Emma didn't sleep well that night. She was able to get her paper written, but when she tried to fall asleep, all she could think of was waking up in six hours to get coffee.
With Killian.
Who was now single.
Ashley had stayed true to her word and hadn't asked Emma any more questions that night, but Emma was starting to wish she had processed through her feelings rather than shut her roommate out. Emma had known the first time she saw Killian he was an attractive guy, because she had eyes. Every time they had interacted, she left with a new and different impression of him. At first, he was just the handsome guy in the hallway. Then, he was kind of cocky, and pompous, yet still a gentleman. He was funny, and easy to talk to, but kind of sad, if you really looked at him. After the "Neal Incident", Emma had made a manifesto of what she would and would not do for a man. The first thing Emma had established was that Emma Swan did not need a man. She was totally fine on her own. No man would ever bring purpose and meaning to her life. The second thing Emma had established was that if there seemed to be a red flag waving in front of a guy, that meant trouble and she should proceed with extreme caution. Being in a serious relationship with another woman was definitely a red flag. Occasional banter when they saw each other around campus was one thing, but Emma had been refusing to think of Killian as even a potential significant person in her life.
Frankly, the fact that Killian had just broken up with his girlfriend of 3.5 years less than 24 hours ago was still a red flag. Emma sighed and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. She was definitely overthinking it. Killian had loved Milah. What he needed right now was an ally.
Someone to banter with. Someone to distract him from the fact that everyone on campus knew more about his love life than was truly healthy. Emma could handle that.
7:00 came too early. Emma groaned as her phone went off, but only hit snooze once before getting up for the day. Her hair was still damp as she made her way outside, but at least she was not showing up to her first class in pajamas. As the coffee cart came in sight, Emma looked around and realized Killian wasn't there. After a quick check of her watch, Emma decided to just get in line, because she really did need coffee, and if she waited much longer she would be late to class. She ordered her drink, but there was still no Killian. She very slowly added cream and sugar, but still no Killian. She had just given up and turned towards her building when she heard someone call her name behind her. Whirling around, she saw Killian jogging towards her.
"I'm so sorry, lass," he panted. "I had almost reached the cart, but realized I had left my cell phone and had to turn back to retrieve it."
"It's not a big deal," Emma shrugged, "I figured you'd maybe slept in or were running late."
"Well, I wake up with the birds," Killian admitted. "My brother used to wake me up at 5:30 every morning to make sure that I was thoroughly washed for the day, had time to make my lunch, and pack my school bag before the bus picked me up, and it's a habit I never grew out of."
"Yikes, that actually sounds terrible," Emma exhaled, and took a sip of her coffee because she needed it after just hearing the words, "5:30 every morning."
"Not a morning person?" Killian chuckled, and Emma shook her head fiercely. "Well, no matter. We're all our own person, that's what makes the world so interesting."
"Well said," Emma agreed, and tipped her cup at him as a toast.
"I've had all morning to think of it while you slept," Killlian quipped. "I understand I'm too late for coffee, but can I still walk with you to class?"
"Yeah, I guess," Emma said, spinning on her heel and walking towards the building again. Killian fell in step beside her, and they fell into an easy conversation as they made their way inside. Neither brought up the obvious subject of Milah, but Emma got the vibe that Killian preferred it that way.
"This is me," Emma said as they neared her classroom.
"It was nice to see you this morning, Emma," Killian said, turning to give her a mock bow.
"Likewise, Jones," Emma smirked.
"You know, I realized last night that I don't know your last name."
"Really?" Emma was surprised. It seemed like they knew each other well enough for him to know her full name.
"Really. You'll have to tell it to me next time we see each other," he said as he walked backwards towards his own classroom, waving before he turned a corner.
"Sure," she agreed, but he was already too far away to really hear her.
The next morning, Killian was in line at the coffee cart as Emma walked down the sidewalk.
"What's that?" he called, gesturing towards her hand.
"Coffee. In a to go cup." Emma sassed, holding it up so he could see more clearly.
"Do you make coffee in your dorm room?" Killian squinted at the cup as she walked closer, as if he couldn't understand why she would do such a thing.
"Yes," Emma said testily, "when I don't feel like paying $3 for a cup of coffee.
"Fair point," Killian acquiesced. "But enough about coffee. I have you here, now, and I figure it's time I learn your last name, if you feel as though the stranger danger has passed from our first meeting."
"It's Swan," Emma rolled her eyes at his sarcasm. "Emma Swan."
"Swan? I like it." Killian grinned. "It suits you. That explains your swan necklace."
Emma briefly touched the necklace. She had almost forgotten it was there. "Yeah," she said after a brief pause. "It was a gift from someone a few years ago." Killian looked at her, obviously expecting more from her, unsatisfied with the vague answer. Emma wasn't going to give it to him.
"Ah. Illuminating," he said after a beat, but it was just as he stepped up to the counter to get his drink, so Emma had to splutter indignantly and wait for his attention to return to her before she could ask him what he meant by that.
"Well, Swan," Killian smirked, "You're something of an open book. You grabbed that necklace like it was a lifeline. The person who gave it to you was obviously important to you, but out of your life, and probably hurt you when they left. You wear it as a reminder for something, although I'll give you that I haven't puzzled that out yet."
Emma stared at him, shocked. "You're not wrong."
"I know," he quipped. "But you're more than that, Emma Swan. Don't let a person from your past keep you from living in your present."
"Wise advice…" Emma started to snap, before pulling back. Killian shot her a penetrating look, expecting more. "Sorry. That actually is good advice," she sighed. "It's just… not something I want to talk about this early in the morning."
"Fair enough, Swan, and you've been very obliging with me so I am happy to move on. Did you do anything interesting since we last talked?"
They fell in step as Emma told Killian how Mary Margaret had gotten her hooked on a new show this week, and she had put off writing a paper for 3 hours binge watching before Ashley had finally thrown a pillow at her to get her to focus.
"I find myself watching more and more Netflix recently," Killian laughed as Emma finished her story. "Keeps me from…" he drifted off for a second. "Well, you know."
Emma wasn't sure what to say for a second. "I get the vibe that you're not used to quiet nights in by yourself very often," she remarked after a pause, looking at Killian to see if she said the right thing.
"Ha! Too right," Killian laughed, and she breathed out in relief.
"So what have you been binge watching?" she asked as they neared the spot where they went in different directions.
"To you promise not to judge, Swan?" Killian asked, scratching behind his ear.
"Sure," Emma lifted her eyebrow, intrigued.
"Fixer Upper," he confessed, as Emma struggled to not laugh.
"You're kidding?" she finally managed.
"It's very satisfying to see the progress throughout an episode," he said indignantly.
"It's very something" Emma agreed. "Well, I never would have guessed that, but now I'll have to watch an episode tonight after I finish Mary Margaret's suggestion."
"Do that, and make sure you let me know what you think," Killian smirked.
Emma shut the lid of her laptop, growling in frustration.
"What's up, Emma?" Ruby asked, taking out an earbud as she looked at her friend.
"I've just watched three freaking episodes of Fixer Upper and I have a paper to write," Emma grumbled, closing her eyes and tipping her head back.
"Okay, you weirdo, then write the paper."
"Bite me. And pass me those chips," Emma sighed. She was in for another late night of paper writing.