In Flames • Captain Swan

5. Falling Apart

EMMA'S APARTMENT

“Swan, wake up. Good morning.” Emma heard a voice whispering softly in her ear. She opened her eyes only to see that it was no one else but Killian, who was staring at her, rubbing her back.

She was lying on his chest, and it was great to feel his chest go up and down with every breath he took. But soon, she realized that it was wrong — she shouldn't be doing this, they both shouldn't be doing this. “Morning.”

Emma groaned as she crawled to the other side of the bed. “How did you sleep after... this?” he asked her, still having his hand on her back.

She smiled and changed her mind, snuggling up to him. “Actually, it was the best sleep I had in years.” she said, yawning.

“Did I help?” Killian asked, stroking her hair, hoping that he really was an influence in her good sleep.

“Of course you did.” she whispered and looked up at his face.

He genuinely smiled. “I'm glad I helped you get some sleep.” he said and pulled her into his warm embrace.

Emma chuckled. “You're the sweetest.” she said and closed her eyes, moving even closer to him. “But how about we get up and have a little talk?”

Now he was getting nervous. He was sure she was going to ask him about the kiss, about why he did that. And he was afraid to face that question, because he didn't exactly know the real answer. Sure, he would say he needed to ‘wake her up’, but would she believe him?

After all, she was pretty good at detecting lies. And this would be one. “Uhm... Sure!” he pretended that he had no idea what she was talking about.

They got up, feeling kind of empty without each other in their arms, but they decided not to say anything. Killian woke Abby up, who was sleeping in the same position they left her last night — she was such a calm kid, as Emma said.

Emma prepared Abby's milk — it was funny that she liked it better when Emma prepared it, her dad felt insulted.

Emma and Abby had become close ever since they — technically —moved in, and Emma took care of her as if she was her daughter. Killian sometimes even forgot that Emma wasn't part of the family — he loved thinking that all three of them were a happy, normal family.

He smiled at the sight of them — he always did that. “You know, you make a great mother figure to Abby.” he said when Emma walked past him. “She's never had one, and... it makes me happy seeing her like this with you.” Emma stopped and smiled at him, probably thinking of a response.

They were now standing in the middle of the living room, their faces inches apart. So close, that they could feel each other's breath on their faces. Looking at each other's eyes, they both realized that they couldn't look away.

They were both mesmerized by the color of each other's eyes. Emerald green eyes met ocean blue.

They were interrupted by a loud noise from outside, which was nothing but a running motorbike, but it was enough to destroy their perfect moment. “Yeah, I should go... do...” he tried to think of an excuse to avoid her, but he ended up making it even more awkward.

He tried to walk away, but Emma grabbed his arm and stopped him in his tracks. “We have to talk.” she said, bluntly. It made Killian's heart beat faster in his chest.

He couldn't wait for the question. “Look, I did it because I was scared, okay? You weren't even listening to me, you were just staring without responding!” he snapped. “What was I supposed to do?! Bloody hell, Swan, I thought something had happened to you!” he said and Emma noticed a single tear escaping his eye.