Merry Christmas @mie779! Seems like I managed to post your gift on Christmas Day. I'm your @cssecretsanta2020 this year!!
I tried to combine your favourite colour blue and your favourite quote, and relate them to what could have been the married life of captain swan.
You had said that you had wanted more captain swan family life so I giffed some scenes where we could see a happily married captain swan life, where both Emma and Killian got their happy ending. Hope you are not disappointed because it would seems that you had expected a fic. Merry Christmas again!!
Merry Christmas @jrob64!! I'm your @cssecretsanta2020 again!
I made you a fun little gifset, trying to include some moments and parts of their relationship that you said you enjoyed, and of course ending with the happily ever after :)
And it's a Merry Xmas @colinoeyebrows !!! for @cssecretsanta2020
Guess now it'll makes sens why your damn santa wasn't that present here and yet, was inquiring info..... ;p
Was supposed to be done last night, but as we both saw, t'was getting real late and i mean, i finished it at 2-3am :D BUT YAY!! and with it more pics being coloured than originally planned bc i felt bad for being late >o<
Hope you'll enjoy!!!! and yeah yeah yeah....there's indeed some other business shit going to you ....as soon as post mail trafic is back to being less busy
Merry Christmas @i-will-sing-no-requiem ! I am very happy to be your Secret Santa and to create both a story and a pic set as your gift. I tried to include some of your favorite things that you mentioned in our Q&A exchanges.
Most Captain Swan fans found season 6 to be very frustrating. So when @i-will-sing-no-requiem said that canon divergent is her favorite and there were several things that bothered her about season 6, I knew I had to write a fix-it fic. This story addresses the way Killian tried to hide the fact he killed David's father (which was a stupid story line, imo) and how Emma found the ring and ruined the proposal.
Special thanks to the mods of @cssecretsanta2020 for once again setting up this event - it's so much fun! Thanks also to @hookedmom for being my beta, and to @kmomof4 & @hollyethecurious for reading this over to make sure it's true to canon.
SUMMARY: Moments after Killian receives Emma's father's blessing to propose to her, Killian is confronted with his role in the murder of David's father. Now he has to figure out how to tell his future wife and father-in-law the truth. Once he does, will his relationship with them be ruined beyond repair?
RATING: T
WORDS: 6050
Also found on ffn and Ao3 and in the Secret Santa 2025 collection on Ao3
Story under the cut
*********
Killian walked along the sidewalk, rapidly approaching the house he shared with Emma - their home. Having just received David’s blessing to ask Emma to marry him, Killian hoped that soon, they would be living there as husband and wife. As he walked, he held the little black leather box containing the diamond ring in his hand, contemplating the words he would say to propose.
Hearing a rumbling behind him, he turned to see the wooden man child pulling up on his motorcycle. Emma might have assured him that August was only a friend, but Killian still wasn’t sure what to think of him. He tucked the box into his jacket pocket and turned to see what the man wanted.
“Hey there,” August said, turning the noisy machine off. “I’m glad I found you.”
“Are you?” Killian replied.
Without answering, August pulled some papers out from inside his leather jacket.
“What are those?” Killian asked.
“I found the pages of my story I ripped out of the book,” August explained. “There’s nothing in here I didn’t already tell you but…I figured David might like to have it for himself.”
“Great, I’ll pass them along,” Killian said, reaching to take the papers from him.
August then started the motorcycle and rode away. As Killian turned up the sidewalk toward the house, he unfolded the pages to look at them. The one on top showed the illustration of Pinocchio on Pleasure Island, talking to a man who had to be David’s father. As soon as Killian saw the picture, memories flooded his mind, causing his heart to race and a weight as heavy as a stone to drop into his stomach. He recognized the man in the picture.
He had killed that man.
“Hey!” Emma’s voice cut through his morbid thoughts. “There you are,” she said, bounding down the steps.
He quickly refolded the papers and tucked them in the back pocket of his jeans.
She hurried to him, tugging lightly on the lapels of his jacket. “We just got back. I missed you. I’m making my specialty - microwave popcorn with Milk Duds mixed in to get all melty.”
“Sounds…uh, wonderful,” he said with a slight grimace, causing her to giggle. “Um, I’ll be in in just a minute.”
“Okay,” she said, before kissing him and going back into the house, closing the door behind her.
Killian pulled the jeweler’s box from his pocket, opening it to reveal the diamond engagement ring. How could he possibly ask Emma to marry him now, knowing that he killed her grandfather?
*********
Killian was seated at the counter in Granny’s the next morning, picking at his eggs, while his coffee grew cold. He managed to make it through last night without Emma detecting that something was amiss. He even indulged in her sweet, messy ‘specialty’, pretending to like it as they snuggled on the sofa, watching one of those moving pictures she enjoyed. He honestly couldn’t recall a single detail of it, because his mind was completely preoccupied with his dilemma.
He barely slept and what little sleep he did get was troubled with nightmares of him running a sword through not only David’s father, but every member of Emma’s family, including Emma herself.
“Something wrong, Captain Serious?” Ruby quipped, rousing him from his musings.
He glanced up. “Just, uh, not very hungry this morning.”
She leaned her elbows on the counter to look at him eye to eye, a mischievous twinkle in hers. “I’m sure your other appetite is getting satisfied at home, am I right?”
“Ruby!” Granny scolded from the kitchen. “Stop harassing the customers and get back to work!”
“I really hate her wolf hearing,” Ruby grumbled. “Want me to warm up your coffee? It looks to me like you could use some extra caffeine.”
Killian nodded. “Aye. Thank you.”
The bell above the door jingled. Ruby finished filling Killian’s cup, looked up to see who came in and smiled. “Good morning, Snow! How’s my bestie today?”
Killian’s shoulders hunched at the knowledge that Emma’s mother just entered the diner.
“I’m fine, Ruby,” Mary Margaret chirped. “How are you?”
“Can’t complain. If I did, Granny would jump down my throat.”
“Ruby!” her grandmother boomed. “Get over here and pick up Dr. Hopper’s order before it gets cold!”
Mary Margaret giggled as Ruby rolled her eyes, before turning to do as she was told.
Killian kept his head down, hoping Mary Margaret wouldn’t notice him, but had no such luck.
“Good morning, Killian,” she said, sliding onto the stool beside him. “I’m glad to see you.”
“You are?”
“Of course.” She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially. “David told me about the talk he had with you last night.”
“Oh,” he said simply.
Mary Margaret frowned. “Don’t worry that I’ll tell Emma before you have a chance to ask her. Despite what you’ve heard, I am able to keep a secret. You have to remember that I was ten when I told Regina’s and I was being manipulated by Cora, the master manipulator.”
“Aye, that she was,” Killian agreed. He took a sip of coffee, then set the cup back down, carefully avoiding looking at her.
“Killian? Is something wrong?” she quietly asked with concern, laying her hand on his arm. “Emma didn’t…didn’t turn you down, did she?”
He flicked his eyes toward her. “No, nothing like that. I haven’t asked her yet.”
“Are you waiting for the perfect time?”
He sighed. “I’m not sure there will be a perfect time.”
Mary Margaret ducked her head to catch his downturned eyes. “Of course there will. Emma loves you.”
“I don’t deserve her,” he mumbled miserably.
Several seconds of silence followed his admission. Then he felt a tug on his sleeve. “Let’s go somewhere private to talk.”
Killian gave a slight nod and pulled out his wallet to pay for his meal, before following Mary Margaret out the door. When they reached the sidewalk, she said, “David is home with the baby this morning. Is it okay if we go to your house?”
“Aye. Emma is at work and Henry is at the library, working on a school project with Belle.”
They didn’t speak as they walked. Killian’s mind churned with possibilities of what he was going to say once they were inside the house. He simply didn’t know how to explain what he had done.
