#the captain swan mixtape

[omegaremix]

Omega Radio for August 2, 2014; #57.

Neu! “Hallogallo”

Captain Beefheart “The Host The Ghost The Most Holy-O”

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers “Dodge Veg-O-Matic”

Death “Where Do We Go From Here?”

Destroy All Monsters “What Do I Get?”

Cramps, The “Hypno Sex-Ray”

Saints “Wild About You”

Stiff Little Fingers “No More Of That”

Minutemen, The “Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs”

Husker Du “New Day Rising”

Swans “Money Is Flesh” (live)

Henry’s Dress “You’re My Radio One”

Late! “Color Pictures Of A Marigold”

Meat Puppets, The “Plateau”

Beatings, The “Stockholm Syndrome Relapse”

Kurt Vile “So Outta Reach”

Boom Boom Box, The “Holiday”

Paint Fumes “Space Cadet”

Mark Feehan “See You In Brundisium”

Purling Hiss “Purple Hiss”

Jesu “Comforter”

Godflesh “Decline And Fall”

Marching Teeth “Sun God”

Cutthroats 9 “Induction”

Deluxe broadcast; all guitars.

[seriouslyhooked]

To Meet You (The Enchanted Sequel)

CS AU story where Emma and Killian meet at a parent/teacher conference (Emma is a single mother and Killian is helping raise Liam’s daughter). Instalove and fluff ensues as they make the most of the moment and fall under each others spell. Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: This is a sequel to the previous mixtape chapter ‘Enchanted.’ After so much love from my readers, and heartfelt pleas for a follow up, I couldn’t resist another tiny glimpse into a longer fic that could have been. I loved this meet cute idea of Emma and Killian coming together at a parent teacher night. For clarity, this chapter is going to look a ways into the future. You can expect nothing but fluff, fluff and more fluff. I needed the chance to write something like this given all of the really heavy and scary stuff happening in the world. Anyway, hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think!

If I keep pacing, I’ll ruin the bloody floorboards. It’s a miracle I haven’t worn a path already. 

The thought did little to deter Killian’s constant walking from one end of the pent house to another. He was unable to keep still despite the lateness of the hour. For years he had considered himself unflappable. In order to achieve the things he wanted, he needed to stay grounded and secure. Mind over matter was the recipe to his success. Fear fostered nothing of real worth and doubt crumbled initiatives faster than anything else. A man needed confidence in himself and in his purpose, and Killian had always felt the power of that and done his best to live up to those ideals.

What he’d learned in recent months, however, was that none of the things he’d pursued before had the same stakes as what he was currently seeking. Killian had been looking for a way to make his name, to build a life, and to honor his family, but the weight of those burdens didn’t impact him in the same ways as what he was after now. It was only when something came forward that truly meant the world to him that he began to realize the risks involved in every step he took. Move too quickly and things might fall apart, but move too slowly and he may very well go mad from wondering ‘what if?’

The unease he felt tonight meant his bed was still made, with no signs of inhabitance. Truthfully, there had never been a chance of his getting in there. It was no use trying to rest when sleep would never come. Instead, he wandered about this apartment in the sky feeling overwhelmed by the emptiness inside. To an outsider, he appeared on top of the world. This place was huge, the décor pristine, the energy a blend of modernity and personal preference all cultivated by one of New York’s most sought-after designers. Yet for Killian, this suite left much to be desired. It was beautiful but barren of the things that made a house complete. Not like Emma’s apartment. Not like the place he most yearned to call home. 

“Nine months in and I’m fully hooked,” he murmured to himself, looking out the full length window at the New York City streets. The city that never slept may still be bustling, but it was subdued now, quieter than any other time of day. Too bad his heart wouldn’t follow suit. “To hell with that. She had me from the first time. Nine months just sank me that much more.”

In some ways it was crazy to think that nine months had passed since their first meeting. On a soul deep level, meeting Emma felt like arriving at a destined destination. She was familiar and yet a fantasy he could have never dreamed. That she was real still amazed him, and that she returned his interest was the most important thing. From their first night together and the fleeting but fantastic date they went on, there had been no looking back. Killian had been forever changed, and every day brought something new and remarkable. 

With more dates and more stolen moments, he and Emma grew to know each other, moving from a one-time-thing to a now secured relationship. Dating a single mum required finesse in balancing schedules and respecting her needs and those of her son, but Killian was undaunted. His only goal was to be worthy of Emma and her boy. 

After meeting him and hearing so much about him from Emma, Killian knew that Henry was a testament to his mum. Killian had never met a child of such spirit and conviction, who loved his family and his friends and never met a curiosity that failed to spark his interest. Emma’s son was creative and courageous, and thankfully, he was also accepting of Killian and Emma. If anything, Henry seemed firmly on Killian’s side, and two weeks ago, a few nights before leaving for his first time at sleep away camp, Henry had shown that attachment most clearly.

“So, are we ever going to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?” Killian asked, uncertain of Henry’s desired course of conversation. There were so many things they found time to discuss and on an evening like this, where Killian had the chance to help Emma with the nightly routine while she was delayed with a case, Henry and he filled time with all kinds of topics. 

“You marrying my Mom.”

On top of an astute judge of intention and character, Henry also had a solid command of timing, another trait he’d inherited from his mother. Killian was in the midst of drinking some water when the question was asked, and he coughed and sputtered with the suddenness of the query. Henry managed to keep from giggling, but the pure glee on his face told Killian his objective was attained. Only after a moment did Henry’s face cloud with doubt.

“You are going to ask her, aren’t you?”

“Aye, lad. I have every intention of asking your mother to marry me. And in truth, I had every intention of speaking to you first.”

“Then what’s holding you back?”

That was a complex question and the truth was something Killian was embarrassed to admit. It was fear that was holding him back. Fear that he may have misread the signs, or, more realistically, that Emma may shy away from such a question so soon. If he moved too quickly, he could undo all the good in their lives, and life had never been so good before. He was blessed even as his heart held the burden of separation. Every night he left this home, saying goodbye to Emma and to Henry, he felt the sadness of that. He wanted to be fully part of this family. He wanted to be part of their forever.

“I want to make sure it’s right, lad. For your Mum and for you.”

“It’s right for me,” Henry said eagerly. “I always wanted a Dad and I know you’d be a great one. You listen to me and hang out with me. You get me. Not everyone gets me.”

Killian smiled at that, pride coursing through him. Having Henry think so highly of him meant the world, and so did the idea itself. Being a father was something he always wanted. Now he felt at the precipice of that chance, it was almost too much to hope for. 

“And you are far and away the best son a parent could ask for,” Killian replied. “I would be honored to be your Dad, Henry. That you would accept me is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given, and that you would share your Mum with me is a blessing I’ll never take for granted. I want you to know that I’ll always love you both. I’d do anything for you two. But still, it’s not that simple.”

“You think Mom’s going to bolt.” Henry’s statement wasn’t a question at all, but a reading of a credible worry on Killian’s part. “Maybe she would have in the past, but that was before you.”

“You seem rather confident in that.”

“I am. You’re different Killian. For one thing, she never introduced me to any other guys she dated. Aunt Ruby says it’s because she couldn’t handle the commitment. Auntie Anna says commitment is another word for heartbreak. But I know Mom’s not afraid of either of those anymore. Just yesterday I heard her talking to Aunt Elsa and she said -,”

“I think it’s best to allow your mother her privacy.” 

It killed Killian to say that, especially if Henry seemed certain from the statements that Emma truly wanted this. But it wasn’t right in his eyes to collect intelligence that way. It felt somehow dishonest to have overheard Emma in a private moment, and he’d made a vow to himself never to deceive his Swan, not when so many others had done so before.

“And that right there is how I really know,” Henry said, smiling at Killian’s reaction. “The way you love my Mom is better than the stories. Princes and Princesses, fairytales and happy endings. They’re great and all, but they’re not quite real. But you and Mom, you guys are true in a way those stories aren’t. She’s going to say yes. You just have to have hope.”

As straightforward as the advice from Henry was, it was hard to emulate. Especially at moments like these, when the distance of thirty city blocks seemed endless and he knew he’d have to go the night alone. He and Emma had spent each night together while Henry was away at camp, and the indulgence of that was pure bliss. He’d never slept so well or been so happy, but in the interest of giving Emma and her boy time to reconnect, he’d left this morning to give them a window of being together. That leaving was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, and for once Killian held regret in his heart. He should have taken the chance to ask his Emma for forever during this time. He’d had an opportunity and squandered it.

Continuing to grapple with these negative thoughts in his mind, Killian was surprised at the ding of his personal access elevator. He looked to the clock on the mantel and saw the time: 2 AM. On instinct he moved to the entryway, knowing very few people had the ability to get into his place. But of all the possibilities he imagined, he never dreamed it would be Emma. He was stunned to see the woman he’d been missing so surely standing there smiling at him.  

In the dim lights of the early morning, Emma had never looked so beautiful. Her golden hair waved softly on her shoulders, falling into soft curls. Her jade-colored eyes were shining and searching for his, and despite the time of night she held an energy within her that made her even more beguiling. She was a siren and so much more. Killian’s heart leapt at the sight of her, and he moved with purpose to stand beside her. Sparks were too tame a word for what he felt between them. He’d been put under a spell at first sight, an inescapable enchantment, and he had no urge to run. Now he only felt at peace when she was near.

“Emma, love, is everything all right?” he asked, and though she was smiling, she shook her head, stepping into his arms. Her hand came to rest over his heart and his arms encircled her. At last, two fated pieces joined together.  The rightness damn near took his breath away. 

“No, it isn’t. You couldn’t sleep.” 

He fought valiantly to keep his jaw from dropping at her spot on sense of him. How she had surmised this exact scenario from a distance was beyond him. Clearly his love was as brilliant as she was beautiful, but still he was moved to ask for more. “Aye, love. You’re right in that. But how did you know?”

Emma smirked at his question, as if the very premise of his being mysterious was entertaining to her. He didn’t mind though, not when she replied with a searing kiss that breathed life back into him. After only a few hours apart, he had missed this so acutely. This kiss brought their connection back to the forefront. He felt the salve of that, the emptiness from before filled up in an instant. He was slightly dazed as he pulled away but kept grounded by her soft voice and the genuine love reverberating in it. 

“I knew because I couldn’t sleep either.” Her whisper was soft but certain. Her eyes moved from his lips to his own gaze, and she hid nothing from him as she continued. “Something was missing. That something is you.” 

“I’m so glad you came, love.” He kissed her again, unable to resist, reveling in her being there with him, meeting him beat for beat. Only after a few more moments did rational thinking return. “And Henry? He made it home?”

“Yes. Ruby’s watching him. Her night on the truck ended and she headed right over. But just for a little while.”

“You won’t be staying?” He tried his best to keep the disappoint from his features. It was likely that he failed miserably. 

“No, and hopefully you won’t either. Killian…” she trailed off, for the first time off kilter since walking through those elevator doors. 

“Whatever it is, Swan, you know I’ll do it. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you.”

Her smile returned and the confidence he saw embodied in her person soothed him too. “I was thinking more like Brooklyn. I’m here to bring you with me. I came to bring you home.”

“You mean…?” He dared not finish the sentence though his hope was rapidly increasing.

“I mean that I love you, and so does Henry. And when you love someone, you want to be with them. You’d do anything for them. I want you, Killian. Now and always. I’m still amazed that I can say that, but you gave me that. You make me braver because you love me. You make me hope for something more, but there’s nothing more that I want than you with me and Henry. So please say you’ll move in with us. Come home with me.”

“I will, love. Without doubt or condition. There’s just one thing…” 

He pulled back from Emma and she looked on with curiosity until he got down on one knee, pulling from his pocket a parcel he’d been keeping close for weeks now. When he opened the box to reveal the ring he was desperate to give to Emma, a beautiful diamond encircled with more on a soft white gold band, her hand came up to cover her mouth and tears appeared, threatening to fall. But they were ones of joy and ones of love, and so he carried on. 

“I’ve been trying to imagine the words I’d say to you at this moment, love, but I never expected this. I am, as always, stunned by everything you are. How a man could be so blessed I’ll never know, but you, in short, are everything. You came to bring me home, but the god’s honest truth is that home is where you are. In Brooklyn or beyond, I want to be with you, Emma, with you and with Henry. We are already a family in my heart, and I want to make that real in all ways and for the rest of our lives. So, Emma Swan, love of my life, light in my world, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Yes,” she breathed out. “Forever and ever, yes.”

