#cs fic rec

[ohmightydevviepuu]

fanbinding: the reason birds can fly

the story: the reason birds can fly by philthestone

genuinely i sometimes wonder if i am the only person who has read this little gem of a fic. canon-divergent post-s5 finale and an absolute delight of absurdity and ... reality from Henry Mills' POV as he heads to college after everything he has survived.

the binding: sewn boards paperback legal quarto. designed to look like an american school kid's composition notebook. took me ages to line up the notebook lines and then they didn't print that way so i had to trim it pretty much by hand using a guillotine. speckle design from stock imagery printed on sparkle HTV. modified spine with bookcloth, no backing, to give it that rounded feeling. in retrospect, i might have made a few different choices; if i ever print it again i might try black kraft paper with white sparkle HTV so the feeling of negative space is different. but this bind has been in progress over a year and i'm happy just to be holding it in my hand.

yes, the first page is on the wrong page. yes, i (mostly) did that on purpose. lol.

[princess-and-the-swan]

MC Fic Rec: Down the Primrose Path

By Nikolettan | Rating: M

Desperate times demand bold actions, and Emma Swan is about to pull off the ultimate gamble: faking an engagement to the elusive Duke of Hookshire to rescue her family from financial ruin. Her plan seems foolproof—until Killian Jones, London's most reclusive and mysterious nobleman, learns of his sudden engagement. Once a celebrated figure of society, a tragedy drove Killian into self-imposed exile. Now, intrigued by the daring woman claiming to be his fiancée, he steps back into the spotlight, determined to turn the tables. In a game where hearts are on the line, can a fabricated love affair turn real, or will the truth shatter more than just their reputations? WIP as of 06/04/2025

This fic is from the same author who wrote Too Well Tangled! Imo, no one does BAMF Emma Swan like this author. In this fic, we've got Emma somehow pulling off the ultimate heist in claiming she's engaged to Killian -- the reclusive Duke of Hookshire, who hasn't been seen in society in years. I'm so hyped for the next update!

Read it on AO3

[snowbellewells]

CS Fic Rec Monday: "The Rise and Fall of the Storybrooke Book Club" by: @phiralovesloki

This long one shot is such a joy to read!! Especially if you're a book lover and enjoy some fun commentary and banter about novels and their merits between your characters! @phiralovesloki does a brilliant job with that, bringing both Emma and Killian into a book club that neither really wanted to attend, grudgingly sparring about their reading preferences, and coming to really enjoy hearing the other's thoughts and having someone with whom to share their own. She also brilliantly choses and utilizes various other Storybrooke denizens to wonderful effect as the book club is getting off the ground (David, Mary Margaret, Belle, Ashley, etc.)

Definitely a fun one to discover (or revisit!)

"The Rise and Fall of the Storybrooke Book Club" by: @phiralovesloki

[stubblesandwich]

Friends! Can I get some fic recs? 👀

Just discovered I can send fanfics to my Kindle, so obviously you all know what I'm going to be doing for the next few months. ✌🏻 Would all my fic reader friends be so kind as to suggest some of their favorites? Or some fandom classics you've loved? The must-read ones--long ones with multiple chapters to feed my hungry Kindle. Or feel free to tag your favorite authors. Self promos welcome 😌

Thanks, all!

[4getfulimaginator2022]

Captain Swan Fic Recs

Fic Recs (with my cover art)

Tagging the authors on Tumblr: @dancingdoula44, @o-u-a-timer, @killians-sex-hair, @livinglights, @goforlaunchcee

Thank you for all you've done for the CS fandom - sending you much love and many hugs! 🥰❤️💝💞

[killiansprincss]

Timeless - a Captain Swan AU chapter 10/19

Summary: Season 3 divergence - When Zelenas time portal works, Henry wakes up alone in Storybrooke and must travel to the Enchanted Forest to get his family back. Only once he gets there he quickly realises its not like the one in his book, theres no Evil Queen and his mother Emma wasn't put through a wardrobe, theres even a poster inviting the entire kingdom to her engagement ball, to Hook. What will happen once Henry gets them to break this new curse and they get their memories back?

In which chapter is inspired by a different Taylor Swift song.

Previous Chapters, AO3

———————

'Cause all the boys and their expensive cars

With their Range Rovers and their Jaguars

Never took me quite where you do

And all at once, you are the one I have been waiting for

King of my heart, body and soul

It had been a week since Emma’s return to the Palace. She kept playing the situation over in her head, her fathers angry face and how small she felt. There was a lock on the doors to the balcony. The lock was strong, that was for sure, she tried and failed to break it open. But it was no use, even if she did she would have to face the guard posted below the balcony.. She was a prisoner. 

She hadn’t spoken to her father since he’d sentenced her. Her mother would knock and check in and give her some food, but Emma didn’t speak to her. She could have easily sided with her and didn’t. The only person she spoke to was her brother, who felt it was his fault she was trapped.

When she falls asleep, Emma dreams of being back in Killians arms. She felt safe in his arms. They were at sea for three days before they saw land again, and when they docked Emma had to take a moment to realise how vastly different it was to Misthaven. The docks were similar, but they led right into the market square where stalls were selling everything from spices to silk.

“Come on love, let me show you around.” Killian took her hand and laced their fingers together as he led her round the market, explaining this kingdom was a hub for imports, ships would arrive every day to buy what they needed, whether that be the best cheese of any realm, or the finest silk for the prettiest dresses. Some claim they had access to these items due to magic, and there may be some truth in that yet in the mountains you could see camps set up where workers were farming livestock or growing the plants needed for the materials. 

Emma dropped the hood from her cape as they walked, fingers interlaced, breathing in the smells and looking round at every corner. Something she was always afraid to do in Misthaven for fears someone may recognise her and take her back to the Castle.

__

“David. It’s been a week, hasn’t she suffered enough?” Snow asks her husband at breakfast. Sure, she wasn’t happy about her daughter running away with a Pirate, but she knew her daughter and knew it wasn’t a decision she made lightly.

“Snow, are you forgetting what he is?” Pirates had a notorious reputation for a reason, he couldn’t imagine what would happen in the kingdom if they accepted this relationship, or what would happen to Emma.

“You know you’re sounding an awful lot like my parents when I told them I wanted to marry you.”

“That is completely different and you know it. I was an innocent shepherd who your parents already loved. That man is a Pirate who stole her innocence and is going to break her heart.” 

Snow purses her lips as she sips her tea. “How do you know he will break his heart? Have you spoken to him? Asked his intentions with our daughter since you locked him up?”

David just shakes his head, “you’re suggesting I talk to the man who kidnapped our daughter?”

Snow sighs as she takes a sip of her tea. “I don’t think our grown daughter can be kidnapped. David, she left of her own free will, you think she let herself get taken away, our daughter is strong and capable of her own decisions.” She puts her cup down and takes her husband's hand, “I don’t like that of all the men in the kingdom she's chosen a Pirate. But this is our daughter, we raised her and we know what she's like.”

David considers his wife's debate. Yes they had always taught Emma to be strong and independent, even when they came to the Palace, even when she became a Princess. But he also thought they taught her she could tell them anything. David had suspected something was up, when she became more brash at turning down suitors, but he assumed she wanted a stable boy or someone in the kitchens, he never suspected a Pirate Captain. He is reminded thought of when he first went to Snow's parents and asked for their blessing and they turned him away, he had always vowed to treat his children with respect and love. Emma was his little girl and maybe part of the reason why he was angry with her wasn’t the fact it was a pirate, but more that she was grown up and wasn’t his little girl anymore.

“I’m gonna get some answers about this pirate our daughter is so enamoured with.” David simply says as he retreats to his chamber to formulate his plan. He wanted to find out about Hook, but from someone he trusted, a third party. Which is why he dons his royal clothes for something a little more comfortable, something he was used to wearing 16 years ago. 

He rides one of the horses from the stables, one that was not a clear royal horse, and rides down to the Tavern where Emma met her Pirate. Pulling his hood over his head as he enters the tavern, he looks around for the man he was looking for. 

“I’ll take an ale please, fine sir.”

August, the man who was once a boy made of wood stares at him as he grabs a goblet from the shelf underneath the bar. David lowers his hood slowly so that the once wooden boy can see who he is.

