Author's Notes: Apologies for the delay - weather here has been dangerously hot.

~ The Distance Between ~

The Enchanted Forest
Many years ago...

Killian ran as far as tired legs carried him, which was beyond the port and up a grassy hill. He was faster than other ten-year-olds, and could even outrun Liam - who was a whole three years older.

It didn't matter if he only got so far, as long as he wasn't on that ship.

The boy paused under moonlight to catch his breath. Out in the field of pale flowers was a girl with blonde hair. He couldn't clearly see her face, but she looked sad. Killian walked through grass and petals until close enough to realise the girl was about his age. He wondered if he was faster than her too.

'Hello,' he said. 'Are you okay?'

The girl shrugged. She stared at a broken flower in her hand – a sort of rose but prettier.

'I'm Killian,' he added, averting blue eyes from her dried tears and bruised arm.

He glanced high at bright stars and the moon, calmer under their glowing constellations. Liam had promised to teach him how to navigate them properly.

'I'm Emma,' she answered. 'Did you run away too?'

'Yeah.' He sat on the grass. The roses were tall there – was Emma using them to hide? 'I ran as soon as we reached the docks. I came on a cargo ship. The big one. Did you see it?'

Emma shook her head. 'I came from the forest, but I don't remember there being a forest.'

'Maybe it moved?' Killian glanced behind them, shuddering at blackness beyond trees and bushes. He had to search inside himself for the brave his father said was there – or was that also a lie?

'Forests don't move.' She rolled eyes, but looked over her shoulder too. 'What were you running from?'

'Everything.' Killian frowned, plucking grass. 'Father left my brother and me. He sold us to a mean man named Captain Silver. We have to work all the time. All of me hurts, even inside.' He points to his chest. Sadness rested in his heart – the same sadness he recognised in Emma's eyes as hers raised to meet his.

'I was left too,' she said quietly. 'As a baby. My parents left me in a blanket on the side of a road.'

She offered him the broken rose, though Killian wasn't sure what to do with it. He thanked her anyway. He'd have to put it somewhere safe.

'In my new foster home, they wanted me to stay in my room all the time.' Emma sniffled. 'They're not very nice.'

'So you ran away.' Killian understood. 'Good plan.'

'Until I got lost.' She huffed. 'Where are we?'

'I don't know. I'm lost too, but it's okay. When the sun comes up, my brother will find me and I won't be lost anymore,' he said.

'Won't he take you back to the ship and its mean captain and the hard work?'

'Yeah.' Killian bowed his head. 'But I've nowhere else to go. I don't have a home. And I can't leave my brother; he's all I've got.'

'Must be nice to have someone like that.' Emma leaned back to look at the sky. 'Can I come with you?'

'You're free.' He shook his head. 'Living on a ship is cool, but that one's not a nice place. They'll make you work until you can't work anymore. I don't want you to be trapped too.'

'What's it like then? The ship.'

'I'll show you.' Killian stood, hurrying to the hill's edge. The cargo ship had plentiful sails and paint that shone in moonlight. He pointed to the village port where men unloaded crates and brought back supplies.

Everyone looked the same far away.

'I wish I was a captain. Then I can have my own ship and make the rules,' Killian said, as he and Emma sat on the hilltop together. 'Then nothing can hurt me ever again.'

They watched people until there were no people left to see. Sharing stories to pass the time, there wasn't room for tears.

Sunshine peeked above the watery horizon, casting warmth over the two children smiling as if the ocean gave the answers they sought.

'I should go,' Emma said, turning to the forest. 'Do you think I'll ever see you again?'

'I hope so.' Killian held the rose she'd given him. It was broken but he liked it better than those still in the field. It was special because it was from her. 'Bye, Emma.'

'Bye.' She waved, running into the forest and vanishing.

'Killian!'

He spun quickly at his brother's voice, blushing at being caught. Liam was a bit taller, but acted much older. Killian felt guilty when his brother saved him from a lot of the harder work, but knew he wasn't strong enough to compete.

'There you are, little brother.' Liam placed a firm hand on his shoulder, relieved. 'You've got to stop running of like that. Are you okay?'