No sooner were the words spoken than Killian put the ring on her finger and took her into his arms again. Their connection was that of searing heat and the realest adoration. Roaming hands, and loving words blended together into tantalizing action. Losing themselves in each other, they thought of nothing but reveling in the love that they’d found. They stole more precious moments there, stories and stories above the city. But sure enough, sometime later, and just before the dawn, they headed home, eager for the happily ever after they knew was on the way. 

………….

It’s crazy how much can change in a year. If someone told me this would be my life, I’d have never believed them. 

The thought had Emma smiling as she sat in the back of a town car, holding the hand of her husband and the man who’d been the reason for that change. 

Saying yes to Killian Jones’ abrupt proposition at that parent teacher night about a year ago had been something that scared Emma, but she was never more grateful for a decision. That night was the beginning of something more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. A year out, she could look back and say that their road to love was swift and surprisingly easy. She’d fallen fast and hard, and at all the usual points when she’d start to get cagey and run, she only felt certain that this time was different, and that love was worth the risk. 

That wasn’t to say that they faced no challenges, because they did, but Emma believed that this relatively smooth sailing was karma for the trials of their pasts. She and Killian had both sacrificed and faced heartbreak, but now they had each other, and they faced each new day together. Being part of a team while still being cherished for who she was on her own meant the world to Emma, and add to that how Killian had stepped so surely into a paternal role for Henry and she couldn’t ask for more. Her kid was happy. Really, truly happy, and together they were a family.

“You know better than that, love.”

Her husband’s voice was gruff and gravely, sending a thrill of anticipation through her. She looked up at him, caught as always by how handsome he was. The heat in his eyes was matched only by the love, and he came closer to her, kissing her lips before dropping a kiss to her cheek and then her neck. She gasped and then sighed out contentedly as he murmured against her skin. 

“Your looking this happy and being this close to me tempt me to distraction. I’ve half a mind to tell Gus to head back home”

“Why don’t you?” she asked, just as interested in the idea. Maybe it wasn’t her best Mom moment, but Henry was so open with them both about how school was, and they were already in touch with his teachers… certainly they could skip the formalities or plan a one-on-one meeting down the line.

“And miss the chance to show you off to that miserable mob? Not on your life. Every last parent in that school will know you’re mine. Even if it kills me.”

She looked at him and saw he was serious, and Emma couldn’t help the laugh. At her amusement he looked surprised and then thought the better of his own insistence. He joined in the laughter, but that then devolved into stolen kisses behind the divider of their sleek, luxurious ride. Minutes later they broke apart, the two of them less than presentable for their efforts. She knew she would look thoroughly kissed, and that the lust she shared with her husband would be clear as day to anyone near. Emma wouldn’t be embarrassed for that intimacy though. They were newlyweds, after all. Still, knowing Killian, they’d be making out like teenagers for the rest of their days.

“What if we compromise?” Emma finally asked, running her fingertips against the scruff of his beard as she looked up to him.

“I’m listening.”

“I’ll trade you thirty minutes of attention for the teacher’s opening update, but the second that bell rings for break out spots, it’ll be me, you, and Ruby and Elsa’s food truck.”

“The food truck wasn’t exactly my plan, Emma.” His eyes roamed over her figure and left a trail of fire in their wake. “I had a rather different hunger on my mind.”

“Mmmm.” She hummed out agreement as his lips came back to those spots that teased her most. His hands ran over her waist and then the small of her back and she leaned into him before remembering herself.

“Trust me, we’ll both need the sustenance for what I’m planning to reward you with later.”

She’d done her best to be seductive, and she knew she’d accomplished her goal. Instantly he’d tensed up, but his hold on her tightened. He let out a groan of anticipation and delight before nodding and stealing another kiss. 

“Sold. But remember, love, if we want those sixty years together you’ll need to show some mercy. A weaker man may not survive your remarkable rewards.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” she replied happily. “And I know that you’re up for the challenge. You always are.”

They sealed that truth with a final kiss, before Killian pulled out his phone, typing something out Emma couldn’t see. It didn’t phase her in the slightest. Killian had a company to run, the same way she had her business, and though he did everything he could to keep that firmly at work, sometimes duty called. She was surprised then when he grinned and showed her his screen. It wasn’t work at all. He’d sent a text to his brother about their plans for the evening, and Liam had responded with a picture. It was of Elsa and Arabella in the back of the food truck, both with aprons on prepping something delicious for the evening’s fare. They were both so happy, and Emma would bet anything Liam was as smitten as he ever was with her friend and his daughter. 

“Don’t even bother reaching out to Graham,” she joked. “He doesn’t let Ruby out of his sight these days.”

“With a child on the way you can hardly blame him. His wife is… how to put this delicately… exuberant and prone to accidents.”

Emma laughed again, knowing that was true. Ruby and Graham had met through her and Killian a few weeks after their first date, and if she and Killian had fallen fast, they were nothing to their friends. Within two months, Ruby and Graham had married in a last-minute elopement up in Maine. Emma, Killian, and Henry were in attendance. Ruby was pregnant only a month after that. She was getting ever closer to her due date, but Ruby was unfazed. She was still a constant ball of energy and prone to a bit of clumsiness. But Graham didn’t mind. He loved being by her side, enabling his wife’s wilder ways while protecting her and keeping her safe. 

“Very gracious of you, Captain.” Emma’s whispered nickname for her husband had his eyes fogging over with lust once more, but she’d timed this perfectly. Right at that moment the car rolled to a stop and their driver let them know they’d arrived. Killian’s low growl and promise for pay back later was enough to get her through the evening’s lunacy. 

The parents at Henry’s school were still completely obnoxious, but Emma watched in wonder as the treatment she received turned on a dime. Killian and her being together had clearly vaulted her to a higher status. Gone were the days of open set downs and gossip at her expense. Now they whispered, but it was more in awe and surprise than anything else. Despite the strangeness of it all,  her husband handled it perfectly. His cold and commanding manner shouldn’t have been such a turn on, but it was, especially because Emma knew the warmth of the real man beneath. He shared that warmth at times tonight too, especially to Henry’s teacher and the parents of Henry’s other school friends. Soon enough the bell rang, and this time they both knew the plan. They made their escape and walked over to the same spot they had that fateful night. 

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. and Mrs. Jones,” Ruby said in greeting, hanging out of the side of the truck when she saw them. Graham was there too, holding her steady with a mildly amused look on his face. As they reached the window Ruby offered some more free assessments. “By the way, I don’t think you two are going to be the only ones with that name for long. Liam and Elsa are giving big proposal energy today.”

“Ruby!” Elsa’s voice from inside the truck sounded somewhat embarrassed. It was unsurprising when she came into sight and her cheeks were flushed. “Hi guys. Ignore her. It’s the hormones.”

Ruby scoffed at the thought before sassing back. “Honey, it’s not the hormones. It’s the facts.”

“She’s not wrong, love.” This came from Liam, who had given Emma and Killian a mere nod of acknowledgement at their arrival. Elsa’s blush deepened, but she only smiled when Liam kissed her quickly. Yeah, if Emma had to bet, she’d give them a week, maybe two before an engagement arrived. Even that felt like a stretch

“Mom! Dad! You made it!” 

The welcome call came from Henry who was bounding up with his now cousin and best friend, Arabella. Anna, who had been watching him tonight, was behind them, resolved to their exuberance but still entertained at their constant energy. Emma was glad to see her kid, and still felt the warmth of how close he was with Killian too. Every time Henry called him Dad, her heart skipped. It had been a regret she long carried, that the man who gave her Henry was so unfit to be a parent. She knew she could love Henry enough for two, but it was different now. Henry had even more support and love, and no kid could deserve that more. 

“Of course we did, kid.” Emma pulled her son into a firm hug. Holding onto these precious moments where he was still small and loved the affection. “We couldn’t miss a party like this.”

“To be fair, it’s kind of what we do most Wednesdays,” Arabella said, and Killian pulled his niece into his own hug, before nuzzling her hair for the bit of sass. 

“How was the parent night?” Liam asked. Unlike Emma and Killian, Liam had no interest in making an appearance at the school. He’d already had a number of appointments with all of Arabella’s teachers. After years of long spells away, he was now incredibly involved. Thus, he knew everything he needed to without having to brave the barbs of Manhattan’s elite. 

“Successful,” Killian replied, pulling Emma in closer. She shook her head but couldn’t hide the smile at his lingering possessiveness 

“They got the message then?” 

“Aye. Every last one of them.”

“Good man. Well I think this calls for celebration.”

“Does it?” Emma joked, exchanging a look with her friends, both of whom laughed quietly. Their men were sometimes beyond understanding. 

“I think it does. And I have an idea of how we can. I just finished the new installment at the gallery and –,” Graham had no chance to finish before Ruby had hit him full force in the chest with a flailing arm. The impact was hard enough to take his breath and prompt a loud ooof. 

“It’s done?! And you didn’t tell me?!”

“Surprise,” he said, playing up the wheezing that her hit created. Ruby was beyond hearing him. She was in crowd control mode making a well-received announcement. Due to an unforeseen need to close, everyone in line was having dinner on the house and then the truck would be back tomorrow. People were thrilled, as was the soup kitchen nearby. Anna offered to drive the truck for the delivery to the local charity and meet them at the gallery after. This was enough for the rest of them, who brought their dinner to eat picnic style at the exhibit, and they all set out for Graham’s place. 

Everyone was excited for the prospect of what Graham had made. Despite questions from Ruby and the kids, he had been rather hush hush about the new show. Some time later, when they all finished their take out in the front room and entered the exhibit, they realized why. The title of the show was ‘Love in New York’ and it was a deeply personal testament to the feeling everyone searched for.

At Graham’s last exhibition, Emma had been amazed at the layers of materials and mastery involved. This time lived up to that as well. There was an intricacy of beauty here that defied understanding. It was shocking that one man could create so much, but Emma knew underneath the cool and easy going façade he was a man of deep passion. He had to be to keep up with Ruby. But Graham was also gifted with an ability to capture perfect moments. A story of depth and richness could be told with a single image or expressive work of art. 

For nearly an hour they moved through it together, breaking up unconsciously into different groups. Graham and Ruby took their time together, with Ruby lost in the world her husband had created. She was rarely quiet, but in the face of this work she was so consumed she could do nothing but admire and feel and rejoice. Elsa and Liam also took in each part, with Henry and Arabella sticking together. Emma stuck close to Killian, knowing each piece spoke more surely to her because she loved him so much. 

“Hey that’s us!” 

Henry was right, and as Emma and Killian approached where he stood, the art piece in question came into view. It was an image of Emma and Killian with Henry on their wedding day. The three of them were together, laughing about something, and it felt like a perfect moment. The happiness was so clear, and so was the affection. They had all been so ready to take the next step, and their end of summer wedding on the beach near the ocean was exactly what they wanted. The most amazing part was that this was a completely unseen scene for Emma. She remembered the moment, but the photographer never caught it, at least not like this. The hyper-realistic painting held so much depth and emotion. It was incredible. Emanating outwards from there was also a mural-like collection of shells and metallic colored flowers. The effect was heavenly, and it felt like their wedding day, suspended in a magic that could never be recreated. 

“Graham, it’s remarkable. I can’t believe it. It’s… it’s just perfect,” she finally said, thanking her friend. He accepted her hug and all of Henry’s praise. Emma expected her husband to agree, but when he remained quiet she looked at him. His face was fierce. Uh oh. 

“There’s no way you’re selling that to anyone but me. Swear it to me, Graham.” 

Graham laughed loudly before gesturing to the plaque beneath the piece. Inscribed there was the note ‘For Killian, Emma and Henry. A gift for your wonderful day and your new family.’

“Crisis averted,” Ruby joked and Emma looked back to Killian who was speaking to Graham, but whose eyes were still trained on the image. She could see the depth of his reaction to it. 

“Barely,” Emma whispered. Killian then looked to her and she smiled. Only then did her husband exhale and smile back. With a quick thanks to Graham, he headed back and took her hand. 

“I’ve spoken to Liam and Elsa. They’re eager to have Henry for the night with Arabella.”

“Oh really?” she asked, teasing him by pretending that wasn’t fabulously welcome news. Despite it being a school night, the kids were good about bed time, and since Liam had bought a town house right beside their new home, it would be easy to get Henry ready for the next day come morning.

“Aye, love. And I think, all things considered, I’ve been tremendously patient.”

“Hmm.” She caved when his arms looped around her and smiled. “I’m tempted to agree. Alright, Captain. Take me home.”

“As you wish.”

………….

