A/N Okay, so I wrote this ages ago, and for any of you that follow me on tumblr, there is a possibility you have read this one. It was my contribution to the CS Storybook project that was hosted by the lovely whimsicallyenchantedrose and flslp87 on tumblr. Now, they are doing another one this year (all canon/canon divergent scenes from our favorite couple) But I got an idea to add onto what I had already written for this one, so I fed that beast, and I'll post the second part in a couple days, but until then enjoy my first dip into total A/U from a year ago. Wanderlust
Disclaimer: I own nothing, because otherwise we would have gotten a TLK after five years of waiting
The ocean is beautiful. If she closes her eyes, she could imagine sprouting wings and soaring over it. As long as she's been alive, she's dreamt of embarking on adventures across the lands. Unfortunately, her family had other ideas. For nineteen years, all Emma Swan Charming has known, has been the stone walls of her palace, and the brief glimpses of the ocean from her balcony. Her father and mother were protective, though with good reason. When Emma was born, they had been at war. War with her mother's stepmother Regina. Even after the Evil Queen was defeated, they continued to shelter her. Making her into the elusive princess of Misthaven, unseen by her people. Only whispers shared about her.
The seclusion is what drove her tonight. As Emma slipped to the maid quarters, stealing clothing and escaping the palace in the dead of night. Her destination was unclear, as she moved through the silent corridors of the palace, ducking as night guard made their rounds, into dark corners. Then continuing.
She knew the palace like the back of her hands, each corner and crack, and every escape hatch she never had the nerve to choose. But tonight? Tonight she needed to escape. To at least see what laid outside. Perhaps never return. As upon doing so, she was sentenced to a life married to the gruff and insensitive son of the Dark One.
Emma shuddered at the thought of marrying Baelfire, he had seemed kind enough when they were children, but as they grew, he did not. He still acted like a child even though they were grown. Definitely not marriage or king material.
Still she knew it would likely happen. As their fates seemed tied together with golden threads. No matter how far she fled, he was there, with a smile and a compliment, but beneath she could see something brewing that would not be explained with words. They weren't true love. She knew now she would likely never get that. That didn't stop the pang of regret in her heart that she never got to try and find it.
So here she was, borrowed cloak pulled tight around her, as she made the last mad dash, and out into the open air. Then after a moment, just letting it soak in that she was out, she was off. She slipped silently and quickly across the courtyard and off the palace grounds. Not releasing a breath till she was safely away from the palace. Then she started moving along the streets. Her hood pulled up to cover her hair. She looked around. The village wasn't much. Its buildings shabby and rundown, yet still they spoke a silent beauty Emma had never seen before. A large grin spread on her face, as her attention was drawn by the sound of merriment. Loud laughter, and the stale smell of something she never smelled before.
Emma approached it, at first she only intended to peer in the window, but something drew her through the doors. Inside the lighting was dim, but the atmosphere was light, people laughing and cheering, and some were singing. She felt the smile tugging at her lips, as she stepped farther in, lowering her hood, just as someone ran into her.
"Sorry, girlie." Said a gruff voice, "Didnae mean any offence." His eyes roved up and down, making her skin crawl, "Say, are you here alone, darlin? Can I buy you a pint?" he asked, his leer making her shrink back, disgusted by the smell of his breath, and the heat she could feel coming off of him.
She shook her head, "No thanks… I'm not thirsty." She tried, attempting to sidestep him.
The man stepped with her, "Oh come on darlin. I insist."
Emma glared, her anger flaring up, tinting her skin pink, "I must insist to decline then." She said sharply, standing tall but careful, so as not to let her regal mannerisms seep through.
He reached out, to grab her, "C'mon darling, just one drink." He said, his hand was almost on her arm, when it was caught by the wrist.
"I believe the lady declined, rat. Now, if I were you, I would step back, and leave the lass be." Said a silky voice, with an exotic accent, and a dangerous edge.
Emma looked up, and saw her rescuer. A tall man, dressed head to toe in black and leather, with a splash of red from the blood colored vest. He was a tad shorter than the man who had approached her, with a dark head of hair, and a prominent jaw, seen clenching as he stared down the man, with piercing blue eyes, precisely the color of the ocean in the morning light from her balcony. He had a dusting of stubble on his chin. He was likely the most beautiful man she'd ever seen.
When the man pulled back, the other man smirked, "As I thought. Move along." He ordered. Her rescuer released him, and turned to her, his expression softening. "Are you alright?" he asked, a genuine concern in his voice.
Emma nodded, "Thank you." She said, her eyes soaking in every part of this man. "I should probably go…" she said, starting to back towards the door.
He held up a hand, "No, no! You don't need to. He's gone. I dare say he'll not be back either."
She paused. She before smiling softly, "Perhaps for a little while."
