Chapter Text
“Hoooook!” Shouted Emma, where had that damn dog got to? Her dog, a mostly black, Siberian husky with deep blue eyes and a white face, apart from the dark circles around his eyes, which she always thought resembled eye liner, was always getting her into trouble. Always running off in the dog park to give her as much grief as possible. The speed of him was certainly amazing, even taking into the fact he only had three legs, he had lost his front left, that didn't stop him being the cheekiest dog she knew. “Hoook! Where are you?” She looked high and low for him. No luck. She walked to the water's edge to see if he had disappeared for a drink.
“Love, look out!” A panicked voice shouted. Before she knew it, black and white flashed before her eyes and she was sitting in a heap on the floor. She heard splashes in the water but before she could inspect what was happening, strong arms were lifting her up. “I am so sorry, I can't apologise enough.” She turned around to see a tall, dark, handsome man who oddly resembled the colour of a tomato. His hair was dishevelled from his worry, and his hand scratched at his neck. “It was my dog and someone else's. They've been playing together for a bit, I couldn't find the owner.” She was absolutely flabbergasted. She couldn't even speak, she turned towards the lake to see a large black and white dog swimming about most contently, with her own dog looking unsure about the water. “I mean, it was my dog who knocked you over, she's so big but so unaware of it. She has no spacial awareness whatsoever. Comes with the breed.” He laughed, nervously.
“Look, it's fine.” She smiled, finally she managed to say something. He immediately relaxed when she was okay. “If being taken down by a massive dog is the way I’m gonna go, then that's the way it's gonna be.” She laughed. He joined in. “And that dog is mine, so thanks for returning him. He's certainly a cheeky one.”
“Aye, aren't they all?” He looked around the park. They both spotted an old man with his old brown Labrador. “Why can't I have that dog?” He chuckled. They watched their dogs in the water, hers had decided to take the plunge and follow his around.
“Is yours a Newfoundland?” She asked.
“Aye! Not many people get that first time around, she gets mistaken for a St Bernard a lot, sometimes a Bernese mountain dog, I've even had a Labradoodle! Honestly, how is she a Labradoodle?” He laughed.
“The people I used to live across from as a child had two. They were such lovely dogs.”
“Aye, that they are. My brother always wanted one. Unfortunately, he passed before he got one.” He said, sadly.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Not to worry, lass." There was an awkward pause. "He's a handsome fellow, he's quick for a three legged dog. Nice to see we share something in common.” He lifted up his left hand. She only noticed his prosthetic for the first time.
“Oh, wow. Yeah, I urm, rescued him.” She looked away from the man and watched their dogs playing in the more shallow water. “He was staring up at me with his big blue eyes, looking all sad and intense, I fell for him straight away.” She laughed, she turned towards him and noticed he also had deep blue eyes and he was staring at her intently. He looked as broken as the dog she rescued.
“What's his name?” He asked.
“Hook. After the pirate captain.” She smiled. “I was struggling for a name and Peter Pan happened to be on that night. I figured, why not?”
“Well, what a coincidence. My dog is called Nana!”
“I’m pretty sure Nana was a St Bernard.” She laughed.
“That's where you're wrong, love.” He stepped a bit closer to her. “In the original script and book it quite clearly states that Nana is a prim Newfoundland.” He smiled. “A fact I find myself telling everyone.”
“Interesting.” She smiled. “So, we both have cute dogs and we both like Peter Pan.”
“And both dogs have cute owners.” He smirked.
“You trying to claim that you're cute?” She flirted back.
“Aye, I'm fighting women off with sticks.”
“I don't see a stick around here.”
“Maybe I don't want to fight you off.” He whispered. She blushed immediately, his dog had knocked her onto her ass and now he was flirting.
“I bet you've trained her to knock women on the floor, so you can run in and be the dashing hero.”
“So you think I'm dashing?” He smirked again.
“I just meant-”
“I’m teasing. And you're the only one. I promise. Apart from a toddler once, but that ran into her.” She turned away from him, he was too much to handle.
“They’re having fun.” She pointed out.
“Like their owners.” His whole body was turned towards her and his hand rested on his belt.
“Is there a flirt button I can turn off?” She laughed.
“Alas, I wish there was. Maybe at six in the morning on a cold winter day, when the last thing I want to do is get up and go to work. I'm a bit moody then.”
“Shame we're not there.” Now she was flirting. He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Well, that can certainly be arranged.” He bit his bottom lip and she laughed.
“You couldn't handle it.”
“Well, I do like a challenge.”
