#25 here. Basing this off a prompt sent to me by LariskaPrgitay, about Neal going to take care of Emma after her FWB bails on her. This is the first Modern AU for this one shot collection.

They had all been friends since they were teenagers. Maybe friends was too strong of a term for him and Killian. They tolerated each other, but there was always that sort of rivalry there. When Neal made president of the yearbook club, Killian announced he was joining too. When Neal said he wanted to ask Regina Mills to the prom, Killian beat him to the punch. And of course, Killian waited to announce his acceptance to NYU on the same weekend Neal got his own letter from RSID.

The one constant between the two of them was Emma. She found a way to make them both laugh and forget their petty rivalries. Neal had known her first, living just down the street from her growing up. Killian had moved to the states from Ireland when they were in junior high and Emma had been the one to invite him to sit with them at lunch. She kept them from killing each other and played peace keeper the rest of the time. After high school, when the two men headed off to college, Emma traveled instead. Her grandfather had passed away, leaving her with a mighty large inheritance to spend.

6 years later, and the three of them were back home in Storybrooke. Neal had his own photography business, Killian got a job at a local advertising firm and Emma was a bounty hunter. They spent their time, going out to The Rabbit Hole or hanging out at the beach. They were older now, though. Things had changed. Despite Neal's feelings for Emma, he knew she wasn't ready for a committed relationship. So, he couldn't complain when he realized she had started a friends with benefits situation with Killian. It made things awkward, but Neal didn't want to lose either of them. So, he kept his mouth shut.

One Saturday in April, Neal was prepared to order in and watch a bad movie. That's when he got a text from Emma.

I have a lot of food. Come eat it with me. Also, bring rocky road ice cream

Neal didn't have to be asked twice. He stopped by the market on the way to her loft, grabbing her favorite treat. When he entered her loft, the smell of stew hit him. Emma didn't know how to cook a lot, but the beef stew was a recipe she had gotten from her dad. He made himself at home as he always did, kicking off his loafers and throwing the ice cream in the freezer. He found Emma on the couch, a quilt draped over her. She looked like she was in pain, though she had no visible injuries. Neal lowered himself onto the arm of the couch.

"You okay?"

"I just had a lot of extra food. I didn't want it to go to waste."

"Emma, I've seen how much you can put away."

She sighed, pushing her curls back. "I was supposed to meet up with Killian tonight but then I got my period. I told him we could still have dinner, but he blew me off. Said there wasn't a point to it anymore."

Neal clenched the side of the couch, trying to hide his anger. He must not have done a very good job because Emma looked at him with a pitiful smile.

"It's fine. I know what our arrangement is…"

"He still shouldn't have blown you off like that. You do so much for him Emma and I don't even think he notices."

"Like I said, our arrangement…"

"Friends with benefits still means there's a friend thrown in there."

He got up and poured them two bowls of the stew. Next, he grabbed a water for him and ginger ale for her. He sat by her feet and handed over her meal. She gave him a smile.

"You don't have to stay."

"And miss out on David's stew recipe? I'd be insane."

Emma laughed, shaking her head. "I swear that's the only reason you'd come over when we were kids."

"The only reason I came over on Tuesday nights," he teased. "The rest, I guess I just liked hanging out with you."

They tucked into their food and were quiet for a bit. Memories of walking right across the street, having sleepovers and riding bikes to Granny's to spend their pocket money on milkshakes ran through his head. He didn't have a childhood memory that didn't include her in it. He was there for her when her dog, Wilby, passed away. She had snuck over in the middle of the night after he watched his mom leave for the final time. Everyone had joked one day they'd fall in love, but they'd just roll their eyes.

Now, Neal would break out into song at the thought of being with Emma.

If he couldn't, he'd settle for being friends. That's one thing he didn't want to lose.

After they ate the stew, Neal scooped the ice cream. This time, Emma moved so he could sit closer to her. She giggled as he picked the almonds out of his ice cream.

"They're part of what makes rocky road so good," she pointed out.

Neal shook his head. "They're gross."

"And yet you always get this kind."

"Because it's your favorite." He moved the nuts onto her own ice cream. "And you like the extra nuts."

Neal watched as her cheeks heated up. "You know me really well."

"After 12 years, I sure hope I do."

Emma tilted her head. "Has it really been that long?"

"Yup. Mom, Dad and I moved to Storybrooke for his new job. I was so bored when they were unpacking, and Mom sent me out to sit on the front steps. Suddenly, you ran up to me and asked if I wanted to play."

"I can't believe you remember that."

Neal shrugged. "You were my first friend in Storybrooke. Kind of hard to forget that."

Emma was quiet for a minute, swirling her melty mess of chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. Neal studied her, wondering what could be on her mind.

"You and Killian always compete over everything," she said.

"Not everything."

"Yes, everything." Emma looked back up at him. "Is there anything else he has that you want?"

Neal bit his lip. "Maybe. But I don't know how interested they are in me."

Emma put the bowl down and sat up straight. "Neal, you dropped everything to come over and take care of me. Just like you always do."

"Are you saying…"

He was cut off by a quick kiss. It lasted less than 60 seconds, but he cherished it for all it was worth. When they pulled apart, her face was flushed and he had a feeling it wasn't from the cramps.

"That answer your question?" she asked.

Neal nodded and inched closer to her. She laid his head on his shoulder, just like she had a million times before. He wrapped his arm around her and pressed another kiss to the top of her head.

He spoke up first. "Dinner tomorrow night?"\

"Sounds like a plan to me."