#cssecretvalentine

[crowley-anthony]

Happy Valentine’s Day (Part 1) to @captainswansource from your Secret Valentine!  ❤ I was so excited to be paired with you and nervous to post my gifts as your tumblr gives me all the feels. I remember you saying you love pink and the S3 finale so I made you this gifset. I also made you something extra because I felt like it so look out for that shortly.

[lenfaz]

The Little Shop across the Street

CS AU: I work at a flower shop and you're a tattoo artist from across the street and you always come in here to practice drawing flowers and you're really hot

Happy Valentine’s Day @high-seas-swan !!!! It is I, your CSSV. I’m sorry I was not able to woo you as you deserved, but life got really hectic around here...

Lana, I hope you like this little token of my appreciation. I saw a post on your blog where it said you wanted someone to write this prompt, so well, here it is!

Huge thanks to @nowforruin for beta duties on this one.

Ao3 FF.net

The Little Shop across the Street

He couldn’t recall how long the shop across the street had been closed, but Killian could remember with clarity the day everything changed for him.

He was walking down the street early in the morning, ready to open his flower shop - Jewel of the Rose - when he spotted the blonde figure struggling with her keys trying to open the door of the shop.

He was about to cross the street to offer his help - mentally calculating how could he manage to do so with only one hand that was currently carrying his morning cup of coffee - when the blonde seemed to take matters into her own hands - or legs - and kicked the door open. Killian raised his eyebrows in admiration as he witnessed the angel of fury straighten her shirt before she picked up the cardboard box that was set on the sidewalk and entered the building. His eyes focused on capturing the very last moment of her presence on the street as he watched her slam shut what was left of the door.

One thing was clear.  Whoever that woman was - and whatever business she was opening - it was going to make his life a lot more interesting.

It took a few more weeks until the shop opened. Each day Killian arrived to open his shop to find the blonde woman already across the street, busy carrying boxes, painting, or organizing.  The sign was the last thing she put up and Killian quickly made his way towards the front windows of his shop to watch her hang it.

Swan Tattoos.

/-/

When the doorbell jingled later that day,  she was the last person he expected to see.

“Hi,” she said hesitantly, hands in the back pockets of her jeans. “My name is Emma - Emma Swan. I opened the place across the street.” She removed a hand from her pockets to point out her shop, and Killian noticed the flower tattoo on her wrist. A few other inked lines peeked from the place where the long sleeve of her shirt had ridden up.  She didn’t seem to know how to continue, so Killian took a few steps towards her. He could tell the moment she noticed his prosthetic because her eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly schooled her features and focused back on his face.

“I’m Killian, Killian Jones. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His hand darted out to shake hers. For a moment he contemplated the idea of bringing the back of her hand to his lips and brushing a kiss against her knuckles, but something told him it would make her run faster towards the door. She already seemed skittish without him doing anything. “Is there something I can do for you?” he asked politely as he let go of her hand.

That hand went back to the pocket of her jeans as she shuffled her feet nervously.

“Really, lass.” He smiled at her with the most encouraging smile he could muster. “Feel free to ask.”

She sighed, biting her lower lip as she gave him an almost apologetic look. “I’m a tattoo artist - or at least I’m trying to be one.” The last words were barely audible as she averted her gaze. But she seemed to pull herself together a moment later, because she looked at him straight in the eye. “I need to practice my drawings. Especially flowers. I mean, I’m fine with the rest of them, but I didn’t have a lot of chances to practice drawing flowers while I was in jail-” Her eyes widened as she realised what she’d said, a horrified expression coming to her face.

Killian opened his mouth to try to reassure her but she lifted her hands in an attempt to have him hear her out. “That was almost a decade ago. It - it was juvie. It wasn’t even my fault, someone set me up to take the blame for their crimes, and I swear I’ve been on the right side ever since-”

When Emma stopped to catch her breath, Killian took the opportunity to get a word in. “It’s fine, lass,” he said in the most reassuring voice he could muster.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “It is?”

“Aye.” He nodded, taking a tentative step towards her. “I take it that you might like a chance to practice your flower drawing? In here, perhaps?” he ventured.

“I can’t pay you,” she started carefully, each word slow and purposeful as though she were waiting for him to demand to know what was in it for him and refuse her when he learned there was nothing. He wondered what hardships life must have given her that she never trusted in the kindness of strangers. Or fellow shop owners.

“That won’t be needed.” His hand panned through the shop. “I close at six, but I usually stay until eight to balance the books or prepare arrangements. You’re welcome here anytime you want.”

“Really?” The disbelief in her tone almost broke his heart. “Just like that?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee once in awhile.” He shrugged, reaching to scratch behind his ear.

Her lips curved in a soft smile that dazzled him. “I can do that. I’ll see you tomorrow?” she asked as she moved towards the door.

He nodded. “I’ll be here.”

She turned around at the very last moment, another soft smile gracing her lips. “Thank you, Killian.”

/-/

Emma was there a little after six the next day, carrying a sketchpad with a few pencils in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other one.

“I wasn’t sure how you liked it.” She placed the coffee on the counter where Killian was pouring over his books.

“Black, like my heart, is fine.” He gave her a wink.

Emma rolled her eyes. “I find it hard to believe that a man that owns a flower shop has a black heart.”

“You’d be surprised,” he teased, running a hand through his hair. She gave him a quick quirk of her eyebrow and moved to peruse around the shop. She halted before a display of white and black tulips.

“These are gorgeous.” She lifted her hand, and her fingers traced the petals of one of them before she realized what she was doing. “Sorry.” Her cheeks were slightly tinted with red as she removed her hand. “Can I draw these?”

“Whatever you like. Grab a chair and make yourself at home.” Killian took a sip of the coffee. “This is great and exactly what I need as I balance the books. Thank you.” He tilted his head in gratitude.

