Emma bit down on her bottom lip as her mind flicked through the thoughts of what could potentially happen to Killian if he remained a prisoner. Though he would always be there, close to her – he would be no better than a slave. She couldn't imagine forcing him to stay in these conditions. Her fingers wrapped around his tightly. "Come on, you're getting out of here tonight."
"I'm honored, really, but perhaps this is the end of my story." He sounded so settled in that idea, as if everything he was should just come to an end in the dungeon of the castle. "It's rather poetic if you think about it." Killian skillfully dismissed that look in her eyes, bringing his hand away from hers and retreating to the back of the dirty cell. It wasn't normally like him to retreat, but Emma's stubbornness constituted it.
Emma gave a snort of laughter, "After all of these years I thought you had a little more fight in you."
"But you had to have the audacity to go and grow up, Emma." He swallowed hard as he looked up from the dirty stone floors and watched her unlocking the cell door. Emma stepped inside and he bolted upright. "Really, princess aren't you risking your honor?"
There was that smoldering gaze as his eyes swept over her. She had become such a beautiful young woman – but she was still that innocent girl in his eyes. Or at least he wished he could see that innocent girl, instead of the woman that entranced him.
Emma pursed her lips as she stared at him, trying her best to pretend that the smolder he was using wasn't disarming. She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she stepped towards him, hands on her hips. "I still don't see why all the new names. Killian Jones? Captain Hook?" Her voice faltered and she bit down at her bottom lip, meeting his eyes. It had been half a lifetime ago when he'd come through her bedroom window and whisked her away on an adventure that she'd thirsted for ever since it had ended. She bolstered herself and spoke again, "Peter was a perfectly decent name."
He cringed at the name. "Peter," Killian corrected, "died a very long time ago." The bitterness in his voice was ever apparent as he continued. "One day, someone very important to him decided to leave and go back to playing princess. He lost his magic and never flew again."
Playing princess. She'd caused him to lose his magic? To lose the innocence he had been so famous for among the lost boys? "I-.." Emma trailed off, her mouth going dry as she looked up into eyes that she swore were meant for her and her alone. "I'm sorry Peter."
Killian's lips parted as he took a raged breath. Hearing her say his name again – twice, broke something inside of him. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek, bending down to bridge the space between them. All he had ever wanted was just a kiss out of her. To know if what he felt was true. "Emma," He whispered, leaning into kiss her.
Emma pulled back from the kiss with a shy laugh, her cheeks were colored red and her eyes were bright. "Hello first kiss."
Killian brought his forehead to rest against hers, whispering softly as he swept his fingers through her hair. "How did you know it was me that they'd caught?" Being near her again was burning those old emotions into his heart once again. She was the magic that he had lost. "I don't even look like Peter anymore."
"You don't just forget Killian," She chose not to use the name Peter. The words that he had said about that boy being 'dead' in his mind was a warning enough to steer clear of that name. For now at least. "I'd never be able to forget those eyes." Her hand came up to rest against his cheek, fingertips stroking along his cheek bone. "You don't just forget someone like you."
"Oh, Emma." His eyes closed and held her close. "I've missed you." An unsaid 'but' hung in the air, choking him when they wouldn't come out. They were painful words that he knew would come out sooner or later.
"Let's go away tonight. We'll leave this place and find new worlds." She pleaded quietly, fighting back the urge to cry. She wanted to leave with him and forget this life. It wasn't what she had thought it would be when she'd first left him. "I can't stay here anymore."
"We can't Emma." He warned, forcing himself to pull away from her. "You are the princess. You're the savior."
Emma's expression fell, "How do you know the prophecy? Is it that common knowledge? Does everyone know what I'll eventually have to do to protect this kingdom?" She tried not to let the vicious bite of her words sound like an attack at him – they weren't. They were an attack at the cruel system that bound her to her place in the world.
"Aye lass," Killian stepped forward and brushed his fingers over the curve of cheek. "Your birth brought upon the hope of the kingdom. The magic that's with in you can only be released at your death." He frowned, realizing just how serious that prophecy was for her.
"So Rumplestiltskin says." Emma scoffed, shaking her head. "I pray it was a ruse. That my life is my own. That I don't have to die for these people one day."
Killian swallowed shakily, "If you're killed by evil and the kingdom falls. Sacrifice yourself and the kingdom is saved." His eyes met hers, "You need to go." His hand fell away from her cheek and he forced himself turn his back on her and starting towards the little cot in the corner.
"I'm engaged." She admitted quietly, her voice cracking. "You spoke of Rumplestilskin and now I speak of his son. It was all arranged before I was even born. Not long after the prophecy was written up."
Killian's expression fell as he turned his head and stared at her, "And I have no heart." That was why she had to go.
Those were the words that brought tears to her eyes and made her knees go weak, "W-what?"
"I fought her hold long enough to avoid killing you." There was the smallest amount of magic left within his veins that allowed him fight Cora's hold and fight through to moments of strength. Moments of seeing Emma. "But there will come a moment when I cannot fight it and I will harm you." Killian felt his throat go dry, "Then evil will have killed you and the kingdom will fall."
"No." Emma shook her head, wiping tears from her eyes. "I will not leave you again."
"You've walked away before Emma, when we were two very different people – children. It will be easier now." His voice was level and easy, despite the pain inside of his chest. He focused on the one emotion he understood in this moment, the emotions he had for her.
"We will find your heart Killian." Emma said assuredly. "Together." She was well aware that Cora having his heart meant that she was in danger while she was with Killian, but she also knew that she wouldn't be able to handle losing him again.
A/N: I'm completely blown away by the fact that I have 73 follows on the first chapter of this fic – I never imagined this much interest and I'm just sort of teary eyed over it. I hope I do not fail you.
ashanightingale you asked for me to explain the prophecy! Well this was the chapter where it was meant to be explained, so here you have it!
