"we were friends in college who lost touch but we randomly ran into each other almost a decade later and you're even more awesome than I remember" and also "is my ex trying to set us up?"

Killian Jones led a simple life. He worked as a graphic designer and spent his Saturdays sailing. A few nights a month hanging out at the pub, and a game or two at the park, holiday season with his brother and his family back in England. It wasn't cutting edge, but it wasn't bad either.

Or at least, that was what he'd thought right up until the moment that fate intervened and he ran into one Emma Swan on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It had been the silliest of coincidences, really. Killian and Tink had been walking through the park, coffees in hand, catching up - and by catching up we mean that Tink was talking incessantly about the latest guy she had a crush on while Killian patiently listened and tried to smile and nod in the appropriate places - when first a ball and second a huge St Bernard came running their way. Tink had been able to jump quickly on her feet - it was as if she could fly, really - and move away; but Killian hadn't been so fast on his feet and the dog collapsed into him, and he'd been sent crashing to his good ol' friend, the floor. Killian Jones had experience taking a fall, as his many years as fly-high in the rugby team had made him very acquainted with hitting the grass.

He was trying to get himself up on his feet again, sending murdering looks at Tink, who was clearly laughing at his predicament, when he heard a voice calling from behind.

"Charming! Be still, you beast!"

Killian looked up and he instantly recognized the blonde that was making her way through them. Red leather jacket, skinny jeans and those fierce green eyes.

He hadn't thought about Emma Swan for years. After graduating from college, they'd all gone their separate ways, with promises of keeping in touch that were kept for the first three or six months, depending how close you were; until real life and new friends and commitments got in the way. Last thing he knew about her, she'd been following her boyfriend Graham to a small town in Maine. But it seemed she was back in Boston now.

Emma's face lit with a huge smile when she recognized them. Killian got up from the floor as she hugged Tink and then she turned around to him, her arms ready to fuse in an embrace. But she hadn't reached yet him when Killian felt his balance lost as something shuffled between his legs.

"Charming! Stop it, buddy!" Emma scolded the dog before she faced Killian, a small blush tinting her cheeks.

"Swan…" Killian bit his lower lip, "You're back in town."

"After ten years, I felt it was time to come back to the only home I've ever known," Emma whispered, a slight pained undertone in her voice that made Killian's heart swelled.

The three of them continued their walk together, while the dog came back and forth, his tail wagging as he presented Killian with the ball from time to time.

Emma told them about the eventual fallout in Maine, a not-so-funny tale of flirting, jealousy and almost infidelity that led Emma to pack her bags and leave, taking the dog with her. She'd spent some time in Portland before she finally took a job as bailbondsperson in the city a few months before.

She turned around and looked at Killian and Tink, "So, you guys are back together?"

Tink snorted, "Goodness no, like I could tolerate him that much… we're just friends."

"I resent that comment very much, my dear. You'd be lucky to have landed such a dashing companion." Killian countered, his eyes darting briefly to Emma and giving her a small smile. He'd been relieved when Tink had set the record straight and he was hoping that the brief relief he saw in Emma's eyes had been real and not a fidget of his imagination.

Soon, too soon for his liking, they were back where they'd first bumped into each other, Emma saying a quick goodbye and promising to try to keep in touch. He watched her go, Charming trotting by her side, taking a little of the sunlight with her.

He felt Tink's slap his arm and turned to face her.

"Go," she urged.

"Tink…" he hesitated.

"Killian Jones, you couldn't get your eyes off of her. GO." She pushed him in Emma's direction and Killian decided to bloody go for it.

"Swan!" he called after her.

Emma stopped and turned around, holding Charming's leash to prevent the dog from escaping.

"Do you still like Granny's grilled cheese with onion rings and a frozen chocolate milkshake with cinnamon on top?" he asked without even breathing.

A small smile curved her lips, "You remember all that?"

"I remember a lot," he whispered. "See you tonight at 8 at Granny's?"

"I'll be there." She bit her lower lip. "And Killian?"

"Yes, love?"

"I'm agreeing to a date tonight, right?"

"Aye."

She tasted like chocolate and cinnamon when he kissed her that night.

And she has tasted like that every single day they've spent together ever since, whether they are walking side by side holding hands or he's pressing her against the mattress late at night, his body worshipping hers.