#in summary: woder

[iouinotes]

match made in heaven | Alex Walter

pairing: Alex Walter x female!reader

show: My life with the Walter boys

warnings: just kissing word count: 2,2k

summary: At your birthday party you get dared to spend 7 minutes in heaven with none other than your best friend Alex.

a/n: A modified review of "Beautiful boy" Thank you @rogueanschel-reads for the woderful idea!

"Come on, even a stranger can sense your attraction for each other, the hidden love that lays beneath your friendship."

Maybe it wasnt the best idea to play truth or dare.

Well, firstly I want to say that I love my friendgroup. Grace, Skylar, his boyfriend Nathan, Kiley and of course, my best friend Alex.

Really, I love these guys. But sometimes they make me want to jump off a cliff, no regretting or turning back.

In moments like this, where I want to spent a good time partying with my friends, because its my 16th birthday, they need to remind me of the he-who-must-not-be-named-topic. That means for outstanders, my non-existent, strictly friendly feelings for my best friend Alex.

The guy, who has absolutely no idea, he's being compared to Voldemort. But for the matter of fact, Harry Potter are my all-time favorite movies and early Voldemort was actually quiet handsome. So, it kinda makes sense. Why? Because Alex has put a spell on me with his smile and his pretty face.

But back to my party.

We are currently in the living room, our knees are touching the legs of the person next to us and someone (Grace) encouraged us to smuggle a few bottles of alcohol to the party, even though we didnt plan to drink.

Now, Skylar had the great idea to embarrass everyone by playing truth or dare, but with a twist. He likes to call it "match made in heaven" or what it actually means, making out in a closet. Something like that, I've never participated in any of these games.

Until now.

As I am the birthday girl, I started the game by choosing truth. But I could really have just voluntarily confessed my feelings for Alex. Because Grace winked at me and I knew at that moment, that the next few minutes meant trouble.

"So, y/n. Describe us your magical boy, that you dream of being able to call your own." I knew it. She could have just asked me what college I wanted to attend or something less embarrassing, but no. She needed to ask me about my type in boys, which obviously is my handsome, brown haired best friend next to me.

As I'm about to hide my head in my hands, I hear the encouraging shouts of the people I call my friends.

"Okay, okay. Let me think for a moment." I couldnt make it that obvious, I liked him. But still, it was worth a try.

"Someone who has an angelic smile, where you just stare at his face and can´t stop looking at him. I-I like brown hair and I dont know, what it is, but hazel eyes, they somehow make my heart beat faster. I mean- he´s attractive, because he is a gentleman. Caring and supportive, someone who listens to my wants and needs, but still continues to be his true self. I can read books with him or we watch movies together and talk about it after. He makes me feel seen, safe. I love him, because he is everything I could ever dream of and more."

When I finish speaking, Grace grins innocent and looks at me with her long eyelashes. "I wonder, who that could be."

My eyes secretly dart to Alex, trying to figure out, if he knows, that I am very obviously describing him. But he just watches the floor, his eyebrows are drawn together and I almost think, he looks annoyed.

"Someone is jealous" I hear Skylar´s voice in my ear.

As the game went on, his behavior kept being slightly off, even though he never said anything about it and continued to smile at me, when we looked at each other.

And then, Alex was asked about his favorite memory, whether it was about being in school, with family or with friends.

Well, he told them about the first time, he introduced me to his favorite book saga, the Lord of the Rings. I never knew, that day was so special for him, but as he described my hilarious reactions and facial features, how he saw my eyes widen with disbelief as he read out the first chapters, I remembered.

When I look back, it really was a wonderful night. We did a sleepover at his house and were talking about watching Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. Somehow, we also talked about the books and that I read the seven books about the famous wizard and he the books about the elves and other creatures (don´t judge me for this description). We discussed almost every aspect, but he still convinced me to give his favorite books a try. So we spent the night spread out on his bed, eating sweets and reading the first book. Well, he mostly read it out loud to me, because his pronunciation was definitely much better than mine. It was fun, also because I got to watch him being in his element, so it really was a heartwarming evening.

I smile at the memory, a warm feeling blooms in my chest and when he finishes talking about it, he looks at me fondly. I had to keep myself from wanting to giggle like a little girl, but my inner 13-year old, most definitely did giggle.

Back to the original topic. Next, Grace was dared to wear one of my clothes, Kiley told us about her celebrity crush (Timothee Chalamet, but you didnt hear it from me) and when Alex was asked who he would trust with his secret, if he was spiderman, he mentioned me again. It was sweet and I had planned to tell him, that I would love to be the girl in the chair.

But, as the game went on, my name constantly fell from his lips. He was dared to show one of the most terrible photos of him and revealed to the group, a snapshot from us, wearing unrecognizable Halloween costumes. Funny, but my idea to go as ghosts wasnt that bad.

Nevertheless, he talked about the best gift he had ever received, a pair of cowboy boots, I got him two years ago (Nathan was playfully annoyed that one of his presents werent the best one) and as the game continued, the question, that I tried my best to avoid, was eventually asked.

"You two are always around each other and I've barely seen you apart, like ever. Are you sure, there is nothing going on between you? It seems like it."

Alex and I looked at each other, but then quickly laughed it off. It was what we always did, when someone asked us about our close friendship. None of us really answered and that meant for me, that he neither confirmed or declined having feelings for me. Very confusing and bad for my hoping heart.

So, when our friends are looking at each other now, grinning like they planned something really wicked, I know, that my personal hell is waiting for me. Or in my situation, a modified version of heaven.

"Y/n, I dare you to play seven minutes in heaven with just your best friend Alex." Grace is smiling in front of me and when I want to debate about it, she cuts me off.

"But I havent said I would take dare-" my words are going silent and I only hear my pounding heart.

"You always choose truth, that´s boring. You get the dare now, so stand up and cuddle with your wizard!"

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Alex holds his hands out for me, so he can help me stand up. He silently looks at me and I try to assure him by smiling, but I think I´m failing at it. Because he looks as unnerved as I feel right now.

When we walk out of the room and into the small storage room, we hear Skylar´s distance shouting.

"No lights and close the door! That are the rules, we set the timer!"

Why was I friends with them again?

When we approach the room, unlocking the door and stepping inside, we are suddenly surrounded by darkness. And when he closes my only way to escape, its quiet for a moment. Then, I hear is curious voice.

"What did Grace mean about your wizard?"

I relax and gently laugh. Nothing has to happen, everything is fine.

"That you are as bad at keeping secrets than Draco. Harry really found out on the first day in 6th grade, that something was clearly up with him."

Alex groans. "Please no more talking about your Drarry shipping. I get it, it could have been an enemies-to-lovers romance."

I smack his arm, taking a step closer to him.

"Okay, what would you like to talk about instead?"

I can make out the outlines of his face in the darkness, seeing how he also takes a step closer. I feel myself breathing heavily and my hands nervously shaking.

"I think, that I should keep you warm, because I literally see your hands shaking." When he takes another step in my direction, I hold my breath and in the same second, I feel his arms wrap around me.

His hands find their way to my back, embracing me in his warmth until I feel him breathing on my neck. I need to stop myself from shivering at this feeling.

"I can work with that." I whisper, snuggling into his chest and closing my eyes. I hear his racing heart and immediately need to smile.

"Your heart is beating very fast." His chin rests on my head, I feel him holding me closer.

"It´s the darkness." Of course, it is.

When I also close my arms around his waist, I feel for the first time a kind of inner peace, that I read about in books.

When a character feels safe in the embrace of their beloved.

Silence surrounds us for a minute and I begin to thank Grace for her dare, because him holding me in his arms und me, hugging him, is much more than wonderful.

"When you call me a wizard, do I get to call you a witch?" I burst out a laughter at his question.

"Only if you won´t compare me to Umbridge." He nods quietly.

"You are as far away from being like Umbridge as the earth is away from the moon. So, you don´t have to worry."

"Good." We are silent again.

"So, have you ever thought about what you would do, if you would get to spent time with a person, when you have seven minutes in heaven?" I think for a few seconds, before I answer him.

"I always imaged this game as a way to confess feelings or solving a fight. Maybe a hidden chance to make out too, I guess."

I hear him taking a deep breath, not expecting much. Until-

"Can I kiss you?" My knees almost give out.

"You what-?" I turn to look at him. Noticing his widen pupils.

"I mean, would you, um, want to kiss. Like, me. Now. Not that you need to, but you sounded like you would want that experience, so-" he tries to hold a stable voice, but I can sense, that he's slowly freaking out.

"Alex. You just asked me, if we should kiss."

I can´t believe it.

"...yes?" He sounds so sincere.

"Why?" I ask, while continue to look at him, feeling every centimeter that divides our lips from touching.

"Like I said, I don´t want you to miss out on anything."

Silence.

"Okay and maybe I just wanted an excuse to kiss you, before that dream boy of yours does."

I lean forward, watching as his eyes keep looking at my lips, even though he tries to hold the eye contact.

I slowly raise my hand and place it on the back of his neck, caressing the dark hair and twirling a few strands.

"Are you jealous, pretty boy?" I feel his cheeks getting warm, seeing the effect my words have on him.

His hands hold me tighter and a startled expression is shown on his face.

"What? Me, jealous? No." I raise my eyebrows at him.

He signs. "Maybe. I dont like the thought of someone else with you." His thumb brushes over my lips.

"Kissing you, touching you. It just doesnt feel right, that someone else would do that."

"You mean, someone who isnt you?" I look at his lips and he hums quietly. His hand slowly wanders to my chin and directs my head closer to him, I can feel his breath on my skin.

"We don´t have to do it-" I begin to talk, but then again, when he speaks up, his voice sounds out of breath, like he's holding himself back.

"No, it´s just one...little...kiss" his voice becomes quieter, the less distance there is between our faces.

And with one, last look, he catches my lips in a slow kiss. Keeping me close to him, by holding onto my waist. His hands find their way to my cheeks, caressing them with his fingers and I feel my heart pounding as prominent against my chest as feel him kissing me.

I don't notice, that he's directing me back until I gently hit the wall, while his hands slowly explore my sides. My hands tangle in his hair, tugging him closer, so I can feel everything of him.

And in that moment, I understand the name of the game. Because this truly feels like heaven.

When I notice, that I can´t breath anymore (but who needs oxygen when you can have Alex Walter), we gently break apart. Still holding onto each other.

And as soon as we catch our breath, both of us are smiling at each other and we share our feelings without a word.

"That was-" he doesnt get to finish his sentence, because in a blink of an eye, the door opens and brightness consumes us.

We quickly break apart, but apparently too late, because Grace´s voice is the first one to tease us.

"Right, you are just friends."

You can imagine, what the entire evening after that was like...

[spngencestbang]

Title: I Held on as Tightly as You Held Onto Me

Author: Shadowhuntingdauntlessdemigod

Artist: Mysteryequationart

Rating: Teen

Length: 13.4k

Warnings: Canon typical violence/gore

Summary: After Chuck was defeated, Sam couldn't help but feel like there was another shoe about to drop, another big bad just waiting to tear him away from his brother. It was hard to settle into the quiet, especially with Dean feeling physically further away than he had in a long time. But in accordance with their 'no chick-flick' rule, he couldn't just say that, now could he? Still, Dean figured it out eventually, and tried to remedy it any way he could...without clueing Sam in.

