Killian watched, leaning casually against the helm of the Jolly Roger, as Ariel explored the world from her new vantage point. Once she figured out her first steps in his cabin, she was desperate for more space to move around. It was just a bit before dawn, with the moon slipping away and the sky starting to lighten, and he knew that soon he would have to either take Ariel back to his quarters or explain her presence to his crew. He wasn't looking forward to either option.

"Killian, look!" Ariel called, a giggle in her voice. "Watch how fast I can spin!"

He couldn't help but smile at how happy she looked, her feet nearly tripping over one another as she whirled herself around in circles. He didn't want to confine her back into his cabin, especially when he had just turned her world completely upside down. If he left her alone for too long, Killian figured the anger would replace the wonder, and he wasn't sure how to combat that.

"Whoa, whoa," Ariel gasped, still giggling as she fell down to the deck of the ship. From a puddle of clumsy legs and wild red hair, she looked up at Killian, blue eyes filled with excitement. "This is so much fun!"

"Easy there, my girl," he chuckled, swaggering over and helping her back to her feet. It was clear she was still dizzy, so when she leaned against his chest, he wasn't surprised. When she didn't move after several moments, though, his curiosity peaked. He asked her softly, "How are you feeling about all of this?"

"I don't want to think about it too much, really," she answered, one of her hands lightly tracing over some of the intricate stitching on collar of his thick leather coat. It was an oddly intimate gesture that confused the hell out of him, but he didn't quite mind it.

"I just don't want you to realize you actually aren't happy with your legs and try to do something rash," Killian whispered against her hair, one arm snaking around her waist. The closeness of the moment was doing things to his head. Old memories started floating behind his eyes, and a desire to touch more of her was creeping through his fingers.

"My entire life just changed. It's a lot to take in. I'm a little scared, actually," Ariel whispered. "And I'm worried about everything – so, so worried. Less than two days ago, I wanted nothing to do with you. Now, I…I don't know what's going on in my head." Her voice sped up towards the end of her sentence as she pulled away from him. Two steps back, and the spell that was over them both was broken.

"I just have so much to figure out. Now, I can do things I had only dared to dream about, but there are also things I will never do again. As happy as I have seemed, you can't expect me to forget what you have forced me to give up," she said, her voice surprisingly even. Killian sighed, knowing that she had clearly been thinking about this more than he had realized. When she had been skittering around, all long legs and laughter, it hadn't been difficult to convince himself that this would go smoothly. Now, as her words and eyes showed apprehension, he knew it would be anything but easy.

"And you shall have time to figure it out," he managed, watching as she uneasily shifted from foot to foot. Clearing his throat, he reassumed the role of the hard, seafaring captain. "You will stay in my cabin during the day while the crew is about the ship. They are not to know about your…condition. Once my men are asleep, you can wander the Jolly Roger, but only under my supervision."

She nodded curtly, her eyes avoiding his. Her gaze shifted from the wooden boards beneath her toes to the sun as it slipped up over the ocean, painting the waters shades of pink and orange as the world lit up. He noticed the longing in her eyes, but was more preoccupied with the way the sun caught in her hair and the hue her skin took on in the light of the sunrise. When he saw a tear slide down her cheek and roll from her face down to the deck, he felt an overwhelming need to close the gap between them. In one swift step, he gathered her back into his arms, being careful not to touch her with his hook. She looked up at him with surprise and confusion in her eyes, but as he was happy to see, her gaze bore no fear.

"Love, you still have so much to learn," Killian whispered. "I want to teach you, but you'll have to trust me."

"And why would I do that, Captain? I don't think you deserve my faith."

"And I don't. But what other choice do you have?" he answered with a smirk.

"The sun has risen. You should hide me away like the fragile little child you think I am," Ariel said, looking back out to the sea, the longing returning to her eyes.

"I have never thought of you as a child, but fragile? Yes. And I will make sure that as long as you are in my keeping, no one breaks you. I told you already, you are my treasure, love."

"But what about you? Will you break me?" she looked up at him defiantly, a boldness behind her eyes that was stirring an excitement deep within him. Killian's icy blue eyes darted from hers to her mouth before he pressed his lips softly against hers. When she didn't pull away or protest, he kissed her a bit more insistently. As he felt her lips move against his, his kiss became hungrier, all of the unexplained feelings he had experienced since his dreams began spilling out into the moment. His left arm stayed wrapped around her waist and he tangled his right hand into her hair. One of her small hands was on his chest, holding tightly onto his shirt, while the other was resting on the side of his neck. Much to his surprise, her kiss held a fervor similar to his.

Neither of them even broke for air long enough to notice the crew that had filed out onto the deck and was now watching the two of them in shock.

-x-

Sorry I took so long to update! Let me know what you think, this chapter didn't come as easily as I had hoped. :/ I think things will be speeding up from here, though.