Author's note: A little post 5.21 fic, now that our favorite pirate is among the living. Sure to be Jossed by 5.22, but still...enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am not a troll unlike certain showrunners.

Back to Life

They walked hand in hand, scarcely able to believe it. It had been less than hour since Killian's miraculous return and he still felt the urge to pinch himself. Emma wouldn't let him go; one of the reasons it took them so long to even get this far was her tendency to stop them and pull him into a kiss. Or two. Or three. Not that he was complaining. But she was cold and tired and he just wanted to get her indoors.

He frowned as she gently drew them to a stop about ten feet from Granny's entrance. "Killian, please don't take this the wrong way."

"That's never a good way to start a conversation, love."

She glanced at Granny's; she could just make out her family inside. "Would you mind...waiting out here? Just for a minute? Regina's kinda fragile right now and I'd like to keep the fireballs to a minimum."

He pressed his lips together and nodded. "I'm sure the Widow Lucas would appreciate your thoughtfulness, Swan."

It almost got her to smile. She pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek. "Five minutes. Then follow me, because I'm sure everyone will want to welcome you back."

It felt strange being happy about his own return while Robin was gone. He and the thief had never been close, but they were friendly. In fact, Killian had been hoping to get to know him better. Now he would never get the chance. He waited in the chill (blessedly, the rain had stopped), silently wishing Emma luck with her news.

He was just about to head in when he saw three bright beams climb into the sky. Cursing, he ran for the diner, breathlessly trying to explain what he saw. He barely had a moment to register everyone before his Swan sprang into action.

"Regina and I will check it out," Emma said firmly.

"Swan..."

"I just got you back. Please do this for me? We'll be back soon."

He nodded his ascent, even though he had a bad feeling. He watched them go before Snow stepped up to him and hugged him. Surprised, he hugged her back. Then Emma's mother insisted he tell them all about his adventure and meeting Zeus. He suspected it was to distract Henry from his mothers' task so he gladly obliged.

David's phone buzzed and he stepped away to answer it. Then he was back. "They're not sure what it was. But Emma wants to search the library before turning in. Might have a clue. She suggested you all go home. I'm gonna go help."

"Be careful, Charming," Snow said, picking up her son.

"Always am." He kissed his wife's cheek. "Henry, head back to the loft. And Killian? Emma asked that you go home. She'll meet you there."

Killian cocked his head, confused for a minute. Home? Then it hit him. Home. Their home, the one he'd chosen and Emma obtained. Right. But he wanted to help. "Dave..."

David gripped his shoulder. "You'd only be distracting her right now. I'll have her back to you in an hour, I promise."

"Bet you never imagined yourself saying that."

David gave him a sardonic grin. "Don't make me regret it."

"I won't." Reluctantly, he did as Emma requested. He trudged to the house he'd chosen; it was the first time he'd been there since he was the Dark One. He gave an involuntary shudder as he stepped inside, but shook it off. His attire didn't help matters. He took the opportunity to explore the place more thoroughly, frowning at how austere it was. Perhaps they could do something about that in the future.

Now that he had a future, he didn't want to waste it.

He was looking through the upper rooms when he heard the door open. Rushing down the stairs, he found a bedraggled and harassed Emma taking off her coat. When she saw him, she smiled tiredly and stepped into his outstretched arms. "You have no idea how amazing this feels," she mumbled into his shoulder.

He rested his cheek on her head. "I'm sure I can muster some idea." He'd never had a home like this, someone waiting for him. Now he had her. "Find anything?"

She shook her head. "No. But something magic happened. What else shoots creepy lights into the sky?"

"Fair point."

"I just...I can't deal with that right now. And Regina's angry with me..."

Killian's brows knitted and he frowned. "At you? For what?"

"You being back."

He growled. "Bloody hell. I should..."

Emma put her fingers to his lips. "Stop. Let her be. I get it. She lost Robin forever. I got you back. And I'm so grateful, so happy. But if things had gone the other way..."

He looked down at her, her earnest kind face. Empathetic to a fault was his Swan. Gods knew he loved her for it. "You know this isn't our fault though?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I know." She stood up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. "Now I'd really like to go to bed. I'm zapped."

"Lead the way, Swan." She took his hand and led him back up the stairs. The room farthest to the left was theirs. The furnishings were currently nothing to speak of, aside from the bed. Something else they could work on later.

"I'll just be a minute." Emma squeezed his hand and stepped into the bathroom. Killian nodded and shuffled his feet, wondering what to do. He gathered she meant for him to stay. To sleep in the enormous bed. He wanted to. He was exhausted, coming back to life, even by magic, was draining. However, he didn't want push Emma too far. "Why are you still dressed?"

"Swan..."

Emma was clad only in an oversized t-shirt. "Hey, this is our place." Then she frowned. "You do still want this to be ours, right?"

He nodded firmly. "More than anything. I just thought...nevermind."

"You thought I might not want it because of our time as Dark Ones." Reluctantly, he nodded. Emma half smiled and moved to hug him again. She couldn't stand being far from him for long. He relaxed, holding her just as tightly. "Killian, I want to share this home with you. The one you picked. I want to replace those bad memories with new ones."

He smiled into her hair. "Perhaps we should make a start of it then?"

She giggled, just as happily as she had in the cemetery. "I think that's an excellent idea, Captain."

After that, it was easier. Killian took his turn in the bathroom, stripping off the last vestiges of his time as the vilest Darkness in all the realms. He resolved to burn those clothes the first chance he got. He left the boxer briefs on; he normally slept without a stitch, but didn't want to presume too much. Returning to the room, he unbuckled his hook and laid the brace on the bedside table. Emma had already pulled back the sheets for him and he climbed it beside her.