At that moment Nana and Hook ran over to them, both sopping wet. They stroked each other's dogs and continued chatting. Mostly about their love of Peter Pan.
“Can I buy you a drink?” He asked abruptly.
“Urm.”
“As an apology?” His eyes were full of hope. “Please.”
“You don't even know my name.”
“Emma Swan.”
“How the hell do you know that?” She stepped back, was he some sort of stalker?
“It was on your dog's tag.” He smiled. She felt a wave of relief. Of course it was.
“And I’m Killian Jones.” He took her hand and kissed it. “So, what do you say, Swan? Have a drink with me?”
“Go on then. Since it's a Saturday.” She smiled. Together they walked in silence, their dogs padding at their sides, towards a dog friendly bar that overlooked the beach and sea.
“What can I get you?”
“Rum and coke, please.” He raised an eyebrow.
“Certainly, love.”
Emma watched over the two dogs, who were now dozing in the shade, it was a hot day, she had some blue knee length shorts and a grey t-shirt on. Killian returned with two rum and cokes to refresh them on the hot day. He beamed at her whenever she talked, she told him she was in bail bonds, and he told her he worked at the docks, but used to be in the Royal Navy. He lost his brother, who had practically raised him, and his hand in an excursion that went extremely wrong, and escaped to America to get away from it all. He explained that Nana was a failed service dog, due to her playfulness, but she still knew some of the commands. She told him about her time in the foster system and how some guy had set her up to take the fall, and she ended up in prison.
“Seems we share a tragic past in common too, love.” He smiled, he finished the last of his drink. There was a comfortable silence between them.
“Same?” She asked. She got up to go to the bar.
“Ah, ah. I'm buying.” He smiled, standing up with her.
“You bought the first round. I'm buying second.” She said, firmly.
“Very well.” He sat down.
“That's it? No more protests?”
“You're clearly a woman set in her ways, why would I bother delaying my drink?” He sat back and put a toothpick in his mouth. She nodded and went to the bar.
They talked about everything and anything, he wanted to keep her there as long as possible, and she felt the same. He kept chewing on his toothpick throughout their conversations. He was leant forward on his elbows, listening to every word she said, whilst she sat back. She leant forward. They were quite close and he smiled.
“You have an oral fixation.” She stated.
“What?” His cheeks tinged with red.
“You chew on stuff a lot. I’m not being dirty.”
“Can't say I would mind if you were.” It was time for her cheeks to tinge red. He pulled the toothpick from his mouth and smiled softly at her. “This might be the rum talking, but-” He leant forward slowly and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She didn't pull away from him, at that moment the two dog's started barking. There was a high pitched scream, and a man took off with a woman's bag. Emma was up straight away, running full speed for the man. After he had recovered and realised what was happening, Killian soon followed suit, the dogs chasing after him. She was so fast. He watched her grab the man and pin him to a wall, she took the bag. He kicked her shin and spat in her face, then took off. At least she had the bag. Killian saw her and ran over.
“Love, are you alright?” She wiped the spit from her face and looked at her leg. He had grazed it and it was dripping blood. “Your leg, it's cut.”
“I’m fine. Fancy another rum and coke?” She asked, walking past him. He smirked, she was quite capable of looking after herself.
“You’re not fine. You're bleeding.”
“How observant.” The dogs followed them both, as Emma headed for the woman. She was extremely grateful and offered Emma a reward. She refused.
“Swan, please. My apartment is just around the corner. Let me sort your leg out.”
“Do you have alcohol?”
“Indeed.”
“Lead the way.”
Killian's apartment was nice. It had an open plan, and two bedrooms. It was a comfortable enough space for his large dog, who often lay on his balcony. Emma was sat on his couch, she looked at her surroundings. His shoes were all neatly at the front door, his coats sitting on pegs. He had a bookshelf which was filled with endless amounts of books, but very few photographs. On his coffee table was a few magazines stacked up neatly, a book which was half read, and a photograph of him and another lighter haired man. She could only assume it was Liam, as they were both dressed up in Navy uniforms. He looked incredibly young and clean shaven.
“Here you go, love.” He walked over, two glasses in hand and a bottle of rum tucked under his armpit. He poured, then handed her one. He disappeared back to the kitchen and returned with a bowl in hand. It was filled with warm water and a cloth. He sat on the edge of his coffee table and tapped his knee, she placed her foot on it and he inspected her shin.
“Nothing I can't clear up.” He smiled.
“Sorry if my legs are a bit prickly.” She laughed. “I wasn't expecting this.”
“Don't be silly.” He wiped the dried blood, it was only a minor graze, why he was acting like her life was coming to an end she did not know.