Emma had pulled a chair and was already in the process of outlining the flowers. “It’s the least I could do.”

They didn’t talk after that, each of them focused on their task at hand, the only noise inside the shop the scratch of Emma’s pencil against paper. It should have felt awkward, considering they’d only met briefly the day before, but there was something eerily comfortable in having Emma in his shop, focused on her work. It seemed mutual, as once or twice she’d lift her head from her sketch to find him contemplating her and regaled him with a soft smile before bending over the drawing again.

It was little past eight when he closed the books and threw away the paper cup. Emma was standing as well, closing her sketchpad and putting the chair back where she found it.

“I won’t take more of your time. Thank you.” Her free hand fidgeted with the hem of her shirt before she looked at him with resolve. “Can I come back tomorrow?”

It was a to the point question, but he could read the silent hope hidden in her words and it tugged at his heart. “Of course. As many times as you want, lass.”

Her smile was so beautiful that it lit the entire room. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” She turned around and walk towards the door, but stopped just before reaching for the handle. She shifted her head to give him a look over her shoulder, her voice a little breathier than before. “Goodnight, Killian.”

She’d already walked out when he composed himself enough to whisper his reply. “Goodnight, Emma.”

/-/

It became a routine of sorts, Emma showing up a few minutes past six each day, and staying until almost eight. She would pick a new flower and drag the chair next to it to start drawing. Killian kept her company while he organized deliveries or made some arrangements for the next day. If she was marveled by the way he’d managed with one hand and one prosthetic device that resembled a hook, she didn’t comment on it. Once a week, she’d deposit a cup of coffee and a bear claw from the local diner as a thank-you gift. It might not seem much, but it meant a lot to Killian.

“How did you end up here?” Her voice broke him out of his concentration on the arrangement of orchids he was putting together. His eyes met her inquisitive stare for a moment, before going back to the arrangement, picking a thread and holding it with his hook as he tied the stems tightly.

“I was in the Royal Navy, and an operation went wrong. I found myself with an honorable discharge and no will to stay in a country full of ghosts and memories of years past. I wandered for a while before I found this shop for rent, and I don’t know, something made me stay.” It was the first time he’d spoken at such length of the reasons that made him leave his brothers back in London and come to the United States, searching for a way to ease the pain in his heart.

She nodded, as if the tale was familiar to her. “You?” he asked and it was her turn to play with her pencil.

“After I got out of jail, I went to a few tattoo places to learn the trade. I was an apprentice in a few of them, moving on when I felt I’d learned everything I could in one place, leaving with a stack of pre-designed tattoos that I chose to purchase from more trained artists.” She traced a few more lines on her sketchpad, her eyes not meeting his. “I just kept moving from one place to another, not really having a destination. Until I saw an ad online about this place for rent and I thought maybe I could start my own shop. Stand on my own two feet. See how it feels.”

“How you like it so far?” His voice was nothing but a whisper as he finished tying the thread on his orchids.

She shrugged, but there wasn’t anything nonchalant about it; it was almost a reflex of the person she used to be and not the one she was becoming. “It’s… good. I feel-” she trailed off, her eyes meeting his.

“You feel what?”

“Almost like I can really belong here. Like it can be my home.”

Neither of them spoke after her heartfelt confession, the air in the shop charged almost to the point of suffocation. When she finally left, it was with a few flower books he brought for her, so she could practice outside the shop if she wanted to.

He knew he was probably shooting himself in the foot, that with detailed illustrations on her hands, she would have no need to come back.

Yet, she paused in the door frame, turning around with a soft smile, her eyes boring into his. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Killian.”

“‘Night, Emma.”

/-/

She came back the next day, thanking him for the books and moving to choose the flower she’d sketch that day.

She kept coming, almost each day, and the days she couldn’t make it, she would show up at his door to bid him goodnight. It had been a few months, and it seemed she’d been weaving her way into the town’s life. She told him business had slowly started to pick up, and she was looking forward the tourist season to attract even more customers. She even had one or two customers from nearby towns that saw her work and came to get a tattoo.

“That is wonderful, Swan,” he told her as he finished putting together an order for the shop for the upcoming week.

“Yeah, it is. Some of them are really interested in some of my original designs. It feels good.” She stood up and crossed the room until she leaned on the counter where he was working. “I’ve been meaning to show you these,” she said as she pulled out a stack of papers from her sketchpad.

There were drawings. All the different flowers she’d been sketching were there, in full color.

“What do you think?” There was a hint of hesitance in her voice and in the way her fingers traced a pattern on the counter.

He took one of them. “These are gorgeous, lass. Breathtaking.” Underneath the stack of flower sketches, he found a few nautical drawings too. “These are wonderful too. They bring back memories,” he said with a soft smile on his lips as he leaned in to study them more.

“That’s a nice tattoo.”

His breath caught in his throat at the sentence. He hadn’t realized that the sleeve of his shirt had pulled up and his tattoo was visible. He lifted his eyes to meet her curious stare.

“Who’s Milah? In the tattoo?”

“Someone from long ago.” His words were nothing but a broken whisper, and she seemed to hear all the things he wasn’t saying in the strain of his voice.

“You didn’t just lose your hand back home, did you?”

“You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?” He didn’t mean the quip to sound so curt, but those memories were hard to bring back to the surface.

“I can recognize the heartbreak of someone who’s been in love,” she offered as her fingers moved to trace the lines of his tattoo, bringing goosebumps to his skin. “It’s a fantastic piece. You got a good artist.”

“Only what she deserved.” He lifted his head and found something more than just pity in her eyes: there was understanding and sympathy. He used to hate getting those looks cast upon him - he still did - but somehow it didn’t bother him when it came from her.

“Is this why you’re here in Storybrooke? To get lost in a forsaken town and not deal with the aftermath?”

