Summary: She knew her soon-to-be former best friend had something up her sleeve. No way Ruby Lucas would allow Emma Swan’s birthday to be celebrated with a simple pool party. Oh, no. She just had to do something over the top. Something that would make this year ‘the best birthday ever!’ Something that would go down in infamy among their friend group.
Something that Emma would find totally and completely humiliating.
So, of course. Ruby had hired a stripper.
A/N: So, the other day a picture and video was posted on social media depicting our fave donning his pirate outfit once more in order to surprise a co-worker for her birthday. The post included a caption quipping, "The pirate they hired for our birthday party was actually really good", which caused many of us to wish we could hire the same said pirate for our bday celebrations. This, naturally, sparked a fic idea which I shared on the csmm discord and, well… you can probably guess the rest, lol.
Much love to the discord ladies and especially to @jrob64 who championed the idea so much she agreed to beta. Of course, seeing as it is her bday today, I'm also gifting this fic to her. Sorry it isn't the actual pirate, but I hope it is a close second! Happy birthday!
A shout out also goes to @kmomof4 who also gave this a once over for me😘
Rated T+ / Also available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me!
A Pirate Booty Birthday
She knew her soon-to-be former best friend had something up her sleeve. No way Ruby Lucas would allow Emma Swan’s birthday to be celebrated with a simple pool party. Oh, no. She just had to do something over the top. Something that would make this year ‘the best birthday ever!’ Something that would go down in infamy among their friend group.
Something that Emma would find totally and completely humiliating.
So, of course. Ruby had hired a stripper.
A pirate themed stripper to go with the pirate themed decor and pirate themed drinks they’d been enjoying all afternoon and into the evening.
A pirate themed stripper who nearly had Emma swallowing her tongue when he appeared in Ruby’s backyard, decked out in head-to-toe black leather with artfully mussed dark hair, kohl-lined piercing blue eyes, auburn tinted stubble, and a devilish smirk that would make a mermaid swoon.
Holy hell and hot damn.
“Get your dollar bills ready, girls!” Lily called out, practically knocking Belle over as she rushed for her purse.
"Sorry, ladies,” the pirate crooned as he swaggered towards them. “I only accept doubloons.”
Well, fuck. He has an accent, too?! Emma thought, while silently freaking out. Damn, and it actually sounds authentic. It can’t be real, though. Right?
Stopping in front of their group, he cocked one hip to the side and tucked his thumb into his belt, perusing each of them with a sultry glance and briefly pausing when his eyes landed on her before addressing them all once more. “Besides... the only one allowed to touch the Captain this evening is the birthday girl. Perhaps one of you would be good enough to point her out to me?"
A half dozen pointer fingers immediately gave her up and Emma’s mouth went completely dry when a wide, feral grin spread across the pirate captain’s face. Seductively, he scraped his teeth across his bottom lip, then brought his thumb up to brush against the now reddened flesh. His eyes raked over her as she sat stock still in her red bikini and one of his brows raised cockily up his forehead. When he finally spoke again, Emma would swear his voice dropped an octave as he quipped, "I was hoping it’d be you."
Cat calls and whoops of both laughter and encouragement rang out from her friends, forcing Emma from her seat in the hopes of making an escape to the house. Where she could hide. Or wait for the ground to swallow her whole. She wasn’t picky.
With swift reflexes, he moved to block her path, his persona breaking for a brief moment as he gave her a commiserating look. It was quickly schooled and replaced by his Captain facade as he tutted, “Now, now, love. Heed your Captain.” Gently he led her back to her chair, encouraging her to sit before he propped a booted foot up on the end of the diving board. “Don’t make me force you to walk the plank. Just sit right there and take your lap dance like a good girl.”
He winked at her, causing another round of shouts and whistles and ‘atta girls’ to be yelled from her friends. Looking over her shoulder, Emma made eye contact with Ruby and mouthed, “I hate you,” but the effect was lost when the hysterical laugh she’d been holding back finally made its way to the surface.
“You love me,” Ruby mouthed back, blowing her a kiss before bringing up a music file from her phone to play over the speakers. Presumably, the pirate stripper had sent her his music when she booked him.
Which turned out to be the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. Because, of course it was.
Emma hated to admit it but… the pirate stripper Ruby hired for her birthday was actually pretty good.
Very. Good.
Tantalizing good.
Toned and bronzed and sultry and commanding and wouldn’t-mind-blindly-following-his-Captain’s-orders good.
“Come on, Captain!” Lily shouted as he slipped off his suspenders and began to tug the smoke-like, gossamer thin blouse free from his pants, revealing toned abs and happy trail. “Hoist the mainsail for us!”
Emma thought she’d caught the beginnings of an eye roll before he turned his back to them, his hips gyrating and the muscles of his ass flexing beneath the tight leather.
A piercing whistle erupted next to Emma’s drumdrum. Tink practically had her fingers halfway down her throat to make the obnoxious sound. “Show us your pirate booty!” she drunkenly yelled before an unseemly snort escaped her from the self-satisfied laugh she let out.
“Forget the booty!” Lily called out salaciously. “Show us your jewels!”
“Guys!” Emma admonished, halfway turning in her seat to face her unruly friends. “Enough! Let the poor man do his thing.”
“I’d like to do his thing,” Lily shot back, vulgarly licking her lips then catching Emma’s hardened glare and silent reprimand to behave. “Spoil sport,” Lily huffed, poutily taking another large gulp from her solo cup, her eyes cutting back to the Captain who was being cheered on by the rest of the group.
“Sorry, Ems,” Tink offered with a sincere expression of contrition before being jolted to the side by Ruby who had refilled her drink and was now joining their little mob.
“Oh, come on, Emma,” Ruby said with a wolfish grin. “Tell me you wouldn’t happily walk that plank.” Jutting her chin towards the night’s entertainment she’d provided, she gave a whistle of her own, pointed down to Emma, then shouted. “Let her shiver your timber, Captain!”
Emma turned back around and her jaw dropped. Apparently, he’d been rather busy while her back was turned. He’d removed his great coat and vest early on in the performance, but now, gone were the blouse, boots, and leather pants, leaving him in nothing more than a tight, barely-there, black Speedo.
