This is a college AU one shot.

-/-

"You've got to be kidding me," said Emma Swan, dropping her duffle bag on the floor.

A handsome, dark haired guy with eyes as blue as the sea turned around. "You must be Emma Swan. I'm your roommate, Killian Jones."

No. This wasn't possible. This might be her first year at Boston University, but dorm rooms were not supposed to be co-ed. Guys and girls were supposed to live on separate floors, or at least in separate rooms. "This has got to be some kind of mistake," said Emma. "We're going to go to the Housing Office."

Killian looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "Not the friendliest of greetings," he said. "I don't see what the problem is."

"I'm not sharing a room with you all year," said Emma. "Guys and girls aren't supposed to live together."

"Perhaps not, but I don't think that most freshmen in our situation would complain."

Emma shrugged. "I'm not the typical freshman. Come on." Then Emma grabbed Killian's hand and dragged him out of the room.

-/-

""I'm sorry, Miss Swan. We are at over-capacity in the Residence Halls this year, Exceptions to the rules have to be made."

"Mrs. Mills, can't I get a female roommate? It would be uncomfortable if we lived together."

Killian just sat beside Emma, saying nothing. He was fairly amused by his new roommate, and he knew that there was nothing they could do to change their situation.

"I'm sorry, Miss Swan. I can put you on the waiting list for a room change, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. You will likely be stuck with Mr. Jones. Now I suggest you unpack your things and settle down," said Mrs. Mills.

"But—" protested Emma.

Mrs. Mills glanced at her sharply. "Good day, Miss Swan, Mr. Jones."

Killian stood up and grabbed Emma's arm. "Come on, Swan," he said, "there's nothing we can do."

-/-

"I just spoke to our RA. She said we can't hang up a curtain because it's a fire hazard," said Emma, as she came back into the room.

"I'll try to give you as much privacy as possible," said Killian.

Emma flashed him a quick smile. "I appreciate that, but I think I'll stick to getting dressed in the bathroom."

"That's certainly a shame," said Killian, with a wink.

Emma sighed, ignoring his flirtatious comment. "Want to help me unpack?"

"Sure, it's the least I can do since we can't hang a curtain," he said, moving to sit beside her on the floor.

"So, what's your story," asked Emma.

"I'm a History major, and I'm in the ROTC program. I'd like to go into the Navy after graduation."

"So you'll be waking up every morning at five?"

"Yes, but I'll be quiet. I consider myself to be a gentlemen."

"We'll have to see about that," said Emma. "So, don't you want to know my story?"

"I don't need to," said Killian. "You're something of an open book to me."

"What do you mean?" asked Emma.

Killian took a long look at her. "Well, I'm guessing that you haven't declared your major because you don't know what to do with your life. You fight for what you want because we spent nearly two hours in the Housing Office. You haven't dated much because you were freaked out about having to share a room with me."

Emma stared at him. "How did you know all of that?"

"Like I said, open book, but even so, I'm looking forward to getting to know the real Emma Swan. The one who isn't closed off."

"You're pretty sure of yourself, and you don't sound like the typical freshman guy."

"I was at the top of my class in High School. I didn't care about all the ridiculous things that my peers cared about."

"Neither did I," said Emma, "Prom, dating, fashion. It's all nonsense. I was at the top of my class too."

"I gathered that from everything you were saying to Mrs. Mills," said Killian, with a teasing smile "Though you were losing your touch towards the end."

"Well I tried," said Emma. "It seems like we understand each other."

"It would seem so," said Killian. "So, after we finish setting up your side of the room, would you like to join me at the dining hall?"

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" said Emma, with a small smile.

"Perhaps I would," said Killian.

-/-

Killian and Emma spent the rest of the afternoon setting up her side of the room. They talked about everything from the classes they were taking, to the books they read. They talked about their families. Killian had an older brother, and Emma talked about growing up with her parents in a small town in Maine.

Emma had never felt such a connection with anyone. She didn't really have friends growing up, and it was remarkable that someone who had only known her for a few hours already knew so much about her. She had never opened up like this to anyone, except for her parents.

It was around seven o'clock when they decided to go to the dining hall. They each grabbed a tray and stood in line. Emma made herself a salad and a sandwich, while Killian settled on fruit and cereal for dinner.

Emma was scanning the dining hall for an open table, when she slipped on some spilled water. She would have fallen if Killian hadn't put a hand on her back to steady her, balancing his tray on his other arm. "Easy there, Emma."

"Thanks," she said softly.

"I've got your back, roomie," he teased.

Emma laughed, "You're an idiot. There's an open table over there."

-/-

Killian did his best to keep quiet the next morning as he got ready for training. Before he left the room he looked back at Emma. She was so beautiful, and she looked so peaceful in her sleep. Killian Jones might not know much about love, but he did know this.

It had only taken a day for him to start falling for Emma Swan. She was smart, stubborn, witty and interesting, not to mention extremely beautiful. He couldn't have asked for a better roommate. Oh yes, he was going to have a good time this year, but he wouldn't try anything unless she made the first move. He was a gentleman after all, and he respected her.

Besides, they still had to live together, and he didn't want to ruin the bond they'd started to form from the moment they'd met. Killian grinned. Getting up for training every morning wouldn't be so bad if it meant he got to see Emma first.

-/-

Emma woke up a few hours later to find Killian already gone.

She looked around the room she'd be sharing with him for the next year. He really was a nice guy, not to mention really attractive. And they were already got along, which was not always guaranteed for college roommates.

Maybe living with Killian wouldn't be such a bad thing.