I watched the 2003 version of Peter Pan recently and I was inspired to write this. For those of you who haven't seen it, look it up it's one of the most romantic things ever.
I don't usually write oneshots or fluff, so yay first time for everything!
xxxXXXxxx
"Killian, why the hell did you want to come to Neverland?" Emma asked as she struggled not to trip over a tree root.
"If I told you why, love, it wouldn't be a surprise."
Despite his back being to her, she could hear the smirk in his voice.
They were about three days into their honeymoon when her husband suggested that they visit Neverland next. After everything that happened with the Black Fairy and Gideon, Emma and Killian were finally glad to have the chance to properly celebrate their wedding. And what better way to celebrate than by traveling as many magical realms as possible?
They stopped at the obvious ones first, such as Arendelle, Wonderland, and Agrabah. It had been such a pleasure seeing old friends again like Elsa and Jasmine. And much to Emma's delight, the Disney movies didn't fully capture the splendor of the realms. She was overwhelmed by the landscapes and the smells and the local traditions. After the second day, she couldn't stop smiling.
But on the third day, Killian announced they were heading to Neverland next. This made absolutely no sense. She spent almost a week there rescuing her son from Peter Pan. He had spent centuries there, tormented by his grief for Milah and his desire for revenge. Heck, the last time she had been there, she had to save his butt from the Lost Boys. They both hated this place.
So why the hell were they here?!
"Can you at least tell me where exactly we're going?" It was probably someplace creepy like the Dark Jungle or Skull Rock or whatever twisted name Pan thought up.
Killian finally turned around. In the lantern light, his eyes were twinkling with excitement.
"A hidden place. One that not even the Lost Boys know about."
"Okay, but if this place is hidden, how do you know how to find it?" She swatted the air around her. Damn bugs. No matter what realm, there were always pests.
"I came across it during my time here. Swore to never show another soul."
"And you're sure this is the exact way? I mean, it has been a couple of centuries."
Killian smiled and gently brushed her hair away from her shoulder, an affectionate gesture of his she'd come to love.
"Come now, love. Surely after all this time you haven't begun to doubt my navigational skills."
"Of course not," Emma said, trying to hold onto her stern tone but failing. "I'm just a bit concerned because we've been wandering through this jungle for almost an hour, when we should be at someplace nice like Hawaii-"
"Then let me assure you, I not only know where this place is but that you are absolutely going to love it."
Emma didn't have a chance to throw a sarcastic retort because Killian was already turning back around and briskly walking ahead. She smiled but rolled her eyes and followed.
She had never been into traveling. If she was honest with herself, she preferred to stay home with her family. Perhaps it was because she got all of that desire out of her system when she was younger. Running away, living life on the road, etc. If there was one thing she had discovered during her time in Storybrooke, it was that nothing was more important than finding a place called home.
But after being separated from her family with her memory wiped, fighting the ultimate evil, dying and then coming back to life, she suddenly felt very anxious. Yes, the battle was over. Yes, everyone was saved. And yet, Emma felt like she couldn't fully sit still. She had always been cautious when it came to the future. She had been continuing her sessions with Archie and he agreed that some time outside of Storybrooke would be good for her.
Killian suddenly stopped in his tracks and she almost collided into him.
"What's w-"
But he held up a hand for silence before she could finish. He seemed to be fixated on something in the distance. Emma tried to see over his shoulder. When she squinted, she could see a small light ahead. Warily, she readied herself in case they were walking into an ambush.
Once again, he turned to her. His expression was serious this time.
"Do you trust me?"
Emma was momentarily taken aback by his question. Surely he didn't need to ask her that, especially after everything they'd been through.
But she remembered the time he bargained with Gold for his other hand because he wanted their date to be perfect. She remembered him keeping from her Zelena's curse because he wanted to protect Henry. She remembered him refusing to leave the Underworld because he felt guilty of his actions as a Dark One. And she remembered him trying to burn his memories of killing David's father.
Just like her, he often felt like he wasn't good enough.
She said with an equally serious face, "Of course."
Killian smiled. And then he blew out the lantern.
It took her a few seconds to adjust to the change in light. Killian immediately offered his hook, so that she wouldn't trip, and then slowly continued their trek towards the small light. It was too small to be a campfire and it appeared to be coming from a hollow tree.
There also seemed to be music playing nearby. This made Emma slightly worried. She remembered Henry telling her about Pan's flute and the hypnotic effect it had on those who felt abandoned. Did one of the Lost Boys learn how to play it? But as she kept listening, she realized this music sounded different. It didn't sound ominous or sinister. It didn't feel compelling in any way. It was gentle, almost like a lullaby.
