They spend the better part of the rest of the day getting ready to leave. Emma's many trips inside the spaceliner had provided them with much need supplies, but it's just a little too much for them to reasonably carry with them. So they spend hours organizing everything into piles separated by what they need and what they can do without.
Emma finds herself smiling as she watches Killian methodically divide and categorize everything. He mutters quietly to himself every so often, periodically taking something out of the "keep" pile only to put it back a few minutes later.
She swears he spends a solid three minutes with two nearly identical pots in his hands. Holding them out in front of him as though weighing their differences, before finally tossing one into the pile that is getting left behind and placing the other amongst the supplies they're keeping.
She's not surprised he's being so particular about this. He did have a sensibly packed survival pack when they landed after all. And it's not as though they can take everything with them.
Gathering the large pile of clothes she'd finished sorting through and folded, Emma walks over and places them with the other supplies before making her way to Killian. He doesn't look up when she approaches, still focused on his task at hand. So Emma simply steps behind him and wraps her arms around his waist, pressing a soft kiss against his shoulder.
"I think we should keep the rope," he says more to himself than to her, his gaze staying firmly on the piles he's so meticulously dividing.
"Rope is important," she hums, placing her cheek against the space between his shoulder blades and breathing a contented sigh.
He turns to face her then, rubbing a hand along the back of his neck as he smiles down at her. "I think we're about finished. We just need to pack everything away and then we can get a few hours of walking in before nightfall."
Emma scrunches her nose at him, and he chuckles gently before pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead.
"I hate walking."
"I know, love," he laughs again. "But I'm optimistic that this endeavor won't take nearly as long. Besides…the sooner we start the sooner we can stop, right?"
"Right. And then can we never spend this much time walking ever again? How are we going to pack all of this anyways?"
Killian tilts his head towards his pack that's now lying empty next to everything else. "I figured the heaviest things can go in my pack, as they'll be easier to carry that way," he explains. "And the lighter things we can stuff in the two laundry bags."
"Think it will all fit?" she asks a little skeptically. She's sure they can get it to fit, but whether or not they can get it to fit and not weigh a thousand pounds is a different story.
He tilts his head to the side, his eyebrow arching in mock disbelief. "I'm offended you doubt me, Swan. I assure you I can make it work."
She rolls her eyes and presses up on her tiptoes to give him a brief kiss. Killian's laughter vibrates against her mouth and she emits a giggle of her own when his lips chase after hers as soon as she begins to draw away. Tightening his arms around her waist he lifts her ever so slightly— her toes barely skimming the grass as he continues kissing her for just a moment longer.
Once her feet touch the ground again she licks her lips and steps back, letting her hand slide down his arm and wrapping her fingers around his. Her eyes never leave his as she takes a step back and there's a familiar softness in his gaze that never fails to make her heart race.
"Alright, Lieutenant," she gives his hand a gentle tug and pulls him with her to the supplies in question. "I'm ready to see these amazing skills in action."
It takes a while to get everything packed away, especially since they end up redoing it a few times—trying to find the best way to organize things in order to keep their load as light as possible. They end up tying the cooking ware to the outside of his pack and it all looks a bit ridiculous, but it's efficient and that's all they need.
They're bringing all the food of course, along with most of the bedding and clothes, the rest of what they take comprises of odds and ends that will be the most useful.
As Killian predicted there are still few hours of daylight left, so they gather their newly packed belongings and begin walking towards the forest—using the river as their guide.
It's the first time they've walked without a specific destination in mind and it's a little unsettling, but Emma is happy to finally get out from underneath the shadow of the spaceliner. Ever since she realized there was nothing inside that could help them get home it's been nothing but a towering reminder of everything they've lost—a gravestone that marks more than just the thousands of lives that were taken when it crashed.
And though they've decide to move on, to move forward and take a step into the unknown by trying to find something more permanent, they've also decided that it's best if they don't stray too far from the fallen Swan.
Just in case.
But at this point Emma is doubtful help will ever come. If anyone at home knew where they landed they would have been here by now. But it's been too long. And now they're nothing more than a spec amongst billions of star systems—not even the unfailing faith of her mother can beat those odds.
But she's made her peace with this and as she laces her fingers with Killian's, she can only hope he's made his too.
It's the end of their third day walking and Emma sits in front of the fire with a blanket wrapped loosely around her shoulders. She watches as the stars blink to life one by one, countless pinpricks of light that illuminate the slowly darkening sky.
Killian returns from his quick trip to the river just as the last of the sunlight slips beneath the horizon. He smiles as he lowers himself to sit beside her and hands over the freshly filled canteen.
She takes a long draught before passing it back and scooting a little closer and resting her head against his shoulder. She sighs happily when Killian wraps his arms around her and nuzzles his nose against her hair, inhaling deeply before pressing a kiss to the side of her head.
"We should reach the forest tomorrow." His voice is barely above a whisper, as though hesitant to break the peaceful silence they're wrapped inside. "From there it just depends on how long it takes to find somewhere to stay."
She hums in assent and nestles herself a little deeper into his embrace.
A home.
