Chapter Text
Killian Jones was lazily strumming the strings of his guitar on the floor of his studio apartment. He had work tomorrow, and staying up late while nursing a glass of rum was probably not his best idea. Alas, he was an adult, and he’s pretty sure that he can handle it. Plus, he really needs something strong to get his mind off things.
He couldn’t sleep even if he wanted to anyway. A particular blonde was haunting his dreams, and the thought of her wrecked his heart. He loved that woman, and it hurts knowing she’ll never be his, but he has come to accept it.
Swan’s happiness was all he could ever wish for, even if it’s not with him.
What did make his blood boil was her current relationship. Through an outsider’s eye, Neal Cassidy was the dream man. Loving, caring, protective, and even a business that could make money to support generations.
Though, Killian knew it was all just a facade. He was in fact, as Killian would like to describe him, a bloody bastard.
//
He first noticed it a few weeks back when he bumped into her at the lift lobby. They lived in the same apartment, so that was not a surprising factor. He was a little taken aback since he hasn’t seen her in awhile since she had gotten together with Neal. He was further surprised to see her look so distraught.
She didn’t seem to notice him, so he gently nudged her to get her attention.
“Swan, I haven’t seen you or heard from you in ages. Are you alright?” Killian had asked worriedly.
At first, she kept quiet, which didn’t calm his worries for her.
Why was he so worried anyway? He didn’t know. All he knows is that he wants to ensure she is safe and happy. If she was in any sort of danger, he would dive in headfirst to get her out of it.
“Swan, you seem uneasy, and please don’t say ‘it’s fine’, because I know you better than that. Something’s pestering you, and you know you can tell me anything right?” He prompted again. He knew her, and it’s probably not a good idea to push too much. But, he also needed to know if she was alright.
Eventually, he saw her walls come down a little as she sighed, looking up to him to meet him in the eyes.
“It’s just Neal, he’s been drinking a lot lately, and doesn’t seem to be himself when he comes home. Sometimes…” she sucked in a breath. “Sometimes he hits me, and threatened to do worse if I inform the police or something like that.”
He saw her cross her arms again and knew her walls were slowly going back up.
“You can’t put yourself through that, love. You need to leave him and inform the authorities! He could get out of hand and wor-“
“Don’t you think I know that?” She snapped. “Which is why I am trusting you not to tell anyone, Killian. Not David and Mary Margaret, not Ruby, not Granny, no one, okay? Please.”
//
The knock on the door pulled Killian away from his train of thoughts. It was already 1:24 am, so who could it be? He sure as hell didn’t order any late-night pizza.
Worrying it might be something important, or someone might be hurt, he took quick steps to the door and opened it.
“Emma? Love, what are you doin-“ He lost the words in his mouth when he saw the bruises on her arms and the gashes on her cheeks.
“He did it again, didn’t he? Oh, I’m going to kill that bastard if it’s the last thing I do.” He was about to go out and find that swine, but his anger fizzled away when he heard her sniffle.
Hurriedly, he brought Emma in with gentle arms, who was currently shedding tears with silent sobs. Seeing his stubborn Swan like that hurt him. That usual fire in her eyes was gone, she looked pale and seemed like she hasn’t gotten proper rest in awhile.
He took some supplies from the bathroom and started cleaning at the gashes on her cheek. God, he hated the bastard that did this to her.
“Swan, what happened?” he asked softly, his face so close that he could smell the whiff of honey-almond shampoo that she used.
He saw Emma take a breath as if to compose herself before she started explaining.
“He went out drinking again. I-I was pissed, he promised he wouldn’t do it again just the other night. He held me and promised he was going to change - that he loved me, that he didn’t want to lose me. I stupidly believed it.” She sobbed.
“Then today, he came home and started saying that I’m worthless, that nobody wants me. I got mad, of course, and started yelling at him. That’s when he started hitting me again.” She looked up at him, green eyes meeting his blue. “I’m sorry I came here, I had nowhere to go.”
