Chapter 12
"Okay, we need to go," Emma says.
They have been on the sofa for the past few hours. Emma is due in costume in ten minutes. It's going to be a long night tonight, as it always is when they're on location. Although Killian isn't filming and actually has the night off, he insisted on staying until it was time for her to film the scene. Then he'd go home.
He presses another kiss to her jaw, just below her ear. The sensation makes her shiver. She giggles, pushing him away from her.
"Killian…" she warns.
He holds her tighter. "Mm?"
"I have to go."
"Yes, I agree," he murmurs, from somewhere near her collarbone.
She gently pushes his chest and this time, he moves almost at once, though he gives her those sad, puppy eyes she's earned on more than one occasion. But as always, she's unfazed by his attempts to make her feel guilty, and rolls her eyes.
"I have to get to costume." She stands, tugging on the hem of her shirt as she does so, combing her hair into place with her fingers. "We both know how Ariel gets when we're late."
"When you're late. I'm never late."
She looks over at him. He's lounged out on the sofa now, his legs outstretched, watching her through hooded eyes. The hair on the back of his head sticks up in all directions. His shirt is ruffled.
"Stop that," she said.
"Stop what?"
"Giving me the bedroom eyes."
His tongue darts out to smooth over his lower lip. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
She resists the urge to roll her eyes again. He could be infuriating sometimes, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
She holds her hand out for him. His eyes dart down to it. "Come on," she says. "You can keep me company while I'm getting my hair done."
He stands, taking her hand in his, giving her a soft smile. Together, they make their way to the door. Emma intends to open it, but she looks up to see Killian frowning. It's hardly there for a second — as soon as he notices her looking, his face relaxes — and she turns towards him.
"Killian, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He smiles a smile at her, but she can tell his thoughts aren't with her, which she finds strange, considering what they were doing on the sofa only a few moments ago. But she knows exactly what ails him.
"You're not thinking about my… scene, are you?"
Or rather, her kiss with August. Although they've both accepted it, that doesn't stop the way Emma's heart picks up, or the way her stomach does a nervous plummet when she thinks about kissing him. She doesn't want to kiss him— not one bit. They're friends and the friendship they have is good. She doesn't want to make it awkward with a kiss.
"I'm thinking about all the lines I have to learn."
He doesn't look at her as he says the words. Although he was very open about his feelings on the kiss, she doesn't fully believe him. It's bound to affect him, even if he won't tell her. She knows, without a doubt, that it would affect her.
"Hey," she says.
He looks at her. His hair is still ruffled from where she dragged her fingers through it, his lips still pink from kissing.
"This is gonna be the worst scene I've ever had to do, okay?" she says. That makes him smile. "And I'm gonna think about you through every second of it."
He laughs. "I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that."
"I just feel sorry for August."
He laughs again, this time more enthusiastically. The laugh makes her giggle, it's so contagious. Before she can stop herself, she's on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his lips. When he returns the kiss, she drags him down to her and soon she's pushed up against the door, and his mouth is trailing down her skin again.
That's when she feels his hands on her legs and suddenly he's lifting her up, and turning them around. Then he's walking her to the sofa.
"I really have to go," she complains, but she wraps her legs around his waist so there isn't any chance of falling, curling her arms around his neck.
"Do you?" She doesn't know how he manages to kiss her and carry her at the same time.
"Yes but okay, five more minutes. Only five more minutes. Are you listening, Killian?" She falls back onto the sofa. "Five more—" But any sentence she was about to finish is cut off when he silences her with a kiss.
She's ten minutes late for costume, which makes her ten minutes late for filming. She runs onto set, lifting her dress as she swerves through crew and cast, hair flying behind her. Everyone is already waiting for her, including Isaac and Cruella. She should be used to seeing them by now, but she still hopes she won't find them sulking around set, ready to make changes on demand. But there is one good thing; ever since Grumpy called Isaac out for calling cut, he's been practically non existent.
"Emma," Grumpy says, as he makes his way over to her, arms folded.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I was—"
"With Killian?" he asks. When she opens her mouth, he shakes his head. "Just be honest with me. Were you with Killian?"
