A/N: Just shy of 5200 words, so yeah that is apparently the length these chapters end up being.
There is a scene that I like to call "the swan hug scene" that is there because of the lovely ladies over on our amazing Discord server. They are the reason my muse keeps being fed. We had a talk some time ago where we talked about "swan hugs." Once you've read the scene you'll know what this is (if you don't know it already). So kudos to you all on that server, this scene is written to you.
Thanks to my beta jonesfandomfanatic, she does an amazing job at picking through all these words.
I hope you enjoy this.
Chapter 4THREE MONTHS LATER:
Had anyone told Killian Jones that he'd be in the company of a blonde beauty for the last five months, he would've said they were mental. But now he spent most of his free hours at the ranch, watching Emma train with her horse and then talking with her afterward. In the past few months, he'd learned a bit more about the show jumping world and how the training worked, but it was still a marvel watching Emma maneuver the large animal, Savy, around on the track.
She'd just finished training with her horse, so Killian had packed up his camera and joined her by the horse pen along with Jewel on her leash. The little pup was getting even more well-behaved. Will and Liam had followed Emma's father and brother into the woods and had yet to come back. Usually, Killian would stay behind to spend time with Emma, so he knew that they wouldn't think too much about it seeing him here with Emma.
Even her parents seemed okay with this arrangement. When he learned that she'd had a conversation with them when they were in Florida, he was surprised to find that they accepted this. But Emma had laughed and explained that they thought it was better for them to spend time together on the ranch as opposed to the city.
"This is nice," Emma said and jumped to sit on the fence beside him, he had his back against the fence as he looked towards the large stable nearby. It was quite large and he could see that it was well taken care of.
"Aye." He looked up at her, her position on the fence made her a head taller than him, and she looked happy. "I'm just glad that your parents are okay with me and Jewel hanging out with you."
"Jack and Jill are happy for the little visits with them," Emma said and nudged his shoulder with her leg.
Killian smiled as he remembered the first time the two large Australian Shepherds had met his pup Jewel. It had been a surprising success. The two older dogs had engaged in a dog wrestling match which meant Jewel was a tired little dog on the way home.
"So are you feeling ready for the National Championship next month?" Killian asked, knowing that Emma had worked hard to get to this point. If next year she could also be at the same standard Emma would secure a spot on the USA's Olympic team.
"Hmm." He felt her shift closer to him and when he looked up in surprise she smiled, "I'm glad I have you here with me."
"I'm not a distraction?" Killian wondered.
"No, you're more like a calming influence in this crazy life we have." She waved her hand in the air before she let it drop to his shoulder. Even with his leather jacket, he could feel the warmth of her hand seep through to his skin.
"I'm glad…" He stopped talking when he spotted Liam and Will following Mr. Nolan and Leo out of the forest. Will still had his camera rolling, and Killian tried to decipher whether or not the camera would capture him and Emma in the background. But when Will turned to focus on the house where the family entered the mudroom he sighed in relief. He could already see his brother eyeing him and Emma with a small frown.
Killian felt Emma squeeze his shoulder in reassurance and he smiled up at her. "I still feel as if my brother wants to chew me a new one whenever he sees me with you."
"I'm sure he just wants you to be happy." Emma smoothed her hand over his tense shoulders.
"Aye." He glanced towards Will who was now speaking with Liam and he knew that the filming had ended. Sighing in relief he removed his cap and smoothed a hand through his hair. "I know he seemed okay with me being here more with you, when I spoke with him. But I still feel watched." He saw Will and Liam heading around the house and came to face him and Emma, Will's camera hung loosely over his shoulder.
"You're seeing ghosts where no ghosts really are." Emma leaned closer to him and whispered into her ear. "Relax."
He was about to reply that it was hard to relax when she was so close to him, but Liam pulled him out of his reveries. "Oy little brother, we're heading out."
"It's younger brother, you wanker."
Emma laughed at this exchange. She had witnessed this a few times over the months they'd worked together.
