Captain Swan One-Shots

Rumor: Part Six

When he joined David, Liam, and Robin, they laughed and clinked their glasses. Killian cocked an eyebrow.

"Might I be privy to the joke or is it just between you three?"

David clapped him on his shoulder. "Well, it is about you and Emma to be exact."

Killian tilted his head. "And what exactly did myself and Swan do to garner such amusement?"

Liam motioned with his forefinger and thumb. "Well, little brother, I'm not sure you and Emma could have gotten any closer."

With an eye roll, Killian pointed out, "We were dancing. What the bloody hell else were we supposed to do?"

Robin took a sip of his drink before he offered, "Well, mate, you two were dancing rather closely for two people who claim to be just friends."

"We are just friends, mate. There's nothing more between us."

All three of them shot him a look. David then shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe we can let the dance slide. But why were you still holding her when the song was over?"

Killian couldn't help but scratch behind his ear. He stammered through a reply.

"We were, uh, so, um, caught up in conversation that we, uh, didn't realize it was over."

He then dragged his fingers through his hair. "Bloody hell, even I don't believe that."

As he sighed, Liam cleared his throat. "Killian, have you ever considered the fact that you have feelings for Emma?"

The scratch behind his ear gave his answer. Even still, he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Look, brother, it's as I've said - we're just friends."

Robin placed his glass back on the bar. "Killian, mate, you do realize that no one who can see the two of you together buys that."

He sighed and planted his hands on his hips. "Well, they - and you lot - need to find something else to bloody talk about."

He then sank down on a bar stool and buried his face in his hands.

David then took a deep breath. "Look, Killian, we were just having a bit of fun. We didn't really mean anything by it."

He sighed once more. "I know, mate. And it's not as though Emma and I aren't used to it."

With another scratch behind his ear, he added, "And I'm not nearly as oblivious as you think I am."

Liam gestured with his glass. "Then tell the lass how you feel. Given your distinct lack of subtlety, it shouldn't be too difficult."

A hint of a smile crossed Killian's features. He then shook his head.

"You make it sound simpler than it actually is."

Robin tilted his head. "What's the problem then?"

"Emma is my best friend - we do absolutely everything together and can practically finish each other's thoughts. Why would I muck that up with declarations that she isn't ready for?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't even know if I'm bloody ready for them."

Liam then took a deep breath. "If I may, Killian, I haven't seen you feel this way about anyone since Milah. Don't you deserve to explore that?"

"First of all, I don't know if there is anything to explore. And second of all, I don't know if Emma would be open to any of this, and I'm not going to bloody well push her."