She folds her own arms. "Yes."
"Okay. Well." He casts a glance back at Isaac, who is watching them, before he turns back to her. "Isaac was asking if you were with Killian."
She frowns. "Why?"
"Look. He's looking for any excuse to sanction Killian at the moment. Don't ask me why; I don't know." After another hasty look directed in Isaac's direction, he turns back to her, lowering his voice. "I found something— I can't tell you what it is. Don't ask me that either. All you need to know is you've got to… be careful with him. He's not what he seems."
"Okay?" That only confirms what she already knew. She had a bad feeling about him since he walked on set.
"Listen to me. He asked me directly if you were with Killian. Don't you think that's a bit private? Don't say anything, just nod and look sad. He thinks we're talking about the scene."
Emma frowns.
"Better than that, Emma. C'mon. You're supposed to be an actress." His eyes meet hers, worried and alert. It gives her a bad feeling. "I told him that I was with you, and we were discussing how to do your kiss with August. That's what made you late for costume. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Okay?"
"I understand." But she's not sure she does.
"Good."
She catches movement out of the corner of her eye and looks up to see Isaac begin to make his way over to them. He seems to shuffle rather than walk; another creepy thing about the guy. Everything about him makes her skin crawl. Her eyes flicker back to Grumpy.
"I understand," she repeats, louder, enough for Isaac to hear. "So gentle, right?"
He gets the hint almost immediately. "Yes, gentle! Alexander and Rose have passion, whereas Edmund is a bit—"
"A bit what, Leroy?" Isaac asks, coming to a stop next to him.
"Well, y'know. You wrote him." He turns back to Emma. "So we're rolling in-" He checks his watch. "About five. Maybe seven- I want a bottle of water. So you better go ahead and get in positions. No slacking." And then he's gone, leaving Emma completely alone with Isaac.
She wonders whether he's going to shout at her like he did to Killian, but he isn't even looking at her. His eyes scour the room and they seem to pass over everyone, even the crew members. Finally, they come to rest on hers and she's staring into his beetle-black watery eyes, wishing she was far, far away.
"I'm very excited about this scene, Emma," he says, with a twitch of his lips.
That makes one of us, she longs to say. But she keeps her answer polite and modest. It would be safer to avoid speaking her mind with Isaac.
"I hope I can do it justice."
"Oh, I'm sure you will." Then his eyes ghost over to August, where he stands, chatting to Elsa. She throws her head back and laughs, her long blonde wig shimmering in the light. "Anyway, you heard Leroy. Time is short and we are slaves to it. Best get a move on."
Feeling very much like a child in school, Emma does as she's bid. Not that she should complain. The further away from Isaac she is, the happier she is, especially if it means trading his company for that of Elsa and August. Elsa laughs again, just as Emma approaches.
"Hey guys," Emma says.
They both look at her, smiles on their faces. "Hey," they chorus.
"August is so funny, Emma. How come you didn't tell me August is funny?" Elsa says, still smiling. Her cheeks are tinged with pink. If Emma didn't know any better, she'd say her friend had a crush.
"Is he? I hadn't noticed," she teases, meeting August's eyes.
"It's not my fault you're a tough crowd," he replies, and Elsa laughs again. Yep, definitely a crush. And Emma has to say, she's glad. She has her own stubble wrapped in a enigma, so it's high time Elsa found someone too.
"Yeah, Emma doesn't laugh at anything," Elsa says. Then, her eyes sparkle mischievously. "Apart from Killian. Killian makes her laugh all the time. He's not even that funny; he just thinks he is."
"I guess?" Emma says.
"Seriously, you're probably the best and worst thing that's ever happened to him. He has enough people stroking his ego, but you do it the most."
Emma folds her arms. "I give credit where credit's due."
"I'm sure." She smiles, eyes running around the room, widening when they see Grumpy re-enter the set, holding a water bottle. "Shoot, he said positions. I'll see you later, guys."
