'I like this bed.' Henry says as he walks over to one of the showroom areas in Ikea. Emma frowns at the price tag but Killian quietly tells her not to worry and she narrows her eyes at him, waiting until Henry goes off to look at other furniture before she speaks.
'Killian, I don't mean to sound rude or invasive or anything but how exactly are you paying for this? It's great that you want to do this for Henry but this is all going to cost a lot and I don't-'
'Emma, its fine. I have some money saved up and spending it on Henry is far better than wasting it. And I was going to wait until later to tell you but I suppose now is as good a time as any really. I've been offered that job as head chef.' Killian shoves his hands in his jacket pocket and sways and she doesn't know how a grown man can look so adorable but he does.
Emma brushes her hand down his arm until she gently pulls his hand out of his pocket and laces their fingers together. 'I knew you could do it.' She says proudly and he chuckles and scratches his ear.
'It's a lot more money than I'm getting now but it means I won't get to see you every Friday when you come into the store.' He says it like a joke but she doesn't miss the twitch of his lips that tells her he is genuinely disappointed.
'Maybe we need to make Friday date night then and I can come meet you for dinner.' Her suggestion is also a joke with a hint of sincerity and she isn't sure Killian hears it until he cups her face and smiles gently.
'I'd like that.' Emma smiles in response, containing her desire to kiss him considering they're in public and Henry would probably groan and grump in embarrassment. She does however manage to sneak in a kiss later as Henry climbs into the backseat of Killian's car, distracted by his new beanbag chair while they load the smaller furniture into the trunk. Emma intends the kiss to be short and quick but Killian holds her close and smiles against her lips, whispering his words of love as his fingers brush through her hair gently. He's looking at her in that way that makes her heart jump and her head spin and all she can do is whisper the words back to him and hope he knows how much she means them.
It's Friday and Killian is feeling an emotion he can't really place as he works his last shift at the supermarket. He's not friends with any of the other employees and there isn't one thing he will miss about sitting at a checkout for numerous hours bored out of his mind and yet there's something making him feel almost sad about leaving.
Emma comes in the afternoon to do her weekly shopping and he realizes with a squeeze of his heart when he sees her that she is the reason. Despite how much he hates working here, this job is the reason they even met. Perhaps they would have eventually met through their neighbours already being acquainted with each other (and according to both David and Mary Margret they definitely would have set the two up with each other had they not already met) but Killian is glad that he and Emma found each other on their own.
They both take their time when she comes to his checkout for the last time and he laughs when she reminds him of how he had his head slumped against the counter the first time he served her.
'You looked so fed up and it was so cute.' Emma grins and he hums skeptically.
'You thought I looked cute? I probably just looked really tired and awful.' He smiles as he scans the last item (a roll of cinnamon bun dough, just like the first time) and she gets out cash from her purse rather reluctantly. He takes it and collects her change before looking back up at her.
'When you were on the phone to Henry that day I thought you were talking to someone else. You said 'I love you' and I thought…' He trails off, not wanting to finish the thought or sentence. Emma raises her eyebrows in surprise before her smile returns a moment later.
'So are you saying you're glad you found out how alone I really was?' She's biting her bottom lip and fluttering her eyelashes challengingly and he runs his tongue along his lip, knowing the action was a weakness for her.
'Glad you were alone? No. Glad you were available? Very much so.' He carefully traces the inside of her wrist with his finger as he hands over her change and she inhales.
'Good answer.' She replies shakily, and he swears he can see her cheeks flushing before she turns away, quietly saying goodbye with a smile and a look in her eye that was only ever for him.
The shift is soon over and he leaves the store with the small amount of belongings from his locker and drives home, glad to finally be out of that place (he reminds himself that he will need to find a new grocery store to go to from now on).
Killian unlocks his front door and is surprised to find Emma on his sofa, curled up with Cadbury and a mug of something that smells like hot cocoa with cinnamon. His stomach flips at the sight of her looking so comfortable in his apartment.
