Avoiding one person? Easy enough to do. Avoiding two people? A little more difficult but still possible. Avoiding three people? A pain in the friggin ass. Especially if said people were your brother, your boss, and your lover. Yea, you really didn't want to be Emma Swan at the moment.
Especially if you were seriously regretting ignoring one of them.
Lucky for her, she had a day off after the who Graham fiasco so she stayed camped out in the apartment watching movies and eating ice cream all day. Not that Mary Margaret minded much, in fact, the moment she got off work she was right on the couch with her spoon in hand. Things with David, as Ethan had predicted, hadn't panned out. Apparently they were both suckers.
"Anyone called?" Mary Margaret asked absently as her eyes stayed focused on the screen. They were glazed over in a way that showed she obviously wasn't paying attention to the movie whatsoever but neither was Emma really.
Emma shoved an extra large spoonful of chocolate into her mouth. "August three times. Graham five. David once."
The brunette cringed at the last name but didn't make a comment. "And none from Ethan?"
Yes, Emma had finally confessed the affair to her friend. It had been hard not to when she had come home demanding alcohol with tears streaming down her face. But Mary Margaret had been in the same state of mind and was already two glasses of wine in. So Emma told her everything, she was too weak and upset to care about her pride or walls. Besides, it was Mary Margaret. She was about the only person she trusted at this point. She told her about Neal, about August going to see him, of her inability to connect with Ethan, and of Graham's affair with Regina.
Shockingly, Mary Margaret hadn't been too surprised. She had been noticing a change between Emma and Ethan and at some point assumed something had to be going on between them. But she hadn't wanted to probe, she knew when it came to Emma it was easier to let her come out and say things rather then ask yourself. And the waiting had apparently paid off.
Emma sighed, her eyes closely painfully. She'd been starring at this TV for way too long. "No…no Ethan." She didn't want him to call. Really she didn't. But the fact that he actually stung, there was no point in denying it. It wasn't fair to be mad at him either since she was the one who ended things. She shouldn't want him to call yet here she was, miserable and eating ice cream by the pounds, wishing to hear nothing but the sound of his voice. Because damn it all if Ethan was the one who could actually make her smile right now.
Two sharp taps at the door made the girls jump.
They looked at each other nervously and the message was clear, Whoever the hell it is, DON'T ANSWER IT. SO they stayed planted firmly on the couch, willing the unwanted visitor to go away.
But they didn't. Two more knocks followed, louder and more persistent. Still, the two didn't move.
"You two better open this door right now or so help me I'll knock it down."
Ruby.
"Oh God." Mary Margaret sighed, both annoyed and relieved. She threw the comforter off her body and trudged over to the door and swinging it open. "You have us a heart attack Ruby."
The brunette glided in with a scoff. "Only cause you two are acting like little lambs. You do realize you're hiding from a bunch of men right?"
Emma gave her a glare. "What do you mean?" Maybe Mary Margaret had confessed her problems to the girl but she certainly wouldn't have said anything about any of hers.
"Oh come on Emma. You and Ethan weren't exactly subtle. Always happening to be at the diner at the same time? You walking home from the direction of his house? Him and Henry suddenly being buddy-buddy?"
Out of everything she could have responded to, Emma cried out with a passion, "I knew they were hanging out!"
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Yea, whatever. Anyway, the big blow up in front of the Sheriff's station wasn't exactly incognito either. So you to aren't exactly winning in love. Who cares. You know the motto, on to the next one."
Mary Margaret sighed and reached for the ice cream. "Ruby we don't really need that right now."
"Nu-uh" She snatched the carton away and before anyone could stop her tossed it into the trash can. "We're done with this pity party."
"But…ice cream." Emma whined.
"I said nu-uh. Now the two of you wash up and put on something nice. We're going out."
"But-" Mary Margaret began.
Ruby put up a hand. "Nope, no excuses."
Emma groaned. "Ruby come on-"
"I'm sorry I don't think you heard me. I said, no excuses. Is it just me or the great Emma Swan is afraid to be seen in public over some guy?"
Well Emma couldn't just take that sitting down.
