A/N: Hello everyone! So, as promised, this update brings us to the first date. In typical-me fashion, I have tried to design something fluffy and romantic. I promise many cute moments, thoughtful Killian, and by the end of the evening a shared understanding between Emma and Killian that they definitely have a future ahead of them. I hope you all enjoy and thank you so much for reading!
Rarely in his life did Killian ever feel like he had too much time. With the busy nature of his job and the round-the-clock dedication he gave to the magazine and to his brand as a whole, Killian always found more to do to keep him occupied.
Today, however, had been a test in finding adequate distraction and he'd come up rather short. All day long he'd been waiting for this moment, and though he was lucky enough to see Emma both for their interview and on the train this evening, it still didn't feel like enough. He knew in his heart the date would be a good start. It would grant him more time and more closeness to Emma, which he desperately wanted, but more than that it would offer him a chance: if he was successful in providing Emma with a strong enough showing, he might just entice her to go out with him again, and the thought of such a prize was enough to keep him in line.
But finally he was here, climbing up the stairwell in Emma's building, mere minutes away from what he'd been so eagerly anticipating. He had a plan in place, a line up of moments this evening that he hoped would impress her, but for the first time in his life Killian truly worried. The stakes seemed so much higher now than they ever had before, and he was only ever going to get one shot at this so he had to do this right. If he had any hope of securing the happiness Emma had inspired, he needed to show her he was worthy and that he was in this for the long haul.
In every other area of his world, Killian bore a kind of confidence that allowed him to excel. At times he'd been called cocky, and he was fine with that since it often got him the results he needed, but with Emma he was anything but sure. Well actually, that wasn't quite accurate; Killian was entirely certain of his regard for her and the continually increasing feelings he carried in his heart, but he was still struggling to make out exactly how invested Emma was.
They had shared moments of course (and bloody hell that kiss this morning had been the single most miraculous moment of his whole damn life), but he wasn't interested in taking any risks, not where Emma was concerned. He still didn't know nearly anything about her life, but he did know that Emma had been subjected to pain, and Killian vowed to himself not to ever be the cause of such feelings for her. All he wanted was to see her happy and to convince her (though he was sure it would be difficult) that she could trust him, despite what her past might have taught her to the contrary.
As a means of securing that potential trust, Killian had gone all out for this date. He tried to walk the tightrope of thoughtful romance without falling into something too involved or too fast moving, and he hoped Emma would like it. The thought that she might not had him shaking, but then again that could also be the adrenaline, for nothing had ever excited him as much as the prospect of this date with Emma.
Alright Jones, get yourself together. The last thing you want is to frighten off the lady with this excessive nervous energy.
The internal censure worked well, at least until he reached Emma's floor. Once there it all began to feel real and though he'd never been more desirous to spend time with someone, he was also very aware of the importance of this moment. Still Killian moved to her doorway and gathered his resolve and he was just a second away from knocking when the door behind him opened and an old woman came out.
"My goodness, aren't you a sight for sore eyes! Are you here for Emma?" Killian turned around and saw the woman who looked positively joyous at the possibility. He scratched behind his ear a little awkwardly but nodded all the same.
"Yes, ma'am, I am." The woman clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Well isn't that just delightful. You know Emma doesn't go out much and she certainly never lets her gentlemen callers come here." Killian's brow rose from surprise and fascination.
"Really?" The old woman appeared about to say more but at that moment Emma's door swung open and Killian looked to see her, losing his mind and maybe five years off his life as he did.
Beautiful wasn't the right word for Emma in this moment. Perhaps tantalizing or magnificent would do her more justice. She was always gorgeous, but in this dress, redder than the roses he carried in his hand for her, and with her hair falling over her shoulder in soft golden curls, she was something so out of the realm of possibility. Emma Swan had taken up residence in his mind and heart in recent months but never had he expected to see her like this, so effortlessly gorgeous but real at the same time. He couldn't even say she was like a dream, for he lacked the capacity to create anything as stunning as this woman.
"Swan."
Her last name fell from his lips so easily, and even Killian could hear the way it sounded more like a prayer than a greeting. He didn't mind though. He was a lucky bastard to be taking her out tonight, and there had to be some kind of divine interaction at play. It was the only thing that could explain such a miracle.