“David?” He whispers. “Your majesty, what are you doing here?”

Throwing a few coins on the bar, David tells him he needed his opinion on the Pirate his daughter supposedly loved. Someone that saw what happened and can give another view on what went on with them.

“Well I can tell you what happened with them, or you can speak to the very man himself.” August says pointing over at a table in the corner where a group of men in leather were drinking and playing cards. Pirates. And amongst them, the man that should have been in the dungeon back at the Castle. 

______

Killian had escaped from the dungeon not long after he was put in there. He and Emma had a plan, if it went badly, they knew he could escape any shackles he was put in and Emma would sneak away and meet back at either his ship or the tavern and they would run away for good. 

But it had been days and he had not seen or heard from Emma. He was worried about her. She was always able to escape before, what if they had put her in the dungeon and she wasn’t able to escape? What if she were in shackles made of magic which made it impossible to escape from. Surely her parents were not that cruel though?

His crew noticed he was off. They all knew it’s because he didn’t have Emma but they didn’t dare to say anything. So he turns to his trusted friend, Rum. He would sit in the tavern each day waiting for Emma to show up and each day he drank more and more when it was clear she wasn’t coming. 

That was until one day around noon, he saw Emma’s father, the King, standing in front of him. “You.”

Killian banishes his crew back to the ship, claiming he had an important meeting.  “Your majesty.” He had imagined how meeting Emma’s father would go, he had seen him many times from afar but up close he could immediately see the similarities, and not just in looks. The fire in his eyes was the same Emma had when she was angry.

“Didn't I lock you up?” He asks, a fair question.

The Pirate raises his eyes at the King. “You really think a 300 year old Pirate cannot make his way out of a trap?” 

The King was practically lost for words. “Look. I didn’t come here for that. I came about Emma.” 

“Where is she? Is she okay? Please, I need to know.” he touches his chest, “I can normally feel her or sense she’s okay, but I haven’t felt her. I know that sounds crazy, but I just, I need to know if she’s okay.”

It actually didn’t sound crazy at all, David used to be the same when they were young, he would feel hurt when Snow was hurt, or if she was in trouble, he would just know.

“She’s fine, she’s back where she belongs.” Killian could sense the slight dig in his choices of words. “That’s why I’m here. I just can’t understand it, you’re a pirate she is the Crown Princess-what is it she sees in you and why do you care about her? Don’t Pirates swear an oath to hate royalty or something?” 

“I didn’t plan this, that’s the first thing you must know.” He tells the King as he orders another round to the table. “Neither of us planned on falling in love. I met her at this very tavern, I recognised her from a few nights before where I snuck into one of your balls and she threw me in the dungeon.”

“You did what?” David interrupts.

Killian waves him off, “story for another time mate. Anyway, we began talking as I wanted to know why a Princess was dressed as a commoner. I was enchanted to be honest, she was so different to anyone I’d ever met.”

Killian then explains how they got to know one another over the past few years, and how Emma felt alone sometimes despite her life being filled with people who loved her. He told the King about their adventure to another kingdom and how alive Emma had felt and that they never intended to run away forever.

“I’d do anything for her. I have lived a very long time. I was trapped in a horrid place called Neverland for almost 3 centuries and they frequent my nightmares every day since I returned. But the last few years with Emma have been the happiest of my life. I can’t imagine life without her. I understand she’s the Princess and a Pirate doesn’t fit into that, but the thought of not being with her takes me to a very dark place. I just, I beg for you not to take her away from me.” 

David didn’t know exactly what he expected to come of this conversation, but he certainly never expected the fearsome Pirate Captain to speak so highly of his daughter. He hated to admit it, but it clearly was love that drove Emma away. “Would you give it up for her? The life of a Pirate?”

Without a second thought, Killian simply says, “Yes. I’d do anything for her. I'd go to the end of the world for her.”

“I have a proposal. Now if you accept, I will let you formally court Emma, no promise of an engagement or marriage, but simply a chance at officially courting the Princess of Misthaven. It so happens my current Navy is slacking, they aren’t good enough. I could use a fine captain to whip them into shape. I can’t let a Pirate court my daughter, but a naval captain on the other hand.” 

The chance to officially court Emma. To hold her hand in public and spend the day with her surrounded by people and not live in constant fear. But he would have to leave the life he had lived for the past 300 years and go back to working for a King which he swore he would never do. “That is a very kind offer, and I would love nothing more than to accept. However, a former King is the reason I became a Pirate, why I left the Navy all those years ago.”

“You have been in the Navy previously?” The King asks.

“Aye. My brother and I were fortunate enough to be given the chance to study and learn in a former Kings Navy 300 years ago. We worked hard, and one day my brother Liam became Captain and he appointed me his trusted Lieutenant. At the time our kingdom was not in a good shape, we were at war. Our King sent us on a journey to a horrid land to retrieve a plant called Dreamshade, he told us it would heal our injured soldiers. Well an evil demon lived on this Island, and when we told him of our plans to retrieve said plant he told us it was a poison. My brother was stubborn, you see, he believed the best in our King, so to prove my suspicions he drove the spikes of the plant into his skin until he bled. And all I’ll say is Liam didn't make it back to our kingdom alive.” 

Killian had told that story to a few select people, Emma included. It was his darkest memory. If Liam had just believed him things would be very different. 

“I’m sorry about your brother, that’s horrible. I have heard Kings become tyrants in the past, but I can promise you I will never be like that. I’m not of royal birth even, I was a shepherd until I married Emma’s mother. So I feel like an outsider many times, my wife knows everything about the kingdom and how we should run it and what people deserve our attention, so I find myself sitting back and letting her do the work. And when I tell you she has the kindest soul.” 

Killian wouldn’t be leaving the high seas, not really. He would be close to the sea, and be sent on missions. But he would be paid in gold he did not have to steal. And he would marry Emma one day the right way. And King David, he did have a kind heart, but he was also a concerned father, and that’s why he knew he would never

be like the King who killed Liam. A Pirate's life came at a time of darkness, and was filled with getting revenge. But that all stopped when he fell in love with Emma. So maybe it was time for a new change. “King David, I accept your offer to be in your Royal Navy as your trusted Captain. I just would like one request.”

David just nods, “tell me.”

“My home is my ship, the Jolly Roger. She has been with me through everything, light and dark. But she wasn’t always a Pirate ship, she was once the Jewel of the Realm, fastest ship in the kingdom. If I’m to accept, I would wish to keep my ship. I will tell my men to bugger off and find another Captain to follow. I am already giving up my life as a Pirate, let me keep my ship. I know how she runs and her weak spots, she can be a Naval Ship once more.” 

The King smiles, “we have a deal.” 

_____

“Emma. It’s me.” David knocks softly on his daughter's door. He was too harsh on her, she has always been his baby girl and seeing her grown up and making her own decisions was hard for him, but he had to accept it. “Can we talk?”

“Go away. I don’t want to see you.” She yells back. 

“I have someone here to see you.” 

“Love, will you open the door?” As soon as Killians voice is heard, Emma opens her door and jumps into his arms. He wraps his arms around her and breathes in her scent. “I missed you.” 

Emma wipes away her tears as she looks up at her Pirate, standing next to her father. “What are you doing here?” 

It’s David that steps forward. “Emma. Firstly I just want to apologise for how I acted. It was wrong of me to dismiss you straight away, I should have given you a chance to tell your story instead of locking you away.” He truly was sorry for how he acted, he was stubborn and impulsive and when she had been missing he panicked and assumed the worst when he learnt she had run away with a Pirate. “Secondly, I would like to introduce my new Naval Captain, Captain Jones. He has my permission to officially court you, if that is what you desire.” 

Emma’s mouth widens in shock, Killian-Naval Captain? She can barely process what was going on and the words couldn’t form in her mouth, all she can manage to say is “what?”  

And so the two men explain their conversation and Emma isn’t able to stop the tears coming from her eyes. As long as she had Killian by her side, nothing else mattered.

“You will be able to court him. If things go well we will discuss your engagement.’ Her father explains and Emma couldn't believe this was happening. “I understand you wish to abdicate, but all I ask is give it time, your mother will lay off the suitors and I will see about what we can do about your duties and so you don’t feel like a prisoner in this place. If you still wish to abdicate, then I understand, we just don’t want to lose you Emma.”

