After the freeze
Emma shivered slightly against Killian, she was laying on him in the back of the car as David was driving, Elsa in the passenger seat. She felt warmth glide across her cheek, Killian's hand she realized.
"Shivering is actually a good sign love" he whispered gently "Your body's not…. Shutting down anymore" his voice breaking slightly as he said it, Emma couldn't help herself. Whether it was to comfort him or an attempt to further warm herself she didn't know but she found herself shuffling closer to Killian, burying her face in his chest. She sighed happily despite the situation as she felt his warm arms wrap around her pulling her in
"You… want me to hold you?" Emma could practically feel David's glare, which should be on the road, but she didn't care.
"Y..yes" she shivered and whimpered slightly as she felt her whole body stinging
"I got you love, its alright" he pulled her impossibly close to him rubbing her arms "You scared me love, and now your admitting to wanting me close and you just sounded dangerously close to a wounded animal… it doesn't look good Swan" he tried to keep his tone light for her, but there was deep concern laced within
"Ma..maybe I'm just us..using you for your warmth" she shivered and Killian smiled slightly, but Emma felt like she was dying. He had to know. She couldn't just go proclaiming her love now with her father driving and her brain half frozen. But she could let him know she cared. With just one word she could do that, and so she opened her mouth to mutter his name. A name which she knew he would understand as 'I care, I love you but I can't say it yet'. And so for the first time, instead of Hook she muttered it
"Killian" he froze for a second, David's eyes instantly growing soft, knowing exactly what was happening. His little girl was letting someone in, letting someone know she cared and really hoping they cared back. A small smile on his face registered, he knew Hook cared back. Damn it Hook has been just as desperate to get Emma back as he had.
Killian's lips crashed down onto her forehead "I'm not going anywhere, love. I promise" he whispered, Emma smiled spite herself and let the darkness take her.
"Emma, love" she began hearing his desperate voice, Killian's voice. He had been crying she could tell, he sounded desperate. That's when she felt his hands on her arms, her face. His shaking hands. She hear the others muttering but couldn't quite focus "Why is she not waking up" His voice hoarse. Oh. She realised she was hearing other voices because they were no longer in David's car, she was back in the apartment. A apartment full of people worrying about her. Despite how terrible she was feeling, there was warmth in her chest at the thought. So many times when she was little she had dealt with illness alone, people not caring or thinking it a nascence. And now here she was, Emma Swan surrounded by people who loved her and were worried about her.
"EMMA" still Killian, she desperately tried to open her eyes but it felt as if they were frozen shut "Please, love. You can't die on me" His voice breaking just as her heart was, he reached for her hand entwining it with his. Emma concentrated on trying to move the muscles, if her face muscles refused to cooperate, maybe her hand would. It was in Killian's warm one after all.
"Emma" he breathed "DAVID QUICK" if she could smile she would have, her hand appeared to have successfully squeezed his. "Emma, do it again love" he whispered as he kissed her cheek and waited, her hand so numb she wasn't sure if it had worked again until she heard David. Dad. She heard her Dad.
"Awake" he breathed "Emma, can't you open your eyes?" he Dad's voice so concerned, it made her pine, wishing oh so much he had been there for her when she was little. She could picture him caring for her, making sure she was ok. That's when she felt wetness on her face, tears. Her tears. She felt a hand stroke them away, even with a numb face she knew it was Killian.
"Killian stay with her, I'm going to get Whale, Regina, anyone who can help"
"I'm not leaving her, mate. Have you phoned Snow?" Emma's heart swelled. Her pirate making sure Emma would have her mother. He knew her too well.
"Yes" David's voice soft "If I wasn't so worried about my daughter right now I would give you a speech about how you've changed, and I'm glad for it" Emma could practically feel her pirate smirk
"Glad for it huh? Don't, you'll make Snow jealous" there's the pirate she knew and loved, she heard David sigh and would have laughed if she could. She felt Killian stiffen and wondered what had happened until he spoke "So you can hear me Swan" he said softly "Good to know I can make you smile" maybe her face was finally starting to defrost.
"I'll be back Emma, with your mother and a cure so you can open your eyes" David said softly before turning to the pirate "I'm glad you changed because there's clearly no getting rid of you" he gestured towards his daughter "It seems someone has finally found someone to start to open up to, to trust to show how they feel" he paused "Don't kill me for sharing this with him Emma" he whispered and turned back to Killian "She never told you what happened with the people who she let in before, Neal, previous families?" Killian shook his head as Emma held her breath "They hurt her, ask her about it. If I'm correct about how she feels, and I'm sure I am. She'll open up to you. She called you Killian earlier, I think we both know what that means" and with that Emma heard his feet walking away and the doors close.
She felt a kiss just above her nose "Love, you've got to stop scaring me like this, as much as I love your father giving me little insights into your life and feelings I would much appreciate it if you could tell me yourself" his hands ghosting over her face, and that's when Emma realised she wasn't all that cold anymore. And it wasn't from the blankets, she was warmed by Killian's words. She wanted to tell him about her past, to let him in. She felt her eyes flutter trying to open. Of course Killian noticed.
