main masterlist

Killian Jones masterlist

Dream on by Aerosmith

Princess Eilonwy.

That’s who you were.

Princess Eilonwy meant for her true love Taran.

But when the curse broke, and the memories of the enchanted forest and everything that came with it tumbled back—Taran didn’t even cross your mind.

Your oldest friend did.

Killian. Killian whom you had spent your childhood with, and the one who left you to roam the world with his father and brother.

You could remember the day you saw him again as clear as the Caribbean waters. The day your fates became once again intertwined after so long.

His father used to be a popular merchant in your kingdom, often selling only the finest goods directly to you, the royal family, and to your close circle of nobles.

Your father, as a reward would invite him and his sons to a few feasts and balls, where most your fathers proudest villagers were invited too.

And that’s how he became your best friend.

You were inseparable. From stealing baked goods from the castle kitchens to sneaking out in the woods, or annoying Fflewddur Fflam as you asked the most bizarre questions about his new songs.

But everything came to an end when his father had to flee the enchanted forest, and you were bound to never see him again.

It would have maybe stung less if you hadn’t lost the necklace he had given you. A golden coin he had told you he stole from a pirate when he was only 7 and on one of his few trips with his father and brother.

He had handed it to you a few months into your friendship, and you always wore it with pride.

But you had lost it a few days before he had to flee, leaving you behind, stuck in your little kingdom while he went out to explore everything the world had to offer.

But the years passed and as he got closer to sealing his fate, your own story unraveled, writing itself into the storybooks.

That damn Magic Cauldron story happened and you got caught like an insect into a spiderweb in what you thought was love, with one who helped you escape the clutches of darkness, and who you ended up trading the cauldron with; Taran.

And before you knew it you were engaged,

Your story was sealed.

You had your happy ending.

But something was bugging you. A part of yourself screaming that this didn’t have to your story. That there’s was more to it.

And that’s why, weeks after your happily ever after was supposedly set, you found yourself grabbing the first cloak that fell upon your hand and headed somewhere, anywhere, to get away from Taran and your father planning your future without you having a say.

You walked til the docks, eyes landing on lively tavern. People seemed happy there, they drank and sang their lives away, echoes of laughter making your feet dance across the pavement and take the final step into the cosy bar.

You hadn’t been there in a while. You thought as you took everything in. You had sneaked there with some friends a few months ago, before everything happened.

You sat in a corner facing the door, your hood still stuck to your head as you took a sip of whatever drink the server was happy to serve you, taking in the scenery.

Suddenly the door burst out open and a group of pirate arrived.

The captain entered first, clearly making an entrance as he did, catching everyone’s attention with a charming aura you couldn’t deny had you curious.

But when he walked closer and you saw his blue eyes shinning in the light, your heart skipped a beat.

You recognized that smile. That raven hair. Those mischievous ocean eyes. That grin. It was Killian.

Your jaw dropped at the sight and you almost choked on your drink as you fully registered who it was. You coughed trying to get the liquid out of your lungs which caught the pirate’s attention.

His piercing eyes shifted to you, smirk on his features as his soft words rolled off his lips. “You alright love?” God you didn’t expect his voice to sound this damn charming. “Need something to drink?” He took a step closer as he spoke, and once he was close enough, you slowly lifted your head, slightly removed your hood to lock eyes with his.

The air was knocked out of his lungs when he realised who was sitting in front of him.

“Eilonwy?” His eyes widen in surprise, he shook it off as he watched your smile light up your features, god you were beautiful, he thought to himself.

"Hey Killian," he blinked, trying to register everything about you. The way you had grown into the prettiest young women he had probable set his eyes on in a while, but how at the same time you hadn’t changed much in all these years

“Long time no see," your smile was so bright it almost reached your ears.

“Time went by like dusk to dawn,” he nodded and watched as you stood from your seat, planning on joining him at the bar for another few drinks.

“Isn't that the way," you replied, and a giggle erupted both of you at the absurdity of meeting again in these conditions.

Before you knew it you were sat at a table with him, in the far corner away from his crew, catching up on each others lives, his discoveries and your kingdoms vicissitudes.

You couldn’t take your eyes off one another. It was like two magnets had finally found a way back to each other.

But Killian had to ask the dreaded question that had been burning in the back of his mind and that made his heart burn.

“So...?” He pointed with his drink to the ring casually sitting on your left’s hand finger, the one currently wrapped against your sodden cup. “Who’s the lucky fella?” He asked as he took his own glass to his lips, eyes darting away as he couldn’t bare looking at you as you responded.

“Oh," your happy mood dropped to your stomach as you remembered your reality. You cleared your throat before neatly placing the cup on the table and awkwardly stared at the diamond on your finger. "It’s Taran"

Killian almost spat his Rhum as he heard the familiar name.

“Pig boy?” He asked with wide eyes. “Since when did your father agree to that? Thought you were bound to marry some prissy prince or something?” He asked a little taken aback from your fiancé’s identity.

He had clearly implanted in his head that someone like him could never marry you, or even be with you. He had reminded himself every day as a way to force himself to not come bursting into the castle just to see you again, and now he was told that a farmer boy was to marry you.

“Well me too," you gave an awkward smile. “But he king of saved our kingdom… it’s a long story," a stiff chuckle left your lips as you remembered how you met Taran, "long story short, we didn't think he would give his blessing either but um he became the high king after that," you gave Killian a soft smile as his shocked expression slowly faded into a forced smile.

“Oh well, congratulations.” He smiled bringing his cup up and taking a sip of it.

But that was years ago.

And especially before that damn curse.

You sat up straight holding on tight to your cup of hot chocolate.

“You want some cinnamon with that?” Granny asked as she brought you back to the present.

“Yes, please," you almost groaned in a plea of help, making her crack a smile before dazzling some onto your cup from across the counter.

“Cinamon always helps, whatever is on your mind, it will make it better," she winked and you gave her a soft smile in return.

"I hope…" you looked down at your cup, a frown appearing on your features on its own.

Since your trip to Neverland, everything had changed.

Taran hadn’t come with you, knowing he was needed in Storybrook. So it was free will to flirt with Killian and especially to fall even more in love with your childhood best friend then you already had since he showed up after the curse.

“What’s wrong?” Snow sat next to you, wobbling a tiny bit as she found her balance on the red diner chair. Giving you a warm smile, knowing very well you weren't well since Neverland.

“Nothing," you sighed as you wiped your face with your hands in frustration and took a sip of your drink.

“Y/n, I know you," she looked at you dead in the eyes. "I can book you a session with Archie if you’d like-"

“No! Definitely not! Nothing’s wrong!” You winced as you realised everything might have come out a bit too harshly. You made eye contact with her, giving her a silent plea to drop the subject before speaking again. "I’m fine. Besides, if there was something wrong, I wouldn’t do anything about it. Sometimes you can dream on about things but it won't make it real,” you tried to hold in your frustration tears, pushing the thoughts of what would have happened if you'd ran away with Killian that night at the tavern.

“Its Hook isn’t it?” She said barely above a whisper after a moment of silence, and by the look on your face, she was right.

You didn’t reply and took a sip of your drink instead.

There was a long silence, one that had been filled by customers chatting in the background and the kitchen bell ringing.

"There’s nothing to worry about Snow," you finally spoke again, and handed her a tight smile. You chugged the end of your drink before fishing for your wallet. “Taran and I... I mean Cedric, god I'm not used to this name,” you remarked as you let out yet a new frustrated sigh, as if this was just adding up to the list of reasons you were doubting this whole situation. “We started the wedding prep. I mean after being engaged for 30 years I think it’s finally time to get married," a dry laugh escaped your lips as you brushed Killian out of the conversation. “Thought you could help us, actually," you attempted to smile, as you dropped a few dollar bills on the counter. “I’ll give you a call.”

“Y/n...” Snow said with her tone full of worry, wanting nothing more than to help you. "Let’s talk about this-"

“No time! Got to pick up my dress!” You said way too quickly and way louder than you expected. “I’ll see you around!”

The doors from Granny's shut just a tad too harsh behind you as you almost ran out. You walked away faster than you wanted, your anxiety getting the best of your feet, making you accidentally bump into a small person.

“Oh, my I'm so sorry,” you placed a hand on their shoulder before looking down to meet Henry’s bright smile.

“It’s ok don’t worry!” His peppy voice made you copy his smile, “you ok?” "Could be better," you offered before spotting the book Henry was holding.

“Henry?”

“Yes?” “May I see your book?” You asked.

“Yeah, of course!” He grinned before handing you his storybook.

You flipped through the pages and finally stopped where your name was. You looked at the image of Taran asking you to marry him and turned your eyes toward the writing.

