-E-
It's a good week later when he finally brings it up. Truthfully, Emma expected him to cave days ago, but it turns out, her lieutenant has an amazing grip on his self-control.
He mentions it when they're making lunch at her apartment. Killian's stirring the pasta sauce with a little too much precision when he starts talking, "So, have you found a new place yet?"
Emma nearly laughs at the flippancy of his tone, watching him actively avoid her eyes as she drains the pasta. "No, not yet. I'm still looking, but I'm not entirely sure what I want. I'll probably just move back home for the time being until something opens up."
"You know," Killian stops, rotating a mushroom in the sauce, "That is, if you want," he taps the spoon against the side of the pan, "What I mean to say is-,"
"Killian." Emma waits until he looks up to meet her eyes, "Just ask." She tells him drolly, setting the pot of their pasta back onto the counter."
He scratches behind his ear, offering her a sheepish smile as he turns off the burner, moving the pan away from the heat. "Well, I've been thinking about what your mother said at Thanksgiving." He starts slowly and Emma has an urge to mock him and ask him to be more specific but she bites her tongue. Literally. She can taste blood in her mouth. "And I was thinking… perhaps you would be amenable to…. Sharing your space?"
"Jones, are you asking if I'm looking for a roommate?" She jokes because she can't help herself. It's been her first defense mechanism and though Emma's been anticipating this conversation for days, old habits die hard.
"I'm asking you to move in with me." He says outright and the breath leaves her body in a whoosh.
"Oh," She laughs nervously, all tittery and breathless- which makes sense since she basically forgot how to breathe. "Don't you think it's too soon?" She asks, voicing the thought that's dominated her mind as the number one reason not to do this. It's also pretty much the only reason.
"Yes." Killian says simply, surprising her with his candor again. It's rather comforting how sure and unwavering he is about this now that they're finally talking about it. Probably because he knows she needs his stability right now when she's all over the place.
"Yes?" Emma repeats dumbly and Killian takes a step closer to her but doesn't reach out.
"Yes. It's probably too soon. But," He plows on, seeing Emma gearing up for a counter, "I think it would happen eventually in a few months. And now's a good time as any with your lease ending."
What he's saying is all true, but moving in is still such a big step and so much can happen in a few months' time and is all the risk really worth it? Are they ready for this kind of commitment? Is she?
"Look, Swan." He holds a hand out beseechingly and she grasps it blindly, apparently catching him a little off guard because there's a delay in his response when he finally wraps his fingers around hers. It's ironic that the very subject of her dilemma is the one person she reliably seeks out for comfort. "We spend every night, every waking moment possible together anyway and I'm hardly here between all the long shifts and extra administrative work at the firehouse. It's really not as big a leap as you are likely making it out to be. Besides, should you really feel the need to sprawl diagonally across a bed of your own, your bedroom at your mother's house is still there, is it not?"
Her resolve is weakening and she knows he can see it in his big, hopeful, puppy-dog eyes.
Killian takes the final step closer, setting his hands lightly on her waist, "What it really comes down to is this: I may have once said that I'm a patient man, but I'm also a selfish bastard, Emma. At the end of the day, all I want is to be able to come home to you." There's something else in his eyes, a feeling stronger than hope, deeper than the usual affection he regards her with but Emma pretends not to see it. The butterflies in her stomach are wreaking enough havoc as it is.
So she wraps her arms around his neck, gazing adoringly into his eyes, "Such pretty, pretty words." She croons before kissing the tip of his nose. Killian pretends to look miffed, playing along. "Well," She draws out the word, pretending to contemplate, playing her fingers against the nape of his neck, "if you put it like that…"
His arms wind tighter around her, lifting her off her feet as he holds her against him, a scruffy smile pressed against her neck as he spins them around in a circle in the middle of her kitchen.
-/-
In the end, it's decided that Emma will move into Killian's apartment on a trial basis. Between her, Ruby and Killian, they manage to get Emma's apartment packed up, the majority of Emma's things going back to her mother's and the essentials with them to Killian's place. She's initially apprehensive of bringing any of her furniture to his place, but Killian insists she bring at least a few pieces to make the place homier. He's particularly fond of Ruth's old armchair so she makes sure that follows them back to his place.