'Yeah.' Killian shrugged him off, glancing at the forest. 'I made a friend.'

No matter how hard or scary things got, Killian always had his brother. He hoped Emma would find someone like that too.

~ T ~

Things were simpler when he was ten. Barely a teenager, Killian learned hard labour and taunting villagers weren't the only torture life had to offer.

There was a newer member of Captain Silver's crew – a stowaway the captain put to work instead of tossing him overboard. Fishy Fred wasn't his real name, but he stank of fish and always gave the Jones brothers a hard time. Killian hated him.

'Pick it up, boy!'

Killian glared at the spilled bucket wasting an hour's work over the deck. The afternoon sun was hot on his back and neck, despite the ship being docked partially in shade of a large village. Liam was off running errands. Captain Silver and most the crew were headed to a local tavern. There wasn't anyone to stand up for Killian, so he'd have to do it himself.

He hadn't faced Fishy Fred on his own before, but Liam stood up to people all the time.

'No,' Killian angrily told Fishy Fred. 'You kicked it on purpose! You pick it up.'

It happened so fast.

It was easy for a full-grown sailor to shove a skinny and scared thirteen-year-old boy against a mast. Killian winced as his head smacked solid wood. Blue eyes wide, he ducked to avoid a fist. He saw a sword by some rope and scurried to grab it, trying to stop his hands from shaking. He was tired of being pushed around like he was nothing, as if he belonged to someone other than himself.

Fishy Fred glanced at the aimed sword. The man laughed, not in amusement but with a roar of hilarity.

'I'll stab you, I mean it!' Killian yelled, feeling taller than he was. 'Stay away from me.'

'Fair shot.' Fishy Fred unsheathed his cutlass. 'If you last two minutes against me, I'll lay off.'

'And you'll clean the deck.' Killian indicated to the spilled bucket. 'Deal?'

Fishy Fred's response was a lunge of his cutlass.

He dodged, swinging his sword around but hitting a crate. Killian hadn't even chipped the wood, but he was confident. Liam sometimes practised sword-fighting with some of the crew while Killian watched and cheered with rapt attention.

He got in a few good lunges that made Fishy Fred jump back, but Killian wasn't watching the blade and his footwork was unsteady. His sword was knocked away and he crashed onto the deck. Back soaked by his own spilled bucket, frustrated tears stung his eyes. A boot pressed on the boy's chest, pinning him there.

As the cutlass pointed at his throat, Killian realised he was about to die.

'Look at you.' Fishy Fred maliciously leaned over him. 'You're just a little boy – a cast-aside orphan with no friends, no one who cares if you drown at sea. No one but that angry brother of yours who at least stands a chance to make a name for himself one day.'

Killian growled but didn't move or speak, his blue eyes fixed on the blade. He had a friend – her name was Emma. They shared lunch and books together sometimes, but he hadn't seen her in a while.

'You're a nobody, Jones. You're nothing-'

The cutlass flew from Fishy Fred's hand, sharp end spearing a crate.

By the gangplank, a wide-eyed girl ducked from view.

'Get off him, you bastard!' Liam thundered up the gangplank. He was fifteen, but in a fit of fury Liam was capable of anything to protect his brother. He punched Fishy Fred, who went down faster than Killian had.

Fishy Fred snarled, hand raised to his bruising jaw. 'You bloody-'

'Choose your words wisely,' Liam said darkly. 'You just hurt my brother and the captain's on his way back.'

'Then perhaps Captain Silver would want to hear about the mess your little brother made on the deck he was meant to be cleaning?' Fishy Fred got to his feet to use height to his advantage, but Liam wouldn't be bullied or intimidated when his brother's life was just being threatened.

'I dare say the captain cares more about the cargo you're meant to be overseeing than some water spilled on an already-wet deck.' Liam offered an arm to Killian, pulling him up. 'All right, little brother?'

'Younger,' Killian corrected. 'I'm not a little boy.'

While the man and his brother argued, which Liam was easily the victor of, Killian left the ship. He didn't run this time.

He stood by some crates, where he'd seen blonde hair when the cutlass had flown from Fishy Fred's hand.