"Love?" he squeezed her hand, giving her all the strength she needed. Her eyes finally open and blinking rapidly trying to adjust to the light before settling on his face. A small smile crossed her face
"Hey" she croaked, her voice sore and sounding ruff but still operating. Her body crashed against his as he pulled her into him
"Emma Swan" he said it loud and clear "Don't you EVER scare me like that again"
"The great Captain Hook scared?" she teased and he chuckled
"Normally I would have a witty comeback, but I'm just glad you seem to be your normal self love" she looked up at his face and couldn't help but think he looked a little deflated, thinking through what she just said she realised why. He thought she was back to calling him Hook, forgetting she had even called him Killian. She had an escape route, but found herself not wanted to use it, no going back now. Her face softened as she said it
"Killian" his face changed a look of warmth, shock and adoration.
"Love?" she took a breath, once she said this there would be no going back. But after being in his arms, she didn't want to go back.
"You won't hurt me" she said it with confidence smiling at him. Killian's face registered what she said, remembering David's words and realising the implications. Emma was telling him in her own way, telling him she was ready for them, ready to open up like she had done before. But she was trusting him to not be like the others.
"You'll have to tell me what the hell they did to you to make you so closed off to trust and love, Swan" he paused looking at her face as he cradled it "And I'll be here to remind you, you are so loved" kiss "So worth it" kiss "And that you can indeed trust me, love. I would never hurt you"
Emma smiled up at him "And you'll stay" he didn't hesitate in his response
"Always, love." Killian moved from the floor where he was kneeling next to her to sit on the coach, letting her lye on him "There, now I'm trapped and can't leave, how about you get some sleep. I'll wake you when your father returns" he began threading his hands through her hair "You must be exhausted, considering the last lot of sleep you got came from being unconscious" Emma snuggled into him
"Killian" she whispered it
"Aye, love. I know." He paused "I would trade my ship for you again in a heartbeat love" Emma smiled, she quite liked the fact they had little code words, she wasn't quite ready to jump in with the 'I love you' yet.
Emma awoke not long after, Killian being true to his word. His hands winding through her hair and his soft voice in her ear "Emma, love." As she began to open her eyes he gave her fair warning "Your mother is here, parent mode. Your father seems to have brought Whale, Regina and your lad" at that Emma's eyes sprung up meeting the wide eyes of Henry. Damn. She had spoke to Henry after the ice monster, figuring she would have to give him some warning that a certain pirate was driving her crazy, she had also promised him nothing would happen until he was ready. Of course Henry hadn't had time to respond, with Grumpy yelling about new monsters left right and centre.
"MUM!" He leaped forward hugging his mum, practically lying on Killian to do so, Killian seemed a little shocked at this but had a warm smile "When you said he was driving you crazy, I didn't exactly interpret that as you liked him mum. I'm 12"
"Kid…."
"Driving you crazy, huh?" He smirked as Emma shot him a look
"I'm glad you're ok Mum" he smiled up at her and leaned forward to whisper "The longer I stay here like this, the longer you avoid Granma being all… Granma" at this Emma pulled him closer hearing Killian try to hold in a chuckle clearly hearing what had been said and she whispered back
"So operation avoid the mother bear, huh?" Henry giggled
"Your getting better at giving them names"
"I've had a bit of practice" she smiled but before she could say anything else her mother seemed to be unable to contain herself any longer
"Henry…. You think I can talk to Emma now?" Henry pulled back slowly
"I tried to stall mum" Emma smiled
"Its ok kid, if she smothers me though…" Henry interrupted
"I'll fall over a chair or something and ask for Granma" Killian chuckled along with Emma as Henry backed off
"Sorry Hook, I didn't mean to crush you"
"That's quite alright, lad" he smirked and Henry stood over him a question in his eyes "What is it, lad?"
"If your with my mum….. does that mean you'll take me sailing? Like you would have with my dad?" Killian smiled his eyes gleaming as he looked at Emma who smiled back giving him a nod
"It would be my honour. I know I'm not your father but…" Henry interrupted him
"But your still pretty cool" He smiled and Killian laughed. He looked up seeing Snow approach and grimaced
"Love…" this time Emma cut him off
"If you leave me in this apartment alone with her you can say goodbye to your other hand" Killian chuckled
"I told you, love. I won't leave. Just wondering where I'm to stand" Emma looked at Henry and smiled
"Come on Hook, I need to introduce you to the world of gaming" Henry took his hand and pulled him up beginning to pull him away, Killian smiled at the boy and leaned down to kiss Emma's head once more
"Call me if you need me love"
"Don't forget the code name" Henry shouted over his shoulder as he dragged Killian upstairs. Emma smiled to herself, although about to be smothered she was sure, she had a warmth in her heart watching her son pull her pirate up to his room, she glanced over to where Regina stood and saw an odd look in her eyes. One of acceptance.
"Oh Emma" her mother sighed hugging her close, despite herself Emma smiled.
