Runaway- CaptainSwan AU

• Chapter 6 •

Day 92:

It's been three months since I was placed with the Barkleys and started started school at here. I'm running away tonight. It's unbearable. Even with Killian as my friend, listening whenever I tell him how it is... I can't do it anymore. And this time, I'm not going to the police for help. They'll just stick me in another horrible home. This time I'm going to do it on my own. I've always been better off that way, anyway.

"What's that?"

Emma snapped her diary shut and looked up to meet Killian's kind blue eyes. She relaxed at the sight of him and a smile appeared on her face.

"Hey," she greeted him, moving over so he could sit next to her. Ms. Lucas had cancelled class that day, so they both had the hour free. They sat on a bench in the courtyard. "It's nothing," Emma said quickly, regarding her diary.

"Well, contrary to what you might think, love, I do believe it's something," Killian grinned, nudging her.

Emma snorted, rolling her eyes.

"You suck," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.

Killian chuckled affectionately.

"Just stating the obvious, love."

Emma's heart fluttered. He'd started calling her love just a few days ago, seemingly without realizing it, and although Emma would never admit it to him, she loved it more than anything. He'd said it to her once when they'd met and she had threatened him because of it, but they'd moved past that. Now it just made her blush.

And Emma Swan doesn't blush.

"What's this?" Killian asked, quirking his eyebrow. "Wha- is Emma Swan blushing? Is this my doing?! I must have possession over some sort of sorcery. What is this madness?!" Killian joked.

"Shut it, British Boy. In your dreams."

Emma hid her face in her hands, her blush only growing as she laughed in embarrassment.

When she finally looked up again, Killian's eyes were on her.

"I'm not blushing!"

"I didn't say it again!" Killian laughed.

"I'm not blushing, it's just really warm out here," Emma insisted.

Bad answer.

"Love... it's the beginning of December."

"And?"

Killian just laughed.

"You're impossible."

"And you love me for it," Emma grinned playfully.

She hadn't meant it like that.

But then he looked into her eyes and smiled the most genuine smile.

"Aye," he said. "That I do."

Emma opened her mouth to answer, but instead bit her lip, letting out a little laugh, and looked down. Her cheeks were rosy again.

Killian admired her in all her beauty. Her bright, wondrous green eyes hiding behind her glasses. Her sweet smile that only appeared for him. Her golden locks that she hid in a beanie. She was precious. An angel to be protected and appreciated... not battered and used.

"You're beautiful," Killian said softly. Emma glanced up at him through her long lashes and gave him half a smile.

"Thanks," she whispered, not believing his words.

"Don't hide," he insisted when she looked away again. She looked back up, meeting his eyes.

They were so close. The space between them almost didn't exist. It was like time had stopped when green met blue and their gazes became fixed.