Merry Christmas @jrob64!! I'm your @cssecretsanta2020 again!
I made you a fun little gifset, trying to include some moments and parts of their relationship that you said you enjoyed, and of course ending with the happily ever after :)
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Quality
Anya is LIVE right now
FREE
Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
Merry Christmas @i-will-sing-no-requiem ! I am very happy to be your Secret Santa and to create both a story and a pic set as your gift. I tried to include some of your favorite things that you mentioned in our Q&A exchanges.
Most Captain Swan fans found season 6 to be very frustrating. So when @i-will-sing-no-requiem said that canon divergent is her favorite and there were several things that bothered her about season 6, I knew I had to write a fix-it fic. This story addresses the way Killian tried to hide the fact he killed David's father (which was a stupid story line, imo) and how Emma found the ring and ruined the proposal.
Special thanks to the mods of @cssecretsanta2020 for once again setting up this event - it's so much fun! Thanks also to @hookedmom for being my beta, and to @kmomof4 & @hollyethecurious for reading this over to make sure it's true to canon.
SUMMARY: Moments after Killian receives Emma's father's blessing to propose to her, Killian is confronted with his role in the murder of David's father. Now he has to figure out how to tell his future wife and father-in-law the truth. Once he does, will his relationship with them be ruined beyond repair?
RATING: T
WORDS: 6050
Also found on ffn and Ao3 and in the Secret Santa 2025 collection on Ao3
Story under the cut
*********
Killian walked along the sidewalk, rapidly approaching the house he shared with Emma - their home. Having just received Davidâs blessing to ask Emma to marry him, Killian hoped that soon, they would be living there as husband and wife. As he walked, he held the little black leather box containing the diamond ring in his hand, contemplating the words he would say to propose.
Hearing a rumbling behind him, he turned to see the wooden man child pulling up on his motorcycle. Emma might have assured him that August was only a friend, but Killian still wasnât sure what to think of him. He tucked the box into his jacket pocket and turned to see what the man wanted.
âHey there,â August said, turning the noisy machine off. âIâm glad I found you.â
âAre you?â Killian replied.
Without answering, August pulled some papers out from inside his leather jacket.
âWhat are those?â Killian asked.
âI found the pages of my story I ripped out of the book,â August explained. âThereâs nothing in here I didnât already tell you butâŠI figured David might like to have it for himself.â
âGreat, Iâll pass them along,â Killian said, reaching to take the papers from him.
August then started the motorcycle and rode away. As Killian turned up the sidewalk toward the house, he unfolded the pages to look at them. The one on top showed the illustration of Pinocchio on Pleasure Island, talking to a man who had to be Davidâs father. As soon as Killian saw the picture, memories flooded his mind, causing his heart to race and a weight as heavy as a stone to drop into his stomach. He recognized the man in the picture.
He had killed that man.
âHey!â Emmaâs voice cut through his morbid thoughts. âThere you are,â she said, bounding down the steps.
He quickly refolded the papers and tucked them in the back pocket of his jeans.
She hurried to him, tugging lightly on the lapels of his jacket. âWe just got back. I missed you. Iâm making my specialty - microwave popcorn with Milk Duds mixed in to get all melty.â
âSoundsâŠuh, wonderful,â he said with a slight grimace, causing her to giggle. âUm, Iâll be in in just a minute.â
âOkay,â she said, before kissing him and going back into the house, closing the door behind her.
Killian pulled the jewelerâs box from his pocket, opening it to reveal the diamond engagement ring. How could he possibly ask Emma to marry him now, knowing that he killed her grandfather?
*********
Killian was seated at the counter in Grannyâs the next morning, picking at his eggs, while his coffee grew cold. He managed to make it through last night without Emma detecting that something was amiss. He even indulged in her sweet, messy âspecialtyâ, pretending to like it as they snuggled on the sofa, watching one of those moving pictures she enjoyed. He honestly couldnât recall a single detail of it, because his mind was completely preoccupied with his dilemma.
He barely slept and what little sleep he did get was troubled with nightmares of him running a sword through not only Davidâs father, but every member of Emmaâs family, including Emma herself.
âSomething wrong, Captain Serious?â Ruby quipped, rousing him from his musings.
He glanced up. âJust, uh, not very hungry this morning.â
She leaned her elbows on the counter to look at him eye to eye, a mischievous twinkle in hers. âIâm sure your other appetite is getting satisfied at home, am I right?â
âRuby!â Granny scolded from the kitchen. âStop harassing the customers and get back to work!â
âI really hate her wolf hearing,â Ruby grumbled. âWant me to warm up your coffee? It looks to me like you could use some extra caffeine.â
Killian nodded. âAye. Thank you.â
The bell above the door jingled. Ruby finished filling Killianâs cup, looked up to see who came in and smiled. âGood morning, Snow! Howâs my bestie today?â
Killianâs shoulders hunched at the knowledge that Emmaâs mother just entered the diner.
âIâm fine, Ruby,â Mary Margaret chirped. âHow are you?â
âCanât complain. If I did, Granny would jump down my throat.â
âRuby!â her grandmother boomed. âGet over here and pick up Dr. Hopperâs order before it gets cold!â
Mary Margaret giggled as Ruby rolled her eyes, before turning to do as she was told.
Killian kept his head down, hoping Mary Margaret wouldnât notice him, but had no such luck.
âGood morning, Killian,â she said, sliding onto the stool beside him. âIâm glad to see you.â
âYou are?â
âOf course.â She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially. âDavid told me about the talk he had with you last night.â
âOh,â he said simply.
Mary Margaret frowned. âDonât worry that Iâll tell Emma before you have a chance to ask her. Despite what youâve heard, I am able to keep a secret. You have to remember that I was ten when I told Reginaâs and I was being manipulated by Cora, the master manipulator.â
âAye, that she was,â Killian agreed. He took a sip of coffee, then set the cup back down, carefully avoiding looking at her.
âKillian? Is something wrong?â she quietly asked with concern, laying her hand on his arm. âEmma didnâtâŠdidnât turn you down, did she?â
He flicked his eyes toward her. âNo, nothing like that. I havenât asked her yet.â
âAre you waiting for the perfect time?â
He sighed. âIâm not sure there will be a perfect time.â
Mary Margaret ducked her head to catch his downturned eyes. âOf course there will. Emma loves you.â
âI donât deserve her,â he mumbled miserably.
Several seconds of silence followed his admission. Then he felt a tug on his sleeve. âLetâs go somewhere private to talk.â
Killian gave a slight nod and pulled out his wallet to pay for his meal, before following Mary Margaret out the door. When they reached the sidewalk, she said, âDavid is home with the baby this morning. Is it okay if we go to your house?â
âAye. Emma is at work and Henry is at the library, working on a school project with Belle.â
They didnât speak as they walked. Killianâs mind churned with possibilities of what he was going to say once they were inside the house. He simply didnât know how to explain what he had done.
They reached the house and went up the front steps. Killian unlocked the door, gesturing for Mary Margaret to enter ahead of him. After closing the door behind himself, he followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table across from her.
âNow, why did you say you donât deserve Emma?â she asked.
He swallowed hard, willing himself to speak past the lump in his throat. âIâŠIâve done some terrible things in my life.â
âThatâs all in the past, Killian,â Mary Margaret said firmly. âWe all know how much you have changed. Youâre a good man now, and thatâs what matters.â
âI wish it was that simple,â he mumbled.