"I've packed up my gear in the van all ready to go back to Boston," Killian told Liam.
Liam waved in return and walked with Will to the van, and Killian knew that the other cameraman would take care of todays footage and transfer it to the TV network's servers.
"See he doesn't mind," Emma soothed, and smoothed her hand to his other shoulder.
Killian rubbed his neck trying to ignore the gentle pressure of her hand as he asked something that had been on his mind for some time. "So what happens when we wrap up this season?"
"Oh, you mean the filming?" When he nodded she shighed. "I honeslty haven't thought about that. By that time we'll be closer to Christmas, so we mightmake a few home videos during that time for the network to use once it airs in January. Despite it being Christmas, I'll still be busy with Savy and training for next years championships." He could feel her hand tense on his shoulder, this was obviously something she hadn't thought much about.
"I don't live that far away…" His voice trailed off, he knew that he wouldn't have the excuse of the filming to be here anymore next month.
"Look." Emma shifted closer and pressed her legs behind his back. When he moved forward she stopped him and situated herself behind him. Using both her hands to keep her balance she settled on the fence with her legs on either side of him. "I have enjoyed this time with you, hanging out after practice, just talking. I don't want that to be gone either." She shighed.
Killian felt her slump over his shoulder as Emma's arms moved forward so they were now hanging limply over his chest. "Neither would I," Killian managed to stammer out. Killian's pulse spiked as he felt Emma's hair brush over his ear and neck. They hadn't shared many close moments like this in the past, and he sucked in a breath of air when he felt her lips ghost over his jawline. "What?"
"I like you, Killian." Her hot breath washing over his cheek sent a shiver down his spine, "Don't be a stranger okay?"
"I won't."
"Good," she breathed out and let her head slump over his shoulder, her arms still hanging loosely over his chest.
"Swan hugs are nice," he mumbled, chuckling when she bit back a curious laugh. "I mean the way you hug me, sort of reminds me of how a swan hugs."
"What?"
"I saw this animal rescue show, think it was in college, where some animal control guys rescued a swan. They had wrapped the body in a blanket and as this guy carried it to the truck and the bird wrapped its long neck around the man's shoulders." He reached up and grabbed her hand. "Much like you're hugging me now."
"Hmm, you calling me a swan?" Emma mused with a small chuckle. "That might be the sweetest thing you've ever said."
"So, Swan, what should we do now?" Killian twisted his head so he could gauge her reaction to him calling her Swan. The wide smile on her face showed him that she liked the nickname.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I kinda like hanging out here with you." She tugged him closer and wrapped her arms around his upper body, weaving her fingers into his. They stood like this for several moments neither of them really caring if her family saw them. Killian knew that they'd accepted him as being a part of their daughter's life. He just hoped that they perhaps could move forward to become more than just friends. As he felt her nuzzle closer to him, he pictured himself turning around and claiming her lips in a kiss. They had still to take this next step in their relationship, but seeing her hold him so close he had hope that it would happen someday soon.
Suddenly Killian caught sight of a light brown streak of fluff sprinting towards the woods. It took him a few more seconds to realize that it was his dog. "Jewel! Get back here!" he yelled out in his most comanding puppy voice. He'd joined a puppy training class and it certainly had paid off, but right now it seemed as though his dog had lost all sense of hearing or heeding to his command. Killian glanced down at the end of the leash he'd been holding, and realized that Jewel had managed to worm her way out of the collar. He would need some new harness for her if this kept happening.
Emma pushed him away and jumped down from the fence. "Come on, lets go get her."
Killian sprinted after his dog, still calling out her name as he entered the thicket of trees where he'd seen Jewel dart through. The little bugger was nowhere in sight, so he called out again as he pushed through the undergrowth of the forest. He could hear that Emma followed him closely her voice ringing out for Jewel as well.
Suddenly Killian picked up a faint bark to his right and he changed course. He pushed away a branch filled with fall colored leaves, and his boots crunched over the already fallen leaves. Killian sighed in relief when they found a path they could follow. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Emma push her way out of the scrubbery.