She couldn’t help but focus on the bulge he was currently thrusting in their direction, his generous size evident from the way the material strained around it. His hips swiveled and her eyes traveled up the happy trail of hair at his navel, the twitch and flex of his abdominal muscle mesmerizing her. As did the broad planes of his chest, dusted with the same luscious hair her fingers itched to run themselves through. Her final destination was his face and her breath caught at the way he stared at her, his attention solely focused on her gaze with his own hungry, predatory, wouldn’t-mind-making-a-meal-out-of-her intent reflected in his dark, ocean blue depths.
With a dirty grind in his hips, he swaggered towards them until he was right in front of her. Without warning, he threw himself forward, bracing himself against the edge of the table behind her. Arms caging her in as he hovered over her in an impressively held plank position. Emma had to grip the ends of the armrest to force her hands to remain on their best behavior, her bottom lip firmly tucked between her teeth, trapping a moan inside her mouth as his body rolled over the top of her, his breath - soft, sensual pants exhaling from his chest - ghosting across her face as his kohl-rimmed eyes stayed locked onto hers.
“Go on, Emma!” One of her friends encouraged dirtily. “Make his Roger Jolly!
“Show him where to drop his anchor, Ems!”
Another half-amused, half-exasperated look flitted across his face before he could stop it. He probably got comments like that a lot, had probably heard every bad pirate pun there was. The way he continued to stare down at her, though, his body grinding a hair's-breadth away from hers and occasionally making contact when his leg couldn’t help but brush against her own, made Emma think he might not mind them so much when they were applied to her.
Of course, that had to be wistful thinking on her part. Given how gorgeous and hot and limber and intense and - did she say hot already? - he was, Emma was certain he got his fair share of propositions from equally hot and horny women.
Emma practically whimpered when he rolled his body away from hers, instantly missing the close contact and feeling more flushed and keyed up than she’d expected to get. Bringing her hand up, she made an attempt to fan herself, but was thwarted when his hand caught hers. Tugging lightly, he encouraged her to her feet then wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing her hips flush with his as he continued to roll, swivel, and grind against her body.
“Let the pillaging and plundering begin!” Ruby shouted.
A toe-curling chuckle rumbled through his chest and he brought his mouth tauntingly close to her ear, murmuring, “Your friends are quite the lively bunch.”
Yep. The accent was real. Fuck. Me.
“Yeah,” Emma replied a bit breathlessly, her body now moving in time with his as they finished out the track as though they were at some risque nightclub and not her best friend's backyard. “Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize, love,” he told her, dropping his arms and taking a step back.
Emma hadn’t even realized the song had ended, but her friends absolutely losing their shit with screams and whistles and applause probably should have clued her in.
“What say you, ladies?” he called out to the group. “Has your Captain delivered to your satisfaction, or is he to walk the plank?”
Once again, he propped his foot on the diving board and her friends - as eager to have him dripping wet as she was - immediately began chanting, “Walk the plank! Walk the plank! Walk the plank!”
Shooting them a wide grin, he hopped up onto the board but paused when Ruby called out. “Here, Emma! In case he needs some encouragement!”
She tossed a plastic, toy sword at her which Emma miraculously caught. Glancing up at the man, something swooped deep in her belly at the raised brow and smirk he was giving her.
“Do you even know how to use that thing, love?” he said in a teasing and mocking tone.
“Yeah,” she said, stepping up behind him on the board and pressing the plastic tip into his side. “The pointy end goes in the other guy.”
She poked at him with it again, urging him towards the end of the board, or… plank, and absolutely did not find his ticklish response at all endearing.
“What’s the matter, Captain?” she replied in a coy and coquettish tone. “Don’t like being jabbed with my sword?”
The Captain scoffed and turned to face her. “You call that a jab?” he shot back, and Emma gasped as he yanked the sword from her grasp, then used his quick reflexes to pull her into him before she even had a chance to realize what he was doing. He had her arms pinned to her sides with his tightly wrapped around her, the heavy bulge in the front of his Speedo pressed firmly against her belly as a smolder bloomed from his expression and deep crooning tone professed, “Trust me, love. When I jab you with my sword… you’ll feel it.”
Emma gasped as he threw them both off the diving board into the pool. Panic gripped her when she hit the water and began to sink. Years of bouncing around foster care meant she’d never learned to swim properly, so, on instinct, when she resurfaced, she clung to the Captain, wrapping her arms and legs around his body to stay afloat.
“Sorry, love,” he chuckled. “I thought we could both do with some cooling off.” Seeing her expression, which she hadn’t been able to calm yet, he held her a bit tighter and asked, “Are you alright?”
“Y-Yeah,” she stammered, reluctantly pulling one of her hands off him so she could wipe the water from her face. “I, um… I just… I don’t do well with, um…”
“Bloody hell,” he cursed at himself. “I wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry, love. Here.” He started to swim them over to the ladder. “I’ve got you. Just grab onto the rails.”
Emma did as he instructed, extricating herself from him so she could put her feet on the solid rungs of the ladder. He grabbed onto the edge of the pool and with little effort, hoisted himself out of the water, getting to his feet in time to come around and offer her a hand up the ladder.
“Emma!” Her friends exclaimed, rushing towards them. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured them, waving off their concern with her free hand, the other still tucked in his grasp. “Really. I’m fine.”
Ruby draped a towel over her shoulders then offered one to the dripping wet man next to her. Emma would be lying if she said she wasn’t a little disappointed when he let go of her hand and began drying off. She would have enjoyed watching the beads and streams of water sluice down his trim and toned body.
“Thank you, Miss Lucas,” he replied, stepping back from the gaggle of girls that had joined them. Emma could tell it was a prudent and deliberate move on his part, giving himself a personal bubble of space in case any of them decided to take the opportunity to get handsy. Sheepishly, he glanced back at Emma and offered once more, “My sincerest apologies. I shouldn’t have--”
“My fault entirely,” Ruby chimed in, turning apologetic eyes towards Emma. “I should have given Killian a heads up about you and the pool.”
“Killian?” Emma said, her eyes snapping back to the man who now had the towel wrapped around his waist.
Pity.
“Killian Jones,” he said, introducing himself as he bowed his head and offered her a boyish smile. “At your service, Miss…”
“Swan,” Emma reciprocated. “Emma Swan. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, trust me, love,” he crooned, steeping a bit closer into her personal space. “The pleasure is all mine.”
