"Ah, sisters, he has come a long way," Lachesis commented, knowing it would stir up her sisters.

"Of course he has! We set his fate a very long time ago," Clotho snapped.

Atropos nodded, "I have stayed my scissors and not cut his lifline, just like we talked about. He has lived a long life because we have decided it to be so."

The three Moirai sat and discussed the image they had conjured up, in a gazing bowl, of Killian. His string of fate had been exciting to them; they had made sure he would have a full life.

They were the three fates, daughters of Zeus, and all full sisters. They had set Killian's twisted fate starting from when he was in his mother's womb and laid out his path from man to pirate to villain to hero. His current journey, the one his magical ship was leading him on, was only the beginning of his move toward a hero's journey.

"And he has found her," Atropos added.

Clotho smiled, watching him. He was one of her favorite destinies that she weaved. Killian was dark and complex, and he had two major journeys in his life. He had a full villain's arc and an amazing hero's redemption story. "His darkness makes him a good protector."

"For a princess, yes," Atropos replied easily.

"For a strong woman who chases after danger," Lachesis corrected. "She may be a princess, but everyone underestimates her. Well, everyone except her. She will risk herself to prove she is capable."

"Yes, but we made sure of that," Clotho snickered. "We made them perfect for each other."

"True, true. But they still have free will. They can-"

"We know that. Why are you explaining that to us?!" Clotho objected.

"Because you're all I have to talk to," Lachesis grumbled. "Plus, fate is immutable, but how they go about it isn't. He can still be a stubborn jack a-"

"Enough of that," Atropos interjected. "And yes, he has free will, but she has a pretty face. That will go a long way to making him behave. Well, not behave," she said, snickering, "but be kind to her. He's not one to behavewith a pretty woman."

Clotho sighed dreamily, "No, he isn't. He's one a woman would like to misbehave with too. I know I would."

Atropos splashed away the conjured image of Killian in the bowl of water and rolled her eyes. "Enough, sisters, he is on his path, and that's all we need to concern ourselves with. Emma is his destiny, and he's met her."

"That is quite the magic ship he has. It can sense his destiny." Lachesis stood and added, "'home,' cute way to tell him he's going to find the one he belongs with."

"Home is where the heart is," Clotho commented.

Atropos groaned, "Can you be any more cliche!? Ugh, spare me."

"Well, it is!" Clotho objected. "A cliche doesn't mean it's wrong."

"It just sounds trite, and there are better ways to say that."

"Like how!?"

Atropos said, "Family is home, and in her, he will find-"

"Gag me! That's just as bad," Lachesis said. "It's a magical ship, and it doesn't understand complex human emotions. Killian is unhappy now. Emma will make him happy. The ship thinks happy means home. It's not complicated."

"Way to take the romance out of it," Clotho fussed.

"You wove his life full of romance," Lachesis objected. "We know you love epic romances, and theirs will be among the most romantic of them all."

"I love love," Clotho agreed. "And they can't fight the attraction they have for each other."

"Yes, again, you made it that way," Lachesis said. "They will be so drawn to each other they won't be able to deny their love."

"It will be fun to watch," Clotho prompted, hoping for her sisters to agree.

"Yes, it will be," Atropos said as Clotho smiled.

Lachesis, knowing her sister added, "True. A good epic love story is always fun to witness."

Clotho asked, "Can I help them along from time to time? I know I'm not supposed to…."

Atropos said, "No, but his ship is perceptive. I have a feeling you won't have to worry about someone being there to give him a nudge. After all, it got him to her ahead of schedule."

Clotho smiled wide, "Yes. That is true, and I'm very pleased with the magical ship. Too bad there isn't a way to thank it."

"Sometimes you say the craziest things," Atropos replied.

"And then there's Emma," Lachesis said. "Her parents and their friends miss so much with her."

"We made her extraordinary," Atropos commented. "And I would argue they love her too much to see how unique she is. In their defense, they do know she's special."

Clotho nodded, "special to them. They don't see what she will mean to the whole realm and beyond. Love does cloud one's vision, though."

"Not Killian's; he won't miss how unique she is," Atropos said. "Although he's uncommon, we kept him alive for centuries for her, after all."

"And…" Clotho trailed off. She grew pensive and then said, "We gave her a severe destiny."

"Hence, Killian," Atropos said encouragingly. "He is her reward."

"A villain," Lachesis mumbled. "Well, a hot villain."

"A man who can be terrifying in his protection of her and loyal in his love," Atropos stated. "How many are that lucky?"

"I wouldn't call it luck," Clotho objected. "We set out their paths very meticulously. After all, defeating the Dark One and the Evil Queen deserves a reward. Emma might have epic love, but her path is far from easy."

Atropos rolled her eyes. "Again, hence Killian –that very epic love! We ensured that the woman who would save so many would be well rewarded by fate –us. He's a scoundrel, but that's part of the allure, isn't it? He's the kind of man a woman wants to tame and make faithful. The difference is, he actually can be."

Clotho chuckled, "I don't know. I wouldn't mind being one of his one-night stands."

Lachesis chuckled, "No, you have no problem with those, do you sister?"

Atropos sneered, "She's associated with childbirth and fertility; men go wild for her."

"You're just bitter, Atropos, that they see you as an old hag. After all, you're the personification of death to them." Clotho snickered. "Still, it's not like you haven't had your conquests. Of course, when they piss you off, you cut their lifeline, and they die."

"I'm not a woman they should mess with," she replied loftily, not denying it.

"None of us are," Lachesis agreed. "Now, I don't know about you ladies, but I'm hungry. Time to go eat." They all headed into the nearest town, cloaked as mortals, to find a place to eat and enjoy the fact that, as always, the fate they laid out was progressing according to plan.

I used the actual fates in Greek mythology here. Names, appearances, origin, and duties are all "canon."