Thanks for the lovely follows! And after an unnecessarily long wait, here's the second chapter!
He's pacing back and forth between the god-forsaken lobby of Granny's B&B, stuck thinking of a beautiful blonde who'll never remember him. Killian groans in frustration and runs his fingers through his hair. He's sulky and irritable since Ruby forcefully removed him from Emma, not letting him return to her for several, tension-filled days.
"You're going to burn a hole in the floor," Ruby calls from above him, and Killian stops in his tracks as she descends the stairs. "What's your problem, anyway?"
"Nothing," Killian says defensively, crossing his arms and most definitely not pouting since Ruby put him on probation. Ruby raises an eyebrow and breezes passed him, taking her coat off the hanger and sliding it over her shoulders. "Where are you going?"
"Why do you need to know?" Ruby challenges, and Killian sighs dramatically.
"You don't need a coat to walk through three doors to get to Granny's," he tells her, and Ruby glares at his tone.
"You don't need my permission to go into Granny's either," she retorts back, picking up her keys from behind the front desk. Killian's jaw goes slack, and he blames the town for the surprises being thrown his way. "Close your mouth, you're going to catch flies."
"You," Killian stammers, "you—you're the one who told me to stay away from the diner!"
Ruby gives him an exasperated look, as if she can't believe she has to explain to him what he clearly should have read her mind to figure out. "That was before I realized why you were here," she says, and it's like she's talking to a five year old.
"You can skip the condescending mom get up, lass, I've no need for that," Killian says, false sweetness lacing his words. "Just go straight to the part where you tell me why I am here, since you obviously know more than me."
Ruby pushes past him again, pausing at the door that leads to the diner before giving him a tired look. "Don't hurt her, Killian."
Then she's gone and Killian feels like skipping because he thinks he has permission to go into the diner and see Emma again. And it's terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time, and he hasn't felt this way since he told Liam he was going to sail the world.
He grabs his shoes off the floor and yanks open the door, telling himself that he is not skipping to see Emma, he's simply walking fast. He reaches the diner and it's like a breath of fresh air when he sees her, sitting in the corner booth with a mug of hot chocolate and her nose in a book. He feels like punching the air, and though he can't explain why, he doesn't want the feeling to go away.
He's stopped by a hand near the bar, which, upon further inspection, Killian realizes belongs to an irritatingly smug looking man with short hair. "You're here for Emma, aren't you?" he asks, all-knowing, and Killian wants to punch him.
"Hands off, mate," Killian says, raising his eyebrows in challenge. The man pulls his hand back in surrender.
"I'm not questioning you, go for it," the man says. "Ruby told me all about you and her. I just don't think you'll actually be able to get her to eat with you."
Killian scoffs. "I'll bet you anything I can."
"Twenty bucks?" the man says calmly, and Killian shoots him one last nasty look before walking steadily towards Emma.
He sits down in the booth in front of hers, orders coffee from a waitress he's never seen, and waits until she's gone to talk. "Grimm Fairytales, aye? What's your favorite part so far, the exploiting of well-known fairytales, or the gruesome endings?"
Emma snaps her book shut and glares at him. "Do I know you?" she asks, raising a perfect eyebrow, and Killian gives her his most charming smile.
"No, lass, but I'm sure you'd like to," he flirts, sending her a wink. Emma looks positively affronted, and scowls at him.
"Rather not, thanks," she retorts, slamming her book into her bag. "And as for your lack of literary appreciation, your opinion, even though invalid, was still unwanted. Have a nice life."
She stands up and is walking out the door, and Killian can hear the irritating laughter of the man at the bar, so he stands up and follows her, shouting, "Wait, wait!"
Emma turns on her heel so fast he nearly collides into her, but the look in her eyes makes him glad he didn't. "What?" she snaps, and she's crossing her arms and her eyes are guarded but he can see right through them, can see how tired she is.
"Sorry, lass, I just didn't know how to start a conversation with you," he says, scratching the back of his ear.
"So you figured, hey, I'll just offend her, that'll work?"
"I wasn't thinking," Killian insists, and Emma rolls her eyes. "You make me nervous. I didn't know how to approach you."
"Yeah, well, next time you don't know how to approach a girl, just don't approach her," Emma snaps, and she's storming away again but he's always been a stubborn man so he finds himself ten steps behind her. "You can't catch a hint, can you?"
"Oh, I've caught it, I've just chosen to ignore it," Killian says, winking again.
"Oh, a real Prince Charming," Emma retorts sarcastically.
"No, ma'am, you've got me mistaken for a prince," he says fondly. "I've always considered myself as a rogue."
"Consider yourself out of my league," Emma says with a false smile, and he has to admit that she's quick on her feet.
"I have a name," he tells her, and she lengthens her strides but he keeps up with her tirelessly.
"What a coincidence, so do I!" Emma says in mock surprise. "And an address and a phone number—none of which I'll be giving to you. Have a nice life."
Killian laughs at her persistence, but he knows he can put hers to shame if he keeps up. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily."
Emma stops, so suddenly, that Killian is startled to realize that's he's walked on without her, quickly hustling back to her place. She's got a mysterious smile on her face, and her eyes are surprised but pleased, and he realizes he's made a breakthrough.
"Good," she says, and when she walks away, he lets her, because Killian Jones knows how to accept the small victories.
