Together is enough

The trip back to Storybrooke takes less time than it actually took them to get to the Underworld and find Killian. That's why they arrive back in town in what seems like no time at all in Charon's boat.

Emma grabs for Killian's hand as soon as they're on dry land, unwilling to be apart from him any longer than necessary. Since their reunion, she's been clinging to him like a lifeline, Snow notices. And, in a way, the former princess knows the pirate is exactly that for her daughter. She understands how Emma feels, as she would feel the same way about Charming if the roles had been reversed. While she's happy Emma has found such love, at the same time her heart hurts for all the pain both of them have been through.

Once in town, they all gather at the loft. They fill Robin and the rest of the gang in and they celebrate their victory over the Darkness, the Dark Ones and their return from Hell. Killian and Emma are sitting on the couch, away from their motley crowd, listening to the others talking around them, offering their input only when asked directly. After an hour or so, the others leave one by one - Henry, with Regina and Robin.

Snow approaches the couple sitting on the couch, loathe to interrupt them: "Emma, we should get some sleep. It's been a very tiring few days."

Killian stands up at that. "You are right, Your Highness. I should leave you to it."

Emma stands as well.

"Stay! Both of you, stay here tonight. You should be with your family." Snow implores them.

Killian feels his throat choke up and Emma squeezes his hand tighter. He looks towards David, who nods in acceptance.

"All right, we'll stay." Emma acquiesces. "Thanks, mom. Goodnight, guys." Emma smiles and drags him towards the stairs by the hand.

He's at a loss for words as he follows his Swan up the stairs to her room, because her parents consider him family. And they have just invited him to sleep in the same bed with their daughter, under their roof. It feels too much like a prize he shouldn't receive after everything he's done.

He's unsure what he's supposed to do next. He's just standing in the middle of her room, remembering the last time he was here – the day Emma took on the darkness. Everything looks the same, but them. They've been through so much, done so much, since then.

Emma is looking at him now, a bundle of clothes in her arms. He scratches awkwardly behind his ear, casting his eyes downward. For the first time in a long time, he's unsure how he's supposed to act around her. He's said so much, done so much, that he doesn't know how they could possibly mend this. Once, she was an open book to him, but now he doesn't know anymore. She's acting strange around him, she's careful, like she's treading on eggshells.

"Here. These should be more comfortable to sleep in." Emma hands him the clothes: an old large T-shirt and a worn pair of sweatpants.

"Thank you, lass."

She turns around and rummages through her drawer again. He doesn't waste any time in turning his back on her and starting to change. He hears Emma take off her boots and he knows she's changing too. Gentleman that he is, he keeps his back to her until he hears no more noises and he's sure she's done.

When he turns around, she's breathtaking, dressed in a simple white tank top and shorts that leave her long legs bare to his eyes. He takes her in and it's like he can't have enough. When his eyes reach her face, he notices the blush that's tinting her cheeks.

"Let's go to bed, Killian."

He doesn't say anything, just follows her lead and takes the left side of the bed. He gets under the comforter and lays stock still. He wishes he could wrap his arms around her, draw her in his arms, but he's not sure his touch is welcomed right at this moment. Not before some time passes and they've talked about everything that's happened.

Emma shifts in bed until he can feel her body heat close to his. Then her hand is on his chest, on top of his heart, and one of her legs intermingles with his. She's practically on top of him, and he freezes. When she starts to caress him and places a gentle kiss on his neck, below his jaw line, he relaxes slightly and pulls her closer.

"Good night, Killian."

He presses a kiss to the top of her head. "Good night, love".

It's the middle of the night when the nightmare begins. Killian expects it – it had always come in the middle of the night in the past, but the viciousness of it is something he could never have foreseen. In his mind, he watches Nimue crush Emma's heart, the love of his life crumpling lifeless in front of him. And when her eyes become dull with lifelessness, it's too much.

He jolts out of bed. "Emma, nooo!"

The scream pierces the silence of the night and Emma bolts up in bed scared. She sees Killian next to her, up as well, sweating, a harrowing look on his face, and she knows what's happened. She's on him in an instant, embracing him as much as she can in their position.

"Emma, what's happening? Are you alright?"

It's David who calls, worried that something's come after them again, but she doesn't want her parents to interfere right now. "Yes, we're fine. Just a nightmare. Go back to bed."

There's no reply, but she knows they'll leave them be, so she focuses on Killian.

He's shaking, still reeling from his nightmare. She doesn't know what it's about, just that it's about her. Unsure what to do, she does the only thing she can think of: she caresses him, smooths out his hair, kisses him everywhere she can reach, while whispering comforting words. "It's ok, Killian, I'm here… It was just a dream… I'm here."

He doesn't seem to notice, but at some point he squeezes her back. "Emma…" His voice is raw and there's so much pain in that one word, she wants to cry.

She kisses him more. And hugs him tighter. "It's ok, my love. I'm here."

"You almost died, Emma. I almost let them kill you. I almost killed everyone." He's sobbing now, tears streaming down his face and the pain he's in is feels like a physical thing she can touch.

It breaks her heart all over again. She cups his face, wiping the tears away with her thumbs. "But you didn't. You saved us."

"I almost didn't."

There's so much self-recrimination, she can't stand it. "But you didn't, and that's what matters." She says fiercely, willing him to see the truth. "I love you, Killian. So much."

"Emma…"

"Please come back to me." She kisses him and tells him she loves him over and over, until she feels him relax under her touch. And when he does that, she looks up at him. There's so much pain in his eyes, pain she's inadvertently help put there, but also a trace of hope. And when he leans in to capture her lips with his, she can taste it.

The kiss is almost chaste at first, an exploration of some kind, like he's learning what it means to kiss her again. She can give him that, because she's missed his kisses so much. When a half moan escapes her, he's quick to take advantage and press his tongue in to caress hers. And she knows they'll be ok. It might take a while for the wounds to heal, but they'll get there. Together.