A/N: Rating is up to MA for this chapter...or as high as any rating can go! haha! I apologize for those who can't read this content, but if you want to know what happens, I'll fill you in! ;)
Big thanks to those supporting this story and who are reviewing! Your words mean SO much to me. I will try to update as soon as possible. Things are just so crazy at the moment! In the meantime, check out my other OUAT fics if you can. =) Looking forward to hearing from you. I love messages gushing about the new OUAT series and Hook in general! hahaha! xx IFHD
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Chapter 9: Never Let Me Go
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Inspired by:
"Never Let Me Go"
By: Florence + The Machine
Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under
And it's peaceful in the deep
'Cause either way you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under
Oh, and it's breaking over me
A thousand miles out to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing over me
And the questions I have for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean deliver me
Though the pressure's hard to take
It's the only way I can escape
It seems a heavy choice to make
But now I am under, oh
And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
I found the place to rest my head
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
(So cold and so sweet)
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the questions I have for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean deliver me
And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in
Oh, slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet
In the arms of the ocean, so sweet and so cold
And all this devotion, well, I never knew at all
And the questions I have for a sinner released
In the arms of the ocean deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
Deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
Deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
Deliver me
Never let me go, never let me go
And it's over
I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in
Ah, slipping underneath
Wooh, so cold, but so sweet
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Emma's trip back to her apartment was a blur. Her mind was muddled with so many thoughts that time seemed to recede into nothingness. Everything and nothing were happening at the same time as her consciousness flitted from thought to thought. What the young woman did know through her constant confusion, however, was that she wanted to escape and be alone for the time being.
There were too many things happening at once, and she needed to retreat.
The two possibilities that had run through her mind regarding Hook's resurrection was that she could heal those who are enchanted or that it truly was the power of True Love's kiss; if it were the latter, then her convoluted feelings towards the pirate would then become much clearer. But now? Now that Whale had informed her of what he had done to Hook, then it meant that there was a good possibility that she had absolutely nothing to do with curing the pirate...
But why was she so upset, so confused? Dr. Whale had possibly saved Hook's life; that should have been a source of relief. And yet, why was she so angered by this news that she reacted the way she did and was now locking herself in her apartment with no desire for outside contact?
Damn this, she cursed, unbuckling her gun's holster from her hips. This isn't what I shouldn't be focusing on. I should be focusing on preparing for Cora's possible retribution. What if the townsfolk...
She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that it took several moments before she distinctly heard the knocking on her front door. Forcing herself from her preparations, she managed to drag her feet towards the sound. She wondered who could be visiting her at this hour, without even a call.
The door quickly revealed Hook's form. "Glad to see you're still alive," he began as he coolly leaned his back upon the threshold, kept his arms crossed loosely upon his chest, and raised his gaze to meet her face.
"I see that you are, too." Emma gave him a half smile while her eyes perused the pirate's body. She saw him smirk at the innocent act, as though encouraging her to continue. Did he think she was imagining him naked or something? Emma thought. She tore her eyes away from his form for good measure and, after a moment of hesitation, finally stepped back and let him in. "Are you hungry?"
"If you're on the menu, then aye."
Emma threw him a weary look before curtly pointing to the pot in front of her. "Chicken."
"Ah. That kind of hunger." Hook clasped his hand and hook behind his back and gave her a slight nod. "I thank you kindly for the invitation, love, but I have already had my share of nourishment for the day." The pirate gave her a side smirk. "Your friend, Ruby, was kind enough to serve me some at her establishment. "Granny's", you called it. Had to pay her in gold coins, since I'm unfamiliar with your currency here." His look became contemplative as his lips pursed in thought. "I do believe that she is attracted to me; she was eyeing me as though I were prey the entire time."
An unladylike snort escaped from Emma. "Maybe she was hungry as well," she quipped.
Hook raised his eyebrows repeatedly, taking the bait. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind if she gobbled me up." He ventured even further, testing the waters with, "She's an attractive lass, she is."
Without the young woman even noticing herself, the smile on Emma's face suddenly disappeared at his latter statement. Hook, however, was keenly aware of her sudden change in expression and felt a little bit of satisfaction growing within him. His little experiment had worked brilliantly. He had to admit that he thoroughly enjoyed it when women lost their hearts over him - especially when they didn't know it yet. But knowing that Emma was now among that long list? Well, it brought him more than elation. In silence, the pirate merely watched the young woman place the pot inside the stove - a little harder than necessary - and turn her back to him.
He was certainly enjoying this display!
"It seems as though you've been finding your way around Storybrooke and are making some friends," she continued in a lighter tone, masking the coldness that desperately wanted to seep through. Her back remained turned to him, though her head twisted back just a little bit to take note of his response.
"Yes, well," Hook gave her a noncommittal shrug along with a morose expression, "sailing away isn't exactly an option at this point...though, it is ideal."
