Our Love's Melody
A/N: Can a has-been find inspiration and love at the same time?
In their prime, The Scoundrels were a fan favorite selling out stadiums sadly that was 10 years ago. Now they play small engagements. Reunions, bridal showers, birthday parties and whatever event Liam could find.
Killian, however, would sneak away and play hole-in-the-wall bars or what might be considered dive bars. He wanted to get inspired to write one more hit. At least. He wanted to prove to all the critics that called him a "has been" that he was still pertinent. But that was proving to be an elusive goal.
Killian kept declining offers from all different types of reality shows including Dancing With the Stars to The Bachelor. His brother Liam would simply say, "Killy, you are an amazing dancer, You would win, and it would be good publicity for your comeback." Killian's simple response, "I don't need a bloody reality tv show to become relevant my music will show that."
The brothers talked for hours and Liam finally agreed to back off about Killian doing any sort of reality show. At least for now.
"Brother, tell me what I can do to help," Liam asked in defeat.
Killian smirked, "Do what you do best. I want to focus on writing for a while, can you get me some help with Jolly and maybe make sure my plants don't die?"
Liam ponders for a second, "I could get a dog sitter and maybe ask if watering plants would be an added bonus."
"Aye, sounds like a plan. Liam, doesn't that blonde have a dog walker for Olaf?" Killian reminded his brother of the icy blonde he may have a crush on.
Liam blushed at the mention of Elsa, his brother was right. She had mentioned she was going to get one. "I'll ask her if she has any recommendations."
It turns out that Olaf's dog walker was a close friend and had enough time to walk Jolly too. The plants were not a deal-breaker.
Through Elsa, Liam hired Emma to be Killian's dog sitter.
First day on the job. Emma arrived promptly to take Jolly on his walk. She used the key that Liam had left for her in the lobby. She walked in and is soon met with an adorable black labrador/spaniel mix. She scratched behind his ears and looked for his leash. He jumped around full of energy. "You are a cutie aren't you? Yes, you are." She thought his owner would have at least been more organized and left her what she needed to do her job.
She sighed exasperatedly at the inconvenience to have to search for it. She walked further into the loft. It was beautiful and she couldn't help but admire the decor and the personal touches.
She noticed the Grammy awards and as she leaned over to read the name she heard someone clearing their throat. Shit! She got caught snooping. Just her luck.
She slowly turned around to face the music.
"Hello. I'm Emma Swan, Jolly's new pet sitter." She quickly introduced herself. She really hoped that she hadn't overstepped. "I was looking for Jolly's leash to take him to the park." She looked at him and noticed he had fetched his leash. The traitorous dog's tail excitedly tapped on the floor.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Swan. I'm Liam Jones. I meant to arrive before you but I got stuck in traffic." He smiled for a brief second.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have looked for it myself. You must think I'm unprofessional."
"The fault is mine. I should have been here to show you around. Would you like a tour?"
"I think Jolly is ready for his walk and maybe a little playtime. Would you still be here in about an hour?"
"I will be. I need to discuss something with my brother."
"Okay, come on Jolly." She smiled nervously and she left to the nearby doggy park, with a happy dog beside her.
Sixty minutes later she returned with a very tired and happy Jolly.
Emma knocked on the door this time while holding Jolly's leash. The door flew open shortly after. Liam smiled fondly at her and the dog. "So did Jolly behave?" He reached to pet the dog.
"He is a very well behaved dog."
Liam smiled in agreement, "Lass, I'm happy you got along well. My brother was worried about Jolly, but he really needs to focus on his writing."
Emma responded, "Oh, so I will not be meeting him?"
Liam smiled, "you will, but he will not be around much. He needs to focus on this new music."
Emma smiled and looked at Jolly, "I have no problem with that. I will gladly take care of this cutie. That is… if the job is still mine?"
Liam locked eyes with the young girl, "It is, Jolly has taken to you." He eyed his brother's canine. The dog happily wagging his tail in excitement.
Emma hesitantly, "Your brother was some kind of big shot musician from the awards I saw earlier, is there anything I might have heard recently?"
"I'm afraid not. He hasn't written anything in a while." Liam slowly walked past Emma. He stood for a second and returned his attention to her. "Miss Swan please follow me." He guided her further into the spacious loft. Emma walked quietly behind him, admiring the view of the space.
*Days Later*
Killian left his private studio to take a break and spend a little time with Jolly. He was walking around his apartment in search of his dog. He stopped at the sound of an angelic voice. The only person other than his brother that had a key to the apartment was that dog sitter Liam had hired. He had a feeling it was more about having some sort of interaction with the pretty blonde he was smitten with. Killian couldn't understand why Liam was so hesitant about asking the girl out. "Bloody git."
