The first time Killian catches that all too familiar male gaze lingering on his daughter he reflexively moves for his absent sword. Amongst all the mingling and politics, he hadn't had the chance to notice all the attention she was drawing. Initially he had been cautious about her dress's accentuating features but she had insisted. He found himself unable refuse her and when she had made her entrance earlier this evening he knew why. His heart ached at her mastery of maturity as she glided down the staircase wrapped in her elegant gown and keeping perfect balance atop her first pair of heels. He had been the first to tell her how beautiful she looked and she had thanked him with a smile.
With the excitement of the party dying down and the various pairs of eyes staring at his daughter, he wanted nothing more than to make these hungry faced boys squirm. He wouldn't stand for sick bastards ogling his little girl.
Emma stops midsentence; her body instinctively prepares for battle as soon as Killian's does. After years of adventures and battling alongside him their bodies have become attuned to each other.
Abandoning her thoughts she looks to her husband for the danger and finds him glaring at the group of people circling their daughter and more particularly a handsome fellow talking in close quarters with her. Emma immediately relaxes and bites on the smile rising on her lips.
"Killian," she whispers grabbing his hand. As soon as her fingers intertwine with his she can feel the tension in his body release underneath her fingertips. He turns his head in her direction; his offensive disappeared . "You can't scare them all away."
"Oh, but I can try." He whispers back at her whilst wearing one of his famous smirks.
Emma doesn't hold back her smile back anymore. She knows he's overreacting but she can't help but love how protective he is of their girl. "I don't think she's in any real danger."
"She's a beautiful young princess. There is always danger where there is an opportunity to lust after beauty and power."
"You're right," she agrees, "she is a princess but she's also a pirate."
And just in case she hasn't convinced him enough she pulls at his shirt and brings her lips to his.