'Thank you,' he said, nervously scratching behind his ear. 'I don't know what you did, but thanks.'

She stood and their eyes met.

'Emma!' Killian gasped, grin forming. 'How'd you find me?'

She shrugged. 'Just did. I always do,' she said. 'You look hungry.' Emma handed him half a loaf of bread, carefully keeping it hidden from view of the marketplace.

'Thanks.' He inhaled its freshness. Having stolen from the baker before, Killian knew it was the good stuff. 'We're leaving soon. There's another trade port out East. But I'm happy you're here. Do you think you could find me again?'

'I'll try.' Emma promised.

Her smile was brighter than the sunrise they'd watched together on the flowery hill years ago. The warmth of a smile like that was Killian's reminder to hold onto hope, like a lighthouse beacon calling to a lost ship.

One day, it may even lead him home.

Killian and Emma shared many adventures over the years growing up, more so since the day Captain Silver marooned Fishy Fred for smuggling pixie dust. Liam was especially smug that day, but the end of Fishy Fred's torment wasn't enough for Killian to share his secret – to tell his brother about Emma.

Freshly fourteen, Killian ignored drunken laughter below as he sat on the roof of a tavern. He watched the streets carefully.

'All clear,' he said. 'No guards.'

'And our bounty increases.' Emma dropped a loaf of bread into a small sack. 'I brought drinks this time.' She added two bottles of water.

He frowned at the odd containers. 'No rum?' Killian joked.

'Rum's gross.' Emma tied the sack's intentionally-long string around her waist.

She slid down tiles and landed her boots on cobbled stone. He jumped after her, wincing when a man in royal armour rounded a corner.

'There they are!' shouted the guard.

'Too slow, mate,' Killian mocked, turning on heels to run through the town square.

He was still faster than everyone else. He and Emma zigzagged through the market, trying to avoid people but knocking many panicked chickens onto the path.

Killian hoped she saw him when he impressively leaped a wandering pig.

'Stop, thieves!' The guard chased them, upsetting merchants and more chickens. 'The king will have your heads.'

'The king will have to catch us first!' Emma called back, snatching an apple from a stall's basket. 'Catch this.' She paused to toss the fruit at the guard.

The man yelled, hand over his face. The teenagers ducked round a cart of hay and headed into a stone alley. They breathlessly darted out, and halted at the edge of town where two guards waited by construction supplies and fencing sticks.

The thrill of their chase instantly vanished.

'No,' Emma whispered, gasp escaping her throat. She acted fast, grabbing wooden sticks for her and Killian.

The first armoured man caught up. The royal guards each drew swords – smirking at the young pair wielding fence-sticks.

'Watch the blade,' Emma reminded him.

'I know.' Killian grumbled. 'Let's not forget who taught who.'

Swords where sharp enough to cost him a hand if he wasn't careful. Killian risked a glance at Emma, who bit her lip nervously. Many afternoons spent sparring and improving their natural skills for sword-fighting prepared their reflexes not hearts. The guards wore armour, but the teenagers were braver and stronger together.

Emma ducked a sword, aiming her stick at vulnerable spots of the armour. She'd learned fast. They fought together, whacking guards in faces or especially sensitive areas that almost made Killian apologise. The armour was heavy and slowed them enough for two teenagers to battle their way through the confrontation enough to flee.

Refusing to leave him behind, Emma grabbed Killian's hand to pull him along. They abandoned the sticks and headed for a nearby forest.

'The tree!' Killian yelled.

They climbed a tall tree with cloud-like clumps of leaves perfect for hiding in. High on success and teamwork, the pair grinned while catching their breaths. Slipping a band from her wrist, Emma tied back her hair. She checked the sack, and shared their thieved meal as if it was fit for royalty.

He wondered how long they had this time.

'The ship heads out in three days, right?' Emma sipped her water. 'I'll leave then.'

'Do you have to?' Killian whined. 'I want you to stay. It's more fun when you're here. I like...I mean, I like you being with me.' He blushed, scratching behind an ear.

Emma watched him intently. 'Okay. I'll stay.' She nodded.

