A/N: So this is my first fic I've ever published! I was a little nervous to post it, so I hope you enjoy it. If you feel like it leave a review! I'd love to know your thoughts
Lieutenant Killian Jones hated being at these ridiculous parties, the atmosphere always left him feeling suffocated. Maybe it had to do with the fact that the air felt stale, and the musicians played the same thing every single night, but he felt it actually had more to do with the throng of people that surrounded him.
Misthaven's richest swayed and chattered around him dressed in their most expensive finery, and considering where he had grown up, he didn't quite feel like he belonged. Though he was sure many were genuine, kind people he felt that most of them were not here for any real social interaction. They were too concerned with themselves and whether or not others were taking notice, apparent by how often they checked their reflection in anything that mirrored their image.
Despite his loathing of these high-class gatherings he had dutifully attended every last one of them. As an honorary guest on the luxury spaceliner The Swan, his attendance was one that his captain had made quite clear to be mandatory. His honorary status was purely because everyone aboard this ship and in his home realm considered him some sort of naval war hero. Even if he didn't consider what he did to be different than what any sailor would have done. However, never one to shirk his duties or his captain's orders, he occupied his time trying the various entrées that came his way and watching the stars blur past as the ship traveled through hyperspace.
Killian drags his hand down his face in exhaustion and is just about give up and return to his quarters for the evening when he spots her. She's sitting at a corner table completely alone, and he has no idea how someone so radiant has managed to escape the notice of everyone in the room. Her blonde hair falls in soft curls down her back and her delicate features are sitting in a slight frown as she stirs the contents of her drink with her straw.
When she lets out a soft sigh Killian feels the corners of his lips tug upwards. She's just as bored as he is. He has a sudden desire to see what she looks like when she smiles, and with that in mind he makes his way over to her.
"Hello love," her head snaps up in surprise, eyes wide for the briefest moment before they narrow suspiciously. Killian smirks at her reaction and continues, "mind if I ask what a beautiful lass such as yourself is doing sitting alone in the corner during such a…" He gestures noncommittally to the room around him, "vivacious party."
"I'm simply waiting for some friends," she replies as her eyes flick up and down, taking him in.
Her eyes are a startling green, and it isn't until her lips lift in a soft smile that he realizes he's been staring at her entirely too long. He quickly averts his eyes and scratches behind his ear nervously.
"Oh I see," he lifts his gaze to meet her eyes again. "Well I'm happy to keep you company until they arrive."
"You might be here a long time, they're not exactly punctual," she says, but that soft smile is still gracing her lips so he takes it as an invitation and sits in the chair across from hers.
"I don't mind, though I can't say I can relate, when I first joined the King's navy the other sailors would often tease me for my strict adherence to the rules, and that included punctuality."
At the mention of the navy her eyebrows raise and her smile tugs a little higher. "I thought I recognized you, you're that lieutenant everyone is talking about. Jones isn't it?"
She's fluttering her eyelashes at him and he's not sure if it's intentional but he feels a pleasant jolt in is stomach at the action. Those lashes are lethal, and he would gladly let them take him. "Uh…" he scratches behind his ear again, "Killian, just Killian is fine."
"Alright, Killian," she says his name with distinctness like she's testing the way it feels on her tongue. "How are you enjoying your stay aboard The Swan?"
"She's quite the vessel, bigger than any town or city I've made port at. Though I'm used to ships that sail the sea rather than the galaxy, I must say she is rather remarkable." His voice becomes more animated as he speaks, the lieutenant in him lighting up at the mention of ships, even if it's a space bound one.
For a second he worries that he's bored her, that she doesn't care how fascinated he is by the spaceliner's size. However when they lock gazes her smile has only grown, as if she finds his excitement amusing.
Her smile is more dangerous than her lashes, its brightness draws him in, completely enamoring him.
He is most definitely a goner.
Killian forgets for a moment that he hates these parties and lets his eyes scan her face, drinking her in. Her lashes drop and color fills her cheeks at the attention, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Wishing to see her eyes again Killian continues, "Yesterday I discovered that there is a large observation room on the top floor. The ship is moving so fast that the stars all look like a thousand blurred lines, it's stunning." She's looking at him again, "The stars at night are one of my favorite things about being at sea, it's hard to fathom that I'm actually up here with them."
"They are beautiful," she responds. "Though, I actually haven't had the opportunity to visit the observation room."
Killian is about to offer to take her sometime but before he can say anything there is a shout from the doorway that captures his table companion's attention.