They reached the house and went up the front steps. Killian unlocked the door, gesturing for Mary Margaret to enter ahead of him. After closing the door behind himself, he followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table across from her.
“Now, why did you say you don’t deserve Emma?” she asked.
He swallowed hard, willing himself to speak past the lump in his throat. “I…I’ve done some terrible things in my life.”
“That’s all in the past, Killian,” Mary Margaret said firmly. “We all know how much you have changed. You’re a good man now, and that’s what matters.”
“I wish it was that simple,” he mumbled.
“What do you mean?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face, then got up and paced back and forth across the floor a couple of times. Making the decision to come clean, he said, “I’ll be right back.” He left the kitchen and trudged up the stairs to his and Emma’s bedroom. Reaching up on a high shelf in the closet, he took down the small treasure box he had brought from his ship. Opening the lid, he removed the pages of the story book, his eyes landing on the black leather jeweler’s box which was beneath them. He sighed, closed the lid, and returned the box to the shelf.
He went down the stairs and back into the kitchen, resuming his seat across from where Mary Margaret still sat. Unfolding the pages, he laid them on the table, turning them so she could see. “August came by last night and gave these to me. They’re the missing pages of his story from Henry’s book. He thought Dave would like to have them. This man,” he said, pointing to the picture on the top page, “is David’s father.”
“Oh,” she said, leaning in to study it more closely. “I’ve never seen a picture of him.”
Killian took a deep breath. “As soon as I saw that picture, I realized I met him.”
Mary Margaret’s eyes shot up to look at him. “You knew David’s father?”
“I didn’t really know him. I, um…I killed him.”
“What? No! King George’s men murdered him! He admitted it to David.”
“George’s men had him tied to the wagon, preparing to kill him, when my men and I came along. I killed the king’s men, then because David’s father saw what I did, I felt I had to kill him, too.” His head dropped in shame. “I…I don’t know how I’m going to tell David…or Emma. They will never forgive me.”
He felt her hand cover his. “Oh, Killian.”
He couldn’t bring himself to look at her. “I told you I’ve done terrible things. My crimes are coming back to haunt me and now I’m going to lose everything. To think I was going to propose to Emma last night. I guess it really is true that villains don’t get happy endings.”
“You’re not a villain anymore,” Mary Margaret said with determination. “And don’t jump to conclusions. You may be surprised how forgiving people can be.” When he didn’t respond, she went on. “You do remember that I was responsible for Cora’s death, yet eventually, Regina forgave me.”
“That isn’t the same. At one time, the Evil Queen made a deal with me to kill her mother, and Cora was far from an innocent victim. David’s father just wanted to get home to his family, but I took his life anyway.”
She was quiet for several moments, before beginning hesitantly, “Have you…have you considered not telling them? They already think King George…”
He shook his head. “I can’t keep this from Emma. Our relationship is built on trust and honesty and I won’t compromise that. To keep it from David would be dishonest, too.”
“I know,” Mary Margaret sighed. “I shouldn’t have even suggested it. I’m sorry.”
“Think nothing of it. I know you’re trying to spare me pain, and I appreciate it.”
“You will think of the right words to say when the time comes. I’m sure it won’t be easy,” she assured him. “But remember this, Killian. It’s going to come as a shock to them. They could respond with anger and say things in the heat of the moment. Just give them time and space afterwards to process it, and don’t give up hope, okay?”
He attempted to smile. “I’ll try. Thank you, Milady.”
She patted his hand. “It’s the least I can do for my future son-in-law.”
*********
The wait for Emma to come home seemed interminable. Killian spent nearly every minute of it trying to figure out how he was going to tell her what he had done. For a man who was usually so good with words, he hadn’t the slightest idea what to say.
When she finally walked through the door, he went to meet her, greeting her beaming smile with a forced one of his own. She kissed him, then shed her coat, hat and gloves, tossing them carelessly on a bench. Linking her arm through his, she began pulling him into the living room. “I just talked to Henry. I ran into him on his way to Regina’s.”
He didn’t respond and Emma turned on the spot, looking at him intuitively. “Killian? Are you okay?”
He scratched behind his ear nervously, before trying to divert the conversation. “What, uh…what would you like for dinner, Love?”
She eyed him suspiciously. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Plastering what he hoped was a convincing smile on his face, he shook his head. “Nothing. Everything is fine.”
“You’re forgetting about my super power again. I can tell something is on your mind,” she stated, her brows drawing together in concern.
Sighing heavily, he conceded. “You’re right. You see, there’s something I need to tell you. It…it’s just that what I have to say isn’t exactly…easy, and I’m not entirely sure how you’re going to react. But I don’t want to have any secrets between us.”
She led him to the sofa and pulled him down to sit beside her. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.” When he kept his head down, she took his hand, saying, “You know I love you. Nothing is going to change that.”
“I hope not,” he mumbled. Taking a deep breath, he raised his eyes to meet hers. “Last night, August came by with some missing pages from Henry’s storybook. They told the tale of Pinocchio’s time on Pleasure Island, where he met David’s father. You’re aware August already told us about that, but he thought perhaps your father would appreciate having the pages to read them for himself.”
“I thought I heard his motorcycle before I came outside to meet you,” Emma said. “Why didn’t you show me the pages?”
“Because I…I’m too ashamed.” His gaze dropped to where their hands were joined.
“Ashamed? Why would you be ashamed of something August and my grandfather did all those years ago?”
In an anguished voice, he told her of the encounter he’d had with David’s father. He saw the moment the truth slammed into her and wished with all his heart he had never laid eyes on those pages. She pulled her hands out of his grasp and stood, turning her back to him. After taking a few steps away from him, she turned. Her eyes were tightly closed and her chest was heaving, clearly trying to get her emotions under control.
Finally, she managed to push out the words, “So you…you killed my grandfather?”
“Aye,” he whispered.
“Did he do something to you? Did he threaten you or…or try to rob you or something?”
“No. He…he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Yeah, I guess being on the end of your sword was definitely the wrong place,” she stated, and for the first time, he heard anger in her tone.
“I…disposed…of King George’s men first and I couldn’t leave any witnesses,” he admitted somberly.
She stared at him, her mouth agape. “I…have you…have you told my dad?” she managed at last.
“Not yet, but I plan to. I did tell your mother this morning. She saw me at Granny’s and perceived something was wrong, so we came here to talk. I showed her the pages and told her the tale.”
“How did she take it?”
“She didn’t want to believe it at first, but she…she thinks I can be forgiven.”
“Just like that?” Emma shouted. “The man was her future father-in-law and she thinks his murderer can be forgiven so easily? How could you do that to an innocent man? You of all people should understand what it feels like to have someone you love die such a tragic and senseless death!”
She may as well have slapped him. He could feel the blood drain out of his face, his hands beginning to shake. “Swan, I…I’m so sorry. I…”
Turning around, she stalked from the room. “I can’t talk to you right now. I need to get some air.”
Grabbing her coat, she went out the door, slamming it behind her.
Killian dropped his head into his hands, despair washing over him. His greatest fear was being realized. Emma hated him.
*********
Emma walked with purpose to her parents’ loft, driven by anger and confusion. She knew Killian had a violent past, one she was willing to overlook since he had proven to her and all of Storybrooke that he was a changed man. But how could she ever forgive him for taking the life of her own grandfather - a man who did nothing to deserve such a horrible death?
Throwing open the door to the building, she stomped up the stairs and knocked on the door of the loft, not caring if the noise she created woke her little brother from his late afternoon nap.
Mary Margaret opened the door, smiling broadly when she saw who was on the other side. “Emma! What a nice…” She cut herself off with a frown, clearly reading the mood of her daughter. Opening the door wider, she said, “Come in and sit down. You look like you’re in need of one of those heart-to-heart talks we used to have when you lived here.”
Emma stalked to the table and sat down. “I’m sure you have a pretty good idea why I’m here.”