There I was again tonight

Forcing laughter, faking smiles

Same old tired, lonely place

Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy

Vanished when I saw your face

All I can say is, it was enchanting to meet you

Your eyes whispered, "Have we met?"

'Cross the room your silhouette

Starts to make its way to me

The playful conversation starts

Counter all your quick remarks

Like passing notes in secrecy

And it was enchanting to meet you

All I can say is, I was enchanted to meet you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you

The lingering question kept me up

2 AM, who do you love?

I wonder 'til I'm wide awake

And now I'm pacing back and forth

Wishing you were at my door

I'd open up and you would say, "Hey"

It was enchanting to meet you

All I know is, I was enchanted to meet you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

That this night is flawless, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you

This is me praying that

This was the very first page

Not where the story line ends

My thoughts will echo your name, until I see you again

These are the words I held back, as I was leaving too soon

I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else

Please don't have somebody waiting on you

Please don't be in love with someone else

Please don't have somebody waiting on you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

This night is flawless, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else

Please don't have somebody waiting on you

Post-Note: So there we have it. I hope that it lived up to the hopes that some of you had for a sequel to this story. I so rarely come back to these mixtape stories, but with my writing being as infrequent as it has been, I’ve decided to follow my muse wherever she leads. I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed this, and if, like me, you’ve been feeling the stress and anxiety of this time in the world, I hope this story sparked some joy. Keep your heads up everyone, and just know I’m sending you love and all good things, xE

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, Part 196, Part 197, Part 198

Tagging some friends who may enjoy: @kmomof4 @jennjenn615 @resident-of-storybrooke @winterbaby89 @teamhook

[starrnobella]

New chapter coming at you this weekend!

@teamhook@teamhook

[teoriasemserie-blog]

More about Operation Mixtape, the operation Henry created to doesnt let the magic tear his parents apart and that is about a collection of songs. This represents Emma process of cure with love and song.

Only You and In My Dreams are two songs about two people who are in love but cant be together. In My Dreams (Ruth B):

The lights are bright tonight, the music loud A perfect mess that's what surrounds me Then I see you over there, I can't seem to break the stare Maybe it's 'cause your shirt is my favorite color Then you walk on over with a smolder And you hand me your number, I say, What is this? You say, Love at first sight, it exists But I've had my heart broken so many times before Yeah, I've walked through so many empty doors But if I see you in my dreams tonight Then maybe you were right And I'll call you in the morning If I see you in my dreams tonight And you take my hands and tell me I've been waiting for you Then I'll tell you, Me too If I see you in my dreams tonight

In My Dreams talk about a person who fell in love with a person she just see one time. So she fell in love at first sight. She talks about meet this person in her dreams, other dimension and talk and touch, so she’ll believe its true, also talk about how this person didnt have a good life. Its very clear this person is Emma. She fell in love with Regina at first, but so she ended in a comatose, but while she was in this, they connected and found each other in dreams and things like that. We can see this process in the alternative reality in season 4, and in the eps I’ll be your mirror and I wish you were here in season 6. The curious thing about these eps is that Emma is trapped in some level in all them. In the first one in the tower, in the second in the mirror, and the last one in the wish. 

And the song Only you(Yazoo) talk about two people in love, but theres a door between them, so they cant be together. 

Looking from a window above It's like a story of love Can you hear me Came back only yesterday I'm moving further away Want you near me All I needed was the love you gave All I needed for another day And all I ever knew Only you Sometimes when I think of her name When it's only a game And I need you Listen to the words that you say It's getting harder to stay When I see you All I needed was the love you gave All I needed for another day And all I ever knew Only you This is going to take a long time And I wonder what's mine Can't take no more Wonder if you'll understand It's just the touch of your hand Behind a closed door All I needed was the love you gave All I needed for another day And all I ever knew Only you

Something we have seen in the narrative too.

The two people cant be together but their love for each other help them to grow and suport life. Season 4 and season 6 are very linked, so in season 6 we have this again.

Two people who dont know each other, in diferent dimentions, but that connect and help each other. In this ep Snowing whose have never seen each other touch making magic.

Whats a thing Emma and Regina did in season 2, when they touch for the first time while Regina try make magic, in both situation both couples whose werent a couple are trying to save the other.

Emma tries to save Regina and David tries to save Snow, in the end Snow helps him, so he can keep his home. Emma helped Regina grow and become a better mother to Henry, so she helped Regina keep her home too. I put Henry in this too bc this operation cames from him, and he saved his mothers with love too. So hes the “only you” to them too, and both loved him at first too. This is about love and family.

The Only You Ep

The thing with ouat is that its not even subtle about Swan Mills Family be the big love story of the narrative. Even their eps are the better eps. The Only You ep came in season 5b, and its a SQ and Swan Mills Family ep. Its a double ep. Only You and An Untold Story, the eps complete each other, see: Only you an untold story. Wow, right? In this ep we were all “good” in SB but so Gold wants to wakes Belle, and he steal the crystal of a bad god, a god who punish people, and so he takes SB magic(gods power + true love). The mind was trying back to real life and be with the ones her love, who Emma loves. We just think about Regina and Emma fighting and trying to save Henry, but dont put attention in why they fight and what is really happening with Henry. 

First of all Regina and Emma fight bc Hook is back, and so Regina confess she wanted to kill him. While this Henrys trying to destroy magic bc its the thing what is tear his parents apart. Look Emma and Regina were being tear apart bc of Hook, so hes the magic. Magic can be good and bad, Hook cames back bc Zeus, other god, did bring him back, light magic in ouat are linked with bad things, Merlin have nothing good coming from this, bc all magic has a price, what means dark magic and light magic are the same, both can do bad things, the only magic what doesnt have a price is the true love bc love is free. What remind us about the fairies in ouat, the ones that use light magic too, and its about religion, they are nuns. So the fairies are nuns and a god bring Hook back to life, we also saw the true love, the ideal of love of ouat turned into dark with Zades (also we saw this needed to be destroyed), what means something wrong happened, this mind is making a distorcion about love, this explain why Emma is with Hook, they arent true love, but they play they are, they are abusive and dark. But why this? We saw we went to the real world, right? Thats why, in the real world, people dont know what real love is, the religion (in this case catholic) and the society just believe in one kind of love, they force people into this, so princess just can ended up with a princes or some other man. They dont care if its abusive, they believe people must be together, woman and man, dont matter how. 

Theres a lot of problems in love people of the same sex in this world, and thats why Henry was in danger bc Emma and Regina think this will expose Henry. So in the end they decide take away their feelings, thats why Regina take Evil away. We saw in the ep Strange Case, the serum take away peoples feelings, the feelings the person dont want face, and we parallel Rumbelle again, Rumple wanted take away his feelings for Belle. Thats very interesting bc sometimes you love a person so much and want to be with this person, so the feelings start to control you, we saw Regina was losing control, but if you really love this person you need to control yourself, wait, learn and dont hurt this person. This is real love. Emmas mind start a big battle bc of this, its really hard, she never have a family and a real love, and now shes losing this, so we can see Rumple start lose control too, he tries hard to keep Belle and his son, in the end he learns this is not the way. If you love someone you cant hurt this person. 

So we have Emma and Regina caring for each other all the time in season 6, while Evil tries to expose all the things, she wants be accepted, she wants Henry see Hooks not good and is trying to take away what makes Emma special. But this dont works so she became desperate and start an abusive relationship with Gold. This also is about how we cant accept our love for others if we dont love ourselves. Thats why Gold doesnt leave the darkness, he doesnt love himself, he think he doesnt deserve love. But Regina and Evil learn this, so this means Emma is starting learn, so she’ll leave the darkness for good in the future bc we all see she still looks sick, and doesnt have a true love kiss for to out the darkness. So, shes still in the darkness, the door is still closed, she needs out and wakes. 

And also Regina said Operation Mixtape is about to kiss a girl. So. 

[kylie-in-the-sky]

TAG GAME

Tagged by @bookwormforalways! Sorry I’m so late to the game!

3 Ships:

Bellarke: Duh doi. I have shipped them since before I started the show because they were gracing my dash during season 1 and 2. I literally have dreams about them frequently.

Captain Swan: I haven’t watched OUAT in a long time and idk if I’d ever rewatch but DAMN this ship delivered. If Bellarke gives us crumbs, Captain Swan gave me loaves of fresh french bread.

I’ve casually shipped lots of others, but none like these two. Naley, Jess/Nick, Annie/Jeff, Simmosa, Luke/Lorelai, Ron/Hermione, etc.

Last Song: Helpless feat. Ja Rule from the Hamilton Mixtape

Last Movie: Knives Out I think? I watch lots of TV, but not a lot of movies.

Currently reading: I just started Conviction by Denise Mina and it has mixed reviews, but so far I’m very into it!

Currently consuming: A mini Dr. Pepper every day and the Chatty Broads podcast.

Food I’m craving right now: Chick fil-A and ice cream.

Tag 9 people you want to know better or want to catch up with: @justalittlebluetiefling / @igotbellarkeforthat / @historyofbellarke

[kmomof4]

Today for CS fic rec Monday...

I’d like to highlight one of my very favorite authors in the fandom today for @csficrecmonday!!!

@seriouslyhooked

I remember telling her years ago that I was seriously hooked on her fics. Her tumblr handle made it very easy to remember her! She is my go to when I want CS falling hard and fast, over the top fluff, no angst, hot smut, and the best of happily ever afters!!! I have read all her CS work and they are all absolutely FANTASTIC!!! Most of it is on fanfiction, but some has made its way over to ao3. My absolute favorites, in no particular order are:

The Lady In Red

Originally part of her Mixtape, that I also heartily recommend, this one is mine. As in I asked for it, and boy did she deliver!!! I’m so glad Emily moved just it to ao3, because I have no idea what chapter it is on the mixtape. Prompted from the song by Chris De Burgh.

Hope Springs

Emma Swan never expected life to be this good: her kid is happy, she has the best friends anyone could ask for, and she's living her dream working with horses on a ranch. But all of that changes when her best friend Ruby comes home married to Liam Jones, because Liam's brother Killian is the kind of man that makes a good life an amazing one. All Emma has to do is give him a chance.

Souvenirs

Modern AU where Emma has grown up in Maine her whole life and runs a store with Ruby and MM called Three Fates Treasures. Killian Jones is the new guy in town, who moved here to buy the local bar. Only Emma and Killian have met before, and now she can't help but wonder if their past has influenced his plans for the future. Includes tons of fluff and a happily ever after.

Scoring Your Love

Modern AU where Killian is a world famous soccer star who has hit rock bottom and been sentenced to the place where ‘football’ legends go to die – America. While here he crosses paths with Emma, an up and coming musician and film scorer who challenges everything he thought he knew and makes him want more than the game he’s always loved.

Wedded Bliss and Asterisks

Emma Swan is a self-proclaimed enemy of love who just so happens to be an up and coming wedding dress designer. She's convinced that true love is nowhere in her future but then she meets Killian Jones, a handsome and charming man whose magazine is covering the opening of her new boutique. Suddenly Emma finds herself drawing up new plans for her life, ones that seem to all be leading towards her own form of wedded bliss. Includes falling in love on trains, lots of friend fun, and all the CS cuteness your heart could ever want.

Within Your Ocean Eyes

AU period piece set in our world where Killian is a pirate in the early 1800s and Emma is a local girl, who though an orphan is beloved by the people of her small town of Storybrooke Maine. Emma is a school teacher and Killian is the Captain of his ship. They fall madly in love despite staggeringly different ways of life, and become the stuff of legend.

Accidentally on Purpose

Emma Swan is a small-town schoolteacher who thanks to a friend's bachelorette party has been dragged to Vegas. The city of sin isn't exactly Emma's speed, until she meets Killian Jones. They agree to one night but sort of get married accidentally (on purpose). Now Killian must convince Emma this thing between them is real despite how it began. Includes smuff and a CS happily ever after.

Lifted by Love

I believe this was the first of Emily’s works that I ever read. And it still holds a very special place in my heart!

An 8 part series that follows Emma, Mary Margaret, Ruby and Belle on a girls' vacation in the white mountains. Killian, David, Graham and Will also happen to be in the same complex. Thanks to some typical male stupidity, the groups cross paths and sparks fly as a result. One part per day of the trip and eventual epilogue.

And finally,

Lost Souls and Reveries, her CSSNS fic for last year.

Killian Jones is a wolf shifter without roots, without plans, and without a pack. He’s a rogue, someone humans should avoid and shifters should be wary of given his lineage. But one night years back set him on a path he didn’t realize he was taking, a path leading to the future he was destined for. That future is tied up in one woman – a human named Emma Nolan. Together Emma and Killian will find not only answers but a love that’s truly fated. But will love be enough to set both of them free, or will past demons win out in the end? (Answer: love always wins – I am writing this so despite some tiny pockets of angst it’s basically a fluff-filled insta-love fest).

