#kday426

[hollyethecurious]

An Update For Those Following Pan Says...

Hear ye, hear ye! The beast (my affectionate term for the fic) has been slain (finished)! Let the land (my readers) rejoice!!

Yup. You read that right. I have FINALLY finished Pan Says... and will be dropping those updates over the next couple of weeks!

There are a total of four more chapters, so the plan is to post updates for the next two Mondays and Thursdays so the entire thing can be posted before my @cssns fic drops on the 22nd.

If you'd like to spend the weekend catching up from the beginning, you can do so here.

If you'd like to catch up from where we last left off, then you can do so here.

If you'd like to yell at me for dragging this thing out for nearly THREE BLOODY YEARS!!!! you can do so here.

I'm so excited to share these final chapters with you all. It has been such a fun (and often maddening) experience, reading your prompts and finding ways to weave them in. I could not have done it without all of you, and, of course, my biggest cheerleader, @kmomof4, as well the most patient and bad-ass beta there is, @ultraluckycatnd.

Hope you enjoy the conclusion of this journey... and try not to yell at me too much, okay? 😘

Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)

(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)

@kmomof4 @jrob64 @zaharadessert @laianely @booksteaandtoomuchtv

@the-darkdragonfly @undercaffinatednightmare @killianxswan @mie779 @motherkatereloyshipper

@jennjenn615 @jonesfandomfanatic @anmylica @superchocovian @caught-in-the-filter

@winterbaby89 @wyntereyez @stahlop @resident-of-storybrooke @gingerchangeling

@exhaustedpirate @cocohook38 @donteattheappleshook @lfh1226-linda @teamhook

@jackieorioncat @paradiselady19 @snowbellewells @earanemith @ultraluckycatnd

@pirateherokillian @calmjoonie @unworried-corsair @tiganasummertree @captainswan-kellie

@soniccat @kday426 @djlbg @fairytalepretzkle @maggiegreenvt

@natascha-ronin @ilovemesomekillianjones @iamstartraveller776 @deckerstarblanche @shadowsaur

@qualitycoffeethings @idristardis @phoenix-untamed

[virtie333]

Thank you for the tag @randomfoggytiger

No pressure tagging @jewelsrulz, @marieziffer, @coneygoil

@kday426, @lunar-ghoulie, @salome-c

@electricbluebutterflies, @soft-girl-musings, @nkp1981

@nowritingonthewall, @closerundone, @enbydindjarin

@bb8-my-buddy, @witch-oftheflowers, @jely-bely

[jrob64]

Self-Promo Sunday

The other day, I heard the song "That's How You Know" from the movie Enchanted, and it reminded me of this story I wrote. I also recently read an article that said some of the men who danced for that song were original chimney sweeps from "Chim-Chim-Cheree" in Mary Poppins, and the flowers they're holding resemble their chimney sweep brushes. I thought that was pretty cool trivia!

This was originally posted on Valentine's Day 2023, but love stories aren't just for one holiday out of the year, and Captain Swan is my favorite love story. I also have to say I'm quite proud of the pic set I created for it.

This is a one-shot of almost 3300 words, is canon compliant (giving us some CS domestic married scenes) and is rated T. I hope you enjoy it, whether reading it for the first time or rereading it.

You can find it in these places: ffn Ao3 Tumblr

Tagging:

@qualitycoffeethings @grimmswan @cs-rylie @wyntereyez @kmomof4 @hookedmom @ultraluckycatnd @paradiselady19 @xarandomdreamx @motherkatereloyshipper @lfh1226-linda

@pawshapedheart @vampcoffeegyrl23 @tiganasummertree @bluewildcatfanatic @eleveneitherway @elfiola @kday426

@julieenchanted-swans @gingerchangeling @andiirivera @djlbg @jonesfandomfanatic @snowbellewells @anmylica @booksteaandtoomuchtv @cocohook38 @ilovemesomekillianjones

@zaharadessert @lyssapup27 @undercaffinatednightmare @winterbaby89 @jennjenn615 @xsajx @jackieorioncat @teamhook @soniccat @jarienn972 @softkilly @kymbersmith-90 @apiratewhopines

@hollyethecurious @laianely @resident-of-storybrooke @exhaustedpirate @caught-in-the-filter @stahlop @veryverynotgoodwrites @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite @whimsicallyenchantedrose @earanemith @superchocovian @idristardis @captainswan-kellie @beckettj

[cs-c-ocktoberfest2023]

CS(C)ocktoberfest2023: Mini-event

Art by @iverna​

CS(C)ocktoberfest2023: Mini-event The one time size doesn't matter

Hello all!!! So here we go again. Years back there was an event called Cocktoberfest led by the lovely @initiala and with her blessing I come to offer this one. A smaller version and I hope it's enjoyable.  

To check out the original click on the link.

I'm hoping for at least one item per day. Art, fic or any submission is welcomed.

More info to follow :)

tagging:

@allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @andiirivera @anothersworld @apiratewhopines @artistic-writer @batana54 @beckettj @bethacaciakay @brooke-to-broch @captainodonoghue @carpedzem @chasedancer17 @cocohook38 @courtorderedcake @darkcolinodonorgasm @deckerstarblanche @demisexualemmaswan @djlbg @donteattheappleshook @dovelyheart @elizabeethan @gingerchangeling @gingerpoliglot @holdingoutforapiratehero @hollyethecurious @hookedonapirate @hookedonaswanprincess @hookedonhiddles @ilovemesomekillianjones @imlaxdris71 @itsfabianadocarmo @jarienn972 @jennjenn615  @jonesfandomfanatic @jrob64 @justanother-unluckysoul @k-leemac @karlyfr13s  @kday426 @killian-will-do @klynn-stormz @kmomof4 @kwistowee @kymbersmith-90 @laschatzi @lassluna @let-it-raines @lfh1226-linda @lonelyspectator12 @mariakov81 @motherkatereloyshipper @officerrogers @ohmakemeahercules @onceratheart18 @pirateherokillian @purplehawkcaptain @resident-of-storybrooke @revanmeetra87 @sailtoafarawayland @sals86 @scribomaniac @searchingwardrobes @seriouslyhooked @shardminds @shireness-says @snowbellewells @sotangledupinit @spacekrulesbians @spartanguard @stahlop @superchocovian @swanslieutenant @tehgreeneyes @the-darkdragonfly @thejollyroger-writer @thepirateandhisson @therealstartraveller776 @thislassishooked @thisonesatellite @tiganasummertree @tomeandflickcorner @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgoodwrites @wefoundloveunderthelight @wellhellotragic @whimsicallyenchantedrose @winterbaby89 @iverna @xarandomdreamx @xsajx @zaharadessert @myfearless-love @grimmswan @fleurdepetite @hookmecaptain @once-upon-a-pirate-ship @undercaffinatednightmare @4getfulimaginator2022 @nachocheese-itsmycheese @booksteaandtoomuchtv @OUATadmire @lifeinahole27

[cs-rylie]

My first CSSNS fic, The Journal! A ghost story based on Native American mythology

Updates every Thursday

Taglist below the line - lmk if you want to be added or removed!

@jrob64 @kmomof4 @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @booksteaandtoomuchtv @herhookedhero @chronicallybubbly @elfiola @zaharadessert @tiganasummertree @hookedmom @djlbg @stardreamer28 @tequedarasavinon @stahlop @gingerchangeling @middlemistcs13 @csadmire @deckerstarblanche @xellewoods @anmylica @huntressandlioness1 @insanelydeadlybookcollector @lfh1226-linda @motherkatereloyshipper @dashingpiratesandswans @momontheice @rapunzelsghosts @paradiselady19 @a-faekindagirl @eddisfargo @julesep3026 @caityrayeraye @bluewildcatfanatic @kday426 @winterbaby89 @jonesfandomfanatic @charmed101 @bg12sofia @ouat-the-hell @xarandomdreamx @zippoluv @flslp87 @captainswan-shipper88 @grimmswan @laschatzi @jennjenn615 @darkshadow7 @pygmypufftattoo @bizquake

[teamhook]

Captain Swan Event

Hello, CS crew!! I come today with an event idea that has been tossed around in the discord server I run. (originally used for a different event >> CSMM) Okay, the new event  (Captain Swan Co-Storytellers Collaboration) would consist of groups of 3-4 people working together to write a captain swan story.  This is not a one person writes one part and passes on the document and so on until it reaches its end. No, this would be the ultimate team effort in an ensemble of amazing writers! Of course there are details to be ironed out but I wanted to know if anyone here was interested to join. I will share the form to get an idea of who is interested and for a way to contact anyone that wants to join in on the fun. As soon as I can I will reach out to you.