Sometime later Killian and Henry came back downstairs, Regina taking him home. They had decided it would be best for Regina to have some company. She has still come to help Emma even after feeling like her life had been destroyed by a Charming once again, but she was here for Henry.
Henry peeked over to look at his mum to say goodbye, only to find her squished between her mother and father, looking up at Henry with a clear cry for help in her eyes, Henry chuckled
"Granma, Grandad" he called and they looked up at him smiling, seeming to be oblivious or uncaring of their daughter's utter loss of what to do, and while Henry found it quite funny there was a soft almost sad look in his eyes. Emma didn't know how to react to her parents holding her after she had been in peril. That told him plenty of her past.
"Alright" said Snow getting up, Emma exhaling a bit of relief "Its late, we should all go home" Henry ran and hugged his mum goodbye, passing Killian on the way out he smiled a large smile up at him "Sailing?"
"Aye lad, have a day's rest then we can go" he ruffled his hair and looked over to Regina "You have the day with the lad tomorrow, he was quite insistent" Regina nodded at the pirate and mutter a quiet "thank you" before taking Henry's hand and walking out.
"Seems I wasn't really needed here after all" Whale announced and stepped towards Emma placing some pills on the side to which Emma rolled her eyes "Relax Miss Swan, in case you have a headache, unless you want it to turn into a migraine I suggest you take the medicine. It won't kill you"
"It might" Emma mutter as Whale sighed and walked out. That left David, Snow and Killian all standing and Emma sent Snow a pleading look which she seemed to understand
"Hook" Snow started but before she could continue he cut in
"I won't leave Emma" he said firmly, Snow raised her eyebrows
"Hoo…. Killian" she corrected as Emma eyed her, flashing her a smiled as Killian's face dropped in shock "If you would have let me finish. It seems there's no getting rid of you" she walked over slowly "But if you hurt my daughter"
"Mum" Emma cut in glaring at her and Snow sighed and looked at Killian muttering
"She wants you here" Kilian's face softened. She had told her mother "And she seems to trust you, trust from my daughter is hard earned, you got it don't waste it" she patted him on the back and turned to face him "You're Killian now, not Hook" she smiled over at her daughter "the same as me now being mum and not Mary Margret" Killian smiled over at Emma, his face dropped as she shivered at the loss of contact of body heat. He was with her in a flash.
"Common Swan, I volunteer as pillow" Emma smiled up at him as she leaned on him sighing, not even noticing David and Snow nod at Killian once move as they went upstairs.
"I have stuff to tell you Killian, you know that right?" Killian nodded
"Aye, Swan. Nothing you say will change my feelings" She smiled
"Henry's with Regina all day tomorrow?"
"Aye. Plan on spending the day with me Swan?" she turned to face him as her body moulding into his
"Like I said, a lot to tell you. Were you planning on leaving?"
"Not even if you tried to make me" she chuckled "I nearly lost you today, love. I want to know about your past, about everything and anything. Once you've told me everything you'll have nothing to be afraid of" he kissed her head "and you'll let me hold you, we'll face challenges together and see if we can change this silly notion of unworthiness you seem to feel" Emma stared at him for a while before burying her head into his chest once again
"Well we seem to have accomplished the letting you hold me and facing challenges together part, don't you think?"
"We're getting there Swan" he ran his fingers through her hair and felt her smile "What is it Swan?"
"I've just never had anyone hold me or mess with my hair" she paused "not in a nice way at least" she muttered after not noticing the way Killian went stiff at that "Or had anyone do the type of things you do"
"Like what, Swan?" she sighed
"You've brought me flowers"
"Aye love, they were pretty and I thought of you" she smiled
"You call me pretty" Killian's hand stopped messing with her hair and moved to wrap around her body
"You're beautiful, Swan" he felt her shake her head slightly laughing "Emma, look at me" she did "You said no one had done this to you in a nice way?" her eyes stayed on his face not moving "Are you telling me the people in your past, people you opened up to, used ugly words directed at you, and hurt you?"
"Well ugly words tend to hurt" she muttered and he kissed her head
"You said no one held you or messed with your hair in a nice way, Swan. Were you hurt?" Emma cuddled into him
"Not by you that's all that mattered" he sucked in a breath and sighed
"We do indeed have a lot to discuss" she yawned and Killian began stroking her hair again "Sleep Swan, tomorrow you can share some of your beginnings with me. No matter how painful we'll get through them" she nodded and was drifted off as she heard "Are any of the people who hurt you still in Storybrooke? Or still living?"
"Why?"
"You think I wouldn't want to go have a word with them?" she smiled again, she may be a light magic meant to bring happy endings but the thought of Killian punching someone who has wronged her made her smile more than it should have
"Killian"
"No, Swan. You're telling me you wouldn't go punch someone who hurt me"
"No I wouldn't" she said snuggling into him, she waited a few seconds before added "I have magic Killian I wouldn't need to punch them"
"I knew there was a pirate in you, Swan" he smirked.
And with that Emma fell into her dreams, knowing her adventure with Killian was just beginning.
So, that's it guys! I'm not leaving it here; my next fic will be Emma telling Killian about her past. Hope you enjoyed!