Chapter 14 of my fic, When Doves Cry, is now available on FF.net or AO3. But if you’re new to the story, or just want to start over from the beginning, start here or here.
Summary: She loved him as an adolescent, he admired her from afar; each thought their difference in station an insurmountable obstacle. Years later, Princess Emma and Lt. Killian Jones enter into a marriage of convenience, having long ago given up on obtaining the other's love. Can they overcome tragedy and re-discover each other again?
Rating: M for sex, mature themes, triggers.
Tagging all of the usual suspects: @msgenevieve447, @klar425, @strawwolf, @nummygraphics, @walkerfairytales, @iamanneenigma
CS LD AU: Princess Emma and Lieutenant Jones have been secretly in love for years, what happens when the princess has to find a husband and KingDavid offers Killian Jones the rank of a Captain. Will their love be stronger than the obstacles?
Summary: LD fic in which the lieutenant teaches the princess a few steps.
Rating: DON'T ASK ME, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO RATE THINGS, BUT LET'S GO WITH T MAYBE?
Word Count: 2,404
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
Emma sat on one of the many benches in the courtyard and toyed nervously with the thick tulle of her dress.
“This is ridiculous,” she scolded herself under her breath as she stood up and began to pace back and forth in a busy line over the grass. There was to be a ball in the castle tomorrow night, and here she was, the crown princess, sulking around in the woods after dark, waiting around to be taught how to dance. “Utterly ridiculous.”
“You know, lass,” Emma turned her head to see Killian, decked out in full naval attire, leaning up against the gate at the entry to the courtyard, arms crossed over his chest as he smirked at her with an air of self-satisfaction, “they say that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness.”
Killian sighed contentedly as he lifted her off of the ground and hugged her with just as much force. The two months he spent away from her at sea seemed to melt away as he felt her heart beat against his. He set her down and righted his jacket, tugging on the hem of it as she followed his lead, smoothing out the skirt of her gown.
“How have you been, Princess?”
Emma rolled her eyes at the title and shook her head. “Just fine, Lieutenant.”She made a scoffing sound as she walk further into the courtyard, Killian trailing behind her. “You know I hate it when you call me that. Just call me Emma, like you used to.”
He smiled softly at the near-pleading tone in her voice. He and Emma had known each other their whole lives. Growing up, he had never seen her as a princess, only as his friend. They had always known how to have a good time together – he was the only one that wouldn’t put up with her attitude, and she was the only one who could suffer through his constant joking. But, joining the Royal Navy had a way of making you take things seriously.
(Not to mention the fact that his older brother was Captain of said navy, and always eager to knock him down a few pegs when given the opportunity.)
Killian bowed slightly to the princess and winked at her once he was standing upright again. “Sorry, Emma. My mind is still aboard the ship.”
She chuckled at that and sat down on the bench again, patting the seat next to her so that he would follow. “Speaking of which, how was the mission? Successful, I hope.”
He sat down and breathed deeply in, then out. “It was. But I’m sure you’ll hear all about it soon enough. Liam is supposed to give some sort of speech regarding our time spent at sea.”
She sighed wistfully at the mention of Killian’s travels. She had always envied him in that respect, his freedom to go abroad and see the world. “What was it like?” She asked before she even realized that she’d opened her mouth. “Being away on your ship, sailing wherever you want?”
Killian chuckled at her question, and shook his head. “I’m in the navy, Emma. It’s not wherever I want. We go wherever your father wants.”
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “You know what I meant.”
“Well,” he started, deciding that he should answer her question to appease any argument, “I will tell you that being on the open sea is a damned-near indescribable thing. Just watching wave after wave roll on the horizon, the sunlight reflecting off of the water, the spray of the sea as it crashes against the side of the ship.” He sighed longingly as if he’d not just returned from a two-month journey. “I can’t wait to get back out there.”
“Wonderful.” Emma pouted at that, crossing her legs as she tapped her foot against the ground beneath it. “I should have known you’d get promoted and leave me.”
Killian laughed at that and put an arm around her shoulder. “Emma, I’m here right now aren’t I? How can I have left you if I’m right here beside you?”
She shrugged at that and turned in her seat to face him. “Just promise me that you’ll always come back.”
His smile faded into a more serious one as he nodded once in agreement. “Aye. I will always come back.”
Emma sighed and smiled minimally as she sat back in her spot on the bench. “Good. I don’t know how I would survive every ball and party without you.” Her eyes widened at the memory of the following night’s festivities. “The ball! Killian, you promised me that you’d teach me how to waltz!”
