Chapter Fourteen
"Morning Swan, I have a favour to ask of you," remarked Killian cheerfully, as he strolled into the Sheriff's station.
Emma looked up from her newspaper, staring at the pirate's appearance in surprise -he'd cleaned himself up and a mischievous sparkle shone in his eyes.
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, seeing Hook this happy after three weeks of depression only meant trouble. It was either that, or he'd finally talked to Robyn and they'd sorted out the issues between them.
"If it's sexual, then I suggest you walk out the same way you came in, Hook. Don't let the door hit you on the way out," she replied sternly and sipped at her coffee.
He grinned rakishly. "I'd like to know what 'skinny-dipping' is."
Emma's coffee spurted out of her mouth as she began coughing, landing all over the newspaper in front of her. Frantically, she tried to clean up the mess with the contents of a nearby box of Kleenex.
"Skinny-dipping? Where did you hear about that? Please tell me it was Robyn and not one of the Undersea girls, because she'd probably end up using you for target practice if she heard about it."
The pirate shrugged. "Maybe. Apparently it's my reward if I'm patient and I don't cause trouble, but I don't know what it is. I don't want to do something so monumental if my reward turns out to be something simple."
She rolled her eyes in a resigned fashion. "I can't believe 'Captain Innuendo' himself, doesn't know what skinny-dipping is yet. What a shocker. Why did you ask me, though? It's not like some of your crew members aren't just wandering around."
Killian didn't want to give Robyn away, so he spun the truth a little. "I prefer you, princess. You're honest and you don't skip the details when they're needed. Smee is also busy running errands for me."
"So I take it that you and Robyn have made up some time during the past few days since I last saw you? How is she by the way? Jefferson is still worried about her –especially after Archie told him that she called two days ago to talk and she still hasn't contacted him at all."
He shrugged. "She's well, if a little thin for my liking. It seems that neither of us escaped our separation unscathed. I plan to talk to her men about that when I visit her cabin," he answered in a thoughtful tone, errantly scratching at the stubble on his jaw.
"I'm glad to hear it. You two are happier when you're together, like every other couple in this town. As for your question; maybe you should just ask Robyn when you visit, she can probably explain much better than I can. There's always Ruby, if you don't want to wait for your answer."
Killian's brow furrowed. "Just tell me, Swan, is it worth waiting for?"
Emma grinned knowingly. "It's better than you've probably imagined, I can tell you that much."
The pirate smiled at the reply. "My thanks, Princess. You can also tell the Hatter I'll make sure we stop by next week. Robyn needs to deliver her tea and resupply, so I'll see to it that she makes some time for him. I know what it's like to worry after the lass and I'm sympathetic to his plight, you could say."
The pretty, blonde Sheriff nodded her appreciation. "Thank you, Hook. I'll make sure he knows –Granny and Red too."
He gave a low (theatrical) bow. "My pleasure, lass," he farewelled, and left the station with a spring in his step.
"So what do you want to know about werewolves? You obviously came to me for a reason -other than finding proper clothes suited to roaming around the forest. You always have an ulterior motive, Hook," Ruby called out to the pirate captain in the dressing room, as she perused the rack of available clothing.
Killian huffed, struggling with a strange garment that resembled a shirt. "How did you guess, darling? All I asked for was help finding clothes."
The werewolf scoffed loud enough for him to hear. "You asked for help finding 'forest clothes' and I can smell Robyn's scent all over you. It's incredibly faint, but it's still there. When did you two make up?"
"Yesterday morn, we had some words and now we're on a middle ground again. Now all we have to do is make sure we stay there," the pirate answered and stepped out of the changing room.
Ruby smiled as she caught sight of Hook, looking as equally uncomfortable as he did handsome in his new clothes. "You look good Captain. Now we just have to pay for your clothes and find you a pack. Once we've done that, then we'll sit down and talk about werewolves."
Killian nodded determinedly and folded his arms over his chest. "I can wait. I'm incredibly patient when I need to be.
Two hours, threes stores and a coffee break later, the pirate and the young werewolf had purchased everything he'd needed for his visit in the forest and made their way back to his ship.
Ruby paused as they entered his quarters, scenting the air with interest. "You let Robyn come and go as she likes on your ship? I'm a little surprised to be honest, normally people need your express permission to come aboard," she mused thoughtfully.
Killian shrugged and re-attached his hook to its brace with a distinctive 'click'. "The Roger, can look after herself and she likes Robyn almost as much as I do. Why do you say that though, for curiosity's sake?"
