CHAPTER SIX  —
( Heaven help a fool who falls in love )

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The women met up at The Rabbit Hole bar near the edge of the city centre for their girls' night out. Luna, Ashley, Mary Margaret, and Ruby sat on barstools and drank cocktails, and Ashley and Ruby also drank down shots.

"Pace yourself, Ashley," Mary Margaret chuckled lightly.

"I am! This is my first night out since I've had the baby. I'm making up for lost time." She quickly downed another shot.

"Yeah, girl!" Luna grinned at her. "I don't think I've gone out since I found out I was pregnant with Daisy."

Ruby leaned forward. "And that was, what, ten years ago?"

Luna frowned and thought about it but came up blank. "Yeah, around that."

Ruby looked across the bar towards a group of men, staring at the women while drinking their drinks. "Ooh, Ash, check out those guys."

Luna looked towards the men, and one of them sent her a wink, causing the brunette's face to heat up, and she quickly turned away. "Oh, honey, I'm still with Sean," Ashley reminded her.

Ruby raised her eyebrows. "You're not married, and he's not here."

Ashley sighed. "He's working."

Ruby huffed. "He's always working. Have fun moping!" She cheered her drink to the girls and then approached the men.

Ashley leant back on her seat. "She's right. He is always working. I thought love would be different."

Mary Margaret sighed. "Me, too." She sipped on her drink and then turned to Luna. "Do you have anyone in your life, Luna?"

Luna raised her eyebrows. "Me? Oh, god, no. I haven't been in the dating scene for a while."

"Since Daisy's father?" Ashley asked.

Luna let out a dry laugh. "For one night, he was. I don't even remember his name or what he looks like." She held her drink up. "I just remember that he was good in bed."

Mary Margaret sarcastically smiled. "Well, I think he sounds lovely."

Luna grinned back. "Oh yeah."

Mary Margaret then shook her head. "You know, girls' night's not working out for us."

Ashley frowned. "I thought it would make me feel better. But the truth is...I need a "be with my guy night". But he's never around. And I'm at home with the baby all day. I mean, what's the point of being together if we're not together?"

Mary Margaret nodded. "I get it. Loving someone you can't be with...it's a terrible, terrible burden."

Ashley suddenly pushed her chair back and stood up. "Look, this was a bad idea. I should—I should go home."

Luna frowned. "Ashley, don't go."

"Ashley."

The girls turned their heads to the bar entrance and saw a blonde-haired man standing there with roses in his hand. "Sean?" Ashley asked, her face lighting up.

Sean smiled lightly. "Hey."

"I thought that you were working tonight."

Sean nodded. "I am. It's my break, and I had to see you," he said, handing her a bouquet of roses. "And, ask you something." Suddenly, Sean got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Luna's eyes widened, and she reached out to grab Mary Margaret's arm as the two women stared at the scene. "Will you marry me?" Ashley stared at him in shock, causing Sean to laugh lightly. "I only have a twenty-minute break, so, um, anytime now."

"Yes!" Sean slid the ring onto her finger, and the two pulled into a kiss. Everyone in the bar applauded.

"My truck's outside if you want to take a ride before I head back to work," Sean told her. "I know it's not much of a date."

Ashley smiled. "It's the best date." The two quickly headed outside after Ashley bid Luna and Mary Margaret farewell.

Luna sighed softly after she watched them leave and looked down at the dragon ring on her finger. "I wish someone like that were out there for me," she mumbled.

Mary Margaret smiled softly. "I'm sure there is. You just haven't found them yet."

Luna raised her eyebrows. "And you?"

Mary Margaret laughed softly. "I believe in love. It's just...complicated." She then grabbed onto Luna's hands. "Look, please don't take offence to this. There's nothing wrong with you! I'm just—"

"Not enjoying yourself," Luna finished. "It's totally fine! You haven't hurt my feelings." She shrugged. "I have to admit that I'm not enjoying myself much as well. I haven't enjoyed Valentine's Day since, well, forever."

Mary Margaret smiled. "Alright then. Do you want to head out?"