"Hi."
The simple greeting from Emma might have concerned him if it wasn't clear by the light in her eyes that she was feeling similarly overwhelmed. Killian hadn't the faintest idea how she could possibly see in him something similar to what he witnessed in her each time they were together, but he wasn't going to question it. He had learned by now that when the winds were in his favor he shouldn't go against them, and if any part of him was attractive to Emma in anyway then he was more than proud of that.
"Well aren't you two just adorable?" The commentary from Emma's elderly neighbor made Emma's jaw drop and her gaze shift from Killian's, but after a second she composed herself. Killian chuckled lightly and he was tempted to give way to a full laugh when Emma finally found her voice again and directed it at the older woman.
"Mrs. Hubbard… I didn't see you there. Did you need anything?" The woman shook her head as she continued to look back and forth between Emma and Killian.
"No dear. I think I got quite enough from this little interlude. It does this old heart good to see young people falling in love for real and not just on my soaps. Now, you two kids have fun, and have her home at a decent hour, son."
"Killian, please." The woman looked thoroughly charmed as he offered his hand in greeting and she looked back at Emma, whispering loud enough for the whole floor to hear.
"Or maybe you don't come home at all. With this charmer, who's to say?" Emma groaned and Killian was instantly reminded of Emma's friend Ruby. It seemed that for whatever reason Emma was surrounded by like-minded women, and they all (thank God) appeared to be in favor of her moving towards him.
"Goodnight Mrs. Hubbard."
"Goodnight, dear. And goodnight to you Killian." Killian said farewell as the woman closed her door behind her and then he looked back to Emma.
"I'm sorry about that. She's given to imagining things but she's very sweet underneath it all." Emma's words made it apparent to Killian that despite her feeling embarrassed, Emma truly cared for the woman. That was something all too rare to see in this city and from people in general, but he wasn't surprised that Emma had formed an attachment.
"There's no need to be sorry, love. Your neighbor was rather helpful actually." Emma's eyes narrowed on the now closed door to Mrs. Hubbard's apartment.
"Oh really?"
Killian nodded but he wasn't about to give away the intel he'd procured from his newest supporter. Instead he offered Emma the roses he brought and watched as her eyes widened in surprise. It made Killian wonder what kind of men she was going out with if none of them had the sense to bring these for her, then he remembered Mrs. Hubbard's words about there not being many men at all and he felt a wave of relief. Emma accepted the flowers gratefully and when she did their fingers grazed against each other, sending a surge of desire through him.
"These are beautiful. Let me just find them a vase."
She invited Killian into her apartment after the slightest of pauses, and once he was inside Killian found his eyes tracing over the space. He assumed it would be styled to perfection given Emma's knack for design, but the hominess he found here even with the cool refinement of sleek modernity that she'd chosen as a theme was impressive. It wasn't easy to combine these two techniques, but if anyone could accomplish such a feat, Killian would always bet on Emma over anyone else.
"So, any hints as to where we're going?" Emma asked from across the way as she slipped the roses into a vase, stealing a whiff of one of them as she closed her eyes. Killian's throat tightened and he balled his hand into a fist to reduce the urge to move across her apartment and pull her into his arms right now. Every little thing she did was like a siren's call to him. He was falling deeper and deeper into her, and he doubted Emma even realized. If she did, she gave nothing away as she looked to him with a smile on her face.
"No, love." His refusal amused her and Killian caught the exact moment she decided to toy with him a little. She shifted away from the flowers and came towards him, moving around and glancing down at her dress skeptically.
"Am I dressed okay?" Ha! That had to be a rhetorical question, but he answered it still.
"It's a bloody miracle that my heart is still beating, Swan. I should have said this before, but you are stunning. Actually stunning doesn't do you justice. If and when I find the proper description I'll pass it along."
The flush that covered Emma's cheeks at his words was more than endearing, but it still shocked him that Emma didn't grasp how beautiful she was. Perhaps she thought he was exaggerating the situation, but Killian knew he wasn't. Her loveliness was a simple fact, and her brilliance was something he was becoming more and more acquainted with.