He shook his head at Emma’s suddenly-frantic tone. “Don’t you have servants who could have taught you while I was away?”
She blushed, and, for a moment, considered telling him why she’d waited. Because she wanted him to teach her. “I might, but I didn’t want you to have to break your promise.”
Emma stood from the bench and held her hands out, motioning for Killian to put his hands in hers. When he did, she pulled him up from the bench with a groan and put one of her hands on his shoulder. “Okay, teach me.”
Killian placed his hand on her waist and felt a jolt of electricity run up his arm. He looked into her eyes and was suddenly struck speechless by the sincerity and openness that he saw reflecting back at him from their emerald depths. The light from the moon shone over her golden locks, making them appear almost silver as she cocked her head to the side, waiting for his instruction.
“Killian? Don’t tell me that all those weeks at sea have made you forget how to waltz!” She joked nervously, unsure as to why he’d not yet started the lesson.
“Uh,” he stared down at her, mouth hanging ajar as he took a moment to collect his thoughts, ”right, then. The waltz.”
He grip on her hand tightened as he straightened his posture, holding his arms in the proper frame and keeping his head up and shoulders back. “Anyone who’s ever danced it will tell you that it’s terribly easy, and there is really only one rule: pick a partner who knows what he’s doing.”
Emma swallowed hard when she looked up into his face. Suddenly his strong arms holding her and her and his tight grip on her hand were too much for her. “And do you?” She averted her gaze to look down at their feet before she looked back up into his face, “Know what you’re doing?”
He chuckled and she could almost feel the vibrations rattling outward from his chest, he was so close. “What do you say I let you be the judge of that?”
She nodded absently and he prepared to take the first step, looking into her eyes to make sure that she was paying attention. “When I step forward, Emma, you step back.” He moved his left foot forward, and she stepped on it before she realized that she was actually supposed to be moving.
“Oh! I’m sorry, Killian, I didn’t realize I was going to be so bad at this.”
Killian laughed again and looked her in the eye. “Don’t worry, Emma, we have all night.”
She nodded again, much more confidently this time, and let him lead. When he stepped forward she stepped back, and followed him as he stepped off to the side before taking a step back.
“Very good, Emma. See how easy it is? Just keep things simple, and you’ll do fine.”
She knew that she was supposed to be listening, but something about the way the moonlight bounced off of his face kept distracting her. She nodded along as he spoke, and inwardly she hoped that he hadn’t been asking her any questions, because she was no longer listening to a word he was saying.
“And then when the dance is finished, you’ll step away from your partner,” he let go of her hand and took a step back, as per his own instruction, “and he will bow to you as you curtsy to him.” He bent slightly at the waist, one arm over his torso, and the other bent behind his back. “Then you’re done.”
Emma hadn’t even realized that he’d been talking to her the whole time they were dancing. She was distracted by her own thoughts and the sight of him, back with her after all those weeks apart. “Thank you, Killian,” she replied as she curtsied to him, lifting her gown minimally as she did so.
“Do you think you’re ready?” He asked her, a reassuring smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
Emma was certain that she could handle the dancing tomorrow night—Killian had been a very good teacher, and the dance itself was rather simple—but something within her didn’t want to let it all end yet. She shifted nervously on her feet and wrung her hands as she spoke to him. “Um, do think we might be able to practice just once more? I want to make sure that I don’t forget anything.”
Killian shrugged and resumed their previous position, his hand on her waist and hers on his shoulder, as he took her free hand and began the dance over again. This time around, they were much more relaxed as they caught up with each other, her asking him about his first official trip as Lieutenant, and him wanting to know how she’s survived through the boredom of not having him around.
“It’s a lot easier than you think, you know,” she laughed as he twirled her effortlessly, not missing a beat as he smirked in reply. “Being without your jokes and constant rowdiness was almost like a vacation.”
He laughed outright at that, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the edges of his eyes wrinkle in response to his mirth. “Yeah, you say that now, but I’ll bet you didn’t have any fun while I was gone.”
Emma rolled her eyes, but she didn’t bother denying it—Killian was the source of all adventure in her otherwise dull life. Her servants were too afraid to treat her like a real person, and her parents were too busy to ever actually do anything with her.
“Be that as it may,” she conceded, “it was nice to have some peace and quiet.”
Killian nodded at that and gave a disapproving grunt. “Whatever you say, Princess.”
She shook her head at him; he was only using the title now to annoy her. “However, I will say that it’s nice to have you back, Killian. I really did miss you.”