“You look handsome.” He raised an eyebrow. “In the picture. In your uniform.” She stuttered.
“Oh, thanks. Liam was always the heartthrob. I was always a scrawny thing who still had to grow into his nose.” He Laughed.
“Well, you've grown quite well. Stubble suits you.” He was getting all shy, and she found it adorable. “Am I embarrassing you?” She asked. He didn't make eye contact and continued wiping her leg. “There's nothing there now.” She pointed out.
“Oh. Of course. Urm, I’ll stick a plaster on it.” He disappeared again. He returned moments later with quite a hefty first aid bag. “Wow, you're certainly prepared.”
“You never know when a beautiful woman is going to need rescuing because she kicked some guys arse.” He chuckled. He stuck on the plaster and tapped her calf twice. “All done.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. She raised her glass of rum towards him and he picked up his own. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
They sat in silence, he was still sitting on his coffee table, drinking, whilst the dogs slept by the fridge. It was getting to six in the evening.
“I was a medic.” He blurted out.
“Oh?”
“On the ship, I was the head medic. When Liam died, and I lost my hand. I couldn’t do enough for him, to save him. I have saved so many men, and I couldn’t do anything for the one who was most important to me. I lost my brother, my hand, and my career in the royal Navy. I was hoping to go to medical school, and become a doctor. The Navy were going to fund me. It was a pretty good future for an orphan.”
“I’m so sorry, Killian.” It mustn’t have been easy to tell her that. She didn’t even know if he realised he had said it aloud. “Really. I am.”
“Sorry, I don’t know why I told you that. I don’t usually open up that quickly, if at all.” He got up and walked off. She heard him fumbling about in the kitchen.
“Vodka?” She smiled, as he walked over and sat next to her on the couch. He brought two shot glasses over. “Seriously?”
“Needed something a little different.” He smiled. He poured them a shot each and clinked their glasses. “To new friends.” He smiled. They both sat with one knee on the couch, facing each other.
“I’m a friend now?”
“For now.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smirked. He downed the shot and placed the glass on the table.
“We should slow down, or we’re not going to make it to eight.” She smiled. “You got any beer?”
“Aye.” He got up and disappeared once again. “What would you like?” He shouted from his kitchen. “Budweiser? Guinness? Heineken? Peroni? Stella? Becks? I have cider! Strongbow? Magners? Kopparberg!” Was this guy an alcoholic?
“A Becks, please.” She called. He returned with two bottles of Becks and a smile. “Why are you stocked like a bar?” She asked.
“It was my best friend’s birthday last week. His girlfriend refused to have it at their place, didn’t want their lovely mansion getting trashed. So, I got stuck hosting. Thankfully, everyone brought beer and spirits to make it up to me. Should last me quite a while.” He chuckled.
“Big party?”
“He turned thirty, so yeh, I guess so. He got so wasted, I found him crying over my toilet about how his life was over. Thirty is no age, I told him. He said it’s alright for me, I have another year yet.”
“I’ve two.” She smirked.
“Alright, don’t rub it in, Swan.” He laughed and stared into her eyes. “I have an important question to ask you.” He said, seriously. She leant back. What was he doing? They were having fun, why did he have to go all serious? His pause was too long, she was starting to feel uncomfortable. “Will you share a pizza with me?” She sighed with relief, then burst out laughing.
“You’re a right-” She didn’t finish her sentence. “I thought you were being serious!”
“Excuse me, but tomato sauce and cheese cooked on dough is extremely serious!”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I would love to.” He grinned. “Only if it’s pepperoni.”
“If the lady insists.” He bowed, then grabbed his phone. “Hi, yes. I’d like to place an order for Killian Jones. A large pepperoni pizza, please. Discount?” He removed the phone from his ear and put his hand over the microphone. “Would you like some mozzarella sticks?” She nodded. “Hi, yeh. Stick them on the order. Wedges as well, please, mate. Twenty five dollars. Right, I’ll pick it up in half an hour. Thanks, mate. Cheers, bye.”
“A feast for us?”
“Aye, gotta treat a lady right.” She reached into her pocket and gave him fifteen dollars. “Put your money away, I don’t want it. My treat.”
“Jones.”
“Swan. No. I suggested it.”
“I’m already drinking all your alcohol.” She stated.
“I don’t care. I want to treat you. You can buy me dinner next time.” He smirked, leaning in closer.
“Next time?” She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t remember being asked, or asking.”