It was uncanny the way she could read him so easily, how she could pinpoint the exact reason why he decided to lose himself in a flower shop in the middle of nowhere.

And yet, he found that the description was no longer accurate.

“I’m here to move on,” he whispered as his fingers brushed his tattoo, grazing her fingers as he did.

/-/

His heart was beating frantically against his chest when he pushed the door of her shop open a few days later. She was sitting on a stool on the other side of the counter. It wasn’t the first time he’d been in her shop, but her drawings framed all over the walls still took his breath away.

She curved her lips into a smile. “Hey.”

“Hello, Swan. I see you put some more drawings on the walls.”

She walked around the counter to stand by his side. “Yeah, I did. Is there anything you need? I’m usually the one lurking in your shop.”

He chuckled and then cleared his throat, mustering his courage. “I want a tattoo. I was thinking on my right shoulder-”

Emma’s surprised tone cut him off. “A tattoo?” He nodded. “And you thought of me?” That last part had Killian giving her an inquisitive look.

“Look around you. You’re a talented artist, Emma.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I only have one tattoo, and I got it to honor the memory of my lost love, to have her imprinted on my skin for as long as I’d live. I never thought of letting go, not really, but now-” he trailed off, not sure how to continue.

Her eyes bore into his. “But now what?”

“Now I feel I’m ready to put the past behind me and move on.”

She studied his face for a long time before she replied. “Come back tomorrow around closing time, and I’ll have something for you.”

/-/

He wasn’t sure why he was so nervous, but he couldn’t help the way his hand reached to scratch behind his ear the moment he entered her shop the next day. Emma walked to meet him and he gave her a sheepish smile.

“Nervous?”

“Maybe a little,” he admitted.

She took his hand and tugged him towards the back. “I need you to pull up the right sleeve of your shirt and sit.”  She pointed to the reclinable chair where everything was ready and Killian did as he told him. He tilted his head and met her green eyes, suddenly not able to utter a single word.

She placed her hand on his forearm. “Do you trust me?”

“Aye, Swan, I do,” he replied without hesitation.

“Then close your eyes, Killian.”

He did her bidding, feeling the cold as she placed the stencil on his shoulder and arm. Soon he felt the first pinprick of the needle piercing his skin, and he welcomed the familiar pain as he kept his eyes closed and focused on hearing Emma’s breathing.

A couple of hours later, Emma finally put her tattoo needle aside and applied ointment to his arm. It was a simple movement, nothing out of the ordinary about it, and yet Killian could feel his entire body reacting to the way her fingers dabbed his sore skin.

“Can I open my eyes now?” His voice came out a lot more breathless than he’d expected.

Her fingers grazed his skin one last time. “Not yet.” Her voice sounded a lot closer than before, and he could feel her breath caressing his ear, making him shiver.

She traced her fingers down his arm and interlaced their fingers. “Stand up slowly.” She helped him up and made him take a few steps blindly, directing him to what he believed was the mirror. Emma positioned him in way that his bicep and shoulder would face the mirror.

He could feel her right beside him, her lips almost kissing the shell of his ear when she whispered, “Now, turn to your right and open your eyes.”

He slowly opened his eyes, taking some time to adjust to the lighting. When he was able to focus on the image on the mirror, it took his breath away.

His shoulder and arm were now covered by an intricate and beautiful black design. There was a compass on his bicep, the northern arrow pointing to his shoulder with a few intricated lines. The same lines followed the southern arrow in a spiral, where a set of coordinates were drawn on each side. At the end of the line, there was an anchor. Emma had position the tattoo in a way that the anchor pointed to the tattoo he already had on his forearm. The meaning behind it made tears come into his eyes.

“The coordinates are the ones for your shop.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, and he turned to face her for the first time since she’d finished the tattoo. “I figured it would be a way to remind you there’s always a home waiting for you.” There was something simmering in her eyes, something that he was finding impossible to resist.

“Do you like it?”

“Swan, this is beautiful.” He swayed into her space, and she leaned closer. Her hand traced his left arm all the way up to his neck and caressed the hair at the nape of it. The temptation to close his eyes and relish in that feeling was strong, but he kept his stare focused on her as she tugged his head down and his lips found hers in a soft kiss. Her lips moved in rhythm with his, and he nipped at her lower lip, his tongue tracing it until she opened for him.  His left arm rested at her hip and he pulled her closer to him with his prosthetic.

When they finally broke the kiss, breathless and panting, he rested his forehead against hers, his lips curving into a soft smile.

“This feel like the beginning of something, doesn't it?”

“It does.”

(A year later, it took a look of cajoling and all his charm to get her to tattoo a black swan positioned above the northern arrow, but she finally agreed to it. He asked her to marry him the moment she finished.)

[favoritefandoms]

Double Date

Here is my Captain Swan Secret Valentine gift for the lovely @kmomof4​!

Summary: When Emma goes on a double date with her best friend, Elsa, and Elsa’s boyfriend, Liam, she certainly doesn’t expect that her date will be Killian Jones, a man she detests for his ability to occasionally defeat her in court.

Emma’s footsteps echoed through the hallway as she left the courtroom at a consistent, brisk pace. When she was halfway to the exit, she heard the sound of someone running behind her. She picked up the pace slightly and grimaced.

“Come on, Swan. Don’t be like that.”

When she realized she could not outpace the man behind her, she swiveled on her left heel and found Killian Jones standing two feet away from her, panting slightly. He had already loosened his tie and undone the top button on his shirt.

“What do you want?”

“I just wanted to say you did well. Is that a crime?”

“Hmm. Let me think about it,” Emma responded, tilting her head slightly to the right and looking pensively up and down the man in front of her. She certainly didn’t mind the perusal. When she reached his face, she noted that he seemed amused as well. Straightening again, Emma finished, “I’m sure I can find a reason to prosecute you.”

