Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.

~ Kahlil Gibran

The roses were blooming again.

It was good Emma had insisted that they prune the dormant bushes, in spite of a reluctant, stubborn Killian. Cocooned in thick coats, they trudged through knee-deep snow and did the deed. He showed her at what angle to cut the branches and warned her not to get too feisty with the trimmers.

Now crisp, green shoots greeted the dawn light, stretching towards the sun, extending a promise of flowers and heavenly scents.

And this time, she was on the other side of the fence. She could watch, gaze, observe, touch, and revel without fear. The roses would come, and she would be waiting for them.

And so was Killian, even if he wouldn't admit it. If he had truly despised those spiny shrubs, she teased him, he would have uprooted and tossed them aside years ago. But he did not. That's how she knew that for all of his grumbles and complaints, he loved the roses like she did.

Winter had passed and brought spring. The pain of the holidays, the unbearable loneliness she had come to expect year after year...

It was hard to forgive herself. Killian took to hibernating in his room until the lure of her cooking and oldie music drew him out. Finally, she had enough of the past, of broken dreams and old wounds and so many regrets.

She dragged back a small pine tree and roped Killian into helping her make their own ornaments. There was a resulting cookie fight in the kitchen, they argued over how to decorate the tree, Killian absolutely disagreed to putting up lights on his house...

It was the best Christmas Emma had ever had. She fell asleep in his arms while he read her "The Fourth Wise Man," a beautiful tale of never regretting your life's journey. She remembered the room was warm and full of light — enough light to chase away her regrets.

All she could think of in those moments was how much this felt like home.

This was her home. That mutual, burning love for the roses, an undeclared quest for beauty and hope, brought her and him together to build a real home.

However, most of the changes over the past months were Killian's. He almost religiously contributed to his wellness journal every day, and she was surprised to find out that he had weekly appointments with Dr. Hopper at the hospital. He never said anything to her about his drinking; true to his word, he never brought any alcohol into the house or was drunk again.

Maybe she was stupid and selfish to think that the reason for his progress was her, her presence in his life, that he was no longer alone. If he was dependent on her to such an extent, then it was good that he was seeking outside help as well, that he was making an effort to change. Still, she hoped that while she might or might not be the cause of such an enormous change, he wanted the effects for himself, whether she was here to see them or not.

When he drove her to Granny's and smiled at her as she ran to the door, promising to be home soon, she wondered. Would he go back to drinking if she moved out? If she got a well-paying job and was able to afford an apartment again, would he be okay with her departure?

Would she be okay with that?

Because her reliance on him was a different story than his on her. Before, she knew there was no one who cared or waited. She had no attachments and no hesitation. Her heart was numb.

He wasn't the only one who had changed.

She was afraid she was taking him for granted. She badly wanted to believe that their friendship was genuine and true beyond how deeply they needed each other. Which would hurt more, leaving him to free herself or accepting her feelings for him? Either way, she would suffer.

"Emma, Granny wants to talk to you."

She looked up from where she was carefully mopping the floor. "She does? About what?"

Ruby shrugged, wiping her hands on her apron. "I have no clue. She just yelled for me to come into her office — never a good thing when I'm busy counting supplies," she rolled her eyes, "but she did and so—"

"And so," she said with a smile, stretching her sore arms, "I should go."

Ruby took the mop. "Don't worry about finishing up here when you come back. Since I'm here and all, I might as well take a break from accounting," she grimaced. "God, I miss the easy days of cleaning. Numbers are not my thing."

Emma chuckled to herself as she weaved her way through the small storage rooms that surrounded her employer's small office. Ruby was much smarter than she made herself out to be. She would make a fine restaurant owner someday. Soon, according to Granny's promise.

That was the worrying part. That terrible moment would come, whether she liked it or not. Eventually, her remaining job, however sparse, would disappear, and she would be left to live on Killian's good graces and hospitality.

She was afraid. Was it wrong of her to be so afraid of the future?

"Granny?" she called out by the closed door. "It's me."

"Come in, my dear," her voice returned, friendly and warm. That much was reassuring. "We have much to talk about."

The wind turned the pages of his book again.

Tsking, Killian pushed them back and continued from where he had left off. Well, left off peeking over his reading glasses at the diner door, hoping for a glimpse of golden hair and gleaming smile. He didn't really give a damn about A Tale of Two Cities right now.

She always insisted that she could get home by herself, that it was fine, that she could take care of herself. He always disagreed.

He wanted to take care of her, to help in any way he could. Even if that meant waiting for hours in his cramped Jeep until her shift was over and he could drive her home.

