Notes:

Before we begin...

Summary: Well I had no idea what else to add in the description but that absolutely gives you the basic idea! Title: Yes, it's a common one; but I think it fits perfectly with the story.
Updates: I haven't written much so I'll try my best! I'm quite excited so I don't think it's going to take too long between the chapters! I have no idea how this will go but I really hope you like it guys!

Please don't repost, change or use parts of this without credit. I own none of the characters, nor the basic idea (which I saw somewhere on the internet and I just started to write this without reading anything else, lol) but everything else is totally mine so...

Last but not least, I chose to write this fic in present tense. English is not my first launguage (that's why it may take me a little bit longer sometimes to update) and it's quite an experiment for me.
So if you guys find any grammar or syntax mistakes pleaseee send me a PM or write it in the comments' section below. It will not only improve my writing, but it will also help me make the chapters more satisfying for you to read.

I hope you like it and want another chapter! Thank's for reading this!
I promise, that's the first and last so large note!

Chapter 1: Storm's coming

The leather fondles smoothly against his bare arms as the sun makes him flinch. He checks on his watch one more time to be sure that he's not late. The world is so bright and beautiful when the lesson starts 2 hours later!

He walks under the huge sign of the University's name when a familiar figure catches his attention and makes him grin. The woman leaves slowly his mate's side as he approaches and he whistles with admiration when she turns her back to them.

"Isn't she an attractive lass?" He asks jokingly, with his deep accent, causing his friend a brief chuckle. Robin and him were met in the University. Even if they haven't share so many years with each other, they're stuck together since the first moment. They're what everyone would call "best friends" and they both enjoy it!

"Hands off, mate. She's taken."

His bragging tone makes Killian's eyes narrow and then he smiles cockily. "Someone's tonight sleep just got more interesting!" He doesn't manage to avoid the kick on his leg.

"You're such a bastard!" They both laugh like their younger selves until a voice stops them.

"See? Even you own friend knows that!"

Killian's smile fades away as his eyes meet the other man's. Gold. His history with this man is as old as the memories of his life. They've been together at every step in their school, and high school years and now he has the bad fortune to have him at the same University too. It isn't that something terrible has happened between them. They just never got along with each other. Killian's weakness and vulnerability as a child gave Gold space to mock him and show off as braver, smarter or anything else he had the need to look like, back then. But Killian is not a child anymore. He has learned how to relay on his own legs, how to defend himself and how to distinguish a worth-fighting situation from a waste of his time. However, this man has managed one thing pretty good; he can get on Killian's nerves and drive him crazy. And that's the last weak point that has been left from the young boy with the ocean eyes.

"Don't you have anything else to do?" He tries to sound indifferent but his enemy's smile informs him that he has failed.

"Mocking you is a really satisfying start to make my day! Of course, I wouldn't complain if I hadn't got to see your face again."

"Maybe going to hell would help!" He's not sure if he wants him to hear it but he obviously did and Killian curses under his breath.

"Oh right. Did I press you too much? You must need your brother now. Go find him. That's what you always did! Always running under his protection spell."

Killian really struggles to stay still. The demon knows exactly what to say in order to get his opponent mad. He was never really fond of being weak. And today, he can proudly say that he's not a coward anymore. But back at school his resistance to Gold's words was not so strong. Every time he was saying or doing something to him, Killian was asking his brother's help immediately. Being one year older and much wiser, Liam always knew how to stop the fights between the two boys and make Killian regain his self-respect. Years after, he doesn't need to hide behind his brother anymore. Nevertheless, being a coward is still his worst fear and he can't avoid losing his temper every time Gold mentions it.

Robin notices Killian's hands turning into fists and he puts his own in his friend's shoulder to calm him down.

"Get a life!" Killian hisses and they both turn to leave.

. . .

The plastic salver that hits angrily the table makes two pairs of eyes look up at the man that has thrown it away. Killian ignores both of them and walks around the long table, to his brother's side, while Robin just puts his own salver at the table and sits down, next to the blonde.

"What happened?" Liam hasn't taken his eyes off his brother this whole time and what he says next make him sigh in relief.

"Gold." This is enough for his brother to understand the whole situation. He sits down, crossing his arms stubbornly in front of his chest like a child.

"Is that it? Aren't you used to this yet?"

"That doesn't mean I don't want to hit him!" He punches back as he starts to play with his food.