âWhat do you mean?â
He scrubbed a hand over his face, then got up and paced back and forth across the floor a couple of times. Making the decision to come clean, he said, âIâll be right back.â He left the kitchen and trudged up the stairs to his and Emmaâs bedroom. Reaching up on a high shelf in the closet, he took down the small treasure box he had brought from his ship. Opening the lid, he removed the pages of the story book, his eyes landing on the black leather jewelerâs box which was beneath them. He sighed, closed the lid, and returned the box to the shelf.
He went down the stairs and back into the kitchen, resuming his seat across from where Mary Margaret still sat. Unfolding the pages, he laid them on the table, turning them so she could see. âAugust came by last night and gave these to me. Theyâre the missing pages of his story from Henryâs book. He thought Dave would like to have them. This man,â he said, pointing to the picture on the top page, âis Davidâs father.â
âOh,â she said, leaning in to study it more closely. âIâve never seen a picture of him.â
Killian took a deep breath. âAs soon as I saw that picture, I realized I met him.â
Mary Margaretâs eyes shot up to look at him. âYou knew Davidâs father?â
âI didnât really know him. I, umâŠI killed him.â
âWhat? No! King Georgeâs men murdered him! He admitted it to David.â
âGeorgeâs men had him tied to the wagon, preparing to kill him, when my men and I came along. I killed the kingâs men, then because Davidâs father saw what I did, I felt I had to kill him, too.â His head dropped in shame. âIâŠI donât know how Iâm going to tell DavidâŠor Emma. They will never forgive me.â
He felt her hand cover his. âOh, Killian.â
He couldnât bring himself to look at her. âI told you Iâve done terrible things. My crimes are coming back to haunt me and now Iâm going to lose everything. To think I was going to propose to Emma last night. I guess it really is true that villains donât get happy endings.â
âYouâre not a villain anymore,â Mary Margaret said with determination. âAnd donât jump to conclusions. You may be surprised how forgiving people can be.â When he didnât respond, she went on. âYou do remember that I was responsible for Coraâs death, yet eventually, Regina forgave me.â
âThat isnât the same. At one time, the Evil Queen made a deal with me to kill her mother, and Cora was far from an innocent victim. Davidâs father just wanted to get home to his family, but I took his life anyway.â
She was quiet for several moments, before beginning hesitantly, âHave youâŠhave you considered not telling them? They already think King GeorgeâŠâ
He shook his head. âI canât keep this from Emma. Our relationship is built on trust and honesty and I wonât compromise that. To keep it from David would be dishonest, too.â
âI know,â Mary Margaret sighed. âI shouldnât have even suggested it. Iâm sorry.â
âThink nothing of it. I know youâre trying to spare me pain, and I appreciate it.â
âYou will think of the right words to say when the time comes. Iâm sure it wonât be easy,â she assured him. âBut remember this, Killian. Itâs going to come as a shock to them. They could respond with anger and say things in the heat of the moment. Just give them time and space afterwards to process it, and donât give up hope, okay?â
He attempted to smile. âIâll try. Thank you, Milady.â
She patted his hand. âItâs the least I can do for my future son-in-law.â
*********
The wait for Emma to come home seemed interminable. Killian spent nearly every minute of it trying to figure out how he was going to tell her what he had done. For a man who was usually so good with words, he hadnât the slightest idea what to say.
When she finally walked through the door, he went to meet her, greeting her beaming smile with a forced one of his own. She kissed him, then shed her coat, hat and gloves, tossing them carelessly on a bench. Linking her arm through his, she began pulling him into the living room. âI just talked to Henry. I ran into him on his way to Reginaâs.â
He didnât respond and Emma turned on the spot, looking at him intuitively. âKillian? Are you okay?â
He scratched behind his ear nervously, before trying to divert the conversation. âWhat, uhâŠwhat would you like for dinner, Love?â
She eyed him suspiciously. âWhat arenât you telling me?â
Plastering what he hoped was a convincing smile on his face, he shook his head. âNothing. Everything is fine.â
âYouâre forgetting about my super power again. I can tell something is on your mind,â she stated, her brows drawing together in concern.
Sighing heavily, he conceded. âYouâre right. You see, thereâs something I need to tell you. ItâŠitâs just that what I have to say isnât exactlyâŠeasy, and Iâm not entirely sure how youâre going to react. But I donât want to have any secrets between us.â
She led him to the sofa and pulled him down to sit beside her. âWhatever it is, you can tell me.â When he kept his head down, she took his hand, saying, âYou know I love you. Nothing is going to change that.â
âI hope not,â he mumbled. Taking a deep breath, he raised his eyes to meet hers. âLast night, August came by with some missing pages from Henryâs storybook. They told the tale of Pinocchioâs time on Pleasure Island, where he met Davidâs father. Youâre aware August already told us about that, but he thought perhaps your father would appreciate having the pages to read them for himself.â
âI thought I heard his motorcycle before I came outside to meet you,â Emma said. âWhy didnât you show me the pages?â
âBecause IâŠIâm too ashamed.â His gaze dropped to where their hands were joined.
âAshamed? Why would you be ashamed of something August and my grandfather did all those years ago?â
In an anguished voice, he told her of the encounter heâd had with Davidâs father. He saw the moment the truth slammed into her and wished with all his heart he had never laid eyes on those pages. She pulled her hands out of his grasp and stood, turning her back to him. After taking a few steps away from him, she turned. Her eyes were tightly closed and her chest was heaving, clearly trying to get her emotions under control.
Finally, she managed to push out the words, âSo youâŠyou killed my grandfather?â
âAye,â he whispered.
âDid he do something to you? Did he threaten you orâŠor try to rob you or something?â
âNo. HeâŠhe was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.â
âYeah, I guess being on the end of your sword was definitely the wrong place,â she stated, and for the first time, he heard anger in her tone.
âIâŠdisposedâŠof King Georgeâs men first and I couldnât leave any witnesses,â he admitted somberly.
She stared at him, her mouth agape. âIâŠhave youâŠhave you told my dad?â she managed at last.
âNot yet, but I plan to. I did tell your mother this morning. She saw me at Grannyâs and perceived something was wrong, so we came here to talk. I showed her the pages and told her the tale.â
âHow did she take it?â
âShe didnât want to believe it at first, but sheâŠshe thinks I can be forgiven.â
âJust like that?â Emma shouted. âThe man was her future father-in-law and she thinks his murderer can be forgiven so easily? How could you do that to an innocent man? You of all people should understand what it feels like to have someone you love die such a tragic and senseless death!â
She may as well have slapped him. He could feel the blood drain out of his face, his hands beginning to shake. âSwan, IâŠIâm so sorry. IâŠâ
Turning around, she stalked from the room. âI canât talk to you right now. I need to get some air.â
Grabbing her coat, she went out the door, slamming it behind her.
Killian dropped his head into his hands, despair washing over him. His greatest fear was being realized. Emma hated him.
*********
Emma walked with purpose to her parentsâ loft, driven by anger and confusion. She knew Killian had a violent past, one she was willing to overlook since he had proven to her and all of Storybrooke that he was a changed man. But how could she ever forgive him for taking the life of her own grandfather - a man who did nothing to deserve such a horrible death?
Throwing open the door to the building, she stomped up the stairs and knocked on the door of the loft, not caring if the noise she created woke her little brother from his late afternoon nap.
