AN: Here's a belated Valentine's fic. I had so much fun writing Captain Swan on New Years that I decided to keep up the tradition. (Though this story is set in a separate timeline, one in which Emma still lives at the loft with her parents).
As always, thanks for reading!
Emma Swan had never been a fan of Valentine's Day. Part of this was mere cynicism (a day dedicated to love was hard for someone who'd mostly just felt its absence), but the larger part of it was this:
Sitting across the table from her parents, their smiles wide and eyes glued to each other with an expression bordering on sickening.
Meanwhile, Emma was carefully focused on finishing the rest of her coffee, wishing that Henry would finish getting ready for school and give her an excuse to leave the house. It wasn't that she couldn't appreciate the value of True Love (her parents were sweet, in their own way). What she didn't appreciate so much was the competitiveness of it all; whose husband cooked the better breakfast in bed and who got the most flowers sent to their work and whose engagement ring sparkled the brightest. It was all very superficial, in Emma's opinion.
Even with a pirate of her own to celebrate with, Emma didn't find herself getting swept up in the Valentine's spirit. All she wanted out of tomorrow was a quiet, simple dinner with Killian. She didn't need the heart shaped balloons or the extravagant gifts, and for once Emma was grateful that her boyfriend wasn't familiar with most of this century's customs.
Not that the entire town (her parents being the biggest offenders) weren't eager to inform him. For weeks now, Killian had been receiving advice from the townspeople of how best to "woo" Emma on Valentine's Day. She had finally put a stop to it while at work the day before.
"So here's the thing." Emma had said, shoving her paperwork aside on her desk. She'd been distracted throughout her whole shift, worrying that Killian might take the ideas to heart. (She recalled Leroy's most recent suggestion of lingerie and shuddered, picturing the dwarf's waggling eyebrows).
Across the desk, Killian looked up from his own stack of paperwork. He'd been bringing her lunch every day lately, setting the to go containers down before taking control of whatever task Emma had in front of her. (He would ignore her protests each time, insisting that "even the Savior needs to eat").
"I know everyone has you convinced that Valentine's Day is some huge deal," Emma went on. She stood and came around to Killian's side, leaning against her desk, "But I don't want you to do anything drastic."
"Drastic?" Killian echoed, amusement curling the corners of his mouth. "I'm afraid I don't understand, love."
Emma crossed her arms over her chest. "You know, with the gift ideas. I'd rather go without the giant teddy bears or elaborate scavenger hunts."
Killian tapped his lip, thoughtful. "Your parents seem to regard the holiday as a rather important one." he said dubiously. Emma rolled her eyes, having been subjected to hearing one too many of the plans for David and Mary Margaret's "date night". The two of them had hardly talked of anything but Valentine's Day for weeks, bustling with more excitment as each day passed, anticipating their night off from their usual duties, both Neal and Sheriff related.
"My parents," Emma objected, "are Snow White and Prince Charming. It would be a crime for them not to make a huge deal out of any holiday, let alone one that's all about love." She sighed, placing a hand over Killian's. Emma leaned towards him, giving his fingers a squeeze. "I really, really don't need a gift, okay? I just want a quiet dinner at home."
Killian's heart skipped at her word choice. He placed hand and hook against her waist, pulling Emma closer.
"As you wish." Killian relented. "Though, I do rather like Leroy's recommendation." he murmured, a devious gleam in his eye. Emma tried to look stern in response, but the swipe of Killian's tongue over his lip could only be described as obscene, and she'd never been very good at staying annoyed with him, anyway.
The morning before Valentine's Day, Killian rapped his knuckles against the Charming's front door. He had taken to accompanying Emma (and Henry, on mornings he had school) to the station before retiring to the docks for a day of his own work. In nicer weather, they would leave earlier to fit in a walk, but with the February chill settling in they'd reserved themselves to taking the Bug.
David answered the door, not surprised to find the pirate waiting on the other side. In the time since they had returned to Storybrooke, Killian and the prince had struck up something resembling a friendship. (A rather uncomfortable one, at first, with David reluctant to accept Killian as dating his daughter; and a begrudging one, later, with David coming to realize that he actually liked the guy, and not just as Emma's boyfriend).