‘And Taran asked his true love Eilonwy to marry him’, you closed your eyes and shut the book, you took a sharp breath, not liking what was written. Your only hope to believe Hook was your true love just fell into the ocean.

“Thanks,” you closed the book and handed it back to Henry, before bidding him goodbye and leaving your own way, feeling yet again the weight of the world on your shoulders.

How could you not love your true love and love someone who wasn't?

You lost yourself in your thoughts, not realizing a tear slipped of it's own on your cheek.

You felt your hand go up to the coin necklace Killian had given you all those years ago, the one you had thought you had lost forever.

You blinked and the memories of Neverland flooded back to you.

You had all gone on a mission to save Henry, and if you were honest, Neverland wasn't your cup of tea. You were now tired and sore from your days of walking in the clammy and hot forests of Neverland. You sat against a tree in your own corner of the campsite, the fire lighting up the sleeping bodies of your friends.

But you couldn’t sleep. Killian had gone on a walk, trying to scavenge more wood and find potential danger, while you were simply restless. Feelings swarming inside your stomach like bees.

You were now focused on trying to fix something that was wrong with your left boot. Something had attached itself to your sole and was poking your feet as you walked, and it was pissed you off more than you were letting on.

You barely noticed Killian coming back to the camp.

“Hey,” you lifted your head up, attention going from your boot to Killian who was now towering over you, smiling before sitting next to you.

“Hey," your tone was soft, hushed, as to not wake up the others.

A silence fell upon you both as you took the scenery in, bathing in the calmness of night.

"Do you remember that necklace I gave you when we were kids?" Killian finally spoke, with a soft voice like honey to your ears. "You had lost it a few days before we left, and I tried to convince you that it was ok, that everything would be already even if you didn’t have that piece of me to remember me by?"

You turned your head to face him. As if you could ever forget that darn necklace you thought about every day.

“Yeah,” you nodded, a sad smile dancing on your lips.

“Well...” He chuckled before digging for something in his pocket. “I found it in the forest right before I left,” he grinned as he opened his hand to reveal the necklace in question. “Never had the chance to give it back,” your breath caught in your throat as you looked at the golden coin, the campfire reflecting on it.

He smiled as you took the necklace, "you've had it all these years?" Tears started forming in your eyes.

"Of course, love."

“Killian I-” You couldn’t think properly as you admired the necklace in all it's glory. Time hadn't touched it one bit. "Thank you, I-" Three little vicious words almost slipped your mouth before you caught your tongue between your teeth. "I thought I'd really lost it for good after the curse."

You had almost kissed that night.

The familiar noise of a car broke you out of your sulking. You felt the coin that you hadn't removed since Neverland burn on your chest.

And as if your day couldn't get any worst, Killian suddenly appeared in front of you with his dazzling grin and charming aura.

You shook your head, quickly wiping a stray tear away.

“You ok, love?” His voice sent chills down your spine.

“Yeah, everything's good," you breathed out, blatantly lying. ""I'm just tired today.”

“I also know when you lie,”

“Stressed?” you offered.

“We’re getting closer,” he waved his hook for you to go on.

“I um..." You thought of a better way to put your feelings into words, trying to attempt to open up to him. You didn't even know if he truly felt the same way as you "Do you ever dream of something, but you know it's impossible because the whole world tells you it isn’t but you think it is?” you rambled, already realizing that your sentence didn't make one bit of sense.

The pirate’s eyebrow knitted in confusion. “Urm, what do you mean, love?”

“Like you... um,” you took a deep breath. “You dream that the truth isn’t the truth," you put it simply.

“You know my philosophy love, dream on, dream until your dreams come true.”

“Right.” you have him a stiff smile. “I have to run. I’ll see you around.”

Killian let out a soft sigh and watched you leave. He knew a wall had been built ever since you came back, which made him regret the flirting back in Neverland. But he couldn’t help it. Your so-called true love wasn’t there and the dream of you being his real true love never left him.

You focused back on the road ahead. The dress shop wasn’t far, just a block away now. You’d go in, pick the first dress that you thought was pretty and that suited you, and leave just as quickly.

Something else to cross off from your list.

“Y/n!” Great, someone else was going to stop your beeline for the shop.

Your head turned around to spot Regina crossing the empty street to get to you.

"Y/n! Ive been searching for tou everywhere!" You raised an eyebrow.

“What’s up?"

“I need you for something.”

“Go on?”

“Not here. Come.”

"Regina I was just about too-"

"Please," she urged. "This is urgent."

"Alright," you gave up. If the universe didn’t want you to pick you dress today, then you’d just go back to the shop later. Hoping what ever Regina was plotting wasn’t going to take you too long.

Traits of confusion fell across your features as you followed Regina down into her vault. You stared around the room, taking everything; from potions to books to old trinkets brought back from the enchanted forest.

But you almost gasped when you saw what stood in the middle of the second room. You froze, almost taking a step back.

"Where did you get this?" You breathed out, almost too low for her to hear.

The black cauldron stared back at you, even more prestigious than it had all those years ago.

If someone asked you, you would have sworn it was locked up in the highest tower of your castle back in the enchanted forest. Left to collect dust and rust for the rest of eternity.

But there it stood, with all its glory, and shinning as the day it was made. The traces from the attempts at melting it long gone with time.

"It’s better you do not know," your eyebrows creased at her reply. "I need your help to make it work," she sighed. “I know you know how...”

"Regina, you know this can be extremely dangerous-"

"I know. But I need to do this one spell," she went on, and you knew you couldn’t deny her.

“I also found the book that came with it, on every spell or curse, it says you have to add the special ingredient and I have no clue what it is," she gave you the book before folding her arms.

You scanned the page of the spell book, you had no idea this book had even been created, but you knew the answer to her question anyways, “It’s an object your true love gave you..." you paused, "or a prophesied pig."

“Excuse me?” She blinked. “How is someone supposes to work this out if they don't have true love or an object with it?” She almost screamed at you and you took a step back.

“Then they don't use it or they wait for or the prophesied pig," you said simply. “Powerful magic comes with well guarded ingredients. The object comes back to you after the spell is over, and I’m not really sure what happened to the pig after. But it’s like a turn on switch for the cauldron. His spells are the strongest in the enchanted forest, even the universe I would say. It has to take its energy from somewhere... Why do you need a spell like this anyway?”  

“None of your business," she replied and took the book from you. “I don’t have anything from my true love on me at the moment. It will have to wait anyway," she turned to you with a hard gaze.

Silence fell as you looked around the room in a poor attempt to think before your eyes landed on the ring Taran had given you.

“Here," you slipped the ring off. “I’ll cast the spell. The Horned King forced me to learn magic when he captured me," you offered a smile before walking closer to the cauldron. “I swear if you're trying to make an army of the dead I will chop your head off," you referenced your own story, half joking and half serious.

You threw the ring in the cauldron but nothing.

The liquid Regina had taken her time crafting hours prior stayed dead white.

“Are you sure this is it?” Regina shuffled on her spot not happy with the results. “It’s supposed to turn pink," she pointed to the book.

“I promise you Regina this is how it works," you frowned. "Maybe you forgot another key ingredient?

"No i followed this spell to the letter," she shoved your idea away quicker than it took you to think it.

Regina thought for a good while, taking a second to process the situation before staring at you with a blank expression.

“Who gave you that ring?”

“Taran? Why?” You said it like it was obvious.

“Try something else.”

“I don’t have anything from him on me,”

“Can you stop and face the facts for one second,” she pinched the bridge of her nose, starting to loose her patience.

“Excuse me?” You blinked.

She brought the ring back to your hand with her magic and you stared blankly at it.

“I said stop lying to yourself for one second and throw the damn necklace Hook gave you in that cauldron.”

Your mind went blank for a second before you felt your heart beating up to your ears. You blinked at her, shock struck as she simply waited for her to do as she said.

Without a word, you unlocked the necklace, taking one last look at it, gulping in fear before throwing it in the cauldron. You watched as it slowly sunk into the white gue like potion, anticipation climbing up your blood.

You both stared at it, and your heart sunk as the seconds went by and nothing happened. The insides of the cauldron were still white as snow.

“See. Taran is my true love, the ring must just be corrupted, or something," you tried to reason, and Regina’s face scrunched up in confusion.

"Can you make the necklace appear again?" You turned to her, but her gaze was still fixed on the cauldron, her face suddenly lighting up.

You quickly snapped back around at her expression, your jaw falling as you watched the liquid start to bubble and turn a bright shade of neon pink.

You bit your lip.

So damn what the storybooks say,

Killian was your true love.

Not Taran.

Maybe dreaming on what the answer.

“I-” Your face lit up with a smile. “I have to go," you breathed in disbelief, "and good luck with your spell Regina!"

You ran through the streets of StoryBrook heading to the docks almost tripping at every street corner.

