It's the cat caught eating the canary look on his face that gives him away.

Also, she knows what day it is and she knows her mother...and how hard it is to say no to her mother. Especially when you're a pirate who just so happens to be madly in love. With her, not her mother.

"So, a quiet dinner at Granny's, huh?" she asks, resting her head against Killian's shoulder.

He hums his agreement.

"However did you talk my mother into that?"

He flashes his most charming grin. "I believe your instructions were quite clear, Swan. She wants to make you happy."

Emma laughs. "Yes, well, she and I occasionally have different ideas of what will make me happy."

"Don't I know it," Killian mutters.

A chill breeze whooshes in from behind them and Emma lets go of his elbow in lew of pulling his arm over her shoulders and hugging him close. He gives her shoulder a quick squeeze. It is a bit nippy for October, even late October. Killian's cheek brushes against the top of her head, stubble catching at her beanie and shifting it slightly. He sighs when her hand finds her favorite spot, right above his heart where she can feel the steady, warm thrum.

He doesn't say anything, though his arm tightens around her as they walk down Main Street.

"You know, Killian" Emma says. "I will figure out when your birthday is eventually."

"Though I have full confidence in your deductive capabilities, Emma, you should resign yourself to mystery on that count," he says, chuckling.

She pokes him in the ribs. "Really, you want to take a bet on that?"

"It would hardly be good form for me to take a bet that I'm sure to win."

"Ooooh," she says. "Cheeky."

Killian glances up as they make a circuit past the library, trying to be surreptitious as he checks the time. Emma sees it, but she chooses silence. The more she thinks about it, the more she decides that she wants to give this a shot. Maybe she did make a big deal about today not being a big deal, but now she thinks she might have been too hasty on that count. After all, this is the first year she has both the people and the time to make today a big deal. So she'll give them this year. Who knows, if she enjoys it, she might give them next year too.

"So, how about a hint?" Emma prods. "Can you at least give me a season."

"Nope," he says, his grin widening.

Emma presses her lips together. "You sure about that? I could make it worth your while." She stops walking, swinging him around and wrapping her arms around his neck. Killian leans into her, forehead brushing against hers. Tantalizingly close.

"As tempting as that sounds, Emma," he says, his breath warming her lips and chin, "I'm afraid I don't have the information you seek."

Emma pulls back—just a little—catching his eye to see if he's messing with her. "Really?"

"Aye," he says. "Never did."

"Killian, I—"

He cuts her off with a brief kiss. "It's alright, love. I lived centuries without celebrating a birthday, I think I can survive another few decades without one." He ducks down, pressing his lips to hers again, his warmth driving away the chill of the evening. He breaks away, but stays close enough their noses still touch. "Sorry to disappoint."

"Pick a day then," Emma says.

"You're not going to let this go, are you, Swan?"

"Nope."

"Well then," he says. He chews on his bottom lip, while giving her a long, hard stare with those beautiful eyes of his. They're a brighter blue now, Emma would swear it on a stack of Bibles. Everything seems brighter after what they went through. "If this is so important to you, then you choose."

She almost blurts out that since they share a heart, then maybe they should share a birthday too, but that—ridiculously sappy—train of thought leads her to a better idea immediately.

"December sixth," she breathes.

He blinks, the gears turning in his head as he places the date, confusion smoothing into perfect understanding.

"Aye," Killian says, "I suppose that's fitting."

Emma cups the back of his head, pulling him for another—much longer—kiss. She hears the buzz of his phone in his jacket, knows what that must mean, but does her best to convince him to ignore it. Just for a little bit longer.

"Emma…"

"Can't we stall just a little bit longer?"

Killian chuckles. "You noticed?"

"Of course I noticed," Emma says, running her thumb over the smooth part of his cheek. "You're something of an open book."

Killian just rolls his eyes. "Well, I suppose I shall have to warn your mother about that next year."

"Don't worry," Emma says. "I'll act very surprised when we get to Granny's."

"Please do," he says, wrapping her arm around his again. "I should hate to suffer the wrath of your mother."

This particular drabble was written for my Christmas 2015 prompt thing on tumblr. One of six requested by my lovely friend sammmtacular. I hope you enjoy!

Also, Emma's birthday (October 22nd) is gleaned from someone that said the article the day after she was found is dated October 23rd. Anyways, there you go.