Runaway- CaptainSwan AU

• Chapter 9 •

Warm...

Comfortable...

Cushy?

Emma opened her eyes the next morning, taking a good minute to remember where she was. This wasn't the good old park bench. She was on a bed in Killian's basement.

Glancing over at the desk her set up, a little smile appeared on Emma's face. She guessed that she'd fallen asleep before he returned with the cocoas for them. Killian had left her mug for her, and the little swan on it made her smile.

Emma stretched and stood up, taking the opportunity to look around the basement. There wasn't much to see aside from what Killian had arranged for her and some old things his family didn't use anymore.

Emma approached a corner of boxes and spotted one labeled Killian's.

Must be some of his old things, Emma speculated.

She paused a moment. Should she open it? Would that be invading his privacy? Emma bit her lip in conflict. If he didn't want her seeing it, he would have moved it, right?

Emma flipped open the box and looked inside. There were only a few things within it. A pair of glasses, some toy cars, posters of bands he must have liked when he was younger.

And an engagement ring in a box.

Emma lifted it up and admired the gem. It was breathtaking.

"It was Johanna's," Killian said from behind her. Emma whipped around sharply, a look of guilt plastered on her face.

"I'm sorry, it was right here in the box and I-I opened it-" Emma rambled, afraid she might have upset him.

"Emma," Killian stopped her. "It's alright."

"Still, I... should have respected your privacy," Emma mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

Killian gave her a sad smile. It upset him that she couldn't accept that not everything she did was wrong. That she couldn't accept that she didn't have to apologize for everything. She'd grown up in such a horrible situation. It was like she believed it wasn't possible for her not to be at fault.

Killian came closer to her and caressed her arms gently, smiling to himself when she didn't flinch or suck in a sharp breath. She was getting used to him better. She was trusting him more.

"It's okay," Killian emphasized.

"Okay," Emma whispered reluctantly, finally meeting his eyes.

"My mum will be waking soon. I only wanted to check in on you, love. We may be on Christmas break, however she still has to work today. I'll let you know when she's left and then you can come on up. Sound good?"

Emma nodded, smiling faintly now.

"What about... your dad?" Emma asked. Killian hesitated.

"I'm eh... I'm not even sure if he's home," Killian sighed. "Right. I'll see you in a bit, love."

With that, Killian left Emma in the basement and headed back upstairs. It was a close call. He shut the door right as his mother came downstairs.

"Good morning, Mum," Killian said with a cheery smile, moving away from the basement door.

"What's good about it?" Alice muttered. She sighed, then looked up to meet Killian's eyes. "Sorry, it's just... your father didn't come home last night," she mumbled.

"You deserve better than him anyway," Killian muttered. His mother might not have been the best of parents, but she was far better than the man his father had become.