You ran up the Jolly Rodger and spotted Killian casually leaning on his ships railing, looking at the poor view his parking space offered.

"Killian!" You called, giggling like a child high on sugar as you made your way up to his ship.

“I see you got your smile back," he grins.

But before either of you could say another word, you latched into his arms and kissed him as if your life depended on it.

Maybe life wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

[snowbellewells]

@welllpthisishappening Oh goodness so I love this!!! 💕💕💕 It’s just beautiful and adorable and funny too - and all I could want in a CS fic, especially one envisioning their life in Storybrooke with Hope and all the rest of the OuaT family.

Being a proud glasses wearer and Gatsby fan who teaches it every year, so much of this one really hit the sweet spot! Their whole visit to the eye doctor was priceless, particularly Killian trying to read the chart without glasses (which turned more than a bit feelsy in the best sort of way), the first reference to Hope as the “little sea monster”, and of course the fact that they were seeing Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more if I tried!

The group intervention from all her friends was where it got so funny. Though the fact that Snow had orchestrated it out of genuine caring layered that sweetness underneath the humor brilliantly. Beyond all that there’s also the definite fact that I also got to swoon several times myself at the mental image you produced of Killian in glasses, and of him pushing them up his nose with his hook. ❤️

The ending is perfect, both between Emma and Killian, and for them as a family (of course Henry took her to the library, and OF COURSE Belle gave her all the books she wanted! 😊) Just WONDERFUL!! Thanks for sharing it!!

Four Eyes

I’ve still got prompts. I’m still filling prompts. Because I hate not responding when very nice people request fic. So here are some more words. That gif only goes with this story because Emma continues to be super attracted to her increasingly old husband. And his glasses. @technicallysizzlingcloud​ asked for a fic where Emma falls for Killian’s eyes and this is…kind of that. Would it be a prompt by me if I didn’t only half follow the prompt?

So, here we’ve got nearly six-thousand words of semi-plotless fluff, F. Scott Fitzgerald references, interventions, Snow White, and kissing. I am who I am.

Also in Ao3 if that’s how you roll.

—-

Honestly, the whole thing is kind of Hope’s fault.

And Emma does, in fact, realize that blaming her six-year-old is a little absurd and, overall, kind of rude, but well, it is.

Because Hope cannot see the blackboard.

Emma’s mom mentions it one night, an off-handed comment about squinting eyes and their tendency to cause headaches and bad grades and it might not be a bad idea to make an appointment and Emma hadn’t even realized there was an optometrist in Storybrooke, but apparently Victor knows a guy and the guy is from the Land of Untold Stories and–

Hope gets glasses.

From Dr. Eckleburg.

Who is actually a very nice man. He doesn’t mention the diminishing returns of the American dream once.

And that’s also kind of absurd, but Emma’s been running on metaphorical fumes for a week and she has got to find someone else to blame for all of this besides her six-year-old.

She can’t. Because her six-year-old really did need glasses and that required an eye exam with Dr. Eckleburg and that eye exam ended with Killian squinting at a slightly antiquated sheet of paper with letters he also couldn’t read.

Keep reading

[simplyshelbs16xoxo]

Shipping Asks -- 1, 2, 4-6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19-26

1. What was your first OTP? Kim and Ron, the OG ship of my heart

2. What is your current OTP? Sherlolly, my precious darlings

4. What is/are your favorite trope(s)? bed sharing, fake dating, so many different AUs, domesticity, friends to lovers, mutual pining, strangers to lovers (as in person A unknowingly meets their future love, person B)

5. What is/are your least favorite trope(s)? omegaverse stuff, non-con and dubcon, enemies to lovers, major character death

6. Do you have a certain kind of ship you’re more attracted to? Most of my current ships have this angsty thing in common. Sherlolly, Deckerstar, and even Halice all have broody British men xD and strong, unconditionally loving women. So yeah, I think there’s a type somewhere.

8. Who is the most shippable person you can think of? I assume it means character, and not a real life person. I’m not really sure tbh. Depends on specifics.

10. Do characters have to have canon interactions for you to ship them? Most of the time yes, even if it’s just the tiniest amount. I only ever did crack!ships with OUAT, but I have to have canon to inspire me.

11. What makes a great ship in your own opinion? MUTUAL PINING. That is the biggest thing for me, cause if a ship is legitimately unrequited, I have no interest. Two characters with great chemistry, subtleties mixed in with bigger moments. Doesn’t matter if it’s a slow burn or an instant connection.  

14. Has a fanbase ever made you ship or not ship something? Why? Yes, the CaptainSwan fan base in OUAT made me revolt at the idea of it. They pushed the showrunners so much on twitter, that the creators gave in and killed off one half of my ship to make CaptainSwan happen. I only know that’s what happened because an ex-writer of the show spilled some tea about it. Even to this day when I see people comparing CaptainSwan to ships I do love, it annoys me.

18. What is your favorite unpopular ship? Hmmm been a while since I’ve had an unpopular ship. I guess I’d have to go with Swanfire from OUAT. I’d say Sherlolly, but we’re not the most unpopular in the fandom, so yeah lol. OOH wait, is Mythea considered unpopular? Cause I choose that lol

19. Do you prefer fluff, angst, or smut for your ships? I like a mix of all 3 in the fics I read, but I write fluff and angst mainly. I have written smut, but I don’t post it in case family somehow stumbles upon it. If anyone is interested in reading it, I would happily email it to you :)

20. Do you prefer bigger fanbases or smaller ones? I enjoy both. With bigger fanbases, there’s more content for my ships, but in my smallest fandom (Syfy Alice), there are no ship wars and we all ship the same ships and we all get along. That fandom isn’t even big enough for cliques to form lol

21. Have you ever received hate for a ship you liked? Oh yes, for Kim x Ron, Rumbelle, Swanfire, Sherlolly. The Kim and Ron ship hate happened on a forum while I was in middle school that I like to call the Second Great Kigo War of ‘07. The first one happened in ‘05 on the same forum.  

22. Do you have any ships that you ship, but would never want to see as canon? I can’t think of any. I wanna see all my ships canon lol

23. Have you ever had a ship become canon, but you didn’t like how it was portrayed? Okay, so Rumbelle had always been canon from the beginning, but after S3, they really started fucking up their storyline to the point where I couldn’t even condone the ship anymore.

24. What is your favorite canon ship? Sherlolly 

25. What are your favorite ships from a dead fandom? Halice

26. What are your favorite shipping scenes? For which ship? For Sherlolly, the scene that got me shipping them was the Christmas scene. All of their scenes are my fave shipping scenes for them lol. 

THANKS!

Ship Asks

[thegreatworkofmagic]

🌟 ⌛🌌 💗 💝💙🎂 🎊💞💖💔🍕🌅 🎥🎼🎲 🎮

Questions for the mun!

So many! So I’m going to answer under the cut :)

🌟 - Who was your very first rp muse?

Answered here :)

⌛ - How long have you been rping?

10 years. Wow that makes me feel old. But not here. I’ve been on Tumblr for about 3 of them.

🌌 - What’s your favorite part of rp?

Finding other muses who just click with your muse. Relationships/bonds that can vary: family, friendship, love interests, or even enemies.

💗 - Do you prefer angst or fluff?

I’m a big fan of fluff but I also love angst from time to time :)

💝 - Who are some rpers you look up to?

I know I’m forgetting people but I also don’t want to make the list too long. So here we go:

@screamxftime a.k.a. the Charmed oracle :)

@blxxmfxyxu I love how we keep finding ways to have different muses of ours cross paths, no matter the fandom they’re in.

@onceuponxlove  We started writing together in the OUAT fandom. Glad we’re still in touch.

@anarmyofcanons  Who loves Charmed as much as I do. Looking forward to writing with you again in the future.

@melindax Such creativity. And so many muses! Definitely something I can relate to haha.

@ericbrandonrp - Simply great. In and out of character.

@trxplehelix & @powerof3in1  *happily makes every next generation character I can find part of the family* Thank you for being so welcoming! I look forward to writing with you more.

💙 - Are there any muses you’ve been considering trying out?

Whenever I discover or rediscover a fandom I’m tempted to try out new muses, yes. This blog started with me trying out Piper and Phoebe. Which resulted in me adding Prue & Paige. My latest is Ciaran, an OC I’m trying out here. If there are more in the future I will keep you posted!

🎂 - When’s your birthday?

Next month :)

🎊 - What’s your zodiac sign?

Answered here :)

💞 - How old are you?

I’m not comfortable sharing that here. But if you really want to know I’ll tell you by IM.

💖 - What’s something you like about your muse?

What I’ve always loved about my muses is their sense of humor. And their bond, of course.

💔 - What’s something you dislike about your muse?

Can I get back to you on that one? xD

🍕 - What’s your favorite food?