ENSEMBLE FORM

Gonna tag some people I know and I'm sorry if I don't tag everyone. If possible reblog. Thank you lovelies!

@allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @andiirivera @anothersworld @apiratewhopines @artistic-writer @batana54 @beckettj @bethacaciakay @bixisarusher @branlovestowrite @brooke-to-broch @captainodonoghue @carpedzem @chasedancer17 @cocohook38 @courtorderedcake @darkcolinodonorgasm @deckerstarblanche @demisexualemmaswan @djlbg @donteattheappleshook @dovelyheart @elizabeethan @gingerchangeling @gingerpoliglot @holdingoutforapiratehero @hollyethecurious @hookedonapirate @hookedonaswanprincess @hookedonhiddles @ilovemesomekillianjones @imlaxdris71 @itsfabianadocarmo @jarienn972 @jennjenn615 @jonesfandomfanatic @jrob64 @justanother-unluckysoul @k-leemac @karlyfr13s @kday426 @killian-will-do @klynn-stormz @kmomof4 @kwistowee @kymbersmith-90 @laschatzi @lassluna @let-it-raines @lfh1226-linda @lonelyspectator12 @mariakov81 @motherkatereloyshipper @officerrogers @ohmakemeahercules @onceratheart18 @pirateherokillian @purplehawkcaptain @resident-of-storybrooke @revanmeetra87 @sailtoafarawayland @sals86 @scribomaniac @searchingwardrobes @seriouslyhooked @shardminds @shireness-says @snowbellewells @sotangledupinit @spacekrulesbians @spartanguard @stahlop @superchocovian @swanslieutenant @tehgreeneyes @the-darkdragonfly @thejollyroger-writer @thepirateandhisson @therealstartraveller776 @thislassishooked @thisonesatellite @tiganasummertree @tomeandflickcorner @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgoodwrites @wefoundloveunderthelight @wellhellotragic @whimsicallyenchantedrose @winterbaby89 @xarandomdreamx @xsajx @zaharadessert @myfearless-love @cosette141 @grimmswan @fleurdepetite @hookmecaptain @once-upon-a-pirate-ship  @undercaffinatednightmare @4getfulimaginator2022 @nachocheese-itsmycheese @booksteaandtoomuchtv @iverna @OUATadmire

[stubblesandwich]

The One You Feed - Chapter 3

Howdy, friends! Just an update to this little gem from the @cssns, to celebrate the start of spooky season. 🎃

The One You Feed (14810 words) by StubbleSandwich Chapters: 3/5 Fandom: Once Upon a Time (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Captain Hook | Killian Jones/Emma Swan Characters: Emma Swan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones, Red Riding Hood | Ruby, Prince Charming | David Nolan, Snow White | Mary Margaret Blanchard Additional Tags: CSSNS, Werewolf AU, Captain Swan - Freeform, Friends to Lovers Summary: Emma Swan is an underpaid, overworked waitress at a small-town Denny’s. Once a month, a curious customer pays her a visit. In fact, he’s so strange, he’s warranted a special nickname from her friend Ruby–Cute Creepy Guy. He always orders a mountain of cheap breakfast food and eats it like it’s his last night on earth. Oh yeah, and apparently he’s a werewolf.

Tagging a few friends below the line. Let me know if you don't want to be in these updates! I just copied them over from the last time this was updated. ✌🏻

@bleebug @spartanguard @sunbeamsandmoonrays @caprelloidea @kmomof4 @queen-mabs-revenge @ahsagitarius @t-tamm-@lavendersoapsuds @its-imperator-furiosa @midnightswans @cigarettes-and-scotch-whisky @withheartfulloflove @captainswan-middlemist @sarahreadsff @princesseslikepirates @winterbaby89 @pirateherokillian @wordslovedreams @hannah-mic @thecraftyartist @blackwidownat2814 @once-uponacaptain @kylalovesbabeme @swiftmicheles @emmaswanstlk @captainswanslay @the-tones-of-wallflowers @kday426 @krystalsficpage  @distant-rose  @galadriel26  @daxx04  @killian-whump  @nfbagelperson   @resident-of-storybrooke   @gusenitsaa  @cat-sophia   @superchocovian  @snowbellewells @nanikasplace   @bashful-killian  

[aprilqueen84]

A Toast To The New Year

A/N: Hello everyone! I wanted to first off by saying that I am very happy to be back writing and that I am thankful to everyone for being so patient for this story. I know that it's a little (three weeks) late but I hope you all love it. This is not betaed so any mistakes and grammar problems are mine, I just wanted to get this out to you. Also if you do not see your name on my tag or you wish to be added let me know!

Tag List: @hollyethecurious, @resident-of-storybrooke, @kmomof4, @jennjenn615, @pirateherokillian, @piinfeathers @enchanted-swans, @superchocolatecocoabear, @deathbycaptainswan, @winterbaby89, @kingofmyheart14, @a-faekindagirl, @kymbersmith-90, @ekr032-blog-blog, @laschatzi, @teamhook, @ilovemesomekillianjones, @capswantrue, @bmbbcs4evr, @kday426, @tiganasummertree, @Ifh1226-linda, @meganhinsley, @xarandomdreamx, @jrob64, @hannahhook7744, @klynn-stormz @therooksshiningknight, @earanemith, @snowbellewells, @motherkatereloyshipper, @emmythedaydreamer, @quirkykayleetam, @onceuponsomechaos, bdevereaux-blanche.

A Toast To The New Year

It was two weeks before Christmas when Emma brought the subject up to Killian as they were sitting around the kitchen table eating breakfast. 

“A  New Year’s Eve Party, Love,” Killian asked perplexed.

Emma nodded her head as she took a sip of her coffee. “Yeah. It’s at Town Hall. Regina is throwing it,” she said nonchalantly.

Killian raised an eyebrow at her. “And what, pray tell, does a New Years Eve party entail love?” 

Emma tilted her head at her husband in confusion for a few seconds before realizing her faux pas. “Oh! I’m sorry babe. Sometimes I forget that you’re still not familiar with some of our traditions,” she said sheepishly

Killian reached across the table and rested it on Emma’s. “It’s alright love, it just goes to show what a modern man I’ve become,” he joked. 

Emma laughed. “Too true. It’s basically just a gathering to celebrate the new year.” she explained.

“I gathered that love, but what does one do at these celebrations?” he asked.

“The ones I’ve been to in the past. Mostly drink.” she responds with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Aye? Sounds like my kind of party Swan,” Killian said jovially.

Emma smiled at him. “Some go out to these extravagant parties where there’s dancing and drinks while others choose the more laid back route and stay in with family and friends. But either way it ends with a countdown to midnight and when the clock strikes 12 you ring in the new year with a kiss.” 

“A kiss you say? Well I think I’m liking the idea of this New Years Eve business more and more,” he said cheekily, wagging his eyebrows at her.

Emma shook her head playfully at her husband. “Of course that would be the first thing that registers to you the most.”

“Can you blame me, love?” He said, giving her a devilish look.

Emma rolled her eyes at her husband's antics. “So what do you think?” she asked, getting back to the subject at hand.

“Well that depends, love. I assume this party is going to be more on the extravagant side?” he hedged a guess.

