This idea of Killian and Emma having "the talk" has been rattling around in my head since S4x11; where Henry tells Hook he "likes Hook even less now that he and Emma are together." And Killian gets this adorable look on his face, and replies with "Together? Did Emma use that word?"

There is an associated rant that goes along with this. Feel free to skip it, and jump to the one shot. I just needed to vent my feelings, and none of my friends watch Once Upon a Time, so you are all stuck with it :P

BEGIN RANT

So, this scene broke my heart. Honestly, I was inconsolable for days. Quite frankly, I may never recover. Here is Hook, literally heartless, his impending death looming over him, a slave to his most hated enemy, running around trying to take away, essentially the only person he knows his True Love (Emma) loves (knowing he'll be dead so he can't even help Henry get him back). Henry (holy petulant pre-teen) shoots some 'shattered sight curse' laced insults at him. And in spite of everything, under the control of the Dark One or not, Hook gets this adorable look on his face and tries to find out if Emma mentioned him or their relationship to her son. Because he doesn't know what is going on with them. Presumably he doesn't straight up ask Emma because a) he's busy with his heart being stolen or whatever and b) he assumes she will get awkward and not want to talk about it.

I get that Emma is "broken" and that she has "issues." But you know what, Hook does too! Arguably even more so, as he is literally ten times as old as Emma. He has 300 years of bad memories, between Milah, Liam and his dead parents (not to mention, almost everyone he ever knew is dead). Emma had a bad breakup with Neal and yes, going to prison and having to give up Henry was traumatic. Not like seeing your girlfriend murdered in front of you and then having your hand cut off traumatic, or having your brother horrifically die in your arms traumatic, but whatever. Seriously. Would it kill Emma to be like "hey, yup we're obviously dating." She doesn't even need to say dating, Killian got hopefully just thinking they're together. Rage! Come on Emma! Get it together! Don't be so mean to Killian!

RANT FIN

Now onto the story…

Thoroughly satisfied, Emma sighed as Killian gently trailed his fingers across her bare stomach. She felt wondrously sore in all the right places. She rolled her head on the pillow, wanting to see the throughly sated look on Killian's face that she had come to yearn for, almost as much as she did for him. With a nervous jolt, she realized that his brows were knit and he looked to be a million miles away. His deep, blue eyes staring listlessly into space.

"Hey," She said, brushing her hand against his cheek. She blushed slightly as his scruff tickled her palm, mirroring the delicious sensations he'd recently made her feel when he was nestled between her thighs. "You still with me?"

"Aye," He said, his voice rough. He cleared his throat and laced his fingers with hers. He smiled and placed a soft kiss against her knuckles. "Sorry, love, just thinking."

"About?" Emma asked, curious. She licked her lips as her eyes trailed over his toned chest. She swallowed thickly and fought the urge to rake her nails through his chest hair. She knew he was trying to talk to her, that she should at least attempt to meet his eyes, but she was so distracted by him. She thought after they'd explored each other, the burning, consuming passion she felt for him would lessen, but she couldn't have been more wrong. If anything it was intensifying.

"During the curse," Killian said slowly, his body tensing almost imperceptibly. If Emma hadn't been staring so intently at his naked form, she could have easily missed it. "Your lad, Henry, he said he likes me even less now that you and I are…together."

"Killian," Emma said sitting up and turning to face him squarely. "Henry didn't mean that. No one meant anything they said during the curse. He really likes you," She said, smiling bashfully as she thought of the look of wonder that often crossed Henry's face when he spoke of the pirate captain.

"Aye, love," He said, shifting under her glaze. Emma cocked her head and eyed him curiously. She couldn't ever remember seeing her pirate look so, nervous. What was going on with him? She scooted closer to him on the bed and gently rested her hand against his heart. She found herself doing that more and more often since she'd almost lost him. Liked to confirm his heart was where it belonged.

"Killian," She said again more firmly. She tipped his face up to meet her eyes. "Talk to me."