She gives them a small wave and scurries off to find her position halfway up the hill. Elsa's character, Elizabeth, is supposed to catch them kissing. Emma knows why Isaac's done it, and she's sure it's not from a conflict point-of-view. He plans to make Elizabeth run off after witnessing their kiss to find Alexander, and confess all that she saw. He'll then confront Rose, ending their on-screen romance effective immediately. It's sneaky, it's clever and she does not like it one bit. She was hoping she'd get to share more screen time with Killian, but it looks like that's not going to be the case.
"Places!" Grumpy yells from his chair.
Emma looks over to see him scribbling on a notebook, Mulan twittering away at his ear, holding a clipboard and a headset. She spots Cruella sit down in the chair next to Isaac, and they whisper to each other. What they're whispering about, Emma doesn't know. But when Cruella has finished her nattering, her gleaming eyes fall directly on Emma.
"D'you think Elsa would want to go for drinks sometime?" August asks, to Emma's complete surprise.
Her head snaps round to him. He looks almost sheepish, scratching behind his neck. His smile is soft.
She raises an eyebrow. "That's very forward of you."
"What can I say? She laughed at my jokes. Like your boyfriend, I happen to like the occasional ego-stroke." He leans forward, near her ear, so Elsa won't hear. "And she's very funny herself."
"There's only one way to find out. Ask her."
"Do you think she'd say yes?"
"Sure. I mean, I don't see why not." In fact, she is almost 100% sure that that is most certainly the answer Elsa will give. "Go for it. What have you got to lose?"
"Surely not my dignity."
She laughs. "Don't be scared."
"Do you wanna know another secret?"
She raises her eyebrows. "Go on."
"I'm scared… About today."
"Today?"
"Our kiss."
Oh. "Oh… right." And just like that, her stomach begins the uncomfortable churning.
"Not about the kissing part. I've kissed women before." He pauses to throw her a smirk, which receives an eye roll in return. "But I'm scared of what your boyfriend might… do to me."
She frowns. "Okay?"
"And to my fragile face."
"Killian's a professional. He always has been." She offers him a smile. "We talked it through."
"You talked it through? I bet that was awkward."
"Not really. No." She remembers how open and honest he'd been about his feelings and how he'd made love to her afterwards. "Not at all." She smiles to remember, a secret smile, that she hopes doesn't have her blushing.
"Huh."
She looks up at him. He's frowning, rubbing his chin in thought, eyebrows pulled together.
"What?" she asks. "What is it?"
"I just didn't expect that. That's all."
"What did you expect?"
"Nothing. It doesn't matter."
She's about to push it, to ask him what he meant again, but then Grumpy is barking at people and she's forced to get into position, as is August. She's not too worried about the kiss, not like she was with Killian. She knows she shouldn't compare these kisses with August to Killian, but she can't help it. They're just so different. And knowing what she knows now, she understands why she was so nervous to kiss Killian, even in a professional role such as this.
She was already falling for him.
Of course she was terrified, and of course she would have never admitted that to herself, let alone him, in a million years, but that was the truth. Killian had wormed his way into her heart when no-one else had been able to.
That's how she knew the kiss with August was going to be a breeze. She had nothing to worry about.
They'd already rehearsed the scene earlier on in the day, barring the actual kiss. It flowed well and their chemistry was good, so Emma wasn't worried about the acting part either.
Now she stands in the middle of the field, the very same one where Edmund had offered Rose the flower, ready to walk side-by-side. Lights beam down on them, trying to make it look like moonlight, silver sparkling off the blades of grass.
"Action," Grumpy yells.
They begin to walk. Emma keeps her eyes on the ground, picking up her dress as she walks. She can feel August beside her, brushing his arm with hers, and his fingertips against hers. She can feel a million eyes on her, but she tries to keep her head in the moment.
"Are you cold, Rose?" August asks and she shakes her head. "Not even a little? You could borrow my cloak, if you would like?"
"I'm fine, my lord, thank you."
"How many times have I told you not to call me 'my lord?" If Emma is not mistaken, Alexander said the very same line to Rose. She almost laughs at Isaac, at his pathetic attempts to be authentic.
"Too many times… my lord."
They both laugh softly.
