A/N: Wanted to write a little something with Killian comforting Emma after she learns the secret her parents have been keeping from her. Need more intimate moments for these two…
The only solace she can find in this moment is that she finally has someone to go to. She doesn't have to deal with this on her own, not anymore. So, between body wracking sobs, her knuckles find their way to the hard surface of his door, softly knocking. It's late, very late, but she needs him now. The sound of her phone buzzing incessantly in her pocket is like a knife in an open wound, causing her tears to cloud her vision once again.
Through watery eyes she realizes that he is there, reaching for her, his hand wrapping around her neck and guiding her into his arms. She collapses into his bare chest, the little strength she had holding her up finally gone, her world seeming to be spinning wildly under her feet. She's thankful for him, needing him to be her compass, hoping to find some sense of direction here in his arms. She knows that he is real and she can trust him, imperfectly perfect as he is.
His voice is soft and tentative when he finally speaks, obviously needing to know what is wrong, but not wanting to push her.
"Emma, what is it? Are you injured, is Henry…your parents, are they all okay?"
The mention of her parents sets off another sob and she can feel his arms tense around her, his concern for her family just one of the many things she loves about him. She straightens slightly so she can look him in the eye, needing to calm his fears, somehow explain that while she is physically fine her world is crumbling from the inside out. She forces herself to settle a bit as she gazes at him, her hand finding his cheek, attempting to pass back some of the comfort he's providing for her.
"No one's in danger, they're all fine. I'm just a huge mess right now and I….." Her shoulders slump as her grief begins to take over again, her hand falling to his chest in defeat.
His lips brush lightly on her temple as he draws her close. "What do you need, Swan?"
"You, just you."
"I'm here, love. Come, let's go inside."
His arm is strong on her waist as he leads her into his room, stopping her just inside so he can close the door and turn back to her. She feels naked suddenly, standing there baring her broken soul to him again, all of her walls beginning to build themselves back up around her. Thankfully, he knows her so well at this point that he can see this all happening. She feels the cold steel of his hook and the fingers of his hand as they slowly work her coat from her shoulders, the heavy weight falling from her a relief as he tosses it onto the chair. His hand finds hers and he guides her to his bed, waiting until she sits. His hand finds her hair again as he leans down to press a soft kiss to her forehead before he crouches down at her feet.
A tear escapes as she watches him lean down to remove her boots, his hand kneading her muscles as he works the leather down her calves. Boots removed, he stands so he can sit next to her, pulling her close as soon as he's settled. His body is so warm, soothing her with every breath he takes, with every brush of his fingertips around her waist.
"Do you want to talk about it, Swan?"
"Yes, but not tonight. Can we just sleep? I'll tell you everything in the morning,"
"Of course, whatever you need, love." His lips ghost along her hairline briefly as he rises, and she watches as he crosses to the small closet in the back of the room. She allows herself a moment to take him in, the muscles of his back rippling as he moves the hangers to the side in search of something. She's never seen him in this state of undress, his legs clad in dark loose pants, leather brace dark against the pale skin of his arms, redness peeking between the straps from long years of wear.
He turns finally, holding up one of his old pirate shirts, her cheeks reddening a bit she thinks of the thin material that had taunted her for so long. Now, everything he had been barely hiding behind too few buttons was on display for her, the dark hair of his chest framing well sculpted muscles begging to be traced by her fingertips. That would be for another night, however, one when she wasn't falling apart.
"Here, love. You can sleep in this if you like?"
The fabric is soft and worn under her fingertips as she takes it from him, the material gathering in her lap as she smiles in thanks. Always the gentleman, her pirate, he crosses around to the other side of the bed to let her change outside of his gaze. She sheds her sweater and pulls the shirt over her head, the scent of him enveloping her as she slides her arms into the sleeves. Standing quickly, she pulls off her jeans and places her clothes on the chair with her coat, his shirt long enough that it falls just to the middle of her thighs.
"Come to bed, Swan."
She turns to see that he has settled on the far side of the bed, holding the covers up for her to join him. Without hesitation she switches off the light and slides onto the mattress, practically crawling into his body as she molds herself as close to him as she can get. His chest hair is soft under her cheek, the sound of his heart beating a strong rhythm by her ear, reminding her again of how close she came to losing him those many weeks ago. She wills herself to not think on that tonight, knowing it would set off another round of sobs if she did.
Instead, she leans up from his chest to look up at him, his gaze tender as he takes her in. She reaches up, her hand wrapping around his neck so she can pull his lips towards hers. She kisses him slowly, softly, relishing the intimacy of the moment between them. She grazes her fingertips along his jaw once before pulling back and settling back down on his chest, barely catching his slightly dazed expression as their lips parted in the darkness of the room.
"Goodnight, Killian."
"Goodnight, my love."