Mary Margaret took a seat, carefully folding her hands on the table. “You talked to Killian, I take it?”
Pushing herself back to her feet, Emma began pacing. “How can you be so calm about this?” she asked, agitatedly waving her hands in the air. “He cold-bloodedly murdered your husband’s father!”
“It was a long time ago, Emma.”
“I don’t care when it happened! A murder is a murder!”
Mary Margaret rose from her seat and approached her daughter, reaching to grasp her biceps. “I know you’re hurt and angry, but you’ve known Killian’s background all along. Pirates engage in unlawful activities…”
“Looting, pillaging, plundering…”
“And at times, murder. You have to remember that Killian has been alive for over two hundred years. Things were different back then.”
“I thought I knew him,” Emma mumbled.
“You do know him,” Mary Margaret said soothingly. “You know the man he is now. He’s changed, Emma. He suffered many tragedies in his life. He was angry and vengeful. He told you himself that he didn’t have any reason to live, but now he does. He loves you, Emma. He’s proven time and time again that he would go to the ends of the world for you.”
Emma could feel her anger beginning to slowly ebb away.
“The man I saw this morning was full of remorse and pain over what he did,” Mary Margaret continued. “He was agonizing over how he was going to tell you and David. I even dared to suggest that he wouldn’t have to tell you at all - that he could just let you go on thinking King George was responsible for Robert’s death. He refused to even consider it. He said he couldn’t keep something like that from you because the two of you trust each other and he doesn’t want to compromise that.”
Shuffling over to the table, Emma slumped back down onto the chair.
Mary Margaret joined her, ducking her head to try to catch Emma’s attention. “I told Killian you may respond with anger, but to give you time to process and not give up hope. He did a horrible thing, but do you really think the Killian you know now would do something like that?”
Emma shook her head. “No, he wouldn’t. And you’re right - he was miserable when he told me. He could barely look at me. He tried to apologize, but I stormed out of the house. I didn’t even give him a chance.”
“He’s afraid he ruined any future he has with you,” Mary Margaret said softly. “Even though I told him to be patient, if I know him at all, he’s probably back at the house you share packing his things to go back to the Jolly Roger.”
Emma immediately looked up. “I never told him I wanted him to leave!”
“Maybe you should go tell him you don’t want him to go. Talk it out with him, Emma. I know you’re hurt and angry - you have every right to be. But I also know how much you love him. The two of you have been through hell together. Literally. Please don’t let this tear you apart.”
Emma stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over her chair in the process. “I better get home.” Leaning down, she embraced her mother. “Thanks for helping me understand, Mom.”
Mary Margaret patted her on the back lovingly. “That’s what mothers are for.”
*********
Emma pondered what her mother said all the way home, her anger melting away as she walked. When she remembered the devastated look on Killian’s face before she stormed out of the house, she was ashamed of herself for not staying and talking things through. Her first tendency when she lost her temper was to run, and she was sure she hurt him when she left.
She was still upset over the fact he killed her grandfather, but her mother was right - he didn’t have anything to live for back then. His family and the woman he loved had all been taken from him and he was filled with hatred. It was a far cry from the man he was now - one who loved deeply and protected the people he cared about at all costs.
Even though they hadn’t spoken marriage vows to one another, the phrase ‘for better or for worse’ kept running through her mind. By the time she reached their house, she knew she had forgiven Killian.
She took the front steps two at a time, and burst through the front door, a bit out of breath. Scanning the living room, she saw he was no longer in there. “Killian!” she called, moving quickly into the kitchen, which was also empty. She sprinted up the stairs and down the hall to their bedroom, heart pounding with both exertion and fear that he wouldn’t be there either. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him bent over something on the bed, his back toward her. His hair looked like he’d been running his hand through it non-stop in agitation. “Killian?”
He turned, his eyes red-rimmed. “Swan?”
She was now able to see that her mother had been right. He had piles of clothes neatly folded and stacked on the bed. “What are you doing?” she asked.
Waving vaguely at the piles, he began to explain, “I figured you probably wouldn’t want to be around me, so I…”
“You were going to leave? Please don’t.”
He looked puzzled. “I thought…”
“Well, you thought wrong.”
“But, you said…”
“I know what I said. I was hurt and angry. I needed time to blow off steam - to process what you told me, just like my mother explained to you.”
“You went to see your mother?”
“Yes. I needed to know how she could be so forgiving. She reminded me that what you did happened a very long time ago, back when you were Captain Hook.”
“I’m still Captain Hook, Love.”
“I know, but you’re also Killian Jones, the man I love. What you did back then was despicable…”
He dropped his head and she moved closer, taking his hand and hook. “But you’re not that man anymore. You’re not filled with rage and a thirst for vengeance. I know you’re sorry for what you did…”
He raised his tear-filled eyes. “I would give anything to undo it, Emma. Truly I would. When…when I saw those pages, I can’t tell you how…disgusted and ashamed I felt. I am so very, very sorry for the grief and hardship I caused your father and his family.”
She wrapped her arms around him, one hand moving to the back of his head, while the other rubbed soothing circles on his back. “Hey, shh, it’s alright. I’m sorry I ran out and made you think I didn’t want you here anymore. I should have stayed and tried to work through my emotions with you. What’s done can’t be undone, but we can move on.” Pulling back, she looked him in the eyes. “Together.”
He managed a weak smile. “Do you think you can ever forgive me, Emma?”
She leaned in, pressing her lips to his, before murmuring against them, “I already have.”
*********
They ordered food to be delivered from Granny’s, enduring Ruby’s insinuations when she brought it, about how they couldn’t even spare time away from the bedroom to cook for themselves. As they ate, they spoke of cheerier subjects, but the elephant was still in the room. They both knew Killian would have to speak to David after dinner. Emma offered to be with him when he did, but he refused. Given David’s rage toward King George when he believed him responsible for his father’s death, Killian didn’t want Emma present to witness his reaction.
When they were finished eating, Killian called David and asked him to come over on his way home from the sheriff’s office, telling him he had the missing pages of the book to give him. He showed them to Emma before she left to go back to the loft to wait with her mother.
“It seems very weird to see a picture of my grandfather as part of Pinocchio’s story,” she commented. Then, looking at the clock, she went on, “I guess I better go. Dad’s shift is over in a few minutes.” She put on her coat then went back into the living room where Killian was walking the floor. “Call when you’re ready for me to come home, okay?”
He nodded, his eyes on the floor. She hugged him tightly. “Just remember that his first response is going to be anger, but he’ll calm down and adjust with time. The two of you have become too good of friends to let this come between you.”
“I hope you’re right, Love.”
“Don’t you know by now I’m always right?” she quipped, giving him a mischievous grin she hoped would lighten the mood.
The feeble smile he gave her didn’t reach his eyes.
She stepped forward and kissed him. “I love you.”
“I’m very happy you still do,” he said. “Please give your mother my thanks for talking to you this afternoon.”
“I will.” Then, giving him one last reassuring smile, she turned and left.
*********
Killian was in the kitchen when he heard the dreaded knock. Steeling his nerves, he walked to the front door.
“Hey, Hook,” David greeted.
“Hello, Mate,” Killian replied.
“Where are the pages?”
“On the kitchen table. Come on in.”
David stepped through the doorway and wiped his feet on the rug, then followed Killian into the kitchen. “Is Emma home?” he asked, peeking into the living room.
“No, she stepped out for a bit. Have a seat,” Killian said, gesturing to a chair as he pulled out his own and sat down.
“Have you popped the question yet?”
“Popped the question?”
“Proposed.”
“Oh. No, I haven’t. I’m still planning when and how to do it.”
David nodded. “Good idea. I’m sure you want it to be special.”
“Aye.” Killian pushed the pages across the table. “August thought you would like to have these, even though he already told us everything they contain.”
David took the papers and examined them carefully, brushing his fingers over the illustration of his father. “It’s just like I remember him,” he said, almost to himself.