"You know, I will be gone in a few days," August says.
Emma still keeps her eyes on the grass as they walk. She kneels down to pick a flower and returns to her feet in a matter of seconds. "I am aware."
"I'll miss you."
She sighs softly. "Edmund…"
He stops, abruptly, and turns to her. Emma finally looks up into his face. Into his eyes, which seem to gleam in the moonlight. August's eyes always have a habit of gleaming, whether that be in amusement or happiness. There was just… something about him. Something easy, something happy. Now they gleam with determination.
"No, don't say I shouldn't. I will." Emma opens her mouth to speak, to argue, but he places a hand on her arm. "And don't tell me that you feel guilty, that you have… feelings for another." He lowers his voice to a murmur, which will hardly carry above the breeze. "I think we both know that's not true."
"Edmund," she says again, this time with warning. She gives him a look, a very Emma-like look she'd shoot his way if he were out of line.
He moves his hand to stroke her face. His touch is gentle, but not as gentle as Killian's. His fingertips, calloused. She wonders if that's from the years he claimed to have spent writing.
"I just need to do one thing before I leave." He leans in closer, his lips inches away from hers. It makes the hairs on her arm stand on end— and not in the good way.
"You know we can't..." She breathes. "If he sees…"
"Then stop me."
He presses his lips to hers. The kiss is soft, sweet, barely more than a brush of lips, but it's enough for the both of them. She doesn't move her hands to touch August's neck, to curl around his hair; that is something Rose would do with Alexander, and she's not entirely sure she wants to let that go yet. Even though Isaac may write her to forget about Alexander, Emma knows her character. She knows what they had was real even if — for some reason — they don't feel it anymore.
They kiss for a few more seconds, lips whispering against each other before August pulls away.
"Meet me," he says, voice breathless. He grasps her arms. She is unable to look away. "Meet me tomorrow in my chamber if you feel as I do. Meet me, and I shall not leave." And then he releases her and makes his way off set.
Grumpy calls cut.
Cruella is immediately on her feet, clapping. "Marvelous. Marvelous, darlings. Absolutely beautiful. I may just swoon."
"Yes, yes," Grumpy snaps, waving his hand vaguely in her direction. "It was fine. Anyway, time for take two."
"Oh, I'm not sure we need a take two," Isaac says, smiling. "That was perfect." He looks directly at Emma and gives her the first genuine smile she's seen… ever. Despite her reservations towards him, a thrill of pride runs through her. It leaves as quickly as it comes. When Grumpy looks like he's about to argue, Isaac says, "You said it yourself Leroy, we're running behind. It would be good to move on."
Grumpy checks his watch. "Actually, yeah. I think we better call it a night. Great job guys."
For the second time, Emma feels a flicker of pride.
Killian
Killian has done his best to avoid Emma and August's scenes as much as possible. He meant what he said to Emma; it's a job, it's only a job, and if he thought she was kissing August and enjoying it, he would have to be stupid. He knows he's a good kisser. And he knows, even though she has yet to admit it, that she loves him.
And it's not like their relationship has suffered. In fact, Isaac's little affair has done quite the opposite. Emma is forever calling him, forever asking to see him. Killian has spent countless nights over, having dinner and watching movies with Emma and her boy. And when Henry isn't there… Well, he can honestly say that nothing in that department has suffered.
But, that doesn't mean he wants to see his Emma in the arms of another man. Oh, no. Especially a stubble-wrapped, leather-wearing man. It's too close to home for him, especially now he knows that stubble and leather are Emma's type.
Yes, he had done his best to avoid it altogether. It was the most sensible thing to do. Then he didn't have to imagine painful ways for August to die.
A joke. Of course.
But he should have known he couldn't have avoided it forever. Just the other week he had received a script that meant there was no way he was getting out of watching Emma and August's… intimacies. No. Killian would have to watch.
He would walk in on them kissing. Killian didn't mind too much about this development. The Rose-Alexander-Edmund love triangle was getting a bit out of hand. And he had never seen Rose as the type of character to betray someone she loved, even if she didn't love him in the same way as before. It just seems entirely out of character. Finally, Alexander would find out and that mess would come to an end.