All of her fics are so sooooo good!!! I hope you enjoy all these as much as I have!

[ao3feed-captainswan]

Tennessee Whiskey

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2z9COr8

by EmilyBea

Historical CS AU oneshot set in the Wild West. Killian is a part of a raiding group pilfering from wagons and other rich parties on the way out west. He’s made a lot of money, but he’s had very few happy moments in the last few years. Then he meets Emma Swan, a saloon owner who blows his old life out of the water instantly. Could become something bigger if I ever find the time, but for now, just trying to answer a mixtape prompt for the song ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ by Chris Stapleton.

Words: 7201, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Emma Swan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones

Relationships: Captain Hook | Killian Jones/Emma Swan

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2z9COr8

[ao3-spideypool]

Wade Wilson’s Super Awesome Mixtape of Love to Peter Parker

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2XvbH4S

by sadieb798

There’s a body lying on his carpet. Peter’s breath catches in his throat, it feels like his heart just took a swan-dive into his stomach and landed with a plop. Oh God, oh God, his brain chants frantically. He immediately lurches toward his desk, reaching for his phone, but he overcompensates and knocks it off. He watches, breath caught in his throat, as it falls to the carpet with a soft thud and bounces under his bed. Peter immediately dives for it. The phone’s not very far from him, so he doesn’t need to stretch as he reaches for it. His fingers grasp the beveled corners and he pulls it towards him. Instinctively he looks up, and instantly regrets it. The white lenses of a superhero mask meet his, and blink. “Hey, how’s it going?” Deadpool asks, his voice gravelly as he waves a hand.

Words: 15377, Chapters: 3/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Deadpool (Movieverse), Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: M/M

Characters: Peter Parker, Wade Wilson, May Parker (Spider-Man), Ben Parker, Dopinder (Marvel), Phil Coulson, Mary Jane Watson, MJ, Ned Leeds, Avengers Team (MCU)

Relationships: Peter Parker/Wade Wilson

Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Content, Mild Gore, Protective Peter Parker, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, not to the max tho, Dirty Jokes, Bad Jokes, poop jokes, Alternate Universe, Peter was never bitten by the spider, Ben Parker Lives, Falling In Love, Angst, Fluff, Humor, Temporary Character Death, Happy Ending, Peter Is Not A Minor, He's 24, TA Peter Parker, I imagine Joe Pesci as Ben Parker, Joe Pesci - Freeform, POV Peter Parker, Deadpool is a Captain America Fanboy, Peter is an Iron Man Fanboy, it works, Wade Wilson is an Avenger, Wade Wilson Breaking the Fourth Wall, Love Confessions, Pining, Nursing, Mutual Pining, Memes

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2XvbH4S

[shower-faucets]

Thanks for the introduction @falselyincognito, much appreciated.

List 10 songs you’re currently into and tag 10 people

1. Sweet Louise - Passenger

2. fOoL fOr YoU - Zayn

3.Golden Slumbers - The Beatles

4. Jolene - Dolly Parton

5. Send Me On My Way - Rusted Roots

6. Calvary Captain - Decemberists

7. 16 Military Wives - Decemberists

8. Absentee - Jack Cambell

9. The main song in Swan Lake

10. Love and Typography - Hate Drugs (my friends are in a band and you should def check them out)

I’m in the process of making the raddest mixtape ever so if some of these songs make you want to drive through the countryside in the rain that’s why

swingin this towards my Team10 @gottagetbacktohogwartsbrb (shoutout to my first real follower) @cheekylilspaff @monsternobility @thatwhoviangirlinalittlebluebox @mylaptopismysoulmate @mewshrew @mrsberniekropp @lukeisnotsexy @celfi @butspidermanismine y’all the real ones

[tomeandflickcorner]

Hmm.

I suppose he wasn’t the worst father featured on the show. (*coughcough*Brendan Jones*cough).  But I guess, to me at least, there were some pretty major issues that rubbed me the wrong way.

Just off the top of my head:

The fact that he just immediately declared that he deserved parental rights to Henry, even though it was 100% his own fault that he didn’t know Henry existed until that moment.  You know, since he practically vanished off the face of the earth and gave Emma no way to contact him.

How he didn’t come to Emma’s defense when Henry was being disrespectful to Emma and treating her like the bad guy over the whole situation.  (I might be being a bit unfair with this one, but oh boy, this still gets under my skin.)

I admit I don’t quite remember the exact context in which this was revealed, but I think it was stated in S5 that Neal basically told Henry that the key to picking up girls was to make a mixtape, or something to that effect.  The issue with this is that Henry was 11 at the time.  Is teaching your 11-year-old kid how to pick up girls an age-appropriate topic of discussion?

IDK.  Maybe if the show had actually shown more of Neal trying to be a father figure instead of just having his main contribution to the show being part of a pointless love triangle/obstacle for Captain Swan, I might have felt differently.  But at the end of the day, Grandpa Charming and Killian had more on-screen opportunities to be Henry’s father figure than Neal did.  So it’s hard to get an idea of what kind of father Neal was.

I feel like one of the only Captain Swan fans who doesn't think that Neal is a terrible dad to Henry. I mean, he wasn't the perfect father but be did just learn about the kid after 10 years and was 100% figuring things out as he went. I can't blame him for some of the missteps he took. It's something that lots of new parents do, and he was very much a new parent.

I do think that the show should have utilized Neal's return in the Underworld to let Henry find closure. Neal died when Henry didn't even have his memories and Henry never got to say goodbye. He deserved that chance in the Underworld.

[wyntereyez]

My Tumblr dashboard is half Destiel & mixtapes, and half Captain Swan & pancakes. I have so many FEELS right now, I can’t handle it.

[ihaveopinionsonmovies]

My Top 25 Albums

Nobody reads this blog so this is more for me than anyone else (ordered by release)

Daft Punk - Discovery (2001)

This is the album that solidified my love of chopped vocal samples. Crescendolls and High Life have really awesome ones in them. I always liked the use of vocals in music in a way that sounds more awesome than it does make sense.

Favourite Song: High Life

Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane (2002)

Incredibly nostalgic. This is one of many albums that my parents used to listen to all the time. It’s grown on me a lot.

Favourite Song: She Will Be Loved

Madvillain - Madvillainy (2004)

Earl Sweatshirt once said that this was this generations ‘Illmatic’ and I completely agree. Madlib kills as a producer and Doom is the same old awesome doom.

Favourite Song - Fancy Clown

Gorillaz - Demon Days (2005)

Fuck genre, just make awesome shit like this.

Favourite Song - Feel Good Inc

mc DJ - Love Letter In An Unbreakable Bottle (2007)

Donald Glover before he was Childish Gambino. He had some work to do before getting to his current amazingness but this is a great start, I’d recommend it for all those into instrumental hip-hop/electronic stuff.

Favourite Song - Booty LSD

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (2010)

On Melancholy Hill and Broken are two of the greatest songs of all time and nobody can convince me otherwise.

Favourite Song - Broken

Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra (2011)

Frank putting his vocals onto already existing instrumentals from other bands was a great idea, and the original shit he puts in here are rad to.

Favourite Song - Nature Feels

Logic - Young Sinatra (2011)

There’s something very relatable about this mixtape that I can’t really describe. It’s just Logic fucking around with sampled beats and mad flows.

Favourite Song: Mind Of Logic

Childish Gambino - Camp (2011)

1.6 my arse. Choirs and violins aren’t something you hear often in Hip-Hop (at least not throughout an entire album) and Bino’s relatable lyrics and clever punchlines are awesome to.

Favourite Song - That Power

Childish Gambino - Royalty (2012)

Not much to say here, it’s just cool.

Favourite Song - Wonderful

Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)

A masterpiece. Everything about this is catchy, invoking and intelligent. Kendrick is a fucking god.

Favourite Song - Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe

Captain Murphy - Duality (2012)

This whole thing is a trip. The psychedelic instrumentals and the creepy cultish deep voice of Captain Murphy give this a unique vibe.

Favourite Song - Mighty Morphin’ Foreskin

Tyler, The Creator - Wolf (2013)

Tyler’s got a really unique style that varies from moody teenager to hyped and wild teenager, sometimes within a split second. Incredibly creative.

Favourite Song - Tamale

The 1975 - The 1975 (2013)

Every song sound like a single and has a strange nighttime feel to it, if that makes any sense? Really cool.

Favourite Song - Menswear

Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013)

People seem to always hate on older Eminem. Personally I think the more mature style leads to music that still has a controversial edge and a wild style, except more refined and with more thought put into it.

Favourite Song - So Far...

Childish Gambino - Because The Internet (2013)

best album Best album BEst album BESt album BEST album BEST Album BEST ALbum BEST ALBum BEST ALBUm BEST ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!

Favourite Song - 3005

Childish Gambino - STN MTN / Kauai (2014)

A mix of banging southern rap and smooth beach soul is fine by me

Favourite Song - Pop Thieves

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly (2015)

A politcally charged trip through Funk and Jazz influenced beats with thoughtful lyrics and a very cool vibe.

Favourite Song - Wesley’s Theory

Tyler, The Creator - Cherry Bomb (2015)

Find your wings.

Favourite Song - Fucking Young/Perfect

Logic - The Incredible True Story (2015)

Incredibly epic production and a mad flows from logic. The feel of the album is off the charts.

Favourite Song - Paradise

David Bowie - Blackstar (2016)

There will never be another album like this one, a swan song that’s completely aware of it’s creators imminent demise. Atmospheric and entirely existential.

Favourite Song - Girl Loves Me

Kendrick Lamar - untitled, unmastered. (2016)

If this is what ‘unmastered’ sounds like then every album should be made as such. Another ‘nighttime’ album for me personally.

Favourite song - untitled 02 06.23.2014

Kanye West - The Life of Pablo (2016)

I don’t know why I love this so much, I just kind of do.

Favourite Song - Saint Pablo

Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book (2016)

There was clearly a lot of love and passion going into this and it shows.

Favourite Song - Summer Friends

clipping. - Splendor & Misery (2016)

This album is less about catchy hooks and melodies and more about setting an atmosphere and creating a captivating story. Amazing stuff.

Favourite Song - True Believer

[seriouslyhooked]

Capsize

Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey everyone! I know it has been a long time since I published a oneshot, but with my other two stories happening at the same time, I’ve been a little all over the place. This chapter is based on a number of prompts for more stories with Killian in the military, but there was one of you who was pretty specific. I have decided to run with that request. In this fic Killian was in the navy and he met Emma in a bar on his last night of leave. They fell in love at first sight but he had to ship back overseas the next day. Months later when he’s finally been discharged he comes back for her, and, low and behold, she has a surprise for him. I am sure you can all guess what that surprise might be. The song I am pairing with this is ‘Capsize’ by Frenship and Emily Warren. Hope you all enjoy and thanks so much for reading!

Standing at the processing bay at the naval base in Washington, Killian Jones had never felt more on edge.

He was a SEAL, a fighter through and through, and a sailor with the self-composure to go into enemy territory without blinking an eye. Killian had seen war up close and personal for the past ten years, and his life had been dangerously close to ending more times than he could count, but none of it compared to this moment. Waiting for the bloody paperwork to go through so he could get on to his forever was like diving into bitter cold ocean water only to learn your air tank was running low. It was maddening and overwhelming. The time seemed endless, and it honestly felt like some kind of torture.

It shouldn’t be this difficult to get them checked out of the damn service. He’d filled out all the forms and David had too, but this woman – Captain Regina Mills – was taking her sweet time processing their request. This should be more straight forward: their tours were done, they should get to go home, but until that final stamp of approval was granted, he was still a SEAL and still beholden to rules. Until he received this confirmation he still belonged in many ways to the United States of America, and for what he had planned he needed freedom, and he needed it now.

“Well, Lieutenant Jones, Lieutenant Nolan, it seems everything is in order,” Captain Mills said, barely smiling. She was so severe and serious, but then again so were many of the other captains they’d served along the way. Killian didn’t know how they did it. He’d hate to be so rigid and conforming. It had always been the hardest part of his life as a SEAL.

“So we’re good to go then?” David asked, putting into words Killian’s own hopes while already forsaking the formality of military life. Captain Mills looked amused at the lapse, but Killian didn’t know if it was genuine or not.