A symphony of sighs and squeals crescendoed around them and Emma’s cheeks heated at the knowledge that her friends were still hovering.
“Alright,” Ruby shouted, getting everyone’s attention. “This alcohol isn’t gonna drink itself. Who wants a refill?”
Emma shot her friend a grateful look as she led the mob back towards the tiki bar, giving her an opportunity to speak with Killian privately before he had to pack up and be on his way.
“Do you, uh… need some help collecting your things?” she asked him, tucking a wet, tangled strand of hair behind her ear.
“I can manage,” he told her, though he made no effort to do so. “You know,” he murmured softly, closing what little space remained between them. “I can help you with your… water issue, if you’d like.”
“My water issue?” Emma replied in an amused breath. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
An abashed huff fell from his lips and he reached up to awkwardly scratch behind his ear. “No, I meant… You seem a bit uncertain and slightly nervous regarding--”
“Yeah,” she said, offering him a lifeline. “I’m not the greatest swimmer. Never really learned how to--”
“I can help with that,” he said, cutting her off in an enthusiastic rush. “I mean… If you’d like me to. I’m a certified lifeguard and just got a full time position with the city to oversee the safety of the beaches.”
“Do you make this offer to every birthday girl you perform for?” she asked, a slightly accusatory tone underpinning her words, wondering if this were some sort of line he often used to get women.
“No, actually,” he said fervently, and without any hint of offense. “I’d given up stripping quite a while ago. I only agreed to do it because Ruby’s boyfriend, Graham, is a mate of mine from back in the day.”
“So…” Emma drawled, flicking her eyes up at him through her lashes, “you’re saying, this was a one time thing?”
“Aye, love,” he murmured, the two of them swaying a bit closer to one another. “After tonight, I’m hanging up my great coat and leather pants for good.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” she said, her eyes dropping to focus on the way his tongue ran over his lips. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in that get-up again sometime.”
“Perhaps,” he rasped, his lips tantalizing close to hers. “I could be persuaded to give you a private showing sometime, provided it follows a private swimming lesson.”
“How’s Monday sound?”
“Bloody perfect,” he exhaled before crashing his mouth to hers.
If they hadn’t already, Ruby’s neighbors were gonna call the cops with a serious complaint about the explosion of noise currently erupting from her friends.
The End.
Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)
(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)
Love this!!! Holy hell it was hot!!!! Thank you for tagging me! I’m trying to get back into fic reading but with a new man in my life it makes it a little difficult!!! Thanks again for this amazing fic!!!
Turning a Foul Ball into a Home Run - A CS Modern AU
On the CSMM Discord server, we’re always saying that anything can be turned into a CS story. After viewing this YouTube video, I knew it definitely lent itself to Emma as a sports reporter and Killian as a sports figure. Since I’m a life-long Cincinnati Reds fan, I took the liberty of making him a Reds player.
Disclaimer: I know nothing about being a Major League baseball player or a sports reporter for a radio station, so if you do, please excuse all of the errors I make! I also don’t know much about how awards are presented to the recipients, so I beg your pardon for those mistakes, too. This is fanfiction and is written for the sheer enjoyment of seeing our favorite couple in yet another modern scenario.
Many, many thanks to @motherkatereloyshipper for her manip skills to turn Killian & Robin into Reds players for the pic set, and to @hookedmom and @kmomof4 for their wonderful beta skills.
Story summary: During her first press conference as a Major League Baseball reporter for a radio station, Emma Swan is shocked to hear one of the players make a comment about her. Killian Jones, the second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, didn’t intend for the beautiful reporter to hear him, and now he needs to figure out how to turn his ‘foul ball’ into a ‘home run’.
Rating: T (for language)
Words (Chapter 1/1): 9139
Also posted to ffn and Ao3
Story under the cut, as long as Tumblr cooperates.
Love love love love love this!!!! It’s got 2 of my favorite things in it CS and baseball!!!! I am a Phillies fan by birth but the Reds manager is a former Phillie and a member of their 2008 World Series winning team so it’s awesome!!!
Did I say I love this? Maybe but I think I need to say it again!!! I love this so so so so so so much!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!! Yay!!!!
Ahoy, Captain Swan shipmates! As you know, October is the smuttiest month of the year, so we’re bringing back CS Cocktoberfest!
This year’s 31-day smutfest is open for writers, artists, and content creators to submit as many works as desired. You can sign up for a specific day, or just post when you can. Let’s aim for at least one post per day, but hopefully we’ll be able to do a lot more!
Think of this event as a chance to express whatever Captain Swan smut means to you 😈
If you’d like to submit work anonymously, that’s absolutely fine! Just send your work to @deckerstarblanche.
We’ll have more info on official tags for the event and an AO3 Collections link very soon.
Summary: Killian thought the only thing he was left with after Milah’s death was a broken heart and a thirst for vengeance. It’s not until he gets to Storybrooke, after so many years spent in stasis, that he discovers something else: he’s carrying her child. How does this new, tiny blessing change his path? (Canon-divergent from 2x12.)
rated T | part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 | AO3 | 4k
a/n: We’re back! And should have a few more updates for you in the next few weeks! Hope you like this one!
After the general discomfort of the revelations in the Echo Caves, Killian found himself dealing with unpleasantness of a different kind—nausea again. Just before they made it back to camp, he had to duck behind a tree to deal with that; he couldn’t wait to get back to Storybrooke and talk to Doc to find out just when that was supposed to go away.
He swished his mouth out with some rum, then spat it out before strolling back into camp. The rest of the group was gathered around Bae in conversation; as he approached, he heard him saying, “I know how to navigate the stars, but I can’t fly.” Killian ducked his head to hide his smirk at that; he was glad to hear the now-grown lad hadn’t forgotten the skills he’d taught him, but it wasn’t the time to gloat about that.
“I’m guessing that’s where the Shadow comes in,” Snow said—and, to his surprise, passed a canteen to him, despite David standing in between them. He nodded his thanks and took a long drag.
“That’s why we have to capture it,” Bae replied—to which Killian nearly choked on his water. Was he mad?
“Capture it?” Emma exclaimed, in line with Killian’s own disbelief. “We’ve never been within 10 feet of Pan unless he wanted us to be. Sneaking up on him to steal his shadow? That seems insane.”