Emma grimaced a little. “Yeah. Probably. I don’t know all the details yet. Mom only told me about it last night.”

“Well if it means I get to spend the evening dancing with my beautiful wife then count me in,” he said lovingly.

Emma felt herself start to blush slightly. “Charmer.”

“Only for you my love,” he said, lifting her hand up to place a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “Just let me know the full details when you find out and we’ll go from there.”

Emma nodded her head. "Yeah. I'm meeting my Mom for lunch tomorrow and I'll see if she knows anymore about it. Hopefully Regina doesn't go too overboard." 

XX

"A what!" Emma exclaimed. When she asked her mother what the New Years Eve party was going to be like , a variety of scenarios went through her head but she was not prepared for what came out of her mother's mouth.

"A ball! Isn't that exciting!" Snow said gleefully.

Emma just stared at her mother in silence until it finally registered what she said. "What on earth possessed Regina to make the theme of the party a ball? And what kind of ball are we talking about? Fancy dress up, like black tie or..she trailed off, afraid of saying the next part out loud in case the feeling she had was right.

"An Enchantment Forest ball!" Snow said, confirming her worst nightmare.

Emma closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. "Because of course it is." she mumbled under her breath.

Snow continued on, oblivious to the internal turmoil her daughter was going through. “Oh Emma, I can just picture it. Everyone dressed in their ball attire, dancing and mingling,” she lets out a sigh. “It’ll be magical,” she said wistfully.

As she listened to her mother, Emma felt most of her annoyance fade. She realized that it’s been a long time since Snow has been to a ball (the one in Camelot in her opinion didn’t count. She was the Dark One and a man died. Not really a fun celebration.) so she takes a deep breath and says, “That’s a big undertaking. New Year's Eve is only two weeks away. I take it you’re helping Regina out?” she asked.

“Absolutely! When Regina told me what the theme was I jumped at the chance to help. Let me tell you all about it,” Snow said.

As Emma listened to her mother go over the details, one stuck out to her the most. “Wait mom. Ballroom? Town Hall doesn’t have a ballroom.” As soon as she said that Emma noticed Snow grow quiet. When she looked up at her, she saw that her mother was looking down at the table, “Mom?”

“Well it’s not going to be at the Town Hall anymore. It’s not big enough,” Snow said, not quite meeting her eyes.

Emma frowned. “Well where is it going to be?”

“I told Regina that it wasn't a good idea but she was adamant. She said it was the only place that could hold everyone,” Snow said in a rush.

“Slow down Mom. Why are you so upset?” Emma asked.

Snow hesitated before finally saying, “The ball is going to be at The Sorcerer’s  Mansion.”

Emma froze. Memories of spiders and a bright light behind a door ran through her head. “Why? Why would she pick where Gold and Gideon tried to kill me of all places?” She said slightly sticken.

Snow sighed. “I know, I know. I tried to talk her out of it. I really did,” she paused, shrugging her shoulders. “But you know how Regina can get sometimes. You know, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to honey. Your father and I would understand.”

Emma nodded her head. “I know Mom. Let me talk to Killian about it first.”

Snow reached over and patted her hand gently. “Alright sweetheart.”

XXX

Killian watched Emma pace back and forth as she told him about the conversation she had with her mother this afternoon and to say he wasn’t happy about the news would be an understatement. Memories of feeling powerless tied to that fence as the Crocodile taunted him about stealing Emma’s magic and trapping her in that blasted hat. 

“So what do you think?” Emma asked, pulling him back to the present.

Killian glanced up at his wife from where he was seated on the couch. He saw that she was  wringing her hands together and biting her bottom lip. “Come here love,” he said, holding his hand out to her.

Emma walked over, took his hand and sat down next to him. She could immediately feel the tension leave her body. “I’m being silly right? I mean it’s just a building. I shouldn’t let it affect me so much.” 

“It’s not silly Emma,” Killian said softly. 

“I just,” Emma paused, trying to gather her thoughts. “I just hate feeling like this.”

Killian tilted his head at her in question. “Like what love?”

“Like that place has some kind of power over me. I was fine and then as soon as Mom mentioned the Mansion I froze and I was right back there, almost falling for Gold’s trap and fighting a giant spider.” Emma confesses wearily.

Killian couldn’t stand seeing his Swan look so dejected. “Emma. It doesn’t make you powerless. You’ve been through so much over the past few years, it’s only understandable that you would feel like that. Plus you’re not alone, we both have terrible memories of that place, the Gold men tormented us both there.” 

“What a pair we are huh?” Emma said with a chuckle.

Killian smiled at her. “So what do you say we conquer the memories together?”

“What do you mean?” Emma asked, confused.

“Well you said that New Years is a time for new beginnings and for leaving unpleasant things in the past and moving forward right?” Killian asked her.

“Yeah,” Emma replied, still not sure where he was going with this.

“How about we show those memories who’s boss and have the night of our lives,” Killian said animatedly.

“You mean go to the ball?” Emma asked, sort of unsure.

“Aye! Come on Emma. When have you ever backed away from a challenge?” Killian asked teasingly.

Emma playfully glared at him. “A challenge huh? Okay Captain I’ll bite,” she stopped, contemplating something for a few seconds before continuing. “ Under one condition.”

“What’s that?” Killain asked suspiciously

“I get to pick our outfits for the ball,” Emma smiled devilishly at him.

Killian narrowed his eyes at her. “What are you up to, Swan?”

“You’ll have to wait and see,” Emma said before leaning over and placing a lingering kiss to his lips.

XXX

TIme moved quickly after that. Christmas came and went and before everyone knew it, it was New Years Eve. The whole town had been excited for the party with people going into the local clothing shops in droves to find the right outfit to wear. When Emma came up with the idea of what her and Killians outfits were gonna be, she knew exactly the right person to help her. To say her mother was over the moon when she asked for her help (with several promises to keep it a secret)  would be an understatement. She had started to get a little worried because it had been taking longer than anticipated but when she had gotten the phone call the day before the party that they were done, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Standing in the foyer, Emma stared at the two garment bags hanging from the coat rack. She was equal parts excited and nervous for the big reveal. Killian had been trying to get out of her for the past two weeks what they were going to wear but she held strong even though he had been very persuasive. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Killians face when he saw them, he won’t know what hit him. Almost as if he sensed her thinking about him, Killian walked through the door at that very minute. Upon seeing her husband Emma quickly went over to him and threw her arm around him.

“Oof!” Killian let out a grunt at the sudden collision. “Not that I’m complaining love but what’s all this about?”

Emma pulled back and looked up at him with a beaming smile across her face. “They’re here!” She said, pulling him over to the coat rack.

“What’s here Swan?” Killian asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“Our outfits for the party!” Emma said enthusiastically, taking one of the garment bags and handing it to him.

Killian looked from the bag to Emma and immediately went to unzip it in anticipation. “No!” Emma called out to stop him. When he looked at her in question she said. “You have to wait.”

“Wait for what?” Killian asked. 

“Until you get upstairs! Everything else you need is in the guest room,” Emma informed him. She then kissed him and turned him towards the stairs. “Go on,” she said, giving him a gentle push. Killian gave her a playful glare before making his way up the stairs two at a time, excitement in his steps. As soon as she heard the guest room door shut Emma grabbed the other bag and headed up to the master bedroom

XXX

Emma stood in front of the full length mirror smoothing her hands over the red fabric of her dress. It was exactly what she wanted. Everything from the sweetheart neckline adorned with rhinestones to the full skirt, It’s perfect she thought. She thinks back to when she first wore this dress in The Enchanted Forest and how despite the circumstances she was in she had such a magical time and.. 

A knock on the door broke her from her thoughts. “Emma,” Killian said softly.

Emma turned toward the door, butterflies suddenly bubbled up in her stomach. “Come in.”

Killian walked through the and upon seeing his wife instantly froze. She was a vision in the dress, just as she was the first time she wore it. “Swan..I..You look,” he stuttered, unable to form the words he needed to say.

