Sharing Beginnings

CS Genre: CS future fic

Emma took a deep breath, feeling the old familiar panic well up. The fear that if she did this…if she let herself have this…she'd somehow lose it, lose him.

But she was done with fear. She was done with walls. She'd already experienced the worst pain possible—losing her true love. This step should be easy.

"I…" she said, looking deeply into his eyes, "I love you."

He didn't respond in words, merely smiled and then surged forward, taking her lips in a kiss she felt from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. As the kiss continued, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck (She'd never let go again. Never.), and then felt her feet leave the ground as he picked her up in his exuberance.

This was real! This was perfect! This was what a happy ending felt like.

At long last the kiss came to an end, and Killian reached up to caress her face with a shaking hand. "I love you too, Swan," he whispered hoarsely, "so bloody much."

Emma smiled up at him, and then because she couldn't help herself, brought his mouth down for another slow, deep kiss. This, this right here was heaven. Emma was vaguely aware that she and her pirate were putting on quite the show in broad daylight…right on the main street of town, but she didn't have it in her to care. After the literal hell they'd just gone through they deserved this little taste of heaven.

After long moments, Killian pulled back with a groan and attempted to put some distance between the two of them. He ran his hand through his hair, making it stand up in adorable, longish tufts, and then he blew out a long breath.

"Perhaps we'd best remove to Granny's establishment and join your family before your father sees us engaged in a passionate embrace and puts his blade through my back again."

Emma laughed and took hold of his arm, laying her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Killian, I'll protect you from my dad. I've already lost you three times in the last couple of months, and that is far more than anyone should be forced to lose her True Love."

He beamed at her use of the words "true love", and the smile on his face brought out a pair of dimples she wanted to kiss.

Waving his hook in the direction of the diner, he said "shall we, love?"

She thought for a moment and then shook her head. "No. I don't think so. Not tonight."

One of his eyebrows rose. "No? But Swan, I believe there were plans to celebrate our latest success?"

"Yeah," Emma said dryly, "and Killian, that's a recipe for disaster. Seems like every time the town meets in Granny's for a celebration all hell breaks loose. And you know what? I'm tired. Surely the town can handle one night without the savior."

"Quite right," he said with a decisive nod. "And I do, after all, remember a promise you made to me back in the Underworld. You vowed to me that you would sleep for weeks once we returned home."

Emma yawned hugely and then nodded. "Sounds like a promise I can definitely keep."

Killian took her hand, lacing their fingers. "Come then, love. Let me walk you home."

They walked the three blocks to her home—their home—in comfortable silence. Emma reveled in the bright sunshine, the soft warm breeze. She'd never take it for granted again; not after the weeks they'd spent in the red-tinted, sulfur-scented Underworld.

It was finally starting to sink in. They'd made it. They'd survived. They'd won! It had been several months of both literal and figurative hell—between the two of them being co Dark Ones, being forced to kill the man she loved, and then having to ultimately leave him in the Underworld, she'd believed her whole world had crumbled upon her, felt like she'd never dig her way out of the rubble of her shattered life.

But the gods had seen fit to show them favor.

Emma felt the tears begin to well up, but she willed them back. There would be time, plenty of time, to deal with everything that had happened to her, to Killian, to her family and friends, to everyone, later. For now, she just needed rest.

Killian stopped at the threshold of her home, waited for her to open the door, and then leaned in for a kiss. He kept it gentle and feather light, and a moment later he was stepping back, turning toward the steps back toward the sidewalk with a gentle "Good night, my love."

He was walking away from her? She reacted instinctively, clutching at his arm. "Killian, wait!"

He looked back at her, his eyebrows raised in surprised.

"I…." she said, "I was hoping you'd stay with me. After all that's happened…I need you with me."

Killian's face gentled. "Of course, love," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her and kissing the crown of her head. "I didn't wish to be presumptuous, but there's nowhere I'd rather be than at your side."

And with that, arm and arm, they made their way into their home and upstairs to their bedroom.