Link to fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40361706/chapters/101103765 

Link to art: https://mysteryequationart.tumblr.com/post/690142283093458944/for-shadowhuntingdauntlessdemigod-s-woderful

[nigaki]

Title: The Golden Horseshoe

Pairing: John Marston/Arthur Morgan

Raiting: Mature

Warning: Minor Character Death

Summary: When John hears about a centaur living in a forest, offering gold to those who can stay on his back for a full minute, he doesn’t hesitate to try his luck. After leaving the gang with nothing but his family, he could use some money. How hard can be riding a centaur anyway?

Wirtten for RDR Mini Bang, witch @southernlynxx​ creating this woderful piece of art that made me cry! Can’t wait to take part in another event like that!

Can be read here: Ao3

[ladyinsertnamehere]

A River and Eleven fic

Summary: River helps the Doctor, too. Sight hurt, a load of comfort - more about the comfort than the hurt. Kinda short-ish?

Notes: I wanted to write this, the idea’s been on my mind for a bit, I thought it turned out cute. I’ve never really written River before, so I apologize in advance (although I think I got the characterization okay)

River ran into the TARDIS to find the Doctor, in a back corner, wrapped tightly in a blanket, biting his nails and sucking on his fingers. His eyes seemed to be staring off into nothing, and he didn't seem to notice River come in. The lights were turned down and, surprisingly, the brakes and engine were off. River just gave a pursed-lips smile and turned back out to the outside of the TARDIS. She took off her high-heels so they didn't make too much of a click-clack, and went back in, humming softly so she didn't spook the Doctor on her arrival. The Doctor turned his gaze away from whatever fixed point on the floor he was watching and smiled genuinely as he saw River put down her shoes, walk towards him, and sit down. He moved his legs away from his chest so River could lean against it. The Doctor lifted his hands to comb his fingers through his wife's soft, curly hair. River wasn't as tender-headed as the Doctor was, in most of his regenerations, especially this one, so a few tugged tangles didn't bother her. She closed her eyes as the Doctor played with her hair, enjoying the quality time with him, even though that quality time was spent mostly silent. Eventually, however, he did speak. "I thought I really lost you back there." "Couldn't get through the crowd. Sorry, sweetie." "I was looking for you! But then everyone was running nto me, and the strobe lights shone in my eyes, and the speakers - " he hit his hands against his face as he thought about the party. "It was too much, wasn't it?" asked River, understanding in her voice. "I was worried about you! I nearly started crying! I had to come back to the TARDIS so I didn't have a meltdown in front of everybody!" River reached over to caress the Doctor's thigh. "Shh. It's okay, sweetie, I'm right here." The Doctor took her hand off his knee and clasped it in his own. His voice became even quieter than before, "You scared me." "I know," River said, gently, "And I'm sorry." The two of them sat in silence for another few minutes until the Doctor spoke again, "You've been so good to me, River." "It's because I've learned. A quick heads-up, I'm not quite as understanding in the future, I didn't know." She laughed softly, "Hell, I'm still learning now." "Does this happen a lot in the future?" the Doctor worried. River looked up at him and smiled, "Just think of this as the one spoiler I will give you." She reached up and poked the Doctor on the nose, and he smiled too. They paused for a few moments, the Doctor looking away at the walls to think of what to say next. "So," he decided, "Wanna go back to the party?" "If you're ready, I'm ready," River replied. "Great!" the Doctor said, scooting his legs away so that River could push herself off of him. He tossed the blanket off of him and got up himself. He picked up and folded the blanket as River put her shoes back on. "Erm, River?" he asked, and hs wife looked up from putting her shoes on, "Can you put this in the bottom shelf of the cupboard below the console for me, please?" She obliged and took the blanket out of his hands, only to nearly fall down from the weight of it. "God's sake!" she said, and the Doctor threw his head back, cackling, with his hand over his mouth. "I'm sorry, River! I forgot!" Time Lords were much stonger than humans. River was only half-Time Lord, so even though she was physically stronger than the average man, the weight of the Doctor's blanket was still much heavier to her than it was for the Doctor. "What the hell is this even made of?" she asked. The bubbly-soft outside fabric hid the dense, heavy alien sand inside, so of course the weight woud catch her by surprise. "I'm sorry, River, here," the Doctor said, still giggling, "I'll put it away myself." "Why'd you ask me to put it away, anyway?" River shouted, just teasing the Doctor at this point. Truly, she didn't really even mind anymore - it was just woderful to see the Doctor laughing and smiling like this. The two of them eventually calmed down, linked arms, and strode out of the TARDIS together.

[hjh-ceilo-monster]

Retro:Flower Shop (Maknae line)

Summary : Your co-worker got promote into higher position.You wanted to give her a bouquet as a congrat gift.You decided to cross a road to the oposite of coffee house.When you entered the shop,you met 3 graceful boys.Seems like you met another woderful place.

                             “ Welcome to Flora Atlast Flower shop.” 

Park Jimin : Florist / Deliver

- A young fine man who smiled with eyes into cresent shape.He wasn’t tall,well among 3 of them.However he was chraming like the two.Giving you a different kind of vibe.

- He was delicate in his work.Starting from choosing until pack them and finish decorate them.He would ask and listen carefully what customers order.He would even ask in detial like what is her/his favourite colors,His/Her personality something like that.

- Actually that was his habit and yyou wondered why.That was when you got to know that he studied botany along with psychology as his minor.‘You want to be a psychologist?’ ‘No well not sure,I just studied because of my parents.Actually I love nature,flowers and all kind of plants.’

- He was also a deliver guy.It was the survice of this place.You could also order flowers to your house or even for decorations in events.Jimin would take care of those kind of business.

Kim Taehyung : Florist / Owner

- He was the son from farmer family.His parents worked har to send him money. This was the reason he decided to open this shop.He told his parents about it. They,as a pair of supportive parents,sent him tons of different kind of flowers from Daegu.

- He loved his shop like his life.He was really proud since this way help him earn money and reduce his parents work.He worked really hard with the shop and took care as if it was his son.‘Well don’t judge me,I actually felt like it.’

- He was the same year as Jimin but different faculty.He was in economics major and western music minor.With that minor,he would have an artist side influence him a lot of time.

- One of his talent from learning western music was playing saxophone.He was really into jazz music.So if you walk in here and hear the jazz songs,it’s because of his music taste.

Jeon Jungkook : Florist / Partnership

- He became a partnership because he was Taehyung junior.He studied in IT engineer major and Vocal minor.Taehyung then told him about the shop and he joined in.Since this guy wanted to earn some cash so why not.

- He was tall and shy.It was like he was a baby boy type.However he didn’t like to be called that way.Also when you got to know him,he was actually a manly man.The one you would call baby boy would probably be Jimin not Jungkook.

- You came in the shop one day to discover this boy’s talent.He was singing while rearrange the flowers into different zone.His voice sound melodic and you really love it.‘Remember this,everytime I come here,you should sing okay?’ ‘No I didn’t good at...’ ‘Stop it,noona heard you just now so don’t lie to me.’

- He has his own style of arranging flowers.Not like Jimin,he would randomly took flowers from different shelves,arrange them according to thier colors and then decorate.Customers especially teen girls love them.He even gained his own fan clubs out of that.(To be honest,all of them have their own fan clubs.)

Well I’ll end it here.This is the second set for our beloved Maknae line.If you want to read hyung line then,go check the first one.How was it anyway? I hope you love this one and this will be and end of retro set.Hope you love both of them.Don’t forget to check the other work and I’ll see you next time,bye. 

[killiancygnus]

Serendipitous Melody 12/?

Summary: Everyone has dreams. You might dream of becoming an astronaut or teacher, or you might want to become a doctor and save as many lives you can. Emma Swan’s childhood dream was being a singer. But with life getting in the way and never finding the courage to overcome her fears, she never had a chance to follow it. That is until a little push from her friends lead her to cash on an opportunity; and, who knows, she might even get more than what she’d wished for.

Rated: T

Word count: ~3.3k

A/N:   I LIVE! I know this is super late and I’m very sorry but between writer’s block and the hard time I’m having at uni it took me ages to finish this up. I hope you like it though! I honestly don’t know when I’ll be able to post chapter 13 since exams season will begin in a few days for me but I’ll try my best not to make you wait 6 weeks again. Anyway, comments make my day so if you liked this chapter or if you’ve just started reading this story, don’t be shy! I’m a sweet potato you can ask around :’).

As always, huge thanks to @the-reason-to-sail-home and @londonsbridge, my woderful friends and betas, for helping me with the editing and to all the CS Writers’ Hub ladies.

Tagging some friends: @villains-happy-ending, @stardusted-nymph, @allisonchameron, @kmomof4, @hencethebravery, @katie-dub, @captainwiley, @irishswanff, @thejollypirate, @dassala, @imhookedonaswan, @ofshipsandswans, @legendofthephoenixcs and @mahstatins

If you want to be tagged too let me know :)

(Emma’s song is ‘Human’ by Christina Perry whereas Elsa’s is ‘Bird Set Free’ by Sia)

Links: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 / AO3

Emma was slowly climbing up the stairs, trying with all her might not to bounce up and down in excitement. She was just about to have a lesson with Killian, her first lesson before the semifinals. She couldn’t believe she had gotten so far in this competition, which was ironic because at first Ruby had to do a lot of convincing for her to even consider doing an audition.

A few days had passed since she last saw Killian. And, to be honest, she’d spent a nice couple of days with him. Yes, him telling her how much he cared for her and them both sharing bits and pieces of their past had been emotionally draining for the both of them, but they had fun. Watching the show with him had been great, even though she had to admit that watching and hearing herself sing on television had been weird. He gave her tips, based on both the others’ performance and hers, he told her stories of what happened behind the scenes and then he made her blush furiously when he went on an impassioned rant about how much she’d improved since they’d started working together and how much of an amazing singer she is.

The days leading to her next lesson were mostly uneventful. They would have been completely quiet if only Mary Margaret didn’t convince her to go out with Ruby. However, what she claimed was a simple ‘girls day out’ turned out being an excuse to drag Emma with them on wedding dress hunt. And apparently, only a few weeks of engagement were enough to transform Mary Margaret in what Emma could only define as a wedding obsessed monster. She dragged both her and Ruby in shop after shop, for the whole day, discussing flowers arrangements, colors themes and the pros and cons of lace and satin dresses. Yeah, it was that bad, but, truth be told, Emma had never loved shopping much. There needed to be a rare astral conjunction to find her in the mood to go around in the city and browse through piles and piles of clothes in different shops. She was one of those persons that shopped with an aim: she would enter a shop, spot what she needed to buy in a few minutes and head to the cashier to pay.

She had to admit, though, that going wedding dress shopping was another matter altogether. It was a bit overwhelming and intimidating entering those beautiful and sophisticated shops, with all those stunning, immaculate dresses hanging neatly along the walls.

Whereas Emma felt quite out of her element there, Mary Margaret- just like Ruby- seemed unfazed by all that luxury. She was a woman on a mission: find the perfect dress, the one which would make her feel like a princess and everyone else cry. She tried on dress after dress, but she never seemed satisfied. Emma had never thought her friend would be so prickly, and she really couldn’t understand why she had been. Maybe it was because Emma wasn’t exactly made for marriage. But, then again, maybe she was more romantic than she cared to admit, and the thought of spending ages looking for a dress was absolutely crazy to her. What was the point, if the only opinion that would matter was the one of the person you were going to marry, who would find you stunning just in your pjs? Well, it wasn’t luckily she’d ever find out anyway. She was no relationship material, as she made Killian understand the other day.

