YAY thanks for all the love on my first HQ fic. So far I'm loving writing their dynamic and I can't wait to get to the more fun parts, if you catch my drift ;)xxx
"She still sleeping?" Emma's questioning gaze met Hook when he stepped out of the cabin later that night, feeling the salty breeze hit his skin. Regina had been stirring a little more than when she'd first passed out, but she remained asleep, so he decided to come up for some air.
"Aye," Killian nodded as he walked over to the crude table the Charmings were dining at, swinging his leg over the bench seat and sitting down. His ship hands were steering clear for the most part, though he could tell they were none too pleased with hosting the heroes, the crocodile and the woman they knew as the Evil Queen. They were tolerating it for now, but if they'd had a longer journey he probably would've had to discipline some of them.
The crocodile sat at the end of the table and it made his skin crawl, seeing his expression brimming with fake concern as he spoke up, "I do hope the torture they inflicted on the Evil Queen does not permanently affect her magic."
Killian scoffed, giving a roll of his eyes as he reached out to begin scooping up some rations for his bowl, "Im sure you'd be devastated if the one person that could rival your power was weakened," He replied sarcastically and saw the hint of a smirk flash on Gold's lips. Rumple had been Regina's worst enemy since day one. He'd turned her into the Evil Queen, had hardened her broken heart and gave her the tools to self destruct.
"And you care?" David asked incredulously, eyeing him as he swirled his drink around in his tin cup, "You were prepared to let her sacrifice herself while we all left."
Killian almost chuckled at the way Emma's eyes averted in guilt, for their precious daughter had been ready to abandon Regina as well. It appeared not all of the Charmings were pure and heroic. "To be fair, I was prepared to leave you all, not just Regina."
"There's no point in arguing about it now, what's done is done," Snow charmed in, being the peacemaker as usual, "What matters now is we stop all of this back stabbing nonsense and help save Henry."
"She's right," David glanced out at the sea as the ship moved at a steady pace, "We do what we have to do to save Henry and we get the hell out of this realm."
"Aye, I second that," Killian frowned, still disturbed by being back there at all, especially with the Crocodile dining at his dinner table. He finished scooping a few bites of the bland soup into his mouth, not having much of an appetite, before grabbing another bowl and spooning some out for Regina, "I'll go take some dinner to the Queen."
"You're awfully concerned with Regina," Emma watched him with a curious gaze as he stood and picked up the bowl. He avoided looking at her, didn't like the suspicious way the sheriff watched him, as if she were implying that he were doing this for any other reason than he owed it to the Queen for nearly getting her killed.
"Amazing what a little guilt can do," Swan's father scoffed and took a sip of his bitter coffee. He was rather sassy for a man.
"Exactly," Killian actually felt relieved that Prince Charming's insult gave him a cop out, "I'm the one who turned Regina over to those bastards, I should be the one to get her healthy again. That's all there is to it," He managed his best disinterested shrug as he turned from the Un-Charming family and headed back towards his cabin.
Regina was still asleep when he stepped into the dimly lit room, quietly shutting the door behind him as he made his way over to the bed with the bowl in hand. He set it down on the nightstand before pressing the back or his hand to her forehead to check her temperature. She was fevered and clammy feeling under his touch, but she surprised him when her eyes fluttered open at the feeling of his skin on hers.
"You trying to end up with matching hooks, pirate?" She grit through her teeth, though her voice was raspy and lacked the usual bravado as she licked her dry lips.
"No offense Your Majesty, but I highly doubt you could harm a fly in your condition," He raised a dark brow and watched her roll her eyes and huff.
"What am I doing in here? How long have I been out?" She frowned and grunted under her breath as she attempted to lift up on her elbows, pushing herself into the sitting position. She swatted his hand away when he reached out to help, releasing a loud sigh when she leaned back into the pillows, satisfied with her more elevated position that she achieved by herself.
"About six hours," He shrugged and nodded towards the soup on the nightstand, "Its not Granny's but it'll give you some of your strength back."
"If it's not Granny's then it should be edible," She retorted and he smirked a little at the fact that she was still witty even when she wasn't well. Her color had come back some, though she remained faintly peaked and her makeup had worn off. He'd seen her in her glory back in the Enchanted Forest, in her mid twenties, dressed to the nines in diamonds and a painted face. Her looks hadn't changed much over the years and she was still attractive with mussed hair and a bare complexion. Maybe even more so.
"What are you staring at?" She asked, irritation prevalent in her tone when she picked up the bowl with shaky hands. He knew she hated to show weakness in front of others and that she thought he was staring at her tremble, when really he'd gotten caught up in looking at her.
"Nothing," He sighed and sat down in his chair not far from the bed, propping his boots up on the corner post of it and earning a disapproving wag of perfectly arched brows, "Its just been a while since I've had the Queen in my bed, I have to say, brings back memories."