"Yeah." The girls grabbed their bags and turned to face Ruby. "We're heading off, Ruby."

Ruby smiled and nodded. "Okay, well, I'm going to stay here. You two have a good night, yeah?"

"You too, Ruby," Mary Margaret waved, and the two exited the bar. When they made it outside, they saw that Ashley was joking around with Sean as she jumped into his truck.

"How's girls' night?"

Luna and Mary Margaret turned to see a man walking up to them. Luna frowned when she didn't recognise him. "David?" Mary Margaret asked. "What are you doing here?"

David looked at Luna, and she smiled. "Oh, hey, I'm Luna, a friend of Mary Margaret's."

He smiled and nodded, "I'm David."

There was a quick pause with Mary Margaret and David just staring at each other, so Luna pointed behind her, "Well, I'll just leave you two alone. Bye, Mary Margaret."

Mary Margaret smiled at her and replied, "See you tomorrow, Luna."

As Luna entered her apartment, she was greeted by the warm glow of the television that illuminated the room. Sprawled across the couch, Aella and Daisy were peacefully nestled together in deep slumber. Luna couldn't help but smile tenderly at the sight before her. She quickly fetched a cozy blanket and carefully draped it over them before switching off the television and going to bed.

Cordelia felt the wind flying through her hair as Ladon flew through the Enchanted Forest. When she saw a light in the distance, Cordelia patted the giant dragon, and he landed at the edge of the woods so that the village folk wouldn't see him. Ladon held his leg up, and Cordelia stepped onto it; the dragon lowered her to the ground. She ran a hand along the dragon's dark red, scaly skin, and he let out a soft, content sigh. "Go hunt for dinner, Ladon. Let Dratini know if you're in trouble, and we'll come straight out, okay?" she told her dragon, who bowed his head down to acknowledge what she said. "Love you, sweetheart."

Cordelia strolled through the small village by the ocean, her young dragon Dratini perched on her shoulder. People gasped and moved aside as she walked down the stone path, her head held high, her hair adorned with several braids and a long black dress with a red cape flowing behind her. She headed towards a small tavern where the bartenders knew her usual drink.

As she entered the tavern, the room fell silent. All the men stopped their conversations and drinking to stare at her. Unfazed, Cordelia approached a woman behind the bar. "The usual, please, Annika," she said.

The lady smiled. "Will do, Cordelia."

Cordelia made her way to a table in the back corner, where she enjoyed sitting alone, chatting with Dratini, and jotting down her latest adventures in her book. However, a plump man with a red beanie rushed toward her before she could start and sat opposite her.

"You're...You're her, aren't you?" He asked, his eyes widened in awe.

Cordelia arched an eyebrow. "Her? Who?"

He pointed at her. "You're her! The Queen!"

"I'm not the Queen."

He gazed at the dragon perched on Cordelia's shoulder. "But the dragon! I've only heard of one who can control dragons."

Cordelia arched her eyebrows. "I don't control them. You can't just control a dragon. The eggs hatch for whoever is worthy of being their mother, and that's me." Suddenly, Dratini snapped at the man, causing him to jump in his seat. "And I don't think she likes you very much."

"Mr. Smee, would you stop disturbing this beautiful woman," a man had said, placing his hand on Smee's shoulder. "It's clear she's not enjoying your company."

The man hurried to get out of the seat. "Sorry, Captain."

Cordelia watched the man hurry towards a group in the corner. "Captain, huh?" She asked the man who had taken Smee's place. "What are you the captain of?"

Cordelia's gaze shifted towards the man, and she was caught off-guard by what she saw. He exuded an air of attractiveness, adorned with light eyeliner that accentuated his captivating ocean-blue eyes, full lips and flawlessly chiselled facial structure. His dark, tousled hair appeared like the wind had tousled it while a neat layer of stubble graced his jawline. Cordelia, who had never been particularly attentive to men, found herself undeniably drawn to the man seated before her.

"The Jolly Roger," he replied, with a grin that showed off his pearly whites and took over his features. "Captain Killian Jones, m'lady."