Emma walked over to him and took his hand in hers. “Are you surprised? She said with a smile.

Killian looked down at her lovingly. “Very much so.”

Emma reached her hands up to run them along the black lapels of his tan colored jacket. “You look just as handsome in it now as you did then.” she said.

“What made you decide on these outfits Emma?” he asked

Emma took a deep breath to gather her thoughts. “The ball in The Enchanted Forest was the first time in my life I felt truly free, where I could let go for a little while and that was because of you,” she told him.

“Emma,” Killian said softly.

“You give me strength. You did then and you do now and I wanted to recreate what i felt that night so,” she stopped and gestured towards their outfits.

Killian was silent for a few seconds before he swooped down and sealed his lips over hers in a passionate kiss. Emma let out a soft moan and gripped his lapels tightly. They stayed like that for several minutes until the need to breathe made them pull away. They rested their foreheads against each other's and just basked in their for one another. 

XXX

The doorbell ringing from downstairs had them pulling back from each other. "Our chariot awaits my love," Killian says, holding out his arm for Emma to take. 

When they made it outside they were greeted with the sight of a horse drawn carriage waiting for them. To keep with the theme, Regina used magic to conjure them to bring the guests to the ball. The driver of the carriage opened the door for them and Killian helped her up into it, before climbing in behind her. Once they were seated on the plush red seats, Killian knocked on the carriage wall behind him and they were off.

XXX

Emma watched through the window as the scenery changed from the lights and buildings of main street to the darkness of the woods surrounding the town. If she didn’t know any better she would have thought she was actually in The Enchanted Forest and she was a princess on her way to a ball with her prince. 

“Everything alright, love?” Killian asked, slightly concerned about how quiet she’s been.

Emma turned to look at her husband who was sitting beside her. “Yeah,” she said with a smile. “Yean, I’am,” and as she said it Emma realized she really meant it. She didn’t have any nerves or feelings of dread about the night ahead. The only thing she felt was excitement. Killian must have realized the same by the expression on her face because he returned her smile and lifted her hand to place a kiss on her knuckles.

The rest of the ride was made in comfortable silence, both content to just be. As they were looking out the window, lights started to appear in the trees on either side of the road, indicating that they had arrived. When they stopped in front of the mansion the driver opened the carriage door, Killian climbed out first then held out his hand to help her out.

When Emma excited the carriage her eyes widened at the sight before her. Regina and her Mom really went all out. Flowers lined the walkway and up the staircase leading up to the entrance of the mansion, tiki torches were also dotted along the walkway, illuminating the night. As they made their way inside, soft music was playing and lanterns were hung on the walls in the hallway leading into the ballroom.

When they stepped into the ballroom it was like they had been transported back to The Enchanted Forest. The room was decorated with white and gold twinkling strands of lights, tall candelabras stood in the corners of the ballroom bringing a soft glow to the room and round tables draped with white table cloths were placed on either side of the room leaving a generous space in the middle for dancing. 

“Wow! This is amazing!” Emma exclaimed, looking at Killian.

Killian nodded his head. “Aye! This is truly spectacular,” he said in awe.

A voice calling their names had them turning to see Snow and David coming towards them through the crowd. “Emma. Killian. You’re here,” Snow enthusiastically said, immediately pulling her daughter and son-in-law in for a hug.

“Hi Mom,” Emma said, returning her mothers hug. Stepping back she looked around the room then back at Snow. “Mom. Everything looks amazing!”

Snow smiled at her daughter. “I know! It all came together so beautifully. Better than I could have imagined.”

The four of them chatted for a few minutes until the music dimmed and dinner was announced. After everyone was done eating, Regina made a short speech thanking everyone for coming and hopes that they all enjoy the rest of the evening. The dance floor opened after that and couple after couple headed about onto the floor.

Emma watched as the couples spin and sway to the music, absolutely mesmerized by their movements.

“Do you want to join in love?” Killian asked her.

Emma turned to Killian and a refusal was on the tip of her tongue but she stopped herself. “Yeah. I would like that,” she said.

Killian quirked an eyebrow in surprise, obviously not expecting her to say that. He stood and held his hand out to her and led her onto the dance floor. Once they got into position, Killian could tell Emma was a little nervous from the way she was flicking her eyes over the crowd. “Hey," he said quietly, bringing her attention back to him. "Just follow my lead. Remember you picked a partner who knows what they're doing," he told her with a smirk. 

Emma smiled at him and then the two of them began to move to the movements of the music. She's never been big on dancing, especially this kind of dancing but with Killian it was effortless. They spent the rest of the night dancing and visiting with everyone there until there was an announcement to head outback because it was five minutes to midnight.

As they stood on the back lawn waiting for the fireworks to begin Emma reminisced about the past few hours.  She couldn’t stop smiling over how perfect tonight was. The dancing, the music, the atmosphere but most importantly the man beside her. She sometimes still can't believe how lucky she was to have Killian as her husband. That he was patient with her, was there for her and supported her through everything.

“Penny for your thoughts Swan,” Killian said from beside her. 

Before she could say anything, someone in the crowd yelled out that there was 10 seconds to midnight 5,4,3,2,1. The sky erupted in a multitude of colors as the crowd yelled out ‘Happy New Years.’ Emma turned to Killian. “I was thinking how there's nowhere I would rather be than right here with you, at this very moment. I love you.”

“Oh Emma. I love you so much.” They both leaned forward at the same time to seal their love and the new year with a kiss. The kiss was full of promise not for new beginnings but for the continued love they share, a love that they fought for and won. 

[kazoo5480]

Double feature for those of you lovely people who follow my silly little story, and support me with endless patience. Enjoy!

@teamhook @kmomof4 @tiganasummertree @holdingoutforapiratehero @courtorderedcake​ @kmomof4​ @stahlop​ @klynn-stormz​ @laschatzi @emelizabeth88​ @lfh1226-linda​ @kday426​ @timeless-love-story​​ @captain-emmajones​​ @gingerpolyglot​ @ebcaver​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​​ @teamhook​​ @superchocovian​​​ @itsfabianadocarmo​​​ @tiganasummertree​​ @gingerchangeling​​ @jrob64​​ @onceratheart18​​ @xhookswenchx​​ @winterbaby89​​ @swampmedusa @ultraluckycatnd @dancingnancyy​​ @love-with-you-i-have-everything​​ @shireness-says​​ @snowbellewells​​ @hollyethecurious​​ @ouatpost​​ @daxx04 @the-darkdragonfly​​ @donteattheappleshook​​ @eeteeaytay​​ @xsajx @itsfridaysomewhere​​ @alexa-fangirl-forever @jonesfandomfanatic​​ @wefoundloveunderthelight​​ @qualitycoffeethings​​ @rapunzelsghosts​​ @spaceconveyor @badcats-andmice​​ @batana54​​ @sailtoafarawayland​​ @deckerstarblanche​​ @zaharadessert​​ @xarandomdreamx​​ @pirateprincessofpizza​​ @captainswan21​​ @hookedmom​​ @lostintheskyfaraway​​ @undercaffinatednightmare​​ @strangestarlighttree​​ @emmythedaydreamer @killianslefthook​​ @sarcasticandromantic @last-tsarina​ @sailtoafarawayland @omgmarvelous@holdingoutforapiratehero  @hookedmom @xsajx @kymbersmith-90 @kmomof4 @katie-dub @ohmightydevviepuu @lassluna @pirateherokillian @teamhook @stahlop @elizabeethan @whimsicallyenchantedrose @resident-of-storybrooke @therooksshiningknight @jennjenn615 @lfh1226-linda @ilovemesomekillianjones @killianswannn @stories-enchanted @eleveneitherway @girl-in-a-tiny-box @withheartfulloflove @kday426 @lyssapup27 @swanlovato @djlbg @kristi555 @laschatzi @xarandomdreamx @lkles08 @wyntereyez @bubblegum1425 @xhookswenchx @yasbio2015 @tiganasummertree @winterbaby89 @wefoundloveunderthelight @hollyethecurious @let-it-raines @jonesfandomfanatic @searchingwardrobes @dreamingdreamsalways @oncechicagolove @andiirivera @vvbooklady1256 @gingerchangeling @everything-person @klynn-stormz @qualitycoffeethings @vampcoffeegyrl23 @enchanted-swans @ohmakemeahercules @donteattheappleshook @bluewildcatfanatic @the-darkdragonfly @demisexualemmaswan @lavenderbudd @grimmswan @spartanguard @flslp87 @ultraluckycatnd @sarahpaq08​ @thisonesatellite @captainswan21 @zaharadessert @mariakov81 @snowbellewells @xouatxcs @kiwistreetswan @batana54 @nadine200179 @probalicious17 @courtorderedcake @julesep3026 @jackieorioncat @whatthehell102082 @xemmaloveskillianx @jarienn972 @sthonour @linda8084 @carpedzem @pirateprincesslena @daxx04 @winterbythesea @artistic-writer @scientificapricot @cocohook38 @wisfan3000  @captainswan4life85 @molly958 @kingofmyheart14 @badwolfreturns @itsfridaysomewhere  @fallingforthecaptain @onceratheart18 @strangestarlighttree @omgmarvelous @justanother-unluckysoul @anothersworld @purplehawkcaptain @sailtoafarawayland​ @hookedonkillianforlife87

