AN: I hope everyone enjoyed/is enjoying their holidays!
Here's a possible first "I love you" scenario. Set at an undetermined point in the near future, maybe after a battle or something along those lines, when Hook does his usual self-sacrificing-for-Emma's-benefit thing. (Chances are there will be a lot of speculation chapters like this one, because I have far too many ways in which I picture their first I love yous). As always, thank you for reading!
When she finds him, he's got a flask in his good hand and a serious look on his face. A look which falls away the second she spots Emma and breaks into a smile. "Swan!" he greeted, standing to meet her halfway. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
And she wants to be calm, but she's just not used to this. She's never had someone put her first, never had people who loved her enough to make such great sacrifices for her. At least, before the curse had broken; afterwards, all at once, Emma was surrounded by people who loved her. She'd finally been given a family, those willing to put her before themselves...and perhaps no one moreso than Hook.
He's a pirate without a ship, for Christ's sake. He had given up the Jolly Roger, his home (for God knew how many years), just to help Emma return to hers. He'd gone to incredible (though at times drastic and misguided) lengths to be a better man for her, and no words would ever be sufficient to express her gratitude for that. And tonight, like so many times before, he'd put her well being above his own; and yet, this time it was different.
Hook was still staring at her, concern now etched on his face. "Swan?" he repeated, reaching out to her. Emma relaxed the moment his hand touched her arm, his hook resting gently on her waist. She could see the gears working in his head, worry that the battle hadn't actually been won yet. "What is it?"
Emma gaped at him, feeling (and probably looking) like a fish out of water. "I..." she muttered, her chest tight, as if the air had been knocked from her lungs. She couldn't speak, could hardly move the amount necessary to bring their lips together. But when she did, Emma kissed him fiercely, pouring all of her thanks into it- all of her into it. She gripped Killian tightly, pressing them impossibly close together while his hand tangled in her hair. He was bewildered but nonetheless enthusiastic, only breaking the kiss when they were both panting for air.
"Don't mistake my curiosity for disapproval, love," Hook breathed gruffly, forehead against Emma's, "But why such fervor?"
Emma tried to slow her heart rate, to get a damn grip on herself. But she'd never felt so much for someone as she did in that moment, pressed flush against Hook's chest, their breath mingling in the space between them. She didn't know if she ever would again.
"I love you." Emma said almost inaudibly. She stared at Killian's lips before allowing her eyes to drift up to his. He looked dazed, tightening his hold on Emma, as if worried she might float away otherwise. Hook stared at her as though he couldn't quite believe she was real.
"Emma," he exhaled, closing his eyes. Her name fell from his lips with that same careful reverence it usually did, like it was something sacred. "I have loved you since that damn beanstalk."
"That long?" Emma joked weakly, still shocked by her own declaration. Hook grinned, opening his eyes to hers. He moved his head back to fully take in the sight of her.
"Not quite." Killian admitted with a small grin. "But there's something about a woman leaving you chained up in a giant's lair..."
"Killian." Emma said, mock-disapproving, and nudged him playfully. She was unable to take the smile off of her face.
"In other words," Hook said, relenting, "it's about bloody time."