She squinted again at the light. The music seemed to be coming from the tree as well. Small dots of light began to emerge from the bushes.
"Looks like the fireflies are coming out," she thought.
And then she gasped.
They weren't fireflies. They were fairies. Hundreds, no probably thousands, of fairies. All of them were different colors, like Christmas lights. They were all flying towards the tree in a varied formation, singing softly along with music.
"It's the Fairy Ball. It happens once every two hundred years." Killian whispered. "It almost made me forget about why I came to Neverland in the first place." He glanced at her and couldn't help smirking at her astonished face. "Told you, you'd love it."
But Emma didn't seem to hear him. She was completely transfixed.
"Can we get closer?" she whispered, her voice sounding childlike. She was afraid that if she spoke any louder it would ruin things.
"Of course, love," he whispered back, gently ushering her towards the tree's base.
Despite its towering height, the inside of the tree was completely hollowed out. The fairies had converted it into what appeared to be their significal hall or chamber. There was an assortment of flora decorating the bark walls and fungi being used as small tables or landings. In one corner, a small fairy band played a light waltz. And it was all illuminated by a gentle rainbow glow.
In the center of the crowd, two fairies were dancing together. There were obviously the king and queen, judging by their slightly larger size.
Emma thought she knew what 'graceful' meant, but holy hell… Just the way they were floating in each other's arms. It was as if the air around them was made of water or something lighter. And the way their individual glows merged together, it was creating an ethereal light.
It was like a picture from a children's book of fairytales.
She turned to Killian and noticed he had been watching her face the entire time with a small smile. Quirking his eyebrow at her, he quietly stepped a few feet back from the tree and gave a deep bow. Emma almost laughed aloud. In a silent reply, she gave her best curtsey (she had been practicing).
The memory of their first adventure together suddenly came rushing back to her. Midas' ball, her red dress, all of the courtiers dancing around them. She was finally beginning to feel overwhelmed by everything.
But then Killian whispered to her, with his stupid smirk and his bewitching eyes: "It's called a waltz, love. And there's only one rule. Pick a partner who knows what he's doing."
And just like that, the overwhelming feeling evaporated. She was there with him in the moment, lost in his eyes, and it was perfect. Nothing else mattered anymore, just him.
Emma approached Killian, placing her hand on his shoulder. He followed suit and wrapped his good arm around her waist. Her fingers gently curled around the curve of his hook. Looking into his brilliant blue eyes, she smiled, which he returned.
And as the music softly played, they began to dance.
Out of the corner of her eye, Emma could see some of the fairies peeking through the glass blades, watching them curiously.
"Looks like we have an audience," Emma whispered.
Killian glanced over her shoulder and chuckled. "Well then, why don't we give them a show?" He then suddenly dipped her, making her cry out in surprise and then laugh.
It wasn't the most romantic setting, in a dangerous jungle full of savage lost boys. Twigs snapped under their feet and rocks were kicked. Both of them weren't dressed in finery. They were covered in sweat.
And yet, the smiles never left their faces as they spun and twirled.
"What do you think so far?" he asked. "Is it exceeding your expectations?"
"Well, it definitely beats Hawaii," she replied, earning a chuckle in her ear. "Killian, this is so magical."
"Want to make it even more so?"
Emma looked at him curiously. He smiled, almost mischievously. And then suddenly he pushed her.
But instead of falling onto her ass, something else happened.
Not only did she remain upright, but her feet barely skimmed the tips of the grass. Confused, Emma looked down and once again, gasped aloud.
She was flying.
At some point during their dance, without either of them noticing, the fairies had begun to circle around them, dancing as well. Whether it was pixie dust or some other magical reason, she didn't know. But having grown up reading Peter Pan and wanting to fly (like every other child), it was truly extraordinary.
A astonished laugh escaped her lips as she looked down at Killian, who was grinning as well. As the music crescendoed, he pushed off the ground and flew towards her. Soon she was back in his arms and their dance continued. The fairies continued to circle them, just as they had done to their King and Queen only moments earlier. Their song soared throughout the night air.
For the first time in her life, Emma was speechless. She had no sarcastic comment, no witty observation, no joke about Disney movies. She was truly at a loss for words.
As a little girl, she never thought she'd find a family. As a teenager, she never thought she'd find a home. After Neal abandoned her, she never thought she would love again. But here she was, with her husband, in Neverland, dancing on their honeymoon.
Killian sensed the slight change in her behavior. "Is this too much, Emma?" he asked, slightly concerned.
She shook her head with a smile and rested her head on his shoulder.
"No. It's perfect."