“You are. You have both officially been honorably discharged from the United States Navy. We appreciate your service.”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” they said in complete synchronization, saluting the captain, even if their time was done, before turning and walking out back into the balmy summer day.  

“I can’t believe we finally did it, man – it’s all over,” David exclaimed, his grin as happy as Killian had ever seen it. “Sure you don’t want to go back for another round?”

The question from David was clearly a joke. The only reason David had even served another tour at all was because he needed a bit more money for the ‘castle’ he was aiming to buy his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret. The two of them were already married, and at their last check in back on the ship Mary Margaret had given David some news that couldn’t wait – she was pregnant. It had happened during their leave three months ago and David was the happiest man in the whole damn world.

“No. I would never do that now. I can’t,” Killian said, his tone harsher than David deserved, but his friend took it like a champ.

“Ah right. Because you have to get the girl. Mr. ‘Marriage-Is-A-Construct’ finally found his one. God it almost brings a tear to my eyes.”

“You want to make it back to your wife in one piece, mate? Because I can arrange an alternative,” Killian said, glaring at David with his best ‘do not fuck with me’ face, which irritatingly only made David smile more.

“All right, all right I surrender. No more jokes,” David promised as he swung his duffle into the back of the truck with Killian and then got in the driver’s seat to start them on their journey home. It was too much, however, to expect silence from his friend for a whole ten hours. After all, David and Mary Margaret were a perfect couple. They were both good, and loyal, and kind, but they were also nosey and opinionated, and they never could seem to drop a topic of intrigue when they thought they were helping a friend.

“I know Emma’s different,” David said, talking over the radio Killian had tried to put on for distraction’s sake. Killian’s jaw ticked and his arms crossed over his chest, but David was undeterred. “Even if it was only one night, I know you love her.”

Killian didn’t know if it was the mention of his love that caused the slam in his chest or if it was just her name. Truth be told, the mere thought of Emma had the possibility to light up any kind of darkness. She was this impossibly remarkable thing in a world that had so little beauty or hope. She’d been a life raft for Killian when he didn’t even realize he was drowning, and an anchor when his ship was lost at sea. It defied explanation. A complete stranger that he met in a bar shouldn’t be able to affect him like that, but one smile from Emma – along with one silken, throaty chuckle when she found his ‘charm’ to be over the top – had trapped him. He was hers from the very start, and leaving her the next day had been the worst damn pain he’d ever known.

“If you know then why do you keep going on about it?”

“Because I want you to admit it,” David said with a laugh. “And because I’m damn well entitled. You gave me hell when I found Mary Margaret. HELL. It’s my turn to do the same.”

“I don’t care what you do to me, David. I only care that I find her.”

This announcement prompted a bellowing laugh from David, an honest to goodness laugh that shook his friend so much Killian almost wondered if he’d pull over the car to keep from crashing. It was so loud that it startled Killian, and he watched as tears streamed down his friend’s face and he wiped them away, still laughing. Finally David got himself together enough to motion to the glove compartment. Killian assumed he wanted tissues or a Xanax or something, since he was clearly unhinged, but instead there was a file with a name – Emma Swan.

“You didn’t really think I’d let us retire without already having found her for you did you?” David asked, laughter still teasing at the corner of his eyes as he shook his head at the very idea.

“But how did you – when did you -,”

“I borrowed a computer while you were in your one-on-one,” David said with a shrug. “Then I paid a new recruit to drop what I found off in the truck once it all printed.

“You borrowed it?” Killian echoed. “Or you commandeered it?”

“Eh, same thing. It took a minute, but I found her. Hell I got everything about her that I could, including the fact that she’s still there. She never left Boston.”

“She didn’t?” Killian said, shocked to find that out. During their night together, Emma had confessed that she was a runner. She preferred a life of constant moving, and she’d already been in the city for a few months. She was planning to leave within the week, now he had to wonder what had changed her mind?

“Nope. She moved to a new apartment though. Probably for the best you didn’t mail those letters. She didn’t list a forwarding address with the post office.”

The mention of the letters that Killian had written every day for the past few months was slightly embarrassing. He had thought he was discrete enough to not have drawn anyone’s attention, but when he considered it, it made sense that David would put the pieces together. There was no one in Killian’s life from outside of the military, so there was no real reason for him to be writing anyone. A few times they’d been out on mission, with barely any time for sleep and Killian had tried to write a few lines in secret, but he supposed that would be the kind of thing David would hone in on. Especially since he was so fixated on Killian’s potential future.

“You realize you’re going to have to stop digging like this now that we’re out in the real world again, right?”

“Hmm,” David said, in what Killian had come to learn was a far from affirmative answer. “So you gonna read it, or just stare at it a while?”

“I don’t know,” Killian answered honestly.

On the one hand he wanted to know every last detail of Emma’s life, but on the other hand it felt wrong to learn it this way. What he wanted most of all was time with her, because time would allow them the chance to grow the connection that had formed in an instant months before. Reading this would take away some of that magic, and Killian was torn about what he should do. Should he give in to his craving to know her? Or should he wait and hope that she’d let him in enough to see all that lay beneath the surface?

“Just open it.”

Killian complied with David’s request and he found two things at the top of the pile: a recent picture of Emma and her new address. Perfect.

“I figured you might not actually want the other stuff, so I condensed what was needed right on top.”

“And the rest of this is just what? Blank pages?”

“Nope,” David said before chuckling to himself as he continued to watch the road. “Those are Mary Margaret’s contribution.”

Curiosity got the better of Killian and he flipped through to see that David’s wife had, quite literally, gone off the deep end with this compilation. Page after page was filled with ideas and requests and hopes for Killian and Emma. There were recommendations for the perfect first date, anniversary ideas, potential wedding venues, and even a list of the top 100 most underrated baby names. There was enough here to map out an entire life for Killian and Emma, or at least the next fifty or so years.

“I’m sorry, are these retirement villages?” Killian asked, his shock and dismay no doubt evident from his tone.

“Yeah I told her that might be a bit much,” David replied. Killian turned to his friend and arched a brow as if to silently say that every damn part of this was ‘a bit much.’ “But it made her happy, and with the baby coming, I couldn’t very well say no, could I?”

“You two are unbelievable,” Killian said, shaking his head even as laughter built in his chest. He supposed it could be worse after all: his friends could be trying to stop him from pursuing this. They could judge him for caring as much about Emma as he did so swiftly. But no, David and Mary Margaret were completely on board with all of his plans, and they clearly had ideas of their own that they were only too glad to offer.

“It was going to be thicker, but then I told her you already had a ring and so she cut back.”

The mention of the ring he had in his pocket prompted Killian to pull it out. There was no point hiding it, not when David already knew all about it, and he wanted to see it again. It was his grandmother’s ring once upon a time, passed down to his mother and then to him. The center stone was an opulent sapphire, and the surrounding diamonds sparkled in the sunlight. It was elegant and classic, a cut above what the average SEAL could afford, but where Killian knew it was objectively beautiful, he doubted any ring could be worthy of Emma.

“So when do you think you’ll ask her?” David questioned, breaking Killian’s trance.

“When she’s ready,” Killian responded resolutely.

“Can you wait that long?” Good question.

“I can damn well try.”

For the rest of the long hours up the coast, Killian continued to think on what exactly the future might look like with Emma, especially when they were first reunited. In his heart, he knew that the connection they shared had to mean something. It was too sure and too strong, even if it was only one night, for this to be some fleeting, one time thing. In fact, Killian couldn’t conceive of it as anything but a life-long love, but getting Emma to see that may very well be a battle. He’d been gone for months and they’d left things hanging in that time.

They hadn’t spoken since the morning that he headed back to the ship, much to Killian’s dismay, and he didn’t know if Emma would be open to him now even though his heart had always been wherever she was. He might have to prove himself to her, but though it would be hard, Killian was ready. Whatever it took to have Emma in his life, he would do. If there were trials that needed facing or paces he was put through to show how serious he was, he was fine with that. The only thing he wouldn’t negotiate on was when to find her again. He had to see her as soon as he could, and he was so desperate to lay eyes on her again that he asked David to drop him off at Emma’s place instead of his own.

“I already had it in the GPS,” David said gleefully. “And don’t worry. Mary Margaret and I will hold onto your stuff until you’re ready.”

Killian thanked David and soon after that they pulled up before her apartment. But it wasn’t until he was out of the car and David’s red truck was heading down the street that Killian considered how big a step this was. Showing up at her door out of the blue was a risk to be sure. Would it scare her away? Was he making a mistake? Killian didn’t know, but he couldn’t keep himself from trying all the same. He made his way to her door, glad that a neighbor was heading out at the same time that he was trying to get inside. He moved up the stairs to the floor where Emma’s address claimed she’d be, and then he was there, standing at her front door, and at the precipice of the rest of his life. He hesitated only a moment before knocking soundly.

Though it only took a few more seconds for the door to swing open, it felt damn near a lifetime to Killian. Waiting even a little bit felt like more than he could bear after countless nights spent wishing he was with her again. But in the moment when he saw Emma, standing there before him looking just as beautiful as in his dreams, he finally felt like he was home again. Nothing had been right or made sense without her, and it didn’t matter to Killian that that feeling was crazy. He didn’t need time to know what was right for him, and Emma Swan was everything that could possibly be right in the world.

“Killian, when did you… I mean how did you…” her words trailed off as her eyes filled with tears as her hands reached out for him. “You came back.”

It seemed that she couldn’t believe her eyes in this moment, and like her relief was overwhelming her. His heart clutched tightly in his chest at the sight of her tears. God he wished he’d found a way to know where she was all this time. He never dreamed that she’d be worried for him or missing him as badly as he missed her, but her expression was undeniable. As deep as he was in his love for her, Emma was feeling just as much, and she’d faced his months away with probably just as much pain and sorrow as he had.

“Aye, love, I did. I’m home now - home for good – and I’m not going anywhere.”

Not without you. He left those words unsaid, but no sooner had he made his promise to stay than she was leaping into his arms, hugging him in a way that lacked reserve or any kind of hiding. The feel of her in his arms was all too much and yet not enough, and so he pulled back only to kiss her and revel in the feeling of tasting the woman he loved again. It had been touch and go before, but he’d made it, and he’d be a damn fool if he let another second go by without showing her how much she meant to him.

“I can’t lie, Swan, it makes me damn glad that you’re not pushing me away right now,” he said when they came back up for air and Emma pulled him inside her apartment, keeping hold of him as she shut the door and then led him inside.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again,” Emma confessed, her eyes casting downwards. A heartbreaking sadness returned to her features and it struck Killian so forcefully that he would give anything to ease her suffering. Killian brought his hand to cup her cheek, and she looked back up at him before continuing on. “I was so scared for you. I know we only had one night together, but -,”

“But it was a hell of a night,” he whispered causing Emma to smile and shake her head even though he knew that she agreed. She’d told him at their first meeting that he was cocky and that she wasn’t into guys with huge egos, but soon enough she’d realized that for Killian it was all in jest. He might play the suave, collected type, but underneath he was just a man, a man who loved her more than anything. “Look, Emma, I promised you when we met that I’d be honest and so I think there’s something I should tell you.”

“I have something to tell you too,” Emma said, sounding a bit panicked, but Killian only shook his head and brought her hands up to kiss one by one.

“Let me say this first love, before I lose my nerve. I know to everyone else it probably seems like we barely know each other. They’ll say that there’s no way to be certain, or that one night is too soon to fall this hard and this surely, but I know differently. I know that you’re the best woman I’ve ever met, that you’re brilliant, and beautiful, and perfect,  and I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know every other part of what makes you you.”

Killian watched as his words washed over Emma, and the restlessness that she’d exhibited moments ago melted away. She looked desperate to hear everything and the more he said the happier she became. She was holding back still, not letting herself totally cave to hope quite yet, but he was certain that despite everything, she was ready to hear all that he felt.

“I love you, Emma. I think it started the very moment I saw you, but in one night you ran away with my heart completely. Leaving you…” his voice broke from the emotion and only Emma’s hands running over him in silent pleading could keep him on the track of his confession. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and all I could think while I was gone was that I had to get back to you. Truth be told, you saved me out there, Emma, more times than I care to admit. Knowing you were here, knowing our story had only just begun, it was enough to get me through. And I know you probably don’t feel the same quite yet. I know it’s crazy, and maybe you need time but -,”

“I don’t,” Emma said, interrupting his nervous babbling. “I don’t need time. I feel the same way.”

“You do?” Killian asked, elated as his arms tightened around her and Emma nodded, happy tears forming as she smiled up at him. Still he needed to hear it. He was desperate for those three little words, and she must have known it because she offered them up so beautifully.

