Hello everyone! The hiatus is over, finally! Today is probably not the best day to post anything, but it's been a long time, and now that I've finished this chapter I didn't want to wait any longer since I need to focus on the rest of my WIP.

This time it's Killian and Liam's turn. A new plan has been launched, will Liam and Elsa succeed this time? We'll see... ( Note: I have no idea of ice skating, I only went skating once and I was so scared that I was hanging on the railing all the time... )


Killian

Saturday night. The adrenaline rushed through Killian's veins and his whole body vibrated in anticipation of what was to come that night. He could almost feel the touch of the guitar strings on his fingertips, and how his vocal cords tensed, impatient to begin to work out their magic in the form of a melody.

This state of excitement was not something new to him, on the contrary, it was his usual state on his concert nights. Everything was possible above a stage and he could feel it on every fiber of his being. He felt so alive in those moments, freer to express his feelings through the music. He felt powerful, able to get anything he set out to do. —Well, almost everything.

The sounds around him brought him back to reality. He was behind the bar, following his usual routine on concert nights. He forced himself to act that way every night, as a means of distraction, to keep his excitement at bay.

And tonight was not going to be any different. In front of him, two young women waited for their drink. The flash of a white-toothed smile and curved lips appeared on his face as he unfolded all his charms over the two clients. They, in turn, offered him bright smiles and suggestive glances, full of promise.

He was fully aware of the effect he had on the female clientele —and also on some male clients, of course— but this kind of seduction game was just a part of his job. At the end of the day, he always came home escorted by his two favorite people in this world. His brother and his... well, his friend. For this reason, although his smile was directed at his avid clients, his gaze had only one goal, Emma Swan.

She was stunning that night, slipping through the crowd as she took photos, right in front of him, teasing him like a bloody siren. Her choice of attire did not help to calm his agitation, rather the opposite. She wore a tiny black top and black leather leggings, which, along with the heels she was also wearing, made her legs look slender. Her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, enhanced her features, making her even more desirable. A bloody siren.

He couldn't take his gaze away from her. His eyes watched all her movements through the room and she seemed fully aware of his scrutiny, or maybe he imagined things, but the truth was that her suggestive movements were driving him crazy, especially when thinking that a little later they would have to share the stage.

His lips curled into a smile at the thought of their next performance together, his mind bringing to his memory the moment he unveiled the mystery and informed her of the song they would sing on Saturday.


He hoped he had made the right decision. After this kind of impromptu and then failed date the night before, Killian was going to meet Emma early in The Kraken to begin rehearsals for their upcoming performance. As he waited, his mind relived, again and again, some of the moments experienced the night before.

Emma had come to the restaurant with the same bloody dress of two months ago when they met by chance in that bar. Killian suspected that she was aware of the effect her attire had on him, yet he did his best to hold her gaze and keep his eyes from straying a little lower. 'Bloody hell'. The sole image of her impressive neckline was enough to make his blood run hot in his veins.

Something different was happening between them. It was such a subtle change that Killian still couldn't identify its meaning, but from that day on he confessed his feelings due in part to Belle's betrayal, it was as his attraction to Emma had multiplied. He felt freer now that he didn't have to hide in front of his brother's eyes. The hope that his feelings might have reciprocated became more and more intense, as Emma was closer than ever, more affectionate, more tempting. Maybe it was only a matter of time. Or maybe it was just his imagination and Emma still saw him as just a friend.

The temptation to choose a romantic song as an instrument to express his feelings had been strong. After the experience with 'Because The Night', the idea of following the pattern his brother had started was quite attractive. He had even created a list of possible candidate songs. But this time he couldn't use his brother as an excuse as to the choice of the song. This time the weight of the choice fell entirely upon him. Maybe he was exposing himself too much. Maybe she got the message and that pushed her away, raising her walls again.

No, he couldn't take the risk, not now that her walls were so low that the line between friendship and something else was so faint. He would choose a fresh, positive theme that would at least allow them to have fun on stage.

Killian grabbed his guitar and began to play the first notes while clearing his voice and trying to adjust the tone to the song. Just then the front door of the room opened, Emma appearing there in all her splendor.

Emma Swan was not a morning person. Killian was aware of it shortly after meeting her for the first time, a day when they had to take inventory in The Kraken at a time when 'it should be forbidden to get out of bed'. —Her words— Her complaints and sulky expression softened only when she had ingested a sufficient dose of caffeine. This time it was not going to be any different, of course. Her features were still marked by sleep, her eyes slightly swollen and her lips pursed in an adorable pout.

She grunted something like "morning," and dropped into one of the bar stools, burying her head in her folded arms on the counter. Killian couldn't help but smile as he set the guitar on the stage and moved behind the bar. He pulled out the cup of coffee-to-go he had previously bought and offered it to her in silence as he gave her a gentle squeeze on her arm to get her attention.

Emma raised her head enough for her eyes to detect the cup. "I'm still blaming you, coffee is not enough." She pointed him with an accusatory finger, but grabbed the cup and brought it to her lips, her throat emitting the most delicious sounds as a sign of appreciation for the hot liquid.

A few minutes later, Emma seemed to have recovered enough. A small wrinkle still remained on her forehead but she straightened her back and at last, she focused her gaze on him.