A half hour later (two miserably quick showers, Ruby unfortunately insisting to picking out the outfits, and a crappy job of makeup) there the three of them out of the apartment, dressed up for a real girls' night out and ordering three martinis from the bar of the Rabbit Hole.
It was Emma's first time there and she wondered how she hadn't been to this place before. Not that she was into the whole seedy dim lit bar scene but getting a drink here felt a lot more comfortable then getting one at Granny's. A lot less judgment too.
"I don't know about this." Mary Margaret bit her bottom lip and for the umpteenth time pulled down on the short black skirt Ruby had forced on her. Despite looking totally out of character the school teacher was looking extremely good. Her hair had hints of gel in it and a blue halter top that shined was couple with the skirt. She even had a pair of heels on.
"Oh shush" Ruby snapped, shepherding them all over to table. "Keep drinking and it will get better eventually."
"Wise words from Ruby everyone." Emma snarked but nonetheless swallowed down a healthy dose of her drink. Hey, if she was going to have to suffer through this night she planned on being drunk for a majority of it.
And so, they drank. They spent a good hour of just the three of them downing as much alcohol they could while fending off the attention of the rest of the bar goers. But after an hour, when their blood was warm and buzzing from the effects of the booze, plans started to change. "Let's go talk to them." Ruby slurred, eyeing a group of men at the bar. "I think Billy's over there. He has the biggest crush on me."
"Go for it" Emma urged. "But I think I'm good here."
"Mary Margaret come with me. You can't let me talk to them alone." Ruby and Emma knew she was more than fine (and willing) to go and tackle the group all by her lonesome but she was only put on the show to get Mary Margaret to go and flirt. Emma felt for her roomie, she really did, but maybe talking to someone else might actually help.
So after some more urging and arguing, the two brunettes marched over to the bar, Mary Margaret looking anything but happy. Emma laughed lightly at the pout on her face before turning her attention back to her drink.
She didn't even notice the man who approached her before his body pressed up against her side, his arm snaking around her waist.
Ethan hadn't wanted to go out. He wanted to stay home, get piss drunk, than pass out. And when he got up, do it all over again.
What had he done to Emma to make her treat him like she did. The answer? Nothing. Absolutely freaking nothing. The damned woman had issues from her past and he was paying for them in the present. She wouldn't open up to him, wouldn't trust him, and it hurt like hell. So all he wanted to do was be alone and be drunk. Was that too much to ask?
"Will you stop slumping? Christ Ethan be somewhat presentable."
But Graham had other plans. The man had something up his ass, Ethan was sure of it, but when Graham was angry or upset he liked to get drunk too. Just in a more public setting. Apparently the privacy of ones home wasn't enough for the Sheriff. No, he had to go to some bar or (God forbid) Granny's to go and get wasted. It made absolutely no sense and now Ethan had to be part of the absurdity. Graham wouldn't even tell him what was wrong. Then again, he hadn't been too forth coming either on his issues either.
"Let's go back. Please." Ethan begged. "I don't like people."
"I don't care." Graham growled back. And before they knew it they were passing through the doors of the Rabbit Hole.
And by some twist cruel fate there was Emma. With a guy. All over her.
"You have got to be kidding me." Ethan growled, his hands forming into fists.
She hadn't noticed him yet. No, her eyes were glued to her drink as some asshole leaned right into her whispering something in her ear. What. The. Hell. How could she? Why would she? She had just rejected him because of some damn trust tissues so she goes and throws herself at the next guy available? Ethan didn't give a damn if they weren't in relationship, he was about to knock this guy's teeth in then give Emma a piece of his mind.
But just as he took his first step the asshole was doubled over with a grunt. Emma had kneed him, quite unexpectedly, and was strolling away from the table before the ooze ball could recover.
Ethan let out a sigh of relief. That's my girl.
"Maybe this wasn't a good idea." Graham murmured behind him, his eyes following the same blonde Ethan was.
Then it hit Ethan as he watched his friend watch her miserably. Whatever Graham was upset about, it had to do with Emma. That uncomfortable feeling that he always associated with Graham and Emma began to gnaw at his stomach. "What happened with you and Emma?" He managed to choke out, not really wanting to know the answer but still desperate to have it.