Mary Margaret drops by for a cup of tea the day after she's unpacked everything to see the place and to bring over a box of Christmas decorations Emma "accidentally" forgot to bring with her.
Killian makes tea while Emma grudgingly unpacks the decorations at her mother's behest. Killian seems quite excited at the prospect of having homemade decorations courtesy of grade-school Emma littering the floor of his apartment and Emma has to smile a little despite herself. She knows he's always yearned for a home and all the fixings that come with it after going so many years without. Emma, on the other hand, has grown tired of Mary Margaret's Better Homes and Gardens -esque holiday setup, but for Killian, she can suck it up and deal.
He listens attentively as Mary Margaret tells story after story and Emma is sure that some of the things she unearths from the box are 100% new and unused. Eventually, her mother takes her leave and after showing her out, Killian joins Emma on the floor where she's currently inspecting a set of snowflake LED lights.
"Sorry about her," Emma apologizes and Killian gives her a mild look.
"Why? I rather enjoy your mother's company."
Emma laughs, handing him a set of decorative plates to put away in the kitchen. "That's only because you spend limited amounts of time with her. Look, don't worry about putting all these decorations up. I'm sure you don't want your apartment to look like Rudolph threw up all over it."
"Well, I like them." Killian declares, holding up a popsicle stick frame of Emma at nine years old, "I told you before, having your things in here helps bring the place to life."
"I should have known you were only in it for my things. And all along I thought it was me you wanted in your apartment." Emma heaves a long sigh, tossing a stuffed snowman back into the box.
Killian scoots closer, grabbing Emma by the arms and pulling her onto his lap, arms circling tightly around her as she yelps and puts up a half-hearted struggle. "Having your in our bed also puts a certain amount of cheer in the air, if I do say so myself."
She laughs, leaning down to touch their foreheads and noses together. He's taken to calling his apartment and everything in it "theirs" like he's slowly trying to habituate her to the idea of officially living together. Honestly, on him, it's rather endearing. On anyone else, it would likely result in a swift exit of Emma from the relationship.
Killian leans forward to give her a lazy kiss and Emma melts willingly into him, fingers carding through his hard the way she knows he likes. His hand starts creeping up under her sweater as she deepens her kiss with a sweep of her tongue. They've had sex a lot of places in his apartment, and it looks like the living room floor is about to make that long list. Emma eagerly tugs her sweater over her head, kissing away the smirk that appears on Killian's lips until his phone starts ringing.
"Twenty bucks says it's Will. He always has a knack for interrupting us at all the right times." Emma complains, sliding reluctantly off his lap to lay on the floor. Killian gives her an apologetic look before tossing her sweater over her torso as he gets up off the floor.
"Looks like I owe you $20." Killian remarks when he reaches his phone.
"You owe me sex!" Emma shouts so Will can hear it over the phone. She decides to just lay there in her bra, her sweater only partially covering her as Killian talks, hoping that the call will be short and sweet then they can get back to what they started.
"He says there's a Nor'easter coming this weekend and that if we still plan to go to the city to do our Christmas shopping, we should try to pick up Henry's new furniture as well before the storm hits." Killian reports after hanging up.
"So we have to make our lists tonight and tell Regina she has to order a whole bedroom worth of furniture tonight so we can buy everything tomorrow?" Emma clarifies, groaning at this revelation.
He nods, walking back over to her, "Will's calling Regina now with the new plan. He also wants to know if we want to get dinner tonight because he needs help planning his mother's visit."
Emma flings an arm over her eyes, "Ugh, he's such a child. Can't he do it by himself?"
"Well, Mrs. Scarlet did partially raise me too." Killian points out, "I have some responsibility to make sure she has a good stay."
"Does that mean we're not going to have sex?" Emma peeks out from under her eyes to see Kilian give her a mischievous look.
"Oh darling, I never said that." He drawls, right before he plucks her up from the floor and slings her over his shoulder as he beelines for the bedroom.
-/-
"Swan…" Killian says slowly and that's when Emma knows she's in trouble, "Swan, did you tell Will that Elsa's coming with us?"
"I…" Emma stares straight ahead, watching as their new friend walks across the lobby of the apartment building towards them. She invited Elsa on a whim when she ran across the ice cream shop owner in the gym of Killian's apartment, caught up in the excitement of realizing they were now living in the same building and Elsa accepted equally as enthusiastically, happy to have made new friends in her short time in town. "I told you?" She says weakly, remembering that she had meant to mention it to Will last night at dinner but got distracted suggesting restaurants to eat at.