Not sure if this counts but I LOVE jellybeans.

🌅 - What’s your favorite season/weather?

Summer. Definitely.

🎥 - What’s your favorite tv show/movie?

This tends to vary. But two of my all time favorites are Charmed and Gilmore Girls.

I also love Outlander. I’ve read all of the books and I’m looking forward to the new episodes.

With movies I can also give you a long list. But one of my all time favorites is A Star is Born with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Their characters are muses of mine on my multi muse blog :)

One of the first movies I remember loving was Pirates of the Carribean. No wonder I ended up with a muse that has Johnny Depp as a fc.

🎼 - What’s your favorite song?

I have so many! Depends on the mood I’m in.

One of my all time favorites is Valerie by Amy Winehouse.

🎲 - Do you have a favorite board game?

I’m afraid I don’t play a lot of board games at the moment.

🎮 - What’s your favorite video game?

I’ve never really played video games. If computer games count I’d say the Sims?

[ao3feed-swanqueen]

Locked Up

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2FhReZd

by Swendom

Emma is locked up. Regina works at the prison. They fall in love. Read for more.

Mature Content: Sexual, Emma G!P, Swearing, and Gay AF

Hey guys, this story is going to start off fast. It will slow down soon. In the future Emma will have some bumps in her road and Regina will smooth them out. For now, I hope you enjoy reading.

Words: 1856, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: SwanQueen - Fandom, ouat

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/F, Gen, M/M

Characters: Evil Queen | Regina Mills, Emma Swan, Neal Nolan, Prince Charming | David Nolan, Snow White | Mary Margaret Blanchard, Original Queen of Hearts | Cora/Regina's Father | Henry Mills Sr. Child(ren), Queen of Hearts | Cora, Babies - Character

Relationships: Evil Queen | Regina Mills/Emma Swan

Additional Tags: G!P, Lesbian, Love, Smut, mature - Freeform, cursing, Fluff, Jail, criminal, Marriage, Breakup, Dominant Emma Swan, Submissive Regina Mills, mother - Freeform, father - Freeform, mummy - Freeform, daddy - Freeform, Mama - Freeform, dada, papi - Freeform, Drugs, References to Drugs, Selling Drugs, Guns, Violence, Siblings, Gay, Chidren, Family, Relationsip, Postpartum Depression, Tattoos, Business, Babies, emmaswan - Freeform, English, Español, Fanfiction, gaylove, Emma Swan Has a Penis, onceuponatime, OUAT - Freeform, swanqueen - Freeform, swendom, vivalaswanqueen

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2FhReZd

[violetfaust]

Today’s spoilery shower thought: In spite of everything, Rumple dies but the Dark One survives.

It’s a show about hope.

Inside for more (more detailed spoilers mentioned).

We all know that Rumple is dying, and suspect that Wish Rumple will bite it as well (spec that is confirmed if the call sheets for the finale going around are real).

But the time period is still 2018. Which means that Rumbelle and Gideon are still traveling the world somewhere. And Rumple is still the Dark One for about another eighty years. 

Sure, if this is a closed time loop EVENTUALLY it will be destroyed. And we know that Rumple kept it on a leash for all that time. But nonetheless. It’s out there. The story is not closed out, “rounded and bright and done.” “Don’t worry, the ultimate villain is going to eventually meet its doom and we know how” doesn’t strike me as dramatically satisfying, but I’m sure Kitsowitz know better. (And since we know that time loops in OUAT are not perfectly closed--via the way time was rewritten in the CS movie with changes such as Captain Swine oozing into the fairytale book--welp. Nobody’s completely safe.)

Of course, Kitsowitz could have cut off this loophole easily. Just say that Rumple(s) dying resonates across the universe and knocks the Dark Squad out of 2018 Rumple prime as well. Which is no weirder than many of the show’s other handwaves.

Then the 2018 Fluff Family is free of the curse and Rumbelle get to grow old as they wanted, together, and die as they wanted, together, and maybe have more kids, and see Gideon’s graduation and meet their grandkids, and basically this was all I ever wanted from the show since Beauty.

It would have been so easy. And, if spec is correct that the HH characters never do get back to their future, and the finale scene is ~~handwavey somewhere within the next sixteen years, Rumbelle could have shown this by being there. Bobby was still filming when they did the big group scene, and even if for some reason Emilie couldn’t or wouldn’t film, which seems unlikely, they could have shown Rumple and some kid-sized Gideon (none of the kids’ ages will ever match up anyway) and mentioned Belle was nearby.

Coulda...

[snowbellewells]

Happy Birthday Fic Teaser: “We Were Always Meant to Find You”

Happy Happy Birthday today to @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ !!! Jennifer, I have been so blessed by your friendship over the years; you were the very first fandom friend I made when I got into OuaT and CS, and it has been so much fun knowing you over that time. I hope that your birthday is wonderful and filled with all sorts of special moments. I wanted to write you a bit of a CS family future fic, and I have it all planned out and solidly started, but it just isn’t finished yet. Hopefully it will be posted for you to read entirely in just a couple more days, but until then, here’s a bit of a teaser and the cover art to give you some sort of a gift on your actual birthday!  

This fic is meant to be set in Storybrooke, post s6 and CS happy beginning, featuring little Hope, teenage Henry, their newly adopted sister, and an affectionately bemused narrator in Granny Lucas...

Here’s a tidbit of “We Were Always Meant to Find You”

The shepherd prince turned deputy sheriff raised his voice to be heard above the low murmurs and shufflings of such a crowd. “Thank you all for coming!” he greeted with a genuine, winning grin. “It means the world to Snow and I that you’ve all come here to support our family on such a special occasion. That you’ve extended your kindness and acceptance to our daughter and her family as well is something we will never forget. Emma may not always know how to express it, but I do know that she is grateful. Now, they were right behind us when we left the courthouse, so if we mean to surprise them, we’d better get ready! They should be here any minute!”

That announcement sent the crowd in her establishment into a flurry of activity, rearranging themselves to seem casual and unconcerned; not at all as if they were breathlessly awaiting the Savior and her small family - now officially one member larger - to sing and welcome and celebrate them to the point of embarrassment. Food and drink orders, seating preferences, and other side conversations were forgotten for the moment as all the gathered townsfolk waited with held breath while trying to seem as if they weren’t. 

From her vantage point by the old, battered but sturdy cash register, the Widow Lucas could already envision the very way Emma Swan’s eyes would drop to her boots, and she would be friendly and gracious, but a bit awkwardly brusque too. Still, after all this time in Storybrooke, she wasn’t fond of too much attention. The Captain, of course, as Grany acknowledged him fondly, would try to follow his lovely wife’s lead, but the tips of his rather notably pointed ears would be red, secretly pleased with the notice and care shown to his newest little love. Henry’s eyes would widen in joy and excitement, Granny knew, though he would have expected no less of them all, she reckoned, his believer’s heart optimistically anticipating the best of others and then often inspiring it. Young Hope would be holding court from the moment she realized everyone was there for her family. If ever there were a wee lass born to be royalty, Granny mused, it was that one; with every bit of her mother - and grandmother’s - beauty and bravery, and her father’s audacity and puckish charm, Hope Jones was irresistible to everyone she encountered.

Sure enough, soon they could all see through the diner’s large front windows,  Emma, Killian, Henry, Hope, and their newly adopted sister coming down the walk along Main Street. The last few whispers and scuffles dropped off as family and friends watched, hoping to make the Savior’s family joyously welcome with thier little surprise, in a manner they would never forget..

Tagging a few who might enjoy: @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @kmomof4​ @searchingwardrobes​  @jennjenn615​  @jrob64​ @apiratewhopines​ @cosette141​ @stahlop​ @xarandomdreamx​ @sotangledupinit​ @anmylica​ @xsjax​ @teamhook​ @revanmeetra87​ @winterbaby89​ @elizabeethan​ @the-darkdragonfly​ @donteattheappleshook​ @tiganasummertree​ @optomisticgirl​ @spartanguard​ @therooksshiningknight​ @thislassishooked​ @scientificapricot​ @gingerchangeling​

[resident-of-storybrooke]

You’re My Home: CSSS17

Title: You’re My Home Rating: T Summary: This takes place after the darkness has been taken out of both CS, let us call this a canon divergence, eh? A bit of angst, a dash of fluff, and a happy beginning (perhaps?). You know the drill loves, drop a review if you’d be so kind! AN: This is my CS Secret Santa gift, thank you @cssecretsanta for organizing all of this! Also, thanks to my dear friend Lydia ( @rouhn ) for being the best and being my beta for this! I am very excited to finally reveal my identity, @once-a-superwholockianwizard I am very happy to be your Secret Santa! It’s been a blast getting to know you more throughout the process, and I look forward to future chats! I hope you enjoy your gift!! Happy holiday love! 