She snuggled into his chest so effortlessly it tugged at his heart. No longer was she the guarded broken woman, so afraid to love. Her walls were tiny specks of dust; the love they shared was True. Confirmed by the bloody gods. He whispered a good night into her hair but she was already asleep. He chuckled softly, holding her tight until he followed.

Warm lips on his skin brought him slowly back to consciousness; the barest rays of light filtered through the blinds. He made a noise, something between a groan and a growl, fighting to open his eyes. "Swan?"

"Shhh," she whispered back, still raining kisses to his collar. "Go back to sleep."

He grunted in disagreement, finally wrenching his eyes open. They lay on their sides now, still close, Emma's soft hands gliding over his skin as if she were trying to ascertain his solidness. Little sparks followed in her wake; he was unable to stop his body from reacting to her touch, no matter how innocent. It had been so long, they had been through so much. "Emma."

"Yeah?" Her knowing little quirk let him know she wasn't entirely innocent in her explorations.

"We've hardly slept," he protested weakly.

"Best sleep ever though," she said quietly, hands sliding down his chest. "I missed you."

"And I you, love." He rested his stump on her hip, hand sliding into her hair. "I never thought we'd be here again."

"Me too." Unable to stand it any longer, she moved, fusing her lips to his. He grunted in surprise but didn't stop her. He let her take the pain and longing of their recent troubles out on him, giving back love in return. Her shirt bunched in his hand as she scrambled on top of him, impatiently kicking the covers away.

It didn't take him long to notice she was bare aside from the old cotton shirt. "Minx."

She giggled. "Quiet moments, right?"

He smiled up at her, joy etched into his features. "Aye." He pulled her down for a long slow kiss, helping her get settled above him. For a long time they were content to simply kiss and touch and fondle, relearning all those little places that made them sigh or moan. Emma's shirt found its way to the floor and Killian flipped them so he could worship her lovely breasts properly.

"Yes," Emma panted, arching into him. Her fingers gripped his thick locks; she remembered he liked that. When he groaned, she laughed. It just made her so damn happy to have him there with her, exploring her body the way no one else ever had. They hadn't done this a lot yet, they were still learning, but she was damned if she was going to ever waste an opportunity to be with this man.

He bit down on one of her rosy stiff nipples, cock twitching at her soft cry of pleasure. He wanted to them to never leave this bed, to make love over and over until they were exhausted and sated, but he knew that would have to wait. Just feeling her, listening to the sounds she made as he pleasured her was enough.

"Killian," she whimpered, the ache between her thighs almost unbearable. It had been so long. "Need you."

He growled, hips grinding into the mattress, desperate for friction himself. "Help me get these bloody things off." He rolled over and together, he and Emma got the offending material down his legs. Emma prompted climbed atop him, her dainty hand stroking his cock. He hissed, rutting into her grip. "Emma."

She nodded and moved, inching up, aligning their hips. He watched as she guided him to her, then found her gorgeous emerald eyes as she took him into her body. They both groaned, pausing for a minute to allow Emma to adjust—her pirate was very well endowed, thank you very much—and to simply enjoy being joined in the most intimate of ways.

She found his hand and threaded their fingers as she began to rock, slowly, little swirls of her hips, more light streaking across her flushed skin. His breath caught in his throat, almost overwhelmed by her beauty, love for him shining in her eyes. She tugged him up and he wrapped his arms around her, hand sliding up her back. Emma moaned, coarse chest hair rubbing her sensitive nipples as she rocked in his lap.

"Killian...god..."

He quieted her with a deep kiss, pulling her flush against him. "I know, darling." He couldn't describe this, aside from the purest homecoming he'd ever known.

Emma slipped her hand between them, deftly flicking her clit. "Need...oh..."

"It's okay." He batted her hand away and took over, short strokes of her swollen nub that had her shaking in his arms in moments. She screamed into his shoulder as she shattered, walls gripping him so tight he nearly lost control himself. Before she could fully come down, he had her on her back, her eager cries echoing in his ears as he drove into her again and again.

Emma hitched her legs higher, biting her lip as he sank even deeper in her. She wanted him imprinted on her body, a memory to savor as they faced whatever was to come. Because there was always the next crisis. It didn't take long for a second climax to coil in her belly; her nails dug into his back. "Fuck, I'm gonna...again...Killian!"

He found her hand, squeezing tightly as he emptied himself, her name on his lips. Emma followed right after, milking the last drops of pleasure from his cock. Long minutes passed before either could stop trembling, harsh panting breaths the only sound. Emma kissed the nearest bare skin she could reach, tenderly letting him know that she was okay. His lips found her temple, replying in kind then burying his head in her neck. She rubbed his back, letting him get it out, a few precious moments to soak in that they were truly getting a second chance.

"I love you."

Killian raised his head, a happy yet somewhat incredulous smile on his lips. "Say again, lass?"

She smacked his shoulder. "I. Love. You."

"And I love you, Emma Swan." He kissed her, a heartfelt chaste kiss that made her melt in his arms. "We should get you cleaned up."

"Or we could sleep more."

"How about both? May not have long before the cavalry calls."

"Yeah." She didn't protest when he headed for the bathroom, returning with a cloth to clean them both up. Job finished, he rejoined her, tucking her under his chin as she laid her head on his chest.

"Are you always this...intimate with your bedmates, Swan?" he asked, chuckling.

"Just a certain pirate I like a lot."

"Merely like?"

She rolled her eyes. "Go back to sleep."

He tried, he really did. They did catch a few more minutes but it felt like no time had passed before Emma's phone was blaring from somewhere on the floor. She grunted in complaint but went to answer it. Killian didn't even try to stay in bed; the rest of their life was calling. It was good to be back.