Killian… Now that she thought about it, when he saw her in only a pair of leggings, his faded batman t-shirt and with a messy bun on top of her head, he gave her the same look he always gave her whenever she walked onstage, all dressed up with perfect hair and makeup. But it wasn’t anything like that with him. He was just her friend - probably her best friend - right?

As she took the last few steps to the door, Emma groaned in frustration. Why did all her thoughts have to lead to him?

She didn’t even have the time to knock, that she heard Killian’s voice coming from right behind her.

“Morning, Emma!” he greeted, stopping next to her, with two cups of steaming coffee in hand.

“Hey! You know you don’t have to bring me hot chocolate - or coffee - every time we have a lesson right?”

“Of course I do, but I want to. And look who’s talking!” He gestured to the package she was holding, “What do you have there, Swan?”

Emma teased him, grinning, “Wouldn’t you like to know?” 

”Perhaps I would,” he replied with a cheeky smile on his lips and a sinful look in his eyes that made Emma’s cheeks flush pink.

Emma was ready to punch him on the shoulder but then reconsidered it. That coffee smelled divine; it would have been a shame if he dropped it after she'd punched him. So, for the coffee’s sake, she just rolled her eyes at the ceiling and entered the room. As she put the small bag down on the table, she could hear Killian giggle behind her. He followed her and stopped by her side, putting the coffees by whatever she brought that day.

Emma was fidgeting with the package and internally cursing Mary Margaret for closing it in such an overcomplicated way, while Killian watched her in amusement. When she finally managed to open it, she suddenly stopped, catching a movement with the corner of the eye.

“Ah, ah, ah!” She tutted, moving away the bag from Killian, who was trying to sniff its content. “Step away or I’ll eat them both.”

Killian pouted innocently and took a step away. “And what would they be, Swan?”

“Homemade muffins!” Emma beamed, showing him a perfectly crafted chocolate muffin.

Killian took the pastry and eyed it suspiciously, not daring taking even a small bite, making Emma huff in annoyance at his theatrics.

“You didn’t make them do you?” he asked warily.

“What if I did?”

“Then it’d mean I really had underestimated both your wish to see me dead and your cooking abilities.”

While she gently peeled the cup off her muffin, Emma snorted, shaking her head, “Mary Margaret made them. You’re safe.”

Happy with her answer, Killian took a large bite of his muffin as if he’d never seen food in days.

“What did you get me, instead?” Emma asked, eyeing curiously at the two steaming cups next to him. 

Killian took her drink and gave it to her. “Why don’t you take a guess?”

Putting the muffin aside, she took the cup and sniffed it, before taking a sip.“Uhm…” she hesitated, ”Cappuccino? With... Chocolate?”

“Nope, but you were close,” he smirked, “It’s a latte macchiato with chocolate.”

“Oh, I like it!”

“Good.”

They drank and ate in silence for a bit, enjoying the feeling of the caffeine starting to kick in. It was just when the only things left of the muffins were only a few crumbs, that Killian broke the silence.

“You know, Emma,” he started, hand moving up to scratch behind his neck, “I think I’ve found the perfect songs for the semifinals. Would you like to take a look at them?”

“Sure.” Emma nodded excitedly.

Smiling at her enthusiasm, he walked up to the piano, and browsed the papers inside the folder laying on the stool for then going back to her. She happily accepted the stack of sheet music he offered her.

“Killian,” Emma gasped as soon as her eyes focused on the songs’ titles, “They are perfect! How did you-?”

“As I’ve told you before, love,” Killian interrupted her with a smirk, “Open book.

Days came and went, busy with work, rehearsals and nonstop wedding talk for her utter and unconditional joy. There wasn’t a single day that went by without an embarrassing amount of texts going back and forth between her and Killian, though. They would talk and talk, but truth be told, they were just goofing around most of the time. He especially liked to send her memes and random weird pictures of animals to tease her, to which she’d reply with either the eye roll emoji or the middle finger one. He sent her so many pictures, that by now she was sure she had at least five pictures of goats saved on her phone - yes he was that much of a dork (and she actually loved it). However, as the time passed, her excitement for the next episode they had to shoot grew more and more.

She loved the song he chose for her. It was perfect, considering everything she had to go through, both lately and in the past. She didn’t have to fish the emotions she wanted to show that deep into her heart; they were just there floating on the surface for her to catch and reel into her voice. 

(Wait. Was that a fishing metaphor? Damn girl, your nerves are bad…)

Nerves aside, she was confident in her abilities and determined to win, but only her or Elsa would go to the final, and Emma knew her friend wouldn't go down without a fight. She had heard Elsa sing a couple of times during rehearsals but every contestant, her included, used to conceal themselves a little during group rehearsals. She had heard her audition on telly too, but it was only when Ruby made her watch the show on Monday that she realised how talented Elsa actually was.

When shooting day finally arrived, Emma’s insides were already a ball of jittery energy. A part of her wanted to go knock at Killian’s dressing room door as soon as she got to the studios. As much much as she didn't like to admit it, even just seeing him would have helped her relax, but she couldn't go. She really couldn't. Their relationship had already been much more intimate than what was expected from them; they couldn't be seen hanging around and interacting with each other as they used to. Not there, not ever. If someone were to find out, all hell would break loose. So, Emma disgruntledly willed her feet to walk past the coaches’ dressing rooms and headed to hair and makeup, hoping that a few hours of sitting on a comfy chair while being fussed over would calm her nerves. Elsa was already there too, so, as soon as Emma sat down on her assigned chair next to her, they started talking. However, when Ashley threatened to draw mustaches with waterproof eyeliner on both their faces, they both stopped. Ashley was a sweet girl but it was better not to cross her, so, while Elsa decided to put on her earbuds and listen to some music, Emma focused her attention on Ashley’s movements as she gave the last few touches on her makeup before starting working on a complicated updo.

They were almost ready to go get dressed when she heard Elsa muttering the lyrics of the song she’d sing.

“I'm not gon' care if I sing off key, I find myself in my melodies. I sing for love, I sing for me,”

“I shout it out like a bird set free,” Emma sang with her, making Elsa blush as she realised she had been singing out loud.

“Sorry,” she smiled, taking one of the earbuds off.

“Don’t be,” Emma brushed her off with a smile, “It’s a beautiful song. I think it’s perfect for you.”

“Thank you. I think I’ve got to go get changed now,” Elsa said, taking a quick look at her schedule. “Good luck!”

“Likewise.

It was always hard for him to pretend not to be nervous and excited for his team when shooting, and the uneasiness would only grow when the time for Emma to perform got closer. And today wasn’t an exception. It wasn’t really professional for him, not at all, but he couldn’t help it. She was special, his best friend. The best friend his heart longed for but he didn’t dare make a move on because the timing was not ideal, because he could see the uncertainty in her eyes. Sometimes she would look at him with such love and affection that it made his breath catch in his throat, but then it’d soon be replaced with fear. He couldn't risk it. He'd patiently wait all the time she needed but he wouldn't stop fighting for her. After all, as his brother used to say, a man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets.

Robin was joking around with Tink and Ariel was laughing along as the lights dimmed out, but he wasn’t in the mood to join them. Emma and Elsa were the first to sing and he probably was more nervous than them. The fact that this time around it was Emma’s turn to perform first decisively didn’t help at all, but he was more than confident in her abilities.

From where he was sitting he could see her patiently waiting to climb onstage when announced. Her eyes were closed and her eyebrows knotted in a concentrated frown. As if she sensed the burn of his stare on her, she opened her eyes and smiled at him, nodding as if to say ‘Don’t worry, I got it’. He gave her a soft smile in return just as he heard her name being announced by Belle and the audience go wild. He couldn’t believe he had been so stunned at Emma’s sight in the backstage to not even hear Belle talking.

He followed her with his eyes as she sprinted in the arena, high fiving the people standing next to the short corridor that lead her on the sage. She was radiant, jumping around in excitement and smiling brightly.

She must be enjoying not having to balance on those ridiculously high heels for once, he thought with a chuckle.

Soon, she reached the right side of the stage where a white grand piano was waiting for her. Sitting on the stool after smudging some non existing wrinkles from her navy blue lace dress, she put her hands on the keyboard. A few gold locks which had masterly been left out of the loose chignon on the back of her head, framed her face as she tilted her chin down waiting for the music to start.

The lights dimmed even more, only to leave a single white spotlight illuminating her. It was only when silence fell in the studio that the music began coming from the numerous speakers around the theater. Her voice resounded in the arena soon after, her tone soft and crystal clear as always, while small white sparkles exploded on the screen behind her following the melody coming from her fingers.

He couldn’t help but look at her in wonder - much like everyone else in the theater - as she worked her magic. He was drawn in, placed under a spell as she moved to the refrain. If he thought she had been good at that at the auditions, now it was another thing altogether. Not only did she have much more control on her voice, being now able to modulate it as she pleased, but she could control her emotions better too. She could now channel them into her voice without so much of an effort, avoiding to flow into excess at times. It was a beautiful evolution to watch. She was beautiful to watch.

But I’m only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I’m only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and then I fall apart

'Cause I’m only human,

As she got closer to the second refrain, the music built in intensity as did the sparkles on the screen. Swiftly, she picked the mic from its stall and got up reaching the center of the stage hitting high note after high note. The stage flashed with white rays of light as she sang, following her voice and the music in a crescendo that lit up the audience. There was all of Emma in there: all the hurt, all the worry, all the battles she had to fight, all the desire to just be Emma.

Then everything went black, except for a single ray of light on the top of Emma’s head. Her voice started back from soft and low to grow in one last crescendo that would lead to the last final high notes, only for it to dye down in a whisper at the end.

Both Tink and Ariel shot up to applaud her as soon as the last feeble echo of her voice resounded in the arena, while Robin clapped slowly pleased and still a bit awestruck. Killian, instead, was grinning proudly at her, clapping along with everyone else. The cheering from the audience was deafening, and Killian could see her cheeks tinging pink as she muttered a thanks. When their eyes met a few moments later she smiled softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Time must had stopped, because the seconds in which they only but looked at each other, lasted an eternity. Their eyes were like magnets, the pull too strong to fight it and try to look down. He hoped he could see the love, the adoration and the pride in his eyes, just as he could see the affection and the adrenaline-induced liveliness in hers. It was only when Belle ushered her backstage to present Elsa’s song that their connection broke.

Elsa got onstage soon after, not looking fazed at all by Emma’s performance. On the contrary, she looked more determined and secure than ever. In fact, she kept up with her teammate more than nicely. She gave everything she had, blowing everyone away with her (until then fairly hidden) talent.

After the second standing ovation of the day, the time for him and the other coaches to vote finally came. It had been hard for all four of them to decide to whom give their point since they all had loved both their performance. Eventually it all ended in a tie, with Robin surprisingly giving his vote to Emma and Killian to Elsa. As soon as he gave his preference though, he saw a flash of hurt and confusion in Emma’s eyes matched by an equally confused and elated expression on Elsa’s face, while boos from the audience echoed in the theater.

Bringing a finger on his lips to ask ask for a moment of silence, he then spoke “I’d like to give an explanation of my vote to you and to everyone else here and watching us. I, as coach to both of you,” he continued, gesturing to Emma and Elsa, “not only got to meet you amazing women, but I also got to see how much you care about this, how much you’ve improved. Tonight both your performances were beyond not only mine, because I know your potential, but everyone else’s expectations. After tonight you both equally deserve to get to the final, and since I couldn’t really find fault in any of your performances, I decided to make you face the audience’s vote next week without any of you having any kind of advantage.”