She reached for the sack - their hands touched. Killian stared at her fingers, then glanced at eyes greener than the forest around them. What would it be like to hold her hand in a non-running-from-danger way? She bit her lip. What would kissing Emma be like?

He hadn't expected to find out.

She shyly leaned closer on their huge branch, shifting the sack to tie it nearby. Time slowed as they kept eye contact, Killian hesitantly placing his hand over hers. Their noses bumped and foreheads were tickled by leaves. He shuddered when a leaf touched his neck like a crawly spider. He hastily tried to move it and got swatted in the face by the leafy twig.

'Might wanna add a little charm, Jones,' Emma teased.

His black hair was overdue for a cut, but he blushed as she lifted a leaf from it. Emma had to re-adjust herself in the tree to avoid falling out.

'And where's your grace, Swan?' Killian rolled eyes.

He was so nervous it was like something attacked inside his stomach. He touched her face, surprised when she didn't pull away. He uncertainly pressed lips to hers, heart pounding in his ears with a thrill more exciting than fleeing guards or sparring swords.

Their first kiss was wet and awkward and the greatest moment of his life.

It happened high in a tree while royal guards searched somewhere below – and that wasn't the surprising part. He was surprised when Emma kissed him back. She gripped his collar to pull him closer, moving as if without possibility of falling from their branch. She liked kissing him. Maybe she liked him too?

Emma didn't stay.

Three days later, Killian and Liam re-boarded Captain Silver's ship to set sail for another port. They were older, but their jobs no more or less respectable than cleaning decks or carrying heavy cargo. When the anchor was pulled up and the ship turned to the horizon, Killian glanced sadly at the docks. Emma was nowhere to be seen.

He went below deck to sulk in his hammock. Remembering their kiss kept Killian hopeful. If he'd known that wasn't a one-time thing, he'd have managed a smile through the days ahead.

~ T ~

At sixteen, Emma and Killian moved beyond kissing and holding hands. They never defined their bond, just tried to enjoy every moment they shared – whether it was spent watching sunsets or kissing in trees.

They'd also outgrown simple thievery when their skills allowed for bigger ambitions.

'I look ridiculous,' Emma growled, smoothing her red gown. She peered closer at the full-length mirror, checking her braided hair wasn't out of place. 'No, I look like an escaped Disney character.'

'An escaped what?' Killian leaned back into the room, shutting the door used to keep look-out.

He joined her by the mirror of the room they'd scaled a castle wall to use. She was beautiful but past experience taught him that an attempt to tell her would reduce him to a stuttering and blushing mess. It would be a waste of his suit, which highlighted his dashing rapscallion looks.

He nervously fussed with his hair.

'Nothing.' Emma sighed, slipped a spare band off her wrist. 'Here.'

Killian eyed it, then the mirror. 'Fine.' He tied his hair back so it wouldn't get in the way if Emma kissed him - or if he fell on his butt in realisation he possessed no remarkable dancing ability whatsoever.

'You ready?' she asked, having checked outside the room for any sign of trouble.

'Are you, love?' Killian tucked his hand into hers.

'No.' Emma bit her lip. 'But let's do this. I want to know what the fuss is about.'

'As you wish, milady.'

Emma rolled eyes, poorly hiding amusement. 'Which way?' she asked quietly, leaving the tower's room.

The stone corridor was huge. They followed an enchanted orchestra to its enormous ballroom. Slipping by some guests, the teenagers ducked to the buffet that gave them pause. Killian eyed the wine.

'They're always drinking when I'm trying to work,' he complained.

'This isn't work.' Emma held his hands in hers, walking a few steps backwards to the dancing floor. 'You gonna dance with me, Jones, or eat the kingdom out of pantry?'

'I'd hate to keep a lady waiting,' he replied. Killian straightened his posture, trying to look confident as if he knew what he was doing.

The ballroom was adorned with silk-curtained, tall windows streaming moonlight over dancing guests. Floor sparkled and silverware shone under chandeliers - he made the mistake of looking and almost stumbled into a prince due to temporarily blindness. Killian frowned, too aware of not belonging there among royalty and those with influence or wealth to their names.

