"Remind me again why the four of us couldn't ride together?" Killian asked when Emma had climbed into his truck.
The blonde rolled her eyes before she answered, "Because August had a book signing before the game."
"And Belle had to be there because?" he questioned as he looked at Emma. She shook her head before she told him, "Because she's… ugh. We've been over this, Killian."
"She's his girlfriend, and she wants to support him," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Then why are you making a big deal out of it?" the blonde exasperatedly questioned.
"Because she's still my younger sister," Killian answered with a sigh. Emma offered him a small smile before she reached over to squeeze his arm.
He glanced over at her and looked into stunning green eyes. He quickly looked back at the street before his heart got carried away.
He then asked her, "So, I take it that Belle and August are going to meet us at the stadium entrance?"
"You got it, Jones," Emma answered, and he grinned at the use of his last name. Her phone then beeped. When she had pulled it from her pocket, she told him, "That's Belle. August just dropped her off at her apartment to change, and then he'll come back to pick her up."
Killian looked at her once more and nodded before turning his attention back on the street. When he stopped at a red light, he noticed that Emma was messing with the baseball cap he was wearing.
"Love, what are you doing?" he confusedly asked.
"I'm fixing your cap so that I can see your eyes better," she answered before she placed her hands back in her lap. A moment later, her eyes widened at her admission, and she began nervously running her fingers in her hair.
Killian couldn't help but smile at her words before he grinned and teased, "It's alright, love. It's about time you admitted that you find me devishily handsome."
Emma only laughed and shook her head before she pointed out, "I was only talking about your eyes, Killian."
"Keep telling yourself that, Swan," he told her with a smirk, and Emma rolled her eyes at him in response.
"Livin' On a Prayer" then came on the radio, and the blonde began singing along. Killian grinned as he told her, "I have to say that I've missed that voice of yours, love."
"Killian, you do realize that it was only, like, a week that I didn't see you," she reminded him.
"A week too long, Swan," he admitted. Emma turned her gaze out the window as she ran her fingers through her hair while Killian mentally cursed himself.
He then told her, "That is, love, I've missed teasing you and receiving those famous Swan eye rolls."
Emma shook her head before she replied, "Well, you did once say that you enjoy seeing me flustered."
Killian grinned as he responded, "Indeed I do, Swan, especially since I believe I'm the only one who is capable of getting under your skin that much."
She rolled her eyes once more before she smacked him in the arm. He only chuckled as he pulled in Yankee Stadium.
When they had both gotten out of the truck, they made their way to a spot near the entrance to wait on Belle and August.
As they stood there, Emma kept pushing her hair out of her face before she complained, "Ugh. I knew I should have worn my hair in a ponytail. This wind is going to drive me crazy."
Killian only smiled at her as he told her, "Well, Swan, I believe we can remedy that." Before she could ask, he had taken off his cap.
He shook his hair and ran his fingers through it before he handed the navy blue hat to her. She smiled at him as she placed it on her head.
Killian smiled back at her before he adjusted it and told her, "I want to see those beautiful green eyes of yours, love."
Emma offered him a small smile before she heard her phone ding in her pocket. As she grabbed it, she was eternally grateful that she could look down so that he couldn't see the blush rising to her cheeks.
She then told him, "That's Belle. She and August just got here." Killian nodded in response. Five minutes later, the happy couple came strolling hand-in-hand toward Emma and Killian.
Greetings were exchanged before the four of them made their way into the stadium. Emma noticed that her dark-haired friend was eyeing his sister and her boyfriend's entwined fingers. She shook her head before she told him, "Chill out, Killian."
He glanced at her sideways before he told her, "I don't know what you're talking about, Swan."
Emma crossed her arms as she pointedly asked, "How many times do we have to have to have this conversation?"
Killian shrugged before he answered, "What can I say, love? You're not the only one who's stubborn." The blonde rolled her eyes in response.
When they had all sat down in the stands, August announced, "I'm about to go grab a Coke and a hot dog. You guys want anything?"
"The same," the three of them answered in sync. August joined them in laughing before he got up to make his way to concession.
"Oh, wait," Emma spoke. She then began digging into her pocket for the money when Killian stopped her.
"I'll get it, Swan," he told her with a smile. The blonde only narrowed her eyes at him as she began to protest, "That isn't necess…"
She was cut off, however, when Killian followed August to the concession. Emma only rolled her eyes and shook her head in response.
Belle only grinned at her friend's reaction before she pointed out, "He was only being a gentleman."
"He was being ridiculous – I can pay for my own food. It's not like you and August – we're not dating," Emma argued.
The brunette offered the blonde a sly smile as she spoke, "No one was suggesting that, Emma."
Emma nervously ran her fingers through her hair before she refuted, "Well, obviously. I was only saying that there's no reason for him to buy anything for me."
"He was only trying to be nice. Now who's reading too much into things," Belle told her friend, holding in a knowing smile.
"I'm not reading into anything. I was just…you know what I mean," Emma exasperatedly resigned.
The brunette simply nodded in response.
A couple of minutes later, the guys returned. When they both had sat down, they handed the girls their food.
Emma then commented, "That didn't take long."
"Well, the line wasn't too terribly long," August explained.
The blonde nodded before she turned her attention to the dark-haired man to her right. She then told him, "Thank you, Killian. For the food."
Killian nodded before he spoke, "You're welcome, love. That's what friends are for," with a genuine smile.
Emma returned his smile before turning her attention to the baseball field, where the game was starting.
A few hours later, the game was in the last inning, and it was tied.