~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~

Killian woke slowly, feeling a peace and contentment that had been absent from his life for months. Before he even opened his eyes, he made note of his Emma lying in the protective circle of his arms, his nose buried in the fragrant cloud of her hair. He heard the sea slowly washing on the beach and then receding from outside their partially open windo.

His heart felt so full he thought it might burst.

Moving slowly so as not to disturb his sleeping Swan, he rose to an elbow and looked down at her. She was so bloody beautiful. With her features relaxed in sleep and the sun shining down on her golden locks she looked like an angel.

They'd merely held each other through the night; nothing more. They were both exhausted after their latest ordeals and the need for sleep won out over other more enjoyable urges. But there would be plenty of time for that in the coming weeks and months and years.

Emma smiled slightly in her sleep, and she softly whispered his name. And with that he couldn't help himself. He leaned forward and kissed her…the embrace beginning light and gentle but gradually picking up in fervor and intensity as Swan swam up from the depths of sleep, wrapped her arms around his neck, and moaned into the kiss.

After several long moments of bliss, Killian finally pulled back, looked down at her sleepy eyes and thoroughly kissed lips, and went in for round two.

When he pulled back the second time, Emma reached up to cup his cheek. "I could get used to waking up like that on a daily basis."

His laugh rumbled deep in his chest. "Aye, as could I, love."

"So…why don't we make it official?" she asked. Killian could tell she was attempting to sound casual and off-hand, but he could see the trepidation in her eyes.

"Official?"

"Yeah," she said, glancing away and picking at the comforter. "You know, move in with me. I mean, that was the plan, right? You and Henry picked out this place for the three of us."

Killian was silent for a moment, overwhelmed, filled with joy beyond compare.

"I mean…if you've changed your mind, I get it…." Emma continued. "I know you've got the Jolly Roger, and you may not want to be land locked, and maybe things are different now after everything that's happened. I don't want to make you think you have to if…"

But Killian didn't let her continue, bringing his mouth down in a passionate, all-consuming kiss. When he pulled back this time, his voice was more than a little gravelly. "I'd hoped for an invitation; more than you know. You Emma are my home. I'll be content wherever I am as long as you're beside me."

She beamed up at him, pecked him gently on the lips, and then got to a seated position. "I mean, I know we have some work to do on the place. I want to totally redo the decorating; want to get rid of all the reminders of our days as the Dark Ones. And, of course, we've got to figure out what to do with our creepy Dark One dungeon."

"All in good time, darling," he said with a chuckle, "but I can think of a few things to keep us occupied right here for a few more hours before we start on any renovation…"

~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~

Later, much later, Emma and Killian walked hand in hand down to the docks where Killian's ship was docked. Emma admired the fine sails and rigging. The Jolly Roger truly was a magnificent vessel.

"You know, Killian," Emma said, as they made their way below deck, "we can spend some time on the Jolly as well. Anytime you start to miss the sea too bad, we can just sail away, take a little vacation."

He smiled tenderly at her, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Splendid idea, Swan. Perhaps if our fair town is at peace for any length of time, we can take a journey. Together we could explore the various sights of your land."

Killian turned toward his wardrobe along one wall of the spacious captain's quarters and began pulling out and meticulously folding shirts and pairs of jeans. After the two of them had decided to move in together, they'd decided there was no reason to wait. They'd had a late breakfast at Granny's, and then gone to the docks, intent on gathering up Killian's belongings—at least those he would need in the next few days—and moving them to his new home.

As Killian continued piling up his wardrobe, Emma wandered the cabin, glancing at the bookcase—filled to the brim with old, well-worn books, at the desk, on which sat several maps in a neat stack, at the small bed in the corner—something they'd most certainly have to change before they decided to sail away on their adventures.

There were centuries of history here—Killian's history.

"I'll peruse my books and other effects at a later time," Killian said, "but for now, there are but a handful of items I've yet to gather."

Emma watched in interest as Killian moved toward the small safe in the far corner. Unclicking his hook, he placed the wrist end in the keyhole and turned. When the door opened, Emma peered in with interest, but then noticed Killian standing still, his hand scratching behind his ear and his eyes looking uneasy.

Suddenly Emma understood. These were his greatest treasures; his most prized possessions; his box of memories so precious he could never stand to lose them.

