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It had been a long day, the whole savior and Gideon complication taking more and more of Emma each day than she could deal with. After much nuisance from Killian, they had decided to take a walk down to Granny’s diner to get some drinks and relax. They had been sitting outside for a while; the weather was getting colder and it was beginning to snow as well.
Last time they were sitting here, outside of Granny’s diner, Killian had confided in her about trading his ship to get back to her realm and find her. She remembers it like it was yesterday, it has been about a year since that day. All the adventures that preceded that moment were flooding through her mind: the time-travel adventure, the ballroom dances, the rescues and escapes, the reassuring hugs, the affectionate and caring looks when he thought she wasn’t looking but most of all, Killian’s unquestionable faith in her and her abilities. Now here they were again; after dating these past two years, his eyes still shone a bit brighter every time she smiled softly at him.
Somedays she forgot how lucky she was to wake up next to him, to have him fight next to her and for her every day. Specially after the events of the Underworld, he seemed even more committed to fighting for them, making every moment together more precious, a gift they did not intend to squander.
Just the other day, they were in bed together when she asked about his future plans “now that he lived to see another day”. He laughed at that bit but after his expression immediately turned serious as if reality had suddenly sinked in.
Killian – You know, I was blinded by hatred I never saw beyond his death, I spent so many years surviving but not living. Before that, me and… me and Milah just travelled wherever the wind took us, there was never really time to settle down. I guess we were afraid that if we stopped our past would catch up to us, which it inevitably did.
Emma listened as he shared this bit of information about himself. Suddenly it all felt too real for her. She shivered beneath the covers at the prospect of marriage and settling down with Killian. After all, it was meant to be this way. They were true love. Marriage seemed a small step in comparison.
Killian held her a bit tighter and kissed the top of her head, understanding this was not an easy topic of conversation to Emma. She could not overcome the number of times she almost lost him just in the small amount of time they knew each other.
Killian – I know what you are thinking about Emma. Don’t worry love, I’m still not about to propose to you. Just know that I want to and will wait until you are ready to do that.
Emma looked up at Killian, sincerity in his blue ocean eyes, she could always lose herself in them. She felt herself relax.
Emma – I’m worried you will change your mind or end up in trouble like these last few times.
Killian – I would never change my mind, about getting into trouble I can most definitely assure you I will have you to save me from them, love.
Emma laughed at this. Her pirate was never going to change. She reached her hand up to caress his face and slowly kissed him, nipping at his bottom lip. He groaned and grabbed her face with his hand and hook. When they parted, he gave her a small smirk.
Killian – Or I can always trade you for that damn bar wench I met in the Enchanted Forest a couple years back.
After that conversation, Emma had been certain about one thing: she intended to marry Killian Jones. With the way things seemed to be going for them, she felt that, more than ever, their happy ending was never secured. They had to fight for it every step of the way, there were no guarantees about life. The only thing she was sure about was her love for Killian.
She thought about the way he had carefully put aside, once again, his wants and needs for her own well-being. No matter how many times she pushed him away, he kept coming back for her. And the funny thing is, Emma believes, if she made him wait until they were in their eighties, Killian would not pressure her one bit.
So, in a way, she had decided to let him know she was ready for the next step. When he asked her, yesterday, what she wished to eat for dinner and she answered: “Your heart's desire, Killian. I promise, that's all I want you to have.”
They had locked eyes in that moment, a small understanding passing between the two of them. A smile appeared in both faces. He understood the message.
Her mind returned to their current conversation outside of Granny’s. They had been discussing about her parents and their constant unsolicited house visits and phone calls. Many of these visits had happened in moments of their own private times and Killian, for one, was not a fan of interrupting their quiet moments.
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As Emma’s mind had drifted off somewhere else in the midst of their conversation, Killian realized how tired she looked. How negligent she had been instead of prioritizing herself for once. He took a moment to really look at her and once again thank all the gods above for giving him something so good like Emma after such a long time of pain and suffering. Finally, his happy ending.
She was so beautiful inside and out. Whenever he saw her bright sunshine yellow hair or her fiery green eyes, he had to take a full moment of pause to gather himself. He still remembers how he actually felt speechless the first few times he encountered her after the Enchanted Forest but instead his cocky bravado was nothing but a smokescreen she saw right through. He never told her how she actually made him weak on his knees with just a speech when the whole town was about to go down and she asked him to be a part of something. She was the reason for his change to the good side, to “her” side.
He thinks about all those times he was by her side in their adventures and the way her trust, not easily earned, revealed her painful past so plainly, had been one of the most important parts of their partnership. It’s not that he can’t remember his solo adventures anymore, but he just prefers every single one he has with Emma, no matter what.
Her courage and her determination made her the bravest woman he knows, but her kind heart and her fears were the things that made him want to crawl into this woman and never leave her.