The she-wolf smirked and pointed to his work table. "She was here and left something for us both. Her scent hasn't faded too much, so it wasn't more than an hour ago at most."
The pirate rushed over and eagerly began opening one of the envelopes on his desk. His smile grew as he read the contents of his letter, before he knelt down and removed a box from underneath his desk. It was a largish typed box –about the size of a large cereal box, but much deeper. He opened it to reveal a pair of (what looked to be) swimming trunk and a sturdy pair of brown hiking boots.
"Well I guess you're going swimming during your visit and the boots are just practical. You're a lucky guy, Hook, she's already had John soften up the boots so you won't have any trouble with breaking them in," Ruby stated in an affectionate tone, knowing that Robyn only went to this much trouble when she was seriously invested in a person.
Killian smiled softly to himself, before handing Ruby the other envelope. "This one's for you, lass. It has your name written on it."
Ruby moved closer to the small starboard-side window, so she could read the letter and make sure that the pirate wasn't reading it over her shoulder.
Dear Red,
This has probably come as a surprise, but I have an important favour to ask of you. After reuniting yesterday, Killian became curious about how werewolves show possession and I managed to scare myself a little. This has only increased his desire to know more about our kind. All I ask is that you do not tell him too much about claiming a mate and Bonding. I plan to let him read my book and find many of his own answers. I have already deposited some money in your account to repay you for taking the pirate shopping. It couldn't have been an easy task. I'll call you later tonight to talk.
Love,
Robyn.
"What did she say to you, lass? You're smiling like a loon," Hook asked curiously, with a bright smile of his own.
Ruby stuffed the letter back inside the envelope and slipped it into her bag. "It's just good to have her back and see that learning to face her problems. I've missed my friend. Robyn just wanted to thank me and ask that I answer the basics of your questions. She's going to let you read her study of werewolves during your visit and that will provide all the information you need."
"Alright, I can live with that. I was only going to ask a few things of you before I spoke to Robyn properly, in a few days," the pirate explained in a decisive manner.
"Ask away, Hook, there's plenty of time left before I have to be back to the Diner for the dinner shift," the werewolf declared and settled herself on the stool beside his work table.
"When I asked Robyn about werewolves showing possession, the lass became a bit flighty. So you have any idea why?" asked Killian a little disheartened, making himself comfortable on another stool across from the woman Robyn considered to be a sister.
Ruby didn't even blink, already knowing that he'd ask about this topic. "That's because it's an incredibly personal topic, Hook. Werewolves rarely venture outside their own race, so when they find someone they want to claim as theirs they just do it and it's either accepted or it isn't. We only speak of it in depth as we learn about it for the first time, or with our chosen mates. It's nor general conversation."
"Alright, but how does it work between werewolf and human couples? She said it was dangerous when humans were involved," he stated to the she-wolf now holding his complete attention. He was a great deal more than curious about the subject, especially because of his little bird's reaction and the state of her animal nature.
She let out a sigh. "Here's the thing; I don't want to depress you, but most of the time it doesn't work out. Sometimes it's just too much for humans to cope with and werewolves need a great deal of freedom," admitted Ruby, with reluctance in her tone.
Killian was silent for a few moments as he took in what had been said. "I'm willing to put in the effort to make my relationship with Robyn work. Judging by the way she asked the cricket for his help and sought me out herself, I believe that she feels the same."
Ruby nodded. "If Robyn came to you first, then you can definitely believe that. She's no normally one to deal with her problems face to face, and when she does it means she's serious about fixing them. How do you feel about her though? Do you think you're ready to think about a serious relationship or do you just want a fling?" she asked seriously, watching his face carefully any tell-tale signs of deception.
The pirate raked a hand through his hair nervously. "Right now I'm just happy Robyn wants anything to do with me, but I've thought about something long-term ever since I'd met her. Our little archer has certainly given me a lot to think about these past months."
"You've done the same to her. What you need is to be honest and as forthcoming as possible with each other. Until you both decide you are serious about this relationship you need to be patient and understanding, or else you won't work at all," Red Riding Hood remarked solemnly, knowing that the pirate and her friend needed this to work if they wanted to find true happiness or love
Killian nodded. "Aye, we've already discovered that for ourselves –being as uniquely stubborn as we are. Nevertheless, lass, I still appreciate the advice. You've know Robyn a lot longer than anyone, with the only exceptions being Jefferson and her brother," he retorted in a grateful tone.
Ruby grinned. "You're welcome, Jones. Now what else do you want to know?"