Emma hugs her father, and whispers “thank you daddy.”  This was all she had been asking for, to marry someone of her choosing and for her family to listen to her. Whatever would come next, at least she had Killian by her side.

[captainswanfluffyfebruary]

Say It With Flowers

Killian Jones, owner of The Jolly Rhododendron, has a new customer who just wants to put a smile on his mom's face. Killian is quite happy to assist Henry Swan in his quest.

Read on A03 and send some fluffy love to @kmomof4

[piinfeathers]

Let's spread some love 😘. What are some of your top five favourite cs fics?

i love this oh gosh, also god i have too many ;;

ok in no particular order:

breathless by AcrobatElle - LINK

genuinely cannot emphasis enough how much EVERYONE needs to read this one. there is spice, but like the most heart wrenching, bring you to your knees, soul moving thing you've ever read. i won't spoil it but please, run don't walk to read this one

a uniquely portable magic by @wistfulcynic - LINK

listen, it actually pains to pick only one of saira's fics because i love them ALL. but if i HAD to, it would be this one. this is my desert island fic, the one i reread over and over. i can't even describe how beautifully she writes and how much every fic of hers feels like coming home, but they just do. cannot recommend highly enough just going through her archive <3

running home to your sweet nothings by @sotangledupinit - LINK

gonna be a little stinker and pick mary's most recent fic. i would have also said her run rogers run fic from christmas last year buuuuut, listen. i love her current fic. i am a sucker for EF lieutenant duckling AUs where Emma is actually given a sword and allowed to go buck wild (aka what should have actually happened in the wish realm episode SORRY) so this one really hits the spot so gooood

tactical magic by @iverna - LINK

my one true love in cs fics is witch!emma in a urban fantasy setting and i love, LOVE what svenja does in this fic. also i just love the way she writes emma and killian in all her fics, they always feel so true to the characters every single time, and she treats them both with such love and attention

iridescent blue by @pirateherokillian - LINK

listen only pip could write a werewolf story about a mauling for an event called january joy and still make it one of the sweetest things you've ever read ;; i love how she writes both emma and killian in all her fics, they always feel so real to me whenever i read her stuff

also massive shoutouts to the authors i first read when i got into the fandom and got me hooked @hollyethecurious , @the-darkdragonfly , @elizabeethan and @cosette141 please just go and raid their ao3's i'm so serious

[initiala]

Let's spread some love 😘. What are some of your top five favourite cs fics?

Oh boy, I hope you're ready for some older fics because I have legitimately not read anything in months. These also aren't my top fics because there's just SO MUCH GOOD STUFF out there, look I know it's an older fandom but you gotta dig back because we have so many gems in this fandom and so many authors who blessed us with their writing.

STARTING OFF STRONG WITH:

Incarcerus by @qqueenofhades - Vampire AU, honestly breathtaking in scope and thought and just overall mastery of words. Everyone is seen to with the utmost care, be ready to cry at several points throughout for various and sundry reasons

In general, anything by AlexadraLyman. There's a lot of unfinished longfic but it's the kind where you're like "I'm just so glad I read what you've given, because it's amazing and I can use my imagination for the rest if you never do come back to these". It doesn't look like Beyond the Horizon is on AO3 but it's still up on FF.Net and all of those fics/side fics are also worth your time in the most wonderful way.

Beastly by xHookedonKillianx - I'm biased because I beta'd this during the CSSNS it was written for, but this was just so much fun.

Poem Without Words by @totheendoftheworldortime - another author whose other works I would also recommend, especially Heart by Heart. This and HbH just catch my imagination in lovely ways (outside of all the smut)

Lethologica by @lifeinahole27 - it makes me cry. It also makes me really fucking hungry. The DETAIL ABOUT FOOD THAT IS PROVIDED HERE IS UNFAIR. Also literally everything else Sar's written

Parcheesi by @unfolded73 - look, I'm nothing if not a slut for Lieutenant Duckling but this is one of the sweet spots for it. Also, again, literally anything by this author, she was one of our more prolific latecomers to CS fandom and we love her for it

[ilovemesomekillianjones]

This was such a cute story 💖

Say It With Flowers: A Birthday Fic for @whimsicallyenchantedrose

Happy birthday, Jen!!! I love you dearly and have been so excited to write this fic for your special day!!! I so hope you love it!!! I’ve had this fic in mind since early last fall, I think and I’m so thrilled to finally be able to give it to you! I hope your day is as wonderful as you are and that you enjoy my little offering!!!

All the love and thanks to @snowbellewells​ and @jrob64​ for all their help in crafting this. Their suggestions and comments made it so much better!!! Thank you both, ladies!!!

Summary: Killian Jones, owner of The Jolly Rhododendron, has a new customer who just wants to put a smile on his mom’s face. Killian is quite happy to assist Henry Swan in his quest.

Rating: T (one instant of strong language)

Words: Almost 4800

Tags: Birthday Fic, More a Captain Cobra Fic than a CS fic, But Firmly CS at the End, Anti Walsh

On ao3

Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.

@jrob64​ @teamhook​ @winterbaby89​ @hollyethecurious​ @xarandomdreamx​ @undercaffinatednightmare​ @the-darkdragonfly​ @stahlop​ @superchocovian @pirateprincessofpizza​ @tiganasummertree​ @anmylica​ @cosette141​ @motherkatereloyshipper​ @zaharadessert​ @jonesfandomfanatic​ @ultraluckycatnd​ @jennjenn615​ @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713​ @kymbersmith-90​ @booksteaandtoomuchtv​ @wistfulcynic​ @mie779​ @snowbellewells​ @lfh1226-linda​ @aprilqueen84​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @pirateherokillian​ @elfiola​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​ @justanother-unluckysoul​ @poptart-cat-78​ @myfearless-love​ @goforlaunchcee​ @searchingwardrobes​ @gingerpolyglot​ @gingerchangeling​ @djlbg​ @cocohook38​ @cs-rylie​ @thisonesatellite​ @donteattheappleshook​ @deckerstarblanche​ @veryverynotgoodwrites​ @wefoundloveunderthelight​ @fleurdepetite​ @alexa-fangirl-forever​

Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

Keep reading

[ohmightydevviepuu]

fanbinding: given the choice [part one]

well, this one has been printed, sewn and glued--complete with boards--for almost a year. i just hit a block with perfecting the final steps because it involved hopping between 3 different computers. worked out in my favor, though, because i was able to use the most beautiful bookcloth for the spine strip and push myself to finish something i'm really happy with.

the story given the choice by @iverna

one of the true classics. a season 3b divergence with no missing year but plenty of adventure. technically part one as this is a WIP and this is not even inclusive of everything that's been posted. just stopped at a natural stopping point so that i could enjoy it. and honestly--this story is so good that i'm just so grateful it stops at a natural stopping point and i have what is already written to enjoy as many times as i choose.

the binding half-letter folio sewn boards. cover art by @iverna printed inkjet on canvas and finished with a decorative gloss. titling in HTV glitter. bedazzled because of who i am as a person.

[princess-and-the-swan]

MC Fic Rec: Love, Kindness, and Other Useless Things

by @joneskillian | Rating: M

CS AU, set in 1815. Lord Killian Jones is haunted by the demons of his past which makes him nowhere near the man he once was, so he can't be the father he wants to be. And above all, he believes he is undeserving of love. Perhaps with Emma that is all about to change. But falling in love is never easy, that's just how it is. Complete.

I LOVE REGENCY FICS Y'ALL! In this one, we've got a stoic Killian who's the lord of a vast estate and a widower with a young daughter. Emma is his daughter's governess, and of course, she's the one to get him to open his heart up after the loss of his wife. I really love the way that Killian's daughter was written in this fic, and I'm pretty sure this fic won an award for best original character! Also, the back-and-forth dynamic between Captain Swan is fun because it takes a while for them to finally get together, which I personally really enjoy.

