#what do you mean Liam is Nemo's first mate????

[horsechestnut]

Genuinely starting to think whoever was in charge of the Once Upon a Time timeline quit after season 5.

[ohmightydevviepuu]

the red queen [1/1]

to @profdanglaisstuff​ for the suggestion; to @katie-dub​ for the gut-check and encouragement; to @thisonesatellite​ for existing.

happy (belated) birthday to a beloved friend.  i feel so lucky that we have found each other.

this is a continuation of my space pirates AU, sanguine, adj. ‘hopeful’.  (it also means bloody).  if the earlier parts were a premise pilot...think of this as a procedural.  shamelessly inspired by “the train job” (firefly 1x02) and “the three-card monte job” (leverage 3x09), because i think i am hilarious (sometimes) and i have a writing crush on john rogers.

proximity alert cell block 1138 a good day

AO3

The man was tall and dark. Broody type, scruffy-looking, but he walked into the bar like he owned it. Slid onto a barstool, let the length of his battered greatcoat hang behind him and looked around with piercing blue eyes that missed nothing. Within two seconds he was followed by a woman, tall and broad, beautiful with black hair that curled and hung nearly to her waist, just above the gun she kept holstered there. Their movements had the ease of old reflex: he walked ahead, ready to encounter whatever might come at them first. She stayed close, but behind, ready to watch his back.

The bartender eyed them warily, watched the man’s gaze take in everything. He turned to the woman and asked, “What’ll you have?”

“Whisky,” she said. “Straight.”

He turned to the man and repeated the question.

“Actually, mate,” the man said, with a wink directed not at the bartender but squarely at the vidcam placed over the bartender’s shoulder. “Is it okay if I just sit here until a gorgeous blonde walks in?”

Will Scarlet spit out his drink, drops splattering on the commscreen in front of him.

Where he was watching them, of course. No way was he letting that cheeky asshole off coms or off cams again. Ever.

Ursula snorted.

The bartender rolled his eyes. “Whatever you want, mate,” he said, pulling a bottle from the counter to pour Ursula’s drink. She threw an extra couple of credits on the bartop and shook her head in commiseration.

But the door opened and in walked an objectively good-looking blonde woman. Her hair was shorter than Ursula’s, a bit awkward really, not that Will knew anything about women’s hair, but it was still closer to Federation regulation-length than anything else and it was tied back in the sort of tight tail that the Feds encouraged for anyone with long hair.

She had green eyes and she stopped when the man’s landed on her, cocking her head and smirking.

“You’re kidding me,” Will muttered, taking another sip of his drink. “Smug bastard.”

“Hello, beautiful,” the man said. The woman stepped up to the bar and the man took her hand in his, bending over it to place a kiss in her palm. “Captain Killian Jones, at your service. Can I offer you a drink?”

The bartender’s jaw dropped.

Ursula shook her head and took another sip of whisky, ignoring the scene playing out next to her.

The woman’s eyes glittered. “Listen, Jones--”

“I prefer ‘Captain’,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.

“I bet you do,” she murmured, leaning closer to him until her head was just above his ear. “Touch me again, Captain, and I’ll have you arrested for assault.”

“Is that a threat?”

The woman brushed her red leather jacket so the flash of metal at her hip gleamed and Will saw the bartender take notice. “It’s a promise.”

So did every other patron of the bar.

“Dammit, Killian,” Will groused.

Emma Swan turned and, with a wink of her own, nodded at Will in the camera. The bartender poured her a shot and turned back to the Captain.

Emma drank off the shot and left.

Will exhaled.

“How’s it going?” Robin Locksley walked up behind him, taking a seat in the co-pilot’s chair of the cockpit.

“You know, the usual,” Will muttered.

“Oh god, oh god, we’re all gonna die?” Robin smiled.

“Not yet,” Will said. “Give it time.”

Killian Jones, Captain, looked at the bartender. “A shot of rum, if you please,” he said, and the bartender sighed. Killian was fiddling with something in his hand as he fumbled for the requisite credits and then all of the blood seemed to drain from his face as he went very still, and very pale.

Next to him, Ursula tensed. Reflex.

She looked quickly to the camera and shook her head and Will drew in a deep breath.

“What’s up?” Rob asked, leaning toward him.

“Dunno.” Will shrugged. “Nothing good. You had to go and jinx it.”

From the end of the bar there was a sound.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

It was slow. It was the dripping water of a faucet.

Killian’s jaw muscle twitched and he turned.

The man had long hair, down to his chin in waves, run through with silver. His moustache and beard framed his mouth and tapered off at the sides.

He had piercing blue eyes.

“Hello, Dad,” Killian said.

Will was silent, his mouth hanging open. Next to him, Robin was still.

Emma’s voice crackled over the comm. “Did he just say--”

“Fuck,” Will said.

--

“Hello, dad,” Killian said, keeping his voice calm but feeling the twitch in his jaw and the itch in his fingers. He willed himself to be still, to look the man square in the eye for the first time in--

“I got a out, you know,” Brennan Jones said. “A while ago, in fact.”

Twenty years.

That’s how long it had been since his father left.

“Didn’t see you, though, at the prison colony spaceport waiting to pick me up in that fancy ship of yours,” Brennan said.

Twenty years since Brennan had left, twelve years since he had got caught running cons and games on rich marks on the central planets. The Federation, as Killian knew only two well, did not take kindly to larceny and thieving unless they were the ones doing both and Brennan had been caught, tried--and shipped off to ‘Neverland’.

They said it was a place where time stood still for its inmates, stuck while the world passed them by.

Twenty years.

“Yeah,” Killian said. “Yeah, I was kind of busy. Visiting my mother’s grave, you know. Visiting Liam’s grave.”

Brennan clucked his tongue in a noise that made Killian cringe. A noise that haunted his dreams on his bad nights, of his father’s disapproval, his indifference. Killian hated that noise and hated even more that it still held sway over him.

“All your life,” Brennan said, “you thought you were better than me. Never showed any respect.”

“What, exactly, did you do to deserve respect?” Killian said.

Twenty years, but Brennan still knew about the Jolly Roger, knew where to find him, knew exactly what buttons to push and strings to pull to make Captain Killian Jones feel like an angry child.

What else did he know?

Brennan turned to Ursula and said, with a tip of his head in affected gallantry, “Would you give us a moment? I’d like to talk to my son, here. My good-form, never-break-the-rules-son. Look at him now, yeah? Nothing but his own personal balls-and-bayonets brigade, living off the raggedy edge on the wrong side of the law. Nothing but a pirate, a criminal like his old man.”

Ursula ignored him, looked at Killian. Killian nodded. “Head back. We still have a job to do.”

His hand tightened around the crinkled piece of paper Emma had passed him.

The one with the name of their contact on this job.

Brennan Jones.

He thought of her and he tried to summon the feel of her fingers against his skin as if it would give him strength or hope or succor.

Maybe it did. Ursula’s eyes were black stones of judgment as Killian ran his hand through his hair and met her gaze and then, finally, she nodded.

“Pleasure meeting you,” Brennan called to her retreating back. “Now, about that job--”

--

“Run it,” Killian growled, his voice low and weary.

Emma looked around the cockpit, from Will to Robin to Nemo to Ursula and even to Ariel, who fidgeted visibly, more uncomfortable than Emma had ever seen her.

Whale stood off to the side, his arms crossed, shaking his head.

“Maybe we should discuss it first,” Emma said. “I know I feel a little weird--”

It was more than weird. It was downright uncomfortable. For the first time since she’d stayed with Killian, with the Jolly Roger and its crew, she was unsettled.

(Former) Federation Operative Emma Swan did not do unsettled.

“I don’t.” Killian bit down on the consonants, hard, each one clipped and harsh and as if they were spoken by a stranger. “Come on, Scarlet.”

“Sir--”

“Killian, sometimes you just need to stop and question--” Emma and Will spoke at the same time but then he stopped and looked at her. Emma took a breath and said, “Sometimes you just need to stop and think for a minute--”

“What is this, mutiny? An insurrection?” His eyes hardened. “Don’t ever tell me what to do on my--” Emma hissed, a warning, and Killian took a deep breath. “It’s a job like any other.”

If keystrokes could have emotions, Will’s were angry.

“Stop looking at him as my father,” Killian said.

“Can you?” Emma asked, walking up to him and putting her hand on his cheek.

He jerked away.

“But this isn’t, as you say, a ‘job like any other’,” Nemo pointed out. He was the only one in the galley who looked relaxed, his posture upright as always but with an air of ease that Emma desperately wished she felt. “And not because of who he is. Because of why he’s here.” Nemo gestured at the screen Will had projected on the wall and turned toward Emma. “What’s your professional opinion here, Operative Swan?”

Will had brought up a list of the charges against Brennan Jones: theft, fraud, bribery, smuggling, all across multiple systems.

Child endangerment.

Child abandonment.

Emma looked at Killian.

Killian looked away.

“No way he’s out of Neverland after only twelve years,” Emma said. “So--” her eyes were still on Killian “--trap?”

“Aye,” he said. His eyes flashed with relief and his jaw muscle relaxed. “Set up by someone else to do the dirty work. Blackmail, maybe. That’s how a lot of the big syndicates do things now. Quasi-government entities, some of them. Don’t want the dirty work putting them on the Feds’ radar and interfering with their legit scams. Keeps the blood off their hands.”

“So what’s Brennan’s game here, Captain?” Ursula asked.

Robin scrubbed a hand down his face and drew in a deep breath. “I imagine he’s got a chess board set up just like yours, sir.”

Killian’s answering look was murderous. “More like three-card monte. Keep the cards moving until he’s ready for you to see the queen.”

“Nah, he’s the one on the move.” Will turned around in his chair.

“How in the bloody hell do you know that?” Killian snapped.

“Facial scan, sir.” Will glared. “I tagged him and put my web-crawlers to work on the Cortex. And he just got a call. Sounds like he’s got sources planted across the world, and this one’s tapped into a Fed outpost. Core access across the entire sector, including SOS, maintenance, alarms. Brennan’s pushing him to tamper with it, cross the signals or some such.” Will squinted at his screen and crossed his hands behind his neck. “Your dad, he is not a nice man, is he? Must run in the family.”

The galley was, for one interminable moment, silent.

Robin smacked Will across the back of his head.

“Captain? What’s our play?” Ursula asked.

“Um, I have a question?” Ariel raised her hand. Emma stifled a laugh, and Ursula sighed. “If Brennan did all of these terrible things, blackmail and the like, why did he come here and hire us? If he’s so bad--”

“--what are they using against him,” Emma finished. “Against us. You.” Everything Killian cared about--was here. On the ship.

It was Nemo who answered. “This is about Liam?”

“Isn’t he--” Robin started to say, but stopped.

Dead. Liam Jones was dead, killed in the operation that Killian had fled with the Jewel of the Realm.

Slowly, minutely, Killian nodded.

“You think someone has your little brother?” Nemo spoke slowly in a soothing tone, as if for a small child.

Whale nearly fell over. “The hell--?”

Emma felt her mouth open. She closed it.

Unsettled. She did not like it. She did not like not having all of the information queued up and ready for her and this was something she should have known.

Something Killian should have told her.

A quick glance around the galley suggested that she was not the only one for whom this news was a revelation. She looked at Ursula, who blinked in surprise and looked at Will, who shrugged and looked at Robin, who shook his head. In unison, they all turned to look at Nemo.

“Younger,” Killian corrected him softly, almost as a reflex. “Aye.”

Nemo had eyes only for Killian, his eyes full of care and concern and quiet authority.

“Killian,” Nemo said. “It’s not your job to take down your own father.”

Emma took two steps across the galley and reached for Killian again.

This time, he did not pull away.

“You’re right about that,” Killian said. “It’s my gorram pleasure.”

His fingers tightened around Emma’s until she couldn’t feel them anymore.

--

“Killian, I don’t think we have enough information on your fa--on this guy. Not yet,” Emma said.

There were other things she could say. Maybe too many other things.

How Brennan had found them.

Killian’s younger brother, Liam Jones.

What Nemo knew that she didn’t.

But she didn’t say any of them. Not yet.

They stood out on the pavement in the middle of the city, or near enough--a city that was just big enough to boast the kind of multi-level skyscraper that was normally more prevalent across the Core worlds, but not so big that any of the buildings were in particularly good repair. They stood in the middle of a fair bit of traffic--pedestrians, land speeders, even personal shuttles buzzing in the sky for the gentry who wanted to show off, but not so much or so little that the five of them and their two Mules were memorable.

Emma, Killian, Ursula, Ariel and Robin stood in front of a building rendered completely invisible by virtue of its resemblance to every other building.

“We don’t even know if this is the right place,” Emma said.

Will’s snort made the earpiece crackle and Emma winced.

“I’m sure,” Will said. There was a beep in the background and Will’s voice was serious this time. “Okay, I think I may have an ID on a potential bad guy.”

“We’ve got the bad guy, Scarlet,” Killian said.

Which was part of the problem, as far as Emma was concerned. Brennan had backup and Killian’s instincts seemed to come from a pretty deep gene pool and that made Brennan one very dangerous guy with potentially more dangerous allies. Emma looked at Ursula, who shrugged.

Ursula was always going to back Killian’s play; well, so would Emma.

“Whatever you say, sir, but this guy Jefferson Chepalier has an interesting story to tell. They say he’s some kind of magician, just making things disappear from one place and appear in another. Weapons, credits, pharmaceuticals--you name it, he’s moved it.”

Nemo’s voice chimed in. “I’ve heard of him. Even the Federation is one of his clients.”

Robin’s eyebrows went up in silent admiration and Emma sighed. “I’ve heard of him, too,” she said. “He knows a lot of the right people in a lot of the right places.”

What did Nemo know?

Why hadn’t Killian told them?

Why hadn’t Killian told her?

“Well, seems like they had a bit of an ugly breakup,” Will said. “Busted last month and lost twenty million in merchandise.”

“Sounds like the kind of guy who could get someone out of Neverland,” Emma said.

“Sounds like the kind of guy who needs a big score,” Robin said. “Guys that desperate--”

“Yeah, it’s bad,” Emma agreed.

“Speaking of bad,” Will said. “Here’s some bad news: the system here is old-school. Too antiquated for me to tunnel in and hack.”

Emma rolled her shoulders and moved her neck from one side to the other. But this was nothing they hadn’t expected.

“I didn’t know some of these specs even existed anymore.” Will sounded offended, as though he expected more from his adversaries. “Getting into this would be like hacking a museum exhibit.”

“Which you’ve done,” Robin said.

“Nothing you can prove,” Will said. “In fact--”

Ariel giggled.

“In fact,” Killian interrupted, “it means we’re not going to able to stop him.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It means we’re going to have to help him. Just like he planned.”

“We’re on it,” Ursula said as Emma pulled a pair of cuffs out of her inner jacket pocket and stepped toward Robin.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Will said. “You just--happened to have those on you?”

Emma rolled her eyes.

“Do you always have those on you?” Will asked. “Because--” he paused, presumably watching Emma put the cuffs on Robin “--you are weirdly comfortable doing that.”

“Don’t I know it,” Killian muttered.

Ariel’s mouth dropped open.

“Ariel.” Ursula brought her back to focus. “You’re going in the back. Hook us in manually.”

“And Scarlet,” Emma said, “you keep your mouth shut unless you want me giving Belle pointers when she gets back from Persephone.”

There was an intake of breath over the comm and Killian said, “Shut up, Scarlet.”

“Okay, but--” Robin was resigned as the cuffs clinked into place “--what are we doing here, exactly?”

“All the alarms for the entire Andromache system run through this building,” Will said. “Banks. Private homes. Government systems. Transpo networks. Everything. My guess, Brennan wants to control which alarms get through and which don’t.”

“It’s what I would do,” Killian said. He did not look happy about it.

“It isn’t,” Emma said. “You wouldn’t have gotten us here in the first place.” She wanted to reach for him, to take his hand, to press a soothing palm against his cheek. But she had Robin Locksley in her handcuffs and, apparently, the fate of Killian’s heretofore-unknown younger brother in their hands.

Killian didn’t answer. Didn’t look at any of them, just stared upward at the facade of the building they were about to infiltrate.

“Sir?” Ursula prompted. “We don’t have to do this.”

“We’re the only ones who can,” he said. “Anchors aweigh.”

Emma looked at Ursula, who nodded and gave Robin a shove as they went through the doors.

--

Not only was (former) Federation Operative Emma Swan weirdly comfortable using handcuffs, Robin Locksley was weirdly okay about being cuffed. The whole thing was really weird, Will decided.

At least until--

“Can we hurry up? Being handcuffed in a Fed outpost is a recurring bloody nightmare of mine.”

Never mind, Will thought.

“Scarlet,” Ursula said. “How do we look?”

Will tapped a few keys and leaned forward to peer at the screen. “We will rule over all of this land,” he said. “And we will call it--’This Land’.”

Ariel chirped, “That’s a good thing, right? We’re shiny?” She was breathing slightly heavily from inside a crawlspace, where she had physically tapped the network while Emma, Ursula and Robin distracted the Feds.

“Means we’re tapped into every piece of wire and tech running through that place. We can block alarms, we can set alarms, we can track alarms, all through our own comms network. Nice work--very shiny.”

Ariel clapped her hands in glee.

“Now get the bloody hell out of there--”

The comms broke squelch with a burst of feedback so sharp Will had to shut down the system for eighty-three seconds.

And Killian, that rat bastard, did it on purpose.

Urusla’s voice was the first to break through when he got them back online. “Scarlet?” She was, as ever, sharp and focused. “Where is he?”

“He’s gone,” Emma said, sounding certain.

“Seriously?” Robin said.

“He’s gone,” Will confirmed.

--

“So,” Killian said, “let me tell you what I did.”

He was back in the bar, where Brennan Jones did not seem at all surprised to see him. Papers were spread out across a table in the corner and the bartender kept deliberately not looking their way.

Brennan smirked. “Oh, I already know what you did,” he said. “You let my repairman loose, fine. You think I don’t have another contact? You really think you can beat me? You’re not tough enough. You’re not ruthless enough. You don’t have what it takes, even with your interference--”

“Using a civilian was a dumb brute-force move.” Killian pulled his earpiece out of his ear and a small black box out of his pocket and held them up. “Rigged to the Fed systems. I control it now. I can destroy it. You were saying?”

“Well.” Brennan looked, for the first time, surprised. “That’s--well.”

“You’ve done your homework. You know that I stole the fastest ship in the fleet right out from under the Federation’s nose, so you should also know that I broke into Robert Gold’s space station and broke back out again. Severed his hold on the Federation council. Walked away after he tortured me. If I can do that, imagine what I could to you.”

All of that was true and yet--it had been easier to be tough in front of Gold than it was in front of his own father. He’d been doing that for Emma.

He wished she was here.

They were better as a team.

But she didn’t need to be a part of this. Not this. Killian didn’t want Brennan Jones even looking at her. More importantly, he didn’t want Brennan’s allies--whomever they were--knowing who she was.

“I did my homework too, dad. Where’s Liam?”

Brennan cleared his throat. “You’re being a wise guy with me?”

“What was it you used to say? ‘You’re too much of a planner, Killian. You have to be tougher to survive’. You’re so tough, prove it.”

Besides, Killian Jones always had a plan.

Behind him, Killian heard the sound of an old-fashioned revolver being cocked. He was, for a second, disappointed.

So predictable.

He looked around, started to turn--

Was stopped by an elbow to the back of his head.

After that, blackness.

--

“How long until we hit Paradiso?” Killian asked.

The train whipped through the countryside on the mag-lev track and Emma checked the map on her screen. “Another twenty minutes,” she said. “You should be at the foothills in five.”

“You’re sure?” Robin asked for the twentieth time. “You’re sure this was the plan?”

“He’s sure,” Emma and Ursula spoke at the same time, for all that Ursula was down on the train with Killian and Emma was in the cockpit of the Jolly Roger.

She wanted to be with him.

They were better as a team.

But that wasn’t the plan, and she was part of something now--part of a crew.

“Saw the maps,” Killian reminded them. “Had blueprints laid out for house party on Boros--some gentry have got a Lassiter there.”

“I’ve always wanted one of those,” Ariel said wistfully.

“Next time,” Killian said. For the first time in days Emma thought she detected a smile in his words. “And then there was a set for a hospital on Athens,” Killian said.

“Too much work. Not enough payoff,” Nemo murmured.

“Exactly,” Killian said.

“Three-card monte,” Emma said. “He wanted you to see.”

“Exactly,” Killian said again, and smiled this time.

“What’s the cargo?” Ursula wanted to know.

“No clue,” Killian said. “But since Chepelier was there--save the speech for later, Scarlet--I’d reckon it’s something that will get him his twenty mil back. And I’ll have some words for him about hitting me when we meet.”

“Something that requires an entire Fedsquad sitting on this train,” Ursula said.

“Not an entire squad, Ursula,” Killian said. “Just a few. Just enough to make it fun.”

“When those alarms go off,” Emma said, “it’s gonna be Armageddon.”

“That’s the idea, love,” Killian reminded her.

“Yeah,” Emma said. “Only I think you have a bit of a problem with your brain being missing.” She paused for a beat and then said, seriously, “Killian, it’s not too late to sit this one out.”

Behind her, Emma felt Nemo’s hand on her shoulder. He squeezed.

Killian didn’t answer. He said, “Start flying with the hatch open. Keep her steady, Locksley.”

There were no guards in the train car, just stacks of crates and baggage. Killian went in first and Urusla followed, sliding the door mostly shut behind them but leaving it slightly ajar as Ursula turned to fiddle with a canister she pulled from her satchel and the wires hidden in the door panel. Killian moved toward the center of the car, waiting for Ursula to hand him the screw gun.

He stopped and examined a particular stack of crates and then began to climb them, gently, stopping when he could reach the ceiling. Three corrugated iron panels stood between them and the open sky and soon there was not even that, as Killian put the gun to one of the rivets in the center panel and triggered it.

It made a sickening noise and Killian winced.

“Find the cargo,” he said.

“Thanks for the reminder, sir,” Ursula said.

Killian smirked and pulled the gun down, removing the rivet stuck in it before starting on the next, moving methodically from one to another until the last one is free and he lowered the panel as gently as the could.

It made a bit of a clatter, and Killian winced.

“Sir--” Ursula called, pointing at a stack of boxes.

“Shiny,” Killian whispered. “Brilliant. Get it over here.”

He had barely finished speaking when the net dropped into the hole in the roof of the train.

“Fifteen seconds,” Emma said.

The canister popped just when the wire pulled.

Immediately, there was a ringing noise that echoed through the train car.

“Alarms are set,” Scarlet said, his voice grim. “Feds on your door and Brennan--”

“I’ll worry about Brennan,” Killian said as the door opened fully and the gas released by Ursula’s canister blinded the Fed sent to investigate. With movements both precise and brutal, Killian disarmed him and had him on the ground, unconscious, in seconds.

He and Ursula closed the door behind them just as the comm started blaring and the train began to slow as they pulled into Paradiso.

--

Brennan Jones walked up to the makeshift processing site outside of Paradiso.

It was utter chaos.

Every person around him was screaming into a comm. “What do you mean, we’ve got another alarm call--a third one?!!--multiple code ones at the following sites--roll out--send backup--every available unit!”

It was the house party full of gentry on Boros that sweetened the deal. Feds wouldn’t normally roll out for a bunch of hicks coming in from Hancock. Alarms going off on Boros, on Athens, across Regina--that was a different story.

All hail the might Federation, though it was a shame about the Lassiter. That would fetch a tidy fortune on the black market.

Next time.

--

(Former) Federation Operative Emma Swan walked into the makeshift processing site the locals had set up outside Paradiso.

Where the train had stopped.

After some thieves put a hole in the roof.

It was utter chaos, every person around her screaming into a comm, Feds literally walking in circles--

Except for the poor, understaffed local constabulary, who had been left to deal with the passengers.

Killian and Ursula were off to the side, cuffed and under the watchful eyes of someone who looked like a local sheriff. He looked tired, and frustrated--was likely both of those things, now the Feds were off the train and in his backyard--and did not manage to keep his sigh inaudible as she approached.

Emma flashed her badge fast enough that the lawman wouldn’t be able to get a good look at the code designation that was now invalid. She gave him a half-grin as she did so, carefully calculated.

Empathetic. Brisk. Efficient.

Not here to ruin his day.

She was here to save it, in fact, but he had no way of knowing that.

“You Nolan?” she asked, and he gave her a wan smile. “I’m Swan.”

--

Brennan watched the scene playing out before him.

“No, I can’t send confirmation,” a particularly harried ensign snapped. “This is an all-network alert! Cargo theft--”

Brennan hovered genially near the harried-looking ensign, a petite woman with her hair tied in a regulation-style knot, and smile the kind of smile that was warm enough but completely unmemorable as he waved a datapad in the air with a kind of ‘what can you do’ shrug.

The ensign barely spared him a glance before waving him away, his presence already accounted for and forgotten, and Brennan inched closer to the train, where he was met by a tall blonde man in a uniform who asked, bored, “Status?”

Brennan handed the datasheet over, a transfer order flickering across its surface.

“You’re expecting me,” Brennan said. “Evidence transfer.”

“That’s right, you bastard,” Will muttered at his tablet. “Captain, are you sure--”

“You know the plan, Will.”

“We could just tell the Feds--”

“Oh, I’ve got him,” Killian said. “Gonna look him in the eye when he goes down.”

“Evidence transfer,” the blonde man said, frowning as he looked at the datasheet. “About that--”

He stopped as Ariel, her hair out of its knot, came up behind Brennan Jones, tapped him on the shoulder, and punched him.

Victor Whale pulled off his uniform cap and winced. Ariel was tiny, but she packed a right hook like a freight train.

“Ooooooof,” Will murmured.

--

Emma thought she heard the sheriff mutter about gorram time but not loud enough she had to acknowledge it. “You know there’s a whole spate of robberies across the system today,” she said casually. “Alarms going off anywhere.”

Implied: you’re lucky I showed up at all.

“Rumor has it they were after millions,” Nolan said. “You here for evidence holding?”

Emma only just managed to keep the sneer off of her face.

“Evidence holding”. That’s what the Feds were calling it now.

Emma shrugged. “Above my paygrade. I’m just here for those two.” She nodded with her chin at Ursula and Killian.

“I knew something about his story smelled,” he said, shaking his head and checking his datapad for the passenger manifest.

“Yeah, that’s him,” Emma said, sending a surreptitious wink toward Killian. “It’s not the only thing about him that does.”