"I need a reminder. At what point did this one-time thing become something else?" Her tone still had a harsh hue, but though her words were meant to be a reproach, her voice seemed to hide some amusement with the whole situation.

"Since we use it as a business strategy, maybe? Or because you and I had a good time up there?" He offered, pointing toward the stage. Then he leaned over the counter, invading her personal space. "Or perhaps because it's the perfect excuse to spend time with some devilishly handsome guy?"

Emma rolled her eyes, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "We already spend all our time together, I do not need any excuse." The fact that she had not denied the devilishly handsome thing didn't go unnoticed by him, pulling up the corner of his lips into a wide smirk.

"Shall we start the rehearsals now that the caffeine has taken effect?"

Emma let out a puff of air through a loud sigh. "Okay, if it has to be... Can you just tell me which song we are going to sing?"

Killian cleared his throat as he gave her a mischievous look. Then, he just hummed.

"Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

I feel aliiiiive"

"Seriously?"

"And the world I'll turn it inside out - yeah

And floating around in ecstasy"

"You're serious, aren't you? You want me to sing 'Don't Stop Me Now'? Why?" Her expression showed some surprise as if she were expecting a different song style. Her voice had a slight tinge of disappointment, though the cause wouldn't have to be that she wanted a romantic song, right?

Killian stepped out from behind the bar and approached her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he pulled her to her feet. "Because it is funny."

"It's funny." She parroted his words as she tilted her head slightly, seeking his gaze, her eyebrow raised in question. "There's something else, right?"

"Well, I've prepared a musical base that can fit well with our voices. Besides, there's another surprise, I'm going to play the piano at the beginning."

"Really?" Her eyes widened in surprise as her lips curled into a pleased smile. "That's a good reason."

They walked together toward the stage. He went up first and offered her his hand. "Shall we begin then?"


"Killian! you start in five minutes."

Liam's voice coming from the other side of the bar brought him back to reality. He looked in his direction and nodded. His brother was serving at the other end while chatting animatedly with Elsa. She had recovered from her illness and had come to see Emma perform.

Emma's friend spent a lot of time with them lately, even she had come up with a plan for the next day that included the four of them. Killian paused for a moment to observe them. The two of them were totally focused on each other as they chatted as if they were sharing something confidential. Killian wondered if maybe something was coming up between them. He also reminded himself that he would have to ask Emma about it.

He shook his head. He would have time for that later. Now he had to focus on his performance. He went into the back room to pick up his guitar and tune the chords before starting. When he came out, he headed toward the stage. The pre-performance adrenaline run through his veins, his muscles tensed in anticipation.

Emma was already waiting for him in her usual spot, on one side of the stage, a wide smile of encouragement drawn on her face. If things were different he could kiss her senseless before climbing the stage. For now, though, he could only settle for a tight embrace. Their bodies united for a few seconds while he buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled her intoxicant scent. He had become accustomed to these hugs as a prelude to his performance. It was as if the contact with her body gave him the necessary energy to give the best of himself up the stage.

Before pulling away, she gave him a soft kiss on his cheek as she lightly squeezed his arm. He, in turn, took two deep breaths and smiled back as he nodded. He was prepared. Emma held up the camera as she told him. "Don't think I'm taking my eyes off you for a second."

"I would despair if you did, love. I'll see you in a while up there." He winked at her before walking to the center of the stage where Liam was already announcing the performance.

As the public began to clap and cheer, Liam stepped aside as he patted his shoulder. Killian turned, looking for the sound engineer, and nodded subtly. His heart pounded against his rib cage as the music began to sound, wrapping the entire room. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, his gaze sought Emma. There she was, in the middle of the crowd, right in front of the stage, camera in hand. She smiled at him as she nodded. That was all he needed. His fingers slid over the strings of the guitar, generating the first chords as his vocal cords began to vibrate. And the magic appeared in the form of a melody.

For the next minutes, he devoted himself to the music. He let it flow through his body, as the public accompanied him enthusiastically, chanting the songs and cheering him with applause and whistles. Despite being focused on music, he kept track of Emma's movements. She, in turn, kept taking pictures of the crowd, but above all, of him. He couldn't wait to have her by his side. Although he would never recognize it, Liam's idea of Emma singing with him had been brilliant, on all levels.

He continued to sing a couple more songs, moving around the stage and encouraging the audience to sing along with him. Tonight there was something in the atmosphere that made him feel more exhilarated than on previous occasions. He let himself go and enjoyed the most of the moment. After one last song in which he gave everything of himself, the moment to share the stage finally came.

The last musical notes still echoed in the room when he grabbed the microphone with both hands and set out to introduce Emma.

"Thank you all, you are the best!" He shrieked, his breathing trying to normalize after the previous effort. "We still have one last performance as a colophon for this special night. I ask for the loudest of the applause to welcome a great and talented person, a good co-worker, and the best friend that anyone can have. I present to you all, Emma Swan!"

