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snowbellewells · 20 hours

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Captain Swan Fic Recs are back, baby! - April Edition

Hello, cs friends! It's been like, what, seven years since I last did this? Who's counting. Enjoy the fruits of y'all's labour and some amazing stories. Keep writing, we need you

-Sophie

when Emma falls in love [from the vault] by @spartanguard

Inspired by "When Emma Falls In Love" by Taylor Swift, part of series based on songs from the vault

everyone's wondering why Emma doesn't screw the hot bartender already, it's not like he hasn't given signs. but with emma's romantic past it's not like she's throwing chances to anyone, scruffily attractive as they may be. yet, it's not her past that's worrisome. will they break the curse?

rated T | 6.2k words | AO3

“Didn’t you pay attention to trigonometry, Jones?” she balances her weight on the stick, languidly, in a way that ticks something into his already drowsy brain. “Is this the part where you offer to teach me, Swan?” he says, advancing to her.

Read on Ao3 or ff.net

I, lost, was passing by - by @dykelilypage

Five years ago, Emma's father had given her a necklace for her birthday. It was a beautiful ruby encased in a golden chain, that sat heavy on her chest. It was safe to say then, that Emma was more than a little bit pissed off to discover that it had been stolen from right around her neck. The one stroke of luck to the whole ordeal was that she knew exactly who had taken it. Killian Jones. rated E | 6267 words

love scare by @exhaustedpirate

it's a little canon-compliant one-shot that i place during the six weeks of peace, more specifically, like a day or so before 4B rated G | 922 words | ao3

Expecting a Secret [3/3] by @walviemort

Summary: After the events of 3x19, Killian is at his lowest after being rejected by Emma. When Snow’s labor turns out to be a false alarm, Zelena offers Killian a deal: she’ll leave the Charmings alone…if he gives her the baby she needs for her spell instead. There’s just one hitch: he has to keep it a secret. At least it will only take 10 days, right?

The Heart of a Villan (5/5) by @beckettj

There are only two people that can make me care about football: Ted Lasso and this. Words: 6181 ~ AO3

Perilous Harbor by @veryverynotgoodwrites

Emma Swan is heir apparent to her parents' kingdom in the Enchanted Forest, and a powerful wielder of light magic. This makes her the most wanted woman in the realm, not only for marriage, but for leverage against the king and queen. While her parents have been able to keep her safe so far, an attack is launched on Princess Emma that leaves her no choice but to seek the protection of her worst enemy - Killian Jones, infamous captain of the Jolly Roger and his pirate crew. ao3 in progress 19/23

a work of art by @sotangledupinit

“I always have to clean up your messes,” she mutters to herself angrily, eyes glaring down at the red liquid on the floor.

Between Waking Life and Our Dreams (12/?) by @nachocheese-itsmycheese

Season 3b canon divergence: Storybrooke is still missing when Emma, Killian, and Henry reach the town line. AO3 T

The Fluffy Problem by @ineffablecolors

"Oh, I'm going to have fun paying you back, Captain."

ff.net

The Cure for Loneliness (4/?) by @laianely

Killian went to the world without magic to finally kill Crocodile, but instead he met Emma in Gold's shop. And his whole life turned upside down overnight.

E 16k words in progress AO3

Pan Says... (8/?) by @hollyethecurious

After waking up in a strange room with a naked stranger, Emma and Killian must endure the twisted game their kidnapper insists they play in order to gain provisions and avoid punishments.

To Cleave Destiny by @iamstartraveller776

She was going to pass the night the same way she did every year in adulthood: by getting drunk enough to forget that the world was incredibly unfair. Ao3, in progress, T, 4k

Note:

Don't forget to comment and show some love. To me too. Come on. Anyone else who wants to be tagged can request it.

If you have more fic recs or more links, drop them in the comments and I'll include them. You creative mermaids, love ya.