He was still in agreement that going after the shadow was insane, but at least had to clarify some facts for Emma. “Except that Pan’s Shadow is rarely with him. It’s an entity unto itself. It can carry out his will from miles away.”
David asked, “So what does that mean for us?”
“It means we can get his shadow without having to be anywhere near Pan—as long as we know where to look,” Neal clarified. “And I know where to look.”
Killian shuddered—he did, too, and he didn’t like it one bit, even if (as he’d gathered) it was their best way off the island.
“Ok, you and I are on shadow duty,” Emma told Neal, and they moved to start to head out.
It might be foolish, but Killian sure as hell wasn’t letting them go alone. “As am I,” he interjected. “This trek won’t be easy. You could use another veteran of the island.”
Neal nodded and gave him a casual smile that reminded him distinctly of Milah. “Thanks, man.”
A quick plan was hashed out for after their mission—to meet up at Tink’s with Emma’s parents, and then (finally) make a move for Henry—and then everyone set about what they needed to do.
At least—he was about to, but Snow intercepted him before he got too far (brushing past David to do so—pointedly, it seemed, as well). “I just wanted to say—congratulations,” she effused, grabbing his hand. “I wish you’d told us sooner; how are you feeling?”
“Uh, I’m fine, luv—thank you,” he replied, trying to make sure his appreciation at the sentiment came through even though David was staring somewhat dejectedly at their exchange.
She continued to pepper him with questions—how far along he was, symptoms, and so on; he was touched she was so interested but was also fairly certain it was just a distraction. (One he didn’t mind indulging, but he had to prepare to leave, too.)
She thankfully picked up on his desire to get a move on. “Sorry, sorry; I just…have had that kind of stuff on my mind lately,” she said; that was rather obvious. “Just—be safe. All of you.”
“We’ll do our best,” he answered, then she stepped away to prepare for their own trek. He did catch David’s hurt gaze as she walked away, though, and tried to give an encouraging nod as the prince hurried after his wife.
While Killian was glad he no longer had to hide his expectant state, he hoped he didn’t have too many more exchanges like that; the attention, while appreciated, was somewhat embarrassing.
But when he walked into Bae’s cave to see what he could assist him and Emma with, he realized: he still had one more person to tell. (Well, and Rumpelstiltskin, wherever the bastard had wandered off to, but that was a low priority.)
I've been stalling on posting this because my taglist is still in progress. All of you who responded to my posts about it.. I'm overwhelmed 🥰 I thought maybe one or two people would respond, but everytime I go to post this and check my notifications, there's another response. Y'all make me all teary and emotional
Taglist below the line - if I tagged you and you don't want to be here LET ME KNOW. Same if you'd like to be added!
Summary: Killian thought the only thing he was left with after Milah’s death was a broken heart and a thirst for vengeance. It’s not until he gets to Storybrooke, after so many years spent in stasis, that he discovers something else: he’s carrying her child. How does this new, tiny blessing change his path? (Canon-divergent from 2x12.)
rated T | part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | AO3 | 3.1k
a/n: We’re back!! And good news–I’ve been working on this a lot lately, and should be able to post the next few updates with much less of a break in between! ;) Hope you like it!
After calming down and setting himself to rights, Killian rejoined the group. He glanced over at Emma, and wondered if the blush on her cheeks was from their encounter or her proximity to the fire. She glanced up and met his eyes, gave a small smile, and immediately looked away; perhaps the former then. (His own certainly was.)
As much as he longed to join her, he was hesitant to burden her with the knowledge Pan had just revealed to him. So instead, he found David and Snow on the edge of the clearing. “We need to talk,” he said quietly, and thankfully they both picked up on the fact he was trying to be subtle. “Pan paid me another visit,” he started, only to be interrupted by Snow.
“Another?” she asked, incredulous. David waved her off, but he was still cursing himself; damn this pregnancy brain.
He didn’t acknowledge it, though. “He, uh… he told me that Neal is alive, that he’s on this very island.”
They were understandably in disbelief, given that Emma was the witness to his supposed demise—until Snow noticed signs of struggle in the foliage on the path by the camp. “Someone was here while we were gone,” she concluded. “We have to tell her.”
They quietly debated whether or not to go along with that idea; he and David were against it, if only because Killian always had a healthy distrust of Pan’s motives.
“You want to find him without letting her know?” she whisper-yelled; he was at least glad she was on the same page as him in regards to tracking him down—if Bae was truly on the island, he couldn’t leave him anywhere near Pan’s grasp again, even if the man was now grown—but he didn’t want to cause Emma any more emotional upheaval until they could confirm or deny it.
“Why hurt her unnecessarily?” he answered quietly.
Snow wistfully glanced over at her daughter. “I’ve never lied to her before.”
“You’re not lying. You’re just keeping a secret until confirmation,” he assured her.
“Secrets always seem to keep us from the people we really care about,” she countered.
“And sometimes, secrets protect the people we love,” David added in.
Snow turned away—and missed the knowing look the two men shared. But she agreed, assuming they could come up with a good cover to keep their sidetrack hidden, which he and David assured her was no problem.
The reality was…less so, though.
“Where are you guys going?” Emma asked as they gathered their things.
“Firewood,” Killian said at the same time as David answered, “To get water.” Bloody hell—he knew his excuse for being off his game; what was the prince’s?
She (obviously) saw right through it. “Guys, what’s going on?”
Killian and David shifted uncomfortably, but Snow wasted no time in blurting out, “Neal’s alive.”
Hello, everyone! This week’s re-run is a silly little bit of fluff that I dreamed up from my own ridiculous fondness for watching (even when I’m laughing at the craziness of it while I do!) “The Bachelor” and “Bachelorette”, and then wondering what in the world Killian Jones would make of this unbelievable drama we actually call “reality tv”. The rest just followed from there. It’s set roughly parallel to season seven, but where we get to see the newlywed pirate and princess set up their home together and enjoy another version of the domestic day-to-day that many of us would have enjoyed onscreen. Their little girl is on her way, but not yet born, and Henry is off searching for his own story.
~ Also available on AO3 or ff.net as part of my one shots collection “Of Swans and Swords and Hopeful Hearts”
“Swan! Swan!”