The statement made Emma's brow rise. What other options did he have? she queried to herself. The thought suddenly made her nervous. Better yet, was he in any state to be doing anything? After all, he seemed normal from the outside. When he took a seat at her dinner table, Emma could no longer help but ask the lingering question in her head, "Why did you save me?" She eyed him expectantly, arms crossed at her chest.
Hook took a few moments to deliberate upon the question. He, admittedly, wasn't prepared for it at the moment. He inched his face closer to her as he spoke. "Well, you prevented the Crocodile from slaying me, so I thought that saving you from my own blade was the opportune moment to return the favour."
Emma's face remained neutral. She remained where she was. "You knew you'd be killed."
The pirate pursed his lips and motioned his head from side to side in deliberation. "Death was a possibility that I took into consideration at the time, aye."
Emma paused. She had run this conversation through her head many a time, and yet, as it progressed, she still couldn't find the proper words to express what she thought and felt. With a step forward, she began slowly, "But...sacrificing yourself...that's..." she bit her lip, wincing, "…that's not who you are."
The seemingly permanent smirk on Hook's face vanished then, almost instantly. His expression darkened as he stood, with the legs of the wooden stool scraping violently along the floor. "I suggest you do not pretend to know me entirely, Emma." The tone was just as dark as his expression. He nearly snarled, "My actions do not reflect my entire character. I have my reasons for doing what I do."
His mirthless tone didn't budge Emma from her stance. Indeed, she knew very well what he was talking about from personal experiences. But who was he trying to persuade more - me or himself? When utter curiosity took over her, she asked, unyielding, "And...do you have any other reasons for saving me..." she ventured forward, "...other than to settle a debt?"
He now realized what she was prying at. Even though she tiptoed around the situation, he could see her coming directly towards him. Ah, my dear Emma. Can you really not see it yet? Perhaps she did, he mused inwardly, and just refused to believe it. The pirate admitted to himself then that he hadn't been as forthcoming as he had hoped to be - well, given a mad witch roaming Storybrooke, dying, and all of that resurrecting nonsense getting in the way, he didn't think of his inactions of late as being much of a blunder. He also realized that his speeches laced with bawdy remarks seemed to merely be empty air to her even though they were lined with truth. Alright, he thought. It was about high time to show her.
Hook took one step towards her, and then another. With his hands upon her waist, he backed Emma up until she was practically leaning over the kitchen counter. He was pressed upon her so closely at this point that he swore he could hear her heart racing. "The answer to that, love," his lips began to trace the outline of her neck with his hand dangerously exploring the planes of her thighs, "is right in front of you."
At first, Emma had held her hands out to keep the pirate at a good distance from her. Even though they had done this multiple times in the past few days, she still maintained her guard with him. Though, as his warm lips began teasing her earlobe, her fingers almost automatically began to grip the collar of his shirt. Without another thought, she held him in place and silently permitted him to continue.
Hook was now being affected by his own ministrations. His breathing became heavier, and his eyelids were half closed in arousal. It was then that he felt a ticklish sensation originating from his chest. He looked down. Emma, with trembling hands, had begun to unbutton his shirt. He watched her with slightly parted lips and allowed her free reign to his body.
Emma ran her fingers upon his adamantine chest and the pleasing bumps of his abdomen. She felt the pirate shiver beneath her, which only encouraged her actions even more. In a swift motion, she rid him of his shirt and discarded it in a forgotten heap by their feet. Before he could react to the cool draft that nipped at his skin, Emma had reversed their positions - now, he was the one pinned upon the kitchen counter. The young woman kept her hands clasped onto his strong hips, then played with the edges of his belt.
"Emma," Hook said hoarsely as he took inventory of her body. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"You tease and tease, Hook," she rejoined in the same manner as he had spoken as she trailed her fingers down his torso. "It's time for you to actually put your money where your mouth is."
Upon hearing those words, Hook could no longer help himself. With a throaty groan and a disarming stare, he buried his fingers in Emma's hair, hooked his other arm around her waist, and drew her in for a rough, searing kiss.
A whimper instantly escaped from Emma's mouth at the urgency, the need that he exhibited - the need that he exhibited for her. Damn conscience at this point, she thought. Perhaps this was exactly what she needed to cure her ailments. Inevitably, she couldn't focus on anything else. His mouth moved so roughly upon hers, driven to explore and taste every inch, that the act quickly lit the fire within her.
"Wait." Hook pulled back abruptly, surveying the scene behind Emma surreptitiously. "Your family and friends aren't here, are they?"
Emma lightly hit him upon the chest with a curt laugh. "Come here."
Hook obediently followed Emma towards her bedroom. Hell, he didn't even know how he lasted those few seconds; he was pretty much ready to have his way with her in the kitchen. The pirate didn't care much for location for that activity, anyway. Nevertheless, he succeeded at waiting until they entered the room.
Just as the young woman stepped inside, Hook proceeded to rid her of her clothing, nearly ripping her shirt off in his haste. In the same token, Emma began to unbuckle the strap of his belt, teasingly feeling the hardness that she found beneath his trousers. Even with this slight act, Hook's mind became easily distracted; for a moment, he closed his eyes in pleasure and allowed Emma to unclothe him. When he finally stood bare in front of her, he grasped her by the waist and quickly removed her jeans.
