Emma clattered down the stairs as she heard a car honk in the driveway. She grinned; he was always right on time. She checked her reflection in the entry way mirror one last time and headed outside. It was just starting to feel like fall and Emma wondered if she should have brought a jacket for tonight. These outings always started the same but it was impossible to predict what would happen after she got in the car with Killian.
He honked again because he liked to be obnoxious. She rolled her eyes as she opened the passenger door.
"Calm down, I'm on time!" She pulled on her seat belt and leveled a glare at him.
Killian didn't even blink as he tapped the car's clock. "No, you're two minutes late, thus the honking." He pulled out onto her street and turned on the radio. "Your evening's festivities may not have an exact start time but mine do." He was starting to creep into his superior and smug attitude.
Emma grabbed the aux cord and attached her phone. "Getting to the venue early to schmooze the night's talent does not warrant military time precision." They had this argument every time they ventured to the next town over. It was time for a subject change before they really got at each other's throats. "So who's playing tonight?"
Killian raised an eyebrow at her, understanding what she was trying to do, but taking the bait anyway. He launched into an explanation of some band that was doing incredible compositional work with a harmonica and a sitar. Emma smiled at his enthusiasm knowing full well that Killian would be one of the few people to enjoy this "revolutionary" and "mind-blowing" band. Small town life didn't exactly lend itself to exciting nightlife though, especially for the underage crowd, so it would probably be a packed house anyway.
Cadbury was only thirty minutes from Storybrooke but gave Emma and Killian the distance they needed to seek a little adventure. If Cadbury's entertainment offerings were slim, Storybrooke's were nonexistent. That they were away from the prying eyes of inquiring adults was only another bonus to these weekly road trips.
Soon enough, Cadbury's outskirts began to appear. "Alright, where am I dropping you off tonight?" Killian asked.
"Just down the street. There's a small Italian place off 7th." That was one of Killian's rules: drop-offs only in public places.
"And who is the lucky man?" Emma couldn't miss the sarcasm in Killian's voice. He did not approve of these rendezvous but he recognized that he didn't get much of choice. Emma was going to do what she wanted; he could at least offer his chauffeur services in an attempt to look after her.
"His name is Rob and he goes to the community college. Apparently going after his mechanic's certification. He's nineteen and originally from New Hampshire."
"Nineteen?" Killian would focus on that small detail. "That's a three year difference, Emma." This was another argument they had constantly. He knew her response but she said it anyway.
"It's not a big deal, Killian. It's only dinner and we've been messaging for weeks. He's harmless."
Killian stopped the car outside one of those classic Italian places, checkered tablecloths peeking through the window. "I still don't think you should do this. Again."
"It's fine, okay? I'll see you at 10:30. Text if the show runs late." Killian was never late, even if the show hadn't finished, but Emma liked to give him the option. She climbed out of the car, already sending a message to Rob that she was here.
Killian watched as Emma headed inside and his chest squeezed. He hated these blind dates with older guys she found online. It was such a glaringly bad idea, he couldn't help but feel like an accomplice, like this was his fault. But Emma had a mind of her own and he wouldn't, couldn't really, stop her. He sighed and pulled away, grateful for the distraction the night's band would provide.