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jtl-fics · 7 months

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Fluent Freshman - Part 40

The Winter Banquet.

Where the Spring Championship announcements happen for Collegiate Exy. A formal event meant to allow the ERC to showcase how their stars weren’t just brutes on the court. Look at how beautiful and handsome they all were. Look at how they danced together. Look at the smiles and laughter and-

Wait.

No.

Put that down.

Who had the great idea to put the Jackals next to the Terrapins? Things have been tense between the teams since the Captain of the Terrapins stole the Captain of the Jackal’s date during the Fall Banquet!

I thought we all agreed that there would never be any more steak knives! What was the point of paying for all the pre-cut tenderloins if we’re just going to give them steak knives?!

Really gotta find an intern to pin this fiasco on.

Oh great the Foxes are leaving! Did we even get a picture of Kevin Day in his suit? Fuck it’s going to be a two intern firing kind of day isn’t it.

Someone get an eye on the Ravens before they try and grab some hapless idiot and sacrifice him to revive Riko Moriyama. If there’s even one more damn tabloid with a blurry photo of ‘Riko Moriyama’ to prove that his death was faked then heads will roll.

Honestly, the biopic that some Edgar Allan Film student is making about him seems pretty interesting. The ERC just wishes people would stop taking pics of the ‘lead actor’ and sending it to tabloids as proof that the King hadn’t died.

Fuck, the Foxes left before we got any decent pictures.

Well just great.

You’d think that after all these years of the Foxes leaving early they’d have learned that getting pictures as they arrive is the most important thing.

Oh thank god it looks like the Trojans are starting to mediate the fight. You can always count on good ol’ Jeremy.

Fuck.

A Raven got too close to Jean Moreau and now Jeremy Knox has punched a Backliner. Great. The Trojans have formed ranks around Moreau but the kid’s just too damn tall. Someone has hit him in the head with an especially saucy meatball, he’s not injured, just confused. The Trojans are acting like it’s a gunshot he just took to the head.

The refreshment table just seemed to collapse in on itself and god wasn’t that just an allegory for this entire damn evening.

Anita Flores sighs as she watches yet another banquet go down in a riot. Honestly, she doesn’t know why they think these will end up differently. She finds herself often missing when she used to coordinate banquets for football teams.

She sighs and thinks about her least favorite interns.

Alex had been getting a bit too cocky lately. He’d make a good sacrifice.

***

(Three hours earlier)

The Palmetto State Foxes were on their way to the Winter Banquet. From what FF understood it was categorically always a 90% chance of a shitshow. Honestly FF was surprised that the percentage was that low.

There was a general tenseness in the air surrounding it that went beyond the Banquet’s propensity to become a fight.

This year the Winter Banquet was going to be held up at the Binghamton Bearcat’s stadium. The nation knew the story from the news and FF knew the story from both that and from the Foxes themselves who were there at the time in bits and pieces.

Captain Neil had been kidnapped from this stadium and then he’d been tortured. FF hadn’t even been on the team when it had happened and he was anxious about Captain Neil going anywhere near the stadium.

“He was just…he was just gone.” Matt had said, “Neil was gone and Kevin said that he was probably dead when Andrew got back with his phone.” He continued as the two of them sat up late in the living room of the dorm one night back in early October.

“I thought Andrew was going to kill me y’know.” Kevin had said bottle in hand as FF tried to help him up the stairs because apparently he would 100% guarantee vomit if he was in the nausea box. “I thought that maybe I deserved it, since I didn’t help Neil. I just let him walk to his death.” He said and despite assurances that he wouldn’t puke FF’s shoes did not make it through that journey unscathed.

“We called…we called everywhere.” Nicky had stared up at the ceiling of his hospital room, “Andrew was adamant that he was still alive even though Kevin kept saying he was dead and that dead was the nicest thing he could hope for. I thought that was a terrible thing to say.” Nicky curled up closer to him.

“I told you, Andrew dragged me like I was nothing to get to Neil. I don’t think he even noticed the guns.” Wymack said to Abby as the two sat on the back porch during Aras’ going away party. “His eyes were on Neil.” he gestures towards where Andrew was watching Captain Neil wrestle with Matt.

“He looked like shit.” Aaron had said unable to stomach a diagram of different degrees of burn in his medical book. “At least he was alive.” He adds.

“A hero.” Andrew’s voice had been what could be considered teasing from Andrew, “Someone who looks like her.” he had said touching Captain Neil’s burn scars as they drove away from the stadium after coming back to pick FF up.

Captain Neil had come to him the day before they were set to drive out, “Take me somewhere no one will find me for an hour.” FF hadn’t quite understood what Captain Neil meant, he never hid anywhere. People just failed to realize where he was.

“Ok.” he says instead of trying to explain because being unnoticed means no one hid codes from him.

The roof of the Library wasn’t that much different from the roof of the Tower, only that it was taller and bigger. Captain Neil had shut his phone off after texting something, likely to Andrew, and then put it into his pocket.

FF settled on the roof, sat with his back against a heating vent to stay warm. Captain Neil settled next to him and they sat in silence. It felt like back at the start of this where Captain Neil and Andrew would come find him and just sit in silence.

It was nice. He had missed-

“They act like the stadium is the thing that kidnapped me.” Captain Neil says.

Oh okay, quiet time is over apparently.

FF doesn’t say anything, figuring that nothing he could say right now would be the right thing and maybe Captain Neil just needs to talk through some stuff.

“That stadium is where I thought I’d have my last good memory.” Captain Neil explains, “I’m not scared of it and yet Andrew’s acting like I’ll die if I’m left alone for more than 2 seconds while we’re there. Every time we go there they all act like the most important thing in the world is that I get on that bus at the end of the night.” Captain Neil explains.

FF does remember how Andrew had grabbed Captain Neil after their October game up in Binghamton. How Captain Neil had complained bitterly but had gone after looking at Andrew.

“He’s dead!” Captain Neil exclaimed and FF couldn’t help but look over at the entrance and hoped no one heard them. “He’s dead! I watched him get shot! He can’t kidnap me again!” Captain Neil continued to yell and FF couldn’t help but worry that they’d be heard below, or worse bother a student trying to study below.

FF reached out and touched Captain Neil’s arm and bright blue eyes turned to him, “We’re on a library. Don’t yell.” FF said and Captain Neil looked at him incredulously.

Then he laughed. He laughed and laughed and FF was worried that he’d gone and broken his Captain.

He suddenly felt bad about his own bout of hysterical laughter a while back.

“Thanks Smith.” Captain Neil had said with a smile.

They had sat up there until it was dark and Andrew had started calling FF’s phone and Captain Neil took the call to say he was coming back.

Now they’re on the bus, dressed nicely, and on their way up to Binghamton’s stadium. Captain Neil and Andrew are hidden in the far back of the bus with Andrew looking far more like a watchdog than anything else the closer they got to their destination.

Captain Neil had seemed largely resigned to this treatment at this point. Eventually they were at the stadium and shown to their seats. They were sat across from the Trojans and it seemed like the rest of the team was quite pleased with that.

“Smith!” Captain Jeremy Knox is smiling at him, “Nice to see you again bud, nice name change too.” he says.

“It’s nice to see you too, Captain Jeremy.” FF says and doesn’t notice how Captain Neil’s head whips around to look at him.

“You two know each other?” Nicky asks looking between the two of them with excitement.

“Of course! We offered Smith a spot at the USC Trojans.” Captain Jeremy says and FF feels his stomach cramp at the memory.

That had been terrifying.

Coach Rheman and Captain Jeremy wanted to sit down to make their offer with his parents. He was still 17 and unable to sign anything legal without their permission. He’d tried to decline and move past them and Captain Jeremy had put the final nail in the coffin at the time for any thought that he could go to college on the power of his apparent Exy capabilities.

“I saw in your file that you have brothers! USC always gives a second look at student applicants who already have siblings in the university. You could go to school with your brothers!” he had smiled brightly like he wasn’t issuing FF one of the most terrifying threats he’d ever heard in his entire life.

He had given the firmest ‘No thank you, I’m not interested in playing Exy in college.’ he could and was running to his Grandma’s to breath into a bag for twenty minutes.

“I see you changed your mind about playing Exy in college.” Captain Jeremy said with the same smile that still feels like a threat.

“Coach Wymack and Captain Dan were convincing.” he says and looks to see if there’s any way he can move further away from Captain Jeremy’s attention.

“Can I ask what convinced you to be a Fox?” Captain Jeremy asks, “I’m always trying to see what support we should be offering. I found out last year that we missed out on Andrew because we didn’t offer spots to Aaron or Nicky. I thought since you had brothers that’d be the thing that got you.” Captain Jeremy leans across the table but stops when he notices the Foxes all tense. “Whoa, what’s up?” he asks.

Jean Moreau sighs from next to Captain Jeremy, “Not everyone wants to go to college with their family, Jeremy.” Jean says, “Did it not cross your mind that he changed his entire name?” he asks with a raised brow.

Jeremy blinks, “Oh,” he looks at FF, “I guess that wasn’t the right thing to offer.” he says leaning back in his chair.

“I guess I should thank you for offering that?” Nicky says wryly before turning to look at FF, “You look better in orange anyways.” he says.

“Thank you Nicky.” FF returns loyally.

The banquet gets started shortly afterwards. Food is served. The bar is opened. People are talking. FF finds himself relaxing the longer the conversations around him go on. Matt is talking with a backliner on the Trojan line named Todd in good cheer. Captain Neil, Kevin, and Jean are all talking about the latest updates with Ichirou in French with the occasional gesture towards FF. Jean Moreau looks at him with a raised eyebrow but gives him a single nod when Captain Neil explains what happened.

Jeremy is chatting with Jack and even Jack was finding it hard to maintain his usual level of rudeness in the face of such unbridled positive energy. Nicky was talking with Katelyn and Alvarez. Aaron was chatting with a fellow med student college athlete who was an offensive dealer.

It was shaping up to be a good night.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

#Fluent Freshman AU #Jeremy Knox essentially threatening FF on accident #With a huge smile #Fucking kills me #Winter Banquet getting into full swing #Ya'll know where it's heading but not all the parts that happen #Foxes are on high alert #No one likes Neil being in Binghamton #There was definitely an all-hands meeting about how Neil is not allowed to go anywhere alone #That if a security guard approaches Neil you treat that security guard like an active threat #Nicky just thinks it's Andrew wanting an excuse to hold his BF's hand all night #Andrew: “Smith you're on covert operations. Keep an eye out for threats.”#FF: “Aye aye Captain.”#Neil: “OH SO NOW HE'S A CAPTAIN TOO? WHAT'S NEXT?!”#Neil is butt hurt about the whole “Captain Jeremy” thing #He could accept it for Dan #But JEREMY?#Neil's gonna need a lot of TLC to get over this betrayal TBFH #In adult news #My closing is next week Friday!#Wooo #I really speedran the whole owning property thing #Thank you bullshit luck #AFTG #AFTG AU #AFTG OC #Andreil #Wow 40 parts on this thing #Still wild #Thanks for joining me on this ride

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aprincessparkkindoflove · 2 years

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if there’s one thing about me, it’s that niall will always be my fave character in any larry fic he’s in.

#aye aye captain #ff

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sprout-fics · 10 months

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sometime after the kerfuffle with the 141 and Kortac is done, I'd like to see Konig's reaction to Maus going missing when trying to recover. I think man's would be terrified out of his mind that his sniper just up and disappeared while injured, meanwhile her whole team is just like "ffs not again, get the net and blanket and look in the vents"

Ohoho see I think the team would have so much fun with Konig, would send him on a wild goose chase just to get back at him for all the grief he caused them in the past. (Messy little drabble, not exactly a oneshot)

It had been three hours since you’d gone missing.

Four, technically, because König had arrived at the infirmary an hour after your disappearance, encountering a fatigued medic who had tiredly informed him of your sudden absence. She’d merely raised a single eyebrow to König's frantic efforts to get more information, and had eventually waved him off with a jaded comment of ‘This happens all the time.’

As if that somehow made him worry less.

You couldn’t have gone far, he theorized. With a sprained ankle, a broken arm, and a mild concussion, it was unlikely that you could have made it to the other side of the base by the time he had started searching for you.

That was three hours ago. Now, as the afternoon slowly crept towards evening, König could feel his panic rising at the idea you had simply vanished. He had searched everywhere. Your room, the mess hall, the rec room, the gym, the firing range, the training course- He’d even checked Price’s office, wondering if you had sought refuge there instead of being in your bed where you belonged.

When he had knocked on the door Price had leveled him with a look, wondering why the newest member of the newly formed SpecGru dared to darken his doorstep. Yet when König had belayed his concerns to the captain, Price had lifted his report to his face and idly told König to once again check the mess hall.

(König didn’t see the wry, sadistic smile that sprawled across Price’s lips)

Yet with the mess hall still empty, he had instead found Ghost, who tilted his head at the Austrian as König tried to explain why he was all but racing around base trying to find you. Ghost made a strange little huffing sound in response that, If König didn’t know better, he might almost mistake it for laughter. He then suggested looking into the women’s barracks to see if you had somehow disguised yourself as one of the recruits.

(That venture went over rather poorly)

As he’d been chased out, König had run into Soap, who had cackled at the Austrian’s misadventure and consequent flowery aroma resulting from one of the women throwing a shampoo bottle at him.

“Rookie?” He’d echoed, looking surprised. It took him a moment to understand, at which point a peculiar smile pulled at his mouth, sly and amused at König's quest.

“Aye.” He intoned, eyes averted so Konig couldn’t see the utter glee in them. “Y’know what? I saw her over at the training grounds climbing up into the tower. Bet you anything she’s still there.”

König had thanked him profusely, had darted off in the direction Soap had spoken of, unseeing of the way Soap hid his laughter until he was gone.

(The training grounds were empty, of course.)

As daylight darkened König resisted the urge to tear at his hood in frustration. It seemed, to him, that you were exactly where the men said you were, only to seemingly read his mind and vanish to a new location every time he drew near. Maybe they were alerting you, for whatever sadistic reason, sending him on a wild goose chase for pure entertainment.

Eventually, when he had run into Gaz, König had all but fallen at his feet pleading for assistance, trying desperately to find you and haul you back to bed so as to not injure yourself further.

“She has a habit of hiding in the vents.” Garrick told him with a straight face, not an ounce of deception in his eyes. “Usually over by the armory, or the officers quarters, or the kitchens, or the infirmary…” He trailed off, looking nonplussed, and eventually offered König a small shrug. Then Gaz had brushed past him with a small excuse, and as König rushed off towards the locations Garrick had suggested, Gaz sent a small message to you:

“You owe me one.”

(You were nowhere in the vents, naturally)

König spent until dark asking every person he ran into if they had spotted an injured soldier running around earlier that day. It took several explanations for them to understand, and when they did König inevitably saw a weary, annoyed expression cross over their faces before they shooed him away in favor of their current task.

Eventually, König had collapsed against a pile of crates in one of the nearby warehouses, shoulders slumping as he desperately wracked his brain for any other possible location where you could have hidden. Half a day had passed since your disappearance, and not once had anyone seen you. To his knowledge you hadn’t eaten, hadn’t taken your medication, had failed to be present for your check-in-

König couldn’t stop the dark, churning thoughts that in your weakened, vulnerable state someone might have taken it upon themselves to abduct you. The fact that the team didn’t seem to share his concerns only made his heart drive higher in his throat, stifling the air in his chest as he pleaded with the heavens to return you. You drew his gaze upwards, to the rafters of the warehouse, wondering if somehow the heavens could hear his prayer.

A small shape, just above the upper walkway, not entirely obscured by one of the long steel beams that supported the roof.

“...Maus?”

The shape stiffened.

König scrambled to his feet, eyes locked on the figure lofted high above the warehouse floor, on a flat, wide beam that effortlessly supported you. As he called once more, a chagrined expression turned down towards him, a guilty smile offered in apology.

“Hi, Konig.”

Distantly, König could hear the sound of something in his mind fracturing.

“Maus, get down here.” He nearly bellowed, voice thundering upwards. Yet far from scaring you, you only offered him a little pout and replied with a small:

“Mmm, no.”

“Maus!!”

You giggled, and the audacity of your refusal was nearly enough to send König onto his ass once more. Cursing under his breath, he realized the only way to get you down from the precariously high perch where you lay was to come get you himself.

Two ladders later, and 50 feet up in the air, König could see you facing him, blanket draped over you, cheek propped on one hand, and snack wrappers littered about you. It was like you had made a little nest up here, intent on avoiding anyone who may pester you.

“Not a Mouse.” He thought wearily. “Perhaps a baby bird.”

You refused, initially, to leave your little loft that remained just out of his reach, even as König clung to the railing and tried to reach for you. Yet eventually when his frustration had given way to a near frantic, pleading whine, he could see genuine guilt color your gaze, and eventually you had performed the delicate maneuver of scooting yourself forward so he could hoist you into his arms.

Yet rather than immediately try to take you down and back towards the medical wing, König instead slumped against the railing of the walkway, his arms fastening around you and a heavy sigh of relief tickling across your hair.

“Please.” He begged, gathering you tightly to him, a protective hold to refuse your escape as much as it would protect you. “Please don’t ever do that again, Maus.”

Warm, wrapped in his scent, you smiled, nuzzled against his chest with a weary little murmur.

“I won’t.” You promised, feeling your boyfriend completely and entirely relax against you, head falling gently back against the railing in satisfaction.

(He didn’t see your fingers crossed behind your back)

#oc: maus #fic: little mouse #konig x reader #könig x reader #drabbles #my writing

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hollyethecurious · 1 year

Text

I posted 853 times in 2022

101 posts created (12%)

752 posts reblogged (88%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@pirateherokillian

@wyntereyez

@hollyethecurious

@killian-whump

@kwistowee

I tagged 744 of my posts in 2022

Only 13% of my posts had no tags

#colin o'donoghue - 158 posts

#killian jones - 132 posts

#captain swan - 75 posts

#captain hook - 41 posts

#icymi - 39 posts

#curious replies - 37 posts

#911 lone star - 32 posts

#cs ff - 31 posts

#words by hollye - 31 posts

#ask game - 27 posts

Longest Tag: 92 characters

#emma enlists killian to come to a family dinner so he can take some of the heat off her from

My Top Posts in 2022:

CS AU: Pan Says... (2/?)

Summary: After waking up in a strange room with a naked stranger, Emma and Killian must endure the twisted game their kidnapper insists they play in order to gain provisions and avoid punishments.

A/N: Sorry I took so long to update. Originally, this part was going to be much longer, incorporating several prompts that were sent to me, but I have opted to go about it differently now. In an effort to highlight each prompt (or the bits of prompts I’m fusing together for a single scene), I’m going to keep the updates focused on one or two Pan Says scenarios as well as their reward/punishment.

I am still taking prompts, so if something comes to mind please feel free to send it in an Ask. Nothing is off limits, as I don’t really have triggers and very few things squick me out, however, I cannot guarantee every Ask will make it into an update. I’ll continue to take prompts until an end game for the fic emerges.

Lots of love to @ultraluckycatnd and @kmomof4 for their exceptional beta skills on this one!

Rated M & eventual E /Also available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me! / Part One

Prompt & Content Warnings: This prompt came from the csmm Discord - “Tell the other something you don’t like about them.” I don’t think there are any additional content warnings that apply to this part that weren’t listed for Part One, but as with every update to this fic: read at your own risk!

Part Two

“Swan, will you please come sit down?”

“I can’t. I can’t sit down. Not while you’re so calm. You should be yelling at me. Why aren’t you yelling at me?”

“I don’t want to yell at you. There’s no reason for me to yell at you.”

“No reason?” Emma shouted, rounding on him as he sat on the edge of bed, finally halting her frantic pacing. “Killian. I blew it. Failing Round One, that was all--”

“That was not your fault, Swan.”

“Yes, it was! Don’t try and make me feel better about blowing our chance to get out of here. It is my fault. I pulled you into the damn kiss.”

“Aye, you did.” He stood, the pillow still firmly in place over his groin, and Emma had to force herself to not keep glancing down at it every few seconds, focusing instead on his exasperated expression and increasingly frustrated tone. “But in your desperation to get us the fuck out of here, it seems you failed to notice my lips were halfway to meeting yours before your hand even met my shoulder!”

Taken aback, Emma’s lips parted, but he barreled on before she could respond. “That kiss was going to happen, Emma. Whether you initiated it or not, that kiss would have happened. We both fell for Pan’s tricks, and blaming ourselves or one another will do us no good. We have to keep our wits about us and focus on being constructive, because sooner or later he’ll be back to commence with Round Two and God only knows what fresh hell awaits us.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t classify what I have planned for you as hell,” Pan stated over the speakers. “In fact, I’m prepared to make you a very generous offer.”

“Save it.”

“Now now, Emma,” Pan tsked. “Let’s not be hasty.”

The sudden slide of a metal panel startled Emma, causing her to stumble back. Killian moved to stand in front of her, both of them unnerved by the sight of a now exposed window looking into the room from the outer hallway… and that which lay on the other side of it.

Two masked figures, dressed all in black, stood shoulder to shoulder facing them with long, black, pronged batons gripped in their hands.

“Meet my Lost Ones,” Pan said. “Round Two sometimes requires a bit of encouragement in order to really get going, so they’ll be doing my bidding if necessary.” A long pause echoed through the room before Pan spoke again, his tone low and applying a clear measure of threat. “I’d advise you both in making that necessity as infrequent as possible.”

The panel slid closed, hiding the window and the shadowy specters from view, and Pan’s voice was once again jovial.

“As I was saying, I am prepared to make you both a very generous offer!”

“What offer would that be?” Killian questioned through his clenched jaw, reluctantly playing along.

“Pan Says you can earn everything back if… you both spend two full minutes appreciating one another’s naked body.”

Furtive glances were exchanged, and Emma could see the slightest shake of Killian’s head, ready to refuse.

The action did not go unnoticed by Pan either. “Oh, please. Don’t act so noble. You both got your fill of each other’s backsides while taking turns in the shower, so what’s the big deal in paying equal attention to each other’s fronts?”

Emma hated that he had a point. They’d both been guilty of ogling each other in the shower, the only difference in his request was that there would be no sneaky peeks. Actually, that was not the only difference. This time, when she and Killian admired one another, it would be with the other’s full consent. Killian had already given his last night in a blanket statement, but based on the way he had his head craned upward, doing all he could to avoid looking at her at all, he would need for her to reciprocate his words if he was going to agree.

“Killian, look at me.” He shook his head, his Adam’s apple jumping and his teeth grinding in agitation. “Last night you told me I had your consent. Remember?” He nodded, but kept his gaze skyward until she took his hand and brought it up to rest against her sheet shrouded chest. “Well you have mine, too,” she told him, her eyes piercing into his, imploring him to understand why she needed him to agree. When he still seemed unsure and unwilling to relent, she quietly murmured, “Please. I don’t want to give him any reason to send those two in here. ‘Cause we both know they won’t care about our consent, only Pan’s rules.”

See the full post

66 notes - Posted January 2, 2022

CS AU: Conviction (3/?)

Summary: The story had been front page news for months. Scandalous details of a married woman of low birth and with limited means, murdering her husband; hatcheting him to death in order to save her own life and that of her unborn child - or so she claimed. No evidence to support her allegations of abuse had been presented during the trial, but in the end, it was the fact that Mrs. Cassidy was with child that saved her from a verdict of murder in the first degree, a judgment that carried the death penalty for both men and women alike. As an act of mercy, a lesser charge was issued, one that spared her life but now made her Misthaven Penitentiary’s problem to contend with, and more specifically, the Captain of the Guard charged with keeping order within its walls.

A/N: I continue to be blown away by the response to this fic. Thank y’all so much!

In answer to a question I received after the last chapter posted, this fic IS written entirely from Killian’s POV.

Thanks to my amazing betas, @snowbellewells and @kmomof4. Also, shout out to @sotangledupinit for the assist in defringing (there, @teamhook, is that better?) Killian for the art.

Rated T-M (for themes, mentions of abuse, murder, and attempted assault) / Available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list

Chapter One | Chapter Two

Chapter Three

As the weeks passed, the Captain of the Guard and his unusual charge settled into a familiar routine. Every night Killian would spend time outside her cell, talking with Swan about all manner of things. He would bring her books to read so they might discuss them, and she would share with him the local gossip she’d heard from Granny or one of the other ladies Elsa had recruited to keep her company during visiting hours and the morning walks he still oversaw before leaving each day.

It warmed his heart to see her cell filled with items gifted to her or crafted by her own hand with the yarn and knitting needles she’d come to master. Soft blankets, hats, and booties were overflowing the trunk Marco, the town carpenter, had made for her to hold such keepsakes. Another trunk had been approved to house the garments she’d collected through the generosity of her new friends in order to accommodate her expanding waist and keep her warm during the frigid nights as winter swiftly settled over the prison.

Nights like this one.

Killian turned up the collar of his overcoat and shivered past the drafts seeping in through every crack and crevice within the old stone prison. With a new, heavy blanket in his arms, he made his way to Swan’s cell, intending to spend a few moments with her while Officer Booth (who had replaced Robin on night watch) finished his patrol.

A few of the prisoners nodded at him as he passed, the cold making sleep difficult for them, and one or more groused under their breath at the sight of the blanket. Towards the end of the block, dirt-stained arms hung over the cross brace of the barred door, and one of their newest inmates, Will Scarlet, gave Killian a look bordering on insubordinate as he cheeked, “Something to help keep the missus warm, Captain?”

Killian ignored the man’s question, pausing before his cell only to issue him an order to get back in bed.

“It’s just…” Scarlet continued with a tone of ribbing. “I think someone’s beat you to it.”

Killian’s brow arched up his forehead. Before he asked the thief what he meant by that statement, the soft sound of Swan’s hushed laughter perked his ears. Setting off, he rounded the corner and found Booth standing outside her cell, a bright smile stretching over his usually wooden features as he passed a thick quilt through the bars.