Finally…happy holidays, I hope however and with whomever you choose to spend this time with that you have a merry time. Thank you OUAT fandom for making this truly a special year for me, I’ll see you beautiful souls in the new year. All the love! 

Emma still found it a bit unnerving to be in the house, their house. Although, it didn’t feel like their house yet. It didn’t help that most of Killian’s belongings were still on the Jolly Roger, Emma hadn’t asked him to move in, yet. Plus, there were still stark reminders of their times as the Dark Ones before their trip to the Underworld.

She cringed at the thought, everything that had happened and that was said between them. Emma thought she had lost her chance of her happy ending, again, when she had to leave him there. The elevator ride was the most painful moment of her life. Even worse than the times Killian had died, maybe because she knew somehow, he’d always come back, he was a survivor after all. But then? Then she thought that was really the end of their love story. Thank god - eh Zeus - that it wasn’t the end though.

They hadn’t really talked about what had happened, granted it had only been a few days and they were separated by another damn portal, still, they needed to talk. Wow, Emma Swan wanting to talk out her issues? Needless to say, Killian Jones truly brought out a different side of her.

She made her way over to the kitchen, although infamous for her lack of cooking skills, she decided she wanted to make something special for Killian. She figured it would help ease their way into the difficult night ahead. While racking her brain of something to make, she remembered that even though he was a seafaring man, he did love Italian food, and she just so happened to have the ingredients to make them some chicken parmesan. She had a few hours to put everything together before he would be home.

Since their return, he decided it would be “good form” to get a job and help be a law-abiding citizen, especially since he fancied the sheriff and wanted to get in her good graces. He took Henry with him to the docks to help make sure all the ships’ licenses were up to code. She was thankful that after everything, Henry and Killian still seemed close. She knew he missed his father, but it was nice for him to have Killian to look up to as a… pirate.

Before Emma put the chicken into the oven she got a text from Snow, asking if they wanted to go out for dinner, but Emma told her that she and Killian were having a night in. Snow offered to take Henry for the night, but Emma informed her that he was spending the weekend at Regina’s house. Since her split from the Evil Queen, she’s been on edge and Henry helped her.

Emma looked up at the clock, she still had about half an hour left, she set everything on low and decided to change into something a bit nicer than sweats. When she went upstairs the first dress she pulled out was the pink dress she had worn on their first date. She smiled at the memory, but then she remembered. That wasn’t the only time she had worn the dress, she had poofed it on when they were on his ship when he had told her, he had loved her. She pressed her lips into a thin line, a single tear slipped from her eye, only by thinking about that evening. Suddenly she heard the front door open. She shook her head slightly and tried to get it together. The one glass of wine she had while cooking had not prepared her for this night. Maybe she should’ve had a swig of rum.

“Swan? Are you home? Where are you, love?” She could hear the worry in his voice, it was a common occurrence around the house. Maybe one day they wouldn’t have to fear about the others’ life as much.

“Yeah, I’m upstairs. I’ll be right down!” She decided to forgo a dress, instead she went with some jeans and a violet V-neck shirt that made her eyes pop ever so slightly. Emma rushed downstairs hoping he did not spoil her dinner surprise. However, she was surprised herself, when she saw he had a Granny’s to-go bag in his hand. Seemed as though they both had the same idea for the night.

“Hello there, love. I thought I would try and help out with dinner, but it seems as though you beat me to it.” He reached up and scratched his ear, a nervous tick of his she desperately missed seeing.

“I was trying to surprise you with a nice dinner, but we can-”, he cut her off with a kiss.

“No, Swan, this looks perfect. Thank you, darling.” A quick blush graced her face, she took a few quick strides over to the kitchen to make their plates.

Dinner was-, well, it was downright awkward. Usually, the silence between them wasn’t so uncomfortable, but both knew where this evening was leading to and neither wanted to start off. Killian tried to lessen the tension by mentioning how Mr. Haydock’s license was expired and it was Henry who caught it, but Emma had enough.

“Killian, I killed you.” Not exactly the elegant touch she was going for, but when did Emma Swan ever shy away from being blunt?

“Aye Swan, that you did, only after I told you to. You wouldn’t have needed to do that if I hadn’t given into the darkness.” The shame overflowing from his face, the disgust in his voice evident.

“Yeah, well if I had listened to you and not turned you into the Dark One or lied about Excalibur that wouldn’t have happened.” She didn’t mean for it to come out so harsh, she couldn’t look at him at all. She finished her glass of wine and poured a rather healthy amount back into her glass. This conversation was only beginning and Emma knew she shouldn’t be drunk for it, but she needed some liquid courage.

“Emma, I’m not going to play this “what-if” game with you all night. Aye?” Emma shook her head, knowing that this was going to get them nowhere if they just kept at it. “Emma, please look at me,” his smile failed to reach his eyes, “I have done unspeakable things during my life, but nothing as heinous as what I did as the Dark One. I put everyone you love in danger, because of my thirst for revenge. I don’t expect you to forgive me anytime soon.” He took a deep breath, finally, he searched for her eyes. “Maybe, uh, I think it’ll be better if I left for a little.”

Emma’s head shot up again with his last statement. “You- you’re kidding, right?” Killian didn’t even bother to try and look her in the eyes, she could see he was holding back tears. “After everything, you’re the one who’s going to run? That’s rich, Hook.” She spat out his moniker back at him, not feeling an ounce of guilt.

“Emma, please, I have caused so much pain I need to leave you, let you heal without a constant reminder of who ruined your life.” He didn’t even wait for her rebottle, instead, he got up from his chair, walked over to the coat rack for his leather jacket (the one Emma had bought him), and without even looking back at her walked out the door.

Staring at the now closed door, she couldn’t hold back anymore, the tears came rushing out. Emma thought she had cried out all her tears after he died, but somehow there were still some left in her. Her sobs turned into her convulsing on the couch. No matter what she tried she could not seem to get in control of herself. Instead of fighting it she let it all out, there was no need to hide now. Growing up, Emma thought crying, hell showing any emotion, made her weak, but she has learned that it’s healthy to let it out. Granted she wished she was expressing happier emotions, but she knew she needed to let her body run its course.

CSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCS

She had made him bloody dinner, one of his favorites too. And like the git he was, has he messed it up. Emma, his Swan, wanted to talk. The woman with the walls as high as that damn beanstalk, they once climbed, wanted to communicate, to work through things. But he couldn’t though.

Killian was far from forgiving himself for what he had done to her and their - her family. He knew he shouldn’t consider himself as a part of the Charming’s, he was far from any hero. A hero wouldn’t have lied to the woman he loved, hurt her and her family to seek revenge on the bloody crocodile, or have them risk their lives to save him from the blasted Underworld.

Although he shouldn’t have walked out on her, he knew that. Killian thought it was a bit late though to turn around, but he needed to be the man Emma knew he could be. So, he walked back to the house. Before he could open the door, he heard her - she was sobbing uncontrollably.

He moved over to the porch and he could see her on the couch. He saw what he had done to her, he was to blame. His own tears started teasing his eyes, he lifted his right hand swatting them away - with no luck. He quickly ran from the house not being able to stand the sight of seeing his true love in so much pain.

They were true love. Dammit. Why was he acting like this? She still loved him, she had told him outside of Granny’s after his return. She saw the good in him, she still wanted to be with him after everything.

He needed to go for a walk, to get out of his own head. As he made his way pass Main Street he could see into Granny’s, her parents and Neal making their way to the exit. Killian tried to hurry along. He could barely look Emma in the eyes, let alone her parents who he had tried to kill and who had risked their lives several times to save him.

“Oh! Killian!” Dammit. Snow had seen him, he knew better than to try and ignore the royals so he made haste to catch up with them.

“Your majesties, lovely to see you.” He gave a short bow and a sly smirk as if that would fool them. Snow shot a look over at David and handed him Neal then, with much more strength than he realized she possessed, took him to the middle of the street by his arm.

“Alright, spill it. What happened? Emma told me you two were having dinner tonight and here you are Emma-less and with tear-stained cheeks.” Her voice softened towards the end of her declaration, knowing that tonight had not gone to plan for her daughter and the pirate.  

“Aye, no getting by you, is there m’lady?” His charm was failing him yet again., Besides Emma, Snow always could see right through him, maybe she got the lie detector ability from her mother. “It seems as though I have broken my promise I made to you and the Prince all those months ago. I promised I would never hurt Emma, but I did. I also hurt you, your entire family. I never truly apologized for all the mayhem I caused, m’la-Snow, I am sorry. What I did is-”

“Human. Killian, yes you messed up, but you’re human. You might’ve been immortal, but still. It’s not your fault, and I’m not saying it’s Emma’s fault either. You can’t beat yourself up for your sins forever, you know?” She grabbed his arm, trying to elicit some sort of response from him.

