I was challenged to write a 5 minute fic, and I can never resist writing quiet moments of comfort. Set somewhere in 5B… (based on lots of spoilers, so skip if you are spoiler free)
She can see the adrenaline fading as his eyes meet hers across the deck, fatigue now casting shadows on his too thin face as he motions his head towards the hatch. Nodding briefly, she watches as he accepts one last brotherly pat on the back from David before excusing himself to retire to his cabin. Snow appears at her side as if by magic, the two women exchanging knowing smiles before her mother somehow manages to usher the party-goers back onto the dock, their protests drowned out by promises of more food and drink at Granny's. The raucous cheers and laughter of Killian's "Welcome Home" party now replaced by the gentle creaking of the ancient wood beneath her feet and the soft lapping of the tide against the hull.
Her lungs sing at the lack of soot as she takes a deep breath, the cool clarity so unlike the air of the Underworld where they had barely rescued him from. It finally hits her now, the knowledge that he is safe and a mere few feet away where she can touch him, kiss him, love him in life instead of only in her dreams. Her feet move in sync with her heart as she practically stumbles down the stairs, the desperate need to be with him stronger than any magic she's ever possessed.
He looks so tired, sitting on the edge of his bed in just his trousers with his head bent low and his breathing ragged and shallow. As she crosses to stand before him, he lifts his head and she sees the tears, the oceans of his eyes overflowing in heavy streams against his cheeks. Rough stubble scratches her skin as he burrows his head between her breasts, his arms tightening around her waist as she runs her fingers soothingly through his too long hair. She doesn't speak, just holds him tighter as his tempest slows, a gentle peace settling deep in her bones at the knowledge that they've made it through another storm.