"Wow, that dog of yours is fast." She smoothed her hair away from her face and blew out a breath.
"Sorry," Killian mumbled, but when another bark was heard he called out again for his dog. He then rushed down the path and soon found his dog barking up at a large oak tree that stood in the center of a large clearing. It was a beautiful place, with the golden red and orange leaves reflecting in the afternoon sun.
"Oy, Jewel get right back here!" Killian called out with his firm puppy dog voice, which had Jewel swirl around. With a bark, she started to turn around on the spot but she kept on barking. "What the bloody hell did you find out here?"
"Look." Emma placed her hand on his shoulder, as she pointed to a branch further up where a squirrel was perched with its gaze trained on the overexcited dog below. The creature clearly knew that Jewel wouldn't be able to reach it.
"A squirrel, really?" Killian sighed and walked to his dog and gave her a glare. "You're a bad dog for running off like that," Killian grunted but tried to stop himself from smiling when his dog sat on her bottom and looked up at him with her amber eyes. A true look of pure innocence. "No chasing squirrels." He sighed and explained to Emma, "She's done this a few times back home. I hope it's a phase, but I do have a dog pen built so she won't run off unless she manages to escape the leash as she did just now."
Emma crouched down and rubbed Jewel's back. "You need to listen to your daddy, little girl. One day you'll get completely lost."
Jewel yapped happily with the attention she was getting and tried to lick Emma's face.
Killian secured Jewel's collar around her neck and mumbled, "I'll buy some sort of harness for her, this is not working."
"Good idea," Emma said.
Killian realized their faces were close together, as they both crouched down next to the puppy. He saw her eyes flicker to his lips and he took a deep breath and scratched behind his ear as he stood up again. "Ah, well thank you for helping me find her," Killian said as he looked up into the crown of the large oak tree. "It's quite beautiful out here."
"Hmm, this place is a favorite of mine, we have picnics out here from time to time." Emma shrugged. "It's been a long time since we've done that though."
Killian shuffled his feet trying to figure out what to say, he knew they were all alone out here, and he could see how she kept her eyes focused on him. "We could go on a picnic?" he suggested cautiously, his eyes finding her smiling at the idea and he sighed in relief.
"I like that idea," Emma said, then she looked thoughtful. A spark of excitement shone in her eyes, and she suggested, "We could go on a horseback ride through the fields and round back through the forest here. There's plenty of riding trails crisscrossing through this area."
"Ah well…" Killian paused, then grimaced, "I've never actually been on a horse before."
"Seriously?"
He nodded his head and rubbed his neck. "Yeah. I never had the chance to do so, and out here I'm usually working so it's never been my place to hop up on any of your horses."
"That will have to change," Emma announced with a smile. She looked closely at him, and asked, "Are you afraid?" She tilted her head curiously, but there was no ridicule in her voice, only a curious interest.
"I can't say that the idea is something that I've really contemplated in the past, but having spent so much time around horses these months, might have changed that notion a little."
"We have a few larger ponies that is awesome at trail rides like this." Emma soothed, "So don't worry, I won't have you get on one of the larger horses."
"Okay." Killian tucked his hand into his pockets trying to look as if this didn't bother him. Truth be told, the very idea of getting on such a large animal did scare him a little.
Emma could clearly read him like an open book because she stepped closer and smoothed her hands over his chest, making him gasp in surprise. "Don't worry about it Killian it will be fun."
"Aye." He gulped down when her fingers followed the collar of his leather jacket and touched the fabric of his shirt underneath. His eyes focused on her face and he could see some sort of determination bloom behind her green eyes. And when she focused her gaze upon his face he could see something new form in the green depths. "What?" He managed to croak out.
"I'm glad your little rambunctious puppy ran off." Her fingers trailed to the V of his shirt, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Why?"
"We've been hanging out at the ranch far too much, too many eyes on us." Her voice dropped lower and she looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes.
"Yeah?" He'd seen her family sending them furtive glances whenever they walk around the ranch and stables. He clenched his hand in his pocket, the tip of his nails biting into his palm.
