AN: A little angst/fluff combo set sometime after Emma's been saved from the darkness. Thanks for reading!

A scream wakes him from sleep, and Killian jolts upwards in bed, eyes anxiously scanning the room before they land on her.

The sheets are tangled around her legs as they kick violently, her whole body trembling as she cries in her sleep. His name falls from her lips- once, twice, and his chest begins to ache as she whimpers, pleading don't hurt him, please don't hurt him.

She continues to thrash about, her cries growing more fierce, and Killian pins her arms down as gently as he can manage. "Emma." he says, squeezing her arms,
"Wake up, sweetheart."

She whimpers once more and Killian cups her cheek, trying to rouse her as peacefully as possible. He calls her name a few more times before Emma's eyes open, tears spilling out the second they meet his. She collapses against his chest and Killian can feel her palm come to rest over his heart, checking for the steady beat of it.

"I'm sorry." she chokes out, her breathing harsh. "I'm sorry."

Killian hushes her, rubbing circles along her back. "It's alright, love. You're safe."

They stay like that for some time, Emma's sobs fading out as Killian soothes her, whispering for her to inhale and exhale. She lifts her head once the tears have stopped, their trails left on her cheeks, and Killian reaches out to brush away the damp hair clinging to her forehead.

"I'm sorry." she says again, her voice small and hoarse.

"You've nothing to apologize for, my love." Killian assures, trailing his thumb along Emma's jaw. He knows the nightmares all too well; knows how the pain of loss can haunt your dreams, how tangible it can all be even after you've woken, how the vestiges of it can still dance behind your eyelids. "It was only a dream. The curse can't harm you any longer."

Emma's eyes close as she leans into his touch, her lips turned down in a grimace. "It wasn't about me this time." she whispers, "It was you. I was watching you die, over and over. I couldn't stop it."

"It was only a dream," Killian says again, weakly this time, knowing the words are fruitless. He lets Emma tuck her forehead back against the curve of his neck and holds her tightly. They lay in silence as Killian trails his hand up and down her back, attempting to soothe.

"Do you remember it?" she asks eventually, her fingers splaying out across his chest, still pressed over his heart.

He does, in truth. He can recall every moment he had lived in that alternate world. He can still feel her hand where it had curled around his waist, can still see her looking so familiar yet so far out of reach, a tangle of golden hair and a tattered blue dress. He can still feel the sword piercing his chest, a thousand suns bursting from his rib cage; his eyes seeking hers as the world fell away, seeing only that wonderful shade of green-

"Aye." Killian admits in a whisper. "I remember it."

Emma nods against his neck, having already known the answer. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you." she mumbles, lips brushing his skin. Her voice holds all the sorrow in the world, and he loves her, he bloody adores her. His brave Swan, always holding herself responsible for the happiness of others. His magnificent Emma, ever so dutifully playing the part of the Savior. His heart bursts with emotion for her.

"I don't know about that, love," Killian murmurs, smiling through the lump that has formed in his throat. His fingers curl in the ends of her hair and Emma's lips curve ever so slightly upward. "You've saved me from the start."