It was a very cold winter in Storybrooke that year. The frost had settled dangerously on the ground, sparkling like diamonds in a pure, brilliant white.
Aurelia served many hot beverages in Grannies, everyone coming in with clothes piled on, wiping the slush of the snow on the mat and taking seats inside, warming their hands. Everyone was merry and happy, and Aurelia felt that life was perfect. Little did she know, happiness never lasted long in Storybrooke.
After a long shift, she walked carefully home, her arms outstretched as she waddled like a penguin into her and Ruby's flat. Ruby was out for the night and she had the place to herself. When she came in, it smelt beautiful, and she removed her woollen hat and big boots, walking to the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas, love" Killian grinned. Aurelia almost squealed when she saw the table.
"It isn't for two weeks yet!" she said in surprise, looking at the chicken, and potatoes and other rich foods that lay waiting to be eaten.
He'd even lit candles. Aurelia looked at him as he looked at the floor, and was overwhelmed with emotion. She walked to him, cupping his face gently as she tilted it to kiss him.
"If you don't stop that the dinner will go to waste" he said, smirking.
"Fine" she whinged. "But I know what's for desert."
They sat at the table, and eat the dinner, talking about Christmas and their friends and life. Then they sat on the sofa, Killian sitting watching TV as Aurelia put her head on his lap and started reading a book, her toes snuggled in big fluffy socks on the armrest.
"So why has Christmas come early this year?" Aurelia asked "I know pirates aren't sticklers for traditions, but this is insane!"
"Well, my darling, we're going round Mary Margaret and David's for christmas this year with everyone, and I wanted to spend one Christmas with just you, so I decided to move it forward a bit" Killian leant down and kissed her nose.
They snuggled and drank hot chocolate, cuddled and kissed, and talked about how quickly the year had gone.
"Is that a grey hair?" Aurelia joked, touching his hair. "Santa Claus has a hook this year" she winked. Suddenly, Killian's face turned darker, and he stood, walking to the bedroom. Aurelia frowned after him, unsure of what to do. They'd had arguments before, but he never walked off without saying anything. She wondered what had upset him.
She followed him precariously, tiptoeing into the dark bedroom.
"Darling, what's wrong?" she asked, going to put a hand on his shoulder.
"We can't put off talking about it forever, I guess" he sighed "We both saw this coming"
"Saw what?" she asked, her voice going a tad higher "Kill, you're scaring me, tell me."
"Aurelia, you're not aging. I am" he said.
"What? I don't understand"
"You're intelligent Aurelia, put two and two together. I'm growing older, and you'll stay the same. It makes no difference now, but in five, ten years time…" He trailed off
Aurelia stayed silent. She honestly hadn't thought about it like that.
"Fuck" she said. "Don't worry- it doesn't matter now, like you said-"
"We can't ignore it, Aurelia!" he said, standing up angrily. She couldn't help but notice he even looked beautiful when angry, his strong eyebrows low and furious.
"Then we find a spell, or do something. We'll always find a way" She said, optimistically.
"I'm not so sure this time" he said quietly. "Look, I'm sorry, I need to be checking on the ship anyway. I'll see you later"
"Don't you dare say something like that and then walk out on me. Killian! Come back!"
But he had already gone. She sat there uneasily. They'd got into heated debates before, but it always turned in angry kissing and making up. He seemed genuinely concerned- and, well, he was right. It was no matter to her how old he was, but she was young already, and she wouldn't age, or die. She imagined a life without him, without all her friends and family, and shivered. She paused for a minute, then pulling her shoes on, ran after him. It was a blizzard out there, snowing coming down furiously. They'd had such a perfect night, ad this wasn't an urgent matter- they could get through it together.
Too late. He was gone, and the snow whirled around her body angrily. She groaned, turned back inside, and sat, depressed and scared thinking about the future.