AN: This one has slightly less Captain Swan than usual, but it still counts, right? Inspired by my love for the Emma and Elsa friendship we saw during 4A, and by the unjust lack of girl talk they shared.
She wasn't sure how it worked. She wasn't sure how Killian had convinced Regina to use her magic, or what brought this on in the first place- all Emma knew was that, all of the sudden, Elsa was there looking back at her through the small, handheld mirror.
"Emma." she said with a warm smile, "How are you?"
Emma looked at Killian-as grateful as she was confused-earning only a grin and quirk of his brow as he retreated from the room, giving the two women time to talk. She fixed her gaze back on the mirror, back on Elsa, and returned the smile.
"I'm...surprised." Emma answered. "But happy to see you." she added sincerely, not realizing how much she'd missed Elsa until that moment. Their friendship had been brief, but it still meant the world to Emma. There was a deep understanding between them, forged through all the circumstances they'd both experienced (losing their parents, accidentally hurting loved ones, and having magic, to name a few). And the fact that Elsa had been the one to help Emma accept her powers was something she would never forget. Since Lily, Emma had never made a friend who seemed to understand her as Elsa did; it had made saying goodbye that much harder.
"How's Arendelle?" Emma asked, squashing down her awe, deciding that the mirror was just like Facetime or Skype, except for the magical realm.
"We are working on repairing all that Hans ruined in my absence." Elsa explained with her usual regal nature, "But my kingdom's future looks bright."
Emma listened intently as Elsa talked about her return to the throne, and her plans for moving Arendelle forward. It occurred to Emma that, had she grown up in the Enchanted Forest with her parents, she would have been a ruler, too. She would have the same concerns as Elsa, the same opinions, the same plans to return the kingdom's well-being. The thought spooked her.
"And Anna?" Emma pressed when Elsa had finished speaking, "Did her and Kristoff finally tie the knot?"
A smile broke through Elsa's serious expression. The Concerned Queen fell away to the Loving Sister, bursting with pride. "Yes." Elsa confirmed. "The ceremony was lovely, though kept simple at Kristoff's request." She rolled her eyes, grinning. "It was a bit odd having a reindeer and some trolls at the altar, but Anna is happy, which is the most important thing."
Emma smiled in reply. "If you think Anna having trolls as in-laws is bad, you should see some of my ex-boyfriends."
Elsa laughed, a teasing look crossing her face once she sobered up. "And what about you? Have you and Captain Hook sorted out your feelings?"
Emma glanced over her shoulder, looking for said pirate. When he wasn't anywhere to be found, she looked back at Elsa with a roll of her eyes. "You could say that." she admitted (the grin which spread over her face completely beyond Emma's control).
Elsa gave her a prompting look, and Emma sighed before she went on. "Things here have been...unusually quiet lately. So, yeah, Killian and I finally had the time to talk." (There had been more than just mere conversation, but Elsa didn't need to know that).
"I'm glad to hear it." Elsa said, "When I was in your realm, I could see that he cares a great deal for you." Emma wanted to brush that off, but Elsa was now the third queen to tell Emma about the way Killian cared for her (and fourth member of royalty in general, if you counted Aurora); and anyway, who was she kidding? Her pirate was just that- hers.
"I know." Emma agreed instead. "I kind of 'care a great deal' for him, too." she confessed, dropping her voice just in case a certain pirate was listening. (The last thing Emma needed was to give Killian yet another reason for his inflated ego).
"It's nice that you're happy." Elsa said sincerely. "After Anna, Kristoff, and I left Storybrooke, I worried you might not have been in the best mindset."
The words touched Emma; even then, still in disbelief that she had so many people who cared about her. "I've been fine. It's actually nice, not having to be the Savior for a while. I know Storybrooke can't stay quiet for long, but for now I'm more than okay with taking a break."
They kept talking for a while, Emma vaguely aware of the sun changing position outside the window. When her and Elsa were finally saying goodbye, it had long since set.
"It was good talking to you." Emma said wistfully, grinning at the other blonde, "Would it be cliche for me to ask you to keep in touch?"
Elsa laughed lightly. "We'll speak again soon." she promised. "Tell Killian I said hello."
Emma nodded, ignoring the tease. "As long as you say hi to Anna and Kristoff for me."
After assuring her that she would, Elsa said a final goodbye before disappearing from the mirror. Emma stared at her own reflection for a moment before putting the mirror on the coffee table, feeling a little melancholy.
Not for long, though, as Emma felt the couch dip under Killian's weight. He moved close, taking Emma's hand in his own. "Enjoy your talk?"
Emma glanced at him with a small grin. "Thank you." she said. "For doing that."
"No need to thank me, love. It was worth it, to see that smile of yours."
Emma shifted to lean against him, wrapping Killian's arm around her shoulder. After a few moments of quiet, she felt him nudge her.
"So you care for me, do you?"
Emma didn't need to turn to know the smug look that would be on his face. "You know, in this realm it's considered 'bad form' to eavesdrop."
Killian laughed at her use of his phrase. "It's considered bad form in any realm, though you seem to forget one thing." He leaned close to Emma's ear, dropping his voice. "Pirates are not ones to follow the rules."
"Maybe, but it doesn't do you any good to overhear something you already know." Emma countered. She turned her head to look at Killian, an oddly somber look on his face.
"Aye, but you cannot blame a man for wanting some reassurance." he replied, titling his head. Emma realized, sheepishly, that she hadn't always given Killian reason to feel secure in her feelings for him. (But better late than never, she decided, leaning over to kiss him).
"I care you about you, Killian Jones." she said, pulling back slightly. "Maybe a little too much." And then she was kissing him again, being pulled onto his lap, tangling her fingers in his dark hair. Emma put all of her gratitude into the kiss, thankful for Killian's efforts (both that day and all the days before). She ran a hand down his chest and to his waistband, feeling the hitch of Killian's breath. Smirking, Emma kissed up his jaw, stopping to bite lightly on his ear lobe.
"That enough reassurance for you?" she whispered, moving back to look at him. Killian's pupils dilated, his chest heaving a little.
"Aye." he agreed gruffly, capturing Emma's lips again.