“Why, Miss Swan,” Killian responded, moving forward slowly, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that you just wanted to see me with a pair of handcuffs.”

Before Emma gave herself a moment to picture what Killian might do with those, she said, “Good thing you know me then.”

With that, she turned back around and headed toward the exit. This time, the footsteps didn’t sound behind her.

“Swan,” Killian said loudly as Emma continued walking with a confident clack-clack of her heels on the white marble. “It’s bad form to walk away from someone in the middle of a conversation. I thought we were getting somewhere.”

Emma was glad that she was walking away from Killian. That way, she knew he couldn’t see the small smile and slight flush that she felt on her face. Later, she would attribute the flush to the sudden chilly wind that hit her as she left the warm building and faced the winter weather. The smile, however, she couldn’t explain – at least not in a way that she liked.

“Do we have to do this?”

“Emma, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I mean – of course I want my best friend and roommate to join me on the outing we have been discussing for weeks, but I won’t force you to go.”

Emma sighed and picked her head up off the bed that she had flung herself onto only moments earlier. Elsa was leaning against the doorway.

“I know,” Emma said, sitting back up. “I’ve just had a rough day. I’m tired.”

Elsa walked across the room and sat on Emma’s bed next to her. She picked Emma’s hand up off of her thigh and gave it a quick squeeze.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Elsa asked, her blue eyes showing concern.

“It was just that case with that Mr. Gold guy. Ugh. He’s so creepy. I just know he stole that golden apple from Regina Mills.”

“Did you lose the case?” Elsa asked. After seeing the look on her friend’s face, she hugged her and said, “Oh, Emma. I am so sorry. I know you worked hard on this case.”

“I would have won too if Mr. Gold hadn’t hired Killian. He is just so- so- so-“

“So what?”

“So… good,” Emma huffed.

“Well, think of this night as a way to distract yourself. Come on,” Elsa said, pulling her friend off the bed. “What are you going to wear tonight? The pink dress?”

“I’ll probably go with the black dress, tights, and my red jacket.”

“I’m going to wear my blue dress – the one with the long sleeves and beading. Do you think Liam will like it?”

“Of course he will,” Emma replied, “He always says you look stunning no matter what you are wearing.”

A faint blush spread across Elsa’s alabaster skin. She and Liam had been dating for six months. They met at a company mixer and had been together ever since.

Elsa’s phone rang suddenly, and she pulled it from her pocket.

“It’s Anna. We are leaving at 7:00,” Elsa reminded Emma as she left the room to take the call.

Emma paused a moment before following Elsa out of her room. While Elsa remained in their shared living room, Emma instead left the apartment. She had two hours until she had to leave, so she decided to go for a walk to clear her mind. There was one face in particular that she couldn’t get out of her head. Yet, when she returned from her walk 30 minutes later, the face was still there. The gorgeous, piercing blue eyes still peeked out of her imagination and seemed to peer into her soul.

A double date. Why in the world had Emma agreed to do this? She sighed as she stepped out of the taxi. She knew why. Elsa had begged her. She had always wanted to go on a double date, but she never had the opportunity to do so.

“A pub?” Emma asked skeptically. “Really?”

“Emma, this will be fun. I promise.”

With another sigh, Emma followed her friend through the door, which proclaimed in bold green lettering that the name of the pub was “Neverland.” Her eyes took a moment to adjust, but once they did she saw a bar to her right, four booths to her left, and a pool table in front of her. There were only a few people in the pub since it was a Thursday night. She had the sense that this type of pub would be quite popular on weekends. Following Elsa, Emma found herself behind the pool table heading toward two men who were playing darts.

“Seriously?” she heard Liam ask the man next to him when they were only a few steps away, “You could not have been this good at darts the last time I saw you, Killian.”

Emma squeaked incredulously, “Killian?”

The dart flew from Killian’s hand and hit the wall about one foot to the right of the dartboard. He swung around, and Emma saw her shock at his presence mirrored in his face. Meanwhile, Emma could see Liam bent over laughing out of the corner of her eye.

“A whole foot! Elsa, sweetheart, did you see that?” Liam asked. When his full-bodied laughter turned to mere chuckles, he stood to his full height and gave Elsa a quick kiss. “You look absolutely stunning.”

Elsa’s cheeks reddened while Killian and Emma continued to stare at each other. It was Killian who finally broke the silence.

“Swan, what are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? What are you doing here?”

Liam stepped between the confused pair and pointed to each of them as he said, “Killian, Emma. Emma, this is my brother, Killian, who apparently isn’t as good at throwing darts when you are around. The four of us should go out more often if that’s a trend.”

“Elsa, did you know about this?” Emma asked, spinning to look at her friend.

“I knew his name was Killian, but I didn’t know he was your Killian.”

“Your Killian, eh?” the man in question said slyly, drawing Emma’s attention back to him.

“The only thing you are is a pain in my ass.”

“Is that so?” Killian responded cheekily with his right eyebrow raised.

“I take it you two already know each other?” Liam asked.

“Yes. She’s only mad because I beat her in a case this morning. That one with Mr. Gold that I was telling you about?” Killian responded.

“Oh right. So this is that Emma?”

Emma looked at the two men as an unspoken knowledge seemed to pass between them. Honestly, how could things have turned out this way? This night was supposed to be her way of forgetting the day – forgetting Killian. Yet, here he was. Apparently, this man was supposed to be her date for the evening.

Deflated, Emma sighed, “I need a moment.”

She headed toward the bathroom and heard Elsa’s steps behind her.

“Emma, are you alright?” Elsa asked when they were alone.

“Not really. This was supposed to be a fun night,” Emma groaned. “What am I supposed to do now? I just – I don’t know what to do with him.”

“Emma, just because it’s Killian doesn’t mean you will have a terrible night. Remember, there are four of us here. It’s not like you two will be alone.”