Killian swallowed hard. “Dave, I uh…have something to tell you. When I saw that picture, I…I recognized that man.”
David looked up in surprise. “My father? You knew my father?”
“In a sense. I encountered him on the road, evidently on his way home from Pleasure Island. He…he was tied to a cart and King George’s men were preparing to kill him.”
“You were there when he was murdered?” David asked incredulously.
“That’s not the half of it.” Killian paused, swallowing thickly. “He wasn’t killed by those men.”
David’s eyes grew wide and Killian could tell his mind was racing to fill in what he wasn’t saying. “But…if they didn’t kill him, who did?” he asked slowly.
Lifting his eyes, Killian spoke in an anguished voice. “I did.”
A myriad of emotions played across David’s features - shock, confusion, realization, and finally anger. Rising from his chair, he ran both hands through his hair as he stalked back and forth across the floor. Then he stopped and leaned on the table, his eyes boring into Killian. “You murdered my father?” he asked, barely containing his simmering rage.
“Dave, I…”
“YOU MURDERED MY FATHER?”
Killian nodded almost imperceptibly. “Aye,” he said in a strangled voice.
David balled his hands into fists and slammed them on the table. “Tell me how it happened,” he ground out.
“Are you sure you want to…”
“TELL ME HOW IT HAPPENED!”
Killian began haltingly. “I…killed the two men working for the king. Your father…saw me do it. He pleaded with me to let him go - to go back to…to his son, but I couldn’t leave any witnesses. I told him that dead men tell no tales and…”
“And what?” David asked through gritted teeth, tears gathering in his eyes.
“I…I ran him through with my sword.”
David sat heavily in the chair, dropping his forehead to rest on his fists. Killian saw his back rising and falling in short spasms and heard his labored breathing. After several long, agonizing moments, Killian said, “I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am, Dave. I…I’m sure you won’t want me to be part of your family now, so I’ll understand if you want to take back your blessing.”
David’s body stilled, then he slowly lifted his head. “This is a little tough to process,” he said, his voice ragged and hoarse.
“I know. I…”
“Why did you tell me? You could have let me go on thinking it was King George’s men. I wouldn’t have been any the wiser.”
Killian blinked. “I didn’t want to hide the truth from you. If we’re to be family, I want to be open and honest with you. All of you.”
“Have you told Emma?”
“Aye. And Mary Margaret. They know I’m talking to you right now.”
David pushed to his feet and resumed pacing. “I can’t believe this. I mean, I know you have a past and parts of it are murky to say the least, but to know that you…” He didn’t seem to be able to continue. He came to a standstill, hands on his hips. His face was ashen as he shook his head in disbelief.
Killian slowly rose to his feet, walking around the table to face him. “Dave, I am truly…”
“He wasn’t a perfect father, you know,” David interrupted, as if he hadn’t even heard him. “He had many faults, but I…my mother and I loved him. When he didn’t come back, we…we had a hard time of it. There was never enough money, not even when he was alive. He spent too much of it on ale at the local pub. But after he was gone, we almost lost the farm. We had to work and scrape for everything we had.”
Killian ground his teeth, wishing he could say or do something to take away his friend’s pain.
David looked up at him, tears spilling over and trickling down his cheeks. “Maybe he did do the right thing in the end, like George said, but why didn’t he do that all my life? Weren’t my mother and I worth it? If I had been a better son, maybe he would have been happier and wouldn’t have felt the need to drown his sorrows.”
“None of this is your fault, Mate. His blood is solely on my hands.”
“You may have taken his life, but if you hadn’t, he would have drank himself to death. Every time he left and came back drunk and penniless, he told us it would be the last time, but it was never true. He would try to stay sober for a while, but inevitably gave in to temptation again. I’m not excusing what you did, but you’ve done something my father never could. You’ve changed. Just the fact that you chose to tell me proves you’re no longer the self-serving pirate you used to be.”
Killian blinked rapidly. “What are you saying?’
“I’m saying that you’re not the same man who killed my father. We all see how much you’ve changed. You love Emma, you’re a good father figure to Henry, an upstanding and respected citizen of Storybrooke.” He put his hand on Killian’s shoulder. “And my friend. What you did happened a long time ago. Things were different back then, too. It’s obvious you regret it and…I forgive you.”
The weight Killian had been carrying since laying his eyes on those pages was lifted from his shoulders and he sagged with relief. “Thank you, Dave. If there’s ever anything I can do for you…”
“You can be a good husband to my daughter.”
“She has to say yes, first,” Killian grinned.
“Then you better figure out a way to ask her,” David said, returning the grin. “And do it quick, because my wife is about to burst trying to keep herself from telling Emma.”
*********
Ten minutes after David left, Emma returned home. “Killian?” she called as soon as she came through the door.
He came out of the kitchen to meet her in the foyer. “I’m right here, Love.”
“Are you alright?”
“Aye. Did you talk to your father?”
“No. I left the loft as soon as I got your text. How did everything go?”
“He was furious at first and rightfully so. But as you said, he calmed down after a while. He forgave me and we parted on good terms.”
She threw her arms around him. “I’m very happy to hear that.”
“Aye, Love. It’s a huge relief to have it all out in the open.”
She pulled away and looked at him, reaching up to frame his face with her hands. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you for choosing to come clean instead of hiding the truth from us. That took a lot of courage, Killian.”
“I don’t know what I would have done if all of you didn’t forgive me.”
“Well, now you don’t have to worry about that,” she smiled, toying with the hair at the nape of his neck.
He let himself drown in her adoring gaze for several moments, before quietly saying, “I’ve been hiding something else from you, Emma.”
A brief flash of uncertainty passed over her face. “Okay,” she said slowly.
“I’ll be right back.” He turned and went up the stairs. Taking the treasure box out of their bedroom closet, he opened it and lifted out the jeweler’s box. Flipping open the lid, he extracted the diamond ring and tucked it into his jacket pocket.
Emma was waiting at the bottom of the steps, a look of concern on her face. Killian descended the stairs and stood in front of her. “Relax, Swan,” he said. “This secret is nothing bad.” He was happy to see the furrow between her brows ease. Sucking in a fortifying breath, he continued. “Last night, I had another talk with your father. I needed to ask him for something.”
“What did you need?”
“His blessing to propose to you.” He sank to one knee, reaching into his pocket for the ring. “So, Emma Swan, what do you say? Will you marry me?”
Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open. She dropped to her knees, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Yes,” she said simply, a radiant smile lighting up her beautiful face.
Killian let out the breath he’d been holding, before kissing her soundly. Then he held up the ring again and she offered him her hand. After sliding the ring in place, he looked into her sparkling eyes, now swimming with joyful tears. “I love you, Emma Swan.”
“I love you, Killian Jones.”
They sealed their engagement with another kiss, then got to their feet. Emma held out her hand, admiring the glittering diamond solitaire. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as the woman wearing it.”
She moved into his arms and he closed his eyes, almost unable to believe that she had just agreed to marry him, especially after what he confessed to her.
“It’s been a long, difficult day,” he murmured. “I think it’s time to go to bed.”
She pulled back to look at him. “You want to go to sleep?”
“I didn’t say anything about sleeping, Love,” he said with his trademark smirk. Taking her hand, he kissed her knuckle above the engagement ring, then led her upstairs to their bedroom.
*********
Wishing @i-will-sing-no-requiem and all of you a very Merry Christmas!
This fic is a gift to the amazing @hollyethecurious who I was secret santa to... I'm really sorry for the delay... mix of tech issues and real life :P hope this lands well for you and you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing this for you.
Thank you @brucethegirl for being my santa's helper and beta read this... it was needed and it improved on so many levels. Thanks.
I hope you all will enjoy this secret santa story.
Read it on AO3 or click below to continue reading.