"Kiss me," Emma demanded in a low breath as she stepped closer to him.
Killian could feel her breath ghost over his chin. His eyes flicked to her pink lips, and he saw the corner of her mouth dip up into a knowing smile, oh gods this woman would be the death of him. He wanted this so badly and now here was his chance and he didn't want to bollock it all up by being a stumbling fool.
When she patiently waited for him to make the next move or say anything he finally unfurled his hand and pulled it from his pocket. With his breath clogged in his throat he reached up and cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her soft skin. "I've been wanting to kiss you for ages" he mumbled and leaned closer.
Emma only blinked once before she too moved, and joined their lips together in a slow, tender kiss.
Whatever sound that had been around them before evaporated from his focus, all he really felt was how amazing it felt kissing Emma. Her lips soft beneath his, and her shallow breath showed him that she wasn't unaffected by all of this either. She curled her hands in the lapels of his leather jacket and pulled him even closer as Killian groaned into the kiss.
With a tender swipe of his tongue Killian begged for Emma to let him in, and when she granted his wish he felt his blood rush in his ears. He was really kissing Emma Nolan, his beautiful Swan, who was clearly as eager as him to move their realationship to the next level.
A small yap pulled them out of their little coocon. They both looked down and saw Jewel looking between them with a puzzled look on her face.
Emma chuckled and rested her head on his shoulder as she breathed out. "Wow, that was deffinately not a one time thing." She rubbed her cheek over his shoulder. "I think Jewel approves."
"Aye, it looks like it." Killian used his free hand to tuck his fingers under Emma's chin, and whispered, "As I said, I've been dreaming of kissing you ever since I met you. But back then I was just too scared of how the world around us would think. Part of it was about losing my job and all that." He smoothed his thumb over her chin.
Emma blinked up at him in surprise.
"Aye, I've been drawn to you the second I saw you " Killian confirmed.
"Oh wow," Emma breathed out, her eyes blown wide in shock before she smiled. "I think I felt the same, even that first day when you were a bumbling nervous mess, hiding behind that red cap of yours."
"I did not hide," Killian grunted with a smile.
"Oh, I beg to differ. I remember trying to catch your eyes when you joined the planning meeting your brother had with my parents on your first day on set." Emma had weaved her fingers behind his neck, her fingers toying with his long hair, each tug sending a new shiver down his spine. His body already reacting to the closeness and having just kissed her.
"My past is far less grand and glamorous compared to yours," Killian mused, as he wondered how he'd become so lucky that a girl as beautiful as Emma would even think about him like this. His heart hammered in his chest as she just kept looking at him with a new fire in her green eyes. This could lead to so much more, but right now he just wanted to enjoy the moment.
"I don't really care." Emma waved her hand in the air behind him. "I know I live a fancy life and have far less worries than most, but in the end all that I care about is my family and the horses around me."
"I still can't believe you would even…"
"Shut up will you." Emma placed a finger over his mouth, the warmth of her skin burning his soft lips, her eyes now blazing intensely. "I care about you Killian, you. Yes you're a cameraman, but you're fucking good at what you do. You should be proud of what you can accomplish with the skills you've learned with the camera."
"Thank you," he mumbled against her finger. He saw her gasp in surprise as if she'd forgotten that her fingers was still there.
"So as I said I certainly hope that the kiss wasn't a one time thing?"
"Not in a million years, love," Killian felt a surge of emotions rush though him as he swooped closer and captured her lips in another kiss. Her gasp was short and she soon tilted her head to deepen the kiss even further as he shifted his fingers though her hair and craddled her head to him. He didn't want this moment to end.
Emma seemed eager to keep kissing him and he focused on the sensation of her lips moving over his. Her tongue making playful swipes into his mouth, meeting his own in a playful battle. God it had been ages since he last kissed a woman like this.
Again, it was Jewel who pulled them out of the passion filled kiss they shared, and when they looked down at the pup she jumped up on Killian's leg and gave an impatient yap.