Read it on AO3

[snowbellewells]

CS Fic Rec Monday: "Privacy and Pancakes" by: @laschatzi

This week's first rec from me is a fun one shot by @laschatzi. This glimpse into CS happy domestic life (even if interrupted by overly enthusiastic family members) is just a joy to read. You get to see the two of them between battles, the bond the Charming-Swan-Jones family as a larger unit has established, humor, a bit of spice, and lots of sweetness. This feels like it could fit in anywhere in the late season six canon, almost like a missing moment, or into an alternate season seven where the action had remained in Storybrooke and we'd gotten to see a little more of what that married CS happy beginning had looked like. At any rate, it's a great one to bring a smile to your face, and definitely worth reading if you've missed it before now - or revisiting it if it's been a while.

I tried to create some cover art for it, so hopefully you'll enjoy that @laschatzi:

"Privacy and Pancakes" by: @laschatzi

[stubblesandwich]

Shipmates, anyone have any favorite fake dating AU fics for Captain Swan? 👀 I'm listening to an audiobook and the characters are giving me some vibes that led to an itch that must be scratched. Y'all know how it is.

[ilovemesomekillianjones]

We definitely needed this conversation! Also, “Give him time and you’ll probably end up being his best friend.” LOVE THIS

Long Overdue Conversations - Part 4 (Emma & Killian) A OUAT missing scene

Here is another conversation I feel should have taken place in Once Upon a Time. This one occurs immediately after the 'You traded your ship for me' scene at the end of season 3.

THIS PART IS RATED M!

Previous installments can be found on Tumblr: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

All parts can also be found on Ao3 & FFN

Special thanks to @hookedmom who always makes my stories better with her beta skills and suggestions for making this scene better (and hotter!)

*********

“You traded your ship for me?” Emma asked, amazement evident in her voice.

Killian gave a slight nod. “Aye.”

Then she was kissing him. Not a bruising and frantic kiss like the one in Neverland, but a tender, passionate one that took his breath away all the same. At one point, he had to draw back to look at her, just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. When she smiled at him and rested her forehead against his, he caressed her cheek, running her silky hair through his fingers, before capturing her willing lips once again.

Their moment was interrupted when Leroy and one of his brothers came bursting through the door of Granny’s, drunkenly singing. It was all Killian could do to keep himself from throttling the dwarfs, but Emma simply squeezed his hand and gave him a soft smile.

“If you don’t have your ship anymore, where are you staying?” she asked.

“The widow Lucas granted me a room at her bed and breakfast.”

“Hmm…” Emma hummed in thought.

Killian tilted his head, waiting for her to continue. After a moment of silence, he asked, “What’s on your mind, Swan?”

Leaning in, she brushed her lips across his cheek. “Give me a minute to say goodbye to my family. I’ll be right back.”

He watched her rise from her seat and ascend the steps into the diner. Before disappearing inside, she turned and smiled at him reassuringly.

While he waited, he touched his fingers to his lips, just as he had after their first kiss. He loved the feeling of Emma Swan’s lips on his and wanted it to linger. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to wait nearly as long to feel them again.

Sooner than he expected, Emma was back out the door. When she reached him, she took him by the hand, encouraging him to get to his feet. “Come on, pirate.”

“Where are we going, Love?”

She gave him a secretive smile. “To your room.”

In a near state of shock, he followed behind her as she led the way, still gripping his hand tightly. When they entered the lobby, Emma asked, “What’s your room number?”

“Um…four,” he stammered.

“Seriously? That’s the room I had when I first came to town.”

“Aye, the widow Lucas did mention that fact when she gave me the key.”

He trailed closely behind her up the stairs, his hand on the small of her back. He was hesitant to break physical contact with her, for fear she would suddenly disappear. It was Storybrooke, after all.

When they reached his door, he fumbled for the key. Finally withdrawing it from the inside pocket of his leather duster, it slipped from his fingers, clattering to the floor.

Emma bent down and picked it up, smirking as she held it between her fingers. “Nervous, Captain?” she asked, before inserting it into the lock and turning it. The door swung open and they quickly crossed the threshold.

“I’m still trying to determine if this is indeed real, or simply my imagination,” he said. He closed the door and leaned back against it, gripping his belt buckle as he looked up at her through his dark lashes.

“Have you imagined this?” she asked, batting her own lashes at him.

He poked his tongue into his cheek, then ran it over his bottom teeth before answering. “Perhaps.”

Stepping closer, she leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Move away from the door.”

Quirking a curious brow at her, he did as instructed. She held her hands up with her palms flat and facing the door. Closing her eyes, she concentrated until a soft glow emanated from them. Then she moved them slowly to trace around the entire frame of the door.

When she finished, she dropped her hands and turned to face him. Seeing the slight confusion on his face, she explained, “Silencing spell. Granny has supernatural hearing, remember?”

“You’re bloody brilliant, Swan.” He closed the distance between them, reaching up to sift her blonde locks through his fingers, his deep blue eyes boring into hers. “Now that we’re alone…”

Emma shrugged out of her leather jacket and let it drop to the floor, then ran her hands up the front of his vest and under the shoulders of his heavy, leather coat. Understanding her intention, he pulled his arms free when she pushed it off of him.

“Just how much does that thing weigh?” she asked. “And how the hell do you wear it around all the time?”

He grinned at her. “Is that really what you want to think about right now, Love?”

“You have a point. Besides,” she said mischievously, “I’m sure you’ve carried rum barrels heavier than that, right?”

His brows furrowed. “Come again?”

“Just something your former self said when he was carrying me onto his…your…ship.”

“Bloody wanker,” he grumbled. “I should have hit him harder.”

She began undoing the fasteners on his vest. “Is that really what you want to think about right now?” she asked, echoing his words.

“Too right, Love.”

Once the vest joined his coat on the floor, he removed his hook and placed it on the dresser. Then Emma slid his suspenders off his shoulders and started working on the tiny buttons of his billowy, black shirt. “How do you manage these things with one hand? I can’t unbutton them with two.”

“I don’t mess with the buttons. I simply slide it on over my head.”

“That explains why it’s always open practically to your waist.”

“You’ve noticed that, have you?” he asked with a knowing smirk.

“Kinda hard to miss it, with your whole chest on display.” Lifting her eyes to meet his, she abandoned the buttons and slowly ran her fingers through the hair on his chest that had been teasing her ever since she met him in the Enchanted Forest. Hearing him gasp at the contact, she added, “I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time.”

As her fingertips continued to explore, he dipped his head to capture her lips, his own calloused fingers finding their way under the hem of her turtleneck. He caressed the soft skin he found there, and she moaned into the kiss, “Killian…”

The breathy sound of his name from her sweet lips had him growing hard in an instant. “Swan,” he mumbled, “are you…are you quite sure about this, Love?”

She pulled back to look at him, her pupils dilated with desire. “I told my parents I wouldn’t be home tonight, brought you up to your room, and used magic to make sure no one would hear us. Does that sound like someone who isn’t sure?”

“You told your parents you were going to be with me tonight?”

“Yes. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about them anymore.”

“Agreed,” he chuckled. “Where were we?”

“Right about here,” she said, crossing her arms to grab the bottom of her sweater, then pulling it over her head.

Killian could feel his heartbeat increase as his eyes roamed over her newly bared skin. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t longed for this scenario, but never could he have imagined the absolute perfection of Emma Swan.

“Your turn,” she said, grasping the hem of his shirt to tug it over his head. He tried to stand still as her hands explored the expanse of his chest, moved over his shoulders and down his arms.

He was so busy enjoying her touch and taking in her beautiful form, he had forgotten about his battered, leather brace. When her fingers found it, he involuntarily took a step backwards, pulling his arm away from her.

“Hey, it’s okay,” she said soothingly. “It doesn’t bother me.”

His hand rubbed absentmindedly over the brace. “It…it’s ugly, Swan. It’s been a very long time since I’ve allowed anyone to see it.”

“You don’t have to hide it from me, Killian. It’s part of you and I…well, nothing about you could make me…care for you any less.”

Slowly, he stepped back into her space, his eyes never leaving hers. With practiced fingers, he deftly undid the buckles. After hesitating a few moments, he grasped the brace and twisted it off of his arm. Emma took it from him and laid it on the dresser beside his hook, as he removed the protective cloth covering his stump.

