Future fic set after Emma finally finds Killian in the Underworld...
Silence descends as the door closes behind Snow, leaving them alone in this Underworld version of the home they were meant to share. As she looks around at the gray tinged walls, his fingertips, sticky with his own blood, tighten against her knuckles as if he's afraid she will let go. Doesn't he know that there's nothing that could rip him from her side, not now, not ever again?
She turns to face him and cups his cheek, thankful for her magic's ability to heal his wounds, the physical ones they can see at least. The blue of his eyes are vibrant against the sea of red left behind, no longer swollen but still full of so much pain.
"Do you have the energy to walk upstairs so we can get you cleaned up?"
Leaning further into her hand and closing his eyes, he gives a slight nod of his head in response. Anger boils hot inside of her at seeing him so broken, but she knows he doesn't need the fire of Emma the Savior tonight. He just needs Emma.
He leans heavily against her as they climb the stairs, following her lead to the bathroom, the master one he's never seen. When he doesn't remark on the size of the bed as they pass it, it really sinks in how bad of shape he's in. Bloody and battered, his clothes fall one by one against the once white tiles, his hook and brace falling with a thump atop the pile. When he's completely bare he reaches for her, shaking fingers tugging lightly at her beanie until it slips from her hair and onto the floor. Hating the vulnerability she sees in his eyes as his fingers clasp the lapel of her red jacket, she steps a foot closer and helps him shrug it from her shoulders. She hears the shaky breath he releases as the leather hits the floor and it almost breaks her.
As quickly as she can, she sheds the rest of her clothes, keeping her eyes locked to his until she's stripped to the skin. In this breathless moment she suddenly realizes that it's only with Killian that she still feels strong without her armor. She silently hopes she can share some of that strength with him tonight when all she wants to do is collapse in his arms.
Reaching down, she takes his hand in hers and leads him towards the shower, not letting go as she adjusts the knobs and waits for the water to warm. As steam begins to fill the room, she urges him beneath the spray and he lets out a deep sigh as the hot water hits his skin. Stepping as close as she can, she tilts his head back and runs her fingers through his hair, his blood finally leaving his body in swirls and rivers around their toes. Just as she begins to turn to grab the shampoo, his arms clamp around her waist and he pulls her in close. It's not until his chest is pressed tight against her breasts does she realize he's crying.
When her palm comes up to hold the back of his head, he breaks fully as his sobs wrack his body and his tears begin to cleanse them both. She wants to cry with him, until his lips begin to move against her cheek and she hears the words he's struggling to say.
"You shouldn't…not for me… don't deserve…"
It's all a jumble, but she gets his meaning and she can't bear to hear another word. With both hands she lifts his head from her shoulder, making sure his face is out of the stream of water so he can see her clearly. His eyes, now bloodshot from his tears, open slowly but widen as he undoubtedly sees her expression of fierce determination.
"Killian, if it was me, you know you'd have done the same thing. It's my turn to fight for you."
"But, Emma…what if you never get home?"
Removing her hand from his jaw, she reaches down to pry his arm from around her waist so she can grab his hand and press it over her steadily beating heart.
"I know you hate when I use expressions from my world, but you're just going to have to deal with this one. Home is where the heart is. When you left, you took mine with you. Here, now, with you, I'm finally back home."