Of all the places in the world, the last place Emma Swan expected to be was a renaissance festival. Everywhere she looked there was some sort of magical creature, whether actor or fairytale fanatic, she was totally out of her depth. Not to mention she could barely breathe in one of the costumes her dearest friend, Mary Margaret brought over last night.
This past year had been one of the roughest she'd had since the year Neal left her pregnant and on the hook for the watches he'd stolen. She wasn't sure anything would beat that year, but this one defiantly gave it a run for its money. The apartment building her and Henry had been living in was sold and everyone was evicted, she'd lost her job a week after that, landing both her and her four year old son on the doorstep of her oldest friends, the Nolans.
Emma thanked her lucky stars everyday for her friends. When she'd met them, she was 4 months pregnant and serving community service at the same homeless shelter that Mary Margaret was volunteering at. Emma was living in a Woman's Shelter until she was practically dragged home by the cheerful and optimistic woman. She lived there with them until she gave birth, got a job and made enough money to get back on her feet. She'd never thought years later, she'd be right back where she started.
The Nolan's were by far the most perfect couple she'd ever seen in her entire life. A modern day Snow White and Prince Charming. It was almost nauseating. They lived in a very quaint house in the suburbs and while they did not yet have children, they were definitely planning to. During the week Mary Margaret was a substitute teacher and David worked at the local animal shelter.
Thankfully though,the Nolan's were a part of a local renaissance faire on the weekends and were able to pull some strings to get her in. After two weeks of acting classes and training sessions, and finding Henry a baby sitter, Emma was ready to start her first day.
"Damn thing!" Emma whispered harshly, tugging at her corset. Not only was the contraption tight, she definitely wasn't used to showing this much skin to crowds of people. She was making her way to the bar she'd be working at every weekend for the foreseeable future. Her corset was too tight and her shoes were uncomfortable. As far as she was concerned she didn't know how anyone had lived in this time period.
The day was rough. Emma wasn't used to being someone else all day, having to be constantly aware of her word choice, the things she said. She managed to keep herself pretty well together, that was until a seemingly drunken pirate stumbled into her bar.
He was handsome, that she was certain of. His disheveled dark hair, stubbled jaw, and ice blue eyes, he was more than easy to look at. However, she quickly learned he was just as much of a pest you'd expect a pirate to be.
"Well hello lass, you're new and that means you haven't had the pleasure of meeting me yet," he bowed low, nearly disappearing behind the bar, staggering a little on his way up. "Well, I'm sure you could wager a guess at who I am, love," he said with a cocky grin, placing his left arm on her bar, a shiny hook where his hand should have been.
"Oh you're kidding me," she said without thought and instantly bit her bottom lip in frustration. "What I meant to say was… You must be Captain Hook, tales of your dastardly deeds have spread throughout the kingdom. Of course I know who you are."
"Aye, good thing love. I'm sure you've heard of my way with the ladies as well?" he said, his voice lowering an octave.
Emma just rolled her eyes and moved further down the bar to take orders from actual customers.
"Lassie, I wasn't finished with you yet," he said leaning over the bar, a finger on his good hand beckoning her.
"Well I was finished with you, pirate. I've got sober paying customers to tend to."
"Now now love, I'll win your affections. Least you could do for me is refill my flask," he said with a wink, handing her his empty flask.
Emma quickly grabbed his flask, filled it and offered it back, "Have a good day captain."
He quickly grabbed her hand, placing a kiss across her knuckles, "You have a wonderful day lass. I'll be seeing you again," he whispered before taking his flask and stumbling off to wreak havoc in another part of the fairgrounds.
Even at the risk of breaking character Emma couldn't help but mumble a few choice swear words under her breath.
The rest of her day went by smoothly. Emma made good tips, and with the dashing, yet extremely annoying pirate nowhere to be seen, she had no trouble staying in character.
She really wished David and Mary Margaret were there to make her first day a lot smoother but the only times she saw them was during the parade that went around the faire three times a day. The Nolan's had worked at the Renaissance Faire for years but it was only the last two years they were asked to play the part of King and Queen. Of course, in Emma's opinion it was completely ridiculous, but she also thought there wasn't a couple better to play the part.
