Looking After You Chapter 18: XVIII: Protection and Affection, an once upon a time fanfic

(A/N: Chapter ahoy!)

Warnings: ? We're still doing this? Um, some swearing, I guess.

Disclaimer: Lol no. In my dreams, totally. I don't own or profit from anything you see here. Oh, and wear pink. It's Wednesday.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

...

Emma laughed her head off, the phone's static going crazy. "Haha, are you serious?!"

"It isn't funny!" Killian whined with irritation. "It's serious, thus I have to involve you with my problems!"

"Because..." Emma trailed off suggestively, smiling cheekily. Though he couldn't see her, he could tell that she had a huge smirk on her face. Killian sighed mock-hopelessly.

"Because you're my best friend."

"Woah," The blonde said with surprise. "Didn't see that coming." She paused to sigh with admiration dramatically. "I've been levelled up to 'best friend'?! You truly touch my heart, thank you, thank you!" Killian rolled his eyes, but her silly attitude made him smile. "Whatever, you loser. Now can I rant to you?"

Emma nonchalantly tossed a used toothpick to the floor. "About Neal's dick move? Sure, I've witnessed lots of those. Add on to my lovely list."

...

"Stop. Freaking. Laughing! You're so mean!"

"I'm so sorry! B-But I just... just... CAN'T! AHAHAHAHAHHAAHA!"

"You are the worst best friend ever. Just sayin'."

After the explanation, it had been kind of awkward to talk to her about... having a conversation about her, but honestly, she felt quite flattered. He always stood up for her, always acted in that stupid adorable brave way. Regina always joked that he was always her white night. And she laughed back, saying that he wasn't any typical one. She just didn't expect it to be so true. So much so that she truly admired his persona, and perhaps wanted to be more like him. He was always such a good person, even though he always said that he was a bad one when he was younger, and had many regrets. Maybe she should take him more seriously.

But maybe she always had his back too, Emma thought with surprise. She blushed. She wanted to tell him that though, even if it didn't seem true, it certainly was and it was one of the only things she was proud of.

After a silence, Killian spoke up. "Hey, Emma?" He asked shyly.

"Yeah?" She replied.

"Thanks for listening to me. I'm serious abot you being my best friend, no-one like you - and not always in the good way."

He laughed happily, making Emma smile, though rolling her eyes at his comment. "Wow, thanks, I love you too." She let sarcasm drip through her words, but a twinge of... something... fluttered in her chest, yet she had to stop thinking about it to stop believing it was still there. Emma went on. "But I should be thanking you for always standing up for me. I'll kick his balls if he makes you angry again. I can, you know." Killian chuckled once more. "Yeah, I do, but that's my job, right? As a manly man?" Emma grinned.

"I don't really care about that shit because I care about you, and for that, just remember, i'll always be there for you too."

He was stunned at the honesty and openness of her words, and the tender feeling in them. Over the phone, Killian forced himself to not take it too seriously. A wide smile found its way onto his face.

"Haha, right. Goodnight."

"You have to go already?"

"Yeah. The laundry won't do itself."

"Damn, I wish it did. Night, Kill."

"'Night Emma."

And so the call ended like that.

...

(A/N: Short chapters are fun. You can more of them if you like. ;)

I hope I'll be ready for the next update for...

~ Looking After You ~