Prompted by afirewiel on tumblr - "Emma proposes to Graham!"
A/N: Because of Emma's past, the only way I could reconcile her being the one to propose - because I honestly feel that no matter how much she trusts Graham, there'd be a part of her that fears him rejecting her - was to AU it. So, Enchanted Forest, no curse, Graham still has his general abandoned and raised by wolves backstory but he is around Emma's age rather than being the same Huntsman who spared Snow.
He doesn't belong in her life.
He has known this for a long time, since the moment he learned she was the princess. Her parents, the King and Queen, had been kinder than he deserved upon learning of their daughter's friendship with a common wilding. They had brought him into the guard, and since Emma trusted him so much, made him her protector. The two of them had grown up together, practically, him training with the other guards when it was required of him, but mostly staying near her, protecting her - his upbringing with the wolves had given him good enough instincts that he was one of the best fighters on the guard anyway, and his fierce loyalty had caught her parents' eye.
And he is utterly in love with her. Were he anywhere near worthy, and were she not the princess - were their worlds not meant to be so separate - he would ask her to be his mate in an instant.
Tonight, she is to choose a suitor. And when she does, when she chooses from the princes her parents have lined up for her… He will leave. He does not know where he will go, but he cannot see her married to another.
She has been talking to her parents, in hushed tones in the castle library, all day. Probably going over the suitors again, making sure she has chosen the right one. She doesn't love any of them, she's told him that, but she will do what is right for the kingdom, he knows.
…
She stands in front of the gathered crowd, looking heavenly in a powder blue dress, her wavy blonde locks not pinned for once, but flowing loose. This is the moment he has dreaded all night.
"My parents have informed me that- That I must announce which of you I intend to marry. Tonight. And the- The answer is- None of you. I cannot- I cannot betray my heart. I'm sorry."
She turns and runs from the room, and when the Queen nods at him, he follows. He is her protector; it is his duty. He had thought maybe her mother would want to allow her a moment alone, that was the only reason he hesitated.
He finds her in the garden, sitting on the ground by her favorite rose bush. She's playing with the petals of one of the orange and pink roses, and he's not sure he should approach her. But he clears his throat and she looks up at him and smiles dazzlingly.
"Graham," she stands, throwing her arms around him, "You came."
"Of course I did, your highness," he is confused by her utter joy at this moment. He is- He is simply doing his duty. Much as he does enjoy that she's holding him close.
She draws back, that smile still on her face.
"Is- Is everything alright, Emma?" he asks, letting the formality drop for a moment.
"I- I've talked it over with mother and father. And I was hoping- Graham, I love you. I've always loved you. So I was hoping- Graham- Will you be my husband?"
"You- You would have me?" he asks, disbelieving.
"Always. If you would have me," she bites her lip, her nervousness showing, and he cups her face in his hands, tracing her lower lip with his thumb to draw it out from between her teeth.
"I will," he assures her, leaning in and kissing the princess- His princess- His mate.
"I love you, Emma," he whispers as their lips part, "And I will gladly stand by your side. Always."