When he joined David, Liam, and Robin, they laughed and clinked their glasses. Killian cocked an eyebrow.

"Might I be privy to the joke or is it just between you three?"

David clapped him on his shoulder. "Well, it is about you and Emma to be exact."

Killian tilted his head. "And what exactly did myself and Swan do to garner such amusement?"

Liam motioned with his forefinger and thumb. "Well, little brother, I'm not sure you and Emma could have gotten any closer."

With an eye roll, Killian pointed out, "We were dancing. What the bloody hell else were we supposed to do?"

Robin took a sip of his drink before he offered, "Well, mate, you two were dancing rather closely for two people who claim to be just friends."

"We are just friends, mate. There's nothing more between us."

All three of them shot him a look. David then shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe we can let the dance slide. But why were you still holding her when the song was over?"

Killian couldn't help but scratch behind his ear. He stammered through a reply.

"We were, uh, so, um, caught up in conversation that we, uh, didn't realize it was over."

He then dragged his fingers through his hair. "Bloody hell, even I don't believe that."

As he sighed, Liam cleared his throat. "Killian, have you ever considered the fact that you have feelings for Emma?"

The scratch behind his ear gave his answer. Even still, he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Look, brother, it's as I've said - we're just friends."

Robin placed his glass back on the bar. "Killian, mate, you do realize that no one who can see the two of you together buys that."

He sighed and planted his hands on his hips. "Well, they - and you lot - need to find something else to bloody talk about."

He then sank down on a bar stool and buried his face in his hands.

David then took a deep breath. "Look, Killian, we were just having a bit of fun. We didn't really mean anything by it."

He sighed once more. "I know, mate. And it's not as though Emma and I aren't used to it."

With another scratch behind his ear, he added, "And I'm not nearly as oblivious as you think I am."

Liam gestured with his glass. "Then tell the lass how you feel. Given your distinct lack of subtlety, it shouldn't be too difficult."

A hint of a smile crossed Killian's features. He then shook his head.

"You make it sound simpler than it actually is."

Robin tilted his head. "What's the problem then?"

"Emma is my best friend - we do absolutely everything together and can practically finish each other's thoughts. Why would I muck that up with declarations that she isn't ready for?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't even know if I'm bloody ready for them."

Liam then took a deep breath. "If I may, Killian, I haven't seen you feel this way about anyone since Milah. Don't you deserve to explore that?"

"First of all, I don't know if there is anything to explore. And second of all, I don't know if Emma would be open to any of this, and I'm not going to bloody well push her."

David folded his hands and leaned forward. "You know Emma only became my sister when Mom took her in shortly after she got out of prison."

Killian's jaw clenched before David reached out and squeezed his shoulder. The former then took a deep breath.

"Sorry, mate. I know it was a rather long time ago, but you know what they say about old habits."

"I know." David took a sip of his beer before he finished, "The point is that I can't remember a time when Emma wasn't my sister, and we're family. And for better or worse, family usually knows one another best. And I know that Emma has fallen hard for you. Even if she can't admit to herself."

Killian sighed - again - and ran both hands through his hair. "It's not like I can bloody argue with you - I see how she looks at me when she doesn't think I can see her."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "And I look at her the same way."

Liam opened his mouth to add something but Killian interrupted, "I think I'd rather get back to Emma - it's far less complicated with her."

That time, Liam interrupted as he grabbed his brother's arm. "Listen, little brother, don't allow this to make things awkward and ruin your night."

Killian managed a smile. "I'm with my best friend - I scarcely think anything could ruin it."

A grin then broke out across his features. "And you having nothing better to talk about speaks to how perfectly boring you all are."

He received eye rolls and head shakes. With crossed arms, David surmised, "Well, clearly, you're back to being the Killian we all know and tolerate."

The man in question rolled his eyes before Robin spoke, "I have to say you bounced back rather quickly. Would you venture to share?"

Killian shrugged. "Either way, I still get to spend every day with my best friend."

With a smile, he tucked his hands into his pockets and headed back to Emma. His brother and his friends smiled and shook their heads.

When Killian slid onto the bar stool, Emma sipped on her rum. She placed her glass aside before she asked, "What was that about? I saw the laughing."

He couldn't help but grin. "I'll give you one guess, love."

She furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head. Her gaze then wandered to their friends, and she rolled her eyes.

"It's about us, isn't it? And that stupid rumor."

Killian laughed before he played with the ends of her hair. "Come on, Swan, you have to know it isn't entirely unmerited."

Her gaze flitted downward, locking onto the amber liquid. She then sighed.

"Yeah, I know."

She then took a deep breath and brought her eyes back to his.

"But, I mean, we're just friends so there's nothing really to tell."