Mary Margaret opened the door, smiling broadly when she saw who was on the other side. âEmma! What a niceâŠâ She cut herself off with a frown, clearly reading the mood of her daughter. Opening the door wider, she said, âCome in and sit down. You look like youâre in need of one of those heart-to-heart talks we used to have when you lived here.â
Emma stalked to the table and sat down. âIâm sure you have a pretty good idea why Iâm here.â
Mary Margaret took a seat, carefully folding her hands on the table. âYou talked to Killian, I take it?â
Pushing herself back to her feet, Emma began pacing. âHow can you be so calm about this?â she asked, agitatedly waving her hands in the air. âHe cold-bloodedly murdered your husbandâs father!â
âIt was a long time ago, Emma.â
âI donât care when it happened! A murder is a murder!â
Mary Margaret rose from her seat and approached her daughter, reaching to grasp her biceps. âI know youâre hurt and angry, but youâve known Killianâs background all along. Pirates engage in unlawful activitiesâŠâ
âLooting, pillaging, plunderingâŠâ
âAnd at times, murder. You have to remember that Killian has been alive for over two hundred years. Things were different back then.â
âI thought I knew him,â Emma mumbled.
âYou do know him,â Mary Margaret said soothingly. âYou know the man he is now. Heâs changed, Emma. He suffered many tragedies in his life. He was angry and vengeful. He told you himself that he didnât have any reason to live, but now he does. He loves you, Emma. Heâs proven time and time again that he would go to the ends of the world for you.â
Emma could feel her anger beginning to slowly ebb away.
âThe man I saw this morning was full of remorse and pain over what he did,â Mary Margaret continued. âHe was agonizing over how he was going to tell you and David. I even dared to suggest that he wouldnât have to tell you at all - that he could just let you go on thinking King George was responsible for Robertâs death. He refused to even consider it. He said he couldnât keep something like that from you because the two of you trust each other and he doesnât want to compromise that.â
Shuffling over to the table, Emma slumped back down onto the chair.
Mary Margaret joined her, ducking her head to try to catch Emmaâs attention. âI told Killian you may respond with anger, but to give you time to process and not give up hope. He did a horrible thing, but do you really think the Killian you know now would do something like that?â
Emma shook her head. âNo, he wouldnât. And youâre right - he was miserable when he told me. He could barely look at me. He tried to apologize, but I stormed out of the house. I didnât even give him a chance.â
âHeâs afraid he ruined any future he has with you,â Mary Margaret said softly. âEven though I told him to be patient, if I know him at all, heâs probably back at the house you share packing his things to go back to the Jolly Roger.â
Emma immediately looked up. âI never told him I wanted him to leave!â
âMaybe you should go tell him you donât want him to go. Talk it out with him, Emma. I know youâre hurt and angry - you have every right to be. But I also know how much you love him. The two of you have been through hell together. Literally. Please donât let this tear you apart.â
Emma stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over her chair in the process. âI better get home.â Leaning down, she embraced her mother. âThanks for helping me understand, Mom.â
Mary Margaret patted her on the back lovingly. âThatâs what mothers are for.â
*********
Emma pondered what her mother said all the way home, her anger melting away as she walked. When she remembered the devastated look on Killianâs face before she stormed out of the house, she was ashamed of herself for not staying and talking things through. Her first tendency when she lost her temper was to run, and she was sure she hurt him when she left.
She was still upset over the fact he killed her grandfather, but her mother was right - he didnât have anything to live for back then. His family and the woman he loved had all been taken from him and he was filled with hatred. It was a far cry from the man he was now - one who loved deeply and protected the people he cared about at all costs.
Even though they hadnât spoken marriage vows to one another, the phrase âfor better or for worseâ kept running through her mind. By the time she reached their house, she knew she had forgiven Killian.
She took the front steps two at a time, and burst through the front door, a bit out of breath. Scanning the living room, she saw he was no longer in there. âKillian!â she called, moving quickly into the kitchen, which was also empty. She sprinted up the stairs and down the hall to their bedroom, heart pounding with both exertion and fear that he wouldnât be there either. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him bent over something on the bed, his back toward her. His hair looked like heâd been running his hand through it non-stop in agitation. âKillian?â
He turned, his eyes red-rimmed. âSwan?â
She was now able to see that her mother had been right. He had piles of clothes neatly folded and stacked on the bed. âWhat are you doing?â she asked.
Waving vaguely at the piles, he began to explain, âI figured you probably wouldnât want to be around me, so IâŠâ
âYou were going to leave? Please donât.â
He looked puzzled. âI thoughtâŠâ
âWell, you thought wrong.â
âBut, you saidâŠâ
âI know what I said. I was hurt and angry. I needed time to blow off steam - to process what you told me, just like my mother explained to you.â
âYou went to see your mother?â
âYes. I needed to know how she could be so forgiving. She reminded me that what you did happened a very long time ago, back when you were Captain Hook.â
âIâm still Captain Hook, Love.â
âI know, but youâre also Killian Jones, the man I love. What you did back then was despicableâŠâ
He dropped his head and she moved closer, taking his hand and hook. âBut youâre not that man anymore. Youâre not filled with rage and a thirst for vengeance. I know youâre sorry for what you didâŠâ
He raised his tear-filled eyes. âI would give anything to undo it, Emma. Truly I would. WhenâŠwhen I saw those pages, I canât tell you howâŠdisgusted and ashamed I felt. I am so very, very sorry for the grief and hardship I caused your father and his family.â
She wrapped her arms around him, one hand moving to the back of his head, while the other rubbed soothing circles on his back. âHey, shh, itâs alright. Iâm sorry I ran out and made you think I didnât want you here anymore. I should have stayed and tried to work through my emotions with you. Whatâs done canât be undone, but we can move on.â Pulling back, she looked him in the eyes. âTogether.â
He managed a weak smile. âDo you think you can ever forgive me, Emma?â
She leaned in, pressing her lips to his, before murmuring against them, âI already have.â
*********
They ordered food to be delivered from Grannyâs, enduring Rubyâs insinuations when she brought it, about how they couldnât even spare time away from the bedroom to cook for themselves. As they ate, they spoke of cheerier subjects, but the elephant was still in the room. They both knew Killian would have to speak to David after dinner. Emma offered to be with him when he did, but he refused. Given Davidâs rage toward King George when he believed him responsible for his fatherâs death, Killian didnât want Emma present to witness his reaction.
When they were finished eating, Killian called David and asked him to come over on his way home from the sheriffâs office, telling him he had the missing pages of the book to give him. He showed them to Emma before she left to go back to the loft to wait with her mother.
âIt seems very weird to see a picture of my grandfather as part of Pinocchioâs story,â she commented. Then, looking at the clock, she went on, âI guess I better go. Dadâs shift is over in a few minutes.â She put on her coat then went back into the living room where Killian was walking the floor. âCall when youâre ready for me to come home, okay?â
He nodded, his eyes on the floor. She hugged him tightly. âJust remember that his first response is going to be anger, but heâll calm down and adjust with time. The two of you have become too good of friends to let this come between you.â
âI hope youâre right, Love.â
âDonât you know by now Iâm always right?â she quipped, giving him a mischievous grin she hoped would lighten the mood.
The feeble smile he gave her didnât reach his eyes.
She stepped forward and kissed him. âI love you.â
âIâm very happy you still do,â he said. âPlease give your mother my thanks for talking to you this afternoon.â
âI will.â Then, giving him one last reassuring smile, she turned and left.
*********
Killian was in the kitchen when he heard the dreaded knock. Steeling his nerves, he walked to the front door.
âHey, Hook,â David greeted.
âHello, Mate,â Killian replied.