As he talked, Emma’s expression changed to something undecipherable, and that scared him. She was closing off on him again.

As both Emma and Elsa walked backstage to leave the space to Ariel’s team, he hoped she would understand that he couldn’t give his vote to her again, no matter how much he wanted.

When a last flash of her gold waves disappeared backstage, Killian just prayed she would give him a chance to explain himself when not surrounded by cameras. 

[killiancygnus]

Serendipitous Melody 11/?

Summary: Everyone has dreams. You might dream of becoming an astronaut or teacher, or you might want to become a doctor and save as many lives you can. Emma Swan’s childhood dream was being a singer. But with life getting in the way and never finding the courage to overcome her fears, she never had a chance to follow it. That is until a little push from her friends lead her to cash on an opportunity; and, who knows, she might even get more than what she’d wished for.

Rated: T

Word count: ~3.0k

A/N:   Wow I’m actually updating on time, what is this sorcery? Anyway, I am still working on chapter 12. The muse has been pretty rude lately and uni is keeping me busy. Like a lot. If I don’t hit the athor’s block wall for the umpteenth time, I’ll probably manage to post it in two weeks, but after that I can’t guarantee updates every fortnight. I’m a very slow writer sorry. I hope you’ll stick with me. As always, huge thanks to @the-reason-to-sail-home and @londonsbridge, my woderful friends and betas, for helping me with the editing and to all the CS Writers’ Hub ladies.

Tagging some friends: @villains-happy-ending, @stardusted-nymph, @allisonchameron, @kmomof4, @hencethebravery, @katie-dub, @captainwiley, @irishswanff, @thejollypirate, @dassala, @imhookedonaswan, @ofshipsandswans, @legendofthephoenixcs and @mahstatins

If you want to be tagged too let me know :)

Links: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 / AO3

As soon as they got back inside, Emma started shivering from the cold, while two matching puddles of water were forming at her and Killian’s feet.

“Why don’t you go take a shower?” he asked, noticing how tightly she was holding her jacket to her body in an attempt to warm up a bit, “I’ll find you something to wear while your clothes dry up.”

“There’s no need. I’ll be fine,” Emma shrugged him off, even though the trembling of her body betrayed her.

“I insist. You’ll just get a cold if you don’t warm up.”

“What about you?” She followed him upstairs to the bathroom, their shoes squeaking on the floor.

“No need to worry, Swan. I’ll just change into something warm,” Killian reassured her, stopping in front of the bathroom, “I’ll leave you to it then.”

After muttering a thank you, Emma watched him walk in what she supposed was his bedroom for a few seconds, before going in the bathroom and closing the door behind her. She was too cold to care about what it looked like, but she couldn’t help notice how big the room was. Two large glass walls illuminated the room, both next to the shower which was situated in between them in front of the sink and a large mirror. A bathtub was placed in an alcove on the left. Emma quickly stripped off her wet clothes and placed them on the bathtub, neatly enough so that they wouldn’t wrinkle.

Not being able to resist the comfort of heat much longer, she stepped inside the shower.  Stifling a moan, she let the warm water fall on the top of her head. After enjoying the effect the water was having on her warming skin, Emma quickly washed her hair and body using a couple of bottles of soap she found in the shower. She futilely tried very hard not to think much about how weirdly soothing the scent of his shampoo was. Not wanting to make Killian wait for too long, she quickly finished up rinsing her hair and then she stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a towel before tiptoeing in front of the mirror.

She looked flushed. But that was surely only because of the hot water, and not because of anything else. After all, why would it bother her if her hair now smelled exactly like Killian’s? That would be ridiculous. The flush reddening her cheeks and chest was totally just because of the warm shower she’d just had. Or was it?

“Emma?” Killian knocked tentatively, starting her from her thoughts, “I’ve just heard the shower go off. I have some clothes for you.”

“Coming!” she said quickly drying herself up a little so that she wouldn’t make a mess. However, her damp hair still drizzled some water on the immaculate floor as she padded up to the door.

After taking a moment to secure the towel around her frame, she unlocked the door and faced him. He was standing in sweatpants and a navy blue t-shirt that did nothing to hide his toned chest just inches from the door. A pile of clothes was balanced on one hand, as the other was busy passing a towel through his damp hair making them stick up in every direction.

Killian’s eyes widened and roamed down her body. They dropped to fixate on the clothes he was holding, when he noticed the blush on her cheeks, the tips of his ears turning red.

“This is all I could find,” he said, extending his arm but not daring to look at her in the eyes. “The hairdryer is in the cabinet under the sink if you need it.”

Emma thanked his as she took the clothes he was offering her.

“I’ll be downstairs fixing us something for lunch for when you're done.”

Emma nodded, giving him a small smile before closing the door as soon as he walked away. Taking a quick look at the clothes, she was surprised to see he gave her a t-shirt that judging by its size was one of his and a pair of leggings that definitely didn’t belong to him.

Well, that’s weird.

“Ah, Swan! Right on time. Lunch is ready,” Killian announced as soon as he saw Emma enter the kitchen, wearing a t-shirt that was way too big for her, his t-shirt, with a few rebel gold locks escaping from the messy bun on top of her head. Trying not to delve much into the thoughts that started to fly in his head at her vision, he swiftly put two steaming bowls of tomato soup, next to a plate with grilled cheese for the both of them. She was beautiful, but they were friends. That’s all they could be for now, possibly forever.

He noticed her gaze following his movements with a furrow between her brows, as if she were wondering how she could help him but at the same time realising there was nothing else left to do. When her eyes landed on the grilled cheese on the table, though, her lips curved up in an excited and goofy smirk as she trotted to her seat.

“Like what you see?” Killian wiggled his eyebrows, watching her in amusement as he sat down at the other end of the table.

“I love grilled cheese.”

“Oh, is that so?” he teased her, “Your excitement was only because of food and not because of the dashing rockstar who cooked for you? I’m hurt!”

“Well, maybe a little bit of both,” Emma admitted, a bright smile forming on lips at the sight of his pout. “But mostly for the food.”

“How rude. This is the last time I cook for you,” Killian replied, offended, making Emma almost choke on the spoonful of soup she had just taken.

“No! Please. This is so good. You are such a great cook.”

“Hmm…” Killian hummed, watching her concerned face in amusement before giving in, “I accept your apology, my lady.”

“Good.”

They ate in silence for a while, both too hungry to engage in conversation, but there was no awkwardness at all. It was just the two of them having lunch at his house, on a lazy day off work, and to be honest he would get used to it without any problem, were anything ever going to happen between them.

“Tonight your audition airs on national television, as you know, and we are supposed to watch it together, so we can discuss it. You can stay, if you want, so we could watch it here. I mean, your clothes won’t get dry anytime soon and it seems the most practical option we have,” he suddenly announced, the tips of his ears reddening in embarrassment as soon as he realised he was babbling.

“If it’s not a problem for you, then okay.” Emma smiled. God, how he loved that smile.

“It’s not,” he reassured her quickly. “I quite like spending my time with you.”

“Yeah I quite like it too.”

“So,” Emma started, nonchalantly, as she got up to help Killian put the dishes in the dishwasher. “Do you wear women’s leggings on a regular basis or what?”

Killian looked at her confused, but when realisation struck he smiled a tight, sad smile. “They were of someone who was very close to me once. I found them at the bottom of a drawer. I hadn’t even known they were still there.”

“Oh.”

Stopping mid movement, a last bowl still in hand. Tilting his head on a side he asked, “Have you ever been in love, Swan?”

Caught off guard, Emma took her time to answer.

“No,” she muttered, lowering her gaze as if telling him a lie. She didn’t notice the unconvinced look he gave her, as her eyes were by then fixated on the tattoo on his arm. She had never paid it much attention before, but now that she could see it from such a short distance she had to admit it was truly beautiful. It was an anchor, with colourful flowers following the rope coiled around it. The more she looked at it, the more details she noticed. The petals of the flowers, so realistic her fingers itched to touch them to feel how soft they were, the game of shadows they created on the anchor, and the rope, that was actually made of a name repeated over and over, written in a cramped cursive font to mimic the fibers.

When curiosity took over, Emma asked, hesitating a little as she deciphered the name inked on his arm,  “Who is Milah?”

“Someone from long ago.”

“Were you two together?” She inquired.

“Yes,” Killian simply replied, “I was about to ask her to move in with me when...”

When voice faltered, he looked away from her, focusing on the buttons of the dishwasher, as if he’d never set one before.

“Bad break up?” she asked him softly, too curious to let the topic drop.

“In a manner of speaking yeah,” he sighed, and when he saw her frown at his reply he added, “She died.”

That wasn’t the answer she thought she would get, and suddenly she felt bad for having been so insistent.

“I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“You didn’t know Emma, it’s okay.” He reassured her, even though he clearly was the one who ended up being hurt the most by the conversation. It was totally a Killian thing to do, to comfort her when he was the one in need of comforting because of something she had said, and she both loved and hated him for that (Loved? Wait what?).

“It’s just,” he continued, “I haven’t talked about it in quite a while.”

Emma reached for his hand and squeezed it tight. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here. And I’ll always be there and listen, even if you don’t want to talk about it now, okay?”

After a little hesitation Killian said, squeezing her hand back, “Come.”

Nodding, Emma followed him back in the living room and sat next to him on the sofa, their still interwoven hands resting on his lap. Taking a few deep breaths, Killian started talking, absentmindedly tracing circles with his thumb on the back of her hand.

“I met Milah back when my first album got released. As you might know, it wasn’t a hit right away, but it was good enough for me to build a small group of fans. It still wasn’t enough to let me stop doing gigs at pubs around the city though, and that was exactly where we met. She was older than me but I didn’t care about it. She was beautiful, so full of life and always seeking some kind of adventure. I couldn’t help but fall for her.

“After two years together I thought we were both ready to move in together, but I never got to ask her. I had everything ready: her key, a romantic dinner at her favourite restaurant- you know how it is. A couple of days before our date, she came here, knocking at my door at night telling me she was already married, that her husband, the director of one of those tabloids, had asked her to befriend me so that he could get some information and scoops about me to write his articles. She told me she was sorry, that she couldn’t keep it secret from me anymore because she had come to love me.

She assured me that she had never told her husband much about me, except some innocent facts, as what instruments I could play or what were my favourite songs. She begged me to forgive her, but I was too hurt and angry. I felt like I had been played and I couldn’t think straight. I told her to leave, but the roads were slippery from the amount of rain that had been falling since the morning. She lost control of her car and got hit by a truck coming from the other side of the road. She died on impact.”

“That is truly awful,” Emma commented, watching him brush away a single tear that had escaped from his eyelids. She gave his hand a squeeze to bring him some comfort and added, hoping her voice wouldn’t crack up too much, hoping the tears that pooled in her eyes wouldn’t fall, making him so notice how much his story affected her, “I’m so sorry.”

“If only I didn’t tell her to go-” he whispered, “I knew the roads would have been slippery, I knew it would have been dangerous for her to drive so late at night...If only I offered to drive her home-”

She couldn’t hear him blaming himself, holding this burden on his heart on his own, so she reached for his chin and tilted his head, making him face her. “Killian, hey! Look at me. Her death is not your fault. It was an accident. You couldn’t possibly know what would happen, and for all you know if you did offer to drive her back, you could have ended up dead too. I know it’s hard but never think what someone you loved did to you or to somebody else is your fault.”