In her earpiece she heard him chuckle.

“They’ve been bound?”

“Not yet,” Nolan said. “I--”

“Don’t worry about it,” Emma said. “You just get the rest of these citizens back on this train and on their way. I’ll take care of them.”

--

Ariel shrugged and ducked as Brennan made a pass at Whale and she pulled out a tranq gun--

“That’s enough, Ariel,” Killian said, walking up behind them, a cuff dangling from one wrist while he worked the other free. “It’s going to end right here, dad. You ready? Let me tell you what I did.”

“How did you know?” Brennan looked--bemused.

Almost impressed.

Killian reached into his greatcoat pocket and removed a small black box wired to an earpiece.

“Let’s try this one more time, shall we?”

--

“What’s the trick to three-card monte?” Killian asked, advancing on his father. “The red queen’s never even on the table. But it was a nice move, dad, knocking me out. Letting me deduce your plan. I didn’t even need this--” he held up the black box, pulled from his pocket “--to get inside your head. And all the time, you’re playing me. Playing my crew.”

Ursula, Ariel and Whale stood behind him and Will laughed at the screen. Big damn heroes.

“You tried to make me a pawn in your game. You tried to make Liam a pawn in your game. But here’s the thing, dad: you’re only a pawn if you don’t know you’re being played. And I always know. You taught me that.”

“Twenty million is a lot of money, Killian,” Brennan said.

Killian exhaled a laugh through his nostrils. “It’s not about the money. It never was. You’re not working for Jefferson Chepelier. You’re working around him, trying to get the bigger score. Get his merchandise to a better buyer, the kind of buyer who will pay top dollar and let you sail off into the black forever. A buyer like Cora Hart.”

Brennan stilled and Killian smiled.

“My people are going to take down Chepelier and Cora Hart. We have your cargo. What was it you always used to say?” Killian’s mouth contorted as he imitated his father’s voice. “‘You’re too much of a planner, son.’”

Killian leaned forward, his hands resting on his belt.

“The cargo is already on the way to a contact of ours,” he said. “Because if you’d done your planning, father, you’d have known that I have certain understandings in place between my crew and the Federation Council. And Regina Mills. You’ve heard of her, right? Cora Hart’s daughter? She was thrilled to get her hands on this kind of leverage against Cora.”

“What about your brother?”

“What about him? He was never in danger, not from you, and not from Chepelier,” Killian said. “Just another jack being shuffled--a distraction--but he’s safe. Far away from you and now with the protection of a pirate--” Killian bit the word “--and a Federation Councillor. You’re never getting near him again, and any minute now, the Feds are gonna come and--”

“--arrest both of us,” Brennan said.

“What for?” Killian held up his still-cuffed wrist. “I’ve sent the cargo on already and I have an alibi.”

“I’m not going back to Neverland,” Brennan said.

“That’s fine.” KIllian pulled a gun from his jacket pocket. Ariel made a sound like a sad cat, mewl. Whale swore under his breath.

“You can’t do this,” Brennan said, and chuckled. “I could, but you’re your mother’s son.”

Killian cocked the gun at the exact second Ursula said, simply, “Sir?”

And he looked at her.

Looked at Ariel, at Whale.

Looked up into the camera and Will sighed.

“Let him go, Killian,” he heard Emma whisper. “I’ve got your back. We’ve got your back.”

Killian hesitated; his hand shook and Emma wished so desperately she could take it in hers, put her thumb against his wrist and press a gentle, calming circle there.

“Killian,” Emma said, “be a better man than your father.”

--

Brennan Jones stood at the edge of the station along the train tracks but the train had, literally, already left the station.

Emma Swan walked toward him with Nemo keeping stride, Sheriff Nolan walking ahead of them both.

“Brennan Jones,” Nolan drawled, “you are bound by law.”

Brennan’s eyes widened in startled recognition as he looked at Emma and he smiled.

“Am I though?” he laughed. “Am I really? Check your codes again, Sheriff. She’s not a Fed, or whatever she says she is--she’s a thief.”

“Ran it twice,” Nolan said. “She’s clear.”

“Go ahead, Sheriff,” Nemo said. “One more time. We don’t mind. Authorization code one-zero-two-six. Scorpio.”

With a put-upon shrug Nolan swiped across the datapad and held it up. Federation Operative Emma Swan flashed across the screen with a photo and an arrest warrant. Emma enjoyed watching him as it hit him, the blood draining from his face and his tongue darting out to lick his lip. Brennan ran a hand through his hair in a gesture uncannily like Killian.

“Looks like you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in quite the robbery, Mr. Jones,” Sheriff Nolan said. “I’ve got orders here to put you in custody and send you back to--” his eyes widened and he clucked his tongue against his teeth as he shook his head “--Neverland. Well.”

“I didn’t do it,” Brennan said, pointing a finger at Emma. “I’m innocent.”

Emma rolled her eyes dramatically and shared a smirk with the sheriff. “Yeah, yeah,” she said. “Everyone’s innocent in Neverland.”

“Sheriff,” Brennan was pleading. “She’s not who she says she is. She’s a--”

Nemo grabbed his arm and twisted it, making Brennan wince.

“My own son,” Brennan said. “More ruthless than me. Crueler than me.” His eyes hardened and something unpleasant glittered in his irises. “You tell my son,” he muttered. “You tell my him--”

Emma turned away, waving at Nolan to step forward with the cuffs.

“--tell him I’m proud of him.”

Emma turned back. “Enjoy Neverland.”

--

Killian exhaled as he turned the ship’s wheel, piloting the Jolly Roger out of orbit and closer to the surface of Persephone. Emma stood behind him, looking out the cockpit windshield. The sun was setting and it refracted through the atmo.

“Well, that’s a joyful sight,” Killian muttered, looking up at Emma.

“Gotta love a sunset,” she sighed.

“That too,” he said. And winked.

“Almost like coming home,” Emma said, her fingers scratching and lazy at the back of his neck. He shivered.

Home.

She was his home. This was his family.

“We sniff the air,” he reminded her. “We don’t kiss the dirt.”

“Noted, Captain,” she said. “But I wasn’t planning on the dirt-kissing. Sir.”

“I wouldn’t stand for it anyways,” Killian said. He locked the wheel into place and pushed back in his seat, smiling up at her the entire time as lightness rushed through his body. “Jealous man like me.”

“Hey--eyes front, please,” Robin said, walking in and making a face. “Planet’s coming up a mite fast. You’re coming down too quick. Likely gonna crash and kill us all.”

Killian stood up and pulled Emma’s hand into his. His eyes never left hers.

“That happens,” he said to Robin, “let me know.”

--

“Hey,” Emma whispered, pushing the fringe off of Killian’s forehead as he opened one bleary, sleepy eye and stared at her. They were a tangle of limbs and sheets in the berth. “You were some kind of hero today, Jones.”

He nuzzled into her hand and wrapped her more tightly against him. “Mmmmm.”

It was not agreement.

“Trust me, you have a mark in the hero column,” Emma said, bending so her lips brushed against his ear. “Killian?”

“Mmmm?”

“Will you tell me about him, someday?” Killian’s eyes opened, both of them, and he stared at her in surprise. “Your younger brother?”

He stilled and then exhaled, a brush of warmth against her palm. “Aye, love. Someday. But not today, yeah?”

Emma snuggled herself against him, dropping her head to his shoulder. “Someday,” she agreed.

They had all the time in the world.

--30--

@quirkykayleetam​

[shireness-says]

Took My Soul, Wiped It Clean

Summary: Killian generally loves Storybrooke and its close-knit feeling, is happy to be raising his family here, but those close ties also often mean that everyone is sticking their nose into everyone else’s business. Can’t a man keep any bloody thing to himself? Rated T for language. ~5.5K. Also on AO3. A sequel to “If I Could See Your Face Once More”.

~~~~~

A/N: I’m back, with more of my 5B divergence! And fluffy this time. I’d recommend reading “If I Could See Your Face Once More” before this, but I suppose it could stand alone as a fluffy thing. Title taken from the same Kodaline song as the first, “All I Want”. Super thanks to my super beta, @snidgetsafan.

I do add in a non-canon character in this installment. Though he’s pretty much just mentioned here, he is important later in this ‘verse, and is taken from literature. I’d love to hear your guesses about who he is, and what I’ve got planned! I’ve got a lot in my head for this divergence ‘verse, so if you ever have questions or ideas that you want to see, just shoot me a message.

Tagging those from the first: @thejollyroger-writer, @profdanglaisstuff, @captainsjedi, @ultraluckycatnd, @superchocovian, @snowbellewells, @killianjones4ever82, @wellhellotragic, @ohmakemeahercules, @let-it-raines, @lifeinahole27, @kmomof4, @scientificapricot, @spartanguard, @courtorderedcake, @justanotherwannabeclassic

Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

~~~~~

His daughter is meticulous.

It’s a ridiculous word to ascribe to a toddler, he knows, but that’s the only one he can come up with. She eats her macaroni one silly shape at a time and watches her feet take every step and says each of her words very carefully, like she wants to get every sound right instead of just chattering away. They hear her practicing words in her crib at night sometimes over the baby monitor. It’s adorable.

Fatherhood is more than Killian could have ever imagined when Emma first told him she was pregnant. It’s more than he imagined when he found out they were having a girl, or when Charlotte was first placed in his arms, still damp and squirming and perfect. It’s the greatest, best responsibility of his life, waking up every morning and trying to be everything his daughter thinks he is, because it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that she adores him. Daddy’s girl, Emma says.

(He’s fine with that.)

Killian is a little terrified some days, because the truth of the matter is that he’s not certain he’s as much of a hero as his daughter believes him to be. He’s lived an awfully long time, and done some terrible things in those years, and it terrifies him to think that his little girl might find out some day and lose that gleaming trust she has in him. In the meantime, he’s doing his best to be the best man he can be - gentle and kind and honorable, the kind of man he may have once been, hundreds of years ago.

That’s a worry for later, though. Right now, he’s more worried about picking up his little girl from her grandparents’ for a lunch with Emma and an afternoon out.

The door has barely opened before Killian hears her little voice, pitched even higher in her excitement as she shrieks out “Papa!” Gods, but he loves that, loves the way she lights up like the brightest star when she sees him, and all because of him.

“Well hello, my little bean,” he coos, stooping to scoop her into his arms, already bundled into her winter coat and mittens and hat. She’s no longer bean-shaped in the least, but the nickname had stuck, even after she was born. “Did you have fun with Grandma and Gramps and Leo this morning?” If the change of clothes is any indication - they definitely didn’t send her off in this fluffy skirt this morning, though the striped tights are a nice touch - it seems like they might have. A messy morning, at the very least.

“Yeah,” she responds with that toothy smile he so loves, reaching to press her little hands against his cheeks so his face scrunches up - a favorite game of hers.

“We did finger paints,” David explains. “They’re still drying right now, and her clothes too, but Snow and I will bring them the next time we come by the house.”

“Thanks, mate,” Killian smiles back. Sometime in the past few years, between monsters and death and children, he’s grown quite close to Emma’s father, their former animosity nothing more than a distant memory these days. “Maybe you guys could come around tonight. In the meantime, the little lass and I have a very important lunch date.”

David’s eyebrows rise in what must be anticipation. “Are you going to…”

“Aye,” Killian quickly responds before the other man can finish. Talking about it will only encourage his nerves, and he’s trying his hardest to avoid that right now.

“Good luck, then,” David replies, reaching out to clap Killian on the shoulder. Before he can say anything else, though, a loud cry echoes through the house. “Listen, I’ve got to go check on Leo and the twins so that Snow can keep sleeping, but…”

“We’ll call you,” he promises.

“Great. Okay, then, we’ll talk later. Bye, Princess!” As soon as grandfather and granddaughter exchange waves, the door closes, Charming hastening back down the hall into the rest of the house and his own child’s crisis.

“Do you want to go see Mama, my Charlie girl?” Killian asks as they climb back down the porch stairs.

(Henry had come up with the nickname, claiming that Charlotte was far too frilly and fussy for such a calm, curious, and unshakeable infant. It had stuck, mostly because it suits her. Charlie. By this point, Snow is the only one who still calls her Charlotte.)

“Yeah. Mama now,” she agrees, nodding decisively. She sounds absolutely determined - and absolutely precious.

Charlie ends up being put back down once they reach the pavement of Main Street, just as always. She’s a fiercely independent thing, his little lass, and he’d been expecting it; lately, he always factors extra time into wherever they’re going so that she can toddle carefully along to her heart’s content. She’s a little star in her own right, too, garnering all manner of waves and little bows as they slowly make their way down the sidewalk. Storybrooke has rather swelled in population since his return from the Underworld; Merlin had ultimately returned the citizens of Camelot to their home by joining all the realms together, once and for all. Later, the population of the Land of Untold Stories had been brought into the chaos when the Dark One had attempted to attack Storybrooke and sweep away his wife and unborn son, opening a gaping portal between the two dimensions in the process. Ultimately, his attempt had been unsuccessful, the Dark One being destroyed by the combined forces of Emma, Regina, Merlin, and just about every other magic wielder in a variety of realms, from Maleficent to Elsa to the fairies, but the Untold Stories residents had stayed to try and move their own tales forward. Killian likes most of their new inhabitants, possibly excepting the relocated Lost Boys, but it is always a little bit of a shock to walk down the street and see Vikings and airship captains and everything else under the sun, all trying to pay homage to himself and his daughter as members of the royal family. While each individual realm has their own government, they’re all under the overarching rule of Queen Snow and King David as rulers of the United Realm - a unanimous decision by the various heads of state. Storybrooke is technically a democracy with Regina as its mayor, though no one had actually run against her in the last election. Killian doesn’t think that it was a matter of fear, for once in her life, but rather every one of the townspeople recognizing that they had no desire to deal with all of the bureaucracy of local affairs and the diplomacy required to deal with every realm from Arendelle to Camelot to Oz - not to mention, dealing with the dwarves. Especially not dealing with the dwarves. Regina seems to be the only person who actually thrives on that much paperwork and the minutiae of local government, and so they’re all happy to let her.

(Killian’s own family had expanded with the arrivals from the Land of Untold Stories, his very angry and long-lost half brother and said brother’s adoptive father. Nemo had been delighted at the opportunity to become a little family; Liam had been less excited. Part of that is likely due to Nemo needing to be hospitalized for the injuries that drove them to the Land of Untold Stories in the first place, injuries he’d sustained the last time both surviving Brothers Jones had met, the other due to the death of Brennan, their father, also at Killian’s hands. It’s all a mess, and they’re still trying to come to terms with the whole thing. For the moment, they’re all operating under a truce. It helps that both men adore Emma, and especially Charlie; after Henry had insisted the submarine captain watch the animated movie of his namesake, Nemo had been the one to gift their daughter upon her birth with the stuffed fish that had become her very favorite. Killian will never understand how the other man can be so tickled by his cinematic reincarnation. Regardless, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep the peace if it means Charlie gets to grow up being doted upon by Uncle Lee and Baba Nemo.)

By the time they finally make it to Granny’s to pick up lunch, they’ve had to fulfill the routine of up and down and up and down several times over. Charlie is a curious little thing, though her natural caution and methodicalness keeps her from wandering out of sight, his little girl almost as careful about checking that he or Emma is in sight as they are. Still, he swoops her up once the white fencing of the diner is in sight, tickling her sides until she giggles just before they walk in the door. Granny smiles at them both - well, mostly Charlie, the widow Lucas still gruff with everyone but her expanding gaggle of pseudo-grandchildren - as Killian deposits her on one of the red vinyl stools.

“The usual, Captain?” She asks, fixing him with a piercing look over the top of her spectacles. Every time she does so, Killian finds himself grateful that it’s only Ruby who’s susceptible to the full moon; he wouldn’t want to meet Granny in wolf form, not one bit.

“Yes, please.” It’s nice, having established himself so firmly in this town as to have a usual order at the local diner - a grilled cheese and onion rings for Emma, a BLT and fries for himself (mostly so Emma can steal them - she likes having options), and a bowl of macaroni and cheese for the little lass. Today warrants a little something extra though, he thinks. “And a generous slice of that marvelous chocolate cake as well, if you don’t mind.”

Granny snorts a laugh as she finishes writing out their order on the ticket, sliding it through the order up window so the cook can get started on their order. “So today’s the day, then?”

Killian stiffens at the words. “I won’t pretend to know what you’re talking about.”

Granny rolls her eyes at that. “Sure you don’t. I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this, Captain, but you’re a terrible liar. Unlike your girlfriend,” she makes sure to emphasize the title, “you only get dessert on very special occasions. Do you have something to celebrate today, Hook?”

His cheeks are noticeably burning red, but Killian still keeps his silence.

“Suit yourself,” Granny shrugs, mercifully taking pity on him. “Now hand over the little angel, she’s got to pick out the noodles.” It’s always Charlie’s favorite part, and despite the older woman’s teasing earlier, Killian feels a rush of affection at the gesture.

“I do it,” Charlie pipes in. She’s got that determined set to her eyebrows - just like her mama’s, really - and is already scooting to the edge of the stool to try and get herself down.

“Oh no you don’t,” Granny replies, much to Killian’s relief. Let her be the bad guy here, not that Charlie will put up the same fuss with the Widow Lucas as she would at home. “If you’re going to go in the kitchen and pick your noodles, you’ve got to let me carry you, little missy.”

Charlie doesn’t look happy about it, but the promise of fun shapes wins out apparently as she holds up her arms and willingly lets the older woman pick her up. As soon as the bow ties and corkscrews and whatever other kinds of pasta are in sight, she’ll doubtless forget any frustration about not being allowed on her own two feet.

Killian is so busy watching his Bean as she’s carried away that he doesn’t even notice Ruby coming to lean herself across the counter from him, sporting a grin so wide it might better be described as bared teeth.

“So, you got a plan?” she quips. Damned wolves and their damned hearing.

“There’s no plan,” he all but growls back. Killian generally loves Storybrooke and its close-knit feeling, is happy to be raising his family here, but those close ties also often mean that everyone is sticking their nose into everyone else’s business. Can’t a man keep any bloody thing to himself?

“Oh, that’s no good,” Ruby replies. Obviously, she hadn’t picked up on the hint to drop it that his tone had carried. “Women like when there’s a plan, you know, you really shouldn’t ask her —”

“Maybe my plans are none of your damn business!” Killian bursts out, only the memory that this is the middle of the lunch rush keeping him from shouting the words in Ruby’s face.

It doesn’t faze Ruby, however. “Oh, so that means you do have a plan,” Ruby replies smugly, crossing her arms across her chest. Somehow, the smile stretches even wider. Killian just glares back. “Alright, keep your secrets,” she finally concedes, hands raising in surrender. “I’m just trying to help you.”

“I’ll let you know if I need it,” he growls out. Granny walks back through the door with Charlotte at that moment, blessedly distracting Ruby. Killian takes the chance to check his mobile telephone (he long since knows that it’s a cell phone, or just a phone, but it still makes Emma laugh to hear him act confused about the devices); happily, there’s a message waiting from his Swan.

E: Are you and Bean still coming by the station with lunch, or should I meet you at Granny’s?

K: We’ll be there soon, love - just picking up the order now. We’ve a surprise for you.

In only a few more minutes, their order is ready to go; except for cooking noodles, everything else in their meal is pretty quick. With Charlie already swinging his hand back and forth, he gratefully accepts the bag Granny offers onto his hook; one of the few things that have changed in the timeless diner since his arrival after the First Curse is that paper bags with handles are kept around especially with Killian in mind so that his only hand can be left free. Now that he has their lunch in hand, the nerves suddenly make themselves known in a way that they hadn’t previously. On the surface, this is just another lunch, but Killian knows very well that this is a lunch that could change everything.

Some of those nerves must show as he exits the diner and nearly runs into Robin.

“There’s my favorite Jones!” the other man crows as Charlie happily latches onto his legs in a hug, tweaking her little ponytail. Turning his attention to Killian, though, Robin is less complimentary. “Are you alright, mate?”

“Fine, just a little stressed,” Killian replies shortly.

Robin nods knowingly, and Killian thinks he might be about to let it go. Until the thief speaks, that is. “Ah. So today’s the day then?”

“Does everyone in the bloody town know?” Killian demands, rolling his eyes in a move Emma would swear he’d picked up from her (she’s not entirely wrong). If not for the heavy bag on his hook, he’d probably have thrown up his hands dramatically as well, but he doesn’t think the onion rings would respond well to such treatment.

“Well, we’ve been expecting this for a while,” Robin explains. “How old is the little lass?”

“Twenty months.”

“Right, so a few months before that. We’ll call it an even two years - that’s how long we’ve been waiting for you to make a move. Though I will say, it doesn’t help that one of the dwarves owns the jewelry shop.”

“Of bloody course,” Killian mutters, mostly to himself. Gossips, the whole lot of them.

Inexplicably, Robin still smiles and leans around the cute little leech still suctioned to his legs to clap Killian on the shoulders. “Look, you don’t need to worry. It’ll all be alright.”

“Easy for you to say,” Killian mutters back. Robin’s living some kind of idyllic life, with a wife and children and a seemingly endless supply of confidence. Killian has been around a little too long to maintain that type of optimism.

Robin shrugs. “Maybe. Still, you and Emma are one of the most solid couples I know, even without throwing True Love into the mix. I think, deep down, that you’re just as confident nothing can shake that. Have a little faith, yeah?”

“I’ll do my best,” Killian replies, smiling weakly. It’s the best he can manage at the moment, when his stomach is trying to tie itself into an intricate series of sailor’s knots.

“Good luck, mate.” With a final squeeze of the shoulder, Robin starts trying to peel Charlie off his legs. “Feel free to send Henry over tonight if need be. Charlie too, of course, Vera would love to see her.”

“I’ve already set up for the lass to spend the night with Nemo and Liam, but thanks for the offer, mate. We’ll have to arrange for the girls to have a play date in the coming week regardless.”

“Indeed. Well, again, good luck, and let us know how it goes!”

The sheriff’s station is conveniently only two blocks away, making for an easy trek that even his daughter’s little legs can handle. Another decided plus of going to Granny’s; they’re close enough to their ultimate destination that he generally can just let her walk instead of trying to juggle carrying both their lunches and his toddler at the same time. Today, though, they stop at a bench a block away from the entrance of the station, where Emma can’t yet see them. Tugging on Charlie’s hand to make sure she stops, he carefully rests their lunch bag on the bench before extricating his own hand from her tiny grip to reach into his jacket pocket for the little velvet box.

The ring box.

Robin is right, in a way - this has been a long time coming. But in all the emotional upheaval of his return from the Underworld and their daughter’s impending arrival, marriage hadn’t taken priority. They already knew they were true love, about to raise a teenager and an infant together and committed in every way that counts; a wedding was just a legal formality at that juncture. Some might have argued that Emma’s pregnancy with Charlotte was a compelling reason to get married, but Killian actually found it more of a reason not to. He loved her - loves her - and has always seen marriage in their future, but vainly, he doesn’t ever want it to seem like they got married because of their impending child. After Charlie was born, they’d been so busy and exhausted and consumed with just making it day to day with two kids, one of them a baby. A wedding hadn’t been logistically possible at that point, at least not the way they or her family would want to celebrate it. No, as much as they love each other, waiting had been the right decision.

Now, though… now, there’s no longer any reason to wait. Now too, Killian finds himself yearning for that kind of commitment, to pledge themselves before all and sundry and cement things in a way he has trouble describing. Consciously, he knows that nothing will change with a white dress and a signed paper and a pair of rings, but that doesn’t stop him from dreaming. Emma and he had talked about marriage together before and established that it was something they both want in the future; now that things are finally starting to calm down and settle back into a routine in their lives, it finally seems that the moment is here.

(There’s the point, too, that they’re starting to talk about another baby, and Killian knows that if they welcome another child, they’ll be thrown right back into that cycle of happy exhaustion and put off getting married for another several years. On the less romantic side, it’s better to stage a wedding now, when they both have the time to commit to it.)

Charlotte is obviously confused by this unexpected pause in their path, a deviance from the usual routine. “Mama now,” she tells him - not the question another child might ask, but something more akin to a reminder, like her father might have forgotten that they have an appointment to keep. It’s just another manifestation of that meticulousness that he finds so adorable - the way she likes to know the plan and stick with it.

“In a moment, sweetheart, we’re just stopping here for a minute,” he assures her before producing the little ring box. “You see this, little love?” Charlie nods solemnly, reaching out a little hand to stroke along the soft green velvet. “This is a very special gift I’m going to give to Mama. Now, do you think you can keep it safe for me until it’s time to give it to her?” With any other child, it’d be an insane idea, but he knows his daughter.

And his daughter is meticulous.

(Besides, they’re only a block away; he’ll keep an eye out, but doesn’t anticipate any problems. She’s a careful little thing, after all.)

Charlie’s nodding eagerly anyways, a precious smile running across her face at the prospect of helping with the surprise. “Yeah! I do it!”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he praises, pressing a quick kiss to the soft hair on the top of her head. Quickly, he unzips her little parka to get at the miniature leather jacket she wears underneath, so much like Emma’s and his own, to tuck the box into the pocket where it will hopefully be more secure. Hats and gloves and all matter of outerwear get shoved into the pockets of her winter coat, creating so many opportunities for the ring to be disturbed;  hopefully there will be less chance of that happening inside.

After resecuring all her layers, they continue their trek to the station, and walk through the front door only minutes later. Emma is alone in the office today, something of a rarity. Though David may have stepped down in order to pursue life as a farmer, returning to his sheep and to rule the United Realms alongside Snow, only helping at the station when absolutely necessary, the sheriff’s department has acquired several new deputies in the meantime, in order to deal with the increase in population.

Mulan had been the first person Emma had approached after her father had made his intention to leave known. The warrior had been a natural choice for her impressive skill set and level-headedness, and it had worked out well that the woman in question was a bit at ends after Ruby had left for Oz and a life with Dorothy. A deputy position granted her purpose and some sense of roots, and she’s flourished here, becoming Emma’s trusted right hand.

Dorothy had been an easy choice too, though she’s less available, forced to split her time between Storybrooke and tamping down trouble in Oz. The principality of Munchkinland supposedly operates as a democracy, one in which Ms. Gale holds no elected position, yet somehow she’s still the only one who can settle the frequent disputes that erupt between different factions. Killian would swear that it’s an entire population of dwarves, some distant cousins of Leroy and Doc and all the rest with all the trouble they manage to kick up.

