They were quickly approaching the patch of fog ahead, the crew silently waiting to see what would happen. Killian stood at the helm, his arm around Emma's waist as they looked out at the daunting misty atmosphere in front of them. 'Swan, if this doesn't work-'
'It will.' She stated firmly.
'But if it doesn't, I need to tell you, I need you to know-' Emma moved to stand in front of him, looking at him square on.
'No. It will work. We're not dying, we're not saying goodbye, we're not saying anything.' She knew exactly what he wanted to say; the words had been on the tip of his tongue for a few days now. She had seen the way he looked at her, the private smile he only gave to her, the way his eyes changed from a mischievous twinkle to a softened look of awe. No matter how terrified she was to hear those words, she didn't want the first time he said it to be because he thought they would die. He nodded in understanding, but pulled her back in to his arms, hugging her closely. Emma closed her eyes as she rested her head against his shoulder.
It had been fun living on the ship, but truthfully she was exhausted, physically and mentally. She wanted to get back to Henry, to her parents and her new baby brother (God, she didn't even know his name yet). She wanted to get back to plumbing and electricity, to bear claws and coffee. It's not home until you just miss it, and she missed Storybrooke like crazy.
'I'm scared.' Killian whispered, bringing her abruptly out of her homesick thoughts.
'Why?' She asked as she pulled back to look at him. His eyes had turned an even more vivid shade of blue with his emotions, tugging on her heart-strings more than she had expected.
'I've never been worthy, I've never been good. I'm the very kind of person this trap is meant to stop. I know that this is the ultimate test of souls, and my soul is going to fail.' Emma shook her head violently at his words, placing her hands on his cheeks to hold his gaze.
'Killian, don't think like that, okay? You are good. You have a kind heart, and when you care about people you are devoted to them. The moment you turned your ship around to come back and help save Henry was the moment you chose to be good, and not just because it was the right thing to do but because you cared. Your soul may not be completely pure or innocent, but it is beautiful and it is worthy, especially to me.' Emma felt tears in her own eyes as she spoke. Killian had taught her that she was worthy, and now it was her turn for him.
'Emma, I-' He started before suddenly looking up with wide eyes at the sky. He squeezed Emma's arm with his good hand as the ship was submerged in fog, the cold mist creeping around their legs and slowly rising.
'Killian, it's okay, it's not hurting us.' Emma whispered softly, gently moving his hand off her arm and linking their fingers together. Killian squinted, trying to see through the fog to see the rest of the crew.
'Smee? How is everyone faring?' He called to the hint of red in the sea of fog.
'Fine, Captain! We're sailing blind until it clears though.' Smee replied back, his voice eerily echoing through the thick atmosphere. Killian had sailed in worse conditions before, but visibility was the least of his worries when the fog could potentially poison them all.
'Swan, what are you looking forward to when we get back?' He asked her, his voice quiet and unsteady. Through the grey clouds he saw her frown with confusion before her expression softened.
'Seeing my family. Seeing my parents meet and fall in love was beautiful but being with them when they didn't know who I am was like being invisible. I've been separated from them for too long to push them away anymore. And I want Henry to know that Storybrooke is our home, and we're staying there with our family.' Emma gave him a warm smile and squeezed his hand. He had calmed down as she talked and instead of looking around in a panic he was only looking at her.
'But on a less serious note, I am really looking forward to a long, hot shower and Granny's cooking.' She said playfully, and he felt the last traces of anxiety fall away with her delicate laughter. He pulled her back into his arms, closing his eyes and inhaling her sweet floral scent.
'If-' Emma whispered before correcting herself. 'When we get back, how is this going to work?' The humour had gone from her voice, leaving a trace of vulnerability as she voiced her thoughts.
'You shouldn't worry, lass. Your family love you and I'm sure they will accept whatever makes you happy, even if that happens to be this rather dashing pirate before you.' Killian teased, coaxing out an eye roll and smile from Emma with his self-assured words.
'Careful, Swan, I can practically hear your eyes rolling out of their sockets.' Killian whispered when she didn't say anything, although he had felt her arms tighten around his waist in response.
'You're an idiot.' She scoffed to hide the laugh bubbling up in her chest.
'Captain, the fog has lifted!' Smee called out. Emma and Killian looked around and noticed the blue sky emerging as the fog ebbed away. A stretch of land was visible in the distance and cheers erupted on deck, everyone breathing a sigh of relief now they were on the other side.
'See, I told you it would work.' Emma said smugly. Killian gave her a look of awe before kissing the grin off her face. 'You are brilliant, lass.' He whispered between soft little kisses.
Moyes cleared his throat behind them, and reluctantly Killian pulled away from her enticing lips to face his crew member, whom Killian now considered to be highly skilled in interrupting any moment he spent with Emma.
'Prepare the ship for docking.' Killian told him with a nod (and if Moyes noticed his captain's flushed cheeks and red lips, he didn't show it). The crew began scrambling around as they followed the captain's orders, and Emma watched them with amusement before she felt Killian's hook brush her hair.
'Come on, Swan, let's get you home.' He smiled and she raised an eyebrow.
'Let's get us home.' She retorted and he grinned.
'Aye. Home.'
A/N: I wasn't planning to make Killian so vulnerable in this chapter but it just kind of came out as I wrote it. I feel like he tends to internally beat himself up a lot and people always use the label of a pirate in a derogatory way towards him to say that he isn't good enough (Charming I still haven't forgiven you for that whole 'you're a pirate, she'll never want you' thing). I also thought about the line Hook said about preparing souls and his taking some time in 3x11, I know it was intended to be comedic relief but it got me thinking about how he sees himself.
Also I've always seen the Emma/Hook dynamic as really beautiful because they bring out the best in each other and I just needed Emma to help Killian see the person he can be and for Killian to help Emma see that she can be happy. Basically I just had a lot of OTP feels okay.