[hookedonapirate]

On Sale for .99 Cents!!!

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Burn for You

He got me out of my clothes the night we met. I was soaking wet and extremely dirty. And he swept me off my feet and gave me a ride I’ll never forget. Unfortunately, not that kind of wet or dirty, and not that kind of ride. He literally swept me off my feet when I was walking on the side of the road in the pouring rain, he blinded me with his headlights and I landed in a ditch. At first I thought Asher Evans might be a serial killer with his dangerously blue eyes, a My Little Pony blanket and his insistence on getting me into his vehicle, but it turns out he’s a firefighter and a single dad with three daughters. He’s always wanted to save people, and I’ve always wanted to be saved. It’s a match made in heaven—a platonic match. He’s my boss who’s fifteen years older than me, and I’m the nanny of his children. Romantically speaking, he’s off limits. For the first time in my life, I have a home. A family. And I can’t let anything or anyone destroy that. Definitely not some smoldering hot dad with a chiseled jaw, a panty-melting smile and three adorable daughters who almost instantly clawed their way into my heart. Because falling for him could burn everything I’ve built with the Evans family to the ground.

@onceuponaprincessworld @teamhook @artistic-writer@ilovemesomekillianjones @hollyethecurious @gingerchangeling@ultraluckycatnd @kmomof4 @searchingwardrobes @snowbellewells @let-it-raines @wellhellotragic @itsfabianadocarmo @lfh1226-linda @sophiaaz @becausetheyrehappythisway @thislassishooked @hookedmom @resident-of-storybrooke @kateroselin @kday426 @sals86 @lawgeeks @yasbio2015 @xsajx @delightfully-difficult-pirate @snowbellewells @wanderingjpg @squidvisious @tenaciouskittynight @biefaless @animatedshorts @lassluna @melsbels @meat-pie-with-sauce @roseyflush @tiganasummertree @nowforruin @qualitycoffeethings @nikkiemms @oncechicagolove @theonewiththeory @lostinwonderland314 @darkcolinodonorgasm @carpedzem @maguilar1028 @mayquita @courtorderedcake @shady-swan-jones @timeless-love-story @laschatzi @officerrogers @spartanguard @andiirivera @ouatpost @jarienn972 @winterbythesea @winterbaby89 @distant-rose @xhookswenchx @tiganasummertree

[spartanguard]

Happiest of birthdays sweetie, hope it was fabulous 🎉❤🎈❤🎂❤🎁❤🎊

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! It was pretty great 😁

[hollyethecurious]

Curious Crew Tag List Reset

Hello fellow crewmates! I know you didn't hear much from me in 2023, but I am hoping to turn that around in 2024. As such, it is time for me to do a reset of my Curious Crew tag list.

I like to reset my list each year, starting from scratch so those who no longer wish to be on my tag list can simply move on. Of course, anyone can ask to be added or removed at any time throughout the year, but I find doing a reset helps to release people guilt-free, ensuring I'm not annoying them with fic notifications they no longer with to receive.

SO... Who wants to be a part of me crew in 2024?

If you would like to continue receiving notifications when I post/update my works, then please either reply here in the comments or shoot me an Ask.

Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.

@paradiselady19 @aprilqueen84 @kmomof4 @mie779 @donteattheappleshook @stahlop @anmylica @undercaffinatednightmare @zaharadessert @karl0ta @booksteaandtoomuchtv @courtorderedcake @superchocovian @pirateherokillian @ultraluckycatnd @jennjenn615 @the-darkdragonfly @jonesfandomfanatic @wyntereyez @xarandomdreamx @teamhook @winterbaby89 @justanother-unluckysoul @whimsicallyenchantedrose @badwolfreturns @deckerstarblanche @tiganasummertree @jrob64 @resident-of-storybrooke @motherkatereloyshipper @lfh1226-linda @youherotype @kday426 @snowbellewells @alexa-fangirl-forever @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @unworried-corsair @sals86 @natascha-ronin @livykatelin00-blog @jackieorioncat @annep1 @ilovemesomekillianjones @soniccat @youplaylikeagirl @th3capta1n @cocohook38 @zippoluv @bizquake

[virtie333]

I posted 13,268 times in 2022

That's 5,168 more posts than 2021!

576 posts created (4%)

12,692 posts reblogged (96%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@virtie333

@nowritingonthewall

@starwarsblr

@stevenngrant

@disabledameron

I tagged 5,686 of my posts in 2022

#damerey - 540 posts

#fanfiction - 539 posts

#oscar isaac - 474 posts

#poe x rey - 389 posts

#jedipilot - 381 posts

#poe dameron - 306 posts

#moon knight spoilers - 268 posts

#mandatory reblog - 252 posts

#kenobi spoilers - 176 posts

#steven grant - 162 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#and the accountability he needs to stop being an asshole. but you still dont deserve to be put through this. unless u are actually just his

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

My Best Friend's Weddings

Poe Dameron has made a bad habit out of falling in love, getting engaged, and then leaving his bride-to-be at the altar. But when he must marry in order to get his inheritance, he goes to the one person he knows he can count on: his best friend Rey Skywalker. Will their friendship survive a year of ‘pretend?’

64 notes - Posted January 6, 2022

#4

Tag nine people you want to get to know better

Thanks so much @curiouswildi for the tag!

Fav color: royal blue

Currently reading: a Colton series book from Harlequin Suspense, this one by Bonnie Vanak.

Last song: Well, "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by YES is currently playing.

Last Series: Bridgerton

Last Movie: Honest, I think the last movie I watched was The Empire Strikes Back!

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: Sweet!

Currently working on: Getting ready for work

tagging: @jewelsrulz @kday426 @nowritingonthewall @cerrineajaxx @onceupon-longago @starlight-and-seafire @stormkobra-5 @disabledameron

72 notes - Posted June 30, 2022

#3

Kinetic

Rey and Poe are stranded on a hostile planet with no way to contact the Resistance. While being pursued by both First Order stormtroopers and a local mob gang, they connect in a way neither of them expected.

82 notes - Posted April 21, 2022

#2

See the full post

523 notes - Posted March 22, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I do not have a fascination with men's arms... just this one man.

See the full post

769 notes - Posted March 10, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[jrob64]

Tag List Reset for 2024

If you are on the list below, I appreciate you wanting to be tagged for my Captain Swan fanfic stories. However, I understand that some of you may have moved on from the OUAT fandom, or you simply don't wish to be tagged anymore.

IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE TAGGED, PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS POST TO TELL ME.