Emma struggles not to snort through her nose as she picks up the two plates full of Chen Po’s China Kitchen takeout she has dished up for them. They’ve already stuffed themselves on Crab Rangoon and Won Ton Soup anyway, but that doesn’t quell her desire for Sweet and Sour Chicken, nor will it stop her pirate from having at least half his new favorite carryout Beef and Broccoli (though he would swear up and down that preference was untrue if Granny Lucas were present). Lately, Emma could swear that she has become a bottomless pit in this, her third trimester of pregnancy. She can eat Killian under the table hands down, regardless of the food, but Chinese has been her go-to craving.
She doesn’t even know yet what it is her captain wants to tell her, but the shock and almost affront in his tone lets her know ahead of time that it’s one of those gentleman fish-out-of-water, Land Without Magic things that still, almost two years into their marriage, manage to shock and baffle him. Clearly, leaving him to channel surf for their evening’s entertainment on the “magical picture box” as she dished up the main course has paid off in one way or another, if only for her momentary amusement.
Entering the living room once more, a plate in each hand and curiosity – she’s sure – painted across her face, Emma is not at all surprised by the way Killian seems to snap to attention from the rapt focus he had been training on the television. In seconds, he is on his feet and at her side, taking one plate from her and gently ushering her ahead of him back to the couch before which their drinks, utensils, napkins, and the demolished remnants of their appetizers are strewn across the coffee table.
“My apologies, Love,” he murmurs, rubbing his nose along the bend of her neck and shoulder for just a moment, his warm breath ghosting over her skin bared by the boatneck sweater she is wearing and nearly making her drop her plate before she can put it down on their makeshift table and resettle in her seat. She bites her own lip in her surprised jolt of excitement and almost turns to grab him around the shoulders and pull him back in for a proper taste of those full, irresistible lips – the food can wait after all – only for him to sit back from her on the couch, looking embarrassedly shamefaced.
“What, Killian?” she asks, senses reeling and completely baffled. Her hand settles on his bicep, grounding herself as well as letting him know he has her attention. “What are you apologizing for?”
This week’s little one shot is chosen in honor of Father’s Day, and the sweet surrogate father-son relationship that developed between Killian and Henry as the show went on. It was originally written in late season six, around the time of the CS wedding, and so is meant to be fairly canon compliant, more of a missing moment sort of fic. There are some elements that diverge, but most it’s just something I envisioned having happened that we didn’t get to see. I hope you will enjoy - now with cover art!
Also available on AO3 or ff.net as part of my one shots collection “Of Swans and Swords and Hopeful Hearts”
by: @snowbellewells
The morning of the wedding had begun in a troubling wet, dreary grey of rain drizzle, but by mid-afternoon the clouds had slowly parted and sunlight was peeking through their wispy, tattered remnants with gaining strength. Killian Jones had stood for some time, uncaring if he got a bit wet, staring over the water from the side of the Jolly, hoping deep in his heart of hearts that they would not have to change the venue for their nuptials. He would of course rather that than see the occasion dampened or have to postpone it even a day longer, but he had truly hoped to pledge his troth to his True Love while standing on the sturdy boards of his previous truest love; the old girl who had been his home and companion for centuries.
Once the day began to dry, Killian had gone below to his cabin and started getting dressed. The dark suit with its soft, well-made material felt transformative against his skin, whispering as it brushed across his flesh that today was infinitely special. Today began the rest of his life – the happiest and best part. And in a town where magic was all around at most given moments, that this day would still have a magic all its own was truly saying something. Emma Swan – the Princess of Misthaven, the Savior – loved him, and today she would promise to spend the rest of her life with him, as he would her. As he shrugged into the waistcoat over the button up dress shirt, and deftly did its fastenings one-handed as well, Killian caught a glimpse of himself looking conspicuously misty-eyed in the reflection of the looking glass in the corner. It was true that is some ways, ever since Neverland – no, perhaps even since Lake Nostos and the beanstalk – he had been pledging himself to Emma every day; still, the culmination of his deepest wish seemed more than he could possibly deserve.
He was interrupted then from his preparations and reverie by a quiet knock on the cabin door. Just as well, Killian thought wryly, eying the bow tie laid out with the suit jacket on his bunk. There had been little chance he would be able to secure said article – he’d never even worn one before – without someone’s help, and now such aid was presenting itself.
His heart warmed, smile deepening when the voice that called his name proved to be Henry, asking if he could come in. “Aye,” Killian answered Swan’s boy affectionately, waving him forward when the teen’s face appeared around the edge of the sturdy wood. “Come in. I’m always glad to have you aboard, Lad, you know that.”
Henry nodded, but cleared his throat nervously and looked more than a bit uneasy as he shuffled his feet forward into the room.
This is so beautiful and amazing!!!! I’ve read it and the read it again!!!! I wish they would have shown us more of these moments on the show but since they didn’t we have amazingly talented writers like you to bring these little moments to life!!!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Fluffy Fridays—Chapter 175: Of Werewolves and Anatomy Scans
Fluffy Fridays—Chapter 175: Of Werewolves and Anatomy Scans
Pairing: Captain Swan
Summary: A series of unrelated, fluffy one shots featuring Killian Jones and Emma Swan and the relationship that makes us all swoon. Will contain both canon and AU stories. My contribution to Operation Rainbow Kisses and Unicorn Stickers (aka, my attempt to drown out the season 4 finale angst with ridiculous levels of fluff.)
Tagging a few people who may be interested (Let me know if you want to be added or taken off the list): @sailormew4 @annaamell @flslp87 @emmateo26@bethacaciakay @ultraluckycatnd @ineffablecolors, @ilovemesomekillianjones @kat2609 @brooke-to-broch @missgymgirl @galadriel26 @the-lady-of-misthaven @charmingturkeysandwich @jennjenn615 @laschatzi @kimmy46 @snowbellewells @iamanneenigma @daxx04 @nickillian @a-rose-for-a-savior @gillie @britishguyslover @ginnyjinxedandhanshotritafirst @kmomof4 @linda8084 @golfgirld @captain-swan-coffee @searchingwardrobes @hollyethecurious @laughswaytoomuch @deathbycaptainswan @allyourdarlingswans @killiarious @winterbaby89 @facesiousbutton82 @therooksshiningknight, @lfh1226-linda @tiganasummertree
Warning: This one’s so fluffy it may make your teeth rot.