“Officer Booth,” Killian barked, causing the man to balk and snap to attention. “Have you finished patrol?”

“No, Captain,” the man answered.

“Then I suggest you get back to it before I write you up for dereliction of your duty.”

Booth gave his captain a stiff nod, his eyes flicking back towards the cell as if unsure whether he could risk saying anything more to the woman inside. Resolving it wasn’t a risk he was willing to take, Booth made his way past Killian and back to the cell block to continue his patrol. Killian’s flickering jaw muscle practically chased him as he went.

“He was only checking on me,” Swan said, her face pressed between the bars with a look of alarm pinching at her features. “Officer Booth has always been kind, he’s never done or said anything improper. He’s--”

“I know, Swan,” Killian assured her as he closed the distance between them. “I know August is a good man with no… untoward intentions. But he does have duties, and he’s new to the night shift. Many of the men think standards can be lowered during the night because the inmates are asleep, when really it’s the time to be as vigilant as possible.”

Swan nodded, chewing on both her lip and his words before her eyes fell to the blanket in his arms. An amused sound huffed from her chest. “Is that for me?”

“Aye,” Killian replied. A swell of heat rose up the back of his neck, prickling behind his ear until he reached up to paw at it. “I thought you might need an additional blanket to help keep you warm, but it seems Officer Booth has already seen to that comfort.”

His eyes flicked down to the quilt tucked beneath her arm, then back up to her face, which was covered with an expression of affection. Normally, he would have been pleased to see such an appearance, yet for some reason he found himself rather perturbed by the sight of it.

“He isn’t the only one,” she told him, turning to the side and gesturing to a stack of quilts, afghans, and other spreads teetering upon one of her trunks. “Every visitor I’ve had this week has seen fit to bring me at least one.”

The irritation that had flared within his chest subsided when he realized her temperament was because of all the care and kindness she’d received from the community at large and not just from a single, particular source. He also resolutely refused to examine that initial annoyance any further, choosing instead to focus on the issue he could see swirling within the depths of her green eyes as she vacillated over giving it voice.

“What is it, Swan?”

“I know it’s probably against regulations, seeing as there aren’t enough for everyone, but…” Her eyes turned pleading as she gazed up at him, and Killian knew no matter what her request might be, he was unlikely to refuse her. “I have more than enough to keep me comfortable while others must spend the long nights absolutely freezing. Would it… would it be possible to have these extra blankets dispensed to other inmates? Perhaps the older, frailer ones?”

Killian stared down at her, stunned. It really shouldn’t have surprised him that she would be willing to share her excess with others she felt were more in need, but such mindsets were not at all commonplace within the hardened walls of a prison, or among equally hardened prisoners.

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66 notes - Posted April 24, 2022

CS AU: Conviction (5/?)

A/N: My apologies for not updating last week. While I am determined to maintain a regular, weekly schedule, I'm afraid I've fallen behind on my wiring, and therefore I can't guarantee there won't be more skipped weeks. Now that my homeschool semester is over, I'm hoping to get more writing time so I can catch back up. I just ask that y'all be patient with me.

Thank you for all the lovely comments! I treasure them, and am so thrilled y'all seem to love this story as much as I do! Also, thanks to my amazing betas, @snowbellewells and @kmomof4. Also, shout out to @sotangledupinit for the assist in defringing Killian for the art.

Rated T-M (for themes, mentions of abuse, murder, and attempted assault) / Available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Snow swirled and the frigid air burned in Killian’s lungs. The scent of pine danced in his sinuses and tickled his tongue, the aroma of the season stirring those feelings of good tidings even though there had been no great joy in his days for the past few weeks.

Actually, that wasn’t completely true. Despite the rift between himself and his brother - a chasm that had only grown wider since his brother’s decree, forcing Killian from Swan’s presence and the pleasure of her company, while removing any comfort his might have given her - there had been moments of elation and gratitude to help lighten the otherwise gloomy December days.

Elsa had wasted no time in acquiring the services of a few masons and the blacksmith, converting the old offices along the upper level of the officer’s wing into a much larger cell for Swan and her swiftly approaching arrival. The men had offered their time and materials, free of charge, and word had spread regarding the prison’s forthcoming addition, spurring the townsfolk into actions of charity, not only for Miss Swan, but the entire prison as well.

The soft crunch of compacted snow, mixed with the shuffle of freshly fallen flakes echoed beneath Killian’s boots as he made his way up the long drive towards the prison. He stopped for a moment, adjusting the bulky item in his arms so he could tighten his scarf, a slight shiver traveling down his spine when the winter breeze whispered across the thin layer of perspiration dampening his skin from the exertion of carrying the object from town. A ring of faint laughter tinkled through the air, and Killian knew the carolers he’d passed in the village must be making their way to the prison.

He remembered lamenting many months ago about how they were to make it through the winter without the assistance of the convent. He never would have imagined the outpouring of care, kindness, and compassion they had received from the town’s residents, from necessities like foodstuffs and fuels, to the indulgence of new clothing for the prisoners and a collection for the officers’ uniforms, as well as decorations and community visits to help lift the population’s spirits. Killian could not remember a more festive or exhilarating Christmas season in all his years, and though Elsa had certainly had her hand in making it happen, Killian knew the true prompting that had brought the whole town together to rally around Misthaven Penitentiary was Emma.

A cloud of vapor briefly hung in the air from where Killian had exhaled heavily. Emma. His Swan. Not a day had gone by that he had not thought of her, and not simply because the work being done on her new cell was happening, quite literally, before his very eyes day after day. He’d timed his arrival during those first few shifts he’d reported for duty with when she’d usually be out on her walks, so he would at least have the opportunity to see her, perhaps even speak with her. However, his brother had accounted for such an action and had issued new orders regarding her yard time. Now that they were back to full staff, they no longer had to depend on the off-duty night shift to perform the task, so she was worked into the day rotation schedule, usually escorted from her cell when Killian was in the training room with one of the new recruits.

The sound of his boot falls interrupted the quiet once more as he trod up the path towards the prison gate. Two of the recruits were milling about in the yard, most likely awaiting the arrival of the carolers. They snapped to attention as soon as they spotted him, one moving quickly to open the door for their captain, whose arms were still laden with an object he hoped to deliver before the visitors’ arrival.

It was a yearly tradition, the carolers beginning their Christmas Eve serenade at the prison before moving through town and finishing at the church for the Silent Night Service. They would spend some time visiting with the prisoners first, encouraging them with conversation and perhaps a small, gifted token, like a piece of peppermint or some other candy, to commemorate the holiday, then sing a few carols before moving on. Killian had always enjoyed the Christmas Eve caroling and the festivities it brought with it, the guards finding ways to make their own merriment as those off-duty joined the on-duty shift for a celebratory toast after the carolers departed, but this year… The rift between him and Liam would most likely sour whatever toast their warden made, and the only person with whom he wished to share Christmas he was forbidden from seeing.

That hadn’t stopped him from bringing her a gift, though.

Depositing the item in his office, Killian straightened his appearance, smoothing down his hair, which had become tussled by the winter wind, and took in a steadying breath as dread gnawed his gut. Never before had he been anxious to face his brother, not to this degree at least, and he wondered if the damage both their words and actions had caused to their relationship would be permanent. In addition to keeping his distance from Swan, as ordered, Killian had done all he could to avoid Liam these past few weeks, dispatching another officer to meet with the warden in his stead and begging off all of Elsa’s invitations to share dinner with them now he had his evenings free. When the rare moment occurred that he had to report to the warden’s office himself, he had been overly formal and guarded with a rapport of extreme professionalism, a conduct Liam had reciprocated in kind.

It had not escaped Killian’s notice that the officers walked on eggshells around them both, nor could he deny the strain it was starting to have on Elsa, who desperately tried to get the two brothers together so they might discuss the matter rather than allow it to continue to fester. Killian would be lying if he said the glimmer of tears in her eyes when he’d turned down the offer to spend Christmas with them hadn’t made his heart twist painfully in his chest, but he knew he’d only bring the celebration down with his sullenness, and he wasn’t about to make her sister or her sister’s family uncomfortable with the added tension his presence would bring.

Besides… Swan was supposed to be moved into her new cell Christmas morning, and Killian wanted to be there, even if he couldn’t share the occasion by her side or give her the gift he’d worked on with Marco himself.

Exiting his office, he glanced across the corridor as he passed the new cell and paused. Philip and Thomas - two of the newest recruits and set to make officer after the first of the year - were bustling around the space, depositing firewood into the nook beside the hearth and positioning the new furnishings into place, readying the cell for its new inhabitant. A copper tub sat in the corner, partially hidden behind a partition that would provide her privacy when she bathed, the fireplace allowing her not only warmth, but the ability to heat water without the assistance of the guards. A rocking chair faced the hearth, a fresh mattress was laid out upon the suspended frame on the opposite wall, and a wardrobe filled the opposite corner, ready for Swan’s and her baby's belongings to be transferred from the trunks they’d been packed in for months. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth, a moment of gladdened contentment pushing past the longing that had been hollowing out his chest cavity day by day.

“Do you need something, Captain?”

The question brought Killian back to his purpose. “No. Thank you, Thomas. Carry on.”

Leaving the recruits to finish their work, Killian turned and fortified himself before raising his hand to knock on the warden’s door. Dutifully, he waited until he heard his brother bid entrance.

“Killian?” Liam said, standing from his chair with a perplexed yet tentatively relieved expression. His hair was as unruly as Killian’s, but where the wind had been responsible for the younger Jones’ appearance, it seemed the chaotic nature of Liam’s hair had been caused by his fingers continuously running through the curly strands. “I was not sure you’d return for the festivities when Erik informed me you’d already left for the day.”

Killian lifted his chin, his hands tucked behind his back with his posture board straight as he addressed his warden. “I had an errand to run in town, sir.”

“I see,” Liam commented, wincing a bit at the curt edge of Killian’s formal tone. Making his way around the desk, Liam paused when he reached the front edge, wringing his hands for a moment before letting them fall to his sides. “I was sorry to hear you refused our invitation for Christmas,” he said. “And not because it means I must endure Elsa’s sister and brother-in-law without the aid of my li...er, younger brother.”

Killian’s brows twitched, nearly pinching together in disbelief at the correction. Was his brother attempting to make amends? It wasn’t like Liam to concede, to ever admit he might be wrong, and if it was his intention to make things right then it surely had to have been prompted by Elsa.

“I offered to take the Christmas shift so Thomas could spend the holiday with his wife. I felt the other recruits deserved to spend the day with their lady loves as well.”

“And the fact Mrs. Cassidy is moving to the cell across the hall tomorrow morning had no bearing on such an offer, I’m sure.”

Killian stiffened further, his posture becoming more rigid as he geared up for another row with his brother, but the spark of anger Liam’s quip had ignited was quickly snuffed out with his brother’s next words.

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69 notes - Posted May 15, 2022

WIP Wednesday: New CS AU Sneak Peek

Summary: The story had been front page news for months. Scandalous details of a married woman of low birth and with limited means, murdering her husband; hatcheting him to death in order to save her own life and that of her unborn child - or so she claimed. No evidence to support her allegations of abuse had been presented during the trial, but in the end, it was the fact that Mrs. Cassidy was with child that saved her from a verdict of murder in the first degree, a judgment that carried the death penalty for both men and women alike. As an act of mercy, a lesser charge was issued, one that spared her life but now made her Misthaven Penitentiary's problem to contend with, and more specifically, the Captain of the Guard charged with keeping order within its walls.

A/N: This fic was inspired by the true account of Martha Casto who was incarcerated in the Missouri State Penitentiary in 1843 for manslaughter. I first heard her story on an episode of Who Do You Think You Are, featuring the lineage of actress Cynthia Nixon. While I have taken some details of Martha’s crime and sentencing to weave into the story, mine will not be a retelling of the accounts of her time in prison. Also, while I am setting this fic in the same time period as the inspiration (mid-1800s), I will be taking some historical liberties.

Thanks to my amazing betas, @snowbellewells and @kmomof4. Also, shout out to @sotangledupinit for the assist in debanging (don’t make it dirty, people) Killian for the art.

Rated T-M (for themes, mentions of abuse, murder, and attempted assault) / updating weekly on Sundays / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me!

Sneak Peek from Chapter One:

“Mrs. Cassidy, I am Liam Jones, Warden here at Misthaven Penitentiary, and this is my Captain of the Guard, Killian Jones.”

Killian gave the woman a curt nod and tried to focus his attention on the words Liam was speaking. Not that he really needed to. It was the same speech he gave to every other inmate who passed through their doors. Albeit, no other inmate had ever had the privilege of receiving these remarks within the warden’s own office. A change in protocol that further iterated how remarkable a situation they all faced.

Remarkable. Yes. Such a designation seemed apt as Killian took in the woman before him. He was not sure what he had expected of Mrs. Cassidy, but the thin-framed young woman before him certainly was not it. She couldn’t have been more than twenty years old, and only reached his chin. Though she had to be petrified of what lay ahead, her countenance betrayed none of her trepidations. Standing stiff-backed with her head held high, she struck Killian as a tough lass. Tough and bloody beautiful to boot.

His job just got a whole lot harder.

A small grimace passed over her features when she turned back towards the door, having been dismissed by the warden and ready to be led to her cell. Her delicate hands clenched and released, the red welts from the shackles clasped around her wrists stood out in stark contrast to her pale skin. Killian ground his teeth together, a response he’d involuntarily given into a number of times since seeing her disembark from the prison wagon with chains binding her wrists and ankles. It was standard procedure when transporting prisoners, but Killian could barely stomach the sight of those restraints on a woman, regardless of her crime.

Escorted by his fellow guardsman, Robin, Killian marched his prisoner along the corridor towards the catwalk that allowed them to cross over to the other side of the upper level. While passing the manned cells, Killian did his best to shield Mrs. Cassidy from the other prisoners’ view, but it didn’t stop a few taunts and lewd comments thrown her way by one of the more hardened inmates. Pulling his baton from where it rested at his hip, Killian slammed it against the bars as a warning.

“You’d best hold your tongue, before I remove it,” Killian said in a hushed, menacing tone that matched the look he stared the man down with until the perpetrator backed away.

Out of instinct, Killian reached out to grasp the woman’s arm in order to prompt her forward, but retracted his hand when he saw her flinch. He had to bite down on his tongue to keep from apologizing, reminding himself she was just another prisoner and had to be treated as such in order to maintain the necessary balance required for order and discipline within the prison.

They made their way across the catwalk, down the opposite side, and around the corner to her cell without further incident. Robin unlocked the cell door, swinging it wide, while Killian knelt down to remove the shackles around her ankles. The length and layers of her skirts made it difficult to locate the keyhole on the first side, until they suddenly hitched up, revealing her boots and metal irons surrounding them. Killian flicked his eyes up to see Mrs. Cassidy had bunched the fabric up in her hands in order to make the work easier for him, and he was once again tempted to break protocol, swallowing back the thank you that threatened to slip out.

Once her leg irons were removed and handed off to Robin, Killian gestured her inside the cell and closed the door behind her with a loud, jarring clang, causing her to flinch once more.

“Hands,” he ordered. His tone was a bit harsher than he meant it to be, so he was thankful when she slipped her hands between the bars without hesitation.

Like the shackles at her ankles, Killian made quick work of the restraints around her wrists. Anger flared within him at the sight of the red, raw skin revealed beneath the heavy metal, and this time he could not hold back the apology slipping past his lips when a hiss escaped her from the fresh air stinging the open wounds.

“I will have a salve brought to you that will help with those,” Killian told her, passing the wrist restraints off to Robin, who nodded his understanding of the implied order before heading back towards the officers’ station.

“That isn’t necessary,” the woman replied, gingerly rubbing the skin surrounding the welts and sores.

“It’s standard procedure,” Killian informed her, lest she think he was offering her special treatment. “As the warden mentioned, meals will be brought up for you to eat in your cell. Your dinner should arrive within the hour. Have you any questions, Mrs. Cassidy?”

“Emma,” she replied sharply.

“I beg your pardon?”

She sighed and set her features with a firm resolve. “I do not wish to be addressed as Mrs. Cassidy. Please, call me Emma.”

“I am afraid that will not be possible,” Killian told her, attempting to keep the sympathy out of his voice. “My brother feels such familiarity would be inappropriate.”

“Your brother?”

Killian bit back a curse at the carelessness of his words. “I meant, the warden,” he corrected.

“Right,” she nodded. “Jones. I should have realized the connection.” Robin returned and handed the jar of salve and a square of clean linen to her through the bars, which she accepted with a timid thank you. “How should I address you and the other guards if I have need?”

“You may address the guards as Officer, or include that title with their surname.” Killian gestured to Robin. “For instance, this is Officer Locksley.”

Robin offered her a polite nod which she returned before flicking her gaze back to Killian. “And you?”

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80 notes - Posted April 6, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

CS AU: Conviction (1/?)

Thanks to my amazing betas, @snowbellewells and @kmomof4. Also, shout out to @sotangledupinit for the assist in debanging (don’t make it dirty, people) Killian for the art.

Rated T-M (for themes, mentions of abuse, murder, and attempted assault) / Available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list

Chapter One

“You cannot be bloody serious.” Killian’s eyes jumped from the order in his hands to his brother’s face. “They’re sending her here?”

“This is the only prison within Misthaven County,” Liam reminded him, seemingly unperturbed by the proclamation that a woman, who had just been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to serve five years for the crime against her husband, would be housed within the stone walls he was charged with overseeing as warden.

Killian shook his head and tossed the missive onto the imposing mahogany desk in front of him. “This is madness,” he said, running a hand through his hair while trying to grapple with the logistical nightmare the magistrate had set upon them. “Her presence will cause chaos among the other prisoners, to say nothing of how she will affect the guards.”

“I see no reason why her incarceration here should cause such disastrous waves of which you seem concerned.”

Killian stared slack jawed at his brother, who had resumed his seat and began scratching quill to parchment. “Brother,” Killian began with an incredulous tone once he again found his voice, “We are not equipped to see to the needs of a woman here, especially one who is with child.”

“We will see to her needs as we do the men under our supervision. However,” Liam held up his hand to stay his brother’s protest, “I recognize that a few concessions will be necessary in order to ensure her safety and well-being whilst she is here.” Setting the ink he had just finished applying to the page, Liam stood and handed the paper to Killian. “As Captain of the Guard, I entrust these added measures into your authority. See to it the other guards are aware of my instructions and that they are upheld.”

Killian grit his teeth, but held his tongue. He knew a dismissal when it was issued, and though Liam was his older brother, he was also the prison warden and Killian’s superior. Positions Killian respected, even if he did think his brother was being purposefully obtuse about the reality of the circumstance about to befall them.

Upon exiting his brother’s office and returning to his own, Killian settled himself in his desk chair and read over the principles by which Liam would have them all handle the presence of Mrs. Cassidy. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Killian released a long sigh before glancing out the window that looked across the open corridor to the upper level cells that stood adjacent to the officers’ wing. From where he sat, Killian had a clear view around the corner to the secluded stretch where lay the cell Liam had determined would house the infamous ax-murderess.

The story had been front page news for months. Scandalous details of a married woman of low birth and limited means murdering her husband; hatcheting him to death in order to save her own life and that of her unborn child - or so she claimed. No evidence to support her allegations of abuse had been presented during the trial when neighbors and members of the man’s family had come forward with their testimonies of character, painting the victim in portraits of virtue while his wife was further vilified. In the end, it was the fact that Mrs. Cassidy was with child that had saved her from a verdict of murder in the first degree, a judgment that carried the death penalty for men and women alike. As an act of mercy, a lesser charge was issued, one that spared her life but now made her Killian's problem to contend with.

And she would most certainly be a problem.

Keeping order within the prison was a challenge on the best of days. They were woefully underfunded and understaffed. Though not as deplorable in condition as other prisons Killian had seen, Misthaven Penitentiary had always relied on the charity of the local convent to see them through hard times. With its closing earlier in the year, and the nuns dispersed to other parishes, Killian was not sure how they would fare in the upcoming winter. To say nothing of how they’d fare having an inmate of the fairer sex within their midst.

A scoff of scorn erupted from the back of Killian’s throat when he read back over his brother’s edict. No man shall enter Mrs. Cassidy’s cell for any reason, lest it be a matter of life or death. Liam was a damn fool if he thought such a decree would dissuade some of the more… unsavory members of their guard from the temptation the woman would present, and it would be left to Killian to maintain order and discipline, not just from the sentenced population, but from his own men. A task he was not relishing in the slightest. Nor was he overjoyed by his brother’s commands that essentially made him her own personal jailor, a notion which left him with a sour taste in his mouth and equally unpleasant sensation in his gut.

Checking the time on his pocket watch, Killian stood and made himself presentable for the shift change. Liam would be addressing the whole of their guard staff, informing them of the impending arrival of Mrs. Cassidy, as well as a dozen or so other new inmates to follow, which meant longer shifts would be required in order to make the necessary preparations. Killian’s hopes of spending some time along the coast while the autumn weather was still agreeable were well and truly snuffed out, much like the desk candle he extinguished before leaving his office.

~/~

“Mrs. Cassidy, I am Liam Jones, Warden here at Misthaven Penitentiary, and this is my Captain of the Guard, Killian Jones.”

His job just got a whole lot harder.

“You’d best hold your tongue, before I remove it,” Killian said in a hushed, menacing tone that matched the look he stared the man down with until the perpetrator backed away.

Once her leg irons were removed and handed off to Robin, Killian gestured her inside the cell and closed the door behind her with a loud, jarring clang, causing her to flinch once more.

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85 notes - Posted April 10, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #long post

4 notes · View notes

thepirateandhisson · 1 year

Text

I posted 33 times in 2022

6 posts created (18%)

27 posts reblogged (82%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@thepirateandhisson

@naiariddle

@thaddams

@cocohook38

@cosette141

I tagged 31 of my posts in 2022

Only 6% of my posts had no tags

#killian jones - 25 posts

#henry mills - 25 posts

#the pirate and his son - 24 posts

#captain cobra - 24 posts

#captain swan - 11 posts

#captain cobra swan - 10 posts

#ouat - 9 posts

#emma swan - 8 posts

#once upon a time - 7 posts

#cs ff - 6 posts

Longest Tag: 99 characters

#like he’s such a staple to emma’s character that i can’t have one without the other 98% of the time

My Top Posts in 2022:

Can I only pick one? I’d like to know about Speak Now and Fake Dating Thanksgiving please!!!

Yay! Speak Now is one I started just the other day because I was listening to Taylor Swift and got attacked by a plot bunny. Think forced/arranged marriage plus blood contract plus (seemingly) unrequited love! Snippet:

She stands there, before her mirrors, and avoids the image of her mother reflected back at her. Quiet words are exchanged before the door closes, just herself and her mother remaining.

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to go,” Snow says softly, her movements swift as she comes to her side. “Killian will understand.”

A ragged breath enters her lungs and Emma shakes her head, gaze connecting with her mother’s nose in the mirror, close enough to her eyes that she hopes her mother doesn’t suspect. Snow’s tilting head tells her she fails.

“No, I need to go. He’s still my friend and I promised I’d be there for him.”

“There is always –”

“Mother, please,” Emma begs. Her voice cracks on the plea as her eyes tear up and she feels as if she’s twelve and not two years past twenty. She can’t entertain the thoughts her mother tries to remind her of. Despite her parents encouragements otherwise, there is a list of reasons why she can’t. She’s remembered them as well as she has that invitation.

Fake Dating Thanksgiving is a 12 Days of Promptmas fic that inspiration fled on that was inspired by both the fake dating prompt I was given as well as a fake dating prompt I put on discord 93423 months ago. The general idea is that Mary Margaret thinks Emma and Killian are dating and tells everyone. But when Emma sets Mary Margaret straight, the other woman forgets to tell everyone else, leading to chaos when Emma brings Killian with her and Henry to her parents house for Thanksgiving. Emma was going to correct everyone right away but then her ex walked through the door. Snippet:

“You did good,” Killian says. He looks at her from the side, wide grin and an eyebrow high, and Emma rolls her eyes.

“I’ll make sure we have a tag on the bottom that says, Discovered by Killian Jones.”

“As long as you give credit.”

“Don’t you have food you’re supposed to be picking up?” she asks. She pulls the keys to her bug out of her coat pocket and holds them up to him. Snatching them quick, Killian tugs a beanie back over his head and she briefly mourns the loss of seeing his adorably pointed ears.

“Aye, thanks, love.” He shoots her a quick grin again before leaving her apartment, softly closing and locking the door behind him. She breathes out deeply, shakes her arms that she swears are still tingling from carrying the tree and not from his heat at her side, and sets out organizing their ornaments.

8 notes - Posted March 18, 2022

Tagged by: @winterbythesea

rules: post the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. send me an ask with the title that most intrigues you and i’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it! and then tag as many people as you have wips.

Listen… I’m a hot mess and chaotic so I’m sorry. All of these are Captain Swan & Captain Cobra focused or just CS. They’re being listed in alphabetical order because yeah.

Actors AU

Hocus Pocus AU

Hooked on Her

Just Circumstance

Let’s Ruin the Friendship

Mamma Mia AU (on AO3)

Santa Jones

Secret Santa AU

Speak Now

Time Limit

Tower of Terror AU

Uber Driver Secret Santa Gift (on AO3)

Behind the Mask

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News

Enchanted forest Christmas AU

Enchanted forest pregnancy

Fake Dating Thanksgiving

HGTV AU (1)

Mistletoe AU

Wordle of the Day

WWE CS AU

The Snuggly Duckling

Sorry if you’ve been tagged already but here is about half as many tags as i have WIPs! Tagging: @motherkatereloyshipper @kmomof4 @jrob64 @stahlop @caught-in-the-filter @cosette141 @zaharadessert @elizabeethan @thejollyswan @killianslefthook @apiratewhopines

8 notes - Posted March 16, 2022

The script page from when Hook stops Henry from running away back to New York in 3x19, A Curious Thing. From Adam’s Twitter.