He looked up at her, tears in both of their eyes now. He didn’t know why but suddenly he blurted out with the truth. “I thought it would be better if I gave her space, let her heal in peace without me around, but that was a horrible idea. I hurt her again, tonight. She tried to make us dinner, she wanted to talk, but I ran. I keep hoping I can outrun my past, but it seems as though I’m not fast enough. I don’t know what to do, I’m so scared to let her down again.” He choked on his last word, Snow then reached out and pulled him into a hug. Although she was significantly shorter than him it felt comfortable, familiar almost.  

They just stood there, in the middle of Main Street with Killian finally opening up and letting his emotions spill out from him. Snow never let go, she rubbed his back with such a maternal touch, it caught him off guard. He had gone without a family for so long, but now he was here, hugging Snow White, the mother of his true love. He took a deep breath and stepped back from her, both wiping their eyes.

“Killian, for what it’s worth, David and I forgive you. We have for a while, no one holds any ill will against you. You need to stop beating yourself up for something you could not control, okay? As for you and Emma, when people are supposed to be together they’ll find a way. Now, go find my daughter, I’ll see you both at family dinner tomorrow.” His eyes must have shown his shock, he had joined them for dinner plenty of times, but never ones deemed “family dinner”. Perhaps he still stood a chance. He walked her over to the truck where David was waiting for the two of them.

“Hey, it’ll be okay, mate.” Killian didn’t expect him to say anything, and although “mate” had been tossed around between the two of them, he looked into David’s eyes and saw he was being sincere. For the first time, all night Killian felt a smile grace his face, a sincere one. David did something surprising, he brought him in for a hug. They were a touchy bunch these Charmings, but he would never complain. The hug was significantly shorter than the one experienced with Snow, but yet just as meaningful.

He decided he needed to clear his head properly and figure out how he was going to make everything up to Emma. The docks seemed like the perfect place for him.

CSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCS

After what seemed like ages Emma woke up, she must have passed out after her cry. She looked over at the grandfather clock, it was three in the morning. She should have gone up to the room, but she couldn’t imagine going to what was supposed to be their bedroom alone. No one would be up, so she figured her best bet was to go for a walk to try and clear her head.

She shouldn’t have been really that surprised that she ended up at the docks. Killian always took her here whenever she was upset. He said it was his job to protect her heart, but right now she felt as though her heart had been ripped from her chest. She knew that there were still a few hours from sunrise, but it was a cool summer night and sitting out here for a while would probably do her some good.

Emma knew she had already forgiven Killian, for everything. She just needed to figure out how to express that to him, before he could run away again. Not that she blamed him for running away. She had run away from the conversation over the last few days, just not physically like he did. As Emma kept walking she noticed a figure sitting in her usual spot, she knew exactly who it was.

“Killian?” She said tentatively, not knowing if he would really want to see her after everything. He turned around startled by her voice, even in the pale moonlight she could see how distraught he was. His eyes rimmed with redness, his hair messier than normal as if he had been running his fingers through it all night.

“Aye, love. What are you doing here at this late hour?” He sounded guilty, knowing that he was the reason she couldn’t sleep, which was partially true. She took a few steps towards him looking at him as if she was asking permission to sit down so he swiftly nodded. They sat on the edge of the dock in silence, much like they had done during dinner.

“Killian, I-”

“Emma.” Both said at the same time, Killian raised his hand, hoping Emma would let him go first and she did.

“Emma Swan, I feel like I owe you a million apologies. I should have never run out on you like that. I was scared, but that’s not good enough of an excuse, nothing is. Your mother and I had a bit of a chat tonight.” Emma looked over at him to see if she could read how the conversation between them went. When Killian gave a quick smile, a rush a relief overtook her.

“Your mother said I needed to stop trying to run, that I cannot beat myself up forever for what I have done. Although I understand, I don’t know if I can ever forget what I did. But I want to promise you that I will move on and will learn from my past mistakes. I want to be this better man for you, Emma.”

She reached over for his hook, holding it as she always did, but Killian still weary flinched at the contact. Emma couldn’t handle it anymore, she decided to pull him in for a hug. Both started crying once more, suddenly she realized the last time he saw her cry was when they were in the Underworld saying what they thought was goodbye.

No.

She had to stop living in the past, living in those dreadful moments. Her dad once told her life was made up of moments, good and bad, but that it was worth it all. It was then she decided she was ready to start making some of those good moments.

“Killian,” she pulled back from his arms, fear quickly spread across his face, “I am tired of living in the past. You, flaws and all, are the man I want to be with. We can’t keep running. I know I am just as guilty of it, but you come to me Killian, you lean on me, you trust me when things go wrong. We work through things together. You said we make quite the team? Let’s prove your theory. I still want that future with you, the house the yard, the kids-”

Emma didn’t mean to make it slip, but she couldn’t lie, watching Killian with Neal made her feel some type of way, something she never expected to feel again. He seemed to have caught that admission and she was surprised to see the pure joy that now danced upon his face. It seemed as though she wasn’t the only one who thought about their possible future family.

“I can’t promise that this will be easy, there will be times that I drive you crazy and you’ll question your sanity, and you’ll probably-” for the second time tonight, he had cut her off with a kiss. This kiss, however, was full of promise. Promise for their future, together.

“Swan, as much as I’d like to watch the sunrise with you, I think it’d be best if we head back.” She looked over at him, a big smile appeared on her face. The man she loved, the man who loved her, he was back. For good.

They walked home, hand in hand just as they had done a million times by this point, but Emma felt different about it. As they walked in silence it was no longer uncomfortable, it was actually quite relaxing. There were no underlying tensions to take away from their moment, their happy moment.

Killian opened the door for her and stepped to the side, always the gentleman, even adding a bow to really sell the moment. Emma stood there watching her true love.

“Move in with me.” It wasn’t a question, she knew this is what she wanted, what they both wanted. She heard Killian let out a small gasp, his eyes grew wide, and his smile took over his face.

As they walked through the front door Emma felt it, she was home, truly home and that their happiness was just beginning.

[seriouslyhooked]

Thank you so so much 💛✨

Honeymoon Fades (A CS Fic)

CS oneshot that provides a snippet into their married life after 30 years together. Includes fluff, feels, and cuteness. Short, sweet, and the perfect weekend treat. Find on FF here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey all! This is a short drabble based on the song ‘Honeymon Fades’ by Sabrina Carpenter. This story picks up on Emma and Killian when they’re children are all grown and they’ve been together nearly 30 years. Spoiler alert – the cuteness perseveres after all their years together, and in some ways they’re like honeymooners, still as in love and happy as they were just post-wedding. Hope you enjoy the cuteness and thanks so much for reading!

The silence in this house was still a foreign thing to Emma. After so many years of raising her family, and decades of craziness that she wouldn’t trade for anything, quiet moments still felt like a real commodity. They used to be so few and far between, and every time they found them, she and Killian made use of them. They lived a life of constant motion, and they were always go-go-go, but it kept things fresh and interesting. They were never lacking for love and excitement around here, at least they never used to be.

Now, however, things were different. Take this morning for example. It was 9:00 and she was only just rolling out of bed. She was off today from the station, where she was beginning to take a number of steps back. Her brother Neal had been working with her and her Dad for years, deciding he wanted to join the family business, and he was now the newly elected town sheriff. Emma still worked at the station and ran point on many aspects of Storybrooke’s response team, but even with that, there was never enough to do. She ‘worked’ from 9-5 Monday to Friday, mostly just conferring with the townspeople on what needs they had and what the town could do for them. And then the weekends she had off, totally free, never any hiccups. Just two whole days of… well, whatever the hell she wanted.

Keep reading

[rollyjogerjones]

BIG BLUE HOUSE (3/??) - CS FUTURE FAMILY VERSE

Summary: Emma and Killian discover something new about their daughter: She is easily amused.

Eyebrows.

It’s the high, electric squealing Emma hears first.

She is upstairs, rifling through their dirty laundry for one of Henry’s tees, when the living room on the floor beneath her comes to life. She knows full well that Killian is downstairs with their daughter, and so she decides the squealing is nothing of concern. She throws everything back into the laundry basket, hoists it up and takes her time descending the stairs, smile spread.

Step, step, step.

She hears chuckling, then, as she is halfway down.

Step, step.

The chuckling and giggles fuse together, in a harmony of glee. It becomes louder the closer Emma gets.

Step, step, step, step.

Smile in place, Emma reaches the bottom of the stairs and turns into the front room, biting her lip. “What’s going on here?” She asks, amused, sweeping towards the couch where her husband resides.