She locked eyes with him again, before dropping her gaze to his arm. Placing one hand under his elbow, she lifted it up while the fingers of her other hand gently traced the raised, jagged scars. “It must have been so painful,” she said quietly.

He swallowed hard, his jaw clenching at the memory. “I…I don’t remember feeling pain when he…when he cut it off. I’d just witnessed him murder Milah and that pain overshadowed everything else. It wasn’t until later, when a crew member cauterized it, that I finally realized how much it hurt. By that time, my grief and anger had taken over and all I wanted to focus on was plotting my revenge.”

Emma bent to press a kiss to the end of his wrist. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Killian.”

“It’s long in the past, Love. I would much rather look toward the future.” Using his finger to lift her chin, he gave her a smile. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. “A future that includes you, I hope.”

In answer, she fused her lips to his, her hands beginning to roam freely over his body. When she slid her hands down inside the back of his trousers and squeezed his ass, he sucked in a ragged breath. “Bloody hell, Swan,” he growled.

“What’s the matter, Captain? Can’t you handle it?”

Before she could utter another word, he skillfully flicked open the button on her jeans and unzipped them. “Let’s see who can’t handle it, shall we?” Then his hand was inside her panties, cupping her mound.

  Her surprised gasp turned to a moan of pleasure as his long fingers slid through her slick folds. “I’ve barely touched you and you’re already this wet?” he asked, his voice low and husky in her ear.

“I…I’ve wanted this ever since…” She stopped talking and bit her lip.

“Since when, Swan?” he queried.

“Since…Neverland,” she admitted.

Hearing her finally confess her feelings made his own surge through him in a hot rush. He withdrew his hand and lifted her off the floor. Carrying her across the room, he deposited her on the bed. “Take off your boots,” he commanded, beginning to toe off his own.

She happily complied, then began pushing her jeans down her legs. When they reached her knees, she looked up and felt like all of the oxygen had been sucked out of the room.

Killian was standing in front of her, arms crossed over his chest, dressed in nothing but his leather pants. They were straining against the huge bulge that was right at her eye level. Without conscious thought, her hands reached for him, rubbing his rigid member through the leather.

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, exhaling the words, “I’ve wanted this for a very long time, too, Emma.”

“Then let’s not wait any longer.”

Her fingers set to work unfastening his pants to free his cock, which she promptly began to stroke. At the same time, he reached behind her and worked at the hooks of her bra. When they were undone, his hand and wrist tugged on the straps and her hands left his shaft long enough to wiggle out of it.

While she resumed her exploration of his sizable cock, he fondled her breasts - squeezing, pinching, rubbing and caressing them, murmuring words of praise for their perfection.

Killian suddenly realized how quickly they were working each other up, and put his hand over Emma’s to stop her stroking. “Can we…can we slow down just a bit, Love? I don’t want this to be over too soon.”

“Yeah, okay,” she said breathlessly. “Why don’t we finish getting undressed?”

“Aye,” he agreed.

Both of them removed their remaining clothes and as Emma laid down in the middle of the bed, she pulled Killian down beside her. He pushed himself up to lean on his left elbow, his fingers dancing along the skin of her belly. “Gods, Love. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman than you. You’re absolutely stunning.”

Her hand moved up his forearm and bicep, tracing the hard muscles. “So are you, Killian.”

They explored each other’s body with their hands and mouths, whispered words spoken against skin, between kisses, licks and nips. When Killian’s fingers found their way once again to Emma’s most intimate place, she bucked into his hand, clearly craving more.

He nudged her legs further apart with his knee, then slowly slid one finger into her warm, wet channel. “Tell me how that feels, Love,” he implored.

“Feels…amazing,” she complied, her eyes closing of their own accord and her breath coming out in short gasps.

After gliding in and out of her a few times, he pulled his eyes away from the sight to look up at her. “Are you ready for more?”

She nodded her head, biting her lip in anticipation.

On the next pass, he added a second digit. “So bloody perfect, taking me like that, Swan.”

“Killian, I’m going to…you’re going to make me…” she muttered, trying to speak a coherent sentence.

“Don’t hold back. Just let it happen and enjoy it, Love.”

She took his advice and soon she was clenching tightly around his fingers, the evidence of her orgasm further slickening his fingers. As she throbbed around them, he sought friction by rubbing his hard erection against her thigh, then sucked one of her nipples into his mouth.

“Killiannn…” she moaned throatily.

He withdrew his fingers and chuckled lowly against her breast over her huff of annoyance. “Patience, Love. I have something much more…fulfilling…for that greedy quim.”

Instantly, she shifted onto her side and reached down to grasp his cock. “I’m ready when you are,” she breathed hotly into his ear.

With a growl, he flipped her onto her back, causing her to let out a little yelp of surprise. Then he swung himself over her body, hovering over her. Nuzzling into her neck, he murmured, “I don’t know if you noticed, but I was quite taken with that dress we pilfered during our adventure.”

“You mean the one…that made me look like…a bar wench?” she gasped, enjoying what his mouth was doing to her collarbone.

“Mmm, aye,” he hummed. “It certainly made you quite…distracting. And very enticing. I wanted to bury my face right here.” He licked up between her breasts, chuckling again when she uttered a curse.

Emma’s hands slid between them and wrapped around his girth. Widening her legs, she dragged the tip through her soaked folds. At his groan, she whispered, “You did promise to fulfill me, so fill me, Captain.”

He lifted his head to look into her face, giving her a grin. “As you wish.”

Her hand guided him to where she was aching for him and he slowly pushed into her, inch by glorious inch. Her legs wrapped around his hips, hands moving to scratch along his back, which added to the pleasure he was already experiencing from being buried inside the woman for whom he’d been yearning for months. He dropped his head to her chest, giving her a moment to adjust to him, while getting himself under control so he wouldn’t be on the verge too soon.

When he finally began to move, it was at a slow, steady pace. Experimenting with different angles, he took note of what brought the most response from her.

After several blissful minutes, she murmured, “Killian…”

“Yes, Love?”

“Make me see stars,” she requested breathlessly, reaching behind him to squeeze his buttocks almost painfully.

He kissed her and grinned slyly, determined to meet her challenge. Dropping to his elbows on either side of her, he began thrusting faster and deeper, until he was plunging into her with abandon, eliciting a loud exclamation from her each time he filled her.

He was getting close to his peak, but didn’t want to reach it before she did, so he caught her nipple in his mouth again, alternating flicking it with his tongue and sucking hard. His actions had the desired effect and soon she was screaming through her release, her head thrashing on the pillow, while her throbbing cunt rippled along his engorged cock.

“Bloody…fucking…hell,” he grunted, thrusting eratically, until he exploded, filling her with streams of his hot release. Not wanting to crush her, he rolled them over, sprawling her sweat-slicked body over his own.

Neither knew how long they laid there, trying to get their breathing and heart rates under control. He heard her mumble something into his chest, but couldn’t make out the words. Raising his leaden arm, he brushed her hair away from her face. “What did you say, Love?”

She lifted her face to peer into his. “You did it.”

“Did what?” he asked, thoroughly puzzled.

  “Made me see stars…and several planets.”

He laughed, then pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “I’m glad to hear it, because you definitely did the same for me.”

“Good thing I soundproofed the room, huh?”

“Aye, Love. I don’t think I would be able to meet Granny’s eyes tomorrow morning if you hadn’t.”

It was her turn to laugh. As they lay in silence, she skimmed her fingers through the hair on his chest, enjoying the sighs of pleasure from him.

After several peaceful minutes, Emma said, “Killian?”

“Hmm?”

“I would have chosen you.”

He opened his eyes to see her looking at him earnestly. “Chosen me for what?”

“Remember back in Neverland when you told me I would have to choose between you and Neal?”

“Aye.”

“Even if Neal hadn’t…died, I still would have chosen you.”

He lifted his head from the pillow to peer at her more closely. “Truly?”

“Yeah. Well, to be honest, it wasn’t ever a contest between the two of you.” She watched him studying her closely, before adding, “Is that difficult for you to believe?”

“I saw how much his death impacted you and thought perhaps, given the chance, the two of you might have rekindled your relationship.”