As Hook worked on her clothing, Emma couldn't help but unabashedly stare at the pirate's entire body. Sure, she could tell that he had some pleasing assets beneath his garb, but she was completely unprepared for what she was currently seeing. Though there were numerous battle scars upon his torso and arms, as well as several tattoos, his build was nothing short of extraordinary. A pirate's life must have been challenging, she thought; the taut muscles that ripped through his skin were a testament to that.
Suddenly, Emma's thoughts were interrupted. She gasped. It took her a few seconds to register what the pirate was currently doing, but when she did, naught but pleasure filled her.
"You are a beauty." Hook teasingly grazed the blunt edge of his hook upon her stomach; then, with a flick of his wrist, ripped her thong completely off. Without waiting for Emma to react further, the pirate pulled her towards him, teased her sensitive nub with his thumb, then delved two fingers into her core.
"Oh..." Emma bit her lower lip as the pirate moved his fingers expertly inside of her. Her cheeks quickly became flushed, and her entire body temperature began to quickly rise. She could see the pirate curiously studying her reactions and, when he saw how much pleasure she was receiving from him, only continued to push his fingers deeper and at a faster pace.
"I want to ravage you, Emma."
Emma's heart began to race even faster at this hoarse declaration. She couldn't find words to answer him at that moment, though she allowed a slight whimper to escape her lips.
Meanwhile, the knot in her belly was beginning to tighten. Her knees suddenly became weaker, and she held onto the pirate's shoulders for support. She closed her eyes and allowed her head to loll back. He continued, almost wildly. Just as she thought she was about to reach her peak, however, the pirate quickly retrieved his hand.
"Not yet, love." He nipped at her neck, then unclasped her bra with a flick of his fingers. "Not yet."
"Hook..." Her moment of obvious frustration was quickly remedied when the pirate gently laid her upon the bed, sensually straddled her, and began to nip, kiss, and knead her breasts. He was so gentle, yet rough; so full of need, though able to respond to her needs. She realized that the pirate embodied so many dichotomies that it was difficult for her to actually pinpoint the kind of man that he truly was; and yet, perhaps that may be what was invariably drawing her to him. The complexities within his character were not only interesting, but it reminded her of one thing in particular: herself.
Though Emma was highly enjoying Hook's actions upon her body, she couldn't help but repay the favour. After all, she believed in give and take. In a stealthy move, she grasped his manhood and began to delicately stroke him.
Instantly, the pirate let out a sharp breath, not expecting the contact. "Emma..." He seemed to lose himself for a brief moment again, resting his head upon her chest, closing his eyes, and gritting his teeth in pleasure.
Hook's entire body trembled as Emma began to stroke him faster and faster. Slightly sitting upwards, she also began to kiss at his chest and rake her fingers upon his back. She heard another raging growl from him. Though she planned to continue her attack and elicit more reactions from him, the pirate then clasped his hand around her wrist and halted her movements. She threw him a questioning glance, and he only responded with a heated gaze through hooded lids.
Without another word, Hook positioned himself above Emma, wrapped his hand around her lower back, and slowly entered her.
Emma let out a gasp as his manhood entirely filled her. Hook began to move calculatingly, feeling her slowly opening up to him. As he reared back and pushed once more, she wrapped her hands around his upper arms and pulled him towards her, further enclosing the space between them. They both let out cries at their locked connection.
Hook reveled in the feeling of him inside her for a few moments. Then, when she had adjusted to him, he began to rock in unison with her.
"Oh God..." Emma whimpered beneath him. None of her thoughts made any sense at that moment.
The pirate had imagined this moment with her for many moons; but now that he was actually living the act, his thoughts paled in comparison to what was currently transpiring. The sound of her voice and the look of sheer pleasure upon her face stirred the pirate to the point where he was unable to control himself any longer. With primal instinct taking over him, he quickened his pace and thrust inside of her even more deeply, which evoked even more sounds of ecstasy from her.
"That's it, love," he panted encouragingly, kissing her neck and kneading her full breasts as they continued to move. His breaths were short as he continued, "Come for me, Emma."
It was then that Emma felt the knot in her belly completely burst. With her entire body trembling, she cried out and reached her peak of pleasure. She wrapped her arms around the pirate's neck and buried her face upon his chest as the waves of her orgasm flooded through her.
With one final thrust and a forceful growl, Hook joined her state a few moments later. Still within her, he continued to hold Emma's slightly shaking body upon his with steady arms. The two merely eyed one another through their recovery.
When Emma began to pull back, Hook instantly jerked forward and tightened his grip upon her. He delicately traced the side of her face, then placed a tendril of her hair behind her ear. "Darling Emma," he simply purred, smirking, "I'm not through with you yet."
Without another word, the pirate claimed the young woman's lips in his once more.