He lies on the couch, legs outstretched and arms out in front. Inside his wrapped up arms is tiny Aislin Jones, who is sat on her father’s chest in fits of giggles. She is six months old now, and Killian and Emma are completely and utterly infatuated with her.

Killian sings to her after crying fits in the night. Emma pretends she understands her innocent babbling when she is sat on the rug, pushing her blocks around and clapping her hands over the squeaky toys. They both give her baths, feed her, change her. They go for dinner with the whole family each Tuesday at Granny’s, or once the next villain has been dealt with. Snow and Charming take her when they need an evening to themselves. Henry is the protective big brother, and Regina makes cynical comments about her magic. Zelena gifts her with tiny green hats and socks, while Belle takes her for play dates with Alden.

They could swear that parenthood has been ingrained in them, as with each passing day, their instincts strengthen. Despite initial terror, creating her was the most wonderful thing that could have happened, a part of their lives they were not aware was missing.

Truthfully, the entire family is stunned she hasn’t been dropped on her head yet.

“Emma… look at this,” he chortles, grin still in place. He nods his head towards Aislin, as a gesture to join him and take in the sight he is beholding.

Emma places down the basket on the floor, then rounds the couch and crouches beside his head. The baby has remained fixated on her father during this, as her pink stubby fingers tap away and shake the coloured block in her grip.

Emma is entranced, gaze deep and in awe of her pair. She watches eagerly, eyes moving between each. She looks on Killian, and he looks back, winking.

“Aislin, poppet?” He says, ensuring he has her full attention. Once her deep baby blues are tracking him intently, he lifts one eyebrow.

The baby loses it. Squeals of piercing joy barrel into their ears. Emma flinches at the crack of sound, but Killian inches closer in delight, his grin igniting.

“Wait, what?” Emma asks, voice rising in incredulity as she suddenly shakes her head.

“I have no clue! She finds it hysterical,” he chuckles, and Emma sees the rumble in his chest. It shakes their daughter, which only makes her laugh harder.

Emma laughs with her. “Aislin?” She coos, hand reaching forwards.

Aislin’s giggles subside momentarily as she watches her mother. Emma lifts her own brows.

Nothing. If anything, it ceases her joy entirely.

Emma then sees the smirk coming from her right.

“I could cut your smugness with a knife,” she says, feigning a glum tone.

“What can I say, Swan? She can only have one favourite,” he grins, that shit-eating one. Emma swats his arm.

He lifts the other brow. Their daughter breaks out into a gummy smile. Aislin throws her head away from them, tumbling back, and Killian has to put his hand on her back to stop her from taking a bad fall. She shrieks as she falls back, and as this happens, there is a crack, smash and buzz. They both jump.

“Again?” Emma sighs, looking to the television that has been knocked out of signal, the light bulb that’s fuse has burst and the mug that has been thrown from the coffee table.

“’Tis your own doing, love – giving her magic,” he sniggers, rubbing the baby’s back.

~

They hadn’t anticipated it to go for so long. In fact, they are beginning to be concerned for their daughter and her strange fascination with her father’s face.

Emma walks into the house a few nights later, carrying the winter wind with her. It cuts into the snug warmth of their home, but is soon eradicated by the fire that has just begun to die down in the living room. The television is mute in the corner, and the only other light to grant Emma a safe path into the room is the light in the kitchen. She sees Killian’s sock adorned feet and steps over.

She finds her little family in the same position she discovered them only days ago, except Killian has them wrapped up in a blanket, his head thrown back over the arm of the couch, and Aislin on her tummy, on his chest. Killian’s face is morphed by sleep, deep and welcoming. He rumbles, divulging snorts from his throat. Aislin lies fully awake, but peaceful. Her small chunky hand is on her father’s face, who is far too exhausted to be roused by it. She taps gently and strokes her little fist along his chin, over his jawline. Soft baby skin against prickly stubble. She appears fascinated, in a trance, staring up and intrigued by all the individual hairs and creases.

~

Mere months later, she has caught a bug – something about Neal hanging over her just after recovering from a cold from preschool. Eyes watery, nose dribbling, her flesh warm and sticky with a temperature, they realise quickly that she favours her daddy’s comfort and cuddles when she isn’t feeling her usual firecracker self. Though, she prefers him most of the time, anyway. The favourite parent thing stuck, and Emma doesn’t mind one bit.

Off duty for the day, he remains indoors with his little pirate wrapped in his arms. He brings medicine on the dot. Aislin sucks on her pacifier in fixed and timely motions, the plastic rubbery device popping in and out past her lips. She sniffles and her red rim eyes spew tears.

He finds that her ministrations to his face, circular and barely there, sooth and distract her. They lower her distress further than the work of the pacifier. Whenever he is accessible to her small outstretched arm, she lifts her curious fingers and pets his beard, then hair, then sideburns. When he is away, she becomes more distressed, and so Killian makes a new home for the medicine upon the coffee table, to prevent long periods of parting from her.

Emma comes home to them, drained and aching, but the sight lifts her spirits. She leaves them to it. She can’t match the comfort her husband’s face brings.

[distant-rose-archive-blog]

Hi! My name is Tessa, but my captain swan blog is the-reason-to-sail-home. I co-run an OUAT podcast with hencethebravery and tonight we uploaded an episode that talks about S7 (spoiler free). Toward the end, we talked about what we would do with S7 if we could write it and I mentioned your Little Pirates series as one of the things I'd love to see. Just wanted to let you know. Obviously, don't feel obligated to listen to it, just wanted to keep you in the loop. Our tumblr blog is podeverafter !

Hahahhaha girl, how could I not listen to it when you drop a bomb like that on me? I made noises that weren’t even human and kinda gaped stupidly a bit as my flatmate looked at me as if he wanted to put me into a mental institution. (It’s 8am and I’m super emotional in the mornings.)

Anyway, thank you so much for the mention. I’m honored that you even gave a millisecond to my humble one-shot series. (And of course, I think it’s reasonable to assume that my post-season six headcanon is LP, so season seven for me would be Emma pregnant with Harrison saga - which is just drama of Emma being very conflicted about who she is as a whole now that she has all of this family and is actually keeping the kid this time around, and basically arguing with Killian over how she’s handling everything aka being too reckless and trying to assert she’s more than just someone’s mother, someone’s daughter or someone’s wife. Plus Henry coming of age, discovering how he is and how he’s wrestling with the concept of being 15+ years older than his fam. AKA fluff-angst with a happy ending/”giant” result.)

It was really to listen to you guys discuss. I found myself wanting to chat back. I loved the mention of the Leftovers, which is one of my favorite angstfests of all time. (And it has Christopher Eccleston, the original British love of my life.) I absolutely agree that @peglegsjones is phenomenal and if you haven’t read her work, then I would beat you over the head with a heavy object because you’re making bad life decisions. So yeah, lots of opinions shared here. I will be listening in the future.

Anyway, thanks for letting me know and allowing me a chance to listen. I’m actually in awe that anyone kinda gives my stupid series the time of day. It just feels weird since I’m a twenty-something nobody. So yeah, thank you.

[justanotherwannabeclassic]

Bloom (1/?)

This has been a work in progress for quite some time. It started as a response to the fact that OUAT seemingly cannot have a normal pregnancy on this show without it being traumatic or otherwise very sad. This is the result. This series will be following the arc of Emma’s totally normal, only lightly angsty pregnancy that will end 100% happy. That is my guarantee. No prophecies. No speeding up. A super normal pregnancy.

As for the timing of posting this…well, we could all use some fluff, and I’m not letting reality get me down. So, presenting, “The Happiest Pregnancy Ever”

Also on A03.

Why should I be unhappy? Every parcel of my being is in full bloom. -Rumi

Emma tapped her fingers on the table, her nails clack-clack-clacking on the wood with each downward press. She listened to the steady tick-tock of the clock, understanding with sudden clarity why Barrie had one haunt his interpretation of her husband. 

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Her husband wasn’t home. He was at store working his way down the list of things she’d hastily scribbled before he walked out the door. The list was long, and she didn’t really need half the things she sent him to buy, but she needed him gone, not anywhere near her while she processed the impending changes to their life. He would be home soon, which meant that she had to decide just what course of action to take.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

The house was quiet. Whenever Henry stayed with Regina, there was a certain stillness to their home. Even when he was there, he opted to listen to music via headphones. He was teenager, meaning he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. She liked the quiet, sometimes. Other times, not so much. It reminded Emma of her time as the Dark One – the house barren, dead. 

It won’t be like that much longer.

Emma fingered the stick in front of her. It read “pregnant” in small letters. She sprung for the test that said pregnant or not pregnant. She didn’t want to take any chances with lines or ink. It was clear as day that way. No mistakes.