"Getting bored, eh girl?" Killian asked and ruffled her behind her ears with the hand holding the leash. Jewel barked in reply and started to twirl around herself in excitement. He looked at Emma and saw her glazed eyes focused on him and he gave her a rueful smile. "I think this little girl wants to do something else now. I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Emma still had her arms wrapped around his neck. "I'm just happy that this happened and things change between us." She reached up and kissed him gently on the cheek. She stepped back and took his free hand and laced her fingers through his before suggesting, "I think we should take the long walk back home." She pointed to the trail they'd walked on before. "If we follow that, we'll get back to the ranch."
"Let's do that." Killian squeezed her hand and reveled in the feeling of her palm pressed close to his. He could definitely get used to this.
********************************''
As they headed back to the ranch her mind raced with the memory of how amazing it had been to kiss Killian. Why the hell hadn't she done this sooner? She glanced up at Killian and she could see that he was deep in thought, and from his reaction, she knew he might still have some small bouts of doubts in his mind. As if he still didn't understand why she would like someone like him. But she did, she really did like him, a lot.
They walked in silence, only commenting on the scenery they walked past or some funny antics little Jewel did. It was nice to be alone with him like this.
Once they reached the ranch, she scanned the area and couldn't see anyone so she followed Killian to his truck where he lifted Jewel up in her crate. She laughed when the little dog whined in a sweet little yapping tone. It was as though she didn't want all the fun to end.
"Guess she wanted to stay for a while longer," Emma said with a laugh.
"Aye." Killian closed the gate and turned around as he rubbed behind his ear. "But I guess I'd better be heading home, it's getting late." He looked to the horizon where the sun was about to set, painting the sky in a palette of purple and gold.
"Hmm." She stepped closer and placed her hand over his scruff. "Don't be a stranger."
"I won't." He winked and turned his head to kiss her palm, the movement had her shiver with desire. They'd only just shared their first kiss but she already wanted to do so much more with this guy. It was like freefalling and not really caring where she landed, as long as she was close to Killian, she knew she would be fine.
"See you in a couple of days then?" she said sighing.
"Aye, I have to be in Boston tomorrow to look through the footage from the last few weeks."
"Getting closer to the wrap-up of this season," she pouted.
"I'll still come out here," Killian assured her with a smile.
Emma grinned. "I like the sound of that." She raised herself closer and kissed him quickly she didn't want to make it long, fearing someone might see them.
"I'll text you later tonight," Killian suggested before stepping back from her, running through his wavy hair.
"Good." Emma bit her lower lips as she watched him jump into his truck and rolled down the window to give her a final wave before he started the engine and drove down the driveway.
She sighed and kept her eyes on his truck, only turning to walk into the house when she couldn't see the black vehicle anymore. As she walked to the house she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. Pulling out the phone to unlock it, she saw that it was Ruby calling. She swiped to answer the call and said, "What's up, girl?"
"Have you checked your social feed?" Ruby asked in a hurried voice.
"Eh no… I've been…" She paused, not really ready to tell anyone what she'd been doing with Killian not so long ago.
"Nevermind, but you better look what your dimwitted brother put as a comment on one of your older posts." Ruby sounded really alarmed and now Emma was worried.
"What did he do?" She set the phone on speaker and tapped her social media app to scroll down. "What post am I looking for?"
"When we were in Florida."
"Eh?"
"When you posted a victory pic of yourself with a dartboard in the background," Ruby explained with an exasperated sigh.
"Okay?" Emma paused as she swiped down and finally found the image. When she clicked to open the comment section, she scrolled down to find the newest comments. She found the name "Leo-the-lion" and saw his comment was made a few hours ago: "Hey, isn't that Killian's cap you're wearing here sis?" Then the comment was followed by an emoji sending side-eyes, and a thinking emoji.
"Fuck!"
"Yup and see the comments following his." Ruby sounded dejected.