It was almost as hour of solid conversation before Hook was satisfied and Ruby left to ready herself for work. The pirate now had a great deal of information to mull over and put to good use. He'd learnt a decent amount about werewolves in general, and Robyn. The more he learnt about her, the more his questions disappeared and the more his esteem grew. The puzzle pieces were starting to form more of a picture that was the noble-born woman. As much as she tried to deny he heritage, it still showed itself every so often. Killian was enjoying the process of learning about his lass; she never seemed to be able to cease surprising him.
Killian awoke late that night to the Roger thrumming excitedly in his head, alerting him that someone had set foot on the deck. Remembering that he had withdrawn the gang-plank earlier so that he wouldn't be disturbed, he realised that there was only a few possibilities of who the intruder could be. The most pleasing of the options was Robyn herself. He scrambled to pull a shirt over his head and then made his way up the ladder to the deck of his ship.
He grinned as he caught sight of his she-wolf with her hands on the mast, feeling the life of his ship. "Well, lass, to what do I owe the lovely pleasure of your unexpected visit? Was another night away from my bed too much for you to bear, love?" he asked warmly, walking over and pulling her back against his chest. She felt a little cold to his touch so he tightened his embrace, turning her to face him.
"What can I say, Killian? You keep the nightmare away and your good company. You also don't hog the bed and steal the covers, unlike some I could mention," she answered in a fond tone, wrapping her own arms around his middle.
The pirate's eyebrow rose sharply. "And who might those some be, love?" He asked in a jealous tone, as he pulled away.
"No one you should worry about. Between Robb and his pack mates when they visit I'm lucky if I can sleep, let alone peacefully. You're a much better bedmate."
"I'm glad you think so, because I'm the only bed mate you'll be having for a long while, love. Now let's get you to my quarters you feel like a block of ice," stated the pirate firmly, then wrapped an arm around my waist and led me below deck.
"Alright. You can stop your fussing, Killian. The cold doesn't affect me as much as you think. Honestly, I'm fine," I answered reassuringly.
He grinned wickedly. "I know, love. Ruby told me. I just wanted an excuse to get you inside and hopefully, into bed with me."
I rolled my eyes. "Flirt. All you have to do is ask considering you look as tired as I feel."
"You haven't even begun to scratch the surface yet. You'll soon discover I am quite incorrigible and you may eventually tire of me," he replied with a teasing wink.
"Well I guess I have something else to look forward to in the future. Did your other lovers mean incorrigible or insatiable?"
Killian used his grip on my waist to pull me around and land against his chest. His scent was driving me insane, being this close to him.
"Most likely both, love. You could say I'm just as strong in one aspect as the other. Believe me, once I'm in your bed we won't be leaving for at least a week. I can most definitely promise you that."
I let my eyes flash momentarily, so he could see my reaction to his words. "Oh I'm counting on it, Captain. Though it may be closer to a week and a half or even two weeks. Werewolves can be pretty insatiable and a little more…adventurous," I answered provocatively, moving my hands to rest on his ribs.
He groaned and leant down to press his forehead against my own. "Maybe I should start praying to the sea gods more often. They definitely knew better than I did and sent me exactly who I needed."
I backed my pirate up against the door of his quarters and stood tiptoe so I could kiss him gently. I snaked my arms around his neck then pulled him as close as he could get. "You're not the only one who's lucky. The forest gods had a hand in our meeting as well. Now let's make our way to bed, we both have a big day tomorrow."
Killian nodded and drew away from me only a fraction so he could open the door behind him. "Of course, love," he murmured in a warm tone and guided me into his quarters.
The only light was from the small charcoal brazier in the corner, which he all but doused with some water before joining me in his bed. I let him settle in place first and then made myself comfortable with my head on his chest and an arm thrown across his stomach.
"I could really get used to this, you know. I may have been spoiled for life against other bad-partners," I mused aloud.
He tugged me closer, kissing my forehead sweetly before he replied sleepily. "I can say the same of myself, Robyn."
"Sweet dreams, Killian," I yawned and let myself slip into a deep sleep, barely even hearing the echo of my pirate wishing the same for me.
A/N: Well it sure has been a long time, but Of Hooks and Arrows hasn't been abandoned. A lot has happened within the past few years that has kept me from editing and posting this story, but it will continue on. OHaA is also be re-written and hopefully will soon start to be posted on Archive of Our Own within the next month or so. Please excuse the grammar and such. It hasn't been beta-read at all. I thought it better to get the chapter out there to be read to all of my followers.
Much Love and Happy Reading,