19 notes - Posted March 8, 2022

Ooh, ef pregnancy?

Ah, this was another one of my 12 Days of Promptmas fics that inspiration fled from. The prompt was Emma telling Killian she's pregnant so I decided to have fun with it! A quick summary is that, sometime before s7 once portals became a regular thing, people from other kingdoms/realms would come to Storybrooke, recognize Killian, and put bounties on his head for his past misdeeds. Under Snow & Charming's encouragement, Emma and Killian travel the kingdoms and realms to smooth over his image and show he's a hero. It's too bad that Emma can't stomach the food they're given. Because that's all that is. SNIPPET:

“It was bound to happen, Emma,” Killian reasoned with her from their kitchen table. Her mother sat beside him biting her nails as her father stood behind her, hands on Snow’s shoulders. Henry watched them all with a deeply vested interest. “I’ve been alive for centuries and I wasn’t a good man before you.”

“But they can’t just put a bounty on your head in Storybrooke!” she exclaimed in exasperation.

“They’re not going to get me, love. I told you, I’m –”

A resounding No! cut off his sentence and he looked at Henry in alarm.

“You can’t keep saying that when you’ve died like eight times.”

“I beg your pardon.” The offense is clear on his face as he speaks. “It was only… four… times.”

“Henry’s right, babe,” Emma agreed with a sigh. She paused in her pacing and crossed her arms, staring at her husband. “You’ve died enough. I’m not chancing it again.”

A silence formed over the table and Snow glanced around before speaking. “Maybe this would be a good time for you both to visit the Enchanted Forest again?”

Killian narrowed his eyes at her, fingers playing with the tip of his hook. “So my head could be delivered to you on a platter? I’d have expected that statement from Dave, not you.”

David rolled his eyes, patted his wife’s shoulders, and sat at the table beside her. “Snow’s right. This would be a perfect time for the tour of you to do a diplomatic tour of the neighboring kingdoms.”

“Everyone in Misthaven was brought back to Storybrooke after Charming and I cast the Dark Curse,” Snow adds. “They all know of the hero Killian’s become, what he’s sacrificed for all of them – for Emma – and as they resettle back in the Enchanted Forest, they’ll be spreading the word. But this would be a good time for the two of you to meet with the other rulers. As Princess Emma of Misthaven and her Prince Consort Killian Jones.”

She eyed her husband, both of them weary.

“Can I come?” Henry piped up.

27 notes - Posted March 18, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

We as a society do not talk enough about the fact that Killian was helping Henry pick out a tie.

Like, did Henry ask him to come to the loft? Did Killian come to the loft on his own to help Henry since his mothers were missing? Was this a preplanned thing or a happy coincidence?

I wish we got to see the little moment(s) that led to this point. Did Henry ask for Killian’s opinion on which tie he should use or did Killian tell him that he could help? What were they doing the in the loft before this moment?

Also, why were they in the loft and not at Emma & Killian’s house?

Anyway, here I am, how many years later, digging for more.

96 notes - Posted November 26, 2022

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seriouslyhooked · 4 years

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Feels Like This (Part 3)

Emma Swan is a once lost girl who is now making good. She has made a way in the world for her and her young son, Henry, and after years of hard work, Emma is in her last stretch of schooling for the career she’s always wanted. Unexpectedly, she finds herself in a tiny nation no one’s ever heard of for her last year of study. She knows nothing about the place except that it’s beautiful, has a world-renowned child life program, and is filled with possibility. Meanwhile, Prince Killian is hardly happy with the title he received at birth. As the second in line for the crown, Killian has long tried shaking his royal duties. He built a career in the royal navy, and has stayed out of the limelight, but his ship has been called to port indefinitely at the request of his brother, the King. Fate (in her many forms) brings Emma and Killian together and the resulting fic is a cute, fluffy, trope filled romp featuring heart felt moments, a healthy dose of insta-love and an assured happily ever after. Story rated M and will have 12 parts. Part 1 Here, Part 2 Here. Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey everyone! So thank you so much first and foremost for the love you guys have shown this fic. I have been so excited to write this and have been waiting ages to share it all with you. This is the kind of fluff and cuteness I personally need in my life right now, and I know a lot of you probably feel the same. Strap in for my usual dose of CS feels, and yes, for those of you asking, this is the moment CS will meet. Hope you all enjoy and thank you all so much for reading!

“And you’re sure you’ve got everything?” Emma asked, looking at Henry and knowing that he was ready to head into camp. They’d been over this numerous times, and at this point they were already out of the house and in front of the hall where campers congregated every morning. Still, Emma couldn’t help trying to soak up the moment with her kid just a little bit longer, and if that meant running through their list once more, so be it. “You have your lunch?”

“They give us lunch there, Mom.”

“Oh right,” she said, still shocked at how much was provided seeing as this program was free through the University. The children of all faculty and students were allowed to come, and it completely eradicated a need for her to find alternative childcare. Back in the States they had nothing like this built in anywhere. Getting Henry to camp previously either took a funding miracle, an insane amount of luck, or extra shifts at a second job. Usually he stayed with Mrs. H and Emma tried desperately to make it up to their neighbor. But now community sponsored help was becoming a given way of life, and every kid in Montenarro, no matter their background, seemed to have at least one path to a bright and happy summer.

“You’ve got your bag? How about water?”

“Yes and yes. We ran through this already, remember? I told you everything I had while you made breakfast.”

Emma smiled, knowing he was right, as crazy as it sounded. It was wild to her that on a weekday she would have the time, the patience, and the extra bit of cash to afford the spread they ate together today. They had eggs, fruit, bacon, oatmeal and there were fresh pastries if they wanted. It was like their special holiday brunch, which happened on Christmas or on one of their birthdays, but they’d had this or something similar every day for nearly two weeks. It might seem over the top, but between the later starting hours here in Montenarro, her reduced work schedule with a generous stipend, and the fairer prices at the markets, Emma finally felt like she could give her son what he deserved. For years they’d chowed down on discount cereal, and now, in an attempt to enjoy themselves and resemble their new neighbors, they were taking a slower, and far and away more luxurious approach.

“I remember, kid. So I’ll be back here at four, and if I’m a little late -,”

“I just hang out a while longer, I know,” Henry said, looking to the doorway. A grin appeared at his face as he spotted one of his new friends. The other young boy waved in their direction and Henry waved back, causing Emma’s heart to melt. Her son not only had friends here, he was thriving. He was so happy, and seeing him this way made her happy too. “You don’t have to rush, Mom. I know your work ends early now, but maybe you could do something just for yourself.”

“Are you trying to tell me you’d rather stay later?” Emma asked, and Henry looked embarrassed for a moment before nodding.

“Not too much later, but Michael and Talia stay until five, and we’ve got this cool game going that we made up yesterday. It’s kind of hard to explain. But I can come home at four still. It’s okay, I’ll just -,”

“No, no, Henry, I am thrilled that you’re having a good time. I’ll be here at five.”

“Cool! Thanks, Mom!” Henry exclaimed, giving her a quick hug before heading for the door. “See you at five!”

She watched him get in safely, and the director of the camp who she’d met last week wished her a fond hello as she checked in Henry. Her greeting was pleasant and polite, and Emma knew if she had time the woman would talk her ear off about what it was like to be from America or the upcoming summer festivals. As it was though, Emma had to get going. She wasn’t late for work or anything, but she was eager to get there. Her work at the JR foundation was shaping up to be amazing. She was learning a lot, but she already felt like one of the team. Everyone who was there appreciated her, not just for working and helping out, but for her ideas. They were so responsive to suggestions, and always willing to try out any new concepts Emma had only really read about in books.

Their director, Marco, wasn’t like a normal boss. He didn’t hover or micromanage or come across as inaccessible. In fact, despite all the other calls on his time, Marco was with them all helping the kids and participating in their activities as much as he could. That leadership was so amazing in a space like this, and from everything Emma had experienced, the precedent he set was entirely reflective of the culture at large. Every person at the institute was determined to do right by these kids, and the children, despite the sad circumstances surrounding most of their lives, were doing so well and seemed so happy despite it all.

It was only a few city blocks from Henry’s camp to the center, but Emma let herself linger in the walk. She moved more slowly, matching the pace of the people around her, who never seemed to rush, and instead just enjoyed each day as it came. People were always smiling and laughing, and even the fighting was good natured. The streets were bustling but not full. They were cleaned regularly, maintaining the gorgeous cobblestone walks and the beautiful vintage architecture. It was warm here – a quintessential coastal retreat in the Mediterranean that she’d only ever imagined in her dreams or seen on travel TV. Everything considered, it was the opposite of New York, and despite having lived in the city she and Henry called home for more than ten years, Emma had to admit she didn’t miss it… at least not as much as she thought she would.

Don’t get too attached, Emma. This is temporary. Enjoy it while you can, but your real life is nothing like this.

The voice in her head was negative, but had a point, and Emma had no choice but to heed the advice. She would enjoy every bit of this she could, but she couldn’t get too comfortable, otherwise she’d miss this when they left. Even thinking of the heartbreak that may come if Henry continued to love it here so much left her reeling, but Emma carried on, pushing down that worry as she made her way past the institute’s front gates. It was important that she be in the right headspace when walking through these doors. The kids deserved her at 100%, and that was what she planned to be for them. Shaking off the worry from moments ago she moved inside, and as soon as she arrived, she was greeted by the sound of children running and laughing.

Some people might look at this place right now, apparently filled to the brim with kids who were wired and excitable now that it was officially summer and the school term was over, and think that this was chaos, but Emma knew better by now. Every child here ranging in age from six months to sixteen was attended to and accounted for. They had a large brood of kids, with sixty-seven at last count, and this was the biggest home under the JR foundation, though there were half a dozen more around the small country. Many children who were here would eventually be adopted, or would merge into part of a nationally funded fostering program, known for being one of the best systems in the world. In their last two years of school, older children went to special homes or foster placements designed just for them, to give them the attention and time they needed (instead of leaving them to the wayside for the sake of younger, needier children), and to prepare them for life outside of the system. Emma would eventually shadow a center that worked with those young adults, but for now, she was enjoying the hustle and bustle of the general group.

“Look, Char, it’s Emma!” one young boy named Thomas proclaimed to his little sister Charlotte from across the room, and in seconds every child had turned and was excitedly greeting her. Some of them came right up to hug her or give her a high five, but at the very least they all nodded in her direction and chirped out a fond hello.

“Good morning everyone,” Emma said, noticing the bags along the doorway and how the older kids were dressed in a uniform of navy colored shorts and florescent green shirts. “Did I miss something?” Emma asked aloud, not really to anyone in particular, but an answer came from one of the institute’s most trusted sources.

“Flora is taking the older children to the seaside today for a science lesson.”

The woman who filled Emma in was named Elsa, and despite the humidity in the air and the exuberance of the children all around them, she was totally put together and looked completely unstressed. Her hair was tied back in her usual braid, and her turquoise colored summer dress flowed in a way that looked poised for a summer catalogue. Elsa was effortless in an enviable way, but she was so kind and eager to be of help that Emma couldn’t begin to muster jealousy. In a short time Emma had begun to consider Elsa a friend, but though the two of them were roughly the same age, Emma was still a student and Elsa was a fully-fledged child psychologist who lived at the institute full time. She, and her sister Anna, who also worked at the institute, but as an activity’s coordinator, were two peas in a pod, but they’d done everything they could to include Emma and help her get her bearings in this new world.

“Lessons? In the summer?” Emma asked, not surprised that the institute was providing supplementary schooling year-round. She’d seen as much since starting here, but she was more taken aback at how excited these kids looked. Every child aged ten and older was gathered down here, no doubt waiting to fill the two institute vans out back. Still, how fun could a science lesson be?

“We use the term lessons lightly. For the rest of the morning the children will explore the tide pools at the national endowment’s shoreline about an hour north. There are some very unique ecosystems there, and so there is a whole lot to learn. But Flora will have them break for lunch and Anna takes over in the afternoon.”

“What’s she got in store for them?” Emma asked and Elsa shook her head.

“Well I can’t exactly say, as I’ve been sworn to secrecy.” Her smile grew at how silly that sounded, and she looked over her shoulder to check for Anna, but gave a little more when she saw that the coast was clear. “Let’s just say it’s going to be a jam-packed day that will go out with a blaze of glory.”

The emphasis Elsa used on the word ‘blaze’ made Emma think that there would likely be a beachside bonfire included, but before she could get confirmation, things started moving quickly. The older kids were summoned to the shuttles to go out for their day, and Emma meanwhile saw the clock and realized it was time for her to report to Marco’s office to get her assignment for the day. Moving through the playroom and the sunroom, which had the younger children and the babies respectively, she finally found her way and after knocking she walked into the brightly lit hub of all things here at the institute.

“Ah, good morning, Emma,” Marco said with a big smile, waving her in and gesturing that she should take a seat beside one of the other workers at the institute, Marie. Marie was Marco’s second in command, and though she never used the phase herself, the children had taken to calling her Nana. She had a maternal way about her, and every child seemed to love her as they might a favorite grandmother. “You’re here just in time. I’ve been talking with Marie and we think that today would be a perfect opportunity to try one of your intervention measures.”

“Really?” Emma asked, surprised, but excited at the thought. This would be the third that they had tried, and the last two had gone off without a hitch. “Which one?”

“The ‘Music Makes Me…’ one seems like a good choice. We have a few children who, to now, have been less responsive to our normal socializing measures. Their either shy or hurting, and we’re hoping to help them open up. Elsa’s our counselor on shift today and she’s eager to help oversee this. You’ll take the lead, but she’ll be there for any help you might need. We realize it’s a long-term project,” Marco said, looking down at a piece of paper to check his facts. “You wrote here three times a week for eight weeks. Is that right?”

“Yes, sir. Ideally. Positive identity work can start yielding results as soon as three weeks, but the Princeton Psychology Review did a study this winter that showed children’s habit forming reaches its peak effectiveness after the eight-week mark.”

“And this is one of the projects you modeled off of your own parenting experience, correct?” Marco asked as Emma nodded. Her throat grew tight at the genuine emotion behind this tactic, but this was a place with people she trusted not to judge her. As such, she shared what sparked the idea.

“When Henry first started school, he was one of the only kids that wasn’t in a two-parent household. Even the other single parents had some sort of family behind them, like grandparents, aunts and uncles, or other kids. I’m not exactly sure how long he struggled with being different in that way, he’s an independent kid and he kept his pain over that closed in, probably to spare me from being worried. But when his teachers gave me their assessment and told me what they thought was happening, I set something not dissimilar to this up. We tried painting and crafting to express his emotions, but the music seemed to help so much more.”

“It’s really remarkable, the way you’ve melded your experience with your son and your own past in with all of this cutting-edge research. It’s one of the many reasons we’re so thrilled you’re with us this year,” Marie said cheerfully and Emma warmed at the comment. Telling the story of her son’s pain at not having a father, however vague she had kept it, was hard, especially because Emma lay awake many nights wondering if he was missing something fundamental by not having a father. She wondered if it may hurt him in the long run. But she was reassured by the fact that she always did her best for Henry, and that her experience could help not just her son, but the children here who had no present parents at all.

“Given that it’s rather late notice, do you think you can manage? We’ve got a window right now for a few hours. Elsa’s already selected the children who may need the intervention most. She kept it in the 5-8 age range as you suggested.”

Emma immediately assured them that she could pull this together, as the concept was not hard. Basically what this practice/exercise included was playing music that was grounded in emotion. Some that were happy, some more subdued, some fast, and some slow, and encouraging kids to do what they wanted when they heard that. For Henry he’d always loved to run around and dance at the fast-paced songs. Then the slower ones were always more interesting. Sometimes he picked up a favorite toy, drew a picture on the supplies she left out, or created his own little imaginary game. All the while, however, Emma’s job was to engage, support, and ask questions.

The questions always started mildly. What’s your favorite color today? (she’d learned early not to box her son into ultimate favorites). If you could have any snack in the world what would you choose? What animal makes the funniest sound? Then the questions would evolve. Her son, like many kids, was a vivid dreamer and Emma often asked about those night time visions. Sometimes they meant nothing but sometimes they told her a lot. She wanted to include that with these kids, but also include more focused questions to them about how they felt here at the institute, what they felt like when they told people from the outside about living here, and what they dreamed of for the future. She’d always ended each session with Henry in two parts. The first was to ask Henry what his biggest wish was for someone else, and the second was to ask his biggest wish for himself. Kids at his age were filled with wishes and wants, but Emma knew from personal experience, that that may already be flickering away in kids without parents. She’d been seven years old when her hope truly started to fade away, and she believed if she’d had these kind of positive affirmations and people who were working to see her happy and well situated, her relationship with the world and herself would have been much easier.

In the end, Marco, Marie, and Elsa decided that there were five best candidates for today’s intervention. Stella and Timothy were a biological brother and sister who had been at the institute for about a year. They were eight and six, and both of them were doing pretty well despite their parents losing custody of them from continued problems with substance abuse. They were likely moving into a fostering situation by the end of the summer, but they had been here a bit longer than normal because they were bonded together and making that accommodation took patience and the right placement. According to Elsa, Stella’s teachers a few times had mentioned her shyness, especially when people brought up her home life. Malek was a seven-year-old boy from a similar situation, though his father was in the process of getting clean for his son. The institute was always cautious for replacement with parents who struggled, but if his father could demonstrate stability and stay clean a full year, the legal system would grant him custody again. Malek, understandably, had mixed feelings about going back, and Emma wanted to try and help him with those through this process. Carlos, meanwhile, was a rambunctious six-year-old who had been given up at birth. He was shaped by his status as an orphan, and had a few close adoption calls that ultimately fell through. Luckily, though, a new family with sincere interest and the means to take care of him was stepping up, and they had exactly eight weeks before the system would process their filing for adoption, a perfect amount of time to help Carlos with some of these image issues before he settled into his new home.

The final child in Emma’s care today, however, was Cecilia, or as the other children called her, ‘CeeCee.’ Cecelia was a newcomer to the institute, and at just barely five years old, she was the youngest in Emma’s group today. She was quiet and withdrawn, but given her background that was all to be expected. At such a young age Cecelia had already been through so much. When she was two her parents had tragically passed in a car accident, and she’d moved in with her grandmother. Her grandmother was loving and did everything she could for her, but she was in poor health, and was now in need of care herself. Emma wasn’t here on the day that Cecelia came to the foundation, but Elsa had mentioned it with tears in her eyes a few days prior.

“I’ve seen so much heartbreak in this job, but watching that little girl realize she was being left behind… It was awful. She cried so quietly and for so long. It took us weeks to get her to say anything at all.”

Even now Cecelia was always quiet. She’d blended in a bit more with the other children, but she wasn’t particularly bonded to any of them. She had grown to be more trusting of the adults, but not in a really promising way. With Emma she’d always been sweet and well-tempered, but Emma hoped that this process might help her, and might get her to a place where she could be better socialized and cared for. The next few hours proved to be even more promising than Emma dared to hope. All five children not only had fun, but made good steps towards progress. They all confided a little bit in Emma and Elsa, and they all responded well to the method. When Emma asked them if they’d like to do this again in a few days, all five of them were thrilled, and little Cecelia, who was normally so shy, was the biggest shock of all. Over the course of the few hours she’d opened up so much to Emma, and by the end of the session she was holding Emma’s hand tightly, intent on going with her through her day. Emma was so happy to see this little girl doing so much better, and she had to admit she was invested in this child, perhaps more than any other she’d met so far at the institute.

“Do you think it’s all right?” Emma asked, motioning downwards, but not saying everything aloud. The last thing she wanted was for Cecelia to not feel wanted when she’d made such tremendous progress, but she was worried about what might happen if she grew too attached.

“This happens sometimes. Kids have a sense for safe spaces. She was already responding really well to you before,” Elsa said, crouching down and waving at Cecelia, sharing a soft compliment for the toy rabbit she was carrying with her today, which made the little girl smile and chirp out a gentle ‘Thank You.’ Even that little show of gratitude and the genuine smile was an improvement, and Emma felt a burst of pride seeing this young girl come out of her shell. “We’ll keep an eye on it, but I think it’s best to see where it goes. She’s showing no signs of dependency, and hopefully you’ll be the perfect gateway for her to let the rest of us in.”

Emma hoped that Elsa was right, and as everyone in the center gathered for lunch, Cecelia stayed close by. Emma did her best to stay attentive to all of the kids who choose to eat with her today, but she also wanted to lead this lost little girl towards others who may be her friends. She was making good progress with another five-year-old named Ava, who was eager to be friendlier with Cecelia, when Marie approached, appearing frazzled and a little shaken.

“Is everything all right?” Emma asked, careful to keep her words calm and her tone even so as not to scare the kids. Her instincts were that something bad must be happening, but Marie shook her head, quickly dispelling her of that notion.

“Everything is wonderful, dear. We just have an unexpected visitor – actually I guess visitor is the wrong word. He’ll be staying on here for a while to work with us all. It’s a bit unexpected, but I dare say it’ll prove a delight in the end, for us and for the children.”

“Who is it that’s coming?” Emma asked, and Marie looked poised to blurt something out, but then caught herself and weighed her words carefully.

“One of the members of the family who run the foundation.”

Emma now began to understand the sudden rise in stress. Whatever JR stood for, and whichever family it was that could afford to spend so much on these resources, they must be both terribly rich and powerful. Being so new here, Emma didn’t know any background about the endowment, but she hoped that whoever was coming would be a help and not a hindrance. Surely they’d come here and see how much good work was being accomplished. She hated to think they’d be coming to make cuts or roll back funding.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Emma asked and Marie shook her head.

“Oh no dear. You’re doing a wonderful job. This isn’t an assessment of any kind. I believe it’s a genuine act of charity. You see he’s been in the military, and now he’s come home. His family’s no doubt pushing him towards some kind of occupation, and he’s chosen this as his pursuit.”

Emma wanted to ask more, about if this mystery man had any experience with kids or why, even if he was so very rich, Marie displayed school-girlish enthusiasm at his coming, but the older woman moved on to handle something else. Instead Emma waved Elsa over and asked her if she knew the man who was coming.

“Of course I do, everyone knows him,” Elsa said, thoroughly adamant that this stranger was of some notoriety. Then her features softened and she took on a thoughtful expression. “Well I suppose we know of him. We’ve never met, you see. But it’s impossible not to know him.”

Emma nodded, but she was still somewhat surprised. To this point she hadn’t gathered a sense that the family who ran the endowment was exceedingly involved in the day to day of the center. But then again, Elsa had been here far longer than her, and so she probably needed to keep track of the important players who were their most generous donors. Emma could have remained hung up on the strangeness of it all, but instead her mind wandered to the few details she did know. He was a military man, newly home, and he was coming here to make a difference. She thought about that and what that meant, and she found that she already liked him, or at least his attitude. Serving in the armed forces meant a life of service – to come home from that and still want to help others was admirable, and she hoped it would provide a good role model for the children, no matter what his actual child life background might be.

From the window in the great hall where all of the children and staff took their meals, they could all see down the back drive where a second entrance to the center was located. At that moment three black SUVs began their ascent, and the children’s attention immediately perked up as they ran to the windows. Emma felt the growing anticipation at the new arrival, and she wondered why there would need to be three SUVs. It reminded her of the protective details that sometimes came in the city, when big time politicians made their way to city hall where she worked for some sort of meeting or photo op. But what would be the reason for such a display today? Why would anyone need one of those when coming to a children’s center? It was hard to grasp, but then she questioned her instinct. The men who exited from the vehicles weren’t in high profile suits. They were more casually dressed, just like any workers here at the center. She wasn’t able to see all of them, but soon enough there were voices in the hall. Marco and Marie greeted the newcomer, and Emma only caught a snippet of the conversation.

“We’re thrilled to have you here, Sir.”

“Killian, please.”

“Killian. Right, sorry. That may take getting used to.”

“Not a problem. We have time.”

Emma was caught up in the sound of the new voice. It was distant, but even from here she felt an impact at the gravel in the tone and the lilt of the accent. It washed over her, sparking a sizzling sensation that was foreign to her, and after weeks in this country she’d always found the accent pleasing, but never responded like this. She found herself wanting to know what this man looked like, to see what kind of appearance could go with a voice that enticing, but she was getting ahead of herself. What did it matter what he looked like? He was going to be a coworker, right? This was hardly the time or place to be interested in someone. Still her stomach swooped with the tell-tale flutter of butterflies and she shifted in her seat. The action, along with the new voice in the hall, sparked something in Cecelia to change from comfortable to tense. The young girl grabbed at Emma’s shirt, latching on for a sense of perceived safety. Emma’s heart reached out to this poor, sweet girl, and she took her hand gently, trying to assure her as swiftly as she could.

“It’s all right, honey. You’re safe here. I promise.”

“I don’t like strangers,” Cecelia said and Emma tried not to get misty eyed at the sense of uncertainty this little girl held so tight.

“I was a stranger once, wasn’t I?” Emma asked and Cecelia considered that before nodding.

“But you’re nice to me. You read us stories and play us music. You’re my most favorite friend.”

“And you are my friend too, honey. So let’s wait and see what kind of person he is before we decide if we like him, okay? You never know – he could be your favorite too.”

Cecelia looked skeptical but ultimately agreed, and Emma was glad to have that sorted. She had been so focused on curtailing Cecelia’s worry that she forgot where they were. Now she noticed everyone else was standing, children and staff alike, so she helped Cecelia down from her seat and stood up herself. The sounds of people walking in played out around her, but Emma took a moment to make sure her young charge was settled before looking back up. She patted Cecelia’s hair and brushed her full brown curls from her face, with care. Only then did she look up. But when she did, she never could have expected what would happen.

