Killian didn't remember when he started to forget Milah. He didn't realize when her death no longer seemed fresh in his mind's eye.
What he did know is that every time he met Swan's sea green eyes his pulse quickened. He knew that she favored cinnamon over top her hot chocolate. He knew that she spent to many a night awake with nightmares from the past. He knew that feeling.
Now, however, Killian knew one more thing.
Killian knew what her lips felt like against his own. He knew the feel of her fingers passionately laced in his hair. He knew the feel of her solid warmth pressed against him. He knew the feel of her long golden locks as they slid through his own fingers. He knew that that precious moment had been far to short. He knew he wanted it to happen again and again. He knew that he was falling in love with Emma Swan.
He was in love with Emma Swan... and he had a new burden.
Baelfire... Neal... Whatever the bloody hell he was calling himself, he was alive. Henry's father, Emma's former paramour was alive. Pan, the blasted fiend, would bring his hope crashing down like a tsunami on unsuspecting coastal villagers. Killian looked down at his feet and then back up at the Neverland sky.
Pan, however, had underestimated him yet again. There was no choice for him. If he truly felt for Swan the way his beating heart was telling him he did. He could not be selfish with her. He could only tell her the revelation that Pan had dealt and let the chips fall where they may. What was meant to be... well everyone knows how that works out.
With a sigh of resignation, Killian began his trek back towards their ragtag group's camp. He was blessing the gods when upon his arrival, everyone but his... but Emma was asleep. He couldn't help but stare at her for a moment in the fire light. The flames of the campfire made her hair shine like the sun. Her eyes were lit from within as she sat thinking, a contemplative smile on her lips. Those lips were tempting as ever, Hook realized grimly. He would forever be haunted by that kiss. Killian braced himself before stepping into Emma's sight line.
"Swan," he greeted with a soft voice.
"Hook," Emma looked at him. Her eyes widened slightly with shock at the sight of him.