He looked down at her, transfixed by the happiness that sparkled in her green eyes. He had missed her too, more than words could ever begin to express, but instead of telling her so, he let his fear get the better of him as he shrugged her shoulders before replying, “Good.”
Emma smiled at his reply as they finished their second dance, each bowing to the other. She looked at him somewhat expectantly, and she could see that there was something on his mind. “Killian, what are you thinking?”
His heart stuttered at her question and he had to bite his tongue to keep from shouting that she was the only thought in his head, the only thing he ever thought about. He swallowed thickly and reached for her hand, holding it in both of his.
“Emma, I—“
“Princess Emma?”
Both Emma and Killian turned their heads to see one of Emma’s chambermaids standing at the entry to the courtyard.
“Oh, there you are, dear, it’s time to prepare yourself for bed!”
Emma nodded to the maid before turning back to Killian. What he had been about to say seemed important, and she wanted to hear it. “Just a minute, Johanna.”
The portly older woman smiled tightly and gave a slight bow before walking back in the direction from which she’d come.
Once they were alone again, Emma nodded to Killian and smiled sweetly, giving his hand a squeeze. “Go on, Killian.”
He furrowed his brow before shaking his head at her. “Actually, don’t worry about it. I’ll see you at the ball tomorrow night.” He took a step away from her and smiled. “Sweet dreams, Emma.”
Emma’s smile faltered, but she tried not to let her disappointment show as she gave him one last curtsy. “Goodnight, Killian.”
She took a few steps in the direction of the castle before she turned around and ran back over to him, pulling him into a tight hug. Killian’s arms came around her and held her tightly until she released him to look into his face, her hands resting on his shoulders. “I really am glad that you’re home. And thank you for the lesson.” She leaned in and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek, ignoring the way her heart began to pound in her chest.
As her lips brushed over the stubble on his jaw, Killian inhaled a sharp, unsteady breath. He waited for her to pull away and when she did, she lingered, looking into his eyes as her hands slid down his chest. In those few seconds that she stayed pressed against him, he felt his courage swell. Enough to lean forward and press a hesitant kiss to her lips.
Emma responded immediately and brought her hands to the sides of his face where she kept him in place, not daring to let him get away. His arms tightened around her waist as he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers.
She didn’t know what to say, so she smiled at him as she took a step back in the direction of the castle. “See you tomorrow night, then?”
Killian could only nod in reply before Emma turned again and left, leaving him to stand alone in the courtyard and wonder how he was going to be able to face her again tomorrow.
LD Prompt: Killian thinks he lost his chance with Emma when he sees her dancing with a prince, unknown to him is that Emma's trying to make him jealous.
A/N: You know I adore LD fics anon
It was as though someone had ripped out his heart and was slowly crushing it. The pain was unbearable. And dammit he was jealous.
There she was, dressed in all her finery, her blond hair confined in an elegant bun, all creamy skin and sparkling green eyes. Her gown was a deep, royal blue bejeweled with sapphires and diamonds. She moved gracefully, almost weightless, on the dance floor as the seedy bastard twirled her effortlessly about the dance floor.
The sod who held her in his arms was a prince of someplace, or another. Someone with land, title and money-all of which Killian was severely lacking.
Why would she notice him? Why would she, a princess, and undoubtedly the loveliest woman Killian had ever seen, love him, of all people?
Yes, these last few days she had spoken to him, sought him out, asked his opinion-but it didn't mean anything.
At least not to her.
Killian sighed as he downed the last of his champagne, turning to leave, but a hand caught his arm and began pulling him towards the dance floor.
"Where do you think you're going, lieutenant?" Princess Emma asked as she eased them into the center of the dance floor.
"I-I-was just-princess," Killian stumbled as he took her waist.
"You never told me you were such an accomplished dancer, lieutenant," Emma said teasingly as he twirled her.
Killian blinked as she took his hand and the two did a circle.
"You never asked milady."
"What do you think of him?" Emma asked suddenly.
"Of who milady?" Killian asked as their palms came up, their eyes locking on one anothers'.
"Prince Laurence, of course," she said as Killian knelt down as she danced around him. "The man I was dancing with just now."
"I think he's a fop, milady, hardly worthy of someone such as you," the words were out before he could stop them.
"Why is that," Emma asked as she tried to hide her smile.
"Because, I think you deserve more than a crown and a marriage of convenience," he murmured. "You deserve a man who will cherish you for who you are, not for your crown."
"Do you know of any such man?" Emma asked breathlessly as Killian rose to his feet and pulled her close.