As her eyes took in the stranger, their gazes met, and she was struck by a sense of recognition and realization that she’d never felt before. Something clicked for her in that moment, in the first few seconds of their seeing each other, and her awareness grew stronger and stronger. So much bubbled up to the surface, emotions and feelings and desire and interest. It was like something was opened within her, and she felt drawn into this man and unable to resist. This stranger had blue eyes, intense but warm all at once, piercing in a way that they seemed like she knew them and they knew her. Instinctively she looked to the rest of him - Killian he said his name was - but it didn’t help her sense of disorientation. His face was remarkable, strong and sure. His hair was dark, and his figure was no doubt honed for the expectations of his years of military service. She felt herself taking him all in, and then caught herself and thought about what a scene she was making. This wasn’t appropriate. Oggling this man just because he was hot – okay more than hot, he was… god was it lame to say perfect – oh Christ she was doing it again. She needed to stop, but when she looked up at him, she caught him doing the same thing to her. It was incredible to feel his interest, and for a moment it was like the world stopped spinning so the two of them could find each other.

Find each other? Jesus, Emma, get a grip. The thought ran through her head as Marco began to address them all.

“Everyone, this is our newest friend here at the institute, Killian.”

“You’re big,” a boy named Seamus called out, unceremoniously and for a beat Marco and Marie looked concerned, but Killian only laughed.

“You should see my brother.”

“Is he coming too?” Marie asked, looking like she might actually be done in by the news.

“No, ma’am,” Killian said with a small smile and Marie let out a sigh of relief. What was that about?

“Why do you stand so straight?” another boy asked and Killian explained.

“I was in the royal navy.” This was met by a chorus of oohs and aahs, from the girls and boys alike.

“Are you a good person?” someone asked, and only after a moment did Emma realize it was Cecelia. She was shocked at the display of bravery from her little companion, but then that was compounded by Killian’s movement towards them. He split his looks between Cecelia and her, but when he approached he crouched down so as to be eye level with the little girl.

“What’s your name, little one?”

“Cecelia.”

“Cecelia. That’s a beautiful name,” he said honestly and Cecelia swayed side to side a bit with the compliment. “Now as for your question, I certainly try to be good.”

“But you’re a stranger,” Cecelia said, looking at him with a furrowed brow, as if this was some kind of simple math he should understand.

“For now I am. But not forever, I hope.”

“My Emma was a stranger too. She’s a good person. Are you like my Emma?”

Now Killian rose to full height and he addressed Emma as much as he did Cecelia. “I do like her.” Emma’s heart skipped and then she watched his face shift in embarrassment as he realized what he said. “I mean I hope I’m like her, lass. But only time will tell.”

“Miss Emma, does time talk?” Cecelia asked and Emma bit her lip to keep from laughing as her eyes caught Killian’s again.

“No, honey. It’s an expression. It means that with a little bit of time you will know if he’s a good person. You just have to be patient.”

The look Killian gave her in that moment was packed with so much. Gratitude, interest, and something more. There was a charge between them that she just couldn’t deny, and she could tell he felt it too. But before he could say anymore, Marco called everyone’s attention again.

“Anyone have any ideas as to how we should welcome Killian?” he asked and a chorus of answers came flooding in.

“I know! I know! We should show him our giving tree.”

“No! We should show him our playground!”

“I want to show him my pirate ship!”

“We should feed him the turnovers Cook makes. She hides them in a secret spot but I know where they are!”

“Well that all sounds brilliant, especially the turnovers. Why don’t we do all of it?” Killian asked, before looking to Marco who nodded readily. The kids looked excited, and were eager to go, but before things got too crazy, Killian looked back at Emma and grinned.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Emma.”

And with that, and with so much swag and sexiness it made her a little dizzy, this mysterious new man set off, throwing himself into the deep end with these kids, and showing them all that he could hold as own, just as surely as he could hold her attention.

Post-Note: So there we have it! I know, I know, you’re probably mad I kept their meeting so short and waited until the very end, but next chapter I am planning to include this first meeting from Killian’s POV. This story, as much as any of my stories can, has a bit of a slower build, because there are a lot of elements I really want to include, but I promise there’s plenty of fluff in store and a lot of cuteness that yet to come. Thank you all so much for reading, and I really hope you’ll leave a comment or a review. I’d love to see what you all think and what you’d like to see going forward in this new fic. Anyway, I will do my best to update soon (probably next weekend), but in the meantime I hope you’re all well, safe, and happy in this uncertain time!

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wefoundloveunderthelight · 2 years

Text

Treasure Seekers - Blackbeard's Bounty by GleefullyCaptainSwan Chapter 7/8

Or on FF

Stacy's Tortured Crew: @teamhook @kmomof4 @stahlop @lfh1226-linda @ilovemesomekillianjones @itsfabianadocarmo @mariakov81 @qualitycoffeethings @zaharadessert @jrob64 @jonesfandomfanatic @natascha-ronin @tiganasummertree @xarandomdreamx @therooksshiningknight @batana54 @superchocovian @onceratheart18 @ultraluckycatnd @snowbellewells @karlyfr13s @the-darkdragonfly @xsajx @deckerstarblanche @jonesfandomfanatic @winterbaby89

Chapter 7: The Cave of the Abyss

Emma woke to the sound of a door opening loudly as Liam was tossed through the door into the room. “I want breakfast in ten minutes.” Walsh shouted as Emma cowered against Killian’s rigid form. Killian wiped his eyes and then slowly sat up.

“Aye, aye.” He said sarcastically, earning a forceful slap to his head.

“Get the fuck out of bed.” He seemed irritated, and increasingly enraged the longer they remained on the bed. He waved his gun at the two of them, and Emma hurried to her feet, following Killian down the hall as she took one last look at an exhausted Liam who was now sitting on the bed with his chin tucked into his chest. It was the most defeated she had seen him since his parents had died.

“Where are we?” Killian asked Neal as they got to the kitchen.

“That brother of yours is a heck of a Captain.”

“He sailed through the night?”

“Got us where we need to go. Now it’s your turn to tell us what we need to do.” Walsh interrupted, tossing the captain’s log onto the table in front of them. Emma flinched, watching as Killian flipped through the pages.

“We need to go here.” He pointed to the back side of the island. “That’s the Cave of the Abyss, people have searched it for years.”

“So, what makes you think we’re going to find anything there?”

“The log talks about a secret passageway, I’ve been all over that cave, so if it exists, I’ve never seen it, but it speaks of a test, or a trial if you want a direct translation.”

“What kind of trial?”

“It doesn’t say, just that the seeker must face a trial.” Killian shrugged.

“Doesn’t sound like you’re necessary for that.” Neal growled.

“Well dipshit, its written as the trial of five, so…” Killian spat back.

“That could mean anything. Why the fuck are we listening to this guy at all?” Neal argued with Walsh.

“You think you can do better?” Killian growled, tossing the book toward Neal. “Please go ahead, I’ll be happy to sail home or maybe you’d prefer to translate some more Spanish, dipshit.”

“Everyone shut up.” Walsh yelled and Emma tossed the spatula onto the counter, staring down at her burnt eggs.

“Could you all stop screaming, I can’t concentrate.” She bit her lip the moment the words left her mouth.

“What did you say, bitch?” Neal’s voice was deep and menacing.

“Enough.” Walsh’s voice was loud and assertive, Emma met Killian’s concerned gaze. “Let her finish the damn food so we can get moving. Make sure the captain eats, we need him healthy enough to make the trek.”

~*~

Killian rowed toward the island, watching Emma closely from the other side of the boat. She was staring off toward the island, a lost look on her face and Killian wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be alright. He turned his attention to the man sitting next to Emma. Neal was staring at her in a way that had Killian’s blood boiling. He swore under his breath that he would make the man pay for his treatment of Emma.

“What was that?” Walsh asked from beside him.

“Nothing, we’re almost there.” He grumbled in return. “We’ll need to secure the boat on the shore.” He nodded to Liam who helped guide them through the shallow water. He stood and jumped into the water, pulling the boat toward the embankment.

“Now where do we go?” Neal asked impatiently. Killian could feel the anger bubble up inside of him as the man pushed for information, instead of responding, he simply brushed past the man, walking into the lush landscape. “Did you hear me?” He heard the man behind him, the irritated tone as he continued to ask him questions. After the fifth time of asking where they were going, Killian turned, bumping his chest against the smaller man, and staring down at him.

“Do you ever shut up, mate?”

“I’ve had enough of you.” The gun appeared in his hand and Killian felt it jam into his side.

“Do it, big man.” Killian challenged, standing taller.

“Enough!” Walsh’s voice boomed through the breeze.

Killian’s jaw tensed as he stared the man down in front of him. He lifted his chin, a smirk growing on his face. “You done playing, bro?”

“Whatever.” He growled, stepping away from him.

“How much further?” Walsh inquired and Killian looked up toward the rock face built into the mountain.

“Not far, it’s just ahead.” He pointed, continuing his way up the path toward the cave.

“Then let’s get a move on before you two start measuring your fucking dicks.”

He saw Emma out of the corner of his eye. He sent her a nod, trying to ensure that she knew he was alright. Their fingers grazed each other before he felt Neal push between them.

“Don’t get too far ahead, sweetheart.” He said forcefully, pulling Emma back by the arm.

“Don’t touch me.” Emma yanked his arm away from him and Killian slowed his pace, ready to react if necessary. He breathed a sigh of relief when Walsh interrupted the pair.

“Keep moving, I thought you said it wasn’t far.” Walsh glared at Killian.

“Just up the hill.” Killian responded, as the mouth of the cave came into view.

As soon as they got to the cave, Killian heard Emma shrill and he spun on his heels to see Neal with a hand clenched in her hair, his nose nestled in her neck. He took two steps forward before Walsh got to him first, his fist connecting with Neal’s cheek as he gripped him by the lapel and drug him back toward a tree. “Grow the fuck up. There is a time and place for everything, I get that she’s a fine piece of ass, but deal with that after we get the treasure.”

Neal massaged his jaw, a look of anger on his face. “You dare lay a hand on me?” He said defiantly.

“After all the trouble you’ve been on this trip? After that shit with Tamara? If it wasn’t for your father, I…” He stopped short of finishing his sentence as Neal seemed to take the moment to steal the upper hand.

“You’d what? Please go on.”

Killian was intrigued by the exchange between the men, obviously there was no love lost between them.

“Forget it. It doesn’t matter anyway.”

“That’s right, because nothing you say is going to make an ounce of difference if I paint the right picture.” Neal was almost whispering, but the anger in his voice caused the low growl to carry through the breeze.

“Are you threatening me? After everything I’ve done for your father, do you think he won’t think about all the money I’ve made him, when all you do is cause him grief and trouble. You really think that the spoiled brat of…” Neal seemed to recoil for a moment before Walsh realized the scene they were making and straightened himself up, brushing the dirt off his sleeve and turning toward the three of them who were still watching intently. “Let’s continue, shall we.” He gave one last glance at Neal and then brushed past Killian into the cave.

Neal quickly followed, narrowing his eyes at Emma as he passed her. He could see her visibly shiver. Stepping beside her, he wrapped a comforting arm around her back and patted her shoulder. “Stay close.” He said softly, narrowing his gaze at the mouth of the cave and stepping forward, taking her hand, and following Liam into the darkness.

~*~

Emma was convinced that they were all going to die today.

It wasn’t that she had lost hope or didn’t believe that they could find a way home, but standing chest deep in murky water, her hands placed against a stone that she was desperately trying to push into the rocky cave behind it, her heart racing, an acidic smell wafting through her nose that could only be described as death or simply a mold that would probably kill her either way, she didn’t see any other possible end to her day.

She glanced toward Killian who was across from her in the muddy water, pushing against his own stone, his full weight pressing into the side of the cave. Suddenly the rock beneath her fingers gave way, she stumbled toward the cavern walls as it clicked into place. “Hey something happened.” She shouted, turning desperately to meet Killian’s blue eyes.

“Aye, mine too.” He nodded, looking around at the others who had stopped pushing on their own levers, glancing nervously around them.

“Now what?” Walsh asked in annoyance and Emma was unsure how he expected any of them to know what else would happen when the only instructions they had been given were that all five of them needed to climb into the fucking murky water in a cave she had explored her entire life and never found anything even remotely different about and push a stone into place at exactly the same time. It wasn’t like there was a part two to the instructions they were provided, that was it. Some fucking stupid Spanish nonsense written in blood on a parchment with a warning….

Great power is only obtained through sacrifice.

A loud shrill sounded all around them. “What the hell is that?” Neal shrieked.

Emma felt the ground beneath her give, a small hole opening up beneath her as her feet sank into the depression. She moved her arms around her, trying to free herself.

“Wait, don’t move.” Liam warned loudly as he pointed above them. “Killian, look.”

The cave above them started to crumble, large boulders splashing down between them. Emma leaned against the rock behind her, trying to stay out of the path of the destruction above her. She felt the water on her back, warmer than what she was standing in. Looking up she realized water was now rushing in from a hole in the ceiling.

Walsh struggled from his position, splashing to free himself. Another loud crack and more rubble tumbled from above. “Stop moving.” Killian yelled angrily.

“Is everyone standing in a hole?” Liam inquired and Emma simply shook her head, shivering from the cold. Everyone nodded in agreement except for Killian. “Move forward, brother.” Liam gestured for him to come toward him, and Killian swam away from his spot, nothing happened around them. Liam slowly moved his foot as the roar of the cave screamed above them and a rock narrowly missed crushing his brother. Liam retreated and began talking quietly to himself.

“Are you going to share or simply keep your revelation to yourself?” Walsh hummed.

“It’s a trigger. Everyone is standing on one. If we move, the rock wall around us shatters.”

“Fine then we’ll move slowly.” Neal scoffed.

“If you move, it will crush you. Look…” He pointed at the water pouring in from above them. “The water is going to start to rise.” He looked back at his brother. “Sacrifice.” He added quietly.

Killian and his brother were locked in silent understanding, and he ran a hand through his hair, exhaling loudly. “There has to be some other way.”

“Only one of us can move without bringing this whole place down on us.”

“Would someone care to explain.” Walsh barked.

“The water is going to rise, once it does Killian can swim up to the surface, but only he can get through the opening, if any of us move, we’ll be crushed.”

Emma’s heart was pounding in her chest. So, that could only mean, that if they didn’t move, they would end up under the water, and then they would drown.

“Ok, so what if a few of us move, we’ve already shown it won’t bring it all down, that could work right?” Killian asked softly, glancing nervously in her direction.

“Now we understand each other.” Walsh spoke ominously, starting to move away from his spot on the wall as the sounds around them intensified. Suddenly the rock above him started to break free from the cave wall.

“Stop moving, you moron.” Liam warned, pointing to the precarious bolder dancing above his head. “Wherever we move from is where the debris comes from, so unless you’re itching to be a pancake, stay still.”

Emma glanced at the rocks over her head, fear starting to set in. How long could she hold her breath? She had been good at it as a child. Her and Killian would always bet against the other, who could stay under the water the longest without needing to breathe. She had always won, but looking up at the ceiling, she would need to hold her breath a lot longer than a minute or even two.

Killian swam around them, diving under the water a few times before breaching the surface with a large rock, dropping it to the middle of the room. “If I start building this up, I could get up there before the water has enough time to cover you. I could see what’s up there and then find a way out of this.

“Why do you get to go up there. No way.” Neal complained.

“Because, asshole, I’m the one not attached to a rockslide right now.” Neal’s face was red as Killian swam away from him.

“You can’t expect us to just sit here and hold our breath?” Neal scoffed angrily. He stared between Liam and Killian before turning to Walsh. “You’re not seriously going to let him take off with our loot are you? You don’t really think he’s going to come back for us? He’ll leave us all here to drown.”

“Would you shut up.” Walsh spat as Neal stared at him with his mouth open. “He’ll come back, or I’ll be sure his family dies.”

“I’m not leaving anyone behind.” Killian paused his movements, looking around the room. “I want to get out of here just as much as you do.” He nodded in Walsh’s direction.

“See, we understand each other.” Walsh spoke softly, his tone making the hair on the back of Emma’s neck tingle. Killian sprung into action, piling as much debris in the middle of them as he could until it started to grow. He climbed toward the top of the makeshift ladder as the water continued to pour around them, tickling Emma’s nose. She heard Killian groan when he couldn’t quite reach the ledge above him.

“Bloody damn hell.” He swore, diving back down into the water. Emma could feel her feet starting to float up and she pushed her hands against the cave wall, forcing her feet back down onto the ground as the walls shook above her. She watched nervously as a few rocks fell around her shoulders from above her, the water rising above her nose as she tilted her head back, trying to gulp at the air. She needed to get as much oxygen as she could before the water overtook her.

She squeezed her eyes closed before she watched Killian climb the tower again, unable to see anything as the water pulled her under.

~*~

Killian knew there wasn’t another minute to waste, he needed to reach the opening now, he had watched as Emma sank beneath the rush of water as soon as he reached the top of his precariously placed stack of stones. Looking up, he inhaled before springing toward the ceiling, reaching out to grip anything he could touch. He missed.

“Fuck…” Bending down he sprung from his feet, his fingers catching the rocky ledge, he gripped tightly, swinging his legs until he was able to get a foothold and pull himself onto the ground above him. He looked around for anything he could use to pull up the rest of the group before the ceiling fell on top of them. Suddenly the ground shook and he felt part of it give way, a hole opening in front of him on the other side of the cave floor. A hand breached through the opening as Walsh pulled himself up from below.

“Bloody hell Mate, you’ll bring it all down.”

“Couldn’t have you be the only one up here.” He turned and leaned into the hole, reaching down for Neal. Killian could tell that if anyone else moved, the rest of the rocks would fall into the hole, crushing Liam and Emma. He needed to move now.

“Liam.” He yelled down, hoping his brother was still above water and able to hear the urgency in his voice.

~*~

The water was over his nose as Liam tipped his head back, gasping for air. He heard his brother above him and looked around to see Neal being pulled up into an opening in the cave ceiling. Rocks began tumbling around them, pouring into the water below and causing the cave to shudder. He tried to find Emma, but she was gone, the water too high for her to breach. Liam knew he had no choice but to make a move now.

Slowly he pulled a foot from the ground, hearing the rocks crack and break above him. He clenched his eyes closed, waiting for the rocks to splash around him, only to find none. When he looked up, his brother’s jaw was clenched tight, his arms braced around a large boulder that he was pushing back against from his spot above him. “Go.” He grunted. “Find Emma.” Liam moved quickly, diving under the water, and feeling around, his fingers brushing against rock. He was frantic, desperate to find her. His hands brushed against something soft, his fingers tangling into the stringy substance.

Hair.

He swam closer, opening his eyes as Emma came into view under the water. She was starting to panic, her cheeks sucking in as she was coming to the end of being able to hold her breath any longer. He swam closer, pulling her closer to him as he pressed his mouth to hers, blowing breath into her. He ran a hand along her cheek, trying to calm her before taking her hand. He held his other hand in front of her and began counting down from 3. When he got to one, he tugged, pulling her away from the wall and shielding her with his body. He felt a few stones dropping around them and navigated them toward the other area of the cave until they both breached the water, air quickly filling his lungs as they both gasped desperately for oxygen. “I got you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, short, hard pants against his chest as she started breathing in the air around them. “Liam.”

He looked up to see his brother’s hand extend from above and he pushed Emma toward him. “Come on Emmie, let’s go.” Emma reached up and grabbed ahold of Killian’s hand as he pulled her through the opening. Once she was safe, Killian turned toward him and Liam reached up for his hand, grasping him as Killian pulled him upward.

Before he could be pulled to safety, Killian screamed out, releasing Liam’s hand as he fell back into the water below them. He looked up as Walsh raised the rock again in his hand, bringing it down against Killian’s back. He knew he needed to get to his brother, so he braced his feet against the rock below him and jumped, grabbing the ledge, and pulling himself up, unable to get a steady grip, he began to fall backward, but not before he grabbed onto his target, yanking him down into the water with him.

~*~

Killian watched in horror as Liam fell back into the water, dragging Walsh under with him, sinking until the murky water was still below them.

“Killian, do something.” Emma squealed.

“No one do anything.” Neal growled, holding a gun to Emma’s head, peering down into the water anxiously. Suddenly the water bubbled below them, red pouring to the surface. Killian’s heart was racing as the red stain grew larger, bubbling to the surface. He fell back onto his ass, feeling as if all the wind in his lungs had suddenly left his body.

“Oh my God.” Emma sobbed beside him, dropping to her knees. Suddenly a hand breached the water, a gun gripped tightly between the fingers. Killian held his breath as the man emerged from the water. “Liam.” Emma exclaimed. “Oh, thank God.”

“What the fuck.” Neal screamed, tugging on the strands of his hair. “Where’s Walsh?”

Killian glanced at Neal, ready to strike if needed. “Sorry, but you’re gonna need to go for a swim if you want to find that guy.” He groaned as he pulled himself onto the ground, falling onto his back.

“You…you fucking killed him.” Neal shouted. “No, this is all wrong, none of this was supposed to happen. What the fuck…” He was pacing next to Emma, tapping the gun against his temple as he talked to himself. Suddenly he stopped. “Son of a…” He was staring into the corner of the room, a smile growing on his face. Killian followed his gaze until it landed on the wooden crates in the corner of the room, a shimmer of yellow casting against the wall behind them as each overflowed with gold coins, gems, and a bounty a pirate would want to protect at all costs. “I found it…” Neal ran toward the treasure as Emma gasped beside him.

“Liam…” His attention turned to his brother, the noticeable red stain now growing against the shirt material at his chest. “No.” Emma rushed to his side, pressing her hand against him. “Killian, help.” She squealed desperately, but Killian was frozen in place watching his brother’s pale face gasping in pain. “Killian.” Emma yelled again and he scrambled to his knees, reaching for his brother as he yanked his shirt up his body, exposing his skin as he tried to examine the wound.

He found it instantly, the hole where the bullet entered just below his ribcage. He tore at his own shirt, ripping it over his head as he pressed it against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

Emma shrilled next to him; Neal yanked her up by her hair. “This is all such a happy family reunion and all, but it’s time to go.” He pulled Emma to her feet and pushed her toward the coins. “Start filling the bags, we need to get this all back to the boat.”

“Do it yourself.”

The sound of his fist bouncing off Emma’s cheek had Killian on his feet, rushing toward the man but pausing the moment the barrel of the gun was pressed against her neck.

“Ah, I wouldn’t do that buddy. Not unless you want her brains splattered all over this cave.” Killian paused, putting his hands in the air.

“Go fuck yourself…buddy.” Emma spat in Neal’s face.

“I’ve had enough of your shit.” He yanked her by the hair, ripping a piece of his shirt and wrapping it around her mouth. “That should shut your damn trap, now, get this shit ready to move.”

He turned to help his brother when Neal shouted. “No. He stays. He’s caused enough trouble; I don’t have time to drag a dead man along.”

“I’m not leaving him.”

“You leave him here, breathing…” He pointed the gun toward his brother. “Or we leave him here with a bullet in his skull. Either way, he stays.”

“Killian, go. Take Emma.” Liam strained to speak, and Killian grasped his hand in his.

“I can’t leave you; you’ll die out here.”

“She’ll die if you don’t.” He groaned. “Get her out of here.”

“See everyone agrees.” Neal growled, yanking Killian up from his spot and shoving him toward the gold, forcing Liam’s hand out of his own. “Get the fucking gold and let’s get out of here.” Killian took one last look at his brother, dread filling his heart as he turned to gather what was needed to return to the boat.

#treasure seekers #stacy's fics #captain swan #emma swan #killian jones #captain swan fics #captain swan au #captain swan modern au

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sailtoafarawayland · 3 years

Text

Not Quite a Quiet Moment

(A Captain Swan Drabble)

Meant to post this last night, but sleep and stuff. For anyone who missed it.

Be sure to check out my other drabbles and ficlets found in my series Emma and Killian (whoever we may be)

AO3 - FF

Rating: T - Soft M for a hint of sexy times

Not Quite a Quiet Moment

It was the firm, knowing slide of her husband's fingers along her hip that drew her from the heaviness of sleep into the soft light of dawn, his stubble scratching along her shoulder as he hummed a good morning that held as much promise as the press of his hard length against her backside.

“Well, hello there, Captain,” she purred, voice rough as she pushed back, desire pooling hot in the very center of her at the feel of him. “What time is it?”

“Early still...”

“Early enough to take care of this?” she teased, rolling her hips, her own sigh echoing the throaty growl he bit into her shoulder.

“Aye, love. We should have just enough time before – ”

His words were cut off as the bedroom door leaped inward, knob banging against the wall as two wild mops of hair bobbed into view before circling the bed like sharks – if sharks could clamber up the side of a bed.

“Mama, mama, mama,” the little blonde boy with freckles piped, rolling bodily over Emma and plopping heavily into the narrow space between her and Killian, drawing a grunt of discomfort from his father. “I'm hungry. Can we have waffles for breakfast?”

“No, I want pancakes!” whined his counterpart, her dark curls wild and tangled, lips pressed into a stubborn line and green eyes narrowed as she crawled across the top of the pillows and nuzzled her father's head.

“You weren't the only one,” Killian grumbled under his breath, but a small smile tugged at his lips as he reached up and tickled the little girl's dimpled chin.

“Killian!” Emma hissed, reaching over their son and pinching him as her cheeks reddened. “Don't say that!”

“What is it you like to say, Swan – over their heads, I believe?”

“Still,” she mumbled, rolling beneath the sheets so she could press a kiss to their son's head as he picked at the threads on the comforter and looked between his parents hopefully, “no need to ruin breakfast for them at such a young age...”

Killian hummed in agreement, slowly easing himself from the bed, any amorous intentions he may have had very well squashed by their children's exuberant arrival.

“I suppose you're right, love. I certainly would be a shame if pancakes went the way of tacos.”