“But if I didn’t get so angry, if I thought before I-”

“We are only human, Killian,” she said softly, “you can’t pretend to always be rational and in control of your feelings; especially when someone you love is involved.”

Killian stared at her for a long moment, weighing her words up but giving her a curious look. “You know, for someone who has never been in love you are quite perceptive and empathetic.”

“Well, maybe I lied,” she confessed, “maybe I was in love once. Or so I thought.”

“And he hurt you.” It wasn’t a question but she still felt the need to answer.

“Yeah.”

“What happened?” he wondered, bringing her body closer to his, as if doing so he could snuggle the heartache away.

Taking a deep breath, Emma welcomed the comforting presence of his body and started to talk. “After Ingrid’s death, the Nolans took care for me. I didn’t have enough money to go to college, so I helped Graham, the town sheriff, at the station for a little while. He was only a few years older than me and we got along pretty well together. That is until one day, without any warning or anything, he died. Heart attack, probably caused by a heart defect that had never been diagnosed. I didn’t take it well. First my adoptive mother then him; it was too much.

So after a couple of weeks later I run away. With the money I had, I left for Boston where I found a small place to live. There I had two jobs, bail bonds person during the evenings and coffee shop waitress during the day, but it was just enough to pay the bills and survive. I wasn’t happy, per se. I was just living, you know. And then I met Neal.” Emma sighed.

“He’d come to the coffee shop I was working at every morning. We became friends pretty soon, and eventually we got together. I was young and naive and I thought he loved me, besides all the secrets he kept for me. But I really thought I loved him, you know, he was the first person - apart from Ingrid - who saw me as me and made me feel like I could have that happy ending you read on the fairytales when you are little, so I let it slide. A few months after we got together, David tracked me down. He wrote me a letter in which he told me they understood why I left, and that they missed me.

And that’s how we began sending each other letters back and forth every months. When I moved in with Neal, though, the letters never came through again. I tried to explain it in my head in many ways. I supposed it was because he was too busy with his job and moving to LA with Mary Margaret to keep in touch with me, but as the months passed. All I could think about was that they never wanted to have anything to do with me again. I blamed myself for so long. What I didn’t know at that time was that it was all Neal’s fault. He had purposely given David a wrong address, so that he wouldn’t try to steal me away from him. I only found it out later on though, when one day, while my then fiancé claimed he was away for work, the police knocked at the door to search our place.

Apparently he was a thief. He left some stolen watches in our bedroom, and ran away with a girl he had been cheating with for months only after tipping off the police. I got arrested. I stayed behind bars for eleven months before getting out for good behaviour. The day I walked out of that place I found David and Mary Margaret waiting for me to bring me home with them.”

As soon as she finished talking, Emma closed her eyes to try stop the tears and block the memories of her in jail, alone, scared of what would it be of her and the -

“Emma, ” he breathed out softly, the gentle touch of his hands, stroking her cheeks where two lonely tears had fallen and drawing soothing patterns on her shoulder, bringing her back to the present.

Her misty eyes met his blue ones and she smiled to thank him for listening, for the comfort he was giving her, basically for everything he had done for her.

“You know,” he started, the ghost of a lough in his voice, “we are quite the pair, the two of us, Swan. Life reserved us some nasty low blows and we were both abandoned and hurt by the people we loved the most, but you know what I learned in all these years?”

Emma shook her head.

“I learned that if our hearts can be broken then it’s a good thing, because it means they still work.”

Emma studied him for a moment and, as a few bricks of the sky high walls that protected her heart broke down in pieces, she snuggled closer to him, seeking and giving all the comfort they both needed.

[killiancygnus]

Serendipitous Melody 10/?

Summary: Everyone has dreams. You might dream of becoming an astronaut or teacher, or you might want to become a doctor and save as many lives you can. Emma Swan’s childhood dream was being a singer. But with life getting in the way and never finding the courage to overcome her fears, she never had a chance to follow it. That is until a little push from her friends lead her to cash on an opportunity; and, who knows, she might even get more than what she’d wished for.

Rated: T

Word count: ~3.7k

A/N:   *waves* Hello! I’m back just in time for Easter break. I’m so excited to post this chapter it’s one of my favourites so far and @mahstatins is to blame for everything that happens in it. So Clare, this chapter is for you <3. Huge thanks to @the-reason-to-sail-home  and @londonsbridge, my woderful friends and betas, for helping me with the editing and to all the CS Writers’ Hub ladies.

Tagging some friends: @villains-happy-ending, @stardusted-nymph, @allisonchameron, @kmomof4, @hencethebravery, @katie-dub, @captainwiley, @irishswanff, @thejollypirate, @dassala, @imhookedonaswan, @ofshipsandswans, @legendofthephoenixcs and @csreviews

If you want to be tagged too let me know :)

(Killian’s new guitar is a 1972 Fender Telecaster Custom [x] )

Links: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 / AO3

It was exactly ten in the morning when Killian knocked at the door of Regina’s office on Monday; not a minute earlier, not a minute late, which was quite odd for him, considering his standards. It wasn’t like it was his fault though. Regina seemed to love scheduling appointments for him early in the morning, just to make him wake up early after his too frequent nights where he drank way too much alcohol (Okay maybe it was partly my fault). However, Emma had been a soothing presence during the last few weeks. He couldn't pinpoint what exactly had made her just what he needed to leave his old heartache behind him, among with an untouched pile of rum bottles in a cabinet in his kitchen. She was just special.

When he didn’t get any answer, he turned to face Sidney Glass, Regina’s secretary, who just nodded gesturing him to get in. As soon as Killian pushed the door open, Regina’s voice entered his ears.

“Henry,” she sighed, “Having a no school day doesn’t mean you can spend it all playing Xbox.”

Killian smiled at that and took a seat on one of the chairs in front of Regina’s desk. She held up her finger as if to say ‘just give me a minute, Jones’.

“I know it’s a cool game but you still have to do your homework,” she reproached him, and then continued after Killian heard Henry mumbling a defeated ‘okay mom’.

“Good. I have to go now, Killian’s here. Love you Henry, see you at lunch.”

“Good morning Regina,” Killian said as she put the phone down. “How’s the lad?”

“He’s good. Told me that you should come over soon to play Diablo 3 with him,” she sighed, “Why you thought giving him a new video game for his birthday was a good idea, I’ll never know. Playing that thing is all he does these days.”

“I’m sorry,” Killian chuckled, his voice inflecting a little, making his apology sound like a question.

“Anyway,” Regina said giving him a dirty look, “I was at the studios on Sunday because, apparently, you are so good that the producers wanted to discuss your future on the show.”

“Regina,” he started, taking a deep breath. “I’m having fun working on this, but I’m not sure if I want to do a second season. I miss having the time to write music and honestly, a lot could happen in a year or so. For all I know I could end up being in the middle of a new album release, or planning to leave music to sail around the world.”

Regina hummed in agreement. “Well, I hope you aren’t thinking on giving up on your career so soon, but don’t worry you still have time to decide what to do.”

“Is there anything you else wanted to talk to me about?”

Regina stared at him for what seemed like a full minute and then said, giving him one of hers icy looks, joining her hands over the desk, “Jones, What is going on between you and Miss Swan?”

“Nothing,” he replied quickly and then, when Regina arched her brows unconvinced, he asked, disgruntled, “Is that all?”

“Yes,” she said, intrigued by his reaction.

“Well then. In that case, have a good day, Regina,” he muttered, trying not to let the irritation at her prying show in his voice as he stood up to leave.

“Killian,” Regina called him before he would go, “Please, be careful. We don’t want another scandal.”

Killian’s grip on the door handle hardened at her words and said, after taking a deep breath, facing the white painted wood of the door, “I know that.”

“Killian please,” she whispered softly. “I just don’t want you to get played again.”

“Don’t worry. Emma is not Milah,” he stated, finally making eye contact with Regina before opening the door and storming away.

Emma dropped the keys of her apartment somewhere on the tea table with a sigh as her apartment's door closed behind her, and walked into the kitchen. After taking a carton of ice cream from the fridge and a spoon, she went back into the living room and let her body fall on the couch.

She had spent the morning tracking down and chasing a perp downtown, and that had been enough of a distraction to get her mind off from Peter, Felix and especially Killian. It wasn’t like finding the guy had been a challenge, but it was something she had to concentrate on. And concentrating meant trying not to think about Killian’s soft lips on hers, of his hugs, that always made her feel so warm and fuzzy inside, or his-

“No,” she scolded herself, “No, no, no, no, no.”

Stretching her arms, she snatched the remote from the table. She put on an old episode of Scrubs, readying herself to drown her worries and thoughts in ice cream, funny tv shows and maybe some alcohol later on. She was two episodes and a quarter of carton in when her phone chirped with a message.

A message from Killian.

She just stared at her phone considering whether she should read it or not, her thumb lingering on the screen, ready to digit the pin to unlock it, spoon now forgotten in the box of ice cream. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and viewed the message. It was a picture of a black and orange guitar laying on the white circle settee in his music room. Why did he send her that? It was a beautiful guitar, she had to give him that, but he just sent her the picture without saying anything at all. Confused, Emma just typed a couple of question marks and hit send.

It only took a few seconds for him to call her. Sighing, Emma swiped her thumb on the screen and as soon as she did that, Killian’s voice came from the speaker.

“Hello, Swan. Have you seen my baby?”

“Your baby?” she repeated, breathing out a laugh.

“Yeah,” he said sheepishly, “Would you like to come over and try it? I remember how you looked at the other guitars last time.”

“I…” she hesitated, “I don’t know if it’s a good idea, I-”

“Emma?” he interrupted her, “I know the stuff that happened last week is bothering you more than you let me and everyone else see. But a nice evening with a friend, testing out his brand new guitar and maybe eating chinese while watching a movie could be a good distraction from everything that is going through your mind.”

Emma considered his words for a moment. A part of her wanted to say no and stay home as she had planned, but deep down she realised that wouldn’t have helped her forget, not at all. She needed a friend and Killian was currently the best she had, even though spending the evening with him might make the weird feelings she had started to feel about him, come back to the surface. She couldn’t avoid him for long, though. He was still her coach. They were still supposed to work together. Facing him in private by spending the evening with him was something she could totally do. Spending time alone with him after the kiss that happened last week shouldn’t be a problem, after all (Yeah, I don’t have feelings for him, so why would it be?)  

“Okay,” she agreed. “See you in an hour.”

The sun was about to set when Emma’s yellow beetle came to a stop in front of the gate. She didn’t even have to call him or get off the car to ring the intercom because the gates opened, as if thanks to some kind of magical ability. He knew she had arrived (or he simply saw me through the security cameras. Really, Emma, magical abilities?!).

As the tires of her car screeched on the gravelled path, she took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. Fortunately, the soft orangey light and the way it hit the flowers and the trees had a calming effect on her. Her heart rate began to slow down.

It wasn’t much later that she parked her car in front of his garage. She didn’t notice Killian walking up to her and opening the door as she was busy trying to pick up her purse which had fallen from the seat.

“Good evening, Swan!”

Emma jumped on her seat and hit her knee on the steering wheel for the shock.

“Killian!” she groaned, rubbing her knee, as he snickered like a child whose prank went as planned. “Don’t do that ever again!”

“I was only trying to be a gentleman!” he excused himself with a huge grin, as he helped her out of the car.

“Of course you were,” Emma acknowledged, rolling her eyes as she tried to suppress a smile from curving up her lips.