It feels so strange to think that this is what they're actually searching for. And she has no idea what it's going to be, or how they're going to build it but she's struck once again that this—this thing here with Killian is more than likely the rest of her life. And though he is beyond anything she ever hoped to find in someone, she knows that circumstances may have rushed things. That there is still a lot they don't know about each other.
But the thought doesn't tie her stomach in knots like it has in the past. She feels nothing but ease as she leans against him—the steadiness of his heart beating against her and the even rhythm of his breathing calming her soul in a way she doesn't think she ever experienced until she met him.
"Killian?"
"Hmm?" he answers simply, turning his attention away from whatever thoughts he was lost in.
"Will you tell me something about you? Something I don't know?"
He remains silent for a second. But he begins trailing his fingers along her arm and it lets her know he's not uncomfortable with her question.
"Aye, of course, love. What is it you want to know?"
She shrugs and sits up a little straighter, turning and looking at him. "I don't know. Anything." His eyes flick back and forth as he looks at her and she can see the flicker of the flames dance in their reflection. It only serves to make is eyes seem even brighter, more alive than they already are.
"Tell me," she says after sudden inspiration smiling widely at him. "About these heroic actions you seem to be so well known for."
He bites at his bottom lip and tilts his head at her curiously. "I would've assumed you'd already heard that story, Swan."
"Well yes," she agrees. "But only the basics, and not from you."
He laughs and gives his head a small shake. "There really isn't much to tell. I did no more than any of my fellow shipmates would've done."
"I find that hard to believe. From what I've heard it was quite brave." Her smile widens when he scratches at the back of his head. And she's sure that if there was just a little more light she would see his cheeks reddening as a result of her praise.
He clears his throat and turns his gaze to the flames. "It was naught but a simple rescue mission. Some of my men had gotten in a spot of trouble when we engaged with an enemy ship, and I…well I don't like to lose a sailor." His eyes lock with hers again and theirs a distant trace of pain that she suspects might have something to do with his brother, but it's gone as soon as he blinks. "I convinced my captain to return for them and headed the mission myself. Ended up overpowering and capturing the bloody coward that had imprisoned them in the first place."
"Blackbeard wasn't it?" She remembers when it happened. Remembers how relieved her parents were, as the Dark One had been using Blackbeard as a tool to wreck devastation in parts of the kingdom.
"Aye. And pretty soon I was being awarded with ridiculous finery and honorary trips aboard luxury spaceliners." He waves his hand aimlessly through the air as he says this, emphasizing how unnecessary he finds all the attention.
His demeanor suddenly shifts after a breath and he smirks at her wickedly, leaning in as though he's about to tell her the most important secret "There was, however, an unseen advantage to all the needless pomp."
"Oh really?" she asks, quite certain she knows exactly where he's going with this. "And what might that be?"
His lips brush deliciously against her ear as he whispers. "Meeting stubborn…" he kisses at the space beneath her ear and Emma shivers, tiny goosebumps rising on her skin. "Bloody beautiful…" his lips graze up her cheek as he presses another kiss against the corner of her lips. "Princesses."
He kisses her fully then, his fingers softly brushing under her chin, tilting her head up as he seeks better access to her lips.
Emma smiles when she pulls away, keeping her forehead against his. "We should find some way to thank Blackbeard then."
"Aye, love," he chuckles lowly and kisses her again. "That we should."
The sun is just past mid-sky when they reach the edge of the forest the next day. More than anything Emma's been looking forward to the shade the trees will provide, but it's not relief from the heat that she feels the second she steps through the tree line.
The air starts its familiar humming, but it begins more abrupt and instantaneous than she's ever felt it.
It's louder but not unpleasant.
It's not causing her pain like it does when it builds and becomes too strong. But the suddenness of it catches her off guard enough that she pulls to a stop; Killian continues on a few feet before noticing her absence.
"Swan?" Killian turns to her, his brow furrowed. "What is it?"
She doesn't answer. She doesn't do anything for that matter. Just continues to stand there blinking and resisting the urge to take a step back out of the forest to see if the humming will stop as suddenly as it started. Killian says her name again but she barely even hears it.
"Emma?" he asks a third time, his tone unsure. He takes a measured a step towards her and reaches for her slowly.
His touch is light but Emma jumps back inhaling sharply. When she finally looks up at him, Killian's expression is a mix of confusion and concern, and it doesn't fade when she offers him a weak smile.
"It's nothing," she promises shaking her head. It most likely is nothing and she's just being paranoid. "I just… uh…" she falters and fails to find the words that will explain her odd behavior. "I just got a little distracted."
He doesn't look convinced and the creases in his forehead only deepen as he looks at her, his eyes anxious.
Looking down at the forest floor, Emma takes a quick breath and begins walking again— doing her best to ignore the fact that the humming doesn't seem to be stopping. Killian watches as she passes, the muscles in his jaw jumping as he clenches his teeth, biting back whatever it is he wants to say in response.
She knows he wants more of an answer, but all she can give him is a brief, "Come on," when he fails to follow after her.