For this reason, Killian decided it was the time to finally ask her the most important question of his life. He had been ready since their time in Camelot. Perhaps even before, when he decided to die to give her and Henry a chance to make it to the end of the Heroes and Villains book.
He remembers the look of panic in her eyes when she reached her apartment and came looking for him and could not find him where he last was almost as if the world was about to open up and swallow her whole. The concern over him so profound that he almost teared up on the spot. Once again, his cocky facet had won over and he had used his humor to cover up his feelings. He was incredibly surprised by the way she had ran up the stairs and hugged him so tight, her smile so gracious and electrifying, all because of him. Part of him knew then, knew that she belonged with him, and one day he would make it happen.
Then Camelot happened. The love they were fighting for once again being challenged, this time by the Dark One’s darkness inside of Emma. There were times where he felt unsure about himself and about being the right person to help Emma fight the darkness. But he never doubted Emma for one second, she was, after all, Emma. The same lass that fought Cora, Pan, the Wicked Witch, the Snow Queen, Isaac and every other villain she faced and defeated them.
With Emma, he had witnessed first-hand the way the darkness drained most of one’s personality away, shedding most of her happiness away. Some of the simplest necessities like eating or sleeping were not needed, but she still joined them at the dinner hall for meals and their chambers at night time while he was sleeping.
After they dropped off Henry at the stables with Violet, he had decided take her riding on the fields of Camelot. He did this so she could finally let him carry part of the burden of the darkness and how much it had been eating her away. He wanted her to trust him with everything, even the worst part of herself. “This is about putting your bloody faith in me, in our future”, he had said to her to get her to ride on the horse, right before telling her he would never stop fighting for them. On that day he had known for sure, it was time to prepare for the day.
Killian – Remember when we walked around in that Middlemist field in Camelot? The one we rode to on that borrowed horse, well… stole from?
Emma smiled at him. A smirk appearing on her face regarding the reference to the stolen horse.
Emma – Yes, Killian. Of course I remember. I could not forget the absolute romantic pirate move you pulled in Camelot. It was the only moment I actually felt some peace of mind in the whole Dark One mess.
Killian’s cheeks blushed at the compliment. He hadn’t done it with second intentions or romantic purposes. His intention was to actually relieve her of her darkness burdens and give her a break for once.
Killian – I know you always found me a dashing rapscallion darling, but what I actually meant to revive your memory on was our conversation.
Emma – Yes, Killian. I remember our conversation. We were discussing our future together and me putting my faith in you. Something about you never stop fighting for us.
Killian smiled at the memories. For once, there were no villains to interrupt them, no monsters to fight with. This was it, their moment.
As Emma was about to open her mouth to say something else on, Killian dropped on one knee. Emma, who was sitting down on one of the diner’s chairs stood up. Emma’s eyes turned to Killian’s which were already fixed on her face. His face now serious.
Emma – Killian?
Killian held her gloved hand in his own and intertwined their hands. His hand gently caressed her hand in a way of reassurance.
Killian – Emma Swan, my love, I know how insecure and scared you are of the future and of losing each other. You’ve been through a lot over the years and your heart has been broken far too many times to count. I can’t imagine how hard it was to lose me when I died and when I could not return from the Underworld.
At the mention of his death, Emma started to shed some tears down her face. One of her gloved hands coming up to clean the new tears that threatened to fall.
Killian – I’ve seen you for who you are since the beginning love, the lonely orphan, the fearless mother but also the brave incredible woman you are. Savior or not, you are the most extraordinaire woman I know. I wish that every time I looked at you, you would be able to see yourself the same way.
Emma kneeled next to him to stand eye-level with him. His blue eyes shining so bright and already shedding some tears of his own.
Killian – Emma, I promised you I would never stop fighting for us back in Camelot. I will keep fighting with everything I have for our love and to bring you happiness. The last time we were here I told you I traded my ship to get back home, to you. Love, I would trade the Jolly Roger a thousand times if it meant I would get to be your husband and be by your side for the rest of my life.
Emma’s head fell to the side as she started to cry a bit harder. Her emotions spiraling out of control.
Killian - What I really want to ask, Emma Swan, is, will you be my wife?
Emma stood for a moment looking at his eyes. They were so full of love and devotion. His hair completely tousled and covered in snowflakes. Her heart stopped beating for a minute. She knew her answer.
Emma – Yes, Killian.
Killian grabbed Emma’s face with his hand and hook. He could simply not believe how lucky he had been. He kissed her so passionately it took both of their breaths away. She responded in-kind. His hand making his way up her head to grab her hair just like he had done the last time they kissed here. When they separated Killian still did not let Emma get away from him. He kissed her again leaving a trail of kisses along her neck and jawline. When the kiss stopped, they smiled so widely at each other, it felt as everything in world was once right. As they stood up together, Killian picked up Emma bridal style.
Emma – You do know we are not married yet right?
Killian – I know love, I still got to prepare to carry my bride on our nuptials, you still got nothing on rum barrels.