Regina scoffed at the grin that appeared on Killian's stubbled face and the way it made her stomach flutter at the memories it evoked. There had always been a heavy amount of chemistry that lingered between them and they'd more than once explored the sexual connection they shared. It felt like a lifetime ago, hell it was a lifetime ago, but it wasn't something she'd easily forget.
"More like nightmares," She replied with extra bite in her tone, stirring her spoon around her soup absentmindedly as she shot him a warning glare.
"If I remember correctly, you weren't screaming because you were scared," The right corner of his mouth drew up higher with the way she flushed red and anger flashed in her dark eyes.
"Don't you dare speak a word of our history in front of those idiots upstairs or Snow White will be planning our wedding," She hissed and groaned at the predicament she was in. Her body ached, head throbbed and her magic was nearly nonexistent. It would be a few days before she was back to normal, which meant she'd most likely be down here suffering this fool. She supposed he was slightly more tolerable than the fools above deck, though.
"I wouldn't dream of it," He shrugged his shoulders, pulling a flask out of his leather jacket, "After all, you have said you'd never marry again," His tone had a certain edge to it but he appeared casual otherwise as he took a sip of his rum and let out a sigh at the burning sensation.
"Glad we have that cleared up," Regina rolled her eyes mockingly before taking a small sip of the soup from the spoon, sputtering dramatically, "This is garbage. Who made it? One of your drunk deck hands?"
"Snow and David," Killian grinned and chuckled to himself as he leaned back in the chair, "Want a nip of rum? It'll take the edge off of your hunger."
"Please, I don't do rum." Disdain dripped from her tone as she grumbled and set the bowl to the side, actively avoiding looking back at him. There was a retort on his lips, no doubt, and she would not give him the satisfaction of making eye contact when he delivered it.
"There was a time or two that you did," Killian reminded with a wag of his brows, memories playing in his mind and threatening to make his pants tight if he kept dwelling on them.
"Yes, well I was younger then," She leaned back in her pillows and smiled sarcastically, "I was able to stomach a bit more."
"As was I," Killian bantered and matched her gaze, "Don't have the tolerance for bitter women like I used to."
"I'm not bitter," She spat back at him as her eyes narrowed with irritation and she crossed her arms, infuriated that she hadn't the strength to storm out. Or slap the shit out of him.
"Nah, why would you be bitter? You're only sharing a son with the daughter of your enemies?" His tone dripped with sarcasm and took another sip from his flask before adding, "Listening to their hypocrisy at every turn. Being told what to do and how to raise the son you have been for ten years. By a convict, of all people. And her parents looking down on you from their ivory tower. They're not all innocent like they claim."
"Thank you," Her eyes darted back to him with sudden appreciation and she nodded once adamantly, demeanor shifting to a much more amicable one, "You don't know how many sermons I've suffered through about forgiveness and heroes and happy endings. If it wasn't for Henry I'd..."
Hook watched her trail off, undoubtedly fantasizing the Charming family demise, a sexy smirk playing on her lips as she stared off deep in thought, "I have an idea what you'd do. I've seen you in action, lest we forget. And as for the sermons, I've gotten my fair share from them."
"They're the worst," She sighed and he nodded in agreement, "What are they doing up there? Trashing me, I know, but are they even planning what we'll do when we get to Neverland?"
"Aye, I told them I'd work on mapping an entrance to the island tonight. I know of a few potential ways to get to it without alerting Pan or the Lost Boys that we're coming."
"I should've known we couldn't rely on the idiots upstairs to do anything sensible. They don't know what we're about to walk into. The worst enemy they've ever dealt with was me," Regina sneered towards Killian, knowing he knew better than anyone what a true adversary was, "And there were so many times I could've squashed them and I didn't, yet they think they won. And they have no idea that we're about to walk onto an island of savages who will slit throats and ask questions later."
"I figured you must've spared Snow at some point," He eyed the Queen, seeing her clench her jaw and her head tilted back pridefully, "God knows you could've ended her had you wanted to."
"I wanted to," Regina grit out through clenched teeth, "I still want to sometimes, just...not as badly," She huffed, "Plus Henry would never forgive me. I could've had him to myself and been back in the Enchanted Forest if you hadn't screwed up my plans."
"I screwed up your plans? Maybe if you hadn't tried feeding me to your ex-girlfriend I would have sided with you and neither one of us would've been jilted," He rolled his eyes at the gall of the woman sitting in his bed, brow raised defiantly. She'd left him for dead and then had the nerve to be angry with him?
"Maleficent and I were never a thing," She snarled, jerking the covers up over her higher as she scooted down in the bed.
"Oh come on Regina," He let his head fall back and a laugh escape him, "You're a lot of things, but you've never been a prude. Just admit it."
"What's the matter? Still upset you were never invited to join?" Regina looked over at him, hint of a smile on her full lips as she toyed with her necklace.
"I knew it!" His head snapped up, naughty grin splayed across his face, "So you have made use of that forked tongue of hers."