Liam's rough lessons paid off. Killian led their dance and discovered another thing Emma was a natural at. If only he could focus on co-ordinating his feet, instead of how stunning she looked and how impossibly lucky he was.

'Does this count as this a date?' she asked.

'Oh. Er...' Killian winced, stepping on his own foot. 'I don't know. What'd you say a date was again?'

'Never mind.' She averted eyes. 'This is perfect enough.'

He smiled, spinning her round. 'Where do you go?' he finally asked.

'Back to foster care,' Emma said. 'I don't know. I leave here and then I'm there. Alone.'

When they first met, there was sadness in her eyes that hadn't faded. Killian wanted to make her happy enough to forget what she ran away from – sometimes he was successful, but others it was a reminder that all good things had to end.

She always found him, but was he doomed to always be losing her?

Killian pressed his forehead to hers, pulling Emma closer as enchanted music slowed. He closed eyes to memorise their perfect moment. The royal ballroom was filled with people who became someone. He was a fraud in that room, but with Emma at his side Killian could belong anywhere.

'Time to go,' Emma hissed.

'What?' He blinked.

Two guards conversed with a concerned guest. They pointed to Emma and Killian – who ran. Their trip wasn't planned or scoped out, making the castle a maze of stone and dead-ends.

'This way!' Emma pushed him into the dressing room they'd stolen clothes from.

He locked the door and they hastily shed layers. Emma was thrilled to kick aside the corset. Killian watched in equal relief, sticking a personal promise to make sure Liam never found out his brother knew how to tie a corset better than a girl.

Back in leather, the teenagers climbed out the tower window. It wasn't too high and their grappling hook remained strong. Fleeing down the wall and rope, with Killian insisting Emma go first despite her protests, they headed into town to blend with merchants and drunken sailors.

They weren't safe yet.

Killian led Emma by her hand so they didn't make unnecessary noise with conversation. They reached the docks. Clouds drifted over the moon and its countless stars. The cargo ship was familiar to Emma now; they snuck aboard and Killian tried to keep her from view below deck.

Laughter erupted from a room used for gambling and sharing meals. He passed the open doorway, gesturing Emma to rush by when no one looked. Liam glanced from a bucket he was washing dishes in, rolling his eyes at Killian.

In his quarters, Killian carefully shut the door and turned to smile at Emma lounging in his hammock. She moved over and he lay with her, staring at the ceiling's wooden boards.

'I can stay one more night.' Emma sleepily leaning her head to his shoulder. 'I'll need to leave in the morning.'

'Captain Silver wants to go somewhere secret. No cargo,' Killian said. 'He's been planning for ages, but not even Liam knows what's going on. A storm's coming though. I hope it's nothing bad.'

'Killian?' Emma's serious voice made him shift to face her in the hammock. 'I'm...I don't know if I can keep finding you. I don't know how this works.'

'But you always do find me.' He shrugged. 'I've yet to see you fail.'

'Maybe you should come find me?' Emma joked.

He turned away, eyes guiltily looking anywhere else. 'I've tried. I fail every time. It's like you just disappear, like...I don't know, magic.'

'You tried to find me?' she asked softly.

'Yeah.' He frowned, disappointed at himself. Killian glanced at Emma, who smiled warmly.

'It means a lot to me that you tried.' She closed her eyes, wriggling closer to use his shoulder as her pillow.

Hearing footsteps, Killian tosses a blanket over them and shuts his eyes tight to fake sleep. He knew that "why do I have a weird brother?" sigh anywhere, but Liam walked away.

Killian's secret was safe.

Work was tedious most days, but seventeen-year-old Killian remembered when it was hard and torturous. Back then, weight was heavier and his muscles tired sooner - either he'd gotten stronger or the job got easier.

He missed the work now. It'd been weeks without hard labour, yet something hurt more than carrying cargo or scrubbing decks.

'Is it gone?' Emma whispered. The hilt of her sword pressed to his leather as she leaned over, risking a peek round the apple cart they hid behind.

She ducked back, tears in her eyes.