“I love you, Killian. And I’m really, really glad you love me too, because that night brought us more than just each other.”

“I know, Swan. It brought a beginning, a happy beginning that we’re starting right now. I want all of it with you Emma. Dating, living together, marriage, the works. I want to start a family together, Swan, the kind neither of us ever had,” her eyes grew wide at how quickly he was going, and he laughed, knowing she wasn’t going to run even if he had stunned her. “But more than anything I want a life – our life together. I just want what you want, whatever that might be.”

“Well about that… there’s some parts of your dream that have kind of already started,” Emma said, bringing his hand over her stomach where he noticed a small bump that hadn’t been there before. It took a moment, but when he realized what she was saying his throat closed up and his own eyes grew misty. Could this really be his life? Could he really be this lucky?

“You’re pregnant?” Killian whispered in awe and Emma nodded, prompting him to pull her in for another kiss.

The celebration in this embrace was tangible as their hands roamed and the two of them arched for closeness. His need for Emma gripped at him like a fever, and he couldn’t wrap his head around just how wonderful this news was. Whatever came next, he would thank God every day of his life that he had the chance at all of this with Emma. He would never deserve her, but he would work day in and day out to be better for her and for their family. Somehow he’d be enough for her and for them, but first there was something he needed her to know.

“We’re getting married,” Killian proclaimed as they broke apart from the kiss.

“We are?” Emma asked, looking amused through the lust and love that colored her green eyes.

“Yes. You can have whatever you want for a wedding, Swan. I’ll make you’re every dream come true, but you will marry me.”

“You’re not even going to ask?” Emma said with a laugh and Killian shook his head.

“Can’t risk you saying no,” he said, as if that were explanation enough, but then he pulled the ring he’d been carrying with him from his back pocket and he slipped it on her finger.

“Well you may not be asking, but my answer is the same,” Emma said, grinning wildly as she looked from her new ring back up to him. “Yes, Killian Jones, I will marry you.”

And with that promise, the two of them started their wonderful new life together, knowing that while their story might be unusual, it was as beautiful and unique as their love was for each other.

………………

Up at night I'm awake cause it haunts me That I never got to say what I wanted Oh my God, oh my God I’m not the same as I was with you I would jump out my skin just to get you Oh my God, oh my God How could you have ever known If I never let it show, now I just wanna know are you?

I'm fine Drop tears in the morning Give in to the lonely Here it comes with no warning I capsize, I'm first in the water Too close to the bottom I'm right back where I started Said I'm fine

Your silhouette is burned in my memory Rubble left from the moment that you left me Oh my God, oh my God And three words have never come easy Cause you're more than they ever could be Oh my God, oh my God How could you have ever known If I never let it show, now I just wanna know are you?

I'm fine Drop tears in the morning Give in to the lonely Here it comes with no warning I capsize, I'm first in the water Too close to the bottom I'm right back where I started Said I'm fine

I'm swimming up against the tide Oh my god I'm swimming but I'm getting tired Oh my god I'm swimming up against the tide Oh my god I'm swimming but I'm getting tired Oh my god

I'm fine Drop tears in the morning Give in to the lonely Here it comes with no warning I capsize, I'm first in the water Too close to the bottom I'm right back where I started Said I'm fine

I think about you, love you, and I'm filled with pride

Post-Note: So after so much time away from the mixtape I am really glad to get to put this out there. I had all of these lofty goals of trying to get through all of my prompts during my summer vacation… oh how naïve I have been. Between two other multi-chapters, my summer research, and the fact that my awesome readers sent me another ten prompts since summer started, I haven’t made the actual progress that I wanted. That being said, more will be coming (it will take a while again, sorry guys) and I want to thank you all for reading and I hope that you enjoyed!

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

[starrnobella]

Forever and Always - Chapter 20: Problem After Problem

Summary: Picking up where the Season 5 finale left off, Emma and Hook have begun to rekindle their romance that has been placed on the back-burner while dealing with the craziness that is their lives. This story has snippets of a variety of ships, but the main is Captain Swan and their life together. Rated M for future chapters. Please review for me! Rating: M SpotifyPlaylist:https://open.spotify.com/user/babygirl118/playlist/4hHIE1MUrfvGjEMoD9D1zC Song Recs: Secrets - P!nk; Revenge - P!nk Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12034662/1/Forever-and-Always AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/7484691

@teamhook

[seriouslyhooked]

I Believe in You

Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey all! This is a short, cutesy one shot about the day Hope was born because I wanted to write about Daddy Killian for Father’s Day and I just had some need for CS family cuteness. This fic was inspired by the song ‘I Believe in You’ by Michael Buble and I am publishing it a day early so it can be a special birthday fic for @jennjenn615! Happy birthday Jenn, and I hope that the rest of you will all wish Jenn a happy birthday and enjoy this fic as well! PS – not sure if there was any cannon stuff about naming Hope or Hope being born, so if I am going against the show sorry!

Killian Jones had weathered many a storm throughout his life. After surviving the heartache of his childhood, the losses that came thereafter, and the darkness of his years of seeking out vengeance, he’d grown accustomed to the adrenaline of a fight and the uncertainty of Mother Nature. Time and time again he tested the limits of what could be done, and sure enough, all of these years later, he was still standing.

Recently he’d taken that experience and put it to better use, choosing the side of heroes and goodness over villains and dark deeds. He’d managed to find his other half, a woman he loved more than anything, who inspired him to give up a quest for revenge and to try for a better life instead. Through the magic inside her, Emma made Killian brave enough to try and make amends for his past sins and to do better in the present and the future. His Swan was a treasure, plain and simple, and though Emma might be a princess and a savior all in one, at her core she was just a woman of incredible strength and unyielding passion. Because of this, she was the best kind of partner, an incredible wife, and the only person Killian could ever imagine walking into this new battle by his side.

Perhaps calling this next chapter a ‘battle’ wasn’t exactly the right choice of words, but after the ordeal it had taken to get here, Killian lacked a better term. All the same, he’d do it all again a thousand times to get to this point, and he knew Emma would whole heartedly agree with him on that.

Looking down at his newborn daughter, Killian felt his heart seize up in his chest all over again. She was a tiny little thing, so fragile and so small, but his love for her was far from insignificant. All it took was one second – one precious moment when the doctor placed their little Hope in Emma’s arms – for Killian to love her with everything he had. Since the day Emma told him they were expecting a child, Killian had been filled with pride and excitement, but finally meeting his daughter was something he couldn’t readily express the impact of. This tiny lass had run away with his heart even faster than her mother did, and Killian knew that having this chance to be a family was the surest blessing a man could know. He had once been closed off, resigned to a life of loneliness and bitter resentment, but now his world had expanded, and all that heartache and pain could be forgotten as he and Emma gave their little girl the life she deserved.

“What should we call her, my love?” Killian had asked in that moment when the doctor placed Hope in Emma’s arms. They had discussed some options before, but Killian deferred to his wife in this moment for she would no doubt have something beautiful in mind.

“I know we had a couple of ideas before, but now that she’s here there’s only one name I can think of: Hope.”

“Hope,” Killian repeated, pressing a kiss to Emma’s temple as his hand came under hers where she held their little one. “It’s perfect, just like her.”

“You don’t think it’s too cheesy?” Emma asked, though Killian could tell that she had already decided on the name no matter what. He didn’t have the heart to ever take things from his lovely wife, and in this moment he had no desire to. Hope was a brilliant name and he could think of nothing more fitting for their daughter.

“I think anyone who says as much will have to deal with me,” Killian responded, pulling a gentle laugh from Emma. The sound sent a happy hum through Killian’s chest, which was increased tenfold when their daughter responded to Emma’s laughter with her own gentle cooing noise.

“Get ready, Hope. You’ve got one protective pirate Daddy on your hands,” Emma cautioned in a teasing way. “You’ll have to watch out.”

“I hardly think I’ll be alone in trying to protect her, Swan,” Killian argued and Emma only chuckled again before leaning back against him and letting out a sigh.

“No. Our little girl will never be alone. She’ll always have a hero in her corner.”

Killian felt the impact of that statement even all these hours later, and he trusted that Emma was right. Things would be okay. Hope would be safe, and their family would remain secure and intact. The time of battles and fighting and life or death was over. This was just life now, and despite its complications and occasional messiness, it was a magical thing. This was the kind of second chance a man could only dream of, and for that reason Killian was hesitant to actually go to sleep tonight. Despite the suggestions of the hospital staff, and despite the fact that Emma herself was tucked in beside him in the hospital bed dozing away, Killian remained vigilant, knowing that no dream could compare to his new reality. With his wife just by his side and his daughter in his arms, Killian knew a real and lasting kind of peace that he didn’t want to give up for even a moment.

This was only the first day of his new journey into fatherhood but already Killian felt the magnitude of this new calling. His time with Henry and Emma had prepared him for some elements of family and parental connection, and helping Emma’s parents with Neal had given him some insight into the world of infant care, but today truly marked the start of something all together different for Killian. The weight of his daughter’s world rested on his and Emma’s shoulders. It was their job to guide her, to keep her safe, and to love her all the days of their lives. Killian knew loving Hope would be the easiest thing he’d ever done. The only thing that could compare in naturalness was loving Emma, but even if love would always be there, there would no doubt be hazards along the way. The thought of the mistakes he might make or the failures that could come at his hand made him mildly nauseous, but he grounded himself in his daughter, who despite being just hours old was staring up at him with wide green eyes that perfectly matched Emma’s. In truth, she looked fascinated by him and it made Killian feel like more than an ordinary man, just as Emma’s looks of love always seemed to.

“Whatever happens, little love, I will not let you down. You’ll always have me, and I will always protect you and your mother. No matter what.”

He whispered the words so softly that his own ears barely heard them. Killian didn’t want to wake up Emma, but he felt the promise had to be said aloud. Hope deserved to know even if she was too young to understand that she was the most precious of all things. Both he and Emma had childhoods that never provided a feeling of being wanted or belonging, but Hope would have a very different life. This little girl would know from the start that she was supported and cared for, and Killian could just imagine how remarkable she’d be given that she was equal parts him and Emma together.

“Killian,” Emma murmured from her spot lying in the bed beside him. Her voice surprised him, but he resisted the instinct to jump. He’d hate to startle their little one when she was quietly looking up at him. “Much as I loved hearing your promise to her, and as cute as this Daddy-daughter time has been, you heard what the Doctor said. We need to try to sleep, and so does she.”

Killian should have known his wife would figure him out in the end and that he wouldn’t be able to get away with anything. He had thought Emma was truly asleep, and lord knew after the ten hours of unimaginable pain she’d gone through to bring their child into the world that she deserved a full night of uninterrupted slumber, but in typical fashion Emma anticipated his next move better than anyone else ever could. She looked at him now with still tired eyes, but a smile that spoke volumes. There was a wee bit of chastisement in her expression to be sure, but there was also an immense kind of joy and satisfaction that made her green eyes shine and her very spirit glow. Killian swore he’d never seen Emma look more beautiful and he’d never loved her more.

“I know, Swan, I know,” Killian agreed even as he shook his head and looked back down at Hope, seeing her little hand reach out to hold his shirt with a small but determined grip. “I just… I can’t let her go.”

“Because you’re afraid,” Emma said less as a question and more as an undeniable statement with a tone of understanding lacing her sleepy voice.

“Aye, love.”

“You know I felt the same way at first,” Emma confessed, shifting in the bed so she was sitting up with him and Hope. Her hand came to touch his arm, her thumb brushing lightly back and forth, and the comfort that simple touch brought was in itself profound. Still he sought out Emma’s counsel on this. He’d never known anyone as bright as his love, and surely she would have answers where he felt he had none.

“You did?”

“Mhmm,” she agreed as she cuddled in closer to him and their baby, her soft murmurings of love to Hope making both Killian and their child light up all the more.

“Well clearly you’ve gotten past it. How did you manage that?” he asked, genuinely wanting to know as Emma chuckled to herself, the reverberation moving through him and settling his frayed nerves all the more.

“I wouldn’t say I’m past anything. I’m not suddenly an expert on raising a newborn or enlightened in all things motherhood. If anything I’m still terrified, both to be this happy and that somehow we might lose this. I have some doubts about if I can really do this. I’ve never raised a kid from start to finish before, and there are so many mistakes you can make, it’s hard not to worry.”

