"Fragile hearts... always did break too easily..."

He put his hand over the hood of the car. The little yellow bug that belonged to her. A car he knew she loved.
It was all he had left of her besides that infernal dagger. But he didn't dare look at it, her name engraved on it's metal mocked him.
It served as a reminder that she gave herself to darkness, tethered herself to it.
He was angry at her for doing so, but he knew it was in everyone's best interest. But why did it have to be her? He rather it be Regina or anyone else, honestly. Just not her.
Her last words echoed in his mind every moment since she had left. The three words that she was so incredibly scared to say, to admit, and she had said them. Not even giving him time to respond - to tell her he loves her too. More than anything.
He wishes he would of said them earlier - because when you least know it... it's too late to speak them.

"Killian?"

He turned instantly, not believing his own eyes. The brokenness evident in his gaze.
She was there.
Dressed in black from head to toe. The ebony contrasting beautifully against her features.
Was she really here? Was she really back?
Maybe he was hallucinating, making a picture his mind would like to see.

"Missed me?" A smile played on her lips.

Her voice was silky sweet, laced with danger and seduction all at the same time. The voice that of a siren.
She sounded like one, luring her victims to their grave.

All he could do was look at her, not being able to cope with the fact that she was in his presence.

"Swan?"

She walked closer, swaying her hips with the rhythm of her step. Once she was in front of him, minimal inches from his face, chests pressed together while her fingers curled around the leather collar of his jacket, he could notice the difference in her complexion.

Her skin was somehow sparkling, like she had nano diamonds glued to the flesh. Her once blonde curls now a pale white, no longer flowing down in waves. Her eyes vividly green - eyes that enticed whoever looked into them. Her lips a vibrant red - making them all the more desirable to kiss for him.

"Is it really you?" His voice was low, a soft whisper that was barely audible.

"Yes." She tittered, "It's me."

He put his hand and hook by her waist, holding her there, afraid she would slip away again.

"What happened to you?"

"Doesn't matter," she smiled, "I'm here now."

Their foreheads were touching, noses brushing as she spoke, "I have to say, I've missed you."

"I'm so sorry, Emma..."

She laughed slightly, tilting her head to the side in wonderment, "For what? None of this was your fault."

"I let you go. I shouldn't have let you go." Tears began to gather in his eyes, "I should have said it back."

"Don't blame yourself, Killian. This was my choice."

A moment of silence passed by. The both of them holding each other close, eyes closed, wanting nothing but to be together. He had missed her so much. So damn much. And then she was back here, just like nothing, like she had never left. But she had, and during that little time he felt as if he had a ton of weight above his chest.

"Kiss me." She said, a sensual demand in her voice.

He lifted his eyes, looking into those emerald ones that he had longed to gaze into for nights. He really wanted to kiss her, to do more even. But some part of him felt that it was wrong... Why?

She leaned in just a tad, teasing the mere space between their lips, "Come on, Killian. I know you want to." Her tone a song not containing it's melody. A sound oh so tempting.

The brush and warmth of her breath against his skin was enough to drive him into delirium, to make him kiss her and hold her right there, not caring who watched.

At last, he leaned in with closed eyes, expecting to be granted the softness of her mouth. But was instead greeted with absolute nothing, with emptiness. He felt her fade beneath his touch.
Opening his eyes, he realized she was gone. Again.
Nothing but a blank space before him, just as it had been before.

The pressure against his chest returned, the need of having her there coming back.
Tears started to sting his eyes again.
She had actually come. His Emma had come back. But then she left again like none of it had occurred.

Why was she doing this? Playing with his thoughts?

A knot built in his throat, preventing him to swallow. He truly just wanted to sink to his knees and pour his heart out. To cry. To call out to her until she returned. Wanting nothing more but her.

Finally, the troubled words left his lips...

"I love you, too."