He beamed. "Well lass, might I offer you a drink?" he asked, "Me and a few of my men are seated in that corner." He said, gesturing with his right hand. It was then she realized this was in fact his only hand, as the left wrist ended in a wicked looking hook. Bells tolled in the back of her mind, a niggling thought of something she heard in the hushed whispers of court. But she pushed them away, enthralled by the sight before her.
She knew she should decline. Perhaps this had been enough for one night. Enough adventure to settle her heart, but his blue eyes were so hopeful. His stature so open, his voice so inviting. So she found herself smiling back at him slightly, and nodding, "Maybe one drink won't hurt…" She said, cautiously.
The man gave her another dazzling smile, "Now, I believe an introduction is in order." He said, giving a bow, and taking her hand in his. "I'm Captain Killian Jones. At your service." He punctuated his statement, by brushing his lips across her knuckles.
Emma felt a flush go through her, as his scruff tickled her hand. She had never gotten such a greeting before. Not even at balls. The princes there always gave her tight bows, and offered her dances, none deigned to press their lips to her hand before. Not even Baelfire. It made her tingle down to her toes. She needed to say something. Anything. Anything to make him stop staring at her pinkened cheeks, and make her seem less terrified. She gave him a small smile, tamping down her emotions, like mama taught her, then she spoke again. Saying the only thing that could come to mind. "Captain? That's no uniform of any navy I've seen. Not even my…" she cut herself off, almost stating that even her father, who was extremely lax in his military uniforming didn't permit the captains in his fleet to wear such tight leathers and vibrant colors. "Not even my king's navy." She corrected quickly.
If Killian Jones detected anything off about her response he said nothing, merely shrugged, "I sail under no king, milady." He smirked, "I'm more of a freelancer."
Emma's eyes widened, "Oh, you're a…"
He shrugged again, straightening, "Well, they call us pirates. We sail were we will, and answer to no crown." He told her, making it sound so light in his meaning.
Emma knew she should leave now. Perhaps alert the guards to a pirate in their midst. A wanted one at that, her eyes flicking to his hook, it became clear. The stories she had heard. Captain Hook. The most fearsome of pirates, rival to Blackbeard himself. Yet his eyes held no malice, he didn't know she was the princess. Nobody need know. And who better to tell her of a world so wide, than one who has sailed its seas without order, with only the thought to see it. "How wonderful it must be. To be out on the ocean." She said, it sounded lame even to her, "I've not seen the world beyond our small port." She said, with wonder. She knew she came off like a child, but couldn't seem to care.
He looked down on her, gazing at her, like she was the ocean that so enthralled her, and in a quiet voice he said, "Perhaps, rather than drink with my men, we find a corner, where I can tell you of the world, and you can tell me your name." he suggested.
Against everything in her mind, which was screaming, don't do it. Leave, you've had your adventure! Emma took his offered hand, and let him lead her to a secluded corner, where the ruckus of the crowd seemed more hushed, and she sat, unable to stop fiddling her fingers, trying not to look at the beautiful man beside her. The pirate.
"Now, I believe the deal was, a name for a story of my adventures of the world." His eyes twinkled in the low light, and Emma froze.
She couldn't well give her real name. He probably wasn't from this land, in fact he had never really been a bother to her kingdom before this. But everyone knew of the elusive princess Emma. So she wracked her brain, and spat out the first thing that came to mind, "Leia. My name is Leia."
He looked suddenly disappointed, "Is it?" He asked. Something, something in his eyes told her he saw right through her lie, then those eyes cast to her nervous hands, "Are you alright? You seem nervous," He asked softly.
Emma laughed nervously, "I'm not sure, am I? I mean, I agreed to have drinks with a pirate captain," She was rambling, she wanted to stop, "My father would be livid if he knew. He would likely lock me away, and throw away the key, if he even knew I was here!"
Killian looked almost amused, "I see. Protective father, thus a false name. I can understand that, as for the Pirate thing. I assure you darling, nothing will happen you don't wish. If you simply wish to have a drink and hear of far off lands, then that is all that shall happen."
She couldn't lie, she didn't know what to expect from a pirate captain. This of course, was the farthest from her expectations. She expected a much more rough and uneducated man So she smiled, and looked down at her hands, willing them to still, as a barmaid placed two mugs of frothy drink before them. Emma didn't think, merely grabbed, and started to gulp, trying to steady herself. She choked, at the acrid taste, and nearly spat it across the table.
Killian chuckled, "Easy there, lass. Ale can be an acquired taste. Best not to chug at first." He suggested.
Emma nodded, making a face as she pushed the mug away from her, "That might be best." She said, wishing she had some water to chase the flavor away.
"You're a most peculiar lass. I'd almost think this to be your first time in a tavern, yet you carry yourself so well." He mentioned.
She ducked her head, "Well, that comes from years of being locked away, by parents afraid of the world." She confessed. She froze, glancing at the pirate, praying he didn't figure out who she was.