“Very well. Emma Swan, will you go to dinner with me some time?” He looked all shy again, not flirty as usual, but sincere. She pondered on it. Was it just dinner? Or was he asking her out?
“Depends. Where are you taking me?” She smirked.
“Well, if you’re paying, then the finest steakhouse in this city.” He laughed. She hit him playfully. “The pizza place is just around the corner. I was thinking we could stretch the dog’s legs and clear our heads a bit.”
“Sounds delightful.”
They walked down the front together, dogs padding at their sides. Killian on the left, Emma on the right. He had Nana’s lead looped around his prosthetic hand, and his right was dangling extremely close to Emma’s. He took a leap of faith and grabbed it. She didn’t pull away from him, and tightened her grip. His heart was pounding in his chest, no one had ever made him feel like this.
“Here we are.” He turned. “You wait out here with the mutts.” She pulled out some money and waved it in front of him. “No.” He turned on his heel, and Nana wanted to follow.
“Shhh, girl. Daddy will be back soon.” She stroked the dog’s floppy ears. She watched Killian through the glass window, he was chatting amicably with the server, a small blonde she noticed. She saw the woman smile and laugh at whatever joke he was telling, maybe Emma wasn’t so special? He just flirted with everyone. Then she saw him turn and point out the window. She looked shocked, he was pointing at her with a big goofy grin on his face. The woman waved at her, and she waved back. Surely he wouldn’t point out another woman if he liked the server, maybe they were just friends. He was heading out the door, but was still looking at the counter.
“Thanks, Tink! I’ll see you next week!” She shouted something, but Emma didn’t hear. “Oh, I’ll certainly try my best!” He had a couple of boxes in his hand and gave Emma a big smile. “She is hilarious.”
“Who is it?”
“Tink, she’s another best friend of mine. I used to work here before she got me the job at the dock.” He owed a lot to her. “Not a massive fan of her boyfriend, he’s a writer, but his father works on boats. She convinced him to give me a job. I was awful at this place. Couldn’t stand the rude people.”
“Oh, she seems nice.”
“Yeah, she’s great. We’re going out for drinks next week, even if August is tagging along. He’s not such a fan of me.”
“Are you surprised? His girlfriends best friend is a dark haired, piercing eyed, flirty, gentleman. I’d be jealous if I were him.”
“Didn’t think of it that way, never seen Tink as anything more than a friend.” Emma was relieved. “She asked if you would like to join us?”
“Me?”
“Aye, get August off her case a bit, if he knows I’m with someone-”
“Woah, Killian. Calm down. With someone? I mean, I’m flattered, but I hardly know you-” She stepped back.
“Calm down, Swan. I didn’t mean it like that, I merely meant, if August knew I had my eye on someone, he would stop being so suspicious of me all the time. I’m not suggesting we’re anything, Swan.” She eyed him suspiciously. “I promise. We’ll go at a steady pace, we don’t even have to go out like that, we can just go out as friends.” She nodded. “Come on, our pizza is getting cold.” He chuckled.
Back at the apartment, Emma had just finished the last slice. There were a few wedges left, but the mozzarella sticks were all gone. Emma had to fight Killian for them, he ate them so quickly. He claimed They’re just so delicious, Swan. They were both stuffed and leaning back on his couch, Killian picked up the TV magazine and flicked through it.
“Swan! Peter Pan is on.” He grabbed his remote and switched on the TV. It was the Disney version and it had just started. He got them a couple more drinks and settled down to watch the film. As soon as he saw Nana he complained. She laughed at him, then snuggled into him. He reached his arm around her and pulled her in. When the first set of adverts came on, he got up and disappeared.
“You know, you could tell me when you’re about to disappear!” She shouted. He came back with a blanket.
“Simply getting comfortable, Swan.” He smiled. “Shift.” She stood up, then he lay down and tapped his chest.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Well, I can hardly be the little spoon, Swan. You won’t be able to see over me.” She laughed at his ridiculousness and lay next to him. Just in time. The gang were arriving in Neverland.
“You know, I’ve never actually liked Peter Pan himself.” He admitted.
“Course you haven’t.” She looked over at the dogs. Hook was resting his head on Nana’s. She did look extremely comfortable with all that fur. “They look comfy.” She whispered.
“I think Hook’s got a crush.” He smirked. He had his arms wrapped around her. “Can’t say I blame him, she’s a very pretty Newfoundland.” The adverts came on again. Emma twisted herself so she was on her back and looked up at Killian.
“Thanks for today. It’s been nice.” He looked down at her. “But it needs something else.” He raised an eyebrow. “More rum.” She sat up and poured some shots. She lined four up each.