"Ok, uhhm... Could you- Could you two please sit a little more far from here? We... were talking about something."

Killian's eyes meet his brother's and then he looks up at the woman as if he has just noticed her. She looks serious and cold as usual, but something else has been added to the list. Anxiety? Well, whatever it is his brother surely has a solution. "Oh, yes. Sure." He replies kindly and slides at the other edge of the table, being followed by Robin who does the same.

"You didn't have to do that. We could talk later."

The woman's voice catches his attention again and he smiles at her encouragingly. "Don't worry about him. He'll forget it happened once he gets my allowance!"

This makes her chuckle and he does the same. "What's the real matter with this Gold?" She asks with genuine curiosity.

"Not something serious. Just two grown up men who fight like children. BUT... Gold did make my brother's life difficult back at school and that makes me want to punch him at the guts!"

"And I thought you were protective only with me." She jokes sweetly and begins eating again.

Liam was the first - and only - person to trust when she moved in this place. Being a foster kid she has a huge history of changing houses, parents or neighborhoods but once she got 16 she was finally free and independent. Desperately wanting to leave the past behind and make a new start she decided to move in Boston and apply for the University when she was 17. She didn't expect her life to change and suddenly be happy with lots of people around; but what she also didn't expected was to find such a good friend. Of course, Liam was the one who initially approached her when she was struggling to be adapted in this place; and of course, she pushed him away. However, his constant offering to help and his kind presence finally persuaded her that she probably could trust him. And she did. Two years after, at her 19, Liam knows almost everything about her as she for him and they're helping each other. They are kind of best friends, with him hanging around with her and Emma having a person she can finally be opened up.

"No, lass. I'm protective with everyone I care about. But Killian has grown up. He was really vulnerable back then but I think I helped him enough to be able to fight for himself now. He just need to grumble sometimes."

"I wish you could say the same for me."

Her voice is sad again and he lets a sigh free before he cups her hand. "I can. You're a very strong woman Emma. Not everyone could have survived all this."

"I know but... this just doesn't feel comforting. Surviving isn't enough. You told me that. I want to follow your advice; I want to live. And here I am, terrified for one more time in my fucked up life."

"The person who told me that wasn't living on a cloud either, you know. Living is not easy, sweetheart. And sometimes it even seems impossible but it's not. You've fought more difficult situations than this; you can do this. We're talking about one or two days, Emma, it's not such big a deal!"

"I know. I know. It's just. I-I'm just desperate to get over this. You may be the only good thing that has happened in my life."

"I'm not the only good thing, Emma. I'm the only chance you took. You had some chances but you decided to run away. And I'm not judging you, you know that. I may have done the same. What I'm trying to say is that you can have the life you've been dreaming of all these years. But you need to keep fighting."

They stay silent for a while until Liam notices his watch and realizes that their time is over.

"Well, I have to go to the class. Is it scheduled for tonight? Should I come to stay with you?"

"Yes, I'd like that. We can see some movies or play games. Just something to take my mind off."

"Ok. Do you want me to come right after school?"

"No. You have your life Liam; you don't need to do this. Just for the night."

"Done! I really need to go. If you need something you know where to find me. Or you can ask Killian. You're together in class so it'll be easier to approach him."

"Yes. Maybe. I mean... ok. I won't need anything."

"He's a good kid, Emma. And you're together almost the whole day! He may look cool or even Jerk sometimes but he's not like that."

"Hey. I know. Of course he's good but I don't feel so comfortable with him. He doesn't know me. And you know well enough that I'm not a communicative person."

"Yes, I had my dose of your stubbornness. And it was a good one!" They both chuckle at his comment but the brightness on her face is brief. Her face becomes serious; the look she usually has when she's troubling with something. "Stop thinking too much! We'll talk later." He kisses the left side of her forehead before he turns to leave.

. . .

It's been 4 hours already and Liam is waiting for his brother at the University's gate.

"Hey. Where have you been? The last time I saw you it was at launch time. Well, I didn't actually see you because you kindly pushed me away."

Liam can't keep himself from a small laugh as the both of them start walking. "You know; you can be really grumpy sometimes. How was your day, lad?"

"Ahh! Perfect!" His tone is obviously sarcastic as he lifts his hand up dramatically. "I mean, my day began really great with Gold's nonsense over my head and I really enjoyed having him in ALL classes with me!"