“Yeah, so I’m having a lot of abdominal pain,” Leroy said loudly to the receptionist of the Storybrooke Walk In Clinic, which shared a wing of the hospital with the OB/GYN ward. “Feels like my bowels are all twisted. Maybe if I could empty them fully I’d feel better, but I’m all stopped up.”
Emma rolled her eyes as she sat with Killian waiting eagerly for their big prenatal appointment. “I don’t know about you, babe,” she said, squeezing her husband’s hand, “but I can safely say that is more than I ever wanted to know about Leroy’s bowels.”
Killian laughed, bringing their joined hands to his lips and giving her hand a quick kiss. “Quite so, love. Almost makes me long for the days where we were so busy chasing the latest villain, we didn’t have time for such mundane things.”
She chuckled, determinedly pushing aside the small kernel of insecurity his statement brought up–fear that Killian would grow bored with a mundane Happily Ever After and leave her for further adventure. She knew she’d never completely rid herself of the insecure inner child who’d never mattered to anyone and didn’t think she ever would, but she wasn’t that child anymore. She was an adult with many, many people who loved her and who she loved. She wasn’t going to let her insecurities ruin her idyllic life.
Self-Promo Sunday: “And by a Sleep, We Hope to End the Heartache”
*** Sorry I’m late with the Sunday re-run this week! I’ve had the cover art made and this story picked out, but just haven’t been able to get it posted past couple of weeks. Anyway, this story was originally written for the second edition of the @csstorybook on Tumblr – go check that out if you haven’t, it’s amazing!! My episode for that project was 5x04 “Broken Kingdom” and I wanted to imagine how Killian might have tried to help comfort a sleepless Emma as she fought the darkness within. Hope you enjoy! I’d love – as always – to hear what you think!
This can also be found as a chapter in my one-shots collection “Of Swans and Swords and Hopeful Hearts” on AO3 or on ff.net…
“Lass…Emma… Love, please, you have to stop…” his quiet voice, vibrating with emotion despite its soothing timbre, still somehow managed to slice through the paranoia, the swirling images, and yammering voices roiling inside her skull. It was the one thing, other than her son’s hopeful, trusting face, which had managed to do so since she had risen from the ominous hatch in the Camelot forest, alone, confused, and the newest Dark One. Her stride faltered at his plea, her step finally pausing before the window of the castle suite they had been given by Arthur for their accommodation.
Looking over her shoulder to find his fraught gaze, Emma turned slightly toward the pirate, a glance half exasperation and half desperate need on her conflicted face. “What do you want from me, Killian?” she whispered tiredly, her shoulders slumping with a weary defeat he had rarely seen from her. He had no way of knowing that Emma desired nothing so much as to cross the large open chamber and collapse into his arms, as she had a week ago when they’d first found her in the stone circle about to crush Merida’s heart. His embrace tight around her, his heart beating frantically just under her palm, those few moments had been the only time the riot inside her head had seemed to cease – when she could think clearly, as only herself. She needed that relief again, and yet she feared letting down her guard, even for a moment’s comfort. She was barely keeping all the violent, persuasive urges twining through her consciousness at bay, barely keeping all the raw power tingling under her skin from breaking free. She could not allow herself the peace of Killian’s embrace; rest might let the horrors loose upon them all.
Her pirate watched her knowingly, his eyes gentle, yet seeing and understanding too much as his discerning gaze studied her from across the room. Those blue pools of his stare took in the way she vibrated slightly, no matter how she tried to hold still. He saw the tangled, disheveled fall of her hair – usually more a silky sheet of gold – the strange, rough grey duster she wore, still trailing dirt and dried leaves from the forest floor behind her. This was his Swan before him yet, but she was in distress and guarded once more, in a way she had finally begun to put in her past – and he experienced a disorienting, long rush of despair at how to help her. He only knew for certain that he must find a way.
“Come here, Lass,” he finally murmured, half a directive and half an appeal, as he held out his hand to her from where he sat at the edge of the room’s large canopy bed.
“Why?” she fired back nervously. “I’m the Dark One now. I don’t sleep, remember?”
Summary: It had taken Emma by surprise, how much she liked it. She wasn’t about to admit it to anyone, of course, but there had just been something so incredibly irresistible about Killian when he was 8 months pregnant. And, as it turned out, he was quite the fan of her gravid form as well. So with the help of a glamour spell, they both get to live out their fantasies, but without all the trouble of getting pregnant and having a kid.
In this chapter: Emma’s bored at the station one afternoon, so she decides she and Killian will do something about that—but doesn’t tell him first.
2k words | Rated M | part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | AO3
A/N: Wow; didn’t realize it had been so long since I had an update for this! (But I guess the good news is that I have at least one more after this!) Hope you enjoy it!
It was a fairly routine, bordering on boring afternoon at the station. Honestly, Killian should have known Emma would find a way to make it more interesting.
For his part, though, he was taking care of some paperwork at his desk in the bullpen, engrossed in what was written on the forms in front of him and entering the information on his computer.
They’d gotten back from lunch at Granny’s a little bit ago, after stopping to see Hope at the daycare at the convent. Lunch must have been sitting densely in his stomach, though, because the longer he sat in his seat, the tighter his belt felt.
Subtly, he glanced down; his normally flat stomach was indeed bulging out a wee bit, slightly pulling at the buttons of his top. Indeed, he appeared to have what Emma had dubbed a “food baby”. Given the number of onion rings Granny had given them, he wasn’t surprised. It would go away eventually, though, so he mostly ignored it and moved on.
(Although if he undid his belt…that was his business.)
He went back to work, but a bit later, felt the sensation of the edge of his desk pressing against his midsection. Immediately, he straightened his posture; usually, that feeling meant he was slouching.
But this time, it did nothing.
And—was that a button popping off his top?
He looked down again and sucked in a breath—but that really just made the situation worse: his stomach was slowly expanding from within, rounding out his belly (looking like he was halfway through a pregnancy) and continuing to forcibly remove buttons from his shirt. It was slow enough to not be dramatic, but still fast enough that he could easily watch the expansion of his waistline.
As he watched his stomach gradually push him—and his wheeled chair—away from the desk, he tried to figure out what was going on. Had his food been laced with something? His coffee? They hadn’t been trying, but what if he was pregnant again and it was being accelerated? He vaguely felt movement within, like he had with Hope, but nowhere near as much. If anything, it felt like their favorite simulation spell, but that always required Emma’s touch—didn’t it?