A week after Emma's kiss with August he finds himself in the middle of Edmund's chamber, sat on a chair in the corner of the room. A script is draped over his lap as he goes over his lines. He's sure he won't forget them, but it gives him something to do other than glare at August from across the room.
He smirks. But his smirk swiftly turns into a frown when August begins to make his way over to him. His costume is very much like Killian's; all leather and strings. It's almost like they're making Edmund the new Alexander. But that would be crazy, he thinks, grimly.
"Hey, Killian," August says, smiling.
Killian quickly replaces his frown into a grin. "Evening, August."
"Mind if I sit here?" He gestures to the seat next to Killian.
"Not at all, mate. Take a seat."
He does so, to Killian's immediate displeasure. He's so close that Killian can smell his cologne. Funny. He didn't think that August wore cologne before. Maybe he only puts it on when he's kissing Killian's girlfriend…
Stop it.
"What have you got there?" August asks, nodding to the papers in his hands.
The script, you bloody git.
"Just the script, mate." He holds it up. "Just going over my lines."
"Weak memory?"
He's not sure why that makes him bristle. "No, actually. I have a very good memory."
"I bet it's not as good as Emma's." He smiles at his own mention of Emma's name, shaking his head, as if reliving a fond memory. "She's brilliant, your girlfriend."
"I am aware."
"No, seriously. She's really something. You're a lucky man."
He grits his teeth. "I know."
Of course he knows. He doesn't need some leather-wearing twat to tell him so.
"Don't ever let her go, Killian. If I had her, I never would."
What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean? But before he can ask him, a hollow vibrating comes from the direction of August's pocket. August lets it ring for a few moments, drumming his fingers on his knee, not making a move.
"Are you going to get that?" Killian asks.
As if he's just realised, August says. "Oh yeah. Sure," and pulls the phone from his pocket, holding it up to the light.
Killian's eyes immediately go to the screen and he can see The Boss flashing up in bold letters. August declines the call and shoves it back into his pocket, leaning back in his chair. He looks out onto the set, making no comment.
"Who's the boss?" Killian asks. "Funny name for a caller ID. Unless you happen to have Bruce Springsteen on speed dial?"
"Oh, him." August chuckles. "Just my agent. He has a bit of an ego problem. He likes to call himself the boss."
"Probably not best to decline his calls."
"Probably not," August agrees. But then he shakes his head. "But he'll call back later. He probably has other things to do; other deals to make. Movie deals, I mean." His eyes light up. "There's Emma! See you, Killian."
And then the damn fool gets up and walks off right over to where his girlfriend awaits. Puffing out his chest, Killian jumps up from his own seat and follows August, leaving his script abandoned on the table. He arrives just in time to see August pull Emma into a hug. He doesn't know why it angers him to see the man's arms wrapped around her like that, but it does. She releases him, laughing.
"What was that for?"
"I was told you weren't much of a hug person. I wanted to test that theory."
"You and your theories!" she laughs.
She looks breathtakingly beautiful as ever. The make-up department have done her hair differently today. It's curlier than usual, and every strand seems to catch the light, gleaming seamlessly under it. He wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around her, but he restrains herself, not wanting to seem petty.
"Killian, hey," she says, with a smile. Killian takes satisfaction in the way her face lights up when she lays eyes on him.
Well of course it does, he wants to scream at himself. She loves him. She loves him. No, she hasn't told him yet but he can feel it. He needn't be so… jealous. And jealous is the only word for it. He needs to pull his act together, especially because he's already seething and they haven't even started kissing yet. He doesn't know how he's supposed to get through it.
It's just a job, it's just a job…
But August is a very real man. And there's something that Killian doesn't like about him. But it will do no good to dwell on these things right now when he needs a clear head. He pushes them to the back on his mind and focuses on Emma, his love, smiling up at him.
"I meant to ask you," she says. "Are you coming over tonight? Henry's at Regina's again, so I could use the company."
"I would be happy to oblige."
"Great."