Killian’s heart ached. Gently, he cupped her cheeks. “Emma Swan, you listen to me, never apologise for coming to me find me if you need me, I promised that I would be there for you, and I’m a man of my word.”
He then pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Secondly, nothing of what that bastard has uttered to you is true. I refuse to believe my Swan is going to let him get to her.”
“Please don’t go back to him Swan, I can’t bear to see him hurt you like this again.” Killian reached for her hand and squeezed it. He was angry of course, but not at her - he doesn’t think he can ever be angry at her. Instead, he was angry at Neal Cassidy.
Neal, an excuse of a man whose wrong to think that he’s even worthy of breathing near Emma. All he wants to do at the moment (except for ensuring Emma is comforted and safe), is to punch Neal and send him far, far away from her.
“You know I can’t do that, Killian. He’ll find me, and it’ll be even worse than the last time. It’s infuriating!” She cried, turning to face him.
“How long more will he have control over my own life? I’m tired, Kil. I’m mentally and physically exhausted. I’ve tried to run away from him, he’s found me. He threatened not to call the police, if not you would get hurt.” Killian instinctively pulled her close, letting her cry into his shoulder. “Hell, if he finds me here...”
Killian shook his head. “Hush, Swan. He will not. He won’t lay another finger on you, not while I’m here. Do you hear me, love?” he said softly, rubbing small circles on her back in an attempt to comfort her. “Stay here for the night, get some rest, and don’t worry about it okay? He won’t hurt you.”
He could practically hear the thoughts in her head as she stayed silent. Finally, she turned her head and faced him. “I don’t want to be a bother, Killian. I’ve already barged into your house at nearly 2 am, and you’ve tended to my wounds and bruises, and no-“
“Ah shh, shh, shh. You’re never a bother to me, when will you understand that, love? It’d make me feel a lot better knowing you’re safe under this roof. Plus, knowing that you’re well-rested too. So, please, go wash up and get some rest.”
That was his Swan. Always thinking about others before herself, sometimes a little too much. Always worrying she’s a bother or being afraid to be vulnerable. Time and time again, he’s tried to making her see otherwise, but it is to no avail. So, Killian decides to be patient and try again.
After a pregnant pause, he sees her nod. Reluctantly, he let her go and watched worriedly as she disappeared from view when she rounded the corner. Trying to busy himself instead, he cleaned up the medical supplies he had used from the first-aid kit. That is until he heard her clear her throat.
“Uhm, Kil, can you accompany me?” Emma was looking everywhere but directly into his eyes, and he knows because she was afraid of the judgment in his eyes.
(He knows, because she’s an open book to him, of course.)
So, instead, he takes her hand, squeezes it gently, and follows her to accompany her. He makes sure to respect her boundaries because, given her history with people like Neal, he doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
She was getting tired by the minute, and he was surprised that she made it to bed while still walking with her own two feet. Well, barely.
“Tuck me in?” her sudden question broke the silence and he nearly dropped the extra blanket he was holding for her. Quickly getting out of his state of shock, he nodded.
God, she looked so small and vulnerable. He missed her witty jokes and quick comebacks. All he wanted to do was ensure her everything was going to be alright.
“Of course, love.”
Once she was comfortable in bed, he pulled the covers over. She was practically already asleep by the time she laid down. He smiled, seeing her so relaxed and content. “Sweet dreams, Swan.”
Slowly, he sat on the side of the bed, careful to not make the bed dip so abruptly. “Neal won’t hurt you as long as I’m here, love. I swear on my life. I’ll make sure you’re safe. I love you, Emma Swan. More than you’ll ever know. Maybe one day I’ll find the courage to tell you this, but my heart will always belong to you.” He placed a kiss to her temple before leaving the room with a small click of the door.
What he couldn’t hear after he left the room was Emma’s soft confession to the dark abyss.
“I love you too, Killian Jones.”