Title: A Life of It
Author: Roguie etc…
Part: 16/?
Fandom: Once Upon a Time
Characters: Emma/Killian
World: AU Modern
Rating: T
Warnings: Child abuse, bullying, mentions of potential molestation, all the bad things you'd expect to find in a poorly executed foster care system.
Spoilers: It's AU, so not likely.
Summary: Everywhere she was sent, he was there, her savior, the boy with blue eyes. He should have meant nothing to her, just another person that had to leave, but he meant everything. Against all odds, he kept coming back.
Disclaimer: OuaT is not mine, if it were, tackle hugs and sweet kisses would be our norm. Also, there would be way more, *cough*, sword practice scenes between our Captain and his Swan.
A/N: Ugh, so, like I said, my boss is back. As she is back, I have had absolutely no time to do anything this week except work – and when I say anything, I mean I'm leaving at seven in the morning, getting home at eight thirty at night, shoving food into my face and falling asleep before I'm quite certain I've finished my dinner. Now, where as she's thrilled I've written over forty thousand words in the last two weeks, she also has no clue it's been done here, and therefore I'm certain would be less thrilled to discover that fact. Anyway, I am a zombie… a horrible, non writing zombie who owes you all an apology. Fortunately, we're getting to the end of this little tale (four or five more pieces at most) so you'll not have to wait much longer for the conclusion… and at the very least she'll be on vacation in 10 days (no one's counting, shhh) so I'll have more time that week, in between managing my own store and playing her role as well (just tell me I'm a glutton for punishment.. it's a fact I already know, and suffer astoundingly well through). This is totally utterly unedited, so I apologize a thousand times for the mistakes in it… but she's going to be here in the morning and I have a task list a mile long to complete if I actually want to go home tonight. Therefore, in the interest of keeping everyone going with this fic and at the same time take care of my real life duties… you get the unedited version. Hopefully you're all still with me… shoot me a line to let me know… I do love nothing more than hearing from all of you!
~~~?~~~
Happy, in love, and secure in his life, Killian Jones couldn't have stopped the forward flow of time if he tried. Days sped by. Weeks flew. Months leapt forward seemingly without pause. Christmas came and went as a quiet holiday. Ruby and Granny were off to join Ruby's parents in Europe for the school break, so they had exchanged gifts on the last day of school with a quick hug and kiss to the cheek for luck. Liam put himself into the kitchen for Christmas Eve dinner, which resulted in smoke alarms, fire trucks, and his and Killian's presence at a Chinese food restaurant well into the evening. For his part, Killian had wanted to spend Christmas Eve with Emma, but the sad look that crossed his brother's blue eyes changed his mind. Together they hung the last decorations on their small Christmas tree and placed gifts for each other, Emma and Emma's foster parents under the branches. It was hot chocolate and spiked egg nog until well past midnight for the two men, Killian finally collapsing face first onto his bed, snoring loudly before his head even hit the pillow.
Waking Christmas morning was both the greatest experience of his life and at the same time damnably painful. At some point during the night he'd flipped to his back, one arm over his eyes, the other tucked under his pillow. His head throbbed, half hung over from the rum, enough that he not only missed hearing their doorbell, but he missed the knock on his door, the sound as it opened, the footsteps across his bedroom floor. He missed everything until a small, warm body flung itself on top of him, hip and thigh crushing into his morning alertness, lips grinding into his before he'd even had the chance to gasp or fling open his sleep crusted eyes.
His response was lost beneath long blonde hair, insistent lips, excited green eyes, and the bounce of a soft little body over his own. "Emma….!" He groaned helplessly, his fingers coming up to grip her hips as she teetered above him.
"Merry Christmas!" she grinned down at him, making him shake his head.
"You're insane, pretty girl," he chuckled, dumping her to the other side of his bed as he heard the footsteps in the hall approaching his room. Quickly he shifted onto his side, grinning at her. "Merry Christmas."
Mary Margaret poked her head into his bedroom, an apologetic look on her face covered immediately by a genuine smile when she realized she wouldn't be interrupting anything between them. "Merry Christmas, Killian. David and Liam are in the living room getting the gifts organized. We need to hurry, though; the other children back at the house are waiting for their Christmas morning as well."
Killian's heart plummeted as he realized Emma would be leaving him in a few very short minutes. Mary Margaret grinned even wider and shook her head, laughter in her eyes. "We told them they'd have to wait until we dropped Emma off here. When David and I get home, it'll be every man for himself. Have you ever seen what happens Christmas morning with five kids all under sixteen who have never really had a Christmas before?" She rolled her eyes, giggling. "May. Hem."
Killian chuckled, twisting his legs off the side of his bed, grinning up at the mother figure still hovering in his doorway. "It was probably about time to get up anyway. Made the mistake of leaving Liam in the kitchen last night. It was a disaster."
Mary Margaret nodded in understanding. "Ah, I was wondering what that recently charred wet dog smell was this morning."
They watched as she made her way back down the hall before Killian pulled Emma to him, stealing a final kiss. "Go," he grinned. "Find your gifts and I'll be there in a minute. I'd like a chance to dress and brush my teeth before engaging with David this morning."