Turning toward him, Emma put a hand on his arm. "Killian, I'd be honored if you'd let me see your beginnings."

Killian's face gentled, and he reached down to link his fingers with hers. "Emma, you're welcome to all of my life—past, present and future."

Emma smiled, standing on tiptoe to give him a soft, reassuring kiss, and then turned back toward the safe. Reaching in, her hand first landed on a folded piece of paper. Holding it gently, almost reverently, she unfolded it and then looked down on a drawing."

"Milah," she breathed.

"Aye," he said softly. "It was a self-portrait. She would spend hours as we sailed the realms drawing everything—me and my crew, the Jolly, exotic ports of call. She drew this as a gift for me the year before…before the Crocodile caught up with us."

Emma softly ran her fingers across the portrait. "She was really good. This looks just like her."

"Indeed."

Emma reached in again and found herself in possession of a small, dainty pearl ring set in gold.

"It belonged to my mum," Killian said gruffly. "It's the only item of hers that I possess. I scarcely remember her; I was but a wee lad when she passed on, but I do remember how kind and soothing she was."

"How did you end up with her ring?"

"It passed to Liam after her death," Killian said, "and then to me upon his death. Perhaps…perhaps we could pass it on to Henry or…or to other little ones who might come along in our future."

Emma took a deep breath, feeling her heart pound at the implication, at her sudden intense desire for those 'other little ones', of the future that lay before her and her true love."

Instead of speaking, she reached into the safe again, this time pulling out a small, red velvet pouch. Pulling the drawstring open, she reached in and pulled out two, silver cuff links. They both had an anchor worked into their circular faces.

"Liam's" Kilian said simply, running a finger over the items sitting on Emma's palm. "He was always so meticulous about good form and proper attire. I…I kept the cuff links after his death. Before we…before we sent him to the depths."

Emma gently caressed his arm, hoping to give comfort. "I'm glad you got the chance to see him once more; to watch him move on to his eternal reward."

"As am I, love," Killian answered. "I'm hoping to see him once again when my time comes."

"Which will be many, many years from now," Emma said sternly. "You are officially banned from dying again for a good fifty years!"

Killian chuckled and pecked her on the cheek. "Duly noted, my lady."

Emma grinned, and then reached in for the final item. It was small, circular, made of metal and glass. When she withdrew her hand and actually looked at it, she gasped.

"The compass!" she breathed. "Killian, you have our compass? The one we got at the top of the beanstalk?"

"Aye," he said with a smile. "I managed to swipe it not long after arriving in Storybrooke. I believe the theft took place while you were accompanying the Crocodile to Manhattan."

"But…why would you keep it?" Emma asked. "And not only kept it, but kept it with your most precious possessions!?"

Killian cupped her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. "I knew even then that that climb up the beanstalk changed my life. You changed me, Emma, and now…now you're dearer to me than anyone or anything in the world."

She kissed him again, her hand tangling in his hair, her nails scratching at his scalp, as they turned their heads this way and that, mouths meshing and coming apart again and again, hands slowly beginning to roam.

"What do you say we gather up your loot and head home?" Emma asked in a voice far from steady once the kiss finally came to an end.

He grinned mischievously. "I think, darling, that's the best idea you've had all day."

Notes:

-Happy Friday! Only two more weeks before our show finally returns! I can't wait for this loooong hiatus to finally be over.

-This week's story is a fulfillment of a prompt by bethacaciakay. She asked for a story where Killian lets Emma see his most prized possessions as kind of a companion to that scene in 4x5 when Emma showed Killian her box of childhood mementos.

-Obviously this story begins right where 5x23 ends. I chose to have Emma and Killian go to their house without meeting with the rest of the gang first, because I wanted to keep this story 100% fluffy. I wanted to give Emma a chance for a "quiet moment" with her pirate before she learns about the threat of Hyde, the people from the Land of Untold Stories and the Evil Queen.

-Up next: I think I'll go with a canon divergence next week, as I have a "deleted scene" planned for the last Friday of the hiatus. (No idea where that canon divergence will come from yet. Any suggestions on the season/arc I should write about?)