"Sorry, Swan. It's just rather difficult to concentrate when your bloody, exquisite, naked form is so close," He flashed her a smug smile, his bravado back in full swing. She wasn't the only one who could hide behind her walls. He tried to pull her close, but she resisted, not satisfied with his brush off. Sensing her reluctance, he sighed and rolled his eyes. "I just wasn't familiar with the term, that all love."

"The term?" Emma said, her brows furrowed.

"Aye, together, the characterization was foreign to me," He ran his hand through his hair. "I know I've adapted well, the dashing rapscallion that I am, but your realm and its customs can be overwhelming, especially to an old one handed pirate with a drinking problem." He slid said hand back towards her and gently cupped her bare behind, trying in vain to inch her closer to him, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Emma smirked at him and swatted away his hand. She didn't believe for a second that anything had ever overwhelmed the captain in his entire, unnaturally long, life.

"Well, how would things go if we were back in the Enchanted Forest?" She said, trying to maintain a neutral expression.

"Well, if we're to pretend that a dashing pirate such as myself would even be allowed near the Charming's precious princess," He said leaning back against the headboard and flashing her a big smile. "I would have eagerly courted you, of course, as a suitor."

"Ah. So what's wrong with that characterization. You being my suitor?" She said with a smile, her words lilting as she copied his accent. Her smile unfaltering, not taking her eyes away from his, she rested her hand on his thigh.

"Well," He licked his lips nervously at her touch. He shifted uncomfortably again as he considered his next words carefully. "Typically, an breathtaking creature such as yourself has innumerable suitors. And obviously a suitor has no assurances that his affections are returned…"

"Oh, they're returned," Emma said, her eyes twinkling. Her hand drifted to his hardening length and he gasped at her brazen statement. She stroked him gently and smiled when his hand clutched the sheets roughly. "And there's no one else," She said, finally understanding what he needed from her. He closed his eyes at her words and arched himself into her touch. Her admission surprised her a little. Not the sentiment, she'd known she'd felt this way for a while, but having the courage to say it. Say it first, that was new for her.

"Gods, Swan," He said, roughly pulling her to him, their chests crashing together. Their lips collided, their moans lost in each other's mouths. Emma's hands delved into his dark locks, pulling lightly on his hair. His hand was everywhere on her skin, the sensations making her shiver. Emma trailed her hands down his body, relishing the feel of his taunt muscles under her. Hungrily, she pulled his bottom lip into her mouth, sucking greedily. He groaned and pulled her impossibly closer. Breathlessly, Emma pulled her lips out of his grasp, but left their bodies intertwined. She knew she should just let it go, but she felt so vulnerable, so exposed. She wanted, needed, to know.

"Are you," She cleared her throat. God she was so bad at this. "Are you courting anyone else?" Feeling more vulnerable than she had in, ever, she refused to meet his eyes. Gingerly, she played with the charms on his necklace.

"Swan," He said, his voice dripping with emotion. "There's no other. I only want you." He nuzzled her nose against her cheek until she tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. "I've only ever wanted you." She swallowed thickly when she saw the dept of emotion, the unwavering sincerity, staring back at her. A smile tugged at her lips before she could think to stop it.

"I'm not good at, at this," She said lamely.

"I beg to differ, love," Killian said with a smirk as he pulled her hand back to his now straining cock. "You seem bloody brilliant to me."

Emma scoffed and rested her head against his shoulder. She placed a soft kiss against his skin. Silently thanking him for his ridiculousness, for taking some of the building tension out of the room, for always being exactly what she needed.

"It's just," She huffed as she searched for the words. Elaborate, lyrical declarations where his thing, not hers. "I'm not big on labels. I've never been."

"Emma," He said reverently, kissing the hollow of her neck sweetly. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to pressure you, love. I just," He sighed and wrapped his arm more tightly around her. "I'll be whatever you want me to be, Swan. Gladly."

