Gremma prompt, from lessawildmoon on tumblr: Princess/Huntsman, Emma saying (or otherwise making it clear), they she loves him for the first time?
A/N: AU of Princess and Protector where they met as children but Snow and Charming never found out about him and took him in.
He smiles as he enters his camp, seeing the back of the blonde woman who is sitting there.
Emma. She is something of a mystery, to him, even now, this woman he's known since they were children.
She dresses like a bandit and carries herself like a noble. She's handy with every weapon she picks up, animals adore her, and she knows how to track, but she's also beautiful and educated and he can't figure out where she picked up her skills in the forest.
"Wasn't expecting you for another week, at least" he says, setting aside his weapons. The last time she had come - only three days ago - she'd mentioned that her parents wanted her help with some big feast up at the castle. It hadn't happened, yet, so he would've assumed that her family was still- Decorating? Catering? What did they do? He wasn't sure, actually. She tended to avoid talking about them.
"Graham," she sighs out the name that she'd given him, turning and wrapping her arms around him. She seems- Relieved? Relieved to see him? This is strange.
"Take me away from here," she whispers, "Take me to another kingdom and make me yours. Please. I beg you." He tightens his hold on her, on the woman he wants, more than anything. She has kissed him a few times, but he was certain she- Was certain she was just being playful. They'd only happened when she was unusually happy.
"What's wrong, Emma?" he asks, fingers running through bright golden strands. He has never seen her so vulnerable.
"Mother and Father- They insist I must marry," she tells him, head buried in the crook of his neck.
"But- But why do you want to run away?" he is confused, "I know I don't have much, but I could find a way to support us. If- If you do mean that you want to be mine, Emma, I could go to your parents and ask them for your hand."
"I do mean it, I do, I will always mean it. But they'd never give it to you, Graham, and- I love you. And I can't be with another."
This is the first time she's said those words; the first time she's ever come near them. Actually, it's the first time in his life that he's ever heard them. He thinks perhaps she has danced around the feelings before - the playful kisses, he realizes, mean so much more if this is true - but that she wants him, the way he wants her- He never expected to be so lucky.
"Why not, Emma? Why would they- Why would they stop you from being with someone you- Love?"
She pulls back, her hands going to her hair and pulling at it, worrying him.
"Because- Because you're a huntsman. And- And I'm the Princess," she sobs out, turning away.
Princess? Emma is the Princess?
He doesn't understand- How did she hide it for so long? Why did she hide it for so long?
"And you think the solution is to run away?" he asks, gently taking her hands, "Emma- I might not know much, but I know the kingdom only has one heir. You can't run. You have- You have a duty to your people."
"Damn my duty," she growls, "I've never been the princess they wanted, can never be the perfect princess that they want. It's not in me, Graham, and that will kill them. It's better if we run- Please, please- Take me away from here."
He caresses her face in his hands, and presses his lips to hers in a firm kiss. She may be the princess, and he may have no right, but there is a part of him that feels bold, in this moment, spurred on by her confession, her plea. She reacts to it noticeably, moaning into his mouth and leaning closer. Her arms wrap around his neck and her fingers are in his hair, scratching at his scalp, and though he enjoys that immensely, he pulls away.
"No," he states, gentle but assured, "I won't let you run from your life. That will kill your parents far more than you being yourself ever could, if they do love you. And since they did not do to you what the ones who gave birth to me did- I don't see how they could possibly be accused of not loving you."
"But- Graham-"
"No, Emma. I will not let you run. I will stand by your side to explain to them how you feel, but I will not let you run. We will face this together. And if they are not- If they are not understanding, if they don't accept how you feel, then we will consider running. But not a moment before you have been honest with them."