As soon as the door of Killian’s house closed behind them blocking the chilly wind to enter in the warm and cozy living room, barely lit only by a fancy reading lamp over the corner of the sofa and the electric fire in front of it.

“Does Chinese sound good to you? If you want we can have something else for dinner. Chinese was just the first thing I thought of,” Killian told her, phone already in hand to place their order. Emma tossed her purse and red leather jacket on the sofa.

“Yeah, sure,” she nodded.

As Killian was on the phone, she seized upon the quiet moment to snoop around a bit. His house was as ridiculously tidy as she remembered, so tidy that she felt the tips of her ears burn in embarrassment at the thought of in what state her apartment had looked like the day he had knocked at the door bearing pizza. In the few weeks she had known him, she had realised how much his famous singer persona was different from his true self. Had someone asked her a month ago how she imagined Killian Jones being when off stage or out of the spotlight, she’d have never pictured him as the shy, dorky, sweet neatfreak he actually was. Deep in her thoughts, Emma passed a hand over the covers of the books in the small library next to the sofa, as her mind got lost in the soft hum of his voice.    

“Don’t forget egg rolls!” She reminded him as soon as she realised he won’t be at the phone for much longer.

“Of course I didn’t, love,” he winked at her, closing the call, “No chinese take out dinner can be called as such without the right amount of egg rolls.”

“Good,” she smiled softly in amusement, “Now how about you be the proud parent you are and show me your baby?”

Killian laughed out loud at that and then gestured her to go upstairs, wiggling his eyebrows seductively, “After you, love.”

“No way,” Emma began, crossing her arms over her chest, for Killian’s joy, “You only say that because you want to ogle my ass. You go first.”

“And what tells me you won’t be the one ogling my arse?”

“You wish buddy,” Emma snorted, lifting her eyebrows in provocation.

“Fine,” he consented, pouting adorably as he started climbing the stairs followed by her, “You are not fun Swan.”

Well you have to admit he has a nice ass, Emma, she thought.

As if he sensed her gaze burning its way through his jeans, as soon as he put food on the last step he turned around to flash her a knowing smirk and wink at her. Feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks, Emma grinned back and rushed into the music room, excited at the prospect of seeing his new guitar and embarrassed that he caught her.

When she entered the room, the guitar was still where he’d put it to take the picture he sent her. Slowly, she sat next to it and let her fingers hover on the wood, following its curves, almost afraid to touch it.

“You can play it if you want,” Killian nodded encouragingly at her, sitting on the opposite side of the settee and smiling softly as he noticed her eyes shining in awe.

“I...I don’t know what to play,” she confessed, carefully picking the guitar up and balancing it on her hip.

“Whatever you wish to play, love.”

Biting her lip, Emma plucked experimentally on the strings and then started playing the first thing that came in her mind, not even noticing that was actually one of Killian’s songs. The harmonies echoed in the room, as her hands worked on the chords with ease, as if it was just yesterday that she had played a guitar like that and not years.

“I think I’m in love,” Killian murmured, as he watched her in entrancement. “She’s magnificent.”

Thankful for her hair covering her reddening cheeks, Emma asked, her heart beating faster at his words, “She?”

“Yes, she. Why, Swan, are you jealous, now?” He said, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

“Of course not,” she replied in a whisper, more to convince herself than him.

They stayed there for a while, sitting next to each other, (not so) patiently waiting for the food to arrive. After a little, Killian had moved to sit behind her so that he could give her some advice on her technique. His chin had come to a rest on her shoulder, his hands covering hers to show her some tricks, his breath tickling her ear, lips so close he could easily stamp a kiss on her neck. It needn’t be said that she could barely concentrate that way, but nothing in her bones screamed her to run, to put some space between them. She was at ease, his presence bringing her comfort like a warm blanket on a chilly rainy day. That was what scared her though, how easy it was for him to make her feel safe and at home.

When the food finally arrived, they rushed at the door, Killian almost tripping whilst running down the stairs in an attempt to get there first.

Once payed and tipped the delivery guy, Emma helped Killian bring the bags in the kitchen and then, after a little convincing she left him there getting everything ready for them to eat in front of the tv, to go pick a movie to watch.

“Next time you pick the movie okay?” she said helping him set the boxes on the table.

“Does that mean there will be a next time?”

“Maybe,” she laughed as she handed him a box of dumplings, after sitting down and pressing play on the recorder.

“Ooh Tangled!” Killian exclaimed in a high pitched voice that made Emma giggle, “Shall we sing along, my lady?”

Time flew by between Killian singing along every single song, Emma’s snarky and ridiculous commentary and them both trying not to choke on both food and their drinks. All the worries Emma had when he’d asked her to come over were now forgotten, as she let herself truly enjoy being in Killian’s company. It didn’t take long for the movie to end, but it was still pretty early and neither of them wanted to call it a night. After doing some much needed clean up and putting in the fridge all the leftovers, (because of course he ordered enough food to feed an army since “I didn't know what you liked, Swan, so I took a little bit of everything.”) they plopped down on the sofa again as Killian picked another movie.

“Are you serious?” Emma looked at him with wide eyes, trying not to laugh.

“It fear I don't understand, love.”

“Anastasia,” she said slowly, articulating every sound, “Among all the films you could choose, you picked Anastasia?”

“So? It's a classic.”

“Okay, let me get this straight. You actually picked it because you like it and not because I might like it?”

“Yes,” he said, making it sound like a question.

“Do you know all the songs of this one too?”

“Of course I do, Swan. I'm a professional, after all,” he confirmed proudly.

“And I bet you waltz to ‘Once Upon a December’ too,” she teased him, laughing, “Am I going to witness a rare example of dancing Killy?”

“You are so mean, Swan,” he said, his voice low and eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Is that so?” She asked, fluttering her eyelashes in innocence.

“Aye,” he whispered darkly with an amused smile on his lips.

And that was her only warning. With a leap, he tackled her down, her hair spreading in a golden halo on the beige couch. His hands found her hips and he started tickling her mercilessly.

“No! Please,” Emma shrieked, laughing uncontrollably, “Please stop!”

“Not until you apologise,” he moved his right hand up to tickle her under her neck, grinning.

“Killian!” she whimpered, as she struggled to breathe while tears of laughter streamed down her cheeks, “I- I’m-”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry!” Emma screamed in defeat.

As soon as the words left her lips, Killian stopped his attack. Emma, seizing the moment to seek revenge, swiftly sat up and pinned him down. As a surprised gasp left his lips, Emma carried out her tickling assault, her body flushed on top of his. However, her plan to make him beg her to stop as she previously had to, failed miserably when her lungs started burning, desperately in need for air after all the laughing. They stayed like that, panting, with huge grins on their faces. It seemed like their eyes weren’t going to look away from one another anytime soon, emerald meeting blue or, what was left of the blue in Killian’s darkened eyes. Emma’s gaze lingered on his mouth, when looking at him became just too much. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to kiss him badly, but she couldn’t, not again. She didn’t do relationships at all, never mind with her coach, a world wide known singer. They could get caught and get in so much trouble (am I seriously considering having a relationship with Killian? What is wrong with me?!). One kiss had been enough (or has it?).

“We should watch the movie,” Emma murmured, lifting her body off his and offering him a hand to help him sit up, which he took with a nod.

Stretching out his legs on the chaise, Killian put his arm around her and pulled her close. Emma let him and she rested her head on his chest, snuggling closer, the soft thuds of their hearts on each others’ skin and the music coming from the television lulling them both to sleep.

It was the roar of thunder of an oncoming storm that woke her up. Well, perhaps waking up was strong expression. She was just too comfy and sleepy to open her eyes. After all this was her day off, she could be lazy and stay in bed for as much as she wanted. Or maybe not, because she wasn’t in her bed. Her pillow smelled of Killian, all spicy and comforting, and something resembling an heart beating resounded in her ears. Now that she noticed, what she thought was her pillow was moving slowly up and down, but its rhythm was evening out.

When another thunder made the window panes tremble, Emma jumped away, a blush already coloring her cheeks as she realised that she had indeed fallen asleep on Killian and cuddled him for the whole night. Again.

“Good morning,” he said sleepily, suppressing a yawn and passing a hand through his hair.

“Hi,” she replied sheepishly, standing up and quickly grabbing her things, “I...I really- I had fun. I really did, but I shouldn’t have- I should just go home now.”

Putting on her red leather jacket, Emma stormed out of the house, not noticing it was pouring rain outside. However, she kept marching towards her car, not caring either for the rain nor Killian calling her name over and over.

“Emma! Emma stop!” Killian called after her, finally managing to catch her hand to stop her, making her turn around.

“What?”

“Listen, I know things have been awkward between us since that kiss, but I don’t regret it. I get that you are scared, bloody hell, I am too, and I know I shouldn’t because of the show and all of what that entails, but, if you are willing, I would like to give us a chance,” he said, gently lifting her chin with a finger to meet her bright green eyes, “to be friends, at least.”

Emma just stared at him as the rain fell on them, his shirt soaking wet by now, as her clothes, that were dampening by the minute. Her hair was sticking on her face and God, she must have looked ridiculous, but there was so much emotion in his eyes and he was looking at her like she was the best thing that happened in his life and his hair looked so good and- this was crazy. This was absolutely crazy, but she wanted all of that too.

And possibly even more, a small voice in her head whispered.

“I know that my hair look sinfully good when wet, but please, say something?” He asked in an attempt to brighten the mood, as he scratched the back of his neck, in what she recognised as that adorable nervous tick of his.

“Okay.”

At that, Killian smiled softly and taking her hand, he gave it a gentle tug, to accompany her back inside and warm up, but then he stopped when he felt Emma squeezing his hand to catch his attention.

“Killian?” she stammered, her teeth chattering for the cold, “I care for you too. I really do.”

Grinning, Killian brought her closer to him swiftly, putting an arm around her. His hand rested softly on her side and, after leaving a kiss on the top of her head, they walked together back inside.

[killiancygnus]

Serendipitous Melody 9/?

Summary: Everyone has dreams. You might dream of becoming an astronaut or teacher, or you might want to become a doctor and save as many lives you can. Emma Swan’s childhood dream was being a singer. But with life getting in the way and never finding the courage to overcome her fears, she never had a chance to follow it. That is until a little push from her friends lead her to cash on an opportunity; and, who knows, she might even get more than what she’d wished for.

Rated: T

Word count: ~2.7k

A/N:   It’s show time on Serendipitous Melody this week, are you excited? If you are, I hope you like this chapter and if you don’t...well, I hope you’ll like it anyway :). Huge thanks to @londonsbridge and @the-reason-to-sail-home, my woderful friends and betas, for helping me with the editing and to all the CS Writers’ Hub ladies. 

Tagging some friends: @villains-happy-ending, @stardusted-nymph, @allisonchameron, @kmomof4, @hencethebravery, @katie-dub, @captainwiley, @irishswanff, @thejollypirate, @mahstatins, @dassala, @imhookedonaswan, @ofshipsandswans, @legendofthephoenixcs and @csreviews

If you want to be tagged too let me know :)

(Songs in this chapter are: “Animals” by Maroon 5 and “Paradise” by Coldplay.)

Links: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 / AO3

Killian was going to see Emma for the first time after that amazing kiss that morning, but he wasn’t nervous. Nope, not at all. Or that was what he had been telling himself. Yes because, he’d actually been tense from the time he got to work, legs going all jittery from time to time, and eyes looking down at the watch on his wrist every few minutes.