Soundlessly, she brushed her lips against his. She kissed him, slowly. She tried to put all of her emotions into the kiss. Hoping that it would be enough. That even though she couldn't say it, she could make him feel what he meant to her. Killian pulled Emma's leg over him, so she was straddling him. His hand twisted in her hair. Emma sighed breathily as he trailed wet kisses down her neck. His member, hot and thick teased her wet folds. Frantically, Emma reached between them and positioned him at her entrance, dripping with need. God, it was almost embarrassing how quickly her body responded to him.

Looking into his eyes, impossibly blue, she lowered herself onto him in one quick motion, her hands resting on his shoulders, her mouth open in a soundless scream. Her body, still sore from their recent amorous activities, protested, but she blocked it out. Focusing only on him. His body was taunt with the effort of staying still, waiting for her to adjust to his size. His eyes drank her in, hungrily. Capturing his lips, she rocked her hips against his. His hand reached between them and kneaded at her breast, his thumb brushed against her nipple. She moaned loudly at the sensation and she felt Killian smile against her lips.

As Killian began to thrust against her in earnest, she tipped her head back in ecstasy. Her hair, trailing down her back. His hand and his arm went to her hips and pulled her hips down in time with his thrusts. Panting, her own hands clawed at his chest. This felt amazing, but she needed more. She needed to feel closer.

Seemingly sensing what she needed, God, how did he always do that, he flipped her roughly, pinning her between his hard body and the mattress. His coarse chest hair scraped over her breasts. He hips rocked into her. In their new position, he quickly found that spot inside her that never failed to bring her release. He brought his mouth down to her pert nipple and kissed and nipped and sucked roughly. Emma cried loudly out against the onslaught of sensations.

"Right there," Emma panted. "Oh my god Killian, right there."

"Come for me Emma, come for me now." Killian moaned against her skin. His own release building, he dropped his hand to her clit, wanting her to fall first. And oh God, she did. Her vision blurred and she cried out his name, over and over again as her orgasm rocked over her. As her walls clenched around him, he too came with a string of satisfied curses falling from his lips.

Groaning, Killian rolled off of Emma, not wanting to crush her. Before she could protest, he pulled her against him. Panting heavily, the lay together, their limbs intertwined. She rested her head against his chest. She closed her eyes and listened to the steady, if somewhat elevated, beat of his heart. If they weren't careful, they were never going to make it out of bed today. Although, Emma thought. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

"We're definitely together Killian," She said, pulling back to meet his eyes. "You know that right?"

"Gods, Emma" He growled, against her hair. "You can't know what you do to me. What hearing you say that means to me."

She felt her heart sink as she heard the desperation in his voice. How could he think they weren't together? That they weren't something? She swallowed audibly, realizing the felt that way because of her. Because she'd never told him differently. Propping her chin on his chest, she eyed him carefully and tried to collect her thoughts. She knew that he needed more from her. For once her touches, smiles and kisses, they weren't enough. Maybe they never were.

"It's not what you think," She said huffing slightly. Killian eyed her expectantly, their breathing still laboured. His hand gently rubbing her back, offering her silent support. "It's not that I'm scared we can't won't live up to the labels. It's more like, the labels, they can't, there's nothing to describe what we are."

"Swan—"

"Killian," She said interrupting him. She pulled herself up and cradled his face between her hands. She needed to say this, before she lost her courage. "You're my friend, my confidant, my lover, my teammate, my pirate. And I don't know what to call us, because I've never felt like this. I've never had this. But we're something. Something good, Killian. I know I'm not good at showing it, but I don't want to lose what we have, because—"

Suddenly, Killian was kissing her, her words lost to his passionate, bruising kiss. "Emma," He said, when he finally pulled away, his lips swollen and his breath ragged. His arms pulled her tight against him. "I can promise you, we won't lose this, or each other. Nothing will come between us. I won't let it."

"Good," She said simply, a broad smile on her lips.

Reviews? Prompts? Rants? I'll take 'em all :)