They share a look— a special secret look — and some of Killian's worries melt away. Yes, in a moment she may be in the arms of a leather-clad look-a-like but tonight, when it counts, she will be in his arms.
"Let's get this show on the road," comes Grumpy's voice. He makes his way over to them, rubbing his hands together. Killian is displeased to see Isaac and that slightly frightening Cruella woman on his heels. "You guys know what you're doing."
"Don't worry," August says. "We have rehearsed it thoroughly."
Killian frowns. "Have we?"
"Emma and I, I mean. We spent almost the whole of yesterday rehearsing so I think we're good."
"I'm sure you are, buddy." Grumpy says, as he turns to Killian. "You know what you're doing, brother?"
"Aye, I do." They had gone over ways to play Alexander only this morning.
"Great. Remember- I wanna see true heartbreak. Okay, Killian?"
"Of course."
"Get in your places."
Killian gives Emma a quick peck on the cheek before he moves to stand on the sidelines. They're going to be filming the scene in two parts; August and Emma's kissing, and then Killian's entrance. For the first part of the evening, he is just going to have to watch. The idea makes his stomach clench.
It's not real. It's not real.
Emma and August get into positions. From his place on the sidelines he can see them laughing together. August must have said something amusing, the smug git. He frowns, wondering how the man is so funny. Killian himself didn't think August had two brain cells to rub together.
Emma sits on the end of the bed and August stands above, hands on his hips, looking around. They talk non-stop. Occasionally Emma throws a look Killian's way and gives him a small wave or a smile. He can tell she's nervous. It's probably because he's here, watching them. He would feel the same.
It takes forever for Grumpy to call action but when he does, Killian's stomach plummets.
August's mouth is straight on Emma's and they're kissing. It's not too bad. It's not too passionate. He remembers the directions from the script— something about kissing a little and then Alexander walks in.
There isn't any moaning or any groping, which he's happy about. It's not passionate. It's just kissing. August's hand comes to cup Emma's cheek, but his movements are rough and far less gentle than Killian's. Doesn't the man know that Emma deserves the softest of touches?
No, not Emma. Rose.
Dammit.
"Cut," Grumpy calls. "That was a great take guys. Simple, I like it. We'll just shoot Killian's scene and see how it plays…"
Grumpy continues talking, but Killian zones out. His eyes are on Emma. As if she can tell he's watching, she looks up at him, and gives him a small, apologetic smile. He blows a kiss in return to show that she has nothing to worry about.
Killian zones back in when Cruella starts speaking.
"Actually, I think we should do another few takes," Cruella says. "It wasn't very… passionate. I want to see more passion."
"Er…" Grumpy begins. "That's sorta… not what I was going for."
"Well, I don't intend to be mean darling, but what you were going for is boring. It's bland and I don't like it. Let me have a hand at directing. I worked on a little English film the other week and I actually won an award for my direction. The film was mostly comprised of love scenes and gin."
"Er…"
"Just give me a chance. You know I'll be fabulous. Unless of course…" She raises her huge black eyebrows. "You're afraid I'll put you to shame."
"Hey-"
"I have to agree with Cruella," Isaac says.
Grumpy sighs. "Fine. Do what you want."
"Oh, goody!" She claps her hands together and marches towards Emma and August. "Okay, darlings. I want passion. Pure, unadulterated passion. Shall we practise? I think we should practise. Let's make this steamy."
Steamy? Killian isn't so sure he can handle steamy. Emma leans around Cruella to meet his eye but Cruella pulls her back.
"No, darling. Ignore your boyfriend, as delicious as he is. Focus on the scene. Steamy."
"And how do you propose we do that?" asks August.
"Oh, you know. Unless you've never been with a woman, I'm sure it shouldn't be so difficult. I want to see a lot of heavy petting, neck kissing, and you know what? Let's be creative. Let's throw in a few moans here and there. You're not kissing statues, darlings." She nods. "You know what? Get on the bed."
"What?" Emma says. "That's not in the script."
"Yeah," August says. "And we're not your performing monkeys."