Hi, honey.' She greets him warmly, closing the book she is reading (his tattered copy of Wuthering Heights he gave to her after learning she had never read it) and putting her mug down on the table. The pet name is new but somehow she makes it sound like its natural, like she has been calling him honey for years.
Emma carefully gets up from the sofa, trying not to disturb the sleeping puppy beside her before throwing her arms around his neck.
'Not that I'm not happy to see you but what made you come over, love?' Killian asks and Emma shrugs.
'Henry wanted to see Cadbury before he went to a friend's house and then after dropping him off I wanted to come back to see you.' Her eyes are watching his lips and he likes how he can see the flecks of gold in her eyes from the soft glow of the lamps in his apartment.
'There's something else.' He says knowingly, brushing his hand affectionately up and down her back. Emma sighs but still doesn't meet his gaze, her arms slipping from around his neck to around his waist to pull him closer.
'Do you have any rum?' She asks and had he not sensed something was troubling her he would probably have responded with a joke or flirtation, but instead he simply nods and heads over to his cabinet to get an unopened bottle of rum and two glasses.
Emma sits back down on the sofa and he joins her, pouring the rum out and handing her a glass. Killian watches her as she takes a drink, closing her eyes and exhaling before looking over at him.
'I went into work today to pick up some new case files. My boss asked if I could look over them this weekend and on Monday start on the one with the most leads. A few other people got some files as well and this guy was complaining that the only one he received had nothing to work with. He asked me to look over it to see if he was missing anything, so I did. He was right, there was very little to work with in the file, but the target was Neal Cassidy.' Emma downs the rest of her rum and pours more as Killian takes a moment to understand what happened.
'Neal Cassidy, the same Neal you were involved with?' Killian says quietly and she nods.
'I guess he's still running in the same criminal circles and away from any responsibility.' Emma says bitterly, clutching on to her once again empty glass. 'It was just an unpleasant surprise but even the thought of him makes me want to just drink away the memories of him.' She continues, pouring herself her third glass of rum in minutes. Killian puts his hand over hers to stop her and she looks up at him challengingly.
'Perhaps that is unwise, love.' He tells her and she scoffs, brushing off his touch to pour a little more rum.
'Why? I've done it plenty of times before.' Emma says and he hears the irritation in her voice.
'And yet here you are, still thinking of him. Clearly it doesn't work.' Killian replies just as roughly and she puts the bottle down on the table and turns to face him on the sofa.
'Then show me another way to forget.' He sees the glint in her eye and he knows exactly what she means but he shakes his head.
'Believe me lass, that doesn't work either.' He sees Emma clench her jaw in frustration and he sighs. 'I may not know everything about you but I know that you've never really dealt with the pain Neal inflicted on you. You've avoided it, distracted yourself and shut off any thoughts of him in an attempt to numb the pain. I know because that's what I did after Milah hurt me.'
'What, are you saying that you're all fixed now?' Emma replies sharply but he doesn't take it personally, knowing this was part of her defensive strategy she had built up over the years.
'Do you think people are really afraid of heights or are they just afraid of falling?' He asks and his question catches her by surprise. Some of her tension eases but her eyes are still hard and distant. She shrugs and looks at him expectantly.
'I realized that the reason I continued to carry so much pain around after Milah was that I was scared of getting hurt again. Her betrayal hurt of course, but the possibility of experiencing that pain all over again was enough to shut myself off. I didn't do relationships because they might actually lead somewhere and I could get hurt. That is why falling for you was so terrifying, but then I discovered how being in love with you felt and I could finally let go of everything. You need to find a way to move on, not just push it down.' He sees Emma crumble as he speaks and he knows she understands.
She's silent for a long time as she processes her thoughts but she seeks his hand to hold and he squeezes hers reassuringly.
'Thank you…for being different.' Emma murmurs a while later and he brushes away the hair from her face to see her clearly.
'Different how?' He asks softly.