"She found out about Regina." Graham said simply. "And she wasn't happy about it."
Well that hurt. Because if Emma wasn't happy about it, that meant she had to feel something, something, for Graham or else she wouldn't give a damn who he was sleeping with. "You have feelings for her." Ethan stated more then asked.
Graham was still starring at her, looking like a puppy who's master had just whacked him on the ass. "Yes" He answered weakly. Then it all happened so quickly.
Graham marched right up to Emma, so quickly Ethan could do nothing but watch, and twirled her around. Ruby and Mary Margaret both let out identical gasps as the men they were with made some cat calls, knowing what was about to happen. And so did Ethan.
Graham kissed Emma, gripping her head roughly in his hands, and didn't let go till her arms shot out to shove him away. But Ethan saw it. He saw the small amount of time Emma stood there, just stood there, letting Graham assault her mouth. It didn't matter she pushed him away. It didn't matter she was now slewing some curses at him. Emma had let Graham kiss her.
Ethan let out a shuttering sigh.
"Emma, I'm sorry. I just-" Graham stuttered, his eyes gleaming with a crazed look.
Emma heard the question but ignored it. Hell, it didn't even make sense. She was more preoccupied at the moment that Graham had just kissed her. Kissed her. What would posses him to do that and in front of everyone?!
"Emma" Graham breathed, taking a step toward her.
"Don't!" She snapped shrinking away from him. "Whatever the hell you're looking for Graham, you're not going to find it with me." Then she saw him. Ethan. Standing near the doorway looking so lost and broken. She had never seen him like that in her whole time of knowing him. Her heart and her hands itched to go and comfort him. It was her fault. She was the reason why. She had rejected him then he had to watch another guy kiss her.
"Ethan" She whispered, her voice lost amongst the noises of the bar. Their eyes met and the air practically cracked with the tension that was born from it. But then it was over. Ethan turned his back on her and marched right out of the bar.
"Emma!" Mary Margaret called but she was already gone.
Graham saw the interaction, saw the way Ethan and Emma looked at each other, than watched as she chased after him. His heart was suddenly aching with the realization of what that meant.
"Way to go Sheriff" Ruby scoffed. "You've just contributed to a lover's quarrel. Congrats"
"They're….they're…" He stuttered.
"Yes" Mary Margaret answered, firmly enough to get the point across but with enough kindness to not make Graham feel like a complete ass. "Sorry Graham."
"Ethan! Ethan wait!"
God he was fast. He had gotten like a minute head start on her at the most so how in the hell was he so far ahead? Thank God for the booze and adrenaline pumping through her veins. "Damn it Ethan!"
"What the hell do you want Emma?" He growled, finally stopping to face her.
"I just-back there, it's not-"
"You mean you and Graham? Kissing? I think I got it thanks. I think everyone in the damn bar got it. You know I always knew there was something between the two you. But damn it Emma couldn't you have the decency to, oh I don't know, wait a while since you just trampled on my heart yesterday?"
He was pissed. Really pissed. Emma swallowed thickly and dropped her gaze to the floor. She wasn't exactly sure what her next move was. Yes, she had "broke up" with him yesterday. And yes, she was miserable at the idea that he actually thought she wanted to be with Graham. It didn't make sense. She wanted Ethan but was too afraid to be close to him. She couldn't say one thing without contradicting another. "It's not like that." She mumbled, still unsure what she really wanted to say.
"Bull shit!" He snarled, stepping forward and getting in her face. He looked like he could kill something at the moment. "Don't deny you have feelings for him."
"I…I…" Did she? Emma bit the bottom of her lip, thinking about the confusing feelings she felt for the Sheriff. But then the answer came clear as day to her. "They're nothing compared to what I feel for you." And that was the God honest truth. The liquid courage running through her gave her the strength to say it.
That wasn't what he had been expecting. The unabashed shock on Ethan's face was evidence enough. Had she really just said that? She couldn't have-no, no this was wrong. She didn't mean it. She couldn't possibly mean it. "You're drunk"
"No, I mean, I had some drinks but I'm not drunk."
"You ended things yesterday Emma"
"I know"
"Then what the hell is going on?"