“You’re a brilliant Mother, Emma. Never doubt that,” Killian said immediately, and Emma smiled at that as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“And that right there is how I keep going and why my fear will never win in the end. It’s why I’ll never give in to my doubts; because I believe in you and in us just as much as you believe in me. You’re going to be the best Dad, Killian, and I know in my heart that together we can do anything. I also know that this is real. My feelings are too vivid, my happiness too big for this to be some kind of dream or curse or whatever. It has to be real because it just feels so right, so when we wake up tomorrow it’ll all still be here - she’ll still be here, waiting for us.”

“It’s just hard to imagine that life has turned out this way,” Killian confessed as Emma took his hand and intertwined their fingers.

“For both of us,” Emma assured him, reminding him that though their pasts were hardly the same, they’d both overcome the hardest of trials to find happiness at the end of the line. “But we gave her this name for a reason – everything we found with each other and with her revolves around hope. It’s what got us here, and it’s what will keep us going.”

“Have I mentioned lately that I love you, Swan?” Killian asked as she pressed a soft kiss to his lips and took Hope from his arms to lay her back down in her hospital crib. Their daughter stretched and let out a soft yawn as Emma put her down for sleep, and Killian found himself fending off one of his own as well.

“You have,” Emma stated smugly as she snuggled in beside him, sending away the last of his worries and replacing it with the contentment holding her in his arms always brought. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t love hearing it.”

“I love you, Emma,” he whispered to her as he lay a kiss to the crown of her head, breathing her in and smiling to himself at all his good fortune today and in general.

“And I love you. So let’s not be scared, okay? We can do this, as long as we’re together.”

“Together,” Killian agreed, and with that the three members of the Jones family all found themselves drifting off to sleep. And sure enough, as their story continued to unfold Emma turned out to be more than right – for together they created a beautiful life, all made possible because they had love, belief, and more than a little bit of hope.

…………

Time goes by And I've been holding everything inside But now I've got nothing left to hide When I'm with you, oh, you

But I can see How strong a man I'm gonna have to be To do for you what comes so naturally It's in the way you move

And all I want Is a chance to prove Show all I can do

I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true I believe in good things coming back to you You're the light that lifts me higher So bright, you guide me through I believe in you

And I don't mind If you want to hold onto me tight You don't have to sleep alone tonight If you don't want to

And all I want Is to know you're near You're all I need here

I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true I believe in good things coming back to you You're the light that lifts me higher So bright, you guide me through I believe in you

I know that there are times Where you feel worthless Like all the love you get You don't deserve it Sometimes I feel my faith is just a burden On you, you, you

I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true I believe in love You give me reason to You're the light that lifts me higher So high up in the sky I, I think we're gonna fly

I believe in starting over I can see that your heart is true I believe in love You give me reason to You're the light that lifts me higher So bright, you guide me through I believe in you I believe in you I believe in you You guide me through I believe in you

Post-Note: So there we have it. Just some fluffiness here in time for the weekend and the holiday and to celebrate someone in this fandom who does not get enough credit. Jenn, you are an absolute super star and I hope you have the best day possible. Thanks for always being a friend and a phenomenal cheerleader. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed and I would love to hear what you all thought! Either way, thanks so much for reading and I hope you have a great rest of your day!

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

[seriouslyhooked]

Mr. Brightside

Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: This is a reader requested one shot based on the classic song ‘Mr. Brightside’ by the Killers. I have had this on the prompt list for roughly forever, and FINALLY got my muse to talk to me about what to do with this. It’s a CS Rock and Roll AU (is that a thing? It has to be a thing) where Killian is the lead singer of a band and the opening act for their world tour is Emma’s band. There’s been confusion about whether Emma is single or not, but eventually it’s all sorted out, and surprise – there’s a lot of fluff. It’s pretty loosely based on the song, all things considered, but since I will always love this song I am happy to include it in the mixtape. Hope you guys enjoy and thank you all for reading.

“All right sound check came back perfect – no problems there, lads. Looks like it’ll be a great show.”

The news from the band’s manager, Robin Locksley, should have improved Killian’s mood, but alas it did nothing to revive his spirits. His bad attitude was here to stay, a dark cloud hovering over what should have been a bloody brilliant day. Everyone else could tell he was feeling off. A few of his band mates had even asked what was bothering him, but Killian remained mum on the issue. He couldn’t talk about it. He just had to wait out the shit feelings that had arrived the moment their A&R reps came back to town this morning and pray for eventual relief from the madness of his thoughts.

“So the show starts in an hour. MistMavens will do their usual thirty minutes and then you guys are on twenty minutes later. Unless you want to shorten their set. Killian, thoughts?”

Killian shook his head after a moment’s contemplation. No, he didn’t want to take any of the time of the girl group before them away. They were just starting out in their careers. It was their first big tour and Killian knew they had more than enough talent to merit being here. Regardless of his hurt feelings he wanted to see them succeed, for better or worse. He wouldn’t allow resentment to deny worthy people their shot.

“Okay then. You all know what to do. Let’s give em’ the show they deserve.”

Robin’s final words were a signal to the crew and everyone else that they could go about other things for the time being. For the band, however, it signaled a time to touch base just the four of them. Typically Killian appreciated this, knowing he needed to hash out any final thoughts with the others in Legal Piracy to prepare for a decent gig, but right now his walls were up. He felt cagey, like he was trapped and unable to claw his way out of the anger and the hurt, and all it would take would be one wrong word from one of the band members and he’d snap, best mates or not.

“You think he ever sleeps?” David Nolan, the band’s bassist and Killian’s oldest friend asked, no doubt about Robin. This pulled a laugh from everyone, and even Killian forced a smile. It really was remarkable how much Robin could get done. He was always on top of things, and never lost his charm or his swagger in the meantime.

“Nah, man. Between us and the missus, that man’s got his hands full,” Graham replied, his fingers still twirling about his drumsticks even though he was no longer playing.

“I just can’t believe he bagged the Evil Queen. Did anyone see that coming?” Will, the final member of their foursome asked as he handed off his guitar to one of the stagehands below.

“Only everyone with eyes,” Killian replied a bit more sharply than anticipated. Then again, it wasn’t exactly a surprise. Everyone knew that Robin and the president of their record label, Regina Mills, had a thing for each other for years. What was shocking was how much Regina had seemingly changed because of the union. She had always been tense, abrasive, and overbearing before. Now she still reigned with an absolute power, but she’d mellowed out. It made her a much more bearable person to be around and Robin seemed to be just as well suited to the match as she did.

“Ha ha,” Will replied dryly. “Speaking of eyes, you going to secretly make some more at Emma tonight or are we doing the damn thing and fighting Neal already?”

“Come again?” Killian asked at the same time that David and Graham replied “Fighting.”

Killian stared in shock at his friends for saying this. It was one thing for them to comment about his infatuation with Emma, because as much as Killian wished he’d been subtle he knew that he hadn’t been. It was pretty damn obvious how he felt about her. He had made no real attempt to hide the fact that he cared for her, at least not until this morning when everything had fallen apart in an instant. But for his friends to realize that his recent hostility was due in part to their A&R rep, that was a step above. 

Part of Killian was angered by the fact that they would bring it up, since even the thought of Neal and Emma together cut him to the core, but he was also a bit pleased that his friends were ready to go and help him take out the sorry excuse for a man if he so chose. The thought of actually dueling with Neal had crossed Killian’s mind more than once throughout the day. After all, a man unwilling to fight for what he wanted was no real man at all. At least that was what Killian’s brother Liam was prone to saying.

“Oh come on, Killian, that dude’s a tool. We all know it’s you Emma should be with. Hell, I don’t even believe him when he says they’re together. She doesn’t look into him at all. She practically ran away from him all day. Either way, it’s time to man up and do something about it.”

“And you think fighting Cassidy is the way to go?” Killian asked, trying to conceal the fact that a tiny bit of hope flared to life that Emma might not really want this other man. “Emma’s not some prize to be won.”

“No, she’s the woman you love,” David replied evenly. “And she loves you back, man. There’s no doubting that.”

“If she loved me, she wouldn’t be with him, would she?” Killian asked, but before his friends could reply he backed away with his hands out stretched. “I’m not doing this. I’ll see you at the show.”

Moving through the stage setup and into the back of the arena, Killian willed himself to get lost in the shuffle but it was hard to do given the fact that this was his concert and he was so recognizable. In all the years that Killian and his friends had been hustling like crazy to get to this kind of success, he never imagined that anything could dull the shine of fame and fortune. He and the band had worked too damn hard to have anything come in between him and the happiness he imagined would come when every door was open to them, when people around the world listened to their music, and would give anything to see their show. Yet here he was, angry, resentful, and bitter as could be because all of this meant nothing to him, not when he didn’t have what mattered most of all.

It would be impossible to pinpoint the exact moment when love had come crashing into his life, but he would imagine it was right at the beginning, the morning he and the band first met their opening act for their new American tour. On that morning Killian hadn’t known what awaited him, but when he first met Emma Swan, a brilliant, sassy, fierce and fiery siren of a woman, he was helpless to resist her.

“So you’re the notorious Killian Jones,” she’d said as their hands met in greeting. Killian felt the sharp tingle of awareness when skin met skin, and he watched as Emma’s eyes widened ever so slightly and her breathing seemed to pick up at the same time.

“Oh, so you’ve heard of me then?” Killian asked, trying to be seductive and charming all at once, but he hadn’t expected her laughter. It wasn’t meant to be a joke, but in retrospect it was a corny reply through and through.

“Uh, yeah, I’ve heard of the lead singer of the band we’re opening for,” she replied, her tone laced in humor and an insinuation that clearly said ‘duh, what kind of question is that?’

“Right. Well Swan – that’s an interesting name. Don’t hear that very often.”

“You don’t?” Emma asked, her brow furrowing in confusion as to why he was bringing up her last name, and hell if he could explain it. Truth be told he was nervous, a first for him probably in his whole life. He had no rational explanation for it but his hands were shaking and his mind was moving a mile a minute. He’d just kind of blurted that fact out and now he had to try and find a way to recover before this beautiful woman wrote him off as completely unhinged or incompetent.

“No, love. I think it’s for the best though. Only someone as lovely as you deserves such a connotation.” 

There, that was a bit better. His ability to speak to a woman wasn’t completely lost after all, and though he was now laying it on rather thick, Killian wasn’t exaggerating about how attractive Emma was. Once he said the words though, his sole hope became that she would be receptive, and when she smiled at him and the slightest trace of pink kissed her cheeks, he felt like getting down on his knees and thanking God above. It felt like the sweetest victory to win her over, and to earn a genuine grin from this intriguing woman he wanted to know better.

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re way too charming?” Emma asked, her voice lower than it had been just a moment ago. The sound of it tugged at something inside of Killian, because he knew from the heat and the gravel that this wasn’t a one sided interest on his part. Despite her ability to seem unaffected, Emma was feeling this connection as well, though she tried to hide it with another jest. “You’re lucky you’re a rock star – guys with lines like that in the real world get written off as corny.”

“People have called me a lot of things, love, but corny isn’t one of them.”

“Well if the shoe fits…” Emma said with a shrug, and it had taken everything in Killian not to pull her close and kiss her senseless. But alas, they hadn’t been alone and it was hardly the time or place to try and see if such a match could work.

Over the next few weeks the interest that Killian felt only grew stronger by the day. He would run into Emma all the time, seeing her in rehearsals and watching her sets night in and night out. She was beyond talented, with a voice that evoked undeniable feeling in any song at any time. She could sing a ballad or an anthem or a cover of some long lost classic and be so well suited to all of them it was astounding. She had real talent, and the rest of her band did too. Yet it wasn’t her affinity for music that drew Killian in most, it was who she was as a person. Fiercely loyal to her friends and her crew, Emma was a fighter and a lover all in one. She treated everyone with kindness and respect, valued the time of each person in their orbit, no matter how menial their job, but she always stood her ground. She didn’t accept bad treatment for herself or for anyone else, and Killian couldn’t help but see her as this almost savior, sweeping in to different situations and protecting the underdogs at every turn. She was such an enigma, but at the same time Killian felt like he’d never understood a person better in his life than he did Emma Swan.

It was insane for him to care so much about a woman so quickly, and since past mistakes in love had made him cynical and uninterested in anything like a repeat performance, it seriously fucked him up for a time. The first few weeks they knew each other Killian battled this innate desire to spend time with her and the wariness that his past had taught him to hold close. Despite his attempts at avoiding attachment, however, he could feel himself falling under her spell. Little by little his heart ran away from him, and before he knew it he was hers. 