Emma’s last deputy, Fitz, had been more of an unexpected addition - a former army colonel who had arrived with the other migrants from the Land of Untold Stories, looking for some kind of new purpose and to escape the long shadow cast by his cousin. Killian had been suspicious of the other man at first, but he’s more than proved his worth in the past two years, especially in aiding with the defeat of the Dark One by protecting Belle. It helps that the other man is one of the most amiable, easy going people Killian knows, armed with an easy smile and a self-deprecating sense of humor. Killian had worried that the former colonel might bristle as having to play deputy after so long as a leader in his own right, especially as a man from another time and society now under the command of a woman, but truthfully, Fitz just seems delighted to be surrounded by three strong women bossing him around. Now, Killian counts the other man as a friend, one of his regular drinking buddies alongside David and Robin.

Today, however, he knows that Emma is alone at the station - Killian had made sure to check the schedule last week and seen that Dorothy is off, Mulan is tackling a self-defense presentation at the elementary school, and Fitz is handling patrol. If all goes well, he can have an uninterrupted afternoon with Emma and their little lass.

Emma looks up at the sound of their footsteps, and immediately breaks into a wide smile when she realizes who’s there to see her. “Hey, you,” she greets, the affection obvious in her voice. How far she’s come from the skittish, closed off woman Killian had met in the wasteland that’s left of the Enchanted Forest; how far they’ve both come, really. Killian certainly wasn’t anything like the caring family man and loyal friend that he’s become back at the beginning.

“Hello yourself, love,” he smiles back, bending to kiss her. “Are you having a good day so far?”

“Eh. You know. Hit or miss,” Emma replies, simultaneously bending to hoist Charlie into a hug. As excited as their little girl had been to see her mother when he had picked her up from the Charmings’ an hour ago, now she’s more anxious to wiggle her way back down to the floor and run over to the bottom drawer of the file cabinet where they keep a handful of toys for her. “What am I, chopped liver?” Emma mutters. Even if she’s rolling her eyes, there’s still a smile on her face. They do manage to find a bit of humor in the frequent caprices. “Anyways, yeah, it was fine. Mostly dealing with paperwork, really. Leroy and one of the Vikings had a little bit of a spat early that I had to go referee, but that’s kind of just Tuesday. Not a big deal. You?”

“Uneventful so far.” Hopefully not for long, since he’s showed up with a ring and a question. “I finished with the docking fees this morning, then turned the office over to Mr. Smee for the afternoon and went to pick up the Bean.” While Killian serves as an additional standby deputy in the Sheriff’s station if need be, much like David and Robin, he’s actually found employment as the town’s harbormaster. It’s not always the most interesting job - mostly, he manages the monthly docking fees, though his position also involves inspecting the occasional imports from other realms and monitoring the office radio in case anyone gets into trouble or runs out of gas on the water - but it’s steady and dependable and lets him feel like he’s doing something productive, maybe even something good. The hours are a plus, too, as is continuing to be the boss. Killian still doesn’t take orders well from anyone but Emma.

“Is that lunch I see?” Emma asks, almost demands, zeroing in on the bag still hanging on his hook.

“It is indeed,” he replies, setting the sack on her desk. “Your favorite - grilled cheese and onion rings.”

“God, I love you,” she declares, leaning up for another kiss with a happy smile on her face.

And all of a sudden, the moment is here. It’s as good a lead-in as any. “Well, I’m very glad to hear that, love.” Gods above, he doesn’t think he’s ever been so nervous - not before that first date, not when he was standing in front of her door in New York. Maybe when their daughter was born, but that’s a slim thing. “Charlie, sweetheart, can you bring me that gift for Mama?”

“That’s right, I get a present!” Emma teases. That doesn’t last long though, her laughing tone giving way to a gasp as Charlotte rounds the corner of Mulan’s desk, her parka already shed and wrestling the ring box out of her little pocket. “Is that…”

“Aye, love.” Killian runs his hand along Charlie’s hair as she reaches him before plucking the box from her hands. “Good job, little love,” he murmurs with a smile. Now is the moment though, so he turns back to Emma and sinks to one knee as he props the little box open. Nestled inside is a ring that he thinks is perfect for her - somehow both sturdy and delicate at the same time, with a white gold band and two smaller round diamonds flanking a larger oval-cut diamond, a medium size that stands out without being ostentatious. He’d seen it in the window of the jeweler’s and just known it belonged on his love’s finger. Some things are simple like that; falling in love with Emma had been.

“It’s been a long, winding road to get here, my love, but I wouldn’t want to walk it with anyone else,” he begins. Hopefully the tears starting to glimmer in her eyes are a good sign. The soft smile on her face and the happy crinkles around her eyes certainly suggest so. “When we met, I couldn’t think of anything but my own revenge - but you made me want to be better. You still make me want to be a better man, for you, for Charlie, for Henry, every day. You’ve given me the most precious gifts of my life in your love and our children, and no matter what the future might hold, I just want to face it together. I may not be a perfect man, but I can promise you this: I will always, always be by your side.” Killian takes a final deep breath - it’s the moment of truth, so to speak. “So, Emma Swan, woman of my dreams and love of my life… will you marry me?”

It feels like he waits for her response for an entire lifetime - no, a whole eternity, even if it must only be seconds. But then her smile widens and Emma sinks to her knees, bypassing the ring in his hand completely to grasp his face between her hands and stroke along his cheeks with her thumbs as her delicate fingers curl around his neck, behind his ears and into his hair. “Yes,” she breathes, tears slipping from her eyes as she nods. If there was ever a moment the word emphatic was created to describe, this is it. “Yes. Yes! Of course I’ll marry you, my pirate.”

They really probably should worry about the ring in the box - namely, slipping it on her finger where he hopes it’ll never move again - but that seems like such a secondary concern when Emma’s kissing him for all he’s worth. Somehow he finds both his arms wrapping around her back to pull her closer, his hand still clutching the little green velvet box as Emma’s tongue slips into his mouth. Kissing his fiancée doesn’t feel wildly different from kissing his girlfriend yet, but he’s sure that given the chance to say that word a few more times - fiancée! - he’ll change his mind. For now, he’s more concerned about lips and tongues and the positioning of noses and the way Emma’s lovely breasts press just perfectly against his chest.

“Yes,” she tells him again as they break apart, and one more time as he finally works the diamond ring past the knuckle of her fourth finger. It’s nearly a perfect fit; just a small spark of magic is required to tighten the band to her exact specifications. It seems fitting for their relationship, somehow, which has been infused with the magic of Saviors and True Love since the very beginning.

Charlie choses that moment, of course, to tire of searching through her toy drawer and wander back over to see what her parents are up to. “Mama sad?” She asks, his clever girl noticing the tears still glistening in Emma’s eyes (and probably his own too, if he’s being very honest).

“No, baby, happy,” Emma laughs. “Mama is just very, very happy, and it’s spilling all over the place.” Killian understands that perfectly; he’s so happy, he feels like he’s overflowing with it.

There are worse complaints to have.

Soon, they’ll have to turn their attention to all kinds of wedding planning and spreading the news to their friends and family, but he’s happy for the moment to instead focus on having a nice lunch with his daughter and fiancée at the former’s urging (“Eat now?”). Both his girls are very excited about the chocolate cake, and the sooner they finish their entrees, the sooner they can dig into dessert.

After all, Granny was right; they’ve got a lot to celebrate today.

[kegofglory]

Sea Meets Earth (1/1)

Fandom: Once Upon A Time

Pairing: Killian Jones/Emma Swan

Summary: Modern Neighbors Au.

She presses her lips together into a hard line, trying to figure out why she’s intrigued by this man, her new neighbor. There’s the obvious--he’s incredibly attractive, even at six in the morning in sweatpants and an old t-shirt. There’s the fact that she knows he’s an incredible support to her brother and sister-in-law. But mostly, she thinks, it might be that there’s something eerily familiar in his eyes. She can’t really explain it, but she feels a weird sense of understanding when they look at each other.

AO3

---///---

Killian’s knowledge of Emma Swan is incredibly limited. In fact, he knows four things about her.

1. She’s David’s younger sister. 2. She’s a pastry chef. 3. She lives in Boston--or at least, she did live in Boston. 4. She has an eleven-year-old son, Henry.

That’s it. After six years of friendship with David Nolan, and four years of being partners, those are the only facts that he’s collected about her.

He also knows that David loves her deeply and fully, and that he’s crazy protective of her.

That’s what gets him to even mention the soon to be vacant apartment above him in his nice duplex in New York City. Finding real estate in the city is no joke, and he’s only lucky enough to be close friends with his landlord, Nemo.

“So, my upstairs neighbor is moving out in two weeks if you’re still worried about your sister finding a place in the city,” Killian says from his side of the patrol car.

David raises an eyebrow. “Really?”

“I’m not lying, mate,” Killian says.

His partner rolls his eyes. “Has Nemo rented it out yet?”

“No, I mentioned it to him and he said to give you his number to pass along to Emma. It’s a two bedroom one bath, and he’s cheap in terms of New York prices.”

David nods, “Thanks man. I’ll let her know.”

“So, what brings your mysterious sister to the city?” he asks.

Beside him, David’s entire body goes tense. Killian remains silent, allowing his friend some time to respond, if he even wants to. “She just needs to be closer to us, ya know?”

Killian nods. David has always reminded him a lot of Liam. Sometimes, it’s hard, but sometimes, it’s comforting to have someone like Liam in his life. When he’s feeling particularly sentimental, he thinks that Liam sent David his way on purpose.

“Sure. Well, I’ll text his number to you and she can check it out, I guess.”

---///--- “And we have to go to the library, the one on 5th! Mom, it is so cool, and you can probably find all the fairytale books you like there.”

Emma stares down at her son, who is rambling despite the fact that he’s struggling to get a few boxes out of the U-haul.

“Sure, kid. What do you say we at least get these boxes inside first, though?” she says, unable to fight the affectionate laughter bubbling up in her chest.

“Uncle David said we have to go to the Hall of Science. It sounds sooo cool,” he’s still going on, and Emma rolls her eyes.

“Kid, relax. We’re going to have time to do all the things, okay?” she says. “Listen, David and Mary Margaret are on their way here, and they’re going to help us with some of Uncle David’s coworkers so we can get this done fast.”

Henry grunts. “I just want us to do it all before we go again.”

Emma stops in her tracks, turning to stare at her son. He looks up at her guiltily.

“Hey, Henry. Put that box down, come here,” she mumbles, grabbing his hand and leading him to their new front porch steps. Thankfully, according to her brother, their new downstairs neighbor is apparently out of town, so she doesn’t have to worry about bothering him as they noisily move everything into the upstairs unit.

“I didn’t mean it,” Henry mutters, sitting down beside her.

“It’s okay if you did. I know I’ve moved us around a bit too much in the past,” Emma says, rubbing her lips together as her son nods sadly. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Mom, it’s fine. This is only our third move,” he says, sounding way too adult, as always. “I know it’s because you needed to do it.”

Emma squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head. “We’re here to stay. We’re not going anywhere for awhile, so I hope you like it here.”

He smiles. “I’m going to love it if you do, mom,” he says.

That’s really all it takes for tears to prick at the corners of her eyes. She sighs, leaning over and kissing the top of his head. “I love you, kid.”

He smiles, and like clockwork, David pulls into her drive with his wife and two large men from work.

She approaches his truck, watching the strangers pile out. “Hi guys. I’m Emma and I’m also eternally grateful you’re all here to help. I’ve supplied all the pizza and all the beer upstairs in the fridge.”

The tall man laughs, stretching his hand out to her. “It’s no worries. I’m Robin, and this is Jefferson,” he says.

She shakes both of their hands, smiling kindly as they head toward the u-haul.

David is about to wrap his sister into a hug but is interrupted when Mary Margaret practically pushes him into the bushes, running to wrap Emma into a tight hug.

“It’s so good to finally have you here,” her sister-in-law cries into her ear.

There’s something that is so consistently warm and welcoming about Mary Margaret that makes Emma feel at home for the first time since arriving to this bustling city.

David groans, “Let’s get unpacking, girls. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can take Emma and Henry to Granny’s.”

At this, Henry perks up visibly, well aware of the diner that they go to every time Henry and Emma visit. “Do they still have those onion rings?”

“Of course they do,” David says, chuckling as he leads the way to the truck.

And Emma finds that, throughout the day, her stomach begins to hurt less and less. Maybe she is home, at least for awhile.

---///---

Killian has lived in the same duplex for eight years, and he’s never had much of a relationship with the tenants that have lived above him. There are instances where he sees them, of course. He has a beautiful front porch, where both of their entry doors are located, and the tenants upstairs get a lovely balcony right above his porch.

He figures it will probably be the same with Emma and her boy.

The first night he gets back from his trip, it’s late and he can see the light upstairs shining through the window, along with a yellow bug sitting on the street in front of the house. Killian laughs when he sees the car and shrugs, entering his apartment and heading straight to bed.

Any Sunday morning that Killian is lucky enough to have off, he sticks to the same routine. He wakes up as early as he can and enjoys the sunrise sitting on his porch swing with a cup of coffee. He’s done it for as long as he can remember. Even as a child, Liam would wake him up and take him outside, where they’d sit in the grass and watch in silence.

After his trip to go visit Elsa this past week, he finds his mind wandering to a dark, sad place a little more often than usual. Elsa was Liam’s best friend, his soulmate, and he tries to make an effort to go see her at least once a month.

His heart hurts, though, when he leaves. She always wants to revel in the memories of Liam. His kindness, his loyalty, his morals. It’s nice, because she’s the only person on this planet that loved Liam as much as he did. At the same time, it forces a lot of thoughts to the front and center of his brain,

Like how his brother practically raised him while his alcoholic father did absolutely nothing, or how it was always their dream to one day go back home to London and visit all the places their mother wrote about in her old journals.

Or how he knows that Liam would want more for Killian than what he settles for now.

An unfamiliar voice pulls him from this dangerous road, though. “Mom! Mary Margaret called me and asked why you’re ignoring her texts,” a young voice calls. Killian looks up. They must be on the balcony. If he stood up and walked forward a few feet, he’d be able to see. But, that would be creepy, so he stays seated.

A feminine laugh sounds, and he raises an eyebrow out of instinct.

“I didn’t consider that moving to New York meant I’d be even closer to the two most controlling people I’ve ever met,” she says. Her son laughs in response.

“Should I tell her what we’re doing today?” he asks.

“No, kid. It’s our day. Just tell her we’re busy,” she says, and she sounds a little guilty.

“Good, because we can just meet them later anyways. We should go explore on our own. But mom--”

“Henry,” she cuts him off, chuckling. “If you tell me the hall of science opens at ten one more time, I’m going to go back to sleep until noon just to spite you.”

Killian can’t help the small smile that fights its way onto his face. The domestic familiarity between the two makes his heart swell.

“It’s nine, mom! What if there’s traffic? What if there’s a line to get in?”

He hears footsteps above him. “Okay, okay. I’m jumping in the shower. We will leave in twenty minutes. Can you go, like, complain about being up early on a Sunday or something like a normal kid?”

“Normal? But you’re the one that raised me this way,” Henry jokes and then their voices grow quieter. And Killian wonders for the first time what Emma Swan’s story is.

David keeps his stories about her close to his chest. He can see the love and pride in his eyes every time he brings his sister up, but he never shares many details. And Killian never pushes, because that’s how their friendship has always worked. David has returned the favor tenfold, allowing him to talk about his childhood only as much as he felt comfortable.

It’s a half hour later when Killian almost done with his coffee and the front door swings open to reveal a young boy with brown hair and a blue backpack on his shoulders. “Mom!” he calls up the stairs before turning and noticing Killian.

“Oh, hello! Sorry for shouting,” he says and Killian laughs.

“It’s quite alright, lad,” he says, standing up and approaching the young boy. “I’m Killian Jones. I’m guessing you’re Henry?”

Henry grins. “You’re Uncle David’s partner?” he asks, reaching forward to shake his hand. The manners in the young boy remind him of David. Or Liam.

“Yes, that I am,” he replies, shaking the young boy’s hand. “How are you liking the city?”

Henry shrugs. “It’s pretty cool, but we haven’t had a chance to do anything other any unpack and organize. Mom and I are sneaking out into the city today.”

“Sneaking out?” he asks.

Henry nods, fiddling with the straps of his backpack. “Uncle David and Aunt Snow said that on our first free day they want to take us on a tour,” he says.

“First of all,” he ticks off one finger. “Aunt Snow?”

Henry chuckles, and his nose scrunches up. “My mom always calls her Snow White… you know… because she’s kind of like a nice princess,” he explains.

Killian barks a laugh at this. “Very fitting. And two, do you guys not want to go on a tour?”

Henry looks around nervously, like he’s sharing a top secret. “My mom and I like to do things on our own, sometimes. Every time we move somewhere or go on a vacation, we take the first day just us to explore whatever we want. No itinerary. We don’t want to hurt Aunt Snow or Uncle David’s feelings so we’re keeping it a secret.”

Henry’s face is bright as he explains this tradition to Killian, and it brings a genuine smile to his face. It’s obvious that Emma is this boy’s hero.

“Sounds like a good tradition to uphold,” Killian says.

Before Henry can respond, though, the door swings open again to reveal a blonde, her fingers wrapped tightly around a black thermos full of what he only assumes is coffee.

She looks at her son, then her green eyes land on Killian, and he has to physically take a step back at the intensity in her gaze.

She smiles tightly, turning to Henry and handing him the thermos, her hair falling around her in waves. “You have extra cinnamon in your backpack, right?”

He nods. “Of course.”

She turns back to Killian, and her smile is a little more open now, though her eyes are still electric and curious.

“Mom, this is Killian, Uncle David’s partner,” he says, clearly unaware of the effect that his mother is having on his ability to speak or even breathe.

“I’m Emma Swan. I’ve heard tons about you,” she says, extending her hand forward.

He clears his throat. “That can’t be good,” he jokes.

She laughs, and it’s beautiful. He wants to hear it again.

“Please, it’s David. He has a hard time finding a bad thing to say about anyone. I’ve only heard good things.”

He smiles, trying to think of anything to say. For some reason, he knows the charm and bravado he normally relies on won’t work with her.

Before he can even formulate a response, she turns and locks her front door. “Well, we’re off. See ya around,” she says.

Henry grins. “Bye Killian!”

“Bye, lad. See you around, Swan,” he says, the words falling off his lips before he can think about it. She whips her head around to look at him, wonder in her eyes, before she nods and leads her son to her little yellow car.

It’s not until they speed off that Killian can even out his breathing again. He swallows hard, shaking his head. Fuck. He doesn’t need this kind of distraction right now.

---///---

A week goes by without Emma seeing Killian, and she thinks that’s probably for the best. She had to make a conscious effort not to think about him on her entire day with Henry last weekend. Something about his eyes, his smile, his… something, got under her skin. In a wonderful, terrifying way.

It’s the following Sunday that she sees him again. She opens her door to leave at 5:45 in the morning when he makes his presence known.

“Good morning, Swan,” he says, and she jumps, letting out an embarrassing yelp. She turns to see him sitting on his porch swing.

“Fuck,” she mutters, placing her hand over her racing heart. “You scared me.”

“My apologies,” he says, though he’s wearing an amused smile. “I’m just surprised you’re up so early.”

She laughs, leaning against the wood pillar and she takes a sip from her coffee cup. “I work in a bakery, Jones, so this is a normal hour for me.”

His eyes brighten when she sarcastically calls him by his last name. He stands, and she watches the swing move back and forth as he steps into her space. She doesn’t step back though, just looks up at him knowingly.

“Oh yes, you’re a pastry chef. Tell me, what’s your specialty?” he asks, raising a suggestive eyebrow. She can feel his breath on her face.

She smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she asks, surprising herself when she holds his gaze.

“Perhaps I would,” he returns, and her whole body warms at the way he looks at her.

She presses her lips together into a hard line, trying to figure out why she’s intrigued by this man, her new neighbor. There’s the obvious--he’s incredibly attractive, even at six in the morning in sweatpants and an old t-shirt. There’s the fact that she knows he’s an incredible support to her brother and sister-in-law. But mostly, she thinks, it might be that there’s something eerily familiar in his eyes. She can’t really explain it, but she feels a weird sense of understanding when they look at each other.

“If you hear a child screaming violently, it’s most likely my son playing video games, just so you know,” she says, changing the subject to something safe.

He laughs at this. “Good to know.”

“Don’t worry, though. David and Snow are coming to get him at nine for breakfast,” she says.

He shakes his head. “I’m not worried.” He dips his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers, and she has to force herself to breathe normally.

She clears her throat. “I’d better go. Have a good day,” she says.

“I’d say it’s off to a pretty great start, love,” he says.

She rolls her eyes, turning around before he can see the smile on her face.

---///---

Killian is pacing a hole into his floor at nine when there’s a knock at his door. He sighs, swinging the door open to reveal David, Mary Margaret and Henry all smiling brightly at him.

Jesus Christ.

“Hello,” he drawls out awkwardly.

Mary Margaret giggles. “We’re going to go get breakfast. Would you like to join?”

Killian raises an eyebrow. His only plan for the day was to sit in his apartment and wonder why he has no control over his actions when Emma’s around. This seems like a better alternative.

“Sure,” he says, slipping some shoes on. “Where to?”

“Grannys, of course!” Henry practically cheers. “And we’re going to surprise my mom and bring her some hot chocolate.”

Killian stops in his tracks, suddenly unsure if he should join. David looks at Killian suspiciously and he can even feel Mary Margaret’s curious eyes on him.

“Alright, let’s go,” he says breezily before anyone can question him

Henry grins. “Awesome! Have you been to Granny’s, Killian?”

The entire walk to Granny’s is filled with mindless chatter, mostly on Henry’s part, and he can’t help but notice the looks that Mary Margaret and David keep exchanging.

“I hate when you guys do that,” Killian says suddenly, staring at his best friend.

David feigns confusion. “Do what?”

“Have conversations with each other without speaking,” he mumbles.

Henry laughs loudly at this. “You guys do actually do that. It’s really weird,” he agrees.

Killian looks at the married couple, pointing at Henry as if that’s proof enough.

“Whatever, Henry. Don’t act like you and your mother don’t have a second language of your own. Half the time, I need a translator just to keep up,” David replies, laughing.

“At least we actually talk, though,” Henry counters. “You guys don’t even say words… just stare at each other.”

Mary Margaret scoffs, glaring at Killian. “Do you see what you’ve started!?”

He laughs fully, shaking his head as he enters Granny’s.

The lunch carries on like that. The conversation is easy and Henry’s kindness and intelligence continues to shock him.

Henry happily leaves with the to go hot chocolate in his hands. “Come on, Killian. My mom’s work is only a block away,” Henry calls, running to catch up to Mary Margaret and David, who are holding hands and giggling together a few feet ahead of them.

Killian starts to get nervous, though. He already feels like a fool when he sees Emma at their house. He knows the moment David sees Killian look at Emma, he’ll know what’s going on.

Henry swings the door open, and Killian looks up at the sign. Blackbird Baking Co.

The bell on the door chimes, and Emma looks up, her face brightening obviously when she sees her family. She grins, wiping her hands on her red apron.

“Hi guys. Couldn’t handle one morning without me?” she asks before her eyes land on Killian. Her mouth opens slightly, surprise crossing her face for a millisecond before she schools her features.

“We brought you hot chocolate with cinnamon,” Henry says proudly, and Emma’s face changes suddenly.

It takes Killian by surprise, the way every single part of her softens when she engages with her son. She smiles, taking the cup from him and shooting him a wink.

“Best kid in the world,” she says.

“Hey, I paid for it,” David calls out defensively, and Emma rolls her eyes.

“Best brother in the world,” she deadpans. “I see you guys have dragged my neighbor out with you today,” she nods at Killian, who’s still standing a bit behind the other three.

“It’s so nice that the two people we love most in this city live in the same house. Makes life so much easier,” Mary Margaret says.

Emma laughs, walking around the counter and wrapping an arm around Henry.

“So, I was thinking…” Mary Margaret starts nervously, and Emma smirks.

“Yes?” she asks knowingly.

“I was thinking we could have a housewarming party? We’ll plan it on a night that Killian’s off, so we don’t have to worry about disturbing him with the noise, and so that he can be there, of course! And we can invite all of our friends so you can get to know them.”

Emma rolls her eyes. “I should be surprised it took you this long to suggest such a thing.”

David chuckles, pressing a kiss to the top of Mary Margaret’s head affectionately. “I had to really compromise with her on this. She wanted to do it the night you arrived.”

Even Killian laughs at this, and Emma’s eyes dart to him. He smiles kindly, trying to keep his eyes from lingering on her for too long.

“I don’t think I stand much a chance stopping you so okay, Snow. Just… try to keep it lowkey,” she says, dragging her eyes back to Mary Margaret.

“I can be lowkey,” Mary Margaret counters, looking at her husband, who is smirking.

“Sure, honey,” he agrees sarcastically and Henry laughs loudly.

“Well, I think it sounds nice. Mom, you need some friends in your life.”

Emma’s jaw drops, turning to glare playfully at her son. “I have friends!”

She rolls her eyes when Killian, David, and Mary Margaret all begin laughing at the exchange.

“These two don’t count, they’re family,” he says, jabbing his thumb toward his aunt and uncle. “And I don’t count either.”

Emma presses her lips together and motions toward Killian. “He’s my friend.”

“Really?” Henry asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “Doubtful. I’m pretty sure I’ve spent more time with him than you have, mom.”

Killian can’t help but raise his eyebrows at Emma when she glances over at him. “The lad’s got a point, Swan. When are you going to come downstairs and hang out with me. I can play video games, too,” he says, and although his voice is teasing, David’s head whips toward Killian immediately.

“You’ve never invited me, Jones. Next time Henry and I have a Super Mario showdown, though, we’ll yell for you.”

He grins widely at her. “I’d be honored to join.”

Mary Margaret giggles lightly, and he doesn’t miss the knowing look she shoots Emma. Or the way Emma shoots a glare back.

Okay, so maybe the silent conversation thing is more of a Mary Margaret thing.

“We’ll let you get back to work, Em,” David says finally. “We’ll see you later though.”

“Thanks for feeding my child, guys,” she says.

“I can fend for myself, you know,” Henry cuts in. “I’m eleven.”

Emma just rolls her eyes, her free hand landing on her son’s shoulder. “You’re practically an adult. See you this afternoon, kid.”

“Are you going to bring home any extra pastries?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows as he looks at the brownies in the display case behind her.

She rolls her eyes. “Goodbye, guys,” she calls and they all turn to leave.

