Wonderful chapter as always!

Amazing chapter! I love this version of the myth. :)

Lovely chapter!

Wonderful chapter!

Um ok I LOVEEE! I need more!

Please add more.

God, these two. Such idiots.

Have I ever mentioned that I freaking love them falling asleep together by accident? And, man, instead of rushing apart from each other, all those lovely little intimate moments. Killian's arms around her, them staring into each other's eyes when Killian brushed her hair behind her ear, Killian brushing his nose against hers and presumably fighting the urge to kiss her, Emma reassuring him about his hair, Killian catching her hand. Not to mention Killian and the pillow!

Thank GOD Emma decided to actually say something. I loved how Killian (Killian) was so shocked he was speaking in monosyllables. It reminded me of when Emma asked him out on the show and he threw the dart at the wall. But even there he recovered fast enough to sort of quip something back. Here, you could tell he was just completely floored. And also afraid to really say anything, lest this miracle stop occurring. So good to see him realize what she was saying and kiss her.

Their date was sweet. The horse riding together, nice touch. So wonderful to see Killian back on the ocean. I wonder how he would have reacted if Emma hadn't been there with him, to make him realize there could be more to home than the Jolly Roger.

Rumpelstiltskin, of course, can't leave them alone. But Emma's suggestion, whoa. The fact that she would even suggest it, given how skittish she is when it comes to her great, tells me just how much she trusts Killian. This is a very interesting turn.

Except now I've run out of story! I hope you're coming back to this story. I really like it!

I just love Killian entertaining thoughts about him and Emma and then immediately trying to slap them down. Also, I love that he suggested they basically tell the Hades/Persephone story as an excuse for her being there.

Huh, so that's what happened to the gods. Wow. That's crazy. But still, like, totally something Rumpelstiltskin would do.

Ooh, time stopped there for a second, when Emma asked about Milah. But Killian actually told her about it, which is really pretty good progress for him. Why did Rumpelstiltskin hate Killian before, if it wasn't because of Milah?

Loved Killian suddenly realizing that he trusts her (and not quite realizing that he'd follow her anywhere, even if it's clear to the rest of us). That moment, though, by the lake, when Killian told her he could send the barrels anywhere, but so certain that this would be the end of their acquaintance, while Emma is just completely struck by how willing he is to help her for no benefit to himself... Just, beautifully done.

Also, adorable that Killian blushed when she called him on the silliness of his excuse to run away.

The way Killian is completely unable to handle a compliment is one of my favorite things. His reaction to Emma noticing how much he cares was special because that is both a trait that is so central to who he is but also something he feels has done little but cause him pain. The litany of past-tense loves broke my heart. Beautiful that Emma seemed to recognize how emotional that made him and offer a bit of her own painful history in return.

The awkward conversation that followed him giving her the flower was just delightful. "He's like a damn schoolboy, unable to straighten himself out enough to admit he has a bloody crush. Which isn't what he has, he doesn't - it isn't like that. Well, it is, but -" Delightful.

"...enough to make him feel the familiar pangs of longing. Which, of course, aren't at all familiar in the decades he's been starved of the feeling." This is such a painfully wonderful observation, applicable to this Killian but also canon Killian. It hurts me the way that Killian knows exactly how this feels, he remembers and recognizes it in himself immediately, but at the same time it has been SO LONG since he's felt like that. Heartbreaking.

Aha! So there is a Neal (well, a Baelfire) in Emma's past!

Gotta love Emma's actions-not-words approach! I could completely see Killian's total shock when she kissed him, and then also the way he desperately leaned into the kiss once he realized it was happening.

P.S. I think you mean "picturesque" not "picaresque," which means something entirely different.

Killian's loneliness and mourning for his home and the people he's lost makes me so sad.

Interesting that Emma seems to be the only person who's NOT an open book to Killian.

"That's your mistake, then, hoping." Breaks my heart.

Oh no, Roland? Poor sweet little guy. I cried when Killian and Emma talked to him.

Always what? What does Killian always do? Smee's protectiveness is interesting.

I like how Emma sees right through to how alone Killian really is. And what a lovely little moment, where they just kind of smiled at each other. Killian quietly appreciating her smile was cute.

Does Emma have a Neal in her past, breaking her heart and making her guard it as well?

I loved Killian berating himself for caring so much about impressing Emma, helping Emma, making Emma happy. It's adorable. And then his thoughts about how "it wouldn't bother him too much" if she stuck around awhile (ha), and how he was almost afraid to even wish she would stay for him.

God, I never get sick of the way Emma makes Killian hope.

What an interesting premise. I love the Greek gods and stories, so I really like the way you're not trying to squeeze the characters into their exact molds. They can still be themselves, even if they're also taking over the duties of gods. I particularly like that Killian still has his backstory (and is there a Milah there, too? he seems awfully angry at Rumpelstiltskin). He just doesn't seem like Killian without the sea in there somewhere. I'm so curious to see where this is going!

Yasssss

I don't think the story summary does this story justice. I'm really enjoying the shades of Olympian lore with Once story lines. Killian as the isolated Demi god of the underworld is heart rending. It's fun seeing Emma light him up. I love how pushy and bold she is while failing to aw knowledge her own inner drives. Two beautifully damaged individuals who make each other whole.

THIS IS SO GOOD. I cannot wait for more! This story is written so naturally, with the perfect amount of detail and time. It's a masterpiece! You are amazing!

Omg please, please, tell us what happens next! This story is so good. I know you said it's out of your comfort zone but reading it, it doesn't feel like it at all. I only read Strengeness and Charm from you before and I loved it. I love how you pace stories, what happens and also I love the way your Killian and Emma interact with each other. It's the right amount of tension, funny and hot. So please, if you can, finish this story! It's wonderful and I want wait to see what happens next.

I was reading this story the entire afternoon it's goddamn awesome. After strangeness and charm I was already in love with your writing but this story omg it has taken over my life. I really really hope you update soon !