"If he hits a home run, the Yankees will win," Belle observed. "Well, considering his batting average, I don't think that'll be a problem, sis," Killian commented with a grin. The brunette grinned back at her brother in response.
"Well, we're about to find out," August added as the batter stepped up to the plate.
He got into position, and the pitcher threw the ball. A moment later, it connected with the bat. The announcer then announced over the loudspeaker, "And it's going, it's going, it's gone! That's a win for the Yankees!"
The crowd erupted in applause as the player made his way around the bases.
Just as the sea of navy blue rose in a wave, the ball was heading toward the four friends. The blonde smiled as she was able to reach up and catch it.
"Emma! I can't believe you caught it!" Belle exclaimed.
Killian then chimed in with, "You know, Swan, I believe that your stroke of luck is due to the fact that you're wearing my lucky hat."
"Seriously, Killian? You can't just let me have this? I've been a Yankees fan since, like, forever," Emma told him.
"Forever is a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think, love?" he teased.
The blonde rolled her eyes before she told him, "You're absolutely ridiculous."
"Perhaps, but you're still quite fond of me, aren't you, love?" Killian refuted with a smirk.
Emma grinned as she told him, "I guess you're not so bad. But it's mainly because you're my best friend's brother."
"If you say so, Emma," the dark-haired man responded as he twirled a piece of her blonde hair around his finger.
She only shook her head before she turned her attention to begin leaving the stands. Her brows furrowed as she noticed the absence of two certain people.
"Where are Belle and August?" she asked when she turned back around to face Killian.
"Well, Swan, I doubt that they wanted to feel like intruders on our flirting," he answered with a mischievous smile.
Emma planted her hands on her hips as she argued, "We were not flirting, Killian." His only response was a tilt of his head and a raise of his eyebrow.
She then sighed and resigned, "Fine. But you started it."
"At least you admit it. You must have let that stubborn streak go because you were distracted by my eyes," he teased as he stepped closer to her.
Emma swatted his shoulder before she pointed out, "I should have known I haven't heard the last of that."
"Alas, love, you are the one who said it," he pointed out. Emma only rolled her eyes once more before Killian continued, "I believe we should go locate my sister and her boyfriend."
Emma nodded in agreement before she spoke, "If you say so, love," mocking his accent with a grin.
Killian rolled his eyes this time while Emma laughed out loud. She then turned and began making her way out of the stands. He followed her as he desperately tried to push thoughts of how much he loved her laugh out of his mind.
When they had reached the couple, Emma playfully asked, "Were you guys planning on just ditching us?" with a grin.
Both August and Belle returned her grin before the former told her, "We were just trying to beat the crowd."
A little voice in the Emma's head told her it was more, but she chose to ignore it. She then spoke, "There's an 80s cover band playing down on the beach. It's a bit of a drive, but do you guys want to check it out?"
Belle smiled a bit nervously as she responded, "Well, actually, August and I were going to head to Central Park. He packed a picnic."
"So, you two have a date," Killian surmised flatly, as he crossed his arms. For the third time that day, Emma hit him in the arm.
He then sighed and scratched behind his ear before running his fingers through his hair. He then apologized, "I'm sorry for my rudeness. I know I'm a bit… well, perhaps, a lot overprotective, but it's only because I care about you, Belle. I know that August cares about you, too, love, and he is a fine chap," casting his look toward the brown-haired man.
August offered a grateful smile before Belle pulled her brother in for a hug. At that moment, August and Emma decided to leave. They waved goodbye before heading toward the vehicles.
When Belle and Killian pulled away, the brunette admitted, "You know, all my life I wanted an older brother. Someone who'd I probably fight with, but he'd also always be there to protect me. I never thought I'd ever have one though. But then I found my mother's letter. I'm so glad that you're in my life, Killian."
Killian widely smiled at her as he responded, "I'm glad too, love. I know I probably protect you more than is actually necessary, so I must apologize once again for being too overprotective."
Belle only chuckled before she seriously asked, "Why is that?"
He took a deep breath before he answered, "Well, love, you're my sister. I almost instantly felt this need to be there for you. I wanted to be your family. I know what it's like to be without one, and I rather like having one again. I know you have Emma…"
"But that doesn't mean I wasn't ecstatic at the thought of adding to my family," the brunette interrupted with a smile. Killian smiled back at her in response.
He then ran his hand through his hair as he told her, "Alright, love, you have a date to get to. I've kept you long enough."
Belle smiled at him before she made her way to her boyfriend's car. Killian then turned and headed to his own vehicle.
When he climbed in his truck, Emma asked, "So, do you want to go to this concert? It'll probably help distract…"
"I don't need distracting, Swan. My sister is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and I'm truly happy for her and August," Killian interrupted.
The blonde smiled at him as she responded, "Good." She then added, "But for the record, Belle is lucky to have a protective older brother like you."
He nodded and smiled back at her before he commented, "But surely you feel the same way about David."
Emma smiled to herself before she spoke, "David has almost always felt like family to me, but I don't think I fully realized it until he told me that he wanted me to be Leo's aunt. Even after how long he and Mary Margaret, as well as Belle, has been in my life, it still feels strange at times. Having people I can count on no matter what."
"Well, Swan, you can trust me when I say that you won't ever have to be alone again," Killian told her.
She was taken aback by the sincerity in his voice and in his eyes. But she chose not to dwell on it and simply told him, "Thank you, Killian."
He nodded at her before he observed, "I believe we have a concert to get to, Swan." Emma smiled and nodded in response.