Open Wounds | Captain Swan

2. A New Roommate

           

He forgot to close his blinds before he went to sleep last night, waking up with the first sunlight that peeked through the curtains. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he stretched out, sitting up straight.

He was living on the campus for a week now and next week classes would start. He still needed some small things like some extra clothes, but most of the furniture in his room was complete.

He was doing a lot better than before. He wasn't exhausted the whole time, got a more enjoyable amount of sleep, stopped drinking every day. But most important of all, he was motivated to do things again.

He folded the blanket open and climbed out of bed. He slipped on a pair of sweatpants and a plain shirt. Normally he wouldn't bother to put on a shirt, he was alone. But his new roommate was arriving today.

He was even more surprised when he found out he would get one. He didn't think they allowed it this late, but they said he or she was a special case.

He had spent the entire night cleaning to make everything look nice and tidy. He wanted his first impression to be positive. After all, a friend would nice in these dark days.

He made himself a cup of coffee and some cereal. His roommate would arrive at three and it was only eleven, which gave him plenty of time to swing by his old house and pick up the stuff he needed.

He finished his breakfast quickly and cleaned up the mess he made. He walked to his closet and threw on a pair of black jeans with a navy-blue shirt. He fixed his messy hair and tucked the picture of him and Emma in his pocket as he fastened the clasp of the locket around his neck. He always made sure he had those things with him in case there would be a fire or something at the building and they would be gone forever, eaten by the crackling flames.

He grabbed his keys from the bowl next to the door before exiting his room. He couldn't define it as a home yet. But no one had that expectation of him. He eventually stepped outside, greeting the still warmish breeze with his body.

He unlocked his car and hopped in, driving for two hours until he saw the 'Welcome to Storybrooke' sign and crossed the red marked town line. He never understood the meaning of that, he figured it had something to do with the accurate mayor Storybrooke possessed over.

During the fourteen years, he lived in this town he had become quite fond of it. He knew almost all the residents, stores, and secret places. But despite all of that and his advantageous social status, Emma was the closed thing he had to a home. His mother practically lived in the hospital while his grandmother was barely home. Emma had always been there for him, even when they went through the break up. She took him in without thinking twice.

He passed the docks and eventually arrived at the blue house. The house was quite unique compared to the others. They were all small and discreet, but this house was huge, prominent, and possibly in a way even slightly conspicuous.

He pulled over and shut off the engine. He dropped his head on the steering wheel, triggering the car to honk loudly. He jumped up in shock before he calmed himself down, chuckling to himself. How am I going to survive the rest of my life? He thought to himself, immediately mentally slapping himself after. These sick making, useless thoughts needed to evade his mind, and quickly.

He pushed the door open and climbed out, pausing a moment to let himself adjust to the sight of the house. He grabbed the bag from the passenger seat that he brought to transport some stuff in. He closed the door and locked up just car, approaching the house.

He walked up the stairs, a memory they shared floating into his mind....

He walked along the sidewalk that eventually led to her house. The white picket fence came within his view and he couldn't help the smile that played on his lips. He walked through the white gate and found her sitting on the large porch, staring at the grass on her left.

"Hey stranger," She giggled when she was pulled out of her trance by his absence. "What is my boyfriend up to today?" She playfully asked as he set down.

He wrapped an arm around her mid-section. "Visiting his girlfriend." He replied, pressing a kiss to her temple as she giggled.

"Mmm, might have to confront him with that." She smiled, moving her hands up his chest until she found the lapels of his leather jacket and secured their lips met. His hand slipped to her thigh and he rested it there. They eventually pulled away, knowing anyone could walk by.

He helped her sit on his lap, leaning his chin on her shoulder as her gaze fell upon three little organisms. "Look over there, Killy." She said, sounding like a five-year-old as she pointed to three swan ducklings who waddled across her garden, heading towards the small pound in the corner where their mother waited for them.

He chuckled at her adorable excitement, tightening his grip around her waist.

He was transferred back to reality when he tripped and nearly bounced off the stairs. He quickly regained his balance and continued his walk up the stairs. He opened the door and walked inside.

One hour later he exited the house with a bag full of stuff. He dropped the bag onto the back seat, turning to find David behind him.

"Hey, mate," He greeted him, trying to sound cheerful as he patted his shoulder. "How have you been?"

"Couldn't be better," He offered a charming smile. "Mary moved in yesterday and I'm doing an internship at the sheriff station. What about you?"

"Better," He chuckled, scratching behind his ear. Discussing his feelings was always awkward for him. He was about to say something when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He dug it out and looked at it, furrowing his brows.

"What is it?" David asked.

"It's an app that tells you when someone uses your credit card, and mine just said Emma used hers." He told him, looking up to David.

"But she's dead." Thanks for the reminder. Killian thought to himself as he shook his head.

"Aye, she has been for over a year. But she used her credit card two days ago, dead people don't generally do that!" He yelled.

"Okay, just calm down. It's probably nothing."

"Yeah, you're right." He agreed. "I just need to find a way to let her go, forget about her." They said their farewells before Killian hopped into his car and drove back, though, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right.

After a long, exhausting drive he finally opened the door to his room. He plopped his stuff on the bed and sat down at the dining table when there was a knock on the door.

He groaned as he dropped his head on the table. He was in no mood for company right now. He gathered himself together and stumbled towards the door. He swung it open, freezing when his eyes met the ones of the person behind it.

"Swan?"