âWhere are the pages?â
âOn the kitchen table. Come on in.â
David stepped through the doorway and wiped his feet on the rug, then followed Killian into the kitchen. âIs Emma home?â he asked, peeking into the living room.
âNo, she stepped out for a bit. Have a seat,â Killian said, gesturing to a chair as he pulled out his own and sat down.
âHave you popped the question yet?â
âPopped the question?â
âProposed.â
âOh. No, I havenât. Iâm still planning when and how to do it.â
David nodded. âGood idea. Iâm sure you want it to be special.â
âAye.â Killian pushed the pages across the table. âAugust thought you would like to have these, even though he already told us everything they contain.â
David took the papers and examined them carefully, brushing his fingers over the illustration of his father. âItâs just like I remember him,â he said, almost to himself.
Killian swallowed hard. âDave, I uhâŠhave something to tell you. When I saw that picture, IâŠI recognized that man.â
David looked up in surprise. âMy father? You knew my father?â
âIn a sense. I encountered him on the road, evidently on his way home from Pleasure Island. HeâŠhe was tied to a cart and King Georgeâs men were preparing to kill him.â
âYou were there when he was murdered?â David asked incredulously.
âThatâs not the half of it.â Killian paused, swallowing thickly. âHe wasnât killed by those men.â
Davidâs eyes grew wide and Killian could tell his mind was racing to fill in what he wasnât saying. âButâŠif they didnât kill him, who did?â he asked slowly.
Lifting his eyes, Killian spoke in an anguished voice. âI did.â
A myriad of emotions played across Davidâs features - shock, confusion, realization, and finally anger. Rising from his chair, he ran both hands through his hair as he stalked back and forth across the floor. Then he stopped and leaned on the table, his eyes boring into Killian. âYou murdered my father?â he asked, barely containing his simmering rage.
âDave, IâŠâ
âYOU MURDERED MY FATHER?â
Killian nodded almost imperceptibly. âAye,â he said in a strangled voice.
David balled his hands into fists and slammed them on the table. âTell me how it happened,â he ground out.
âAre you sure you want toâŠâ
âTELL ME HOW IT HAPPENED!â
Killian began haltingly. âIâŠkilled the two men working for the king. Your fatherâŠsaw me do it. He pleaded with me to let him go - to go back toâŠto his son, but I couldnât leave any witnesses. I told him that dead men tell no tales andâŠâ
âAnd what?â David asked through gritted teeth, tears gathering in his eyes.
âIâŠI ran him through with my sword.â
David sat heavily in the chair, dropping his forehead to rest on his fists. Killian saw his back rising and falling in short spasms and heard his labored breathing. After several long, agonizing moments, Killian said, âI canât begin to tell you how sorry I am, Dave. IâŠIâm sure you wonât want me to be part of your family now, so Iâll understand if you want to take back your blessing.â
Davidâs body stilled, then he slowly lifted his head. âThis is a little tough to process,â he said, his voice ragged and hoarse.
âI know. IâŠâ
âWhy did you tell me? You could have let me go on thinking it was King Georgeâs men. I wouldnât have been any the wiser.â
Killian blinked. âI didnât want to hide the truth from you. If weâre to be family, I want to be open and honest with you. All of you.â
 âHave you told Emma?â
âAye. And Mary Margaret. They know Iâm talking to you right now.â
David pushed to his feet and resumed pacing. âI canât believe this. I mean, I know you have a past and parts of it are murky to say the least, but to know that youâŠâ He didnât seem to be able to continue. He came to a standstill, hands on his hips. His face was ashen as he shook his head in disbelief.
Killian slowly rose to his feet, walking around the table to face him. âDave, I am trulyâŠâ
âHe wasnât a perfect father, you know,â David interrupted, as if he hadnât even heard him. âHe had many faults, but IâŠmy mother and I loved him. When he didnât come back, weâŠwe had a hard time of it. There was never enough money, not even when he was alive. He spent too much of it on ale at the local pub. But after he was gone, we almost lost the farm. We had to work and scrape for everything we had.â
Killian ground his teeth, wishing he could say or do something to take away his friendâs pain.
David looked up at him, tears spilling over and trickling down his cheeks. âMaybe he did do the right thing in the end, like George said, but why didnât he do that all my life? Werenât my mother and I worth it? If I had been a better son, maybe he would have been happier and wouldnât have felt the need to drown his sorrows.â
âNone of this is your fault, Mate. His blood is solely on my hands.â
âYou may have taken his life, but if you hadnât, he would have drank himself to death. Every time he left and came back drunk and penniless, he told us it would be the last time, but it was never true. He would try to stay sober for a while, but inevitably gave in to temptation again. Iâm not excusing what you did, but youâve done something my father never could. Youâve changed. Just the fact that you chose to tell me proves youâre no longer the self-serving pirate you used to be.â
Killian blinked rapidly. âWhat are you saying?â
âIâm saying that youâre not the same man who killed my father. We all see how much youâve changed. You love Emma, youâre a good father figure to Henry, an upstanding and respected citizen of Storybrooke.â He put his hand on Killianâs shoulder. âAnd my friend. What you did happened a long time ago. Things were different back then, too. Itâs obvious you regret it andâŠI forgive you.â
The weight Killian had been carrying since laying his eyes on those pages was lifted from his shoulders and he sagged with relief. âThank you, Dave. If thereâs ever anything I can do for youâŠâ
âYou can be a good husband to my daughter.â
âShe has to say yes, first,â Killian grinned.
âThen you better figure out a way to ask her,â David said, returning the grin. âAnd do it quick, because my wife is about to burst trying to keep herself from telling Emma.â
*********
Ten minutes after David left, Emma returned home. âKillian?â she called as soon as she came through the door.
He came out of the kitchen to meet her in the foyer. âIâm right here, Love.â
âAre you alright?â
âAye. Did you talk to your father?â
âNo. I left the loft as soon as I got your text. How did everything go?â
âHe was furious at first and rightfully so. But as you said, he calmed down after a while. He forgave me and we parted on good terms.â
She threw her arms around him. âIâm very happy to hear that.â
âAye, Love. Itâs a huge relief to have it all out in the open.â
She pulled away and looked at him, reaching up to frame his face with her hands. âI canât tell you how proud I am of you for choosing to come clean instead of hiding the truth from us. That took a lot of courage, Killian.â
âI donât know what I would have done if all of you didnât forgive me.â
âWell, now you donât have to worry about that,â she smiled, toying with the hair at the nape of his neck.
He let himself drown in her adoring gaze for several moments, before quietly saying, âIâve been hiding something else from you, Emma.â
A brief flash of uncertainty passed over her face. âOkay,â she said slowly.
âIâll be right back.â He turned and went up the stairs. Taking the treasure box out of their bedroom closet, he opened it and lifted out the jewelerâs box. Flipping open the lid, he extracted the diamond ring and tucked it into his jacket pocket.
Emma was waiting at the bottom of the steps, a look of concern on her face. Killian descended the stairs and stood in front of her. âRelax, Swan,â he said. âThis secret is nothing bad.â He was happy to see the furrow between her brows ease. Sucking in a fortifying breath, he continued. âLast night, I had another talk with your father. I needed to ask him for something.â
âWhat did you need?â
âHis blessing to propose to you.â He sank to one knee, reaching into his pocket for the ring. âSo, Emma Swan, what do you say? Will you marry me?â
Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open. She dropped to her knees, placing her hands on his shoulders. âYes,â she said simply, a radiant smile lighting up her beautiful face.