He's sitting in the diner when she walks in, and he's determined to win her over today. She sits down and pulls out her book, and he smiles at the opportunity she's presented him.
"Excuse me," he says as she approaches her booth, and she looks up at him. "I noticed you were reading the Grimm brothers, and I actually just finished that book myself—"
"Passez le fromage et le vin, monsieur," she says, and Killian's taken aback. "Emmenez-moi à la galerie d'art. Désolé, Monsier. "
"You don't speak English," he sighs. And even though he's pretty sure she asked him to pass the cheese, he knows he's lost today, and sits back down at the bar.
The irritating gambler, Victor, he'd learned, starts to laugh when Killian sits down.
"That's twenty for me," he says smugly. "Double or nothing tomorrow?"
"Sod off, bastard," Killian grumbles.
"Excuse me, miss?" Killian tries, and Emma looks up from her phone and stares at him. "I'm a reporter in town for a few days, and I've been asked to find the most beautiful woman in town and ask her a few questions. Since I've finally found her…perhaps it would be alright if I asked you some questions?"
Emma smiles, and he knows today is a good day when she gestures for him to sit down with a raised eyebrow. "Fire away."
He looks away from her lips with a startled jump, and, having not heard a word she'd said, says, "What?"
Emma rolls her eyes. "Just ask your questions."
And so he asks her pointless stuff, such as her best date (she gets a far away look in her eyes and a tiny little smile on her face, describing a simple candlelit dinner at her home one night), her favorite color (blue, she answers without hesitation), her worst date (she scowls and her pout is so adorable he can't focus), favorite book as a child (Velveteen Rabbit), and it's all so ridiculous and surreal that he's soaring.
They've talked for an hour when she apologetically tells him she has to go. He helps her put on her coat, and it's the first time he's ever touched her and it's electric. He watches as her fingers button up her coat, long and slender, ghosting across the fabric. He'd never longed for a touch more than he sought hers.
"Thank you for your time, Swan," he says, and he decides he likes the way her name feels on his tongue. She smiles slightly and he winks, then he's watching her as she leaves and smiling because he's done it, he's gotten her to talk to him. And it's all he needs for today so he turns to go back to his room and then—
"That's it?" she asks, and she's standing in the doorway, and her face is broken between hurt and anger.
"Sorry?" he says, but panic is clutching his heart because he's screwed up.
"All that crap about you being a reporter and complementing me? And trying to find the perfect date for me?" Emma retorts, crossing her arms. "And then you just let me go, don't ask for my number or to see me again or anything? Charming."
She's turning on her heel and storming out and he wants to follow her but his feet are rooted to the ground. When he finally realizes he has to find her and explain, he's too late watching her get into a car and start to drive. He doesn't even think, just grabs a bicycle and takes off after her, knowing he can't leave today like this, not when it was a good day.
By the time he reaches the house her yellow bug is parked in front of, he's winded and out of breath and greeted by a couple standing with their arms crossed. He approaches them, panting, and gives them the most charming smile he can muster. "Good morning. Might I ask, is Emma Swan in?"
"Who's asking?" the guy says, and he's buff and blonde and reminds Killian of Emma when he stares down at him. The woman next to him, petite with short black hair, elbows the man and frowns.
"David," she warns quietly, before stepping out to Killian and offering him her hand. "My name is Mary Margaret, and this is my husband, David. We live with Emma."
Realization hits Killian hard, and he stumbles back. "You're her caretakers," he breathes, and David frowns.
"We're her family," he corrects. "And we protect her. So that's what we're doing. Who are you?"
Killian puts his hands up and stares at David with wide eyes. "Mate, I'm not here to hurt her. In fact, I think I actually hurt her feelings and I'd quite like to apologize. So if you wouldn't mind…"
"You aren't going near Emma until you tell us who you are and what you want with her," David warns, stepping forward and pointing a finger at Killian. Mary Margaret pulls him back with a gentle touch on his shoulder. Killian starts babbling an explanation.
"I'm Killian Jones, I'm an independent sailor traveling the world but my vessel wrecked near your shores and I've made home in the town until the repairs are made and I can go on my jolly way. However, it was on my first day that I caught sight of Swan and realized that perhaps I had a reason to stay."
"What are you looking for with Emma?" David inquires, and Killian's shoulders slump in defeat.
"I'm not sure what I've found with her but I find myself unable to give it up," Killian admits, scratching the back of his ear. "I can't imagine parting with her."
"You can't have a relationship with a girl who can't remember you," Mary Margaret tells him, and he wants to scream because he knows but he wants Emma all the same.
"I'm not looking for one wild night with her," Killian protests, but David raises his hands to stop him.
"Any relationship with Emma would be a one night stand," he says sternly.
"That's not what I'm looking for, sir," Killian retorts. "I don't want to hurt Emma. As I mentioned, the only reason I'm here is because I think I hurt her feelings and I'd like to apologize."
"It's time to go, Killian," Mary Margaret says with a shake of her head and a thin-lipped smile. "And we're sorry, but you can't go near Emma anymore. Stay away from Granny's, and from Emma."
"I can't do that," Killian protests, running his fingers through his hair.
"Bye, Killian," David says with finality.
He watches as the couple walks away, arms around each other and so obviously in love it's nearly painful, but he's so entranced by the familiarity of their appearance that he can't look away.
It's only when he stands alone in the parking lot that he realizes he sees himself in the way David looks at Mary Margaret.
He's not ready to give that up.
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