AN: Sorry for the delay, I'm in the middle of finals week and I graduate from college Friday so life is busy. Thus, this chapter is on the shorter end so I apologize for that. Hope you like it!
"Oh shit," Emma muttered when her green eyes landed on the blue ones across the room. She had been avoiding Killian all day. It hadn't been hard given her classes and the few hours she spent filing at the law office. But still, she had gone to Granny's for dinner thinking she could talk to Ruby about the issue at hand. But of course the band decided to have dinner together after practice. And he had seen her the instant she walked in. Emma sighed and marched to the counter, determined to get the grilled cheese she desperately wanted.
"The usual?" Ruby asked as Emma took a seat at the bar.
"Yes but to go," Emma answered with a nod. The blonde felt her roommate's presence next to her before he even said a word.
"Swan," Killian started but she turned to him, the look on her face instantly making his words stop in his throat.
"I don't want to talk about it Jones," Emma commanded through clenched teeth. "Just let me take my dinner and enjoy your evening with the band."
"We were just about to head our separate ways. I'll walk home with you."
"If you're heading out, I think I'll stay here." Emma started to turn to change her order but Killian's hands were gripping her shoulders, holding her in place to look at him.
"We need to talk."
"Well I don't want to." Her eyes fell to her hands that were folded in her lap. She didn't want to deal with him right now.
"Why do you have to be so bloody stubborn all the time?" He sighed and his hands dropped to her thighs. His fingers flexed around the material of her slacks, making her flinch a little. "I would really like to talk about today Emma, just you and me. No lies. No facade. Please?" Emma felt his eyes boring into her but she couldn't look away from her hands.
"I don't know if I can deal with that right now," Emma mumbled. Killian let her go, letting a sigh pass his lips. "Why do we have to talk about it?"
"Because that's how most people deal with things. Come on Swan, just let me go home with you, we'll have a nice chat then we'll enjoy our evening." The to-go bag was placed on the counter, making Emma shift away from her roommate to pull out some bills to cover her cost. She grabbed the bag and slipped off the bar stool to finally look at Killian again.
"Let's go home," she whispered so softly he almost didn't hear it. He jumped to grab his leather jacket from the table the rest of the band still sat at. The two roommates walked out onto the busy streets of the city, Emma refusing to fill the silence.
"How was work?" Killian asked, Emma trying her best to keep her displeasure in her head.
"It was work. Nothing very exciting about the world of paperwork."
"Aye." She shifted the bag in her arms which made Killian snatch it up, easily placing it between his side and his arm.
"You don't have to do that."
"We've been over this love, I'm always a gentleman." Emma crossed her arms over her chest as they continued their walk home. She really didn't want to deal with these feelings or his feelings for that matter. Killian had been the best roommate and a great friend. She didn't want that ruined with one speech about feelings.
"How was band practice?" Emma asked as they got closer to their building.
"It was good. We put together a really brilliant set list for your birthday." She couldn't help the smile she got from his statement. He always had a way with knowing her music tastes. "Of course, if there are any other songs you can think of that you want to hear, let me know. I can rearrange some to make anything fit."
"I'll let you know but I'm sure whatever you play will be amazing." Emma quickly unlocked the front door to their apartment building, the two riding up in the elevator in silence. They walked into their apartment, Emma going straight to the kitchen to pull out her dinner.
"Do you want a drink love?" he asked as he poured himself a tumbler of rum.
"It is a Monday night, you know? And I have work all day tomorrow."
"It's just one drink. You can't let a man drink alone."
"Depends, am I gonna need a drink?" He grabbed a second glass in response, pouring her a drink. She placed her sandwich and onion rings on a plate before grabbing the glass to sit at the small table they had by the window. He sat across from her with his own glass, taking a long swig of the amber liquid as they locked eyes.
"I know that you know I wasn't lying at today's session," he started. "And I'm not even going to pretend that I was. I know better than to try to lie around you."
"So does that mean-"
"I don't know Swan," Killian sighed before she could finish her question about if he really loved her. "That kiss last Friday, it made me feel something I haven't felt in a long time. And I don't know exactly how I feel but I certainly feel something for you Emma."
"Killian," she sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You know we can't."
"I know it sounds absolutely mad. I just wanted you to know the truth."
"Neither of us is the dating type Captain."
"Maybe we could figure it out again together."
"And ruin our friendship? We live together. We can't just date each other for real."
"Then answer this, do you have any feelings for me?"
"No," she answered before she even really thought about it. She knew this couldn't happen, it just wasn't possible with their situation. Besides, she knew him. He wasn't really fully over Milah and she wasn't sure he ever would be.
"Have a good night Swan," Killian whispered as he picked up his drink and shut himself in his room. Emma took her own plate and drink into her room, hoping to rid the twisting feeling in her stomach quickly.
…...
The rest of their week went on as normal. Killian seemed a bit more distant which Emma expected and hated but knew they'd be back to normal soon. He had taken a lot of extra shifts this week which meant she had barely seen him but they both needed their space.
"So I was thinking," Emma explained as they were walking to the Rabbit Hole Friday night, "maybe we should act more like a couple in public, just in case."