@kmomof4 @caught-in-the-filter @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @the-darkdragonfly @teamhook @justanother-unluckysoul @karlyfr13s @snowbellewells @xarandomdreamx @klynn-stormz @omninerdgirl @facesiousbutton82 @finmnsoh56 @followbatb @killianxswan @booksteaandtoomuchtv @exhaustedpirate @anmylica @hollyethecurious @winterbaby89 @undercaffinatednightmare @resident-of-storybrooke @tiganasummertree @stahlords @lfh1226-linda @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite @captainswan-kellie @motherkatereloyshipper @soniccat @jrob64 @beckettj @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jonesfandomfanatic @zaharadessert @bluewildcatfanatic @once-upon-a-happy-end @ultraluckycatnd

#cs ff #captain swan #ouat #ouat ff #cs fic #shady-swan-jones fic list

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snowbellewells · 20 hours

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I went digging into my eleventy-billion ideas scattered throughout my drive to bring you a list of either last words or close to what I wrote last on the docs. I tried to make sure there wasn’t smut in the lines, but I did curse.

Hopefully this kick starts the muse. She’s been hibernating while real life goes crazy.

@captainswanwipwednesdays

Untitled 1776 fic

With a quick check of herself in the mirror, she threw a shawl around her shoulders and shut the door quietly. When she was certain Arthur wouldn’t see the fear on her face, she opened the door and stepped towards him before Arthur or his men could enter her house again.

Blackberry Summers

“I would give my entire fortune to know those thoughts.” He murmured as he leaned close enough to trail a finger down her cheek. “What was it that made you blush, Swan?”

@teamhook’s fic

“You should learn how to tie one of these things”

“Why? It gives you a sense of accomplishment”

Ice Castles

Her brow furrowed again and she pouted slightly. “What are we doing?”

“I think it’s time a certain Swan took flight.” He kissed the tip of her nose before he picked her up in his arms and stepped onto the ice.

Rear Window

How had she missed that? Emma immediately sent a text to Will before groaning into her pillow. She was completely fucked.

Fairest chapter 5

“I’ve already made an appointment at Ella’s for dress shopping!” Her aunt looked like she might pop from excitement.

Killian wrapped his arms around her waist. This wedding was going to be an explosion of tulle, but at least she wouldn’t be wearing the feather dress.

Untitled A/B/O Smut

“Probably.” He chuckled and brushed a kiss to her shoulder. “But I should probably get some clothes on?”

“In the washer.” She hummed. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Untitled A/B/O

The pull to hold her was too strong to ignore this time. Emma buried her face in his chest as the tears wracked her body. When she finally calmed, she pulled back to meet his eyes. He had no idea what she was looking for, but she found it and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him closer.

Her scent gland was right beside his nose and whatever she was producing made his head swim. He was vaguely aware of her standing on his feet as she tucked herself against him. It didn't matter. She could step on him all she wanted if it meant she'd stay here.

Untitled Supernatural fic

Squeak. Squeak. Squeaksqueaksqueaksqueaksqueak SQUEAK. Squeak. SQUEAK. SqueaksqueakSQUEAKsqueaksqueak SQUEAK. Squeak. Squeak. Squeaksqueaksqueaksqueaksqueak SQUEAK.

A Charming Curse

“You do know who you’re talking to, Miss Charming?” The smooth voice was pure malice.

“You came to me for help, not the other way around.” I shouted at him. “Go find someone who wants magic.”

Captain Who - Eleventh Hour

The crack snapped shut and Olivia stared at her blank bedroom wall, “Who was that?” She asked him. “Was that Prisoner Zero?”

Captain Who - The Snowmen (for @everything-person )

“Snow that can remember? That’s silly.” Was she teasing him? Bloody hell.

“What’s wrong with silly?” He felt a smile tug his lips despite his sour mood. Bloody hell this mood had lasted longer than some of his previous regenerations.

“Nothing. I’m still talking to you.” There it was again. That smirk in her voice, the light in her eyes. A century or two ago, he would have thought she was flirting, but that wasn’t possible anymore. Was it?

“What’s your name?” His manners were a little rusty, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“Emma.” Her smile grew brighter.

“That’s a nice name. Emma.” He turned to return home. “You should definitely keep it.”

How I Met Your Mother

“Didn’t my sister tell you? I was able to catch an earlier flight.” She asked and she draped her coat on the chair. “What’s going on?”