“We actually had a really nice conversation just before I realized he was sharing a body with his father, and I felt like we were in a good place with each other at the end. Neal will always be my first love and Henry’s father, so he has a special spot in my heart; but…after what he did to me, I would have never been able to completely trust him. You, on the other hand, have never given me any reason not to trust you. You’ve proven time and time again that you’re in my corner, that you believe in me…”

“Of course I do, Emma. You’re the most determined and assiduous woman I’ve ever met. I trust you with my life…and my heart.”

She tilted her head and smiled softly. “I trust you with mine, too. I think you know me well enough to know I didn’t come to that decision lightly.”

He reached up to twist a lock of her hair around his finger. “Aye, that I do. I feel incredibly honored to hold your trust, Love, especially when not so very long ago, you chained me at the top of a beanstalk because you didn’t trust me.”

“That’s not why I chained you there.”

“No?” he questioned.

She shook her head. “If you recall, I told you I couldn’t take the chance of being wrong about you. Even then, I sensed I could trust you, and that scared the shit out of me.”

“That’s because you thought I was nothing but a pirate, as did the rest of your family. Your father used those exact words in Neverland.”

“Yeah, well, you proved us all wrong.” She cupped his face in the palm of her hand. “You’re a good man, Killian Jones.”

He smiled. “During our adventure back in the Enchanted Forest, when Dave didn’t know who I was, he told me your parents would be crazy not to approve of me as your suitor. I told him I hoped he would remember that.”

“He’s coming around. Give him time and you’ll probably end up being his best friend.”

He wrapped his arms around her more tightly, taking advantage of having her naked form pressed against him. She laid her head on his chest, humming happily.

Later, when they were cleaned up and she was asleep in his arms, wearing nothing but one of his thin black shirts, their conversation ran through his mind again. When Neal died, he saw how grief-stricken Emma was, and assumed she would have chosen the other man, had he lived. He was Henry’s father, after all, and Killian thought that connection between Emma and Neal would be enough for her to try to make their relationship work.

Hearing her say she would have chosen Killian made him happier than he had been for centuries. He fell asleep with his nose buried in her hair and a smile on his face. Tomorrow, they would probably face some sort of crisis, but tonight, Emma Swan was his and hopefully would remain his for the long haul.

*********

I hope you agree that this is a scene we all needed!

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[killiansprincss]

A Court of Vines and Shadow - for @cssns ‘23

SUMMARY: When Dark One Killian Jones makes Faerie Princess Emma of Misthaven spend 3 moon cycles a year with him to break a curse, Emma never expected to fall in love with him. Now she was walking down the aisle, meant to marry a man she doesn't love because she can never be with the one her heart wants. Or can she?

An ACOTAR Inspired fic written for Captain Swan Supernatural Summer 23. Also on A03

Also it’s July 9th and Speak Now Taylor’s Version just came out I feel like Speak Now is the perfect song to accompany this fic!!

Huge thanks to @cssns for this amazing event which allowed me to bring this to life! And special shoutouts to @hollyethecurious for the amazing art and also to my awesome beta @blonde-of-sherwood 💙💜

White dress. The Spring fallen gardens filled with flowers upon flowers, petals scattered all the way down the aisle and vines spiralling the chairs and arch. Flowers Emma had grown herself with her magic, snowbells and lilies, her mothers favourite flowers, the ones she first learnt how to grow using her magic when it first manifested all those years ago.

Her mother was who she was doing this for. Marrying someone she doesn’t love. Her mother worked so hard to arrange the various meetings with suitors, all noble Fae men, only the best for the Princess of Misthaven. Her mother never got to have a big wedding, she met Emma’s father and fell in love almost as quickly as she fell pregnant. As newly appointed King of Misthaven, they had to elope quickly so the Kingdom would be more accepting of their new Queen, who also happened to be a demi-fae. Her mother, who Emma dearly loved, so much so that she was marrying someone she had had just 3 conversations with all to appease the Kingdom and not go to Civil War because of the man she does love.

Killian. That’s who her mind wandered to. The Prince of Darkness as the rest of the Kingdom saw him. It had taken a while to see past his shadows and darkness, which she now understands was built from the loss of his family and the only people he had ever loved. But she loved him fiercely, anytime they were apart it broke her. Having to say goodbye for the final time was the closest Emma had felt to heartbreak. 

So here she was, standing in her white dress, flowers in her hair and bouquet in her hands, where she would meet her father, take his arm and walk down the aisle to marry Lord Walsh. Pushing thoughts of Killian to the back of her mind as she walked towards the aisle to all the smiling faces of her Kingdom. She had to do this, she loved Killlian but they both knew they would never be together in the way they wanted. She just wished she had allowed herself to see past his darkness sooner and they could have had more time together. 

“Emma.” An all too familiar voice calls her name from behind the aisle. He uses his power to bind the shadows to him, making him appear in a sort of smoke of darkness as he steps towards his lover. One of his other talents includes stopping time, just for a few minutes, but those few minutes were all he needed.

“Killian. What are you doing here?” As much as she loved him, it pained her to see him here. They had said their goodbyes a few nights prior. Seeing him here, in a white dress about to marry someone else, it wasn’t right.

“I have tried, Emma, truly I have tried to stay away. If it made you happy I would stand by and let you marry someone else, but I can feel your pain all the way in Neverland. It’s causing me pain too, and I think I understand now, it’s why I was so drawn to you the very first time we met, why, even when you hated me you could never really stay away.”

“Killan, you’re not making any sense, what are you saying?” It was painful seeing him, she was hurting, thinking of their time together and how fate was so cruel to not allow them more time.

“You’re my mate.” 

His mate. Mates in this world were rare, her parents were never granted that luxury. She hadn’t known of anyone in the last 200 years who found their Mate. So why her? Why now?

Mates were equal in power and status, perfectly matched by the universe. A one true love, a soulmate. She never denied she loved Killian, but being his Mate was a whole other experience. It made sense in a way, they were drawn together at the ball when they first met. He could sense she was powerful, he recognised her untapped powers, something even her parents were unable to do. And she was never scared of him either, she had heard the rumours of course, and knew what he was capable of, but that didn't scare her. 

_______________

Emma had been to hundreds of balls in her lifetime, even when she was a little girl, she would sneak into the ones at her palace, and watch everyone dance. They all shared a unique beauty about them, from the way the light reflected on the dresses worn or the chandeliers making rainbows across the walls, they were a thing of otherworldly beauty. But this ball in particular was nothing like those she was used to. It was hosted just outside Misthavens borders, an old castle known to be taken up residence by a Fae many years ago known as “The Dark One”. Rumours began to spiral that the Dark One was back. It had been years since he had been seen and random killings had stopped, but who knew. The invitations went to all the noble folk in Misthaven and surrounding kingdoms and the signature was empty, leaving more curious minds. There were many debates surrounding whether they should go or not, but the Royal Family of Misthaven had to attend to keep peace.

As she grew older the balls became a chance for her parents to find her a suitor to marry, she was now 21 and it was considered uncouth for the Crown Princess to be unmarried, even by Fae standards. So in an effort to avoid dancing with a Duke, she would practise her magic. Every Fae was gifted a power linked to the four elements, and Emma had inherited Earth from her mother. At times she thought it was a boring element to have, her younger brother Leo had water, which was useful for everyday life as well as pulling pranks (to which she was victim of lately). But as she got older she learnt to appreciate it, she enjoyed seeing what she could make grow, especially in situations like right now. 

There would always be potted plants, pretty flowers surrounding the tables, she breathed into her powers and with a single touch could double the petals or even change their colours. Sometimes she would paint the pink flowers blue, or the white ones black just to test what she could do. Of course, her mother didn’t approve of using it for this. She was also gifted with the power of earth, but she preferred to make things grow or inject life back into a sunken plant, rather than mess with existing life.

“Not enjoying the festivities I see?” A voice from behind Emma startles her, she didn’t recognise him, dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Dressed in an all black leather suit, not the typical style the men wore. His pointed ears stick out from his dark hair, Emma had always felt self conscious of her ears, so made an effort to hide them, but this man, whoever he was, was the most beautiful man she’d ever laid eyes on.

“I come for the faerie wine and food only I’m afraid.” She tells him with a playful smile.

“Well if you’re here for the wine why aren’t you dancing? Most people get drunk off a few sips then don’t leave the dance floor all night.”