They'd been through a lot in their lives – together and apart, but nothing matched the fear and horror of witnessing an Ogre kill people. He'd rather face the storm again – the one Captain Silver sent them into for a sapphire that cost the crew and captain their lives. It was a miracle Liam and Killian survived, and he hoped for another such miracle now.

Ogres were huge and loud, but there was no certainty of safety just because it'd moved beyond a tree-line.

Afternoon arrived before they decided they could leave, though neither Emma nor Killian moved. They didn't want to see death and grief on the other side of their cart. Villagers wept and tried to clean, while the teenagers stayed put. Killian searched inside himself, trying and failing to be brave.

'Tell me about your dream,' he said, longing for any distraction from the Ogre-induced horror replaying in his mind. 'The one that woke you last night.'

'Really?' Emma huffed. 'Fine. It was just something from foster care, years ago.'

'Before we met?' he asked, reaching blindly above them for an apple.

Emma instinctively didn't like apples so he'd stopped eating them too, in case she'd want to kiss him yet he had apple-breath. He tossed the apple and caught it, a habit she'd given him after a long morning spent waiting by the docks for a late supply run.

'Yeah,' Emma said. 'The night before we met, according to my dream, there was a man in my room. He watched me all creepy-like, but wasn't a real person...Some sort of black figure, like a living shadow. It was weird.'

'But it was just a dream?' Killian dropped his apple in fright when a woman came into view.

'You kids all right?' she asked.

'Yeah.' Emma nodded shakily, her hand finding Killian's. 'We're just-'

They jumped to their feet at the sound of Liam's incoherent voice behind their cart.

'Killian!' He rushed to them. 'I heard what happened. Are you hurt?'

'We're fine, brother.' Killian shuddered, blue eyes fixed on a pool of blood nearby. It was only a matter of time before these attacks led to an Ogre war.

'Let's get you out of here.' He indicated to the teenagers, thanking nearby villagers.

A pair of horses waited nearby. Liam adjusted his Navy uniform as he saddled one. Killian climbed onto the second, offering his hand to help Emma. She hugged his middle, and they glanced at Liam – who hadn't budged.

Liam smiled at Emma then raised an eyebrow at Killian. 'This is her?'

'I thought he didn't know about me?' Her whispering tickled his ear.

'So did I.' Killian blushed. 'Uh, Liam – this is Emma. She's my...We're sort of, I mean...Can we just bloody go?' he muttered, staring at the ground.

Liam was amused, but nodded and nudged his horse into a gallop. They rushed along a forest path, avoiding fallen logs and carriages on their way to a seaside town.

'Is that the Jewel of the Realm?' Emma gasped, sliding off their horse to admire the tall ship.

'Aye, that she is.' Killian nodded. 'Liam's a great captain too.'

Emma followed the brothers, keeping close out of habit though this time she was invited aboard.

'Now my little brother's returned, we can set sail!' Liam declared to the crew.

'Younger,' Killian muttered.

Shore leave was over.

He went below deck to change into his own Navy uniform with immense pride. Killian tied his hair back with a ribbon then straightened his collar. He was no less a fraud there than in a ballroom, but he'd make it real. This was his chance to be better – to finally make a name for himself. He had honour and hope.

'Starboard.' Emma peered round the door's frame. 'Which way's starboard?'

He pointed right with one hand, other busy with buttons.

'That way, got it,' she mumbled, drawing on her hand with one of her magic self-inking quills. A "pen" she'd called it.

'What are you doing?' He glanced at her adorable, crinkled-nose frown.

'Liam put me to work,' Emma said with a pleased raise of her head. 'I'm one of the crew now. It's kind of awesome.'

'But you're not in the Navy,' he said.

'The king doesn't know that.' She winked. 'It's just until I leave.'

Those few weeks were the longest Killian and Emma spent together at once.

Liam commanded the crew as if born for the role of captain. Motivated by Emma's support and pride, Killian put in extra effort to do well – keeping sailors in check and making sure no one brought aboard rum or other causes of bad form. He'd tried to get her a dignified job that wasn't something he'd been forced to endure growing up, but she insisted it was fine. She shared his love of the sea and sailing its waters. Liam was fair and seemed to enjoy having Emma on board, though a few members of the crew were wary at first.