He was transfixed by the lovely melodic voice. The song was nothing he had heard of before. He liked to be familiar with the new sounds and artists. Once he reached the source of his piqued interest he was captivated by the image in front of him. A blonde lass was watering his plants as she sang to her heart's content. She hummed a melody as she inspected the plants to have the correct amount of water. She was walking towards her charge to ensure he had enough water as her day was almost over. She got ready for her grand finale in front of Jolly, the furball kept wagging his tail in excitement. Killian had followed the girl as she flowed oblivious to her uninvited audience. Her song came to an end as she pets Jolly goodbye for the day.
Killian stood in place his eyes focused on the door that had just closed.
"Mary Margaret, what are you doing?" Emma asked her older sister as she entered the bedroom.
"Uh, nothing." Mary Margaret closes down her computer and blushes at being caught. She sits up straight on her bed.
"Oh my god, are you still trying to vote for that show "Then and Now" to do a special on your favorite band, the Scrounges?" Emma giggled at her sister's antics as she dropped down next to her sister on the bed.
"Ems, first of all," she sighed,"It's The Scoundrels and yeah, I am. I don't get it. There is no activity in their social media accounts and I would love it if I could hear them sing at my wedding." Mary Margaret gasps in excitement, "Do you think I can get them?"
"MM, I love you but do you really think David wants a boy band to play at his wedding. It's not just your wedding you know?" Emma says with a raised eyebrow.
"It's not a boy band, and besides Killian Jones has the best voice ever. It's so dreamy and sexy." Mary Margaret sighs contently.
"I guess if that's what you want. It's your wedding, your special day." Emma smiled fondly at her sister.
"Enough teasing and tell me about your first week at work." MM prodded as she focused all her attention on Emma.
"MM, it's not a big deal. Just dog walking and watering some plants for some big shot singer." She shrugged.
"Do you know who it is?" MM asked excitedly.
"I saw some Grammys but I didn't get a chance to read the name, the guy that hired me said it was his brother's place." Emma shrugged.
"Didn't you ask?" MM asked confused.
"I'm curious but on my first day I was caught snooping. I just didn't want to push my luck." Emma confessed blushing.
"Oh, Emma." MM hugged her sister.
"Then the awards were moved. I haven't seen them since. So I took the hint." Emma continued.
"That was unnecessary!" MM said upset.
"I understand, they have a total stranger coming into their home. I'm not mad." Emma smiled at her sister.
"What did Elsa say? Did she give any details when she mentioned the job?" MM asked.
"Elsa just said she was helping her friend Liam out," Emma answered.
"Liam is the one that hired you? And he did it so his brother could write new songs?" MM confirmed as she started putting some things together.
Emma answered slowly. "Yes."
MM gasps, "Oh my gosh! Hold on, I have to double-check something." MM grabs her computer, opens it and does some frantic typing, while Emma watches her. "Ems, is this Liam?" MM points at an old image of a guy that resembles Liam standing next to her sister's teenage crush, Killian Jones. Emma stares at the image trying to read the caption below the photo, Liam Jones brother of Killian Jones singer/writer of The Scoundrels.
"Holy shit! How did you know?" Emma squints at the image as she asks MM.
"Liam is not that common of a name and how many Liam's can possibly have Grammy award-winning brothers?" MM is jumping off the bed excitedly. "Emma you have to introduce me or at the very least get me his autograph!" MM squees with excitement.
"MM, I haven't met him yet. I don't even know if I will. He is always in his studio working." Emma answers her sister.
"Ems, please, please, I'm begging you!" MM begs.
"MM, I can't promise anything." Emma stares at her sister.
"OMG, tell me he still has the tight leather pants! He used to fill them up perfectly." MM sighs contently at the memory.
"MM, I have no idea. You make it sound like I go snooping around. I just take Jolly out and feed him. That's it." Emma's glare brings her sister out of her happy memories.
Routine is not a bad thing per se. Emma likes it that way. No surprises, she had given up on ever meeting Jolly's owner. Liam had said his brother was busy, and she had witnessed the locked studio door. What she doesn't know is that he has seen her once or twice.
Killian Jones has caught himself spying on the lovely dog walker a few times. While she hums to Jolly, she is completely unaware of his presence. He's still not sure if he should be insulted or not about that. However, he can't help but be entranced by her as much as Jolly is. He considers introducing himself a few times, but quickly decides right now is not the time to dwell. He needs to write one more hit song. His time in the studio is proving to be a waste of time.
He hasn't used a lyricist since Milah. They had worked so well together, and fallen in love. At least, he had. He was just a meal ticket for her. As soon as she got a better offer she left him behind. No amount of pleas on his behalf made her reconsider. She was gone. He didn't want to give another the same kind of power again, but he might have to. He was going to ask Liam to put out feelers, but the new lyricist had to be a man. That is the safest way- no temptation.