"Are you ever not charming?" Killian smiled.
"I guess you'll have to see more of me to work that out." Emma's humor returned with his comment and she gave a witty reply about him being too smooth, yet she still took his hand and let him lead her out of the building and to the sleek black BMW that awaited them out front.
"No train tonight?" Emma asked playfully and Killian laughed as he opened the passenger door for her.
"As much as we might love the train, Swan, I think it can handle one outing without us, don't you?" Emma nodded and he watched as she tucked those long legs of hers into the car and away from his gaze. He closed the door with care and circled back around to his seat, glad for the moment he was back in her direct presence.
"Is that why you take it every morning? Because you love it?" Killian glanced Emma's way curiously. He'd already forgotten what they were talking about, and the curve of her lips in a knowing smile only added to that. Thankfully she clarified. "I mean if you have this car why bother with the subway? It's not exactly an ideal form of transit."
"Maybe not to most people, but when my car was in the shop a few months back and I had to utilize it I found something only the train could offer. I never looked back after that."
Killian had long ago decided that with Emma he would always be honest, but he was sensible enough to realize that right now that was a risk. Even if he didn't say it in so many words, it was clear to Emma he was sure that the reason for his staying wasn't the positive effect he could have on the environment, or the often perplexing set of total strangers he rode the damn train with: it was her. Emma was his reason for riding those train cars day in and day out, and the intensity in her green eyes told him she understood that. He held his breath for a second, praying he hadn't just taken this too far when she offered another smile and a soft bit of appreciation.
"I'm glad you didn't."
It took a lot of will power for Killian not to just lay it all out on the line then. He was growing surer and surer that this attachment to Emma wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, but he didn't want to overwhelm her. Instead he moved the conversation to easier subjects that filled the ten minutes they were even in the car completely. He managed to hear that beautiful laugh of hers more than once, and to keep that smile on her face the whole ride, so by the time they arrived and Killian escorted Emma from the car to their destination, he already felt like he was on top of the world. Then the clear delight Emma took in their surroundings only added to that.
"You didn't!" Emma exclaimed as she stared into the windows of the building they stood before. Killian locked the car and smiled as he came to stand close, his hand resting at the small of her back to lead Emma inside.
"Didn't what, Swan?"
Killian swore he felt her shiver against his touch when he whispered the question right beside her ear and the thought that she was affected too filled him with a coil of heat that he knew would have to be put on hold for the time being. Emma ignored his question as they came inside though, for her eyes went from the art that was visible from the street to the set up in the center of the gallery.
It had always been Killian's plan to wine and dine, Emma, but this morning when she shared with him her love of other people's art and her remorse at not being able to go as of late to any galleries, he changed his original plan around a bit. Now instead of getting to know each other at the best table of his favorite restaurant (a place he'd never brought anyone before, but he still wanted to take Emma to someday), they were having dinner for two in a private seating amongst the art of the artist they called 'Street Rat.'
The actual showing didn't launch for a few days, but Killian (with the help of Tink) had moved a few mountains to get them here. He'd been very specific about what he wanted, and he was glad to see that all of it was there: the candles, the soft linens, the flowers. Even the specific record that he'd asked them to play was sounding softly through the speakers, filling the spacious room with a warmth these white walls and temporary paintings might not otherwise elicit.
"Killian."
Emma said his name with this twinge of something in her voice. Killian couldn't place it exactly, though he prayed that it came from the same place of hope that she inspired for him. He studied her face in that moment and saw how open she was right now. Every last barrier was gone, and he could see that underneath all of the swirling emotions, she was pleased with this.
"Will it do, Emma?" She let out a bit of barked out laughter as she continued to take all of this in but she nodded and then turned to him, earnestly speaking her mind.
"It's gorgeous, really. But how did you pull something like this together?"
Killian grinned at her honest query and he could tell that despite the success Emma had achieved as of late in her career, she was still new to having access. He knew the feeling. Once upon a time he and Liam had practically nothing. That may have changed that fact rather drastically in recent years, but Killian recalled the rush of getting something seemingly against all odds back when they were just gaining traction. It didn't compare at all to the feeling of seeing Emma so happily surprised though.