Killian let out the breath heâd been holding, before kissing her soundly. Then he held up the ring again and she offered him her hand. After sliding the ring in place, he looked into her sparkling eyes, now swimming with joyful tears. âI love you, Emma Swan.â
âI love you, Killian Jones.â
They sealed their engagement with another kiss, then got to their feet. Emma held out her hand, admiring the glittering diamond solitaire. âItâs beautiful.â
âNot as beautiful as the woman wearing it.â
She moved into his arms and he closed his eyes, almost unable to believe that she had just agreed to marry him, especially after what he confessed to her.
âItâs been a long, difficult day,â he murmured. âI think itâs time to go to bed.â
She pulled back to look at him. âYou want to go to sleep?â
âI didnât say anything about sleeping, Love,â he said with his trademark smirk. Taking her hand, he kissed her knuckle above the engagement ring, then led her upstairs to their bedroom.
*********
Wishing @i-will-sing-no-requiem and all of you a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, @dazzlingstarlight! I was your Secret Santa this year. This seasonâand this story totally got away from me, so itâs going to have to have multiple chapters (probably 5 or less). I hope you donât mind future installments of your story coming after Christmas. I wonât have much time to write before the new year, but one of my big New Yearâs resolutions for 2026 is to finish my WIPs, so you shouldnât have too long to wait.
Word Count: 1909
Genre: Modern Auâenemies to lovers/fake dating
Summary: Based on an Audible original book, "10 Things I Hate About Christmas", as well as various bits and pieces from Hallmark Christmas movies, when Emma Swan mistakenly sends her boss, Regina Mills, the NSFW gag Christmas gift meant for her best friend, Ruby, sheâs convinced sheâs about to be firedâor worse. Luckily Reginaâs nephew, Killian Jones, has a plan to help her take back her gift before Reginaâs any the wiser. All Emma has to do is come back home with Killian to Storybrooke and pretend to be his girlfriend. The problem? Emma canât stand Killian. Can she pretend to be in love with him for three days in his quirky hometown? What happens when she sees a different side of him and realizes maybe she doesnât hate him after all?
Also on AO3
Tagging a few people who may be interested (Let me know if you want to be added or taken off the list):
âExcuse me,â came a voice behind her, âwhat do you think youâre doing?â
Emma Swan froze, one hand on the knob of her boss, Regina Millsâ office door, the other holding a hair pin an inch from the lock.
Oh no, oh no!, OH NO!!! This couldnât be happening to her. She was so getting fired!
Emma slowly turned around, thinking hard for an excuse, any excuse, she could give Sidney Glass, Miss Millsâ personal assistant, for why she was currently trying to break into her bossâs office.
This was all Killian Jonesâ fault, and if she went down, sheâd be taking him down with her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1 week ago
Emma Swan liked her job; she really did. Sheâd been hired a year ago at the Mills Ad Agency under the direction of the world-famous Regina Mills. Companies far and wide came to Boston to meet with the advertising mogul to secure her services. On average, after a Regina Mills campaign, a company saw a 100% jump in profit.
This was the big leagues. Emma had finally made it.
True, sheâd yet to be put on any significant account, but that would come. In time, one of the big wigs would notice her hard work and dedication and give her the chance to prove herself.
Emma gathered up her briefcase, stepped out of her office and locked the door. The agency always closed from Christmas to New Yearâs, so she had only a week left of work before she was off for the year.
Good thing too! Christmas had snuck up on her this year. So much to do to get ready. Todayâs objective: get to the post office before it closed in order to mail a couple of Christmas gifts.Â
She was just turning away from her office, when she heard voicesâRegina Mills herself, and her nephew and second in command, Killian Jones.
Just the sound of that British accent made her blood boil. The man was a menace! As if it wasnât bad enough that he was an obvious nepo-hire, he seemed to have designated himself as her personal babysitter. Every time Emma turned around, Killian was there. Stopping at the water cooler near her desk fifteen times a day (seriously, invest in a water bottle!), humming along to her favorite music, sitting near her in the break room. He was always around.
It didnât help that he was hot as all hell. The fact that her heart rate picked up every time her eyes met his was utterly infuriating. Oh she knew men like him. Too sexy for his own good, and knowing it, he flirted with anything in a skirt  Well, anything but her that was. With her, he did nothing butâŠhover.
âI think Iâll put the new hire, Emma Swan, on the Nottingham account,â Regina said. âWhat do you think?â
There was a moment of silence, before Killian responded. âIâŠdonât think thatâs a good idea,â he said finally.
âReally?â Regina asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. âSheâs been doing good work. Seems like itâs time to give her a little more responsibility.â
âNo,â Killian said firmly. âSheâs not right for the Nottingham account. Big account like thatâŠno. We need someone else on it.â
As she listened to the conversation continue, and then move to other topics, Emmaâs fury grew, blossomed, nearly erupted. She wasnât right for the Nottingham account? She wasnât ready? The son of a bitch was actually actively sabotaging her now? Â
She was going to kill him. She was going to drive a stake of holly through his cold already-dead heart. Where the hell did he get off screwing her over like this?Â
She had to get out of here; had to leave before she did something stupid like stomp into her bossâs office and punched Killian Jones in the face. Repeatedly.
As she stormed to her car and then drove to the post office, her anger grew. A stake of holly through the heart wasnât good enough for him. She was fairly certain she wasnât a violent enough person to think of a torture worthy of his betrayal.
She made it to the post office five minutes before closing time and just barely was able to slap labels on her two packagesâone for her best friend Ruby Lucas and the other for her bossâand toss them in the mail chute before a voice came over the loud speaker. âThe post office is now closed. Please return at nine a.m. tomorrow morning for any future postal needs.â
But as frustrating as overhearing her bossâs nephew sabotaging her was, what happened five days later was worse. So very, very much worse.
âHey, Emma, you ready for the Naughty Christmas exchange?â came Rubyâs voice over facetime on the Saturday night before Christmas.
It was a tradition theyâd started when they were roommates during their freshman year of college. Every year, they got each other the most over the top, ridiculous, not-safe-for-work Christmas gift they could find, and they always did their exchange the weekend before Christmas. It was something only Ruby could have dreamed up, but Emma had to admit, it was fun.
After Emma opened her giftâlaughing over the thong her friend bought herâcomplete with Captain Hookâs face stamped across the front, suggestive leer on his face, it was time for Ruby to open hers.
Emma watched, grinning as Ruby pulled the paper from the box with abandonâŠ.but her grin faded and then slowly turned to dawning horror, when her friend held the unwrapped box before the camera.
Instead of the sour apple flavored edible underwear with âtaste my forbidden fruitâ across the butt, Ruby held up an expensive, tasteful box of chocolates.
The chocolates she had intended to give to her boss for Christmas.
Somehow, between the rage at Killian and the hustle and bustle and hurry as she tried to make it in under the wire at the post office, sheâd switched her two packages.
And if Ruby got the chocolates, that meant sheâd sent Regina MillsâŠ.oh no! This couldnât be happening!
Sheâd sent her boss a pair of edible underwear for Christmas. She was sooooo getting fired.
And so she found herself at the office dark and early Monday morning, a good two hours before anyone else normally arrived, desperately trying to break into her bossâs office and retrieve her mistaken gift
âExcuse me, what do you think youâre doing?â
Emma spun around to face Reginaâs oily, sycophantic secretary, mind racing for an excuse that sounded plausible. âI uhâŠI wanted toâŠ.you see I think I forgot to sign the card I put on my gift for Regina. I wanted to check and make sure.â
Sidney frowned at her for another moment, before saying something that chilled her to the marrow of her bones. âYou wonât find her gifts there. Miss Mills has all of her work gifts forwarded to her home in Storybrooke. Itâs her tradition to open them at her annual Christmas Eve party.â
At her Christmas Eve party?