Emma opened the front door expecting to be greeted by her charge ready to go wagging his tail, but Jolly is not in sight. She started to panic, what if something happened to him? She tried to calm down, and strained her ears...for a second...then she heard faint whimpers. She hurried to find the source.
He could hear scattered barks and some whining. Bloody hell his head hurts. Jolly pressed his cold nose on his clavicle for a second and then the pressure is gone. Killian tried to open his eyes, all he could do is peek. He sees Jolly being pulled away by an angel. Sunshine engulfed the room as he realizes that he's sprawled out on the black leather sofa he had fallen asleep on after indulging in one too many rum glasses. He could faintly hear a soft voice call out for his dog. "Jolly, come on boy. Let your papa rest." The dog whimpered it's response, "I know, baby, we are running late for your walk. I'm sure you need to pee." Jolly finally relented and followed her to the door wagging his tail.
Emma and Jolly left the apartment. "Okay, Jolly let's see what you got buddy." She released the leash and Jolly trotted away to smell everything he could get his nose on but stayed close to her. He was very well trained. She had been surprised by how well he behaved. He must be very loved by his person. Hm. What an interesting way to meet your boss she thought. He looked slightly older than the posters her sister had, but she had to admit he was good looking. She could see some chest hair peeking out of his shirt. He must have taken a break from the studio because every time she picked up Jolly the door was closed with a light on meaning to not disturb. That light was always on. Her attention returned to Jolly. He was chasing a butterfly. She giggled because that dog was simply adorable. She feared she was getting too attached. What was going to happen when her services were no longer needed? After an hour or so Jolly got tired. He'd done his business enjoyed a treat or two. His head resting on her lap.
"Alright, let's take you home. Daddy should be ready for some love from you."
They return to Jolly's home and are greeted with a sour-faced man exiting the apartment.
Emma turned to Jolly who simply tilted his head. She opened the door and let Jolly enter. She was putting away Jolly's leash and filling his bowl with fresh water. She filled the watering pot and went to water the plants. She heard music coming from the living room. It was odd since usually, the place was quiet. It was a catchy melody. Without thinking she started singing softly…
It's like the sun came out
And the day is clear
My voice is just a whisper
A throat clearing made her turn her attention away from the plants to the source. There he stood, dark-haired with an unkempt scruff. A smile showing his teeth. Faded jeans with an old loved band t-shirt. He was scratching behind his ear.
"Hello, lass." with a crinkled smile, "I didn't mean to interrupt such a lovely performance."
Emma blushed, and gently put down the watering pot. "I'm sorry-"
"That was good. A lot better than that git my brother got. The best lyricist, my bloody arse."
"Oh, I didn't mean to overstep."
"You didn't. Listen to this and tell me what comes to mind, or you can sing it," he smiles as he picks up his guitar and starts playing.
She is still with closed eyes and she can't stop herself…
Louder than the screams you hear
It's like the sun came out
Emma pauses for a second to keep listening…
There's a ghost upon the moor tonight
Now it's in our house
She can feel his eyes on her but the music is still flowing through her…
Oh, today I'm just a drop of water and I'm running down a mountainside
Come tomorrow, I'll be in the ocean
I'll be rising with the morning tide
He is just staring at her, her words are perfect. "Lass, Where are my manners, we haven't been formally introduced, Killian Jones at your service." He bowed his head in an attempt to be charming.
She rolls her eyes, she guesses he has no idea she saw him earlier laid out on his couch drunk as a skunk, but she couldn't stop herself, "I know who you are."
"Ah, so you've heard of me. You haven't even told me your name." He smiles.
"I'm Emma, Jolly's walker."
He walks towards her and extends his hand for her to shake. As her hand lands on his, he pulls it to his lips and gently kisses it.
Emma's lashes flutter, and she slowly pulls her hand away from him. "Nice to meet you." She turns to leave.
"Emma, I have a proposition for you."
She pauses then turns to face him, "what kind of proposition?"
"Lass, I imagine you saw the idiot that left the apartment as you arrived?"
"Yes-"
"He was the lyricist my brother got for me. He is supposed to be the best but I beg to differ. He had no soul."
"I don't understand. What does that have to do with me?"
"Well, that verse was lovely, just perfect. I can't help but ask, have you done any writing?"
Emma looks around, "Hasn't everyone?"
"I would like for you to consider writing some lyrics for a song. I've never been very good with them myself."
"Yeah, I don't think so. I don't write lyrics."
"Lass, all I'm asking is for us to kick some ideas around."
"I'm sorry. I just can't." Emma bolts out of the apartment leaving a speechless Killian.