"Morning, Hook." David greeted, sidestepping to let him enter the loft. It was a move which Killian had come to anticipate.
"Your Majesties." Killian said jovially, offering Snow (and a bouncing Neal) a grin as he took a seat at the kitchen table. She handed him a mug of coffee in another gesture that was becoming increasingly familiar. Killian nodded his thanks as the front door shut behind them.
"Emma's checking to see that Henry's almost ready." David explained, returning to his seat. Killian hummed his acknowledgement, taking a swig of his coffee as footsteps barreled down the stairs.
"Mom's looking for her phone." Henry informed, explaining Emma's absence. Upstairs, muffled curses could be heard along with some shuffling, earning a collective chuckle from the four seated at the table.
"So." Mary Margaret said brightly, fixing her eyes on Killian. "What did you get Emma for tomorrow?"
Killian quirked a brow, feeling David and Henry's gazes on him now, too. "If by 'get' you're referring to a present," he said lightly, "then nothing."
Henry and David shook their heads in unison, the latter grimacing as if to say that Killian had made a dire mistake. Mary Margaret appraised the pirate, surprised. "What about all the suggestions we gave you?"
Killian darted his eyes to the stairs, wanting to ensure that Emma wouldn't walk down to overhear their discussion of her. "Emma assured me that she has no desire for a gift," he said slowly, taking in the others expressions, "But from your reactions I can surmise that failing to give a gift on Valentine's Day is considered bad form."
David shook his head again, smiling to say you poor bastard. "Very bad form." he emphasized, clapping Killian once on the shoulder. The prince's amused expression fell into one much more somber as he retracted his hand. "Emma's a princess, Hook." he said, his tone intending to be dangerous, Killian presumed, though he thought Dave might need some lessons from his wife in doling out threats.
"And that means that if you're dating her, I expect you to treat her like one."
Killian resisted the urge to roll his eyes, astounded that David had yet to exhaust the material for his fatherly speeches. "Of course, Dave, I'm always the perfect gentleman in regards to Emma." Mostly, Killian amended silently, recalling his less than gentle actions with Emma in his room at Granny's the night before.
"And here's the thing you need to understand about my mom." Henry piped up, calling the table's attention. The boy looked just as serious as his grandfather had, and under a different set of circumstances, Killian would have been amused.
"She's not used to people caring about her, or putting her first. So she'll say she doesn't want a gift, because she thinks she's not worth the trouble." Henry gave Killian a stern look, looking startlingly like the mother in question. "But she is worth the trouble, so you need to do something great."
Killian considered this, wondering if they were right. It was in keeping with Emma's personality, he supposed, for her to believe herself unworthy of extravagances (the bloody marvel of a woman, never knowing the full extent of her worth). Before any of them could say more, though, Emma finally stomped down the stairs, looking thoroughly peeved.
She held up her talking phone (found at last) as an explanation of her annoyance. Despite her irritation, Emma gave Killian a fleetingly kiss on the cheek before stalking across the room to retrieve her coat.
Snow leaned across the counter to Killian, dropping her voice to a whisper. "It doesn't have to be something expensive." she advised, far gentler on the pirate than her husband or grandson had been. "You don't even need to spend money, necessarily. But it needs to be something special- something that comes from the heart."
Killian nodded, thoughtful. There were a number of things that Swan might appreciate in that respect, and while Mary Margaret's words did little to narrow down his options, it was a start.
When the next day arrived, Killian was up with the sun, prepared to set his plans in motion. Despite being up for a fair portion of the night, contemplating ideas for Emma's gift, Killian felt wide awake. The mixture of his agitation and excitement forged a buzzing feeling in his nerves, keeping any vestiges of his sleeplessness at bay.
His idea, having finally taken shape, would require a bit of trickery and more than a bit of coercing. Killian dressed in a hurry and made his way out the door of Granny's, his heavy boots pounding the otherwise quiet streets. Killian could see that the town was just waking up, only passing a citizen or two as he made his way purposefully to the docks.