Emma suddenly had visions of a swanky room packed with elegant people watching as Regina Mills opened her gift. Her stomach dropped to her toes. Regina wouldnât just fire her when she opened the gift in front of all her friends and family, sheâd kill her. Conjure a fireball in her hand and incinerate her.
This morning couldnât get any worse.
âWhat seems to be the problem?â the bane of her existence asked in his smooth (sexy) accent. The universe hated her. That was all there was to it. It despised her.
âNothing,â Emma stammered, turning tail and nearly running in the opposite direction. âNothing to concern yourself with.â
âWait!â he called after her, jogging to keep up, finally reaching her and stopping her with a hand to her arm. âItâs not nothing. Love, you look like youâve seen a ghost. What happened?â
Emma groaned. She knew that tone in his voice. He wouldnât give up without an answer. Well, might as well get the whole sordid thing out there. It wasnât like she could keep it from him anyway. In a couple days the whole fiasco would be the talk of the office grapevine.
âYour aunt is going to kill me,â she said simply. âYou see, there was a mix up at the post office last weekâŠâ Â
She went on to lay it all out for him.Â
âAnd so, you see, if she opens that gift at her party, in front of everyoneâŠâ
He nodded, his eyes dancing as he valiantly tried to subdue his smile at the ridiculous situation sheâd gotten herself into. âI see your dilemma.â
âIntercepting the gift here was my last hope,â Emma said, defeat heavy in her voice. âAnd nowâŠ.well, now Iâm just screwed.â
For a moment, Killian was silent as he scratched at a spot behind his ear. When he finally spoke, it was the very last thing Emma expected to hear. âAs it happens, I may be able to help you.â
âReally? How?â
âI attend my auntâs party every year,â he said. âPerhaps I can intercept your gift before it reaches her.â
Emmaâs eyes widened. He was offering to help her? What happened to constantly looking over her shoulder? Sabotaging her? âYou would do that for me? Whatâs the catch?â
There was that ear scratch again. This time it was accompanied by a blushâan actual blushâthat went all the way to his pointy ears. âIâŠ.uhâŠI need you to come home with me for Christmas, go to Reginaâs party as my plus one.â
Emmaâs jaw dropped. âYouâŠyou need me to what?â
He wouldnât look at her now. âI may have implied to my family that I have a new girlfriend, and they may have gotten the impression I was bringing her home for Christmas this year.â
âAnd you want me to pretend to be that girlfriend?â
âIt would be a win-win,â Killian said. âYou take back your gift before Regina opens it, and I get my family off my back. Weâd head to Storybrooke this evening and then return on the 26th. At a respectable time after Christmas, we can have a fake break up. What do you say, Swan?â
What did she say? On the one hand, it would give her a chance to save her job (and her life), but on the otherâ3 days with Killian Jones? Pretending to be his girlfriend? This could be the worst Christmas of her life!
But if she didnât, there would be no way to intercept the gift. She did really love her jobâŠ.and, well, Killian was offering to help her. She supposed she could put up with him for three days. It might not even be the end of the world to pretend to be his girlfriend. What did she really have to lose?
âFine,â she said on a sigh. âWhat time do we leave?â
Up next: We get Killianâs perspectiveâwhy heâs really been âhoveringâ around Emma. Why he tried to keep her off the Nottingham account, why he told his family he had a girlfriend. Meanwhile, Emma and Killian travel to Storybrooke and get set up in Killianâs momâsâZelenaâsâhouse. Yes, I know, having Zelena be Killianâs mom is super weird, but the Mills women being sisters and Reginaâs sister being Killianâs mom is necessary to the story. Donât worry! Weâll get plenty of other familiar characters in Storybrookeâincluding a very-much-alive Liam and Elsa.
Killian has to pretend he has a family to close an investment deal from Robert Gold, a wealthy businessman who is looking closely at Killianâs company, âThe Jones Brothersâ Fishing Factoryâ. Killian manages to convince his old best friend and right-hand woman at his company, Emma Swan, and her young son, Henry, to pose as his fake family. Based loosely on the 1997 film âBorrowed Hearts.â
Iâm sorry itâs taken longer than expected to get the next chapter out for @4getfulimaginator âs 2025 Captain Swan Secret Santa gift! I appreciate your patience and Iâm really excited for you to read the next chapter! Iâve never written a fake marriage or fake dating AU before, so this has been super challenging!Â
Thank you to @cssecretsanta2020 for hosting such a lovely event that has brought me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow as a writer!Â
Chapter 2 will be under the cut or you can read it on AO3 on the link above. Happy New Year!!Â
Emma walked into work on Friday feeling a sense of excitement for the day, and the excitement turned into delight when she walked into her office and found a vase of flowers sitting on her desk. She grinned at the flowers before picking up the note and reading it.
âHappy Friday, my love,â the card read in Killianâs script. Emma smiled and moved the flowers to the corner of her desk so she could get to work. After an hour lost in spreadsheets, a sharp rap on the office door pulled her back to reality. She looked up to see Killianâthe exact man sheâd been trying to push from her mind.
âMorning, love,â he said cheerfully and set a cup of coffee down on her desk. She smiled and returned his morning gesture, before picking up the cup.
âCoffee?â She questioned, starting to feel slightly upset that it seemed Killian had forgotten her drink order.
âItâs not coffee,â Killian said quickly before Emma could take a sip. âItâs your favorite.â He said sheepishly.
âHot cocoa?â Emma asked, eyebrows raised in question.
âWith whipped cream and cinnamon,â Killian confirmed. That got Killian an extra smile from her.
âThanks, Killian. I told Henry last night on our way home. It was also the only thing he talked about since the moment I woke him up this morning,â Emma laughed. âHeâs ecstatic. Literally told me âIâm so excited to have a real familyâ over 20 times this morning alone.â Killianâs face broke out into a smile.
âIâm glad to hear it, Swan. But, you and Henry already are a real family.â
âThatâs what I said!â Emma said, throwing her hands up in the air for emphasis. âHenry asked if we could have pizza tonight while we packed some of our things.â
âI can bring pizza over and help pack,â Killian offered.
âYou? Packing?â Emma questioned, a smirk playing on her lips.
âI know how to pack, Swan. I've done it a time or two.â Killian responds, exasperated.
âWell, I don't know about your packing skills, but coming over with pizza sounds great, Killian.â Emma agreed.
They spent over an hour and a half choreographing Mondayâs staff meeting, specifically how they would announce the Gold partnershipâand the sham marriage that had secured it. Convincing the entire company they were actually husband and wife was a daunting prospect, but Killian hoped the influx of new funds would help the staff swallow the lie.
-------------cs-------------
âSo Swan, what's your ring size?â Killian asks out of the blue on Saturday morning while Emma is packing up some things from their pantry and fridge to bring to Killian's.
âWhat?â She asks, dropping the boxed macaroni and cheese on the floor while simultaneously whipping her head around to stare at him.
âYour ring size? You said it yourself- there's a lot of logistics if we're to pull this off. If we are playing the part of a married couple, we should have wedding bands.â Killian explained innocently.