And try as he might, Killian still turns around to get another look at her, and to his surprise, she’s watching him as well.

“See ya later, friend,” he says, and her eyes widen, shaking her head.

“Goodbye, Jones.”

---///---

“So, how is it living under my sister and nephew?” David asks the next day when they are finishing up paperwork at the end of their shift.

Killian shrugs. “Fine. I don’t see much of them, really,” he says quickly, refusing to meet his best friend’s eyes.

“Yeah, that makes sense. You know, you and Emma are eerily similar. I never really thought about it before.”

“Oh, are we?” Killian asks. “I don’t see how that’s possible.”

David laughs, and Killian realizes he has said too much. “And why is that?”

Killian rolls his eyes. He’s not in the mood to be psychoanalyzed by his best friend. “I just don’t see it, is all.”

David hums. “Okay. Sure. Just, be careful,” he says.

Killian raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t push. He wants this conversation to end yesterday.

David leans back in his chair, the squeaking cutting through the tension. “Killian,” he says quietly.

Finally, Killian looks up. When he meets his friend’s eyes, though, he’s surprised to see genuine sincerity etched into his features. “What is it, mate?” Killian asks, swallowing the lump in his throat.

There’s so much love in David’s heart, and he’s always wondered what David even saw in him. When Killian met David, he was in the worst place of his life. It was right after his brother had died. Killian and David met at the precinct on Killian’s first day, which was a month after Liam’s death. He was a right prick at the time, spending every day off hiding in his bedroom and drinking himself to sleep.

David didn’t even know what was going on, but he just seemed to sense that Killian needed someone. So he continuously invited him over for dinner with his wife. Killian declined every time, honestly getting annoyed that the man would not let up.

Then, one day, after a particularly rough shift, David walked up to him and told him they were going to the bar. Seeing as that was much more Killian’s speed, he agreed. David was terrible at holding his liquor, and Killian got plastered as well. Mary Margaret came to pick them up at closing time, and she basically tucked him into bed in their guest room.

The next morning, nursing a hangover, David stood in front of him and said something that Killian will never forget. He said, “I know there’s a lot of good in you. Sometimes, the darkness seems insurmountable, but it’s not. You are better than this, and I’m going to keep harassing you and trying to help you no matter how mad it makes you, Killian.”

Then Mary Margaret made him breakfast and coffee and when he left she hugged him so tightly. He didn’t even know a hug could carry so much emotion.

The rest was history. They basically took him in as their adopted child and he wouldn’t change a thing about it.

When it came to Emma, David always seemed to get that same look in his eyes that he had when he lectured Killian that morning.

David sighs, pulling Killian from his thoughts. “She can use a friend like you,” he says, his words measured.

Killian nods gravely, and David nods before he looks away and changes the subject to a case they’re working on.

---///---

Emma’s leaning against the ledge of her balcony when she spots Killian walking up the sidewalk. She ignores the ridiculous way her stomach lurches, and before she can control it, she’s calling his name. He looks up and smiles so brightly it almost blinds her, even with the distance and the darkness surrounding him.

���How are you still up, Swan? Don’t you work at the crack of dawn?” he calls, stopping in the grass and crossing his arms over his chest.

“I have a hard time sleeping,” she admits. “Are you just getting off work?” she asks.

He nods. “Yeah. David and I had to work the once a month 10am to 10pm today.”

“Yuck,” she says. “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

For some reason, Emma doesn’t want to let this conversation to die. She feels so much safer with the distance between them, like she can let her guard down and just chat as herself.

He seems to sense this, smiling softly at her. “I also have a hard time sleeping, so it’ll be awhile before I finally fall asleep.”

She nods, looking up at the moon for a minute when she can’t find anything to say.

“So, love, what’s on your mind this evening?” he asks, and she sighs.

“Just thinking about Henry,” she replies honestly. He raises an eyebrow at her in surprise, waiting for her to elaborate. “He’s just so grown up… sometimes, it makes me sad.”

“How so?” he questions, his voice free of any judgement.

Emma leans forward more, trying to get a better look at his face. He’s so beautiful. She’s never described and grown man as beautiful, but looking at him, it’s all she can think.

“I hope he didn’t feel the need to grow up too fast, you know? He deserves a chance to just be a kid,” she explains.

He nods slowly. “I don’t know the lad that well, but if you want my opinion, I’d say that Henry is just a smart, mature kid. I don’t think it’s due to some emotional trauma. He seems like he gets a lot of his qualities from you.”

She scoffs. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

He shakes his head, eyebrows pulling together in confusion. “Trust me, love. It’s not a bad thing.”

She smiles despite herself. “Thanks,,” she says so softly that she’d assume he couldn’t hear her if it weren’t for the next words out of his mouth.

“No worries. Would you like to come down and sit on the porch or should we continue this Romeo & Juliet scenario here?” he asks, and even she can hear the nerves in his voice.

And she wants to say sure.

Yes.

That’s what normal people do.

He watches her carefully as she thinks to herself. “I should probably try to get some sleep, but raincheck,” she says.

And all she can think is she’s such a chicken. He nods, looking a little disappointed.

“Sweet dreams, Swan,” he calls before walking toward the house and out of her view.

“Fuck,” she mutters to herself before heading inside and she definitely does not have sweet dreams about the man living below her.

---///---

It takes Mary Margaret only three days to plan and organize Emma’s housewarming party. She sends David and Killian out to pick up ice, because according to Mary Margaret, there’s no such thing as too much ice. They dropped Henry off at a new friends house on the way, which is giving Emma enough anxiety to last her the rest of the night.

In the meantime, Emma helps her sister-in-law set up. And by help, she means does exactly as instructed.

“So,” Mary Margaret starts, trailing off.

Emma knows that voice well. She has heard it about a hundred times in her life. Mary Margaret came into their lives when Emma was sixteen, and they’ve always been able to read each other.

“What is it, Snow?” she asks.

“I was just thinking,” she starts, keeping her focus on the cheese tray she’s assembling, “You know, Killian is a really good guy.”

“Oh shit,” Emma says immediately. “This was bound to happen, I guess.”

Mary Margaret snorts. “I’m just saying. He’s cute, and he’s nice, and Henry seems to like him.”

“So, should we get married tomorrow then?” Emma asks sarcastically, pulling a beer out of the fridge even though they still have two hours before the party begins.

“In my ideal world, sure,” Mary Margaret teases. “Seriously, Em, I’m just saying. We love Killian and I happen to think you are at least a little intrigued.”

“I don’t know what gives you that idea,” Emma mutters, taking a long swig from her beer as she avoids eye contact with her sister-in-law.

“I saw the weird way you looked at him when we came to the bakery the other day. It was… different. I’ve never seen your eyes look like that before.”

Emma clears her throat, shaking her head. Thankfully, the boys choose the perfect moment to return home. “Thank God,” Emma mumbles, much to Mary Margaret’s chagrin.

“Okay,” David says as soon she he opens her door. “So when Killian and I were trying to do a shot of rum earlier we were sent out of the house to keep out of trouble, but Emma can start drinking beer at six?” he asks.

Killian laughs, walking into the house and smiling. “It’s nice up here, Swan,” he says, eyeing the picture frames on her mantle. She feels exposed, the way he stares at her family photos with obvious interest.

“Thanks,” she says breezily. “And it’s my party, so I say we all start drinking now,” she says.

David grins, setting the ice into the kooler before placing a quick kiss on Emma’s cheek. “What a good host you are,” he says.

Mary Margaret groans. “Actually, Emma. You’ve never had the displeasure of seeing these two when they drink together. It’s in everyone best interest that they hold off.”

Emma barks out a laugh at that. “Okay, that’s something I want to see. Last time I drank with David was, like, four years ago,” she says before bursting into a fit of giggles. “Remember, David! You fell asleep on my porch and my neighbor called the cops because they thought you were homeless.”

Killian’s eyebrows immediately shoot skyward, and even Mary Margaret giggles.

“It was your birthday and we were supposed to take you out on the town,” Mary Margaret reminisces.

“We didn’t even make it out of my apartment thanks to David,” she says between her laughter. She glances over at Killian to see him watching her with a new look in his eyes.

What is that? Curiosity? Surprise? She can’t quite tell.

“He is quite the lightweight,” Killian adds, and Emma beams at him.

“I can’t have this conversation with either of you,” David groans. “You both have super human tolerance.”

“Is that so, Swan?”

Emma raises her beer toward him. “It is so,” she replies, smiling mischievously at him.

He chuckles. “Seems like you’re challenging me,” he mumbles.

She shrugs innocently, walking into the kitchen and retrieving a beer from the fridge. “Cheap beer work?” she asks.

He smirks. “It’s not rum, but it’ll do,” he replies.

Mary Margaret snorts. “Knowing Emma, there’s a flask of rum somewhere around this house.”

David chuckles lightly as Emma rolls her eyes. “Maybe,” she mutters, handing Killian the beer. He leans it toward her and grins.

“Cheers, love.” He stares at her is a way that is so disarming that she has to break eye contact, tapping the bottleneck to his before taking a long swig. She walks away immediately, unable to take the unnerving way that he seems to read her face more easily than anyone else in her life.

David observes them, making a weird hum under his breath that she decidedly ignores. “Okay, so I’m going to take a shower and get ready so that I can look presentable for the people that arrive,” Emma announces, leaving out the part where she just needs to put a physical wall between herself and Killian.

Mary Margaret chuckles. “Okay, Em… are you taking that beer into the shower with you?”

Emma shrugs, “I don’t see why not. I’ve got a lot of socializing ahead of me. I’ll need it.”

Killian laughs. “Besides, she’s gotta keep up with me tonight,” he cut in.

David claps a hand onto Killian’s shoulder. “It will probably be you keeping up with her, bud.”

Before Emma can hear his most likely charming response, she slips into the bathroom and turns the water on, sighing loudly when she can finally catch her breath.

Something about being around Killian and her family at the same time throws Emma for a loop. Because she loves the way he fits into her life seamlessly. And she can’t show that, because Mary Margaret and David will see right through her, and she doesn’t need the typical lectures that they tend to lovingly dole out. It’s always well intentioned, but it makes Emma feels so broken.

If anyone is aware that Emma has some serious issues, it’s her. Her family trying to psychoanalyze her just makes her feel guilty for things out of her control.

She stands under cold water first, silently counting to herself as she tries to pull herself together. Then she turns the faucet all the way to the left, the water suddenly burning her skin. She stands there until her skin turns red, and then turns the water off.

“Okay,” she whispers, staring at herself in the mirror. She quickly dries her hair and gets ready for the night ahead of her.

When she finally exits the bathroom, there’s a new beer sitting on the counter right outside the door. She looks around but Killian, David, and Mary Margaret are nowhere to be found. She allows herself to laugh quietly, bringing the beer to her lips before heading to her room to change.

Emma gets thrown around between David and Mary Margaret like a ping pong ball, both of them tugging her in different directions of her own home to meet their friends.

She smiles and does her best to make small talk, even though it’s never been her strong suit. This isn’t exactly her idea of a fun night, but it makes two of the most important people in her life very happy, so she sucks it up. After everything they’ve done for her in this life, she figures she owes them.

The best part of her night comes from Killian, which is irritatingly not surprising. While she gets stuck in several conversations with strangers, he sneaks behind her and replaces her empty beers with new ones. Most people don’t even notice the sneaky exchange, but she smiles and bites back laughter every time.

The fifth time he does this, she’s engaged in an awkward conversation with a kind man that goes by Archie. She meets Killians eyes over Archie’s shoulder, and he’s smirking at her knowingly from across the room. He raises his own beer toward her before returning to his conversation with Robin.

Finally, Mary Margaret and David are distracted enough in the corner of her living room that she can breathe. She makes her way toward Killian, who is staring down at his phone.

“If I didn’t know any better, Jones, I’d think you’re trying to get me drunk,” she says, and he jumps. He beams at her, shoving his phone into his pocket.

“I’m just trying to see who can outdrink who. Killian Jones never backs down from a challenge,” he says, his blue eyes dancing.

“I have an idea,” she says suddenly. He does that outrageous thing with his eyebrows that makes her stomach clench, but she does her best to power through. “Follow me,” she says.

He nods, “As you wish, love,” he says quietly, and she ignores the way his low voice makes her skin feel as if it’s on fire.

She looks around to make sure no one is looking, and when she’s satisfied, she opens her bedroom door and pulls him in with her.

He raises an eyebrow. “Okay, Swan, I have to say, I definitely think I’m holding my alcohol better than you if you’re already drunk enough to drag me into your bedroom.”

She laughs, rolling her eyes. “Shut up,” she muters. “I’m looking for something.”

“Is it your inhibitions?”

She doesn’t justify his question with an answer, reaching into her sock drawer, digging around the back until her hand meets something metal.

“A-ha!” she shouts, producing her flask from the drawer and waving it in his face. “I do have rum in here,” she says.

“I’m impressed,” he says, eyeing her carefully as she twists the cap on and takes a long pull. She squeezes her eyes shut as the rum burns her throat on the way down. She hands it to him and he takes an appreciative shot.

She smiles. “Hold onto that, would you. My pockets aren’t big enough,” she says, heading back to her door.

“We’re leaving already? I think we can find something to do in here, don’t you?” he questions, and his voice is teasing, but his eyes are dark.

“Come on,” she groans, putting her hands on his shoulders and half pushing him back out of her room. She pretends that the simple act of placing her hands on his body doesn’t send a chill down her spine. And she’s pretty sure he pretends not to notice.

As if her spidey senses are tingling, Mary Margaret sees them as soon as they exit her bedroom. Emma rolls her eyes at the look that crosses her sister-in-law’s face, shaking her head. Killian chuckles beside her and Emma sighs.

“Em!” David calls out, timing perfect as ever. “Come here, I want you to meet my sergeant.”

Emma bites back her groan, leaving Killian’s side to meet yet another face who’s name she will most likely forget by the end of the evening.

The night flies by like that, and she hardly gets another chance to talk to Killian. When she finally sees him again, the party is winding down and Emma is only slightly buzzed, the constant socialization very sobering.

She walks over to Killian, who is sitting on her couch talking to Robin again. “Hey guys,” she says, falling onto the couch beside him. She notices him tense slightly when her arm brushes against his, so she scoots away a bit.

“How are you liking it here, Emma?” Robin asks kindly, and Emma smiles politely. She’s only had to answer this question a dozen times this evening. But she’s aware they all mean well.

“I like it a lot. My neighbor is a little strange but that’s to be expected in a big city I suppose,” she says, and Killian scoffs from beside her.

Robin chuckles, “I work with the guy… you don’t have to tell me how strange he is.”

“Alright,” Kilian cuts in. “Enough of this.”

Emma giggles, and for the first time all night, she feels comfortable. She doesn’t think about how she feels most comfortable sitting beside Killian. Robin says his goodbyes and leaves.

She closes her eyes, resting her head back against the couch cushion.

“Thanks for making tonight bearable, Killian,” she says quietly. She hears him move, feels his arm against hers, and she opens her eyes, turning to find that he’s looking at her with soft eyes. “What?” she asks.

He shakes his head. “That’s the first time you’ve called me by my name,” he says.

Before she can respond, Mary Margaret is back and she’s talking a mile a minute. Killian clears his throat, scooting away ever so slightly. His absence leaves her feeling cold.

The party comes to an end, and Killian leaves after a quick goodbye. She glances back at him when he leaves, sighing when the door shuts and she’s left alone with David and Mary Margaret.

Mary Margaret seems to read her face, but glances at David and doesn’t say anything.

They clean everything up, and David and Mary Margaret end up falling asleep on couch. She smiles to herself when she looks at the couple, cuddled together. Then she locks the door, turns off the lights, and puts herself to sleep.

---///---

She can hear Henry rambling on and on from the top of the steps as she locks their door. She assumes he’s talking to Killian on his porch, and her heart pounds in anticipation.

She takes the steps down slowly, biting back her smile as she reaches the porch. She stops short when she sees a beautiful redhead speaking to her son.

“Oh, hi,” Emma says, and she doesn’t mean to sound short, but she can hear how clipped her tone is.

Her arms are full of brown bags filled with groceries. “Hi, hi,” she says, struggling to keep everything in her arms. “I’m just trying to help Killy. Sometimes I surprise him by leaving actual real groceries in his home. I know he gets busy, you know, but having real nutritious food in your kitchen makes life so much easier. Especially when he’s too good of a cook to not have groceries stocked up here. He says I’m overbearing but I think deep down he appreciates it.”

Henry laughs, taking a couple bags from her hands. Emma watches as the woman digs into her pocket and pulls out her keys, fishing out of the one for Killian’s front door quickly.

“Thanks so much,” she says to Henry once she swings the door open. “You’re a real gentlemen.”

Her son smiles, beaming at Emma as he follows her inside and sets the bags down for her. Emma stays on the porch, the idea of stepping into Killian’s apartment without him present making her feel strange.

Henry and the stranger walk back out to the porch and Henry readjusts his backpack. The girl smiles. “I’m Anna. You must be Killian’s new upstairs neighbor,” she says.

“Emma,” she says tightly. “This is Henry. I’m sorry, but we have to get to my brother’s. We are going to be late.”

“Oh, David? Ugh I love David. And Mary Margaret. Talk about a match made in heaven, right?”

Emma raises an eyebrow, nodding slowly. “Yep, a real fairytale,” she says. “Nice meeting you,” she says before practically dragging a smiling Henry to her yellow bug.

“Why were you so rude to that girl?” Henry asks, but his tone is smug and knowing. Emma shoots him a look as she starts her car.

“I wasn’t rude, kid. We really are running late.”

“We’re always running late. What’s the big deal with today?” he asks. He’s staring out the window, trying to sound more casual than he actually is.

Emma laughs despite herself, swallowing down the irrational anger and jealousy as she pulls into traffic. “I just don’t want to hear it from them today, is all.”

“Sure,” Henry says breezily, not quite able to cover up the laugh in his voice.

---///---

Killian should not be surprised by the way his sisters-in-law both feel the need to insert themselves into his life, playing mother when he has never asked. He laughs when he walks into his apartment to find it stocked with groceries. He knows Elsa is out of town for work, so he falls down onto his couch before he calls Anna.

“Oh, hello Killy!” she greets happily.

“You know I’m capable of doing my own shopping, correct?” he asks lightly.

He can hear the smile in her voice. “Yes, I am. You know that I love you and just want to help you because I know your job is stressful and keeps you very busy, correct?”

“How’s Kristoff?” he asks, because he and Anna have had this conversation so many times it has honestly gotten old at this point.

“He’s good. How’s your neighbor?” she counters, her voice mischievous.

Her question gives him pause. “What do you mean?”

“I met her today when I was bringing in your groceries. She is stunning, Killian! And her son is adorable and kind.”

He doesn’t know why he gets so tense, but he does. “They’re both very nice, yeah,” he says vaguely.

Anna snorts. “Emma wasn’t very nice, actually. But I suppose she didn’t know I was your sister-in-law and therefore got a little jealous. I should have mentioned it, but it slipped my mind. I can relate though. Back in college, I saw this girl talking to Kristoff and I literally lost my mind. It was kind of crazy, since I had only just broken up with Hans. I had no right to be jealous and yet I was. Turns out, it was his cousin. Also, it turns out, you can’t control your irrational anger.”

Killian rolls his eyes. “Trust me, Emma was not jealous. She is just a little standoff-ish at first. She’s quite nice once you get to know her, though,” he says, because there’s no way she could have been jealous.

“Hmm, that sounds familiar,” she says innocently.

“Anna,” he groans, rubbing over his face with his hand in frustration.

She giggles. “What, I was talking about Elsa,” she says, but her tone says otherwise.

“Thanks for the food, Anna. I’ll see you and Elsa next weekend,” he says, and she laughs knowingly before she hangs up.

He left his front door open, the screen door closed, letting in the beautiful breeze. It also lets in the noise of Emma and Henry as they walk up the sidewalk.

“Mom,” he whines, and Killian feels affection well up in his chest.

“Henry,” she whines back mockingly. Her son giggles. “Listen, kid,” she says. “You’re right. I’m a big jerk. We’re going to move on and I’ll be better in the future.”

Killian raises an eyebrow, standing up to head out to his porch.

He swings the door open, and Emma’s eyes widen for a split second before she schools her features to her normal guarded look.

“Hey,” she says easily, although there is tension in her tone.

Henry clears his throat. “See ya later, Killian!” he says before heading upstairs to their apartment. Emma glares after her son’s retreating figure before returning her attention to him.

“How are you today Swan?” he asks.

She leans against the front of his porch, looking him over quickly. “I’m okay. How are you?”

“Good,” he says. He eyes her carefully, considers her tight smile and distant eyes. “I heard you met Anna earlier.”

“Yep,” she says shortly. “She’s great.”

Killian bites back his smile as he watches her cold eyes avoid his. Oh. Oh. She is jealous, at least a little bit. He wants to let this go on, but decides to let her off the hook. “Yeah. She’s intense but she’s my sister-in-law so what can you do?”

He knows he’s not imagining the way her shoulder slump with relief.

“Sister-in-law?” she asks casually.

He nods, full on smirking now. “I’ve got two of them, actually. They’re incredibly overbearing but I love them anyways,” he says.

She crosses her arms over her chest, smiling slightly. “Oh.”

“Is it possible that you were feeling a bit jealous?”

He’s grinning playfully at her, and she rolls her eyes, sending him a glare. “I have nothing to be jealous of.”

He nods. “I don’t know, love. You seem quite green with envy to me.”

“You wish,” she mumbles, adjusting her messenger bag on her shoulder and glancing at her front door, likely plotting her escape.

“Sorry to upset you, Emma, but you’re something of an open book.”

She finally does look at him, really looks at him, and her eyes are exploring his, searching for something. Whatever she’s looking for, she must find it, because she softens slightly.

“I wasn’t jealous,” she says, but it’s teasing now. “See you later.”

She opens her front door and that smile she sends him gives him the courage to reach for her upper arm. She stops, turning to look at him.

“Are you and Henry doing anything for dinner tonight?”

She raises an eyebrow. “Nothing more than mac and cheese on the couch, why?”

He shrugs. “I’ve got all these groceries. Why don’t you guys come down for dinner? We can enjoy it on the porch. It’s going to start cooling down soon.”

She smiles slightly. “You don’t have to cook us dinner.”

He shakes his head. “I know, but I’d like to.”

She sighs, pursing her lips together as she thinks. “What time?”

He claps his hands together happily. “Ah! I knew I could tempt you! It will be ready by seven, my lady.”

She shoots him a look of amusement, shaking her head. “You’re so weird, Jones,” she mutters, but he only smiles wider at her. She turns away, but she glances back at him before heading upstairs, and her eyes are dancing.

---///---

Henry only asks Emma about twenty questions about her and Killian, why he’s making them dinner, he must like her, and does she like him, he’s so cool, before she gets him downstairs by seven.

“Just--kid--stop asking these questions,” she says in a hushed tone as they stand outside his front door on his porch. “He’s just being nice.”

“That’s because he likes you, mom,” Henry whines, but the door swings open to reveal a smiling Killian before she can respond.

And he’s beaming at the two of them. “Ah, Swan! Henry! Just in time!” he practically shouts, and Henry rushes right past him, exploring Killian’s apartment as if he’s searching for hidden treasure.

“Wow, cool!” Henry says, pointing at a ship in a bottle that’s sitting on Killian’s mantle. “It’s like a pirate lives here!”

Killian barks a laugh at that, and Emma shakes her head at her son.

“Yeah, we’ve got a regular Captain Hook on our hands,” Emma deadpans, taking a step further into the apartment. Blacks, greys, and whites surround her. Photos of him with friends or family are framed around his living room, along with nautical themed decor. The place screams Killian, and it makes Emma smile without even realizing it.

He creeps up behind her. “I hope you guys like pasta carbonara,” he says before brushing past her. She tries to ignore the way goosebumps rise along the back of her neck when she feels his breath on her.

“Do you want me to set the table?” she asks, watching as he whizzes around his kitchen with ease. He shakes his head at her.

“I’ve got dinner all set up on the porch, love. You and Henry go sit, I’ll be right out.”

Henry runs out to the table on his front porch, and Emma only lingers for a few seconds, watching as Killian grabs water bottles from his fridge.

Henry’s smile is as bright as the sun when she sits down beside him. “Yeah, mom, he doesn’t like you,” he says, pointing at the beautiful spread on the table. There’s pasta, salad, and bread on the table, and Emma laughs when she looks up to see Killian with three water bottles shoved under his arm, a bottle of wine and two glasses shoved under the other arm. She stands up, grabbing the wine and the glasses from him to ease his struggle.

He smirks at her, watching her closely as she carefully sets down the glasses.

“This is too much, Killian,” she says, and her voice is much softer than she had intended.

He seems to catch the change in her demeanor, head whipping toward her to study her face. She feels warm under his gaze, so she looks over at Henry, who is already piling pasta onto his plate, smiling knowingly down at the table.

The dinner is delicious, and the company is even better. Killian and Henry joke back and forth about stupid things, sometimes poking fun at David, sometimes at Emma. Killian tells them of his love for the sea, how he actually has a boat that has a home down at the docks, how he’d absolutely love to take them out on the water.

It’s overwhelming, for Emma to feel so much ease around a man that makes her feel so…

What?

Alive? Scared? Excited?

She’s not quite sure yet, but it’s too much of something, it sets her on edge.

Or at least, it should. But sitting down, watching him converse casually as he scoops more pasta onto Henry’s plate, it’s almost--easy?

Emma looks over at Henry and smiles, watching as he tries to sneakily grab another piece of bread. “Hey,” she says, and his hand meets his side quickly. Killian chuckles while Emma shakes her head. “It’s a school night. Head upstairs, kid,” she says.

He smiles, jumping up and giving Killian a hug. The action takes him surprise, if the shock on his face is anything to go off of, but his arms circle her son quickly.

“Thanks for dinner!” he says, pulling away and kissing Emma on the cheek. “Night, mom,” he says, and without another word or glance in her direction, he’s running up the stairs in the world’s most obvious attempt to leave them alone.

Killian smirks at Emma, clearly reading the room correctly.

“He’s such a little rascal,” Emma mutters and Killian shrugs.

“He’s a smart lad is all,” he says, standing up to clear the plates from the table.

“Smartass, maybe,” Emma concedes, jumping up and taking the plates from Killian’s hands. “Please, let me clean up.”

“What? No, I won’t hear of it. I invited you to dinner, love,” he says, but when he reaches for the plates again, she takes a step back, leveling him with her hard stare.