"Aye, well when I was the one driving, that was okay, but I think Will would prefer a little heads up."
"Great idea, thanks for volunteering." Emma says, patting Killian on the arm, returning Elsa's wave with her other hand.
"Hi, sorry for making you wait." Elsa says a bit breathlessly, throwing on her light turquoise wool coat and matching blue gloves.
"No worries, lass. Scarlet isn't even here yet." Killian assures her smoothly, throwing Emma a grimace when Elsa starts digging in her purse.
"I was talking to Anna on the phone last night and look- she sent me a coupon for the furniture store- maybe Regina can use it for her purchase?" Elsa flashes them a 20% off coupon on her phone.
"Afraid not. She already prepaid last night." Emma explains, touched by Elsa's gesture.
She frowns, "Well, maybe I can use this to purchase a little gift for Henry. He's such a sweet boy, always trying to put his pennies in my tip jar whenever Regina brings him in for a cone."
Emma chuckles, remembering Henry once tried to leave a tip for them at the diner until Regina pointed out that he didn't have to worry about that until he was the one footing the bill, to which he replied he only wanted to know what it felt like to be able to afford to leave a tip at a restaurant.
Will's truck pulls up to the front and Killian walks out first, likely to appease Will about their additional guest. Emma climbs in after Will gives them a grudging smile, Elsa following close behind so Killian can sit shotgun. It's a tight fit in the back, but Will's truck is more suited for hauling furniture than Killian's SUV.
Emma and Elsa chat quietly in the back all the way up to the city while Killian and Will talk about Killian's progress in searching for a boat to purchase in the spring. Elsa has become an unexpectedly close friend since she arrived in Storybrooke, with a personality similar to Emma's and just enough gumption (as Killian likes to put it) to secure a place in their group of friends.
Their Christmas shopping is fairly efficient, having arrived just as the stores are opening to avoid the large crowds and long lines. The four of them split up in the mall and with everyone as competitive as they are, they finish in record time, with Emma first, Will second, Elsa only a few steps behind Will and Killian arriving last to the rendezvous point.
A quick stop to the furniture store where Elsa picks out a stuffed reindeer for Henry while the guys load the furniture into the flatbed under Emma's watchful eye, then they're off to a quick lunch before heading home.
The tension between Elsa and Will has melted into bickering like an old couple between their moments of civility and they get into an interesting disagreement over Christmas music with Emma chirping up her opinions on both sides of the argument, leaving Killian to roll his eyes as he refuses to participate.
Elsa offers to stay and help assemble furniture, claiming she finds it rather therapeutic to build things, meeting Will's look of disbelief in the rearview mirror with a steadfast smile, so he drives straight to the Blanchard manor. Mary Margaret is stunned when they arrive shortly before 2pm, unable to comprehend how they managed to finish holiday shopping in a single morning. Regina emerges from her home office and begins directing furniture to be carried upstairs.
Mary Margaret is over the moon to have people over, even if they are laboring under the watchful eye of her stepsister and keeps bringing them refreshments until Emma and Will are more occupied eating fruit salad than helping pull pieces out of the boxes and gets called out on it by Killian.
"Okay, I gotta admit, building furniture is kinda fun." Emma confesses after moving the desk into his designated spot against the wall. Regina turns from the curtains she's been hanging up and nods after a moment of scrutiny.
"He's going to love this room!" Elsa exclaims, clapping her hands together as Emma slides in the chair Everyone scurries out of the way as Will and Killian come through the door, maneuvering the mattress around until they fit it into the bedframe they just finished building.
"Perfect."
"Sheets!" Mary Margaret singsongs and marches in with freshly laundered linens. Elsa gets to work making the bed with Regina's help and Will is summoned downstairs with Mary Margaret so he can fill her in about their plans when his mother arrives in town. Emma stations herself in the hallway to start building the shelf, half-heartedly listening to Regina narrate her plan for bringing Henry home and surprising him with a fully-furnished room when they originally planned to get everything over the weekend.
"Well love, I think we have work to do before our apartment is up to snuff." Killian comments, glancing around to take in the garlands and red bows along the staircase and undoubtedly thinking of all the other decorations and the giant Christmas tree they put up right before Leo left at the end of his Thanksgiving break.
