Holly walked along silently beside Killian as they journeyed through the dark forest at the rear of the group. "Those were some impressive negotiation skills today. "She acknowledged quietly. He turned a slightly surprised gaze on her.
"Were they now?" Killian grinned, holding a tree branch up for her. She gratefully smiled up at him and carefully maneuvered under it.
"Indeed." Holly answered.
"I thought for a minute there you weren't going to put that sword away." He replied. Holly's cheeks flushed deep red and she clumsily tripped over a rock. Killian grabbed her with his only hand, pulling her to his body with quick reflexes. "It's called trust, darling. You can go far in life if you use it." He said quietly, looking her dead in the eye.
"I used to trust." She informed him in a whisper. "It got me nowhere." Holly slowly pulled out of his arms reluctantly. "Thank you for that." Killian studied her, reaching out to tuck a red curl behind her ear.
"You're welcome, darling." He smiled gently. Deciding not to press the matter of her distrust, Killian continued to walk beside her.
"And yourself, Killian?" she questioned quietly.
"What about me, darling?" he bit back a toothy grin at her saying his name.
"Do you trust easily?" she urged, seemingly eager.
"Maybe not always, but I do most of the time." He answered, blue eyes warming towards her chocolate brown set. "Why, love?"
"Just curious." She smiled warmly, pushing her hair from her face.
"Have you ever thought of tying your hair back?" he asked, noticing her struggle with her hair.
"Yes, I just don't have anything to tie it back with." Holly replied, shrugging.
Killian quickly caught up to Princess Aurora and skillfully ripped a piece of her shawl from the bottom.
"What are you going?!" Aurora said, reaching for her knife.
"Just helping someone. Calm yourself." Killian said, raising an unamused eyebrow. "Come, love." He motioned to Holly, who stepped towards him. She put her back to him and he slowly wrapped the cloth around her hair. "I need your hand." He said quietly. She obeyed and helped him. They both pulled the cloth tight so her hair was off the back of her neck.
Holly could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck again, what a wonderful feeling it was. She closed her eyes as he moved around her, and then opened them when he was at her front. "You look beautiful." He whispered gently.