She swears it's been close to two hours and the humming hasn't relented. It's relatively mild in comparison to what she's felt the last few times she's used magic, more of a constant undercurrent that doesn't seem to have an end. But as the minutes drag on it's becoming more and more like an itch deep beneath her skin that she can't seem to scratch.
And it's driving her insane.
She knows Killian knows something is off. It's obvious in the way he keeps looking at her only to huff in frustration and not say anything. Not that she can blame him. She's been nearly silent since her strange little incident at the beginning of the forest, and they haven't gone this long without talking since those first few days after they crashed.
But she's distracted and maybe a little on edge, and she wouldn't be able to explain why this is making her so uneasy anyway.
She soon realizes, however, that remaining silent about the incessant energy thrumming through the air isn't going to remain an option for much longer.
It happens once they reach a point where the river, which has slowly been thinning to more of a narrow stream, splits and diverges off in separate directions. Killian doesn't make a hassle out of picking a direction, choosing to follow the stream on the left without so much as missing a step.
Emma doesn't make it so much as three feet in the same direction before jerking to a stop, the laundry bag falling from her hands as she hunches over. White hot pain similar to what she experiences when drawing on too much of the planet's energy shoots across her temples.
It's nearly incapacitating and she has to bite her lip to keep from crying out as blackness creeps along the edges of her vision. Swaying slightly she squeezes her eyes shut and takes shallow breaths through her nose until the pain subsides.
The sudden onslaught ends almost as quickly as it begun, but Emma remains motionless a few seconds longer before reaching for the dropped laundry bag and looking up in search of Killian.
He isn't visible, the thick foliage that sways in the slight breeze making it impossible to see more than a few feet in front of her.
With a deep sigh Emma resituates her hold on the laundry bag and goes to follow him but she only makes it one step before agony zips through her head and down her spine again. Curling in on herself she curses under her breath. But just like before the attack on her senses ends in one abrupt instant. The after effects linger this time though, her head throbbing and her ears ringing.
Emma doesn't dare take a step forward, unwilling to trigger another round. "K-Killian?" Her cry comes out more as a gasp, the heaviness of her breathing stealing her voice. Clearing her throat she tries again and this time her yell slices through the forest air. "Killian?"
It takes a minute but soon Killian comes crashing through the branches. His eyes darting back and forth as he searches for the source of her distress. Realizing that there is nothing physically threatening her, he takes large strides to stand in front of her, eyes scanning her body for any sign of injury.
"You're shaking. Emma what is it?" His hands rub up and down her arms before wrapping around her, squeezing her to his chest. His hold is a little too tight throwing them off balance, and as he sways into her Emma is forced to take a step back.
She stiffens but the pain she expects doesn't come.
Pulling herself from Killian's arms she takes a few slow steps backwards.
Nothing happens.
All she feels is the pleasant humming that's been never-ending since she first stepped foot in this messed up forest.
"Love?" Killian's eyes reflect a tormented type of confusion. He doesn't reach for her again, only taking another cautious step towards her as if she's a startled doe ready to bolt at any unexpected movement.
"I think we're going the wrong way." She takes another couple of steps back to test her theory. And maybe she's crazy but she knows that walking back the way they came keeps the humming energy agreeable while moving forward sparks a burst of pain.
"Going the wrong—" Killian splutters, running a hand through his hair. "What they bloody hell is that supposed to mean, Swan? You're scaring me. What is going on?"
"It just means I think we're going the wrong way." She shrugs trying to play it off, and he scoffs at her answer. She doesn't know why she doesn't tell him, especially when it's obvious he doesn't believe her.
"You know, Swan, I'm actually quite perceptive and there is more to this than you're letting on. You've been acting strange since we walked in this damned place."
He reaches for her again, this time lifting her hand and running a soothing thumb across the back of it. Emma watches the path his thumb takes across her skin for several seconds before looking up and meeting his troubled stare.
"Please just tell me what's going on so I can help you."
"I can't go that way," she breathes.
Killian's mouth drops open, making him look even more confused. "You can't go that way?" His eyes flick back and forth between hers, desperate to understand.
Emma sighs and tries to explain everything as simply as she can. "Ever since we came in here the energy I've been drawing on for magic, you know the humming? It's been going nonstop. And just barely as I was trying to follow you… it um… it sort of attacked me?" Her voice lifts in a question at the end because it sounds ludicrous even to her own ears.
Killian's eyes go wide. "It attacked you?"
"No, no, no." She hurries to assure him. "Not anything serious, it just sort of causes an intense, sharp pain in my head."
Killian gives her a look as though he doesn't quite agree with her sentiment that it's nothing serious. '"Emma—"
"Okay, that sounds bad too," she cuts him off. "But really I think as long as we are going the right way it doesn't hurt me and so it's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about? Swan, this thing is hurting you. I'm sorry but I don't think it's wise to try and follow wherever it's trying to take you. We should leave the forest."
He looks as though he's ready to put a knife through anything that touches her, but this isn't a threat he can see, let alone feel. Emma doesn't really trust whatever is going on either but at the same time she has a feeling that it's not going to be resolved in a manner quite as simple as leaving. But it's worth a shot.
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