'Most people would have just offered sex and alcohol and thought they were being helpful. You thought about what I needed, not what I wanted.' Emma replies as she looks down at their hands and twisting the ring he wears on his index finger.
'That's because I love you.' She smiles at that, looking up at him with a soft gaze.
'How did I get so lucky to be loved by you?' Emma asks and Killian laughs in disbelief. Her smile is finally reaching her eyes and he feels a warmth build in his chest.
'I ask myself the same question about you, lass.' Killian grins and he sees how she relaxes, tugging on her bottom lip as she shuffles closer to him.
'I'm sorry about this. Seeing Neal's name and face in that file just made me feel like that 17 year old pregnant girl crying in a prison cell. I just freaked out and I needed you.' Emma tells him sincerely. She's close enough that he can see the golden flecks in her watery eyes and the freckles on her nose and he closes the distance and kisses her, soft and slow and full of love. He can taste rum and a hint of cinnamon on her lips and feel her desperation in the way her tongue slides against his.
'No need to apologize, Swan. I'll always be here for you.' He reassures her when she pulls away from his lips to breathe. She nods and when he knows she's okay he stands up and runs his hands through his hair.
'What do you say to a quiet night in with some movies and popcorn?' He suggests and she shuffles further into the sofa to show her comfort.
'Sounds good.' Emma smiles, and he leans forward to give her another quick peck before slipping off his shoes.
'I need a shower but I'll be back in 10. You can pick the movie while I'm gone.' He suggests, not missing the way Emma's eyes roam over his chest as he takes off his work shirt and heads to the bathroom. He lets the water heat up a moment until the room is full of steam and he can pretend the heat in his cheeks is from the shower and not the unmistakable look of lust in Emma's gaze.
They are curled up on the sofa, Emma in Killian's lap and Cadbury in hers as they watch The Princess Bride (again, but he had let her pick the movie after all). Emma is playing with the sleeve of his t-shirt absentmindedly, her fingers running along his bicep softly as she watches the movie.
Sometimes she looks at the TV intently and other moments she ignores it, turning her attention to his lips as she leisurely kisses him whenever she pleases. He doesn't mind one bit, in fact he likes it very much.
'What was your first kiss like?' She asks in between their own kisses and he tightens the hold of his arm around her waist.
'Awful.' He laughs as he plays with the ends of her hair and she raises her eyebrows questioningly.
'It was at a party when I was 15. I was talking to this girl I had a crush on and suddenly she kissed me. I had no idea what to do but she took the lead so I just sort of fumbled my lips against hers. Afterwards she shouted 'I told you he would suck' and the whole room laughed. It was mortifying and I didn't kiss anybody for 5 years after that because I was so worried it was true.' He laughs at the memory now, his high school years feeling like a lifetime ago.
'Is it far from true; I happen to love the way you kiss.' Emma smirks, her eyes dropping to his lips as she tugs on her own.
'I like to think my skills improve when it's with someone I love.' He replies quietly and the heated edges of her gaze drops to a softer level of affection.
'And what about you? Was your first kiss as memorable?' Killian adds and Emma shrugs her shoulders.
'I remember but it wasn't exactly memorable. I was 14 and it was with a boy at the foster care place we both ended up in when no one wanted us. He was 16 and almost free of the system and I desperately wished I could leave with him. He told me he would get me out as soon as he left, promising me with a kiss. It was just a peck and I never saw him again after he was gone, but I guess that was my first kiss.' She seems neither sad nor happy at the recollection and he brushes her cheek gently.
'Maybe we'll be each other's last first kiss.' Killian says, but it takes him a moment to realize how that must sound to her. To his surprise she's smiling when she looks up at him and the churning in his stomach lessens.
'Hmm, maybe.' She whispers before resting her head on his chest and turning her attention back to the TV. It's a non-committal response but it actually comforts him to know she doesn't dismiss their future together.