As the button of his jeans gave way (how it had even held on so long, he didn’t know), he glanced up at Emma in her office—only to find she was staring right back at him, lust in her gaze and the glow of her magic at the tips of her fingers, pointed in his direction. Oh, that minx.
IT’S HERE Y’ALL!!!! I can’t tell you how excited I am to share my second true MC with you all! I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!
A/N This fic has been a looooooong time coming. It started as an idea last fall of Vampire Killian rising from the bed where he had just turned Emma, and saying to her “Arise, my love. Join me, forever.” That idea turned into Vampire smut written for @thisonesatellite’s birthday last October, which you can find here if you’d like to read it. But the more I thought about it, more of a story started to come to me, until I finally decided that since we were going to have one more go round of the @cssns, I should probably write for it, for once. So Arise, My Love was the jumping off place that birthed this entire fic. Not everything from that has made it into this one, which is why I’ve kept AML up on ao3 as a stand alone fic instead of deleting it.
I owe a TREMENDOUS THANK YOU to @profdanglaisstuff for her stellar beta services, hand holding, and sharing her wealth of knowledge about the French Revolution, and to @hollyethecurious for being my sounding board and brainstorming partner over the many months I worked on this. I would also be remiss if I did not thank the ladies of the CSSNS and CSMovieMarathon discord for their encouragement and their help with selecting a title. And finally to @spartanguard for her INCREDIBLE and GORGEOUS artwork!
For the purposes of this fic, much established vampiric lore has been thrown out. My vampires eat, drink, sleep, and have sexual relations just like people do, and they can also go out in the day. The fic is complete and after I post Ch 1 this Sunday, I’ll be updating every Wednesday.
Ao3 link
HAPPY FIC-A-VERSARY TO MY FIRST FIC FOR MY OWN EVENT!!!!
It’s been three years now since this fic dropped for CSSNS20, and I am still SO PROUD OF IT!!!! This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever written because the entire thing, from start to finish, came out of my own head. So I’d like to celebrate it by reblogging the Prologue for its 3rd birthday!
If you’ve read it before, thank you so much!! Your support of me and this fic mean THE WORLD!!! And if you haven’t, I hope you do and let me know what you think!!!
I just re read that amazingly awesome fic again when I was having some insomnia last week! I love this story so damn much!!! Happy Anniversary to this beautiful story!!!!! Yay!!!
This week’s re-run is another that I’ve always been pretty fond of (What can I say? I’m a sucker for the hurt/comfort and emotional angst and healing that could easily have fit into canon, but which the show didn’t always take time for) I initially wrote it after 5x03 “Siege Perilous”, and though some of the events were quickly made canon divergent as the Camelot arc went on, I don’t think it’s so far off as to be ruined for enjoyment’s sake. The title comes from a line in “Halo” by Beyonce, and the lyrics included in the scene breaks are from Christina Perri. (Neither of them, nor our lovely Pirate and Princess duo are mine. I just like to give them quiet moments ;p )
Summary: A post-5x03 one shot where the Storybrooke gang learn of Arthur’s treachery much sooner, and in much more painful fashion. (Some whump aftermath and definite CS hurt/comfort involved)
Also available on AO3 and ff.net, if either of those are your preference…
By: @snowbellewells
They should never have trusted Arthur so blindly. Have they learned nothing yet after meeting so many heroes and monsters of myth and legend and finding them the opposite of how they are painted in the tales of old? Oh, aye, the royal had been stealthy – welcoming them to Camelot, throwing a grand ball in their honor, knighting David as a brother-in-arms and seating him in the very Siege Perilous once held by Lancelot himself – but it had made them let down their guard…and now Emma was paying the price.
Standing surrounded in the tower room Regina and Belle use as they research and experiment trying to find a way to communicate with and free Merlin, Arthur’s treachery suddenly comes into sharp focus for all of them. An entire phalanx of Camelot knights – Dave’s supposed comrades – surround Killian, Henry, David, Robin, and Belle (unfortunately Regina is not present to wipe them all out with a wrathful fireball) with swords at their chests or throats, circled closely enough that breaking free or moving to help the last member of their party is impossible.
Arthur himself stands facing Emma, his blade drawn and pointed just above her heart, poised to pierce her chest and make that precious, priceless organ spill its lifeblood and go still. Killian feels himself practically vibrating both with rage at the betrayal and his fear for her; not to mention the bitter anger he can feel radiating off of the prince beside him. He reaches out a hand to clutch Henry’s forearm, feeling the boy nearly jerk forward to his mother’s aid. He doesn’t think these men would hurt one so young, but he is no longer certain.
“Now Dark One,” Arthur spits, his voice harsh with controlled venom, “you and I are going to the tree. Your magic and the mushroom your noble father so kindly procured for me,” here he slants a gaze at Charming, “will show me what to do to free Merlin and to trap you instead, where you rightly belong.”
Killian knows Emma now possesses enough magic in her little finger alone to blow all these men away, but she holds back, as afraid as any of them that magic use will only continue to give the darkness more footholds in her psyche. She slants her eyes from boldly staring Arthur down to seek his. He wants to tell her to fight, to disappear - escape - and he wishes to know what he can do to comfort her, but the words and the knowledge elude him. Instead, his only ease is found in knowing that Emma’s dagger is nowhere near here – not where Arthur can lay hands on it and control his love. Though he does not know where Snow and Lancelot have taken it for safekeeping, it is at least beyond this broken monarch’s reach.
There is nothing to do but watch as Arthur has two more knights bind Emma’s hands and force her none-too-gently from the room behind him, the rest of the guard linger menacingly, to be sure none of them can follow or try to help her until they are well away.
It matters not; he will catch up, no matter where they take her. Emma must only hold on, keep her faith…
Love love love the care that Killian has given Emma!!! I hate what Arthur thought he had the right to do to Emma!!!! Ugh Killian needed to span his neck! Ugh ugh ugh!!! But I love the care that Killian gives Emma! He knows that she is scared and skittish but he won’t take no for answer!!!! Love love love love it!!!
Long Overdue Conversations - Part 2 (David & Killian) A OUAT fix-it fic
We’re back with part 2 in a series of conversations which I feel should have taken place between OUAT characters in canon, but didn’t. This one is between Killian and David and is set in Season 4 after Emma and Killian’s first date.