“No,” she says firmly. “I’ll clean. You can pour more wine into my glass and wait out here, got it?” her tone conveys that there is no room for argument, so he sighs, holding his hands up in defeat.

It takes her ten minutes longer than necessary to clean everything up. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t linger inside to collect her thoughts before heading back outside. She strolls through his apartment slowly on her way to the porch, taking it all in. Her eyes catch on a photo on the mantle. She stops and walks closer, her heart warming when she sees the frame photo of Killian and David standing in front of Madison Square Garden, smiling happily at the camera. She sighs, and when she gets outside, she finds Killian sitting on the porch swing, sipping slowly from his own wine glass.

He smiles when he sees her, bright and so genuine, before holding out her wine glass. “Ah, Swan, at last! Come sit,” he says, and she slowly approaches him, setting into the spot beside him on the porch swing, thankful for the arm rest between them.

She looks ahead at the street, cars bustling by, even at ten at night, and she tries not to focus on the fact that she can feel Killian staring at her profile.

“Thanks for dinner,” she says, finally turning to look at him. His eyes are too soft, too understanding. “Where’d you learn to cook like that?” she asks, if only to start a conversation and hopefully get him to stop looking at her like… that.

He smiles fondly, if not a little sadly, and looks out at the street as well.

“My brother taught me, actually,” he says, his voice distant.

“What’s his name?” Emma asks, taking in the sounds of the city.

She’s lived in small towns, the countryside, big cities, but none quite like New York City. There is always noise, always people walking around, and always lights. Somehow, though, it’s become more of a comfort to Emma. Now, she can’t imagine going to sleep without the sounds she’s become accustomed to relying on.

“His name was Liam,” Killian says after a beat. She stops, turning to look at him again. His eyes are set firmly on her yellow bug that’s parked in front of the house.

“Was?” she repeats, because she doesn’t know what else to say.

He nods. “He died, about six years ago now. He was in a car accident, hit by a drunk driver. He died instantly,” Killian says, and Emma can almost hear the horrid memory in his voice.

“Killian,” she says, drawing in a sharp breath. He doesn’t respond. She reaches out to him, placing her free hand on top of his. He looks down at the hand, then at her. He examines her face, and she keeps her eyes on his for once, trying to convey her emotions without speaking. Trying to show him that there is no pity in her eyes, just understanding and support.

He nods. “It was long ago now, the wound isn’t quite as fresh but…” he trails off, seemingly searching for the rest of his sentence, when she finishes it for him.

“It hurts just the same.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Aye.”

She squeezes his hand once before returning it to her lap.

“You can tell me about him, if you want.”

So he tells her about Liam. About how their mother passed away and how their father turned to alcohol to soothe his pain. How Liam stepped up and took care of Liam, raised him to be an upstanding man. How he was the moral compass that Killian needed in his darkest hours. How he taught Killian how to cook a great meal, but how Killian was never quite able to make lemon bars anywhere near as well Liam could.

In return, she tells him about her life in foster care. In homes where no one cared about her, where was neglected, abused, and forgotten. And about how David befriended her in high school, and when he learned of her home life, or lack thereof, he and Ruth took her in without question.

He smiles at her, and she feels the warmth trapped in her ribcage spread from her toes to her fingertips.

“I’m no stranger to loss,” she says quietly. And he doesn’t ask for more, doesn’t pry at all. Just watches her, waits for more. She takes a sip of her wine before continuing. “Henry’s father, Neal, passed away a few years ago,” she confides.

He winces. “Swan, I’m sorry. Were you guys married?” he asks.

She shakes her head, a little to vehemently, she thinks. “No, no. We fell in love when I was seventeen. We were just kids. He wasn’t much in the picture after I got pregnant. He had a gambling issue, and just a sticking around issue, it seemed. But, when Henry was six, he got his life together, and he really showed up for Henry. He did his best to make up for lost time, really, and I was really happy for him.”

Killian reaches forward this time, just letting his hand settle softly on her knee, and her entire body feels alight.

“He got lung cancer. It all happened fast. About six months from the time of his diagnosis to the time that he died. That’s all.”

“Gods, Emma,” Killian breathes.

She nods. “After he died, I think I lost it, a little. It’s just, well, I didn’t know how to cope. I lost so much in my life before David came around and brought family and love into my life. And I didn’t want Henry to hurt anymore, but I didn’t know how to make that happen. We moved a bunch, and I never felt quite settled anywhere.”

Killian’s quiet for a minute, but it’s not an uncomfortable silence. He’s processing. “And New York is another in the long line?” he asks.

She shakes her head. “No.”

He smiles slightly. “I’m glad to hear that.”

She sets her empty wine glass down on the porch, sighing.

“I’m glad you’re my neighbor,” she tells him, because she doesn’t know what else to say, and she doesn’t know how to convey how grateful she is that he just listened to her ramble with kindness in his eyes, but she has to say something.

“Emma,” he says, a little breathless, and she looks over at him. His face is different. His heart is truly on his sleeve when he reaches forward and brushes her hair behind her ear.

“What’s happening?” she asks.

He laughs. “Well, not to be presumptuous, darling, but,” he trails off, running his fingers slowly over his lips and smiling at her mischievously.

She scoffs, green eyes locked on his blue ones. The smug action should not be so charming, but, dammit, it really is. She can’t even fight the smile playing on her lips. “Please,” she breathes. “You couldn’t handle it.”

He raises an eyebrow at her, and it’s ridiculous, the things he does with those eyebrows, and how it constantly affects her.

“Perhaps you’re the one who couldn’t handle it,” he practically purrs,

That’s all it takes for her to lean forward and catch his lips with her own. It’s awkward, at first, the wooden armrest between them lodged into her side as she leans forward, trying to get closer, one hand gripping at the collar of his shirt while the other finds its way to his hair. But when he groans with pleasure into her mouth, she forgets the pain in her side.

When she pulls his away, his eyes are open, free, and she sighs, resting her forehead against his for a minute.

“That was, uh--” his voice is hoarse, and she cuts him off before he finish.

“A one time thing,” she says sternly, backing away and standing up.

A look of hurt crosses his face as he processes her abrupt mood change. She can barely look at him, feeling like the coward she knows she is.

“It’s late, I should go,” she says, her voice shaking.

“Goodnight, Emma,” he says, his voice faraway, and she doesn’t spare him another look before she heads upstairs, where it’s safe and there is a considerable amount of space between them.

---///---

She spends the next two weeks guiltily rushing away from him every time they run into each other on the porch. He shoots her these knowing looks, and it gets under her skin, the fact that he clearly understands how scared she is. It would be better if he just looked mad or annoyed. But no, of course, Killian Jones is nothing but understanding and compassionate. And he really can read her, terrifying as that is.

When Henry tells Emma he’s going to a sleepover at a friend’s house, she makes it a point to call Mary Margaret and demand a girls night in. Because heaven forbid she spends the night alone above Killian Jones.

When she gets to Mary Margaret and David’s apartment, she lets herself in and calls out into the empty space. “I’m here, I’ve got wine, let’s start drinking… like, five minutes ago!”

She looks around, sighing, but smiles when she sees the door to her balcony cracked open. She heads out to see David, Killian and Mary Margaret all talking, sitting in the little chairs on the balcony. Emma stops short, fighting back a loud groan when Killian’s kind eyes reach hers.

“Hey, Swan,” he says easily, though he’s more reserved than usual.

“Hi,” she says, her voice scratchy to her own ears.

There’s a moment of silence, and neither David nor Mary Margaret feel the need to jump in and save them. The married couple just keep looking at each other knowingly, seemingly having an entire conversation without speaking a word.

“Okay,” David says finally, and Emma lets out an audible sigh of relief, much to Killian’s chagrin. “Killian, you ready to head out?” he asks, clapping his hands together awkwardly.

“Where are you guys going?” Emma asks as Killian stands.

“Poker night at Robin’s,” Killian says, and Emma nods.

“Have fun.”

David eyes Emma, and she looks away because no one knows her better than David, and she doesn’t want him to see right through her, like he always does.

They say their goodbye and move to leave the balcony, but David stops and places a kiss on Emma forehead. “You okay, Ems?” he asks quietly against her hair.

She nods, sending him a half-hearted smile before she pushes him toward the door lightly. He sighs and leaves with his friend. Emma groans, falling into the seat that Killian had just vacated, and glares over at Mary Margaret.

“They wouldn’t stop talking. They were supposed to leave a half hour ago, I swear,” Mary Margaret says. Emma just frowns, replaying the look in Killian’s eyes over and over in her head. “I’ll go get the glasses,” Mary Margaret says, and Emma nods, leaning back into her seat and closing her eyes.

Mary Margaret comes back with two glasses, and Emma wastes no time in popping open the wine bottle and pouring a generous amount into both glasses.

“I kissed him,” she mutters into her glass.

Mary Margaret smiles at Emma, the exact opposite reaction that Emma was hoping for. Also, the exact reaction she was expecting.

“Of course you did, Em,” she says softly. “You like him.”

Emma pouts, and Mary Margaret laughs. Emma stretches her legs out, glad she chose to wear jeans and sweatshirt, as fall was finally hitting full force and the temperature had dropped considerably.

“What’s so bad about kissing him? He’s a good guy, Emma. I know you can see that.”

“I just… don’t have time. And he’s my neighbor, I mean… when it all goes to hell, it’s going to be so awkward. Plus, Henry is really attached to him already, so I don’t want to ruin that either.”

“When it all goes to hell?” Mary Margaret repeats back, and then shakes her head in a way that can only be described as motherly.

“It always does.”

“Yeah, that’s how it works. Different relationships don’t last for varying reasons, until you’re in one that does work.”

Emma levels her sister-in-law with a look. “Says the girl that married her high school sweetheart.”

Mary Margaret laughs lightly at this, taking another sip of her wine. “My situation is very rare, and just a matter of dumb luck…” she trails off, considering her words. “And also, a matter of hard work. It wasn’t easy when we were in college, trying to figure out our paths, separately and together. We worked through it.”

Emma nods, remembering her years as Mary Margaret’s roommate, listening to the struggles of the couple navigating this new phase of life.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Okay, tell me this,” she urges, taking a new approach. “What do you like about Killian?”

Emma groans, and she feels heat rush to her cheeks. “I don’t know, Snow. He’s kind. And he’s so good with Henry. He makes me laugh… but also… it’s weird. He just… sometimes, when he looks at me, it’s like we’ve known each other our whole lives.”

She can hear how cheesy her own words are, but she doesn’t know how else to explain her attraction to all things Killian Jones.

Mary Margaret beams, nodding. “Sounds pretty nice to me,” she says.

Emma pours more wine into her glass, decidedly ignoring her sister-in-law for a moment.

She continues, though. “Emma, it’s pretty obvious he’s half in love with already.”

That’s all it takes for Emma to choke on the wine she’s in the process of swallowing. Emma frowns, looking down at the spots of red on her grey sweatshirt, but Mary Margaret only chuckles in response.

“I know Killian pretty well. He’s one of the most decent men I’ve gotten to know. He also wears his heart on his sleeve, when it comes to the people he loves. His eyes scream I love Emma Swan every time you’re in his vicinity, or even when David or I bring you up around him. I know you’re frightened, Emma, but you know, being scared is a good sign. Sometimes, when something scares you, that means you need to go for it.”

She considers her words. She’s gotten enough pep talks from Snow in her lifetime that she expected this lecture. However, she didn’t expect to find it so convincing.

“You need to have a little hope, Emma. Sometimes, just believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a powerful thing. And no one deserve a happy ending more than you.”

“What if my happy ending really is just Henry and me,” Emma interjects, but the words lack the conviction she means for them to have.

“That’s fine, too. Just, don’t settle. Life is too short, and you know that to be true.”

---///---

Emma mulls over Mary Margaret’s words, but it’s still a week before she talks to Killian again. She actually has to ask David to send her Killian’s phone number, rolling her eyes when he follows up the text with no less than fifteen questions about why she needs his number.

The thing is, though, that Henry called Emma saying that he forgot his keys at home, and she knows that she won’t be home until nine due to a wedding that she’s catering. He’s on the bus home when he tells her this, and she panics, knowing it’s close to thirty degrees outside, and knowing that the kid most definitely ignored her when she told him to dress for the weather.

Mary Margaret and David are out of town for a romantic long weekend at a bed and breakfast in some sleepy down in Maine, and she doesn’t know who else to call.

“Hello?” his voice answers on the first ring.

“Hey, Killian,” she says, and she winces at the breathless sound of her voice.

There’s one second of silence that somehow stretches on for years before he responds. “Swan?” he asks, disbelief clear in his voice. “Are you alright?”

She smiles despite herself. “Yeah, yeah. I’m just stuck at work and Henry is going to be home any minute and he’s going to be locked out because he forgot his keys and I forgot to hide the spare so I was wondering, you know, if you’re home, and free, if you--”

He cuts off her run-on sentence. “I’m home. I’d be happy to entertain the lad in my home while you work, love,” he says.

She breathes out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Killian, really,” she says, hoping her tone conveys her gratitude.

“Don’t worry about it,” he says.

The line goes silent and she sighs. “I have to go back to work.”

“Of course,” he says, not unkindly. “See you later.”

She hangs up before she can say something stupid, like how much she misses him, and how much she needs to see him.

When Emma gets home, it’s nearing eleven o’clock at night, and she’s beyond exhausted. She knocks lightly on Killian’s door, trying to ignore the way her arm is shaking with nerves.

He opens the door after a moment, and it’s quiet inside. She looks past him to see Henry asleep on the couch, a red blanket tossed over him. Emma smiles at the sight, then looks at Killian, who is leaning against the doorframe looking criminally handsome in his flannel pajama pants and black t-shirt.

“Hi,” she finally says, and he smiles in response. “You’re my hero.”

He laughs, rolling his eyes as she moves to the side to allow her to enter his apartment. They walk quietly past the living room, back into the kitchen so they can talk freely. Her heart is pounding against her chest.

He turns to her, leaning against his counter. “What’s been going on, Swan?” he asks, his voice free of judgment.

She shakes her head, staring down at her shoes. “I’m terrified of you.”

She doesn’t need to look up at him to know that his gaze is intense and on her only.

“Am I frightening, love?” he asks, his voice a little teasing. She laughs, looking back up at him, and his face is kind. And lonely. “You know, I’ve missed your sass these past few weeks.”

She shakes her head. “I have more to offer than sass, Jones,” she mutters.

“Oh, believe me, I know,” he says.

She reaches into her messenger bag, pulling out the small tupperware. His brows knit together with confusion.

“I made you something… as a thank you, for watching Henry tonight.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Emma. It’s really no problem.”

She rolls her eyes. “They may not be as good as the ones your brother made, but Henry loves my lemon bars, so I thought I’d make you some.”

He stares at her like she just presented him with all the fortune and riches this world has to offer. He takes the box from her gingerly, staring down at it with wonder before setting his eyes back on her.

“This is very kind, Swan,” he says finally, his voice trembling slightly.

She shrugs, stepping into his space slightly. He doesn’t move closer, though, he lets her control the situation. “Killian, I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry,” she sighs, fighting the urge to break eye contact. “The answer to your question… you do frighten me. It’s not your fault, it’s me.”

She stops, and he nods. “I knew you were scared, Swan. I’ve been trying to give you space.”

“Yeah,” she says, reaching her hand forward to rest lightly on his forearm. “Yeah, I noticed. What was that about me being an open book?” she asks, and he laughs quietly. “I just… I didn’t expect this.”

“Neither did I,” he agrees.

She takes the tupperware from him with her other hand, placing it on the counter behind him. “So, what now?” she asks after a beat.

He shrugs. “What do you want, Swan?”

His body surrounds her now, she’s left very little space between them. She searches his eyes for an answer to his question, and then she takes the leap. “I’d like to try something new,” she says.

“Really? And what’s that, darling?” he asks.

Her heart leaps at the endearment, and she doesn’t even bother trying to fight the smile on her face. “Trust.”

He laughs, full and joyous, and she leans forward to press her lips to his.

His hands tangle in her hair quickly, and she’s so happy that she laughs lightly into the kiss, and he responds in kind. He pulls away, pressing soft kisses to her nose, her cheeks, her forehead.

She’s giggling the entire time, and it feels like an out of body experience. She doesn’t know this Emma, this brave, terrified, thrilled Emma.

It’s his phone that interrupts them, and she jumps a bit at the sound. He rolls his eyes, pulling it from his pocket to silence it. She leans forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder.

“I missed you, too, Killian,” she admits, and he laughs, running his hand down her side, settling it on her hip.

They stand like that for a moment, and she pulls back slightly to kiss him once more when they’re interrupted again.

“Mom?”

She jumps away quickly, and Emma looks up to see Killian’s face turning red. She turns around to see her sleepy son staring at them with awe.

“Hey, kid, did we wake you?”

He just raises his eyebrows in disbelief, shaking his head. “Are those lemon bars?” he asks, looking past her to the container on the counter.

She rolls her eyes, and he just shrugs. “Save me some. I’m going back to sleep.”

With that, he turns around and Emma is staring at Killian, who is chuckling at the entire scenario they’ve found themselves in.

It’s only three months more of them getting to know every single thing about each other that he tells her he loves her. He whispers it into her ear one evening on the couch. And for the first time in a long time, her instinct isn’t to run. It’s too press her lips to his shoulder and tell him that she’s so in love with him, that he’s changed her life.

Three months after that, they decide it makes more sense for Emma to move in with him, and Henry couldn’t be happier when the new neighbors move in, giving him a new friend, Violet, to spend time with. Emma doesn’t miss the way his cheeks redden when the young girl waves at him.

And it’s hard work, sometimes. Emma has to learn how to really open herself up, to be truly vulnerable, but it’s worth it. It's the happy ending she never could have imagined for herself, but it's the one that eventually, she realizes, she deserves.

[killian-whump]

Killian Jones deserves more friendships... Just sayin

YES.

Although, to be fair, he does have friendships and relationships in the show. Plenty of them, in fact! The problem is that they’re TOLD to us rather than SHOWN to us most of the time, and the few glimpses we GET of these relationships are so short and infrequent that it makes them easy to forget or underestimate, and WAY too easy for people to shrug off or sweep under the rug in order to focus on whatever relationships THEY want to paint as being the “one and only” important relationship in Killian’s storyline.

For fun, let’s have an impromptu retrospective of his canon relationships: 

Hook and His Mother: From Wish Hook’s naming of Alice, and his comment that his mother “tried to stay with [him] as long as she could” we know that they had a good relationship, he remembers her fondly, and she left him all too soon. Unfortunately, that’s literally all we know - and we never got to SEE her.

Hook and His Father: Before he sold his sons into slavery for a rowboat, Brennan Jones seemed to be a good father. We’re told this by the show in the way he comforts Killian, and how Killian idolizes him and wants to be just like him. Granted, this could be due more so to Killian’s own tendency to pick a person in his life and put them on a pedestal, but we know from the others he’s put on such pedestals that he tends to choose people he feels are good people. Even Killian’s “He wouldn’t do that!” outburst when he learns what his father has done points to the fact that his relationship with Brennan before this point was positive enough that the boy genuinely doesn’t believe his father would do this to him. And it is this good relationship they had that left Killian feeling as abandoned and betrayed as he did. Had the relationship been bad from the start, he may not have been as scarred by the abandonment, itself.

Hook and Liam: The show makes a HUGE deal about how important Liam is to Hook, and we can see that in how Hook talks about him and the few flashbacks we were allowed to see… but he only actually appears in three episodes. It’s just the first of many examples where we’re told “this is an important relationship of Hook’s” without being shown enough evidence in the show to really illustrate how or WHY it’s so important. We only get glimpses and are forced to fill in the blanks on our own.

Hook and Milah: Like with Liam, we are told in a myriad of ways just HOW important this relationship is to Hook, but shown very little of it. Fandom has done a wonderful job of filling in the blanks, of course, but there’s so little canon information to go on, aside from the fact that we’re TOLD that his love for her never waned for literally hundreds of years. It’s why some fans can so easily shrug off the importance of this relationship, as well - which is the problem when it comes to almost ALL of Hook’s relationships. He has them; we’re told he has them, but without SEEING them, it’s easy for people to discredit them.

Hook and Smee: Yes, we know they’re “best mates” and Smee is always around and he’s Hook’s first mate and always loyal to him… but you can count the number of truly meaningful scenes they share on, well, one hand. The show relies more on the viewer knowing that Hook and Smee are a classic duo than they use the actual storytelling to show us that it’s true.

Hook and Baelfire: Hook didn’t sell Baelfire off of his ship the day after he arrived. It was some time later. You can tell by how close they are in the Port/Starboard scene, when Hook reveals his own abandonment to him. Hook also confirms it when he tells Emma that Neal was with him “long enough to know I miss him, too”. That wasn’t a day or two. It was awhile. Long enough to profoundly affect Hook. Long enough for Hook to harbor (and maintain) almost fatherly feelings towards the boy. And we were cheated out of seeing it.

Hook and Cora: We saw more of this than a lot of other relationships, but nowhere near enough. How did they go from literally trying to and/or almost killing each other to being partners who tease each other with comments like, “Why do you still doubt me?” and are obviously banging in kinky ways. I want to know more about how that relationship developed. I want to know more about how sincere it was (or wasn’t), because it feels deeper than the usual superficial villain pair-up that we usually see, and this holds true when they’re reunited in S5 in the Underworld. There is a warmth between them in that scene that points to a sincere friendship that I wish we’d seen more of.

Hook and Emma: This one we get to see in its entirety, and it’s beautiful.

Hook and Tinkerbell: Again, we’re TOLD they had a history, but mostly through off-handed comments, implications, their consistently friendly/flirty demeanor towards each other, and behind-the-scenes confessions that the actors were told they’d had a fling.

Hook and David: Another one we get to see pretty thoroughly. Bless.

Hook and Belle: Okay, so he knocked her out and almost killed her on their first meeting. Aaaaaaand he tried to kill her on their second meeting. And he shot her and erased her memories on their third. But… it got better! This is one of the few relationships the show stuck with and actually gave us glimpses of throughout the seasons, making it feel like a genuine friendship that was growing deeper and more meaningful as time went by.

Hook and Ariel: This one goes without saying. Yes, they had some ups and downs and some bludgeonings and slaps, but ultimately, these two are friends. And Wish Hook and Wish Ariel’s friendship just proves this all the more. However, as usual, the kind of “blink and you’ll miss it” acknowledgement of this friendship makes it all too easy for people to dismiss it as “fanon”.

Hook and Henry: Another pairing that we got to see develop in canon, thank goodness. Hook went from the “cool pirate guy” to the guy his mom was dating to a true member of his family and his step-father. And it’s great. And S7 gave us Henry meeting another version of his step-father, this time as a grown man, and forging a genuine friendship with him, as well.

Hook and Ursula: Granted, they definitely weren’t friends when Ursula came back to Storybrooke, but she sailed on Hook’s ship with him and his crew for some time before Hook was forced to betray her. And when he made right on this betrayal years later and got her voice back for her and reunited her with her father (who admitted his guilt in Hook’s betrayal as well as apologizing for his role in it), Ursula was clearly willing to forgive Hook and help him in return. I think, given the positive foundation of their relationship and their eventual reconciliation, a friendship could’ve (and should’ve) blossomed here.

Hook and Nemo: Aw, geez. The show sets Nemo up as a fatherly figure to the men he “rescues” aboard his ship. He’s clearly a father figure to Hook’s half-brother, Liam. He openly states that he wants to help Killian similarly, literally telling Hook he wants him to join their family. And while events in the past led to Killian leaving, it’s obvious in the present-day scenes between these two that Nemo still sees Killian as a part of his “family” - and that Killian feels the same. That the show cast him off entirely to shores unseen is a damn crime.

Hook and Liam: Another brother. Another Liam. Another family member that Killian begins to bond with… and then gets literally shipped off the show.

Hook and Snow White: Out of nowhere, they have a close moment on the docks where she kisses his cheek and says she’s glad he’s the one Emma’s found to share her life with. Sweet. He also calls her “Mummy” in a later scene, during the finale. Hilarious. BUT WHERE’S THE REST OF IT?! And by “it” I mean the rest of their damn relationship?!

Hook and Jasmine: These two form an entirely unlikely (but delightful) friendship in S6. However, we’re kind of just expected to assume there’s a friendship there by the closeness they share (their frank conversation on the Nautilus) and the smiles and warmth they consistently address each other with.

Hook and Black Beard: Now THIS is how you do a “frenemies” ship right here. They’re like the Itchy and Scratchy of Once. They try to kill each other. They play cards. They try to kill each other again. They take over the other one’s ship. They talk about their lady troubles. They try to kill each other. They offer unsolicited advice. They go portal hopping together. They randomly have a swordfight. They abandon each other to child natives. They try to kill each other again. They hunt for treasure. They plot out elaborate schemes to give friends a good adventure. This one’s gold.

Wish Hook and Regina: Oh, goodness. S7 gives us so many subtle touches, smiles, and intimate moments between these two that those watching for such things are convinced something more than friendship was brewing there - but it was done SO subtly that those who weren’t watching for it literally missed it all entirely. Whether they were building up something for an eventual romance or just presenting them as extremely close friends, there was definitely something purposely put there in canon. Hopefully, we would’ve found out more about it in S8, had we been lucky enough to get one.

Wish Hook and Alice: Finally, another relationship we’re SHOWN and allowed to enjoy as it progresses - both in flashbacks and in the present day. BLESS.

Wish Hook and Jack/Nick: Here’s the thing. Nick is introduced to the show in S7 before the ten year jump to when the curse is cast. And he’s shown still with the group at Lucy’s tenth birthday party - and is obviously caught up in the curse itself. So that’s over ten years that Hook knew Jack in the New Enchanted Forest. Regina, fully awake in Hyperion Heights, tells Lucy that her father (Henry), Rogers (Hook) and Nick (Jack/Hansel) were like the three Musketeers back in the fairytale world and convinces her to set up a “guys night out” for them. The focus of this is, of course, on Henry’s relationships with Hook and Nick, but from Regina’s comments and the fact that all three men are set up to hang out together as a trio, we can assume Hook and Jack were good friends. As usual, we’re subtly TOLD the man has a friend… and left to fill in the blanks for ourselves :P

Wish Hook and Zelena: This is another subtle one. When Zelena shows up in the New Enchanted Forest looking for her daughter, she’s not that friendly to the Hook she finds there. In fact, she dismisses him outright and tells him to piss off. But he stands up to her, sticks with her, manages to even impress her a little… and ultimately helps save Robin’s life (and Zelena’s). By the end of the episode they share, Zelena is obviously warming up to the pirate - and when Kelly encounters him in Hyperion Heights, her fondness for him is visible in spite of the danger she’s in and his own obliviousness (”It’s Detective, actually…”).