IF YOU WOULD RATHER NOT BE TAGGED ANYMORE, YOU CAN EITHER COMMENT TO LET ME KNOW OR DON'T RESPOND AT ALL AND I'LL REMOVE YOU.

If you are reading this and would like to be added to my tag list, please let me know that as well.

THANK YOU to all who have read any of my stories in 2023. Here's hoping for much more CS comment in 2024. Let's keep this fandom alive!!!!

Tagging: @qualitycoffeethings​​​​​​ @grimmswan​​​​​​ @wyntereyez​​​​​​ @the-darkdragonfly​​​​​​ @ultraluckycatnd​​​​​​ @paradiselady19​​​​​​ @julesep3026​​​​​​ @courtorderedcake​​​​​​ @pawshapedheart​​​​​​ @vampcoffeegyrl23​​​​​​ @captainswan4life85​​​​​​ @bluewildcatfanatic​​​​​​ @eleveneitherway​​​ @elfiola​​​​​​ @kday426​​​​​​ @julieenchanted-swans​​​​​​ @andiirivera​​​​​​ @djlbg​​​​​​ @huntressandlioness1​​ @pirateherokillian​​​​​​ @cocohook38​​​​​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​​​​ @laschatzi​​​​ @zaharadessert​​​​​ @jennjenn615​​​​​​ @yasbio2015​​​​​ @lyssapup27​​​​​​ @nachocheese-itsmycheese​​​​​​ @singersdd​​​​​​ @mie779​​​​​​ @jackieorioncat​​​​​​ ​​​​ @bdevereaux-blanche​​​​​​ ​​​​@searchingwardrobes​​​​​​ @jarienn972​​​​​​ @apiratewhopines​​​​​​​ @softkilly​​​​​​​ @goforlaunchcee​​​​​​​ @captainswan217-blog

[searchingwardrobes]

Just a Kiss

Happy birthday, @kday426 ! Thank you for being a lovely person who so faithfully reblogs and comments on my stories. I wanted to give you something truly fluffy and happy for your birthday, and I also couldn’t help giving it a Southern flair because of the Lady Antebellum song it’s based on. This is one of those times I wish I was an artist so I could make a manip, painting, or drawing of this beautiful kiss I envisioned in my head. Unfortunately, this picset is the best I could do. Thanks to @kmomof4 for helping me choose the best suspenders pic 🙂

Summary: Emma turned then and fled from the tree and the fireflies and the moonlight. Fled from her best friend who could apparently kiss the living hell out of her.

Rating: T, but only for brief mentions of stereotypical college behavior

Trigger warnings: Tiana is in this for people who aren’t fond of season 7 ?

Words: About 4,000

Tagging: @snowbellewells @winterbaby89 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @teamhook @bethacaciakay @snidgetsafan @delirious-latenight-laughs @jennjenn615 @let-it-raines @optomisticgirl

Ao3

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight. Just a touch of the fire burning so bright. And I don’t want to mess this thing up. I don’t want to push too far. Just a shot in the dark that you just might be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life.

Emma never knew that the country could be so loud. She was far away from the wedding band and the partying guests, yet the air held a cacophony of sounds. She’d always been a city girl, so she couldn’t really identify what they all were. Crickets, she knew for sure. The croaking of frogs maybe? That shrill, unceasing screech, however? That one she couldn’t place, but it was sure annoying as hell. At least far away from the fairy lights of the wedding tent the mosquitos had stopped plaguing her. An outdoor wedding in New Orleans? What was Tiana thinking?

Despite the bugs, and the strange sounds, and the shadows cast over the bayou by the full moon, she still preferred it here than back under the wedding tent. Out here Mary Margaret wasn’t trying to play matchmaker. Out here there was no DJ barking out ridiculous things like “lady’s choice” or “all the single ladies out on the floor” while he pumped out Beyoncé. Emma reached down and slid off her strappy heels, then sagged against the bark of the magnolia tree she had sought solace beneath.

“Hiding, Swan?”

She jumped as she spun around, pressing her hand to her heart. “Shit, Killian, you scared me to death!”

He just chuckled as he sauntered closer, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his dress pants. “Sorry, love. I saw you head this way and was worried you would get eaten by a crocodile down here.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Louisiana has alligators, not crocodiles.”

He shrugged. “Fairly certain they would both eat you.”

“What a lovely thought.”

Killian leaned against the tree casually. They had always felt at ease around each other ever since they met her freshman year of college. His best friend David had dragged him over to be his wingman while he hit on her roommate Mary Margaret. The rest, as they say, is history. Mary Margaret and David married back in the fall, and Emma and Killian became best friends. They hung out with the same group all through college, leaning on each other through finals, drinking binges, and nasty breakups. Especially breakups. Neal Cassidy had done a number on her, and Killian’s literal affair with a much older Milah Gold hadn’t ended much better. Killian had offered her a strong shoulder to cry on, and Emma had in turn been there for him when he drowned his misery in rum.

They understood one another.

Emma lifted her long blonde locks off her sticky neck. “How is it this hot at the end of April?”

“You think you’re melting? I’m British. I’m wondering if this is what hell feels like. And you lucked out with the much cooler wardrobe.” Killian gestured at her spaghetti strap, knee length sundress.

“Hideous color, though,” Emma said, wrinkling her nose. “Blondes shouldn’t wear yellow, or at least I think that’s a fashion rule. I look like a lemon meringue pie.”

“Nonsense, Swan, it brings out the gold in your hair.”

She snorted, used by now to Killian’s over the top compliments. She added another eye roll for good measure.

“You know,” Killian teased, “most men would be offended by your constant eye rolling. I, on the other hand, take great pride in how often you grace me with them. And as for your aversion to wearing yellow, need I point out that I am wearing the same shade? Only in the form of this hideous bow tie?”

He grimaced as he tugged at the offensive accessory, which was indeed lemon yellow. Emma had to admit it wasn’t his best color, but he looked handsome nevertheless. She was used to his chest hair breathing, so the bow tie was out of character, but he wore the suspenders well. Extremely well, actually. She averted her eyes when she realized she was staring.

“So, um, are we going to have these things constantly now?”

“You mean weddings?” He started undoing the bow tie, and that was a good look, too.

“Yeah, and I think I’m going to fit into that category of always a bridesmaid.”

“I think the old wives’ tale requires you to be a bridesmaid three times before you’re doomed to singlehood, so I think you’re safe.” Now he was the one rolling his eyes. “As if you’re the husband-hunting type. I’ve watched you Emma; you run in the opposite direction as soon as the bride aims her bouquet.”

“And Mary Margaret was definitely aiming,” Emma pointed out, “but a month from now, I’ll be Elsa’s bridesmaid, so there you go. Doomed to singlehood as you put it.”

“I’m in that wedding too, second time as best man, third time in the wedding party, so am I also doomed?”

“I’m pretty sure it only applies to women.”

“How sexist.”

Now that his tie was hanging loose, he undid several of the top buttons of his dress shirt. He rolled up both sleeves, revealing his tattoos: one of a compass pointing north that he already had when they met, and the other of an anchor. The second one he had regretted along with his hangover the next morning, mumbling about looking like a bloody pirate cliché. Emma had informed him that it could have been worse – if she hadn’t been there to stop him, Milah’s name would have been encircling it. Again, it was all a very good look on him, standing there in the light of the moon, the top of his shirt open, his arms exposed, and those surprisingly sexy suspenders. Her best friend was hot, it wasn’t as if this were a new revelation, but she had to admit that her body was responding to it more often lately.

It suddenly seemed as if the stars above had lowered and settled beneath the boughs of the magnolia tree that ensconced them. Dozens of fireflies blinked around them, perhaps hundreds. Emma was rendered speechless for a moment as they all flitted and blinked around them.

“Amazing,” Killian whispered, as if speaking would shatter the magic around them, “I’ve never seen them before.”