She was ravishing tonight, he thought as he watched her step onto the stage. He was going to have a very hard time concentrating while Emma looked at him this way, so intense and suggestive. Her lips curved into a smile he wanted to erase with his own lips on hers. But he was a professional first, so before the music sounded, he gave her a brief hug as he handed the microphone to her. He could feel she was nervous, this was new to her, after all. In an attempt to reassure her and before he took his place on the piano, he whispered in her ear, "remember the rehearsals, love, let yourself go, everything will turn out well." He squeezed her arm slightly, Emma nodding with a small smile. Then he walked back to the piano, trying to pull himself together.

Once more, he closed his eyes for a second, put his hands on the keys and after two deep breaths, began to sing.

Their performance was everything he had imagined and more. Killian was especially inspired with the piano that night even though he hadn't played the instrument for some time. That night, though, his fingers slid over the keys as if they had a life of their own. His voice sounded totally tuned, filling with Emma's to perfection.

Perhaps her presence was what inspired him to give the best of himself. She was a goddess on stage. Maybe it was his partial vision because of his feelings for her, but the truth was that she was a natural there. Once the initial nerves were over, she got into the performance, encouraging the crowd to sing with them. She jumped, and gestured towards him, as in the part of 'give me a call' in which she simulated she was holding a phone while holding his gaze. He was surprised that he could be so attuned to such distraction in front of him.

When the performance ended, his heart was beating frantically against his chest, his body was sweating but he was all plentiful, the discharge of adrenaline had had its effect. That was why he couldn't resist the temptation and pulled Emma towards him, wrapping her in a tight embrace she responded to with the same enthusiasm, to his satisfaction. After a few seconds, they separated a little, but they held their arms around each other's waists. The public was still roaring and cheering around them, so they thanked them with a bow as they waved their hands.

Before leaving the stage, though, Emma had something prepared. She grabbed the microphone again, addressing the audience. Her voice was still slightly breathless after her performance.

"Thank you very much to everyone for joining us tonight, and we hope to see you again next week in a new session of 'Saturdays in concert.' Remember, you can visit our website and leave your comments there. And you can also say what song you would like us to sing together next you!" Emma applauded the audience, getting well deserved new cheers. Killian was impressed with this brilliant woman. She not only was able to shine on top of a stage but had the ability to seize the opportunity to boost their business. His admiration for her grew at times.

The ovation of the crowd accompanied them on their way to the bar, where Liam and Elsa were waiting for them. His heart swelled in his chest as he saw the proud smile his brother was wearing. Liam's approval represented the world to him, after all he had done for him in recent years.

"Very well done guys." Elsa greeted them with an amused smile. "You two make a great team up there."

"You don't have to thank me for having this great idea," Liam added, waving his hand in front of them.

Emma snorted at his side at Liam's words and he was about to reply, but then he realized that Elsa had looked away as her lips curled into a thinly concealed smile. He followed her gaze, checking that what Elsa was watching was his hand and Emma's, which remained entwined since they left the stage.

That didn't seem to matter to her since she made no attempt to free her hand, so he ventured, giving her a slight squeeze, while his thumb brushed her palm. Far from pushing her away, she turned her gaze to him, her lips drawing a small smile, matching his own. He then looked at his brother, who was giving him a penetrating look that contained a special glow. He could also notice that Liam nodded almost imperceptibly. It was as if he were telling him, without needing to express it aloud, that he was following the right path on his journey to win Emma's heart.


Two hours later all the customers had already left The Kraken with the exception of Elsa, who had even helped them clean up after closing. They were now sitting at the bar sharing shots to celebrate another successful night. It was nice to share these moments of camaraderie with the most important people in his life. The addition of Elsa to the small group was an incentive, as it had been like a burst of fresh air, giving them the opportunity to carry on new experiences.

And that was what they were talking about in that moment, about the new idea Elsa had offered them as a plan to hang out together. The idea of going ice-skating to an outdoor artificial ice rink that worked during the winter hadn't seemed too attractive at first. Killian had barely skated previously and felt a bit clumsy in that aspect. But little by little, he began to see the advantages of the plan. Since both he and Emma seemed to have the same level of clumsiness, perhaps they would have to hold each other to avoid falling to the ground. Yes, it was definitely not a bad idea. Not at all.

"I'm not sure I like that plan." Emma, sat next to him, didn't seem so convinced. "I mean, it's freezing outside, and I don't want to fall on the ice, just thinking about it makes me shiver." She groaned as she crossed her arms and rubbed them with her both hands as if she wanted to warm herself up. Her lips pursed in a pout that meant to show annoyance but which Killian found adorable.

"Oh, come on, Emma, we'll have a good time, you just get soaked up. Exercise will make you warm up soon." Elsa encouraged her.

"Well, guys, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. What do you say if we close and go to the restaurant next door? You're coming with us, aren't you, Elsa?" Killian raised an eyebrow at hearing his brother refer to Elsa directly. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but all this looked promising.

That's how they ended up at a twenty-four-hour open restaurant eating pizza at two in the morning. They chose a booth away from the entrance, Elsa and Liam sitting together, while Emma was at his side, in front of them. Sleep seemed to have abandoned them all despite the hour, no one was in a hurry to go to bed. Instead, they chatted nonchalantly about any subject that went through their heads, making the half-empty premises fill with their voices and laughter.