Wish Hook and Robin: Obviously, they’re going to have a familial relationship once Robin and Alice get married, but it’s obvious from the show that they both have deep feelings and great respect for each other already. Hook, thinking he’s on his last legs and going to die soon, takes it upon himself to ask Robin to look after Alice when he’s gone. That denotes a great trust and affection for her. And, similarly, Robin respectfully asks for his blessing (what was once customary is, in Robin’s more modern generation, considered old fashioned and unnecessary) and insists that she will do whatever it takes to keep him alive to see their wedding. This exchange shows us a lot of warm feelings between them.

Rogers and Tiana: These two are even sweeter than her beignets. And unlike some of the subtle friendships he’s had, this one’s a little more obvious.

Wish/Hook and Rumplestiltskin: Just when you thought it was safe to get trapped in a snowglobe with your arch nemesis… This one was just bizarre, really. After literally years in real time and centuries of show time being SHOWN how much these two hate each other… the show decided to TELL us in S7 that, actually, they were the closest thing the other one had to a friend that whole time. Sure, Jan. I try to murder all of my friends multiple times, as well as trying to make them (and their loved ones) suffer as much as possible. Some people love the twist, some people hate it… but in either case, it’s just WEIRD.

Ships I Left Off: I’m gonna be honest here. As much as I enjoyed Robin Hood and Hook’s scenes together, I never really bought them as being the best of friends. They seemed more like acquaintances to me, and I think the fandom colored them as besties based more on the friendship of the actors than on the actual canon content of the show. And even though Elsa and Arthur both spent episodes “adventuring” with Hook and he obviously grew to (or just did) like both of them, I don’t really feel like either of those led to lasting friendships that persisted beyond the “buddy adventure” episode they shared. I also left off crack ships and any ships that are entirely fanon creations.

So! In closing, I’d like to contend that it isn’t so much that Killian Jones needs more friendships… THE SHOW JUST NEEDED TO LET US SEE THE ONES HE’S FREAKING GOT.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

[kmomof4]

And now... it’s Hollye’s birthday!!!!

🎶Happy birthday to youuuu, happy birthday to youuuuu! Happy birthday dear Hollyeeeee, happy birthday to youuuu!!!🎶

🎶it’s your birthday, it’s your birthday, it’s your birthday, time to party... 🎶 even if I’m not there in person this year to celebrate it, we can still have a tumblr party!

For your birthday this year, I’m taking the advice you gave me closing in on a year ago to share with the fandom what a lovely person you are and my favorite fics that you’ve written! So buckle up!!!

Hollye is the absolute WORST...

I mean really... how else did you expect me to start a post about my sarcastic bestie than with sarcasm???!!!

She is the WORST about making me want more... and crying... and begging... and pleading... and just sitting over there in her corner that I send her to regularly laughing evilly and clinking coffee cups with her fellow torturers @artistic-writer and @sherlockianwhovian while continuing to plot my demise... but seriously, she is an INSANELY talented writer and I am tremendously blessed to call her my friend! She is the best kind of mom who balances me out when I go overboard and helps reign me in and see sense when I’d rather just throw myself off the cliff. But enough about her... now I want to share what my favorite fics are that she’s written! All of her fics are absolutely incredible and I recommend them all, but these are the ones, in no particular order, that I’d better have with me if I was ever stranded on a desert island...

A Knight for a Swan. This was the fic that Hollye and I became friends over. The one that I reread the other day and discovered that I had not left kudos on or bookmarked...

the one I devoured as she wrote it each week, the one I was in TOTAL MELTDOWN SCREAMING CONNIPTIONS over every week, the one that I sent her to the corner for for the first time, the one that started it all...

The campaign had lasted only mere weeks before King George had been dispatched, and King Arthur had victoriously claimed the throne. Divided loyalties among the Lords and Knights of King George and Sir David had left the kingdom too weak and disorganized to put up much of a defense. Now all the lands were vulnerable. It was only a matter of time before an army loyal to the new Sovereign would come to capture, not only Sir David, but all his lands, his holdings, and even his only daughter. All in the name of the new King.

What Lies Beneath the Mask

Killian has never seen his face. At least, not that he has memory of. Rescued by his adoptive father, Lord Rumple Gold, when he was a mere four years old, Killian has always been told that his heartless mother abandoned him on the steps of Misthaven Cathedral because of his monstrous deformity. A deformity that must be hidden away behind a mask. He is forced to suffer a life of abuse as Lord Gold’s son’s whipping boy until he comes of age at 18. Misthaven Bishop, Nemo, offers him a place as groundskeeper at the cathedral where for the past six years, Killian has longed for a life among the people of Misthaven. In a moment of bravery he chances being a part of the crowds during the annual Feast of Fools celebration and meets a woman who is able to see past his mask to the man underneath. With her help, perhaps Killian can begin to discover what lies beneath the mask.

A Harem of One series including A Harem of One, How May I Serve You, My Master, and Your Wish is My Command

Killian Jones, younger son of Prominent Turkish Businessman, Brennan Jones, meets Lady Emma during the height of the London season just a few weeks before he must head back to Constantinople to take over the family shipping business. Despondent over the fact that he had to leave the woman he loves behind, things get interesting when Brennan tries to give Killian a welcome home gift.

Varcolac, A Hybrid Tale her offering for the @cssns last summer

While heading home to prepare for the coming evening, Killian Jones happens upon a woman broken down on the side of the road. A woman who shifts the entire foundations of his being with just her scent. Killian Jones is a werewolf you see, and the unsuspecting lass has landed herself deep in werewolf country on the cusp of the first night of the full moon. Knowing he must get her on her way for her own safety, Killian offers to fix her vehicle, but things go awry in town when another wolf attempts to stake a claim on the stunning stranger. Now Killian must do all he can to protect the woman, Emma Swan, from a vengeful pack, all while keeping his true nature a secret from her. Turns out, Killian Jones is no ordinary werewolf.

The Legend of Captain Killian Jones

Cursed three hundred years ago to take on ghost form and haunt his family estate, Killian Jones receives a reprieve once every hundred years to take on corporeal form in order to try and break his curse.

A renowned restorationist, Emma Swan takes on the project of bringing the three hundred year old Jones Manor back to its former glory. A manor that is reportedly haunted by the notorious Captain Killian Jones. Good thing Emma doesn’t believe in ghosts.

And I Don’t Want to Go Home Right Now

Killian Jones had not left his apartment in two years, four months, and thirteen days. Not since he’d finally decided to shut himself away from the whole blasted world after a freak accident had left him without his hand, and for all practical purposes, his heart.

Until We Meet Again

Take us to that island…

Aladdin kept telling them that all wishes came with a price. Who would have thought that, once they’d been able to retrieve and repair the Nautilus, the price would be a portal back to Hangman’s Island...in the past. Now Liam and Captain Nemo find themselves on the very beach where Liam’s older brothers have washed up after the tempest sunk their ship. Do they return them to their kingdom and allow their lives to continue on in the manner they did before? Do they allow them to remain on the Nautilus and reveal their brotherly connection to the vessel’s first mate? What is the true price of this wish and will who will have to pay it?

The Cottage her current WIP

Everyone knew of the dark creatures that were rumored to lurk in the forest, the mystical elements that cast a foreboding veil over every cluster of trees, every sweeping branch and quivering leaf. The forest was quiet in the way fear was quiet. A silence one felt in their bones as it thundered in their ears from the pounding of their heart.

To Emma Swan though, the quiet of the forest wasn’t that of fear, but of tranquility. She felt no foreboding in the way the trees swayed, even on windless days, or the shrouds of fog that collected along its floor. Emma was fascinated by the forest, always had been, but had never set foot across its border. She had enough prejudice against her from the village as it was, and the pull of the pines and sweet berries she could make out from the boundary line wasn’t enough to warrant more consternation from her neighbors.

The cottage on the edge of the tree line was, though.

Yuletide In the Tower

An old friend helps Hook provide an amazing Yuletide celebration for Alice while still stuck in the tower.

Dark Hook Comes to Storybrooke co-written with @winterbaby89 for my birthday in 2017. Has now become a series with outtakes.

Moments before the Evil Queen’s Dark Curse whisks our beloved fairytale characters to Storybrooke, Captain Hook finally gets his revenge on the Crocodile.

As I said earlier, all of Hollye’s fics are absolutely fantastic, and if you’ve missed any of them, you are sooooo missing out!!!! Happiest of birthdays Hollye! I hope it’s as wonderful as you are!!! Love you girl!!! 😘

[swanqueeneverafter]

After The Sunset, Pt.13

Enchanted Forest. Past. The Nautilus. (Liam hands Nemo his knife before leaving the room. Seated, Will and Hook wait for Nemo to open the chest.) Hook: (Stands once Nemo lifts the chest lid and looks inside:) “A key? All this for a key? You're even madder than I thought.” Nemo: “This vessel has served as refuge for people to escape their past, but this is no place to build a new life. All we do is sail and sail with no place to call home.” Hook: “Well, how's a key gonna change that?” Nemo: “This isn't just any key. This key will open the gateway to a place called... the Mysterious Island. It is a place where we can all start over. This is your chance, Killian. You don't have to swim the dark waters any longer.” Hook: “I've spent too long chasing my Crocodile to give up now.” Will: “And not to sound ungrateful, but I’m not looking to start over, I just want off this bloody ship.” Nemo: “I know, but may I remind you that you weren’t invited here, Will. Listen to me, both of you. You've lost people you love. (To Will:) I know that's why you don't want to open your heart again, but what if I told you that the Mysterious Island was a place where you never have to lose anyone again?” Hook: “No, that's... that's not possible.” Nemo: “It is. Join my crew. See for yourself.” Will: “Look, I appreciate the offer, I do. But I can’t stay here.” Hook: (Glancing down at the knife on the table:) “That knife... where did you get it?“ Nemo: “It belongs to my first mate.” Hook: “He told me his family were taken from him... how?” Nemo: “He was a young boy when his father was murdered while he slept in his bed.“ Hook: “His name. What's your first mate's name?” Nemo: “Liam.” Hook: (Taken aback:) “Will’s right, we need to leave. Right now.”

Storybrooke. Present. Sheriff's Station. (Emma sits talking to Lily in the interrogation room.) Emma: "Are you sure you're up for this? Being sheriff isn't all about chasing down bad guys. A lot of people are gonna be judging every move you make and frankly, it can be a thankless job." Lily: (Scoffs:) "Beats the job I have now. So, do I get a uniform?" Emma: "Uh, yeah, if you want one. There should be some in one of those lockers over there. (As Lily goes to find one:) But you don't have to wear it." Lily: (Opening several lockers before finding what she needs:) "Oh, no. I think it'll be better if I do. It'll help me draw the line between work and play." Emma: (Coughs and turns away slightly as Lily starts changing:) "Uh, about that. The hours can be a little rough, too." Lily: (Changing:) "Wow, way to sell your job, Emma. Relax, I've had tons of crappy, underpaid jobs in my life. At least this one comes with a gun." Emma: "I'm serious, Lily. This isn't some waitress job you can quit because you don't like your boss. The buck starts and stops with you. You will be the boss and people will be relying on you to protect them." Lily: (Tying her hair up:) "Well technically isn't the Mayor your boss? I mean, at least that's how I've heard it is in your relationship." Emma: (As Lily removes her top:) "Very funny. I just wanna be sure you realise what you're taking on here. It's a lot of responsibility.” Lily: "Geez, Emma. If you're that worried about it, why did you ask me to cover for you in the first place?" Emma: (Relents:) "No, you're right. As long as you know you can still back out." Lily: (Finishes buttoning her shirt:) "Back out? (Stands straight:) Look at me, I was made for this." Emma: (Smiles:) "It does look good on you." Lily: "Damn right. Now, why don't you show me the ropes so you can get out of here and start enjoying yourself?" Emma: (Stands and heads for the door:) "We'll start with the phone system. If you can't work the phones, you can't help anyone." Lily: "Lead the way, chief."

Wonderland. Past. (Drizella and Eilonwy continue walking through the forest together when they come to a fork in the road.) Eilonwy: “Getting through that trap gives us a pretty big lead.” Drizella: “The question is, which way do we go to keep it?” Eilonwy: “Both. We're a team, right? If I was gonna screw you over, I would have let the trap do my dirty work for me.” Drizella: (Smiles:) “You're right. We meet back here?” Eilonwy: “With flowers in hand, and we win this thing.” Drizella: “Together. (Eilonwy walks off in one direction, Drizella another. Taking only a few short paces, Drizella spots Gothel stood waiting for her up ahead:) What are you doing here?” Gothel: “I've come to help you win. These other witches, they're just further traps for you, obstacles to test your resolve. You alone have proven yourself worthy to join the coven.” Drizella: “But you said there were two spots.” Gothel: “I lied. And about the flowers, too. There's none in these woods. Your real test has yet to begin. (Conjures a sai into her hand:) Prove you're one of us. Kill Eilonwy.” Drizella: “I don't want to do that.” Gothel: “But you do want your revenge. And the only way you're going to get that is with my family by your side. I warned you witches not to get too close.” (Gothel places the sai in Drizella’s hand then turns and walks away.) Enchanted Forest. Past. The Nautilus. (Hook and Will Scarlett enter the dive room, looking to leave quickly.) Hook: "Come on, lad. Let's get you out of here so you can see your sister." Will: "Look, not that I'm not grateful, but why the rush? Nemo saved our lives, surely we can-" Hook: “I killed my father.” Will: “What?” Hook: “You want to know why I care about keeping your family together, it's because I once had the chance of having my own.” Will: “With your dad? Then why did you kill him?” Hook: “He abandoned me and my brother. The why’s and where’s don’t matter, only that when I found and killed my father, I didn't just destroy his life. He had a son.” Will: “So you had another brother.” Hook: “Aye. He named him Liam, after my older brother. My father had started his life over as if my brother and I had never existed. That was just too much for me. So I killed my father, and I left an innocent boy an orphan.”

Nemo: (Entering, having overheard:) “You don't have to leave.” Hook: (Begins suiting up:) “Aye, mate. I'm afraid I do.” Nemo: “Running from Liam won't solve anything.” Hook: “It'll bloody well keep me alive.” Nemo: “He won't hurt you. He's given up on vengeance.” Hook: “Aye, you know why? Because he hasn't found the man who killed his father yet.” Nemo: “Not Liam. He wouldn't betray me like that. He's like a son to me!” Liam: (Slowly enters the room:) “I was the son to someone else once, too.” Nemo: “Liam.” Will: “Listen, Liam. Don't do this, mate.” Liam: (Ignoring him, to Hook:) “So, it's true?” Nemo: “I know how you feel, but killing this man won't quench that fire inside of you!” Liam: “You once told me how you hunted the men down who murdered your family, how you butchered every single one of them!” Nemo: “But that doesn't mean that you have to do the same.” Liam: (Drawing his knife:) “Oh, that's easy for you to say. You got your revenge.” Nemo: “And I've regretted it ever since. Liam, you're stronger than I was. We're so close to finally finding a home.” Liam: “I'm sorry, Captain... but you're wrong. My heart is no stronger than yours.” Nemo: “Liam!” (Liam lunges at Hook with his knife but Nemo steps in to take the blow himself.) Liam: (Helping the captain to the floor:) “No. No! No! No, no. (Hook meanwhile continues to quickly put on his dive suit:) You! You... you did this!” Hook: “No, I told him to let me go.” Liam: “No, don't you blame this on him! You're gonna pay for what you've done.” Hook: “You deserve better than this, brother. I hope you find it. (To Will, who looks on aghast:) And you, suit up so we can get out of here, quickly!” Will: “We can’t just leave him like this.” Hook: “If we don’t leave now the entire ship’s crew will come looking for us, and you’ll never see your sister again.” Will: (Watching as Nemo’s eyes flicker closed, quietly:) “No.” Hook: (Grabs and shakes Will:) “Pull yourself together and let’s get off this bloody ship!”

Wonderland. Past. (Drizella tucks the sai beneath her robes when Eilonwy returns.) Eilonwy: “You beat me back here. Does that mean you found something?” Drizella: “No, I was just thinking.” Eilonwy: “About what?” Drizella: “Gothel can't be trusted. What happened to you and your friend in that dungeon, it happened to my family, too, with Gothel. I don't want to be in her coven anymore. I know we haven't known each other for that long, but -” Eilonwy: “We have a connection.” Drizella: “Yes. You and I are all the sisterhood we need. Whatever it is you came here today to do, we can help each other do it.” Eilonwy: “I'm in. And I know how we're gonna get what we want. You may not have found a golden flower, but I did. (Reaches into her bag:) Come see for yourself.” Drizella: “I think I'll stay right here.” (Disappointed, Drizella steps back and reaches into her robe.) Eilonwy: “Oh. She came to you, too.” (Eilonwy draws her weapon a split second before Drizella. The two witches stand ready to fight.) Drizella: “I wanted you to leave here with me.” Eilonwy: “That's not an olive branch in your hand. Lower your weapon. (Drizella refuses:) That's what I thought.” (Eilonwy uses her magic to send Drizella’s sai flying into a tree before attacking with her own. Ducking and rolling out of the way, Drizella manages to fend off the attack until Eilonwy overpowers her. Attempting to drive the sai into Drizella’s chest, Eilonwy straddles the brunette.) Drizella: (Using all her strength to keep the sai away from her:) “I don't want to hurt you.” Eilonwy: “And I want a spot in that family. I need it.” Drizella: “I'm sorry.” (Drizella suddenly uses her powers to bring her own sai flying out of the tree and plunging it into Eilonwy’s back, killing her. Scrambling to her feet, Drizella looks down mournfully at the dead woman as Gothel appears behind her.) Gothel: “Congratulations. You did it.” Drizella: “I didn't want to.” Gothel: “But you did. Now let's talk about your vengeance, sister.”

Storybrooke. Present. Outside Town Hall. (Emma and Regina exit the town hall building hand in hand when David and Snow catch up to them.) Snow White: (Slightly out of breath:) "Emma, Regina, is it done, have you chosen your replacements?" David: "Because if not, we'd be more than happy to step in if you need us." (Smiling to each other, Emma and Regina apparently have been waiting for this opportunity.) Emma: (To her parents:) "Actually, that won't be necessary. Lily's already settled in at the station." Snow White: "Lily... Maleficent's daughter?" Regina: (Sarcastically:) "No, Lily Tomlin. Of course Maleficent's daughter." David: "Are you sure that's wise? I mean does she even-" Regina: (Cutting in:) "I happen to think she's a great choice for sheriff." Emma: (Nods:) "Thank you." Snow White: "Okay... well what about you, Regina. Have you chosen anyone for mayor, yet? I mean, I do have some experience with the job." Regina: "Yes and don't we all remember those few weeks with fondness." Emma: (Squeezing her wife's hand:) "Be nice. Actually, Mom, Regina's choice for mayor is just settling in. In fact, why don't you go make sure they feel welcome." Regina: (Smiling:) "Absolutely. I know for certain that they'd appreciate it." Snow White: (Looking between them for any sort of clues:) "All right. (Smiles:) I'd be happy to." David: "So, are you guys leaving soon or-" Emma: "Uh, I think as soon as possible would be best." Regina: (Agreeing:) "And if you need to contact us-" David: (Puts his hand up:) "I think the town can cope for a few weeks without you." Snow White: "David's right. Go and enjoy your honeymoon!" (Snow hugs her daughter while David gives Regina a kiss on the cheek. Swapping, Snow squeezes Regina tightly while Emma hugs her father.) David: "Have fun, you two." Emma & Regina: (Watching as the Charmings enter the building:) "Oh, we will." Mayor's Office. (Snow and David walk down the hallway and, without bothering to knock, open the door to the mayor's office. Inside, they find Zelena sat behind the desk, with her feet propped up and considering colors to paint the walls.) Zelena: “Snow! David! Come on in. I'm trying to decide what colour would look best on these walls. I mean, my walls. (She turns over the colour booklet, to reveal that all the colours she’s looking at are green:) Kelly? Hunter? Pistachio?” (Snow and David are speechless as Zelena continues to read off colour names.)

[unfolded73]

What Comes Next (8/8) - COMPLETE

Summary: They lived happily ever after. And then what happened? (A Post-S6 story.)  Starts about a week after the final battle, and explores the highs and lows of newly married life between Emma and Killian as they deal with work, friends, and family as life in Storybrooke settles down somewhat.

Captain Swan, Explicit, ~5250 words this chapter, 34,232 overall

Thanks to @j-philly-b for the beta. And thanks to everyone who read and commented!

CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3 | CHAPTER 4 | CHAPTER 5 | CHAPTER 6 | CHAPTER 7

It was a warm day, the breeze off of the harbor keeping it from being uncomfortably so. Killian stood on the dock and squinted against the reflection of the sun on the water, his hand on John Raymond’s shoulder. “Are you absolutely certain this is what you want? I’m not forcing you to go; I want to make sure you understand that.”

John raised an eyebrow at him. “It was your idea.”

“Aye, but it’s still your choice.” He looked out at the submarine in the harbor, abuzz with activity as sailors loaded supplies onto it. Storybrooke’s grocers would certainly be pleased with the influx of gold, especially given how much gold was worth in this realm. Killian himself was worth a small fortune.

“I want to go. Captain Nemo… I don’t know, there’s something about him that makes me feel like I could be a better person, like him. For him,” John said.

Killian nodded. “The best captains lead by inspiring their crew to be their best. Not through fear, as I once did.”

John looked up, scrutinizing him, but didn’t respond to that.

“Are you nervous?” Killian asked.

“Yeah, I guess.”

There was rising cacophony of voices behind them. Killian and John turned, and Killian saw that Blue had brought all of the Lost Boys down to the dock to say their goodbyes. Shyly, John walked over to them, standing a little bit apart as he spoke to them. Killian couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he recognized the body language of boys who didn’t know how to express the affection and loss that they were feeling.

“Take good care of this place, brother,” Liam said as he approached. “I hope to find things just as peaceful when next we visit.”

Killian smiled and patted Liam’s back awkwardly. “I intend to. You take good care of the Nautilus. And your captain.”

“Perhaps the next time we come into port here, I’ll find that I’m an uncle,” Liam said with a sly grin.

“Oh, that’s not…” Killian trailed off, his heartbeat accelerating at the thought. “I don’t know if fatherhood is in the cards for me. Other than Henry, of course.”

Liam just eyed him with a raised eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

“You know if you ever decide to stop traveling, my home is yours for as long as you need a place to rest your head,” Killian said.

“I appreciate that,” Liam said. “But this land is strange, and I’m not sure if I could ever be comfortable here.”

“I thought that once.” Killian looked out over the water. “The foods, the smells, the clothing, the vast array of technology -- I didn’t want any of it.”

“But you fell in love with a woman, and...”

Killian chuckled. “Aye.” It occurred to him that he was a bit like the mermaid Ariel in that way, giving up his entire way of life to be with his true love.

John was shuffling back over from the gaggle of Lost Boys as Captain Nemo approached them. “We are nearly ready to cast off.” He pulled himself up ramrod straight and spoke to John. “Seaman Raymond, my first mate here will assign you to your billet.”

John stood equally straight, bringing his hand up in a somewhat clumsy salute. “Aye, aye, Captain.” He shouldered his duffel bag and waited for Liam.

“Until we meet again, brother,” Liam said, embracing Killian.

“Until then,” Killian said, a lump forming in his throat. Liam turned and walked quickly toward the submarine, and John hurried after him, sparing a quick wave for the boys watching him leave from further up the dock.

“I have high hopes for that one,” Nemo said. “Killian, thank you for your hospitality these last few days. I hope we see you again before too much time has passed.”

“I’ll think of you often.”

“And I, you,” Nemo said, also giving him a warm hug. “You and your lovely family.”

“Be well, my friend.” With a final wave, Nemo boarded his vessel. Killian watched as the Nautilus submerged, and he thought he could just make out the light of the portal opening underwater before it disappeared from this realm.

He turned toward the other Lost Boys, and called out before Blue could shepherd them away.

“One moment, boys!”

They turned, some of them whispering to each other and mistrustful looks on not a few faces. He was still Captain Hook to them, and their former antagonism was not entirely forgotten.

He approached them, stopping a respectful distance away, and clasped his hook in his hand behind his back. “You all remember my ship, the Jolly Roger, the vessel that brought you to this land. She stands idle in the harbor too often these days, and I fear if left to me alone, she may begin to fall into disrepair. So I’ve decided she needs a new crew, a crew of able-bodied young men.”

He met each of their eyes in turn. “I’ll be offering lessons in sailing to any who are interested, a couple of evenings a week and on Sundays. I can’t say there won’t be hard work, because maintaining a ship requires labor. But you’ll also learn everything there is to know about sailing the finest ship in all the realms.”

Killian looked up at Blue, and she smiled, giving him a nod of respect.

“Now,” he said, “let’s see a show of hands. Who’s with me?”

~*~

A knock sounded on the door of the captain’s quarters. “Come in,” Killian called, looking up from the map spread out over his table.

Henry walked in, a clipboard in hand. He could see Henry making minute adjustments to his posture as the ship rocked under them, cutting its way through the bay a few miles off Storybrooke’s shore. The lad had always been a natural on the water, as if he was destined to be Killian’s stepson.

“Ah, my first mate,” Killian said, grinning. “What’s the report?” Killian certainly enjoyed working directly with the Lost Boys, teaching them everything he knew about sailing, but he enjoyed watching Henry blossom into a leadership role almost as much, so on some of their Sunday outings, he gave Henry free reign to manage the boys above deck while Killian kept his distance, demonstrating by way of his absence that he trusted Henry to be in command of the ship.

“Sawyer and Okeke are on deck-swabbing duty this week. Okeke is working hard, but I’ve caught Sawyer leaning against the gunwale three times so far.” Henry consulted his clipboard. “Still no one can match Frederickson’s speed climbing up to the crow’s nest. That kid is like a monkey.”

“How about their knots?”

“At least half of them still need help getting them right.”

Killian nodded. “That was my thought as well. I’ll set aside some time Tuesday. Who’s at the helm?”

“Zhang. I’ll go back up and check on him in a few minutes, but he seems fine.”

“He’s a natural leader, like you,” Killian said, and Henry blushed with pride.