"Emma!" A blonde haired woman in a pale blue evening gown calls as she makes her way over to their table, quickly followed by another woman with darker hair and a red dress.
Emma, her name is Emma. It suits her.
"Emma there you are," the new blonde woman says as she lets out a sigh. Killian's eyebrow lifts at the woman's tone, it's almost as if she's scolding her.
Emma ignores any inclination of reprimand and addresses her new companions. "Elsa, Ruby, this is Lieutenant Jones."
They eye him for a moment before the blonde named Elsa offers a quick "Pleasure to meet you Lieutenant."
Recognizing that it is perhaps time for him to take his leave, Killian silently stands and gives them a small nod, offering his seat to the darker haired woman. Before he completely exits the room he turns back to look at the table in the corner and catches Emma's eye one more time.
-CS-
"Was that the Lieutenant Jones?" Ruby's voice brings Emma back to reality, who knows how long she'd been staring at the door Killian had left through.
"I believe so," Emma responds, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. Hoping she doesn't sound too wistful. The last thing she needs is Ruby thinking she's interested, because Emma Swan does not do relationships or romances. Not since Neal anyways.
"Wow. He's quite handsome isn't he?"
When Emma doesn't offer a response Ruby shrugs then flags down a server to ask for a drink. Though Emma can't help but agree with Ruby's sentiment. He's all dark hair, scruff, and devastatingly blue eyes. Not a look she would expect from a naval war hero, but it only makes him more appealing. She'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit that the way he was looking at her gave her butterflies.
"He seemed quite smitten with you." Ruby, now with a drink in hand, seems to want to continue discussing Lieutenant Jones.
Emma gapes at Ruby for a moment, unsure of how to reply, but is saved when Elsa finally enters the conversation.
"Emma doesn't need some stranger she meets in space to be smitten with her, lieutenant or not." She's still mad at Emma for giving them the slip earlier that day, and it's apparent in the way she continues to stare her down. Yes, Elsa and Ruby are her friends but they are also her assigned personal guards, not that anyone would know that however. Most people thought it sweet that the crowned princess never went anywhere without her closest friends, never knowing that Elsa's ice powers, and Ruby's ability to turn into a wolf at will could take them out before they could even think of harming her.
Emma sighs, Elsa might be upset with her for giving them the slip but it was worth it. She knows her parents have good intentions and want to keep her safe, thus the need for her guards, but occasionally she desires to be alone for an hour or two.
"I don't know," Ruby muses, "Emma could use a little fun. Though I'm surprised he even had the nerve to approach you. Most men seem to be intimidated by the fact that you're the princess."
Elsa gives a quiet scoff and gives Ruby a look before replying. "Which they should, imagine if every man we came across had no qualms with flirting with a princess, we'd have our hands full, and who knows the type of scoundrels we'd have to deal with."
Emma frowned at the turn of the conversation. The more she thought about it, the more she believed that maybe Killian hadn't actually known who she was. He hadn't addressed her as princess, or highness, or any formal title for that matter. If he had known he most certainly wouldn't have acted so casual around her, he was a lieutenant in her father's navy after all. Emma felt herself smiling at the idea that he didn't know who she was. Someone had wanted to talk to her, not the princess, her.
"I—I don't think he knew who I was."
"How does a Lieutenant in the royal navy not recognize the princess?" Ruby mutters unbelievingly.
"I have no idea, but I really don't think he knew," she gives a quiet laugh, still smiling softly.
"Hmm, well he's really cute, you should look for him tomorrow." Ruby offers, ignoring the exasperated look Elsa is giving them.
"This spaceliner is huge, I don't think I'll run into him again," Emma looks down at her drink and mixes the contents with her straw, and takes a deep breath before continuing. "Besides, I'm not really interested in pursuing more than the pleasant conversation we shared today." She then looks at Elsa and gives her a teasing smile, "So no need to worry, I won't be starting any intergalactic romances."
As much as Emma Swan had enjoyed the company of Lieutenant Jones, she just didn't do relationships. Her last one with Neal had left her shattered, and it had taken her a good long while to feel like she had pieced herself back together. No, she would keep her heart safely were it belonged, to herself. Too afraid that if she ever gave it to someone else, they might not return it in one piece. And she didn't think she could handle being broken like that again.
No matter how blue his eyes had been, or how many times her stomach had fluttered when he looked at her, Emma Swan hoped she wouldn't run into him again. The look in his eyes when she inevitably pushed him away was not something she wanted to see.