At some point, Killian put his arm around Emma's shoulders as she placed her hand on his thigh, close to his knee. It was an innocent gesture, just a display of affection between two close friends. He was aware, though, that the image they gave to the rest of the people was quite different. Anyone who saw them that way could think of them as a couple. But as long as he could maintain that confidence and closeness with Emma, he couldn't care less what people might think about it.

What he had with Emma now was so precious that he was not going to risk losing it by acting hastily. He had the impression that Emma could feel for him more than a simple friendship, especially if he compared it to her relationship with Liam, the other person closest to her. However, her fear of ending with her heart broken again kept her paralyzed.

But he was a patient man. And these new opportunities offered by both her brother and Elsa were bringing them closer. For that reason, the plan to go skating was so attractive. It was the perfect excuse to maintain the physical contact between them, something to which he found more and more difficult to resist himself.

Perhaps if he added an incentive to the experience, it would improve even more. The corners of his lips rose slightly as an idea settled on his head. "What do you think, guys, if we make a bet?"

The three of them looked at him, with the same expression of strangeness on their faces. Once he got their attention, he continued. "The first to fall to the ground tomorrow will have to pay a round of drinks to the others."

Elsa smirked. "I like that idea. I know that no matter what happens, I'm going to get free drinks tomorrow."

Liam, though, didn't seem so convinced. "We are not especially skilled in this matter. I don't get the point, it is very likely that the first thing that happens as soon as any of us step on the ice is that we fall."

"You know I like a challenge, brother. What do you say, Swan? Are you aiming to get this idiot to buy us some drinks?" As he spoke, he held his arm even more tightly around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him.

"Yeah, we're going to beat you, Liam."

"Hey, that's not fair. This is supposed to be an individual competition and you two have already allied against me." Liam grumbled, frowning as he pointed to both of them.

"Don't complain, you have an expert to help you stand up. You're going to help my clumsy brother, aren't you, Elsa?" Killian cocked his head slightly, his teasing words disguised in an innocent tone.

Elsa's cheeks flushed furiously, raising Killian's suspicions that something between them could come up. He was glad if that happened. Liam had been so focused on taking care of him in the first place and then running the business and trying to keep it afloat that he had barely had time for himself. Elsa was perfect for him, sweet and calm but with great determination. Maybe they just needed a little push…

Liam's sigh brought him back to reality. He seemed to have resigned himself because then he held up his beer. "Okay, do we have a deal?"

Everyone toasted as a way to close the deal. The friendly talk still went on for a while. Killian hoped the next day's plan would bring them at least as good a time as they had experienced today.


It was a cold, Sunday morning. Killian adjusted the beanie he wore to protect himself from the cold and rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm himself. He could feel his fingers almost frozen despite the protection of his gloves. The idea of ice-skating was no longer so appealing to him, especially as the cold filtered through his bones as he waited for the lasses. They were late.

"There they are, at last." His brother gave him a nudge to catch his attention as he pointed to them.

Bloody hell. Emma was impressive on that Sunday morning. She wore a beanie, her golden hair falling in curls and framing her features. Her cheeks had a rosy hue, her bright eyes and her gleaming smile were enough to warm both his body and his heart.

The two brothers greeted the two friends with kisses on their cheeks. After a brief chat, they all approached the skating rink and slipped on their skates. The moment his feet came into contact with the ground, he had to cling to the railing to avoid falling. Bloody hell, this was going to be more complicated than it seemed at first. How on earth would he stand on only two blades on that slippery rink?

Killian looked around, both Liam and Emma had the same problem to keep their balance. Emma's expression even showed a little panic. Fortunately, Elsa soon came to their rescue. Since she was the expert on the subject, she stood before them, prepared to give them a little lesson. Elsa taught them the basic notions, showing infinite patience to their endless questions and reassuring all their fears. Killian listened attentively, feeling somehow like one of the children Elsa taught to skate. He was willing to absorb everything she could offer him if that would help him stay up long enough not to be the first to fall.

"Okay guys, so far the theory. Now let's start practicing slowly. You two look at our movements," Elsa said to the two brothers. Though her words held their usual soft tone, she imprinted a touch of firmness in her voice. "Emma, come with me."

"What? Why me?" Emma cringed a bit at his side, her panicked expression became more evident.

"Come on, don't be afraid. I won't let you down." Her soft, reassuring voice seemed to have an effect on Emma. When Elsa held out her hand to her, she seemed hesitant at first, but then grabbed her friend's hand firmly.

That's my girl, he thought with pride. The two women moved in front of them, Emma emulating Elsa's movements as she tried to keep her balance. The addition of Emma to this kind of masterclass was an incentive, no doubt, since he could observe her carefully without being embarrassed by it. Once Elsa made sure that the three of them had assimilated the basics it was time to move to the next level. She offered Emma her hand again. "Now let's skate a bit through the skating rink. Slowly, just so you can gain confidence, okay?"

Emma nodded hesitantly but gripped Elsa's hand firmly. Both began to move away with slow movements at first, Elsa holding Emma's hand as she did her best to move without falling.

Slowly, Emma was gaining confidence in her movement, printing a little more speed as she slid down the rink. Killian couldn't take his eyes off her, following her every move. He felt bewitched by her rosy cheeks both from the exercise as from the cold of the surroundings, by her hair dancing in the wind as she moved. And by her smile, hesitant at first, but that was widening as her confidence increased. She was a goddess and she seemed to perform a show just for him. At least it was what he deduced when from time to time she was looking at him, her gaze so intense that it could take his breath away.