What the hell was going on indeed. The answer to that was giving Emma a migraine. "I don't know!" She cried, balling her fists to her head. "Ethan there's such a big part of me that just-just doesn't know how to trust people! It doesn't want to trust people! Everyone I've ever trusted, everyone, has let me down. My parent's abandoned me. The man I loved left me. And August, the one person who's always been there, has been lying to me. I don't…I can't anymore. It just hurts too much."
"I'm not them Emma" Ethan whispered, his hands rising up to cup her cheeks. He was angry still. Fuming actually. But he couldn't deny the broken girl in front of him. She was opening up to him, finally. This was what he always wanted. He just wished it didn't hurt Emma so much to do it.
"I know you're not" She whimpered, fear and pain clawing at her self control. "But I'm terrified you will be."
"Trust me Emma. I'm begging you to trust me. Give me a chance, let me prove to you that you're worth staying for."
His words cut right to her heart, bringing with them a warmth Emma was sure she'd never feel again. A warmth Neal had given to her but then brutally took back. A warmth that she associated with a word she'd fear her whole life. Love.
"I'm scared." Emma whispered, starring deeply into his blue eyes.
"I know" Ethan pushed their foreheads together, reveling in their closeness. "But I'm here Emma. I'm not going anywhere."
They both leaned in, their bodies moving on their own accord with only one goal in mind. When their lips met the kiss was soft, warm, and full of tenderness that Emma was trying to run from in their whole affair. It was wonderful. It was-
"Emma" Ethan gasped. He jumped away from her, the distance between them cold and painful. His eyes had the same craze Graham's had in them, the same confusion and disbelief. "Emma I…I remember."
Her hands were already reaching towards him, desperate to bring him back. But as he said the confusing statement, they froze in mid air. "Remember?" What the hell was he talking about? "Ethan are you okay?"
Ethan, the name he had been called for the past twenty-eight years. The only name he ever knew in this world. Now it was nothing. They were letters that formed a word that mean absolutely nothing. It was the name of a person, an identity, forced on him. A name that been part of a curse he had been a victim to. Twenty-eight years. Twenty-eight God forsaken cursed years he was kept from his true self and his only reason for living. No, he was not Ethan, not anymore and never again.
He was the sea. The Jolly Roger. Leather and swords, gold and rum. And most importantly, a hook.
"That's not my name" He announced, his tone much firmer now.
"It's…not?" Emma was confused. He had another name? Was Ethan a middle name or something?
"No, it's Killian Jones."
"…Killian Jones? Why didn't you tell me?"
Killian shook his head, trying to make some sense of the jumble that was now wreaking havoc in his mind. Two lives, years and years of different experiences, were colliding with each other. His time in Neverland, then the Enchanted Forest. And Milah. Oh how could he have forgotten Milah? Then the Crocodile took him away from her, turned his heart into a cold unfeeling shade of its past self. He returned to Neverland, only to come back in hopes of revenge, and then that damned Queen dangled the curse in front of him. She had lied. She had told him this would finally give him his chance. How could have gotten his revenge with his memory wiped? That fool of a woman was going to pay for that. But then there was this life. Storybrooke. He was a mechanic. A mechanic for fuck's sake. What the hell was that about? He was friendless, loveless, and forced to live side by side by that blasted Croc for twenty-eight years. So close and yet so far for so long. How many missed chances could have had?
"Ethan-I mean, um, Killian. Can you talk to me? What's going on?"
Emma. The savior. Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter. She had come back. She was going to break the curse. And he had gotten tangled up with her. Christ, he had actually fallen for her. Captain Hook falling for a princess. How friggin poetic. And Milah. How could he do this to Milah?
"I need to go." He whispered, backing away from her. "I need to go."
A dagger pieced Emma's heart. It was happening. Already it was happening. He was leaving. Just after swearing to her he wouldn't. She didn't know whether to cry or scream at him. "Don't do this" Emma whispered, hurt and anger vibrating with the words. "Don't' you dare do this to me. Not after what you just said Ethan."
"My name isn't Ethan!" Killian snarled. He'd kill anyone who dare try to call him that again.
"I don't care what the hell your name is! But don't you fucking walk away from me right now!"