“Tacos for breakfast?” Liam asked, his brows shooting together before rising quizzically beneath his tousled bangs in the spitting image of his father.

“No, I don't think so, my boy,” Killian placated, ruffling his head that so resembled his own, except for the shade, “but we can add chocolate chips to the waffles.”

“But I want pancakes, Papa, can you make waffles for Liam and pancakes for me?”

Killian opened his mouth to respond as he pulled on a pair of pajama pants, but Emma beat him to it, well aware of what a complete push over – as she liked to say – he could be when it came time to saying no.

“Hope,” Emma warned, tugging on her daughter's dark curls with a soft smile and watching as she scrunched her freckled nose in response, “don't ask your father to make breakfast twice. It's waffles with Dad, or pop-tarts with me, up to you.”

“Ew, those are gross. I'll have waffles,” she stated. “Are you coming, Mama?”

“Let's allow your mother a few more moments of peace,” Killian cut in, reaching across the bed and swinging his daughter into his arms as she squealed loudly, arms and legs flailing against him. “You see, she'll get no such thing with a sea monster like you rolling around.”

“I'm not, I'm not!” Hope screamed, giggling between shrieks and pink from her cheeks to the tips of her pointed ears as Killian tickled her. “Mama, help!”

“I'll save you!” Liam yelled, tearing back into the bedroom from wherever he'd disappeared and launching himself against Killian's legs forcefully enough to draw a breathless exclamation from his chest.

“Now that's not a very wise course, lad,” Killian pointed out, half carrying, half dragging the both of them into the hallway, “siding with the sea beast over your own father who's promised waffles with chocolate chips...”

Emma buried her grin in the sheets as the ruckus faded, the thump of footsteps sounding down the hallway and stairs. While she and Killian had, admittedly, fewer quiet moments than they used to have before the twins came along – her life had never felt more full or well-lived.

And sure, maybe that meant they didn't get to enjoy lazy mornings in bed in the same way they used to, and some nights were spent cuddling sick kiddos, or with Killian telling stories to keep nightmares at bay – but as she headed downstairs just in time to watch her pirate serve up waffles with little chocolate eyes and smiles to their son and daughter, she knew she wouldn't trade what they had now for anything.

Tagging: @donteattheappleshook @justanother-unluckysoul @kmomof4 @the-darkdragonfly @teamhook @zaharadessert @xarandomdreamx @jrob64 @wefoundloveunderthelight @tiganasummertree @pirateprincessofpizza @lfh1226-linda @alexa-fangirl-forever @alifeofdreams @superchocovian @hollyethecurious @caught-in-the-filter @snowbellewells @itsfabianadocarmo @stahlop @karlyfr13s @elizabeethan @rkrbirdgirl @batana54

#Captain Swan #CS fic #cs fanfic #sailtoafarawayland #emma and hook #drabble

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shinymooncolor · 4 years

Note

I love your sw chats! If you need prompts: something centered around Remus!

Thank you - I’m sorry in advance. This turned a little angsty. But we get happy again. Remus to the rescue - this team would not survive without him.

Characters and universe by @lumosinlove ❤️

My ever shining and supportive ra(e)s of sunshine @wxlfstxrx and @siriuslyqueer. This one is for you guysss.

Sweater weather chat #6

Kuny is hurt. Nado is scared. Kasey and Sergei plans a murder. Sirius is angry. Walker makes a burrito blanket. Remus is the best. Kris is a mom. Remus calls Nado Jackie. He’s the only one allowed to do that. Crouch Jr. is Russian (sue me). We all hate the 🐍

Wednesday 1.22 pm

Eliascookie: why are Nado and Kuny yelling again? They’ve been fighting all day.

Timmyforrealz: they’ve been arguing for TWO days about who’d be the wife in their weird bromance. Also - They’re both totally the wife. It’s weird.. 🤨🤨

Ollibear: well apparently some shop clerk thought they were a couple and nado is mortally offended that Kuny said they weren’t

Nadotheman: IT WAS THE WAY HE SAID IT. Like he wouldn’t be the luckiest fucker alive to land me.

KrisVolley: but you are both into women?

Nadotheman: I know. Still offensive to know you’re not your best mates first pick.

Blizzard: Well we all know that eventually, Kuny is going to marry some Russian model and nado is their live-in, grown-ass man child 😏

Prongstar: He’s probably going on the honeymoon too. It’s weird

Siriusly: are you ladies reaDy to get back home and have your pre game naps... We have a game tonight and I want to beat those snakes

Sergei_81: 💪🏻🤛🏼🦷😡

Blizzard: aye aye captain 😴🥱

RussianGod: hehe we kick ass today!!!

Prongstar: whoooop!!! Let’s end the snakes 🐍

Dumodad: go sleep my babies. We need to be on tonight.

—

Wednesday 8.33 pm

7 missed calls from Nado

Nado: Remus where are you? Can I come to the hospital

Nado: Remus please can I talk to him?

Nado: Remussss

Nado: Is he ok?

Nado: He was down re, for a long time.

Wednesday 9.02 pm

Remus: hey Jackie, he’s okay. It’s not a concussion. Please stop calling - I promise to keep you updated. They might let him come home tonight. He’ll be okay. Are you home? Is someone with you?

Nado: remus he was on the ice for a long time. Are you sure he’s okey? Why can’t I see him he needs me. He’s scared of needles and I know his ab negative!! Do they even have the right blood? I’m ab too I can help! Is someone talking to him? When they do the needle stuff just rub between his shoulders that calms him down and if he’s scared call him zhenya. That’s his Russian baby name!! It calms him. Remus please fix him.

Remus: these are some of the best sports doctors in the world, they know what they’re doing and they’re taking good care of Evgeni. Sergei is here, and he’s explaining everything to him in Russian ok? I’ll keep you updated! But I need to know if you’re alone? I think you should not be. Please take care of yourself ok?

——

Wednesday 9.13 pm

Kris: hey remus, I’m here. Nado is really freaking out. I drove him home but Olli and walker had to help me wrestle him into the car and into his house. Timmy is making us some food and Olli and Cap are trying to keep him from pulling out his hair. Is Kuny alright?

Remus: keep an eye on his hands, one of his ticks is scratching at his palms. They’ve scanned twice and it’s not a concussion. He’s got stitches both on his eyebrow and on his neck and he’s got to be out for a few days. I still don’t understand how he skated off. Tell Sirius to use his captain voice if needed.

Kris: yeah I’ve wrapped his hand up, they froze his knuckles at the rink but he’s kept fiddling with it. Walker rolled him into a burrito blanket and he’s quieted down a bit. But he’s not okay. Do you think Kuny can come home tonight?

Remus: I have to wait and hear, they said it’s depending on his x-ray - if it’s just a sprain in his hand he can come home so we’re just waiting. I’m glad no one here but Sergei understands Russian. I don’t think it’s very nice what he’s sayin.

Kris: fuck man. It was a bad hit. We’re rewatching. He was nowhere near the puck. Crouch and Nott fucking just came at him on purpose and if they don’t get a disciplinary I’m quitting the league. Cap crushed the remote... dirty snakes

Remus: I saw. It was a bad hit. I tried to get him on a stretcher but he insisted.

Wednesday 9.20 pm

Nado: he didn’t recognize me re... after he went down. He just looked at me and didn’t recognize me and I heard his head connect. His helmet was off before Nott threw him. How is he supposed to fight back when crouch swiped his leg?

Remus: I know. But even “just” hitting your head can cause some confusion and I promise you they scanned three times and he’s not got any concussion or bleeding. He’s tough ok? He’s asking if he can go home. Not very nicely might I add. And he flirted with a nurse. He’ll be ok.

Nado: but I heard it crunch. He was bleeding a lot. Is she cute?

Remus: I know, face cuts bleed a lot but he’s got quite a few stitches and he did well. He even got a lollipop and I’m pretty sure at least one phone number. Also Tall blonde with a nice smile.

Nado: is he coming home? Leave the nurse

Remus: I’ll let you know ok? Try and sleep! You’ll need it.

Wednesday 9.25 pm

Remus: hey kris. It sounds like they’re letting him come home. Sergei is going to drive us. Did you get Nado to go to bed? Also, I can stay over night. I think they both need a babysitter

Kris: I think we’re staying. Ava is with Anya and the kids and Olli is already crashed on the couch. Walker actually had to threaten Nado to stay in bed and he’s camped up next to him now. He’s not going anywhere. Timmy and I will crash in the guest room. Can Kuny sleep alone?

Remus: he’s on a lot of painkillers and he’s not entirely coherent. Sergei offered to stay with him to translate but I honestly think his English will come back once he’s slept and recovered a bit

Kris: their beds are like extra king size anyways. We can just make a sleep over in nado’s room. He’s gone and pulled down every blind and the house is dark. I’ve never seen him this stressed out.

Remus: yeha that might be best. Sergei says Kuny is asking for his brother. So I think it’s best for everyone. We’re leaving once Kuny gets his stuff back.

Wednesday 9.55 pm

Sirius <3: is he okay love? I drove here / do you need to stay or come home?

Remus ❤️: hey! He’ll be fine, not a concussion but he still hit his head prettt bad. I think they’ve set up a sleepover and he’s in good hands. I’ll be okay to go home.

Sirius <3: it was such a dirty hit. He was down for a long time. And that Pussy ref didn’t even call a major.

Remus ❤️: coach said he’s contesting it and demanding an inquiry. But it was bad. I wanted to punch his face in. Did you see crouch after? He was laughing.

Sirius <3: I know. I’ve never seen blizzard react like that. He actually tore Nott’s Jersey with his hands.

Remus ❤️: I know, let’s get Kuny to bed and we can go home. I need cuddles.

Sirius <3: me too. Re. Me too. It hurts every time. We would not function without you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Wednesday 10.33 pm

Siriusly: boys, Kuny is home. It’s not a concussion. He’s got a bad hit and stitches and he’s out for three days and a new scan. But he’s back home and sleeping now. I’m not sure how Walker or Nado can sleep with his snores. But he’s ok.

Prongstar: they made a sandwich?

Siriusly: I think kris called it a sleepover but yeah. I don’t think Nado would able to sleep otherwise and Kuny kept trashing until someone was on either side of him. It’s cute. I’ve got pictures.

Blizzard: open fucking season on Nott. Why the fuck did you pull me off @eliascookie? I wanted to punch his fucking disgusting face in. He deserved it!!! Kuny’s helmet was offf before they swiped his legs

DumoDad: kasey, you were right to fight him and he was over the line. But getting you suspended won’t help. We need to beat them through our game

Timmyforrealz: but it was a bullshit call?! I agree to open season on Nott and crouch. Fuck it all of those creeps. They could’ve ended his career ffs

Sunnysideup: I haven’t had a line brawl like that in years. Broke carrow’s nose. Felt good. I’m glad Kuny is ok.

Prongstar: I heard his head hit the ice. It was terrifying.

Bradygunz: how’s Nado handling this? I had to sit on him to hold him back from going after the ref.

KrisVolley: he’s asleep, I think. But it was a long evening. I know they’re not actually related but I swear they’re brothers somehow still.

Sergei_81: I want to kill crouch. He’s hurting on purpose

Sunnysideup: @sergei_81 did he actually say that or did I hear it wrong?

Sergei_81: he did. It was revenge

Siriusly: what??

Sergei_81: crouch was take off Olympic team for too much fight. Kuny got his a and this was revenge. He said so. He want Kuny out on purpose. He not like younger player get a.

Wednesday 10.55 pm

Remus: hi sergei, did you call Kuny’s parents? Did you get home okay?

Sergei: yes I call them. Tell what happneed. And I stay at house. Kuny needs me if he speak. I’m worried about Nado. He thinks his fault. He only pretend to sleep. Can u talk to him?

Remus: I’ll try. Thanks Sergei!

Wednesday 11.33 pm

Remus: hey Jackie, I know you’re not sleeping. I don’t want to call and disturb you but you can always talk to me, ok? It’s confidential as always and I’ve got your back alright. What happened today was not your fault.

Nado: I should’ve been out there with him. I could’ve helped him. Instead I was off somewhere in the other end he’s my line buddy and i failed him.

Remus: Nado you didn’t fail him. Did you see what sergei said? It was a planned hit. They wanted to take him out. It’s not your fault. Please promise me that you understand it’s not your fault.

Nado: he just looked at me. What if he doesn’t recognize me when he wakes up. Re he’s my best friend and I watched his head get smashed on the ice.

Remus: I know it’s hard. And it’s heartbreaking. But the doctor’s checked him ok? He asked for you - or well according to sergei he demanded to be sent home to his brother and cat. Alright, he knows you. Just let his head rest and recover and then you’ll be back to your antics in no time.

Nado: he’s snoring now. Guess something never changes.

Remus: get some sleep and tomorrow I’m gonna have a look at your hands ok?

Nado: thanks rem. Not sure what we’d do without you. ❤️

Remus: always, Jackie. You guys are my family as much as my actual family!

Nado: still gonna kill crouch and Nott. Not care about getting suspension.

Remus: I get it. I think you should see heather tomorrow.

Nado: can I just talk to you?

Remus: yeah, call me when you wake up ok? I don’t care how early. I’m not a professional though, Jackie.

—-

Thursday 8.22 am

Nado; he’s awake. Re. He remembers me. Thanks for fixing my best friend.

Remus: I’m glad to hear it, I’m coming over to check him ok? I’ll bring breakfast.

———-

#lumosinlove #sweaterweatheroc’s #sweaterweatherchats #sweaterweather #lumosinlove ocs #wolfstar #sweaterweatherchatnr6

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sapphicomenn · 3 years

Text

WELCOME TO MY THOUGHTS WHILE REWATCHING THE MCU IN TIMELINE ORDER: THE AVENGERS

“the tesseract has awakened” oh you mean the glowy cube from captain america AND captain marvel? THAT glowly cube?? cool looking stairs- ew who tf are you? the grim reaper??

what the fuck is a chitauri and why does it sound like sea food. “a world will be his. the universe, yours.” STOP BLAMING THE PRONOUN GAME AND GIVE ME NAMES FFS

ooo shield base. “not a drill.” oh shits going down- COULSON. FUURRRYYY FUCK YEAH. the best marvel characters are here the movie has peaked- oldman from thor is here?? intoresting. and who the hell is this woman tryna question fury??

the glowy cube is a shE???????? HUH??????? oh hey its hawkeye the badass archer guy. oh shit things are going down. the cube is sparking and swirling??- IT OPENED A PORTAL

LOKKIII YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD WELCOME BACK. HE HAS A SHOOTY MAGIC SPEAR LIKE A BADASS. he just took out a bunch or shield with a shooty spe- OHMYGODS HE CAN CONTROL MINDS WITH IT.

“loki. brother of thor.” OLDMAN STFU

GUNS GO PEW PEW ALONG SIDE A GOOD OLD CAR CHASE SKSHSKKSHS. RUN FURY RUNNN. the portal imploded on itself like a moron hA

WHO TF NAMES THEIR CHILD “HILL” WTF. “we are at war.” NO SHIT SHERLOCK A NORSE GOD STOLE THE CUBE YOU WERE SUPPOST TO PROTECT

tis a train and a old building- NATASHA. how tf were you taken hostage? im so glad i have subtitles on otherwise i wouldnt understand a thing these ppl are saying. HOW TF IS SHE KICKING ASS WHILE TIED TO A CHAIR WHAT IN THE HELL-

oh his leg deff broke once he fell off the ledge tied to a chain. cut to a lil gorl running to find a doctor- who tf this is of course. THIS GUY IS BANNER??? i mean im glad they changed the actor but wtf. “theres no one that knows gamma radiation like you do.” YA DONT SAY, ROMANOFF. “STOP LYING TO ME” JESUS FUCK THAT MADE ME JUMP

oh damn shield has their own O5 council? cool. EXPLAIN WHAT PHASE2 IS ALREADY. also dont say thor is bad he is a giant puppy dog with a war-boner.

oh hi steve, working off that PTSD by beating the shit out of a punching bag ay? oh right steve knows the glowy cube. “at this point i doubt anything would surprise me.” “ten bucks says you’re wrong” welp ya owe him ten bucks steve

“is there anything you can tell us about the tesseract to help us now?” “you should’ve left it in the ocean.” WELL THAT HELPS ALOT DOESNT IT. hello there iron man, at the bottom of the ocean.? sure why the hell not

aye stark tower’s about to have clean energy, yay stark! “stark tower, is your baby.” how do you give birth to a tower.???????? KSHSJSHSKSJS COULSON BROKE INTO THE TOWER “is first name is agent.” TONY SKSHKSSHKSVSKSHSKS

*whisper whisper whisper* yeah she bribed tony with sex so he’d work on the avengers and stuff. “the guys like a stephen hawking.” “. . .” “hes like a smart person”

awh coulson is fangirling over steve- watched you while you were sleepin- man you’re awkward. you adorable dumbass. ohshit underground musky lab- OLDMAN AND LOKI

the world is breaking around loki. sea food army is restless- shut the fuck up you stupid looking eye wrapped bastard. WHO THE HELL IS THIS HE?????? welcome back to earth you smexy man

FLOATING WATER BASE

back to avenger tingz. man coulson is the biggest cap fan- oh its a giant sub- NO ITS A GIANT FLYING BASE HOLYSHIT SHIELD THATS AMAZING.

now we go into the meetings and talking related stuff :I yey. “lets vanish” wdym- IT HAD A CLOAKING DEVICE. HA STEVE JUST GAVE THE TEN HE OWED SKSHSKHSKSJS

i dont understand a word of all the science stuff they just said but yay. “i need a distraction. and an eyeball” barton what the fuck why do you need an eye.?

oh lokis in germany, at a very fancy party might i add. loki is best boy ever. even if he just bonked a the head/ OHMYGOD AND STOLE HIS FUCKING EYE JESUS CHRIST INFRONT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE.??????

“i said. KNEEEEL” dont need to tell me twice-

blagh villain speeches are the worst. why tf did this old guy stand up “not to men like you.” shut up. SHOOT HIM- wtf. steve what the hell are you wearing? what the fuck is that- aye tonnnyyy!!!! he hacked into the jet thingy and started playing music from the speaker thats the best.

CAPSICLE SKSHSKSHKSHSKSJ- ohfuck thunder. THOR WELCOME TO THE PARTY. “im not overly fond of what follows” WKVSKSBSKSHSJS

HE JUST BROKE INTO THE JET AND STOLE LOKI FROM EM. “theres only one god ma’am. and im sure he doesnt dress like that.” cap stfu

“i thought you were dead.” “did you mourn.” damn loki thats harsh. thor is angy at his brother. “you listen well brot-ARGH” “..im listening?” STARK YOU CHOSE THAT MOMENT TO BODY SLAM THOR OFF THAT CLIFF AND LEAVE LOKI BEHIND? REALLY?

“.. tourist.” FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT KICK HIS ASS, THOR. DONT KILL HIM WITH LIGHTNING THO

if someone throwed me against a tree i wouldnt be walking. im just saying

“THATS ENOUGH.” cap did you think that would work?? and how the hell did your dinner plate stop the power of thor

loki do be in jail tho. how’s this gonna go wrong- oh he smiled at banner. THATS how it goes wrong

tell him off fury! “you have made me very disapoin-“ OH NVM HE SAYS DESPERATE IGNORE THIS

“uNlimiteD pOoWeRRRRR”

“let me know if real power wants a magazine or something.” good comeback fury. i think

“loki is beyond reason, but he is of asgard. and he is my brother” “he killed 80 people in two days.” “he’s adopted.” KSBSKSJSJSJSK

“that man is playing galaga. he thought we wouldnt notice, but we did.” TONYKANSKSHKSJSKSJ tony is a fucking legend. “finally someone who speaks english!” “is that what just happened?” steve stfu you’re a fighty man not a smart man

“i do! . . . i understood that reference.” steve nvm keep talking please. PLEASE THE MAN IS STILL PLAYING GALAGA SOSJSKSJSJKS

why is tony eating blueberrys- where the hell did he get blueberrys. “we have orders. we should start following them.” steve you tried to get into the army under fake locations for months AND broke into a german base when you were a showpony. stfu about following rules

“so you’re saying the hulk.. the other guy? saved me” yes. yes we are saying that, banner. aye steve go break into shit like you’re suppost to :D

oh hi again oldman, welcome back. yay shield saved padme, and awh oldman talked about thor alot. thor i love you alot. loki just tell nat where tf you left barton :/ oh barton was sent to KILL nat?? not hire her?? well that went downhill. whomst the hell is dreykov- sao paulo- the hospital fire???? hawkeye wtf why’d you spill it all to loki.

mewley quim wtf kind of insult is that- oh damn nat figured out the hulk is lokis next plan of attack. PHASE TWO IS TO USE THE GLOWY CUBE TO MAKE FUCKING WEAPONS? SHIELD WHAT THE HELL

HA FURY TRIED TO LIE IS WAY OUTTA IT BUT BC STARK HACKED INTO IT ALL HE JUST EXPOSED HIMSKHSKSJSKS

WAIT THEY WERE MADE FOR THOR AND ASGARDIANS? WHAT THE FUCK SHIELD- oh damn lokis staff is the reason they’re all at eachother. probably

“yeah. big man in a suit of armor. take that off what are you?.” “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” well you’re not wrong

guys stop fighting, HAWKEYE IS BREAKING IN. “in case you needed to kill me. but you cant. i know, i tried.” awh thats sad, i wanna hug banner so bad :(

OHSHIT AN ENTIRE WING GOT BLOWN UP THE FLYING BASE IS GOING DOWN- HULKS COMING OUT THATS NOT GOOD. the transforming is scary- RUN NAT

loki stop smiling because the plan is going your way. “it seems to run on some form of electricity.” “well you’re not wrong” tony stop being funny this isnt fair

HULK JUMPSCARE JESUS CHRIST- NAT GOT BITCHSLAPPED THROUGH A WALL- YAY THOR TO SAVE THE DAY. HAMMER TIME BABYY

*B O N K*

hulk trying to pick the hammer up is funny. BRIDGE IS UNDER ATTACK. DO YOU THINK SHOOTING HULK IS A GOOD IDEA??? HE JUST TOOK OUT FIGHTER JET AND ALMOST KILLED THE GUY FLYING IT

CAP IS KICKING ASS- OH GOD NO THE ENGINES ARE FAILING. OHGOD LOKI IS OUT- THOR YOU DUMBFUCK DID YOU FORGET LOKI CAN DO MAGIC SHIT? NOW YOU’RE STUCK IN THE GLASS CONTAINER

COULSON SAVE THOR! SHOOT LOKI DAMNIT- COULSON NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

glass cage go brrrrr

HA LOKI GOT FUCKIN SHOT BY COULSON BEFORE HE DIES( :( ) tony almost got minced by the engine thingys

im gonna cry coulson how dare your death make me sad :(( stupid heart breaking aftermath moments.

thor is stuck in a field, banner fell through the roof of a building. awh the security guard is so nice :) barton is a fucking mess right now “how’d you get him out?” “i hit you on the head really hard.” KSJSKKSSK

tony figured out lokis plan- ITS TAKING PLACE AT HIS TOWER? THE AVENGERS IS TAKING ACTION BABY LETS GOOOO

wait a fucking moment, the cards coulson has are covered in blood. so you’d think they were on him when he was stabbed- yet hill just said they were in his locker “they needed the push.” FURY YOU RUINED NEAR MINT VINTAGE COLLECTABLE CARDS TO MOTIVATE SUPER FREAKS???

o hi loki welcome to stark tower

“stalling wont change-“ “no no, threatening. no drink? ya sure? im having one.”

“i have an army.” “we have a hulk.” HE SAID IT, HE SAID THE LINE

HA LOKI CANT TAKE STARKS MIND BC HIS HEART IS SOME TECHY METAL CRAPKSJSKSJSKS- i guess choking and tossing him around works. so does throwing hik out a window

oh no the glowy cube just opened a portal for the army of seafood. they look like creatures from halo.

BROTHER FIGHT

CHAOS EVERYWHERE

PLANE DOWN PLANE DOWN

what the fuck just growled- HOLYSHIT THEY HAVE A SPACE LEVIATHAN. it looks badass ngl. loki redemption arc? nope he just stabbed thor.

SPACE BIKE GO BRRRRR

yes because arrows and guns will stop the, alien monsters with lazer arms. some how its working. “just like budapest all over again.” “you and i remember budapest very differently.” WTF HAPPENED AT BUDAPEST BARTON AND NAt, HUH?

cap just scared the shit outta some police men HAHA

“i have unfinished business with loki.” “yeah? get in line” barton is snarky right now. banner just rides up on a motercycle like “hi what i’d miss”

“im bringing the party to you.” stark says while being chased by a giant metal space whale who’s crashing and crushing everything in its path along a street

“thats my secret cap. im always angry.” FUCK YEAH BANNER MESS THAT SPACE WHALE UP. HE JUST PUNCHED A GIANT FUCKING WHALE THING.

the music, the avengers circling around. its amazing. well things are gonna get worse bc more space whales showed up

“and hulk. . . smash.”

LIGHT THEM FUCKERS UP, THOR. shield maybe instead of watching, maybe, oh i dont know. HELP THEM???

i dont know what else to say other then its alot of fighting and smashing alien faces into the ground

hulk and thor kicking ass on the back of a space whale is awesome. HULK WHY DID YOU PUNCH HIMSJSOSHSKJSKSJSKSKSKSK

i fuxking love when steve turtle shells behind his shield.

“director fury. the council has made a decision.” “i recognize the council has made a decision. but given its a stupid-ass decision, i have elected to ignore it.” fury never stop being awesome

loki thought he was so smug when he caught bartons arrow, then it blew up in his face. literally IKSKSKSKSKS

HULK FUCK LOKI UP! JSHSKSGKSHSJSHSJSJ HE JUST TOSSED LOKI AROUND LIKE A RAGDOLL “puny god.” “*pained wheezing from a smooshed loki*”

oh damn- OH DAMN, STARK. he just jonahed the fucking whale thing and blew it up from the inside. well now the city has a nuke coming for it :/

yall have a chance to shut the portal down, and tony, you want to go INTO that portal and throw the nuke in? wtf stark.