The door burst open as a red haired woman tumbled in. She was followed by a tall muscular blond man with a sandwich nearly falling from his mouth as he navigated the steps. “Liam! Elsa gets in early! Oh…hey Elsa!”

Cordially Invited

“It’s why I came looking for you, Captain. You requested my last two dances, did you not?” She smiled mischievously and handed him her dance card. K Jones was written in the last two entries.

Kaos

Granny, Ruby, and Leroy were having a heated argument when a disembodied female voice interrupted: I’m having trouble understanding you. Playing Shake it Off by Taylor Swift.”

A song filled the dining room and Leroy tugged something from deep in his pockets. “No!” He growled at the talking phone.

Only Murders in the Building

"I swear if you apologize for that, I'll make you wait 10 more years." She rasped.

He rested his forehead against her and chuckled quietly. "I would despair if you did."

Sparkling Cyanide

Six people were thinking about Regina Mills-Gold who had died nearly a year ago.

Citadel

The metal scraping of a chair on the floor made Killian’s eyes throb in pain. Bloody hell. His head was already pounding.

Archie sat across from him and leaned his trusty umbrella against his chair. “Alright, Agent Jones, care to tell me what happened?”

Killian closed his eyes and focused his glare on the inside of his eyelids. “I told you already.” He took a breath and met eyes like chips of ice. “I returned home with my wife.”

Archie drew out his tablet and a pen as he began tapping on a screen. “Right. And who would that be?”

“Olivia Rogers.” He replied.

Parabellum

In the ashes of his happiness something else took shape. If he couldn’t be a better man for her, he could become their worst nightmare.

They should have left him in peace.

Untitled Mashup

"My father loved Egypt so much, he married my mother, who was an Egyptian" Killian Jones to Emma Swan after drinking rum for the first time.

@teamhook ’s Christmas

Someone like Emma deserved better. She deserved a better man that he had been or could hope to be. Maybe, he could give her back her sibling.

I’m Wishing

He chuckled at the odd turn of phrase, but before he could inquire about the relevance of the temperature, the door opened to a stooped, wrinkled old woman with stringy gray hair looking painted. What had Ruby called it? A cartoon?

Death on the Nile

She tilted her head to look at her husband. He truly was beautiful in the sunlight. His big blue eyes sparkled at her when he smiled. She traced the tip of one elven ear with her fingertip and laughed when he caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. For a few moments, she allowed herself to be swept away by the depth of love she saw reflected back in his eyes.

Code: Omega

Killian sighed when his cubicle mate, Ariel, brought him coffee and a danish from her coffee run. "Lass, if Eric doesn't propose soon, we should talk."

"Ha!" She grinned. "You'd never be able to afford me."

"A man can dream." He chuckled. "You are an angel. Thank you."

Aunt Soolie

“Natural?” West looked furious. “Well it might be natural for a sardine, but this girl’s father put me in charge of making sure she grows up to be a proper lady. Which is why tomorrow at 8 o’clock, I’ll be taking this girl to St Meissa Academy and you will only get your depraved hands on her Christmas and summer and I wish I could find a way to stop you from that!”

Blind Date

Emma pressed against him as he drove to the restaurant. She caught the tip of his ear between her teeth and he nearly drove into the other lane. “God your scruff is so sexy. I wanna know how it feels between my legs.”

Traveling Storm

Late that afternoon, they arrived at a clearing and he felt panic set in. A woman grabbed a young girl with blonde curls, but the child slipped past to run away from the house. “Papa!” she shrieked over and over before Teach picked her up and walked back inside. The woman shouted and ran for him, but he grabbed her by the throat and took them both inside.

Tag!

——————-

@jrob64 @resident-of-storybrooke @lfh1226-linda @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite @motherkatereloyshipper @soniccat @beckettj @zaharadessert @winterbaby89 @earanemith @everything-person @elizabeethan @elfiola @anmylica @booksteaandtoomuchtv @tiganasummertree @teamhook @caught-in-the-filter @ilovemesomekillianjones @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jonesfandomfanatic @kmomof4 @laianely @stahlop @gingerchangeling @hollyethecurious @exhaustedpirate @ultraluckycatnd @xarandomdreamx @belovedcreation @shady-swan-jones @ohmakemeahercules @bdevereaux-blanche

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the tags 💜

#undercaffinatednightmare fics #captainswanwipwednesdays #cs writing challenge #wip wednesday #great cs fic ideas

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snowbellewells · 1 day

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Happy 32nd birthday to my sibling @awesomepaste who requested Boromir and Faramir being happy for their birthday present. And why shouldn't they get to be happy?