She leans in close, “I’m not like most women.” What was the harm in flirting, he was gorgeous and her parents would never approve which made him all the more exciting.

He holds out his hand to her, “Dance with me, I insist.” 

Dancing with a handsome stranger was not how Emma expected the night to go, but he was a great partner, unlike some of the suitors her mother had forced upon her in the past. He led her around the room with grace and it was as though they flew through the dancefloor together, no stepping on toes and he even spun her around a couple times, feeling the wine go to her head a little more. “You’re really good at this.”

“There’s just one rule, pick a partner who knows what he’s doing.” He whispers into her ear as he dips her. “You’re very powerful, you know Emma.” He tells her as she comes up.

“How do you know my name?” Sure she was the Princess, and most people recognise her at these things, but it was strange the way he said it so casually.

“I know a lot of things Emma.” He whispers, his breath close to her neck, making Emma feel a sense of arousal. A moment later the mystery man turned into shadow and darkness, disappearing from her hold and reappearing out of shadows at the top of the staircase.

“Welcome to my lovely guests. I guess it’s time I introduce myself?”

All eyes were on the mystery man now, they all saw his shadow power. That wasn’t one of the four elements, this was some other worldly magic. Then, for Emma at least, it clicks. The charming lustful energy coming from him, his ability to know things he shouldn’t, and his shadow and darkness powers. He was the Dark One.

That should have made her terrified, but for some reason, it didn’t scare her. Who was he?

“My name is Killian Jones. But I believe your people have a few different names for me, Dark One, Wronged Fae, Prince of Darkness is a personal favourite-though I bore no royal blood or status.”

_____________

And that’s where it began, he said he held this ball because he was supposedly cursed and needed someone with light magic to resolve it. Not just any light magic though, a very specific kind. And of all the Fae in the land, he decided Emma, after one conversation and dance that she was the Fae he was looking for, only she could break the curse. 

“All I request are 3 moon cycles with her every year until I decide otherwise, or my curse is broken, whichever comes first.” This was his deal, his bargain. As the Dark One, you would be a fool to refuse or dispute a bargain. 

Her parents were outraged, and tried everything in their power to stop them. They were a royal family, if he were anyone else maybe that would have been enough, but as the Dark One, he bore no allegiance to royalty. So for 3 moon cycles, she was to live with him, in his castle, doing who knows what.

____

The first moon cycle was absurd, The Dark One didn’t mention a single thing about his supposed curse. He made her practise her magic every single day. Barely spoke to her. Her main source of contact was with one of the servants, Belle. She would show her to her room, which wasn’t a prison or a dungeon like she was expecting, but it had lush carpets. velvet curtains and the most gorgeous and comfortable king size bed in the centre of the room. She would also take her down to the grand dining room where she was to eat all meals. The food was exquisite, the spices used were unlike anything she’d eaten before, it made Misthavens cooks look like a child in the kitchen. 

There was no sign of him for the first couple of days, he left Belle with a page of  instructions for Emma to get on with while she was here. The only thing on the list:

Read: The Complete Earth Elemental Magic Volume I

Read about her magic. That was the only thing she would do all day. For the first two moon cycles this is all she does, she sees him in passing, at mealtimes mainly. He is pleasant and they make small talk. 

When she arrives home, her parents pounce on her, needing to know everything. What she witnessed, who she spoke to and if he hurt her in any way. They were terrified, and it made Emma realise she wasn’t afraid of him the way others were.

“We have suitors lined up.” Her mother would tell her, desperate to get her married off in the strange fear the Dark One would whisk Emma away to be his bride before she could marry a noble born. She would play along and speak to the princes and lords her parents picked out for her. She tried, really tried to find something good in any of them, but her mind would wander back to the blue eyes and dark haired villain she would be seeing again very soon.

The next moon cycle comes along and her task is to again, read the magic book which she was now on volume III of. Enough was enough, she needed to know her place and what exactly he intended to do with her.

“I have read these volumes cover to cover. If I have to learn about the different ways a flower can be grown I think I will die of boredom. You mentioned a curse that first night. Tell me everything and I can look in those stupid books for something that might actually help.”

He smiles at her as she rambles on about being a useful Fae and powerful if he lets her see. He admired her courage and her passion. “Very well Emma.” The way he says her name makes Emma feel something inside her that she’s not sure is good or bad.

“Contrary to popular belief about the Dark One, I did not choose this power willingly. It was forced upon me by a former Dark One. You see, only one can exist at a moment in time, and the only way to steal the power is to steal the life that holds such power.” He then goes on to explain how many years ago, his brother’s wife had fallen sick from her pregnancy and they were not sure if the baby would survive, the three of them searched for a cure around different lands, different royal families, they had to find something to save her but had no such luck. “One night, we had grown tired and stopped to find shelter for the night, when Elsa, my brother's wife began to bleed, she was losing the baby. Liam cried out and an old man came to our aid, asked if we would do anything to help to which I naively responded yes to. He kills them both using a type of magic I didn’t know existed.’ He can barely get through his story without stopping every few moments, and it's clear he still has a heart. “He then tells me if I take the dagger and stab him in the heart, they will be revived and the baby safe.”

“He forced you to kill him so he would be free of his curse, and in turn it then cursed you?”

“Aye love. That night has haunted me for nearly 200 years, I was desperate and if I could go back and change things I would. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to free myself that doesn’t involve trickery. I also do not wish to burden another innocent life with this curse.” He then takes Emma’s hand and looks into her eyes, “That is where you come in, Emma Darling.  I saw a seer and she shared with me a vision. A golden haired demi-fae with an earth element bearing an unyielding amount of light magic has the power to free me without hurting either party.”

“And of all the demi-fae with an earth element, you believe it's me because?”

“That’s why I held the ball. I wanted to see who I was drawn to, and as soon as I met you Emma, it was clear you were the one. You are special” The way he looked at her as she said this, made her feel warm inside. For a split second Emma also thought he was going to kiss her, and that if he did, she would let him.

That was the changing point. The more time they spent together going over her magic the more confident she felt. She learnt more things about her magic that she had known were possible. She could end life as quickly as she could revive it, well, the life of a flower anyway. She could drain the life from a lily and then when it was wilting, press life back into it. Emma guessed the more she practised this, maybe she would drain the darkness from Killian.

“Have you ever experimented with other elements, Emma Darling?” He asks one day, it was the last day of the moon cycle and she was to return home. She hadn’t realised how much she would miss his company.

“I was only gifted with the earth element, my mother shares it too. My brother inherited water from my father.” She explains, “I haven’t heard of any Fae who were gifted more than one element, wouldn’t that disrupt the power balance?” 

She would also miss the way he would sit there and smile at her when she rambled, he really wasn't as bad as people said he was. They didn’t know him the way she did. “Emma, you’re special. You hold the element of earth, well all elements are connected to the earth, are they not? Why don’t you try to conjure fire?”

All Fae were granted one element, fire, air, earth or water, it was unheard of for someone to hold a double or even triple elemental magic, every scripture and teacher would tell you too much power would disrupt the power balance of the universe, and everyone would suffer. But then again if she were truly the Fae in his prophecy, she was already disrupting the power of the universe.

“I wouldn’t know where to start, I don’t know anyone with that power and even if I did I-.” He was already moving towards her before she could finish her train of thought.

“All power lives inside you Emma.” He stands behind her and places his hand on her shoulders, moving down to her abdomen, “you can feel it inside you, reach deep inside and find that extra source of power.” Emma had to focus on keeping her breathing normal, he was touching her and she was feeling very strange things at the moment. Still, she does as he instructs, she feels where she knows her earth power lies, she taps into it daily. But then she tries to focus on where that power was, and if she could feel anything else. At first she could only feel her earth, but then she felt something different, she wasn’t sure what it was but it was similar to the way her earth felt. 

“That's it, love.” Killian says, hand still resting on her abdomen, “hone in on that. And think of something that makes you angry, feel the fire before you conjure it.”

Pushing the way his husky breath felt on her neck aside, she thought of her mother and how she orchestrated all these suitors that were supposedly so ‘perfect’ for her, how she never listened to what she wanted and how angry she felt when she would come home from her studies to see a Prince or a Duke in her sitting room.