It wasn't free-sailing, however. They had to deliver secret documents for the king, so Liam kept the ship out of view of a large town for a few days. They rowed boats to reach port and Killian was fortunate to be relieved of his duty soon after. He had something special planned, but was so nervous he almost fell out the boat he and Emma stole.

They returned to the ship by sundown.

'You won't get in trouble for this, will you?' she asked.

'Don't worry, love,' Killian assured her. 'Liam won't mind.'

The ship was eerie when empty but not at port, tucked away in a huge cavern not far from the town. No one was there but them, hidden away in their own little world.

'Wait here,' he said.

Killian rushed below deck to his personal quarters. It was supposed to be the captain's quarters, but Liam gave it to him instead. He and lit placed candles anywhere they'd fit – on shelves, the table, and windowsills.

Checking himself in the mirror, Killian set the table with food he'd stocked from town - food he'd actually bought. The silverware, however...What Liam didn't know couldn't hurt them.

'Why are you being weird?' Emma whined.

He led her to the ladder, insisting she keep her eyes closed.

'I'm trying to be romantic.' Killian huffed, adjusting her to face the prepared meal and candles.

He took a quick swig of rum – liquid courage and all that, then hid the flask in his wardrobe.

'Try to act surprised, okay?' he added.

'I'm surprised you're trying to be romantic,' she teased, but he saw her fidget.

Killian hesitated, looking around the room. Was it too much?

He didn't know if they were actually a couple or if he was allowed to make romantic gestures. He'd never done something like that before. It wasn't like the time he'd meticulously made her breakfast in bed (hammock), or grappling up a castle tower because she wanted to see a royal ball but thought she'd never be invited to one, or searching half the realm for books she'd enjoy reading, or even months earlier when they'd gone horse-riding to have a picnic in the field where they'd met.

This candlelit dinner was a big deal; a real date.

Emma opened her eyes and gasped. 'Oh, wow!' She was giddy with enthusiasm. She spun to hug Killian and he could breathe in relief.

'Where's that...Ah.' She opened his closet, grabbing the flask to take a sip of rum.

'How'd you-?'

'I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you,' she joked. 'C'mon, I know all your hiding places, Killian. And it's not half bad.' Emma placed the flask on the table, eyeing the burgers he'd made.

'Are these okay?' He helped Emma into her seat like a gentleman should, and sat across the table. 'I know they're supposed to be warm. I used chicken instead, and I've no bloody idea what ketchup is, but...'

'Killian, they're great.' She nodded, taking a big bite. 'This is awesome! I can't believe you actually made burgers, here. If it didn't taste so good I'd accuse you of magic.'

Candles flickered to the gentle rock of the ship as they ate and talked and laughed. He gave her a vibrant rose – it smelled amazing and fruity. She blushed at the gift and hugged him tight. She was doing that a lot lately and he loved it.

'It's supposed to be magic,' he said, putting a cheap vase on the table with some water from one of those bottles she brought. 'It took forever to find it. It's supposed to make sure two people are never forcefully separated, so long as the bond between them is alive and strong. They'll always find their way back to each other.'

'Do you believe that?' Emma stared at the rose, placing it in the vase. It glowed brighter in moonlight, giving no doubt it had some form of magic in its blue petals.

'I hope so.' Killian pressed his forehead to hers. 'I never want to lose you, Emma. I want to spend all my life with you.'

Emma kissed him, arms looping his neck as she drew him closer. Whatever else he was going to say was lost in her touch and warmth. He was safe with her; everything was going to be okay. She listened and understand the pain deep inside – Emma was his best friend and something that didn't have a name he was brave enough to speak.

Emma grabbed her backpack near his bed, getting a strange device that played music when she pushed something. They danced, unafraid to be silly as they waved arms or pulled faces at each other. Killian kicked off his boots and shed a jacket to get comfortable.

There was an object in his pocket he'd almost forgotten.

'What's that?' she asked.