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snowbellewells · 1 day

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Happy Happy Birthday Jennifer!! @whimsicallyenchantedrose

So, while I wasn’t able to write you a brand new birthday story this year, I thought it might be fun to highlight my all-time favorites of your stories. You were the first fandom friend I met and interacted with, we talked the show and plot points and character development together, and you helped me begin to navigate Tumblr back when I first joined. It’s been a gift to know you all that time, and your writing is a gift to us all! You’ve written so many GREAT stories that it was hard to narrow down, but I have settled on my top half dozen at last to highlight for your special day -- with some cover art for a few of them!!! 💖 Hope this gift serves to remind you of all you’ve written and created and how much all of it - and you!! - are loved. 🥰

The Strongest Magic - This short MC is one of your very early works - a Neverland season 3a divergent tale, but where it diverges gives us powerful adventure and emotion, sacrifice, and much earlier admission and acceptance of the love between our Pirate and Princess. I simply adore it - it squeezes your heart for sure, but it also wraps you up in a wonderful happy ending by the time you are finished.

A Wish Your Heart Makes , Getting to I Do & Mysterious Fathoms Below - This series of longer, connected multi-chapters (The "By Land or By Sea" trilogy) is simply EPIC!!! I don't know how to sing the praises of this story half as much as it deserves. There's adventure in the Enchanted Forest, Camelot, and even under the sea! There's so much beautiful love story for CS (and even some lovely, redemptive Outlaw Queen as well), and @whimsicallyenchantedrose even incorporates some unexpected and perfectly cast characters of myth and legend and her own creation alongside our faves. I don't want to give too much away, but these stories MUST BE read! Once you do, you'll want to read them over and over again.

Happily Ever After - This short MC was originally part of your Fluffy Fridays compilation, and I have often revisited the few chapters of this on their own and definitely think of them as their own little stand-alone story. I love the family recipes, the competition, the rivalry that becomes something much sweeter.... it's a truly delicious addition to your collection of writing!

Caribbean Shores - This lovely little MC reads more like a modern day AU, though they are in Storybrooke and many of our favorite characters still appear. I love the cute sweetness of this one, and the adorable addition of a few scheming cuties from MM's class when she takes them for a field trip tour of the Jolly Roger from Killian. ;) All the sizzle and attraction is there for Emma and Killian right from the start, and though she tries to resist (Why is she always so stubborn?!?) She can't do it for long...

Under the Apple Tree - It's hard to even express how much I adore this fic originally written between season six and season seven of canon. The way @whimsicallyenchantedrose wove in what we knew might be coming in season seven and then supposed what still could happen (a lot of which I would have loved to really see!) is simply brilliant. I love the relationships explored and the way the plot unfolds. It's a special and unique version of our beloved characters, and of course the unstoppable power of Captain Swan to always find each other again is fully on display too! ;p

Until the Stars are all Alight - Wow, this story must have been such a daunting task to undertake - one I would have been afraid to tackle, but the skill with which the OuaT world and the LotR world are woven together, how the plotlines come together and reach fruition, and how the characters coincide for best use so seamlessly is truly admirable and just adds to the depth and power of this full multi-chapter adventure. It has heart and hope and True Love conquering all - all the best things we love so much from the world of fairy tales and the brain of J.R. R. Tolkien!

#birthday wishes #happy birthday to @whimsicallyenchantedrose #fandom friends #fandom birthday

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snowbellewells · 1 day

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Happy Happy Birthday Jennifer!! @whimsicallyenchantedrose

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snowbellewells · 4 days

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It's Time to Get to Know Your Mods!

Please give a warm welcome to one of the creators (and the biggest cheerleader) of this event @kmomof4!

Name

Krystal

How long have you been a part of the CS fandom?