“Open your eyes Emma.”

Fire. A small flame coming from her palm was the sight Emma was greeted with when she opened her eyes. It didn’t burn for very long once she realised what she had done and couldn’t figure out how to control it. But she did that.

“I conjured fire.” She says with a mix of shock and excitement plastering her face. 

“I told you you were powerful Emma.”

 He was still standing behind her, so she turns to see him grinning at her and his gaze fixed on her, in awe of her. They’re both silent for a moment, clearly having the same internal battle inside their head. Their heads moved closer and closer until their lips finally met and Emma felt her magic on fire. Every sense was heightened with this kiss, a merge of power and lust building up from their shared time together. Killian deepens the kiss as his hand settles on her cheek while Emma’s hands find his hair. She’s being pushed up against the wall after a while, and Emma leans her head back and moans as Killian pressees kisses onto her neck and then back to her lips. 

Their time together was never the same after that. Being apart from one another became harder. Every time Emma would practise her newfound powers, her thoughts would wander back to Killian and how he made her feel. 

When they were together, they were rarely apart. She possessed all four elements, and took the time to learn and explore what she could do with them. Of course she had to keep this quiet when she was away from Neverland and from Killian. Her family and her court would be wary of her newfound powers, likely brand her as dark as her ‘captor’ as they referred to Killian.

“I wish you would stop calling him that, he has a name.” She finally snaps back at her mother upon her return after listening to her rattling her newest ideas on how to get out of the contract. 

“He forces you to be away from your family for a whole moon cycle. He is darkening your mind with his power if you do not see what is wrong with that my sweet child.” 

That taught her to keep her mouth shut. They didn’t understand. Yes, as part of a bargain she was to spend time with him, but she looked forward to those moon cycles, he understood her, listened to her, she felt he was the only person she could be herself around. Worst of it was, she was falling in love with him. No, she was in love with him. And she had an inkling that he felt the same.

The next time she comes home, yet again there is a suitor sitting in her living room. She didn’t know who this one was and frankly, she didn’t care.

“Emma. I’m glad to see you’re home in one piece.” Her mother says, and Emma rolls her eyes, pretending she wasn’t practically seething that comment. She would never understand Killian or how she felt safe with him.

“Hello mother. Who is our guest?” She asks with a fake smile, knowing full well this was another suitor she was not interested in.

The suitor offers out his hand and bows, “Lord Walsh of Oz. it is a pleasure to finally meet you, your highness.” 

He was an older man, older than she was, which was not uncommon for suitors as they had to be to have a title. He was average height, nothing particularly interesting about him was jumping out at her. Her mother clearly chose this one from the same place as all the others, he was polite and overly grateful to the Queen for inviting him. They would all sip on their tea whilst Emma made polite conversation with them and they would express their interest for children and make an awful comment about being the more powerful Fae and Emma would thank them for their time as she busied herself with something else to get away. She wondered how long this one would take to get rid of. 

“Lord Walsh is to be your husband. We have been setting arrangements whilst you were being held hostage.” She rolls her eyes at the hostage comment and was about to argue, until it hits what she just said.

“I’m sorry, we’re to be married when?” This was a new low, even for her mother. “Mother, may I speak with you in private?”

“Excuse us.” Snow tells Walsh as she guides her daughter into the drawing room.

“I can’t believe this. I’m away for one moon cycle and you have me married off already? I keep telling you, I want to marry for love.” She didn’t know what to feel right now, angry yes, upset yes, and also confused, why now, when the topic of suitors had never felt imminent. 

“Emma, every day you spend with the Dark One is a day closer to us never seeing you again.” She tells her as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 

“If this is still about him corrupting my mind, you have to know I’m still the same person as I was before the bargain.” As the Crown Princess, Emma didn’t have many choices in terms of clothing, free speech or political opinion, but she deserved the freedom to choose and to marry whoever she liked. 

Her mother touched her cheek, a way she did when Emma was younger. “Emma, the fact you don’t see it worries me. This is for the best. If we send a message you’re getting married, you can convince him to call off the bargain. This is a good thing Emma, things will go back to the way they were.”

She may have spent more moon cycles with the Dark One than planned, but she sure as hell was not dark herself, Killian couldn’t corrupt her when he was only trying to heal. She was different, she admits that, but it was a good different. She was powerful, confident in her abilities and her magic. Something that only came from being with Killian.

But she was the princess. Her parents, the King and Queen. She could fight with them about many things, but this was orchestrated by them. She could try to refuse this marriage, but she would need a valid reason, another prince or duke to replace Lord Walsh. It was a horrifying thought, but she didn’t have a choice. She was going to have to marry him.

What she wanted was to run away with Killian. She wanted to free him of his curse, help him heal. She did not want to be bound to him for a moon cycle at a time, she wished to spend as much time as she wished. But if she did that then her parents would come looking, they would send armies to search for her, it would cost the kingdom more money than they have. Running away would cause a civil war. 

All because she fell in love with the wrong Fae.

________________________________________

“I know you feel it too. Please Emma, don’t deny it.” He pleads, keeping the shadows clouding around them for a little while longer.

“I don’t deny it. I’m just in shock.” She admits. Having a mate in this world was rare, but those who were lucky enough to be granted one would be damned for all eternity if they chose to reject their mate. She had grown up with a legend of a male who loved another for years before meeting his mate, they chose to be apart and he died of heartache. She isn’t sure how much of that was true, but there was a reason they were chosen to be mates by the universe. She couldn’t marry Lord Walsh, no matter how hard her mother worked, marrying someone she had no love for knowing her mate, her true love was just out of reach would be too painful a life to lead. “Killlian, if we’re doing this, it has to be right, we have to follow the rules. If I run away now, it will only start a war.”

Killian nods in understanding, “We do this the right way. I claim you in front of everyone, and if you claim me back there is nothing they can do to stop.” He gives her a quick kiss before disbanding the shadows around them and hides from onlookers until it's time.

The crowd are unaware anything happened as she begins her descent down the flowery aisle. She spies her family in the crowd, her mother looking so happy, her brother next to her smiling brightly and her father trying not to cry as she takes his arm. He was meant to be giving her away to Walsh, but he was indirectly handing his daughter over to the Dark One. This was going to break their hearts, but she hoped they would see that Killian made her happy, the life she was choosing for herself was far better than the one her family were choosing for her. 

Walsh stands at the end of the aisle by the arch, his family were noble and would prosper from this union, more land and a grander estate. All of that was meaningless though, he didn’t love Emma either, it was his family pushing this marriage as much as it was her own. She was leaving a lot behind, her brother would become Crown Prince, and her mother would likely push a marriage for him too, likely to Princess Alexandra of the Western Kingdom to save the Kingdom from too much heartbreak of a runaway Princess. But it was worth it, the time spent with Killian made her feel alive for the first time in her life, she discovered things about her she didn’t know she could do.

“We are gathered today to witness the marital union between these two people. Lord Walsh of Oz, and Princess Emma of Misthaven.”

Emma spies Killians shadows from just beyond the arch, waiting for the right time.

“If there is any reason why these two should not be married, Speak Now or forever hold your peace.”

Silence from the crowd. Until shadows grow and at the other end of the aisle, Killian transfigures. “I object.”

The crowd begins to stir, chatter arises, some people even scream. “Under what grounds?”

“I have come to claim Emma. As my Mate.”

Shock horror from the crowd once again, she hears her parents cries and pleads not to go through with this, but she had no choice, this was for her own happiness, she was putting herself first for once.

“Do you claim me as I claim you?” He asks, knowing her answer.

“I claim you, Killian Jones, as my mate.”

Neither were sure exactly what would happen when they said those words, legend said mates had to claim one another in words, whether that be in public or in private. Considering mates were rare and neither had met or heard of anyone that had a mate, they were unaware if anything were meant to happen after they had claimed one another, whether it be lighting from the sky or if they would feel it in their hearts.

Neither were prepared for their right arms to suddenly have ink appear and spiral into a tattoo, matching with one another. Confirming their mateship and that they were now bound to one another, there was nothing anyone could do about it.

With a last look of pity and sorrow at her family, she runs into her new mates arms, and they disappear in a cloud of shadow.

 Emma was going home.