A/N: The prompt for this was the first sentence: "Emma, I can't live in a world where you no longer exist."

Prepare for the angst.

"Emma, I can't live in a world where you no longer exist." Killian said, seemingly calm, but Emma could hear the edge in his voice.

"I'm sorry, Killian. You know I am. But I have to do this. It's the only way to stop this curse. I'm the savior, it's my job to save everyone - to save you, even if that means I have to cease from existence."

Killian took a step forward and reached up to brush a strand behind her ear, burying his hand in her hair and meeting her gaze. His eyes were brimming with tears now, threatening to spill over at any time.

"My love, please. Don't do this. I… your family, your boy, we need you."

Emma felt her own tears prickling behind her eyes and she bit her lip, closing her eyes tightly to keep them in rein.

"You won't even remember me." she said, unable to meet his eyes, because she feared the look on his face might rip her heart apart.

"I can't and I won't live in a world without you, Emma. I don't want to forget you. I can't."

"Killian, please. Don't make this harder than it al-"

Emma moaned in surprise when Killian crushed his lips against hers, kissing her hard and fiercely, as if his life was depending on it. In a way it felt like it was.

"Then take me with you. I might as well cease from existence the moment you do, because a life without you won't be worth living." he said as he pulled away again, but stayed close enough that she could feel his warm breath against her lips.

"No! Killian, you have to live! I can't go knowing that you won't."

"Why?"

"Because I love you!" Emma felt a tear spilling down her cheek as she watched his face first soften, then distorting in agony.

"How am I supposed to let you go now, Emma? I'm too selfish for that. Gods, Emma, I love you too. I love you so bloody much."

Emma shook her head and leaned in to kiss him again, desperate to feel him, to hold on to him, to pretend everything was going to be okay.

"We will find another way. There has to be another way. I'd rather die with you than live without you." Killian said, pushing her away just a bit to be able to face her.

"Killian…" Emma started, but he stopped her with another short kiss.

"This is not negotiable, Emma."

She brought her lips back to his, kissing him gently this time.

"I'm sorry, Killian." Emma let go of him and turned to push the button, tears streaming down her face. "I love you."

"NO!" He screamed and turned around in surprise when he heard more voices joining him. "NO!"

Snow, Charming and Henry were running towards them, making Emma stop in her tracks.

"Emma! Don't! Rumplestiltskin and Regina found another way to stop the curse."

"What? But… I thought…"

"There is always another way." Henry said, taking two quick steps over to her and hugging her tightly.

Emma took a relieved breath and met Killian's gaze. He was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily. It'd been too close. They had almost lost each other.

"Don't ever do that again." Killian said later, when they were sitting outside Granny's, both not in the mood for the celebration going on inside.

Emma gave him a sincere smile and took his hand in hers. "I'll try."