Emma giggled and followed Mary Margaret down the hall. She'd not had a real Christmas in fifteen years; this year her excitement was uncontainable. She was with people who cared about her, in a place that wasn't going to be ripped out from under her the moment she turned her head. Stability did wonders for Emma's sense of self. Killian listened in awe as she laughed with his family and hers, making quick work of his morning routine before joining them, utterly ignoring David's glare as he yanked on Emma's hand until she fell onto his lap on the sofa. He wasn't kidding himself: fifteen years of damage couldn't be repaired with six months of normality, but she was taking step after step in the right direction.
Their gifts that year were heartfelt and simple. Emma returned Killian's mother's book to him, wrapped in red and green paper, the dried purple flower from her seventh birthday still sealed between the pages. He saw the uncertainty in her eyes and the blush that spread across her cheeks as he gazed down at the little present in awe.
"Sorry," she whispered, biting her lip. "I didn't have a lot of money to spend… I wanted to get David and Mary Margaret something… and the little kids…" her voice trailed off before ending in a surprised shriek as Killian grabbed her and kissed her soundly.
"Come on, that I didn't need to see," David muttered with a roll of his eyes. He turned to Mary Margaret and frowned. "How am I supposed to pretend that they're not doing what I think they're doing when I have to witness that?"
Killian's blue eyes burned with a mischievous sparkle as he pulled Emma closer and rested his head on her shoulder. "Should we tell them now, love?" he whispered far too loud not to be heard.
Catching on immediately, Emma flushed red and giggled… hard. "Wait until New Years," she whispered back, equally as loud. "He'll not be as likely to kill you if he's drunk."
"Okay, New Years, but it has to be then, or you're gonna start to show…" He couldn't help the wicked grin that curved his lips as he heard the low growl come from across the room.
The deep red flush that stained David's skin began at his collar bone and worked all the way up his neck, across his jaw, until fading into his light hairline. A vein at the side of his forehead began to throb in time with the heavy beat of his heart.
Mary Margaret clued in at the same time as Emma, her laughter light as she clutched David's arm, holding him in his place as he threatened to leap clear across the room. "That was not funny, guys," she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to contain the laughter that gave lie to her words.
"You have a death wish, boy," David growled, settling back onto the sofa, vein still throbbing but slightly more relaxed as he realized it was a joke at his expense.
"Aw, come on, Dave, it was just a bit of fun," Killian grinned, intensely proud of himself as he settled back, pushing his gift to Emma into her lap.
"Getting a girl pregnant is not a bit of fun!" David snapped.
Both Jones brothers burst out laughing as David's words died out, Emma flushed pink but couldn't help the giggles that escaped her, nor could Mary Margaret as she shook her head.
"Oh, David, honey, you need to rethink how you phrased that," Mary Margaret giggled, pressing her face into David's arm, her hand resting soothingly against his chest.
The vein throbbed harder as David scowled, refusing to look anyone in the eye, muttering a soft curse under his breath.
"Oh, honey," she continued to giggle, climbing to her feet. "Let's just go back to the house and see what our young wards have gotten themselves into." She moved across the room and leaned down to give Emma a quick hug, cuffing Killian on the back of the head while her body shielded him from David's view. "He's going to hate you for life," she warned before pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Killian grinned up at her and shrugged innocently. "He'll come around, everybody loves me, right, pretty girl? It's just inevitable." He squeezed Emma and leaned up to return Mary Margaret's hug. "Besides, how can I lose when I have you on my side, dear lady?" He winked saucily and Mary Margaret shook her head in defeat.
"You're incorrigible."
"A proud trait I've come by naturally," he replied, winking at his brother.
"He's not incorrigible, he's disturbed," David grumbled, gathering their coats and shaking Liam's hand before he hustled his wife back out into the cold morning.
It was almost midnight before Killian dropped Emma off at her house. They'd spent the remainder of the day teasing Liam for his cooking efforts, watching cheesy Christmas movies on the television, and just quietly enjoying the company of the other on what had always been a lonely day in years past. It was the best Christmas either of them had ever spent.
~~~?~~~
On Valentine's Day they avoided the chiffon and paper decorations of the school's dance. Not that Killian didn't run around with a huge cheesy grin on his face all day, surprising Emma with a flower before every class, a box of chocolates at lunch, and he used little candy hearts with sayings on them to respond to her every question. Still, the pressure and fishbowl atmosphere of the school dance had them both shaking their heads at buying tickets. Killian had to work for several hours after school that night, leaving Emma to hang around with Ruby and her boy of the week as he went down to the marina. Fortunately, he was able to leave just before 8pm and was back at Ruby's in time to pick Emma up for their late night date.
They went to the little diner next to the marina, laughing together over hamburgers and milkshakes, nothing off the wall special, but special to them. His gift to her that night was a small necklace with a silver pendant of a sail boat. When she questioned it, he cocked an eyebrow at her and grinned shyly, shrugging.
"It's a reminder that we're free. I look at the boats out on the ocean, and all I see is freedom. They can go wherever, whenever and all they have to answer to is the wind and water. I want that for us, Emmie, the freedom to just be us, however we are, wherever we are, together."