He nodded, "I see. Snuck out for the first time? Allow me to make it memorable."
Emma smiled gratefully. "I think you already have." She admitted. Then she turned in her seat, "What's it like?" she asked, scooting forward to the edge of her seat.
He turned as well, their knees almost brushing. "Eager lass. But I did promise a tale of bravery and adventure, did I not?"
Emma nodded. "I just want to know what the world hides beyond the sliver I can see from my home." She said softly.
Killian placed his own mug by hers, "Very well." He said, then he launched into his tale, his voice wrapping around the words like silk. Describing lands were the air smelled of spices, and women danced in the street to music made only by the stomps of feet. He told her of an island, were none grow old, and of places that women are treated as queens no matter the station.
Emma clung to his every word, soaking in the images he spun for her. She imagined being one of the women, her feet moving to a rhythm of men stomping. She thought of venturing to the land where boys stayed boys forever. She felt a smile on her face. Wonder filling her eyes.
"And when the moon is high in the sky, the kingdom releases the lanterns, from every point in the land. A sight to behold. Once mourning and hopeful the lanterns of the king and queen searching for their lost princess. Now a sign of celebration at their family once more being whole. One of the best things to do, is stay out in the harbor, and simply look to the sky as they flow past. Listening to the music flowing from the kingdom above," He said in a soft almost whisper, his eyes soaking in the awe filled expression on her face.
"It sounds amazing. Perhaps one day, I could see it." she whispered.
Killian reached cautiously, and took her hand in his, "Perhaps you could." He said carefully, "My ship leaves port in the morning, but I happen to return to this particular port quite often. If you wish to see the world, it would be an honor to be the one to show you."
Emma so wanted to say yes, agree and run away tonight, but she imagined her parents. Her mother telling her she was their most precious. Her father saying none could shine as bright. She knew then, she couldn't go. "I'd love nothing more. But my family needs me. My parents would be distraught. I can't just run away." She looked down, feeling her heart fracture just slightly.
Killian nodded, looking disappointed, "Aye, well… if ever you change your mind. You'll know where to find me." He cleared his throat. "I understand the importance of family." He said. She realized he still held her hand in his, but she didn't move, not wanting to lose the warm feeling of his skin on hers.
"Maybe someday." She said softly. Then she looked up, "Because I do want to see the world. I want to see the ports of women dancing, and smell the spices on the air. That I know more than anything."
"Then do it." He whispered, leaning in close. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, making her shiver.
"I-I…" she stammered, her eyes flicking to his lips, as he mirrored her. "I…" she tried again, getting distracted by the urge to grab him by the lapels and kiss him, something she never wished to do before, with anyone. "I…" she stammered once more, before her mind threw in the towel, and said 'screw it!' and she was grabbing him, pulling him to her. His eyes widened, before he willingly came, their lips colliding in the middle. Emma felt explosions behind her eyes, color flooding her vision, heat building in her heart, pouring out through where their lips met, as she gasped, his lips moving over hers like silk, his arms going around her. Holding her closer.
A part of her was screaming, saying this wasn't proper, but she shushed that part, pushing it away, as his tongue prodded for entrance, and she let him in with a small moan as she tasted him. She had moved closer and closer, until she was practically in his lap.
Outside a chorus of alarm bells chimed, and Emma pulled away from the pirate in her arms, her eyes blowing wide. She knew what those bells meant.
Killian was pressing his fingers to his lips in a daze, "That was…" he whispered, his voice husky and low.
Emma set to untangling herself, "I have to go." She gasped, tripping over the bench.
"Wait, don't go." Killian said, "I meant what I said." He said.
Emma felt guilt bubble in her throat, "I'm sorry." She whispered, pulling away, pulling her cloak around her, and dashing out into the night.
She didn't expect the hand on her wrist, "Leia." He called to her quietly, "What are you so afraid of?"
She couldn't tell him, instead her green eyes met his, and she felt sorrier than she could say. "Emma," She whispered. "My name is Emma." She said, before pulling away and running into the night, towards the bells. Towards her prison. Leaving the charming, dark, and dangerous pirate behind her, the taste of his lips still fresh in her mind.
He watched her go. Her voice ringing in his mind, making his heart stutter and start. He wanted to run after her, but his feet were made of lead, his legs refusing to go, "Emma, my name is Emma."
His fingers went back to his lips. Her hood fell, her golden hair flying behind her like a trail of sunlight in the darkness, before she faded from view. "Emma." He whispered, "Emma, I will find you again. No matter what, I won't let you get away." He needed to know her.
He wanted to show her the world. And see her dance in the streets, that golden hair tangling in his fingers as he held her at night. Emma… One kiss, and she already held his heart. He just needed to find her again, so he could win hers. "Emma" He whispered again, before he finally moved back into the tavern.