“I guess. You’re lucky you are the best friend in the whole world. Anything less, and I would walk right back out that front door.”

Elsa gave her friend a hug and a quick smile before leading her out of the bathroom.

The Jones brothers had gone back to their darts game while the roommates had their talk. When Liam spotted the women, she shouted, “Emma, get over here. I need your help to beat him.”

“Be careful what you ask for, Liam,” Elsa said, stepping next to her boyfriend. “If you let her stay near the darts board for too long, she will beat both of you.”

“Strong words,” Killian noted, bringing the dart back down to his side and turning to Emma. “Think you can follow through?”

“You couldn’t handle it,” Emma said, sauntering toward Killian.

“Perhaps you’re the one who couldn’t handle it.”

Emma put her hand on Killian’s right shoulder and slid it down his arm until it reached his hand. She eased the dart from his grip.

“I guess we’ll just have to see.”

One hour later, it was clear that Emma was the best darts player in the group. She beat Elsa and Liam easily, but Killian had proved a little trickier. Throughout the game, the leader switched numerous times. Killian challenged Emma to a rematch, but before they started Liam insisted that they get some food.

Given the nature of the evening, Liam and Elsa sat on one side of the booth while Killian and Emma found themselves sitting next to each other across from them. Emma tried her best to ignore the heat she felt climbing up the left side of her body. Every time they touched, her skin tingled, and it seemed like they just kept touching on accident. Killian would lean over Emma to get to the pitcher of beer or drop his napkin between them. Granted, the booth was small, but Emma found herself much happier about those brief moments than she supposed she should have been.

When dinner ended, Liam asked the group if they wanted to play pool. Elsa quietly pulled Emma aside before the game and asked her if she wanted the teams to be split by gender. Emma knew Elsa wanted to be on a team with her boyfriend, so she told her she would be fine with being on a team with Killian. Emma even almost convinced herself that that was the reason she was fine with how the teams were divided.

Elsa walked over to Liam, who passed her a pool cue before placing his arm around her and whispering in her ear. Emma sauntered over to her own teammate.

“You ready, Swan? I hope you are as good at pool as you are at darts. We’ll win in no time.”

“Killian, I have to tell you something,” Emma paused and looked down as she felt Killian’s eyes search her face. “I’m really bad at pool.”

“Oh, no worries, Swan. I can teach you. I thought you were going to say you wanted to switch partners or something.”

“I’m fine,” Emma said, turning toward the table in order to keep herself from meeting his eyes. She was worried about what she might find in their depths.

“You two ready?” Liam asked.

After a coin toss, Liam made the break. Killian went next. Apparently, he was quite good at billiards. He sunk three striped balls before barely missing the pocket for a fourth. Elsa was able to sink one ball, but no one really knew if it was luck or simply a skill no one knew she had. After scratching on her next shot, though, the other members of the group knew that it had merely been a fluke. Finally, it was Emma’s turn. She held the cue like she had seen the others do.

“Want some help, Swan? There is no way you are hitting a ball with that stance,” Killian stated.

“I got this,” Emma said. She pushed the cue with her right hand. She didn’t even make contact. The cue sailed over the top of the ball.

“How about now?” Killian asked as Liam tried to cover his laughs with coughs.

“Fine.”

Killian stepped behind Emma, and suddenly her mind went blank. Her back warmed from his body heat, and she felt tingles spread throughout her body.

“So you have to place your right hand here and look right there. Keep your left hand steady.”

Emma let Killian move her. She wasn’t sure she could have stopped him if she wanted to. The fact was, regardless of all of her previous hatred of him, she couldn’t seem to sense that emotion. They were having fun. Their arguments had turned into friendly – and even flirty at times – banter. Emma didn’t know what was happening. Perhaps most surprising of all was that when Emma somehow managed to follow Killian’s instructions, she actually hit the cue ball, and that ball hit another ball. She didn’t manage to get it into a pocket, but she didn’t miss the ball completely at least.

Throwing her arms in the air in celebration, Emma swiveled and hugged Killian. He wrapped his arms around her tightly. When the excitement faded, Emma realized what she had done. Then she realized Killian had hugged her back. Her head was pressed against his shoulder, so she slowly lifted it to look at him. Scared to break the silence, she just looked into his eyes. After what could have been two seconds or an eternity, Emma heard Liam clear his throat. Emma quickly backed away from Killian. When she hit the pool table, she swung back around and saw Liam and Elsa looking at her from the other side. Elsa was smiling. Emma moved to her side as Liam prepared to take his next shot.

“What?” Emma finally asked after a few moments.

“Nothing. I just thought you didn’t like him.”

“I don’t.”

“Well, if that’s how you hug guys you dislike, I must really dislike Liam. Killian is the only guy you ever talk about. I thought you were just too busy to meet anyone else, but clearly I was wrong.”

“What are you talking about Elsa?” Emma asked as Liam accidentally hit the cue ball into a pocket. Killian picked up the ball and began planning his next shot.

“You know what I am talking about. You like him,” Elsa whispered conspiratorially.

“What?” Emma gasped.

“Emma, don’t act like you don’t know. You have been staring at him for the entirety of this conversation.”

Emma tore her eyes from Killian’s arms and said, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Of course you don’t.”

After a few moments of silence, Elsa said, “By the way, I was thinking of going back to Liam’s apartment tonight. Would that be alright?”

“Of course. I’ll just grab a taxi.”

“Wonderful! Thank you,” Elsa responded just before she left Emma to take her next shot.

Killian and Emma won the game. Truthfully, Killian won the game for both of them since he rapidly shot the balls into the pockets one after the other. Emma was ecstatic, though, because she managed to sink one ball.

Soon after the game, Liam announced that he was ready to leave. Emma knew it was time to go as well, considering the fact that she had to go to work the next day. Nonetheless, she was sad to see the evening come to a close.

