A/N: Hey, everyone! So, all I'm going to preface this with is this: things are about to get a little rockier for our Lieutenant and Princess. But, as always, have hope.
Listened to 'Damn You' by Lana Del Rey, 'Romantic Flight' from How to Train Your Dragon & 'Princess of China' by Coldplay while writing this. Enjoy!
Killian sighed as they finally made it out of the woods, hoping Emma wouldn't ask about his expression. He shouldn't have asked the question to begin with.
"Are you alright, Lieutenant?"
"I'm fine, thank you." Killian grinned, looking back to her, "I'm fine. Just a little thrown-off still, from the trolls."
"See? You are a damsel in distress."
"Maybe I am." Killian chuckled, "This afternoon has been incredibly enjoyable regardless."
"I agree." Emma replied, and he soon found her at his side, donning a smile.
"You know, I never thought you'd look more beautiful than you did last night, but here I am, proven wrong." Killian grinned. He watched as Emma ducked her head, suppressing a giggle.
"Thank you." Emma smiled, finally looking to him.
"Of course, love." Killian chuckled, "I'm courting you, I ought to be kind."
"That is true." Emma giggled, looking forward again and sighing at the sight.
"Lovely sight, isn't it?" Killian smiled.
"It never gets old." She sighed blissfully, "I wish I could live outside the palace, outside the kingdom."
"You will. Just give it time." Killian replied, and if he could have taken her hand, he would have. If he could have given her the world, he would have.
"I'm glad you think so." Emma smiled.
"Okay, Emma, meet the Jewel of the Realm." Killian smiled, sliding off the horse and tying it to a post. He helped Emma off her own horse, and watched her thin fingers tie the knot around the post.
"This is quite the ship, Killian." She smiled, following him carefully onto the ship.
"It's my home." He chuckled, taking her hand and helping her on, "Speaking of home, I'm sure my brother is around here somewhere. Liam?"
Liam poked his head out of the cabin, immediately smiling when he saw Emma.
"Well, hello, Princess." He grinned, stepping out of the cabin and bowing, "Captain Liam Jones."
"Princess Emma." She replied with a curtsey.
"Killy talked a lot about you last night," Liam smirked, crossing his arms over his chest, "It's nice to finally put a face to the name."
"You as well." Emma giggled. Killian glared at his brother, earning a smile in return.
"I was just about to head out to grab something to eat—would you two like to come?" Liam offered.
"Oh, I think maybe we'll—"
"Where are you going?" Emma smiled.
"A dwarf tavern." Liam replied. Emma looked to Killian, who laughed at the face she was making.
"Yes, okay, we can go to the dwarf tavern." He chuckled, smiling as Emma beamed. Liam chuckled, meeting his brother's eyes and nodding.
"Why don't you two spend some time on the ship? You can meet me there."
"Are you sure?" Emma asked.
"Positive. Don't get into too much trouble." Liam smiled, stepping off the ship, "You're in charge, Lieutenant!"
Killian waved away his brother, earning a loud laugh from the man. Killian rolled his eyes with a smile, turning back to Emma.
"Would you like a tour, love?"
"Of course." Emma grinned, holding onto Killian's hand and making him smile wider as he led her to the Captain's cabin.
"Here's the cabin—this is where my brother and I spend a lot of time while travelling." Killian explained, leading her inside.
"Wow." Emma breathed, her eyes glancing around the room, "There's a lot to take in."
"It's mostly just maps and trade routes." Killian smiled, "And a few trinkets and treasures we've gotten along the way."
Emma gently slipped her hand from his, walking to the glass cabinet filled with all kinds of small tokens.
"This is incredible, Killian." Emma spoke breathlessly. Killian smiled, walking over to her and setting her hands on her waist.
"This one is my favorite." Killian spoke softly, pointing to a small box with a tiny handle on it.
"What is it?"
"A music box." Killian whispered, "It plays the most beautiful song."
Before Emma could react, he was already opening the cabinet and taking it from its place. He wound it up, then set it back in place. With one movement, he turned Emma in his arms, holding her close. She smiled and tucked her cheek into his shoulder, turning in small circles with Killian.
"You're right. This is… absolutely beautiful." Emma whispered, "Where is it from?"
"It was far away from here, a lovely kingdom." Killian replied softly, continuing to turn with her, "We haven't been back since."
"Take me with you next time, maybe."
"If I can, I will." Killian promised.
"I wish to go on an adventure with you."
"The trolls weren't enough?" Killian grinned, earning a giggle in response.
"That was fun, yes, but I want to go on a voyage." Emma spoke softly.
"You will." Killian whispered, "Be it with me, or some prince."
"You're the only person I want to go with."
"Emma, you know your parents won't approve of me… They'll find out eventually." Killian said, "We can't hide this forever."
Emma tugged away from his warm shoulder, looking into his eyes.
"Killian…"
"I'm sorry, love." Killian spoke softly.
"It's fine." Emma sighed, tugging away. Killian rolled his head gently, turning to grab her hand.
"Emma, I will do everything I can to stay with you." He promised, "I know I've only known you for a few days, but… There's something I have to tell you."
"What?" Emma asked, her eyes hooded as she looked to him.
"That story you were telling me, about being on the ship?" Killian asked, sighing, "I was there. I was on that ship. When you went overboard, I… I was the one who jumped in after you."