Cordelia composed herself, resisting the urge to reveal her identity. Instead, she subtly gestured towards his left hand, which had been replaced with a gleaming hook. "That's quite an impressive hook you've got there. What's the story behind it?" Cordelia already knew how he had lost his hand, having been told the story by Rumplestiltskin before about a man who had sailed away with his ex-wife and, upon reconciling again, killed his wife and took the pirate hand.

"A crocodile took it from me, but that's a tale for another time," Killian responded, inclining his head towards her. "And what is your name, m'lady?"

"Here's your drink, Your Highness," the bartender said with a smile as she brought Cordelia's drink.

"Thank you so much, Annika," Cordelia replied warmly before the waitress hurried away.

"Highness?" Killian chuckled, his voice husky yet pleasant to the ears.

"Well, I don't usually go by titles, especially the ones people have come up with for me," Cordelia said with a slight smirk before sipping her drink.

Killian scanned her from head to toe and leisurely ran his tongue across his bottom lip. "Alright, Princess, what's your poison?" he inquired.

"Gin," Cordelia replied, then looked down at the drink Killian brought along. "You?"

"I'm more of a Rum person myself," he held it out towards Cordelia. "Care to give it a try?"

Cordelia confidently grabbed the drink from Killian and took a small sip, only to immediately cough and slam the glass back onto the table. "God, that is absolutely terrible! How can you even tolerate this stuff?"

Killian grinned, "It's an acquired taste, but don't worry, love, the more you drink it the less you notice it." He motioned towards Cordelia's drink. "May I have a taste of yours?"

Cordelia nodded and slid her glass towards him. "Go ahead."

After siping the gin, Killian grimaced and immediately set the glass down. "It tastes like tree," he declared.

Cordelia arched an eyebrow and chuckled softly. "Have you eaten a tree before, Captain?"

He gave her a look. "I've smelled them. So," Killian looked her up and down and then ran his tongue across his bottom lip. "Do you think I deserve your name now, m'lady?"

Cordelia hummed while Dratini let out a quiet noise. "You think he does?" Cordelia asked her dragon, turning to look at her. Killian watched the encounter with a curious expression as Cordelia turned back. "Cordelia."

"And why do they call you Queen?" he inquired.

"I am known as the Queen of Dragons."

He gestured toward Dratini. "I see, hence the dragon perched on your shoulder," he acknowledged.

Cordelia's smile widened. "That's right. She's Dratini, and my other one is outside."

Killian chuckled as he sized her up. "You know, I've heard you're trouble."

Arching her eyebrows, Cordelia replied, "Oh really? And where did you hear that from?"

"Every bloke I've crossed paths with," he responded.

"I'm sure you have, and I've heard you're trouble too," she said, tilting her head innocently. "Am I wrong?"

Killian smirked. "Where'd you hear that from?"

Cordelia smirked. "Every woman around these parts that I talk to."

Killian chuckled once more and nodded. "I like your attitude, Princess. Haven't encountered someone like you in a while."

She shrugged. "Well, I am unique." She looked down at his one good hand adorned with various pirate rings. "So, I assume you're a pirate if you're the Captain of the Jolly Roger, right?"

He nodded firmly. "Aye, I am a pirate. This means I sail wherever I please with whomever I choose and answer to no crown."

"We'll see about that," Cordelia declared as she rose to her feet. "Come with me." Without a second glance at the pirate, she strode towards the door, slipping a few coins onto the bar as she passed. When she noticed he wasn't following, Cordelia turned at the door and found him staring at her, mouth agape. "Killian Jones, do something different for a change and trust me, okay? I assure you, you won't find another woman better than me."

"If you don't go, mate, I'll take up the offer," one of the men from Killian's old table said.

Cordelia's victory smirk widened as she watched Killian stand up and confidently stride towards her. "Alright then, I'll follow your lead, Princess," he declared.

"Answer to no crown," Cordelia muttered as he passed, making him chuckle.

The two exited the tavern and descended the stone path away from the ocean where Killian's ship was docked. Killian was walking on the side Dratini was sitting on, and Cordelia noticed how he kept a small distance from her. "Pat her. She won't mind it."