“There are definitely a few of the boys who aren’t interested in doing this once your initial lessons are over. Not just Sawyer,” Henry said. “I mean, I think it’s been good for all of them, but some want to stick with it and some don’t.”

“Aye, not everyone is cut out for a sailor’s life.”

Henry scratched the back of his head. “I was talking to Violet about it the other day, and some of her girlfriends want to learn to sail if you’re going to keep doing this.”

Killian raised his eyebrows in surprise; not because they were girls, but simply that more kids, especially those who had grown up under the first curse and probably could have spent their time playing video games or chatsnapping or whatever it was teenagers did in this realm, would want to learn what he had to teach. “Emma and I are leaving on our trip very soon, as you know, and by the time we get back the summer will be nearly over. But I could probably fit several weeks of lessons in before the weather turns too cold, if there’s enough interest.”

“Yeah, I think there is,” Henry said as he sat down in the other chair across from Killian. “Hey, about your Caribbean trip, I think a few of the younger kids maybe still don’t understand that you’re not taking a crew of Lost Boys with you.”

“I’ve explained to them that the Jolly Roger is enchanted. While she can certainly sail with a full crew, it isn’t required,” he said, his brow wrinkling.

“I know, but they’ve imprinted on you like ducklings.” Henry blushed. “Also I don’t think they have a clear concept of what a honeymoon entails.”

“You mean…”

“Yeah,” Henry said, flushing a darker shade of pink. “I mean, who was gonna teach them about sex, Peter Pan? Or the fairies?”

Killian blinked. “They were in the fairies’ charge, I just assumed they would educate them about such things.”

“They’re fairies,” Henry said, shrugging. “Do they even do… that?”

Killian’s mind went immediately to Tinkerbell, and he quickly clamped down on that distant memory and shoved it deep, hoping Henry wouldn’t see any sign of it on his face. “What are you suggesting, Henry, that I…”

“You’re the only father figure they have.”

“Bloody hell.” He ran his hand over his face and stood up. “All right, I’ll give it some thought.”

He climbed the stairs to the deck, the wind tousling his hair as soon as he breached the surface. Henry followed on his heels and as he made the rounds, inspecting the cleanliness of the ship and offering suggestions or encouragement to the boys who were manning the sail lines.

“Order Zhang to bring her about and make for home,” he told Henry.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” Henry said, trotting up the stairs to the helm. Killian watched him, pride filling his chest. He kept thinking he couldn’t be more proud of his stepson, and Henry kept proving him wrong.

Killian took over command as they neared the dock, instructing the boys again in the proper way to bring the ship in carefully, several of them jumping over to the boardwalk as soon as they were close enough and pulling the lines taut. Henry inspected their knots, correcting the ones that were tied wrong and going through the process again slowly with them. A natural sailor and a natural teacher, Killian thought, watching Henry out of the corner of his eye as Killian helped another set of boys secure the sails.

The gangplank was lowered and the rest of the boys poured off the ship, calling out their goodbyes as they ran down the boardwalk. Killian disembarked more slowly, pulling his phone out and checking it for any missed messages from Emma. He had just enough time to stop by and pick up some take-out from Granny’s, he thought, and was so focused on the evening ahead that he almost collided with Belle on the dock.

“Belle!” he said. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you.” She had Gideon strapped to her chest in some kind of baby-carrying contraption, and the boy had half his fist wedged in his mouth, drool covering his hand. He’d seen Belle in town from a distance a few times over the past several weeks, and every time he’d avoided her gaze, uncertain of how to bridge the chasm between them. Now she was here, right in front of him, and it sent his heart hammering as he remembered the hurtful things they’d said to each other in her kitchen.

“It’s okay.” She shifted from foot to foot, her hand absently caressing Gideon’s head. “I asked around, and they said you usually get back from your Sunday sail around now, so…” She trailed off and cleared her throat. “I wanted to apologize for what happened between us. I’m sorry.”

“Love, it wasn’t your fault. I had no right to come into your home and imply that you’d made the wrong decision.” He winced, because he still felt she had made the wrong decision, but he wasn’t going to say that. “It was ungentlemanly.”

She laughed, perhaps thinking that him shooting her all those years ago was also ungentlemanly. He’d hurt her more than once back then, when his quest for revenge against her now-husband blinded him to everything else. He’d sworn to make it up to her, and all he’d done in the end was hurt her because of her husband again. “It’s okay,” she said. “I forgive you.”

“I very much miss our friendship,” he said. Belle and he had gotten particularly close after she had banished Rumple over the town line, when he was falling in love with Emma and struggling to be a better man for her. She had consoled him when Emma had been the Dark One, and probably had kept him from drinking Storybrooke dry of rum on more than one occasion during that terrible time.

“I miss our friendship too, that’s why I came down here,” Belle responded. “Even though I know you still think I was wrong to go back to Rumple.”

He scratched behind his ear, unable to lie to her. “You know my mind when it comes to your husband, and it’s unlikely to change.”

“Can we agree to disagree?” she said, and he could see the sheen of tears in her eyes. “I promise that if anything bad ever happens, I’ll take you up on your offer and I’ll come to you for help. And you promise not to say anything against Rumple in my presence. Or around Gideon, as he grows up.”

“I promise,” Killian said, looking at the innocent babe. All other things aside, he was happy that Belle had the chance to raise her child properly. Too many children he knew had grown up without their parents, and Gideon was lucky indeed to have a mother as loving as Belle was. “He’s growing like a weed. And quite the handsome fellow.”

“He is,” she gushed. “I’m getting pretty strong, carrying him around all the time.”

“I was just going to pick up food from Granny’s to take home; would you like to join us for dinner?”

She grinned. “I’d love to.”

~*~

Emma giggled, her foot slipping in the sand, and she grabbed Killian’s hook to stay upright.

He eyed her with mock disapproval. “You’re drunk and it’s barely past noon, love. What am I going to do with such a tosspot for a wife?”

“I’m not drunk, but that rum punch was surprisingly strong, and I probably definitely should not have had two of them.”

They were walking back to the little oceanfront bungalow they had rented. The only restaurant within walking distance was a dive bar with a tiny menu of whatever seafood the proprietors had managed to pull out of the ocean, and an assortment of rum and rum cocktails that had made Killian’s eyes widen in wonderment. The beach they’d chosen was far from a popular destination, as most tourists these days had decamped to the all-inclusive resorts, but that was exactly what made Emma and Killian love it. No one looked askance at man with a hook for a hand, or asked where they were from with more than brief, passing interest.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, darling,” he said with a more serious inflection in his voice.

She looked at him, resisting the temptation to sink her fingers into all of the chest hair he had on display under the shirt that hung, unbuttoned, on his lithe frame. “I really am.” She bumped her hip against his. “Thanks for being patient with me.”

“Always.”

The wrap that Emma had secured around her bikini flapped against her legs in the ocean breeze, and she tipped her face up to the sunshine as they walked, the brim of her sunhat shielding her eyes from the bright light. The heat had her debating another dip in the ocean, but when Killian pulled her by the hand toward their rooms, she followed. They rinsed the sand off with the outdoor shower, Emma yelping as the cold water hit her legs.

As soon as they entered the bedroom, Emma pushed Killian down on the tousled sheets. “Clothes off,” she said, untying her floral wrap and tossing it aside. She left her bikini on, figuring it would torture him more if she didn’t undress completely. He detached his hook and set it aside before doing as she asked with his unbuttoned shirt, followed by his swim trunks. Before he could begin to unfasten the buckles that secured his brace, Emma pounced, pressing him back onto the bed. She held his forearms down with her small hands, her mouth dragging across his chest. She grazed his nipple with her teeth, and Killian hissed and arched off the mattress.

“Shhh, be still,” she said, her lips pulling back into a smile as she inched down the bed. His abdomen was firm and well-muscled under her mouth, and Emma licked the sea salt from his skin as she dragged her hands down to his waist. She felt his erection brushing against her breasts, could sense his impatience in the trembling of his stomach muscles under her tongue.

His cock was smooth and rigid when she finally closed her lips around it, and she was gratified by the groan from her husband as she pulled off and swirled her tongue around the head. Killian’s fingers threaded into her hair gently, a slight press of his fingers guiding the pace she set. She sucked him harder, took him deeper, bringing one hand up to grip the base of his cock to keep him from choking her as Killian began to lose control and let his hips flex upwards. She loved everything about doing this for him, the sensation of him getting harder in her mouth, the way his fist clenched in her hair, the way she could sometimes look up and see him watching her, watching the way his cock disappeared into her mouth.  Other times she would just see the straining cords of his neck as he threw his head back in ecstasy.

“Fuck, Swan, that’s… gods, I’m gonna come.”

She hummed with approval, not letting up until his hips jerked, Killian groaning as his orgasm hit. She gradually slowed, pulling off when he relaxed and swallowing the salty tang in the back of her throat.

Emma rose up on her knees, watching him as he recovered his breathing, lying there, completely wrecked by what she’d done to him. It turned her on almost as much as his touch did.

Killian opened his eyes and looked down at her. “Take that swimming costume off and get up here,” he rasped.

Reaching behind her back, she untied the bows and let the top part of her bikini drop. She hooked her thumbs in the bottom and slowly dragged it down her legs, kicking it off. Crawling up the bed, she started to lie down at his side, but Killian stopped her.

“No, up here, love. Bring your delicious quim up here where I can taste it,” he said.

She indicated the bedside table where he’d dropped his hook earlier. “Put your hook back on and I will.”

He gave her a slowly unfurling grin and did as she asked, the click of it locking into the brace echoing somewhere in the vicinity of her heart.

Feeling very exposed in the bright sunlit room and still a little bit day-drunk, Emma gingerly slung one of her legs over to the other side of Killian’s head and positioned herself over his face. The headboard of the bed was a smooth piece of wood anchored to the wall, very unlike the sturdy bars in their own bedroom that she could grip to keep herself steady. Pressing her hands against the wall, she splayed her knees and slowly lowered herself down to his mouth.

“Relax, darling.” She felt his hand grip her ass and his hook press into the back of her thigh, which sent a shudder through her body. “I’ve got you; you won’t suffocate me.” He winked. “Or if you do, I can’t imagine a better way to die.”

“Jokes about you dying still aren’t funny,” she said, smiling in spite of herself.

He chuckled and pulled her down to his mouth, opening wide and devouring her, everything wet and sparking with pleasure as he licked into her. Emma moved her hips in a slow roll as his tongue traced over her, shutting out everything but the sensations he was creating. She stopped worrying about whether she was smothering him or about her body at all, she just floated and let the feelings build as he expertly worked her up. Her world narrowed to his tongue and lips on her sex, the smooth metal of his hook against her leg and his fingers pressing into the flesh of her ass. She was so open to him, so wet and open and everything was radiating ecstasy out from that tiny nub of flesh where he was focusing his attention, more and more and more until it exploded and Emma cried out.

She dropped her head against the wall, panting, while Killian slid out from under her and guided her to lie down at his side, aftershocks making her twitch slightly as she relaxed. She felt like a popped bottle of champagne, fizzing away into the open air of the humid bedroom.

“You know what I sometimes think about?” Emma said after an unknown length of time, stretching her legs out on the white sheet. The top sheet and blanket had ended up mostly on the floor, but it was warm in the room and she was happy to just lie there, completely naked and exposed. Despite their best efforts, she could feel the grit of sand against her skin, and she made a mental note to see if she could wrangle them some fresh sheets before nightfall.

“Hmm? What’s that, love?” Killian lay on his back at her side, the breeze from the open windows ruffling his hair. His eyes remained closed.

“I wonder what an earlier version of me would have thought if I could see us now.” She held her hand up in front of her face and looked at the wedding and engagement rings that adorned her finger.

“An earlier version of you?”

“Yeah.” She rolled onto her side to look at her husband. “Like, if we fell through that time portal and ended up here instead of thirty years in the past in the Enchanted Forest.”

He snorted. “I suppose we’d think, ‘Gods, look at how bloody naked we are.’”

Emma reached over and smacked his shoulder. “I don’t literally mean here and now, I just mean generally nowish.”

“Are you asking, what would past us think about the fact that we are husband and wife?” He rolled over and faced her. “If you’re talking specifically about the version of me that fell through that time portal, I’d have been thrilled. After all, I was already madly in love with you by then. You, however, would have probably run for the hills.”

“I wasn’t that bad.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Okay, maybe I was, but secretly I would have been a little bit thrilled. I was totally into you then, I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.”

“There’s a more interesting thought experiment to be had here, Swan. Imagine us…” He thought for a few seconds, and then his eyes lit up. “Imagine us swordfighting at the shore of Lake Nostos. I’m the pirate scoundrel in league with Cora, out to steal your passage home to this world, you’re the annoyingly righteous daughter of Snow White keeping me from my revenge. Then suddenly, bang, we get transported to a rooftop in Storybrooke, and see our future selves saying matrimonial vows to each other. What would past Emma make of that?”

“Past Emma would assume she was under some kind of magical spell and was being forced to get married. And I don’t even mean because it’s you; just getting married at all was something I assumed I’d never do.” She reached out and put her hand on his bare chest, over his heart, and moved a little closer, brushing her foot against his. “What about Past Hook?”

He raised his eyebrows and sighed. “I don’t know; much the same, I suppose. I certainly didn’t think I would ever marry, not since Milah. But as to it being you, Swan… I don’t think I would have hated that, even then.”

“But I’m annoyingly righteous, remember? Plus, I left you chained at the top of a beanstalk.”

“But you’re also very clever, and stunningly beautiful, and once I met you, you plagued my thoughts often.” He pulled her close, kissing her. “I’d like to think that secretly, I’d have been a little bit thrilled.”

She chuckled at his use of her own words, kissing him back and hitching her leg up on his hip. It had probably only been a half hour since he’d orgasmed, but she could feel his cock stirring to life.

“And if those versions of us -- the Lake Nostos versions -- did see us right here, right now?” she said, brushing her breasts against his chest as they started to rock against each other. “If they were standing right here in this room, watching us?”

Killian rolled them so that she was underneath him, caging her in with his arms as she opened her legs and bracketed his hips with her thighs. A handful of thrusts against her and he was fully erect, and without missing a beat he shifted and thrust inside, sinking all the way to the hilt easily. They both groaned softly at the sensation.

“I’d be rather impressed with myself for bedding such a gorgeous creature,” he murmured, mouth brushing against hers as he spoke. He started a slow rhythm, long strokes in and out, grinding against her at the apex of every thrust.

“That’s it?” she panted, pleasure starting to build again, a gradual burn that made it difficult to remember what they were even talking about. “That’s all you’d care about?”

He smirked at her, and it was a little infuriating that he could look at her like that in the midst of what their bodies were doing. “What about you, love?”

Killian’s hips snapped forward more forcefully and Emma’s eyes rolled back at how good it felt. “I’d… oh god… probably just stand there and stare at your ass.” She reached down and clutched it with her fingers, feeling the way his muscles worked under her hands. “I bet it looks fantastic while you’re fucking me.”

“Hmm, that’s true, you’re getting the much better end of the bargain. Past me can barely see you.” He slid his hand and hook underneath her back and rolled, impressively staying inside her during the maneuver. “Sit up, love, and let past me get a look at what a goddess you are when you ride me.”

Emma took a second to muse that this was the weirdest roleplay she’d ever participated in, but it was strangely hot, imagining their past selves faced with the fact that in the future, they’d be fucking regularly. And would be really excellent at it. She pulled her knees forward and sat up on her heels, undulating her hips and leaning back, letting her long hair trail down until Killian could probably feel it brushing his thighs. He took her left hand in his right, and she could feel the now-familiar click of their wedding rings making contact. She jumped when she felt the cold metal of his hook press intimately against her, and she lifted her head and looked down at the curve of it nestled between her legs, pressing accurately against her clit.

“What would past Emma think of the way you love my hook touching you?” he asked, his hips thrusting up from below, and she could barely speak, could feel herself getting close, and she swallowed on a dry throat.

“She’d… think it was kinky.”

“And would she secretly want it for herself?”

Emma thought about the way she’d watched him that day as they had climbed the beanstalk and made their way around the giant’s castle. How when she’d saved him from the tripwire, she felt his hook raking across her back as she pulled out of his arms.

“Maybe a little,” she admitted, gasping at the drag of him inside her.

“Are you close, darling?” All she could do was nod, lost to the sensation of his cock moving within her and his hook against her wet, sensitive flesh. She continued to rock back and forth until the feeling burst outward, filling her with overwhelming heat and pleasure and she moaned long and loud, barely aware of Killian’s fingers clutching her hip as he thrust up into her at a quicker pace. She opened her eyes just in time to see his own climax hit him, his teeth clenching and voice straining.

When enough feeling returned to her limbs that she could move them, Emma clumsily collapsed onto the bed beside her husband, ignoring the mess for the moment as her breathing gradually slowed. She was hot and sticky with sweat, but when Killian turned and pulled her into his arms, she allowed it.

“Let’s take a nap and then go for a swim,” she said. She felt boneless, like she could just melt into the bed and stay there forever.

“All right.”

“You never really said what past you would think, seeing us together like this,” she said, eyes slipping closed.

“Past me would think there’s no possible way I could be worthy of such a woman,” he breathed into her neck as they held each other. “I’d think she must have made a terrible mistake, marrying me, and that it would only be a matter of time before she saw the error of her ways and cut me loose.”

Emma combed her fingers through his damp hair. “And now? What do you think now?”

Killian pulled away and met her eyes. “I think we both need each other. I think we’ve worked hard to make this relationship work, and that we deserve happiness. I think there’s no one better suited than you to be my wife, but that also perhaps there’s no one better suited than me to be your husband.”

“Perhaps?” she teased, bumping her nose against his.

“Definitely no one better.”

“That’s right.” They continued to hold each other, the breeze cooling their sweaty skin. “When do we have to go back to Storybrooke?”

“About four more days. Five, maybe, if it looks like the winds are going to be with us.” Killian rolled onto his back, pulling Emma with him. She rested her head on his chest, her fingers combing through the hair on his chest. “Are you dreading it, love?”

She thought about it. “I mean, I won’t lie, spending my days swimming in the ocean, having sex, and sleeping is pretty awesome, but I wouldn’t say I’m dreading it. My real life is pretty good too.” She tilted her head to look up at him. “Every day I’m happy, and every day I’m less and less surprised about that.”

He stroked her cheek gently. “I’m glad.”

END

[stubblesandwich]

A Reprise In Brotherly Love

When Liam the second shows up unannounced on the Jolly Roger, Killian finds an unexpected ear to listen to his doubts of earning Prince Charming’s forgiveness. Set after “Murder Most Foul”.

Words: 4.5K

Rated: G

Author Note:  This was born of the swirling vortex of Captain Charming feels that is my heart these days, as well as rumors of Liam II and Nemo returning to guest-star in an upcoming episode. Special thanks to my pal @welllpthisishappening for listening to me gush about the Jones brothers and for looking this over for me. 

Find on A03 here.  —— Killian hadn’t seen his half brother since their shaky reconciliation and Liam’s reunion with Nemo, but he had seen to it, with a copious amount of gold doubloons, that their stay at Granny’s was covered indefinitely. It was the least he could do. 

The wind seemed to come and go in spurts, at times nipping through Killian’s leather jacket before dying back down to a light caress across his cheek. Whenever he could spare a moment in the day, he came to check on his ship. These days, those free moments were fewer and farther between. Even so, he managed to make it over to her at least once a week. 

  It was odd, forging time in his days to check in briefly on a ship that had been his home for centuries. Once in a while, he would linger, take up his old place at her helm and grasp the spokes of her wheel in his hand, or take his time swabbing the deck alone. It was cathartic work, despite the strain it earned his back, and he enjoyed caring for his ship with his own touch. Still, easier were the days when he had a whole crew at his disposal to take care of the more mundane chores. Henry was the only one who offered to help, or agreed to help when asked. Most of the time, the old pirate took care of it all, himself. 

  Today was one such day where he had come to spend some extra time alone on the Jolly Roger. When sailing regularly, deck swabbing was a daily occurrence. These days, with the ship sitting idly in the harbor, it was really only necessary after a storm, or a particularly choppy day when the waves could reach high enough to leave salt residue on the main deck. If he didn’t get to it in time, within a day or so at most, the old wood would start to show extra wear, in spite of its enchanted state. This was not something Killian would allow. 

As he strode across the docks, his ship looming before him, his mind was elsewhere, untethered and darting between memories. Dark circles stubbornly took up residence under his eyes, betraying to anyone who looked at him how little sleep he had been getting lately. Rest eluded him, and when it came, it was fitful. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see that face staring back at him.  “I swear on my son’s life. I just want to get home to my family.” There was a familiar twist in his gut. 

Abruptly, a male voice called down from the Jolly Roger’s deck, “I asked the harbor master which ship belonged to the infamous Captain Hook.” 

Killian tensed, not recognizing the voice at first. He paused at the ship’s loading ramp, raising his hand to shield his eyes as he squinted against the sun. Liam the second’s smiling face came into view, and Killian relaxed visibly. 

  Liam’s hair was tousled, the longer strands of it whipping into his face as the wind picked up, and he raised a hand and ran his fingers through it. He was leaning on the wooden rails of the ship facing the docks and offered his half-brother a small smile.

"He told me it was the ‘old wooden one that looks like it’s up to no good,’” Liam continued, still smirking. “Figured it was this one. Although, I was expecting darker sails." 

Killian scaled the ship’s boarding ramp in a few long, well-practiced strides. "Aye, you found her,” he said. “Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger, mate." 

Liam chuckled appreciatively at the name, as if he hadn’t been expecting the ship to be christened anything else. "A pirate through and through." 

Killian gave a half shrug. "It was fitting at the time. Now I can’t imagine her called anything else." 

Liam nodded, letting his gaze drift back to the sea. He was still leaning on the railing, looking perfectly at ease, as if he had been there all afternoon. Which, Killian thought, was perfectly plausible. He wouldn’t have put it past Liam to have investigated the entire ship from top to bottom already. 

"Did you inspect her, then?” Killian asked. “Everything ready to sail?" 

Liam gave a half smile, as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I found where you stash your mountain of rum barrels, if that’s what you’re wondering." 

Killian laughed freely, shaking his head. "Not what I meant at all, mate. But, you’re welcome to crack open a barrel anytime you see fit. What’s mine is yours." 

A thought hung in the air, unspoken by either of them. Killian’s mind drifted immediately to their shared father and the fate that had befallen him, and Liam’s jaw clenched just a fraction. He cleared his throat once and offered Killian a short, "Thanks." 

They were silent for a minute, each staring out at the tranquil water of the Maine port. It was a calm day, with a brilliant, unobscured sun and only a whisper from the wind every now and again. It was a perfect day, it seemed, to investigate your long-lost half-brother’s antique pirate ship. 

After a while, Liam cleared his throat. They certainly hadn’t fallen into the easy banter Killian and David now shared, but the fact that Liam had sought him out meant something. In a town as small as Storybrooke, it was virtually impossible to avoid someone forever, especially someone who attracted as much trouble as Killian seemed to. He knew they would run into each other eventually, but he was hardly expecting Liam to be the one to seek him out first, let alone appear unannounced on his ship. It was a pleasant surprise. 

"So, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m here,” Liam started. 

“You’re welcome here anytime,” Killian said promptly, without a trace of false hospitality. He met Liam’s gaze for a moment, the younger man’s eyes searching his, before Liam offered a small smile and a nod. 

“Thanks,” Liam said, shifting a bit against the ship’s rail. “I just thought I’d come by and thank you properly for taking care of our rooms, at the inn. Nemo and I… really appreciate it." 

"It’s the least I can do,” Killian said. “I may not have held the knife, but Nemo was only injured because of me.” His gaze flit to sea, scanning the horizon briefly before meeting his brother’s eyes again. “Besides, I recall all too well being an outsider in this town. I’m still not fully acclimated to its many quirks, but at least I had my ship." 

Liam turned, resting his back on the rail, and took a moment to survey the Jolly Roger’s deck. "She really is something,” he murmured. “They certainly don’t make them like this anymore." 

"Aye,” Killian says, with more than a hint of pride. 

The two brothers stood in silence again, and it seemed to be getting easier to do so. For his part, Killian had been thinking of Liam the second nearly as much as he thought of Liam the first. 

  Despite the looming threat of death that seemed to follow his true love like a shadow, and all the insanity that was Storybrooke on a weekly basis, his mind had been coming back to his younger brother nearly every day. Often, he wondered how he and Nemo were assimilating, how Nemo was healing. He assumed this was why he had yet to see either of them around town, with Liam surely taking care of Nemo at the inn. 

After a minute, Killian felt Liam watching him. He shifted on the balls of his feet, not quite sure of what to say. This was the most time they had ever spent together alone without one of them throwing a punch or whipping out a knife. Perhaps they weren’t ready for normal conversations, or standing in the same vicinity, for that matter. 

  His mind grasped for something else to say, returning empty-handed. Even innocuous comments on the weather evaded him. The sleepless nights were beginning to weigh on him, and his mind felt fogged, bogged down by the thoughts–memories–he couldn’t seem to hold at bay, guilt contorting his stomach in constant knots.

“Are you okay?”

Killian jumped, jerked out of his wayward thoughts. Liam was staring at him, looking concerned. 

Killian forced a smile. “Of course, mate. Why?”

Liam frowned. “You look…” he started, lips pursing as he paused to think of the right word. “Well, you look terrible.” 

  Killian’s mouth parted just slightly in surprise. “Terrible?”

Liam offered a somewhat sympathetic look. “Kind of, sorry. What I mean is, you look like you haven’t slept… ever.” 

  Killian’s mouth twitched up in a small smile before he looked away. “Aye, mate, I get it. Truth be told, I haven’t been sleeping well the past few nights.” 

  Liam nodded in understanding. He stayed quiet, eyes still trained on his brother, and the expression he wore made it clear he was expecting more information. 

  Killian paused, faltering as he tried to think of a casual way to explain his situation to this particular person standing before him. Clearing his throat, he began, “I… recently discovered something I did long ago came to greatly affect a close friend of mine.” It came out monotone and wooden, devoid of any real details, but it was all he could bring himself to say. 

  Liam chose that moment to make a most unfortunate attempt at a joke. 

  “Well,” he said, “It’s not like you killed his father or anything, right?”

  Killian’s stomach seized. He had wondered if the subject would ever be broached again between them, and if it was, how it would be handled. Liam, to his credit, was clearly trying to make light of the subject of Killian hurting his friend, suggesting it couldn’t be as bad as some of the other sins of the pirate’s past. 