Killian peered at her. He rested his chin in his hand. "Darling, I'm not sure who you're trying to convince - me or yourself."

Emma ran her fingers through her hair. "Can we just get back to our night? You know, just hanging out and having some fun."

"As you wish." He sipped on his rum before he let out a laugh.

At her raised eyebrow, he offered, "This may stem from the fact that we're quite nostalgic today - but do you remember the very first time we did this?"

She rested her chin in her hand. "You mean when you showed up at the station and started annoying me?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. "Indeed, love. I stopped getting arrested so much, but I must admit I missed your charming company."

"Mm-hmm." Emma couldn't help but smile. She then told him, "I never fell for the Casanova spiel that easily - but I did have a long day at work and wanted a drink to wind down."

He held his drink in his hand and pointed a finger at her. "And I also had you laughing - even though you tried to hide it."

She glanced downward before she shrugged. "I guess you were pretty funny. And you still are - sometimes."

With an eye roll, he said, "You really are a stubborn lass, aren't you?"

He then sipped on his drink before he added, "I suppose I really shouldn't be surprised, hmm, Swan?"

She swatted his arm. "You're the one to talk, Mr. Still Loses His Temper."

Killian rolled his eyes. A smile then made its way across his features.

"And yet, despite seeing the worst of each other, we're still best friends."

She offered a nod as she hummed. She then let out a chuckle. He cocked an eyebrow.

"Care to share, love?"

"I was just thinking. Given how we started, it really is surprising that we're as close as we are."

He grinned. "I do tend to have that effect on people." She shook her head as he shot her a wink.

She then sipped on her drink as he did the same. When they placed their glasses on the table, he leaned on the bar top.

"Speaking of us, are we still on for sailing next weekend?"

Emma hummed. She then asked him, "We're heading to Hangman's Island, right?"

"Aye, love." He then grinned and offered, "The Jolly Roger can more than handle the trip."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I'm surprised you haven't put a pirate flag on it yet."

"Oh, believe me, Swan, I've tried." With a shrug and a sip of rum, he told her, "They're not so easy to come by."

"Well, Captain, I have no doubt that you'll manage to find one."

He gestured with his glass. "And as my first mate, you can help me rig it on the pole."

She leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. "First mate? I can drive that thing just as well as you can."

He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how well you qualify - given that you sail a boat, and the Jolly Roger is a she."

"You are the only one who cares that much."

"Myself - and any sailor worth his salt."

"It's still a little ridiculous."

"Not any more ridiculous than you with your yellow bug."

"Yeah, right, Killian, you don't even have an argument."

"So, you don't still listen to cassette tapes and CDs even though both are essentially obsolete."

"All my tapes and CDs still work. Why go through the trouble of updating it?"

He only shot her a wink before he sipped his rum. She crossed her arms even further over her chest.

She then pointed out, "You know, you have an aversion to modern technology, too."

He shrugged. "Perhaps - but at least I'm able to admit it."

He sipped more on his drink before he recalled, "So, then, Hangman's Island? Take out from Granny's and the perfect 80s playlist?"

She placed her glass back on the bar before she leveled him with furrowed eyebrows. Her mouth pressed in a thin line.

"You think I'm not still annoyed with you?"

"Oh, love, we both know that you won't stay cross for too long. In fact, all I have to do is make you laugh."

"Aren't you a little full of yourself? Or, you know, a lot full of yourself?"

"Only if it wasn't true. Which it absolutely is."

She shook her head. "You are incorrigible, Killian."

He only hummed as he shrugged his shoulders. He then grabbed his phone and started to scroll. He couldn't help but smile.

Emma tilted her head. "What are you looking at?"

His eyes found hers. "Just our playlist. We already have one, mind you, but I took the liberty of adding "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"."

Her cheeks reddened. She then took a deep breath. "I'm not sure how well a love song fits with an afternoon spent sailing."

"Perhaps. But it makes me think of you." Killian resisted the urge to scratch behind his ear - but he glanced downward and ran his fingers through his hair.

Emma couldn't help but grin. "It's kind of nice to see you nervous for a change."

His fingers did find the back of his ear before he took a deep breath.

He ran his hand through her hair. "Well, Swan, you are bloody brilliant, and I find myself quite entranced by you."

She glanced away before her eyes found his again. She breathed in and out slowly.

Even still, a smile made its way across her face. "And I'm sure you can't wait to tell me why."

He couldn't help but grin. "I do so appreciate your enthusiasm, Swan." She only hummed before he leaned on the bar.

"Well, Swan, I think you know I'm quite an early riser."

" "Early" is a generous term. You're up before the sun even rises."