"I'm the assistant director and in acting there's this little thing called improvising. If you're not sure, we could ask the writer. He is over there. Oh Isaac, darling," she calls. "Can mummy improvise a little bit?"
Mummy? Killian tries not to gag.
"Of course," Isaac says.
She turns back to Emma and August. "Excellent. Get on the bed, monkeys."
They do as they're told and shuffle onto the bed, awkwardly, looking around, not really sure what to do with themselves. Emma looks particularly uncomfortable. She keeps throwing Killian looks and he keeps smiling at her, telling her it's okay.
"Now August, climb on top of Emma, there we go. Don't look so annoyed, Emma. If I had that stubble dream on me, I'd be in heaven. That's it. There we go."
She steps out of the way so Killian has full view of the scene. Whether it's intentional or not, he doesn't know. He's not sure Cruella could have planned for the way his stomach tightens at the sight of August hovering above Emma, her hair splayed out behind her, gazing up into his eyes.
It's just a job.
Cruella claps her hands together. "Don't be afraid to spread out on that… that lovely fur throw. Now isn't that just a darling throw." She shakes her head. "Anyway, I want kissing. And lots of it! Slow, sexy, delicious kissing. With tongue."
August groans. "No-one would know."
"I would know." She claps her hands together again, loud and clear. Killian winces. "So kissing, like I've just said, and then neck kissing. Okay, my dears? And that's what Killian- I mean Antonio-"
"Alexander," Grumpy corrects.
"Whatever his name is. That's what he should see." She starts to walk away, pulling her fur coat around her, heels clicking against the floor. Then she turns back to them, pointing. "Remember, steamy…"
"Er— right," Grumpy says. "You heard the woman. Er… action!"
Killian tries to prepare himself for the sight, he really does, but it doesn't work. He watches as August kisses Emma slow and long like Cruella described. His hand moves up to curl in her hair, and he uses his other arm to brace himself, a move Killian has used many times before. It goes on for a few moments, where Killian is unable to do anything but watch and stare and wish he wasn't seeing the scene in front of him, before a snort comes from the bed. It takes Killian a moment to realise the sound has come from August — and he's laughing.
"Cut," Grumpy says.
"Sorry," August says, laughing again. "I hope that didn't ruin your take. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Grumpy says. "We can try again. Action!"
But August hardly brushes Emma's lips when he laughs again, unable to contain himself. What a professional, Killian thinks, surprised by his own venom. It takes them another three times before August can get a handle on his laughing. Then they try again.
August kisses down her neck, exactly where Killian had kissed the night before, slowly, softly, taking his time.
Don't think about it.
He might have been able to handle that if it wasn't for the way Emma arches her neck up to meet his kisses, her fingers curling in his hair.
"Cut," Cruella calls. "Darlings, where is the passion? August, I adore you — you know I adore you — but it's like you're kissing a fish. Emma, be more responsive. This is your man, Emma. Let him love you!"
"Er…" Emma says.
"A moan, darling. I want a moan. Do I have to say it out loud? Moan, darling."
"Are you sur-"
"Yes! God. Please give me something to make me lie awake at night. Action!"
And then August is back to kissing her neck, softly, intimately, and Killian feels a little sick. In fact he's thinking now would be a perfect time to leave right before—
But he's too late and Emma's noise comes before he can even think of an excuse to leave. And… it's not so bad. It's not real. He knows how to draw out a variety of noises from Emma in a variety of different ways and none sound like this. They sound much more real. And now that he thinks about it, she is so different. Her hands may curl in August's hair, but they drag through Killian's. She hardly moves at all here, but when she's with Killian, the lightest of touches has her trembling.
That's when he realises something he's been trying to tell himself all along. It's not real.
And when they're done and Killian is just about to film his part of the scene, it's Emma who really hammers that in. She runs over to him and without missing a beat, grabs him by the lapels of his costume and kisses him. In front of everyone.
No, it's not real.
A day later than I said it would be but my beta was unavailable. *Sigh*! Anyway, I hope you liked it! Srsly expect a lot of a chapters coming up because I've written up to Chapter 17 so far! Whoo! Let me know what you think- As always, I love it.