characters: emma swan, killian jones
words: 900
summary: emma gives killian a key to her apartment.

a/n: a modern day courtship will be a collection of drabbles centered on emma and killian navigating through 21st century dating. i have lots of ideas, but i'm definitely open to hearing from you guys if you have some of your own. let me know! :)

the key

"So, don't, like, make a big deal out of this or anything, but I have something for you," Emma said one day to Killian as they were getting a bite to eat at Granny's.

"It's not another one of those cellyfone things, is it?" he asked, eyeing her warily.

"No, not after what you did with the last one," she said dryly. Who knew texting would be so hard with a hook for a hand? "No, you'll actually know how to use this."

Emma reached into her bag, found what she was looking for, and slowly slid it across the table, watching his reaction intently. He stared at the object for a long moment, cocking his head to the side, before looking back at her, the cutest confused expression on his face, and damn it, she'd really been hoping she wouldn't have to explain this one to him.

"It's a key," he stated with no small amount of uncertainty. His brow was furrowed adorably and Emma had to restrain herself from reaching across the booth and smooth it out. "I'm sorry, darling, I fail to see the significance."

"It's not just any key," Emma stressed, trying to keep her voice as low as possible. If the town gossips, namely Ruby, got word of this, she'd never hear the end of it. "It's a key to my apartment."

Silence. He stared blankly at her and it felt like she was speaking a different language, which, well, maybe she was. "I see," he said finally, but it was clear that he didn't.

And even though she'd warned him not to make a big deal out of it, she allowed herself to feel a little disappointed. She'd wanted some sort of reaction because, hello, this was major! She had never given a guy the key to her apartment before, had never wanted to let them into her life beyond casual dating and one night stands. A key to her apartment was a huge deal for someone like her who'd spent the better part of her adult life alone, shutting people out.

She and Killian had been dating for the better part of a year now, though, and she'd never imagined she could possibly be this happy. Emma couldn't explain it, but the two of them just fit together perfectly in every way. They challenged each other, supported one another, and she'd never felt so loved or cherished in her whole life. Once Mary Margaret and David had moved into their own place, Killian had become a frequent guest at the loft, staying over more nights than not; he even had his own drawer in her room, which had been a whole nother conversation. Giving him a key of his own had seemed like the next logical step.

"I've upset you," he said, worry lines creasing his forehead. "This is another one of those modern courtship rituals that I don't understand, yes? Like the toothbrush thing?"

An amused snort escaped her. "Kind of," Emma told him. She took a deep breath. "In terms of 21st century dating, giving someone a key to your place is, well, huge. It's more symbolic than anything, I guess. It says: I love you, I trust you, I want to take our relationship to the next level. I've, well, I've never given anyone the key to my apartment," she added, suddenly feeling self conscious.

"Not even Baelfire?" he asked quietly, watching her intently in that way that always made her feel like he could see right through her.

Emma just shook her head. She didn't want to explain that she in Neal had spent more time living in their car than in an actual apartment.

Killian's eyebrows went up to his hairline as he processed that, and his eyes were wide with awe as he looked from her to the key again, and yes, thank you, that was the reaction she had been looking for.

"And now you've chosen me to be the recipient," he said carefully, as if she was going to take it back.

"Well, my other boyfriend was out of town this week so…"

"We're having a moment here, Swan, don't ruin it," Killian chastised half-heartedly, his blossoming smile nearly blinding her. He sobered up for a moment, sliding his hand across the table to grasp hers. "I'm honored, love, truly I am. Thank you."

"It's just a key," Emma said with an anxious shrug, suddenly trying to play it cool.

Killian smiled again. "Of course it is," he conceded, and she loved that he knew so well when to push her and when to hold back.

He really was such a good sport about everything. "It certainly doesn't mean I actually like you or anything," she quipped, playfully stealing some whip cream off the top of her hot chocolate and popping it in her mouth.

"Oh, I would never dare to presume such a thing, love."

She laughed at that, shaking her head at him fondly and entwining their fingers together.

"I wish I had something to give you in return, Emma," Killian said, drawing their hands up to press a kiss to the back of her palm. "But seeing as you've already stolen the key to my heart, I'll call it even."

When he said things like that, she couldn't keep her heart from fluttering or the schoolgirl blush from rising to her cheeks.

"You are so corny. Do you even hear yourself?"

"You love it."

He was right, of course. She did.