A/N: Hello, all!

I'm sure you're all wondering about what this is!

Well, on my Tumblr, to celebrate 800 followers, I've decided to do an AU week! So, this is 7 stories about our dear Killian and Emma—but, with a bit of a twist!

This first one was incredibly fun to write it, and I've hidden a few OUAT Easter eggs in there for you guys to find ;)

Listen to: 'Homeless' by Ed Sheeran and 'Sugar' by Paper Route.

Enjoy!

Emma didn't really know what to expect, moving into an apartment like this, so last minute.

She supposed she didn't have much of a choice.

There was supposedly someone else living with her, but she hadn't met them yet.

So, she took a deep breath as she set down her things at the door of the apartment (number 311, she repeated to herself as she looked at the door), raising a fist to knock. She gave the door a few solid knocks before she heard footsteps by the door.

She was crazy for doing this.

(She kept reminding herself she didn't have any other options.)

The door swung open to reveal a messy-haired man. His dark, dark hair pointed in every which way, indicating that he'd just woken up. But, his bright, blue eyes suggested otherwise. His right hand gripped the door as he leaned out of the threshold. Emma noticed that he lacked a left hand, peaking her interest.

"I presume you're Ms. Swan." He spoke with a toothy grin and a beautiful, British accent.

Damn, even his teeth were bright.

This man was interesting.

"Or, Emma-I'm not really into the whole 'Miss' thing." Emma suggested.

"Swan it is." He grinned, holding his hand out, "Killian Jones."

"It's nice to meet you." She replied, finally offering a small smile as she shook his hand.

"Do you need help moving your things in? Looks like you've brought quite a bit." He teased, leaning against the doorframe as he eyed her few bags and box.

"I think I can handle it." She replied, bending down to grab her messenger bag before standing up straight again. He kindly moved aside to let her in, moving to grab her suitcase and other bag, dragging them and the box into the entrance and closing the door.

Emma glanced around, smiling at the smile apartment.

It was clearly well-kept, giving how clean everything looked. A pristine black, leather couch sat against the wall, facing a TV mounted on the opposite wall. There was a glass coffee table over a thick, fluffy rug-Emma realized she'd misjudged him.

The kitchen had a subway-tile backsplash (that she loved), smooth, granite counters, and all stainless-steel appliances.

"Sorry it's a bit small." Killian offered, "It's better than nothing, though, I suppose."

"No, it's perfect." Emma spoke with a small smile.

"If you'll allow me," Killian grinned, "I'll show you to your room."

Emma followed him down the small hallway, glancing down the end of the hall to see a master bedroom. She heard Killian chuckle, clearly noticing that she was looking down to his room.

"See anything you like?" He smirked, ducking into the room across from the bathroom and motioning for Emma to follow.

She rolled his eyes at his comment before following him.

The room was a small space-she'd expected that much. There was a window at the far wall, a window that overlooked the city. A small wardrobe sat in the corner, and the small, twin bed was beside the window. A small nightstand-slash-bookshelf stood beside the bed, housing only a few books here and there.

"Sorry it isn't much. I figured whoever moved in might like to make the space their own." Killian suggested.

"It's fine, really." Emma offered, stepping inside fully and taking a quick turn to see everything. It seemed just fine for her.

"Would you like me to help you unpack?" Killian asked sweetly.

"I think I can do it myself, thank you." Emma spoke with a forced smile, setting her messenger bag on the bed and taking another look around.

"Can I get you anything to drink, love?" He asked, and at the endearment, Emma felt her cheeks flush.

"Water would be fine."
"I'll be right back, then."

Killian left with a smile, causing Emma to sigh.

She opened her bag to grab out the sheets she'd picked up at Target-they were a weird yellow-ish color that she didn't quite like, but they were on clearance, and all Emma could afford. She'd already started unfolding them when Killian walked in with a bottle of water.

"Here you go, love." He said, setting it on the nightstand, "Are you sure you wouldn't like a hand?"