"Killian, what are you talking about?"
"I saved you, when you fell overboard. My father was the captain of the ship, so I was riding along. I saw you go over, and… I jumped in. I couldn't swim all that well, but it was enough to get you. I didn't… I knew who you were, but I didn't think anything of it. I just jumped."
"You saved me." Emma breathed.
"Sort of. I mean, your father and mine pulled us up, and I thought you hadn't made it. But, you coughed up some water, and you stayed in my father's cabin for the rest of the journey. You started out as sort of an ugly duckling—but, now that I see you… You suddenly became a swan."
Emma's eyes softened, moving close to him again.
"When you said we met in another life, you meant…" Emma thought aloud, meeting his eyes, "Why didn't you say something earlier?"
"I didn't think you remembered. Then, today, in the forest… you said that you only vaguely remembered the journey, and I knew, I knew that I had to finally admit it." Killian sighed, "I love you, Emma, and I have since that day I saved you. I might not have known it then, but something pushed me to go in and save you. I have to believe it was fate."
"Killian, if you tell my parents that, they won't think twice about allowing us to court." Emma spoke hopefully.
"Love, I want to be with you. I want to be yours. But, I don't know how we're going to go about it."
"My mother already loves you, Killian." Emma pleaded, "She's seen how happy you make me."
Killian offered a half-smile, gently moving a curl from her face.
"I make you happy?"
"Of course you do." Emma grinned.
"I'm glad to hear that." Killian smiled, settling his hand on her cheek, "I will do anything in my power to stay, Emma."
"That means the world to me." Emma whispered, leaning forward and pressing her lips to his quickly before tugging away again.
"Well, I think my brother is waiting for us, love."
"Oh, right, the dwarf tavern." Emma giggled.
"Let's go." Killian grinned, taking her hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"That was incredibly hilarious." Emma giggled as she and Killian walked from the stables to the palace.
"Taverns are quite the experience." Killian chuckled, "They're something else."
"I'm glad I got to experience it. My parents might kill the both of us if they find out."
"For all they know, we spent the evening in town." Killian smiled, squeezing her hand.
"Are we going to tell them tonight?"
"Might as well… I would feel better about it if we did."
"Alright." Emma sighed, "I hope they'll be okay with it."
"I saved your life. I think they might overlook the fact that I am no prince." Killian spoke with a raised brow, making Emma laugh and bump into his side.
"I hope they do." Emma smiled, leading him into the palace. The two only stepped about halfway in when Snow appeared.
"Where have you been all afternoon?"
"With Killian—Mother, I told you we were going out."
"I didn't think you meant all day! I was worried about you!" She exclaimed, tugging her daughter close.
"My apologies, your Majesty," Killian spoke with a bow, "I didn't know we would be out longer than we were."
Snow turned to him, offering a small smile that Emma knew was forced.
"Where were you?" Snow asked, tugging away from her daughter, "You smell like dirt and rum."
"Emma!" Charming exclaimed as he ran down the hallway. Emma rolled her eyes, meeting Killian's and mouthing 'sorry'.
"I truly am sorry for keeping her so long. I assure you that everything is fine." Killian added as Charming came over.
"What's going on?" Charming asked, and Emma looked to Killian.
"He's courting me, Father." Emma interjected before Killian could get a word in, stepping away from her parents and closer to Killian.
"And who are you?" Charming asked skeptically, glancing to Killian, searching his face for answers.
Neither Killian nor Emma answered this time. Emma was too afraid to let him go, and Killian too afraid to tell the truth.
"I'll ask again, who are you?" Charming questioned. Killian looked to Emma as she shook her head, watching him bow, meeting Charming's eyes.
"Lieutenant Killian Jones, sir." Killian said, causing Emma to bite her lip and turn to her father.
"Father, please—"
"A sailor?" Charming asked, posing the question to Emma this time.
"Killian is worthy of my heart, Father, I promise." Emma pleaded.
"Emma, you know—"
"I know he's not a prince!" Emma shouted, surprising everyone in the room, "I know that! But, Killian is honorable, he's a gentleman. He won't hurt me."
"This isn't a choice, Emma—"
"Why do I never get the opportunity to choose something not for the kingdom, or for you, but for myself?" Emma spoke, tears burning in her eyes, "Why can't I choose something I know is right?"
Both Charming and Snow exchanged a glance as Emma weaved her fingers between Killian's.
"We will speak of this in the morning, Emma." Charming said, "For now, Emma, you have duties to attend to."
"Father, please—"
"In the morning." He repeated, looking to Killian, "It would be smart of you to leave now, Lieutenant."
Emma shook her head as he gently let go of her hand, meeting her eyes. He took a deep breath before nodding once more and turning towards the gates.
"No, no, Killian, please don't leave-!" Emma cried as he started walking out. She took a few steps after him, only to be stopped by her mother.
"Killian!" Emma shouted, tears falling quicker when he didn't turn at her voice, "Stay!"
Emma crumbled to the ground, her hands coming up to cover her eyes. She felt her mother's hand on her shoulder, but she simply shrugged it away. Killian wasn't coming back.
"Emma, it's time for you to get some rest." Charming said, setting his hand on Emma's shoulder. She refused to move. She wasn't leaving without Killian.