Mistletoe

Killian went out to apartment shop first thing in the morning. The first one he saw was perfect. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small room to use as an office or library, lots of natural light, big inviting spaces that would allow them to have company. The place was too large for just Killian, but he was really hoping that it wouldn't be too long before Emma and Henry were residents as well.

Of course, the real estate agent wasn't thrilled by his hook, nor was she impressed by the rental application.

Occupation: self-employed sea captain specializing in hostile takeovers. Currently not in possession of a ship.

Banking account information: A stockpile of doubloons, but I'm not bloody well telling you where they are.

The agent took his application and said, "we'll let you know" in a tone of voice that clearly implied that he would not be hearing from them. Getting his own place might be trickier than he thought. Despite having been there for a year, he still looked shady on paper, even by Storybrooke standards.

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It was a slow day at the Sheriff's station, and Emma told David she was going to take an early lunch to go out and apartment shop. She also asked him to keep it to himself for awhile, as she knew Mary Margaret wasn't ready to lose her daughter just yet.

David was also keeping it to himself that Killian was apartment shopping. He'd have to intervene if they both ended up signing leases.

Emma had much better luck when going to view an apartment she saw listed. Emma could really see this being her next home, and could see herself there for a long time. The agent took her application, and told her she'd let her know soon.

Emma's mood had been considerably brightened, both by the prospect of the amazing apartment, and by her shopping the previous day. Not really having ever had someone to shop for, she'd never known how nice it was to buy people presents. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to find perfect things for everyone. She thought of the Grinch, one of the only Christmas characters to not annoy her, and realized her heart had grown, maybe not three sizes but definitely one.

She smiled at the decorated tree in the square and the Christmas music she heard at the market when she stopped to pick up sandwiches for David's and her lunch. Christmas definitely wasn't as bad as she previously thought. While in the checkout line, she noticed they were selling mistletoe. Realizing that Killian definitely hadn't heard of this Christmas tradition, she decided to pick some up. She knew if he had heard about it, he would be carrying it around at all times, dangling it over her head.

When Emma finally got home from work that night, she texted Killian to see if he wanted to come over for dinner. Not needing to be asked twice, he showed up in record time. Living over Granny's meant eating a lot at the diner, and he took much pleasure in joining the Charming's for home-cooked meals.

Emma had hung the mistletoe up in the kitchen where they tended to congregate around the island. When David saw her hanging it up, he groaned.

"Emma, there's a reason I haven't told Killian about Mistletoe. I'd like to limit the number of times I see that pirate with his lips on my daughter."

"But Dad, you want me to be in the Christmas spirit, right? I like this part of Christmas."

Once Killian arrived, Emma kept watching, waiting for him to move to the spot at the counter right under the sprig of green. As soon as he was positioned correctly, Emma went in to give him a kiss, but she was pushed aside by her dad.

David laid a big, loud smack on the pirate's cheek.

"Sorry, mate," David said, eyes twinkling, hand pointing to the ceiling. "It's the mistletoe. It's tradition to kiss someone when they stand under the mistletoe. Just upholding the tradition.

For the rest of the season, Killian avoided the mistletoe, knowing that as long as David was home, he was going to beat Emma in for the kiss.