Debunked
“Seriously!” Emma eyed the shoebox sized room crammed with a wooden bunkbed, a dresser under the narrow window, and nothing else but five feet of open space between the bed and the opposite wall.
“I’m sorry, the listing said there were five rooms, ten beds, they didn’t mention…” Mary Margaret peered inside, scrunched her nose and continued, “a bunk bed.”
“Look I already agreed to share a room with Liam’s brother, but I seriously thought it was a two bed situation, not that!” Emma flailed her arms at the contraption, “if either one of us climb that thing it will collapse.”
“Are you suggesting I’m fat, love?” Killian’s lilted British accent interrupted the two friends’ discussion.
Killian strolled down the narrow hallway, carrying a canvas bag over his shoulder.
“Have you seen the room?” Emma stepped back and pointed at the tiny space, “we can’t sleep in a bunkbed, the one on the bottom will get crushed.”
Killian slipped up next to Emma and leaned in to whisper, “I like being underneath.”
Emma huffed and shoved him away, “Look at it.”
Killian did, dropping his bag and strode in to inspect the space, he grabbed the railing of the bunkbed and rattled the frame. The wood cracked and groaned under the strain, “nope that will not hold, not even one of us.” Killian turned his focus on Mary Margaret, “you were in charge of the booking, how did you miss this contraption?”
“I’m sorry, but the listing didn’t say anything about a bunk bed, I would have not booked it, neither of us have kids so we wouldn’t need one.” She found her phone and tapped furiously for a few moments before showing the screen to Emma and Killian, “Look, it says ten beds.”
Killian walked over and squinted at the screen, “aye, give them a call and see if they have another cabin.”
“You’re crazy if you think there will be a vacant cabin up here.” Ruby had pushed her way inside the small room, her eyes twinkling in mirth as she took in the small space. “It’s new years eve in a few days and this place is freaking popular, didn’t you know Killian?”
“Bloody hell.” Killian pushed his hands through his hair and shared a look with Emma, “any suggestions Swan?”
Emma glared at the Brit who’d come to be part of their group of friends when he’d joined his brother to live in the US six months ago. Liam had worked alongside David at the local sheriffs station for a year, settling down with a woman he met at the town hall. Elsa had been smitten with the handsome man and they’d married only six months later. When Killian had come for the wedding he never returned home, having fallen in love with the quiet life in Storybrook.
“Place the mattresses on the floor.” Ruby suggested with a shrug, “they’re quite narrow and could fit between the wall and the bunkbed, yeah?” She strode over and started to tug at the bottom mattress.
Emma groaned, “we don’t have much else of an option, share the floor space or risk crashing the bunkbed.”
“Aye, I guess we must endure sleeping on the floor next to a beautiful and feisty swan.” He winked at her and Emma glowered at the obvious attempt to charm her. The man had been a flirt for far too long, and Emma had to admit he’d managed to crack a few new holes in her usually tightly built wall she’d constructed around her heart.
Ruby slapped his arm, “you better behave. I know my girl here can fend for herself, but I will have no qualms about a kick to the balls if you hurt her.”
Killian lifted his hands in mock surrender, “Wouldn’t even think to, love.”
Emma pulled back from the room, not ready to process the fact that she would be sleeping next to Killian, she went on the hunt for some large pillows to create a makeshift wall between them. Mary Margaret followed her but she went into the kitchen, mumbling about starting early on some dinner prep. Ever the mother hen of their group, it was usually her who organized the food.
Emma strode into the large open-spaced living room, the panoramic windows framing the view of the snowcapped mountains outside. She picked up three oversized pillows from the enormous couch and walked back to the kiddie room.
“Emma.” Mary Margaret called out from the kitchen.
“Yeah.” Emma stepped back and walked into the kitchen, “what’s up?”
“Are you okay with the sleeping arrangements?”
“Yeah why not?” The lie slipping over her lips tasted bitter, but she didn’t want her friend to feel too bad about the whole situation.
“I mean…” Mary Margaret shuffled a few bowls around, arranging them around the chopping board preparing to begin a salad. “... you know… I’ve seen how you look at the guy.”
“Oh, yeah and how do I look at him?” Emma glowered at her long time friend, sometimes it was freaking hard being the only single person in their group. Until Killian arrived and took center stage with all his charm and impossible blue eyes. Emma shook her head, not thinking about blue eyes right now.
“I don’t know, I feel as if you see him beyond his scoundrel facade and all that charm.” Mary Magaret fanned herself, “I mean any woman with a pulse sees the potential in that man.”
“Mary Margaret!” Emma exclaimed with a gasp, nearly dropping her load in utter shock, “I would never have thought you’d ever think that about anyone else but your prince charming.”
“Shush,” Mary Margaret waved her hand towards the rest of the house, “not so loud, I only acknowledged the finer details of the man. I love David, and only David.” She smirked, “don’t worry, you won’t have any competition from my end.”
“It’s not a contest, and don’t get any ideas about what should or could happen, I’m not interested in the bloke.”
Mary Margaret chuckled, “you’re already picking up his British slang.”
“Shut up.” Emma huffed then added, “Don't worry I’m fine with the sleeping arrangements here, it wasn’t exactly your fault the listing didn’t match.”
“I know, but I will point it out in my review of this cabin.”
“Hmm, sounds like a plan.”
Emma walked back to the room with the pillows and dumped them in the middle of their mock double bed.
“What’s this?” Killian asked from his seat on the bottom bunk as he rummaged in his duffle bag.
“A wall to make sure you don’t get any ideas in your sleep.” Emma crouched down and placed the pillows in a line. “What are you doing?”
“Locating my gloves and scarf, Kristof announced a snowball fight in five.” Killian pulled out a bright red scarf and wrapped it around his neck, “wanna join us?”
“Hmm, I might.” Emma mused and located her own bag out in the hallway, “prepare to be throttled with snow, Jones.”
“Shiver me timbers you have me all scared now, Swan.” Killian laughed as he walked past her and nudged her with his shoulder, “Perhaps you should join the winning team.”
“Oh I plan to.” Emma knew their friends were competitive and usually ended up in a battle between the men and woman. “But I’m sticking with my girls. You won’t even know what hit you.”
Killian laughed as he called out to his brother about the snowball fight.
The afternoon was glorious with the forest as a backdrop of snowcovered mountains, the pine trees covered in a thick layer of snow. They paired up in two teams, women vs men.
To Emma’s delight she managed to haul several bull’s eye hits at Killian.
Hours later, after they consumed the reheated lasagna dinner Mary Margaret had prepared before they drove up into the mountains,everyone gathered around the large indoor fireplace with mugs of hot cocoa, a few spiked with rum.
There was a nice buzz rolling inside Emma as she watched her friends laugh and joke about the day’s snowball fight. She glanced over at Killian and realized he’d been watching her intently for some time now, his gaze never wavering when he locked eyes with her. Damn his confidence! Emma sipped her coca and closed her eyes, she didn’t to look at him to know that she might be falling for the charm he’d put on all day long. Perhaps even longer.
When her mug was empty she rose to her feet and went into the kitchen to rinse off the mug. She vaguely noticed someone else joining her and when she turned around she saw Killian at the door, his mug held in his hand.
“I’ll be going to bed, give me ten minutes before you come inside?” Emma asked
“Aye, I’ll do that, love.” He lifted his mug in a salute and walked into the kitchen and Emma slipped out to find her sleep wear and toothbrush. Their room had no ensuite bathroom so they had to use the small one out in the hallway.
She tried not to focus on the fact that Killian would join her soon.
*****
Killian spent several minutes rinsing off the mug, his mind whirling with thoughts of how the night could end up. He might claim he was a gentleman but his body had clearly not gotten the same memo. His blood rushed at the thought of spending the night right next to Emma. The woman was feisty and had a bite that could match her namesake, but damn if he wasn’t intrigued by the blond, adoptive sister of David’s, his brother’s colleague, and his friend. He knew he had to behave. He recalled the strange prolonged looks they’d shared today. Every time it was heated and he swore he’d seem something akin longing in her green eyes, but he wasn’t about to risk losing friends over this infatuation.