"I told you, it's a lot." Emma aligns a screw, patting blindly next to her for her screwdriver until Killian places it in her palm, "Maybe we don't have to go too overboard though, since we'll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas day here."
Killian raises his eyebrow, "That so?"
"Of course." She shuffles to the other side to add another screw there, "Where else would we spend it if not here with our family?" The words slip out effortlessly and she's a little surprised herself at how natural it sounds.
He smiles, leaning down to press a kiss to her hair, "I can think of no better place, love."
Will comes bounding up the stairs as Killian is helping Emma secure the bottom of the bookshelf to the rest of the structure, "Just so you are all aware, Mary Margaret is planning on holding us all hostage for dinner. The good news is the menu for tonight consists of baked salmon, wild rice and roasted asparagus followed by a dessert of adoption cake when Regina returns with Henry. And there's plenty of apple ales stocked in the fridge." Will announces in a stage whisper.
"What's the soup of the day?" Emma whispers loudly back and Will glares at her.
"What's 'adoption' cake?" Elsa asks, coming out of the bedroom with a genuinely curious look on her face.
"Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Henry's favorite to welcome him home." Regina explains, crossing her arms as she leans against the doorframe. "Oh good, you're done."
Emma nods as she and Killian begin moving the bookshelf into the room.
"You know something, I think I might have a pint of cherry vanilla at my shop that would be great with the cake. On the house, of course, it is Henry's favorite." Elsa adds.
"Look at you, an expert on the lad already." Killian smirks.
"You know it, Salted Caramel Swirl." Elsa retorts
"Alright, ice cream lady, I'll take you to your shop." Will turns to lead the way down the stairs and Elsa follows to assure Mary Margaret they aren't escaping before she has a chance to feed them.
-/-
Dinner is a lively affair, everyone in high spirits as they fill their stomachs with Mary Margaret's heavenly cooking and eagerly await Henry and Regina's return home from their dinner in Carlion. Mary Margaret tries to invite Elsa for Christmas several times and Emma notices Will duck his head, focusing on his food as Elsa graciously declines each time, explaining she will be back in Carlion for the holiday to celebrate with her sister and aunt. Emma knows from their previous conversations in the empty diner that Elsa is also an orphan, having lost both her parents in a boating accident when she and her sister were still very young. It's yet another facet of her past that helps her to fit in with their little group of friends that are all too familiar with loss.
"Wait." Will sets down his bottle of ale abruptly and everyone still sto hear the garage door creaking open.
"Damn it, they're fast eaters!" Emma curses, shoveling one more forkful of rice into her mouth before Mary Margaret makes them vacate the dining room.
"Grab your plates! And your drinks!" Mary Margaret hisses and they all scramble to clear the table of any evidence that anyone other than Mary Margaret is there. "Upstairs, upstairs!" Her mother all but screeches and the four of them leave her in the kitchen in favor of bounding up the stairs to hide in Henry's room, Emma and Elsa laughing uncontrollably the whole way as the trip on the landing in their haste.
Will squishes himself under Henry's desk and Emma and Elsa dive behind the bed, laughter bubbling up again as Killian spins in place, looking for a decent hiding spot now that all the good ones are spoken for.
The door downstairs slams and Henry's excited chatter can be heard greeting Mary Margaret, who sounds close to ears. Killian's eyes widen even further as Regina's voice suggests they take Henry's bag up to the guest room where he will be staying until his room is ready. That's the cue they discussed earlier.
"Mate, bloody hide yourself already!" Will grouches before Elsa shushes him. Killian flattens himself against the wall next to the door in desperation and Emma rolls her eyes even though he can't see her.
"Do you want to take a look at your room first? Make sure you're okay with the color?" Mary Margaret asks in what she probably thinks is a casual voice but comes off sounding much too excited. Emma just sighs, her mother has always been terrible at keeping secrets.
"That's okay. I really like the color Regina- I mean Mom- picked."
"Honey, just take one more look." Regina urges and the lights suddenly flash on.
"Surprise!"
"Welcome home!"
"Happy Adoption!"
"Bloody hell."
Everyone turns to Will in exasperation, who is rubbing his head where he hit it trying to jump out from under the desk.