I joined fandom summer of ‘16 after bingeing all 4 1/2 seasons the summer and fall of ‘15. I watched 5b week to week and couldn’t get enough of CS when the season was over, so after a Google search, I found a Facebook page dedicated to them and joined it, followed by making my Tumblr account in August.

What is your favorite part about fandom?

The relationships. My very best friends in the world were met through fandom and I can’t imagine my life without them!

What drew you to this event?

It’s my baby!!! After a discussion with @snowbellewells in the fall of ‘17 about the WOEFUL lack of werewolf Killian fics out there, the idea was born. After a series of discussions with @winterbaby89 and @hollyethecurious, I gauged interest in a supernatural themed event and was BLOWN AWAY by the response!!! Summer of ‘18 was our inaugural year, and it has been a FANTASTIC run!! I’m very excited to see what everyone involved comes up with this summer for our final year!

Will you be participating either as a writer or artist? If so, what will you be doing?

Both!!! I have two OS's written- the first very loosely inspired by Dracula and the other a werewolf fic. I figured since it was the last year, it was appropriate to write fics featuring the original inspirations for the event!!! I'll also be doing art for Joni!

What do you do in your "real life?"

I’m a retired homeschool mom, but I haven’t worked outside the home since my first child was born 26yrs ago. Now, with my kids all grown, I’m more of a life coach than anything.

What are you most looking forward to in this event?

All the new supernatural content, of course!!!

This has been a spectacular event for many years Krystal, and we're looking forward to both of your stories on July 3 and Aug 22 and your art!

#cssns24 #get to know the mods #kmomof4

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snowbellewells · 4 days

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Love this idea so much!! I need the motivation!!

CS WIP Wednesday Challenge (an evergreen list)

A new WIP writing challenge every week! Dust off your keyboards and bust out your red pens, because we're summoning the muse whether she likes it or not 🧚‍♀️

Feel free to jump in and out as you please - just make sure to tag us so that we can reblog all your updates!

If the week's prompt doesn't work for you, write anything you want! Write what calls to you! Just write something! The same fic can also be used for more than one prompt!

Week 1

👻 The WIP haunting you most (you know which one it is - it's the first one that came to mind when you saw this challenge)

Week 2

👵 Your oldest posted WIP (can you even remember what year it was when that one first went up?)

Week 3

🥰 Your favorite WIP (which one do you actually WANT to be writing right now, regardless of what anyone else thinks of it)

Week 4

🕛 The WIP that has gone the longest without an update (have pity on us readers please)

Week 5

💡 The WIP that has all the notes/outline already done but you haven't managed to start (that's half the work done already!)

Week 6

🎂 The WIP you most recently updated (more cake!)

Week 7

🤏 Your shortest WIP (as in the one that will be the shortest, so short that you can totally write it... right? right.)

Week 8

🤷‍♀️ Any WIP - 500 words (shake that muse until words fall out - any words at all!)

Week 9

📜 Your longest WIP (look how many words you've already written! What's a few more?)

Week 10

🫶 Your WIP with the least amount of notes (let's give it the attention it deserves!)

Week 11

☝️ A oneshot WIP (come on, you can do it! It'll totally stay a oneshot....)

Week 12

🔥 That smutty WIP/scene you've been avoiding (suck it up and write the smut - or fade it to black - just don't let a little smut stop the story!)

Week 13

☹️ The WIP you started and abandoned/decided not to post (don't let that WIP be an orphan!)

Week 14

🙌 Your posted WIP with the most comments/kudos/notes (give the people what they want!)

Week 15

✍️ That one scene/bit of dialogue in a WIP you don't want to/haven't been able to write (make them do the thing or say the thing even if they do or say it badly!)

Week 16

🃏 Dealer's choice (whatever your heart desires, writers, that's all we want you to have)

Week 17

😈 A new WIP (You've already got so many on the go... what's one more?)

Week 18

😭 That WIP that's going to be so long and involved you don't even want to think about it (Time to bite the bullet and write that first/next sentence)

Week 19

🪈 The WIP you talked about but never started (we're waiting - time to pay the piper...)

Week 20

👀 Let someone else pick which WIP they'd love you to update (it's not peer pressure if it's your friends right?)

🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋

Feel free to send me any suggestions you might have and we can add them to the list - There will be a weekly post as well for each topic as a reminder.

Happy Writing!

#captain swan #wip wednesday #captainswanwipwednesdays #cs writing challenge #cs ff

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snowbellewells · 4 days

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favorite character meme | four relationships: daddy charming/with neal (¾)

#ouatedit #charmingedit #daddy charming #💕🩷💕

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snowbellewells · 5 days

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#captain swan

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snowbellewells · 5 days

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DAWSON'S CREEK (1998-2003) Season 3, Episode 21 - Show Me Love

#THESE TWOOOOOO #best use of friends to lovers and i'll fight you on that one #dawson's creek #pacey and joey #love them forever #my first real ship #before I even knew what ship meant

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snowbellewells · 5 days

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You gotta read this story folks -seriously! I really love it so much, I just can't even @belovedcreation!!! <3

In Another Life - Chapter 8/40 - A Pirate's Life

Banner by @snowbellewells Read on A03

After being taken by pirates, Princess Emma of Misthaven finds herself held for ransom on the high seas. But in the time it takes the pirate Captain Killian Jones to reunite her with her family, the two begin a dangerous game of pretend, imagining a different life, one where their forbidden love can come into the light. Their hope for a life together eventually leads them on a rescue mission that will change them both forever and make them confront old fears and unforeseen futures.

In the morning, Emma awakes with her legs tangled with Hook’s and her hand at his hip and her cheek against his chest. She sits up and realizes that he is already awake, looking at her, but not with that hunger from yesterday, but some sort of quiet peace. She half-expects him to kiss her or draw her hand down between his legs. Instead, he pushes hair behind her ear with his stump and gives her a small smile.

“Good morning, Miss Emma.”

“Good morning, Captain.”

The morning continues as it has all the days before, her quickly making her way to the kitchens to help Bart with his preparations for the breakfast and the rest of the day’s meals, but once all of the crew have queued up for their food, the cook dismisses her with a grunt that, “The Captain will string me up by the bollocks if I let you stay another minute.” Shaking the image from her mind, Emma makes her way above deck.

Though she had spent most of her time so far below deck, Bart had never kept her slaving away all day long. He had ordered her to take some breaks and to get fresh air several times throughout the day. She’s familiar enough with the sight of the deck and receives no confused looks when she climbs up the ladder and out of the hatch.

Hook is at the helm.

For a moment, Emma observes him unseen. His hand and his moniker each hold a spoke of the great wheel, legs wide apart to better brace himself for the work of keeping the ship on course. The strong sea breeze sends his long coat flapping around his knees. He had been wearing that coat the first time she saw him, watched it whirl and spin as he had battled Flint. But in the cabin, since that first morning, he has been without it. He seems to stand differently with his coat on again, seeming more like a pirate captain and less like the man who debated the virtues of honesty with her.

In his cabin, he was gentle.

Here, on his deck, among his men, wearing his thick leather coat and brandishing his hook, he is legend.

Emma hesitates. And then the sea breeze kicks up again and it ruffles his wild midnight locks. Emma is struck by a desire to do the same, to run her fingers through his hair, and when he turns abruptly, spots her, and his face breaks into a grin, she determines that she shall do so at her earliest opportunity.

“Miss Emma.” He drops his moniker from the wheel to give her a jaunty bow.

“Captain Hook.” She dips into a dainty curtsy.

With his namesake, Hook beckons her forward until she steps up to the helm, and then he resumes his previous position, this time with her body trapped between him and the great wheel.

“Take a hold of it,” he says, loud enough to be heard over the sounds of the waves crashing and the men around them working, but still quiet enough that no one is eavesdropping. She places her hands right under his hand and hook, uncertain. “Grasp it nice and firm, love.” His voice is deep and rough at her ear, and though Emma has been sheltered in many of the ways of the world, she is clever enough to recognize an innuendo when she hears one. His hand slides down until it is covering hers and he encourages her to grip the spoke tighter. “Nothing to be afraid of.”

For several delicious minutes, locked between Hook and the wheel, he teaches her the basics of how to steer and just how firm her grip needs to be. In fact, well before she wishes, he calls one of his men to take over, and leads her away from the helm with his hand at the small of her back.