“Killian?” David’s voice sounded from the door. Killian placed the mug in the dishwasher and turned to the man he respected and whom he didn’t want to piss off if he ended up hurting Emma.
“Aye?”
“I just want to remind you that you’ll have a whole lot to answer for if you hurt my sister.” David gave Killian what could only be described as a fierce cop look, stern and with a promise of hardship should he not follow orders.
Killian slumped against the countertop and rubbed his face, “aye I know, mate, I won’t muck it up between me and Emma.”
“You better not, I like you, but my sister comes first.” David crossed his arms over his chest.
“Listen, mate, I know your sister is important and I won’t be doing anything that she wouldn’t agree to.” Killian walked over and clasped the other man’s arm, “Your sister will not be deprived of her virtue.”
“Killian, I swear, if you…”
“David!” Mary Maragret’s voice interrupted David’s words. “Please be nice, don’t pull the big brother card on the poor man, it’s not their fault they have to sleep next to one another.”
Killian smirked and tipped his head to the couple, “I bid you both a good night.” He walked out to the rest of their group, “Goodnight to the house, see ya all in the morning.”
“Do not poke the Swan; she might bite off your bits if you’re not careful.” Liam called out with a laugh.
Elsa slapped her husband's shoulder, “be nice to your brother.”
Kristof chuckled, “better watch your mouth Liam or you won’t have any fun tonight.” He reached over and grabbed Anna’s hand and pulled her closer and kissed her temple, “how about we do as the wolf girl and her hunter did, find our bedchambers and have some bit of wintery fun between the sheets.”
Anna went beat red, her cheeks flamed in anger and something that looked like desire.They hurried out of the living room, hand in hand and two remaining couples chuckled and Killian shook his head.
“Good night.” Killian said and walked down towards the kiddie room. He knocked, “are ya decent, Swan?”
“Yeah, you can come in.” Emma called out.
Killian walked inside and gave Emma a tight smile. She lay nestled up against the wall, and the covers pulled up around her shoulders, hiding whatever she wore to bed.
He quickly found his toothbrush and realized he had no form of sleepwear with him, “Bloody hell!”
“What?”
“I… eh… ya mind if I sleep topless.” He looked over his shoulder at her and his breath caught in his throat at the sight of her.
Her eyes gleamed in the faint light coming from the small beside lamp by the bunkbed, her hair sprawled out around her head in a halo of golden locks.
“Eh, why… you didn’t bring pajamas or something?”
“Must have slipped my mind .” Killian pushed his hands through his hairs, “sorry, I would sleep in my clothes if you…”
“Don’t… it would be far too uncomfortable for you, I don’t mind.” Emma shifted around and lay on her side, one arm resting on top of the covers, showing off a bare shoulder. Only a thin spaghetti strap showed that she wore anything to bed.
Killian closed his eyes not wishing to picture what exactly she wore. “I’ll just…” He cleared his throat and lifted his toothbrush up, “you know…”
“Brush your teeth?” Emma smirked.
“Aye.” Killian rushed out of the room and took a few calming breaths before he quickly finished his nightly routine.
Before entering the room again he took a few moments to compose himself, the woman laying behind the door had begun haunting his dream alarmingly fast . Not in the horror kind of way, but more in the way of waking up each morning with desire coursing through his veins, most often ending with him having to relieve the pressure in the bath each morning.
He slowly opened the door and asked, “okay if I come in?”
“Yup, I’m still decent.” Emma called back.
Killian walked inside and dumped his toiletries in his bag and glanced over at Emma. Her green eyes followed his every move with a glint of curiosity sparkling in their depths. He had no idea what that meant, but he rubbed behind his ear, clearing his throat. “Do you mind?” He grabbed the hem of his shirt, lifting his eyebrows hoping she would get the hint.
“Don’t mind if you do.” Emma smiled and tugged her hand under her cheek, her eyes still focused on him.
Killian groaned, “bloody hell, you’re not making it easy for me to be a gentleman here, love.”
“Hmm, go on.” She motioned with her free hand for him to continue.
Killian rubbed the material of his shirt between his thumb and forefinger contemplating his options. She didn’t seem to mind and to be honest neither did he.
“Suit yourself.” He lifted the gray henley over his head and tugged down his undershirt that had lifted up, showing off his stomach. When he looked back at Emma her eyes looked a little dazed.
“Emma?”
“Uh?” She blinked and tore her gaze upwards focusing on his face.
“Close your eyes.” He reached for the button of his jeans, giving her a pointed look, it wasn’t as if this wasn’t a fantasy of his, but they still hadn’t crossed the line where it was okay to let his desire show on full display so to speak. He shifted his stance hoping she couldn’t see the bulge in his jeans, he hoped the shadows from the dimmed night light were able to hide just how turned on he was right now.
Emma pouted, “why?”
“I’m trying to be a gentleman.” He lifted one eyebrow
“Alright, alright, I’ll close my eyes.” She flipped to her back and covered her eyes with both hands.
“No peeking.” He muttered as he quickly pushed his jeans down his legs and dropped them on top of his duffel bag. Turning back to the bed he caught her peaking between two fingers, she giggled and closed the gap. “Bloody hell, woman.”
Killian quickly dropped down to the mattress and crawled under the covers, now more than happy for the pillow wall she’d built earlier. Even if it did take up a bit of the already narrow bed, it would hide his arousal.
He flopped down the pillow between their heads and pulled her hand away, “Safe to look now.”
Emma turned on her side, looking at him over the pillow, “Sleep tight.”
“Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Killian added with a grin.
Emma grimaced, “sure hope there are none of those.”
Killian laughed, “I’m sure there isn’t any, this seems like a nice and clean cabin.”
“They just need to update their listing.” Emma mumbled.
“This isn’t so bad, is it.” He turned to his back and looked up, the bunkbed towering over them to his left, and the wall closing in on them to Emma’s right.
“Nah I guess it’s alright, certainly not my first time sleeping on the floor.” Emma mumbled then cleared her throat.
When Killian looked over at her and she rubbed her eyes as if trying to forget some past traumas. “Aye, I know.” He rolled over and rubbed her shoulder.
“I still remember the first night I came to the Nolans, they had this princess bed all made ready for me to sleep, only me, not sharing with one or two other random kids.” She inhaled deeply.
“They got a new princess in the family.” Killian smiled.
“Once they finally adopted me I was certain of my place and asked for the frilly pink lace to be removed, not exactly the princess type.” Emma rolled over to face him as she grimaced.
“Could have fooled me.” He tucked her golden hair behind her ear, the strands feeling soft and silky between his fingers.
She inhaled sharply and her eyes blew wide, her pink tongue licked her lower lip, “What are you doing?”
“Not exactly sure.” He pulled back and scratched behind his ear, “Couldn’t ask for a better bed partner than you.”
Her face heated in a deep blush, “What if I snore?”
“I’m sure you don’t, you’re a princess.”
“And you’re the gentleman who will stay on his side of the bed?” She lifted her eyebrows.
"Aye, always.” He crossed his heart.
Emma yawned and stretched her arms over her head, making the covers slip down her torso, revealing the dark blue satin top she was wearing. Killian rolled to his back and closed his eyes, bloody hell, that was going to be hard to erase from his mind.
Killian shifted around and faced the bunkbed, closed his eyes and tried to ignore the soft breathing coming from the woman behind him.
********
Her face was pressed against something solid and warm, not at all fluffy like a pillow, Emma furrowed her brows. She blinked a few times trying to focus on her surroundings, the faint warm glow of the bedside lamp they’d kept lit gave her a somewhat good idea where she was.
