A/N: So, I was inspired by the recent pictures of our dear Captain and Princess, so… I continued this story! After writing this one, I totally have to write one of Killian meeting Henry. There are definitely going to be at least 5 parts, probably no more than that.
"You look beautiful, Emma." Her father smiled, twirling her once, "That prince won't know what to do with you."
"Hopefully he'll dance with me." Emma spoke quietly, a smile gracing her face.
"He will. Just remember how I taught you to, okay? You will be fine." He smiled, taking her shoulders in his hands and bringing her close enough to press a kiss to her forehead.
"Mom, why are you dressed like that?" Henry asked, making Emma smile and turn around, bending a little to meet his eyes.
"I might finally be getting a shot at a happy ending, kid." Emma smiled.
"We're happy here!" Henry replied, furrowing his brows.
"We are. But, this is a different kind of happy, Henry." Emma explained, ruffling his hair, "You'll understand when you're older."
Henry simply furrowed his brows, making Emma chuckle and take his face in her hands.
"Be good for Grandma and-"
"I know, I know, I'll be good." Henry grumbled.
"Good." Emma replied, pressing a kiss to his forehead, then standing up straight again.
"I guess I should get going." Emma sighed.
"Don't worry about this, Emma. He won't be able to take his eyes off of you." Her father reminded her once more.
"I'll be home late, I assume." Emma whispered as she walked out the door, glancing to Henry, then back to her father.
"There's no rush. We'll take care of him. You go enjoy your night."
Emma smiled and offered a few more goodbyes before hurrying out the door. She, Emma Swan, was going to a Royal Ball. And she couldn't quite believe it.
As soon as she arrived, her stomach started tying itself into knots. As she watched others practically waltz in, she very quickly realized she was out of her element. She tried her best to blend in anyways, holding her head up high and trying to keep her breath steady.
She was standing before the doors to the ballroom, watching the people trickle in as she debated the whole thing. She took a wistful sigh, rubbing her arm subconsciously-until she heard a voice.
"You came."
Emma whipped around at the sound of his voice, smiling when Killian was standing right in front of her.
"I did." She spoke with a nervous smile. He took a step forward and took her hand in his, giving her one twirl.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Emma." He whispered.
"Thank you." Emma smiled in return, her cheeks going red, "You look quite handsome yourself."
"Thank you." He grinned, flashing his perfectly white teeth, "Would you care to dance?"
Emma sucked in a breath, glancing around to the other couples. This wasn't the kind of dance her father taught her.
"Oh, I don't-"
"Follow my lead." He whispered with a smile, bringing her into the ballroom. She stood at his side, taking into account that they were in the center of the ballroom. It was then that she realized she was the only one in red.
"Killian, I stick out like a sore thumb." She whispered, trying to follow his steps.
"No, you don't." Killian spoke with assurance, "Just take a deep breath and relax, love. Follow me."
Emma closed her eyes and sighed. She opened them again before setting her arm on top of Killian's to start the dance.
Killian took her hand in his and spun her once, smiling and nodding to her as she placed one hand on his shoulder, the other in his hand.
"You're doing very well, Emma." He smiled, "I promise."
"I'm not exactly graceful." Emma sighed in response, making Killian grin.
"Really? Because I think you're quite like a swan." He smiled, meeting her eyes and capturing her gaze for a few moments.
"Do you always talk like this?" Emma smiled.
"Only to truly beautiful women." Killian offered in return. Emma definitely felt her cheeks redden at that.
"You're ridiculous." Emma spoke with a breathy laugh.
"Am I, love?" He grinned. Emma smiled down at the ground before looking back up to Killian's piercing blue eyes.
The two danced only a little longer, until the song ended. When it did, Emma was much closer to Killian than she'd expected to be that night. She could feel his warmth breath on her lips, his nose nearly touching hers. His head was angled down, and for a moment, Emma thought he was going to kiss her.
Until claps erupted in the room, and the two pulled away.
"Would you like to see some of the palace grounds, Emma?" Killian asked.
"Sure." Emma grinned, giggling when he took her hand and started leading her through the crowd. She felt like she could finally breathe when she made it outside of the ballroom.
"So, tell me about yourself, Emma. I still don't know much about you." Killian smiled.
"I'm not entirely sure what exactly you're looking for." Emma spoke with a shrug, "I'm just... me."
"That I know is a lie." He smiled, playfully nudging her, "Do you have any family?"
That was the question Emma was dreading. The men she had courted with in the past had always run away at this part.
"I live with my parents and my son." She spoke carefully, watching his expression that didn't seem to change.
"A son?" He asked, a small smile on his lips.
"Yes."
"Are you married, Miss Swan?" He asked, the smile fading.
"No, I'm not." She spoke with a forced smile, "His father, um, left us."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Emma." Killian replied, squeezing her hand.
"No, it was me, I was just... I was young and naive." Emma shook her head, glanced to his eyes, then looked down.
"What's wrong?" Killian asked, his thumb stroking her knuckles.
"Nothing, I just... I was surprised you didn't run."
"Why would I...? Oh, your son." Killian spoke softly.
"Most men don't think too highly of an unmarried woman with a child." Emma spoke with a tight smile.
"Why should that deter a man from you?" Killian asked, "You're beautiful, kind, humble... That's all I could ever ask of a woman."
Emma smiled a little wider at his comment, knowing by just looking at his eyes that it was genuine.
"Well, thank you." She replied, smiling just for him. Something about being around him made her feel weightless.
"So, how old is this boy?" Killian grinned.
"He just turned ten."
"That's a large milestone." He spoke with raised brows, "Will I ever have a chance to meet the lad?"