His smile hasn't faded away as he runs his hand through his hair and looks at Killian. "It sounds one hell of a day to me!" He jokes, only to receive a murdering look from his little brother that makes him sigh. "When will you stop worrying about him?"

The sweetness of Liam's voice calms him down a little but his anger still has the control of his mind. "When he's dead!" He replies stubbornly and comes to a halt when his brother stops walking. "Killian!" All the sweetness is gone and that's all Killian needs to hear to know that he has pissed Liam off. "Sorry." He mumbles. "It was just a joke Liam, I just... I can't stand this behavior of his anymore."

Noticing that his brother is ashamed to look him in the eye he knows that he's gotten the message. Good. He doesn't need to keep playing agree with him. On the contrary, he lifts his arm and hugs the other man around the shoulders, encouraging him to start walking again. "How many times I need to tell you, lad? As long as you pay attention to what he says, he'll keep doing it! He knows it pisses you off and it satisfies him. You're not a child anymore, Killian."

He still stares at the ground and he curses himself from inside for acting like a 10 years old. "I know." He admits and looks up at the road again.

"Then stop acting like one! I'm not always gonna be there to remind it to you. You're a grown up man; you're smart, you're strong and so many other things. You need to be able to rely on your own legs, without me being around."

His last phrase and calm tone make Killian's eyes narrow as he faces his brother. "Why are you talking like this?" The weight of Liam's arm on his shoulders disappears and he swifts awkwardly away.

"I've always been the wise one." He definitely regrets looking up at his brother's eyes and finding out the disbelief for his words. "Am I wrong? What would you do if your girlfriend was being treated like this? Would you come to me to make it stop?" Killian's now widening eyes inform him that he has distracted him and he lets free the breath he was holding.

"I didn't come to you to make it stop! I'm just talking to you. Or Emma is the only one who has that right?"

"What has Emma to do with this? Bloody hell, Killian; what's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with you? You always listen to her and find solutions but when I come to talk to you, all you have to say is how wrong I am. When did that happen?"

He opens and closes his mouth several times before actually speaking. He's genuinely shocked. He knows that Emma and Killian barely speak to each other but that he doesn't like her? That's a new one. "I... Killian, I didn't mean to... You're not wrong with something. Believe me, I know who you are. I'm just trying to make you see it too. And that's exactly what I'm doing with Emma. Why are you so envious about her?"

He closes his eyes and takes two deep breaths before answering to him. "I'm not envious. I'm sorry; I have no problem with her, really! But there are times I feel you care more about her than me. And it's your life, you can do anything you want with it and... care for anyone you want but..." He stops and bites his bottom lip before he continues whispering. "I'm used to care about me too."

Liam exhales a heavy breath and slightly smiles. He puts both hands on each one of his brother's shoulders which forces him to look up. "The times you're referring to are the ones she needs me more than you do. When I first met her I thought that you two could be good friends. I don't know why it never happened but... she's lived more than you can imagine. So, stop comparing the two of you. Caring about her doesn't mean I'm forgetting about you. We've spent such a lifetime together!"

Killian looks down with a small chuckle and then he turns his look back. "That we did. You were there for me more than our own parents."

"And I always will be! I'll always be by your side. Don't ever forget it, little brother."

He doesn't try to prevent himself from rolling his eyes theatrically as he pulls away from Liam's holding. "Younger brother." He corrects him angrily and walks pass him.

Once Killian is far enough Liam sighs heavily and turns to follow him.

. . .

*Time lapse. 02:30 a.m. at the same night*

The knocks on the door make her jump in surprise. What is she gonna do if...? She fights to hide the tremble that's covering her body and she walks hesitantly towards the door.

"Swan, open up! I know you're in there!"

Killian's shouting voice makes her let free the breath she was holding as she tries to calm herself down and look as natural as she can manage. Some more seconds pass and she finally pushes the handle down. When the door cracks open, an undeniably mad Killian rushes inside, drifting her with him. He pushes her angrily against the other side of the door, forcing it to close again. His hand threatens to tighten around her neck as she looks at him with terror; her breathing already hitching on her throat at the sound of his loud voice.

"Where is he? What did you do?"

Notes:

For those who had read it in the past I have to tell you that some things will change so please give it one more chance.
For the new readers thank's for giving it a try! I'd love to learn what you think!