His words pulled her gaze away from the entrancing spots of light and to his face instead. The city girl thing meant fireflies had been rare in her life, too, and growing up in foster care meant she’d never had that idyllic summer evening of chasing them with a jar in her hand. Yet she had seen them before. She studied Killian’s expression, the way his eyes lit up in the moonlight watching the fascinating insects. He reached out a hand, and one landed there, crawling around and blinking in his palm before flying away again.

It felt as if time had slowed, the branches of the tree cocooning them in some sort of enchantment. Under that spell of dazzling light, fragrant magnolia blossoms, and singing crickets, Emma reached out and grabbed hold of Killian’s suspenders. Yet instead of yanking him to her, she stepped closer to him instead. She searched his blue eyes intently, her knuckles turning white as she held fast to those damn suspenders. His eyes darkened and his expression softened as he gently brushed her cheek with the tips of his fingers, then slid his hand into her hair. He slowly lowered his face to hers, brushing their noses, and God! was he torturing her on purpose? Evidently so, because he first dragged his lips across her cheek, then her chin before claiming her lips.

Even then, he didn’t speed up. He moved his lips tenderly across hers, then tilted her head to deepen the kiss. He swiped his tongue across her lips, asking for more, and she gladly gave it. She finally let go of the suspenders, taking her time dragging her palms over his chest and shoulders, then wrapping her arms around his neck. Killian still had one of his hands in her hair, but his other arm encircled her, pulling him flush against her. Emma was embarrassed when a moan escaped her throat. God, could this man kiss. She had always wondered . . .

Emma gasped then, but not from desire. Her brain had finally reared up to ask what the hell she was doing. She pushed away from him, her face burning.

“Emma -”

“- don’t,” she silenced him, unable to look him in the eye, “don’t say a thing, okay? It was just a kiss. Just . . . don’t follow me. Wait five minutes.”

She turned then and fled from the tree and the fireflies and the moonlight. Fled from her best friend who could apparently kiss the living hell out of her. Her best friend who had just muttered, “as you wish,” maybe on purpose. He knew that was her favorite movie, so what would possess him to say that? Unless . . .

No, no, no, no. Killian was her best friend. They had an understanding, a great platonic relationship. What the hell had she been thinking kissing him like that? Or had he kissed her first? She groaned as she slipped into the back of the crowd in the wedding tent, pressing her sweaty palms to her flushed cheeks. It didn’t matter. She had been the one to grab him. Stupid sexy suspenders!

*****************************************************

Three weeks, two days, five hours, and twenty-seven minutes. That was how long it had been since Emma had seen her best friend. Three weeks, two days, five hours, and twenty-seven minutes since their kiss. It had been the longest length of time she had gone without seeing or talking to him since they had met. Even when they were dating Neal and Milah, they had at least talked every single day. It had been a sore point with her and Neal. He’d been extremely jealous of Killian.

The thing was, avoiding Killian also meant avoiding everyone else. Especially Mary Margaret because Killian and David were always hanging out, and Elsa because her fiancé was Liam Jones. Avoiding Elsa was an especially thorny issue since Emma was her maid of honor, but it wasn’t like her friend had a lack of attendants. Her own sister was her matron of honor, for God’s sake, surely she had everything covered. What the hell Emma would do when the wedding day actually arrived, she wasn’t sure. It would be a little hard for the maid of honor to avoid the best man.

During week one, her friends hadn’t suspected anything. Emma sometimes got prickly and withdrew. When week two rolled around, they started texting and calling in concern. It didn’t take much for Mary Margaret and Elsa to discover she had also withdrawn from Killian, and both also well knew how odd that was. So Emma wasn’t really surprised when she received the ultimatum from Elsa at the three week, two day, five hour, twenty-seven minute mark: Meet me for coffee, or I’ll turn into a Bridezilla.

Now, Elsa was much too kind to follow through on such a threat, so that wasn’t why Emma relented. It just made her realize how worried her friend was, and that was the last thing she wanted for Elsa a week before her wedding. So she dragged herself off the couch and away from Netflix to meet her friend.

What she wasn’t expecting was to find not just Elsa but also Mary Margaret, Anna, and Tiana sitting at a table in the corner of their favorite coffee shop. Elsa’s entire wedding party. Tiana especially shocked Emma, since she and Naveen were still in the blissful haze of being newlyweds. They’d only returned from their honeymoon five days ago.

Emma arched a brow suspiciously at them before sitting down. “Is this an intervention or something?”

Tiana arched her brow right back and slid a chair out with her foot. “In a way. Sit.”

People typically said nothing but “yes, ma’am” to Tiana, even if they weren’t from the South. Emma mumbled it herself with a scowl as she plopped down into the offered chair. The diamonds glistening on the fingers of all four women seemed to mock her.

“Emma,” Elsa began, “we’re all worried about you. Liam and David are worried about Killian.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “What?”

“It’s true,” Mary Margaret added, “is it true you’ve been avoiding him for over three weeks now?”

Emma lifted a hand to stop their words. “If this is about the wedding, you don’t have to worry. I’ll be there, and I’ll also be on my best behavior.”

“You think that’s all that this is about?” Anna exclaimed, sounding deeply offended. “I’m the sister of the bride, so we’ve got it all covered. We’re worried about you.”

“And Killian,” Elsa added.

Emma bit the inside of her cheek at the sight of Elsa’s furrowed brow. Was Liam really that worried about his brother? But it had just been one kiss . . .

“What happened at my wedding?” Tiana asked.

“What are you talking about?” Emma tried to sound nonchalant, but she couldn’t stop the traitorous blush that rose to her cheeks.

Tian a leaned across the table. “Rumor has it you and Killian both disappeared for a while. Then you both showed up later looking flushed.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “We didn’t leave together or come back together.” Truth. “And it was just a warm night.” Partial truth.

Her four friends exchanged glances that clearly said they weren’t buying it. Emma blinked. “Wait - did Killian . . . tell you anything?”

Mary Margaret looked smug. “I thought there was nothing to tell.”

“He’s been brooding ever since the wedding,” Elsa explained, “but he refuses to tell Liam why. All he will say is that you’re upset with him and that you won’t return his texts or calls.”

Emma let out a long sigh. She got a short reprieve when a waitress came over and took their orders, but when she walked away, her friends’ pointed stares and heavy silence let her know they weren’t going to let it go.

“I kissed him,” she finally hissed under her breath.

“Who?” Mary Margaret asked.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Killian! Who do you think?”

“Wait!” Anna said eagerly. “Did you kiss him, or did he kiss you?”

Emma rubbed her temple. “Both, sort of? I don’t know, it’s all sort of hazy.”

“Were you drunk?”

“God, Tiana, no!”

She shrugged. “Just making sure.”

Their orders came, and in between sips of hot chocolate, Emma poured it all out: the teasing and flirting under the tree, the moonlight, the fireflies, and Killian looking so unfairly attractive in suspenders. She told them about fisting her hands around those suspenders and the slow-motion way Killian had bent towards her. She ended the story with pink cheeks, and it wasn’t from the cocoa.

“Wow,” Anna said into the silence.

Emma groaned and covered her face with both hands. “I can’t believe I just word vomited all that.”

Mary Margaret reached out with a gentle hand to her elbow. “Emma, none of us are surprised.”

She looked up in confusion. “You’re not?”

Tiana shrugged. “Frankly, I’m surprised this is the first time.” She took a sip of her latte, wagging an eyebrow at Emma over the top of her mug. “I even thought you two were maybe . . . friends with benefits?”

Emma’s mouth dropped open, and her face went from pink to red as her friends all laughed.

“Oh no,” Elsa said, “our Emma here has been far too oblivious for that.”

“Oblivious?”

Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. “Come on, Emma, seriously? The yearning looks? The doey eyes?”

Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t yearn.”

“Maybe,” Tiana quipped as if she didn’t believe her for one second, “but he does.”

Elsa squirmed. “Killian has never come out and said as much to Liam, but . . . Liam knows anyway. He can tell that his brother is in love with you.”