"I mean, congratulations on your room." He corrects lamely.
Henry is utterly speechless, his big brown eyes filling with tears one second, a wide, toothy smile breaking across his face the next. He reaches for the closest person in front of him, who happens to be Killian and squishes his face into the fireman's midsection in a hug.
Killian returns the hug with a mystified look, clearly not expecting this reaction from the boy. He pats Henry on the back a little awkwardly before the boy pushes away to throw himself at Will. He goes around, hugging everyone and there are tears and laughter and then Emma finally suggests moving downstairs for cake (and to finish their dinner). Mary Margaret gives a toast and the cake is cut and by the time everything winds down and Emma and Killian arrive back at the apartment, they're too tired to do much else than change and collapse into bed.
-/-
Emma's startled awake by the scraping sound of the key in the lock and the doorknob being rattled. It doesn't sound right- usually Killian is really quiet when he's coming home from a late shift, so quiet she rarely ever wakes when he slips into bed beside her and curls around her sleeping form. Pulling herself upright, she rubs her eyes, finally noticing the clock blinking 2am.
Her suspicions increase even more as she hears frantic shushing and heavy, uneven footsteps- two sets of them- and a chortled, "Mate, you're making a racket," and she finally drags herself out of bed to investigate.
"Lass you came to join the party, eh?" Will all but shouts and Killian hushes him, stumbling towards Emma.
"Love, you are but a vision. C'mere you bloody beautiful siren of my heart."
Emma catches him by the upper arms and the smell of rum wafts heavily off him. Killian's cheeks are red, eyes unfocused and he gives her a crooked smile. "Oh wow. Good evening to you, Captain Morgan."
"It's Lieutenant." Killian corrects, wagging a clumsy finger at her.
"Uh huh. Let's get you in bed."
Killian leans forward into her space unsteadily, "I like how you think." It's impressive he can still manage a wink this far into his cups.
"Are you angry, Emma? Tis only a bit o' drinkin' we indulged in. The Rabbit Hole has crappy liquor but fast service." Will slurs.
"Will, go sit at the kitchen table. I'll make you a bed on the couch. Killian, come on." She leads him into the bedroom, skirting his uncoordinated advances as he tries to take her clothes off while she undresses him for bed. "Get under the blankets and I'll be back soon." She tells him, throwing his jeans and shirt into the hamper.
"Darling, come to bed. I promise I'll make it worth your while."
"I can't wait." Emma says dryly, "No, you stay there, smooth talker. I have to take care of the stray you brought home with you." She instructs firmly when he tries to peel off the blankets.
"I've not brought home any women." Killian protests in an affronted tone. "I only have eyes for you, sweetheart."
Oh wow, he is hammered.
"Yeah," Emma doesn't know how to respond so she just gives him another look before collecting an extra pillow and hurrying out to pull sheets from the linen closet. Will is dutifully sitting at the kitchen table, though his head is buried in his arms. At least he's not on the floor. Emma knows from experience that once an intoxicated Will Scarlet stretches horizontally on a surface, there's no moving him.
"Scarlet, your bed awaits." She announces quietly when she's done and Will's head pops up and he makes his way over to the couch on his own, clearly the less inebriated between himself and Killian.
"A million thanks. So glad you live here now." He mumbles, crashing onto the couch.
Emma lays several throw blankets on him to make sure he's covered sufficiently before reaching out to pinch his ear, "Just don't get used to it."
"Bloody hell." Will stretches out, settling his hands behind his head, "It's her birthday today."
"Whose?" Emma asks, knowing drunk Will is perhaps one of the more honest of Wills.
"Hers." He repeats vaguely in a sleepy voice.
"Milah's." Understanding dawns on her but Will is already asleep.
Killian's sprawled out on his back, snoring lightly when she returns to bed and while she craves his warmth, something about it seems wrong to curl up to him. He's had a strange look in his eye all week, ever since the night they got home from celebrating Henry's homecoming but he hasn't said anything and Emma just chalked it up to melancholy and anticipation for Will's mother to arrive. Holidays have always been hard for her and she figured he would share when he was ready. Now she knows there's still a little more to it than she knows.
But even as she settles on her side of the bed, Killian still rolls over a moment later, wrapping around her tightly, almost more possessive than protective and she falls into an uneasy sleep.