"Would you believe me if I said magic?" Emma smiled softly.
"At this point I wouldn't count anything out."
The charged moment that past between them was undeniable, and Killian was so tempted to pull her to him and steal another of those searing kisses from her, but he held back. The date had barely started and if he could just be patient they'd have their chance later tonight. Instead of following his first instincts then, Killian asked Emma for her preference: browsing before or after dinner?
"Would it be terribly inconvenient to start by looking?" Emma asked, seemingly worried that she was throwing a wrench in the evening by asking for what she wanted.
"Not at all, love. I've planned accordingly."
Emma beamed up at him and though it was slightly painful to have her gaze tear away from his, Killian was comforted by her clear admiration for the pieces around them. She gave herself so freely to the emotions evoked by each one. Not every piece was dedicated to love or light or happiness. Some were darker, filled with sorrow or panic or loss, but even at those Emma lingered, taking in the chosen colors and the frame of the subjects and their frozen moments in time.
Killian had some minor experience with galleries like this one, and he thanked his lucky stars for the few classes on art appreciation he'd taken at school, because Emma did more than observe, she also discussed. Being able to engage with her as she did and to see the bit of surprise that came when they were of the same mind on a piece was a remarkable reward. The best prize, however, was at the final portrait when Emma took his hand in hers like it was instinctive. She barely glanced his way as she did it, but the intertwining of their fingers together felt like light in its purest form.
The picture before them now was easily the most impressive of the pieces in the group, given a spot of honor in the most central part of the room, but it was unexpected. Killian would have assumed that the most important piece would be on the flyer to advertise, but this was a very different shot of two people at the moment grief gave way to passion. There, in the eyes and expressions of both subjects, was a fading sense of fear that was making way for something warmer and stronger than fear ever could be.
The photo underneath was immaculate, crystal clear and evocative, but the colors that were swirled in through a method Killian wasn't entirely familiar with elevated it. The two people were shroud in the same haze Killian felt every time Emma was near. It wasn't accurate in terms of appearance (because obviously there were no colored clouds popping up when they were reunited) but the feel of it was. The warm rush of red, the intensity of the oranges and yellows that blended together sparked recognition for Killian. It was a flame, yet softer and more striking all at once, and it mirrored so much of what he felt for Emma.
Killian could imagine the story that surrounded this couple. A misunderstanding had prompted a separation of some sort and then a sense of loss – perhaps these lovers had feared their time together had ended – but this was the reunion. In the faces and body language of both people there was hope and relief and love, undeniable in every element of their persons. There was no way emotion like this could be faked, and Killian found himself wondering how on earth the artist could capture such a moment. It was raw, and real, and true in a way that Killian couldn't even wrap his brain around
"Wow." Emma's assessment so accurately depicted his own internal musings. They'd used more scholarly expertise for the other creations, but this one transcended even his grip on the English language.
"Why do you suppose the artist didn't use this one on the flyer, love?" Emma tore her gaze from the piece and smiled.
"Because when you've finally found the perfection you've been searching for you don't compromise it. In any other shape or form or size this wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't be as powerful, and that… well that would just be tragic."
Instinctively Killian moved closer to Emma and the hand he held hers in tightened as his heart thumped wildly in his chest. She stepped closer, accepting the shift so readily and bringing her other hand to rest on his chest. They were so close, a whisper away from another kiss but Emma just gave a slight shake of her head and looked up at him with a sincere gaze.
"How are you going to do it?" The question surprised Killian and he blinked a few times before coming to his senses and seeking clarity.
"Do what, love?"
"Keep this going. As far as first date starts go, this is pretty spectacular. So where do we go from here?" There was no element of teasing in Emma's voice, but simple questioning, as if she was in awe of how well this was turning out. It made him proud to think that he'd read her so well and had managed to give her something she actually wanted.
"Ah, that's easy. We go Italian."
Emma's brow furrowed and Killian grinned. Whether she knew it or not she'd been leaning into him ever so slightly, her body silently pleading with him for another kiss and he was dying to give it to her, but he argued with himself to be strong. Unless Emma made the first move again, he planned to do this right, and if he let himself kiss her now, he feared he'd be unable to pull away for dinner.