She rolled her eyes at his vulgarity and scoffed, "You're so gullible. You'd think being a pirate would've taught you not to believe everything you're told," Regina teased him, mock annoyance lacing her features but her eyes sparkled with mischief. It had been years since he'd seen the more playful side of her. The Mayor was stone cold and mostly serious, aside from her cunning wit, but the Regina he had known was adventurous and playful underneath her Evil Queen facade.
"Come on, humor an old friend," Killian groaned and tilted his head to the side as he watched her snuggle down in his covers, "Tell me the truth about you and the dragon."
She heard the playful jest in his tone and knew he had that stupid grin on his face, probably getting half stiff in those obnoxious leather pants he wore at the thought of she and her old friend.
"You couldn't handle the truth," She grumbled, rolling on her side with her back to him, "I'm tired, you're dismissed."
Killian shook his head, chuckling under his breath at the way her moods came and went like flipping a switch. He wasn't offended, knew she was teasing him in her own twisted way. Her humor was extremely dry, offensive to idiots like the Charmings and appreciated by those who tended to be more cunning. "This is my cabin, Your Majesty."
"You don't honestly think you're sleeping with me, do you?" Her tone was incredulous as she glanced over her shoulder, brows furrowing.
"Don't be a child, we've done worse," He rolled his eyes then, standing from his chair to make his way over to the small desk in the corner, "Quit harping and go to sleep, I'll be working on mapping our way to Neverland and by the time I lay down you'll be out."
"You'd better hope I am, pirate."
He watched her root around in the bed before finally finding a comfortable position to sleep in, musing to himself how the Queen of elegance and poise was anything but when it came to sleeping. On the few occasions he'd fallen asleep in her bed accidentally he'd taken knees to the groin an elbows to the face because of her restless sleeping habits. Not to mention the nightmares she had. Wonder if she still had those?
Killian frowned, shaking away the thought as he sat down at the desk, rolling out one of his old maps to begin plotting a route for them to take. An hour passed as he drew their route, deciding he'd add on an extra day of travel in order to approach the island from a different direction where they'd be less likely to be spotted. Regina would argue with him on it, no doubt, but she'd ultimately accept his logic. She was stubborn but she was also a leader, she'd maintained a prospering kingdom for years on her own after the King's death and she knew when to consider others' expertise. And this ship was his.
He stretched his legs as he stood from the chair, leaving the map on the table to finish in the morning when he became too sleepy to see straight. Regina was long gone by now, slow breaths moving her back that was to him ever so slightly. Careful not to wake her, he shucked his boots and leather jacket, taking a deep breath before slowly pulling the covers down to get into the bed. She stirred when his body weight shifted the mattress, causing him to freeze and wait until her breathing returned to normal. Knowing her, she probably would rather he sleep on the floor and he wasn't about to have that argument when he was this tired.
She sighed in her sleep once he'd managed to lie down fully and he began to remember the first time he'd met her. The Queen had been wearing a body hugging blue velvet dress with diamond accents and he'd been shaken by her beauty, though he'd tried his hardest to hide it. He'd been a young, idiotically proud pirate back then and he didn't take up with royals. Or find them attractive.
But she swayed on her heels, pacing around her large and sparsely decorated bed chamber while she poured him a drink and told him of her great plans to create a world without magic where he'd be able to kill Rumple with his bare hands. He hadn't known whether it was Regina or the thought of finally getting revenge on his enemy, but he stirred in his pants and they were both highly aware of it. When she'd used his hook to tilt his chin up to her, leaning in close enough that he felt her hot breath as she described to him how he would be able to slit the Crocodile's throat with a flick of his wrist, he'd nearly groaned.
The Queen was dark and dangerous and stunning, like a magnetic force that pulled him in such as nothing he'd ever experienced before. He was used to bar maids and prostitutes hanging on him, trying to earn a living off of him and his men when they ported at various places. But the woman in front of him was the image of class, of elegance, of a league far beyond his own. Unlike the average royal woman, though, she was fierce and sexual, innuendos falling out of her painted red lips every other sentence.
When he'd agreed to help her and asked what the nature of their deal was, she'd stated that she needed him to kill her mother. He hadn't understood it at the time and when he'd asked her what her mother had done to warrant such a fate she'd snapped at him, eyes glazing over and disengaging with him. Now he fully understood, Cora was a tough bitch and she hadn't shown Regina much kindness in her lifetime. No one had, really.
Killian gazed at Regina's back, staying close to his side of the bed, nearly rolling off of the edge. If she woke up and found him any closer she'd probably light him on fire, so he thought best to show precaution. Though they had a history, the Mayor was much too uptight and awkward to be reminded of such things and he would not push it. He'd tease her, of course, but he wouldn't acknowledge that he knew more sensitive stories from her past, for he knew she did not handle vulnerability very well. She'd relied on herself for so many years that opening up did not come naturally and that was something he understood all too well.