Heartless

Chapter 1

Emma

I'm really glad we're not in the Underworld anymore.

Ever since we've returned to above-ground Storybrooke, I've realized how much I missed it. It's the little things, like Granny's restaurant. The clock tower. Spending time with my family. All of the storybook characters that are actually real.

That's what makes Storybrooke my home.

When we got back from the Underworld and all the hype had gone down about Killian coming back from the dead, we decided to move into our new house together. I had been meaning to move out of that cramped apartment building, and now that things were getting back to normal, it seemed like a good time.

With all the monsters and worlds we've faced over the last couple years, my life is beginning to feel normal again. I mean, I think it's normal. Is moving in with your boyfriend normal? Is waking up to his kiss on my forehead normal? Is sitting on the pier holding hands and watching the sunset normal?

I wouldn't know. But it feels like heaven.

Killian

I open the fridge door and look inside to see that it is almost empty. "Emma?" I ask, raising my voice so that hopefully she can hear, wherever she is in the house. I swear this house is so big; it feels like a mansion compared to the Jolly Roger.

"Yep?" She answers, walking down the stairs. Except, she's not walking. It looks like she's...hopping. Like a little rabbit that's bouncing down to greet me.

I guess I'm staring at her with a weird look on my face because she smirks and says, "What, Killian?"

"I don't know, but as you were coming down the stairs just now, you reminded me of a little rabbit."

She giggles and rolls her eyes. "A rabbit?" she asks, in a disbelieving tone.

I walk to her and grab her hands. "All I'm saying is that you're adorable, okay?"

She leans in and gives me a kiss. "Whatever you say."

I squeeze her hands before remembering why I called her down here. "Anyway, I'm just going down to the market to buy some groceries. Anything you need while I'm out?"

She shakes her head. "I can't think of anything."

"Okay, I'll see you soon, love."

I'm lucky that Storybrooke is a small town and I can easily walk to the main street. While heading to the market, I walk by that cute little Italian place where Emma and I had our first date. Even after all we've been through, I can still remember it clearly. How she was dressed up in a pink dress and had her hair pulled away from her face. How stunning she looked. I can't even believe that night was real.

Before I know it, I'm walking towards the door and going inside. In front of me, one of the servers ends a call and smiles at me. "Hello, sir. How can I help you today?"

"I would like to make a reservation for tonight. At 7 pm." I say.

The server writes it down and looks back up at me. "The reservation is set, sir."

"Thank you." I head out of the restaurant and continue to the market.

Emma

"A dinner date?" I ask. "Tonight?"

"I hope that's okay." Killian says, putting the last of the groceries in the fridge. "But we both deserve it. Now that nobody's in danger and we finally have some time to be together, we should do something special." He looks me directly in the eyes and puts on a sad sort of smile, "I just want you to know that I love you."

My heart always beats faster at those three little words. I can't help it. "I know. And I completely agree." I throw my arms around his neck and pull him in for a long hug. "I love you too Killian."