TONY GO BACK TO EARTH DAMNIT FUCKING BASTARD PASSED OUT. yay hulk saved his stupid ass. do cpr.? mayb.? or a hulk roar will wake him up KEJSKJSKSSKJS

tony. you just blew up a alien command center with a nuke, passed out and fell to earth through a portal. and you want, shawarma?

and now back to loki. “if its all the same to you, i’d like that drink now.” ISHSKSJSJSJSKSJSJ

STAN LEEE

the people love em. yey

council lady stfu about the avengers being a threat. they just said the earth and you’re worried about them going rouge??

“if we get into a situation like this again, what happens then?” “they’ll come back.” i mean theres three more avenger movies so i assume so. remodaling stark towers so its the avenger tower? neat!

NEXT MOVIE: IRON MAN 3

*MID CREDIT SCENE* oh hi again mr no eyes. do we get to see this HE? OH WE DO. o hi mr 10 chins

once again ignore the misspells it was three AM when i finally finished this and im just now rereading it

#artemis rants #the avengers #avengers #marvel #the mcu #marvel movies #marvel cinematic universe #glowy cube is back!#chitauri = seafood #LOKI #MAN IS PLAYING GALAGA EVEN AFTER BEING CALLED OUT #SHIELD IS A DICK #SPACE LEVIATHAN

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dealbrekker · 5 years

Text

Evidence for Sam Claflin as Nikolai Lantsov

Exhibit A. Sturmhond. Sobachka. Nikolai would most certainly wear a floral shirt

Exhibit B. He'd look damn good in Ravkan blue

Exhibit C. That BOYISH ROGUISH CHARM

Exhibit D. Has worked with boats. Aye aye, captain

Exhibit E. Debonair af

Exhibit F. ☝️☝️☝️

Exhibit G. All he needs is snuggles and all he gets is struggles

Exhibit H. This face made at Zoya

Exhibit I(mprobable). Really. I mean ffs.

#sam claflin #nikolai lantsov #tgt #six of crows #shadow and bone #leigh bardugo #life's blood

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brittaden · 4 years

Text

Zoey’s Extraordinary Awkward Tension

Ch. 2 is up!

AO3 FF

Zoey nervously drummed her fingers alongside the take-out cup of coffee that she had stopped for on her way into work this morning. Not that she needed the caffeine boost, she was already jittery enough at what would await her at work. That is, once she had enough courage to step out of the elevator. So far, she had stood rooted in her spot in the elevator for at least four stops now. But the weird looks from her fellow co-workers were a lot easier to deal with than with the repercussions that came with kissing your boss in the back of a car after a disastrous night out.

Who knows though, best case scenario, Joan might've been just drunk enough that she had completely forgotten about the kiss. Or was that the worst-case scenario? Not knowing which would she wanted it to be only freaked Zoey out more and was the catalyst for one more elevator ride before stepping off on the floor she worked on but that idea was halted when a hand smacked against the side of the elevator and held it so it stayed open.

"What are you doing, you weirdo?" Max asked, smiling at her with that crooked smile. "I've counted three elevator stops, are you going for a world record or something?"

"Actually, there were four and yes I am," Zoey laughed it off, hoping that Max didn't pick up on any weirdness because she couldn't even begin to explain this to him. Especially not after hearing his heart songs. That would be like rubbing salt in his wounds.

Max gave a jerk of his head back to their office space. "Well come on, there's something we need to talk about."

"What happened?" Zoey asked urgently as she fell in step behind Max. He couldn't possibly know what happened. No one could. There was no way. "Is there a crisis? Does it involve me?"

Max was leading her to where the other coders had formed a huddle around a computer but he stopped at that. "Why would it involve you? Did something happen that I don't know?"

"No, what?" Zoey stammered. Her fingers were back to nervously tapping against her coffee cup. "I have no news. Just tell me what you're talking about."

Max leaned in, as if most of the office didn't already know. "Joan and Charlie are getting a divorce."

"Oh," Zoey sighed, a wave of relief washed over her that this news wasn't about her.

He pulled back from her. "Unless you already knew that."

"I might've heard a rumor," she played it off because it's not like Max needed to know that Joan had confided in her after she relentlessly pursued the deeper meaning behind Joan's first heart song which led to her playing couple's counselor for them which then led to a new bond between them that had culminated in a drunk Joan kissing after she burned down a rose wall at an engagement party.

Yeah, that she was definitely keeping to herself.

"Hey, I like rumors," Max joked.

Zoey smiled at him. "Okay, well next time I hear our rumor about our boss getting divorced, I'll pass it on."

"That's all I'm asking."

"What are we asking for?" Joan asked, popping up out of nowhere and scaring the pair. "Are we talking about the boss' divorce too? I've already been over it but you two can catch the highlights from the other coders who think that my personal life is their business."

"Sorry," Max quickly apologized. "I just wanted to offer my condolences."

"Okay," Joan replied with a nod of her head and an unimpressed look on her face. She, then, turned to face Zoey. "We need to talk in my office."

Before Zoey could ask why or object, not that she would object an order from Joan because that was asking for trouble, Joan turned on her heel and left Zoey nervous and fidgeting once again. She shared a look with Max, one that was their usual whenever Joan demanded one of them in her office, before she followed in Joan's footsteps. She took the time to drop all her stuff on her desk before practically sprinting to Joan's office.

"You wanted to talk?" Zoey asked as cool as she could in spite of how she felt. "What's up?"

"Well, moving past that," Joan replied. She sat at her desk and pushed her tablet across the desk to Zoey. "Leif had a new idea and it was, surprisingly, good. Needs some work but there's real potential there."

"Um, okay," Zoey drug out the last syllable as she approached the desk and picked up the tablet. She tapped and swiped at the screen for a new product design called The Chirp. "This was Leif's idea?"

Joan nodded her head. "I was just as surprised as you are. He pitched it to me at Simon's engagement party, which I'm sure you remember."

Zoey could feel her cheeks heating up and her breath was caught in her chest as Joan gave her a very similar look to the one she gave her a couple nights ago. Or maybe she was imagining it. She let out a little nervous laugh. "So…um…Leif's idea?" she asked, just trying to get back on track.

"Once he pitched the idea to me, I couldn't get it out of my head. We met yesterday to go over the logistics and design for the product and since you are his supervisor now, I wanted to loop you in before we give the presentation."

"We?" Zoey questioned.

"Leif and Me," Joan answered. "Of course, we'll be bringing you into this but, for now, we'll give the presentation."

"So, you called me in here to show me the idea?"

Joan gave her a look and Zoey regretted even wasting her breath asking the question when the answer was obvious. Of course, she had been called in her to talk about Leif's idea. The idea that she didn't even know he had and that kind of bothered her since she was his superior but Joan was the one that said they needed a new idea, so, of course, he would go to her first. At the very least, Joan was looping her in now so she wasn't totally bombarded by their presentation. That was...something.

"Never mind," she said dismissing her own question. She looked away from Joan and back to the tablet in hand that showed sketches of Leif's idea. She looked back up when Joan began speaking.

"I was going to fill you in more before we gave the presentation but you decided to use the elevator as your own personal amusement park ride this morning and wasted precious time."

Zoey cringed. "You saw that?"

"I see everything, Zoey."

"Right," she said with a nod of her head. She, then, gestured to the tablet in her hand. "And this is all you called me in here for?"

Joan gave a nod of her head. "Yes, Zoey."

"Right."

She crossed her arms on her desk. "I need you to round up everyone and let them know that we'll be giving a presentation soon. Also, I need Leif in here, if you'll let him know for me."

"Aye-aye captain!" Zoey said with a mock salute to her boss that she instantly regretted. "That I can do."

"Don't ever do that again," Joan said half-heartedly.

Reflexively, Zoey gave her a thumbs up. "You got it!"

Flushed with embarrassment, Zoey turned on her heel and set out to do as Joan had asked of her. Before she got to the office door, Joan's voice was calling her back.

"Zoey?"

"Yes?" She asked a little too eager as she turned around to face her boss.

Joan clicked her tongue and pointed at the tablet still in Zoey's hand. "That's mine."

Zoey hurried back over to Joan's desk and handed over the tablet. She couldn't help but notice that during the exchange of the tablet, Joan's hand lingered on hers a little longer than normal and she smiled before taking the tablet completely away and then used the same hand to gesture in a shooing motion. Zoey bowed her head before turning back around and finally exiting the office.

Zoey considered hiding herself in one of those isolation pods where their sole purpose was total isolation and complete focus on one's work. After the morning she had, being in complete isolation with her tablet and a true crime podcast episode as her only company sounded almost perfect. But she guessed as a supervisor, she needed to be more available to those she was supposed to be supervising, so she settled on another chair in which to curl up and code.

She had successfully avoided Simon for most of the day and the few times that she couldn't avoid him, Max, she was ever thankful for him, jumped in and saved her from a whole bunch of awkwardness. They even decided to get out of the office and go to lunch together somewhere not on a campus. A fact she was also ever thankful for because it got her out of the way of Simon and Joan.

Joan.

That was a different story today. Usually, before these last couple of weeks, she avoided Joan for different reasons. Since she wasn't completely sure how she wanted things to happen with Joan after their drunken kiss in the back of a car, avoidance seemed like the best approach. However, avoiding Joan wasn't as easy as it sounded. Especially today.

She had been called into a pseudo-meeting first thing this morning where Joan just wanted to show off Leif's idea and tell her that they'll loop her in more soon. Then, after the presentation, she was called back into Joan's office where she thought they were going to discuss their new tech idea but instead Joan just ended up telling her more details about her divorce and that she was doing really great. Save for a few bad mistakes. Zoey wasn't listened as a bad idea in Joan's list but maybe that was her way of hinting at it.

No, Joan was direct and blunt and didn't talk her way around things without ever getting to the actual point. So, that couldn't have been it. At least, Zoey didn't think so. And the idea of their kiss not being a mistake, calmed Zoey down a little even though she still had a nervousness about her. Then, just as she thought she could leave, Joan mentioned that she was thinking about getting back out there in the dating world. That she was ready.

Joan still hadn't mentioned their kiss or even alluded to it, not that Zoey thought she would at work, and she didn't want to overthink anything and assume that Joan was dropping a hint to her. That would be crazy. Joan was her boss. She couldn't date her boss.

Plus, there were still the feelings for Simon that just didn't disappear overnight like she had hoped they would. And then, there was the crown jewel that was Max who had sung a couple heart songs that further sent her spiraling into a land of confusion. He was her friend. Her best friend but apparently, he was harboring feelings for her like Simon, and like Joan maybe was now.

The whole thing was almost laughable. Yes, she had dated before and had boyfriends before, and a computer camp girlfriend that opened up her eyes to dating the same sex, but to have three people into her at the same time? That was a lot to process.

Not even the true crime podcast that she had blaring in her ears could drown out everything that was rolling around in her mind. And they usually calmed her down.

Plus, maybe Joan wasn't actually interested and it wasn't something that she needed to worry about. But there wasn't an easy way to find out that answer. One doesn't simply drunkenly kiss their boss and sweep it under the rug like nothing ever happened. Joan might've been too many drinks in to exclusively remember that part of the night but Zoey knew one thing, she couldn't forget it.

The only thing that jerked Zoey out of her rambling thoughts was the taking off of her headphones that she reflexively reached up for to find that Max was the one behind the interruption.

"This is a podcast about the Golden State Killer," Max said after listening to what was playing from her headphones.

"True crime calms me down," Zoey defended as she took her headphones back from Max.

"Okay, well since you were off in serial killer land, I'm going to say that you didn't notice Joan pointing and calling you into her office, oh for like the past two minutes now," Max replied and used his eyes to direct Zoey's attention to their boss' office where Joan sat with Leif.

Sure enough, Joan was watching them and moving her finger in a 'come hither' motion directing it at Zoey.

"Again?" Zoey complained. "That's like the third time today. What could she want now?"

Max shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, it's Joan, she could want literally anything. And I mean anything."

Zoey groaned. She thought she was in the clear for today but that didn't look like it was happening. "But calling me into the office three times? Seems like overkill for today."

"Maybe someone has a crush," Max teased.

Zoey's eyes widened at that. And she grew suspicious. "What?" she asked with a little nervous laugh. "Who said anything about that?"

"Relax Zoey, it was just a joke," Max assured her. He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. "Is everything okay? You seem a little off today."

She shook her head. "I'm just a little tired."

"Alright," Max said, his tone a little disbelieving. "Well you better go, don't want to keep Joan waiting any longer."

"Right," Zoey replied as she was already turning away from Max and heading towards Joan's office.

Back in Joan's office for the third time today, Zoey walked up to see Joan and Leif sitting on the same side of the desk. She politely knocked on the door-frame and waited for Joan to acknowledge her before she fully entered the office.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked.

"Finally," Joan said as she noticed Zoey. "You took long enough."

"Sorry, I was working on some code and I just got wrapped up in it," Zoey lied and hoped that Joan believed her.

"Good, that's why I called you in here," Joan replied, looking up at Zoey. "I have a few calls to make right now so I want you and Leif to get together and begin working more on this idea."

"Right now?" Zoey asked.

"Preferably yesterday because this is a golden idea of a product," Joan answered. "So, yes, right now."

"Okay," Zoey sighed. "Anything else?"

"Nope," Joan answered quickly, already shuffling papers around on her desk and reaching for her phone. "Just need you two to get started so we'll have something soon that we can actually present as a viable product."

Zoey nodded her head in response. With no more being said, she motioned for Leif to follow her out of Joan's office so they could find a spot to work as they were requested.

Later that night, after working the rest of her day with Leif who made it obvious that he would prefer to work with Joan, Zoey was finally packing up her things and getting ready to leave for the day. She slipped her headphones over her ears and started up another episode of a true crime podcast as she wound her way through the office and headed towards the elevator. Distant voices played over the voices coming through her headphones and her curiosity got the better of her. She slipped the headphones off and crept slowly towards the voices to find that Joan and Leif were standing in the conference room talking.

Her name popped up. That she wasn't surprised about since Leif seemed to relating everything back to Joan that they had worked on earlier. But what made her stop in her tracks, was when Leif started coming on to Joan. Judging by the look on her face, Joan seemed just as disturbed at what Leif was implying as she did. Her inner voice was screaming 'no' over and over again as music began to play in the background and Leif began to sing a heart song to Joan. Their boss.

Zoey was horrified. And not only because this was Leif and she had her own personal issues with him but his heart song was very telling of his intentions. If there was ever a time for her to interfere in her boss' personal life and stop her from making another bad mistake, this was it.

She just had to wait for Leif to finish singing because she knew that trying to interfere while someone was singing their heart song did not work out. That is if the idea of Leif trying to seduce their boss with terrible intentions didn't make her sick first. Luckily, the song was short and as soon as Leif was trying to hit on Joan again, Zoey rushed over to them.

"Hey guys, what's going on?"

She could tell Leif was mad at her when he spoke. "Actually Zoey, Joan and I were in the middle of something."

"Oh, I know," Zoey said, eyeing him carefully and wedging herself between the two. "I just had a few questions that I need to ask Joan."

"Leif," Joan said as she looked over Zoey's head at the guy in question. "I believe we're done here for the night. We'll reconvene in the morning."

Leif tried to protest but Joan cut him off and reiterated the fact that they could go over everything else tomorrow. Zoey looked over her shoulder to watch Leif begrudgingly pick up his things and leave. She tossed him a little smile and wave just to mess with him before she looked back to face Joan.

"You had some questions for me, Zoey?" Joan asked.

"Well, actually," Zoey took a few steps back from Joan. "Not really. I just...okay, here's the thing."

"Yes?"

She just needed to spit it out. "I'm your friend and I just had to tell you that I had a feeling that Leif was trying to come on to you and you mentioned your bad mistakes and Leif would definitely be a bad mistake. If not the worst. Plus, I'm pretty sure his intentions are sketchy."

Zoey waited for Joan's reactions and was both relieved and a little confused when she started to laugh.

"Oh my God, Leif?" Joan asked through a laugh. "Zoey, come on, give me some credit."

Zoey had started to laugh along with her. "It is a pretty ridiculous idea."

"Very," Joan said with a smile. "It would never happen. It flies in the face of everything I believe in regarding workplace professionalism. I'm his boss."

Zoey sucked in a deep breath. Maybe that was her answer. She wasn't even completely sure of her feelings for Joan or if she had any at all but hearing Joan talking about workplace professionalism felt like a punch in the gut when their kiss had been on her mind all day.

"Right, you're his boss, and that is totally unprofessional and wrong," Zoey started to babbled. "And you're very professional, so you wouldn't ever do that. Kiss one of your co-workers, that's absurd. And you're my boss too."

"Zoey," Joan interjected. "Are you done?"

"I guess I am now."

"Good. That was a lot of nonsense but I think I know what you're trying to say."

"You do?"

Joan gave a nod of her head. "If you're referring to Simon's engagement party, which is the only thing there is to refer to, I do remember what happened between us. And you're right, it was unprofessional."

"Right, unprofessional," Zoey agreed.

"But," Joan said as she took a step towards Zoey. "I don't regret what happened."

Zoey stood rooted in her spot. "You don't?"

"I was drunk, yes, very," she said as she took another step closer. "But I still knew what I was doing. Even if it was wrong."

Zoey stayed silent and stared up at Joan because in just a few seconds, Joan had closed the small gap between them and stood so close that they were almost touching. And now they were touching because Joan had reached out and brushed a few strands of hair that had fallen in front of her face.

"Do you regret what happened Zoey? You have been acting a little stranger than normal today."

"I..." Zoey tried to process all that was happening. "I don't."

"Okay," she smiled. "Let's have dinner."

"Tonight?"

Joan shook her head. "Not tonight, it's already late. Friday, I'll send a car to pick you up. Sound good?"

"Yep," Zoey found herself agreeing before she even knew exactly what it was that she was agreeing to. "Sounds great."

"Friday," Joan agreed. "I'll see you in the morning, Zoey."

As Zoey was trying to figure out what she agreed to by going to dinner with Joan, Joan was already packing up everything of hers that was spread out on the table beside them. She waved by to Joan as she exited and hope that her exit wasn't met with another heart song because after everything today, she wasn't sure if she could handle it. Zoey was grateful that she was only met with silence as she watched Joan walk out of view. She threw her headphones back on and immersed herself in a podcast as she hurried out of the building with her apartment in mind and to the one person that could help her navigate this new path that opened up because of her powers.

#my writing #zoeys extraordinary playlist #zoeys playlist #zoey x joan

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everlastingcaptainswan · 4 years

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Contractual Attraction (5/?)

Enchanted Forest AU

Summary: The war had raged on for many years, the people of Misthaven would say too many, and there was only one way to end it, only one way to quiet talks of rebellion. Princess Emma of Misthaven would have to marry the enemy, Prince Killian of Montave.

Notes: Raise of hands who likes bed sharing ;) Happy New Year!

FF Ao3

Chapter Five: The Voyage Home

Emma was grateful that they were leaving the next morning. At least she’ll be home where she belongs, not in this castle being accused of a million different things, not with people who have so many ulterior motives.

Anna was sad to see her go, claiming the visit is entirely too short and Emma reminded her that she’ll see them at the wedding. This seemed to bring a smile to her face. Elsa gave Emma a warm hug wishing her safe travels. Emma didn’t quite return it after their spat last night, which she might regret later. Liam and Killian had a hushed conversation away from the rest of them. Killian had barely met her eyes when she entered the room, this awkwardness could make for a very uncomfortable voyage home. When Graham opened the door and entered all conversation stopped. Emma was the only one to approach him. A grave look was on his face and Emma frowned.

“I don’t like that look on your face, what’s wrong?” she whispered, keeping a healthy distance between them.

“We might not be able to leave today. The captain’s dead,” he said quietly.

“What?!?” Emma practically yelled. That certainly captured everyone’s full attention. Killian left Liam’s side and joined Emma and Graham.

“What seems to be the problem?” Killian asked.

“The captain of our ship is dead,” Emma sighed, “what the hell happened?”

“He broke up a fight in a tavern last night and got stabbed for his troubles.”

“Well Killian is a fine captain he can get you to Misthaven,” Elsa pointed out. Emma spun to Killian, a hopeful look in her eyes. She just wanted to be home, to see her parents again, to talk with her mother about everything she was feeling.

“I could, but I won’t,” Killian said resolutely.

“May I ask why not?” Emma said, frustrated. This was not the time to be noble. They needed to get home. Emma needed to get out of this castle.

“That crew on your ship they are your men and I’m an outsider. If you made me captain, they might stage a mutiny and I like being alive thank you very much. Promote the lieutenant, if he needs any assistance, I’ll be happy to help,” Killian commanded. Graham looked to Emma for approval and she nodded.

“I’ll alert him at once,” Graham said curtly.

“We’ll meet you at the docks,” Emma said, not keen on wasting any more time.

Graham was able to arrange everything for the trip home and promoted lieutenant to captain easily, who was currently giving Killian a tour of the ship with Emma and Graham trailing behind them. They came to a halt in front of Emma’s cabin.

“This will be your cabin with the Princess,” Captain Oliver told them.

“Excuse me?” Emma interjected before Killian could say anything.

“Sorry, Your Highness the ship only has one passenger cabin,” the captain explained. Emma was used to traveling on the Cygnus with her parents which had two passenger cabins, not the Snowbell with it’s one.

“Oh right of course,” Emma nodded. They had taken the Snowbell because its small size made for a swifter and an easier journey. The captain and Graham made their goodbyes. Killian opened the cabin door for her. She stepped into the small cabin with its very small bed. The door shut and Emma turned to face him.

“Don’t worry, love, I’ll be sleeping on the floor.” Emma scoffed.

“No, we can share the bed. We’ll have to get used to it anyway,” she shook her head.

“We will, but you look thoroughly uncomfortable at the idea of sharing a bed. I can sleep on the floor; I’ve had worse quarters and none of those had beautiful women in them.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Emma rolled her eyes.

“Such a charmer.”

“Only for you, darling. I’ll be back I forgot to offer the young captain my navigation skills.” He bowed slightly before leaving. When the door shut once more Emma sighed, she thought she wouldn’t have to face anything like this with him until they got married, which was months away. She vowed to not be in the cabin as much as possible, so she left in search of fresh sea air to clear her head.

Unfortunately, the weather turned forcing her back into their cabin while every other hand on the ship was on deck helping. She itched to help, but Captain Oliver had all but shoved back below deck, claiming they didn’t need any more help. He didn’t want the crown princess in danger even though Emma had been in danger many times in her life. She stubbornly sat up in bed, her arms wrapped around her legs. Emma didn’t like storms, never has. She rested her head on her knees. The uneasy rocking of the ship wasn’t helping her fears either.

The door banged open with a lurch of the ship. Killian was soaked, dripping water everywhere.

“I didn’t think you’d still be awake.” He closed the door firmly behind him.

“Could anyone sleep through this?” Killian began stripping off his wet clothes and Emma turned away after a pointed look from Killian. She had spent too long in camps along the battlefield to care about nudity, but most princesses were supposed to be modest and naive. Both things she was not.

“Only the most experienced sailor and even then, maybe not.” Thunder clapped and Emma practically jumped off the bed.

“Love, do you not like storms?” Killian said, curiosity in his voice. Emma still wouldn’t look at him, not sure if he was clothed or not since he clearly didn’t want to be seen by her.

“No, not particularly and not your love.”

“Term of endearment and habit pardon me. Look at me,” she shook her head, “I’m not naked.” She sighed before turning her attention back to him. He was dressed in a white tunic and loose pants. All his wet clothes laid out across the desk or chair in the hopes they will dry overnight.

“The ship is in good hands. We’ll whether this storm. I’ll be right here. Now, I’m going to put out this lantern and we’re both going to sleep.” Kindness was present in his eyes and Emma nodded. Killian still insisted on sleeping on the floor. The cabin became dark and Emma settled into bed. Every couple of minutes the cabin was lit up by the lightning outside. The thunder made Emma flinch and clutched the blankets to her chest.

“Killian?” There was an audible sigh.

“Yes, love.” She gritted her teeth at that, and he was definitely pushing her buttons by calling her that.

“The floor can’t be comfortable on your back; you know you should sleep up here. It’d be a tight squeeze, but it’d be better than the floor. I mean you were soaking wet too and the body heat will be good for you.” She listed all the reasons why it would be good for him, but she couldn’t admit that she wanted the company of someone else.

“Emma, I’m fine.”

“Killian, please,” she all but whispered. He sighed, but stood up. With a flash of lightning Killian finally saw her face, her fear.

“Scoot over.” She moved over and turned on her side. He climbed into the bed, her backside resting against his front. His arm around her waist. He was cold against her, but she would warm him up in time.

“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered to her.

“There was a bad storm when I was eleven. I got caught in it when I was out on a ride and I was separated from my father. The horse got frightened by some lightning and bucked me off. I had managed to get up afterward, but stumbled into a marsh and got tangled in tree branches, weeds, and whatnot. I had lost my knife when I got bucked off, so I was stuck there for hours until my father found me and was able to free me. I haven’t liked thunderstorms since then.”

“I can’t say I blame you there. Thank you for telling me,” he whispered, his breath hitting the back of her neck. Despite his earlier irritation, his words were genuine. They said nothing else and he soothed her throughout the continuing storm until they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Emma woke the next morning blissfully warm, she turned to find Killian still clinging onto her. He didn’t seem feverish which could happen after being in the cold rain for hours. While he was still sleeping, she took the opportunity to dress for the day. He woke not long after.

