Thanks again for giving this a shot.
Emma and Ruby joined Regina and Belle that afternoon to collect their photo ops. The girls wanted to compare each one, even though they'd all basically gone for the same hug because none of them could make their voices work around Killian Jones. There was already a small group of women gathered around the desk, looking through the photos to find theirs. They were whispering excitedly about something, but Emma couldn't really bring herself to care about it.
Unsurprisingly, Ruby was the first to make it to the table, shouldering her way through the crowd as she called out, "Excuse me," so Emma left her to flick through all the images for theirs.
"Regina," Ruby called, holding out the picture for her to take. Emma and Belle leaned over their friend's shoulder to look down at the image. Killian had his arms loosely wrapped around Regina's back in a hug as they both smiled for the camera.
"My cleavage looks fantastic," Regina commented, which made all three of them laugh.
"Belle, this is yours." Ruby handed Belle her picture delicately and all eyes turned to her. Belle's picture was much the same as Regina's (only without the cleavage).
"I like it," she commented. "At least I'm not pulling some strange face."
"Ugh, I bet I am," Emma groaned.
Ruby finally made her way back to the group to have a good look at Regina and Belle's photo ops before handing over Emma's two. The others were too distracted by Ruby's photo so Emma used the time to flick through hers.
The first one was the standard hug that her friends had also opted for. Emma was relieved to note that she actually looked quite good in it. She was smiling for the camera at least. It might also have been her imagination, but Killian's arms looked a little tighter around her, his smile a little wider too.
Unfortunately, by the time she'd finished looking the image over Regina and Belle had finished complimenting Ruby on hers and had turned their full attention to Emma.
"That's beautiful, Emma," Belle complimented. "It looks like one of those couple's engagement announcement shots."
Emma laughed a little uncomfortably and was about to say thank you, when Ruby cut in. "If you think that one's good you should see the second. I thought you only booked two?" she asked, suspiciously.
"I um… I booked a third when my bonus came in," Emma lied smoothly, knowing the truth would just raise more questions.
She didn't really want to share her second photo op with the group. It was one she was hoping to be able to keep to herself. But Ruby had already seen it, and she knew there would be no getting around it. So, she carefully slid the first aside to reveal the second op hiding behind it.
"Holy fuck," Regina exclaimed, leaning in a little closer. "How the hell did you find the words to ask for that?"
"I… I didn't," Emma stuttered out, her eyes locked on the picture. "He did it himself."
Emma felt, more than she saw, the girls gaping at her. She still couldn't take her eyes off her picture. She wasn't just smiling in it - she was beaming. Killian had his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, her own hands having come down to cover them. (Not that she could remember doing that). His face was pressed up against hers where his chin was perched on her shoulder. He had her hat on his head, leaning at an artful angle. But perhaps the best part of the picture was the look on his face. Instead of his usual smile for photo ops, he had a wicked grin in place. The one Emma recognised instantly from his show. It was the face Hook made every time he said something heavy with innuendo.
"I guess he's into blondes," Regina quipped, pulling out a folder to safely store her picture in.
Emma laughed a little manically before answering, "I highly doubt that."
She completely missed the look Ruby was giving her.
Emma hadn't booked any other photo ops, so the rest of the day she spent listening to cast panels and getting to know Regina and Belle a little better. The girls didn't live too far from Boston, so Ruby was already busy making plans for the four of them to have girls' nights out when they left.
That evening, the event organisers were hosting a concert for the attendees. Regina and Belle were eager to go, hoping that the cast might make an appearance at some point. Emma, however, would much rather curl up in her bed back at the hotel and read, but she didn't want to seem like a party pooper. So, she reluctantly agreed to join them.
"I'm not sure I'm dressed for a concert," she worried, looking down at herself.
"Nonsense, you look great," Belle reassured her. "Did you want to come up to our room and freshen up a little?"
"I need to make a phone call first, do you mind if I meet you up there?" Emma was becoming painfully aware of the fact that she'd not spoken to Neal since her plane landed and he'd start to worry soon.
"Of course not," Belle agreed. "We're in room twelve-sixteen. Come up when you're finished."
Ruby lingered just long enough to warn Emma, "Don't let him bring you down," before she followed her friends to the bank of elevators.
Emma still wasn't fully familiar with the hotel but she eventually managed to find an empty room with good cell service. She crept inside quietly before dialling Neal's number.
"It's about bloody time. I was starting to worry you never made it to the hotel, Ems. What the hell?"
"Hello to you too," she sighed, taking a seat on top of one of the tables.
"Why haven't you called before?" Neal snapped, not wasting any time.
"I was just busy with Ruby. We checked straight into the hotel and then headed out to look at dresses. I didn't call when we got back because I didn't want to wake you."
"I'm sure that's it," he sneered. "And not that Ruby had taken you out drinking all night."
"We had a few drinks, but it's no different to the Friday nights you have out with your friends," Emma defended.
Neal hummed but he didn't say anything in response.
"I just wanted to call and make sure you were okay," she finally said. "There's another dress waiting for me to try on so I have to go. Talk soon."
"At least send a message tonight before you go to sleep. That way I won't be awake all night worrying about you." Neal hung up the call before Emma could say anything else.
"I bet you weren't even worried," she whispered to the empty room.