“You trying to get me drunk, Swan?”
“Just having a bit of fun.” He sat up. “First to down all their shots, then down a beer wins.” She smirked.
“And, what does the loser have to do?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
They started on their shots, Emma drank him under the table.
“What is my punishment?”
“Get me ice cream!”
“I don’t have ice cream.”
“What do you mean, you don’t have ice cream?”
“I don’t like it.”
“You don’t like ice cream?!” She sat back. “Sorry, Killian Jones. I have to leave.” She got up and started to walk off. He laughed and ran after her, his arms wrapped around her and turned her towards him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked, she stumbled backwards and they hit his front door. She was giggling into him. It was quite obvious that they were both drunk. “Shhh.” He laughed.
“This is definitely the rum talking.” She reached up and collided their lips together. The kiss was messy, nowhere near as tender as their first. Her hands went to his hair, he rested his hands on the door and deepened the kiss. He was struggling to keep himself steady, he had definitely drunk too much, he picked her up and walked her to the couch. They went down with a gentle oomph . His hands went to her waist, and she started to work on the buttons of his flannel shirt.
“Emma.”
“Shhh,” He had a white t-shirt underneath. She could feel his toned body under it, he clearly still looked after himself. His mouth went to her neck. “Killian.” She moaned. What was this woman doing to him? Her hands pulled his shirt up his back and she lifted it over his head. She ran her hands from his shoulders down his sides and he jerked.
“Oi! That tickled!” He complained. His hands went under her shirt and he did the same. “Seriously? You’re not ticklish?” She shook her head. “How is that fair? Bad form, Swan.”
“Enough talking.” Her hands went to his belt. He stopped her then.
“Emma, stop.” She did.
“What’s wrong?”
“We’re both drunk. Too drunk. I don’t want to forget this Emma.” She sighed. “I don’t mind carrying on with this steamy make out session though.” He smirked into her neck.
“Killian.” He smiled, then got up.
“Sorry, love. I know how tempting I am.” That got him a playful whack. “I hope I’ve not embarrassed you too much?” She had drunk more than him. She shook her head. “Shall we continue watching Peter Pan?” He asked. She nodded. They went back to their previous position spooning on the couch. She soon fell asleep in his arms.
Emma woke up with a massive headache. She had drunk too much. Way too much. She felt strong arms around her, they were Killian’s. He was snoozing lightly, his shirt was still off. She wasn’t too drunk to remember their steamy session, but she was certainly glad it didn’t go any further. Not yet.
“Morning, handsome.” She smiled. "You got some aspirin?"
“Mmm, morning.” His voice was still sleepy. “Has someone got a headache?" She could feel him smirking. "I do have aspirin. Would you like to stay for breakfast?” He asked.
“I’ve used enough of your hospitality.” She chuckled. “But, what’s for breakfast?”
“Pancakes?”
“Well, that’s an offer I can hardly refuse.”
Killian made them pancakes, whilst Emma took the dogs for a stretch of their legs. When she returned, they were waiting for her on the kitchen island.
“I have to go into work for a bit today.” He smiled. “Just got called in. Need to go in a few hours.”
“I have some stuff to do anyway.” She said, sipping her coffee.
“Can I have your number?” He asked. As if she would say no.
They chatted idly, she complimented his pancakes, he claimed he only made them on rare occasions.
"I need to go, Jones."
"So soon?"
"Like I said, I have things to do." She smiled, she placed his mug down. He walked around the counter towards her.
"Can I text you later?" She nodded. "Do you want me to walk you home?"
"I'll be fine, thanks." She smiled, he was playing idly with her hand. He was acting all shy again and looking at the floor. She reached up and kissed him. "Seriously, thank you. You're the best. I'll see you soon, yeah?"
"Okay, yeah."
Killian was painting one of the boats. He couldn’t get Emma out of his head, he really wanted to see her again. Nana was sitting by the water’s edge. He went on his break and fumbled about with his phone.
Hey, Swan x
Hey, Jones x
Let me see you tonight? X
You’ve seen me today. X
I know, but I wanna see you again. Is that so bad? Plus Nana is missing Hook. X He sent a picture of her lying by the sea.
How could I refuse that? However, if we go out, they still won’t see each other. X
Then maybe we will have to go out a few times x
The lovebirds will have to wait, I’m taking you out for dinner tonight. I’ll pick you up at 8. X
Shouldn’t I be picking you up? X
Where do I live? X
Touche.
Be ready, look pretty. I like a looker on my arm :D x
Cheeky, see you tonight xx
:D xx