Warning: Contains spoilers for season 4B! Speculation fic for upcoming episodes.
Killian knew why she had to go. To reclaim Regina's happy ending. It was what she did; she was the Saviour after all. But it was more than that. This little, road trip, as Swan had taken to calling it, came at an opportune time. It would allow her some much needed space from her parents. To gain some perspective in light of their startling confession. Her decision, not to run, but to get some room to breathe, made perfect sense to him. They'd always understood one another, practically from the moment they met. Although, this understanding did little to quell the dull ache that had settled in his chest at the thought of her parting. However short she claimed it would be.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched her hug Henry tightly, murmuring something quietly to him out of his earshot. The lad returning the affection in kind, despite his increasingly turbulent teenage hormones. The Charmings stood awkwardly off to the side of the group and he fought to maintain what he hoped was an expression of neutrality as he watched Emma turn towards them. Her shoulders back, her jaw clenched, her eyes dark. Her hair shone like spun gold in the fading light. She was a vision. Her body language was tense as she exchanged a few terse words with her parents.
"Hey," Emma said, as she walked towards him with the beginnings of a coy smile on her face. She'd obviously donned her false bravado as well as he red leather jacket this morning. "Don't worry so much, it's only a couple days. Maybe a week."
"Aye, Swan," Killian replied with a small smile of his own. Although his didn't quite reach his eyes. "Doesn't mean I won't miss you, love." Or worry about you.
"I always knew you were sentimental," Emma said, lacing her fingers through his. He swayed towards her involuntarily. His thumb gently strumming along the back of her hand.
"Perhaps," He conceded with a small nod. Always when it came to her.
"It means a lot to me that you'll keep an eye on Henry. It's just, things with my parents right now…" Her voice faltered and his heart positively ached. He longed to sooth the furrow from her brow. To mend the discontent between her and her parents. Gods know he would do anything, had he any clue where to begin.
"I know, love," He said with a sad smile. "But I give you my word, no harm shall come to your lad while I draw breath—"
"Don't even joke," Emma said, squeezing his hand tightly. She rested her free hand over his heart. Neither saying what the other was surely thinking. That as long as Gold and the Queens of Darkness were still at large, no one's safety was guaranteed, her son and pirate included. "Just make sure he does his homework and goes to bed at a reasonable time. Oh, and don't teach him to cheat at cards. Or show him your loaded dice."
The back of Killian's neck positively itched and he felt the tips of his ears turning pink. Surely, there was no point in troubling Emma with the knowledge that the lad was already more than well acquainted with both the pirate's cards and trick die. He'd tell her of course, all in good time.
"You needn't worry, love," He said with small smile, hoping Emma would blame his reddened ears on the wind. "Henry and I will get along just fine until you return."
"I know," Emma said, quietly. She toyed with the charms on his necklace, as her eyes slowly traced his features. As if she were trying to etch him in her memory. They stood together, neither saying anything, neither willing to break away first. Killian swallowed thickly as he brushed a strand of her hair over her shoulder with his hook. He knew his concerns were misplaced. His behaviour foolish. Emma had explained she would be in contact with him via the communication device. But still…
Well the circumstances this time were markedly different, he couldn't help but recall the last time he'd sent her off in her ridiculous yellow vessel. How his hair had stood on end as the rolling thunder sounded in the distance, the bloody demon Pan's curse imminent. How his entire body had ached to pull her into his arms and never let go. But he hadn't.
He'd be damned if he made that mistake again. Without further preamble, Killian pulled Emma into a crushing hug, his arms tight around her. Without missing a beat, she melted into his embrace, toying with the perpetually unruly hair at the nape of his neck. He burrowed his face into her shoulder as she kissed the column of his throat, her lips lingering.
"There's not a day that will go by that I won't think of you," Emma whispered, her words hot against his neck.
He shook his head and a puff of air escaped his lips as he realized, of course, her thoughts mirrored his own. He couldn't help but smile, as he recognized his own words, his declaration of his feelings towards her repeated back to him. Words that she'd so obviously remembered from so long ago. He couldn't have squashed the feeling of elevation had he tried. He swallowed thickly and racked his uncharacteristically blank mind for the words he desperately needed her to hear.
Be careful.
I'll miss you.
Come back to me.
I love you.
Gods, I love you.
"Good," He whispered finally, his voice cracking slightly with emotion, yet solemn. He held her more tightly. The warmth of her body seeping into his own. Her blonde locks tickling his nose as he breathed, as he greedily inhaled her scent. He knew he had to let her go, that he was only making this more difficult for her, but he was selfish. The supposed bloody length of time of their separation made no difference. He didn't have the strength to let her go. Not this time.
Far too soon, Emma pulled away, but not before she kissed his cheek roughly. Reluctantly, he let her slip from his arms and watched wordlessly as she climbed into her bug. Regina was already waiting in the passenger seat, mumbling something about inadequate leg room. Emma shot him one last shaky smile and he knew he'd said the right thing, that she'd understood his meaning, when he saw her fierce green eyes overflowing with emotion. After all, they'd always understood each other.