Her quivering lip and trembling body gave him pause. She was right. Killian had just swore he wouldn't be like the other people in her life to abandon her. Yet here he was, itching to run away. But it wasn't about her. Not entirely anyway. He had to sit and think, to make sense of all this madness. It was too much to try and register at the moment. He just needed some peace. But how could he say this to her without thinking she was mad? God, she didn't even believe in the curse. "Emma you don't understand."
"Then just talk to me!" She begged. "Please"
"You won't believe me."
"Try me"
No, he wasn't that stupid. If he did try and even attempt to do that she'd walked away from him without a bit of hesitation. She'd think he was mad. Killian wasn't even sure he wanted Emma to know the truth. Sure, it would break the curse and all but then it would also alert the Crocodile. God, Killian almost had the good sense to march over to his house right now and gut him in his sleep. "Emma just trust me."
"I'm trying to Et-Killian. But you're not really giving me much to go on right now."
He let out a sigh. No, he supposed he wasn't. Killian ignored everything for the moment, his revenge, the curse, everything, and placed all his focus on Emma. The woman he had unknowingly fell for. It still wasn't settling right with his memories back but he couldn't deny the way his body ached to hold her. He was just confused, that was all. Once he got everything settled then maybe could he try and make things work with Emma. He hadn't thought about anything but his revenge for 300 years and now this beautiful strong woman was thrown into his life. It was a lot to handle.
But as he saw her and the intense fear dancing in her eyes, he was willing to throw all the caution into the wind. Killian breached the distance between them and claimed her mouth with his. He just wanted to feel something good at the moment. Emma sighed into the kiss, relief pouring through her, and wound her arms around his neck. When they broke apart she still kept him close, nuzzling her nose against his. "You're scaring me." She whispered against his lips.
He kissed her again, grasping at the serenity it brought. He needed peace above everything else right now. "I know. But please trust me. It's just…other things going on right now. It has nothing to do with us." Well, that wasn't completely true but she didn't have to know that. "I need to go Emma."
She nodded her head and pulled away, more upset at the loss of contact then he was. Killian was so torn that he couldn't give her the comfort she was looking for. When he looked at Emma he thought of Milah and when he thought of Milah Emma's face intruded on the memory. His mind was basically fighting with itself.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked hopefully.
Killian almost frowned, almost, but caught it before it formed on his face. He gave her a fake smile and nodded his head. "Of course."
And as he walked away, they both knew it was a lie.
August groaned as loud thumping broke into his sleep. It wouldn't stop either, even when he did his best to pretend he wasn't home. His eyes darted over to the clock and saw that it was 7. In the morning. Who the hell was waking him up this early?
An insane thought made him think it was Emma. He knew it wouldn't be but he dared to hope so August shot out of bed and answered the door.
"Ethan?" August greeted with confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"It's Killian" The other man said with a dark tone.
He looked different. August couldn't pin point it but there was something about the man that was just…off. And was that "Are you wearing eyeliner?"
Killian rolled his eyes and pushed past him, letting himself into the room. "We need to talk."
"And did you just say Killian?" Why did that name ring a bell? It sounded familiar, too familiar. Like he heard it before. Like he knew it from somewhere. Like-"Holy crap" August breathed, the truth slapping him across the face. He knew that name because he was told the stories back in the old world, stories he wrote down in Emma's storybook. Killian Jones was Captain Hook. "You…you remember?"
"Great, you're up to speed."
"But how?"
Killian looked out the window, putting on a show that something interesting was happening and holding his attention. "Emma" He answered simply, hoping the questioning would end there.
"But how?" August pressed.
Killian ground his teeth and gripped at his fake hand. Oh how he missed his hook. But he had no idea where it was, if it was even transported to this world. "We kissed."