Over the course of the morning, Hook thoroughly explains the different parts of the ship, how and why to raise the sails, the mechanics of traveling across the sea, what different ships look and sail like, and the requirements to continue to care for his ship.

Emma hardly thinks that she should mention that, in fact, his ship, The Jolly Roger is really her ship, The Jewel of the Realm.

By the time the sun has reached her zenith, Emma confesses that she has taken dozens of voyages during her life and has not had anyone take the time to teach her as he has.

The corners of Hook’s mouth turn down at that. “Bloody shame then, miss. Any sailor with a true love for the sea would trip over himself to teach a lovely lass like yourself all he knows about sailing.”

Emma considers all the ships she’s been on and all the sailors that gave the princess a wide berth. They were only being proper. But at a cost to her education and learning a love for something as exciting and beautiful as this morning. And then she is struck with a wonderment.

“So how many lovely lasses have you taught about sailing, Captain?”

He freezes as though he has been struck, and for a wild moment, Emma thinks he might have, freezing herself so she might look him over for a stab wound. But the way his face has grown dark betrays the depth of emotion her simple teasing question has brought on.

“Only one.”

And she remembers the tattoo on his forearm, a dagger and a heart and a woman’s name. Is she the one?

At any moment, Emma expects to be dismissed. She has obviously vexed him. Emma watches, waiting, but whatever storm had risen passes again, and then he blinks back to the present and continues his lesson as though nothing had happened.

-/-

Having taught her some of the basics of sailing, (“Even a cabin boy knows more, lass,”), Hook has her do a few simple tasks throughout the afternoon, offering her either a sardonic eyebrow or the applause of his hand against his hook, depending on her mastery. Like the work in the kitchens that she returns to in the late afternoon light, her muscles and mind find themselves pleasantly challenged in the exertions. She likes being a pirate. The freedom of this life on the seas is something she has never before known or dreamed of.

But Emma soon discovers that a life of piracy is more than a life of independent sailing. One afternoon, after helping Bart take inventory and make a list of needed provisions, Emma enters the captain’s quarters and is surprised to find it occupied by not only Hook, but also his First Mate, Smee. A large map is spread across his deck and both men bend over it quite seriously. Hook barely spares her a glance when she enters, but Smee keeps his eye on her longer, no doubt still forming an opinion on the prisoner who has been allowed a great deal of latitude.

��Miss Emma,” says the Captain by way of greeting.

“Captain,” she replies sweetly. Smee’s eyes narrow a bit, but then he nods and turns his attention back to the map. Intrigued, Emma crosses the cabin and looks over Hook’s shoulder. “The Southern Isles?”

Hook’s gaze shifts to her and he observes her for a moment, seeming to consider something. He must come to a decision, because he asks, “Have you traveled there before?”

Emma has never had reason to travel so far from Misthaven before. Although she is familiar with the geography of lands across the Enchanted Forest, she can answer honestly when saying, “I haven’t had the pleasure.”

Hook hums. “So you won’t be recognized when we dock there?”

“Captain, I thought-”

“Quiet, Smee,” Hook cuts off his First Mate without a look. “Answer the question, miss.”

Having no idea what he is about, Emma chooses to be honest again. “No, I wouldn’t.” Unless she were to be taken to the palace and meet up with King Arvid or Ambassador Magnus, no one else in the Southern Isles would know her to be Princess Emma of Misthaven.

Hook’s hand rises from where it is braced on the desk to scratch at the hairs on his chin. “Miss Emma, how are you with the art of deception? Are you capable of playing a part?”

If he knew she were the daughter of the infamously truthful Snow White, he would never consider asking such a question. Throughout her life, every person has always assumed her beyond lies or even exaggerations, taking each of her stories at face value. Emma has been able to use that trust to her advantage more than once, from being able to get extra cakes and sweets from the kitchens to hand picking her ladies in waiting. And, of course, there is the small matter of how she has managed to keep her true identity a secret for almost two weeks.

“I am excellent at that, Captain.”