“Were you going to wake me?” he asked suspicious.

“I would have, but you needed the sleep after last night,” she said not looking at him. The storm brought old fears to the surface, made her feel extremely vulnerable. It’s something she wanted to avoid with him.

“Aye, I did, but so did you. Your night wasn’t any easier.” He said to her back.

“No, it wasn’t. Thank you,” she said softly before leaving the cabin. Killian didn’t have to ask what for.

Emma ventured up on deck and it was needless to say that the Snowbell had seen better days. The storm took a toll on not only the ship but the crew as well. Emma visited the crew with Captain Oliver, attempting to heal them, and tend to their wounds in any way she could. They had lost a couple of men in the night; Emma gave her condolences to the crew and said a few words for them at breakfast.

Emma spied Killian and Captain Oliver talking in hushed tones. She made her way over to them.

“Is there a problem?” Emma asked the two of them.

“There was damage to the main sail, we’ll have to make a stop in the nearest port to fix it,” Killian informed her.

“The nearest port is known stop for pirates, we will be endangering both of you by going,” Captain Oliver interjected, raising his voice slightly.

“Why don’t we continue this conversation in your cabin, Captain?” Emma said, sweetly as to hide any concern that could arise from the situation from nearby listeners. Captain Oliver nodded.

Once in the captain’s cabin Emma turned to Captain Oliver, “I understand your concerns, but the Prince and I can adequately protect ourselves.”

“Love, he’s worried about pirates capturing us for ransom,” Killian stated.

“I know that, we’ll simply stay below deck while repairs are made.” Killian raised an eyebrow while considering this.

“Your Highness, what if people question why we’re there? What we are carrying?” Captain Oliver questioned her.

“Tell them we ran into a storm and we are heading home from the front lines,” Killian shrugged. Captain Oliver looked unsure about the plan.

“We don’t have another option. Without this plan we’ll be stuck dead in the water.” Emma reminded the captain, who at this finally agreed.

Killian and Emma stayed below deck as the Snowbell entered the harbor. Emma in their room and Killian wandered through the ship. He took inventory and fixed other small problems caused by the storm. The crew is given leave that night. August and Graham stayed behind to guard the ship and two royals below deck. The ship’s chef kindly left some stew for them. Emma scooped some up into her bowel when Killian entered the galley.

“Care to join me?” she asked him. Killian nodded, getting stew for himself. They discussed meaningless things for a while.

“Something has been in the back of mind, nagging me.” Killian confessed, pouring more wine for the both of them.

“What would that be?” Emma sipped her wine.

“You talked of marrying for love, but have you ever been in love?” he asked her. She definitely wasn’t expecting that question.

“No, well maybe once,” she chuckled.

“Maybe?” he asked, now curious.

“I was sixteen, young and stupid. I was infatuated with the son of a duke who was going off the battlefield and said all the right words. He put on this bravado of this strong man who was going to fight for our kingdom and well it appealed to a young naive girl who had never seen a battlefield herself, who was still in training. After he left, I never heard from him again. He got one look at battle and was scared apparently. Faked an injury to be sent home. He wanted nothing to do with me after that.” She sighed, remembering Neal and how grateful she was her parents didn’t give their blessing to that union. Killian laughed as well.

“Young love will make you do crazy things,” he conceded.

“It will. What about you? Ever been in love?” she asked, and his mood changed in an instant. Something akin to hurt and heartbreak was present in his eyes.

“Aye captured some pirates at sea once. Their captain was a woman, Milah. Everyone told me to not trust her, but we began talking and rather foolishly I fell for her. She used my trust to break free. We caught up to her in a small seaside village and when I confronted her and accused her of using me, she said it wasn’t personal. That she cared for me, but she had cared about her freedom more. I couldn’t say I blamed her there, but the words hurt. I was willing to petition for her freedom once we returned to Montave, but she said it was a long shot that had no guarantee. She was right I suppose, but she wasn’t willing to trust me.” Killian told her, rather sadly. Emma placed her hand over his.

“Thank you for telling me. Love is messy, but worth it or so my mother says.” Killian nodded, gulping down more of the wine. They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Emma not sure what else could be said and Killian not sure what else to say. Thankfully August came down to get food as well and the conversation picked up again.

When they both decided to return to their cabin for the night Killian was unsure where he should sleep. The floor seemed cold and hard after spending a night in Emma’s arms. He didn’t really wish to return to it. They quietly changed into their night clothes, not looking at one another.

“Just get in the damn bed,” Emma said, as if she could read his thoughts. He nodded and they arranged themselves as comfortably as they could. The silence between them wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. She let out a little sigh before falling asleep and that’s when Killian realized he was full blown head over heels in love with her. He was definitely in trouble because she didn’t want anything to do with him, she was in this for the politics, not him. He would have to spend a lifetime loving someone who didn’t love him back. Hopefully in time she could grow to at least like him. That’s probably the best he could hope for.

Killian and Emma were tired of being stuck on the ship. Emma was dying to feel the sea breeze on her face and the sunshine. Killian hated the idle feeling and fixed everything below deck on the ship due to sheer boredom. It took a couple more days for the repairs to be made before they could set sail once more. The moment the ship was out of sight from the harbor Emma and Killian burst onto the deck of the ship, happy to feel the warmth of the sun and fresh air. More importantly Emma was happy to have some space from Killian, sharing a bed with Killian was making it harder and harder to hate him. She might even be falling for him.

#cs #cs au #cs au ff #cs au fic #Captain Swan #captain swan fic #captain swan ff #enchanted forest #Enchanted Forest AU #royalty au #cs royalty #enemies to lovers #I hate you but I have to marry you #Sharing a bed #emma swan #Princess!Emma #killian jones #Prince!Killian

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gusenitsaa · 5 years

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Whumpetition / @badthingshappenbingo prompt #4: sadistic choice (sequel to Buried Alive)

1. I know you’re in there 2. Buried Alive 3. Ambulance Ride (All these whumplets are also in a collection on FF )

Liam sent Milah ahead of him, to prepare the back apartment and find bandages. He didn't trust any of the crew from above. Anyone who thought it wise to bring a child into the underworld was not someone Liam would assume had good judgement. He assessed the damage briefly. Killian's shoulder was dislocated badly, to start. It would need to be set but he couldn't do it on his own while Killian was unresponsive. There was so much, so much to patch up. He shook his head. Better to get Killian over his shoulders now while it couldn't hurt him then to hesitate and make him take the trek back conscious, He made it halfway back to the bar when David came jogging up, his face terse in a way that indicated bad news.

He slowed when he saw Liam, "You got him?"

"Aye." Liam nodded, not slowing. "The boy?"

David shook his head, jaw clenching. "He wasn't at the bar. He might have wandered off but-"

Liam shook his head. "This is no place for a child."

"This is no place for any of us-" David started and Liam stiffened, tightening his grip on Killian.

"Then why are you here?"

"For Emma. And..." David sighed, glancing up at Killian's limp form. "Maybe he's grown on me a little."

"You intend to take him with you?"

"That's why we're here."

"And you have no plan for getting him out of here-"

"We're doing the best we can." David retorted, his tone defensive and Liam scoffed.

"The best you can got him here in the first place, pardon me if I'm unimpressed."

Now it was David's turn to stiffen. "What the hell is your problem?"

"You can't be serious?" Liam's eyebrows went up. "My little brother was tortured then trapped in a coffin underground for a week, maybe longer. And now, Hades is going to use a child you brought here to maintain his power over all of us. That is my problem. If you were not here he could move on, not be used as currency to extradite a bunch of royals from the mess they made."

"Killian was right. You can be an ass. He didn't mention you were so self-righteous."

"He's my little brother," Liam made a little motion that might have been a shrug if he hadn't been carrying Killian over his shoulders. "I am what I need to be to keep him safe."

David was quiet a moment as they approached the bar. He paused as he reached the door, one hand on the handle but not opening it.

"She loves him too, Liam" David said after a moment. "Don't be cruel." David didn't wait for an answer before he opened the door, holding it open for Liam to carry Killian through.

Emma looked up immediately, meeting his eyes for a split second before turning her attention to Killian. Her eyes were red from crying and she looked lost. Liam carried Killian into the back apartment and Emma and David helped get him down from Liam's shoulders without jarring him.

"His shoulder needs to be set," Liam commented, "preferably before he wakes." Milah had gathered all they needed but stayed seated in a chair next to the window, her eyes distant. Liam wanted to go to her but Killian needed him now. The more they could patch him up before he woke the less agonizing it would be. "I can do it but I'll need someone to hold him-"

Emma shook her head. "Let me-" Her hand began to glow and she gently pressed it to his shoulder first then began to touch each of the wounds she could see. Bruises faded before his eyes and abrasions knitted together as she systematically found and mended all the evidence of Hades attention. Tears slipped down her face when she reached his hand, battered and bloody from trying to escape for so long. She kissed it softly when it was mended and Liam's gaze on her softened. He lifted Killian to a sitting position as she made her way to his back where the shredded leather of his jacket was a grotesque preamble to what lay beneath. Her magic left behind only pale scars, but they were light, barely noticeable next to the ones which Killian had carried for centuries.

When she was finished Liam laid Killian back on the cot, where his rest finally looked peaceful. "Should we wake him?" Liam asked cautiously.

"Let him sleep," Emma murmured. "He's been through enough. He's earned a decent night's sleep."

"I'm sorry about your son, Emma."

Emma swallowed hard. "We're going to find him. Do you think..." Emma paused swallowing again her breath shaky. "Do you think Hades is hurting him?" Liam winced. He was not prepared for this. When he told her no, though, it was the truth. "After all he did to Killian, you don't think-" her voice was hopeful, but she was watching him intently as though she could see a lie on his face.

"He's waited centuries to get his claws into my brother. Your son, he's a way to get Killian back. He won't risk that."

"Why does he want Killian to suffer like this?"

Liam glanced at the ground with a sigh. "Hades expected to get Killian years ago. Cheating death makes Hades ... ornery."

Emma nodded. She took Killian's hand in hers again for a moment then sighed. "I should get back to Regina, look for some way-"

"What about how you found Killian. I know this place, if you could describe a location perhaps, perhaps I could help."

"We tried. Hades must have figured out how we found Killian. He's blocking us now." Liam nodded then stood, making his way over to a desk, small and tidy in the corner of the room. Milah didn't look away from the window as he opened a drawer next to her and pulled out a stack of papers.

"What are they?" Emma asked.

"Maps."

"Of what?"

"Everything." Liam shuffled through them and pulled out one in particular. "There's a system of tunnels below. He has... cells there where.." Liam trailed off. "It might be a good place to start looking. But one of us will need to come with you. Only the dead can open the passage."

"I'm going." Milah said, her tone allowing no argument.

Liam raised his brow, "Perhaps you should watch over Killian, I know those tunnels-"

"I'm going," she repeated. "I'm going to help find my grandson."

Liam gaped at her for a moment, trying to work out the logic of what he'd just heard. "Your grandson-" he stammered.

Milah smiled half-heartedly. "I looked like that didn't I?" she asked Emma.

"Pretty damn close," Emma replied. "Thank you, Milah."

Milah stood, gathering up the maps. "We should go. Tonight. Now. Before Hades gets bored."

Emma nodded and stood as well glancing down at Killian's sleeping form. "If I wake him he won't be able to sleep."

"Likely not," Liam replied.

"Tell him I'm sorry, if he wakes before I return."

Liam nodded "Hurry Emma. It does not take long for Hades to get bored."

_____

Liam heard arguing from outside the apartment. Apparently some of the woman's family objected to her plan to go alone, with only Milah as backup. It was the only way, though, and how any of them thought that an entire Royal family could march through the tunnels without being noticed was nonsense.

She must have convinced them, though, because in short order the raised voices quieted replaced by low murmuring and the clinking of glasses. Apparently someone was helping themselves to his stock. The back apartment was small, the cot only big enough for one and a small chair next to his desk the only other seating. Liam laid his head down on the desk for a moment. He hadn't slept much for over a week and he just needed a moment-

The next thing he knew he was bolting upright to the sound of screaming. He drew his blade instantly, eyes darting about the room. The door from the bar slammed inwards and David led the charge, with Snow and Regina looking tousled but similarly armed a step behind him. They lowered their weapons almost instantly as Liam continued to scan for the danger.

The screaming faded to choked sobs and Liam's stomach dropped, turning from the danger he now realized was not coming to face the cot. Killian was still asleep, sobbing and trembling, curled in on himself in the cot.

"I have matches behind the bar," Liam ordered, not caring who followed the instruction. "Bring every lamp you can find." He sank next to Killian, a hand gentle on his shoulder. "Killian open your eyes. I've got you little brother, open your eyes." By the time Liam had coaxed Killian into wakefulness the room was glowing with the flickering light of a half dozen lamps.

"Liam?"

"I'm here. You're alright. I've got you."

The trembling grew worse but his cheeks flushed with shame. "I'm sorry-"

"You've nothing to apologize for." Liam rubbed Killian's back gently until the trembling abated, watching as Killian's eyes flicked from lamp to lamp.

"I could hear you. Below. When you-" Killian's voice still shook. "I think it's the only reason I did not go mad. Hearing you. Knowing that there was still something there, beyond the black. Gods, brother, I didn't think I was ever getting out of that box."

"A temporary respite," Hades voice dripped malace and Liam spun, Hades lounged against the wall, watching them with gleeful eyes. Where are your lovers, captain?"

Killian paled, his eyes darting around the room.

Liam stood, ignoring the smirk in Hades' eyes. "They had things to discuss," he lied smoothly, "and thought a walk might ease the tension."

"Pity, I should like them to have seen this."

"Seen what?" Killian retorted.

"Seen you return to your coffin of course." Everything went dark for a moment then Killian stumbled, nearly toppling back into the gaping hole Hades had dragged them to the edge of. Liam grabbed his arm, steadying him and Killian scrambled backwards, putting some distance between himself and the coffin.

"No-" Killian whispered.

"No?" Hades eyes widened as though in shock. "I expected better of you captain, when the life of a child depends on you. Are you a coward?"

"Where is Henry?" Killian asked tremulously. It made Liam sick to hear Killian like this. How many times had he begged his little brother to control his temper. Now he'd give anything to see something of the old spark in Killian's eyes.

"Henry is hanging, rather precariously I might add, over the river of lost souls. Waiting, with some anticipation to learn if he will be taking a swim tonight."

"No!"

"Oh yes. But you can save him. All you have to do..." Hades waved dismissively at the gaping hole.

"I'll go," Liam said instantly, "I'll go below in his stead. Let the boy go, leave Killian be and you can have me instead-"

"I want him," Hades hissed.

"Surely we can come up with some kind of arrangement," Liam askes, "Lord Hades, surely-"

"Not. This. Time."

Killian was trembling again, just enough that Liam could feel it when he pressed closer to him. "You'll let the boy go?" Killian asked, "If I do as you wish, you'll let him and his family return home?"

"Well aren't you clever. Now all I said is that I wouldn't throw him in the river. But ... I'm feeling generous. You return below and I let them go home. Do we have a deal?"

"How do I know I can trust you to keep your en-"

Hades' hair flared bright for a moment and a flash of anger erupted over his features only to be replaced by calmness almost immediately. "Liam. Tell your brother if I keep my deals." Liam shook his head minutely and Hades eyes narrowed. "Tell him or I will."

"He … he does, Killian." It made him sick to say it but the rage hiding behind Hades' eyes made Liam break out in a cold sweat. If he aggravated Hades now they might just end up in the river. "He keeps his deals. But-"

"I'll do it." Killian's voice came out rough and likely quite a bit quieter than he wanted.

"No," Liam tried to interrupt. Hades shot him a look and suddenly there was fabric stuffed in his mouth.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to interrupt." Hades chastised. Killian sagged minutely as he approached the box and Liam stumbled to Killian's side, ripping the cloth from his mouth.

"You don't have to do this-" Liam whispered.

"I do." The words were barely audible, little more than a shaky breath as Killian stepped into the box. Liam's hand gripped Killian's forearm like a vice and Killian looked at him, confused and distant, as though some part of him was already gone.

"He really does," Hades pointed out in a helpful tone. "And if you don't let him do this, the child is gone. But there is one way you can help him."

Liam looked up, meeting Hades eyes and finding no comfort there.

"Close the box." Hades said with a grin. Liam's eyes widened in horror. "Close the box or no deal."

"I can't-" Liam whispered turning away from Hades to look at Killian. He looked pale and frightened and so young. Gods Killian was hundreds of years old and when Liam looked at him it was as though looking into the face of a frightened teenager, half defiance and half terror and Liam just wanted to make it stop. The top of the coffin was still on the ground, the underside streaked with rust colored stains that Liam did not want to think about.

"No," Liam begged. He spun on Hades, the practiced motion of placing himself between Killian and the enemy of little use here. "Please, take me. Lord Hades, Killin isn't the reason you-"

Hades interrupted with a laugh. "Allow me to assist you," with a flick of his fingers the top of the box was lifted to the air and settled down over the box leaving only Killian's head exposed. Killian winced visibly, his chest rising and falling in something rapidly approaching panic. "Close the box, Captain." Hades repeated, his voice suddenly low and dangerous. "The boy has only moments, and you waste them."

"I can't," Liam shook his head, kneeling next to the box, the words for Killian now as he turned his back on Hades. "Killian I can't do this, I won't-"

Killian swallowed hard, quiet a moment before he reached and took Liam's hand. "If I let any harm come to the boy when I could have stopped it," Killian said quietly. "she'd never forgive me." Liam shook his head violently.

He felt for the boy, truly, and he despised Hades for using a child as a tool like this but this was Killian. This was the boy he had raised, the boy he had tried and failed to protect so many times. The boy he'd kept safe from the terrors of the dark with oil lamps when he could manage it and with distraction when he couldn't. And now to lock Killian back in the dark again, to trap Killian in his childhood terrors that he'd only just escaped from. He remembered the way Killian had clung to him when he woke, screaming, only minutes ago. He'd told his little brother he was safe now, held him until the shaking stopped and told him he'd keep him safe now. ""Liam-" Killian's voice was unsteady but there was something in his eyes that grabbed Liam's attention and kept it. "Liam, if I let something happen to Henry I'd never forgive myself." Killian squeezed Liam's hand tightly, "And I'd rather see your face than his before I go into the dark."

"This is all very sweet," Hades commented, tone bored, "but I tire of your stalling."

Liam squeezed Killian's hand once more and then rocked back, his hands trembling on the lid of the coffin. There was fear in Killian's eyes, but it wasn't just the darkness that scared him. There was a desperation that matched his own. Killian felt responsible for the boy, this Henry. The boy who was not his blood but who put a look on Killian's face that Liam had only ever seen in a mirror.

"I'll find a way," Liam whispered, "I won't abandon you here."

"I know." the look Killian offered him was not quite a smile, but it was an attempt.

The top of the coffin slid into place with a dull thud and Liam lowered his hands stiffly to his sides as he turned to face Hades.

"The boy?"

"Will be returned to his mother by morning. So long as Killian remains in his final resting place they will be permitted to leave this place but Captain?"

Liam looked up, trying to mask the hatred in his eyes.

"If that coffin opens so much as a crack, I will know. And if you try to free him once the boy is gone, it will be the river instead. For both of you."

Liam nodded, a mask of obedience centuries in the making slipping over his features to hide the rage. Hades vanished and Liam sank back down to his knees next to the coffin. It was quiet.

What if Killian had changed his mind? What if he was crying out for help. What if it was too much.

What if this broke him?

He wanted to fling the top open, wanted to pull Killian free. Liam rested his head against the wood.

"Stay strong, little brother," Liam murmured. "You're not alone."

_____

As it turns out I’m STILL bad at fixing. Tagging the ‘competitors’ @nothingimpossibleonlyimprobable @pirate-owl @icecubelotr44@hollyethecurious and the peanut gallery @killian-whump @cocohook38

If you’d like to be added or removed from the tag list aka the peanut gallery! let me know

#whumpetition #sadistic choice #jones brothers #jones brothers ff #captain swan #though not the central focus on this one #captain cobra #a dash of #captain charming #all my favorite things #Finally moved this from ff #lol

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unfolded73 · 5 years

Text

Take Me Away with You (2/2) - millian ff

Part 1 | ao3

Rated Explicit, 9.5k words total (both parts).

_____________________________________________________________

When Rumple came looking for her on Killian’s ship early the next morning, Milah was still asleep. Once they had left port Killian told her of his brief visit. “He wouldn’t fight for you,” Killian said. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

She felt a pang of regret at the fact that Killian had let Rumple believe that he’d stolen her away rather than telling her husband that the decision to leave had been her own, even if it had been in a moment when she’d been contemplating ending her life. She wondered what Rumple would tell Bae.

When she made her way up on deck, the sails were full, fluttering in the wind as the ship cut through the water. Turning and looking behind them, she couldn’t even see the shoreline of her village, and she continued to spin in a circle, taking in the view from every direction. Milah never could have imagined the desolation of the ocean’s surface, the horizon visible every way she looked. It made her mind rebel at what her eyes were telling her.

“How do you know where we are?” she asked Killian, squinting at the reflection of the sun off the water.

“I check our position when the stars are visible. I know our speed and our heading and plot it on a map. Thus, I know where we are.”

She shuddered with a pang of homesickness. This was the farthest she’d ever been from the place of her birth.

“This is your home now,” Killian murmured, sidling closer and putting an arm around her waist.

She glanced at him, surprised. “Reading my mind now, are you?”

He grinned endearingly and shrugged.

Pulling out of his embrace, Milah folded her arms across her chest. “Listen, Killian, I intend to pull my weight on this ship. Tell me what needs doing and I’ll learn to do it. I’m not just here to be your…”

Killian’s expression sobered. “All right, agreed, but I’ll not have you slaving away in the galley or doing the crew’s laundry. It must be something befitting the lady of this ship.”

“Is that what I am?”

He made a poor attempt at a wink. “Aye, that’s what you are.”

True to his word, only another couple of days passed before Killian had her sitting with his first mate, learning about the way they kept the ship supplied and how the crew’s rations were paid and logged. The first mate, a grizzled old pirate named Cooper, admitted that he’d seen better days and that he hadn’t had much of a head for numbers in the best of them, and he seemed more than happy to hand over some of his duties to her. It made Milah feel valuable, and that the freedom she’d been longing for was beginning to truly feel earned.

Late that night, still riding high from that feeling and a little tipsy from her share of the rum, she found the courage to stand up for herself in another way.

Killian was climbing on top of her in bed, and she extended her hand toward his chest, holding him at bay. “I need more than this, Killian.”

He blinked at her in confusion. “More than what?”

She smiled, not wanting to bruise his ego, and swallowed down her own nervousness about discussing such an intimate topic. “Perhaps other women you’ve been with haven’t needed… I’m not implying you’re doing anything wrong, only that I need…”

Killian’s face fell. “I don’t please you.”

“No, you do, very much!” She sat up, letting her fingers trail over his chest. “You’re…” She chuckled nervously. “You’re the most pleasing man to look upon that I’ve ever encountered in my life, and I still can’t quite figure out what you see in me--”

“One of these days I’ll convince you of how beautiful you are, Milah--”

“But that aside, if we’re going to share a bed together on this ship for… for a while, I was…” She took a deep, steadying breath and closed her eyes. She couldn’t make herself state it baldly. “I need more,” she said again.

“Anything,” he answered quickly. “Anything you need from me, I’ll give to you, I swear.”

His youthful earnestness relaxed her a bit. “Come here,” she said, urging him to lie down at her side, and he followed her lead. Blushing, she pulled his hand over between her legs. “Can I show you the way I like to be touched?”

Killian nuzzled against her neck. “Of course, darling. I would love that.”

She guided his hand to her clit, using her fingers on top of his to instruct him how to knead and rub her flesh the way she herself did when she was alone, bending and pressing this way and that until he’d copied her rhythm. The way he’d touched her before had been pleasant enough, but his focus had been on putting his fingers inside her. Killian was a quick study though, and sensation sparked more and more intensely as he worked. Milah gasped and writhed against the bedding, all the while aware that Killian was scrutinizing her.

“That’s it, love, do you like that?” he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.

Milah shuddered. “Yes.”

It was good, so good, but after a few minutes she felt herself plateau and she squirmed in frustration. She was very close, closer than she’d ever been with Killian, but either her mind or her body or both wouldn’t cooperate.

“I know what you need,” Killian said, and he shifted down the bed, his hand still moving against her. Milah lifted her head in confusion just in time to see him replace his hand with his mouth, and then he swiped at her with the flat of his tongue. The soft, wet pressure was unlike anything she’d ever felt, and she cried out.

“Bloody buggering fuck, Killian,” she panted. He chuckled, positioning himself as if he was going to stay down there for a while. It made her suddenly very self-conscious about her body, and her hand stole down to cover herself.

Killian bent down between the legs, his nose brushing against her knuckles. “Let me pleasure you, love.” He looked up and met her eyes. “I’ve been selfish. I want to do better for you.”

Milah’s breath caught. “All right… but you don’t have to do this.”

Killian continued to regard her over the expanse of her belly and breasts. “I won’t if you don’t like it, but--” He smirked. “I think you’ll like it.”

Cautiously, she moved her hand out of the way.

The next time he licked her, he actually moaned in appreciation. Milah threw her head back, overwhelmed with the way his attention made her feel.

“You’re delicious,” he said against the crease where her leg met her pelvis.

“Don’t be daft.”

“You taste like sex, love, what could be more delicious than that?”

There wasn’t any talking after that, and Milah’s self-consciousness bled away as Killian worked her up. When he focused quicker, more intense flicks of his tongue against her clit, Milah felt like a fire had been kindled inside of her, burning hotter and hotter until it exploded, radiating out through her limbs. She clenched her teeth together, trying not to moan too loudly. Just because the rest of the crew knew she shared a bed with the captain, that didn’t mean she wanted them to know every sordid detail about their sex life.