"Kissed?" August screeched. Sure he knew something was between his sister and the mechanic-well, pirate now, but he hadn't expected Emma to actually engage in anything. She was so antimen after Neal. "So it broke your curse. That means it was-"
"I know the implications" Killian snapped. Oh he knew. A curse could only be broken by true love's kiss. He tried not to think about it too much, not now with Milah's memory fresh in his mind. He was still trying to find a way to deal with his newfound love and not feel guilty. Suffice to say, he hadn't. And he hadn't spoken to Emma in over five days. He desperately wanted to see her, feel her, listen to her voice, anything. But he couldn't. He needed to figure things out and she would only distract and complicate matters. He knew she probably hated him for it too but, like the stubborn lass she was, wouldn't make it look like she was waiting on bated breathes for him. He only hoped that when he would be finally ready to see her again she'd be understanding. And so here he was, seeking August's help for when that time would come. "How is Emma supposed to break the curse?" It wasn't as if she could go around kissing everyone.
"I don't know." August answered truthfully. "I think getting her to believe if the first step."
"Well that's easier said than done. Who are you anyway? Obviously not her brother. The royal couple had no son."
August sat down on the bed, processing the new information. "No um, I just lived in the castle. I came over with Emma to this world when the curse hit ours. I'm Pinocchio."
He hadn't thought Killian would be so immature to poke fun at his true identity. He had been wrong. "A puppet eh? Bad luck mate. But how have you integrated yourself so well without the strings?"
"Shut up." August snapped, glaring at his mischievousness smile. "We can be talking about more important things right now. Like why you even want the curse broken."
"It's my business." It took all the will power in the world to not have killed Mr. Gold the past five days. A lot. But Killian finally realized killing him now, cursed and ignorant of his true self, would accomplish nothing in his revenge. He would be simple pawn shop owner being attacked by some guy. No, he needed him to remember and to be Rumplestilskin again. That mean breaking the curse which only Emma could do. "Now how do we do it?"
"Like I said, get her to believe. And she really isn't talking to me at the moment."
"Emma mentioned that. What did you do? What did you lie about?"
August sighed. He really didn't want to vent to Captain Hook at the moment. But…but what if he convinced him of his innocence? Emma would listen to him. Maybe this was actually a good thing. "I was with her ex. You know, you might actually know the guy." So August told him everything. About Neal, jail, him being Baelfire and having gone to Neverland, about being Henry's father, and how he had tried to reconnect with Emma. Everything. Maybe it was the smartest idea but August was desperate to get back in his sister's good graces.
"Baelfire…is Henry's father." Well that had definitely not been expected. He remembered the boy, probably one of the most annoying of the Lost Boys, and how hated him most out of all of them too Killian guessed he remembered him to be the man who took his mother from him but never got the chance to confront him about it. The only thing he could do was treat him just like everyone else of those infuriating imps. (Maybe just a little better only because he was Milah's son).
"Yea." August sighed.
Which meant…Rumplestilskin was Henry's grandfather. Oh God. While this jolted Killian the thing that was riling him so was his new life as Neal. Rumplestilkin's son was the one to have hurt Emma. To have abandoned. It was his fault she was so guarded and broken. That damned lost boy.
"She's not listening to me Hook. You need to convince her" August said interrupting her thoughts.
"Me and her aren't on the best of terms at the moment." His pocket suddenly vibrated and his ring tone lifted to his ears. Who on Earth was calling him? Killian fished out the phone glanced to the screen. "Speak of the devil…" He swallowed thickly and gathered some courage to answer the call.
"Emma-" He began, a apologize at the tip of his tongue.
"Save it." She snapped, effectively shutting him up. "There's a car the town limit. I need you to tow it to the hospital."
"Hospital? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just do it okay?" Then the line went dead.
Yea, definitely not on the best of terms.
Killian walked briskly through hospital halls, his eyes searching for a certain blonde. Sure she said she was alright and the car he had picked up hadn't been hers but he couldn't ignore the worry constricting at his heart. He needed to see her for himself.
A sigh of relief escaped his lips when he finally found her. Then his heart dropped. She was talking to Gold. Why in the hell was she talking to Gold?
"Hi Ethan!" Henry greeted with a smile, one Killian rudely replied to with only a grunt. All he could think about at the moment was to get Emma the hell away from that man.
"So we have a deal?" He heard Gold say with a crooked grin.
"Deal" Emma replied coolly, meeting him with one of her legendary glares.
"Nope, no deal" Killian snapped coming in between them.