It was then that Emma realized Killian was serious about the two of them. He didn't seem to have any qualms about their relationship (if that was really what you could call it?) at all. Emma, however... she knew how this would end.
"Emma?" He asked, stopping in his place and turning to fully face her.
"I'm sorry." Emma shook her head, releasing his hand, "I shouldn't have come tonight. I... this was stupid."
She walked around the stunned prince, not expecting him to follow her like he did.
"Emma, wait!" He called, hurrying to meet her pace, then move in front of her.
"Killian, I-"
"Please stay here. With me," Killian pleaded, "I know we've met but twice, but... something about holding your hand, being in your presence feels right."
"Killian, I can't-you deserve someone of royalty, a princess-"
"I don't care about any of that," He assured her, taking her hands in his, "I care about you, Emma Swan."
Emma felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She couldn't do this, she couldn't let him go against his parents, his kingdom. Not for her.
"Killian." Emma spoke softly, shaking her head.
"Emma, please. Give me a chance." Killian pleaded.
"It's not you I'm worried about, Killian." She said, "Won't you be letting your kingdom down?"
"Of course not." Killian spoke with a smile, "I refuse to court anyone but you, my dear Emma."
Emma felt her cheeks redden at his confession.
"You wish to court me?"
"Aye." He smiled, "If you'll allow me to."
"Of course-and, you're sure?" Emma asked, making Killian smile and take a step closer, cupping her cheeks in his hands.
"As sure as the moon and the stars." He whispered, his warm breath ghosting over Emma's lips.
He leaned down just an inch more, allowing his lips to crash over hers. Emma had felt nothing like it before-the way their lips seamlessly fell apart and built right back up.
"Emma, please stay." Killian whispered against her lips, pressing his forehead to hers gently. Emma closed her eyes, trying to find her breath.
"I want to, Killian... I can't."
"Please, Emma. I will do anything to make you stay." He pleaded, "I want to know you."
Emma smiled a little at that, opening her eyes to meet Killian's crystal blue eyes again.
"I want to know you, too." She murmured back, a small smile coming to her lips as he pulled her into his arms. She felt safe there.
"I will find a way, Emma." He whispered into her hair before tugging away, "I promise."
Emma smiled to him, unable to make any kind of coherent thoughts as his blue, blue eyes pierced hers.
"Now, I believe I promised a tour of the palace, did I not?"
"You did." Emma smiled wider, suppressing a laugh as he held out his arm for her. She looped hers through the crook of his elbow, the smile on her face not fading as the two seamlessly picked up their conversation about Henry.
The two managed to share quite a bit of information about themselves-not everything, yet-as they wandered around the palace. It was nice, Emma decided, to have someone to trust. She was lost in his world just as much as he was lost in hers.
It was just after midnight when Emma realized what time it was.
"Oh, gods, I need to get going." She sighed as she looked up to the clock tower.
"I wish you didn't." Killian replied, turning with her and following her towards the front of the palace.
"Tonight was... really lovely, Killian."
"I hope I have the pleasure of doing it again, soon?" He smiled, making Emma duck her head with a light laugh.
"Of course." She replied.
"Would you like a carriage to take you home?" Killian offered as they approached the front, "It's not exactly safe walking all that way back to your home."
"Oh, no, I couldn't-"
"No, it's truly fine. I'd rather the woman I'm courting arrive home safely than be eaten by wolves." Killian grinned, letting go of her arm for the first time that night.
"Well, thank you." Emma spoke with a small smile and a curtsey, "I've had a lovely night, Killian."
"The best of my life." Killian grinned, cupping her face with one hand and pressing a delicate kiss to her lips.
"Goodnight, Killian." She smiled as a carriage pulled up.
"Come to the palace tomorrow afternoon-bring Henry, if you'd like. We can spend the day out in the gardens." Killian offered, helping her into the carriage.
"Okay." Emma smiled, her cheeks reddening when he kissed her knuckles.
"Until tomorrow, my Emma." He spoke softly. She smiled and pulled her dress into the carriage, closing her eyes as he shut the door. She opened them only once the carriage started moving, carefully leaning over to see Killian waving once more before ducking back into the palace.
Emma couldn't wait to hear what her parents would say when she told them she was courting a prince. Rather, he was courting her.
When she arrived home, her parents and son were already fast asleep. She figured as much, so she slipped off her borrowed shoes at the door and took a deep breath. Emma continued down the small hallway towards her room, stopping and smiling in the doorway of her son's room. Henry was sound asleep, probably dreaming about dragons and knights-he would regale her the tales in the morning, she was sure. For now, though, she took a few steps towards him, bending down and brushing some of his hair from his face before pressing a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Mom?" He mumbled.
"Yeah, just me, kid. You can go back to bed." Emma whispered, "Just coming to tuck you in."
"How was your night with the Prince?" Henry asked, sitting up a little.
"Lovely." Emma spoke with a smile, brushing back his hair, "He wants us to go to the palace tomorrow and visit."
"Us? Like, you and me?" Henry smiled sleepily, earning a nod.
"He wants to meet you."
"Really?"
"Yep. I told him all about you."
"Oh, no. Did you embarrass me?" Henry groaned, making Emma chuckle.
"Of course not, kid. He's really excited about meeting you-you'll have to wear your best tomorrow." Emma smiled, "But, for now, get some sleep. We'll talk about it tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Mom. I love you." He spoke softly as he laid his head back down.
"Night, kid. Love you, too. Sleep well." Emma smiled, standing up straight and leaving his room, shutting the door behind herself. She walked to her room and shut the door with a sigh, leaning against the cool wood.
She just wanted it to be the next morning so she could see Killian again.
