A/N: So it seems like I have been in hibernation for months, hopefully this will end whatever lack of creativity I've been facing. So here is a short bit o' fluff to save you from our lack of episode blues.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Morse Code

Regina called the days when the park was closed for maintenance 'Team Bonding Opportunities.' Really what it meant was that, maybe they'd go have a meal together in some restaurant large enough to hold them all, but almost definitely end up sitting in Poisoned Apples and Sleeping Curses. They'd discovered the bar by accident after a Team Bonding dinner, where they'd had just enough wine to find the simple irony of the name far too amusing, gone inside and closed down the bar that night. From then on it was tradition, one that Emma was infinitely happy to finally share with Killian.

Things had already been a bit different. They hadn't been able to find anywhere to host them so, somehow, Killian had managed to coherese Emma into opening up their sizable back yard to host everyone in a bbq. Cue Mary-Margaret going crazy with happiness and dragging Emma's all too willing boyfriend around WallMart, buying too much of everything that they thought they needed.
David had been easily sucked into the madness with M's promise that he could help Killian man the BBQ while Emma had been put in charge of alcohol distribution.

The noise level in their yard gradually increased, something they would definitely hear complaints about from the neighbours, as more and more of their colleagues arrived. Thankfully, they decided not to clog the street with their cars, and had opted to take the bus, a wise choice considering that they would all be rip-roaring drunk by the end of the night.
At some point, Ruby took over the music and an impromptu dance floor was set up near Emma's alcohol table while the meat sizzled on the grill, on the deck. Mary-Margaret flitted around carrying buns, carrot sticks and all sorts of condiments, until Regina shoved a Pina-Colada into her hands and ordered her to stop working, unless she wanted to get fired. David and Killian had been having a ball of a time; beers in one hand, tongs in the other, casually flipping burgers and sausages when their manly senses told them to. Emma was perfectly content, moving slowly from group to group, joining in conversations and mixing drinks, before ambling over to Killian's side. She curle herself under the arm holding his beer, leaning her head against his shoulder while he chatted to the congregation of men who had gathered to watch the meat cook. It was one of those perfect quiet moments he liked her to take advantage of, surrounded by their strange little family with nothing but laughter and joy filling the air.

Eventually, the beers had been drunk, the masses of food eaten and the quick clean up done; leading to a mass transfer of the entitre group from the house to the bus-stop. They must have made quite the sight, everyone on the wrong side of being tipsy, humming disney tunes as they went. The poor bus-driver looked terrified, but when you have so many people offering you money, you tend not to care. Half of the group got left behind they couldn't all fit inside, while the others went ahead to try and secure a space in Poisoned Apples. Fotunately, park maintenance tends to happen across week days, so the bar was practically empty, save for the few un-suspecting regulars who were in for a shock.

Soon the drinks were flowing, the two groups reunited and the pool tables packed. Somehow, Emma had been roped out onto the dancefloor by Ruby, Belle and Ashleigh; swaying in time to the music, allowing the alcohol in her system to loosen her movements. Two arms settled around her waist, and she grinned as Killian pushed her hair aside to lay a hot kiss against her neck. Ruby winked as she spun away, giving them what would be described as privacy out amongst the crowd of dancers. Emma let the liquid courage flow as she leaned further back against him and began to grind her hips down in time with the beat. She felt his groan reverberate through the two of them, as he tugged her impossibly closer and began to move himself to match her rhythm. Reaching up and behind her, she managed to sink her fingers into his hair, tugging until he brought his head around enough for her to reach his lips.

They stayed that way for a while, teasing each other with their bodies and kissing passionately until they were both to tired and dehydrated to continue. At that point, Killian wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her over to the booth where David, Robin, Mary-Margaret and Regina were all relaxing. They chatted for a while as a group, but eventually the men became quieter as the women discussed all sorts of miscellaneous topics. They'd just got onto interior design when Emma noticed the tapping that was going on between David, Robin and Killian. A combination of short and long-strokes that was almost impossible not to recognise.

'Is it not a bit early,' tapped David, 'It's only been a few months.'

'Come off it Dave,' replied Robin, 'They're in love, of course he's considering it.'

Who was considering what, Emma wondered as Killian's fingers began to beat out their reply.

'I'm not saying right now, but I was wondering what you two would think about it. She already mentioned it to me.'

'I know, you said,' David answers, ' Do you really think that means that you should dive straight in and get engaged.'

Holy shit. Emma's breath caught in her throat as she watched her boyfriend dicuss proposing to her in Morse-Code across the booth, believing the whole time that she was unaware. It was a good plan to be fair. David and Robin were ex-military like him, so knew the language, he couldn't have realised that she did as well.

'Like I said,' Killian continued, 'I'm not going to ask her right this second. But I have the ring, I love her and there is no-one I would want more to call my wi-'

"Swan are you okay?"

She'd choked on her drink the moment he mentioned the ring, and was currently trying to cough up the her and rum.
"I'm fine," she managed to get out, "Just went down the wrong pipe."

Killian smiled down at her, rubbing gentle circles across her back as she eased herself further into his embrace. They didn't pick up their conversation again, but there was no missing the looks that they shared across the table; eyes flickering between each other and her where she was snuggled comfortably into his side (where she was perfectly happy to be for the rest of her life.)

~E&K~

They had, once again, managed to close down the bar. Everyone had staggered off towards various bus stations, after saying drunken goodnights. Some, like David and M, had gone off to get motel rooms nearby, rather than risking the public transport. They promised to be around tomorrow at some point, to collect their car off of their driveway.
Emma and Killian managed to stumble back home, arms looped around each other, stopping occasionally to relive their teenage years and make out against trees and streetlights. Once inside, they stripped down to their underwear, to tired and unco-ordinated to even consider putting on pyjamas, wrapping around each other beneath the covers waiting for sleep to take them.
But Emma couldn't stop thinking about his Morse conversation, compelling her to reveal to him what she knew.

"Killian," she whispered, getting a grunt of acknowledgement in return, "Can I tell you something?"
She felt where his chin tipped against the top of her head, indicating his nod of approval.
"When I first met Ruby, we were both single and liked to head out to the bars quite a bit. We figured that we needed some kind if signal to each other to point out people that we liked or others that we wanted to avoid. Eventually, we went through a few options, then she suggested something. The best way we found to communicate, was by using Morse Code."

There was a moment of quiet and then, "Bloody hell."
Emma chuckled, nosing at his chest as he came to fully comprehend what she was saying.
"Killian," she murmured against his collarbone, laying a gentle kiss there.
"Yes," he managed to choke out, voice cracking on the one word.
"For the record, I think it's a great idea."

With that, she burrowed further down into their shared warmth, inhaling his distinctly Killian scent and grinning to herself as he pulled her even closer and buried his face into her hair.
"Aye, my love. I'll keep that in mind."

A/N: So there it is. My tiny flufflet. I hope you enjoyed and will continue to be wonderful with your responses and patience with me. I love you all, keep being your beautiful selves. x