"What the hell Ethan." Emma exclaimed. For once, Killian was glad she hadn't remembered to use his real name. Sure the Crocodile didn't remember but there wasn't any need to take risks.
"People who make deals with this man live to regret it." He said, glaring straight at Gold. The old man simply smiled at him, not effected by his anger at all.
"Ms Swan are we done here?" He inquired.
"Yea we are." She answered with a nod, completely ignoring Killian. Then he was gone, hobbling away down the hall and out of sight.
"Damn it Emma did you not just hear me?"
"You have no right to tell me what to do." She hissed, dropping her voice to undoubtedly hide the conversation Henry. "Why are you even here?"
"I was worried about you."
"Oh after five days of complete silence now you're worried?"
Okay, he deserved that. "Emma please, it hasn't been the best couple of days for me."
"Save it for someone who cares Ethan. Or whatever the hell your name is."
"Killian" He reminded softly, suddenly desperate to hear her say it. No one had called him Killian for centuries, even before the curse.
She rolled her eyes. "Come on Henry."
"Wait, did you just say your name was Killian?" The boy had snuck up on them and was now pressing into Killian's side. "As in Killian Jones?"
Oh no. The book. Henry knew about his real self. He couldn't tell Emma. That would ruin everything.
"How do you know?" Emma asked suspiciously.
"It's nothing" Killian assured and gave Henry a pointed look. "Right Henry? Nothing at all."
The boy looked like he wanted to protest but, thankfully, he kept quiet. He nodded his head but gave Killian a look that clearly said they weren't done here. "I'll go wait in the car." He provided, walking away.
"Emma can we talk?" Killian asked, his hand rising up to touch her cheek.
She shrunk away from it. "I'm not interested."
"Please don't do this. I told you, what I've been going through has nothing to do with us."
"So you had to ignore? Was that your only choice?"
"I didn't want to!"
"So then you shou
ldn't have."
"Damn it Emma" He growled. How did she frustrate him so? Seriously, no one could rile him like this like she could. "I'm trying here."
Emma shook her head. "You said you wouldn't leave."
Killian grabbed her by the arms, pulling her closer. "I didn't. I'm right here Emma. Please."
He saw her resolve waning, it was apparent in her eyes. So he did something he knew she couldn't resist. He kissed her. Emma was stiff under his lips at first, cold and unresponsive, but then she let herself go and timidly nipped back at his lips.
"There's my lass." He breathed, smiling against her lips.
Emma ducked her head to hide her blush. "You're still an ass."
"I know, and I want to make up for it. Come over to my place tonight. We can talk."
"I can't tonight. I'm having dinner with Henry. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow then" Killian smiled and stole one more kiss. The guilt over Milah wasn't so bad right now. He could barely feel it.
That was a good thing, right?
Authors Note: Well, that was unexpected. I didn't think I was going to reach this point yet but the words kinda just poured out. What do you think? good thing Killian remembers or bad? And no, the kiss from Graham didn't make him remember anything. As Emma said, her feelings for Killian outweigh the ones she have for Graham by like a lot.
Also, Mr. Gold is aware of his true self in my story, just like he was in the show, but that doesn't mean Killian is privy to the fact. So his need to break the curse right now is for selfish reasons but that may possibly change in the future.
And I hope everyone was on board with Killian's confused feeling about Emma. Basically, it was like he went to sleep one night in love with Milah and woke up the next morning in love with Milah AND Emma out of no where. This doesn't diminish his feelings for Emma whatsoever but I'm just trying to get the point across it is difficult for him. He's feels guilty about moving on but he's getting use to the idea with each growing day. And while Killian knows it was true loves kiss Emma doesn't. She's not even ready to say the words yet. Also, in my story Emma is a broken soul, just like she was in the show,but not as much. In the show she had no one growing up. In my story she had August. So that's why she's opening up to Killian and wants to try something.
August is only venting to Hook cause he's desperate. He knows he's a villain but he misses Emma and figures Killian can now be on let's get the curse broken team. Next chapter Neal will reemerge. He's kinda been keeping off the radar in Storybrooke to try and learn about Emma from afar. Which means he might already know about Henry. Maybe... And will we possibly get a Hook and Neal confrontation? I mean he does know the truth now...
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