He only hummed and sipped on his drink before he continued, "And as I made my morning tea, I noticed you were still asleep on the couch."

Emma drummed her fingers across the table. "Let me guess - you thought about how you always insisted on taking the couch, but I always overruled you."

He rolled his eyes. He then pointed out, "It would have been bad form to make you sleep on the couch, Swan."

"And I always tell you that it was your apartment, and your bed, and I'm not kicking you out of it. And you can never win an argument with me."

He raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't be too sure of that, love. It's safe to say that I know exactly how to push your buttons."

"Much to my annoyance." Emma then smacked him in the arm. The drink he held splashed in his lap.

"Was that entirely necessary?" Killian argued as he grabbed napkins and cleaned up the spill. She only shrugged.

She then took a deep breath. "So…wanna tell me what you were actually going to say?"

He hummed. A grin spread across his face. "That rather depends on whether or not you allow me to finish."

She pushed her hair behind her ear. "I promise won't interrupt - I actually want to know what you're gonna say."

"You're lucky I believe you, Swan. I know you have a bit of a mischievous streak in you."

"You must have rubbed off on me."

He smiled and shook his head before he sipped his drink. He placed his glass on the bar top before he leaned on his elbow.

"As I was saying, you were sleeping. Quite soundly in fact - you had both arms under the pillow with your hair partly in your face. I truthfully wondered how it didn't make you bloody sneeze."

A slight giggle escaped from her lips. He couldn't help but smile back before he continued.

"I also saw where every trace of worry was gone. The worry that mounts over you and your brother as you try to keep this town safe - and over you trying to take care of everyone while sometimes neglecting yourself."

Her gaze drifted downward. She twirled the liquid in her glass.

Killian then tilted her chin upward. "Hey, love, that happens to be one of my favorite things about you - even if it means I find myself worrying about you."

She exhaled deeply, a few goosebumps rising on her skin. Killian's hand lingered until his goosebumps matched hers.

He cleared his throat before he leaned back in his chair. He gestured with his glass.

"And I also know how you sometimes still become overwhelmed with all the people who love and care for you."

With another deep breath, she then questioned, "You got all that from watching me sleep?"

"Well, Swan, it's a rare moment that I get to see you quite so peaceful - and you consume nearly every thought anyway."

At her blush, he scratched behind his ear. He took a deep breath of his own before he finished.

"And then I noticed your smile, and I found myself curious as to what you dreamt about. And how I could take in your beauty - just like that - forever. And when you soon awoke, I realized that if I let myself, I would be utterly hopeless when it came to you."

Emma's eyes widened - her cheeks turned scarlet. "Killian…I don't know about this."

"I truthfully don't either - but, love, this rumor about us isn't just a rumor."

She tried a shrug. "It is just a rumor - and everyone will find something else to talk about."

"Say they do - would it change us?"

"Us? There isn't an us - there's me and there's you." She gestured between the two of them.

"Emma."

His blue eyes bored into her. She sighed and relented.

"I mean, we probably spend more time with each other than anyone else, and I'm not sure I could go a day without talking to you."

She ran her fingers through her hair. "And I do trust you, Killian - which isn't easy with, well, you. But…my life would be far less…amazing without my best friend."

Killian smiled at her. "Well, Swan, I do believe that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head while he chuckled. He then took a deep breath before he locked eyes with hers.

"And you, Emma, are bloody amazing. I dare say you've gathered how I feel about you - but I still find myself quite distracted when you're around. It's true that you're beautiful, but no one understands me and challenges me like you do, love. And I never want it to end."

Emma smiled at him. "You always said I was an open book - but you have some layers to peel back between the leather and the bravado."

"And you with the walls and all that infuriating stubbornness."

She couldn't help but laugh. "I'd probably be mad if anyone besides you told me that."

He laughed as well. "And that, love, is why we're best friends."

She offered him a smile - one that he returned. He then took her hand in his.

"So, Swan, what do you say to making this rumor true?"

He entwined their fingers. Her gaze wandered down to their joined hands before her focus drew to his mouth.

She then shook her head. "Killian, I don't…" She trailed off and tried to focus on anything other than his piercing blue gaze.

He squeezed her hand. "Swan - Emma - why are we even trying to deny this feeling? I know you feel the same way I do."

Her gaze found his. Her breath caught in her throat. Oh, the way he looked at her - she wanted him to look at her that way for the rest of her life.

She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him toward her. Their foreheads pressed together. She caressed one of his cheeks.

He pulled back to search her eyes. She continued to caress his cheek. He offered her a smile before he leaned forward to capture her lips with his.

Only for her to pull away with wide and panicked eyes.

"I…can't do this."

She slid off the stool and bolted out of the bar.