"That may be a good idea," Killian agreed. "Considering what happened with Ariel last week."
"Right, exactly. We don't know if her friends are regulars here or not. But I just wanted to make sure you can handle it."
"Trust me Swan, I'll be just fine. You're not the first woman to break my heart."
"Killian-"
"I'm sorry, that was rather crass of me. What I mean to say is I've survived much worse. And I promise, you and I are just fine." He reached out and linked their hands together, giving her a genuine smile. She smiled back softly and pushed closer to him, hoping they'd be back on track soon. At least today's session had gone without a hitch somehow.
"Emma," Mary Margaret called out as the two roommates walked into the bar. She was at their usual table with David, Regina, and Ruby already. Killian kissed the blonde's cheek before he went to join the rest of the band backstage. Emma made her way to her friends to take a seat next to her best friend. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks," Emma said with a smile. August was suddenly on the other side of her, a beer in his hand and a smile on his face.
"Happy birthday little sis," he greeted her.
"You made it!"
"Of course." Emma threw her arms around her brother for a brief hug. "How does it feel to be 22?"
"No different than 21." Before anyone else could say anything, the sound of a guitar filled the room. Everyone snapped their attention to the stage where the guys were.
"Come on Em," Ruby shouted over the music as Killian started to sing their first song. "This show is for you after all." Emma wanted to protest but Ruby was pulling her out of her seat and Mary Margaret wasn't far behind. The three pushed their way up to the stage and Killian gave Emma a wink when he spotted her as he kept singing.
"Thank you," Killian yelled into the mic as the crowd cheered once they finished their first song. "We are Cursed in Neverland and you are all in for a very special night. Tonight is Ms. Emma Swan's birthday so the whole setlist is filled with her favorite songs. Mostly our own songs but a few covers as well. She is practically responsible for naming this band up here as well as helping keep us all sane so don't be afraid to buy her a drink." Emma felt herself flush as Jefferson turned a spotlight on her. "Ah, thank you Jeff. Now you can all find her. Happy 22nd birthday love. This next song is for you as well as the 20 following that." He gave her a cheeky grin as Will started a beat, leaving her no time to react.
"Oh my god, 22 songs," Mary Margaret exclaimed as it clicked. "They're really going all out just for you."
"Oh god, I need a drink," Emma exclaimed and marched off to the bar to take a seat at a stool.
"Happy birthday sister," Leroy greeted her and placed a shot glass in front of her. "Don't worry, it's the good stuff and it's on the house."
"You are wonderful, don't let anyone tell you any different," Emma praised as she took the glass carefully between her fingers. She threw back the amber liquid, knowing the liquor instantly; Captain Morgan Private Stock. It was one of Killian's favorites to buy when he had the extra money to get the expensive stuff.
"I was hoping I'd find you here again," Emma heard behind her as she placed the empty glass down on the bar. She glanced over her shoulder to see the same guy from a few weeks ago. Walter? Wallace? Wade?
"I'm really sorry but I don't recall your name," Emma admitted after far too much silence for her taste.
"Walsh." She nodded at that and started to stand to return to Ruby and Margaret. Walsh closed his hand around her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Wait, I never got your number."
"I'm sorry but I'm kind of in a relationship now." His hand instantly dropped at that, giving her a dumbfounded look.
"I just met you three weeks ago."
"Yeah, well, things happen." The music stopped and she glanced back at the stage to see Killian eyeing up her once suitor. "Now, I think I should get back up with my friends and watch my boyfriend sing. He did put a lot of thought into the songs for tonight."
"Isn't he your roommate?" She could only nod at that, surprised he remembered. "You're dating your roommate."
"Yeah, it's complicated. But enjoy your night." She made her escape at that, joining Ruby and Mary Margaret again as Killian started their cover of Creep.
How fitting.
…...
"Alright, thank you all for coming out," Killian yelled to the room, sweat dripping from the ends of his hair. "We have one more song tonight and this one above all others is truly for Emma." He glanced at the rest of the band who all had the dumbest smiles on their faces. "Bloody hell, I can't believe we're about to do this. Alright, let's do this." Will counted off for them all to come in, Emma almost confused by what she was hearing.
"Is this-"
"Taylor Swift's 22?" Ruby finished Emma's question. "It totally is." The guys had added their own punk twist to the song, playing with more guitar and faster than the original. The girls couldn't help but dance along to the cover, laughing the whole time. Killian really got into it, making the whole room move to the sang the harmonies, looking embarrassed the whole time.
"That's our show, good night," Killian announced before placing his guitar in its holder and jumping off the stage. Emma instantly pulled him into a hug which had him laughing. "Enjoy the music love?"
"I loved it," she admitted instantly. "I can't believe you guys learned 22."
"It seemed necessary." She leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, taking him by surprise. He wrapped his arms fully around her waist to hold her close, ghosting his lips over her neck.
"Now this might seem a bit much," Emma whispered followed by a moan.
"You never know who could be watching Swan," Killian muttered right in her ear. "And it is your birthday." He pressed one last kiss just below her ear then another to her lips before taking her hand to guide the way back to the group. "Let's really start the celebration lass."