This was the fourth positive test she had taken. She used magic to dispose of the three others, sending them to the Storybrooke dump away from prying eyes. Storybrooke was bad enough about gossip. She wouldn’t put it past a nosy neighbor to glance through her trash, and have the news travel before she even told the father.

The baby wasn’t planned. She was on birth control, but she and Killian had been sloppy with using extra protection the week she had been getting over a sinus infection. Damn antibiotics and their stupid side effects. 

There was a dark side of her that wanted to laugh about how both her children weren’t planned. She could prevent the destruction of untold realms, but pregnancy? What a great Savior she was!

At least things were better this time around. The only jail she was in was when she booked someone. She had a stable job. She wasn’t living out of the bug. She had a support system: friends, family, and –

Killian.

Emma had Killian. He was there for her, he would never abandon her. He loved her. Truly in the fairy tale, curse-breaking kind of way. She knew how he’d react once she told him the news. He’d be elated, but he would hold it back to test her reaction first. Always waiting for her, that’s how he normally approached any relationship milestone. (Even when he didn’t want to, Emma thought, the memory of his first proposal flitting through her mind.)

So why was she afraid? 

She and Killian had been married for almost a year, and things had been peaceful by Storybrooke standards. And that was the rub - “by Storybrooke standards”. Their home was as fantastical as the curse that had created it, with dangers Emma never could have eve imagined. Prior to moving here, the worst Emma could have imagined was a random terrorist attack or freak train derailment. Here she had to worry about time travel, and realm hopping, and memory spells. 

What if a villain made her forget her own child?

Emma wasn’t even sure how pregnancy and raising an infant would even work. Her mother had pulled it off, but the bulk of her pregnancy had been spent in the Enchanted Forest. Both Zelena and Belle had their pregnancies magically sped up, which Emma was sure wasn’t entirely healthy. Not to mention the kidnapping. Her little brother had been kidnapped, as had Gideon. Gideon, in turn, had attempted to murder her and her family. What would she do if her kid was kidnapped and went all Terminator?

Pregnancies were supposed to be happy things, right? Not riddled with anxiety regarding villains and portals and crazed relatives seeking revenge. What If Killian had more surprise relatives who wanted him dead? What if she did?

What made matters worse was that for a brief moment she had been happy. The first, second, and third time the tests turned positive - Pregnant! - she had been elated. Emma could easily picture a boy with her green eyes and his dark hair running through the house. Or a little blonde-haired blue-eyed girl receiving archery lessons on the lawn. But somewhere between test three and four, anxiety had creeped in and taken hold. 

She could get rid of it, but that didn’t seem right either. Truth was, she wanted the baby. She and Killian could pack up the house and move seven states over, but even then Emma was convinced that somehow, some way, a villain would find them. After all, it was she who nearly became engaged to the flying monkey. 

Emma felt the pinpricks of tears at the corner of her eyes, and tried to will them away. It was a lost cause. Not only was she a mess of hormones, but she was stressed, anxious, and more than a little overwhelmed. 

“It’s gonna be okay,” she said to herself, as if announcing it aloud would somewhat make her statement more true. “You’re going to be fine.”

It was then when she heard the district sound of the boards of the front steps creaking, indicating that someone was outside. She had been meaning to fix the stairs, tighten them or whatever one did to stairs – a handy woman, Emma was not – but she was grateful for the alert that allowed her to shove the test out of sight. Killian likely didn’t know what a pregnancy test looked like, but she didn’t want to take the chance of him seeing it first.

As expect, he swept through the front door, grocery bags hanging from his hooked arm. 

“Good news, love, there was a two-for-one special on those pints of ice cream you and Henry enjoy. Never let it be said that I–” Whatever Killian had been saying died in his throats when  caught sight of her. Emma knew she must look miserable, cheeks flushed from her earlier bout of tears. “Emma, what’s wrong?”

He rushed over to her, dropping the bags front of the door. Emma had half a mind to tell him to put the ice cream in the freezer, but relented. She knew Killian. His focus would be completely on her. Instead, she waved her hand and magicked what she hoped was the ice cream into the freezer. There was no use getting it all melty while she and Killian had a serious conversation.

“I love you, you know that right?” She asked, wanting to stress that the conflicting emotions she felt had nothing to do with him. 

“Yes.” His brows furrowed even as he took a set next to her at the table. He eyed her suspiciously and said nothing more.

“And you know how we’ve talked about wanting a future,” she continued, knowing she was beginning to ramble,“ but here’s the thing, we never exactly ironed out what exactly that was gonna entail, and when those things were gonna happen.”

“And you desire to have that conversation now?” Killian asked, enunciating every word slowly as if he was trying to wrap his mind around the concept. He reached over and clasped her left hand in his right, rubbing his thumb over her rings. “Darling, if that’s what you’re worried about, there’s no need to be.”

“I’m - I’m-” Emma began, struggling over what she was intending to say. She’d never been good with the whole talking thing. Flowery language and grand announcements had always been Killian’s forte. One would think that after a year of marriage, some of it would have rubbed off, but nope. “God, I should have prepared a speech.”

“Emma, you can tell me anything.” Killian kept his voice soothing, but Emma could sense the undercurrent of worry there. She supposed if he had been acting similarly, she too would be worried.

Deciding that actions spoke louder than words, Emma let go of Killian’s hand and pulled out the pregnancy test she had hidden, shoving it unceremoniously toward him. Brows furrowed, he picked it up and studied it intently. 

“What’s this?” he asked, because as expected, it was obvious he had never seen such a thing. “And why does it say…”

His voice trailed off. Her husband was an intelligent man. He could put two and two together and figure out just why she was handing him a stick that said “Pregnant” on a tiny little screen. He looked from it to her, realization dawning on his face. 

“Emma,” he said, her name coming out half-gasp, half-whisper. He sat the test down delicately, almost reverently, as if he believed that moving too quickly would upset the balance of what it had revealed. 

“So, yeah, that’s the thing. The future we didn’t elaborate on is here.” She gestured vaguely to her abdomen where a tiny lump of cells was slowly developing into a small human. 

“I see,” Killian replied. He now looked as if he were grappling with his own words. “Swan, how are you feeling?”

It was his way of asking how he should feel. Her pirate wasn’t that difficult to read.

“I feel happy, but mostly scared,” she admitted. “I have no idea how this is even going to work here or anywhere, you know, with our crazy, fucked up lives.”

He was silent for a moment… After what felt like forever, he asked, “How would you feel if our lives weren’t so crazy? If we lived a lifestyle that you considered ‘normal’, like you had in New York with Henry?”

“Still happy, a lot less terrified. Probably still freaked out, but about the normal stuff,” Emma answered truthfully. “But I don’t think going to New York is the answer either.”

“Of course not.” Killian shook his heads “But allow me to remind you that you’d still be both happy and afraid no matter what lifestyle we lead.”

She sighed. She understood what he was trying to do, let her know her reactions were totally normal. That no matter where they were and the lives they were living, she would likely still be afraid on some level. 

“We can’t pretend our lifestyle is the easiest,” she told him, looking away as she felt the tears come again. “Our kid wouldn’t exactly have the most normal of lives.”

“Our child will have both a mother and father who loves it,” Killian replied, his tone taking the authorial tone of a captain. “It will also have adoring grandparents, a protective older brother, and what I imagine will be s handful of devoted honorary aunts and uncles standing alongside those it will have by blood.”

“That doesn’t guarantee its safety or even normalcy.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Killian shook his head. “But it’s more than either you or I had.” Emma was silent. She didn’t know how to formulate a response, couldn’t really. His words struck her. She, the girl who bounced from home to home, and he, the boy raised a slave and abandoned by his father were discussing their future and their unborn child. Sometimes, Emma was overtaken by the awe of how far she’d come since those days in the systems. It was during moments when Henry would steal onion rings from her plate at Granny’s, or pancake breakfasts with her parents. And now here in the kitchen, Killian holding her hand and she worked through her feelings regarding her pregnancy. And then there was Killian, sold into slavery and practically raised by his brother. A life in the Navy, followed by a life of piracy and loss, finally to here, to her.

“So what do you say, love?” he asked, watching her meaningfully. Truth be told, Emma was still terrified of a curse, but something told her that if she asked about curses, Killian would counter by reminding her there might not be one.

And he was right, there might not be a course. Or there could be. But they’d be there, and her parents, and Regina and Zelena, as well. There would be a house the kid could come home to, the same house with the same bed. There’d be clothes that fit and kisses and “I love you”s every day. There’d be a home, one picked out by Killian and Henry, one they all filled together, their happy little family.

Wasn’t this the “Happy Beginning” they sang about all those months ago?

“I think,” she began finally, “I think that we should grab some spoons and eat the ice cream you got at the store. Celebrate.”

He grinned. “Aye, love, let’s celebrate."

She sealed it with a kiss.