"we've been friends forever but secretly both want each other except we think the other just wants to be friends"
Faithfully
"Your turn, Swan." Killian stared at her mischievously from the other side of the table. There were the only two players left in the hand and he knew he should have folded immediately when she was the one left playing. She could smell his bluffs a mile away; always had, probably always will. But there was something about the sad expression she had when she came in for poker night that make him want to give her everything.
Bloody hell, he always wanted to give her everything. He'd give his hand, his boat, his heart, his life just for the chance to see her smile more often. He could not pinpoint when he had fallen in love with her, perhaps the moment he met her five years ago. David had been going on about this girl he'd met and he invited her and some friends over to their usual night at the bar. Mary Margaret had brought Emma and Ruby along and he took one look at the blonde and his breath had caught in his throat. But David was serious about Mary Margaret and he couldn't risk messing things with Emma and damage David's chances with who ended up being his best friend's true love. So, he kept his innuendos in check (as much as he could) and years went by and he found himself becoming his friend. His close friend. And he did not know how to get out of it without risking everything and coming out with empty handed. He didn't have her, but at least he was her friend, she was part of his life. It was something. He could pretend not to notice that she hadn't dated in years (after that snob furniture seller who clearly did not appreciate her), that he was always her plus one in any of her work events, that they usually got paired up in every stupid charade game Mary Margaret came up with.
He sighed, his hand running through his hair and he looked at her, noticing her furrow as she pondered her next move. She studied him, her eyes lingering on his face while he pulled his most dashing smile her way.
"Have you decided, love?" He asked, his mouth popping out the last word. "Or have you been busy admiring me?" He teased her, a glint of amusement in his blue eyes.
She smirked smugly at him. "I'm all in." She said before moving all her chips to the middle of the table and showing her cards.
He smiled sadly. She had bested him. As usual. He threw his cards on the table and watched her gathered the chips, a happy smile on her face. He bit his lower lip. Aye, it was worth it. He got up and went to the kitchen, heading for the fridge to grab another beer.
Emma watched Killian leave and something compelled her to go after him. She knew he'd let her win and she needed to know why.
"Why did you do it?" She asked as he was facing the fridge, his back to her. He turned around and tilted his head in confusion. "What, Swan?" He asked, taking a sip of his beer and averting his gaze.
"Why didn't you fold? You know I can call your bluffs. You knew I was going to win…" She asked. "Why lose the money?" Granted, it wasn't a huge amount of money, but it wasn't something minor either.
"Well," He invaded her personal space, his eyes never leaving hers as he spoke in whisper, "If it put a smile on your face, then it was worth it." He finished before passing by her.
The words escaped her mouth before she could stop them. "You always put a smile on my face… you don't have to throw a game to do it."
He froze for a second before quickly turning around and going to her. He was by her side in an instant.
"What?" He asked almost frantically.
"Nothing." She averted her eyes, nervously fidgeting with her hands.
His hand went to her chin, slowly making her look at him, his blue eyes filled with longing. "Emma, please."
"I – I" She stuttered before finally facing him, a resigned look on her green eyes. "You always make me smile, Killian. You are the only one that makes me smile…" She trailed off nervously, trying to turn her head away but it was impossible because in that moment his other hand was cradling her face, pulling her to him, his lips pressing hers. He kissed her, pouring years of hidden love in that one kiss, his lips moving against hers, his hand tangled on her hair as he tilted his head to have better access.
He broke the kiss, his breathless voice only a whisper against her lips "Swan… oh Swan… I've wanted to do that for so long…" He confessed, his eyes finally finding hers and he smiled at her, still panting.
"Since when?" She asked curiously, because she couldn't believe he wanted her. She'd wanted him from the moment she met him but he'd never made a move in the beginning and after a while they were friends and she did not know how to say something without risking a rejection and making it all awkward.
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as his blue eyes looked at her, drinking her in. "Since I first saw you…" He admitted.
She leaned in to kiss him again, her arms circling his waist as she pulled him to her, her body pressing against his. He kissed her willingly, his mouth exploring hers and rejoicing on the feeling of finally having her in his arms.
"Let's get out of here." He whispered in her ear when they finally broke the kiss.
"We're in the middle of poker night." She said.
"We've been playing poker for 5 years, Emma. Let's go do something more enjoyable instead." He said against her lips before kissing her again.