The group headed outside in order to grab taxis. Emma immediately wrapped her arms around herself in the wintery wind.

Killian turned to Emma and asked, “Do you want to wait inside until after Liam and Elsa catch a cab?”

“Sure,” Emma responded, knowing there was no point in all four of them waiting out in the cold. “Elsa, want to join us?”

Elsa responded, “I’m fine out here. The cold doesn’t bother me.”

After giving her friend a quick hug, Emma rushed back inside. She sighed with pleasure as soon as she felt the warmth of the pub.

“Where are you headed, Emma?” Killian asked.

“I’m going back to my apartment in Chelsea.”

“Would you care to go together? My apartment is in that direction as well.”

“Sure,” Emma replied. “As long as you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

20 minutes later, Emma and Killian arrived at Emma’s apartment. Killian asked the taxi driver to wait a few minutes while he stepped out of the vehicle.

“Truly, you don’t need to walk me to my door. You know he will keep running the meter,” Emma stated as she walked up the stairs to her apartment.

“What kind of a gentleman would I be if I didn’t walk you to your door?”

“I didn’t realize you were a gentleman,” Emma replied.

“I believe in good form, Swan.”

When Emma reached her door, she paused. So many emotions warred in her, and she felt her barriers fortify themselves in response.

“Thank you for walking me to my door. See you at the courthouse.”

Emma tried to escape into her apartment, but she heard him quietly say, “Emma?”

She turned back toward him slowly with the door open behind her. She forced herself to lift her eyes to his and saw a softness in them that she had never seen there before.

After a moment, he said, “Thank you for tonight, Swan. Seeing you outside of the courtroom… Something changed… You are different. I want to know you – this you.”

Killian took a step forward and brushed his hand through her hair.

“I- I-“

Emma backed away through the door and shut it behind her.

What had she done? It wasn’t like she would never see him again, and Killian was right. Something had changed. She wanted him. Everything that she had hated she viewed in a new light. He was an amazing lawyer. He was tenacious. He was funny and sweet and everything she ever wanted. He terrified her, though, because she knew he could hurt her.

All night, Emma tossed and turned as she tried to decide what to do. She could stay safe and regret that choice or face her fear and potentially be hurt.

At 7:30, she got out of bed, having made her decision.

When Emma entered the courthouse at 9:30, she saw Killian outside the courtroom talking with an older man. Killian looked up when Emma was only a few steps away from him. He quickly said goodbye to the man.

“Swan, we need to talk,” he said when she had almost reached him.

In response, Emma put her hands on the lapels of Killian’s jacket and pulled his mouth to hers. His right hand went to the back of her head while his other hand pressed against her lower back. After a few moments of pure bliss, Emma pulled back slightly so that their foreheads were pressed against each other.

“You wanted to talk?” she murmured.

“Not at all,” he replied before bringing his lips back to hers.

[ouatxxxxx]

What’s Missing?

Alright @favoritefandoms, I’m your CSSV! I’m so sorry I’m posting this late! I really liked talking to you and getting to know you! It was great to make a new friend! I hope it’s worth the wait!

You mentioned you like AU’s so here’s a Coffee Shop AU. You also said you like friends/enemies to lovers, so I did a frenemies to lovers story! I hope you like it and I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day! xx :D 

Every Saturday morning for the last year, Emma comes to the quaint coffee shop a few blocks away from her apartment building. Her days as a deputy keep her busy, but Saturday mornings are reserved for her chance to wind down and take a break. Enjoy her one hour of solitude away from work.

That is until the black-haired, blue-eyed nuisance started to show up.

Every time.

She still doesn’t know his name, hasn’t even spoken to him. The only form of acknowledgment is a nod and small smile when he walks through the door and sits at the table across from hers. (And the hint of mischief in his smile when it meets hers at the little game they’re playing).

All she knows is he came sweeping in one day, with his cocky nature and flirty attitude (he hasn’t flirted with her, but she’s seen the way he acts with the other women fawning over him), disturbing her peace. He deliberately chooses to come at the same time and day she’s there. She has thought about coming in at a different day to avoid him all together, but Emma Swan is not one step down, she was here first. This was her routine.

Plus, she found their little game too fun to stop.

She doesn’t even know how, but somehow he managed to learn what she orders.

And that’s when it begins.

The first time he walked in, she paid him no mind. Didn’t even look at him. The second time, their eyes met when he sat at the table across from hers, but then she looked back down at the book she was reading.

The third time, she couldn’t help it. Her eyes wandered up from her phone to sneak a glance at him. Then another. And another. She’d noticed how attractive he was the first moment he’d swaggered in, but this was the first time she allowed herself to really look at him.

Damn.

That disheveled black hair and those tight black pants. She could tell he had a strong, lean body by the way his shirt stretched between his shoulders.

Suddenly, Emma is aware she isn’t just glancing  anymore when he looks up at her with those piercing blue eyes rimmed with eyeliner (that only makes him look hotter), a quirked eyebrow, and smug smirk on his face.

She looks down immediately and feels herself blush. Quickly, she grabs her things and makes a dash toward the exit.

The fourth time, Emma is making her way to her usual table when she’s confused to find a cup already waiting for her. She looks up to find Mr. Smug Face had arrived before her, looking at her with an expectant look and a smile that makes her feel wary. She sits down and takes the cup, uncovering the lid. It’s hot cocoa alright, the drink she orders every time, but it’s missing something.

The whipped cream and cinnamon.

How he knows her order is a mystery, but he knows about the whipped cream because he’d made a show of pointing out she had some on the side of her mouth last time before he’d caught her sneaking glances at him. (She doesn’t know he only caught it because he was doing the same).

Her face must have shown all sorts of offended for not having the perfect addition to her drink because she can hear snickering. Looking up, she finds that he’s trying (and failing) to hold back his laughter.

Emma narrows her eyes at him. Two can play at this game. Emma was never one to back down from a challenge.