FYI - these chapters are unrelated and don’t read as a story, but as separate conversations. I’m planning to write one more part, but you don’t have to wait until the chapter count is 3/3 to read!
Many thanks to @hookedmom for cleaning up my messes once again.
Words:
Miss reading part 1 (Emma & Mary Margaret)? Find it here on Tumblr
Also found on Ao3 and ffn
*********
“I think it’s time you and I have a little talk about your intentions with my daughter.”
Killian sighed heavily. “I thought we already had this discussion, Mate.” He had been getting ready to have breakfast at Granny’s, still basking in the happiness from having his first date with Emma the previous evening, when David came into the diner and sat in the booth across from him.
I always wanted this in cannon!!! And I think you did it perfectly! David and Killian just talking and no real threats from each other! Just talking like a father would to his daughters potential boyfriend with just the right amount of ribbing! And maybe a little if you hurt her I’ll kill you!!!! I loved this!!!! I’ll be going back to read it again!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Adventures With Bear - a birthday gift for @whimsicallyenchantedrose
Happiest of birthdays to my friend Jen! I hope you enjoy this story with more than a few familiar characters! Special thanks to @kmomof4 and @snowbellewells for doing a very quick and thorough beta job for it.
Story summary: Henry and Hope Jones bring home a surprise for Emma and Killian’s anniversary, in the form of a furry, black dog. This story is written as a birthday gift for my friend @whimsicallyenchantedrose and features her own dog, Bear. I’ve taken some liberties with canon by making Hope three years old while Henry is fourteen, and by naming Emma’s little brother Leo. Oh, and Graham is alive. Otherwise, it is canon compliant. Bear’s POV is written in italics.
Rating: G
Words: 5431
Also on ffn and Ao3
🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾
“Hi, Grandpa,” Henry greeted, entering the office of the animal shelter, his little sister’s hand clasped in his own.
“Hi, Ganpaw,” three-year-old Hope echoed, letting go of Henry’s hand to run into David’s welcoming arms.
“What a nice surprise! How are my favorite grandchildren?” David asked, after scooping up his granddaughter and kissing her chubby cheek.
Henry rolled his eyes. “We’re your only grandchildren, Grandpa.”
“Well, I’m lucky enough to have the best,” David laughed, lowering Hope to the floor. “What are you two doing here?”
“Mom and Dad’s anniversary is next week,” Henry began. “Hope and I want to get them something special.”
“Sumpin’ special,” the little girl affirmed.
“And you want my advice about what to get them?” David asked, rubbing his chin in thought.
“Kinda,” Henry hedged. “We, uh, we were thinking about getting them, um…”
Thursday my youngest was walking around the house singing Somewhere Out There from An American Tail and it made me want to go back and read my fic inspired by the song. It made me so happy to bring that fic back to the front of my mind, I decided to share it with all of you again!
I would be remiss to not mention @hollyethecurious @winterbaby89 and @thisonesatellite for their beta services on the two chs of this fic, and the GORGEOUS artwork @wefoundloveunderthelight made for this fic! Her artwork is up above. I had some ideas for some artwork of my own, so I made a picset myself and you can find it below the cut.
Summary: 3a divergence in which Killian’s attempt at True Love’s Kiss works and brings Emma’s memories back.
Rated: M (smut towards the beginning, but it is separated with a double *~*~* at the beginning and end)
Words: 5280
Tags: 3a Canon Divergence, TLK
On ao3
Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.
When I originally wrote this little one shot after Season 5′s premiere episode (5x01), I remember being both excited and anxious for what was to come for Emma and those who love her most. I couldn’t help wanting to write a bit of sweet fluff for them, in the midst of all the angst that I’m now sure is on the way. (Boy, we couldn’t have even guessed at how angsty Season 5 would really get, could we?) I loved that little Emma in the flashback was seeing The Sword in the Stone, and the title of this is from that movie’s song Merlin sings while showing Wart how to pack magically.
Also available on A03 or ff.net (As part of my One Shot Collection “Of Swans and Swords and Hopeful Hearts) if you prefer to read on one of those platforms.
Summary: Canon Divergent 5a Missing Moment /// Sometime in what I hope is the near future, a simple family movie night after Emma has defeated the Darkness…
The little yellow cottage by the water seems lit from within on this chilly autumn evening as night begins to fall over Storybrooke, Maine. Though it hasn’t been home for long, Emma Swan’s first place of her own – that isn’t a tiny apartment in some huge, bustling city – is already exactly the cozy sanctuary she envisioned. It hasn’t been more than a couple of weeks since she moved her things in, settled into the space, and she is only now starting to feel that she really will be alright. She will be able to stay here in this little town, and she won’t have to fear hurting the ones she loves, because the darkness is finally, completely gone from inside her.
Most of that credit goes to her two True Loves seated right in front of her, part of the gathering in her little home tonight. Her sexy and sweetly devoted Captain, and her precious son who never stopped believing in her, are the ones who kept her fighting even when her battle against the Dark One curse began to feel hopeless – when she might have otherwise lay down in defeat and been subsumed by the horrific and overwhelming power that had coursed through her veins, aching to take her over.
Tonight is not about that though, even if she cannot help ruffling Henry’s hair with such an overflow of affection that it makes momentary tears well in her eyes as she pauses by the back of the sofa where he sits with little Roland Hood, waiting for everyone else to settle in with them to begin movie night. Killian is sitting quietly on Roland’s other side, clearly trying to appear extra calm and still, Emma can tell, because of the little boy in their care. Finally feeling like herself again, Emma had offered to babysit so Roland could join their little party and Regina and Robin could have a much-needed night alone to truly reconnect, talk, and heal. It made her feel even more accepted and restored to normal when Regina didn’t hesitate to accept her offer at all. Still, Roland hasn’t spent much time with any of them except Henry, and Emma finds it insanely adorable how hard her former pirate boyfriend is trying not to spook the child, to the point of keeping his hook shielded from view at his other side. As if sensing her thought, Killian tilts his head up against the back of the couch to look at her hovering over his shoulder.
“You’re thinking quite loudly, Swan,” he quips playfully, though she sees the unasked question in his eyes behind the jest. After all they have been through recently, he is especially attuned not to let her thoughts veer back toward guilt and fear over where she has been or what she has done, not if he can help it.