Hook’s eyes flash with delight and he places his hand back on the map, firmly tapping at the northernmost island. “Our first stop shall be Sunspring Island, Smee. We will gather all the provisions we need to make our way to Port Erikson and then immediately make our way as far east as possible before we are discovered.”

His First Mate’s mouth has become a thin line, trying to hold back his disapproval of his Captain’s plan, but Smee seems to know better than to talk back, because he rolls up the map without the order and tucks it with its compatriots on a wall shelf. He salutes Hook, who nods and says, “Back to the deck, Smee,” and allows the man in the red cap to exit.

Crossing his arms, Hook surveys her for a long moment. Emma has become used to his gazes and has begun to categorize them. Hungry, amused, surprised, annoyed, impressed. But now he is sizing her up and Emma crosses her own arms, wondering how he will find her.

“Have you enjoyed pretending to be my woman, Emma?”

She is proud that no blush works its way across her face. Meeting his gaze evenly, she simply nods. “Yes.” To be held in his arms as they sleep, to feel the weight of his hand on hers when they share a meal, to be the recipient of his rare, sincere smiles, she has enjoyed it immensely. Although she is fully aware that his willingness to pretend would extend further, to kisses and coupling, she has been content with these simple intimacies. In four week’s time, she shall return to her true life and she imagines that allowing Hook to touch her body in such a way would allow him to touch her heart.

Emma receives one of those genuine smiles now, and the way he drops his arms and holds them out slightly makes his desires clear. She steps forward and into his embrace. Her hands anchor at the small of his back and his arms wrap around her shoulders. For a few minutes, he only holds her and she almost forgets that she had interrupted some sort of planning and managed to get involved.

“I need your help.”

The sense of command has left his voice, and Emma can feel the abrupt switch between the Captain to a member of his crew and a man making a request of his lady. Emma pulls her head back from his chest so she might look in his face.

Her response flies to her lips so quickly that even she is startled. “Anything.”

Hook’s eyebrows shoot up, and then his arms tighten, holding her close again, and she feels his mouth press against the hair at the top of her head. “Anything, my darling, anything?” No innuendo in his tone, only wonder.

Emma shrugs into his chest and backtracks a bit. “Just tell me what you need,” she says as lightly as she can manage.

He leads her to the table and bids her sit across from him. “There is a man in Port Erikson who is expecting to meet a merchant by the name of Sir Tristian. The man will hand off a large and profitable shipment of goods to be sold by Sir Tristian with the expectation that he will receive payment at a later date.”

Emma grins, catching on to the ruse. “And yet he shall never see Sir Tristian again.”

Hook winks. “Right you are.”

“How do you know that this Sir Tristian will not arrive for the meeting?”

He removes an envelope from his voluminous coat. “Because I have managed to purloin his invitation. Such a pity that mail service is so unreliable.” His mock sympathy makes her laugh.

“Sounds like an ingenious plan. Whyever do you need my help?”

Hook tucks the envelope back from whence it came and leans back in his chair. “Sir Tristian never travels anywhere without his lover, the exiled Princess Isolde, with whom he shares True Love.”

Emma’s heart pounds even as her mind spins with the implications of his words. “Princess?” she asks to start.

The look the Captain gives her is kind, not accusatory, and the way he sits forward to run his thumb across the apple of her cheek assures her that he does not suspect her true identity. “Aye, a princess. We had planned for me to employ a whore or play actress, but I rather suspect you will sell the role of princess better than any commoner. There is no disguising your good breeding, Miss Emma.” He tilts his chin down and gives her a playful smile. “Or should I say Princess?”

Emma wrinkles her nose. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

Hook chuckles and his fingers trace the line from her cheek, across her neck and shoulder, and down her arm until he can grasp her hand in his own. “You may not be a princess, but I believe you could pass for one. You are certainly as lovely as any I have ever seen.”

Desperate to change the topic of conversation away from royalty, or risk exposing the truth, Emma asks, “And you would be a merchant?”

Hook nods. “Aye. A former knight, in fact. Now a man who lives on the run after absconding with a king’s bride.” Seeing Emma’s look of shock, Hook grins. “My love, have you never before heard the tale of Tristian and Isolde?”

#captain swan #cs ff #cs au #in another life #chapter eight #major CS Fic rec #such a talented shipmate

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