And that’s how this back and forth started between them.

After his little stunt with her hot chocolate, the next time Emma makes sure to get there before him. She goes to the barista she always orders from and asks her if she remembers his order. She gives her a knowing smile, she doesn’t know why, and tells her he usually orders a coffee with cream and sugar.

Perfect.

Emma orders a black coffee and after checking to see he was nowhere in sight, she goes to place it in his spot. Smiling triumphantly, Emma sits back and waits for him to show up.

He walks in a few minutes later and she can’t help but admire his wind swept hair, the urge to brush it away from his eyes too strong.

As he takes a seat he spots her, then looks down at the cup in front of him. He raises an eyebrow in question, but she simply shrugs nonchalantly while smiling innocently. She can tell he doesn’t believe her act, picking up his drink anyway and tentatively takes a sip.

His face scrunches up in distaste immediately from the bitter taste and she can’t help the quiet giggles she isn’t even trying to hide.

And this continues on for the next few weeks. There’s always something missing from her drink, and she responds in kind. Once he really took her by surprise and managed to hide in the kitchen until she came. She was a bit disappointed to find her table empty, but waved the feeling away. He wasn’t important to her. She should be happy, now her Saturdays could go back to being peaceful.

She decided to order something other than her hot cocoa that day. She asked for a Frappuccino with caramel. The kind barista who always serves her hands her the drink and for some odd reason she looks like she’s trying to hold back a laugh. Unfazed, Emma takes a sip and notices that something is missing. Her caramel. She hears a chuckle and turns around to find him standing behind his chair. All she can do is gape at him. How could he have known her order? And it was different this time!

Both of them know what to expect when they come into the shop, but both continue to show up.

Every time. 

It’s another Saturday morning and Emma walks with a light in her step, knowing she’s going to see her… friend… enemy… frenemy? She doesn’t even know what he is and suddenly she stops as she realizes something. She no longer sees him as the annoyance he once was. She now looks forward to their “meetings.” She doesn’t know what to think about it. He’s handsome, she can’t deny it. It’s the first thing she noticed about him. But she doesn’t know him. Should she ask him out? Simply talk to him and get to know him? Change the whole dynamic of how things are between them?

Emma bites her lip, contemplating her next move. She runs when she’s scared, it’s what she’s always done. It’s what she’s had to learn to do after growing up with no one to love her and the one time she thought someone did, he sent her to prison for his crimes.

It’s what’s protected her. But it’s also what’s kept out love and pushed any potential friendships away. This is the first real “friend” she’s made and although she’s scared to break whatever it is they have going on here…

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, making a decision. For once in her life she’s going to be brave and not let her fear rule her. She’s not going to ask him out, she doesn’t want to seem too forward or eager. But she does want to talk to him, to have an actual conversation in hopes of becoming friends at the very least.

She continues walking, making her way toward the shop in anticipation. It’s packed with more people than usual. As Emma makes her way to her table she notices that although it’s empty, no one is sitting there because there are no chairs. She furrows her brows in confusion and looks around to find there are no other available spots, when a cough catches her attention. She meets the amused stare of her “friend.”

Of course, the only other available chair is at his table. This time instead of a missing ingredient, it’s a missing chair. She rolls her eyes, but takes a seat.

Well this is convenient, she thinks since she wanted to sit down with him anyway and he’s just given her the perfect opportunity.

He perks up once she’s seated since he probably thought she would decline his invitation. She smiles at him shyly and looks down, finding a hot cocoa waiting for her. When she looks at him, he just nods encouragingly and she tastes it, finding that it’s perfect and just the way she likes it. After giving him a questioning look, she takes another sip enjoying her drink.

He clears his throat, “I couldn’t give you a drink you don’t like on our tenth date. It’s quite the milestone.”

Emma chokes on her hot cocoa for a moment. Once she can breathe she asks, “Tenth date? Did I miss the first nine?”

“Aye, your hot cocoa with no whipped cream and cinnamon’s the first, my greatly distasteful black coffee’s the second, and well I’m sure you remember the rest, lass,” he jokes.

His accent. It makes her want to swoon. Hold yourself together, Emma.

All humor disappears when he continues, “In all seriousness, love, I was hoping to ask you out. To dinner, or something,” he mumbles shyly.  

It’s so different to see the man that oozed confidence, suddenly become this shy person whose cheeks have reddened. He’s rubbing his finger behind his ear, a nervous tick she’s sure.

“Oh,” is all she says.

Honestly he caught her off guard. She came in here, finally brave enough to speak to him, hoping he’d at least be her friend. He must think she’s not interested by the way his face falls so she quickly continues.

“It’s just you surprised me. I finally found the confidence to talk to you today, but you beat me to it,” she says with a reassuring smile.

Her words and smile have the desired effect. His face quickly changes from disappointed to relieved and a bright smile that reaches his eyes spreads across his face and she can’t help it when her smile widens just the same.

“Killian Jones, at your service,” he says as he reaches his hand out.

“Emma. Emma Swan,” she replies, placing her hand in his. He surprises her when he brings it closer, placing a kiss on the back of her hand, only giving her a cheeky wink when she shakes her head, but her smile never wavers.

It turns out Killian’s brother, Liam, owns the coffee shop which is how he knew her orders. The friendly barista is his sister-in-law, Elsa, who knew of Killian’s interest in her and the little game he started in the hopes of getting her attention, which explains those looks she’d give her.

She learns he works at the docks, he is good with ships, and moved to Boston a few months ago to be closer to his brother and sister-in-law as they are the only family he has. His mother died in childbirth and his father abandoned them when he was a child.

They sat talking for hours, getting to know one another. When Emma finally had to go home, reluctantly they said goodbye to each other and Killian told her he’d text her so they can set up a time for their first actual date.

