Title: Look After You
Chapter Twenty-One: Gentleman
Author: snarkysweetness
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Emma, August, Granny, Ruby; Emma/August, Past Emma/Graham
Summary: August drops Emma off after their date and apologizes for the awkward turn of events.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Notes: Oh man…Granny and Ruby; Stanning for Emma and August since 2012.
The ride back to Granny's was tense and a bit awkward. Even though they've made peace, sort of, he can still sense she's upset, but whether it's with him or not, he can't tell. August parked his bike in front of Granny's Diner and this time he does hold his hand out for her. He doesn't care if she's the type of girl to appreciate it when a man actually knows how to treat a woman, because he grew up in a world where chivalry existed and he's sick of trying to hide it.
Emma wasn't upset with August, she's upset with herself. She shouldn't have lost it like that.
Graham…
Well, he wasn't coming back, was he?
And it was stupid to punish August for his death and for every other man who came before him. So when he offered his hand, she took it before hopping off of the bike. She took off her helmet and when she handed it over to him their fingers brushed against one another in the handoff.
"Look-"
August cut her off.
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again; just…can things with us not be this awkward anymore?"
Emma glanced at him sadly before nodding.
"Yeah."
He can't be near her right now; she needed time to get past this on her own.
August lifted her hand and kissed the back of it lightly.
"Good, because I meant what I said about being your friend," he whispered, giving her a smile.
Emma couldn't fight the blush that came to her cheeks.
"Well, I guess I'll see you around?"
He gave her one of his heart stopping smiles.
"Sooner than you think," he teased, turning to walk towards the diner.
Emma glanced away from him, not wanting to stare at his ass.
Okay, now she really did feel silly. She'd make this up to him; soon.
"Emma, what are you doing? You should be…you need to get on that. Before someone else does."
Emma turned to find Ruby leaning over the fence and rolled her eyes.
"Seriously?"
She moved to join Ruby, heading for the diner. She had yet to have a real meal and she wouldn't mind a grilled cheese.
August headed for his room, too disappointed to bother with dinner. He wasn't disappointed by non-kiss, he was just…sad that maybe Emma was more damaged than he'd initially assumed. They made quite a pair, didn't they? The Princess and the Puppet. Both too royally fucked up to manage to have real relationships like normal people. Before he can reach the small hallway that led to the Bed and Breakfast, he felt a hand on his arm.
He turned to find Granny holding out a tray of muffins for him.
"Give her time," she whispered, motioning towards the windows where Emma stood talking to Ruby.
"I-Emma?"
Was Granny giving him her blessing to go for it?
She smiled.
"Trust me, she just needs time. I don't think the poor thing has really had the chance to grieve properly."
"Grieve?"
"Why not? I mean, he's hot. And have you seen the way he looks at you? I've been trying to get on that ever since he got here and that man only has eyes for you."
Emma scoffed.
"Yeah, okay."
"Seriously, throw him a bone, Emma. A nice romp would be good for you," she whispered into Emma's ear, reaching for the door.
Emma exhaled. Ruby, Granny, Mary Margaret, and Henry were the only ones who knew about Graham, so for Ruby to suggest this so soon after his death…
"But Graham…"
Ruby stepped into the diner and Emma followed her, surprised to find that it was nearly empty.
"Graham's been dead for months, Emma. I know…look, I get it, but you need to move on. You can't love a dead man for the rest of your life," she said, taking Emma's hand and giving it a squeeze.
Emma knew Ruby had a point, but she didn't like it.
"Well, do you have any idea how I'm supposed to let go, then?"
Ruby shrugged.
"I don't know, but I suspect letting someone else in there," she poked Emma in the chest, "is the place to start."
August could hear their conversation, it was a tiny diner after all, and he was shocked; he'd heard everything about everyone in this town, but he hadn't heard about Emma's dead lover?
Granny gave his shoulder a pat.
"The old Sheriff, he…he died in her arms. Like I said, give her time, she'll come around. Take these; they'll help, for now." She gave him a warm smile before heading back to the kitchen and August stood there, dumbstruck for a moment before deciding it would be best not to eavesdrop.
Plus, he had a whole Hell of a lot to think about when it came to the subject of Emma Swan.
Emma turned when she heard footsteps and watched as August disappeared into the hallway with his plate of treats, wondering if maybe Ruby was right.