  But, however difficult and admirable it might have been for Liam to gloss over his own pain to make Killian feel better about his current situation, he was wrong. Desperately, horrifyingly wrong. 

  Something about the devastated look that crossed onto Killian’s features made Liam immediately apologetic. “I’m sorry,” he said quickly, “I was just trying to… I shouldn’t have brought it up. I wasn’t…” He paused as Killian dipped his head forward just enough to pinch the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

Killian let out a shaky breath. The meager hours of sleep he had been able to steal over the past few nights could have been counted on his one hand, and it was beginning to catch up to him. He leaned back against the rail of the ship, abruptly needing the support as his knees went numb. 

  Liam watched him nervously, hesitant to say anything else. When Killian finally looked back up at him, his eyes were shining with unshed tears.

“That’s exactly what I did, Liam.”

Liam’s mouth dropped open and he stilled, gaping openly at his brother. “You… you what?”

Killian held his gaze as he ground out the words, “I killed David’s father. Nearly sixty years ago, if memory serves.” 

  Unable to stop himself, Liam took an automatic step back. “But how…?”

“He was tied to a cart, about to be executed by the king’s men,” Killlian started. “I intervened, intent on stealing their gold. It’s what pirates do, after all.” He gave a coarse, humorless laugh and went on. “And despite how he begged me to let him live so he could go home to his boy, I ran my sword through his chest and killed him. Couldn’t leave any loose ends to trace back to Pan.” 

  The bitterness in his tone was palpable, and Killian let out another measured, shaky breath to try to calm himself. His hand was shaking now as it too started to grow numb, and he clenched it into a fist at his side. 

  Horror seeped onto Liam’s face, raw and unmasked. 

  Killian pushed off the rail abruptly and began to pace the length of the deck, trying to regain the feeling in his legs. Liam continued to stare, his eyes following him. 

  After a moment, Liam cleared his throat and asked, “And David is…?” 

  Killian paused and held up his hook, as one might hold up a hand to tell someone to wait. “That’s the best bloody part, isn’t it?” He said. “Of course, this man was the grandfather of the woman I love. The woman I wish to make my wife. Because no matter how hard I try, no matter what I do to try to redeem myself, it seems I’ll never quite live down the exploits of Captain bloody Hook.” His eyes had a wild edge to them, and the dark circles cradling them made him look more than a little crazed. 

  Liam, possibly fearing his brother was seconds away from throwing himself off the side of the ship to drown, stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Killian’s shoulder.

“Hey,” he said, “Slow down, okay?” 

  Killian grunted softly. 

  “Come on,” Liam said, “Let’s talk some more over a drink, all right? I know where the captain keeps the rum.” 

  Killian laughed at that. Despite how appreciative he was of his brother’s attempt to help, he knew he sounded maniacal, and he desperately needed to relax before he lost it completely. 

  With a nod, he strode over to the hatch and dipped below deck. Liam hesitated, unsure if he should follow, but Killian was surprisingly quick, and when he returned after a few minutes, it was with two full flasks in hand. 

  Liam grasped one and immediately took a swig of the rum. It burned his throat, and he sputtered. “Sorry,” he breathed, laughing a bit at his own intolerance for the drink. “Nemo always preferred to stock wine.” 

  Killian had cut his flask’s content in half by the time Liam finished speaking. “I’m sorry,” Killian said quietly. “You’re the last person I wanted to know about this.” Liam kept watching him, unsure of what to say.

“The fact that you’re standing here, on my ship, is more than I ever could have hoped for from you,” Killian admitted. 

  They stood there in silence again, each taking the occasional sip from his flask.

  “I came here to swab the deck,” Killian said dully, squinting up at the sky.

  “I’ll help you,” Liam offered without hesitation. 

  Killian shook his head. “Not necessary, mate.” 

“Two are faster than one,” Liam reminded.

“Aye,” Killian conceded with a sigh. “That they are.” 

  +++ They worked in silence, each having started at the opposite end of the ship, aiming to meet in the middle. While he was begrudging to accept, Killian was grateful for the help. His movements were slow, exhaustion weighing him down like an anchor, and he took the occasional break to stretch out his shoulders. Along the way, he made mental notes of the areas that needed more attentive cleaning. He and Liam each held mops, ideal for swabbing the majority of the deck. The nooks and crannies he would attend to himself, later. 

  Eventually, the two brothers neared each other again. Liam reached the center first and paused, leaning on his mop, watching Killian. 

  “Why did you do it?” 

  Killian stopped, looking up at his brother. Neither of them had spoken in near an hour, and it took him a moment to register Liam’s question. 

  “Why’d I do what, mate?”

“Kill our father.” 

  The breath shot out of his lungs as if he had been punched. Liam’s gaze was unwavering as he watched him, awaiting a response. Killian reached for his flask and took a swig, reveling in the burn for a moment. 

  “Are you sure you want to have this conversation?” Killian asked, his voice rough. 

  Liam shrugged, his eyes narrowing. “Humor me.” 

  Killian fell silent. He had shared his sordid tale before; most of his family knew the details by now. Regina, of course, had known he had killed his father. He had confessed to Emma and Henry, adding in the details about his brother after the events on the Nautilus. It wasn’t an easy subject, to be sure, but he had spoken of it before. Just not to Liam. 

  “You need to understand,” he began slowly, searching carefully for his next words, “That my relationship with our father was very different than the one you had with him.” 

  Liam scoffed quietly, almost inaudibly. “Yeah,” he said sardonically, “I figured as much when I found out you killed him.” 

  Killian gave a short nod. Words escaped him once again. He grappled with the events in his mind, struggling to find a proper explanation to fit them. How was he supposed to tell his younger brother—a man whose devotion to his lost father had driven him within an inch of murder—that Brennan Jones had sold his two sons into a life of slavery to save his own hide? 

  Killian was silent for too long and Liam cleared his throat expectantly, growing impatient. 

  “Brennan needed to escape the law,” Killian started, “And so he left us behind.”

“Us?” Liam interjected. 

  Killian cleared his throat, feeling awkward. “Yes, my brother and I. My older brother, then my only brother, Liam.” 

  Killian looked up at him then, and their eyes met. Confusion flooded Liam’s face. 

  “Our father named you after his eldest son, Liam the first,” Killian supplied helpfully. 

  Liam was quiet for a moment before he murmured, “Liam… is he…?” 

  Killian nodded. “Dead, yes. For a long time now.” A mournful silence fell over him, as often happened when he spoke of his older brother. His gaze drifted out to the ocean. 

   “So, he just left you, then?” 

  Killian glanced back to his brother. “Aye,” he said carefully. 

  “The man I knew would never do that.” 

  Killian ground his teeth together, his jaw flexing. “Perhaps,” he said without conviction. 

  “Then what happened?” 

  “We grew up on slaves ships,” Killian said bluntly. He had been trying to avoid painting their father as a villain, but with Liam’s pressing questions, there was only so much he could dance around and avoid. 

  Liam’s jaw dropped open. “He sold you into servitude?”

“Aye,” Killian said, and his eyes flit back to the sea. “Liam looked after me, practically raised me. We joined the royal navy, acquiring the very ship you’re standing on.” 

  Liam’s brows raised at that, and he glanced around the ship again, as if seeing it for the first time. 

  “Liam was killed in Neverland,” Killian said with unbridled bitterness, “On a fool’s errand from a king I vowed to issue justice to. And so the Jewel of the Realm became the Jolly Roger.” 

  Liam’s gaze fell back to Killian, and there was something new held in his blue eyes. Not quite pity, but something close. The hardness in his expression had softened somewhat.

Killian swallowed uncomfortably and continued. “When I met our father again, I was working for the Evil Queen. Killing our father was a test, to see if I had the mettle for what she had in mind.” 

  “I don’t understand,” Liam said, befuddled. “My father wasn’t old enough to–”

Killian intervened, sensing where he was going, “Sleeping curse, apparently right after he left my brother and I. As I was told, he was awoken by his nurse, your mother.” 

   It clicked, and Liam nodded. “Right. I’ve heard the story. Many times. It was his favorite to tell.”

Killian wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, so he simply continued. “I met him in a pub where he worked, as arranged for by the queen. I waited until closing, till I was the only one left in the bar.” Liam tensed at this, as if he expected this to be the moment his father had been killed. Killian watched him for a moment before he went on. 

  “I couldn’t do it. Not then. He told me how much he had regretted what he’d done to us, how he was a changed man.” His tone had dipped low, and it was clear even then he didn’t believe a word of it. “I decided to let him go, offered him passage on my ship. Then he told me of you.” Killian’s eyes shot up to Liam’s. 

“That night, I came to your home, waited outside while he tucked you into bed. You looked like my older brother,” he said, and a small, fond smile upturned his mouth. “Even then, I could tell you were my brother.” 

  A gull called overhead, squawking down at them from its perch on the crow’s nest of the ship. Liam turned his head to look at it as Killian reached for his flask again. They both knew what was coming next. Finding his father dead in their yard was a sight branded onto Liam’s memory forever, and he shifted in his stance uncomfortably as Killian continued. 

  “I overheard him tucking you into bed,” Killian went on, and a crack in his voice betrayed him halfway through. He looked away, clearing his throat. “It was… strikingly similar to the last words he said to me, as a boy.” 

  “Before he left,” Liam said, understanding dawning. 

  “Aye,” Killian sighed. “It was then I heard your name for the first time.” He looked up, hesitantly meeting his eyes. “That was just too much for me.”

  Liam swallowed against the lump rising in his throat. “I didn’t know.” 

  Killian gave a half-shrug. “I don’t expect pity. The events of the past have haunted me for decades, and our father is no exception.” He grew quiet as he took a moment to cap his flask and slipped it inside the inner pocket of his jacket. “I don’t deserve sympathy and I certainly don’t deserve forgiveness for the things I’ve put you through, Liam.”

 “When I found out,” Liam said slowly, “I wanted to run you through with my knife… with our father’s knife, actually. It was his. I kept it. I thought that would be just, you know? Fair retribution.” He shook his head and stepped over to a cargo box on the side of the deck, leaning his mop against it. Killian watched him. 

“It’s not right, what you did,” Liam said bluntly. “And you can’t make up for it.”

“I know.” 

  “But you didn’t ruin my life,” Liam added. Killian quirked a brow, and he continued. “If I hadn’t lost my father, I wouldn’t have joined the crew of the Nautilus. I never would have met Nemo. He’s been a father to me, too. It’s hard to imagine my life without him.” 

  Killian gave a small, understanding smile. “Aye,” he said. “I know the feeling.”

  A thoughtful look crossed onto Liam’s features, and he sized Killian up for a moment. “You’re not the same man, you know.” 

  Killian looked at him curiously. 

  Liam shrugged. “I can tell that much. You’re not the same pirate we took on board the Nautilus all those years ago.” 

  Killian smiled at this, letting the words sink in. He had heard them before, of course, in some manner or another, and he liked to believe they were true, but they felt unique coming from this particular man. 

  “He’ll forgive you.” 

   Killian looked up sharply. “What?” 

  “David,” Liam continued, “David is going to forgive you.” 

  Despite himself, tears pricked his eyes, and Killian blinked to keep them at bay. He wanted to protest, claim his insecurities, but the words didn’t come, obstructed as his throat grew tight. 

  “You may not deserve it,” Liam added, “But then again, that really isn’t up to you, is it?” 

  Killian exhaled, slow and controlled, through his nose. I don’t deserve it, he thought desperately, and while the words wouldn’t come, the thought was as plain on his face as if he’d written it there in ink. 

  “Nemo forgave me,” Liam murmured, just loud enough for Killian to hear. “And I know it’s different,” he added before Killian could say anything, “But his forgiveness, it… it’s changed me. For good.” 

  That was a sentiment Killian agreed with wholeheartedly. It took him few minutes to compose himself. While the tears never dropped from his eyes, they were stubborn, his vision blurred as he finished swabbing his half of the deck. Liam took a seat on one of the larger cargo boxes, watching him and taking small, hesitant sips from his flask every now and again. 

  When he finished, Killian took both their mops, wrung them out over the bucket, and stowed them away. 

  “Maybe next time you could have some wine on hand,” Liam said when he returned. “Or champagne.” 

  Killian’s heart swelled at the words “next time” and he stood a little straighter as he shot Liam a grin. “Deal. Although, we have plenty at the house, if you and Captain Nemo are ever available for dinner.” 

  Liam paused, his eyes trained on something in the distance, and Killian was just about to brush the offer aside when Liam turned and offered a genuine, albeit small, smile. “I’d like that,” he said. “I know Nemo would, too.” 

  “It would be a welcome reprieve from Granny’s lasagna, I’m sure,” Killian said, shooting him a wink. 

  Liam didn’t stay much longer, and Killian had the feeling he was still processing all he had learned about their father. It didn’t make Brennan’s death easier, but something between the brothers had shifted. 

  Liam asked about Henry, and Killian was quick to regale him with the latest adventure in Henry starting driver’s training. “Will he be there?” Liam asked. “If I came for dinner?” 

  “Aye,” Killian said fondly. “He stays with Emma and I about every other week, to include weekends.”

Liam nodded. “I’d like to come a night he’s there, if that’s all right. The last time he saw me, I was about to slit your throat, so…” 

  Killian chuckled lowly. “Aye, perhaps a make up meeting is in order.” 

  “I think so,” Liam agreed with a wry smile. They looked at each other, each feeling slightly awkward as they thought of the best way to say goodbye. Liam eventually extended his hand, shaking Killian’s firmly, and the pirate’s heart bloomed with joy in his chest. 

  Killian watched him leave, and once Liam was out of sight, he pulled the ring box out of his jacket pocket. He popped it open with his hook, and the two-karat diamond gleamed brilliantly as the sunlight hit it. He worried his bottom lip between his teeth, mulling over everything his half-brother had told him. If forgiveness was attainable, despite his doubts, he had to begin somewhere. 

The truth seemed a good place to start. 

—–

Tagging a few who might not hate this.

@lenfaz  @bleebug @galadriel26 @thegladelf @ripplestitchskein @spartanguard @cherrywolf713 @sheriffchiselchin 

[isitstraightvodka]

1-150 (:

God, this took me a while! But here it is!

1. Who was the last person you held hands with? My mother :)2. Are you outgoing or shy? I am quite shy but once you get to know me, I come out of my shell.3. Who are you looking forward to seeing? My friends back in Australia and my sweet cat, Belle.4. Are you easy to get along with? I think so. You’d have to ask my friends and family.5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you? I trust that when I’m drunk, my crush would look after me.6. What kind of people are you attracted to? Attractive people, both inside and out. People who are loving, sweet and passionate, with a kind heart.7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? If my crush asks me out, then I hope so!8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind? My crush and Harry - both men are always on my mind ;)9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? No. It’s a normal thing and I’m fine with talking about it, regardless of never having it myself.10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? My best friend, Jasmine.11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? ‘I love you and I don’t deserve you at all.’12. What are your 5 favorite songs right now? Always a hard question to answer. Um, Mercy by Shawn Mendes, I Feel It Coming by The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk, Versace On The Floor by Bruno Mars, Olivia by One Direction and Up by Samantha Jade.13. Do you like it when people play with your hair? Yes, I love it!14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? Depends on what kind of luck and what sort of miracles but I guess so.15. What good thing happened this summer? I met my crush!16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Never been kissed :(17. Do you think there is life on other planets? Maybe. We can’t be the only living things in the universe…18. Do you still talk to your first crush? My crush now is basically my first real crush so…yes.19. Do you like bubble baths? OMG, YES!20. Do you like your neighbors? A select few. The rest are cows, lol.21. What are your bad habits? I am really insecure about my looks, I always put myself down. It’s a habit I need to break.22. Where would you like to travel? I would love to go to Italy! And I want to explore more of America!23. Do you have trust issues? With my friends, absolutely not. With my father, yes.24. Favorite part of your daily routine? Doing my make-up and getting dressed :)25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with? Honestly? Every part.26. What do you do when you wake up? I brush my teeth.27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? I like my skin tone how it is.28. Who are you most comfortable around? My mother and my closest friends.29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? Never had an ex because I’ve never been in a relationship.30. Do you ever want to get married? Yes, definitely.31. If your hair long enough for a pony tail? Yes :)32. Which celebrities would you have a threesome with? Harry and Liam ;D33. Spell your name with your chin. How do I even do that?!34. Do you play sports? What sports? No, I hate playing sports.35. Would you rather live without TV or music? As much as I love TV, I don’t know where I’d be without music.36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them? Yes :(37. What do you say during awkward silences? Nothing, lol.38. Describe your dream girl/guy? Someone warm and sweet, taller than me, someone who can make me laugh, who knows how to have fun.39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? Hmmm, anything that sells books, clothes and music.40. What do you want to do after high school? I am out of high school already so I really want to travel and meet all of my Tumblr buddies!41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? Yes.42. If your being extremely quiet what does it mean? I’m very quiet like 95% of the time but if I’m super quiet, it means I’m embarrased or upset.43. Do you smile at strangers? Yes, especially if they’re cute ;)44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean? I love Doctor Who so outer space for me!45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning? Absolutely nothing! Let me sleep!46. What are you paranoid about? Rude people. And my father.47. Have you ever been high? Yes but only once. I probably will be again with friends, lol.48. Have you ever been drunk? Yes, plenty of times. It’s fun!49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about? Uh, nope.50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore? Black. I’m wearing my Captain America one right now :)51. Ever wished you were someone else? No.52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself? My height. I wish I was a little bit taller.53. Favourite makeup brand? Pur Minerals.54. Favourite store? ZING.55. Favourite blog? I have many: @heart-attack-harry, @two-swallows-above-a-butterfly, @never-enough-harry, @dadshirtking, @yetanotherharry, @secret-rendezvous1d, @nicegoodgolden, @harryfuckmesideways56. Favourite colour? Green.57. Favourite food? Pizza.58. Last thing you ate? Chocolate.59. First thing you ate this morning? Toast.60. Ever won a competition? For what? I can’t remember.61. Been suspended/expelled? For what? Never.62. Been arrested? For what? Never!63. Ever been in love? No :(64. Tell us the story of your first kiss? Never been kissed :(65. Are you hungry right now? Yes, I am.66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends? Yes, I do! My friends on here are so kind and I love talking to you guys!67. Facebook or Twitter? Twitter.68. Twitter or Tumblr? Tumblr!69. Are you watching tv right now? No.70. Names of your best friends? As in real life? I’d rather not put their names out on the Internet but they are all beautiful people! I do consider my Tumblr friends my best friends too :)71. Craving something? What? I’m craving dinner and physical attention from my crush.72. What colour are your towels? White.72. How many pillows do you sleep with? As many as possible!73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Back in Australia, yes. Please don’t judge me!74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? Over a dozen.75. Favourite animal? Any type of cat, domestic or wild.76. What colour is your underwear? Right now? It’s zebra-print, lol.77. Chocolate or Vanilla? In what context?78. Favourite ice cream flavour? Belgian chocolate!79. What colour shirt are you wearing? I’ve got no shirt underneath my hoodie, lol.80. What colour pants? Black.81. Favourite tv show? Game Of Thrones.82. Favourite movie? The Harry Potter series.83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2? Mean Girls.84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street? Oooh, 21 Jump Street.85. Favourite character from Mean Girls? I’m going to agree with @nicegoodgolden, Janis Ian :)86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo? Dory!87. First person you talked to today? My mother.88. Last person you talked to today? My mother.89. Name a person you hate? I’m sorry but I hate my father.90. Name a person you love? Everyone but my father.91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? My father.92. In a fight with someone? I’ve been a victim in fights before. 93. How many sweatpants do you have? Three pairs, I think.94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have? Like 10.95. Last movie you watched? Nanny McPhee :)96. Favourite actress? Emilia Clarke, she’s a babe!97. Favourite actor? Benedict Cumberbatch but Harry’s there too!98. Do you tan a lot? In the summer, yes.99. Have any pets? My cat, Belle :)100. How are you feeling? Tired and upset.101. Do you type fast? Yes.102. Do you regret anything from your past? Being abused by my father, which is still ongoing.103. Can you spell well? I think I can.104. Do you miss anyone from your past? No.105. Ever been to a bonfire party? No but I want to go to one!106. Ever broken someone’s heart? No, I don’t think so.107. Have you ever been on a horse? Yes and it was fun :)108. What should you be doing? Setting the table for dinner, lol.109. Is something irritating you right now? My father and his mother are pissing me off.110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt? Yes.111. Do you have trust issues? Didn’t I answer this already?                       112. Who was the last person you cried in front of? My mother.113. What was your childhood nickname? Pocket Rocket, because I’m small :)114. Have you ever been out of your province/state? Yes, many times!115. Do you play the Wii? I used to.116. Are you listening to music right now? Yes.117. Do you like chicken noodle soup? Yes!118. Do you like Chinese food? Yes! I’m getting hungry now.119. Favourite book? Harry Potter was my childhood, classics those books are.120. Are you afraid of the dark? No.121. Are you mean? I hope I’m not!122. Is cheating ever okay? Of course not!123. Can you keep white shoes clean? No, lol.124. Do you believe in love at first sight? I believe that you can fall for someone at first sight but not fall in love with them.125. Do you believe in true love? Yes.126. Are you currently bored? Yes.127. What makes you happy? My friends and the 1D boys :)128. Would you change your name? Are you kidding?! No way!129. What your zodiac sign? Libra.130. Do you like subway? Yes. God, too many questions about food, lol.131. Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? Say I’m not interested because I have a fucking crush, mate, lol.132. Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? My mother.133. Favourite lyrics right now? “The summertime and butterflies all belong to your creation.“134. Can you count to one million? I’ve never tried. What a waste of time!135. Dumbest lie you ever told? I can’t recall.136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? Closed.137. How tall are you? 155cm.138. Curly or Straight hair? I love curls. Um, Harry Styles?139. Brunette or Blonde? Brunette.140. Summer or Winter? Winter.141. Night or Day? Night. I’m pretty sure I’m nocturnal.142. Favourite month? October because that’s when my birthday is :)143. Are you a vegetarian? No.144. Dark, milk or white chocolate? Dark.145. Tea or Coffee? Tea.146. Was today a good day? Meh, it was average.147. Mars or Snickers? Snickers.148. What’s your favourite quote? “I study rainbows.” or “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”149. Do you believe in ghosts? Maybe, I’ve never seen one but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page? There are no books in the vicinity, lol.

Thanks for asking, honey! xx

[piracytheorist]

(1/2) Hello love, I hope your weekend was great! Did you have any plans? Thanks for all the "Killian being part of the family" feels :') He genuinely thought about giving up his revenge before learning that Nemo's first mate was his brother - and it makes it even more significant that Emma asked him to be a "part of something" because along with what happened with Baelfire he probably thought about his encounter with Nemo too when he decided to come back with the bean.

(2/2) And the fact that he didn’t try to defend himself in the flashbacks, that he ran away, I mean Killian Jones never runs away from a fight, but it was clear that he didn’t want to face and hurt Liam. What do you think he and Killian’s relationship is gonna be like now? I don’t imagine them being best buds right away, I wonder if Liam will ever completely forgive Killian - perhaps once he learns the whole story about Brennan. -your CSSV ♡

Hello, lovely Valentine! Apart from a rehearsal at the children’s choir I’m teaching and one D&D session, I didn’t do much this weekend due to period -.- but I’m feeling much better now! How did you spend your weekend? :)

That thing about Killian running away is so very important. It would look like him cowering away, but if you know Killian you know that’s not the case, it could never be. He wanted to protect Liam in any way he could. I mean, if he really didn’t care, he could have followed Nemo, killed Liam before they went to the Mysterious Island and make it look like an accident - he could have done that. Or at least keep their relation and him being their father’s killer a secret and just go on. But he knew he couldn’t even live next to Liam knowing what he knew, and he had to tell Nemo and leave them, and his chance to have a family, behind. 

He had no bad intentions and he was already feeling guilty for what he’d done. So he walked away in order to keep Liam away from the temptation of revenge, something Killian himself said it’s really hard to resist once it’s in your grasp. And in the present, he let Henry go instead of him while well aware that Liam would kill him. And he said it, clearly, that he wasn’t going to hurt him, and… just, the way he throws the knife away once Liam is out just speaks to me. He doesn’t look afraid of Liam or of what he might have done to him. He just looks upset and sad that he’s the reason Liam has gone so far.

I’m actually torn on what I’d like to see between them. I was one of those that pre-6x06 hated the idea of Killian raising little Liam as his own son. I think it’s very important to see it from Liam’s point of view, which definitely is a lot of hate and anger towards Killian, and rightfully so. I love how the episode didn’t vilify him in order to prop Killian and rather concentrated on how corruptive the want for revenge can be. 

I’m also torn on whether I’d like Killian to tell him the truth about their father. In the 5x11 flashback, Brennan steps in and asks for a second letter of transit, which means that he didn’t intend to leave Liam behind. While that must have hurt Killian a lot, seeing his father choose his other son when he didn’t choose him and Liam I, it was meant to show that Brennan cared for Liam II and the latter probably knew that. So Killian telling him about being sold into servitude by that same man would probably shatter his image of his good father the same way little Killian’s image was shattered back then. I mean, if Liam can’t have his father, he can at least not have his good memories of him tarnished. So it could be a great dilemma for Killian, too. If he tells Liam the truth, he might gain some understanding, but he’ll also burden him with that knowledge. Even though it’s the truth, I can see Killian wondering what he should do.

Apart from that, I’d like to see them at least have some minor connection. Liam may never manage to forgive Killian completely, but I think it will be more than how much Killian has forgiven himself for that. So I think they could reach a point where they’re okay with each other, but it would take some work and I doubt the show will focus on that. For now I think it’s enough that Liam has understood that Killian regrets his past and has moved on from it, and that Killian knows that Liam didn’t go through with darkening his soul and is instead happy being part of Nemo’s family. But to be really honest, I don’t know how they could work around having a good brotherly relationship. I wish they can show us something at some point, if anything it would be nice to have someone on Killian’s side of the family around.

Another thing I liked about this episode is how nicely it fits into Killian’s story, which is why I didn’t mind about why Liam II was either too young or too old. It followed the classic pattern of Killian’s centrics, of being given a chance at the past but rejecting/losing it and fixing his mistake in the present. And I loved how it fit his story and Emma giving him a chance to be a part of something. This one time stuck and that’s how his redemption route began :) 

I just want you to know that I love writing metas and you giving me prompts to write more is the best thing ever!!