They sit in comfortable silence for a while as he plays with her curls and Emma's hands continue to wander across his arms. She chuckles at the movie every so often but he is distracted by idle thoughts of his future with Emma and he is reminded of a conversation he had with David earlier.
'Can you keep a secret?' He asks Emma and she lifts her head up to look at him with narrowed eyes of suspicion.
'Can I agree to keep it after I know what it is?' She replies, gently moving Cadbury off her lap (much to the puppy's annoyance) to look at him better.
'Secret keeping isn't usually a pick and choose kind of deal, lass.' Killian laughs and Emma rolls her eyes playfully.
'Fair enough, but I don't have many people to tell a secret to anyway so my word doesn't really mean much.'
'Well the only person that can't be told is Mary Margret.' He responds and Emma's eyes widen in interest.
'Okay, I won't tell her, I promise. Spill please.' Emma grins, shuffling against him in anticipation.
'David told me he's planning to propose to her soon.' Killian reveals and Emma literally gasps.
'What the hell, they've only been dating as long as we have. I mean I know they knew each other for a while before but still. Does he know how he's going to do it? Has he picked out a ring yet? Are they moving in to his place or hers? Is she pregnant, is that why they're getting married so quickly?' Emma demands and Killian holds up his hands for her to slow down.
'Our casual conversation didn't quite turn into the Spanish Inquisition, Swan.' He tells her with a chuckle.
'You mean he just told you he was going to proposal to Mary Margret and you didn't ask him any of these questions?' Emma says in disbelief, a hint of judgement in her expression as she frowns at him.
'Well, no. He just told me that he's the happiest he's ever been and he knows Mary Margret is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life, whether it's been 3 months or 3 years.' He doesn't add that he understands exactly how David feels. They may have insinuated about their future together a few times but given Emma's shock to their friends' quick development Killian knows they are not there yet in their own relationship.
'I'm happy for them. I knew since the first time I saw them together they were perfect for each other.' Emma smiles, her initial shock clearly subsiding as she considers the idea of their friends getting married.
'Do you remember at David's party when you said they would donate their wedding fund to charity and not go on a honeymoon?' Killian asks and Emma laughs. She's laughed plenty of times before but he take particular notice of how her nose scrunches and her lashes flutter as her eyes crinkle.
'I stand by that assessment.' She grins before meeting his eyes. There's something there, an unspoken conversation between them yet he's unclear on what's being said. Emma sobers up from her laughter and although her smile remains he feels like there's something in her expression he can't quite read. He shakes the feeling off and kisses her cheek before shifting to get up. Cadbury still needs her evening walk and fresh water in her bowl and he needs fresh air.
'I should take Cadbury out for a walk.' Killian sighs, the puppy perking up at the word 'walk' (she seemed to catch on to that a lot quicker than housetraining) and Emma nods.
'Henry's staying at his friend's, so I was going to stay here for the night, if that's okay?' She asks hesitantly and he feels guilty that she even feels she needs to check.
'I'd never turn away a beautiful woman from my bed, lass.' He grins, hoping humour would hide the fact that having her sleep by his side is all he wants.
'Actually I was just going to take the sofa.' Emma shrugs and he fumbles for a response.
'I'm kidding.' She smirks and he lets out a relieved laugh as he shrugs on his jacket. She gives him a softer smile, one of reassurance and he returns it. Cadbury jumps up in excitement and he attaches her lead to her collar and takes her for a quick walk.
When he returns Emma seems to have already gone to bed and he locks the door, fills Cadbury's food and water and turns off the lights before heading to his bedroom. Emma is snuggled in the sheets and his heart picks up. They've been together for a few months now but only shared a bed on a handful of occasions and never at his place.
He undresses down to just his boxers and climbs in next to her, chuckling at how she's already drifting off and grumbling that he's letting to cold air in.
'I'll warm you back up, lass.' He murmurs as he puts his arm around her waist and she shuffles back into him.
'Love you.' Emma mumbles and he smiles, returning the words a moment later as he feels her chest rise and fall steadily with sleep.