Maybe she believed that he just happened to be on time right when she got off work. Maybe she thought he cared much less than he did.

At this point, he couldn't hide his feelings anymore. But this was Emma: she would keep denying that she was worthy of love until the stars fell from the bloody sky. He wanted to tell her, to offer his heart to her. He wanted to be the man she should have met, the man Neal never was — a man she wanted for all time.

Their friendship was proof she had accepted him for who he really was, as he did her. They had formed a true alliance and were healing, slowly leaving the past behind.

Ironically, the only obstacle left was the greatest one. Taking a chance on the future — on each other — was no small feat. He knew that. Not so long ago, it was the day he allowed Swan to enter his house and his life. If he had not braved the unknown, he would not be here today, hoping beyond reason that she could possibly love him.

The clanging of the door startled him. Emma emerged, peering in all directions and looking relieved on seeing him. He grinned, waving the book at her. She came running, ushering herself inside before he could get out and be a gentleman.

"Please tell me dinner is ready, darling let's go home, the usual corny statements. I could use some of that tonight," she sighed, pulling her hair out of its ponytail. A wave of gold blinded him.

When she raised an eyebrow at him, he realized he was staring at her. Biting on the side of his cheek, he finally rasped, "Darling, you're a vision. Let's go home. Dinner's ready and waiting, right on the table."

"Always with the perfect lines when I need them." She managed to outmaneuver her seatbelt and rest her head on his shoulder. A smile graced her lips, a welcome replacement for the worry he had just seen in her face.

He chuckled while pulling out of his parking space. "Always. Anything for you."

Emma usually told him stories on their way home, either about the customers who were troublemakers or classmates who drove her crazy. Granny and Ruby were well-known figures he had yet to find the courage to meet in real life. However, this time she was silent, looking out the window instead of at him.

Something was troubling her.

"What's wrong?" His voice was quiet but strained.

She looked up at him in surprise.

"Swan. You're something of an open book, love. We talked about trust once. You don't have to tell me, but I would appreciate if you would. Please, talk to me."

Chewing on her bottom lip, she whispered back, "You're right. We do need to talk. It's important we do."

He clenched his jaw as he made the final turn before they reached the house. This was more serious than he had thought. "Would you like to talk now, or later?"

"Later. Inside."

His hand was trembling so much that he barely got the key into the lock.

She was going to leave. He could feel it. She was going to tell him that she had moved on, that her life was fixed now and she didn't need to be here anymore.

What hurt the most was that he had pondered that scenario many times, imagining what he would say in return. He would choke on useless pleading, declarations and promises he couldn't keep unless he was sure he was what she wanted as well. Then he would always, always submit to the truth: he loved her too much to beg her to stay.

Her happiness was the light in his life. Watching her spirit be stifled within these walls, while she let her dreams go unanswered, would plunge him right back into darkness.

He refused to be selfish. He refused to fight the creeping ache that would haunt him the moment she was gone.

A deep sigh echoed through the kitchen. Emma dropped her purse on the counter and then slid onto the couch. "What a day," she sighed again.

He cleared his throat. "Work giving you trouble?"

"What? No, no. Not trouble. It's just that..." She played with the tips of her hair. "Granny and I had a chat. About my future."

"Oh." He swallowed back a spike of nausea. "Is it about your job?"

She gave him a sad smile. "So perceptive. Yes and no."

His hand was sweating and he was going to burst out of his overheated skin. "Meaning?"

"She offered me... God, this is stupid. But I better say it before even I won't believe it."

"What, darling?"

Her eyes ran over him like a searchlight. Gauging his reaction, no doubt. "She wants me to have the diner, Killian."

Joy and pain wrestled in his chest, surging as one flame of unrest. "That's —"

"Impossible." Her anguish tore him apart. "It's not a gift. She asked if I'll buy it from her."

The café. The crazy wish she had tried to deny.

"Look, I know it's nuts. I don't have that kind of money. Turns out Ruby has her heart set on traveling, and Granny wants to join her. But they need that sale in addition to her retirement money to make it. Ruby can't pay out of her savings alone, and... Well, this is a take it or leave it deal."

His eyelids closed, and his vision swam. "You said yes?"

"No. I didn't."

His eyes snapped open in a second. "Are you bloody kidding me?"

She scoffed. "Come on. I would have to give up on college and spend the rest of my life paying off two loans. I don't even know if I would get a second loan — probably not — and then what if I'm not successful? What if the business fails catastrophically and I end up bankrupt?"