So Emma had to wait til the end of the day, when all the park goers had gone and the actors and crew were able to leave as well and head back to their camp grounds. Everyone that was a part of the faire was required to stay on the grounds for the weekend because the mornings were so early and the nights were so late.
"Emma!" she heard someone call as soon as she stepped out of her tent, back in her own clothes. Two arms wrapped tightly around her and she knew instantly it was Mary Margaret.
"How was your first day? Did you have fun? Was everyone nice?" she rushed out before finally releasing her.
"I'm twenty two and I'm working at a Renaissance Faire… It went about as well as could be expected."
"Well, David and I are thirty and we work here," she countered, offering a smile. Everything about Mary Margaret was sweet. From her pink peacoat to her charmingly naive optimism.
"Yeah, but you two are special… you know weird." Emma teased and she linked arms with her friend, heading toward the bonfire they could see just beyond the tents. "You also both have other jobs. You just do this for fun. I'm doing this because my son needs clothes and food and I can still look for a real job during the workweek."
"Henry has a wonderful Mom," David said appearing beside Mary Margaret. He smiled over at Emma like a proud father before dropping a kiss to Mary Margaret's cheek.
Once they reached the campfire, they introduced Emma to all their friends. Leroy, Regina, Belle, Robin, and several others. Of course, Emma was already well acquainted with Mary Margaret's other friend Ruby, whose Grandmother was the one taking care of Henry. It wasn't until Emma's cheeks hurt from smiling politely at everyone that she noticed a certain pirate sitting across the bonfire from them.
"Who is that?" Emma whispered to David, nodding her head in the direction of her pest from earlier that day.
"His name is Killian Jones. He's been here for a year now. Mostly just hangs out with one of the actors in the fairy gardens. Why? Did he bother you? Do you need me to have words with him? I've heard he's a little inappropriate." David said, his eyes sizing the man up instantly.
"Calm down Dad," Emma huffed, rolling her eyes. "He stopped by the bar earlier today. I was just wondering."
She watched him from across the bonfire. He was absorbed in a conversation with a small petite blonde who was sitting next to him. Once the blonde had disappeared Emma excused herself from the Nolans and made her way over.
"So I see that you actually have a left hand. What am I supposed to call you now, Captain Hand?"
"Haha, very funny lass. My name is Killian Jones, but you can call me whatever you'd like," he spoke, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Emma was surprised to find his accent was real, if not even a little thicker. He was still quite handsome, without his guyliner and leather. He was wearing a grey sweater with dark jeans and boots and Emma had to wonder which outfit she prefered.
"So what the hell was your deal today pirate? Or do you even remember? You were pretty inebriated."
"It's called acting love. I don't drink on the job, I pour it out so I can visit the bars," he mumbled, his hand coming to scratch behind his ear nervously.
"Well it was very convincing. I was pretty sure you were actually an asshole,"
"I'm a pirate… I'm supposed to be an arsehole," he said finally looking up at her. "But if you'd like to get to know me a little better… you could find out for yourself," he snarked, waggling his eyebrows.
Emma could tell he had gone back to hiding behind his pirate persona. If there was one thing Emma Swan knew it was walls and this guy had walls nearly as high as hers.
"I think I'll take a raincheck Captain. I'll see you around… hopefully not in the same way I saw you today," she warned.
"Like I said love, I will win your affections," he called after her as she retreated back to her group of friends. "Any chance of me getting your name?" he called after her retreating form.
"It's Emma Swan, we'll see if you get a chance to use it," she said unable to resist the tease.
Emma said a quick goodnight to David and Mary Margaret before retreating back to her tent. She had to make sure she got back to call Granny and check on Henry before it got too late.
"Hello mama!" the happy voice of her four year old greeted her.
"Hey kid! How was your day? Did you have fun with Granny?" she said, a bittersweet smile on her face. She hated leaving him on the weekends but she got to spend all the other days of the week with him at the moment and she really needed the money.
"She gave me ice cream and pancakes! We went to the park," he said before taking a break to yawn.
"She wore you out huh? Well you be a good boy and go straight to bed for Granny okay?"
"Okay mama! I see you soon?"
"Of course kid. I'll see you soon."
Emma took comfort in Henry's happy voice and tucked herself into her sleeping bag and drifted off to sleep, dreaming her her sweet little boy, corsets, and a pair of startling blue eyes.