Escape From Nightmares

Emma walked past Killian’s dresser, looking at the assortment of small items scattered across the top of it.  It looked like he turned out his pockets there.  She found coins, pretty stones, and the random sort of items that tended to end up in one’s pockets throughout the day. 

Stepping toward the bed, so ran her palm along the patchwork quilt done in yellows and black.  It looked warm and comfortable.

“Emma, I…” Killian started when she touched the bed.

Emma turned around.

He was shy again, and his brow was furrowed.

“I didn’t… I’m not expecting…” He stammered, gesturing fitfully.  “I don’t want you to think— I didn’t bring you here to…”

“Killian,” Emma said gently.

He lifted his eyes to meet hers.  He looked terrified and ashamed.

“I know,” she said, holding his gaze.

He let out a little sigh of relief, one hand rising to scratch at the back of his head before he spoke again.

“It just seems from experience,” he said, “that we both sleep better in each other’s… company, so…  I thought, perhaps…”

He trailed off, his eyes darting to the bed and then back to her.

Emma blushed, and she was glad to see that his cheeks were pink, too.

She nodded, and then as if on cue, she yawned.

Killian echoed the yawn and then they were both nervously laughing.

“Come on, then,” Emma teased, crooking her finger at him.  “I knew you were all talk.”

Killian’s jaw fell open comically.

Emma hopped up onto the patchwork quilt.  The mattress was pleasantly springy, soft and full.  It was wide enough for three or four people, if they were very friendly.  Creature comforts indeed. 

“Emma,” Killian said, his voice low and cautious.

“No funny business,” Emma said, blushing and biting her lip.  “We both need sleep.”

He nodded enthusiastically, still looking shy.

Emma knew she had circles under her eyes, and Killian did too.  His cheeks were scruffy, again, which she liked, but the stubble was against dress code. 

They could both really do with a good night’s sleep.

Emma pulled the quilt loose and wriggled between the sheets. 

Eventually, Killian doused the light and joined her, drawing the curtains around the bed.  He shuffled about on his side of the mattress, adjusting blankets and pillows before he scooted a little closer to the center.  He inhaled sharply when he found Emma already in the middle of the bed.

Emma snuggled into the crook of Killian’s arm instinctively, her whole body relaxing as she sighed.  He sighed too as he wrapped his arms around her.   Emma pillowed her head on Killian’s shoulder.  He kissed the top of her head.

Emma thought again about how easy it was with him sometimes.  Like falling.

Like falling in—

“Emma,” he said abruptly, his voice fervent.  “I lo—”

“Don’t say it,” she pleaded, her whole body stiffening.  She screwed her eyes shut. 

How did he always know what she was thinking?

He sighed.

“Let’s just sleep, okay?” she begged, her voice small.

“As you wish,” he said wistfully.

He kissed her hair again and stroked her arm, trying to get her to relax. 

Emma did relax, unable to fight against the calm he instilled in her.  She’d eventually have to face the feelings she knew he had and the ones she tried to fight. 

But not that night.

With a sigh, Emma gripped Killian’s shirt tight and let sleep claim her.