"How did you know I like Italian?" Killian led her back across the gallery and pulled out her chair for her at the table that was set, lighting both candles and sending the discrete sign that they were ready to the servers he'd hired for the evening.
"Ah, that was easy enough given my tendency for sleuthing. You had eight take out menus in your office, six of which were for pizza."
Emma blushed, clearly flustered with the fact that he'd paid so much attention so Killian held back on commenting on her little notes. She'd actually ranked each pizza place and given one sentence comments like 'sauce on the sweeter side' and 'not enough cheese.' Those notes had flittered in and out of his mind all day, and he'd imagined more than once a life where they made decisions on such things together. Because at the end of the day, Killian wanted so much more than just a date, or a kiss, or the chance to take Emma home at the end of all of this: what he really wanted was to be a part of her life, a part she wanted and needed and didn't toss aside one day. He was looking for something far more permanent than the relationships he'd been in before, and making Emma see that they could have that was the driving force behind everything he did.
The rest of dinner was filled with the same sort of conversation and the shared appreciation of a meal that Killian barely even tasted. He knew it was wonderful of course, but Emma took up all of his senses, and at the end of the evening he would never be able to recall the details of the pasta they enjoyed or the chocolate soufflé they shared thereafter.
All he'd remember was the way the candlelight shone in Emma's eyes and the pieces of herself she offered through the evening. He'd remember the way she hummed along to a favorite song of hers that sounded out around them, and the way she only modestly mocked him for asking her to dance. He'd remember how her body fit so perfectly against his, and the way everything else fell away when he had the chance to hold Emma in his arms.
Eventually, however, the moment came when they had to say goodbye to the gallery, and when that happened Emma assumed they were ending their evening. Killian, however, was hoping for just a little more of her time. He knew it was likely selfish, but there was no denying that the thing he wanted most was to be with her, even if just for a little while longer.
"I know it's getting late, but I was hoping you might humor me through one last thing." Emma's brow rose slightly at his request.
"You seriously have something else after all of this?" She asked and he nodded, taking her hand in his again.
"Aye, Swan. We can save it for another time if you -,"
"No!" Killian grinned at her enthusiasm and she cleared her throat and regained her bearings. "I mean I have time still. I'm not going to turn into a pumpkin or anything."
"Well thank God for that, love." With that the two of them headed out into the night and off to the final destination of the evening, one that Killian hoped would play out just as well as the first.
….
Smitten was not a state Emma Swan was at all familiar with, but it was hard to say that in this moment with Killian she wasn't edging perilously close.
This date had been amazing, and the idea that there was more to come was intriguing and honestly a little scary. In a few short hours, Killian had been picture perfect between his thoughtfulness, and the genuine way he wanted to see her enjoying the evening. Emma could recognize all of those things that she'd always listed as necessary in a potential partner someday down the line (like understanding her humor, and appreciating her work, as well as being problematically sexy, and cocky but somehow still humble). But what was possibly most alarming was the ease with which Killian gave Emma a look into who he actually was.
There weren't walls with Killian, and for Emma, a majority of her life (and surely every dalliance she had with love), was defined by her walls. Killian, meanwhile, maneuvered through her insecurities so deftly, sensing with that brilliant mind he had when she was toeing the line between comfort and stress. When those times came and when the learned reaction to worry or pull away reared its ugly head, he would pivot back to himself or to something less intense.
With this tactic Emma felt something she'd never really had with any guy before and that was a sense of true safety. She found herself engaging more, showing more of her own colors than she had with any other men she'd ever dated, and right when her instincts to run were about to sound Killian would smile or laugh or give a little more insight into who he was so as to even the playing field. Emma recognized that kindness as a form of sacrifice: Killian was willing to be vulnerable so as to keep her comfortable, and it dawned on Emma that no one had ever done that before, and that she appreciated that kind of commitment more than she ever could have imagined.
The ride from the gallery to wherever they were headed next was a short one, and again Emma marveled at how well orchestrated this whole evening was. Parking should have been a nightmare, there should have been more hoops for them to jump through, but it was all smooth sailing both in their itinerary and for the date itself. Emma was actually about to comment on that astounding minor miracle when it finally dawned on her where they were going and she found herself laughing at the silliness of it.