She didn’t have to wait long since he texted her only ten minutes after she left and she laughed at how adorable he is.

Their first date is wonderful, both expected and unexpected. When they talked in the coffee shop, he seemed to be a gentleman and that’s how he acted on their date. When they played their game however, he was a different person. He was a mix of both on their date and she was happy to see that, see all of him. She also saw how easily she could fall for this man. And for once, the thought of falling in love didn’t scare her.

Many more dates follow and soon they find themselves celebrating their two year anniversary. Emma’s come a long way in the past two years. Not only did she find a man she loves and who loves her in return, she also found a family and friends.

Liam and Elsa were very welcoming, she and Elsa hitting it off straight away. When she didn’t have plans with Killian, she was with Elsa.

Since it’s their anniversary, Killian has a special surprise to mark the occasion. 

He proposes that night. With an empty box.

“Seriously?”

He gives her a mischievous grin, then pulls out the ring from his pocket and places it on her finger.

She sighs exasperatedly, but he just kisses her while pulling her close. She can’t help but wrap her arms around his neck, eventually smiling into the kiss. 

If you asked Emma what’s missing from her life, she’d say nothing at all.

She has everything and so much more. 

[emmandhook]

FRIENDLY REMINDING

Tomorrow is Valentine’s day and we have to post our gifts and reveal our identities! Remember to:  1. tag properly. 2. TAG your valentine’s url in the first five tags. 3. also MENTION that person.

If you can’t do it tomorrow: tell your valentine!

I really hope you all had fun! In case you don’t get a gift, wait for five days and send me a message. I’ll message your CSSV and ask what’s going on. If, for some reason, said person basically turn a blind eye, I’ll assign you a volunteer to give you a present.

[solosprincess]

Can you feel this magic in the air? Must have been the way you k i s s e d me…

To my darling valentine, @vividpixie ! Part two will be coming sometime tomorrow, but in the meantime, I leave you with part one. [raises a glass of strawberry lemonade] Here’s to the season to come and fangirling in the best of company ^O^ Happy Valentine’s Day, love!!!

[ psst! there will be a link to pt2 here! ]

[emmandhook]

CS SECRET VALENTINE 4th edition!!!!!! (We’ve come soooo far) Hello, old friends! Hello, new people! We’re in the fourth edition of this game and it’s a great time to spread and share love about these dorks up there!!!! Please, read the rules because I’ve changed some and added others. WHAT IS THIS GAME?

CS secret valentine is a gift exchange, where you gift something to a random person and receive a gift from another random person! This event is open to everyone, regardless of skill level! The only requirement is a love for Captain Swan.

You will be assigned a person to send nice anonymous asks until valentine’s day! You can woo your valentine, send her pick up lines, fangirl with that person, send her jokes, question about their day, share headcanons, get to know her… Then, on Valentine’s day you can reveal yourself off anon.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

Enable the anon option for obvious reasons.

Send me a message HERE saying you’d like to participate.

Important: I DON’T READ CHATS neither LETTERs FAN.

If you have A particular skill and you only want to do that as a gift: let me know in the same message.

If you want to receive a certain type of thing, let me know in the same message too.

I’ll answer you with a blog that will be your Valentine asap after january 9th (there will be a list of the participants on my blog).

Message your valentine anonymously until it’s Valetine’s day (aw!).

RULES AND SUGGESTIONS

REBLOG THIS POST TO SPREAD THE WORD.

DON’T tag in #captain swan. We’re definitely not few people and it can be annoying af. Tag your messages as #cssv or #csvalentines instead (use whatever you like).

WOO YOUR VALENTINE (get to know her, send her poems, compliments, buy her onion rings or you can always give your sibling’s ring to say ILY)

I’ve learnt my lesson: be relatively active in sending asks / answering asks! You don’t have to send daily asks but at least 2-3 times a week. It’s unfair if someone puts a lot of effort in and you don’t or if you don’t reply to your secret valentine. Let’s make this game enjoyable for everyone!

Ask your valentine what they’d like to get! Your valentine chooses the content of gift, the gift is for them, not for you. (What does this mean? It means that your valentine makes a wishlist and you’ll do your best to surprise her by choosing one -or more, whatever suits you- of those wishes. Don’t ask her to pick a certain thing when you never asked her what she’d like to get or see, for example).

Don’t tell your valentine you’re her/his secret valentine. Pretend you’re a random follower who’s interested in that person. This is a great way to make friends without feeling commited(this is a suggestion, do whatever you want).

ABOUT THE GIFTS:

1. We’ll post our gifts on Valentine’s Day (and with that, we’ll reveal our identities).

note: if you can’t post your gift on 14th, it’s all right as long as you alert your valentine.

2. The gift can be whatever are your skills. Again: ask your valentine what she’d like to get.

3. And, again, if you have a especial request about the gift (you only like stories, you onlylike drawings, you only like…) let me know and I’ll assign you a especial valentine.

4. Your valentine can get all the gifts you’re willing to make. Deadline to join us: January 23rd If you have any other questions feel free to send me messages here. There will be days I won’t answer that quickly, so don’t freak out if you don’t get an answer soon. Let the game begin. ;D

[ineffablecolors]

No prob, I'd be happy to write that :) I could finish it by next weekend. I know that's after late for Valentine's Day, but I'm at university and the workload might get a bit full this week. I'd be ok with any type of modern day AU; like if they're roommates or neighbors. As for your fanfics, I really loved the ones on FF, such as "His Princess", "Monthly Issues", and "Flashes of Domesticity". Honestly, anything with them being domestic and cute and fluffy is adorable :) Thanks so much!

That’s totally fine!! With how hectic my week gets I’ll probably like to treat myself to it around the weekend anyway! :)) And if you need longer, that is totally cool - I shall be excited to receive it any time.

Oooh, I can definitely do some domestic bliss! It’s been a while and I’d love to write you some.