A turning point came where he realized that resistance was futile, and before he knew it they were spending each night together. They stayed back on the bus or in the hotel, leaving their friends to explore the local nightlife while they watched a movie, took a walk, or had dinner just the two of them. It was intimate even though neither of them ever crossed the line, and the best part was that it was normal. He wasn’t Killian Jones, rock star, and she wasn’t defined by her up and coming status either. They were just two people getting to know each other and forming a connection so few people ever had. And then the moment finally came, the one where he couldn’t wait anymore to make a move. He was so certain of his regard for Emma he had to let her know.

Instinct guided him in that instant to side with a display of his affection over the words that always seemed to get tangled up in his presence. She was so close, grinning at some witty comment he’d made about the movie before them and he took his opportunity, pressing his lips to hers and feeling the impact of a kiss with the woman of his dreams. What started as easy affection ignited, for all it took was one second for Emma to be there with him. Her response was glorious, seductive, and healing all in one. It told Killian he wasn’t alone in this, and he reveled in the chemistry between them. Something this hot and this intense couldn’t be forced – it was a magic so unique people lived their whole lives and never felt it, and Killian would have given anything to take it further, to steal her away to his suite, strip the clothes from her body, and take her over and over again until morning light came. But somehow, through some strength of character and purpose he never knew he had, he pulled back, looking into Emma’s lust-filled eyes and taking in her words of amazement.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she whispered, her lips full and her face flush with the influence of their kiss.

“Can’t you?” Killian asked, a grin forming on his face as he allowed himself to truly feel this untouchable sense of happiness. “Haven’t I made my intentions clear?”

“Well yeah, I mean I thought I knew, but… I don’t know, I’ve just been waiting for what feels like forever for that to happen.”

“Aye, love. The wait was too long, but this is only the beginning, Emma. You have my word on that.”

The rest of the night was a beautiful blur of feeling, and he and Emma made the most of the fleeting moments they had before their friends returned. But when the end of the night came, Killian was confident that they would have tomorrow. If he had his way they’d have a million more of such moments together, that was how far he’d fallen for Emma, but fate it seemed was not so interested in granting him that happily ever after. Instead of rising to a new day where he could tell the world that Emma was his and that he was hers in turn, he’d stumbled upon a scene at breakfast that broke his heart and his very spirit as well.

At first Killian didn’t register anything was amiss, but when he spotted Neal cozied up to Emma, standing too close for it to be anything innocent, it felt like the floor fell out from under him. Killian could only bear to look at them for a second, but the damage was done to his heart and to that happiness he’d thought was here to stay. Since then he’d been avoiding Emma. He hadn’t been subtle about it either, boldly leaving rooms or making sure they only shared a space when there were a half a dozen or more eyes watching. It was bloody difficult work, because even with everything he still wanted her close. But he had to do it. The honorable thing to do was to leave her alone if she belonged to another.

“Killian?”

The voice that called to him was undeniably Emma’s, and for a moment he thought he might have dreamed it up. He took stock of his surroundings, realizing that he’d ended up at the farthest corner of the venue. The spot was shielded away from prying public eyes, and it allowed him to tune out the world and just gaze at the cityscape below. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, Killian hadn’t even realized Emma was near him, and he took a calming breath, trying to keep himself in check for this interaction. It was all for nothing though, because as soon as he turned and saw her, ready for her set tonight and looking more stunning than any woman had a right to, he was lost.

“Swan,” he said, knowing his greeting was cold, but he didn’t have any other words. If he didn’t keep things short between them he’d confess it all, and he couldn’t stand the embarrassment that would entail. No, what he’d seen that morning had made it very clear – Emma belonged to another and he’d be making a fool of himself to try to plead for a chance when she was satisfied elsewhere. “Don’t you have a set starting shortly?”

“Yes,” Emma said, taking a step forward. Killian wanted to do the same, feeling the need to get closer to her but he held back and watched her closely, trying to understand what she was feeling. Her face was filled with emotion, but it was all too hard to read when he was charged up on his own. “But I had to talk to you. I can’t go out there tonight if I don’t.”

“Is everything all right?” Killian asked, still trying to rein himself in even as worry spiked inside his heart. Was she okay? Was she hurt? A thousand scenarios ran through her mind and he had to remind himself she wasn’t his to protect.

“No,” Emma said softly as she took another step towards him. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I haven’t, Emma, I’ve been -,”

“You promised me you’d never lie to me, remember?” Emma said, reminding him of a moment they’d had a few weeks back, a night Killian thought might lead to more but where he’d yet again proven too chicken to actually make his move.

“Aye, love, I remember.”

“I know you saw me and Neal together,” Emma said, causing Killian to tense up instantly.

“How?” Killian asked, knowing that he hadn’t been seen as he left and that even an hour ago Emma had no idea what was wrong.

“Robin told me.”

Killian couldn’t believe it. He was stunned. His manager of all people had told Emma the truth? But it broke every code. Here he was thinking that Robin was his friend even if he worked for him, but then why would he go behind Killian’s back and do this? It was unconscionable and Killian was poised to leave the room and give Locksley a piece of his mind when Emma reached out for his hand. Killian knew he should let it go. It wasn’t right or smart to do this, but heaven help him he couldn’t, not when nothing the world over could ever feel so right.

“He didn’t tell me to betray you, Killian. I gave him an ultimatum – either he told me or I’d walk.”

Killian scoffed at the crazy idea. There was no bloody way that she and her band would have not performed. This was the chance of a lifetime, but the open, honest, and sincerely genuine look in Emma’s eyes indicated otherwise. “Emma, that’s crazy! What on earth were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that I needed answers!” she exclaimed before releasing a breath that was shaky and spoke to her heightened state of emotion. “Something happened – one night we’re perfect and things are going great and the next morning everything was ruined. I didn’t know what was going on.”

“Well what was I supposed to think?” Killian asked, his voice at the edge of breaking as he tried to hold it together. “There’s clearly something between you too. Cassidy’s confirmed you’re seeing him to anyone who would listen all damn day.”

“He did what?!” Emma screeched, clearly shocked and irate at the revelation. “No I’m not ‘seeing him.’ What you saw was him making a play but I didn’t want any part of it because …”

Emma trailed off her words, a blush coming to her face as she looked away from Killian. It was the first time that she seemed afraid in all of this and it shook Killian to the core. Here was this strong woman with a fire inside her that he admired constantly, but right now she seemed worried, and he had this instinctual feeling that the worry was about him. Could he dare to hope? He didn’t know, but he reached out and tilted her chin back up to look at him, noticing the way she leaned into his touch and wanting to take more even though he needed her words first.

“Because…?”

“Because I would never do that when I want someone else.”

In that moment Killian knew at last that the two of them were in this together. She hadn’t confessed her feelings, but her jade colored eyes told him everything that words couldn’t yet say. It meant the world to him to know this, but it also hurt to think that he’d prolonged their pain by avoiding her all this time. God, if he had just walked in a moment later he knew Emma would have sorted things out. He should have trusted Emma, should have believed that such a spark couldn’t exist between two people if one was truly taken with another, but fear had clouded his judgment. Now he had to let the fear go, and he had to be sure once and for all that Emma knew where he stood.

“Please let it be me,” Killian whispered as his hand cupped her cheek and Emma looked on the verge of tears as she nodded.

“It is you,” she said, and Killian felt triumphant. All he could think was that he needed to kiss her again, but something still plagued Emma’s mind. He could see her uneasiness, and he needed to know what it was so they could fix it and move on. Then the realization of what would cause her hurt slammed into him and he realized he was the one who had caused her lingering pain.

“But I’ve fucked things up,” he said solemnly. “I ran from you without so much as a word. I allowed myself to jump to every bad conclusion without trusting in you. How can you ever trust me – feel safe with me – if I couldn’t have faith in what we have?”

“I’m terrified,” Emma admitted. “Not that you’ll run again, because I know you won’t. You have that look of determination and I know what that means,” she joked, pulling a forced chuckle from Killian.

“And yet…” Killian prompted, needing to hear whatever this was so he could know how to properly make amends.

“It’s just I fell so fast for you I wasn’t prepared when things got bad. I always keep people at a distance. If they can’t get close they can’t hurt you. I have my walls and they work at keeping people away, but you broke them down. You made me love you and -,”

“You love me?” Killian asked, shocked at the revelation as Emma’s eyes went wide and she realized what she let slip.

“I – well I mean – well the thing is -,”

Killian could have waited to see what Emma’s nervous stammering turned into, but instead he chose to go with his gut, pulling her in for a kiss he’d wanted for far too long. It was the sweetest relief, not only to have Emma in his arms where she belonged, but to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was not in this alone. Emma might have been the first to say the words, but Killian loved her in a way that defied explanation. He’d be shocked if her feelings could possibly compare, but when they pulled apart and he saw the mix of hope and happiness in her expression, Killian dared to dream that maybe they could.

“It’s always been you, Emma. Even before we ever met, I was looking for something – for someone – who would help make all of this matter. And when I found you I knew, I knew that I loved you right from the start, and that I always will. You’ve changed me, love, and I know this has been a rocky beginning, but I swear to you that’s done now. You have all of me and that includes every ounce of my trust. I won’t doubt us again.  I promise you I won’t.”

“People will think we’re crazy,” Emma whispered, though she didn’t look so adverse to the idea. Her fingertips had come up to graze along his jawline and Killian leaned into the motion, craving her touch and living for the spark of excitement that lit up her eyes.

“Let them,” he replied. “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. All that matters is what you want.”

“Well in that case…”

It was Emma’s turn now to pull him in for another heated exchange, and the kiss this time was charged with a pent up need both of them had been holding onto for what felt like forever. There was nothing more to say; this was love and it always would be, and now Emma and Killian were of a like mind, wanting to be as close as possible and to seal that love in the best possible way. Unfortunately, just as the kiss was pushing past the limits of propriety, with roaming hands and clothes coming dangerously close to falling away, a knock sounded at the door.

“All right you two, much as we all love the true love reunion we’ve got a show to do!”

Emma’s friend Ruby’s voice was filled with teasing as it filtered through the door and Emma rolled her eyes even as she laughed. It seemed the real world could not be put on hold indefinitely, and Ruby was right – there was a show just minutes away from starting.

“Not that we don’t appreciate you taking one for the team, Emma,” Graham said from where he must have been in the hallway as well. “He’s been a little Grumpy without his girl to keep him happy.”

“He is a lot brighter when they’re together,” David mused prompting Will to start suggesting new nicknames for him like ‘Captain Chipper’ and ‘Mr. Brightside.’ The onslaught of commentary made Killian groan.

“Bloody hell, how many of them are out there do you think?” he asked Emma, who was shaking her head as she chuckled to herself.

“My bet? All of them. And we should really go, because there’s no chance of them leaving until we do.”

“Fair enough, love. But just know this – tonight, when the final song is played and the night is finally through, you’re mine.”

“Good,” Emma said with a final swift kiss. “Because you’re mine too.”

And with that, the two of them faced the music, starting a new journey that both of them would come to cherish for now and always.

……………

Coming out of my cage And I've been doing just fine Gotta gotta be down Because I want it all It started out with a kiss How did it end up like this It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss Now I'm falling asleep And she's calling a cab While he's having a smoke And she's taking a drag Now they're going to bed And my stomach is sick And it's all in my head But she's touching his chest Now, he takes off her dress Now, letting me go I just can't look its killing me And taking control Jealousy, turning saints into the sea Swimming through sick lullabies Choking on your alibis But it's just the price I pay Destiny is calling me Open up my eager eyes Cause I'm Mr Brightside I'm coming out of my cage And I've been doing just fine Gotta gotta be down Because I want it all It started out with a kiss How did it end up like this It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss Now I'm falling asleep And she's calling a cab While he's having a smoke And she's taking a drag Now they're going to bed And my stomach is sick And it's all in my head But she's touching his chest Now, he takes off her dress Now, letting me go 'Cause I just can't look its killing me And taking control Jealousy, turning saints into the sea Swimming through sick lullabies Choking on your alibi But it's just the price I pay Destiny is calling me Open up my eager eyes 'Cause I'm Mr Brightside I never I never I never I never

Post-Note: So I have wanted to take this basic story idea and make it a multi-chapter for years now, but every time I get close to doing it another story always comes barging in. It’s because of that that I am really grateful to the reader who asked for this song about a year ago (God how did so much time pass?). This was a cathartic thing for me, and it allowed me to jump-start my muse and get other works written as well. Hope that you all enjoyed it, and also if you guys know of great AUs where Emma, Killian or both are in a band please let me know! I would LOVE to read more of this trope because it’s such a fun one! Anyway, thanks so much to all of you for reading and I hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

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