"You're kidding me, right?" Emma asked, staring at the beige concrete walls with the gold lettering above reading 'Empire State.'
"I take it you've been before," Killian offered kindly and Emma shook her head, gazing at the place with a newfound appreciation. She'd seen it before, mostly in movies or on TV, but in her real life she avoided it because of the constant influx of tourists.
"No actually I haven't. It always seemed a little…"
"Romantic? Idyllic? Enshrined in the stuff of Hollywood dreams?" Emma laughed at Killian's readily flowing wit.
"I was going to say cheesy." He feigned injury, but Emma knew he could tell she was intrigued even if she poked fun.
"Ah, well you're not wrong, love. For us though, I was thinking a different path than the norm."
They moved through the building, cutting the line of other tourists there and strolling towards the elevators that would bring them to the top. Emma didn't bother to comment on the ease of access. This whole night was a testament to the pull Killian had, but she never felt like he was thrusting his connections in her face. On the contrary he'd actually been a bit embarrassed when she asked him about them earlier.
"So we're not going to make a pact to meet back here in a year, or get into a huge fight only to make up at the top?"
"Not exactly." Emma was curious to know more so she urged him on.
"So what then?"
"We're here to observe. To enjoy a bit of people watching if you will."
Emma found herself smiling because she had told him before that this was a favorite pastime for her creatively, and though she wanted to ask for more, she humored him and allowed the rest of the trip to happen to the top before speaking again. There was a bit of a chill up here, and Emma worried for a second that this hadn't been the best idea given her outfit, only for Killian to wave at an attendant who was currently guarding a bench with a 'Reserved' sign on it.
"Tiny. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."
"Not a problem, Mr. Jones. If anyone gives you any trouble you send them my way, alright?"
"Will do, mate." With that the poorly named 'Tiny' set off on what Emma assumed were his normal rounds of the building, leaving Killian and Emma with a basket and two large blankets.
"You really thought of everything," Emma marveled as she took her seat at his instruction.
"Best to be prepared in this kind of situation," Killian quipped with that same genuine smile he'd been sending her way all night.
"Do you find yourself in similar spots often?"
Emma almost winced at her obvious prying. She was asking if he went all out like this on dates a lot. He had such an insane amount of game and charm, she assumed he must, but Emma didn't want to think of Killian with other women. She also did not want to consider the implications of thoughts like that. Where was this jealousy coming from? Hell they hadn't even gotten through a first date yet, and Emma was getting put out over the hypothetical other women in Killian's life.
"Never. So the last thing I want to do is mess up a first date with the woman who has stolen my attentions so forcefully."
His words and the gentle way in which he offered her a blanket eased away Emma's other worries. She could tell he was being honest, and she secretly loved the idea that this was a first for him too. She'd never met someone and felt so much so quickly before. It was comforting to know that she wasn't trying to figure all of this out on her own.
"Two blankets, huh?" Killian actually went a little red at her comment and Emma couldn't help but grin. He was so self-assured all the time, but there were moments when she still got to him and it felt good to know that she had that kind of power. She never wanted to use it for bad reasons, but in times of flirting it was a definite plus.
"I didn't want to assume anything, love."
"So I shouldn't offer to share mine with you then?"
He mumbled something in a gruffer tone about her being irresistible, and a thrill ran up her spine. The warm fleece of the blanket surrounded her, but the closeness she got to have with Killian was what really set her aflame. This was so strange, and far more cutesy than anything she was used to, but it felt like in many ways Emma was making up for lost time. She had never had any moments like this before, and the few people around them who looked their way didn't matter to Emma nearly as much as getting to partake in something like this.
"Alright, love. Time to face an age old question: coffee or something a little stronger?" Emma gaped as he opened the basket and she saw a thermos and just beside it a flask with unknown contents.
"Is that an age old question?"
Killian shrugged good-naturedly and Emma laughed, deciding on coffee. She'd already had a good amount of wine tonight and she doubted that if she partook in whatever alcohol he'd brought along that he would drink too. Killian was very cautious when it came to her. He'd limited himself to one glass of wine and Emma instinctively knew that came from wanting to protect her and to get them both home safely.