âI don't know! I've never needed to know my ring size!â Emma says, getting defensive suddenly. Just having Killian ask about a ring put butterflies in her stomach. Wearing a ring on her left hand is going to make this whole thing feel even more real, which unnerves her.
âOkay, well, how about we go to the jewelers after we drop off the food at my place?â
âThe jewelers? Everything costs a fortune there! And we aren't really married! There's no reason to spend a bunch of money on jewelry that isn't real!â Emma said, turning so Killian couldn't see her cheeks heating up. Emma, however, missed Killian's hopeful expression that died when she clarified it wasn't real.
âWell, what are we to do?â Killian asked calmly despite Emma's frantic nature.
âI guess we can go into town later and get cheap rings from like Walmart or another department store or something?â Emma suggested. And so they did. With Henry safely with Mary Margaret and David, they visited a department store to pick out important props for their charade: two fake wedding bands. They spent over an hour selecting decor themed around "family" to make Killianâs stark, imposing house look lived-in. Their preparations were nearly complete when, on the way back to Storybrooke, Killian pulled over at the pier.
âWhat are you doing?â Emma questioned as Killian got out of the car.
âDonât you trust me?â Killian asked, opening Emma's car door and holding her hand as they walked out towards the water.
âOf course I trust you,â Emma said. They found a bench by the waterâs edge and began mapping out the photos theyâd need to stage, print, and frame to complete the domestic facade. In the middle of the conversation, Killian shifted. One moment, he was sitting beside her; the next, he had dropped to one knee on the weathered wood of the pier, looking up at her with a sudden, startling intensity.
âKillian, what?â Emma said, her heart hammering in her chest. Even for a charade, the sight was one Emma never thought sheâd see. There was Killianâher former best friend and most enduring crushâkneeling at her feet, blurring the line between their elaborate lie and her deepest, hidden truth.
âEmma Swan, I know weâre doing this for show, a mere play-act for a businessmanâs benefit. However, Iâd be remiss if I didn't give my fake wife a real proposal. Emmaâmy former best friend and my most reliable allyâwill you make me the happiest man on the planet and fake marry me?â He looked up at her, his expression so earnest it made her breath catch. Tears blurred her vision, the raw emotion of the moment far outweighing the absurdity of the lie.
âKillian Jones, I would love nothing more than to be your fake wife.â She gave him a tearful smile and extended her hand, allowing him to slide the two ringsâprop pieces that felt surprisingly heavyâinto place on her ring finger.
âIt's a perfect fit!â Killian laughed while Emma helped him to his feet. They stood there on the pier, inches apart with Emma in Killian's arms. They smiled softly at one another, before Emma reached up and pecked Killian on the cheek.
âThanks for my pretend proposal. Now we don't have to completely fabricate our proposal to Gold,â Emma laughed, and pulled Killian back to the car.
By Saturday evening, Henry had picked out his preferred new room at Killian's house, and they had spent the afternoon decorating the room to Henry's specifications. They had moved Henry's toys and bookshelf, and they had put some of his toys and games in the living room. They had also moved over Henry's and Emma's favorite snacks and food into Killian's pantry and fridge, and already the large house was beginning to feel more like a home for the trio. After Emma helped Henry get ready for bed, the hardest and most awkward part of her stay was just beginning: sharing a room with Killian.
After gently closing the door to Henry's new room, Emma crept down the hallway towards the master bedroom. Killian had left the door ajar, and Emma slipped in and closed the door quietly behind her. Killian was in the master bathroom when she entered, and Emma made herself busy by unpacking some clothes from her duffel bags into the closet and open dresser drawers that Killian had cleared out for her. Killian soon made his way out of the bathroom and stood in the doorway, watching Emma organize her clothing.
âAre those drawers plenty of room for now, Swan?â Killian asked. Emma looked up and realized with a jolt that Killian was wearing nothing but sweatpants. Sheâd seen him shirtless countless times at his pool, but that was before. Now, they were fake-married, and the reality that they were about to share a bed made the familiar sight of him feel dangerously new.
âItâs fine! Really,â Emma said, her voice a little too high. âIâll need to stop by my apartment tomorrow for my work clothes, but thereâs more than enough room in your wardrobe for a few outfits.â Her stomach did a nervous somersault. She was finished with her nighttime routine, and the only thing left to do was climb into bed with him. Killian seemed to be avoiding the subject as well, remaining anchored against the doorframe. Her eyes darted to the small couch in the corner, but it looked pitifully small compared to the sprawling comfort of Killianâs bed.
Years agoâbefore Liamâs death and before David and Mary Margaret were even marriedâKillian had hosted a massive party at his estate. Emma had brought Henry, only three at the time, along with a bag of toddler essentials so he could sleep through the festivities. By the time Henry was tucked away, Emma had realized sheâd had one too many drinks to drive them home. Killian insisted she stay, and they eventually found themselves in his room, the conversation drifting from the party to something much more personal.
They had both been too far gone for anything scandalous, but when Emma fell asleep mid-sentence, Killian didn't move her. Instead, in his own hazy state, he had climbed in beside her and pulled her close. Emma woke the next morning to the best sleep sheâd had since Henry was born, and she was acutely aware of why. Killian was nestled against her back, his nose buried in her blonde hair and his hand intertwined with hers across her torso. They had woken slowly, wrapped in a quiet peace that Emma knew she could never forget, no matter how hard she tried.
Now, staring at that same expanse of mattress, the ghost of that morning felt more vivid than ever.
âI could, uh, sleep on the couch?â Emma offered, unsure of what else to do.
âNonsense, Swan. This is your home for the next several weeks, and you should be comfortable. I'll be a perfect gentleman, and we'll share the bed. Or, if you're uncomfortable, I can sleep on the couch and you can take the bed yourself.â
âNo!â Emma practically shouted. Killian blinked at her sudden abruptness. âI mean, no one should have to sleep on the couch. We're both adults who agreed to be fake married for the sake of both of our futures. We can behave and be completely fine. I'm sure of it.â Emma said.
Killian nodded, rounding the mattress to his side. He slipped under the covers and remained carefully stationary, while Emma busied herself with her phone and the nightstand outlet. She moved slowly, lingering as she slid off the fake wedding band and engagement ring, her mind racing with the impossibility of the situation. How was she supposed to sleep beside her bossâthe man she had loved in secret for years?
Finally, she retreated under the blankets, clinging to the edge of the mattress as if the middle were a sheer drop-off. Killian murmured a quiet goodnight before clicking off his lamp, plunging the room into shadow. Emma echoed the sentiment, but sleep wouldn't come. She tried facing away from him, then shifted to her back, but it was useless; the peace of slumber remained out of reach, leaving her alone with her feelings. After what felt like hours of listening to Killianâs own restless tossing and turning, Emma finally gave up and turned her head toward him.
âKillian?â She whispered.
âAye,â Killian responded, voice more gravelly than normal and laced with sleep.
âListen, I know weâve both been through hell since we met, and I know losing Liam was the hardest thing youâve ever faced. But you canât push me away anymoreânot if weâre going to pull this off with Gold. You canât keep secrets and hide the big things. You canât recoil every time I try to check in on you. You have to be honest with me, and Iâll be honest with you. I canât stand this... this suffocating awkwardness between us.
God, Killian, you were my best friend! Iâve never let anyone in the way I let you in. And then the unthinkable happened, and I tried to be there, but you just shut the door in my face. You suffer in silence, but everyone around you suffers too. Henry and I suffer, too.