Killian continued to lick at her until she was flinched with oversensitivity, weakly pushing him away. “Stop, stop.”

He sat up on his heels, wiping his mouth off on his arm. “Was that good?” The expression on his face told her that he wasn’t fishing for compliments; he genuinely wanted to know.

“It was amazing.” She reached for his hand, pulling until he stretched out on top of her, his hips cradled between her thighs. “You’re amazing.”

Killian shifted his pelvis and thrust deeply inside her in one stroke. “No, you are, Milah.”

~*~

“Now you look the part,” Killian said, and she could hear the grin in his voice. “A true pirate.”

Milah studied herself as best she could in the small mirror, then looked down at the red blouse she wore, and the way the corset under it made her breasts look. Pretty fantastic, she had to admit.

“I’m hardly a pirate, Killian.” She smoothed down her flowing skirts. “But thank you,” she said, then added with a sigh, “I’ve never been able to afford clothes like this.”

“It’s nothing more than what you deserve, darling.”

“Captain!” came a call from up on deck. Killian levered himself out of his chair and kissed her cheek. “Let me go see what Cooper needs; back in a tick.”

After a minute, Milah felt the ship change direction, and for the first time she was able to compensate by shifting her weight without stumbling. Giving herself a little metaphorical pat on the back, she looked out the windows in their cabin, but the view from the stern of the ship only showed the churning wake that trailed behind them.

It seemed like they were increasing speed as well. Curiosity getting the better of her, Milah climbed the stairs and opened the hatch to see what was going on.

Killian was at the wheel, shouting orders to his crew. The men below hauled on ropes, adjusting the sails in a choreographed dance that still mostly mystified her.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

He gestured toward the prow. “Spice traders have found themselves in the wrong part of the sea at the wrong time. We’re going to make them regret the error.” He had a flinty gleam in his eye as they bore down on the smaller vessel.

Milah watched, apprehensive, as the Jolly narrowed the distance with the other ship. This would be the first time they’d engaged in actual piracy since she’d been aboard, and she had no idea what to expect. It struck her how incredibly rash her decision to run away aboard a pirate ship might have been.

“What are you going to do to them?” Her voice trembled.

Killian glanced at her, then summoned his first mate and handed him the wheel before pulling Milah aside. “See the flag they fly?” he said, pointing. She looked, but could only make out a smudge of blue in the distance. “That trading company is notorious. Opium, slaves… no merchandise is off limits if they can profit from it.” He grinned. “They’re one of my favorite targets.”

He didn’t say ‘only’ targets, she noticed.

“Will you kill them?”

“If I have to to protect you and my crew, aye. But if they surrender, I won’t hurt them. I’ll just unburden them of whatever they have in their hold.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Stay below until we’ve secured the vessel.”

Milah nodded, wondering as she returned to their quarters if she should add sword-fighting lessons to her daily routine.

Whatever Killian had meant by securing the vessel, it didn’t take long. After several minutes of nail-biting while she listened to shouts from above, a crew member named Johnson opened the hatch and shouted down to her. “Cap’n says it’s safe for you to move about freely, m’lady.”

They called her that: my lady. The irony that she had to run away from her husband and commit adultery with another man to be afforded such an honor wasn’t lost on Milah. She thanked him and mounted the stairs.

When she was up on deck, Johnson continued. “It were easy pickings, this ship, and it’s a rich prize.” He gestured toward the planks connecting the two ships. “You can go over and see for yourself. Cap’n’s over there now.”

Milah eyed the planks, which looked terribly narrow when she thought about crossing high above the water. Still, her new mantra since she’d joined the crew of the Jolly Roger was ‘I can do this,’ so she steeled herself for traversing one of them. Perhaps she could help Killian inventory the loot and divvy up each crewman’s share, thereby showing herself to be useful when they raided other vessels. She was so focused on not falling into the ocean and on what she might do to help the crew that she hardly noticed the blood on the deck of the other ship. It was only when she almost tripped over the body lying face up on the boards that she stopped, a scream caught in her throat.

The unknown crewman from the trading ship was young, probably no more than twenty. His eyes stared unseeing at the sky, his blood continuing to seep out at her feet.

Milah wondered if he had a mother somewhere, worrying if her son was safe.

~*~

“You all right, love?” Killian asked. His cheeks were red from the wind above deck, or perhaps from the rum he’d been drinking. She could hear the men celebrating as loudly as ever as the night wore on.

Milah took a swig of her own rum. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Just thought you might join us on deck for some revels, that’s all. Nicholson is asking after you; I think he might have a crush.”

“Killian, when you decided to become a pirate, why did you do that?”

His brow furrowed. “I told you, it was because of Liam.”

“Yes, because of Liam. Because you didn’t want to serve a king who could throw lives away the way Liam’s life was thrown away. Because you wanted to be free. That’s what you told me.”

She could tell he was starting to pick up on her mood. Folding his arms across his chest and leaning back against the stairs, Killian nodded. “Aye, what’s your point?”

Milah took another drink of rum. “So where does killing merchants fit into that worldview?”

“I told you, the trading company they work for--”

“Yes, you told me, but that wasn’t a ship of slave traders, Killian. Those were just… just middle men transporting cinnamon. That dead boy--”

“He attacked me with a sword, Milah; forgive me if I defended myself.” His eyes flashed with anger. “And those men were just as much a part of the system that killed my brother as anyone. What do you think kings and queens fight their petty wars over? Trade routes and profits.”

She sighed; this wasn’t an argument she wanted to have. “Today was the first time I’d ever seen a body run through with a sword.” Taking another drink, she added. “First time but not the last, I suppose.”

Crouching down next to her chair, Killian’s face softened. “I’m sorry, love. I should have shielded you from that.”

“There’s no point in shielding me from it -- it’s your life. And I suppose now it’s mine.” She shook her head and emptied her cup, longing for the rum to numb her pain. “I’m just missing Bae today, that’s all, and it’s making me churlish.”

Killian reached out and stroked her hair. “We could go back for him. Take him with us.”

Milah blinked, shocked at this offer, at the fact that Killian was so willing to make it. It showed a level of commitment to her that she hadn’t until that moment realized he felt. “We can’t bring a little boy on board a pirate ship. It’s too dangerous.”

“Perhaps when he’s older, then,” Killian countered. “We could offer him the chance to join us in this adventure when he’s a lad of, say, twelve.”

Again, the easy way that Killian seemed to imagine the two of them still together years from now knocked her flat. “As if he’ll ever forgive me for leaving him,” she scoffed.

“He will if he understands your reasons. We can make him understand, love.”

“Okay,” she agreed distantly, swayed in the moment by Killian’s earnest arguments. “Perhaps when he’s older.”

That night, she dreamed of the dead merchant lying in a pool of his own blood, but in her dream the merchant had Baelfire’s face.

~*~

Milah stood nervously, awaiting her turn to speak to the old woman in the market. She knew Killian was in one of the town’s shops at present, probably paying too much for dried beef and hard tack and limes, but today he’d have to manage without her, as he clearly had for a long time before she’d come on board.

Finally her turn came and she approached the woman. A push-cart containing of glass bottles full of the woman’s wares stood between them.

Hiding her nervous hand-wringing in the folds of her skirt, she said, “I need a potion to prevent me from getting with child. Word is you have something like that.”

“Aye, I have such a potion, but it will cost you,” she said, eyeing Milah with skepticism. “Few can afford it. Does your husband know you’re here?”

Milah almost laughed. Her husband hadn’t known where she was for almost three months. She hefted her coin purse. “I can pay,” she said, electing not answer any questions about her marriage.

She had been as cautious with Killian as she could be, paying attention to her cycle and insisting that he pull out during the times when she was more likely to get pregnant, but Milah had known plenty of women who had grown heavy with child doing exactly the same. She couldn’t risk it any longer. Not only was a pirate ship the worst place to raise a baby that she could possibly imagine, but she feared that Rumple’s promise to sell their second child to the shaman who saved Bae’s life might apply to her regardless of who fathered the babe. And who knew what sort of magic that shaman was capable of. When she’d finally shared that fear with Killian, he’d set sail for the port city of Boralus, where the local apothecary was known to be a powerful witch.

“Fair enough,” the witch said, crouching down and rummaging for a few seconds beneath her cart before emerging with a bottle. Milah handed over her gold and listened to the witch’s instructions. Tucking her purchase safely away in a satchel, she heaved a sigh of relief and turned back toward the town square to meet Killian.

Before she reached the meeting place, the sight of a set of charcoals and paint brushes in the window of a shop brought her up short. Looking down at her coin purse once more, Milah grinned and went inside.

~*~

She sat at the table in their quarters with her paper and charcoals arrayed before her, trying not to giggle. “This is ridiculous, Killian, I can’t draw you like this.”

Killian stretched his arms above his head before repositioning himself on the bed. “Why not? Don’t you like looking at me naked?”

Milah rolled her eyes. “Stop fishing for compliments. I just mean I’ve never drawn a man’s…” She gestured toward him, her cheeks heating up.

He trailed his hand down his chest and took the part of his anatomy she was referring to in hand. “What, this?”

Picking up her charcoal, she began drawing lines to approximate the way his broad chest tapered down to his waist and hips. “Don’t touch it; I’m definitely not going to draw you sporting an erection.”

Killian laughed and released his cock, returning his hand to his thigh. “Is that better?”

“Yes, now be still for half a minute, please. You fidget more than a little boy.”

“Oy, way to damage a man’s ego, calling him a little boy when he’s naked and vulnerable.”

Milah continued to sketch, looking up at him intermittently. “I don’t believe you’ve ever been vulnerable, naked or no.”

“You didn’t know me when I was an indentured servant,” he said lightly, but she could tell there was darkness underneath his words, and she immediately regretted the joke.

“I’m sorry, darling,” she said softly. She knew the bare outlines of Killian’s backstory, but she’d never thought much about how a childhood spent in servitude might inform the person he was today. It was probably no small part of the reason he’d become a pirate. So that no one would ever control him again.

She was working to get the fall of his dark hair across his forehead just right when he beckoned to her. “Take a break and come join me, Milah.”

She huffed, standing and stretching out her aching back. “Was modeling for me just an excuse to try to get me into bed in the middle of the day?”

He grinned, taking his cock in hand once more. “Perhaps. Is it working?”

Standing up to rinse the charcoal from her fingers in their washbasin, she hid a smile of her own. “Perhaps.”

Killian padded over behind her, wrapping one arm around her while he moved her hair aside with his other hand to kiss her neck. “The longer we’re together, the more I want you,” he whispered. “Why is that?”

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and let herself enjoy the sensation of his lips on her. “I don’t know.”

He undressed her reverently, dropping to his knees at one point to press kisses to her breasts and abdomen. The adoration Milah saw in his eyes when he looked up at her had become familiar, and that itself was remarkable. No one before Killian had ever looked at her that way. She felt a rush of desire for him as she threaded her fingers through his hair.

He made love to her slowly, bringing her close to the edge with his fingers before sliding his cock inside her. He stayed up on his knees, looking down at her with that same adoring, rapturous expression while his fingers worked against her clit in time with his thrusts. Climaxing was easier for her now -- it was like so many other luxuries that being with Killian had made commonplace in her life. She cried out as she came, uncaring who might hear her. Killian stretched out over her, changing the angle so that they were chest to chest, thrusting harder and deeper until he followed her over the edge with a groan.

He held her close after, their sweat-slicked skin pressed together. “Gods, I love fucking you,” he said, nuzzling against her cheek.

Arching an eyebrow, she commented, “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Killian ignored her gentle gibe. “I should go up and check on our heading, but I can pose again for you later if you want.”

She snorted. “It’s not always going to lead to sex, Killian.”

“Can’t blame a man for trying,” he said with a shrug and a wink. “But if you don’t find me to be an acceptable model, would you consider drawing a self-portrait? For me?”

Milah wrinkled her nose. “If you want a picture of a woman, I’m sure I could sketch the next buxom barmaid we come across in our travels.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I don’t want a picture of a barmaid. I want a picture of my love.”

~*~

It was a several weeks before she made an attempt at the self-portrait, and when she did every drawing ended up crumpled into a ball and thrown into the corner. She deeply regretted ever attempting to draw her own face, but she regretted it even more when Killian joined her in their quarters that night and picked up one of the discarded drawings, smoothing it out to look at it.

“Killian don’t, that’s not--” She sighed. “I didn’t want you to look at those.”

“I apologize, darling.” He frowned with contrition, but stole another quick glance at the drawing before Milah jerked it out of his hands and ripped it up.

“Do you have any that you haven’t discarded? That you’d be willing for me to see?”

She hesitated for a moment, and then opened her sketchbook to show him the one drawing of herself she hadn’t completely hated. She’d perhaps made her hair a little more perfect and lush than it was in reality, and drawn herself looking a bit younger than she thought she looked when she regarded herself in the mirror. The vanity of that made her blush, and her fingers itched to crumple the page up like the others.

“This one is beautiful too,” Killian said, holding it up to look at it in the light. “But you look so sad, love. Is that the way you see yourself?”

Milah wasn’t sure what to say to that. “I suppose I am sad,” she said.

Worry washed over Killian’s face. “What can I do to make things better, love?”

She shook her head in frustration. “I’m not saying that… The sadness doesn’t come from a thing that’s happened that you can fix, Killian. Sadness is just… it’s a part of me.”

He dropped to his knees next to her chair. “I thought… I mean, I know you miss Bae, but I thought being with me made you happy.”

That pierced her heart. Milah shook her head quickly, taking his face in her hands. “It does! It does make me happy, I swear. I’m not talking about that kind of sadness, I’m not talking about the kind of sadness that comes from unhappy events, I’m talking about… I’m talking about the monster.”

His brow furrowed with confusion. “What monster?”

Milah winced. “It’s a thing I started imagining when I was a girl, when a voice in my head would tell me that I was useless or lazy or… you know, that inner voice that berates you?”

Killian nodded. “Aye, I know it.”

“I imagined that it was a little monster, riding around on my shoulders, its tail curled around my neck. Whispering things in my ear to justify why I deserved the beatings I got from my father. Why Rumple’s cowardice was the cause of all my unhappiness, or that I was a terrible mother who should never have brought an innocent child into the world.”

“Or that your son would be better off it you were dead.”

Milah nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek.

“But if you know it’s that inner voice, then you know that it’s just your worst fears and doubts. You know it lies.”

“They’ve never felt like lies to me.” She let go of Killian to wipe at her tears. “It’s funny, even though I know it’s not really a monster, there was a part of me that thought I could outrun it with you. That if we traveled far enough and fast enough, to another part of the globe, that it wouldn’t be able to follow. But that was nonsense, of course.” A watery laugh grated out from her throat. “The monster is a part of me, it’s not something I can run away from.”

Killian leaned up toward her, taking her head in his hands, kissing the tears from her cheeks. “Don’t lose faith yet, my love. We’ll find a place where it can’t follow you. The wind in our sails and and the whole world in front of us. Put your faith in me and we’ll outrun that monster. Together.”

Absorbing the fierce love in his eyes, Milah could almost believe him.

#milah #millian #milah ff #millian ff #killian jones #my fic

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seriouslyhooked · 4 years

Text

Honeymoon Fades (A CS Fic)

CS oneshot that provides a snippet into their married life after 30 years together. Includes fluff, feels, and cuteness. Short, sweet, and the perfect weekend treat. Find on FF here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey all! This is a short drabble based on the song ‘Honeymon Fades’ by Sabrina Carpenter. This story picks up on Emma and Killian when they’re children are all grown and they’ve been together nearly 30 years. Spoiler alert – the cuteness perseveres after all their years together, and in some ways they’re like honeymooners, still as in love and happy as they were just post-wedding. Hope you enjoy the cuteness and thanks so much for reading!

The silence in this house was still a foreign thing to Emma. After so many years of raising her family, and decades of craziness that she wouldn’t trade for anything, quiet moments still felt like a real commodity. They used to be so few and far between, and every time they found them, she and Killian made use of them. They lived a life of constant motion, and they were always go-go-go, but it kept things fresh and interesting. They were never lacking for love and excitement around here, at least they never used to be.

Now, however, things were different. Take this morning for example. It was 9:00 and she was only just rolling out of bed. She was off today from the station, where she was beginning to take a number of steps back. Her brother Neal had been working with her and her Dad for years, deciding he wanted to join the family business, and he was now the newly elected town sheriff. Emma still worked at the station and ran point on many aspects of Storybrooke’s response team, but even with that, there was never enough to do. She ‘worked’ from 9-5 Monday to Friday, mostly just conferring with the townspeople on what needs they had and what the town could do for them. And then the weekends she had off, totally free, never any hiccups. Just two whole days of… well, whatever the hell she wanted.

Despite the fact that this free-weekend thing was normal (it had been about a year since she agreed to the schedule shift), she was still awed by the premise. When the kids were still home, nearly every moment that she wasn’t working was dedicated to them, to their games, and plays and homework and lives. But now their nest was empty. The kids all had their own worlds and agendas, and weekends were becoming a time when Emma and Killian could genuinely relax.

This morning was the perfect example. After waking up bright and early in her husband’s arms, and after their heated exchange of what Killian always called ‘good morning pleasantries’ (code for sex that had no right to be that hot after how long they’d been together), Emma had fallen back asleep while Killian rested only briefly before heading out to go for a sail or run some errand or another. No matter how much quiet they had, her husband was still an early riser. No amount of downtime would change that. But for Emma a lazy morning was a luxury, one that she soaked in and cherished after years of never having them.

As she showered and got dressed, Emma found herself smiling, knowing that she was a lucky woman in every possible way. She was blessed with healthy kids, a network of supportive friends and family, and a true love who was always in her corner. The sun was shining in Storybrooke, and the summer heat was already beginning to climb. She had a whole host of possible paths to wander today. She could go for a hike, or tend to the garden out back. She could drive up the coast and explore the world beyond, or she could take it easy and relax, luxuriating in this happy, stress-free moment that they currently had going. But whatever she did, Emma knew she’d have company for the ride.

Moving downstairs Emma caught the scent of bacon and coffee in the air, she closed her eyes and hummed out a sound of contentment. Spoiled – that was what she was, and as she walked into the kitchen and saw Killian flipping some blueberry pancakes she leaned against the doorway and bit her lip. Damn, nearly thirty years together, and he was still too hot to handle. Standing there, making her breakfast with that mix of salt and pepper in his hair, her pirate was still fit and ready for whatever fight might come their way. There were more laugh lines etched upon his skin, and he might move just a touch slower than he did back in the early days, but the light in his blue eyes that sparked when he caught sight of her still pierced down to her soul, and the sexy grin of his made her heart skip a beat.

“Finally, the lady wakens,” he joked and Emma shook her head and smiled as she kissed him quickly and then moved around him to pour herself a cup of coffee.

“Sounds like someone missed me.”

“You know how I feel about being away from you, Swan.” The growl in his voice sent a thrill of anticipation down her spine. Damn this man and his sexiness. Thirty years wasn’t enough to get used to him, and some days she still felt like a honeymooner as opposed to a couple long settled and established.

“You’re not a fan as I recall,” she teased and she let out a yelp when he swatted at her ass with the hard metal of his hook. She blushed in spite of herself, thinking of all the times that particular appendage had made itself known before. She could tell from his deep chuckle that he read her like a book, and she cleared her throat and changed the subject. “Any thoughts on what we should do today, Captain?”

“Whatever my wife wishes, I reckon,” he quipped as he placed their plates on the kitchen counter and he held out her chair, tucking her in like a true gentleman before taking his own seat. They discussed the possibilities as they ate, and he caught her up on some friendly neighborhood gossip that he’d heard down at the market, but when their meal was done and they moved to clear the dishes, Emma noticed a little sadness in Killian’s eyes. Immediately she knew the reason for it.

“You miss the kids, don’t you?”

“Aye, love. How could you tell?”

Emma didn’t have the heart to tell her pirate that his expression was totally transparent. Instead she came to cuddle with him, her arms encircling him as he did the same. This was her favorite spot, tucked in her with her true love. It was always her safest space and the place she felt like things would always be okay. Now though it was Killian who needed that anchor, and she was more than willing to give it to him.

“Because I miss them too,” Emma confessed, knowing it was silly. She saw all of her children nearly every day, and they were all in constant contact. Still it wasn’t the same, and time, as beautiful a gift as it was, was also all too fleeting. Years moved by so quickly, and some days it felt like she blinked and that whole chapter of their lives had flown by.

“It feels like only yesterday the whole house was filled with Hope, Liam and Leia running about, and with Henry coming home any chance he got. Remember the morning we found the little ones all in the mud out back?”

“Which time?” Emma asked, laughing even as she shook in horror.

The sight of them that day was so damn funny – covered and filthy and dripping in liquid dirt. But it had also been a logistical nightmare. They tracked the stuff everywhere, ruining the couch and a carpet, and the magic each kid was capable had created some kind of spell where all the stains were permanent. It was maddening but also so freaking funny, and of course, Killian had been a superhero, wrangling all three of them back outside to get cleaned off on the back porch. In less than a day he’d had the couch and carpet replaced, consulting Regina about the rest of the mess, all while Emma was on a shift at the station, and her cheeks flushed at the memory of the night they shared together when he got home. There were thousands of nights like that in the long arc of their marriage, but that one stuck out. She was especially grateful for everything he did for her and their family, and they’d made some truly lasting memories as a result.

“Or the Halloween they started the prank war with your siblings?”

“Oh my God,” Emma groaned remembering. Her kids at that point were so beyond toilet papering and throwing eggs. They had the benefit of understanding their true love magic to a certain degree and they’d made use of it. She and Regina had spent days unmaking the mess, and the town was still a little whacked out energy wise until after Christmas.

“How about the day Leia decided she wanted to be a vet?” Killian said, laughing straight out this time.

“She brought home six cats, four bunnies, and three dogs. I still never figured out where she found them all.”

Okay that wasn’t exactly true. Leia made a ‘wish’ that she could give all the homeless pets a home, and her magic had crafted its own attempt at a spell. As a result, all of the strays in a ten-mile radius arrived at their house, all of them charmed by her daughter, and cute even if they were most of them worse for wear.

“To be fair she was only trying to help them all. And she had a plan, didn’t she? A special room or space for every last one of them.”

“She was fourteen at that point. She knew there was no way we could keep them all, even if Hope was away at school and Liam was on his way to college soon too.”

“Perhaps, but we kept more than a few.”

Emma nodded, thinking of their two dogs and two cats. The other animals had all found homes either with her parents, Henry, or Belle. Even at the time she’d found it endearing, and look at where they were now. Leia was away at her last year of college, and she’d been accepted early to the university’s veterinary program. Even if that one day was madness, Emma knew it was the beginning of a real vocation, which she wanted each of her children to feel.

“You know what I think will help?” she asked, circling back around to how much they missed their family.

“Rum?” Killian asked, though he was kidding. He’d cut back considerably as time went on, but he loved pretending rum was still the answer to all things. Always with the jokes, this man.

“Maybe a little. I was thinking you, me, and maybe a bit of sailing?”

“You had me at you and me, love.”

Emma laughed at his attempt to blend a movie quote from long long ago into their conversation. Despite his being here for so many years, Killian still delivered anything having to do with pop culture like he was fresh from the Enchanted Forest. It made for many a funny moment, and this was no exception. The humor of it was only compounded by how quickly he sprung into action. No sooner had she spoken then idea than he was moving about, grabbing things they might need, and packing them a picnic lunch for them to enjoy hours from now when they were out on the water. For a moment she watched him, delighting in how adamant he was to spend time with her and get to go make some brand new memories, but before he could get too carried away, she pulled him into her, clutching at his shirt and smiling at him happily.

“I love you, Killian. A little bit more each and every day.”

“For this day and all days,” he agreed, before kissing her sweetly and resting his forehead against hers. In that moment they just enjoyed this, breathing in the peace and calm they’d fought so hard for. And even when they did break apart, and were back in action once more, Emma carried her love for him always, reveling in how magical it was to truly have a happily ever after.

………………….

I hope we stay the same, hey Honeymoon

Unexpected, this thing that we fell into Lie, so connected You came at a time when my heart was selective Didn't have to choose my love Was accepted, yeah

Now we're running your luck one on one You were sent to me like a one of one And, now we're going I just want no one Nobody else

I hope we never change I hope we stay the same I hope that we can love through the pain After the honeymoon fades I hope we never change I hope we stay the same I hope we can love through the pain After the honeymoon fades

After the honeymoon fades, yeah

I remember when we met we was all in each other's bed And we were spending every second we had And now that it's official it's hitting a little different What the hell we're gonna do with these bads, no yeah

And now we're running your luck one on one You were sent to me like a one of one And, now we're going I just want no one Nobody else

After the honeymoon fades

And I hope it tastes the same Even if it's the best way

Honeymoon fading with you (Fading with you) Honeymoon fading with you (Fading with you) Honeymoon fading with you (Fading with you) Honeymoon fading, fading

Post-Note: So there we have it. Just a happy little dose of future fluff today. I find that writing these kinds of stories always brings me such a warm feeling, and though I know no show can go on forever, I still wish we’d seen more glimpses into how good things would have stayed for CS for years to come. Anyway, my wish for all of you is that this will have brought you some joy today, and that this chapter finds you healthy and well. I appreciate all of you reading and messaging me and leaving comments. It truly means the world, especially because I am mired down in work and stress and worry. I’m hoping to keep posting some chapters in the meantime, but if I get a bit spottier with the frequency, I hope you all will understand. Anyway hope you have a great rest of your weekend and thanks again for joining me on this fluffy little jaunt!

#captain swan #captain swan fic #captain swan ff #cs fic #cs ff #cs #cs fluff #cs family #cs future #captain swan fluff #captain swan future fic #cs happy ending #emma swan #killian jones #cs mixtape #captain swan mixtape #cs kids #honeymoon fades

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