"Close your mouth little brother." His brother's voice filled with amusement brought him out of his reverie.

He finally turned his gaze from Emma and fixed it on Liam's as he mumbled. "I don't know about you, but I'm trying to learn not to be the first to fall. The bet is still up, older brother." His lips curled into a smirk as his eyebrow rose defiantly.

Liam snorted at his side but didn't reply to him. They both continued to stare at the ladies in silence. In a few minutes, the two lasses skated in their direction, both of them clearly excited as they approached.

Maybe it was the speed or maybe Emma still didn't control the skates at all. The case was that she rushed directly at him with so much momentum that Killian had to hold her with one hand and cling to the railing with the other to avoid both ended on the ground.

"Easy, Swan. You don't want us to lose the bloody bet before we start playing."

"Whoa, it's been incredible." Emma made no attempt to move away from him, to Killian's satisfaction. It was a delightful to see her with that level of emotion, she almost vibrated in his arms.

"Okay, next level." After catching her breath, Elsa continued. "Since Emma is no longer a beginner, I'm going to take Liam now, while you, Killian, let her guide you. Remember, guys, it's important to keep our balance point, don't hold your weight on the other, use your joined hands as support to keep your balance. And don't be afraid, let yourself go and have fun!"

Killian had to admit that he had some respect for the ice. He had always preferred water in its liquid state and found it much less dangerous to sail in a rough sea than to slip on the damn slippery ice. But he liked a challenge. He had set a clear goal, that he and Emma would stand for longer than Liam. And, if to beat his brother he had to skate, so be it.

"What do you say, love? Do we show these two what we can do together?" As he spoke, he offered her his hand and she took it with determination and a smile drawn on her face.

"Sure, let's go."

Emma grabbed his hand and they began to move, moving away from the safety offered by the railing. It was much more difficult than he imagined, he had to make great efforts to avoid falling to the ground. Still, having Emma by his side was an incentive as she managed to convey the confidence he needed to keep moving.

They began to move faster, the grip on the ice felt firmer, and Emma's support helped keep his balance. Once overcoming his initial fears, Killian found himself enjoying the experience more than he imagined at first.

The initial cold he felt was gone. The mixture of exercise and seeing Emma with that carefree, happy expression as she gripped his hand while occasionally smirking confidently, was enough to warm him.

Killian reached for his brother and found him a few steps ahead of them as he tried, and almost failed, to keep his balance. Despite Elsa's help, Liam didn't seem to be having a particularly good time. He moved up and down his free hand, unable to control his body on the skates. Killian's lips curled into a smirk. It was only a matter of time before Liam fell to the ice.

After a few minutes, the self-confidence he felt was such that he dared to let go of Emma for a few seconds. She wanted to take a picture —how not?—, so she let go of his hand while looking for her phone and skated away a few steps to get a better angle. After taking a couple of photos, she came up to him again, with somewhat hesitant movements as Killian reached out and pulled her to him. He held her in his arms as they regained their balance. When they had already gained stability, Emma held up her phone to take a couple of selfies of the two of them together, immortalizing in this way the great moment they were experiencing.

"It's my turn now, Swan. Hold on there for a moment." Killian felt the need to keep a picture of Emma for the memory. He skated slowly, moving away from her, took his phone out of his pocket and took a few photos, capturing the image of Emma all excited, vibrant and joyful.

Just as he began to approach her again, something happened that froze his heart and paralyzed him completely. Killian watched in horror as a damn reckless guy swooped over Emma at full speed, causing her to fall to the floor, her head and shoulder slamming into the icy surface.

"Emma!" A gasp escaped his throat as he staggered, suddenly feeling the damn skates as an obstacle to reaching her. When he finally got to where Emma lay on the ground, Killian knelt, his gaze traveling frantically over her face to determine her condition. "Emma, love, are you alright?" He didn't bother to hide the worry in his voice. It was at that moment that he discovered she was bleeding through an open wound just above her left eyebrow.

Emma looked confused, but fortunately, she hadn't lost consciousness. She tried to sit up, but at that moment a wince of pain crossed her face as she reached for her left arm. "Shit, my shoulder hurts like hell."

"You think you can get up, love? You're going to get frozen on that bloody ice." Killian realized that it was hard for Emma to fix her gaze, so his worry grew, his heart caught in his throat as he struggled against the laces of her skates, his trembling fingers refusing to cooperate.

Liam and Elsa arrived at that moment, Elsa knelt at his side, with concern marked on her face. "What happened?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "We have to get her out of here, her clothes are soaking in the ice. Liam, can you help us?"

When Killian looked up at his brother, his gaze met the damn asshole that had caused all that. He was a little away talking to a group of people, totally oblivious to what he himself had caused, laughing and having a good time. The sight of the unconcerned dude in contrast to Emma's pitiful situation was too much for him.

A sudden rage seized him, clouding his reason. "I'm going to kill that asshole." He mumbled as he sat up abruptly, arms on both sides of his body, his hands curled into fists and his jaw clenched. He felt an urgent need to discharge all his fury and worry in the form of a punch in the face of that guy with the aim of erasing his stupid grin.