He was at the Charming's by seven, feeling confident that Emma would not be awake yet. Her parents, however, were most likely enjoying that breakfast in bed they'd been gushing about. Killian felt a bit guilty to be interrupting, but he was sure their Majesties wouldn't hold resentment after hearing his request. It had been them, after all, who had encouraged Killian to do something special.
His next stop was Granny's just a half hour later. After a rushed explanation (and their agreement to help), Killian had left the Charming's to their morning, fleeing when he heard Emma shuffling awake upstairs. He rushed through the back door to the inn, peering around the corner to be certain that Emma wasn't at the diner. Luck continued to be on Killian's side as he realized his Swan was nowhere to be found. He ducked over to the counter, signaling for Ruby.
The brunette approached him expectantly, already writing down his and Emma's usual breakfast order. Killian waved off her notepad, giving a whispered recount of his plans for the evening and following with the favor he needed. Ruby smiled (rather wolfish), and assured Killian that she'd handle it, shooting him a wink at the implications of a romantic dinner with Emma. Killian grinned (somewhat wolfish, himself) and gave his thanks before making his way back out the door.
By nine-with his tasks all but complete-Killian had sent Emma a text good morning and inquired as to her meeting him at Granny's for breakfast. As expected, she reminded him that she was covering David's shift for the day. Emma followed this message with another in quick succession, the second text earning a grin from Killian.
Where were you this morning?
He hadn't met Emma for their usual journey to the station that morning, passing up what was often his favorite part of the day in favor of finishing his scheme. A scheme which, if Emma's bewildered presence twenty minutes later was any indication, had been set in motion.
Killian smiled grandly as Emma made her way over to the booth he'd chosen (he'd wanted to dine outside at their table, but the infernal cold didn't allow for it). The moment Emma sat down, mouth opened to speak, Ruby placed their plates down on the table. Killian grinned at the waitress, glad that she was going along with the plan. As Ruby retreated, giving another wink, Emma turned her now suspicious eyes on Killian.
"I don't suppose you had anything to do with Leroy being 'mugged'?"
Killian smirked. It had cost him a fair amount of money, but he'd convinced the dwarves to lure Emma away from the station, asking that they fake an emergency that would get her to the diner.
"You know I have to get back to the station, right?" Emma continued, but her objections were only half-hearted. Killian's company and Granny's french toast were a deadly combination.
"Consider it being on patrol, love." Killian encouraged, taking Emma's hand across the table. "We'll enjoy breakfast before you return to work, and then I'll see you at seven for that quiet dinner, as promised." His voice was low and sincere, another deadly combination that had Emma throwing her will power out the window.
"What the hell," Emma said after a moment, grinning across the table at her pirate. "It's Valentine's Day."
By seven, Killian was at the Charming's door yet again. From what he'd gleaned off of the townspeople, dressing up was an important part of the holiday. As he knocked on the door, rose in hand, reminding him of their first date, Killian hoped Emma wouldn't think his outfit ostentatious.
Evidently, Emma was well aware of the dress code. She opened the door to a rather awestruck Killian as he took in her appearance. While rather beautiful regardless of her attire (he had found her gorgeous in Neverland, for Neptune's sake), his Swan never failed to leave him breathless on the occasions she donned a dress. Tonight it was one of red lace, fitted (very well, Killian might add, trying not to let his eyes linger) at the top and loosening above her hips. Emma, in turn, took in Killian's outfit with wide eyes.
He'd kept the leather pants and jacket (of course), but beneath the dark material was a white buttoned shirt and (God help her) a tie. Emma was a little amazed by that, and a little amused to see that, along with this elegant choice, Killian still wore his signature necklace.
"Who did the tie?" Emma teased, not believing for a second that he'd managed the garment on his own.
Killian scratched the spot behind his ear, grinning. "I may have had some assistance from a friend." he admitted, thinking of Mary Margaret's glee when he'd asked for a lesson in this realm's neck wear (cravats existed in the Enchanted Forest, of course, but pirates didn't exactly find a use for them).
"Right." Emma chuckled, "So, where's the dinner I was promised?"