Her eyes grew soft and misty as she lifted her long hair, allowing Killian to place the little necklace around her throat.
"I… I know it's not much, Em, but I'm working a lot, and I have plans for us, for after school is over."
"It's perfect," she smiled at him, stealing a gentle kiss from his lips.
Killian scratched behind his ear, a low flush on his cheeks as they left the diner and moved to the jeep.
"Are you sure you don't want to stop into the dance?" he asked quietly.
"And miss Emma and Killian alone time? Not a chance!" she laughed back, pushing him against the door of his vehicle and claiming his lips firmly. Killian groaned softly, his hands coming to rest around her waist, holding her to him as he took all she had to give him and returned her kisses with everything he was.
His body was traitorous when he had her this close, rubbing into him like a kitten, her warm little hands slipping under the hem of his shirt to score over his firm stomach. The hard angles of his body fit so perfectly into the softness of hers that he honestly believed they were made for each other. Her little lips released sharp whimpers of pleasure, swallowed in whole by his answering groans of want and need.
"Fuck, Em," he dragged out, pulling her hips to his, holding her to him as he traced frantic kisses and nips across her jaw and down her throat. It took everything in his power not to growl against her skin, not to spin them around and wrench the control from her, not to grind into her with a passion so uncontrolled that every part of him was driven with the need to come apart.
Never one to be passive, Emma responded to each hitch of his hips with a slow roll of her own, taunting him, teasing him with her warmth, her fingers biting into his side as she clung to him, held him to her. Her free hand found the back of his neck, nails scraping through the scruff, wringing a whole new series of groans from his throat that finally descended quickly into her favorite gravelly growl.
She pulled on his jacket, forcing him off the side of the jeep so that she could get the door open, shoving him back onto the seat insistently.
"Em…" he growled, blinking the passion from his eyes as he stared up at her, grinding his teeth together as he struggled for control.
She moved to climb on top of him, and with the last measure of any self control he possessed, he caught her in his arms and quite ungracefully maneuvered her to the passenger seat, away from his aching body.
"What're you doing?" her face radiated confusion at first, and then much to his horror, hurt. "Don't… don't you…"
He was across the seat in an instant, his mouth on hers, kissing away her words. "Don't finish that sentence, pretty girl, because you bloody well know better, don't you?"
She gazed at him with uncertain eyes before biting her lip and nodding.
"Okay. So yes, yes of course I want you, this, us. No, no I won't be doing this in a car for our first time together. Hell, maybe on the hood of the car once we get really comfortable," he winked at her, coaxing a smile and an eye roll from her as they both began to relax. "But definitely not anywhere near a car our first time. This kind of thing, it's a stupid kind of special that I don't want to do wrong. I want a bed, maybe some candles, definitely some wine, a whole hell of a lot more time than a romp in my backseat could afford, and for the future, stop jumping to ridiculous conclusions! Try something new here, Em… trust me."
She blinked at him in surprise, paused for a moment and then burst out laughing. "How come I never knew you were such a girl?"
The sound that escaped him could only be classified as an indignant squawk, though the tone of his voice was threateningly dark when he finally spoke. "I'm no girl, Emma."
"Flowers and candles and wine, oh, my! Girl!" She teased, pushing him back fully into his seat as she pulled her seatbelt around her. "Listening to you, you'd think it was your first time instead of mine!"
Her laughter filled the jeep as he sat back, crossing his arms over his chest, lifting a single eyebrow as he regarded her silently.
"Killian?" Her laughter grew quieter, more uncertain as she met his steady gaze. "Killian?" Still he said nothing, his blue eyes firmly on hers as he waited. Her own eyes widened, a snort that ranked somewhere between humor and disbelief escaping her before she had a chance to control her response. "Are you kidding me right now?!" He simply shrugged, no embarrassment on his features beyond the light flush to his cheeks that could have been residual passion. "But you're… and you're…" Her hand twirled around in front of him, encompassing the entire package that made up Killian Jones. "How does that even happen?!"
Killian laughed at her outright confusion, shaking his head lightly, moving to put on his own seatbelt and start the jeep. "Emma, I was arrested at sixteen. Before that I was a drugged out street rat or living in a boy's home. The day I was released from both the foster care system and the legal system was the day I came looking for you. That truly didn't leave me much time in between for fostering a sexual relationship with another person."
She tried, she truly tried to harness the immediate comment that flew past her lips and hung in the air between them, damn near visceral in its cloying nature. "Been fostering with yourself then, have you?"
And there it was. Killian's eyebrows shot up, Emma's face flushed red, Killian's blue eyes began to sparkle and dance with mirth, Emma shrank further into her seat as if she'd disappear.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Just drive."
"You have a dirty little mind, Emma Swan."
"Drive."
"You're thinking about it right now, aren't you?"
"KILLIAN!"
"Yeah, you are."
~~~TBC~~~
Remember, much like magic all muses come with a price. This muse's price is that little review box down below. Please don't make her chase you for payment, it seems a bloody awful waste of her time, wouldn't you agree?