Just as he was moving toward the guy, something slowed him. His brother seemed to see his intentions, because he reached him in an instant, his firm grip on his arm preventing his advance and causing him to turn. "Hey, Killian, look at me."

Killian forced himself to take two deep breaths, trying to calm his inner agitation. Reluctant at first, he finally looked at his brother. When Liam seemed sure of getting his attention, he began to speak in a slow voice. "Believe me, brother, I'm the first one who wants to go for the guy who's harmed Emma, but we have a priority. She needs you now."

Emma's mention was all he needed to come to reason again. He took a deep breath once more, trying to slow his racing heart, letting his fury fade away. Killian nodded then and knelt, taking his place beside Emma.

He searched her gaze for any hint of her condition. She looked back at him, but her eyes had lost all of their previous vivacity. "Emma, let's get you up, do you think you can walk?" She nodded in silence, the corner of her lip raised slightly in an attempt of a tiny smile.

Killian's heart broke when he saw her in that state. A few minutes earlier she was full of life and now she was barely able to stay conscious. It was as if the fall had drained all her energy. Although his inner rage still persisted, he tried to put all his efforts into ensuring her well-being.

They managed to get her off the rink and reached a nearby bench. Emma had started to shiver, so he didn't hesitate and took off his coat to put it over her shoulders while rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm her up.

Elsa was trying to plug the wound over her eyebrow, but this one was still bleeding and from the grimace on her face it looked like her shoulder was still aching. They had to take her to the hospital.

He searched her gaze again. "Emma, love, we're going to take you to ER, so they can check your shoulder and head, okay?"

She nodded again and finally spoke, her voice coming out in barely a murmur through a small smile. "It seems that I lost the challenge and it's my turn to buy you all a round of drinks."

A wave of affection swept over him, and an almost irrepressible desire to take her in his arms. He felt unable to hide his feelings and at that moment he could not care less.


Elsa and Emma were taking too long. Liam and he had been waiting for what seemed like hours in the waiting room of the hospital. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize he was wiggling his leg up and down until Liam laid his hand on his knee.

"Calm down, Killian, they will come out at any moment."

He tried, he really did, but as time passed without news of Emma, he was getting more and more nervous. The fury that seemed to have diluted before, was now coming back with more force. He wasn't only angry with the asshole who had hurt Emma, but also with himself. I should not have let go of her hand. That thought kept repeating itself over and over in his head, making him feel more and more guilty about what had happened. And if that were not enough, another even more frustrating thought threatened to drain the little composure he still had. It should be me who was accompanying her inside.

But Elsa was her emergency contact and also her roommate so it was right if she was the one beside her at the moment. After all, he was just a friend, he repeated to himself bitterly.

Bloody hell… He stood up, unable to stand still any longer and began pacing up and down. He felt like a caged animal, while impotence crawled over him, finding himself unable to do anything to help Emma.

To make matters worse, his ghosts of the past, those who were buried in the most hidden corner of his memories, threatened to emerge to the surface, bringing back to his mind the reminder of one of his most heartbreaking experiences.

"It's going to be okay, Killian. It's just been a heavy hit." Killian had been so focused on his own miseries that he hadn't realized that his brother had also risen, getting in his way.

Liam searched his gaze as he laid his hand on his shoulder, giving him an affectionate squeeze. "I know what you're thinking, brother." Liam addressed him in a slow voice, as he always did when he tried to calm him down. "Emma will be fine."

That was all Killian needed. His brother had always acted as a lifeline to which he could cling to the hard times. And this time it was not going to be less. The confidence that denoted both his words and his eyes were enough to make him calm down. He felt his muscles relax instantly at the touch of his brother as he nodded, his lips drawing the ghost of a smile.

"I know it's frustrating, you feel helpless and you want to be in there with her. But Emma is in good hands, Killian."

"I know ... but she's always so strong, and yet after the fall, she seemed so fragile..." He trailed off, hating the vulnerability his voice displayed, but he couldn't help feeling a strong instinct for protection towards Emma.

Liam was about to reply when something caught their attention on the other side of the hall. They both turned in the direction of the sound, and, finally, Killian let out the breath he had been holding as the two lasses appeared.

Elsa was holding a weak Emma. Her face was pale, a large dressing covered the wound over her eyebrow and her left arm was in a sling. Killian clenched his jaw, the previous rage threatening to appear again at the thought of the guy who had brought them to this situation.

The moment Emma noticed him, though, she seemed to gather all her strength, since she threw herself into his arms suddenly, clinging to his body as she buried her face against his chest. After his initial shock at the unexpectedness of her movement, he held her in his arms, holding her tightly as his hand gently caressed her back up and down.

Killian searched for Elsa's gaze, encouraging her to explain with a nod.

"She's got a little concussion, nothing serious, apparently, but the doctor has recommended that someone take care of her for the next twenty-four hours. I'll have to wake her up every two or three hours to make sure everything's okay."

"And what about her shoulder?" Liam asked.

"She got a bad bruise, but fortunately there is no rupture or dislocation, she will only have to wear the sling a couple of days. The doctor has administered her some pain relievers."