“I-in love with me?”

“It isn’t just obvious to his brother, Emma,” Anna told her, “it’s been obvious to all of us. For a long time.”

Emma looked in shock around the table at each of her friends. They were all gently nodding in agreement. Mary Margaret took her hand in both of hers.

“And honey, you’re in love with him too.”

“Yeah,” Anna laughed as she took a sip of her cappuccino, “that’s been obvious too.”

********************************************************

Maybe Emma should have contacted Killian after speaking with her friends, knowing that he was hurt by the wall she had thrown up between them, but she had far too much to process. Her friends said it was obvious, not just that Killian loved her, but that they loved each other. Could she really miss something like that completely? Misread her own feelings?

So the wedding rehearsal ended up being the first time she had seen Killian since their kiss. Elsa, unlike Tiana, was not fond of the heat, so her late May wedding was being held in the ballroom of an old manor by the sea. The French doors would be thrown wide to let in the ocean breezes, but they would all be safely inside for the entire ceremony and reception. The ice sculptures and ice cream sundae bar also necessitated the air conditioning being cranked up. Instead of melting in the Louisiana heat, they might all freeze to death at Elsa’s wedding.

The actual ceremony took place in the foyer of the manor, with the wedding party lined up on the wide staircase. The rehearsal was so hectic, with the wedding coordinator lining everyone up and making sure the music cues were correct, that Emma and Killian only exchanged quick pleasantries until his turn came to escort her back down the aisle.

“I’m not mad at you,” she whispered to him as they made their way down the snow white runner.

“Then why wouldn’t you return my messages?”

They were in the hallway now, crammed in with the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. It felt like everyone had grown quiet when they entered.

“I just needed time to think about things,” she whispered in an even softer voice. She finally, for the first time that night, locked her gaze on his. His eyes looked sad.

“I wish I could apologize for kissing you,” he whispered back, “but I’m not sorry at all.”

Emma bit back a gasp. “You’re not?”

He shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. A tiny smile flirted with the corner of his mouth. “No. Are you?”

She bit her lower lip before letting a small grin fill her own face. “No. I’m not sorry either.”

His eyes lit up then, his smile broad and dimpling his cheeks. Emma lifted her hand quickly, resting it on his chest. HIs heart was thumping hard beneath her palm.

“But that doesn’t mean that I’m not . . . confused.” She frowned, wishing she could explain herself better.

“Okay,” Killian said with a sigh. He glanced around the room where everyone was pretending not to be eavesdroppping. He lowered his face close to her ear. “We’ll talk after the rehearsal dinner.”

When Emma slipped out before dinner with a lame excuse to Elsa about not feeling well, she knew she was a complete and utter coward.

***************************************************

Avoiding Killian at the wedding was surprisingly easy. Prior to the ceremony, all the bridesmaids were on the opposite side of the manor in the bridal suite getting their hair and makeup done. Elsa wanted Liam’s first glimpse of her to be when she walked down the aisle, so the guys and girls also took pictures separately. Talking was impossible during the ceremony, and even when the entire wedding party took joint pictures, it was too chaotic for a private conversation.

Then they were all ushered into the ballroom amidst cheers from the guests. Liam and Elsa had their first dance, then the entire wedding party were seated at the head table. Emma had been expecting to be seated next to Killian, but the wedding coordinator had seated them in the traditional way with all of them sitting in a row facing the guests, men to the groom’s left, women to the bride’s right. As soon as Emma ate, she quickly slipped away under the guise of heading to the ladies’ room. She found a dark alcove, and seated herself there to wait out the rest of the celebrations. She knew she couldn’t avoid Killian forever, but today was just too much. He wasn’t wearing suspenders this time, but he still looked far too handsome in a suit and an ice blue bow tie that brought out the color of his eyes. Every time he glanced her way, her heart raced. The entire scenario was too similar to their first kiss. In short, she didn’t trust herself.

She sipped on a flute of champagne as the DJ cranked out one party tune after another. She had a perfect view of the cake, so she didn’t miss Liam dabbing Elsa’s nose with icing and kissing it off. When the crowd thinned, she even snuck over to get a slice. She heard hoots and cheers and some sort of stripper music, so she figured Liam was removing Elsa’s garter now. Such a ridiculous, sexist custom, if you asked her.

“And now!” the DJ cried. “The bride will toss her bouquet!”

Sure enough, he punctuated the announcement with Beyoncé's “All the Single Ladies.” Emma rolled her eyes.

“Okay,” the DJ called out again, lowering the volume of the music almost completely, “we need the maid of honor on the dance floor. The bride says she won’t throw her bouquet without her. Maid of honor? Emma Swan!”

Emma tried to shrink farther into her dark alcove, but the entire ballroom had started chanting her name. It was only a matter of time before Anna discovered her and practically dragged her to the front of the room. Emma’s face burned as everyone laughed and cheered. Elsa winked at her. Emma pointed a finger threateningly, but her friend just laughed.

Emma wasn’t fully aware of the set up until every other woman on the dance floor suddenly disappeared as the bouquet sailed through the air. Mary Margaret had aimed, but had failed to take into account Emma’s complete disinterest in catching. Elsa had upped the game. Emma either had to catch the damn thing or hurt the bride’s feelings. She just managed to grab it with the tips of her fingers, the petals skimming the floor. Everyone laughed uproariously as Emma lifted the bouquet half-heartedly. She did, however, accept her friend’s hug.

“That was low,” she whispered in Elsa’s ear.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Elsa whispered back.

Now what did she mean by that?

“Okay, maid of honor,” the DJ announced, “tradition says the woman who catches the bouquet must dance with the man who caught the garter.”

Emma groaned. Of course it did. The DJ began to play Lady Antebellum’s “Just a Kiss.” The title of the song made dread fill her gut. Surely Liam and Elsa hadn’t . . .

Oh , but they had. She turned to see Killian standing there, Elsa’s garter dangling from his fingertips and an apologetic grin on his face.

“Sorry?” The word was cancelled out by the smirk and the cocky tilt of his head.

Emma scowled. “Isn’t that kind of gross? That was on your sister-in-law's thigh.”

Killian wrinkled his nose. “Seriously, Swan? You had to go there?”

She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her. This was the easy banter they had always shared. He crammed the garter in his coat pocket and reached to take her hand in his. He rested the other at her waist. As they swayed together, she was surprised to find that this was easy too.

“I’ve missed you,” he told her.

“I’ve missed you, too.”

They swayed silently, drawing closer and closer until his arms circled her waist and hers circled his neck. She fiddled with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Are you really . . . I mean, do you really . . . “ she let out a frustrated breath of air.

“Yes, and yes,” he told her with a sparkle in his eyes.

She rolled hers. “How can you answer when you don’t even know the question?”

“If I waited for you to spit it out, we’d be here all night.”

Emma smacked him in the chest as he laughed. When he drew her in his arms again, she rested her head against his shoulder.

“The question, I believe, is: Are you really in love with me? Or alternately: Do you really love me? Therefore, the answer to both is yes.” He spoke the words against her hair, and when he finished, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I don’t want to mess this up,” she told him honestly, pulling back to look him in the eye.

He cupped her face in his hands. “Oh Emma, that’s impossible. Being with you can only make my life infinitely better.”

This time when they kissed, it was met with cheers and shouts of “it’s about damn time!” Not that either of them noticed. For them, they may as well have been back underneath that moonlit magnolia tree, hidden away with enchanted fireflies.

[cs-rylie]

Chaos ch3

ao3 - ffn (ffn may take a minute to load)

I've been stalling on posting this because my taglist is still in progress. All of you who responded to my posts about it.. I'm overwhelmed 🥰 I thought maybe one or two people would respond, but everytime I go to post this and check my notifications, there's another response. Y'all make me all teary and emotional

Taglist below the line - if I tagged you and you don't want to be here LET ME KNOW. Same if you'd like to be added!

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