We spent months trying to help. I cleaned your house. I changed your dressings. I cooked your dinner and ran your damn business. I donât want a thank youâI did it for my best friendâbut I did expect you to talk to me. I wanted to be here for you the way youâve always been for me. We promised years ago that it was the two of us against the world. Three, with Henry. We promised the good, the bad, and the ugly. But the second things actually got ugly, you pushed me away. I know you have your pride, Killian Jones, but you have never, ever had to be prideful in front of me.â
âIâm sorry, Swan. For more than you can possibly know,â Killian replied, his voice a low, rough anchor in the dark.
âNo, Iâm notâugh, Iâm not saying this to make you feel guilty,â Emma said, her frustration softening into something more fragile. âIâm saying it because I canât do this dance anymore. We need to start over. I want us back to how we were before everything went to hell. Iâm not holding the past against you, Killian. I just want my friend backâmy real friend. Not just a business partner or someone I have a 'complicated history' with.â
She shifted in the dark, trying to catch his gaze. âWe have to leave the wreckage behind us and just move forward. No more guilt. No more walking on eggshells. Just you and me. And Henry.â
âI think I can manage that,â Killian said, his eyes tracing her pale features in the moonlight filtering through the window. âSo... how do we start?â
âWe start by not sleeping as far apart as humanly possible,â Emma said, meeting his gaze. âNeither of us is going to get any rest like this, and we have a long road ahead of us with Gold. So, we start over by actually getting comfortable.â
âAye, love,â Killian agreed. He drifted toward the center of the mattress, and Emma mirrored him until the cold gap between them vanished. They lay facing one another, the tension finally beginning to ebb. Emma offered a soft smile and reached out her right hand. Killian met her halfway, his fingers tentatively closing around hers in a silent pact, and he finally smiled back.
âHi. Iâm Emma,â she whispered into the shadows of the room.
âHello, Emma. Iâm Killian,â he replied, his voice barely a breath. They shook hands gentlyâa simple, grounding touchâbefore letting go.
With the weight of her words finally gone, Emma felt her body soften into the mattress. She rolled onto her side, turning her back to him, and felt a wave of relief as her mind began to drift.
âGoodnight, Killian,â she murmured.
âGoodnight, Emma.â
She smiled to herself in the dark, closing her eyes. As sleep finally claimed her, she held onto the hope that the awkwardness would truly dissipate, and that they could finally find their way back to one another.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Quality
Anya is LIVE right now
FREE
Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
Quick reminder Santas for this event must post their gift on the 24th, 25th, and/or 26th.
I know this time of the year is usually busy and/or unexpected things happen so if you can't post your gift on time, don't worry but please inform this page and your respective giftee.
Hello there!! It's your CS Secret Santa đđđ
To start out I just want to get a general vibe so I can start thinking of things for your gift! What are your favourite seasons of the show CS is in? What is it you like most about them? What vibe would you prefer (fun, happy, sad, etc.)?
So excited to get to know you more over the next few weeks!!
Hello!
My favorite seasons are 3 - Neverland and the CS movie, specifically, but I also love 4A because they showed so much growth together. My favorite episode is Whiteout, when Emma is trapped in the ice cave. I also like how they rescued/fought for each other as the Dark Ones and then when Killian was in the Underworld. My favorite scene is their reunion in the cemetery.
I love their flirty banter but also how they work as a team. Killianâs unwavering belief in his Swan and the way she came to rely on him over everyone else.
I ALWAYS have to have a happy ending, no matter what they go through. My favorite trope is hurt/comfort but I adore happy, fluffy stories with no angst too. Or gif sets/art with the same general idea.
Iâm very excited that youâre very excited! Iâll happily answer any other questions you have!
Santa is back on his sleigh and ready to bring you the best gift ever! In order to make this an extra special custom gift, I have need of some information.
1. Whatâs your favorite trope? Whatâs your least favorite?
2. Favorite characters in OUAT? Least favorite?
3. Whatâs your DREAM CS fic to read? (Cause ya Santa here canât draw for crap, itâs gonna be a fic for your bingeing pleasure!)
4. Is there a specific season I should stay away from? Do you prefer AU or in universe?
5. Are there any particular characters or ships I should stay away from?
6. Is there something in the show I could fix, or expand upon?
7. Do you have a specific prompt you would love to see written out?
8. Is there anything I need to know going into this?
9. Do you prefer shorter or longer works? (Um, duh but letâs clarify that lol)
10. How excited are you that this is going again?!
I canât wait to get to work! My elves are bringing me cocoa and coffee for pre-writing and drafting as we speak!
OH IT'S HERE OH MY GOSH. I'll answer 10 first: SO EXCITED ahhh! Buckle in because I talk a lot heeee. I'm going to put a cut so this doesn't clog up people's dashes hahaha
Favorite tropes: (I am literally looking at a trope rank-er list LOL) To give you some options depending on what kind of thing appeals to you to write:
I'm a sucker for amnesia (fairly evident from my one longfic and my one WIP one-shot hahahaha) and other kinds of miscommunication, hurt/comfort, angst with a happy ending, or humor (which you rarely find in the same fic for obvious reasons hahaha), cute family stuff (Captain Cobra Swan or CS otherwise parenting). Always a big fan of a big reveal moment.
Least favorite tropes: Hurt no comfort/anything with an unhappy ending, not big into supernatural stuff (outside the scope of OUaT canon I mean--magic is super fun but I have trouble getting into like, vampires). Also not big into high school AUs. OH and I care too much about most of the characters on this show to be super into bashes.
OOH HARD GAME. I like most of the characters tbh hahaha. CS obviously, Rumple and Regina are cool. Henry's adorbs. Zelena's hilarious. man honestly most of the characters I enjoy a lot. Can't think of anyone I wouldn't want in a fic though actually!! Like I genuinely can't. But I'd also be perfectly happy with a fic that was literally just the two of them :D
Can't draw buddies!!! Dream fic to read is a hard game! If I am dreaming about it I generally uhh.... dream it up fully hahahaha. Whether it ever gets from my brain to AO3? rare as heck. But if it hits the dream phase it gets internally written. So I'm excited to see whatever you come up with!
I'm not like huge on S7 (don't know that I've met anyone who considers it a fave tbh) but I don't mind it! S1 has no CS of course, but I've read plenty of fics that fix that hahahaha
Nope! As long as CS is in it, I'll pretty much read whatever. The only things that actually make me nope out of a fic preemptively are teacher/student AUs and adopted sibling AUs, but that's because like... I'm a former teacher with an adopted sibling HAH
I have never forgiven the show for what they did to Robin or Milah HAH and I always like seeing that fixed, but far from mandatory to squeeze into your fic!
Haha wish that I could give you any direction at all! But I have no ideas :D
Know that I will enjoy whatever you write!! Oh also I guess know that my bookmarks will be... unenlightening. The first time I heard about bookmarks on AO3 it was in the context of people being sad about looking through their bookmarks and seeing fics deleted, and that was too scary so I decided to live in blissful ignorance, even if it meant losing out on bookmarks.
Longer works are great! idk how people fit a complete and satisfying story into a short one shot, but the fact is that they DO do that and I'm always so impressed. So if a short fic is what you have the bandwidth for I will be delighted with that. You might find that my longfic for CSSS 2021 was completed about a month ago, so I am a great example of hubris. I would defs prefer if it was something you could actually complete ever rather than going for length hahaha
PARTYCAT EMOJI (I'll post the partycat emoji in the movie-night channel right now so you can see this representation of my current mood hahahaha)