He immediately pulled her up from her seat and onto her feet. "Emma Swan, look at me," he ground out. "Look at me and deny that this isn't exactly what you want. We've been friends long enough for me to know that you are lying to yourself."

She yanked her hands from his grasp. "I'm not lying! It's simple. I cannot afford this."

"I'll give you the funds. I'll sell my car, this house, everything—"

Her onset of tears carved a hole in his tenuous self-control. "I don't want your charity!"

"This was never charity, lass! We're friends, I'm your friend, you're my friend — I want to give you everything I have—"

"You have no right to — I'm your damn housekeeper!"

"I don't give a fig about it. If it makes you happy, you're fired," he huffed, furious she would bring that up. "Do you really think so little of me? I'm not giving you a hand-out, and I'm not trying to buy you. This is a gift."

"A gift? Really?" she snapped. "You don't get it. I don't deserve any gifts. When I moved in here, I was penniless. I had one part-time job and a loan crushing my crappy bank account. I accepted your offer because I had no options. I was going to lose my apartment. I was practically homeless. I regret I didn't let you know, but I wanted you to think I had choices. I didn't want you to take advantage of me. I didn't want more debt then, and I don't want more now."

His heart finally flooded, overcome with sorrow. "I knew the truth. I knew after I asked and you accepted."

"You knew?" She sniffled. "But you never said anything."

"I couldn't. It was selfish of me, but I wanted you to stay." Every word was heavy in his mouth. "Tell me, during all this time, did I take advantage of you?"

"No. Never. You did the opposite. You...you made this a real home for me."

"And you for me, Emma." Bloody hell, if you only could see how much.

Her breathing slowed. "You would give up your home for me? So I can have a café?"

"Aye."

"And the roses? Them as well? I know how much you love them. You've protected this place for years."

"Aye," he said sadly. "I love them. I always will. But they honor a memory. They are flowers that can grow anywhere. You are more important."

"Me?" she murmured. "More important than the roses?"

He had to touch her. Just once, one last caress so that his mind would never torment him with regrets. Shaking, his fingers swept over her cheek, brushing away fallen tears. When his entire hand finally cupped her face, his senses stilled.

"Don't you know, my darling? You are the most resplendent person I have ever met. I don't believe in many things these days, but I have faith in you. My heart led me to you for a reason. If I can give you the dream you seek, it would be small repayment for all the happiness your presence here has brought me."

Her gaze transfixed him. "I can't let you sell this house. I can't let you sacrifice all this for me."

"You can, and you will. I won't watch you wither away inside because of me."

He didn't want to be a hero. He only wanted to end her pain and bring her the contentment she deserved.

"You'll be alone if I leave. What will you do then?"

His jaw tightened. "Try to live without you. I did, once."

"You were miserable," she protested. "I can't just leave you like that."

His fingertips gently stroked her hair. "If you wish to leave, you must, dear heart. Don't cry, now. You gave me the chance to love again, to be myself again. I won't forget that. I won't forget you, no matter what you decide."

He felt like he was a wounded bird flying for the last time. He would lose not only his best friend but the woman he had come to care for so deeply. He didn't even want to imagine how he would survive without her.

Her eyes shimmered, peering into his relentlessly. He looked back with all the longing and desperation and despair he had. He wouldn't hold her like this again. He would do everything in his power to buy the diner for her. Then he would walk away, so she could have independence and hope and a future.

There was no future with a cripple like him. He would always be a beast.

"You are my rose, Emma," he whispered, more to himself than to her. "How can I be miserable, knowing that you will flourish and bloom?"

Suddenly, her fingers reached his cheek. Her other hand curled around his neck.

"I can't leave you, Killian. I can't leave you when I love you." Her tone was fierce. "Yes, I love you. I love you so much it hurts to admit it. I want to stay. I want you to fight for me to stay. Don't you dare give up on us. I don't give a damn about the café. Not when it means losing you."

Before he could say anything, her lips met his and the world faded.

In its place was color and brilliance and beating blood.

The power of her.

The power of love.

The very next morning, the first, young red rose opened its petals to the sun.

And both the Beauty and her Beast were there to welcome it.

THE END

A/N: This story was first posted in 2014 and completed in 2017. It's dear to my heart. I removed all my work from this website years ago, and I've decided to slowly bring it back. I have 14 other Captain Swan fics I'd like to share, and while I may not have the energy to post them all up, I will do my best. Reviews are always appreciated. I'm also on AO3 under the same username, and I'm on Tumblr as 4getfulimaginator2022. I hope you enjoyed this story - see you around!