"I'm fine." Emma mumbled against his shirt. She turned her head a little looking for Liam. "But I'm afraid today you'll have to work without me at the bar." Emma was dragging her words, a sign that the painkillers were working.

He couldn't help it and held her even more tightly in his arms, careful not to damage her shoulder any further. She didn't seem to mind him, on the contrary, as she curled up against him. Killian was aware that Elsa would be in charge of taking care of Emma during the night. After all, they lived together and he had other obligations. Still, that didn't stop him from feeling powerless and frustrated because he couldn't do anything else for her. Perhaps for that reason, their embrace persisted a little longer, both reluctant to abandon each other's arms.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm already tired of this hospital. Shall we go so that this lass can rest?" As he spoke, Liam gave him an apologetic look.

They walked silently down the hospital corridors, Killian holding Emma by her waist. When they reached the area where their cars were parked it was also time to say goodbye.

Emma seemed reluctant to leave the shelter in his arms. After a few seconds of hesitation, though, she pulled away a little as she gave him a shy smile, matching her gaze.

"I'll call you in a little while, okay? Take the time to rest, Swan." She nodded. Though her smile still lingered, she looked exhausted. Both the hit and the drugs were taking their toll. In a rush of tenderness, he cupped her face with both hands and laid a soft kiss on her forehead, before gently pushing her and helping her into Elsa's vehicle as Liam kept the door open.

Killian helped her to fasten her seatbelt and when he looked at her again, her eyes were closed. With a sigh of resignation, he closed the door gently and turned to Elsa.

"If you notice that she gets worse or needs anything, just call me and I'll be there." Killian paused for a moment. Maybe he was exposing himself too much. After all, Elsa didn't know his true feelings towards Emma, but after the last events It was difficult to control his emotions. "And thanks for taking care of her, truly."

"Sure, it's the least I can do. And don't worry, she'll be fine." Her quiet voice and reassuring words had their effect on Killian. He returned her a smile of gratitude. "By the way, I'm afraid of the moment when I have to wake her up in the middle of the night. We all know how bad she feels when she has to wake up early."

"Well, if she yells, growls, or lets out curses, you'll know she's on the right track in her recovery." Liam joked, getting a little giggle out of them and thus releasing some of the tension that reigned over them after Emma's accident.

After the brief distended moment, Killian continued. "I'll replace you tomorrow morning, so you can continue with your routine activities."

Before stepping into the car, Elsa glanced at Liam with a strange expression on her face, perhaps apologetic? He could not identify it. His brother, in response, nodded almost imperceptibly, but that didn't go unnoticed by him. Killian narrowed his eyes, watching the two of them more closely, what was going on here? He would have time to appreciate it later, during the endless hours at The Kraken without Emma's company.

Elsa got finally into her car after one last look at them. In a few seconds, the vehicle drove away until it was out of sight, leaving Killian alone with a tight heart filled with helplessness and a still lingering worry. He sighed heavily as he ran his hand over his face. It was going to be a very long night without Emma at his side.


Liam

Liam brought the cup of coffee to his lips, lost in thought as he waited for Elsa. They would meet for breakfast in a cafe and take the opportunity to talk about their failed plan. Once again. Killian had left home early after having slept, or at least tried, just a couple of hours after returning from the bar.

A few minutes later the cafe door opened and Elsa appeared. She looked around until she met his gaze, sending him a small smile. There was no doubt that the night had been hard for her as she had to watch over Emma's sleep. Her tired expression and swollen eyes were a good sign of it. Yet, the lack of sleep and enduring Emma's moodiness hadn't succeeded in diminishing the serenity her features always conveyed.

Liam welcomed her with a soft kiss on her cheek, a habitual act lately, as their relationship became closer by having to work as allies with a common cause. She dropped into the seat in front of him, making a signal to the waitress. Elsa's love of coffee was something she shared with her roommate. Emma couldn't function properly if she didn't get her adequate dose of caffeine, and neither did Elsa.

"You look exhausted. It's been a long night, I guess."

"Yeah," she sighed. "Emma can sometimes be too stubborn and she hasn't taken it well to have to wake up in the middle of the night on several occasions."

Liam gave her a knowing smile. Of course, he knew Emma's stubborn side and her badass attitude, in contrast to the soft side she'd only occasionally revealed, especially when Killian was involved.

"Well, that's a good sign, isn't it?" The image of a fragile Emma in his brother's arms was something that had affected them all. "That means she's back to herself."

"Indeed." Elsa giggled. "You should have seen the way she received your brother this morning. She was sulking like that —I don't need a nanny—." Elsa mimicked Emma's sullen voice.

"That's my girl." Liam answered, unable to avoid a hint of pride in his voice. Both the strength and bravery that characterized Emma were admirable. "Let me guess, my brother sure did return some comment to the height, right?"

"Oh, of course. He put on that characteristic gesture of his, you know, his eyebrow naughty arched and that wide smirk while he answered something like that, — well, love, technically I'm not your nanny, but your nurse.—" This time Elsa imitated both Killian's voice and his expression, causing Liam to break into laughter at such a good performance. "Emma didn't take it well, of course, and she threw one of those glares at him. Fortunately, it didn't go beyond that and when I went back to the living room to say goodbye before leaving, I found them like this."