'My compass.' He stared at it. The needle moved as he placed it on Emma's palm. 'It belonged to my mother. She taught me how to sail but I was scared so she gave me this, said it would always lead me home.'

'It's lovely.' Emma smiled.

'I want you to have it,' he said. 'I know when you leave you're alone, so maybe this will remind you I'm always gonna wait for you to come back. To find me again.'

'Killian, I can't.' She hugged the compass to her chest. 'It belonged to your mother. I'd do anything for something from my parents.'

'Please?' Killian brushed blonde hair from her face, eyes and heart sincere. 'It'd mean a lot to me, knowing there's a part of me – and of us – that'll always be with you.'

'Okay,' Emma whispered, tucking it into her pocket. She exhaled an emotional breath, hand touching his buttoned collar. 'I wish I had something to give you. I mean, look – you're a Navy Lieutenant now. That's amazing and I'm so proud of you. I knew you'd make a name for yourself. Anyone who doubted you was stupid; Fishy Fred was wrong about everything. You've got a great future, Killian – but I'm still just an orphaned girl who doesn't matter...'

'You matter to me.' He kissed her hand, his own emotions fighting to better him. Her words were the nicest things anyone ever said to him since his mother died. 'My future's only great if you're in it. You're my happy ending, Emma. You're my home.'

Her wide eyes filled with tears. She rushed forward, kissing and hugging him close. She pulled off her jacket, placing the compass beside the vase and its rose. The teenagers sat on Killian's bed, too entangled in their romance to notice blue petals turning to powder and being absorbed by the compass.

He gained a new definition of "magic" that night, which didn't fade even as morning sunshine beamed into his face. He blinked in complaint, then sat up to see Liam's unamused face shooting him disapproval. Killian could attempt an excuse, but it was pointless; his clothes littered the floor and half-melted candles occupied every available shelf-space.

'Get dressed.' Liam sighed. 'There's work to be done.'

Emma was gone – her warmth, her belongings, and the compass.

Killian exhaled, falling back onto his bed with a wide grin that was probably permanent.

'Brother,' he said blissfully. 'I think I'm in love.'

Liam rolled his eyes, amused by the worst-kept secret in all the realms.

~ T ~

Five years went by and Emma hadn't returned.

Lieutenant jacket shed, Killian stood by the railing of his ship - the newly-renamed Jolly Roger. His brother was dead. He watched the ocean's horizon, though Liam's body was long gone beneath its depths.

'Where are we headed, Captain?' someone asked.

'Set sail for the King's village,' Killian angrily replied. 'We'll bleed him of every ounce of treasure to his name. No quarter and no mercy. Weigh anchor!'

'Aye, Captain!'

Killian held his head high as he crossed the deck, heading below to his quarters. The Captain's quarters, with bitter irony. He kicked off boots and anything that remained of his Lieutenant ways.

He should've known this would happen; all good things come to an end.

He yelled, shoving plates and books off the table in a fit of rage. Sinking to the floor beside his bed, Killian drowns in the feeling of being completely alone, missing the one person who made everything okay. He glanced at a fallen book. He gently adjusted the broken rose, stored in its pages since the night he met Emma. It was flat and dry, turned an unpleasant shade of gold.

Killian tucked the rose away, shoving the book into a drawer underneath his bed.

'You deserve more than me,' he said, voice breaking. 'I've got nothing left to give.' He hung his head, sobs breaking loose.

It took a while to stagger to his feet, but his crew awaited orders from their captain. He made the rules now. Killian intended to kill the king responsible for sending his brother to his death in Neverland.

Maybe then the pain would hurt a little less.

Murder was another point of no return – a line he and Emma were careful not to cross. Many other lines were crossed since he met her, for the better, he'd hoped, but now he knew their time together was a silly fantasy.

He'd tried to be a better man for his brother and for Emma, but neither were there now. He couldn't measure up. Killian sipped rum, glaring at the flask before throwing it into his open closet. He sat on the edge of his bed. His eyes stung with every good memory he tried to hold onto, from a time in his life when he'd taken love and acceptance for granted.

Killian was lost - and this time no one came to find him.

Review? Next chapter returns to Emma and the broken curse, but now you know their history.