His hopes to have some kind of interaction with her right after Peter’s rehearsal got crushed when the chief sound technician asked to have a word with him about some adjustments they had to make for the following day. It took him so long, that he barely had the time to sit cross legged on the stage’s floor as the beats of Coldplay’s “Paradise” were resounding already from the speakers.

When he chose to pair her up against Peter he was sure she could beat him easily, however, considering his determination and the progress he’d made in the last couple of weeks, Killian wasn’t so sure anymore. And from the look on Emma’s face, things were starting to take a bad turn for her. She seemed weirdly distant, more out of sorts than what he had expected. He had figured there’d have been a bit of awkwardness, but not this. She made mistakes she had never made before: she missed her cue, forgot the lyrics a couple of times, and even repeated the refrain when she wasn’t supposed to. And then, as soon as the time was up, she flew away barely saying goodbye.

Saying he was worried was an understatement. But the problem was that no matter how badly he wanted to take her afflictions away, he didn’t know from where he could possibly start.

When Emma got back home, she let her body fall on the couch, her eyes roaming the ceiling. How she managed not to crash her car on the way home was a mystery to her, shaken as she still was by Peter’s words.

How could he know?

In a matter of days two people, who shouldn’t have known anything about her and her past, deliberately mentioned it. It couldn’t be just a coincidence. After all, Killian didn’t look surprised when she told him about her childhood. Perhaps Peter could read her as easily as Killian could?

No, that couldn’t be it. Peter must have found it out somehow. Killian and she had a connection that was something rare, she couldn’t deny it.

Putting her face in her hands she let out a long sigh. She could think about how Peter could have possibly gotten that information for as long as she wished, but it was unlikely she’d find an answer. She could stress herself out to exhaustion and risk letting him win, or she could put all those feelings in a box to be stored in a corner of her mind and fight, give everything she had on that stage the following day.

The second option was by far the best she had.

Emma played nervously with her nails as she watched Peter start to sing from one of the stage doors. The music was loud there, making her heart beat so fast she could feel it trying to escape from her chest.

He was good, really good. Which might be a problem for her, but as soon as he reached the refrain, that became the last of her problems. Yes, because that's when he subtly started directing glances at her general direction whenever he sung a specific verse.

Maybe you think that you can hide

I can smell your scent from miles…

A shiver run down her spine. Was he implying that he had been following her? And if he did, why would he do that? They talked once! He didn't know her.

She didn't have much time to think about what he could possibly want from her that it was the time for her to go on stage. As Peter walked backstage from one of the opposite doors, Emma took a deep breath, passed her hands on her gorgeous red chiffon dress to brush away some barely existing wrinkles and tucked a rebellious lock of hair inside the messy side braid resting on her shoulder.

Slowly, she followed a path of small white lights to the dimly lit stage, which in the meantime had been covered with smoke. A single microphone on its stand was waiting for her, emerging from the white puffs of air that hid her heels from everybody's eyes. It was like she was walking on a cloud, a big, puffy white one, the kind of clouds you would see floating in the sky on a sunny day of spring.

As she approached the centre of the stage, her gaze lowered to Killian’s cerulean eyes, which color was enhanced by the contrast between the darkness surrounding the room and the rays of bright white light coming from the spotlights. She had been so lost in the blues of his eyes, that she barely noticed the reassuring nod he gave her as a soft encouraging smile spread on his face. As the corners of her mouth curved up in a small smile in return, Emma closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, trying to clear her mind and concentrate.

When the first notes of “Paradise” resounded in her in-ear monitors, Emma kept her eyes closed, patiently waiting for her cue. She thought of her childhood; the memories of a time when the only person she could count on was herself. When no one was there to give her an hug after a long stressful day, no one who loved her. No one who would be there after she made a mistake, no one who would help her fight her battles, no one willing to protect a child from the bullies, no one who cared. She forgot about everything that had been bothering her before, and she started to sing.  

When she was just a girl she expected the world

But it flew away from her reach and the bullets catch in her teeth

Life goes on, it gets so heavy

The wheel breaks the butterfly every tear a waterfall

In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes

In the night the stormy night away she'd fly

She let herself go, all the heartache, the loneliness, the pain from those days pouring out from her lips, permeating the words she was singing. She didn’t care about the audience, the cameras or the coaches. Nor did she realise the effect her interpretation was having on the people around her. Her soft, silvery voice tugged everyone’s heartstrings, lulling their souls with a beautiful melancholy.

It was only when her last vocalisation echoed in the room that she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Killian, grinning proudly at her and eyes misty, then her eyes focused on Ariel, who was brushing away the tears that had fallen on her cheeks. The cheering of the public was deafening and, as she brought the mic to her lips to mutter a “thank you,” she couldn't help her cheeks from turning bright pink.  

As the audience quieted down, Emma caught a glimpse of Belle walking up to her from backstage, followed by a sour-faced Peter.

“Well,” Belle started, stopping next to Emma at the center of the stage. “That was a great start! Congratulation to you both. Now that there are only sixteen of you left, going further into the competition is getting harder for you, but you’re not the only ones under pressure. In fact, tonight, the burden of choosing who will win a ticket for the Semifinals of Enchanted and who will have to leave the show, rests on the shoulders off all four coaches.”

The theater became oddly quiet as Belle gave her speech. The cloud of tension that fell on the studio grew thicker when, seconds later, the screen covering the wall at the back of the stage lit up, showing both Peter and Emma’s names written over two big zeros. At the sight of it on a hidden monitor placed over the judges chairs, Emma’s stomach tied in a knot for the nerves.

“Let’s start from one of the ladies. Tink. What did you think of Peter and Emma’s performances and to whom your vote goes to.”

Tink sit up on her chair, and after thinking for a couple of seconds about what to say, she started, “I loved both your performances, even though they were completely different. Peter, I appreciated the energy you put into your performance; it was clear that you are in your natural element when onstage. As for you Emma, you were absolutely amazing. In my opinion, what distinguishes a real artist from everyone else is their ability to externalise their emotions through their music, building a deep emotional connection with the audience. That’s what you did tonight Emma, and for this reason my vote goes to you.”

There was an eruption of cheers and a few boos, as a silver one papered on the screen under Emma’s name with a pling. Emma bit her lip in embarrassment, trying - in vain - to hold back a grin from spreading on her lips. Then, holding the microphone up with slightly shaky hands, she muttered a barely audible “thank you” right before Belle handed it over to Robin.

“Even though I loved Emma’s performance, my vote goes to Peter.”

As soon as the words left his lips a roar of boos came from from the majority of the audience. Robin put a finger on his mouth asking them to quiet down.

“Both their performances were flawless, but I think that a singer also needs to be a bit of a showman. You know, dancing around, interacting with the people around them. You still have to work on that Emma, but you don't Peter. That's the reason behind my decision.”

While the score changed again on the screen in the background, a few whistles of disappointment could be heard among the fake cheers.

“I guess it’s my turn now,” Ariel observed once the hoots died down, and then spoke directly at Emma, “I think you noticed the tears on my face earlier. Your interpretation was so unique and beautiful, and that’s because you poured your soul in those lyrics. So my vote goes to you, Emma.”

“Wonderful! That’s two votes for Emma and one for Peter,” Belle announced as another round of applause rose from the audience, “Anything can still happen though, as Killian’s vote will count double, since he’s been the one to guide both Peter and Emma on this journey. Killian, it’s up to you now.”

“Seems like it is, yeah,” Killian acknowledged, for then falling quiet as he looked for the right words to say, “This is extremely hard because you both deserve to get to the semifinals. Alas, only one of you can. You would think that being their coach, I already know how good their performance will be. And most of the times you’d be right, but not always. There are always exceptions, you see; and among these exceptions the ones which leave me positively surprised are always the rarest. Tonight one of those exceptions, who surprised me not only once, but thrice, is standing right in front of me. And it’s for this reason that my vote goes to Emma Swan.”

Emma couldn’t believe his words. She was so stunned that she barely registered Belle complimenting her and the loud whoops of the audience. She did it. Again. She never thought she would come so far in this competitions, but here she was, the first semifinalist of Enchanted. And Killian, he looked so proud, somehow.

Noticing a crew member gesturing her to get backstage, Emma came out for her stupor. She thanked both the judges and the audience, and the headed towards the door, not after giving an apologetic smile to Peter for the cameras.

The shootings had just ended, when Emma walked in front of the coaches changing rooms on her way to the exit.

It wasn’t that it had taken her more time than usual to change back into her clothes, on the contrary, she had been quite happy to get off those ridiculously high heels and put back on her boots. It was just that, after she saw Peter leaving the studios rather quickly, she had decided to stay and watch Elsa’s performance, which of course was the last one of the day. It was going to be a nice distraction from everything that had happened to her lately. Were she alone at home, her mind would have probably wondered in places that were less than welcome at the moment. Like Peter words, Felix’ case, Killian and that amazing kiss from a couple of nights before. However, right after she’d shared a celebratory hug with Elsa, who also won against Leroy, exhaustion started to settle in her bones. Cutting the conversation with a more than excited Elsa short, Emma grabbed her purse and left waving her friend goodbye.

As soon as Emma took a turn at the end of the corridor, her body collided against something solid, but at the same time soft, covered with black cotton.

“Sorry, lass.”

At the sound of Killian’s voice her head snapped up in surprise.

God, this is going to be so awkward.

“Oh, ehm, hi,” she breathed out as their eyes met, and then continued, tucking her head down in embarrassment, “It’s okay. I’m sorry too, I wasn’t really looking were I was going.”

“Swan? Are you alright?” Killian said, looking at her as if he were trying to read the answer in her eyes.

“I am,” she replied, brushing him off, and eyed the door at behind him, ready to run, “I’m just tired.”

Killian rose his left eyebrow skeptically, and then he reached down for her hand to stop her for going away.  

“Hey,” he said softly, “I know something is off. You can tell me, if you want.”

“I…” Emma hesitated, biting her lip as she thought of what to do. She was almost ready to free herself from his hold and leave, when the words came out from her mouth as if they had a life of their own, “I talked with Peter yesterday before my rehearsal...We had never met before and somehow he knew I’m an orphan. And then as he sung earlier, he kept glancing at me during the refrain as if I were the prey to hunt down. He called me Lost Girl like Felix did at the pub, Killian. I just don’t know what to think.”

Killian’s eyes widened a touch at the revelation. He looked like he’d just got revealed the key answer to solve a complicated puzzle, and in some way he had.

Suddenly, he tugged at her hand and pulled her body to his, embracing her in a hug.

Shocked by the gesture, Emma let him hold her. She rested her head on his solid chest and breathed him in. As he started drawing small circles on her waist, he rested his chin on top of her head and whispered softly her name and “everything will be alright”s.

They stayed in each other’s arms for what seemed like hours, until the sound of a door slamming open and the ticking of someone’s heels on the floor, made them jump apart.

“Jones.”

Killian moved a touch on the right making her see the woman who had just spoke. She definitely looked like a businesswoman with that black sheath and serious attire.

“Regina, what are you doing here?” Killian asked the woman, moving a little closer to Emma as if to protect her.

“I had a meeting with the production,” she explained matter-of-factly, and then continued, giving Emma a disdainful look, “I was coming to get you so we could talk on the way home, but I see you’re otherwise occupied. Come to my office at ten sharp on monday morning, Killian. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Swan.”

And with that she left.

[killiancygnus]

Serendipitous Melody 8/?

