The came from a prompt for me to write a missing scene from Emma and Killian's date explaining how she ended up wearing his jacket.


She's making him nervous. Something about that realization manages to calm the butterflies in her own stomach, at least to a more balanced flutter instead of the swarm she's been dealing with since first opening the door and seeing him look like that. And the hand, his hand, wrapped up in hers as they weave their way out of the restaurant, it's both somehow anchoring and setting her adrift at the same time. She doesn't know if she should talk to him about it, get the whole story of how he got it back and what it means to him, too afraid of drudging up painful topics on this, their first real date. Instead, she chooses to focus on the warmth of his fingers, the press of his ring against her knuckle and the way his thumb moves in a circle against her skin every time he catches her looking at him. And yeah, that's happened more than a few times tonight already.

The cool breeze coming in from the water rustles her skirt as they step outside, prompting her to step a bit closer to his side as a shiver courses down her bare arms.

"Let's get you to the car, love"

Her mind and body react simultaneously as her hand grips his just a bit firmer and she looks from her bug over to him with a genuine smile. She's not ready for the night to be over, not quite yet.

"I'd rather walk, if that's okay?"

His eyes go a bit wide at her suggestion, looking pointedly at her bare arms and down to her heels, a look of incredulousness taking over his features as blue meets green once again.

"In those shoes, Swan? It's at least a mile back to the loft."

"Oh these things, they're nothing. The ones I wore to the other date you witnessed put these to shame. I'll be fine."

He leans in slightly at that, voice low, his warm breath caressing her cheek resulting in a shiver that has absolutely nothing to do with the cold.

"I never should have doubted your abilities, love…"

Drawing out the last word, his lips brush her temple in a feather light kiss, a barely perceptible touch gone too soon as she finds her hand suddenly free from his grip. Something in her gut stirs at the loss, a need she's already feeling all too keenly, the pull of him stronger now that she's stopped pushing him away. Her arms move instinctively to cross over her chest in defense against the cold and maybe other things she's really not ready to name. Looking over at him she realizes why he's let go and that stirring in her gut, well, it's turning into a damn cyclone now and she mentally prepares herself to be swept away.

His new jacket is now in his hands, both of them, as he holds it up towards her with a devilish smile, not managing to completely mask the tinge of insecurity still lingering behind his eyes.

"Milady…"

The act is so overtly romantic and his words so old fashioned and she…god, she loves every second of it. She may be "The Savior", fierce and strong, but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy when a man who knows she is but still wants to treat her like she's soft and gentle, if only for a short time on a quiet night where no one else can see. Turning slightly, she lets him help her work her arms into the jacket, immediately soaking up the warmth of his body still clinging to the soft leather. His chest comes to rest lightly against her back when he pulls the collar closed beneath her chin, the scruff on his cheek brushing against her neck as he takes every opportunity to invade her space now that he's catching on that he's welcome to do so.

"Such a gentleman…"

He releases a long breath on a quiet chuckle before stepping back a step, his arms sliding down hers from behind before stepping back to her side and extending his hand once again.

"Always."

They share a smile full of memories as her fingers stretch past the too long jacket to mingle with his, their now chilled skin warming as palm meets palm. He leads them off the curb and they fall into a slow pace, perfectly in sync as always, neither in a hurry to reach their destination.

"I like the new jacket."

"Aye, but I must admit it looks far better on you, Swan."

She can't help the playful nudge to his ribs at his flirting, his tug to pull her closer a welcome retaliation.

"How did you manage such a perfect fit with the short notice?"

His slight flinch is hard to miss with her pressed against his arm and she stops their stroll to look over at him, curious as to his odd reaction to her rather innocent question. The nervousness is back in his features, this time in full force as he refuses to meet her gaze, instead focusing on the streetlight turning red in the distance.

"Killian?"

He doesn't look at her when he responds; speaking with a careless nonchalance she's all too familiar with.

"You have quite the talented tailor here in Storybrooke."

Lie.

Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she lowers her voice to a more soothing tone, hoping to coax him out of whatever is causing him to hide the truth from her.

"Hey, look at me."

It takes another brief moment, but he complies, the look in his eyes reminiscent of their day in the woods looking for Zelena, raw and open, his heart fully on display.

If it can be broken, that means it still works.

She's about to speak when he moves a step closer, his free hand lifting to hook lightly under her chin as his eyes set firmly to hers.

"I've been procuring new garments for weeks, Swan. It didn't feel right to wear them until I was sure you wanted me to stay."

So many things bubble up in her at once, regret, sadness, fear, hope, love…everything all jumbled in a ball pressing against her breastbone trying to escape. She wants to say something, needs him to know, but she can't find the words, or her breath. Releasing his hand, she closes the last bit of distance between them as she wraps herself around him in a hug, the warmth of his throat against her cold nose sending tingles of awareness all over her body. He wastes no time in pulling her closer, one hand tight around her back as the other cups the back of her head, his fingers tangling gently in her ponytail.

Taking a deep breath, her lips brush against his skin as she finally finds her voice, realizing it's really only two words he needs to hear.

"I do."

"Good."