Emma raised a brow and turned to face him, looking at his hand, then back up to his smirk.

"That supposed to be funny?"

He tilted his head with a sincere smile before leaning his hand on the nightstand.

"Those are quite the yellow sheets you've got there."
Emma clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to snap back.

"Yep. They're not the greatest, but they were the cheapest." Emma explained.

"That's alright. If you get sick of them, I've an extra set." He chimed in.

Emma could not figure him out. One moment he was teasing her, the next he was being sweet and hospitable.

This was going to be interesting.

"So, if you won't let me help you unpack, will you at least allow me to bring your things in here?" He offered.

"If you feel so compelled." She replied, starting to make the bed.

"I'll be right back, then." He responded, making Emma smile a bit.

He was confusing and frustrating, but Emma thought she might be able to get used to living here, with him.

She'd finished making the bed just as he finished bringing in all of her things, setting them on the floor.

"So, you're sure you don't want help?"

"I'm really fine."

"It's just, I haven't had much company around here lately." Killian offered, "I don't mean to pressure you."

"It's fine." Emma replied, straightening the bed once more before opening the wardrobe. It had a small shelf near the bottom and a rod to hang clothes from, but not much else. With a deep breath, she grabbed one of her bags and searched for some hangers, knowing Killian was sitting at the edge of her bed, watching her.

She hung a few of the hangers before unloading another bag onto the end of the bed with her clothing.

"You don't have a lot of clothes for a typical woman." Killian observed.

"I've learned to live on little." Emma replied softly, grabbing her first shirt and hanging it.

"I quite like that leather jacket of yours, by the way." Killian offered, "Is red your favorite color?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She replied, hanging another shirt.

"Perhaps I would." He spoke sweetly, making her pause for only a moment before continuing.

"Well, another time, maybe."

She continued hanging clothes until she ran out of things to hang, then folded her jeans and other pants onto the shelf. She carefully slipped off her boots and set them in the corner, before taking a step back and looking over her closet.

"That's the fullest I've seen that closet in a long time." Killian offered, "It looks lovely."
"Thanks." Emma replied, tucking an errant curl behind her ear.

"You're sure you don't want any help?"
"If you really want to, you can start unpacking that box."

"What's in it?"

"Just small things." Emma stated, setting her messenger bag beside the wardrobe.

"Would you like help decorating?" He smiled, making her huff out a laugh.

"If you feel so compelled." Emma shrugged.

She watched expectantly as he started opening the box, chuckling at the smaller box inside of it.

"May I?"

Emma was never good with letting people in. It always ended up hurting her, always, and she'd vowed after Neal to never trust anyone again.

She didn't want to trust him quite yet.

Even if something in her gut was telling her, begging her to.

"I've got it." She replied softly, taking the box from his hand and setting it on the first shelf of the bookshelf. She carefully, opened it to make sure nothing was missing, then shut it again.

"A baby blanket?" Killian asked, causing Emma to whip around.

"It's all I've got from my parents-be careful." She warned him, and he met her eyes with an understanding expression. He clearly knew the feeling.
"I take it you were an orphan, as well?"

Emma was silent as she turned back around, knowing she'd already given away too much.

"You're an open book, sweetheart. I could have told you this when you walked in." Killian offered.

"Doubt it."
"Really? Must I continue?" He asked, earning a raised brow in response, "You don't trust many people. Or, any, possibly. You were orphaned as a child, and fought to stay alive on your own for most of your life. And, your love life's been a bit rough."

"Well, you're wrong." Emma replied.

"Am I?" He asked, "Have you ever been in love?"

Emma turned to face him entirely, clenching her jaw again.

"No. I've never been in love." She replied, earning a smile.

"I always do love a challenge." He smiled, busying himself with the contents of the box again as her cheeks flushed.

Months later, she and Killian finally kissed, after all the tension had built up.

And it was then that Emma knew what it felt like to trust.