Runaway- CaptainSwan AU

• Chapter 8 •

"Follow me, and step where I step."

Emma nodded, following Killian's lead into the house.

"Avoid that floorboard," he whispered, pointing it out. "It creaks louder than a hungry whale."

Emma held back a giggle and nodded in understanding.

Slowly, the two of them tiptoed through the house until they reached the basement door. Killian opened it, wincing when the old door hinges squeaked.

"Brennan, is that you?" Alice called, half asleep, from upstairs.

"It's me, Mum. Just grabbing something from the basement," Killian called back. He and Emma crossed their fingers, hoping with all they had that she wouldn't come downstairs.

"The light switch is at the bottom of the stairs. Head on down," Killian whispered. "I'll be right there."

Emma hesitated, glancing nervously down the dark stairwell. She bit her lip in fear then met Killian's eyes.

"What is it, love?" Killian asked.

Emma opened her mouth to answer, then shook her head and looked away.

"It doesn't matter, I'm sorry," Emma apologized, suddenly finding the ground very interesting.

"Hey," Killian said softly. She glanced up at him tearfully. "You don't need to apologize, Emma. You're more important than you realize. Will you tell me what's wrong, love?" Killian asked sweetly.

Emma swallowed, sucking in a breath when he cupped her cheek gently and caressed it with his thumb.

"I'm afraid of the dark," Emma admitted, hiding her face in embarrassment. She couldn't bare the humiliation she'd feel if she saw Killian's expression. She was sure he'd laugh at her and she wasn't sure she could handle it.

Killian watched her adoringly. She was so precious... so fragile. How could anyone dislike her?

To Emma's surprise, just a moment later, she felt Killian's arms fold gently around her and pull her to his chest.

"Want me to turn on the light before you go down?" Killian asked, rubbing her back gently.

"Okay," Emma breathed. She wasn't used to people helping her without expecting something in return. Scratch that- she wasn't used to people helping her at all. She supposed she'd have to get used to it if she was going to be living in Killian's basement.

"I'll be back in a moment," Killian whispered. He handed her his phone with the flashlight turned on so she wouldn't be left alone in the dark.

Killian descended the stairs and flipped on the light switch, then came back up to Emma with an assuring smile.

"I just need to get you a few more things. Head on down, love," he said to her, rubbing her back gently. Emma nodded and entered the basement.

Killian had set up a cozy little bed on the far end of the basement, and had dragged an old desk over along with a chair to sit near it. He'd even gone about searching for any unused lamps and set them around the basement to create a more pleasant lighting.

Emma's eyebrows flew up in astonishment as she surveyed the room. He's gone to much trouble to create this little home for her.

"Blankets, blankets, and more blankets," Killian said, coming up behind her. He set them down on the bed. The winter was an especially cold one. He didn't want her freezing in the middle of the night.

Emma turned to face him and bit her lip, trying to think of what she wanted to say.

Killian noticed the expression on her face and gave her warm smile that seemed to calm her nerves. He saw fear and broken trust in her eyes, but there was more to it. Layers. He could see through to the very last layer, past the insecurity, past her walls, past the brave face she put up.