To avoid an altercation in his plan, Killian had told Emma he would be cooking their meal for the evening. (He had feigned offense at her laughter, claiming to have been learning of this realm's appliances through Granny). Now, it was time to enact the final step of his scheme.
"There's been a change of plans." Killian murmured, presenting the rose to Emma. She took it with a smirk, but raised a brow at his words.
"And what would that be?"
"I thought we might enjoy a walk before dinner." Killian had explained, leading a skeptical yet willing Emma out into the street. She had given a pointed look to her heels and remarked that she wasn't exactly dressed for a stroll, but Killian ignored the objection, taking her by the hand.
Emma grew relaxed as they went, falling into conversation. She wasn't surprised when they found their way to the docks, as it was a place they often walked together. What startled her was Killian's sudden halt in his steps, turning to shoot him a look.
"What are you doing?"
Wordlessly, Killian pulled on Emma's hand, bringing her into the circle of his arms. With a grin, he spun her around to face the water and pointed towards the horizon.
A single sailboat floated on the water, sizable but altogether impressive for other reasons. Specifically, the way it was drifting towards them, no one at the wheel. Emma looked at Killian for an answer, earning a simple "Regina's magic is rather useful," in reply.
When the boat reached them, Killian tugged on Emma's hand again, leading her down the pier. Emma moved slowly, as if afraid, but Killian pressed a gentle hand to her back, urging her to step on first. As she did, her grip on Killian's hand tightened.
When she saw the scene before them, Emma let out a quiet gasp. Killian released her hand, stepping back to appreciate David and Mary Margaret's handiwork. The couple had outdone themselves, and Killian was indebted to them for having taken time out of their own holiday to make Emma's special. The deck was alight with candles and covered in a smattering of rose petals, forging a pathway to a laid out blanket Emma suspiciously recognized as one from her parent's loft. She had gone still, blinking at the scene before her.
"I know that you wanted a quiet meal at home," Killian murmured, close behind her, "But I believe that term is one which applies to wherever we're together."
Emma sighed as she felt Killian's lips graze her neck, his arms wrapping tightly around her middle. She swiveled around to face him, placing both hands against his chest. The steady beat she felt beneath her palm relaxed her, even after all this time, the thump of Killian's heart bringing her an almost magical sense of comfort.
"How?" Emma asked shortly, her eyes softening when Killian flashed a smile.
"I merely recruited some help from the fine people of Storybrooke." he said slyly, earning an eye roll from Emma.
"You didn't need to go to all that trouble." she chastised, running her hands up to curl around his shoulders. "All I wanted was dinner."
"It was no trouble, Swan." Killian disagreed. "Well, it was, in truth," he amended, "But I was happy to do it. You've worked to bring back the happy endings, and it's time that the Savior reaps what she sows."
Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes this time. Killian's gaze was intense, and something in his eyes made Emma choke back her protests. She didn't know if she would ever really get used to having people put her first, but Killian was certainly trying his damnedest to make her.
And while she was touched by the effort, Emma couldn't help but think (not for the first time) that Captain Hook was a complete cheeseball.
(They found their way to the blanket, and Killian presented the picnic basket (a la Ruby) to her and cracked open the wine, which eventually became rum, which eventually became the two of them laying back on the blanket, arms pressed right against each other while Killian pointed out the constellations to her. When he got to Cygnus, his voice took on a wistful note, prompting Emma to force the story out of him, and when Killian muttered that Cygnus, the swan, had guided him during the missing year, Emma rolled over to kiss him).
(When they laid back down some time later, wrapping the blanket around their bare skin, Emma asked that Killian tell her more stories, and as he murmured of the Jolly Roger and of Liam and of Milah, Emma took his hand and squeezed, hard. The words were there in her throat, and she was trying to look at him, but it was all too terrifying, and it was too cliche, but when he got to the tale of the Princess and Her Pirate, whispering his own account of their love story, Emma couldn't help herself. She turned into him, pressing her cheek against his chest, and breathed a small "I love you").
(And in response, Killian kissed every inch of her, murmuring affections against her skin, and on her back, looking up at the stars, Emma thought that she might finally understand the hype of Valentine's Day).