"What would I be worried about?"
The voice that came from behind her startled Emma so badly she almost fell off the table.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry. I thought you heard me come in," Killian soothed, rounding the table.
"I… uh… I must have been distracted."
"Must have been one hell of a call. Boyfriend?" he asked curiously.
Emma had no idea what possessed her to do it but instead of confirming Killian's suspicions she answered, "No. My mother."
"Ahh… that would explain hiding out in here. My mother has the same effect." Killian pulled over one of the free chairs around the edge of the room, spinning it round to straddle and face Emma. "So, are you off to the concert this evening?"
Emma was having a hard time focusing on his questions. Her mind was too busy screaming at her.
Why was he still here?
Why was he even talking to her?
"Yeah, we are. My friends were hoping you'd put in an appearance. We all know how well you sing." Apparently she was still blurting out whatever came to mind around him.
Fantastic.
Killian laughed, a little embarrassed by her praise, before he brought his hand up to scratch behind his ear. It was something she'd noticed from all of his interviews on YouTube. Something he did when he was flustered.
"Yeah. I was actually planning to skip it. We've been doing fourteen-hour days all week. I've been dreaming of my bed all afternoon." He flushed a little at his last comment and Emma wrote it off as his nerves that she'd say something completely inappropriate in response to it.
Her phone vibrated in her hand, startling her once again. This time it was only a quick message from Ruby, asking her to hurry up as they wanted to grab some drinks before the concert began.
"Well, I'm sure it will still be a good night without you," she assured him. "I have to go. My friends are waiting for me. I hope you sleep well, Killian."
Killian stood when Emma slid to the end of the table, offering his hand to help her down.
"Thank you, Emma. See you tomorrow," he called, as she practically ran for the door.
"How did it go?" Ruby asked, when they finally both had drinks in hand and seats in the hall for the concert.
"He was pissed. But I kind of expected him to be. What kind of girlfriend doesn't check in all weekend?"
"A busy one," Ruby answered for her. "You don't have to call him all the time. He should trust you enough not to."
"I'd be worried too, if I were him," Emma protested.
"Oh please? The only thing he's worried about is you running off with some guy who's better for you."
Emma didn't bother responding to Ruby's last comment. Belle and Regina were making their way back from the bathroom and they didn't need to know about her slightly controlling partner.
"So… I hear Killian won't be here tonight," Regina sighed, taking a seat at one of the tables that had been set out for them.
"Yeah, he's been doing fourteen-hour days all week." Emma didn't know why she made the comment, but once it was out, she couldn't take it back.
"How do you know that?" Ruby asked, suspiciously.
"Twitter." It was a plausible explanation and far more believable than the truth actually was.
"Yeah, I think I remember one of the fansites tweeting it," Belle agreed.
Emma sighed in relief before taking a sip from her drink.
The concert was actually quite fun. Emma didn't know the band but their music was rather enjoyable. She did her best to push all thoughts of Neal out of her mind and focus instead on enjoying herself.
It was about half way through the evening when the crowd quietened down as the band finished their last song.
"So, we have a special guest here with us tonight for you," the lead singer announced.
Emma's heart leapt into her throat as the whispers in the room picked up. They were all saying the same thing.
Killian Jones was here.
"He's a little tired, so he won't be staying long, but please welcome, onto the stage, Killian Jones."
The noise level in the room shot through the roof as the women in it began screaming their appreciation.
Killian had changed into a simple t-shirt for the evening, probably hoping to be a little more comfortable. But he still looked far better than Neal ever did, in the same kind of clothing.
He thanked the crowd for their warm welcome, and then picked up his guitar. While he was fiddling with the instrument, he allowed his eyes to wander the crowd. It felt like he was looking for something, or someone, but Emma didn't want to allow herself to hope. She'd already gotten far more memories from her time with the guy than she ever dreamed she'd make.
It was only when his gaze finally landed on her, a small smile tugging at his lips, that she allowed the hope to blossom in her chest.
Hope that maybe, just maybe, he had been looking for her.
The moment he strummed his first cord, Emma could sense the entire room swoon as one. He was a fantastic musician and she felt incredibly blessed to be given the chance to see him play live.
Ruby and Regina pulled out their phones to record the set, but Emma couldn't seem to move. She was lost in everything that was Killian. The way he sang, so full of emotion, resonated deeply inside of her. She hadn't even realised that was crying until Belle passed her a tissue.
When he was finished, Emma didn't know if she wanted to drop to her knees and beg for more, or leave for some fresh air to calm herself down. She'd never felt so twisted up inside before. And it was not a feeling she was enjoying.
Killian Jones was evoking emotions inside of Emma that she though had been long buried.
"I think we should be getting back to our hotel," Ruby told Regina and Belle. "It's a bit of a walk and we have an early start again tomorrow. Meet you for coffee before the first panel?"
"Of course," Belle agreed. "We should probably get back to our rooms too before the elevators are all packed out."
As a note - I've never been to a convention in the US before but I have spent far more money than a sane person should on UK based events. While this one is roughly based on a Creation event, it's done so with what friends have told me about how they run their Supernatural conventions, and what I know from my own experience.
If you can get to a convention - I highly recommend them!
Thanks for reading.