A warm arm was wrapped around her middle, fingers splayed over her hipbone, with a small gasp she realized she’d somehow demolished her own well built pillow wall and moved closer to the man beside her in the night. Killian.
“Killian!” Emma whispered, trying to grasp why this felt so damn natural being here in his arms, the man was a walking flirt. But damn if she hadn’t imagined this scenario far too many times that she’d care to admit.
Her own hand was curled up right over his heart, the dull thump of it echoing into her own. She slowly spread out her fingers, only now realizing that the man beside her was wearing nothing but underware. The chest hair tickled her fingers. Sure she’d seen him without a shirt on their last trip to the beach, but being so close, damn did it feel good.
Suddenly his warm hand wrapped around her hand, holding her close to his heart, “Emma?”
“Yeah?” Emma didn’t dare look up at him, not yet.
“That wall of yours wasn’t very effective.” She didn’t have to look at him to know that he was very amused.
“Nope.” The warmth of his hand made it impossible for her to string more words together, still trying to come to terms with how at ease he seemed to be at this unexpected development.
“What do you suppose that could mean?” His fingers rubbed over the soft skin between her thumb and pointer finger.
“I… I don’t… know.” Emma closed her eyes as his fingers smoothed over her hand, before they slipped between her fingers and pressed their hands closer to his torso.
“Before you freak out and make a run for it may I say something?” Killian inhaled deeply as if preparing to say something important.
Emma nodded, not sure if she was ready to hear what he wanted to say.
“I don’t mind that the wall is down.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve been trying to knock that wall of yours down for months now.”
“I only built it last…” Emma stopped speaking when she realized what he actually meant. “Oh… really?”
“When I moved here from England and got to be a part of this group I was instantly pulled towards the beautiful blond swan.”
“You always throw punchlines left and right, and flirt with any woman walking by.” Emma knew her voice was bitter but apparently this early morning was a place to reveal stuff.
“I wanted to get your attention, love, I… didn’t you know? It’s always been you.”
Emma held her breath, her hand twisted around in his and she linked their fingers together and gave a light squeeze. “It confused me I guess, I had no idea…”
“I realize I was an arse and to be honest it was my brother that smacked some sense into my head not long before this trip.”
“Oh?”
“Aye, I contemplated opting out of this trip.”
“No!” Emma lifted her head and searched his face, the dim light had his skin glow, his brow war furrowed and eyes crinkled in worry.
“Aye, I couldn’t bear to be this close to you and know that you hated my sorry arse.”
“I don’t hate you.” Emma rose above him and freed her other arm to cup his face.
“Guess we were both fools, eh?”
“Hmm, I’m not the best at this either, I’ve had my heart broken a few too many times.”
“Aye, Liam said as much…”
“Seriously?”
“Don’t worry, he didn’t give me details, those are stories you can tell me when you’re ready.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m glad you don’t hate me.” He clasped around her wrist and turned his head to give her palm a small kiss, “can we perhaps start over.”
“How?”
“Go on a date with me?”
Emma’s heart beat a crazy rhythm in her chest, making it impossible for her to string words together. So she did what she did best, show her feelings with action. Leaning closer she started with a small kiss on his cheek, then slowly dragged her lips to meet his. God she’d dreamed of doing this for so long.
Killian groaned when their lips touched for the first time, his fingers clenching around hers, still resting above his heart. He moved his other hand to cup her face and as she deepened the kiss he wove his fingers through her hair, keeping her close.
Gasping for breath Emma finally pulled away, “hi.” She grinned down at him and it was a rare change to see the selfassured man reduced to a man looking dazed and out of sorts.
“I might have died?”
“I’m fairly sure you didn’t die.” Emma shifted above him and pressed her thigh against the bulge she could feel between his legs. “This proves it.” She toyed with the hair behind his ear as she moved her leg over his arousal.
“Bloodiest of hells, you’re not playing nice now.”
“Still want to be a gentleman?” Emma lifted an eyebrow, somewhat surprised at her own bold words, but who was she kidding, she’d been dreaming about this for ages too.
“Oh to hell with it.” Killian pushed forward and Emma tumbled back on her own side of their makeshift bed, the pillows tangling in her legs. She kicked them away and reached for the man who’d ignited something new inside her. This time they didn’t just stop at kissing, soon the little clothes between them were discarded and Emma saw stars with the insufferably charming man who had managed to knock down her well built walls.
****************
Killian woke up hours later with the largest grin, Emma was wrapped in his arms, her head resting on his now bare chest. Despite the slight chill in the room, they’d kept warm for the better part of an hour in the very early hours of the morning.
He slipped his hand down her spine, still sans her camisole, but she’d put on her knickers. His fingers skimmed over the edge of the lace trimmed underwear.
“Hmm.” Emma mumbled into his chest, “what time is it?”
“The sun is up.” Killian looked up towards the narrow window above the dresser, the sunlight streamed through the gap at the bottom, but the sun beams didn’t reach their little nest on the floor.
“Ugh, not ready to face everyone.”
“Why?”
“You know we have friends who can spot change a mile away.” Emma grimaced.
“So?”
Emma looked down at him, she’d risen above him, partly laying on his torso. “Are you okay with everyone knowing about this…” She pointed between them.
Killian lifted an eyebrow. “Why is that so bad?” He knew his brother knew of his fascination with Emma, but he suspected a few of the others did too.
“I don’t know.” Emma pushed her hair away from her face, she shifted slowly to sit astride his chest.
Killian forced his eyes to stay focused on her face, “I’m sure no one will object.” He shrugged and his gaze dropped to her breasts, nipples reacting to the chill. Licking his lips he cleared his throat and focused on her face again.
Emma smirked, “see something you like?”
“Aye, something I very much like.” He pushed himself upwards and Emma dropped down to sit on his lap and he wrapped his arm around her waist keeping her close, “not letting you go that easily, love.” He nuzzled into her neck, nipping at the skin behind her ear. “It’s still far too early for anyone to be up.” I hope.
“Hmm.” Emma hummed and tilted her head to give him better access. Her fingers curled into his hair, holding him close.
Killian smoothed his hand over her naked back, before cupping her arse with both hands, tugging her closer to his arousal.
“Hmm someone is ready for a morning round.” Emma hummed and pulled him in for another kiss.
He groaned as he tried to keep to a slow pace, but his body had a different agenda, he shifted beneath her, her heat seeping through the thin material of her knickers.
The door slammed open “Yoohoo, time for some breakfast peeps… oh shit sorry…” Ruby’s voice screeched to a stop, then she started laughing before calling out, “the kiddies have been doing the naughty naughty.”
“Bloody hell.” Killian grabbed for the covers and threw it over Emma’s shoulder.
Emma twisted around to glare at her friend, who only doubled over in obvious delight when she was joined by Mary Margaret and Anna. “Seriously?!”
“What have the two of you been up to?” Ruby waggled her finger between them.
“I think you’re absolutely right that they’ve been doing some horizontal tango, look under the bed.” Anna’s excited voice piped up.
“Is that a condom?” Mary Margaret gasped.
Emma groaned, and hid her face on Killian’s shoulder. He glared at the three women at the door, “aye that is a bloody condom, and I’m sure you’re all old enough to know why one uses it.” He only regretted that he hadn’t taken the time to dispose of the damn thing before falling asleep.
“And we know how to use it.” Ruby chuckled.
“As do we.” Killian grumbled, his arms wrapping around Emma’s shoulders now covered with the covers. “Now piss off so we can get dressed.”
Anna and Ruby shared a giggle while Mary Magaret whispered for them to stop it and give them some privacy. Mary Magaret smiled sheepishly and as she closed the door she mouthed, “sorry.”
“You do know that by the time we’re dressed and join them for breakfast they will all know that we slept together.” Emma mumbled against his shoulder.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I guess not.” Emma sighed and looked up at him, “but this certainly wasn’t how I planned to reveal to them all that I’ve been crushing on you for ages now.”