Summary: Everyone has dreams. You might dream of becoming an astronaut or teacher, or you might want to become a doctor and save as many lives you can. Emma Swan’s childhood dream was being a singer. But with life getting in the way and never finding the courage to overcome her fears, she never had a chance to follow it. That is until a little push from her friends lead her to cash on an opportunity; and, who knows, she might even get more than what she’d wished for.

Rated: T

Word count: ~2.2k

A/N:   Uhm yes, this update is a couple of days late (again), sorry. I’m just such a forgetful potato that I remebered I was supposed to update last minute. Huge thanks to @londonsbridge and @the-reason-to-sail-home, my woderful friends and betas, for helping me with the editing and to all the CS Writers’ Hub ladies. Anyway, happy Once day and I hope you like this chapter!

Tagging some friends: @villains-happy-ending, @stardusted-nymph, @allisonchameron, @kmomof4, @hencethebravery,  @katie-dub, @captainwiley, @irishswanff, @thejollypirate, @mahstatins, @dassala, @imhookedonaswan, @ofshipsandswans, @legendofthephoenixcs and @csreviews

If you want to be tagged too let me know :)

(Also yes I’m calling the show, that’s obviously The Voice inspired, Enchanted because...well I don’t think I really have to explain why.)

Links: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 / AO3

Emma had been laying in her bed for hours that morning, hoping the headache that had haunted her since she’d woken up would magically fade away. It was only a few minutes past ten in the morning when she finally gave in, clumping in the bathroom to take some meds.

She hadn’t gotten back that late the night before, but sleep eluded her. She couldn’t help it, her mind still racing at sixty miles per hour after the kiss; her lips were still burning at the mere memory. In the end, exhaustion had the best of her, and she fell in a fitful sleep, only to be woken up by her alarm clock far too early.

As the hours ticked by, she had found herself pondering whether to call someone to let it all off of her chest, or to just let it simmer inside of her. Talking about it would have been the best thing to do, but she could only count the number of people she could call on the fingers of one hand.

Were it a similar situation not involving Killian, she would have called Ruby and Mary Margaret. They would have knocked at her door with wine and ice cream, listened to her and tried to give her some advice. Ruby was the kind of friend who would party all night and find someone to go home with to - as she put it - “have some no-strings-attached sex,” but she was also the one always ready to hit the shit out of whoever hurt her friends. Mary Margaret, on the other hand, was the mum-friend, the one in a steady fairytale relationship, always ready to give heartfelt advice and hope speeches.

She couldn't call either one of them, though. Not even David was an option, since he would have gone all protective-big-brother on her. Not to mention, they still were in the dark about what happened between her and Killian during the first weeks, which meant she would have had to explain all of that too, and she just wasn't in the mood. Hell, she didn’t even want to hear Killian’s name, but he was all she could think about.

Emma splashed some cold water on her face and took a look at her reflection on the mirror. Her hair was slipping out of the messy bun she had pulled up the night before, and a set of dark bags under her eyes stood out on her pale skin.

Suddenly, her phone’s ringtone went off.

Breathing out a sigh, she went back into her room. Unplugging her phone from the charger, she sat down in the middle of the bed, legs crossed. After swiping her thumb on the screen, she brought her phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

Elsa's voice crackled out from the phone. “Hey, Emma! Uhmm…”

“Oh, Elsa! How are you?” she asked, surprised by her call.

“I’m fine, what about you?”

“I’m okay,” Emma said as she absentmindedly toyed with the hem of the sheets, her voice small.

“Is everything alright?” Elsa asked, the concern evident in her tone.

“Yes,” Emma replied quickly, but then admitted, massaging her temples with the free hand, “Actually no.”

“Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Ehm…” she hesitated. Her friendship with Elsa was pretty new, but she was the only one who knew what happened with Killian. “The thing is... I don’t really want to talk about it but I can’t get it off my mind and I fear things are just going to get worse if I don’t, and I’d fuck it all up. And I really don’t want to fuck it all up but I-”

“Emma,” Elsa interrupted her, “It’s something about Killian, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Emma sighed both in resignation and surprise, “How did you-?”

“Well, you became friends and were it something else that bothered you, you wouldn’t have tried to explain it to me. I know you, Emma, even though we’ve just met, and if I’m right, you still haven’t told your friends about the disagreement you had with Killian weeks ago, so...” she explained, “Anyway, don’t change subject. What did he do this time?”

“He didn’t do anything. He was actually pretty great. It was all me.”

“Why? What did you do?”

“I kissed him,” she confessed.

“What!?”

Emma winced at Elsa's screech and grumbled, “You heard me.”

“And why would that be a problem? Did he reject you?”

“No, not at all. The kiss was amazing and he seemed more than fine with it,” Emma admitted, lost in the memories of the previous night, then she flinched at what she was about to say. “But then I freaked out and ran away.”

“Oh Emma...”

“I don’t even know why I kissed him!” she exclaimed after filling Elsa in on everything that happened: the texting, him knocking at her door and helping her arrest Felix, the day she spent at his house. “I didn’t think! He had been so caring and understanding and I just…”

“You like him,” Elsa stated.

“I don’t like him,” Emma scoffed, “No. No way.”

Elsa hummed, unconvinced.

“Why did you call Elsa?” Emma asked her, trying not to sound annoyed.

“Oh, right. I was wondering if Killian asked you to watch the episode together, too.”

Emma frowned. “Uhm… what episode?”

“Of our show, of course,” Elsa said excitedly, “The first episode airs tonight.”

“Oh!” Emma said as realisation drew on her, “No, he didn't ask.”

“I'll keep an eye on him, then,” Elsa suggested in a tone that wouldn't accept no as an answer. If she was surprised by Emma’s reply, she hid it well.

As Emma opened her mouth to argue, Elsa continued, “Oh my God, it's so late! Sorry, I've gotta go. Talk to you later, okay?”

And with that she ended the call, leaving a dumbfounded Emma staring at a random spot in front of her.

Emma's fist hit the Nolan’s door making a couple of dull knocks resound in the loft’s hallway.

This was what she had planned for the evening. After Elsa's call, all she had wanted to do that night was get some grilled cheese and onion rings at Granny’s to eat as she watched the episode. On her couch. Alone. And now, she was about to have dinner with Mary Margaret, David, and Ruby and then watch the first round of the auditions with them.

“Emma!” David exclaimed as she opened the door and gave her a hug, “Come in. Mary Margaret is in the kitchen with Ruby getting everything ready for dinner.”

Emma didn't even have the time to say hello that both Ruby and Mary Margaret came out from the kitchen, hands full with plates of food.

“You're here!” Mary Margaret shrieked excitedly. Then as she put the plates down, she gestured at the table, “With perfect timing too! Dinner is ready.”

“Oh my God, Mary Margaret,” Emma said, her eyes widening at the sight of the amount of food she prepared, “There's enough food to feed an army.”

Ruby eyed her from across the room.

“What is it?” Emma asked her as she and David approached the table to sit down.

“We never complain about too much food,” she stated, her brows knotted in a frown. “Have you already forgotten?”

“Come on Ruby, give her a break. She’s been busy,” Mary Margaret tried to reason with her.

“I bet she was. I'd have been too with a specimen like Killian Jones as a teacher.”

“Ruby…” Emma groaned, focusing her attention on the nicely chopped vegetables in her plate to cover the blush that was creeping up her cheeks.

“Please, you never tell us anything,” she said, giving Emma the best puppy-eyed face she could master.

Mary Margaret and David exchanged both curious and amused looks at their bickering.

“Probably because there's nothing to tell.”

Ruby hummed, as if she was contemplating her answer and then shook her head. “Nah, I don’t think so.” She then announced, “Come on Emma! Give me something saucy.”

There was no fighting now; her mind was set and there was nothing Emma could say to stop her. All she could do was brace herself for the endless list of questions Ruby surely had ready, and hope Mary Margaret and David wouldn’t join the interrogation that was about to take place with that kind of enthusiasm. It was soon clear though, that nothing could have prepared her for such an assault. The first innocent questions about her teammates, the show and how the first round of performances went (at which she tried multiple times to explain, in vain, she was sworn to secrecy and couldn’t say much) were followed by some classic Ruby questions like “Do you think he’s a boxers or briefs kind of guy?”.

When Ruby’s excitement finally died down by the time they’d finished dinner, Emma spilled out the truth about what happened with Killian during the first week of lessons. David looked like he wanted nothing more but to punch him, Ruby was just shocked and Mary Margaret’s expression was the one of someone who has finally figured out the rebus that had been Emma’s behaviour during those days. It took her a while to explain them (and David in particular) that it had all been water under the bridge since the day he apologised.

“So is everything alright between you two?” David asked, still unconvinced by Emma’s reassurances.

“Yeah, we are friends now,” she said, the corner of her mouth curving up in a sad smile.

Noticing how her friends looked like they were all about to resume the interrogation carried at dinner, Emma looked at the watch on her wrist and gasped, hoping they would take the hint and drop the subject, “Look at that! Enchanted is about to start.”

After exchanging a confused look, the three followed Emma and sat next to her on the couch.

As soon as David hit the switch on button on the controller, Killian’s face appeared on the screen and his voice came out from the speakers. Emma only half listened to what he was saying, his deep, comforting voice bringing back the memories she had tried for the whole day to bury in a far away corner of her brain. The moments in his music room, cooking dinner, the movie, the kiss. It all passed in front of her eyes again and again, as she tried desperately build up an unperturbed mask.  

What she didn’t notice though, was the weird look Mary Margaret was giving her.

Killian was having a hard time concentrating.

He was sitting with Elsa on the red couch in one of the waiting rooms backstage, his eyes fixated on the screen of the television in front of him, but not really able to see it. His mind was just somewhere else. And somewhen else. More precisely his living room, the night before. The memories from the previous night hunting him since the moment the door closed behind Emma’s back and he heard the tires of her car creaking on the gravelled path.

But Elsa was there, waiting to hear some kind of advice to improve her performing and singing skills, so he still tried to discuss with her about every single audition.

What he didn’t notice though, was the knowing look on Elsa’s face whenever he spaced out.

The next few days passed uneventfully for Emma. Home, work, and then home again; that was the drill. No one unnecessarily bothered her, which allowed her to have a much deserved break. Her phone stayed silent for most of the time, except for when she got some random emails and a solitary message from Elsa saying Killian had been weird the night they watched the show. Not even Killian texted her, which was weird (or maybe it wasn’t considering how Monday night ended).

It’s not like I care. Because I don’t. Nope. Not at all. (But that was just a lie, as her sixth sense was uselessly screaming that at her).

When the day of the rehearsals finally arrived, she was so nervous at the prospect of seeing him again that she could feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach (and yes that was nervousness, not excitement). He wasn’t there when she got on stage, though. In fact, aside from the crew, the only person there, except her of course, was a tall, skinny boy, who was getting ready to leave after his rehearsal.

Suddenly, he turned around and, as soon as he saw her, he run up to her, holding a small folder against his chest.

“You must be Emma,” he said with a crooked smile on his lips, “I’m Peter.”

Ah. That’s why he looked familiar, she thought.

Peter Woods was one of her teammates and also the guy in a tux who was playing with a Rubik’s cube as he waited, like Emma, for his audition. She had never talked to him, but that didn’t count much since she only knew Elsa.

“Yeah that would be me. Nice to meet you.”

“You too,” he replied, grin still stamped on his face, and then continued lowering his voice so that only Emma could hear, “You know I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. It’ll be nice to give a lesson to a lost girl…”   

And with that he walked away, leaving a stunned Emma behind.