"Now what?" Emma asked when they'd both taken a sip of their drinks and were still sitting there quietly.
"Now we watch."
Emma looked around, not really wanting to tear her gaze away from Killian, but finding a large variety of people here. She took in the space and immediately began to categorize people. There were a multitude of tourists from all over the place, but Emma spotted people she assumed were locals as well. Some were lovers, some old friends with happy back and forths between them. There was the occasional person who looked heartsick and lonely, and one young woman who was barely holding back tears as she clutched a copy of a new romance novel that Emma knew had featured this landmark. But still the energy up here was calming and Emma supposed that had something to do with them all being on top of the world.
"I come here sometimes when I need reminding that everyone has a story. When I'm blocked from inspiration or wavering on how to frame a narrative, I come here or to other places like it. I sit for a while and soak it all in, finding something different in the sea of sameness." Emma pulled her eyes from the scene before them to look at Killian.
"Sounds like a pretty good method."
Emma couldn't help but see the similarities in the way she worked herself and Killian's strategy for story finding and she liked the fact that Killian and her had something like this in common. A lot of people didn't understand her tendency to just watch and listen, but she was used to being alone even amongst a crowd. It never felt weird to her to watch everyone else, because she'd been doing it all her life just hoping for a place to belong.
The thought of belonging made the butterflies in Emma's stomach twist and turn in somersaults and she felt herself sinking into the depths of Killian's blue eyes and searching his face for some sign that she wasn't absolutely crazy for feeling this much. But there, mirrored in his features, was a sense that he was feeling this too. It felt so good, melting into him and dreaming of what it might be like to actually have a healthy dose of love for once in her life, but Emma still found herself looking away, the fear of being too transparent plaguing her again. Killian, meanwhile, read her like a book, but he didn't push, instead winding them back to where she was comfortable once more.
"That it is. It also makes for some solid entertainment too. Last time I was up here, for instance, there was a school tour and one of the young girls stood over there on that bench and told the whole crowd that love was a sham and that if any of them were sappy enough to be here for love then they were idiots." Emma laughed at the thought, picturing a scene like that and finding it too funny.
"Sounds like a smart kid." Killian's thumb ran across her wrist lightly sending crackling bursts of want through her as he did.
"I thought so at the time." Emma looked back up at him, no longer afraid as she had been a second ago.
"And now?" Emma asked.
"Now I find it very likely that I would have been on the receiving end of her rant were she here right now."
Emma bit her lip and searched Killian's eyes. She could feel all these things that he wasn't going to say and she almost wished that he would. Sure it would likely freak her out, but she was also starving for a chance to break away from her old habits. She wanted more even when the thought of having it had always terrified her, but most importantly she wanted it with this man. She wanted it with Killian.
Instinctively, Emma pulled him closer, her lips brushing against his lightly. It was so much tamer than the kiss they'd shared this morning, and Emma imagined that there'd be another before the night was over, but right now this felt like the safest way to show him how she felt. Emma might not be ready for everything, but she was ready to try and that kiss was the proof.
"Well you wouldn't be alone. You'd have me on your side and as a former jaded kid myself, I'd make a pretty good ally." Killian grinned, looking just a little star struck from the gentle kiss.
"Of that I have no doubts, Emma. No doubts at all."
They stayed there for a little while longer, content in the quiet between them. It wasn't one of those charged silences or awkward pauses, but a state of peace that Emma didn't get enough of. They even had time to see a few more memorable moments (and one highly dramatic reunion that Emma found just slightly over-the-top), but she enjoyed every second because she had Killian to joke about it with.
"Not the kind of love affair you're looking for, Swan?" Killian teased when the couple in question tearfully embraced after what was clearly some sort of sad separation.
"I've never been one for the will-they/won't-they dynamic," Emma looked into his blue eyes and took a steadying breath before being a little more honest than her old fears would have allowed. "So maybe we could skip that part all together."
"I think we can handle that," Killian replied as he pulled her from the bench and led her back down from the city's overlook and back on the journey to her apartment once more.