Emma swiped down and saw an already long line of comments asking who "Killian" is, all making heart emojis and other leery suggestions. A few were downright rude and perverted, those she choose to ignore even if it send a panicked shiver down her spine. "Fuck fuck fuck."
"Yeah, you might want to do that with Killian…"
"Shut up, this is not funny." Emma groaned and rubbed her face, her skin prickled with worry. The world didn't need to know about her and Killian, not yet. "I just kissed the guy," Emma blurted out.
"Killian?"
"Yeah, dimwit who else." Emma sighed. "His dog ran off and we ended up in the forest behind the ranch."
"Sounds really romantic," Ruby chuckled, then sobered. "But what will this mean? I mean your brother might be a moron who forgets to keep his mouth shut. But to be fair, he had no idea you're actually romantically involved with the guy."
"I'm still pissed at the little lion," Emma grumbled as she started to walk to the house again. "I have to speak with my parents and have them talk with my brother about what is proper to comment on when it comes to my social feed."
"Yeah, you do that," Ruby agreed then chuckled. "I can't believe it took you guys this long to finally lock lips."
"Shut up."
"He really is a sweet and cute guy," Ruby sighed in an overdramatic way. "Is he a great kisser?"
"None of your business, sister," Emma grumbled as she pushed the door open to the mudroom. "I'll call you later tonight once I've got this fire shut down."
"Good luck," Ruby said, ending the call.
While pulling off her riding boots she called out, "Mooooom!"
Her mother called back, "What's wrong honey?" Her voice sounded from the kitchen and Emma headed for the room. As she entered Emma crossed her arms over her chest. "You guys need to talk to Leo about what to comments are acceptable and when not to comment on my social media." Her voice shook with pent up rage and it clearly surprised her mother who stopped what meal she'd been working on.
"What happened?" she asked her daughter.
Emma explained as calmly as possible what she'd seen on her social media, and when she mentioned Killian's name her mother smiled knowingly.
"What?"
"You like this guy, right?"
"Of course I do, Mom, I really like him, and now the whole world knows too." Emma groaned and managed to find her way to the dining table in their large kitchen. "Well they know his name, but they all want to know who Killian is." She slumped down on a chair and sighed. "We just moved forward and now Leo fucked it all up."
"Language sweetie," her mother admonished gently, as she sat down next to Emma. "What happened?"
"I… We just… you know… might have kissed." She hid her face in her hands not really caring for watching how her mother would react to this news.
"Oh."
"Yeah, and we still really haven't put a label on what we are, it's all so new and now everyone wants to know who Killian is," Emma mumbled, now more than ever fearing how any following press conferences or interviews with the media would progress. She could only hope that the little fire Leo had started would die out soon, and not be picked up by any of the larger news media stations. It was close to the Nationals and she couldn't afford to be losing her focus not because of any social media mishap.
"Don't worry, it will cool down as everything else does online." Her mother tried to soothe her.
"I really hope so, Mom." Emma sighed and finally looked at her mother. "Will you speak with Leo, I'm afraid that if I go talk to him right now I'll punch the little f…" She swallowed hard, gritting her teeth, and looking at her mother with pleading eyes.
Her mom nodded and rose from her chair. "I'll talk to him, could you take over in the kitchen, please?"
"Sure, what are we making?"
"The food is already in the oven, the salad just needs to be finished, please." Her mother wrapped her arms around Emma's shoulders. "Don't worry sweetie, it will all settle down."
"Even before the Nationals?"
"I'm sure it will."
"Thanks, Mom." Emma watch her mother walk upstairs to speak with her brother and she reluctantly made her way toward the kitchen island to carry on making the salad. It worried her no end how this might affect the following weeks with her preparations for the National Championship. But she just hoped that the social media catastrophe fizzled out in the next few days. She stopped chopping the cucumber when a thought suddenly struck her. I wonder what Killian's boss will think when she sees this. Emma knew that Regina Mills kept a close eye on anything that was happening online with the family. Bad comments could affect the reviews of the show. Now she really needed to speak with Killian, but it would have to wait until after dinner.
