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~Wrecked~
Rain had already started to pelt them softly, having been filtered down through trees since nearly the beginning of their walk. Wet, tired, and sore from cramming under the brush, hot from the sticky humidity the rain was providing in the summer's heat. Aside from that, he was still alive which left room for him to be grateful. Except for the fact that walking left entirely too much room to think. Killian tried not to go there.
He just couldn't help it.
He thought of the moment their eyes locked under that bush. It was wanting. From the both of them. He was accustomed to the feeling of wanting a woman, though this wasn't the same. It wasn't a selfish desire, to use her for his own pleasure, as it normally was with him. It was much like how he felt for Milah. And he knew Emma's desire mirrored his own. Naturally, now that he wasn't trying, things were moving forward with her despite his best efforts. Despite their best efforts.
That thought reminded him of the fate's, and he mentally kicked himself for allowing such distractions. This was not the time, or the place. He still didn't know if Regina had done anything, though he was feeling more like himself from before meeting Milah. He'd remain cautious, either way.
One thing was certain. This was no simple girl as he originally suspected, nor was she just a princess. She was precious, and broken. Her magick was still protecting her from her own memories, which he suspected, she wasn't ready to face just yet. She had barely begun the journey of healing. A journey he doubted she wanted company on.
If patience was not a trait he had learned through his years, he would be as wrecked as a sunken ship right about now.
This trip was meant to be a gift to her. He wanted to give her space, time to heal, and the wish from the ring if he found it. If it existed at all. If it really was magick. When she showed up, commandeering his hook, he wasn't just worrying about her safety on this trip. Bloody brilliant plan, mate.
He glanced up, trying to gaze at the position of the moon through the rain, and treetops, realizing it had been more than two hours since they had started. They desperately needed to catch up on sleep before the new day.
He halted, eyes taking in his surroundings.
"What is it?" she asked, surprised.
"We should stop."
"So soon?" He looked at her curiously as she was taking in their surroundings. He knew it had been between two and three hours since they had started walking. Perhaps she, too, was lost in thought. "There's no clear place to stop." She was saying.
"Nor should there be if someone is rightfully after you."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "You really think they're after me?"
"Hmm. Looking for a princess, who is accompanied by a pirate... No, I'm sure it was some other princess trespassing through these woods. Couldn't possibly be you."
She huffed. "But why me?"
"That, I could not answer. Have you slighted someone recently?"
"Other than you?"
He ignored that. "What about their uniform, any familiarity?" He was looking up to the sky again.
"None at all." She sighed, following his gaze. "But I never pay attention to uniforms - What in hades could you possibly be looking at?"
"Well, I may have an idea." He replied without moving his gaze. "You might not be fond of it."
She was not at all fond of it.
It took them another half-hour to gather the supplies needed before he began teaching her how to build a net of sorts. His patience was unmatched, as he showed her how to fashion it just right, before helping her climb the tree next to the one he chose for himself, then showed her how to secure the netting to the tree. It was all over her face that she hoped never to use this device in the future.
For the rest of the night, however, they slept mere branches apart, swaying gently in the windy rain.
Thank you for reading!