Elsa grabbed her phone, searching for something, then showed it to him. It was a picture of Killian and Emma, the two of them deep asleep on the couch curled up in each other's arms.

His lips curled into a wide smile of satisfaction. "It looks like our plan wasn't so failed, after all, was it?"

"Yeah, did you see how they clung to each other in the hospital? It was as if they had forgotten to hide their feelings. It´s a shame they are both so terrified that they don't dare to take the next step."

They spent the next few minutes talking about Emma and Killian, about their obvious approach, about how it became increasingly difficult for them to hide their feelings.

They talked about the Saturday concert in which the chemistry between them was explosive or at the good time they had on Sunday while they skated until the accident happened.

While talking about skating, an image jumped into Liam's mind, Elsa's showing all her skill on skates. He had been greatly impressed not only by her skill and the elegance of her movements but also by her great patience as she taught them and her tenacity to avoid letting him fall.

"You were magnificent yesterday, by the way. You're very talented, Elsa." They had already dedicated a lot of time to the couple of lovers, there was never a bad time for a real conversation between them. And a compliment was the first thing he found to carry it out. "You looked like a professional on the ice rink."

Elsa's cheeks dyed a soft pink hue as she turned her gaze to the mug in front of her. "Well, in fact, I was a professional skater for a while."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. He had no knowledge of that information and suddenly found himself wanting to know more about Elsa's past. "It's not that I have anything against teaching children to skate, but is there any reason why you stopped competing?"

Elsa didn't answer at once. Her thoughtful expression seemed to suggest that she was remembering old memories. When she spoke, her eyes had a special glow.

"Our aunt Ingrid died when Anna was too young to fend for herself. She was sixteen and I was nineteen, so leaving her alone for long periods of time while I was competing didn't seem plausible to me at the time. We had lost too much in our lives, I couldn't leave her alone."

A wave of tenderness came over him as he listened to her confession. He felt totally identified with her story since he himself had experienced something similar with his brother.

"That's commendable of you, Elsa."

"Well, you did something like that for your brother, so I guess you'll know how it feels."

Yes, of course he knew. He knew what it meant to take care of his brother when he himself was still too young. He knew what it meant to give up his dream of starting a military career at the naval school. But there was something he was clear about. He would do the same thing over and over if he got the almost full life that both Killian and himself were enjoying now. A business of his own, good friends, a stable life and his loyal brother always by his side, having overcome all obstacles that life had put before them.

His admiration for Elsa grew at times when he remembered that she hadn't only taken care of Anna but, from the moment she met Emma, she had also decided to take care of her somehow. Although Emma and Anna had gone to the same university, the two blondes had connected much more, creating a very strong bond between them.

They talked for a few more minutes sharing experiences from their hardest years. The level of understanding between them was high having passed both by similar situations. Liam found himself very comfortable talking to Elsa. It was as if he had discovered someone with whom he could share all his fears and all his worries. He knew in advance that she wasn't going to judge him because she herself would also be reflected in him.

Time passed without realizing it, they were so caught up in the conversation. Their respective coffees lay abandoned on the table, turned into a cold and brown undrinkable liquid.

Suddenly, Elsa's phone, placed on the table, began to vibrate, thus breaking their conversation. It was then that she realized the time it was. "Oh, God, I'm late!" An expression of disappointment crossed her face. "I still have to go and make some arrangements before lessons start." Elsa seemed to hesitate for a moment but then continued. "Are we moving forward with our plan?"

"Sure, but no risky sports this time, thank you very much." He joked, getting from her an adorable smile. "We're not going to give up, I have the feeling that Killian is almost there. He nearly lost his temper with everything that happened yesterday, I'm sure he just needs a little more push."

"Emma, however, is more closed to the idea, you know, but I know she finds it increasingly difficult to hide her feelings."

An idea had begun to form in his mind and he had a suspicion that things would be better this time. What could fail? "How about a quiet movie evening in my apartment? You could invite Anna and Kristoff to cover us up."

Elsa seemed to like the idea, since, after assessing it for a few seconds, she arched a brow playfully. "Uhm, a movie night, it sounds good, and since Killian likes a challenge, how about we organize some kind of competition?"

"Something like guessing movies?"

"Yes, I know, it's a silly game and we're supposed to be responsible adults, but it would be fun, and of course, they would go on the same team."

"You're brilliant, Elsa, did you know that?"

She smiled sheepishly, staring at him through her eyelashes, in a gesture that Liam was beginning to find perhaps too attractive for her own good. She held out her hand. "So we have a new plan?"

Liam took her hand, feeling her touch warm and firm. He also felt a spark of electricity running through his body with something he didn't dare identify.

A few minutes later Elsa had left the cafe, he was still sitting there, her warm touch still lingering on his skin. He shook his head as he let out a sigh and tried to gather his feelings. Even if he tried, it was impossible to ignore the fact that he had begun to feel something he hadn't experienced for a long, long time. He didn't know whether to feel hopeful or terrified. Maybe a mix of both feelings was the best choice right now. But he had one thing clear. He was more than willing to continue sharing these moments with Elsa.


Thanks for reading :)