“Perhaps a few of them already knew?” Killian asked..
Emma leaned in and kissed him, “but right now I don’t really care what they think.”
“Hmm, I’m glad.” Killian loosened his hold on the covers, “I would never be able to step back once I’ve had a taste of how delicious you are.” His tongue swiped over her collarbone and Emma sighed in return, her fingers curling into his hair.
“Killian, we can't, we have to get up and join the others for breakfast.”
“Why?” Killian pouted and looked up at her from under his eyelashes.
“Fuck it, they already know we’re doing it.” Emma surged forward and kissed him hard on the lips.
“Are you certain?”
“Hmm.” Emma wormed her way out of his grasp, then strode over to lock the door.
Killian took the moment to appreciate the gracefulness of her curves, so very fitting for her namesake. The woman was feisty as an angry swan, but she had the same grace and calmness oozing from her.
She sauntered back to the bed, dropped her knickers and crawled back into bed with him. They continued to share the newfound spark between them, ignoring the fact that their friends might be waiting.
It took another hour before they were both ready to face the music. Everyone was delighted that the trip had helped debunk the idea that Emma and Killian didn’t like each other. In the end Mary Margaret did make a note in her review of the cabin that the listing had been off, but no one else complained. Least of all Emma and Killian.
Captain Swan Secret Santa 2025 Story: "Next Year All Our Troubles Will be Out of Sight"
Hello there @cocohook38 !!! I hope that your Christmas Day has been a wonderful one, and that the rest of this week and holiday season will be full of fun and coziness as well. I apologize that this did not get posted earlier today - my computer and I had some disagreements - but I have really enjoyed getting to talk with you and know you a bit better through being your Santa this year.
I am a bit nervous about this, as it isn't the first story idea I started off with, and it is heavier on the angst than I originally thought it might be in a gift for you. I have (hopefully, I think) gathered that you may be okay with that. If I am wrong, here's hoping you'll forgive me and still like this. It does end well, and it will have more Christmas-y touches as it goes along too, but it does start off more than a bit blue. Also, this prologue is mostly Emma's perspective, but Killian will appear in the next chapter, a full-length one. This is no longer a one shot either, there will probably be between three and five parts, if all goes to plan, hopefully coming to you without much delay in between. My aim is for you to have the next part by Saturday - fingers crossed!
This is a modern AU, no magic fic, and it begins very briefly with a Gremma relationship, but please don't let that put you off. It is a Captain Swan story, with hearty helpings of Captain Cobra and Swan Believer for good measure!
Okay, I'll quit explaining now and give you the prologue! I hope you will enjoy... @cssecretsanta2020
(Fic art to follow soon as well)
"Next Year All Our Troubles Will Be Out of Sight"
by: @snowbellewells
Prologue: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
“No, Graham, it’s you who doesn’t understand!” she spit harshly, her words sharper even than she had intended. “When it’s you, of all people, who should!” The hurt and anger coursing through her at her boyfriend’s proclamation that he wouldn’t be home that evening as planned, that he had taken on another shift at the station despite knowing what the holidays and their special tradition meant to her. She then bit her tongue hard to keep herself from taking the pointed accusation. She was trembling all over from adrenaline and high emotion - nearly enough to make it hard to keep hold of the phone - there was no keeping him from hearing just how upset she was.
The quick intake of breath on the other end of the line let Emma know her words had struck their target. She could hear a sigh escaping Graham’s lips - sad and resigned - but he didn’t fire back. When his low, accented murmur came through the phone to her ears, it sounded defeated and genuinely apologetic. “I know you’re angry, Emma… and that we’ve always had Thanksgiving dinner together. But the overtime was too much to turn down. You know we have to get your car tuned and fitted with snow chains before the cold weather hits. Plus, these few hours alone will be enough to get Henry new gaming system he’s been talking about half the year.”
“Don’t put this on Henry!” she retorted hotly, despite the quiet whispering of her conscience that Graham hadn’t made his decision to hurt her, that he was undoubtedly trying to do what he thought was best. In the nearly three years they had been together, he had never done anything less, and she trusted him. All the same, her emotions were getting the best of her. Both of them had been so alone for so long, scraping and clawing to barely get by in the world, that when they’d found one another, they had sworn to always spend the holidays together, to make those precious days and weeks special… and now he was just going to leave her and Henry to their own devices? “He isn’t the one going back on his promises,” she huffed for good measure. For some reason, she just couldn’t let it go, even as she felt the worst of the fire leaving her fury. When she paused to catch her breath, a little sob - her truest emotion - slipped out.
“Oh Emma, darlin’... don’t cry…” Graham’s husky burr resonated through the phone so clearly she could practically see him shoving a hand through the untidy mass of curly, honey-colored hair he couldn’t ever quite manage to tame. His voice sounded so pained; no lashing back at her or fighting spiteful words with barbs of his own. It simply wasn’t his way.
Biting her lip, Emma nearly took her harsh recriminations back, hating to have put such guilt and hurt in his voice. She had even opened her mouth to do so when she pictured Henry’s disappointed face when Graham wasn’t there to share turkey, stuffing and pie with them. Before Graham had come into their lives, it had been just the two of them, trying to ignore how pitifully small and spare their two-person holidays had been. Images flitted through Emma’s mind that went even further back, to the first holiday she had spent knowing Henry was about to enter her life, just after his father had bolted, when she scrounged just enough spare change to buy a pack of dinner rolls and turkey lunch meat that she had eaten hunched over and shivering in her Volkswagen Beetle, pregnant and all alone again.
Though it might be unfair, those visions solidified her resentment, and the conciliating words she had almost offered were held back. She didn’t want to start that horrible tradition again. They’d promised - one lost soul to another.
“I’m not crying,” she lied obviously, snuffling against the tears that had started and acting as though she were only clearing her throat. “Henry and I will have a great time. We’ll hang the stockings and watch Polar Express, maybe we’ll even go ahead and start looking for a tree.”
She was just congratulating herself on how nonchalant she’d sounded, like they didn’t really need his help, wouldn’t miss him at all, when she heard Graham blow out a long sign before answering, low and reluctant, “Of course…if you’d like, Sweetheart. I wouldn’t want to spoil the evening for either of you.” She could hear the longing in his words, heavy with disappointment of his own. She knew it was his own special tradition with her son, the boy he had gladly accepted as his own, to go out and find their tree - just the two of them - and haul it back together proudly.
‘Good,’ her slighted ego snipped,‘serves him right! He hurt you, didn’t he?’ But she sighed as well, missing him already and the way his calloused fingers sifted through her hair as they sat alone in the darkened living room of their apartment each Thanksgiving night, lit only by the lights strung on the tree when decorating was done and the whole Christmas season was before them. It was hard to stay angry with a man so strong, but gentle too. Who had come along and provided the steady support she and Henry had needed, and filled in all the cracks and holes that had been gaping open in her psyche pretty much all her life. Especially if he wasn’t going to fight back.
Finally, tired of all of it, and especially of being angry with him when deep down she could admit he didn’t deserve it, whether or not she was ready to admit it out loud. Quietly, she said, “I guess we’ll see you when you do get home then,” and prepared to end the call.
“Wait, Emma! I wanted – ” he started.
But she only shook her head and cut him off. “Just finished your shift, okay? You’re there now, and you obviously thought it was important enough to volunteer for, so go ahead. We’ll talk about it later.” She then hit disconnect and the line went dead, even as her shoulders fell thinking about trying to pretend for Henry that all was well and the evening was normal.
She knew Graham must still be hearing the silence on the other end of their call; somehow she didn’t care and felt horrible for that in equal measures. If she had known what the next few hours would hold, known that things would never again be the same, she would have let him finish talking. She would have listened to whatever he’d wanted to say and held onto every word.