Killian chuckled. "She doesn't seem to like me, but I have no intention of losing my only good hand today."

Cordelia smiled. "She's not bad, and she does like you."

"How can you tell?"

"I understand them, and they understand me," Cordelia explained to him. "Give her a little pat. Trust me." Killian hesitated but reached his hand out and began to stroke the top of Dratini's head, and the small dragon made a cheerful squealing noise. "See, she likes you," she laughed assuredly. "Your friend, however, she did not.

"Mr. Smee," Killian acknowledged. "He's a good man, good crew mate."

"I believe Dratini simply got overwhelmed," Cordelia remarked. "She tends to react that way when approached by people in the manner he did."

"He's going to be talking about you back on my ship for quite some time," Killian stated.

Cordelia grinned and turned to face him. "Well, that's your problem to deal with."

As they walked up the hill toward the forest, Killian's curiosity grew. "Where are you taking me?" he asked.

"You'll see in a moment," Cordelia replied before suddenly stopping. With a sharp exhale, she emitted a piercing whistle, which was followed by several heavy thuds echoing through the area. The rustling of leaves and branches ensued, and out of nowhere, a massive, dark crimson dragon materialised before them.

Cordelia shifted her gaze towards Killian, anticipating his response. To her surprise, she noticed he wasn't showing any signs of fear towards the dragon before them. Instead, his raised eyebrows indicated his unexpected reaction. "I was not expecting this," he remarked.

Cordelia smiled confidently and approached the dragon. "This is Ladon, my boy. He hatched about ten years ago, just a few years after I mastered my first bit of magic."

Killian followed behind Cordelia. "Magic? You're like the others?"

Cordelia nodded. "Yes, I control fire and anything similar to it. The man who took me in as a child gave me my dragons," she told Ladon as she stroked his head. "I have another one that is yet to hatch. I'd say that it's due in probably a few years when Dratini will be almost fully grown." Leaning against Ladon, she turned back to face Killian. "They usually hatch when I learn something new and unlock a power. Ladon with my first bit of magic, Dratini, after I walked out on the man who raised me, and I'm yet to figure out the last one."

"Have you travelled much?" Killian asked. "Maybe it's that."

Cordelia thought about it. All she ever really wanted to do was travel. Jump onto the back of Ladon and just fly around, see some kingdoms and meet new people. "I haven't," she said. "I've only really been around this village and surrounding ones. I try not to settle down for too long, especially after people find out who I am."

"So you haven't experienced being alone at sea with no land in sight. Just you, the ocean and the stars above to guide the way," Killian spoke, leaning against a tree and keeping a fair distance away from the giant dragon before him who was definitely eyeing him in case he made a wrong move towards his mother. "It's truly remarkable. And some of these lands. Some you never age, others the food is incredible and all different. The treasure and jewels are immaculate."

"That all sounds beautiful," Cordelia sighed as her mind filled with the excitement of traveling and reveling in the freedom of not being tied down to anything. "And this is what you do with your life?"

"Your majesty," Killian spoke, his voice smooth as a smirk graced his features, "All of that and much more."

Cordelia confidently patted Ladon's side as the dragon extended his front leg. She gracefully stepped onto his foot, allowing the dragon to lift her onto his back. "You know, Killian Jones, you're quite a character," Cordelia called out, observing as the man stepped back to witness the unfolding scene. "Men like you aren't easy to come by."

He let out a soft laugh and extended his arms. "That's because there's simply no one else quite like me."

"I guess I'll see you around then," Cordelia grinned down at him and then patted Ladon again, signalling him to launch off into the sky and towards the cabin they had set up in the woods.

Luna suddenly sat up in a deep sweat, her breathing uneven as she clung to her heart. She thought about her dream and the man she had seen, and all that escaped her lips was the man's name; "Killian."

AUTHORS NOTE
KILLIAN HELLO!!
Only took six chapters for him to make his appearance, despite it being a flashback. I hope you enjoyed it, and don't forget to like and comment!!
Pheebs/-rosepetal