It was hard to picture this evening ending, even when they were back at her front door once more. Emma wasn't exactly a serial dater, but the nights out she'd had before this all ended without any feeling like she wanted to stall for just a little more time. Of course now with Killian things were different. Things had been different from the start between them and all this date had done was continue to prove that he was changing things. Killian made Emma want so much more than just tonight when no one else had ever managed to persuade her that such a risk was worth it. Now she was left wondering if he was willing to make that jump with her, or if maybe she'd just imagined this feeling of rightness all night long.
"Forgive me, love, but I have to ask before I lose my head completely – can I see you again? Tell me this isn't just a one-time thing, please." Emma smiled immediately, feeling this overwhelming joy that he wanted more too.
"It's not – a one-time thing I mean. I mean if you don't want that then I'd be willing to -."
Killian spared Emma from whatever inane babble was coming from her flustered state by moving closer and kissing her the way she'd been dreaming of all night. Since this morning's taste of the passion between them Emma was ravenous for more and finally he gave it to her. His body was all hard lines and simmering heat as his lips moved against hers in a perfect rhythm designed to solicit more and more from her. Her hands moved to the nape of Killian's neck, pulling him closer as her body arched against him, and before she knew it her back was against the hard wood of her door, fueling the ache for more into a stronger inferno.
Her instincts and her rapidly increasing desire were screaming at Emma to take this further. She wanted to pull away just long enough to open the door and then drag him inside this apartment to make good on all this chemistry between them. Maybe this was just their first date but they'd been building to this for so much longer. She was rearing to go and ready to see if he surpassed every fantasy she'd had over the past few months as he did with his kisses, but in the back of her mind was one last worry, one last factor that had her pulling back with ragged breath and pressing her hand against his chest.
"Gods you're perfect." Killian's blunt compliment and the sound in his voice like he'd just gone through the same divine revelations she had made her heart flutter, but she bit her lip and vocalized her concern.
"I really want to invite you in…" Killian's features immediately softened, and though the hunger remained, the gentle man behind it appeared yet again, his hand cupping her cheek sweetly.
"But we've already entered a gray area by dating and we shouldn't let ourselves get too deep before the article's in print." Emma let out a relieved sigh, more than happy that he understood her. This pushback had nothing to do with him. Killian was amazing, better than any hope she'd ever had for a man who might someday entice her into more than a casual fling, and she wanted him to know that.
"Exactly." His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth as his own smile hitched up to one side.
"As I said this morning, love, you're in charge here, and where you lead I intend to follow."
Emma couldn't help it. She pulled him down for another kiss. It was less intense then the last one because she wasn't sure how she'd draw the line other wise, but it still made Emma feel more alive than anything else had in a long long time. She was remiss to pull back but Killian's comment when she did eased that regret a little bit.
"I doubt our meddling friends realized the drawbacks of their plan when they concocted it." Emma laughed, but the sound hollowed out only slightly when he pulled back away from her and gave her space enough to open her door.
"I don't know. They got us to tonight, and that was definitely something." Killian reached for her hand once more, and ran his thumb across her knuckles. Emma stood their motionless, feeling the same reluctance to leave him.
"Aye it was." Emma heard low reverberations in his voice that spoke to Killian's being amazed at just how good a something it had been.
"I had a really great time tonight, Killian."
"Does that mean you'll agree to see me tomorrow then?" Emma smiled and she knew when he said 'see' that he meant go on another date with him.
"I was already going to see you tomorrow, on the train remember?" Killian didn't laugh as she expected, but looked hopefully instead. Wow he could really give a puppy dog a run for its money with this kind of adorable sincerity and Emma felt powerless to resist. "Tomorrow sounds perfect."
His responding smile was everything to her, and so was the final parting kiss Killian left her with before bidding her goodnight and sweet dreams. And as Emma walked into her apartment and leaned against her wooden door, she knew that her dreams would be good and that they'd likely all be starring the miraculous man who had just taken her on the single best date of her life.
Post-Note: So there we have it! I am dying to know what you guys think of the first date as so many of you have vocalized your excitement for this milestone. Most of you are aware by now of my usual M.O. which consists of so much fluff you almost die from it, but for those of you who are new to my writing, rest assured that there is so much more to come. Thank you all again for reading and I hope you all have a great rest of your day!
